The author brings a unique point of view to the correspondence chess arena. This 198 page book contains a wealth of information, anecdotes, and opinions. In addition to his postal adventures, Warburton tells stories about the over the board world as well (league match play).

Warburton has some interesting ideas about the openings, especially against the Sicilian and Petroff defences. He is a fan of American player and author Franklin K. Young and has kept a scrap book of chess articles and odds and ends for many years. Not content with just playing the game, his articles are powerful in their thoroughness and entertaining by their witty manner. Chapter Ten, The Lure of The Lopez, shows Warburton at his best, blending top-notch research and interesting analysis to back up his unusual ideas.

In addition to quite a bit of biographical information (always welcome to me), there are articles dealing with correspondence chess administration (adjudications and appeals), defensive chess, aggressive chess, "revenge" chess, and the lure of chess in general. The quality of the games and the accompanying analysis are very high indeed. It is a pity that he did not play more in the international arena.

More than a collection of articles, this book is a labor of love by a collector of chess facts and history. One of the more striking aspects of this book is the way the author brings forth the idea that one should not fear an opponent. Neither title nor reputation bothered him in the least, the board was played, and not the opponent. He has been known to correct other writers who have not done their research and published incorrect facts - an integral part of his search for truth in chess history. That scrap book has served him well over the years.

If you are a serious correspondence chess player or writer, you should buy this book. You won't be able to put it down - it is that good. It is out of print and only available at used chess book dealers.

Softbound, published by Thinkers' Press, Box 8, Davenport, Iowa 52805-0008, USA. The book is listed at $14.95. Thinker's Press has many fine titles available.