Publications

The publications are divided into four subsections:

The following is a list of all publications listed:

Manfred Mädler

Schach ist scheen, wenn man kann

  • PublisherRau, 1991
  • ISBN9783791903262
  • Languagesgerman
  • Pages79
  • Formatspaperback
  • See alsoMädler, Manfred

There’s a pleasant little book filled with anecdotes provoking some hearty laughs, written by the chess journalist, publisher and correspondence chess IM Manfred Mädler in those days in Düsseldorf (1991; 79 pp.) – 1996 he returned to his native town Dresden (www.schachhaus-maedler.de). Dear Manfred, when will you put pen to paper and write down your own chess memoirs?

(R.B.)

Bernd Gräfrath

Schachgeschichten mit Lichtbildern

  • PublisherSelf-published, 2014
  • Languagesgerman
  • Pages42
  • Formatshardback
  • Miscellaneouslarge format (21.5 x 27.5 cm); Colour printing with many full-page photographs and a few smaller photos
  • See alsoSchachgeschichten mit Lichtbildern

After his first photo book "Lichtbilder und Schachkompositionen" (see our former entry) Bernd Gräfrath has just published a second volume "Schachgeschichten mit Lichtbildern" [Chess Stories with Photographs], again in a very small edition and produced in the same manner.

Most copies of the edition have already been distributed to problem friends.

One copy will go to the Cleveland Public Library which already holds the first photo book (so this is the only public library worldwide holding the two volumes).

Again this is a delightful volume, and in a still better print quality than the above mentioned first photo book, while the overall get-up is of the same fine quality as before. Apart from two pages where the author comments on a few of his OTB games and one correspondence game respectively, the book contains a diversified[nbsp] mixture of own compositions (partly co-authored) as well as some problems by other composers, livened up by attractive photographs from private tours. The author has also tried to include photos matching the corresponding opposite text.
There is an introductory orthodox two-mover (recalling Bernd Gräfrath’s first solving experience), but all the other problems are fairies and retros/proof games (with or without additional fairy conditions). Another original idea is realized at the end: One page gives the amusing "Des Teufels Problemisten-Wörterbuch, 1. Lieferung" [The Devil’s Problemists’ Dictionary, 1st Part].
As mentioned by the author, with regard to contents his book has been inspired by Hans Gruber’s entry in Caissas Schloßbewohner.

Contact address of the author:
(see also www.uni-due.de/philosophie/...)

Cover verso. The photo shows Bernd Gräfrath in front of the clouded Matterhorn.

Michael Ehn, Hugo Kastner

Schachkompositionen

Die besten Aufgaben und Komponisten der Schachgeschichte. Mit über 500 Rätseln und Lösungen

[Chess Compositions. The best problems and composers of chess history. With more than 500 puzzles and solutions]

Raj Tischbierek, Michael Negele

Schauspiel des Geistes

Marc Langs unglaublicher Rekord im Blindsimultanschach

  • PublisherExzelsior Verlag, 2012
  • ISBN978-3935800075
  • Languagesgerman
  • Pages200
  • Formatspaperback
  • See alsoSchauspiel des Geistes

With contributions by Vlastimil Hort, Raj Tischbierek, Marc Lang and Michael Negele who goes through the history of blindful chess on about 100 pages. More information on the book at www.schauspiel-des-geistes.de/.... (in German only).

We add a link to GM Helmut Pfleger's chess column in ZEIT-Online: www.zeit.de/2012/42/...

Reduced price for KWA members (worldwide): 20.- €. Orders of the members are accepted by Michael Negele: ; payment in advance by bank transfer to our KWA account. A simultaneous order of the Ado Kraemer book (see below) saves some postage!

Michael Ehn, Hugo Kastner

Schicksalsmomente der Schachgeschichte

Dramatische Entscheidungen und historische Wendepunkte

The recently published book Schicksalsmomente der Schachgeschichte. Dramatische Entscheidungen und historische Wendepunkte by Michael Ehn [&] Hugo Kastner is a delightful work which we can wholeheartedly recommend to all German speaking readers.

The attractive book – it contains many rare (black-and-white) illustrations and historical photographs – presents selected highlights and turning points of chess history – separated in altogether 32 chapters and in chronological order, so you may start reading where you like it. My impression is that of a fascinating and well researched storybook (the authors always give the sources at the ends of the chapters), certainly a very entertaining read not only for historically interested chess friends. On www.humboldt.de you can receive an impression by the linked excerpt from the book (incl. TOC) - see Leseprobe (PDF), and you will even find there a video comment (in German).

