Collection Development "Chess": It's Your Move!
By Greg Carlson -- Library Journal, 6/1/2004
Since the earliest Indian prototypes emerged 1400 years ago, chess has captivated players with its creative blend of calculation, artistry, and bloodless struggle. Along its westward trek to the Andalus, the game won adherents, including Caliph Al-Ma'Mun of Baghdad, who awarded the first "grandmaster" titles in 819 C.E. As it migrated from Muslim to Christian centers, chess with pieces reflecting the social structures of feudal Europe evolved into the game we have today.
Benjamin Franklin penned the first chess article in Colonial America, and the first modern international chess tournament was held in London in 1851. Over a century later, the Cold War was waged on a chess board as American Bobby Fischer defeated his Soviet opponent. His 1972 victory still exerts a pull on contemporary enthusiasts.
Chess was ushered into the computer age with the 1997 "man vs. machine" match between Garry Kasparov and IBM's Deep Blue. At the same time, women stormed the barricades of the traditionally male-dominated sport. The victories of Hungarian sisters Susan, Sophia, and especially Judith Polgar (who achieved grandmaster [GM] status at age 15) against top male grandmasters are eroding entrenched gender biases and attracting more females to the board.
Today the ancient game of kings is a park bench, coffeehouse, and Internet lingua franca that transcends parochial interests. The Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE) list of member nations rivals those of the largest world athletic bodies. The U.S. Chess Federation (USCF) reports 90,000 active tournament players and over 1700 affiliated clubs. A global village pastime, indeed.
More than fun and gamesA library collection is a community asset. Studies indicate that chess is a healthy mental pursuit for children of all skill levels; the educational nonprofit Chess-in-the-Schools (www.chessintheschool.org) reports improvements in reading scores and a variety of other intellectual and social benefits for kids who accept the rigors and rewards of chess study.
Many library collections currently have only a smattering of old classics, international tournament books, and player anthologies; few titles date from beyond the 1980s, and there is often little cohesion in the selections. Fortunately, we live in a golden age of chess publishing, and the following tips will assist librarians unacquainted with the noble embrace of Caissa (patron goddess of chess) to build responsive print collections.
This is not to discount the impact of computers and the Internet, which have opened new vistas for participation. Chess engines and databases offer new access to master games and chip-assisted analysis. As 24/7 opponents, computers are excellent repositories for personal tournament and "skittles," or offhand, games. For now, however, electronic sources supplement rather than supplant books and periodicals.
The rules of the gameIn order to select appropriate materials for your collection, it helps to understand how the game works. Chess is played on an 8" x 8" board of alternating white and colored squares with 16 identical pieces on each side—eight pawns; two each rooks, knights, and bishops; a queen and a king. The object is to attack the king leaving him no escape—checkmate! The variety of paths to that end are staggering. Estimates for the total number of board positions after ten moves are as high as 10120.
After learning the moves and rules, a complete player must gain proficiency in the opening, middle, and endgame. Strategy and tactics are dynamic forces that dictate the course and outcome of play. You'll need coverage of the five aforementioned themes. Master games are great learning tools when the authors sufficiently develop and illustrate overarching concepts for the amateur. And history and biography enhance chess appreciation.
Chess resourcesWith basic and intermediate-level materials as your acquisitions compass, start with established publishers associated with instructional excellence: Gambit, Random House Games & Puzzles, Batsford, Sterling, Everyman Chess (formerly Cadogan), and Siles. Noted authors include GM Lev Alburt and Bruce Pandolfini (the real-life teacher of Searching for Bobby Fischer); Sunil Weermantry's Best Lessons of a Chess Coach is another student favorite.
If you know zilch about chess, enlist the aid of local clubs and expert players who tutor in evaluating the latest publisher's catalog. (Online state affiliate and scholastic club directories are listed at www.chessmaniac.com.) An excellent source of chess book reviews can be found at www.jeremysilman.com.
