How to play chess 1907 (Step by Step ) Free PDF ebook by Charlotte Boardman Rogers with Illustrations









Excerpt from the author's introduction:





The history of Chess is extremely interesting as people of all nations, famous in all professions, have given it careful attention and study. From its origin in India, its popularity spread Eastward to China and Japan; and then Westward, through Persia and Byzantium to Europe where, during the Middle Ages, In Philidor's day, during the first half of the Eighteenth Century, it was the custom in Europe for the musicians at the royal chapels to amuse themselves with Chess when their services were not required during High Mass; and it was for this reason that the name of Philidor has lived in the history of Chess rather than in the history of music, for he was a great musician as well as a remarkably skilled Chess player.Since the invention of the game, five thousand years ago, its development may be said to have undergone three distinct periods. The first lasted until about 600 A. D., and during that time it was played by four persons, the move of each Chessman being about the same as it is now, but a dice was thrown to decide which one was to be played. The second period lasted from the Seventh to the Sixteenth Century, during which time the game was reduced to a contest between two persons. The element of chance was also done away with, and the dice discarded. The third and last stage in the development of the game began at the close of the Sixteenth Century and continues until and during the present day.In connection with the study of the During the last century, Chess periodicals were introduced and public contests were established between famous players or between the different clubs. Chess assemblies, tournaments, and contests for amateurs were also first held in the Nineteenth Century which added greatly to the interest and general popularity of the game. To-day, even the daily newspapers give space to the subject, recording the moves in match tournament games so that a person may follow each play by reading his paper just as readily as if he were an eye-witness of the game.the game, it is interesting to know that among its devotees have been such monarchs as Charles XII., Napoleon I., Frederick the Great, Charlemagne, and Haroon al- Rashid; and such philosophers as Voltaire, Rosseau, and Franklin. The literature of the game has been contributed to by writers of all nations and, while the student cannot be expected to become familiar with all that has been written on the subject, he should know, at least, the names which are most prominent in connection with the scientific development of Chess. Among them are Hanstein, Von der Lasa, Lange, and Horwitz, of Germany; Cunningham, Janssen, Sarratt, O'Donnell, and Staunton, of England; Petroff and Kieseritzky, of Russia; Szen and Lowenthal, of Hungary; Stein, of Holland; Stamma, of Syria; Philidor, Deschappelles, and La Bourdiennais, of France; Ruy Lopez and Xerone, of Spain; Dubois, Salvio, Paoli Boi and Del Rio, of Italy; and Morphy of the United States. The East, where the game originated, has also contributed to its literature and the Asiatic names associated with it are Sokeiker, Ehazes, Suli, Damiri, Ibn Sherf Mohammed, Ghulam Kas- sim and All Shatranji.