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Title: The United States Chess Championship, 1845-1996 by Andy Soltis, Gene H. McCormick ISBN: 0-7864-0248-2 Publisher: McFarland & Company Pub. Date: 01 March, 1997 Format: Library Binding Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $45.00

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Average Customer Rating: 5 (1 review)

Rating: 5
Summary: All you need to know about Championship Chess in the U.S.
Comment: "All you need to know about Championship Chess in the U.S."

I wasn't really interested in reviewing this book, but an Internet student asked me to take a look at it, as he was thinking about buying it for his collection. (I have had this book for several years now.)

First you should know that I am a Chess Master that for many years has made a living from teaching chess. Secondly, I am also a huge fan of Andy's, but I will try to be objective as possible here.

The books starts off with an Introduction, and in it is a very funny and amusing story as told by Pat Wolff to Charles Fried, the former Solicitor General in the Reagan Administration. (I also wish to note that only people who are familiar with the plight of chess players in the U.S. can even begin to comprehend what he is talking about.)

Chapter One is entitled, "A Champion Is Crowned." It is the story of one Charles H. Stanley, the first official U.S. Champion. (Did you know that the first U.S. Championship was a match between Stanley and Rousseau? And that it was played in New Orleans in 1845? Most people think Morphy was the first U.S. Champion, but that is a common misconception.)

Chapter Two is about Paul Morphy. (Who else?) There are chapters with titles like, "The King Is A Captain." (Chap. # 3.) Or ... "The Years Of Confusion." Or even "The Man Who Enjoyed It." I could go on and on, but I trust by now you get the general picture. This is a great book. Its NOT just a chess book, but a history book as well. And one that is thoroughly enjoyable to read.

My favorite chapter would have to be the one that covered the life and times of Samuel Reshevsky. His 'squeakers' and come-from-behind finishes are most enthralling to read about. And the way that Soltis describes it, one almost feels as if you were there ... re-living the events as they happen.

Practical every era and period of chess is covered. Nothing is left out. There are dozens - if not hundreds - of game fragments, and many nicely annotated games as well. Soltis often gives you a 'blow-by-blow' that other chess authors will not trouble to do. You find out many stories that may have stayed permanently behind the scenes if not for this book.

You get 8 pages in the middle of the book with 16 truly beautiful photographs. At the end of the book is nearly everything a chess person could want or desire: # 1.) A complete summary; # 2.) Individual records; # 3.) An Openings Index; # 4.) An ECO openings index, # 5.) A general index.

And there are even some personal memories in here for me. I attended and was a spectator at many of these events, starting as a small boy visiting my GrandMother in New York. The section that describes the Lev Alburt victory at Jacksonville, Florida in 1990 is very personal for me. I was there in the audience, and I watched just about every game. (My Brilliancy Prize game for The U.S. Open that year can be found in just about every on-line database.) And - of course! - you get cross-tables from most or all of these events.

I do not think I can rate this book highly enough, nor do it any real justice in a small review.

Why would you buy this book? Certainly not to improve ... there are too many good teaching books - 'The Complete Chess Player,' by Reinfeld; 'My System,' by Nimzovich; "How To Re-Assess Your Chess," by IM Jeremy Silman; The Watson or Alburt books, etc. Plus you could get several other books what you will pay for this one, especially if you are willing to buy a used book.

You would not buy this book if you are trying to raise your rating ... once again this is not a book really designed to do that. No!! Buy this book because you love the game and want a book that will be a permanent and lasting memory of all the great tournaments, and all the great players who played in them. Q.E.D.