Feb. 2019 The Chess Butler No. 241

CONTENTS the Chess Gazette Andrew Martin...... 12 Book Listings...... 15 February, 2019 Books Reviewed...... 1-6 Books Reviewed 2...... 8-11 hat is a M-I-R-A-C-L-E? 1...... 7 W I posed this question to two people I knew at a chapel Excitement 301!...... 13 I was in last night. I asked them if a major miracle had ever hap- The Gold Standard...... 5 pened to them? They were bewildered by my question as devout The Grand Turk...... 14 as they already were. Pampering You at the Q...... 4 Staying Awake! What is a Chess Clinic?...... 4 I didn’t want to put them to sleep by mentioning software, hard- ware, effects, a two week struggle, and such. I had been through trials in my business as well as my personal life and now I had to put together brochures, explanations, the usual projects and do it all with something complex and the likes of which I had never done before! I didn’t WANT to deal with Adobe, my computer “fixit” shop nor people who would explain forever and yet noth- ing would dent my skull (or be accomplished). I was facing major deadlines, a dearth of orders and time (the super biggie). Trust Was The Real Answer! Finally I felt I was being led to a solution of which I am sure almost NONE of us would believe was real. TRUST. Throughout my history, turning over the reins of what I was doing, to another, was a remote and elusive concept. Struggle was all I knew, in everything I tried to accomplish. F T & M I am here to tell you, finally, I now understand the concepts of Winning More Games! faith, trust, and miracles as they pertain to me, and more followed. The above book by James Eventually I awoke from my nap. I went downstairs and turned has some quite exciting aspects on my laptop. The icons which wouldn’t open before, now opened! to it. In fact, a couple weeks ago I saw the totality of previously made PDF documents and sent sold a copy to an IM from Cali- a few out for verification… they worked! The Impossible became fornia. No one, I’m sure, would possible. Now a quote from Einstein made sense: expect this. His opponents, if he does use it, will be at an ex- “Only those who attempt the absurd perimental disadvantage. can achieve the impossible.” Not long ago I sold Morra ­Albert Einstein Mayhem to another stud who was all about winning. Some Look into the right column of this front page. This book, to others were buying Tay’s book quote Albert, is full of the absurd. Yet, author FM James Schuyler on the Schliemann, another achieved the “impossible” with many wins caused by inducing “discredited opening until you errors into the play of his opponents. have to face it! Much more on Through its judicious use you can score more wins. 4 copies. the next page.

- 1 - [email protected] 50 Years in Chess! © 2019 Thinkers’ Press The Chess Gazette COVERAGE even available back then. The next chapter is on the Middle- Here’s what Schuyler (pron. Skylar) A telling approach is on page 9 game. covers, with games + interesting “rea- where Schuyler writes: “For the pur- Basically, it’s about “aggres- sons why” and other notes: pose of inducing errors and avoid- sive play” and some people aren’t 01. The Opening ing draws, I suggest we ignore data- equipped to do that! I’m here to tell 02. The Middlegame base statistics almost entirely [Ed.: you, that is psychological which can 03. Material Imbalances I just purchased 2019 CB’s Mega]. be a terrible crisis of confidence. 04. Harassment Far more relevant are our personal In fact, in the game Schuyler vs. 05. The Unexpected statistics with certain openings. For Sherzer (another strong player) our 06. Unusual Ideas example, I often play the London Sys- author writes “fortune favors those 07. Hating Your Opponent tems (1 d4, 2 Bf4, 3 e3, 4 c3, 5 Nf3, willing to venture things.” He’s talk- 08. Maneuvering etc.) which does not have a reputation ing about chess here not brain surgery. 09. Provocativeness for generating decisive results, to say By the way, there are plenty of Si- 10. Lost Positions the least (it is often called “The Bor- cilians in this book and the solutions, 11. The Clock ing Opening.”) even by GMs are not always “book.” 12. The Endgame Basically, there’s a lot of HOW to 13. Ploys REASONS WHY think for yourself in this book. Re- 14. Stripping A very fine chapter which is also about member how when you were a kid 15. Lasker circumstances (“reasons why?”) and how you had to do that? I think my 16. Why Isn’t This Working? other bits which some will avoid great granddaughter, Aurora, could be 17. Final Thoughts reading at their peril. a at that. If she wants The Introduction identifies our Prob- In his very first game presentation, something and you say “no” she can lem, talks about our Opponent, and Schuyler has the black pieces and he re-attack you with 10-15 more ways many of us are NOT looking for a quickly discovers he has entered the of still trying to get you to do what draw! If we can turn, perhaps 50%, “Brombacher” variation which he had she wants! of those draws into wins, it’s worth decided was “practically a refutation Want to see a win with the Pirc De- investigating isn’t it? of the BDG.” fense for a change? The word critical Everything is pretty much good The game went 54 moves to mate. means what? Look at game 11 in Har- but most people are looking for the James says to “believe in your oppo- kins vs. Mackenzie, 1995. “opening hook,” as in, what openings nent’s incompetence, whether they are does he cover? 1200, 1800, or 2400…” THE UNEXPECTED In game 2 Schuyler is found playing The Surprise. We all have them and THE OPENINGS the Latvian Gambit with (important) a get them. They attack the nerves. A That’s helpful but he also goes over dose of his own home-analysis! Black moment of panic and a poker face. In the “mindset” of all of this. He knows wins in 40 moves! a Budapest Gambit Black has been that if he goes over the Latvian Gam- Not all the games are from Schuy- known to win his share of games. bit he will be attacked by some and ler’s notebook. In Game 3 (Polok- Kasparov had been known for playing feared by others. Malaniuk, 2012) Polok is outrated by “impossible” looking moves! Game I can recall discovering I was about nearly 400 Elo. White wins in 42. 16 is Bluff and Counter-Bluff as well to walk into someone’s Blackmar I used to play the English Defense as interesting… Karpov vs. Kasparov Diemer Gambit. I was so distracted, against selected opponents. (1 c4 b6! 1985. This book is worth owning. trying to avoid the “transposition that according to Schuyler who writes, There’s so much more, but as they I had to work very hard in order to it is “the most successful statisti- say, space is limited. An unusual and avoid a loss to someone much lower cally of any defense to 1 c4.” Valu- better than average work as he anno- rated than I was. I am more than sure able notes info, this book has alot tates very well. A thoroughly useful he felt vindicated. This book wasn’t of these.) James takes 40 to win this. value at $19.50.

