The Secret Is Out

"Kaissiber" Edited by Stefan Buecker, In German, Published
Quarterly, German Algebraic Notation, 82pp., Annual subscription
(four issues): 44 DM

Most chessplayers are familiar with the higher profile mainstream
chess magazines that have been on the scene for years. Magazines
such as "Chess Life", "British Chess Magazine" and "New In
Chess", to name just a few. However, there are other magazines
out there that provide outstanding chess journalism even though
they are less well known. This week we turn our attention to one of
them, the German magazine "Kaissiber" under the editorship of
Stefan Buecker.

In this era of hackneyed chess journalism and sloppy research,
Buecker's "Kaissiber" is a refreshing burst of fresh air. Here you
will not find coverage of the latest Category Umpteen tournament
or the latest polemics swirling around FIDE's most recent actions.
You will find fascinating articles about chess history, computer
chess and, most assuredly, opening theory, particularly of irregular,
unorthodox and controversial openings. In the mix you are also
served vintage photographs, whimsical drawings, book reviews
and tactical positions to solve, all of which adds up to pure delight
for even the most demanding of gourmet palates.

The most recent issue of "Kaissiber" (No. 8, October-December
1998) will give you a very good idea of what to expect. It begins
with six pages of letters from readers ('Leserbriefe') that, for the
most part, tackle opening analytical issues from previous issues.
This is followed by a regular feature, Chrilly Donninger's column
on computer chess, "Von Bytes und Bauern". British IM Gary
Lane follows with a seven-page article on the Grand Prix Attack in
the Sicilian Defense ('Methodenwechsel im Grand-Prix-Angriff').

After a couple of quick pages dealing with two other variations of
the Sicilian, we arrive at an article by Buecker on a very unusual
defensive system for Black: 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 d5 3 exd5 Qxd5
('Komfortable Verteidigung - Komfortable Abwehr des
Standardszuges 2.Sf3'). Now, you might be thinking that this might
arouse your curiosity for a page or two, but what can anyone really
do with something like this? Alas, you have been exposed as one
who is not familiar with "Kaissiber".

The author probes the analytical depths of this unusual Black
defensive set-up for fifteen (!) pages, supplementing references and
variations with historical background, rare photographs and the
occasional drawing. Buecker takes his work very seriously,
providing thorough analysis, discussing the strengths and
weaknesses of variations and giving honest assessments. It is a
creative, free-thinking mind at work here, but one that does not shy
away from the tremendous effort and precision required to produce
a top-notch discussion of opening theory.

Another opening piece, also by Buecker, on several variations of the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit follows, and then an very interesting
article about Kurt Richter by IM Reinhart Fuchs. Annotated games,
sidebars and the occasional digression are also scattered throughout
this issue, which is rounded out nicely with book reviews of
approximately two dozen books. The books are either in English
(Buecker's English is excellent) or German, and the reviews range
from in-depth to brief snapshots ('kurz vorgestellt').

"Kaissiber" is entirely in German. And, no, we are not going to try
to tell you that you will be able to sort things out with the help of
Informant-type symbols. There is considerably more text than that.
But we can say that this is an outstanding quarterly magazine,
produced on fine quality coated stock. It should provide most
chessplayers with many hours of enjoyment each issue.

If you are a regular visitor to The Chess Cafe, you will already
know that we have not hesitated to present unusual material if we
feel it is of good quality and of interest to our readers. To get a
better idea of what "Kaissiber" is about, we have made
arrangements to publish in The Skittles Room a short article that
first appeared in "Kaissiber" No. 5 (January-March, 1998).
Furthermore, we have left it in its original form, in German. We
invite you to read Stefan Buecker's short article discussing how
strong a player Emil Diemer was: "Wie stark spielte Emil Josef
Diemer?"

Finally, you may obtain a free back issue of "Kaissiber" by e-
mailing Stefan Buecker at <101641.1204@compuserve. com>. Just
tell Stefan that you read the "Kaissiber" review at The Chess Cafe,
make sure you give him your regular mailing address and request
your free back issue. "Kaissiber" - a secret no longer.