Chess in Sepia Tones

When the first official Chess Olympiad began at Westminster Central Hall in July 1927, the world looked entirely different. It was the age of jazz, silent cinema, and an ever-quickening pace of life. What was London like when it hosted legends such as Tarrasch, Euwe, and Réti? Thanks to unique materials, including a color film from those years, we can travel back in time.

Join us for a stroll through the streets of 1927 London, straight from the pages of our book "The 1st Chess Olympiad – London 1927."

A City of Contrasts

London in 1927 was the heart of the British Empire, a bustling metropolis full of contrasts. On one hand, elegant streets, gleaming automobiles, and gentlemen in top hats. On the other, crowded working-class neighborhoods and ever-present smog.

Crowded streets and the iconic double-decker "General" buses were symbols of the city. Traffic was chaotic, and a policeman directing traffic in the middle of an intersection was an essential part of the urban landscape.

"The Open Road" – London in Color

Thanks to the remarkable color film "The Open Road," shot in 1926–1927, we can see the city in full color. This unique document of the era allows us to feel the atmosphere of those days.

A frame from "The Open Road" shows everyday city life. Red buses, elegant cars, and bustling streets – all of this formed the backdrop for the historic chess battles.

Architectural Icons

Olympiad participants, while strolling through the city, could admire iconic buildings that remain symbols of London to this day.

The majestic Tower of London on the Thames. A sight that surely impressed chess players who had arrived from all across Europe.

The Palace of Westminster with Big Ben – the political heart of the Empire. It was in its shadow, at the nearby Westminster Central Hall, that the chess battles took place.

A Moment of Rest in Hyde Park

Between exhausting rounds, players could seek a moment of peace in London’s famous parks.

Hyde Park offered respite from the urban bustle. It was here, surrounded by greenery, that masters could recharge before the next games, analyzing positions and planning strategies.

The atmosphere of 1920s London – a city at the crossroads of tradition and modernity – was certainly a remarkable backdrop for the first Olympiad. It was in this historic setting that a tradition was born which endures to this day.

Want to see more unique photographs and experience the feel of those times? Our book "The 1st Chess Olympiad – London 1927" is not just an analysis of games, but also a fascinating journey through time. We invite you to read it!