A Chess Biography of Szymon Winawer

Broaden your chess history knowledge through the chess biography of Szymon Winawer, a Polish-born world top-10 chess player, who played against some of the most well-known historical chess giants such as Steinitz, Lasker, Anderssen, and many others. Although he was not considered to be a chess professional, he contributed immensely to the evolution of chess – such as within the realm of opening theory, most notably for the French Winawer Variation:

In their new book release, The Wizard of Warsaw: A Chess Biography of Szymon Winawer, authors Tomasz Lissowski and Grigory Bogdanovich present a detailed journey through the life and games of Szymon Winawer. The first half of the book portrays his life and chess achievements, detailing Winawer’s upbringing and tournament performances.

Furthermore, the evolution of chess in Poland during the 1800s is delved into, with insight into the impact that this period of war and upheaval had during this time. History buffs will admire not only the historical information but also the inclusion of many old photographs, maps, illustrations, tournament standings and more. For example, in Chapter 16: Dresden 1892, the 1892 7th Congress of the German Chess Union tournament is described and supplemented by this old photograph of the participants – recognize any big names?

A Chess Biography of Szymon Winawer: Table of Contents

Part I: The Biography of Szymon Winawer by Tomasz Lissowski

1. Winawers in Warsaw
2. The Beginnings of Chess in Warsaw
3. Sensation of Champ De Mars
4. The First Warsaw Tournament
5. The Guns of War
6. Unofficial Champion of the Russian Empire
7. The Anderssen Jubilee
8. The Lost Play-Off
9. 1880
10. Berlin 1881
11. Correspondence Play
12. Vienna 1882
13. London 1883
14. The Champion of Kaiser’s Germany
15. The “Stock Exchange Cafe”
16. Dresden 1892
17. The Secret Match
18. Revenge for Hastings
19. In Honor of Prince Arpad
20. The New Vienna Club
21. Berlin 1897
22. The Twentieth Century

Part II: Selected Games by Grigory Bogdanovich

1. Winawer’s Style
2. Positional Play
3. Tactical Play
4. Subtle Endgame Play
5. “…And Glorious Defeats”
6. The Maestro’s Last Recorded Game

The first half of this chess biography does indeed showcase Winawer’s chess games, but the second half shines a light on the kind of player he was. Author and International master Grigory Bogdanovich argues that Winawer was not just a tactical player, as many believe him to have been, but rather, just like many of the greatest players, his play was universal. The book proves this by showing off Winawer’s tactical and positional play through annotated games.

Game Example

For example, his win over the future World Champion, Steinitz, is an example of Winawer’s positional abilities:

Puzzle

Many tactical games are analyzed and shown, displaying Winawer’s masterful tactical skills. Can you find what he played in this position for White?

Let us know what you think in the comments below!

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Charlize

Marketing and Community Coordinator at Forward Chess

Woman International Master
South Africa

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