If you’ve ever played a chess game and later thought, “Arre yaar, how did I miss that simple move?”, then you are not alone. Believe me, even the greatest grandmasters in the world have faced the same problem. That’s exactly what the book Invisible Chess Moves by Yochanan Afek and Emmanuel Neiman is all about.
This book doesn’t just show tactics. It shows us why our brain sometimes refuses to see the obvious move right in front of us. That’s what makes it so unique and so much fun to read.
The Main Idea of the Book
Most chess books focus on strategy, openings, or endgame techniques. But this book looks at something more human — our “blind spots.”
The authors explain that certain types of moves are naturally harder for human eyes to notice. For example:
- Quiet moves (not check, not capture, not threat, just a calm improvement).
- Backward moves (like a rook retreating or knight going back).
- Horizontal moves (rook sliding sideways).
- Unexpected exchanges (where we trade a piece that looks important but actually benefits us).
Even grandmasters often miss these patterns, not because they are weak, but because the human brain is wired in a certain way.
Another part of the book focuses on psychology. Sometimes we miss a move not because it’s difficult, but because we are already expecting the game to end in a certain way. For example, when you think the game is heading for a draw, you may not even bother looking for a winning line. Or when you are playing against a stronger opponent, you might subconsciously believe, “He won’t blunder,” and ignore winning chances.
This combination of geometry + psychology makes the book very different from your regular chess manual.
Packed with Real Examples
One of the highlights of the book is the huge number of real examples from grandmaster games. And these are not random unknown players — you will see positions from legends like Kramnik, Anand, Ivanchuk, Topalov, and many others.
For instance, there’s a story about Kramnik, one of the most solid world champions ever, who completely missed a mate in one against the computer during his famous match in 2006. Yes, a mate in one 😅. If someone like Kramnik can overlook that, then we don’t have to feel so bad about missing forks and pins in our own games.
I also enjoyed how the authors show “double blindness” — situations where both players miss the winning move. These moments remind us that chess is not just about calculation but also about psychology and vision.
Training Value 💪
This book is not just theory. Each chapter comes with puzzles and exercises where you get to test yourself. The idea is not only to solve but also to reflect: why did I miss this move? Was it because it was backward? Was it because it looked too quiet? Was I expecting something else?
There is even a big test at the end of the book, almost like a final exam, where you can check your “invisible move” detection skills. I think this is great for club players, because often we practise tactics like forks and pins but forget to train the habit of spotting unusual moves.
What I Loved About the Book ❤️
- Fresh Concept – It’s rare to find a chess book that mixes tactics with psychology. This isn’t a boring “play this opening, do this endgame” kind of book. It really makes you think about how your brain works.
- Relatable Examples – Seeing that even Anand, Kramnik, and Ivanchuk miss simple moves is oddly comforting. It makes you feel less guilty about your own blunders.
- Exercises – The puzzles are at the right level — not computer-like crazy, but humanly challenging. Perfect for a 1200–2000 rated player.
- Humour – The authors sometimes add funny comments, like “patzer cannot see the horizontal,” which makes you smile while reading.
What Could Be Better 🤔
To be honest, the only small issue is the heavy notation in some places. If you are not used to following long variations, it can feel tiring. A few more diagrams would have helped beginners.
Also, if you are completely new to chess (below 1000 rating), this book might feel a little tough. It assumes you already know the basics of tactics.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Club Players (1200–2000) – This is the perfect audience. You’ll immediately recognise situations from your own games.
- Young Talents – If you are serious about improving, this book teaches you how to think differently.
- Coaches – It’s a goldmine for training material. Students love when they see GMs also missing “easy” moves.
- Casual Chess Lovers – Even if you don’t solve every exercise, you’ll enjoy the stories and psychological insights.
My Personal Take as an Indian Chess Fan 🇮🇳
As someone who has grown up with stories of Anand and followed Indian chess for years, I loved seeing how even world champions face the same struggles we do. Sometimes in our games at the local chess club or on Chess.com, we miss a quiet bishop move or forget a backward rook defence. Reading this book makes you realise — it’s not just carelessness, it’s part of human chess.
For Indian kids and students aiming to reach the next level, I think this book is super useful. It builds patience and shows that calculation is not enough — you also need awareness of your blind spots.
Final Verdict ⭐
Invisible Chess Moves is one of those books that stays with you. It doesn’t just improve your tactics, it changes how you see the chessboard. It’s entertaining, full of great examples, and practical for training.
I’d rate it 4.5/5 🌟. Totally worth reading if you want to sharpen your vision and stop saying, “Oh no, I missed that simple move again!”
So next time you blunder and your friends laugh, just smile and say: “Even Kramnik did the same.” 😉
Buy this book on: