PROBLEM 1594.

Otago Witness, Issue 2363, 8 June 1899, Page 45

PROBLEM 1594.

Tourney Problem No. 20 (Competing).

E3, 3p4,B,Ktlprlp 2, 1 kt P k p 1 kt 1, 868,8,bb2 Xt 1 X 1. ~wk771 i T -m -i, ■, ii — wu-* — ~ — r Whlte " L I Black > L I Whlte « 2 - I q.jj 4 1

Motto — " Mozart." [Black.]

2 X 5, 8, 7 kt, 1 P 3 k 2, 4 Kt. p 2, 2 P 4 P, 1 P 1 i 2 Q l, 3B 4. "White lo play and mate in three moves. Notice to f»'olyers. m Tourney Problem No. 18 in last ii c sue is by Mi Harry Audersen, Christchurch, and ia a compet ing problem. Becent (xames. Game in the match for championship of "Worcester. Score and notes from the County Express. Ktty Lopez.

NOTES. (a) The alternative is kt k 2, after which the following is a likely continuation: — 9 Xt K1 5 (threatening 10 Xt takes Xt, P takes Xt, 1] B takc3 P eh, etc.), kt takes kt, 10 B take: Xt, p q b 3, or b kl 2, etc. (B) Or 0 to 0 11 B B 2, Xt takes Xt, 12 C, takes Xt, etc. (c) Castles is preferable. Black has no timi for the text move. (d; Here kt b 1 was better. (E) If b b 1 White would win by 18 R X i and Q R 5. (f) A very strong move for defensive pur poses. White threatened 20 B takes Xt, 1 takes b (if k takes b, 21 B takes P, p take: b, 22 Q takes P, etc) 21 B takes P, p takes b 22 Q takes P eh, b kt 2, 23 R R 3, and i k b 1, then 24 RB 3 eh, kktl,2s R B 7 and in any case Black is without resource. (g) Apparently his best chance lay in p takei P(ii) If 25 b k 2, White wins with 26 I takes Xt eh, b takes r! 27 Q takes P eh, fol lowed by Q takes R. (i) In order to bring his Q R into action Should Black reply 27 p takes p c.p., Whit retakes with Pawn, and opens the Q R file. (j) Black might here have continued p q 4, as we do not think White could have al lowed the variation, 30 P takes RP, p kt 5 31 P takes P, p q 5, 32 R Q 4, p q 6, etc. and would have had to bo content with thi iollowing: — 20 p q r 4, 30 R Q Xt 1, p take: kt p, 31 R takes P, p takes p, 32 R takes P and White's winning would be very difficult. (k) The commencement of a winning combi nation, which was foreseen by White, and in volves the sacrifice of the exchange. (l) If 36 q kt 2, White wina the Q bB R 7 eh, and if 36 k r 1, then 37 Q B i eh, q kt 2, 38 R R 3 eh, X Xt 1, 39 B B 7 eh q takes b, 40 R mates. (m) Ii 38 Q B 2, then 39 Q R 8 wins th Q for R in two moves. 1 (n) If q kfc 3, then 40 RKt 8 eh, k g 2, 41 QB7eh k g 3 (best), 42 QB 8 eh, k b 3, '43 QB 8 eh, qb2,44 Q R 6 eh, k g 4, 45 R Xt 5 eh, k k 5, 46 Q takes P eh, X takes P (k g 6 loses the R), 47 RXt 4 mate. The exposed situation of the Black king leaves him without resource. i Solutions. j Problem No. 1555 (Tourney Problem No. 11). ' — By G-. E. Carpenter (two moves).— B, 1 Xt 6, R6KI, iktQpplßl, 3 p k 3, 1 kt 1 r b 2 R, Xt q 6, 5 B 2. White, 1. | Black. 1. | White, 2 Q-Q 4(XD eh | Any | Mates Problem No. 1586 (Tourney Problem No. 12). By Arthur Cliarlick (three moves). — 1 Q 2

