Best way to follow Fischer's "My 60 Memorable Games"

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1e4
Hi all,
I apologise for the naive Q. I bought Fischer's "My 60 Memorable Games" on Kindle, but I'm too new to chess to play the moves out / follow in my mind.

Do you guys have a suggestion on the best way to follow? Would you set up and move the pieces along as you read in a phone app or similar?
IMBacon22

1.  That book is to advanced for you.

2. If you are going to use it.  Set up the games on a real board and real pieces.  

3. Play solitaire chess.

1e4
Thanks! I hadn't heard of Solitaire Chess. I'll order.

I really enjoyed "Bobby Fischer teaches chess" and was looking for something else to continue my education.
IMBacon22
dntfeedthemnkys wrote:
Thanks! I hadn't heard of Solitaire Chess. I'll order.

I really enjoyed "Bobby Fischer teaches chess" and was looking for something else to continue my education.

You probably should try Chernevs "Logical chess move by move"

You will get much more out of that book.

1e4
Thank you! I appreciate the recommendation.
IMBacon22
dntfeedthemnkys wrote:
Thank you! I appreciate the recommendation.

Glad to help, and good luck!

Moriarty_697

I second the idea of playing out the games on a real board.  If you're reading it on a Kindle, going back and forth between two electronic devices could get annoying and slow things down.  The Chernev book is good but I don't see anything wrong with going through Fischer's games.

IMBacon22
verylate wrote:

I want to second IMBacon's advice.. no, Moriarty_667 has already done that; so let me take a number and wait in line to affirm the advice, to get a real set of pieces and a real board and minimize the elctronic gadgetry. Well, I would say that, that's how I learned some 40+ years ago, and still like to do things today. But seriously, I honestly think that's the way to go. Go the old way, the bloody old way. (Maybe I'm chanelling my inner Wittgenstein?) In chess, strength comes from concentration, from discipline, from focus. Electronic formats always lead to distraction, variety and entertainment; at least as they are currently designed.

BTW, they're probably right, in that M60MG is probably too advanced for you, but don't let that (or anything) stop you from the twin joys of learning and improving your chess, and of enjoying good chess. I have to admit that I am a long way from totally understanding all the lessons in M60MG, but I still enjoy the games. And sometimes I learn something, too. If you really want to learn and see your rating rise, then yes pick up a book or 3 more suitable to your current ranking and do your homework and cram for the exams, errrrr, tournaments. but don't throw out your M60. There's going to come a time when you don't really care about knowing the latest weather report on the Berlin defense, and just want to see what the man had, back in the day when. Get ready to smile.

Active learning = Using real books, real board, real pieces, is proven to be a more efficient way of studying.

Passive learning = software, laptops, phones, etc. is not as efficient.  or as i call it...lazy learning.  

IMBacon22
john_chandler wrote:

I'm currently working my way through the book. As already mentioned, definitely use a real board and pieces, and play through the moves. Although I know it's too advanced for me, it's been interesting going through the moves and pausing to evaluate the board after each move (or group of moves). This site's analysis tool is also useful in conjunction with going through the games, although nothing quite beats moving real pieces around.

I find Fischer's commentary a little terse most of the time, which is probably more appropriate for the level it's intended at, but enlightening. I do see it as a book I will revisit time and time again as my chess skills improve.

If youre not already doing so, I would suggest pen and paper, and write down your thoughts, analysis, lines that you would play.  

IMBacon22
Cakeovic wrote:

I would add, in addition to playing the moves on an actual board, attempt to visualise the sub-lines that appear in the annotations as best you can. These are lines the GM is supposedly calculating during the game, and it's good practice to attempt it yourself. If you can only see 2 or 3 moves deep that's fine; play the rest out on the board to see the point. If you can see it in your mind and understand, then that's replicating the GM's thoughts at that point during the game (it's also nice to not have to reset the game position on the board).

Do a game or two per day; let it marinate. Don't just bang through the games.

Just my 2 cents...

I will pplay through 6-7 games spending mo more than 2-3 minutes on each game.  Then iwill go back over them, doing serious study time on them.  I do this for 2 reasons:

1. Let my subconscious absorb the basics.

2. Learn the deeper stuff.

I find that for me at least, it makes seeing things easier.  

1e4
This is all hugely helpful advice. Thank you.

I had thought about electronic (such as phone app) instead of a real board as I have some long haul flights coming up and that seemed perfect for it. But I'll set up at home instead.

I ended up with Fischer's book after reading an article here about the best chess books.
I'd love to start learning theory and get some more books that are appropriate to my level. I'd really appreciate any other suggestions anyone has for good books. You can never have too many books!!
IMBacon22
dntfeedthemnkys wrote:
This is all hugely helpful advice. Thank you.

