Chess
21 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by davemurray101 from Christiansted, US Virgin Islands US Virgin Islands on Friday, July 17, 2009
A short little novella about.. you guessed it Chess. But not just about chess goes into the psychological and philosophical directions of the two opponents all centering around a chess game on the way to Argentina. A curious but interesting addition to the 1001 books.
Journal Entry 2 by davemurray101 at Unspecified location in Hamilton, New South Wales Australia on Saturday, July 18, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (7/18/2009 UTC) at Unspecified location in Hamilton, New South Wales Australia
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going to see if there is any interest at the bookcrossing meeting otherwise I will racbk it.
going to see if there is any interest at the bookcrossing meeting otherwise I will racbk it.
You know I can't resist your suggestions, Dave...
Two very different ways to become chess masters...
Thanks Dave - I'll see if there's any interest for a bookray.
allthesepieces - US - US/INT
Megi53 - US - INT
blackteiwaz - Costa Rica - INT
Miss-Owl - Thailand - INT
lils74 - Nepal - INT
bookowl1000 - UK - UK/EU
lucy-lemon - UK - UK
kingfan30 - UK - UK/EU
katrinat - UK - UK/EU
Caroley - UK - INT
Jujuks - Portugal - EU
EmgeeNL - Netherlands - EU
Pellu - Finland - EU
Annimanni - Finland - INT
No rules - just manners!
Thanks Dave - I'll see if there's any interest for a bookray.
allthesepieces - US - US/INT
Megi53 - US - INT
blackteiwaz - Costa Rica - INT
Miss-Owl - Thailand - INT
lils74 - Nepal - INT
bookowl1000 - UK - UK/EU
lucy-lemon - UK - UK
kingfan30 - UK - UK/EU
katrinat - UK - UK/EU
Caroley - UK - INT
Jujuks - Portugal - EU
EmgeeNL - Netherlands - EU
Pellu - Finland - EU
Annimanni - Finland - INT
No rules - just manners!
Heading off to allthesepieces in tomorrow's mail. Enjoy. X
This one came in yesterday. I think I'm going to show it off when my chess club meets this Monday. Looking forward to reading it. It looks like it'll be a quick read. Thanks for sharing!
WOW! I never thought so much could come out of a single game of Chess. I'm really excited to talk about the book, but I don't want to spoil it for anybody.
I will say that I don't think it requires much knowledge about the game for a reader to get into this book. The story is really about so much more. That in so few pages the author could have me think so much about the reasoning behind another person's peculiar obsession...well, it left quite an impression on me. There are shadows in the human mind, and this book depicts one type flawlessly.
Thank you for the chance to read this! This is definitely a book I'm glad to have read before the big sleep. :)
Silly me, I meant to contact the next participant for shipping information before I finished reading this, but I got caught up in the forums and forgot all about it. Whoops! I'll be sending a PM out tonight and will pass this along as soon as I have an address.
I will say that I don't think it requires much knowledge about the game for a reader to get into this book. The story is really about so much more. That in so few pages the author could have me think so much about the reasoning behind another person's peculiar obsession...well, it left quite an impression on me. There are shadows in the human mind, and this book depicts one type flawlessly.
Thank you for the chance to read this! This is definitely a book I'm glad to have read before the big sleep. :)
Silly me, I meant to contact the next participant for shipping information before I finished reading this, but I got caught up in the forums and forgot all about it. Whoops! I'll be sending a PM out tonight and will pass this along as soon as I have an address.
Journal Entry 8 by snarkhunting at bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, February 8, 2010
Released 14 yrs ago (2/8/2010 UTC) at bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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We got snowed in! But the book is on its way from Danville, PA to Danville, VA. ;) Happy Bookcrossing!
We got snowed in! But the book is on its way from Danville, PA to Danville, VA. ;) Happy Bookcrossing!
Just delivered a few minutes ago -- first mail I've received in three days!
Looking forward to reading it.
Looking forward to reading it.
A very attractive book, to begin with -- it had brilliant red endpapers, set off with one of the "Al Centro della Propria Ragnatela" BC bookplates.
I loved the fact that I could actually finish it in one day, half in the morning and half that evening -- much like the schedule by which one of the characters practiced chess.
