Author: Paul Keres (1916-1975) inscribed
Year: 1957
Publisher: Sveriges Schackförbunds Förlag
Place: Örebro
Description:
303 pages with diagrams. Royal octavo (9 1/4" x 6") bound in original publisher's quarter black cloth with gilt lettering to spine over blue speckled boards. (Kiel chess catalog 4467) Inscribed by the author in Russian. first edition.
Paul Keres was an Estonian chess grandmaster and chess writer. He was among the world's top players from the mid-1930s to the mid-1960s, and narrowly missed a chance at a World Chess Championship match on five occasions. As Estonia was repeatedly invaded and occupied during World War II, Keres was forced by the circumstances to represent the former Soviet Union (1940–41, 1944–75) and Nazi Germany (1941–44) in international tournaments.
Keres won the AVRO 1938 chess tournament, which led to negotiations for a title match against the reigning World Champion Alexander Alekhine, but the match never took place due to the outbreak of World War II in 1939. Keres was runner-up in the Candidates Tournament on four consecutive occasions in 1953–1962. Due to these and other strong results, many chess historians consider Keres one of the greatest "Super grandmasters" in history, and the strongest player never to become world champion. (Wikipedia)
Condition:
Autograph dedication in Russian on the front end paper. Interior mirror and attachments with glue shadows. Slightly toned inside and partially edged at the bottom. Corners bumped and rubbed else about very good.