The Grandmaster: Magnus Carlsen and the Match That Made Chess Great Again

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 · 254 ratings  · 52 reviews

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As a player of chess, I can't assist myself when I see a book about chess. I have to read it. Sometimes, the results are crawly, like David Shenk'southward THE IMMORTAL GAME. Other times, the results are disappointing, like QUEEN OF KATWE. I'm sorry to say that despite its intriguing cover art, THE GRANDMASTER falls into the latter group. I read this book and was very disappointed.

The starting time warning sign comes at the kickoff, with a random tange

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As a player of chess, I tin't help myself when I see a book nigh chess. I have to read it. Sometimes, the results are crawly, like David Shenk'due south THE IMMORTAL GAME. Other times, the results are disappointing, like QUEEN OF KATWE. I'thousand sorry to say that despite its intriguing cover fine art, THE GRANDMASTER falls into the latter group. I read this book and was very disappointed.

The first warning sign comes at the beginning, with a random tangent about Donald Trump. I approximate because Carlsen's match against Karjakin was overshadowed by protests confronting Trump'due south election and apparently Carlsen is a fan of Trump. According to this book, Carlsen likes him because, like him, Trump is good at finding people's weaknesses (ick). In fact, to cheekily show his support of that orange rat fink SOB, he played the Trompowsky Attack equally a show of solidarity. How adorable.

Aside from turning me off Magnus Carlsen completely, this volume failed to provide much insight into Carlsen or his games considering the writer keeps going on tangents. Tangents that aren't necessarily authentic. For example, he talks about how poorly compensated chess players are, but with things like Twitch (online streaming site for games, pop with online chess sites like chess.com or lichess.org) and the ascent of influencer culture, I'k not certain that's truthful anymore. With social media being what information technology is, it is much, much easier for those in niche areas to attain out to like-minded fans.

Second, the author says that in order to sympathise Magnus Carlsen, it's important to enquiry Bobby Fischer, and so goes on a tangent about chess and mental illness. Which, once more, had me giving this book the ol' side-middle because 1) apart from being jerks who apparently similar making their opponents squirm, Fischer and Carlsen really don't seem to have that much in mutual. They are 2 very different people coming from 2 very unlike walks of life. And two) correlation does not evidence causation. Once you become into any highly competitive arena of hobbies or sports, you're going to find dysfunctional people who take their obsession too far. That does not hateful that the affair in question is responsible for these behaviors; it's cocky-selection on the part of the people focused on these activities.

Third, several times the author mentions the lack of women in chess, and seems focused peculiarly on Judit Polgar. It's true that Judit Polgar has the highest peak rating of any adult female, but she is by no means the only female grandmaster out at that place, nor is she the but recently agile one. In fact, she'southward no longer even the youngest female person grandmaster; that honour now goes to China's Hou Yifan.

Quaternary, the writer seems to think that Carlsen is special because he hobnobs with celebrities and - gasp - has a six-pack. A chess-thespian who isn't a total uggo? What a shock! I find that incredibly rude, like the author is buying into the "chess players are socially dysfunctional freaks" stereotype, particularly with the focus on chess as existence related to or causing mental affliction portion of the book. I, I detect it insulting that Carlsen deserves more than recognition only because he's washed modeling - and even if that were the case (which it'due south non), two, he's not the simply one. Alexandra Kosteniuk, for example, is a female person grandmaster and a model (and one of my personal favorite chess players).

Fifth, when giving a cursory background on Carlsen and where he comes from, Butler talks nigh how the boondocks Carlsen comes from is (in)famous for two things: a Medieval festival and a concentration campsite that was entirely Norwegian-owned and operated. That kind of made me feel disgusting inside, because I know a lot of people from Europe experience terribly most WWII, and putting this odd and irrelevant fact in the book felt (1) like padding and (2) kind of insensitive and disrespectful.

This book was kind of all over the place and wasn't very helpful. I'm guessing it was rushed to the press so its release engagement would coincide with Caruana and Carlsen's current friction match in the World Chess Championship games (happening right now - literally all anyone is talking nigh on lichess at the moment). That was a clever marketing motion, but THE GRANDMASTER itself is anything but.

Thanks to Netgalley/the publisher for the review re-create!

1.5 stars

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May 23, 2019 Ensiform rated it it was ok

An account of the much-anticipated 2016 championship lucifer between enigmatic grandmaster Magnus Carlsen and Russia's Sergey Karjakin by a sportswriter more than used to covering boxing matches. Against a backdrop of the Trump dark horse seizure of the presidency, the two players play draw after draw until they are mentally and physically spent.

