Chess Survivor by Andor Lilienthal (hardcover)

This Chess Survivor by Andor Lilienthal is an English-language hardcover chess book that combines Lilienthal’s autobiography with a carefully selected set of annotated games. It is a strong choice for readers who want chess history and practical game study in one volume.

What this book covers

Andor Lilienthal was among the first group of players awarded the grandmaster title by FIDE in 1950. The book follows his life through decades of chess history and presents his career from the perspective of a player who knew and faced many of the leading masters of his time.

It also has lasting value as a chess record. Lilienthal met or played every world champion of the twentieth century, and he also defeated Emanuel Lasker, whose reign began in the nineteenth century. Later generations of players, including Vladimir Kramnik, knew him personally as well.

Inside the book

The text brings together Lilienthal’s life story and a substantial game collection with commentary. Douglas Griffin translated the book from Russian and added 17 additional games, bringing the total to 77 games, of which 60 are annotated by Lilienthal himself. That balance of biography and analysis makes it useful both for reading and for study.

One of the best-known moments from Lilienthal’s career was his win over Capablanca in 1935. The game became so memorable that Bobby Fischer later referred to it directly when he saw Lilienthal at the 1992 Fischer–Spassky rematch.

Edition details

• Product type: hardcover chess book
• Author: Andor Lilienthal
• Translator and editor: Douglas Griffin
• Language: English
• Page count: 344
• Content: autobiography plus selected annotated games
• Game count: 77 games
• Annotated games: 60 games annotated by Andor Lilienthal