Dr. Smither's Book Reviews In the following book reviews I will give critical analysis of chess books from a perspective of an erratic club player. I may not be a GM or IM or even FIM but do know a thing about chess books from a club players point of view (which I assume most of you reading this will be). Issues pertinent to me are value for money & accessibility of the chess ideas the author wants to put across to the club player. Its unlikely I can evaluate lines for their validity like J. Watson or Tim Harding in their reviews so don't expect that. See also my software reviews page.

BAKER, C. (1998). A Startling Chess Opening Repertoire. Cadogan, London. I collect chess books and seem to have most of the opening repertoire genre of chess books. I was 'lacking' Baker's book and despite reading mediocre reviews of this book (by Emms?), I still bought it. At least I was forewarned that there is actually nothing 'startling' about the content in this book, as all the content is well known mainline stuff (e.g. Max Lange Attack). Some lines arent mainline, such as 3.Nc3 against the French Defence, i.e. no d4. Or Nc3 against the Alekhine. These as the reviewer says aren't startling but safe. Maybe the book should be called 'Safe lines to play as White for people who dont want to buy a book on each line'. The best thing that marks this book out from other repertoire books is sensible space is given to oddlines like the St.George, Owens Defence and Elephant Gambit. This is worth having as on the Internet you do actually face these. (1...g5 is not looked at though). This is not the best book of this type. I would search around for others within this genre. Not because its poor authorship but its a bit 'square' in content. You would expect some more gambits given its title. (Actually, having said that the Cochrane Gambit is recommended vs Petroff Defence). Pros: Book does give the player a 'script' to work to. Few gaps in the repertoire. Sidelines / obscure lines looked at properly. Cons: Inconsistent choices offered for the player - aggressive play v Pirc e.g. Austrian attack, but dull lines vs Alekhine's and French defences. Does not use whole games to get the feel of the line but just game fragments. Many move branches used in the analysis which are awkward to keep track of.

BARDEN, Leonard (1987). Play Better Chess with Leonard Barden. Forward by Viktor Korchnoi. Revised Edition Treasure Press. This book is special. Its a general chess book, like Burgess' Mammoth Book of chess - but this came out first and has pictures in it! The scope of the book is wide as the demands of the title make it so. Therefore opening advice is offered along with middle and endgame tips. The sections of the book are very directly written, such as 'top 10 opening traps' or 'top 10 endgames'. To me as a club player Barden writes to 'me', as a club player, not an abstract player. He 'knows' that best play and practical club play are not the same thing and 'best' lines are not needed. Why not play little known lines if they cause trouble and will win points (with the proviso you have a solid mainline backup line too). The biography on key players is well written and I have read and reread what he has to say about Pillsbury, Steinitz to Fischer and Kasparov. He goes onto mention what players can learn from looking at each player. Other advice is given from computers to books tournament play to postal play, (this is 1987 remember). I cannot stop using this book. Its really comforting to use or flick through. The size of the book is big as A4 page and has 152 pages. I have Fischer's 60 best games but would swap that for this if I didnt already have Bardens book! (Go on admit it you got Fischer's book on the hype and just say its 'that' good because everyone else does). Pros: Entertaining and original display of content. Wide scope of content. Practical material that a club player cannot fail to find useful. Cons: Needs updating for year 2003+ as we have Internet and new faces on the GM scene.

BURGESS, G. & NUNN & EMMS, J. (1998). The Mammoth Book of the Worlds Greatest Chess Games. Robinson, London. This book is £8 for 558 pages of non-basic chess analysis of great games. This, therefore, is a bargain. The games included are 100 games that were selected by the authors who rated games for their merits and worthiness of inclusion. Many well known classic games are here but also some obscure little known correspondence games, for example. Some games have escaped previous illumination while others are reassessed using modern computer software and new GM insights as to their real merits. This analysis is thorough and at the end of each game there are summary points that tell us what we can learn from the study of the game. The authors include a biography of the players involved to place the game in historical context. This is a must have book at this price and would make a welcome present for a chess friend. Pros: Extreme value for money. Original analysis even on classic games. Obscure quality games included. Player biographies are readable. Cons: Cheap paper. The 100 games aren't ranked (what is the best ever game played?).

