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I was delighted to be presented a little gift from Strategy Games,
(thanks Larry!) this past weekend, which I got to unwrap today -
an original hard-bound copy of "Adventures of a Chess Master" by
the incomparable George Koltanowski, inscribed by the master himself.
A die-hard blindfold chess addict, I've been collecting Koltanowski's
books for ages, to add to my vast and illogical collection of the genre
(e.g. I have 2 copies, and a pdf, of Hearst & Knott's masterwork, don't
ask me why!), and Hans' great column here is a source of unending joy.
But I digress -
The rear cover of the book has a photograph of GM Koltanowski
hunched over a chess problem (also imprinted on the wallpaper
behind him) which embodies a mate in three, with White to move.
Now the interesting part!
Koltanowski, in his inscription (a languid spidery script) to the original
owner of the book, makes some deliciously trenchant remarks in
passing, in which he appears to answer the book owner's queries!
"Dear Mr. Chatterton:
Problem cannot be solved in 4 moves!
Vukovic did not win as many brilliancy prizes as Edgar Colle did!
Fischer thinks Alekhine and Em. Lasker did not know how to play
chess – you believe that?
I play Colle if I feel like it, against anyone.
No matter what you play,
- your opponent may be prepared against it !
Greetings from,
George Koltanowski"
Priceless!
(thanks Larry!) this past weekend, which I got to unwrap today -
an original hard-bound copy of "Adventures of a Chess Master" by
the incomparable George Koltanowski, inscribed by the master himself.
A die-hard blindfold chess addict, I've been collecting Koltanowski's
books for ages, to add to my vast and illogical collection of the genre
(e.g. I have 2 copies, and a pdf, of Hearst & Knott's masterwork, don't
ask me why!), and Hans' great column here is a source of unending joy.
But I digress -
The rear cover of the book has a photograph of GM Koltanowski
hunched over a chess problem (also imprinted on the wallpaper
behind him) which embodies a mate in three, with White to move.
Now the interesting part!
Koltanowski, in his inscription (a languid spidery script) to the original
owner of the book, makes some deliciously trenchant remarks in
passing, in which he appears to answer the book owner's queries!
"Dear Mr. Chatterton:
Problem cannot be solved in 4 moves!
Vukovic did not win as many brilliancy prizes as Edgar Colle did!
Fischer thinks Alekhine and Em. Lasker did not know how to play
chess – you believe that?
I play Colle if I feel like it, against anyone.
No matter what you play,
- your opponent may be prepared against it !
Greetings from,
George Koltanowski"
Priceless!
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