CHESS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIII, Issue 12159, 24 March 1900, Page 3

CHESS.

g. g. BLACKBURNS, Chess Editor, “ Lyttelton Times.”' Pleas© Address; S. S. Blackburns, 8.0. Box 172. Christchurch, New Zealand, NOTICES. March 24, 1000. The Canterbury Chess Club meets at tha Chamber of Commerce, Cathedral Square, Christchurch, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at ? p.m., and on Thursdays at 2.30 p.m. Printed diagrams for recording problems and positions of games, may bo had ou application to the Chess Editor; price Is per hundred; by post, la 2d. JUBILEE PROBLEM TOURNEY. ■Composers are reminded that problems intended for entry in the first quarter of the year must reach us on or before March 31. The competition is confined to New Zealand composers, and is in two sections, the first comprising two-movers swid the second threemovers. Every competitor may contribute one problem in each or either section, during cftch or any quarter of the present year. Light prizes are offered in the Composers' Tourney, four in each section, of tho respective values of £l, 15s, 10s, and ss. Publication of the problems will begin the first week in April. JUBILEE SOLUTION TOURNEY. The solution pari of the Jubilee Tourney and tho Adjudication Competition in connection therewith will also begin the first week in April. The Jubilee Tourney Problems are alone included in these competitions. In the Solution Tourney, five prizes arc offered, of tho respective values of 15s, 10s, 7s Cd, 5s and 2s 6d. The prize-winners will form a jury. A prize of £1 is offered for the best adjudication of the Jubilee Tourney Problems, as shown in the points given by solvers to the respective problems. Those who gain a place on. the jury will alone be eligible for this prize. The rules of these competitions have already been published, and will ' bo repeated during the early part of tho tourney. Copies of the rules may be had on application. CORRESPONDENCE. Solvers continue to express high appreciation of tho notes which wc now append to their criticisms. They must excuse an occasional lapse, such as occurred in respect of Problem No. 1723. The most careful experts are liable to make oversights sometimes. To F.C.L.—We have duly considered your suggestion that solvers who are also composers should bo excused 'from criticising and awarding points to their own problem's which arc competing in the Jubilee Problem Tourney. We regret that the suggestion is not practicable, because the absence of the usual crilicisui would betray the authorship of the problems. Composers who compote in the Solution Tourney are, thcre- . fore, requested to waive their scruples and to criticise, and to award points to, their own, just as they would to any other, problems. To G-.F.W.—The main play in Problem No. 1720 is where B x K and Q mates at 87; and in Problem! No. 1722 the main play is where K x Kt and Kt mates r.t E 3. Authorities differ as to what are properly called “ variations,” and we deal with this subject in our article to-day. In future wo shall adopt the view which you take, that all the different mates in a two-mover are variations. We now incline to this view, because it happens sometimes that a problem has no main play. To Tertius.-—The broad principle of a pure mate is that no -square in the King’s field must be more than singly guarded;. but

there: arc two exceptions to the rule. Me hope fto deal with the subject next week.

PROBLE M No. 1734. NogJJS in “ Otago Witness ” Tourney.

nr.ACii

WHITE,

G Q kt, Iblßßrbl, 3p4,8P p k 4,8, 3PP 3, 1 p 4 K 1, 1 Kt C. White to piny nnd mate in two moves. (Solution will appear on April 14.)

PROBLEM No. 3735.

No. 34 in “Otago Witness” Tourney. Motto; “ Burlesque.”