CAPABLANCA, J. (1921, 1994). Chess Fundamentals. Algebraic Edition. Cadogan. I bought this book in pristine condition from a second hand shop (Oxfam). I could see that the content was not basic but dealt with middle and endgame concepts mainly and that given the calibre of the author it would be worth having. The book does have some very basic content in it such as basic mates but I imagine the value of this book for a regular club player is the clear and concise insights the author has in evaluating games. This is not an openings manual but more a middle and endgame book that gets the player to think about strategic schemes. Its worth owning but the issue is how much do you want to pay for this? All chess books are overpriced so I suggest a second hand copy would be worth using or a library copy. The most interesting part of the book for me was Capablancas annotated games. Surprisingly he includes a number of games where he lost and is complementary about his opponents play. Emotionally I thought about buying the book because my father had grown up in the 20s and as a non-chess player even he could recall reading about Capablanca. This really struck a cord with me. You cant be critical about this book given the authors pedigree and insight into the game. His approach was not one of Alekhine type evaluation of strings of variations but of themes and general ideas. This is reflected in the books delivery of chess ideas with verbal descriptions adumbrating moves. All players would derive value looking at this book, even super GMs because they need reminding of their roots and how to write clearly about chess ideas. Pros: Clear insightful writing about endgame and middle games themes . Whole illustrative games included. See a chess genius talk lucidly about 'his' craft. Cons: This book should be freely available online given its age or made very cheaply. Chess publishers need to start budget lines for some books - like Dover Publishing a great budget chess publishing house.

HARDING, Tim (1996). Winning at Correspondence Chess. Tim Harding is a writer and analyst who excels in attention to detail and its no wonder he is an expert in correspondence chess. These guys go about researching themes in their games like a PhD student performing a literature review - and this is just for one move! The book is more than how to perform optimally at correspondence chess, its an evangelical manual if you look at the beginning pages. Harding argues the case for this type of chess and looks at its pros and cons. Then some of the past masters of CC (correspondence chess) are discussed followed by good CC practice in play. What really interested me was the last section about new technology and chess. New communication technology in the 90s has had a direct impact on CC and speeding up the transmission of move (via Fax or E-mail). Harding looks into this (the book is written in 1996 so some issues may be different now). The key impact of computers is upon the course of the game and the hot issue of actually using a chess computer to do your thinking is looked at. I was surprised that there was not a totally fundamentalist approach to this issue. Some people think 'go on then use a computer if you must' attitude because they have limited strategical imagination of 'fantasy' as Harding uses the term. Thats important. Fantasy in creating schemes is part of chess and to use a computer robs you of this aspect. Imagine using a computer to help you play video games instead of you, why bother? Another issue was a computer could be argued as increasing the quality of play if it prevents horrendous blunders of the '??' type we all make. Harding offers up ideas and issues and isn't hardline about anything. He is active in CC and runs www.chessmail.com, a place well worth visiting for book reviews and links to chess related articles. Harding is someone who I would pay to be my second if I wanted a player to do research for me as his in-depth analysis and evaluations are soooooo considered they ooze credibility. He isn't someone you would want examining your business if you have dodgy accountancy as he'd catch you out. Pros: Book argues the case for CC. Accounts for new developments in technology. Gives fair discussion to controversial issues. Value for money chess book in the sense there are no other books on this topic. Cons: May need updating for 2003+ to show how internet has evolved since 1996 and how CC federations manage now.

