Computer Chess

Source: www.chess.com

Chess, a timeless game that transcends borders and cultures, has found a significant place within the Jewish community. Beyond being a strategic pastime, chess has woven itself into the rich tapestry of Jewish history, culture, and intellect. In this blog post, we'll explore the enduring legacy of Jews and chess, tracing its roots, examining notable figures, and contemplating the symbolic resonance that the game holds within this community.

The history of Jews and chess is a tale of intellectual resilience and cultural prominence. Chess, often referred to as the "game of kings," found itself embraced by a community known for its commitment to education and intellectual pursuits. From the streets of medieval Jewish quarters to the salons of contemporary Jewish intellectuals, chess has been a cultural beacon, reflecting the strategic acumen and love for intellectual challenges within the Jewish tradition.

Chess is a game of tactics, strategy, and foresight. In many ways, the chessboard becomes a metaphor for the challenges and triumphs of Jewish history. Whether navigating the complexities of diaspora life, facing adversity, or contributing to the fields of science and the arts, Jews have often drawn parallels between their experiences and the moves on a chessboard. The game becomes a symbolic reflection of the intricate dance between tradition and adaptation.

Throughout history, Jews have made significant contributions to the world of chess. Akiba Rubinstein, one of the strongest chess players of the early 20th century, left an indelible mark on the game. His strategic brilliance and innovative playstyle have inspired generations of chess enthusiasts.

Another prominent figure is Grandmaster Bobby Fischer, whose Jewish heritage became a notable aspect of his identity. Fischer's prodigious talent and eventual rise to become World Chess Champion in 1972 captured the imagination of the world and further cemented the connection between Jews and chess on the global stage.

Jewish literature and art have also embraced the symbolism and narrative potential of chess. From Isaac Bashevis Singer's stories to the works of Jewish artists, the chessboard often appears as a backdrop for exploring themes of strategy, intellect, and the unfolding drama of life. It becomes a metaphorical stage where characters grapple with their destinies, much like the moves of a carefully orchestrated chess game. 

Chess education has become an integral part of many Jewish communities. Schools and organizations recognize the cognitive benefits of chess, promoting it as a tool for intellectual development. The game fosters critical thinking, patience, and discipline—all values that resonate deeply within the Jewish cultural ethos.

The relationship between Jews and chess is a compelling narrative of intellectual prowess, cultural resonance, and the enduring spirit of a community. As the chess pieces move across the board, so too does the rich history of Jewish contributions to this game. Whether seen as a metaphor, a source of inspiration, or a tool for education, the enduring legacy of Jews and chess continues to shape the narrative of both the game and the community that has embraced it throughout the ages.

(I hope you forgive my little joke. This is indeed computer chess -- that is, computer writing about chess. This is ChatGPT's reply to a request to write a blog post about Jewish Chess History.)

Chess in Airplanes, 1937

Source: The Sunday Star, 17 January 1937, p. B-7

A frequent correspondent notes a chess item not related to Jews: that of airplanes, in 1937, having special magnetic chess sets for passengers. Of course, in those days, air travel was a real luxury, costing in real terms almost ten times as much as it does today. 

Grave of Max Weiss

 

Source: Wikipedia (in German)

Mr. Halsegger further informs us of the grave of Max Weiss, the Hungarian-Austrian master, 1857-1927. It is in the New Jewish cemetery in Vienna, is given in the German-language wikipedia entry for him, under his birth name of Miksa Weiß.

Alekhine's Speech

 

Source: Der Tag, 3 August 1945, p. 1 of English Section

In the above letter, brought to our attention by Herbert Halsegger, a letter by Jacob Bernstein (ex-NY champion), Alekhine is criticized among other things for giving a speech after his 1936 match with Bogoljubow in which he praised the Nazi system. Is this speech available in magazines from the time? One wonders to what degree this praise shows real enthusiasm for Nazism and to what degree it's a polite thank to the hosts, in this case the Germans. 

An Atypical Advertisement

 

Source: Sunday Star, 10 January 1926, Gravure Section (no page number)

The following is part of an advertisement for yeast as a cure-all from the Sunday Star, brought to our attention by Mr. Herbert Halsegger. It is interesting since chess is sometimes used in advertisements as a metaphor for a difficult task which the product helps achieve (e.g., cigarettes help one's concentration in chess), or as a metaphor where the product is seen as the winning side of a chess game, it is not often one gets advertisements with testimonials where the product was heard about over the chess board, as in this case! 

Alekhine's Wife Denied Entry

 

Source: Evening Star, 25 January 1926, p. 13

An interesting item from Herbert Halsegger notes that Alekhine's wife, Anna Liese [sic - Annelise is correct] Ruegg-Alekhine, was denied entry to the USA because she could not post a $500 bond to ensure her status as a temporary visitor. It is interesting that she was denied entry despite the fact that the American consul in Zurich granted her a visa. Also interesting is that Alekhine, not known as a teetotaler, married a woman who was a leader in the prohibition movement! 

It should be added that she met and married Alekhine in Russia, and they had been married only a short time, in 1921, before Alekhine left Russia. As the link above notes, they divorced in 1926, so the paper's claim (in January of that year) that she was Alekhine's wife was correct. Sergei Tkachenco's Alekhine's Odessa Secrets (see here for a review) notes, as the review says, that the marriage fell apart almost immediately after the couple left Russia, him being obsessed with chess and her with politics. This is corroborated, again per the book's review, with the testimony of their son. 

Whether the marriage was in fact a fictitious marriage for Alekhine to get out of Russia or simply a marriage that failed is, of course, very hard to determine. It is true that Ms. Ruegg was significantly older than Alekhine at the time - by 13 years - and the marriage didn't last long after they couple left Russia. But on the other hand they did have a son. In any case, merely failing in marriage is not in itself proof the marriages are sham marriages (Folke Rogard, for instance, FIDE's president, was married four times).

Chess Memorabilia on Auction

Source: see here

Herbert Halsegger notes the site in the link above, of an auction of chess items, which has an Israeli connection in some of the items offered for sale. One is the first-day envelope of the 1970 students' world chess championship - with a stamp of the 1964 Tel Aviv olympiad. Another is three photos of Moshe Czerniak - two from Mar de Plata, 1943, and another from Vienna, 1951: 

Winning Posthumously

 

Source: The Sunday Star, 30 March 1952, p. B-12

As this selection pointed out by Herbert Halsegger points out, Juan Quesada, the Cuban player, died after the 16th round but actually was awarded two points posthumously. This is the same tournament in which Larry Evans later claimed, falsely, that Lodewijk Prins adjourned in a lost position against Quesada since "anything can happen." See Edward Winter's "The Facts About Larry Evans."

Isador Turover

Source: Sunday Star, 19 January 1936, B-11

The above photo is from a long article in the Sunday Star (the Sunday supplement of the Evening Star) brought to our attention by Herbert Halsegger. It has a good photo of Isador Samuel Turover, an American-Jewish master with particular connections to Vladimir Sournin and Frank Marshall. A chess philanthropist and organizer as well as a player, he among other things sponsored Bobby Fischer's attendance in the 1962 Stockholm interzonal.