ChessCafe Book of the Year for 2013

**Erik Malmsten** · Friday, 27th December, 2013, 06:07 PM

Re: ChessCafe Book of the Year for 2013

ECF Book of the Year 2013 shortlist

The books chosen this year reflect a trend in modern chess publishing to include biography, training and entertainment all in one volume.

Judit Polgar – How I Beat Fischer’s Record
Modern Chess Preparation – Vladimir Tukmakov
Study Chess with Matthew Sadler
The Magic Tactics of Mikhail Tal – Karsten Muller & Raymund Stolze

Judit Polgar – How I Beat Fischer’s Record
Judit Polgar
Quality Chess pp 383 £19.99

The sub title on the cover “Polgar Teaches Chess 1” indicates that this book (the first of a trilogy) is more than an autobiographical description of Polgar’s remarkable upbringing and talent and how she beat Fischer’s record to become the youngest grandmaster when just over 15 years old. The story is structured through a series of chess lessons covering subjects such as Pawn Play, Piece Domination etc. The hardback book is beautifully produced with many photographs illustrating Judit’s early years and her progress to become the strongest woman player in chess history.

Modern Chess Preparation
Vladimir Tukmakov
New in Chess pp 286 £19.95

The subtitle describes the subject “Getting ready for your opponent in the information age” Modern chess is dominated by the computer and nowhere more so than in opening preparation. Tukmakov, a very experienced trainer, instructively describes the evolution of preparation from the early days to the present data base, computer analysis era. By highlighting the difference between the old and the new Tukmakov is able to advise players of all levels how to use the technology now available to best advantage.

Study Chess with Matthew Sadler
Matthew Sadler
Everyman Chess pp140 £15.99

A world class player, Sadler retired from the professional ranks in1998 and joined “the respectable working population”. However he felt the urge to start playing again in 2011, but also wanted to play “well”. This book describes his largely successful efforts to do so. It is structured in the form of teaching manual eg “How to find new ideas in openings”, but works best when candidly describing his adventures as he restarted playing in strong tournaments. Sadler is an original and independent writer (who won the Book of the Year Award in 2000) and this short volume is well worth reading.

The Magic Tactics of Mikhail Tal
Karsten Muller & Raymund Stolze
New in Chess pp332 £21.95

Once again the publishers are combining biography with training; “Learn from the legend” is the subtitle. Examples of Tal’s tactical play are mixed with training exercises. Biographical essays and comments on Tal from various players who knew him give a rounded picture of the man. The spell Tal cast on the chess world in his early years by his passion for the game is well captured. For a new comer to the magician from Riga, whilst learning from the master en route, this is the ideal introduction.

- Ray Edwards, Julian Farrand, David Friedgood – 5th September 2013

http://www.englishchess.org.uk/ecf-b...013-shortlist/

**Jack Maguire** · Thursday, 2nd January, 2014, 12:59 PM

Re: ChessCafe Book of the Year for 2013

David Kerans has a succinct review of 'Lisa, a Chess Novel'.

http://voiceofrussia.com/us/2013_12_...ss-novel-2699/

**Wayne Komer** · Tuesday, 7th January, 2014, 11:23 PM

Re: ChessCafe Book of the Year for 2013

(press release)

The following titles, listed alphabetically below, received the most nominations for the ChessCafe.com 2013 Book of the Year.

Round two will be open for voting from January 8 until January 20. The title then receiving the highest number of votes will be the ChessCafe.com 2013 Book of the Year. The winner will be announced January 22, 2014.

The voting was generally distributed evenly between this year's finalists. Other titles that were in the running were The Magic Tactics of Mikhail Tal by Karsten Müller and Raymund Stolze, Techniques of Positional Play by Valeri Bronznik & Anatoli Terekhin, and The World's Most Instructive Amateur Game Book by Dan Heisman.

The Three Finalists (Alphabetically)

Aron Nimzowitsch 1928-1935 by Rudolf Reinhardt (ed.)

"A fantastic book in my opinion. The Skjoldager-Nielsen book, the latest translations of My System, Chess Praxis, and Blockade, joined with Reinhardt's book give life to the amazing character Nimzowitsch who has fascinated me since I was a boy." – James Carr

The King's Gambit by John Shaw

"Long awaited, it lives up to every expectation. It contains some very exciting and romantic chess, but is thoroughly sound and unbiased. Shaw's subdued and balanced writing style is an added boon." – NN

Pump Up Your Rating by Axel Smith

"Instructive, entertaining, and thought-provoking." – Laurent Zaninetti

**Jack Maguire** · Sunday, 12th January, 2014, 04:35 PM

Re: ChessCafe Book of the Year for 2013

Originally posted by Jack Maguire View Post

David Kerans has a succinct review of 'Lisa, a Chess Novel'.

http://voiceofrussia.com/us/2013_12_...ss-novel-2699/

The book's author, Jesse Kraai, who became the first American born GM in 10 years back in 2007, famously said in an interview that he took up the game of chess because "it was the most violent game he could find." A story out of Dublin today unfortunately makes those same words far too literal.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...d-9054595.html

**Wayne Komer** · Wednesday, 22nd January, 2014, 12:24 AM

Re: ChessCafe Book of the Year for 2013

From ChessCafe.com

And the winner is ...

The three titles vying for Book of the Year were Aron Nimzowitsch 1928-1935 by Rudolf Reinhardt (ed.), The King's Gambit by John Shaw, and Pump Up Your Rating by Axel Smith.

Many readers opined that all three were worthy contenders, though one gadfly had the temerity to suggest none were. Pump Up Your Rating jumped to an early lead in the voting and looked to be cruising towards an easy victory, but a late push for Aron Nimzowitsch 1928-1935 closed the gap, and heading into the final days it was neck-and-neck down the stretch.

We are now pleased to announce that Pump Up Your Rating has been voted the ChessCafe.com 2013 Book of the Year. Congratulations to author Axel Smith and publisher Quality Chess.

Thank you to all who voted!

**Dan Scoones** · Wednesday, 22nd January, 2014, 02:53 AM

Re: ChessCafe Book of the Year for 2013

In my opinion, the English Chess Federation Book of the Year is the Oscar, and the Chess Cafe Book of the Year is the People's Choice Award.

**Wayne Komer** · Sunday, 8th February, 2015, 01:39 AM

Re: ChessCafe Book of the Year

Chess Café Book of the Year
For 2014

February 2, 2015

THE WINNER AND NEW CHAMPION
by Mark Donlan

The three titles vying for ChessCafe.com 2014 Book of the Year were Bologan’s Black Weapons in the Open Games by Victor Bologan, John Nunn’s Chess Course, by John Nunn, and Mikhail Botvinnik: The Life and Games of a World Chess Champion, by Andy Soltis.

While Mikhail Botvinnik had a strong showing in round one to easily advance to round two, round two was a run off between Bologan’s Black Weapons in the Open Games and John Nunn’s Chess Course.

We are now pleased to announce that John Nunn’s Chess Course has been voted the ChessCafe.com 2014 Book of the Year. Congratulations to author John Nunn and publisher Gambit Publications.

Thank you to all who voted!

ChessCafe Book of the Year for 2013

ChessCafe Book of the Year for 2013

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