John played in a number of American and international tournaments between 1880 and 1906. His best international result came when he scored 8-4 and finished tied for 4th-5th place in the Minor Section of the Fifth American Chess Congress. His best domestic result was his 3rd place finish in the Eighth Manhattan Chess Club championship in 1883.
The Sixth American Congress in New York in 1889, a double round robin that was one of the longest tournaments in history, John finished next to last out of 20 players while his brother, David, finished 14th.
The following game was played in the 6eth American Congress held in New York in 1889. Baird’s opponent didn’t play especially well, but the game is entertaining.
Nicholas MacLepd (February 8, 1870 – September 27, 1965, 95 (!) years old) was born in Quebec in Canada, At the age of 16 he won the Canadian championship in 1886 and 1888 (after play-off).
At the end of the century MacLeod moved to Minnesota where he won the state champion in 1899 and 1901.MacLeod married in 1902 and subsequently settled in Spokane, Washington, where he passed away in 1965.
John W. Baird–Nicholas MacLeod1–0C626th American Congress, New York26.03.1889Stockfish 16
C66: Ruy Lopez: Old Steinitz Defense 1.e4 e5 2.f3 c6 3.b5 d6 Nowadays
black usually plays 3...a6 first (the Modern Steinitz Defense) which keeps the
possibility of breaking the pin with a timely ...b5 and gives black more
latitude than in the Old Steinitz Defense. In the Old teinitz white can
practically force black to give up the stronghold at e5. In the Modern
Steinitz black is able to maintain control of the centre, especially e5. In my
database the Old Steinitz results in white scoring in half of the games with
the remaining half being equally divided between black wins and draws. 4.xc6+ Although this has been played numerous times by some strong players
like Nigel Short and Joel Benjamin it seems that 4.d4 offers white better
chances of gaining the advantage. bxc6 5.d4 f6 6.0-0 xe4 6...exd4 7.xd4 e7 8.e5 c5 9.d3 dxe5 9...d7 10.exd6 cxd6 11.c4 0-0
is equal. Short,N (2707)-Huebner,R (2581) Potsdam 2012 10.xd8+ xd8 11.xe5 e7 12.e1 e6 is completely equal. Perlis, J-Forgacs,L St Petersburg
1909 6...e7 7.c3 d7 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.e2 0-0 equals. Capablanca,
J-Janowski,D Havana 1913 7.dxe5 d5 8.e3 h6 Strictly speaking this is not
really bad, but it turns out to be a stepping stone to a bad idea. 8...c5
is the way to maintain equality. 9.e1 e7 10.c4 0-0 11.cxd5 b7 9.bd2 xd2 10.xd2 g5 This creates a fatal weakness in his position.
He ought to have played 10...c5 with a playable position. 11.c3 The threat
is e6 and black has no good way to meet it. b7 11...g7 prevents the
thrat, but white can continue to build up his position. 12.c5 e6 13.d4 g8 14.ae1 14.xc6 is also very effective... d7 15.xa7 14...d7 15.f4 with a winning attack. 12.e6 Already black is doomed. f6 13.d3 g8
Against Qg6+ 14.h7 White plays this remarkably well,
and he now forces the game in a few moves. g7 Against Qf7+ 15.xh6 d6 ? 15...e7 16.d4 g8 16...0-0-0 17.f5 17.h5+ d8 18.f5 xe6 19.h7 b4 20.c3 a5 21.fe1 f8 22.c5 and black is done for. 16.xf6 e7 17.e5 g6 18.xg5 h7 19.e7 g7 19...xe7 20.xc7 xg5 21.xb7 d8 22.xg5 is hopeless for black. 20.xc7 f6 Resigning was a good option. 21.xb7 g7 22.xa8+ xe7 23.xa7+ 23.fe1+ Not that it really matters, but this
leads to a forced mate. d7 24.e8 d6 25.b8+ c5 26.e1 d4 27.e6 b7 28.xb7 d3 29.xc6+ b4 30.xd3+ a5 31.b4# 23...d6 24.xg7 Black
finally resigned. A horrible little game by black. 1–0
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