Checkmate poor printingsA good chess book should have clear, accurate diagrams, with obvious links between notation and position. Pass on buying or weed anything with squares offset, or frequent misplaced or mislabeled pieces. Also, look critically at any title that uses older descriptive notation to record chess moves. Algebraic notation has become the universal standard and the system newcomers will learn.
Out-of-print gems like Fischer's My 60 Memorable Games and Practical Chess Endings by Estonian GM Paul Keres are perennials that should remain on most library shelves. Likewise The Oxford Companion to Chess has no peer in print. However, treatments of opening variations grow stale as theory advances and are worth a weeding review each year.
The titles below are appropriate for most public libraries. Starred [*] titles are core purchases. Academic libraries, especially those serving intercollegiate teams, may require high-powered analysis from Sahovski's family of Chess Informant titles (www.sahovski.com). Remember that the Library of Congress Talking Book program offers chess books and periodicals on audiocassette and in Braille.
Reference*U.S. Chess Federation. U.S. Chess Federation's Official Rules of Chess. 5th ed. Random House Puzzles & Games. (McKay Chess Lib.). 2003. ed. by Tim Just & Daniel J. Burg. 416p. illus. index. ISBN 0-8129-3559-4. pap. $18.95.
If a friendly game turns on a rule dispute, this handy paperback is your authority. Introductory chapters explain the basics—piece movement, board orientation, draw claims, and those pesky castling and en passant exceptions. This is followed by a section devoted to playing in and directing USCF-sanctioned tournaments. Other chapters address reading and writing chess notations and speed and Internet chess
Chess HistoryEdmonds, Dave & John Eidinow. Bobby Fischer Goes to War: How the Soviets Lost the Most Extraordinary Chess Match of All Time. Ecco: HarperCollins. 2004. 368p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 0-06-051024-2. $24.95.
As the coauthors of Wittgenstein's Poker reveal in this crisply written and impressively researched book, the 1972 championship match between American Bobby Fischer and Soviet Boris Spassky was a fascinating and improbable drama that transcended its Cold War milieu. Here are richly limned portraits of both players—in particular the complex, independent Spassky. The Icelandic organizers emerge as the sympathetic heroes, succeeding—or surviving—despite Fischer's bizarre, truculent demands and the Soviet delegation's charges of favoritism. (LJ 1/04)
Hsu, Feng-Hsiung. Behind Deep Blue: Building the Computer That Defeated the World Chess Champion. Princeton Univ. 2004. 320p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-691-11818-3. pap. $19.95.
Hsu masterminded the Deep Blue project that defeated Kasparov in a 1997 match and shocked the chess world. Engineering details will engross computer nerds, but this is foremost an inventor's tale rife with human setbacks and triumphs. Emphasizing the evolution of chess-playing computer programs rather than game analysis gives Hsu's book a unique perspective. The paperback edition includes a new afterword. (LJ 11/15/02)
Yalom, Marilyn. Birth of the Chess Queen: How Her Majesty Transformed the Game. HarperCollins. 2004. 304p. illus. bibliog index. ISBN 0-06-009064-2. $24.95.
Scholar and cultural historian Yalom (A History of the Wife) draws on the arts and literature to demonstrate how the appearance and development of the chessboard queen as the game's most powerful piece paralleled the rise of strong European female rulers between the 11th and 16th centuries. Fifty illustrations support a thoroughly researched and engaging thesis. (LJ 4/15/04)
Classic Matches & Players*Alekhine, Alexander. My Best Games of Chess: 1908–1937. Dover. 1985. 285p. illus. ISBN 0-486-24941-7. pap. $16.95.
A world champion from the late 1920s through World War II, Alekhine synthesized chess knowledge up to his time and played dazzling, dynamic attacks and sacrifices. Chess players love fireworks, and Alekhine was the pyrotechnic paragon. This unabridged volume reprints two game anthologies as they were originally published; thus, the diagrams are not up to modern standards. Still, the book's value as a primary source trumps its print limitations.
Benko, Pal & Jeremy Silman. Pal Benko: My Life, Games, and Compositions. Siles Pr. 2004. 668p. illus. index. ISBN 1-890085-08-1. $45.
