Chess Gems by Igor Sukhin is a refreshing new take on the classic tactical manual. While there are countless books on tactics, some of which are truly great works (such as Laszlo Polgar's Chess), it is rare that a book of this type breaks new ground. Typically, there are a large number of tactical problems organized by theme and/or difficulty, with little or no commentary.
Chess Gems is an exception to this rule. Yes, it is a compilation of chess combinations, but they are interwoven into the story of chess history, creating a unique experience for the reader.
A Millennium of Chess
Technically, the first chapter of Chess Gems isn't about chess at all! Rather, it shares combinations from the game's ancient predecessor, shatranj, which was played in Persia over 1,000 years ago. As the rules of modern chess weren't formed until the 15th century, this chapter covers a huge swath of chess prehistory -- a time when queens were the weakest pieces on the board (and known as ferz), castling had yet to be invented, and pawns could only move one square at a time. However, the knights, rooks and kings moved exactly as they do today, meaning there are ancient problems which are still instructional today. Even the combinations which utilize the different capabilities of shatranj pieces are a fun challenge.The majority of the book deals with modern chess, divided into thirteen chapters. Each chapter covers a period in chess history: from the days of Lucena and Greco to the modern clashes between Karpov and Kasparov.
Each chapter presents combinations in three parts. First, we see some of the most famous combinations of all time, along with information about the players of the era, as well as the tournaments, matches and games from in which these positions occurred. Next, each chapter has a "How Would You Play?" section, which serves as a collection of additional combinations. Finally, each chapter ends with a list of solutions to every problem in the chapter.
A Historical Journey
How Would You Play? is standard fare for a tactical collection, but the first section of each chapter is where this book stands out. By combining historical information with relevant combinations, Chess Gems becomes an enjoyable read for those who normally avoid historical works about chess because they are dry, or offer little instructive value. It's one thing to be told that Anderssen and Morphy were great players of the 19th century, for instance, and quite another to read about their matches while seeing some of the most memorable combinations they played. There's no better way to learn about the greatest players in chess history than by seeing their best combinations in action.
Certainly, the chess history isn't particularly detailed, and the combinations can be found in other works as well. However, this is the first book I've seen that combines the two in such an enjoyable manner. It's a rare book that can help you learn about chess and improve your chess at the same time, but Chess Gems accomplishes just that.
The Bottom Line
Igor Sukhin has combined aspects of books about chess history with those of instructional tactics manuals to create a unique reading experience. While it may not be the definitive work on either chess history or combinations, Chess Gems is instructive, engaging, and downright fun to work though.
