The latest issue of CHESS (July 2011) features my review of the two-volume DVD set, 'Killer Endgames'. (Presented by Nick Pert for gingergm productions.)
For ordering details for the magazine, please click here.
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Further Reading
The latest issue of CHESS (July 2011) features my review of the two-volume DVD set, 'Killer Endgames'. (Presented by Nick Pert for gingergm productions.)
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Chess Reviews: 181
It's time for a quick look around the world of chess publishing to see what has been happening since our last reviews.
In-depth reviews of some titles will appear soon in a well-known CHESS Magazine (details to follow). The reviews here will have to be shorter for reasons of time and space but hopefully the reader will gain some sort of insight into what is currently available.
1 e4 Openings
Attacking Chess:
The French
By GM Simon Williams
320 pages
Simon Williams is a hard working Grandmaster. His own company, gingergm, has recently released three new DVDs and he is still a very active player. Somehow, he has found the time to write a book about the French Defence. The French is one of Simon's own favourite openings, making this particular volume particularly interesting for fans of 1 e4 e6.
This book offers a full a sharp repertoire for Black after 1 e4 e6. The second player is advised to head for the main lines of the Winawer (1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 Bb4) and to play 3 ...Nf6 against the Tarrasch Variation (1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nd2). The Advance Variation is met by 5 ...Bd7 rather than the traditional 5 ...Qb6.
Simon writes in a very enthusiastic style, but not at the expense of honesty; he prefers not to gloss over lines which worry him.
I feel sure that this will prove to be one of the most popular books in the 'Attacking Chess' series and I also suspect that Simon will prove to be the natural successor to John Watson when it comes to popularising the French Defence.
How to Beat the Sicilian Defence
by GM Gawain Jones
350 pages
In this new book, Grandmaster Jones presents a complete repertoire for White after 1 e4 c5. The plan is to avoid the long theoretical lines of the Open Sicilian and to that end the new Commonwealth Champion advocates 3 Bb5 (after 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 or 2...Nc6) and the King's Indian Attack (with an early Qe2) against 2 ...e6. 'Other Second Moves For Black' are not forgotten either; they are covered in the last chapter.
It's a repertoire with an aggressive stance, quite typical of Gawain's style. Fans of the b2-b4 pawn sacrifice will find several pleasing examples to study.
Gawain has a good writing style and he balances prose with chess variations very well. There are similarities with Simon's book on the French; there's enough explanation to keep club players interested and enough advanced material to appeal to a more experienced audience too.
The ABC of Alekhine
2nd Edition
By IM Andrew Martin
7 hours and 30 minutes
Alekhine's Defence (1 e4 Nf6) continues to skirt along the outside of popular theory, without ever sufficiently challenging the top dogs (1...e5, 1...c5, 1...e6, 1...c6) to match their status of reliability.
The first edition of this DVD - providing Black will a full repertoire - was released in 2007. The big question when it comes to new editions is: does the new material justify a purchase? In this case the answer is 'yes'. There are 14 new illustrative games to bring IM Martin's Alekhine coverage completely up to date (five games are from 2011) and boosting the running time to an incredible seven hours and 30 minutes.
The backbone of the repertoire is seen after: 1 e4 Nf6 2 e5 Nd5 3 d4 d6 4 Nf3 dxe5 5 Nxe5 c6.
The Exchange Variation is met by 5...exd6 and there's an interesting twist after 1 e4 Nf6 2 Nc3, showing how Alekhine expert GM Baburin uses 2...e6 to good effect.
IM Martin remains a fine presenter. The Alekhine certainly won't appeal to all players, but those with an interest in 1 e4 Nf6 (even the more experienced players) should welcome this DVD, which is bang up to date and easy to follow.
1 d4 Openings
Attacking Chess:
The King's Indian (Volume 2)
By David Vigorito
368 pages
It's more reliant on variations than the French book in the same series (see above) and as such will be of more use to players with greater experience.
It's an up-to-date work, with game references all the way up to and including 2011. I'm not so sure that KID novices will find this a good place to start playing this aggressive opening, but those with prior knowledge will find much of use.
The New Old Indian
By GM Alexander Cherniaev
& FM Eduard Prokuronov
160 pages
'New Old Indian'...!? Only chess books could get away with such a contrary title.
The subject of the book is 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 d6, with Black embracing the Queenless middlegames arising after 3 Nc3 e5 4 dxe5 dxe5 5 Qxd8+ Kxd8 and being prepared to fight for initiative in other lines, such as 3 Nc3 e5 4 Nf3 e4.
