William Steinitz, Chess Champion: A Biography of the Bohemian Caesar [Hardcover]

Kurt Landsberger (Author), Ken Whyld (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1992

Long known as one of the greatest chess masters of the nineteenth century, William Steinitz had a rich and elevated career and life, which can now be known as well. From Steinitz's own writings and the fruits of extensive first-time-ever research by the author, a fascinating portrayal emerges of the life and genius of a man widely known as the "Bohemian Caesar" quite apart from his chess dominance. Lengthy annotations for the 15 selected games are provided by modern grandmaster Andy Soltis, often augmented by Steinitz's own observations.Three additional games are also included. Each game is illustrated.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"a really good read" -- Chess Post

"highly recommended" -- The (Baltimore) Sun

"outstanding...should be in the library of every serious collector" -- San Francisco Chronicle

"very well researched...a significant contribution" -- Inside Chess

About the Author

Kurt Landsberger, born in Prague with the name Steinitz, is the champion’s great-grandnephew. He divides his time between Verona, New Jersey and Boca Raton, Florida. He is also the editor of The Steinitz Papers: Letters and Documents of the First World Chess Champion (2002). --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 539 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (December 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0899507581
• ISBN-13: 978-0899507583
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #975,570 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steinitz - The 'Bohemian Caesar', September 27, 2001

By 

Walter B Hart (Burra Creek, NSW, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: William Steinitz, Chess Champion: A Biography of the Bohemian Caesar (Hardcover)

A remarkable biography of the first world chess champion William Steinitz. Excellently written by one of his descendants Kurt Landsberger, tells the story of a unique personality, who despite great odds, succeeded in maintaining his supremacy over some thrity years of competitive chess. The book is first a biography, and second a collection of about fifteen selected games which are annotated in appropriate detail by Grandmaster Soltiz. In telling Steinitz's story, Landsberger also brings to life many of the other characters of Steinitz's time and numerous historical sidelights that period. Although everything is capable of being improved, this effort I believe is the best work of its type, and essential reading for anyone interested in one of most significant personalities in the history of chess. Aside from the excellent contents, the book maintains McFarland's very high standards of chess publishing.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The definitive biography of the Great Steinitz., June 8, 2002

By 

A.J. Goldsby I "A.J.G." (Pensacola, FL (U.S.A.)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: William Steinitz, Chess Champion: A Biography of the Bohemian Caesar (Hardcover)

(First, please read the other review by Mr. Hart. Then read this one.)

What player revolutionized chess? What player found chess a chaotic game and left it nearly a science? Which player did more to advance the way that chess was played, perhaps more so than any other player who ever lived? Which player was the first to systematize the rules for the art of defense in chess? The answer to all of these questions is: Wilhelm Steinitz.

The "rap" on Steinitz today - from my dealings with players on dozens (!!) of Internet chess servers - is that he was a boring player who could not play well. They also think he did not play interesting games and he could not play tactics. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. (His game with Bardeleben from Hastings, 1895; is considered by most experts to be one of the grandest games of chess ever played.)

If you want to read and own a book that was lovingly and carefully written by one of Steinitz's own descendants, then get this book. You will read an account of his life that is interesting, and was painstakingly checked for accuracy. In the back, you get about 20 games by GM A. Soltis, that are carefully annotated - with a completely new perspective. This is easily one of the highest quality books (and the most prized) in my entire collection.

If you want every chess game that Steinitz ever played, a good companion volume to this one is the collection of all his games, published by Sid Pickard of Dallas, TX.