Renette/Karolyi: Korchnoi Year by Year: Volume I (1945-1968)

Autor: Renette, Hans; Karolyi, Tibor
Verlag / Hersteller: Elk and Ruby
Erscheinungsjahr: 2023
Sprache: Englisch
Buchumschlag: hardcover
Seiten: 550

Chess Biography and Game Analysis: Korchnoi's Early Years Through 1968

Korchnoi Year by Year: Volume I covers the formative decades of Soviet grandmaster Viktor Korchnoi from 1945 to 1968, written by FIDE Master Hans Renette and International Master Tibor Karolyi. The authors analyse 181 games and fragments from this pivotal period, combining deep tactical and strategic insight with personal narrative.

This volume traces Korchnoi's rise from a war-torn childhood in Leningrad to his emergence as one of the world's strongest players. The narrative weaves together his early rivalries with Taimanov, Spassky, Tal, and Petrosian, his three Soviet championship titles won before 1968, and landmark tournament victories at Wijk aan Zee and Palma de Mallorca. It also documents his encounters with Bobby Fischer and his progression through the 1962 Curacao candidates tournament to the 1968 candidates final.

Designed for advanced players and chess historians, the book combines extensive game annotation with rare photographs from Soviet chess archives and the Korchnoi family collection.

Highlights

• 181 annotated games and fragments spanning Korchnoi's most formative years as a competitive player
• Detailed analysis of rivalries with leading Soviet and international grandmasters of the era
• Coverage of three Soviet championship titles and peak rating periods, including a four-month stint as world number 1 in 1965
• Personal and historical context from wartime Leningrad through the Cold War era
• Rare archival photographs from Soviet publications and the Korchnoi family
• First volume of a planned four-volume career retrospective

An essential resource for those seeking to understand Korchnoi's chess development and the competitive landscape of Soviet chess in the post-war decades.

FAQ

What does this volume cover in terms of Korchnoi's tournament record?
The book documents Korchnoi's three Soviet championship titles won by 1968, his participation in the 1962 Candidates Tournament in Curaçao, and his path to the 1968 Candidates final against Spassky. It also covers his victories at major international tournaments including Wijk aan Zee and Palma de Mallorca in 1968.

How many games are analysed in this volume?
The book contains 181 games and game fragments from the period 1945 to 1968, annotated and explained by the two authors.

Is this volume part of a larger series?
Yes, this is the first of four planned volumes covering Korchnoi's entire chess career. Additional volumes continue the chronological account beyond 1968.