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Chess for Fun and Chess for Blood
Chess as art and recreation; checkmating combinations, endgame play, strategic principles, more. Full details and analysis of author's famous game with Emanuel Lasker. 94 diagrams; other illustrations. "Very enjoyable." — Cleveland Chess Bulletin.
- GenresChess
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1942
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About the author
Edward Lasker
43 books3 followersEdward Lasker (December 3, 1885 – March 25, 1981) was a German-American chess and Go player. He was awarded the title of International Master of chess by FIDE. Lasker was an engineer by profession, and an author of books on Go, chess and checkers. Born in Germany, he emigrated to the United States in 1914. He was distantly related to Chess World Champion Emanuel Lasker.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 20, 2008
I enjoy learning from masterful people, those whose passion matches their profession.
This example comes from a master during a time when the ideas of the players are most valuable, as the human mind was the only analytical tool available--in that sense, the sharing of those ideas gleaned from quiet thought or active play made apprentices out of the readers, who in turn could discover their own realities in the Game.
The process of discovery was primary, the journey most important; 'the best move' comes in second behind intimate understanding of position, of force, of space, of time. Brilliancies -- whether accurate or not -- could be shared, and appreciated, for their own merit. Amateurs and 'professionals' could dialogue together; one of the few arenas that type of interaction is available now is astronomy. I feel it is fitting that "the stars and ourselves" are in alignment in this case. The discerning mind can reveal such magnificent things.
Lasker shares much of his own understanding in this book; it feels very conversational. Some of his supporters write lettters to him which he publishes in the opening chapter, letters from folks in varied professions, and of varying levels of mastery in chess. The kindnesses offered from one to the other show the familiarity that can be generated in lovers of chess. One example letter details a doctor (I believe) whose wife, an eager learner though not a strong player herself, finds a way to participate in her husband's passion--she takes a chess book or game from the newspaper (for example) and makes White's move -- and gives the husband a chance to guess what Black's move was. He tries to beat his own score of 'right guesses' and his wife gets to laugh as he gets moves wrong! I found that very clever, and entertaining, as two people with varying strengths and interests get to share in such a bonding process--with the wife learning what good moves look like as the husband gets to practice at the same time.
Chess players are problems solvers, and the key is openness. Kudos to this pair of lovers from so long ago.
Many thanks to Lasker for sharing both intimate moments such as this one, as well as giving great lessons later in the book. Balance in life and in play is essential, and he makes a good example of the process in this book.
This example comes from a master during a time when the ideas of the players are most valuable, as the human mind was the only analytical tool available--in that sense, the sharing of those ideas gleaned from quiet thought or active play made apprentices out of the readers, who in turn could discover their own realities in the Game.
The process of discovery was primary, the journey most important; 'the best move' comes in second behind intimate understanding of position, of force, of space, of time. Brilliancies -- whether accurate or not -- could be shared, and appreciated, for their own merit. Amateurs and 'professionals' could dialogue together; one of the few arenas that type of interaction is available now is astronomy. I feel it is fitting that "the stars and ourselves" are in alignment in this case. The discerning mind can reveal such magnificent things.
Lasker shares much of his own understanding in this book; it feels very conversational. Some of his supporters write lettters to him which he publishes in the opening chapter, letters from folks in varied professions, and of varying levels of mastery in chess. The kindnesses offered from one to the other show the familiarity that can be generated in lovers of chess. One example letter details a doctor (I believe) whose wife, an eager learner though not a strong player herself, finds a way to participate in her husband's passion--she takes a chess book or game from the newspaper (for example) and makes White's move -- and gives the husband a chance to guess what Black's move was. He tries to beat his own score of 'right guesses' and his wife gets to laugh as he gets moves wrong! I found that very clever, and entertaining, as two people with varying strengths and interests get to share in such a bonding process--with the wife learning what good moves look like as the husband gets to practice at the same time.
Chess players are problems solvers, and the key is openness. Kudos to this pair of lovers from so long ago.
Many thanks to Lasker for sharing both intimate moments such as this one, as well as giving great lessons later in the book. Balance in life and in play is essential, and he makes a good example of the process in this book.
February 23, 2014
I read it 40 years ago, and do not remember anything now, and have no desire to read it again.
It means it had no inflence over me.
It means it had no inflence over me.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews