New in Chess Yearbook 100:Review
New in Chess Yearbook 100
Softcover: 304 pages
New in Chess.2011
The cognoscenti among our readers need no introduction to the New in Chess Yearbook. For nearly three decades it has held an eminent position with its surveys on recent trends in opening theory. Recently it scored a century with the 100th issue. To celebrate the occasion, the New in Chess house has announced a quiz with attractive prizes. The photo contest in particular is fun. Readers must have a go at it. (see the link at the end of this review). This brings me to the present issue.
There are as many as 36 opening surveys, beginning with Kasparov's introduction to Zaitsev variation of the Ruy Lopez.
Unfortunately, it is too brief and leaves much to be desired. The following game, however, is a nugget and it shows possibilities for both sides. I have added some explanation and analysis for the sake of younger readers who may not be playing this system.
Exhausted!? Let me show some lighter stuff. Here is young Kristof Juhasz improving on Sergey Kasparov’s analysis of the Caro-Kann. Black king appears to be in some serious trouble and the rook on f8 is also under attack.Can you do something?
"But you didn't tell us where White went wrong?"
"Don't tell them anything."
Now you see, I have landed in trouble.
OK, how about trying it yourself?May be, you could find a novelty just like our young hero Juhasz here. But make it within the first 20 moves, please. Not on the 64th move. That is going a bit too far. David Bronstein preferred to show a novelty on the second move. And Tony Miles…on the first move!
That was against Anatoly Karpov. The then world champion was so shocked by this blatant lack of respect that he suffered a triple loss. He lost his temper, his head and then the game itself!
To return to this jubilee issue there are 30+ opening surveys ranging from Evans Gambit to English Opening. There are also tributes to the founding father, Wim Andriessen and contributors, past and present. That is how it should be. The yearbook has reached an important milestone. It's both a moment of celebration and introspection. How far will it go? Only time will tell.
Recommended.
Notes:
1)The men "behind the scenes" at the yearbook seldom speak about their work.
Here is a rare glimpse:http://www.gmsquare.com/interviews/olthof.html
2)For more info. on this issue, see the following link from the Publisher's site:
http://www.newinchess.com/Shop/ProductDetails.aspx? ProductID=160&yearbook=10PageID=201
3)The Anniversary Quiz is here:
http://www.newinchess.com/Yearbook/Default.aspx?PageID=200
4)For some serious criticism, see the following review:
http://www.chessvibes.com/reviews/review-nic-yearbook-100
5)Yearbook issues from No. 88 to No. 100 have been reviewed on our site.
More may be located at ChessCafe Archives:
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