One Hundred Instructive Positions
A Work by Jacques Mieses
This textbook shows Mieses not only as a player, but also as a chess pedagogue. He selected 100 instructive positions from master games and annotated them for learners — a valuable historical document of chess literature.
One Hundred Instructive Positions from Master Games
By J. Mieses
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| Title | Hundert lehrreiche Stellungen aus Schachmeisterpartien |
|---|---|
| Author | J. Mieses |
| Publisher | Hans Hedewig's Nachfolger, Curt Ronniger |
| Location | Leipzig |
| Type | Textbook |
| Contents | 100 annotated positions |
About the Publisher
The publisher Hans Hedewig's Nachfolger, Curt Ronniger in Leipzig was one of Germany's leading chess publishers. They also published the renowned journal "Deutsche Schachblätter", in which the famous 1949 interview with Mieses appeared.
The Concept
Mieses selected 100 instructive positions from games by the best chess masters of his time. Each position is analysed and explained — a practical approach that helps the reader recognise tactical and strategic patterns.
Jacques Mieses was not only a feared tournament player, but also a prolific chess author. His books are distinguished by clear language and practical examples. He wrote for various publishers, including Reclam, where he published popular textbooks.
Other Works by Mieses
- Tournament book San Sebastián 1911 (official)
- Textbooks at Reclam
- Contribution to the "Dufresne" (from 1881)
- Numerous newspaper articles
His Strengths as an Author
- Clear explanations
- Practical examples from real games
- Humour and personal anecdotes
- Decades of playing experience
Historical Context
Chess textbooks like this one were the most important way for amateurs to learn from the masters in the early 20th century. Without computers and databases, chess players studied printed collections of annotated positions and games.
Leipzig was then the centre of German chess publishing — the most important chess journals and books were printed here, and in 1877 the German Chess Federation (Deutscher Schachbund) was also founded here.