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Wonders and Curiosities of Chess Logical Chess, Move by Move The Bright Side of Chess Chessboard Magic I The Iooo Best Short Games of Chess The Chess Companion Winning Chess Traps The Russians Play Chess Curious Chess Facts Practical Chess End ings Combinations: The Hearl of Chess The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played An Invitation to Chess (with Kenneth Harkness) Winning Chess (with Fred Reinfeld) The Fireside Book of Chess (with Fred Reinfeld) C hess Strategy and Tactics (with Fred Reinfeld)

WONDERS AND t;URIOSITIES OF

CHESS

* Irving Chernev

DOVER PUBLICATIONS, INC. NEW YORK

Copyright © 1974 by Irvin g Chernev. All rights reserved u nder Pan American and In· ternational Copyr igh t Conventions. Published in Canada by (;eneral Publishing Com·

pany, Ltd., !10 Lesmill Road, Don Mills, Toronto,

On tario. Published in the U n i ted Kingdom by Constable and Company. l..td., 10 Orange Su·eet, London

we 2.

Wonders and Cut·iosities of Chess is a new work,

first published in 1974 by Dover Publications, Inc.

International Standat·cl Book Number: 0·486·23007·4 Library of Congres.f Catalog Card Number: 73·7688-1 Manufactured in the

United States of America

Dover Publications, Inc. 180 Varick Street New York, N.Y. 10014

This book is dedicated, with love, to a chess widow-

... my

wife

ACKNOWLEDGMENT I wish to thank the Clarendon Press, Oxford, publishers of A History of Chess by H. ]. R. Murray, for permission to

quote material which appears in that book on the gambling

propensities of the Indians, and the advice offered to chess players by Lucena and Damiano.

INTRODUCTION "And then Chess came to gladden the hours."

-Mrs. W.]. Baird

I learned to play chess early in life, and was immediately fascinated by the game. There were thousands of beautiful games, brimming with brilliant ideas to play over, wonder ful problems to solve, and fanciful endgames to revel in. Chess offered everything to beguile the faculties and pleasure the soul. There was excitement too in following the careers of the great masters. What more glorious heroes could a young man have than Morphy, Pillsbury and Capablanca?

I read books on chess, magazines on chess and newspaper columns on chess. I bought books on chess-as many as

I could afford. But where most young amateurs studied master games to improve their own play, I was content to read (and subconsciously do research) about chess for my own enjoyment. I did not confine myself to master games, absorbing though they were. I could indulge myself in all the splendid variety of chess-the problems, endings, anec dotes, the facts and fancies about chess and its players. There was a vast literature on chess, greater in fact than that of all other games combined. So I made notes in my little black book of the most interesting of my discoveries, as I was bursting to show these choice morsels to my friends who played chess (and to some who didn't-but should have). Eventually my opportunity came. When Chess Review came into being, I was offered a column in which I could write on any phase of chess which interested me. So I wrote on various themes, happy to share the fruits of my readings and researches with fellow chess players. My topics covered

King Wanderings, Galloping Knights, Fantastic Positions,

viii

WONDERS AND CURIOSITIES OF CHESS

Purely Personal Opinions, Curious Chess Facts, and every thing else that pleased, amused, or excited me. Appropriately enough though,

my first column was

headed Curious Chess Facts, and in it I related the strange, beautiful and sometimes incredible things that occurred to chess players in the course of their careers. This was followed by similar columns which appeared in Chess

Review, American Chess Bulletin and British Chess Maga zine, and which created a great deal of interest in the happenings in "the small flat world of chess," as Gilbert Highet phrased it. Eventually I compiled 206 of these chess tidbits into a booklet which was published in

1937 under the title

Curious Chess Facts. This work has been out of print for several years. The present book is an enlarged version of the original edition, as many more curious facts have been added, and with them illustrative games.

I submit my discoveries for your delectation and your astonishment.

IRVING CHERNEY San Francisco, January I974

WONDERS AND �IJRIOSITIES OF

CHESS

J:

SHORTEST MASTER GAME

The shortest tournament game ever played between masters lasted only four moves. It occurred between Gibaud and Lazard in a Paris Championship Tourney. The moves were : PARIS, 1924 Queen's Pawn Game

I 2 3 4

Lazard Black N-KB3 P-K4 N-N5 N-K6 1

Gibaud White P-Q4 N-Q2 Px P P-KR3

This is the position :

White resigns, as he must either lose his Queen, or be mated if he takes the Knight. a

LONGEST WON GAME

The longest master game ending a win lasted 168 moves. The 1 907 Carlsbad Tournament was the scene of this gigantic struggle. Six sittings consuming 22t hours were required before Oldrich Duras, who had lost a Pawn at his seventh move against Heinrich Wolf, capitulated. Even when Wolf had two Queens against in

his lone King, Duras hung on (hop ing perhaps for an earthquake) . Here is the score of this sea serpent: CARLSBAD, 1907 Ruy Lopez Wolf White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 B-Ns 4 B-R4 5 N-B3 6 B-N3 7NxP Bo-o

Duras Black P-K4 N-QB3 P-QR3 N-B3 P-QN4 B-B4 ()-() N-Qs

Duras decides to play it a Pawn down, instead of regaining the Pawn by 8 . . . N x N 9 P-Q4, B-Q3 10 P x N, B x P. g N-B3 10 N x N I I N-K2 12 P-Q3 13 P-KR3 14 P-Q4 15 N-N3 1 6 P-QB3 1 7 Q-B3 IS B-B2 19 P-N3 2o B-K3 21 P-K5 22 Q-B4 23 BxQ 24 N-K2 25 P-QN4 ! 26 P-QR4 27 P x P 2B B-Ns

P-Q3 BxN B-N3 N-N5 N-K4 N-B5 Q-Rs P-N3 B-K3 QR-QI N-� P-Q4 P-KB4 QxQ N-N2 P-B4 P-B5 R-NI PxP K-B2

This prevents White's positional threat of 29 B-K7 followed by 30 B-Bs. 29 R-R6 30 KR-RI 31 R(R6)-R2

N-QI B-B1 N-K3

2


32 B-K3 33 K-R2 34 P-B4 35 P-N3 36 N-N1 37 R x R 38 R x R 39 P-N4 4o P x P 4 1 N-B3 42 P x P 43 B x B 44 B-B2 45 B-R4 46 N x B 47 N-Nz

B-Nz K-N2 P-R.J N-B2 QR-R1 RxR NxR RP x P B-B1 B-QI BxP PxB K-Bz BxB K-K3

This lengthens the game by roo moves, according to Marco. He suggests bringing the Knight to QN I, from where it defends the weak QBP and is in position to attack most of Black's Pawns. The play might go as follows: 47 N-B3, N-N3 48 N-Qz, N-R5 49 N-N 1 . Black's Knight i s now dead, as moving it to N3 or N7 loses a Pawn after 50 N-R3 in reply. And on 49 . . . K-B2 50 K-R3, K-N2 5 1 K-R4, K-N3 5 2 P-K6, K-B3 53 K-R5 , K x P 54 K-N5 , N-N7 55 N-R3 and White wins.

47 .. . 48 N-K3 49 N-Q I

N-N3 N-R5

The difference is apparent , in that White's Knight is tied down to the defence of the Bishop Pawn, and cannot be freed until the King wanders down to Q2 to protect the Pawn. In addition, the Kn ight is in no position to attack Black's Knight Pawn.

49 . . . 5 0 K-N3 51 K-B3 52 K-K3 53 K-Qz

K-Kz K-B2 K-Kz N-N3 K-K3

54 N-K3 55 N-Bz 56 K-Kz 5 7 N-K3 58 K-B3 59 N-Q I 6o K-N3 61 K-R3 62 K-R.J 63 K-N3 64K-Bz 65 K-K2 66 K-Qz 67 N-K3 68 N-Bz 6g N-Kx 7o N-B3 71 K-Kz 72 N-N5 73 K-Q2 74 N-R7 75 K-K3 76 K-Bz 77 K-K3 78 K-Qz 79 N-Nsch 8o N-B3 81 N-K1 8z N-Bz 83 N-R3 84 K-K2 85 N-N x

N-B1 K-Qz N-N3 K-K3 N-Rs K-K2 K-Bz K-Nz K-N3 K-Bz K-Kz K-K3 N-N3 N-B1 K-Qz K-K3 N-N3 K-Kz N-R5 N-N3 N-Qz K-Bz K-K3 K-B2 K-K3 K-K2 N-N3 K-K3 K-Q2 K-B3 N-R5

"Wolf has reached the decisive position," says Marco, "and the cat and mouse play is over."

8s . . . 86 K-B3 87 K-N3 88 K-R4 89 P-K6 90 K-Rs 91 K-N6 92 K-Ns 93 N-R3 94N x P

K-Q2 K-K3 K-B2 K-N3 K-B3 K-K2 KxP N-N7 N-Q8 N-K6

A diagram might be in order:

3


u3 K-Ks. Q-N4ch u4 K-K4. Q-N7ch U5 K-K5, Q-N4ch u6 K-K6, Q-N 1 ch u7 K-Q6, Q-Qich uS K-B6, Q-R1ch, and Black forces the draw, as White's King :finds himself on a merry-go-round from which he cannot get off.

The King moves toward the Knight :file, to keep an eye on the pf'.ssed Pawn. White's King will th.:'\reby have more terrain. 96 N-R6 97 N-B5 9S K-B6 99 KxP 100 K-Ks 101 P-Bs 1 02 NPxN I OJ P-KB6 104 P-B7 1 05 P-BS(Q) I o6 Q-B6 107 K-Q6 I oS Q-B1ch !

K-B3 K-N4 N-QS NxP N-R5 NxN P-B6 P-B7 P-BS(Q) K-B5 Q-QRS Q-R6 K-N5

If 10S . . . K x P 109 Q-KB4ch, K-B6 I IO Q-KJch, K-N7 I I I Q x Qch, Kx Q I 1 2 K x P, and White wins. 1 09 Q-K1ch " In order to play 50 more moves, " says Marco. " The imme diate 1 09 P-B6 would decide the game quickly. " 109 1 10 III U2

... Q-K2ch Q-K6 P-B6

K-N4 K-N5 Q-RI

On I I 2 Qx P instead, the con tinuation would be I I 2 . . . Q-Q 1ch

U2 . . . U3 Q-Q7 u4 K x P U5 K-Q6 I I 6 K-K7 U7 K-K6 uS K-B6 u9 K-Bs 120 K-B4 1 2 1 K-B3 1 2 2 K-K4 1 23 K-K5 I 2 4 K-Qs I 2 5 K-K6 1 26 K-K5 1 2 7 K-K4 1 2S K-B5 1 29 K-B4 1 30 K-N3 I 3 1 K-B3 1 32 Q-N4 ! 133 K-K3

Q-Qich Q-B3ch Q-B6ch Q-N6ch Q-Rsch Q-R6ch Q-R3ch Q-R4ch Q-R3ch Q-R4ch Q-Rsch Q-R7ch Q-RSch Q-R6ch Q-R7ch Q-Rsch Q-R4ch Q-R3ch Q-N4ch Q-R4ch Q-Q4ch Q-Q3

Obviously, 1 33 Qx P 1 34 P-Q5 dis.ch, Q-B5 1 3 5 Q x Qch would· be disastrous. 1 34 Q-B4 I 3 5 K-Bz 136 K-N3 I 3 7 Q-N4 I 3S K-N2 1 39 Q-Q7 140 K-B2 1 4 I K-B3 142 K-B4 143 K- B5 1 44 K-N6 145 K-B7 146 Q-K7ch 147 P-Qs 14S K-K6

Q-K3ch Q-R7ch Q-Nich Q-N1ch Q-Q3 Q-N3ch Q-B7ch Q-QSch Q-Q7ch Q-KB7ch Q-N6ch Q-R7 K-R5 Q-R4ch Q-Nsch

4


1 49 K-Q6 1 50 K-Q7 1 5 1 K-B7 1 5 2 P-Q6 1 53 K-N7 154 Q-K5ch 1 5 5 K-B7 1 56 K-Q7 1 5 7 P-B7 1 58 K-Q8 1 59 K-BS 1 6o Q-N5ch I 6 I K-N8 162 P-Q7 1 63 P-Q8 (Q) 164 Q x Qch 165 P-BS (Q)

Q-N5ch Q-N5ch K-N4 Q-KB5 Q-QN5 K-B5 dis.ch Q-R6 K-N5 Q-R6ch Q-R5ch K-N6 K-R6 Q-Q5 Q-B6 Q-QN6 KxQ

Never before this has a master played on in a master tournament, with a lone King facing two Queens.

165 ... 166 Q-Q3 1 67 Q(Q3)-B4 168 Q-N4 mate The final position:

K-N5 K-� K-N3

3

LONGEST DRAWN GAME

The longest game ending in a draw occurred between Pilnik and Czerniak. It lasted 1 9 1 moves and required 23 hours of play. The drawn result after such a lengthy battle reminds me of the prize fight between Andy Bowen and Jack Burke which took place at New Orleans in 1 893. After 1 1 0 rounds which took seven hours and 19 minutes o.f fighting, the battle was declared " no contest." Luckily for my readers I do not have the score of the Pilnik Czerniak game, so I shall spare them the details. 4

MOST DEFEATS IN A TOURNAMENT

Many wonderful records have been compiled in tournaments. The poorest was undoubtedly achieved by Moreau, who played in the Monte Carlo Tournament of 1903. His final score consisted of 26 zeros, without so much as a draw to his credit. 5 GRUNFELD SELECTS A FIRST MOVE

Four years after losing the longest game ever played, Duras acquired another doubtful distinction. He lost the second-longest game ever played. This time it was Janowsky who defeated Duras in a hard-fought battle that lasted 161 moves at San Sebastian in 1911.

Ernest Grunfeld, in his time one of the greatest authorities on open ings, played 1 P-K4 only once in his whole tournament career (against Capablanca at Carlsbad in 1 929) . When asked why he avoided I P-K4, he replied, "I never make a mistake in the opening." 6

MORPHY AND FISCHER AGREE ON THE BEST FIRST MOVE

In contrast to this, Paul Morphy, admittedly one of the greatest

5


masters in the history of the game, never began a game with I P-Q 4, although this move is nowadays considered the strongest opening move. Bobby Fischer, one of the modem chess world's brightest stars, says, "I have never opened with the Queen Pawn-on principle." In annotating a game of Steinitz's, Fischer says, " The players of I 862 knew something very valuable that the players of today would do well to make note of : I P-Q4 leads to nothing !'' 7

BLINDFOLD PLAY BANNED BY LAW

In Russia chess is thought of so highly that it is taught in the public schools. Yet blindfold play is for bidden by law. (Alekhine in Auf dem Wege zur Weltmeisterschaft.)

8 RESHEVSKY MAKES A PREDICTION

United States Champion Sammy Reshevsky was asked whether he expected to win the Western Tour nament of 1933. His reply was, " Who is there to beat me ? " Resh evsky was right. Nobody did beat him-but he did not win the tournament. (With nine wins, no losses and four drawn games, Resh evsky had a score of 1 1 -2. Fine's 12 wins and one loss gave him the winning score of r2-r.) 9 AN AMATEUR FOR LIFE

Franz Gutmayer, who wrote a book on how to become a chess master, was never able to become one himself.

Gutmayer never won first prize in a Hauptturnier, a requisite for the title of master in Germany. 10

A MILLION -DOLLAR MOVE

Frank Marshall brought off one of the most startling and unexpected moves ever seen on a chessboard in his game against Levitzky at Bres lau in 191 2 . The spectators were so electrified by the brilliant coup that they responded by showering the board with gold pieces! Here is the game : BRESLAU, 191 2 Defence

French

Levitzky White

I P-Q4 2 P-K4 3 N-QB3

4N-B3

5 KP x P 6B-K2 7 o-o 8 B-KN5 9 PxP

Io N-Q4 1 1 NxB 1 2 B-N4 1 3 B-R3 14 Q-Q2 Threatens to win 15 . . . P-Q5. 1 5 BxN 16 QR-Q 1

Marshall Black P-K3

P-Q4 P-QB4 N QB 3 KP x P N-B3 -

B-K2

o-o B-K3 BxP PxN

Q-Q3 QR-K 1 B-N5 a piece by

R xB

Now it's White who threatens1 7 N-K4

I6 . . . I7 Q-K2 18 P x B 19 R x P

Q-B4 B xN QxP N-Q5

White has recovered his Pawn, but Black has the initiative. If now

6


20 Q-Ks. N-B6ch ! 2I P x N, R-N3ch 22 B-N2, Q x KBP, and Black wins. 2 o Q-R5 2 1 R-K s

QR-KBI

The reply to 2I R-QBs would be 2 1 . .. R x P 22 R x R, Q-K8ch followed by mate .

2 1 . .. 22 Q-Ns

R-R3

Here if 22 Q-N4 (to protect the Bishop) 22 ... N-B6ch 23 P x N, Q x R (but not 23 . . . R-N3 24 R-Ns) wins.

22 . . . 2 3 R-QB5

board with gold pieces. I can only say that Marshall himself assured me of the truth of the incident.

RxB Q-KN 6 ! !

A spectacular finish ! The Queen moves right into a nest of Pawns to force White to surrender. Black's threat is immediate mate by 24 ... Q x RP. If 24 RP x Q, N-K7 mate, or if 24 BP x Q, N-K7ch and mate next move. Finally, if 24 Q x Q, N-K7ch 25 K-R I , N x Qch 26 K-N I , N x R, and Black has won a piece. Levitzky of course resigned-as soon as he recovered from the shock. This is the final position:

II

STRANGE NAMES OF PLAYERS

To the nonplayer the strange names of the various chess masters is a never-failing source of merriment. We need but mention Bobritschev Putschkin, Bogolyubov, Dus-Chot imirski, IlyiJ;t-Genevski, Przepiorka and Konstatinopolsky in illustration. We therefore commend his atten tion to the following curious chess fact : In a tournament held at St. Petersburg in I 903, no less than three Znosko-Borovskys won p rizes .

IZ UNWILLING CLUB MEMBERS

One club that no one cared to join was the Vera Menchik Club. There were no dues, and no meet ings were ever held in this strange club. The members consisted of masters who had lost a game to Vera Men chik-a master but still a woman ! Notable unwilling members in clude Dr. Euwe (former World ChamP.ion) , Reshevsky, Sultan Khan, Colle, Laj os Steiner, Sir George Thomas, Samisch, Becker and Yates. . A sample of Miss Menchik ' s prowess :

LONDON, I932 Samisch Attack

There are those who doubt that spectators actually showered the

Menchik White I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3

Thomas Black N-KB3 P- KN 3 B-Nz

7


4 P-K4 5 P-B3 6 B-K3 7 KN-K2 8 Q-Q2 9 P-Q5 I o P-KN4 ! II R-KNI

P-Q3 o--o

P-K4 P-QN3 N-B3 N-K2 N-Q2

This discourages Black from playing I I ... P-KB4, as that would open the Knight file to White's advantage. P-QR4 II . .. N-QB4 I 2 o-o-o B-Q2 I 3 N-N3 P-R5 14 P-KR4 Q-N I 1 5 P-R5 Q-R2 1 6 B-R6 ! 17 B x B This removes an important de fender of the King, and helps expose him to attack. 17 . . . I8 N-B5chl

KxB

If this is the kind of move that an attacking player makes almost in stinctively, Miss Menchik deserves credit for bringing about a position in which this move could be made. Here is the position:

18

...

K-R1 (or 19 . . . N-N 3 20 P-B6ch) 20 Q-R6, R-KN1 2 1 Q-B6ch followed by mate. P-R6 'K-RI

19 NP x N 20 P-B6ch !

Or 20 . . . K x P 21 Q-N5ch, K-N2 22 P-R6ch, K-N I 23 Q-B6, and mate follows. 21 22 23 24

P x Pch R-KN 1 BP x P Resigns

Q-R6 K-N 1 PxP Q x RPch !

XJ GOOD ADVICE

A book published in German whose title in English would be Advice to Spectators at Chess Tourna ments, is completely blank with the exception of one page. On this page there are only two words: Halt's Maul . (Keep your mouth shut) .

I4 BLIND COMPOSER

Comparable to Beethoven's mir acle of composing music while deaf is that of A. F. Mackenzie, who, although blind, created some fine chess problems. Here is one of them, a first prize winner.

NxN

If 18 . .. K-B3 instead (to protect his Knight) then 19 P-N s is mate. Or if I8 ... P x N I9 NP x P dis.ch,

Mate in Two Moves #'fi-N

I

: UO�IntOS

8


xs DAZZLING EXHIBITION Capablanca played 103 games simultaneously in Cleveland in 1922. While the total number of games has been exceeded, the phenomenal percentage of wins achieved by the World's Champion has never been approached. Capablanca won I02 games, lost none, and allowed one player to escape with a draw. Here is a game from this remarkable exhibition:

28 K-N2 29 QR-N1 30 B-RI J I Q-QN3

B-KI Q-B2 B-B2 N-Q7

This is the position:

CLEVELAND, 1922

Queen's Gambit Declined Capablanca White I P-Q4 2 N-KB3 3 P-B4 4 P-K3 5BxP 6 N-B3 7 o-o 8 N K5 9 P-B4 Io B-Q2 I I Q-B3 I2 B-Q3 13 Q-R3 14 P-KN4 15 P-N5 16 P-R3 I7 PxB 18 KPxP 19 B-K2 2oN-N4 Threatens a quick N-B6ch. 20 .. . 21 B-Q3 22 BxN 23 N-K5 24 PxP 25 P-B4 26 B-B3 27 P-Q5 -

Tarasov

Black

P-Q4 N-KB3 PxP P-K3 B-N5ch o-o

P-B3 QN-Q2 N-Q4 N(Q2)-B3 P-QR4 N-K2 P-KN3 P-B4 N-R4 BxN PxP N-B4 N(R4)-N2

Black could not resist the tempta tion of attacking the Queen and both Rooks simultaneously. Did he think that Capablanca would over look this-even playing 103 games at the same time? Commenting on a similar instance (in his game against Winter at Hastings in 1919) Capa blanca said, after Winter made what seemed to be a strong move, "Only lack of experience can ac count for this move. White [Winter] should have considered that a player of my experience and strength could never allow such a move if it were good." KxN

32 NxBI

Of course not 32 . . NxQ 33 N-R6 mate. The reply 32 . .. QxN or 32 . . RxN would lose after, 33 Q B3 threatening to mate at RB or to Cl!t�ture the Knight. .

.

end by N-KI B-Q2 KPxB P-B3 NxP N-K5 B-BJ Q-N3ch

21

-

,

33 Q-B3 Now the threat is 34 Q-N7ch winning the Queen. K-KI 33 .. . Resigns 34 QxN The Knight pays with his life for his rashness.

9


:r6

:zo

BOARD KINGS ANDERSSEN AND ANDERS ON In 1851 the Chess Champion of the World was A. Anderssen the Checker Champion of the World was A. Anderson. ,

J:7 DRAWING MASTER "The G reat Drawing Master" in ch ess history was Carl Schlechter. Not only did Schlechter draw innumerable tournament games, but he drew seven of the nine matches in which he took part. Even Dr. Lasker, World's Cham pion, could do no better than draw his match with Schlechter, when they played for the title in 1910. :r8 BAD YEAR FOR CHAMPI ONS The year 1894 was a disastrous year for board cha mpi ons William Steinitz , World's Chess Champion for 28 ye ars, lost his title then to Emanuel Lasker, while James Wyl lie, Checker Champion for 40 years (!), had to relinquish his crown to James Ferrie. .

J: 9 FIRST BLINDFOLD STAR The first display of simultaneous blindfold play was given by Buzecca, the Saracen chess master, when he visited Florence in January of 1266.

He conducted two games blindfold, and one game over the board against tllree of the city's leading players� The exhibitio n resulted in two wins for Buzecca and one draw. This record stood for 517 years!

RECORD - BREAKING BLINDFOLD FEATS

When Fram;: ois Andre Danican Philidor played three blindfold games simultaneously in 1783, affi davits were drawn up attestin g to the fact of this pedor m a nce, as the chess players of that day doubted that future generations would be lieve such an achievement to be possible. Yet Blackburne, a few years after he learned the moves was able to play 10 blindfold games simul taneou sly with ease ! Later on, Blackburne played as many as 16 games in that fashion.,--a record subsequently equ aled by Zukertort. Some years later Pillsbury came along and played 12 and 16 boards at one time as a matter of routine. Coming back to Philidor, his feat in piaying three blindfold games simultaneously remained the record for about 75 years un til Paulsen and Morphy appeared on the scene Louis Paulsen gave a display on four boards in New York in 1857, one of his oppone nts being Paul Morphy himself (who of course played without sight of the board). In the same year, also at New York, Paulsen tried his skill at five boards, and improved on that number later on at Dubuqu e, where he conducted seven games simultaneously. Paul Morphy surpassed this num ber while in Europe, giving two marvelous exhibitions, one in Lon don and one in Paris, each on eight boards. His play was impressive, being brilliant, accurate and con siderably faster than Paulsen s. There is no doubt, judging from the ea se of Morphy's play, that he could have managed many more than eight boards without any trouble, .

'

10

WONDERS AND CURIOSITIES O F CHESS

except that the vogue for record breaking was not in existence at that time. Paulsen played IO boards at a time on four occasions in I 858, at four different cities in the United States, with fair results. It remained for Johannes Her mann Zukertort to smash Paulsen's record. This he did in IB76 by playing I6 blindfold games simul taneously with the fine result of I 2 wins, one loss and three games drawn. Zukertort's mark remained un touched for 24 years until the peer less Pillsbury came along. Pillsbury had been giving exhibitions of his skill at blindfold play for several years, contenting himself with dis plays on six, eight or I 2 boards at a time until the year Igoo when he tackled I 6 players, his efforts re sulting in the fine score of I I wins, one loss and four games drawn. From Chicago (where he had given this exhibition) Pillsbury went on to New Orleans, where he tried his hand at playing I7 boards at a time, and came up with a score of I O wins, two losses and five games drawn. In the same year at Phila delphia, Pillsbury met a powerful team of 20 players, including such redoubtable experts as Shipley, Bampton, Robinson, Magee, Stadel man and Kaiser. In the short space of 6!- hours Pillsbury had won 1 4 games, drawn five, and lost only one game. His style of play was impressive, too, his win against Bampton (see The Chess Compan ion, page 2oo) being a fine specimen of the ease with which Pillsbury handled complicated positions. Pillsbury gave many exhibitions subsequently, but never ventured beyond 1 7 games at a time, until 1 902 when he gave his famous dis-

play on 2 1 boards at Hannover. After 1 It hours Pillsbury finished with a score of three wins, seven losses and 1 1 games drawn. Appa rently not a remarkable result, Pillsbury's score was more impres sive than appears at first glance for Pillsbury's opponents were all Hauptturnier players, which meant they were all of master or near master strength. For most of the rest of the year Pillsbury confine� his exhibitions to 12 to I6 boards, until in his travels he reached Moscow. There Pillsbury set a new mark by tackling 22 players, achieving in result the fine score of 1 7 wins, one loss and four games drawn. Pillsbury's mark stayed intact for I 7 years, when Reti opposed 24 players at Haarlem in I 9 I 9, and emerged with a score of I 2 wins, three losses and nine games drawn after 7t hours of play. Reti's record lasted only two years as Breyer broke it by playing 25 boards at Kaschau in I 92 I . Breyer won 1 5 games, lost three and drew seven games. It was the mighty Alekhine who set a new record . In I924 at the close of the great New York Inter national Masters Tournament, Alek hine met a strong team of players, including a number of masters and well-known experts. In the line-up were such powerful paladins as Kashdan, Steiner, Tholfsen and Pinkus . Despite this strong oppo sition, Alekhine emerged after nt hours with a good score-I 6 wins, five losses and five games drawn. Alekhine improved on the n· u m ber of games played by encountering 28 players the following year at Paris, this time winning 22 games, losing three and drawing three games The record did not last long, as

II


Reti raised it to 29 games at Sao Paulo, with this result-2 1 wins, two losses and six games drawn. A new contender entered the field when Koltanowski took on 30 players at Antwerp in 1931, and attained the remarkable result of 20 wins, IO games drawn and no losses ! Alekhine met that situation two years later by giving a display on 32 boards at Chicago. His score on that occasion, after 12! hours of play, was 19 wins, four losses and nine games drawn. Once again it was up to Kolta nowski, and he met the challenge by encountering 34 players at Edinburgh in 1937 , and again wound up with a fine result. He won 24 games, drew 10 games and lost none! Once again the record seemed safe from assault, but a new knight appeared in the lists in the shape of Najdorf. He broke Koltanowski's record in 1943, and then shattered his own in I 947· Naj dorf played 40 boards blindfold simultaneously at Rosario in I943· of which number he won 36 games, lost three and drew one game, after a 1 7! hour session . At Sao Paulo in 1947, Naj dorf met 45 players, and emerged after a grueling 23t hours with the remarkable score of 39 wins, two losses and four games drawn. If Naj dorf thought that he had set a mark for blindfold play- which :would endure forever he was mis taken . .Janos Flesch, a Hungarian International Master, met 52 players in an exhibition of blindfold simul taneous play. It lasted 12 hours, at the end .of which Flesch had won 31 games, lost three and drawn I8 games. Is this the record that can not be broken? "Time," as some body has said, "will tell." It was

,

not so long ago that people said no man would ever run a mile in less than four minutes. Here are two games to show the skill of such artists in the field of blindfold play as Morphy and Pillsbury: The first is from an exhibition on eight boards given at Paris in 1858.

PARIS, I858 Philidor Defence Morphy White

I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 P-Q4 4NxP 5 N-QB3 6B-Q3

Seguin Black P- K 4 P-Q3 PxP N-KB3 B-Kz o-o

The tempting 6 . .. P-B4 leaves White with the better game after 7 B-Nsch, B-Qz 8 B xBch, Q x B 9N-Bs. 7P-B4 8N-B3 g o-o

10 B-K3 I I P QR4

P-B4 N-B3 B-Ns P-QR3

-

This prevents I I . . . P-QN4, with counterplay on the Queen side. I I .. , 12 P-R3 I3 QxB 14 QR-QI 15 P-QN3 16PxN

P-R3 BxN N-QN5 Q-B2 NxB

But not I6 R x N, P-B5 , and Black stirs up trouble. 16 . . . I7 P-Q4 18 P x P

KR-K1 Q-B3 PxP

I�


Here is the position :

clear-cut style the technique of winning a won game. 29 ... 30 B-K3 31 P-KN4

Morphy intends to use his Pawn majority on the King side to keep Black's King busy ; meanwhile he can bring his King over to the Queen side.

r9 P-Ks!

Maroczy comments at this point, " Beautifully played ! One can see that Morphy understood position play. He permits the exchange of Queens, and concentrates his forces against the Pawn at QB s with the care and accuracy of a modem Grandmaster. ' ' 19 . . . 2o R x Q 2 1 R-Q7 22 N-Qs 23 B-B2

QxQ N-R2 QR-Nr B-B r

Clears the way for the King Rook. 23 . . . 24 N-N6

KR-Qr RxR

Otherwise 2S KR-Q3 could be come painful. 2S N x R 26 R-B3

R-Br

After this the Bishop Pawn is doomed. 26 27 28 29

... NxB RxP BxR

R-B2 NxN RxR

Theoretically, White has a win. The rest of the play is interesting nevertheless, as Morphy shows in

31 .. . 32 K-B2 33 K-K2 34P x P 3 S K-Q3 36 B-Esch 37 K-K4 38 K-Qs 39P-Bs 40 P x P 4 1 B-N6 42 P-K6ch 43 P x Pch 44 K-B6 4S B x Nch 46 K-Q6 47 P-K7

N-Qr N-B3 P-QN4 PxP K-Br K-Kr K-Q2 N-Qr PxP P-R4 N-N2 PxP K-K2 N-Qrch KxB K-Kr

And White wins. The following game is from an ex hibition given at the Augsburg Chess Club in rgoo, and is one of r6 games played blindfold simultaneously : AUGSBURG, 1900 Vienna Gambit

Pillsbury White I P-K4 2 N-QB3 3 P-B4 4 N-B3 5 P-Q4 6 P-KR4 7 B-Ns 8 B x Nch

Hausler Black P-K4 N-QB3 PxP P-Q3 P-KN4 E-Ns P-QR3 PxB

13


9 PxP Io B x P

N-K2 N-N3

A strange sort of gambit-where Black has sacrificed a Pawn !

II I2 I3 14 15

Q-Q2 o--o-o P-Ks B-R2 PxP

B-N2 Q-BI Q-B4 PxP o-o

Instead of this, Black might have ventured on regaining his Pawn by I5 . .. B x N 16 P x B, N x P (but not 16 . . . Q x BP 17 Q-Q7ch, K-BI I8 KR-B I, and White wins. I6 N-Q4 I 7 N-K4I

Q-Q2 BxR

No better is I 7 . . . B x P 18 B x B, N x B 19 N-B6ch, or 1 7 . . . N x P 1 8 N-B6ch, B x N 1 9 P x B, and White threatens to force mate by 20 Q-R6, as well as to win two pieces for a ;Rook by 20 B x N. 18 19 2o 21 22

N-B6ch NP x B Q-R6 N-Bs RxB

xN Q-Ns N-RI KR-KI B

Now the threat is 23 R-Q3 fol lowed by 24 R-KN3, and White wins. 22 . . . 2 3 R-Q7 24 N x Qch 25 R x QBP 26 R-Q7

Q-N3 QxQ K-B I QR-BI QR-Q 1

Black cannot get his Knight into play, as 26 .. . N-N3 allows mate on the move. He therefore tries to seize the open Queen file or to force an exchange of Rooks. But Pills bury's reply is immediately decisive. Resigns 27 P-K6 ! Black cannot parry the threat of mate by the Bishop.

ZJ:

CHAMPIONS' LONGEST REIGNS

William Steinitz held the Chess Championship of the World for 28 years against all opponents-an astonishing achievement ! His conqueror, Dr. Emanuel Lasker, proved to be a worthy suc cessor; he held the Championship for 27 years ! zz

NAPOLEON'S HYPERMODERN MOVE

" The opening of the future, " as Tartakover called the Reti-Zuker tort Opening in 1 92 4 , was played as far back as 1 804 by Napoleon Bona parte !

ZJ PHILIDOR ESCHEWS HIS DEFENCE

Philidor never played Philidor's Defence ! Z4

THE TRANSPOSED KNIGHTS

The first few moves between Berger and Marshall in their game at Carlsbad in 1907, ran as follows : CARLSBAD, 1907 Berger White I P-K4 2 PxP 3 N-KB3 4P-Q4 5 B-Q3 6o-o 7 P-B4 8 B-K2 9 P-QR3 IO N-B3

Marshall Black P-Q4 N-KB3 NxP P-K3 N-Q2 B-K2 N-N5 o-o

N-QB3 N-B3


And now, strangely enough, Black's Knights have changed places. The King's Knight, usually developed at KB 3 , stands at QB3; the Queen's Knight, usually de veloped at QB3, stands at KB3.

HAMBURG, r885 King's Indian Defence

4 P-K4 5 P-B4 6 N-B3 7 B--K 2 of

Tarrasch Black N-KB3 P-KN3 B--N2 P-Q3 o-o QN-Q2

P-K 4

Black frees his game, at the cost the exchange. SQPxP

gP x P ro B--N 5 11N-Q5 12 B--K7

PxP

N-N5 Q- K 1 N(Ns) x KP

Q x

1 5 N-B3 1 6 Q-N3 17 o-o-o 1 8 R-Q 8 ch 19 K R -Q r

Q-B4

B

N-K4 NxP B--B r B--K3

20 R x R 2 1 K-N I 22 R x N 23 R(Q2)-Q8 24 RxBch 25 R(B8)-Q8 26 P-QN3 27 R-Q7 28 N-Q r 29 R-Q2

Q ue en ,

Q-N4ch N-Q 7 ch BxQ B-B5 K-N2 P-N4 B--BB Q-QB4

P-N5

White avoids 29 R(RS) x P, as after 29 . . . B-Q6ch, he would have to give up the exchange by 30 R x B, Q x R, or be m ated .

29 .. . 30 R(RS) X p 31 R (Q2)-Q7 32 R x P 33 K-BI 34 K-Q2 35 B x B 36 N-K3 37 K-K2 38 K-B3 39 R(R7)-Q7 40 P-N4 41 R x Pch 42 R-Q5ch 43 P-N5ch 44 R(Q5)-Q7

not

1 2 N x P, N x Nch 13 14 N x R, Q x B and White's Knight is lost, as 15 N-B7 allows 15 . . . Q- R4ch followed by 16 ... Q x N . But

14BxR

but

ENGLISCH LOOKS INTO THE FUTURE One of the most hotly debated problems of Hypermodern play in the 192o's was the soundness of the Four Pawns' Attack in the King's Indian Defence. Yet the whole variation had seen the light of day some 35 years earlier in the Hamburg r 885 Tournament: Here is the game:

3N-QB3

N x Nch P-QB3

Black plays to win the the cost is heavy.

as

Engtisch White I P-Q4 2 P-QB4

12 ... 13BxN

Q-K4 Q x RP K-R3 B-Q6ch

Q-K4 BxP QxB Q-NS Q-N7ch P-B4 Q-B6 Q-RS K-N4 K-B3 K-K3 Resigns

26

BxN, Q - K4

FOURTEEN PAWN MOVES Frank Marshall, in a game played

for the

Championship of the Mar-

15


shall Chess Club in I 940, won his game from Rogosin by making I 4 Pawn moves i n succession i n the opening. Every one of Marshall's eight Pawns took part in this re markable series of Pawn moves ! Here is the game : NEW YORK, I 94o Sicilian Defence Marshall White I P-K4 2 P-QN4 3 P-QR3 4 PxP 5 P-N5 6 P-QB3 7 P-K5 8 P-QB4 g P-N3 Io P-B4

Blac k p layed on a few more moves, before deciding that his game was hopeless. There is another curious fact about this strange game: Black's Knights made I O moves in succes sion in the course of their frantic hopping about !

Z7 Rogosin Black P-QB4 PxP N-QB3 N-B3 N-Qs N-K3 N-Q4 N (Q4)-B5 N-N3

This is the situation :

PAWNS ONLY !

Hans Bruening won a game in six moves without moving a piece ! Here is the score : MILWAUKEE, I908 Bruening Amateur Black White I P-Q4 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 P-K3 P-QB4 3 N-QB3 P x QP 4 B-B4 5 BxN PxN P x NP 6 B-Ks _ And Black wins, his threats being 7 .. . P x R(Q) as well as 7.. . B-N 5ch. z8

TEN IN A ROW

IO . . .

N (N3) x BP

One Knight must be lost. If I o . .. N-B2 I I P-B5 , N x K P I 2 P-Q4, and the ce ntrali zed Kn i ght has no retreat. II P x N I 2 P-Q4 I 3 P-R4

NxP N-N3

Now he threatens the other Kn ight ! I3 . . . I 4 P-Rs

Ten years after the fo regoing game was played, Richard Kuj oth emu lated Marshall's feat by winning a game in which he moved Pawns, and nothing but Pawns ! Kujoth made 10 Pawn moves in succession, and brought about an elegant finish. Here is how he did it: MILWAUKEE,

19 50

Sicilian Defence

I 2 3 4 5 6

Kujoth

F ash in g-

White P-K4 P-QN4 P-QR3 PxP P-N s P-K 5

bauer Black P-QB4 PxP N-QB3 N-B3 N-QN I Q-B2

I6


Ready to meet 7 P x N with 7 . . . Q-K 4ch, winning a Rook. N-Q 4 N-N3 N-Q4 Resigns

7 P-Q 4 8 P-QB4 9 P-Bs 10 P-N6 !


N-K4 N(N3)-Q2 N-KN3 P-K3 N-K2 Px P N-Q 4

6 P-Qs 7 P-B5 8 P-B4 9 P-KR4 Io P Rs I I P-Q61 I2 P x P -

If I 2

. . .

N-QBJ IJ N-Ns wins. Resigns

IJ N x N

If 13 . . . Q-R4ch I4 N-QB3 wins, or if IJ . P x N I4 Q -K 2ch wins a piece: . .

30

THE HUNGARIAN GAMBITEER

Black must lose a piece. For instance, if 10 ... Q-Q I 11 R x P, R x R I2 P x R, Q-R4ch 13 N-B 3 !, N x N I4 PxN(Q), N x Q dis.ch, IS B-Q2, Q-QI I6 K x N, and White is a Knight ahead.

Z9 ELEVEN OUT OF TWELVE

Once again, the Marshall Chess Club is the scene for some Pawn peregrinations. In this game from the Club Championship Tourna ment, White's Pawns make I I of the first 12 moves to bring about the win. Here is the story: NEW YORK, 1964 Center Counter Lyman White I P-K4 2Px P 3 P Q4 4 P-QB4 5 N- QB3 -

Greenwald Black P-Q4 N-KB3 NxP N-N3 N-B3

In the first Master Tournament in which he played (Nuremberg 1 896one of the strongest ever held) Rudolf Charousek played a Gambit every time he had the White pieces ! and I don't mean the safe and sound Queen s Gambit The nine games included an Evans Gambit, a Scotch Gambit, three Bishop's Gambits and four King's Gambits. His v ictims in cluded Lasker, Janowski Showalter and Blackburne. Here is his game aga inst Dr. Lasker, who won the tournament : '

.

,

N UR EM BERG, I 896 Bishop's Gambit Charousek White I P-K4 2 P-KB4 3 B-B4 4 BxP 5 K-BI 6 N- KB3 7 P-KR4 8 N-B3 9 B-B4

Lasker Black P-K4 PxP P-Q4 Q-Rsch P-KN4 Q-R4 B-N2 P-QB3 B-N5

I7


It would have been better to play 9 . . . P-KR3, to keep the Pawn chain intact. I O P-Q4 N-Q2 I I K-B2 Threatens I2 P x P, now that his Rook is protected. II . . . BxN I2 p X B ()-Q-0 I3 P x P Q x NP If I 3 .. . B x Pch I 4 Q x B, Q x R I 5 B x P(B4) , Q x R I 6 Q-Q6, and White wins. I 4 N-K2 I5 P-B3 I 6 Q-R4 I7 Q x N IS B x P I9 Q-R4 2o Q-R5 2 I N-N3 22 N-Bs

Q-K2 N-� NxB N-B3 N-Q2 P-QR3 N-BI N-K3 Q-BI

But not 22 . . . Q-B3 23 B-Ks, Q-N4 24 P-KB4, Q-N5 2S QR-KNI , and Black loses his Queen. 23 B-N3 24 N x B 2s Q-Ks

R-Q2 QxN

This forces the exchange of Queens and the win of a Pawn enough to win, even against a Lasker. 2S 26 B x Q 27 B X P 28 R-R6 29 K-K3 30 K-Q2 3I P-Ks 32 R(RI ) -RI 33 P-B4 34 K-K3 3 S P-Q5 36 P-K6 • . .

QxQ P-B3 R-BI N-Bs N-N 7 ch R (Q2)-KB2 N-Bs R-NI N-K3 N-B I R-Q2 Resigns

If 36 . . . R-QB2 37 P-Q6, or if 36 ... R-Q3 37 B-K7 wins.

3 J:

DAKE BEATS THE BOOK

In the I933 Folkestone Team Tournament, ·Arthur Dake of the United States team used the English Opening to defeat Hans Muller of Austria in 2 I moves . Muller is the author of an ex cellent treatise called Die Englische Partie. Here is the way he did it : FOLKESTONE,

I 933

English Opening

Muller Black P-QB4 N-KB3 PxP P-Q4 NxP N-Ns Many a man has overlooked at this point that Black threatens to win a piece by 7 . . . Q x N. Dake White I P-QB4 2N-KB3 3 P-Q4 4 NxP s Px P 6 P-K4

7 Q-R4ch S NxN 9 N-B3 Io B-K3 I I R-BI 12 B-K2 I 3 o -o I4 Q-N4 I5 N x N

QN-B3 NxN B-Q2 P-:J(3 B-Q3 B-K4 N-Qs N x Bch Q-NI

Black has the two Bishops-for a while anyway, but his King may not Castle and is exposed to danger. I6 P-B4 I 7 B-Bs 18 Q x B 19 Q-Q4 2o P x P 2 I Q-Q5

B-Q3 BxB P-QN3 P-K4 B-N4 Resigns

If 21 . . . B x N 22 Q x Pch, K-Q1 23 K R-Q 1 ch, and mate follows soon at Q7.

IS

WONDERS A N D CURIOSITIES OF CHESS

32

TCHIGORIN TRIE S A NEW GAMBIT

Tchigorin, who had so much trouble finding a defence to I P-Q4, adopted this move as White only once in his career. He won that game easily-in fact he tied his opponent up in knots. And yet, he never played I P-Q4 again ! Here is the game : NUREMBERG, 1 896 A lbin Counter-Gambit Tchigorin White P-Q4 P-QB4 QP x P N-KB3 P-KN3 B-Nz P-K3

Albin Black P-Q4 P-K4 P-Qs N-QB3 B-KB4 P-Q6 N-R3

I 2 3 4 5 6 7 " The Knight rests safely here for the next 30 moves, " says Tarrasch, a bit sarcastically. 8 o-o B-K2 o-o 9 N-B3 xo P-N3 Q-Qz QR-KI I I B-N2 I2 N-Q5 B-Q I I3 B-QR3 B-K2 14 N x Bch NxN 1 5 N-Q4 P-QB3 1 6 B-Q6 B-N3

Now come five Pawn moves in a row that crowd Black more and more. I 7 P-Bs 18 P-B4 I 9 P-K4 20 P-K6 2 1 P-K5 22 Q x P 23 P-QR3 24 P-QN4 25 KR-K I

K-RI R-KN I P-B4 Q-QI N-BI Q-R4 P-QR3 Q-Q I

Tarrasch recommends (for the sake of ending Black's agony) 25 B x P, N x B 26 KP x N, P x B 27 P-Q7 (or 2 7 N x QBP) . 25 . . . 2 6 QR-Q 1 27 R-Q2 28 P-Q� 29 P-N5 30 P x P 31 B x N 32 P x P 33 N x QBP

N-K2 Q-B I R(NI )-BI R-NI RP x P Q-RI RxB PxP Q-QBI

If instead 33 . . . R x P, then 34 N-Q4 followed by 35 N x R and 36 B-Q5 will win two Rooks for White's Knight and Bishop .

34 N x R 35 K-RI 36 Q-Q6

Q x Pch QxN Q-R2

How a chess player is loath to resign! 37 R-QNx 38 Q-N6 39 P-R3 40 P x N 4 1 R(N I ) -Q x 42 K-Nx 43 R-Q8 44 Q-Q4 45 R-Q3 46 P-K7 47 R x B 48 Q-Q7 49 Q x Q

N-N5 Q-R6 . QxP PxP Q-R5ch P-N6 B-Kx P-R4 R-B x R-Nx RxR Q x KP RxQ

'

19


R-KB2 R-Rz R-K2 K-R2 R-R2 R-QB2 P-R5 K-Rt R-Rz K-Rz R-QB2 R-B5 ch Resigns

5o R x P 5 1 P-K6 52 R-K3 53 P-Bs 54 R-KN3 55 R-N6 56 B-K4 57 K-Rz 58 K-R3 59 K x P 6o B-B6 6r B-Q7 62 R-N4

" Now that Black missed the right moment to resign , he might as well have waited for mate, " says Tarrasch . 33 THE BOOK GETS MATED

In the eighth edition of a popular manual by Dufresne and Mieses, the following line of play is given : White P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB 3 4 N-B3 5 KN x P 6 KN-N5 7 N-Q5 8 Q-R4 9 P-K3 I

Black P-Q4 P-K3 P-QB4 BP x P P-K4 P-Q5 N-QR3 B-Qz N-Kz


At this point the analysts say,

" And Black has the superior posi tion." They seem to have overlooked that White can play ro N-Q6m ate on the move I 34 THE " COOK " THAT FAILED

Frank Marshall once saved a line of play in the Ruy Lopez for ro years in order to use it against Capablanca. The opportunity arose in the New York Tou rnament of 1 9 1 8, b u t the great Cuban smashed the variation ! Here is the game, a masterpiece of defence and counterattack. NEW YORK, 1 9 1 8 Ruy Lopez Capablanca White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 B-Ns 4 B-R4 5 ()-() 6 R-Kr 7 B-N3 8 P-B3 9 Px P ro N x P

Marshall Black P-K4 N-QB3 P-QR3 N-B3 B-Kz P-QN4 ()-()

P-Q4 NxP

" I thought for a little while," says Capablanca, " knowing that I would be subjected thereafter to a terrific att ac k, all the lines of which would be of necessit y familiar to my adversary . The lust of battle, how ever, had been roused in me. I felt that my j udgm ent and skill were bein g challenged by a player who had every reason to fear both (as shown by the records of our previous encounters) , but who wanted to take advantage of the elem ent of surprise and the fact of my being unfamiliar with a thing to which he

20


had devoted many a night of toil and hard work. I considered the position then and decided that I was in honor bound, so to speak, to take the Pawn and accept the challenge, as my knowledge and judgment told me that my position should then be defensible. " 10 . . . II R x N 12 R-K 1 13 P-KR3 14 Q-B3 l

NxN N-B3 B-Q3 N-N5

Taking the Knight instead would be fatal, e . g. I4 P x N, Q-R5 1 5 P-KN3, B (Q3) x P 1 6 P x B, Q x Pch 17 K-B 1, B x P and Black wins the Queen. 14 . . . 1 5 P-Q4 !

Q-R5

Of course not 1 5 Q x R, Q x Pch and mate next move, while the tempting 1 5 R-K8 (threatens to force mate by 1 6 Q x Pch) is refuted by 1 5 . . . B-N2 16 R x Rch, R x R 17 Q x N, R-KI 1 8 K-B 1 , Q-K2 19 B-K6, B-Q4, and Black has the better chances. NxP 15 ... This is the position :

K-BI, B-N6 1 8 Q-K2 (here 1 8 Q x Pch fails a s Black recaptures with check ) B x P 19 P x B, QR-K x , and Black wins. 16 . . . 17 P x B

B-N5

This is safer than I7 Q x N (though there are still complications) when there is this possibility : 1 7 . .. B-N6 x 8 Q-B r , B x R 1 9 Q x B, QR-K r , and Black wins. 17 ..:

B-R7ch

Better than 1 7 . . . N x P when 18 B-KB4 ends the proceedings. r8 K-BI 19 R x N 2o K-K2 2 r B-Q2 22 Q-R3

B-N6 Q-R8ch BxR B-R5

This forces Black either to ex change Queens or to drive White's King to QB2, a safer square. 22 23 24 25

. .. K-Q3 K-B2 Q-B3

QR-K x ch Q-B8ch B-B7 Q-N8

" To get out of the pin and be free to use his forces, " says Capa blanca. Against 25 . . . R-K7, Capablanca was prepared to play 26 N-R3, R x Bch 27 K x R, Q x R 28 Q x B, Q x Pch 29 N-B2, P-QB4 30 B-Qs . " and White should win, though the ending israther qifficult . " 26 B-Q5 . White's pieces and Pawns on the Queen side spring to life .

I6 R-K2 1 White avoids 16 Q x N because of 16 . . . B-R7ch ! (but not 16 . . . B-N6 when 1 7 Q x Pch forces mate) 1 7

26 27 28 29 30 31 32

... PxP P-N4 P-R4 P x NP R-R6 NxP

P-QB4 BxP B-Q3 P-QR4 PxP PxP B-N5

2I


J J P -N6

BxN

J4B X B

White's King looks rather ex posed, but is quite safe. In fact it is Black who must make his King secure before continuing his attack. If, for example, J4 . . . R-K6, then 35 Q x Pch, R x Q J6 R-R8ch, and White mates next move. J4

. . .

J 5 P-N7

P - RJ R-K6

Capablanca announced mate in five moves, which is carried out thus J6 B x P ch

RxB

J7 P-N8 (Q)ch J 8 R x P ch J9 Q-R8ch 40 Q-R5 mate

K-R2 KxR K-N4

35 RUBINSTEIN SLIPS AND FORGETS

Rubinstein fell into the following opening trap against Euwe at Bad Kissingen in I 928 : BAD KISSINGEN, I928 Queen's Gambit Declined Euwe White I N-KBJ 2 P-B4 3 P-Q4 4 B-N5

Rubinstein Black P Q4 -

P-KJ N-KBJ

QN-Q2

5 P-KJ

B-K2

6 N-B3 7 R-B1 8 B-Q3

P-BJ

9 P x P

o-o P-Q RJ

I I Q-NJ

KP x P R-K I P-R J

1 2 B-KB4

N-�

I o o-o

I J NX P

White wins a Pawn, as I J P x N would cost the Queen after 14 B-B7 .

This is excusable, as anyone even a Grandmaster--can fall into a trap, but Rubinstein fell into a variation of the same trap two years later at San Remo, against Alekhine. This is how that game went : SAN REMO, 19JO Queen's Gambit Dedined Alekhine White P-Q4

5 P -KJ

Rubinstein Black P-Q4 N-KBJ P-KJ Q N Q2 B-K2

6 N-BJ

o-o

I

2 N-KBJ J P-B4 4B -N5

-

7 R-B 1

R-K 1

8 Q -B2

P -QRJ

9 Px P

PxP

1 0 B -Q J I I o-o

P -BJ

N-K5 P-KB4

1 2 B-KB4 I J Nx P

And again the Knight must not be taken, as 14 B-B7 in reply wins the Queen. 36

TARRASCH SPRINGS A TRAP

At Dresden in 1 892, Dr. Tarrasch beat Marco in five minutes. Al though the game took so little time, it is an important one in the theory of the Ruy Lopez Opening. Here is the game : DRESDEN, 1 892 Ruy Lopez Tarrasch White

Marco Black

I P - K.f.

P - K4

2 N- KBJ

N-QBJ

22


3 B-N5 4 P-Q4 5 N-B3 6 o--o 7 R-K r

P-Q3 B-Q2 B-K2 N-B3 o--o

A natural move which loses, strangely enough, as Black seems to have been making sound de veloping moves. Instead of this, Black must play 7 . . . P x P, giving up the center. B 9 10 11

BxN PxP QxQ NxP

BxB PxP QR x Q BxP

If 1 1 . . . N x P 1 2 N x B wins a piece for White. I2 N x B I 3 N-Q3 I 4 P-KB3 I5 N x B I6 B-N5

NxN P-KB4 B-B4ch NxN R-Q4

On r6 . . . QR-K 1 , the reply I 7 B-K7 wins the exchange. Resigns Black must give up the exchange, as after 17 . . . R-K r IS P-QB4 forces a win of material. 37 WARE'S WEIRD OPENINGS

In the Fifth American Tourney held at New York in I 88o, Ware replied with I . . . P-Q� every time he had the Black pieces . He won four and lost five of these games. Playing White, Ware began two games with I P-QR4, winning one game and losing the other. In six of the seven other games in which he played White, his first move was

I P-Q4, which he followed up with 2 P-KB4 regardless of the oppo nent's reply to his first move. Ware managed to draw two of those six games !

38 TORRE'S DOUBLE VICTORIES

After losing to Torre in I 4 moves at Baden-Baden in 1 925, Grunfeld assured his friends that he would take drastic revenge against Torre in their next encounter. A few weeks later they met at the Marienbad Tournament. Despite Grunfeld's grim prophecy, he was defeated by Torre in brilliant style. Here are both games : BADEN-BADEN, I925 Dutch Defence Grunfeld White I P-Q4 2 N-KB3 3 P-KN3 4 B-N2 5 o--o 6 P-B4 7 Q-B2 8 P-N3 g B-N2 ro N-K5 I I P-B3 I 2 QP x N

Torre Black P-K3 P-KB4 N-KB3 P-Q4 B-Q3 P-B3 o--o

N-K5 N-Q2 Q-B3 NxN

This was probably played in stinctively. The proper move was the zwischenzug I2 P-Bs , and then if I2 . . . N-B2 13 p X N. I2 . . . I3 K-Rr 14 Resigns

B-B4ch N x Pch

If 14 P x N, Q-R3ch and mate next move.


MARIENBAD, I 92S Queen's Pawn Game

26 B x B 2 7 R-N3

12 B-Q3

Grunfeld Black P-Q4 P-QB3 N-B3 Q-N3 Q x NP Q-N3 P-K3 PxP NxN N-Q2 N-B3 B-K2

13

o-o

1 2 3 4 s 6

Torre White P-Q4 N-KB3 B-B4 P-K3 B-Q3 QN-Q2

7 o-o

8 P-K4 9 NxP Io B x N I I Q-K2

B-Ks 14 N-N5 15 P-KR4

P-N3

K R2 Q-K2 -

Black avoids 27 . . . Q x P, when this might happen : 28 P-Bs, N-Q4 29 Q-Q2 (threatens 30 R-KR3 with quick mate in the offing) P-KR4 30 R-N5, and White's next move 3 1 B-N3 catches the Queen. 28 R (Q r ) -N r

29 B-Q3 30 P-Q5 !

P-B4 B-B3

This begins a fine combination. The idea of this move is to remove a support from Black's King Bishop Pawn. PxP

30 . . . This is the position :

White's first real threat since giving up a Pawn-16 P-R5, N x P 1 7 Q x N, and Black dares not take the Queen. 15 . . . Q R-N I 1 7 B-KB4 18 K R-Q I 19 P-B4 2o R-N3 2 1 B-K4 I6

22 N-B3

Q-Q I N-Q 2 B-B3 N-N3 B-Q2 R-BI

P K R3 B-N2 -

23 B-Q6

" White could win his Pawn back by 23 P-Bs, but prefers not to simplify, " says Torre. 23 . . . 24 B-B2 Hei'e too, Torre prefers to keep both his Bishops to winning the exchange, say in this line : 24 B x R, P x B 2 5 B x B, P x N 26 R x P, K x B 27 Q-Ksch, K-N r 28 R-B6, B-KI .

24 . . 25 N-K s .

