Founded in 1809, the Zurich Chess Club is the world’s oldest chess organization. This examines how the club became a major player on the international chess scene. Topics covered include the storied development of the club, its outstanding members and its memorable activities. Its historical tournaments are also covered in-depth.

Table of Contents Foreword by Vladimir Kramnik Preface Part I: History of the Zurich Chess Club 1. The Old Zurich Chess Club (1809–1842) 2. Reformation and Growth (1842–1887) 3. Two Prominent Presidents (1887–1922) 4. Change (1922–1953) 5. The Nagler Era (1953–1985) 6. Departing for New Shores (1985–2009) Part II: Biographical Sketches of Notable Members Part III: Selected Games and Compositions Games Compositions Part IV: Zurich Chess Tournaments Baden 1825—Switzerland’s First Chess Tournament Eastern Switzerland Chess Tournaments 1868–1879 Künstlergütli Tournament 1887 Swiss Championship 1889 delete deleteThe Swiss System Swiss Championship 1895 Swiss Championship 1903 Swiss Championship 1909 Regional Tournament 1918 Swiss Championship 1925 delete deleteThe FIDE Congress International Swiss Championship 1934 Easter Tournament 1936 Fritz Widmann Memorial 1938 Match Johner vs. Grob 1940 Swiss Extra Championship 1941-42 Training Tournament 1946 Clare Benedict Nations Cups 1952–1979 International Swiss Championship 1952 World Championship Candidates’ Tournament 1953 Clare Benedict Grandmasters Tournament 1954 Jubilee Tournament 1959 Grandmasters Tournament 1961 Frascati Seniors Tournament 1962 Seniors Tournament 1966 Jubilee Tournament 1969 Fourth Agnes Litzenberger Young Masters Tournament 1970 International Swiss Championship 1975 Dr. Robert Blass Memorial 1979 Jubilee Tournament 1984 Hans Johner Memorial 1989 Young Masters Tournament 1991 Alois Nagler Memorial 1998 Jules Ehrat Memorial 1999 Korchnoi Birthday Rapid Tournament 2001 Chess Champions Day 2006 Jubilee Open Tournament 2009 World Champions Simultaneous Exhibition and Rapid Tournament 2009 Appendix A. Honor Role Club Presidents Honorary Members Club Champions Appendix B. Statistics and Achievements Simultaneous Exhibitions Club Matches Swiss Team Championship Other Team Events Notes Bibliography Index

“the superbly researched The Zurich Chess Club, 1809–2009 offers something for everyone...this book can be recommended without reservation to all lovers of chess literature”—IM John Donaldson (JeremySilman.com); “this is a dream book...beautiful photos...no recent book has brought this reviewer more pleasure”—British Chess Magazine.