Zweig's style here was every bit as competent as it was in the earlier work I read by him, Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles.
Not sure if it was the translator or what, but I found much of this book uproariously funny. (It probably wasn't intended to be, considering it was written very near the end of the author's life.) Starting with the characterization of the great lout Czentovic and going on to Dr. B's case of chess poisoning, many passages struck me as hilarious.
Here's an ex-prisoner talking about solitary confinement (from pp. 41-2):
"This truly unspeakable state of affairs lasted four months. Four months -- it's easy to write down: just under a dozen characters! It's easy to say: four months -- two syllables. Your lips can articulate such a sound in a quarter of a second: four months!"
One serious result of reading this account: an appreciation for the everyday moments. I just finished a poorly-edited teen book that tried to exhort people to live life to the fullest; this tale has a similar intent but accomplishes it much more subtly.
(As I read about the firewall-blocked cell window in the hotel prison, I kept glancing gratefully out at my tree-filled view.)
Thrilled to have had a chance to read this; will forward to the next reader ASAP (already have address and envelope).
I loved the fact that I could actually finish it in one day, half in the morning and half that evening -- much like the schedule by which one of the characters practiced chess.
Zweig's style here was every bit as competent as it was in the earlier work I read by him, Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles.
Not sure if it was the translator or what, but I found much of this book uproariously funny. (It probably wasn't intended to be, considering it was written very near the end of the author's life.) Starting with the characterization of the great lout Czentovic and going on to Dr. B's case of chess poisoning, many passages struck me as hilarious.
Here's an ex-prisoner talking about solitary confinement (from pp. 41-2):
"This truly unspeakable state of affairs lasted four months. Four months -- it's easy to write down: just under a dozen characters! It's easy to say: four months -- two syllables. Your lips can articulate such a sound in a quarter of a second: four months!"
One serious result of reading this account: an appreciation for the everyday moments. I just finished a poorly-edited teen book that tried to exhort people to live life to the fullest; this tale has a similar intent but accomplishes it much more subtly.
(As I read about the firewall-blocked cell window in the hotel prison, I kept glancing gratefully out at my tree-filled view.)
Thrilled to have had a chance to read this; will forward to the next reader ASAP (already have address and envelope).
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Mailed from Teal Court Post Office.
Mailed from Teal Court Post Office.
Arrived safe and sound! Looks thin and interesting, should be read quickly. I'll PM the next reader as soon as possible, thank you!
I enjoyed this story very much. I love chess related stories, and it made me wonder, if, being so short, it could be on a book I have on my TBR/PC pile. It was! And I found some intriguing changes: McConnor is called MacIver instead, and the title is not Chess, but The Royal Game. Anyone knows of a possible explanation for these changes? Just curious.
I have the address for the next reader and will be sending it to her this week. Thanks for sharing!
I have the address for the next reader and will be sending it to her this week. Thanks for sharing!
Journal Entry 14 by blackteiwaz at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Monday, March 8, 2010
Released 14 yrs ago (3/8/2010 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to Miss-Owl in Thailand, hope you enjoy this book!
Sent to Miss-Owl in Thailand, hope you enjoy this book!
It's arrived! A book travelling from Costa Rica to Thailand - bet that doesn't happen too often :)
Thank you, blackteiwaz, for sending the lovely postcard. I'm currently reading a ring book, and then I'll be on to this svelte little volume.
Thank you, blackteiwaz, for sending the lovely postcard. I'm currently reading a ring book, and then I'll be on to this svelte little volume.
A taut, tense little psychological thriller. It amazes me how those sixty four black-and-white squares with its two symbolic armies can give rise to such diverse & complex portraits. I'm reminded of two other chess stories I've encountered recently - a student's short story about an atheist and a Christian battling it out in game and belief over the chessboard; and the Pixar short "Geri's Game", in which a deranged old man plays himself for the prize of his own false teeth.
From Thailand to Nepal, once I receive the address.
Thanks once again, Dave, for being such a generous sharer of the rarer 1001 books.
From Thailand to Nepal, once I receive the address.
Thanks once again, Dave, for being such a generous sharer of the rarer 1001 books.
Journal Entry 17 by Miss-Owl at Exchange/Trade, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Monday, April 26, 2010
Released 14 yrs ago (4/26/2010 UTC) at Exchange/Trade, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
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After a few PMs gone astray, this is finally being sent off today.
