Yuri Averbakh: 100 Not Out!

[John Upham]

Yuri Averbakh: 100 Not Out!


https://britishchessnews.com/2022/02/08 ... 0-not-out/

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[Michael Farthing]

A fitting achievement for a man who has contributed so much to endgame study!
His is one of the very few chess books I have read friom cover to cover! (his little book - not the big one!)

[John Moore]

His book on Knight endings (published by Batsford) taught me more about the endgame than any other book and his endgame books in general are a remarkable contribution to the game.

[Kevin Thurlow]

I recall a Surrey Junior event, where a rook ending of mine had to be adjudicated (it was a long time ago). One of the organizers said they would look it up in Fine, so I said, "You would be better off with Averbakh." He looked puzzled.

I studied the "Essential Knowledge" book in some depth and I think that has probably gained me more than 100 points over the years!

[John Upham]

I recall a Surrey Junior event, where a rook ending of mine had to be adjudicated (it was a long time ago). One of the organizers said they would look it up in Fine, so I said, "You would be better off with Averbakh." He looked puzzled.

I studied the "Essential Knowledge" book in some depth and I think that has probably gained me more than 100 points over the years!

Yes, Essential Knowledge is the endgame book I recommend to my more promising students. I am ashamed to admit that I borrowed a copy from the Crowthorne Chess Club library in 1976 when 16 (The Maxwell edition) and hung on to it ever since. I recently purchased the Everyman version.

Most excellent a book.

[Nick Ivell]

Happy birthday to a legend.

The Batsford books were indispensable for adjournments, but does anyone actually read them these days?

[Matt Mackenzie]

I'm sure many could still learn a fair bit from them?

[Nick Ivell]

They are great books, no question. My only reservation is that they are dry as dust - you really have to be a serious student of the endgame to enjoy them.

[Kevin Thurlow]

"My only reservation is that they are dry as dust - you really have to be a serious student of the endgame to enjoy them."

I imagine frivolity was discouraged in the old Soviet Union! I used to take my copy to tournaments which had adjournments. (Actually, I might have bought a second copy to do that.) With current time limits, it does help to have endgame knowledge as you usually play that phase when (a) you have been playing for 6 hours and/or (b) you only have a few minutes left.

[Nick Ivell]

I may be wrong here, but I think the modern reader expects a bit more fun - even from an endgame book.

[MJMcCready]

They are great books, no question. My only reservation is that they are dry as dust - you really have to be a serious student of the endgame to enjoy them.

Agreed.

[Graham Borrowdale]

I recall a Surrey Junior event, where a rook ending of mine had to be adjudicated (it was a long time ago). One of the organizers said they would look it up in Fine, so I said, "You would be better off with Averbakh." He looked puzzled.

I studied the "Essential Knowledge" book in some depth and I think that has probably gained me more than 100 points over the years!

Yes, Essential Knowledge is the endgame book I recommend to my more promising students. I am ashamed to admit that I borrowed a copy from the Crowthorne Chess Club library in 1976 when 16 (The Maxwell edition) and hung on to it ever since. I recently purchased the Everyman version.

Most excellent a book.

In a similar vein, I recently discovered a copy of Lasker’s “Chess Secrets” in a box, which had my old school’s chess club stamp inside, and which I must have borrowed in around 1976 again. If I recall I was the club librarian at the time! Moral question, whether to send it back to the school?

[Simon Rogers]

Great to see that he is still going.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY