Chess Books & Publications
Jacques Mieses was not only a formidable tournament player but also one of the most prolific chess authors of his time. With 76 publications to his name, he produced more chess literature than Emanuel Lasker and Siegbert Tarrasch combined.
The Most Prolific Chess Author
Mieses' literary output spanned over 50 years, from instructional textbooks to tournament reports. His works were characterized by clear explanations, practical examples, and a touch of humor that made chess accessible to players of all levels.
Major Publications
Textbooks
Lehrbuch des Schachspiels
(Textbook of Chess)
Mieses' most famous work, continuing Jean Dufresne's classic textbook.
He maintained this work for over 50 years, and in its 29th edition,
it remains one of the most successful chess textbooks worldwide.
Hundert lehrreiche Stellungen
(One Hundred Instructive Positions)
A collection of 100 carefully selected positions from master games,
each with detailed analysis and explanations for learning players.
Tournament Reports
San Sebastián 1911
Official tournament book of the San Sebastián tournament, which Mieses organized. This tournament marked the international debut of José Raúl Capablanca, who surprisingly won first place.
DSB Congress Reports
(German Chess Federation Congress Reports)
Comprehensive reports of the 4th through 8th German Chess Federation congresses,
documenting the golden age of German tournament chess.
Game Collections
Meister Mieses
(Master Mieses)
A collection of Mieses' best games with his own annotations,
showcasing his tactical brilliance and romantic playing style
throughout his long career.
Das Blindspielen
(Blindfold Play)
A specialized work on blindfold chess, featuring games and techniques
from one of the era's strongest blindfold players.
Specialized Works
Der Schachlotse
(The Chess Pilot)
A guide for chess players navigating the complexities of tournament play,
combining practical advice with Mieses' decades of experience.
Moderne Endspielstudien
(Modern Endgame Studies)
A collection of endgame compositions and studies, demonstrating
Mieses' deep understanding of chess endings.
Mieses as Chess Author
Publishing Career
Mieses wrote for various publishers including Reclam, where he published popular textbooks. His works were published in Leipzig, then the center of German chess publishing, where the German Chess Federation was also founded in 1877.
Writing Style
- Clear, understandable explanations
- Practical examples from real games
- Humor and personal anecdotes
- Decades of playing experience
Historical Context
Chess textbooks like Mieses' were the primary way for amateurs to learn from masters in the early 20th century. Without computers and databases, chess players studied printed collections of annotated positions and games.
Legacy
Many of Mieses' works remained in print for decades. His continuation of Dufresne's textbook became a standard reference, and his tournament reports provide valuable historical documentation of chess's golden age.