After a few PMs gone astray, this is finally being sent off today.
Journal Entry 18 by lils74 from Kathmandu, Bagmati (incl. Kathmandu Valley) Nepal on Monday, May 10, 2010
Got this in the mail today--looks fascinating, and I love books with lots of journal entries, though I'm not going to let myself read them until I've read the book. Thanks for sending it to me, Miss-Owl, and also thank you for the postcard of Thailand and for not giving up when I didn't receive your first pm!
Journal Entry 19 by lils74 at bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, May 31, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (5/31/2010 UTC) at bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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Ok, this is the fifth time I am trying to release this or make JE notes; but that is the joy of a new site! I mailed it out yesterday to Bookowl1000 but could not journal it then.
Sorry I was not able to make a separate JE for my thoughts on the book; I'll just post it here as well.
There might be a few minor spoilers in this:
Overall, a book I really enjoyed. Interesting, and unlike much of what I normally read. Very interesting character study and character profiles. I especially enjoyed the Dr.'s tale of his imprisonment; it was a fascinating look into the human psyche. I'm curious to know if anyone else found the ending surprising, though. I totally thought he would snap--in a violent way perhaps. It seemed--after everything that it had been leading up to, a bit anti-climactic. But maybe that was just me. Overall, a great read and highly recommended--thanks for letting me participate in this ring!
Sorry I was not able to make a separate JE for my thoughts on the book; I'll just post it here as well.
There might be a few minor spoilers in this:
Overall, a book I really enjoyed. Interesting, and unlike much of what I normally read. Very interesting character study and character profiles. I especially enjoyed the Dr.'s tale of his imprisonment; it was a fascinating look into the human psyche. I'm curious to know if anyone else found the ending surprising, though. I totally thought he would snap--in a violent way perhaps. It seemed--after everything that it had been leading up to, a bit anti-climactic. But maybe that was just me. Overall, a great read and highly recommended--thanks for letting me participate in this ring!
Arrived safely in the Wye Valley this morning. Thanks for sending it my way, and the interesting stamps. It should not take me too long to read.
I find it amazing to see how a game can be such an important part of a persons life. Chess had clearly saved Dr B. from insanity, while at the same time pushing him very close. Chess saved Czentovic from being a 'nobody', and I think it was the only thing in his life which gave him a asense of purpose. When having this challenged, Czentovic did fight back; he could tell that Dr. B was a person who played fast, and was becoming increasing agitated by the slowness of his opponents move to used it to his advantage. It was a dangerous, possibly cruel thing to do however, as he had no idea how Dr B would react.
I requested the next address when I received the book and will pass it on as soon as it arrives.
I requested the next address when I received the book and will pass it on as soon as it arrives.
lucy-lemon has been on holiday so has only just passe don her address.
The book will be in the post first thing monday morning.
The book will be in the post first thing monday morning.
Arrived in the last couple of weeks - I've been away on holiday. This one shouldn't take me too long...
Ooh, I loved this! I liked the fact that it was short enough to read over my breakfast, and I really, really liked the chess element of the novella. I definitely will be playing some games soon - along with reading some more of Zweig's other novels.
Thank you for sharing :-) I already have kingfan30's address, so I'm popping it into the post tomorrow.
Thank you for sharing :-) I already have kingfan30's address, so I'm popping it into the post tomorrow.
Journal Entry 25 by kingfan30 at Corby Glen, Lincolnshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Book arrived safe and sound, I will get to it as soon as I can. Thanks for sharing.
15 June 10 - I never thought a book about chess could be interesting, but this one throws that idea out the window! I started reading in my lunch break as it was far to wet to go for a walk, and found at the end of the hour I was most of the way thorugh and very reluctant to go back to work. Would be interested to read more by this author.
15 June 10 - I never thought a book about chess could be interesting, but this one throws that idea out the window! I started reading in my lunch break as it was far to wet to go for a walk, and found at the end of the hour I was most of the way thorugh and very reluctant to go back to work. Would be interested to read more by this author.
On its way to katrinat x
arrived today, looking forward to this as i.ve enjoyed some of his short stories. Thanks for sharing
Received safely today, thanks.