R-KB2 BxN

31

R x PI

Forcibly removes another sup port of the King Bishop Pawn. Black may not capture the Rook, as this would follow : 31 . . . K x R 3 2 Q-N4ch, K-R2 33 B x Pch, R x B 34 Q x Reb, K-N r 35 Q-N6ch, K-Br 36 B-Q6, and White wins the Queen. 31 . . . 32 R x R

R-KN 1

33 B x P

RxB

KxR

34 Q-N4ch

R-N4

35 P x R

QxB

36 P x

P dis.ch

37 R-N3

K-R2 B-Q2


38 Q-R.J 39 K-R2 4o Q-B6 4 1 Q-K7ch 42 Q-B8ch 43 Q-K7ch 44 R-K3 45 K-N r 46 Q-Q8ch 47 Q-B6ch 48 Q-B4 49 R-KN3 so R x B 5 1 K-R2 52 Q x Q 53 R-Ns 54 R x P 55 R-Q8ch 56 R-Q7ch 57 R x P 58 R-B7 59 R-Bs 6o P-N4 6r P-Ns 62 R-B8 63 K-N3 64 P-B4 65 R-Bsch 66 R-B6ch 67 P-Bs

Q-K8ch Q-Ks Q-N3 K-Rr K-R2 K-R1 Q x RPch Q-N2 Q-Nr Q-N2 B-Ns NxP Q-R8ch Q-K4 NxQ N-Q6 P-Bs K-N2 K-B3 P-R4 N-N7 P-Rs K-K3 K-Q3 K-K3 P-R6 K-B4 K-N3 K-N2 K-B2

The game was adj oumed here, but Black resigned without resum ing play. 39 LASKER COMES A CROPPER

Dr. Lasker is considered ·by many competent critics to have been the greatest chess player that ever lived. And so perhaps he was. Yet it is strange that the following masters were successful in their ft'l'st encounters with him in touma ment play : Van Vliet at Amsterdam, r 88g Makovetz at Graz, I 8go

Tchigorin at Hastings, 1 895 Tarrasch at Hastings, r 895 Bardeleben at Hastings, 1 895 Charousek at Nuremberg, r 8g6 Marshall at Paris, r goo Rubinstein at St. Petersburg, 1 909 Dus-Chotimirski at St. Petersburg, 1 909 Torre at Moscow, 1925 Levenfisch at Moscow, 1925 Stahlberg at Zurich, 1 934 Fine· at Nottingham, 1 936 Reshevsky at Nottingham, 1936 40

ALEKHINE'S DEFENCE ANTICIPATED

In his book My Best Games of Chess, Alekhine writes of the Alek hine Defence, " This defence was played for the first time by myself in a consultation game at Zurich in August of 1 92 1 . " Actually the defence was first adopted as far back as r 862 by a contestant named Pearson, who was receiving Knight odds from the celebrated Anderssen in the London Handicap Toumament. A piquant touch is �ded by the fact that Gottschall in his monumental collec tion of Anderssen's games (pub lished in 1 9 1 2 ) places two question marks after Pearson 's r . . . N-KB3 , and comments, " The decisive mis take ! "

41 MASTER LEARNS THE MOVES TWICE

The Russian chess master Ilj in Genevsky had to leam the moves twice ! Shell shock in the First World War took away his memory, and the master player had to be told how the chess pieces move and capture !


.p

CORRESPONDENCE Q UICKIE

A correspondence player can take a day or two for each move . One would expect him to make blunders rarely, and the games so played to be long, drawn out affairs. The world's record for brevity in chess by mail must therefore be this quickie : CORRESPONDENCE, I93o Budapest Defence

I 2 3 4 s 6

Selman (Amsterdam) Black N-KB3 P-K4 N-K5 P-Q3 BxP N x BP

Warren (Dublin) White P-Q4 P-QB4 Px P P-QR3 PxP P-KN3

And Black wins, as 7 K x N is met by 7 . . . B x Pch winning the Queen, and on other moves Black wins the exchange. ,

43 ALL FOUR MISS MATE IN ONE

Many a miniature game owes its existence to an early mistake made by one of the players. But when four allies discuss their ideas with each other, and then get mated on the sixth move-that is unique ! PALMA, I935 Caro-Kann Defence

I 2 3 4

Alekhine White P-K4 P-Q4 N-QB3 NxP

Four Allies Black P-QB3 P-Q4 PxP N-Q2

5 Q-K2 6 N-Q6 mate

KN-B3

44

QUICKEST POSSIBLE WIN A game of chess can be won in

two moves ! Here's how :

Black P-K3 Q-Rs mate

White I P-KB4 2 P-KN4

45 VICTORY AFTER 40 YEARS

Dr. Lasker was a hard man to beat. Frank Marshall won from him in May of I900, and then again in May of I94o--4 o years later ! In the course of this period they had met many times in tournament or match play, but never had a game ended in Marshall's favor. Here are both games : PARIS, I9oo Queen's Gambit Declined Marshall White I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3 4 B-N5 5 P-K4 6NxP 7 N-QB3 8 P-QR3 9 Px B I O B-Q2 I I N-B3 I2 P x P

Lasker Black P-Q4 P-K3 N-KB3 P-B3 P x KP B-Ns ch P-B4 B x Nch Q-R4 N-K5 N x QBP

If I2 Q-N3 at once, then I2 . . . PxP I 3 N x P, Q-K4ch frees Black from the pin. I2 . . . 13 B x Q I 4 P-QR4

NxQ N-N7

26

WONDERS A N D CURIOSITIES O F CHESS

With an eye to capturing the Knight by 1 5 R-R2. 14

. .

B-Q2

.

Attacks the Rook Pawn with two pieces, but White has an ingenious counter to this. 15 P-B6 1 Now if 1 5 . . N (B3) x P 1 6 B-B3 wins the Knight. .

15 . . . x 6 N-Ks

BxP B-K5

The alternative 15 . . N-Qz, suggested by some annotators, fails after 1 6 N x B, P x N 1 7 B-B3, QR-N I IS R-QN I when I 8 . . N-Q6ch loses as I9 B x N in reply protects the Queen Rook 1 7 P-B3 P-B3 B-B7 I 8 B-B3 N x RP I9 K-Q2 NxB zo K x B 2 I N-Q3 ! N-Q4 22 P x N PxP P-QN3 23 N-B5 24 B-N5ch K B2 25 N-R4 .

.

.

-

Threatens 26 N x P, but Black has an ingenious reply. 25 26 27 29

... N-B3 KR-Qx K-N2

N-B3 KR-QBI N-K2 R-B2

Black is ready to parry 29 N x P with 29 . . R-B4. .

29 B-Q3 3o N-R4 3 1 QR-BI 32 R x R 33 R-QB 1 34 R-B7ch 35 B-Ns 36 R-R7 37 R-R6 38 K-B2 39 R-R8

P-QR4 R-B3 R-QN x NxR N-K4 K-K3 P-N4 P-Q5 K-Q4 R-N2

But not at once 39 N x Pch when Black replies 39 . . . K-B4. ,

39 . . . 40 K-Qz 4 1 R-Q8 ch 42 N-Nz 43 N-B4ch 44 R x P

N-B3 N-N5 K-K4 R-QB2 K-B4

At last a tangible ·gain ! The rest of the ending is easier. 44 . . . R-B4 45. B-K8 R-Q4 46 N-K3ch K-K4 47 N x R KxR 48 N x N PxN 49 B-B7 P-B4 50 B-N8 P-R4 5 1 B-B7 P-R5 52 P-R3 P-N4 53 B-K8 K-B5 54 B-Q7 P-N6 55 B x BP K-N5 56 B-Q3 P-N7 5 7 K-B2 K-R6 58 K-NI Resigns The next game is from an exhibition match, and was one of Lasker's last serious games. NEW YORK, 1 940 Queen's Gambit Declined

Marshall White I P-QB4 2 N-KB3 3 N-B3 4 P-Q4 s B-N5 6 P-K3 7 Q-B2 8 BP x P 9 Bx B xo N x N I I B-Q3 12 P x P 1 3 o-o 14 QR-BI

Lasker Black P-K3 N-KB3 P.-Q4 QN-Q2 B-K2 o-o

P-B4 NxP Q x "B PxN P-KN3 NxP P-N3 P-QR4

27


This is to prevent IS P-N4, driving the Knight away from a good square. IS KR--QI B-N2 I 6 N-Q4 KR-B I I 7 Q-K2 Q-B3 R-B2 I8 P-KR3 QR-QB I I9 R-B3 Q-K4 20 KR-QBI 2I P-R3 P-Rs Once again to prevent 22 P-QN4. 22 B-Ns R-RI Seems to protect the Rook Pawn amply, but apparently not enough against the wily Marshall. This is the position :

23 B x P ! 24 P--QN4

RxB Q-KI

If 24 . . . N-N6 2S R X R, N X N 26 Q-Q I , or if 24 . . . N-N6 2S R x R, N x R 26 Q-B2, and White wins in each case. 2S Q-B2 But not the hasty 26 P x N when Black can reply 2S . . . R x N. 2S . . . 26 P x N 27 R x P

R-K2 PxP R x KP

On 27 . . . R x RP instead, there is this possibility (pointed out by Marshall) 28 Q-N2, Q-Rs 29 R-B8ch l , B x R 30 R x Bch, K-N2 3I N-Bs check, double check and mate !

28 29 3o 31

Q x Pch QxN RxQ

PxR Q-B2 QxQ R-Rs

This threatens 32 R-B7 and doubling Rooks on the seventh rank. JI 32 33 34

R--QBs PxR B-R3 Resigns

... RxR R--QBs P-QR4

46 RUBINSTEIN MISSES MATE

Racing down the home stretch in a thrilling neck and neck tie for first place in the San Sebastian Tourna ment of I 9 I 2 were Rubinstein and Nimzovich. Fittingly enough, they were scheduled to play each other in the last round. First prize would go to the winner of this game I In the opening, Rubinstein had a bit the better of it, and kept his ad vantage to the midgame. Suddenly, Nimzovich, affected no doubt by the keen excitement of the occasion, blundered. He made a move which would allow his opponent to mate in two moves ! An unbelievable error in a master of Nimzovich's ability, and sure to be pounced on by the eagle-eyed Rubinstein. This was the situation :


But, " curiouser and curiouser, " eagle-eyed Rubinstein missed the mate by I Q x Pch, K-R1 2 Q x P mate. Undoubtedly, this was one of the strangest double blunders in chess history I

which has come down to us would seem to be rather primitive : MADRID, 1 5 75 King's Gambit Declined

47 HEATED CHESS PLAY

I 2

3 4

In 1 9 1 1 Schlechter and Tarrasch played a match at Cologne which was one of the finest ever contested. What made this remarkable was the fact that the games were played when the temperature averaged 95 degrees in the shade-enough to discourage any kind of chess ! 48 MARACHE IN A HURRY

Napoleon Marache made such rapid strides in assimilating chess that he was able, three weeks after his first lesson, to give his tutor the odds of a Rook ! 49

RESHEVSKY TAKES HIS TIME

In their twelfth-round game at AVRO in I938, Reshevsky took a full hour for his first five moves. Capablanca took only two minutes for his ! so

RUY LOPEZ AT PLAY

The first International Chess Tournament was held at Madrid in 1575 at the Court of Philip I I . The players were Ruy Lopez and Alfonso Ceron of Spain, and Giovanni Leonardo {also known as II Puttino) and Paolo Boi of Italy. Leonardo was the winner of first prize . One of the games (if authentic)

Leonardo Black P-K.., P-Q3 P-QB3 B-Ns

Lopez White P-K4 P-KB4 B-B4 N-B3

The fir.st error-it loses a Pawn. PxP KxB K-KI N-B3

5 PxP 6 B x Pch 7 N x Pch 8QxB It

The second and more serious error. loses the exchange and the game. Q-K2 Q QI KxQ Resigns

9 Q-K6ch 10 Q-B8ch n Q x Qch 1 2 N-B7ch

-

51

LONGEST PROBLEM MATE

J . N. Babson published a problem in Brentano's Chess Monthly in 1882, the terms of which were : White to mate in I , 22o moves, after compell ing Black to make three successive, complete Knight's tours. This is the position, should you care to try to solve it :

29


5Z

54

LUCKY STALEMATE

MIGHTY ARMY UNAVAILING

In the Fifth American Tourney, held at New York in 1 88o, Delmar had a Queen and five passed Pawns against Congdon's lone Queen but he let Congdon escape with a draw by stalemate ! Here is the position a few moves before Delmar came to grief :

Mr. A. P. Barnes once gave an amateur the odds of a Rook and Knight, and won easily. There's nothing startling in that, but in this case his opponent finished up with more pieces than he had started with originally ! NEW YORK, 1 877 (Remove White's QR and QN)

I

Play continued as follows :

40 41 42 43

... Q-QN3 K-Q2 K-Q I

P-R6 P-Q6ch Q-Q5 Q-B6

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 II 12

Barnes White P-K4 P-Q4 P-QB3 B-QB4 P-QR3 N-B3 o-o B-R2 N-N5 Q-N3 R-K I R-Q I

Amateur Black P-K4 PxP Px P N-QB3 QN-K2 P-QR3 P-QN4 P-QB3 N-R3 Q-� PxP P x B (Q)


" Almost any other move would have won, " says the Tournament book.

44 Q-N8ch ! Stalemate

KxQ

53

RECORD FOR SIMULTANEOUS PLAY

The record fo r simultaneous chess play is held by Gideon Stahlberg, Swedish master. He played 400 games at Buenos Aires, in an exhi bition which started at 1 0 : 00 P . M . Friday, August 29th 1 94I, and ended at 1o : oo A . M . on Sunday. He wound up with the fine score of 364 wins, 14 draws, and only 2 2 losses !

At this point, Barnes, who had a Queen, Rook, Knight and Bishop less than his opponent, announced mate in three, beginning (naturally) with a Qu een sacrifice .

1 3 Q x Pch I4 B x Nch I 5 N-K6 mate

NxQ K-Q I

30


55 ANNOUNCED MATE LONGER THAN REST OF GAME

Norwood Potter once performed an interesting feat. He gave an amateur the tremendous odds of a Queen. After only six moves were played, Potter announced a forced mate in nine moves ! The game went thus : LONDON, 1 870 (Remove White's Queen) Potter White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 B-B4 4 N-B3 sNxP 6 P-Q3

Amateur Black P-K4 N-QB3 N-B3 N-QR4 NxP N-B4

This is how the board looks :

been announced which is longer than the rest of the game itself ! s6

WATER-MARKED TOURNAMENT BOOK

The Tournament Book of the Sixth American Chess Congress held at New York in 1 889 was published on paper especially water marked " Sixth American Chess Congress. " 57

ARMY OF WOMEN PLAYERS

More than 1o,ooo women players took part in the eliminating sections of the Russian Women's Chess Championship in 1 936 ! 58 MOVING PIECES I S FUTILE

In 19 1 1 Spielmann and Alapin played a match of 10 games at Munich with the novel idea (sugges ted by Alapin) of being permitted to analyze the positions by moving the pieces on a separate board. Spielmann did not avail himself of the privilege, but won the match by 6! to 3! ! 59 MASTERS BECOME ARMY OFFICERS

White announced mate as follows : K-K2 7 B x Pch 8 B-Nsch K-Q3 9 N-Nsch KxN K-B4 10 P-B4ch K-N5 1 1 N-Q4ch K-N6 1 2 P-R3ch 13 N-K2ch KxP N-K5 14 B-Qsch 1 5 B x N mate Never before or since has a mate

Reuben Fine and Isaac Kashdan have been officers in the Mexican Army. The reason for these titles (which were honorary) was that it would facilitate their travels through Mexico. 6o

DISTINGUI SHED RACE- HORSES

Steinitz and Capablanca have had racehorses named after them.

31



61 SUSPICIOUS-LOOKING MOVES

Steinitz was once arrested as a spy ! Police authorities assumed that the .moves made by Steinitz in playing his correspondence games with Tchigorin were part of a code by means of which important war secrets could be communicated. 6:z

CAPPED KNIGHT INFLICTS MATE

Much more difficult even than the odds of a Queen is undertaking to force checkmate with a particular Pawn or piece. Clearly the opponent can afford to give up any amount of material to rid the board of the only piece that has the power to inflict mate . Here is a rare example of this stipulation being carried out suc cessfully. Max Lange co ntracts to checkmate with his Queen Knight. BRESLAU, 1 868 (Place a Ring Around the Queen's Knight) Lange

I

2 3 4 5

White P-K4 N-QB3 P-KB4 N-B3 B-B4

6 o-o

7 P-Q4 8 B x Pch 9 Q-Rsch Io R x P I I B- K3 1 2 N-K2 I3 K x P 1 4 QR-KB1

Von Schierstedt Black P-K4 N-QB3 PxP P-KN4 P-N5 PxN PxP KxB K-N2 N-R3 P-Q3 Q-K2 B-K3 B-B2

KxQ 1 5 Q x Nch ! 1 6 R-N 4 dis.ch K-&J KxR 1 7 N-N3ch 18 R-Bs P-KR3 K-R5 1 9 P-R3ch BxR 2o R-Rsch 2 1 N-Bs mate ! In the course of fu lfilling his task, Lange sacrificed his Queen, two Rooks, a Knight and a Bishop I 63 FRUSTRATING THE BOOK PLAYER

G. A. MacD on nell was t he winner of a tournamen t played at London in 1 868 . All the competitors began their games with the position of their Knights and Bishops reversed -in order to avoid book play. And this was back in 1 868 !

64

MASTER OF CHESS AND WHIST

Alexandre Louis H onore Lebre ton Deschapelles was once acknowl edged to be the best player in the world at both chess and whist. The Deschapelles Coup, his invention, is still used today by master bridge players.

32


I S N-Bs !

6s NAPIER PICKS HIS BEST GAME

Most players are proud of their most brilliant efforts, b ut Napier thought the best game he ever played was the one he lost to Dr. Lasker at Cambridge Springs in I 904 l Here is the game, which is not only Napier's best, but is one of Lasker's most impressive victories as well :

CAMBRIDG}': SPRINGS, I904 Sicilian Defence Napier Black P-QB4 N-QB3 P-KN3 PxP B-N2 P-Q3 N-B3

Lasker White I P-K4 2 N-QB3 3 N-B3 4 P-Q4 sNxP 6 B-K3 7 P-KR3 8 P-KN4 9 P-N5 xo P-KR4 I I P-B4

15 . . . x6 Q x Q I 7 N-K7ch

NxN KR x Q K-RI

This is better than I 7 . . . K-BI 18 B-B5, N-K5 I9 B-QR3, N-Q3 20 N X B. QR X N 2 I o-o-o, K-K2 22 B-N2, and White wins (accord ing to Marco) .

I B P-Rs Marco points out that this is superior to 1 8 P x N, P x P 1 9 B-Q4, B x B 2 0 P x B , R-K I , and Black is a Pawn ahead, and with the superior position.

IB . . . 19 B-Bs

R-K I


o-o

N-KI N-B2

This early, perhaps premature attack is foreign to Lasker's usual style, but the end (in this case) justifies the means.

P-K4 P-Q4 N-Q5 ! N x P!

II ... I 2 KN-K2

13 KP x P I4 N x N

Black is prepared to meet I 5 N x N with 15 . . P x N 16 B x P, Q x N I 7 B x B, Q x R I B B x R, Q x Pch with the better game. But Lasker has something up his sleeve -and so has Napier ! .

,

Does this win a piece ?

I9 . . .

NP x P

" Is it not queer, " says the inde fatigable (and indispensable) Marco, " that Napier avoids 19 . . . KP x P, which removes the Knight's attack on his NP, protects the Knight, and increases the scope of his King Rook and King Bishop ? " Marco then gives a detailed analysis, of which I quote two lines of play : If 19 . . . KP X p 20 p X N, B x Pch 2 1 K-B2, B x R 22 B-B4,

33


B-N 2 23 N x Pch, BP x N 24 P x P, P-KR3 25 R x Pch, B x R 26 P x B, R-Q 1 27 B-K7, and White wins. Or if 1 9 . . . KP x P 20 P x N, B x Pch 2 1 K-B2, B x R 22 B-B4, B-B6 23 B x BP, R x N 24 P x P ! , R x B 2 5 P x R, B-N2 2 6 P-N6, P-KR3 27 R x Pch, B x R 28 B-Q4ch, B-N2 29 P-B8 ( Q ) mate.

2o B-B4 ! 2 1 B x BP !

PxP

According to Napier, Lasker had only three minutes for this and his next nine moves. 21 22 23 24

... BxR QR-N 1 K-B 1

N-K5 ! BxP B-B6ch B-K Ns !

Black is a Rook behind, but he has four threats : 25 . . . R x B, 25 . . . N x B, 25 . . . N-Q7ch and 25 . . . N-N6ch. White, who has only a minute or so on his clock, must find a way to save himself-or he isn't Lasker ! 25 26 27 28

B(K8) x P ! R x B! K-N2 RxP

BxB N-N6ch NxR

Lasker has returned the Rook, simply to clear up the complications, and get a superior ending. 28 29 30 31

... R-N 3 R-KR3 K-B3

P-R4 B-N 2 N-N6 R-R3

But not 3 1 . . . B-K4 (to protect the Pawn) as 32 N-N 6ch wins the bishop. 32 33 34 35

KxP K-B5 P-R3 B-K3

N-K7ch N-B6 N-R5 Resigns

For 36 P-N 6 will force the win.

66

RUBINSTEIN DEFEATS THE BIG THREE

The three greatest chess . masters that ever lived (in my opinion) were Capablanca, Alekhine and Lasker. Rarely did any of them lose a game, and yet Akiba Rubinstein defeated each of them in tum the first time he played them ! Here are his three great victories : ST. PETERSBURG, 1909 Queen's Gambit Declined

1 2 3 4 s 6 7 8

Rubinstein White P-Q4 N-KB3 P-B4 B-Ns P x QP N-B3 KN x P P-K3

Lasker Black P-Q4 N-KB3 P-K3 P-B4 KP x P PxP N-B3

White does not try to win a Pawn by 8 B x N, Q x B, 9 N x P, as 9 . . . Q x N 10 N-B7ch, K-Q 1 1 1 N x R, B-Nsch would find him mated. 8 ... B-Ns 10 B(KNs) x N u NxP 12 P x B 13 B x N 1 4 N-K3 I S o-o 9

B-K2 B-Q2 BxB BxN Q-N4 BxB o-o-o

KR-KI

Threatens 16 . . . R x N I 6 R-BI ! A subtle move, whose depth seems to escape Lasker. 16 . . .

RxN

Somewhat safer was 1 6 . . . K-N1 (to avoid the chief threat of 1 7 P-Q5) but Black's position would


J4

still be inferior after I ] R-B5 , Q-B5 I 8 P-Q5 . R x N I 9 Q-B I , R-K4 20 p X B , p X p 2 I Q-BJ . This is the position :

(or 24 . . . R x R 25 Q x Q) Q-Q6ch and mate next move. 2 2 Q-B5

25

Q-K2

Here if 22 . . . R-Q8ch 23 K-B2, R-Q7ch 24 K-K I , Q x P 25 Q-R5ch, and White wins a Rook.

I ] R x Bch I8 Q-B I !

PxR

This is the point ! If instearl I 8 I 9 K-R I , Q x P, and Black is a Pawn up . P x R , Q x KPch

r8 . . .

Rx P

After I 8 . . . R-K4 instead, White still had the advantage by con tinuing I9 Q x Pch, K-N I 20 P x R, Q x P 2I R-Br . I9 P x R

R-Q2

Protecting the QBP by 1 9 . . . R-QJ allows 20 R x P, and the Rook's penetration can cause trouble. 20 Q x Pch 2 I R-B4

K-Q I

A sp le nd id conception ! Rubin stein threatens 22 Q-R8ch, fol lowed by 2J R-K4ch or 23 R-B4ch, winning by direct attack. 2I ... If 2 I . . . Q-QR4 2 2 Q-R8ch, K-K2 2J R-K4ch, K-BJ 24 Q-B6ch, K-N4 25 P-R4ch, and White wins a Rook. Or if 2 I . . . R-Q8ch 2 2 K-B2, R-Q7ch 2J K-K I , Q x P 24 R-Q4ch, K-K2

2J Q x Qch 24 R x P 25 K-Bz 26 K-BJ 27 R-QR5 28 R-R6 29 P-K4 JO P-KR4 J I P-N4 J2 K-B4 JJ P-R5 34 K-B5 J5 P-K5 J6 R-Q6 J7 R-R6 J8 R-Q6 J9 R-QB6 40 P-R3 !

KxQ R-Q8ch R-Q7ch R X QNP R-N2 K-B I R-QB2 K-B2 K-B r K-K2 P-RJ K-B2 R-N2 K-K2 K-B2 K-B r K-B2 Resigns

On a King move, 41 K-N6 is de cisive ( note how 40 P-RJ prevents Black from moving R-N 5 ) , or if 40 . . . R-K2 41 P-K6ch, K-N r 42 K-N6, R-K I 4J P-K7 followed by 44 R-Q6 and 45 R-Q8, and mate follows qu ickly . The following year Rubinstein scored another great victory, this time over Alekhine. Thou gh still in his teens, Alekhine was llggressive and imaginative, and thor ou ghly dangerous at all times .

MOSCOW, 1910 Ruy Lopez Alekhine White I P-K4 2 N-KBJ J B-N5

Rubinstein Black

P-K4 N-QB3 P-QR3

3S


4BxN S P-Q3 6 B-K3 7 QN-Q2 8 N-B4 9 Q-Q2 10 Q-B3 1 1 N x Bch 1 2 N-Q2 13 P-B4 1 4 N-B3 IS Q-Q2 1 6 P-B3 17 P x N 1 8 P-Bs 19 KR-N1

QP x B P-B3 B-KNs P-QB4 B-Q3 N-K2 N-B3 PxN B-I{J o-o N-Qs P-Q4 N x Nch P-Bs B-B2

The first threat in the game- slight though it is (2o B-R6, win ning the exchange) . 19 20 21 22 23 24

... QP x P PxP Q-N2 R-Q I Q-QB2

K-R1 P x KP BxP R-B2 Q-B2

Now a real trap ! If 24 . . . B x P 2S P-N3, Q-R4 26 R-QR1, B x P 27 Q x B ! , Q x Rch 28 K-B2, and White wins. 24 . . . 2S K-B2 26 Q-R4

R-Q I R(B2)-Q2

Exchanging Rooks instead could lead to this debacle : 26 R x R, Q x R 27 K-B3, B-Q6 28 Q-N3, B x Pch 29 K x B, Q-B3ch, and mate next move. 26 . . . 2 7 Q-N4

B-Q6 P-QN4

Threatens to win the King Pawn by 28 . . . P-QR4.


29 R x R 30 R-Nr

QxR

Of course not 30 K x B, Q-Q8ch, winning the Rook. 30 31 32 33

... R-K1 Q-K7 K-N 1

B-R4 Q-Q6 P-R3

A tempting move is 33 B x P, but then this follows : 33 . . . Q-B6ch 34 K-N I , Q-Nsch 3S K-R 1 , R-K 1 , and Black wins. 33 . . . 34 B-B2

K-R2 Q-R6

With the deadly threat of forcing mate by 3S . . . B-B6. 3S B-Q4 36 K-B2 37 K-K3

B-B6 Q-N7ch B x P!

For 38 Q x R permits a mate in three. 38 R-K2 39 P x P 40 Resigns

P x Bch Q-B6ch

Rubinstein's defeat of Capa blanca must have been particularly gratifying to the Polish master,


as it was Capablanca's only loss in his sensational tournament debut.

Here is the way the board looks :

SAN SEBASTIAN, I 9 I I Queen's Gambit Declined Rubinstein White I P-Q4 2 N-KB3 3 P-B4 4 P x QP 5 N-B3 6 P-KN3 7 B-N2 8 o-o

Capablanca Black P-Q4 P-QB4 P-K3 KP x P N-QB3 B-K3 B-K2 R-B I

Capablanca notes that the simple 8 . . . N-B3 was better, but he wanted to get away from the well analyzed lines of play. 9 Io n I2 I3

PxP N-KN5 NxB B-R3 B-N5

BxP N-B3 PxN Q-K2 o-o

" The right move was I3 . . . R-Q I , " says Capablanca, " in order to get the Rook away from the line of the Bishop at R3 and at the same time to support the Queen Pawn. Against the text move White makes a very fine combination which I had seen, but which I thought could be defeated." I4 B x N I5 N x P !

QxB

Rubinstein is prepared to meet I6 Q x Pch I5 . . . P x N with followed by I 7 B x R, as well as I5 . . . B x Pch with I6 K-N2, Q-R3 I 7 N-B4. These are obvious lines, but there are subtleties in the position. I5 . . .

I 6 K-N2 ! "This is the move which I had not considered, " comments Capablanca. " I thought that Rubinstein would have to play 16 B-N2 when I had in mind the following combination : 16 B-N2 , N-K4 I 7 N-B4 (if 1 7 R-B I , Q x R ! I 8 Q x Q, B x Pch wins) N-N5 r 8 P-KR3 (if r8 N-R3, B x Pch 19 R x B, R x R 20 N x R, Q x Pch 2 1 K-B I , N-K6ch wins the Queen) N x P 19 R x N, B x Rch 20 K x B, P-KN4, and Black should win. It is curious that this combina tion has been overlooked. It has been taken for granted that I did not see the 1 7th move Q-B I . "

I6 . . . I 7 Q-B I I

QR-Q I PxN

On I 7 . . . R x N, there follows I 8 Q x Q, P x Q I9 B x Pch, and White wins. I8 Q x B I9 Q-N5 20 Q-Q3 2I P x Q 2 2 B-N4 23 KR-KI 24 R x R 25 R-K5 26 R x P 2 7 B-K6ch 28 R-B5ch

Q-Q7 N-Q5 QxQ KR-K I R-Q3 RxR R-QN3 RxP N-B3 K-BI K-K I

37


This is better than 28 . . . K-K2, B-B4 , and ·white threatens 29 R-B7ch. K-Q2 P-QR3 Capablanca says that the proper move here was 30 . . . K-Q3 . Then if 3 I R-QN5 (to exchange Rooks) R x R 32 B x R, N-Q5 followed by 33 . . . P-QN4, " and White would have an exceedingly difficult game to draw on account of the domi nating position of the Knight at Q5 in conj unction with the extra Pawn on the Queen's side and the awk ward position of White's King." 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

R-B7ch R x KNP B-N8 RxP P-R4 R-R6ch R-Rsch B-Qs

K-Q3 P-N4 P-QR4 P-R5 P-N5 K-B4 K-N3

A blunder in a winning position I The right way was 38 B-B4, then if 38 . . . P-N6 39 R-Nsch, K-B2 40 B x P, P x B 41 P x P, and White's Pawns will go on to victory. 38 . . .

P-N6

Capablanca in turn misses a golden opportunity to save the game-a rare happening in Capa blanca's career. The right line (which he dis covered after the game) was 38 . . . R X p 39 B-B4 , (if 39 B X R, P-N6 40 B x P, P x B, and Black's last Pawn cannot be stopped) R-B7 (threatens to capture the Bishop) 40 R-Nsch , K-B2 41 B-N8, P-R6 42 P-R5, P-R7 43 B x P, R x B, " and if there is a win it is very difficult to find it, as against 44 P-R6, R-R3 ! offers excellent chan ces for a draw. "

P-R6 R x NP

39 P x P 40 B x N

If 40 . . . P-N7 4 1 R-Nsch, K-R3 42 R-N8, and White wins. 4 1 B-Qs 42 R-R6ch

P-R7 Resigns

If 42 . . . K-R2 or 42 . . . K-R4 43 R-R8 followed by 44 R-R8ch wins, or if 42 . . . K-N4 43 B-B4ch followed by 44 R-R6 wins. Comments on the merits of this game vary from Kmoch's. " One of the most famous accomplishments of the Polish Grandmaster," to Capablanca's, " As an endgame, this is rather a sad exhibition for two masters. The redeeming feature of the game is Rubinstein's fine combination in the middle game, beginning with 14 BxN . "

67 PROMPT REPLY TO WANT AD

The A merican Chess Bulletin had this advertisement in its issue of February 1 909 : Wanted . . . A youth with the genius of Morphy, the memory of Pillsbury and the determination of Steinitz ; of robust health which he values above rubies ; full of a modest j oy of living and possessor of habits of life that square with a sensible ideal-as adversary for the present and invincible cham pion of the world. Unto such an one will come su pport unlimited, friends by the legion, imperish able glory, and possibly, Victory I The terms of this advertisement seemed difficult to fulfill, but they received a speedy reply, when their own pages recorded a few months later the smashing victory of Capa blanca, the new chess star, over


Frank Marshall, Champion of the United States. This was the beginning of Capa blanca's meteoric chess career, which culminated in his winning the World's Championship from the mighty Lasker . 68

BLINDFOLD MATE IN 16

J. H. Blackbume, the great British master, once announced a forced rnate in I 6 moves in one of his games ! This would be remarkable enough in over the board play, but in this case Blackbume was playing blind fold ! Here is the position, with White to move :

69 HARRW ITZ'S REVENGE

Harrwitz published a book on chess wherein he quoted several of Mor phy's games. Instead of the usual brilliancies one would expect, the games cited showed only Morphy's losses. (It may be explained that Harr witz's bitterness against Morphy, after losing a m atch to him, was probably the cause of this spiteful attempt at revenge.) 70 MERRY-GO- ROUND AT BADEN- BADEN

In the double-round tourney held at Baden-Baden in 1 8 7 0, Anderssen beat Steinitz 2-o, Steinitz beat Neumann 2-o, and Neumann beat Anderssen 2-o. (They say that chess is a scientific game, where the better man always wins.) 71

MERRY - GO - ROUND AT MEXICO CITY

K-R2

I R x Bch 2 Q Q3 ch

R-N3

3 Qx R ch

PxQ

-

4

R -K7 ch

B-K6ch 6 � B 7c h 5

-

K-N I K-B I K-KI

7 N -B6ch

K-Q I

8

K-B I

R-Q7ch 9 R x RPch IO N -Q 7 ch I I N-B5 ch

K-N I

7Z

K -B I

QUEEN SACRIFICE DOWNS LASKER AND CAPA IN z6 M OVES

K-Q I

I 2 R -Q 7ch I 3 R- KB 7ch

K-Q I

I4N-N7 ch

K-K I

1 5 NxP ch

K-Q I

1 6 B-N6 mate

In a tournament held at Mexico City in 1935, nine Mexicans and three Americans participated. Each of the Americans made a clean sweep against the Mexicans. In their individual encounters Dake beat Fine, Fine beat Steiner, and Steiner · won from Dake, leaving a · curious triple tie for first place.

K-B I

A strange disaster occurred to Lasker and Capablanca in 1 934· Alekhine beat Lasker at Zurich in 26 moves, sacrificing his Queen to

39


do so ; Lilienthal beat Capablanca at Hastings in 26 moves, sacrificing his Queen to do so I Here are the two games : ZURICH, I 934 Queen 's Gambit Declined Alekhine White I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3 4 N-B3 s B-Ns 6 P-K3 7 R-BI S B-Q3 gBxP 1o B x B I I N-K4 I2 N-N3 I3 o-o I4 N-Bs I5 N(KB3) x P 16 B-N3 I7 N x B

Lasker Black P-Q4 P-K3 N-KB3 B-K2 Q N-Q 2 o-o P-B3 PxP N-Q4 QxB N(Q4)-B3 P-K4 PxP Q-QI N-K4 BxN Q-N3

The proper move, according to Alekhine, was I7 . . . P-KN3 . After Lasker's Queen sortie, Alekhine's Queen is enabled to assume a dominating position. IS Q-Q6 !

The alternative IS . . . N-N3 is not a happy one. After I9 N-R6ch, P x N 20 Q x N, Q-Q 1 2 I Q-QB3, White has the advantage. 19 KR-Q I 2o Q-N3 21 Q-Ns !

QR-Q 1 P-N3

Threatens 22 R-Q6, N-KI 2 3 R x Pch, R P x R 24 Q x Pch, and mate in two. 21 . . . 22 N-Q 6 23 P-K4 !

K-R I K-N2

Frees the third rank for the convenience of the Rooks. 23 . . . 24 R-Q3

N-KN I P-B3

The position at this point :

K-R I Resigns

25 N-B5ch 26 Q x P!

After 26 . . . P x Q 27 R-R3ch forces mate. Here is the story of Capablanca's mishap : HASTINGS, 1934 Nimzoindian Defence Lilienthal White I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3 4 P-QR3 sPxB 6 P-B3 7 B-Ns S B-R4 g P-K4 Io B x B I I Q-R4ch I 2 Q x BP 1 3 Q-Q3 I 4 N-K2 1 5 o-o 1 6 Q-B2

Capablanca Black N-KB3 P-K3 B-Ns B x Nch P-QN3 P-Q4 P-KR3 B-R3 BxP PxB Q-Q2 Q-B3 QN-Qz R-Q 1 P-QR4

Not at once I6 P-QB4 as I6 . . . N-K4 wins a Paw n .


Q-Bs R-QB I P-K..t Q x KP

I6 . . P-B4 I8 P-Bs ! I9 P x P .

I7

A plausible capture which is nicely refuted. This is the position :

ta at the same time that he was conducting two games of chess blindfold ! 75 CHESS AND INSANITY

In I 85o an old passion for chess awoke in Szechenyi (founder of the Magyar Academy) and took an insane character. It became neces sary to pay a poor student to play with him for IO or I2 hours at a time. Szechenyi slowly regained his sanity, but the unfortunate student went mad ! 76

QxQ R-KNI Q-Ks

20 P x N I 2I P x P 22 N-Q4

If instead 22 Q-R5, then 23 QR-Ki ch, N-K4 24 R x Nch, K-Q2 25 R-Qsch, K-K I 26 R-KI is mate. . . .

23 24 25 26

N-B4 NxR RxP Resigns

QR-KI R x Qch R-K I R x Nch 73

ONE - UPMANSHIP 400 YEARS AGO !

Ruy Lopez, the famous bishop, player and wri ter on chess, recom mended as good chess tactics placing the board so that the light would shine in the opponent's eyes ! (A valuable addition to the theory of the Ruy Lopez opening !) 74

BLINDFOLD MUSICIAN

The organist Sir Walter Parratt was able to play a Beethoven Sona-

M ORPHY OFFERS ODDS TO THE WORLD

Before retiring from his throne, Paul Morphy, King of Chess, offered to play a match with anyone in the world at the odds of Pawn and move ! The handicap was big, but no one accepted. Apparently everyone was convinced that Morphy was invincible. 77 LUCKY PRIZE- WINNER

In the International Tournament held at London in I 8 5 1 , Mucklow won a grand total of two games, lost eight, forfeited the rest-and still won a prize I 78 FORM IDABLE ANALYSIS

In Die Hypermode.,ne Schach pa.,tie, Dr. Tartakover annotates a game between Spielmann and Tar rasch, played at Mahrisch-Ostrau in I923. To make sure that the student does not miss any of the fine points, he devotes I I columns of


notes to only two moves in the game. A less conscientious analyst would have filled up this space with I I games, notes and all ! 79 .JUST WILD ABOUT CHESS

Perhaps the most fanatical devo tee the game has ever known was Daniel Harrwitz. He wore stickpins shaped like chess pieces, chess ties, and had chess figures embroidered on his shirts. He played chess at the Cafe de la Regence morning, noon and night seven days a week ! At one stage of his match with Morphy, Harrwitz pleaded illness, and failed to put in an appearance. His admirers found him resting up at the Cafe de la Regence, playing chess ! 8o GRANDMASTER CHECKED, D OUBLE CHECKED AND MATED IN ELEVEN

A grandmaster who had 40 years of experience, and had written more than 20 books of chess instruction, was once checkmated in 1 1 moves I This is how he was polished off : VIENNA, I9IO Caro-Kann Defence . Reti White I P-K4 2 P-Q4 3 N-QB3 4NxP s Q-Q3 6 Px P 7 B-Q2 8 o-o-o

Tartakover Black P-QB3 P-Q4 PxP N-B3 P-K4 Q-R4ch Q x KP NxN

This is how the board looked before the blow fell :

KxQ K-B2

9 Q-Q8ch ! Io B-Ns dble.ch I I B-Q8 mate 81

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS TWICE

Playing against Reti at Pistyan in I922, Hromadka had the pleasant choice of winning his opponent's Queen or announcing mate in five moves. He overlooked both possibilities, and finally lost the game on time limit ! Here is the sad story : PISTYAN, I922 King's Gambit Declined Reti White I P-K4 2 P-KB4 3 N-KB3 4 P-B3 s BP x P 6 P-Q4 7 B-QB4 8 P-Ks 9 PxP I o N-B3 I I B-K3 I 2 B-Q3 I3 P x N I4 Q-B2 IS o-o

Hromadka Black P-K4 B-B4 P-Q3 P-B4 QP x P KP x P N-KB3 N-Ks B-N3 N-QB3 N-QR4 NxN o-o P-KR3


A better move was I S P-B4, enabling White to meet I S P-B4 with 16 P-Qs. . . .

P-B4 ! B-B2 Q-K2 B-K3 P-KN4 R-B2 PxP P-Bs P-Ns P-N6 Q-Rs Q-R4 K-N2 R-RI Q-R8ch

IS . . . 16 P x P 1 7 QR-K 1 1 8 B-Q4 19 Q-B2 2o P-KR4 21 P x P 2 2 B-K3 23 B-Q4 24 N-Q2 2S Q-K2 26 N-B3 27 R-N 1 28 KR-Q 1 29 K-B1 30 N-N 1

If 30 B-N 1 , R-R7 follows, and the threat of 3 1 . R x P is decisive. . .

30 31 32 33 34 3S

... PxP Q K4 P-B6 B-K2 R-N4 -

P-B6 R-R7 K-B 1 P-N3 N-Bs


force mate by 3S . . R-B7ch 36 B X R, B-R6ch 37 K-K I p X Bch 38 K x P, Q-N7ch 39 K-KI , Q-N6 mate. Black missed these golden oppor tunities and played : .

,

Q-N7ch NxP B-B4 BxB Q x Nch

3S . . . 3 6 K-K1 37 B x N 38 Q-Q4 39 Q x B 40 K-Q2

At this point Black had over stepped the time limit, and his game was declared forfeit. 8::z

GO FOR CHESS

Dr. Emanuel Lasker trained for his World's Championship with Dr. Tarrasch by playing the J apanese game Go daily with Edward Lasker ! 83

BELATED TOURNAMENT BOOK

The Cambridge Springs Tourna ment took place in 1904 . The Book of the Tournament was published in 193S. 31 years later ! 84

EXCEPTION WINS TOURNAMENT

Black can now win the Queen by 3 S . B-B4 , as 36 Q-Qs in reply allows 36 . . . Q-N 7ch 37 K-K I , Q-B7ch 3 8 B x Q . P x Bch 39 K-B 1 , N-K6 mate. The other pleasant choice is to . .

The Tournament at San Sebastian in 191 I was limited to those masters who had won at least ·one third prize in an International Tourna ment. An exception was made to this ruling in the case of Capablanca (who had never played -in an Inter national Tournament) on the strength of his phenomenal victory over Marshall two years earlier. The exception won the tourna ment !

43


STANDING ROOM ONLY

Over I oo,ooo people requested tickets of admission to the first round of the Moscow I93 5 Inter national Tournament !

86 TOUGH OPPOSITION

Capablanca and Flohr were in their day considered the finest simultaneous players in the world and they probably were, except in Moscow and Leningrad ! Capablanca's score in some other cities in I 9 35 were : City U'on 39 Manchester Paris 12 Bayreuth 29 20 Leipzig Prague 25 26 Warsaw Mahrisch-Ostrau 2 2 But in Moscow 7 IO Leningrad

Lost Drawn 0 I 0 0 I I IO 0 5 3 6 4 8 2

I4 II

9 9

Flohr's scores outside of these two cities were close to those of Capa blanca's. But in Moscow he won 12 games, lost 20, and drew I 8 ! And in an exhibition of 30 games in Leningrad, he won five, lost I 3 , and drew I 2 ! Both of these Grand Masters were reconciled to these seemingly poor performances when they were told that most of their opponents in these two cities were little below master strength, and were accus tomed to give simultaneous exhi bitions themselves ! (One is reminded of Thor's visit to the giants of ] otunheim . )

BABY ( O F TOURNAMENT) FINISHES THIRD

Nimzovich once took part in a tournament where he was forbidden by law to enter the tournament room ! This occurred in Ostend in 1 907, where the play took place in the Casino. Since all under 2 I were forbidden to enter the building, Nimzovich (who was I9 at the time) had to play his games outside. The baby of the tournament finished third in a field of 29 entrants. 88 CARRIED TO THE BATTLE

A curious misfortune afflicted the youthful Alekhine in the Hamburg I 9 I O Tournament. Because of an injury to his foot, he had to be carried to his table every day. (A study of his games makes one think that his opponents usually had to be carried away from their tables ! ) 8g ANNOUNCES MATE IN :z:z MOVES

Walter Penn Shipley, playing a correspondence game with J . S . Hale of Canada, i n which only Pawns were left on the board, announced a forced mate in 2 2 moves ! This was the position :

44


The mate is accomplished as follows : I P-B6 2 P-B7 3 P-B8 (Q) 4 Q-KB5ch 5 Q-K4 6 Q-B4ch 7 Q-K3ch 8 Q-B3ch g K-N4 Io Q-Qsch I I Q-B4ch 12 Q-Q4ch 13 Q-K3ch 14 Q-Q3ch 15 Q x P I6 K-B3 17 P x P 1 8 K-K3 19 K-Q3 2o P x P 2 1 K-B2 22 Q-R6 mate

KxP P-K6 P-K7 K-N8 K-B7 K-N8 K-B8 K-K8 K-Q7 K-B8 K-Q7 K-B8 K-Q8 K-B8 P-R5 PxP K-N8 P-N3 P-N4 K-R8 K-R7

7 N-B3 8 PxP g o-o 1 o B-KN5

II Bx N

Steinitz exchanges a few pieces to prevent Black from Castling. II ... 12 N x B

FIVE-FOLD ROOK SACRIFICE

In the great Hastings 1 895 Tournament, Steinitz offered his Rook to Bardeleben at five different squares in five consecutive moves. Capturing the Rook would have led to immediate disaster, but even after the refusal, Steinitz was able to announce mate in Io moves !

B (K3) x B QxN

If 1 2 . . . B x B 1 3 N x Pch wins a Pawn.

13 B x B 1 4 R-KI 1 5 Q-K2 16 QR-B I 1 7 P-Qs l 18 N-Q4 19 N-K6

NxB P-KB3 Q-Q2 P-B3 PxP K-B2 KR-QB I

On 1 9 . . . QR-B I , Steinitz had prepared 20 Q-N4, P-KN3 2 1 N-Nsch, K-K I 22 R x Rch, Q x R 23 Q x Q mate. 20 Q-N4 2 1 N-Nsch

90

P-Q4 KN x P B- K3 B-K2

P-KN3 K-K 1

This i s the situation lightning struck the board :

before

HASTINGS, 1 895 Giuoco Piano

I 2 3 4 5 6

Steinitz White P-K4 N-KB3 B-B4 P-B3 P-Q4 Px P

Bardeleben Black P-K4 N-QB3 B-B4 N-B3 PxP B-Nsch

2 2 R x Nch !

K-BI

If 22 . . . Q x R 1 3 R x Rch wins at once. If 22 . . . K x R 23 R-K1 ch, K-Q3 (23 . . . K-Q I 24 N-K6ch, K-K2 25 N-B5 dis.ch wins the Queen) 24 Q-N4ch, K-B2 25

45

WONDERS AND CURIOSIT I E S OF CHESS

26 Q B4 ch R-B2 27 N x H, and White wins. Meanwhile White is threatened with mate, and four of his pieces are en prise. N-K6ch , K-N 1

-

,

K-N I

23 R-B7ch l

If 23 Q x R 24 R x Reb wins easily, and if 23 . . . K-KI 24 Q x Q is mate. . . .

24

K-RI

R-N7ch l

Here if 24 . . . Q x R 25 R x Reb leads to a won ending, while 24 . . . K x R loses to 2 5 Q x Qch. Finally, if 24 . . . K-BI White finishes a Queen up with 25 N x Pch, K x R (or 25 . K-KI 26 Q x Q mate) 26 Q x Qch . .

.

25

Resigns

R x Pch !

After 25 . K-N I , there is a remarkably brilliant mate in Io moves or a win of Black's Queen (as Steinitz demonstrated a� the time) : .

.

without allowing a single draw ! Lasker's opponents were Albin, Delm ar, Lee, Showalter, Hanham, Pillsbury, Taubenhaus, Pollock, Schmidt, Jasnogrodsky, Oily, Ryan and Gossip. But history repeats itself I In the New York tournament of 1913, Capablanca too faced 1 3 opponents, and mowed them all down in quick succession, without allowing a single draw I The ones he beat were Duras, Black, Chajes, Kupchik, Marder, Tenewurzel, Adair, Bernstein, Bey non, Phillips, Grammer, Beihofi and Stapfer. More recently, Bobby Fischer put to rout all I 1 of his opponents in the U.S. Championship Tourney held at New York in I Q63-64, defeating in turn Evans, Benko, Reshevsky, Saidy, R. Byrne, Wein stein, Bisguier, Addison, Mednis, Steinmeyer and D. Byrne.

K-RI

26 R-N7eh

On 26 . . . K-B1 2 7 N-R7ch wins as in the note to the 24th move. 2 7 Q-R4ch 28 Q-R7eh 29 Q-R8eh

30 Q-N7ch 3 1 Q-N 8eh 32 Q-B7ch

33 Q-B8ch 34 N-B7ch 35 Q-K6 mate

KxR K-BI K-K2 K-KI K-K2 K-Q I Q-K I K-Qz

Undoubtedly this game was Stei nitz's Immortal.

91 CLEAN SWEEPS BY LASKER, CAPA AND FISCHER

Dr. Lasker made a clean sweep at the New Yoi:k Tournament of 1 893. He won 1 3 games straight,

C)Z

SACRIFICES ALL EIGHT PAWNS

All sorts of sacrifices have been made in order to inflict mate : Queens, Rooks, Knights, Bishops and Pawns have been given up. But to Dr. Ballard belongs the rare distinction of giving away all eight of his Pawns in the course of an oddsgame ! LONDON, 1 8 72 (Remove White's Queen Knight) Ballard White I P-K4 2 P-KB4 3 N-B3 4 B-B4 5 P-N3 6 o-o 7 P-Q4

Fagan Black P-K4 PxP B-K2 B-R5ch PxP N-KR3 o-o


S PxP 9 K-N2 IO R-RI I I P-K5 I2 K-BI I3 KR-NI I 4 K-B2 I 5 K-KI I 6 P-B3 I7 P x N IS K-B2 I9 B-Q3 20 P-Q5 2 I B-K3 22 K-BI 23 B-Q4 24 B x B 25 P-K6 26 P-K7 27 Q-K2 2S Q-QN2 29 Q-RSch 30 N-N5 mate

BxP B-Q3 Q-B3 Q-N3ch N-B4 N-N6ch N-K5ch B-N5ch NxP B x Pch Q-QB3 BxR Q-N3ch Q-N7ch P-KB4 QxP QxP P-KN3 R-KI Q-B4 RxP K-B2

The final position :

93 FINE'S RECORD BREAKING EXHI BITION PLAY

In 1 940 Reuben Fine toured North America, giving exhibitions of blind fold play, simultaneous chess, and serious games against single oppo nents. He played 4 1 S games in all, of which 2 I were conducted blindfold.

Of these last, Fine won I 7, drew four, and lost none. Of the remain ing 397 games, Fine won 3 76, drew IS, and lost only three games ! 94 WHO'S LOONEY NOW?

Cambridge University once played a game by correspondence with an insane asylum-and lost l CORRESPONDENCE, I SS3-I SS5 Sicilian Defence Cambridge White I P-K4 2 N-QB3 3 N-B3 4 P-Q4 5NxP 6 N-N5 7 P-QR3 S NxB 9 PxP I o B-KN5 I I B-K 2 1 2 o-o I3 B X N I4 B-Q3 I5 Q-R5 I 6 N-K2 I 7 N-Q4 IS N-B3 I9 N-R4 20 P-KN3 2 1 P-KB4

Bedlam Black P-QB4 P-K3 N-QB3 PxP B-N5 N-B3 B x Nch P-Q4 PxP B-K3 o-o N-K2 PxB K-RI P-B4 Q-Q3 Q-K4 Q-N2 R-KNI Q-B3 R-N�

Cuts off the unfortunate Queen's retreat. 22 QR-KI 23 N-N2

QR-KN1

The threat was 23 . . . R x N. 23 24 25 26

... RxB B-K2 Resigns

R(N 1 ) -N3 PxR R-R3

47


only lost his game to Salwe but had the unique privilege of paying the equivalent of $2o.oo in fines for doing so l

98 FIRST PICTURE BOOK OF CHESS

95 LONG- RANGE PROBLEM

Solving Otto Blathy's problems is no picnic. In a booklet of his com positions ( Vielzugige Schachauf gaben) , the shortest problem re quires that White is to mate in 30 moves, the longest specifies that mate is to be forced in 292 moves I

A book of Philidor's games, pub lished in I 8 r9, had illustrative diagrams showing the position of the pieces after every move. The editor, J . G. Pohlman, must therefore be given credit for being the originator of chess in movie form. 99 MATE EVERY MINUTE

On a wager, C. F. Burille solved 62 chess problems in one hour ! 100

96 PARIS FORCED TO CHECKMATE

In I 8 78 Paris and Marseilles played a game by correspondence with these curious conditions : Paris gave Marseilles Queen odds ; in re turn for this advantage Marseilles undertook to force Paris to checkmate them. 97

CASH PENALTY FOR EXCEEDING TIME LIMIT

In the Nuremberg Congress of Igo6 there was no time limit if a game took six hours or less. After wards the players were required to move at the rate of I 5 moves an hour. If they exceeded the time limit, they were penalized at the rate of a mark for each minute of extra time. Under this ruling, Tarrasch not

SMOTHERED MATE OF QUEEN

Games where the King meets his end by smothered mate are not uncommon. Instances where the Queen gets this airtight treatment are rare, as the Queen is a powerful fighting piece. In a game played at Ostend in I 907, Dr. Tarrasch brought about a smothered mate of Bum's Queen, although all of Burn's pieces were still on the board ! OSTEND, I 907 Ruy Lopez

I

2 3 4 5 6

Tarrasch White P-K4 N-KB3 B-N5 B-R4 o-o R-K I

Burn Black

P-K4 N-QB3 P-QR3 N-B3 B-K2 P-QN4


7 B-N3 8 P-QR4 9 P-B3 IO P-R3 I I P-Q4 12 B-Ns

P-Q3 B-N s o-o B-Q2 Q-BI

Threatens 13 RP x P, RP x P 14 R x R, Q x R 1 5 P x P, P x P 16 B x N, B x B 17 Q x B, winning a piece. 12 . . . 1 3 RP x P 14 QN-Q2 15 K-R2 16 Q-B2 17 B-K3 IS N-KNI 1 9 P-N3 2o P-KB4 2 1 NP x P 22 B x P 23 R-KBI 24 B-K3 25 R-B2 26 QR-KB1 27 Q-QI

R-N1 RP x P R-K1 B-QI P-R3 B-K2 P-N4 B-B I NP x P P x BP N-QI N-K3 B-N2 N-R2 R-K2

With an eye to bringing the Queen to Rs .

27 . . . 2 8 N(N1)-B3 29 N-}4 30 N-N6 The final position :

Q-KBI B-KI N(K3)-N4 Resigns

JOJ

BALD HEADS WIN MATCH

In 1891 a team match was played at the Manhattan Chess Club be tween the bald-headed members and the full-haired members. The bald heads won 1 4- I I . J02 S INGLES BEAT MARRIED

Somewhat similar to the en counter cited above was the match between the bachelors and the mar ried men held at the New Orleans Chess, Checkers and Whist Club in 1 890. As the report puts it, " Is there any need to give you the result ? The single men won it easily by a score of 8 to 4 · " One o f the games o f the match : NEW ORLEANS, 1890 Labatt White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 B-B4 4 N-Ns s PxP 6 P-Q3 7 P-KR3 8 N-QB3 9 P-R3 ro N(Ns)-K4 n NxN 12 P x N 13 N x B 14 o-o 15 P-KB3 16 K-RI 1 7 K-R2 18 Q-K2 19 B-Q2 20 B-K 1

Dameron Black P-K4 !i-QB3 N-B3 P-Q4 N-QJ4 B-Q3 B-Q2 o-o

P-KR3 NxN NxB P-KB4 PxN P-Bs (J-N4· Q-14 R-B3 R-N3 R-KBI R-B4

49


2I 22 23 24

B-B2 R-KNI RxR K-NI

R(B4)-N4 R x Pch Q x Pch Q x R mate

(Note : Dameron was a bachelor.) 103 THREE QUEENS ON ONE DIAGONAL

A strange position occurred in a game played in I 962, for the Championship of the Ukraine. Play went as follows :

White

I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-KB3 4 N-B3 5 P-K3 6 B-Q3 7BxP 8 B-K2 9 P-K4 Io P-K5 II P x N I 2 P x NP I 3 P x R(Q) I4 N-Q2 I 5 o-o

I6 Q x P I 7 B-B4 I8 B X P I

QxP Q-R4 ()-(H)

If instead I S . . . P x B Q x Q 20 R x Q, Q-B2 2 I Q x N was threatened) Q-BI 22 Q-N6ch, K-QI and White wins.

I9 N-N3, (mate by 2 I B-B4, 23 Q-B7

I9 Q x P The threat is now adding pressure on the pinned Knight by 20 N-N3 or 20 N-B4.

UKRAINE, I 962 Slav Defence Lazarev

Now we have a position probably unique in the literature of chess three Queens occupy the long diagonal ! The continuation was :

Goldstein Black P-Q4 P-QB3 N-B3 P-K3 QN-Q2 PxP P-QN4 B-N2 P-N5 PxN P x NP P x R(Q) Q-R4ch Q(R4)-B6 Q x QP


Q-N2 BxQ Q-B2

I9 . . . 2o Q x Q 2 I N-B4 22 Q-N4

Attacks the Bishop and also threatens the life of the Queen by 23 B-B4 . 22 23 24 25

B-K4 RxB R-QI Resigns

... B x Ncb Q-N8ch Q-K6ch 104

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLL8-15 TIMES

Samisch lost all I 5 of his games in a tournament held at Berlin in I96g. Others before him have lost every game they played in a tourna ment, but not in the way Samisch did. He lost every game on time limit ! There is a temptation to say that Samisch would have done better by not looking at the board at all, for it was of his skill as a blindfold artist that Alekhine once said, " Of all the modem masters that I have had occasion to observe in blindfold

so


play, it is Samisch that interests me the most ; his great technique, his rapidity and accuracy have always made a profound impression on me. "


105 RECORD WINS, LOSSES AND DRAW S

The most wins in one tournament go to the credit of Tchigorin, who registered 27 victories in the double round Tournament held at New York in I 889. The most losses in one tourna ment were incurred by MacLeod, who lost 3 I games in the same New York 1 889 Tournament. The record for most drawn games in one tournament is held j ointly by Englisch and Rosenthal, each of whom drew 22 games in the London Tournament of 1 883. lo6 FI SCHER TOUCHES A PAWN

Fischer once absent-mindedly touched a Pawn in the course of a tournament game, had to move it, and lost the game ! BUENOS AIRES, 1960 Sicilian .Defence

At this point Fischer, absorbed in his thoughts, touched his King Rook Pawn, toying with it-and found to his horror that having touched the Pawn he had to move it. In consequence, he found himself with a lost game ! Play continued as follows : P-KR4 PxP N-Ns QxB Q-B2 NxP K-R1 N x Bch PxN K-N2 Resigns

... 1 3 P-K5 qPxP 15 B x B I 6 N-K4 17 P K R3 1 8 N-B6ch 19 Q-N s 2o R x N 2 1 Q x RPch 22 Q-N4ch 12

-

After 22 K-RI wins instantly. . . .

Unzicker White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 P-Q4 4NxP 5 N-QB3 6 B-N s 7 P-B4 8 Q--B 3 9 o-o-o 10 B-Q3 II N x N 1 2 Q--N3

Fischer Black P-QB4 P-Q3 PxP N-KB3 P-QR3 P-K3 B-K2 Q-B2 o-o

N-B3 PxN

107

23 R-KN3

•.

SKEPTICAL CRITIC

A chess critic speaking over the. radio in 1935 gave his opinion that Alekhine's style was not convincing. At that time Alekhine had -28 first prizes in tournament play to his credit, 1 6 of them without a single loss--undoubtedly the greatest rec ord ever achieved by any chess master !


lo8 LONG, B ITTER BATTLES

The match between Janowski and Jaffe in 1 9 1 6 was notable for the inordinate length of the games pro duced. In this stubbornly fought match the average length of each game was 65 moves. Janowski won five of the 1 3 games, Jaffe four, and the remainder were drawn. 109

KOSTICS'S FANTASTIC MEMORY

In 1 9 1 9 when Kostics played a match with Capablanca, it was said that the Yugoslavian master knew by heart all the games played in the chief master tournaments in the 30 years past ! 1 10

HOW STRONG WAS STEINITZ ?

