I hardly have any chess books, but funnily enough I just acquired "My System" ... I'd be very interested to hear why you hate it, as it crops up on so many personal Top 10 (or 3, or 5 ... ) lists! ;)
The Best (and Worst) Chess Books and More
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Oct 2, 2014
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#3
Hans Kmoch's satire on Nimzovich is extremely funny. For instance, in Nimzovich's supposed hands, the chess pieces, formerly notorious thugs and thieves, became instead sensitive artists.
Oct 2, 2014
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#4
I have enough chess books to make a huge bonfire. Those who know me can judge whether the possession of them has ever done me any good.
Oct 2, 2014
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#5
I really enjoyed pawn power in chess as well, the weird terminology takes some getting used to, but it really helped crystalise some middlegame ideas. I'd go as far as to say it's the only book I've ever really benefitted from
My System could also be named, "Learn the French Defense From a Pompous GM" Lol
Art of Attack is another great book that has to read 15 times to get the jyst.
Did anyone see Jeopardy 's Tournament of the Decade a few weeks ago? They had a chess category that was, eh, ok. Anyways one of the "answers" was something to the effect of, "Aaron Nimzowich once jumped on a table and screamed,' Do I really have to lose to this idiot!?' blah blah GM. The question/solution was Grand Master.
piscivore wrote:
Hans Kmoch's satire on Nimzovich is extremely funny. For instance, in Nimzovich's supposed hands, the chess pieces, formerly notorious thugs and thieves, became instead sensitive artists.
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1334664
You just named the next step in my writing :D. I plan to go interactive with the chess boards for digital readers. Hooray for good ideas!
Mainline, haahahaheeheehee.... Kmoch is hilarious. I live the line about the "obvious move Bf5(#) etc..." Just funny comment after funny comment. Sums up my feelings perfectly!
Let me help heister.
Let's talk about it in a couple months. I'm working hard to launch the current project until Decemberish.
With Kindle/Amazon changing the way we read and buy books, I thought it would be useful to have this discussion again but to also include the extra dimension of digital media. Let's discuss not only our favorite chess books but also which books available in digital format translate well onto a "reader" such as kindle.
For example, I own Eric Schiller's Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings both physically and digitally. Having 24/7 access is great but the game boards are close to useless in my digital copy. Otherwise, it's the same book but I would prefer to have the actual book in hand if I had a choice so I can actually see the diagrams. Great book by the way!
Are there any downloadable books on the market with interactive game boards? I don't know but wouldn't that be something!?
Other books that had a huge positive influence on me:
Averbahk's Tactics For Advanced Players
Sierawan's Beginners Series
Pawn Power in Chess
Books I hate:
My System.... Ugh
Anything by Pandolfini.... Sorry!