Ex libris

When I first studied chess I thought it was a golden age for chess literature. There were the classics such as Nimzowitsch’s My System and Reti’s Masters of the Chessboard; a series of publications by Harry Golombek on his heroes Reti, Capablanca, Botvinnik and Smyslov; and Peter Clarke’s wonderful elucidations of the best games of Mikhail Tal and Tigran Petrosian.

In the recent past chess authors have tended to rely too much on computer analysis and databases. Fortunately, we are now in a second golden age, where the computer is the servant rather than the tyrannical master. Garry Kasparov’s mighty My Great Predecessors series on world champions may be the best series of chess books ever written. Tim Harding’s new book on Blackburne, reviewed here last week, is a model of historical research and offers discreet computerised adjustment to the archive commentaries. Meanwhile, Steve Giddins and Craig Pritchett are reinterpreting the work of titans such as Nimzowitsch and Steinitz.

This week I commend a new book by Vladimir Tukmakov, Risk and Bluff in Chess (New in Chess) — one of the most entertaining books on chess I have ever had the pleasure of reading. A powerful grandmaster himself, Tukmakov knew many of his subjects in person and brilliantly evokes their play.

Portisch-Tal: Amsterdam Interzonal 1964; King’s Indian Defence

1 Nf3 Nf6 2 g3 d6 3 d4 g6 4 Bg2 Bg7 5 0-0 0-0 6 c4 Bg4 7 Nc3 Qc8 8 Re1 Re8 9 Qb3 Nc6 10 d5 Na5 11 Qa4 b6 12 Nd2 Bd7 13 Qc2 c6 14 b4 Nxc4 A typical Tal decision. After 14 … Nb7 Black retains a safe but passive position. 15 Nxc4 cxd5 16 Na3 d4 17 Bxa8 Qxa8 18 Ncb5 Rc8 19 Qd1 Ne4 (see diagram 1) 20 f3 For the moment, Portisch retains full control.