Information
In Venetia, After Stefano Zazzara, MDLXIIII. 8th, cc. number 62 + 2 blank cards with 48 woodcuts n.t. depicting the chessboard with the various chess pieces positioned on it to illustrate the different movements of the game. Italian and Castilian text (signature canceled on the title page). Light browning, slight trace of humidity on the lower edge of a few leaves. Contemporary binding in full parchment.
Specialist Notes
RARE EDITION OF ONE OF THE FIRST CHESS MANUALS
Born in Portugal to a family of Jewish origins, Damiano was a pharmacist by profession. Following the decree of expulsion of the Jews from his country issued in December 1496 by the sovereign Manuel I he fled to Italy and here he changed his name to the Italian version by which he is known throughout the world. Damiano describes the rules of the game, which at the time were already similar, but not identical, to the current ones (for example, castling and en passant capture were missing), offers advice on strategy, presents a selection of chess problems (the "games" mentioned in the title) still very famous (see diagrams) and analyzes some openings. However, most of these problems had already been published by Lucena. In the past there were no clear rules for transcribing matches; Furthermore, the squares on the chessboard were not necessarily black and white with alternating colors. Damiano helps to clarify by introducing a notation (the alphanumeric transcription of the games) based on the numbering of the houses from one to sixty-four, and establishing the custom of having the houses in alternating colours. His is in fact the oldest chess text in which the statement is found that the square to the right of the row closest to each player must be white. Furthermore, Damiano gives suggestions on how to play blindly (Arte de gioco alla mente), focusing mainly on the need to master notation.
Born in Portugal to a family of Jewish origins, Damiano was a pharmacist by profession. Following the decree of expulsion of the Jews from his country issued in December 1496 by the sovereign Manuel I he fled to Italy and here he changed his name to the Italian version by which he is known throughout the world. Damiano describes the rules of the game, which at the time were already similar, but not identical, to the current ones (for example, castling and en passant capture were missing), offers advice on strategy, presents a selection of chess problems (the "games" mentioned in the title) still very famous (see diagrams) and analyzes some openings. However, most of these problems had already been published by Lucena. In the past there were no clear rules for transcribing matches; Furthermore, the squares on the chessboard were not necessarily black and white with alternating colors. Damiano helps to clarify by introducing a notation (the alphanumeric transcription of the games) based on the numbering of the houses from one to sixty-four, and establishing the custom of having the houses in alternating colours. His is in fact the oldest chess text in which the statement is found that the square to the right of the row closest to each player must be white. Furthermore, Damiano gives suggestions on how to play blindly (Arte de gioco alla mente), focusing mainly on the need to master notation.
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