ADecember 29, 1953
The Leader-Post, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, Tuesday, December 29, 1953
CHESS AUTHOR: Abe Yanofsky, 28-year-old chess master who practices law at Winnipeg, is the first Canadian to write a book on chess. Entitled “Chess the Hard Way,” it was published in Winnipeg.
Yanofsky learned chess on weekends
WINNIPEG (CP)-Abe Yanofsky says he learned chess the hard way. So what could be better title for a book?
Just out, “Chess the Hard Way” reflects, says the 28-year-old Winnipeg master how I learned and how I progressed.” In its 150 pages Yanofsky tries to show “a little of what goes on behind the scenes, because the success of many a master has been dependent on the small things that are rarely printed but must always be reckoned with.”
Yanofsky, who in 1937 played in the Canadian chess championships in knee pants, became a chess master in 1946 when he played in the Staunton tournament at Groningen, The Netherlands. He placed 14th but defeated Russia's grand master Mikhail Botvinnik, present world champion, in a brilliant game.
“Chess the Hard Way” (Pitman) is as much an autobiography as a guide to better chess. In it Yanofsky, 1953 British champion and co-holder of the Canadian title with Frank Anderson of Toronto, describes his outstanding games. They are annotated and an analysis of alternatives is given.
Few books on chess were on the market when Yanofsky persuaded his father to buy him a $1 chess set in 1933. He says he didn't study much; he advanced the “hard way”—by experience. Nowadays there are many books and “young players can study and know background and theory early.” That's why “Chess the Hard Way” deals largely with the “small things.”
Yanofsky's father taught him chess at the age of eight. That year, 1933, his progress was such that he played a draw with a visiting United States master.
But Yanofsky senior would permit the eager youngster to play only Saturday evenings and Sundays and it was not until 1935 that he played in his first formal tournament. In 1937, a boy in knickers, he played in the Canadian championships. He placed fourth.
CHAMPION AT 17
Yanofsky won the title in 1941. The following year, at the age of 17, he became North American open champion and in 1943 won the Canadian title again. In 1945, he shared the Canadian title with Frank Yerhoff of Saskatoon, was sole champion in 1947 and in 1953, is co-holder with Anderson.
In his book, Yanofsky tells of his early games; trips that took him to South America, Europe and Britain. The biographical content mentions his marriage to Hilda Gutnik of Winnipeg in 1951. The Yanofskys have a daughter, Rochelle, now eight months.
Of Russian parentage, Yanofsky was born in Poland. The family moved to Canada when he was eight months old, first to Portage la Prairie, 50 miles west of here, then to Winnipeg. He now is a partner in a law firm.
