The Final Curtain.
Blackburne died at home on Monday 1st September 1924, the
death certificate citing ‘senility and heart failure’. The funeral took
place at Ladywell Cemetery three days later. He was buried in the same
grave as his third wife. Amos Burn’s comments in his obituary of
Blackburne on 4th September 1924 for ‘The Field’ are worthy
of repetition: -
“There have been many very strong British chess players, but as a real
chess genius Blackburne stood alone.” This was qualified by adding that
Blackburne “was essentially a disciple of the old school of purely
combinative players” who preferred tactical solutions to the “more
scientific methods of Steinitz, Lasker or Tarrasch.” “Blackburne was
peculiarly fitted to take part in the exciting contest of a chess
tournament.” “… a chivalrous player who scorned to take the slightest
undue advantage of his opponent.”
Conclusions.
Blackburne was a man who overcame considerable difficulties in his
private life to succeed in his chosen profession. Rapid improvements in
transport enabled him to travel widely to participate in international
tournaments and give simultaneous displays. His talent for blindfold
chess was second to none and in tournament games against principal
rivals, only Janowski, Mackenzie and Lasker enjoyed a significant plus
score against him. Generally, a pleasant and humorous individual, he
appears to have been at ease entertaining and working an audience.
Nevertheless, there is evidence of occasional violent episodes – some of
them alcohol related.
I found the three months reading this book for review purposes enjoyable
and rewarding, albeit, hard work. It comprises an exceptionally detailed
record of Blackburne’s life. If you want to know when/if he gave a
display in a certain area or place, some reference is almost certainly
to be found here, along with a note as to the source. A biography
comprising over 500 pages and nearly 1,200 games is followed by
appendices detailing Blackburne’s Match and Tournament Records, Record
against Principal Rivals, Chess Compositions, Interviews, Blindfold
Exhibitions, Two Articles for The Strand Magazine and Corrections to
Game Scores. There are Chapter Notes, a Bibliography, Index of Players,
Indices of Openings and a General Index. As with other McFarland
publications, many interesting facts – chess and non-chess – come to
light about events during the subject’s lifetime:-
Disputes between players.
Disputes players and officials/organisers.
Changing attitudes to drawn games.
The introduction of different devices for time control purposes.
Anti-Foreign sentiments and attitudes, reflecting the developing rivalry
between Britain and the newly united Germany.
The use of high quality paper combined with library quality binding
completes a publication worthy of any chess library.
David G. Mills. 27th July 2018. Hull, England.
This book was sent to me free of charge by McFarland and Company for
review purposes.