Learn from garry kasparovs greatest games

SCU:978-1-58042-146-1

Eric Schiller

For nearly two decades, Garry Kasparov has maintained his ranking as the top chess player. He is widely recognized as the most outstanding player in history. Now, novice and intermediate players, who make up 90% of the chess-playing population, can take advantage of his insights. This effective educational resource, filled with diagrams and easily comprehensible tips that reveal Kasparov’s thought process, allows players to incorporate these principles and tactics into their own matches. It draws inspiration from the elegance and strength of Kasparov’s most remarkable games.

Born in the heart of New York City in 1955, Eric Schiller emerged as the Illinois Junior Champion in 1974. He showcased his chess prowess several times for the University of Chicago’s team, where he pursued his Ph.D. in linguistics, at the Pan American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship, eventually clinching the title in 1986. Schiller held the titles of Hawaii action and blitz champion for the years 1988/89. From 1994 to 1998, he was a key organizer of the Hawaii International chess festivals, which included the 1998 US Open. He earned the title of California Champion in 1995. Later in the same year, he collaborated with the music band Phish at the commencement of their “Chess Tour”, during which they played a continuous game of chess at each tour stop.

Schiller has acted as a judge in numerous significant matches and tournaments, such as the Chess Olympiad and the World Chess Championship. He holds the titles of USCF Life Master and FIDE Master. As of April 2009, his FIDE rating stood at 2166. In addition to these roles, he is an International Arbiter and International Organizer. Schiller’s knowledge and published works on the Flohr-Zaitsev Variation have made him a respected authority, especially when Gary Kasparov opted for that opening during the second game of the 1990 World Chess Championship. At this event, he held the position of Chief Press Officer, a role he also fulfilled in 1986 and 1993. He acted as a correspondent for the Associated Press during the 1984 match and also featured in the PBS coverage.

Schiller has orchestrated several significant chess competitions. Frequently, he has served as a news correspondent, covering events such as Chess Olympiads and World Chess Championship matches. Schiller acted as the referee for the Staunton Memorial tournament in London during 2005, 2007, and 2008, as well as the 2006 Gibtelecom International Chess Festival in Gibraltar, where he later participated as a player in the 2012 edition.

Schiller has authored over 150 chess-related books, a record only surpassed by 20th century authors Fred Reinfeld and Raymond Keene. John L. Watson, who collaborated with Schiller on three books, believes that some of Schiller’s works are particularly fitting for beginners. Watson praised Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings and Complete Defense to Queen Pawn Openings, stating that “these books are specifically designed for the growing student, not the seasoned player, and in my opinion, they both excellently guide a novice player through a new opening…”

Despite Schiller being a subject of criticism at times, mainly due to his propensity to write numerous books hastily, it’s only fair that he receives praise for his commendable work. In reference to Watson and Schiller’s ‘The Big Book of Busts’, International Master Jeremy Silman expressed, “I have to put aside my prejudiced perception of Schiller’s work (or does this merely confirm my belief about Watson?) and confess that it is indeed an exceptional book”. Schiller’s ‘World Champion Openings’, a compilation of initial moves made by eminent chess champions, was recognized as a non-fiction masterpiece by designer George Lois.

Schiller also contributed to several significant chess software projects, such as Kasparov’s Gambit (Electronic Arts) and Chessmaster.


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