Among the many reviews of Chess were some highly complimentary reviews appearing in major newspapers by staff columnists and syndicated chess journalists that can’t be reproduced here in their entirety because of copyright restrictions. Here are some comments from a few of the more well known:
Boston Globe by Harold Dondis__”. . . the book recounts Schultz’s experiences in the chess world and is the best chronicle of international chess that I have encountered . . .
GM Larry Evans’ Syndicated Column__ “. . . this memoir is a valuable and accurate rendition of tempestuous events that shaped chess history in the last half of the 20th century . . .”
Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel by Bill Cornwall__”. . . If you enjoy reading the inside stories about the lives of chess people, then Chessdon was written for
you. . .”
The following reviews are printed in their entirety. Click on the author for the full reviews.
1) Dr. Frank Brady, Former Chess Life editor and author of Bobby Fischer Profile of a Prodigy
2) Grandmaster Pal Benko, Twice Candidate for the World Championship
3) Phil Haley, FIDE Zonal President and Delegate to FIDE from Canada
4) Egon Ditt, President German Chess Federation
5) Charles Pote, acclaimed award winning national chess journalist
6) Almog Burstein (Israel), International Chess Arbiter
7) International Journalist Sam Sloan.
8) GM Murray Chandler, Nov. 1999 British Chess Magazine.
9) Steve Lopez, Chess Kamikaze Website
10) John Elburg, Netherlands Book Reviews
11) Dr. Frances Lipp, Yale Phd and noted cousin of former Chess-in-the-Schools President Fan Adam
Text of Reviews
(1) Dr. Frank Brady, Former Chess Life editor and author of Bobby Fischer Profile of a Prodigy:
“This is one of the most interesting chess books ever written. Don Schultz offers the inside story of American and International chess from the 1960s to the turn of the century. Having been in a privileged position as a chess organizer, Schultz outlines the fabulous and all-too-human stories of world champions, grandmasters and woodpushers alike. If you love chess, you will not be able to put this book down until you’ve read every page.”
(2) Grandmaster Pal Benko, Twice Candidate for the World Championship:
“Schultz was involved in chess the last half century as a player and relentless organizer. Because of this he was able to show what was going on behind the scenes in Chess Politics. From start to finish—a riveting and exciting book”
(3) Phil Haley, FIDE Zonal President and Delegate to FIDE from Canada:
“A one of a kind book that will capture and hold the attention of not only chess enthusiasts but the entire reading world. A candid view of chess and chess politicians . . . names names . . .pulls no punches. . .tells it as it is. With his intimate knowledge of chess personalities around the world, Don Schultz is uniquely capable of capturing and holding the reader’s attention.”
(4) Egon Ditt, President German Chess Federation:
“A great book and a great contribution to chess!”
(5) Charles Pote, acclaimed award winning national chess journalist:
“A package from Don Schultz? Why would the USCF President send a package to me? Hoping it wasn’t really from Ted Kacynski, I mustered the courage to unwrap it—much to my relief, out feel a new book for my review. I turned to page one. That was 2:30 in the afternoon. Some four hours later I reluctantly closed the book in time for dinner—but not before knowing—it’s a winner!! “Pulling no punches, CHESSDON reveals everything from KGB involvement with chess, to anecdotes, guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes. Chess personalities, ranging from Bobby Fischer to Judit Polgar, are all present and accounted for, but it’s the, heretofore untold, personal insights into such titans of chess that I enjoyed. For example, I didn’t know that even a Bobby Fischer would dare. . . Do you know who won the first Earth vs. Outer Space chess game? All this, and more, including many GM annotated games, are within CHESSDON.”Simply put, Don’s book is a masterpiece and any review I might do would be inadequate. I’ve read hundreds of chess books—Don’s book is the best book about chess that I’ve ever read. Do yourself a favor and add CHESSDON to your library.”
(6) Almog Burstein (Israel), International Chess Arbiter: “Thrilling and enjoyable, humoristic and serious, sensitive and trenchant—all in one cover.”
(7) International Journalist Sam Sloan:
“CHESSDON is probably the first book on chess politics ever written. It can be said for certain that the book will be devoured by chess politicians, organizers and administrators around the world. It covers material and events which are not dealt with in any other book.”
