Marshall, Frank James. Marshall's Chess "Swindles" Add to Watch List Watching View Watchlist >

Marshall, Frank James. Marshall's Chess "Swindles". Comprising over one hundred and twenty - five of his best tournament and match games at chess together with the annotation of the same by himself and others. New York, American Chess Bulletin, (1914). With a few diagrams. One plate with four photos. 130 pages. Descriptive notation. Register. L/N 3213; Betts 29 - 71.

Marshall’s Chess “Swindles” is a classic early 20th-century chess collection that showcases the bold, imaginative, and resourceful play of Frank J. Marshall, one of America’s greatest chess masters. Rather than being a mere anthology of games, the book is a celebration of tactical ingenuity — moments where Marshall escapes defeat or turns the tables through sharp calculation, clever traps, or sheer fighting spirit.

The book contains over 125 of Marshall’s tournament and match games, many annotated by Marshall himself and by contemporaries who admired his daring style. These games are drawn from a variety of events across Europe and America and often feature Marshall’s signature attacking play — sacrifices, unexpected counterblows, and deep tactical themes.

Beyond the game scores and notes, Marshall also comments on opening innovations, particularly in the King’s Gambit, Ruy López, and Queen’s Gambit, giving readers a glimpse into early 20th-century chess theory. His annotations reveal his thought process and humor, showing a player who loved the battle as much as the beauty of the game.

Condition: VG. Red-brown linen with gold-embossed title print on front cover. From David DeLucia's Chess Library.

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