The Bottom Line
Lasker's Manual of Chess, originally published in 1925 by World Champion Emanual Lasker, has long been considered one of the most significant works on chess ever written. Lasker takes prospective chess players through six chapters (or books) of chess lessons, beginning with the bare minimum required to play the game, but quickly introducing more advanced topics.
The 21st-century edition adds facts about the former champion spread throughout the text. Some analysis is also updated, which could upset some purists. Lasker's Manual remains a great way to learn chess, with great historical value as well.
Pros
- A complete chess course, covering everything from the basics of movement to advanced topics
- Updated analysis and notation present, without becoming intrusive
Cons
- Some purists may dislike changes to the text
Description
- Six books/chapters of instruction from World Champion Emanual Lasker, from basics to advanced topics.
- Added information and trivia about Lasker's life and career, along with updated analysis and figurine notation.
- Foreword by instructor Mark Dvoretsky.
Guide Review - Lasker's Manual of Chess (21st Century Edition) by Emanuel Lasker
Most chess fans have probably heard of Lasker's Manual of Chess, though most are unlikely to have read it; originally published in 1925, most of today's players gravitate to more modern books. Russell Enterprises has made an effort to bring Lasker's work back into the mainstream by releasing a 21st-century edition of the classic text. While there are plenty of instructional books that cover similar material, Lasker's Manual is presented in a unique style and has great historical significance.
Lasker takes students through six books (or chapters) of chess learning. Beginning with the basics necessary to play the game, the book quickly moves on to strategy and tactics. Typical for Lasker, the focus is on general principles that can be used in a variety of situations, rather than lengthy analysis of a single line or position. Openings, combinations, positional play, "aesthetics" and example games are all covered in good depth.
The 21st-century edition has made several additions and changes to Lasker's original work. Most significantly, some of the analysis has been changed or replaced with computer-checked lines to fix errors in the original text. Although an excellent argument is made in the endnotes that Lasker himself would have wanted these revisions to be made, I would have preferred to see Lasker's original analysis intact, with updates in footnotes or endnotes. The changes are few, however, and do not disrupt the flow of the book.
Other changes include the inclusion of "Lasker Lore" -- bits of information about Lasker's life and career -- throughout the text, and a foreword by instructor Mark Dvoretsky.
Even 83 years after its initial publication, Lasker's Manual of Chess is still an excellent instructional text, while also carrying great historical significance. Lasker's work deserves a place in every chess library.