The Best in Chess Literature - 2 - Editor: Bob Long Feb. 2019 The Chess Butler No. 241 Shuffle Dancing? at Karpov-Hort, Moscow 1971. Philidor taught that “Pawns are Do you know what it is? It’s Here’s a good one from Efim the soul of chess.” rhythm dancing using feet, an- Geller: πp∏P kles, legs, hands, great looking “It is well-known that the The single best way to improve your shoes and often Elvis songs. real difficulty lies not in - cal game the most is to take several It can be a freestyle or small culation, but in assessing the weeks [or more—Ed.:] and study groups which takes a lot of position after an Exchange pawn structure and related-strate- practice by these young girls. Sacrifice.” gies. This was quoted on the QUORA But, they love what they are do- website (Quora.com for stronger ing so much you can tell they than usual questions, answered by are having a great time. “experts.”) In another video there are • The BEST way is to come to a two 5 performers; Barry Gibb, the hour lecture on pawn structures at Gatlin Brothers, and Roy Or- the May 25th Super Chess Clinic bison. They are doing a song, by IM Andrew Martin. You will learn together, Indian Summer. The a useful “ton” of the really good 5 performers come into the au- stuff. Details elsewhere in #241. dio at various times to do their work. When it is Orbison’s What Are Your Critical Posi- turn, he comes in with such Here’s another tidbit which tional SKILLS? honest high, but not contrived, you should memorize, taken Don’t assume you think I am melodies that Barry looks to from Max Euwe’s The Middle asking about when you feel you the others as if to say, “Is this Game: are losing, have the initiative, guy unbelievable or what?” He • a Knight on the third rank or you believe you have a WIN did that again a little later with is good for defense, especially and want to wrap it up. It can be the same reaction as the rest blockade; one of those questions teachers were doing falsettos and Barry • a Knight on the fourth rank ask when we are AT the board couldn’t believe it because Roy can be good for both defense and we don’t know what kind was making it look so effort- and attack; of answer they want. less. • a Knight on the fifth rank We also need to understand generally has good potential in this context what the word Carnegie Hall for attack; while critical means. This isn’t a Wouldn’t you like to be able • a Knight on the sixth rank philosophical question—most to study chess this way? Al- will usually guarantee its side of us know what this means: most effortlessly? an advantage sufficient to win. can I win or can I draw, or even, I think you can. This is no or- “am I losing?” dinary book as the examples are This is why books and Will you do something criti- often personal, studied, memo- magazines are often a good cal before it is too late? I can rable and full of quotes of their investment—you won’t learn see after looking through the own or famous notes taken things like this from a data- brothers Guliev’s book that from history. THIS makes them base or a chess engine! some questions will be easier memorable (believe me). For Lately NIC has had some (such as tactical ones) than example: “If a weakness canot very good and inexpensive some others (such as strategic be attacked, then it does not chess books. maneuvers). matter.”—Nimzowitsch (and This book is $15.50 and is True perfection. they recommend taking a look 206 pages. In stock again.

- 3 - [email protected] 50 Years in Chess! © 2019 Thinkers’ Press The Chess Gazette Pampering You Is What Q Does Best! What Is A Chess Clinic? The Quality Inn & Suites of When your chess needs improvement and a good dose of Davenport enjoys the honor of consistently being a top-rated entertainment by one of its inventors, IM Andrew Martin, he hotel on TripAdvisor.com. will show you on May 25th in three amazing lectures with Complimentary, expanded vivid demonstrations seating 21 chess aficonados. HOT breakfast­—hearty, healthy, buffet style breakfast featuring a delicious sau- Attacking the King Pawn Endgames o3 sage egg & cheese casserole, Learn From The World Champions* biscuits and gravy, fresh hot *Extremely popular in England. Andrew worked with GM L. Evans in 2000. Belgian waffles, corned beef hash, hard boiled eggs, yogurt, Sunday (May 26) FREE 21 simul seats • Limited ! muffins, fresh fruits, pastries, o bagels, and 20 other items! GET NEW FREE BOOK (Your Choice) WITH K REGISTRATION WHEN YOU ARRIVE, $20-30 Luxurious Pillow Top beds Quiet, Impeccably clean rooms VALUE x GEOFF GOERS ENTERTAINS WITH – Checked twice for perfection GO THE EXTRA HIS CLASSICAL GUITAR (He's also an Andrew before arrival. MILE, IT'S NEV- Martin fan & rare book dealer!) x Business Center & free WIFI ER CROWDED! Indoor pool and Fitness center NEW BOOKS AND SETS FOR SALE INCLUDING Guest laundry and game room with THE FABULOUS x GET pool table GRAND TURK 10% Discount for the Incredible PHOTOGRAPHED WITH ANDREW x BOARD Thunder Bay Grille Sunday Brunch and SIMUL SET FOR SALE @ $20 x THE NEW 2018 Choice Hotels Gold Award LASKER VOL 1 BOOK WILL BE AVAILABLE x winner Special rate for the Super Chess THE FIRST EVER BOOK OF ANDREW MARTIN'S Clinic ~ $77.99* (call for up- IM ANDREW MARTIN GAMES! THE MAN WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHIC grades to more: 563-386-8336) PAYMENTS by PayPal­ MEMORY WHO HAS ALSO DONE SEVERAL K (info@chessbutler PROJECTS WITH THINKERS' PRESS, THE *To reserve your room, call the .com), or check/ ORIGINAL THINKERS' PUBLISHING!! hotel directly at (563) 386-8336 and mention the Super Chess MO, or CC (Visa, MC, REGISTER FOR Discover, or Amex). Clinic group block. Let us know Or Mail to: 1524 how many nights you’ll be staying. $250 or $199 A limited number of King Suites LeClaire St., Daven- ? are available at the special rate of port, IA 52803. NOTE: to SAVE $$$ register $92.99. The Q's cancellation policy there is room only is 24 hours prior to arrival (by 4:00 for 21 players! by FEB. 15, 2019 PM CST). Register by 5/10/19. You can view photos of our QUALITY INN • DAVENPORT, Iowa hotel and read reviews about 6605 N. Brady Street (OFF of I-80) us on TripAdvisor.com. Phone 563-386-8336 Ask for Super Chess Clinic $77.99 RATE Times of Events will be published in subsequent Chess Gazettes.

The Best in Chess Literature - 4 - Editor: Bob Long Feb. 2019 The Chess Butler No. 241 THE GOLD STANDARD WHEN IT COMES TO STAUNTON SETS?

AFTER 34 years (1985-2019) I would have said that the chess set Gold Standard was the Jaques. If you have seen pictures of the beautiful 1849 version you might agree. Ebony and boxwood; the We,ve been calling this set the Grand Turk warmth of nature,s wood. We have been brainwashed into accept- for years. I,m ing ebony. I don't recall the date I switched to the color of bud­ hoping to have some left for the rosewood, but I know it was done before others started doing so. May chess clinic. At the moment I have 4 with green felt bases.

Satisfaction absolutely guaranteed. You have to see it to believe it. 60 days. Board is not included.

F r o m Los An- geles to In- dia TPi has bought every type of chess set in almost every type of mate- rial and price… mostly the Staunton design. Many of these sets were nowhere near perfect in design-thought and/or execution. What,s more we sold them. BUT NOW we have settled on ONE! Cuts down on the migraines while at the same time both of us are experiencing joy. At 4 inches the King stands supremely in the 3¾—4­ inches height class. Perfectly double weighted (triple weighting can cause splits in the bases) it feels good in your hands. The symmetry of the pawns are a nice surprise for pushing or twiddling (!) with your fingers. In 2018 I warned that a price rise was coming. I absorbed some of it. But now it's the new year and I will gradually increase the set prices while keeping the black leather boxes to contain them at $125.00 (they come in cardboard boxes, but the leather boxes I ran out of, more to come). Grand Turk budrosewood & boxwood : 4 inch King January-February $995.00 +$35 for ship. & ins. March-April $1,049.00 +$35 for ship. & ins. On closer view, look at the rich color, May - Onward $1,099.00 +$35 for ship. & ins. the grain, the sheen and the combed available in green felt and a small supply of black leather—same prices mane. How about that jawline? - 5 - [email protected] 50 Years in Chess! © 2019 Thinkers’ Press The Chess Gazette