1 Kt h 4 l:t, 5?p1,3f Fk2,1;B1B 3, 3 K 4, 6 p 1,1 Q 6,1 B G. White to play nnd mate in two moves. (Solution val! appear on April 14.) Explanation of Notation: —Bead from left to right, beginning ot. left top corner of diagram. s,urge letters signify White* pieces, small letters Black jneces, figures empty squares : commas Close the ranks. SOLUTIONS. Problem No. 1728 No. 27 in “ Otago Witness” Tourncv ( two move'-.) —5 B 2,3 p 4, 3 r p 3,4 k 3, 3 r p 3, 3 Q 2 kt 1, 1 B 3 P B 1, 1 K 0. ‘ White 1. j Black 1. | White 2. K B 7 I Any. (Mutes accordingly Problem No. 3729 No. £8 in “Otago Witness" Tourney. Motto: “ Kaleidoscope ” (two moves) : —4 E 3, p B L> Kt 3. 1 b 2 p Q kt 1, B 7, B Kt 4 p 1, P 3k 1 P 1, p 7, r bl kt IC3. White 1. j _ Black l 7”) White’2. Q B 5 I Any. | Mates accordingly . SOLVERS AND THEIR -CRITICISMS, PROBLEM No. 1723. No. 27 in “ Otago Witness" Tourney. Two moves. Key R —, B 7.—Pure waiting key; Kt useful in preventing duals; economy fair; good block problem (70) F. Woodford, Linwood.—A purely waiting hey move, and therefore easy; P x Q is followed by a- pure and economical mate (73) Alfordian, Christchurch.—A waiting key; by giving Black, as it were, first move, White mates; purity and economy absent; strategy fair (G 5) Argo, Mauri Pah, Kaiapoi.—Fine first- move; Q being cn prise shows that it ought not to move; no pure mate; mate after P x Q economical and nearly pure (73) Tertius, Kaiapoi.—K’s cram'pcd position rendered key easy; variations pleasing (70) F.C.L., Ormond, Gisborne.—A neat problem; pure waiting key move; one economical mate (75) S.S., Lincoln Road.—Key not difficult; fair variety; nice mate by P B 4 (70) G.F.W. ■ —Artful strategy in semi-waiting key and bold sacrifice of Q; P E 4 defeated by P x P en passant; two mates economical; purity wanting (CO) J. L. Power, Wharau, Carterton. Also solved by G. H. Rodmell, Christchurch. NOTES. To P. Woodford.—The Black ICt occasions a variation. How does it prevent duals? To Argo.—Tho mates following P x Q and Kt moves are economical. The former is also pure; the pin being necessary to the mate, the double guard of Black’s Q 5 does not detract from tho purity. To Several Solvers,—See above note. To J. L. Power.—lt is a “ waiting,” not a “ semi-waiting " key. If ono or more of tho mates were provided for by the key, it would bo called “ semi-waiting;” but in this case, every mate follows, just the same, if White dispenses with his first move. Tho problem being set with the Q on prise, the capture of the Q cannot be called a “ sacrifice.” To set a problem with any strong piece, and ef.uccial!y the Q, en prise, is not praiseworthy, but the reverse; as it would bo very bad for a piece cn prise to .move, except again into danger, and not good even then, and the search for the key is thus limited. PROBLEM No. 1729. No. 28 in “Otago Witness” Tourney. Motto: Kaleidoscope. Two moves. Key, Q B 5. Excellent key; sacrifices Q and gives flight sq; problem remarkable for mirror mates, one pure; duals neatly avoided; some of Black force inactive; problem illustrates masked battery idea (80) F. Woodford.—Double sacrifice of Q and gift of flight square make key excellent; very largo variety; seven different mirrors, one being pure (87) Alfordian.