Book: 1001 Deadly Checkmates

Author: John Nunn

Publisher: GAMBIT

Edition: First

Date of review: 23 January 2011

There are lots of chess puzzle books available, so why should you buy this one? To answer that I would recommend that you ask the question 'What do I really want from such a book?' I mean, do you want something simply for puzzle solving on a train or a aeroplane? Do you want it to 'do' more? Perhaps at the end of it all you want it to have improved your skills at assessing positions for when you play at the board. Maybe you want some really original puzzles at various levels of difficulty to share with friends, chess students and the like.

This book ticks all the boxes for me, it really does. There are (as the title suggests) 1001 puzzles varying from elementary (great for beginners and even experienced players to 'remember where it all began') to extreme mate challenges (much harder indeed). These positions are taken from real play and I am pleased with that because I am not the greatest fan of artificially composed positions, though some are simply wonderful. The positions in this book mean that someone has either found or missed the solutions in a real situation. Hey, even Kramnik missed a mate in one once so it does happen to us all.

The positions are broken down into 17 themes such as pawn promotion mates, death on the rook's file, mate by blocking squares and queen sacrifices and I like the fact that you can score your work at the end of every chapter. Incidentally, some of the positions I thought 'huh that will be far too easy for me' yet I had some difficulty solving them. Some I even disagreed with believing that the position could not have been correct but when or if I had to yield and look to the answer it was indeed right - no less than I would expect from the meticulous work of John Nunn or indeed a GAMBIT publication.

For you chess problem aficionados take a look at this position from the 'Mate by blocking squares' section. It is white to play and win and you would have received four points for working this out - on your own of course with out the aid of the computer. A simple puzzle would be one point. I will give the answer below but have a go before you look. The thrill of solving it will be greater than the disappointment of yielding!

The game was played at the 4NCL in 2005/6 between G. O'Toole and A. McCumiskey. The first move is 1.Bf5+ and white first drives the enemy king into the corner where it is vulnerable to attack by knight and queen. 1...Kh8 2.Nf7+ Kg8 3.Nxh6++ Kh8 (3...Kf8 Qf7#) 4.Qg8+! Rxg8 5.Nf7#. Did you get it? Well done if you did and keep trying with more puzzles from the book if you didn't.

You can buy the book from www.gambitbooks.com or indeed any chess retailer. Subscribers to Chess Magazine are able to get a discount.

I rate this book as ***** Highly recommended.

Chess Home

Book: Chess Movies, Quick Tricks

Author: Bruce Pandolfini

Publisher: Russell Enterprises Inc

Edition: First

Date of review: 20 February 2011

This is a book with a difference. You can go through it from first page to last without ever needing a chess set in front of you. This is so because there is a diagram for every move played. So what's the book about? In essence it contains quick tricks that one may do well to remember in a wide variety of openings. There are also themed tactics such as the fork, driving off, overload, pins, undermining, discovery and mating net to name a few. Bruce Pandolfini is a well known and well respected author of chess books and this instructive book supports that point as this first book in his 'library' series serves to amuse and educate at once.

The book contains a series of openings,tricks and traps that are invariably only a few moves deep, so these are lines to remember for IF your opponent gets it wrong - which rarely seems to happen nowadays because even at grass roots level the standard is getting better all the time. It is not lost on me that there are 64 traps in total - the same as the amount of squares on the chess board. Let's have a look at one of the lines then.

This is the (in)famous Orang-Utan Opening as played by Marec Vokac vs Peter Bazant in the Czech Republic in 1996. 1.b4 d5 2.Bb2 Nd7 3.Nf3 N(g)-f6 4.e3 g6 5.c4 dxc4 6.Bxc4 Bg7? This is a mistake allowing a shot, which white doesn't miss. 7.Bxf7+ and now if 7...Kxf7 we have 8.Ng5+ and black loses his queen or gets mated. Only seven moves - easy enough to remember right? 1-0

Here's another from the more commonly played English Opening: 1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d3 (this was a typo on page 21 of the book where the author repeated the second move, Nc3 again) Nf6 4.Bg5 d4 5.Ne4? Nxe4! wow. If 6.Bxd8 then 6...Bb4+ and if 6.dxe4, then 6...Qxg5 wins. 0-1

Go on then -I will give you one more - a loss for white in the Albin Counter Gambit. It is quite well known but then again, lots of people don't know it so like many of the lines in the book, it is well worth remembering. 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 Black sacrifices a pawn to keep the initiative. Only the brave seem to play this at the tournaments I go to... 3.dxe5 d4 4.e3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 dxe3 Apparently, black is offering a piece sacrifice. 6.Bxb4 exf2+ 7.Ke2 fxg1N+! There's promotion, and then there is the beauty of underpromotion too. 8.Rxg1? A losing blunder, white had to play Ke1. 8...Bg4+ and the skewer forces resignation, or should do!