Finally after all these years of Move For years I wondered when Move by What is it about Jimmy Liew, that he by Move books, Lakdawala does his Move would cover Lasker…nearly keeps attaching himself to openings baby, the French! His intro tells why last! Few would argue about his un- that are not that common? he liked it from the beginning. He questioned genius. Even Capablanca, 336 pages from this IM who is not EVEN covers the Winawer and anti- his victor, said Lasker was an intel- afraid to venture into new pathways Winawer. lectual mountain of a man in tactics as he has shown in his other books and • Main line Winawer and Anti-Wi- and the endgame. He kept winning to catch YOUR opponents offguard. nawer, 129 pages. big tournaments even after he lost Plus IM John Watson has shown in • Tarrasch and Advance: 105 pgs. the title. the past there are some real dangers • KIA, Chigorin, Exchange: 75 pgs. At 448 pages this monster of a book awaiting White after 1. d4 d5 2.c4 • Other... 33 pages. will show you what Lasker had that Nc6!? Some of us live for this kind of A well-written bargain at $21.96. no other did. $23.50. thing. The price is $23.50. Stirs the Get this hombre. SOON. Everyone should have this. SOON. blood.

DIDJA NOTICE? For the past several weeks I have been doing nothing but sweating over my new soft- ware, Creative Cloud InDesign. Bought an 800 page book which doesn't answer all my questions (surprise). I had installed high speed memory, a 4 Tb backup drive, and goosed my operating system into the unknown. While all this probably bores the average reader it is my way of explaining mistakes in this issue, inconsistencies and major and minor Knightmares. During that time I've been doing research and tutoring a very good student. It's important to get the Super Chess Clinic taken care of as well as getting a loca- tion for people to stay and enjoy the King of presentation, Andrew Martin. I am really encouraging out-of-towners to sign up as soon as possible BECAUSE in the past I have had poor local support and it’s possible that if they DO show up this year, not many rooms will be taken and I will not be invited to come again. The staff at the Quality Inn (Barry and General Manager Mike) have been nothing if not gracious to us. I'll have a place to run credit cards, sell books and sets, and set up a great SHOW!