—Capital key, placing tj cn prise; abounds in mirror mates, one of them pure; duals cleverly avoided; a capital two-mover; Black R idle (90) Argo. —Excellent first move; gives K a flight sq, and also gives White Q away; six mirror mutes; problem economical, but there are no pure or economical mates (95) Tertius.— Key sacrifices Q and gives flight sq; ten different mates, five by Q; seven mirrors, one pure mirror; tho best problem so far (100) F.C.L,—A pretty problem; good key and grand variations; very pretty mirror mates, including one pure and economical (92) S.S.—Good sacrificing key; extraordinary variety; several mirrors, one pure; Black R on Q K 8 and P oa Q R 7 not required; P on K Kt 5 and Q R 3 stop cooks (90) G. —Artful semi-waiting key, involving sacrifice of Q; some mirror mates, one pure; no other mate pure or economical; good variety (93) J. L. Power. Also solved by G, H. Rodmell. NOTES, ' To F. Woodford.—The Q is doubly sacrificed. There are two “ masked battery ” mates. To Tertius.—There are seven different mirrors; and one of the mirrors is a pure mate. To F.C.L. —There are twelve different mates, which is said to bo tha largest number possible, without any dual, in a. two-mover conceding a flight square by the key. To S.S.—No mate is “economical;” but, as Tertius pointa out, the problem is economical, owing to its groat variety. To G.F.W.—Tho Black R on Q R 8 and P on Q K 7 are required to stop a dual, and to nAike the problem sound. If the Black P ou Q R 7 were removed, theft tho Black B could move to R 7, and three mates would follow, instead of one, viz., Q K 4, Q Q 3, and lit- B 2. If tbs R on R 8 were removed, tho P could advance to R 8, and there would be no mate. Tho R and P, therefore, are very necessary; and it does not seem that the dual could be overcome in any other way, without upsetting the scheme of the problem. You are correct about the P on Q II 3. It avoids a cock, viz., R. R 3 eh. The Black P ou E Kt 5 prevents . a dual. If it were removed, there would be two mates after B Q 5, viz., Kt Q 5 and Q B 3. PROBLEM No. 1725. By A. F. Mackenzie. Three moves. Key Kt B 7.—G.F.W. and S.S. point out that if 1 _Ki - B 3,2 Kt K G ch, K x B, 3 P K 1 mate; or 1 P B 7 or P x P, 2 Kt K G ch, K x B, 3 Q R mats : each of those mates is pure. Wo had overlooked these mate?,, and are much, obliged to oar correspondents for pointing them out; as they greatly improve the problem, which, it will be now seen, has four pure mates. PROBLEM No. 172 G. No. 23 in “Otago Witness” Tourney. Key, B K 2. Solution received from J.W., Christchurch. PROBLEM No. 1727. No. 2G in “ Otago Witness" Tourney. Author’s solution (Q Kt 2) received from J.W. VARIATIONS. Authorities differ -as to the proper meaning of the term “ Variations,” and, indeed, some authors give confused and even contradictory accounts of what idea they intend to convey by the word. “ Tho Problem Art,” by T. B. and F, F. .Rowland, says “ Variations arc the different lines of play White is forced to adopt after Black plays.” James Rayner, late Problem Editor of the “ British Chess Magazine,” wrote in “Chess Problems” thus:—“ln nearly every problem there is one lino of play which, on account of its superior elegance, ie.

