|
| Title:
Alekhine - Nazi Articles (3rd ed.) |
Author: Ken
Whyld |
Language:  |
Pages: 44 |
| Cover:
Hardcover |
Published: 2002 |
| Publisher:
Moravian Chess |
Homepage: http://moravian-chess.cz |
| Price: $ ?? |
ISBN:
80-7189-444-3 |
| Reviewed by: Soren
Sogaard |
Date: 10/1 2003 |
|
Quick-Review: Alekhine - Nazi Articles (3rd ed.)
World Champion Alexander Alekhine wrote 6 Nazi-Articles in 1941
which first appeared in the German-language newspaper "Pariser
Zeitung". Or was it Alekhine who wrote these articles or was
there another explanation? In this small book of only 44 pages of
which 8 of them are pictures/documents we get the whole story of
these articles.
Ken Whyld translated and edited the articles again for this 3rd
edition of the book that first appeared in 1986. Ken Whyld wrote an
Introduction where we get the story about the articles and the "Publication History".
In the
chapter "Who and Why" he ask the question:
"Did Alekhine write the articles, and if so, why? The
full spectrum of possibilities has been supported at various times:
- He wrote none of it
- He wrote a harmless historical survey to which someone
added the propaganda without his knowledge.
- As 2) but with his knowledge
- He wrote it but tried to signal insincerity by including
absurd statements.
- He wrote simply because it was expedient.
- He wrote it and meant it.
Which one did...."
Ken Whyld is of the opinion that it was Alekhine who wrote
these articles, and I must confess that I am of the same opinion.
It was hard times for the World Champion who wanted to have a visa
to Portugal and later also wanted to go to the States. This could be
an explanation but no excuse. I'm not totally sure that I'm correct
and people have to decide for themselves after reading the articles
;-)
Alekhine in the French army, 1940 (Picture from the book)
Jews Defensive Chess - Aryan Attacking Chess
The Articles made a great damage to Alekhine after the war, and
after reading the articles one can understand why! The articles
"proofs" that Jews played defensive chess (not the correct
kind of chess!) and that the
Aryan chessplayers played attacking chess. I can't help thinking
that Alekhine must have been in a very difficult position, because
the content of these articles can be considered as nonsense to put
it mildly! After some interesting observations Alekhine always throw in
some absurd accusations, and I can only follow the editorial note
from Chess in August 1941:
"If Dr Alekhine indeed wrote this article, we can have no
doubt he was in a grip of merciless circumstances. These are indeed
sad times."
Ken Whyld translated the articles and comments on the different
version that appeared in the different newspapers during and after
the war. This little book is nicely edited and you get a good
picture about one of the darkest chapters in the history of chess.
The pictures in the book could have been of better quality, but that
is also my only complaint ;-) Recommend to people who are interested in Chess History.
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