Unfortunately, this is a magazine article artificially inflated into a volume-length project. I try not to review books by saying "this book is X, non Y," and i

An business relationship of the much-anticipated 2016 title match between enigmatic grandmaster Magnus Carlsen and Russia's Sergey Karjakin by a sportswriter more used to covering boxing matches. Against a backdrop of the Trump dark horse seizure of the presidency, the two players play draw subsequently depict until they are mentally and physically spent.

Unfortunately, this is a magazine article artificially inflated into a book-length project. I endeavor not to review books by saying "this volume is Ten, not Y," and instead enjoy them as any X they are, merely this book is non nearly the championship. We hear a great deal about the writer'due south family unit history, from fleeing to Republic of hungary as penniless immigrants to drunken abusive uncles, with miscarriages, alcoholism, and attempted suicide to dress it up. There's a long chapter near artificial intelligence and Deep Blue'south match with Kasparov and the ascent of computer chess and how cold, bloodless, and uninteresting it is. But nosotros are not reading nearly estimator chess. Is this necessary? Then there's a great bargain near Bobby Fisher, ostensibly because Magnus may take the seeds of another prodigy whose single-minded obsession devolves into mad, paranoid isolation. But there'south not a trace of evidence for this parallel; indeed, in that location'due south very little virtually Magnus at all other than some bare biographical information. We hear about chess fan Stanley Kubrick, lensman Harry Benson who took celebrated photos of Fisher, and other prodigies. At that place's information on Paul Morphy, the 19th century prodigy; chess clubs in New York City in the 19th century, through the depression, the '50s, and onward. Peter Winston, chess master who disappeared in mysterious circumstances. Judit Polgar. Women in chess in general. Possibly the crazy prodigies might have some preliminary connexion or even hypothetical connection to Magnus, simply what does Polgar have to practise with it? There'due south more: How the author came to play chess in Cuba. Chess in Cuba. The moving-picture show Searching for Bobby Fischer and the graphic symbol's real life inspiration. As to the prose style, it'due south decent. But to add more padding, every fourth dimension the author inserts himself into an interview, it is to add together absolutely nothing of value to the conversation. He will repeat what someone said or re-phrase it in a sure manner, and his subject field will repeat what he says. About i/6 of the book describes the events of the lucifer. This book is most chess, simply not the chess lucifer. And and then I was disappointed.

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Nov 13, 2018 Brian Karen rated it did not similar information technology

The author is completely unaware of contempo developments in chess. Most notably its affinity to online play as well every bit the scholastic smash. In the by, Chess players had trouble making a living only this has inverse dramatically because of the aforementioned factors. A brief bit of research on the internet will confirm my point. That is research the author should take completed while writing this book.

Instead, he wrote a book that serves to confirm outdated stereotypes of chess.

Butler's coverage of the bodily lucifer was quite sparse. There is more proper name dropping than chess talk which was a major disappointment to me. I was expecting this to have actual details of ANY the games played betwixt Carlsen and Karjakin, but content of the games between the two were breezed over with vague word about chess, yet included ridiculous descriptions about the competitors body language and giant leaps on how everything was Fischeresque.

Karjakin reached out over the board and aptitude

Butler's coverage of the actual friction match was quite thin. There is more name dropping than chess talk which was a major thwarting to me. I was expecting this to have bodily details of Whatever the games played betwixt Carlsen and Karjakin, but content of the games between the two were breezed over with vague discussion virtually chess, yet included ridiculous descriptions almost the competitors body language and behemothic leaps on how everything was Fischeresque.

Karjakin reached out over the board and aptitude his wrists to lower his delicate hands over his white pieces with his fingers pressed together, resembling a pelican'south beak bobbing at fish, as he went after each of their heads.

I mean, really. WTF am I reading? Is this a book almost chess or something fished out of the wastebasket discarded by Nora Roberts?

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Dec 14, 2018 Steve Hench rated it did non like it

Bloated prose. The metaphors and similes were way over-the-top in many instances, with the whole "execution" metaphor really overdone. Several decent anecdotal stories, though.

Dec 02, 2020 Daniel Rowe rated it really liked information technology

This volume is excellent.

Such a riveting journey into the madness of the chess world and an effort to come to terms with the fine line between genius and insanity.

Some truly incredible stories within the story and well worth a read.

