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Date: 14 Aug 2005 21:12:32
From: knucmo
Subject: Theoretical books on prophylaxis
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Hello again all, I am enquiring as to whether there are any actual
books by Chess GM's on the art of prophylaxis. I've noticed that in
my own play I try to frustrate and wait for my opponent to make
mistakes, especially when they are aggressive. Of course I am no
master of it but I reckon the best way to improve practice will be to
improve theory. Its an element of the game I am interested in I know
of three players who played a constricted approach, namely Nimzovich,
Petrosian (the master of it perhaps) and Karpov. Would it be a help
to purchase any books these guys have authored?
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Date: 16 Aug 2005 12:13:29
From: Danny
Subject: Re: Theoretical books on prophylaxis
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I think John Watson covers the subject too in a chapter of his book entitled
Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy. I think that is an excellent book overall
and well worth the money.
Danny Hardesty
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Date: 16 Aug 2005 04:23:37
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Theoretical books on prophylaxis
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If you are 1600+, I would say that Silman's The Amateur's Mind will
start you off on these topics real well. Eventually you must read
Watson's books on Strategy.
Remember that "prophylaxis" seems to have an elusive definition. Some
people will play h3, so as to prevent a bishop from pinning a knight on
f3 to bolster d4 and call that prophylaxis. A general definition. Some
define it more specifically...
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Date: 15 Aug 2005 19:38:14
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Theoretical books on prophylaxis
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Yes, "The Art of Defense," perhaps. It was by one of the Brits and a
good book - but I took several months to wade through it, as it really
was a book you had to understand. Maybe, like some of my books, I will
get it on the third or fourth reading. :) I think the Lasker part threw
me a bit, but since I had followed Petrosian for some time, that
section was a bit easier to get through.
I think it is hard to tell though, without knowing kncumo's relative
strength - or at least his assessment of it.
Another way to understand prophylaxis is to pick an opening that
supposedly uses it - like the Advance French. Once you understand how
hard it is to hold that e5 point, but realize that dedicated effort can
do it (and that if you don't, you're toast), I think you will
understand the idea better. Just my $.02
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Date: 16 Aug 2005 10:45:47
From: knucmo
Subject: Re: Theoretical books on prophylaxis
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On 15 Aug 2005 19:38:14 -0700, "[email protected]" <[email protected] >
wrote:
>Yes, "The Art of Defense," perhaps. It was by one of the Brits and a
>good book - but I took several months to wade through it, as it really
>was a book you had to understand. Maybe, like some of my books, I will
>get it on the third or fourth reading. :) I think the Lasker part threw
>me a bit, but since I had followed Petrosian for some time, that
>section was a bit easier to get through.
>I think it is hard to tell though, without knowing kncumo's relative
>strength - or at least his assessment of it.
I've been playing quite a while now, ever since I discovered I had a
bit of a knack for it, on various servers and I've played against
people over the board, I would say I'm about a 1600+ player steadily
improving.
>Another way to understand prophylaxis is to pick an opening that
>supposedly uses it - like the Advance French. Once you understand how
>hard it is to hold that e5 point, but realize that dedicated effort can
>do it (and that if you don't, you're toast), I think you will
>understand the idea better. Just my $.02
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Date: 16 Aug 2005 02:25:57
From: Ron
Subject: Re: Theoretical books on prophylaxis
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In article <[email protected] >,
knucmo <[email protected] > wrote:
> Hello again all, I am enquiring as to whether there are any actual
> books by Chess GM's on the art of prophylaxis. I've noticed that in
> my own play I try to frustrate and wait for my opponent to make
> mistakes, especially when they are aggressive. Of course I am no
> master of it but I reckon the best way to improve practice will be to
> improve theory. Its an element of the game I am interested in I know
> of three players who played a constricted approach, namely Nimzovich,
> Petrosian (the master of it perhaps) and Karpov. Would it be a help
> to purchase any books these guys have authored?
There's a book on defense - and I can't remember the title or the author
of the top of my head - but basically half of it is about Lasker and his
philosophy of defense (kind of a rope-a-dope strategy) and the other
half of it is about Petrosian and his philosophy of defense
(prophylaxis).
From the reviews I remember reading, it sounds like the Petrosian half
might be just what you're looking for.
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Date: 15 Aug 2005 20:01:44
From: Gerd Wegener
Subject: Re: Theoretical books on prophylaxis
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"knucmo" <[email protected] > schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:[email protected]...
>
> master of it but I reckon the best way to improve practice will be to
> improve theory. Its an element of the game I am interested in I know
> of three players who played a constricted approach, namely Nimzovich,
>
His name is
Aaron N I M Z O W I T S C H !
gw
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Date: 15 Aug 2005 19:45:07
From: knucmo
Subject: Re: Theoretical books on prophylaxis
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On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 20:01:44 +0200, "Gerd Wegener"
<[email protected] > wrote:
>
>"knucmo" <[email protected]> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>> master of it but I reckon the best way to improve practice will be to
>> improve theory. Its an element of the game I am interested in I know
>> of three players who played a constricted approach, namely Nimzovich,
>>
>
>
>His name is
>Aaron N I M Z O W I T S C H !
>
>gw
I was aware of the typo.
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Date: 15 Aug 2005 08:52:09
From: Henri Arsenault
Subject: Re: Theoretical books on prophylaxis
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In article <[email protected] >, knucmo
<[email protected] > wrote:
>Hello again all, I am enquiring as to whether there are any actual
>books by Chess GM's on the art of prophylaxis. I've noticed that in
>my own play I try to frustrate and wait for my opponent to make
>mistakes, especially when they are aggressive. Of course I am no
>master of it but I reckon the best way to improve practice will be to
>improve theory. Its an element of the game I am interested in I know
>of three players who played a constricted approach, namely Nimzovich,
>Petrosian (the master of it perhaps) and Karpov. Would it be a help
>to purchase any books these guys have authored?
>
{My system} by Nimzovich has an extensive discussion of prophylaxis.
Although old, this book is still a classic, and although some of its ideas
are somewhat outdated, most of them are still good.
Henri
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