Stein: Move by Move Paperback – March 7, 2016

Excellent game collection written in traditional format. The deep notes are written in a straight-forward style, with 60 games covered in 480 pages. The Move by Move Q &A format for this book are questions challenge the reader: 1) to try to find the next move 2) describe Stein's plan or 3)spot the error in the opponent's calculation ( much simpler than some books in this series). TE explains that he chose to write about Stein based on his having Ray Keene's Stein book in his formative years in the late 1970's had made him a great fan -- same reason I bought this book. Stein's playing style relies on unpretentious opening play, where Stein accurately places his pieces, waiting for the moment when he can seize the initiative. In Stein's early years these were often ferocious assaults on the enemy king. I his later years he learned to apply Domination to control the game.Stein was noted as an extremely rapid player, with blitz speed of calculation (like the young Annand). The Soviet chess development programs at the Young Pioneers did not identify him as a top prospect, so Stein developed his skills independent of a trainer. He only achieved the master title at age 24!! He got his big break as a last minute substitute in a Ukrainian Championship, did well, qualified again for the following year, which he won against a weakened field-- earning a road to qualify for the 1961 Soviet championship. Usually outsider types are usually lambs to slaughterhouse, however Stein busted the unbeatable Petrosian in an early round, took several other GM scalps to finish tied for 3rd place and qualification for the '62 Interzonal. This weak master was suddenly competing in the highest GM tournaments. The Ukraine Federation provided mentors (Geller, Gufeld) to help Stein develop an adequate opening mix, learn GM-class endgame technique and advance fast as a world-class player. From 1964-67, Stein won 3 USSR titles, twice was denied a rightful place in the Candidates (due to a rule limiting the number of Soviet representatives), was first or second in 14 tournaments (including the super-GM 1967 Moscow event, ahead of 4 world champions). His short playing career runs from 1961 to his sudden death in 1973.Stein's trademark game features unremarkable standard opening play, which might be punctuated by a sudden ferocious attack where the opposing IM or GMs struggles with being eaten alive. TE's deep notes are excellent in trying to explain what/how this is happening. TE duplicates only 8 games from the standard Gufeld/ Lazarev collection, (4 of which are too famous not to be included). There is greater duplication with Keene's book from 35 years, but these lightly annotated in the style common to 1970s. In the 1980's, I found studying Keene's book opened my chess knowledge and greatly improved my attacking ability (which TE reports was also his experience). The book is well laid out, with a good introduction and bio. Games are in chronological orde,r with excellent notes and well-placed diagrams. Luckily I ordered this book on pre-release, so it was affordable; however, I find Amazon's $34 base price too steep for my budget.

Some stuff you don't see elsewhere.

I really like Stein's Attacking style !

Very nice book. High quality!

Stein was a great player in the 60's. So why no games against Petrosian, Tal, Spassky, Fischer, Botvinnik, Geller? There are two games against Bronstein, one each against Benko, Portisch, and Taimanov. The rest of Stein wins seem to be against "no names." Disappointing.