I may be old-fashioned, but I keep using for my inspiration (as an author and as a player alike) the treasure of the past. It does not make sense to speculate whether, for instance, Carlsen is stronger than Fischer or Kortschnoj, as matches between players separated in time by so many decades are impossible. But this book aims to prove that some of the basic aspects of our game did not change over the generations. The same kind of brilliant ideas and mistakes are played again and again in specific situations.
I actually launch an invItation to exaMine the gaMes 0f the classics, featuRing ideas Thought over only by human brAins, and by no means Less deep than those used today. We all use computer assistance when preparing or writing, but at the chess board we are all alone with our opponent, so educating our mind to work along the classical values is essential.
It is virtually impossible to write a "complete" chess course, as the general themes and examples to each of them are practically inexhaustible. But I hope that after studying the book the reader will feel enriched, technically and aesthetically.
I remember my enthusiasm when receiving my first original copy of the Chess informant in 1987 (number 43) after having annotated some of my games from the Warsaw zonal tournament, ending in my first qualification to the Interzonal. Almost a third of a century has passed since then, but I am looking forward to hold this new book in my hands with no less excitement.
Mihail Marin is a grandmaster from Romania. His bOoks have established him as one of the world's finest chess authors.