The Chess Diary of Young Rudolf Spielmann

Spielmann had comments on all the games that he gave the moves for. The treasure of the book is his introductory comments to each game. That was the point of the book. It was not to analyze all the moves or even most. Just where he felt it was worth mentioning.

We get to watch a brilliant young man in the early stages of putting himself together. Rudolf Spielmann was a chess genius wrestling not only with chess theory and chess players over the board. He had to put up with much nonsense and, most importantly, figure out who he was as a player. He would truly peak in the 1920s with some superb tournament performances. It all started with the games and thoughts in this notebook.

“As a translator of Spielmann’s introductions to the 69 games represented in full in this ‘diary’ ... I may have gained more insight into the workings of Spielmann’s thoughts than anyone judging this ‘diary’ solely from the games. The chess world can be thankful for the discovery of the diary and for its being made available.” - Dr. Albrecht Buschke , Translator

“It is very doubtful that this notebook of Spielmann’s was ever intended for publication. It seems probable instead that it was kept more in the form of a chess diary of his games for his later reflection and amusement and perhaps as the basis one day for an eventual collection of his best games. ” - Dale Brandreth , from the Introduction

“This notebook is special ... Spielmann could be funny and bitter - a whole range of emotions - but his creativity and fighting spirit are the biggest takeaways for me. His Vienna Gambits, Kings Gambits and Schliemann Defenses teach a fighting spirit. Throw out the chess engine! Create complex problems for your opponent so they wither under your pressure. As you will see, many did."

50 Years Later

“When I purchased Rudolf Spielmann’s notebook from Dr. Buschke fifty years ago, I had no idea the long road it would be to actually publishing it...

Why did I bother? This notebook is special. When re-entering everything, I remembered how I first got to know Spielmann as he shared his personal thoughts in his first formative years. This was a chess genius wrestling not only with chess theory and chess players over the board. He had to put up with much nonsense and, most importantly, figure out who he was as a player. We get to watch a brilliant young man in the early stages of putting himself together. He would truly peak in the 1920s with some superb tournament performances. It all started with the games and thoughts in this notebook.

He could be funny and bitter - a whole range of emotions - but his creativity and fighting spirit are the biggest takeaways for me. His Vienna Gambits, Kings Gambits and Schliemann Defenses teach a fighting spirit. Throw out the chess engine! Create complex problems for your opponent so they wither under your pressure. As you will see, many did.

I hope you get to know him and enjoy him as much as I have all these years. This work needed to be shared.” - Pete Tamburro , from the Foreword