Axel Smith is a chess Grandmaster and best-selling author. His books, including The Woodpecker Method and Pump Up Your Rating, have sold more than 50,000 copies worldwide. He holds the Swedish record for a blindfold simul with 15 games played simultaneously. An accomplished marathon runner (2:28), he lives in Lund, Sweden, with his wife and three children.GM Hans Tikkanen is a five-time Swedish Champion whose live rating peaked over 2600. His interest in chess-improvement methods, and how they work, led him to study for a degree in psychology.

GM Hans Tikkanen is a five-time Swedish Champion whose live rating peaked over 2600. His interest in chess-improvement methods, and how they work, led him to study for a degree in psychology.4/5 Stars "Overall, I like the book, I think it makes for an excellent training program, and it will undoubtedly become established as a valuable tool for players who are serious about improving their game." -- Carsten Hansen, American Chess Magazine