In the Summer of 1942 the U.S. Lightning Championship was created and
was won by Dr. Reuben Fine ahead of Reshevsky. Before the
introduction of chess clocks in the mid-1950s chess club "rapid
transit" tournaments had a referee who every ten seconds called
out “Move!” or in some cases a bell or gong was rung.
Just about all famous players have played rapid chess, but what to a
lot of them really think about it?
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"Playing rapid chess, one can lose the habit of concentrating for several hours in serious chess. That is why, if a player has big aims, he should limit his rapid play in favor of serious chess." – Vladimir Kramnik
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"Yes, I have played a blitz game once. It was on a train, in 1929." – Mikhail Botvinnik
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"He who analyzes blitz is stupid." – Rashid Nezhmetdinov
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"Blitz chess kills your ideas." – Bobby Fischer
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"To be honest, I consider [bullet chess] a bit moronic, and therefore I never play it." – Vladimir Kramnik
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"I play way too much blitz chess. It rots the brain just as surely as alcohol." – Nigel Short
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"Blitz is simply a waste of time." – Vladimir Malakhov
Even
so, almost all top players indulge; as Kramnik also said, "Blitz
– it's just a pleasure."
The title in the first U.S. Rapid Championship was decided in the
semi-final round when Fine and Reshevsky met. Fine faced an uphill
battle when he lost the exchange early, but Reshevsky, who needed a
win to finish ahead of Fine, could only reach a drawn position, so he
forced the issue and ended up losing. The final standings were:
1-
Reuben Fine 10-1
2-
Samuel Reshevsky 9-2
3-
George Shainswit 7.5-3.5
4-
I.A. Horowitz 7-4
5-
Isaac Kashdan 6-5
6-7-
Matthew Green 5.5-5.5 (born Dec-28-1915, died Dec-16-2006, 90 years
old)
6-7-
Herbert Seidman
8-
Albert Pinkus 5-6
9-10-
Arnold Denker 3.5-7.5
9-10-
Abe Yanofsky (Not sure why the 17 year old Canadian was playing)
11.
H. Nadell 2-9 (another unknown player)
12.
Herman Helms 1.5-9.5 (at 75 Helms was simply too old to compete
successfully)
In the following game Fine should have lost. While analyzing the game
the following position was reached and Stockfish was showing a clear
win for white, but I just couldn't believe it. But, it's there; white
won all five Shootouts!
White to move |
I think Arnold Dener was a typo for Arnold Denker. Great site by the way. I always enjoy visiting.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are correct; I don't know why that never occurred to me. Thanks!
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