When it comes to reading books, I have always been fascinated by this quote by Sir Francis Bacon, which goes like this...
"Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention." ~ Sir Francis Bacon English author, courtier, & philosopher (1561 - 1626)
This adage also applies to chess and what one wishes to get out of a material - be it a book, or magazine or even online videos!
If I were reading a magazine, the intention would not be to develop my game or understand the Ruy Lopez better; my only intention would be to stay updated with what's going on in the chess world, and follow some fun games. In that case, I wouldn't want to set up a chess set and read with any dedication.
At the same time, I would read Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual as if It were some religious text, and I don't mind spending hours before a chess set with just one position set up.
So, I think there is no one ideal answer to how a chess book must be read. I take it for granted that it depends on what the reader wants out of a chess book.
At the same time, suppose two chess players read the same book with an intense dedication, would they use the same methods to grasp the essence of the book ?
Not really. One may find index cards useful - to write down important positions, another may find tools like Evernote handy, or even an old-school notebook! Personally, when I read any important text, I tend to use a notebook to write down notes (Sometimes another for vocabulary) or doodle the important points or even chess positions!
I am curious what methods other readers use to successfully grasp, fully understand a material.
"Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention."
~ Sir Francis Bacon
English author, courtier, & philosopher (1561 - 1626)
This adage also applies to chess and what one wishes to get out of a material - be it a book, or magazine or even online videos!
If I were reading a magazine, the intention would not be to develop my game or understand the Ruy Lopez better; my only intention would be to stay updated with what's going on in the chess world, and follow some fun games. In that case, I wouldn't want to set up a chess set and read with any dedication.
At the same time, I would read Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual as if It were some religious text, and I don't mind spending hours before a chess set with just one position set up.
So, I think there is no one ideal answer to how a chess book must be read. I take it for granted that it depends on what the reader wants out of a chess book.
At the same time, suppose two chess players read the same book with an intense dedication, would they use the same methods to grasp the essence of the book ?
Not really. One may find index cards useful - to write down important positions, another may find tools like Evernote handy, or even an old-school notebook! Personally, when I read any important text, I tend to use a notebook to write down notes (Sometimes another for vocabulary) or doodle the important points or even chess positions!
I am curious what methods other readers use to successfully grasp, fully understand a material.
Do share your thoughts,
Best,
Arun