Chess Secrets: Great Chess Romantics

by Craig Pritchett

Chess Secrets is a series of books which uncover the mysteries of the most important aspects of chess, such as strategy, attack, defence, opening play, endgames, off-board preparation and mental attitude. In each book the author studies a number of great players who have excelled in such aspects of the game, greatly influenced their peers and inspired all of us. In Great Chess Romantics, Craig Pritchett selects five players, whose chess artistry expresses a deeply personal commitment to the discovery and revelation of great new truths and beauty on the chessboard. Anderssen defined romanticism’s inherently dramatic and correct combinational core. Chigorin championed this essence in splendid opposition to an emerging new classical consensus. Réti revealed the extraordinary power of new flank openings. Larsen confounded the overly sober, scientific Soviet “school” at innumerable turns. In the computer age, Morozevich constantly discovers new depths to chess, while simply oozing exquisite strokes in his best games. * An instructive guide to the romantic spirit in chess * Learn from the greatest minds of the game * Deepen your understanding of great players’ styles

Genres: Chess, Reference

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Alexander Fontana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know it is very difficult for an author to present an overview of 5 Romantic style groundbreaking champions in 1 book. Either you end up with a brief postage stamp view into each of their worlds for the laymen, or you go with in-depth analysis and reduce the number of champions in one book for the advanced players. In this case, I believe author Craig Pratchett produced a fine balance.

I withheld the last star only because I personally would like to see a more definitive way of say just two champions that are interrelated, such as Reti and Larsen or Chigoran and Morozevich. With pairings, there would then be ample room in the book/s to add diagrams of key positions and tactics to enhance the variations. Also, additional dialog with long lines of analysis.
This inturn would make it easier for the reader to refresh key points, making the book a source that is referred to time and again.

I remember muscling through a very thick book on the Sicilian, which I discussed with an expert friend whom I hoped to beat. After several games, he told me he had read the same book and would save me the trouble. E.g. if your black control c4 and don't let white control d5 and vice versa. After that one verbalization, the book was way easier to understand, and my wins grew drastically.