CORRESPONDENCE CHESS BOOK REVIEWS Including Books, Periodicals, and Software (All Reviews by John Knudsen Unless Otherwise Indicated)
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Reviewed in 2000 Startling Correspondence Chess Miniatures - Timothy Harding
Ordering Information
Startling Correspondence Chess Miniatures is 128pp. (including player and openings indexes), paperback, ISBN 0-9538536-0-8, and the basic price is UK11.99 (IR14.99, Euros 19, US$18 including shipping). Airmail is extra. The book will be officially published on September 1, 2000 but copies are now available for purchase directly from Chess Mail, Ltd: http://www.chessmail.com/cc_minis.html.
The Irish Pound price applies for all credit card orders (1 Euro=IR0.787564).
You can also send a cheque to Chess Mail Ltd, 26 Coolamber Park, Dublin 16, Ireland.
Direct payments to our bank can also be made, but be sure to notify us also as the banks do not forward full name, address and order details.
Bank of Ireland, Terenure, Dublin 6, Ireland. Branch code: 90-02-52. Account Chess Mail Ltd. no. 73606281.
Hardbound, 278 pages, 233 games in algebraic notation, hundreds of diagrams, no photos.
There is a new publisher of chess books on the scene - Chess Mail, Ltd. This reviewer hopes that Startling Correspondence Chess Miniatures is but the first in a long line of quality publications from Tim Harding and Company.
Let me begin by saying that I have spent much time with this book, having helped in a very small way in the editing phase of its production. Consequently, this may not be the most unbiased book review you have ever read - I will try to control my enthusiasm for it, which is not an easy thing to do!
This is a wonderful collection of one hundred correspondence chess miniatures, which should be embraced by the serious and novice chess player alike. Notice I said chess player, and not just correspondence chess player! There are plenty of interesting items for everyone.
With Chapters such as "A Bolt From The Blue", "The Black Museum", and "Living Dangerously", you know that you are in for a treat with almost every page. The hundred games are annotated, some in more detail than others. One of the neat things about this book is that it is light enough for following without a set and board, and serious enough to be entertaining and instructive for the serious competitor - at the same time.
The games and annotations are not "re-hashing" of old material. The notes are fresh and to the point, and are of an extremely high standard, as you would no doubt expect from a Harding book.
In addition, there are 12 tactical exercises to sink your chess teeth into. Come on now; don't look at the answers before you figure them out yourself
The physical book is extremely well put together, and will last a long time, unless you wear it out on the train or bus while commuting - in that case, better get two, one to devour and the other for your award winning library. In addition to the ten chapters which contain the games and the exercises, there is an explanation of symbols and abbreviations, an informative introduction, detailed solutions to the exercises, an index to the openings, an ECO openings key index, index of players, and a teaser for future publications. In short, this book is put together well, and is a model for others to follow.
Before now, there were very few publishers willing to risk publishing correspondence chess material (Bob Long of Chessco/Thinkers Press comes to mind, as a notable exception to the rule). That has thankfully changed with the appearance of Startling Correspondence Chess Miniatures, from Chess Mail, Ltd. By purchasing this welcome addition to the literature, not only will the reader be entertained and instructed, he or she will also encourage more first class works. Highly recommended for purchase!
John C. Knudsen
July 30, 2000