Kentucky Gentleman Jack - American Chess Champion

One of the most intriguing figures in American chess history, Jackson Whipps Showalter (1859-1935), was the United States chess champion multiple times and a mainstay in the international cable matches against Great Britain. This extensive biography of the larger-than-life Showalter chronicles his family background, education, and brief escapades as a cowboy in Texas and an amateur baseball player in Kentucky.

During a career spanning more than 40 years, Showalter earned a reputation as a fierce match competitor and was well-known for his aggressive playing style. He competed in several international tournaments as well as many U.S. championship matches. His legendary title match against Harry Nelson Pillsbury in 1897 is examined in depth, with analyses from both combatants. Also included are a large number of photos and illustrations, many from the Showalter family archives. There are nearly 700 of his games, most of them featuring in-depth annotations by the chess editors and players of the period, including world champions Emanuel Lasker and Wilhelm Steinitz.

Showalter was a larger-than-life figure, one who attracted attention through his person, personality, and chess...[He] wore a trademark handlebar moustache and was heartily welcomed wherever he went...In addition to writing the richly illustrated biography, with 90 photographs and illustrations, Marchese has recovered over 680 of Showalter's games, given here with full citations and, when available, contemporary annotations. In doing so, he has produced the definitive story of Jackson Whipps Showalter and his chess. - From the Foreword by chess historian John S. Hilbert

This book fills a major gap in the history of chess in America. It is a fascinating, profound examination of one of the most colorful figures the royal game has produced, American Chess Champion Jackson Showalter.