Edward Lasker

Born in Prussia in 1885 and later settling in the United States, Edward Lasker built a remarkably varied career. He was trained as an engineer, emigrated to America in 1914, and became known not only as a strong chess player but also as an important early popularizer of Go in the English-speaking world.

In chess, he rose to the rank of International Master and became one of the leading American players of his era. He won the U.S. Open five times in the 1910s and early 1920s, and his books helped make the game approachable for generations of casual and competitive players.

As a writer, Lasker had a practical, welcoming style. He wrote on chess, Go, and other board games, and that mix of skill and clarity is a big part of why his work has lasted: he knew the games deeply, but he also knew how to explain why they were fun.