(Ponziani, Domenico Lorenzo): Il giuoco incomparabile degli scacchi

(Ponziani, Domenico Lorenzo): Il giuoco incomparabile degli scacchi sviluppato con nuovo metodo per condurre chiunque colla maggior facilità dai primi elementi sino alle finezze più magistrali. Opera D’Autore Modenese divisa int re parti terza edizione. [The unique game of chess…]
Venezia, 1812. Nella Stamperia Negri. VIII. 380 p. Fourth edition.
In contemporary paper wrappers.

Modenese Ponziani, one of the greatest masters of eighteenth century chess. This is the fourth edition of his very important chess work (although it is listed as the third on the title page), rare as all editions of it are. The work was first published in Modena in 1769, and was an integration and development of a classic of Italian literature on the subject, Ercole Del Rio’s Observations on the Game of Chess. Ponziani (Modena, 1719 – 1796) was an Italian law professor, priest, chess player, composer and theoretician. He is best known today for his chess writing. Ponziani was friend with fellow Modenese chess players and writers Ercole del Rio and Giambattista Lolli, and collectively the trio is known as the Modenese Masters. Ponziani’s work is the best practical guide produced by the Modenese Masters.