Do you think this chess series is any good?

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Benedictine

Hi, I would very much appreciate your thoughts on the following series of ebooks. Do you think they are worthwhile or not?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=chess+reviewing+kindle

 

Each book gives you 125 master games from the perspective of a particular opening. The thing is with these, is that there is no analysis or comments with them at all. The editor claims that this is a new “thought experiment” with the emphasis being placed on the reader to look for things and work things out for themselves instead of relying on game analysis, but maybe this is just a little spin to sell these ebooks? You don’t know the result prior to each game or even who is playing, you just go though each game at a move per page.

Having downloaded a few samples and gone through a few games, I have to say the quality of them is quite good and I like the idea, but my question is if you think I would be better off spending my time going through annotated games instead? Of course I can do a bit of both, but I don’t want to waste my time going through these if the general consensus is that they are generally thought to be not a good idea (I intend to put in a lot of study in all areas as my ultimate aim is to reach a rating standard around 1800, which I would be very happy with).

Anyway, instinctively I think that they might be good, as it does force you to do the work yourself, instead of just reading someone else’s analysis and potentially not thinking, but I want to get the opinions of some more experienced players/members if possible – please share your thoughts if you are willing.

Thanks a lot.

(Sorry if this is posted in the wrong place, as it could come under books, opening or general chess theory/ideas.)

TitusGroan

If there is no analysis or commentary, how is this different from going through games from a database?

Benedictine

It's not. The only difference is that you have no prior knowledge as to who wins (as you might if you were following a particular game) and the format of course. 

Benedictine

Sorry the link didn't appear to come out very well. It is currently hiding as a dash for some reason...in the space at the top, I'll try and sort it. Basically it's just 125 games with no analysis or commentary. 

JG27Pyth

Sounds like -- "how to make cash online with minimum effort by searching a database and selling the result -- "  But at least it's nice that the games are good. 

gusfoca
If the games are organized according to some pedagogical method it would be better than a database. Otherwise, its only an option of yours to spend time (and money) on them or elsewhere...
1pawndown
JG27Pyth wrote:

Sounds like -- "how to make cash online with minimum effort by searching a database and selling the result -- "  But at least it's nice that the games are good. 


 I think this is correct.

Arctor

Try this instead (if you can find it that is...)

Benedictine
davidegpc wrote:
Benedictine wrote:

Sorry the link didn't appear to come out very well. It is currently hiding as a dash for some reason...in the space at the top, I'll try and sort it. Basically it's just 125 games with no analysis or commentary. 


Ok but who made them? Is the collection by a single author or different? Thematic on opening? Player? Chess period?


Follow the dash at the start. It's one editor but the games are all completely random as far as I can tell.

Thanks for the comments, it seems that the general impression is that these are only really for the guy making money from them!

I've tracked the GM Ram down but it has poor reviews and it is quite expensive. My next step is to sign up fully here to take full advantage of the features of this site.

Thanks for the thoughts. Anybody who actually thinks this series is a good idea?

JG27Pyth
 My next step is to sign up fully here to take full advantage of the features of this site.
 

A membership here is imho very high value (as long as you stay off the forums! They're mostly a waste of time Yell)

Arctor
Benedictine wrote:
davidegpc wrote:
Benedictine wrote:

Sorry the link didn't appear to come out very well. It is currently hiding as a dash for some reason...in the space at the top, I'll try and sort it. Basically it's just 125 games with no analysis or commentary.


Ok but who made them? Is the collection by a single author or different? Thematic on opening? Player? Chess period?


Follow the dash at the start. It's one editor but the games are all completely random as far as I can tell.

Thanks for the comments, it seems that the general impression is that these are only really for the guy making money from them!

I've tracked the GM Ram down but it has poor reviews and it is quite expensive. My next step is to sign up fully here to take full advantage of the features of this site.

Thanks for the thoughts. Anybody who actually thinks this series is a good idea?


 GM-Ram has bad reviews because it presents the positions without analysis and most people are too lazy to do the work required. As for the series of books you linked to, the concept is good (and similar to GM-Ram and others), but one wonders if the author is qualified to compile the positions...especially when you consider his rating history: http://www.uschess.org/msa/MbrDtlTnmtHst.php?12852236

Benedictine

I didn't realise the editor was only rated at such a level. 

Judging by the majority of responses I think I won't invest too much time with these. It is handy having those on your kindle though, it is a shame that the overall quality of them is not better with a few comments after each game at least.

Yes I'm going to sign up shortly. The chess mentor program and the computer analysis function seem to be particularly useful.

SimonSeirup

I would call it a waste of money. There is online databases with enough games, to use it like that.

Buy chessbase, its really worth the money, I have a database with millions of games, and I could find 125 games of any opening grandmasters only.

I think that paying for 125 games like that, is just stupid.