Chess Board Options

This Chess Board Options is an English-language paperback chess book by Larry Kaufman that combines autobiography with first-hand stories, annotated games and reflections drawn from nearly six decades in the game. This 208-page book is a natural choice for readers who enjoy not only the games themselves, but also the people, tournaments and ideas behind them.

What the book covers

Kaufman looks back on a long chess career from the perspective of someone who spent years close to major figures in the chess world. The result brings together personal memoir, tournament experience and a wider view of chess culture.

Rather than reading like a dry record of results, it moves through encounters with well-known players, memorable games and the kind of anecdotes that stay with you long after you finish a chapter.

Chess stories from close up

The book includes first-hand material connected with names such as Bobby Fischer, Bent Larsen, Walter Browne, Boris Spassky and Viktor Korchnoi. It also reflects Kaufman’s work as a second for Roman Dzindzichashvili and his experience coaching younger players, including his son Raymond.

One of the most intriguing threads concerns the American woman said to have inspired Walter Tevis when creating Beth Harmon in The Queen’s Gambit. Kaufman reveals that she was once his partner, adding another personal layer to the story.

Why read it?

This is a book for readers who want to see chess as more than a sequence of moves. Alongside memoir and tournament stories, it offers annotated games and a broader look at the personalities and history of the game, making it a thoughtful read for anyone interested in chess history.

Key details

• Product type: paperback chess book
• Author: Larry Kaufman
• Language: English
• Binding: paperback
• Page count: 208 pages
• Content type: chess autobiography
• Content type: annotated games and anecdotes