No comments about The First American Chess Congress (Classic Chess).

2 comments about Unusual Queen's Gambit Declined (Everyman Chess).

1. Being a 1-d4 player, I have to be acquainted with unusual replies by Black. This book gave me enough theory and explanations to feel more confidence if confronted by these monsters! The frame of Everyman's Chess Publications (Cadogan) is efficient. A limited amount of selected games by the best players possible with a lot of explanations.



2. If you open a chess game with 1 d4 and answer 1...d5 with 2 c4 then you need to be prepared for three "unusual" Black replies, namely 2...e5 (the Albin), 2...Bf5 (the Baltic), and 2...Nc6 (the Chigorin). Perhaps you'll even want to try one of these defences yourself. This well written book can help you do both.
   
   The Chigorin is the soundest of these three choices. White can try 3 cxd5, 3 Nc3, or 3 Nf3. I think the line that gives Black the most trouble is 3 cxd5 Qxd5 4 e3 e5 5 Nc3 Bb4 6 Bd2 Bxc3 7 Bxc3 exd4 8 Ne2 Nf6 9 Nxd4 0-0 10 Nb5 Qg5 11 Nxc7. This book tells about it and gives some suggestions. But, sure, I'd rather have White here.
   
   The Baltic isn't a good choice for Black. 3 cxd5 Bxb1 4 Qa4+ c6 5 Rxb1 is good for White. And even 3 cxd5 Bxb1 4 Rxb1 favors White. Black has to hope for 3 Qb3 e5 or 3 Nc3 e6, which, as this book shows, are not nearly as good choices for White.
   
   Still, there is a line in the Baltic that is worth knowing if one plays the Slav, namely 3 Nf3. The reason is that White may try 1 d4 d5 2 Nf3. Now what? What happened to that Slav you were going to play? And is this your chance to get that Queen Bishop outside your pawn chain?
   
   Yes. It is. You can play 2...Bf5 and if 3 c4 e6 4 Nc3 c6, with a favorable version of a Slav. Ward gives a couple of games to show how this can go, but one can see more in books on the Slav.
   
   In the Albin, my suggestion for White, which the book does not entirely agree with, is 3 dxe5 d4 4 Nf3 Nc6 5 Nbd2 (the book recommends 5 g3) Bg4 6 a3. Here, Ward recommends 6...Nge7 for Black, but I still prefer White and so does he.
   
   The Albin seems to me to be a bunch of traps. The most ridiculous is the following suicidal play by White: 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5 d4 4 e3? Bb4+ 5 Bd2 dxe3 6 Bxb4 exf2+ 7 Ke2 fxg1=N 8 Rxg1 Bg4+ 9 White resigns. But the author shows us some quick wins for Black in saner lines. One is 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5 d4 4 e4 Nc6 5 f4 f6 6 exf6 Nxf6 7 Bd3 Bb4+ 8 Bd2 Ng4 9 Nf3 Ne3 10 Qe2 0-0 11 g3 Bg4 12 a3 Ne5 13 Bxb4 Nxf3+ 14 Kf2 Rxf4 15 gxf4 Qh4 mate.
   
   You may protest that White ought to play an early a3 to avoid all this. But Ward also shows us the following: 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5 d4 4 Nf3 Nc6 5 a3 f6 6 exf6 Nxf6 7 g3 Bg4 8 Nbd2 a5 9 b3 Bc5 10 Bb2 0-0 11 Bg2 Qd7 12 0-0 Rae8 13 Re1 Bh3 14 b4 axb4 15 Nb3 b6 16 Nxc5 bxc5 17 axb4 Nxb4 18 Ra5 Bxg2 19 Kxg2 20 Ba3 Qh3+! (winning for Black).
   
   Even in Ward's recommended line for White, namely 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5 d4 4 Nf3 Nc6 5 g3, we see a couple of games where Black wins fast by pushing her h-pawn and getting her Queen Bishop to h3 (generally via e6 or f5).
   
   I wouldn't want to play the Albin with Black, in spite of all these possibilities, but some of you might want to try it, or the Baltic or the Chigorin, for Black. And I do recommend this book to learn all these openings for White.

No comments about David Bronstein: Chess Improviser (Pergamon Russian Chess Series).

No comments about Test Your Chess Iq, Book 1 (Pergamon Russian Chess).

3 comments about The Magic of Mikhail Tal (Everyman Chess).

1. Joe Gallagher goes all out in this book! Covering Tal's career from 1975 to his untimely death in 1992, Gallagher picks up where Tal left off in his autobiography. The games themselves are, of course, Tal masterpieces and are well annotated using some of Tal's own recommendations. Galllagher provides ample biographical detail to go with the games and his notes on the games themselves are very readable with not too many variations. All in all, a modern classic on "The Magician from Riga."



