Customer Reviews

The System: A World Champion's Approach to Chess

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

 

 

Like many of the other reviews to this book, I believe this book was amusing! It was very provocative to get me to think about changing from my Beloved English to the Queen's Pawn Opening. However, like many other people, I cringe when he claims to have worked out a forced win for White. Yes, his little records are exciting, and perhaps he is on to something, but I doubt that chess will be solved to a level where humans can know how to do it, ever.
Still, there is much to be said for his interesting first two chapters, where he lets you in on some good information, much of which was review (in the first chapter), but still informative. I did enjoy this book, but for someone really looking to improve their chess, I can not recommend it.

Although this book has had some poor reviews, it should not be under-estimated. If you are of playing strength 1600-1800 (which I currently am), and you like to play d4 as an opening, I would highly recommend this book. Although Berliner speaks of "The System" as if it could be written down as an equation (so to speak) i.e. the "unified field theory of chess," (this concept is interesting to analytical types and/or scientists)-> The book does has many merits for the d4 player against the Benko Gambit, Indian defenses, etc.. Check it out!

This book is one of the most interesting I have read. It has many interesting points such as a revised points score scale for the pieces. Berliner clearly believes in this as he has used it for the evaluation function in his computer program HITECH.
Also some of the opening analysis is very interesting, such as some very convincing ideas on Benko gambit and Grunfeld.

The book is has been slated by some ignorant reviewers who do not fully understand what Berliner is trying to say in this book.
The idea in the book to me is that evaluation is the key to the middlegame and that you have to have an openings philosophy.

The anecdote about his conversation with Bobby Fischer is also an eye opener.

All in all very entertaining, more please Dr Berliner!

For those of you tempted to buy a book whose author claims to have worked out a forced win for White against the Grunfeld and several other defenses, I strongly recommend that you read the independent reviews by John Watson and Jeremy Silman at chesscafe.com, where the specifics of much of Berliner's bad analysis and megalomaniacal pontificating are spelled out in detail. In my case, I found the book to be a slightly amusing exercise in debunking crackpot science (which is why I gave it two stars). I'm sure that there will be several others who will agree with me that this may just be the most preposterous chess book ever written. If, however, you're the sort of person who watches PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE every time it's on TV, calls the Psychic Friends Network regularly and thinks professional wrestling is for real, this book is right up your alley.

Hans Berliner has written an interesting book, unusual no doubt, but worthy of being considered seriously by those interested in either the theory or practice of chess. It may not be to everyone's taste, but absurd? I doubt it.

[...]

In that spirit, I suggest you also look up, on the same site, an article by Mark Dvoretsky called "Dvoretsky on Berliner".

Dvoretsky, for those unfamiliar with his work, is widely considered the best chess trainer in the world, and maybe ever. According to Wikipedia: "Kasparov, Anand, Topalov, Bareev, Lautier and Van Wely were just a few of the players who benefited from his coaching. Four of his students went on to become Junior World Champions."

What does Dvoretsky think of Berliner? First, he compares him to Yevgeny Sveshnikov, while not agreeing himself with either's "philosophy" of chess openings. Later, he mentions that "Berliner is an outstanding analyst."

Finally, before examining two of Berliner's games along with another using one of his ideas, he says: "And his strategic conceptions are indubitably based on rock-solid foundations - practical players would do well to study them. Just don't "absolutize" them: look at them as possible, and only sometimes the strongest, ways of treating the position."

With all due respect to Watson and Silman (I have many of their books and have learned from both of them), if forced to chose between their judgment of Berliner and that of Dvoretsky, it is an easy call.

Give the book a try and decide for yourself.

Also, give Dvoretsky's books a try. But be warned. They aren't easy going, though even for lower rated players they can give you insight into chess at the highest levels. If you love chess, how can that be bad?

Although not widely available yet, I managed to get a copy directly from the author. I highly recommend it. Not for the novice, but presents the theory of chess in a unique way - the success of which is born out by the author's past professional correspondence chess record of 94 wins, 1 loss and 10 draws. New "SYSTEM" concepts and a unique theory on "chunking" of the position makes this a must buy for all serious students of the game of chess. The author (also a Grand Master in over-the-board play) developed a computer chess program that dominated the computer chess algorithm field until late 1988, and the software itself even obtained the class of US Chess Federation Senior Grand Master.

"THE SYSTEM IS A SCIENTIFIC THEORY; A THEORY OF HOW TO PLAY CHESS." THE BOOK PRESENTS SYSTEM PRINCIPLES OF HOW TO PLAY BOARD-CONTROL GAME IN GRADUALLY TAKING CONTROL OF THE BOARD AND GAINING SMALL ADVANTAGES. HOW TO DETERMINE THE BEST LOCATION FOR EACH PIECE AND RECOGNIZING POSITIONAL ADVANTAGES AND HOW THEY CHANGE THE VALUE OF A PIECE OR A CLUSTER OF PIECES. IN THE LATE FIFTIES WHEN DR. BERLINER WAS STILL PLAYING OTB CHESS HE WAS ONE OF THE TOP U.S. PLAYERS, ALONG WITH SHERWIN,LOMBARDY, RESHEVSKY,BYRNE,EVANS AND FISCHER. DR. HANS BERLINER WON THE 5TH CORRESPONDENCE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WITH THE FANTASTIC SCORE OF 14 - 16 THREE POINTS AHEAD OF SECOND PLACE, THE HIGHEST EVER BEEN DONE. HIS PHENOMENAL RECORD IN CORRESPONDENCE CHESS 94 WINS 10 DRAWS AND 1 LOSS STAND UNSURPASSED. THE ESTRIN V BERLINER IS VOTED THE BEST CORRESPONDENCE GAME EVERPLAYED! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED A GREAT CHESS BOOK!

Some very good ideas and tips on openings can be found in an otherwise dogmatic and desperate attempt to turn the rich and dynamic game of chess into an equation. There are interseting opening recomendations but not enough to play them in tournaments.

When you read - page 174 - "we wanted to claim that this is The theory of chess, not just my theory" you may think that the author is a joker or the innocent victim to german and american culture. OK, Berliner was an average chess player - US results were meaningless in years when soviet players dominated - and 30 years ago was a succesful correspondence chess player, then quitted active chess. he dedicates himself to computer science and designed and programmed Hitech a succesful chess playing software until late 1988. So now he writes this book pretending to reveal the chess truth. Here Berliner comments 13 games, most recent of which is 30 years old, when in the chess world 30 years are 300 years. He explains how to choose each move it's true, but this leads to variations and every chess lover knows variations are confuted all saints day by chess practice. Berliner thinks he is Prometeus but chess is an unrevealable fire. However the book contains some interesting idea so I'm happy having read it.

I don't think Hans Berliner is a GM over the board, but I am sure there is not a US class Senior Grandmaster. I haven't read the book, but it is interesting and I will buy it. The book is available for 3 weeks now in local bookstores and still not available from Amazon.com!