The System: A World Champion's Approach to Chess

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Summary: "THE SYSTEM"GIVE A METHOD OF MAKING GOOD MOVE DECISIONS .
Review: "THE SYSTEM IS A SCIENTIFIC THEORY; A THEORY OF HOW TO PLAY CHESS." THE BOOK PRESENTS SYSTEM PRINCIPLES OF HOW TO PLAY BOARD-CONTROL GAME IN GRADUALLY TAKING CONTROL OF THE BOARD AND GAINING SMALL ADVANTAGES. HOW TO DETERMINE THE BEST LOCATION FOR EACH PIECE AND RECOGNIZING POSITIONAL ADVANTAGES AND HOW THEY CHANGE THE VALUE OF A PIECE OR A CLUSTER OF PIECES. IN THE LATE FIFTIES WHEN DR. BERLINER WAS STILL PLAYING OTB CHESS HE WAS ONE OF THE TOP U.S. PLAYERS, ALONG WITH SHERWIN,LOMBARDY, RESHEVSKY,BYRNE,EVANS AND FISCHER. DR. HANS BERLINER WON THE 5TH CORRESPONDENCE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WITH THE FANTASTIC SCORE OF 14 - 16 THREE POINTS AHEAD OF SECOND PLACE, THE HIGHEST EVER BEEN DONE. HIS PHENOMENAL RECORD IN CORRESPONDENCE CHESS 94 WINS 10 DRAWS AND 1 LOSS STAND UNSURPASSED. THE ESTRIN V BERLINER IS VOTED THE BEST CORRESPONDENCE GAME EVERPLAYED! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED A GREAT CHESS BOOK!

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Summary: Great book on Chess Theory!
Review: Although not widely available yet, I managed to get a copy directly from the author. I highly recommend it. Not for the novice, but presents the theory of chess in a unique way - the success of which is born out by the author's past professional correspondence chess record of 94 wins, 1 loss and 10 draws. New "SYSTEM" concepts and a unique theory on "chunking" of the position makes this a must buy for all serious students of the game of chess. The author (also a Grand Master in over-the-board play) developed a computer chess program that dominated the computer chess algorithm field until late 1988, and the software itself even obtained the class of US Chess Federation Senior Grand Master.

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Summary: The System - How to create more pressure playing d4
Review: Although this book has had some poor reviews, it should not be under-estimated. If you are of playing strength 1600-1800 (which I currently am), and you like to play d4 as an opening, I would highly recommend this book. Although Berliner speaks of "The System" as if it could be written down as an equation (so to speak) i.e. the "unified field theory of chess," (this concept is interesting to analytical types and/or scientists)-> The book does has many merits for the d4 player against the Benko Gambit, Indian defenses, etc.. Check it out!

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Summary: An Absurd Book
Review: For those of you tempted to buy a book whose author claims to have worked out a forced win for White against the Grunfeld and several other defenses, I strongly recommend that you read the independent reviews by John Watson and Jeremy Silman at chesscafe.com, where the specifics of much of Berliner's bad analysis and megalomaniacal pontificating are spelled out in detail. In my case, I found the book to be a slightly amusing exercise in debunking crackpot science (which is why I gave it two stars). I'm sure that there will be several others who will agree with me that this may just be the most preposterous chess book ever written. If, however, you're the sort of person who watches PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE every time it's on TV, calls the Psychic Friends Network regularly and thinks professional wrestling is for real, this book is right up your alley.

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Summary: Too good to be true
Review: Like many of the other reviews to this book, I believe this book was amusing! It was very provocative to get me to think about changing from my Beloved English to the Queen's Pawn Opening. However, like many other people, I cringe when he claims to have worked out a forced win for White. Yes, his little records are exciting, and perhaps he is on to something, but I doubt that chess will be solved to a level where humans can know how to do it, ever.
Still, there is much to be said for his interesting first two chapters, where he lets you in on some good information, much of which was review (in the first chapter), but still informative. I did enjoy this book, but for someone really looking to improve their chess, I can not recommend it.

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Summary: Some good opening tips buried in dogmatic, pointless theory
Review: Some very good ideas and tips on openings can be found in an otherwise dogmatic and desperate attempt to turn the rich and dynamic game of chess into an equation. There are interseting opening recomendations but not enough to play them in tournaments.

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Summary: Ever wonder why it's so popular?
Review: The answer is: because it entertaining and instructive. Berliner is either delusional or just very crafty. Delusional if he really believes himself when he says things like, "if [my] analysis of the Grunfeld Defence and Queen's Gambit Declined are correct .... chess will be a solved game by the year 2030." But crafty if he knows that such eccentric and grandiose writing is his best chance to sell chess books. I prefer to think he is crafty. Why is Nimzowitsch's My System more famous than Reuben Fine's The Middlegame in Chess? Because Nimzowitsch says things like, "the passed pawn is a criminal which must be kept under lock and key," and Fine says things like, "the passed pawn can be influential in the transition to an endgame." Both of those are great books, but Nimzo's is a classic because of its grandiosity and its eccentricity. With chess, the vast masses of players want to be entertained. Chess professionals are more concerned with learning correct opening theory than being entertained. A professional should buy the opening books by John Watson. A club player with a job, a wife, and kids (or with lots of classes, a girlfriend, and parties to go to) should buy this book by Berliner (or, on a more advanced level, Understanding the Grunfeld by Jonathan Rowson). The System is an enormously beneficial book, because it gets you involved; it gets you to think independently about chess. What do I believe? Why do I play this opening? Do I agree with him? Why would he say something so outrageous? Is he correct in his analysis? Even reading other review about this book is fun. Many professionals have blasted this book; but they have erred in not appreciating its intended audince. Why is this book among the more popular chess books of the past 20 years? Why can't you find it used for under 19 bucks? It is because it is a joyous ride through the wacky world of a chess mad scientist, who shows you the key to his genius while impressing you as a certifiable lunatic. But if you were a med student, wouldn't you like a chance to go into Dr. Jeckyl's (or is it Mr. Hyde? I can't keep them straight) laboratory and have him explain things to you? Plus, this book will greatly enrich your play of queen's pawn openings, from both sides of the board.

