Lasker's Manual of Chess [Paperback]

Emanuel Lasker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1960 | Series: Dover Chess

Combinations, position play, openings, end game, aesthetics of chess, philosophy of struggle, much more. Filled with analyzed games. 308 diagrams.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Emanuel Lasker (1868-1941) was the Second World Chess Champion. He held the title from 1894 until 1921 and is considered by many as the greatest chess player ever. Although his place in chess history would be secure without achieving anything else, in fact the three books he wrote, "Lasker's Manual of Chess," "Common Sense in Chess," and "St. Petersburg 1909" have all become chess classics. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (June 1, 1960)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486206408
• ISBN-13: 978-0486206400
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #826,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

152 of 157 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Introduces chess and goes well beyond, June 13, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Lasker's Manual of Chess (Paperback)

"Lasker's Manual of Chess" doesn't mess arround. It is absolutely perfect for someone who needs a brief reminder of the basic rules and then is ready to get quickly into the strategic parts of chess. It is a well written book for an adult reader or older teenage reader; younger kids or someone who is a super beginner should start with "Chess For Jrs" or possibly "Learn chess: A complete Course".
This may be an older book but it is very well written and a largely forgotten about classic.

92 of 100 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great For High School and Above Players, June 22, 2002

By 

A.Trendl HungarianBookstore.com "What should ... (Glen Ellyn, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Lasker's Manual of Chess (Paperback)

"Lasker's Manual of Chess" is my favorite chess book. Unlike many chess players, I only own a few.

It begins with the elements of chess: the pieces, how they move, and the essential advantages and disadvantages of positions the player will likely find himself in. Curiously, Lasker discusses the square. All of chess revolves about going from one square to another, and Lasker presumes (rightly so, i believe) that to know the end well, the player must see the very beginning at its core.

He goes on to explain the why and what-fors about openings. He presents the opening concept both as a theory to muse over, and as a practical matter of setting things in such a way as to increase your likelihood of winning. He explains "Sortez les pieces" (Get the pieces out), and other 'rules' of chess.

Like a Mark Twain book review, he feels in complete candor permission to question 'compilers', those players who memorize every variation of boardplay and win by the ability to study. He contrasts these players with those with natural talent, who he apreciates much more.

Lasker walks through each step of the major openings in a clear manner, unlike some of the fuzzy chess primers written by modern masters.

If fencing is played like chess, it could also be said chess is played like fencing. Lasker comments in the next section about the combinations, and suggestion chess is replete with violence, countered effectively by more violence, all brutal and seething with imminent danger. He provides, among others, an example of a check to the queen by a pawn.

In the combinations section, he looks at variation predicaments great players he has encountered have wandered into, and how they pulled out these situations victoriously.

Later, he goes through various positions, even the aesthetics effects of chess.

"Lasker's Manual of Chess" by Emanuel Lasker is a great book for a high school level or above player to explore. I fully recommend it.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

65 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Chess Book Ever?, July 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Lasker's Manual of Chess (Paperback)

This may be the best chess book ever. I glance over my shoulder at a pile of 50+ chess books that I've purchased over my two year affair with the game of chess. Of these, only a few stand out as being truly worth the time and money. One offers such an exceptional value that I suggest it to everybody: Lasker's Manual of Chess. The prose is stilted and out of date, the section on the openings is wanting, and it starts out with directions for how to play...BUT the sections on combination, positional play, and the model games have few equals. I love endgame studies and this book is full of them. This book never fails to get me out of a rut. BTW, take the positional advantage diagrams and play them out against your chess computer for a fun lesson.

If you love chess, do yourself a favor and pick up this, Tarrasch's Game of Chess, Nunn's Understanding Chess Move by Move, Howell's Essential Chess Endings, and Kotov's Art of the Middlegame. They may be all the chess books you ever need.