Cover verso

Ralf J. Binnewirtz

Schlagabtausch im Räuberschach

Völlerei auf dem Schachbrett oder Freßzwang bis zum letzten Zug

Problem friend Ralf Binnewirtz has filled a small gap in chess literature with his "Schlagabtausch im Räuberschach" (Exchange of blows in Losing Chess) – the collection of altogether 160 LC studies and problems is still the only book on this popular chess variant (Dresden 2000, 143 pp.). You will find additional information about losing chess on his private homepage.

Rudolf Glenk

Schwalbe-Tagung

vom 05. bis 07. Oktober in Forchheim

Fabrizio Zavatarelli

Serafino Dubois

Quarant'anni di scacchi da campione, l'autobiografia, la corrispondenza, le partite

June 2017: The publisher Messaggerie Scacchistiche has just issued a book, edited by our member Fabrizio Zavatarelli from Milan in Italy. The book contains an autobiography of Dubois, tens of his letters and about 300 of his games (all the specimens that could be found), with historical and modern annotations. A preview can be found here: http://www.messaggeriescacchistiche.it/serafino-dubois-quarantanni-di-scacchi-da-campione/.

Although Dubois' autobiography already appeared in print - with misprints and without notes different from Dubois' - the correspondence is an absolute novelty and many games are rather hard to seek out.

John S. Hilbert

Shady Side

Life and Crimes of Norman Tweed Whitaker

  • PublisherCaissa Editions, 2000
  • ISBN0939433575
  • Languagesenglish
  • Pages481
  • Formatshardback
  • See alsoHilbert, John S.

With Shady Side John S. Hilbert has bestowed on us an extraordinary biography. The vita of a chess playing criminal (or criminal chess player), impressively worked up by the author, offers fascinating reading material for chess fans. The exceedingly good state of source material (archives Dale Brandreth) has considerably contributed to the success of the work which generally received rave reviews.

(R.B.)

Further links concerning the book / reviews:

Essay by John Hilbert - Norman Tweed Whitaker and the Search for Historical Perspective: A Tale Full of Genius and Devil

Review by John Donaldson

Taylor Kingston: Detailing the Irredeemable, or, Good Book about a Bad Man

Moreover we give a list of John Hilbert's publications (prepared by himself).

Text verso

Ken Whyld

Simpson's, headquarters of the world

Øystein Brekke

Sjakkmesteren Svein Johannessen

  • PublisherNorsk Sjakkforlag, 2009
  • ISBN978-82-90779-05-9
  • Languagesnorwegian
  • Pages263
  • Formatshardback
  • See alsoBrekke, Øystein

Our member Østein Brekke is at home in the fascinating country of the trolls which - thanks to Magnus Carlsen - experiences a pleasing upswing in chess. His comprehensive biography of Svein Johannessen (1937-2007) is devoted to the formerly strongest Norwegian chess player (IM 1961) who crossed blades with many grandmasters of his time. Numerous annotated games are included in the book which unfortunately has been published in Norwegian only. The author gives a more detailed description of his work in this announcement.

(R.B., IV 2012)

A review by Lars Grahn.

Francis Douce

Some Remarks on the European Names of Chessmen

Martin Ramsauer has just finalized a new chess reprint which you can purchase via his web site:

It is Francis Douce: Some Remarks on the European Names of Chessmen, from: Archaeologia, vol. 11 (1793), p. 397-410. 27 x 21 cm, cloth with golden imprint on the cover, thread-stitching [Schach-Reprints, 5].

Reprint of the chess historical essay. One of the early etymologic studies on the designation of chessmen in the European culture area. With two illustrations in the text.
Direct link: www.martin-ramsauer-verlag.de/shop/...

Price: 18 € plus postage

Ulrich Schädler

Spiele der Menschheit

5000 Jahre Kulturgeschichte der Gesellschaftsspiele

  • PublisherWissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, 2008
  • ISBN978-3896786159
  • Languagesgerman
  • Pages224
  • Formatshardback
  • See alsoSchädler, Ulrich

Andy Ansel

Squares

  • PublisherThinkers' Press
  • Languagesenglish
  • Formatsstaple
  • See alsoAnsel, Andy

Our Californian friend is a diligent writer for Bob Long’s new magazine "Squares" – in particular he writes about his collecting passion and his very personal experience of chess literature. I like Andy's articles very much and I'm always glad to contribute one or other aspect too. An upgrade of "The King of Collectors and his Peers" appeared in Squares 5 by real teamwork (Andy Ansel, Johannes Fischer and Michael Negele) – including a (rare) photo of Albrecht Buschke.

