Modern Ideas in Chess | 21st Century Edition | Richard Réti

Modern Ideas in Chess by Richard Réti is a seminal work in chess literature that explores the evolution of chess strategy and theory. First published in 1923, this book is a critical text for understanding the transition from classical to hypermodern chess.

This approach revolutionized the game in the early 20th century.  This new 21st Century Edition is a significant update to his classic work, focusing on innovative strategies and concepts that have influenced modern chess. 

• This book is a good fit for intermediate and advanced players, generally around 1200 to 2000 Elo.
• Dive deep into 45 essays on the fascinating evolution of chess understanding from the mid-1850s until the 1920s
• After almost 90 years, this book is still fresh, insightful and relevant
• Understand Reti as a creative artist who used the tension of chess ideas to reflect the larger intellectual struggle of mankind

Reader’s Reviews:

This is a fantastic book, concise yet filled with valuable ideas. It's the kind of book you'll read and not just leave on the shelf. Many chess books don't offer much practical instruction for class players, but this one is a solid teaching tool. It explains the evolution of chess strategy and technique, covering key figures like Morphy, Steinitz, Tarrasch, and Lasker. While you may know Morphy for his aggressive attacking style and preference for open games, you might not realize he placed a high importance on development. Réti provides excellent insights and guidance on the varying styles of the great masters of the past - O Geld

I found this book to be a fast and engaging read. I enjoyed learning how chess principles were viewed from Réti's perspective and how new ideas emerged. Réti did an excellent job capturing the essence of the times and selecting significant players and games to discuss. The key players and their contributions to chess theory are summarized succinctly, with only a few games per player covered. 

I highly recommend this book for U2000s. Those over 2000 would likely find this book easy to read, but don't expect to know everything. Even if you are already familiar with the principles and examples, hearing how principles were approached by Reti and the other players of the time can help you better understand what is being consciously implemented when you study other books/game collections from the early 1900s - J Geldenhuys

About the Author:

Richard Réti (1889–1929) was a highly influential chess player, theorist, and writer widely regarded as one of the leading figures of the hypermodern chess school. Born in what is now Slovakia, Réti was initially known as a classical-style player but later became a champion of hypermodern ideas, which challenged the traditional approaches to opening play and strategy that dominated chess in the early 20th century.

One of Réti’s most famous victories was against World Champion José Raúl Capablanca at the 1924 New York tournament, which ended Capablanca’s 8-year unbeaten streak. Réti’s win, with a combination of strategic play and deep tactics, solidified his reputation as a world-class player. Réti also participated in many of the strongest tournaments of his time, often finishing at or near the top. Réti was a prolific writer and thinker in chess. His work, Modern Ideas in Chess (1923) and Master of the Chessboard (1930) have become classic texts.

Other Details:

Paperback
Pages: 128
Dimensions: 15.2 × 2.5 × 23cm
ISBN-13: 9781888690620