The author wouldn't give this book more than three stars!

books:

	• Vishy Anand: Chess Super-Talent (Batsford Chess Library) David Norwood Henry Holt & Co (P), 1995 - 143 pages average customer review:based on 4 reviews
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Great book for a tourist.

It is a good book tracing a part of Anand's life as the Indian top celebrity. But if one wants to know more of Anand the great player:Vishy Anand "My Best Games of Chess" is recomended

tactful handling of an uneventful subject matter

Not a great book for chess enthusiasts concerned about Anand's games..yet it sheds some light on this Super-genius's life as a `human' which normally today's GM's have no touch. Humorous setting makes it a fun for collectors of Biographies..Not at all a bore but not for a serious chess player.Book is good but the price isn't !

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The author wouldn't give this book more than three stars!

Make no mistake, this book is entertaining and has some very interesting stories and commentaries. For this fact alone, the book is worth reading.

However ...

This really isn't much of a book on Anand (as other reviewers have stated) and the author doesn't mind a producing a semi stream of conscious style on the way to providing many of his own opinions and experiences in the chess world. I did enjoy this but it simply didn't say much about Anand.

Some simple facts ...

The included games had "light" annotation and the contribution by Graham Burgess was pretty awful.

The book was definitely rushed to print and we know this because the author repeatedly stated that he HAD to get to work on the book (to presumably catch all the excitement of the upcoming match).

The analysis in the games was very imprecise and not very well checked. I'm not that bothered that in this day and age of chess programs that a gross check wasn't done BUT some interesting movies weren't even considered or discussed at all.

I can honestly say that I know as much (or as little) about Anand's playing style and real self after reading this book.

So, why three stars then?
First, the author is very candid with his remarks and they are either honest or self-revealing or both. He is a breath of fresh air in a world where chess players feel "cheated" that they aren't winning bags of money and making a living at playing chess.
Second, despite the ragged unedited writing, David Norwood is both a talented chess player and writer. His travel writing is a poor man's Paul Thiereux.
Third, the book is short and constantly underpromises good content. But it does have good content but often off the subject (but who really wants to know that much about Anand anyway?).

So, go ahead and pay the 2 dollars and get the book, you won't regret it!

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