More Mongoose

The Mongoose Times blog has a new home: http://mongoosepress.com/Times/

After a slight delay to manage the changeover, new posts are now being made available.

London Chess Classic

The London Chess Classic, to be held 8-15 December, will feature a first-rate field of chess stars.

Former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik will be battling it out with Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Ni Hua, Nigel Short, Michael Adams, David Howell and Luke McShane.

This will be the strongest chess tournament to be hle din England for nearly a quarter of a century.

There will also be an International Women's championship, strong Open tournament, weekend events and plenty of blitz tournaments.

Juniors will not only be able to gain free entry but they will also be able to enjoy free coaching sessions.

There will also be a simultaneous display by Guest of Honour Viktor Korchnoi!

For full details, please pop along to:

http://www.londonchessclassic.com/index.htm

Chess Reviews: 116

The Improving Chess Thinker

By Dan Heisman

220 pages

Mongoose Press

‘When a club player decides he wants to raise his rating to the next level, he typically looks to improve his middlegame or endgame understanding. Often, however, the true secret to improvement lies not in studying additional chess material but in learning a more powerful thinking process.’

GM Lev Alburt provides the introduction and hails this book as ‘…a significant contribution to the realm of ‘‘scientific’’ chess literature’.

Coming from a Grandmaster who has written plenty of book on chess improvement, that is high praise indeed.

The material is arranged as follows:

1. The Exercise

2. Thought Process Basics

3. Class F

4. Class E

5. Class D

6. Class C

7. Class B

8. Class A

9. Expert and Above

10. The Thinking Cap

11. The Basics of Time Management

12. What the Researcher Learned

Appendix 1: Dr. Max Euwe Protocol of de Groot A

Appendix 2: Computer Analysis of Positions

Chess instructor and author Dan Heisman’s favoured areas of chess research are:

1) How do players learn and improve?

2) How do players think during a game?

He presents a series of de Groot test positions (named after Dr. Adriann de Groot, a pioneer in this field back in the 1930s).

This is the first test position:

White to play

(No further clues or hints are given)

‘The de Groot experiment allows a researcher to determine ho chess players find their moves during competitive play’.

Explicit instructions on how to sue these test positions is given and then the results from various categories of chess player are analysed. These ‘protocols’ (think-out loud exercises) offer a very revealing insight into thought processes of players possessing different ages, chess ratings and how much time they spent on the positions.

It is very interesting to compare the written thoughts of the participants and to see how the approached the position, what they thought was important and what they missed.

Subsequent chapters offer various pieces of advice on different aspects of chess thinking, including the increasingly important matter of time management.

The last two chapters are very interesting too. The protocol of the fifth World Champion, Dr. Max Euwe, on the position given above. His thoughts are very instructive as he sifts through the options to find the best move. Finally, Rybka 3 is unleashed - with predictable results.

I don’t want to quote any of the analysis on any of the positions, as it would be too much of a ‘spoiler’ for those who want to buy the book and enjoy the journey.

This book will appeal to all those who would like to thoroughly investigate the thought processes of a chess player’s mind. Coaches will find the material of use too. Players who are not prepared to put in some serious work will probably find it heavy going. It’s a book to be read methodically over a period of time, not a quick fix skimmer.

The Complete Hedgehog

Volume 1

By GM Sergey Shipov

532 pages

Mongoose Press

‘The author meticulously explains strategic themes, typical formations, move-order subtleties, and explores the thorny question: Is the Hedgehog a ‘‘theoretically sound’’ opening - and does that really matter?’

The Hedgehog - in which Black sets up several pawns along his third rank, like little spines - is a fascinating opening. Despite its popularity, there have been comparatively few books devoted to it. Some time ago, GM Suba wrote one (’The Hedgehog’) and included various thoughts about the opening in ‘Dynamic Chess Strategy’, but otherwise the Hedgehog tends to be lumped together with other variations of the English Opening.

This new book makes a bold attempt investigate and explain the mysteries of the intriguing opening.

The foreword is, fittingly, contributed by former World Champion Garry Kasparov, who did so much to enhance the Hedgehog’s reputation.

‘I highly recommend this book because it investigates strategic concepts instead of being limited to mere reactions.’

The contents are arranged thus:

Introduction

The Hedgehog. It’s Birth and Development

Getting to the Hedgehog Opening Structure

The Hedgehog Philosophy

Space and Order

Evaluating a Position

This is definitely not a book crammed with variations and a few bland comments. As the author says:

‘The point of this book is not just to describe the opening phase of the Hedgehog, but also to make a detailed study of the ideas for both sides in the middlegame, using the examples of selected best games.’

