So guys, I said that we would want some help. Some already guessed this would be with the titles for a few of the books. The first one is a book by Alexander Kotov, not previously translated into English. The Russian title was “The Textbook of Chess Strategy”, which we did not like at all. We are currently going with: The Science of Strategy, but feel that a better choice may be out there.
So, this is your chance to get your name on page 2 and your title on the cover. Suggestions are very welcome! Has to work with the theme and the cover.
Another Kotov´s book… “Bigmouth strikes again!”.
Some suggestions:
1. Kotov´s Primer on Chess Strategy
2. Classical Chess Strategy explained
3. The Development of Chess Strategy – A Classical Treatise
The Russians teach you strategy
Time to really learn chess strategy
Kotov pure strategy : why classic knowledge is important
I actually like the proposed title, but here are some other options:
1. Every Russian schoolboy knows…
2. Soviet Chess Strategy reloaded
3. Foundations of Chess Strategy
4. Standard Chess Strategy
@Ray
Is the third one not a Lars Bo Hansen book?
How about The Application of Chess Strategy or Chess Strategy: An Essay or (one for old Batsford) Winning With Chess Strategy? :0)
James
How about Chess Strategy: A Modern Treatise or Winning Chess: Priming the Prelates or Practiacal Chess Theory Applied: You Win!
James
I’ve thought of another one: The Soviet School: Strategize Like a Grandamaster?
James
Or another one: Doctorin’ The Doctrine: Chess the Right Way?
Or perhaps another Smiths inspires title: Kotov – Take a Bow?
I think they are my final suggestions now.
James
Soviet school of strategy
“Explore the kernel of chess strategy”
or
“Explore the core of chess strategy”
The strategic way
My proposal: Kotov’s chess strategy elements
Botvinnik Wept: Soviet Chess Strategy
An Analysis of Chess Strategy
Strategize like a grandmaster
I couldn’t resist another one I’m afraid; Kotov’s Crunch!
James
„The Nucleus of Strategy“ or less scientific „The Core of Strategy“ fits to the cover 🙂
Don’t get Kotov guard.
Please don’t use this one. The original suggestion seems best to me so far.
Master Chess Strategy , the Russian way / Master of Chess Strategy : the Russian way
Chess Strategy Principles
Up to date
Strategical
Soviet
Recipes
Your intended action is, in my view, a bit of a liberty. So I would ask you all to reconsider the merits of the original title, but rendered TEXTBOOK ON CHESS STRATEGY or A TEXTBOOK ON CHESS STRATEGY.
We have used textbooks to learn many things in life, the association for struggling players will be positive. Textbook on Chess Strategy has a brusque, Russian feel (No definite/indefinite articles). A Textbook on Chess Strategy, prettier, is perhaps just as good. Of the various ways of juggling the words, these are best to my North American ears.
Altering the titles of old books is a mistake. I wish you wouldn’t do this. Save your “Science” title for a book in the future that fits it perfectly.
Take your Kotov and sit down!
Chess Strategy: 1914-1976
My plan involves the Bee Gees on the front cover of the book in full 70s flares and open necked shirts and very tight trousers staring at a chessboard…in soft focus of course…
title: “”Strategy- ah, ah ah ah, staying alive”
blurb on back
“Strategy- when you need a plan so it won’t go wrong
It’s Strategy
When your trainer cries and you don’t know why
It’s hard to bear
With no engine to help you you’re
Goin’ nowhere
Strategy
When you lose control and your position has holes
It’s Strategy
When the initiative dies and you don’t know why
It’s hard to bear
But with Kotov to help you you’re
Goin’ somewhere”
May be slightly overlong but if QC do gatefold picture disc special editions then that may sort that minor problem out…
The building blocks of chess strategy.
Every russian schoolboy’s chess strategy.
We could also try some similar lyrics to Maroon 5’s Moves Like Ragger :0)
James
My suggestion in the spirit of the original title would be “Chess Strategy Insight”.
