The Hidden Laws of Chess

Dominating the pawn structures

Have you ever wondered why strong chess players immediately grasp what happens in complex positions? The secret is the pawn structures. The pawn structure dictates the flow of the game and different structures require different approaches. You can improve your game by studying a wide variety of pawn structures in this book.

MI Nick Maatman invented the Hidden Laws of Chess as an instructional tool to help his students bridge the gap between the basic understanding of a club player and the next level of knowledge of Masters and Grandmasters. A grandmaster knows from experience which pieces to trade when facing an isolated pawn, while a club player wonders whether he should keep his rooks on the board or not.

Hidden laws go one level beyond the basic laws about the development of pieces, the safety of the king or material balance. The Hidden Laws will uncover elements like space, the quality of a pawn structure and the strength or weakness of a bent pawn. Maatman will answer questions such as: Are delayed pawns the worst in chess? What's the value of a spatial advantage? Could folded pawns be an advantage? How can I win symmetrical positions?

Using his experience as a coach and writing with a touch of science and philosophy, Maatman will guide any ambitious chess player to the next level. His book contains dozens of practical tips, instructive games, and carefully selected exercises.

Nick Maatman (1995) is an international teacher, experienced chess coach and training partner of super-GM Jorden van Foreest. Maatman has won the Dutch U20 Championship and has beaten many strong grandmasters in tournament games. The Hidden Laws of Chess is his first book, but he expects many more to follow. He graduated from the University of Groningen in Business and Philosophy.