The promise of explanations is adhered to, but first there is a little warning from GM Shipov:

‘I should warn my young and impressionable readers that Hedgehog structures can occur only if both sides are willing; so there’s no point in studying the Hedgehog with the aim of making it your principal system for Black, because ‘wicked’ opponents might not allow you to set it up at the board.’

The point is that there are ways to avoid the issue with various move orders. The recommend sequence is:

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 c5 3.Nf3 e6 4.g3 b6 5.Bg2 Bb7 6.0–0 Be7

‘Here it is - have a look! - the English Hedgehog in the flesh. Three black pawns already stand on the sixth rank, soon to be joined by a fourth, on a6. The distinguishing feature of the English form of the beastie is the placement of the white bishop at g2; the e-pawn can be at e2, as well as at e4.’

This volume focuses on two main variations.

Classical Continuation 7 d4

There’s plenty of eye-catching games to illustrate the successes and failures of the Hedgehog.

GM Ulf Andersson doesn’t play very much these days and for some time had a reputation as a draw-master, but his games in this book should help to change a few opinions. Black often obtains nagging pressure against the c4-pawn. Andersson’s deep plan represents positional planning of the highest order.

Andersson - Seirawan

London 1982

17 a4

‘This is not just to nail down the pawn at b6, but to clear an important transit square!’

17...Qc7

‘Now, pay close attention to the shuffling of the white pieces. Magic is about to begin.’

18 Qb1

‘Where is the white queen going?’

18.…Rc8 19 Ra2! Bf8

‘The American grandmaster, schooled by the bitter experience of his predecessors, waits. We shall return later to Black’s active choices.’

20 e3 Qe7 21 Rc2! g6 22 Qa2!!

‘Here it is: Andersson’s patented restructuring. The queen’s most useful spot is not in the center, but in the corner of the board, behind the pawns! White’s pieces protect the c4 square, and free the b3-pawn for active play.’ (1-0, 51)

The 7 Re1! System

GM Shipov acknowledges 7 Re1 as a very dangerous threat. ‘I promise you: these will indeed pose great problems for hedgehog!’ There’s certainly some things Black should keep an eye on, such as this…

'The naïve 10...d6 would be bad because of 11 e5!, when 11...Bxg2 runs into the intermediate capture 12 exf6! The rook, looking ahead to this, has left f1 already, so the bishop would have nothing to take from g2. Thus Black would lose a piece here.’

The index of players is present but I think it could have used a bibliography and an index of variations too.

Al in all, it’s a fine work and one of the most interesting chess books of the year. Let’s hope volume two isn’t far behind.

Mongoose Press are doing very well to establish themselves as publisher of fine chess books. Production-wise, the standards are high. For example, the spine on the hedgehog book is sturdy and shows no sign of bending, despite the high page count. The internal layout of both books is easy on the eye and there is a definite impression of time and care being taken.

For further details regarding this, and other Mongoose Press books, please visit:

http://www.mongoosepress.com/

Missed a review? Pop along to my archive:

http://marshtowers.blogspot.com/2007/12/chess-review-archive.html

Chess Reviews: 115

Fritz 12

‘The Truly Great Chess Program’

ChessBase

There can’t be many chess players who have not heard of Fritz. This latest version, the twelfth in an incredibly successful series, looks like being THE must-have chess item of 2009.

Fritz can be used in many different ways. It is a tireless playing partner (mercifully, it comes with an abundance of playing levels, so everyone can experience some wins), a very powerful analytical tool and a serious training weapon. It can be used purely for fun or for preparing against the world’s best players.

Boasting a ‘completely revised ergonomic interface’ - which means it looks very nice and is extremely easy to navigate and use - the latest version is, quite naturally, one which carries a whole host of improvements.

Here’s a few highlights…

The choice of playing and analysis engines is impressive, offering various versions of Comet, Crafty, Rybka and, of course, Fritz 12 itself.

The database contains as astounding 1,546,900 games, from the year 1625 all the way up to the end of August 2009. This is a considerable update from previous Fritz databases.

There are 12 hours of tutorials. These are segments from ChessBase’s popular ‘Fritz Trainer’ series of DVDs. The selection includes video lectures from the likes of Kasparov, Korchnoi, Shirov and Mueller and cover all aspects of the game.

The ‘Spy’ feature, pointing out threats on the board, has been improved and now highlights only the important threats rather than dishing out arrows as if it is representing Custer’s Last Stand.

