French Poems

L'Illusion

De ce nombre "grand V", la valeur qu'il se donne,
Soustrayons "petit v", ce qu'il vaut pour de bon.
Il en ré, ce que l'algè ordonne :
"Grand V" moins "petit v" --- é Illusion.

Chess mathematics

Let "S" be the strength that a player professes,
And "s" represent what in fact he possesses,
From a small calculation we reach the conclusion
That "S" minus "s" must equal Illusion.

Jules Lazard, "Quatrains éé,"
English version by D. Castello.
S. Tartakower, Bré des É, p60;
A Breviary of Chess, p46.

Biensé

Le rè proscrit tous abus de paroles,
De rires, de tabac, de tous gestes frivoles,
Bâ, toux, lecture ou bruit de piè en main,
Ni surtout, gentleman! la nargue dans le gain.

Chess manners

Don't chatter, don't read,
Don't smoke a cheap "weed",
Reckon singing and humming a sin,
Don't titter, don't frown,
Don't bang a piece down,
And _never exult when you win.

Jules Lazard, "Quatrains éé,"
English version by D. Castello.
S. Tartakower, Bré des É, p61;
A Breviary of Chess, p47.