Throughout my time as a chess player, student and avid reader, Garry Kasparov’s The Test of Time has been strongly endorsed by many other writers and seems to get almost universally glowing reviews. Is all the hype true? That is the question I hope to answer with this article.
To preface this review, it’s worth mentioning that The Test of Time can often be a very difficult book to locate. It has been out of print for quite a while, and unfortunately the original publisher has not passed over the copyright rights for a reprint … and what a shame that is. Available copies tend to be expensive (often ridiculously so) and while there are plenty of PDF copies out there, I personally much prefer to study away from the computer screen.
Through a stroke of good luck I was able to find a reasonably priced copy to add to my library, and one in very good condition, too. Thus I can pass my thoughts along without any hindrances of having only reviewed a pdf copy.
The Test of Time chronicles Kasparov’s major chess tournaments and matches, beginning with the well-known 1978 Sokolsky Memorial Tournament in Minsk (where the internationally unrated young man burst onto the scene by winning the entire tournament). It continues with his triumphant shared first place victory in the 1981 Soviet championship, his 1984 Candidates match final win against Smyslov, and many more. What is truly unique about this final match is that Smyslov was a chess player at the opposite end of the age spectrum – this was the true “test of time,” referred to in the book’s title.
Incredibly, these tournaments and matches (all 22 of them) are not only covered outside the chess board but also have games analyzed by Kasparov himself. And he’s not selective: he appraises his tournaments very objectively, even reviewing games he lost or drew. He also analyzes every single game of his Candidates matches, giving insight into the tension that rests below the many drawn games in such matches.
Written in 1986, this work is unique in that it allows the reader a glimpse of how a World Champion nearing his prime thinks, prepares and analyzes. As far as I am aware no other World Champion wrote such a comprehensive tell-all right in the middle of his career.
Along with everything else, I find his annotations to be very instructive and of high level. No surprise, but it’s worth mentioning: it’s pretty clear that he worked extremely hard on this book. It’s helpful for readers to be at least 1800 USCF to truly comprehend all this book has to offer, and anyone through at least 2400 USCF could probably learn something from a close examination of the lessons it contains. Needless to say, Kasparov does not “write down” to his readers or hold back his analysis in any way … the wisdom in this book could be invaluable for many, many players.
To help convince you of what I have already seen, below is an analytical fragment that makes it clear that Kasparov is serious about chess. His dynamic play makes the games enjoyable for anyone. I also found it interesting that he went to great lengths to explain the circumstance and how, though he did not mind a draw, he wanted to play “good chess” and refute the Grandmaster’s provocative play. Even at the beginning of his career, Kasparov was not one to be intimidated, and, as I’m sure you will agree, his writing is both eloquent and exciting.
This was Kasparov’s first encounter against a Grandmaster, making it all the more memorable:
In closing, I can heartily confirm all of the glowing reviews bestowed upon this book. The only thing I would change would be to have a modern reprint so that every chess player can enjoy this groundbreaking book. One final note: if you can somehow find a reasonably priced print copy, I would definitely urge you to look for the edited second edition (published in 1991). In it he fixes the very few analytical mistakes that were later discovered from the first edition. Very much recommended!
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