Strategic Play like a Grandmaster
Another suggestion: “The Center of Strategy”
How about Core Principles of Chess Strategy?
Looking at the cover I’d say “The Nucleus of Strategy”.
Strategize like a Grandmaster.
Strategic Science: Kotov’s Quanta.
Strategic Science in Chess: Beating the Hiesenberg Uncertainty Principle
Fundamental Chess Strategy
Space: The Final Frontier of Strategy.
A tribute to Leonard Nimoy whose passing has now been 3 years. Hard to believe it has been that long. In the tv show at least he was purported to be a great 3 dimensional chessplayer.
I would suggest: Fundamental Elements of Chess Strategy.
@Robert R
+1. I believe the author has the right to the name of the book. Maybe a subtitle can be added to increase interest such as The Russian Way or something else.
No author ever has the final say on a title.
@Jacob Aagaard
Yes, you’re right – I didn’t realise 🙂
@James2
🙂 Here are some other titles inspired by Smiths songs:
Chess is murder
The king is dead
But seriously, I still prefer the original title.
“Stratagems of Chess” by Alexander Kotov
“Scheming,Systematized Soviet Style” (4 S’s) by Kotov
“Soviet Style Scheming Systematized ” by Kotov
“Scheming Soviet Style” (3 S’s) by Kotov
“Kotov’s Legacy: Strategize Like a GM” by Kotov
“Strategize Like a GM” by Kotov
@James2
“Hum it and I will break your legs”
Chess dynamics and mechanics.
Any details on the level that this is pitched at and the page length?
Atomic Structure of Chess Strategy
Strategy: the Atomic Structure of Chess
Chess Strategy : Atomic Structure of the Game
Atom Heart Chess Strategy (maybe best of all, but provided there are no copyright problems … Pink Floyd)
Kotov’s strategic legacy
Kotov’s Correct Chess
Correct Chess by Kotov
Perhaps this book could be done like a musical birthday card? As soon as the pages are open we get a full rendition of the Howard’s Way theme? ;0)
James
What about:
Dissecting chess strategy
@Franco Rivola
‘Atomic’ is a Blondie song…
Thomas Dolby ‘She Blinded Me With Science’ is another…
‘Core Chess Strategies’ or ‘Core Chess Strategy’
(The) Big Bang Strategy
“Strategy’s Periodic Table”
This also alludes to the fact that Mendeleev, possibly Russia’s greatest scientist developed the concept of The Periodic Table.
I actually really like “The Science of Strategy as a title.
@Ray
Atom Heart Mother is a LP by Pink Floyd !
The Enigma of Chess Strategems
@mn
So far I cannot see anyone have done better. We do actually work on these titles after all!
“The Science Behind Chess Strategy ” Alexander Kotov
Although I’m not creative enough to help by offering an alternative title all I would say is that as soon as I saw a chess book with a word like “science” in the title I would put it back on the shelf and look at something else……science seems to me to suggest boring and very hard work!
Doubtlessly it will attract some, but suspect us lazy players (and there are a good few of us out here) will not go there…
@Michael
What kind of books do you prefer? “Nuke them with the Grob-Attack?”
@Thomas
Actually no, it’s unsound…..the three books that I have treasured the most are Judgement and Planning, My System and BCE …..
Hard to find a proper title w/o knowing the book. Guess the interest of this book is mainly historic, so the title should retain an historic flavor. Maybe “Chess for strategists”, “strategic chess battleplans”, “essential chess strategy” ?
Since Kotov is best known for the “Tree of Analysis” I would suggest something that reminds potential readers of that fact and at the same time tries to make it clear it’s a different type of book. For example: “Beyond the tree of analysis, Kotov on Strategy” or vice-versa.
“Secrets of Chess Strategy” by Alexander Kotov or
“My Search for Chess Strategy” by Alexander Kotov
All the best!
