The Arsenal Files 6/The Arsenal Files 6 (Arsenal Computer).ISO/chess/mcslaskr.zip/MCSLASKR.REV

Text File | 1991-11-30 | 6KB | 124 lines

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***Book Review: MODERN CHESS STRATEGY
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Modern Chess Strategy
by Edward Lasker
Published by David McKay initially in 1951;
revised 1967; Random House 1989 edition
216 pps.
English Descriptive notation
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Two of the better instructional books available share the
same title: MODERN CHESS STRATEGY. Popular author Edward
Lasker's version provides clear explanations of many
fundamental aspects of the game.

Lasker's book is divided into two sections: Part I-
"Fundamentals" and Part II-"Principles of Chess Strategy."
Part I consists of chapters that discuss the rules of the
game, basic endgame positions and middle game checkmating
combinations (i.e. Sacrifice of the Bishop for the King's
Rook Pawn, etc.)

The majority of MCS is contained under Part II, Chapter 4,
"The Opening." In this chapter, a brief summary of 43
different openings and important variations is provided. A
short chapter entitled "Middle-Game and End-Game," followed
by twenty illustrative games, completes the volume.

Perhaps Edward Lasker's best material can be found in the
short introduction to each chapter. For example, Chapter 3,
"Fundamental Middle Game Combinations" begins with a
discussion of the significance for studying this type of
combination. On page 39 he writes, "From the study of the
end-games investigated in the previous pages, the beginner
will arrive at two important conclusions.  One is that even
if he loses a mere Pawn he will very likely be checkmated in
the ending..." The very important concept of maintaining
material equality often is ignored by instructional books as
being too obvious to be worthy of space. Yet, it is a concept
that is basic to the game; if you fail to maintain material
equality and you cannot checkmate your opponent, you will
probably lose the game.

Another important precept that is usually mentioned in books
but seldom properly explained, is that of defending the
attacked piece. Although the experienced player immediately
recognizes the need to defend a piece the same number of
times by which it is attacked, this concept is not altogether
clear to the beginner or less experienced player. Lasker
endeavors to explain it on page 48: "Fundamentally, all
combinations resolve themselves into two classes. One, in
which a man attacks two or more of the adversary's pieces
simultaneously and there is no reply which defends them all.
The other, in which only one man is attacked, but where this
man cannot move away for one reason or another, and where
more pieces can be accumulated against it than can be
mustered for its defense.
"A simple device, which amounts to a matter of elementary
arithmetic, facilitates the calculation of combinations of
the latter type." He continues by furnishing specific
positions to illustrate the principle.

Despite the explanations of basic tenets provided throughout,
things begin to go awry in Part II. The initial pages start
on a positive note: "Emanuel Lasker once made a rather nice
observation to me...He said: 'The chess board has sixty-four
squares. Therefore, the player who gains control of more than
thirty-two squares has the better winning chance.'" But,
subsequent to a brief overview of some opening principles, a
90 page discussion of particular openings and major
variations follows.

The danger with providing specific opening theory in an
instructional book is that theory constantly changes--but the
book may be revised only once every twenty years. MCS was
initially published in 1951 and updated for the last time in
1967--24 years ago.Consequently, Edward Lasker's conclusions
about certain openings should, at best, be taken with
skepticism, and at worst, completely disregarded. Only a few
examples are necessary here. The King's Indian Defense,
possibly Black's most popular weapon today against the Queen
Pawn, is illustrated only by a discussion of the Grunfeld
Defense(!); several pages are devoted to the Falkbeer Counter
Gambit, but the Najdorf variation of the Sicilian is
completely ignored; the reader is left with the impression
that White can still play the Muzio Gambit if he needs a win,
since Lasker, apparently, was unaware that the opening has
since been analyzed to a draw.

It seems to me that too much time is spent dwelling on
openings at the expense of some significant strategical
principles. (Isn't the title MODERN CHESS STRATEGY ?) The
concept of the "backward pawn" has been the focus of chapters
of material in some books, as well a theme around which
thousands of games have revolved. Yet, it is relegated to a
scant one line (p.69).

After spending 90 pages discussing opening theory, Lasker
devotes all of 4 pages to the "Middle-Game and End-Game."
(Although, in fairness to him, the twenty annotated games
that follow illustrate many middle and end game principles.)
I also like to think that the middle game is a little more
complex than just waiting for your opponent to exchange
Queens and enter the ending. But, apparently not for Lasker:
"The strategy of the middle-game depends a good deal upon
whether the defending player can force the exchange of the
Queens and a few minor pieces, or whether such simplification
can be avoided." (p.147)

However, MCS contains a plethora of fundamentals that we all
need to master. And what better person to have as a teacher
than the eminently readable, Edward Lasker? Despite the
disorganization that besets the second half of the book, this
is still one of the "classics" from which to learn the
principles of the game. In my opinion, the less experienced
player (someone who knows how the pieces move and maybe even
has played a few tournament games, but isn't quite sure what
to do after he makes the first several moves) will find MCS
to be most beneficial.

                Glenn Budzinski
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