Common Sense in Chess

About This Book

Common Sense in Chess by Emanuel Lasker is a timeless classic of chess instruction, written by the second World Chess Champion who held the title for an unprecedented 27 years. Originally published in 1896 based on a series of lectures Lasker delivered in London, this concise work presents the fundamentals of chess with a clarity and wisdom that remain relevant more than a century later. Emanuel Lasker was not only a chess genius but also a mathematician, philosopher, and original thinker. His approach to chess was fundamentally practical: he believed that chess should be played with common sense rather than rigid rules. This philosophy permeates the book and gives it a freshness that many more modern instructional works lack. The book is organized as a series of twelve lectures covering the opening, middlegame, and endgame. Each lecture is concise and focused, presenting key principles without unnecessary complexity. Lasker's gift for distilling complex ideas into simple, memorable statements makes the material accessible to players of all levels. The opening lectures establish fundamental principles that every player should know: control the center, develop your pieces, castle early, and don't move the same piece twice without good reason. While these principles are now standard in chess instruction, Lasker was among the first to articulate them clearly for a general audience. His explanations of why these principles work, rather than just stating them as rules, help readers develop genuine understanding. The middlegame lectures cover the art of planning and the evaluation of positions. Lasker emphasizes the importance of understanding the position before making a move, rather than calculating variations blindly. He teaches readers to identify the key features of a position and formulate plans that address those features. This practical approach to chess thinking remains the foundation of good play. The endgame lectures cover essential endgame knowledge with characteristic economy. Lasker focuses on the most important principles and positions, avoiding the encyclopedic approach that can overwhelm beginners. His treatment of king and pawn endings is particularly clear, establishing the fundamental concepts that all endgame understanding builds upon. What makes Common Sense in Chess special is Lasker's philosophical approach to the game. He doesn't just teach moves and variations; he teaches a way of thinking about chess. His emphasis on practical judgment over theoretical knowledge reflects his own playing style, which relied on understanding opponents and positions rather than memorizing opening theory. Lasker's writing style is elegant and accessible. Despite being written in the Victorian era, the prose remains clear and engaging for modern readers. His analogies and explanations have a timeless quality that transcends the specific chess positions discussed. The book's brevity is actually one of its strengths. At just 128 pages, it can be read in a few sittings, yet it contains enough wisdom to improve any player's game. Lasker understood that the most important chess principles are few in number and can be stated simply. His ability to identify and communicate these essential truths is what makes this book a classic. Common Sense in Chess has influenced generations of chess players and teachers. Its emphasis on practical thinking, clear principles, and common sense over memorization resonates as strongly today as it did when Lasker first delivered these lectures. For players who want to understand the fundamental principles of chess from one of the greatest minds in the game's history, this book is an invaluable treasure.