Alfred
study of chess strategy
survey of chess strategy
research of chess strategy
Mr. Aagaard,
To tell you the truth, I do not think this is a good book. It is quite similar to the book entitled “How to Become a Grandmaster” which is a Russian edition of postumously assembled teaching materials by Kotov. Why don’t you publish the three volumes by Pachman in one volume entitled “Complete Chess Strategy”, and his other two books on tactics (Pieces and Pawns in Action & Attacking the King, the titles are something of the sort) and entitle this second volume “Complete Chess Tactics”. And it is not that I need the Pachman editions for myself, I just propose a great contribution to chess literature. All these 5 volumes by Pachman have only been published in descriptive notation, what a shame!!!
But really, what does it mean, this sentence: “The science of Strategy”?
I think it is an empty title like this.
Chess Strategy. Explained.
Out of Book? – The Strategic Look
Is there anything about the content of the book that’s different from other books on strategy? Then maybe the title can refer that. Otherwise there’s either generic titles or jokes, I guess.
So how about Pump Up Your Kotov…
Accelerate your Chess Strategy
“Chess Strategy From Scratch” by GM Alexander Kotov.
This way it would fit into your upcoming From Scratch Series.
The Logic of Chess Strategy
The Theory of Chess Strategy
“Scientific Chess Strategy”
Kotov? “The KGB plays chess”
“Chess Strategy 1.0”
The atoms of Chess Strategy
Nuclear Pawns clear the way, Kotov’s Strategy is here to stay
Countdown to zero
Fire up your strategy
Evolutionize your chess strategy
All the strategy’s pawns
Strategize your pawns
Pawn says “No” – chess strategy demystified
Educated guesses in chess strategy
Strategy: the nucleus of chess
Chess strategy: a theory of everything
@Jeffrey Hall
Except that we are not trying to jam things into a series that have nothing to do with that series 🙂
@Franco Rivola
Quantum Chess Strategy
Experimental Chess Strategy
Computational Tools in Chess Strategy
Chess strategy for aspiring Nobel prize laureates
The Chernobyl Variation
Inside the pawn’s mind
Chess strategy decomposed
The decomposition of chess strategy
Pawn’s play in strategy
Strategic observations of a mere pawn
Lessons in strategy
Particles of chess strategy
Orbital strategy
Pawns, orbit and strategy
Pawn and atom – the definite guide in chess strategy
How to do chess strategy and bring nuclear winters to your chess competitors with Kotov’s manual
Chess strategy – dissolving pawns to atoms and more strategies by Kotov
Chess strategies finally translated in english from russian
How about the DNA of Chess Strategy? Which implies a very deep seated root for all positional ideas. Or the DNA of Chess?
Importance of Strategy in Chess
Strategy Isotopes
A Classic Guide to Chess Strategy
Chess Strategy Dogma
Chess Strategy Axiom
The essence of Chess Strategy or
The essence of Strategy in Chess
Classical Chess Strategy Evolution: From Statistical Mechanical to Quantum
Soviet Chess Plans
Chess Strategy Reengineered
Chess Strategy for a New Era
Hi Jacob
Not easy to give a title without having read the book. Anyway, from what we know about Kotov’s other books and the soviet era vision of chess , strategy in chess is more related to some “methodical planning” and his ineluctable realisation than a science.
“Method in chess ” is maybe already a book by Y.Dorfman but something like “method in chess strategy ” might be closer to Kotov’s mind .
Anyway, if you are just looking to get a nice title for commercial purpose, i will suggest the direct ” sex over the board” ( that one will need a new cover !)
Reflections on Chess Strategy
Grandmaster Concepts of Chess Strategy
Kotov’s View on Chess Strategy
Components of Strategy
GM strategy at work
64 squares under the microscope
What about:
“The Core of chess: a textbook on strategy”
“Plan like a Grandmaster”
STRATEGY The Academical Way
STRATEGY The Scientific Approach
Strategic Vision
The Horizon of Chess
Chess Campaigning: The art of strategy
@Peter#102, Kotov already has a book published in English with that title.
