In an ideal world, any aspiring chess player, at almost any level, would get better with a coach. If that's not possible, having chess champion coach Thomas Engqvist's book next to your chess set is the next best thing.

In his series of lessons, the Swedish coach guides you though not only the most important elements of chess to master but also the psychology, how to marry knowledge with imagination, and how to stay motivated. Suitable for older children through to adults, the lessons take you in the right direction, so you avoid wasting time on chess learning that is inefficient. The structure of the lessons is chronological. Following the important great players, starting with the Italian school and Philidor and finishing with Carlsen and Alpha Zero, the chess lessons draw from their most important discoveries, theories and ideas. These are distilled into useful lessons that include the main focus, which is 'how to practise chess'.

International Master Thomas Engqvist has travelled the world teaching and coaching chess to a very high level for decades - and he can be your coach too.