Timman's Titans: My World Chess Champions

by Jan Timman

For many years Jan Timman was one of the best chess players in the world. The Dutch Grandmaster combined his brilliant successes on the board with a passion for writing and meticulously analysing his own games and those of his rivals. Three times he was a World Championship Candidate and in 1993 he played in the final of the FIDE World Championship, a match that he lost to Anatoly Karpov.

In this fascinating book, Jan Timman portrays ten World Chess Champions that played an important role in his life and career. Champions that not only inspired him, but also champions he did battle with. Alexander Alekhine (1892-1946) he never met, but the story of how in Lisbon he bought one of the last chess sets belonging to the fourth World Champion is one of many highlights in the book. Also there is the time when he visited Mikhail Botvinnik in his dacha outside Moscow and watches ‘the Patriarch' put on one of the browned laurel wreaths that he won decades ago.

Timman has a keen eye for detail, a fabulous memory and he visibly enjoys sharing his insider views, including many revelations of the great champions. Timman's Titans not only presents a personal view of these chess giants, but is also a wonderful evocation of countless fascinating episodes in chess history.

Each portrait is completed by a rich selection of illustrative games, annotated in the author's trademark lucid style. Always to the point, sharp and with crystal-clear explanations Timman shows the highs and lows from the games of the champions, including the most memorable games that he himself played against them.

Genres: Chess, Reference, Sports

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Sean Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jan Timman was one of the strongest chess grandmasters in the world during the 80's and 90's and at one time was rated the second best player in the world. This book contains many annotated chess games and, if you stopped to play through them all, you'd never get through the book. However, ignore the games as I did and you'll find the book contains fascinating anecdotes of Timman's interaction with several famous chess players including Kasparov, Karpov, Symslov, Fischer, Spassky and Petrosian. For chess players interested in the history of the games and the exploits of some of its greatest exponents, this is a must-read. You can always return to the book later and play through the games.

[Dani Lensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een erg interessante en vermakelijke bundel van portretten van diverse topschakers o.a. door Nederlandse topschaker Jan Timman. Bevat vele originele anekdotes en verhalen die je nergens anders zult lezen. Een absolute aanrader.

[Andries Nieuwenhuize · Rating 4 out of 5]

Proza wat stroef, portretten zijn uniek, uit eerste hand maar soms met dromerige stellingname.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timman has produced a book which is not original (Yasser Seirawan has done similar with Chess Duels) but Timman writes with a certain humaneness which I like. The games are not thick with heavy analysis (which I like). The chapter on Alekhine is really well written and I was there with him in Portugal such was the conviction of his story telling