The Mammoth Book of Chess: With Internet Chess by Burgess, Graham (2009) Paperback

by Graham Burgess

A guide to the main opening gambits in chess along with hundreds of test positions for players at various levels. It sections on online chess, computers and openings; courses in tactics and attacking strategy; analysis of some of the greatest games ever played; and, information and advice on club, national, and international tournaments.

Genres: Chess, Nonfiction, Games, Reference, History, Sports

Paperback

First published September 10, 2009

About the author

Graham K. Burgess (1968) is an English FIDE Master of chess and a noted writer and trainer. He became a FIDE Master at the age of twenty. He attended Birkdale High School in Southport, Merseyside. In 1989 he graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in mathematics. In 1994 he set a world record by playing 510 games of blitz chess (five minutes for each player) in three days, winning 431 games and drawing 25,

Burgess has written more than twenty books and edited more than 250. His book The Mammoth Book of Chess won the British Chess Federation Book of the Year Award in 1997. He is the editorial director of Gambit Publications.

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked this one out from the library and have read all the text...however, there are years (for me anyhow) of puzzles and exercises on everything from tactics & combinations to endgame studies; along with a host of opening studies. I plan to purchase a copy for my personal library in order to play through these sections of the book in my own time. The author says it best in his own words, "...I hope (this) is a book that you will refer to and dip into for many years to come; a book you will not outgrow as you become an accomplished player." I look forward to spending many more long hours getting better acquainted with this work. Mr. Burgess does a great job of clearly analyzing games and moves in an understandable manner for even an advanced beginner such as myself.

[Skye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book because I was working with a gentleman who was trying to shove chess knowledge into my brain. I figured that I needed all of the help that I could get. I’m not gonna lie, I don’t actually think reading this book helped me like I had hoped…

Having said that, this was still interesting. And, honestly, if I read this and actually practiced, I’d probably be able to turn myself into some semblance of a good chess player. I haven’t, so I’m not. But it’s nice to know that I now have a text sitting there that could work out well for me.

As far as the Mammoth Books go, this is by far the most dense and intellectually difficult for me. Honestly, it’s probably the most dense and intellectually challenging for me in general. This is just not how my brain thinks, so I didn’t work with it quite as well as I do with other texts.

All in all, this was an intriguing book. One that most definitely fascinated me and intrigued me. And on that I’ll probably flick through again and again over the years out of my own fascination and need to be better at something that I’m just not quite good at…

[Oliver Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid. Only really useful for the absolute beginner.

[Christan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always give good, instructive chess books five stars!!!

[M S Ram · Rating 2 out of 5]

Went through the sample. Not a great read on an electronic reading device. Perhaps the hard copy works better?

[Markbenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book looks like a great way to sharpen strategic thinking! Makes me think of how much strategy is also needed when you Play real cricket 25.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sure it's a fantastic read; however, the e-copy that my library had was hopelessly corrupted. iPad book readers (like Overdrive) chugged and sputtered in its attempt to display this BIG e-book. Pick up the hard-copy and skip the electronic version (at the Toronto Public Library).

[Derek O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have since outgrown this book, but this dense manual should prove useful to any club level chess player. There is a huge range of opening coverage including traps, illustrative games, and a long section on different motifs for Attack & Defense. One thing is if you are want to focus on one or two openings, this book is spread a little thin in that regard (though this is not intended as an opening manual to be fair). Still, the most popular openings like the Sicilian defense and King's Indian defense get the greatest amount of coverage.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

A desktop reference about chess. Covers most aspects of the game in several concise sections.

I've finished my initial survey of the book, well worth owning as a solid reference for beginners to intermediate players. I will work through the problems over several months.

[Torsch]

Dense. Chock full of information.

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great starting point for learning to play.

[Morris Nelms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended if you play chess.