Chess players battle to raise finance

Press, 28 October 1982, Page 22

Chess players battle to raise finance

By-

VERNON SMALL

Chess has always suffered from difficulties when it comes to'raising funds for overseas trips. After all, the number of spectators who Bto watch the New Zeachampionships could be counted on one hand. This has meant that players have usually , had to meet their own expenses. Even those players .lucky enough to be in the Government’s employ cannot get paid leave since chess in New Zealand _ does not qualify as a sport, nor as an artistic pursuit, nor as a science under a new ruling. On the eve of the departure of the New Zealand team for the world teams’ championship in Switzerland, the problem of meeting the expense was made evident with the late‘withdrawal of the travelling reserve, Lev Aptekar, of Wellington. Aptekar is a public servant and, with a family to support, he was unable to meet his travelling expenses and lose his wages while representing his country. Fortunately, the late substitution of Robert Smith, of the Waitemata club in Auckland, has not seriously weakened the team. Smith has a ferocious attacking style which, combined with a fierce determination, has. him among the top players in the country. According to the latest list supplied by the New Zealand Chess Association, he is the most active player in New Zealand, heading this writer by just three games. The New Zealand Olympiad team, which will be in Switzerland until November 18, is in playing order: Small, Ortivin Sarapu (North Shore), Roger Nokes (Canterbury), Tony Dowden (Otago) and Smith. Peter Stuart is the non-playing captain and manager. The women's team is: Winsome Stretch (North Shore), Vivian Burndred (Auckland), Lynne Martin (Auckland) and Jackie Sievey (Otago). The game detailed gives some ideas on Smith’s strengths and weaknesses. His attacking style meets the tactical skill of a recent Israeli immigrant, Mark Levene, head on. Just when the fair result, a draw, looks likely, Smith tries to force a win and overreaches. The game was played in the recent Winstones tournament at the North Shore Chess Club and the notes are based on comments by Smith

White: R. Smith Black: M. Levene Sicilian defence, Dragon variation 1 e 4 c 5 2 Nf3 d 6 3 d 4 ‘ cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g 6 6 Be 3 Bg7 7 f 3 0-0 8 Qd2 Nc6 9 -Bc4 Bd7 The starting position of the Yugoslav attack. White holds the centre, castles on the Queen'side, and tries to overrun the Black King. Black must respond violently or be swamped. 10 h 4 Nes 11 Bb3 h 5 12 Bh6 Bxh6 13 Qxh6 RcB 14 0-0-0 Rc3 15 bxc3 Qc7 Normal is Qas when white can try Kb2 and Qe3 to defend, or transpose to the game continuation. Smith is not one to defend when he can attack. 16 g 4 Qxc3 17 Kbl a 5 18 gxhs a 4 19 hxg6 axb3 20 cxb3 If axb3 RaB wins Nd 3 21 Rh2 Covering the mate on b2 and threatening g 7 RcB White must now play accurately. 22 Rg2 Bh3! Smith had only considered the possibility that he could bale out and draw after 22 — Qd4 23 gf7 Kf7 24 Qg6+ Ke6 25 Qfs Kf7 etc since if 24 .. KfB 25 Qg7 KfB 26 QhB wins. But.Levene’s 22 .. Bh3 gives him all the winning chances. 23 Nfs BxfB 24 exfs Nes! Black now has protected his white squares on the kingside and provided a flight square at d 7 for his King — he should win with two knights against a rook. 25 g 7 Nh7 26 f 6 Qxf3 27 Rcl Rxcl 28 Qcl Qfs+ 29 Kai Nf6 30 Rgs Qd7 31 Qdl Qc6 32 h 5 Qc3+ 33 Kbl Qe3 34 Rg2 Ne 4 35 Qc2 Nc3+ 36 Kb2 Nd 3! It was still possible to go wrong. White was threatening 37 Qh7+ Kh7 38 gB=Q followed by Rh2 mate. 37 Kxc3 Nel+ 38 Kb2 Nxc2 39 h 6 (intending h7+ winning again) Qd4+ 40 Kcl Qal+ 41 Kd2 Qel+ 42 Kd3 Nb4+ Resigns. He cannot prevent the loss of his vital rock to a Queen check. A really exciting game.