3 comments about French Advance.

1. Tony Kosten has always done a great job in writing books on chess, and this one is no different. For those that play the French Defense as black, like me, this book is a great way to get a more detailed, theoretical knowledge of the Advance Variation. I would recommend reading a general book on the French first to get a basic foundation, but that is obviously not enough, as you might get what? 5 games on the advance? Anyone that thinks they can understand and master an opening with 5 games is crazy. This book solves that problem. For those of you that play the Advance as white, I would recommend this over reportoire books that take you down the narrow path with the "you play this, and just trust me, you'll win" approach. This covers all the lines in the advance French. Explore them all, and then decide for yourself which line you want to play to beat the French. I guarentee you this book isn't a dust collector that sits on your shelf for years and years.



2. Divided into three parts, The French Advance book covers 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 e5 c5 4 c3 Nc6 5 Nf3 Qb6( with various White 6th moves), 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 e5 c5 4 c3 Nc6 5 Nf3 Bd7 (with various White alternative 6th moves), and a third part with Black alternative variations. Kosten explains the plans for both sides, outlines main variations in bold, and employs 93 Grandmaster games as models. Organized with prose chapter introductions, annotated games, and followed by chapter summaries. Anyone owning this book will definitely have a valuable resource to draw upon for learning and "mastering" the French Advance.



3. First of all, Tony Kosten is a great author and the introduction chapter of the french advance book is excellent. It shows you main ideas and tactics for both sides. I am an expert strength player that have been playing the french for over 10 years. I also teach it to my students, so I have many french books and try to pull material from all of them to teach it.

   If you are looking for a good collection of games in the french advance, this book is for you. However, it has absolutely no fresh ideas or lines. Kosten, in many cases does not even consider some of the major sidelines. For example, he does not cover the major line versus 6.Be2 f6 7. 0-0 cd! that John Watson gives in his classic Play The French book. I highly recommend that book for Winawer players(as Watson gives solid lines for all lines except Classical french). Kosten's book came out 2 years after Watson's, but still he gives inferion 7...fe for black. Same can be said about the part in Milner gambit, where Kosten fails to mention 13... Bc5 instead 13...Nb4 in 10...a6 where black does not take the pawn on e5.

   I know this might seem a little picky, but I was expecting a more complete work from Kosten. Putting together a bunch of games using some database seems like an easy way out.

3 comments about The Grunfeld Defence (Everyman Chess).

1. I like very much opening books by Everyman, because they give an idea of the middlegames arising in a particular opening. On the other hand, these books have too little pages and sometimes don't succeed in covering all the necessary lines, especially if they want to cover a whole opening. This is particularly true with this book, that simply doesn't give enough information about some variations that are important at club level. For example, only 14 pages are devoted to the 7.Bc4 variation and 13 to the Bf4 systems, which are, according to my personal experience, the main lines in tournaments below rating 1900.
   Much of the space is given to the Russian System (quite the same that is devoted to ALL the lines of the Exchange Var.!), with many variations suggested to the Black side (that makes me think that this book is written mainly for White, as it gives black alternatives). In conclusion I think it is a little bit unbalanced.

   About the contents there's nothing to say: the material is of high quality and the author is very good (I strongly reccommend his other book The Alekhine Defence). However, this book can't be recommanded for players who want to play the Grunfeld Defence as Black for the first time: they should look for other good books (the best choice is Understanding the Grunfeld by Rowson, and the classic book is the one by Adorian). Players above 1900 and/or players that have been playing the GD for a long time ,instead, can get very useful information (especially for the Russian System), as the comments are very well written, the games are relevant, and last but not least because experienced players know exacltly what they have to look for and don't get confused by the author's strange choice of the chapters.




2. lets summarize the technique:
   
   -get all the grunfeld books
   -review the main lines and what kasparov and kramnik are playing
   -make few conclusive or thoughtful statements
   -when you do make a statement, give very vague varaiations so people are left wondering, did he really think this was okay or did he miss this move?
   
   specific variations: 7.bc4 in the exchange variation after 7...c5 8.ne2 nc6 9.be3 0-0 davies forgets 10.Rc1 and only lists 10.0-0 for white, not even mentioning the h4 idea.
   
