Author: ELionel Adalbert Bagration Felix Kieseritzky (1806-1853) handwritten dedication by Lionel Kieseritzky from the library of Lothar Schmid
Year: 1846
Publisher: Au Cafe de la Regence
Place: Paris
Description:
2 leaves (=Title + Dedication)+iv (=Preamble)+51 pages with diagrams. Quarto (10 1/2" x 6 3/4") bound in half burgundy cloth with gilt lettering to spine over marbled boards. handwritten dedication by Lionel Kieseritzky. From the library of Lothar Schmid. (Linde – No. 3148; van der Linde II, 18; Schmid pp. 212) First edition.
A rare work by Lionel Kieseritzky a prominent Baltic-German chess master, theoretician, and mathematics teacher. While he was one of the strongest players of his era, he is most famously remembered as the losing player in the "Immortal Game" against Adolf Anderssen in 1851. This book compiles 50 chess games played by renowned masters from the Cercle des Échecs, a prestigious Parisian chess club. Published in 1846, the book provides insights into the strategies and techniques employed by the world's greatest chess players during the mid-19th century. It includes detailed analysis of each move, along with notes and observations from contemporary experts like Lewis and Heydebrand, shedding light on the intricate thought processes behind each strategic decision. The collection covers a range of openings and variations, showcasing the evolution of chess theory and the brilliance of the human mind engaged in this intricate game of strategy.
Kieseritzky became one of the four leading French masters of the time, alongside Louis de la Bourdonnais, Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant, and Boncourt, and for the few years before his death was among the top several players in the world along with Howard Staunton. In fact, ChessMetrics says he was No. 1 for 23 different months between the September 1849 rating list and the September 1851 rating list
His knowledge of the game was significant and he made contributions to chess theory, but his career was somewhat blighted by misfortune and a passion for the unsound. In 1842 he tied a match with Ignazio Calvi (+7−7=1). In 1846, he won matches against the German masters Bernhard Horwitz (+7−4=1) and Daniel Harrwitz (+11−5=2). He enjoyed a number of other victories across his career, but his nerve was lacking when it came to tournament play.
He was invited to play in the first international chess tournament, the London 1851 tournament, where he scored ½–2½ and was defeated in the first round by the eventual winner Adolf Anderssen. During his time in London, Kieseritzky also played a casual game against Anderssen which became known as "The Immortal Game". Despite losing, Kieseritzky himself recorded and published the game during his period as editor of La Regence.
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 paste down. Inscribed on front wrapper by author. Private stamp on the flyleaf. The original front cover bound in—trimmed slightly shorter at the bottom edge. The title page and the final blank page bear an offset impression from the old cover. The interior is toned with some staineing. One unnumbered leaf has a tear that has been professionally backed. The binding shows signs of light wear with bumped corners else very good.