Oct 14, 2021 Ronald McCoy rated information technology it was amazing

Very interesting view of events around a world chess championship. there is some very evocative writing, and thoughtful insights into the game and players. However, in that location is a bit of a boxing mentality virtually the writing, which detracts from the overall narrative. There is a huge deviation between battle and chess, in that you are not chirapsia the brains violently of the other person. While this may involve psychological battles, information technology doesn't involve inflicting brain damage on the other person, des Very interesting view of events around a world chess title. there is some very evocative writing, and thoughtful insights into the game and players. Still, there is a scrap of a battle mentality about the writing, which detracts from the overall narrative. In that location is a huge difference betwixt boxing and chess, in that you are non beating the brains violently of the other person. While this may involve psychological battles, it doesn't involve inflicting brain harm on the other person, despite the author's cursory and uninformed effort to link chess with madness. I personally detested the writer'south attitudes to battle, which really spoiled an otherwise very good piece of writing. ...more

Jun fifteen, 2019 M.A. Reads rated it really liked it

The Grandmaster is one of the quickest 200-page books I've read. Although the Carlsen-Karjakin match is the catalyst for Butler'southward book, it'south not his main bailiwick. Rather, The Grandmaster is a much broader look at the ways in which chess cultivates obsession and madness in grandmasters and novices alike, and the volume is better for this broad focus. The Grandmaster is i of the quickest 200-page books I've read. Although the Carlsen-Karjakin match is the catalyst for Butler's book, it's not his primary subject. Rather, The Grandmaster is a much broader look at the ways in which chess cultivates obsession and madness in grandmasters and novices alike, and the book is meliorate for this broad focus. ...more

Feb 03, 2020 Andrea Mullin rated it it was amazing

"...Everything you never imagined y'all wanted to know well-nigh chess" says Kirkus Reviews, and how right that is.
I picked this upward because I know the writer's brother, and because it was recently shortlisted by Margaret Atwood. What a surprise when I learned it was non-fiction, well-nigh a chess tournament. Merely information technology's actually about everything else - travel, family, politics, the human being condition, sports. Can't recommend it highly plenty. "...Everything y'all never imagined you wanted to know nigh chess" says Kirkus Reviews, and how correct that is.
I picked this up considering I know the author's brother, and considering it was recently shortlisted by Margaret Atwood. What a surprise when I learned it was not-fiction, most a chess tournament. But it's really about everything else - travel, family, politics, the man status, sports. Tin can't recommend information technology highly enough. ...more than

This is a pretty ballsy brusque book/long article: you lot've got two great principal characters, lots of on-site reporting and detail, a historical overview of the sport of chess in the 20th century, and an explanation for why the writer is the person who should be writing this book (chess has always been a big role of his unusual upbringing), etc. It's a fast and compelling read, which is exactly what I want from these sorts of stories. This is a pretty ballsy short book/long commodity: y'all've got ii great main characters, lots of on-site reporting and detail, a historical overview of the sport of chess in the 20th century, and an explanation for why the author is the person who should be writing this book (chess has always been a big function of his unusual upbringing), etc. It's a fast and compelling read, which is exactly what I want from these sorts of stories. ...more than

November xiv, 2018 Allen Adams rated information technology it was amazing

https://www.themaineedge.com/sports/t...

"Chess is everything: art, science and sport." – Anatoly Karpov

The game of chess is ane with an ancient history. The game has been played for hundreds of years by millions of people from all corners of the world. Information technology is buoyed by its universality and its bones meritocratic structure – the more skilled player almost e'er wins.

You would think such a game would take deep appeal to the American psyche. That isn't the case, even so – non since the too-cursory practice

https://www.themaineedge.com/sports/t...

"Chess is everything: art, science and sport." – Anatoly Karpov

The game of chess is one with an ancient history. The game has been played for hundreds of years by millions of people from all corners of the earth. It is buoyed by its universality and its basic meritocratic structure – the more skilled histrion almost ever wins.

Yous would think such a game would have deep appeal to the American psyche. That isn't the case, yet – not since the too-brief domination of the globe stage past Bobby Fischer back in the 1970s has the United States paid much attention to the game.

But when the World Chess Title landed in New York City in 2016, Brin-Jonathan Butler was there for it. His chronicle of that battle betwixt Norwegian wunderkind Magnus Carlsen and Russian Sergey Karjakin - the first WCC contested on American soil in two decades - is titled "The Grandmaster: Magnus Carlsen and the Lucifer That Made Chess Not bad Once more."

It's an insider's look at a lucifer that was considered almost a foregone conclusion at the onset before turning into a battle for the ages featuring ane of the greatest finishes in chess history. Information technology is also an examination of the history of the game besides as the state of chess today, both here and away.

It was the showtime week of Nov in 2016. The recent Presidential election had New York City in tumult. Simply at the city's S Street Seaport, a different kind of energy was bubbling. For the kickoff fourth dimension since 1995, the championship of the chess globe was going to be decided in the United States.

On ane side was the Norwegian Magnus Carlsen, the reigning world champion. Carlsen was viewed equally a potential breakout star, a actor who could serve every bit a confront of the game. On the other was Sergey Karjakin, a Russian whose star power didn't match Carlsen's, but whose tenacious game and competitive streak earned him a spot at the table.