(M.N.)

Tim Harding

Steinitz in London

A Chess Biography with 623 Games

Tim Harding - Steinitz in London - frontcover
Tim Harding - Steinitz in London - frontcover

Raj Tischbierek

Sternstunden des Schachs, 30 mal Olympia

London 1927 - Manila 1992

  • PublisherSportverlag, 1993
  • ISBN978-3328005544
  • Languagesgerman
  • Pages205
  • Formatshardback
  • See alsoTischbierek, Raj

The 3rd FIDE GM in our association is very active in publishing – the magazine "SCHACH" (www.zeitschriftschach.de) published by him continues the good tradition of the GDR magazine, but also that of the "Deutsche Schachzeitung" – it’s a pity that he couldn’t decide to make this more clear by the heading (and by the count of the years). Raj Tischbierek’s Olympiad book (in those days there were still publishers in Germany – like "Sportverlag Berlin" – who tackled such projects) gives a very pointed presentation of the history of these team matches.

(M.N.)

Text verso

Peter Holmgren

Stockholms Schackförbund 1911-2011

  • Release Date2011
  • Languagesswedish
  • Pages526
  • Formatshardback
  • See alsoHolmgren, Peter

With his 526-page commemorative publication Stockholms Schackförbund 1911-2011 Peter Holmgren has presented an imposing work on the last 100 years of Stockholm’s Chess Federation, including many player portraits and games. Some more details about the book in the author’s information (PDF) and in the short Swedish review by Lars Grahn (scroll down there).

(R.B., VIII 2012)

Adriano Chicco, Antonio Rosino

Storia degli scacchi in Italia

  • PublisherMarsilio, 1990
  • ISBN978-8831753838
  • Languagesitalian
  • Pages656
  • See alsoRosino, Antonio

Together with the well-known chess historian Adriano Chicco, Antonio Rosino devoted himself to the Italian chess history from its beginnings to the present time, the extensive result Storia degli scacchi in Italia counting 639 pages was offered to the chess public in 1990. Numerous plates as well as chapters on correspondence chess and problem chess (by Oscar Bonivento) and a selection of games enrich this valuable treatise.

(R.B.)

Südwestdeutsche Schach-Zeitung

Jahrgänge 2-5 (1887-1890)

Our member Martin Ramsauer (Marbach, Germany) would like to point to a new publication from his publishing house: a facsimile of the Südwestdeutsche Schach-Zeitung, 1887-1890 (2nd to 5th volume). You will find all details in this pdf file (4 MB).

Paweł Dudziński

Szachy wojenne 1939-1945

War chess

An important and thematically most interesting book on chess in Poland during WW II has just been published, covering the years 1939-1945. Written in Polish, there is a 5-page summary in English at the end of the book.

This is a very attractive volume, excellent in its get-up, printed on glossy paper with numerous historical photos (partly in color) and games, diagrams and problems.

While the first part of the book deals with the Poles and their chess activities, the second part is dedicated to "Chess by the Germans" as well as to players of other nationalities such as the Ukrainians. Even if I am not able to read the Polish text, the author has obviously done a great job in his research, consulting many sources not available elsewhere. He presents a wealth of historical details, and most of the games and of the photos are widely unknown. My impression therefore is that this work is a treasure trove for chess historians, naturally those will benefit most from it who are able to speak Polish. In my view, it would deserve a translation at least into English.

Edward Winter has reproduced some (enlarged) photographs from the book in his Chess Notes 8204.

You can order the book from the author (), the price is 30€ incl. postage (the latter is quite high due to the weight).

The author would be happy to receive a chess postcard from those members who got from him a copy of the book.

Here is his postal address:
Paweł Dudziński
ul. Rynek 5/10
63-400 Ostrów Wielkopolski
Poland

PS (27/09/2013):
Our Czech member Jan Kalendovský has written a review, published in Šachový Týdeník 37, 2013, p. 3-4, see this PDF file.

PPS (03/10/2013):
Another review was published by Avital Pilpel in his blog Jewish Chess History.

Imprint
Text verso