Lilienthal: Chess Survivor (paperback)

Autor: Lilienthal, Andor
Verlag / Hersteller: Quality Chess
Erscheinungsjahr: 2026
Sprache: Englisch
Buchumschlag: paperback
Seiten: 344

A Chess Legend's Journey Across Three Centuries

Chess Survivor by Andor Lilienthal offers a rare glimpse into the life of one of the game's most remarkable figures. Lilienthal was among the 27 players named Grandmaster when FIDE established the title in 1950, and he remained the last surviving member of that historic group until his death at 99.

This biography combines personal narrative with 77 annotated games—60 selected and annotated by Lilienthal himself, plus 17 additional games chosen by translator Douglas Griffin. The selection spans Lilienthal's playing career and documents encounters with every 20th-century World Champion, from Lasker through Fischer and beyond.

Chess historians and serious players gain unique insight into a century of top-level chess through the eyes of someone who shaped and witnessed it.

Highlights

• First-hand account from a Grandmaster who played against four generations of World Champions
• 77 carefully selected games with detailed annotations revealing strategic and tactical ideas
• Documented encounters with Lasker, Capablanca, Fischer, and other chess legends
• Famous victory against Capablanca in 1935, referenced decades later by Fischer himself
• Translation from Russian by Douglas Griffin, making Eastern European chess history accessible
• Comprehensive record of 20th-century chess culture and competition at the highest level

An essential work for those interested in chess history and the evolution of Grandmaster play.

FAQ

What period of chess history does this book cover?
The book spans Lilienthal's career and connections across approximately three centuries of chess—from games against Lasker (whose reign began in the 19th century) through meetings with 20th-century World Champions and encounters with 21st-century champions like Vladimir Kramnik. The annotated games document the strategic and tactical development of the game over this span.

How are the games presented and explained?
The book contains 77 annotated games total: 60 personally selected and annotated by Lilienthal himself, plus 17 additional games chosen by translator Douglas Griffin. The annotations reveal Lilienthal's understanding of position, tactics, and the strategic ideas that defined top-level play across different eras.

Why is this book called 'Chess Survivor'?
Lilienthal was one of the original 27 players named Grandmaster by FIDE in 1950. When he died at age 99, he was the last surviving member of that founding list, inspiring the title. The book thus documents not only his chess achievements but his unique position in chess history as a living link to its greatest players.