The Seven Deadly Chess Sins by Jonathan Rowson
This book finds its place in the advanced or master category as most of the book will be beyond the majority of chess players. Jonathan Rowson has his chess take on the 'Seven Deadly Sins' (Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Greed, and Sloth).
Thinking – sometimes unnecessary or erroneous
Blinking – lapses of attention.
Wanting – focused on the result.
Materialism – lack of attention to non-material factors
Egoism – missing your opponent’s point of view.
Perfectionism – time management and searching only for best moves
Looseness – losing the plot or poor concentration
Each chapter begins with a thought-provoking discussion of the 'Sin' and the second part uses examples that demonstrate each 'Sin' on the board. Overall Jonathan Rowson does an impressive job at addressing the common psychological pitfalls that a chess player faces.
You don't have to take my word for it.
“The 'Seven Deadly Chess Sins' and 'Chess for Zebras' are both fantastic books on chess psychology.” -Daniel Naroditsky.
“I think that if a world-class GM studies it well, he/she could get a kind of a manual on psychological struggle at the top level.” -Levon Aronian.
“Quite simply, The Seven Deadly Chess Sins is one of the best chess books to come out in many, many years.” Jeremy Silman.
If you liked this book then you might also like “Chess for Zebras” also by Jonathan Rowson. I believe a dated forerunner of this book might be “Why You Lose At Chess” by Fred Reinfeld which is two stars and in descriptive notation (B-QB4).
