Eugene Znosko-Borovsky
Eugene Znosko-Borovsky (
Biography
Znosko-Borovsky learned to play chess as a young boy. He won prizes in local and regional tournaments, whilst progressing to a first-class education at the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum.
Making his international chess tournament debut at
As a player, Znosko-Borovsky fell short of the very highest level. He did have some notable results in international competition, including Paris 1930, where he finished first without loss, ahead of
In conversation and as a lecturer, teacher or writer of chess, his abilities were widely acknowledged, particularly in Russia and France where he contributed regular articles and columns to magazines and newspapers. Indeed, it was in the field of writing that he excelled, penning many popular books including The Evolution of Chess (1910), Capablanca and The Muzio Gambit (both 1911). Capablanca and Alekhine followed World War I and most of his later offerings were translated into English, principally The Middle Game in Chess, How Not to Play Chess, How to Play the Chess Openings, How to Play Chess Endings (1940), and The Art of Chess Combination.
Tribute
After hearing of his death, Gerald Abrahams wrote a personal tribute:[2]
- The death of Znosko-Borovsky deprives the chess world of one of the few survivors of an intellectually rich generation, the Russian Masters of the old regime ... My own memories of Znosko go back to 1923–24. I found him then, and at all times later, a stimulating friend and a delightful conversationalist in many subjects. His reputation as a dramatic and literary critic was, at one time considerable in Europe, though England knew little of this. Those who have read his chess works, however, must be aware that their writer was a kultur mensch in the best sense. Withal, he was stoical in adversity (adversity was always his lot) and possessed of great humour and resilience ... As a player, he suffered from the demands of a professionalism that is incompatible with great performance: but he leaves records of many games which reveal, if not genius, then a great talent ... those who knew him will all agree that his life enriched, and in a degree inspired, the chess world.
Books
- Znosko-Borovsky, Eugene (1961) [1934]. How Not to Play Chess. Dover. ISBN 0-486-20920-2.
- Znosko-Borovsky, Eugene (1971) [1935]. How to Play The Chess Openings. Dover. ISBN 0-486-22795-2.
- Znosko-Borovsky, Eugene (2012) [1940]. How to Play Chess Endings. ISBN 978-0-486-21170-1.
- Znosko-Borovsky, Eugene (1977) [1936]. The Art of Chess Combination. Dover. ISBN 0-486-20583-5.
- Znosko-Borovsky, Eugene (1980) [1938]. The Middle Game in Chess. Dover. ISBN 0-486-23931-4.
References
- ISBN 0-19-280049-3
- ^ British Chess Magazine, March 1955
External links
- Eugene Znosko Borovsky chess games at 365Chess.com
- Eugene Znosko-Borovsky player profile and games at Chessgames.com