Category Archives: chess history

BBC’s "How to Win at Chess"

Posted on March 19, 2010 by

The BBC has produced a wonderful hour-long documentary titled “How to Win at Chess,” most of which has been posted at zaphod319‘s YouTube channel.  It is also widely available for download, though not yet available for sale.  Structured rather like … Continue reading →

Posted in check it out, chess history, chess videos | 1 Comment

Paul Morphy vs. Mephistopheles

Posted on October 13, 2009 by

Retzsch’s Die Schachspieler (1831) In Die Schachspieler and the Morphy Anecdote, Part I and Part II, Sarah Beth Cohen reproduces multiple interpretations of a fascinating painting by Friedrich Moritz August Retzsch depicting the familiar theme of a chess game with … Continue reading →

Posted in chess art, chess history, morphy | 1 Comment

Immerse Yourself in Chess History

Posted on October 2, 2009 by

Google Books has an amazing collection of magazines, many of which feature articles on “chess.” I recommend you start with “Chess Champion Bobby Fischer in Deep Training” and work your way down…. But be sure to come up for air … Continue reading →

Posted in check it out, chess history | Leave a comment

Chicago and Lake Hopatcong 1926

Posted on June 6, 2009 by

Those of us who collect chess books often choose works as much for their rarity and beauty as for the games and ideas they contain. Dale Brandreth’s Caissa Editions has long catered to collectors, supplying limited editions of truly beautiful … Continue reading →

Posted in book review, chess history | Leave a comment

Tal – Stoyko, Simultaneous Exhibit 1990

Posted on July 16, 2008 by

Tal – Stoyko 1990Black to play. Tal – Stoyko 1990 Black to play. I have annoted the game Mikhail Tal – Steve Stoyko, Simultaneous Exhibit 1990. I was visiting with Steve when he found the game score after many years. … Continue reading →

Posted in chess history, stoyko | Leave a comment

Chessidim

Posted on July 11, 2008 by

There is an interesting article today in the New Jersey Jewish Standard titled “Chessidim” by Josh Lipowsky (USCF 1650) which details the important role that Jews have played in the history of chess.  An accompanying article by the same author … Continue reading →

Posted in chess history, jews in chess | Leave a comment

Anand on the Indian Origins of Chess

Posted on June 21, 2008 by

“The March of Chess” from India In a Time Magazine essay titled “The Indian Defense,” reigning world chess champion Viswanathan Anand writes about how the origins of the game helped him to feel entitled to pursue the crown: In 1991, … Continue reading →

Posted in chess history | Leave a comment

Masters & Hustlers

Posted on March 31, 2008 by

“Masters & Hustlers” is an interesting new media website by Columbia University grad students Jennie Cohen and Radha Vij that tries to capture chess culture in New York City. It is a good effort for a school project and worth … Continue reading →

Posted in chess history, new york city | Leave a comment

The Story of the Lewis Chessmen

Posted on February 4, 2008 by

There is a wonderful article by Allan Burnett (see “Stale Mate“) in the Sunday Herald of Scotland about the famous Lewis Chessmen. It is also widely excerpted by other blogs, including Susan Polgar and the BCC Weblog. Whether or not … Continue reading →

Posted in chess history | Leave a comment

Irving Ellner (1918-2008)

Posted on February 3, 2008 by

Former Kenilworth Chess Club president (1975-1985) and correspondence master Irving Ellner passed away on Thursday. He was 90 years old. I have annotated two of his better games at our site. One of those games appeared today in The Newark … Continue reading →

Posted in chess history, irving ellner | Leave a comment