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I suspect, however, that the particular affection felt for it by former Soviets may have another source. After Chapter One, “The Game Explained,” readers are taught the “Aim of the Game” (ch 2) and “Tactics and Strategy” (ch 3). The Soviet Chess Primer is a partial translation of the 1960 edition of Maizelis’ Shakhmaty osnovy teorii (Шахматы основы теории / Chess: Fundamental Theory).

The author presents the material in an engaging and concise manner and includes practical examples after the theory, and exams at the end of each chapter. The few references to Maizelis that exist in English describe him as a translator and endgame analyst, with special expertise in pawn endings and technical rook endings.

Far be it from me to want anything to do with the Soviet Union, but even I have to admit, this is one of the finest tools to quickly advance your chess game if you're an advanced beginner or intermediate player. Ultimately, I'd recommend this for the serious beginner or early-intermediate chess player looking to deepen his or her knowledge of the game.

Well illustrated and explained games to showcase the essential principles (tactics, strategy, combinations, positional play) to apply to every chess game. For example, simple tactics like pins and forks are easy enough for even absolute beginners to understand.

This is a great instructional technique as the student sees firsthand with positions they've gained familiarity with earlier that any given chess position will have multiple themes in it. Having already studied Simple Chess, How To Reassess Your Chess, Chess Fundamentals, and My System, I found little within this book that was new. The Soviet Chess Primer is a modern English translation of Maizelis's witty introduction to the royal game. Alekhine’s “my best games of chess” is a good start because games and notes are very clear and thorough.It should not surprise us that youthful attachment to cherished books would persist, and in this case the attachment is justified.