The Best in Chess Literature - 6 - Editor: Bob Long Feb. 2019 The Chess Butler No. 241 As good as this looks, it tastes even better! GET A 10% DISCOUNT ON THE BRUNCH I've eaten at my share of Sunday Brunches—Thunder Bay + FREE SODA. Grille's (Davenport) is the best­—see the list at the right. OMELET STATION, BISCUITS & SAUSAGE GRAVY, CHEDDAR CASSEROLE, ASSORTED PASTRIES, FRENCH TOAST, WAF- FLES, FRESH FRUIT, JAMBALAYA, MAC & CHEESE, FRIED CHICKEN, ST. LOUIS RIBS, FRIED COD, FRIED SHRIMP, FEA- TURED CARVING STATION, BREAKFAST POTATOES, BAKED POTATO SOUP, SALAD BAR & much more… SUCH AS PANCAKES, MUFFINS, CHOCOLATE, GRAPES… IT IS JUST SO ALL SCRUMPTIOUS. Does not include a beverage. It is only $15.49 but don't forget the 10% discount ei- ther. SUNDAY morning but remember to be back in time for the Simultaneous exhibition given by Andrew Martin at Noon. Due to a smaller exhibition of up to 21 players in the hospitality room, we should be done by 5-5:30 p.m. On Saturday morning the Quality Inn has a fabulous breakfast for those who stayed overnight! 20-30 items, better than the Hampton Inns I have stayed at. Emanuel Lasker Vol. 1 What an incredible book about Photographs Ordering an incredible man. The cloth- Most of the photos are so We’re starting a new list since like cover had printing in gold good they look like they were we sold out again. I wouldn’t announcing the “Struggle and reproduced from originals and be surprised if we have to do Victories, World Chess Cham- the variety of “old stuff” was this again, but the next 4 hard- pion For 27 Years.” Why this 27 significant and remarkable. bounds will be here in 3-4 years thing keeps being brought The “season” of 2018-19 was weeks we think. Send $73.95 to up is aggravating but the rest of quite fertile for the subject of cover the cost of the book, in- the book is amazing. “hardcovers.” There was the surance and shipping. You will The authors were Richard Keres book on 1948, the Ale- love the secrets in it. Forster, Michael Negele, and khine book, the Raj Tischbierek. Richter book and Nine chapters. Lots of photo- others from Mc- graphs (some great ones), sto- Farland. ries, and 450 pages. One of the My four favorite chapters are: things this book • Lasker: The American Views proves is that by John Hilbert; Lasker was one • Lasker and Mathematics by unbelievable chess Joachim Rosenthal (quite good master. and shows Lasker to be a very The Chess But- good mathematician); ler has already sold • The Battle Lasker vs. Tarrasch 3 packages of 4 and What a picture! It's from Cambridge Springs 1904 and (by Tischbierek). This material four more have al- Lasker’s opponent was John Barry. Love those hats. Is is very good. ready been ordered. that an unusual chess clock on the table? - 7 - [email protected] 50 Years in Chess! © 2019 Thinkers’ Press The Chess Gazette Has Anyone Ever Called You a strength of great music and moments in Kramnik’s life in Genius at Chess? painters. I wish I could do more this book put out by Quality Me neither. than just sniff around such sub- Chess. Did colleagues of Einstein jects—Kramnik’s “genius” al- call him a genius? I never read lows him to pay those bills even that they did. After all, “what’s if, like today, he lost a game at in a name?” Wijk aan Zee (against Anand) Carsten Hansel was Kram- in the 7th round. Champion nik’s chess manager, and oddly, against Champion. I believe he was Peter Leko’s Tip 1: How good are books chess (Sports) manager too. about Kramnik? Better, in my Kramnik was admired by opinion are Khalifman’s books every top player out there. He on Kramnik. My son Nathan Is there chess in this book? was an innovator and extremely started studying Kramnik’s You betcha. Scattered every- creative. He just liked discov- games and he noticed that Vlad where, especially later in the ery, having integrity. liked charging up the center 256 page book which is also He was smoking good. files (e and d) with his pawns. loaded with pictures. A deep thinker, really deep. Nate jacked his rating up a cou- Just as Shirov’s match with “Peers” couldn’t believe what ple hundred Elo just by notic- Kasparov had been cancelled Kramnik could extract from a ing this (plus, playing well). Kasparov and FIDE were still position. It was scary according Tip 2: Some of the best trying to call the shots and dis- to Peter Svidler. notes you will ever see, coming rupt things. When Kramnik from Kramnik, are in the book defeated Kasparov, Kasparov’s Developing Genius Carlsen vs. Karjakin (2016) by friends “missed no opportuni- In 2004 someone asked Vlad Alburt and Crumiller (from us ty in praising Kasparov as the if he was a genius and he re- at $21.95). “real” number number one and sponded, “I am quite talented.” disparaging Kramnik as a weak No bragging just that he was A Modern Day Morphy world champion.” This, was talented. No wonder people This book by Hansel is like news to me. liked or loved him after he beat reading about a modern day If you like biographies, and Kasparov in 2000. Another rea- Paul Morphy only without lately I have been seeing more son you should consider com- Morphy’s hangups about wom- and more of this trend, you ing to the May Chess Clinic, en, chess and . have to get this, and, it’s in our headliner, Andrew Martin Though let’s be fair, Kramnik hardback too. was one of the commentators at had problems with Danailov All the inside details are that event in London—he was and Topalov. here—it’s a magnificent book: an insider. The progression of this book Vladimir Kramnik The In- “One’s own strength can shows Kramnik as a junior lit- side Story of a Chess Genius. only develop when faced with a erally conquering all who were Definitely a good read but even strong opponent” says Kramnik. before him. He was about 17 in its liveliest moments, Garry It makes sense doesn’t it? Club when he was winning every- comes off as a “monster” pain players often try to “trick” their thing. It would be great to have in the hindquarters. He had a opponent and their strength is him come to a chess clinic but hard time handling his loss to not really shown. at one time he was charging Kramnik. I don’t believe there Kramnik is culturally in- $25,000 for such an episode. was a return clause in his match clined to beauty and the There are lots of quotable with Vlad. Another bad deci-

The Best in Chess Literature - 8 - Editor: Bob Long Feb. 2019 The Chess Butler No. 241 sion. Recall that Garry couldn’t Most of the examples in this he kept busy being an analyst believe his loss to Deep Blue. book are by Afek. Afek could for Boris Gelfand, a very strong This is a “genius” book about make someone like me ap- player. a genius player. Our price is preciate studies because they Roiz skill lies in being a stu- $23.50. don’t have that “crazy” look of dious positional player. some impossible setups. That There are 4 chapters: Rare Just When I Thought Chess was a total turn off for years for options (cuts down on what Problems Were being Phased me. No, in this book one gets you have to know; the Petrosian Out, along comes Yochanan the feeling that these positions system which has been around Afek’s superb book, Practical may have actually occurred for awhile; 4. g3; and Catalan Chess Beauty. Hardcover and somewhere or in the analysis play. 464 pgs. A beauty. of something Afek was inves- Black develops quickly and tigating. usually is the one who decides If you are looking for some- how to play as it is a companion thing to take with you on a road to Roiz’s other book. Roiz also trip, I recommend this book by has many aggressive ideas for this guy. Some great twists and Black. 424 pgs. $25.56. ideas. From Quality Chess so With Roiz’s books on the you know it will be good. Nimzo-Indian and now the Queen’s Indian you have a one- Something NEW for you? GM two punch of scholarship to Roiz apparently loves Indian take down opponents who are One of my walk-in custom- systems, and his previous book, higher-rated than you. ers saw my review copy and from what I could tell, was a started looking through it. Next success. It was Grandmaster time that customer is in the Repertoire, The Nimzo-Indian shop, we’ll have a sale. Defence. Now comes: NEWS ITEMS Of course it costs a little bit • My long time friend Ken extra due to the binding and M. lives in FLA. in the number of pages. Still, our price winter. He got his book on of $29.95 makes it a chess book Lasker 1 and he loved all worth owning and perusing. the text in the book. I had a composition picked out I thought I would show • The BOX #4 issue is slated you, but I didn’t write it down, to be released on Feb. and this book is loaded with so 25th. It may be late due to much of the good stuff. learning new software and In the foreword GM Emil Su- installing new hardware! tovsky opines that it is suitable Now I have “firmware” for players in the 800-2800 Elo problems with my color range! printer. It never ends. Afek comments on every po- The Queen’s Indian De- sition in some way unlike many fence, 424 pages. This guy re- • “Game Changer” is which tell no stories but instead minds me of Peter Leko, the Matthew Sadler’s book on just jump in which bewilders Hungarian GM. Dresses sharp- Alpha Zero. $20. Have it people like me. ly, good looking and apparently next week!

