CHESSBOOK REVIEWS
Latest book
reviews of 1 September 2022
Wilhelminalaan 33
7261 BP RUURLO
The Netherlands.
John
Elburg
Chess Books
Problem Chess: Art and Magic
on the Chessboard
by Göran Forslund
2022
Gambit Publications Ltd
http://www.gambitbooks.com
E-mail info@gambitbooks.com
110 pages
Price €19,95
ISBN (13 digits):
978-1-915328847
Gambit Publication
comes with this fascinating chess problem book written by the
Swedish Göran Forslund {1958-2015}who was a computer
software professional with a PhD
in computer science, focusing on artificial intelligence.
Forslund has split the book in 3 sections, for the solver, for the
reader and for the composer.
The author had the talent to create a problem book with great chess
creativity, where the readers are given the opportunity to solve the
problem before
it is presented with the solutions and the use of a board is only a
matter of taste.
Ever heard of the Towers of Hanoi and check mate in 200 moves?
Go to the chapter Record attempts: On
the verge of the impossible.
Chess problems are often created for the fun of the solvers but here we
have a puzzle book that only gives enjoyment!
And don’t forget to look at the three hidden puzzles which are related
with mysterious strips and squares throw the book.
Did you know that selfmates go back to the thirteenth century?
And if you ask me the compositions in this book are one for one
masterpieces of art!
Conclusion: One of the most best
problem books!
This is the first print
edition of a Gambit title previously
available only in electronic format.
Understanding Pawn Endgames by Valentin
Bogdanov
2022
Gambit Publications Ltd
http://www.gambitbooks.com
E-mail info@gambitbooks.com
159 pages
Price €19,95
ISBN (13 digits):
978-1-915328854
The well known Ukrainian Chess trainer and IM Valentin Bogdanov
explains as no other the secrets of pawn endgames, and his lessons are
all well packed in the following ten sections: Obvious Errors
Breakthrough,Zugzwang,Opposition and Corresponding Squares,Spare Tempi
The Fight to Promote,Changing the Pawn-Structure,Calculation
Evaluating the Resulting Queen Endings,and Positional Play.
As the author explains: The greater a player’s knowledge and
experience, the better his intuition will become, so by studying these
examples you will increase your chance of making good decisions even
when isn’t time to work everything out with mathematical precision.
As we can see this endgame book provides a thorough course in pawn
endgames,from the easy till the highly complex,and the Nunn convention
is used throughout the book, and all the material has been checked in
detail with modern NNUE-based engines with access to seven-man
tablebases.
Endgames with just kings and pawns belong to the most basic types of
endings but without a understanding of them it is impossible to become
a strong chess player,so I would like to suggest buy this educative
written endgame book from Valentin Bogdanov!
Conclusion: Highly
recommended!
Both books are available for
purchase via Amazon.
ChessBase Magazine issue 208
Extra
August 2022
ChessBase
http://www.chessbase.com
E-Mail
info@chessbase.com
ISSN 1432-8992
Euro 12,99
System requirements:
Minimum: Pentium III 1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, Windows Vista, XP
(Service Pack 3), DirectX9 graphic card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive,
Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 12/Fritz 13 or included Reader and
internet connection for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel Core
i7, 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, DirectX10 graphic
card (or compatible) with 512 MB RAM or better, 10
The main files of this DVD is good for over 45000 games, exactly
counted 45011 games.
Smashing to follow are the video files,and these come from
Ivan Sokolov: 6.g3 against the Sicilian Four Knights Variation and
Nico Zwirs: Queen's Gambit Vienna Variation with 5…b5.
In addition to “The brilliancy”,But there are also 59 deeply analysed
games waiting for you in the "Lucky bag"! Among them are super analyses
byplayers as Anish Giri, Surya Ganguly, David Navara, Kirill
Shevchenko, Nikolas Theodorou, Romain Edouard, Emanuel Berg, Adrian
Mikhalchishin and others.
Please see the following example: Berg,Emanuel (2532) - Pantzar,Milton
(2434) [B15]
Elitserien 2021-2022 (9.1), 15.05.2022
[Berg,Emanuel]
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6 This line of the
Caro-Kann has become quite popular lately. Black has quite an easy game
and it's not easy to make use of the extra pawn on the queenside for
white. 6.Be2!? A move which I was told by my former clubmate Tom
Wedberg after my game against Tikkanen in Elitserien a few years back.
