This Crazy World of Chess

I grew up dining on "Evans on Chess" once a month in Chess Life.Grandmaster Evans would answer questions,comment on games and then unlike any other chess writer he'd pull away the curtain and expose us to the other side of chess.The politial side!The shady dealings,scandals, conspiracies,backroom politics and fascinating tidbits were revealed like no other chess writer before him!Whereas GM Evans once a month article is a meal;"This Crazy World of Chess" is a banquet!294 entertaining and intriguing pages featuring 101 articles exposing the "other side" of the world of chess!From Fischer to Karpov,Kasparov to Kramnik,and Chaplin to Bogart this book will keep you thoroughly entertained!My only regret is that there is no volume 2!!!

REVIEW BY JAMES WEAVER THIS CRAZY WORLD OF CHESS arrived yesterday. I was able to finish it (minus 20 pages about specific games) this morning. I enjoyed it very much, and especially like the format that highlights relevant situations that even non-players will find humorous and interesting. All things considered, from FIDE world government to computer domination of the game, to all the GMs that have documented their experiences, I think Interzonals will become not only the most attended chess events but "trails end" for future players who refuse to associate with the corruption and politics that sub$tantial prize money demands they condone. I think more kids will learn and play chess but not beyond high school with the exception of people like Claude Bloodgood who died in prison after worming his way to number two in the nation solely by beating other inmates. While chess as a profession never quite reached the intended level of a reasonable salary other than in Russia, and computers have completely erased any reasonable goal for players, I think chess will forever hold the distinction that no other game will ever replace it. Obviously chess players will not suddenly use their energy to elevate another game, because chess is so unique and encompassing. I think future fans will understand the moves well enough to follow the "big boards" at Interzonals, and occasionally play a relative or neighbor. People will still play in parks and small coffee houses and gossip about the "good old days." FIDE, which has over 160 member nations, could implode. Larry Evans exposes how they bribe delegates, rig ratings, punish dissidents and change rules on a whim without consulting top players. "It's hard to think of an international organization more corrupt than the United Nations; but FIDE, the world chess body, comes close," he laments. His chapter on the absurdity of drug testing in chess is a classic. I think this book is timely and will reach a much larger audience than just dedicated fans. It's unlike any chess book ever written and will receive a lot of positive feedback. Good work backed up by solid research!

Grandmaster Larry Evans really was right in the thick of things during so many major chess events and scandals. With numerous jabs at the corrupt FIDE and many chapters about the eccentric Bobby Fischer, Evans covers a multitude of monumental happenings in the "Crazy World of Chess." There are a few chapters in the book that were uninteresting to me or that I thought were irrelevant, like chess memorabilia being sold on eBay and a bit about handwriting analysis. But overall this book has way too much for that to even matter. The letters and interviews are invaluable and fascinating. His level of involvement is enormous and his interest and devotion to the game are very evident. A lot of work and research must have been put into this book. Any chess fan out there needs to own this book. No argument about it. You might think you know a lot of the history and many of the scandals, but this covers them to a degree that only someone inside the circle of these famous players could expose. You think you know chess, but you ain't seen nothing yet!