This month on Chess Books Recaptured I am joined by renowned Chessable author, IM Christof Sielecki, to discuss what may be the best known chess book of all time. Aron Nimzowitsch’s My System. There was a time when My System seemed to be universally recommended as an indispensable manual for newer chess players, but in recent years, with so many excellent learning resources, it has often been criticized as well. Christof and I try to contextualize the good and the bad of My System. We discuss everything in the book from Nimzo’s famous quotes to his “dad jokes”, to what does, and does not hold up to the scrutiny of modern chess analysis. Whether you love or hate this book, we hope that this podcast can help you decide if this book is worth (re)visiting. Please read on for timestamps and relevant links.
Click here to download the episode.
0:00- Why is My System so famous? Why are there so many versions of it?
Mentioned: Episode 6 with IM Christof Sielecki, Episode 153 with IM Christof Sielecki, Quality Chess’ Edition of My System, also available on Forward Chess, Chess Metrics, Chess24’s Top 50 Player of All Time Series with GM Jan Gustafsson and GM Peter Heine Nielsen
8:30- For what rating range or audience would this book be most helpful?
Mentioned: GM Yasser Seirawan, Episode 239 with GM Jan Markos
16:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com! Check out their latest offerings here.
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16:30- Perpetual Chess is also brought to you in part by AImchess.com. Check out their site, and if you decide to subscribe use the code Perpetual30 to save 30%.
17:00- How is the book structured?
Mentioned: GM Jacob Aagaard, GM John Shaw, IM John Watson’s Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy , Johner vs. Nimzowitsch 1926
36:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessmood.com
They offer a huge library of instructive videos. You can hear GM Avetik Grigoryan on Episode 192 of Perpetual Chess. Be sure to subscribe to their YouTube channel here.
37:00- How would we describe Nimzowitsch’s writing style?
Mentioned: John Watson’s Review of My System, Lou Hays’ Edition of My System, Siegbert Tarrasch, Rubinstein-Duras (1908), Winning Pawn Structuresby GM Alexander Baburin,
54:00- What books might we recommend as instructional substitutes for My System?
Mentioned: THe Neal Bruce Pawn Book Championship is coming August 24!, Chess Structures by GM Mauricio Flores Rios, Simple Chess by GM Michael Stean, IM Jeremy Silman’s Books, Book Recap Podcast #13, Simple Chess, On the Origin of Good Movesby IM Wily Hendricks
1:00:00- We will be back next month discussing Jose Raoul Capablanca’s Chess Fundamentals,
1:02:00- Thanks so Christof for donating his time! We close by discussing what Christof is working on next for Chessable.
Mentioned: Chess in Slums Go Fund Me:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/chess-education-in-africa
Check out Christof’s whole Chessable catalog here:
https://www.chessable.com/author/Chessexplained/
Check out his books here:
Amazon.com: Christof Sielecki: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle
Follow him on Twitter here: