Memoirs/Autobiography's of Chess Players?

I'm looking for a good memoir/autobiography of a chess player to read for my English class assignment, any suggestions?

(Looking for something relatively short ~100pg that is more focused on the person rather than analysis of their games.) It's must be written by the person it's about.

Appears as if most chess autobiographies actually focus on games. Found these possible options, but I'm really not sure about the eligibility, availability or quality of these, as I haven't read them myself.

Viktor Korchnoi, Chess is my Life (Translated from German if I'm not mistaken)
Bill Hook, Hooked on Chess

Chess is my Life also came to mind. It's pretty short, about 120 pages are his recollections, followed by his games. It's a very quick read, even if you're not into the game.

If you got a normal biography with lots of games as well as text it's  likely that the actual biography portion wouldn't exceed 100-125 pages unless the author is choosing to delve deeper into that player's life.  So something like Hannak's book on Lasker would suit you if you just skipped the big games section and just read the parts introducing the various games for context plus the pure biographical parts.

This is the first book on Carlsen's rising career.

https://www.amazon.com/Wonderboy-Grandmaster-Agdestein-1-Jan-2007-Paperback/dp/B013PRQ6DE/ref=pd_sbs_10?pd_rd_w=W0TSR&pf_rd_p=de2765fe-65e5-4a88-aaad-a915dea49c67&pf_rd_r=7QQG4QFANYKN28M9976B&pd_rd_r=09540a52-506a-4484-a935-8ef729dca0c0&pd_rd_wg=u9eVL&pd_rd_i=B013PRQ6DE&psc=1

This is a more recent publication.

https://www.amazon.com/Magnus-Carlsen-Became-Youngest-Grandmaster/dp/9056914375/ref=pd_sbs_2?pd_rd_w=sLe8r&pf_rd_p=de2765fe-65e5-4a88-aaad-a915dea49c67&pf_rd_r=9WWA54E86ZYGFNH2P8RS&pd_rd_r=f87734ac-b71f-43ce-b188-64d3aab79b9d&pd_rd_wg=BKZV3&pd_rd_i=9056914375&psc=1

These two are the thinnest biographies that I've ever read outside the USSR publications. Published autobiographies and biographies about chess players in English without any games with analysis are never 100 pages thin.

A 100-page published narrative autobiography in English by a chess player does not exist.

Not autobiographical but Sosonko's collection of short biographies *Russian Silhouettes) is excellent. And no games featured. 

https://www.amazon.com/How-became-Grandmaster-age-Signed/dp/5829300435/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=How+I+became+a+grandmaster&qid=1612721962&sr=8-2

Here is a thin autobiography by Alexandria Kosteniuk.

Agree on the Timman book. Its excellent !

The Korchnoi book is excellent and gives real insight into Soviet Chess, which of course dominated the world for half a century.

I've got an idea. The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal is one of the more popular autobiographies but it's almost 500 pages. It's written as a dialogue between Tal (chess player) and a journalist, recounting Tal's experience on and off the board. You can, if you have a pdf of the book, cut through the games and just focus on their conversations by using the "find" feature and search for "journalist". As that word only appears 77 times in the book, the number of pages of the actual interview would probably be less than 100 pages. The journalist asks very leading and probing questions that I think would be right up your alley.

Just dropped my dime on 'All The Wrong Moves' after breezing through the sample.

So, which one did you use for your book report?

I went with "Chess Is My Life-Victor Korchnoi" so far it is a good read.

Good choice. He had an interesting life, more excitement than most masters ever had. 

### Hikaru Nakamura: A Chess Prodigy's Journey to Greatness Hikaru Nakamura, born on December 9, 1987, in Hirakata, Japan, is a name synonymous with chess brilliance. From a young age, Nakamura displayed an exceptional aptitude for the game, quickly rising through the ranks to become one of the world's top chess players. ### Early Life and Beginnings Nakamura's journey into the world of chess began at the age of seven when he learned the game from his stepfather, FM Sunil Weeramantry. His natural talent was evident, and he quickly garnered attention for his strategic prowess and lightning-fast playing style. By the age of ten, Nakamura had become the youngest American to achieve the title of National Master. ### Records and Achievements Nakamura's career is studded with remarkable achievements. In 2003, at just 15 years old, he became the youngest American to earn the title of Grandmaster, a record that still stands. His ascent continued, and he soon became a dominant force in the chess world, winning numerous prestigious tournaments and titles. One of Nakamura's most notable achievements came in 2011 when he won the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, defeating the world champion, Viswanathan Anand, in a stunning display of skill and strategy. This victory solidified Nakamura's reputation as one of the game's elite players and marked him as a serious contender for the world championship title. ### Playing Style and Influence Nakamura is renowned for his aggressive and dynamic playing style, characterized by his fearless approach to the game and his willingness to take risks. He is a master of tactical play, often outmaneuvering his opponents with cunning and precision. His unique style has earned him a legion of fans and has inspired a new generation of chess players to embrace creativity and innovation in their own games. ### Legacy and Impact As one of the world's top chess players, Nakamura's influence extends far beyond the chessboard. He has inspired countless individuals with his dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Nakamura's success serves as a testament to the power of hard work and perseverance, inspiring others to pursue their dreams with determination and courage. ### Conclusion Hikaru Nakamura's journey from a young chess prodigy to a world-renowned grandmaster is a testament to his extraordinary talent and dedication to the game. His remarkable achievements and unique playing style have cemented his legacy as one of the greatest chess players of his generation. As Nakamura continues to compete at the highest level, his impact on the world of chess and beyond is sure to endure for years to come.

I found Pachman's 'Checkmate in Prague' compelling.

Some additions to the thread.- all highly recommended

1. Seirawan's Chess Duels has a considerable autobiographical element to it, with the focus on his games with Karpov and Kasparov. Seirawan is an engaging and honest writer.

2. Soviet Outcast by Grigory Levenfsh. Levenfish was one of the strongest players in the early Soviet era and famously drew a match with Botvinnik before falling out of favour with the authorities. It's primarily a games collection but with significant biographical details.

3. In Black and White by Paul van der Sterren. This is a very honest and extensive view of triumphs and failures and ultimately of leaving the highest levels of chess.