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Chargement... Mikhail Botvinnik: The Life and Games of a World Chess Champion (édition 2014)par Andy Soltis
Information sur l'oeuvreMikhail Botvinnik: The Life and Games of a World Chess Champion par Andy Soltis
![]() Aucun Actuellement, il n'y a pas de discussions au sujet de ce livre. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I was most fascinated by two themes in this biography. The first was Botvinnik's ultra-structured personality, which required him to really hate his opponent before he could truly beat him (hence, Botvinnik's three non-consecutive turns as champion). The second was how important chess appeared to be in the Soviet Union during the post-World War II and Cold War periods. Botvinnik was sometimes prone to exaggerate his own importance to the cause of communism, but he seemed to believe that he reported only to the highest command -- perhaps even to Stalin himself. This book doesn't completely answer the question of whether other Soviet grandmasters were forced to lose matches in order to prove how powerful the player-of-the-year was, but there are enough hints to suspect this was the case. All in all, it's a good mix of biography and chess analysis. (I would have liked to have seen a few more pictures in this nice hardcover book, but it's possible there weren't that many to pick from.) I'll probably never forget the mental image of Botvinnik preparing for one of his more important tournaments by requiring his practice opponent to smoke and blow that smoke in his face, so Botvinnik could learn to ignore the smell during the real match. [Early Reviewer book] --------------------------------------- LT Haiku: Methodical thought plus overconfidence in positional play. ![]() The simple answer to both questions is writers and readers who are interested in the history of chess and the players who reached the pinnacle of accomplishment in the game. Particularly readers who want to know as much as possible about the interplay between the politics of Stalinist Russia and the dominance of the Soviet players in the mid-twentieth century. If you are that kind of reader there is a wealth of information here. This is not Soltis's first book on Botvinnik, and Soltis is held in high regard as a source of knowledge about chess. You can trust that you are in good hands. He includes a wealth of diagrams and chess notation for Botvinnik games. In addition to the analysis there is a discursive narrative that attempts to show that there is more to the World Chess Champion of his times than a "cold personality." To show some complexity and depth in the man himself Soltis puts the focus on the theme of revenge. Fleshed out in chapters that take up "Allies and Enemies," "Rivals," "Absolution," "War," and "The End of Revenge," the motif is covered from many angles. Readers can decide whether they find Botvinnik's attitudes and behaviors instructive or unacceptable. The quality of chess played during Botvinnik's life is all the more remarkable when we remember that notes and records were kept manually on index cards. These top players did their own analysis and preparation with no digital assistance. Toward the end of his life, the Russian champion became interested in the potential of computer programs to affect chess. Finally, note that the last 23 pages of the book consist of a chronology; a career record against opponents; notes on sources; a bibliography; index of openings; index of opponents; and a general index. Useful ancillary material. ![]() This book by Andrew Soltis, a highly respected grand master and author, gives a thoroughly researched and well referenced biography, and includes representative and remarkable games, often comparing Botvinnik's own analysis with modern views of the position. There are 87 complete games using algebraic notation, along with a few isolated positions, and many anecdotes, quotations and other interesting information. I don't know if I'd call this the definitive biography of this great master, and I haven't had time to work through the book at the chess board which is far more time-consuming than simply reading, but it looks like a real winner at first glance. Critical review to follow as time permits. This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ![]() aucune critique | ajouter une critique
The games of Mikhail Botvinnik, world chess champion from 1948 to 1963, have been studied by players around the world for decades. But little has been written about Botvinnik himself. This book explores his unusual dual career--as a highly regarded scientist as well as the first truly professional chess player--as well as his complex relations with Soviet leaders, including Josef Stalin, his bitter rivalries, and his doomed effort to create the perfect chess-playing computer program. The book has more than 85 games, 127 diagrams, twelve photographs, a chronology of his life and career, a bibliography, an index of openings, an index of opponents, and a general index. Aucune description trouvée dans une bibliothèque |
Critiques des anciens de LibraryThing en avant-premièreLe livre Mikhail Botvinnik de Andy Soltis était disponible sur LibraryThing Early Reviewers. Discussion en coursAucunCouvertures populaires
![]() GenresClassification décimale de Melvil (CDD)794.1092The arts Recreational and performing arts Indoor games of skill; board games Chess Biography And History BiographyClassification de la Bibliothèque du CongrèsÉvaluationMoyenne:![]()
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