Il Puttino is an Italian book[1] first published by Alessandro Salvio in 1634. The full title in Italian is: "IL PVTTINO Altramente detto, IL CAVALIERO ERRANTE DEL SALVIO, Sopra il gioco de'Scacchi, con la sua Apologia contra il Carrera,[2] diuiso in tre Libri. IN NAPOLI, Nella Stampa di Gio: Domenico Montanaro. 1634. Con licenza de'Superiori."
The English translation is: "IL PVTTINO Otherwise called, THE ERRANT KNIGHT OF SALVIO, Above the Game of Chess, with his Apologia against Carrera, divided into three books. IN NAPLES, In Gio's Press: Domenico Montanaro. 1634. With permission of the Superiors."
It is the second book (libro secondo in Italian), or second chapter of the first book (out of two) published in 1634. See also "LIBRO QUARTO", fourth book, reprint of the "trattato" of 1604.[3][4]
The four books have been published as a reprint by an unknown author, "Da un Incognito," in 1723.[5] The latter work published in 1723 is sometimes referred as The Salvio.
'Il Puttino' is a nickname used by Salvio for Giovanni Leonardo from Cutro. In the two versions of the 'libro secondo' a story is told which actually took place 50 to 60 years before it was printed in letters.
A long list of chess players are named in the Puttino, which reflect real persons, including:
The first translation of Il Puttino (in the sense of the 'libro secondo') from Italian to English language was done by George Walker, and published under the title "The light and lustre of chess" in The Chess Player's Chronicle, 1843.[6]
According to JH Saratt's translation, Il Puttino was first published in 1604, and reprinted in 1634.