Most chess biographies present the games of famous players--but not their writings. Filling that gap, this book begins with Syrian master and author of chess studies Philip Stamma, and finishes with the first world champion William Steinitz. The main novelties in opening, middlegame and endgame theory in the 160 year period are examined and biographical sketches put the contributions of more than 30 masters into context. The author presents many new insights--for example, regarding the origins of the Ponziani Opening, the Dutch Defense and the Petroff Defense. French star La Bourdonnais used other sources for almost every part of his Nouveau Traite. Morphy's analysis of the Philidor Defense was faulty and Anderssen's play included many positional ideas. Harrwitz and Neumann published modern treatises long before Steinitz came out with his Modern Chess Instructor. Many ending themes belong to less well-known authors, such as Cozio, Chapais, van Zuylen van Nyevelt, Sarratt, Kling and Horwitz, Berger and Salvio.

This newly revised edition, by former British Correspondence Chess Chanpion David Hooper, has been called one of the most readable and useful chess reference books available. More than 2,500 entries cover subjects from named openings and strategies to computers and theatre. Illustrated with over 500 chess diagrams, this book will appeal to chess players of all levels.

No chess player of the 19th century had a longer, more varied career than Henry Edward Bird (1829-1908). After pursuing a civil career for years his love for chess prevailed. He belonged to the top level of British players for decades but he really shone at Simpson's Divan. Bird's accessibility, fierce attacking style and contempt for draws made him a people's favorite but his proud and touchy character led him into disputes with his colleagues. A very strong and widely known player, he fell into oblivion after his death. This comprehensive first biography of Bird provides a detailed account of his personal life and a deeply researched coverage of his feats at the chess board. Almost 1,200 games are included, hundreds of them published here for the first time. Nearly 450 games--many of them thrilling all-out fights--are presented with a mix of contemporary and modern annotations.

This brand new edition contains every move (standard international algebraic notation) of every game played in world championship competition, including all “official” such titles since 1886 and all decisive matches by the world’s leading players for the 50 years prior to that date. A diagram of the critical or most interesting moment accompanies every game. All games are dated, with playing locations noted. All source material discrepancies have been researched and resolved. Charts or crosstables showing overall results precede each match or tournament. A lengthy bibliography and a detailed openings index complete the work.

**** The British counterpart to Sheehy (in which it is recommended--and vice versa), distributed in the US by Unipub. Volume 3 completes the 5th edition with 8,833 entries (vol. 1:Science and technology, 1989, 5,995 entries; vol.2: Social and historical sciences, philosophy and religion, 1990, 7,166 entries). While the majority of items are reference books, Walford is a guide to reference material and therefore includes periodical articles, microforms, online, and CD-ROM sources. A special effort has been made to make sure the output of small and specialist presses is not neglected. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR