Book cover of Chess Theory from Stamma to Steinitz, 1735-1894

Book description

Most chess biographies present the games of famous players--but not their writings. Filling that gap, this book begins with Syrian master and author of chess studies Philip Stamma, and finishes with the first world champion William Steinitz. The main novelties in opening, middlegame and endgame theory in the 160 year…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Chess Theory from Stamma to Steinitz, 1735-1894 as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Anyone taking up a new game knows the struggle to gain a foothold in the game's strategy. You glean knowledge of what is "right" and "wrong" by observing your peers and repeating their moves to look respectable, but you rarely understand why such knowledge has become accepted wisdom.

This fascinating book traces the evolution of chess openings from the first manuals written to the dawn of the 20th century.

I've been a chess player for more than 40 years but I lost count of the number of times I muttered, "Oh my goodness, That's where that move came from!" while…

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