- 9 - [email protected] 50 Years in Chess! © 2019 Thinkers’ Press The Chess Gazette How to Cause Your Opponent Liew points out places where harder than others but the solu- to Have to Change His Under- Black must be careful. tions are wonderfully amazing. wear If He Plays 1.d4, 2.c4 ? I was amazed at the number Quotes, sidenotes, anything to All of us would like a quick of times Morozevich has played keep you pumped. win now and then so we can it, at least 8 or 9! Axel was the one who wrote get some more sleep before the The diagrammed positions Pump up your rating and it next round, or sneak in a break- in the book don’t look abnor- helped the Scandinavian to fast meal. mal at all except for the fact that make him a GM. This is now Black already has a Knight in his 3rd book! play on the second move. Ordinarily I am not a big fan 336 pages, 60+ games, and a of chess exercize books but I good price of $23.50. know my friend Andy Rea is. It’s a fine book for upending The exercises in this almost your opponent’s applecart. 400 pages book seem interest- ing and doable even though Okay, trivia time! How many many of them were contrib- remember who Walter Lantz uted by those who were or be- was? came world champions. There You’ll get the joke when I are lots of meaty quotes here Open with 1… d5, 2... Nc6 tell you the next book up for and one in particular I recall after 1.d4, 2.c4 and only the inspection is The Woodpecker was Ponomariov saying that smug ones will scoff at your Method by GMs Axel Smith he became a grandmaster from impertinence. Years ago, IM and Hans Tikkanen (who reading books—he didn’t get a John Watsen, an apostle of “cor- achieved 3 GM norms within a computer until AFTER he was rect” play, wrote a book on the 7-week period!) How? already a GM. Chigorin. I knew the publisher, 1128 exercises ranging from We sell chess books!! Bobby Dudley, and he told me “Easy” exercises, to Intermedi- Get it, just $24.99. he sold a raft of them! ate, and the last 150 or so are One reason is that White is immediately sniffing the air IM Andrew Martin is a masterful with a “What did I do to deserve entertainer! Always something new. this?” In other words, White Humorous and his point evaluation doesn’t know what to do next, system must be the best in the land. this is ugly. He likes Benny Hill, how can that be I looked through the games bad? and I saw such pirates as Mo- rozevich, Richard Rapport, SOLD OUTS ARE BACK!! Ivan­chuk, and here is a name New in Chess publishes a you might know, Magnus lot of books, in a hit or miss Carlsen! Advanced. fashion. But lately they have The rules for opening play A regimen is laid out (very been cutting my supplier short have changed, especially be- helpful). Time and what to for some reason, so if I don’t get cause of computer analysis. do when you are stuck (play a my allotment I have to wait on Author IM Jimmy Liew is no move just like you would have a reorder. stranger to the “unorthodox” to do in a real game). Obvi- For example the book on (such as the Veresov). Of course ously some positions will be Pattern Recognition for Begin-

