During Christmas of 2003 I received an intriguing gift: a newly released book titled The Chess Artist: Genius, Obsession, and the World's Oldest Game by J.C. Hallman.
The book -- a travelogue about Hallman's chess-centric adventures with friend and chess master, Glenn Umstead -- exhilarated me. As a self-described chess fiend, I devoured the tome in five days (I'm a slow reader). For chess enthusiasts, The Chess Artist is not unlike crack cocaine for narcotics enthusiasts: completely addictive.
Hallman's recollections of traveling to Kalmykia, Russia, headquarters of the World Chess Federation, and interviewing the eccentric (and, some would say, felonious) president, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, are at the heart of The Chess Artist. Ilyumzhinov's idea of chess as religion piqued Hallman's interest, and the book elaborates on that idea through the lens of Hallman and Umstead's intrepid -- and often hilarious -- escapades.
In 2006, Hallman published his second book, The Devil Is a Gentleman. While The Chess Artist takes an in-depth look at people who play chess religiously, The Devil Is a Gentleman examines those who practice certain fringe religions ... religiously.
After his second published volume, Hallman has established himself as an eminent chess historian and religious commentator. Since chess and religion (especially of the Christian flavor) are two popular topics around Thinklings, I thought I'd seek out Hallman for an interview. Thankfully, Hallman graciously consented:
You're a seasoned author now with two published books to your credit, and, undoubtedly, a growing fan base. (I even saw a guy once on the Internet Chess Club with a unique handle, something like: JCHallmanFan.) How has your life changed since the release of your first book, The Chess Artist, in 2003?
Read the rest here.
Eric Guel is a freelance writer and photographer based out of Waco, Texas. Contact him at ericguel@gmail.com.
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