Nice Guys Finish Fifth

    In the last round of the New York International tournament of 1948/49 Reuben Fine offered Al Horowitz a draw on the thirteenth move. Horowitz, who was considered a kind and gentle person by his close chess colleagues, refused in order to preserve Miguel Najdorf's chances. Horowitz went on to lose and so the nice gut gesture cost him a share of the prize money. 

    Fine, at the time rated (on paper at least) as one of the workd’s top players, jas his fans (if he had any) worried that he wouldn’t be able to live up to his reputation. For this tournament, at least, they need not have worried. According to Chessmetric’s December 1948 rating list Najdorf was rated #2 in the world behind Botvinnik. Fine was ranked #11 and former World Champion Euwe was still doing pretty well being ranked #18. 

    This tournament was Najdorf’s first appearance in the United States and ieven though he finished second. Chess Review called it “an artistic fiasco.” In the early going it looked like he was going to run away with first place, but he had been lucky.

 

 

    In his game against Najdorf, Arnold Denker had achieved a winning position and Horowitz’ draw against him had been a lucky one. Horowitz was in bad time pressure and am excited Najdorf missed the win several times and got himself into a lost position, offered a draw, and a keyed-up Horowitz accepted. After that hair raising encounter Najdorf cooled off. A half point behind at the start of the sixth round, he played recklessly and lost to Fine. His last two games were lifeless draws.  

 

[Event "New York 1948/49"] [Site ""] [Date "1949.01.02"] [Round "9"] [White "Reuben Fine"] [Black "I.A. Horowitz"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D30"] [Annotator "Dragon by Komodo"] [PlyCount "57"] [EventDate "1948.??.??"] {D35: Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Bg5 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. cxd5 exd5 {White has a P-majority in the center, black on the Q-side. Often white will play the Minority Attack by playing Rb1, followed by b2–b4–b5, then bxc6 in order to create a weak P on c6. Here Fine eschews that plan in favor of a durect attack on black's K.} 7. Nc3 Bd6 8. Bd3 O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. Qc2 Nf8 11. Rfe1 {It might have been a wee bit better to prevent black's next move and play 11.h3} (11. Rab1 {is the alternative plan.} Ng6 12. b4 h6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. b5 {with equal chances. Iashvili,A (2390)-Machulsky,A (2555) Moscow 1991}) 11... Bg4 12. Nd2 Be6 13. Nf1 {With this move Fine offered a draw. Horowitz refused in order to preserve Najdorf's chances.} Ng6 14. f4 {His draw offer refused, Fine gets mean.} Bd7 15. Ng3 Rc8 {This is too passive; he never gets the chance to play ...c5.. Bolstering up his K-side with 15...Be7 was called for.} 16. f5 Nf8 17. e4 {Black should now eliminate an attacker and play 17...Bxg6} dxe4 {A rather surprising tactical error from a player of Horowitz' strength.} 18. Ncxe4 Be7 19. Bxf6 {Removing the guard from d6.} Bxf6 20. Nd6 Rxe1+ (20... Bxd4+ {is met by} 21. Kh1 Rxe1+ 22. Rxe1 Rc7 {is met by} 23. Qc4 Bf6 24. Qxf7+ Kh8 25. Re8 Qxe8 (25... Bxe8 26. Qxf8#) 26. Nxe8) 21. Rxe1 Qa5 22. Kf1 Rb8 {Now Fine could have played 23.Bc4 first. He could then play Nxf7 and then bring up the other N with Nge4. He would then have a dominating position, Instead he gets a bit fancy.} 23. Nxf7 { [%mdl 512]} h6 (23... Kxf7 24. Qb3+ Be6 25. Rxe6 {The R cannot be taken/} Qb6 ( 25... Nxe6 26. Qxe6+ Kf8 27. Bc4 {mates on f7}) 26. Qc4 Qb5 27. Re5+ Qxc4 28. Bxc4+ {with a decisive advantage.}) 24. Qb3 Kh7 $2 (24... Qd5 {is refuted by} 25. Nxh6+ Kh7 26. Ng4 Qxb3 27. Nxf6+ gxf6 28. Re7+ Kh6 29. axb3 {White has a routine endgame win.}) 25. Nh5 Bxf5 {Pointless, but there was no saving the game. Howeverm he could have dragged it oout with 25...Qd5} (25... Qd5 26. Nxf6+ gxf6 27. Qxd5 cxd5 28. Re7 Re8 29. Rxe8 Bxe8 30. Nd6 Bc6 31. b4 a6 32. b5 axb5 33. Bxb5 Bxb5+ 34. Nxb5 Nd7 35. Nc7 Nb6 36. Kf2 {White has a won N+P ending. A sample line...} Kg7 37. Ne6+ Kg8 38. Nc5 Nc4 39. Nxb7 Na3 40. Nc5 Nb5 41. Ke3 Nd6 42. Kf4 Nb5 43. Nd7 Kg7 44. a4 Nxd4 45. Nb6 Nb3 46. Nxd5) 26. Nxf6+ gxf6 27. Re7 Kg6 28. Ne5+ {[%mdl 512]} Kg5 (28... fxe5 29. Qf7+ Kg5 30. Qxf5+ Kh4 31. g3#) 29. h4+ {[%mdl 512] Black resigned.} (29. h4+ Kxh4 30. Rg7 Ng6 31. Nxg6+ Bxg6 32. Bxg6 Qa6+ 33. Kg1 {White will mate...} Rf8 34. Qh3+ Kg5 35. Qg3# ) 1-0

The Vera Menchik Club

    In the pre-World ld War Two days one club that nobody wanted to join was The Vera Menchik Club. Membership required losing a tournament game to her and the club membership included Dr. Max Euwe, Samuel Reshevsky, Edgar Colle, Lajos Steiner, Sultan Kahn, Sir George Thomas, F.D. Yates. Albert Becker and William Winter, all big names back in those days.   

    Vera Menhik Stevenson (February 16, 1906 – June 26, 1944) was born to English and Czech parents in Moscow. She was married to Rufus Henry Streatfeild Stevenson, who at one time served as secretary of the British Chess Federation, from 1937 until his death in 1943. She learned to play chess at the age of nine and, after her family settled in England in 1921, she began taking lessons from Geza Maroczy. 

    Her style was positional and she was also known for her endgame expertise. Chessmetric estimates her highest rating to have been 2535 in 1929m ranking her #52 in the world. The top players were Alekhine. Capablanca, Nimzovich, Bogoljubow and Euwe. 

    Menchik was Women's World Champion from 1927 until 1944, when a German V1 rocket destroyed her London residence, killing her, her mother and her younger sister Olga Menchik. Watch a Youtube video

    The virtually unknown Olga Menchik (1907-1944) was also born in Moscow. In January 1927, Vera won the London ladies championship, and Olga finished second. She finished fourth in the Women's World Championship at Warsaw in 1935, and tied for 17–20th in the sixth WWC at Stockholm in 1937. In 1938, she married a Briton named Clifford Glanville. 

    At London 1932, the prominent British Master Sir George Thomas (1881-1972, 91 years old) joined the Vera Menchik Club. Thomas was born near Istanbul, Turkey. He learned chess from his mother, Lady Edith Thomas, who won one of the first women's tournaments that was held in Hastings in 1895. He was the British Champion in1923 and 1934.

 

    In addition to chess, Thomas wass the most successful player ever in the All England Open Badminton Championships, considered the unofficial World Badminton Championships, with 21 titles from 1903 to 1928. Four of those titles were in men's singles, nine in men's doubles and eight in mixed doubles. In tennis, he reached the quarterfinals of the singles and the semifinals of the men's doubles at Wimbledon in 1911. 

  

[Event "London"] [Site "] [Date "1932.02.04"] [Round "?"] [White "Vera Menchik"] [Black "Sir George Thomas"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E85"] [Annotator "Dragon by Komodo"] [PlyCount "47"] [EventDate "1932.02.01"] {E85: King's Indian: Sämisch} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 { Developed by the German Friedrich Saemisch in the 1920s, this often leads to very sharp play with players conducting attacks on their opponent's Ks which are castled on opposite sides.} O-O 6. Be3 e5 {Equally popular is 6...c5} 7. Nge2 {The alternative is 7.d5} b6 {This is not especially effective. The modern way is 7...c6} 8. Qd2 Nc6 (8... c5 9. d5 a6 10. Rb1 Ne8 11. g4 b5 12. cxb5 axb5 13. Nxb5 f5 {Black has a poor game. Castaldo,F (2330)-Likavsky,T (2485) Arvier 2007}) 9. d5 Ne7 10. g4 Nd7 11. Rg1 a5 {Both sides are going after their or opponent’s King. As Frank Marshall once put it, the outcome will depend on who can get there the fastest with the mostest.} 12. O-O-O Nc5 13. Ng3 Bd7 14. h4 a4 15. h5 Qb8 16. Bh6 {It's pretty clear that white has a significant advantage and the elimination of dark squared Bs leave black at a serious disadvantage.} Qa7 {Practically spealing 16...b5 was worth a try if for no other reason than ot complicates the issuue a bit.} 17. Bxg7 $18 Kxg7 18. Nf5+ {Crushing! Had white played 18.hxg6 her advantage would have been much less and black might then have had a fighting chance.]} Nxf5 (18... gxf5 { gets him mated.} 19. Qg5+ Kh8 20. Qf6+ Kg8 21. h6 {and mate on g7 cannot be prevented.}) 19. gxf5 {Threatening mate with f6+ which Thomas misses...not that it matters!} a3 {This loses quickly,.} (19... f6 20. hxg6 h6 21. Rh1 Rh8 { Holds up the attack a bit and would force white to work a little harder. Here is Dragon by Komodo's top line:} 22. Bd3 h5 23. Rh4 a3 24. b4 Nb3+ 25. axb3 a2 26. Qxa2 Qxa2 27. Nxa2 Rxa2 28. Rdh1 Ra1+ 29. Bb1 Raa8 30. f4 Rh6 31. fxe5 fxe5 32. Rxh5 {There is no question that white is winning/}) 20. f6+ {White mates in 8 moves.} Kh8 (20... Kxf6 21. Qg5+ Kg7 22. h6+ Kg8 23. Qf6 {and it's mate on g7}) 21. Qh6 axb2+ 22. Kb1 Rg8 23. hxg6 fxg6 {He could have held out an another two moves by playing something else, but this allows Menchik to pull off a nifty finish.} 24. Qxh7+ {[%mdl 512] Black resigned.} (24. Qxh7+ Kxh7 25. Rh1+ Bh3 26. Rxh3#) 1-0

Benko Bashes Fischer

    The 1962 Candidates Tournament in Curacao was a disappointment for Bobby Fischer; he finished fourth with a score of 14-13 behind Tigran Petrosian, Paul Keres and Efim Geller, but ahead of Viktor Korchoi, Pal Benko, Mikhail Tal and Miroskav Filip. 