White simply plans to put the bishop och f3 and then develop with
î?¨e2 and 0-0. Wedberg 6...Bd6 7.Bf3 0-0 8.Ne2 Re8 [8...Qc7
9.h3 Be6 10.0-0 Nd7 is a possible alternative. The position remains
pretty balanced but white can still fight to claim that his extra pawn
on the queenside should give him an advantage.] 9.0-0 Nd7 10.Bf4N This
logical move appears to be a novelty. Earlier games have only seen
[10.c4] 10...Nf8 A tricky waiting move with both knight routes to
either ee6 or g6 in mind. 11.Qd2?! This move leaves black totally
without any problems as the game shows. [Instead 11.d5! is more to the
point looking for an exchange of pawns in the centre when white's extra
pawn on the queenside will have a greater value.] 11...Ng6! I had
clearly underestimated this move during the game. The knight does not
look very strong here but the concrete threat of ...î?¨h4
puts white under pressure. 12.Bg3 [12.Bxd6 Qxd6 would already be
troublesome for white since the threat ...î?¨h4 is a serious
issue.] 12...Be6 13.b3 Covering the light squares on the queenside
while preparing c4. 13...a5 This move gives white the chance to grab
some space advantage. [13...Bd5! was worth considering when after
14.Bxd5 cxd5 15.c4 b6= black remains very solid and the position is
balanced.] 14.c4 Bf5?! Black gives away some time and now white is
somewhat better. [14...Bb4 intending ...a4 would be better.] 15.Rfd1
[15.Rad1! looks stronger. One concrete point with this move is to
answer 15...Bxg3 with 16.fxg3!?² with some active play along the
f-file.] 15...Qe7 16.Bxd6 Qxd6 17.Ng3 Nh4 18.Nxf5 Playing for a
position with bishop against knight when the bishop should be stronger
on two flanks as the centre opens up. However it's quite hard to manage
this opening of the position and black gets a very solid and active
game. [Instead 18.Be2² looks more promising when black is
struggling a bit to find squares for his minor pieces.] 18...Nxf5 19.c5
[19.Qc3!? Nh4 (19...Rad8 20.d5f) 20.d5 Nxf3+ 21.Qxf3 cxd5 22.Rxd5 Qa3
The position is about equal as black is about to liquidate into a drawn
endgame.] 19...Qc7?! [19...Qd7 20.d5 Nh4! 21.Qf4 Nxf3+ 22.Qxf3 Re5
23.dxc6 Qxc6 24.Qxc6 bxc6=] 20.d5 cxd5 [20...Nh4 21.d6! Nxf3+ 22.gxf3
Qd7 23.Re1±] 21.Qxd5 Suddenly white has managed to accomplish
his task successfully. Now a quenless endgame would certainly favour
white having the bishop on two flanks. 21...Nh4 22.Be4 Rad8 23.Qc4
[Stronger was 23.Qxb7! Qxc5 24.Bd5 Re7 25.Rac1! Rxb7 (25...Qa3
26.Rc8!+-) 26.Rxc5 Rbd7 27.Rdc1 g5 28.Bc4±] 23...Ng6 24.g3 Ne5
25.Qb5 Nc6 26.Bd5 g6 27.Qb6!? Looking for an exchange of queens in
order to enter a favourable endgame where the bishop is stronger than
the knight. 27...Rc8 [An active computerlike way of defending is
27...Qe5!? 28.Bxc6 bxc6 29.Qxa5 (29.Rxd8 Qxa1+ 30.Kg2 Qe1 31.Rxe8+ Qxe8
32.Qxa5 Qe4+ 33.Kf1 Qd3+ 34.Ke1 Qe4+ 35.Kd2 Qd4+ 36.Kc1 Kg7!©;
29.Qxc6 Rc8=) 29...Kg7© when black's piece activity assures him
compensation for the given pawn.] 28.Rac1 Kg7 29.a3 Re2 30.b4 axb4
31.axb4 Rb2 32.Rb1 Rxb1 33.Rxb1 Qe5! A timely counter leaving white's
queen rather misplaced on b6. this was quite unpleassant to have to
face in the mutual time trouble following until move 40. 34.Bg2! Safest
and best. [34.Qxb7 works out well for black after 34...Qxd5!
(34...Rc7?? loses to 35.Qxc6! Rxc6 36.Bxc6+- when white has more than
enough material for the queen.) 35.Qxc8 Nd4 Now white's position is
very critical and accuracy is needed to maintain the balance. 36.Ra1T
Nf3+ 37.Kg2 Nh4+ 38.Kf1 Qh1+ 39.Ke2 Qe4+ 40.Kf1=] 34...Rc7 35.h4?!
[35.b5 Nd4 36.c6 bxc6 37.bxc6 would at least maintain a bit of pressure
for white perhaps offering practical winning chances.] 35...f5
[35...Nd4!? 36.Bxb7 Rd7"] 36.Kf1!? Creates the crucial threat of
î?¦e1 when black's rook on c7 will go lost. 36...Rd7
37.Re1 [37.Bxc6 Rd2! 38.Re1 Qd4 39.Re2 Qa1+ 40.Re1 Qd4=] 37...Qb2
38.Bxc6 bxc6 [38...Rd2?+- 39.Qxb7 Rxf2+ 40.Kg1+-] 39.Qxc6 Rd2 40.Qf3
Qxb4 41.Rc1 Qb2 42.Rc4?! Looking for an opportunity to keep on playing.