Rating:
Summary: Ever wonder why it's so popular?
Review: The answer is: because it entertaining and instructive. Berliner is either delusional or just very crafty. Delusional if he really believes himself when he says things like, "if [my] analysis of the Grunfeld Defence and Queen's Gambit Declined are correct .... chess will be a solved game by the year 2030." But crafty if he knows that such eccentric and grandiose writing is his best chance to sell chess books. I prefer to think he is crafty. Why is Nimzowitsch's My System more famous than Reuben Fine's The Middlegame in Chess? Because Nimzowitsch says things like, "the passed pawn is a criminal which must be kept under lock and key," and Fine says things like, "the passed pawn can be influential in the transition to an endgame." Both of those are great books, but Nimzo's is a classic because of its grandiosity and its eccentricity. With chess, the vast masses of players want to be entertained. Chess professionals are more concerned with learning correct opening theory than being entertained. A professional should buy the opening books by John Watson. A club player with a job, a wife, and kids (or with lots of classes, a girlfriend, and parties to go to) should buy this book by Berliner (or, on a more advanced level, Understanding the Grunfeld by Jonathan Rowson). The System is an enormously beneficial book, because it gets you involved; it gets you to think independently about chess. What do I believe? Why do I play this opening? Do I agree with him? Why would he say something so outrageous? Is he correct in his analysis? Even reading other review about this book is fun. Many professionals have blasted this book; but they have erred in not appreciating its intended audince. Why is this book among the more popular chess books of the past 20 years? Why can't you find it used for under 19 bucks? It is because it is a joyous ride through the wacky world of a chess mad scientist, who shows you the key to his genius while impressing you as a certifiable lunatic. But if you were a med student, wouldn't you like a chance to go into Dr. Jeckyl's (or is it Mr. Hyde? I can't keep them straight) laboratory and have him explain things to you? Plus, this book will greatly enrich your play of queen's pawn openings, from both sides of the board.

Rating:
Summary: Ever wonder why it's so popular?
Review: The answer is: because it entertaining and instructive. Berliner is either delusional or just very crafty. Delusional if he really believes himself when he says things like, "if [my] analysis of the Grunfeld Defence and Queen's Gambit Declined are correct .... chess will be a solved game by the year 2030." But crafty if he knows that such eccentric and grandiose writing is his best chance to sell chess books. I prefer to think he is crafty. Why is Nimzowitsch's My System more famous than Reuben Fine's The Middlegame in Chess? Because Nimzowitsch says things like, "the passed pawn is a criminal which must be kept under lock and key," and Fine says things like, "the passed pawn can be influential in the transition to an endgame." Both of those are great books, but Nimzo's is a classic because of its grandiosity and its eccentricity. With chess, the vast masses of players want to be entertained. Chess professionals are more concerned with learning correct opening theory than being entertained. A professional should buy the opening books by John Watson. A club player with a job, a wife, and kids (or with lots of classes, a girlfriend, and parties to go to) should buy this book by Berliner (or, on a more advanced level, Understanding the Grunfeld by Jonathan Rowson). The System is an enormously beneficial book, because it gets you involved; it gets you to think independently about chess. What do I believe? Why do I play this opening? Do I agree with him? Why would he say something so outrageous? Is he correct in his analysis? Even reading other review about this book is fun. Many professionals have blasted this book; but they have erred in not appreciating its intended audince. Why is this book among the more popular chess books of the past 20 years? Why can't you find it used for under 19 bucks? It is because it is a joyous ride through the wacky world of a chess mad scientist, who shows you the key to his genius while impressing you as a certifiable lunatic. But if you were a med student, wouldn't you like a chance to go into Dr. Jeckyl's (or is it Mr. Hyde? I can't keep them straight) laboratory and have him explain things to you? Plus, this book will greatly enrich your play of queen's pawn openings, from both sides of the board.

Rating:
Summary: Such a delight
Review: This book brims with life and excitement for chess, while at the same time being bery comprehendable to the average player. It should not be considered an airtight book of theory, but rather the fevered profusions of a chess "mad scientist." Now, this could be dangerous in the political arena, but in chess it is just a delight. So many chess books are so boring. I would take this against a more respectable book by, say, Max Euwe or Reuben Fine, anyday. This one is much more fun. Also, there is some really valuable conceptual discussion about the 1. d4 openings, that makes this book important for the club player. The only problem I have with the book is its price, which is never low, even used, showing how, despite the crticial pans, this is a popular book!.