How Not to Play Chess (Dover Chess) [Paperback]

Eugene A. Znosko-Borovsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1961 | Series: Dover Chess

Developing plans of action based on positional analysis: weak and strong squares, control of open lines, pawn structure, more. 20 problems.

Product Details

• Paperback: 119 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (June 1, 1961)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486209202
• ISBN-13: 978-0486209203
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #366,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, July 1, 2004

By 

Diego Acosta (Norman, OK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How Not to Play Chess (Dover Chess) (Paperback)

This book is indispensable. Yes, it is indispensable! Once you get over the fact that the notation is descriptive you will be fine. I don't mind reading books in descriptive notation and considering the content of the book this is just a minor inconvenience [Speaking of which, have you noticed how cheap are books in descriptive?]

Znosko-Borovsky is entertaining, engaging and profound. The whole purpose of the book is to make you aware of the need to analyse the position both from the internal and the external points of view. In other words: How to make an inventory of who has the advantage in tempi, material, and space and how those factors compensate to determine which side has the advantage over the board. As a consequence of this analysis the author shows how to make a plan and execute it over the board. Sounds simple? It becomes simple after reading Znosko-Borovsky's book. Why is it that few people write in this manner nowadays? Why is it that authors can not be entertaining?

I read this book at least once every month and have given it to some friends to help them improve their chess. At first sight it doesn't look like much but once you take the time to read it, understand it and go back to it, you will see what a treasure you have in your hands. For the prize of the book you get a lot and this is that rare type of book that read again and again and again...

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem! Buy it! Clear Explanations On Chess Thought Inside, May 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: How Not to Play Chess (Dover Chess) (Paperback)

A brilliant little book that is clearly written, extremely useful, and bargain-priced. Do not be misled by the author's use of maxims for chapter titles: he is not dogmatic whatsoever. Znosko-Borovsky's verbal analysis of a chess position, for example, on pages 54-60, regarding visualizing a plan based on the differences (however slight)in each side, and putting that plan into effect is an eye-opener. If you've read Jeremy Silman's How To Reassess Your Chess, you'll recognize the thinking method detailed decades before Silman published. I believe you will not regret time spent with this book.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A classic ... and a good instructional book too!, July 3, 2001

By 

A.J. Goldsby I "A.J.G." (Pensacola, FL (U.S.A.)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Not to Play Chess (Dover Chess) (Paperback)

First I would like to ask something unusual. Read ALL the other book reviews of this book FIRST and read my review last. (I think it is very un-necessary to repeat anything that is already said here!)

I am a Chess Master. I teach chess for a living. I first read this book close to 30 years ago.

This is a great book. A tremendous teaching vehicle. MANY of my students (AND people I have chatted with on various chess servers) have said this book helped them a lot!! But in actual application, it can be difficult to always do what the author advises.

A few fairly minor criticisms. The organization of this book is somewhat dicey. He uses too many fancy terms that I guess he just sort of made up "on-the-fly." And he sometimes can be too repetitive. And several of my students said the descriptive notation version of this book was a little difficult for them to read.

But the final verdict is that the basic premise of this book is brilliant. He basically shows you some of the the most common chess mistakes that the average player might make. And this more than makes up for any of the books minor flaws. Several students told me they learned more from this one book than all the other chess books they had read put together!!

If you enjoy this book, you will also enjoy, "Chess Master vs Chess Amateur," by GM Max Euwe.

I am sure if you take the time to work your way through this book you will get a lot from it and decide it was worth the trouble!

Warning: If you have extreme difficulty with Descriptive Notation, or are rated 1800 or higher; this book may not be of much value to you.