With the endless parade of new books coming out, a lot of players have forgotten about some of the past gems. One of my favorite ways to kill time (and spend money!) is to visit used bookstores and check out the chess section. Now and then these old tomes are overpriced, but on occasion you can find fantastic books for giveaway prices.

Recently I was browsing just such a store when my eyes came to rest on a book I used to own, but had somehow "lost" (translation: loaned out, never to be seen again!) long ago. Filled with happy memories, I scooped it up, glanced at the price ($14.95 for a hardcover book in perfect condition--not a steal, but not bad by any stretch of the imagination), and was soon adding it to my already considerable collection.

Draw! features sixty-four deeply annotated games plus another six in the introduction. What makes this collection so noteworthy is that every game ends in the manner indicated by the title: a draw.

"How very boring," you might say. Don't believe it! Every one of these games features a "take no prisoners" battle so intense, so beautiful, so exciting, so overwhelmingly erotic...okay, I'm getting carried away. Suffice it to say that each and every one of these games will captivate your imagination demand your full attention.

Spanning many generations, from Chigorin to Smyslov to Tal to Fischer, to Karpov to Los Angeles transplant Gufeld, each game is preceded by a description of what the contest was about (this warms you up to the impending knock down, drag out fight) and then is brought to life by Heidenfeld's extremely detailed and energetic notes.

Starting with a foreward by John Nunn, and then followed by a thirteen-page introduction, you will find this book to be entertaining, instructive and a welcome addition to any chess library.

YOU CAN FIND THIS BOOK AT