Emanuel Lasker was probably the greatest chess player of modern times.
Certainly no man has ever held the world championship longer -- 28 years
-- or kept his powers so long. In his sixties, Lasker began what
amounted to a fresh career in chess by playing his first serious game in
ten years, and defeating Max Euwe, the man who was the following year to
become world champion. The secret behind his extraordinary abilities may
perhaps be found in Lasker's wide knowledge of every phase of the game,
and his ability to be independent of schools or fashions.
This knowledge is reflected in the Manual of Chess, making it one of
the great studies of the game, acclaimed by the chess world almost from
the day it appeared. The book is one of the most thorough studies ever
written, and though its main appeal is to the intermediate to skilled
player, it begins its explanations at a level that can be understood by
the beginner. Lasker analyzes basic methods of gaining advantages,
exchange value of pieces, combinations, position play, the aesthetics of
chess, and almost every other important aspect of the game. He examines
dozens of different openings, including the Petroff Defense, the
Hungarian Defense, King's Bishop, Ponziani, Giuoco Piano, and Four
Knights' Game. He constantly illustrates his discussions with games
played by the great modern masters. Lasker is always delightful reading,
revealing a mind as quick to entertain and philosophize as it is to
explain.
One of the most rewarding features of the book is Lasker's illumination
and elaboration of the theories of William Steinitz. An interesting
sidelight is that although Lasker always thought of himself as a
disciple of Steinitz, he was actually an original, more versatile
player, inclined to take calculated risks. His exposition of Steinitz's
thought and maxims, his principles of attack and evaluation, however,
cannot help but be profitable to any chess player.