However, along the theme of Kotov’s famous books, “Strategise like a Grandmaster”, but cyberhound has beaten me to this.
How about:
“Strategic Planning like a Grandmaster”.
Fundamental Strategy
Building blocks of Strategy
Once upon a time… the discovery of strategy
The early days of strategy
(Soviet’s) Strictly Strategy
One Two Three – Strategy
Russian proof of strategy
Sticking with the science theme
A Quantum Leap into Strategy
Why not make things simpler instead of getting more and more artsy with the name suggestions. How about simply telling the reader what he can do with Kotov’s book?
“Learn Chess Strategy”
This makes sense under the assumption that his text book starts somewhere near the beginning of strategy.
The name includes the word “chess” and it doesn’t seem to be already taken. It also pairs well with all kinds of sub-titles or marketing slogans like “Best lessons from the Russian school of Chess”. The name can also be integrated into a series later with other classic texts, if the demand is there, like “Learn Positional Play” or “Learn Dynamic Play”, etc.
The Practice of Chess Strategy
If I’m correct this one wasn’t mentioned yet:
Systematic Chess Strategy (or ‘S.C.S.’)
Chess Strategy Explained
Strategy : from the Past, for the Future
Strategic Resonances
The Quarks of Strategy
Strategy Revolutions
Strategy Therapy
Chess Strategy Therapy
USSR:
Undisclosed Soviet Strategies Revealed
Unique Soviet Strategies Revealed
This is either cheating or lateral thinking, depending on how you view it, but given, as far as I am aware, there is already a Kotov book in English called “Chess Tactics” I think the book should simply be called “Chess Strategy”.
(There are lots of variations on this above but as far as I can see nobody has suggested just “Chess Strategy” Apologies in advance if I have overlooked it.)
I accept that there are already books called this by Edward Lasker, Eduard Gufeld and Frank Eagan (and possibly Capablanca) but to my mind this just shows it is a good title. While product differentiation may be desirable for a lesser author or publisher I would not have thought it would be a problem with Kotov or Quality Chess.
I accept also that it does not go with the cover but if the title is right, which I think it is, then I suggest you change the cover. (You can always use the cover for another book.)
The book also appears from your cover to be in your chess classics series so it should have a classic title.
The Battle Beginns: Create Your Strategy
How to Create Strategy
Applying Strategy
The Creation of Strategy
Strategy Evolution
The Strategy Red Book
Prefaced by JL Hammer ( hopefully )
“The book also appears from your cover to be in your chess classics series so it should have a classic title.” (Ian Jamieson) …
Ergo: Classical Chess Strategy. Tom Tidom and Kinghartatta already gave very similar titles, so one of them should get credit if this or similar is selected.
Speaking of classic titles, I remember a conversation my brother had with the neighbor, about a run-down car in our driveway. Neighbor: What kind of car is that? Brother: A “Caprice Classic”. Neighbor: Classic? That’s not a classic. You need to see one of my classic cars. (Explanation: The neighbor had several valuable restored vintage cars in his garage.) Brother: They didn’t make “classic” cars in those days.
Strategic Fields
The Power of strategy
– The Universe of Chess Strategy
– Chemical Composition of Chess Strategy
– Chess Strategy under the microscope
“Kotovian Strategy”
Plain and simple..
The Essence of Strategy
The Lore of Strategy
Composition of Chess Strategy
“Chess Strategy – end to end”
Time to put us out of our misery Jacob. If we have to stick to the cover (not quite getting it?) here’s my last try
‘New Clear Power Strategy’
I think that, even after the fun of this thread, the original title is best.
If you do it another time, how about not letting us know the title you picked? (You might have to video yourself with a date and time on the videi with your own title before you open the thread so there will be no Doubting Thomas’s if somebody chooses your own suggestion).
