Public-domain ebook
Chess Strategy
Language: en2,040 downloads on Project Gutenberg
Subjects
Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #5614.
About this book
Edward Lasker’s Chess Strategy is a systematic guide that begins by teaching the reader how to read the book’s own ASCII diagrams, using a simple # and ^ notation to distinguish black from white pieces. After this practical tip, the work unfolds in a logical sequence: a concise review of the rules, a primer on notation, and a series of “Hints for Beginners” that cover elementary combinations and basic calculation. The first part then moves on to general strategic principles, opening theory, and end‑game fundamentals, each illustrated with diagrams and examples drawn from master games of the early twentieth‑century tournament scene. The table of contents alone reveals a thorough treatment of pawn structures, piece maneuvering, and the evolution of plans from opening through middle‑game to finale, all anchored by Lasker’s own commentary and a wealth of annotated master games.
The book’s voice is that of a seasoned educator from the Edwardian era, combining clear, didactic prose with occasional literary flourishes. Lasker stresses understanding over rote memorisation, urging readers to develop judgment by analysing positions rather than merely recalling variations. This measured, analytical style will appeal to serious amateurs who enjoy a disciplined approach to chess improvement, as well as to historians interested in the pedagogical methods of early twentieth‑century chess literature.
Opening lines
Black pieces have a # symbol to the left of them, while white pieces have a ^ symbol to the left of them. For example, #B is the Black bishop, while ^B is the white bishop. #Kt is the black knight, while ^Kt is the white knight. This will let the reader instantly tell by sight which pieces in the ASCII chess diagrams are black and which are white. Those who find these diagrams hard to read should feel free to set up them up on a game board using the actual pieces. …
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