Max Euwe

This is a basic book that teaches strategic planning in chess. It is a book that an entire generation of aspiring chess players studied and read, but seems to be nearly forgotten today. Written by a former Chess Champion of the world, this book has as its basis an entirely novel idea which will help players over a real difficulty. Many books have been written on the openings, some knowledge of which is essential to those who wish to enjoy their chess by playing it well. But after eight to fifteen moves or so the book on openings must of necessity break off, and the student is left with the intimation that the position in question is even, or that White or Black stands slightly better. This book is concerned with the game from then on. The author studies a number of orthodox openings and position from the point where the opening stage has come to an end. He describes the characteristics of the position reached, shows why one or the other side stands better, and gives a thoroughly practical demonstration of the means by which the game can be brought to its logical conclusion.

This has long been one of the standard books on basic chess strategy. It takes the player from the middle game of chess and shows how to take it to a favorable conclusion. TAKING basic principles of military strategy and applying them to the chess board, the authors of this remarkable book develop a logical, and highly original concept of the game which is both novel and unconventional. Chess is, in fact, war between two opponents who both have men to command, and a field on which to meet. From this simple proposition, and the suggestion that the advantage will be with the commander who is thoroughly acquainted with the terrain, the book analyzes logically and succinctly, each phase of the battle. The text is successfully illustrated with examples from the play of other players who were not masters, and the book can be considered as designed for players of some experience, but who have not attained championship status; with the double aim of providing both an analytical study of the army and the field -the board and the men- and a sure, basic insight with which to comprehend the finesse of the Chess-masters. Dr. Euwe's contribution is a guarantee of sound chess and there is, finally, a chapter on the human element; a factor that may well be vital, which suggests that aggressive spirit, keen psychology, and an intelligent grasp of a changing situation, are weapons of prime consequence at all stages of the game.

Groningen 1946 was the first major chess tournament after the conclusion of World War II. It was a 20 player round robin. Most of the strongest players of the world were present. Many of the games were exciting and are well annotated by Euwe. They demonstrate that even the strongest grandmasters can make obvious blunders. All of the traditional world champions had died during or in the immediate after math of the war. Emanuel Lasker died January 11, 1941 at age 72. Capablanca died 8 March 1942 at age 53 in the same hospital room as Lasker had died. Alekhine died March 24, 1946 at age 53. This meant FIDE could take control of the World Championship as there was nobody left alive who could claim the world championship as a personal possession. Groningen 1946 was much stronger than London A and B mainly because the top players were allowed out of the Soviet Union for the first time. Botvinnik, Smyslov, Flohr, Boleslavsky and Kotov represented the Soviet Union and Najdorf came from Argentina, his new country, to play. It had been hoped that Fine and Reshevsky would come from the USA to play but they did not arrive. An indication of the relative strenghts was Martin Christoffel, champion of Switzerland, who finished Second in London B, but finished last in Groningen. Another indicator was Botvinnik and Euwe had been in a race for first place. However, when Kotov defeated Botvinnik that seemed to end his chances for first place until Euwe blundered and lost to Najdorf. That ended for the time being the allegation that the Soviet players would throw games to each other to secure first place. This was the last tournament in which Euwe got a good result. In the World Championship Tournament held in 1948, Euwe scored one win, six draws and 13 losses for 4-16. This poor result showed that Euwe could no longer compete credibly for the World Championship.