CHESS

Evening Star, Issue 22619, 10 April 1937, Page 6

CHESS

[Conducted by D.H.H.] flic Olugo Club meets for play at the rooms, CapUc• liuUJuigs, Pnnces street, every Monday, \Vudnesdn>. ud Saturday evening at 7.30 o’clock. Visitors ir»- cordially invited to attend, and by ringing up 2--GiG arrangements may be made for a game u-v alternoon o»* evening as tlv rooms art open to both club members and visitors at any time. TO CORRESPONDENTS. [Wc invite communications on all matters concerning chess. Solutions of problems, games, and analysis will receive our attention, and if of sufficient incut w<ll he inserted. All communications to be addicted ‘ Chess Edited,‘Evening Star.’] A.O.G. (Christchurch). —Thanks for results. A.W.P. (Kelburn). —Obliged for clippings. P.K.K. (Napier).—Very many thanks for interesting report of Steiner’s tour up to date. S.H. (Christchurch).—Many thanks for cuttings, etc., re Steiner’s Canterbury visit. E.A.L. (Invercargill).—Regret that you are not able to come to Dunedin and win against Steiner. H.R.A. (Christchurch). —Thanks for letter, but regret there is not sufficient space to use it. CORRECT SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. 2,507: A.E. (Roslyn), J.A.C. (Mornington),, E.A.L. (Invercargill), King (Timaru), J.B.D. (Dunedin), J.J.M. (Musselburgh), T.J.W. (St. Kilda), R.M’D. (Roslyn), A.J.M’D, (Mornington), W.A.M. '(£)unedin). 2,508: A.E. (Roslyn), J.A.C. (Mornington), E.A.L. (Invercargill), King (Timaru), R.M’D. (Roslyn), A.J.M’D. (Mornington). W.A.M. (Dunedin). SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. 2,507: Kt-Q 7. Truly a splendid twomover, extremely difficult, with close tries and excellent mates. The construction reveals a master hand (Alain C. White). 2,508: Q-Q B 8. A problem of the Transition School. If 1... R-Q R 2 or Q-Kt 2; 2 Q-Kt 4, etc. If 1-Kt-B 2; 2 Q-Kt 7. eto, PROBLEM 2,509. (By T. D. Clarke, of Merino, Victoria.) Black, 5 pieces.

White, 8 pieces,

BIIK4KtII3B 4 | Q Kt 1 k p 3 2r2ktßljlß2 b 3 | 4 P 3 1 8. White to play and mate in two moves.

Mr T. D. Clarke, formerly of Merino, now of Grassdale, recently celebrated his ninetieth birthday. . . ' -

PROBLEM 2,510. (By S. S. Lewmann.) First Prize II Problema, 1933.

Black, 9 pieces.