I do have one issue, that is possibly particular only to myself - everyone else may be just fine with it. The layout shows up to six diagrams per page and you have to read left hand side down then right hand side down. I would prefer to read simply across the page, as I naturally would with the wording in any book but this is a small point.

The book is of interest because you can not only learn a few amusing tricks but digest the contents anywhere without the neeed for a board. It's not the first time this idea has been used I think. I seem to recall a book of Nigel Short's doing the same but we shall see if it is an idea that catches on or not. For now, if you are into cheapos and opening traps this could be one of your better purchases.

Give it a spin and let me know what you think. I rate this book as recommended **** but don't rely on it for serious tournaments!

You can buy the book from New in Chess and other reputable outlets.

Book: Secrets of Opening Surprises Vol.13

Author: Jeroen Bosch

Publisher: New In Chess

Edition: First

Date of review: 07 March 2011

Secrets of Opening Surprises vol.13 This is the latest in a series of books from New in Chess, edited by Jeroen Bosch. If you are not already familiar with the theme, and every self-respecting chess player ought to be let me educate you. The SOS series is aimed at people who have little time for opening theory and are adventurous and brave enough to try something a little different from the off to shock the opponent.

Some of the ideas may seem outrageous at first, but be patient and try to play through them. The proof of the pudding is in the eating so why not try them in friendly games at the club or on the Internet? International Master John Watson, a well respected author himself considers SOS to be "The most entertaining of books about openings that I know of" which is high praise indeed.

Let's look inside the cover and check out (no pun intended) some of the meat on those bones...

There are pages on openings such as the North Sea Defence which Carlsen played against Adams - and lost. My first thought was if he lost with it what's the point of including it in the book? The answer is simple - there are many ways to play openings and you dear reader won't be facing Adams every game will you? There's the Sicilian Najdorf Czebe attack with the interesting move 6.Qe2!? which I have played through a few times and find most interesting.

How about this one from Simon Williams on the Anti-Grünfeld variation which goes 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.h4!? You may laugh at first but try 'refuting' it. There's much more with content such as Korchnoi's ideas for a central attack in the Spanish, taking the gloves off in the Pirc defence, delaying the Budapest Gambit (very sneaky) and playing a surprising sacrifice in the Giuoco Piano. You are bound to find something of interest in here whether you like open or closed positions.

There's another really cool feature about this book with the SOS competition. You could win € 250 if you submit a game featuring a variation from any of the SOS books and it is deemed worthy of a prize.You will need to include full details of where and when it was played.

What have you got to lose? Learn some fun new stuff, play it in real games and possibly win loads of dosh! GET IN THERE.

Purchase the book from New in Chess or any reputable chess retailer. Please do mention this column if you choose to buy.

I rate this book as recommended **** for a bit of fun!

Book: Sicilian Attacks

Author: Yuri Yakovich

Publisher: New In chess

Edition: First

Date of review: 10 March 2011

The Sicilian Defence is the most popular opening of the second half of the twentieth and start of the 21st century - yet I myself never play it. Now I don't want to give all my openings secrets away (as if you care) but there are two chief reasons why I don't play it. Firstly, there's just so much theory, so many lines and it's so complicated. Secondly I just didn't like the positions for black arising from this opening yet it is played at all levels with good results. This short review of 'SICILIAN ATTACKS' by Yuri Yakovich is therefore as objective as I can make it. Yakovich is a Russian Grandmaster and highly acclaimed chess trainer thus well qualified to write such a book.

If I was a Sicilian player I would absolutely find this book of major importance and there will be many new ideas contained within the pages. However, it is also useful with me not being a Sicilian player to see how influenced I might be by the book.

Let me be clear, this is not just about the opening but it serves well as a middlegame textbook arising from the Sicilian Opening itself. It's a 'I have got to this point, so what do I do next? kind of thing. The author has played the Sicilian for over 30 years and shows the reader the Najdorf, Scheveningen, Dragon, Taimanov and Richter-Rauser variations. (See I told you there were lots of lines!) He teaches how pawn structures dictate certain attacks for white but importantly (crucially) also gives defensive techniques for black.

There are many instructive games and I really like the page on conclusions at the end of each chapter. This is the sort of thing you could photocopy and put on your wall at home for a week to let the messages sink in. Here's an example relating to positions where white puts pawns on e4 and f4. "The plan with f2-f4 is exceptionally dangerous after short castling by black. If white succeeds in playing f4-f5 driving the bishop from e6 he should immediately throw forward the g-pawn. Black must accept this sacrifice, otherwise by playing g4-g5, white develops a very strong attack with equal material. White's long term initiative more than compensates for the sacrificed material." There is a game to illustrate the point.