    Fischer's poor result resulted in him howling about how the Soviet players colluded to prevent non-Soviets from winning. He alleged that the short draws Petrosian, Keres and Geller played against each other were prearranged. They were and his accusations resulted in FIDE changing the Candidates Tournament to a series of knockout matche.

    Fischer was also involved in a dispute involving Pal Benko and the use of their second, Arthur Bisguier. The USCF didn’t have the money to furnish noth players with a second, so they had to share Bisguier. 

    Benko and Bisguier showed up at Fuscher’s hotel room hopong he would assist in analyzing Benko;s adjourned game against Petrosian, but Fischer had a hissy fit and refused to let Bisguier help Benko, arguing that since he was in a better position in the tournament, his games should take priority. 

 The result was a physical altercation when Benko refused to leave tFischer’s room. Fischer filed a formal protest with tournament officials, claiming Benko hit him. The way I heard it told was that Benko slapped him.

    Fast forward to 1970. Benko gave his place in the 1970 Interzonal tournament to Fischer because Fischer was the best hope for winning the world championship. Benko had qualified from the U.S. Championship (Fischer did not participate), which was a zonal qualifier.

    Getting back to this Benko vs. Fischer game played in the first round at Curacao, Benko opined that losing this game “had a very negative effect on Fischer and in the next round against Geller he lost again...When (the tournament was over) his great performances (in other tournaments) were overshadowed...” 

 Benko opened with 1.g3 which is rarely seen in GM play, but he played it in every game until the round 23. Fischer had difficulty handling it and Benko got a space advantage, won a Pawn, and despite his usual time trouble, he managed to secure a winning advantage. In annotating the game I found Benko’s comments very enlightening. 

 

[Event "Curacao Candidates"] [Site ""] [Date "1962.05.02"] [Round "1"] [White "Pal Benko"] [Black "Robert Fischer"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B07"] [Annotator "Benko and Stockfish "] [PlyCount "80"] [EventDate "1962.05.02"] {B07: Pirc Defense} 1. g3 {Benko like this move because it is flexible and allows many opotunities for transposition. He bekeved that it could also "take the opponent into positions that he's not completely familiar with." He warned that it "demands sophisticated positional technique."} Nf6 2. Bg2 g6 3. e4 d6 4. d4 Bg7 5. Ne2 O-O 6. O-O e5 7. Nbc3 {Benko played this move (instead if 7. c4) hoping to catch Fischer by surprise.} c6 {At the time white's setup was fairly new and today the usual move is 7...Nc6 as suggested by Fischer after the game.} 8. a4 {The purpose of this move is to prevent black from expanding on the Q-side.} Nbd7 9. a5 {This gains space on the Q-side. In a later game against Benko, Tal prvented it by playing 8...a5} exd4 {This is often seen in the K-Indian. Black accepts a weak P on d6 with the hope of gaining activity for his pieces. Benko explained that in this position the N on d7 doesn't have permanent access to the key square c5 because white can always chase it away by playing b2-b4. Benko also pointed out that black's d-Pawn is a serious liability because black won't be able to generate any pressure against the P on e4 because a black N on c5 would play a major role in attack ong it.} 10. Nxd4 Nc5 (10... Re8 11. a6 Qc7 12. axb7 Bxb7 13. Nb3 a5 14. Re1 Ne5 {with even chances. Gil Gonzales,J (2355)-Izeta Txabarri,F (2510) Spain 1993}) 11. h3 Re8 12. Re1 Nfd7 {Benko was critical of this move because it eases the pressure on hisy e-Pawn, which allows him to develop his B to e3. Actually, black does not have a very good success rate from this position and so the text move is probably as good as any.} 13. Be3 Qc7 14. f4 Rb8 15. Qd2 b5 {Fischer is hoping to get some play on the Q-side.} 16. axb6 axb6 17. b4 {"Forcing the c5 -Knight away from its active perch." Benko} (17. e5 $1 $18 Bb7 18. Ra7) 17... Ne6 $16 18. b5 {Destroying the c6-pawn's guard over d5, and thus giving White's Knight access to that very fine central post} Nxd4 19. Bxd4 Bxd4+ 20. Qxd4 c5 { This is a poor move after which the weaknesses in his position, the lag in development and weaknesses on d5 as a result of this move and his weak d-Pawn, according to Benko, "guarantee his demise." Instead of this he should have tried ...Bb7 and ...Nc5} 21. Qd2 $18 Bb7 22. Rad1 Re6 23. e5 {[%mdl 512] Excellent! This wins material because blacks's P is pinned.} Bxg2 {With the elimination of the Bs Fischer is hoping to get some plat on the light squares.} 24. Kxg2 Qb7+ 25. Kf2 Rd8 26. exd6 {Benko pointed out that even though he has won a P, "the game isn't over since the Pawn is blocked and in need of support. " Also, his K is exposed. He added this bit of wisdom, "Transforming a winning position into the full point is often very difficult, and this game is yet another reminder of this fact."} Nf6 27. Rxe6 fxe6 28. Qe3 Kf7 29. Qf3 Qb8 { Trading Qs was just a bit better according to engines, but Benko observed that after 29...Qxf3 "white's central K would become advantageously placed (an exposed K is only bad if there are heavy pieces on the board that can scare it) . Now white has to deal with his threatened d-Pawn," Instructive commentary!} ( 29... Qa8 {was worth a try.} 30. Qc6 Qa3) 30. Ne4 Nxe4+ 31. Qxe4 {[%mdl 4096] The fact that white has an extra P means he has a won game, but the ending still requires great skill. The fact that Benko keeps the win in hand despite his usual time ptrssure is impressive.} Rd7 32. Qc6 Qd8 33. Kf3 Kg7 34. g4 { A terrific move that gains space on the K-side.} e5 {An aggressive bid for some counterplay.} 35. fxe5 Rf7+ 36. Kg2 (36. Kg3 {was better. According to Benko the move played allows Fischer. "to keep a certain amount of hope smoldering in his chest.".} Qg5 37. Qe4 {and white's Ps assure the win.}) 36... Qh4 37. Rf1 Rxf1 38. Kxf1 Qxh3+ 39. Qg2 Qe3 40. Qe2 Qh3+ {The games was adjourned here and this was Fischer's sealed move, but he resigned without resuming when he realized there wasn't a perpetual check. An instructive game by Benko.} (40... Qh3+ 41. Kf2 Qh2+ 42. Kf3 Qh3+ (42... Qh1+ 43. Kf4 {Black is out of checks.}) 43. Kf4 g5+ 44. Kf5 Qh6 45. Ke4 Qg6+ 46. Kd5 Qf7+ 47. e6 { end of checks!}) 1-0

A Most Remarkable Game?

`In 1938, the U.S. faced economic difficulties with rising unemployment. President Roosevelt founded the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (known as the March of Dimes) to combat polio. As an elementary school student I remember filling collection cards with dimes. We would receive a card, collect dimes from family and friends and then return the filled card to the school and it could earn you a lapel pin. In those day the possibility of getting polio was a scary thing and the program helped fund the development of the successful Salk polio vaccine. 

    On June 24, 1938, a meteorite weighing over 990,000 pounds exploded about 12 miles above the earth near Chicora, Pennsylvania. It was felt for miles and injured a cow though it missed populated areas like Pittsburgh, averting a major catastrophe. The explosion's sound and light were described as a fireball, similar to thunder, and were initially mistaken for other events, like a powder magazine explosion. 

 The fact that the meteorite entered the atmosphere at a 30- degree angle which expended its energy. If it had entered the atmosphere at a nearly vertical trajectory, most of it would have survived the descent. The resultant impact would have caused major damage to Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. 

    In 1938, movies out of Hollywood offered with box office hits like Alexander's Ragtime Band (it generally traced the history of jazz music) and You Can't Take It With You (about a man from a family of rich snobs who becomes engaged to a woman from a good-natured, but eccentric family.) 

    The year saw the invention of practical, synthetic fabrics and board games like Monopoly. Games like backyard games, card games, and board games were popular ways for people to entertain themselves during the Great Depression. 

    A game was played in the 1938 Utah State Championship that Chess Review describes as, “One of the most remarkable played by American amateurs!” Was it remarkable as in notably or conspicuously unusual? You be the judge. One thing that is was however, was an example of when NOT to play the Classic Bishop Sacrifice, Bxh7+ and Ng5+.

