IV. Internationales Schachmeisterturnier Karlsbad 1929

422+[2 ad] pages with frontispiece, 8 plates, diagrams, tables and index. Royal octavo (9 1/2" x 6 3/4") bound in original publisher's green cloth with white lettering to spine and cover. Annotations by A Nimzowtisch, R Spielmann, A Becker, S G Tartakower, A Brinckmann and round by round analysis and introduction by H Kmoch. From the library of John C Owen.(Bibliotheca van der Linde-Niemeijeriana: 5431) First edition.

The fourth international master chess tournament to be held in the spa resort of Karlsbad, Czechoslovakia in 1929 was a round robin event involving 22 of the best chess masters in the world. Of the top players, only world champion Alexander Alekhine and former world champion Emanuel Lasker were missing. The line up of players included such names as Jose Capablanca, Efim Bogoljubov, Frank Marshall, Akiba Rubinstein, Milan Vidmar, Aron Nimzowitsch, and Rudolf Spielmann. Among the remaining invitations, one notable participant was Vera Menchik, the women's world champion, who joined despite the protests of some male colleagues, including fellow participant Albert Becker. The tournament was held in the Kurhaus Imperial Hotel from July 30 to August 28. The time control used was 30 moves in two hours followed by 15 moves in one hour. With 3 rounds to go, Capablanca (13) and Spielmann (13) led Nimzowitsch (12 1/2) and Rubinstein (11 1/2). Rubenstein beat Menchik, Capablanca only drew with Vidmar while Nimzowitsch won a crucial game from Spielmann. Thus with 2 rounds to go it was Capablanca (13 1/2), Nimzowitsch (13 1/2). Spielmann had led through most of the tournament and could not bear to see the first prize slip away at the end. He concentrated all his remaining energy and beat Capablanca. Nimzowitsch only drew with Maroczy and Rubinstein drew with Becker. With 1 round to go it was Spielmann (14), Nimzowitsch (14), Capablanca (13 1/2) and Rubinstein (13). Spielmann now had the best chance because he faced Mattison while Nimzowitscvh had to play the more dangerous Tatakower, Rubinstein drew with Euwe. Capablanca crushed Marcozy while both Spielmann and Nimzowitsch obtained winning positions. Tratakower began to fight hard and was unclear whether he could hold the draw. Spielmann was quite nervous and started exchanging pieces prematurely instead of simply winning a pawn. Spielmann only drew, falling back into a tie with Capablanca. Nimzowitsch struggled on and finally won his game and the tournament. The time limit was 30 moves in two hours and then 15 moves per hour. (Divinksy: 39)

John C Owen translated and helped produce the work Budapest 1896 International Chess Tournament published by Caissa Editions and has written a number of articles on chess.

Condition:

Shelf wear, John C Owen's embossed imprint and previous owner's stamp on front end paper, corners bumped, spine ends rubbed a very good copy issued without jacket.