Journal Entry 29 by Caroley at Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 4, 2010
I really enjoyed this. I thought the characters were so well described considering how short the book was, and I loved the contrast between the two chess masters and how they got to that point.
Thanks for sharing the book Dave. You do manage to find some beauties!
I've already PMd Jujuks and received a reply so will get the book on its way asap.
Thanks for sharing the book Dave. You do manage to find some beauties!
I've already PMd Jujuks and received a reply so will get the book on its way asap.
Released 13 yrs ago (8/7/2010 UTC) at Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom
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The book is now on its way to Portugal via airmail.
Book has arrived safely in Portugal. I've still got another one to read before this one but I won't take long. Thanks for sending it!
Journal Entry 32 by Jujuks at Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Thursday, September 16, 2010
I enjoyed reading this book very much. I was particularly fascinated by the story that Dr. B tells of being captured by the Nazis. To live like that must be horrifying.
On its way to Netherlands.
The book arrived.
Very nice read. I really enjoyed the way the story describes how someone can get addicted to chess.
Very nice read. I really enjoyed the way the story describes how someone can get addicted to chess.
Journal Entry 35 by EmgeeNL at bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (10/6/2010 UTC) at bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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The book is on it's way to Finland
Journal Entry 36 by Pellu at Lappeenranta, Etelä-Karjala / Södra Karelen Finland on Wednesday, October 13, 2010
The book is here in Finland. It's interesting to see that book this thin and consentrated to a game that I'm not very interested in, has raised a lot of thoughts in previous journal entries. I'll read this as soon as I have finnished my current read.
Journal Entry 37 by Pellu at Lappeenranta, Etelä-Karjala / Södra Karelen Finland on Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (10/21/2010 UTC) at Lappeenranta, Etelä-Karjala / Södra Karelen Finland
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Great story. The ending raised questions like: who won, who thought they won and how did it seem to the audience? The book also made me think about what is or what are thought to be important things in life and how to put things into right perspective.
From the page 10:
”With his limited understanding, the fellow knows just one thing: he hasn't lost a single game of chess for months. So, as he has no idea that there are values in this world other than chess and money, he has every reason to feel pleased with himself.”
I already have Annimanni's address so the book will continue it's journey today.
From the page 10:
”With his limited understanding, the fellow knows just one thing: he hasn't lost a single game of chess for months. So, as he has no idea that there are values in this world other than chess and money, he has every reason to feel pleased with himself.”
I already have Annimanni's address so the book will continue it's journey today.
Received today with thanks! (Thank you for the beautiful bookmark, too!) What a lovely looking, thin book ;) I'll try to get to it shortly and will then try to find it a new reader (this is a ray, isn't it?).
I'm terribly sorry for holding on to the book for so long.
What a very tightly written, enjoyable novella it turned out to be! As everyone else, I was fascinated by the story and how much you can get out of a game of chess - particularly since I'm so terrible at the game myself. Definitely a story that will stay with me for quite a while.
I've promised to send the book to duskiska so it'll be heading to Turku, Finland next.
What a very tightly written, enjoyable novella it turned out to be! As everyone else, I was fascinated by the story and how much you can get out of a game of chess - particularly since I'm so terrible at the game myself. Definitely a story that will stay with me for quite a while.
I've promised to send the book to duskiska so it'll be heading to Turku, Finland next.
Journal Entry 40 by duskiska at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Friday, December 9, 2011
The book has safely arrived. Thank you!
If someone else needs this for the alphabet challenge, they can contact me with a PM.
If someone else needs this for the alphabet challenge, they can contact me with a PM.
Journal Entry 41 by duskiska at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Friday, April 20, 2012
I liked this very much! I had intended to read about half of this before watching an episode of my new favourite TV show (Iholla, Finnish crossers will know what I'm talking of :P) but I just couldn't put it down in the middle of the story. This is very intense and well-written.
A couple of things bothered me though. I found it really hard to believe that Dr B tells all about the most horrible time of his life to a man he has just met. Who confides in a complete stranger like that? I understand that you can't describe the start of a friendship very thoroughly in such a short story, but here it was literally the first time they'd even talked to each other, and already the doctor was telling all about his inner demons. It took something away from the otherwise brilliant way the author describes what goes on in a person's psyche.
