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(This review was previously published in the January 1972 issue of Northwest Chess, and is reprinted by permission.)
 

Gee whiz.  What a book and where do I begin to praise?  Let's do it by question and answer:

Q. Who is the Author Kotov?

A.  A USSR great who became famous in 1939 by whizzing through the 1939 Russian Championship, 11.5- 4.5 only to lose to Botvinnik in their last round game.  Dynamic, competitive Kotov was immediately awarded the title of Soviet Grandmaster, without provision, only the third player so honored.  Moscow Champion in 1941 and twice zonal qualifier for the world title.  4th at Saltsjobaden 1948 and then his great 1952 Saltsjobaden Interzonal win 16.5-3.5, 3 points ahead of Petrosian and Taimanov.  In the following Super GM candidates tournament he scored 50% W8-8=12.  A munitions engineer during WWII and tireless organizer, Kotov is famous for a series of axioms. They are:

A.  NEVER move without thinking. (Exit all speed chess.)
B.  Calculate every variation only once—every time the chessplayer has to calculate in tree style he must cover each branch but once.
C.  Look every time for the most fantastic possibilities on the board. This stimulates imagination and assures the recognition of resources.
D.  Remember the Blumenfeld Rule; "When you have finished calculations (variations), look for 1 minute with the eyes of a beginner." Look: do you lose the queen, do you allow mate in one or two?
E.  Always keep score perfectly, even in time pressure.
F.  Write your move clearly before making it on the board without fail.

Kotov first reached English speaking audiences with his very helpful advice in the early sixties by an Australia Exhibition Tour and series in Chess World.  The volume here reviewed is a much simplified attempt to help the student become a tremendously capable analyst. In my opinion it works beautifully.

Q.  What is the content of the book like?

A.  Organization is stressed in analysis, playing, training that is very easy to follow.  Individual effort and nothing more is needed for progress.

Q.  Can I, a USCF expert, become a grandmaster by really working on this book and, say, all the games in INFORMATOR?

A.  Yes.  No talent is required.  It is solely a matter of interest.

Q.  Is practical advice given with encouragement or is it dry Soviet School of chess, we-are-the-best junk?

A.  Kotov really tries to help the reader become a much better player and encourages him forward.  The advice given is not only from Kotov but Smyslov, Bronstein and Botvinnik, people Kotov has known very well over four decades.

Q.  Are there really analysis positions or is the book all talk?

A.  159 diagram positions and exercises caused your reviewer to be weeks late with this review.

Q.  Do you advise purchasing the book?

A.  No, I want to be the only person on earth with a copy.  Seriously, get the volume if you wish to play professionally or regularly face strong players in open tournaments.

Q.  Any conclusions?

A.  A triumph for a quality chess publication, Chess Digest and of course Kotov and Kenneth R. Smith.  Well translated, beautifully produced.  Just a wonderful volume for the serious player.
 

Buy this book now from Chess Discounters   Think Like A Grandmaster

For another view of this book, see this review by Leopold Lacrimosa

[Index of all Reviews]
 

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