In 1 862, Anderssen called Steinitz the Austrian Morphy. In 1 866, Anderssen (after having lost matches to both Steinitz and Morphy) said that Steinitz was better than Morphy. Steinitz, after strengthening his play and increasing his knowledge of the game for another zo years, lived to see a self-appointed com mittee of experts assert that Morphy could have given Stein itz Pawn and move. (When this statement was made, Steinitz had been World's Cham pion for 20 years !) IIX

YOUTHFUL WORLD CHAMPIONS

Lasker became World's Cham pion in 1 894 at the age of 26 !

51

This would seem to be a record hard to beat, but-Tal became World's Champion in 196o at the age of 23 ! I X2

THE STAUNTON KNIGHT

The Staunton pattern Knight is modelled from the famous Greek horse of the Elgin Marbles in the British Museum.

I IJ UNAFFECTED BY SMOKE

Botvinnik trained for chess tour naments by b r eathing tobacco smoke ! He describes this as follows : " In the 1 2th Champio n ship Tour nament I had suffered through not being used to tobacco smoke, so we had to resort to radical treatment : during our training games Ragozin smoked me for five hours in suc cession ! Naturally I soon got used to tobacco. " U4

FIRST MATCH I S B I G ONE

The first match Petrosian ever played in his life gained him the title of World's Chess Champion ! This match took place in 1 963, when he defeated Botvinnik by a score of 1 2! to 9!· us

SKIMPY CHESS BOOK

A book called Capablanca's Samt liche Verlustpartien contains all the games that Capablanca lost in tournament and match play in the course of his lifetime career in chess. The book is about 1 /64th of an inch in thickness. After all , not much space is needed to print the scores of 3 5 games !


u6 HOLZHAUSEN FAST WORKER

Napier, in his delightful A menities and Background of Chess Play, quotes a 13-move game of Dr. Tarrasch's, calling him " a fast worker. " He was-usually. But in this case, the fast worker was Von Holzhausen, who was the winner of this particular game. HAMBURG, 1910 Philidor Defence Holzhausen

White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 B-B4 4 P-Q4 sNxP 6 N-QB3 7 G-O 8 P-KR3 9 R-K1 ro B x Pch !

Tarrasch (Simulta neous) Black P-K4 P-Q3 B-Kz PxP N-KB3 N-B3 o-o

R-K1 N-Q2 KxB

If 1 0 . . . K-R1 (or 1 0 . . . K-B1 ) I I N-K6 wins the Queen. I I N-K6 1 Forces Black to accept the Knight

as well.

II ...

1 2 Q-Qsch 13 Q-Bs mate

KxN K-B3

1 17 ALLIES LOSE QUICKLY

Although even great players are

apt to blunder and lose games in

short order, one would not expect two masters consulting together to lose quickly.

The record is held by Bird and Dobell, who lost to Gunsberg and Locock at Hastings 1 897, in nine moves ! HASTINGS, 1 89 7 Gunsberg Locock Black P-K4 P-Q3 BxP P-KN4 P-N5 N-B3 Q-Rsch P-N6 Q x PI

Bird Dobell White I P-KB4 2 PxP 3 PxP 4 N-KB3 5 P-B3 6 Q-�ch 7 N-Q4 8 K-Q I 9 P-N3

White resigns, as he must lose a Rook. If 10 R x Q, P x R and Black gets a new Queen. n8 YOUNGER

OCTOGENARIAN WINS

In his game against Foreest, played at the Hague in 1949, Mieses demonstrated that chess is a young man's game. HAGUE, 1949 Sicilian Defence Foreest White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 . 3 P-Q4 4NxP 5 P-QB4 6 B-Ns 7 B-Qz

Mieses Black P-QB4 N-QB3 PxP P-K3 N-B3 Q-�ch Q- K4

Mieses steals a Pawn . 8 NxN 9 B-K2 I O Q-0

Q x Pch NP x N B-B4

53

WONDERS AND CURIOSITIES OF C H E SS

I I B-QB3 1 2 P-QN4 1 3 P-N3 1 4 B-Q3 1 5 P-N5 r 6 Q-K2 1 7 N-Q2 r8 N K4 19 QR-Qx

Q-Bs B-K2 Q-B2 P-B4 B-N2 P-KR4 P-R5 N-R4 P-B4 !

-

This decides the game ; when the Knight moves away, disaster will strike at N6. 20 Resigns " Youth has triumphed " said Mieses when he won this game from his 86-year old opponent. For Mieses was then only 8 4 years old I ,

: ng

OFFERS VICTOR KNIGHT ODDS

Chess players are not noted for poor opinions of their own prowess. David J anowski once furnished a good example of this trait. After losing a match to Frank Marshall, he sent the American a cable offer ing to play hi m another match at Knight odds ! 120

EVERYBODY IN TOWN PLAYS CHESS

In the village of Strobeck in Germany chess is taught in the public schools. Every man, woman and child in S trobeck knows how to play chess ! ,

121

WHEN WAS ZUKERTORT ZUKERTORT ?

Did Steinitz ever really defeat Zukertort? A noted critic once said that Steinitz's victories over Zuker tort were due to the fact that Zukertort " was not yet Zu kertort in

1 872 , " (the date of their first match) and " was no longer Zukertort in 1 886, " (the date of their second mat ch) .

I:Z:Z

LIFETIME OF CHESS IN TWO MONTHS

In two months (December I I , 1935 to February 3 , 1 936) C . J . S. Pu rdy of Australia played more chess than Morphy did in his whole life ! 1 23

CONSCIENTIOUS ADJUDICATOR

L. Hoffer consumed ei ght hours analyzing a game sent to him for adj udication�which was consid erably more than the entire time spent on the game by the players themselves ! ·

IZ 4 CAPA'S GREAT SIMULTANEOUS RECORD

On a chess tour in 1909 Capa blanca played simultaneous chess, and games with individual oppo nents, with this remarkable result : out of 720 games, 686 wins, 20 draws, and only 1 4 losses ! (At that time Capablanca was not yet recognized as a master !)

IZ 5 CHESS MASTERS WIN ; CHECKER MASTERS DRAW

The World Championship Match between Steinitz and An derssen in 1 866 resulted in victory for the former by a score of eight wins to six losses-with no games drawn. In co ntrast to thi s a Checker Match between Michael Lieber and ,

54


Samuel Gonotsky in 1928 resulted in all 40 games being drawn ! 126 AJEEB, CHESS AND CHECKER WIZARD

Conducting the chess and checker automaton Ajeeb, C. F. Burille played goo chess games, of which he lost only three ! Of the countless checker games he played, he never lost one. 127 RUBINSTEIN SCINTILLATES

Rubinstein won only six games at the Teplitz-Schonau Toumament of 1922. But of those six games, four were awarded prizes for brilliancy ! Here is one of the games so honored : TEPLITZ-SCHONAU, 1922 Four Knights Game Wolf White P-K4 N-KB3 N-B3 B--N s

I 2 3 4 5 o-o 6 P-Q3 7 B-N5 8 PxB g R-K 1 1 0 P-Q4 I I P-KR3 12 P-N4 1 3 N-R4 14 N x B

Rubinstein Black

P-K4 N-QB3 N-B3 B-N5 o-o P-Q3 BxN Q-K2 N-Q I B-N5 B-R4 B--N 3 P-KR3

White now has the two Bishops and the inferior game ! 14 . . . 1 5 B--B4ch 16 B--R4

PxN K-R2 P-KN4

17 B--N 3 1 8 Q-B3

N-B2

Threatens 19 B x N, R x B 20 P x P, P x P 2 1 Q-B5ch, win ning a Pawn. 18 . . . 1 9 Q-K3

QR-KI P-QN3

Of course not 19 . . . P x P 20 P x P, N x KP 2 1 Q x N, Q x Q 22 R x Q, R x R 23 B--Q 3 followed by 24 P-KB3, and White wins. 20 B-N5 2 1 P-QR4

R-Q I N-R1 !

An elegant positional move ! The Knight is headed for KB5, where it will exert a great deal of pressure. Should it be removed, though, by the Bishop, the consequent re capture by the Knight Pawn will give Black a strong control of the Black squares. 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

P-R5 P-B3 B-BI BxN Q-B2 P-Q5 B--Nz Q-K2 K-B2 KR-QN1

N-N3 N-B5 K-R 1 NP x B P-KN4 P-R.4 K-N2 R-KR 1 R-RI N-Q2

Now this Knight plans to settle down at QB4, from where it cannot be driven off. KRP x P 32 Q-Ns 33 KRP x P N-B4 34 R-R 1 R-R5 35 R x R PxR Black threatens 36 . . . P-R6, and if 37 B x P, Q-Rsch 38 K-Nz, Q-N6ch , and wins the Bishop. 36 B--R 3 37 Q x P 38 R-QN1

PxP Q-Q 1 R-N 1

55


39 40 41 42 43

R-N4 K-K2 Q-R 1 K-Q2 R-N1

P-R3 R-N3 K-N3 K-N4 Q-QN 1

This assures Black control of the Knight file. 44 R-RI

P-R4 !


The plan is hatched ! Black will sacrifice both Pawns for the sake of obtaining thereby an irresistible attack.

ss Q x P White must capture, as otherwise the Rook swoops down to N 7. R-RI 55 . . . P-R6 1 56 Q-N2 Q-Rs 5 7 B-B4 Q-B7 ! 58 B-K2 And now this other Rook Pawn must be removed, as Black threat ens 59 . . . P-R7 and 6o . . . Q-N8 Q-K6ch N-R5

59 R x P 6o K-K I 6 1 Resigns

The threat of 61 . . . N x P next move is too strong to withstand. A magnificent game by Rubin stein.

45 B-N2 White may not take the offered Pawn, as after 45 Q x P, there follows 45 R-N7 46 Q-R3, N-N6ch 47 K-Q3 (if 47 K-K2, Q -N4ch 48 K-B2, R x Pch 49 K-N I , Q-K7 and quick mate) Q-N4ch 48 P-B4, Q-N3, and mate will come in a hurry. 45 . . . P-R5 46 Q-K1 Q-KR1 47 Q-QB1 R-R3 R-R1 48 B-B I 49 B-B4 P-QR6 s o B-R2 Both dangerous Rook Pawns are now stopped, but Rubinstein (after an interval) conceives a winning plan which utilizes the Pawns if only to give them up ! so 51 52 53 54

... R-R3 Q-B I R-R I Q-BI

Q-R2 N-Q2 Q-RI N-B4 R-QN z !

Ia8 SPEED STAR LOSES ON TIME LIMIT

Capablanca, who has been cred ited with · the quickest sight of any master who ever lived ( " His speed in play, " says Fine, " was incredible in the early years. \Vhat others could not discover in a month's study he saw at a glance. ") once lost a tournament game on time limit ! This is the historic game : MOSCOW, 1 935 Nimzovich Defence Riumin White I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3 4 Q-B2 5 P-QR3 6QxB

Ca.pablanca Black N-KB3 P-K3 B-Ns P-Q4 B x Nch N-K5


7 Q-B2 8 P x BP 9 P-K3 Io B-Q2 I I P-QN4 1 2 B-BI 1 3 P-N5 14 B-N2 15 N-R3

P-QB4 N-B3 Q-�ch Q x BP Q-K2 P-QR4 N-K4 N-N5

Of course not 15 P-B3, as 1 5 . . . Q-R5ch follows. I5 ... 1 6 P-N3 I 7 Q-K2

Q-R5 Q-R3

N (N5)-B3 0-
PxP N-Q3 R-Q I N (B3)-K 1 P-R5 B-Q2 R-R4

An unfortunate attem pt to coun terattack. Black still had equality by playing either 25 . . . QR-B 1 or 2 5 . . . Q-N4. 26 Q-Q4 Threatens strongly 27 Q-N4.

26 27 28 29

... Q-QN4 R-Q2 KR-Q 1

Jacques Mieses was a participant in the almost legendary tourna ment at Hastings in I895, where he drew his game with the then World Champion Lasker. Fifty years later, Mieses again played in a Hastings tournament, this time drawing with former World Champion Euwe, and also winning a Brilliancy Prize.

IJO

Here if I 7 B-N2, N (K5) x P I 8 N x N , N x K P wins for Black. I7 ... I 8 N�B4 I9 B-N2 2o Q x P 2 1 Q-Q3 22 R-QI 23 0-
129 DUPLICATES FEAT AFTER so YEARS

27 Q-N6 or Q-N4 P-QN 3 BxP P-R3

With his last move, Capablanca overstepped the time limit. His game was lost in any case, a possible continuatio n being 30 N-K4, N x N 3 1 R x R, N-B4 32 B-KB 1 , B-B3 33 Q x NP, and Black's game col lap ses.

TWO QUEENS FAIL TO WIN GAME

In a game played in 1 858 between Franz and Mayet, the former had two Queens on the board, but lost the game. Mayet hadn't any Queens, but evidently didn't need the m !

BERLIN, 1 858 Petroff Defence Franz White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 B-B4 4 NxP 5 B-N3 6 o-o 7 P-Q4 8 P-KB4 9 B-R4ch 1 0 P-B4 I I Q-B2 12 Q x P 1 3 Q-N5 14 R-K I 1 5 P-QN4 16 Q-B4 1 7 Q-Q5 18 R x N 19 Q x B

Mayet Black P-K4 N-KB3 NxP P-Q4 B-K3 B-Q3 Q-B3 P-B4 K-K2 QP x P B-B4 PxP P-QN3 B-B4 P-QR3 P-QN4 BxP BxR R-QBI

57


20 21 22 23 24

Q-N7ch N x Pch QXQ K-B2 B-N3

K-Q 1 QxN R x Bch N-Q2 K-B2

The smoke of battle has cleared away, and White, with the advan tage of a Queen for a Rook, would seem to have an easy win. But life apparently is not that simple. 25 Q x P 26 P-B s 2 7 B-K6 28 Q-N3ch 29 Q-Q3 30 P-QR4 3 1 P-R5ch 3 2 Q-K4 33 K-N3 34 Q-R8 35 K-R4 36 Q-B8ch 27 N-Q2 38 N-K4ch 39 P-B6 40 P-B7 4 r K-Ns 42 K-R5 43 P-B8 ( Q) 44 Q-B3ch 45 Q (B8)-B5 46 Q ( B3) -K4ch 47 Q-B8ch 48 Q-B2ch 49 Q-B8ch s o Q-B2 5 1 Q x Nch 52 Q x R 53 K-R6 54 Q-N6ch 55 Q-N7ch 56 Q-B8ch 57 Q-R8ch s8 Q-B6ch 59 Q-B3ch 6o K x P 6 1 Q-K4ch

B-B4 R-K1 R-K 2 K-N2 K-N 3 N-K4 K-B2 P-Q6 dis.ch B-QJ N-B3 dis.ch B-K4 K-Q3 BxR K-K4 RxB R-R3ch R-N3ch KxN B-K4 K-Q5 R-B6 K-B4 R-Q3 R-Q5 B-Q3 P-Q7 KxQ R-B4ch R-Q4 K-Q2 K-K3 K-K4 K-B5 K-K5 K-Q5 K-B5 R-Q5

62 Q-B2ch 63 Q-KB5ch 64 Q-B3ch 65 Q-Q r 66 P-R4 67 P-R5 68 Q-B 1 ch 69 Q-Q 1ch 70 Resigns

K-Q4 B-K4 K-B5 R-Q6 B-B6 R-K6 K-N6 K-N7

They fought like tigers in those days !

J:3J: SIMULTANEOUS BLINDFOLD AT :r:o SECONDS A MOVE

Immediately after the end of the radio match between the United States and the U . S . S . R. in 1 945, Reuben Fine gave a startling exhibition of blindfold play. He undertook the task of playing four blindfold games simultaneously at the rate of ro seconds a move I This, to my mind, is far more difficult than playing as many as 30 games blindfold simultaneously. At 10 seconds a move, the blindfold player has no time to check a posi tion by running over the previous moves in his mind. What he must do is picture the position as clearly as though it were photographed, and after making his move, dismiss it at once and call up the picture of the next position. He then has 10 seconds in which to plan an attack, make a combination, or decide on the proper strategy to pursue. His move made, he must forget the position for the time being, and summon up the next one. Despite the difficulty of his task, Reuben Fine made short work of his seeing opponents, and chalked up a score of 4-o . Here is one of the games (with some fearsome complications in it)

5s


piayed again st m aster :

a

rising

young

NEW YORK, 1945 King's Indian Defenu Fine White P-Q4 P-K3 N-KB3 B-Q3

x 2 3 4 5 o--o 6 P-QN3 7 B--N 2 8 QN-Q2 9 Q-K2 IO P-B4 I I KP x P 12 P x P 1 3 QR-Nx 14 B--Rx 15 N x P x 6 N (B4)-K5 I 7 B-N5 IB N-B6 19 N-N5 2o Q x P 2 I Q-N7 22 Q x R 23 N-Ks 24 QR-B x 25 Q x P 26 B--B4 27 Q-B5 28 KR-Kx 29 B--Bx 30 P-B3 31 Q-N5 32 P-QR4 33 P-R5 34 N-B6 35 P x P 36 P-R6 37 Q-N7 38 Q x Q

I JZ

SMOTHERED MATE soo YEARS OLD

R. Byrne Black P-Q4 N-KB3 P-KN3 B--N 2 QN-Q2

Winning ideas that are almost five centuries old are still in use today ! Here is a position published by Lucena in 1496 :

o--o

P-B4 P-QR3 P-QN4 BP x P NP x P N-N3 N-R5 PxP B--KJ P-QR4 N-N3 Q-Q3 B--N5 N-BI P-R3 PxN B-B4 N-K2 N(B3)-Q4 N-Bs Q-Q I Q-RI N(K2)-Q4 R-BI R-Bx K-R2 P-B3 P-N5 BxP N-B2 N (Bs)-Q4 RxQ

The score does not go any further, but Black resigned on the 48th move.

Show this to any chess master, and say, " White to play and win, " and h e will polish o ff the Black King by smothered mate in five moves, as follows :

I 2 3 4 5

Q-K6ch N-B7ch N-R6 dble.ch Q-NBch l N-B7 mate !

K-RI K-NI K-RI RxQ

Nowadays this combination is so familiar that the mere threat of smothered mate is enough to elicit resign ation . Witness the following example, in which the gallery is deprived of seeing a briliiant finish :

CARLSBAD, I929 Indian Defence

I

2 3 4

Capablanca White P-Q4 P-QB4 N-QB3 Q-B2

Mattison Black

N-KB3 P-K3 B--Ns P-B4

59


s Px P 6 N-B3 7 B-B4 S P-K3 g B-K2 I o o-o II PxB 1 2 QR-NI I

N-B3 BxP P-Q4 Q-R4 B-Ns BxN o-o

The Rook exerts powerful pressure on Black's Queen side.

Q-R6 P-QN3 NxP

12 ... 1 3 KR-Q1 14 P x P

If 1 4 . . . P x P 1 5 P-B4, and Black cannot capture by I 5 . . . P x P as I 6 B-Q6 wins the exchange, nor can he defend his Pawn by I5 . . . B-K3, as after 1 6 P x P, B x P I 7 R x B wins two pieces for a Rook.

On the alternative 19 . . P x B, the reply 20 P x N will win a piece for White. .

2o B x N

Resigns

Thereby bringing down the cur tain before the audience could see a finale they would relish-a smothered mate preceded by a Queen sacrifice, as follows :

20 . . . P Bs ch 22 N-B7ch

;u

QxB K-RI K-NI

-

On 22 . . R x N forces mate. .

23 N-R6ch 24 Q-NSch l 25 N-B7 mate

23 R-QS ch K-RI RxQ

I S N-Ns ! I 6 B-B3 White's threat was 17 R x N, P x R IS B x Pch, removing a good part of the army. Other defences fail, as White's Bishops are power ful, and Black's Knights lack support. Par eiemple : If 16 . . . N(B3)-K2 1 7 P-B4, N-N5 IS R x N wins, o r i f I 6 . N(Q4)-K2 I7 B-Q6, Q-R4 IS B x N(K7) . Finally, if 1 6 . . . N x B 1 7 B x N, R-NI IS P x N, and White wins. .

.

N (Q4)-N5 Other possibilities and their re futation : I7 . N-B3 IS B-Q6 (or IS R-N5) wins, or 1 7 . . . N x B xs. R-Ns . Q-K2 I9 B x N, Q x N 20 P x N, and Black's Queen is attacked on one side, and his Rook on the other. . .

Black tries to obstruct the annoy ing Bishops.

I 9 P-QR3

N-R3

I 3J

RINCK AND GRIGORIEV CARRY OFF PRIZES

In 1924 Sydsvenska Dagbladet Sniillposten sponsored an endgame competition in which composers were restricted to positions where two Rooks opposed Rook and minor piece. In this competition Henri Rinck carried off these awards : First prize, second prize, third prize, first honorable mention, sec ond honorable mention, and third honorable mention ! A remarkable achievement, butIn I 936, in an endgame competi tion sponsored by La Strategie, N. D. Grigoriev shared first and second prizes, won third, fourth and fifth prizes, shared first and second honorable mentions, and was award ed third, fourth, fifth and sixth honorable mentions ! Here are two positions from these competitions :

6o


Rinck

White to play and win The solution :

I 2 3 4 5

K-B 6 K-Q5 K-Q4 I K-K3 K-B4

K-K2 K-Q2 K-K2 K-Q2

Threatens to come in strongly at B5 . 5 ... 6 K-K4 White to play and draw The solution : I K-K2 Any other move (by Knight or Rook) allows I . R-QR8ch, win ning at once. I ... R-Q6 2 R-QR1 . .

Other Rook moves, say to KNI , are met by 2 . . . R-Q7ch, winning the Knight. 2 3 K-KI • . .

3 K-K3 , Black wins b y 3 . . . R(R7) x N 4 R-R2ch, K-B6 .

7 K-B 5 8 P-N4 9 K-B6 1

R (R7) x N

And White draws by perpetual check, or by stalemate if Black takes the Rook. Grigoriev

K-K2 K-KI

But not 9 P-K 6 , K-K2 Io P x P, K x P I I K-N5, K-N2, and Black has the opposition and draws. 9 ... P-N5 I I K-N7 !

10

If

3 . . 4 R-Bich

If instead 6 . . . P-B 3 7 P x P, K x P 8 K-B4, K-N3 9 K-N4 (White has the opposition) K-B3 Io K-R5, and White wins .

K-B I K KI -

Here too 1 1 P-K6 fails, as there follows I I . . . K-B I I 2 P-K7ch, K-KI , and White must concede the draw. II ... I 2 K-NB

K- K 2 K- KI

If 12 . . . K-K3 I 3 K BB K X p I4 K x P, and White "wins. -

I3 14 I5 I6 I7

P-K6 ! P-N6 P-N7 K-R7 P-NB (Q) ch

,

PxP P-K4 P-K5 P-K6

White wins. A fine composition-one among many exquisite creations by Gri goriev.

6r


IJ4

CHESS TOURNAMENT BLINDFOLD

In 1 8 74 a tournament was conducted in Prague in which all the competitors played their games blindfold ! The winner was the problemist J an Dobrusky, who scored a magnificent I 3 -!- points out of a possible 1 4 . ,

IJS CHESS MASTER' S STRANGE PROFESSION

Possibly the most incongruous profession for a chess master was that of Max Harmonist, who was a ballet dancer !

7 N-B3 8 B-K3 9 PxP I O N-Q4 I I P-QR3 I2 N x N I3 N x Q 1 4 P-B6 I 5 Q-R4 r 6 B R7 17 P-B7 ch r8 B-N8 19 P-B 8 (Q) ch -

B-Q2 N-R3 P-N5 Q-R4 P x BP P x Pch P x R (Q) B-B r N-B4 BxP B-Q2 BxQ K-K2

Here is the position, and a weird one it is :

IJ6 REMARKABLE DUPLICATION OF IDEAS

In the first 13 moves of a game against Forgacs, Maroczy sacrificed his Queen, won his opponent's Queen Rook, and promoted a Pawn to a Queen. Within the next eight moves Forgacs duplicated the feat ! He sacrificed his Queen, promoted a Pawn to a Queen, and won his opponent's Queen Rook. Here is the score of this extra ordinary game :

I 2 3 4

5 6

K-B I B-Nsch P-N4 K-N2 Q-N] Q-B 8 ch QxR QxP

1 37 FORTY-FOUR WINS NOT EN OUGH

BUD APEST, I 9o2 Irregular Defence

Forgacs White P-K4 P-Q4 P-KB4 P-K5 P-B3 B-Q3

20 Q-N 7ch 21 Q x R 22 K-B r 23 B-B7ch 24 Q x RP 25 B-N6 26 K-B2 27 B-B I 28 Resigns

Maroczy Black P-QR3 P-K3 P-Q4 P-QB4 P-QN4 N-QB3

Frank Marshall once played in a tournament where he won 4 4 games in succession, without permitting even one draw to be scored against him . A mighty feat, and yet he won only third prize ! Here is ·how it happened , as John Keeble tells it :

62


In its early days the British Chess Federation used to run a contest for congress competitors in which they might play in their spare time . All entrants were classified. A player received seven points for a win against a player in his own class, eight for a win against a player in a class above, and so on ; correspondingly, six points for a win against a player one class below, and so on. This went on until at Richmond in I 9 I 2 , Frank Marshall turned up too late to play in any of the ordinary tournaments, so entered this one. He won 44 games in succession, with no losses and no draws, and he took third prize ! The reason was that he had been put in a class by himself I

Jorgensen mated in three moves (thereby solving al-Adli's problem) by I N-Rsch 2 R x Nch 3 R-K6 mate

RxN KxR

1 39 TEN EYES OVERLOOK THREAT TO QUEEN

The greatest players have been known to blunder ; that is not news. When five masters combine their talents as a team, and their I O eyes overlook a simple combination -that is news. In the diagram below, it is Black's move, the Allies conducting the Black pieces being Bogolyubov, Grunfeld, Kostics, Sterk and Abonyi.

1 38 REINCARNATION OF PROBLEM

Do you believe in the reincarna tion of chess ideas? The diagram shows a position which occurred in a game played in 1 945 between Jorgensen and Soren sen. This identical position is described by al-Adli in an Arabian manuscript dating back to the ninth century ! The Allies played I . R x R. No doubt they expE!c ted the re capture 2 B x R in reply. What they got instead was a little lesson in Knight forks ! White played 2 N-R6ch, and Black could only choose between 2 . . . K-RI when 3 N x Pch wins the Queen, or 2 . . . K-N2 when 3 N-Bsch wins the Queen. Note that after Black's Queen falls, the hungry Knight threatens both Rooks. . .


1 40 BLIND COMPOSERS SEE SAME IDEA

1 41 PILLSBURY'S BLINDFOLD FEAT

An extraordinary set of coinci dences marked two problems sub mitted to the Eighth Composing Tourney of the Brighton Society in I 898. These were the positions :

What is the favorite pastime of a chess master ? Chess, and more chess ! In the course of the Hannover I902 Tournament, Pillsbury spent one of his precious days of rest in a record-breaking exhibition of simul taneous blindfold chess ! He took on 2 I of the budding masters of Germany, offering prizes to those who scored against him (j ust to make things tougher ! ) . He per mitted consultation as well as moving the pieces around to facili tate analysis. His final score of three wins, I I draws and seven losses is more impressive than might first appear, as his opponents were all players of considerable strength. Here is one of the games from that e:rhibition :

A. F. Mackenzie, America

White mates in two Key : Q--R2 H. W. Lane, England

HANNOVER, I9o2 Max Lange A ttack

Pillsbury White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 J P-Q4 4 B-B4 5 o-o 6 P-K5 7 PxN 8 R-K ich 9 N-N5 White mates in two Key : Q-R2 Not only were the positions almost alike, the key moves matched, the resulting ideas duplicated each other, but strangest of all-both composers were blind I

Moller Black P-J4 N-QB3 PxP N-B3 B-B4 P-Q4 PxB B-K3

Threatens to win a piece by I o N x B followed b y 1 1 Q-Rs ch .

9 ... I O Q-N4 1 1 B-B 4 I2 N x B I 3 N-Q2 I4 Q x Q

P-KN3 Q-Q4 K-Q2 PxN Q-B4 KP x Q


KR-K1 P-QN4 NxN K-B3 QR-Q 1 R-Q2 KR-Q1 P-QR
15 N x P 1 6 K-B1 17 N-K5ch 18 B x N 19 QR-Q I 2o P-KB4 2 1 R-Q3 22 P-KR3 2 3 K-B2 24 K B3 25 P-KN4 26 P x P 2 7 P-N5 28 P-B5 I -

strategy in an important game to make five retreating, undeveloping moves in succession ! This was the position, from his game against Marshall in the Ostend Championship Tournament of 1907 :

Pillsbury tries a break-through, but it is not clear yet how he will succeed. 28 . . . 29 K-B4 30 R (Q3)-QI 31 B x B 32 K-N4 33 R x R 34 R-K7ch 35 R x P 36 R-R3 37 R- KB3 . 38 R x R 39 K-N3

R-KI B-B2 R-Q4 R x Pch RxR KxB K-Q3 P-B5 K-K4 K-K5 P x Rch Resigns

J:42 HOW MASTERS SPEND DAY OF REST

Dr. Alekhine spent his day of rest in the Carlsbad 1 92 3 Tourna ment playing chess at 10 seconds a move with Dr. Lasker for 1 2 hours ! J: 43

TARRASCH RETREATS FIVE TIMES

Dr. Tarrasch, the greatest chess teacher of his time, and leading advocate of the proper development of all the pieces, found it necessary

I R-RI Q-Q I 3 B-B 1 4 B-K2 5 B-B I 2

Q-K 2 N-K3 K-R2 R-KB r

That Tarrasch eventually drew the game is evidence of his great ability.

J:44 TEN-YEAR - OLD IN MASTER TOURNAMENT

A boy of 10 once played in a master tournament ! , The prodigy was Sammy Reshevsky, who sub sequently became United States Champion. The game which follows is from that tournament. David Janowski, Sammy's opponent, was not only almost six times the youngster's age, but had played a match with Lasker for the World's Champion ship before Sammy was born !


NEW YORK, 1922 Queen 's Gambit Declined Janowsky White I P-Q4 z N-KB3 3 P-B4 4 N-B3 5 B-N5 6 P-K3 7 B-Q3 B o-o 9 B x BP 1 0 B-Q3 II B x B 1 2 Q-Qz 13 P x N 1 4 QR-N 1 1 5 P-QR4 1 6 Q-Bz 17 KR-K I 18 R-Nz 19 KR-N I zo Q-Kz 21 B-Ns 22 P-R3 23 P-K4 24 Q-K3 zs N-Ks z6 B x B 2 7 P-KB4 28 N-B3 29 P-K5 30 P-N4 !

J anowski fin ally after

some

designed

to

36 R(NI )-NI 3 7 P-Q6

Re sh evsky Black N-KB3 P-Q4 P-K3 QN-Qz B-Kz P-B3 P-QR3 PxP N-N3 N (B3)-Q4 QxB NxN P-QB4 N-Qz o--o P-R3 P-Q N3 R-N I Q-Q3 P-QR4 R-Q I Q-Bz N-B I B-Q2 B-K I RxB P-B3 N-Qz P-B4 starts an attack,

masterly

inactivit y,

make the youngster

lose patience. 30 . . . 3 1 NP x P 32 P-Qs If

the

P-N3 NP x P N-B I

32 . . . P x P 33 Q-Q3 reg ain s

Pawn with advantage .

33 R-Nzch 34 P-B4 35 K-R2

K-Rz Q-Bz N-N 3

R-N I Q-QNz


38 P-R4 Analysis shows that Janowski here. The proper way was 38 N-Nsch ! , P x N 39 R x P, R-Nz 40 Q-KN3, Q-B2 4 1 R-Rsch, K-N I 42 R-R6, N X KP 43 P x N ! , R x Q · 44 R x Rch, Q-Nz 45 R x Q ch, K x R 46 R x P, and White wins. missed a wi n

38 . . . 39 P-R5 40 N-Ns ch 41 P x P 42 R-N3 43 R-KR3 44 P x N 45 K x R 46 K-N3 47 Q-KB3 48 K-N4 49 Q X P 50 K-N3

Q-B3 N-R I PxN N-N3 ! K-Nz R-KRr R x Rch R-R r ch Q x RP P-Bsch Q-B7 Q-K7ch

Of course not 50 Q-B3, R-Rsch 51 K-N3, R-R6ch, and White's Queen falls.

so . . . 5 1 K-Nz 52 K-N3 53 K-B3 54 Q-B6ch !

Q-Q6ch Q-K7ch Q-R7ch R-KB 1 K-N r

66


55 P-Q7 5 6 NP x R

R x Qch

After missing the win, J anowski now misses the draw. The right way to capture was by 56 KP x R. Play would then proceed by 56 . . . Q-Q7 57 P-B7ch, K-N2 58 R-KRI !, and Black would have to take the draw by perpetual check, as 58 . . . Q X QP would lose nicely by 59 R-R7ch, KxP 6o P-BS (N)ch, and the Knight then gathers up the Queen. 56 . . . 57 R-KRI

Q-Q7 Q-Q6ch

BALTIMORE, I935 French Defence Dake White I P-Q4 2 P-K4 3 N-QB3 4 N-K2 5 P-Q R3 6NxB 7 Q-N4 8 Q x NP 9 K-K2

But not 57 . . . Q X p 58 P-B7ch, K-N2 59 R-R7ch, and wins. 5s K-N2 If instead 58 K-B2 , Q-B4ch followed by capturing either the Knight Pawn or the King Pawn with check. 58 59 6o 61 62 63 64 65 66

... K-B2 K-N2 K-R2 K- R3 K-R4 R-N i ch K-N5 Resigns

Q x Pch Q-B4ch Q-N4ch Q-K7ch Q-Q6ch Q x QP K-B I Q-Q5

1 45 DAKE MATED IN NINE

Arthur Dake, one of America's strongest players in the 1 93o's, once gave an exhibition of his skill at simultaneous chess at Baltimore. One of his opponents was evidently unimpressed by Dake's reputation, as he mated the Pacific Coast star in nine moves I Here is the blow-by-blow de scription :

Di Paula Black P-K3 P-Q4 B-N5 PxP B x Nch N-QB3 NxP N x Pch Q-Q6 mate

146 DAKE MATED IN TEN

Dake had another misadventure in simultaneous play, this time being mated in ro moves. Here is the story. MILWAUKEE, I 93 7 A lekhine 's Defence

I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 IO

Powers White P-K4 P-K5 N-KB3 B-B4 B x Pch N-N5ch Q-B3 P-K6 Q-B7ch P x Q mate

Dake Black N-KB3 N-Q4 P-Q3 N-N3 KxB K-NI Q-K I P-KR3 QxQ

And Dake exclaimed, " Is my face red ? " 1 47 KMOCH LOSES IN EIGHT

Dake's nine-move upset was speedy, but not the record for such debacles. On January 25, 1 948,

67


Hans Kmoch met all comers in a simul-taneous exhibition at Cleve land. One of his opponents did the unexpected. He made Kmoch sur render in only eight moves ! Here is the morsel :

CLEVELAND, 1 948 French Defence

I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Kmoch White P-K4 P-Q4 N-Q2 KN-B3 NxP N(Q2) X P B-KN5 B-Q2 Resigns

Ellison Black P-K3 P-Q4 P-QB4 BP x P PxP N-KB3 Q-R4ch Q-K4

Black wins a piece and the game.

I -48 FINE RESIGNS I N SEVEN

Reuben Fine lost one of the shortest games in modern tourna ment play, when he had to lose a piece after a mere seven moves. A singular feature of the game was that the winner moved nothing but Pawns, the loser moved nothing but Knights ! Does this tell us anything about the value of developing the pieces ?

PASADENA, I 93 2 A lekhine's Defenc8

I 2 3 4 5

Borochow White P-K4 P-K5 P-QB4 P-Q4 P-Q5 !

If 5 . . . N-N5 6 P-B5, N (N3) x P 7 P-QR3 wins a Knight.

N (N3)-B5 Resigns

6 P-B5 7 P-B4

White wins a piece, one of the unfortunate Knights. 149 MORPHY MATED IN 12

Even the mighty Morphy, King of Chess, suffered a mishap once, being mated in 12 moves !

SPRINGHILL, I855 (Remove White's Queen Rook) Maurian Morphy Black White P-K4 I P-K4 PxP 2 P-KB4 Q-R5ch 3 B-B4 4 K-B I P-QN4 N-QB3 5 B-Q5 Q-R4 6 N-KB3 7 P-Q4 N-B3 B-R 3 8 B-N3 g Q-K2 N x QP P-N5 1o N x N Even an unsupported pin can do the trick. White's Queen is lured away, and Black's Queen zooms down. II Q x B 1 2 K-B2

Q-Q8ch N-N5 mate

I 50 Fine Black N-KB3 N-Q4 N-N3 N-B3 N x KP

CAPABLANCA YIELDS IN IJ

When Capablanca, the greatest genius that chess ever produced, loses a game in I3 moves--even in simultaneous play-it is cause for wonder.

68


to being taken by surprise, and lo s ing in short order . A case in po int :

Here is this rarity :

BROOKLYN, I 924 Orangoutang Opening Capablanca W h i te I P-QN4 2 B-N2 3 P-K3 4 P-KB4 5 N-KB3 6 N-B3 7 N-K2 8 P-B3 9 P-KR3

Kevitz Black P-Q 4 B-B4 P-K3 N-KB3 B x NP QN-Q2 N-N5 B-K2 N-B4

Threatens instant mate by N-Q6.

I O N-N3

ro . . .

B-Rs

Black is now ready to mate with his Bishops, e . g. I I P x N, B x Nch I 2 K-Kz, B-q 6 mate. II N x B QxN 1 2 Q-B3 NxP I3 Q-B2 Capturing the Knight instead (by Queen or Pawn) is met by I 3 . . . N-K5, which regains the piece for Black and leaves him two Pawns ahead.

NxB

I3 . . .

And wins . If I 4 K x N (certainly not I4 N x N or I4 R x N, when I 4 . . . N-Q6ch wins the Queen) N-Q6 IS Q-K3, Q x Pch is con vincing enough. ISI RESHEVSKY MATED IN NINE

The masters of today who are familiar with hundreds of lines of play in the ope n ing, and are pos sessed of extraordinary natural abili ty as well, ar e still not immune

ISRAEL, I958 Nimzovich Defence Reshe vsky

Whi te I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-Q B3 4 P-K3 s N-K2 6 P-QR3 7 B-Q2 8PxB g RxQ

Margolit Black N-KB3 P-K3 B-N s P-QB4 N-B3 Q-R4 P-K4 N x NP N-Q6 mate

I52 STEINITZ LEADS I N QUICK MATES

Steinitz's style is usually "de scribed as " sound, safe, dull and cautious . " Morphy 's play, on the other hand, is generally regarded as " daring, inspired, sparkling and brilliant. " I n a book entitled Quick Mate/ 700 Short, Brilliant Games of Chess, the player having the most exam ples to his credit is Steinitz ! Next in order is Tarrasch, whose method s in the popular eye seemed to parallel those of Steinitz . The brilliant Morphy comes next, after these two " dull " players . Curiously, Capablanca is not even . in the book, while Lasker is repre sented by one game o nly-a game that he lost ! ISJ

FI SCHER GETS AN EARLY SHOCK

The phenomenally gifted Bobby Fischer, who can see i nto the intricacies of his opponent's co m-

69


binations in split seconds, is rarely the victim of an early brilliancy. He gets a rude shock in this snappy I 4 mo v er ! -

SAN FRANCISCO, I 963 Two Knights Defence

I 2 3 4

s 6 6 7

8 9 Io II I2 I3

Fischer White P-K4 N-KB3 B-B4 N-N 5 PxP P-QB3 P-QB3 B-B I PxN B x Pch Q-B3 o-o Q x KP P Q3

Burger Black P-K4 N-QB3 N-B3 P-Q4 N-Qs P-QN4 P-QN4 N x QP QxN K-Q I B-N2 P-Ks B-Q3

I 54 MORPHY PLAYS MASTERS SIMULTANEOU SLY

Paul Morphy once gave a simul taneous exhibition against five players. What's startling about that ? All five of his opponents were in the master class ! Morphy won from Amous de Riviere and H. E. Bird, drew with S. S. Boden and Jacob Lowenthal, and lost to T. W. Barnes. Incidentally, Barnes, whose name may be completely unknown to present-generation chess players, won more games from Morphy than anyone else ever did ! Here is the score of Barnes 's victory :

LONDON, I 859 Petroff Defence

-

Morphy White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 B B4 4 N-B3 s QP x N 6 o--o 7 N-R4 8 Q-R5ch 9 P-B4 Io B x B IIPxP I 2 N-N6

This is the scene :

-

I3 . . . I4 K x B I S Resigns

B x Pch ! N-Bs

If White plays IS Q x B (the only way to save his Queen and guard the threat of mate at his N2 square) then there follows I5 . . . Q-R5ch I6 K-N I , N-K7 mate . Fischer's comment, according to report, was, " Gee, terrific ! "

Barnes Black P-K4 N- K B 3 NxP NxN P-KB3 Q-K2 P-Q 3 K-Q I B-K3 QxB QP x P B-B4ch

Pinning the K night instead by I2 . . . Q-KI fails after 1 3 Q-Q i ch, B Q3 I4 N x R, and White wins the exchange. -

13 14 IS 16 17

K-R I Q x RP Q-R5 P- Q N 4 B-Q2

R-K I Q-N I N-Q 2 B-Q3

70


Later events showed that de veloping the Bishop to K3 would have been better. 17 . . . 1 8 Q-N4 19 Q-K4 2o Q x NP 2 1 P-QR4 22 QR-Q I 23 B-K3 24 Q-B6

Q-B2 Q-K3 N-N3 Q-Ns R-QBI QxN N-B5 Q-B2

The tempting 24 . . N x B would be met by 25 R x Bch, K-K2 (of course not 25 . . . P x R 26 Q x P, and Black is the victim of an epaulet mate) 26 R-Q7ch, K-BI 27 Q-Bsch, K-N1 28 Q x N, and White has at least an even game. .

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

BxP R-Q4 R-B4 P-N4 PxQ K-N2 K-R3

P-K5 Q-R4 P-K6 P-K7 P-KB (Q) ch R-K7ch P-B4 !

Begins a clever attack by Barnes, against which Morphy's desperate ingenuity fails . The position at this point :

Of course not mate.

33 R x Q, R x P

33 . . . 3 4 K-N5 35 R-N5

R x Pch Q-N7ch

Forced, as 35 K x P allows 35 . . . R x Pch 36 K-K6, Q-N3ch and mate next move. 35 36 37 38

... Q-B7 P-N5 RxB

PxR Q-B3 Q-Q2

There is still a chance that Black might go wrong with 38 . . . P x R 39 B-N6ch, R-B2 40 Q-B8ch, Q-K 1 41 Q x Pch, Q-Q2 42 B x Reb K-B 1 43 Q X Qch, K X Q 44 B x R, and White wins. 38 . . .

QxR

But Barnes does not oblige, and Morphy must resign. 1 55

PROBLEM SOLVES I TSELF

Strange as it may seem there are problems any one, no matter how poor a player, can solve. Here is one, the terms of whiCh are : White to play and mate in six moves. Ropke

32 Q x N

Q-B8ch !

A pretty move to make, especially against Morphy. 33 K-R4

71


IS6 YATES GETS FULL COUNT

A book of Yates's games was published with the title One Hundred and One of My Best Games of Chess. The reader gets a baker's dozen, as the book contains 1 09 games.

IS7 DECLINING DRAW IS COSTLY

Schottlander needed only a draw to win first prize in the Leipzig Tournament of r 88 8 . Mieses offered him a draw in the course of their last-round game, but he declined it I Schottlander lost the game, and with it first prize I

IS8 DAKE LOSES IN IJ SECONDS

Arthur Dake took a r soo-mile trip to play Alekhine, who was scheduled to give a simultaneous exhibition. Dake lost the game in 13 seconds ! Here is the story, as told by E. J . Clarke in The A merican Chess Bulletin : When Alexander Alekhine was touring the United States in 1 928, after his triumph at Buenos Aires, it became known at the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club of San Francisco that a boy from Port land was to travel the 1 , 500 miles to Los Angeles to play the World's Champion in the latter's simul taneous there. Alekhine was sched uled to play at the Institute two days later, and j ust before play started a young man approached the secretary, announced his name as Arthur Dake of Portland, stated he had held Alekhine (or Alekhine had held him ! ) to a 54move draw, and could he take a board ?

It developed that the Railroad Octopus had taken about all his money. However, he was given a board. Shortly after play had started (on Alekhine's second round) all eyes were focused on Dake's board, where the two were moving the pieces at less than one second per move ! Dake lasted thirteen seconds, when he blew a piece and the game.

I 59 WINS MOST GAMES TO FINISH LAST Dr. Milan Vidmar won more games than anyone else in the Budapest Tournament of 1 9 1 2 , and yet he finished last ! Marshall won only one game, and yet he tied for first ! The point score explains :

wins draws losses 0 4 I Marshall 4 0 Schlechter I I 3 I Duras I I 3 Maroczy I 4 Teichmann o 0 3 2 Vi dmar

total 3 3 2! 2! 2 2

160

TASTY TOURNAMENT PRIZE

One of the prizes offered for the winner of the match between Tarrasch and Mieses in 1 9 1 6 was a half pound of butter. The prize was more valuable than might first appear, as butter was a rarity in wartime Germany. I6I

SPIELMANN'S SOLITARY WIN

In the Bad Kissingen To urnament of 1 928, Spi elmann won only one game, but that was from the great


man himself-the (almost) invin cible Capablanca ! Here is the game :

BAD KISSINGEN, I928 Slav Defence Capablanca White 1 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-Q B3 4 N-B3 5 P-K3 6 P-Q!4 7 N-R2 8BxP 9 o-o 10 P-QN3 I I B-N2 12 N-B1 13 P x P

Spi el m ann Black P-Q4 P-QB3 N-KB3 PxP P-QN4 P-N5 P-K3 B-K2 o-o P-B4 B-N2 N-B3 N-QR4 !

This is better than the obvious recapture of the Pawn. 14

N-K5

Black gets in KR-Q1 followed by N-Q4 with a powerful position.

18 . 1 9 QR-B I . .

QxB

Besides seizing an open file, White's move makes possible a threat against the lives of both Bishops by zo N-QR5 .

19 . . . 20 Q-R5

KR-Q I QR-B1

Black is now prepared to meet 2 1 N-QR5 either with the simple 2 1 . . . P-N3, or with the combinative 2 1 . . . B-R3, with this idea in mind : 22 R X B, R X R 23 Q X R, B X R 24 K x B, Q-R8ch 25 K-K2, Q-Q8 mate. 2 1 KR-Q1 P-N3 22 R x Rch QxR 23 Q-K5 B-K2 24 P-R3 R-B4 25 Q-R1 B-KB3 26 R-Q 1 The position on the board :

If White tries to keep the extra Pawn by 1 4 N-Q3. then after 14 . . . N x B 1 5 P x N , P-QR4 followed by 1 6 . . . R-B I leaves Black with a strongly protected passed Pawn.

14 . . . 15 N X N 1 6 N-Q3

NxB B x P(B4) Q-Q4 !

A strong move, but not because of the one-move mate threat. 1 7 N-B4 The alternative 1 7 P-B3 would lead to trouble, viz : 1 7 P-B3, QR-Q 1 1 8 N-B2, Q-N4 19 Q-K2, B-R3 .

17 ... 18 B x N A bitter necessity (giving up the long-range Bishop) , but otherwise

26 . . . 27 R x R

R-Q4 !

There is little choice, as 28 N-N2, R x Rch 29 Q x R, Q x Q 30 N x Q, B-K5 leaves Black with the far superior position.

27 . . . 28 N-K5

PxR

This loses a piece, but 28 N-N2

73


instead loses slowly but surely after 28 . . : P-Q5 29 Q-Q 1 , P x P 30 Q x Qch, B x Q 3 1 P x P, B-K5 28 . . . 29 N(B4)-Q3 30 Q-K1

Q-Q3 B-R3

There is no way to rescue both Knights, who strangely enough are least effective when they protect each other-or seem to ! If 30 Q-Q4 instead,. 30 . . . B (R3) x N follows and Black wins a piece. B(B3) x N QxN B-Q6 Q-Nr I

30 . . . 31 N x B 32 Q x P 33 Q-B5 34 P-QN4

If 34 Q x QP, B-B7 regains the Pawn. Q-N2 P-K� B-B5 Q-K2 B x QP Q-K5

34 . . . 3 5 P-N5 36 Q-B3 37 P-K4 38 P x P 39 P-R5

The threats of mate and of win ning a Pawn by 40 . . . Q-N8ch are convincing enough. 40 Resigns

16a MARSHALL'S SPEED I N SIMULTANEOUS PLAY

In January of 1 922, Frank Mar shall played 1 5 5 games simultane ously at Montreal. He won 1 26, drew 2 I and lost only eight games, in the quick time of seven hours and 1 5 minutes, an average of three minutes per game ! More impressive even than his speedy pace was the fact that he recalled all the moves that were made on 1 5 3 of the boards !

163 SLOW WIN AND QUICK LOSS

At Monte Carlo in 1 902, Tchigorin fought for 144 wearisome moves to beat Mason, only to lose to Marshall in eight moves ! I shall spare you the wearisome 1 44-mover, but here is the game with Maxshall : MONTE CARLO, 1 902 Queen's Gambit Declined Marshall Tchigorin White Black I P Q4 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 N-QB3 3 N-QB3 PxP 4 P Q5 N-R4 5 B-B4 B-Q2 6 P-K4 P-K3 7 Px P PxP An error of the sort that defies explanation. Resigns 8 Q-R5ch -

-

164 HASTY RESIGNATION

During the Cable Match between England and America in I 90 I , Bellingham (England) cabled his resignation at the same time that his opponent Voight cabled an offer of a draw l This was the final position, with Black (Voight) to move :

74


P. S. When time was called, the game was left as drawn.

games : 825 wins, only five losses I

J65 STEINITZ'S 16 I N A ROW

In the double-round tournament at Vienna in I 87J, William Steinitz won I 6 games in succession, with out allowing even a single draw to be scored against him I The casualty list : 0 Rosenthal Steinitz 2 0 Paulsen Steinitz 2 0 Anderssen Steinitz 2 0 Schwartz Steinitz 2 0 Gelbfuhs Steinitz 2 Bird 0 Steinitz 2 0 Hera! Steinitz 2 Blackburne 0 Steinitz 2 0 Grand Totals I 6 J66 UNLUCKY YEAR FOR CHESS MASTERS

No astrologer, soothsayer or life insurance actuary predicted that I932 would be a fatally dangerous year for chess masters and chess problemists. In that year there departed from this earth such distinguished chess personalities as these : F. D. Yates, Edgar Colle, Daniel Noteboom, Alexander Takacs, Herman Matti son, H. G. M. Weenink, L. van Vliet, Alexander Fritz, R. J . Loman, Bernhard Kagan, Friedrich M. Palitzsch, L. A . Issaefl, Will H . Lyons and Fritz Riemann. J6 7 MAROCZY STARS IN SIMULTANEOUS

Playing simultaneously in Europe from June 1 9 2 7 to March I 928, Geza Maroczy compiled the almost incredible score from a total of 943

1 13

draws and

r68 MODEST CHESS MASTER

Dr. Lasker complimented Fred Reinfeld and Reuben Fine on their book Dr. Lasker's Chess Career, but regretted the fact that they had not included any of his lost games in the book. (A modest chess master is a rare bird !) 16 9 CAPA'S ONLY LOSS I N TEN YEARS

In IO years of tournament and match chess (including his match for the World's Championship with Dr. Lasker), from I 9 I 4 to I 924, Capablanca lost only one game ! Here is the historic game : NEW YORK, I 9 I 6 French Defence

Chajes White I P-K4 2 P-Q4 3 N-QB3 4 B-N5 5 P-K5 6 B-Q2 7 PxB 8 Q-N4 9 B-B I I O B-Q3 I I N-K2 I 2 o-o I3 B x N I4 Q x P(K4) I5 R-Q I

Capablanca Black P K3 P-Q4 N-KB3 B-N5 P-KR3 BxN N-K5 K-BI P_:QB4 Q-� PxP PxP PxB N B3 -

-

White is ready to meet I 5 . . . N-K2 (to be followed by I6 . . N-Q4) with I6 N x P or I 6 B-R3. .

75


15 . . . I 6 P-B4 1 7 B-K3 IS B-B2

P-KN3 K-N2 N-K2 N-Q4

At this point Black is a Pawn ahead and the better game-per haps a winning position. B-Q2 QR-QBr K-R2 KR-Nr Q-N s P-B4 N x P(B3) RxP

19 R-Q3 2o N-Q4 2 1 R-N3 22 P-KR4 23 P-R5 24 R-R3 25 P x P e .p. 26 P x Pch This is the position :

27 R x Pch This wins the Queen. 27 . . . 28 N-Bs ch 29 Q X Q

KxR PxN QR-KNI

Capablanca thinks that he missed his chance with this move. He shoul � have played (he says) 29 . . . B-B3 to force 30 P-N3, wheredpon he would continue with 30 . . . K-R4, with the general idea of threatening mate by . . . R-KRr and . . . K-Ns. To avert this White would have to resort to perpetual check. In any case the actual move loses valuable time which he could ill spare. The QR is on the wrong file.

30 P-N3 3 1 R-Q I 32 R-Q6 33 Q x BP 34 R x R

B-B3 K-R4 B-Ks N-Q4 KxR

Of course not 34 . . . N x Q 35 R x R, and if 34 . . . R x R 35 Q-R8ch, R-R3 36 Q-N7, R-KN3 38 Q-B7ch, 37 Q-R7ch, R-R3 R-N3 39 P-N4ch, K-R3 (if 39 . . . P x P 40 Q-R7ch wins the Bishop) 40 P-N5ch, K-R4 41 Q-R7ch wins the Rook. 35 36 37 38 39

Q-K5 K-B2 P-B4 R-Kr Q-N2 N-B3 B-Q4 R-KRr Q-Ns Naturally Chajes does not grab the Knight when 39 . . . R-R8ch would net his Queen in return, and leave a drawn position. 39 . . . 40 K-B2 41 Q-N6 42 K-K r 4 3 Q-Q6 44 P-N4 45 P-KB5 46 K-Q2 47 P-B6 48 Q-K6ch 49 B-K3 s o B-R6ch 5 1 B-N7 !

R-R8ch P-R3 R-R7ch N-Q2 B-B3 PxP R-R8ch K-K I R-R2 K-Br R-B2 K-NI

Much better than 5 1 Q x Pch, K-R2 52 Q-R5 , R x P 53 B-N5ch, K-N2 54 B x Rch, K x B, " and while White has a won game," says Capablanca, " it is by no means easy." 51 . . . 5 2 K-K2 53 K-B2 54 Q-N4 55 K-N I

P-N6 P-N7 N-B I N-Q2 P-R4


BxP RxP NxB K-B 1 B-K1 K-Kz N-Q2 B-B2 K-Q3 K-B3 Resigns

56 P-R4 57 Q-R3 58 B x R 59 Q x Pch 6o Q x P 6 1 Q-N6 62 Q x P 63 K-Bz 64 K-K3 65 K-Q4 66 Q-KB5 170

FRANKLIN FIRST AMERICAN CHESS WRITER

first player and writer on chess in America. I7I PILLSBURY PLAYS WHI ST AND BLINDFOLD CHESS AND CHECKERS

One of Harry N. Pillsbury's favorite stunts in the realm of memory and imagination was to give a simultaneous blindfold dis play, where he engaged 10 players at chess and 10 at checkers, mean while taking a hand at a rubber of whist ! 17:1

Leonardo da Vinci may have been " perhaps the most resplendent figure in the human race, " but Benj amin Franklin was a worthy runner-up . S o many and varied were his interests that it should occasion little surprise to learn that the man who was a printer, publisher, philosopher and postmaster general, the inventor of the lightning rod, the rocking chair and bifocal spec tacles should also have been the

Are chess and checkers sister games ? See box.

In chess : 1 . All 64 squares are used 2 . White moves first 3· Captures are optional 4· Only one piece may be taken at a time 5· The capturing piece replaces the one that is removed 6. A stalemate is a draw 7. The pieces move in different ways 8. The Pawns promote to any thing but a King 9. The choice of openings is not restricted 1 0 . The time limit specifies a certain number of moves per hour

In checkers : 1 . Only 32 squares are used 2. Black moves first 3 · Captures are compulsory 4· One or more pieces may be taken at a time 5 · The capturing piece j umps over the one that is ren1oved 6. A stalemate is a loss 7. The pieces all move the same way 8. The pieces promote to a King only 9. The openings are chosen by ballot 10. The time limit is five minutes per move

WHO WAS WORLD'S CHAMPI ON ?

Steinitz and Zukertort were once present at a dinner where a toast was proposed to the Chess Champion of the World. Both players stood up in response ! I 7J SI STER GAMES TOTALLY DISSIMILAR

77


1 74 SCHLECHTER DOESN'T LOSE, DOESN'T WIN

Carl Schlechter did not lose a game at Pistyan in 1 9 1 2, but could not do better than tie for fourth, fifth and sixth prizes. In the same year at Breslau, he repeated the perform ance of not losing a game, and again finished in a tie for fourth, fifth and sixth prizes. 1 75

COMBINATION KING MAKES WORST BLUNDER EVER

The worst blunder ever seen on a chessboard was made by one of the most brilliant players that ever lived ! Alexander Alekhine, conqueror of Capablanca for the Championship of the World, creator of dazzling combinations, blindfold player ex traordinary, profound analyst with out peer-makes a terrible mistake ! He overlooks a one-move Knight fork that would win his Queen ! This was the way the board looked in Alekhine's game with Buerger at Margate in 1937 :

Alekhine was Black, and it was his turn to move. Alekhine played 1 Q x P, missing completely the reply a devastating Knight fork by 2 . . .

