Cjs Purdy's Fine Art of Chess Annotation and Other Thoughts (3)

by Ralph J. Tykodi (Editor)

Cecil John Seddon Purdy was a bona-fide original thinker, explorer, and discoverer, much like the late physicist Richard Feynman. Besides writing about and playing chess, he thought about chess, its origins, its rules, and its best games by its best players -- and sometimes he would disagree with the results of others. Genius does what it wants, and it often suffers as a result. However, the rewards of his insightful genius are now bearing fruit and a whole new world has discovered the writings of this master teacher and player. In 1953 Purdy became the First Correspondence Chess Champion Of The World -- in a notoriously difficult sport -- while residing in Australia! Concurrently he was also publishing his small, but powerful, chess magazine, aptly named, Chess World. Volume 1 contained 100 annotated master-level, and above, games. Volume 2 offered 120 annotated master-level, and above, games along with 13 separate "how to improve" articles. Volume 3, continuing in the same style, contains 70 annotated games of CJS Purdy as well as an additional 30 annotated games of his tactically gifted son John, also an Australian Champion. In addition, 6 articles and a number of essays add to the flavor of learning. Besides the many diagrams, there is an index of openings, and information on the Purdy Library of Chess.

Genres: Chess, Games

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[George Eraclides · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as all the previous volumes. Arguably, Purdy was the finest teacher of chess for average to strong club players (Elo 1000-1900). Fischer thought very highly of him. His annotations are intended to capture the essence of a position and explain how to think about the game. He provided clear, direct, common-sense guidance which average players can use to improve, rather than memorizing opening theory which they do not really understand. If you have talent for the game then starting with reading Purdy, and applying his methods, will give you a boost to strong player status or even Master level. Incidentally, Purdy was no mean player himself. He was an International Master and was also the first World Champion in Correspondence Chess, long before computers changed the game into a nothing for those who want to think for themselves. You will find no high falutin' jargon but rather practical guidance you can use. Chess is, actually, a practical game.