I was also surprised to find the nazis in yet again another book where the back cover doesn't even hint about them. I mean, WHY do they have to put them in every goddamn book and movie?! It's really beginning to irritate me! But OK, this was first published in 1943, so there is a good point in having them in the story (unlike in some other stories I've encountered!).
A couple of things bothered me though. I found it really hard to believe that Dr B tells all about the most horrible time of his life to a man he has just met. Who confides in a complete stranger like that? I understand that you can't describe the start of a friendship very thoroughly in such a short story, but here it was literally the first time they'd even talked to each other, and already the doctor was telling all about his inner demons. It took something away from the otherwise brilliant way the author describes what goes on in a person's psyche.
I was also surprised to find the nazis in yet again another book where the back cover doesn't even hint about them. I mean, WHY do they have to put them in every goddamn book and movie?! It's really beginning to irritate me! But OK, this was first published in 1943, so there is a good point in having them in the story (unlike in some other stories I've encountered!).
Journal Entry 42 by duskiska at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Friday, April 20, 2012
Released 12 yrs ago (4/20/2012 UTC) at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland
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Next to Liinuskainen to help her with the alphabet challenge.
We Finnish crossers are having this challenge where you have one year to read a book for every letter in the alphabet. The author's surname has to start with the letter, so this is Z completed for me.
We Finnish crossers are having this challenge where you have one year to read a book for every letter in the alphabet. The author's surname has to start with the letter, so this is Z completed for me.
Journal Entry 43 by Liinuskainen at Lieksa, Pohjois-Karjala / Norra Karelen Finland on Friday, April 27, 2012
Thank you kindly!
Journal Entry 44 by Liinuskainen at Lieksa, Pohjois-Karjala / Norra Karelen Finland on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
The only reason for me to take this book was that I needed the alphabet z for my alphabet reading challenge in Finnish bc-forum. I don’t care much about chess as a game so thought that this book would be boring. Luckily I was wrong. Like so many has already said this little book is fascinating and very enjoyable. Thanks for charring!
Journal Entry 45 by 
Niora
at Joensuu, Pohjois-Karjala / Norra Karelen Finland on Sunday, August 12, 2012
Niora at Joensuu, Pohjois-Karjala / Norra Karelen Finland on Sunday, August 12, 2012
I snatched this up from the BC meet-up at Finncon in Tampere in July, haven't journaled before because I've been on vacation. The book sounds good, I'll try and read this soon :-)
Journal Entry 46 by Niora at Joensuu, Pohjois-Karjala / Norra Karelen Finland on Sunday, September 16, 2012
Niora at Joensuu, Pohjois-Karjala / Norra Karelen Finland on Sunday, September 16, 2012
A quick but captivating read! There were some details which felt rather artificial to me, but on the whole a neat and tight-packed story, if not quite the literary masterpiece some critics have made it out to be. I have read some Stefan Zweig before, but not any of his fiction, so this was interesting in that sense as well.
Journal Entry 47 by 
Soozreader
at Joensuu, Pohjois-Karjala / Norra Karelen Finland on Saturday, December 1, 2012
Soozreader at Joensuu, Pohjois-Karjala / Norra Karelen Finland on Saturday, December 1, 2012
I took this well-travelled book with me from the local Bookcrossing meeting today:)
Journal Entry 48 by Soozreader at Joensuu, Pohjois-Karjala / Norra Karelen Finland on Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Soozreader at Joensuu, Pohjois-Karjala / Norra Karelen Finland on Wednesday, May 7, 2014
I already read this a while ago but I haven't had a chance to journal this before... I think this was a quick and interesting read on a topic that is quite unfamiliar to me. Definitely a worthwhile read:)
I offered this book in the One book a month RABCK sweepstake and I'm currently waiting for the winner of my draw to pm me their address... as soon as I receive it this book will travel onwards:)
I offered this book in the One book a month RABCK sweepstake and I'm currently waiting for the winner of my draw to pm me their address... as soon as I receive it this book will travel onwards:)
Released 9 yrs ago (5/12/2014 UTC) at
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Address received so the book is now on its way to the next reader:) Happy Reading!
Received! Thanks so much for sending this :-)
