The Chess Diary of Young Rudolf Spielmann

The Chess Diary of Young Rudolf Spielmann : The Growing Pains of a Chess Genius. Limited 500 copies Edition. Edited by Dale Brandreth and Pete Tamburro, translated by Dr. Albrecht Buschke

We get to watch a brilliant young man in the early stages of putting himself together. Rudolf Spielmann was a chess genius wrestling not only with chess theory and chess players over the board. He had to put up with much nonsense and, most importantly, figure out who he was as a player. He would truly peak in the 1920s with some superb tournament performances. It all started with the games and thoughts in this notebook.

“As a translator of Spielmann’s introductions to the 69 games represented in full in this ‘diary’ … I may have gained more insight into the workings of Spielmann’s thoughts than anyone judging this ‘diary’ solely from the games. The chess world can be thankful for the discovery of the diary and for its being made available.”
- Dr. Albrecht Buschke, Translator

“It is very doubtful that this notebook of Spielmann’s was ever intended for publication. It seems probable instead that it was kept more in the form of a chess diary of his games for his later reflection and amusement and perhaps as the basis one day for an eventual collection of his best games. ”
- Dale Brandreth, from the Introduction

“This notebook is special… Spielmann could be funny and bitter - a whole range of emotions - but his creativity and fighting spirit are the biggest takeaways for me. His Vienna Gambits, Kings Gambits and Schliemann Defenses teach a fighting spirit. Throw out the chess engine! Create complex problems for your opponent so they wither under your pressure. As you will see, many did.”
- Pete Tamburro, from the Foreword