Learning how to attack in the sharpest lines of the most widely played chess opening isn't easy. It's a journey that you elect to take over many years and like any opening you have to hone your art as you progress. Whether or not you play the Sicilian or wish to learn the key lines it's a very good book indeed. To be honest, I think the time has come for something new in my own repertoire. I might just spend a little more time with Mr. Yakovi...

I rate this book as recommended **** A very informative Sicilian resource.

Book: The Wonderful Winawer

Author: Viktor Moskalenko

Publisher: New in Chess

Edition: First

Date of review: 10 April 2011

I love the French Defence; indeed it is my favourite opening as black. I have never understood those people who ignorantly declare that the French is boring (The Berlin Wall has that accolade in my personal view). I will concede that the exchange variation is often akin to watching paint dry but there are so many interesting lines and the Winawer is most certainly one of them. One of the first chess books I ever (lovingly) owned was the French Winawer and I have always had great respect for it. It arises from the moves 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bc but there are plenty of possibilities here including 4.a3, 4.Qg4, 4.Bd2 and 4.N(g)e2.

The book is written by hugely respected author Viktor Moskalenko who incidentally also wrote 'The Flexible French' - available from New In Chess. Let me comment first on the layout. Not only do we have the standard type layout of chess positions and text but we have photographs of players new and old, which could be considered historic. There's something else about the book layout too - we have a 'pistol' icon that's used when there are 'Weapons' (as ina weapon in your chess armoury) and they are clearly highlighted on the pages in italics. The same goes for 'tricks' which are depicted by a magician's hat and there are the occasional 'workshops' where the reader has to do some work looking at important themes. It's all very useful and thought provoking. This style of writing and the layout works really well for me and will for many players.

There are diagrams and wise words on pawn structures, which is very important and summaries and conclusions on chapters which is a very useful tool. Part one is dedicated to white and black deviations, part two looks at the sub-and old Winawer and the third and final part examines 'The ultimate Winawer'. Additionally, there are 35 games including recent encounters from 2010. It's a great book not only for the French Defence Player but by anyone who needs to learn some of the important lines should they meet this opening over the board as white.

The foreword to the book is written by none other than Viktor Korchnoi and I can do no better than finish with a quote from the chess legend. "It is pleasant for me to be able to say that this author, unlike many of his colleagues, writes with soul."

Here here.

I rate this book as recommended **** A valuable addition to your chess library.

Book: New in Chess Magazine

Author: New in Chess

Publisher: New in Chess

Edition: Monthly

Date of review: 22 March 2011

I have been a subscriber to New in Chess Magazine for many years. True, I subscribe to another magazine and also get the occasional ones from abroad so there's some replication of news. They are all fine publications but this review is about NIC Magazine. I should begin by stating that the format has just changed and it is now larger which some people appear to like and others don't. I am in the former school of thought. It is now nearer to 11x8 inches as opposed to the 9.5 x 6.5 before.

As editor Allard Hoogland explains "Auberon Waugh once said 'The publishing industry is given to sudden frenzies of mindless change' usually due to a decline in circulation, freshly appointed Chief Executive etc". but that "None of this is behind the present changes. Our circulation is up and the company has not been sold". The small format started to feel like an incumbrance to the NIC team and they believe that the magazine hasn't really 'changed' it has just become better.

Make your own mind up. Get a copy now and see what you have been missing all these years. I cannot conceive that any serious chess fan would be without this magazine. The reporting is of a very high standard, the photographs equally so. Top players contribute to it and indeed annotate games for it. There's always a fresh perspective on chess news and there are plenty of articles written after rummaging around in the dustbin of chess history.

There are regular book reviews (by our own Jonathan Rowson) and regular articles from the likes of Jan Timman on current and past aspects of chess. Naturally there are a selection of chess problems to tackle and more besides. As with my newspaper, I tend to read the back pages first! I am particularly fond of the 'Just checking' page where top players are asked questions about their lives, habits, favourite things and opinions on chess and the wider world. Having an insight into these players thought processes helps me to decide who I think is out of touch with the real world and who still has an umbilical link with reality away from the 64 squares.

It's a brilliant magazine with cutting edge news and articles. It is not just about what you see, but I can imagine the amount of sheer hard work and effort that goes into each edition of this publication. What can I say? Subscribe today or lament forever what you are missing.

The New in Chess team are based in Holland and the magazine is sent direct to your door. Go to...

New in Chess

I rate this magazine as Highly recommended ***** A must for every chess fan.