There is a display for ‘hotness’ combined with a ‘Mate-o-meter’. The two dials swing either way according to the sharpness of the position and whether or not a checkmate is imminent.

There is a new opening book by Alex Kure, which can be opened up so one can check one’s opening knowledge during games against the engines.

Here’s an example of some of the features in action.

Kramnik - Karpov

Zurich Champions

23.08.2009

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 0–0 6.0–0 dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.Qxc4 b5 9.Qc2 Bb7

A normal position. It is easy to see that it has been played many times and that, as yet, there is no danger at all of a checkmate appearing.

10.Bd2 Bd6 11.Bg5 Nbd7 12.Nbd2 c5 13.Bxf6 Qxf6

Suddenly the ‘hotness’ level is creeping up. Karpov has somehow misplayed a line he should know very well indeed and Fritz 12 is busily working on ways to force a considerable advantage.

14.Ne5 Bxg2 15.Nxd7 Qxd4 16.Kxg2 Rfd8 17.Nf3 1–0

If Karpov had prepared this line against the Catalan using Fritz, he would have kept well away from the continuation chosen in the game.

If your computer’s graphics card is up to the task, it is possible to view the playing board in 3-D. There are various designs from which to choose and it is good to see that The Turk is still one of them.

In addition to all of the features already mentioned (and a whole lot more besides those), there is a 12 month premium membership for the Playchess server.

Fritz revolutionised the world of chess and it is very good to see that ChessBase are not content to rest on their laurels. It is astonishing how much fun and instruction Fritz 12 has to offer, yet it remains very easily accessible to all players.

The installation and operation of the program are both very easy; Fritz 12 is definitely user-friendly and nobody needs to be an expert to get things up and running in mere minutes.

If you haven’t yet experienced the delights of Fritz then you really are missing out - so put it on your Christmas list, right now!

For further details of Chessbase products, please go to:

http://www.chessbase.com/

Missed a review? Pop along to my archive:

http://marshtowers.blogspot.com/2007/12/chess-review-archive.html

Chess Reviews: 114

>

Bxh7+

By David Rudel

186 pages

Thinkers’ Press

In his introduction, David offers some remarkable advice: ‘If a Colle-System reader happens to have bought this book by accident, I recommend he immediately put it on e-bay and grab a copy of The Moment of Zuke instead.’

The point is that The Moment of Zuke contains a fair amount of Greek Gift material and he is concerned that the reader will suffer from the duplication of material.

I think he is being rather too hard on this new book, which, to my mind, stands on its own two feet and provides an excellent survey of the whole Bxh7+ scenario.

The material is split into two parts.

Part 1

Module 1: Early Colle Blundersaults

A ‘blundersault’ is a strong assault by White, made possible by a Black blunder.

After running through some basic relevant points, the author presents 20 exercises for the reader to solve. The question: is Black safe in each position? If Black isn’t safe, the reader is required to point out the best line for White.

Module 2: French Advance Blundersaults

The French Advance doesn’t relate just to 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 e5, but to all positions after 1 e4 e6 where White goes on to advance the e-pawn a step further. 12 more exercises are included here.

Module 3: The Double-Bishop Sac

It’s good to see a section on the sacrifice of both Bishops.

Filatov - Mayer

15 Bxh7+ Kxh7 16 Qh5+ Kg8 17 Bxg7 Kxg7 18 Qg4+ 1-0 (19 Rf3 is on the way.)

Part 2

Module 4: Bxh7+ with a Knight on e5

This module looks specifically at the options granted by a White Knight posted on e5. It creates extra threats, such as linking up with the Queen (after Qh5+) to attack the f7-square. 16 exercises on the ‘is Black safe’ theme test the student’s skill and judgement.

Sometimes the Knight doesn’t even need the help of the Queen.

Perdikis - Brady

13 Bxh7+ Kxh7 14 Nxf7 and the Black Queen has no escape.

Module 5: The Classic Bishop Sacrifice

‘Enough with the appetizers and side dishes! The meat is here.’

Prior to impressive collection of 56 exercises, David gives 17 pages of battle plans advising the reader on the exact circumstances required to give the Greek Gift the best chance of creating a winning attack. Black’s reactions are covered in depth; after Bxh7+ Kxh7 he can, in most cases, try and retreat with …Kg8 or advance with either …Kh6 or ….Kg6. The reader should feel growing confidence with each nugget of information.

Finally, it is into action with the last set of exercises. Bxh7+ was played in each one of the 56 games but the reader has to analyse carefully to see if it was successful or not.