I have enjoyed trying to come up with some titles and even though some of mine were meant to be silly I know have more of an appreciation of how difficult it is to come up with a punchy/relevant title.
James
What about, “Strategy: A Soviet Treaty”
@James2
I was thinking just that. And then a vision came to me. I present to you and to the rest of the world: Elementary (chess) Strategy
I don’t think it has been mentioned because Google didn’t find it.
Strategic Chess Fusion
Energetic Chess Strategy
Elemental Chess Strategy
Manual of Chess Strategy
(Soviet) Chess Strategy Manual
(Russian) Chess Strategy Manual
Besides a classic title as Principles of Chess Strategy or Classical Chess Strategy, I found a subtitle; “avoid barking up the wrong tree” quite amusing.
It seems strange that I would “me-too” someone else’s suggestion, but…
Michel’s suggestion, “Manual of Chess Strategy”, or “The Manual of Chess Strategy”, would seem the best way to stay very close to a literal translation, without using the unmarketable word “textbook”. I’m not sure what the actual title of Kotov’s book is in Russian, but Google’s translation shows both “manual” and “textbook” as translations for both “учебник” and “руководство”.
Kotov Grand Book ( KGB ) of Strategy
It’s clearly a picture of an atom with three electrons in the second shell; the two electrons in the innermost shell are not shown. Hence, the title of the book should be:
Bore On Chess
🙂
@Dr Bob
Very nice
Seems like its one electron in each of the 3 ‘shells’.
In the planetary model you would put the 3 electrons in the px, py and pz orbitals in one orbit!
So if new are talking purely on a chemistry level the whole diagram of the atom is inaccurate!
But frankly who cares!
@The Doctor
You might now have figured out what i’m a ‘Doctor’ of! 🙂
+1 for both imagination & accuracy, but I doubt right holders will allow that 🙂
Talking from a theoretical physics point of view: nothing is orbiting anything else – get over it!
Anyway, it was intended to be a humorous digression. I think that the cover picture is too constraining to allow much sensible input. Something less committal might have led to a title to match the (imho) wonderful, ‘Luther’s Chess Reformation’.
The Central Elements of Strategy
Insights in Chess Strategy / Insight of Chess Strategy
Observations of Chess Strategy
@Dr Bob
I was complimentary and did say ‘very nice’
Don’t really think I deserved the get over it comment!
@The Doctor
Sorry for the misunderstanding – not intended to be either personal or catty.
Just my conclusion after a long time trying to make sense of QM, that *I* should be getting over it!
Strategy in Motion
The Future of Chess Strategy
Chess Strategy-The Fourth law of Motion
Chess strategy: alchemy or science?
Strategic thinking in chess
This is lehrbuch der schachstrategie Vol 2 3rd edition ?
so the title should be : Textbook of Strategy Volume 2
When will Koblencs Book 1 be out?
What happened with the third video? The video more complicated and doesnt exists… why? Simptomatic.
Can we have your edition of “Paul Morphy by Geza Maroczy”?
https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Morphy-Geza-Maroczy-2012-01-01/dp/B019NEJ63A/ref=sr_1_29?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1524183814&sr=1-29&keywords=Paul+Morphy
In hardback or paperback by Quality Chess.
The current edition is physically unavailable… unless you are willing to pay $600+ US
The Mechanisms of Strategy
Substance, Chess Strategy
The Substance of Strategy
Strategy in Progress
@Jacob Aagaard
Hello, i’m a newbie on this forum, so please don’t hate me, i didn’t really know where to ask this question.
I wanted to know if there are any books for wannabe coaches other than your “Thinking Inside the Box” (which can be used as a material for coaches as well) ? Just to give you some information, i’m playing around Fide Master level, and i would like to start coaching , tho i’m pretty young (18 old).