White, 9 pieces. Mate in three, B 1 kt 2 R 2 I 3 Kt 1 kt 1 r] 3 B 3 r I 3 P 1 p 1 p I 3 P k3|bKt6lb3K3 4 R 3. AT THE NOTTINGHAM CONGRESS. —“ Queen’s Pawn.”— White, Dr A. Alekhine; Black, C. H. 0. D. Alexander. 1 P-Q 4 Kt-K B 3 2 P-Q B 4 P-K 3 3 Kt-K B 3 P-Q*>Kt 3 4 P-K Kt 3 B-Kt 2 5 B-Kt 2 B-Kt sch (a) 6 Q Kt -Q 2 Castles 7 Castles Bx Kt (b) 8 Q x B P-Q 3 * 9 P-Kt 3 Q Kt-Q 2 10 B-Kt 2 R-Kt 1 11 Q R-Q 1 Kt-K 5 (c) 12 Q-K 3 P-K B 4 13 P-Q 5 Px P (d) 14 P x P Q Kt-B 3 15 Kt-R 4 .Q-Q 2 (e) 16 B-K R 3...... P-Kt 3 (f) 17 P-B 3 Kt-B 4 18 Q-Kt 5 Q-Kt 2 19 P-Q Kt 4 Kt (B 4)-Q 2 (g) 20 P-K 4 Kt x K P (h) 21 Q-B 1 Kt (K 5)-B 3 22 Bx P K-R 1 (i) 23 B-K 6 B-R 3 24 K R-K 1...... Kt-K 4 . 25 P-B 4 Kt-Q 6 26 R x Kt B x R 27 P-Ki 4...... Resigns (j) Notes by J. H. Blake. (a) The check gains no time (as compared with 5...8-K 2) against White’s reply, first played by Rubinstein and Vidmar about 10 years ago, (b) Wholly unnecessary. Rubinstein v. Alekhine (Semmering, 1926) was continued 7... P-Q 4; 8 P-Q R 3, B-K 2; 9 P-Q Kt 4, P-B 4! Dr Alekhine admitted that his seventh was premature, and endorsed Nimzovitoh’s suggestion of 7... R-K 1; 8 P-Q R 3, B-K B I. In any case, the bishop should wait to be driven. (c) Dr Alekhine pointed out afterwards that 11... Q-K 2 was an advisable preliminary to the text move, v (d) Not 13... P-K 4; 14 Kt-R 4, K Kt-B 4; 15 P-Q Kt 4, Kt-R 3; 16 P-Q R 3, and the knight is driven out of the game. (e) Not 15... Kt xP;I6 B x Kt, Bx R; 17 Q-Q 4, etc.; nor 15...8 xP;I6 QB x Kt, etc. (f) Not now 16... Q Kt xP;I7 Q x Kt! (g) Black’s position is so inferior that it would not be worsened by 19... Kt-R 5; 20 B-R 1, B-R 3, and 21... Q Ml. The knight at Q 2 actually needs further protection, and becomes a target. (h) Not 20... P xP;2I K B x Kt! (i) Not 22... P xB;23Kt xP, Q-R 1; 24 Kt-R 6 ch, etc. . , ~ (i) For there is no resource against the threat of P-Kt 5. —‘ British Chess Magazine.* Sicilian Defence.”— White. Alekhine; Black, Botvinnik. 1 P-K 4 P-Q ®'* , . 2 Kt-K B 3...,-P-Q 3 (a)