The Best in Chess Literature - 10 - Editor: Bob Long Feb. 2019 The Chess Butler No. 241 ners is a superb book and my Scandinavinan and in this The other day I wanted to sales pitch sold all I have. I am case Sielecki admits he thinks find out who had worked with told more are coming in a few that is Black’s toughest play al- Gelfand as a second and it was weeks. though “modern” books today Michael Roiz, an Israeli GM. So In the meantime Keep It try everything else such as 3… I looked up Gelfand and while I Simple 1.e4 sold out here too, Qd8!?? have a couple books written by but I was able to get more. Was Keep It Simple 1.e4 is an ex- Gelfand, as I delved deeper into it because my customers don’t cellent book by all means and his past I was thunderstruck believe in the word Simple? Or it’s just $23.50. by the number of match wins, maybe they don’t play e4 sys- tournament wins, and his an- tems? How do you know when you notated games. This guy wore As Houdini said, “Search me.” are at a Critical Moment? heavy boots at the chess table! Fact is this book is solid and Don’t you think most of us Due to all the snow I’ve had covers some great alternative have an idea? The tension of here at the ranch mail has been openings after 1.e4. making an important decision slower than usual. Last night I If seeing 1… c5 is tiresome in which a win or loss depends moved 3 boxes of books off my for you, try the Moscow or Ros- on everything. porch and there was one book solimo (systems Kasparov used The Guliev brothers penned I was glad to see—one of those to smirk at, but no more!). a masterwork which also in- titles that sneaks out of the shop This book, in keeping with cludes great quotes by great when my back is turned. the “simple” philosophy is just players including my friend It turned out to be Steve Gid- 365 pages. Sounds like a lot but Eddie Gufeld. Now and then dins The New in Chess Book of it isn’t if you find the lines in- we find a new one such as this Chess Improvement, Lessons side that you want to concen- one byAbdul Faraj: “Patience from the Best Players in the trate on. For example the Ex- is a good quality, but life is too World’s Leading Chess Maga- change variation of the French. short to exercise much patience.” zine. Master Classes by the best. Or, certain lines of the Caro- Alekhine wrote something The book sprung open to Kann. You always have to be profound about Lasker which page 133 and it was Gelfand vs. ready for when yout opponent makes his “anti-semitism” Karpov, 1996. gets funky. sound very absurd: “Numerous It was a Queen’s Indian, again If you are playing against the ideas in chess art are unthink- proving how popular it is with black pieces and your oppo- able without Lasker.” As the old hi-quality players. Even though nent is the adventurous type IM line goes, “It takes one to know Karpov lost he kept Gelfand Christof Sielecki has enchant- o n e .” busy trucking for 69 moves. ing play against Alekhine’s De- For example do you know Seven interesting chapters: fense and the Scandinavian as the meaning of Lasker’s com- • Attacking the King; well as the Pirc/Modern and the pensation? It’s in this book. • Defence; Philidor. Over 200 exercises are in this • Sacrifices and imbalances; Sielecki also gives us sample book + their solutions. • Pawn Structures; games as well as sections on This book is bargain priced: • Specific pawn structures; the theory of repertoires he es- $15.50. More on page 3. • Sundry positional themes; pouses. K • Endgame themes. In 1.e4 e5 Christof prefers Let’s say you’ve made a decision 100 games, completely an- non-Lopez lines. to Learn From the Best, who notated. Andrew Martin often sug- could you start with? What $19.50 for those who want gests the 3… Qa5 lines in the about Boris Gelfand? to be more and know more.

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HOW TO GET BETTER AT CHESS AND HOW YOU CAN HAVE FUN AT THE SAME TIME! LET A CONFIDENTnternational FIDE Master TRAINER ANDREW MARTIN SHOW is well YOU: known Ito the chess world as a Senior FIDE trainer, author, DVD host, chess player, and teacher to thousands (he teaches in 12 schools). He is the current head of the recently formed ECF Academy which provides elite training for strong, young players. He’s funny too. ’ve been to Chicago’s FROM ENGLAND TO THE USA! IO’Hare airport many times to pick up our guest Andrew as well as Ken Whyld. Andrew will be landing at Moline In- ternational Airport this time, his first time here since 2012! 7 years. Your registration for the Super Chess Clinic will definitely help us to purchase his flight ticket from England to here (Davenport) and back. My cost is £800 or $1,049.32 in US dollars. One registration has already been made! Thank you. An example of A. D. Martin’s Genius: Come see for yourself but this is what D. Nastasio wrote about Martin online about his DVD, The Wicked Veresov Attack: “What I like about Andrew Martin is his dynamic style in presenting games. He doesn’t take one hour to show you a game. Like a sketch artist, in less than 10 minutes he is able to show all the important points of a game one must know.” This is ALL Andrew and more. For example, he takes Questions from his audience and jokes with them. They LOVE this guy. He makes YOU feel important!! Nastasio follows this up with: “This DVD is huge! 36 videos of commented games, which I love because they are easier to remember. “ A-B-C. If you want to read the whole thing online go GeorgiaChessNews.com If you want me to get a few of these DVDs to have them for sale at the Super Chess Clinic, please let me know. You won’t regret the quality nor the content. I know, I played the Richter-Veresov for many, many years. Also, I have the new book from McFarland on Kurt Richter, in red cloth, hardbound and about 500 pages. $65.00 plus $6.95 for S&H. The Best in Chess Literature - 12 - Editor: Bob Long Feb. 2019 The Chess Butler No. 241 Excitement in CHESS 301! Front Cover of the New Edition of C.J.S. Purdy’s The Search for Chess Perfection! π Will be published in 2019 when the supplemental files will be added bring- ing the total to about 450 pages (or more). π The back cover of the world’s first cor- respondence chess champion will have the only known color photo of Cecil John Purdy. Many believe READY IN 2019! he was the greatest teacher chess has ever had. π In the original title, C.J.S. Purdy, His Life, His Games, His Writings, all of the Descriptive Notation has been converted to Figurine Alge- braic Notation! π Purdy enlivened chess publish- ing with his Chess World magazine, now an impressive when he told FM Raul Campo (while in- book about the vicissitudes chess collectible. specting his 3,000 volume library, “But of chess and crammed with Future world cham- you don’t have the best book!” refer- examples of best play and pion ring to Purdy’s book. No money down, explaiing them to boot! Put gave it a “thumbs just ask us to reserve it for you, okay? A a trainer and mentor in your up” of approval $49.95 value for an outrageously good corner, the best in the world!! - 13 - [email protected] 50 Years in Chess! © 2019 Thinkers’ Press The Chess Gazette MY LATE FRIEND CAROL G. DESCRIBED THIS SET AND ITS CASKET (Box) AS “ELEGANCE” PLUS See Page 5 but the boxes are no longer being made except at possibly a premium price increase by Kirk.