,

N-R5ch, which would win his Queen. Now comes the strangest part I Buerger moves the Knight but not to R5 ! Instead, he played 2 N x B. With this move, he contributed to one of the greatest double-barreled blunders on record I -

1 76

COUNT ALBERIC DRAWS AGAIN (AND AGAIN AND AGAIN)

Count Alberic O' Kelly de Galway drew all nine of his games at Beverwij k in 1957. Count Alberic O' Kelly de Galway drew all nine of his games at Beverwij k in 1959. What happened at Beverwijk in 1958 ? O' Kelly played there, but drew only seven of his nine games. The sum total in three tourna ments : out of 27 games played, O' Kelly drew 25 games, won one and lost one. This is an achievement which even Schlechter, the great drawing master, might have envied. 1 77

INEXHAUSTIBILITY OF CHESS

Mr. Edwin Anthony wrote an interesting article on the inexhausti bility of chess, from which we learn that to estimate the actual number of ways of playing even a very few moves is beyond the power of calculation, but to get something of an approximation to that num ber is very simple. Taking an average variation of the opening as usually practiced, we find that the first player has 28, 30 and 33 ways of playing the second, third and fourth moves respectively ; 29, 3 1 and 3 3 being corresponding numbers for the second player. Of course, both


players, on their :first move, have a choice of 20 moves. On the hypoth esis that the number of replies open at each move is always the same, whatever the preceding moves may have been, and that the foregoing :figures give those numbers, the number of possible ways of playing the first four moves only on each side would be 3 1 8,979.584,ooo. If, then, anyone were to play without cessation at the rate of one set a minute, it would take him more than 6oo,ooo years to go through them all ! The number of possible ways of playing the first 10 moves on each side in a game of chess is 1 69,5 I8, 829, I00,544.ooo, ooo,ooo,ooo,ooo. 1 78 ALEKHINE WINS BY St LENGTHS

In the great tournament at Bled in 193 1 , Alekhine did not lose a single game in 26 rounds of play. The number of points separating him from the second-prize winner Bogolyubov was 5 !----almost as great as between second place and last ! 1 79 SEVENTY CHECKS NEEDED TO FORCE DRAW

A peculiar rule regarding drawing a game by perpetual check is given in Murray's History of Chess. The rule is that games in which perpetual check occurs are called drawn, but check must be given 70 times ! 18o CHECKER STAR UPSETS CHESS MASTERS

A checker master, Newell Banks, defeated both the United States Champion, Frank J . Marshall and ,

his leading challenger, Isaac Kash dan, at the Chicago Tournament in 1 926. Here is one of the games : CHICAGO, 1926 Queen's Pawn Game Banks White I P-Q4 2 N-KB3 3 B-N5 4 QN-Q2 5 P-K3 6 B-Q3 7 R-QN1 8 o-o g N-K 5 10 N (Q2)-B3 I I P-B 3 12 B x B 13 N X N 1 4 Q-B2 15 N-R4 1 6 P-KB4 17 Q-B2 18 P-KN4 19 Q x N 2o B x B 2 1 R-B 3 22 R-R3 23 P-B5 ! 24 P x NPch 25 Q-N 3 26 KP x P This is the position :

Kashdan Black N-KB3 P-B3 P-K3 P-Q4 QN-Q2 Q-N3 B-K2 o-o R-K 1 N-B 1 N (B3)-Q2 RxB BxN P-B3 P-QB4 B-K 1 N N3 NxN B-N3 PxB R(K2)-K1 K-B2 R-R I KxP PxP P-K4 -

WONDERS AND

27 28 29 3o

CURIOSITIES

RxR R-R4. R-N4

RxR P-N5 P x Pch Q x Rch !

A sacrifice which must have taken Black by surprise, so that he did not put up the best defence. KxQ Q-Q r

30 . . . 3 1 P-B7

This loses ! Black should play 31 . . . Q-N3, when this might be the continuation : 32 R-KB r , K-R5ch 33 K-R r , Q-K5ch 34 K-N r , K-R6 1 35 K-B2 (but not 35 R-B2 when 35 . . . Q-N5ch forces mate) P x P 36 P x P, Q x Pch , and Black's Queen will pick up another Pawn or two before moving to KBr to blockade the Pawn. 32 R-KBr 33 P x P 34 P-K6 35 R-B2 36 P-QR3 37 RP x P 38 P-K7 39 R x Q 4o P x P 4 1 K-B2 42 K-K3 43 K-Q4 44 P-R3 45 K x P 46 K-K5

Q-KBr P-R4 K-N3 P-N4 P-N5 PxP Q x P(B2) KxR KxP K-Q3 K-B3 P-N4 K-N4 KxP Resigns

OF

79

CHESS

coccus, micrococcus, plasmodium, Mississippi, Freiheit, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, athletics, no war, Et chenberg, American, Russian, philosophy, Piet Potgelter's Rost, Oomisellecootsi, Salamagundi, Bangmanvate, Schlechter's Nek, Manzinyama, theosophy, catechism, Madjesoomalops. Pillsbury looked at the list for a few minutes, repeated the words in the order given, and then backwards. 18z ALAPIN C ONCEDES IN FIVE MOVES

Dr. Tarrasch once beat Alapin in a tournament game in five moves I

Here is the way it happened : BRESLAU, r 889 Petroff Defence

I 2

3 4

Tarrasch White P-K4 N-KB3 NxP N-KB3

Alapin Black P-K4 N-KB3 P-Q3 NxP

I8I PILLSBURY'S MNEMONIC FEAT

Dr. Threlkel-Edwards of Bethle hem and Professor Merriman of Lehigh University once tested Pills bury's memory for other things than chess, by giving him this list of words to memorize : Antiphlogistine, periosteum, ta kadiastase, plasmon, ambrosia, Threlkeld, strepto co ccu s , staphylo-

At this point Tarrasch moved 5 P-Q3 . Alapin h ard ly looked at the board, as he ex pec te d 5 P-Q4, the customary move at that time . Almost automatically he to uch ed his King Bishop, as he intended to

8o


answer 5 P-Q4 with 5 . . . B-K2 . Imagine his horror when he looked at the board and saw that his Knight was attacked and that he could not move it away ! He had touched his Bishop, and regardless of the consequences, he had to move the Bishop ! There was nothing left but to resign at once ; playing the game out with a piece minus against a master like Tarrasch was hopeless.

I86 TWO SEA SERPENTS IN A ROW

Schlechter won the ninth game of his match with Tarrasch after an exhausting, long drawn-out battle of 1 06 moves, only to lose the very next game after an even more strenuous struggle of 1 07 moves ! I do not hesitate to give both games despite their length, as they are fascinating and (I add fearfully) instructive as well. The ninth game :

183 NO DEATH OF THE DRAW

Out of 1 82 games played in the London Tournament of 1 8 5 1 , only seven games were drawn !

184 ZUKERTORT TIRES IN THE STRETCH

Zukertort lost his last three games in the London Tournament of 1 883-and yet he finished first, three points ahead of World Cham pion Steinitz !

ISS WORLD'S CHAMPION I S NOT " WORLD' S FOREMOST CHESS EXPERT "

The title page of a work published in 1 935 reads, " A Primer of Chess, " by Jose R. Capablanca, ·world 's Foremost Chess Expert. At the time of publication, Dr. Alekhine was World Champion, and presumably the " World 's Fore most Chess Expert, " having de feated Capablanca for the title in 1927, and having held it for eight years !

COLOGNE, 1 9 1 1 Queen's Pawn Opening

I 2 3 4

Schlechter White P-Q4 B-B4 P-K3 N-Q B 3

Tarrasch Black P-Q4 P-QB4 Q-N3 P-K3

On 4 Q x P instead, the reply 5 N-N5 leaves the Queen stranded and exposed to possible dangers. . . .

5 BxN

This and the next move prevent Black from Castling, but the idea is not as good as might first appear. 5 ... 6 B-N5ch 7 B x B ch 8 R-N I 9 N-B3 10 o-o

RxB B-Q2 KxB N B3 B-Q3 K-K2 -

Prepares for artificial Castling. II 12 13 14 15

Q-K2 PxP P-K4 N-QN5 PxP

KR-Qr Q .x P P-Q5 P-Q6 1

Of course not 1 5 Q x P, B x Pch and White loses his Queen.

,

WONDERS

15 . . . 16 P-K5 17 N x B 1 8 KR-KI

AND

CURIOSITIES OF CHESS

QxN BxP R-Q4 R-Q BI

A hasty move which costs a Pawn.

19 N x P

Q-B3

Clearly if 19 . . . K x R 20 Q x Pch follows and the Queen Rook falls. zo N-K5 2 1 Q-K3 22 R(N1)-B1 23 R x R 24 P-Q4 25 Q-R3ch z6 Q x P 27 N-Q3 28 N-B4

Q-B7 Q-B2 R-B4 QxR Q-Q4 K-K I N-Q2 R-B5

Probably counting on 28 . . . Q x P 29 Q x Q, R x Q 30 N x P, but he gets a shock. z8

. .

.

Q-Ks !

Black wins a piece, as the Knight cannot be saved (29 N-K2, Q x N) . 29 K-B 1 3o Q x P

QxN

Black has no easy win, as his opponent has three Pawns for the lost piece, two of them being con nected passed Pawns. 30 . . .

Q x QP

On 30 . . . K-K2 (to protect the King Pawn) 3 1 Q-Q5 follows, winning the King Pawn. 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 J8 39

R x Pch R-K1 K-N 1 K-B1 K-NI K-B1 K-N1 K-B1 Q-B6

K-B2 Q-Q6ch Q-Q7 Q-Q6ch Q-Q7 Q-Q6ch Q-Q7 R-QN5

Threatens a little mate in two.

39 . . . 40 Q-B7ch 41 Q-N3ch 42 Q-N3 43 P-KR3 44 Q-B4 45 Q-N3 46 R-K2 47 R-KI 48 R-K2 49 R-K1 50 R-K2 5 1 R-K I 52 Q-N3ch 53 K-NI 54 Q-K3

N-B3 K-N3 R-N5 R-Q5 R-Q6 R-Q4 R-KB4 Q-B8ch Q-Q7 Q-B8ch Q-Q7 Q-B8ch Q-B4 K-B2 Q-B7 QxP

Tarrasch makes another error (he explains that he was suffering from influenza at the time) . He does not realize that he is in danger of losing a piece, or he might have played 54 . . . P-R3 to ward off the threat . R-Q4 55 P-N4 Q-Q7 56 P-N5 The Knight must hold still, e.g. if 56 . . . N-Q2 57 Q-K8 mate. QxQ 57 P x N KxP 58 R x Q P-R.J 59 R-R3 P-N4 6o K-N2 61 R-R8 R-Q6 R-R6 62 P-QR4 P-R5 63 P-R5 64 P-R6 K-N2 K-R2 65 P-B3 66 K-B2 K-N2 K-R2 67 K-K2 K-N2 68 P-R7 69 K-Q2 K-R2 70 K-B2 K-N2 71 K-N2 R-R3 R-R8 72 K-B3 R-R7 73 K-N4 R-R8 74 K-N5 75 K-B6 R-R7 R-R8 76 K-Q6 77 K-K6 R-R.J



R-R7 Resigns

r os K-N6 I o6 R-KN I The r oth game : COLOGNE, r g u Ruy Lopez

78 R-KS !

Black must not tou ch th e Pawn. If 78 . . . R x P 79 R-K7ch , R x R So K x R, K-N3 S r K-K6, K-R4 82 K-Bs, K-R3 83 K-B6, K-R4 84 K-N7, P-Ns Ss BP x Pch, and White wins. 79 K-Bs So K x P 8 1 K-N4 82 R-K4 83 R-K6ch 84 P-B4 Bs K x P 86 R-K3 87 R-KN3 88 K-N4 8g R-N3 go K-B3 gr R-N6ch 92 R-Nsch 93 R-NS 94 K-N4 9 S K-Rs g6 R-B8ch 97 R-B s g8 R-KNs 99 K-N6 roo R-Ksch r o r R-K r r o 2 P-Bs 1 03 K-B7 r o4 P-B6

RxP R-R6 R-N6 K-N3 K-N2 R-N6ch R-NS K-B3 R-QRS R-RI R-N rch R-NS K-B4 K-B3 R-B8ch R-N8ch R-N2 K-K2 K-K3 R-R2ch RxP K-Q3 R-RI R-N rch R-QRI R-R2ch

Schlechter Black P-K4 N-QB3 P-QR3 N-B3 B-K2 P-Q3 B-Q2 BxB PxP o-o N-Q2 PxN B-B3 Q-NI Q-Ns

Tarrasch White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 B-Ns 4 B-R4 s o-o 6 N-B3 7 P-Q4 8 BxN g Q-Q3 ro N x P I I R-K I I2 N x B I 3 B-K3 14 QR-Q1 I S P-QN3 1 6 B-Q2

Threatens 1 7 N-Qs . and the removal of Black's strongly-posted Bishop. 16 . . . Q-N2 1 7 N-R4 KR-K I I 8 B-B3 R-K3 NxB 19 B x B White has disposed of the annoy ing Bishop, and now he devotes his energies to preventing his opponent from playing the freeing . . . P-Q4. . QR-K1 20 R-K3 Of course not 20 P-Q4, as 2 1 N-Bs wins the exchange for White. . . .

2 1 N-B3

P-R3

It's time for both sides to take measures against surprise mates on the back rank. For example, if 2 1 . . . P-Q4 22 p X P, R X R 23 p X R, p X p 24 N X P, N X N 2S


Q x N, Q x Q 26 R x Q, and Black may not play 26 . R x P as mate on the back rank would follow. .

22 23 24 2S 26

.

Q-R2 P-B4 Q-N2 Q-Ns

P-KR3 Q-Q4 Q-Q3 R(Q1)-K1 P-B3

This frees the Rooks from being tied down to the defence of the King Pawn .

Q-N2 Q-R2 P-B3

26 . . . 2 7 R(K3)-K2 28 K-R2 29 P-B4

Tarrasch is now prepared to meet 29 . . . P-Q4 with 30 P-Ks followed soon after by P-B s and a possible assault on Black's King side by the Pawns. N-Q2

29 . . . 30 R-Q I

But not 30 P-B s , N-K4 3 1 Q-Q2, R(K3)-K2 32 Q x P , R-Q2 and White loses his Queen. P-Q4

30 . . .

Black gets in But is it good ?

P-Q4 at last.

31 P x P

RxR


" This bears out the dictum, " says Tarrasch, " that the effect of an unexpected sacrifice is often to throw the opponent off balance so that he fails to put up the best defence. Black is momentarily a Rook ahead (in the diagrammed position) , but his Rook and Knight are attacked, and counterattack fails-32 . . . R(K7)-K6 by 33 P x N, and 32 . . . R(K1 )-K6 by 33 P x N, R x Q 34 R x R-there remains only retreat by 32 . . . R(K7)-K2 when the continuation would be 33 P x N, R-Q 1 34 N-Q5 , R(K2) x P 3S P-B4, and White has the superior position, but Black has drawing chances. After Black's actual move, White is a Pawn up with a win in sight." 33 N x R

NxP

" One must take heed even on the verge of victory, " says Tarrasch, " as at this point when Black threatens to win by . . . R-Q 1 . " 3 4 N-N3 35 Q-B3 36 Q x R 3 7 P-B3 38 P-Bs

R-Q 1 RxR N-Qs N-K3 N-B i

But not 38 . . . N-N4, when 39 Q-Q8ch, K-R2 40 P-KR4 steals the Knight. 39 Q-Qs 40 N-K4 4 l Q-Q6

N-Q2 Q-N 1 ch Q-R1

Black gives up the Pawn as exchanging Queens is hopeless, and 41 . Q-R2 allows 42 Q- K 7 pinning his Knight and threatening him with various disasters. . .

32 P x P

N-N1

42 43 44 4S

,

NxP QxN K-R1 Q-B4

NxN Q-N 1 ch Q-B s Q-Q7


46 Q x P 47 K-R2

48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55

K-NI K-B I Q-K2 K-B2 K-N3 K-B3 Q-K4 Q-K3

Q-B8ch Q-B5ch Q-K6ch Q x BP Q-B8ch Q-B4ch Q-Q3ch Q-B3ch Q-B6ch

White decides to give up a Pawn for the sake of securing control of the diagonal leading from his KR2 to QN8. 55 56 57 58 59

... P-QR4 K-N3 K-R2 Q-N3

Q-B7 Q x BPch Q-N3ch Q-Q3ch

Finally ! But White's difficulties are not yet over. Black's Queen puts a restraining hand on the passed Pawns with the next move. 59 . . .

Q-N5

This is the position after Black's 59th move :

P-B4 Q-K6 !

63 P-N5 64 P-N6 65 Q-Q6 1

White is prepared to meet 65 . . . P-B5 (threatens perpetual check) with 66 Q-N4, which guards the square K 1 , and places the Queen behind the passed Pawn. Q-QN6

65 . . . 66 Q-QB6

Now if 66 . . . P-B5 67 Q-K4ch once . again guards the square K 1 , and permits the passed Pawn to advance one more square. Q-K6 Q-QN6 Q-K6 Q-QN6 Q-K6 Q-B5ch Q-Q5ch Q-Q8ch Q-B7ch P-B5ch Q-B6ch Q-Q7ch

66 . . . 67 Q-Q6 68 Q-QB6 69 Q-Q6 70 Q-QB6 7 1 Q-N5 72 K-N1 73 K-B1 74 K-B2 75 K-N3 76 K-B3 77 K x P 78 K-B3

But not to the fifth rank, as that loses the Queen ! 78 79 So 81 82 83 84

6o P-R5 White offers up one of his precious Pawns as the best way to make progress . 6o . . . 6 1 Q-N8ch 62 P-QN4

Q x RP K-Rz Q-KN4

... K-K3 K-B3 K-K4 K-Q5 K-K6 P-N7

·

Q-Q8ch Q-K8ch Q-Q8ch Q-K8ch Q-Q7ch QxP Q-N3ch

Obviously 84 Q-B5ch is fatal.

Q x Pch

85 K-Q5 86 K-B6 87 K-B7 88 K-N6 89 K-R7 90 K-R8 91 Q-QR5

Q-B4ch Q-K3ch Q-K2ch Q-Q 1ch Q-Q5ch Q-K5 Q-B6

85

8s


92 93 94 95 96

Q-N4 Q-N ich Q-B2 P-R4 Q-B7 !

Q-Q4 P-N3 P-R4 K-R3 Q-Ks

Schlechter avoids the plausible 96 . . . Q-R7ch 97 K-N8, Q-N ich 98 Q-B8, Q-N2 (indifferent moves allow a mate at White's KR8) 99 Q-B ich, K-R2 100 Q-B7 and White wins. 97 Q-Q7 98 Q-K7 ! 99 K-R7

Q-B6 Q-QB3

The King prepares to take a trip over to KN8 to threaten mate ! 99 . . . 1 00 K-N6 101 K-B7 1 02 K-Q7 1 03 K-Q8 104 K-K8 105 K-B8 106 K-B7

Q-Rsch Q-N6ch Q-Bsch Q-N4ch Q-N7 Q-KR7 Q-N1ch

White now threatens 107 Q-N sch, K-R2 1 08 Q x NPch, and mate next. If Black plays 1 06 . . . K-R2 , then comes 107 K-B6 dis.ch, and mate at N7. 106 . . . 107 K-N8

Q-Bsch

Now we see the strength of White's 98th move (Q-K7) . If Black plays 107 . . . Q-N ich 1 08 Q-B8ch wins, or if 1 07 . . . Q-Bsch, then 108 Q-B7 ends it. 107 . . .

Resigns

The well-played Queen ending should amply compensate the reader who has had the patience to wade through 1 07 moves.

187 LOWENTHAL'S LONG LEAD LIQUIDATED

Lowenthal was leading 9-2 in his match with H arrwitz, but managed to lose finally by a score of 1 1-1o l 188 THE QUEEN'S MANY, MANY MOVES

At St. Petersburg in 1909, Cohn made 44 Queen moves in succession against Salwe I Remarkable but there's nothing new under the sun. At London in I 882, Mason made 72 consecutive Queen moves against Capt. Mackenzie I 18g COMPETES IN s o YEARS OF TOURNAMENT PLAY

The English master J . H. Blackborne was a contestant in Inter national Chess Tournaments for over so years I His opponents included every body of note, from Anderssen in 1 862 to Alekhine in 1914. I CJO

CHAROUSEK'S MONUMENTAL TASK

Rudolf Charousek could not af ford to buy a copy of Bilguer's gigantic Handbuch des Schachspiels, so he copied it out by hand. 191 MORPHY CONDUCTS CHESS COLUMN

Paul Morphy once conducted a chess column at the fantastic salary (for I 859) of $3,000 a year.

86


1 93 REUBEN FINE THE GIANT KILLER

In AVRO in 1938, Reuben Fine performed this marvelous feat : in successive rounds he won from Botvinnik, he won from Reshevsky, he drew with Capablanca, and then won from Euwe, Flohr and Alekhine. 1 93 CAPA NEVER CHECKMATED

Capablanca has never been check mated ! 1 94 THE MOST P OPULAR GAME

For more than 1000 years, more people have played chess than any other game. 1 95 UNIQUE MATCH CONDITIONS

Zukertort and Rosenthal played a match in I 88o. One of the curious articles in the agreement drawn up was that neither player was per mitted to leave the other alone during the midday adjournment, but that they must lunch and stay together until the afternoon session began ! Another clause specified that Rosenthal had the right to postpone the match to autumn in the event that the temperature reached 67 degrees Fahrenheit !

published move for move nine years previously in the British Chess Magazine for December I900 I Here is the score of the game : PARIS, 1909 Danish Gambit Janowski Soldatenkov White I P-K4 2 P-Q4 3 P-QB3 4 B-QB4 s BxP 6 P-Ks 7 N-B3 8 N-K2 9 o--o 1o B x N II NxB 1 2 N-Qs ! 1 3 R-KI 1 4 Q-Rs 15 N-B7 !

Lasker Taubenhaus Black P-K4 PxP PxP PxP N-KB3 B-Nsch Q-K2 N-K5 NxN BxB o--o

QxP Q-Q3 P-QB3 P-KN3

But not 15 . . . Q x N 1 6 Q x BPch l and mate next move. 16 Q-R6

QxN


lg6 BRILLIANCY ANTICIPATED

Janowski and Soldatenkov in consultation played a game against Lasker and Taubenhaus at Paris in 1 909. They won a brilliant Danish Gambit, but the game had been

1 7 B x Pch !

KxB

Forced, as on 1 7 . . . R x B 1 8 R-K8ch follows with mate next move.


IS I9 20 2I 22 23 24

Q x RPch Q-R.4ch R-K7ch Q-Q4ch Q-R8 ch ! R-K i ch Q-Q4 mate

22 B x N 23 N-B4 24 Q-N3ch 25 N-R4 26 Q-KR3 2 7 P-N6 28 N-B3 29 N-K6

K-B3 K-N2 R-B2 K-B I KxR K-Q3

A desperate move, but his game was hopeless.

1'¥7

LASKER'S QUEEN STAYS AT HOME

the I 924 New York Tourna ment, Dr. Lasker beat Maroczy in 30 moves without once moving his Queen ! Here is the score of the game : In

,

I 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 Io II 1 2 o-o

Lasker Bla:;k N-KB3 P-Q4 KN-Q2 P-K3 P-QB4 N-QB3 B-K2

P-KN4 PxP P-Ns K-R1 N-B3 Q-K2 Q-Q3 P-Bs NxP

Tarrasch

o-o

PxP N-N3 B-Q2 R-BI

P-B3 BxP B-K2 N-Bs B-Ns R-KI N-Q3 N(Q3) B-Q3

X

lg8 YATES DEFEATS CRITIC

HAMBURG, I 9 1 o Queen's Gambit Declined

Black's development is manifestly superior to his opponent's, whose pieces seem to be in each other's way. 13 14 IS 16 17 18 19 20 21

NxN R-KR5

29 . . . 3o B x P Resigns

Yates won only one game at the Hamburg Tournament in I 9 I O. The man he beat was Dr. Tarrasch who had objected to Yates's entry on the ground that he (Yates) was not a strong enough player for this tournament ! H.ere is the record of Tarrasch's debacle :

NEW YO RK I924 Alekhine Defence Maroczy White P-K4 N-QB3 P-K5 P-Q4 QN-K2 P-QB3 P-KB4 N-B3 P-KN3 PxP B-R3

PxB R-Ks K-R1 NxP R-B7 B-B3 P-R3

P

White P-Q4 N-KB3 P-B4 P-K3 N-B3 B-Q3

I 2 3 4 s 6 7 o-o 8 P-QN3 9 B-N2 10 R-B I I I P x QP I 2 N-K2 13 N (K2) x P 14 N x N rs Q x R r 6 N-B3 1 7 Q-Rr

Yates Black P-Q4 N-KB3 P-K3 B-K2 P-B4 N-B3 o-o

P-QN3 B-N2 R-BI N(KB3) x P PxP NxN RxR B-Q3 Q-K2 P-B3

88

WONDERS A N D CURIOSITIES OF CHESS

IS N-Q4 I9 R-B I With this move all five of White's pieces have been shifted away from the K ing side-against which side Black's pieces are aimed . The better move would have been to return the Knight (the best protector of the Castled King) back to B3 . The position on the board :

199

FLAWED PRIZE PROBLEMS

P. F. Blake received first pri ze for a problem published in the Kent MMcury in I892. The problem was later found to have a dual solution ! Stranger was the case of the problem by L. Knotek which won second prize in a composing tourney. The problem was found to have seven first moves which would solve it, in addition to the one intended by the author ! aoo AROUND AND

AROUND AGAIN The Manhattan Mei'Yy-Go-Round :

In the Championship Tournament of the Manhattan Chess Club, played in I 934-

I9 . . . N x P! 2o P x N Q-N4 2 I K-Bz The alternative 2 1 B-B 1 leads to this : 2 I . . . Q x KPch 22 K-RI , Q-B5 23 K-N I , Q x Pch 24 K-B2, B-N6ch 25 K-K2 , B x P, and Black wins. 2I ... Q x NPch 2 2 K-K I BxP Black has three Pawns for the piece, two connected passed Pawns, and the attack. \\'hat more could man ask for ? P-K4 23 B-K2 B-N6ch 24 N-K6 25 K-Q I B-B6 26 B x B Q x Bch Q-Ksch 27 K-B2 28 K-Q2 Q-Q4ch PxN 29 N-Q4 30 B x P P-Bs Q x KP 3 I P-K4 32 R-B4 R-Q I 33 P-R4 B-B7 Resigns

Platz beat Willman beat MacMurray Willman MacMurray beat Kashdan K ashdan beat Kupchik K up chik beat Richman beat Hassialis Ric hman H ass ialis beat Denker Denker beat Jackson J a ckson beat Simonson Simonson beat Schwartz Schwartz beat Cohen Cohe n beat Tenner Tenner beat Platz This proves that everyone better than everyone else I

is

:ZOI PRODIGY IN

CHESS AND MUSIC

Philidor, the strongest chess play er and theoretician of his time was not only a chess prodigy, but a musical prodigy as well. He com posed a motet at the age of 1 I that was performed at the Chapel Ro yal in Versailles.

89


202 THE THIRTEENTH CHILD

William Steinitz, who has been called " the most original thinker, the most courageous player, and the most remarkable personality that the chess world has produced in the fifteen or so centuries that the game has been in existence," was the 13th child in his family. (This should give the proponents of birth control something to think about.)

N-KB3 B-Kz

3 N-QB3 4 B-N5 5 P-K3 6 N-B3 7 B-Q3 8 PxP 9BxN I O P-KJ4 u P-Rs 12 P x P I 3 Q-B2

�

P-QN3 B-Nz PxP BxB P-N3 R-K I RP x P B-Nz

The position on the board :

ao3 GROB'S OPPONENTS LOSE ON TIME

In the Ostend Tournament of I 937. Grob won three games in a row when his opponents exceeded their time limit. He beat Reynolds (who had a drawn position) Dyner (whose game was lost anyway) and Keres (who should have drawn) . :304 WHEN CHES S WAS A GAME OF LUCK

Chess players for more than soo years have used a pair of dice to determine their moves.

I4 B x P I IS Q x P 1 6 N-KNs I 7 R-R8ch I8 Q-R7 mate

PxB N-Qz Q-B3 KxR

ao6 EXTENT OF CHESS

aos

LITERATURE

DUPLICATES MARSHALL'S BRILLIANT MOVES

Mentges won a brilliancy prize in I 9 I 3 for a game which was identical move for move with Marshall's classic brilliancy against Amos Bum in the Paris Tournament of I9oo l Here is the score of the game : Q148en's Gambit Declined

Mentges White

P-Q4 2 P-QB4 I

Gitzen Black P-Q4 P-K3

The eminent scholar and historian H. J. R. Murray, says in his classic work A History of Ckess, " The game possesses a literature which in contents exceeds that of all other games combined. " 'MY'/ THE SKILLFUL KNIGHT

The same authority tells us, " In the Middle Ages, skili in chess play was esteemed in a knight as befitting his rank and position, and while a knowledge of chess is attributed to

go

WONDERS

AND


almost every character of rank in the romances, the heroes are regu larly credited with a very high degree of proficiency. " 208

Appropriately enough, the posi tions of White and Black (or Weiss and Schwartz) are completely identical ! This is the picture on the board :

THE PERFECT GAME

A chess game where White and Black play perfectly should end in a draw. In the Nuremberg Tournament of 1 883, Weiss (which means V\'hite) met Schwartz (which means Black) in the fifth round. This is what h appene d :

NUREMBERG, 1883 French Defence Weiss White I P-K4 2 P-Q4 3 PxP 4 N-KB3 5 B--Q3 6 o-o 7 B--KN5 8 P-B3 9 QN-Q2 10 Q-B2 I I KR-KI 12 P-KR3 13 N x B 14 B x N 1 5 N-R4 16 R x R 1 7 R x Rch 18 N-Bs 19 Q-K2 2o N x N 2 1 Q-K8 22 Q x Q 23 B--B5 24 B--B8 25 B x P 26 B x P 27 B x P

Drawn

Schwartz Black P-K3 P-Q4 PxP N-KB3 B--Q3 o-o B--KN5 P-B3 QN-Q2 Q-B2 KR-KI BxN P-KR3 NxB R x Rch R-KI NxR B--B 1 N-Q3 QxN Q-K2 BxQ B--N4 B-BB BxP BxP BxP

aog ONE STAR D I SAPPROVE S

In 1837 there was a group of strong players in Berlin whose members were L. Bledow, W. Han stein , C. Mayet, B. Horwitz, K. Schorn, Baron Tassilo von Heyde brand und der Lasa, and Lieut. P. R. von Bilgu er . They were known as the Seven Stars of Berlin, or The Pleiades. Von der Lasa objected to the name Pleiades because this group of stars shines only faintly. 210 HERCULEAN TASK FOR BLINDFOLD STARS

In Febru ary of 1934, Alekhine and Koltanowski p1ayed a tandem blindfoid simultaneous exhibition (without consultation) at Antwerp against 24 players, all of first-class stren gth consulting at six boards . The blindfold play�rs won three, drew two and lost one game. The difficulty of s uch a feat may be appreciated by Koltanowski's sub seq u ent statement to the effect that this exhibition had tired him more ,

91


than playing 30 games blindfold simultaneously in the " ordinary " manne r ! z:u: MIKENAS MISSES MAGIC MOMENT

In his game against Kashdan at Prague in I 93 I , Mikenas had the ingredients for producing a bril liancy, but could not find the right recipe ! Here is the game : PRAGUE, I93I Queen's Gambit Declined Mikenas White I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3 4 B-Ns 5 P-K3 6 N-B3 7BxP Bo-o

9 B-Q3 IO Q-K2 I I KR-Q I I 2 QR-BI I 3 N-Ks q Px P IS B X N 1 6 B x Pch 1 7 Q-Rsch 18 Q x Pch

Kashdan Black N-I\:B3 P-K3 P-Q4 QN-Q2 B-K2 PxP P-QR3 P-QN4 P-B4 B-N2 Q-N3 o-o

KR-K1 NxP BxB KxB K-NI K-R2

In this position, Mikenas forced a draw by perpetual check at R5 and B7. In exactly the same position Janowski beat Chaj es in their I9I6 tournament game at New York, by a combination which was awarded the brilliancy prize I This is how Janowski continued it :

19 N-Q7 Attacks the Queen, threatens 20 N x Bch.

and also

NxN

I9 . . . zo R x N

Now the threats are 2 I R x B and 2 1 Q x B. B-B3

20 . . . 2 1 N-R4

A pretty move ; if 2 I . . . B x R 22 N x Bch, K-R3 (or R 1 ) 23 Q-Rs mate, and i f 2 1 . . . B x N 22 Q x B, R-KN1 23 R(B1 )-B7 wins;

BxP K-R3 P-N3

21 . . . 22 N-Nsch 23 P-N4

But not 23 . . . K x N 24 Q-Rsch, K-B3 25 R-B7 mate. R-R I Resigns ZI2 EXTRAORDINARY POSITION ANTICIPATED

100

YEARS

EARLIER

A most remarkable, almost in credible position came up in a game between Janowski and Ed ward Lasker in the 2 1 st round of the New York Tournament of 1924. White had three connected passed Pawns on the seventh rank, ready to Queen, and Black had one passed Pawn on the seventh. Surely a situation which could never have

92


occurred be fo re in master play, and yet . . . About zoo years earlier, in the 62nd ga me between La Bou rdon n ais and McDonnell, the fo rme r had t hree connec ted passed Pawns on the seventh rank ready to Queen, and the latter had one p assed Pawn on the seventh ! Here is the 19 24 ga me :

White

I P-Q 4 2 B-B 4 3 P K3 4 B-Q3 5 P-QB3 6 Q-B2 7 N- Q2 8 BxB 9 P- KB4 I O N-B I 1 1 BP x P 1 2 K-K2 13 P-QR3 14 N-B3 1 5 P-R3 1 6 Q x Reb -

Ed. Laske r

Black P-Q 4

N-KB3 P-K3 P-B4 Q-N3 QN-Q2 B- Q3 QxB N -N5 PxP Q-N5ch N- N3 Q-K2 B-Q2 R-QB 1

A ra the r unexpec ted sacrifice, wh ic h offers White so me ch ances . He gets only Rook, Knight and an open Rook file i n exchange for his Queen, but prefers this transac tion to the altern ative of p ass ive defence. 16 17 z8 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

. PxN R-Bz BxN QN- Q2 R-Rs P-N S QR-KR1 RxP RxR . .

K-B I

26 N x P

The threat w as 2 7 R x P, Q x R 28 N x Pch winning the Queen. 27 R-R8 28 N ( Q2)- K4

K-N2

Threatens ano ther Knight fork win ning the Queen , this t ime by 29 R x B, Q x R 30 N- Q6ch.

NEW YORK , 1924 Queen's Pawn Opening Janowski

Otherwise White p lays 26 P x P, Q x P 27 N -K s. a nd the K night s tands fi rmly on the bes t squa re on the boa rd.

NxQ N -Q 3 N-Bs Px B P- QN4 P-B3 K- Q1 B-K 1 RxR PxP

K-N3 B-B3

28 . . 29 N-B5 .

Black misses the chance to p lay 29 . . . P-K4, and the consequent exchange of Pawns would expose White 's King to dange r. 30 N(N5 ) 3 1 N -N5 32 P-K4 33 K-K3 34 N-B3 35 N- K5

x

P

B -Q4 K-R4 B-B3 B-K 1 P-N5 B -N4

If 35 . . . P-B6 36 p X BP, p X RP, W hite would win by means of 37 R x B !, Q x R 38 N-B4ch, K-N4 39 N-Q6ch (Alekhine) . 36 P-R4 " Immediately decisive," says Al e khine (who could always be t rusted to find beau tiful ideas in the ga mes of o thers as well as in his own) , "would have been 36· R-QN8 (threate ni ng mate in two by 37 P x Pch, K x P 38 N-B6 mate) P-N6 (o r 36 P x P 37 N x Pch, B x N 38 P-N4 mate) 37 P-R4 I, P- R 3 38 P x B, with mate in sho rt orde r." . . .

36 37 38 39

. .. N x Pc h N-K5 R-QN8


40 P-KN3
P-N4 P x Pch Q-R2 Q-R8 K-R5 Q-R3ch B-Q6 Q-Bs P-N6 Q-B2 B-Bs B-K3 Q- KB2 QxR K-Ns P-R4 P-Rs Q-Q2 Q-K2 P-R6 K-B6 Q-B I K-Q6 Q-R3ch P-N7 Q-B I

White intends to push this Pawn to R7, then play K-N6 followed by P-R8 (Q) and P-K7. Black therefore becomes desperate. Q-QRI 66 .. . Q-Q4ch 67 P-K7 Q-Qs ch 68 K-B6 The position at this point :

93

69 K-K6 The right way for the King was to the right, not the left. There was a win by 69 K-N6, P-N8 (Q) (or 69 .. . Q-N8ch 70 N-Ns) 70 P-BS (Q) , and White wins. 69 ... 70 N x Q

P-N8(Q)

Or 70 P-QS (Q) , Q-R7ch 7 1 K-Bs, Q x Pch, and Black draws by perpetual check. 70 .. . 7 1 K-B6

Q xNch

There is no escape on the Queen side : if 71 K-Q6, Q-Qsch 72 K-B7, Q-R2ch 73 K-Q8, Q-NI mate. 71 ...

Q-Rsch D rawn

" If 72 K-N7," says Alekhine, " then Q x P 73 P-QS (Q) , Q x Q 74 P-BS (Q) , Q- Q2ch followed by 75 .. Q x P, drawing. Without doubt this is the oddest game of the tournament. " Now for the (comparatively) simpler but equally fascinating 1 834 game: .

LONDON, 1 834 Sicilian Defence McDonnell White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3P-Q4 4 N xP sNxN 6 B-QB4 7 B-KN5 8 Q-K2

LaBourdonnais Black P-QB4 N-QB3 PxP P-K4 NP x N N-B3 B- K2 P-Q4

94


9BxN 1 0 B-N3 I I o--o 12 P x P 1 3 R-QI 14 P-QB4 15 B-B2 16 N -Q2 17 N-K4 18 P-Bs

BxB o--o

The diagram of this remarkable finish :

P-QR4 PxP P-Qs Q-N3 B -N2 QR -KI B- QI Q-QB3

Threatens to win the Knight by 19 . P-B4 . .

.

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

P-B 3 Q R -B1 Q-B4 ch B-R 4 BxR P-B6 R-B2

B -K2 P-B4 K -RI Q-KR3 PxN P x PI

If 25 P x B, Black forces the win by 25 . . . Q- K6ch 26 K-RI , P x Pch 2 7 K x P, R-B 7 ch 28 K-N r , R-K7ch 2 9 K-Rr , Q B6ch 30 K-N 1 , Q-N7 mate. -

25 26 27 28

.. . K-R r B-Q7 R-KBI

Q-K6ch B-B 1 P -B 7

But not 28 Q-B I , B-R3 29 Q x B, P-Q6 30 Q x QP (or 30 R x B P R x R, and Black wins) Q x Q 31 R x Q, P-BS(Q) mate. ,

28 ... 29 R-B3 3o PxB 3 1 Q-BS 32 Q-B4 33 R -B I 3 4 Q-Bs 35 R-Q I 36 Q-B3 37 R x Q Resign s

P-Q6 BxB P-K5 B Q -I Q- KB P- Q7 R-N1 P-K6 ) Q x R (QS P-K7

2 IJ

LUCENA'S PRECEPTS Lucena is the author of the oldest existing printed work on chess. It was published in Spain in 1 497, and is called Repeticion de A mores e A rte de A xedrez. Here are some of his suggestions : 1 . If you play at night, place the candle at your left ; if by day, place it so that it shines in your oppo nent's eyes. (In this he seems to have anticipated similar advice by Ruy Lopez.) 2 . Play your oppo nent when he " has eaten and drunk freely ; it will be worse for him. 3 · Eat lightly before a game, and drink water, not wine. 4· Break through on the Queen side, not the King side. 5· Play only for a SIJiall stake, so that the possibility of losing it does not disturb you. 2I4

KONIGSTEDT'S STRANGE ADV ICE An unusual bit of advice is offered in Konigstedt's Kort A/handling, the oldest Swedish textbook on chess. It was published at Stock-


holm in I 78 4 , and counsels the reader that " Great players ne ver Castle." T he late r edition published in I 8o6 amends this to "Good pla yers seldom Castle. "

5· Try to m aint ain your King Pawn and Queen Pawn (and if possible the t wo Bishop Pa wns) on t heir fourt h s quares. 6. When you have a good move, loo k for a better one .

:Zis

EVEN THE WORTHY PHILIDOR SOMETIMES NODS Even the great player, writer and t heoretician Philidor could o ffer misleading advice about an early opening move. In his Analyze du feu des Echecs, published in I749, he says this abo ut Whi te 's second move in the King 's Knight 's Opening ( I P-J4, P-!4 2 N-KB3) : "Playin g t he King 's Kn ight t he second mo ve is entirely wrong, bec ause it not onl y loses the attack, but gives it to the adversary ." Philidor preferred 2 B-B4, as 2 N-B3 obstructed the movement of the Bishop Pa wn. I t is only fair to add that he revised h is op inion in the I 7 7 7 edi tion of his book. a16

DAMIANO'S CENTURIES- OLD ADVICE STILL GOOD TODAY General advice , good even today, was o ffered by the Po rtuguese apothecary and chess writer Da miano , as far bac k as I 5 I 2 ! In his publ ication Questa Libra e da impa rare giocare a scachi, w hich then a ppea red in print, he makes these sugge stions :

I. Do not make aimless moves. 2 . Do no t play quick ly . 3· .A vo id obvio us oversights. 4· Do no t play to win a P awn at the cost of weaken in g yo ur pos ition .

95

a17 SIX-FOLD QUEEN SACRIFICE E. Z. Adams o ffered t he sacrifice of his Queen in six consecutive moves on four di fferent s quar es to Carlos To rre in I920. Th e game is so brill iant t hat the victo ry is credited to To rre mo re often than to his opponent. (T his has happened in c hec ke rs too, as with the bri l iant Dundee ga me won by C. F. Barker fro m J. P. Reed, which has o ften been credi ted to Reed. ) Here i s the scintillating A dams win: NEW ORLEANS, I92o Philidor Defence Adams White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 P-Q4 4 QxP 5 B Q N5 6BxN 7N-B3 8 0--Q 9 N -Q5 Io P x B nB -N5 I2 P-B4 I 3 l' X p I 4 KR-KI I 5 R-K2 I6 QR-KI I7BxN -

To rre Black P-K4 P-Q3 PxP N-QB3 B-Q2 BxB N-B3 B-K2 BxN 0--Q

P-B3 PxP R-K I P-QR4 QR-BI Q-Q2 BxB

96


The stage is now set for the fire wor ks. From now on until the end , ev ery one of Wh ite's moves de se rves a t leas t one exc lama tion mar k. Th is is the scene on the s tage :

On 1 8 . .. Q x Q 1 9 R x Rch, R x R 20 R x R is mate. Black 's Queen must stay on the diagonal le ad ing to his K ing 's Rook. 1 9 Q-QB4 !

Q-Q2

Once again, if 1 9 ... Q x Q 2 0 R x Rch forc es mat e, and if 1 9 .. . RxQ 20 R x Rch , followed by ma te. Finally, if 19 ... R x R 20 Q x Rch, Q-K 1 21 Q x Qch, R x Q 22 R x R mate. Black's Queen, please note, mus t stil l stay on the vi tal diagonal. 2 0 Q-B7 !

Q-N4

Here too, 2 0 . .. Q x Q or 20 . .. 2 1 R x Rch, R x Q succumbs to while 20 . . . R x R loses prosai call y by 21 Q x Q. 21 P-QR 4! ! This move gets two exclamat ion marks. Not only does White stil l l eav e his Queen en prise, but he 21 Q x NP, avoids the plausible which would lose brill ian tly b y 2 1 . .. Q x R ! 21 . . .

QxRP

Q-N4

22 R-K4I 23 Q x NPI

Resigns 218

ALEKHINE SCORES IN DOUBLE-QUICK TIME The ninth gam e of the World 's Cham pionsh ip Match pla yed in 193 4 between Al ekhine and Bogol yubov , lasted 46 moves. Bogolyubov s pent two hours on his first 1 6 moves, which le ft h im with o nly a half hour for h is next 24 moves. Alekhine, who won the game, too k less than an hour for his ent ir e 46 moves ! The game, wh ich follows, is pr oof of the fact tha t an o pening (or defence) may be weak, bu t have the merit of making the o pponen t lose valuabl e t ime in the attem pt to fathom its resour ces . PFORZHEIM, 1 934 Benoni Defence Bogolyubov White I P-Q 4

Alekh ine Black P-QB4

Ale kh ine says of t his defenc e, "I consider the choice of this move · (which in cons eque nc e o f my success in the actual game b ecam e a so rt of fashion) as one of my chess sins. Because i f a cham pion , b eing hu man, cannot som etimes h elp adop t ing infer ior mov es , he must at least avoid those which he himself co n: siders as not quite satisfactory." 2 P-Q s 3 P-K4 4 P-KB 4 sB x P 6 P- N3 7 N-QB3

P-K4 P -Q3 PxP Q-R sch Q-K2 P- KN4 !

Bayon et attack ! A sharp move, but one expects that from Al ekh in e.

97


8B-K3 9 N-B3 IO Q-Q2 II 0-o--o I2 B-K2 13 KR-B I I4 Q x N I5 N-KNI I6 R{QI)-KI I7 N-QI The

Knight

fine outpost at

N-Q2 P-KR3 KN-B3 N-N5 B-N2 NxB P-R3 P-N4 B-N2

Resigns

is headed for the

:ZI9

o-o-o

THE GRANDMASTER

K-NI RxB

DRAW The

The Queen makes room for the Knight.

P-KN5 I

20 . . .

This prevents White from moving

KB3,

and prepares

for posting the Queen at

2I 22 23 24

RxP PxP P-R7 R-N2 R-N7ch RxP K-B2 K-B3 P-R4 P-QR5

KB5.

I7 . . . IB B-N4 IgB x N 20 Q--Q2

his Knight to

37 R x B 38 P-KR3 39 K-B2 40 R-Ntch 4I R-KRI 42 K x P 43 K-Q3 44 K-K4 45 K-B5 46 K-N5

N-K3 P-B3 N-B5 Q-B4

K4.

Q-K4 P-KR4 B-KB3

tween

tourney Marco

game and

played

be

Englisch

at

Berlin in I 897 ended in a draw by repetition of moves, after II moves. No pieces or Pawns had been re moved from the board. Tarrasch

and

Fritz

drew

by

repetition of moves after an eight move game at Breslau in

I88g.

Denker and Kupchik agreed to a draw in their Philadelphia Tourna ment

game

in

I936, after

eight

moves.

White's game is difficult, accord

Capablanca offered Fine a draw

ing to Alekhine, but the exchange of

after eight moves in their game at

Queens makes it hopeless for him.

Nottingham in

24 . . . 25 p X Q

QxQ R(Q2)-QI

This makes room for

. . . B-BI,

which will either remove the Knight or drive it away.

26 P-B4 2 7 N-K3 28 P-N3 29 N-B4 30 P-K5 JI P x P 32 R x P 33 R x Rch 34 P-K6 35 P-K7 36 P x B

PxP P-B6 ! B-Q5 P-B4 PxP B x QP QR-KBI RxR R-KI B(Q4) x N BxN

I9J6.

(These achievements which

re

sulted in peace and harmony are rec ommended for the consideration of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee .)

I

append one of these games:

BRESLAU, 1889 Queen's Gambit Declined Tarrasch

Fritz

White

Black P-Q4 B-B4 P-K3 N-QB3 N-N5 R-NI

I N-KBJ 2 P-Q4 3 P-B4 4 Q-N3 5 QxP 6 N-R3

98


7 Q x RP 8 Q-N7

R-RI R-N I

Drawn Bo th players indica ted tha t they would continue repea ting their se ven th and eigh th mo ves. :120

VALUABLE CHESS PAINTING The Chess Players at CaYo, a famous pain ting by Mul ler, was sold in 1 874 for £4,05 2.

221 THE YOUNG MASTERS In 1 93 1, Ci ty Co l ege (N ew York) had a team of four play ers, all of mas ter str eng th . The team consisted of Reube n Fine , Sidn ey Bernst ein, Robe rt Wil lman and Fr ed Reinfe ld . This powerfu l agg regation swep t through the year's sch edule with a score of 23 ! t I The lone draw was due to the fac t tha t Sidney Bernst ein showed up one hour and 59! minutes la te for one of his games . He p layed h is 40 moves in the half minute and drew his game ! -

zzz

THE YOUNGER MASTERS In I94 5. the Brooklyn Technical High School had thr ee masters on their chess t eam : G eorge Kra mer, Robert Byrn e a nd Dona ld B yrne. George Kr amer at 1 6 was New Yo rk State Ch ampion , and Robert Byrne was the runner -up for the ti tle .

ZZJ FOOD FOR THOUGHT Oscar Tenn er once ate his chess piec es I Th e explanation is tha t this occurred oft en in war ti mes, when

the players cons truc ted ch ess pieces from bi ts of bread and beans, in the absenc e of real pieces. ZZ4

JUDGE MEETS GENIUSES Judge Ja mes McConnel l is the only man to ha ve bridged the gap of many g enerations, and played chess wi th th e two men g enerally considered the grea tes t chess geni uses tha t ever lived -Morphy and Capablanca ! H ere is a ga me in which Morphy ma kes shor t work of the Judge : NEW ORLEAN S, 1850 FYench Defence Morphy McConne ll Black White P-K3 I P-K 4 2 P-Q4 P-Q4 3 P-K5 P-QB4 4 P-QB3 N-QB3 5 P-KB4 Q-N3 6 N-B3 B-Q2 7 P-QR3 N-R3 8 P-QN4 P x QP 9 PxP R-BI I o B-N2 N-B4 I I Q -Q3 B x Pch 1 2P x B N x NP I 3 Q -Q2 R-B7 I 4 Q-QI N-K6 Resigns White mus t lose his Queen. zzs

CHESS FOR HIGH STAKE S The Arabic historian al-Masudi, writing abou t 950 A.D., d esc ribes the ga mbling prope nsities of the Indians. When t he Indians p lay at chess they wager s tu ffs or precious

WONDERS AND

stones. But it sometimes happens that a player will wager one of his

limbs. For this they set beside the players a small copper vessel over a wood fire, in which is boiled a reddish ointment peculiar to the country, which has the property of healing wounds and stanching the flow of blood. If the man who wagered one of his fingers loses, he cuts off the finger with a dagger, and then plunges his hand in the ointment and cauterizes the wourid. Then he returns to the game. If the luck is against him, he sacrifices another finger, and sometimes a man who continues to lose will cut off in succession all his fingers, his hand, his forearm, his elbow and other parts of his body. After each amputation he cauterizes the wound with the ointment, which is a curious mix ture of ingredients and drugs peculiar to India, of extraordinary effectiveness. The custom of which I have spoken is a notorious fact. From H. J. R. Murray's History of Chess. za6

"FULL MANY A GEM OF PUREST RAY SERENE ..." Capablanca received a brilliancy prize for his game against Schroeder played at New York in 1916, for a combination he had in mind, but which never appeared on the board! NEW" YORK, 1916 Queen's Gambit Declined Capablanca White I P-Q4 2N-KB3 3 P-B4

Schroeder Black P-Q4 P-K3 N-KB3

99


4 N-B3 s B-Ns 6 P-K3 7 R-B1 8Q-B2 9B-Q3 Io B x P II B-Q3 12P-QR4 13 B x N I4 N-K4 15 B x N 16 Q x B

QN-Q2 B-K2 o-o

P-QR3 R-KI P xP P-N4 B-N2 P-N5 NxB NxN BxB

White now threatens to intensify the pressure on the backward Bishop Pawn by 17 R-B6. 16 . .. 17 P x P 18 P-QN3 19 N-N5! There is a great deal more behind this move than the mere idea of forcing Black to weaken his King side by advancing one of the Pawns near his King. 19 ... 2o Q-R7ch 21 Q-RBch

P-R3 K-B1

A long-headed combination in which White sacrifices his Knight to effect a complete tie-up of Black's pieces. 21 22 23 24

... Q x NP Q x NPch K-K2I

K-K2 PxN K-Q3

A beautiful move! The King (who is perfectly safe, though seemingly exposed to danger) makes room for the King Rook. 24 ...

QR-B1

Black's object is to unpin the Bishop-- something he cannot do by simply moving it away. If for

IOO

WONDERS AND

exampl e 24 . . . B -N3 KR -Q i c h forc es ma te. 25 R-B4 26 KR-QBI 27 P- R4!

then

CURIOSITIES

25

K-B3 K-N3

Capablanca mak es no a ttemp t to exploit the helpl ess posi tion of his oppon ent. H epays no furt her a tten tion to him, bu t wi th d elig htful (and en viabl e) insoucianc e s tar ts a Pawn o ff on i ts way to the Qu een ing Squar e! This is the way the board lo oks:

OF

CHESS

KxQ RxR

30 Q x Qc h 3I R x R

If 3 I . . . B x R 3 2 R -B6 in r epl y paraly z es all of Black 's pi ec es I BxR

3 2R x R 33 P-B4

To k eep the Bishop from occupy ing the long diagonal. B -Q I B-B3

33 . . . 34 P -N4

O therwis e 35 P-N5 follows, and t he B is hop is compl et ely shut ou t. 35 36 37 38 39 40 4I

P-N5 P-K4 P-Bs Px P P -N6 Px P P -N 7 and wins

B-RI K -N3 Px P K -B3 PxP K -Q3

22 7

27 .. . T his is wha t Black play ed, and i t los t quickly. We'l l com e bac k to the pos ition . 28 Q -N7 29 Q -Ks 30 R x B !

R-K 2 R-B3 R esigns

If 30 . . . R x R 3I Q-Q6c h, R-B3 3 2 R x Rc h, K -N 2 33 R -Bs, and ·whi te wins a Rook . Now l et us r eturn to th e pos ition s hown on th e diagram, to s ee the combination pr epar ed by Capa blanca agains t the b es t d ef enc e: 27 .. .

R -B 2

In ord er to doubl e Rooks, and fr eeth eBis hop and theQu een . 28 P-Rs 29 P -R6

KR -QBI B -Q3

FINISHES GAME WITH OPENING MOVES In a gam e aga ins t Koshni tzky, H ewi tt's King Knight cap tur ed in succ essio n a P awn, Knig ht, Qu een, King Bishop Pawn, King Rook and King Knig ht Pawn. Koshnitzky r etalia ted by capturing in the same order a Pawn, Knigh t, Qu een, King Bishop Pawn, King Rook and King Knigh t Pawn. T hen, to finis h o ff this r emarkabl e gam e, Whit e mak es us e of two mov es commonly r es er ved for th e op ening -P -Q4 and P-K4 ! CORRESPONDENCE, I945

I 2 3 4 5

Koshnitzky White P -QB4 N -Q B3 N -B3 P-K N3 B -N 2

H ewit t

Black

P -K4 N-Q B3 N -B3 B -K2 P-Q4

101


6PxP 7NxP 8NxN 9NxQ 1o N x BP uNxR 12PxN

NxP NxQN NxQ NxBP NxR NxP P-B3

This prevents 13 B-Q5. and the escape of White's Knight by way of B7. P-KN3 PxN K-Q1 B-KN5 Resigns

13 B-14 14NxP 15 BxNPch 16P-Q 4 17P-K4

z:z8 MASTERS TAKE THEIR TIME In the 1 I th game of their match for the World's Championship in 1927, Capablanca took two hours on one move, and Aleldline took an hour and three quarters for his reply I 229

SCHL ECHTER I S RARA AVIS

Carl Schlechter never entered his games for brilliancy prizes, as he wanted others to share some of the prize money. That was one reason, but another one was undoubtedly his innate modesty. :ZJO

AL EKHINE' S ALTERNATING SCORE At Baden-Baden in I925, Alek hine won first prize easily. This was not an unusual feat for Alekhine. What was unusual was his score against the I6 players just below hi m in the standings. Apparently, the idea was to beat the odd-

numbered players, and draw with the even-numbered ones. This is the way Alekhine 's score ran : Draw against Win against Draw against Win against Draw against Win against Draw against Win against Draw against Win against Draw against Win against Draw against Win against Draw against Win against

Rubinstein, #2 Samisch, #3 Bogolyubov, #4 Marshall, #5 Tartakover, #6 Rabinovich, #7 Grunfeld, #8 Nimzovich, #9 Torre, #I o Reti, #II Spielmann, #12 Treybal, #I3 Carls, #14 Yates, #15 Rosselli, #16 Tarrasch, #17

231

BRILLIANCY IS ALL BOOK A game played at the British Chess Federation Tournament held at Cheltenham in 1913, was awarded the brilliancy prize. It was later found to be book, from the first move to the last! CHELTE NHAl\:1, 1913 Giuoco Piano Loye White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 B- B 4 4P-B3 5P-Q4 6 PxP 7 N-B3 8 (H) 9P-Q5 IO R-K I · II Rx N 12P-Q6 13 QxP

Beamish Black P- K4 N-QB3 B-B4 N-B3 PxP B-Nsch NxKP BxN B-B3 (H)

N-K2 Px P N-B4

1 02


14 1s 16 17 18

P-Q3 BxN QxB RxQ

Q-Qs N-N s BxB Q x Pch R-K8 mate

23 2 MARSHALL F ORGETS H IMSELF On page 22 of Marshall's Chess Swindles, there is a game played between Burn and Marshall at Ostend in 1 906 . Marshall must have liked the game, as it is reprinted with differ ent notes only two pages further in the book ! (Well, it is a fine game.)

must do something or lose slowly but surely. 2 0 .. . 2 1 N-Nsch 22 Q-Rs 23 Q-R7ch 24 Q-R8ch 2 S Q x Pch

KxB K-Nr N-K4 K-BI K-K2 K-Q3

The proper caper, as the Rook must not be taken. If instead 2 S . . . N-B2 2 6 N-R7 i n reply would be painful. 26 K -N3 27 P -K4 28 P-Ks

N-Q2 K -B3


OSTEND, 19 06 Queen's Pawn Opening Burn White I P-Q4 2 N-KB3 3 P-QB3 4 B-B4 S P-K3 6 QN-Q2 7 B -N3 8 B- Q3 9 N -K5 Io P x B I I P-KB4 I 2 B-B2

Marshall Black P-Q4 P-QB4 P -K3 N-QB3 N-B3 B-Q3 o-o

R-K I BxN N -Q2 P-Bs Q-N3

Wins a Pawn or two. I3 K-B2 I4 R-QBI I S Q-K2 I6 P x P e.p. I 7 B-KR4 I8 B x N I 9 N-B3 20 B x Pch A desperate attack

Qx P Q x RP P-B4 NxP R-BI RxB Q -R6 ,

but White

28 . . .

Q-Br l

Clever defence ! Marshall i s pre pared to give up the exchange (and later on a Rook) to gain the initia tive. The alternative 28 . . R-Br (or 28 .. : R-B4) is met by 29 N x P , threatening 30 N-Q4ch, with a win in sight. .

29 P x R 30 Q-N8

QxP

Burn should probably have ex changed Queens instead, and then started racing his Pawns. 30 . .. 3 1 Q-K8ch 32 Q x R

Threatens mate on the move.

10 3


33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

N-R3 K-B2 K-B I N-B2 P -N3 Qx P NxN K-K I R esig ns

Q-N3ch N-Q 6ch NxR Q-B 7 N-Q 6 P-Q5 B-R6ch Px N

233

SIR GEORGE I S CHAMPION IN TWO GAMES S ir G eorg e Thomas i n o ne year, 1923 , h eld th e t itl e of B ritish Ch ess Cha mpio n as w ell as All E ngla nd Bad mi nto n Champio n. :134

HODGES DOESN'T LOSE For mer Unit ed Stat es Cha mpio n A. B. Hodg es part icipat ed in all th e Ca bl e Matc hes b etw een t he United S tat es a nd E ngla nd , a nd nev er lost a ga me! 235

PICTURESQUE MATE Jacqu es Mi es es brought off th e lo ng est epaul et mat e ev er s een o n a ch ess board agai nst Fra nk Marshall i n th eir gam e at Mo nt e Ca rlo i n 1 903.