Book: Correspondence Chess in Britain and Ireland 1824-1987

Author: Tim Harding

Publisher: McFarland & Company

Edition: First

Date of review: 23rd April 2011

They say that what is written without effort is generally read without pleasure. Well I have to tell you that I spent a week in Lancashire (on my holidays) reading this book and I am going to recommend it to all chess lovers right here, right now at the start of this review.

I can only imagine the amount of time and care that author Tim Harding has expended on this historical work - for that's what it is. I have always had an interest in correspondence chess and also matters of the nineteenth century so it was a combination that worked very well for me.

The difficulty for me is knowing where to start, and I can't possibly write all I would wish to, so I will outline the purpose of the book. It is a record of correspondence chess (described in nineteen chapters) from 1824, (the very first recorded match between Edinburgh and London) to 1987 (The British team's victory over the Russians in the 9th Olympiad). There are plenty of games, photographs, drawings and of course anecdotes, quotes and historical information throughout which serve to add great value to the story being told.

Correspondence chess is a fascinating pastime and a discipline in its own right. In my own view this is one area of human pleasure that has been utterly destroyed by computers, but others are welcome to disagree. Having played correspondence chess myself in the early and mid nineties I am able to recall from experience how pleasurable it was making new friends far and wide, studying moves at leisure and improving my depth of understanding of the game. Nowadays, I get the feeling that I wouldn't be playing a human opponent; rather it would be me against their Fritz programme. No - the fun has definitely gone but before I get too depressed let's go back to the good old days.

Harding begins with the Edinburgh - London correspondence match from 1824 - 1828. A beautiful embossed silver trophy was made especially for the occasion - which Edinburgh won - and it still resides with them to this day. The match involved an incident which set the precedent for correspondence chess ever after. I won't reveal what it was though - you'll have to read the book for yourself. Suffice to say it was a fundamental issue and one that all correspondence chess players will relate to.

I particularly enjoyed reading the written correspondence between fellow players and others as the vocabulary used was just exquisite - a far cry from some of the diluted garbage that passes for language nowadays. Here's a brilliant example written by none other than Howard Staunton when referring to one George Walker; an adversary of his at the time. Walker had made reference in a negative manner to Staunton which greatly upset the latter. In his chess chronicle, Staunton referred to "the egregious conceit and deplorable ignorance which this Titmouse of chess professors exhibits in his lubrications upon the game." What a superb put-down.

I was very intrigued playing through the games how keen players were at that time to bring out their queen very early in the game. For example when was the last time you saw a game begin 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5 3.c3 Qg5 and lived to tell the tale? There are plenty of games featuring the openings of the day including the Four Knights game, Evans Gambit, Scotch Gambit and the swashbuckling King's Gambit. This is actually very educational nineteenth century fare and I am suitably inclined to play a line or two in my own games in respect for those long since gone - but only if I think they are sound. They did play some shockingly awful moves back then and strong club players of today would probably hold their own or even beat some of the top players at that time but that's a debate for another day.

In more general terms, the chapters cover the Scottish, Irish, Welsh and English scenes; inter club games, personal games, correspondence chess in World War I and World War II plus the International scene. Each chapter reveals priceless information and the reader won't fail to be engrossed in developments as the decades unfold. Whilst correspondence chess was primarily a gentleman's game there were maverick female participants (perish the thought) and one or two made a significant contribution to the correspondence game and (I suspect) the male opinion of female intellect at the time.

Here's a lovely example when one Mrs Ellen Gilbert, lauded as the strongest female player of the nineteenth century declared a checkmate in 35 moves!! That would have been a hammer blow to any gentleman's ego when in receipt of such impudent correspondence. I wonder if he told his mates? Should any lady seek an inspirational figure with regard to competing in a male orientated pastime (and succeeding) they would do well to refer to "The queen of chess" as an example.

There are many more memorable moments in the book. I was highly amused at a quote on page 116. When Great Britain played America in 1877, the British players received this message from the captain Hugh Bryan: "We sincerely hope that every man on this side at least will do his best to win, and not permit carelessness to jeopardize the result". He went further to quote Lord Nelson saying that players were expected "to do their duty". No pressure there then chaps. I can just imagine my club captain saying this in a team talk before a key league match in Oxfordshire. I do hope he reads this review!

An objective review should include any 'critical observations' as well as the good but I honestly cannot find much to grumble about. A chess historian may be more qualified to find any flaws if they exist, but I simply enjoyed the whole journey without feeling the need to check up on data. I will forgive the mention in the footnote on page 73 that Crystal Palace are a 'soccer club' which is an oft repeated crime. We, the British play Association Football, the Americans play 'soccer'.

