The Philosopher and the Housewife

Siegbert Tarrasch and Aron Nimzowitsch could be called the two vainest chess players in history. This book tells the fascinating story of their lifelong rivalry. They clashed as personalities, as players and as chess writers, both searching for the truth in chess, but with very different perspectives.

Tarrasch is seen as the dogmatic theorist and, according to Nimzowitsch, didn't offer much more than the well-meaning advice of a housewife. Nimzowitsch is the philosopher, the designer of a complete ‘system’ that explains everything there is to know about chess to future generations of students.

Does chess history treat these giants fairly or are they mere caricatures? And what was the role of the third protagonist in this debate, Semyon Alapin, whom Nimzowitsch condescendingly called ‘an artist of variations’? These questions, and these different viewpoints, are at the heart of this in-depth investigation.

Hendriks offers a wonderful and often highly entertaining look at this great controversy. The many chess fragments nicely illustrate how our expertise has evolved in this turbulent period of chess history.

Willy Hendriks.(1966) is an International Master who has been working as a chess trainer for over thirty years. His bestselling book Move First, Think Later won the English Chess Federation Book of the Year Award in 2012. Hendriks has published two other widely acclaimed chess books, On the Origin of Good Moves (2020) and The Ink War (2022).

Reviews

GM Erwin L’Ami (Max Euwe Centrum magazine)
“Hendriks's own perspective on this subject is readily apparent to anyone familiar with his work. Yet, he doesn't overemphasize it, which makes for a pleasant read. He knows the subject inside and out, and it clearly shows – he must have put a great deal of time into his research. The book is also filled with easy-to-read chess fragments that are accessible to amateurs. It's another fantastic glimpse into a bygone era. This is undoubtedly due in part to the strong opinions expressed by the main characters.”

IM John Watson (Chess Life magazine)
“…almost all lovers of chess history will be delighted by Hendriks’ deep research and relaxed and story-telling style. Moreover, many older and experienced players will be fascinated, as I was, by the look back into the historical development of chess thought and how it evolved into today’s game. Congratulations to Willy Hendriks for another superb effort.”

Harry Schaack (KARL magazine)
“With his book, Hendriks has reconstructed the theoretical debates of that era, making them transparent and comprehensible. It is an enjoyable book due to its fluid style, often imbued with an ironic undertone, as well as its eccentric protagonists. The book offers insight into a time when people still fought fiercely for their chess ideas and concepts.”

Stefan Liebig (Schach-Magazin 64)
“The Philosopher and the Housewife is not a dry theoretical study or historical treatise, but a brilliant, critical, and entertaining journey through the minds of two chess icons—and an invitation to rethink one's understanding of strategy, creativity, and authority at the board. A must-read for lovers of historical depth and modern reading pleasure, and for anyone who wants to learn about the history of their hobby in an entertaining way.”

GM Raymond Keene (The Article)
“I have no hesitation in pronouncing Hendriks’s work a masterpiece, the like of which we would be lucky to see once in a decade. To put it mildly, this is the best and most riveting chess book which I have read for years!” 

IM Herman Grooten (Schaaksite.nl)
“For those interested in chess history but also in the development of chess strategy over the years, this is a wonderful overview that can provide a lot of reading pleasure!”
(full review in Dutch)

Sean Marsh (CHESS magazine)
“…this one held my attention throughout and provided fresh insights into one of history’s best-kept secret rivalries. This book is recommended to all players who have a strong interest in chess history and the great personalities from a bygone age.”

GM Matthew Sadler (New In Chess magazine)
“Having enjoyed Hendriks’ previous books, I was looking forward enor¬mously to reading this one, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. It’s full of humour, surprises, good chess – some familiar, some not – and larger-than-life characters!”
(full review)