B B -Q s 9 Q -N3 10 N-B4

N-B3 Q-B I N-Q I

U nusual ly passiv e fo r Marshal l. O ne would exp ect so methi ng lik e 10 . . . B x B II P x B , N-K4 1 2 R-K I , B-K2 1 3 B x N, Px B 1 4 R x P , Q-Q2 , follow ed by Cas tli ng, w ith th e b ett er gam e. II B x N 1 2 N-R5 13 R-K x ! 1 4 Q-KB3

PxB P-B3 B-K2 R-K N1

If 1 4 p X B 1 5 p X P , B-Q2 1 6 Q x P, a nd Whit e wins. . . .

15 N x Pch x6Q x B 17 P x P 1 8 Q-R8ch 1 9 N-B3

BxN PxB R-N3 K-Q2 BxP

Marshall los es pati enc e; a b ett er d ef enc e was 19 .. . N-B3 . 20 Q-K8ch 21 N x Bch 22 QR-B I 2 3 R x Nch 24 R-N I mat e!

K-B2 K-N x N-B3 Px R

Th is is th e pr etty pictur e o n th e boar d:

MONTE CARLO, 1903 Danish Gambit Mie ses White I P-K4 2 P-Q4 3 P-QB3 4 B -QB4 5 BxP 6N-K2 7 o--o

Marshall Black P-K4 Px P Px P Px P P-Q3 N-QB3 B-K3

Th e two pi ec es at each si de of Black's Ki ng form th e epaul ets o n his shoul ders.


336

ALEKHINE THE INVINCIBLE Alekhine pla yed t hro ug h five consecu tive s tro ng Master Tourna men ts withou t losing a ga meI Ou t of 77 g ames he wo n 5 1 , and drew the re maining 26. T he record of these successes: Kecske me t 1927 Bradle y Beach 1929 Sa n Re mo 1 930 Bled 1931 1932 London To tal

16 ga mes 9 ga mes 15 ga mes 26 ga mes 1 1 ga mes 77 games

337 M ORPHY' S ONLY BLINDFOLD L OSS Paul Mo rph y lost onl y o ne blind fold ga me in his life. It was one o f eight games pla yed a t Bir ming ham in r8s8 . BIRMINGHA M , 1 858 Scotch Gambit Mor ph y White I P-K4 2N-KB3 3P-Q4 4B-QB4 5 6P- B3 7 B-KN5 8PxP 9NxN 1 0 P- B4 II K-RI 12P-KR3

Kipping Black P-K4 N-QB3 Px P B- B4 P-Q3 Q -B3 Q-N 3 NxP QxB Q-N3 N-R3

A sli p-and for Morph y a rare one .

12 ... 13 P x B

BxP QxPch

14 Q-B3 1 5 R-K xc h I6N-R3 1 7 B-Nsch

QxN K-Qz BxN

Morp hy tries to w hip up an a ttack , bu t Kipping is on his mettl e. 17

P-B3 KR-KI I

...

IB p X B

Black avoids 1 8 ... Px B , as the reply 19 Qx Pch would be fa tal .

P-Q4 K-B2 R-K6 QxR Qx Pch P-QN3 Q-N6ch Qx Pch Q-N4ch N-Ns N-K6ch

19 QR-BI 20 Q-QN3 21 B-Q3 22RxR 23R-QNI 24 K-NI 25 R-KI 26 K-BI 27 K-N2 28 K-BI 29 R-K2 Resigns 338

BLACK' S EFFORTLESS VICTORY In 1909 Ro y T. Bla ck won a match fro m Nuge nt wi th a score of 5-1 , withou twi nning a single game ! He lost the firs t ga me, and N ugent forfeited all the others. :Z39

NINE GOOD ROUNDS, AND NINE BAD ONES Bardele be n did no t lose a gam e i n the 1i.rst nine rounds at t he Has tings 895 Tourna ment-but he could nc t win a ga me in the next ni ne ! T he ga me that started him oft on his tobogga n slide was the fa mous b rilliancy Steinit z broug ht off against him (which the rea de r w ill find elsewhere in this book).

ros


:LJO

FIRST PRIZE ELUDES VIDMAR Dr . Vidmar, o ne of the world 's g reat maste rs, played in tourna ments for 28 years before w in n ing a ma jor first prize. He fi na lly accomplished this feat, but he had to share first prize with Salo Flohr !

I O Q-K r I I B-Q3 I2 N x P I3 K-R r 1 4 Q-N3 IS Q x B

P-Q4 PxP R-KI B-QB4 NxN

Or IS B x N, B-K 7. Thi s is the pos ition :

:14 1

IVAN IV CONDEMNS CHESS Russia le ads the world at chess . It is Russia's national game. Yet in rss r. I van IV of Russia labe lled it as a "pastime of Hellenic de vilry," and made it illegal. 242

STRANGE DUPLICATION An e xtraordinary coincidence of combinations occurred in two games playe d almost 2 0 yea rs apart. From two totally di ffe re nt ope n ings, with colo rs re versed, identical positio ns we re prod uced, al low ing the same finish-an e xqu is i te Q ueen sacri fic e to fo rce the wi n. Here is one game : PARIS, 1 926 Two Knights Defence

I

2 3 4

D resga White P-K 4 N-KB3 B-B 4 P-Q4

5o-<>

6NxP 7 N-QB3 8 P-B 4 9NxN

Ba ratz Black P-K 4 N-Q B3 N-B3 PxP P-Q3 B-K2

o-<>

B-N s PxN

But not 9 BxQ and White wins a piece .

r o N x Q,

IS ...

Q x B!

White res ig ns, for i f I 6 P x Q, N-B 7ch wins the Queen (for t he Rook may not capt ure on pai n of rnate) and lea ves Black a piece ahead . Now comes the extraordi nar y coincidence : Alekhi ne was a spec tato r at this game, and immediately showed the aston ished bysta nde rs the following game, which he had played al most 2 0 years earlier : DUSSELDORF, I9o8 Colle System Alekhi ne Wllite I P-Q 4 2 N-K B3 3 P-K3 4 B-Q3 5 QN-Q2 6 P-K 4 7N x P SB x N 9 ()-() IO B-Q3

Koe nlein Black P-Q 4 N-KB3 P-K3 QN-Q 2 B-Q3 PxP NxN o-o P-K B4 P-K 4

I06


Q-K 1 NxP Q-R4 QxB K-R I Resigns

II B-KN 5 I2 P x P I3 R-KI 14 N x N I5 B-B 4ch I6 Q x B !

O nly thr ee y ears lat er Elai ne Sau nders wo n th e Britis h Ladie s' Cha mpionship. At th e ag e of I 3 s he was the you ng est pla yer ev er to acquire th e title of British La dy Cha mp io n.

343

A PARADISE FOR CHESS PLAYERS I n o ne Sumatra tribe all the wor k is do ne by th e wo men, w hereas t he m en sp end a ll day every day play ing chess. 344

GIRL CHESS PRODIGY C he ss prodigies up to now hav e alwa ys been boys. But wh en th e prodig y is a g irl-t hat si uni qu e! To a dd to t he wonde r, t his little girl was abl e to play chess without looking at the board ! So here is a ga me in w hich El aine Sau nders, only Io years ol d, plays bl indfold again st her fa ther, j ust as the yo ung Morphy pla yed blindfold a gainst his fath er bac k in 1 8 49. ENGLAND, 1936 Max Lange Attack

Elain e Sa unders

H. Saunde rs

White

Black

I P-K 4 2 B-B4 3 N-KB3 4 P-Q 4 5 o -o 6PxP 7 R -Ki ch 8N-B3 9 BxN 1o B x B II B-Q sch 12 B x Pch I 3 N -K sch I4 B-N sc h I5 N-B 7 ch

P-K 4 N-QB3 N-B3 PxP P-Q 4 NxP B-K3 B-QN 5 PxN PxP N-K 2 Kx B K-B3 KxB R esigns

345

MILLIONS OF CHESS PLAYERS Accor di ng to a census held i n the U.S.S. R. in I966, th er e w er e 3 .54o,ooo r egister ed ch ess pla yers, compar ed with 3,486,ooo registered footb all (socc er) play ers. 346

MAJORING IN CHESS In 1965 Mos cow University intro d uce d a course on c hess, co vering Chess History an d Theo ry. Abo ut 2000 st udents attended t he l ectur es, which we re cond ucted by Tal, Petrosian, Korc h no ,i Bronstein and Kotov. 347

BRILLIANCY UNREWARDED Tarrasch was considered to hav e played the most brilliant ga me of the St . Pe tersbu rg 1 9 1 4 Tou rna ment, but he did not get t he br il liancy pri z e o n t he groun d that D r. La sker had brought o ff practically the sa me co mbination against Ba ue r in 1 889, 25 years befor et heTarrasc h ga me ! Here is th e w ay Tarrasch play ed it : ST . PETERS BUR G, 1 9 1 4 Queen's Gambit Declined

N imzovic h White

I P-Q4 2 N-K B3 3 P- B4

Tarrasc h Black P-Q4 P-QB 4 P-K3

I0 7


4 P-K3 5 B-Q3 6 o-o 7 P-QN3 8 B -N2 9 QN-Q2 IO R-B I I I BP x P I 2 N-R4 1 3 N(R4)-B3 14 P x P 15 B-N5 16 B x N 17 Q-B2

N-KB3 N -B3 B-Q3

o-o

P-QN3 B-N2 Q-K2 KP x P P-N3 QR-Q I PxP N-K5 BxB

Carefully avoids running into this snag: I 7 P-QN4, B- N4 I 8 p X P , N X QBP I 9 R-KI , N-Q6 , and Black wins the exchange. 1 7... I8 N x N I9 P x P

NxN P-Q5

The stage is set for the fireworks:

Nothing else is any better: if 23 Q-Q3, Q-N6 wins, or if 23 KR-K r , R x Rch 24 R x R, Q x Rch 25 K x B, Q- K 7ch 26 K-R3 , R-Q4, and wins. 23 . . . 24 K-B2 25 P-Qs

Q-R8ch BxR

Here if 25 R x B, Q-R7 ch wins the Q u een for Black. 25 .. . 26 Q -B3

The only hope is to play for mate! If instead 26 N- B6ch, K-B2 27 N x R, R x N, and White must give up his Queen to avoid mate. 26 . .. 27 K-K3 28 P x R

Q-N7ch Rx N ch ! P -B sch

Tarrasch misses a mate in three by 28 .. . Q-N6ch 29 K-Q 2, Q-B 7 ch 30 K-Q r, Q-K 7mate, but he does evolve a picturesque finish. 29 30 31 32

KxP K-Ks K-K6 K -Q7

R-B r ch Q-R 7 ch R-K i ch

Or 3 0 K-B6, Q-Rs mate. 32 ...

I9 2o 21 22

... KxB K-NI P-B3

B x Pch ! Q-R5ch B x P!

Taking the Bishop instead leads to this: 22 K x B, Q-N5ch 23 K-Rr, R-Q 4 24 Q x P(B5), R- � ch 25 Q x R, Q x Qch 26 K-N 2, Q-N4 ch , and Black picks off the Knight . KR-KI 22 . . . Threatens 23 .. . R-K 7.

B-N4 mate

And this is the Lasker (and earlier) version of the two-Bishop sacrifice: AMSTERDAM, r 889 Bird's Opening Lasker White I P-KB 4 2 P-K3 3 P-QN3 4 B-N2 5 B-Q 3 6 N-QB3 7N-B3

Bauer Black P-Q4 N-KB3 P-K3 B-K2 P-QN3 B-N2 QN-Q2

I08

WONDERS

8 o-o 9 N-K2 Io N-N3 u N-K5 I2 BxN I3 Q-K2 I4 N-R5

AND


o-o P-B4 Q-B2 NxN Q-B3 P-QR3 NxN

Expecting the simple recapture of the Knight, but Lasker inserts a brilliant zwischenzug. This is the position:

24 R-KBI 25 Q-Q7

QR-NI

Picking off Pawns instead would be petty. KR Q I

25 ...

-

Not so much to protect the Queen Pawn, as to allow the King a flight square. K-BI B-N2

26 Q-N4ch 27 PxP

But not 27 ... B xP 28 Q-K6, and the Bishop is lost. R-N2

28 P-K6

Here if 28 ... P-B3 29 P-K7ch follows, and the Bishop falls. P-B3 BxR K-KI K-K2 Resigns

29Q-N6 3o RxPch 3I QxBch 32 Q-R8ch 33 Q-N7ch I5 BxPchl I6QxNch I7 BxP!

KxB K-NI KxB

On I7 ... P-B3 instead, White wins quickly by I8 R-B3 and I9 R-N3. K-R2 P-K4 Black must part with his Queen and then one of his vulnerable Bishops. 20 R-R3ch 2I Rx Qch 22 Q-Q7 23 QxB

Q-R3 KxR B-KB3

Lasker has a won game, but the way in which he forces resignation is an interesting lesson in tactics. 23 ...

K-N2

If 23 ... PxP 24 QxNP, K-N2 25 R-KB1.

Strangely enough, despite Lasker's success with Bird's Openi ng, he never again in his life piayed it I :248

SZABO HAS A BLIND SPOT In the great World's Champion ship Candidates' Tournament, held at Zurich in I95 3 , Szabo missed an elementary mate in two moves against Reshevsky! Here is how it happened:

ZURICH, I953 Queen's Gambit Declined Szabo White I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-KB3 4 N-B3 5 BPxP 6 P-K3

Reshevsky Black N-KB3 P-K3 P-Q4 P-B4 NxP N-QB3

109


7 B-Q3 8 PxN 9 Q-B2 1o P-KR4 ! 11 R-QN1 12 B-K4 Simple t hreat: winning a piece.

12 ...

NxN B-K2 P-KNJ P-KR4 R-QN 1 13

BxNch,

Q-B2

The plausible 12 ... B-Q2 allows 14 QxPch, 13 BxPch, PxB K-B 1 15 P-K4 followed by 16 B-R6ch, and White wins. IJ o--o 14 P-Qs 15 Bx QP 16 N-N5 17 P-QB4

B-Q2 PxP B-B3 N-Q1

Now he threatens to win by 18 NxP, N xN 19 QxP 17 ··· 18 N-K4 19 B-N2 20 N-B6ch

B-B3 B-N2 o--o

B XN


"Well, you don't just look for m ates in two against a Reshevsky!" The game continued: BxB 21 ... 22 PxB Q-Q3 QxP 23 Q-B3 Q-B4 24 KR-Qx Q-K3 25 P-K4 P-NJ 26 B-N7 27 BxR Szabo misses another chance! He cou ld have won a clear Rook by 27 B-R6, P-B3 28 Q-KN3, and the threat of 29 QxPch and mate next would win the unprotected Queen Rook. 27 ... KxB Szabo was now short of time and proposed a draw, which Re sh evsky was pleased to accept.

249

REMARKABLE RUY LOPEZ Many players start their games with the Ruy Lopez opening, but Barry showed he could checkmate by finishing with it! He composed this prob lem : (White to Play and Mate in Three Moves)

21 BxB(KB6) Szabo misses 21 Q x Pch, B-N2 (if 21 ... K-R1 22 BxB mate) 22 QxB mate. Euwe called this, "The worst blunder of the last decade." When Szabo was asked to explain this extraordinary oversight, he said,

The solution is: I P-K4 . 2 N-KB3 3 B-N5 mate!

I IO


250 CAPABLANCA FEATURES HIS LOST GAMES Most masters show off proudly the most brilliant games they won in their books, but in Chess Funda mentals by Capablanca, there are six losses in succession to start off a game section of only 14 games! Capablanca gives the scores of games won from him by Marshall, Rubinstein, Janowski, Znosko-Bo rovski, Lasker and Chajes. 251 GRANDMASTER LEARNS THE RULES ABOUT CASTLING A grandmaster, and a former Chess C)l.ampion of the U.S.S. R., who has written some of the best books on the endgame, was mistaken about one of the rules of chess. Here is the curious fact, as C. J. S. Purdy tells it: The most amazing incident of my chess career-no, my whole life-happened while I was play ing my game in the Australian Championship with Averbach in Adelaide in 1 960. The diagram med position occurred, and I Castled Queen side:

Of course many beginners think this is illegal. But what was my

astonishment when Averbach pointed out to me that my Rook had crossed an attacked square I I simply waved my hand from K1 to QB1 and said faintly, "the King"-thinking at the time that it sounded like a royal toast. " Only the King?" cried Aver bach, "not the Rook?" I just shook my head gently. It seemed rude to instruct a grandmaster. I realized that this amicable dispute must end in my favor and there was no need for me to talk.

252 MASTER FAILS TO WIN A SINGLE GAME R . G. Wade once gave a simulta neous exhibition on 30 boards and could not win a single game! It happened in Moscow in 1951, and Wade's opponents were school boys, none of them over 14 years old. When play had ended, after seven hours, Wade had lost 20 games, and drawn the remaining 10.

253 ERROR TU.It.NS INTO BRILLIANCY Erich Cohn won a brilliancy prize against Tchigorin at Carlsbad in 1907 (a tournament noted for its wealth of beautiful games) for a "beautiful combination starting from an extraordinarily deep Pawn sacrifice." But Cohn stated after the game that he had not intended to sacri fice the Pawn-he merely lost it, after which he had to play force fully to make up for his material disadvantage I Here is the game:

I II


CARLSBAD, I907 Old Indian Defence Tchigorin Black N-KB3 P-Q3 QN-Q2 P-K4 B-K2 o-o R-KI B-BI PxP N-K4

Cohn White I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3 4 P-K4 5 KN-K2 6 P-KN3 7B-N2 B o-o 9P-KR3 Io QxP

Another interesting possibility is this : 25 ... R-BI 26 P-N6, RPxP 27 BP x P, BPxP 28 Q-B7ch, K-RI 29 P-K6. RxP 30 P-Rs. R-K2 31 PxP, Rx Q 32 R-Rsch, K-NI 33 P x R mate. This is the position:

With two threats of winning a Pawn: one by I I .. . BxP, the other by 1 1 P-B4. Cohn sees only one threat. • • .

uP-B4 I2 Q-B2 13 P-N3 14 B-N2 IS QR-QI I 6 P-KN4 I 7 NxN 18 P-N4!

P-B4 NxBP N-QR4 N-B3 Q-R4 N-Qs PxN

A pretty move. If at once I8 RxP, P-Q4 (with the threat of I9 .. . B-QB4) permits Black to exchange off his weak Queen Pawn.

18 . . I9RxP 20 P-Ns 2I N-Qs 22 P-KR4 23 P-Bs 24 RxN 25 P-Ks .

QxNP Q-R4 N-Q2 Q-QI N-N3 NxN B-Q2 B-B3

If instead 25 .. . PxP, White does not play 26 KR-QI, as that permits Black to wriggle out of the pin by 26 ... Q-BI 27 RxB, B-B4 28 B-Q4, Qx R, but continues instead with 26 P-B6, P xP 27 B-KR3.

26 P-K6I

PxP

If instead 26 ... BxR 27 BxB, PxP 28 PxP, Q-K2 29 Q-Q4, and the threat of 30 R-B7 is decisive. 27 PxP

Q-K2

" Capturing the Rook," says Marco, "leads to a grandiose finish: 27 . . . B X R 28 Q-B7Ch, K-RI 29 BxB (threatens 30 P-K7) R-K2 30 Q-Bs. K-N1 3 I B-K4, P-KN3 32 Q-B7ch, RxQ 33 PxR mate." 28 Q-B7ch 29 R-KB5 30 PxQ 31 R(BI)-B2 32 RxR 33 B-Q41

K-R I QxQ R-K7 RXR P-Q4

Threatens a mate in five by 34 P-R5, 35 P-R6, 36 PxPch, 37 P-B8(Q)ch, and 38 RxR mate. 33 ... 34 P-N6 35 R-K2 36 B-R3! 37 R-K6

P-K� B-Q2 B-Q3 B-N4 Resigns

Il2


There is no defence: if 3 7 ... B-B2 38 B-QB5 , B-N3 39 BxB, PxB 40 R-Ks, and mate cannot be averted. as4

30 PxR 3I P-Ks And now we have this picture of chain of six Pawns in diagonal formation: a

LONGEST PAWN CHAIN The British chess master J. du Mont built the longest Pawn chain ever seen on a chessboard. Here are the preliminary moves, and a picture of it will appear later in our story:

LONDON, I943 Reti Opening duMont White I N-KB3 2 P-KN3 3 B-N2 4P-Q4 s o-o 6QN-Q2 7 P-B4 8 P-N3 9B-N2 Io NxP II N(B3 )-Ks I2 P-B4 I3 NXN I4P-K4 IS N-Ks I6QPxN I 7 Q-B2 IS KR-QI I9 K-R I 2o QxP 2I PxQ 22 B-Q4 23RxB 24 P-QB5 25 R-Q6 26R-QBx 2 7 P-B6 28 P-B7 29 B-Bx

Gosling Black N-KB3 P-Q4 P-B3 P-K3 B-Q3 o-o QN-Q2 R-KI PxP B-B2 P-B4 R-NI NxN P-QN4 NxN B-N3 P-Ns P-Bsch Q-B2 QxQ P-QR4 BxB B-R3 KR-Qx B-N4 P-Rs QR-Bx R-Q2 RxR

R-RI Resigns

3I . .. 32 B-Ns

ass

ALEKHINE SACRIFICES THREE QUEENS IN ONE GAME In a game played at Hastings in 1922, Alekhine sacrificed his Queen, queened a Pawn, sacrificed the new Queen, queened another Pawn, sacrificed the third Queen, and was preparing to advance a Pawn for his fourth Queen, when Bogolyubov, his opponent, resigned. The writer considers this master piece of Alekhine's to be the greatest game of chess ever played.

HASTINGS, 1922 DutciJ Defence Bogolyubov White

I P-Q4 P-QB4 3 P-KN3 4B-N2 s B-Q2 6NxB 2

Alekhine Black P-KB4 N-KB3 P-K3 B-Nsch BxBch N-B3


7 KN-B3 B o-o 9 Q-N3 Io Q-B3

o-o P-Q3 K-R1 P-!4!

White cannot try to win a Pawn as after II Px P, PxP 12 N X P, N X N 13 Q X N, Q X N, it is Black who gains a piece.

1 1 P-K3

P � R4 I

This prevents 1 2 P-QN4 fol lowed by P-N5, displacing the Knight.

ll3

the center (after 24 . . . P x P Qx P) by 2 5 .. . N (B3 )�4· 24 R-KN2 25 PxP 26 N-B2

PxP BxP �2

Prevents any expansion by P-N4.

2 7N �2 28 N � 1 29 Rx P

25

27

P�N4 N�6

This is the position:

12 P-N3 1 3 P-QR3 Here too, White must not chase after a Pawn, as 14 Px P, Px P 1 5 N x P, N x N 1 6 Q x N , N-N5 (at tacking the Queen, and threatening mate on the move) is the well known Alekhine kick at the end of a combination.

1 4 P-KR4 1 5 N-N5 16 P-B3 1 7P-B4 18 KR-QI 1 9 N-R3 20 N-BI

N-KN5 �2 N-B3 P-K5 P-R3 P-Q4 N-K2

The intention is to follow with 2 1 .. . P-Rs, attacking the base of the Pawn chain. Then if 22 P-QN4, PxP 23 QxP, N ( K 2 )-Q4, and the Knight secures a firm hold on a center square, as no Pawns can drive it off. 21

P-R4

The Knight returns, as now it can invade the enemy territory by way of N5 and Q6.

22 R-Q2 23 B-R1

N-QN5 Q-K1

Now the threat is either to win a Pawn by 2 4 . . . P x P 25 P x P, B x P, or to establish a Knight in

29 . . .

P-N5I

Begins a magnificent combina tion, or properly speaking, a series of magnificent combinations.

3 oRx R If 30 Q-R1, RxR 3 1 Q x R, Q-R1 32 Qx Q, Rx Q, and the Rook will come strongly into the game at R7 or R8. 30 ... 3I RxQ

PxQI P-B 7I

This is the point of the first combination! The Pawn cannot be prevented from Queening, and a new phase begins. 32 Rx Reb 33 N-B2

K-R2

Any other move loses a piece. 33 ... 34 N-B1

P-B8(Q)ch N-K81


Threatens a colorful smothered mate. 35 R-R2 Q x BP

New threat : 36 . . . B-N4 3 7 N-Q2 {if 37 B-N2, N x B wins a piece) Q-QB8 38 N-B 1 , N-B6ch and mate next. B-N4 36 R-QN8 37 R x B QxR 38 P-N4 N-B6ch l 39 B x N PxB 4 oP x P Forced, for if 40 P-N5, N-N5 41 N x N {on 41 R-R3, Q-K7 wins) P x N, and Black has two connected passed Pawns. 40 . . .

Q-K 7I

This ties Black up completely. If any of his pieces moves, he loses at once. On 41 N-R3, for example, N-N5 follows, and after 42 R x Q, P x R, and Black gets a new Queen. Or if 41 R-R3, N-N5 is again the winning move.

41 P-Q5

K-NI I

Alekhine cleverly avoids the natural continuation 41 . . . P-R4, which allows White to escape nicely by 42 N-R3, N-N5 43 N-N5ch, K-N 1 44 R x Q, P x R 45 N-B3 I

42 P-R5

K-R2

Just waiting for White's Pawn move to run out.

43 P-K4 44 N x N 45 P-Q6 46 P-B6 47 R-Q2

N x KP QxN PxP PxP Q-K7 !

" A pretty finish, worthy of this fine game , " says Alekhine himself.

48 R x Q 49 K-B2 5 oK x Q 51 K-B2

PxR P x N {Q) ch K-N2 K-B2

52 K-K3 53 K-K4 Resigns Bogolyubov does not care for the continuation 54 K-Q4, K-B4 55 K x P, K x P 56 K-Q4, P-B4 57 K-Q3, K-N6, and he would see Alekhine's fourth Queen on the board !

zs6 ALEKHINE BUILDS TOWER OF PAWNS Doubled Pawns are common ; triple d Pawns are unusual ; quad rupled Pawns are unheard of! Yet Alekhine in his youth pro duced this unique arrangement of Pawns-to his detrimentI Here is how it came about :

MOSCOW, 1 907 Queen's Pawn Game Alekhine White I P-Q4 2 N-KB3 3 P-K3 4 B-Q3 5 N-K5 6 N-Q2 7 P-KB4 8 BP x N

g o-o

1 0 P-B4 I I P-QN3 1 2 P-QR4 I3 P X P 1 4 B-R3 15 R x B 1 6 R-R2 1 7 Q-K2 1 8 R-QB2 19 B x R 20 B-Q3 2 1 P-R3 22 R-N I

Nenerakov Black P-Q4 P-K3 P-QB3 P-KB4 Q-B3 N-Q2 NxN Q-B2 Q-B2 N-R3 B-Q2 B-K2 BP x P BxB o-o

QR-B1 Q-N3 RxR R-BI Q-N5 N-B2 R-B6

I IS


Black's advantage in position is

his pressure on the B lack squares.

23 K-R2 24 Q-Br 2S R-Q r 26 Q-K2 27 R-QNr 28 R-KBr 29 B-Nr 30 P-N4 3 1 P x BP 32 N-B4

P-QR3 Q-R6 Q-N7 N-Q I Q-R6 Q-Ns P-Q N4 P x RP B-N4

No better is 32 Q-Rs. B x R 33 P x KP, B-Q6. 32 33 34 3S 36

... PxP Q-B3 RxR P-K7

R x NP P x NI RxB QxR

The last chance. Alekhine had counted on a draw by 36 Q- Qs. N x P 3 7Q x Nch, K-B r 38 Q-Q6ch, K-B2 39 Q-Qsch, but then realized that 36 Q-Qs would succumb to 36 . . . Q-B7ch 37 K-Rr (other King moves are answered by 3 7 . . . Q-N3 ch and 38 . . . N x P) B-B3 , and Black wins the Queen. 36 . . . 37 P-Qs 39 P x N

And now we have a picturesque Pawn position ! A column of quad rupled, isolated Pawns !

38 . . .

Q-K I

Blockades all the Pawns a t one stroke, and wins . 39 Resigns

Z57 CAPABLANCA CREATES FA�TASTIC DESIGN One would hardly expect a fantastic arrangement of Pawns and pieces from Capablanca. But he created one of the weirdest posi tions ever seen on a chessboard, in one of his great m asterpieces . Here are the moves leading up to the position : CARLSBAD, 1 929 Queen's Gambit Declined

I 2 3 4 s 6 7 8

Capablanca White P-Q4 P-QB4 N-KB3 B-Ns BxB QN-Q2 P-K3 B-Q 3

g o-o

IO II 12 13 14 IS r6 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 2S

Q -B 2 QR-N1 ! N-Ks P-B4 QN-B3 P-QN4 KR-B r Q-B2 NxN N-B3 P-Bs P-QR4 Q-K r P-R3 P-N4 ! R-B2

Treybal Black P-Q4 P-QB3 P-K3 B-K2 QxB P-KB4 N-Q2 N-R3 o-o P-KN3 N-B3 N-B2 B-Q 2 K R-Q r B-K 1

P-Q�3 NxN N-Q2 R(Qr )-Br N-B3 N-Ns N-R3 N-B2 B-Q2 K-R r

I I6


26 27 28 29 30 3I

R-KN2 P-KN5 P-R4 P-R5 R-KR2 Q-B3

R-KNr Q-Q I K-N2 R-Rr Q-B2 Q-Q I

Black cannot free himself by 3 1 . . . P-R4, as the reply would simply be 32 P-N5. 32 33 34 35 36

K-B2 R(N r ) -KRr Q-R r Q-R3 P-N5 I

Q-B2 QR-KN r R-N r R(Nr )-N r RP x P

If 36 . . . BP x P 37 P-R6ch, K-B r 38 P-B6ch, and White wins a Bishop. 37 P-R6ch ! 38 P x P 39 P-N6

K-B I K-K2 Q-N I

White' s Pawn stru ctu re is so harmonious that the position at this point deserves a diagram :

45 R(RI )-R4 46 Q-R3 47 K-N3 48 K-R4 49 Q-R r 50 K-N3 5 1 K-N2 52 N-Q2

K-B I K-N I B-Q2 K-Rr K-N r K-Br B-K r

The Knight is headed for QR5, to help attack the Queen Knight Pawn. B-Q2

52 . . .

This is the unfortunate Bishop s fou rth ( and last) little walk to Q2. '

R-Kr

53 N-N3

The alternative (or properly speaking, another way of losing) is 53 . . . B-Kr 54 N-R5, R-Q2 55 N x NP ! , R x N 56 R-R8, and Black loses his Queen. N-Q r

54 N-R5 55 B-R6 !

Now look at the position ! "White's Pawns are arranged in a V for Victo ry design all his pieces (ex cept the King) are lined up on the Queen Rook file, while nearly all his opponent s pieces stand fearfully on the back rank I ,

'

40 R-R r White controls the QR file. His obj ect now is to establish an outpost at QR7, and then exert irresistible pressure on Black's QNP. 40 . . . 4 1 Q-N4 42 R-R7 43 R-KRr 44 R(RI )-R r

R-QB r R(RI )-Q r K-B I B-K r K-N I

55 . . . 56 R x B

PxB R-K2

If 56 . . . K-N r instead, to save


the KRP, then 57 N-N3 will doom the other Rook Pawn.

57 R x Nch ! A simple and elegant finishing move.

57 . . .

Resi gns

An impressive game by the greatest chess player that ever lived. ass

FOUR WORLD CHAMPIONS ON ONE TEAM In I 964 the U.S.S.R. sent a team to represent them at the Olympics held at Tel -Avi v, that was as power ful as one could imagine . They were : 1 . Petrosian (former World Cham pion) 2. Botvinnik (former World Cham pion) 3· Smyslov (former World Cham pion) 4· Keres (contender for the World's Championship) 5· Stein (former Soviet Champion) 6. Spassky (later World Cha mpion) Z59

FASTEST TOURNAMENT PLAYERS The fastest tournament p layers have been Zukertort, Charousek, Janowski, Dake and Capablanca. a6o

ALEKHINE CAUGHT IN OLDEST TRAP The peerless annotator Alekhine once recommended " an immediate drawing line " in the Ruy Lopez opening that would have cau gh t White in a trap whose very name im plies its antiquity-the Noah's Ark Tra.p ! The note appears as the first

comment to the game Yates Alekhine, New York I 924, and is Game Two in the book of the tourna ment. The game started as follows : NEW YORK, I924 Ruy Lopez

I 2 3 4

Alekhine

Yates White P-K4 N-KB3 B-N5 B-R4

Black

P-K4 N-QB3 P-QR3 P-Q3

Alekhine's note at this point reads as follows : This variation of the Steinitz defence seems to be better than P-Q3 at once, as White after 5 P-Q4 must reckon with an im mediate draw ing line (5 . . . P-QN4 6 B-N3, N x P 7 N x N, P x N 8 Q x P, P-QB4 9 Q-Q5, B-K3 IO Q-B6ch, B-Q2 II Q-Q5, B-K3 , etc.) What Alekhine misses is that Black could play as his n th move P-B5 instead of l l . . . B-K3 , and win a piece (and the game) for two Pawns . z6I

ONLY ONE - PAWN IS CAPTURED After 94 moves of the game between Chaj es and Grunfeld at Carlsbad in I 92 3 , only one Pawn had been removed from the board ! CARLSBAD, I923 Ruy Lopez Chaj es White I P-K4 ' 2 N-KB3 3 B-N5

Grunfeld

Black

P-K4 N-QB3 P-QR3

u8


4 B-R4

5 o--o

6 R-K1 7 B-N3 8 P-B3 g B-B2 x o P-Q4 I I QN-Q2 12 P-Qs 1 3 N-B1 14 P-KR3 15 P-KN4 16 N-N3 1 7 B-R6 1 8 K-R2 19 B-K3 20 R-KN1 2 1 Q-K2 22 R-KN2 23 QR-KN r 24 P-R3 25 N--Q2 26 N(Q2)-B 1 2 7 P-KR4 28 K-R1 29 R-R2 30 P-B3 J I B-Q2 32 N-K3 33 N--Q r 34 B-K3 35 Q--Q2 36 N-B2 37 B-N 1 38 N-R3 39 B-R6 40 B-K3 41 N-B2 42 P-Rs 43 P-R6 44 N-B5 45 K-N2 46 R(Nr)-RI 47 K-N3 48 Q-K2 4 9 B-Q2 so B-B2 5 1 B-N 1

N-B3 B-K2 P--QN4 P--Q3 N-QR4 P-B4 Q-B2 N-B3 N--Q1 o--o

N-K I P-N3 N-KN2 P-B3 N-B2 B-Q2 K-RI Q-B1 Q-N2 P-Bs KR-BI Q-B2 B-B1 B-K2 R-BI Q-B1 Q-Q1 R--QN1 Q-BI Q-Q I R-RI R--QN 1 R-R1 R--QN I Q-BI R-N I R-BI Q-Q I P-N4 N-K I R-N I B-KB1 KR-N3 R--QN2 Q-R1 R-B2 Q-N I R-QN2

52 B-B2 53 B-N r 54 B-B2 55 B-K3 56 B-Q2 57 N x N

N-B2 N-R r N-N3 N-BI N-K2

At last a piece comes off the board after 56 moves of masterly inactivity. The game begins now, at a point where most games have ended. 57 . . . 58 N-QI 59 N-K3 6o R-R5 6 1 R(Rx)-R3 62 Q-R2 63 N-B5 64 Q-R1 65 R-R2 66 K-B2 67 K-N2 68 K-B2 69 K-N2 70 K-B2 71 K-K2 72 K-B2 73 K-K2 74 B-K3 75 B-Q2 76 K-B2 77 K-N2 7 8 K-B2 79 B-K3 So B-Q2 81 K-Q2 82 B-K3 83 B-Q2 84 K-B2 85 B-K3 86 B-Q2 87 K-K2 88 B-K3 89 R(R5)-R3 g o B-Q2 91 K-B2 92 K-K2

BxN B-KBI NxP B-B 1 N-Nr R(N3)-N2 R(N2)-KB2 Q-B2 Q-Q 1 Q-K 1 R(B2)-B2 R-B2 Q-Q 1 Q-B2 Q-Q I Q-B2 R-R2 R--QN2 Q-Q1 Q-Kr R(B2)-B2 Q-Q I R-B2 Q-B2 Q-N1 Q-B2 Q-Q r Q-N3ch Q-Q I P-R3 R-KR2 B-Q2 B-K 1 B-N3 Q-B2 Q-B2

I I9


z6z

93 Q-QI

94 B-K3

This is the position after 94 moves of a wearisome game. Note that up to this point only one Pawn has come off the board !

LINDERMANN COMMITS SUI - MATE IN THREE A player called Lindermann once lost a tournament game in three moves ! Here is how it came abou t : KIEL, 1 893 Center Counter Game Lindermann White I P-K4 2 PxP

BxN R-R3 Q-K I R(Q2)-KR2 PxP B-K2 B-Q I Q-B2 Q-QN2 B-N3 BxB Q-R3 N-K2 N-B I Q-N2 Q-KB2 N-K2 N-N 1 RxP R-R5 RxR Q-R4 P-KN5 P x Pch R-R6 Q-N 4ch after I S! hours of

95 P x P 96 P x B 97 B-K4 98 P-R4 99 P x P 100 Q-KR1 101 K-B2 1 02 K-N3 1 03 K-N4 1 04 Q-R1 105 Q-KN1 106 Q x B 107 R-RI 1 08 R-Q I 109 R (R3)-R1 1 1 0 Q-B2 I I I.·Q-R2 I I 2 R-RI I I 3 Q-N2 I 14 K-N3 I IS R X R 1 16 R-R6 I I 7 R-RI I I 8 P-B4 ng K x P

1 20 B-B2 Re signs play !

Echterme y e r Black P-Q4 QxP

Lindermann now in tende d to move 3 N-QB3 , but picked up his Q ueen Bi shop instead, and placed it at QB3 . The rule then in force compelled him to retract his move, and move his King instead. So the game continued : Q- K s mate 3 K-K2

263 ILLEGAL MOVE SCORES THE WIN In a game between Mason and Winawer played at London in 1 883, the latter made a move strong enough to cause Mason's quick resignation. But the move was an illegal oneI This was the position :

-

Winawer moved 43 . . . N-B4 and

1 20


won in a few moves. Not until the official score was examined several days after the game was played, did anyone notice that the Knight had moved like a Bishop. Apparently the position had been noted down in correctly at adjournment time, and the Knight had been placed at Q2 instead of K2.

This was the position on the board :

z64

STEINER WINS BY ACCIDENT In a game against Colle at Buda pest in 1 926, A. Steiner accidentally knocked over his King with his lleeve, and replaced it at Knight �quare instead of Rook square, where it belonged . During the game he played a combination which forced a win, but which would have bee n unsound with his King at KRI . Unfortunately for Colle, the dis crepancy was not discovered until the game was over. His protest to the committee was turned down, as the rules did not cover such a li.tuation. As a result, he was relegated to seventh place in the final standings, instead of third. Here is the game : BUDAPEST, I926 A lekhine Defence

I 2 3 4 5 6 7

A. Steiner White P-K4 P-K5 B-B4 B-K2 P-KB4 N-KB3 PxP

s �

9 BxN K-RI I I P-Q4 1 2 P-B4 13 N-B3 ro

Colle Black N-KB3 N-Q4 N-N3 P-Q3 N-B3 PxP N-Q5 N x Nch Q-Q5ch Q x KP Q-Q3 Q-Q2 P-QB3

At this point Steiner replaced his King at KN I , and play continued : I 4 P-B5 1 5 Q-N3 16 B x N 1 7 B-N5 I B QR-K i ch 19 R x P I 2o B x P 2I R x B

N-Q4 P-K3 KP x B P-B3 B-K2 PxR �

A powerful position for White. But if his King were at RI (where it belonged) Black would simply play 2 1 . . . Q x R and win, as capturing the Queen allows mate on the move. RxB 2I . . . BxR 22 R x Q R-B2 23 N-K4 R-N2 24 Q-N3ch K-R I 25 N-B6ch If 25 . . . K-B I 26 Q-Q6ch, K-B2 27 Q-B4, and White wins. 26 Q-K5 27 N-R5

B-R6 Resigns

265 BENKO PICKS UP THE PIECES AND LOSES An even stranger incident in volving pieces off the board was the cause of Benko 's debacle in the 2oth

121


round o f the World 's Championship Candidates Tournament held at Cura�ao in 1962. Benko was in time trouble-he had three moves to make in a second or two-but he could have forced a draw by perpetual check. However, in the course of making a move he knocked over two pieces, and while he was picking them up his time ran out ! Here is the sad story : CURACAO, 1 962 Sicilian Defence Keres White I P-!4 2 N-KB3 3 P-Q4 4NxP 5 N-QB3 6 B-K3 7 B-QB4 8 B-K2 g o-o

·

x o P-B4 I I N-N3 1 2 Q-Q3 13 B-B3 1 4 BP x N 1 5 Q-B2 16 P-K5 1 7 QR-Q 1 x8 B x B 1 9 Q-B2 20 P x P

Benko Black P-QB4 N-QB3 PxP P-KN3 B-N2 N-B3 N-QR4 o-o P-Q3 B-Q2 B-B3 N-Q2 NxN N-B4 Q-Q2 QR-Bx Q-K3 RxB P-N3 R x PI

2 4 P-K R3 25 RxP 2 6 B-Q4

R-BI R-KI

But not 26 B-Q2, B-B x followed by 27 . . . B-B4. 26 . .. 27 R-Q7 !

The natural 27 P-N3 succumt. to 27 . . . B-Bx 28 R-Q7, Q-N8ch 29 K-N2, Q-Q8 ! , and White has no defence. 27 . . . 2 8 P-N3 2g R x RP 30 R-N7 31 Q-B3

BxP Q-K3 B-N x BxP

Keres misses a pretty win by 3 1 Q x B, Q-Q4 (evidently relied on by Benko to win back the piece) 32 Q-K3 !, and 32 . . . R x Q falls into 33 R-N8ch and quick mate. 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

... K-N2 B-B3 R-R7 P-QR4 P-N4 Q X RP K-Nx

B-Q3 B-B4 B-Bx P-R4 P-B4 P-KN4 Q-Q4ch


If White now tries to win a Pawn, he loses the exchange by a little tactical trick that I do not re member ever seeing before, as follows : 2 1 B x N, P x B 22 Q x P, B-Q5ch 23 R x B, Q-K6ch, and the Rook comes off next move. 21 R x R 22 R-Q I 23 N x N

PxR N-K5 QxN

It was at this moment that Benko picked up the two pieces that had been displaced and made

I22

WONDERS AND CUR IOSITIES O F CHESS

the move that would have saved the game for him, but it was too late ! The draw could have been assured thus : 3 8 . . . B-B4ch 39 P x B, Q x Pch 40 K-B 1 , Q-Bsch 4I K-N2, Q-Q4ch and White does not dare to play 42 Q B3 as 42 . . . R K7ch 43 K-N3, R-K6 1 44 Q x R, P-Esch would win the Queen. ,

-

,

-

266 ERRONEOUS PAWN POSITION CHANGES CHESS HISTORY In a Hauptturnier (a qualifying tournament for the title of Chess Master) an illegal move by von Feyerfeil against Lipke may have changed chess history ! This was the position, with White (von Feyerfeil) to make his 53rd move against Lipke at the qualify ing tournament at Breslau in 1 88g.

53 R-KRz Explanation : The position had been set up by mistake without a Pawn at White's KRz . Neither player noticed it, and the game went on until Lipke won it at the r z r st move ! (I do not propose to give you the 1 2 1 moves. ) Now for the importance of this

game : had Feyerfeil drawn it, as he should have (with the position set up properly) he would have won the tournament ahead of Emanuel Lasker. In that event, Lasker would probably have given up chess-as he himself said-and all chess history would have been different .

267 OLDEST KNOWN CHESS GAME The oldest known chess game (played about 1 485, when the mediaeval moves of Queen and Bishop were changed) is one that was contested between Francisco de Castellni and Narcisco Vinoles. This is how it went : BARCELONA ( ? ) , 1485 Center Counter Castellni White I P-K4 z PxP 3 N-QB3 4 B-B4 5 N-B3 6 P-KR3 7QxB 8 QxP g N-N5 1 o N x RP II N x R 1 2 P-Q4 13 B N s ch 1 4 Q x Nch r s P-Q s r6 B-K3 17 R-Q r r8 R x P 1 9 B-B4 zo Q x Nch 2 1 Q-Q8 mate -

Vinoles Black P-Q4 QxP Q-Q I N-KB3 B-Ns BxN P-K3 QN-Qz R-Br N-N3 NxN N..:.Q3 NxB N-Qz PxP B-Q3 Q-B3 Q-N3 BxB K-Br

123


268

INCREDIBLE BEST AND WORST MOVES In a position that arose between Eliskases and Henneberger at Lieb werda in 1 934, the latter's best move in reply to a check was to interpose his Queen ! The worst move then for Eliskaes was to take the Queen with check ! Here is this unbelievable position :

It was White's move, and he is threatened with immediate mate. He cannot escape by 1 R x Pch, P x R 2 K R3 (if 2 P-KN4, Q-R5 mate) as 2 . Q-N4 keeps him imprisoned . Therefore he playe d : -

capture of the Queen with check loses. White should play 2 R x Pch, K-Bx (if 2 . . . P x R 3 B x Qch, followed by 4 P-K N4 ) 3 P-KN4, Q x R 4 Q x P !, with a probable draw. K-B 1 I

2 ...

And White has no defence to the mate. :z6g

AUTOMATON WINS TOURNAMENT As far back as 1 8 78, a chess automaton played in a chess tourna ment-and won first prize ! In I 8 78 the entry of the automa ton " Mephisto " was accepted for the English Counties' Chess Asso ciation handicap, in which leading English players participated. The Rev. G. A. MacDonnell refused to play unless told the identity of the player in the machine. As this could not be revealed, MacDonnell withdrew. " Mephisto " won first prize. The player at that time was Isidor Gunsberg.

. .

I B-Qsch

White now expected either I . . . K-B I , 2 R-B4ch, R x R (but not 2 . P x R 3 Q-R8 mate) 3 KP x R, and the mate is averted, or I . . . K-N2, when there would follow 2 Q x Pch, Q X Q 3 B x Qch, K-R3 (here if 3 . . K-BI 4 R-B4ch draws) 4 B-B4ch, K-N 2 5 B-Ksch, and a draw. .I . . . Q-B2 l ! .

.

270

COSTLY CHES S B OOK At an auction of Lord Cunliffe's library in 1 946, The Game and Playe of the Chesse, printed by William Caxton in 1 474, was sold at a high price : the bidding reached the sum of £ ! goo.

.

This must have knocked Elis kases off his seat. 2 B x Qch Takes the Queen with check-a move he must have made in a split second. The tempting and obvious

271

Amor Omnia Vincit

A chess player withdrew from a tournament because of love ! Lisa Lane, U.S. Women's Cham pion, played four games in the Hastings Tournament of 1962, and then withdrew, to return to America. She said she could not concentrate because she was in love !


272 UNITED STATES CHAMPION AT 1 4 Bobby Fischer became Chess Champion of the United States at the age of I 4 ! Bobby won first prize in the United States Championship Tour nament held at New York City in I957-8, ahead of former U . S . Champions Reshevsky and Denker, as · well as such well-known mas ters as Lombardy, Sherwin, and Bisguier. 273 INTERNATIONAL GRANDMASTER AT x s Bobby Fischer became an Inter national Grandmaster at the age of 15 ! Bobby was awarded the title when he finished in a tie for fifth place (with Olafsson) at the strong Portoroz Tournament of 1 9 5 8 , and qualified for the Candidates' Tournament. He scored I 2 points, It points less than first prizewinner and future World's Champion Michael Tal, and only t point below future World 's Champion Tigran Petro sian. An impressive achievement for a I5-year old ! 274 LIFETIME OF CHESS WRITING Hermann Helms, Dean of Ameri can Chess, conducted the magazine The A merican Chess Bulletin, from I 904 until I 963 (the year of his death) , a period of 59 years ! Mr. Helms also conducted a weekly column in the BrookZvn Daily Eagle from 1 893 to I 95 5 (the year that the Eagle discontinued publication) , a period of 62 years !

275 PLAYS BLINDFOLD CHESS AT EIGHT Sammy Reshevsky was a chess prodigy in every sense of the word. He could play simultaneous chess with the flair of an accomplished master, solve chess problems with ease, and play a respectable game of blindfold chess. Following is a blindfold game played by Reshevsky at the age of eight ( ! ) , against R. C. Griffith (who also played blindfold) , co-author with J . H. White of Modern Chess Openings, the Bible of chess players. LONDON, I g2o Ruy Lopez Reshevsky White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 B-N5 4 0-o 5 P-Q4 6 R-K I 7 BxN 8 PxP 9 N-B3 I o N-Q4 I I P-B4 I 2 B-K3 I3 B x N I4 Q-B3

Griffith Black P-K4 N-QB3 N-B3 NxP B-Kz N-Q3 NP x B N-N2 o-o

N-B4 N-K3 NxN P-Q4 B-KB4

Of course not I4 . . . P-QB4 1 5 N x P, P x B 1 6 N x Bch, Q x N I 7 Q x R, and White wins. 1 5 P-KN4 ! 16 QR-B 1

B x BP P-QB4

The alternative is 1 6 . . . B-Ks I 7 N x B, P x N I8 Q x P, and Black loses another Pawn. I7 R X B 18 N x P 1 9 P-B5

PxB P-QB4 B-N4

1 25


2o R x P 21 R x R

R-B I QxR


Three hundred and eighty masters conducted this huge operation, each of them tackling 1 8 players. 277 THE DEFENCELES S KING TAKES A WALK The Finnish master Kaarle Oj a nen once lost a game because he did not develop a single one of his pieces-except his unwilling King ! Here is this strange game : HELSINKI, 1 944 Sicilian Defence

22 P-B6 1

R-KI

This costs the exchange, but choice is limited. If 22 . . . Q-Q2 23 P-KJ4, B x RP 24 N-K7ch, K-Rr 25 P x Pch, K x P 26 N-B5ch, and the Bishop falls, or if (more drastically) 22 . . . Q-Q2 23 P-KR4, B-K6ch 24 R x B, P x R 25 N-K7ch, K-R r 26 P x Pch, K x P 27 Q-B6 mate ! 23 24 25 26

N-K7ch PxR R-KBr Q-Q5

RxN BxP Q-K I B-Q r

Reshevsky now finishes neatly. 27 R x P ! QxR Q-B r 2 8 Q x Bch KxQ 29 Q x Qch 30 K-B2 Resigns The rest is child 's play-at least for a child like Reshevsky.

:Z76 CHECKMATE ON THOUSANDS OF BOARDS The 1 7th Chess Olympics were held at La Habana in I 966. On Capablanca Day, November 19th, an open-air simultaneous display was gi ven on 6, 840 boards !

Krogius White I P-K4 2 P-Q4 3 N-KB3 4 P-B3 5 QN x P 6 B-QB4 7 B x Pch 8 N x Pch 9 N-Q5ch 10 Q-N4ch 1 1 B-B4ch 12 B-K3ch 1 3 Q-B4ch 14 Q-B5 mate

Ojanen Black P-QB4 PxP P-K4 PxP P-Q3 P-KR3 KxB K-K2 K-K3 KxN K-Q 5 K-K4 K-K3

:Z78 APPOINTMENT AT SAMARRA In an I S -move miniature, Huber brought about one of the neatest and quickest King wanderings on record ! Huber gave up his Queen to force Black's King to walk down the board, from one end to the other, in seven consecutive moves (as fast as the King could make it) to meet h i s fate at the enemy King's home square !

126


This is how it happened : ESSEN, I935 A lekhine Defence Huber White P-K4 N-QB3 PxP B-B4 B-N3 P-Q3 N-B3

I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 o-o 9 P-KR3 Io N x P I n B x Pch I 2 B-N5ch I3 N-K4ch ! I4 P-B4ch

Lemke Black N-KB3 P-Q4 NxP N-N3 P-QB4 N-B3 P-K4 B-N5 B-R4 BxQ K-K2 K-Q3 KxN K-Q5

If I4 . . . K-B4 I 5 N-N3 mate. I5 I6 I7 I8

QR x B R-B3ch R-Q2ch R-B I mate

K-K6 K-K7 K-K8

The final position :

by sacrifices of Queen, Bishop and two Knights, the King is forced into a duel with the remaining Bishop. VIENNA, I 872 Vienna Game Hamppe White I P-K4 2 N-QB3 3 N-R4 4 KxB 5 K-K3 6 K-Q3 7 K-B3 8 K-N3 9 P-QR3 ro K x Q n K-N4 I2 K x N

Meitner Black P-K4 B-B4 B x Pch Q-Rsch Q-Bsch P-Q4 Q x KP N-QR3 Q x Nch ! N-B4ch P-R4ch N-K2

Threatens I3 . . . P-N3ch K-N 5, B-Q2 mate. I3 I4 I5 I6

B-N s ch ! B-B6 K-N5 KxN

K-Q I P-N3ch NxB

If the King tries to run away by I6 K-R4, then I6 . . . N-Q5 surrounds him and I 7 . . . B-Q2 mate finishes him off. I6 . . . I 7 K-N5

B-N2ch l

If 1 7 K x B, K-Q2 I8 Q-N4ch, K-Q3, and White cannot prevent the mate. 279 A STRANGE PERPETUAL CHECK The game which follows may be the most extraordinary drawn game ever played . After a King wandering induced

17 . . .

r 8 K-B6 But not r 8 K-R4, B-B5 fol lowed by 19 . . . P-N4 mate. r8 . . .

B-N2ch

Drawn by perpetual check.

127


a8o

WORST BLUNDER IN YEARS Averbach made one of the worst blunders seen in recent years in his game with Stahlberg at Bever wij k in I 963 . This was the position, with Black (Averbach) to move :

BEVERWIJK, I963 Stahlberg

White

Here is the score of this remark able game :

Averbach Black

WINSCHOTEN, Ruy Lopez

I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Tresli ng White P-K4 N-KB3 B-N s B-R4 N-B3 o-o B-N3 P-Q3

I 896

Benima Black P-K4 N-QB3 P-QR3 N-B3 B-K2 P-QN4 P-Q3

Everybody knows the trap into which Noah fell in his game against J apeth at Ararat, 2349 B . c . : 8P-Q4, P x P 9 N x P, N x N Io Q x N, P-B4, followed by II P-B s and Black wins a piece. • • .

The obvious move was to capture the Bishop which had taken a piece. But Averbach thought he would threaten a Queen and Bishop mate. So he played : ,

I ...

B-R6

To his horror, Stah lbe rg did not guard against mate, but replied : 2 Q x Pch And A verbach found himself in a Queen and Bishop mate !

:z8I

FIVE QUEENS ON THE BOARD In a game played between Tres ling and Benima in 1 8g6, five Queens appeared on the board at the same time !

8 ... 9 Q-K2 I O N-Q5 II P x B 1 2 P-Q4 1 3 RP x N 1 4 N-Q2 1 5 P-QB4 I6 N x P I7 Q X N 1 8 Q-Q3 19 B-K3 20 P-B4 2 I P-R3 ! 22 P-KB5 23 QR-K I 24 K-RI 25 Q-Q I 26 P x P 2 7 R-B4 28 Q x P

.

B-K3 Q-Q2 BxN N-QR4 NxB P-K5 o-o KR-K 1 NxN B-B3

Q-Ns

P-N5 P-KR4 Q-Q2 Q-K2 P-R4 Q- Ks P-B4 BxP Q-K2 B-B3

If 28 . P x P, White wins by 29 R-R4, P B 3 30 Q-R7ch, K-B2 (if 30 . . K-BI 3 I Q-N6, Q-KB2 32 B x Pch, and m ate follows) 3 I .

.

-

.

n8


Q-N6ch K-N r 32 R-R7 (threatens 33 Q-Rs} Q-KB2 33 R-R8ch and wins the Queen. ,

QxP

29 P x P 30 Q-B3

Guards the Rook, Bishop, and Qu een Pawn, and threatens 31 P-Bs .

R-14 RxR Q-N6 Q x NP R-KBr P-Rs P-R6 BxB P-R7 Q-R6 P-N6 P-N7 P-NS(Q}

30 . . . 3 1 R-14 32 Q x R 33 B-B4 34 P-Q6 3 S P-Bs 36 P-B6 37 B-Ks 38 Q x B 39 P-Q7 40 P-B7 4 1 P-QS (Q} -42 P-B8 (Q}

This is the prett y picture :

But it took him more than

hours to win this miniature !

two

BUDAPEST, I948 Queen's Gambit A ccepted

Tartakover White I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3 4 P-Q s S P-K4 6BxP 7 Q-N3 8 N-K2 9 Px P I O o-o rr P x P I 2 Q x QB

Fuster Black P-Q4 PxP P-K4 P-QB3 B-QNs N-B3 Q-Q3 N x KP o-o

BxN QB x P N-QB3

If r2 . . . N-B4 13 Q-Q5 does the trick. I3 P x B

Resigns

a83 FI SCHER WINS IN A FEW MOMENTS In contrast to Tartakover's two hou r e ffort, Bobby Fischer brought o ff a bril liancy in less than five minutes against grand master Dely, who nea rly lost the game on time I White mated in three mo ves by : 43 Q x Rch -44 Q x Qch 4 5 Q-K8 mate

SKOPJ E, I 967 Sicilian Defence

QxQ KxQ

z8a

TARTAKOVER TAKES TIME IN MINIATURE Tartako ver won a snappy I 3mover from Fuster at Budapest in 19-48.

I 2 3 4 S

6 7 8

Fischer White P-K4 N-KB3 P-Q4 NxP N-QB3 B-QB4 B-N3 P-B4

Dely Black P-QB4 P-Q3 PxP N-KB3 N-B3 P-K3 P-QR3 Q-R4

1 29


g o-o Io Q x

With a

NxN P-Q4

N little

pinning threat.

II

NxP PxN

B-K3 I2 N x N I 3 P-Bs l

A clever move, and probably unexpected by Dely. 13

. .

Q-N s

.

If I 3 . . . P x

P

I 4 B-R4ch, P-N4 I 5 Q-Qs. R-QNI 1 6 Q-Ksch, and White wins easily. I4 P x P IS B x B I 6 R x Bch !

BxP PxB

And this must have come as a rude shock ! QxR Resigns

16 . . . I 7 Q-R4ch

Clearly, I 7 P-N4 is met by 1 S Q X K P , R-QN I (if I S . . . R-BI I9 Q x Pch, K-Q I 20 R-Q i ch, K-B2 21 Q N 6 mate) 19 Q-B6ch, and the next check b y Rook or Bishop wins the Queen, while if I 7 . . . K-Q I IS R-Q i ch, K-B I I9 Q-Q 7ch, K-N 1 20 B-N6, Q-B5 2 I Q-QSch forces mate. -

z&t CHESS GAME TAKES 16 YEARS A correspondence game begun in I S59 between a Mr. Brenzinger of New York and his brother in England lasted I 6 ye ars !

