What it teaches
Mikhail Tal became world champion in 1960 at just 23, defeating Mikhail Botvinnik with a style built on daring sacrifices and complications that bewildered his opponents. In this autobiography he tells his story, from childhood in Riga through his rise to the title, the rematch he lost a year later and his long career afterward, and annotates many of his greatest games.
Tal's writing is famously funny and self-deprecating, and his notes reveal how he thought about risk, intuition and the psychology of the fight. Many readers consider it the most enjoyable book ever written by a chess champion.
Who it's for
Players from about 1600 up who love attacking chess, and anyone who enjoys great storytelling. The games are complex, but the narrative is a pleasure at any level.
How to get the most from it
Read the story for pleasure, then return to the games with a board. At each sacrifice, try to work out what Tal saw, and then check whether modern engines agree; often the answer is fascinating.
Key takeaways
- Initiative and complications can outweigh material.
- Practical chances matter as much as objective evaluation.
- Intuition, trained by experience, guides great attackers.
- Humor and humility make a champion's story unforgettable.
Read next
Learn the attacking principles behind Tal's play in The Art of Attack in Chess, and see his place in history in My Great Predecessors.
