Secrets of Attacking chess is, as the subtitle says, a book that teaches you when, where, and how to attack. In short, Mihail Marin discusses every phase of attack, from recognizing that an attack is the right course of action to checkmate.
Marin discusses attack in chess in almost philosophical fashion. He questions classical beliefs, such as “the player with the advantage is obliged to attack”, explains different types of advantages that may lead to a successful attack, and helps us mere mortals get a glimpse of how a Grandmaster decides whether to commit to an attack or not and why.
The first part of Secrets of Attacking chess is devoted to understanding when to start attacking. Marin begins by introducing us to one of Efim Geller’s famous games. I’m glad he used Geller as an example, as his games, similar to those of Karpov or Botvinnik, never seemed to end with a crushing mating attack, but rather with slow, painful, yet relentless suffocation of their opponents that would lead to an inevitable resignation. Geller’s game against Velimirović, played in Havana in 1971, is wonderfully annotated. Marin goes into great detail and explains every stage of the game, and every decision and what must have led to it with absolute clarity. What I like most about the book is that, rather than going over many games, Marin had decided to include not more than 30, but each spans over many pages, and each move is given attention, without “empty” variations readers should figure out on their own without the help of the author.
The next three chapters are the meat of the book. They explain the three most common types of positions that make a successful attack possible and how to approach them. One key lesson that screams at you while you read, and is emphasized over and over again, is to think rationally, to consider the logical, non-committal moves that prepare an attack first, before lashing out and going all in. Planning in the attack, covered in chapter two, was my favorite part. I often struggle to move beyond improving my pieces and doing something active that changes the nature of the position forever. Marin explains how to make that jump very well, albeit indirectly, perhaps unintentionally at some points. But his thoughts and knowledge are nevertheless there for those who seek! I have seldom read a book that seemed as useful as Secrets of Attacking chess. I feel like I may reap the benefits from reading it for a long time.
Chapters three and four focus on easily explicable types of positions; those with a lead in development for one side, and those with play on both wings. They are, perhaps, what most people will find most useful short-term. They give immediately applicable concepts you can try to exploit in your own games.
Chapters five and six are devoted to two players who many consider the greatest attacking geniuses in history – Morphy and Tal. Their games are annotated and explained in a very instructive and fun way. Learning how to attack while being given an insight into how they conducted their attacks seems easy, effortless, and, most importantly, efficient. The book ends with a very relevant topic, although Marin’s writing at the time has become outdated with the advance of technology – the use of engines in preparation and analysis. The book was published in 2005, so his thoughts may be valid today from a philosophical standpoint, not from a practical one.
Secrets of Attacking chess is a greatly enjoyable book. I would say it’s suited for most intermediate and definitely all advanced players. I feel like reading it must make you a better strategist and a better, more careful, and more efficient attacker.
I have gone through the book without using a board. Marin blessed us with a book that explains every move and not a jungle of engine recommended sidelines, so even basic visualization skills should enable you to follow the text. I read it in four days. There aren’t many chess books you can actually read without having to spend half an hour per page that are extremely useful at the same time.
