| Book Reviews by John Donaldson : Two New Books from New in Chess The Dutch company New in Chess (www.newinchess.com or www.chessNIC.com) is well-known for publishing its outstanding magazine of the same name. It is also well-known for its quarterly Yearbook series which covers the latest in chess theory. The most recent in the series is New in Chess Yearbook 63 (paperback and hardback with a different prices for individual volumes and annual subscriptions; 2002, 236 pages, figurine algebraic). One would think that after producing over 60 Yearbooks a certain dullness would have set in, but that is not the case. In addition to the standard opening surveys the Yearbook series has evolved to include a Forum section where contributors from Grandmaster to amateur provide feedback on recently published Yearbook material, Sosonko�s corner where the veteran GM provides insightful comment to very detailed book reviews. You can even learn things about opening theory from the latter. In Yearbook 63 GM Glenn Flear, in the process of reviewing Chris Ward�s monograph Unusual Queen�s Gambit Declined points out that 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nf6?! 3.cxd5 Nxd5 4.Nf3 Bf5 5.Nbd2! gives White the advantage and not 5.Nc3 Nc6 transposing into a acceptable line of the Chigorin for Black. One worry about this sort of book is that none of the lines that you will play will be covered in the Surveys. Its possible of course, but with 36 Surveys not to mention the Forum section it is highly unlikely. If by chance this is the case you might want to consider broadening your opening repertoire. One article, by Genna Sosonko may appeal to those looking for a quick fix against 1.e4. It�s called "Learning a line in less than a hour" and refers to a conversation between Sosonko and Viktor Kortchnoi, in which the latter recommended playing the topical line 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Nbd7 6.Nf3 h6 as it�s easy to learn and has clear strategical ideas. One nice quality of the Yearbook series is its ability to balance between lines that are often seen in top Grandmaster play (the Queen�s Defense, for example) and openings that are more popular down the food chain like 4�Bc5 in the Two Knight�s and 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 f5. NIC doesn�t confine itself solely to producing the magazine and Yearbook, it also puts out some excellent general interest books. Fischer World Champion (2002, paperback, 159 pages, figurine algebraic, $19.95 by Max Euwe and Jan Timman is the latest. This translation of the 1972 book De tweekamp Spasski-Fischer 1972 is a step back to a simpler time in chess. No computers, no digital clocks, no super fast time controls, etc.� As one who started playing during this famous match I can still remember the excitement that surrounded it, which was not confined to the chess world. Fischer World Champion consists of a 19-page introduction by the late Max Euwe followed by detailed annotations to the 20 games by a young Jan Timman. In this edition, the first to appear in English, Timman has confined himself to minor changes from his original work. A selection of photos rounds out a solid effort. I can recommend both these books without reservation. |