02 Mar 04
Hi all.
What is the best chess book you've evr read??
Please resist the temptation to put down any book you happen to have read, im looking for the BEST BOOK EVER!
Here is some sample cryteria;
-Annotation is clear (no paragraphs of different lines, notation is clear)
-Writting style (Author grips you with their info)
-Newness 😕 (Not just a book that covers all the usual stuff, open files/7th rank, etc..., something off the wall and NEW)
-You might have read it cover to cover in a couple of days cos it was that DAMN GOOD.
So, with the rules in place, let the race begin.........BANG😲
02 Mar 04
1 edit
BAROQUE CHESS OPENINGS or How to Play Your Betters at Chess and on Occasion Win by Richard Wincor.
An extract from the preface:
"Briefy, what I am suggesting is that one begin chess games with something other than the best moves (if such things exists) for the purpose of leading one's adversary to unfamiliar places, and there destroying him. The Grandmaster and the beginner will find nothing of value in this system, but the vast range of medium players may find it interesting.
"The style I recommend is Baroque, a term without fixed meaning even in chess circles but chosen <i>faute de mieux</i> for the occasion. I use it to mean irregular, grotesque, artificial and ornate."
Normally, when I read a chess book I can barely stay awake beyond a page or two. This book is different, its an absorbing and fun read. And lots of unusual openings to keep you amused and bemused.
02 Mar 04
Originally posted by ivanhoeJust good annotation?? What makes it different from any other?? I have a database with 4.5 million games in it, 50,000 odd are annotated, what will i learn here that i won't learn there??
Igor Stohl: "Instructive Modern Chess Masterpieces".
(Fifty very well annotated games)
03 Mar 04
1 edit
Originally posted by GatecrasherI am weak! 😵 I read this review of BAROQUE CHESS OPENINGS and several on Amazon and bought the book. I shouldn't have. I don't have time for the books I do have and this one is above me right now. But it sounds to good. 🙄
BAROQUE CHESS OPENINGS or How to Play Your Betters at Chess and on Occasion Win by Richard Wincor....
P.S. It's out of print but there are several used copies for sale.
03 Mar 04
Originally posted by marinakatomb
Just good annotation?? What makes it different from any other?? I have a database with 4.5 million games in it, 50,000 odd are annotated, what will i learn here that i won't learn there??
I'm sure you can learn a lot studying the 50.000 games you mentioned in your post. The question is which games from those 50.000 are the most interesting ones to study ...
We can read on the books backside:
"Stohl is an outstanding theoretical expert, so the opening phase of each game reads like a lesson in the key strategic aspects of the opening played, with a critical survey of modern trends. The middle game is dissected and the critical decisions subjected to scrutiny by an author who invites readers inside his laboratory to join him in his quest for the truth. The endgame phase, if reached, is handled with simular erudition, with insights into the grandmaster's approach to questions of technique. Following each game there is a discussion of the most important lessons to be learned from it."
A review: " .... The central thesis of his book is the emphasis on dynamic play in modern chess, that more and more top players are breaking the so-called traditional rules of chess to create winning chances." John Donaldson, Inside Chess Online.
Last but not least: This book is the winner of the United States Chess Federation's Cramer Award for Best Book.
This is NOT a book for beginners. It is a majestic book for players who really want to dive into it ...... not for the faint hearted .......
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03 Mar 04
Originally posted by ivanhoeI knew it would only be a matter of time before this master piece got mentioned. Was going to post it myself but didn't want to force the discussion to much in one direction.
Maybe a better (less difficult) book to recommend is the classical chess book:
A. Nymzowitch: "My system". A very good, instructive and entertaining book. A must read for every player who seriously wants to improve his play after being introduced to the basics of chess.
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If you like this one, have you read Jon (Watson/Motson, something like that) "Secrets of modern chess strategy, Advances from Nimzo" I found this to be a great book, though a little advanced for me, i read it off the back of System, really recommend it. 🙂
03 Mar 04
Originally posted by marinakatomb"have you read Jon (Watson/Motson, something like that) "Secrets of modern chess strategy, Advances from Nimzo"
I knew it would only be a matter of time before this master piece got mentioned. Was going to post it myself but didn't want to force the discussion to much in one direction.
If you like this one, have you read Jon (Watson/Motson, something like that) "Secrets of modern chess strategy, Advances from Nimzo" I found this to be a great book, though a little advanced for me, i read it off the back of System, really recommend it. 🙂
The book is on my list of "Books to Read". I allready bought it ..... 🙂
03 Mar 04
Originally posted by ivanhoeWhat else is on your list and why??
The book is on my list of "Books to Read". I allready bought it ..... 🙂
I have another, it's "Practicle end game possitions" it's out on Caddigan but i forget the author (blue cover). This is my "best" book. My rating shot up 100 points after reading this! I have never before enjoyed reading an end game book and never since! I generally find them tiring but this one is just pure gold.
03 Mar 04
Originally posted by marinakatomb
What else is on your list and why??
I have another, it's "Practicle end game possitions" it's out on Caddigan but i forget the author (blue cover). This is my "best" book. My rating shot up 100 points after reading this! I have never before enjoyed reading an end game book and never since! I generally find them tiring but this one is just pure gold.
I'm reading "Die Endspieluniversität" by Mark Dvoreckij. Also a book I can recommend if you want to broaden your horizon regarding the endgames.
All the books written by Mark Dvoreckij (or Dworetski) are on my list !
04 Mar 04
Originally posted by redlentils
that would be my choice too. i also have bought each edition of "playing the french" by john watson... a wonderful resource and a class apart from many opening books that merely rely on trawling through chess game databases. 🙂
What are the differences between the two (or more) editions of "Playing the French" ? I thought they were all the same.
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05 Mar 04
Originally posted by ivanhoehi ivanhoe,
What are the differences between the two (or more) editions of "Playing the French" ? I thought they were all the same.
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each of the three editions have a lot of original analysis by watson. the latest, 3rd edition, introduces the classical french as an alternative to the winawer. i love the french defence and this book is written by someone who plays and has invested his effort and time into this defence. i love the way his ideas have evolved in each edition. some of his speculative ideas in earlier editions have become mainstream later on, whilst other ideas have been found wanting. watson has always provided several alternatives in all the main lines. it is a lovely book. i play the french defence against 1e4 in every game. i learn from every game.
ray