Buy used: $9.95

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime

FREE delivery Thursday, March 21 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Select delivery location

Used: Very Good | Details

Sold by Chapter & Cover

Fulfilled by Amazon

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

This Crazy World of Chess Paperback – December 8, 2009

by Larry Evans (Author)

2.8 7 ratings

See all formats and editions

The controversial behind-the-scenes machinations of championship chess—especially Bobby Fisher’s bizarre antics—by the man who knows it best, Larry Evans, 5-time U.S. champion and Bobby Fischer’s close second.

Fascinating, intriguing, and controversial, the dean of American chess tells the never-before told machinations and stories of world championship chess and what really goes on behind the scenes of the game at its highest level. If you think that chess and marbles are the only games free from politics, you can scratch that idea. These 101 entertaining dispatches from the front deal with crazy world of chess ranging from politics, Fischermania (and Fischer's paranoid antics), to just plain gossip and fun. New edition contains the last game Fischer ever played and information about his life that's never before been published in book form.

Print length

320 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Cardoza
Publication date

December 8, 2009
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

1580422373
ISBN-13

978-1580422376
See all details

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Grandmaster Larry Evans is a 5-time USA champion, author of 25 books, and the "dean" of American chess. His national syndicated column, Evans on Chess, has appeared continuously since 1971. He coached Bobby Fischer during his world championship run and is generally considered to be the most authoritative, astute and witty observer of the international chess scene.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cardoza; New edition (December 8, 2009)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1580422373
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1580422376
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #6,137,686 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8,140 in Chess (Books)

Customer Reviews:
2.8 7 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

Important information

To report an issue with this product or seller, click here.

Customer reviews

2.8 out of 5

7 global ratings

5 star

44%

4 star

0%

3 star

0%

2 star

0%

1 star

56%

How customer reviews and ratings work

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Markji

The Crazy World of This Chess Book Buying Junkie

Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2008

Verified Purchase

At $9.95 and 294 pages, you, the chess afficionado, are contemplating purchasing a compilation of reprinted articles (circa 2002-2006), usually 1¼ pages in length at a bargain price of approximately . 03 cents per page.

Confronted with the often exorbitant price of chess books, Mr. Evans and the publishers at Cardoza are to be commended for their sensitivity to the decline of discretionary funds now available to consumers.

Oh! The content, I almost forgot: Fischer, Fischer, Fischer, Kasparov and Deep Blue, FIDE--a rehashing of information familiar to anyone cognizant of Mr. Fischer's idiosyncratic genius, Mr. Kasparov's self-important, less-than-civil interpersonal conduct and FIDE's megalomaniacal self-destructive activities.

Looking for a well-written and sensitive inside glimpse at the personality and conflicts of some current grandmasters and aspirants, consider Paul Hoffman's King's Gambit.

12 people found this helpful

Helpful

Mike H

A Fun, Unique Chess Book

Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2012

This is not an book on openings, endgame, middlegame or tactics. It's a collection of newspaper articles penned by the late, great GM Larry Evans from 2004-05. I recommend this book not because I was a former student of Evans (for his final 18 months of life), but as a former boxing journalist I picked up on Evans' unique take on the world of chess. As I was against the redolent corruption of the sport I loved --boxing -- Evans was fully against corruption and the machinations of FIDE. Another favorite topic of Larry's was Bobby Fischer, who supplanted Evans as the youngest U.S. Champion (Evans was 19, Fischer was 14). In the mix are several games, for which he writes a nice prologue, including my personal favorite, "Hail the Unknown," a once-in-a-lifetime upset by unknown 19-year-old Gustavo Mahia, who shocked Miguel Quinteros in a 1980 game in Argentina. Sac City! Book reviews, thoughts on the retirement of Garry Kasparov, sandbaggers, cheaters, and Larry's favorite -- chess politics -- are all presented by the masterful writer Evans. The book is unique in that it's one you just want to read for fun, not to study or increase your Elo. If you want to learn about the periphery of the game you love, this is one of two books I recommend (along with Frank Brady's incredible biography of Bobby Fischer, "Endgame." Enjoy!

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

James Weaver

Review by James Weaver

Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2007

REVIEW BY JAMES WEAVER

THIS CRAZY WORLD OF CHESS arrived yesterday. I was able to finish it
(minus 20 pages about specific games) this morning. I enjoyed it very
much, and especially like the format that highlights relevant situations that even non-players will find humorous and interesting.

All things considered, from FIDE world government to computer
domination of the game, to all the GMs that have documented their
experiences, I think Interzonals will become not only the most
attended chess events but "trails end" for future players who refuse
to associate with the corruption and politics that sub$tantial prize
money demands they condone.

I think more kids will learn and play chess but not beyond high school
with the exception of people like Claude Bloodgood who died in prison after worming his way to number two in the nation solely by beating other inmates.

While chess as a profession never quite reached the intended level of a
reasonable salary other than in Russia, and computers have completely
erased any reasonable goal for players, I think chess will forever
hold the distinction that no other game will ever replace it.

Obviously chess players will not suddenly use their energy to elevate
another game, because chess is so unique and encompassing. I think future fans will understand the moves well enough to follow the "big boards" at Interzonals, and occasionally play a relative or neighbor. People will still play in parks and small coffee houses and gossip about the "good old days."

FIDE, which has over 160 member nations, could implode. Larry Evans exposes how they bribe delegates, rig ratings, punish dissidents and change rules on a whim without consulting top players. "It's hard to think of an international organization more corrupt than the United Nations; but FIDE, the world chess body, comes close," he laments.

His chapter on the absurdity of drug testing in chess is a classic. I think this book is timely and will reach a much larger audience than just dedicated fans. It's unlike any chess book ever written and will receive a lot of positive feedback.

Good work backed up by solid research!

12 people found this helpful

Helpful

Clark Savage, Jr.

Entertainingly Informative

Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2007

Grandmaster Larry Evans really was right in the thick of things during so many major chess events and scandals. With numerous jabs at the corrupt FIDE and many chapters about the eccentric Bobby Fischer, Evans covers a multitude of monumental happenings in the "Crazy World of Chess."

There are a few chapters in the book that were uninteresting to me or that I thought were irrelevant, like chess memorabilia being sold on eBay and a bit about handwriting analysis. But overall this book has way too much for that to even matter. The letters and interviews are invaluable and fascinating. His level of involvement is enormous and his interest and devotion to the game are very evident. A lot of work and research must have been put into this book.

Any chess fan out there needs to own this book. No argument about it. You might think you know a lot of the history and many of the scandals, but this covers them to a degree that only someone inside the circle of these famous players could expose. You think you know chess, but you ain't seen nothing yet!

22 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Barry Cohen

Real let down.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2017

Verified Purchase

Really poorly written book, lighter on 'crazy'-ness than an iced coffee. It felt as though the author (who really does have real and proper credentials in the field) scanned through Wikipedia pages on chess conspiracy and missed all the interesting bits.

See more reviews