Under the Surface, 2.ª edición, de Jan Markos (tapa dura)

This Under the Surface, 2nd Edition by Jan Markos is an English-language hardcover chess book that goes beyond moves and variations to show how strong players really think at the board. Instead of listing rules or lines, it uses memorable ideas and vivid metaphors to make strategic understanding easier to grasp and remember.

What the book covers

The first edition of Under the Surface, published in 2018, won the ECF Book of the Year award. In this second edition, Jan Markos expands the book with four new chapters and updates to the original text.

Markos explores how a grandmaster reads the game “under the surface” of the moves. Rather than relying on dry definitions, he explains complex ideas through striking concepts such as Magnetic Skin, Karpov’s Billiard Balls and The Hannibal Manoeuvre. The result is a book that helps you understand the dynamics of a position, not just memorise familiar patterns.

Why it stands out

This is a strong choice for players who want to deepen their strategic thinking and make better decisions over the board. It suits ambitious club players, coaches and tournament players, as well as readers who enjoy chess books with a clear authorial voice and a distinctive approach. Even experienced players will find ideas here that reframe familiar themes in a more practical way.

Jan Markos is also the author of The Secret Ingredient, written with David Navara.

Key details

• Product type: hardcover chess book
• Title: Under the Surface
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Author: Jan Markos
• Language: English
• Page count: 352
• Content update: includes four new chapters