A Question Of Excellence: A Century Of African Masters

by Alex de Voogt

Many books are filled with thoughts on mastership, genius and excellence in games. Those players who excel in tournaments are featured in psychological studies or tested with computer opponents. The featured games claim a history longer than any treatise on strategy and a geographical distribution reaching to all the corners of the world. Africans have shown excellence in board games. Players of African descent make up a history of intellectual accomplishments that has been thus far unnoticed in literature on African history as well as in works on cross-cultural and cognitive psychology. These African players include world champions, prize-winning grand masters, blindfold players as well as experts in simultaneous and computer matches. This study suggests three criteria of excellence that allow for a better appreciation of the past and present players. It speaks of victories against strong competition, of brilliant moves and unique accomplishments. Following the history of games in Africa and the success of players of African descent, this book illustrates and explores these criteria. The author also argues that Africans showing excellence is not a new phenomenon but part of the history of competition and of a growing understanding of what defines excellence in play.

Hardcover

Published November 30, 2005