CORRESPONDENCE CHESS BOOK REVIEWS Including Books, Periodicals, and Software (All Reviews by John Knudsen Unless Otherwise Indicated)
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Reviewed in 1997 THE FIRST FIFTY YEARS of The Correspondence Chess League of Australia Compiled by H.W.M. Lunney Sometimes, gems are found in unusual places. This 96 page booklet, published in 1980, covering the years 1929 - 1979, is devoted to recounting the history of Australia's CCLA, and is such a gem. It is a rich history indeed. In addition to many games (in english descriptive, algebraic, and ICCF international notation), there are mini biographies of players, accounts of tournaments, and much more.
This record is an easy to read, enjoyable rendering of Australia's struggle to attain CC respectability in the world arena. Correspondence chess administration is a very important yet often neglected aspect of CC. Most CC administrators clearly love the game and are willing to work long and hard to serve the same. This booklet documents the trials and tribulations of CC administrators in a unique way. All too often, the persons who devote their time to serve chess are neglected or despised by chess players with big egos. The human side of administration, the trials and experiments, are outlined here. Nothing happens in CC without dedicated administrators!
The games themselves are precious, not easily available elsewhere. All of the giants of Australian CC are well represented, but also the lesser lights, the so-called CC-specialists. A correspondence chess specialist is one who is not particularly strong in over the board (cross board) chess, but who is a titan at CC. This factor is one of the unsolved mysteries of correspondence chess. The booklet gives, as an example, the CC game between CJS Purdy and G.F. McIntosh, a CC specialist. Purdy was white and lost in 19 moves! There is, after all, hope for us all.
I highly recommend this booklet, if you can find it. You will discover something new with every reading. Having read my copy about six or seven times, I find that the concise annotations, the behind the scenes stories and commentaries never grow old and continue to instruct and entertain.
Booklet, published by the Correspondence Chess League of Australia (CCLA). It may also be available by mail order chess book dealers. The book is listed at $6.00.