The Search for Chess Perfection (Purdy Series) [Paperback]

C. J. S. Purdy (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 309 pages
• Publisher: Thinkers Pr Inc / Chessco (August 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0938650785
• ISBN-13: 978-0938650782
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,747,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining And Enlightening, December 28, 1999

By 

A near-Expert USCF player (Chesslandia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Search for Chess Perfection (Purdy Series) (Paperback)

This is a great change of pace from the usual chess book in that we get not only chess insight, tips on self-improvement but also interesting prose writing. I don't think there isn't anything in a tutorial sense that you couldn't find elsewhere but if you're also interested in fine chess writing, anecdotes and ruminations on analytical chess thinking, psychology of move selections, etc., you'll get that too. This book reminds me of Chernev's style of writing somehow, mostly because I get the feeling that the author enjoyed the game as a game, not as some test of intelligence or grim problem to be solved. If you've read Chernev's "The Sixty Most Instructive Games Of Chess" or his "Logical Chess Move By Move," or "The Golden Dozen," then you'll know what I mean.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Purdy walks the fine line between player and teacher., April 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Search for Chess Perfection (Purdy Series) (Paperback)

Just because someone plays chess well does not mean they can explain it effectively. Purdy has evidently devoted his entire life to chess. Even so he is more than willing to explain the concepts in very layman like terms. Perhaps most importantly, Purdy's writing style is so pleasurable that it stands up well to repeated readings; this helps to reinforce the information.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent teaching tool!, July 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Search for Chess Perfection (Purdy Series) (Paperback)

This new edition of a Bobby Fischer-recommended classic is welcome on a number of counts: Algebraic notation, improved layout, previous typos have been corrected. Purdy had some firm opinions that did not, and in sime quarters STILL don't meet with approval. But, hey, he makes us THINK ... and after helping us rabbits that is what he set out to do. Excellent value.