This is a very well written account on the exciting world of Bxh7+. It won’t just be Colle players who find it useful; the possibility of the Greek Gift crops up in various openings. The book can also be used as a manual to improve one’s calculating skills.

Here’s one to try…

Daudov - Tsigelnitskiy

Is 13 Bxh7+ deserving of ‘!’, ‘?’, ‘!?’ or ‘?!’ ?

FCO

Fundamental Chess Openings

By GM Paul van der Sterren

479 pages

Gambit Publications

Continuing the tradition of single volumes providing all-embracing opening coverage, this is a big book; a real hand filler.

Usually, opening tomes with three-letter acronyms (‘MCO’, ‘BCO’, ‘ECO’, ‘NCO’) focus are top heavy with variations at the expense of explanatory notes. FCO boldly goes the other way.

There are three main sections.

1 d4

Flank Openings

1 e4

Here’s a randomly selected sample, demonstrating a typical prose explanation.

The subject is the Keres Attack - 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 e5 6 g4

‘Few variations have had such an impact on the Sicilian Defence as this move. Instead of first developing his pieces and then looking around for a good plan, White immediately attacks, boldly and unreservedly. It took a long time for the chess world to grasp the enormous strength and significance of this idea, for it was not until around 1980 that this became a popular line (some forty years after its introduction). But when it did finally sink in, its effects were felt in even the remotest corner of the Sicilian. Many new variations, based on the advance g4, were developed (like the English Attack against the Najdorf) and lovers of the Scheveningen saw their wide, safe and comfortable avenue change into a narrow and dangerous mountain trail.’

Every opening receives the same sort of treatment. There are historical snippets too, which help to bring the subjects to life. Even Benoni players may be surprised to learn that…

‘The name Benoni is somewhat ominous, for it is Hebrew for ‘child of sorrow’. far from being a cry of despair by a player who has just lost his third game in a row with this opening, however, the name is the result of a bizarre little twist of history. ‘Ben-oni’ is the first word of a much longer title of a general book on chess openings which was published in 1825. Among many other things, this book dealt with the consequences of 1 d4 c5. For some totally obscure reason the word Benoni then got stuck to this particular opening…’

This is not intended as a stand-alone volume, as the author explains:

‘If it has the effect on the reader that it whets his appetite for these ‘usual’ opening books, or at least makes him understand them a little better, this book will have fulfilled its purpose.’

It’s an admirable ethos and one which I’m sure club players will appreciate as they have an excellent opportunity to learn the strategies and plans behind the openings rather than merely learn large chunks of apparently motiveless moves.

Bullet Chess

One Minute to Mate

By GM Hikaru Nakamura and Canadian Master Bruce Harper

248 pages

Russell Enterprises

For the uninitiated, ‘bullet chess’ refers to one-minute games played over the internet. It can be an addictive way of playing, especially as one can see one’s rating ascend and descend with alarming rapidity.

In the introduction, GM Seirawan relates the tale of GM Christiansen being upset with himself after losing a ‘bullet’ game on his laptop and inadvertently causing $200 worth of damage after slamming his hand into it.

This is the first book I’ve seen that is devoted to this form of chess. Bullet chess is a great leveller. The chess aspect is reduced enough for club players to beat Grandmasters on occasion, even if it’s just on time with a single pawn remaining amid a smoking ruin of a position.

GM Nakamura is one of the finest ‘bullet’ players in the world and here he teams up with Bruce Harper to offer general advice and a few specific pointers on how to be more successful with one minute on the clock.

‘Playing bullet chess is like eating potato chips. Both can be hard to stop, and for some of the same reasons. Both are fun, and there is always room (or time) for one more. But, as with so many things, it’s important to know when to stop.’

Advice is given on a range of subjects including which opening strategies to try, when it is best to use ‘premoves’, how to handle the time factor and, perhaps most important of all, knowing when to stop.

‘Bullet’ openings can be weird, if not always wonderful. It is essential to keep in mind that in one-minute games, time is a massive factor on the outcome. In this example, Black played his first five moves extremely quickly...

1 g3 c6 2 Bg2 Qa5 3 Nc3 Qh5 4 Nf3 Qa5 5 0-0 Qd8

…and gained a seven-second advantage on the clock.

Special ‘bullet’ techniques are present in all phases of the game. Knowing when to simplify is a point-winning method in itself. As the authors point out, even trading to a dead lost ending can win the game, as endgames generally take more time and moves to win than a middlegame. Losing on time with a clearly winning position doesn’t bring much sympathy in the world of ‘bullet’ chess - and even fewer rating points.