I really appreciate what you’re doing for this community,
and thanks in advance for your anwer. 🙂
Understanding and Mastering Chess Strategy according to Sovjet Grandmaster Alexander Kotov.
It is difficult to come up with a name for a book without looking at the contents or knowing the intention of the author. Is it a comprehensive tome on strategy or is it a barebones primer? As it is an older book and the main selling point may be who wrote it, my choice would be Kotov’s Chess Strategy Primer, or Kotov’s Guide to Chess Strategy, or Basics of Chess Strategy, or Basic Chess Strategy.
Kotov on Strategy
Kotov Back to the Future STRATEGY
Title: Alexander the greats strategyguide-How to be a lion among sheeps.
– Russian Chess Strategy Manual
– Chess Strategy Manual
– Strategic Elements of Chess
– Dynamic Elements in Chess
– Dynamic Chess Elements
The Soviet School of Strategy
– A title Kotov himself would likely have approved. There’s an alliteration there. And you can leave the reader to wonder whether these days a title like that is slightly tongue-in-cheek (after Yermolinsky and others have tried to debunk the image of a monolithic Soviet School of Chess).
Now I see kutlu hasan already suggested Soviet school of Strategy in post #10.
I still like it though!
Hmm reading about the new Shereshevsky Method book from New in Chess and examples of plagiarism. Did it involve any Quality Chess titles? Gelfand’s name was mentioned
Are we any nearer to a final title yet?
The Road to Endgame…
@Stigma
The only problem is that we more or less have a book with this title already!
Do you mean Road to Endgame is the book “Sharp Endgames”, or is it another new book in the future … ?
@Jacob Aagaard
Hmm, good point. I should have thought of that.
@Leaf
http://www.qualitychess.co.uk/products/2/87/soviet_chess_strategy_by_alexey_suetin/
The Russian Doll – The Insides of Chess Strategy
“The Forest behind the Tree”
“Chess strategy landscape”
ps: I realize it doesn’t fit at all with the cover, but just couldn’t resist 🙂
(The) Orbits of Chess Strategy
or
Classical Orbits of Chess Strategy
or
Orbits of Classical Chess Strategy
Cheers
The cover has some blue in it so how about:
Grandmaster Blueprint to Strategic Mastery
Catchy title and colorful word play. 🙂
Strategy From the Inner Circuits of Russian Chess
Focus Points in Strategy
Masterplans in Strategy
Empirical Chess Strategy
Russians vs 64 squares , a strategical course
Secrets of Russian chess strategy
I see that you went for the original title after all if the new catalogue is to be believed. Slight anticlimax but have to applaud the new Tal cover complete with pawn sporting a combover! Just needed to be holding a fag and downing a brandy as well to be perfect
?
@JB
We have been a bit unimpressed, but may still change the titles if a better one comes along. The leaflet is just a suggestion of what is coming…
@JB
I would not say “The Science of Strategy” is 100% the final title decision. We wanted to put something as a title in the catalogue, and the original title was the front-runner at the time. Probably it still is. I appreciate the effort that has gone into suggesting alternative titles, but I have not spotted one yet that looks a guaranteed winner.
Breaking down chess strategy
@John Shaw
“methodic chess control”….or i dont buy the book !
Timeless Strategy
Immortal Strategy
Eternal Strategy
Everlasting Strategy
Relentless Strategy
Tremendous Strategy
Passionate Strategy
Energetic Strategy
Ambitious Strategy
High-Powered Strategy
Hooked on Strategy
Shapes of Strategy
Frame Strategies Like a Grandmaster
1/ Kotov on Strategy
2/ Chess Strategy by (or by) Kotov
Good luck with it.
error,
2/ Chess Strategy by (or of) Kotov
3/ Kotov on Chess Strategy
Apologies,
That symbol looks similar to the animation you see when they come out of commercial or change scenes on The Big Bang Theory. So how about:
Big Bang Strategy!
The Science , The Chess Strategy and Mr.Kotov