“GREAT ADVANTAGES MAY BE GAINED BY PLAYING THE KNIGHTS SKILFULLY”: PRACTICAL CHESS GRAMMAR, 1823

KENNY, W.S. Practical Chess Grammar: or, An Introduction to the Royal Game of Chess: in a Series of Plates. Designed to Instruct the Learner, Remove the Difficulties of this Elegant and Scientific Game, and Render it Attainable by the Lowest Capacity. London: T. and J. Allman, 1823. Slim quarto, original green paper wrappers respined, later paper spine label. $500.

Fifth edition, “considerably improved,” with frontispiece and nine full-page chess diagrams.

Provides a brief history, movement of pieces, treatises on the individual pieces, game opening, “general maxims and rules,” laws of chess “as established by the Society or Club of Chess in England,” and 60 sample games. First published in 1817. Whyld & Ravilious 1823:3. Justice Chess Collection 91. Bookplate of chess book collector James J. Barrett. Occasional pencil annotations.

Interior fine; soiling to paper wrappers. An extremely good copy.