Soviet Chess:Book Review

Soviet Chess:A Western Expert Reviews Soviet Triumphs

by R.G.Wade

Descriptive notation

Paperback, 296 pages

Hardinge Simpole Classics.2002

http://www.hardingesimpole.co.uk/

 

Bobby Fischer was preparing for his 1972 World Championship Match with Boris Spassky. As is well-known, he trusted no one and worked alone. With his usual paranoia about the Soviets he could hardly reveal to anybody what he needed for his preparation. But there was one man whose help he could seek without hesitation. It was Bob Wade, the doyen of British chess. What Fischer needed was a complete dossier on Spassky's games. Bob readily obliged, and this dossier was to be Fischer's constant companion till  he won the World Chamionship Match. But when the same Bob (with Kevin O'Connell) published a collection of Fischer's games just prior to the Match, it ruffled the American's feathers. Of course Bob did not see anything wrong in what he had done. For him what mattered most was public interest.Twenty years later, in 1992 Fischer again sought his help in preparing for the Return Match with Spassky Bob did not let him down.With the same meticulous care he collected Spassky's games and handed the lot to Fischer.

Bob was an authority on Soviet Chess. His knowledge was rivaled by only three of his peers, Harry Golombek, Peter Clarke and Bernard Cafferty. We owe a debt of gratitude to this English quartet for illuminating chess life behind the iron curtain.

This book was first published in 1968, and is well worthy of respect as a pioneering attempt to describe the growth and development of chess in the Soviet Union. What is more, it is remarkably free from Soviet propaganda.

Obviously, the book has its limitations. In the Soviet era it was impossible for any author to make an independent assessment on account of the all-pervasive censorship.

But today a lot more is known about chess in that period thanks to the memoirs of veterans like Korchnoi. What is more, rare archival materials have also become available ever since Gorbachev initiated the policy of glasnost in the Eighties.

From this point of view it is Andew Soltis’ book Soviet Chess that is more valuable. It is an outstanding work of research and scholarship.The narrative is gripping and the games are rare. The photographs are superb. Reading this book, one lives through an entire era. No lover of chess should miss this magnum opus.(Please see the link below)

As compared to Soltis, Bob Wade’s work is less important as chess history. But the games with contemporary annotations are valuable.

 I still remember my excitement, reading his account of how Tal made an illegal move in his calculations (not over the board!) while playing against Keres in Curacao 1962(See the link to Curacao 1962 Review). And my disbelief on seeing that incredible game, Krogius-Korchnoi (1958)... it takes your breath away.

 Fortunately, there are few games that are common between this book and Soltis’ work.So you wouldn't be a loser if you acquire this book.

There is one respect in which Wade scores over Soltis. There are no compositions in Soltis’ work. In Wade’s book there is a wealth of problems and endgame studies. One can spend hours solving and enjoying these masterpieces. Indeed, the Soviet era was a creative period for composers. I have had a hard time trying to pick just two compositions from this book. A case of embarrass de richesse. Among the problem composers, undoubtedly, the master is Loshinsky. My apologies to Loshinsky fans for not including an example of the maestro’s work here. But Dr. Galitzky’s work(seen below )is less known.

The endgame study in Russia has followed two schools of thought.  On the one hand we have the positional and analytical school with composers like Kasparian and Nadareishvili as its main exponents.  On the other hand we have the romantic school with votaries like Korolkov and Mitrofanov. Both are well-represented in this book.For a change, I have given here a rare masterpiece by Gurvich that Wade himself admired.Wade was aware that great players like Keres and Smyslov were also composers of studies. In fact the chapter on Keres includes a couple of his studies.(Readers interested in seeing a Keres study could check the link at the end of this review)For some reason the chapter on Smyslov does not mention his work in this sphere. A curious omission...

The following game taken from the book was played in the Zonal Tournament 1964.A tough contest in which the likes of Spassky, Bronstein, Korchnoi and Geller were participating. Such was the strength of the tournament that world championship candidates, Korchnoi and Geller came last. This nerve-wracking game was played in the 10th round. Spassky just had a 50 % score. Geller, trailing behind, also desperately needed a win. Here is what happened…..   

 (I have added a few updates in analysis, and they are marked CB.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White to play and win

http://www.chesscenter.com/twic/bobwade.html

http://www.chessscafe.com/text/kibitz153.pdf

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=5045

http://www.chessville.com/reviews/Curacao1962.htm

http://www.chessville.com/reviews/BrilliantChessStudies.htm

http://www.chesscafe.com/text/sovietchess

 

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