- ISBN13: 9781857440010
- Condition: USED – VERY GOOD
- Notes:
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Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
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The autor, Elie Agur, went to deep lengths to understand the style and unique contributions to the game. Hundreds of diagrams and games.
Amazon User Rating: 4 / 5
You will not regret buying this book. It is the best middle game text published in the last ten years with the obvious exception of Watson’s “Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy.” This book attempts to use Fischer’s games as a means of discovering not only how Fischer played the middle game but also how one ought to play it. It is a truly inspired work. I think it one of the best chess books published within the last couple of years. The only better ones published recently are the game collections of people like Shirov, Anand, and Karpov (I have already mentioned Watson’s book). Buy this book, esp if you are under 2200! Look for Silman’s review at New In Chess, by the way.
Amazon User Rating: 5 / 5
First, why you this book might be for you.
The strengths of this book is the approach to studying the play of Fischer. The technique employed in the development of this book is uncommon and very effective to really analyze the characteristics of a personal playing style. The analysis and discussion is ideal for a developing (but not necessarily already strong player) in most cases. The considerations in analyzing Fischer’s style could be applied to any chess master that one might study.
Why did the book drop to three stars?
The analysis is general too superficial to provide any real deep insight into the positions. This most likely due to the strength of the author (FIDE approx. 2250). He certainly does a better job at explaining positions than certain GMs that are just “mailing” in their analysis, but doesn’t come anywhere near close to the top chess writers such as Beim, Marin and Soltis (and certain others). There are many occurences where games end with the comment “and then it is Fischer’s technique”. The book is about technique but the author never really “gets” that Fischer’s technique and defensive abilities allowed Fischer to make aggressive decisions. Sure, he alluded to this in many sections, but no synthesis was provided to really provide a picture of why Fischer’s ability was so dominate in his run against the Soviets. This kind of discussion would have improved the book considerably. Instead, the book is collection of attributes characterizing a playing style with typically four or five examples. My main problem is that most examples and characteristics could be found for most top GMs. The author did very little to contrast the effectiveness Fischer’s style against the players of his time or even the players up to the publication date.
In conclusion …
If you’re an aspiring improving player, this book is an interesting and instructive read but do your own homework! Go through a book like Soltis’ Fischer Rediscovered and certainly read Bobby Fischer’s My Sixty Most Memorable Games. Just ignore the fact that the attributes are highly related and often an item like “timing” cannot be disconnected from all the other characteristics and probably shouldn’t be discussed at its own topic.
Amazon User Rating: 3 / 5
If you read and enjoyed “How Karpov Wins” by Mednis, you will fall madly in love with this book. Agur has written an incredibly fascinating book about the chess world’s most enigmatic personality. What makes the book so outstanding is the breadth and depth to which Agur has analyzed Fischer’s playing style. You can learn things here which you would not understand clearly even after reading Fischer’s “Memorable Games”. He breaks down Fischer’s games according to topics like: Style, Defense, Technique, Clarity, etc. I know of no other book like this at this level of detail and depth. I’m not so sure it will improve your playing strength, but it will give you a perfect scheme for playing ‘a la Fischer’
A must for any serious chess lover.
Amazon User Rating: 5 / 5
This book delivers as the title says. Discussed are Fischer’s decisions across various motifs (pawn structure, piece placement, strategy,…) from a diagrammed position. Much of the book can be read without a board depending on your strength. I think this book is more for advanced players, you just need to know things to get the most out of this book. Really the book is about style — the style of a genius, so no chess player should be without it.
Amazon User Rating: 5 / 5