2. Joe Gallagher does a great job on this book which is a follow-up of Tal's "Life and Games of Mikhail Tal." Gallagher is known for his great works on the openings, and that is reflected here as he uses Tal's games as a vehicle for opening study. The format is great, also following "L and G", with tournament/match results, ratings, and stories strewn about. The game notes are very good.

   The downsides of this book are that 1) it is extremely hard to live up to Tal's beautiful writing and notes. Afterall, "Life and Games" is considered to be one of the best chess books ever written. Gallagher just doesn't have the same fire and passion in his writing and notes. Maybe he should have chosen a format that is different from "L and G" if he wanted to avoid such an obvious comparison. He tells some nice stories about Tal, but rather flatly. 2) the games are not of the same quality and beauty as Tal's earlier ones. The opponents are not as strong, and Tal's style dulled a bit, becoming more solid at the expense of sparkling sacs and combinations. However, the games are thoroughly enjoyable if you don't think about is earlier games too much. 3) The introduction chapter is too long, since it covers what Tal already has (before 1975). I found it a bit redundant, although it nice to have another perspective on this best part of Tal's career.

   Overall, this is a must have for any Tal fan, as it is well done and gives a complete story in conjunction with "L and G." Just don't be too disappointed that it is not the same quality as Tal's classic work.




3. Misha Tal finally died in 1992 at 56. Heavy smoking and drinking habits combined with bad health and a missing kidney just finished him off.
   He was a most extraordinary chess player as can be read from his autobiography; as a matter of fact that book only covered the story up to 1975. Gallagher book is very welcomed by every fan of Tal since it tells the latter part of the story; this is not as witty as Tal's writings but it is able to tell the real truth because the KGB is gone...The book is interesting and does a good job telling us about the latter part of Tal's sad life; let's say that the book contains some astounding games too since Tal, at times could yet kindle great fires on the board: Hubner-Tal (Bienne 1976), Tal-Portisch (Bienne 1976), Spassky-Tal (Montreal 1979), Tal-Larsen (Montreal 1979), Tal-Korchnoi (montpellier 1984), etc...See also the games Tal-Ftacnick and Tal-Flesch.
   This book must be seen as a labour of love for that great player from a non too distant past which was destroyed by the soviet system.

No comments about The Puzzle King: Sam Loyd's Chess Problems and Selected Mathematical Puzzles.

5 comments about The Beginner's Game.

1. Well, I tried to find reviews of this book before I purchased it, but was only able to find a couple; neither of which were indepth reviews; however, I purchased the book anyway.

   Basically, The Beginner's Game is an opening formation, reached in eight moves. It is the proto-type position of all the positions that can evolve from what the author calls the B-system.

   The book is well written, and explains the system very well. And, believe it or not, I haven't found any errors in the diagrams or move-lists, unusual for a chess book. Anyway, bottom line, I have no problem with the book's presentation of the subject matter-- clear and concise.

   But......

   As far as the system itself being superior to present classical/hypermodern opening-theory..... well, I think not. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad system. Most of the positions are solid, but the draw-back is that while the player of this system is setting-up his formation, so is the opponent, and usually with extememly strong centralization and more space.

   If you want to move away from the memorization of opening-sequences that opening-theory has become, then you might want to give this a try.

   I deducted a star because I don't think this system is a cure to present opening-theory, as it claims to be; however, it is thought-provoking, and if you're looking for something new in the openings instead of the same old 'Thrilla in Manilla' variation of the Con Opening, then this book might be for you.

   Personally, I'm going to play more Fischer-Random Chess. It keeps the game alive, with the principles and concepts of opening-play, strategy, and tactics; but, doesn't yield an unfair advantage to someone that has memorized opening-variations. The game starts on move one, not move twenty-one.




2. The Author Pafu have no chess credentials that I can locate through USCF, FIDE or any of the other well know chess Federations or Societies.

   The system of openings has some practical value but can easily be met by applying the standard stratigic formulas of both Classical and Hypermodern. I have tested many of the author's sample lines and have found that in almost every example, the opponent, facing the "Beginner's Game" theory, is a computer that does not respond with the best move. I have found many better moves simply by allowing my program (Fritz 8)to think for a reasonable period, and BINGO, a better move is generated. Certainly better than the book gives the hapless opponent. No illustrative games against strong Master players are given. No illustrative games against humans are given!

   It is my believe that this system can be easily refuted by any true Chess Master.




3. Many top chessplayers are highly critical of this book.
   One needs to know that this book is aimed for the casual, casual club, or hobby player who doesn't have a lot of time to study chess. While many may dissagree on different things of this controversial book, all will agree (even GMs) that this system is the easiest to learn and somewhat very hard to beat, provided that the system is mastered and both players are of the intermediate level (1400-1650 elo).
   