:zSs ALL THE PAWNS STAY ON THE BOARD Flohr and Sultan Khan played a 26-move game in which all I 6 Pawns remained on the board. At the finish, all of Flohr's Pawns

were on black squares, while SultaD Khan's Pawns all occupied whit. squares ! BERNE, I 932 Stonewall Defence Flohr White I P-Q4 2 N-KB3 3 P-K3 4 B-Q3 5 P-QN3 6 B-N2 7 P-B4 8 Q N-Q 2 9 R-QBI I O R-B2 I I P-N3 I 2 K-BI I 3 P-KR4 I4 N-KI I S N-N2 I 6 N-B4 I 7 KP x N I S P-B s I9 P-N4 2o P-R4 2 I P-R5 22 N-N3 23 B-B I 24 B-K3 25 B-K2 26 N-BI

Sultan Khaa

Blacll

P-K3

P-Q4

P-QR3

B-Q 3

N-Q2

P-KB4

P-B3 Q-B 3 N-K2 P-KN4 o-o

N-KN3 P-N5 P-KR4 Q-N2 NxN N-B3 B-Bz N-K5 B-Q2 N-B3 K-B2 N-N I N-K2 N-N3

Drawn

The position at the finish :


286 BLINDFOLD PLAY I N THE ROUND A strange sort of blindfold game was once indulged in by five ama teurs of the City of London Chess Club. Messrs . Curnock, Johnson, Law rence, Layzell and Turner made alternate moves. Mr. Turner called the first move, Mr. Layzell the second, and then each player made a move in succession ; as there were five players, each found himself making White and Black moves alternately after each round. " There are not many Clubs, " says the narra tor, " whose members could equal this. " LONDON, I 9oo Center Game I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

II I2 I3 14 I5 I6 I7 I8 I9 2o 2I 22 23 24

White P-K4 P-Q4 QxP Q-K3 P-K5 Q-KN3 P-KB4 B-K2 BxP N-KR3 N-B3 B-KR6 R-Q I N-Q5 B-KN5 B-KB4 N (R3) x B o-o

N-R5 B-B4 N (R5)-B4 P-B3 KR-KI P-KR3

Black P-K4 PxP N-QB3 N-B3 N-KN5 P-Q3 PxP PxP N-B3 B-QB4 o-o

N-K I Q-K2 Q-K3 B-Q3 BxB Q-K4 QxP P-B4 K-R I N-B3 P-QN3 N-KN I N-R3

25 N-R5 26 N(Q5)-B6 2 7 R-K8

R-KN r PxN Resigns

:z87 ANDERSSEN AND KOLI SCH FIRST TO USE TIME LIMIT The first match in which the players were restricted to a certain number of moves per hour was the one between Anderssen and Kolisch in I 86 r . An hour glass was used, and each player had to make 24 moves in two hours. Here is a game from that match : LONDON, r 86 r Sicilian Defence

I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

II 12 13 14

Kolisch White P-K4 N-KB3 P-Q4 NxP B-Q3 B-K3 PxP o--o P-KR3 N-QB3 Q-Q2 QR-Q I KR-Kr N-B3

Anderssen Black P-QB4 P-K3 PxP N-KB3 N-B3 P-Q4 PxP B-Q3 P-KR3 o-o

R-K r B-B2 Q-Q3 P-R3



I S B x KRP ! I6 R x R I7 Q x P

R x Rch PxB

With this threat : I S R-KSch, N x R I9 B--R7ch, K-R I 20 B-N6 ch, and mate in two. 17 " . I B Q-Rs

19 N X P! Another gift for Anderssen. QxN Q-Q2

I9 . . . 2o B x N

Black cannot afford 20 . . . Q x B 2 1 R x Q, P x R 22 N-Ns, and there is no defence. K-N2

2I B--Qsch

If 2 I . . . Q x B 22 R-KSch, K-N2 23 Q-RSch, K-N3 24 N-R4ch, K-N4 25 Q-N7ch and mate next move. 22 Q-Nsch

Resigns

If 22 . . . K-R2 23 Q-N8ch, K-R3 24 B--B 7, and Black must give up his Queen to avoid mate. Imposing a time limit apparently did not affect the play of the masters of that period. z88

S OVIETS' PHYSICAL AND MENTAL TRAINING FOR CHESS How the Soviet players trained for the Candidates' Tournament in Zurich in I953. is described as follows by the Suddeutsche Zeitung : Preparation for the event last ed for two months in the health resort Tarasovka, near Moscow. Chess was completely absent from the timetable for two weeks . Medical specialists in sport train ing and diet, the famous Len ingrad light athletic trainer

I3I

Alexeyev and Russia's leading swimming coach, Leonid Meshkov set to work to make them Ioo% physically fit. The Soviet Chess Federation is of course a branch of the Department of Physical Culture and Sport. Rising at 7 A . M . , the masters had ten minutes' gymnastics, then bath and breakfast. At I O A . M . they exercised under Alex eyev-and he made them sweat. Two 400-metre races, high and long j umps (the latter without any run up) and 6o and I oo metre races or a three-quarter mile walk might be a typical morning's programme ; and after this, Meshkov would be waiting for them at the swimming baths. After lunch, prepared by a diet specialist, came two hours' rest in bed, followed by tennis or rowing. Only in the third week came chess, for which each of the nine masters had his own special trainer. The practice began usu ally with a selected chapter from the literature of chess, followed by a detailed examination of some game by one of the non Russian contestants in the Candi dates' tournament, whose favor ite openings were exhaustively studied and their personalities searched, with the aid of films and photographs, for psycho logical weaknesses and vulnerable spots. Flohr, Smyslov's trainer, commented keenly on Reshevsky's chronic time trouble and his habit of proposing a draw to delay the next move for a mo ment. The opening to be adopted by each Russian player against each non-Russian player was already determined at Tara sovka, even before the Russian


masters left for Switzerland ! At the same time, each was well equipped with a number of strategical surprise weapons and novelties in the openings, for use if a change of plans became ad visable. The day closed with a peaceful stroll, the evening meal, and a film show or a concert. By 10 P . M . all had to be in bed. Each had a two or three-room apartment to himself, with personal service and every comfort. The Soviet Sports Committee made itself responsible for the whole of this by no means inexpensive pro gramme. z8g

TWO LONG-DI STANCE LONG-RANGE MATE S ANNOUNCED In the correspondence match between the United States and England in 1 879, Mrs. Gilbert of Hartford, Connecticut, announced a mate in 2 1 moves in a game with Mr. Gossip, and a mate in 35 moves in her second game with him ! William Steinitz, then Champion of the World, confirmed the accu racy of Mrs. Gilbert's analyses in both cases . Here is the position in which Mrs. Gilbert announced mate in 2 1 moves :

36 37 38 39 4o 4I 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52

53 54 55 56

N x Pch Q x Qch NxR R-K7ch R x Pch R x Rch R x QBP R-QR7 RxB P-KR4 R-QB7 R x Pch P-R5 R-KN6 P-B6 P-B7 P-R6 P-R7 P-R8 (Q) Q-R7ch R-N8 mate

K-N I KxQ RxN R-B2 KxR K-N3 B-RI B-N2 K-B3 K-N3 K-B3 K-K2 K-Q2 K-K2 P-R4 K-Q2 KxP P-R5 PxP K-Q I

In the following position, Mrs . Gilbert is Black, and forces mate in 35 moves in this way :

42 . . . 43 P x P 44 B-Q8 45 P-K5 46 B x P 47 P-K6ch 48 B-K5 49 B-Q4 50 P-K7 5 1 K-B3 52 B x Q 5 3 K-Q3

P-N4 PxP K-B5 P-N5 P-N6 K-B6 P-N7 K-K7 K-B8 P-N8 (Q) KxB K-B7

I 33


54 K-Q2 55 K-Q3 56 K-B4 57 K-N4 58 K-B4 59 K-N4 6o K-B4 6I K-B3 62 K-B4 63 K-B3 64 K-N4 65 K-R3 66 K-N4 67 K-R5 68 K-N6 6g K x B 70 K-Q7 71 P-B6 72 P-B7 73 P-B8 (Q) 74 K-K7 75 K-K6 76 K-K7

K-B6 K-B5 K-K4 K-K3 KxP K-K3 K-K4 K-Ks K-K6 K-K7 K-Q7 K-B7 KxP P-R6 P-R7 P-R 8 ( Q) K-R6 ! P-N7 P-N8 (Q) Q-Q sch Q-KR2ch Q- K N 3ch Q(Q5)-Q3 mate a9C)

SCHLECHTER FAILS TO DRAW CRUCIAL GAME Carl Schlechter, considered the greatest drawing master that ever lived, needed only one draw to wrest the World's Championship from Dr. Lasker, but he couldn't get it ! This was the decisive 1 oth game of their match :

I 2 3 4 5 6 7

PxP P-QN4 P-N5 PxP B-N2 Q-B2 N-R4 BxN B-N2 RP x P

Threatens to win two pieces for a Rook by 1 9 R x B followed by 20 Q x N, as well as 1 9 B x P, winning a Pawn. 18 . . .

B-B 1

White could win a Pawn now with 1 9 B x P, but after 1 9 . . . B-K3 20 Q x N, P x B, Black's two Bishops and his pressure on the King Bishop file would give him good chances. 19 20 21 22

R-N 1 B-Q2 R-QB1 Q-B2

Threatens 23 R x P, P x R B-B4, pinning the Queen. 22 23 24 25 26 27

... BxP R-B I Q-N3ch QXB Q-N3

Schlechter Black P-Q4 P-QB3 N-B3 P-KN3 B-N2 ()-()

N-R3

27 . . . 2 8 P-B4 2 9 Q-Q3

24

Q-KR4 QxP PxB R-B2 QR-KB1

But not 27 Q x N, R x P R x R, R x R, and Black wins.

BERLIN, 1 9 1 0 Slav Defence Lasker White P-Q4 P-QB4 N-KB3 P-K3 N-B3 B-Q3 Q-B2

8 P-QR3 g B x BP 10 B-Q3 I I N-QR4 12 P x P 1 3 QR-N 1 1 4 N-K5 1 5 P-N4 16 P x N 17 P x P 1 8 Q-B4

28

K-RI P-N 4 PxP

30 P x P

Here too, White must not take the Knight, as then 30 . . . P x P wins for Black .

30 . . . 3 1 K-K2

Q-R5ch Q-R7ch

1 34


32 33 34 35

R-B2 R-B3 RxP R-B4

White avoids the tempting 35 R-B5, which looks as though it wins a piece. The continuation would be 35 . . . N x Pch 36 Q x N, Q x Rch 37 K x Q, B x Q, and Black wins. Nor can he play 35 B-K3, when this follows : 35 . . . N x Pch 36 B x N, R x P 37 B x Bch, K x B 38 Q-B3ch, P-K4 39 R-B7ch, K-RI, and White cannot save his pinne d Rook. 35 36 37 38

... BxR R-B8ch K-B2

RxP RxB B-BI Q-R7ch

Schlechter realizes that winning a Rook (which he may have counted on) would lose the game, thus : 38 . . . Q-Rsch 39 K-N2, Q-Nsch 40 R-N3, Q x R ( BI ) 41 Q-N6, and White wins. 39 K-KI

Q-Rsch. If then 40 K-Q2, Q-R7ch 41 K-K3 , R x Rch 42 K x R, Q-R6ch 43 K-K2, Q x R 44 Q x N. Or if (after 39 . . . Q-Rsch} 40 K-B I , Q-R6ch 4 1 K-B2, R x Rch 42 Q x R, Q x R 43 Q-Rsch, K-NI 44 Q x N. Finally, if (again after 39 . . . Q-R5ch} 40 R-N3, Q-R8ch 41 K-Q2, R-B7ch, and Black wins. 40 R-BI 41 K-Q2

Q-Rsch RxR

Here if Black pins the Queen by 4 1 . . . R x P, he betrays his King as the continuation would be 42 R(B8} x Bch, K-N2 43 R(B1}-B7ch, K-R3 44 R-R8ch, K-N4 45 R-N8ch, K-R3 46 R-R7 mate. 42 Q x R 43 Q-Q3 44 K-Q1 45 R-B5 46 R-Qs 47 N-B5 48 K-B2 49 K-N3 so N-K6 5 1 K-R4

Q x Pch Q-B7ch N-Q3 B-R3 K-N I Q-N8ch Q-B7ch B-N2 Q-N7ch

Threatens to simplify by R-KN5 .

39 . . .

Q-R8ch

Schlechter misses the draw and the World's Championship, as this was the last game of a I o-game match, and the score was 1 -o in his favor. 39 . . . The drawing line was

51 . . . 52 N x B 53 Q-QN3 54 Q-N8ch 55 Q x P 56 Q-Q4 57 K-N3 58 K-R2 59 Q-Q3 6o R-KN5 61 R-Ks 62 R-K2 63 R-Q2 64 Q-B5ch 65 Q-B2ch 66 R x Qch 67 R-K2

K-B2 QxN K-KI K-B2 Q-N5ch Q-Q2ch Q-N2ch Q-B3 K-K3 K-Q2 Q-N7ch Q-N5 Q-QRs K-B2 Q x Qch K-N2 N-BI

52

I35


68 69 70 7I

K-N3 R-B2ch K-N4 K-B5

K-B3 K-N2 N-R2 Resigns

Curiously enough, Black's King Pawn, the sole survivor of the eight Pawns, has not moved at all throughout this long struggle ! Usu ally, in those days, it was the first Pawn to make a move.

29 1 DEVASTATING KNIGHT FORK " The threat is sometimes stronger than the execution, " and Tal's opponent resigned in this game, rather than face the most devastat ing Knight fork ever to be seen on a chessboard ! Here is the whole game, including the deadly Knight fork : MOSCOW, I957 Sicilian Defence

I

Tal White P-K4 N-KB3 P-Q4 NxP N-QB3 B-KN5 Q-Q2 QxN BxN

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 I O o-o-o 1 1 P-B4 I 2 P-KN3 I3 B-R3 I4 Q-Q2 I5 KR-K I I 6 N-K2 I7 K-N r I 8 N-Q4 19 Q-Q3

Klaman Black P-Q B4 N-QB3 PxP N-B3 P-Q3 B-Q2 NxN Q-R4 NP x B R-B I R-KN r P-K3 Q-QB4 P-N4 P-N5 Q-B5 QxP Q-N2 B-K2

2o Q x P 2 1 B-N4

R BI -

A good move, which not only threatens to penetrate Black's hedgehog defence by 2 2 B-R5 , but clears the way for the passed Pawn of the Rook file.

21 . . .

Q-B2

A fine combination could come about by 2 I . . . K-Q r 22 B-R5, B-K r 23 R x P, P x R 24 N x Pch, K-Q2 25 N x Reb, K-Q I 26 R x Pch, B x R 2 7 N-K6 mate.

22 K-Rr 23 B x P I Delightful ! Sacrificing the Bishop allows Tal to sacrifice his Rook I

23 24 25 26 2i

... R x Bch ! R-Krch Q-R4ch Q-R6

PxB KxR K-Q I P-B3 Q-R4

Black abandons his Rook, as moving it allows quick mate . There is a slim chance that Tal will play hurriedly, and fall into this : 28 Q x Reb, K-B2 29 Q x P, P-N6, and Black wins. But Tal is on his guard, and insinuates a little zwischenzug.

28 N-N3 I 29 Q x Rch 3o Q x P 3 1 R-QB r 32 Q-Q4 33 R-Q r 34 Q-B4ch

Q-Q4 K-B2 R-K r B-R5 Q-N2 R-K3 Resigns

Black gave up, as he did not want to play 34 . . . K-Q2 (to protect the Rook) when he would see (after Tal's instantaneo us reply) the following position on the board :


Of course not I 7 . . . N x R I 8 B-Q6 followed b y 19 Q x N, and White wins. I 8 R-R3 I9 Q-Q2 20 R-K I 2 I Q-B4 22 N-B3 23 N-R4 24 R x B

P-N3 P-KR4 KR-Q I Q-B I QR-BI BxN N-B7

This is the position : 35 N-B5ch ! , and the Knight attacks King, Queen, Rook and Bishop !

zgz KNIGHT THREATENS EVERYTHING IN SIGHT In I962, Filip brought off a devastating Knight fork that actu ally appeared on the board in an Interzonal game. Here is the way it came about :

STOCKHOLM, I962 Sicilian Defence Aaron White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 P-Q4 4NxP 5 N-QB3 6 B-KN5 7 Q-Q2 8 P-B4 9� IO B-Q3 I I P-QR3 I 2 KR-KI I 3 R-K3 I4 P-K5 I5 P x P I6 Q x N I7 B x B

Filip Black P-QB4 P-Q3 PxP N-KB3 P-K3 B-K2 P-QR3 Q-B2 o-o P-QN4 QN-Q2 B-N2 N-B4 PxP N x Bch N-N5 QxB

The Knight now attacks both Rooks, threatens to win the Queen (by 25 . . . N-Q6ch) and helps threaten a mate on the move·! What a Kni ght fork ! White of course resigned. Z9J YOUNG'S MAGIC CHE SS FORMULA Writers of chess books often indulge themselves by their efforts to make a science of an art. They try to show how games can be won and positions may be analyzed by a series of mathematical symbols (or a reasonable facsimile there of) . An interesting example of one such explanation is th e following characteristic algebraic demonstra tion by Franklin K. Young of a position which appears in his book The Major Tactics of Chess.

137


Here is this extraordinary game : VIENNA, 1916 Slav Defence

With or without the move, the White Queen Bishop Pawn is defended. Solution : = Any piece employed in the given evolution. y = Piece attacked . B + R + Q + R = Attacking pieces. B + R + R = Supporting pieces. B + R + Q + R>B + R + R = Construction of the inequality. ¥ = Number of terms on left side. 3x = Number of terms on right side. 4X-3X = Excess of left side terms. (B + R) - (B + R) = Value of like terms. Q-R = Value of unlike terms. x

Thus the given piece is de fended, for, although the number of terms contained in the left side of the inequality exceeds by one the number of terms contained in the right side, the third term of the in equality is an unlike term, of which the -initial contained in the left side is greater than the initial contained in the right. 294

ROOK I S INTERESTED SPECTATOR IN ROOK ENDING Schlechter won a beautiful Rook ending from Dr. Kaufmann, in which Schlech·:.er's Rook did not make a single move !

I 2 3 4 5 6 7

Schlechter White P-Q4 P-QB4 N-QB3 N-B3 P-K4 NxP B-Q3

B o-o

9 Q-K2 IO B-B4 II B x N 1 2 B-B2 1 3 QR-Q I 14 B-N5 1 5 N-K5 16 B x N 1 7 B x Pch !

Kaufmann Black P-Q4 P-K3 P-QB3 N-Q2 P x KP KN-B3 P-QN3 B-N2 B-K2 NxN N-B3 o-o Q-BI R-K1 P-B4 BxB K-BI

If 1 7 . . . K x B 18 Q-R5ch, K-Nr 19 Q x Pch, K-R2 2o R-Q3, and White wins. 18 19 2o 21 22 23 24

B-R4 P-B4 QxB R-Q3 P-KN4 P-N5 KR-QI

PxP BxB R-Q I Q-B2 P-N3 B-N2 QR-BI

The plausible 24 . . . Q-B4 allows 25 Q x R, R x Q 26 N-Q7ch, and White wins the exchange. 25 R x P 26 K-N2 27 R x R 28 Q x B 29 P x Q

Q-B4 RxR BxN QxQ K-K2

This is the position, as Schlechter proceeds to win a Rook ending in classic style-without making a single move with his Rook !


dent with the Obj ective Plane ; then if the Prime Tactical Factor can be posted at the Point of Command, the adverse K ing may be check mated.

zg6

30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

K-B3 P-KR4 K-K4 P-N4 K-Q3 K-B3 K-N3 K-R4

R-KRI R-QB I R-B4 R-BI R-Bz R-BI R-Bz R-B I

If 37 . . . P-R3 38 K-N3 , R-B3 39 P-Bs , P x P 40 R-QB4 followed by 41 R x P wins for White. 38 K-NS 39 K-R6 4 0 P-R4 4I P-R5 42 K x P 43 P-B5 44 K-R6 45 K-N5 46 P-B6 47 K-B5 48 P-N5 49 P-N6

K-KI R-Bz K-Kz PxP R-B3 R-Bz K-KI R-B I R-Bz R-RI R-Bz Resigns

After 49 P x P 50 K x P, R-B I 5 1 P-B7 followed by 52 K-N7 wins. 295 YOUNG'S FORMULA FOR CHECKMATE Franklin K. Young gives us this formula for achieving checkmate : Given a Geometric Symbol Posi tive or a combination of Geometric Symbols Positive which is coinci-

TARRASCH HOLDS ON TO HIS PAWNS In a game with Gottschall, Tarrasch kept all his Pawns until the 96th move ! Four moves after capturing one of Tarrasch's Pawns, Gottschall resigned !

NUREMBERG, 1896 F1ench Defence Gottschall White I P-K4 2 P-Q4 3 N-QB3 4 P-K5 5 P-B4 6 P-QR3 7 PxB

Tarrasch Black P-K3 P-Q4 B-N5 N-Kz P-QB4 B x Nch P-Bs

The idea is to cramp White, and then put pressure on his weak Pawns.

8 N-B3 9 Q-Qz IO N-R4 I I Q-K3 Iz B-Qz I3 B-Kz 14 N-B3 15 N-R4 I6 N-B3 1 7 N-R4 18 N-B3 19 o--o zo Q-Bz 2 1 N-R4 22 N-B3 23 N-R4 24 N-B3 25 K-RI

Q-R4 N-Qz N-QN3 N-R5 Q-N4 N-KN3 N-Kz N-KN3 N-Kz N-KN3 Q-R4 Q-Q I N-Kz N-KN3 N-Kz N-KN3 B-Qz N-N3

139


26 QR-K 1 27 B-B1 28 Q-K3 29 P-N3 30 N-N1

Q-K2 N-QR5 P-KR3 QR-B 1 P-KR4 !

This prevents 3 1 P-N4 followed by 32 P-Bs . as well as this possi bility : 3 1 B-Rs followed by 32 P-Bs . P x P 33 P-K6, B x P 34 B x N, and White wins. 3 1 N-R3 32 B-B3 33 B-N2

Q-B 1 N-K2 N-KB4

The Knight finally occupies the desired square, but it turns out to be not so strong as it looked. 34 Q-Q2

Q-K2

And here, Tarrasch points out, he should instead have maneuvered his Queen Rook to N8, by way of B3 and N3 . 35 N-Ns 36 B-R3 37 B x N 38 R-K3 39 Q-N2 40 B-Q2 41 R-RI 42 P-R4 43 R(K3)-K1 44 K-N 1 45 K-R1 46 K-N 1 47 Q-K2 48 B-B1 49 B-N2 50 R(Kr )-N 1 5 1 R-R2 52 R(N1 )-R1 53 K-N2 54 Q-K3

Q-Q 1 P-KN3 NP x B Q-K2 K-Q 1 K-B2 K-N 1 R-B3 R-N3 B-K 1 R-N4 N-N3 R-R4 R-Rs N-R1 N-B2 N-N4 B-Q 2 K-B 1 K-Q1

Black intends to bring his King over to KN 3 to guard the Rook Pawn. His King Rook then will be

free to help out in the attack on Black's Queen Rook Pawn. K-K1 55 K-B2 K-B1 S6 K-N2 K-N2 57 K-B2 K-N3 s8 K-N2 59 N-B3 R-QB1 6o N-Q2 R-B3 61 N-N1 The Pawn is now adequately protected, so Tarrasch decides to do a bit of tacking, to induce care lessness. R-BI 61 . . . K-R3 62 N-Q2 N-B2 63 N-B3 N-N4 64 K-B2 65 K-N2 R-B3 R (B3)-R3 66 N-Q2 R(R5) -R4 67 N-N1 N-B2 68 K-B2 B-Rs 69 N-Q2 N-N4 70 B-B I 7 1 K-N2 Tarrasch now embarks on a combination which, he says, could not be calculated accurately in every variation, but which offered him good winning chances. Every one in the large audience though, considered it suicidal. Here is the position :

71 . . .

B x PI

The first Pawn comes off the board, after 7 1 moves !


72 R x B 73 B x N

N x RP

This is the position

But not the plausible 73 R(B2) R2 as then 73 . . . N-B7 at once. 73 74 75 76

... RxR Q-KI N-N 1

RxB QxR P-N4

If 76 Q-QNI , Q-R5 77 Q-N4, Q x Q 7S P x Q. R-R5, and Black wins neatly, as the Pawn may not be protected, and Black will have three passed Pawns after its capture. 76 . . . 7 7 Q-QB1 7S R x R 79 K-B3

Q-N6 R-R7 Q x Rch K-N2 l

This is necessary to prevent So Q-R3 followed by perpetual check if the Knight is captured. The King move is better than this line : 79 . . . P-R4 So Q-R3, Q x Q S 1 N x Q, P-N5 S2 N-B2, P-N6 S3 N-R3, and the Pawns are harmless. So Q-R3 The only way to create difficul ties for Black. So . . . S 1 Q-K7 S2 K-K3 S3 K-B3 S4 K-N2 S5 K-R3 S6 Q-B6ch S7 Q-RSch SS Q-B6ch S9 Q-RSch 9o Q-KBS 91 Q-B5 92 Q-N4 93 Q-B5 94 Q-R3 95 Q-KB3

QxN Q-BSch Q-KSch Q x BPch Q-Q7ch Q-R4 K-B 1 K-K2 K-K 1 K-Q 2 Q-Q I ! Q-QN 1 K-K1 Q-N2 P-N5 P-N6

96 Q x RP The first Black Pawn comes off the board, after 96 moves ! P-N7 96 . . . 97 Q-RSch K-Q2 P-RS (Q) 9S Q-KBS 99 Q x Pch K-B3 100 Q x Pch K-N4 Res igns A highly interesting game, de spite its great length. Z97

SUCCEEDS FIVE TIMES IN A ROW ; FAILS EIGHT TIMES IN A ROW Sammy Reshevsky won the title of Champion of the United States five times in succession ! From 1 957 on, he failed to win the title eight times in succession !

zg8 BOBBY WINS U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP EIGHT TIMES IN SUCCESSION Bobby Fischer won the ti tle of Champion of the United States eight times in succession ! His scores were phenomenal, as the following tables show :


Year 1 �5 7 I 958 I959 I96o I962 I963 I965 I966

Games Wins Draws Losses I3 8 5 0 II 5 6 0 II 7 4 0 II 7 0 4 II 6 4 I II II 0 0 8 II I 2 8 II 0 3

90

6I

26

3

In all, Bobby lost only three games out of go played. There were no losses in six of the tournaments, and in one of the six (in I963) he did not allow a single draw to be scored against him ! A superb achievement !

:199

RETI GIVES UP FOUR ROOKS IN TWO SUCCESSIVE GAMES In the match between Euwe and Reti, played in I920, Reti sacrificed both Rooks in one game, and fol lowed it up in the next by sacrificing both Rooks again, winning both games brilliantly ! Here are the two games :

I 2 3 4 5 o--o 6 R-KI 7 BxP 8 N-B3 9NxP Io Q x N I I B-N5 I 2 Q-Q8ch

I4 . . . I5 Q x R I 6 P-KB4

P-K4 N-QB3 N-B3 PxP NxP P-Q4 QxB Q-QR4 NxN P-KB4 Q-B4 ! K-B2

I 5 Q x R,

B-Q3 ! QxB Q-R5

Taking the Pawn with the Queen loses by I7 R-KBI , while if 16 . . . B x P, the reply I 7 R-Q8 should win for White. I7 R x P

If 1 7 P-KN3 instead, Black wins I 7 . . . B-B4ch I8 K-RI, by B-KN5 19 R-KB1 , Q-R4, and White loses his Queen as a start -

17 I8 19 20 21 22

... QXR K-R 1 KxB K-B 1 K-K 1

.

B-KR6 ! B-B4Ch B x Pch ! Q-N5ch Q B6ch Q-B7 mate -

The second game : AMSTERDAM, 1920 Dutch Defence

2 Reti Black

PxN

On 14 R x P, B-B4 B x R, and Black wins.

I

AMSTERDAM, I920 Two Knights' Defence Euwe White P-K4 N-KB3 B-B4 P-Q4

I3 N x N I 4 QR-Q I

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Reti White P-Q4 P-K4 N-QB3 B-KN5 P-B3 NxP B-Q3 P-Q5 Q-Q2 R-QNI

Euwe Black P-KB4 PxP N-KB3 P-KN3 PxP B-N2 P-B4 Q-N3 Q x NP NxP

Black must have depen ded on this move to save hi m. If, for example, I I R x Q, B x N wins for Black. u N x N! But

this unexpected

offer of


both Rooks must have disturbed his equanimity l II ... 1 2 K-B2 13 B x P

Q x Rch QxR

Reti intends 1 4 Q-K2 next, with a threat of mate in two. If then 14 . . . P-Q3, he administers it in three moves by 1 5 N-B7ch, K-Q2 1 6 Q-K6ch, K x N 1 7 Q x P mate. 13 14 15 16 17

... BxP B-N5 BxN Q-K2ch

Threatens to win at once by . B x Nch I I P x B, Q x Q. . .

1o u 12 13 14

N-Q2 PxN P-QR3 P-KN3 PxB

QxB o-o N-N5 l Q-B3


P-Q3 N-B3 B-Q2 PxB Res igns

If 1 7 . . . K-QI 18 B-B7ch, K-B1 19 Q-R6 is mate, or if I 7 . . . K-B2 r8 N-N5ch, K-N 1 19 N-K7ch, K-B 1 20 N-N8ch, K x N 21 Q-B4ch, and mate next move.

300 BRONSTEIN DREAMS UP A GAME Masters have produced beautiful chess with their eyes open, and often with their eyes shut-when they played blindfold. But Bron stein once went beyond that. Bronstein dreamed a brilliant little game ! Here is the way it went :

MOSCOW, 1961 Nimzo-Indian Defence Bronstein White I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3 4 B-N5 5 B- R4 6 N-B3 7 Q-R4ch 8 P-Qs 9PxP

10

Bronstein Black N-KB3 P-K3 B-N5 P-KR3 Q-K2 P-Q3 N-B3 Px P Q-Ks !

14 . . . 1 5 K-Q I The idea is to force the Queen ofi the diagonal leading to White's Queen square. 1 6 Q-N3 1 7 Q-R3 18 K-BI 19 N-QI

B-K3 N-K6ch Q-K8ch Q x N mate

3 01 CANAL SACRIFICES O N A GRAND SCALE In 13 moves Canal sacrifices both Rooks a:nd his Queen-and then mates on his 1 4th move !

BUDAPEST, 1 934 Center Counter

Amateur Canal Black White (Simultaneous) I P-K4 2 PxP 3 N-QB3


4 5 6 7

P-Q4 N B3 B-KB4 P-KR3 B QxB g B-K2 10 P-R3

P-QB3 B-N5 P-K3 BxN B N5 N Q2 o-o-o

-

-

-


303

PAWN BECOMES KNIGHT IN SEVEN MOVES Goetz effected a remarkable finish in a mere seven moves . He trans formed a Pawn into a Knight, and mated White. The opposition was weak, but it had to be that to bring about the fastest under-promotion on record. Here is the little game :

STRASBOURG, I 88o King's Gambit

I

u 12 13 14

PxB! K-Q2 Q x Pch ! B-R6 mate

Q x Rch QxR PxQ

A man might play a million games of chess, and never duplicate Canal's feat.

2 3 4 5

Loses instantly, but there aren't any good moves. 5 ... 6 K_:Kz 7 K-B2

302

FORMER WORLD CHAMPION WINS ONE GAME OUT OF I 7 Smyslov, former Chess Champion of the World, m anaged to win only one single game out of the 1 7 he played at the tournament held at Buenqs Aires in 1 970 ! His strange score, totalling 9 points, consisted of one win, 16 drawn games and no losses. En passant, we might mention Fischer's score in the same tourna ment, which was truly phenomenal. Bobby racked up 13 wins, allowed three draws and suffered no losses. He came in first with 15 points, 3t points ahead of Tukmakov, his nearest rival !

Goetz Black P-K4 PxP Q-R5ch PxP

Amateur White P-K4 P-KB4 P-QN3 P-N3 P-KR3

P-N7ch Q x KPch P x R(N) mate ! 304

JOURNOD'S MIGHTY LITTLE PAWN Journod brought about a posi tion in one of his games in which a single, isolated Pawn of his was more than a match for his oppo nent's King, Queen, Rook, Knight and Bishop ! This is how it happened :

PARIS, I 86o Sicilian Defence Chapelle White I P-K4 2 B-B4 3 N-K2

Journod Black P-QB4 P-K3 P-Q4


PxP 4 PxP N-B3 5 B-N5ch B-Q3 6 o--o B-K3 7 R-K1 N-B3 8 N-N3 o--o g N-B5 QxN 1o N x B PxB IIBxN QR-K1 1 2 Q-B3 Threatens 13 . . . B-N5 1 4 R x R, R x R, and White must give up his Queen or be mated. P-Q5 13 R-K3 14 Q-N3 Looks plausible as Black's Queen is u nprotected Px R! 14 . . . ,

.

This must have given Chapelle a j olt ! P-K7 15 Q x Q Here is the pos ition on the board :

his opponent s Queen, metaphoric ally and literally ! '

MUNICH, 1 9 3 1 Slav Defence Koch Black P-Q4 P-QB3 PxP B-K3 N-Q2 P-QN4 Q-R4ch P-N5 Px P B-Q4

Amateur White I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 B-B4 4 P-K3 5 N-KB3 6 Q-B2 7 P-QN3 8 Q-B3 9 Q-B2 1 0 Q x BP I I Q-B I

The only safe square, out of 20 at the Queen's disposal. PxP P-N6 P-K3 B-R6 P-N7

II ...

12 13 14 15

QN-Q2 Q-N2 R-Q 1 Q-R 1 Resign s

Such a scene deserves a diagram :

16 Resigns The lone, isolated Pawn holds all White's forces at bay. The only move to stop it from Queening is 16 Q-K5, when I6 . . . B-Q4 in reply forces \Vhite to give up his Queen for the Pawn. JOS

WHITE' S QUEEN IS C ORNERED Koch effected a unique finish in one of his games when a couple of his bloodthirsty Pawns cornered ,

Jo6

ZUKER TORT, THE MAN OF MANY TALENTS The most remarkable man that chess ever produced was Johannes Z u kertort .


Zukertort spoke English, Italian, Spanish, French, Greek, Latin, Hebrew and Russian ; and he was well acquainted with Turkish, Ara bic and Sanskrit. He learned Italian in order to read The Divine Comedy, Spanish in order to read Don Quixote, and Sanskrit in order to trace the origin of chess ! He wrote extensively on philol ogy and theology ; took a deep interest in all questions of social sci ence, and wrote on prison discipline. In addition he was a pupil of the noted piano instructor Moscheles, and from 1 862 to 1 866 he was music critic of the Silesian journal. He obtained the degree of M.D. at Breslau in I 865, having specialized in chemistry and physiology. He was on the staff of Bismarck's paper the A llegemeine Zeitung, and was at the same time editor of one of the leading political j ournals of the day. It may also be mentioned that he was an expert swordsman, the best domino player in Berlin, one of the finest whist players of his time and so good a pistol shot that he was certain to hit the Ace of Hearts at 15 paces ! In the field of chess, he played matches for the World Champion ship with Steinitz ; he won the London 1 883 Tournament (one of the greatest in the whole history of chess) in which he came out three points ahead of the then title holder Steinitz ; he broke the world's record for blindfold play by con ducting I6 games simultaneously ; he wrote several books on the game, and edited the Neue Berliner Schach zeitung and The Chess Monthly for many years ; with Anderssen alone he contested over 6ooo games, starting as a Rook-odds player ! One would suppose that his intel lectual labors were continuous, but

at the age of 30 he was a military veteran, having engaged in the Danish, Austrian and French cam paigns of the Prussian army. At the battle of Gravelotte, every other officer in his regiment was either killed or wounded. The regiment was exposed to the enemy's fire for six hours without being able to retUrn a shot. They went into action 1 , 8oo strong, of whom only 400 survived. During the Prussian wars, Zukertort served with the rank of Lieutenant, won nine medals for bravery, was severely wounded twice and once left for dead on the field of battle ! Zukertort died at the age of 46 l " A man, " said the profound Bacon, " may be young in years, but old in hours. " 307

BLINDFOLD ARTISTRY AT I:.Z Morphy was an accomplished blindfold player at the age of 1 2 1 Here is a specimen of his skill :

NEW ORLEANS, 1 849 Giuoco Piano Paul Morphy White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 B-B4 4 P-B 3 5 o-o 6 P-Q4 7 PxP 8 P-KR3 g N-B3 10 B K3 1 1 P-Q5 12 P x N 1 3 P-Ks -

Ernest Morphy Black P K4 N-QB3 B-B4 P-Q3 N-B3 PxP B-N3 P-KR3 -

o-o

R-KI BxB B-N3


Even at the age of 1 2 , Morphy learned that a sacrifice of a Pawn or two opened up lines for an attack by his pieces. And very few knew how to defend against a Morphy attack ! PxP 13 ... R-K2 1 4 Q-N3 RxB 1 5 B x Pch Q-K1 16 N x P 17 P x P ! This lures the Bishop away, preventing it from moving to K3. BxP 17 . . . B-R3 I 8 QR-K I The alternative 18 . . . N-K5 19 N x R, Q x N 20 Q x Q ch, K x Q 2 I N x N, B-R3 2 2 R-Q I , B x R 23 K x B, leads to a lingering but sure death. Q-Q I 1 9 N-N6 Resigns 2o R-K7 Jo8

LASKER CUTS COMBINATION TO ONE MOVE A. W. Fox was awarded a gold medal for his game against Lawrence in the Cable match of 1 9 1 1 . The award . was based on an unusually brilliant combination 28 moves deep ! In commenting on the game, Dr. Lasker showed a simple one-move win ! This was the critical position :

Fox's winning idea was as follows : 32 . . . 33 Q x B 34 K x R 35 N-R5 36 R-R3 37 K-R1 38 P x R 39 K-R2 40 K-Nr 4 1 K-B I 42 K-K2 43 K-K3 44 K-K2 45 K-B r 46 K-K r 47 K-Q2 48 K-K r 4 9 K-B r 5o K-K r 5 1 K-Br 52 K-K 1 53 K-K2 54 K-BI 55 K-K2 56 K-Q3 57 K-Q4

B-R3 R x Pch Q-R3ch R x Nch Q-Bsch R x Rch Q-B6ch B-Q3ch Q-N6ch Q x Pch Q-N7ch Q-N4ch Q-Nsch Q-B6ch B-N6ch B-Bsch Q x Nch Q-B6ch Q-Noch Q-R6ch Q-Rsch Q-R7ch Q-R8ch Q-N7ch Q-B6ch Q-K6 mate

Dr. Lasker's comment was : The Lawrence-Fox game of the Cable match has been rated very highly. It is not a bad game, but to say that " it will hold its own with the most masterly examples of international chess " is like shooting with a big gun where a small pistol would do. In the position on the diagram, Fox made his 32nd move B-R3, of which it was said that " it will be rated as one of the finest endings of over the board play. " White should have replied 33 Q x B, and the analysis of Fox goes 22 moves, that of Barry 28 moves, to show a win for Black in that variation. Such long-winded anal ysis has weak points. B ut the

1 47


success of the sacrifice does not prove it to be a masterpiece. The first question is, whether it is sound. That may be answered in the affirmative, in conferring the benefit of the doubt. The second question is whether it is necessary in order to arrive at the win. And here the answer is surely a nega tive one. It is by no means the best method of winning. Against 3 2 . . . Q-Q3, menacing 33 . R x Pch followed by 3 4 . . . R-R4 mate, White had no sufficient defence. If, for ;_nstance, 33 R-B4, B-K6, and t 1e White game falls to pieces, Black wins as he wants to.

with a draw ! Yet Yates was the only one to defeat Nimzovich, the winner of first prize. Here is the position :

. .

Yates, who was White, played : 56 Q-B4ch

3 09 CURI OSITIES FROM CARLSBAD The Carlsbad I929 Tournament was full of curious incidents, as witness these : A spectator offered 500 crowns in the 1 4th round to the master first winning his game in that round. The winner of the prize, strangely enough, was Tartakover, who up to that time had not chalked up a single victory ! To add to the sur prise, his opponent was the formid able Bogolyubov ! Tartakover, who lost only three games in a field of 22 strong con testants, could not do better than tie for 1 2th, 1 3th, qth and 1 5th places ! Maroczy overstepped the time limit in a game against Samisch, in a drawn position. This has hap pened before to masters, but in this instance the players had fought for I4 hours ! Yates, a Queen ahead in an ending, allowed Marshall to escape

The simple win is 56 Q-B 2, P-R6 57 K-B3 , K-R8 5 8 Q-N3, P-N8 ( Q ) 59 Q x Pch, Q-R7 6o Q x Qch, etc. K-R6

56 . . . 57 Q-Q3ch

But definitely not 57 Q-B2 P-N: . ':J) I 58 Q x Q and .dlack is sta ' ..:mate. ,

57 . . . 58 K-B4

K-R7

Here too, 58 Q-B2 is decisive. P-NS (Q) KxQ K-N7 !

58 . . . 59 Q x Qch 6o K-N4

The key move ! If instead the natural-looking 6o . K-B7, then 61 P-B4 wins. . .

61 K x P

·

Forced, as 6I P-B4 loses after 61 . P-R6, and Black is first to get a new Queen. .

.

61 . . . 62 P-B4 Drawn

K-B6 K-Q5

q8


JIO

RUBINSTEIN, THE ENDGAME MAGICIAN Rubinstein, playing a Rook and Pawn ending against Mattison, extracted a win from such a " hope lessly drawn " position that the editors of the Tournament Book united in the assertion that had this happened 300 years earlier, Rubin stein would have been burned at the stake for being in league with evil spirits ! Here is the game :

CARLSBAD, 1929 Ruy Lopez Rubinstein Mattison Black White P-K4 I P-K4 N-QB3 2 N-KB3 P-QR3 3 B-Ns QP x B 4BxN PxP S P-Q4 QxQ 6QxP B-Q3 7 NxQ P-QB4 8 B-K3 9 N-K2 P-KB3 B-K3 10 B-B4 II B x B PxB 1 2 N-B4 B-B2 N-K2 13 N-QB3 o--o-o 14 o-o-o KR-Kr I S N(B3)-Qs NxN I6 P-KB3 BxN 17 N x N R-K4 18 R x B RxR 19 KR-Q I 2o R x R K-Q2 By no stretch of the imagination could Mattison picture anything but an easy draw in the position. 2 1 P-QB4 22 K-B2 23 K-B3

P-KN3 K-K3 P-B4 !

This will secure an open file for Black's Rook.

24 P x Pch 2S R-Q2 26 P-QN3 27 P-N3 28 R-K2ch 29 R-K4 30 RP x P 3 I R-B4ch 32 R-K4ch 33 P-KN4

PxP P-N4 P-KR4 P-Bs K-B4 P x NP R-KN1 K-K3 K-Q2 R-KBI I

Ready to meet 34 P x P with 34 . . . R x Pch followed by 3S R-R6, winning a Pawn. 34 3S 36 37 38

P-Rs ! P x RP R-K I RxR P-Q4 ! !

R-K3 P-R4 PxP K-Q2 KxR Resigns

The finish could be : 39 P x P, P--'R6 40 K-B2, P-R7 41 K-N2, P-Bs 42 P-Ns, P-B6 43 P-N6, 44 P-N7 , P-B8 (Q) 4S P-B7 P-N8 (Q) , Q-N8ch, and Black mates next move . JII

FOUR QUEENS IN A WORLD CHAMPI ONSHIP GAME The only time four Queens appeared on the board in a World's Championship Match was in the 1 1 th game of the Capablanca Alekhine Match in I927. Naturally, this state of affairs did not last long. Here is the game :

BUENOS AIRES, 1927 Cambridge Springs Defence Capablanca White I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3

Alekhine Black P-Q4 P-K3 N-KB3


4 B-Ns 5 P-K3 6 N-B3 7 N-Q2 8 Q-B2 gBxN Io N x P I I P-QR3 I 2 B-K2 I3 o-o I 4 P-QN4 I S B-B3 I6 KR-Q I I 7 QR-BI I S P-N3 I 9 N-N2 20 N-Q3 2 I R-N I 22 P-K4 23 Q x N 24 P-KR4 !

QN-Q2 P-B3 Q-R4 B-Ns PxP NxB Q-B2 B-K2 o-o

B-Q2 P-QN3 QR-B r KR-Q 1 B-K r N-Q4 Q-N I B-N4 Q-N2 NxN Q-K2

After a great deal of j ockeying for position, Capablanca finds an opportunity to put Black's K ing Bishop out of play.

24 . . . 2 S N-Ks 26 N-N4 27 P-Ks 28 N-K3 29 NP x P

B-R3 P-N3 B-N2 P-KR4 P-QB4

If 29 QP X P, p X p 30 R X R, Q x R 3 I P x P, Q-B2, and Black has a fine free game.

29 . . 3 0 P-Qs 31 N x P .

PxP PxP Q-K3

But not 31 . . . Q x KP 32 Q x Q, BxQ 33 N-K7ch, winning the exchange.

32 33 34 35 36 37

N-B6ch PxB RxR R-KI R-K3 P-R4

BxN R x Rch B-B3 Q-B4 P-Bs ! P-R4

BxB Q-Q4ch Q-KB4 Q-QB4 K-R2 Q-B3 P-B6 K-NI Q-N3

38 B-N2 39 K x B 40 K-R2 4 1 R-B3 42 R-B4 43 R-Q4 44 Q x RP 45 Q-R7 46 Q-K7

If 46 . . . P-B7 47 R__:Q8ch, R x R 48 Q x Rch, K-R2 49 Q-K7, Q-K3 so Q-B7, and White forces the draw.

47 Q-Q7 Capablanca could have drawn here (according to Alekhine) by 47 R-Q7 ! , Q X Pch 48 K-R r , Q-R7 49 R-Q8ch, R x R so Q x Rch, K-R2 5 1 Q-KBS, and Black must take the draw by perpetual, as White 's KBP is invulnerable.

47 . . . 48 R-K4 49 K-R3 so K-R2 5 1 K-R3 52 Q-B6 53 K-R2 54 K-R3 55 K-R2 56 Q-B4

Q-B4 Q x Pch Q-B8ch Q-B7ch R-B r Q-B8ch Q-B7ch Q-B8ch K-R2

Taking the Pawn lets Black win nicely by 56 Q x BP, Q-B7ch S7 K-R I , R-Q I sB Q-K I , Q-B6ch 59 K-R2, R-QB, and White must give up his Queen to avoid mate.

Q-B7ch s6 . . . Q-NS ! 5 7 K-R3 58 R-K2 Here if 58 P-N4, P-B7 ! 59 Q x P, R-K r ! , and White is help less : If 6o R x R, P x P mate. If 6o R N 4 R-K6 mate. If 6o Q-K2, P x Pch 6 1 Q x P, Q-R8ch wins a Rook. -

, .

I SO


sB 59 6o 6r 62 63 64 6S

Q-B8ch QxP R-QI Q-BS ! R-Q7 PxR P-Q8 (Q)

... K-R2 P-Rs P-R6 Q-K4 RxR P-R7 P-RS (Q)

And this position

was reached :

P-QR3 P-QN3 B-Q2 N-QR4 N-N6 P-B4 R-KI P-QN4

9 P-QR3 IO B-Q2 I I o-o-o I 2 K-NI I J R-QBI 1 4 R-B2 rs P-Qs I6 P-KR4

Following Nimzovich' s precepts, Black

undermines

White's Pawn

the

base

of

chain. N-Qs

This also is in line with Nimzo vich's admonition to meet a wing attack by play in the center.

I8 N x N I 9 N-K4 20 N x Nch

65 . . . 66 K-R3

Q-N8ch Q(Q8)-B8ch

Resigns

If 67 Q-N2, Q-RS

is mate.

3 1 :Z

CAPABLANCA GETS QUEEN ODDS Capabl anca once received the odds of a Queen ! Here is the game of a lifetime :

HAVANNA, I 893 Pet�off Defence (Remove White's Queen) Capablanca Iglesias White Black I P-K4 P-K4 2 N-KB3 N-KB3 NxP J NxP P-Q3 4 P-Q4 B-K2 5 N-KB3 N-KB3 6 B-Q3 7 P-B4 o--o N-B3 8 N-B3

PxN PxP

If instead 20 R x P, B-N4 2 1 R x P (or 2 1 N x Nch, B x N , and Black wins the exchange) B x Bch 2 2 R x B, N x N, and Black wins a piece. 20 . . . 2I B x P 22 B-Q3 23 R-R3 24 P-Rs 2S R-N3 26 P-B4 2 7 R-Nr 28 P-Bs 29 B x B Jo B-R6 3 I R(Bz)-N2 32 R x R The

BxN B x NP B-B6 B x QP B-K3 P-N3 B-Rs K-RI BxP PxB R-KNI RxR Q-BJ

Queen has done · nothing to

this point, but decides now to come into the game and put an end to any possible threats.

33 34 3S 36 37

B-N7ch RxQ K-B2 K-Q3 P-R6

QxB KxR K-B3 K-K4 P-Bs

15I


38 K-K2 Resigns

K-K5

The explanation : Capablanca did get Queen odds, but this game was played when he was less than five years old ! Capablanca was the only master to play the Petroff Defence, and then abandon it at the age of five ! 31 3 COMPUTER PLAYS I N TOURNAMENT An electronic computer played in the Massachusetts Amateur Cham pionship at Boston in 1 966. It played against human beings under regular tournament conditions, with a time limit. The computer, called MacHack VI, played all five rounds, and ended up with a score of t-4!· Here is the one game it drew : BOSTON, 1 966 Two Knights' Defence Conroy White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 B-B4 4 N-N5 5 PxP 6 B-Ns ch 7 Px P 8 Q-B3 gQxQ 10 B-K2 I I P-Q3 12 B-Q2 13 N x B 1 4 P-QR3 15 N(N5)-B3 1 6 P-QN4 17 � 18 KR-K 1 1g R x N

MacHack VI Black P-K4 N-QB3 N-B3 P-Q4 N-QR4 P-B3 PxP Q-Q4 NxQ B-KB4 B-N s ch B x Bch �

P-B3 QR-N 1 N-N2 N-B6 N x Bch N-Q3

2o N-K4 21 P x N 22 R-Q I 23 R(K2)-Q2 24 R-Q8 25 R x Reb 26 N-R4 27 N-B5 28 P-N4 29 R-Q6 3o R-Q8 3 1 R-N8ch 32 N N7 ch -

NxN B-K3 B-Bs R-N2 RxR K-B2 P-KN 4 R-QB2 K-N3 B-K7 BxP K-R4 K-R3

MacHack VI avoids 32 . . . K-N3 33 N-K8ch, K-B2 34 R-N7 ch and Black loses the exchange. ,

33 N-B5ch 34 N-N7ch Drawn

K-R4 K-R3

314 U.S. C OMPUTER MATED IN I9 MOVES A match of four games was played in 1 967 between an American computer and a Soviet one. The Soviet computer won two games, and two games were drawn. Here is the first game of the match : STANFORD, CALI F. AND MOS COW (BY TELEGRAPH) , 1967 Three Knights' Game U . S . S .R. White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 N-B3 4NxP s P-Q4 6 PxN 7 P-B4 8 PxB g P-K5 10 Q-Q3 1 1 Q-Q5

u.s.

Black P-K4 N-QB3 B-B4 NxN B-Q3 BxP B x Nch N-B3 N-Ks N-B4 N-K3


This leads to trouble. A better move was simply I I . P-Q3. . .

1 2 P-Bs N-N4 bad move-even for a computer. 1 3 P-K� P-KB3 14 P x N P x NP IS R x P R-BI Of course not r s . . . R x R, as White then mates in two. P-B3 16 R x P RxP 1 7 Q-Q6 R-B r 1 8 R-N8ch 19 Q x R mate A

315

MASTERS PLAY BLINDFOLD MATCH A match between two masters, both playing blindfold, is rather unusual. Schlechter and Mieses played such a match in 1909. The match was for the best out of three games, and Mieses proved to be the victor, winning two games and drawing one. The quality of the games, considering the circum stances, was amazingly high. Here is the third game of the match :

STUTTGART, I909 Center Counter

I 2 3 4 s 6 7 8 9

Mieses Black P-Q4 QxP N-KB3 Q-QR4 N-B3 B-Ns Q-N3 BxN P-QR3

Schlechter White P-K4 PxP P-Q4 N-QB3 N-B3 B-Q2 N-QNs P-QR4 QxB

Mieses avoids 9 . . N x P 10 N x N, Q x N II Q x P, Q-Ksch 1 2 Q x Q, N x Q, when 1 3 B-Nsch .

followed by 14 B-B6 wins material for White. 10 P-Rs P x NI II P x Q R x Rch I 2 B-B1 Of course 12 K-K2 instead runs into a Knight fork losing the Queen. R x Bch I2 . . . R x Pch 1 3 K-Q2 14 K-Q I R x NP R-N8ch I S Q-QR3 1 6 K-B2 R x BI This gets rid of a Bishop that might cause trouble-at a little cost, to be sure. 17 Q-R8ch K-Q2 18 R x R N-Q4 19 Q x P N x NP 20 K-NI P-K3 2 I R-BI N-Bs ! Takes advantage of the fact that White may not capture the passed Pawn. 22 Q-R8 P-N3 23 P-Qs PxP 24 R-Q I P-Qs 2 S R x Pch NxR 26 Q-Qsch B-Q3 27 Q x N (Q4) R-KI 28 Q-Qs P-QB3 29 Q x KBPch R-K2 3o Q-N8 R-K8ch R-K7ch 3I K-B2 32 K-Q3 RxP 33 Q x Pch K-B x B-K4ch 34 K-B3 3 S K-Q3 But not 35 K-N4, B-Qs . and White's Kin g is in a mating net. 3S 3 6 K-K4 37 K-B3 38 K-Kz 39 K-Br 40 Q-N8ch 4I Q-B7ch • . •

R-Q7ch R-Qsch P-Ns R-Q7ch P-N6 K-B2 R-Q2

I 53


42 Q x N 43 Q-N3 44 Q-B2 A brilliant move which forces resignation. If 45 Q x R, P-N8(Q)ch 46 K-K2 (on 46 K-B2, Q-N3 brings about the exchange of Queens) Q-N4ch, and White must exchange Qu eens .

45 Resigns 3 16 ONE MATE IN A MILLION Gaudersen effected a checkmate that is probably unique in the litera ture of chess. This is how he did it :

MELBOURNE, I 928 French Defence Gaudersen White I P-K4 2 P-Q4 3 P-K5 4 P-QB3 5 PxP 6 N-B3 7 N-B3 8 B-Q3 9 B x Pch IO N-N5ch I I P-K�

Paul Black P-K3 P-Q4 P-QB4 PxP B-N5ch N-QB3 KN-K2 0-0 KxB K-N3 N x QP


White is not interested in cap turing the Knight He is interested in getting at the King. .

I2 I3 I4 I5

P-B4 ... P-R5ch K-R3 N x KPch P-N4 P x P e.p. mate!

An extraordinary finish-check mate by capturing a Pawn en passant !

3 17 UNIQUE COUP DE GRACE MOJPhy once finished a game by Castling, and with that move mated his opponent. Here is his brilliancy :

NEW ORLEANS, I858 TwQ Knights ' Defence (Remove White's Queen Rook) Morphy Amateur Black White I P-K4 P-K4 2 N-KB3 N-QB3 3 B-B4 N-B3 P-Q4 4 N-N5 NxP 5 Px P KxN 6 N x BP K-K3 7 Q-B3ch 8 N-B3 N-Q5 K-Q3 9 B x Nch IO Q-B7 Threatens the move

I I N-K4

-

mate on

.

IO . . . II B x B I 2 N-K4ch I3 P-B4ch I4 Q x N

B-K3 NxB K-Q4 KxN Q-Q5

154

WOND ERS AND CURIOSITIES O F CHESS



K-Q6 K-B7 KxB

1 5 Q-N4ch I 7 Q-K2ch I 8 P-Q3ch I9 o-o mate !

Morphy never painted a prettier picture on a chessboard !

BP x P PxN KxQ Resigns

Io P x P n N x PI 1 2 Q x Qch I 3 o-o-och I

Black must get out of check, and his Rook falls . 319

3 18

CURI OUS CASTLING COUP A curious Castling coup is this one, in which there is a simultaneous attack by King an d Rook l Feuer's Rook checks the King, while his King at the same time strikes at a Rook ! Here is the little game :

FIRST GAME TO BE AWARDED BRILLIANCY PRIZE The first tournament game ever to be honored with a prize for brilli ancy was played at New York in 1 8 76, and was won by Bird against Mason. Here is the score :

LIEGE, I 934 Ruy Lopez

NEW YORK, I876 French Defence

Feuer White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 B-N5 4 B-R4 5 B x Nch 6 P-Q4 7 N-B3 8 Q-Q3 9 B-K3

O 'Kelly Black P-K4 N-QB3 P-QR3 P-Q3 PxB P-B3 R-NI N-K2 RxP

The position seems innocent enough ; the Rook certainly appears to be in no danger. ·

Bird White I P-K4 2 P-Q4 3 N-QB3 4 PxP 5 N-B3 6 B-Q3 7 o-o 8 R-K 1 9 N-QN5 10 P-B3 I I N-R3 I 2 N-B2

Mason Black P-K 3 P-Q4 N-KB3 PxP B-Q3 o-o

P-KR3 N-B3 B-QN5 B-R4 B-KN5 Q-Q2

1 55


1 3 P-QN4 14 P-KR3 1 5 N-K3 16 P-N5 ! 1 7 P-N4 1 8 N-Ks

�N3 �KR4 KR-K1 N-K2 �N 3

S imple and strong ; White's positional advantage is undeniable.

18 . . . 19 P-QR4 20 P x P 2 1 �R3 22 Q-B2 23 B x N 24 B x B 25 Q x P 26 K-R2 27 Q-B5

Q-BI P-B3 PxP N-K5 N-N4 RxB PxB N x Pch N-Bs N-K3

If 27 . . . Q x Q 28 N X Q, R-QB2 29 N x BP, and White wins a Pawn.

28 N-N2 29 P-R5 !

Q-Bz

Offers a Pawn (which mu st be t aken) in order to offer a Rook (which must not be taken) . This is the position :

This is the real point of the bination-the sacrifice of Queen !

com

the

31 . . . RxQ 32 P x R N-Q 1 33 N-KB4 Q-B 1 34 N (B4)-N 6 R-K1 35 N x P ! An interesting (and possibly un sound) sacrifice. Here are some choices for Bl ack : 35 . . . R x R 36 N (B6) -K7ch and White wins the Queen, 35 . . . Q x R 36 R x Rch and mate next 35 . . . N x N 36 R x Rch, Q x R 37 R x N, (threatens 38 R-B8) K-R2 38 R-K6, Q-B2 (but not 38 . . . Q x R 39 N-B8ch) and Black's QRP should win the game for him. ,

,

,

35 . . . 36 N(B6)-K5

Q-Bzch QXp

White's game begins to look shaky, but he finds resources. 37 R-K3

Q-Q7

The reply to 37 . . . Q x P would be 38 N-B3, winning for White. 38 K-N2

QxP

This looks attractive, as he re moves a center Pawn, protects his QRP, creates another passed Pawn (his QP) and safeguards his Rook against attack (if 39 N-B3, Q N4ch) . 39 P-B6 !

29 . . . 3o R x B !

B x RP R-KB1

If 30 . . . Q x R, then 3 1 N-N6 wins, but not 3 1 N x P (as Fine suggests) as that permits Black to escape by 3 1 . . . Q-Bzch in reply. 3 1 R-R6 !