   I could list probably five more without thinking, but its not worth the time.
   
   It may be the newest book, but dont bother, get rowsons book, he at least thinks before he writes.



3. According to the review by user "Pirc_defense_expert" this is a book you should not bother to buy. Instead he recommends Rowson's book.
   
   I agree with "Pirc_defense_expert" that Davies' book could have been a lot more systematic. Still I think Davies' book is ok because he presents ideas in the Grunfeld that you won't find in the other books.
   
   E.g. in the Exchange variation 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 d5 4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 e4 Nxc3 6 bxc3 Bg7 7 Bc4 c5 8 Ne2 0-0 9 0-0 Nc6 10 Be3, Davies has a very interesting coverage of 10... Qc7. In the topical variation 11 Rc1 Rd8 12 Bf4 he mentions 12... Be5, and this is indeed a very interesting try.
   Also, Davies covers 10... e6 which might also be an idea for the future although in the few outings so far I think it has not done too well.

1 comments about Perfeccione Su Ajedrez/ Improve Your Chess Skills (Ajedrez / Chess).

1. Prólogo del libro
   
   En el ajedrez las primeras preguntas que se hace el aficionado es cómo subir de juego y qué se debe estudiar realmente. Es fundamental, por tanto, contar con una guía adecuada para no gastar el tiempo en esfuerzos que no le aporten lo necesario e incluso lo puedan hacer sentirse fastidiado por las dificultades que se le presentan al no seguir un buen método de aprendizaje.
   
   Los mejores entrenadores del mundo sugieren empezar por la parte táctica del juego. Saber calcular jugadas mentalmente y poder visualizar posiciones sin tenerlas físicamente en el tablero, es el primer paso para desarrollar el adecuado "lenguaje" ajedrecístico. Desde luego, se debe empezar con secuencias sencillas, donde la solución es encontrar mates o capturas de piezas en una o dos jugadas. Con mayor práctica, la mente se va acostumbrando a poder "mover" las piezas y a saber valorar las posiciones finales de cada variante de manera cada vez más eficiente. Esto equivale, en un sentido ajedrecístico, a "leer el futuro" de una partida y que nuestras decisiones inmediatas posean un buen sustento para evitar así desagradables sorpresas cuando la posición analizada de forma mental la tengamos presente en el tablero.
   
   Existen métodos ya muy bien comprobados para realizar dicha práctica: el más usual es resolver posiciones (que hayan salido de partidas reales), en libros y revistas especializadas. De esta manera, nos vamos familiarizando poco a poco con los temas tácticos y combinativos (es decir, donde aparecen variantes con sacrificios de material) más frecuentes. Conocer temas como el ataque doble, la clavada, la desviación, el bloqueo, entre muchos otros son indispensables para saber rematar las partidas a nuestro favor o bien salvar situaciones en apariencia sin esperanzas.
   
   En la presente obra, Manuel López Michelone, jugador avezado y también experto en cómputo, tomando siempre en consideración lo anterior, aporta otra herramienta para ayudarnos a dominar este aspecto del juego. Propone el constante juego "a la ciega" (sin ver el tablero ni las piezas), como ayuda para el desarrollo de la visión táctica. Lo interesante de esta obra, más que la idea en sí, que como se verá ya ha sido sugerida anteriormente, es el trabajo de investigación sobre el tema dándonos un adecuado resumen de las opiniones de reconocidos entrenadores y connotados psicólogos. Además de un conciso repaso histórico, podremos leer amenas anécdotas que nos darán una buena visión general del asunto.
   