     The Utah Chess Association has long existed in various forms, bu records are not generally available. The 1938 Utah Champion is not documented in tournament records. Fortunately, the July 1938 issue of Chess Review listed the results. The championship was won a 20-year old University of Utah student named Richard Durham who scored 7.5-1.5.  Others scores: 

 

        2-3) D.L. Morgan (Salt Lake City champion) 7.0-2.0 

        2-3) W. Taylor (the only player to defeat Durham_ 

        4) C. H. Stewart (Idaho champion) 5.5-3.5 

        5-6) Dittman 4.5-4.5 

        5-6)) O.W. Manney (Arizona and New Mexico champion) 

        7) L. N. Page (defending champion) 4.0-5.0 

        8) G. J. Moore 3.0-6.0 

        9) H. Davis 1.5-4/5 

        10) R. Kooyman 0.5-8.5. 

 

[Event "Utah State Championship"] [Site "?"] [Date "1938.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "D.L. Morgan"] [Black "I.W. Taylor"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D53"] [Annotator "Stockfish 17.1"] [PlyCount "92"] [EventDate "1938.??.??"] {D53: Queen's Gambit Declined} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nf6 {This is not a particularly good wat\y to meet the Queen's Gambit.} 3. Nc3 {This trnsposesinto regulat lines, but he should seize the chance to obtain a good game with 3.cxd5} (3. cxd5 Nxd5 4. e4 Nf6 5. Nc3 {Black has tried 5...e5 and 5...c6, both of whch have yielded poor results.}) 3... e6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Nf3 {Usual is 5...O-O or 5.. .h6. The text is seen in the Tartakower Variation.} b6 {This is not to be confused with the aforementioned Tartakower Variation.} (5... h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 b6 {transposes into the Tartakower; white has a wide number of options.}) 6. cxd5 Nxd5 {Capturing with the P is an acceptable alternative.} 7. Bxe7 Nxe7 { Recapturing with the Q was better.} 8. e4 O-O (8... Bb7 9. Bb5+ c6 10. Ba4 O-O 11. O-O Nd7 {Verzijden,M (1339)-Van Lenthe,G (1540) Hengelo 2005. The position is roughly equal, but nlack's is somewhat passive.}) 9. Bd3 Bb7 10. e5 Nbc6 { White should now castle. Instead he embarks on a completely unsound Classic Bishop Sacrifice.} 11. Bxh7+ {[%mdl 8192] For this, the Classic Bishop Sacrifice, to be successful white must have a P at e5, and the B on the diagonal c1-h6, a N on either d2 or c3 and a R on the open e-file. There may also be a R on f1, if the f-file is open. Here this conditions are almost, but not quite, met.} Kxh7 {Black must accept the sacrifice.} (11... Kh8 12. Be4 Ng8 13. h4 Nh6 14. Ng5 Qd7 {At the moment there is no chance of launching a successful attack on black's K, but white can switch to a Q-side diversion} 15. Qa4 Rab8 16. O-O-O Rfd8 17. Bxc6 Bxc6 18. Qc2 Nf5 19. d5 exd5 20. g4 d4 21. Rh3 Rbc8 22. gxf5 {and now white does have a decsuve K=side attacj.}) 12. Ng5+ { This is a critical position. Black gas to decide where to retreat the K.} Kh6 { This us the wrong square!} (12... Kg8 13. Qh5 Re8 14. Qxf7+ Kh8 {White either wind the Q or delivers mate.} 15. Nxe6) (12... Kg6 {This is the correct square/ White's chances of success are inlikley because he does not have a R on e1 and the N on c3 is unable to render much assistance. And, he must do something about the attack on his d-Pawn (...Qxd4).} 13. Qg4 (13. Nf3 Nb4 14. O-O f5 15. exf6 Rxf6 16. Qb1+ Nf5 {White's attack has been beaten off anbd black's advantage shpuld prove enough to win.}) 13... Qxd4) 13. Qd2 {[%mdl 8192] The threat of a discovered checj looks dangerous, but black equalizes easily.} (13. Qg4 {Keeps white's winning chances alive.} Qxd4 14. Nce4 {Bringing up the reserves.} Qb4+ 15. Kf1 Ba6+ 16. Kg1 {and the threat of Qh4+ cannot be met in any satisfactory way.}) 13... Qxd4 14. Qc1 Qxe5+ 15. Nce4 {There is no effective discovered chesck.} Kg6 (15... Qa5+ {Technically this is stronger, but also more difficult to calculate.} 16. Kf1 Nd4 17. Nxe6+ Kh7 18. N4g5+ Kg6 19. Nxd4 Qxg5) 16. h4 {A note in Chess Review says this vigorously seizies the opportunity to resume the attack. It threatens to win with h5+. but white cannot successfully carry out the threat so his position remians a lost one.} Rh8 {16...Qa5+ was still a strong option.} 17. g4 Rxh4 {A brilliant refutation. ..but} 18. Rxh4 Nd4 {...the followup is weak.} (18... Nb4 {A difficult to spot move!} 19. Qc4 (19. f4 Nd3+) 19... Qxb2 20. Rd1 Ned5 {Black has a dexisive advantage.} 21. a3 {A pass to show what white is facing.} Nc2+ 22. Kf1 Nde3+ 23. fxe3 Nxe3+) 19. f4 {The equalizer as ...Qa5+ has lost its devastating effect.} Qa5+ 20. Kf2 {At some point Qh1 may be possible.} Qb5 {Also good was 29...f6} 21. Nc3 (21. Qh1 {is not yet playable.} Qe2+ 22. Kg3 Qe3+ 23. Kh2 Qxf4+ 24. Kh3 f6 {Black is winning.}) 21... Qd3 22. Rh3 {[%mdl 1024] After his poor followup on move 18 black is in a difficult position.} Qc4 {Black should have taken the opportunity to trade Qs wirh 22...Qc2+ after which he would still be in the game.} 23. Qb1+ {A fine move that gets his Q into the attack.} f5 {White can now wrap it up with 24.Qd1! threatening gxf5+ and Qh5+ and there is no satisfactory way for black to meet the threat.} 24. Qg1 {This sub-optimal move should have allowed black to equalize.} Qc5 (24... Nc2 25. gxf5+ Kxf5 {Black's K is perfectly safe here and the chances are equal.} (25... Nxf5 {loses outright.} 26. Nf3+ Kf6 27. Qg5+ Kf7 28. Ne5+)) 25. b4 {White is better herem but the game is far from over!} Qxb4 26. gxf5+ {[%mdl 128]} Nexf5 {[%mdl 8192]} 27. Nxe6+ {This looks crushing, but it allows black to get away with equality/} (27. Rb1 Qa5 28. Nf3+ Kf7 29. Ne5+ {White has secured the win.} Kf8 30. Qg6 Nh6 31. Rxh6 gxh6 32. Qf7#) 27... Kf7 28. Re1 {[%mdl 8192] Another horrible move that should have lost at once.} (28. Ng5+ Ke7 29. Rb1 Qc4 30. Re1+ Kd7 {and the win is uo for grabs!}) 28... Qd6 {[%mdl 8192] Technically this is a colossal blunder that should have lost, but it turns out that things are not so simple.} (28... Nxe6 29. Qg4 (29. Rxe6 Qxf4+ 30. Ke1 Kxe6 {and black is plenty of material ahead.}) 29... Qxf4+ 30. Qxf4 Nxf4 31. Rh2 Nd3+ 32. Ke2 Nxe1 33. Kxe1 {Black wins}) 29. Ng5+ Kg8 30. Rh8+ {[%mdl 512]} Kxh8 31. Nf7+ Kg8 32. Nxd6 Nxd6 33. Qg6 {Materially speaking white has a significant material advantage, but black's pieces are extremely active and the cooperate well, so white faces considerable difficulty in securing the win.} Rf8 34. Rg1 {A bit more precise would have been 34.Re7, but from heree to the end of the game there is no point in quibbling over a few Centipawns.} Rxf4+ 35. Ke3 Rf3+ 36. Kxd4 c5+ 37. Ke5 Nf7+ 38. Ke6 {White has a strong Q and R battery on the g-file and he has gotten his K into action, but black;s three pieces coordinate in a way that is both annoying and frustrating to white!} Re3+ 39. Ne4 (39. Kf5 Rf3+ {White has to consent to a repetition with 40.Ke6 on account of ...Ne5+}) 39... Rxe4+ 40. Kf5 Re5+ 41. Kf4 Re4+ 42. Kg3 Nh6 {This should have lost.} (42... Re2 {is a better chance.} 43. Kh3 Bc8+ 44. Kh4 Rh2+ 45. Kg3 Rh6 {and black is still fighting.}) 43. Kf2 Rf4+ 44. Ke3 Rf3+ 45. Ke2 {He has finally escaped the annoying R checks.} Nf5 46. Rg5 {The final missed opportunity. Even so it's hard to call the move into question because the winning line is hard to fathom...see the final position!} (46. Kd2 {Black runs out of checks after} Rf2+ 47. Kc1 Bd5 48. Qe8+ Kh7 49. Qh5+ Kg8 50. Rd1 Nd4 51. Qxd5+ {The Q vs a N+3Ps is not going to be as easy to win after 51...Kf8 (51... Kh7 leads yo mate in 21 moves) as the engine;s evaluation ov 83 Pawns (!) would lead us to believe. For the record here it is...} Kf8 52. Re1 g6 53. Qd8+ Kg7 54. Qe7+ Rf7 55. Qe5+ Rf6 56. Qc7+ Rf7 57. Re7 Rxe7 58. Qxe7+ Kh6 59. Qxa7 Kg5 60. Qxb6 Kf5 61. Qxc5+ Ke4 62. Qc4 g5 63. Kd2 Ke5 64. a4 g4 65. a5 g3 66. Qc7+ Kd5 67. Qxg3) 46... Ba6+ {Draw Agreed. A see=saw affair. Accuracy: White = 47%, Black = 50%.} (46... Ba6+ 47. Kxf3 Nh4+ 48. Kf4 Nxg6+ 49. Rxg6 {This position is evaluated at 9.00, but that does not mean it's drawn. Humanly speaking, laying on anything could happen!}) 1/2-1/2

More on the Alexandria Engine

    In a previous post I noted that I had been experimenting with the Alexandria engine and noted that it might be useful for uncovering an opening surprise when preparing for over the board play. 

