Purdy’s Chess World — Volume I (1946)

Note: —This volume represents the first year of Purdy’s Chess World, consisting of 11 issues, as the opening number is a combined February “1–2” issue.

Purdy’s Chess World, Vol. I (1946) is the inaugural volume of the influential chess periodical created and edited by Cecil John Seddon Purdy, the first World Correspondence Chess Champion and one of the most respected chess teachers of the 20th century.

This foundational year captures the beginning of Purdy’s long-running mission to provide clear, practical, and deeply insightful instruction to improving players. The material includes annotated games, theoretical essays, endgame lessons, opening discussions, and Purdy’s famously sharp commentary—content that remains highly instructive and relevant even today.

Highlights include:

• Annotated master games with Purdy’s practical, instructive notes
• Opening and middlegame articles written in Purdy’s clear, accessible style
• Endgame instruction emphasizing technique, fundamentals, and practical play
• Historical commentary on the state of chess in the immediate post‑war era
• Original 1940s period layout, preserving the authentic look and feel of early chess journalism
• Complete first-year run of the magazine (11 issues), beginning with the February double issue

As an original 1946 publication, this volume is increasingly difficult to find—especially in complete condition. Early issues of Purdy’s Chess World are prized by collectors for their historical significance and by students for the enduring clarity and usefulness of Purdy’s teaching.

A valuable item for chess historians, collectors, and serious students seeking authentic early Purdy material.

Note: Historical demand and limited supply make this volume rare and desirable.