Both men were elite competitors, merely Carlsen was expected to triumph without much difficulty. What happened instead was a hard-fought, grueling lucifer – one that fabricated it all the fashion to sudden expiry.

Aslope his tension-soaked recounting of the title faceoff, Butler spends time investigating the game itself. We learn nearly its history in the The states in general and in New York Metropolis in particular. The role of computers in the game - from the first rudimentary programs to the supercomputer Deep Bluish to the unbeatable chess simulators of today - is investigated. Butler speaks to people who orbit in various chess circles – chess order owners and hustlers alike. He explores the relationship that certain famous figures had with the game – the esteem information technology held in the eyes of notables like Stanley Kubrick and Humphrey Bogart.

And looming over it all is the shadow of Bobby Fischer.

No conversation about chess in America is consummate without acknowledging the legacy of the state's greatest player. Whether discussing Fischer's meteoric ascent, his turmoil-filled heyday or his tragic and sharp decline, the boy from Brooklyn'southward influence on the game cannot be overstated. He was this state's behemothic, a de facto Cold War weapon under unspeakable pressure level who eventually (some would say inevitably) cracked.

Brin-Jonathan Butler made his bones every bit a boxing writer, producing pugilistic prose biographical and autobiographical akin. He has written about Cuban legends like Guillermo Rigondeaux and American icons like Mike Tyson. If it sounds like he has a bit of Hemingway about him, well, his 2015 memoir "The Domino Diaries" is subtitled "My Decade Boxing with Olympic Champions and Chasing Hemingway's Ghost in the Last Days of Castro's Cuba," so yeah – at that place's plenty of Papa here.

What seems on the surface to exist an odd fit is actually ideal when yous remember almost information technology. While chess is a cerebral exercise and battle is a physical ane, the two share common basis. There's the visceral, man-to-man nature of both; at their core, both are contests of will. Both are about exerting your strength over your opponent. Both necessitate strategies far beyond what the layperson observes upon the surface. And both are extremely difficult to primary at the highest level.

What Butler does so magnificently in "The Grandmaster" is capture the intensity inherent to high-level competition. Merely because Carlsen and Karjakin don't physically come up to blows doesn't mean that brutality is absent. Chess of this magnitude is as antagonistic as whatsoever other competitive endeavor; there's a reason that chess is and so often utilized every bit an analog for warfare.

"The Grandmaster" is compelling reading, both in terms of the depth of its subject matter and the spare muscularity of its prose. It is both paean and exposé, a both-sides deep dive into a world that non many truly sympathize. While the chessboard might merely exist in blackness and white, Butler's book offers up unexpected shades of gray.

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December 21, 2018 Jenna rated information technology it was amazing

I'll start with the TL;DR: You should definitely read this book.

Admittedly, I'm a huge fan of Butler's work. I initially savage in love with his writing style and beautiful use of words when reading "A Cuban Boxer's Journey," and became enamored with the thought of visiting Republic of cuba after finishing "The Domino Diaries." That beingness said, fifty-fifty *I* felt trepidation when I learned a couple of years ago that he was working on a book about chess.

Chess? Ugh, sounds deadening.

If it's not abundantly articulate by this p

I'll kickoff with the TL;DR: You should definitely read this book.

Admittedly, I'grand a huge fan of Butler's piece of work. I initially fell in dear with his writing mode and beautiful use of words when reading "A Cuban Boxer's Journeying," and became enamored with the idea of visiting Republic of cuba after finishing "The Domino Diaries." That being said, even *I* felt trepidation when I learned a couple of years ago that he was working on a book nearly chess.

Chess? Ugh, sounds boring.

If it's not abundantly clear by this point, I'm not a chess player. As a affair of fact, people have stopped trying to teach me how to play chess. Simply after reading this book I'grand excited about learning once more. Butler writes nigh chess in such a beautiful and humorous manner and so as to engage even the nearly chess-illiterate.

I had a great time reading most all of the different characters in chess as well as the historical groundwork that Butler provided. It's truthful that the book lacked wall-to-wall coverage of the actual match, but there are chess websites and publications for that. And the weaving in of the political events at that fourth dimension provided a backdrop for comparisons that Butler executed with genius.

I couldn't put this book down and when I had to I was sad. And not only that, it actually got me excited about CHESS, of all things.

