Hastings 1934-35

   Back in the old days the annual Christmas tournaments at Hastings were always a big attraction and the 1934-35 was one of the greatest and most exciting of all time. 
     While searching for information on the tournament, I discovered some other Hastings goings on that were of interest. From Hastings 3,871 miles away as the crow flies in another Hastings, this one in Michigan, the Hastings Mystery Theater, a cable TV show that comes on every Thursday and Friday at 7:00 pm and is hosted by Randall Schaefer, features murder mystery movies from the 1930's and 1940's. The host introduces the movies as well as gives interesting movie facts and background on the movie and the actors. You might find the movie Crosby Case, a crime /mystery /thriller from 1934, interesting. Former lovers get together to clear themselves when the police suspect them of murder. With the selling and using illegal drugs driving the plot, a Doctor Crosby is found dead. You can watch the full movie HERE. 

Miss England 1934

     Returning to Hastings, England, earlier in the year the city hosted the Miss Europe contest which saw the participation of both Miss Russia 1934, Yekaterina Antonova and her runner-up, Miss Siberia, Nadezhda Fomenko. Russian women continued to participate in these contests until 1939 when the outbreak of war brought the pageants to a halt. You can watch the opening ceremony HERE. 
     The 1934-35 Hastings tournament featured former World Champion Capablanca, future champions Euwe and Botvinnik, championship contender Flohr and the brilliant young Hungarian, Lilienthal. But, the hero of the tournament was the legendary Sir George Thomas who in rounds two and three had defeated Capablanca and Botvinnik before losing to Euwe in round four.
     Going into the last round (round 9) the leaders were Thomas (6.5), Euwe (6.0), Flohr (5.5), Capablanca (5.0), Botvinnik and Lilienthal (4.5) followed by the rest of the British contingent: Michell (3.0), Menchik (2.5), P.S. Milner-Barry (1.5) and Norman (1.0) 
     In the last round Thomas was paired with Reginald Michell and a friendly draw allowing Thomas at least a tie for first seemed in order. However, Thomas went all out and played for a win and in doing so lost. 
     In those days Salo Flohr was not the guy he was to become, who when asked “Draw?” automatically accepted. Even though he had black and played the Caro-Kann, Milner-Barry was no match for the great Flohr whose win in 31 moves put him in a tie for first with Thomas. 
     Meanwhile, Max Euwe was playing black against tailender George Norman whom he was expected to beat and thus finish a clear first. It turned out to be the last game to finish (42 moves) before the prize ceremony. The Dutch and English press claimed that Euwe didn't try too hard to win in order to not upset the organizers. Others claimed that Euwe made a sporting gesture by offering a draw and settling for a first-place tie with Thomas and Flohr. It’s claimed that Euwe had the advantage when he offered the draw, but did he, and if so, how much? Here’s the position: 

     I let Stockfish ponder on this position while I went to make a cup of coffee and when I returned about 10 minutes later its evaluation was 0.84 in black’s favor, but with the engine’s inflated evaluations it’s probably closer to half that. Additionally, I ran a Shootout with the result that black scored 3 wins, lost one and drew one. 
     Here’s what I think. Euwe was on the verge of defeating Alekhine for the world championship while Norman was only a garden variety master and if they had played out the game, I am pretty sure Euwe would have won. But, it was probably time to adjourn the game and in deference to time constraints and schedules (whether of the organizers, other players or his own) Euwe offered the draw. 
     Here is Thomas’ second round win over the might Capablanca as explained by FIDE CM Tryfon Gavriel, aka Kingscrusher, YouTube presenter and webmaster of Chessworld.net, the excellent online chess server.