On 2016-04-08 14:39, Warren D Smith wrote:
Macaulay's book gave a star role to the amazing theorem of Lasker, also mentioned here
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_decomposition
It is due to Emanuel Lasker, world chess champion 1894-1921, which I think made him the longest-reigning world champ. So, I had not realized this, but Lasker also made a lasting contribution to mathematics.
From http://exeterchessclub.org.uk/content/chess-stories Lasker incognitoLasker often used to play without letting on who he was: he had fun at the expense of one poor chap who managed always to win against his mystery opponent when he gave knight odds, but lost when he had the extra knight!
Probably apocryphal (Hans?), but the story I heard was that, en route to his 1921 Havana defeat, a fellow passenger found him analyzing a position and, unsuspecting, introduced himself as president of his local chess club. And then beat Lasker in game. "This piece here, how do you call it?" "The queen." "Do you mind if I play without it? It is impairing my mobility." [You can guess the rest.] --rwg