    The following game was recently played online and using Fritz, I tested Alexandria by letting it analyze the game at 15 seconds per move with the idea of then checking the analysis against Stockfish’s. 

    To my surprise, Alexandria suggested no improvements! What I ended up doing was analyzing the game with Stockfish and then going through it again with Alexandria running in orfer to compare the results. 

    Unlike other engines that will allow you to see multiple lines, Alexandria only shows its top choice and it only uses one core. Its evaluations in Centipawns seems considerably higher than Stockfish. 

     As mentioned previously, while Version 8 is obviously very strong based on its Computer Chess Rating List results, it no longer seems to be available. The version 5 that I have does not seem to be practical for analysis. While it may be able to discover some hidden possibilities in the opening, a better engine for that purpose is probably Berserk which is also highly rated on the CCLR rating list and can be downloaded from the same site as Alexandria HERE. 

     Last year I played two games against a 2300+ otb Master who is also an ICCF International Master because I wanted to test the highly aggressive Berserk to see if it could discover any opening innovations. It didn’t and once we got out of the opening I felt my positions were slipping a bit even though Berserk showed things were equal, It was then that I switched back to Stockdish and we played two uneventful draws. 

    I think what all of this shows is that while it may be true that other engines might be useful for discovering opening innovations for otb play, Stockfish is still unsurpassed and I cannot see using any other engine fot post-game analysis.

[Event "Online G/10"] [Site "?"] [Date "2025.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Tartajubow"] [Black "Anonymous"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C44"] [Annotator "Stockfish/Aleandria"] [PlyCount "67"] [EventDate "2025.??.??"] {C44: Ponziani Opening} 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nc6 {After the more frequently seen 2.. ..Nf6 I like to play the Urosov Gambit (3.d4) which is not entirely sound but it can give white attacking chances. Also reasonable was 3.f4.} 3. d4 {This is definitely not good! The Vienna (3.Nc3) would still offer white the opportunity of entering a gambit line.} exd4 {Alexandria's choice.} (3... Nxd4 {seems preferable because white then has little choice but to offer the trade of Ns with 4.Nf3} 4. Nf3 Nxf3+ 5. Qxf3 Qe7 {White does not have quite enough compensation for the P.}) 4. Nf3 Bc5 5. c3 d3 6. O-O {More common is 6.b4 which is somewhat better.} d6 7. Qxd3 Nf6 {It was surprising to discover that my database has 31 games which reached this position, but only one of the players was a Master which is not surprising. White's best move is 8.b4} 8. Ng5 {The threat to capture on f7 is no threat at all, nut I didn't see any other way of continuing that offered any play at all. However, black had been moving almost instantly and I thought this might gove him pause for thought.} O-O { No pausing to think; he played this instantly.} (8... Ne5 {is much stronger. After} 9. Qd1 Nxc4 10. Qa4+ Nd7 11. Qxc4 Ne5 12. Qe2 Bg4 13. Nf3 Nxf3+ 14. gxf3 Bh3 {Black is netter, but sy yjr non-engine level the "black is winning" comment by Fritz is not a foregone conclusion.}) 9. Qg3 {This earns a ? from Stockfish and both engines recommend that the N tuck its tail and return to f3. In these types of positions it's rarely a good idea to capture the f-Pawn.} Ne5 10. Bb3 h6 11. Bc2 {The N is bait hoping to get some kind of an attack.} (11. Nxf7 {is the recommended move.} Nxf7 12. Bxh6 Nh5 13. Qg6 Qf6 14. Qxh5 Qxh6 15. Qxh6 gxh6 {White's hoped fpor attack has not materialized and he only has two Ps for the B so black's position should prove to be a winning one.}) 11... hxg5 {Taken without hesitation, but there was a better move. That said, there is nothing at all wrong with 11...hxg5 which also leaves white with a losing position.} (11... Nh5 12. Qh4 Bg4 13. Bd1 Bxd1 (13... hxg5 {and the Q is trapped.}) 14. Rxd1 g6 {White is in serious trouble.}) 12. Bxg5 Ng6 13. Re1 Nh5 {The problem with this move, which technically speaking is not a bad one, soon becomes apparent} (13... Qe8 {is the top choice of Alexandria and the second for Stockfish which showed a slight preference for 13...Qd7. In either case, black has a much larger advantage that after the text. Almost 4 Pawms according to Stockfish which is long way from A,exandria's 7 Ps.]}) 14. Bxd8 Nxg3 {It should be obvious that white never had a real chance at conducting a K-side attack and now has scant compensation for the N.} 15. Bxc7 {I think black missed this. White now has two Ps for the N.} Nh5 16. b4 Bb6 17. Bxd6 { Suddenly white has 3 Ps for the N. Engines still consider black to have a decisive advantage though. In Shootouts whitr losr 0-5, but the endings were long and difficult and far beyond the skill level of the two players in this game.} Rd8 18. e5 Nhf4 19. Nd2 {[%mdl 32] The plan is to replace the B on d6 with the better piece, the N.} Ne6 {19...B6 has better winning chances. The threat is to win with ...Nxe5} 20. Rad1 Bc7 21. Nc4 Bxd6 22. Nxd6 {White has 2 Ps for the N and has managed to achieve equality.} b6 23. g3 {To support the advance f4, but more exact would have been 23.Bb3} Rb8 {[%mdl 8192] Pointless.} (23... Ng5 {takes advantage of white's imprecise last move.} 24. Re3 Nxe5 { Now that the Ns support had been removed black again has gained a significant advantage.} 25. f4 Ng4 26. Re2 Ne6 {and black is back to having a N vs, 2 Ps.}) 24. f4 {[%mdl 2048] White has strong initiative and it;s black who is in jeopardy.} Ne7 25. f5 Ng5 26. Kf2 Bb7 {An obvious tactical blunder. Black, who had started the game moving almost instantly, had gradually begun using more and more time and now had less than two minutes left to my four. Best, but insufficient, would have been 26...Kf8} 27. Nxb7 Rxd1 28. Rxd1 Rxb7 29. Rd8+ Kh7 30. h4 {The N has nowhere to go.} Nc6 {A good try. Now I had to spend some precious time trying to decide whether or not to move the attacked R. U finally secided to complicate the issue, mostly because of my opponent's lack of time.} 31. e6 (31. Re8 Rd7 32. Ke3 Nxe5 33. hxg5 Nc4+ 34. Kf4 g6 35. f6 Rd5 36. Re7 Kg8 37. Rxa7 {would ultimately win, but it will take some time which isnt; available in this blitz game.}) 31... Nxd8 32. f6+ $1 Kh6 33. e7 Nh3+ 34. Kf1 {In this hopeless position black lost on time. A lucky escape for white. Accuracy: White = 64%, Black = 36%.} 1-0

Dr. Miroslav Filip Hoodwinks Tal

    Miroslav Filip (1928 - 2009) was a Czech Grandmaster. He was born in Prague and like Ludek Pachman, he benefited from the occasional presence of the world champion Alexander Alekhine in Prague competitions during the early 1940s. However, it was not until the age of 25 that Filip began to make a serious mark on the postwar chess scene. 

    From 1955 to 1962, the 6 foot 9 inch tall Filip became a world force. During this period he twice achieved the arduous feat of qualifying for the Candidates Tournaments for the World Championship at Amsterdam in 1956 and again at Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles, 1962. Filip never was chess professional so his two appearances in these events are an impressive achievement. 

    After the Candidate tournaments Filip grew less enthusiastic about tournament play and was more concerned with avoiding defeat than in scoring wins. He also became more involved in journalism and serving as an arbiter. 

 

 

    The following game, mentioned in the previous post, was probably Filip’s best in the tournament. Tal was playing his usual sharp game and had established a significant advantage when he got hoodwinked. Filip’s sacrifice of the exchange caught Tal off guard and he played a few weak move before totally collapsing.

 

 

 

