Chess Notes started as a bimonthly periodical, and was described by its author, in the first issue (January–February 1982), as "A forum for aficionados to discuss all matters relating to the Royal Pastime".
[2] Jan Timman has commented: "Writers on chess history and the games of yesteryear are not normally pathfinders or perfectionists, but Edward Winter is an exception, taking great pains not only to tackle difficult research tasks but also to present the facts precisely.
Winter's brilliantly scathing style, always adopted in the noble cause of accuracy, gives his writings a marvellously entertaining as well as instructive quality.
"[5] Chess writers whom Winter has criticized for poor work include Eric Schiller,[6] Raymond Keene,[7] and Larry Evans.
"[3] Winter has made a particular study of José Raúl Capablanca, and critics hailed his 1989 monograph on the Cuban world chess champion.