He was Nordic Champion in 1930, and defended this title by drawing 3-3 against Gideon Stahlberg in 1934, but lost to Erik Lundin in 1937. In international tournaments his best result were modest, generally finishing just below the prize winners.
He was described as being a likable fellow with a quiet, unobtrusive humor. His play was distinguished by indifferent opening play with little regard for theory, but he was an attacking player with great tactical ability. Chessmetrics assigns him a rating of 2555 in 1935, ranking him as number 61 in the world. Other players in the same range include Gosta Stolz, William Winter and Frank Marshall.
The game was known for the circumstances under which it was played. As a non-smoker, Andersen protested that Enevoldsen was deliberately blowing smoke in his face. There was a window behind them and the battle also extended to the window when they took turns opening and closing it.
Game Highlights:
13...Re8 – This is a mistake that allows Enevoldsen to launch an immediate K-side attack. With 13...Qa5 black could have obtained counterplay. If white continues with 14.f5 then after 14...Qxc3 15.fxg6 Qxa1 16.gxh7+ Kh8 arriving at an unclear position.
24.Ne6 – The N cannot be taken because white can force mate after 24...fxe6 25.fxe6+ .Ne4 26.Bxe4+ Qg6 27.Bxg6+ Kh8 28.Bf6 Nxf6 29.Rxh6+ gxh6 30.Qxh6+ Nh7 31.Qxh7 mate.
25.Nxg7 - Against best play (beginning with 25...Ng4) this results in a mate in 13, but there was a quicker mate with 25.Bxf6 Nxf6 26.Nxg7 h5 27.Rxh5+ Nxh5 28.f6+ Qe4 29.Bxe4+ Kh8 30.Qh6 mate.
25...Kxg7 - Capturing with the R also allows white to mate with the same stunning Q sacrifice. 25...Rxg7 26.Qxh6+ Kg8 (26...Kxh6 27.Bxf6 mate) 27.Bxf6 and black can only delay, not prevent, mate.
26.Qxh6+ - 26...Kxh6 27.Bxf6 mate
Unfortunately you seem to have mixed up the two players. It was Enevoldsen who won this game. This led to Andersen not winning the Danish championship as he was used to, and might have played a part in the further deterioration of Andersen's mental health. As for Andersen, you are correct that he had trouble making any impression on the international area, and that in particular his very limited opening repertoire was a handicap. But it should be mentioned that he was a member of the team that came so close to winning the first official Chess Olympiad for Denmark, where he scored well. Thanks for bringing attention to a fine player who under other circumstances might have gone places.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct and thanks for pointing out my faux pas! With Andersen being the featured player I should have attached one of his wins, not a loss! But, I had also been looking at this beautiful win by Enevoldsen and accidentally posted it instead.
ReplyDeleteThe game I meant to post was his win over Wagner at Swinemuende in 1930
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1280686
No problem. You have a great blog, and I am happy to be of some use. It is also true that it is a good game; Enevoldsen was a strong and original player. I suppose both he and Andersen would have been grandmasters today.
ReplyDeleteThat game by Andersen is impressive. And he was really good when he came into positions he liked. A great fighter also, one is reminded on how he managed to come back in that short match against Ståhlberg after having lost the two first games.