However this only gives black chances. [42.Qc3+ Qxc3 43.Rxc3 Kf6=]
42...Qa2 Good enough for a draw but after [42...Qb5! 43.Qc3+ f6 only
black can fight for a win. 44.Qxd2 (44.Kg2 Rd1 45.Qf3 Qxc4 46.Qxd1 Qxc5
47.Qd7+ Kh6 48.Qd2+ g5 49.hxg5+ fxg5 50.Qd7 Qf8 Black has a symbolic
advantage but the game should eventually be drawn.) 44...Qxc4+ 45.Kg1
Qxc5 46.Qd7+ Kh6 47.Qd2+ g5 48.Qd8 Qe5 49.hxg5+ fxg5 50.Qf8+ Kg6
51.Qg8+ Qg7 52.Qe6+ Qf6 53.Qg8+ Kh6 54.Kh2=] 43.Rc1 Qb2 44.Rc4 Qa2
45.Rc3 Qb2 46.Rc4 Black now claimed a draw by repetition.[46.c6 Rxf2+
47.Qxf2 Qxc3 48.Qb6 Qf3+ 49.Ke1 Qxg3+ 50.Ke2 Qg2+ 51.Kd3 Qe4+ 52.Kc3
Qe1+ 53.Kc4 Qe2+ 54.Kd5 Qe6+ 55.Kc5 Qe5+ 56.Kc4=] ½-½
Conclusion: Super material for a
bargain price!
Move by move - (how
to) get into a master's mind!
by Daniel King, Robert Ris,
Simon Williams
http://www.chessbase.com
E-Mail
info@chessbase.com
2022
Price Euro 29.90
Windows 7 or higher
Minimum: Dual Core, 2 GB RAM, DirectX11, graphics card with 256 MB RAM,
DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 14/Fritz 16 or
included Reader and internet access for program activation.
Recommended: PC Intel i5 (Quadcore), 4 GB RAM, Windows 10, DirectX11,
graphics card with 512 MB RAM or more, 100% DirectX10-compatible sound
card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet access for
program activation.
MacOSX only available as download! Minimum: MacOS "Yosemite" 10.10
No less than GM Daniel King, GM Simon Williams and IM Robert Ris digs
in ten heavy loaded top level grandmaster games,and in important in key
moments it is up to the user if you can step up in the mind of these
great players.Just enter your candidate move, then you will get video
feedback from the authors, depending on your choice.And dear user all
candidate moves are all well covered
These carefully chosen examples on this video course are part of the
“Move by move” column in the well known ChessBase Magazines and cover a
lot of instructive topics as attack, defence, tactics, strategy,
opening, traps, initiative, endgame and more!
The contents hold:
Introduction
Daniel King: Svidler-Carlsen, 2013
Daniel King: Zhigalko-Van Delft
Daniel King: Kasimdzhanov-Kramnik
Simon Williams: Caruana-Korchnoi
Simon Williams: Morozevich-Ponomariov
Simon Williams: Bai-Ding Liren
Simon WIlliams: Hillarp Persson-Laurusas
Simon Williams: Dubov-Svane
Robert Ris: So-Aronian
Robert Ris: Aronian-Keymer
Video running time is over 9 hours (English)
With interactive training including video feedback
10 games with 170 video questions
Conclusion: This DVD is a important
step to mastership!
3.h4 against the
King's Indian and Grünfeld
by Sipke Ernst
http://www.chessbase.com
E-Mail
info@chessbase.com
2022
Price Euro 29.90
Windows 7 or higher
Minimum: Dual Core, 2 GB RAM, DirectX11, graphics card with 256 MB RAM,
DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9, ChessBase 14/Fritz 16 or
included Reader and internet access for program activation.
Recommended: PC Intel i5 (Quadcore), 4 GB RAM, Windows 10, DirectX11,
graphics card with 512 MB RAM or more, 100% DirectX10-compatible sound
card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet access for
program activation.
MacOSX only available as download! Minimum: MacOS "Yosemite" 10.10
The Dutch grandmaster Sipke Ernst comes with amazing openings DVD based
on the sharp 3.h4 against King’s Indian and Grünfeld, just
play 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.h4 and the attacking fun can start!
Fear it could be difficult for the real Grunfeld players to handle
there
typical ...d5 and...c5 moves but a King’s Indian player does not fear
to play around the edges.
But first the index:
Introduction
Overview
Alternative Systems
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.h4
3...d5
3...h6
3...b6 /e6
3...h5 Grunfeld Style
3...h5 King's Indian Style
3...c6
3...Nc6
3...c5 4.d5 b5 Sidelines
3...c5 4.d5 b5 Main Line
Main Line
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.h4 Bg7 4.Nc3 d6 5.e4
Move 5 Alternatives
5...Nc6
5...c5 6.d5: Move 6/7 Alternatives
5...c5 6.d5 e6 7.Be2 exd5 8.exd5 h5
5...c5 6.d5 e6 7.Be2 exd5 8.exd5 Qe7 and Alternatives
5...c5 6.d5 e6 7.Be2 exd5 8.exd5 Nbd7
5...c5 6.d5 e6 7.Be2 exd5 8.exd5 0-0 and a lot of
exercises to test your attacking skills.
Video running time: 4 hours (English)
With interactive training including video feedback
Extra: Model games database & Training with ChessBase apps -
Memorize the opening repertoire and play key positions against Fritz on
various levels.
Conclusion: High level grandmaster
openings DVD!