The Game of Chess
The game of chess is the title of a 1931 book published in the German community property book by Siegbert Tarrasch about chess. The subtitle reads Systematic textbook for beginners and experienced cyclists. In the first edition had 483 pages and half leather cover. The book is considered a classic of chess literature.
The game of chess is Tarrasch and at the same time last successful book. From the first edition of 16,000 copies were sold. With a total circulation of 130,000 copies, it is considered one of the most successful chess books. In the editions from 1964 updates have been made in the field of opening theory of Rudolf Teschner, but other parts were cut. In 1973 appeared the first time in paperback in Random House. Tarrasch turned to beginners as well as advanced players, trying to create a unique textbook that sets itself apart from the others of his time. Also Tarrasch known saying "Chess has like love, like music, the ability to make people happy " is in the preface of the book included.
The book is divided into three main parts. First of Tarrasch explains the rudiments and the final, then the middle game and the last opening. This structure he established with his belief that as a beginner you must first fully master the theoretical foundations, and " game playing in the beginning stages (...) the safe way to Stümperschaft " was. Only at the very end, he presents seven annotated games from the masters practice.
The book has been criticized for its force exaggerated dogmatism. This was especially true for some of its estimates regarding openings. For example, the French held Tarrasch Defence and the Slav Defence to be inadequate, and the defense of the gambit pawn in the King's Gambit by 3 ... g7- g5 even suicidal. In the later, machined pads changes were not identified in the original text.
At the time of publication of the book Tarrasch still belonged to the world's best, even though he had his greatest success long behind him. He has published around the same time also Tarrasch chess magazine, which he led until his death in 1934. This was characterized in an obituary as "current chess textbook with sequels ". As Tarrasch reason for writing the book and the magazine idealism there was given.
1935 was the first of Tarrasch books translated into English, with some additional examples have been added. The translation sold well, it was reprinted in 1938 and 1942.