Chess books by C.J.S. Purdy

https://web.archive.org/web/20140717063824/http://www.chesscafe.com:80/text/improv.txt

"This is one of the best beginner's books that this writer has seen."

Last line of the review above urled.

It is a dead set beginner's book.

It is the best I have ever seen, although there may be better around for sure.

"Biff the Bishop". I never forgot the term. It is very Antipodean, but down here it still wpould be well understood, Especially by fans of the favorite brand of winter sport here.

It refers to a good old fashioned stouch when a player is angered by an opponent, sometimes unfairly.

It should be brought back. "Bring back the Biff" is still a frequent call against the current sanitised game, where only slaps are tolerated.

Australian members would have no trouble with the not so gentle term!

I hope that the verb url is now understood, and will also get the recognition it deserves.

I have 'The search for chess perfection II' and 'A guide to good chess'.  The former is one of my favourite chess books.  I also have some collectors items 1950s editions of Chess world a magazine edited by Purdy himself and printed in Australia.

Interesting that Purdy did a lot to rehabilitate the reputation of Tarrasch as a  teacher of Chess.

Like Purdy, Tarrasch knew more that he wrote.

You have to pirch your wares at a beginner to average reader first.

For that reason, I like Purdy, as he brought me from easy beat to Average Club Player overnight, well a month.

His magazine was very well knowm in the English Speaking world.

I still catch people out with the Noah's Ark Trap, and players who try to hole on to tha pawn after they accept the Queens Gambit.

You can still find bound red hardback copies from the 40's. A full year all in one. They usually go for $50 to $75 for the more common years and more for rare years.

Well said, 

Good OP.  Saves me from buying Purdy's books.

Actually many of the pre computer chess books and authors are much more readable than post computer age.  I have a book on the Petroff that reads like a knitting pattern, its just reams and reams of endless computer lines. Golembek is an excellent author, his book on openings is immensely enjoyable.  Reti too, his books are unsurpassed.

   Yes Golembek really put in some work on the games he annotated, had the pleasure of playing him back in the 80s in a county match, gave his young opponent a lesson that day

TP

really? woa thats amazing, he is legend for sure.

http://www.gmsquare.com/Reviews/AldrichPurdyEndgame.html

Thanks for that, kindaspongey!

As someone who has lived on "both sides of the ditch", the latter half on the Australian side, we are very proud of Purdy. If it had not been for internal bickering by the "mainland" States  at the time of federation 115 years or so ago, NZ would have been a State of Australia. There would have been an upside to that, but things as they are suit both countries, which are now the best of enemies on the Sport Field.

Chess in Anglo countries, expecially the colonies never was large. And no WC's  have emerged from either. 

But, those who love the game have to be keen, as it is regarded as nerdy.

Purdy was great for this reason, and did much for Chess in both countries, and in a way, he and Ortvin Sarapu had a loose coalition, and can be regarded as fathers of the game in their respective countries.

I am not batgirl, so I will not regale you further.

I mention her in passing as a really great Chess Writer for the Common Man, and she is deservedly loved by so many here for her quailty and quantity. 

Have all the Purdy books that Thinkers Press published in conjunction with the Purdy family.  Most are out of print. The main book "The Search for Chess Perfection" is undergoing a new revision this year and additional material added. I believe Bob Long, the publisher, said the book will be ready by the end of the year. 

Answer?