Endgame Corner #161 by Karsten Müller Tarrasch's Tempo Ronald Wieck wrote in to say, "I believe you will be interested in a discovery by IM Bernard Zuckerman." Of course I was very interested, as an old and famous rook ending was concerned. He had talked to Bernard Zuckerman on the phone: "Bernard and I were talking about rook endings and right before we hung up, he asked me if I was familiar with Rubinstein's draw with Tarrasch at San Sebastian, 1911. Proudly, I announced that I was. He pressed on with, "but did you ever wonder what happens if Tarrasch gains a tempo?" And indeed Zuckerman, who did not use a computer, seems to be right. Tarrasch could have won: 161.01 … [Read more...]
The Return of Robert James Fischer!?
Inside Chess, 1992/16 The Return of Robert James Fischer!? by Yasser Seirawan Fischer Signs for Match in Yugoslavia Sensational news reports from Belgrade, Yugoslavia confirm that the legendary chess player Robert James Fischer – winner of the 1972 World Championship match has signed a contract to face Boris Spassky in a rematch. Wow! What is one to make of this report? First, a little personal history. I was born March 24,1960. A Child of the Sixties, as it were. It was this generation – born into the "Age of Aquarius" – that was supposed to right the sins of the previous generations. A heady responsibility to be sure. Nonetheless, this generation grew up fully expecting to acco … [Read more...]
Alekhine’s Whammy
Alekhine's Whammy by Jeff Coakley Besides a full round of double whammies, this column features a detailed analysis of Fortis-Alekhine 1925, the most famous game of Marseillais Chess ever played. "Double whammy" is another name for a series-mate in two. These are the special instructions. a) White plays two moves in a row to mate Black. b) The first move may not be check. c) Either move may be a capture. d) Both moves may be with the same piece. e) Black does not get a turn. f) White may not place their own king in check on the first move, even if they get out of check with the second move. If you haven't experienced the whammy before, here are a couple easy ones to get you … [Read more...]
Quickplay Finishes and an Old Incident
Quickplay Finishes and an Old Incident by Geurt Gijssen Question: Hi Geurt. I refer to the Quickplay Finishes rules now defined in the Appendix G, and in particular to the Article G.4: If the player having the move has less than two minutes left on his clock, he may request that a time delay or cumulative time of an extra five seconds be introduced for both players, if possible. This constitutes the offer of a draw. If refused, and the arbiter agrees to the request, the clocks shall then be set with the extra time; the opponent shall be awarded two extra minutes and the game shall continue. In Italy some problems occurred with it. On occasion in rapid games (15 minutes without … [Read more...]
Chess in 1865 and 1915
Chess in 1865 and 1915 by Tim Harding As usual at the start of a new year, the Kibitzer looks back to chess a century ago but, because of the First World War, 1915 was not a vintage year for chess. So, as with the column 12 months ago, I also look back 150 years. Unfortunately 1865 also was not especially memorable. As I noted in my article about 1864 and 1914, the only long-lived player of note who was active in both years was Joseph Henry Blackburne, whose biography by me is now with the publisher (McFarland). Apart from a few simultaneous exhibitions, he did little in 1915 while in 1865 he was not yet a full-time chess professional. The American Civil War ended in the Spring of … [Read more...]
Exchange at f6: A Standard Structure
Exchange at f6: A Standard Structure by Mark Dvoretsky In a lot of openings we get a standard structure with Black pawns at e6, f7, g7, and h7, and the knight at f6. Sometimes, White is able to carry out a trade of minor pieces such that his opponent must recapture with his g-pawn, creating a weakness in his camp. Most often, these weaknesses can be exploited; but it also happens, conversely, that Black can whip up dangerous counterplay along the opened g-file - as, for example, in the following. Peterson - Skuja Riga, 1950 1...? The rather simple tactical stroke 1...Qxf3!! forced an immediate capitulation, since after 2.gf ed (with the threat of 3...Bh3#), White would be a … [Read more...]
Hours of Chess Fun
Hours of Chess Fun by Steve Goldberg First Steps in Pawn Structures, by Andrew Martin, 2014 ChessBase, DVD, approx. 4 hours playing time. $29.95 (ChessCafe Price $22.46) Andrew Martin gets right to the point in explaining his purpose in producing First Steps in Pawn Structures: "The purpose of this DVD is to focus on pawns, pawn structure, and to demonstrate exactly how pawns can play a pivotal role in our favorite game ... Pawn weaknesses don't necessarily lose, but you have to know how to handle them. Pawns are important because they facilitate the proper development of the pieces." There are several aspects to this DVD. The primary segment consists of analysis of 22 … [Read more...]
Smorgasbord VI: Winter Games
Smorgasbord VI: Winter Games Another year behind us. The future just around the bend. Like a downhill racer, time keeps speeding by. And along the way, a few idle moments at the Chess Cafe. This smorgasbord features our usual fare: a varied selection of puzzles for your amusement and solving pleasure. Plus some random facts about my favourite "winter game". 1. Triple Loyd 41 Place the black king on the board so that: A. Black is in checkmate. B. Black is in stalemate. C. White has mate in one. Bobsleds originated in Switzerland during the 1860s. They were constructed by connecting two sleds and adding a steering mechanism. 2. Proof Game 41 (4.0 moves) This … [Read more...]
Carlsen: Move by Move
Carlsen: Move by Move by Cyrus Lakdawala Each world champion brings forth new wonders of his mind. When we examine the games of a great player, what we really desire is to share in the flow of genius, from his mind to ours. We crave the paradisiacal taste of beauty, which most of us try and produce, and so rarely do in our games. When we arrive in critical situations in our games we come close to being Rembrandts and da Vincis, close to producing a masterpiece, if only we achieve that rapturous final touch of colour, but we just can't seem to get it right. We all have our favourites, and seek to play like replica Morphys, Laskers, Alekhines, Capablancas, Tals, Fischers, Kasparovs or … [Read more...]
One More Thing
One More Thing by Gary Lane Can the Closed Sicilian be an attacking opening? This is the question posed by the Australian Jonathan Adams who helpfully e-mails a great game where he wins in style. The potentially aggressive line (1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 Nc6 5.d3 e6 6.Be3) adopted by Adams has been tested by some famous names such as Michael Adams (no relation), Nigel Short, Boris Spassky, and Alexander Stripunsky. I noticed that their high level opponents tended to put up firm resistance but when the position was played at a lower level the defence was more flimsy. I should add that World Champion Magnus Carlsen also gave his seal of approval to the opening by employing it … [Read more...]
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