PROBLEM 391.

Otago Witness, Issue 2009, 25 August 1892, Page 36

PROBLEM 391.

By 11. B. Meiners.

(First prize in the Illustrated American Problem Compotition.)

[Black.]

rWUITK.]

White to play and mate in two moves. Lipschutz v. Showalter. The following is another of the games played in the match between these two players at the Manhattan Chess Club, New York :— The fourth game. Vienna Opening. White. Black. (Lipschutz.) (Showalter.) 1 P-K 4 P-K 4 2 Kt-Q B 3 Kt-K B 3 3 P-K Xt 3 B-K 2 4 B-Kt 2 Kt-B 3 5 X Kt-K 2 P-Q 3 " 6 Castles B-Q 2 7 P-Q 3 Q-B sq 8 B-Kt 5 P-K R 3 9 B x Xt B x B 10 Kt-Q 5 B-Qsq 11 P-K B 4 B-Kt 5 12 P-B 3 Kt-K 2 13 Kt-K 3 B x Xt 14 Q x B P-Q B 3 15 P x P P x P 16 Q-R 5 Xt-Xt 3 17 Kt-B 5 Castles 18Q-Kt4 K-R 2 19 R-B 3 P-B 3 20 P-K R 4 R-K Xt sq 21 P-R5 Kt-Bsq 22 B-R 3 Q-B 2 23 Kt-R 4 Q-Kt 3 eh 24 R-B 2 Q-K 6 25 K-Kt 2 Q x Q P 26 Xt-Xt 6 Q-B 5 27 Q-B 5 And Showalter resigns. It is clear that he cannot save the game. For if 27. . . Xt x Xt, then 28 Q x Xt eh, K-R sq, 29 B-B 5, and Lipschutz mates next move. Paul Morphy. Anderssen's Estimate of Morphy.—Never has a finer or more interesting critique on Morphy's gonius appeared than the subjoined, which that master's greatest opponent, Adolf Anderssen, wrote to the eminent diplomat and chessplayer. Baron yon der Lasa, and which we quote from the Pioneer Press :— I not only believe that deeper combinations and brighter sparks of genius are at Morphy's disposition than were at Labourdonnais', but that in infallible calculation and soundness he even surpasses the latter. Ho who plays with Morphy must not only renounce every hope of concealing even tho subtlest traps, but he must also start with the idea that Morphy will clearly sec through all, and that there can be no question of a misstep. On the contrary, if you see Morphy make a move that, at first glance, seems to yield you a chance to get some advantage, examine it carefully, because you will find it correct and that trying to take advantage of it will lead to disaster. But most fatal, when opposed to him, is over-confidence on account of a better position and strong attacking game. I cannot describe better the impression that Morphy made on me than by saying that he treats chess with the earnestness and conscientiousness of an artist. With us, the exertion that a game requires is only a matter of distraction, and lasts only as long as the game gives us pleasure ; with him, it is a sacred duty. Never is a came of chess a mere pastime for nim, but always a problem worthy of his steel, always a work of vocation, always as if an act by which he fulfills a part of his mission." — Baltimore Sunday News.