This is a repertoire book, with White's early options such as 2 Bg5 receiving coverage too. The author certainly lies to practice what he preaches; GM Cherniaev has been successful over the last few years, even against GM Korchnoi.
It's a practical repertoire for club players rather than one aiming to help readers qualify for Candidates events. As such, the Old Indian is a respectable choice and this book represents a solid - if unspectacular - guide to 1...Nf6/2...d6.
Endgames
Power Play 15
Practical Pawn Endgames
By GM Daniel King
4 hours
It's good to see another volume in the Power Play series. GM King once again displays his masterful presentation skills as he guides viewers through the finer points of pawn endgames.
He starts by offering some basic guidance and identifies four key areas on which to focus, namely:
Calculation
Knowledge of basics
Knowledge of motifs
Creativity
Numerous examples of the basics in action follow, such as this one, demonstrating the impact of a space advantage on the outcome of the game.
Salov - Short
Linares 1992
Daniel's expert commentary explains how White's advantage in space allows him to play for the win. White started with 32 Kf3 and it wasn't too long before he had reached this position:
Now he played 40 f4, when Black was forced to play 40...g6+ and he didn't last much longer.
After delivering his material on the basics, Daniel then tests the viewer before running through the answers.
The Power Play series has maintained a very high standard across all 15 of its volumes. This one contains material which will be useful even to players of a high standard. It's the pick of the bunch of this month's titles.
Self-Improvement
What Grandmasters Don't See
Volume 2: Discovered Attack
By GM Maurice Ashley
The second volume in this new series looks at discovered attacks. The illustrative games feature top players missing the power of such attacks.18 video lectures present the main material and these are followed by ten test positions.
It's interesing - and encouraging - to see even the very best players slip up when it comes to discovere attacks.
Anand v Kasparov
World Championship 1995 (Game 11)
Anand missed something important and ended up on the wrong side of a discovered attack.
28 b4? axb4 29 axb4 Rc4 30 Nb6?? Rxb4+ 31 Ka3 Rxc2 32 Rxc2 Rb3+ 33 Ka2 Re3+ 0-1
GM Ashley's enthusiasm for the subject is infectious, albeit relentless.
The next round-up will appear in approximately one month's time. Before that, there will be more in-depth reviews on a several books and/or DVDs, so stay tuned...
The next round-up will appear in approximately one month's time. Before that, there will be more in-depth reviews on a several books and/or DVDs, so stay tuned...
Saturday, 9 July 2011
No Passion for Chess Fashion
Some new chess reviews will be available here soon (there's a lot to catch up with).
Meanwhile, here's a little bit of news regarding a forthcoming release from Mongoose Press.
'No Passion for Chess Fashion' takes a look at 11 unfashionable openings. I'm sure that no end of club players tire of trying to 'keep up with the Joneses' when it comes to chess theory. Who has the time to keep up with the latest wrinkles in the Sicilian Najdorf or Exchange Grunfeld...!?
In this new book, GM Alexander Raetsky and IM Maxim Chetverik present some unusual variations to help refresh stale repertoires.
The variations in question occur in the following openings:King's Gambit
Petrov's Defence
Ruy Lopez
Scandinavian Defence
Alekhine's Defence
French Defence
St. George Defence
Sicilian Defence
Albin Countergambit
Chigorin Defence
English Opening
Only one of the 11 openings is covered from the White point of view. You'll just have to discover which one that is for yourselves (pre-orders are now being accepted...!)
I have to declare an interest here, due to my editorial role with the book.
For further information (including a preview download), please head for the 'No Passion for Chess Fashion' page at Mongoose Press.
Join the growing Mongoose Press community of Facebook!
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Merry-Go-Round
Merry-Go-Round
by Jennifer Crook
Transatlantic Roots
At last - a new CD from Jennifer Crook! It's been a long time since 2008's 'A Few Small Things.' Has it been worth the wait? The short answer is: definitely! As promised earlier, here's a little bit more of the detail which brought me to the positive conclusion.
Albums need a strong start; a good opener to catch the ears and the imagination, setting the scene for what is to follow. 'Catching Butterflies' succeeds admirably. The opening notes augment the title, summoning visions of fluttering butterflies before the bittersweet, delicate lyrics drift in. The song is the first of a number on 'Merry-Go-Round' to feature conflicting emotions of times past; of what might have been but never quite was.
