Landau: Checkmate! The Love Story of Mikhail Tal and Sally Landau

Autor: Landau, Sally
Verlag / Hersteller: Elk and Ruby
Erscheinungsjahr: 2019
Sprache: Englisch
Buchumschlag: paperback
Seiten: 224

A Chess Champion's Life Through the Eyes of His First Wife

Checkmate! The Love Story of Mikhail Tal and Sally Landau by Sally Landau offers an intimate memoir of life with one of chess history's most brilliant and charismatic players. Sally was Mikhail Tal's wife from 1959 to 1970, and this account—originally published in Russia in 1998—draws from their years together and their enduring friendship after divorce.

The narrative weaves personal anecdotes with the backdrop of Soviet chess culture and Tal's legendary career, including his World Championship years. Readers seeking insight into both chess history and the human side of a chess icon will find a unique perspective here.

Highlights

• Intimate memoir spanning Tal's formative years and his rise in Soviet chess circles
• First-hand account of life with a World Chess Champion during the Cold War era
• Explores the intersection of personal relationships and chess ambition in mid-20th century Soviet society
• Originally published in Russian; newly translated into English for broader readership
• Sheds light on Tal's personality and chess culture beyond competition records

A rare window into the private world of one of chess's most captivating personalities.

FAQ

What time period does this memoir cover?
The memoir documents Sally and Mikhail Tal's marriage from 1959 to 1970, along with their continued friendship until his death in 1992. It also includes context of Tal's earlier life and his emergence as a chess prodigy in Soviet circles.

Is this book focused on chess instruction or biography?
This is a biography and memoir, not a chess instruction book. It centers on Sally Landau's personal experiences with Tal and offers insight into his life, character, and the Soviet chess world, rather than game analysis or chess theory.

Was this book originally written in English?
No. The memoir was originally published in Russia in 1998 and has been translated into English by Ilan Rubin. This English edition was released in 2019 and was shortlisted for the English Chess Federation Book of the Year prize.