 He died at age 24, probably of tuberculosis, before finishing the "Handbuch", but the work was completed by his friend Tassilo von Heydebrand und der Lasa, who gave primary credit to Bilguer.The "Handbuch" was for many years considered the definitive reference work on the game of chess, and on openings in particular.It was a precursor to later standard opening reference works such as "Modern Chess Openings" and "Encyclopedia of Chess Openings".