CHESS

Evening Star, Issue 23497, 10 February 1940, Page 4

CHESS

[Conducted by D.H.H.) W« Invite communications on all matters concerning chess. Somtioos ot problems, games, and analvsis will recei-e our attention, and if oi suflicient nient will be inserted. All communications to be «ddtea*jg " Chess Editor," * Evening Star,' TO CORRESPONDENTS. F.K.K. (Wellington).—Much obliged for copies of papers and cuttings. A.W.P. (Kelburn).—Arrived safely; thanks for hospitality. J.A.M'C. (Wellington).—Obliged for information, etc. CORRECT SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. 2,795, 2,796: A.E. (Roslyn), W.A.M. (Dunedin). 2,797: T.J.W. (St. Hilda), J.A.M'D. (Greymouth), A.E, (Roslyfl), King (Timaru). 2,798: J.A.M'D. (Greymouth), A.E. (Roslyn, King (Timaru). 2,799: J.A.C., (Mornington), W.A.M. (Dunedin), A.E, (Roslyn), J.J.M. (St. Hilda. 2,800: J.A.C. (Mornington), W.A.M. (Dunedin), A.E. (Roslyn). This problem has evoked the admiration of many of our solvers, and indeed contains some fine variations.

Owing to the editor’s absence from Dunedin for three weeks some of the solvers’ solutions have not been acknowledged, but the omitted ones do not affect tho contest for the Bledisloe Cup.

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. 2,799: Kt (B 3)-K 5. 2.800: Q-K 5.

PROBLEM 2,801. (By S. J. Pickering.)

Black, 10 pieces.

While, 6 pieces.

4blltb|4BlQ p I 4 p kt 1 p | 3plp2|4k3J7Kt]3K3B(sß2. White to play and mate in two moves.

PROBLEM 2,802. (By P. A. Boorer.)

Black, 8 pieces,

White, 11 pieces, Mate in three.

BlKP4Pl|lPplp2p|klpsrr| V4B2|2PKt3b| X Kt 4 P X | 6 B 1. THE KNIGHT'S TOUR. Following our publication of tho Knight’s Tour, Dr E. W, Bennett exhibited to a small but interested group of spectators at the Otago Chess Club’s rooms some further examples of his undoubted mastery over this problem of perennial interest. Tho first tour completed was one sans voir in which spectators nominated both the commencing and the closing square. Next, a portion of the board was blocked out by placing pieces on 10 squares each distent from the other by the normal knight’s move, and the remaining squares were completed in the tour. The pieces were not placed in such positions as to render the tour impossible ab initio, as would be the case, for example, if Q Kt 3 and Q B 2 were chosen, thus allowing no entry to Q B 1. Another typo of tour was then undertaken by Dr Bennett in which the knight was compelled to visit certain marked squares twice during the tour, and although compelled to abandon the position set, it being one incapable of solution, vet sufficient progress was made to demonstrate that such tours could be completed according to the rules. We understand that the number of tours which can be completed on the chess board reach astronomical figures, provided, of course, that they do not contain double tasks such as those described in this article. UF GUARDS AND AT, ’EM OPENING. White, Major G. Blastit, 0.8. E.; Black, B. Milde. 1 P-K 4...... P-K 4 2 Q-R 5 This characteristic move of the opening is a favourite of the Major. Mr Milde is our theorist, he is aware that White’s queen can now be driven about the board while ho (Black) develops his pieces,_seizes the centre, immobilises White’s pieces, and places knights at strategic points, but first he must defend his KP. He plays “Ha! ” says the Major, “you have exposed your king to check.” “So I have,” says Milde, putting his pawn back. “It seems I shall have to move my king.” Nobody denies this; after ail it is a tournament game. Thus 3 Q x K P mate. This is cur shortest tournament game to date, but it is not at all certain how long the record will stand.—’ Chest.' FRENCH DEFENCE. (From the Argentine Championship.) White, R. Gran; Black, 0. Guimard. 1 P-K 4 P-K 3 2 P-Q 4 P-Q 4 3 Kt-Q B 3 Kt-K B 3 4 B-K Kt 5 B-K 2 6 P-K 5 K Kt-Q 2 6BxB Q x B 7 Q-Q 2 (a) Castles 8 P-B 4 P-Q B 4 8 Kt-B 3 Kt-Q B 3 10 P-K Kt 3 P-B 3 USP i P Kt xB P 12 B-Kt 2 Px P 13 KKt x P P-K 4 (b) 14 BxP ch K-E 1 16 Kt xKt Px Kt 16 B x P B-Kt 2 V? B x B P x P ch 18 Q-K 2 Qx B 19 Castles Q (c) Q R-Kt 1 20 P-Kt 3 Q R-B 1 21 Q-Q 3 Q-B 3 22 Kt-K,t 5 Kt-K 5 (d) 23 Kt x P Q-R 1 24 Kt x R Kt-B 7 25 Q-Q 8! Q-R 6 ch (e)

26 K-Kt 1 P-R 3 27 Q-K 7 and wins (f) (a) The moderns play this for Q side castling, with a K side push. An old idea, after Black’s castles, was 8 Kt-Q 1 for 9. P-Q B 3, holding the centre against P-Q B 4: but that has been found rather slow. , . , (b) An interesting try to snatch the initiative before White castles—not quite sound. (c) Just in time, with a pawn plus. (d) Continuing to mix things, which suits the imperturbable Grau. (e) E-Kt 1, 26 Q x E ch K x Q, 27 It-Q 8 ch K-B 2, 28 Kt-Q 6 ch K moves, 29 E x Q. (f) Q x Q is forced upon Black and White is left (after 28 Kt x Q R-K 1, 29 Kt-Kt 6 ch K moves, 30 Kt x P, etc.) with a piece and three lovely passed pawns to the good. The event was an individual match for the title, Grau winning by 7£ points to SJS. The solution to this problem is castles (queen’s side). White had originally given the odds of queen’s rook, and now mates in two by moving his king only to Q B sq. The rook on Q R sq is .White’s king’s rook, which has arrived at that square during the course of the game. In games played at odds it is permissible for the odds giver to castle in spite of the absence of the rook, but only when the rook’s square has not been occupied by another piece while the game has been played. According to the rules of problem construction, ibis problem contains an illegal key move, and can therefore be viewed only in the light of a curiosity. NOTES. Tho proposed world championship match between Alekhine and Capablanca, which was to have been played in April, will not be held until next September. Wo have always been at a loss to understand these protracted delays, the first of which is generally by no means the last. Word has been received in Wellington that the arrangements for domiciling Endre Steiner, the Continental chess master, In New Zealand, have new been completed, and his arrival may be expected in the near future. Wo have it on good authority that Mr Steiner’s residence will be at Dunedin.