The Hungarian grandmaster relinquished his spot in the world championship cycle to Bobby Fischer, thus setting the American on a course to the title. This hefty autobiography tells of Benko's courageous struggles to overcome the deprivations of war and imprisonment in communist Hungary and celebrates his contributions to opening theory, endgame technique, and chess compositions. Interviews and brief profiles of colorful opponents, along with a collection of Benko's annotated games and compositions, enrich the feast.
Bronstein, David. Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953. Dover. 1979. 349p. tr. from the 2d Russian ed. by Jim Marfia. illus. ISBN 0-486-23800-8. pap. $13.95.
Now considered possibly the greatest chess tournament ever, the 1953 Zurich event featured 15 stellar grandmasters competing for the right to challenge world champion Mikhail Botvinnik. In presenting the 210 games, GM Bronstein, who tied for second place with two other players, deftly uncovers strategic motivations behind the moves and opens a window to grandmaster thought. Unfortunately, the book is marred by substandard print and diagrams. Also available as an interactive ebook for $10 from Echessbook (www.aeroflotchess.com/echessbook).
*Kasparov, Garry. My Great Predecessors: From Euwe to Tal. Vol. 2. Everyman Chess, dist. by Globe Pequot. 2004. 480p. illus. ISBN 1-85744-342-X. $35.
An ambitious two-volume history of the World Chess Championship by perhaps the greatest player ever. The superior second volume highlights champions from the late 1930s to early 1960s, including a frank portrait of Soviet chess avatar Botvinnik. As a former pupil, Kasparov had unique access to his subject's chess views and political connections. Kasparov's penetrating analysis and stylistic profiles help readers grasp these greats' keys to success.
*Soltis, Andy & Gene H. McCormick. The United States Chess Championship, 1845–1996. 2d ed. McFarland. 1997. 247p. illus. index. ISBN 0-7864-0248-2. $45.
This handsome retrospective is written with reverence and brio. GM (and Chess Life columnist) Soltis displays a keen eye for character, anecdote, and occasion as he and coauthor McCormick trace the tournament's colorful history and players like doughty GM Sammy Reshevsky and pugilistic chess dad Rustam Kamsky. The volume includes full-page cross tables, a splendid gallery of 16 photos, individual records listing, and openings index.
Tal, Mikhail. The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal. Everyman Chess, dist. by Globe Pequot. 1997. 528p. illus. index. ISBN 1-85744-202-4. pap. $24.95.
While still in his early 20s, the Magician of Riga won the world title in 1960. Though Tal remained a top player through the 1980s, chronic illness limited his competitive career, though not his zest for life. (Tal died in 1992.) Tal's fine memoir provides examples of his attacking genius woven into a revealing, lively narrative.
The Opening*Nunn, John & others. Nunn's Chess Openings. Everyman Chess, dist. by Globe Pequot. 1999. 544p. illus. ISBN 1-85744-221-0. pap. $29.95.
Despite the availability of chess-opening software, this volume for now remains a relevant print compendium of opening variations and evaluation. Coauthored by British grandmaster Nunn and three other chess experts, the book's research and organization is exemplary, though pages resemble an endless mathematical proof. Average players can absorb major lines and preferred variations drawn from master competitions. While covering the same material, grandmaster Nick de Fermian's Modern Chess Openings (14th ed., Random House Puzzles & Games, 1999) offers a less-dense, eye-friendlier alternative.
Seirawan, Yasser. Winning Chess Openings. Everyman Chess, dist. by Globe Pequot. 2003. 272p. illus. ISBN 1-85744-349-7. pap. $19.95.
Three-time U.S. Chess Champion Seirawan, too, started his chess career as a clueless wood-pusher, and his guide begins with mistake-ridden openings from his early days. The basics of king and queen pawn openings and main variations are here, along with the ideas behind such openings as center control and king safety. Stylized diagrams add a touch of cool. (Other titles in Seirawan's "Winning" series cover endings, play, tactics, strategies, and brilliancies.)
