International Chess Congress
St. Petersburg 1909

A ChessCentral E-Book

The International Chess Congress at St. Petersburg was the premier event of 1909, by far the strongest chess competition held that year. Even today, St. Petersburg 1909 ranks high on any list of top tournaments, a trial of skill which produced more than a few "anthology" games. The presence of world champion Emanuel Lasker acted as a magnet to Europe's chess elite, attracting a powerful field of now-legendary Masters; after three exhausting weeks Lasker emerged victorious, sharing first place with Akiba Rubinstein at 14 ½ points each. Second place was divided between Duras and Spielmann (11 points), while third place went to Bernstein with 10 ½ points.

What makes the 1909 Congress at St. Petersburg one of the greatest, however, is that writing its official tournament book was entrusted to Emanuel Lasker. Here we have the reigning world champion's insight into each game, a complete account of this difficult event from the victor's point of view. There is nothing like this book in the literature of chess: here is your chance to sit beside Lasker - to hear him think out loud - as he grapples with the toughest competitors of his day. Every game is simply excellent, and worthy of study by chess players of any generation. All of us can derive pleasure and instruction from these gems of chess.

The St. Petersburg 1909 tournament book remains a model of objective and scientific chess analysis, and here you will find all 175 games beautifully annotated by Lasker himself. Included are five text documents to guide you through the tournament, plus rare photographs, the crosstable...and more! Playing through a first-class tournament book is a sure way to improve your chess, and here Lasker has produced a work of enduring value - one that will be treasured by chess players for all time. Download your copy now!