[Event "Curacao Candidates"] [Site ""] [Date "1962.05.20"] [Round "12"] [White "Mikhail Tal"] [Black "Miroslav Filip"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B43"] [WhiteElo "2706"] [BlackElo "2618"] [Annotator "Stockfish 17.1"] [PlyCount "78"] [EventDate "1962.05.02"] {B43: Sicilian: Kan Variation} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 { The moves ...e6 and ...a6 are the flexible Kan Variation in which black keeps his options open. He has the optio of where to place his dark squared B and 4.. .a6 prevents Nb5 and prepares ...b5} 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. f4 b5 7. a3 Bb7 8. Qf3 { Normal is 8.Bd3 and then if he chooses, placing the Q on e2, but Tal liked playing with fire.} Nf6 9. Bd3 Bc5 10. Nb3 Be7 11. O-O O-O {Safer was 11...d6 followed by ...Nbd2} 12. Bd2 (12. Qh3 {threatening e4-e5 would have been more Tal-like!} d5 (12... e5 13. fxe5 Qxe5 14. Rf5 Qe6 15. Nd4 {is crushing.}) 13. e5 Ne4 14. Nd2 {White has the initiative.}) 12... d6 13. g4 d5 {A safe alternative was 13...g6, but Filip is not inyerested in defending, he is alsi playing aggressively,} 14. e5 Nfd7 15. Qh3 {[%mdl 2048]} g6 16. Nd4 Nc6 17. Nce2 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 Nc5 19. b4 Ne4 20. Be3 (20. Bxe4 {Turns out ot be in black's favor after} dxe4 21. Be3 Bd5 22. c3 f6 (22... Qxc3 23. Rfc1 Qd3 24. Rd1 Qc3 25. Rdc1 {draws}) 23. exf6 Bxf6) 20... Rfe8 21. Rae1 Bf8 22. Nf3 a5 23. f5 (23. Bxb5 axb4 24. axb4 (24. Bxe8 {does not win the exchange.} Rxe8 25. axb4 Ba6 $17 {wins bacj the exchange and white is left with two weak Ps.}) 24... Bxb4 25. Bxe8 Rxe8 26. Rb1 Bc5 27. Bd4 Ba6 {White has win the exchange but black has compensation in the form of the well placed N, two Bs and white's weak c-Pawn}) 23... exf5 24. gxf5 Rxe5 {This offer of the exchange is nothing more than a bluff, but there was really nothing better and Tal now fails to find the correct way to keep his advantage.} 25. fxg6 (25. Nxe5 Qxe5 26. Bxe4 dxe4 27. Rd1 {White is in complete control of the game.}) 25... hxg6 26. Nxe5 Qxe5 27. c3 {Better was 27.Qd7} axb4 28. Bd4 {Filip has now managed to equalize.} Bc8 {Very good. The exgchange of Qs would only be to black's advantage.} 29. Qg2 Qh5 {Threatening ...Bh3.} 30. Bxe4 dxe4 31. Qxe4 {White has a small material advantage (R vs B+P). His B and Q are well placed and he has control of the e-file and...he has a lost game after this! Watch Filip's pieces spring into life!} (31. axb4 Bh3 {regains the exchange and equalizes.}) 31... Qg5+ 32. Kh1 (32. Qg2 Qxg2+ 33. Kxg2 bxa3 34. Ra1 Be6 35. Rfb1 Bc4 { White is reduced to shuffling pieces/} 36. Kf3 a2 37. Rc1 Rd8 38. Rc2 Bg7 39. Ke3 Bxd4+ (39... b4 40. Bxg7 b3 41. Rcxa2 bxa2 42. Bf6 Rd6 43. Bd4 Re6+ { Black has a win ending.}) 40. cxd4 Rxd4) (32. Kf2 Rxa3 33. Re3 Ra2+ 34. Re2 b3 35. Qe5 Qxe5 36. Bxe5 Bc5+ 37. Bd4 Bxd4+ 38. cxd4 Rxe2+ 39. Kxe2 Bf5 40. Kd2 b2 {wins}) 32... Be6 {...Bd5 is the threat.} 33. Be5 Rd8 {Renewing the threat of . ..Bd5} 34. h4 Qh5 {Threatens to win with ...Bd5.} 35. Qf4 Rd3 {35...bxa3 was even stringer.} 36. Bf6 {This loses instantly.} (36. axb4 {at least gives him a fighting chance.} Rh3+ 37. Kg1 Rxh4 38. Qf3 Qg5+ 39. Kf2 Bd5 40. Qxd5 Rh2+ 41. Bxh2 Qxd5 42. Be5 Bg7 43. Bxg7 Kxg7 {and white can play on hoping for a miracle.}) 36... Qd5+ 37. Kg1 bxc3 38. Re4 Bc5+ 39. Kh2 Qa2+ {White resigned. Tal's collapse was sudden and complete.} (39... Qa2+ 40. Rf2 Qxf2+ 41. Qxf2 Bxf2 42. Re2 Bg3+ {is hopeless for white.}) 0-1

Engine Experiment

    Labor Day was officially established as a national holiday in the United States on June 28, 1894, when President Grover Cleveland signed a law passed by Congress making the first Monday in September a legal holiday to honor American workers. The first Labor Day celebration, however, had already taken place in New York City on September 5, 1882, organized by the Central Labor Union. 

    Now that the long weekend (for those who are still working) is over) and things are back to normal I have been monkeying around analyzing a game Tal lost to Filip in 1962 that has turned out to be more complicated than expected, playing a bit online where I had one interesting game that I might publish and I have been looking at an engine named Alexandria. 

    While visiting the CCLR engine rating list I noticed the open source neural network engine Alexandria 8.0.0 64-bit 4CPU was ranked 7th only 28 points below Stockfish 17.1. 

     I was unable to locate a site where version 8 was available and while searching for it visited Chess Engine Diary on Facebook and found the link to download version 8. Clicking on it took me to a porn site! Quickly backing out and running my antivirus program turned up no threats. 

    What I did find was a safe download of an older (about two years) version, Alexandria 5.1.4 on an interesting site called CHESSENGERIA. On my laptop Alexandria version 5 was defeated in 4 minute blitz games by Stockfish by a score of +0 -4 =1, but I found something interesting in the process. The evaluation of Alexandria notes that it “does not wait for...unfavorable developments”, but is willing to take risks in an attempt to weasel out of an unfavorable situation. 

    As a test, I used a position from the previously mentioned Tal-Filip game because that’s exactly what Filip did. He was in a bad situation and took a risk and it worked. Specifically, I wanted to compare the two engines’ analysis of the position after Tal’s 24.gxf5 to see how they compared. 

 

    Both engines give white a winning advantage of about 3.5 Pawns after 24...Re7. However, I was excited to see that Alexandria initially looked at Filip’s sacrifice of the exchange (24...Rxe5) which it finally evaluated at about 6 Pawns in white’s favor compared to Stockfish’s 5 Pawns. As a result, the risk was too great and so Alexandria finally settled on 24...Re7 as preferred by Stockfish. 

    Obviously, Alexandria is weaker than Stockfish and so there is not much point in using it for analysis purposes after the fact. What it might be useful for is uncovering an opening surprise when preparing for over the board play.

The Famous Levitsky - Marshall Game

    In the previous post mention was made of the fact that Rossolimo’s brilliant Queen sacrifice, which mimicked Marhall’s against Levitsky at Breslau in 1912, received scant attention. According to Andy Soltis in his book of Marshall’s best games, in his memoirs Marshall wrote that the spectators became "so excited" by the finish that they "showered me with gold pieces." Marshall added, "I have often been asked whether this really happened. The answer is… yes, that is what happened, literally!" 

    Soltis noted that in his original handwritten notes Marshall made no mention of the coin tossing incident, bur commented, "A purse was presented to me after this game." 

    Also from Soltis' book, according to Walter Korn, the Austro-Hungarian chess writer who is most famous for authoring Modern Chess Openings, that’s not the way he heard the story. 

    Korn wrote that when he was a young player in Prague witnesses to the game claimed that Alekhine and another friend of Levitsky's had bet on the game (presumably with Marshall) and when Levitsky resigned they tossed their bets on the board. 

 

    The game was played in the Congress of the German Chess Association. While Marshall;s performance was forgettable, his game against Lewitsky was not. Stepan Levitsky (1876-1924) was a Russian Master of considerable ability who passed away prematurely at the age of 47. Chess metrics estimates his highest ever rating to habe beem 2603 in 1913, placing him at #22 in the world.

 

[Event "Breslau"] [Site ""] [Date "1912.07.20"] [Round "6"] [White "Stefan Levitsky"] [Black "Frank Marshall"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C10"] [Annotator "Stockfish 17.1"] [PlyCount "46"] [EventDate "1912.07.15"] {C10: French Defense} 1. d4 e6 2. e4 d5 3. Nc3 c5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. exd5 exd5 6. Be2 Nf6 7. O-O Be7 8. Bg5 {White has an edge.} O-O 9. dxc5 Be6 10. Nd4 (10. Rb1 {was played in Mlotkowski,S-Marshall,F St Louis 1904 which continued} d4 11. Nb5 Bxc5 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. a3 Rad8 14. b4 {Black is better, but the game was eventually drawn.}) 10... Bxc5 $11 11. Nxe6 {Some annitatirs consider this to be an error because the Pawn on e6 is not really weakness. It's actually the engine;s pregerred move. 11.Nb3 is also acceptable.} fxe6 12. Bg4 Qd6 13. Bh3 Rae8 14. Qd2 Bb4 {Accordomg to Marshall this pin givesd black "a good grip on the position." In fact, the position is dead equal.} 15. Bxf6 Rxf6 16. Rad1 { White would have beeb better of to force the exchange ...Bxc3 by playing 16.a3 after which he could recaoture with the Q.} Qc5 17. Qe2 {The threat is Nxd5} Bxc3 18. bxc3 Qxc3 {Black has not won a P!} 19. Rxd5 {[%mdl 512]} Nd4 {To win back the P.} 20. Qh5 {[%mdl 8192] A crude mate threat; Levitssky is unaware that danger is lurking.} (20. Qe4 {keeos things equal after} Rf4 21. Qe5 (21. Qxf4 Ne2+) 21... h6 22. f3 exd5 23. Qxe8+ Kh7 24. Qc8) 20... Ref8 {This wins.} (20... exd5 {is only equal after} 21. Qxe8+ Rf8 22. Be6+ Nxe6 23. Qxe6+ Rf7) 21. Re5 (21. f3 Ne2+ 22. Kh1 exd5) 21... Rh6 {Far more elegant than capturing on f2!} (21... Rxf2 {Also wons/} 22. Rfe1 (22. Rxf2 Qa1+ 23. Qd1 Qxd1+ 24. Re1 Qxe1+ 25. Rf1 Qxf1#) 22... Qxc2 23. Qd1 Qxd1 24. Rxd1 Ne2+ 25. Rxe2 Rxe2) 22. Qg5 Rxh3 23. Rc5 (23. gxh3 Nf3+) 23... Qg3 {[%mdl 512] White resigned. Marshall called this the most elegant move he had ever played.} (23... Qg3 24. hxg3 Ne2#) (23... Qg3 24. fxg3 Ne2+ 25. Kh1 Rxf1#) (23... Qg3 24. Qxg3 Ne2+ 25. Kh1 Nxg3+ 26. Kg1 Ne2+ 27. Kh1 Rc3 {Black is a N up/}) 0-1

Rossolimo's Most Brilliant Games

    Most players beyond the beginner stage are familiar with the concept of control of the center and the idea that pieces must be developed quickly and actively. Pawns also play their part and in the opening Pawn moves can be good or bad. Pawn moves delay the development of the pieces can have dire consequences. 

