Hastings 1895
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.
Editor: Sid Pickard
Title: National Master
Published: 1995
Pages: 259
Annotation: AN |