Over the years I have seen and sold almost every type of chess set. I’ve NEVER been more proud of a Staunton style than I have with the Grand Turk. It just makes one feel confident. Everyone who has bought one has told me how great it feels and looks. I’m not kidding. I’ve also seen some pretty pathetic sets, and at first the player who used it (a 2000 Elo guy) liked it because it was given to him by a friend* Some years went by, and last year I sold him a Grand Turk! (Yeah) I have a feeling that other set he had became firewood. * = some friend. LAST MINUTE NEWS NOTE! ONE OF MY BOOK SUPPLIERS JUST INFORMED ME SHE HAD ONLY 172 COPIES OF “GAME CHANGER” ON HAND! MY COPIES COME TO ME NEXT WEEK!

Sadler and Regan reveal its fices and much more. thinking process and the tech- There’s a whopping 416 niques that created AlphaZero. pages too. If you go to the NIC The rest of the book, roughly website there is even a short 80%, presents a thematic col- video about this. Sadler has lection of chess games of as- the second highest rating in tonishing quality. England right now and Regan is someone he has worked with Everyone will improve their before (Chess for Life, for ex- game (the authors say) by ample. $20.00) studying AlphaZero’s dis- coveries in every field that I’m guessing we’ll have our matters: opening play, piece copies about Feb. 2. I confess I mobility, initiative, attacking am looking forward to check- techniques, long-term sacri- ing it out. Just $20.00 + Books Which Have Been Cancelled As of Today by the Publisher Bb5 Sicilian Move by Move $3.75 for S&H. Playing 1 e4 Sicilian Next week. Four others have been delayed a little bit. They will be listed in future news. The Best in Chess Literature - 14 - Editor: Bob Long Feb. 2019 The Chess Butler No. 241 PRICES & Extra Discounts To get the EXTRA 10% discount, you must purchase at least 2 items which have an asterisk in front of the title name. And, the purchase must be made (and paid for) by February 2, 2019. All books are currently in stock except for the French Defence, Lasker, and Game Changer and those 3 titles are expected imminently. Title Pg. # cost Cost-10% FRIENDS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE! Each time we’ve done an event *Carlsen v Karjakin 2016 8 21.95 19.75 one thing iI am reminded of, over *Chess for Life 14 19.96 17.96 and over are the meetups with *Chigorin Defence mbm, The 6 23.50 21.15 old friends and the meetups with Emanuel Lasker Vol. 1 7 63.50 NA making new ones. And, the din- *French Defence, the 6 21.96 19.76 ners and this years BRUNCH will *Game Changer 14 20.00 18.00 be spectacular and NO SNOW! K *Keep It Simple 1.e4 11 23.50 21.15

Kurt Richter 12 65.00 NA Get your pictures taken with the *NIC Book of Chess Improvement 11 23.96 21.56 IM Andrew and his autograph. *Nimzo-Indian Defence 9 23.96 21.56 And with other acquaintances *Practical Chess Beauty 9 29.95 26.95 too. Significant Others (SOs) get in FREE. We hope you’ll bring *Queen’s Indian Defence 9 25.56 22.99 yours. RELAX!? *Test Your Chess Skills 3 15.50 13.95 CA2B = COUNTS AS 2 BOOKS *Vladimir Kramnik 8 23.50 21.15 For orders inside the USA only. *Woodpecker, The 10 24.99 22.49 *Your Opponent is Overrated 1 19.50 17.55 If you order 1 Book the S&H is $3.95 If you order 2 Books the S&H is $5.70. MAY 25-26… JOIN US FOR A Otherwise each additional book is GREAT COUPLE OF DAYS! $1.75 for S&H. I have to admit the thought of whether or not I should do another event has been on my mind. It requires help and my son Nate said Our minimum order is $25.00 not in- he would help me on Saturday. The people at the Quality Inn have cluding S&H and Insurance. If your net been helpful. One has already signed up (thank you Greg) and order is $64.00 or more (i.e., without Dan O. donated some $$$. I know the event will be exactly what S&H) your insurance is only $5.95 no you need and so what WE need is YOU! Get in while it is cheap! matter how many books you get.

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