Oscar Blumenthal
Oscar Blumenthal, Oskar Blumenthal ( born March 13, 1852 in Berlin, † April 24, 1917 ) was a German writer, critic and playwright. In addition, Blumenthal was a chess player and chess composer who introduced the term in 1902 for a miniature chess composition with a maximum of seven stones.
His remains are located in the Jewish Cemetery Weissensee. In four parts of Berlin streets were named after him.
Author and critic
As a literary critic, he was known by the publication of the collected works of Christian Dietrich Grabbe. He also was a member of several literary magazines.
He was a well-known reviewer and worked from 1875 to 1887 for the Berliner Tageblatt. Due to the sharpness of his criticisms, he was also called " bloody Oscar". From 1888 to 1897 he was director of the Lessing Theater in Berlin.
Together with Gustav Kadelburg he wrote several comedies, including during a stay in 1896 in the Villa Blumenthal near Bad Ischl in the White Horse Inn, which served the frequently played musical comedy of the same name as a template.
Four examples of his short poems:
This is an ugly Affliction when people talk like the books. But rich and fertile are for each the books that talk like people!
The rich wealth has identified it, that poverty does anyone shame. Schlemmer teach at the full table, such as salt and bread keeps fresh cheeks. The doves coo from Dachesrand: "Take rather the sparrow in the hand!" ... And the stupid Made a majority vote, that always the smarter one has to give.
In operas often makes the same grief The Tonwerk as the text poem: The seal is irritating to the desire to slumber, But the music does not allow it.
Who always strives for the benefit The thought well that he lives forever, Otherwise he 'd ' lop faced with the question: On the last day, where is the benefit?
Chess composition
From the period since 1871 are by Oscar Blumenthal 95 miniatures known. He published mainly in the German weekly chess. In 1902 he published a popular collection of chess miniatures that received a successor a year later. Of importance for chess composition he remained as well as creator of the term " miniature ".
The following is an early work with victims key.
Solution: 1 Nb4 -d5 tight spot 1 ... 2 Kc4xd5 Lg6 - f7 Ideal Matt 1 ... 2 c6xd5 Lg6 -d3 pattern Matt 1 ... b5 KC4 - 2 Lg6 -d3 matt 1 ... c6 - c5 2 d3 Da3 - matt
Works (selection)
- The sample arrow. Comedy in four acts. Friend & Jeckel, Berlin 1884.
- The Fairy Caprice. Play.
- With Gustav Kadelburg: The big city air. Schwank in 4 Acts of. Bloch, Berlin, 1891.