3 P-Q 4 Px P 4 Kt x P Kt-K B 3 (b) 5 Kt-Q B 3 P-K Kt 3 6 B-K 2 B-Kt 2 7 B-K 3 :Kt-B 3 8 Kt-Kt 3 B-K 3 9 P-B 4 Castles 10 P-Kt 4 P-Q 4 (c) 11 P-B 5 (d) B-B 1! 12 K P x P Kt-Kt 5 13 P-Q 6 (e) Q x P 14 B-B 5 Q-B 5 (t) 15 R-K B 1 (g) Q x R P 16 B x Kt Kt x P 17 B x Kt Q-Kt 6 eh 18 R-B 2 (i) Q-Kt 8 ch Draw (j) (a) Very unusual at this early stage; it indicates that Black will develop his K B at Kt 2 by the Dragon variation. Alekhine falls in with that line, .presumably because of his novel tenth move. (b) Played to induce Kt-Q B 3. If P-K Kt 3 at once, Maroczy’s move, 5 P-Q B 4, is strong for White. (c) An interesting venture. White usually Castles. (d) I prefer P-K 5. If, then. Kt-K 1; 12 Castles, Kt-B 2 (P-B 3; 13 P-B 5, and P-K 6; or P-B 4; 13 P-Kt S); 13 Kt-Q 4. Or 11 ...Kt-K 5; 12 Kt x Kt, P x Kt; 13 Kt-B 5, which certainly seems good for White. (e) If B-B 3, P x P, and the attack passes to Botvinnik. The text is very clever. (f) The alternative line is Qx Q cb; 15 B x Q, Q Kl-Q 4 (Kt-B 3. or R 3; 16 P-Kt 5, K Kt moves; 17 P-B 6, winning something) ; 16 P-Kt 5. Kt x Kt; 17 P x Q Kt (P x K Kt, K B x P; 18 P x Kt, K B x P ch; 19 K-B 2, B x R; 20 Kt x B is dubious for White) Kt moves; 18 P-B 6! So Botvinnik goes out for a brilliant K eide at(g) Ho must play his opponent’s game; for Q-Q 2, Q x Q ch; 16 K x Q would allow Black to unpin his K P by R-Q 1 ch. (h) Anything else loses, emce Black not only threatens Kt-K 6, but also* to catch White in a mating-met. . (i) K-Q 2, B-R 3 ch; 19 K-K 2, Q-K 6 mate; or K-K 2, Q x B ch; 19 R-B 3 B x P, with four “ pastors ” on the K side, apart from a tremendous position. , (i) Alekhine must reply R-B 1, ,when Q-Kt 6 ch will be repeated. A splendid fight between Old and New Russia. Botvinnik has defeated the other ex-Russian masters, Bogoljubow and Tartakower. —‘Observer.* LAJOS STEINER. Mr Lajos Steiner, the chess champion of Hungary, commenced his six weeks tour of New Zealand by giving two simultaneous performances at Gisborne on March 24, in which his aggregate score was 32 wins and one loss. He opened* his Napier season successfully on the 27th, when played 28 opponents simultaneously. In a speech of welcome Mr John Mason, _a former New Zealand champion, who is president of the Napier Club, expressed pleasure at having a visit from Mr Steiner, whose fine match record has caused him to be regarded as one of the 10 strongest players in the world. . . . In returning thanks, Mr Sterner said he was grateful for the kind receptions accorded in Gisborne and Napier, and he was looking forward to his remaining engagements with pleasurable anticipation. When the last game was finished shortly before 11 p.m. Mr Steiner had won 26 games lost one (to Hr John Mason) and drawn one (against Mr J. L. Hardy, a prominent Weflington player, who is acting as honorary secretary for Mr Sterner s New Zealand tour). As showing the interest that Is being taken in Mr Sterner s tour, it may be mentioned that his 28 opponents consisted of 11 players from Napier, nine from Hastings, three from Palmerston North, two from Auckland, two from Wellington, and one from Wairoa. At Hastings on the 29th Mr Steiner encountered an even larger number of opponents than at Napier, 30 players taking part. Mr A. Stevenson, president of the Hastings Club, welcomed Mr Steiner. D. Lynch, Hastings champion, registered the first success of the evening, a draw being agreed on. Mr Hardy secured his second consecutive draw, the final score being. Won 23,. drawn 2, lost 0. The following is a summary of the rc- ; suits of the ' .above j trip:—. , i ‘ ' ' Won. Drawn. Lost. Gisborne. ... 14 1 Gisborne ... ... ... 18 Napier ... 26 1 1 Hastings ... ... ..... 28 2 Total to date ... 86 3 2 Mr Steiner’s only loss at Gisborne was to Mr C. P. Bolton, the Hamilton champion, who has recently been transferred to GisEast Coast tour was concluded with a lecture on chess at the Thirty Thousand Club at Napier. There was a large attendance, and Mr Steiner held up his reputation of being an interesting and instructive lecturer. Our Wellington correspondent, who was with the party, writes that Mr Steiner is a very modest, gentlemanly, and likeable chap, and he feels certain the Hungarian chess master’s tour of the Dominion will be a huge success, and that chess m New Zealand will be greatly benefited by his visit, and that in the centres that he will visit the chess clubs will benefit both by increased membership and a greater interest being taken in the game. At his Napier lecture he emphasised the importance of familiarity with the various opening moves, and remarked that for a long time he had not liked this phase of the game. As it was very complicated—the most complicated part of the best game —it was very herd to appreciate the subtlety of the moves that could be made in opening play. He concluded by giving a short resume of the many intricate variations of the Ruy Lopez opening. On his return to Wellington he spent a an evening at Greytown, and played against 23 opponents. He was cordially welcomed by Captain Barcham (president), and Mr J. H. Kidd (hon. secretary). He played simultaneously against 23 boards, his record being 21 wins and two draws. The draws were secured by Messrs E. A. Heyder, of Greytown, and C. G, Lennard, one of Auckland’s leading experts.—Wellington correspondent. * AT CHRISTCHURCH. Mr Steiner arrived in Christchurch last Saturday, and the same evening was welcomed on behalf of the Canterbury Chess Club by the president, Mr G. Parkins. There was a good attendance of players as well as spectators. Before starting his exhibition of simultaneous play against 24 boards Steiner said that he was out to do his best and would be the first to congratulate anyone who beat him. Steiner played White at every board, and at the first used a king’s pawn opening, at the next a queen’s pawn, at the third a queen’s bishop pawn, and at the fourth a king’s bishop pawn, so that with 24 opponents he had a variety of defences to meet. The first game finished, after 75mm, was that with S. Hindin, who came fourth at the congress in Auckland four months ago. Hindin won after the twenty-second move. The final results were as follow: Wins 21 Draws 2 Loss * The draws were with W. H. Joyce and S. Hollander. Until he arrived' in Christchurch Mr Steiner had not met the principal New Zealand chess players, but he remarked that a few of those he had already met were quite good players. Chess .all over the world, he said, was gaining in popularity, and its educational value was being recognised in many countries, where it was being taught unofficially in the schools. In Hungary most of the high schools had chess clubs, and in Russia it was the national game. —Own- correspondent. THE AUSTRALIAN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP. The Australian championship tie match between G. Koshnitsky and C. J. S. Purdy (holder) was commenced on March 12. Three games are to be played each week. The match is for the best of 10 games, but must continue until one player has four wins. These are the samp conditions as were carried out in the Purdy-Koshnitsky match in 1934.

