Soviet Chess 1917-1991
Any serious player or enthusiast would crave this truly impressive work on chess. International chess Grandmaster Soltis is an accomplished author of chess material and writes a terrific weekly column in the New York Post. He covers 249 games, indexed by players and openings, from throughout the Soviet period. Soltis gives personality to the opponents while demonstrating the rise of chess's popularity with the public and the Party. The chronological format helps define a Soviet mindset and show chess as a propoganda tool, especially after the challenge presented by American champion Bobby Fischer. Names of players take on a life, reflected in aggressive, passive, or conservative style of play. Though these plays can seem simplistic by today's computer standards, the marvelous creative ability of some of these great practitioners nevertheless merits our respect. The fundamental period games can only help develop a stronger or more sound play for readers and chess devotees. Highly recommended for chess and larger Soviet history collections.-Marty Soven, Woodside, NYCopyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.