Numerous books on chess are currently flooding the markets. They are primarily targeted at tournament players giving advice for the opening, the middle- and the end game. Those who are interested in chess history have to look hard for the jewels that yet do exist and they only have a good chance by cultivating contacts with insiders.

Although I am still active as a tournament player, I am also dealing with chess history and particularly interested in the development of ideas for end games which combine the single moves to an algorithmic targeted approach. It is very much to be welcomed that the new journal “Caissa” offers a platform for these and further issues.

The Lasker-Year 2018 in honor of the 150th anniversary of the only German world chess champion might prove stimulating to chess historians if one considers that Richard Teichmann (150 years), Tassilo von Heydebrand und der Lasa and Adolf Anderssen (both 200 years) will also celebrate round-numbered birthdays in 2018. There are still quite a few topics to be worked off.

Numerous questions regarding the history of chess and other board games are still open; among them the ancient question whether chess originates from India or Persia is still being discussed. I am especially interested in the so far unresolved question how chess came to my Saarland home country. Hence I particularly welcome that “Caissa” will be issued by a Saarland publishing company. Perhaps my suggestion will be taken up and the question studied? I welcome the holding of a conference on chess and other board games at the University of Saarland in spring 2016.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to Dr. Mario Ziegler, who had the idea and the courage for this project. I wish the new journal a good start and a long life.

Herbert Bastian, President Deutscher Schachbund (DSB) e. V. and Vice President of the World Chess Federation FIDE