The Test of Time

by Garry Kasparov

English, Russian (translation)

Genres: Chess, Nonfiction, Games

214 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Russian (formerly Soviet) chess grandmaster, former World Chess Champion, writer, and political activist, whom many consider the greatest chess player of all time.

Reviews

[Manny]

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. This week, living legend Garry Kasparov, who retired in 2005, made the ill-advised decision to come back and participate in the blitz (5-minute) stage of the Croatia Grand Chess Tour. He has so far scored ½/9, including the following spectacular loss:

Mamedyarov - Kasparov
1. d4 d5
2. c4 dxc4
3. e3 e5
4. Nf3 exd4
5. Bxc4 Nf6??

Kasparov is not alert to White's tricky move-order. Correct is 5... Bb4+

6. Qb3! Qe7
7 O-O



After seven moves, Kasparov's position is already hopeless. He can't simultaneously guard f7, stop White from opening the e-file, and protect b7.

Black resigned

[Jesse Kraai]

One of the greatest chess books of all time. I didn't understand Kasparov's play when I was a kid in the 80's. More exactly: I was afraid of it (!). It was hard for me to give up any of my pieces without knowing exactly when I would be getting them back. This book and the games *explain* the Kasparov revolution. It's a part of my chess education that took me decades to get to. There are many iconic and well-known moments, but for me the example where I feel like I really *got it* was 21. Bxg7 vs Portisch in 83 (http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessg...).

Another test of time that this book has withstood is the value to be gained from non-computer notes to high level chess. They are so much more instructive, and they encourage the student to their own search for truth. So much better than the engine-produced Garry Kasparov on My Great Predecessors, Part 1.

I also like that the book feels like a nod to One Hundred Selected Games which dealt with the games and career of a player before the WC contest.

[Pieter]

In my humble opinion one of the best chess books (if not the best chess book) ever written. Pre-computer age, this search for truth in chess still stands the test of time. I thought this book was very difficult the first time I read it. Very difficult. But the games and analysis showed me a whole different level of chess. Very much recommended for >2000 players.

[Michal]

super kniha pre každého šachistu, neoceniteľné pohľady, komentáre a analýzy aj mimo šachovnice. určite odporúčam, lebo sa tu dozviete kuloárne infošky z pozadia aj o iných šach. veľmajstroch.
luxusné čítanie.
chýbalo mi troška viac "mimošachových" častí a pasáži, ako Garry relaxoval, ako si vypĺňal čas mimo partií. čo mu najviac fungovalo pri sústredení sa.
určite odporúčam, hlavne keď ste "decision maker" pretože šach je hlavne o tom, robiť správne rozhodnutia za čo najkratší čas.

[Tim Reisner]

Essential. In top 10 chess books, I'd guess.

[Serge Pierro]

A nice collection of games by a young Garry Kasparov. Any time that you have access to the annotations of a World Champion's game collection, by the player themselves, it becomes a must read. It's interesting to see how Kasparov grew from his childhood days into becoming the World Champion.

[William Schill]

The original notes are fascinating to read and compare with the computer analysis now available