RUSSIAN CHESS (Fireside Chess Library) Paperback – March 15, 1987

one hears, that one of the better ways to improve at chess is to study the games of masters. This is true, but if your doing it for the first time, it may be overwhelming bc most annotated games are written by masters for master, they assume u have the basics down and never fully explianed the position in a way that is easily understood by an amateur. When i first started studying annotated games i found myself fustrated bc i had no idea what the author was talking about , for example the anotation would lead to a positio and all of a sudden they stop and say white stands bettter here, or black stands better here with no explanation as to why. This book assume your an intermediate level player or an advanxe beginner and gives you a pay by pay account of each, move an what was accomplished by that move and what was given up by that move. it explains show how one side can create a space advantage or a time advantange and why it is inthe given game. it explains how weakness are created and how to exploit them. The book is well written and easy to follow. If your looking into studying annotated games i would recommend this is where to start. I just wish he wrote more books like this, annotated games for intermdiate level players when i first started studying annotated games. it would have prevented a lot of fustrating moment where i didnt understand why one position was considered better than the other.

It's been loaned out at least 3 times where it never seemed to be returned. I find this to be one of my favorite chess books. A joy to read for the quality of its layout and infused enthusiasm for the game.The 6 annotated games begin with an introductory "what to look for" discussion along with some biographical info on the players to whet your appetite. Then the game is presented with short descriptive paragraphs interspersed concerning principles such as gambit play, color control, central influence vs occupation, open files, pawn islands, etc. Chess principles that a player < Class A may not quite fully appreciate just yet.A great question and answer format is liberally applied within the games to challenge the reader.Also, many applicable and clear chess concepts are given in boxed format to reinforce the ideas being used in the game.Of course, annotations are provided that aren't overly complex and mindboggling. (Rybka may find a few better lines, but hey, that's Rybka for ya.)Then, wonderfully fun and insightful tidbits of wisdom from the great chess minds of history are thrown in. Botvinnik, Tal, Kasparov, Bronstein, Korchnoi, Smyslov, etc.Finally, the games are postscripted to reinforce the concepts.This is one of Pandolfini's best books in my opinion as well. And I agree with another reviewer that I wish many more chess books came in this format. 5 Stars easily.So there, go and buy four copies so when you loan them out, you still have one for your own chess library.

Good book, very good read.

This book does very in-depth analysis of only six good, instructive games between Soviet masters. The analysis strikes a good balance, in my view at least, between verbal explanations and variations. The author does an excellent job of explaining clearly why each move is made.There are also many comments by various great or well-known grandmasters sprinkled generously throughout the entire book, where they share their ideas and wisdom.I also appreciate the fact that many of the instructive GM quotes are boxed on the pages in a way which makes them easy to spot while you skim the pages. Sometimes I will read over a number of these while riding the bus.I would recommend this book to any average player who wants to improve, as well as to just about any players who want to see some good games with great explanations.

This is a very good book for the improving player! Mr. Pandolfini analyzes 6 Grandmaster games providing insightful comments after every move in a friendly question and answer format. This book is immensely instructive, the analysis hits all the right notes without going over your head. This is an easy read as variations are kept to a minimum (games are not overly tactical), the strategic plans and ideas are laid out in clear language. You can literally go through the book in day . The book is sprinkled with insightful quotes and advice from strong GM's, trainers and old masters. This is the best book from Pandolfini I have seen and I am glad I have it in my collection and you will too. This is a great book to start learning from games collections, this goes specially well after Logical Chess move by Move by Chernev. The only thing bad about this book is that it's too short!

This entertaining book helps fill a gap for instructional material that develops the analysis skills of the intermediate player. Its strategic use of diagrams combined with pithy comments from big-name Russian players work well in reinforcing a wide spectrum of fundamental skills. The teaching approach, a move by move analysis of a few selected games, successfully walks a fine line that avoids restatements of the obvious, yet explains subtleties that may escape the intermediate player. Pandolfini's skills as an instructor, a superb selection of material, and abundant diagrams make this an easy, yet informative read.

Some chess books are just for those with a lot of time to waste and this is one of them. The experts might pick up something from the book, but not beginners and intermediate players. I learned a couple things, but in other books as well.

Though _slightly_ dated, This book is written in very informative didactic style, with interesting asides.I wish Pando would write an updated version explaing some more modern chess developments(Russian or otherwise) especialy some of "you know who's" games.4 stars for the pricey new book.5+ for a good used one. Where on earth is the electronic version? Come on.