by Genna Sosonko, 200pp. (2006 New In Chess)
 
Smart Chip from St.Petersburg contains portraits of players, both famous and forgotten, from the golden age of Soviet chess, as well as highly personal views on the psychology of the game and its players. It radiates the author's love and devotion to chess, yet is tempered by objectivity and detachment. It will enchant not only chess players, but all who recognize the cultural value of chess.

Genna Sosonko lived the first 29 years of his life in Leningrad. He emigrated to Holland in 1972. His first book, Russian Silhouettes, was shortlisted for the world’s premier chess book award, the BCF Book of the Year 2000.
 
"Each essay is a revelation and a gift, especially for the devotee of the game but for the rest of us as well … Great photographs and a great read."
John Watson at The Week in Chess on Russian Silhouettes
 
"A delightful work."
The Washington Post on Russian Silhouettes
 
"Much of what Sosonko writes about this lost world is unfamiliar, both in the West and in Russia."
Ian Rogers in The Sun Herald on Russian Silhouettes
 
"A series of unforgettable portraits of heroes of a bygone age."
Chess Magazine on Russian Silhouettes
 
"An enthralling read."
The Jury of the BCF Book of the Year Award
 
"A work of brilliance."
John S. Hilbert at ChessCafe.com on Russian Silhouettes
 
"A gallery of wonderful pen-portraits."
Garry Kasparov on The Reliable Past
 
"Pure memoir and biography from a very anecdotal, personal point of view, to be read for pleasure and human interest."
Taylor Kingston at ChessCafe.com on The Reliable Past
 
"An excellent book."
John Saunders in the British Chess Magazine on The Reliable Past