I found the chapter on crisis and resolution in correspondence chess (chapter 16) the hardest to get through and concentration is a key requirement. There are a lot of acronyms to explain who was doing what at the time (1951-1971) so you need to pay attention. There's the I.C.C.F, the B.C.C.A, the B.C.F, the BCM, the B.C.C.S, the C&DCCC, the B.P.C.F and F.I.D.E to contend with - so thank heavens it all got resolved in the end. It all needs to be in there though as it is a true account of events.

The book finishes with the wonderful note about Great Britain's win over the Russians in the 9th Correspsondence Chess Olympiad Final (1982-1984), though it was actually the West Germans who were the greatest threat. Becoming World Champions was surely the zenith of British Correspondence Chess. As holders of the trophy, the Russians were responsible for handing over the silverware. Apparently, when Reg Gillman, a stalwart of correspondence chess went to pick up the gold medals, the two-foot-tall cut glass Ragozin cup was not there. The Russians had apparently 'forgotten' it! The trophy was finally handed over in 1989. Priceless! I would have loved to have been there for that moment.

I should finish by mentioning some of the characters in the book. Apart from such well known world class correspondence players like Dr. Jonathan Penrose and renowned figures such as Howard Staunton and you will learn about such figures as John Dillon Chambers, George Hatfeild Dingley Gossip, Mary Rudge, James White, Thomas Benjamin Rowland, The Rev. Evan Griffiths, Erik Larssen, Frank Parr, Slade Milan, John Mackie, Adrian Hollis, David Yarnton Mills and many more besides. I even remember who William Ritson-Morry was and I learned one or two quite shocking revelations about him whilst reading this book. So many of these people were unknown to me yet they contributed so much in their own way to our great game.

I repeat that this is more than a book, it is a historical gem and an important reminder that to know where we are going, we should always have an idea where we have been. Do yourself a big favour and buy it. Savour the contents over a good period of time and lose yourself in chess history. Correspondence Chess in Britain and Ireland 1824-1987 was clearly written with much effort, and I can assure the author that it was most definitely read with immense pleasure.

I rate this book as Highly recommended *****For lovers of chess and chess history.

Book: Chess Openings for Kids

Author: John Watson and Graham Burgess

Publisher: Gambit

Edition: First

Date of review: 6th June 2011

Teaching youngsters to play chess is a very pleasurable experience. To see them grow into the game and to see the light bulbs go on as they begin to improve and see further is the reward that I get for spending time with those that wish to learn. I hasten to add, I am not a teacher (well, I don't a have a piece of paper saying I am) but I certainly do impart my knowledge and therefore 'teach' chess to children and indeed adults of all ages. Chess Openings are just one element of chess, and need to be taught carefully as part of an overall training plan. This book certainly looks to me as if it could play a fundamental role in that. So what is in the book?

The authors state clearly in the introduction "We assume only that our readers know how to play chess, and are familiar with some of the basic tactics" and that sets the scene nicely.The first few pages go through algebraic notation and some of the principles of how to play the opening. Then we are into the openings with two pages being afforded to each one. I believe that great skill was required to do this because it is very hard to try to explain the key elements of any opening in just two pages - but the authors pull this off with aplomb. That's not surprising though, as they are both very well written and widely respected - not least by me.

The main King and Queen pawn openings are covered, with a couple of pages at the end just to peek at 1.c4 and 1.Nf3, the English and the Reti.This is followed by fifteen questions on 'give the names to the openings' and a further fifteen on 'give the moves' to the following opening. Then it is on to 'name the position' and 'test your opening skills' where 36 diagrams are given with the reader having to Find the winning move and identify the opening being played.

Readers will be able to refer to this book often to improve their game. Have the patience to go through it step by step with the pupil and you will gain immense pleasure (as will they) when they get build on their learning and their play improves commensurately.

If this book had been available to me when I was learning chess at the age of 12, I would have more easily been able to work out what openings I wanted to play according to my own style and preferences. To have 50 opening choices in one very handy volume (and tremendously well priced for a hardback!) is excellent and parents/teachers wishing to work on openings with children - and indeed adults should obtain a copy whilst you can.

This is a book to give the pupil wings in terms of learning the basics of key openings - it is up to them to learn how to fly.

I rate this book as Highly recommended *****Great for kids.

Book: Centre Stage and Behind the Scenes - The personal memoire of a Soviet chess legend.

Author: Yuri Averbakh

Publisher: New in Chess

Edition: First

Date of review: 29 October 2011

I love reading chess memoirs and I have always been fascinated with the history of chess in the Soviet Union. This book therefore was a must read, which I managed to do in just about one very long evening.

Yuri Averbakh is a distinguished Russian Grandmaster and a former world Championship candidate, former USSR Champion, journalist, arbiter, trainer and historian; he has been there and done that. I am delighted to share the same birthday as him - the eighth of February.

