Buffalo 1901 and 1894 Chess Tournaments by John S. Hilbert,
1996 Caissa Editions, English Algebraic Notation, Hardcover,
97pp., $28.00

Over the last decade and a half, American historian and antiquarian
book dealer Dale Brandreth has given the chess world a small but
steady stream of outstanding books of enormous historical value.
They have been well produced, if a bit pricey. Goldman's
masterpiece on Carl Schlechter and the Baden Baden 1925
tournament book both come to mind. The latest offering from
Caissa Editions, "Buffalo 1901 and 1894 Chess Tournaments" by
John S. Hilbert is another extraordinary release.

Chances are that you have not heard of either of these tournaments.
As it turns out, Buffalo 1894 was an important training event for
Pillsbury, who only a year later won one of the greatest
tournaments of all time at Hastings. By 1901, Pillsbury and
Marshall stood atop American chess. Marshall was in his prime,
though in Buffalo 1901, he was clearly off form, finishing fifth out
of six players.

The author, John Hilbert, has done a superb job in researching
these tournaments from all known sources. Extensive biographical
and background material of great interest, especially to American
chess aficionados, is presented throughout the book, making it an
outstanding read even if you are not inclined to play through the
games. To this core material, the author has added appendices that
include all known tournament games between Pillsbury and
Marshall as well as Pillsbury's own account, written in 1900, of
how he played blindfold chess exhibitions.

A short excerpt... "The real interest of the day, however, was in the
great game between Showalter and Albin, which was a splendid
test of skill between these giants, and which, after 27 moves had
been played, was finally adjourned until [the next] morning. Albin
had the move, and used the Giuoco Piano opening. It was a
brilliant game throughout, and at the time of adjournment Albin
appeared to have the advantage." Indeed, Showalter resigned the
game the next day without resumption. According to the somewhat
melodramatic local press, Showalter "took a desperate chance and
resolved not to resume the unfinished game, but [decided rather] to
save his resources for the final and decisive fight with Pillsbury."

Albin-Showalter Buffalo 1894, Round 5 Giuoco Piano

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5 4 c3 Nf6 5 0-0 d6 6 d4 exd4 7 cxd4
Bb6 8 Nc3 Bg4 9 Be3 0-0 10 h3 Bxf3 11 gxf3 Nh5 12 Kh2 Qh4 13
Rgl Nf4 14 Rg3 Kh8 15 Qd2 g5 16 Nd5! (See Diagram) In keeping
with Herr Albin's bold and old-school style. The game now
becomes very interesting. 16...f6 17 Nxb6 axb6 18 Bxf4 gxf4 If
18...Qxf4 19 Qc3 and Black's game is still greatly restricted. 19
Rg4 Qh6 20 Ragl Not 20. Rxf4 Nxd4 21 Qxd4 Qxf4+. 20...Ne7 21
Qc2 c6 22 Be6 Ng6 23 Qc3 Rae8 Of no avail, as the reply menaces
Bf7, followed by Bxg6. 24 Qb3 c5 25 Bf7 Rc8 26 Bxg6 hxg6 27
Rxg6 Qh4 28 R6g4 Black resigns. If the Queen retires the weak
pawns go to smash, while if 28...Qxf2+, then 29 Rlg2 Qel 30 Qdl
Qxdl 31 Rh4 mate.

Caissa Editions is to be commended for bringing out another fine
work of unquestionable historical value. These are not books that
will challenge the Informants or the latest opening books as best
sellers in the chess world. And not all chess book dealers may
carry this book, a book that will probably be perceived as
appealing to a very narrow segment of potential buyers. (See
Brandreth's classified ad in The Chess Cafe Classified Ad Section
to contact him directly). But make no mistake - Hilbert and Caissa
Editions have produced a gem that will be appreciated by anyone
with an interest in chess history, particularly in America.