The Middle Game in Chess (Dover Chess) [Paperback]

Eugene Znosko-Borovsky (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Chess | Publication Date: December 8, 2011

Superior introduction to most demanding part of chess. Basic concepts of middle game play are systematically and logically presented. Every significant idea is illustrated by well-chosen excerpts from master play, including games by Alekhine, Capablanca, Lasker, Reshevsky, Botvinnik, Marshall, Pillsbury, and other prominent players. 80 illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Russian (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; Revised edition (December 8, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486239314
• ISBN-13: 978-0486239316
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #798,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Middle Game in Chess, February 19, 2000

By 

"mario_goh" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Middle Game in Chess (Dover Chess) (Paperback)

This is a great book for the average player (below master strength). It thematically reviews the principles in one's approach to assessing middle game positions (e.g. from positions which demand attack to inferior positions that demand vigilant defence). It will complement other middle game books like Silman's "How to reassess your chess" and of course Nimzowitzch's "My system". However, this book is not thick in examples. Nonetheless, one can build upon the existing principles and apply these to one's analyses of one's own chess games and when analyzing other's games as well. That is why I regard this as just an introduction to the middle game in chess, but a very good one nonetheless. Get these classic books (which incidently are cheaper as well) rather than superficial books by Yasser Seirawan, which are just modern replicates of books by old chess masters.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest Middlegame books, June 9, 2005

By 

Realreviewer "reviwerparexc" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Middle Game in Chess (Dover Chess) (Paperback)

Znosko was the Silman of our time and one of the strongest GMs of the early part of the 20th Century. In his day he was considered one of the best chess teachers and it's amazing his books have held up for over 50 years. This book is still standard reading by the Soviet school of chess and actually covers almost all of the key concepts covered by Silman in his Reassess your chess book. In fact it is recommended by the Dvoretsky school (Specifically mentioned in the Positional play book) why? Because the principles taught are still relevant, space, time, material balance, open lines and Tempo (Nowadays called development). The game examples are from the greats, Capa, Alekhine, Tarasch etc. Also some of the ideas have been forgotten and are now being revived. I think a newly minted International Master said it best " The reason I made the jump from Fide master to IM was mainly due to study of tactical variations and working through Znoskos's Middlegame book"
Finally its written in Znosko's famous easy reading style.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, December 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Middle Game in Chess (Dover Chess) (Paperback)

I've read countless chess books and this is definitely the most memorable! Millions of books exist for opening and endgame play, while the heart of chess (the middlegame) gets sub-par treatment. Znosko-Borovsky perhaps targets the A-B class player but the Masters of the game will find this a great way to brush up, while the C-D class players should look at this as their chess 'Bible'.