Wiener Schach-Zeitung. Organ fur das gesamte Schachleben. Volume IV (4)

viii+240 pages with diagrams, tables and index. Octavo (8 3/4" x 6 1/2") green cloth. Volume IV (4). (Bibliotheca van der Linde-Niemeijeriana:5957) First edition.

The Wiener Schachzeitung, an Austrian chess magazine, published in German which was one of the great magazines of chess ran from 1898 through 1916 and then from 1923 through 1938. Originally founded in 1855 by Ernst Falkbeer, but was only published for nine months. In 1887 it enjoyed a rebirth, but even this publication lasted only nine months. In 1898 Hugo Fahndrich, Alexander Halprin and Georg Marco re-established the name again. As time went on Georg Marco became the sole editor and even the publisher. Marco edited the magazine until 1914 and during that period it became the best chess magazine in the world (Golombek:342). When it was renamed in 1923 it was called the Neu Wiener Schach-Zeitung and was edited by I R Wahle and A Lewitt; however, within a year it had recaptured its old title and in 1926 another great editor, Albert Becker, took over. With the German invasion of Austria, it ceased publication. An attempt to revive it after the end of World War II failed. The witty pen of Hans Kmoch gave distinction to the magazine and every now and then he would edit a faschings (carnival) number that was genuinely funny.

Includes games and from the Monte Carlos International Chess Tournament with cross table and games annotated by George Marco. In 1901, in order to stimulate tourism to the seaside resort of Monte Carlo during the winter season, Prince Andrey Dadian of Mingrelia and Jules Arnous de Riviere organized a master chess tournament, to be held from February 1st to March 1st. Fourteen masters were invited to participate, but play was delayed until the 4th of February to observe the funeral of Queen Victoria I of England. The scoring format for this tournament gave 1/4 of a point to each player for a draw played. The two players were then required to replay the game with colors reversed, where a win was worth 1/2 a point, a draw worth another 1/4 point, and a loss worth 0. David Janowski won the tournament and the grand prize of 5000 Francs, while the second through sixth place finishers enjoyed their share of a 7300 Francs prize pool. The remaining players received minor compensation for their participation.

Condition:

Rebound, corners rubbed, book plate on front paste down else a very good copy.