This book is ostensibly about personal views and recollections of Averbakh's life as a person and in chess. and there are three main elements to it. 'The beginning' in which the author describes his early years, schooling, memories at that young age and his first steps in chess. The second part of the book 'Not only chess' covers the famous Pioneer's Palace and University, the start of the Second World War, first time abroad and Soviet Sport after the war as well as how 'The General' ran sport. The third and most lengthy part of the book is 'Only Chess' and this covers much from Candidates tournaments, the old guard, the notorious Sports Committee and his personal views on Soviet players and other less well known grandmasters. There's lots more sub headings and each contain really interesting information on the past and clear insights into people and events at the time.

Let me pick out a few points that I personally noted. He describes the moment when as a youngster he attended a lecture by Nikolai Grigoriev showing pawn ending studies at the Moscow Central Chess Club. He writes that Grigoriev was 'moving the pieces on the demonstration board with his subtle, artistic fingers and one felt that one could sense the full depth and beauty of chess. I saw how human thought inspires and brings the pieces to life, and they in turn are like actors in a show'. How wonderful an introduction to the game.There's real hardship in this book as Averbakh describes fleeing Moscow after the position on the front had deteriorated. He says 'It was far from easy; in my gas mask case I had two loaves of bread, a pack of sugar, a packet of tea and a small amount of money'. He lost contact with his parents and upon reaching the Capital of Udmurtia, Izhevsk he had no means to live on but found work. Nothing was available on ration cards and people slept in the factories on the floor. He wore the same pair of boots for a year and they fell apart and he managed to get them repaired but they shrank and he had to wear them for a long time two sizes too small.

These are real hardships and surely these experiences forge a persons character on and away from the chess board.

I loved the little piece about his call up for military service just outside Leningrad. He arrived at the door of the reporting officer and was told to get out and present himself properly before he walked in. He composed himself, stepped back inside and the following conversation ensued...

"Allow me to present Engineer Lieutenant Averbakh, arrived for Military service!"
"That's more like it, where did you study?"
"Moscow Higher Technical Institute."
"Speciality?"
"Internal Combustion Engines."
"Where do you work?"
"I am a Grandmaster"

There was a pause. The Officer even got up from his chair.

"A Grandmaster? Have a seat, Comrade Grandmaster!"

And life was a lot easier than it could have been. There's loads of great little stories and anecdotes in this book but I don't want to spoil them all. Oh okay just a couple more then...

Unsurprisingly, Viktor Korchnoi takes up plenty of page space - he does after all have a very interesting history. There was one funny line when he played in London against Kasparov in 1983 he was 'helped' onto the stage by Stewart Reuben, one of the members of the organising committee. As Reuben took his arm Kortchnoi pulled his own arm away and barked "What, do you think I am an invalid?" Yep, that's Viktor.

Of great interest to me was Averbakh's division of all great players into six groups. I won't reveal what these are - you will have to buy the book but it's thought provoking and I think it has some substance to it. Finally, one niggle and one of my own observations.

I noted a couple of typos on pages 189 (should be 'calm' not 'clam') and 199 (should be 'spend' not 'spent') but otherwise there was nothing to record on that front.Congratulations to Steve Giddins on the translation.

Averbakh writes that "Chess has become a game for the young" and I do see the point of this remark in the context of the book. However let me say this - chess is everyone's game, that's the utter beauty of it. Whatever level, whatever age. wherever you are in the world, whatever background, the royal game of chess is for us all.

For anyone interested in chess and Russian chess history this book will be a very welcome and I believe necessary addition to your collection. The alchemic mix of Russian chess and the political 'Zeitgeist' merge to tell a tale of power and passion at and away from the chessboard that made me want to turn page after page.

To read this is to put your own life in perspective and learn a lot too.

I rate this book as Highly recommended *****

Book: The Four Knights Game

Author: Andrey Obodchuk

Publisher: New in Chess

Edition: First

Date of review: 13 November 2011

Never judge a book by its cover, that is the 'caveat emptor' message for any sensible person. Yet if a chess book were to be bought for the cover then this would be it. It's clever, colourful and just makes me want to have a copy on the shelf. That's the plain truth, though not particularly helpful to anyone reading this. I have said my piece though so let's get down to the contents, what's it all about? Here's the official advertising for the book.

'The Four Knights variation is one of the oldest chess openings and quite popular with club players. In recent years it has been injected with numerous fresh ideas by Alexey Shirov and Emil Sutovsky and has shaken off the reputation of being a peaceful choice. White has quite a few ways to create tension and play for the attack. Russian International Master Andrey Obodchuk has written a repertoire book for white players based on the Spanish Four Knights variation (starting with 4.Bb5). He covers a range of positional themes as well as amazing, sharp adventures, and creates an easy-to-handle toolbox for amateur chess players of intermediate level. About the Author - Andrey Obodchuk is an International Master from Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. He writes for international chess publications and works as a coach. He was the ICPA (physically disabled) World Chess Champion in 2010 and prolonged this title in 2011.'

