A short century of chess

Ever wondered what chess was like at the turn of the 20th century? Curious about the legendary players who paved the way for modern chess theory? On his blog, Sam Kahn has taken us on an intriguing journey through a pivotal decade in chess history. And now, he has converted his blog into a book format. But what makes these historical games interesting? And how do they still resonate with players today? With expert annotations and rich historical context, this book promises to be more than just a collection of old games. Read on to discover see if A Century of Chess might be the missing piece in your chess library.

If you like these reviews, please consider supporting my work. Visit my patreon page for details.
Become a Patron!

What can you expect from this book?

Sam Kahn is a devoted chess amateur who has written a blog on chess history since 2021. On his blog, he explains the background andnpurpose of what has grown to become a massive project.

I’d been playing through historical games on my phone for a while, but I felt that I wanted to share what I was learning and to put it together in a systemized way.

A Century of Chess provides readers with a deep dive into the chess landscape of the early 1900s. Kahn has selected games from 1900 to 1909, offering a chronological journey through this transformative period. Each chapter focuses on a specific year, showcasing the most brilliant and influential games of the era.

Kahn's commitment shines through in his rich historical narratives, providing context for each game and offering insights into the players, tournaments, and broader chess culture of the time. His writing brings to life legendary figures like Emanuel Lasker, Géza Maróczy, and Harry Nelson Pillsbury, helping readers understand their playing styles, personalities, and contributions to chess.

While Kahn focuses on the historical aspects and player profiles, the game annotations are expertly handled by Cyrus Lakdawala and Carsten Hansen. Lakdawala has annotated the majority of the games, displaying his characteristic style in which he combines education and entertainment. This combination offers readers a multi-faceted understanding of each game.

The book goes beyond just famous players, shedding light on lesser-known figures and tournaments, providing a comprehensive view of the chess world in the early 1900s. It also traces the evolution of chess theory during this crucial decade, highlighting innovative moves and ideas that were groundbreaking for their time.

Visually, the book is well-designed with clear diagrams at critical points in each game, often accompanied by thought-provoking questions or exercises. This encourages active engagement with the material, making it not just a historical document but also a valuable learning tool for improving players.

Who should read this book?

A Century of Chess is ideal for chess enthusiasts with a keen interest in the game's history and a desire to deepen their understanding of classical chess. While players rated 1800 and above will likely derive the most benefit from the in-depth annotations, the book's engaging historical narratives and player profiles make it accessible to a broader audience. It's an excellent resource for those looking to expand their chess knowledge beyond modern theory, offering insights into the game's evolution and the timeless principles demonstrated by the masters of the early 20th century. However, beginners or those unfamiliar with chess notation may find some sections challenging, and readers primarily interested in cutting-edge opening theory might prefer more contemporary resources.

About this book

Author:	Sam Kahn
Title:	A century of chess
Type of book:	Biography, Chess history, Game collection
Level:	Any

Comments

Popular reviews

Understanding middlegames

Have you ever found yourself unable to find a move in the middlegame? Of course you have. We all have. About ten years ago, this was a recurring problem for me, which led to a lot of frustration. My conclusion was that I needed to learn how understand middlegames. So what better way than to read a book with the title Understanding Chess Middlegames ? Sound like the perfect remedy, right? Ok, let's find out. If you like these reviews, please consider supporting my work. Visit my patreon page for details. Become a Patron! What can you expect from this book? I first read this book when I was just starting to study chess seriously. I bought it after reading a recommendation in an online forum. I would say this was ten years ago, but the book came out 2011, so it couldn't have been before that. Anyhow, my playing strength was probably around 1200 (I was unrated at the time) and I was having trouble choosing moves in non-tactical positions. Basically, I was playing without ...

Under the surface

I did something different. I bought a chess book without doing any research. I decided to reward myself with a new book after having written ten reviews. So I asked my friends on Twitter for suggestions, and someone suggested that I take a look at the book Under the surface by Jan Markos. Since the book is quite new, I couldn't find much information about it, so I decided to blindly trust the recommendation. Luckily, I was not let down. What can you expect from this book? I am not the only one who has done something different. Jan Markos did the same when he wrote Under the surface . He takes a quite philosophical approach to chess, which should probably be expected from a former student of philosophy. This comes across quite clearly in his choice of chapter titles. The names "Magnetic Skin", "Anatoly Karpov's Billiard Balls" and "On the Breaking Ice" are not the most transparent chapter titles in the world. But once you get under the surfa...

Learn chess tactics

Where should you turn for tactics training? This is a frequently occuring question, not only from beginners, but also from intermediate players. Which books are suitable for your specific level, and which ones should you get? In this review, I take on a book that I suggest you do get - at least if you're at or near the beginning of your chess development. This was actually my first tactics book back in the day, and I recently reread it in order to give a proper review. I remember that I liked it the first time around and that my tactical skills improved. Although rereading it didn't contribute all that much to my learning, I still have a good impression of it. Please read on for more details. If you like these reviews, please consider supporting my work. Visit my patreon page for details. Become a Patron! What can you expect from this book? Learn Chess Tactics is written by the one and only John Nunn, and (as the name implies) it is a tactics book. I would go as f...

Judgement and planning

Some books "fly under the radar" and do not get the same attention as the evergreen classics. But sometimes, there is gold in old mines. And I found a little golden nugget while shopping for used books. A book written for amateurs, by (arguably) the best amateur of all time; former world champion Max Euwe. Sounds promising, right? If you like these reviews, please consider supporting my work. Visit my patreon page for details. Become a Patron! What can you expect from this book? In my previous review of Chess Fundamentals , said that few world champions have written books for beginners and intermediate players. Capablanca is, of course, one exception. And another is Max Euwe. Euwe is not the most well-known world champion. He was in his prime in the 1930s and 1940s, most notably in 1935 when he dethroned none other than the great Alexander Alekhine. Although many have suggested that Alekhine only lost because of heavy use of alcohol, beating him is no small feat (rega...

Think like a Super-GM

In my previous review I mentioned how I would like to see an improved version of The Improving Chess Thinker , and that a book had recently come out that seemed to be perfectly in line with my ideas. A few months later, I have bought the book, worked through the exercises and read the prose. And finally, I am ready to give my complete review of the new book Think like a Super-GM . And I can tell you, I was not disappointed by this book. Read on to find out why you should probably get the book too. If you like these reviews, please consider supporting my work. Visit my patreon page for details. Become a Patron! What can you expect from this book? As the title indicates, Think like a Super-GM is a book about thinking in chess. At its core, it is a puzzle book. But it is more than that. In the chapters surrounding the puzzles, the book digs into the challenges of thinking in chess and how the thinking process differs between players of different levels. The first chapter ...

Patzer's review

Search This Blog