Must Read Chess Books

Jeugos Axedrez

“Juegos Axedrez, dados y tablas” penned in the 1200s is the oldest chess book in Europe. In 1472, Dass Goldin Spil, chess’ first hardback was printed in Augsburg. Meanwhile, the title of the first Russian book on chess printed in 1791 in St. Petersberg is “Pravila dlia Shashechnoi Igry (Rules for the Game of Chess). Nonetheless, instead of using the word “shakmatnoi” meaning chess, another word was used in the title.

L’ Analyze des Eschec

On one hand, Philidor wrote L’ Analyze des Eschec, the earliest book on chess strategy in 1749. On the other hand, James Humphreys’ Chess Made Easy was the first book on chess to be printed in America and was printed in 1802 in Philadelphia. It was a reprint the book of Philidor printed in 1796. The Elements of Chess, printed in 1805 in Boston was the earliest original American chess book. Meanwhile, Kassin and Cochrane penned Analysis of Muzio Gambit, the earliest chess book which analyzed a single opening. Advice to Spectators at Chess Tournaments is a book published in German. All were blank pages except for the last in which two words were written, Halt’s maul which means keep your mouth shut. Twiss’ Chess was the earliest book review. It was published in 1787.

The Morals of Chess - Benjamin Franklin

On another interesting note, Benjamin Franklin figured among the earliest Americans to play chess and was inducted to the US Hall of Fame in 1999. “The Morals of Chess” is among the most well-known works with regard to chess. The US Chess Federation’s magazine, Chess Life, printed the discovery. Rev. Rou named eight other players of chess in his poem which resembled Franklin’s moralistic theme which had chess as its center. The eight players were from the coffeehouse in New York where the reverend used to play. Interestingly, diplomacy was reached through chess when Rear Admiral Viscount Howe and Benjamin Franklin sat down for peace negotiations due to the game. The latter’s interest in the game was noted and he in fact also had a game with the well-known “Turk” chess machine. All throughout his life as well as in his writings especially “The Morals of Chess” Franklin proved that the game is not just an idle entertainment.

ICCF Gold - Pedro Hegoburu

Lastly, Pedro Hegoburu edited ICCF Gold, 50^th Jubilee Celebration which discussed about the the ICCF which is the successor of ICCA as well as ICSB/IFSB. The federation was founded on March 22 1951 and its story is mostly about correspondence chess. Hans-Werner von Massow was the shining chess forerunner as well as organizer and was related to the earlier organizations of chess correspondence. He was later sworn in as president of ICCF.

Although the way of correspondence may have changed from the cards perforated with unique DDR or stamps of USSR to fax as well as e-mail the love for the game in one's native place remains the same. And never has it enjoyed more significance since then because correspondence cards such as those was the lone way of communication East Germans had with their partners on the west side. Sadly though, a good number of chess players who were retired cannot anymore pay for German stamps following the fall of Berlin wall.