Author: Albert Silver
Date: 07:03:18 08/23/04
Go up one level in this thread
On August 23, 2004 at 09:00:50, stuart taylor wrote:
>On August 22, 2004 at 12:39:05, stuart taylor wrote:
>
>CORRECTIONS...
>
>>The book by John Watson. I hadn't really looked at it much till recently. But
>>now I see it is the chess book which seems to make more sense than any other.
>>
>>Other famous books, it could be that the author understands the subject, but
>>what he writes starts off interesting, and then deteriorates, until he sounds
>>like he is out of his mind. I mean, he just gives up explaining any more, so you
>>can't check him up.
>>
>>Mr. Watson might be the first who addresses each thing logically and thouroughly
>>and for an intelligent person to understand and appreciate, seeing that he is
>>not left hanging.
>>
>>I thought John Nunn's "Understanding chess move by move" was great, but it is
>>harder to follow than this. But maybe, when Watson says that HIS book is far
>>from exhaustive and comprehensive, I wonder if then, Nunn's book can compliment
>>it, giving the reader/student a very comprehensive understanding [considering
>>it's only two books]?
>
>Opinions please!
>>
>>S.Taylor
>This post as often, has gone without much response, but I thought many people
>had what to say about the book.
Hi Stu,
I can't opine on the Nunn book as I know nothing about it. As to Watson's work,
it's worth mentioning that it is an advanced work (I'd say for 2000+) and
presumes thorough knowledge and understanding of the Nimzowitsch classic "My
System". That's because it states its purpose as completing and updating current
strategical theory based on his work.
There are several noteworthy classics on positional play such as Euwe's
"Judgement and Planning" (never read it, but have never stopped hearing good
things about it), Ludek Pachman's Modern Chess Strategy, and Euwe and Kramer's
2-volume "The Middlegame".
Regarding Pachman's work, it should be noted there is a single-volume edition
easily find in Dover, and a much expanded 3-volume version last published in
English (to my knowledge) by Batsford called "The Complete Strategy". It's out
of print, so you would probably have to find a second-hand edition via e-bay
for example. I have it in French by Grasset in a very nice edition, and I'm sure
there are others out there.
There is also Euwe and Kramer's 2-volume classic "The Middle Game" which can be
found (legally according to the site) in a complete electronic version, games
and texts at: http://www.uni-klu.ac.at/~gossimit/c/book.htm (middle of the page)
I saw there was some mention of a password requiring you look up any print
version of the second volume to see the opponent of Tal in some game. I happen
to have the print edition and the name of the opponent is "Geller". Get it and
read/study it; it is well worth it.
There are also a number of excellent programs that take book teaching a step
further. The best are by Convekta (IMHO), and the ones that really stand out are
Strategy 2.0 (tons of detailed lessons with exercises and thematic positions to
play out against a program/player), and the Encyclopedia of Middlegame series
(I, II, and III) that covers typical middlegame plans and based on openings and
pawn structures. The name is misleading IMO as it is not an encyclopedia but an
instructive program.
Albert
>I'm still interested in anyones opinions as to whether or not it would make a
>very all-round GM chess course with Nunn's book together with Watsons?
>Thanks for opinions
>S.Taylor
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