The Game of Chess

Rating:
Summary: Another great book from the Old German Empire.
Review: This book has the style of the "German Handbuch" so it will require patient study to understand well, but that also means
it is packed with great info. Tarrasch subsribes completely to
the Steinitz scientific school and this book may be its greatest
representation. If you could only have only one chess book for your entire life, this might be the one you would want. It covers
everything in broad brush but also includes many interesting details of openings, etc.

Rating:
Summary: The ultimate chess lesson...a true classic!
Review: This book is simply a classic. It was given to me by an older friend who played during the seventies mostly, when I showed an interest in the game. It goes from complete basics (the endgame with 2-4 pieces usually) all the way to intermediate club player level.
This book was a joy to read, Tarrasch is truly one of chess's greatest teachers that has lived. His passion and infectious love for the game is captivating. Tarrasch teaches the game in a highly instructive, concise, and understandable fasion aimed at the complete beginner all the way up to someone who plays in chess clubs.
I wish they'd release an algebraic version of this book, as it would make it slightly easier to read. The descriptive notation is more old school and not used so much anymore.
If you haven't read this, or know someone who wants to get more into chess theory and become a better player, then BUY THIS.
I cannot recommend it enough.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Instructional Book for Players Rated 1000 - 1500
Review: This is quite possibly the best single volume on the game of chess for advanced beginners to early intermediate players. The book covers all three phases of the game - ending (first), middlegame (second), and openings (last).

Tarrasch's writing style is very clear and easy to understand. The section on the endgame starts with basic mating patterns (most players could skip this assuming they already have them down) and works into the the "essential" endgame theory quickly; square of the pawn, philidor and lucena positions in rook endings, etc.

The middlegame section leans heavily toward tactical ideas rather than strategic, but this is a good thing because tactics are the most important thing to study for an improving student. One major difference in his presentation is that some of the tactical devices are presented as larger ideas, not just mechanical executions. For example, instead of running through the usual pins, forks, skewers, etc. Tarrasch works through ideas such as the attack on the f7 square, the attack on the g7 square, the attack with the h-pawn down the rooks file, etc.

The openings sections is excellent, but very dated. He begins with a nice discussion on time, space, and force. He then follows by examining most major opening systems and the associated ideaa. The weakness of this part of the book is that the specific lines are somewhat dated (improvements have been found since the book was written), and certain relatively recent systems such as the pirc/modern complex are not even discussed.

Even with the limitations, most of the ideas he expresses still retain a great deal of relevance.

The final part of the book walks the reader through some very good illustrative games with lots of notes to expalain what is going on.

All in all, this is a really good book. Another bonus is the incredible price (this is the case with most Dover Books.

The only downside to the book is that it is written in the older descriptive notation. I personally have no problem reading through the notation (I even slightly prefer it), but for younger readers it may make for more work.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Instructional Book for Players Rated 1000 - 1500
Review: This is quite possibly the best single volume on the game of chess for advanced beginners to early intermediate players. The book covers all three phases of the game - ending (first), middlegame (second), and openings (last).

Tarrasch's writing style is very clear and easy to understand. The section on the endgame starts with basic mating patterns (most players could skip this assuming they already have them down) and works into the the "essential" endgame theory quickly; square of the pawn, philidor and lucena positions in rook endings, etc.

The middlegame section leans heavily toward tactical ideas rather than strategic, but this is a good thing because tactics are the most important thing to study for an improving student. One major difference in his presentation is that some of the tactical devices are presented as larger ideas, not just mechanical executions. For example, instead of running through the usual pins, forks, skewers, etc. Tarrasch works through ideas such as the attack on the f7 square, the attack on the g7 square, the attack with the h-pawn down the rooks file, etc.

The openings sections is excellent, but very dated. He begins with a nice discussion on time, space, and force. He then follows by examining most major opening systems and the associated ideaa. The weakness of this part of the book is that the specific lines are somewhat dated (improvements have been found since the book was written), and certain relatively recent systems such as the pirc/modern complex are not even discussed.

Even with the limitations, most of the ideas he expresses still retain a great deal of relevance.

The final part of the book walks the reader through some very good illustrative games with lots of notes to expalain what is going on.

All in all, this is a really good book. Another bonus is the incredible price (this is the case with most Dover Books.

The only downside to the book is that it is written in the older descriptive notation. I personally have no problem reading through the notation (I even slightly prefer it), but for younger readers it may make for more work.

Rating:
Summary: Review from an owner of 200+ chess books
Review: This is the absolute best all around chess book out there. It will start you off from square one, if needed, and turn you into a better than average player. This books is geared for begginers, however do not underestimate the material that is covered. Tarrasch covers tactics, mating nets, strategy, and opening/middle/and endgame play. In comparison to Lasker's Manual of Chess, this book is by far better. Tarrasch, though very old school, explains things clearly and simply. This book took me from about a 900 point rating to a 1500 point rating. If you combine this book with any tactical book (reinfeld's 1001 series, or Sharpen your Tactics), I gaurentee that you will be able to beat most players who challenge you outside of the tournament circle. As an extra bonus this book is now availabele in algebraic form!! I had the unfortunate task of learning this book through descriptive notation.