Random Posts

  • Capablanca Gets Ugly At Havana 1913
  • That Was Weird
  • Bill Wall's Chess Page
  • Botvinnik and Politics
  • Update on Caissia’s Web
  • Dr. Steven Tennant
  • Another bad sac
  • Odds and Ends
  • Fischer and Bisguier Slug It Out
  • Let's Talk About the Boleslavsky Wall
  • Friday, September 4, 2015

    An Interview With Myself Concerning David Janowsky

    Janowsky playing Lasker in 1909
    Me: Tell me what you know about Janowsky.
    Me: Well, he was an old “Romantic” player best known for gambling both on and off the chessboard and he loved the two Bishops. And, I think he once played a World Championship match against Lasker and got stomped. 
    Me: Have you ever played over any of his games? 
    Me: Just a few that he lost, mostly against Capablanca and Marshall, I think.
    Me: Are you aware of any books of his best games? 
    Me: No. 
    Me: Actually there was one. David Janowsky: Artist of the Chess Board by Alexander Cherniaev. It's available on Amazon for $32. 
    Me: Isn't that kind of pricey? 
    Me: Yes. Anyway, I found a position from one of his games that appeared in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle that had notes by Herman Helms that I'd like you to look at. 
    Me: OK, but only if I can use an engine to check Helms' notes and make sure Janowsky's alleged brilliancy really was sound. 
    Me: OK. Take a look at it with Stockfish and see what you think. 

    So, that's what I did and guess what? It really was a brilliant conclusion to the game and it was totally sound. I have included Herman Helm's quaint, by today's standards, notes.
     

    2 comments:

    1. i notice you have several nice booklets for download. why not do one on janowski?

      ReplyDelete
    2. Interesting interview.

      ReplyDelete