My System - Good or not?

Sort:
WowThisIsWeird

So the USCF Master at my chess club recommended My System by Nimzowitsch to me, so I got it from the library and started reading it. However, partway through the first chapter, I was listening to a Perpetual Chess Pod video about the best books, and it seemed like Ben Johnson and the person who was being interviewed agreed that My System is not the best book.

So far here are my problems with it.

- Too many analogies. I like analogies but not in chess for some reason.

- It's old, so could it be outdated somewhat?

What do you guys think?

DixieLandTN

There is no such thing as a "best book" on many things.  Especially something as complex as chess. 

Not familiar with the book but I'm sure it has some value. 

Ibuildchess

I have the most recently updated translation and I find it a good read. His analogies work well for me as instead of memorizing basic principals by rote I have some clever analogies to remind me as I play. I think that different authors speak to different people and I agree with the above post that there is no "best" book for everybody. My System has great merit despite not being the most up to date book with modern openings/middle game/end game theory, but is full of solid principles to learn to be a better player. 

BlackKaweah
My System is a great book, it’s a classic for a reason. Plus when it comes to chess knowledge Aaron Nimzovich > Ben Johnson. Although Johnson has the better podcast.
RussBell

Perspective on Aron Nimzowitsch's "My System"...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/perspective-on-my-system-by-aron-nimzowitsch

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell

Ibuildchess

@russbell is that your cat in front of your set? 

Impractical

I very much like My System and The Praxis of My System by Nimzowitsch.  Studying it over and returning to it after practicing the ideas, trying to work them out, improves one’s strategic planning and tactical execution.  GM and former WC Tigran Petrosian wrote about how much it helped him develop his chess style.

Krames
It’s an all time classic. Amazing for what it is today and much more amazing for what it was when published. It would be silly to skip it bc of some idea that it isn’t worthwhile. They’re are zillions of chess books available, some better than others, My System is 100% deserving of a place in any chess library.
ChessBooster

if someone will compose chess bible one day, My System should be one the books of it.