Prolegomena to the 1939 Chess Olympiad
This review is dedicated to the entire Trilogy about the Tournament of Nations (TN). A monumental work on one of the most important events in the History of Chess. Without a doubt, it will be very difficult, perhaps impossible, to overcome the enormous amount of information about the 1939 Buenos Aires Chess Olympiad that appears in this precious Trilogy. The enormous value of this publication resides in the large amount of material extracted from the Argentine national press, as well as from its Chess Magazines and Bulletins.
By its own merit, the fruit of the great chess vocation and the enormous effort of the Author, this Trilogy has become a must-read for all those interested in one of the most unique and significant events of Argentine and World Chess.
In the Introduction of each Volume the Author indicates that the historical and cultural concepts inserted in the TN Trilogy are based on the ideas of the great writer Ezequiel Martinez Estrada, and especially on the "Invariants", a concept that he developed in depth throughout of his work.
Below, from VOLUME 1, I give a broad summary of the content that I consider most interesting for the Chess collector and historian.
VOLUME 1: EL POLITEAMA Y LOS PROLEGOMENOS DEL ACONTECIMIENTO
This volume is dedicated to giving a detailed (and precious) "X-ray" of the context prior to TN from different points of view: historical, social, political and chess. Below I "dissect" the years 1938 and 1939 with their most interesting chapters.
YEAR 1938
Chapter 4 (pages 43-119) PREVIO
Numerous news about Alekhine's activity in different clubs: Simultaneous and Conferences.
Press releases and crosstables from numerous Tournaments and Matches. A fantastic and unique portrait of Chess developed in Argentina from 1938 to the beginning of the 1939 Olympiad, and dedicating some pages to Women's Chess.
Pages 45-59 Excellent chronicle Cto. Argentino Guimard-Piazzini and suspension of Bolbochan for not defending his Argentine Champion Title due to insufficient prize money.
Pages 59-68 Excellent chronicle of the Carrasco International Tournament (Montevideo) with a great victory for Alekhine.
Pages 75-95 Excellent chronicle of the Argentine Major Tournament with a victory for Grau.
Pages 96-108 Excellent chronicle of the South American Tournament in Rio de Janeiro with a victory for Guimard, tied with Fenoglio and Bolbochan.
Pages 112-117 Excellent chronicle of the III Cto. Argentine Team with victory for "La Plata".
Chapter 6 (pages 131-146) GESTIONES REVANCHA ALEKHINE-CAPABLANCA
Valuable chapter dedicated to the failed negotiations of the dreamed Revenge Match for the World Championship between Alekhine and Capablanca.
Chapter 7 (pages 147-166) NOTAS DEL TN DE CAPABLANCA EN "CRITICA"
Articles published by Capablanca in the publication "CRITICA".
Chapter 8 (pages 167-184) NOTAS DEL TN DE ALEKHINE EN "EL MUNDO"
Articles published by Alekhine in the publication "EL MUNDO".
YEAR 1939
Chapter 9 (pages 185-229) CONTEXTO SOCIAL Y POLITICO
Numerous press releases about Tournaments, etc.
Numerous news about Alekhine's activity in different clubs: Simultaneous and Conferences.
Pages 192-220 Excellent chronicle Cto. Argentine Guimard-Grau.
Chapter 10 (pages 231-336) DE LA EUFORIA AL TRAPALANDA
Preparations for the Tournament of Nations.
Chapter 11 (pages 337-356) LA LIBRETA MAGICA DE UN HOMBRE DE CAMPO
Biographical profile of Dino Ruggieri, and history of a unique Document on TN.
Chapter 12 (pages 357-370) CORRESPONDENCIA ENTRE LA FADA Y ALEKHINE 1938-1939
Photographs of the original documents and their translations.
Chapter 13 (pages 371-447) TRAYECTORIAS DE INMIGRANTES Y EXPRESIONES SOBRE EL TN EN OTROS PAISES
Information about immigrant players who decided to stay in Argentina and other South American countries, and press coverage worldwide.
Chapter 16 (pages 483-527) EL BOLETIN DEL CIRCULO Y EL TN
Partial photographic reproduction of Bulletins 22, 24, 25 and 26-27.
