I once came across this title in a used bookstore. I very much wanted to get it because the idea of a book devoted to pawn play -- a subtle but very important aspect of chess -- is something that I need to improve in my own play (like so many things).
The problem was that the author has invented his own nomenclature, which is eccentric, sesquipedalian, and (not surprisingly) has yet to be adopted by any other chess writers. It isn't just an occasional problem but runs throughout the entire book. It just wasn't worth the effort for me, and made it difficult to even assess the actual content of the book. Was this something containing the secrets of pawn play, or merely a collection of verbose truisms?
Apparently a re-issue is in the works but instead of cleaning it up they seem determined to further muddy the linguistic waters:
http://main.uschess.org/content/view/7017/75/
Does anyone know of a comparably specialized book dealing with this subject, as good or better in its insights (whatever those may be)?
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Originally posted by Mark AdkinsPawn structure chess by Soltis is supposed to be a very good book along the same lines.
I once came across this title in a used bookstore. I very much wanted to get it because the idea of a book devoted to pawn play -- a subtle but very important aspect of chess -- is something that I need to improve in my own play (like so many things).
The problem was that the author has invented his own nomenclature, which is eccentric, sesquipedal ...[text shortened]... zed book dealing with this subject, as good or better in its insights (whatever those may be)?
Originally posted by Mark AdkinsI'm confused. The USCF article that you referenced doesn't really say that a new Pawn Power In Chess (PPIC) is in the works. (Or at least I didn't notice such a statement. Did I miss something?)
I once came across this title in a used bookstore. I very much wanted to get it because the idea of a book devoted to pawn play -- a subtle but very important aspect of chess -- is something that I need to improve in my own play (like so many things).
The problem was that the author has invented his own nomenclature, which is eccentric, sesquipedal ...[text shortened]... zed book dealing with this subject, as good or better in its insights (whatever those may be)?
Anyway, I haven't read PPIC, but everyone I've talked to (including the reviews I've read) seem to think that the book is so good that it's worth wading through the arcane terminology. Here's a Chessville glossary of the PPIC terms that might help:
http://www.chessville.com/Reference_Center/Pawn_Power_Glossary.htm
I've also heard that Soltis' "Pawn Structure Chess" is good, but it apparently deals on a more macro pawn structure scale, while Kmoch deals more with pawn substructures.
Originally posted by TalismanI've read the books by both Kmoch and Soltis and I agree completely that Soltis' book was far more useful. Kmoch got the "props" because it was the first of it's kind, but it is a very generalized book with a lot of bizarre terminology, most of which was never adopted by the chess world (though a few terms were e.g. "levers" ). Soltis has chapters for various common structures which are arrived at from specific openings and I found the book very useful. Another good book with this theme (but with a much narrower scope) is "Winning Pawn Structures" by Baburin, which only deals with IQP positions.
Pawn structure chess by Soltis is supposed to be a very good book along the same lines.
Originally posted by Mad RookMy mistake. A quick scan led me to believe that the title was to be reissued for its 50th Anniversay in a special addition which would add bonus material -- the "new pages".
I'm confused. The USCF article that you referenced doesn't really say that a new Pawn Power In Chess (PPIC) is in the works. (Or at least I didn't notice such a statement. Did I miss something?)
Originally posted by Mark Adkinsthere's a book called "winning pawn structures" from Barburin, but I don't know if it's good. if you're interested, pm me.
I once came across this title in a used bookstore. I very much wanted to get it because the idea of a book devoted to pawn play -- a subtle but very important aspect of chess -- is something that I need to improve in my own play (like so many things).
The problem was that the author has invented his own nomenclature, which is eccentric, sesquipedal ...[text shortened]... zed book dealing with this subject, as good or better in its insights (whatever those may be)?
The day this book arrived was a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The anticipation of a sought after book finally satisfied. The evocative nature of the opening paragraphs followed by this:
Horizontally: lee and luff Vertically: frontspan and rearspan (accompanies a diagram with a pawn in the middle and a line out to the four sides.)
Lee and luff taken as a measure, we have what we call innerpawns and rimpawns. A rimpawn ordinarily called a rook pawn, has no lee side, covers only one square insead of two and is consequently inferior to an innerpawn.
The lack of the lee side is a disadvantage which often shows up in the endgame, in that a rim
pawn draws where where an innerpawn would win. Examples to the contrary are exceptions.