   The genius behind the book (something the author may not be aware of) is that this book points to a feasible way to prove chess is a draw. If one can create an ideal setup and rules with black and prove systematically that such a position with rules can only lead to a draw at worst. Then the game of chess can be solved. This is possible to do since they are many positions in chess that can be proven to have a certain outcome without the use of using brute force. One can show the plans for one side and easily show that the other side cannot stop it (especially in a fortress type of position).
   
   I play chess off and on casually. After I learned a little from the book I tested it against other humans. My results were somewhat the same (not better) at first. But the more I learned and got use to the system I hardly ever lose against them (We are all in the 1500-1650elo range).
   
   I made a special chess engine opening book that contained all the opening moves, variations, and plans of this book. It took me a mighty long time to do this. Then I used the strongest engine (Rybka) with this book against all other top chess programs (they used their own books). The result was that Rybka had nearly the same score (within 5%) as it did with its own book (but with more draws and less losses). This alone shows that this system can be played at Grandmaster level with good results (especially at blitz).
   
   So if you at least 1500elo level in tactics and don't have much time to study chess or the opening or don't want to remember tons of chess theory and variations up the butt then this book is definitely the best way to go. You will definitely learn many times faster this system than any single one chess opening with all its main varitions without having to remember anything. This system is a tough nut to crack and it has plenty of counter attacking chances as one will see in the games. I let the chess computer prove this for me already. I am certain that a 1600 level player who mastered this system can always get good results playing almost anyone (especially at blitz).
   
   My only suggestion what be to update this book using a GM using this system playing against other GMs and newer chess engines (on modern hardware).
   Let the GM and chess engine correct any simple mistakes (bad moves made by either the author or his chess engine opponent) that is in the book or have them give further insight to more options of attack and defense.
   Or in short, update this book using a GM's and newer chess engine's help.
   This would keep chess alive longer. Fischer claimed that it is a dead game now due to the tons of opening theory must know to compete at high levels. I agree with him somewhat. Chess at the GM level is dying. Soon many will reach the human memorization limit of opening lines and most games would end in a dead draw. And thus chess would be surely dead.



4. The claims by the author are ludicrous and idiotic as any decent player would know. Try the retarded moves if you like, (double fianchetto, knights to e2 and d2) but don't expect to improve that way, and don't waste your money on the book. I don't seem to be allowed to give it zero stars. Stupid Amazon.



5. First of all, one shouldn't expect the book to be a holy grail when it comes to opening theory. It isn't going to promise an opening advantage and you most likely end up with a slightly worse position since you are conceding space. However; there is that advantage of "being more familiar" at arising positions than your opponent. Eventually after playing this opening you will notice that there are certain opponents who rely on opening advantage to win and become weaker and weaker as the game goes on. Simply put, you bypass the opening phase into a playable middlegame. And middlegame strategies also repeat to the point where your opponent may not be familar as say defending against the Bayonett Attack in a King's Indian Defense.
   
   As far as performance is concerned, what I felt that blitz is the best use of this system. That way you bypass all that "canned" theory you opponents would usually like to showcase. You opponents can't say, "Hey, I know all 500 sub-variations of my Sicilian Najdorf." [and for those of you that know the exact number...keep up the good work...I guess] And in tourneyment play it is a great secret weapon to throw off your opponent. Perhaps the match is tied and he knows you are going to play the French and he is ready for it...WRONG! Bust out the B-system giving you a psychological edge.
   
   So basically from the standpoint above it is an effective work, regardless of the authors credentials: and I've seen worse works from IM's!

2 comments about Queen Sacrifice (Pergamon Russian Chess Series).

1. I found a paperback of this at a used book store and decided to buy it because i got such a great deal on it. I've also enjoyed many of the Pergamon Chess series books from the early 1990's period. Always an interesting read, these books are some of the most enjoyable i've come acorss. This book goes into many historical games and analytical exercises as early as the manuscripts of the late 15th century to the late 18th century (Lucena, Damiano, Greco, Del Rio, Ponziani) and many famous games from such figures as Alekhine, Benko, Blackburne, Capablanca, Chigorin, Euwe, Fischer, Karpov, Kasparov, Keres, La Bourdonnais, Lasker, Morphy, Najdorf, Petroff, Petrosian, Pillsbury, Reti, Samisch, Smyslov, Spassky, Steinitz, Tal, Tarrasch, Tartakower, Torre, Uhlmann and Zukertort.

   The Aim of the Sacrifice, In the Opening-Middlegame-Endgame, Not Just a Queen, The Path to the Goal, Logical Outcome or Chance Happening, Calculation and Evaluation, Positional Sacrifice and Classical Heritage are the main themes discussed with many sub-themes. There's also a test chapter at the end called It's Your Move.

   Pretty nice book and always good to go back to if you feel your game needs some slight tweaking.