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Feb xi, 2020 Clay rated it it was ok

Rather disappointing. Sure at that place was some coverage of the Carlsen-Karjakin World Chess Title in New York in 2016 and a bit of depth on Carlsen. However, the bulk of the book seemed more focused on the past history of chess, it's champions, and how many of them went crazy (and was the devotion to chess to blame and could Carlsen be headed for this fate). Manifestly written for non-chess players since there are no game scores or even a chess diagram to illustrate the moves and the point of s Rather disappointing. Certain in that location was some coverage of the Carlsen-Karjakin World Chess Championship in New York in 2016 and a bit of depth on Carlsen. However, the bulk of the book seemed more focused on the past history of chess, information technology'southward champions, and how many of them went crazy (and was the devotion to chess to arraign and could Carlsen be headed for this fate). Manifestly written for non-chess players since at that place are no game scores or fifty-fifty a chess diagram to illustrate the moves and the signal of some descriptions of positions. I approximate the author figures that his audience wouldn't sympathise.

And then there was the book's subtitle. Sure at that place was some hype well-nigh the Title and it seemed aimed at an attempt to "make chess smashing over again," but not much of the text was devoted to the marketing that was put into promoting the match. Did anything really come of that effort? Nothing mentioned in the book past the result of the match. Since I didn't even know this match was going on at the time and 10 of the 12 regular games ended in draws, I call up the subtitle should be "...the Match That Could Have Made Chess Great Again."

Well-written, but non for those that have played chess for whatever length of time.

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Jan 23, 2022 James M rated it really liked information technology

For the tape: In 2016, I attended matches 2 and four betwixt Magnus and Sergey in New York city. I hardly would describe it every bit "the Match that MADE CHESS GREAT Again" (re. the writer'south reference to the 1971 World Chess Championship match, when Bobby Fischer defeated Boris Spassky (televised by PBS, with Shelby Lyman equally the host). When they played, Sergey wasn't considered to be the best candidate to play for a world chess championship.

Nonetheless, had the challenger been able tp concur onto to hi

For the record: In 2016, I attended matches 2 and 4 between Magnus and Sergey in New York city. I hardly would describe information technology equally "the Lucifer that Made CHESS GREAT AGAIN" (re. the writer's reference to the 1971 World Chess Championship match, when Bobby Fischer defeated Boris Spassky (televised by PBS, with Shelby Lyman as the host). When they played, Sergey wasn't considered to be the best candidate to play for a globe chess championship.

Yet, had the challenger been able tp concord onto to his ane game lead, the match could very well have ended upward a total bomb.

Simply, the author has an fantabulous point. Why in a sport that 600 million people play, isn't the name Magnus Carlson as recognizable equally professional person soccer, tennis or golf players? Or, more appropriately every bit marketable?

Marketability bated, How is it that 1 person can totally dominate a game for and then long?

Note: I also attended matches ii and iii of the 2018 World Championship, in London which were won by Magnus when he defeated Caruana Fabiano. A far more than worthy opponent. As and then theoretically was, Ian Nepomniachtchi. In the Dec 2021 Earth Championship match in Dubai had disastrous results for Ian,

And, lastly, will the concentrated effort to ameliorate over long periods of fourth dimension lead to an inevitable mental breakdown?

Good questions and this is a very expert book for chess fans everywhere.

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Jul 13, 2019 Mark rated it really liked it

My centre gives this 4 stars and my encephalon gives it three. Information technology'south an extended profile of the 2016 chess globe championship in NYC. Butler goes off on all sorts of interesting detours into the dark corners of the chess world, including chess hustlers, chess addicts who have thrown their lives away, a brief look at a compulsive gambler and world backgammon champion "Backgammon Falafel," the strange upbringing of ranked female actor Judit Polgar and more. Although it definitely felt like an extende My middle gives this four stars and my brain gives it iii. Information technology's an extended contour of the 2016 chess world championship in NYC. Butler goes off on all sorts of interesting detours into the dark corners of the chess earth, including chess hustlers, chess addicts who have thrown their lives away, a brief wait at a compulsive gambler and world backgammon champion "Backgammon Falafel," the strange upbringing of ranked female player Judit Polgar and more. Although it definitely felt similar an extended magazine piece for Exterior or maybe Vice, I couldn't put it down and read it in two days while camping, much to my married woman's annoyance. Of grade he compares Magnus to Fischer, at great length, and brings up the politics of 2016, especially Trump, whom Carlsen acknowledged past opening one game with "The Trompowsky" I would include some of the better quotes merely it's a library copy and I'm besides lazy to dig them up. ...more

ii ane/2 stars for this moderately enjoyable, though seemingly hastily written (and poorly edited, if at all!) book nigh chess. Desultory stories and asides about some of chess history's characters were interesting. Author stories about himself, less so. We don't really get to know Magnus Carlsen too well. And the chess friction match covered hither — the 2016 world title — was kinda tedious. This would have been a better magazine article instead of a book. Merely it is a quick read.

ii.5. Quick read, new information to me and some of it very interesting... but the author'due south style didn't create a story that actually gained insight into the main characters and I didn't feel that the strings of the different stories in the book were pulled together very well overall.

