Chess From 1900-1909

The years 1900-1909 featured the rise of a number of younger players—younger than Emanuel Lasker and Wilhelm Steinitz—who were ascending in chess esteem through their tournament and match play. Significant players who are playing at peak performance include Siegbert Tarrasch and Dawid (David) Janowski. Players gaining notice now include Geza Maróczy, Harry Nelson Pillsbury, Carl Schlechter, and Frank Marshall. Other leading players are Joseph Blackburne (England) and Mikhail Chigorin (Russia).

            Important tournaments were held in these years, giving opportunities for “expected winners” and “unexpected winners” to gain prominence.

            I hope you enjoy reflecting on this period, its events and personalities. Deaths bring the exit of some players while others begin to take their places on the international chess scene.

            PS—Be sure to check the great resources here at Chess.com for insights on the events and chess players of this period—especially the “A Century of Chess” superb series by Sam Kahn (kahns): https://www.chess.com/blog/search?keyword=kahns

I hope you enjoyed this look at the earliest years of the twentieth-century!

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