Kasparov: My Great Predecessors 1 - Steinitz, Lasker, Capablanca & Alekhine (HC)

Autor: Kasparov, Garry
Verlag / Hersteller: Popular Chess
Erscheinungsjahr: 2026
Sprache: Englisch
Buchumschlag: hardcover
Seiten: 576

The Foundation of Modern Chess – Annotated Games of the First Four World Champions

My Great Predecessors 1 by Garry Kasparov examines the pioneering era of world championship chess through the games and strategies of its first four champions: Wilhelm Steinitz, Emanuel Lasker, José Raúl Capablanca, and Alexander Alekhine.

Kasparov provides deep annotations and historical context for the opening innovations, middlegame plans, and endgame mastery that defined each champion's reign. This reissued edition combines scholarly depth with modern production standards.

The book serves both serious students of chess history and players seeking to understand how the game's foundational principles evolved during its most formative period.

Highlights

• In-depth analysis of games from all four early world champions, spanning 1886 to 1946
• Annotated partiesammlungen revealing the development of opening theory and strategic concepts
• Historical narratives situating each champion's contribution to modern chess
• Winner of the ECF Book of the Year 2003, recognised for authoritative scholarship
• Enhanced reprint with improved typography, layout, and print quality
• Comprehensive examination of endgame techniques and positional understanding across four eras

Essential reading for players and historians seeking to understand how chess strategy developed through its greatest early practitioners.

FAQ

Does this book focus only on the games of world champions, or does it also cover other significant players from that era?
The book centres on the four world champions themselves – Steinitz, Lasker, Capablanca, and Alekhine – and uses their games as the primary vehicle for understanding the chess of their time. Other players appear in the analysis and historical context, but the focus remains on how each champion shaped the game's development.

What level of player is this book intended for?
The book is designed for serious students of chess – both experienced players seeking historical and theoretical insight and chess enthusiasts interested in the game's history. Kasparov's annotations assume a solid understanding of chess notation and strategy, making it most suitable for intermediate to advanced players.

How does this 2026 reprint differ from the original edition?
The reissued version features high-quality printing, modern fonts, and an upgraded visual design throughout. The chess content and annotations remain the work of Kasparov, but the presentation has been enhanced for readability and contemporary aesthetic standards.