The Immortal Game

The Immortal Game: A History of Chess (2006) by David Shenk. This is a dream book for chess lovers, and can even be instructive for those who have yet to learn to play. Shenk starts with the basics, and advances through ever more sophisticated lessons, until he is using some of the most brilliant games of history to illustrate principles of chess tactics and strategy. He intersperses chapters on the history of the game with chapters carefully analyzing what he has dubbed "the immortal game" -- a game played in 1851 between Adolf Anderssen and Lionel Kieseritzky. It's a most enjoyable way for anyone interested in chess to learn more about the game and gain some additional skill. I found it an unallayed pleasure to read. Grade: A