When
I was young I fell in love with chess not only
for the rush that playing the game brought me,
but also for the nostalgic, otherworldly feelings
that the lives of the old masters conveyed. I
still recall quivering in delight if an Alekhine
anecdote was told. Steinitz fascinated me, and
his miserable end left me feeling depressed. Lasker
took on God-like proportions in my twelve year
old mind, and other players like Marshall, Nimzovich,
Bogolubov and Reti also occupied my attention
day after day (all right, I left out Capablanca.
For some reason I was never fond of him, though
that drastically changed when I grew older).
In the past there was very little
detailed information on the lives of these great
men. Then, quite recently, books began to appear
on Alekhine, Rubinstein, Schlechter, Marshall
and now...Napier? Who in the hell is Napier and
why would anyone want to read about his life?
Napier was born in 1881 and died
in 1952. He was an attacking player who created
many exciting games, and his loss to Lasker is
thought to be one of the greatest ever played.
Napier's games are given throughout this book,
most with notes. His writings, tournaments and
day to day existence are also discussed extensively.
By itself, these things wouldn't
be of much interest to non-fanatics. However the
real value of the book becomes apparent when you
see how the times affected Napier, and how both
Napier and that period also affected all the New
York based masters (including Pillsbury and Marshall)
and virtually all the players of extra-class worldwide
(Lasker, Steinitz, Tarrasch, Chigorin, Janowski...the
list goes on and on).
What we have, then, is a history
book of times long past that gives us a glimpse
into the souls of chess legends long since dead.
Such perspectives have the power to increase your
love for chess, and help you understand the joys
and agonies of daily life with more depth and
compassion.
This type of book is not for everyone,
but the game would be richer if more players tore
down their self-absorbed walls and took a hard
look at what has come before them. Books of this
nature give us a chance to do so.
A great addition to any chess
library. The author deserves a lot of praise for
putting together such a detailed piece of work.
YOU
CAN FIND THIS BOOK AT
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