Timman's Titans: My World Chess Champions

by Jan Timman

The Stories and the Alekhine – Euwe – Botvinnik – Smyslov – Tal - Petrosian – Spassky – Fischer - Karpov – KasparovFor many years Jan Timman was one of the best chess players in the world. He 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. In this fascinating book, Jan Timman portrays ten World Chess Champions that played an important role in his life and career. 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 this book. Timman has a keen eye for detail and a fabulous memory, and he visibly enjoys sharing his insider views, including many revelations about the great champions. Timman’s Titans not only presents a personal view of these chess giants, but is also an 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 he himself played against them.

Genres: Chess, Reference, Sports

740 pages, Kindle Edition

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