Spielmann and World War 1
From Wiener Schachzeitung 1915, p. 108:
Rudolf Spielmann has been in the field of war since the beginning of May. On the 31st of May he delighted me with a military postcard from Stern at Pedraces in South Tyrol. (His address: Telegraph-Abteilung, Feldpost 601.) Its contents are also likely to interest wider circles:
After a 32 km long march fully geared, loaded with about 30 kg baggage, here I happily landed. I live in a quiet, idyllic location. In a wonderful forest with surrounding cliffs, which makes a somewhat gloomy impression with the continuous rain of the last days. Service is very simple, much less strenuous than a chess tournament. Have a lot of free time, which I would like to devote to chess study and the management of my columns. Unfortunately, however, I am completely cut off from the chess world. I would therefore be grateful to you for sending the latest issue of Wiener Schachzeitung. Best regards from yours R. Spielmann. P. S. Many greetings to the valued club members.
From Pester Lloyd, August 27, 1915:
A Chess Club in the Field of War
Chess master Rudolf Spielmann, who is a one-year volunteer reserve pioneer in military service [Einjähriger-Landsturmpionier im Militärdienst, ed.], addressed his father with a military letter, which reads as follows:
My commander has made me acquainted with some chess-playing officers, and it was decided to introduce casual chess evenings, and two chess sets were soon procured, of which I always carry one in my backpack as spiritual nourishment. Of course, the playing strength is quite varying, while on one board some fanciful knight jumps are carried out, play on the other board is quite passable. One of the strongest players is staff physician N., who is a challenge even to me. The number of chess lovers among the officers has increased again in the recent past, so that one can actually speak of a chess club. My permanent opponents are now a cadet from our division and a doctor from Bregenz.
The question as to whether there are parallels between chess and the World War finds in me an eager yay sayer. The World War is like a great chess game, with two masters, namely Austria-Hungary and Germany, playing simultaneously, by going from board to board and alternately moving. Now we are in the French game, now in the English game, and now in the Russian game. As far as the Italian game is concerned, I have no high opinion on the strengths of their leaders. The old master Albin, in his aphorisms, says: “Nothing avenges itself more in chess, than the exaggerated underestimation of the opponent.” We should also keep this principle in mind. Nevertheless, I believe that the Italians can be given rook odds. We are not settled in any village, but have built some barracks in God’s free nature and lead a true life á la Robinson. The mail man, who passes through daily, forms the only link with the outside world.
