On the Origin of Good Moves : A Skeptic’s Guide to Getting Better at Chess – Willy Hendriks

Description

The way a beginner transformed into a strong chess player closely resembles the improvement of the game of chess itself. This famous idea is the reason why many renowned chess instructors such as former World Champions Garry Kasparov and Max Euwe, emphasize the importance of studying the history of chess.

Willy Hendriks agrees that there is much to be learned from the pioneers of our game. He challenges, however, the conventional point on what the stages in the advancement of chess actually have been. Among several articles of faith that Hendriks questions is Wilhelm Steinitz’s reputation as the discoverer of the laws of positional chess.

In The Origin of Good Moves Hendriks undertakes a groundbreaking investigative trip into the history of chess. He describes what actually happened, creates new perspectives, finds new heroes, and reveals the real driving force behind improvement in chess: evolution.

This thought-provoking book is full of great and instructive ‘new’ material from the old days. With lots of exercises, the reader is called to put themselves in the shoes of the old masters. Never before has the study of the history of chess been so entertaining and rewarding.

International Master Willy Hendriks (1966) has been working as a chess trainer for over 25 years. His acclaimed bestseller Move First, Think Later won the English Chess Federation Book of the Year Award.