Bird is ingenio u s ! 39 . . . 40 R x BP 4I R-KN3 42 N-N4 43 N-B4

PxP N-K3 N-N4 K-N2

Clever footwork by the Knights. 43 . . . 44 K-R2

Q-K 5 ch N-R2


Black shies away from 44 N-B6ch, when 45 R x N, Q x R 46 N-Rsch wins his Q ueen . 0 0 0

45 N-Rsch 46 R x P 47 N(R5)-B6 48 K-N2 49 N-Ks

K-RI Q-B7 R-K2 P-Qs

Threatens so R-N8 mate . Black can not prevent it by 49 . . . R-KN2, as then White breaks through by 50 N-B7ch, R x N 51 R-N8 mate.

Q-BI Resigns

49 . . . so N-N6ch

The conclusion could be so K-N2 5 1 N x Rch, K x R 52 R-N6 mate .

320

BRILLIANCY PRIZE GAME IN LIGHTNING TOURNAMENT Niemela won a b rilliancy prize for his game against Salo in an ecl air ( lightn ing) to urnament. Within the seven minutes allotted to each game, Niemela produced the following little sparkler :

FINLAND, 1945 King's Indian Defence Niemela White P-Q4 P-QB4 N-QB3 P-K4 P-K5 P-B4 N-B3 B-K2

I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 g o-o Io BP x P I I N-Qs 1 2 B-Ns 1 3 N x QP !

Salo Black N-KB3 P-KN3 B-N2 o-o N-K I P-Q3 B-Ns N-Q2 PxP P-QB4 PxP P-B3 BxB

14 Q x B 1 5 N-K6 x6 R x R 1 7 P-QN4 18 N x Pch 19 N x P

PxB R x Rch Q-R4 Q-R6 K-RI

Threatens instant mate.

NxP Resigns

19 . . . 20 R-B8ch !

If 20 B X R 2 1 Q X Nch, B-N2 22 N-B7 mate. 0 • •

JZI

ALEKHINE WINS MOST BRILLIANCY PRIZES A le khine won more brilliancy prizes than any other man that ever lived ! Here is one of my many favorites :

BUDAPEST, 192 1 Queen's Gambit Declined Alekhine White I P-Q4 2 N-KB3 3 P-B4 4 N-B3 5 P-K3 6 N-QNs 7 Q-B2 8 N-B3 9 B-Q3 Io B x P IIPxP 1 2 o-o 1 3 P-K4 14 B-KNs

Sterk Black P-Q4 N-KB3 P-K3 QN-Q2 B-Q3 B-K2 P-B3 o-o PxP P-B4 BxP P-QN3 B-N2

A great master mu st n ot only know how to create forceful com binations, he must also know how to avoid the attractive-looking com binat ions that rec o il on the maker. Here for example, there is the tempting line 14 P-Ks, N-Ns 1 5 N-KNs, P-N3 16 N x KP, which

157


seems t o win the exchange for two P�wns. It would boomerang on White though, as the continuation would be I 6 . . . Q-Rs 17 P-K R3, Q-N6, and Black forces mate. . 15 Q-K2 1 6 B-Q3 1 7 KR-QB I ! 18 B x N 19 Q x B 20 Q-K2 ! 2 1 QR-N I 14

. .

Q-B I ! B-Ns BxN NxP BxB N-B4 B-R4

Threatens to win a piece by 22 P-QN4. 21 . . . Now if 22 Q x Q. N x Q 23 P-QR3, P-QN4, and Black's minor pieces are safe. 22 R-B4 Renews the threat of 23 P-QN4. 22 . . .

N-Rs !

Very clever ; now if 23 P-QN4, N-B6 follows, and Black wins the exchange. This is the position on the board :

The threat is 24 R-KN4, Q x Q 25 R x Pch and mate next move.

K R-B 1 I

23 . . .

This is Black's best defence, if instead 23 . . . P-R4 24 R-KN4, Q x Q 25 R x Pch, K-RI 26 N-Ns, and there is no way to prevent 27 R-R7ch followed by 28 R-R8 mate. Now comes another astonishing move. 24 Q-Ks ! 24 . . . Alekhine shows that the follow ing variations were also unavailing : I . 24 . . . Q x R 25 Q-KNs, K-B I 26 Q x Pch, K-K I 27 Q-N8ch, K-Q2 28 N-Ksch, K-B2 29 Q x Pch followed by 30 N x Q. I I . 24 . . . R x R 25 Q-KNs , R-KNs (or 25 . . . K-B I 26 Q x Pch, K- K I 27 N-Ks. and the King is in a mating net) 26 Q x R, P-N3 27 Q x N. I I I . 24 . . . P x B 25 R-N4ch, K-B 1 26 Q-Q6ch, K-K 1 27 R-N8 mate. 25 26 27 28 29

P-N3 Q-Q6 Q-B4 Q-B7 Resigns

Q-N3 RxN R-KBI Q-B4 Q-R6

A brilliant game by the greatest player that ever lived-except for Capablanca of course ! ,

3:&2

2 3 B-B6 ! 1 After all the fencing on the Queen side, there comes an astonishing move on the King side ! Alekhine himself gives this move two exclamation marks. I can do no less.

BOTVINNIK PLAYS LONGEST CHESS COMBINATI ON To Botvinnik goes the honor of making the longest combination to be seen in master chess play. In the course . of its 22 moves, Botvinnik sacrifices both Knights and a Rook to start his opponent's


King on a long j ourney from which he never returns. The combination is remarkable not only for its length but for its surpassing beauty.


MOSCOW, 1 93 5 R6ti Opening Botvinnik White I N-KB3 2 P-B4 3 P-QN3 4 B-N2 5 P-K3 6 B-K2 7 o-o 8 N-B3 9 N-Q4 1o P x P I I P-B4 1 2 N-B3

Chekover Black P-Q4 P-K3 N-KB3 B-K2 o-o

P-B3 QN-Q2 P-QR3 PxP N-B4 Q-B2

White's last few moves have been directed to prevent . . . P-�. Black's were meant to enforce it. 12 ... 13 Q-B2

R-Q1

Black must take care in de veloping. The natural 1 3 . . . B-Q2 loses a piece after 14 P-Q4. 13 . . .

14 P-Q4

N (B4)-Q2

This ends the argument ; White is in full control of K5 . 14 . . . N-K5 16 B-Q3 17 P x P 1 8 Q-K2 19 N-Q I 2o N-B2 21 N-R3 15

P-B4 P-QN3 PxP B-N2 N-B1 R-R2 Q-N 1 P-R3

Black stops the Knight from reaching N5--or does he ?

2 2 N-N5 l This begins the long, and accu rately calculated combination. 22 . . . 23 p X p If 25 27 29

PxN N ( B I ) -Q2

The other Knight must stay put. 23 . . . N (B3)-R2 24 N x P, N x P Q-R5, N (N4) -R2 26 P-Q5 , P x P N-R6ch, K-R1 28 Q-B7, N-B3 Q-N8ch l, N x Q 30 N-B7 mate. 24 N x P !

Very pretty, and must have sur prised Chekover. Instead of regain ing his piece, Botvinnik offers up his second Knight ! 24 . . . 25 P-N6ch

KxN K-N 1

Against the alternative 25 K-K I , Botvinnik had prepared this pretty win : 26 Q x P, N-B1 27 Q-B7ch, K-Q2 2 8 B-R3 , R-K1 29 R x N, P x R 30 P-N7, and White wins. 26 Q x Pch 27 Q-R3ch 28 B-B5

K-RI K-N I

Threatens 29 B-B 5 ch, and mate next move. 28 . . .

N-BI

If 28 . . . B-N 5 (to give the King more room) 29 B-K6ch, K-B 1

159


30 B x N, Q-Q3 ( or 30 . . . R x B 3 I Q x R, Q-K 1 32 R x Nch, P x R 33 P-N7ch, and Black loses his Queen) 31 Q-R8ch, K-K2 32 Q x P mate-a neat self-block. 29 30 31 32

B-K6ch ! Q x Nch Q-R3ch R x NI

NxB K-R1 K-N I

Sanz, playing Black, won it in such beautiful style that the posi tion is included in almost every book on endings. This is the position, with Black to play :

A third sacrifice ! 32 . . .

BxR

If 3 2 . . . P x R 33 Q-R7ch followed by mate. 33 Q-R7ch 34 R-KI ! 35 Q-R8ch ! Brilliant and more forc eful than 35 R x B, Q x R 36 P x Q, R-Q8ch 37 K-B2, R-Q7ch, etc. 35 . . .

K-K2

The King starts out unwillingly on his last long j ourney.

36 Q x Pch 3 7 Q x Bch 38 Q-Bsch 39 P-Qsch 40 B-R3ch 4 1 Q-K4ch 42 B-N4ch 43 Q-N1 mate

K-Q3 K-Qz K-B3 K-B4 KxP K-B6 K-N7

Strangely enough, Botvinnik did not include this beautiful w in in his boq k One Hundred Selected Games. But then, which game could he have left out ?

3Z3 CLASSIC ENDING ANTICIPATED An amazing coincidence in the field of endings from actual play concerns the classic finale of the game won by Sanz from Ortueta in I933·

I ... 2 Nx R 3 RxB

R x NP I P-B6

If 3 N-R4 (or to Q r ) P-B7 wins. Or if 3 N-Q3, P-B5ch 4 K-B 1 , P x N 5 K-KI , P-B7 6 K-Qz, B-K6ch, and Black wins.

3

· · ·

P-B5 !

But not 3 . . . P x R 4 N-Q3 followed by 5 N-B 1 , and the Pawns are stopped.

4 R-N4 Ready to meet 4 . . . P x N with 5 R x N P, or 4 . . . P-B7 with 5 R x P. 4 ... This will dislodge the Rook from its ideal square. Now if 5 R x P, P x N wins , and on other Rook moves, the advance by 5 . . . P-B7 does the trick. 5 Resigns But, under Book. similar It was

alas, " There is no new thing the sun, " says The Good An ending almost exactly to this one came to light. played at Poznan in 193 1 ,

1 60


and was published in " Szachy " in 1932. It occurred between Tylkowski and Wojciechowski, with the latter playing Black. This was the position, with Black to move :

POZNAN, 1931 Tylkowski

White

Wojcie chowski Black

R-Q7 I RxP 2 N-R4 P-B6 3 NxR P-Bs ! 4 RxB This keeps the Knight from moving to Q3. P-QR4 s R-N4 P-B7 6NxP P-B8 (Q)ch 7NxP 8 K-R2 Obviously if 8 K-B2, Q-Q7ch wins the Rook. Q-B4 8 ... Q-R4ch 9 R-R4 Q-Q8 ch IO K-NI Black wins the Rook and the game. • • •

324

DEATH COMES AT THE CHESSBOARD Dr. Olland's motto must have been Cum moriar, medium solvar et inter opus (If I must die, then may

I die in the thick of the battle) , for he died while playing chess. This was the game he played at the time :

HAGUE, 1 933 Sicilian Defence Olland White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 P-Q4 4NxP S N-QB3 . 6 B-K2 7 0-o 8 P-QN3 9 K-RI I O P-B4 I I B-B3 I 2 N (B3)-K2 I3 B-N2 I 4 N-N3 IS R-BI I6 Q x N I 7 Q-Q3 I 8 B-Q4 I 9 Q-K3 2o B-K2 21 B-Q3 22 B x N 23 N x P 24 N-Q6 2s N x R

Hamming Black P-QB4 N-QB3 PxP N-B3 P-Q3 P-K3 B-K2 o-o

P-QR3 Q-B2 B-Q2 P-QN4 KR-Q I QR-BI NxN Q-B4 P-Ns Q-QN4 P-Q4 Q-N2 PxP BxB B-B6 Q-B2 BxN At this point the unfortunate Dr. Olland suffered a heart attack and died almost immediately. J:Z5

SMYSLOV BLITZES RESHEVSKY Smyslov took only one minute for his first I s moves in his game against Reshevsky, in the radio match between the U . S . and the U . S . S . R . in 1 94S ! At the 23rd move, Reshevsky had taken more than an hour and a

161


half, while Smyslov's time was only eight minutes ! Smyslov won the game. Here is the score : RADIO MATCH, 1 945 Ruy Lopez Smyslov White P-K4 N-KB3 B-N5 B-R4

Reshevsky Black P-K4 N-QB3 P-QR3 N-B3 NxP P-QN4 P-Q4 B-K3 B-QB4

I 2 3 4 5 o-o 6 P-Q4 7 B-N3 8 PxP 9 P-B3 o-o 10 QN-Q2 P-B4 I I B-B2 B-N3 1 2 N-N3 NxN 1 3 N (B3)-Q4 14 N x N BxN P-Bs 1S P x B 1 6 P-B3 N-N6 PxP 17 P x N B-B4 1 8 Q-Q3 If instead I 8 . . . Q-R5 19 Q x Pch, Q x Q 2o B x Qch, K x B 2 1 B-Q2, and White has the better chances in the endgame . 19 Q x B RxQ 2o B x R Q-Rs 2 1 B-R3 Q x Pch Q x KP 22 K-R 1 23 B-Q2 This is the position :

Reuben Fine comments : Hereabouts we radioed for time consumed by the other team. Reshevsky, who had taken about an hour and a half for the first 23 moves, d isc overe d to his dis may that Smyslov had taken exactly one minute ! The whole variation, we later discovered, had been published in the J une 1 94S issue of Schachmaty (official Soviet chess magazine) . Foreign material has always taken a long time to reach the U.S., and during the war the delay of course was much worse than before . Actually, hardly any one on the team ever looked at material published in foreign chess maga z ines. Had they done so, they would have found that the play up to this point was not new, but had occurred in several games played in 1 942 and 1 943, notablyBoleslavsky Ragozin, Moscow 1 943, Cortlever Euwe, Amsterdam 1 942, and Boleslavsky-Botvinnik, Sverdlovsk 1 943-to name a few. 23 24 2S 26 27 28 29

... B-B4 B-K6ch B x QP QR-Q I B x NP B-K5 !

QxP P-B4 K-R1 R-Q I P-Bs P-B6

White is prepared for 29 . . . Q-K7 30 B x P, R x B with 31 QR-K 1 , R-R4ch 3 2 K-N 1 , and the threat of mate is decisive. 29 . . . 3o B-QN3 3 1 P-B4

P-N5 R-Q7

Now the threat is 32 R x R, R x R 33 R-Q I , and death on the back ran k .

1 62


31 . . .

P-K!Y

uation could then be :

3 2 R-QN 1

R-KB7

9 p

Though terribly short on time, Reshevsky puts up a hard light. Q-Q7

33 R (B 1 ) -K 1

If 3 3 . . . R-K 7 34 K R-Q r , R-Q7 35 R x

Q,

for the Rook is defended

on Qr (Srnyslov) .

II

X

P,

N

X

p

p

X

N,

10

B

Q-R4Ch

8 . . . P-N4 X

P,

N

12

QN-Q2

8 ... 9 N-B3 ro o-o

N-K 1

I I N-Q2

P-B3

N-K4

34 Q R-Qr

Q-N7

12 B-K3

R-N r

K-R2

13 P-B4

N-KB2

36 B-N8ch

K-N3

14 Q-B2

P-N3

3 7 R-Q6ch

K-B4

15 KR-N r

P-Q R4 N-B2

38 B-K6ch

K-N3

r 6 N-B3

39 B-Q5ch

K-R2

17 R-K r

N-QR3

40 B-K4ch

K-N 1

r 8 Q-Q2

N-N5

41 B-N6

Resigns

19 N-R2

NxN

2o R x N

B-Q2

2 1 P-QN3

Q-B2

22 B-Q3

23

R (N r ) -K r

P-B5

N-K4

With nearly all their pieces and

24 N x N

Pawns still on the board , Bronstein

2 5 P-R 4

K-B2

neither side could possibly break

26 Q-KB2

R-Q R r

2 7 B-K2

through,

R-KN 1

2 8 K-Rr

K-B r

2 9 P-KN4

Q-Q3

and Pilnik reached a stage where or

make

any

progress

withou t a sacrifice of material . Another curious feature

of the

critical position was that all eight Bronstein ' s

White

squ ares,

Pawns all

occupied

of

Pilnik's

Pawns occupied Black squares. Here is

the game, which,

inci

dentally, is one of Bronstein's many masterpieces :

P-R3

32 B-Q3

P-KN4

33 P-R5 l

K-B2

This

is

the extraordinary posi

tion-where all of Bronstein's Pawns stand

on

White

on

squares,

Black

all

squares,

of and

without a sacrifice of some sort !

Bronstein

Pilnik

White

Black

P-Q4

N-KB3

2 P-QB4

P-KN3

3 N-QB3 4 P-K4

o-o

B-N2

5 B-K2

P-Q3

6 B-N5

P-B4

7 P-Q5

P-QR3

8 P-QR4 This prevents counterplay which would follow

B-K r

R-KN1

where neither side can break through

King's Indian

I

QP x N

3 0 R ( R 2 ) -R r

31

Pilnik's

BELGRADE, 1 954

KP

B x Nch, etc .

3 5 R-Q8ch

326 BREAKTHROUGH ONLY BY A SACRIFICE

of

X

N-B3.

8 N-B3 . The contin-


34 P-N4 I

RP x P

Obviously if 34 . . . BP x P 35 B x P with advantage to White. 35 P-R5 !

R-QBI

While here 35 . . . R x P 36 R x R, P x R 37 B x P also favors White. Q x NP

36 P x P 37 Q-QRz

Control of the open file is worth a Pawn B-Q2 37 . . . 38 Q-R7 Q-Q 3 R-B2 39 R (NI)-N I R(N 1 ) -N1 4o Q-R6 B-KBI 41 B-QB2 K-N2 42 B-N3 B-B I 43 K-N2 B-Q2 44 Q-R2 R-N3 45 Q-KB2 R-R3 46 R-R8 R-R6 47 R(NI)-QRI PxR 48 R(RI) x R Q-N3 49 R x P R-N2 5o Q-R2 51 K-B3 R-NI Q-N5 52 B-Q x Q-N8 53 B-Q2 RxQ 54 Q x Q K-B2 55 K-K2 R-NI 56 B-K3 R-BI 57 B x P K-KI 5 8 R-R5 P-K3 59 K-Q3

P-N7 ! 69 R-R x , B-K7ch 70 K-N4, B-B8, with a probable draw. 68 B-N5 ! A clever retort ! Now if 68 . . . P-N 7 6g R-Rx , B- K7ch 70 K-B5, B-B8, the reply 7 I R x B ! wins for White. 68 . . .

3 27

.

Desperation but against passive measures the advance of White's QBP wins. ,

6o B x B 6I NP x P 62 P-B5 63 K-B4 64 B-R4 65 P-B6 66 P-B7 67 P-Q6 Sets a fine trap: if

P x BP KxB B-K I R-N I BxP P-N5 R-B I P-N6 1 68 B-Q7.

B-K x Resigns

6g R-R3

DI SDAINS FOUR DIFFERENT PERPETUAL CHECKS AGAINST CAPA In their first encounter in an International Tournament, Janow ski could have drawn by four differ ent kinds of perpetual check against Capablanca, two on the King side of the board, and two on the Queen side ! Here is this memorable game : SAN SEBASTIAN, 1 9 1 1 Queen's Gambit Declined

Capablanca White I P-Q4 2 P-K3 3 N-KB3 4 P-B4 5 N-B3 6 P x BP 7 P-QR3 8 P-QN4 g B-N2 xo P-Ns II P x P 1 2 N-Q4 13 B-K2 14 B-B3 15 � 1 6 Q-N3 1 7 KR-Q1 Of course not 1 8 B X B. N-B4

Janowski Black P Q4 N-KB3 P-B4 P-K3 B-K2 -

�

BxP B-K2 P-QR4 P-QN3 PxP B-Q3 B-KJ R-R2 R-B2 QN-Q2 1 7 N x P, B x N 19 Q-R2, N X B,


and 20 Q x N is penalized by 20 . . . B x Pch, and loss of the Queen. 17 ... 1 8 B-Kz 19 QR-B 1 zo N-R4 21 R x R 22 B x R 23 B-N2 24 B x N 25 K x B 26 K-N I

N-K4 Q-K2 KR-B1 RxR R x Rch N-K5 N-B5 B x Pch ! Q-Rsch Q x Pch

Janowski's Queen and Knight can now force a draw by perpetual check. 27 K-R2 28 K-N 1

Q-N6ch

Carefully avoiding 28 K-R 1 , when 28 . . . B-R6 29 B-KB1 , N-B7ch 30 K-R1 , N-N5 wins for Black. 28 . . . 29 Q-B2

PxB Q x KPch

Janowski is not content to draw. 30 31 32 33 34

K-R2 K-N 1 K-R2 K-N 1 K-R2

next move, while 39 B-B3 loses after 39 . . . Q-R7ch 40 K-B 1 , N-K6ch, and the Queen falls. 39 40 41 42 43 44 45

... K-B 1 K-K2 K-Q I K-B2 K-B I K-B2

Q-R7ch Q-R8ch Q x Pch N-B7ch Q-N3ch Q-KN8ch Q-N3ch

Shifting over to the Queen side, Janowski now has a third oppor tunity to draw by .perpetual. 46 K-B1

N-Q6ch

And for the third time Janowski spurns the draw I 47 48 49 50 51 52 53

K-N 1 Q-QB2 B-Q4 B x QNP B-B7 P-N6 BxP

PxN P-R4 P-Rs P-R6 P-K4 Q-Ks


Q-N6ch Q-K8ch Q-N6ch Q-K8ch N-B3 !

Threatens to win the Queen by 35 . . . N-N5ch 36 K-R3, N-K6 dis.ch. 35 N x B 36 K-N 1 37 K-R2

Q-R5ch Q-K8ch Q-R5ch

Now the Queen alone can force a draw by perpetual check. 38 K-N 1 Janowski disdains drawing opportunity.

N-N5 the

second

39 Q-Q2 ! The only move, as 39 Q-B3 allows 39 . . . Q-B7ch, and mate

53 . . .

Q-K8ch

Janowski misses the golden oppor tunity ! The winning move was 53 . . . Q-R8ch, as from that square the Queen can keep an eye on White's dangerous passed Pawn. 54 K-R2 And now Janowski has a fourth

r 6s


chance to draw by perpetual check ! He can do so by 54 . . . N-B8ch 55 K-N2, N-Q6ch 56 K-R2 , N-B8ch, but . . .

54 . . .

NxB

. . . he misses it ! And with that goes his last chance. 55 P-N7 56 N-Bs !

N-Q2

An important move. The later play will show why this is superior to 56 N-N6.

56 . . . 5 7 Q x Pch 58 N-K4

N-N r K-Rr

The Knight is beautifully cen tralized. It guards White's King against annoying checks by the Queen, and it is also in perfect position to take part in combination play against Black's King and Queen. For example, if 58 . . . P-R7 59 Q-B8ch, K-R2 6o Q-R3ch, K-N r (if 6o . . . K-N3 6r Q-K6ch followed by 62 N-B6ch wins the Queen) 6r Q-K6ch, K-R r (if 6r . . . K-B r 62 Q-Q6ch, or if 6r . . . K-R2 62 N-Nsch) 62 Q-K8ch, K-R2 63 N-N sch wins the Queen (Schlechter) .

58 . . . 59 Q-Q3

K-R2 P-N3

If 59 . . . Q-Rs 6o N-Nsch, K-R3 61 N-B7ch, K-R4 62 Q-Bsch, P-N4 63 N-Ks and wins (Caj> abl anca) . Or if 59 . . . P-R7 6o N-N5ch, K-R3 6 1 N-B7ch, K-R4 62 Q-Bsch, K-R5 63 Q-B4ch, K-R6 64 N-Nsch, K-N7 65 Q-B3ch, K-N8 66 N-R3 mate ! (Schlechter) . 6o 61 62 63

Q x Pch Q-KB3 ! Q-B6ch Q-B7ch

K-N2 Q-QB8 K-R2 K-R3

64 Q-B8ch 65 Q-R8ch 66 Q-B8ch

K-R4 K-Ns Resigns

Good midgame play by J anow ski-marvellous endgame play by Capablanca . J:z8

B OTH BLACK AND WHITE SACRIFICE FREELY All sorts of sacrifi ces may be found in the games of the masters, gen e rally made by the ultimate winner. But when Panov played Yudovich at Tiflis in 1 937, it appeared that each player tried to outdo the other in giving away his pieces. In the course of 26 moves, White offered his op po n ent a Bisho p , a Knight, a Rook, his second Knight and then his remaining Rook. Not to be outdone in generosity, Black offered a Knight, the ex change, his Queen and a Rook. Here is the record of this exciting game :

TIFLIS, 1 93 7 French Defence Panov

White

I P-K4 2 P-Q4 3 N-QB3 4 B-KN5 5 P-K 5 6 P-KR4 7 B-Q3 8 Q-Rsch 9NxP

Yudovich

Black

P-K3 P-Q4 N-KB3 B-K2 KN-Q2 P-KB3 P-QB4 ! K-B r PxB

If 9 . . . P x N r o P-K6 (threatens mate) Q-K I I I Q x Qch, and White regains his piece w ith an even game. ro R-R3 I I N-B4

P-Ns

I66


With dire threats : if I I . . . P x R 1 2 N x Pch, K-N1 1 3 N x Q, and the mate threat at B7 prevents Black from playing 13 . . . P-R7, and getting a new Queen.

II 12 13 14 15

... PxN BxP QxR K-K2

NxP PxR RxB P-R7 P-RS (Q)

Lissitsyn says, " The originality of this opening system, devised by Black, is expressed in the career of this Pawn, which has crossed three files and six ranks, captured two pieces, and has become a Queen on the 1 5th move ! "

K-B2 QxN N-B3 · K-NI Q x P! B-Bz

16 N-N6ch 1 7 N-R8ch z8 Q x Q 1 9 Q-R5ch 2o N-R3 2 1 Q-K8ch 22 N-N5

Threatens 23 Q-B7ch, K-RI 24 Q x B mate.

22 23 24 25 26

NxP Q-N5ch Q x Pch Q-N5ch B-Q2 !

... P-B4 K-B I K-N I K-B z

· The last offer is more than White cares to accept, as 2 7 Q x R i s answered by 27 . . . B N4ch fol lowed by mate, so, -

Then, as though to show his con tempt for traps, Capablanca de liberately walked into the same trap the next time he had Black and again drew the game I Did Capablanca perhaps want to demonstrate that he could give the odds of the exchange to any leading master ? Here is the score of the eighth game :

AMSTERDAM, I93 I Queen's Indian Defence Euwe White I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-KB3 4 P-KN3 5 B-N2 6 B-Q2 7QxB 8 N-B3 9 Q-B 2

329

CAPABLANCA IS CONTEMPTUOUS OF TRAPS In the eighth game of his match against Euwe in I 93 1 , Capablanca fell into a trap in the opening which cost him the exchange. He drew the game though after a bitter struggle.

o-o

N-K5 NxN

At first sight a simple exchange, but White makes a zwischenzug which lands his opponent in th e Monticelli trap.

1 o N-N5 I Instead of recapturing, White suddenly threatens mate as well as I I B x B, and an attack on the Rook.

IO II B x N 12 Q x B 13 Q x R 1 4 Q-N7 1 5 R-Q I • • •

27 Resigns

Capablanca Black N-KB3 P-K3 P-QN3 B-N2 B-N5ch B x Bch

N-K5 BxB QxN N-B3 NxP

White carefully avoids the cen tralizing move 15 Q-K4, when 1 5 . . . Q-R4ch 16 K-B 1 , N-N6 1 7 R-Q I , N-Q7ch regains the ex change.


15 . . 1 6 P-K3 17 K-K2 If 1 7 K-B I , P-Q4 1 8 p X P, Q-Ks 19 R-KN1 (i f 19 K-N 1 , N x P ! 20 P x N forc ed t o pre vent mate-2o . . . Q x Pch 21 K N 2, Q-K7ch 2 2 K-R3, Q-R4ch, and a draw by perpetual) N x P 20 P x N, Q-B6ch 21 K-K1 , Q x KPch, and Black draws . P-Q4 ! 17 . . . .

-

,

-

Better than 1 7 . . . Q x QNP 1 8 1 9 Q x BP, Q-R5 R-Q2, Q x P 20 R-QBI , N-N s 2 1 R X P, with advantage to White. Q x QN P 18 R-Q 2 Q-N4ch 19 P x P N Ns 20 K-B3 Q-R 4 2 1 R-QBI 2 2 P-Q6 Best, as White is enabled to force an exchange of Rooks. -

22 . 23 R-B8 24 R x Rch 25 Q-B8ch 26 Q-B7ch 27 Q-B3ch 28 Q-B7ch 29 Q-Q8ch 3o Q x QP 3 1 Q-Q4 ch 32 Q-Qs 33 R x Q . .

PxP P-N3 KxR K K2 K-B3 K-K2 K-B3 K-N2 NxP P-K4 QxQ -

P-Ks ch

33 . . .

Capablanca thought more than a half hour before making this move. Apparently there were no prospects in this line : 33 . . N-B6 34 R x P, P-QR4 35 R-K7, P-QN4 36 R-B7, P-Ns 3 7 R-N7, and Black's Queen side is impotent. .

34 K-B4 35 R-QN5

N-Ns

Here if 35 R-Q7, N-Q6ch pro tects the K ing Pawn indirectly, or if 35 R-Q2, P-B4 36 R-Q 7ch K-B3, and Black's threats of mate safeguard his Pawns. ,

35 . . . 36 K x P 3 7 K-Q4 38 R-N2 39 P-R3 4o R-QB2

N-Q6ch N x Pch P-B4 N-N5 N-B3 N-K5

The agile Knight gets to work on White's King side Pawns. 41 42 43 44

P-N4 PxP R-B7 R x QRP

K-B 3 KxP N-N4 P-R4

Now that his Queen side is no longer a threat, Black plays to create two connected passed Pawns on the King side. 45 R-R3 ! A clever defence : if 45 . . N x P 4 6 P-K4ch, K-N5 47 R x N, K x R 48 P-K 5 , K-N7 49 P-K6, P-R5 so P-K7, P-R6 5 1 P-K8 (Q) . P-R7 5 2 Q-K4ch, K-N8 53 Q-N4ch, K-B 7 54 Q-R3, K-N 8 55 Q-N3ch, K-R8 56 Q-B 2 P-KN4 57 Q B I mate (Becker) . .

,

45 46 K-Q3 . . .

-

N-B6ch

Capablanca was now very short of time, but he made his next 1 I

r 68


moves quickly and accurately and secured the draw. N-N8 46 . . . 4 7 K-Q2 P-KN4 I 48 R-N3 P-R5 NxP 49 R x P P-N5 50 K-K2 K-K5 s r R-Nsch K-B4 52 R-N4ch K-N4 53 K-B 1 K-N3 54 R-Nsch K-R4 55 R-N4 N-N4 56 R-N7 Drawn 330

KERES BEATS NINE WORLD CHAMPIONS Keres, who never held the title of " World Champion " has beaten nine World Champions in the course of his career ! A list of his victims (a Who's Who of the chess world) is as follows : 6. Tal r . Capablanca 7. Petrosian 2. Alekhine 8. Spassky 3· Euwe 4· Botvinnik g. Fischer 5· Smyslov

Following are the scores of his victories against these nine World's Champions : Alekhine, Keres's first opponent, held the title from 1927 when he beat Capablanca, to 1935 when he lost it to Euwe. He regained it in 1937 in a return match, and kept it to his death in 1946. MARGATE, 1 937 Ruy Lopez Keres White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 B-N5

Alekhine Black P-K4 N-QB3 P-QR3

4 5 6 7 8 g

B-R4 P-B4 N-B3 P-Q4 B-K3 PxP

P-Q3 B-Q2 P-KN3 B-N2 N-B3 PxP

The safer capture was 9 ... QN x P, as White's next move will show. IO B-Bs l Prevents Castling, and sets Black some problems. IO . . . I I N--Q5 I2 N X N 1 3 P-K5 14 Q--Qs l

N-KR4 N-Bs PxN P-KN4

A powerful move, one point of which is that it stops 14 . . . P-Ns, as then the following occurs : 1 5 P-K6, B x KP (not 15 . . . P x P r6 Q-R5 mate) r 6 B x Nch, P x B 1 7 Q x Pch, B-Q2 r8 Q-K4ch, B-K3 19 R--Q1 , Q-B1 20 Q-B6ch, B--Q2 2 1 R x B, and White wins (Euwe) . 14 . . . B-KBr RxB 15 B x B Q-K2 r 6 o-o-o Alekhine is prepared to give up a Pawn (by 17 N x P) in order to Castle. He would then be threaten ing r 8 . . . Q x N, or 1 8 . . . N x P, or r 8 . . . B-Ns . 17 B x N r 8 Q-Q3

BxB B-Q2

Agair: <\lekhine is willing to part with a Pa .vn in order to Castle into safety. o-o-o rg N x P P-KB3 20 N-B3 21 P x P RxP 22 KR-KI Q-N5 An error, but he was lost in any case, as he was a Pawn down with

1 69


no compensation in position. If 2 2 . . . R-K3 instead, then 23 Q-Q4, with threats of 24 Q-R7 or 24 Q x P, should win for White without too much trouble (for Keres, that is) . Resigns

23 Q x Bch

He must either be mated after 23 . . . R x Q by 24 R-K8ch, or lose both Rooks. Keres's opponent in the following game is Capablanca, who won the title in I 9 2 1 from Dr. Lasker, and lost it in I927 to Dr. Alekhine. AVRO, I 938 French Defence

I 2 3 4 5 6 7

Keres White P-R4 P-Q4 N-Q2 KP x P KN-B3 B-N5 B-K2

Capablanca Black P-K3 P-Q4 P-QB4 KP x P N-QB3 Q-K2ch

13 . . . 1 4 P-B4

PxN

Now the threat is I5 P x P, P x P 16 Q-Q4, with powerful centraliza tion. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

... Q-B2 B x BP QXB P-KR3 QR-B I KR-Q 1 N-Q4

B-K3 PxP BxB KR-NI R-N4 R-QBI N-N3 R-N3

If 2 I . . . R-Q4 (which Capa blanca may have intended to play) 22 N x P, R x Rch 23 R x R, Q x N 24 R x B ! , leaves White a Pawn ahead. 22 N-K6 ! It must have been a thrill to play this pretty move against a Capa blancaI Here is the position :

Keres is not interested in 7 Q-K2, Q x Qch and an early draw. PxP Q-B2 B-Q3

7 8 o-o 9 N-N3 · · ·

Probably not as good as 9 . . . N-B3 Io N (N3) x P, B-K2 and then I I . . o-o .

.

I o N (N3) x P For how Black has to waste time with this move (to prevent II N-Ns and 1 2 N x Bch, giving White the advantage of the two Bishops) . I I P-QN3 KN-K2 I2 B-N2 o-o I3 N x N ! This relieves Black of his isolated QP, but it creates new weaknesses at Black's QR3 and QB3 .

Q-NI

22 . . . If

. P x N 23 Q x Pch fol lowed by 24 Q x B regains the piece, and leaves White a Pawn ahead. Or if 22 . . . B-R7ch 23 K-R I , P x N 24 Q x Pch, K-R1 25 R-Q7, and White wins. 22

.

.

23 N-Ns Q-KN4 25 R-B4

24

R-N2 B-B5

With the nice threat 26 N x RP,

1 70


K x N 27 R x B, and neither Queen nor Knight may recapture with impunity. 2S . . . R-N4 26 N x BP R-K 1 Of course not 26 . . . K x N 2 7 R-Q7ch, and White wins. Q-B I 2 7 P-N3 This loses another Pawn, but there was no saving move. If 27 . . K x N 28 R x Bch, K-N 1 (or 28 . . N x R 29 Q x Pch and mate next) 29 R-Q7 and White wins . Or if 27 . . . B X P 2 8 Q X B, Q X Qch 29 P X Q, K x N 30 R x P, and White wins the ending. QxQ 28 R x B KxN 29 R x Q R-K2 30 R-Q7ch KxR 3I R x Rch 32 B x P R-QR4 .

.

" To save such a position, " says Keres, ' ' not even the endgame skill of a Capablanca is sufficient. " 3 3 P-QR4 R-QB4 34 R-N4 K-K3 3S K-N2 P-KR4 RxR 36 R-QB4 37 P x R K-Q3 38 P-B4 Resigns If 38 . K-B4 39 P-Bs. N-K2 40 B-B8, K-Q3 41 P-B6 wins the Knight. Smyslov, Keres's opponent in the game that follows, became World Champion by beating Botvinnik in 19S7. but lost the title one year later, in a return match with Botvinnik.

-t B-Ns

s 6 7 8 9

P-K3 N-B3 PxP B-Q3 Q-B2

B-K2 o-o P-QN3 PxP B-Nz

White could also follow the Pillsbury recipe and play 9 N-Ks and then support the Knight strongly with IO P-B4. 9 ... IO o-o . I I B-KB4 I 2 KR-Q I I 3 QR-B I I4 N-K2 IS B x B

QN-Q2 P-KR3 P-R3 N-K I B-Q3 Q-K2 QxB

The recapture with the Knight might have been better. White could not, in that case, have played I 6 Q x P, as the reply 16 . . . QR-B 1 wins the Queen. 1 6 N-N3

P-N3

A weakening move, but Black could not permit 1 7 N-Bs . I 7 P-KR4 ! I8 N-Ns

P-KR4 P-QB4


. .

LENINGRAD-MOSCOW, 1 939 Queen's Gambit Declined Keres White I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3

Smyslov Black N-KB3 P-K3 P-Q4

19 B-Bs !

A startling move ! It begins a series of combinations in Keres's most dazzling style. White's immediate threat is 20

171

WONDERS AND CURIOSITIES OF CH ESS

B x N, Q x B 2 I N x RP, winning arr important Pawn . 19 . . .

PxP

Black must not take the Bishop, as this follows : 19 . . . P x B 20 N x P(B5 ) , Q-B2 (if 20 . . . Q-N3 2 1 N-K7ch wins the Queen, or if 20 . . . Q-KB3 2 1 N-K7ch and 22 Q-R7 mate) 2 1 N-K7ch, K-N2 22 Q-R7ch, K-B3 23 N-N8ch, R x N 24 Q x P mate. 2o B-K6 ! Another elegant move ! White now threatens 2 1 Q x Pch and mate next. 20 . . .

P-Q6 !

A zwischenzug which gains a tempo for the Knight's attack on the Queen . 21 Q x P

N-K4

Note that the Knight also guards the delicate Knight Pawn . 22 Q-N 1

PxB

Some pretty play follows 22 . . . N-B2 : 23 N-B5 , Q-Q 1 (or 23 . . . P x N 24 Q x P, K-N2 25 B x QP, B x B 26 Q-R7ch K-B3 2 7 N-K4ch winning the Queen) 24 N-R6ch, K-N2 25 N(R6) X P, N X N 26 B x N, R x B 2 7 R x N ! , R(or Q) x R 28 N-K6ch, and White wins the Queen. K-N2 Tlie Knight dares not move, as 24 Q x Pch would be fatal. :i4 P x N 25 R-B 1 I

QxP

Keres adds fuel to the fire. His immediate threat is 26 N x RPch. If Black plays 25 . . . Q x N (N6) , the reply 26 N x Pch wins at once, or if 25 . . . N-B3 26 R-B7ch, K-R3 27 R x N, and Black is faced with two threats of instant mate.

25 . . . 26 R x R

R x Rch

Now if 26 . . . Q x N (N6) 2 7 R-B7ch is decisive. 26 . . .

N-Q3

Prevents the Rook check, but White has some trumps left. The right move was 26 . . . N-B3, then if 27 R x N, K x R ! (not 2 7 . . . QxR 28 N x RPch, P x N 29 Q-R7ch, K-B1 30 Q x B, and the attack on the Rook as well as the threat of a Knight fork wins for White) 28 Q-B 1 ch, K-K2 29 Q-B 7ch, K-Q3 30 Q x B, Q x N (N6) . 27 N x RPch ! Obviously, taking the allows mate on the move. 28 N-B6 29 K-R1

Knight

Q x Pch Q-Q5

White was threatening the Queen by 30 N-N4ch. If inste ad 29 . . . K-N2 30 N-N4, Q-K7 3 1 R-B6 ! , N-K5 3 2 R-B7ch, and Black i s i n a m ating net. 30 N x KP 31 K-N 1

Q x Pch P-Qs

On 3 1 . . . R-QB1 (to stop the Queen check) 32 R-B4, Q-N6 33 R-B3 and then 34 R-R3ch ends the struggle. 32 Q-B r ch 33 Q-B7

P-N4 Resigns

One of the most beautiful of Keres's four-star brilliancies. Dr. Euwe, Keres 's opponent in this next game, became World's Ch ampion in 1 935 when he defeated Alekhine, but lost the title in 1 937 whe n he played Alekhine a return match.


HOLLAND, 1940 Queen's Indian Defence

Euwe White I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-KB3 4 P-KN3 5 B-N2 6� 7 N-B3 8 Q-B2 9QxN 1o Q-B2

This is the position : Keres Blaek N-KB3 P-K3 P-QN3 B-N2 B-K2

�

N-K5 NxN P-Q3

Threatens positionally 1 1 P-K4, and White has a powerful center and tactically I I N-N5, which wins the exchange by the threat of mate. 10 II 12 13 14 15 16 17

... N-KI P-R4 P-Qs QxP Q-K2 B-R3 B-K3

P-KB4 Q-B I N-Q2 P x KP N-B4 B-KB3 R-K1

. .

18 B x N 1 9 B K6ch 20 R-QI -

seen.

PxP K-RI

If 20 B-QR3, Q-K2 21 P x P, B x QP, and Black recovers his p iece with a winning position. 20 . . . 2 1 N-N2

QP x B

Or 2 1 P x P, B x QP 22 R x B, Q-K2. P-Qs 21 . . . 22 P-B4

Q x RI

And now a Queen sacrifice ! Hasn't Keres any respect for a former World Champion ? B-Q5ch

No better is 25 K-R1 , R x B followed by doubling the Rooks, and then . R-K7. Or if 25 N-K3, R x B 26 R-KI , QR-KI 2 7 K-B2, R x N, and Black wins. .

Q-QI !

Fiendishly clever, as will be

23 R x P

24 Q x Q 25 R-B2

Prevents 1 7 . . . P x P, and in turn thre ate ns 18 B x N followed by 19 B x Pch. 17 .

P-Q6 !

22 . . .

Sacrifices his beautiful passed Pawn !

.

25 . . . 26 K-B1

RxB QR-KI

This is more elegant brutal 26 B x R. It is forceful, as now there 27 . . . B x R 28 K x B, and White's Knight falls. . . .

27 P-Bs 28 P-B6 White has sleeve : if 28 R-K7ch 30 K x R, B x N wins.

28 . . . 29 R-Q2

than the also more threatens R K7c h -

,

R-K4 a littl e trick up his . . . B x R 29 K x B, Q x R, R x Qch 3 1 32 P-B7, and White PxP

Of course not 2 9 R x P, B x Nch

1 73


30 K x B, R-K 7ch , and the Rook comes off. 29 . . .

B-B 1 !

Intending 30 . . . B-R6 3 1 R-Q1 (to stop mate) R-B4ch, and White must give up his Queen. 30 N-B 4

R-K6 !

The beginning of a sparkling combination. 31 32 33 34

Q-N 1 K-N2 PxR K-B 3

R-B6ch R x N! R-N 1 ch

If 34 K-R1 , B-N2ch is fatal, while 34 K-B1 costs the Queen after the Rook check at N8. 34 . . . Resigns

B-N s ch

For 35 K-N3 loses the Queen after 35 . . . B-B4ch, while 35 K-K4 succumbs to 35 . . . R-K r ch 36 K-Q5 (if 36 K-Q3, B-B4 mate) B-B6ch, an d mate next move. An exquisite game, and one of the best ever played by Keres (or anyone else for that matter) . Petrosian, Keres's next opponent in this series, won the title of World's Champion by beating Botvinnik in a match in 1963, and kept it until 1 969 when he lost the match against Spassky.

8

P-KN3

9 B-N2 IO

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 r8 19 20 21

P-KR3 0--Q P-KN4 Q-N3 NxP QR-Q 1 B-B4 P-N5 N-K4 Q-N3 P-N3 N x QP !

N-Q2 N (R4)-B3 o-o

K-R2 P-K4 PxP N-!<:4 Q-K2 P-KR4 N (B3) -Q2 N-N3 N ( K 4) x P N-K4

Keres conj ures up a combination, apparently out of thin air ! 21 ... 22 N-B S

QxN Q - R6

If 22 . . . Q X R 23 R X Q. B X N 24 B x N, and Black does not have enough com pe n sat io n for th e Queen. Or if 22 . . . Q-B2 23 N x B, N (N3)-Q2 24 R X N , Q X R 24 B x N, a n d White has two pieces for a Rook. 23 N x B 24 B-Q6 25 B x R This is the position :

MOSCOW, 1 949 King's Indian Defence Keres White I P-Q4 2 N-KB3 3 P-B 4 4 N-B3 5 B-B4 6 B-N5 7 B-K 3

Petrosian Black N- K B3 P- K N3 B-N2 P-Q3 N-� P-KR3 P-QB3

26 N-K8 ! The

bring

Knight escapes,

and

about a decision.

26 . . . 27 N-B6ch

B-K3 K-R I

helps

I 74


28 29 30 3I

N-R2 NxN K-R2

Q-B4 Q-Q4 Q x Nch P-K4

Keres plays to win by direct attack on the King .

3I 32 33 34 35 36 37

... P-B4 R-Q6 P-B5 R-QS Q-Q6 Q-BS

Q x RP B x NP R-KNI R-N2 Q-R4 P-B3 P x BP

I 3 B-N5 14 B-Q3 I5 N-K2 I6 B x N I7 B x B I S Q-Q2 I9 P x P e.p. 2o P-KN4 2 I o-o 22 P-N3

N-B3 Q-K I NxN B-B3 RxB P-B4 PxP N-K2 B-R3 P-Q4 !

Seizes the center and the initia tive. The position at this point :

If 37 . . . B-N I 38 P x BP wins a piece. 38 Q-RSch 39 Q-R6ch

K-N3 Resigns

It is mate next move. Michael Tal, Keres 's opponent in the next gam e , became World's Champion in I 96o when he defeated Botvinnik in a match, but lost the title in I96I when he was beaten by Botvinnik in a return match.

23 P x P, B x N 24 If i nstead Q x B, P x P 25 B-Q3, N-B3, and Black has a marked advantage.

TALLINN, I954 King's Indian Defence Tal White I :P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3 4 P-K4 5 N-B3 6 B-K2 7 B-K3 8 P-Q5 g P-KR3 I O N-Q2 I I P-B3 I 2 N(Q2) X P

23 Q-N5

Keres Black N-KB3 P-KN3 B-N2 P-Q3 o-o

P-K4 N-B3 N-K2 N-Q2 P-KB4 PxP

If I 2 P x P, N x P can be played with impunity, as Black's Queen threatens mate. I2 . . .

23 24 25 26

... B-Q3 BxP PxB

Q-B2 PxP BxB R-KBI

With strong pressure on the KBP. 27 28 29 30

Q x KP Q-R2 N-N3 N-K4

R-K3 R-K6 Q x .P(B5) Q-Q5 !

A strong move against which there seems to be no defence. If for example 3I K-N2, R-K7ch 32 N-B2, R x Nch wins a piece, or if 3I K-R I , R(K6) x P is decisive. Tal's rep ly lets him get away with only the loss of a Pawn. 3 I QR-Q I

R-Q6ch

1 75


32 "33 34 35 36 37 38 39

N-B2 RxR Q-N8ch Q-B7 Q-N7 Q-N I Q-N3 P-Nsch

R(B I ) RxR K-N2 Q-K6 K-R3 R-Q7 N-Q4 K-R4

X

p

To prevent pressure on his position by I I B-K2 and 1 2 B-R5.

Of course not 39 . . . K x P 40 Q x Qch, N x Q 41 N-K4ch, and White wins the Rook and the game.

4o 41 42 43

Q-N7 K-R1 Q x Pch P-R4ch

Q-N6ch RxN KxP

says Keres, 45 R-KN1 doesn't account of 45 R-R7

" Unfortunately, "

" the pin work on

by

. . .

mate."

43 44 Resigns · · ·

I I K-NI 1 2 B-K2 I 3 N-N3 1 4 KR-B 1 15 R-B3 1 6 RP x N 17 N-R4 I

B-Q2 Q-N3 �

N-R4 NxN K-N I Q-R2

Not a happy square for the Queen but 1 7 . . . Q-B2 18 Q-Q4, B-K2 19 R-B3, B-B3 20 N-N6 with the unpleasant threat of 2 1 N-Q5 is not an alternative to be relished (Keres) . ,

B-K 2 PxP

1 8 P-Bs ! 19 P x P

The

pos itio n at

this

point :

K-B3

If 44 Q-R8ch, K-B 2 45 Q R7ch , K-K3 46 R-K 1 ch, K-Q3. and the checks die out. Michael Botvinnik, Keres's opp o nent in the following game, became World's Champion in 1 948, lost his title to Smyslov in 1957, regained it in 1 958, lost it to Tal in 1 96o, regained it in 1 961 , an d lost it for the last time to Petrosian in 1 963. -

MOSCOW, 1 956 Sicilian Defence

Keres White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 P-Q4 4NxP 5 N-QB3 6 B-KN5 7 Q-Q2 8BxN 9� 1 o P-B4

20 R x P I

R-R2

Of course not 20 . . . B x R 2 1 Q x Pch, K-B1 (or R 1 ) 2 2 N N6ch and White wins the Queen, while 20 . . . B x N su ccu mbs to 2 1 R x P which regains the p iece and leaves White a Pawn ahead. The depth of Keres's sacrifice may best be gauged by the following line of play : 20 . . . P-N4 2 1 R-B7, B-K 1 22 R-N7 !, P x N 23 Q-N4ch, K-R1 24 P-K5 !, when Black has no defence (Keres) . -

Botvinnik Black P-QB4 N-QB3 PxP N-B3 P-Q3 P-K3 P-KR3 PxB P-R3 P-KR4

2 1 R-N6 22 N-B3 23 N-R2

P-N4 Q-B4

WONDERS AND CURIOSI TIES OF CHESS

The Knight is heading for Q3, from which square it can play an important role in the proceedings. K-R2 23 . . . R-KBI 24 N-N4 P-R5 25 B-B3 26 P-R3 B-BI �B2 27 N�3 R-B3 28 N-B4 RxR 29 B-N4 I The natural move 29 . . . R(R2) B2 loses another Pawn after 30 N x P, B x N 3 I B x B. 3o N x R 3I B x P 32 B-Q5 33 Q x B 34 P-K5

B-N2 B-Q I BxB R-B2 Resigns

Boris Spassky, Keres's opponent in the next game, won the title of World's Champion by beating Petrosian in a match in 1969. GOTHENBURG, I955 Queen 's Indian Defence Keres White I P-Q4 2 P-QB4 3 N-KB3 4 P-K3 5 B-Q3 6 o-o 7 P-QN3 8 B-N2 9 N-B3 I O Q-K2 I I NP x P I 2 QR-QI I3 P-Q5 !

Spassky Black N-KB3 P-K3 P�N3 B-N2 B-K2 o-o P-Q4 QN-Q2 P-B4 P x BP �B2 QR-Q1

Threatens I4 P�6. B x P 1 5 N�N5 , Q-NI 1 6 N x B, Q x N 1 7 B x Pch, and White wins the Queen. 13 . . . 14 P x P

P-QR3 PxP

15 16 17 18 19

N-KN5 P-B4 N-B3 N-KR4 B-N1

Q-B3 P-R3 �B2 �3 KR-K1

Black's efforts are directed to advancing his King Pawn. 2o 21 22 23 24

�KB2 Q-N3 Q-R3 N-N6 N-Q5 !

N-B1 N-R4 N-B3 P-14

A good move, as it allows the Bishops more scope. 24 . . . 25 P x P I 26 N x B 2 7 Q-N3 28 R x R 29 R-KB1

BxN B x KP B-K3 RxR P�N4 N(B3)�2

A mistake made under the strain of defending a difficult position while in time pressure. 30 Q x Pch l

Resigns

After 30 . . . K x Q 3 1 N x Nch, K-N1 32 N-B6ch, K-B2 33 N�5ch, K-N1 34 N x Q leaves White a piece ahead. Bobby Fischer, Keres's opponent in this final game, became the World's Champion when he beat Spassky in 1972. BLED, 1 959 Caro-Kann Defence

I 2 3 4

Fischer White P-l4 N-QB3 N-B3 P-KR3

Keres Black P-QB3 P-Q4 B-N5 BxN

Keres doesn't mind letting White have the two Bishops.


5 QxB 6 P-Q3 7 P-KN3 8 B-Q2 9 N-N1 10 P-N3 I I P-R3 1 2 B-Nz 13 P-QN4 1 4 o-o 1 5 R-R2

N-B3 P-K3 B-Ns P-Qs Q-N3 P-QR4 B-K2 P-Rs QN-Qz P-B4

Of course not 1 5 P x P, Q-N7, and Black wins a piece. Fischer's move prepares against 15 . . . P x P 1 6 P x P, B x P, when 1 7 R-N2 wins the Bishop. Fischer's opening strategy has not been commendable, as his Queen side pieces are awkwardly placed and have difficulty developing. o-o

15 . . . 16 P x P I 7 Q-K2

BxP P-K4

This prevents the possibility of a King side attack beginning with 18 P-Ks.

19 . . . zo B-R3 21 P x P 22 B-B4 23 P-R5 24 P-R6 25 Q-B3 26 B-N4

Or

N(N3) x B

27 P x N, R-R5, and Black

wins .

27 28 29 30 31

...

P-N4 K-N2 N-Qz (at last) Resigns

N (B5) x B B-R7ch N x NP N-K6ch

White must suffer heavy loss of material or be mated, a picturesque continuation being 3 1 K-RI, N-N6ch, 32 K x B, N(N6) x R dble.ch 33 K-R3 (or R 1 , or N 1 ) Q-R7 mate !

KR-B1

1 8 P-KB4 19 P-KR4 Makes room for to get into play.

26 . . . 27 B x R

33 1 his

King Bishop R-B3 Q-Bz N (Q2) B-Q3 R-R4 N-N3 R-R4

X

P

If 26 B-Nz, B x B 27 P x B, R-R5 2 8 P-Bs (28 P-K5, R x KBP wins) Q-R7ch 29 K-B2, R-Bs, and Black wins the Queen. This is the position, with Black to make his 26th move :

FIRST HISTORJ;.CAL CHESS DOCUMENT The first known historical docu ment connected with chess is an inscription on a tablet in a pyramid at Gizeh, dating back to 3,000 years before Christ !

333

FIRST CHESS PROBLEM The first chess problem, as far as can be ascertained, was composed by the Caliph Mutasim Billah during his reign in Baghdad from A . D . 834 to 842.


333 FIRST LEGAL CHESS DOCUMENT The first legal document in Europe dealing with chess was a testament of Armengo of Urgel in Janu ary, I O I O. 334

FIRST CHESS BOOK The first book dealing with chess was published in 1.472, under the title Dass Goldin Spil, in the city of Augsburg. 335 FIRST NEWSPAPER CHESS COLUMN The first newspaper column on chess appeared in the Liverpool Mercury, July 9, I B I J . 336 FIRST MATCH BY CORRESPONDENCE The first match to be played by correspondence was begun in April , 1824 between the London and Edin burgh Ches s Clubs. The match lasted two years, and was won by the Scotsmen . They scored two wins, lost one, and drew two games. 337 FIRST CHESS MAGAZINE The first chess magazine ap peared in Paris in 1 836. It was called La Palamede, and its editors were La Bourdonnais and Mery. 3 38 FIRST MATCH BY TELEGRAPH The first match by te legraph was played in 1 844, the year in which the telegraph was invented The players represented the cities of Baltimore and Washington, D . C . .

339 FIRST PROBLEM COMPOSING TOURNAMENT The first problem-composing tour nament was held at London in 1 854. It was confined to English men, and was won by Walter Grimshaw. 340 FIRST WOMEN'S CHESS TOURN.i\MENT The first women's international chess tournament was held at London in 1 897, and was won by Miss Mary Rudge of England. 34 1 OLDEST EXISTING CHESS COLUMN The oldest chess column still being published is the one in the Illustrated London News, which dates from June 25, 1 842. 3.P TAL'S IMPRISONED BISHOP In a game between Fischer and Tal, the latter's Queen Bishop was imprisoned by two Pawns for 29 moves ! In fact, when Tal had only two Pawns left on the board, those were the Pawns that kept his Bishop from coming into pl ay ! Here is the game : BLED, 1 961 Sicilian Defence

I

2 3 4 5

Fischer White P-K4 N-KB3 P-Q4 NxP N-QB3

Tal Black P-QB4 N-QB3 PxP P-K3 Q-B2

WONDERS AND CURIOSITIES

6 7 8 9 Io

Offers a Pawn to give his Rook (and eventually his Bishop) some freedom. Anything else is hopeless.

Very good , as it enables the Pawns to advance and rip up Black's King side. • • •

QxB Q-N I P-QR3

Practically forced, as I 2 . . . N-NI I3 N-K4, B-K2 1 4 Q-Q2, followed either by I5 o-o-o or I 5 N (N5) Q6ch is not appetizing. I3 I4 I5 I6 I7

PxN PxP N-K4 Q-Q4 N-B6ch

1 79

CHESS

21 B x P 2 2 B-Q3

P-KN3 N(Q4)-N5 B-KB4 B-K2 l B x NI

IO I I P-B4 I 2 P-K5

OF

PxN R-NI B-K2 R-R5 BxN

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

P x P! PxR BxP BxR KR-B r B x Pch B-K6

RxQ Q-B4 Q-KN4 Q x BP QxP K-Q I Q-R3

The position at this p oint is fantastic, and one that Steinitz would have relished. Tal has only two Pawns on the board, but they imprison his unfortunate Bishop ! This is the scene :

Of course not I 7 . . . K-Q I I 8 Q-N6ch, Q-B2 I 9 Q x Qch, and Black loses a Rook-as a start. I8 Q x B White now threatens to bring about disaster by I9 B-R5 or I 9 B-Q3 . Q-B2 l

I8 . . .

Black is prepared to meet 1 9 B-R5 with 1 9 . . . P-Q4. while the alternative attack 19 B-Q3 lets him escape by 19 . . . Q-B4 20 B x RP. Q-K6ch 2 1 K-B r , Q-B6ch 22 K-N 1 , Q-K6ch 23 K-N2, Q-K7ch 24 K-R3, R x NP I 25 Q x R, Q-R4ch, and Black draws by ·perpetual check. 19 o-o-o 20 K-N 1

R x RP R-R3

To guard the square K3, rather than the Knight Pawn . If in stead 20 . R-R4 2 1 B-R5 , P-Q4 22 R x P !, P x R 23 R-K r ch is disastrous . . .

3o B x P

BxB

The Bishop emerges but only for a moment, as his career is short lived. 31 32 33 34 35 36

R-B7 R(Q 1 ) X Bch R(Q7) -K7ch R-Q7ch R-B7ch R (KB7)-Q7ch

QxP K-K 1 K-Q 1 K-B r K-Q 1

White is gaining time on his clock.

36 . . . 3 7 R-Q r 38 R-QN7

I SO


If 38 . . . Q x P 39 R-RI (threat ens mate at RS) Q-K4 40 R-R8ch ! (why let the Queen stop you ? ) Q x R 4 1 R-N8ch, and White wins.

