What is the Luzhin Defense?
Stdann
I heard about a certain defense known as the Luzhin Defense, but couldn't
find it in any chessbooks. Does it even exist? And if yes, how does it go?
Bronco Billy
std...@aol.com (Stdann) writes:
>I heard about a certain defense known as the Luzhin Defense, but couldn't
>find it in any chessbooks. Does it even exist? And if yes, how does it go?
I wonder if you or someone you spoke to read about it in Nabokov's
_The Defense_. The name of the main character was Luzhin, and he
may have had a (fictional) defense named after him in the story.
There is no opening called the Luzhin defense that is played in real
chess.
By the way, Luzhin's defense in _The Defense_ was self-defenestration.
I recommend reading the book if you haven't done so.
Best regards,
--
Michael D. Holcomb | Disclaimer: These opinions are mine alone.
University of Colorado | Chess: Known as Cyborg on FICS. USCF 1721.
Nuclear Physics Lab | Radios: I fix antique radios for fun and profit.
hol...@spectr.colorado.edu | Politics: Aubrey & Maturin in '96
Matt Guthrie
In article <holcomb....@stripe.Colorado.EDU> hol...@stripe.Colorado.EDU (Bronco Billy) writes:
>From: hol...@stripe.Colorado.EDU (Bronco Billy)
>Subject: Re: What is the Luzhin Defense?
>Date: 20 Oct 96 23:36:55 GMT
>std...@aol.com (Stdann) writes:
>Best regards,
I believe that the original title of the book was "Luzhin's Defence." Or
maybe that was its title in the original language. Or something like that.
But yes, do read it.
Matt Guthrie
Hark, now hear the sailors cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic. (Thanks, Van)
Karlheinz Kobras
In article <54dt3f$f...@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, std...@aol.com (Stdann) writes:
> I heard about a certain defense known as the Luzhin Defense, but couldn't
> find it in any chessbooks. Does it even exist? And if yes, how does it go?
at the end commits suicide. With "Luzhin" is meant Aljechin according to my
information. "Luzhin Defense" is only a title but feel free to correlate it
with the Aljechin Defense
Karlheinz
Maarten Claessens
Matt Guthrie wrote:
>
> In article <holcomb....@stripe.Colorado.EDU> hol...@stripe.Colorado.EDU (Bronco Billy) writes:
> >From: hol...@stripe.Colorado.EDU (Bronco Billy)
> >Subject: Re: What is the Luzhin Defense?
> >Date: 20 Oct 96 23:36:55 GMT
>
>
> >>I heard about a certain defense known as the Luzhin Defense, but couldn't
> >>find it in any chessbooks. Does it even exist? And if yes, how does it go?
>
> >_The Defense_. The name of the main character was Luzhin, and he
> >may have had a (fictional) defense named after him in the story.
> >There is no opening called the Luzhin defense that is played in real
> >chess.
>
> >By the way, Luzhin's defense in _The Defense_ was self-defenestration.
> >I recommend reading the book if you haven't done so.
>
> >Best regards,
>
> >--
> >Michael D. Holcomb | Disclaimer: These opinions are mine alone.
> >University of Colorado | Chess: Known as Cyborg on FICS. USCF 1721.
> >Nuclear Physics Lab | Radios: I fix antique radios for fun and profit.
> >hol...@spectr.colorado.edu | Politics: Aubrey & Maturin in '96
>
> I believe that the original title of the book was "Luzhin's Defence." Or
> maybe that was its title in the original language. Or something like that.
> But yes, do read it.
> Matt Guthrie
>
> Hark, now hear the sailors cry
> Smell the sea and feel the sky
> Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic. (Thanks, Van)
Vladimir Nabakov writes in the preface of the (dutch) edition I have:
'The Russian title of this roman is <Zasjita Loezjina>, which
means <The Lushin Defence>...'
Maarten Claessens
Chess Club
In article <mattg.224...@indirect.com>,
Matt Guthrie <ma...@indirect.com> wrote:
>I believe that the original title of the book was "Luzhin's Defence." Or
>maybe that was its title in the original language. Or something like that.
>But yes, do read it.
> Matt Guthrie
Yes, the original title is "Zashtita Luzhina", or "The Luzhin Defense".
However, this book is fiction, not a chess book. And a "Luzhin Defense"
does not exist in chess theory.
But, the book is one of the finest examples of chess-related fiction.
It is generally believed that the main character, the Russian chess
player Luzhin has been created having in mind the world champion
Alekhin as a prototype. Also, one could find other characters in the
book that bear resemblance to well-known players active in the
'20s. E.g. Rubinstein, Grunfeld, Lasker etc.
In any case, the book is worth reading.