   ¿Cómo los grandes ajedrecistas logran visualizar mentalmente tantas jugadas y posiciones? ¿Qué cualidades mentales son necesarias para realizar estas proezas? ¿Son innatas o adquiridas dichas cualidades? ¿Cuáles son los métodos para desarrollar la facultad de jugar "a la ciega"? En fin, una serie de preguntas, interesantes desde varios ángulos, son analizadas en esta obra.
   
   Pero esto no es todo. Al finalizar se proponen algunos ejercicios prácticos. ¿Puede decir el lector rápidamente de que color es la casilla f8? ¿y la b5? Esto quizá le puede parecer muy sencillo, pero ¿podrá reproducir una partida de 10 a 15 jugadas sin ver el tablero? o ¿jugar una partida más larga y poder memorizarla? Todavía más difícil, ¿se cree capaz de ver la jugada correcta en la posición final de una partida "a la ciega"? Y es que no es suficiente reproducir una partida sin ver el tablero, ¡lo importante es jugarla a un buen nivel!
   
   Lo original en el trabajo de Manuel López (aquí es donde se compaginan sus dos quehaceres como ajedrecista y programador) y lo que puede parecer más atractivo tanto al lector en general como al entrenador de ajedrez, son los programas de cómputo que se adjuntan y que facilitan pasar de la teoría abstracta al sistema de entrenamiento práctico.
   
   Por último, quiero recalcar lo interesante que puede resultar este tipo de métodos en la enseñanza del ajedrez a niños y a principiantes como apoyo para ayudarles a desarrollar el rápido y permanente conocimiento intuitivo de las propiedades del tablero y las relaciones entre las piezas. Estoy convencido que el esfuerzo que hacen en jugar o resolver posiciones mentalmente los ayuda, no sólo con respecto a su nivel ajedrecístico, sino además (y esto es mucho más trascendente), a consolidar y mejorar capacidades intelectuales básicas tales como la memoria, las relaciones espaciales, el razonamiento lógico y el poder concentración.
   
   GUIL RUSSEK
   Maestro internacional

No comments about The Semi-Open Game in Action: Intermediate Level (MacMillan Chess Library).

2 comments about An Attacking Repertoire for White.

1. This is a good repertoire book for the club player. Collins usually recommends main lines that are also played by the world's top players. However, in the Sicilian he recommends playing 2. c3, which has come somewhat out of fashion at GM level. He presents the repertoire by giving complete games and analysing sub-variations in this context. Collins is a very enthusiastic writer. Yet, when checking some variations I found that he did not mention several lines that black can choose and which may cause trouble for the inexperienced player. For example in the 2.c3 Sicilian he misses a variation where black can force queens off (which is probably why Bc4 is now usually being played before d4). Also some sidelines in the Scandinavian (with Nc6, not solid but very popular and dangerous at club level) and the Alekhine (4. ... Nb6) are missing. When I compare this book with Emms' repertoire book then Emms is more complete and "waterproof", although Collins' variations are more aggressive and most are probably better.
   
   Still, this book is good especially for learning the Scotch opening, the Panov Attack and the Advance French as white. But you will need more material to really have a complete repertoire - therefore only three stars, although the quality is four to five stars.



2. First the good points: The suggested repertoire is "aggressive" and success often hangs on sharp attacking tactics; that's what the book's title promises and those of us who buy it are not misled. Other books have used "attacking" in the title and then gone on to suggest rather tame variations inside, so give Collins his due in choice of variations. Furthermore, the game collection is rather good, and Collins annotates very well.
   However, there are some negatives: Collins' book is organized around the now so popular "complete games" model. This is great if you already know the first few moves of an opening and want to become familiar with typical middle game positions. Then you already know the possible transpositions and popular answers fro your opponent. When learing new variations, personally, I prefer the opening tree organization where all the options are mentioned as we progress move by move into the opening. That way I have confidence in my preparation and I don't have to do as much "bookkeeping" work myself.
   In a book organized around complete games, it is very easy for the writer to omit moves for one side or the other (here for black), while very hard for the reader to realize these omissions. (by checking a database of games for example). It is also more difficult for the reader to keep track of transpositions without a lot of work (I put the games into ChessBase and create my own opening tree in that software, but I think that's the job of the writer).
   I don't mind working on my game and on the opening, but a good author and editor takes this drudge work on instead of leaving it to us. Then we can work on understanding, planning, and tactical considerations.
   So complere games make it easier to write the book but harder to use it.