 I occasionally play online and often see lower rated players wasting time with Pawn moves like a3, ...a6, h3 and ...h6 in the belief that they are preventing possible attacks by Bishops and Knights reaching b4 or b5 and g4 or g5. However, such Pawn moves should not be played unless there is a specific reason for doing so. 

 Most players are also familiar with the concept of the Classic Pawn Center (Pawns on d4 and e4) and the following game is a good example, plus the opening, the Giuoco Piano which is a favorite of many non-Masters, was used. 

    The Giuoco Piano was a favorite of GM Nicolas Rossolimo (1910-1975) who was born in Kiev in the Ukraine, but eventually made his way to New York City by way of Paris. 

    The game, which was awarded a Brilliancy Prize, was played in the 1967 Puerto Rico Open that was held in San Juan. Robert Byrne scored 6.5-0.5 to take first place and Bernard Zuckerman, who drew with Byrne and Dr. Erich Marchand, finish second with 6-1. The sixteen-year-old Puerto Rican Champion Julio Kaplan and Rossolimo headed a group with 5.5-1.5. 

    Besides being a good example of opening play, Rossolimo’s Queen sacrifice is reminiscent of the one Marshall played against Leviysky at Breslau in1912. See the game HERE. As far as I know, Rossolimo’s game received no mention in the tournament reports.  

 

[Event "Puerto Rico Open, San Juan"] [Site ""] [Date "1967.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Nicolas Rossolimo"] [Black "Paul Reissmann"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C54"] [Annotator "Stockfish 17.1"] [PlyCount "47"] [EventDate "1967.??.??"] {C54: Giuoco Piano} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 (3. c3 {Speaking of the Classic Pawn Center (Ps on d4 and e4), why can't white prepare to play d4 with this, the Ponziani Opening, so as to recapture cxxd4 after ...exd4? The amswer is that it allows black easy equality. For example...} Nf6 {Already white must react to black's threats. Equally goo is 4...d5} 4. d4 Nxe4 5. Bd3 (5. dxe5 Bc5 {White has a bad position.}) 5... d5 6. Nxe5 {Black has completely equalized.}) 3... Bc5 4. c3 {A logicmove here because a later d2-d4 will gain a tempo by attacking the B.} Nf6 {White's last move did not help his development, so black takes advantage of it ny attacking the e-Pawn while developing his N.} 5. d4 {White could also play the slow but solid 4.d3} exd4 (5... Nxe4 {would be a serious mistake. After} 6. dxc5 Nxc5 7. Ng5 O-O 8. Qh5 {White has a winning attack.} h6 9. Nxf7) 6. cxd4 {The Classic Pawn Center} Bb4+ (6... Bb6 {Black should not play this. It results in captures galore, but if white sees his way through them he will have a decisive advantage.} 7. e5 Ne4 8. Qe2 d5 9. exd6 Bf5 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Nxe4 Re8 12. Nfg5 Nxd4 13. Bxf7+ Kf8 14. Qd3 Qxd6 15. Bxe8 Rxe8 16. O-O {White is a R up.}) (6... Bb6 7. d5 {This is much leass complicated than 7.e5} Ne7 8. e5 Ne4 9. O-O d6 10. Qe2 f5 11. Nc3 O-O 12. e6 { White is better. Bote that capturing on f2 is, as is usually yhe case, not good.} Bxf2+ 13. Rxf2 Nxf2 14. Qxf2 {Black's R+P are not enough compensation for the B+N so it is rarely a good idea to make such an exchange.}) 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ {This is solid, but there is nothing wrong with 7...Nxe4 except that things cam then gey tricky!} (7... Nxe4 8. Bxb4 Nxb4 9. Bxf7+ {This is almost always seen, but equally playable is 9.Qb3 d5!} Kxf7 10. Qb3+ Kf8 11. Qxb4+ Qe7 {with equal chances.}) 8. Nbxd2 {White has now achieved the strong Pawn cen he was aiming for, but in this case its strength is an illusion.} d5 {This is the most accurate counterattack,} (8... Nxe4 9. Nxe4 d5 10. Bd3 dxe4 11. Bxe4 { The position is equal, but black's position is not very active.}) 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Qb3 {Taking stock of this position note that white has an isolated d-Pawn which could be a serious liability if the game reaches the ending. However, in the middlegame it gives white attacking possibilities. In order to utilize those possibilities white must seek active positions for his pieces. It's instructive to see how Rossolimo accomplishes it.} Nce7 11. O-O c6 12. Rfe1 O-O 13. a4 {[%mdl 32] This position has been reached many times and black has played a wide variety of moves, but the most accourate is probably 13...a5 to prevent the advance of white's a-Pawn} b6 {Opening theoretician Ludek Pachman felt this was a bad idea, but his verdict was based on the fact that black developed his B on b7. It's important that black maintains control of d5 and 13...c6 supports that square.} 14. Ne5 Bb7 {This is, indeed, faulty.} (14... Be6 {is correct and gives black full equality.} 15. Rac1 Rc8 16. Ndf3 h6 { with equal chances.}) 15. a5 Rc8 16. Ne4 {White's pieces are well paced and can now think about attacking. Even though at this point all black can to is hunker down and try to defend his position it is hardly lost. The problem is that when you get into situations like this defending is difficult because a small slip can very easily prove fatal. The attacker has much more leeway.} Qc7 {Black is in serious trouble after this.} (16... Rc7 {Vacating c8 for the B is the best try. White's advantage is kept to a minimum.} 17. Nc3 (17. a6 Bc8 { Control of the c8-h3 diagonal allows black to defend himself on the K[side.}) 17... bxa5 18. Rxa5 Bc8 19. Qa3 Be6 20. Rxa7 Ng6) 17. a6 Ba8 18. Qh3 {With the Q-side secure and his domination of the center white can now launch a decisive K-side attack. Note that id black had his B on c8 this ,ove would not have been possible.} Nf4 19. Qg4 Ned5 20. Ra3 {This clever R lift allows it to join in the battle. At the time it was played it was given a "!" but engines claim to have found an even better move which in some ways is unfortunate because it eliminates the Q sacrifice and practically speaking the win seems much less clear..} (20. Ng5 c5 21. Ngxf7 h5 22. Qg5 Rxf7 23. Nxf7 Qxf7 24. Re7 Qf6 25. Qxf6 gxf6 26. Rxa7 cxd4 27. g3 b5 28. Bxb5 Nh3+ 29. Kf1 Nb6 30. Rb7 Bxb7 31. axb7 Rb8 32. Bc6 {White has a B+2Ps vs 2Ns, but dominates the position which is evaluated at 5 Pawns in his favor. While that may be true, Rossolimo's way is much more pleasing.}) 20... Ne6 {This allows Rossolimo to execute a brilliant finsh. Black could have avoide it by playing something else, but thankfuilly he didn't.} (20... c5 21. Rg3 g6 22. Nf6+ Nxf6 23. Qxf4 Nd5 24. Bxd5 Bxd5 25. h4 {White should probably win, but the game would have lost its luster.}) 21. Bxd5 cxd5 22. Nf6+ Kh8 {Niow comes the sockdolager!} 23. Qg6 $1 { [%mdl 512] This surprising move reminds one of the finish in the famous Levitsky-

Marshall Couldn’t Bluff Steinitz

    Frank Marshall (1877 -1944) was born in New York City and lived in Montreal from the age 8 of to the age of 19. He began playing chess at the age of 10, and by 1890, at the age of 13, he was one of the best players in Montreal. 

    While inn Montreal Marshall met his first master, the Irish player W.H.K. Pollock (1859-1896) who spent the last fout years of his life in Montreal. . Years later he recalled Pollock as "tall, slim, clever, a great thinker and walker." 

    Born in Prague, Wilhelm Steinitz (1836-1900) had been living in the United States since 1883 and had become an American citizen. In 1893, the 58 year old World Champion Steinitz didn’t play in any tournaments, but he was still quite busy. He defeated US Champion Jackson W, Showalter 6-2 (the two draws did not count) in a match. Steinitz toured the US, which also included a visit to Montreal, giving simultaneous exhibitions. He also got married around that time. 

     The following game is one Marshall played against Steinitz in Montreal. Marshall wrote, "Steinitz generally used a cane when playing simultaneously, as he limped. He was very short, near sighted, with a large body and head. He was very serious, rarely smiled and would fight each game to the bitter end...he would rarely give a draw, but played on in the wee hours of the morning so as to try and win a draw." Fifty years later Marshall noted of the following game that, “Steinitz would not be bluffed.” 

