The latest CHESS is out now. If you go to this link at The Week in Chess, you can get a taster of what's in the magazine, including a free download of my complete 'Chess Magazine at War' article. It is about chess in the UK during the Second World War and more specifically gives some insight into how the then editor of CHESS magazine, BH (Baruch) Wood, coped with the task of running a magazine during that terrible time.
BH (Baruch, "Barry") Wood, founder of CHESS magazine
As someone who has edited both the UK's leading chess periodicals, I know only too well how tough the job of editing a chess magazine can be, but I can only guess at how difficult it must have been for BHW at that extraordinary time. And yet he continued to turn out regular monthly issues whilst doing war work, touring the country to give simuls and also bringing up a young family. Oh, and defend a major legal case, and squabble with the national chess federation (yes, some things never change). Amazing guy, Baruch Wood - I take my hat off to the man. Anyway, do have a read of my article - I really enjoyed researching it and hope some of this enthusiasm comes through in the writing.
Thanks so much for your article - much appreciated. Wood's "Easy Guide to Chess" was the first chess book I ever read at age 10 in the mid 50's. And I remember saving my pocket money for weeks so I could splurge on "20 recent back issues of the magazine 'Chess'" for 5/- and was astounded to receive issues containing the entire 1960 Botvinnik-Tal world championship match. I've been hooked on chess ever since. There must be literally thousands of us who were inspired by B.H.Wood's passion for the game.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Chris Eve