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The Turk, Chess Automaton
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The Turk, Chess Automaton Hardcover - 2000

by Gerald M. Levitt


From the publisher

With all-new research and facts unknown for two centuries, this is a richly detailed and comprehensive account of "The Turk," Baron Wolfgang von Kempelen's amazing but fraudulent Chess Automaton that held the world spellbound for 85 years beginning in 1770. In actuality, the Turk was manipulated by a man housed in a hot box, working by candlelight--but the secret was kept for decades. Besides playing a good game of chess within an hour's time, the manipulator had to keep track of the moves, work the pantograph arm apparatus, nod the head, roll the eyes, cover up sneezes and coughs, and work the sound mechanism. This work contains a detailed discussion of the literature surrounding the Turk along with an analysis of its hidden operation. The complete collection of published games played by the Turk, many, again, unknown for 200 years, is also included.

Details

  • Title The Turk, Chess Automaton
  • Author Gerald M. Levitt
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition First Edition
  • Publisher McFarland & Company, Jefferson, North Carolina
  • Date October 2000
  • ISBN 9780786407781

About the author

Gerald M. Levitt has been playing postal and over-the-board chess for many years. He has authored numerous articles for Chess Life and Florida Chess, written a chess column, and made live radio appearances as a chess expert. A retired doctor of podiatric medicine, he lives in Naples, Florida.
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The Turk, Chess Automation

The Turk, Chess Automation

by Gerald M. Levitt

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780786407781
ISBN 10
0786407786
Quantity Available
1
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Seattle, Washington, United States
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This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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Description:
McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers, 2000. Hardcover. Good. Disclaimer:A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$44.34
FREE shipping to USA
The Turk, Chess Automation

The Turk, Chess Automation

by Levitt, Gerald M.

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Good- Very Good
Edition
First Edition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780786407781
ISBN 10
0786407786
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$70.00
$10.50 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2000. Solid with light wear on the covers from rubbing and a small light bump on the bottom right corner of the front cover. A manufacturing defect, the covers are upside down to the interior binding. The original owner has underlined the chess game titles in red ball point pen ink. "With all new research revealing facts unrecalled for two centuries, this is a richly detailed and exhaustive account of the elaborate and astonishing 18th century chess-playing machine in human form known as "the Turk", Baron Wolfgang von Kempelen's amazing Automaton that held the world spellbound for 85 years beginning in 1770.". First Edition. Hard Cover. Good- Very Good. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall.
Item Price
$70.00
$10.50 shipping to USA