Ludwig Bachmann (chess historian)

Ludwig Bachmann

Ludwig Ernst August Bachmann (born August 11, 1856 in Kulmbach ; † June 22, 1937 in Munich ) was a German chess historian . With his numerous publications he is one of the most productive German chess writers .

Life

After attending high school in Bayreuth and the Technical University in Munich , Bachmann worked in the Bavarian railway administration . From 1909 he was employed by the railway directorate (since 1920 Reichsbahndirektion) in Ludwigshafen am Rhein . He finally retired in 1923 and moved to Munich.

Because of his official demands, Bachmann decided early on to concentrate his interest in chess on the literary side and the study of chess history . The large chess library built for this purpose was transferred to the Munich State Library after his death .

Contribution to chess history

As a chess author, Bachmann, who also wrote a successful beginners' textbook, switched to researching the history of the game. His interests included the entire development from the 16th century to the era of contemporary chess masters. For the first time he published in Passau in 1891 and then under the title “Ingenious chess games of old and new times” and finally from 1897 continuously until 1930 the “Chess Yearbook”. The sometimes very extensive monographs include biographies on Adolf Anderssen , Wilhelm Steinitz and Harry Nelson Pillsbury, as well as a description of the “development history of the practical game of chess”.

Bachmann carefully evaluated older literature, including chess magazines , which was difficult to access for most chess players . His publications have the character of overview representations that are loosened up by extensive game material. Bachmann usually gave the literature used, but mostly dispensed with individual references. Although his books are often considered to be out of date, Bachmann's highly detailed and fluently written works maintain their place among the historical depictions of the development of the game of chess to the present day.

Chess composition

Bachmann published some endgame studies and chess problems around the turn of the century .

Fonts

• Professor Adolph Anderssen, the longstanding champion of the German chess championship. 2nd Edition. Ansbach 1914.
• Chess master Steinitz. 4 volumes. Ansbach 1920–1921. Reprint in two volumes: Zurich 1980, ISBN 3-283-00080-8 .
• From times gone by. Pictures from the history of the development of the practical game of chess. 2 volumes. Berlin 1920–1922.
• The game of chess and its historical development. Leipzig, Berlin 1924. Reprint: Leipzig 1980, ISBN 392169535X .
• The first beginnings of chess theory. A historical sketch based on the latest sources. Leipzig 1926.
• Chess Master Pillsbury. 3. Edition. Ansbach 1930. Reprint: Zurich 1982, ISBN 3-283-00052-2 .

Web links

• Literature by and about Ludwig Bachmann in the catalog of the German National Library
• Works by and about Ludwig Bachmann  in the German Digital Library