Starting Out: The Nimzo-Indian

Rating:
Summary: Watch out for errors!
Review: Like most chess books, you need to keep an eye out for errors. Chris Ward actually highlights a special warning - "don't trust the analysis in chess books, even this one!"

This warning is appropriate as there are some absolute pearlers in this book. The problem is that although you could expect mistakes in the middlegame analysis of an opening book, one would think mistakes would be kept to a minimum in the opening play.

Take a look for example at the game Sherbakov-Jakovenko on page 55. I've checked the move order independently and what I find is absolutely stunning - several serious errors in the opening dozen or so moves that Chris completely misses or worse, recommends not knowing that they comprise major blunders. I'm not talking deep positional errors - just silly patzer moves that fall to 1-2 move combinations. Having looked at the game quite closely, I was also stunned that 2 reasonably strong GMs could play repeatedly bad moves simultaneously so that they neutralised each other!

So if you are a beginning player or beginning practising the Nimzo Indian defence, make sure you have some trusty chess software to double check the analysis as you play through the games.

It's a shame Chris didn't take this simple step for us...

Setting this problem aside, the book is still valuable for beginning players and is simply set out with the basic ideas explained. For a better example of this type of book, try John Shaw's "Starting Out - Ruy Lopez"

Rating:
Summary: Uses carefully worded text and easy-to-follow diagrams
Review: Starting Out: The Nimzo-Indian by chess grandmaster Chris Ward is an extensive instructional manual describing the uses and advantages of the Nimzo-Indian and its variations in chess. The Nimzo-Indian tactic is an excellent defense against 1 d4, allowing Black the chance to play for a win at minimal risk. A very highly recommended addition to any personal chess library, Starting Out: The Nimzo-Indian uses carefully worded text and easy-to-follow diagrams to train both novice chess players and experienced long-term players alike in this practical, fascinating technique.