How Not to Play Chess

by Eugène Znosko-Borovsky

Book Overview

Beginners and even fairly advanced players agree on one thing: analyzing the strength or weakness of a position (material being equal) is the hardest part of chess to learn. It is also one of the hardest elements to teach, and there are some who claim it is unteachable. But this wonderfully lucid book, written by one of the outstanding chess expositors of the twentieth century, presents the basis of analysis in such a disarmingly simple way that even...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486209202
• ISBN13: 9780486209203
• Release Date: June 1961
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.4" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Concise and Entertaining - An Excellent Tool for Quick Game Improvements

I believe this book is most useful for novice and average players. The book helps in improving your game by showing the typical chess mistakes one makes during play. I found it to be very clear, concise and to the point. Another thing I liked about the book is that is written in a conversational way, such as the one of a lecturer, so anyone can understand the principles laid out by the author. The book uses descriptive notation, but I guess this is just a matter of preference that doesn't affect the quality and usefulness of the information presented. Nevertheless you should take this into account in case you prefer algebraic notation. In this edition, the editors added a series of quiz positions to the original text. By applying oneself to these positions one gets to practice the principles to find the solutions to the various problems presented to enhance the learning experience. All the positions are taken from master's games. At the end of the book the solution to each problem is presented.

Superb

This book is indispensable. Yes, it is indispensable! Once you get over the fact that the notation is descriptive you will be fine. I don't mind reading books in descriptive notation and considering the content of the book this is just a minor inconvenience [Speaking of which, have you noticed how cheap are books in descriptive?]Znosko-Borovsky is entertaining, engaging and profound. The whole purpose of the book is to make you aware of the need to analyse the position both from the internal and the external points of view. In other words: How to make an inventory of who has the advantage in tempi, material, and space and how those factors compensate to determine which side has the advantage over the board. As a consequence of this analysis the author shows how to make a plan and execute it over the board. Sounds simple? It becomes simple after reading Znosko-Borovsky's book. Why is it that few people write in this manner nowadays? Why is it that authors can not be entertaining?I read this book at least once every month and have given it to some friends to help them improve their chess. At first sight it doesn't look like much but once you take the time to read it, understand it and go back to it, you will see what a treasure you have in your hands. For the prize of the book you get a lot and this is that rare type of book that read again and again and again...

An Excellent overview for the serious beginner.

What this book gives is a broad picture of what you are trying to achieve when you play chess. It takes you above the region of move by move analysis and sets you the task of viewing the game as a strategic whole. If you can grasp this high level view of the game of chess, you have a better chance of improving your game. This is a book about the thinking behind chess and the strategy element, as opposed to tactics.Very short, very readable and entertaining, and a useful companion to quite a high level.

Funny name, serious book

I've always been tickled pink by Eugene's first and last names and just like his books, have always given me something new each time I come in contact with either. ZB's intelligent writing shines through and the advice is germane even after all this time! Recommended!

A Gem! Buy it! Clear Explanations On Chess Thought Inside

A brilliant little book that is clearly written, extremely useful, and bargain-priced. Do not be misled by the author's use of maxims for chapter titles: he is not dogmatic whatsoever. Znosko-Borovsky's verbal analysis of a chess position, for example, on pages 54-60, regarding visualizing a plan based on the differences (however slight)in each side, and putting that plan into effect is an eye-opener. If you've read Jeremy Silman's How To Reassess Your Chess, you'll recognize the thinking method detailed decades before Silman published. I believe you will not regret time spent with this book.