No chess player of the 19th century had a longer, more varied career than Henry Edward Bird (1829-1908). After pursuing a civil career for years his love for chess prevailed. He belonged to the top level of British players for decades but he really shone at Simpson's Divan. Bird's accessibility, fierce attacking style and contempt for draws made him a people's favorite but his proud and touchy character led him into disputes with his colleagues. A very strong and widely known player, he fell into oblivion after his death.
This comprehensive first biography of Bird provides a detailed account of his personal life and a deeply researched coverage of his feats at the chess board. Almost 1,200 games are included, hundreds of them published here for the first time. Nearly 450 games--many of them thrilling all-out fights--are presented with a mix of contemporary and modern annotations.
No chess player of the 19th century had a longer, more varied career than Henry Edward Bird (1829-1908). After pursuing a civil career for years his love for chess prevailed. He belonged to the top level of British players for decades but he really shone at Simpson's Divan. Bird's accessibility, fierce attacking style and contempt for draws made him a people's favorite but his proud and touchy character led him into disputes with his colleagues. A very strong and widely known player, he fell into oblivion after his death.
This comprehensive first biography of Bird provides a detailed account of his personal life and a deeply researched coverage of his feats at the chess board. Almost 1,200 games are included, hundreds of them published here for the first time. Nearly 450 games--many of them thrilling all-out fights--are presented with a mix of contemporary and modern annotations.
Historian Hans Renette is FIDE master in chess (with 2 IM norms). He lives in Bierbeek, Belgium.
“Excellent”—British Chess News; “A wonderful account of Bird’s 64 year chess career...fascinating journey through the chess landscape of the 19th century”—Huffington Post; “Well researched.... As with all McFarland books, the quality of the publication is excellent.”—Mind's Eye Press; “McFarland, the premier publisher on chess history, recently put out one of its best ever books dedicated to the life and games of the English master H.E. Bird. Everything one could want in a book dedicated to an important but neglected figure in chess history. H.E. Bird is an outstanding book which pays proper homage to not only Bird, but the period of English chess in which he was an active player. Highly recommended”—IM John Donaldson, (JeremySilman.com); “A truly wonderful work on the life and games from the great Henry Edward Bird!”—Chessbooks.nl; “This comprehensive first biography of Bird provides a detailed account of his personal life and a deeply researched coverage of his feats at the chess board”—New in Chess.
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