Greetings,
--Svetlin Stantchev
Sylvain Landry
std...@aol.com (Stdann) wrote:
>I heard about a certain defense known as the Luzhin Defense, but couldn't
>find it in any chessbooks. Does it even exist? And if yes, how does it go?
This is the title of a book by Nabokov!!!
Sylvain Landry
Sylvain Landry
Kaarlo Kaarlonen
std...@aol.com (Stdann) wrote:
>I heard about a certain defense known as the Luzhin Defense, but couldn't
>find it in any chessbooks. Does it even exist? And if yes, how does it go?
The Luzhin Defense is the titel of the book written by Vladimir
Nabokov.
--
Kaarlo Kaarlonen
mailto:ka...@dna.fi
Timothy Hanke
I agree with most of this. However, it is certainly not "generally
believed" that Nabokov's character Luzhin is based on Alekhine, nor
have I even heard this idea mentioned before. Alekhine himself guessed
that Luzhin was based on Tartakower, on what evidence I don't know.
Rubinstein would seem to be a much more obvious model, both for his
style of play and his gradual withdrawal from reality. Most likely the
imaginary character of Luzhin mingles elements of several real-life
chessplayers with details created by Nabokov.
Those who are interested in Nabokov's use of chess themes in his
fiction may want to read the fascinating essay by Daniel Edelman,
"Cooks, Forks, and Waiters: Chess Problems and Vladimir Nabokov's _The
Defense_" (_American Chess Journal_ #3, pp. 44-58). Edelman is an
International Master who graduated from Harvard College with honors in
Russian Studies.
Timothy Hanke
Senior Editor
American Chess Journal
Timothy Hanke
NMTech Chess Club
In article <326FBB...@harvard.edu>,
Timothy Hanke <timoth...@harvard.edu> wrote:
>Chess Club wrote:
>> It is generally believed that the main character, the Russian chess
>> player Luzhin has been created having in mind the world champion
>> Alekhin as a prototype. Also, one could find other characters in the
>> book that bear resemblance to well-known players active in the
>> '20s. E.g. Rubinstein, Grunfeld, Lasker etc.
>>
>> In any case, the book is worth reading.
>>
>> Greetings,
>> --Svetlin Stantchev
>
>I agree with most of this. However, it is certainly not "generally
>believed" that Nabokov's character Luzhin is based on Alekhine, nor
>have I even heard this idea mentioned before.
I read about this in the preface of the Bulgarian edition of the book
(Bulgarian and Russian are very close languages, and both use the
cyrillic alphabeth). Unfortunately, I do not have it here and so I am
unable to give the references cited. I am not sure, but I recall seeing
some hints also in the (native Russian) "Shahmatiy v SSSR" magazine
about '87-'89.
While reading the book itself, I had the strong impression this might be
true. The details of the early years and family of Luzhin in Russia, his
post-emigrant experience in Paris, his world tour and style of playing
described remind of Alekhine's own life.
> Alekhine himself guessed
>that Luzhin was based on Tartakower, on what evidence I don't know.
This is a quite valid guess, in my opinion. Both share many similar
life details. However, there is not much evidence of Tartakover's
brilliant journalist career in the book. Also, the world championship
details are not Tartakover's. One could speculate that
Alekhine would not like to be identified with Luzhin due to the
highly controvercial character of the latter, and the epilogue of the
book.
>Rubinstein would seem to be a much more obvious model, both for his
>style of play and his gradual withdrawal from reality.
Rubinstein is a Polish, and I would not agree that his style of play
resembles Luzhin's. Also, Luzhin was raised in a rather rich and
typically Russian family, and carried his Russian background throughout
the book. He also was forced to emmigrate because of political reasons
(like Alekhine).
> Most likely the
>imaginary character of Luzhin mingles elements of several real-life
>chessplayers with details created by Nabokov.
I agree with that. There are also some details from Nabokov's own
memories (the summer in the country house at the beginning of the
book).
I hope some other newsgroup readers would share their opinion after
having read the book.
>Those who are interested in Nabokov's use of chess themes in his
>fiction may want to read the fascinating essay by Daniel Edelman,
>"Cooks, Forks, and Waiters: Chess Problems and Vladimir Nabokov's _The
>Defense_" (_American Chess Journal_ #3, pp. 44-58). Edelman is an
>International Master who graduated from Harvard College with honors in
>Russian Studies.
I would appreciate highly an electronic copy/version of the essay, either in
a private email, or posted somewhere on the net. Maybe the author/ACJ
would kindly consider this?
>Timothy Hanke
>Senior Editor
>American Chess Journal
Rgs,
--Svetlin Stantchev
--Graduate Student in Computer Science
(This opinion is mine, not NMTech chess club's)