Q-R6

39 P-KN4

Here too if 39 . . . Q x P 40 R-RI wins. 4o P-N5 41 R-K i ch 42 R x P 43 R-N6 44 R-Q I 45 R(QI)-Q6 46 P-N3 47 R-QR6

Q-KB6 K-B I K-N2 Q-KN6 Q-B2 Q-B 1 K-R2 Resigns

343

CHESS PRESCRIBED FOR HEALTH The Greek physicians Galen and Hippocrates (the father of medicine) considered chess a potent antidote to diarrhoea and erysipelas, and pre scribed it with success. 344

CAPA'S KNIGHT WHEELS AROUND In a game with Yates, Capa blanca made use of a beautiful theme known in the world of prob lems as the Knight Wheel. His Knight circles about Yates's Rook Pawn like a hawk, and then swoops down and pounces on it I This is the score of the game : NEW YORK, 1 9 2 4 King's Indian Defence

I z 3 4 5

Capablanca White P-Q4 N-KB3 N-B3 B-B4 P-K3

Yates Black N-KB3 P-KN3 P-Q4 B-Nz o-o

6 P-KR3 7 PxP S N-Qz 9 N-N3 zo B-K5 u N-N5

P-B4 Q-R.t Q x BP Q-N3 P-K3 N-KI

To prevent 12 N-B7 as well as 12 B-Q4 followed by 13 B x P. 12 B x B 1 3 P-KR4 I

NxB

Alekhine makes an interesting comment here : And yet some will say that Capablanca's play is altogether too dry ! His planning of the game under consideration (apart from the not wholly exact sixth move) is so full of that freshness of his genius for position play that every hypermodem player can only envy him. Of course, he did not for a moment hope by means of this unexpected move to checkmate his opponent without more ado, but through the threat of opening the KR file to mislead Black into creating a new weakness ( 1 5th move) , where upon White will bring about an ending which is partly won from the very start. 13 . . . 1 4 N-B3 15 B-Q3 16 Q-Q2 1 7 B-K2 18 B x N 1 9 Q-Q4 20 Q-Bs 21 N x Q 22 N (Bs)-R.t 23 o-o-o 24 N-B5 25 P-R4 26 P-QN3 2 7 BP x P

P-QR3 N-B3 P-B4 N - !4 N-'-B5 PxB Q-B2 QxQ P-N3 R-N I P-QN4 R-N3 N-R4 BP x P PxP


28 N (B3) X p 29 K-N2 30 R-Q2 3 1 KR-Q 1 32 P-N3 33 N-Q3 34 N-K5 35 R-Q4 36 P-K4 37 R x P 38 R-QB4 39 N x R Capablanca

now

R-QB3 N-B3 P-QR-4 N-Q4 R-KB2 R-QN2 R(B3)-B2 K-N2 PxP R-N4 RxR B-Q2 evolves

a

re

markable idea : while one Knight

attack s the

Rook Pawn the other

one circles about to

strike at

it

again, gaining time meanwhile by a tt ac k in g the Rook four times in

The Knights

succession ! This is

th e

44 . . . 45 N-Q6 46 N (R5) -B4 47 N-K4 48 P-B4 49 N-K5 5o R-QB 1 5 1 R-B6 52 N-B5 53 R-R6 54 K-R3 55 P-QN4 56 R-B6 57 K-N2 58 R-R6 59 P-N4 6o N-K4ch 61 N-Q6

B-N4 B-Qz R-Rz P-R3 i3--KI R-RI B-Bz B-N I R-K I R-K2 B-Bz N-Bz N-N4ch N-Qs B-K 1 K-B3 K-Nz

gain more and more

territory.

pos ition :

61 . . . 62 R-R5 63 R-R8

B-N4 B-B8

Threatens 64 N-K8ch, K-R2 65 N-B6ch, K-Nz 66 P-N5 , and mate at N8.

Of cou rse not 40 4 I R x B ch followed by is fatal fo r Black. 41 42 43 44

N x N as 42 K x N

N-K4 N(K4) -Q6 N-N7 N (N7) x P

(for Capablanca) is a of technique, but Capa blanca's technique in converting an advantage in m ate ria l into a win is always a priceless lesson. The rest

matter

63 . . . 64 BP x P 65 P x P 66 R-K8 67 R-Q8 68 N-K8ch 6g N x R 70 K-B3 71 K-Q4 72 P-N6 73 N-K8 74 P-QN5 75 P-N5 76 P-N7ch 77 P-KN6

P-N4 PxP B-N7 R-QB2 N-B3 K-B I NxR B-N2 B-B 1 N-N2 N-Q I K-N I K-BI K-N I Resigns

Mate follows in a few moves, 78 K-K3, B-Nz 79 N-N4 and N-B6.

by So

A masterpiece that only Capa

blanca could have c reated

.


345

SHAKESPEARE ANNOTATES A CHESS GAME In a book called Chesslets, by Dr. J . Schumer, all the games are annotated by quotations from vari ous writers. Here is one of the games, with comments by Shakespeare :

Something wicked this way comes. P-KB4 IO . . . Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.

II B x B The ripest fruit falls first. KxB

II ...

. . . would be rid of such an enemy.

STRATFORD-ON-AVON, I 925 Queen's Pawn Game

12 P x P . .

Atkins White I P-Q4

Saunders Black

To show our simple skill, That is the true beginning. I ...

2 P-QB4 3 N-QB3

N-KB3 P-KN3 P-Q3

. . . to climb steep hills Requires slow pace at first. 4 P-K4

B-N2

To be direct and honest is not safe. 5 N-B3 6 P-KR3

6 ...

o-o

7 B-K3

N-Q 2

. . . retire into your trenches. 8 Q-Q2 9 P-Qs

P-K4

N (B3)-N I

There i s n o virtue like necessity. The better part of valour is discretion. IO B-R6 By the pric k ing of my thumbs

P-Q R4

I4 P-KN4

Playing the the cat.

mouse in

I4 . . .

absence

of

N-B4

xs P x P

BxP

I 6 o-o-o

N(Nx)-R3

1 7 QR-N x ch

Sits the wind in that comer ? K-R I

I7 . . .

Thou

marshall 'st

I was

me

the

way

going ;

I 8 Q-K3 19 P-QR3

Instinct is a great matter ; I was a coward on instinct. 19 . . .

B-N3

2o R7N5 Defer

My purpose, is, indeed, a horse of that colour. 9 ...

1 3 B-K2

that

. . . to be forestalled ere we come to fall .

PxP

. food for p owder, food for powder.

no

dangerous 20 . . .

time, delays ends.

have

N-N5

Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps . . . . . . to the noble mind Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind. 21 N-K R4

When I shun Scylla , your father,


I

fall

into

Charybdis,

your

Omitted, all

mother.

21 . . .

Is

N-N6ch

Stand not upon the order of your going,

in

bound

shallows

and

in

miseries.

27 Q x Q What's gone and what's past help

But go at once.

Should be past grief.

22 K-QI My grief lies onward and my joy behind.

27 . . . 28 K-K I

R

x Qch

. . . to fear the worst oft cures the

22 . . . Courage mounteth with occasion.

2 3 K-KI Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

28 . . . 2 9 K-B2 True hope is swift, and :flies

29 . .

Cassie, I love thee ;

But never more be officer of mine. 24 Q x B goes

worse.

with

swallow's wings.

B-K5

23 . . .

. . . it

the voyage of their

life

RxN

.

If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well It were done quickly .

much

against

my

stomach.

,

Q x Pch

24 . . .

thee.

Lady, you are the cruell'st she alive.

R-B5

30 . . .

31 R x R

25 K-QI

Off

One woe doth tread upon

an

3I

with his head I

Px

• • •

Rch

32 K x P

other's heel, So fast they follow.

. . . there's a special providence in R-B5

25 . . . The Gordian

30 K-N3 . . . naked as I am I will assault

knot

of it he will

unloose.

2 6 R-B1 Q Q5 ch

26 . . .

-

Striving to better,

oft we mar

what's well.

N (B7)-Q5 R-Q I the

wind that profits

nobody.

34 B-N4 35 B-QI 36 R-Q2

P-R3 N-QB4 R-B t ch

37 I<:-N4

in

the affairs of

men,

Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune ;

32 . . . 33 R-N2 Ill blows

Hoist with his own petar.

There is a tide

the fall of a sparrow.

The eagle suffers little birds to sing.

37 . . . Draw agreed

R-N t ch


all

We cannot all

masters

be masters, cannot

be

nor

truly

followed.

21 R x Q 22 P x N

N x Qch QR x Q


. . . your hearts are mighty, your skins are whole.

All's well that ends well.

346 UNDEVELOPED PIECES WIN GAME Bronstein won a beautiful game from Botvinnik,

despite the fact

that after 22 moves the pieces he had left were still on their original squares ! Here is the score of the game : MOSCOW,

advantage Rooks

White P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 B-Ns 4 B-R4

Botvinnik Black P-K4 N-QB3 P-QR3 N-B3

s�

B-K2

Bronstein

I

II

12 13 14 15 16 In

R-K1 B-N3 P-B3 P-KR3 P-Q4 QxB NxP PxN PxP P-Ks P-QR4 ! order

to

P-QN4 P-Q3 �

B-K3 BxB PxP NxN P-B4 PxP N-Q2 weaken

Black's

Queen side Pawns .

16 . . . 1 7 Q-N3 1 8 R-Q I 1 9 Q-N4 2o K x B

game.

He

is

ahead

in

material, with Rook and two Pawns for two minor pieces. He has the

1 944

Ruy Lopez

6 7 8 9 10

At first glance, Botvinnik has a winning

P-Bs R-K1 B-R5 B x Pch NxP

in

position,

controlling the

with

his

open files,

while Bronstein's pieces are still at home. The game continued :

23 P x P 24 B-Q2 25 R-R5 26 B-B 1

PxP R-Q6 R-QN6

26 B B3 26 . . . P-Ns 27 B-Q4, P-B6

But not the natural when

-

,

might be more than White could bear.

26 . . . 27 R-R3 28 R x R 29 B-K3 30 K-B3 3 1 B-B r · 32 P-KN3 33 B-K3 34 P x P 35 K-B2 36 N-Q2 37 B-B4 38 K-K3 39 K-Q4

P-B3 R-Q6 PxR R�Ks R-Ns P-N4 R-QBs P-R4 P-Nsch R-B7ch RxP R-R7 R-R6 K-B2

185


40 41 42 43 44

K-K4 K-Q4 P-R6 K-B4 K-Bs !

34 7

The plausible 44 N-N3 is danger ous, if not fatal. The continuation could be 44 . . . R-B3ch 45 K x NP (if 45 N-Bs, P-N6, or if 45 K x QP, R-B6ch wins) R-B7 46 N-Q2, K-N3 47 N-B4, R-B7, and the Bishop is threatened with capture. 44 . . . 45 N-N3 46 K-B4 47 N-Bs ! 48 K-N3 49 B x P so B-B4 5 1 N-K4 !

R-N2 K-N3 R-N3 K-R2 P-Q7 R-Q3 R-Q8

White avoids the little pitfall 5 1 K x P, R-Qsch 52 K-B3, R x B, and Black wins. 51 . . . 52 N-B2 53 K-B2 54 K-N2 ss N x P 56 N-K3 57 N-B2

K-N3 R-N8ch R-QR8 R-R6 R-QB6 R-Q6 R-Q8

The Pawn cannot be rescued by 57 P-N6, as then 58 N-K I , R-Q8 59 N-B3 followed b y 6o N-Q2 wins the Pawn. . . .

58 N x P 59 N-B6 6o K-B3 6I K-B4 62 N-Q4ch 63 N-K6 64 N-B8

K-B4 R-Q2 K-K3 K-B4 K-Ks K-B4 Resigns

If 64 . . . R-Q 1 65 B-Q6 !, and the

Rook Pawn goes on to become a Queen.

TWENTY - ONE MOVES WITH PIECES, TEN WITH PAWNS From the eighth move on, in his game against Cohn at St. Petersburg in 1 909, Rubinstein never touched his Pawns, but made 2I moves in succession with his pieces . Then he made 10 Pawn moves in a row, and his opponent resigned ! Had the game continued, Rubin stein would have made five more Pawn moves to force mate-with a Pawn. Here is this unique game, one of Rubinstein's many masterpieces in this tournament : ST. PETERSBURG, 1 909 Queen's Pawn Game Cohn White I P-Q4 2 N-KB3 3 P-QB4 4 PxP s KxQ 6 P-K3 7 BxP 8 P-QR3 g P-N4 I o B-N2 1 1 QN-Q2 I 2 K-K2 13 B x B 1 4 KR-QB1 1 5 B-N3 16 N-B4 17 R X N 18 B x R

Rubinstein Black P-Q4 P-QB4 P x BP Q x Qch N-QB3 B-Ns P-K3 BxP B-Q3 N-B3 K-K2 B-K4 NxB QR-QB1 KR-Q I N x N(B5) RxR N-Ks

Threatens to win a Pawn by 1 8 . . . R-Q7ch .

19 2o 2I 22

K-K I PxB B-K2 K-Q2

BxN N-Q3 R-QB I N-Bsch

r86


23 24 25 26 27

RxB RxR K-B3 K-N4

BxN R-QBr KxR K -Q2 K-K2

The alternative, going after the Pawns on Black's Queen side is too slow, viz. 27 K-Q3, K-R5 28 K-Q4, K-R6 29 K-B5, K x P 30 K-Q6, K-N7 3 1 K-B7, P-QN4 ! , and Black wins. K-R5 K-R6 P-K4 P-QN4 P-B4 P-N4 P-KR4

27 . . . 2 8 K-Br 29 K-Nr 30 K-RI 3 1 K-NI 32 K-Rr 33 K-N r 34 K-Rr

This is the position before Rubinstein makes the break-through :

34 35 P-K4

P-N5

. . .

Or 35 P x P, RP x P 36 K-Nr , P-Bs 37 P x P, P x P 38 K-Rr, P-N6 39 BP x P, P x P 40 P x P, K x P, and Black gathers up White's remaining Pawns. P x KP

35 . . . 36 P x KP

If 36 P x NP, P x P 37 K-Nr, P-K6 38 P x P, P K5 39 K-Rr, P-N6, and Black wins. -

P-R5 P-N6 PxP

36 . . . 37 K-Nr 38 RP x P Resigns

If 39 P-B4 there follows 39 . . . P x P 4o P-K5, P-N7 4 1 P-K6, K-N6 42 P-K7, P-B6 43 P-K8(Q) , P-B7 mate.

348 FISCHER BLITZES BLITZ SPECIALISTS Fischer made a sensational score in the strongest blitz tournament ever playedI Despite the presence of such specialists in the art of light ning chess as Tal, Petrosian and Smyslov {three former World's Champions) as well as Korchnoy, Bronstein and Reshevsky, Fischer emerged with a score of 19 points out of 22 games played, away ahead of Tal with r4t. Korchnoy q, Petrosian 1 3t and Bronstein 1 3 . Fischer rarely used u p the five minutes per game allotted to each player, but won most of his games within two or three minutes ! The quality of chess he played at this incredible speed may be seen from his game against Matulovic, which follows.

ZAGREB, 1970 Ruy Lopez Fischer White I P-R4 2 N-KB3 3 B-Ns 4 N-B3 s QN x P 6 NxP 7 NxN 8 Q-K2 9 P-KB4 IO P-Q4

Matulovic Black P K4 N-QB3 P-B4 PxP P-Q4 PxN Q-N4 N-B3 Q x BP Q-Rsch -


I I P-N3 1 2 B-N5 1 3 B-QR4 14 B x N 1 5 Q x Pch 1 6 N-K5ch 17 R-B 1 ch 18 B x B 1 9 R-B7ch 2o R x BP 2 1 R x NP 22 o-o-o 23 P x P

Q-R6 P-QR3 B-Q2 PxB K-B2 PxN K-K2 KxB K-KI B-Q3 R-QB1 Q x RP B-K2


same time, and in the very same room, Spassky's game against Pil nik and Geller's game against Panno, matched Keres's game against Naj dorf move jOY move ! Here is the score of this remark able game (or games) : ,

GOTHENBURG, 1955 Sicilian Defence

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Keres White P-K4 N-KB3 P-Q4 NxP N-QB3 B-KN5 P-B4 Q-B3 B-R4

Najdorf Black P-QB4 P-Q3 PxP N-KB3 P-QR3 P-K3 B-K2 P-R3 P-KN4

Black offers a Pawn to enable him to occupy K4 with his pieces.

24 25 26 27 28 29

R x Bch ! Q-N7ch Q-Q7ch Q-Q5ch R-B1 ch Q-K6ch 30 R-B5ch 31 R-B4ch 32 Q-N4 mate

KxR K-K3 KxP K-B3 K-N3 K-N4 K-N5 KxP

zo P x P u N x P! 1 2 Q-R5ch

KN-Q2 PxN K-B 1


349

KERES'S RARE BRILLIANCY APPEARS ON TWO OTHER BOARDS Keres's comment in summing up one of his most brilliant games, was " This e xc eptionally exciting game, full of sacrifices, is of a type rarely seen in contests between grandmasters D espite this assertion, at the very . ' '

At this point we might expect the plausible 1 3 B-B4, when this might follow : 13 . . . N-K4 14 CHX:h, K-N2 15 B-KN3, QN-B3 !, and Black maintains a Knight at his K4 outpost. Obviously, White mu st try to prevent the key move to the defence,

188


15 . . . QN-B3 ! I give this explana tion for the better apprec iation of Keres's next move. 13 B-N5 1 1

The beauty of this moves lies not in the simple fact that 1 3 . . . P x B allows a White win by 14 o -och, but because the Bishop attacks tiUJ shadow of a Knight (Black's Queen Knight, which has not yet moved) and is poised to capture it the n1oment it moves to B3 or Qz. This is as subtle a move as I have ever seen on a chessboard. White is now prepared for this continuation : 1 3 . . . N-K4 14 B-N3, N(N1 )-B3 (to replace the Knight at K4 with another in the event of its capture) 15 B(N5) x N, P x B 16 B x N, P x B 1 7 o-och, and White wins. K-N2

13 . . .

There is no relief in 13 . . . Q-KI 1 4 o-och, K-N2 1 5 P x Pch, K-R2 1 6 R-B7ch, and White wins. N-K4

q o-o

If 14 . Q-N I 15 P-N6 1 , B X B 16 Q x B (stronger than 1 6 R-B7ch) , Q-Q1 1 7 R-B7ch, K x P 1 8 R-K7 !, and Black has no defence (Keres) . .

.

If 1 5 . . . QN-B3 (or to Q2) 1 6 B (N5) x B, P x B 1 7 B x Nch, P x B 1 8 Q-B7 m ate, or if 1 5 . . . Q-N 1 16 B x Nch, P x B 1 7 B-KS ! , Q x B 1 8 P x Pch, and Black must give up his Queen or be mated. 1 6 P x Pch 1 7 R B7ch ! 18 Q x R -

18 20 21 22

RxP KxR PxB

Keres shows this pretty win after . . . Q-R1 : 19 R-B1ch, B-B3 B-K8ch I, K x B (if 20 . . . Q x B Q-R7ch) 2 1 Q x Nch, K-K2 R x B ! , and the rec apture by

22 . . . Q x R costs the Queen after 2 1 B x Pch. 19 R-B1 ch 20 Q x Nch 2 1 R-B7

K-K 1 K-Q2 N-B3

Black seems to be sheltered against further attack, ·but Keres maintains the pressure. Another diagram seems to be in order :

22 N-Q5 ! Threatens 23 N x B, N x N B-R4, and White wins. 22 . . .

24

RxP

If 22 . . . P x N 23 Q x Pch, K-K1 24 Q-N6, P x P (or 24 . . . K-Q2 25 P x P, and Black must lose a piece) 25 R-N7ch, K-Q2 26 Q Q6ch, K-K 1 27 R-N8ch, and mate follows next move. Q-R1 NxN Resigns

23 P-R4 24 N x B 25 Q-N5

If 25 . . . Q-Q 1 , there follows 26 Q x Pch, K-B2 27 Q-B5ch, K-NI 28 B x Pch, K-R1 29 B x N, and White wins. 35 0

CHERNEY EXPERIENCES PSYCHIC PHENOMENON One of the strangest coincidences in chess, appropriately enough, happened to me recently. I was

I 89


looking at the score of an interesting game, when th,e phone rang. I an swered, and the breathless voice of a friend said, I j ust came across a brilliant game where the winner sacrifices everything in sight except a Kni ght He mates with the Knight, although his opponent still has two Rooks, two Bishops and a Knight on the board. Set up the pieces on your pocket-board and let me read off the moves of this little beauty . " Almost without waiting, he proceeded to call out the moves of the game. As he came to the n th move, I said, " Does it continue with I I R-QBI P-N4 12 R x N, P x R 1 3 N-K5 ? " " How did you know the next moves ? " he said. " J ust a wild guess," I answered. " Now let me read the rest of the moves to you . " And I continued to call out the moves until White announced mate. My friend was amazed at the coin cidence-that I had been looking at the very game that he had tele phoned to tell me about. This would have been extraor dinary enough, but there's more to the story than that ! " What do you think of the game ? " he asked . " Wasn't it played beautifully by Atkins ? " " By Atkins ? " I asked. " Yes, the game is Atkins Jacobs, London, 1 9 I 5 , and it appears on page 85 of Du Mont's a o o Miniature Ga.mes of Chess. " " Very interesting, " I answered, " but the game I was looking at when you called was Young-Dort;, Boston, I892 , and appears on page 4 I 2 o f Franklin K. Young's Gra nd Tactics of Chess ! " " Not only was I looking a t the same game you c all ed to tell me about, but the moves I followed had "

.

,

been made by two other players 23 years before Atkins made them against Jacobs ! " Here i s the game : BOSTON, 1 892 Danish Gambit

Young White I P-K4 2 P-Q4 3 P-QB3 4 B-QB4 5 N-KB3 6 o-o 7NxP 8 R-K i ch 9 N-Q 5 IO B-N 5 I I R-Q B I 12 R x N

Dore Black P-K4 PxP PxP N-K B 3 NxP �-Q3 NxB B-K2 N-Q B3 P-KB3 P-QN4 PxR


1 3 N-K5 ! 1 4 Q-R5ch 15 N-B6ch I6 N x NPch

PxB P-N3 BxN Q-K2

There is no relief in 16 . K-B2, as I7 N-K5ch forces the Ki ng to the K in g file, and into a discovered check costing the Q u een . .

.

I 7 R x Qch IS N-K5�h I9 N B 7ch 2 0 N-Q 6 ch -

BxR K-Q I K-K I K-Q I

190


2 1 Q- K8ch 22 N-B7 mate The final position :

RxQ

RxQ R-B I

25 R x Q 26 R x N 27 R-B3

This guards the square KB3 , and assures the safe return of the Knight at N5. The position is hopeless for Blac k, but Bogolyubov fought on for 30 m ore moves before resigning . 35 Z

35 1

BOGO'S CONCENTRATION LEADS TO ABERRATION Bogolyubov, playing Black in his game against Laj os Steiner at Berlin in 1 928, took two hours deciding on his 24th move, only to blunder and lose a piece instantly. This was the position, with Black to move :

WORLD CHAMPION FAILS TO MAKE TEAM Botvinnik failed to make the team which represented the U.S.S.R. for the 1 oth Olympiad held at Helsinki in 1952 . A ballot o f the team members was held in which on l y one vote was cast in favor of the World Cham pion. His failure to qualify was owing to his mediocre results in the previous Soviet Championship.

35 3 SACRIFICE OF THREE PIECE S ON ONE SQUARE Dubinin sacrifice d three pieces on one squ are- KN7 . Here is how he did it :

ROSTOV-ON-DON, 1 936 French Defence

Steiner had j ust played 24 P-QR4, attacki ng the Q u een . Bogo saw that 24 . . . R x Q 25 P x Q left two of his piec es en prise. He feared the complications arising from 24 . . . Q x NP 2 5 Q x Pch, N-K3 26 N-K3, so he thought for two hours and then moved 24 . . . Q-B5. Play continued :

Dubinin White I P-K4 2 P-Q4 3 N-QB3 4NxP 5 N-KB3 6 N-N3 7 P x..P 8 B-Q3 9� 10 Q-K2 I I P-B3

Petrov Black P-K3 P-Q4 PxP N-Q2 KN-B3 P-B4 BxP Q-N3 � R-KI N-B I

191


12 13 14 15 x6 17

N-K s BxN P-KR4 P-R5 N x RP N x NP !

first sacrifice I7 . . . 1 8 Q-R5

If 26 . . . K-R2 27 R-Q3 wins, or

N-N3 RP x B Q-B 2 PxP N-R2

26 . . . K-B1 27 Q x N, R-Q2 28 N-N6ch, K-KI 29 Q-R8 mate.

if

27 Q

x Nch 28 R-Q3 354

The

NEW MALADY

KxN

19 B-R6ch, K-B3 (if 19 . . . K-R1 20 N x Pch forces Black to give up his Queen or be mated) 20 Q-R4ch, K x N 21 B-B4ch , winnin g the Queen. Threatens

18 19 2o 21 22

... R-K x R-K3 R-N3ch R x Bch

Once

p iece

B-B1 K-N x R-K2 B-N2

FISCHER FEVER Fischer's opponents seem to suffer from Fischer Fever (as Capablanca's opponents were affected by Capa blanca

again White gives

Fright) .

his m atches 1972 in The World Title Series, Fischer played Tai manov, Larsen, Petrosian and Spassky . During the course of

in 1 9 7 1

and

Each of Fischer's opponents asked for

up

a

a

few

days'

postponement

because of illness.

at N 7 .

22 . . . 2 3 B-R6ch 24 R-Q1

KxR K-R1 N-B3

355

If 24 . . . B-Q 2 25 N x Pch, R x N 26 Q x R wins. This is to

K-NI Resigns

the

position, with White

move :

COMPUTERS .AltE ONLY HUMAN Compu ters may never h ave the i magin ation to play chess artisti cally, to compose a beautiful p iece of mu sic , or to write a poem that touches the heart, but they are beginning to acquire some hu man characteristics . In a game played between two computers at Boston in 1972, one of the computers lost on time ! Herewith the score of the game :

BOSTON, 1972 Ruy Lopez

25 B-N7ch ! The third, and this time sacrifice on the same square. 25 . . . 26 Q-Ns ch

KxB K-R1

fatal

Chess 3 . 6 White x · P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 B-N5 4 o-o 5 N-B3 6 B x Nch

Tech Black P-� N-QB3 N-B3

B-B4 P-Q3 PxB

192


7 S 9 10

P-Q4 NxP B-N5 Q-Q3 II Q x B 12 B x N 13 Q x Q 1 4 P-QN3 1 5 P-KR3 16 P-N4 1 7 QR-QI xS N x R 19 N-K3 2o P-KB4 2 1 K-N2 22 K-B3 23 P-B4 24 P-KB5 25 R-B2 26 R-Q2 27 P-KR4 28 N-Q5 29 N x QBP 30 K-B4 31 P x P 32 R x P 33 P-R6ch 34 P-R5ch 35 R x P 36 K x B 37 K-K5 38 N-Q5 39 N-B3 4o R x P 4 1 N-K4 42 K-Q6 43 R-QR7 44 R x P 45 R-R7ch 46 P-R4 47 P-R5 48 R-QN7 49 N x P 50 P-R6 5 1 P-R7

35 6

PxP o-o

B-KN5 BxN R-N 1 QxB Px Q R-N5 B-K3 R-Q5 RxR K-N2 K-N3 K-N2 R-QN1 R-N4 R-QR4 B-Q2 R-K4 P-QR3 P-B4 B-B3 B x Pch P-KR4 P-R4 BxP K-N3 K x P(R4) R-K7 R-B7ch R-R7 K-N4 R-R5 KxP R-R4ch K-N3 P-R5 K-B2 K-N3 R-B4 R-B6 K-B4 R-B6 R-R6

Black (Computer Tech) lost the game at this point by exceeding the time limit.

SEVEN QUEENS ON THE BOARD I thought the limit on Queen promotions in actual play had been reached with the quintet of Queens that appeared on the board in the Tresling-Benima game (see Curious fact #28 1 ) , and in the game Alekhine-Gregoriev, quoted by Al ekhine in his book My Best Games of Chess 1 9o8-1923 (on the authen ticity of which, though, some doubt has been cast) . Recently, however, Donald A. Keast wrote me from Australia, enclosing the score of a game played there, which features a truly amazing finish. After White's 30th move, no less than seven (count them, seven) Queens appear on the board at one and the same time ! Here is how it happened :

AUSTRALIA, ca. 1965 Sicilian Defence Sumpter White I P-K4 2 N-KB3 3 P-Q4 4NxP 5 N-QB3 6 B-K2 7 o-o 8 K-R1 9 P-B4 10 P-K5 II P x N 12PxP 1 3 P x R(Q)

King Black P-QB4 N-QB3 PxP P-K3 Q-B2 P-QR3 P-QN4 N-B3 P-N5 PxN P x NP P x R(Q)

White threatens 14 N x P, Q x Q 1 5 N x Qch followed by 1 6 N x R. 13 . . . 14 Q x P

Q x RP P-!4

193


1 5 P-!4 1 6 P-Rs 1 7 P-R6 1 8 Q-N8 19 P-R7 20 P-R8 (Q) 21 B-K3 22 B x N 2 3 B-R5

P-R5 P-R6 Q-N8 P-R7 P-R8 (Q) Q-Ns NxN Q (R8)-R6

Threatens 24 Q x Pch and mate next. 23 . . . 24 P-Bs o-o-o 25 P x P Q (B2)-!4 26 R x P Q-Q3 27 P-B3 28 B-N4 R-K I K-NI 29 P-K7 dis .ch 30 P x B (Q)

35 7

SUICIDE ON THE CHESSBOARD Good players usually resign in a lost position ; . others keep on struggling until they are mated. One player put an end to his difficulties in a unique way he committed chessic s uicide I He helped construct a sell-mate position. This was the way the board looked toward the end of a game between Bialas and Hecht, at Pyrmont in 1963 :

This is the position, with seven( !) Queens on the board :

Bialas tinued :

(White)

I K-RI 2 R-KNI 3 P-R6

Black resigned. The sight of three White Queens arrayed powerfully on the eighth rank, was alone enough to frighten Black to death. A curious feature of this strange game is that White's original Queen still stands at Q I , from where she never made a move.

to

play,

con

P-R6 P-R7 R x P mate

INDEX The references are to the numbered headings, not to page numbers.

Blackbume announces mate in 16 moves in blindfold game, 68 Blackbume plays everybody in so years, 1 89 Blathy's problems no picnic, 95 Blind problem composer, 1 4 Blindfold in the round, � 6 Blindfold match b y masters, 3 1 5 Blindfold play b y girl prodigy, 244 Blindfold players in tournament, 1 34 Blindfold play forbidden in Russia, 7 Blindfold simultaneous records, 20 Blindfold tandem exhibition, 2 1 0 Bogo takes two hours o n a move-and blunders, 3 5 1 Book play refuted, 3 3 Both sides sacrifice freely, 3 28 Botvinnik makes longest combination, 322 Botvinnik trains for smokers, I I 3 Breakthrough by sacrifice only, 326 Brilliancy game is all book, 23 1 Brilliancy in lightning tournament, 320 Brilliancy prize game, first, 3 1 9 Brilliancy published earlier, 1 96 Bronstein's backward pieces win game,

Adams offers Queen six times, 2 1 7 Admission tickets requested, 85 Advice to spectators at chess tournaments, 1 3 al-Adli, problem by, 1 3 8 Alekhine beats odd-numbered players, 2 30

Alekhine carried to table, 88 Alekhine's day of rest, 1 4 2 Alekhine's Defence played in 1 862, 4 0 Alekhine makes worst blunder ever, 1 75 Alekhine mates four allies, 43 Alekhine misses " Noah's Ark " trap, 26o Alekhine Queens one Pawn after another, 2 5 5 Alekhine's score at Bled, 1 78 Alekhine's 77 games without loss, 236 Alekhine takes little time, 2 1 8 Alekhine wins most brilliancy prizes, 321 Allies (five) blunder, 1 39 American Chess Bulletin's advertisement for genius, 67 Analysis permitted in match, 58 Annotation by quotation, 345 Annotations, comprehensive, 78 Announced mate longer than rest of game, 55 Automaton wins tournament, 269 Averbach's misconception of rules of chess, 280

346

Bronstein has a dream, 300 Bruening wins with Pawns, 27 Burille scores as Aj eeb, 1 26 Burille solves them fast, 99 Butter is valuable prize, 1 60 Buzecca as first simultaneous blind fold player, 1 9

Babson, problem by, 5 1 Bachelors win match, 1 02 Baderi: Baden prizewinners beat each other, 70 Baldheads win match, 1 0 1 Ballard gives u p all his Pawns, 92 Banks beats champion and challenger,

Cambridge loses to insane asylum, 93 Capablanca and Alekhine ponder on one move, 228 Capablanca and Flohr have disastrous scores, 86 Capablanca answers advertisement, 67 Capablanca's book features lost games, 250 Capablanca defends against Marshall's innovation, 37 Capablanca's early simultaneous scores, 124

I SO

Bardeleben's ups and downs, '239 Barnes gives odds, 54 Barry mates with Ruy Lopez, 249 Bellingham cables resignation, 1 64 Benko picks up pieces and loses, 265 Black wins match, 238

195

1 96


Capablanca falls deliberately into trap,

Dake defeats author of Die Engliscke

Capablanca gets Queen odds, 3 1 2

Dake loses in seconds, 1 5 8

Capablanca loses i n I 3 moves, I S O

Dake mated i n nine moves,

Capablanca loses o n time limit, 1 2 8

Dake mated in

3 29

Pa,tie, 3 1

Capablanca's book,

us

lost

games

make

slim

1 45 10 moves, 1 46

Damiano offers some advice, 2 1 6 Death a t the chessboard, 3 2 4

Capablanca never checkmated, 193

Dice govern chess moves,

Capablanca ' s only loss in I o years, I 6g

Disaster

IS

Capablanca's simultaneous feat,

Capablanca takes two minutes, 49

strikes

204

Lasker

and

Capa

blanca in same way, 72 Disastrous year for board champions,

Capablanca utilizes Knight wheel, 344

18

17

Capped Knight achieves mate, 62

Drawing master,

Carlsbad 's curious incidents, 309

Drawn game extraordinary, 2 79

Caxton's chess book sold at auction,

Dubinin sacrifices three times on one

3 70

square, 3 5 3

Handbuck, I9o Charousek's gambit play, 30 Checker Champion in 1 8 5 I , 1 6 Charousek copies

Endgame classic anticipated,

323

Ending b y Grigoriev, 1 3 3 Ending by Rinck,

Checker master's feat, 1 80 Chess and Checkers sister games ? ,

I 73

Chess and insanity, 75 Chess as antidote to ills, 343

133

Ending b y Sanz, 3 2 3

Ending by Wojciechowski, 323 En passant capture checkmates, 3 1 6

Chess Champion in I 8 5 1 , 1 6

Epaulet mate a t long distance, 2 3 5

Chess in a dream,

Exception wins tournament, 8 4

300

Chess is world's most popular game,

194

Chess is young man's game,

Fanatical devotee, 7 9

uS

Feyerfeil forgets a Pawn, z66

Chess movies, first, g8

Fine as Giant-killer, 1 92

Chess once banned in Russia, 2 4 1

Fine's blindfold feat, 1 3 1

Chess-playing village, 1 2 0

Fine's fine scores, 93

Chess taught i n public schools, 7

Fine loses in seven moves,

Clean sweeps by Lasker, Capablanca,

First book dealing with chess,

Fischer, 9 1

First brilliancy prize game,

1 48

334 319

Club, Vera Menchik, 1 2

First chess magazine, 3 3 7

Cohn's error leads t o brilliancy, 253

First chess match b y telegraph, 3 3 8

Coincidence in games, strange, 350

First chess match b y correspondence,

Coincidence in problems,

1 40

336

Coincidence of combinations, 242 College has masters on team,

First chess movies, 98

221

First chess problem, 3 3 2

Combination i n the notes wins prize, 226 Computer loses on time limit, 355 Computer plays in tournament,

313

Computers play match, 3 1 4

II7

Correspondence game, lengthy, 284 Correspondence quickie, 42 Critic displeased with Alekhine ' s

107

Curious Castling coup,

style,

318

Curious conditions for correspondence play, 96

historical

document

connected

with chess, 3 3 1 First International Chess Tournament, so First legal document dealing with chess,

Congdon escapes b y stalemate, 5 2 Consulting masters lose quickly,

First

333 First newspaper column on chess, 3 3 5 First problem-composing tournament,

339 First time limit game, 287 First Women's International Tourna ment,

340

Fischer is Champion of U.S. at 14, 272 Fischer is Grandmaster at 15,

273

1 97


Fischer loses in I 4 moves, I 5 3 Fischer on openings, 6 Fischer phenomenal in blitz, 348 Fischer scintillates in minutes, 283 Fischer touches a Pawn, I06 Fischer wins title 8 times in a row, 298 Five Queens on the board, 28I Four Pawns' Attack in I 885, 25 Fox misses one-move win, 308 Franklin first chess player and writer, I 70 Game, Game, Game, Game, Game,

I

longest drawn, 3 longest won, 2 oldest known, I 67 shortest possible, 44 shortest won (in master play),

Games won by Pawns, 26, 2 7, 28, 29 Gilbert (Mrs.) announces long mates, 289 Girl prodigy plays blindfold, 244 Gold pieces game, IO Grandmaster learns the rules, 2 5 I Grandmaster polished off, So Grigoriev wins endgame prizes, I 33 Grab wins games on time limit, 203 Grunfeld fails to get revenge, 38 Grunfeld on openings, 5 Gutmayer and chess mastery, 9 Harrwitz publishes Morphy's losses, 69 Helms conducts chess column for 62 years, 274 High school has masters on team, 222 Hodges maintains clean record, 234 Hoffer's lengthy analy sis , 123 Hromadka comes a cropper, 84 llj in-Genevsky learns moves twice, 4 1 Incongruous profession for chess master, I 3 5 Indians risk loss of fingers, 2 2 5 Inexhaustibility o f chess, 1 7 7 Insane asylum beats Cambridge, 9 4 In sani ty and chess, 7 5 International Chess Tournament, first, 50 Janowsky brilliancy anticipated, 1 9 6 Janowsky offers Knight odds to Marshall, 1 I9 J anowsky spurns four different perpet uals, 3 2 7

Keres beats nine World Champions, 330 Keres brilliancy duplicat ed instantly, 349 King has appointment at Samarra, 278 Kmoch loses in 8 moves, 1 4 7 Knight fork, most devastating, 292 Knight fork threat frightens Klaman, 291 Knight patterned on Greek Horse, I I 2 Knights and Bishops reversed in tournament, 63 Knights required to have chess skill, 207 Konigstedt cautions against Castling, 214 Koshnitzky finishes with opening moves, 2 2 7 Kostic's fabulous memory, 1 09 Kujoth wins with Pawns, 2 8 Land, problem by, 1 40 Lasker does not move Queen, 1 9 7 Lasker regr et s lost games omissions, I68 Lasker's tournament losses, 39 Lask er' s training for mat ch, 8 2 Lengthy games in match, 1 08 Lengthy wins in s ucces sio n , 1 8 6 Lieber-Gonotsky match score, 1 25 Lindermann loses in three, 262 Literature of chess exceeds all other games, 206 Longest drawn game, 3 Longe st won game, 2 Love conquers chess, 2 7 I Lowenthal 's lead evaporates, 1 8 7 Lucena 's advice t o pla yers, 2 1 3 Lucena' s mate , 1 3 2 Lyman wins with Pawns, 29 Mackenzie, problems by ,

14, qo

Manhattan merr y-go- ro u nd , 200 Marache ' s quick progress, 48 Maroc zy's simultaneous feat, 167

Maroczy's tactics duplicated, 1 36 Marshall's 40 scoreless years against Lasker, 45 Marshall's go l d pieces coup, 1 0 Marshall impresses i n simultaneous, 1 6 2 Marshall likes Burn ga me , 2 3 2 Marshall wins third prize, 1 3 7 Marshall wins with Paw ns, 2 6 Match played i n heat, 4 7 McConnell plays greatest geniuses, 2 2 4


Mentges copies Marshall, 205 Mexican Army Officers Fine and Kash dan, S9 Mexico City's prizewinners beat each other, 7 1 Mieses i n Hastings Tournaments, 129 Mikenas misses brilliancy, 2 I I Moreau 's deplorable score, 4 Morphy's fantastic salary, 1 9 1 Morphy loses a blindfold game, 237 Morphy's losses featured in book, 69 Morphy mated in 12 moves, 1 49 Morphy mates by Castling, 3 1 7 Morpny offers to the W o rl d, 76 Morphy on openings, 6 Morphy plays blindfold at 1 2 , 307 Morphy plays five masters, 154 Most drawn games in one tournament, 1 05 Most losses in one tournament, 1 05 Most wins in one tournament, 1 05 Mucklow's prize score, 77 Names of chess players, strange, I I Napier's most brilliant game, 65 Nimzovich forbidden admission, 87 " Noah's Ark " trap missed by Alekhine, 260 Nobel Peace Prize candidates, 2 1 9 Number o f possible moves i n chess, 1 77 Oj anen develops his King, 277 O' Kelly new drawing master, 1 76 Oldest existing chess column, 341 Oldest known chess game, 267 Olland dies at chessboard, 324 Ol ymp ic team of World Champions, 25 8 Opening of the future, 22 Openings, Fischer on, 6 Openings, Grunfeld on, 5 Openings, Morphy on, 6 Painting sold at high price, 220 Pawn chain, longest, 254 Pawn holds army at bay, 304 Pawns all remain on board, 2 85 Pawns and pieces, fantastic arrange ment of, 2 5 7 Pawns (except one) stay on for 9 4 moves, 261 Pawns on seventh rank position antici pated, 2 1 2 Pawns, quadrupled, 256

Perpetual check rule, strange, 1 79 Petrosian wins Championship in first match, I I 4 Philidor and Philidor's Defence, 23 Philidor disapproves of 2 N-KB3, 2 1 5 Philidor dual prodigy, 201 Physicians prescribe chess for ill s , 343 Pillsbury demonstrates memory, 1 8 1 Pillsbury's exploit a t Hannover, 1 4 1 Pillsbury plays chess and checkers blindfold, I 7 1 Player commits chessic suicide, 357 Playing against Fischer induces fever, 354 Poorest tournament score, 4 Primer by " World 's Foremost Chess Expert," 1 8 5 Prizewinning problems have dual solutions, 1 99 Prodigy plays blindfold at eight, 275 Problem, self-solving, 1 5 5

Problems, coincidence in, 1 40 Purdy played more chess than Morphy, 122

Queen and two Rooks sacrificed i n I 3 moves, 301 Queen is cornered, 305 Queen is smothered, r oo Queen makes 72 consecutive moves, 1 8 8 Queen taken with check i s worst move, 268 Queens (2) lose game, 1 30 Queens (3) on long diagonal, 103 Queens (4 ) i n World Championship, 3II

Queens (5) on board, 2 8 1 Quotations used in annotations, 345 Race horses named after Steinitz and Capablanca, 6o Reincarnation of ancient idea, 1 3 8 Reshevsky's exp ec tat ion·s, 8 Reshevsky succeeds five times, fails eight times, 297 Reshevsky mated in 9 moves, 1 5 1 Reti sacrifices four Rooks , 299 Rinck wins endgame prizes, 1 3 3 Rook stands pat i n Rook ending, 294 Ropke , problem by, 155 Rubinstein's brilliancy prizes, 1 27 Rubinstein defeats three greatest players, 66


Rubinstein escapes burning as witch, 310 Rubinstein falls twice i n same tiap, 3 5 Rubinstein misses mate i n two, 4 6 Rubinstein uses pieces only, then Pawns only, 347 Ruy Lopez offers useful advice, 73 Samisch loses 1 5 games on time limit, 1 04

Schlechter as drawing master, 1 5 Schlechter disdains brilliancy prizes, 229 Schlechter's drawn games, 1 74 Schlechter fails to draw, 290 Schottlander loses gamble, 1 5 7 Score, poorest tournament, 4 Seven Queens on the board, 356 Shipley announces mate in 22 moves, 89 Shortest correspondence game, 42 Shortest possible game, 44 Shortest tournament win, 1 Simultaneous against masters, Morphy's, 154 Simultaneous blindfold play, first, 19 Simultaneous blindfold records, 20 Simultaneous chess, gigantic display of, 276 Simultaneous play by Capablanca, 15, 124 Simultaneous play by Maroczy, 1 67 Simultaneous play, record for, 53 Sir George Thomas holds double (and doubles) titles, 233 Sir Walter Parratt's performance, 74 Smothered mate threat wins, 132 Smyslov takes a minute, 325 Smyslov's strange scores, 302 Snappy simultaneous by Marshall, 1 6 2 . Soviets train for chess, 288 Spielm�nn wins a game, 1 6 1 Stahlberg breaks record for simulta neous play, 5 3 Steiner misplaces King, 2 64 Steinitz and Zukertort respond to toast, 1 72 Steinitz-Anderssen match score, 1 25 Steinitz appreciated and depreciated,

1 99

Steinitz's short brilliancies, most examples of, 1 5 2 Strange coincidence i n chess games, 350 Strange names of chess players, I I Strebeck's villagers play chess, 1 20 Sumatia's men play chess all day, 243 Szabo misses mate in two moves, 2 4 8 Tal youngest World Champion, I I I Tal's Bishop imprisoned, 342 Tarrasch called " fast worker ", u6 Tarrasch keeps Pawns for g6 moves, 296 Tarrasch underdevelops, 1 4 3 Tarrasch wins in five minutes, 36 Tarrasch wins in five moves, 1 82 Tarrasch's brilliancy game anticipated, 2 47 Tartakover labors over miniature, 282 Tchigorin's good fortune with Queen's Gambit, 32 Tchigorin's ill fortune at Monte Carlo, 163 Ten second blindfold by Fine, 1 3 1 Ten year old plays i n master tournament, 144 Tenner eats chess pieces, 223 Time limit, expensive, 97 Time limit game, first, 1 86 Tournament book makes late appearance, 83 Tournament competitors blindfolded, 134 Tournament players, fastest, 2 5 9 Tournament's few drawn games, 1 83 Transposed Knights, 24 Under promotion in 7 moves, 303 Unique mate by Pawn, 3 1 6 University offers course on Chess, 246 U . S.S.R. has more chess than football players, 245 Vera Menchik Club, 1 2 Vidmar fails t o win first, 240 Vidmar finishes last, 159 Von der Lasa objects to " Pleiades ", 209

I IO

Steinitz arrested as spy, 6 1 Steinitz i s I 3th, 202 Steinitz notches up 16 in a row, I65 Steinitz offers Rook at five squares, go

Wade could not win a game, 252 Ware 's weird openings, 3 7 Watermarked paper i n Tournament book, 56

200

WONDERS AND CURIOSITIES OP CHESS

White and Black play perfect game,

208 Winawer moves Knight like Bishop, 263 Women players in Russian Champion ship, 5 7 World Champion Botvinnik can't make team, 3 5 2 World Champions o n Olympic team, 258 World's Checker Champion in 1 85 1 , 16 World's Chess and Whist Champion, 64 World's Chess Champion in 1 85 1 , 16 World's Chess Championship, record for 21 Yates beats detractor, 198 Yates book offers baker's dozen, 156

Yates lets Marshall escape, 309 Year of I 894 disastrous for champions, 1 8 Year o f 1 9 3 2 fatally dangerous, Young's equations for Pawn 293 Young's formula for achieving mate, 295

board 1 66 safety, check

Zukertort and Rosenthal match agree ment, 195 Zukertort and Steinitz respond to toast, 1 72 Zukertort's big tournament lead, 1 84 Zukertort's remarka:ble career, 306 Zukertort-was he ever Zukertort ? , 121

PLAYERS INDEX The numbers refer' to the heading number of each curious fact.

Aaron-Filip, Stockholm ( 1 962) , 292 Adams-Torre, New Orleans ( 1 920) , 2 1 7 Alekhine-Allies, Palma ( 1 935), 43 Alekhine-Koenlein, Dusseldorf ( 1908) , 242 Alekhine-Lasker, Zurich ( 1 934) , 72 Alekhine-Nenerakov, Moscow ( 1907) 256 Alekhine-Rubinstein, Moscow ( 1 9 1 0) , 66 Alekhine-Sterk, Budapest ( 1 9 2 1 ) , 321 Amateur-Bruening, 27 Amateur-Goetz, Strasbourg ( 1 88o) , 303 Amateur-Koch, Munich (193 1 ) , 305 Atkins-Saunders, Stratford-on-Avon ( 1 925) . 3 4 5

Capablanca-Marshall, New York (191 8) , 34 Capablanca-Mattison, Carlsbad (1929) , 132 Capablanca-Schroeder, New York ( 1 9 1 6) , 226 Capablanca-Spielmann, Bad Kissingen ( 1 928), I 6 I Capablanca-Tarasov, Cleveland (1922) 15 Capablanca-Treybal, Carlsbad (1929), 257 Capablanca-Yates, New York ( 1924) , 344

,

,

Castellni-Vinoles, Barcelona (1485), 267 Chajes--Capablanca, New York ( 1 9 1 6) , 1 69 Chajes--Grunfeld, Carlsbad ( 1 923) , 261 Chapelle-Joumoud, Paris ( 1 86o) , 304 Charousek-Lasker, Nuremberg ( 1 896) , 30 Chess 3 . 6--Tech, Boston ( 1 972) , 3 5 5 Cohn-Tchigorin, Carlsbad ( 1 907) , 253 Cohn-Rubinstein, St. Petersburg ( 1 909) 347 Conroy-MacHack VI, Boston (1966), 313 Cumock, Johnson, Lawrence, Layzell, Turner, London ( 1 900) , 286

Ballard-Fagan, London ( 1 872) , 92 Banks--Kashdan, Chicago ( 1 926) , r 8o Barnes-Amateur, New York ( 1 877), 54 Bird-Mason, New York ( 1 876), 3 1 9 Bird & Dobell-Gunsberg & Locock, Hastings ( 1 897) , 1 1 7 Bogolyubov-Alekhine, Hastings ( 1922) , 255 Bogolyubov-Alekhine, Pforzheim ( 1 934). 2 1 8 Borochow-Fine, Pasadena ( 1932), 148 Botvinnik-Chekover, Moscow ( 1935), 322 Bronstein-Botvinnik, Moscow ( 19 44 ), 346 Bronstein-Bronstein, Moscow ( 1 961), 300 Bronstein-Pilnik, Belgrade ( 1 954) , 326 Bum-Marshall, Ostend ( 1 906) , 2 3 2

.

Dake-Di Paula, Baltimore ( 1 935), 1 4 5 Dake-Muller, Folkestone (1933)", 3 1 Dresga-Baratz, Paris ( 1926) , 242 Dubinin-Petrov, Rostov-on-Don ( 1 936), 353 Du Mont-Gosling, London ( 1 943) , 254 Duras--Wolf, Carlsbad ( 1 907) . 2

Cambridge-Bedlam, Correspondence, ( 1 883-1 88s). 94 Canal-Amateur, Budapest ( 1 934) , 301 Capablanca-Alekhine, Buenos Ailes ( 1927) . 3 1 1 Capablanca-Janowsky, San Sebastian (191 1), 327 Capablanca-Kevitz, Brooklyn (1924) , 150

Englisch-Tarrasch, Hamburg ( 1 885), 25 Euwe-Capablanca, Amsterdam ( 1 93 1 ) , 329 Euwe-Keres, Holland ( 1 940) , 330 Euwe-Reti, Amsterdam ( 1 920) , 299 Feuer-O' Kelly. Liege ( 1 934) . 3 1 8 Fine-R. Byrne, New York ( 1 945) , 1 3 1 201

202


Fischer-Burger, San Francisco (r963 ) , 153 Fischer-Dely, Skopje ( 1 967) , 283 Fischer-Keres, 330 Fischer-Matulovic, Zagreb ( 1 970) , 348 Fischer-Tal, Bled ( 1 961 ) , 342 Flohr-Sultan Khan, Berne ( 1 93 2 ) , 285 Foreest-Mieses, Hague ( 1 949) , n 8 Forgacs-Maroczy, Budapest ( 1 902), 1 36 Franz-Mayet, Berlin ( 1 858) , 130 Gaudersen-Paul, Melbourne ( 1 928), 316 Gibaud-Lazard, Paris (1 9 24 ) , r Gottschall-Tarrasch, Nuremberg ( 1 896) , 296 ' Grunfeld-Torre, Baden-Baden (1925), 38 Hamppe-Meitner, Vienna ( 1 872) , 279 Holzhausen-Tarrasch, Hamburg ( 1 9 1 0) II6 Huber-Lemke, Essen ( 1 93 5 ) , 278 Iglesias-Capablanca, Havanna ( 1 893), 312 Janowsky-Ed. Lasker, New York (1924), 2 1 2 J anowsky-Reshevsky, New York ( 1 9 2 2 ) , 144 J anowsky & Soldatenkov-Lasker & Taubenhaus, Paris ( 1 909) , 196 Keres-Alekhine, Margate ( 1 937), 330 Keres-Benko, Curayao ( 1 962) , 265 Keres-Botvinnik, Moscow ( 1 956), 330 Keres-Capablanca, Avro ( 1 938), 330 Keres-Najdorf, Gothenburg ( 1955), 349 Keres-Petrosian, Moscow (1949), 330 Ke,res-'Smyslov, Leningrad-Moscow ( 1 939) , 330 Keres-Spassky, Gothenburg (1955) , 3 3° Kmoch-Ellison, Cleveland ( 1 948) , 147 Kolisch-Anderssen, London ( 1 86 1 ) , 287 Koshnitzky-Hewitt, Correspondence ( 1945) . 227 Krogius-Oj anen, Helsinki ( 1 944) , 277 Kuj oth-Fashingbauer, Milwaukee ( 1 950) , 28

Labatt-Dameron, New Orleans ( 1 8go), 102 Lange-Von Schierstedt, Breslau ( 1 868) , 62 Lasker-Bauer, Amsterdam ( 1 890) , 247 Lasker-Napier, Cambridge Springs ( 1 904) . 65 Lasker-Schlechter, Berlin ( 1 9 1 0) , 290 Lazarev-Goldstein, Ukraine ( 1 962), 1 03 Levitzky-Marshall, Biarritz ( 1 9 1 2) , 10 Lilienthal-Capablanca, Hastings ( 1 934) 72 Lindermann-Echte rin ayer, Kiel ( 1 893) , 262 Lopez-Leonardo, Madrid ( 1 575), 50 Loye-Beamish, Cheltenham ( 1 9 1 3 ) , 231 Lyman-Greenwald, New York (1964) , 29

Maroczy-Lasker, New York ( 1 924) , 197 Marshall-Lasker, Paris (1900) , 45 Marshall-Lasker, New York ( 1 940) , 45 Marshall-Rogosin, New York ( 1 940) , 26 Marshall-Tchigorin, Monte Carlo ( 1 902), 1 63 Mattison-Rubinstein, Carlsbad ( 1929) , 310 McConnell-Morphy, New Orleans ( 1 85o) , 224 McDonnell-La Bourdonnais, London ( 1 834), 2 1 2 Menchik-Thomas, London ( 1 932) , 1 2 Mentges-Gitzen, ( 1 9 1 3 ) , 205 Mieses-Marshall, Monte Carlo ( 1 903) , 235 Mikenas-Kashdan, Prague ( 1 93 1 ) , 2 I I Morphy-Amateur, New Orleans ( 1 858), 317 Morphy-Barnes, London ( 1 859) , 1 5 4 Morphy-Kipping, Birmingham ( 1 858), 237 Morphy-Maurian, Springhill ( 1 855), 1 49 Morphy-E . Morphy, New Orleans ( 1 849) , 307 Morphy-Seguin, Paris ( 1 858) , 20


Niemela-Salo, Finland ( I 945), 320 Nimzovich-Tarrasch, St. Petersburg ( 1 9 1 4) . 247

203

Steinitz-Bardeleben, Hastings ( 1 895), 90 Sumpter-King, Australia ( 1 965) 356 Szabo-Reshevsky, Zurich ( 1 953), 248

Olland-Hamming, Hague ( 1 933), 324 Panov-Yudovich, Tifiis ( 1 937), 328 Pillsbury-Hausler, AugsbUig ( 1 900) , 20 Pillsbury-Moiler, Hannover ( 1 902) , 1 4 1 Potter-Amateur, London ( 1 870) , 5 5 Powers-Dake, Milwaukee ( 1 937), 146 Reshevsky-Griffi.th, London (1920) , 275 Reshevsky-Margolit, Israel ( 1 958) , 1 5 1 Reti-Euwe, Amsterdam ( 1 920) , 299 Reti-Hromadka, Pistyan ( 1 9 2 2 ) , 8 1 Reti-Tartakover, Vienna ( 1 9 1 0) , S o Riumin-Capablanca, Moscow ( 1 935), 128 Rubinstein-Capablanca, San Sebastian ( 1 9 I I ) , 66 Rubinstein-Lasker, St. Petersburg ( 1 909) , 66 Saunders-Saunders, England ( 1 936), 244 Schlechter-Kaufmann, Vienna ( 1 9 1 6) , 294 Schlechter-Mieses, Stuttgart (1909), 315 Schlechter-Tarrasch, Cologne ( 1 9 I I ) , 1 86 Smyslov-Reshevsky, Radio ( 1 945) , 325 Steiner-Colle, Budapest ( 1 926) , 264

Tal-Keres, Tallinn ( 1 954) , 330 Tal-Klaman, Moscow (1957), 291 Tarrasch-Alapin, Breslau ( 1 889) , 1 82 Tarrasch-Burn, Ostend ( 1 907), 1 00 Tarrasch-Fritz, Breslau ( 1 889), 2 1 9 Tarrasch-Marco, Dresden ( 1 892) , 3 6 Tarrasch-ScWechter, Cologne ( 1 9 I I ) , 1 86 Tarrasch-Yates, Hamburg ( 1 9 1 0) , 198 Tartakover-Fuster, Budapest ( 1 948), 282 Tchigorin-Albin, Nuremberg ( 1 896) , 3 2 Torre-Grunfeld, Marienbad ( 1925) . 3 8 Tresling-Benima, Winschoten ( 1 896), 281 Unzicker-Fischer, Buenos Aires (1960) , 1 06 U.S.S.R. Computer-U.S. Computer ( 1 967) . 3 1 4 Warre n-Selman Correspondence ( 1930) , 42 Weiss-Schwartz, Nuremberg ( 1 883), 208 Wolf-Duras, Carlsbad ( 1 907) , 2 Wolf-Rubinstein, Teplitz-Schonau ( 1 922), 1 2 7 ,

Young-Dore, Boston ( 1 892) , 350

About the Author Irving C h e m ev is widely regarded as the Arch-Connoisseur of Chess. is the author of many much-loved books, among them An Invita tion to Chess, Logical Chess Move by !Hove, The Most Instructive Ga111es of Chess Eve1· Played, and The Chess Companio11. Chemev learned to play chess at the age of twelve, and is s till pas sionately in love \dth the game. His othe r enthusiasms are music, travel, good food, tine wines, and the conversation of congenial friends. His heroes are Jose Capablanca, S. J. Perelman . .John Collier, Jascha Heifetz, Willie Hoppe, C a rdini , John Barrymore, Athos (the Comte de Ia Fere) and Alexander Alekhine. If there is reincarnation. he would ch eerfu lly assutne one of their roles. Chernev l ives in San Francisco with his wife, and tears himself away front there only when the lure of visting I�ondon or Paris becomes irresistible. He

Chernev Irving - Wonders and Curiosities of Chess, 1974-OCR, Dover, 214p

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