The winner is due to meet Goldstein, who beat Hastings in a final match (one to go to the first to win three games). It is hoped to arrange it by; wireless.

1 'THE AUSTRALASIAN CHESS ! REVIEW.’ The major part of the playing section ofi the March number is taken up with discussions and games played in ■ the Steiner, invitation tourney, which was held in Sydney, and won by G. Koshnitsky and C. J. S. Purdy, 6 points each, Sterner scoring, Si. There are. also accounts of Steiner’s visits to Perth, Adelaide, and. Gippsland, being part 111. of the description of the Hungarian master’s Australian tour. The editor (C. J. S. Purdy) gives part TV. ofi ' How Nottingham Will Affect the Openings,’ dealing with the English, Retis, and Bird’s onenings. There is the usual number of "problems, end games, etc., and' several interesting and well fought out Australian and New Zealand games 4 Taken altogether, this number -will give plenty of work, interest, and amusement to the subscribers. CORRESPONDENCE CHESS ASSOCIATION. Results: — Handicap Tourney.—’T. W. Symons 2, W. A. Jensen 0; W. Jackson 2, C. B, Easther 0; L. U. Cole 2, W. A. Jensen Oj T. W. Symons 1, J. .Williams 0. . B.C.C.A. versus Australia.—Mrs H. R, Abbott (New Zealand) 1, H. F. Pika (Australia) 0; Mrs E. L. Short (New Zealand) i. N.' Burr (Australia) IA. _ North versus South Island.—W. H. King (N. 1.) 1, H. Kennedy 5.1.) 0) J. K. Webling (N. 1.) 1, C. W. Gray (5.1.) 1; F. L< Lawson (5.1.) 1, K. W. Campbell (N. 1.) 0; J. B. Gumming (5.1.) 2,, H, J. .Lawson (N. 1.) 0; W. A. Dobson (5.1.) 1, E..L, Jones (N. 1.) 0, OTAGO CHESS CLUB.. The monthly meeting of the committee of the Otago Chess Club was held last Saturday evening, the newly-elected president, Mr J. J. Marlow, being in the chair. Mr Balk reported that ho and Mr G. D. Wright had visited Mr D. Pihl in.Timara during the Easter holidays, and were pleased to note that Mr Pihl’s health was greatly improved. • The agenda paper of the forthcoming meeting of the New Zealand Chess Association was discussed. Regarding the Greenstone Rook, which is being presented toi the association by Mr M. Pare, of Gisborne, it was decided that, provided Mr, Pero had not definitely presented the rook for the women’s championship, the club’s delegates should be asked' to support a proposal that it should be allotted for the premier reserves championship. Mrs Abbott won the women's championship two years ago, and her title was not contestedat the last congress, whereas there had been keen competition in the premier • reserves tourney. The hon. secretary submitted a report on the club’s, library and the recent change to new quarters, which had been found quite suitable. It was decided to take steps to ascertain the .value of some of the older books, especially first editions, and reconsider the whole question of The library at a later date.