commonly called the ‘main play/ all the other continuations beginning with "White’s second move are called variations.” Mr 13. G. Laws, the present Problem Editor of the "British Choas Magazine,” in his work ‘‘The Two-move Chess Problem,” is not So clear. After referring to two or three different Wales in a problem, for the pmposo of showing the characters of these mates, Mr Laws proceeds: —“ The other defences of Black have nothing requiring special comment, but it may be here generally remarked that so long as these .defences spring naturally from the position, they are considered praiseworthy, and from what is called the true variety or variations of the problem.*’ Wo take Mr Laws to mean that all continuations on White’s second move, other than the main play, are called "variations;” but that the defences which do not spring naturally from the position create spurious variations. Mr A. F. Mackenzie, in " Chess, its. Poetry and Prose,” says;—“Variety, or variations, as its name signifies, includes all the various strategic phases or. aspects which are brought about in the course of the solution of a problem; or, in other words, the different modes of play White is forced to adopt in reply to the different moves of Black. The leading line of play, that which illustrates the idea upon which the problem is built, and from which the variations arise, is called the main play.” This is contradictory; for if the variations “arise” from tile main play, then the move which constitutes the main play must be excluded; yet the definition of variations given in the earlier part of the paragraph would include it. Further on, Mr Mackenzie explains that sometimes there is no “main play” in a problem. In a low class composition, having no distinct theme, there is no main play; nor is there any in a problem in which the distinct idea of the problem is repeated, or where there are two or more distinct and separate ideas artistically blended, each of which, though different in style, is of equal merit. No one would say that such problems have no “ variations.” But if variations spring from the main play, then, if there is no main play, there can be no variations. In deference to authorities, we have, on former occasions, spoken of variations as arising from the main play. According to this, in ai twomove problem having ten different mates, there would be nine variations. In considering the matter as we are now doing, it seems to us, however, that this view is wrong, and that variations should be more properly defined as the lines of play on White’s second move, varying from one another. According to this definition, ai two-move problem having ten different mates would have ten variations. “The Chess Problem’,” which is the highest authority, gives no definition of variations; but in discussing the number of variations which certain problems contain, the view of our last definition is adopted. We propose, therefore, in future, to speak of variations iu the sense which includes the main play. “Sub-variations” are described by Mr Mackenzie as “ variations occurring in the main play and its variations, and are White’s third moves in three-movers, third and fourth moves in four-movers, and so on.” It will be observed that, in respect to sub-variations, no special third move is selected as the main one from which the others “ arise ” as variations therefrom; but .all the moves subsequent to the second are included in the term “ subvariations.” In the case of sub-variations, then, the moves are regarded as variations, not from one special move, but from one another. If this be the case with sub-varia-tions, surely it should be so with, variations also. GAME No. 2121. Ladies’ Chess Club, London v. City of London Chess Club (played at the odds of a Knight.) EVANS GAMBIT. (Kemovo White’s Q Kt.) WHITE. BLACK. (T. Physick.) (Mrs Anderson) 1 P —K4 IP-K4 2Kt—KB32 Kt QB 3 38—84 3 B B 4 4 P QKt 4 4BxP 5 P B 3 5 B B 4 (a) S Castles 6Kt KB 3 (b) •7P—Q4 7 P x P BFiP 8 B Kt 3 (e) 9P-K5 9 Kt— Kt 5 (d) 10 B-QK3 10 Kt K 2 (e) ÜBrPch UKiB 12 Kt Kt 5 12 K IC 1 13 Qx Kt 13 P Q 3 It P K 6 (f) 14 Kt Kt 3 15 Kt B 7 15 Q B 3 16 Ktxß 16 Kt x Kt 17 P Q 5 17P-QB4 18 QE Kt 1 18 B Kz 19 Q QB4 oh 19 K K 2 20 Q if 2 20 B Kt 1 21 QiBP 21 Kt Kt 3 22 B Kt 2 22 Kt K 4 23 P B 4 23 B— E2 ch 24 K B 1 24 Q Kt 3 25 Q K4 ch 25 Q B 3 26 Q K 1 26 Q K 3 27 Px Kt 27 B B 4 28 E B 7 .ch 23 K— Kl 29 11 xK P 20 P O. Kt 3 30 Q KB 1 30 Q Kt 3 31 Q—B7 oh 31 QxQ 32 P x Q ch 32K-B1 33 P—K6 33 B —E3 34 B K 1 34 Eesigus (g) Notes from the ” Morning Post.” (a) When receiving tho Kt, B E4 is stronger. (h) This is weak. Black should have played P Q3,or B Kt 3 and Kt E 4 soon afterwards. (c) Tho odds receiver should always keep in view the absence of the Q Kt. Here it would he better to play B Kt 5, and, if then P &c. (d) If now Kt K’S, E K 1 wins. (c) This gives White an opportunity, which is promptly seized. Black’s game has become difficult, but Kt —B 4 would still have been useful. There is also something to be said for 10 Kt x P 11 Kt xKt 11 Q B 5 12 Kt B 3 12 Kt xB P, &e. (f) Very effective.f After this Black has no further chance. _ „ , (g) If Black play B Q6 to prevent K K 4 and E B4, White can win at once by B threatening B Kt 5, &c. ITEMS. It has been decided to abandon the proposed international . women’s chess toumamtent, which it was intended to hold in America during the spring, owing to a lack of sufficient support. The British Chess Company, of Stroud, Gloucestershire, announce that they are distributing eppies of the wall sheet, “ Laws for the Regulation of Games Played over the Board,” beiiw part 11. of the revised edition of the British. Chess Code; and that should any of our readers desire a copy they are requested to send the address of club or room in which chess is played to the company, and a copy will be furnished free of charge. Doubtless many country and suburban club secretaries will avail themselves of this generous offer. The Kolisch tournament in Vienna was brought to a close with the following scores: G. Maroozy 9, C. Schlecbter 7£, N. Brody 7, S. Alapin 64, G. Marco, H. Wolff, A. Zinkl each G,* Jan Kotre 5, I. von Popiel 4|, Albin 4, Schwarz 3i. Prock 0. The Right Hon Harry Esoombe, ex-Premier of Natal, who died suddenly in one of the streets of Durban on Dec. 27 last, was ai strong . chess player, and won the right to be one of tho four players to represent Natal in the South African Chess Congress of last April, He was sixty-one years of age.