KEENE, Raymond & DIVINSKY, Nathan (1988). Warriors of the Mind: A Quest for the Supreme Genius of the Chess Board. Batsford (256 pages). This book is worth owning as its thought provoking. Its an attempt to ask the typical question all sports fans ask of champions and best players – who was the greatest player of all time? Would Ali have beaten Tyson, would Bruce Lee beat Tyson and Jackie Chan, would Liverpool of the late 70s and early 80s beat Manchester Utd. Of the 90s. You get the idea. Now apply this to chess and you get the idea of the book. The front few pages go through in academic style this problems of trying to assess this issue as a research problem (Divinsky's influence I suspect). Problems are how do you compare like with like : Alekhines era isnt the same as the data intensive 80s of Kasparov. The pool of players in the 20w elite aren't as divers as the 80s etc. These questions are thought through and a statistical set of measures are created to correct distortions due to time and player milieu. The arguments were thought provoking I felt. Each of the 64 players are ranked according to the statistical measure with a biography of their ability and match/games record against the other 99 players in this elite batch chosen by Keene and Divinsky. Added to this is a game representative of the players style. I agreed with the top 3 selection of all time best player: 3rd Fischer, 2nd Karpov, 1st Kasparov. But didn't understand how Rubinstein outranked Kortschnoi (9th). This is another book I flick through again and again, so its value for money then! Pros: Hardback book that is quality content. Origional idea. Academic rigour. Thought provoking Cons: Maybe worth using more games to show each players style. Worth updating for the post-communist era of super GMs.

KOSTEN, Tony (2001). The Latvian Gambit Lives!. Batsford (224 pages). This book is part of a controversy in chess book authorship. It is a follow up to Kosten's previous book on the Latvian gambit published in the mid-90s. The former book examined this relatively rare line for black vs white's e4 and nf3 set up – which is in effect an inverted Kings gambit for black. I bought the book for its rarity, a main line publisher dealing with a tricky opening. No need for obscure American import books to deal with this, now its covered by a 'proper' publisher – that was my thinking. I was pleased with the book as it had many lines for you to examine and experiment with that were often 'unclear' and 'trappy'. If its got tactical traps then its good for a club player, I think. I chose the early Nc6 line Kosten had analysed as the logical white replies gave black chances. Ok, so what? Why talk about the first edition, when it's the second edition that's the object of the review? Well in between the two books came John Nunn's book 'Secrets of Practical Chess'. Nunn slates Kosten's analysis in that line I liked, noted above. Nun didn't do it to upset my club play – oh no. He did it to show how chess authors need to tighten up their analysis in publication and don't blindly follow analysis as gospel. This book is an expanded version of this book and Kosten is brave to tackle this opening given that it is not seen as 'traditionally sound' – he cant slate every line as bad for black as no prospective black player will buy the book. Yet he has to provide the semblance of objectivity – or else Nunn will be on his back criticising him! Since the first edition computers are on the scene and some lines can be 'saved' or at best be seen to be 'unclear'. That nc6 line I liked unfortunately isn't resurrected with positive assessments for black that give the club player a warm feeling of hope. What Kosten does say in his introduction is that the backbone of the analysis is the improved quality of correspondence players games [no doubt computer assisted – be honest]. Kosten also notes honestly in his introduction he only wanted to spend 1 week updating the book for this second edition but it took 4 months. He claims also to have done through every 9000 published Latvian game ever. Not bad – but that is interesting because that isn't that many I feel. Remember though the Latvian gambit is a correspondence player's fetish. It isn't a normal opening. Paradoxically it's played in fast games or uber-slow correspondence games. Not games with regular time limits. This book is cheap these days. You could pick it up for £5. There are ideas in here to play against someone providing you drill the lines and like tactics. If you're a positional player don't bother with this opening and book – unless you want to be able to challenge black for his use of this gambit. Pros: - Brave author. Choosing a hard opening to examine with 'objective eyes' - Extensive use of sources. Many lines go on until late into the game. Not that many games just cutting off at move 10 etc. - Language used to back up analysis and say why an advantage is secured. Not an amazing amount of language mind but it is peppered within the dense lines of moves that are offered up to give you an idea of what is going on. - Book is available cheaply. Cons: - The opening is hard to learn in the main line. Analysis goes into move 20 plus. - Author could have included a typical ideas and themes section in the introduction to get a flavour of the opening. Lev Alburt did this in his 1985 Batsford publication Alekhine's defence book and it's a good idea - I don't think Kosten plays this line. That means he lacks the feel of the opening in competitive play. Jonny Hecktor plays this line and he would be a good author.

