Trevangadacharya Shastree | Essays on Chess, 1814, von der Lasa copy of the first work on chess by an Indian author

Trevangadacharya Shastree

Essays on chess adapted to the european mode of play. Bombay: Printed for the author, by M.D. Cruz, 1814.

FIRST EDITION, small 4to (170 x 135 mm), list of subscribers, some leaves annotated in pencil at margins in 2 hands (those to Preface in von der Lasa's hand), nineteenth-century gilt-ruled green half morocco by P. Zillig, spine gilt-ruled with raised bands in five compartments, the second lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers, 6.5cm closed tear to second free endpaper, dampstaining (mainly affecting up to p. xiii), endleaves renewed, extremities rubbed

RARE FIRST EDITION OF THE FIRST PRINTED BOOK ON CHESS BY AN INDIAN AUTHOR. Trevangadacharya's text was originally written in Sanskrit before being translated into English. George Walker noted that "This volume is now exceedingly rare; many of its positions are exquisitely beautiful, and, in fact, of first-rate merit and science." Trevangadacharya was a resident of Pune and played chess under the patronage of the last Maratha Peshwa, Baji Rao II. An later review of the book recalls his prowess as a player:

“A friend of mine has seen him play three, and even four games at once, blindfold, with the best players, – performing his laborious task with perfect accuracy. He would attend European residents for a certain fee; and would play eight, ten, and twelve hours at a sitting, – taking no refreshment but a little rice or tea, and seldom opening his lips to utter a single word. He played indifferently the English or Hindoo variety of chess; and never, it is affirmed, was beaten by any European.” (Frazer’s Magazine, March 1840)

PROVENANCE:

"Harriet Frome", nineteenth-century ownership inscription to front free endpaper; Baron von der Lasa (1818–1899), legendary German chess master and chess historian, bookplate, with manuscript inventory number (No. 3047), autograph notes in ink to flyleaf (in German), and in pencil to preface

LITERATURE:

George Walker, Chess and Chess-players; Consisting of Original Tales and Sketches (London, 1850), p.128.