New Ideas in Chess

by Larry Evans

New York. 1978. Cornerstone. 20x13. 185p.

Genres: Chess, Games

Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Larry Melvin Evans, chess grandmaster.

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book for the intermediate player. I consider it one of the all time best for progressing from knowledgeable beginner(comfortable with all the basic tactical themes (pin, fork, skewer etc), basic opening principles and basic endgames) to solid intermediate/entry level advanced player. It is a speed class in the material one will find in Nimzowich My System and Chess Praxis (Excellent books that will seem much more readable after you are done with this one.) Examples are given in the classic breakdown of space, force and time plus the additional (and vital) element of pawn structure. The virtue of this book is that it is a fast read even if you work all the examples out, it it very comprehensive given its size and the information can be put to immediate use in typical games. Unlike many quick-to-read chess books that show you some neat ways to win assuming you can get your opponent to replay the sample game, the ideas are essential and of broad use and are accompanied by simple and concrete examples, most from Evans' games against strong opponents. The explanation of pawn structure is particularly valuable because it introduces the reader to ideas that can be used to form a plan beyond the immediate tactical situation, things to do when there is nothing to do and things to avoid to prevent just drifting into a loss. After reading it I understood why being just a pawn up really is decisive most of the time and got a better idea how one wins methodically from a materially even position without brilliant tactics (or more likely cheapos). The examples cover how to create and use such weaknesses to win and eliminate them (prophylaxis)to improve a position.

[Ostap Bender · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is titled “New Ideas in Chess”, but the concepts presented are timeless. After some preliminaries, Evans, himself an International Grandmaster, includes chapters on pawn structure, force, space, and time, the key aspects to a well-rounded game. The principles in each chapter are illustrated in general summaries as well as in examples taken from individual games from history. The titles on lessons (e.g. “Strike Pawn chains at their base”, “My kingdom for a Luft!”) are succinct and memorable – I still recall some of them decades after studying this book in the effort to become a better player. I got a lot out of it and only wish it would have included richer chapters on openings as well as the end game, which are also important.

[Michel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once you get over his strange notation (eg. the classic opening e4,e5;Nf3,Nc6 becomes in this book P-K4,P-K4;N-KB3,N-QB3), you learn things in leaps and bounds. This should be the first book on chess one reads (dixit Bobby Fisher).
Rather than teaching moves and analysing positions, he takes a systemic view of the board and helps you see the interaction of space, time, force and pawn structure. Did you know for instance that every time you move a pawn a double square, you create a weakness? This is usually compensated for of course, by allowing a better development of your pieces (time) and / or by encroaching on the center (space), but once you know the price you pay for something, isn't it a lot easier to figure out if you can afford it?
In general, chess amateurs like me tend to view the meek pawn as expendable at best, a nuisance for the other pieces at worst; this book shows you Philidor's famous quote ("Pawns are the soul of chess") in action.
I haven't played a game since I finished this book, yet I know I am already a better player for reading it.

[Cormac Zoso · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the most important American chess author (and in many cases, the most important American involved in whatever level American chess has to claim as its own). Larry Evans was a player, writer, coach, and one of those pivotal people in getting Bobby Fischer to Iceland. This is a standard high-quality book for starters from Evans. Covering pawn play, space, time, and more, this is one every beginning player should know so well they will need a new copy before they move on. One of the most valuable books you can buy the beginning player you know.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've followed Larry's career in chess since the early 70's. He is brilliant and fun to read.