fortunate relationship between Jews and chess

Abstract

The relationship of Jews with chess has been deep and fruitful throughout centuries. Nearly half of the chess world champions and grandmasters were of Jewish origin. Although the topic has deserved articles, books, films and web pages in different languages, there is a noticeable scarcity of selected bibliography in Spanish. It was about time to change this situation on the eve of the remembrance of three events: 120 years of Steinitz’s death (2020), 80 years of Lasker’s one (2021) and 50 years of Fischer’s victory in the world championship against Spassky (2022). This article will deal with the development of the game among the Jews and the halakhic treatment given to it by their rabbis.