 

[Event "Steinitz Simul, Montreal"] [Site ""] [Date "1893.11.17"] [Round ""] [White "Wilhelm Steinitz"] [Black "Frank Marshall"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C03"] [Annotator "Stockfish 17.1"] [PlyCount "51"] [EventDate "1893.??.??"] {C03: French Tarrasch Variation} 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 {Later this necame known as the Tarrasch Bariation. It's not quite the same as 3.Nc3. It allows white to play c3 and it avoids the Winawer (3...Bb4). Pn the other hand it blocks the B amd on d2 the N is less active..} Ne7 {Marshall later came to the conclusion that this and his next move were a mistake. Usual is 3...c5, but 3.. .Ne7 is not really a bad move.} 4. Bd3 Nbc6 {This, however, is questionable.} ( 4... Nd7 {is perfectly good.} 5. Ne2 c5 6. c3 cxd4 7. cxd4 dxe4 8. Nxe4 Nc6 { is about equal. Mamedov,R (2660)-Haimovich,T (2427) Pardubice CZE 2010}) 5. c3 Ng6 {This should have allowed Steinitz to get a good position with 5.e5. Black's N is not especially well placed here. Correct was 5...e5! when any P exchances result in full equality.} 6. Nb3 {This is not bad. but it allows black easy equality/} e5 {Now black has full equality.} 7. Qe2 Be6 {This is a mistake. Black should have played 7...Be7 and get castled.} 8. Nf3 (8. f4 { was even better.} dxe4 (8... exf4 9. exd5 Qxd5 10. Be4 Qd7 11. d5) 9. Bxe4 f5 10. Bxc6+ bxc6 11. dxe5 {with a very good position.}) 8... Bd6 {Marshall made this move with the "deliberate intention of sacrificing a piece." He overlooked that the sacrifice us unsound. Safer was 8...Be7} 9. exd5 {An alternative was 9.h5, but Steinitz may have been calling Marshall's bluff.} Bxd5 10. dxe5 O-O {[%mdl 8192] Of course 10...Ngxe5 was the correct move as the piece sacrifice is completely unsound.} 11. Bxg6 {This is the eimplest way to refute black's play.} (11. exd6 {This is what Marshall expected, but it, too, leaves him with no compensation for the piece, but the resulting complications quite possibly would have justified his sacrific!} Re8 12. Be3 { Now black's best line is} Nf4 13. Bxf4 {This is the engine;s preferred move, but it is unlikely to be a human preferance. 13.Qf1 is a satisfactiry alternative.} Bxf3 14. gxf3 Rxe2+ 15. Bxe2 Qf6 16. Bg3 cxd6 17. O-O-O {and white's 2Bs+R are more than sufficient compensation for the Q.}) (11. exd6 Nf4 {Now the safe looking 12.Qf1 Qxd6 leads to complications.} 12. Bxh7+ Kxh7 13. Bxf4 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 Re8+ 15. Be3 {Black is a piece and two Ps down with no compensation.}) 11... Re8 12. Bc2 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Rxe5 14. Be3 Qh4 {This clever reply threatens 15...Rxe3} 15. O-O-O {Black's play has been refuted, but Marshal is not yet through kicking!} (15. a3 {A pass to demonstrate the threat. } Rxe3 16. Qxe3 Bxg2 17. Rg1 Bf4 18. Bxh7+ Kh8 (18... Kxh7 19. Qd3+ Kg8 20. Rxg2 {White is a R up.}) 19. Qe2 Qxh2 {and black is winning.}) (15. O-O { would also be fatal.} Rxe3 16. g3 Rxe2 17. gxh4 Rxc2 18. Rfe1 Be6 19. Rab1 { Black is a solid piece up.}) 15... Qa4 16. Kb1 Rd8 17. f4 Bc4 18. Qf3 Ra5 19. Nxa5 {There was no bluffing Steinitz. Accepting the sacrifice was absolutely correct.} (19. a3 Bxb3 20. Bxb3 Qxb3 21. Rhe1 Rb8 22. Bc1 Bxa3 {is to black's advantage.}) 19... Qxa2+ 20. Kc1 Qa1+ 21. Bb1 Qxa5 22. Qe4 {White is a whole R up and the game can;t last too much longer.} Ba2 23. Qxh7+ Kf8 24. Rd4 c6 25. Rhd1 Qc7 26. Qh8+ {Black resigned.} (26. Qh8+ Ke7 27. Qh4+ Ke8 28. Bxa2 { adding a B to the R he is akready up.}) (26. Bxa2 {leads to mate in 6.} Bxf4 27. Rxd8+ Ke7 28. Qxg7 Bxe3+ 29. Kb1 Bd2 30. R8xd2 Qf4 31. Rd7+ Ke8 32. Qg8#) 1-0

Knight Outposts, a Lesson by Smyslov

    Vasily Smyslov *1921-2010, 89 years old) was World Champion for a brief period, 1957-58, but it probably should have been longer. Smyslov (pronounced VAS-ih-lee SMISS-lov) was primarily a positional and strategic, who preferred to accumulate small advantages and he posses excellent endgame technique. Even though he was known for quiet, solid play and precise endgame play he was also capable of brilliant tactical play. 

    Former World Champion (200-2007) Vladinir Kramnik said od Smtslov, “I would recommend a study of Smyslov's games to children who want to know how to play chess because he plays the game how it should be played: his style is the closest to some sort of 'virtual truth' in chess.” 

    Kramnik continued, “He always tried to make the strongest move in each position. He has surpassed many other of the World Champions in the number of strongest moves made.” 

    The following game against Rudakowski is a perfect example of how to take advantage of a Knight outpost and his opponent’s backward Pawn and the struggle of a Knight against a Bishop. When playing over the game watch how effortlessly Smyslov makes things look. 

 It was only when I started analyzing this game that I noticed the similarity between it and the Geller-Najdorf game in the post of August 22. In both games white played f5 forcing ...Bc4 with the exchange of Bs resulting in black having a fatal wakness on the light squares. 

    His opponent was Iosif Rudakovsky (1914-1940), a Ukrainian master of considerable talent who died at the age of 33 from tuberculosis. 

     HathiTrust is a site you should know about. It’s a global partnership of academic and research institutions that digitizes and preserves millions of books, journals, and other print materials. 

    If you know English Descriptive Notation you can view and download a selection of 62 of Smyslov’s games played from 1935 to 1956 that was published by Alexander Liepnieks in 1958 from HathiTrust HERE. 

 

[Event "USSR Championship, Moscow"] [Site ""] [Date "1945.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Vasily Smyslov"] [Black "Iosif Rudakovsky"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B83"] [Annotator "Stockfish 17.1"] [PlyCount "57"] [EventDate "1945.??.??"] {B83: Sicilian Scheveningen Variation} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 (2... d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. O-O Nbd7 9. f4 Qc7 10. f5 { Geller-Najdorf, Zurich 1953. Compare this maneuver to the one in the game} Bc4 11. a4 Rc8 12. Be3 Be7 13. a5 h5 14. Bxc4 Qxc4 {White eventually established a N on d5 and went on to win.}) 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 {In the Scheveningen Variation black's center Pawn setup (Ps on e6 and d6) is onr of the most popular systems. It’s solid and control of the critical squares d5 and e5. It’s also flexible and black has the possibility of a break with either ...e5 or ...d5. White's chances are usually based on an attack on the K-side.} 6. Be2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Be3 Nc6 9. f4 Qc7 {What should white play here? My opening fatabase has 11 replies with 11.Kh1 being the most popular by far, It's also the engine;s top choice.} 10. Qe1 {This unusual move has two purposes: 1) to transfer the Q to g3 from where it will be in a good position for attacking purposes and 2) to vacate d1 for the R on a1.} Nxd4 {Equally popular and just as playable is 10...a6} 11. Bxd4 e5 {This is the point of his previous move. central pawn thrust is the point of the previous exchange. Should white retreat the B straightway ot play fxe5 first? In my database the two moves appear with almost the same frequency and the same results...black scores much better than white! Engines show no preference and evaluates the position as equal. Smyslov believed it is better for white to retreat the B.} 12. Be3 (12. fxe5 dxe5 13. Qg3 Bc5 14. Bxc5 Qxc5+ {Here the dark squared Bs are exchanged which in Snyslov’s opinion diminish white’s attacking chances.}) 12... Be6 {Smyslov was of the opinion that it wa better to develop this B on c6 and so correct was 12...Bd7. The drawback of developing the B in e6 is that it allows white to start a Pawn advance on the K-side with a gain of time.} 13. f5 {The gain of time.} Bc4 {In the Geller-Najdorg game this was compulsory, but here it is not and he should have played 10...Bd7. Let Smyslov explain what is wrong with this move: Black executes a plan which from the positional point of view is incorrect: (The move 10...e5) weakened the centrt point d5, so he should preserve his white-squared Bishop to defend that important square.} 14. Bxc4 Qxc4 15. Bg5 {An instructive example of how to take advantage of the weakness of d5 in such positions. The exchange on f6 is unavoidable whereupon the white N becomes firmly entrenched on d5. This gives white good prospects of a direct attack on black’s K.} Rfe8 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nd5 {Is it safe for black to take the c-Pawn?} Bd8 {After this black's game can bve considered strategically lost. As bad as it is, taking the c-Pawn was his best option.} (17... Qxc2 18. Rf2 Qc6 19. Rc1 {See the note to white's 10. Qe1. Black is faced with Nc7 forking the Rs}) 18. c3 {Of course he doesn't want to retreat the N.} b5 19. b3 Qc5+ 20. Kh1 {On the next two moves black might play ...f6, bu by doing so he would condemned himself to passive defense. White would only have to transfer his heavy pieses to the K-side to start a decisive attack.} Rc8 21. Rf3 Kh8 (21... f6 22. Rh3 {Black can do nothing except twiddle his thumbs while white builds up the attack.} a5 23. Qh4 h6 24. Qh5 Kf8 25. Rg3 Qc6 26. Rd1 Qd7 27. Rdd3 b4 28. c4 Rc5 29. Rxg7 Qxg7 30. Rg3 Qh7 31. Rg6 Rxd5 32. cxd5 Re7 33. Rxh6 Qg8 34. Rh8 {etc.}) 22. f6 {Another instructive move by Smyslov. This is a typical thrust. The P cover around black's K is broken up.} gxf6 (22... Bxf6 {Now white's N on d5 sacomplishes the destruction of the position of bl;ack;s K.} 23. Nxf6 gxf6 24. Qh4 Re6 25. Rh3 Kg8 26. Qh6 {Threatening mate with 27.Rg3} f5 27. Qxh7+ Kf8 28. Qxf5 Rc7 29. Rf1 Ke8 30. Rh7 {The triple attack on h7 wraps it up.} Rce7 (30... Ree7 31. Rh8#) 31. Rxf7 Qc7 32. Qxe6 Rxe6 33. Rxc7) 23. Qh4 Rg8 24. Nxf6 Rg7 25. Rg3 Bxf6 26. Qxf6 Rcg8 27. Rd1 d5 28. Rxg7 Rxg7 $146 29. Rxd5 {Black resigned. He cannot prevent the R from going to d8. Not only an instructive game by Smyslov, but his Accuracy Rayimg compared to Stockfish was a nearly perfect : White = 90%/} 1-0

Play the King’s Gambit?!

