He claims that the “New Defenders” realized the limitations of passive defense when challenged by Mikhail Tal’s speculative attacks in the 60s and 70s. Modern players are, as Soltis explains, less risk-aversive, more open to ‘ugly’ moves, and more reliant on counterplay and activity in defending. This is because Soltis recognizes the way in which dynamism and activity have become fundamental to modern defensive techniques. On the whole, however, The New Art of Defense in Chess should be seen as a fundamentally new book. Some of the chapter structure and prose of the 1975 edition is retained here, and some of the analysis, translated into algebraic notation, makes its way over as well. The New Art of Defense in Chess aims to explain how these changes affect how we defend. In the 1975 The Art of Defense in Chess Soltis described defense mainly in terms of stubborn resistance. Soltis’ effort hangs in with the best of them, and is particularly good for the sub-2000 player.Īnother Soltis title, also from Batsford, has returned to the shelves, but this one involves a dramatic revision of one of his first books. Aagaard has two advanced books on the topic ( Excelling at Chess Calculation and Grandmaster Preparation: Calculation), and Axel Smith’s discussion in Pump Up Your Rating is stellar. Tisdall treats the theme well in Improve Your Chess Now. There have been a few works on calculation since The Inner Game of Chess was first published. The chapter on ‘counting out’ reckons with topics like compensation, move orders, bailouts and calculative ‘chunking.’ I, naturally, found Soltis’ discussion of typical causes of analytic oversight particularly pertinent. So we get chapters on candidate moves, Kotovian trees, force and forcing moves, and analytical monkey-wrenches (or why we miscalculate). Soltis does not prescribe a specific method of calculation in this book rather, he is content to break our calculative process into its constitutive parts so that we can see how it might work. Very rarely do we examine the nature and structure of our thought processes. The Inner Game of Chess is a thorough treatment of a thorny topic. Here Soltis has included minor revisions of the text, updating / replacing some examples and references, but the basic structure of the book and most of the prose remains the same.
The inner game of chess how to#
If you haven’t already worn out your old, Descriptive copy, you should pick up this new edition.Īndy Soltis’ 1994 The Inner Game of Chess: How to Calculate and Win is also newly republished, this time by Mongoose Press. The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played is ideal for those looking to study beautiful games with clear strategic lessons. Most chess teachers will recommend that their students study the great games of the past as part of their training. The errors in analysis, and the computer reveals a few, do not detract greatly from the reading experience. Chernev’s annotations are pedagogically precise, eminently readable, and his choice of games is inspired. What John Collins wrote in his 1966 Chess Review survey – “t is a great book and should be read over and over” – remains true today. Now Batsford has republished Chernev’s book in algebraic format, retaining all the text and features of the original save nine photographs. It contains sixty-two well analyzed games, each one possessing both artistic and educational value. Chernev, a witty author and master-level player, originally published this book in 1965. Irving Chernev’s The Most Instructive Games of Chess Every Played was one of my first chess books. Each one would make a worthy addition to your collection.
The inner game of chess update#
Two hew closely to their previous incarnations, while the third is an update and reworking of a classic. This month we look at three books that have recently returned to the marketplace. List $23.95, currently around $18 at Amazon. List $19.95, currently around $15 at Amazon. The Inner Game of Chess: How to Calculate and Win. The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played. My thanks to the good folks at Chess Life for allowing me to do so.Ĭhernev, Irving. A penultimate (and unedited) version of the review is reproduced here. This review has been printed in the March 2015 issue of Chess Life.