On the Origin of Good Moves: A Skeptic's Guide at Getting Better at Chess

by Willy Hendriks

The way a beginner develops into a strong chess player closely resembles the progress of the game of chess itself. This popular idea is the reason why many renowned chess instructors such as former World Champions Garry Kasparov and Max Euwe, emphasize the importance of studying the history of chess.

Willy Hendriks agrees that there is much to be learned from the pioneers of our game. He challenges, however, the conventional view on what the stages in the advancement of chess actually have been. Among the various articles of faith that Hendriks questions is Wilhelm Steinitz's reputation as the discoverer of the laws of positional chess.

In The Origin of Good Moves Hendriks undertakes a groundbreaking investigative journey into the history of chess. He explains what actually happened, creates fresh perspectives, finds new heroes, and reveals the real driving force behind improvement in evolution.

This thought-provoking book is full of beautiful and instructive ‘new’ material from the old days. With plenty of exercises, the reader is invited to put themselves in the shoes of the old masters. Never before has the study of the history of chess been so entertaining and rewarding.

Genres: Chess, History

827 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 10, 2020

Reviews

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, thought provoking, challenging accepted ideas and presenting the material in a rigorous manner. Well researched piece with a convincing argument.

[maarten mellegers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leuk boek over de ontwikkeling van schaaktheorie.
Van Greco tot Nimzowitsch.
Het schaken in de tijd van Philidor en Modense masters.
De start van de serieuze competitie.
Staunton en de schaakcolum waarschijnlijk verwijzende naar het boek de inkwar.
Londen 1851.
Williams.
Ondertussen in India.
Anderssen via Morphy.
Bijzonder om zo de schaakgeschiedenis vanuit een ander perspectief te bekijken.
Leuk geschreven vol humor.
Aan het einde van ieder hoofdstuk volgen een aantal opgaves.
In het hoofdstuk daarna worden deze opgaven uitgewerkt.
Zo zit er een diagram met boter melk en eieren bij, met de vraag wat was de opgave hier?

[Collin Holson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tour through the history and historiography of chess theory and practice. Engages heavily with the common narratives of "Romantic" and "Modern" chess, pushing back on the stereotypes associated with each. Although there are plenty of puzzles, complete games, and ideas worked into every chapter, the bulk of the text is devoted to the larger history of chess.