    Three basic elements are Space, Time and Material. We often see one of these elements being traded for another. For example, one may give up material to gain time or space, or vice versa. In the opening, the idea behind a gambit is to speed up the development of our pieces or improve their co-ordination, or in order to gain space or control the center. 

    The King's Gambit was one of the most popular openings for over 300 years. Nevertheless, theorists have held different views on it. Philidor wrote that the King's Gambit should end in a draw with best play by both sides. He considered that "a gambit equally well attacked and defended is never (decisive). Tarrasch pronounced the opening "a decisive mistake" and wrote that "it is almost madness to play the King's Gambit." 

    The Czech GM and theorist Ludek Pachman wrote, “It may seem incredible after 2...exf4 that white has bothered to sacrifice a Pawn at all, since he has thereby weakened his King's position and in fact black is already threatening ...Qh4+ winning!” And, in 1961, Bobby Fischer wrote a famous article, A Bust to the King's Gambit, in which he stated, "In my opinion the King's Gambit is busted. It loses by force." Today the King's Gambit is rare in GM play although a few have played it on occasion. 

    Today’s featured game is a return to those thrilling days of yesteryear when the King’s Gamit was popular and the world’s elite weren’t afraid to play it. The game was played in the 1903 Vienna tournament which was a double round gambit tournament that was intended to feature gambits and the King’s Gambit was frequently seem in the tournament. 

 

 

    This game is not especially well played, but it’s interesting. Pillsbury was winning, but things got complicated and within the space of a couple of moves he game just collapsed.

 

[Event "Vienna"] [Site ""] [Date "1903.05.18"] [Round "12"] [White "Frank Marshall"] [Black "Harry N. Pillsbury"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C38"] [Annotator "Stocjfish 17.1"] [PlyCount "69"] [EventDate "1903.05.02"] {C38: King's Gambit Accepted} 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 {We generally think of this as a tactical opening, but Ludek Pachman observed that in reality white is aiming for a positional advantage in the shape of a powerful P-center now that he has moved black's e-Pawn. In addition there is an open f-file waiting for him once he has captured the f-pawn. But, first he must safeguard his King.} 3. Nf3 g5 {This is the classical move which at the time was regarded as simply the best move. Today 3...d5 is preferred, but although sometimes seen, when this game was played it was regarded as somewhat questionable.} (3... d6 { was Bobby Fischer's famous bust that he published in 1961. His analysis ram...} 4. Bc4 h6 5. d4 g5 6. O-O Bg7 7. c3 Nc6 8. Qb3 Qe7 9. h4 Nf6 10. hxg5 hxg5 11. Nxg5 Nxe4 12. Bxf7+ Kd8 13. Nxe4 Qxe4 14. Bxf4 Nxd4 {and according to Fischer black wins. He added, "Of course White can always play differently, in which case he merely loses differently." Actually, in this position black is only bery slightly better and engines punch so many holes in Fischer's analysis that is it worthless.}) 4. Bc4 Bg7 {A safer alternative than 4...g4.} 5. h4 h6 {If black hopes to secure an advantage then this is the correct move.} (5... g4 {Tjis gains black no advantage.} 6. Ng5 Nh6 7. d4 d5 8. Bxd5 c6 9. Bc4 Qxd4 10. Qxd4 Bxd4 {with equality.}) 6. d4 d6 7. Qd3 g4 {During the Vienna tournament Gunsberg played 7...Nc6 which is slightly better.} 8. Ng1 (8. Nfd2 {is a mistake. After} Nf6 9. Nc3 O-O {white has problems developing his pieces.}) 8... Qf6 9. c3 h5 (9... Ne7 10. h5 d5 11. exd5 Bf5 {Black stands well. Cortlever,N-Euwe,M Amsterdam 1939}) 10. Na3 {Slightly better was 10.Ne2} Ne7 11. Ne2 (11. Nb5 {is not dangerous to black.} Na6 12. Ne2 f3 13. gxf3 (13. Bg5 fxg2 14. Rg1 Qf3 {with an excellent position.}) 13... Qxf3 14. Qxf3 gxf3 15. Ng3 Bg4 {Black can be satisfied with his position.}) 11... Ng6 {After this white gets a good game. Black equalizes with 11...f3 (see note above).} 12. g3 fxg3 (12... f3 {is not so strong now.} 13. Bg5) 13. Rf1 {Aggressive play.} (13. Qxg3 {allows easy equality.} Qf3 14. Qxf3 gxf3 15. Ng3 Bg4) 13... Qxh4 { There is little choice.} (13... Qe7 14. Bxf7+ Kd8 15. Bg5 {wins}) 14. Bxf7+ Kd8 15. Bxg6 {This is the wrong capture because now black manage to equalize.} (15. Qxg3 Qxg3+ 16. Nxg3 Ne7 17. Nxh5 {White has an excellent position.}) 15... g2+ 16. Rf2 Rf8 {Black would have been better off completing his development with . ..Be6 and ...Nc6]} (16... Qh1+ {only looks good. After} 17. Ng1 Be6 18. Bg5+ Kc8 19. O-O-O {Black's Q is precariously placed.}) 17. Be3 Bh6 {An excellent tactical trick by Pillsbury which you would expect that Marshall, himself a great tactician, would avoic.} 18. Bxh6 {[%mdl 8192]} (18. Bf5 {plugging up the f-file keeps the advantage.} Bxf5 19. Bxh6 Re8 (19... Rf7 20. exf5 { leaves white with a won game. Black's bunch of advanced Ps can be dealt with and are not worth the two pieces he is down.}) 20. Be3 (20. exf5 g1=Q+) 20... Bxe4 21. Qb5 {A double edge position. In Shootouts white scored +1 -0 =4}) 18... g1=Q+ {[%mdl 512] After this black can count on winning!} 19. Nxg1 Qxf2+ 20. Kd1 Qxg1+ 21. Kc2 Rf2+ (21... Qxa1 {is much less exact.} 22. Bxf8 Qg1 23. Bh6 {Black is up the exchange and has two connected passed Ps that are well advanced, but he must be caresul becayse his K is precariously exposed.}) 22. Bd2 Qxa1 23. Qe3 {Down two Rs for B is hopeless...almost!} Rxd2+ {Throwing away his advantage. Pillsbury apparently misjudged the potency of white's threat against his K.} (23... Qf1 24. Qg5+ Rf6 25. Bxh5 Nc6 {Black is up the exchange plus a R and there is no way for white to at the K/} 26. Qg8+ Rf8 27. Bg5+ Ne7 28. Bxe7+ Kxe7 29. Qg7+ Kd8 30. Qg5+ Qf6) 24. Qxd2 Bd7 {An odd situation. Black has an extra R, but he is undeveloped and his Q is out of play at the moment. Marshall misses his chance to equalized immediately, but fortunately got him Pillsbury goes satray in the complications.} {Kxc8} 25. Qg5+ {[%mdl 8192]} (25. Qh6 {Threatening mate withe Qf8 equalized.} c5 26. Qf8+ Kc7 27. Nc4 {At long last the N is in play.} b6 28. Bf5 Qf1 29. Qxd6+ Kc8 30. Bxd7+ Nxd7 31. Qc6+ Kd8 32. Qxa8+ Ke7 33. Qd5 {Surprisingly, black cannot make use of his passed Ps/ A sample on is:} cxd4 34. cxd4 g3 35. Ne5 Nxe5 36. Qxe5+ Kd7 37. Qd5+ Kc7 38. Qe5+ {is a draw.}) 25... Kc8 26. Bf5 b6 {Seeking shelter for his K.} (26... Bxf5 27. Qg8+ Kd7 28. Qf7+ Kc6 29. Qd5+ Kd7 30. Qf7+ {draws} ) 27. Qg8+ (27. Bxd7+ Nxd7 {White is just doqn a R with no threat agains t black's K.}) 27... Kb7 28. Bxd7 Nxd7 29. Qd5+ c6 30. Qxd6 {The only way for black to win is to give up the N. Instead, he tries to save it and gets himslrf into a pin finds himself facing a threat from the advance of white's d-Pawn!} Rd8 (30... Rc8 {is winning after} 31. Qxd7+ Rc7 32. Qe6 Qf1) 31. d5 Rf8 {[%mdl 8192] Pillsbury has completely collapsed!} (31... Ka6 {is equal after} 32. dxc6 Qf1 33. b4 Qf2+ {repeats moves after 34.Kc1 or 34.Kb1, but not. ..} 34. Kb3 Nc5+) 32. dxc6+ Ka8 33. cxd7 Rf2+ 34. Kb3 Qxb2+ 35. Ka4 {Black resigned, All he can do is delay mate.} (35. Ka4 b5+ 36. Nxb5 Qxa2+ 37. Na3 Qg8 38. d8=Q+) 1-0