Garry Kasparov on My Great Predecessors - Part 4 (Hardcover)
by Garry Kasparov, 496pp., Hardcover (Everyman Chess 2004)
This book brings together the two greatest names in the history of chess. The author, Garry Kasparov, is the world number one and, by common consent, the greatest player ever. The subject of the book, Bobby Fischer, is the only American to have become world champion and is probably the greatest natural talent the world has ever seen.
In the period between 1955 and 1972 Fischer, more or less single-handedly, took on the might of the Soviet Chess Empire, and won. During this time Fischer scored astonishing successes the like of which had not been seen before. These included 11/11 in the 1963/64 US Championship and match victories (en route to the World Championship) by the score of 6-0 against two of the strongest players in the world, Mark Taimanov and Bent Larsen. The climax of Fischer's campaign was his unforgettable match win in Reykjavik in 1972 against Boris Spassky.
Fischer is almost equally well-known for his temperamental behaviour away from the board, as his play on it. He made extreme demands of all those around him including tournament organisers. When these demands were not met he often refused to play. The 1972 match against Spassky required the intervention of no less than Henry Kissinger to smooth things over. In 1975 when he was due to defend his title against Anatoly Karpov, Fischer was completely unable to agree terms with FIDE (the World Chess Federation) and was defaulted. After this he more or less gave up chess, playing only once, a 'return' match against Spassky in 1992.
In this book, a must for all serious chessplayers, Kasparov analyses deeply Fischer's greatest games and assesses the legacy of this great American genius.
Review On Dec 15, 2004by Layzol Fobvian of Denver, CO
Rating :
Title :
Comments :
This is the real McCoy! The best book ever!! Garry Kimovich did an outstanding job. It would be a dream for chessfans to see a Kasparov-Fischer match and a Karpov-Fischer match. Grab a copy before it becomes a $100! A must buy!
Review On Dec 17, 2004by Erick A. Toribio of Beaufort, SC
Rating :
Title :
Comments :
The best book ever!!
Review On Dec 21, 2004by Ariel Vegafria of Biloxi, MS
Rating :
Title :
Comments :
It's an interesting book. But it's obvious that Kasparov regards Fischer as inferior to him by just reading along through Kasparov's annotations. Tons of self glorification by the author. A match in their prime is the only way to tell, but it's not going to happen. Buy the book. It's an interesting read nevertheless.
Review On Dec 21, 2004by Rick of Pleasanton, CA
Rating :
Title :
Comments :
Obviously postcommunist player as Kasparov tried to glorify Karpov, whom he beat, and tried to diminish true chess genius of Fischer; book full of pretentious assumptions and false conclusions. The only adavntage Karpov and later Kasparov would have over Fischer were bunch of coaches, helpers, seconds, experts etc, and of course computers. Clean chess genius - thats Fischer not both K.
Review On Dec 22, 2004by Jeff Santonil of Wichita Falls, TX
Rating :
Title :
Comments :
i have to agree with the 2 reviewers above (Rick & Ariel). This book is about Kasparov glorifying Karpov which obviously made him look superior since he defeated Karpov. The book is highly recommended though, full of great analysis (aided by chess playing programs, of course).
Review On Dec 23, 2004by Edward Figuerres of Des Moines, IA
Rating :
Title :
Comments :
The analysis of Reshevsky, Fine, Taimanov, Larsen, etc. games were all superb. Otherwise, the rest of the book showcased Kasparov's bragging ability, doing his utmost to emphasize that he's the best ever. Buy this book to witness how Kasparov asserts himself as superior to Fischer and Karpov.
Review On Dec 23, 2004by Carl Lawson of St. Louis, MO
Rating :
Title :
Comments :
You may agree or disagree with what Garry says, but it certainly makes for fascinating reading and analysis. Don't miss it!
Review On Dec 30, 2004by Mike of Huntington Beach, CA
Rating :
Title :
Comments :
Egos aside, do you really think Fischer would have beaten Karpov in 1975?
Easily the best book in the series. The annotations are superb, and I do agree with most of Kasparov's assessments of Fischer.
The chapter on Reshevsky is really fascinating and worth at least as much attention as Fischer does.
Review On Jan 2, 2005by Hendrik of Los Angeles, CA
Rating :
Title :
Comments :
Kasparov's opinions on Fischer will provide a fascinating alternative to the prevailing view. He pointed out that Fischer real and proven peak as the best was actually short. Ten years before that, Tal could still smash him 4-0. And five years after, who knows how he would do against Karpov? Athough Kasparov might have exaggerated here and there, he does provide lots of significant points for discussion, based on analysis of the games. And apart from all those implications, the analysis is just excellent.
Review On May 5, 2006by Don Woodhouse of Wilmington, DE
Rating :
Title :
Comments :
Excellent book in a fantastic series of volumes. I have not read all of it, but I think the reviewers who complain that Kasparov underrates Fischer are misreading the situation. Kasparov, analysing at length with computer assistance, offers all relevant corrections he finds to all games. It is also natural that other games he quotes from a later period (including his own) may improve on the games being discussed, as knowledge progresses. This is no cutdown of the quality of the champion at his point in history. In the first volume, Part I, in some games, every other move by both top players has to be considered inaccurate! Garry analyzes as best he can.
Only a few chess players work at chess to the best of their abilities.
Boris Gelfand
Puzzle Answer
1.Rd7! Bxd7 2.Qxd7 Qb6+ 3.Kh1 Re8 4.Rxe7! Rxe7 5.Bd6 Qxd6 6.Qxd6+- Gelfand-Salov, Madrid 1996 (Source: Anthology of Chess Combinations)
* USPS Media Mail or UPS Ground. Does not apply to Bulk, Foreign Orders, or Multiple-Issue Subscriptions. A 1.5% handling fee is applied to all domestic orders and a 2.0% handling fee is applied to all international orders.
