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Pick Simple Chess by English Grandmaster Michael Stean. The original edition of the book was written in 1978, a few years before Stean retired from chess at the age of 29. Fred Wilson edited the book and translated it to algebraic notation for Dover Publications in 2003. Why this book in particular? An argument could … Read more
Read This First! Photo: Sabina Foisor’s Twitter: @Foisor_Sabina First, I believe 1700-2300 is an appropriate range for Sherlock’s Method. Second, the authors are being too modest about what they have created. Having gotten to know them a bit personally, I’m not surprised as they are both very down-to-earth. Also, full disclosure, they sent me a … Read more
Authors: GM Joel Benjamin and Harold Scott 343 Pages. New In Chess, 2021 Get it on Amazon! Note: I may receive a commission on products purchased through Amazon links on this page. Thanks for your support! An Uniquely American Phenomenon There is no chess event quite like the World Open. The first thing that stands … Read more
I started assigning Chess School 1a to students circa 2007, and still recommend it in 2020. There are 719 puzzles in this book, with an intended audience of absolute beginnners up to an approximate rating of 1000. I definitely recommend it as a first tactics book, and it can help a player for awhile. The … Read more
After mostly choosing authors for this series who geared their writings for beginners and intermediate players, let’s discuss an author on the opposite end of the spectrum. I warn you: this post will be long. Mark Dvoretsky (1947-2016) Mark Dvoretsky. Photo: ChessBase Muscovite Mark Dvoretsky was a very strong player, becoming an International Master in 1975. … Read more
Opening for Black according to Karpov was written by Alexander Khalifman and published by the Bulgarian publisher Chess Stars all the way back in 2001. I believe it was one of their first books. Now, I have to admit being attracted to this book when I first bought it many years ago because Anatoly Karpov, … Read more
After seeing my choice of Fred Reinfeld last week, today’s selection should not be a surprise. In fact, he co-authored a few books with Reinfeld. Irving Chernev (1900-1981) Irving Chernev. Photo: World Chess Hall of Fame. Born in Pryluky (part of the old Russian Empire, now Ukraine), Irving Chernev emigrated to the United States in … Read more
Howson’s book was issued in hardcover with dust jacket! 200 Modern Chess Traps in the Fianchetto Openings was written by J.B. Howson in 1970. As you might expect, the notation of choice is Descriptive. The author divides his material into three parts: Queen’s Side, King’s Side, and Miscellaneous. Looking through the chapters in each part, you realize … Read more
Attack with Mikhail Tal was written by the former World Champion with sports journalist Iakov Damsky. Tal died in 1992, but Ken Neat’s English translation was first published in 1994 by Cadogan Books. Some players have a special aura in chess history. I would definitely include Paul Morphy, Jose Capablanca, Bobby Fischer, and yes, Mikhail … Read more
Today I want to discuss a very popular and highly-regarded chess figure who also happens to be the first currently-living author in the series. Serious work for serious people, yes, but more approachable than most Dvoretsky volumes. Mihail Marin Mihail Marin. Photo: Mihail Marin’s Twitter, @MihailMarin3 Mihail Marin (1965 – ) was born in Bucharest, … Read more