First introduced by Arabs to newly gained territories in the Mediterranean during the 8th and 9th centuries, the game of chess soon spread throughout Europe, slowly evolving from the less dynamic shatranj version into modern chess. This study examines the classical era of what became modern chess from the late 15th century into the 1640s, paying special attention to key developments in the medieval period and later. After tracing the birth of modern chess in Europe, it offers a critical appreciation of relevant chess literature--including works by von der Lasa, van der Linde, Murray, Chicco, Eales, Petzold, Sanvito, Garzon and many others--and chronicles all openings and games of the era and the long drawn-out development of laws and rules like "en passant" taking and castlings. At 616 pages, with a glossary, appendices, bibliography, an exhaustive index and more than 150 illustrations, this is the definitive overview of a transformative era in the history of chess.

The use of the queen, the active king, exchanges, pawn play, the center, weak squares, more. Often considered the most important book on strategy. 298 diagrams.

One of the game's most admired and respected writers guides you through 62 masterly demonstrations of the basic strategies of winning at chess. Each game provides a classic example of a fundamental problem and its best resolution, described with chess diagrams and Chernev's lively and illuminating notes. The games – by chess greats such as Capablanca, Tarrasch, Fischer, Alekhine, Lasker and Petrosian – are instructive for chess players of all levels. The games turn theory into practice, showing the reader how to attack and manoeuvre to control the board. Chernev runs through the winning strategies, suggests alternative tactics and celebrates the finesse of winning play. This is not only a book of 62 instructive chess games, but also 62 beautiful games to cherish.

A First Book of Morphy aims to illustrate the teachings of three great chessplayers with games played by the first American chess champion, Paul Morphy. The book presents more than 60 of Morphy's brilliant and instructive games in demonstration of basic chess principles written by grandmasters Reuben Fine and Cecil Purdy.

The first section of [this] book discusses classical themes, such as pawn majorities, the centre and structural weaknesses. Watson then moves on to discuss new concepts, including the willingness of modern players to accept backward pawns in return for dynamic play, the idea of a good 'bad' bishop, knights finding useful roles at the edge of the board, and the exchange of sacrifice ideas that became prevalent with the post-war Soviet world champions. ..." --

This fully revised and updated book is a comprehensive examination of all chess openings relevant in today's chess-playing world -- from the classic gambits to the newest innovations -- with up-to-the-minute evaluations of all known variations.

This book is a revision of the authors famous CHESS STRATEGY which sold over 40,000 copies and has been the "Chess Bible" for most of today's younger masters.

The game of chess was wildly popular in the Middle Ages, so much so that it became an important thought paradigm for thinkers and writers who utilized its vocabulary and imagery for commentaries on war, politics, love, and the social order. In this collection of essays, scholars investigate chess texts from numerous traditions – English, French, German, Latin, Persian, Spanish, Swedish, and Catalan – and argue that knowledge of chess is essential to understanding medieval culture. Such knowledge, however, cannot rely on the modern game, for today’s rules were not developed until the late fifteenth century. Only through familiarity with earlier incarnations of the game can one fully appreciate the full import of chess to medieval society. The careful scholarship contained in this volume provides not only insight into the significance of chess in medieval European culture but also opens up avenues of inquiry for future work in this rich field.

A compact and comprehensive chronicle of the worldwide origins and history of the game of chess—from 500 A.D. to its modern gameplay today Have you ever wondered what the pieces in the chessboard mean or why each piece has a unique move? In A Short History of Chess, Henry A. Davidson explores the ancient roots of chess and the developments around the world that led to the modern version of the popular game. For people new to the game and experienced players alike, Davidson includes a polyglot—a lexicon of chess terms in the forty major languages of the world. And for the skeptical reader or those interested in learning more, there is also a working bibliography of English language references.