Author: Weisfelt, S W from the library of James E. Gates
Year: 1914
Publisher: Nederlandsche Schaakleven
Place: Amsterdam
Description:
xi+197 pages with diagrams and tables. Royal octavo (9 1/2" x 6 1/2") bound in original publisher's blue cloth with beveled edges and gilt lettering to spine and cover and blind stamped decoratively ruled edges to cover. From the library of James Gates.(Linde-Niemeijeriana:5317) First edition.
Officially, this tournament celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the Nederlandschen Schaakbond, and was held in Scheveningen from July 28-August 8, 1913. It proved to be an early victory for Alekhine, in more ways than one. The competition consisted of: Alexander Alekhine; Gyula Breyer; Fritz Englund; Klaas Geus; David Janowski; Edward Lasker; Rudolf Johannes Loman; Jacques Mieses; Adolf Georg Olland; Willem A T Schelfhout; Abraham Speijer; Jan-Willem Te Kolste; Arnold Van Foreest; Frederick D Yates. He clinched first place a round before the end by winning his first eight games and going on to accumulate 11 1/2/12, a draw with Yates being the only flaw. This was enough for the twenty-year-old to celebrate with a night of festivity before the last round. Edward Lasker, in his book Chess Secrets I Learned From the Masters, recounts how he came along to the party and had his own troubles as a result. Janowski, meanwhile, took advantage of Alekhine's condition to defeat him in the last round and impress his admirers no end, even if it made no difference in the final result.
James E. Gates collected over 15,000 chess books with a value of over $210,000. He later sold his collection in 1981.
Condition:
Gates's book plate to front pastedown, corners bumped, some occasional pencil marginalia, light wear to extremities else a very good copy.
SOLD 2024