Author: Staunton, Howard (1810-1874)
Year: 1848
Publisher: Bohn
Place: London
Description:
viii+518 pages with pictorial frontispiece and diagrams. Small octago (7 1/2" x 4 3/4") bound in original publisher's red cloth with gilt lettering to spine and pictorial chess board to cover. (Whyld and Ravilious 1848:10) Bohn's Scientific Library. Second edition revised. The first edition was published one year earlier.
Howard Staunton was an English chess master who is generally regarded as having been the world's strongest player from 1843 to 1851, largely as a result of his 1843 victory over Saint-Amant. He promoted a chess set of clearly distinguishable pieces of standardized shape—the Staunton pattern promulgated by Nathaniel Cook—that is still the style required for competitions. He was the principal organizer of the first international chess tournament in 1851, which made England the world's leading chess center and caused Adolf Anderssen to be recognized as the world's strongest player. Modern commentators consider Staunton's understanding of positional play to have been far ahead of his contemporaries'. Although not an all-out attacking player, he attacked when his preparations were complete. His chess articles and books were widely read and encouraged the development of chess in the United Kingdom, and his Chess-Player's Handbook (1847) was a reference for decades. The chess openings the English Opening and Staunton Gambit were named for his advocacy of them. Staunton has been a controversial figure since his own time, and his chess writings could be spiteful. On the other hand, he maintained good working relationships with several strong players and influential chess enthusiasts, and demonstrated excellent management skills.
Condition:
Rebound in red cloth with original cloth and spine laid on, new end papers and original advertisement end papers bound in else a very good copy.
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