Years have passed, almost a decade since Drasko's death. I have been wondering why no one has written a book about such a giant. I guess we will not just forget him? Deep inside I had long had the desire to write such a book, and when we carne to an agreement with Thinkers Publishing House, I was very, very happy and even more grateful for the opportunity that presented itself.
I did not know my co-author - Drasko's daughter, Ana - at that time. When I somehow found her and asked her if she had anything in Drasko's estate that I could use in the book, I was shocked and stood there with my mouth open. Ana not only had a wonderful collection of photos, cartoons, and other wonderful materials, but also kept a collection of Drasko's games in the drawer. The "Boss" commented on most of them himself, explained this and that in many places, showed us how his attack was born, how the ideas developed in many variations. He described to us, as if in passing, many adventures explaining some postiopec, some event that so readily shows the cruel history in its own light and through the eyes of those who write it.
The decision was simple: I asked Ana if she wanted to write the book with me. She gladly agreed and told me that the book about her father is also her long-cherished wish, a kind of debt to Drasko, who left her such beautiful memories. Our wonderful journey together began, with the final result that you are reading now. Today, I know that without Anas help this book would not have existed. Or rather, ifl had decided to write it, it would have been only a pale imitation ofit. So once again, thank you, dear Ana!
I sincerely hope that you, dear readers, will enjoy the wonderful masterpieces you will find in this book. In addition to the authors, some of Draskds contemporaries were also involved in the writing, and they immediately responded with pride and love to the request to keep the memory of the Serbian genius alive. I would like to thank all those who participated in this project. To the Grandmasters who wrote down their own memories of Drasko, which you will find in this book in special "boxes". To the contemporaries, friends, and comrades-in-arms of "Boss" who remember this or that anecdote, this or that event, this or that memory. I sincerely hope that this book will ensure that we do not forget the Serbian chess autodidact, one of the greatest chess players, theoreticians and coaches the world has ever known.
Almost last, but not least, I would like to thank the contributors (you will find their nam es in the colophon) who have invested too many hours of their free time in this project. And finally, although perhaps they should be at the top, the memhers of my family who have so patiently endured my escapes to the great chess masters of the world.
Georg Mohr, Maribor, July 2023
Excerpt
