Author: Joseph William Abbott (1840-1923) with an autograph letter by the author from the library of Lothar Schmid
Year: 1887
Publisher: James Wade
Place: London
Description:
2 +120 full-page diagrams on 60 leaves+14 leaves of solutions with frontispiece. Small octavo (7 1/2" x 5 1/4") bound in original publisher's red cloth with gilt lettering to cover. Autograph letter by Joseph William Abbott, signed and dated March 20, 1888 tipped in. From the library of Lothar Schmid. (Linde – No. 2472; Betts 33–1; Kieler Schachkatalog 6579) First edition.
The work is a curated collection of tactical enigmas, primarily focusing on two-move and three-move checkmate problems. Many of the featured compositions were highly regarded entries that previously won prizes in major problem tournaments during the late 19th century. It was written for players who enjoy chess strictly as a puzzle or enigma, omitting dense theoretical explanations in favor of pure tactical study. One of the most famous puzzles from this book is Problem No. 12 (found on page 8), often referred to by chess communities as "The Abbott's Conundrum". It features a "Rex Solis" style scenario where a lone Black King faces a heavy assortment of White pieces. The solution requires White to play the surprising key move 1. Be4!. This sacrificial move grants the Black king escape squares but successfully forces a mate on the second move against any defense. Contains 12 two-movers, 72 three-movers, 33 four-movers, and 4 five-movers.
Joseph William Abbott was a prominent British chess problemist and composer who created roughly 250 chess puzzles during his lifetime. Born and deceased in London, he specialized in writing complex "mate in two," "mate in three," and multi-move chess problems. : Abbott published his definitive collection of chess compositions in 1887 under the title 121 Chess Problems. Between 1862 and the early 1900s, his work regularly featured in major period publications, including The Illustrated London News, English Chess Problems, and The City of London Chess Magazine.
Lothar Maximilian Lorenz Schmid (10 May 1928 - 18 May 2013) was a German chess grandmaster. He was born in Radebeul near Dresden into a family who were the co-owners of the Karl May Press, which published the German Karl May adventure novels. He was best known as the chief arbiter at several World Chess Championship matches, in particular the 1972 encounter between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky at Reykjavic. He was also an avid collector of chess books and paraphernalia. It was reputed that he owned the largest known private chess library in the world, as well as a renowned collection of chess art, chess boards and chess pieces from around the globe.
Condition:
Lothar Schmid's book plate to front endpaper verso. Interior slightly toned. Binding dusty with slightly bumped corners. Tipped in letter is multi-folded, toned, shows scattered spotting, and bears signs of use else very good.