Bird's Defense

Originally posted by philidor position
which book would you recommend to study karpov's games?

I've heard a great deal about "how karpov wins," and I'm thinking about ordering it. I have karpov's own game collection and his 1.c4 book as well. any suggestions?

*** Edit : I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hijack the thread either 🙂.

I have a book by Karpov on his games, but I prefer the Mednis book. Mednis has a clear way of explaining things, and I get more from his annotations. I'd say go with Mednis but again, beware of two things:
1. The book is in descriptive notation. 2. Even the second revised edition of Mednis ends in 1981 with the Karpov-Korchnoi match. ... It's not as up to date as newer books. This doesn't really matter to me though because I like to see his rise to the top of the Soviet crop. He played tons of great games even before the Kasparov matches.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
no, it is wonderfully instructive, and beautifully subtle. I read somewhere that for Fischer to get anything out of the game, counter play had to be present, i am not sure if this meant that he enjoyed the 'drama', of counterplay or that he realised that to get squares one had also to give up control of others, but one must remember he was at heart, ...[text shortened]... e. i may get the book myself, for i have never been able to understand his brilliant play.

You are right to start with Morphy. The problem with Fischer's games (or Karpov's) is that you aren't at the level to get as much from them yet. (I'm not sure I am either, so don't feel bad. The best I can do is pick up a thing here or there.) What I really mean, is that Fischer and Karpov conquered other GM's. It's not only that. They conquered the best of the GM's. Before you study up on how one GM beats another GM, you need to get the technique of how to beat other amateurs down first. Morphy's opposition was less than GM standard. They made mistakes from slight to colossal blunders. You must learn to spot and exploit these types of mistakes first. You have to learn to walk before you run. 🙂 Morphy's fine positional technique will show you how to do this.

Morphy's finest asset was the assessment of time (or tempos). He doesn't waste time moving rook pawns or just waiting. Nearly every single move contributes something to the position at hand. When Morphy attacks, he doesn't let up for a second. That is the way to play!!!

Enjoy the games my friend. That's what it's all about. 🙂

Originally posted by paulbuchmanfromfics
I have a book by Karpov on his games, but I prefer the Mednis book. Mednis has a clear way of explaining things, and I get more from his annotations. I'd say go with Mednis but again, beware of two things:
1. The book is in descriptive notation. 2. Even the second revised edition of Mednis ends in 1981 with the Karpov-Korchnoi match. ... It' ...[text shortened]... o the top of the Soviet crop. He played tons of great games even before the Kasparov matches.

OK, thanks.