......
It is usual to maintain the terms Q-side and K-side throughout the game, but they virtually fail to make sense when castling on the queenside has occurred. We therefore use the alternate terms of home side for the castled side and ranger side for the uncastled side, distinguishing accordingly between home pawns and ranger.
.....
(And maybe we could have a Christmas competition for anyone to make a board for this position and explain it in plain language🙂
Helpers and sentries neutralize each other if there is a helper for every sentry. A half free pawn with inadequate help is no true candidate but a faker. In the position of PQ4 vs PK3, for instance, both pawns a fakers, each on lacking the necessary helper. The same with PQ4 in the formation of PQB2,Pq4,PK2 v's PQB2, PK2, PKB3 when PK2 is paralyzed by...PKB3; this helper needs a helpers helper, e.g. PKB2, which assures the consecutive crossing of K5 and Q6.
No wonder they used to think people who play chess are clever!
Originally posted by MahoutSuperbly expressed, my dear fellow. But we mustn't forget this excerpt (from page 62):
The day this book arrived was a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The anticipation of a sought after book finally satisfied. The evocative nature of the opening paragraphs followed by this:
Horizontally: lee and luff Vertically: frontspan and rearspan (accompanies a diagram with a pawn in the middle and a line out to the four sides.)
Lee and luff taken ive crossing of K5 and Q6.
No wonder they used to think people who play chess are clever!
"The conversion of the duo into a leuco-bound chain creates a bad ram and enhances the melanpenia of Black's position, but there is no choice."
The caption for diagram 65 (same page) reads: "Predominantly dynamic but fatal melanpenia".
Simply ghastly. How on earth has this chap managed to secure a place of classical importance in the history and analysis of chess when, at best, only a handful of individuals have had the patience to suffer through his impossibly obscure prose?
Originally posted by Mark AdkinsMaybe the book would make more sense after a few beers and several readings of Jabberwocky. 😵
Superbly expressed, my dear fellow. But we mustn't forget this excerpt (from page 62):
"The conversion of the duo into a leuco-bound chain creates a bad ram and enhances the melanpenia of Black's position, but there is no choice."
(The caption for diagram 65 (same page) reads: "Predominantly dynamic but fatal melanpenia". Simply ghastly.)
Originally posted by Mad RookI doubt it. Already today I've had generous servings of rye whiskey and yet the text remains as abstruse as ever.
Maybe the book would make more sense after a few beers and several readings of Jabberwocky. 😵
I just noticed that you (Mad Rook) last moved 181+ days ago. What on earth are you up to here?
Originally posted by Mark AdkinsThe Art of Chess Combination by Znosko-Borovsky had me similarly addled by it's verbosity.
I once came across this title in a used bookstore. I very much wanted to get it because the idea of a book devoted to pawn play -- a subtle but very important aspect of chess -- is something that I need to improve in my own play (like so many things).
The problem was that the author has invented his own nomenclature, which is eccentric, sesquipedal ...[text shortened]... zed book dealing with this subject, as good or better in its insights (whatever those may be)?
In the chapter to define what a combination is, 10 pages long.
"The maneuvre is fine, ingenious and decisive, and every move is almost forced. But the element of surprise is lacking, and it is better not to classify this maneuvre among combinations, for otherwise we could not draw the line of demarcation between maneuvres and combinations. The latter coming within the general category of the former, it is necessary to make a sharp distinction.
We may go further and say that combinations based on surprises which are too well knows, indeed hackneyed, are not real combinations, since the idea of the unforeseen is excluded. A well-known air when made popular on the street-organs loses thereby much of it's charm"
I gave up about 3 pages later.
D
Originally posted by RagnorakI'll admit that the Z-B quote is windy, but at least it's intelligible.
The Art of Chess Combination by Znosko-Borovsky had me similarly addled by it's verbosity.
In the chapter to define what a combination is, 10 pages long.
"The maneuvre is fine, ingenious and decisive, and every move is almost forced. But the element of surprise is lacking, and it is better not to classify this maneuvre among combinations, for otherwise ...[text shortened]... n the street-organs loses thereby much of it's charm"
I gave up about 3 pages later.
D
BTW, I can't quite figure out what that icon of yours is. It looks like a pile of graphite shavings with an egg sitting atop. What is it?