
The Immortal Game
A History of Chess
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Narrated by:
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John H. Mayer
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By:
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David Shenk
About this listen
A surprising, charming, and ever-fascinating history of the seemingly simple game that has had a profound effect on societies the world over.
Why has one game, alone among the thousands of games invented and played throughout human history, not only survived but thrived within every culture it has touched? What is it about its 32 figurative pieces, moving about its 64 black and white squares according to very simple rules, that has captivated people for nearly 1,500 years? Why has it driven some of its greatest players into paranoia and madness, and yet is hailed as a remarkably powerful educational tool?
Nearly everyone has played chess at some point in their lives. Its rules and pieces have served as a metaphor for society including military strategy, mathematics, artificial intelligence, literature, and the arts. It has been condemned as the devil’s game by popes, rabbis, and imams, and lauded as a guide to proper living by different popes, rabbis, and imams.
In his wide-ranging and ever fascinating examination of chess, David Shenk gleefully unearths the hidden history of a game that seems so simple yet contains infinity. From its invention somewhere in India around 500 A.D., to its enthusiastic adoption by the Persians and its spread by Islamic warriors, to its remarkable use as a moral guide in the Middle Ages and its political utility in the Enlightenment, to its crucial importance in the birth of cognitive science and its key role in the new aesthetic of modernism in 20th century art, to its 21st century importance to the development of artificial intelligence and use as a teaching tool in inner-city America, chess has been a remarkably omnipresent factor in the development of civilization.
Indeed as Shenk shows, some neuroscientists believe that playing chess may actually alter the structure of the brain, that it may for individuals be what it has been for civilization: a virus that makes us smarter.
©2006 David Shenk (P)2006 Books on TapeListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
"Those curious about chess and wishing to learn more about the game (but not too much more) will welcome this accessible, nontechnical introduction." (Publishers Weekly)
"I loved this book. Full of burning enthusiasm for the greatest intellectual game in the world, it shows just what can happen when an accomplished author, full of fire and passion, tackles a most wonderful and intricate story. Like a great chess game, this is an achievement that will be talked about for many years to come." (Simon Winchester, author of The Professor and the Madman)
“Even dedicated players will find much to learn here.” (Chicago Sun-Times)
Featured Article: The Best Chess Audiobooks
If you've been following popular culture, you know that one of the most popular shows of the last year is The Queen's Gambit, which debuted on Netflix in October of 2020. Adapted from the 1983 novel by Walter Tevis, the stylish miniseries starring Anya Taylor-Joy is about the life of fictional chess prodigy Beth Harmon. Due to the popularity of the show, the gaming industry saw an unprecedented interest in chess; sales of books about chess and chess boards skyrocketed! Whether you are a theory nerd or hungry for a lesson in the game’s history, these chess-related listens are a great opener.
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Master the ancient and modern game of chess! When you listen to How to Play Chess, you'll discover a fascinating world of the mind! This comprehensive and lengthy book explains how all the chess pieces move in simple, easy-to-understand language. You'll easily absorb the quirks of the game, such as the en passent rule and how important kings become in the later stages of play. From pawns to queens, you'll know exactly how to follow the rules - and make the most of your favorite strategies!
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Great History lesson along with simple explanation!
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- Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins
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Overall
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From Frank Brady, who wrote one of the best-selling books on Bobby Fischer of all time and who was himself a friend of Fischer’s, comes an impressively researched biography that for the first time completely captures the remarkable arc of Bobby Fischer’s life. When Bobby Fischer passed away in January 2008, he left behind a confounding legacy. Everyone knew the basics of his life—he began as a brilliant youngster, then became the pride of American chess, then took a sharp turn, struggling with paranoia and mental illness. But nobody truly understood him.
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A Trajedy
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How Life Imitates Chess
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Overall
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How Life Imitates Chess is a primer on how to think, make decisions, prepare strategies, and anticipate the future. Kasparov has distilled the lessons he learned over a lifetime as a chess grandmaster to cover the practical side - tactics, strategy, preparation, as well as the subtler, more human arts of using memory, intuition, and imagination.
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Story
Master the ancient and modern game of chess! When you listen to How to Play Chess, you'll discover a fascinating world of the mind! This comprehensive and lengthy book explains how all the chess pieces move in simple, easy-to-understand language. You'll easily absorb the quirks of the game, such as the en passent rule and how important kings become in the later stages of play. From pawns to queens, you'll know exactly how to follow the rules - and make the most of your favorite strategies!
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Great History lesson along with simple explanation!
- By Robert on 04-15-24
By: Chad Bomberger
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Move by Move
- Life Lessons on and off the Chessboard
- By: Maurice Ashley
- Narrated by: Jeremy (Midnite) Michael Durm
- Length: 2 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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At age thirty-three, Maurice Ashley became the first African American to attain the rank of International Grand Master of Chess. Since that historic moment, he has brought his love of the game to a wide audience as an educator, innovator, and motivational speaker.
