| The 12th volume in Vlastimil Fiala's Quarterly of Chess History has just appeared in a series that dates back to 1999. Like it's predecessors this 434 page sturdily bound hardback with 491 games is a potpouri. There are 14 different articles on all aspects of chess history from player biographies ( Hromadka, Loman and A.J. Fink) to a mini-tournament book (75 pages) on the 1966 US Open (prepared by your reviewer). One of the highlights of QCH 12 is a translation of Dr. Tartakover's reminsciences about his career ( How you Should Not Learn to Play Chess: 63 Years Old Chess Master Looks Back on his Career) . Few non-Swedes will be familiar with this article published in Tidskrift for Schack in 1950. Other highlights include articles by Vlastmili Fiala on chess research dealing with his efforts to track down the details of the Women's World Championship up to 1944, a 27 page piece on the 1892 Lipschutz-Showalter American Chess Championship match and informed and well written book reviews. Volume 12 of the Quarterly of Chess History offers many hours of enjoyment for fans of chess history and would make a fine Christmas gift. The Quarterly for Chess History, Volumes 9-12, is available by subscription (168.00 Euros including postage). It is also posssible to purchase individual volumes. As a bonus subscribers of QCH receive a 20% discount on other Moravian chess books. Go to http://www.moravian-chess.cz for more information. |