Das Internationale Schachturnier zu Hastings im August-September 1895

viii+339 pages with diagrams, illustrations, tables and index. Octavo (8 1/4" x 5 3/4") rebound in wrappers with red spine and no lettering. (Bibliotheca van der Linde-Niemeijeriana: 5238). First German edition.

This has good claims to be considered one of the strongest tournaments ever held in England. The first Hastings tournament witnessed both the rise and fall of a number of brilliant careers. At the beginning of their eminence were Lasker, the 26-year-old world champion who was playing in his first major event outside Germany; Teichmann, Janowski and Schlechter (at 21 the youngest entry), who had made their international debut at Leipzig 11 months earlier, and the surprise tournament winner, 22-year-old Pillsbury of New York. At the opposite end of the scale were such venerable names as Blackburne, Bird, Mason, Steinitz and Tchigorin. Central to the drama of the tournament was the unavailing struggle of these older players to maintain their footing against the new generation of continental masters. It was a "decisive and momentous meeting of the Old and New Schools - a changing of the guard." It is legend that Pillsbury, on going to Hastings, insisted on stopping at a quiet hotel, as he "meant to win." He did, making a total of 16 1/2 (+15-3=3) out of a possible 21 points and taking home the first prize of 150 British pounds. Next came Tchigorin (=14-3=4) with the second prize, and Lasker (=14-4=3) for third.

Condition:

Rebound in wrappers with bumped corners, title slightly age darkened and chipped at head edge else about very good.