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disappointing full of cliches not much about chess
- By Mike on 04-06-25
By: Maurice Ashley
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The Royal Game
- A Chess Story
- By: Stefan Zweig
- Narrated by: Dan Mellins-Cohen
- Length: 2 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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The fame of the The Royal Game is evident in the number of translations. The last work of the Austrian writer Stefan Zweig can be read today in over 60 languages. The first translation into English appeared in New York in 1944. In Germany, the book has become a constant bestseller. The first-person narrator learns of the presence of the world chess champion Mirko Czentovic on a boat trip from New York to Buenos Aires. Together with his acquaintance Mc Connor and other chess players, the first-person narrator manages to challenge the world champion to a game of chess.
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Brief but wonderful
- By Cat S. on 02-17-21
By: Stefan Zweig
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The Queen's Gambit
- By: Walter Tevis
- Narrated by: Amy Landon
- Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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Eight-year-old orphan Beth Harmon is quiet, sullen, and by all appearances unremarkable. That is, until she plays her first game of chess. Her senses grow sharper, her thinking clearer, and for the first time in her life she feels herself fully in control. By the age of 16, she's competing for the US Open championship. But as Beth hones her skills on the professional circuit, the stakes get higher, her isolation grows more frightening, and the thought of escape becomes all the more tempting.
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I can't listen to it.
- By Kindle Customer on 10-26-20
By: Walter Tevis
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Chess Queens
- The True Story of a Chess Champion and the Greatest Female Players of All Time
- By: Jennifer Shahade
- Narrated by: Jennifer Shahade
- Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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Jennifer Shahade, a two-time US Women's Chess Champion, spent her teens and twenties travelling the world playing chess. Tournaments have taken her from Istanbul to Moscow, and introduced her to players from Zambia to China. In this ultra male-dominated sport, Jennifer found shocking sexism, as well as an incredible history of the top female players that has often been ignored. But she also found friendships, feminism and hope. Through her own story, as well as in-depth profiles of pioneers of the game, Jennifer invites us into the extremely competitive world of chess.
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Wonderful!
- By Michael Butler on 03-06-22
By: Jennifer Shahade
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Chess Openings
- The Ultimate and Complete Guide to Learn the Best and Effective Tactics, Techniques, Moves, Openings Skills, and Strategies for Beginners to Quickly Make Your First Checkmate.
- By: Liam J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Virtual Voice
- Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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One of the most important reasons to study chess openings is to understand how and where to develop the pieces. Knowledge is power, and chess is no exception. Many beginners do not spend time even on basic opening preparation. That is why the opening is a brand new experience every time. Some chess openings are better than others. Using a time-tested opening can help you improve your game and even boost your chance of winning. Recognizing and understanding the best openings can increase your confidence in the beginning phase of the game. But, how can you chose the best opening among others ...
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Using ChatGPT to finish your book is not cool.
- By Elizabeth A. Greene on 05-17-24
By: Liam J. Sullivan
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Chess for Beginners
- A Complete Overview of the Board, Pieces, Rules, and Strategies to Win
- By: Game Nest
- Narrated by: Grant Tharp
- Length: 2 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Chess is the ultimate turn-based strategy game. For centuries, it has honed the decision-making skills of kings and the strategic thinking of generals. Modern studies show that chess promotes brain development at any age, prevents Alzheimer's, and trains both sides of the brain to work in synergy. And today, learning chess is easier than you think!
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Promising but Flawed: A Beginner's Chess Audiobook
- By Allan on 04-11-25
By: Game Nest
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Mastering Chess Strategy and Tactics
- A Practical Guide to Enhance Your Chess Skills
- By: Barrett Williams, ChatGPT ChatGPT
- Narrated by: Virtual Voice
- Length: 3 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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Dive into the captivating world of chess with a fresh perspective in "Mastering Chess Strategy and Tactics". This comprehensive guide teases apart the intricacies of chess, leaving no stone unturned. From understanding the chessboard to fully assimilating endgame strategies, your journey to master the game starts here. Navigate through every aspect of the chessboard in Chapter 1, deciphering special coordinates and acclimating to different squares. As your journey continues, unwrap the characters who will wage war on the chessboard - your pieces. Chapter 2 scrutinizes each piece's movements...
By: Barrett Williams, and others
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Bobby Fischer Goes to War
- How the Soviets Lost the Most Extraordinary Chess Match
- By: David Edmonds, John Eidinow
- Narrated by: Sam Tsoutsouvas
- Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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In the summer of 1972, with a presidential crisis stirring in the United States and the cold war at a pivotal point, two men, the Soviet world chess champion Boris Spassky and his American challenger Bobby Fischer, met in the most notorious chess match of all time. Their showdown in Reykjavik, Iceland, held the world spellbound for two months with reports of psychological warfare, ultimatums, political intrigue, cliffhangers, and farce to rival a Marx Brothers film.
