Baden Baden 1925
Jimmy Adams wrote that "if there is one event which fully characterises the colour and excitement of the palmy days of Hypermodern Chess--then this must be the Baden Baden tournament of 1925" [Baden Baden 1925 International Chess Tournament: The Arrival of Hypermodern Chess, trans. and ed. Jimmy Adams, Caissa Editions (Yorklyn, DE, 1991), 3.]
A strong group of 21 competitors played 20 rounds--210 games--at Baden Baden, Germany, from April 15-May 14,1925. Absent were "past, present and future world champions, Lasker, Capablanca and Euwe," writes Adams. But "most of the world's chess elite accepted Dr. Tarrasch's invitation to take part in a competition which would surpass even those tournament of Germany's golden pre-War period." The tournament was describe as "The Championship of Europe," with America also participating (p. 3).
Here, "the new, experimental--and frequently extravagant--hypermodern ideas were given full freedom of expression. There was truly an explosion of innovations." In addition, the tournament was of "great historical significance in that it was Alekhine's first outright win in a really great tournament." This led to Tartakower's famous comment: 'Capablanca is world champion, Dr. Lasker was world champion, but Alekhine plays the way a world champion should play!" In two years, Alekhine became world champion.
The English language tournament book is one of the best. It features all games, introductory pieces by Tarrasch, Tartakower and others as well as two pieces from Alekhine: "The Meran Defence" and "The Theoretical Value of the Tournament." Games are annotated by various players and the Sources of Annotations are provided. A detailed Index of Openings concludes this 382 page book. Tim Zagurskie dubbed this "An Epic Book on an Epic Tournament" finishing his review: "Bottom Line: This book is essential reading. The game themselves are remarkable and the addition of the deep annotations launches this book into the knowledge stratosphere" [https://www.amazon.com/Baden-1925-Jimmy-Adams/dp/0939433133].
This Crossword introduces us--a bit!--to the players of this magnificent tournament!
I hope you enjoyed catching a 'glimpse' of Baden Baden 1925!
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