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The Grandmaster's Mind Paperback – April 1, 2005

by Amatzia Avni (Author)

4 customer reviews

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This book investigates how chess-players find good ideas. Amatzia Avni, a psychologist by profession, pursues this goal by interviewing top players and analysts. The discussion focuses on their most interesting and instructive games and compositions.

Avni has been careful to allow his interviewees to convey their own thoughts, rather than direct their answers to comply with any pre-existing theories. We experience the events on the board through the vivid recollections of the player. This gives us a realistic view of each struggle and how the critical decisions were really made.

Avni also presents the players with some unfamiliar positions, and records their reactions upon encountering these new situations. Once we have heard from the grandmasters, Avni discusses the essence of what was said, and provides some insights and recommendations.

The interviewees include famous grandmasters such as Boris Gelfand, Ilia Smirin and Lev Psakhis.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Amatzia Avni is an Israeli psychologist. He is a FIDE Master in both game and composition, an international judge of studies, a former editor of the Israeli magazine Schahmat, and a regular contributor to Chess Monthly and Kingpin.

Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Gambit Publications (April 1, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1904600190
ISBN-13: 978-1904600190
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,615,405 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2186 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Chess

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September 1, 2017

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Tom Plum

In the tradition of "Think Like a Grandmaster"

June 21, 2005

Format: Paperback

My banner makes an attractive headline; but I would humbly opine that this book is sort of like Kotov's classic "Think like a GM" and Pal Benko's "Winning Chess Psychology" combined. I was at the prestigious HB Tournament as a spectator; and there was the widest array of chess books I had ever seen were on sale. Opening books, ones on tactics, games collections, etc. but I wanted something a bit different and this was one of about 6 books I purchased and I have not been dissapointed.

There are two parts of the book, the first part has 12 chapters; the "interviews" with 12 different chessplayers and this keeps up one's interest. Though grandmasters and masters are interviewed in the various chapters and give their input on chess and the thinking process, my favourite chapter is 9 on Ofer Comay, who is largely a chess problem solver,having won tournaments for solving such puzzles. It is interesting to hear what he has to say and some puzzles are provided. This is one of the strongpoints of this book in that like the Pal Benko book there is an element of "human interest." Much of the book can be set aside for bedside reading or maybe when one takes the bus, a workbreak and such.

Part two of the book entails discussions, chapters 13-21. Classic games are discussed and another strongpoint of this book, sometimes not-so-classic games, but they make points by the author and interviewees so suffice well. In fact, I like some of the examples provided not involving Grandmasters because it is probably closer to my skill levels. That brings me to the point that some parts would seem to be for more advanced players but others would benefit as well.

Another plus of the book is Avni's uses of boxed quotes to highlight important concepts and other uses of summing up key points of information.

Of course, for my humble opinions, I am only a player between 1600-1700. I've sought to give this work an honest appraisal. I noted two reviewers here, the author and another urging reading a review of this book. I purchased it and read it and will return to it time and again for the interviews and discussions on the thought processes involved in playing chess.

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Klod

The grandmaster thinking algorithm

April 21, 2010

Format: Paperback

At least a book that specially declare the relevance and presence of "prophylactic thinking" in the mental process of the masters! This book presents a bunch of grandmasters and experts interviews about their thinking process for the best continuation. The conclusion in unavoidable: all skilled player start his thinking process with the question: "what the other side want?" "what are its threats?" The answer to this question is the basis for the candidates moves. This algorithm reduces the master considerations to critical lines (the ones that could affect the correlation of forces in the battle), and simplifies the amount of calculation. Another important conclusion: the prophylactic thinking is not limited to difficult positions, but all positions. Undoubtedly, that knowledge is the main practical skill to discover the "real chess". That must be the first lesson for any amateur and the first step to progress in chess. (The other ingredient is the capability to correctly evaluate positions, not an easy one!)

Apart of that, this book is really amazing and easy to read. I recommend it to any one, despite the price.

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Amatzia Avni

Professional reviewers liked it

December 4, 2004

Format: Paperback

Since I'm the author, I do not pretend to be objective. So, here is what others have said about the book:

"Original and extremely interesting... often very entertaining... it is a lot of fun, but it's also an important and most welcome addition to chess literature" - IM Jeremy Silman.

"The players and topics covered are generally fascinating... there are also practical tips and useful discussions of chess concepts that should prove valuable for many players" - NM Randy Bauer.

"Avni presents an enlightening and very enjoyable look at how top players think... (it) is a delight" - Chessville.com.

"Fascinating new book" - GM Lubomir Kavalek.

"The wealth of examples would be very instructive even for those who feel at distance from the psychological issues" - IM Israel Shrentzel.

"Avni is a relaxed and informal interviewer and gets some straight answers from his subjects... it is a stimulating and readable book" - British Chess Magazine.

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