[Chess] Eugène Strens (1899-1980)

Collection of manuscripts & typescripts concerning chess problems. Profusely illustrated with drawings of chess boards to illustrate the subjects. Approx. 1,000 leaves, 30 x 21 cm. Most in manuscript and recto and verso. Written circa August 1944 to late 1950.

The engineer Strens was a renowned collector of bookplates, prints and books and a good friend of Escher. He was also an avid chess player, of which this manuscript testifies. Part of it might have been written for publishing, as especially the typescripts are nearly finished. For example: "Caïssa's curiosa: Een Koninginnenprobleem. De koninginnen van het schaakspel hebben in de loop der jaren reeds stof gegeven voor talrijke opgaven en puzzles." Added: 4 pocket chess games and several chess magazines (1950s) from Strens's personal collection.