RARE 1832 CLASSIC WORK ON THE GAME OF CHESS BY PHILIDOR

    . French composer Philidor was considered by many to be the best chess player of the 18th century. In 1749, at the age of 23, he published “L'Analyze du Jeu des Échecs”. The book formed the basis of the first Russian work on chess. Philidor was the first writer to explain the reasons for particular moves" (Bill Wall, Off the Wall). L'Analyze is considered "the most influential book on the modern game" (Hooper & Whyld, 303). An English edition of L'Analyze was first published in 1750 - this edition is an 1832 translation by George Walker. "Philidor's real secret weapon was his fundamentally different way of looking at the board. 'Pawns,' Philidor declared, 'are the very soul of the game.' It was a brilliant piece of counter intuition. Philidor suggested that the Pawns, which at first glance seemed so powerless as to be expendable, could, working in concert with one another, actually exert more influence than any single piece on the board. He made Pawn structure a priority above all else, putting Pawns into diagonal arrangements to defend one another and supporting them from behind with the more prominent pieces. Slowly, his formidable Pawn fence would then creep up the board, squeezing the opponent's pieces on the other side and placing some Pawns in strong contention for promotion at the back row. Implemented correctly, this flexible strategy could defuse virtually any brilliant tactical combination wielded by an opponent" (Shenk, The Immortal Game, 97).

    This fascinating and early translation of Philidor’s classic work on the Game of Chess is bound in its’ original, green cloth covers which are intact but worn. The front board is split at the hinge and only attached by a small piece at the bottom of the spine. The internal pages are complete, tight and in very good condition with some foxing. A rare and fascinating, early 19th century English translation of Philidor’s important “Analysis of The Game of Chess” and a fantastic addition to any collection!!!!

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