McDONALD, N. & HARLEY, A. (1997). Mastering the French Defence With the Read and Play Method. Batsford. (192 pages). This book is in a series of books that uses clear schematic diagrams to show the flow of pieces and typical pawn structures of particular openings. The method to 'master' an opening therefor is via examining thematic strategies and tactics over concrete variations. To visually demonstrate this, skeleton pawn structures and arrows on chessboards 'point' where pieces flow to and from. This is very striking visually. The diagrams mark out this book and all in this range. It aids long-term memory and understanding of the opening. For the French defence the main areas looked at are main line typical scenarios that come out of main lines such as isolated pawn scenario (via Tarrasch) doubled pawn scenarios (Winawer and McCutchion) etc. The structure defines the areas examined rather than the specific route to that scenario. OK some variations are specifically looked at when necessary but this is not the books main aim. Books in this range would support a player who (a) is starting out in this defence or (b) wants to change sub-variation (c) needs help grasping strategic ideas of their defence they have 'invested' time and games in. These aren‚t just for weak players any player up to 200 BFC 2300 ELO would also benefit from looking at this work but would, I suppose, look for different things than a weaker player as their needs would differ (reasons a and b rather than c). I rate this series of books indeed. The Ruy Lopez, Kings Indian, Benko and Benoni are very good. I felt the Nimzo Indian book was the weakest in this range as it seemed a bit 'basic' and on the thin side. The first book I had in this series was Mastering the Kings Indian with the read and play method. I must admit after seeing how the black king-side pawns rolled forward and how the pieces backed this up Vs white classical structure mesmerised me. Now I could see its attraction. I wanted to play it. Its the diagrams you see they demystify! The thing to value is an understanding of a theme is worth 30 memorised variations. That specific kind-side pawn push with pieces in a closed formation occurs in other openings {Kings Indian attack or closed Sicilian for e.g.) so this is why this type of generalised learning is valuable. Pros: Diverse stratagems of the French are examined. Text description is bias at the expense of detailed variations (but variations are not neglected where necessary). Uses nice diagrams and relevant whole games to focus learning process. Cons: I cant think of any! I'd rather have this book than any other on the French but Watson‚s works are a close second. Errrr....I which more openings were covered in this format. Nimzo-Indian is the weakest of this series. This type of book is not for those who like Informator-style detailed analysis of pinpoint variations.

SCHILLER, Eric (1998). Gambit Opening Repertoire for Black. Cardoza Publishing. Dr.Schiller has come in for much criticism, along with R.Keene, for compiling chess books from databases rather than writing them. This does not apply here particularly, and if it did I would forgive him as he recommends for black the Von Henning-Schara gambit against the queens pawn. This is unusual for a repertoire book (any book for that matter). Many fashionable books use the Kings Indian as their preferred line for black to face the queen pawn so this is an original choice in that respect. (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4. cxd cxd4!?). Against e4 he recommends d5 and the Scandinavian Portuguese and Icelandic gambits. These are active lines and are well covered in detail. Lines black may face if white does not enter main lines are also covered. The book gives the black player seeking a win, ideas for active play at (minor?) risk. But remember at club level anything is playable so don't worry about being 'fashionable' as it doesn't matter anyway ;> I see players use the equally rare Albin counter-gambit on slower time limits on chess servers and they can make that work! I was glad I bough this book for £10 and I have used ideas within it in my games, which shows that the knowledge can be utilised not just admired for its own right. Schiller himself has used these lines so this is a bonus. Schiller advocates classical play, no fianchettos for black. Just direct fast development. Its 168 pages long. If this book was no good I would say so. As chess books go £10 is not bad – they can be £13 to 16 these days. Pros: Cheap book, relatively unusual but sound lines, analysis seems relevant and truthful. Author has emotional attachment to some lines. Gives some full games. Cons: Not that much depth in side-lines that aren't in the main repertoire body. No figurine notation just blocky looking 'N' 'B' etc. that is wearing on the eye. Some display errors in diagrams.