The War of the Chessmen - Del Rio Ercole - La Guerra Degli Scacchi, O Sia Il Re De'giuochi - Rilegato

After a hitherto unpublished manuscript owned by the Cleve land Public Library, Cleveland, Ohio (USA). Limited edition, of which only 200 copies are for sale outside the U.S.A. Sole agency for all countries except the U.S.A. and Canada.

The chess book is Ercole del Rio`s "The War of the Chessman", a beginner`s book from the beginnings of modern chess. Written around 1800 and ready for the printer, it has remained unpublished until the present day. In the 1840`s the great reputation of the "Anonymous Modenese", as del Rio was called, made the manuscript much sought after, and Borsari, its owner, lurky mysteriously in the background of one of Willard Fiske`s chess tales. But its contents reamined a mystery, and modern chess developed without their help, though not without help from the already published works of den Rio and the other masters of Modena, Lolli and Ponziani.

The bit of history helps explain why I have wrapped del Rio`s book in another explaning its place in chess history. To make del Rio`s thoughts at last accessible to the chess world, a translation was needed, but also a recreation of the "state of the art" as the Modenese found it and as they left it.

Chess, in the hands of the Modenese, became a neoclassical discipline, shaped by the Baconian view of sciense and by the literary doctrines of the Italian eighteen century, in response to the challenge posed by the "esprit de système" of the great French player and author, Ohilidor. Thus my Introduction traces the earlier history of the game, as background to these developments.

For the Modenese masters, the art of the combination was the height of chess mastery, and they taught it by example. Composed positions, "partiti" (the grandparents of today`s "problems and "studies"), played the major role in this teaching, as a readin of del Rio will show. To help out the reader who is unaware of the role played by chess composition in the early development of the game, I have looked a twelve early works in some detail in the Examinations of Chess Art that follow the Introduction.

My Preface the gathers together English translations of the prefatory material in del Rio`s book. Here will also be found Ponziani`s "Critiques" of earlier authors, with del Rio`s additions (he intended to end his work with his bibliography). The " Baconian" drift of Modenese chess is revealed here, with dry and sometimes biting humour.

The Italian text follows, with running translations of Parts II and III. I have provided a Glossary of Italian chess terms, which, with a fair-sized dictionary, is enough to start reading the original. You don`t read Italian? Well, as William Langer would say, "have you ever tried?" If you do, you will find del Rio`s Italian sprightly and clear.

Chess notation is explained on the last page. Italian chess differed only slightly from the modern rules, in the "special moves" of chess, castling and Pawn promotion, while "en passant" capture was not allowed. The differences are explained on page 183.

Del Rio intended the pleasing to be accompanied by the useful, but the by now somewhat doddering Dame Utility who chaperones his beauties can be got around rather easily. this is simple chess which may simply be enjoyed. May it bring you the pleasure it has brought me!

Christopher Bennett Becker

• Code 8346
• Anno 1984
• Pagine 184, hardcover
• Isbn 9789060030318