CHESS

Evening Star, Issue 23728, 8 November 1940, Page 3

CHESS

[Conducted by J.F.L.] We invite communications on all matters concerning chess. Solutions oi problems, games, and analysts will recieve our attention, and it of sufficient merit will be inserted. All communications to be addressed *' Chess Editor," 1 Evening Star.* TO CORRESPONDENTS. E.A.L. (Invercargill).—Thanks for problems. Noted that B x P gives mate in live, not seven, moves. J.A.C. (Morningbon).—Will publish problem next week. Thanks. H.H. (Sydney).—Sydney news most acceptable. Sketch particularly good. G.R.L. (Melbourne). —Trust your efforts to renew your column will be successful. G.C.C. (Nelson). —Best wishes for success at congress. W.A.M. (Dunedin). —T. B. Rowland’s problem has no solution in the form given. CORRECT SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. 2,875. 2,876: J.A.M’D. (Greymouth). 2,877, 2,878: W.A.M. (Dunedin), A.E. (Roslyn), J.A.C. (Mornington), E.A.L. (Invercargill). “King’ (Timaru). SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. No. 2,877: Q-B 2. No. 2,878: K-Kt 3. “ Rip-Saw ”: R-Q Rl, P-Kt 5. Tho B then “ rips ” its way along the first and second ranks and mates on the seventh move. PROBLEM No. 2,879. (First prize. ‘ C.C.L.A. Bulletin,’ 1939.) Black. 8 pieces.

White, 10 pieces. White mates in two moves. ktKtlrlßlb 1 2 B 1 p 1 kt 1 1 lrlP2Ql|4kßKl| 1 q B, 1 P 3 1 f P 3 1 8 1 8. PROBLEM No. 2,880. C. S. Kipping (first price, B.C.M. Tourney, July-December, 1939). Black, 10 pieces.

White, 11 pieces. While mates in three moves. 1b r 5 I 1r 5 Q | 3 Kt 2 P B | 5 P p 1 | q 4 p k 1 | p2 p 1 p 1 K 1 B 4 P 1 K | 1 R 1 Kt 4. S. E. BURNS CHALLENGE CUP. The eighth competition for the Challenge Cup, awarded by Mr S. E. Burns, has concluded, the winners being the present joint holders, Messrs W. A. Mirams (Dunedin) and J. A. Cunningham (Morniugton). Mr Mirams continues to add fresh laurels to his excellent solving ability. Since October, 1937, he has solved correctly every two and three-move problem which has appeared in this column, and as the problems published are almost wholly prize winners, this performance is most meritorious. Mr Cunningham has failed in only two solutions during this period, but* he had held the cup on two previous occasions. Former holders of the trophy are as follows: —October, 1935, Messrs J. A. Cunningham and E. M'Derrnid (jointly) ; October, 1936, Mr A. J. M'Dermott; April, 1937, Mr J. A. Cunningham; October, 1937, Mr A. Ellis; October, 1938, Mr W. A. Mirams; October, 1939, Mr W. A. Mirams; April, 1940, Messrs W. A. Mirams and J. A. Cunningham (jointly); October, 1940, Messrs W. A. Mirams and J. A. Cunningham (jointly). The next competition will commence with the problems appearing on November 15, and will continue for a period of six monlbs. We appeal for support for this competition from all who are interested in the fascinating art of problem solving, and we take this opportunity of thanking those who have regularly forwarded their solutions. While it is not possible in such competitions as this to command success, we can say from experience that the labour is itself a fitting reward. RETI’S OPENING. White, P. Keres. Black, Dr M. Enwe. 1 Kt-K B 3 P-Q 4 2 P-B 4 P x P 3 P-K 3 P-Q B 4 (a) 4 15 x P Kt-K B 3 5 Castles P-Q R 3 (b) b t\l 3 P-Q Kl 4 7 ii-Jv 2 B-Kt 2 8 B-Kt 2 Q Kt-Q 2 9 P-Q R 4! Q-Kt 5 (c) 10 P x P P x P 11 R x R ch B x R 12 Kt-R 3! B-B 3 13 P-Q 4 P-K 3 14 P x P B x P 15 Kt-Q 4 B x Kt 16 Q x B! Q-Kt 2 17 Q-Kt 4 (d) Kt-Q 4 18 Q-Q 6 Kt-K 2 19 R-B sq PKt 5 (e) 20 Kt-B 4 K Kt-B 4 21 Q-B 4 B x P 22 Kt-Q 6 ch Kt s Kt 23 Q x Kt Resigns (f) (a) Quite satisfactory method of development for Black is 3... Kt-Q B 3; 4 B x P. P-K 4. (b) Embarking upon a plan ot queen s side development that appears to be premature. 5... P-K 3 . B-K 2, and . . castles should be played first. (c) 9... P-Kt 5 is out of the question, because of the consequent weakness at Q B 4; but he now gets into great difficulties over the defence of the Q Kt pawn. (d) It is difficult to see how Black could have avoided the preceding sequence of moves without giving up his Q Kt pawn for nothing, but this locks the door on castling, and there is little more to be done. (e) This looks like desperation, since the entry of the knight on Q B 4 is bound to be fatal. He may have hoped, by depriving White of Q Kt 4 for his queen, to be able to castle; but if so lie must have overlooked that 21... castles would be met by Kt-R 5. Black is lost anyway, for

if 19... Kt-B 3 (preparing to castle); 20 R x B. Rt i B; 21 B s P; while if 19... Kt-Q Kt sq; 20 Kt x P. (if) B x Kt; 21 R-B 7. . . , (f) There is no defence against the threat of 24 R-B 7, Q-Kt 4; 25 R-B 8. If 23...8-R 6: 24 B-B 3 is immediately decisive. MINIATURE. Following is a neat two-mover by Mr E. A. Le Pettit (Invercargill), in which Black K has three flight squares, all leading to mirror mates, one of them being a model:— ' * $ M 11 qBB K 8 KBS Q 5 KKt4 K 2 KB2 White, 6 pieces; Black, 1 piece. White mates in two moves. STONEWALL DEFENCE. The young wife was in the depths of despair. “ It’s Jim,” she said. “ We’ve had a row, and he’s left me.” “ But he’ll come back,” said her comforting friend. “He always does.” “Oh, not this-time, he won’t,” she replied amid sobs. “ He’s taken his board and chessmen with him.” r—Melbourne ‘ Leader,’