MiddlegameChernev, Irving. Logical Chess Move by Move: Every Move Explained. new algebraic ed. Batsford, dist. by Sterling. 2003. 256p. illus. index. ISBN 0-7134-8464-0. pap. $21.95.
Chernev was a highly regarded chess writer familiar to the Fischer generation. His book still entertains ("In chess, you can hit a man when he's down"), as it reinforces strategic lessons gleaned from chess titans. Explaining 33 master games in detail, Chernev argues that sound positional chess and the accumulation of advantages is as rewarding as the tactical melee. Illustrates effective middle-game plans for advanced novices or beginning tournament players.
*Silman, Jeremy. The Amateur's Mind: Turning Chess Misconceptions into Chess Mastery. 2d ed. Siles Pr. 1999. 443p. illus. ISBN 1-890085-02-2. pap. $19.95.
International master (IM) Silman emphasizes psychological awareness and attitude as a practical tool for improving one's game. Having his students write down their thoughts as they played actual games with him, Silman reveals instances of flawed thinking that will be familiar to most players, e.g., reacting to illusory threats. This approach gets to the root causes that inhibit correct evaluations of "imbalances"—the book's major strategic theme—in pawn structure, space, piece activity, etc. Expanding on the 1995 edition, the new volume includes 26 tests with detailed explanations that invite repeated study.
*Vukovic, Vladimir. Art of Attack in Chess. 1st algebraic ed. Everyman Chess, dist. by Globe Pequot. 1999. 352p. index. ISBN 1-85744-400-0. pap. $24.95.
Algebraic notation and splendid editing by GM John Nunn reinvigorate this detailed, systematic guide to the king hunt. Vucovic strikes the right balance between exposition and illustration. A chapter on defending is a bonus, as the subject is underrepresented in chess literature. This title is often cited by accomplished players as an influential work. For more contemporary examples, see Rocking the Ramparts: A Guide to Attacking Chess (Batsford, 2003) by Larry Christensen, a GM known for his dangerous, attacking play.
Endgame*Averbakh, Yuri. Chess Endings: Essential Knowledge. new algebraic ed. Everyman Chess, dist. by Globe Pequot. 1993. 110p. tr. by Peter H. Clarke. illus. ISBN 1-85744-022-6. pap. $14.95.
Russian GM Averbakh offers entry-level endgame themes and strategic concepts such as the Lucena position and opposition in king plus pawn vs. king. A compact and clear foundation for building technical skills and fathoming more complex positions.
*Fine, Reuben. Basic Chess Endings. rev. ed. Random House Puzzle & Games. (McKay Chess Lib.). 2003. 592p. ed. by Pal Benko. illus. ISBN 0-8129-3493-8. pap. $24.95.
Fine's manual has been a standard for six decades. GM Benko addressed the "cooks"— alternative lines or solutions to those given in the original text—and otherwise polished this classic to new brilliance. Not a first course on endings, but anyone with serious aspirations must study this.
Strategy & Tactics*Nimzowitsch, Aron. Chess Praxis. 21st-century ed. Hays Pub. 1993. 296p. ed. by Ken Artz. illus. ISBN 1-880673-91-6. pap. $17.95.
In the era when cubism and dadaism were shocking the art world, the "hypermodern" Nimzowitsch was also challenging strategic chess orthodoxy. His own games and commentary illustrate overprotection, blockading, and other original thematic ideas. This expanded edition adds a selection of 124 annotated master games (with 502 diagrams) from the 1950s through 1990s.
Reinfeld, Fred. 1001 Winning Chess Sacrifices and Combinations. Wilshire Bk. 1969. 252p. illus. ISBN 0-87980-111-5. pap. $12.
Chess mastery depends in part upon pattern recognition or building a positional and tactical vocabulary. Chess teacher Reinfeld provides pattern "flash cards" covering 20 tactical themes. Despite the book's age (descriptive notations are used), intermediate and advanced players will benefit from working through motifs such as pins, double attacks, clearances, and other winning combinations.
