Customer Reviews

The Search for Chess Perfection (Purdy Series)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This is the best chess instruction book I have ever read. The annotations are deep and easy to understand. The organization and layout are great. I was amazed at how many new ideas I picked up, even after the many chess books I have read before.

If this book were Juliet, I'd be it's Romeo. There aren't enough superlatives I could lavish on Purdy's writing. There were so many "AHA!" moments when reading that my wife thought I was having an epileptic fit! Purdy's prose is superior yet completely comprehensible. The reader immediately sees his point. Beg, borrow or steal this book, it IS that good. The only negative (and it is a very small one) is the publisher's annoying advertisements spread throughout the book.

CJS Purdy is a chess student's best friend! He is a teacher who understands his students, and brings them along, gently, yet with some push, to a greater understanding of the game. This book should be in every player's library. Thinker's Press is to be commended for their reprints of Purdy's works (just about anything Thinker's Press puts out is worth purchasing!), and I hope that more of this great writer's material will be gathered, updated, and set in AN (with lots of diagrams!) for Purdy fans everywhere! Purdy, along with Silman, Chris Ward, and a few others, seem to really understand their intended audiences.

This is for me the first book on chess I have encountered that really puts first things first and explains a systematic method for thinking about any chess position. Even though the author makes very interesting remarks about strategical points he never forgets to remind you about the tactical problems on the board and a systematic way of taking care of these. For me definetely the most helpful book on chess that I ever read.

AUTHOR (1906-79) was an international master,first correspondence world chess champion ,many times australian national chess champion and editor/writer in chess magazines(mostly australian chess magazines).this book of about 300 pages has three parts .his detailed biography (about 25 pages),his excellent chess articles(about 39 in number consisting of 184 pages)and annotation or commentry to his 50 games(about 83 pages).main strength of this book is his excellently written chess articles.in my humble opinion there are few chess teachers/authors of his strength.this book is not for beginners but for intermediate strength chess players (uscf rating 1300 and above )with at least a couple years of chess playind experience

One of the better chess books that I've read and I've read alot of them. Well, I've bought a lot, haven't gotten around to reading them all :). Probably not much use to Master level players. I'm a "B" player and learned a lot from this book, particularly in organizing my thoughts during a game. The biography of Purdy in the first part of the book isn't terribly compelling. A nice addition to any collection of chess books, especially for players below 2000.

this book is a classic just like " MY SYSTEM " by NIMZOVICH. EVERY SERIOUS PLAYER OF CHESS MUST READ IT