English Chess Forum

I was in my local independent book shop - visiting to discuss the provision of a dedicated table to play chess (they already have a connect four table!) when I was asked what I thought of a book that a customer had ordered earlier that day.

It was Chess Lessons from a Champion Coach by Thomas Engqvist.

Now my chess library has been downsized (though I did buy Michael Adams: Think Like a Super GM as a self-Christmas present) so I don't have any of Engqvist's earlier books, and I had not seen a copy of this new one.

My initial reaction was 'the author has a good reputation and Batsford generally publish quality chess books, so it ought to be worth a read', but when I looked at the publisher's blurb, two aspects worried me: the emphasis on psychology and motivation and using chess games through history as the basis of lessons. The former is where a live coach excels as the individual needs can be assessed - generalisations worry me, the latter approach I think has run its course except in a history book - 'hypermodern' chess is now a hundred years old!

So I would like someone who has the book to post a review please - my local bookshop would benefit from the knowledge.

This raises a general point - that perhaps I should post elsewhere - should ECF registered chess players be working with local bookshops to improve their ability to put the best chess books in the hands of their customers?

Not convinced about the "old games aren't much use for teaching" thing.

Only a few years ago, John Nunn (one of the best chess authors) wrote a chess studying book mostly based on Emanuel Lasker's play.

"This raises a general point - that perhaps I should post elsewhere - should ECF registered chess players be working with local bookshops to improve their ability to put the best chess books in the hands of their customers?"

I'm not sure it would work. Bookshops do not tend to stock many chess books. Last time I visited the Waterstones in Wells, I think the only chess book was David Pritchard's "The Right Way To Play Chess", which was good (and I'm sure the updated version is too!)

Kevin Thurlow wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 29, 2023 3:32 pm

I'm not sure it would work. Bookshops do not tend to stock many chess books. Last time I visited the Waterstones in Wells, I think the only chess book was David Pritchard's "The Right Way To Play Chess", which was good (and I'm sure the updated version is too!)

I might wish to qualify the above by writing:

Bookshops that only stock new books do not tend to stock many chess books and in addition

Bookshops that tend to sell secondhand books only quite regularly stock multiple secondhand chess books.

This is my experience and others most likely will vary.

Kevin Thurlow wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 29, 2023 3:32 pm

"...Last time I visited the Waterstones in Wells, I think the only chess book was David Pritchard's "The Right Way To Play Chess", which was good (and I'm sure the updated version is too!)

For info I am posting a photo of the shelf in Colchester Waterstones (no they don't file their books sideways!) I see the Pritchard book is there too. The chess set is welcome - though unweighted wood and the books are sensible for a range of adult readers - I could not find any for children there but then that is where other shops can be better.

I don't think Waterstones need help - they presumably have people curating what is on shelves nationally. I was thinking of the independents that might not carry chess books in stock, but might appreciate guidance for their customers. Now if ECF could do something centrally that helped...

David York wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 30, 2023 4:15 pm

Now if ECF could do something centrally that helped...

What would you like the ECF to do specifically?

John Upham wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 30, 2023 5:52 pm

David York wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 30, 2023 4:15 pm

Now if ECF could do something centrally that helped...

What would you like the ECF to do specifically?

The ECF has published a New to chess booklist. I have my doubts it's a very good list though. I expected to see a single volume "Beginners Guide to Chess" book for people to read first. The ones the ECF list seem a bit more advanced than that and I doubt anyone new to chess would want to buy several books until they'd decided chess was a game for them.

Which books do people who coach beginners recommend?

I quite like the TikTok interpretation of ‘ Chess Fundamentals’ , by Jose Raul Capablanca.

I note that the compiler(s) of this list remains anonymous.

Some of these choices would appear to be the work of Marty McFly.

Amusing is "New to chess booklist" and

"Basic Chess Endgames by Reuben Fine
An in-depth survey of endgames, which can be used as reference work for the more advanced player."

Not a good choice but at least someone has gone to a small amount of effort.

So to summarise, some think the ECF (not a body with staff sitting around looking for work I think) need to do something, and others criticise what they have actually done; which may be fair enough, but doesn't actually seem to help as much as volunteering to help might do

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 31, 2023 10:03 am

some think the X (not a body with staff sitting around looking for work I think) need to do something, and others criticise what they have actually done; which may be fair enough, but doesn't actually seem to help as much as volunteering to help might do

I suspect that the exact same comments could be made (and have been made) about every NGB in the United Kingdom.

It would seem however that the ECF is disproportionally poorly funded compared with almost all of the rest.

A fundamental sea change could be brought about via funding for salaried directors. This could help to alleviate the "they are only doing their best" excuses. I suspect that not seeking funding for directors is part of the philosophical remit of the BCF and ECF and has been for years.

The Waterstones on Deansgate, Manchester used to stock several shelves of chess books.

Now there are hardly any. A bad sign, I feel - it's as though no one can be bothered studying any more.

To some extent, its likely due to specialist chess outlets cornering the market.

Nick Ivell wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 02, 2023 4:39 pm

Now there are hardly any. A bad sign, I feel - it's as though no one can be bothered studying any more.

The CHESS & Bridge bookstall at the Guildford FIDE Congress this weekend was bursting with new titles and did a roaring trade by all accounts.

Had a long chat with Jim Fisher.

John Upham wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 30, 2023 5:52 pm

David York wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 30, 2023 4:15 pm

Now if ECF could do something centrally that helped...

What would you like the ECF to do specifically?

I was asked for my suggestion of what the ECF should be doing - I don't want this to be any criticism of an underfunded body, so perhaps I should have read the 'New to Chess' section of the website in more detail to follow the link to the list of books for those new to chess. Such a list is good - but already some have taken issue with its detail. I will be looking at the Book Reviews section of this forum and, when I have made sufficient progress through the recent Michael Adams book, I might be able to contribute a review (though at the current rate of progress that would be in 2036).

The annual awards already celebrate what some clubs have been doing and a survey has highlighted what clubs feel they need, so at that level there is encouragement. I was thinking about two more areas (1) ECF encouraging members to give something back by promoting chess and (2) coordinating volunteer initiatives - this does not have to be a great drain on resources - perhaps just a new section of the discussion forum?