January 27, 2022 Kathleen rated it really liked it

This is some seriously skillful sportswriting; the writer manages to brand a three-calendar week chess tournament experience exciting to an outsider! In that location are lots of character profiles, and some of these folks can simply exist described as "real characters." This is some seriously good sportswriting; the author manages to make a three-week chess tournament feel heady to an outsider! At that place are lots of character profiles, and some of these folks can only exist described as "real characters." ...more

Aug 02, 2019 Eric rated it really liked information technology

A wonderfully engaging read. A work that explores passion, delivery, obsession, genius and madness through the lens of chess. Well done.

Feb 13, 2019 Stephen rated it it was ok

It seemed to me that I had already read this book several times in the past. The problem is that it repeats the same tired sometime "legends" most certain famous players and many of these have been proven to be wrong or extremely questionable. That would be fine if the author would at least annotate on the doubtful provenance. (Meet http://www.chesshistory.com/wintertime/ex...)

The volume perpetuates the myth mutual in the westward that chess players are eccentric or crazy. It is foreign how I have read no popul

Information technology seemed to me that I had already read this book several times in the past. The problem is that it repeats the same tired onetime "legends" about certain famous players and many of these take been proven to exist wrong or extremely questionable. That would be fine if the author would at least comment on the doubtful provenance. (See http://www.chesshistory.com/winter/ex...)

The book perpetuates the myth common in the west that chess players are eccentric or crazy. It is strange how I have read no pop books almost well adjusted chess players. However, I guess that would go in the way of a good story.

If you are not familiar with the chess globe then you lot may notice this volume to be interesting, simply be aware that information technology is not well researched.

At that place are a few interesting parts where the author comments on the differences and similarities between chess and other sports (boxing and balderdash fighting). In particular, I liked the terminal 2 pages.

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Chess is intrinsically interesting, at least for me, but this volume was not really an enjoyable listen. Information technology was not awfully written but information technology was obvious that the author was out of his depth and the game analysis of the tournament in question was very superficial.

I thought it would give more insight on Carlsen and his individual life, simply instead it was all over the place comparing him to chess prodigies and chess players who were eccentric or plain crazy, as if somehow the most interesting thing well-nigh

Chess is intrinsically interesting, at least for me, but this volume was not actually an enjoyable listen. Information technology was not awfully written but information technology was obvious that the author was out of his depth and the game assay of the tournament in question was very superficial.

I thought it would give more than insight on Carlsen and his individual life, only instead it was all over the identify comparing him to chess prodigies and chess players who were eccentric or apparently crazy, as if somehow the about interesting thing well-nigh what he does for a living is that it will probably drive him mad.

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Dec 04, 2021 Lucas Sipe rated it did not like it

Brin Jonathan Butler sets out to reply three questions. Those questions are basically why isn't Chess more pop in mainstream culture, what drives Magnus Carlsen, and will Magnus succumb to the same fate as other chess greats such as Bobby Fischer. Unfortunately for the reader, the writer spends almost all of the book addressing the showtime question at the expense of the other two outside of a few pages hither and there. In regards to the first question, all the same, Brin Jonathan Butler fails to advertizement Brin Jonathan Butler sets out to answer 3 questions. Those questions are basically why isn't Chess more popular in mainstream civilization, what drives Magnus Carlsen, and will Magnus succumb to the aforementioned fate equally other chess greats such as Bobby Fischer. Unfortunately for the reader, the writer spends almost all of the book addressing the first question at the expense of the other ii outside of a few pages here and there. In regards to the first question, however, Brin Jonathan Butler fails to address it in a way that makes sense and instead teases out the strange characters and events that environs the chess world rather than to run across how culture and chess intersect. Nosotros learn more about Fischer than we practise Magnus, we learn more about the chess hustlers of Washington Park than we do Sergey Karjakin.

This is not a book about Magnus Carlsen or the 2016 FIDE Championship. It's about one sport journalists first introduction into the world of professional chess. For a sport journalist, the author is apparently biased confronting chess. For instance, he seems incredulous and disturbed that the all-time chess players in the world want to dominate and humiliate their opposition. This is the aforementioned author who brags about interviewing Mike Tyson. What did he wait from the best of a competition? I wouldn't say chess is a sport simply it is a contest and those who are the best in any contest want to dominate others, it's non some revelation.

The residue of the book is occupied with the strange characters of chess, Brin-Jontathan Butler meets many interesting people and while those are enlightening, it'south not actually what I wanted from this book. At that place are a lot of skilful things in this book, but like a lot of sport journalists turned authors, information technology'due south chaotic, disordered, and non structured in a great way.

