The Stories and the Games: Alekhine – Euwe – Botvinnik – Smyslov – Tal - Petrosian – Spassky – Fischer - Karpov – Kasparov
For many years Jan Timman was one of the best chess players in the world. He combined his brilliant successes on the board with a passion for writing and meticulously analysing his own games and those of his rivals. Three times he was a World Championship Candidate and in 1993 he played in the final of the FIDE World Championship.
In this fascinating book, Jan Timman portrays ten World Chess Champions that played an important role in his life and career. Alexander Alekhine (1892-1946) he never met, but the story of how in Lisbon he bought one of the last chess sets belonging to the fourth World Champion is one of many highlights in this book.
Timman has a keen eye for detail and a fabulous memory, and he visibly enjoys sharing his insider views, including many revelations about the great champions. Timman’s Titans not only presents a personal view of these chess giants, but is also an evocation of countless fascinating episodes in chess history.
Each portrait is completed by a rich selection of illustrative games, annotated in the author’s trademark lucid style. Always to the point, sharp and with crystal-clear explanations, Timman shows the highs and lows from the games of the champions, including the most memorable games he himself played against them.
"One of the finest chess books that have recently been published (..) Although Timman doesn't keep silent about matters such as match-fixing, abuse of power or excessive drinking, he writes his portraits with a fundamentally positive view. The joy with which the book is written works contagious."
"A very interesting book, full of anecdotes I have never seen elsewhere (..) Entertaining and instructive, 'Timman's Titans' is also Timman's finest."
"The many anecdotes will change the views of quite a few readers (..) A classic."
"Even chess insiders will find in the stories a lot of information they don't know (..) I have always been a fan of Timman's way of annotating games. He makes what happens on the board very easily accessible, so much so that you feel yourself fully immersed in the secrets of the game."
