CHESS OPENINGS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 174, 20 April 1937, Page 5

CHESS OPENINGS

Lecture by Hungarian Master Mr. Lajoes Steiner, the Hungarian chess grand-master, gave an instructive lecture on the game at the Garj Company Building, Wellington, last night, when 50 enthusiasts were present. Mr. Steiner dealt with the openings, a study of which is necessary for success in present-day tourneys, as a mere instinct for sound moves does not forewarn a player of dangers that lie only a few moves ahead. On a large demonstration board he showed several variations of the Huy Lopez opening and mentioned that Dr. Lasker and the late Dr. Tarrasch held different views regarding the question as to what was the best defence for the player of the black pieces. These conflicting views were not fully tested when these two great masters played a match for the world championship, which was won by Dr. Lasker, owing to the general superiority of his play. Mr. Steiner also gave some useful information regarding the Budapest variation of the queen’s pawn game. In answer to a question as to the respective merits of the king's pawn and queen’s pawn games, he explained that P-K4 was less commonly played by present-day masters owing to the great variety of defences to be met with. To avoid the necessity of very exhaustive study the masters concentrated on the queen’s pawn openings, which usually gave a close game, allowing the first player to retain the initiative for a longer period and thereby make the most of having the first .move. Tn moving a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Steiner for his informative lecture, Mr. A. T. Craven, chairman of the New Zealand Chess Association, said it was a pity that Mr. Steiner was in Wellington only for a week instead of for a season. Mr. .1. I. Goldsmith, chairman of the Wellington league, announced that: Wednesday’s lecture would deal with the middle game, while Mr. Steiner would conclude his Wellington week on Friday evening with an address on the end-game, which is now widely regarded bv experts as the most important part of the game. At the conclusion of the lecture Mrs. J. I. Goldsmith pinned on Mr. Steiner’s coat a kowhai bloom, which had that day been sent by air-mail from Dunedin by Mr. 0. Balk, the patron of the Otago Chess Club. Tn a covering letter, Mr. Balk referred to the fine memory that Mr. Steiner had left in Dunedin, both as a great player and as a modest and courteous gentleman. This tribute was endorsed with loud applause by those present at. last night’s lecture.