Cunning Devik

David Bronstein was one smart player. Too smart. Having just finished his famous 1953 Candidates Memoir one learns WAY more than just about the Middlegame. The way the Soviets unified to impede the progress of the Westerner Samuel Reshevsky is simply ingenious. And the fact that Sammy still finished in a three-way tie for 2nd place all the more astounding. The Soviets sent 9 players to this tournament while the West was only represented by 6. Were they all unified to produce an eventual Challenger to the Patriarch? I doubt it. The book itself is a testament to how difficult it was/is to place in a high level tournament, let alone win it outright. Bronstein also is a true Master at detailing each individuals playing style and personality. I would recommend this book to anyone who adores Chess and the machinations that go on behind the Scenes. The follow-up read is surely Secret Notes by the same author.