Essentially the four knights game is reached after (for example) 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Nd4 5.Bc4 Bc5 6.Ne5 but there are a good number of key variations and move orders. Now here's the acid test, I am not a four knights player and never have been so I was interested to see if the book could grab my attention and dissuade me from playing 1.d4 for a while.

There are seven chapters including the three knight's opening, the four knights, symmetrical variation, Metger System, Rubinstein system,(where queen sacrifices are apparently played in a large number of games!) 5.Bc4 in the Rubinstein and an extra bonus in the book in the form of 'The Belgrade Gambit'. The book is laid out nicely but there are a lot of lines to muddle through if you want to elarn this properly. Lazy players (like me!) might not want to do this but it's still good to play the main moves in bold if you are short of time - to get the feel for the opening.

The Belgrade gambit is described as 'a treacherous sideline' and begins 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 ed 5.Nd5!? (see diagram below)

Now this IS interesting and the first thing I asked myself was 'Why on earth would I play 5.Nd5 at all?' Answer - it's fun and could be a brilliant surprise element in a league match. There are several responses for black here and 5...Nxe4!? is oft played. This leads to complicated and chaotic positions so I am going to try it out for fun online and see what happens. To check out the variations you will need to get the book (obviously) but this does seem like great fun if complications float your boat.

The previous chapters are interesting too with examples of games from well known and no-so-well known GM's. This includes our own David Howell, Michael Adams and Nigel Short with a game between Gormally and Hebden thrown in on the Rubinstein variation. There are 64 games in total and some new ideas for the players that Obodchuk is aiming the book at.

There's an interesting final line in the afterword to the book from the author. He says "Does the four knights

give white real chances to fight for the advantage? No, of course not! But it does guarantee a lot of adventures, and adrenaline rushes, especially if both sides are disposed to a sharp fight".

Yes, I'll agree with that. The author has invested great time and effort to write this book (he calls it a Sisyphian effort) and that does seem to be evident from my perspective. It is yet another quality publication from the New in Chess team.

I rate this book as recommended ****

Book: New in Chess Yearbook 100

Author: New in Chess

Publisher: New in Chess

Edition: 100

Date of review: 4th November 2011

It is very important - and sometimes difficult to remain objective when reviewing a book. In this case I am a subscriber to the New in Chess Yearbook so if I did not think it was a worthy publication I would hardly spend my well earned cash on it would I? What is the New in Chess Yearbook anyway I hear you cry? It is produced quarterly and focuses on current thinking in openings. However, as editor Genna Sosonko says in the foreword to this 100th edition "It's not just an opening handbook - it is a book full of ideas". This is quite true and subscribers are guaranteed to have a refreshed opening repertoire every quarter.

Usually the content of the book begins with a forum (letters pages) followed by the main surveys on specific opening lines with book reviews at the end. It all began 27 years ago (does time really go that fast?) when Wim Andriessen had the guts to go International and it is (along with the New in Chess Magazine) one of the very best publications on the market, without question. He engaged the services of the tireless Paul van der Sterren and Genna Sosonko to embark on the adventure of the opening series.This 100th edition is bigger and more jam-packed than normal and there's loads to get stuck into during those dark winter nights here in the UK and further afield.

I recently attended a lecture by one of the world's leading chess masters recently and he said something profound, and in my opinion absolutely spot on. He spoke about books that we buy for various reasons and don't really read them. We just flick through the pages then leave them on the shelves. I certainly am guilty of that! However this does not apply with regard to my NIC Yearbooks as they contain a wealth of new ideas in the opening phase that I return to again and again. I have employed some of these ideas in real matches and I have at least one latent secret weapon from this 100th Yearbook that I am waiting to spring on an unsuspecting opponent. You don't have to be a Grandmaster to understand the contents but it does deserve real effort in terms of reading and digesting so take your time, relax...chill.

This 100th edition has a special contribution by Garry Kasparov on the Zaitsev variation of the Ruy Lopez which he employed so many times against Anatoly Karpov and it is appropriate that a player of his magnitude should be the main feature and have is photograph on the cover. Between the covers you will find the usual high quality articles, forums and novelties along with a special anniversary quiz (way too difficult for me I am afraid), stories and a reflection by GM Glenn Flear on the books that he has reviewed from Yearbook 62 onwards. His reviews are always insightful and I take great stock by them. There are contributions and games from top players in each yearbook. There are also topical lines from top GM's such as Kasparov, Topalov, Anand and Svidler who all feature in this 100th edition.

