For Friends and Colleagues: Profession: Chess Coach

First of all, I'd like to clarify that Dvoretsky's books are written primarily for serious player. This book is no exception and most likely players below 2000 would benefit more from other authors. The main target audience for this book is professional chess players/coaches. That said, 'For Friends & Colleagues' volume 1 is Dvoretsky's most accessible book to U2000s (not counting 'Training for the Tournament Player') and players below 2000 can benefit as well.'For Friends & Colleagues' volume 1 is Dvoretsky's autobiography, explained mostly from the coaching point of view. The book is written mostly in chronological order, and though Dvoretsky's development as a coach (he eventually became the world's most respected trainer and trained many strong GMs), you will also hear many personal details about Dvoretsky's life and what it was like for chess players in the USSR.There are also a lot of annotated games (around 75-90 lightly annotated games - these can range from a fraction of a page to 2-3+ pages of analysis each), though this is not the main focus. As usual, Dvoretsky's annotations are very instructive and especially helpful for advanced players. I found his comments about the strengths and weaknesses of some 2500-2600+ GMs (with concrete examples) as he was training IM/GM students and preparing them for specific opponents. Other than the annotated games, I found it especially instructive to follow the chess development of Artur Yusupov, Sergey Dolmatov, and Maya Chiburgenzide.Highly recommended for professional players, coaches, and advanced players who are interested in Dvoretsky.

I'm enjoying reading this book. There are a lot of anecdotes about Soviet chess, its players, and Soviet politics. The only complaint I have is that Dvoretsky tends to "put some people down" for some reason (I suspect that he probably had an inferiority complex). However, this is a good book and Dvoretsky tells the reader more than a little about his coaching/training process and his thoughts/insights related to it. Recommended for chess players who are interested in chess history and/or improving their game.

I enjoyed reading the recollections of a GREAT chess coach. Of the many biographies out there, I think this is one of the best. BTW, every discussion of the former Soviet Union tells the same story of cruelty and indifference toward talented individuals who do not follow the party the line in every possible way. Dvoretsky, tried to work around the system and with some success, but still suffered. Highly recommended for the text.

There are some good insights on events and players, a pleasant read and not so heavy on the analytical side of Dvoretsky's usual style. Don't get me wrong, I love ALL of the material Dvoretsky writes but this book lightens it up a bit, which is ok. The focus is more on his observations and his work with players and friends plus foes.

Mark Dvoretsky the world's foremost chess trainer looks back on his life as a player and coach.An excellent addition to the bookshelves of those who ,like myself,are interested in soviet chess history.The book has plenty of photos and the quality of the paper and impression is good.

This is an outstanding book. This is probably the best book i have read on training and playing effectiveness. A self critical player who is motivated to work independently and improve will find his insights invaluable in order to prioritize training and development efforts. This is a methodology book without a recipe, but full of actionable insight and concrete guidance. For instance, how to assess your own playing strength and style, how evaluate your opponents, how to factor in psychological dimensions to playing and training, time management, repertoire selection, etc. This book will help you both manage your development and your resources, be it books, computers, or even coaches. A careful read of this book and rigorous self application of its implied methodology will enable you to obtain key strategic insights on how to train and how play that might take years to develop on your own. If you want to take a break from your regular training and reassess how you are playing and training and figure out what to do differently and better this book will be an invaluable asset.

the book is in bad paper and bad impression, bad pictures, and bad....

Tremendously entertaining for a chess public, and, of course, compulsory for people into coaching or simply into teaching chess.Mark Dvoretsky is a free, independant spirit in every way. His views on chess coaching,on the soviet state, on colleagues, chess federations and so on so forth should not be missed. Lots of good chess material along with the stories. Wonderful !

Chess coaching and life narrative of good quality. Highly recomended. Hope to see more books like this one.IM Disconzi , from Brazil.