Modern Ideas in Chess

A ChessCentral E-Book

Here is Richard Reti’s classic manifesto of the hypermodern movement, a book called by H. Golombek "the most important contribution to the literature of chess since Tarrasch's 300 Games of Chess". Indeed, nothing like Modern Ideas has ever been attempted, before or since - a call for independent thinking, and a self-conscious break with established modes of play. Once seen as dangerous and radical, the views expressed here have become second nature for today’s player. In this book "Reti has concentrated the essence of the modern view of the game, and...no expert will be found so foolish nowadays as to quarrel with his conclusions", says Golombek.

Reti describes the hypermodern school by first placing it in historical context, and so we are treated to a splendid overview of previous eras in chess. Through games and examples we encounter the masters of rapid development, Morphy and Anderssen, and learn how they gave way to the positional theories of Steinitz. The refinement of these ideas ushered in the age of technicians, the correctness of Rubinstein and Capablanca, and the perfecting of technique. Then the inevitable backlash and search for dynamism is taken up, and we see the eclectic individualism of Alekhine, Schlechter, and Breyer - the hypermoderns tied to no dogma or creed, who take what they need from the past to tackle each unique game.

But it is Reti’s style and passion which has assured a lasting place for Modern Ideas in Chess. Again we hear from Golombek: "Whether he is describing with poetic fervor the charm of Schlechter's style, depicting the metallic brilliance of Capablanca's technique, explaining how masterly combinations are conceived over the chess board or tracing the history of succeeding schools of chess, Reti's faculty of fixing the reader's interest is unsurpassed."

A textbook, a treatise, a call to arms - however we style it, Modern Ideas in Chess belongs on the top shelf of your digital library! Now you can own this classic, complete with all commentary and annotations - even a photo of Reti himself - tastefully rendered as a ChessCentral e-book. Download your copy today!

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