The chess compositions of E. B. Cook of Hoboken

Keidanz, H[ermann]

Published by New York, Theodore H. Keidanz., 1927

About this Item

Keidanz, H[ermann]: The chess compositions of E. B. Cook of Hoboken. With critical and historical notes by Dr. H. Keidanz. New York, 1927. Theodore H. Keidanz. 358 [2 blank] p. with chess diagrams. First edition. Publisher's full cloth binding, gilt on spine. Keidantz signed on the first endpaper. "Compliments by the author Dr. H. Keidanz." - -- - Eugene Beauharnais Cook (19-05-1830 - 13-03-1915) American composer. - Dr. Keidanz, in the introduction of his book The Chess Compositions of E.B. Cook of Hoboken New York 1927, informs us that many honours were bestowed upon Cook in his lifetime. Numerous problems were dedicated to him by his admirers and Samuel Loyd dedicated his book Chess Strategies to him. Dr. Keidanz continues: It is not unlikely that the term cook which is generally used for finding a solution to a problem not intended by its author, is traced back to our master. About this Dr. Lasker wrote in his Chess Magazine (December, 1908-January, 1909) as follows: I am asked to give the derivation of the word cook, as used by chess players. It came into use in much the same way as the word boycott did. All the world knows that the Irish landlord Captain Boycott made himself so disliked that everybody shunned him; hence to boycott came to mean what it does. Mr. E. B. Cook of Hoboken, whose fame as a chess player began before the Civil War, was, in his earlier years, so expert a solver, and found second or more solutions to so many problems, that at last his name came to signify the act, and ever since a problem known to have a solution not intended by its author is said to be cooked. - -- - Hermann Keidanski (later Keidanz and Kaidanz; 1865 1938, Germany) was a German-Jewish chess master.

Seller Inventory # 362

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The chess compositions of E. B. Cook of Hoboken
• Publisher: New York, Theodore H. Keidanz.
• Publication Date: 1927
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
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  • Chess World