The Chess Players Manual 

Condition: Used

Chess Players Manual is one of the most important and comprehensive instructional chess reference works of the 19th century, focused primarily on the systematic study of chess openings. This revised Check edition from the Chess Collector Shop preserves and expands the classic manual first published in London in 1875, later associated with the influential 1888 Lipschütz edition.

This substantial volume contains xi + 884 pages, plus a 122‑page index, with diagrams and illustrations throughout. It is produced as a thick octavo (8¾″ × 6″) and bound in its original decorative pictorial cloth, featuring striking red, black, and gilt stamping, with a gilt‑stamped spine and ornate detailing—an impressive and historically faithful presentation.

A Landmark Work in Classical Opening Theory

The manual offers a systematic survey of chess openings, with main variations printed in bold type and sub‑variations in lighter print for clarity. It includes:

• Detailed opening theory as understood in the late 19th century
• Diagrams of critical positions
• Illustrative games demonstrating key ideas
• A selection of 25 composed chess problems

This edition also features a supplement of revisions and amendments, along with specimen games and additional problems from 1880–1886, making it more complete and historically valuable than earlier versions.

A Foundational Reference for Chess Literature

Beyond opening theory, the book provides insight into how chess was studied, taught, and analyzed during a formative era of modern chess. Its extensive index, structured variations, and problem section make it both a practical reference and a collectible historical artifact.

Why Collectors Value This Edition

• A major 19th‑century reference work, rarely found in such condition
• Historically significant for opening theory and early instructional literature
• Beautiful decorative binding with gilt and pictorial stamping
• Expanded content not present in the original 1875 edition
• Highly sought after by collectors of classical chess books

A superb addition to any serious chess library—ideal for historians, collectors, and players interested in classical opening theory and 19th‑century chess scholarship.