Studies of Chess: Containing a Systematic Introduction to the Game; and the Analysis of Chess

Author: Philidor, A[ndre] D[anican] (1726-1795)Year: 1817Publisher: Printed for Samuel BagsterPlace: LondonDescription:xxxii+428 pages with diagrams and frontispiece. Octavo (8 1/4" x 5 1/2") bound in half leather with red label in gilt lettering to spine over marbled boards. Edited by Peter Pratt. (Whyld: 1817:19) Fifth edition. First published in 1749. Although Philidor was the greatest chess player of his time, he professed to be just a musical composer (of which he was great in his day), because chess was not fully understood by the masses. He was the first great blindfold chess player, playing three opponents while blindfolded. He did this three times. In the 18th century, this almost amounted to witchcraft. He was the first to understand the value of playing the pawns correctly and hence wrote the first real strategy book on chess. He invented the Philidor's Defense: His musical skills were of the highest order. In his career, he composed more than 20 operas. At the age of six,