This Bronstein Guy

I've been reading the Bronstein/Furstenburg book The Sorcerer's Apprentice (which is excellent) and something is really puzzling me. Just how good was this Bronstein guy? I have read a number of things around the Net saying he was overrated, his endgame technique was weak, etc. The chessmetrics website rates him 37th in history over his best five-year period, behind immortals like Zukertort and Polugaevsky.😕

I don't get it. There was a book back in 1978 by Prof. Elo, and he had Bronstein 12th in history at that time, ahead of some world champions (e.g., Euwe). And in 1951 Bronstein sat down to play a chess match with Botvinnik (who everyone seems to think belongs in the top ten) and drew with him. To get there he had to win an Interzonal, a candidates tournament, and a playoff match against the top players in the world.

Bronstein's results faded for a couple of years after that match, but then in Zurich he comes back and ties with Keres and Reshevsky for 2nd place behind Smyslov. This is widely considered to be one of the strongest tournaments in history, and he ties for second behind the eventual champion.

So how can he not be rated as one of the greatest players in history; or even, as Euwe once addressed him: co-world champion?

I think you've answered your own question! Forget what the statisticians (and ill-informed 'experts' on the internet) say, Bronstein was one of the greatest. He tied for Botvinnik in a World Championship match, and was at least as strong as him for many years. He's still a great player at the age of 78 🙂

As anyone who has played through some of Bronstein's masterpieces will acknowledge, Bronstein at his best is a genius. I place him in the same league as Tal, when he was at his peak.

And the 'Sorceror's Apprentice' is superb. You should also read Bronstein's book on the Zurich 1953 Candidates Tournament, which is widely regarded as the best tournament book ever written, and his entertaining collection: '200 Open Games'.

Dave

Zurich is amazing. I have it and it's way cheaper than it should be. Some games are the normal tournament chicken/weakling draws, but then the rest are amazing and his explanations of the games and stories and good too. Helped me learn alot! 😀

My faith is restored!🙂

I went and looked (chessgames.com) and his record against the top players of his generation was right around .500. He didn't do too well against Tal, Spassky, etc., but he was older then, and no one else did either.

I read through the Zurich book about 20 years ago and was in awe...I need to look at that again...

Everything I've read about Bronstein has been very positive... in fact, the phrase "strongest player never to be world champion" is the most common description I've seen regarding him.

According to a poster at ChessCafe, Saturday was the 50th anniversary of the start of the Zurich 1953 tournament.

Originally posted by lloydk
My faith is restored!🙂

I went and looked (chessgames.com) and his record against the top players of his generation was right around .500. He didn't do too well against Tal, Spassky, etc., but he was older then, and no one else did either.

I read through the Zurich book about 20 years ago and was in awe...I need to look at that again...

Originally posted by Jan Pot, Antwerpe (Belgiu
Hi!

When you posted this, oh, coincidence!, Zürich 1953 was on my playing table and I was browsing through it. It's a book I've been in love with for over 20 years. It's so, so... Difficult to express, but it's no doubt a milstone in chess literature. At least, that's how I feel about it and about Mr Bronstein.
However (I must look ...[text shortened]... , though. One of the best I've ever read and still do after all these years.

Cheerio!

Jan