You know, we do tend to take things for granted. Every three months I hear the thump as the NIC Yearbook whizzes through my letterbox and I immediately lose myself in the black tome, oblivious to all around me and to the incredible amount of work that has gone into it from the marvellous New in Chess Team, based in the Netherlands. They are always friendly, always willing to help and always dedicated to bringing chess players of all levels quality work.I want to take this opportunity to thank them for providing chess players everywhere with such an outstanding publication.

Okay, subscription fees may stretch the budget for some people, especially in these austere times but if you play chess and you want to improve or just keep abreast of opening theory you should ask yourself if you can afford to be without this. True enough, there's lots of chess information for 'free' online but here you have real books that have been written carefully and with pleasure that you can carry about to tournaments or just read when you are on holiday, on the train or like me...in bed before lights go out. You ARE chess fans, right? I have to say, I AM biased, and I AM going to champion the cause for the New in Chess product. As Genna Sosonko says at the end of his introduction "Until the next anniversary - until yearbook 150". Hear Hear!

I rate this Yearbook as Highly recommended *****

Book: The Gambit Book of Instructive Chess Puzzles

Author: Graham Burgess

Publisher: Gambit

Edition: First

Date of review: 30th October 2011

The first thing to note about this book is that it is smaller than A5, ergo it is easy to carry around. This means it's easy to whip out during those laborious moments waiting for trains and buses or just hanging' around somewhere. Let me start with the author. Graham Burgess is a FIDE Master and the Editorial Director of Gambit Publications. He has written more than twenty books and I never knew that he holds the world record for marathon blitz chess playing.

The aim of this tome is outlined on page four and I will quote directly. 'The aim of this book is to help my readers make better chessboard DECISIONS. On every single move of every single game of chess you will ever play, you need to make a decision'. True indeed and boy don't we make some dubious ones? We look back on our games and see what could have been. The reader is urged that to get the most out of the book we should tackle each of the 300 problems as if the position actually arose in a game - say in a real tournament where you are pushing for a money prize and need to play well. Take up to 20 minutes to try to make your decision. I do like this book because it's not a load of positions with 'obvious' first moves like a queen or rook sacrifice. It's much more subtle than that. Indeed often the puzzle will be about rejecting such a move because it is often artificial.

This approach works. I started to solve the 'easy' puzzles during a hospital stay and they require serious thought. I am a county chess player (so not a patzer by any means) and I really had to work at some of these 'easy' positions. This is good though as at least the reader will get their money's worth from the book. The positions incidentally are taken from games played in 2010/11 so you can enjoy analysing lots of new material. Burgess clearly states that he was looking for positions where the right path is hard to guess without seeing the main idea, and where there is only one solution.

In my case it usually proves that I am not as clever a cloggs as I think I am! There are eight chapters and of course the puzzles range from easy to downright impossible - well for me anyway.You can rate your strength at the end of the book, which is always fun to do. I am easily confused so I did scratch my head at the author's advice in his introduction. He says that obviously we should not use a computer to analyse the position "or move the pieces around on the board. You're welcome to set the position up on a real board". Was he saying don't use a computer 2d board? I think so.

So, is this just another chess puzzle book? Well I have already said that I have not done all of the puzzles but it is different. I personally enjoyed the fact that you don't always have to look for some sacrifice at the start of analysis and I like the layout of the book too. If you take your time going through this and work hard to retain the ideas behind what Graham Burgess is trying to get you to do I believe it will imporve your game as well as provide hours of fun at the board.

I will give you an example of the 'easy' problem that I had trouble solving in hospital. Admittedly I was ill at the time (duh!) but I should have solved it quicker. HOW FAST CAN YOU SOLVE IT? Start the clock and get your thinking cap on. It is a position from the game Phiri-Shyam in Delhi 2010. Don't be confused by the tangle of pieces; a simple tactic wins for black. Answer in small print under the position but resist the urge to look until you have a proper answer of your own.

I rate this book as Highly recommended *****

The answer is: 35...Qa4! White's knight is pinned against the unprotected rook on c2, and attacked three times but defended only once. 35...Nxb3? 36.Qxa7 Rxa7 37.Rxb3 leaves black a pawn down, whilst 35...Rxb3?? 36.Rxb3 is even worse. 36.Nxc5 36.Rxc5 dxc5 certainly doesn't improve white's lot. 36.Ra5 Qxb3 is likewise hopeless. 36.Rb2 Rxb3 37.R(2)xb3 Nxb3 38.Qd1 is an unsuccessful pin because of 38...Nc5. 36...Qxc2 White is an exchange down and will even lose his c4-pawn. After 37.Nd7 Qxc4 38.Qxc4 Rxc4 black won easily enough.

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