2. This is not just a gimmicky book of queen sacs. Rather, it is an in-depth look at the nature of sacrifices yourself. There are over 400 examples disected in this book. If your chess needs a shor in the arm, Neishtadt is a great writer and this is a great book. I enjoy this book a great deal.

1 comments about Positional Sacrifices.

1. The author's key point is that positional sacrifices differ from combinations by the degree of uncertainty inherent in them.

   Including chapter 1, The Psychology of Sacrifices; chapter 2, Theoretical and Standard Sacrifices; and the final 20 element quiz, this book has all of nine chapters. The middle 6 chapters make up the meat of the book and include

   chapter 3, Sacrifices to create a passed pawn
   chapter 4, Sacrifices to destroy the opponent's center
   chapter 5, Sacrifices to open lines

   chapter 6, The Indian bishop
   chapter 7, The "Karpovian" exchange sacrifice
   chapter 8, Queen for Rook and Bishop sacrifices

   This book covers pawn, exchange, piece, even queen sacrifices in different circumstances and to different ends. Some of the examples are truly amazing, well beyond anything that I could ever conceive. A good grasp of positional considerations is needed to appreciate some of these, even though the positional elements and why they are important are generally very well explained. Any tactical variations are given at length, and this defintely helps the reader come to terms with the examples.

   Where I think the author misfires, is in pursuing each example game to the very end. This leads to some very complicated alternatives being explored, many of them well past the point of the sacrifice. If you need closure on whether or not the sacrifice proved successful, this may be good. But it limits the number of examples given.

   I think the content of this book could help most players below expert rating appreciate some ideas for the first time. Seeing a winning passed pawn motif conjured out a position that contained not even a wisp of such a possibility is truly enlightening. Also includes fine examples (and explanation!) of the compensation arising from certain pawn and piece sacrifices.

   Of course, you can always ignore the indepth variations until you are in the mood and simple read the text and get a lot out of this book.

   Handy size, well-written, few if any typos. Three and a half stars, rounded down to three.

5 comments about Secrets Of The Sicilian Dragon (Chess Books).

1. The Sicilian in general (and the Dragon in particular), is known as a sharp tactical opening. So along comes a book which attempts to teach you the general ideas that seem to occur again and again. Instead of endless waves of mind-numbing brilliant tactical moves, the authors present a list of ten concepts that Black should keep in mind throughout the game. I still remember how my eyes lit up during an OTB game when I realized I could sacrifice the exchange on c3 (idea #3).

   The authors are clearly pro-Dragon, but they do make the effort to present the themes that White should pursue. There is a second list of nine themes for White, one of which (attacking the King along the h-file) has changed the way I approach going after the castled King.

   Be sure to note that this book, in keeping with its "idea" approach, does not attempt to analyze lots of lines. It presents the concepts and expects you to try them out over the board.




2. The Dragon is a excellent counterattacking opening for Black to include in his/her repertoire. However, by focusing EXCLUSIVELY on thematic elements of the Dragon and not including any theory, this book will leave Black players at a disadvantage against opponents who know their opening theory. I strongly recommend Winning with the Sicilian Dragon 2 by Chris Ward because it includes a nice mix of thematic elements along with the theory that is necessary to know when one is playing the Dragon. All in all, a good general overview, but a waste of money.



3. I bought this book because of one of my constant opponents played the Dragon exclusively (only recently he began to increase his repetoire with Najdorf and other Sicilian.) Overall he got a plus score on me. I also read some games of Fischer beating the Dragon (I feel good), then Sierawan poked fun of the Dragon (feel better), and Karpov killed Korchnoi's Dragon (feel the best). Then Kasparov is successful with the Dragon. Now I have mixed feelings about the Dragon (together with bad experience in the Dragon, I lost many games with either color!!!). I hoped to find a book to improve my score, And this book is not a long term work. It could provide a list of plans to use when you play white or black, but not deep analysis, only good for quick fix when playing speed chess. Buy book from GM writers is better choice, they have their record to back it up. 7.50 USD is OK for this book.



4. Too many players go through the opening simply by memorizing several moves without understanding why those moves are meaningful.
   This is an excellent book for understanding the ideas behind one of the most complex and entertaining opening lines available to today's tournament player: you'll not find lengthy (and boring) variations to study and repeat from memory in your games but you'll learn which are the plans that come with the Dragon variation. This is surely the best first step any player should take when learning this (or any other) opening line. Once you know how the opening works, then you'll be able to move to an advanced Dragon book filled up with lines and use it for further study and reference (and then you'll be able to see those lines in a new light and really understand them!).



5. i recieved this book for christmas and read it all day and i am now already using the dragon on the internet as black all the time. This book is excellent it explains everything you need to know to be able to win with the dragon. Another grreat eric schiller book. I highly reccommend it to anybody.