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Engrossing
- By Gene on 02-09-05
By: David Edmonds, and others
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The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
- By: Edward Gibbon
- Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
- Length: 126 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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Here in a single volume is the entire, unabridged recording of Gibbon's masterpiece. Beginning in the second century A.D. at the apex of the Pax Romana, Gibbon traces the arc of decline and complete destruction through the centuries across Europe and the Mediterranean. It is a thrilling and cautionary tale of splendor and ruin, of faith and hubris, and of civilization and barbarism. Follow along as Christianity overcomes paganism... before itself coming under intense pressure from Islam.
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Masterpiece - Best Audiobook I’ve Listened To
- By Student on 09-18-18
By: Edward Gibbon
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The Art of Learning
- An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance
- By: Josh Waitzkin
- Narrated by: Josh Waitzkin
- Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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The Art of Learning takes listeners through Waitzkin's unique journey to excellence. He explains in clear detail how a well-thought-out, principled approach to learning is what separates success from failure. Waitzkin believes that achievement, even at the championship level, is a function of a lifestyle that fuels a creative, resilient growth process.
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Good overview with interesting backdrop
- By James on 06-15-14
By: Josh Waitzkin
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Your Next Five Moves
- Master the Art of Business Strategy
- By: Patrick Bet-David
- Narrated by: Patrick Bet-David
- Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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From the creator of Valuetainment, the number-one YouTube channel for entrepreneurs, and “one of the most exciting thinkers” (Ray Dalio, author of Principles) in business today, comes a practical and effective guide for thinking more clearly and achieving your most audacious professional goals.
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Mediocre; few actionable take-aways.
- By Michael on 10-31-20
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The Backyard Bird Chronicles
- By: Amy Tan, David Allen Sibley - foreword
- Narrated by: Amy Tan, Evan Sibley
- Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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In 2016, Amy Tan grew overwhelmed by the state of the world: Hatred and misinformation became a daily presence on social media, and the country felt more divisive than ever. In search of peace, Tan turned toward the natural world just beyond her window and, specifically, the birds visiting her yard. But what began as an attempt to find solace turned into something far greater—an opportunity to savor quiet moments during a volatile time, connect to nature in a meaningful way, and imagine the intricate lives of the birds she admired.
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Don’t Recommend As An Audiobook
- By AnnSG on 06-02-24
By: Amy Tan, and others
What listeners say about The Immortal Game
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Kindle Customer
- 12-22-19
just excellent,well written, very entertaining
just loved it, great style, great story, great gems of information, if you love chess you will love this book
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- AmyBeth Fredricksen
- 05-08-22
Great
Well- researched and organized.
Too bad reviews must be at least fifteen words in order to count.
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- Ceasar
- 08-15-22
Beautiful
By the end of hearing I had a vast amount of information my mind absorbed. Chess has grown on me even more. From ancient times to modern royal to prisoner. The heroes and tragedies of chess. Great listen.
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- David
- 01-28-08
Great History of Chess
The author presents a great potted history of chess orientated around the Immortal Game - a game which occurred between the wars. I found the book great to listen to and very informative.
I would recommend it to anyone who has a general interest in chess.
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- AeroFactory
- 07-30-24
Chess history
If you like chess you will like listening to this. Fun history of chess and some of the past players. Includes a look into what we term as AI now and the impact it’s had on the chess community.
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- bob.oneill
- 02-15-13
a must-read for all chess lovers
if you love chess, you will love this book. the book's layout weaves together chapters addressing the moves in the casual (e.g., non-tournament) 1851 match between adolf anderssen and lionel kieseritzky (later dubbed "the immortal game") with chapters about the history of chess.
the immortal game's annotations are all over the internet, but to hear the match described in audiobook form brought it to life in a way that dry annotations cannot.
how can you not enjoy a match where someone gives up a bishop *both* rooks AND the queen to earn checkmate against an opponent who has only lost three measly pawns??
ok, ok...you will probably want to have a passing interest in chess before trying this book, but if you do have such an interest, listen in to one of the greatest chess stories out there.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Richard Bellamy
- 06-16-21
For the love of chess
This was everything I was hoping for and more. Great writing, great marration, and great stories.
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- Kindle Customer
- 11-13-21
enjoyable but nothing amazing
This book is a decent history of chess. The narrative is okay. it's a good read but nothing spectacular.
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- Mark Smith
- 11-02-24
History
All good 👍🏻 mate thanks maybe late ⏰ afternoon tomorrow morning or evening if you prefer ⏳🌞⏰⏰⏰⏰⏰⏰⏰⏳daylights wasting I have to deal with a long winded review I’m sure doing it again! 🤬
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- Thomas
- 11-17-19
Most enjoyable
1400 years of chess highlights, and I'm not talking about old games and this move and that move, although there is some of that as well. Narrator was very pleasant to listen to. Definitely worth time spent with it.
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1 person found this helpful