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This review has been subconscious because information technology contains spoilers. To view it, click hither. MADE MY ACCOUNT BC OF THIS Volume
It'south a brusque easy book merely not an amazing ane. First of all it is a story more most a guy and his writings about chess, not most chess. There is some chess stories in the book but very surface level and non in depth. All the book is about is the writer inserting stories of himself with a little flake of chess, unneeded political opinions/anecdotes, and a jumbled mess of ideas. For example in affiliate 2, the name is "The Prodigies" and information technology isn't all near the prodigie Fabricated MY ACCOUNT BC OF THIS BOOK
It's a short like shooting fish in a barrel book simply not an amazing one. Offset of all it is a story more virtually a guy and his writings well-nigh chess, not nigh chess. There is some chess stories in the book simply very surface level and not in depth. All the book is almost is the writer inserting stories of himself with a petty fleck of chess, unneeded political opinions/anecdotes, and a jumbled mess of ideas. For case in chapter two, the name is "The Prodigies" and it isn't all near the prodigies. I can understand the history behind Carlsen and his competitor and the atomic number 82 up to the 2016 world championship (which the book is virtually) but about v pages into the 20ish page long chapter it just diverges. It talks well-nigh Kasparov and AI chess. It'southward cool but it should not exist in this chapter IMO. His writing in this book is inconsistent and sometimes not on topic. He writes well-nigh Trump and makes analogies which are unneeded, like how Russian federation interfered with the 2016 election, it is just unneeded in a book about the 2016 world championship. I'k sorry this is supposed to be a book about chess and the 2016 world championship game, not a jumbled mess of ideas. I guess it's alright if that's what you lot're into simply if you're looking into a practiced chess book about this event there is many other books likely near the friction match. Read those Instead. ...more

For a book nearly World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen and his 2016 title consolidation, author Brin-Jonathan Butler provides scant information or insight into Carlsen. The volume is more than Butler'due south stream of consciousness reflections on Donald Trump, Paul Morphy, Bobby Fischer, and chess hustlers in Washington Square. We also get as well many of Butler'southward thoughts and opinions about his ain life and banal mundane matters.
Butler makes odd hyperbolic claims. The banal draw filled Carlsen-Sergey Karjakin mat For a book nearly World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen and his 2016 championship consolidation, writer Brin-Jonathan Butler provides scant information or insight into Carlsen. The volume is more Butler'due south stream of consciousness reflections on Donald Trump, Paul Morphy, Bobby Fischer, and chess hustlers in Washington Square. We also get likewise many of Butler'south thoughts and opinions nigh his own life and banal mundane matters.
Butler makes odd hyperbolic claims. The bland describe filled Carlsen-Sergey Karjakin match hardly "made chess dandy once again." Also, Carlsen's narrow victory did not "cement Carlsen's status as the greatest player always." Carlsen reigns more as a first among equals, narrowly surviving long evenly balanced matches. Carlsen'southward boring super-sophisticated hypermodern prophylactic style leads to countless draws or interminable endgames.
Of course, the gifted Carlsen may i mean solar day reach the all-time aristocracy stratum achieved by Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, Bobby Fischer, Jose Raoul Capablanca. Carlsen rarely loses a game while regularly engaging the world's summit grandmasters. His rush and quick game skills are perhaps only matched by Viswanathan Anand or Hikaru Nakamura. We could accept used more focus on Carlsen than on Butler the announcer. ...more than

I picked this upwards after we finished watching "The Queen'south Gambit" on Netflix (I wish I had read the volume!) and needed something to scratch an itch about chess.

I've previously read another book by this writer, "The Domino Diaries" and actually enjoyed it. And so, why non give information technology a chance?

This book is a quick read that covers the world championship friction match in 2016. Information technology alternates between interviewing attendees of the match and talking about the some of the famous (and non so famous) names of mod chess hi

I picked this upward afterwards we finished watching "The Queen'south Gambit" on Netflix (I wish I had read the volume!) and needed something to scratch an itch about chess.

I've previously read another volume by this author, "The Domino Diaries" and really enjoyed it. So, why not give it a take chances?

This book is a quick read that covers the world championship friction match in 2016. Information technology alternates between interviewing attendees of the friction match and talking about the some of the famous (and not and so famous) names of modern chess history.

While the 2016 match between Magnus Carlsen and Sergey Karjakin was apparently dramatic, taking place over 3 weeks or so, the account written in the book was pretty dry. I felt similar I needed a board or to watch some YouTube videos of the match to follow along and properly empathize the drama.

My mind at least, had a hard time visualizing what was going on. In that location were some interesting side stories and anecdotes that were covered within the book, but the whole thing felt dry and uninspiring to me.

