A New Treatise on the Game of Chess, on a Plan of Progressive Improvement, Hitherto Unattempted: Containing a Very Considerable Number of Rules, Explanations, Notes and Examples: The Object of These Rules, &c. Is to Enable Unpractised Players to Avoid Cro

Jacob Henry Sarratt (c1772-1819)

Published by Printed for R P Moore, London, 1821

About this Item

2 volumes:xxviii+[1]+313pp; 395pp with leaf of errata. Octavo (8" x 5") rebound in 3/4 leather with marbled boards and gilt lettering to spine. (Whyld Ravillous 1821:4) 1st edition. Jacob Henry Sarratt was a London schoolmaster who learned his chess from Verdoni and established himself as "Professor of Chess". He was the leading English chess master from the late 18th century to the early 19th century. He was a frequenter of the London Chess Club which met at Tom s Coffee House in Cornhill. His fee was a guinea a lesson. Under his influence stalemate was accepted as a draw. He was the first great English author on chess. His reputation was high and a revelation to English players. His works were of a pioneering character as to chess and the English language. His first excellent books were A treatise on the Game of Chess Vol 1 and Vol 2 1808. There is a prefix listing books on chess from Damiano onwards and some friendly criticism of Philidor. Vol 1 contains "Different Methods of Opening the Games" then follows 75 Critical Variations. Vol 2 is "Teaching the Player who does not have the move how to frustrate his adversary s attack". Then there are instructions how to checkmate and a section on endings with pawns only. His next book introduced in translation the works of Damiano, Lopez and Salvio. Published in London in 1813 it deals with those "old" authors extensively. His next book was Vol 1 Gianutio, Vol 2 Selenus with a preface giving some details of the authors. In 1821 was published A New Treatise on the Game of Chess. It is a more exhaustive work than the 1808 publication. He was assisted in this work by his pupil W Lewis. Sarratt died in 1821. His widow then went to Paris and taught chess. In 1844 following an article in Le Palamede, describing her as aged 85 and destitute an appeal was launched which enabled her to live in comfort for the rest of her life". Condition: Former library copy from the Brooklyn Public Library with perforated stamp to title and some stamps through out. A very attractively rebound in very good condition. Seller Inventory # 000049

Bibliographic Details

Title: A New Treatise on the Game of Chess, on a ...

Publisher: Printed for R P Moore, London

Publication Date: 1821

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good

Edition: 1st Edition