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Sergey kasparov chess12/3/2022 And indeed, this one-on-one training is perhaps the key advantage of the book. One really gets the impression that Sergey is sitting down opposite the board, speaking directly to the reader. “While I take a short break (I have to answer a phone call), please think: how would you play here?” “Please play through the rest of the moves yourself. “The encounter is commented in detail, so let me leave you for a while I don’t want to feel the sadness again.”Īnd in the notes to other games, you’ll find other examples of breaking down the author-reader ‘wall’ such as: For example, in introducing a game in which he suffered a painful defeat, This is often seen when going through the comments to his illustrated games. The latter quote is a nice segue into the zone of ‘breaking the fourth wall’, an unusual technique for a chess book (well, any book) whereby Sergey often engages with the reader as if in real time. “Have I managed to convince you to buy the book? If yes, then hurry, for it may be the last copy on the shelf!” “His legs are growing sluggish because they get stuck in the slime…his breathing gets heavy and rapid, and then a thick green mass closes over his head…” “Water flowing out of swamps has a characteristic brown colour, which comes from dissolved peat tannins.” An entertaining and unpredictable introduction, despite being surprisingly light on the chess! The best way to give an idea of the type of delightfully unorthodox exposition is by way of a few examples: Honestly, to spend a day inside his thoughts… Sergey’s introduction includes definitions of different types of swamps (again: literal swamps!), descriptions of ancient and modern warfare strategy, references to news anchormen, a grisly narration of getting sucked into a swamp and a bizarre cartoon of an ogre, given without reference or context. The latter’s contribution cannot be understated, because the quality of the English is excellent, both in terms of error-free and interest-sparking prose.īut it’s Sergey’s writing style that is the true highlight. At this point, he introduces that the book is a ‘family work’, with wife Tatiana on the technical front and daughter Eva in charge of the translation from Russian to English. Sergey continues the introduction in an engaging, conversational matter, a tone that he maintains throughout the text. “Hello, dear reader!” chimes Sergey, in a (most likely unintentional) throwback to the opening lines of the great Broadway musical “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” (Incidentally, dear reader, your present author uttered these words on stage in the 2004 production of this musical at Melbourne University.)īut I digress. One’s first inkling comes at the start of the introduction. The book is engaging, humorous, mercurial and ‘unputdownable’, an imaginary adjective I reserve only for those books that bait me into a full read in one sitting. I had become convincingly, embarrassingly addicted to Sergey’s writing. However, something else had happened by the time I reached the final page. The variation structure is a bit confusing, concrete lines are pushed aside in favour of endless illustrative games and, after my first full read, I honestly had no idea of exactly what repertoire Sergey was proposing for Black. However, I have to admit that in terms of teaching the Philidor to a new adoptee, the book doesn’t do a very good job. You’d think this wasn’t such a strange expectation to have in reading what purports to be an opening book. For example, I started reading the book with a real interest in learning the Philidor’s Defence – an opening that has increasingly become incorporated into the repertoires of top grandmasters, although usually as a surprise weapon. It’s all a matter of perspective, and perhaps more importantly, of what you want out of your purchase. What do I mean by this? Well, this is the first opening book I’ve reviewed that could easily have earned any rating from one to five stars out of five. This is definitely no ordinary opening text. A non-chess themed cover is already an unorthodox start for a chess book, but Sergey’s just getting warmed up. “Lure your opponent into the Philidor swamp!” promises the subheading on the book’s cover, accompanied by a ghastly green-and-brown photo of – literally – a swamp. “A Cunning Chess Opening For Black” – Sergey Kasparov
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