A Disappointing Tactical Travelogue

"In the World of Tactics, Volume 1 - 1997" by GM Anatoly Lein,
1998 Pickard & Son, Figurine Algebraic Notation, Softcover,
108pp., $14.95

The Texas (USA) publishing firm of Pickard & Son has recently
released a slim book on tactics compiled by GM Anatoly Lein. It is
very similar in size, format and presentation to two other books
they have published, "Alekhine's Block" and "Combination
Cross."

The book is promoted as being the "only collection of each year's
finest chess combinations...in the toughest elite tournaments of
1997." Really? It is certainly not the only collection. Disregarding
the publication, on a regular basis, by chess magazines worldwide
of interesting tactical positions, the Informants come most readily
to mind wherein combinations within certain time periods are
presented. It is also debatable whether these combinations are
indeed from the "toughest elite tournaments." We will let the
reader decide if Ampuriabrava (Spain), Toscana (Italy) or Zuoz
(Switzerland) were among the toughest elite tournaments of last
year.

There are two hundred positions grouped into eight chapters.
Unlike most other books on tactics we have seen, this grouping is
not by tactical theme (skewers, double attacks, etc.) but by
geographical area! Perhaps the author and publisher thought that
breaking with tradition by presenting the combinations this way
has its advantages. If so, we have missed the point. In fact, there is
a very good reason why combinations are usually grouped by
tactical theme. Whether you are looking at the positions for
instruction or enjoyment, it is much more helpful when you know
what tactic is featured. Of course, it is much easier for an author or
publisher to group them geographically. Almost no additional
work needs to be done after the position has been selected.

The eight geographical chapters ("Northern Europe," "Germany,"
"Russian and Beyond," etc.) each have approximately two dozen
positions. The captions for the positions usually give the location,
the name of the tournament and the ratings of the players. We say
"usually" because such is not always the case. Thus, you have
some positions (e.g., 198, 199) between rather well known players
(van Wely-van der Wiel and Timman-van der Sterren respectively)
where the tournament and location are simply given as
"unknown.." Are games between players of this caliber and
notoriety really impossible to track down and identify? Only if one
is too lazy to make the effort. There are others (e.g., 135) where
just the country is given (Greece).

Many positions also appear with the Informant Opening Codes.
Although there is no explanation given in the book, we assume that
the opening indicated was the one played in the game. It is an
interesting, albeit virtually useless piece of information, as no
attempt is made to link the given position and its tactical (and
positional) qualities with the opening. There is one index in the
book, that of players.

The solutions to the combinations are given at the end of each
chapter. However, in all but a very few instances, there is no
explanatory accompanying text. Everything is done with
Informant-like symbols. Thus, as in "Alekhine's Block" and
"Combination Cross," the instructional value of much of the
material is diminished. However, this leads to perhaps a more
serious consideration. As best we can determine, sources for the
notes to the solutions are given for less than 15% of all positions.
Would the author and publisher have us believe that these are all
Lein's original work? That is simply not believable. And, to make
things even more confusing, in the solution to position 91, we have
one of the parenthetical notes credited to... Anatoly Lein! Well, at
least we can thank the author for clarifying that mystery.

The author and publisher have taken the path of least resistance to
produce a collection of tactical positions that can in the most
favorable light be only described as a disappointment. You may
avoid acquiring this book with a clear conscience.