'And don't you take it as read
All the things we've never said...'
It's a moving song; it made me sit up and take notice. A well-judged opener.
A check of the track credits reveals several items of interest. Jennifer's harp is well to the fore, as is a hammered dulcimer (as played here by Maclaine Colston). Boo Hewerdine (producer of the CD) is on acoustic guitar and Mellotron, Kevin McGuire on double bass and the backing vocals are provided by Dorie Jackson and Eddie Reader. All of the above - plus some other notable additions - reappear over the course of the CD.
I like the way that Bethany Porter's cello introduces the second track, 'When Time Stood Still'. The music builds to represent a ticking clock, while the lyrics deal with a little more loss and longing.
'What do I put in the place of the hole in my heart?
The one that was perfectly shaped for you from the start...'
A big change of style occurs in the fourth track, with Americana giant Darrell Scott duetting on 'Cowboys'. As the title suggests, it's probably more County than Folk but it's still a ballad, featuring just two voices and two acoustic guitars. Darrell's gravelly tone contrasts so well with Jennifer's that it left me wanting to hear more by way of collaboration.
Two more songs stood out for me. 'Coming Down the Road' is more outwardly positive than most of the other tracks, with the 'sweet' sentiment going unchallenged by a 'bitter' counterpoint.
'It might be just around the corner
Or a change of heart in the night;
It might be the one you've been holding
For years that suddenly comes into sight...'
And finally, 'One Little Song' brings things to a delightful conclusion with vocals by Jennifer and Eddie Reader backed only by the former's harp.
Full Track List
When Time Stood Still
Merry-Go-Round
Cowboys
Come September
Coming Down the Road
Probably the Rain
She Wore Red
The Spin
Baltimore
One Little Song
'Baltimore' and 'Probably the Rain' are credited to 'Boo Hewerdine/Jennifer Crook' and 'One Little Song' was written by Gillian Welch, but all of the others were written by Jennifer herself - an impressive achievement.
The songs of Jennifer Crook deserve to be known by a wider audience. 'Merry-Go-Round' provides an excellent and easily accessible starting point to her musical world.
For further details, including tour dates and how to buy 'Merry-Go-Round', please pop along to Jennifer's new website.
CSC Update
My July update for the Chess in Schools and Communities website is now available.
It's all about our recent CSC Junior Tournament, which saw two teams share first place.
Throston Primary shared first place with...
...Ings Farm, shown here with former British Senior Chess Champion David Smith presenting the trophy.
Monday, 4 July 2011
Roger Daltrey
Roger Daltrey put on a great show at The Sage last night. It was one of the loudest concerts I've ever been to.
Sunday, 3 July 2011
The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz
London Palladium
25.6.2011
Show time again! Last weekend I found myself bound for the famous London Palladium, off to see 'The Wizard of Oz'. It was my first visit to the Palladium but of course we used to watch 'Sunday Night at the Palladium' on TV many years ago. It's an easy theatre to find, being situated just a couple of minutes walk from the Oxford Street tube station.
Before the show, there was just time to take in a few sights. We had a stroll around the outside of the Tower of London (we needed more time to justify going inside; it's on the list for next time).
Here are a few snaps from around the Tower. Some of them show the remarkable contrast between buildings old and new.
The lions were on guard. A closer view reveals the great detail they enjoy.
The lions were on guard. A closer view reveals the great detail they enjoy.
A Beefeater. The origins of the name remain uncertain (unless you believe Stanley Holloway, who concluded one of his famous monologues with the line, 'Oi!...Keep your B--- feet out of the way!').
I'm not sure why there was a crane on top of the building. It seems a long way to go to store them at night.
The famous Tower Bridge.
Traitor's Gate!
London is incredibly photogenic. Items of interest can be found virtually everywhere.
On to the Palladium. Upper Circle - that's us!
...but before the show, there was just time for a quick look around Carnaby Street.
What the...?!
That's all folks! No more photos allowed. The show itself was spectacular. I'm sure you all the know story and it's fair to say that this version is very faithful to the famous film. Danielle Hope, winner of the BBC contest to find a Dorothy, has settled well into the role. Michael Crawford makes a fine Wizard, even though his stage time isn't as great as for most of the other cast.The revolving stage is put to very good use (especially when it becomes the yellow brick road) and the rapid set changes are extremely well realised.
Yes, it's a great show and well worth the effort of travelling up to London to see.
Further details can be found on the official website.
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