Book advice

Just wanted to add that the game of chess by tarrasch is NOT a beginners book-although if you were to get it it would be best to take the opening section with a a grain of salt

test

sorry i made a long and detailed answer but it was automatically refused...1st time that happens !

The books that helped my chess the most are tournament books.But you have to enjoy playing through annotated games.

Recommended are: Zürich 1953,Nottingham 1936,Curaçao 1962
(those are also the only 3 I read) 😉

toet.

Originally posted by toeternitoe
Zürich 1953

That would be Bronstein's book? Euwe also wrote a book on that tournament, but I have read neither it nor a review of it. Anyone?

I am currently reading Tarrasch's book of Nürnberg 1896, which is something of a forgotten gem. I've got the BCM reprint of the original German edition -- it was never translated into English. Some great games (and some real dogs), and some classic Tarrasch annotations e.g. "One of the spectators, a chess fan from overseas, feel asleep watching this game. When I first heard of this I was enraged at such an abuse of the tournament hall; now however, after painstaking analysis of the game, I must acknowledge that the gentleman's criticism was harsh but fair." (Nr.60 Janowski - Showalter, Petroff Defence, 0-1 in 65)

Originally posted by pdunne
That would be Bronstein's book? Euwe also wrote a book on that tournament, but I have read neither it nor a review of it. Anyone?

I am currently reading Tarrasch's book of Nürnberg 1896, which is something of a forgotten gem. I've got the BCM reprint of the original German edition -- it was never translated into English. Some great games (and some real ...[text shortened]... 's criticism was harsh but fair." (Nr.60 Janowski - Showalter, Petroff Defence, 0-1 in 65)

Yes,Bronstein's.I was not aware of the fact Euwe wrote about Zürich 1953 as well.

There are probably many great tournament books few people (still) know about.Unfortunately I can only read Dutch and English.
In recent years Russell ent. and NIC have reprinted a few,which I think is great.

Tournament books,a fine tradition I'd like to see restored 🙂
Why did they stop doing it anyway?

Btw,anyone read From London to Elista?I heard the background stories are great but what about the games and annotations?

toet.

Maybe one of these days I'll read a tournament book; I haven't yet because I'm afraid they'd be way too deep for my patzer status. But if I did, I might be tempted with Karlsbad 1907. I don't see how anyone could read these two reviews and not be interested. (OK, maybe cost would be a factor, but still...)

http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review613.pdf
http://www.jeremysilman.com/book_reviews_js/Karlsbad_1907.html

And it's even in English Algebraic notation - None of this Figurine crap. 🙂

Best games collections and Tournament books are the only books
I have really enjoyed.

Zurish 1953 - Bronstein? in 1993 Bronstein said;

"Most of the nice words and elegant expressions in the book overall are the work
of Vainstein, who writes very well… Of course the analysis and technical concepts
are mine, as are the views on my rivals, but it may be said that a large part of the
text is by Vainstein."

Vainstein in the 1950's was persona non grata.

Vainstein actually writes a short essay in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice dated
1984. He refers to the Chess Struggle, calling it Bronstein’s book.

Don't know how long persona non grata. lasts. Perhaps even
then he was afraid (not allowed) to admit his part in it.

If you can get the hardback of Montreal 1979, get it. That's good.
Hasting 1895 is also very enjoyable.

In my opinion Top 10 games collections in no particuliar order.

It's Only Me - Tony Miles Games
Lasker by Soltis
Najdorf games by Najdorf
Fischer games by Soltis
Tarrasch best games by Fred Reinfeld
Fischer's 60
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice - Bronstein
Alekhine's two books of best games (counting those as one).
Tartakowers best games by Tartakower.
Fighting Chess by Kasparov
Tals games by Clarke.

Pick one from that lot. I can't

Tarrasch best games. I know I picked up a lot from that book
and I enjoyed doing it too.

Tartakowers best games by Tartakower. Same reason as above.

Originally posted by greenpawn34
Best games collections and Tournament books are the only books
I have really enjoyed.

Zurish 1953 - Bronstein? in 1993 Bronstein said;

"Most of the nice words and elegant expressions in the book overall are the work
of Vainstein, who writes very well… Of course the analysis and technical concepts
are mine, as are the views on my rivals, but I enjoyed doing it too.

Tartakowers best games by Tartakower. Same reason as above.

Strange to recommend books about tal's games without mentionning the books he wrote !
- the life and games of mikhail tal
- tal-botvinnik 1960

i'd like to add to your list the following :
- the art of analysis by Timman
- The art of sacrifice by spielman
- fire on board, Shirov
- learn from the legends, Marin (not exactly a game collection but such a great book!)
- i play against pieces, gligoric
- larsen' 50 best

and tournament books, 1 old, 1 recent :
- hastings 1895 (where can be found among other great games the famous steinitz-bardeleben which i had the chance to copy in one of my games (not to the end but to the 16th move, and a winning position)
- San Luis 2005 , gershon and nor

There must be many other but those are the one i own (i didn't say the ones i read!)

I have 'the life and games of Mikhail Tal' it's OK but Clarke's book hit's the spot.

Nice cosy notes (cannot think of a better term).
I'm playing over a game without getting involved, just enjoying the moment.
Anything I pick up is a bonus.

Studying (work) is different, that was reserved for opening and end game books.
Never enjoyed that as much as playing over a game.
Soon got bored. (unless it was a book of opening traps!!!).