...more than

Jan 04, 2021 Dwain rated information technology liked it

The idea of the volume i establish very interesting, but the execution left something to be desired. Basically, the author sets out to answer several questions about chess and the electric current champion, Magnus Carlson. However he doesn't e'er really respond any of the questions he sets out to respond. He diverges widely from his storyline to embark on tangents but never quite gets effectually to dealing with his primary questions in whatever meaningful mode. Occasionally he throws out a speculative thought only then i The idea of the book i found very interesting, merely the execution left something to be desired. Basically, the author sets out to answer several questions nearly chess and the current champion, Magnus Carlson. However he doesn't ever actually answer any of the questions he sets out to answer. He diverges widely from his storyline to embark on tangents but never quite gets effectually to dealing with his chief questions in whatever meaningful mode. Occasionally he throws out a speculative thought but then immediately ventures dorsum into the tangents in which he so frequently indulges. The volume ends with the author's speculative philosophy about life, winning, and losing. Merely he never comes to any substantial grip with his original questions. It leaves the reader unsatisfied.

In addition, I fail to understand why a volume on chess needs to have half a dozen F bombs. It'southward almost like the author feels that he's going to bring some street CRED to chess past throwing in some foul language. I'm glad my children weren't around while I was listening to this.

...more than

Jan 02, 2019 Goodbob rated it really liked information technology

A champion endeavor to fork the battle slash matador sports writing metaphor on to a new palate, alas, the endgame of Brin Dash Jonathan Butler'due south portrayal of chess coverage leaves me with the only insight of what I must audio like to straight guys in a sports bar commenting on baseball uniforms' tragic exit from flamboyant socks (Soxit!!) and the great pass up in tennis mode postal service 80s haste, and, to descend a daunted testes allusion further, ew, basketball shorts altogether.

Superbly written. 4

A champion try to fork the boxing slash matador sports writing metaphor on to a new palate, alas, the endgame of Brin Dash Jonathan Butler'south portrayal of chess coverage leaves me with the only insight of what I must sound like to straight guys in a sports bar commenting on baseball uniforms' tragic exit from flamboyant socks (Soxit!!) and the neat decline in tennis fashion mail 80s haste, and, to descend a daunted testes allusion further, ew, basketball shorts altogether.

Superbly written. 4 gold jabby pointy stars for you punchy man. But ane star shy of decent chess assay or commentary. (I know I suck at chess likewise and yet am still an addict. Permit'southward start Chess Bearding (CA) --wait it couldn't exist anonymous because everyone'due south first question would be what's your FIDE rating?)

...more than

Mar 01, 2022 Andrew rated it did not like it

A volume that has no idea what it wants to exist. Information technology well-nigh certainly is not a volume about the 2016 Carlsen/Karjaken World Championship chess match which took place in Manhattan. While the writer spends a few words about the match, the bulk of the volume seems to exist about the author and his completely uninteresting experiences with the game of chess and his completely uninteresting conversations with a few people who attended the 2016 lucifer. The fourth dimension the volume spends on Magnus Carlsen is mostly superficial A book that has no idea what it wants to exist. It most certainly is non a volume about the 2016 Carlsen/Karjaken World Championship chess match which took place in Manhattan. While the author spends a few words virtually the match, the bulk of the book seems to exist about the author and his completely uninteresting experiences with the game of chess and his completely uninteresting conversations with a few people who attended the 2016 match. The time the book spends on Magnus Carlsen is generally superficial and comes right out of the documentary, "Magnus." Its almost like the writer waited until the last infinitesimal, watched the documentary so cribbed it in gild to go his book turned in on time. Lazy, sloppy, and an all-together dull read. ...more

Sep 02, 2019 Boyfriend rated information technology liked it

Very little biographical cloth on the ii opponents and very little information about the match itself. The author goes off on a lot of tangents, speaking about other personalities in the game--only he does information technology well. It's good writing, especially the final affiliate. And I'yard a sucker for chess anecdotes.

I must say, though, that I'm kind of ill of all these chess authors building up the idea that chess is a game total of mentally ill people, gear up to snap at any infinitesimal. Where'due south the scientific evide

Very little biographical material on the two opponents and very lilliputian data about the match itself. The author goes off on a lot of tangents, speaking about other personalities in the game--but he does information technology well. It'southward practiced writing, especially the last affiliate. And I'chiliad a sucker for chess anecdotes.

I must say, though, that I'm kind of ill of all these chess authors building up the idea that chess is a game full of mentally ill people, ready to snap at any minute. Where's the scientific show that there is a larger proportion of mental illness in chess than in the population at large? If in that location is such evidence, these authors don't mention it in their books.

...more

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