No comments about The Closed Openings in Action (MacMillan Chess Library).

1 comments about Grand International Masters' Chess Tournament St. Petersburg, 1914.

1. The St. Petersburg Grand International Masters' Tournament of 1914 was undoubtedly the most important tournament since the first San Sebastian Tournament, when Capablanca won his spurs, or, as some will have it, since the St. Petersburg Quadrangular Tournament of 1895.
   
   It would be noteworthy even if for no other reason than that the World's Champion, Dr. Emanuel Lasker, took part - the first occasion since the last International Tournament in St. Petersburg in 1909. On that occasion, however he tied for the first place with Akuba K. Rubinstein instead of winning outright, as on this occasion and in 1895.
   
   
   It is a remarkable circumstance that this time Rubinstein did not even attain so high as fifth place, which would have enabled him to play in the second section for the allocation of the prizes, the more extraordinary in view of his almost unbroken success of late years. The St. Petersburg Chess Society was responsible for the initiation, organization, and conduct of the Tournament, the Tsar himself subscribing 1,000 roubles towards the prize fund.

2 comments about The Chess Player's Handbook.

1. This is a good book on classical chess
   Howard Staunton was one of the best players Europe had to offer and here he first gives you on how to play teaches the game from the beginning and then goes into opening play.

   This book concentrates mostly on the opening
   He gives a brief history of each opening and then goes onto moves and then goes to variations and subvariatons and on and on

   He even gives around 10 or more games for each opening and each variation and even explains onto what happens in the game
   It is quite interesting and develops your skill very as I dont play in USCF I cant give you my rating but it has effected my play a lot

   Warning:This book has descriptive notation (P-k4) so it might throw you off the trail for it did to me in first

   Butall in all it is a real good book and if it were to be in modern algebric notation then I would give it 5 stars




2. "He achieved fame by winning a celebrated match against the French champion St Amant, gave his name to a set of chessmen that has become standard, edited the first English chess magazine and by his originality and enthusiasm brought about the first International Chess Tournament. This remarkable man was Howard Staunton, the only British chess master of whom it could be said that at one time he was the world's leading player."
   "In 1847 came Staunton's first and greatest work on chess, the Chess-Player's Handbook. It was at once an immense success and remained so throughout his lifetime and long after. In between the years 1847 and 1935 it was republished 21 times." Harry Golombek.

No comments about Aprende Ajedrez.

1 comments about 500 Queen's Gambit: Miniatures, Collection II.

1. The Queen's Gambit, 1 d4 d5 2 c4, has become very popular among chess players in recent years [circa 1988]. The Queen's Gambit is no longer a dull, cautious opening that produces boring games. It has evolved into a tactical, aggressive game with a myriad of traps and pitfalls to avoid.
   
   This book deals with the short games arising from the Queen's Gambit. This is a collection of five hundred interesting and instructive games decided in 25 moves or less with this opening. At every level of chess new ideas are found or mistakes are made that lead to swift punishment of this usually solid opening.
   
   These short games illustrate how a player can take advantage of an opponent's poor opening strategy or mishandling complicated tactical positions. These games further demonstrate what sharp opening lines to play and what mistakes to avoid. Examples are taken from woodpusher to Grandmaster games, from over-the-board play to correspondence devotees.
   
   500 Queen's Gambit Miniatures, Collection II, is the second collection of Queen's Gambit miniatures for Chess Enterprises, Incorporated. This volume contains an additional 500 short games arising from this opening. To assist the reader seeking a particular variation of this opening, the games have been arranged according to the Encyclopedia of Chess Opening (ECO) classification system.
   --- from book's Introcuction