On the other hand, ‘book’ draws can still end in victories.

This is, of course, a dead draw as White cannot force the Black King away from the corner. However, if Black runs out of time, he loses. Not many ‘bullet’ players with automatically offer a draw in White’s shoes!

This book will have a limited appeal but it’s an entertaining read, virtually guaranteed to help you win more ‘bullet’ games.

Studies for Practical Players

Improving Calculation And Resourcefulness in the Endgame

By GM Mark Dvoretsky and Oleg Pervakov

216 pages

Russell Enterprises

In his thoughtful foreword, GM Jan Timman, says: ‘Among the various endgame study books that I have read, ‘Studies for Practical Players’ is one of my favourites’.

Coming from a specialist in chess studies this recommendation must be taken seriously.

Co-author Pervakov’s introductory notes inspire further confidence.

‘How do we develop habits of endgame play? There are lots of manuals, but this may be the first in which a famous practical player, a trainer with a world-renowned name, and a study composer with an International Grandmaster of Composition’s title share their views in one and the same book.’

The book is split into four main parts.

Part 1: International Composing Tournament

This contains two chapters. Mark Dvoretsky displays ‘Studies From My Notebook’ and Oleg Pervakov presents the winning entries from the composing tournament which was created to honour his co-author’s 60th birthday.

Part 2: Two Study Themes

This part consists of two chapters by Pervakov.

Using this classic as his starting point, he slowly builds up to much harder studies.

O. Frink, 1923

Win

Part 3: Training

This part is all Dvoretsky’s work. He gives a chapter based on the studies of Wotawa and another on one of his favourite themes: the playing out of studies with a coach or training partner.

‘…chessplayers spend almost all their free time preparing openings, and never train the vitally important technique of calculating variations - this is the technique that lags behind, for them. Regular training in solving and playing out studies is a good recipe for eliminating that shortcoming.’

He discusses the best way to go about it and provides numerous suitable positions. It’s the sort of thing we all should be doing. I’m sure a lot of players get together with the intention training in this way but end up playing ‘bullet’ chess instead.

Part 4: From Steinitz to Morozevich

The final part sees Pervakov presenting a wonderful selection of studies composed by some of the strongest players in history.

‘Freed from the need to acquire the next point, or the next title, players do not mind ‘easing off the gas’, and giving free rein to their fantasy. Moving the pieces about in such studies, your fingertips feel an almost childish glee at the clever people who decided to ‘go gangsta’ - in this case, at the chessboard.’

As one would expect from such a magnificent collection of chess brains, there is remarkable depth in this collection of studies.

This is one of the simplest, which should serve a clear indication of the level one should expect to find.

John Nunn, 1995

Win

Can you find White’s narrow path to victory? The critical line lasts 10 moves and only the Kings are used!

As usual with Dvoretsky books, this is not for the lazy. Timman recommends that readers take their time with the material, and of course he is right.

This is a fine book and it should provide many hours of entertainment and instruction.


For further details regarding the Gambit books, please visit their website:

http://www.gambitbooks.com/

For more information regarding Thinkers' Press, please go to:

http://www.thinkerspressinc.com/


For more on books from Russell Enterprises, pop along to:

http://www.chesscafe.com/

Missed a review? Please visit my archive:

http://marshtowers.blogspot.com/2007/12/chess-review-archive.html

Maverick Archive

The online archive of 'Maverick' magazine now contains two of my recent show reviews:

Rodney Crowell/The Flatlanders:

http://www.maverick-country.com/#/rodney-crowelllive/4536405201

Lucinda Williams:

http://www.maverick-country.com/#/lucinda-williamslive/4536405196

More to come!

Castles, Cannon and Coast

I recently spent several days walking in Northumberland and enjoying the mixture of natural beauty and history. Here's a few photos.

The Gardens of Alnwick begin with the wonderful cascade

Alnwick Castle is an impressive sight.

Parts of the Harry Potter films were shot there,
although there wasn't too much wizardry in evidence.

Behold - the invisible sword!

Harry Hotspur - famous many years before Harry Potter

It would not be easy to storm this castle. Well, not until the age of powered flight anyway.

The Treehouse - complete with rope bridges and cafe

Bamburgh Castle - another very impressive and well maintained sight

Stag Rocks

Only big waves could roll these

The gun emplacement is in a poor state now but it would have kept Adolf at bay.
Actually, it would even have kept him off the bay completely.

More Photos to follow...