Smyslov on the Couch - Softcover

Sosonko, Genna

Softcover

ISBN 10: 5950043324 ISBN 13: 9785950043321

Publisher: Limited Liability Company Elk and Ruby Publishing House, 2018

Synopsis

In his third full-length memoir about one of the world’s greatest ever chess players Genna Sosonko portrays a warm picture of the seventh world champion Vasily Smyslov, with whom he spent considerable time over the board, during tournaments and while meeting at each other’s homes. Smyslov the man was far more balanced and spiritual than most of his contemporaries, capable of a relaxed and yet principled approach to life. Unlike most top players he was able to reach a very high standard in his chosen hobby – in his case, classical singing – even while playing chess at the very top. His natural inclination to see the best in people was, however, challenged as the world around him underwent fundamental changes late in his life. The new freedoms of the post-Soviet era also engendered one of the most extraordinary polemics in chess history – David Bronstein’s article ‘Thrown’ Games in Zurich (2001) – bringing accusations against Smyslov that forced him to defend himself at the age of eighty, by which time many witnesses to the events in Zurich were already deceased. In this book, Genna focuses in particular on that polemic, places it in the wider context of the so-called Soviet Chess School, and asks whether Bronstein’s hurt and accusations were justified.

About this title

About the Author:

Genna Sosonko (born 1943, Troitsk, Russia) is a Soviet-born Dutch Grandmaster who is widely recognized as the number one writer on the history of Soviet chess. Playing career Once ranked among the world's top twenty chess players, Genna acted as second to ex-World Champion Mikhail Tal and to ex-World Championship Challenger Viktor Korchnoi during world championship candidates matches. He emigrated from the Soviet Union to the Netherlands in 1972, where he continues to live. He won the Dutch Championship in 1973 and 1978 (jointly). His tournament record includes 1st at the Barcelona Zonal Tournament 1975, 1st at Lugano 1976, 1st at Wijk aan Zee 1977, 1st at Nijmegen 1978, 3rd at Amsterdam 1980, 1st at Wijk aan Zee 1981, 3rd at Tilburg 1982 and 4th at Haninge 1988. He also drew a match with Jan Timman (+1 =0 -1) in 1984. Genna played for the Dutch team at the Chess Olympiads eleven times, in 1974-84, and 1988-96. He won two individual medals: gold at Haifa 1976 and bronze at Nice 1974, and two team medals: silver at Haifa 1976 and bronze at Thessaloniki 1988. FIDE, the World Chess Federation, awarded Sosonko the International Master (IM) title in 1974, the GM title in 1976 and the FIDE Senior Trainer title in 2004. Literary career Sosonko has authored seven non-technical chess books in English centering heavily on his chess life in the Soviet Union and his relationships with and memories of both leading Soviet players and lesser-known characters in chess history.

Review:

"The book is itself a pleasant read, because Sosonko clearly liked and respected Smyslov....you will spend a few pleasant hours with one of the nicer, more humane figures of the Soviet era. Warmly recommended for those who are interested in the history of the game" - FIDE Master Dennis Monokroussos, The Chess Mind blog, 21 January 2019

"In recent years, Sosonko has published three beautiful books about great chess players from the Soviet Union whom he knew very well. First David Bronstein, then Viktor Kortchnoi and now Vasily Smyslov." - Grandmaster Hans Ree, Dutch Treat blog, 2 January 2019

"I mentioned Genna Sosonko before in this review, so you won’t be too surprised to learn that I also enjoyed his Smyslov on the Couch (Elk and Ruby) greatly. It’s a book that once again captures the personality of a great player, the era in which he lived and – just as poignantly as with Bronstein – the struggle of growing old, to which the whole of the third section (‘The Final Years’) is dedicated...a short but really interesting book about Sosonko’s interaction with a great of chess history. Recommended!" - Grandmaster Matthew Sadler, New in Chess magazine, March 2019

"...a gold mine of information on the real Vasily Smyslov, shining a bright light on one of the lesser-chronicled kings of chess." - Sean Marsh, CHESS Magazine, April 2019

About this edition

• Publisher: Limited Liability Company Elk and Ruby Publishing House
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 5950043324
• ISBN 13: 9785950043321
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 199