The Magnus Method

The Singular Skills of the World's Strongest Chess Player Uncovered and Explained

Published by New in Chess
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

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About The Book

What is it that makes Magnus Carlsen the strongest chess player in the world? Why do Carlsen's opponents, the best players around, fail to see his moves coming? Moves that, when you replay his games, look natural and self-evident? Emmanuel Neiman has been studying Carlsen's games and style of play for many years. His findings will surprise, delight, and educate every player, regardless of their level.

Neiman explains a key element in the World Champion's play: instead of the ‘absolute' best move he often plays the move that is likely to give him the better chances. Carlsen's singular ability to win positions that are equal or only very slightly favorable comes down to this: he doesn't let his opponents get what they hope for while offering them the maximum amount of chances to go wrong.

In areas such as pawn play, piece play, exchanges as a positional weapon and breaking the rules tytyinndgames, Neiman shows that Magnus Carlsen has brought a new understanding to the game. He also looks at Carlsen's key qualities that are not directly related to technique. Such as his unparalleled fighting spirit and his ability to objectively evaluate any kind of position and situation. Carlsen is extremely widely read and knows basically everything about chess. What's more, as the most versatile player in the history of the game he is totally unpredictable.


‘The Magnus Method' presents a complete analysis of the skills that make the difference. With lots of surprising and instructive examples and quizzes. Examining Carlsen's abilities together with Emmanuel Neiman is a delightful way to get to unlock you own potential.

About The Author

Product Details

  • Publisher: New in Chess (November 15, 2021)
  • Length: 304 pages
  • ISBN13: 9789056919689

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Raves and Reviews

"Emmanuel Neiman breaks down Carlsen's skills into 12 chapters, which cover everything from a discussion of his style down to how Carlsen likes to attack, defend and especially exchange pieces. Neiman challenges his readers to analyze a number of positions of Carlsen's before explaining in some detail what the champ played, and crucially why. The work concludes with plenty of complete games and, overall, is essentially an excellent collection of lessons, not least from the aspects of technique and psychology."

– CHESS Magazine

"Emmanuel Neiman provides a trainer perspective on the play of Magnus Carlsen. The author dissects what mental and technical qualities set Magnus apart from the rest of elite chess players. Neiman explains why Magnus approach to chess opening was important to see classical chess. Particularly, Carlsen's structural approach in contrast to the search for the best move in every position. The Magnus method is a revelation about the chess toolkit of today's chess world champion. Highly recommend."

– Miguel Ararat, Florida Chess Quarterly

"A useful and instructive book!"

– Matthew Sadler, The Silicon Way to Chess Improvement

"I like the way diagrammed positions are set up to illustrate certain themes and after we have failed to work out the plan there is a discussion of how he won. An excellent book. I do like the long explanations about style, his patience in dull positions and of course is overwhelming desire to try and win every game."

– Gary Lane, International Master, Chess Moves Magazine

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