*Watson, John L. Chess Strategy in Action. Gambit, dist. by BHB Intl. 2003. 272p. illus. ISBN 1-901983-69-2. pap. $24.95.
IM Watson continues the thread begun in his acclaimed Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy that concrete judgment and pragmatic analysis are displacing classical principles and abstract thinking at the highest levels. His sophisticated argument about modern middlegame evolution is akin to free-verse poetry parting with traditional meter and rhyme. A detailed introduction, illustrative games, even statistical analysis carefully present the evidence in practice for "rule-independence." An instant classic status.
Kids & Rank Beginners*Heisman, Dan. A Parent's Guide to Chess. Russell Enterprises. 2002. 153p. illus. ISBN 1-888690-12-7. pap. $14.95.
Over half of tournament players are under age 19, according to scholastic chess specialist Heisman. His guide helps parents to offer instructional and emotional support for any level of chess commitment. With advice on adapting computer programs to young tyros, handling tournament decorum, and selecting a good chess tutor and books.
Nottingham, Ted & others. Chess for Children. Sterling. 1996. 126p. illus. index. ISBN 0-8069-0453-4. pap. $10.95.
A new breed beginner's book. Photos of boys and girls playing together emphasize the social, fun side of chess. Science fiction and Shakespeare quotes enliven lessons; historical references to royalty and fable stir the imagination. Long-form algebraic notation gives both departing and destination coordinates for moves—a helpful idea.
Wolff, Patrick. The Complete Idiot's© Guide to Chess. 2d ed. Alpha. 2001. illus. 367p. ISBN 0-02-864182-5. pap. $16.95.
An enthusiastic chess booster, GM Wolff packs his second edition with strategy, tactics, chess in cyberspace, a "hall of fame" survey, and post-Guide training suggestions. A one-stop introduction appropriate for middle-school students and above.
PeriodicalsChess Life. m. $36. 800-388-5464; www.uschess.org. ISSN 0197-260X.
Offering something for every skill level, the magazine of the U.S. Chess Federation (USCF) features games, instruction, history, news, and excellent columns by major chess figures.
New in Chess Magazine. 8/yr. $84. 800-354-4083; www.newinchess.com.
A premier periodical for European and international chess coverage. Top players annotate their latest games, interviews feature the hottest stars, and superior production values and copious, sharp photos give visual punch. A better bet for college campuses and metropolitan libraries with inveterate chess-head communities.
DVDsDzindzichasvili, Roman. Roman's Lab: Mastering Chess Series. Vol. 1: Learning Openings the Easy Way, Traps & Novelties. 6 hrs. Chess 4 Less, www.chessforless.com; to order: 800-500-2905; information: 877-892-4377. DVD. $24.95.
Five lessons from a two-time U.S. Chess Champion and GM will appeal to tournament players developing an opening repertoire. Dzindzichasvili outlines the finer points of setting traps, avoiding an opponent's superior preparation, and stomaching high-risk lines. His analysis and advice are presented in split-screen, with his moves transferred to a video board. Occasional references to an earlier video series and board display glitches are minor distractions. Free Windows software features a chess program.
Web SitesChessBase www.chessbase.com
Claiming to be the world's fastest-growing chess server, this European site (pages are in English, Spanish, and German) provides free client software that players must download to use its online play area.
John G. White Collection of Folklore, Orientalia, and Chess, Cleveland Public Library www.cpl.org/010012/chess
This is the largest and most comprehensive chess library in the world. The Internet resources page offers links to state, national, and international chess associations as well as web sites dealing with chess history, news, and other chess topics.
TWIC: The Week in Chess www.chesscenter.com/twic/twic.html
This popular portal features chess worldwide news, book and software reviews, chess links, game archives, and much more.
| Author Information |
| Greg Carlson is a Library Program Administrator at the Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services, Daytona Beach, FL. He achieved an "A" tournament rating from the U.S. Chess Federation. Thanks to Jeremy Silman, Alicia Ellison, Brad Ward, Marsha Fottler, Garry Viering, and Tom Green for their contributions |
