Chess Facts And Fables

Chess Facts and Fables by Edward Winter continues the author’s previous work in Chess Explorations (1996) and Chess Omnibus (2003). Drawing from Chess Notes, a column that has run regularly since 1982 and is presently at www.chesshistory.com, Mr. Winter and his correspondents cover every conceivable subject related to chess history from all sides and angles. The reader will find a wealth of interesting positions, game scores, photographs, stories and observations that will fascinate any lover of the royal game and intrigue those with an interest in its history – especially those who like to get to the truth.

The past two decades the author has made it a personal crusade to raise the standards for accuracy in matters relating to chess history. Not so long ago it was common for errors to be copied from one chess book to another with an almost machine like accuracy. Apocryphal tales, the equivalent of which would long ago have been laughed out of an academic field, flourished. This is not the case anymore. Errors still occur but much less frequently. Mr. Winter and his correspondents don’t solve every mystery, but things are much for the better. For this the chess world owes him a big debt of thanks.

If you are looking for a Christmas present for a chess player in the family I can strongly recommend Chess Facts and Fables.