Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov, Part 2: 1985-1993 Kindle Edition

In this 492 page volume Kasparov wins the world title & has three title defenses with Karpov (4 matches of 24 games in 1985-90)--the greatest ever attacking player vs the greatest ever positional player. The book has sturdy hardcover binding, clear print & diagrams, dense notes(computer verified), 100 games/fragments of K vs the world's elite, 24 openings(helpful explanations for understanding) + ECO codes given with each game, workable game index excellent translation, consistently thorough reference information throughout. K uses a chapter layout, usually built around a single event, eg Linares, matches. His ringside prose introduces each game, commenting on the games importance for his status in the particular event. The Everyman editing staff: details each tournaments full results, quality cross references within notes, added concise quotes from people inside the Kasparov circle to elucidate certain points, and provide quality translation. The layout resembles Keres' game collection; the chess-truth tone of writing reminds me of Botvinnik (K's teacher/mentor); the painstaking notes try to cover every variation resembles Fischer (including corrections of previous commentators). Also, like Fischer there are a couple of losses, several draws, and some 'memorable games' included just for the liveliness of the struggle.The games are outstanding. Kasparov has been described as a "calculating monster", 'an irristable attacking force'(a typical attack features a pawn sac to access key squares around the opponents king & de-stabilise his defensive harmony). His detailed plans are original, clever, often unique (eg.. vs Seirawan, K plays 6 consecutive Queen moves, Qc2-d1-d4-e5-f4-xf3-f4 which totally neutralises all counterplay). The book shows: him developing endgame & positional knowledge, his immense opening research & structural understanding. The book begins with deep descriptions of training matches to prepare for his world title match -Hubner & Timman are annilated!! This sets the book's main theme his struggle to defeat his eternal opponent,(Karpov).The book is candid: 1)K likes to eat steak with tonic water before a tournament game, 2)reasoning behind opening selections for certain opponents, 3)appreciative remarks re his KGB handler. K consistently points out his own errors (and those of other annotators). He admits a few personal faults, gripes constantly about Karpov, yet speaks respectfully about other GM's. However, K does not comment on his own well-known history of boardside gamesmanship (smirks, glaring looks, rolling eyes, his nervous giggle when opponents make serious errors--eg Seirawan has described a scene where K had been banging the table/clock so hard that the pieces went flying onto the floor). K does describe a time-scramble with Karpov --where K's black pawn reached d1(an extra black-queen was unavailable, while the arbiter went looking for a queen) - K pressed the clock, then Karpov (in deep time trouble)decided to make a capture on d4, K objected that this was illegal as Karpov's king was already in check from the d1(Q), Karpov responded that he assumed K could intend to promote the d1pawn into a bishop (the arbiter eventually returned with the Q-piece and had to arbitrate the K vs Karpov squabble...This is the 10th book of the Kasparov's project--Predecessor 1-5 explained whom he learned from, Modern Openings, K vs Karpov1&2, and the 1973-85 collection about the development of his genius. These works all have other previous sources (either GM best game collections for Predecessors or K's earlier 1973-85 book (Test of Time & two 1980's world title books. This volume is project's first truely original book.Autobiographic portions fit a few pages into each chapter, have a genuine literary undertone. FIRST, is the classic conflict with an eternal rival, who never gives ground + fights every game to the death + springs back for more. The young warrior must continually face self-doubt, fear & exhaustion, then find strength for another struggle to stay on the chess summit. K describes how he & Karpov grow professionally as each adapts for their next 24-game match. SECOND, is a political theme-- the new world champion, K takes on the Soviet chess monolith. He organizes & leads young grandmasters to overthrow the 'old guard'. K becomes head of Soviet Chess Federation. Internationally, he tries to replace FIDE with a players association(GMA). THIRD, as the Soviet system collapses (1989-90), Kasparov sets aside his prep for his final Karpov match, to organize his family's escape from revolutionary Azierbajian. THEN, (after Karpov's final match defeat)on the last page of the book, Kasparov reflects, that he can never return to his boyhood homeland, the GMA has collapsed, the Russian 'old guard' have returned to power and FIDE has stripped Kasparov of his world title (and arranged for Karpov to play Timman for the "official" world title). What a finish!!?

I've reviewed other Kasparov books, from the "My Great Predecessors" series, and others. This book is more of the same, which is to say, sensational. One new item I find in this particular volume is the large amount of self-criticism. Not just his moves, but his prior analysis! Gary is not shy at all in trashing his own previous writings in Informants and other sources, which makes for interesting analysis. One thing in this volume is just a tad disappointing. His side stories between the games/analysis aren't quite as interesting as the prior books, but I guess those prior books were such an entertaining level of interest for me, it was too lofty a goal to continually meet. The book gets 4.99999 stars from me. If he keeps writing 'em, I'll keep buying 'em.

Very well written

This is a great book. I think these games teach us more on how to play chess as Kasparov has matured to an all around great player. It is amazing to see how he handles all the upcoming players and still comes up untop. There is so much chess knowledge to gain from these games, It inspires you to play chess better. A lot of deep chess knowledge to learn. I am a USCF Expert.

this serie of kasparov , showns some games, that didn't are in my predecessors, actually they are a continuation, and is the same format of my predecessors, but kasparov's games

I have the complete 12 volume set of his works. I have enjoyed every one of them. These volumes require one to read and study them multiple times to derive the greatest benefit. I recommend them to every serious student of chess.

Excelent!

Loved them

Kasparov mantains the high level of his annotations begun with "My Great Predecessors". The variations are mind bogglign and excessive for 99% of potential readers.How could I, a very limited local player, dare to critcize the great Kasparov? But well, there is something in the book which leaves you unsatisfied. A studi of the book could take years, but the impression is that of an unbalanced work.. How much of the text is not from Kasparov but by his collaborator?

This is another well produced volume from Gary Kasparov's writings. It is the second of three volumes of his games collectons and covers the years from 1985 - after the aborted end of his first match with Karpov - through to 1993 stopping just before the defence of his title against Nigel Short.We read the story of Kasparov becoming world champion, retaining his title through more matches with Karpov, going through his battles with FIDE and the chess establishment, and his games and tournaments against some of the best players in the world in the immediate pre-computer era.The book itself is hardback and good quality. The games are well-presented with detailed notes and annotations written in Gary's personal style, clear font and text, and large diagrams. Doubtless the three volumes together will rate amongst the best of the games collections.But - there is a but - and this is why I have only given it four stars. The book contains 100 games - a nice round number - but 23 of these are from the world championship matches against Karpov and there are five other KvK games from other tournaments.All 28 games were well covered in Kasparov's brilliant Modern Chess series where he goes through every game he has ever played with his immediate predecessor, and Gary's fans will already have these other books (as I do). To repeat such games, even in an abridged format, seems to me lazy and a waste of space when we could have seen other Kasparov moments of magic and left me feeling rather short changed.So the book is recommended - with this one criticism.

The war of the two K's could not be described better. The ultimate chess rivalry has been covered well.

I commenti di Kasparov alle partite sono come sempre approfonditi e accurati e viene anche ricordata l'atmosfera in cui la partita è stata giocata. Grazie anche ai richiami ad altre partite contenute sia nel medesimo volume che in altri libri sempre scritti da Kasparov (il primo della serie o i libri sui Grandi Predecessori), è possibile comprendere meglio il repertorio di aperture di Kasparov e l'evoluzione del suo gioco.

Livre a l'etat neuf tel que montre. Belle qualite super achat aaa+++