Kramnik: My Life & games

Here is a book that I would consider a 'modern classic', a book of well annotated games of one of the most powerful strategic/positional players in chess history. There is an extensive bibliography, written by Damsky, and a long selection of rapid and blind games, called 'The Spirit of the Times'. It is rather fascinating (and humbling) to see how strongly a super GM can play under these conditions. The main 'Selected Games' section is only 40 or so games, annotated carefully by Kramnik himself. But the strength of the play and the fine annotations by Kramnik are rather special, and are not to be missed by serious players. I have to admit that much of the play is above me, a very definite club level player, but stronger players, and all lovers of well-annotated games will find rich material for study, enjoyment and appreciation here. One can only wish that the main games section was 2 or 3 times as long, so good is the material! Don't miss this one!

If you are beyond beginner and like positional play, this book about and by Kramnik is a must have. The highlight are the fifty three annotated games that comprise the final section. For masters level positional players get the 2 Karolyi books on Karpov's games, plus his endgames....true masterpieces.

Kramnik's games are so beautiful and his annotations so insightful that I am forced to award his book five stars. Be warned, however, you will learn next to nothing of his childhood from the text. For those of us interested in the human side of chess, this is a major fault.

I have a lot of game-collections/biography chess books in my library, considering the best ones Life & Games of Mikhail Tal and I Play Against Pieces by Svetozar Gligoric but, belive it or not, this Kramnik one is the worst I have encountered with. Every game is tipically anotated as quick fix for some second rate chess magazine, without any wish for explaining itself or its background to the reader. And authors own biography is just short of unexistent, although it is known that he had a rich life chesswise, before going on top (working in famous Botvinnik chess school, playing junior games against famous oponents of today etc.) Its a shame, and I hope that updated version would be much frendlier and filled with important games played in last five years, and with extended biography.

bueno

I like this book a lot; the games are extremely interesting (I find Kramnik to be kind of a modern Smyslov), and Damsky's admiration for Kramnik is evident and adds a nice human touch.

This book is entitle "My Life And Games"I think everyone who buys this book has to understand the title its not just a book of openings. This book the world champion is telling you more about himself. If you dont like the book its kinda of your own fault. Kramnik is very straight forward about his book. The 80 games that are listed in the book are much more simplier to read than any of kaasparov's books of openings. this is because the moves are listed up and down and are better spaced out! Chess books can be boring but if you want to learn how to play chess read and look at his GAMES. I THINK your wasting your time reading the othr books. If you wanna learn how to play chess you should only get books by kramnik and fischer. It's because the moves are easier to read because its spaced out better and easier on the "eyes"Kramnik went 80 games without a loss. kasparov has never acomplished that goal ever.When Kramnik defends his world title next january. If he beats or ties kasparov to retain his title. I think he will make a brand new book of openings. This man beat the most powerful computer ever made "Deep Fritz7". It is better than deep blue by 2 times. Deep blue beat kasparov. The people who true want to understand how to play chess openings. I STRESS you only get KRAMNIK or BOBBY FISCHER'S book. The other books are JUNK AND NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO READ!!!

Heavy going for patzers and duffers, especially when one’s time is limited. Still, Kramnik dispels the notion that he’s a dry, technical player. This volume is full of double-edged encounters with the likes of Shirov, Kasparov, and other acolytes of dynamism. The first half of the book is really a chronological - and lightly annotated - review of his life and games, while the second half consists of his notes to his personally selected games. It’s here that his talents as an analyst stand out. He is thorough, honest regarding his own mistakes, and refreshingly self-effacing. (At one point he claims that he has difficulty analyzing beyond five moves over the board. Color me skeptical.) Unfortunately, the book is marred by a poor translation which results in the overuse of quotation marks and a poor layout which make the thicket of variations in the second half even harder to comb through. In sum, this is a good game collection and biography, but not good as a learning tool unless one is being guided by an expert teacher.

love the book full of his games brilliantly written and not reams of analysis and opening suggestions.

If you have to be a better player - i think Kramnik is a must read on how to play positional - i have read Petrosians ,Karpovs and Capablancas games through and and it always strike me that positional play can be different from person to person. I think al players have a specifik stile .on how to play chess. But always interesting to learn from each one of them

good variations to see, useful lines and reasoning for them, the cover picture is cool

Great games!

Amei o livro!! Leitura fácil e prazerosa!!