A most unfortunate chess book

The algebraic version is English.

Actually I cannot find this algebraic version, anywhere.

The one pictured is from 1990 and it is descriptive, I own it.

I would certainly like an algebraic version.

My 1964 Tartan edition. $1.95 US.

This problem is the publisher's fault.  Most chess books published in English right through to the 1980s were published exclusively in English.  These days, republications of these books normally have the notation upgraded to algebraic.  It seems to be only American TV shows, movies and publishers who are unaware of the algebraic.

As they would say in the '60's....Far Out...!

I'll go one further from Russ and use the Doonesbury version "Far freakin' out".

My recollection is that Tartan published a number of good chess titles in those days.

Sounds like a good book I'll by a copy.

Like SilentKnighte5 already said, it's "en anglais" so no need to brush up on your french. Apparently this version is a 1990 reissue from American Chess Promotions. It is still available; you can find it just by searching for the ISBN number (0939298791, without the hyphens). Here's a picture of the cover.

I just received the American Chess Promotions edition of the book, and it is in fact in Algebraic notation.  I found it by searching on the ISBN number - "ISBN 0939298791" [thanks Asconym, for pointing this out].  I have not had a chance to look through it in any detail, but upon casual inspection it looks to be a very well produced book - binding, typography, paper quality etc. 

https://www.amazon.com/Pawn-power-chess-Hans-Kmoch/dp/0939298791/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1489662103&sr=1-1&keywords=0939298791

Thanks, Russ. Personally, I'm perfectly happy with the descriptive version, but it's good to know that one of the objections that many players have might have been overcome. 

I've made few attempts to read Kmoch's book and had to stop every time because of frustration over terminology. I'm done with it. There are 20+ more enjoyable chess books on my shelf waiting to be read.

Soviet chess school somehow managed without this book - I should be fine too

I made it through the book my first try.  It covers topics that I haven't seen in other books.  Lots of people point towards books with "pawn structure" in the title.  Those generally look at pawn structures at a macro view.  Kmoch covers the micro view.  It's well worth going through.

I have the c.1990 edition by American Chess Promotions, Macon Georgia in English and it's in algebraic notation.  I think I picked it up at an OTB Tournament in the '90's.

That is NOT the c.1990 edition on Amazon by Dover Books - the "look inside" shows it's in descriptive (P-K4, etc.) notation.

I see RussBell has a thread with a link to the algebraic notation book:

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/pawn-power-in-chess-by-hans-kmoch-algebraic-edition

I didn't read it because I heard it's been superseded by other works like Andrew Soltis's book.  Which I haven't read either.  

Pawn Power In Chess by Hans Kmoch…

For me, Hans Kmoch's "Pawn Power In Chess" is an immortal masterpiece of the chess literature.

One often encounters complaints about the book's "descriptive" chess notation and/or the "idiosyncratic" terminology invented and employed throughout the book by the author.  These complaints have the effect of putting off many who would otherwise benefit from reading this great book.   It does take dedication and perseverance to get through it (what worthwhile chess book doesn't), but the results are well worth it.  If chess required no intellect or effort, we wouldn't enjoy it as much.  

My response to those who have issues with Kmoch's terminology is this:  As reasonably intelligent chess players (hopefully not an erroneous presumption), from the beginning of your journey in chess you have been able to learn many new terms and concepts in order to be able to read and communicate about the game.  The point, and value of Kmoch's terminology is that of attempting to improve the efficiency of communicating structures, positional concepts and ideas.  Just consider the “creative” terminology to be a part of the continuing process of growing your chess vocabulary.

Here is a good YouTube video explaining Hans Kmoch's "Pawn Power In Chess" terminology.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwlOSiCBVMk&list=PLCMNc_5BaXsfpKki7gqXwnghI9NCTZgzm

In fact, I'm guessing that once one embraces the terminology and appreciates its concise efficiency of description, one will learn to appreciate it.  For example, when I come across the terms ram, lever, and duo, etc., I know what they mean and what they imply.  This simple terminology enables the writer/reader to precisely define a position, a structure or an action, which otherwise would take a lot of words and explanation to communicate.  Brilliant!

As one reads the book, and the terms become more embedded in your chess vocabulary, the book becomes easier to read, and the lessons and concepts are more readily absorbed.  Studying the book will pay dividends for the rest of your chess career.

As for the (now supersceded) "descriptive" notation.  Yes, most would agree that (the now mainstream) “algebraic” notation is generally more efficient in terms of writing/reading chess literature. Nevertheless, any reasonably serious chess player should be capable of easily learning descriptive notation.  And, I submit, there is no better book than "Pawn Power..." as motivation for learning and practicing your descriptive notation reading skills.

If you’re not familiar with descriptive chess notation...this may help....an explanation of descriptive notation.....not necessarily the best presentation, but bear with it and you will get the idea.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu-c-HgYcWU

Finally, there was an algebraic edition of Kmoch's book published in 1990 by American Chess Promotions (ref my post #31 above).  One can quickly find it by searching on the ISBN number - "ISBN 0939298791”.  I own a copy but have only scanned it briefly as I prefer to work with the Dover, descriptive notation edition.  However the algebraic edition does look to be a very well-produced book - binding, typography, paper quality etc. 

https://www.amazon.com/Pawn-power-chess-Hans-Kmoch/dp/0939298791/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1489662103&sr=1-1&keywords=0939298791

Note to @SeniorPatzer - Kmoch's book has not been supersceded; especially not by any book by Soltis, by which I believe you are referring to "Pawn Structure Chess", which is concerned with the specific pawn structures arising out of the major opening systems.  Kmoch's book is more fundamental, dealing with basic concepts underlying proper pawn play in general.  By reading both books the distinctions will become clear.

Glad this thread has been resurrected. Since my original post, I've found a series of books that covers much of the ground in Kmoch and a lot more. Plus it uses normal terminology and is written in a clear and accessible manner. I'm referring to four books by Dražen Marović: Understanding Pawn Play in Chess, Dynamic Pawn Play in Chess, Secrets of Positional Chess, and Secrets of Chess Transformations. They provide excellent instruction in positional play for the intermediate player.

I still believe that Kmoch has independent significance and is worth studying, but I also think Marović is an excellent addition to any chess library.

While I'm at it, for anyone interested in pawn structure based planning on a macro level, I recommend Chess Structures: A Grandmaster Guide, by Mauricio Flores Rios, Pawn Structure Chess, by Andrew Soltis, Winning Chess Middlegames, by Ivan Sokolov, and Winning Chess Structures, by Alexander Baburin.

Note that Baburin's book is highly recommended by IM Frendzas, but is hard to find. Despite its title, it deals entirely with IQP positions and their frequent progeny, isolated pawn couples and hanging pawns.