Best: Schiller, Kalinichenko.
Worst: Nimzowitsch, Euwe, Nunn, Capablanca, Kasparov, Tal.
Best and Worst Chess Authors
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I haven't read much but Kasparov was so disappointing. On the flip side, I was surprised by Lasker as an author by his Chess Theory. A 500 pages book from which you just need to read the first chapters to start thinking chess much better, avoiding exhausting tactical lines. The rest of the book, say 450 pages are just game analysis. Good casual reading for the bathroom!
There is no such book.
Sep 26, 2015
0
#5
I love Silman's work and have all of his books, but I have to put in a major plug here for Irving Chernev. His "Logical Chess," "Capablanca's Best Endgames," and "The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played" are classics which I believe will stand the test of all time.
Dr_Prophylaxis wrote:
My opinion: the best author is J. Silman. By far. In the past, I've posted YT vids where I lecture using Siman's books for reference. How to Reassess Your Chess and Amateur's Mind = great stuff.
Are you The Backyard Professor?
Just realized I got sucked in. Well played, OP.
Chess book referred to by N_Parma is Edward Laskers Chess Complete Chess Tutor , recently released after originally being published in 1973.
http://batsford.com/blog/chess-the-complete-self-tutor/
Irving Chernev
I've got a very old edition (1915) entitled "Chess Strategy". The release trurojoe referres to might make use of the same or part of the same text, and seems adapted to modern times (prologue by John Nunn and mention of chess computers right in the introduction).
I found the original (or a re-edition of it) on Amazon:
It must be noted that by Lasker is not meant the world champion Emmanuel, but a far cousin of his called Edward, also a very strong, though amateur player.
On the top of my head;
Best: Pandolfinni
Worst: Nick di Firmian (not because he literally is, but because based on all the books Ive ever read and the book where he "revises" Capablanca's Chess Fundamentals...don't use Capablanca's name, and edit poorly, just write your own book)
Dr_Prophylaxis wrote:
As for the worst, it's gotta be... John Nunn. Too many variations and no prose. Nuff said.
Did you even read one of Nunn's books?
II got this present from a friend. What do you think about the author? Is he good? I just started reading it and its my first one (and its in english :p) http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1857445309/ref=pd_aw_sim_14_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0A9BY02BRVRR0Z3P0C0H
Crazychessplaya wrote:
Best: Schiller, Kalinichenko.
Nimzowitsch, Euwe, Nunn, Capablanca, Kasparov, Tal.
WORST:I don't know
Best:
Silman
Bronstein
Euwe
Purdy
Worst:
Schiller
First Place: Vlastimil Jansa and Vlastimil Hort for "The Best Move", real positions and you have to calculate to see who is winning or what is really going on You have to find the best lines like in the real world or a real game. Out of print but if you can find it even up to $75 or more, it's worth it. Each page has 2 diagram and a question for each. You get the answer plus lines on the next page and get rated (points added) based on your answer. Note: The positions are demanding and not for the 1200 player. IMPORTANT: Get the original 1980 edition not the Japanese knockoff. The cover is out of focus and the diagrams are not nearly as good as the original. I will do more research and get back with more commentary.
2nd Place: David Bronstein for his incisive in-depth analysis of all the games from "Zurich International 1953". You will find this one a little cheaper but get both.
Try Amazon. I think both are available there.
Who is your pick for the best chess book author(s)? How about the worst? Why (meaning, what book(s) show(s) their greatness/atrociousness)? I'm discounting legendary world champs and/or GMs who are mainly famous for their own games collections, which means no Fischer, Alekhine, Botvinnik, Tal, etc. We all know they're great. Let's stick to IMs and GMs who write instructional books like middlegame or endgame manuals.
My opinion: the best author is J. Silman. By far. In the past, I've posted YT vids where I lecture using Siman's books for reference. How to Reassess Your Chess and Amateur's Mind = great stuff. I swear by his work. Other authors who come to mind are Reinfeld and Soltis. As for the worst, it's gotta be... John Nunn. Too many variations and no prose. Nuff said.