(8) GM Murray Chandler, British Chess Magazine
“Pour yourself a large cup of strong coffee, for these are the memoirs of a chess politician. Don Schultz has spent nearly 40 years as a chess volunteer organiser in the USA; as well as being a past President of four State Chess Associations, he represented the USA at FIDE (World Chess Federation) meetings from 1978-1994. From 1996-1999 he was USCF (United States Chess Federation) President, and it was during this period that he had the idea of chronicling his life in chess.
The book title and back-cover blurb hint at mafia-like skulduggery. However the main revelations concern the inner workings of FIDE over the past decade, of particular interest to those active in international chess in that period. This account, though often subjective, is certainly original and comprehensive, though as meeting follows meeting, and squabble follows squabble, you are sometimes left dumbstruck at the futility of petty chess politics. In a paradoxical way, that makes the book educational; it gives a flavour of the way semi-voluntary organisations like FIDE function.
“Although the book is self-published, the presentation is good, and includes a 16-page photo spread in the centre.”
(9) Steve A. Lopez author of The Chess Kamikaze Website or try the Chess Kamikaze Club.
As former USCF Don Schultz explains in the subtitle to his book Chessdon, he’s been involved in chess for over forty years. During that time he became involved in many aspects of the game: as a player, writer, editor, publisher, and as a chess politician. In his book, he encapsulates his decades of experience into a readable (and often entertaining) series of anecdotes.
He begins with his early chess club experiences (for me, one of the more enjoyable portions of the book) and later turns his attention to the world of chess politics on the state, national, and world level. Schultz has operated on all three levels, met and interacted with many famous chess personalities, and reveals much of his experience in this book.
Very often, chess autobiographies somehow mutate into a personal attack against people the author didn’t like. Schultz admirably avoids this temptation. By the time you finish the book, you know who the good guys and bad guys were, but the bad guys aren’t labelled as such; Schultz lets the actions of these characters speak for themselves. He also has the honesty to occasionally paint himself in a less than flattering light, which is refreshing in an autobiography of any kind and extremely rare in chess-related books.
Admittedly, this book is concerned primarily with chess politics; if you’re not interested in this area, you’ll likely wish to read something else. But there are a few inside tidbits scattered throughout the book (concerning the first Karpov-Kasparov match, as well as other well-known chess events) that aren’t found anywhere else and which make it pretty worthwhile to anyone interested in recent chess history. Schultz’ book is a good read and I recommend it if you have an interest in the aforementioned subject matter.
(10) John Elburg, Netherlands Book Reviews
Here we have an exciting chess book from the former USCF President and chess organiser Don Schultz. Don is a well-known organiser of chess tournaments for over a half of a century.
The material here is quit unique story’s background information meetings with famous and less famous chess players. {I found here a lot of unpublished material}
For example see his interviews & meetings with players as Albert O’Kelly ,Fisher,Tal, Najdorf,Kamsky, Karpov
Kasparov etc.{it seems he did meet them all!}
I believe Don Schulz was in a very privileged position to meet so many interesting people but this of course offers us readers a unique view behind the scene!
A collection of 28 games with comments from GM Gabriel
Schwartzmann and a collection photo’s complete this all.
I believe a very objective and honest work!
Highly recommended! * * * * *
11) Dr. Frances Lipp, Colorado
I immediately put down Robb’s biography of Victor Hugo to do some serious browsing. I enjoyed that too. The subheadings, lively anecdotal style, index are all helpful for browsing. Since I started to learn chess only a few months ago (at age 69), I assumed I would be able to make no sense at all of the various chess games you include, but GM Schwartzman’s chatty analyses and your considerate inclusion of the notation letters/numbers along the edges of the diagrams mean that I cannot only enjoy the chat and but see that with a little effort I’ll be able to get beyond it into the details of the games (a little, anyway).
“I liked reading your accounts of people such as Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, Carol Jarecki, Florencio Campomanes, Frank Camaratta, etc., whose names are familiar to me from internet browsing and/or chess fame. The Acronym appendix is welcome too — now I know what the “A” in LMA stands for!”
