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any thoughts on "My System" by Nimzowitsch

#26 - A book that an GM would find useful is not necessarily a book that an IM would find useful, or a club player, or a beginner.

And to be clear, that page is collating general book recommendations based on 27 interviews with Grandmasters, and 2 of them recommended My System. Incidentally, one of them is Wesley So:
https://www.ichess.net/blog/interview-with-wesley-so/
"What are your top book recommendations for beginner to intermediate players? (<2000)
“My System” by Nimzowitsch is a good book. And also some books of Dvoretsky. Opening books are also useful for starting players. It gives them ideas about each opening. It is also very good to incorporate your repertoire with computer analysis."
which I'd assume that you'd disagree with in other respects?

#26 - A book that an GM would find useful is not necessarily a book that an IM would find useful, or a club player, or a beginner. And to be clear, that page is collating general book recommendations based on 27 interviews with Grandmasters, and 2 of them recommended My System. Incidentally, one of them is Wesley So: https://www.ichess.net/blog/interview-with-wesley-so/ "What are your top book recommendations for beginner to intermediate players? (<2000) “My System” by Nimzowitsch is a good book. And also some books of Dvoretsky. Opening books are also useful for starting players. It gives them ideas about each opening. It is also very good to incorporate your repertoire with computer analysis." which I'd assume that you'd disagree with in other respects?

Richard Réti: Masters of the chessboard
is excellent and should be your first game collection. It covers 23 masters from Anderssen to Torre, including of course Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine, ...
Explanations of games, plans, and openings in well written prose and very beautiful games.

Oh, had I only had this one 15 years ago instead of Nimzowitsch's "My system". I really de-recommend Nimzowitsch for beginner-intermediate. I wouldn't even recommend it for intermediate-expert.

Michael Stean: Simple Chess
is also excellent and thin. Maybe read that before Réti.

Richard Réti: Masters of the chessboard is excellent and should be your first game collection. It covers 23 masters from Anderssen to Torre, including of course Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine, ... Explanations of games, plans, and openings in well written prose and very beautiful games. Oh, had I only had this one 15 years ago instead of Nimzowitsch's "My system". I really de-recommend Nimzowitsch for beginner-intermediate. I wouldn't even recommend it for intermediate-expert. Michael Stean: Simple Chess is also excellent and thin. Maybe read that before Réti.

I totally recommend "My System". For me it was an eyeopener regarding prophylactic thinking which was totally absent in my mind before.
When people say that it is outdated, they probably mean that there are wholes in his analysis which is clear, he didn't have Stockfish 12 running on his computer. So check the analysis with a chess engine and you will be fine.
The book still offers many things to learn and is written in an entertaining style.

I totally recommend "My System". For me it was an eyeopener regarding prophylactic thinking which was totally absent in my mind before. When people say that it is outdated, they probably mean that there are wholes in his analysis which is clear, he didn't have Stockfish 12 running on his computer. So check the analysis with a chess engine and you will be fine. The book still offers many things to learn and is written in an entertaining style.

“My System by Nimzowitsch is a good book. And also some books of Dvoretsky. Opening books are also useful for starting players. It gives them ideas about each opening. It is also very good to incorporate your repertoire with computer analysis."

Sounds like a pretty canned "response" to me...

“My System by Nimzowitsch is a good book. And also some books of Dvoretsky. Opening books are also useful for starting players. It gives them ideas about each opening. It is also very good to incorporate your repertoire with computer analysis." Sounds like a pretty canned "response" to me...

And I too am none too big on Nimzostuff. A large part of the problem for me is that his is such an irritating presence...pompous and fussbudgety and petulant. He pretty much fits the bill as the Typical Chessplayer.

I think I actually preferred Kmoch's version of him.

And I too am none too big on Nimzostuff. A large part of the problem for me is that his is such an irritating presence...pompous and fussbudgety and petulant. He pretty much fits the bill as the Typical Chessplayer. I think I actually preferred Kmoch's version of him.

I think "Pawn Structure Chess" by Soltis is way better than the Nimzo books because many pawn structures can be found in dozens of openings. Nimzowitsch is obviously his own biggest fan, much like Tarrasch in that respect.

I think "Pawn Structure Chess" by Soltis is way better than the Nimzo books because many pawn structures can be found in dozens of openings. Nimzowitsch is obviously his own biggest fan, much like Tarrasch in that respect.

It was one of my favorites (which might be why I suck) and I paid $30 for a shiny new copy online 15 years ago.
Then an ex girlfriend burned it in a bonfire along with my florsheim wingtips after a bad break up.
Then she was killed in a tornado 2 years later.
Moral?
Either don't f*** with florsheim or don't f*** with Nimzo.

It was one of my favorites (which might be why I suck) and I paid $30 for a shiny new copy online 15 years ago. Then an ex girlfriend burned it in a bonfire along with my florsheim wingtips after a bad break up. Then she was killed in a tornado 2 years later. Moral? Either don't f*** with florsheim or don't f*** with Nimzo.

I don't recommend my system. In general terms I not recommend books with a lot of theory. In my opinion don't Pro players only need a little theory (essential endgames positions, short openings variations) and needs review a lot of games. I resume in less bla bla bla, and more good moves.

If you want a good strategy book with classical games, burn My system XD, and pick John Nunn's Chess Course. A course in chess strategy with selected games of Lasker, analized by one of the top chess writers (also is a GM and a very brilliant guy)

I don't recommend my system. In general terms I not recommend books with a lot of theory. In my opinion don't Pro players only need a little theory (essential endgames positions, short openings variations) and needs review a lot of games. I resume in less bla bla bla, and more good moves. If you want a good strategy book with classical games, burn My system XD, and pick John Nunn's Chess Course. A course in chess strategy with selected games of Lasker, analized by one of the top chess writers (also is a GM and a very brilliant guy)

https://lichess.org/@/simohamed0 I recommend MY SYSTEM if you want to improve your Positional and Strategic Play.

https://lichess.org/@/simohamed0 I recommend MY SYSTEM if you want to improve your Positional and Strategic Play.

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