Uitgeverij Vrij Nederland, Amsterdam, 1948, in Dutch language, paperback, 11,5x19,5 cm, 95 pp, 150 grams, some photos, 70 annotated games. Condition: fair.

"The Hastings International Chess Tournament (28 December 1945 - 9 January 1946) has been one of the most interesting events of its kind and worthily heralded the resumption of international chess after six years of war.

"There was general disappointment when it was heard-at the last minute that the Russian players would not be able to come. Their places were filled up and the following were the competitors: J. Mieses; Dr. S. Tartakower, Poland; Dr. M. Euwe, Holland; P. Devos, Belgium; F. Ekstrom, Sweden; E. G. Sergeant, England; M. Christoffel, Switzerland; L. Prins, Holland; A. Denker, U.S.A.; H. Steiner, U.S.A.; Dr. J. M. Aitken, Scotland; Sir G. A. Thomas, England.

"If some of the competitors showed, more than others, in their play the influence of past sufferings, this was more than counterbalanced by an exceptional liveliness and fighting spirit. A token of this is the quite exceptionally low proportion of draws (only 16 in 66 games) and the fact that King’s Pawn openings were played far more often than the closed Queen’s Pawn (36-18 with 10 Irregular openings).

"At the end of the Sixth Round only half a point separated the first seven, Euwe, Prins and Steiner 3½, Ekstrom, Denker and Aitken 3. From then onwards the two ultimate winners relentlessly forged ahead with an unbroken series of wins.

"The victory of Dr. Tartakower was very popular. But, such was the friendly spirit of emulation between the masters, that the victory of any one of them would have been popular too. After a bad start, with a loss against Dr. Euwe with one of his famous “funny” openings, Dr. Tartakower settled down in real earnest and dropped only another ½ point to win a most convincing victory earned by sound but enterprising play. This victory must be particularly gratifying to the veteran (he is nearly sixty) at a time when youth in chess is carrying all before it. The find of the tournament was Ekström, of Sweden. Granted that the war has left Sweden practically untouched and that he has lately had strong practice and exceptional success in-Swedish tournaments, this was his first effort outside his own country and in international company. He settled down after some early mishaps and wound up with six fine successive wins. His strength is his steady temperament and sound judgment. He is a player to be reckoned with in international chess.

"Dr. Euwe, who shared the third prize with the Americans Steiner and Denker (U.S.A. champion), started as a strong favourite but was not in the form which gained him the world’s championship in 1935. There is little doubt that the terrible hardships Holland has gone through have temporarily left their mark on a highly sensitive mind. He also made a trip by car to Southampton at the critical time of the tournament to meet his sister just back from four years in a Japanese concentration camp and on her way to Holland—rather a disturbing element when playing in a masters’ tournament.

"Steiner and Denker have struck the onlookers as highly talented players, with, outwardly at least, an exuberant self-confidence. They are both rather impatient and apt to strain a position instead of improving it first before trying a short cut. Dr. Aitken, one of the British players, came immediately after the prizewinners within 1 point of their score. He has increased his reputation in this tournament. With wide technical knowledge and practical skill, he is a most reliable player, and with adequate master practice he should achieve even more. Prins, of Holland, showed great improvement over his previous form and has definitely reached master rank. Throughout the first six rounds he was among the leaders. In the Seventh Round he met Mieses and played the whole day a game lasting 107 moves, trying to win a drawn position. It seems to have taken the heart out of him, for he scored only half a point after this and his aged opponent did not score at all. Sir George Thomas played unevenly, losing or drawing against opponents certainly not his equals, yet winning a brilliant game against Dr. Euwe. Christoffel, the champion of Switzerland, was a disappointment. This is the first time he has played away from home and he could not reproduce the fine form he has shown at home. If he could play with more confidence good results would follow. Mieses, aged over 80, could, of course, not repeat the successes of his prime. But he confounded the critics by scoring four good draws and winning a game against the youngest competitor, Christoffel, to whom he was conceding 57 years, for which he was awarded the only brilliancy prize in the tournament. Mieses is the sole survivor out of the masters who took part in the great Hastings Tournament of 1895, a unique occurrence in the history of chess. Devos, champion of Belgium, was in poor health, but even so he seems to lack the necessary enterprise. Sergeant, who pluckily stepped in when the Russian players failed to appear, was in very bad form and started with four consecutive losses. He improved towards the end with several draws, but his first win, a fine one, came too late—in the last round. Both he and Sir George Thomas are over sixty.

"Final score: Tartakower 9½, Ekstrom 9, Euwe, Denker and Steiner 7, Aitken 6, Prins 5, Thomas 4, Christoffel 3½, Mieses 3, Devos and Sergeant 2½. "                       * (British Chess Magazine, February 1946)