I had thought about electronic (such as phone app) instead of a real board as I have some long haul flights coming up and that seemed perfect for it. But I'll set up at home instead.

I ended up with Fischer's book after reading an article here about the best chess books.
I'd love to start learning theory and get some more books that are appropriate to my level. I'd really appreciate any other suggestions anyone has for good books. You can never have too many books!!

http://www.chessfornovices.com/bestchessbooksfornovices.html

Nckchrls

Fischer was a very principled player. His games are usually great examples of opening principles like develop pieces, stake claims in the center, king safety usually through castling, etc. Might want to play through his openings and figure out why he made each move he did.

For a more advanced look, Fischer's games are great examples of getting an advantage through pawn structure, square control, having and restricting mobility, initiative and proper breaks. 

These ideas are usually described in middle game books. Silman's books like "Reassess Your Chess" or "Amateur's Mind" might be helpful but there are probably a lot of other good ones too.

RussBell
dntfeedthemnkys wrote:

I'd love to start learning theory and get some more books that are appropriate to my level. I'd really appreciate any other suggestions anyone has for good books. You can never have too many books!!

Lots of good books appropriate for you here....

Good Chess Books for Beginners and Beyond....

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/good-chess-books-for-beginners-and-beyond

 

SeniorPatzer
IMBacon wrote:
Cakeovic wrote:

I would add, in addition to playing the moves on an actual board, attempt to visualise the sub-lines that appear in the annotations as best you can. These are lines the GM is supposedly calculating during the game, and it's good practice to attempt it yourself. If you can only see 2 or 3 moves deep that's fine; play the rest out on the board to see the point. If you can see it in your mind and understand, then that's replicating the GM's thoughts at that point during the game (it's also nice to not have to reset the game position on the board).

Do a game or two per day; let it marinate. Don't just bang through the games.

Just my 2 cents...

I will pplay through 6-7 games spending mo more than 2-3 minutes on each game.  Then iwill go back over them, doing serious study time on them.  I do this for 2 reasons:

1. Let my subconscious absorb the basics.

2. Learn the deeper stuff.

I find that for me at least, it makes seeing things easier.  

 

This method is not really solitaire chess because the second time through the games your subconscious has already seen the moves, imho.

TundraMike

Any chess player can enjoy these 60 games of Bobby Fischer. Just get your favorite chess set out and enjoy it.   From Novice to Grandmaster, this work does not discriminate.  My opinion of course.

RussBell
IMBacon wrote:
dntfeedthemnkys wrote:
Thanks! I hadn't heard of Solitaire Chess. I'll order.

I really enjoyed "Bobby Fischer teaches chess" and was looking for something else to continue my education.

You probably should try Chernevs "Logical chess move by move"

You will get much more out of that book.

"Logical Chess Move By Move" by Irving Chernev would be an excellent choice for a games collection book to start with.  It's a classic.  Check the reader reviews here...

https://www.amazon.com/Logical-Chess-Every-Explained-Algebraic/dp/0713484640/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1504055991&sr=1-1&keywords=logical+chess+move+by+move+-+irving+chernev

 

redhawk44357

What about using Fischer/ Spassky book with above suggestions?  Or chess puzzle books?

rickr705

In addition to Logical Chess: Move by Move, another great collection of games appropriate for lower rated players is Max Euwe's, Chess Master vs. Amateur. The selection of games and commentary focus on common beginner mistakes and illustrate how a stronger player can punish them.  It's a fun and instructive work that covers a lot of ground: openings, development, middle game, etc.

Also, besides using a board to play thru the moves a proven technique to enhance learning is to cover the moves and try to figure out the next move.  You probably won't get many of the moves right, but that's not the point.  The goal is to actively engage the brain, which strengthens learning.

1e4
RussBell wrote:
IMBacon wrote:
dntfeedthemnkys wrote:
Thanks! I hadn't heard of Solitaire Chess. I'll order.

I really enjoyed "Bobby Fischer teaches chess" and was looking for something else to continue my education.

You probably should try Chernevs "Logical chess move by move"

You will get much more out of that book.

"Logical Chess Move By Move" by Irving Chernev would be an excellent choice for a games collection book to start with.  It's a classic.  Check the reader reviews here...

https://www.amazon.com/Logical-Chess-Every-Explained-Algebraic/dp/0713484640/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1504055991&sr=1-1&keywords=logical+chess+move+by+move+-+irving+chernev

 

 

Thanks Russ!  Ordered!! happy.png