The Masters: Boris Spassky Master of Initiative (Masters (Everyman Chess)) (Paperback)

~ Alexander Raetsky (Author), Maxim Chetverik (Author)
Key Phrases: black king, white king, Boris Spassky, Boris Spasskv, Santa Monica (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In Boris Spassky Master of Initiative, Alexander Raetsky and Maxim Chetverik look back over Spassky’s long and distinguished career to examine how he defeated his long-time adversaries, carefully highlighting his most colourful and celebrated encounters over the chessboard. A deep study of his style and games will entertain and inspire any true chess fan.

*Includes Boris Spassky’s most brilliant sacrificial games
*Ideal for the attack-minded chess player
*Perfect for sharpening your tactical ability

From the Back Cover

Boris Spassky is a true chess legend, a World Champion who, thanks to his monumental battles with Bobby Fischer, raised the popularity of the game to a level that had never been seen before. Although at the height of his powers many saw Spassky as a complete and universal player, adept at outplaying his opponents in any type of position, it is no secret that from an early age he thrived on sharp, attacking play. He was a superb practical player, and with the initiative at his hands he could conjure up wonderful combinations and deadly attacks.
In Boris Spassky Master of Initiative, Alexander Raetsky and Maxim Chetverik look back over Spassky’s long and distinguished career to examine how he defeated his long-time adversaries, carefully highlighting his most colourful and celebrated encounters over the chessboard. A deep study of his style and games will entertain and inspire any true chess fan.

*Includes Boris Spassky’s most brilliant sacrificial games
*Ideal for the attack-minded chess player
*Perfect for sharpening your tactical ability

Alexander Raetsky is a Russian Grandmaster and an experienced competitor on the chess tournament circuit. He’s also a skilled writer and has been a frequent contributor to the famous Russian magazine 64 and the internationally renowned publication New In Chess. His many books for Everyman Chess include Meeting 1 e4, which was very well received by critics and chess players alike.
Maxim Chetverik, also from Russia, is an International Master and a renowned openings theoretician. Earlier works for Everyman Chess include Mikhail Tal: Tactical Genius, which he also co-authored with Raetsky.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Everyman Chess; 1st edition (December 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857444256
• ISBN-13: 978-1857444254
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #735,303 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spassky puzzle book, January 6, 2007

By	Murtuza Hashim "hashimm4" (Vienna, Va United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book has got 150 of Boris Spassky's games in the puzzle format that Raetsky is known for. The first half of the book consists of 150 diagram positions where you are supposed to find the winning combination or move. The second half contains the complete move listing for the 150 games along with slight annotation. This book is good for any one who is a Spassky fan and would like to see his combinations. Someone who would want to practice their tactical skills in the form of puzzles. Someone who would like to go through his games. There are like 4-8 actual games with slightly more annotations in the book. This book is a good supplement to Spassky 400 games and Spassky best games by Cafferty.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a game collection in the classic sense, April 9, 2007

By	L. M. Jordan - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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I thought I was buying a game collection. Instead, I got a problem/puzzle collection complete with the game scores.

This is a novel format and one which actually encourages perseverance. The solution is not immediately beneath the diagram where one can sneak a peek. Instead it is placed in the last third of the book within the context of the game score. If the puzzle proves uncrackable, one can consult the "tip" in the second third instead of racing staightway to the solution.

Each game gets one (or two) diagrams for the critical position(s). 15% of the games are lightly annotated throughout. 35% have a few highlights before the critcal position(s). The remaining 50% of the games are annotated following the critical position. The annotations are succint. The print quality of the diagrams and scores is excellent. A chess set is optional.

Puzzles are also partitioned into 8 groups of approximately 20 puzzles each. I try to crack an entire group before I consult the back for the correct solutions.

I can understand the authors wanting to keep the book short and sweet (150 puzzles in 160 pages), but I wish the authors had annotated all games throughout. I wanted to see how master Spassky both wrested and converted the intiative in each game.

4.0 out of 5 stars great for tactics, December 5, 2007

By	sleepless "sleepless" - See all my reviews

The biographical notes are shortish and the puzzles are a very well chosen selection of tactical vignettes from a highly talented player.
I liked these games so much that I plan on going through them again to help me recognise attacking ideas for my own games.