Hastings 1895
The Centennial Edition
Edited by Sid Pickard

The greatest chess tournament of all time was held in the summer of 1895, at the ancient Saxon stronghold of Hastings. This "Grand International Chess Congress" attracted the strongest field of players ever assembled, with Steinitz, Lasker, Tschigorin, Tarrasch and Blackburne all present. The list of entries amounted to a catalog of chess luminaries, including Schlechter, Bird, Teichmann, Gunsberg, and Janowski. The games were exceedingly difficult and hard fought, possibly the severest test of chess mastery ever conducted. Finally, the young American Pillsbury surpassed his dangerous rivals in a thrilling last round finish.

But then something even more remarkable happened. The Hastings 1895 tournament kept growing in importance year after year, teaching and delighting generations of chess players. This feat was accomplished by the famous Book of the Tournament, in which the players themselves provided the game commentary - but commentary unlike any ever produced. Working independently, they together achieved a wonderful blend of instruction and entertainment. Witty, insightful and always captivating, these masters left a legacy of chess wisdom for all to profit by. A valuable chess course in itself, the Hastings 1895 Tournament Book is the cornerstone of any chess library.