i SOLVEKS AND THEIE CRITICISMS. " No. 1585 (Tourney Problem No. 11).— Very clever ; but nothing can make such a key really acceptable ; Xt on R 2 takes no part in the solution (6). J. ,H. L., Havelock North. — Very difficult; strong forces make good defences; two near tries by Q x Xt and Kt-Q Xt 4. W. F. G., Spreydon.— A beautifullyconstructed problem, in which every piece on the board is given a leading part (9). M. D., Fer.daHon. — The sacrifice of Q to 7 of Black's piece 3 more than atones for the capture and ; check of the key (9). Alfordian, Christchurch. i — Queen being open to seven captures makes j amends for key move being a capture and check (7). F ; C. L., Waimata Valley.— The capture and check of key are a blemish ; but it is a good illustrative problem, for out of eight Black pieces, including X/ all except ono 2? are captors of Q (7). Argo, Maori Pa, KaiaI poi. — The key being a capture is bad; the va- ! riations exceptionally good; the capture of White Q by seven different pieces is exceedingly clever (8). Seva, Timaru. — A very catchy problem, but a bad key; only one redeeming feaI ture — i.e., one flight square to Black 1£; good [ strategy in after play (6)^ F. J. G-., Coonoor. — Solution without criticism : — F. Wbodford, Linwood; Othello, Dunedin. — An example of a pro- ; blem where a move that i? both a capture and a I check is, nevertheless, a tolerable and mterest- | ing key; the Q's martyrdom is truly heroio (8) — Chess Editor Canterbury Times. No. 1586 (Tourney Problem No. 12). — Aggressive key; after play and mates mostly rather tame; many short mates; fair variety (6). J. | I H. L.— Q-Q Xt 5 defeated by Kt-K 6 is a near try; key not easy; Q pins Xt and P pretty; | | a good average three-mover. W. F. G. — Key very poor, stopping as it does the moves of two pawns ; after-play not remarkable in any way (5). Alfordian. — Key not difficult; too many short mates (7). F. C. L. — A good key; has a dual on second move, and short mates; a, fairly good problem (8). Argo. — The key is j bad, uinning two Black pawns, after-play rather difficult (7). Seva. — Not a very good com- ! ! position, and not a good key (5). F. J. G-. — Solution without criticism : — Othello, Dunedin. — Key much too strong and obstructive ; economy and purity very deficient ; has d^ls and [ short mates; there is considerable variety, but ' it is wanting in character (5M. — Chess Editor Canterbury Times. Problem No. 1582 (Tourney Problem No. 8). — In our criticism of this problem we said: "In every mate but the one which occurs on second move, all White's major pieces, except the X, participate." J. 11. L. points out tha* this ! is not the case in the variation K-Q 5, etc., 1 and on referring to our note-book we find our analysis shows that in each of the two mates in this variation, one white major piece is unnecessary to. the male. This was overlooked when our notes were- converted into criticism. — I Chess Editor Canterbury Times. / Travelling Chessmen. I was on a journey, and was trying to solve a tough three-mover by the aid of my travelj ling chessmen. An old gentleman sat facing me, who seemed to be interestsd in my struggle, but he did not volunteer any solution. At last I \vas tired of it, and I looked about for some diversion. Why not have a game with the ! unknown ancient who sat opposite? I began to speculate on what sort of a player he might be. " I fancy I could give him pawn and move," I thought ; " anyhow, ho may afford me some sport, so here goes." "Will you have a game, -sir?" " Thank you, I should like one," returned he, and we proceeded to fix the pieces in their respective holes. I won the move, and played P X 4. He returned P X B 4. | "The man must be a fool," thought I; I " he's probably only played once or twice bej fore." Q R 5 " Check," said I (awfully bad move, wasn't it? But I thought it quite good enough for the old man.) He did not hesitate a moment, but played X takes Q. I was just about to expostulate when the ludicrous side of 'the situation appealed to mo so strongly that I delermined to see it through. To keep up the farce I grasped my King's Knight and made it career over the board like a mettlesome hunter over the hurdles. > The energetic rider eventually deposed her ma1 jesty the Black queen and flopped down in her place. I cast a sidelong glance at my opponent's face to see how he took it. But the acrobatic knight did not ajsein to disturb him in the least; he met my eye witir a quick, sardonic grin, and said, " An, I thought you might fall into that little trap. Now you will lose the game," and he took his king's bishop pawn and swooped right down on my king, who was unceremoniously plucked up and the pawn s>tuck in his place. " There," he said triumphantly, holding up his majesty, "it's al! up now, isn't it? The king can't move without being in check, can he?" Then, "observing the blank nstonishment on my face and the feeble smile gathering about my mouth, ho said, "Ah, perhaps you have not seen that variation before. It's a very strong counter attack." I made a monosyllabic rejoinder, and gazed helplessly out of the window. How was I to be revenged on this idiot? He talked about counter attacks as if he knew something of the game. 1 would show him that I appreciated the farce, and must beat him in real earnest, but he anticipated me. He leaned forward and touched my knee, and said, '" Lot's have another, and no fooling this time, you know." '" All right," I said, " just what I was going to say." We quickly replaced the men, and I made a mental resolve to bring my 15 years of firstclass amateur experience to bear on this conceited old idiot and crush all the life out of him. He played a "King's Gambit," and the game merged into a. variation on which I felt rather shaky. However, I comforted myself with the thought that the imbecile opposite could not know more than four or five moves out of the

book, and then he would flounder helplessly. But he seemed to play the attack with masterly correctness, and I searched my memory for the right defence. His men were beautifully placed, and every move convinced me that he had a perfect grip of the position. It began to da..vn on me that I was the fool, and he was evidently becoming more and more convinced of it. — -

i Angry thoughts surged into my brain, and I felt like punching my opponent's head. (En.tre nous, they say this is a very common sentiment when you are losing a hard-fought game.) Was I losing, though? "Not yet," I thought, but on the fifteenth move I found, to my disgust, I was bound to lose the exchange. The worst of it was that there was no compensation in. position. On he came, gradually forcing me into a cramped game, and breaking up my defence. He dwelt a long time on the twenty-third move; it must have been a good 10 minutes.

I contemplated the necessity of giving him a hint about moving, when he looked up with that same sardonic grin, and my heart sank, for I saw victory in his eye.

" Mate in four, I believe," lie said. "Is it really?" I stammered. "He must be mistake*," I thought, and I pored over the position, and carefully weighed every likely combination, but saw no apparent signs of immediate danger. " I must confess I can't see it," I said; " do you mind moving?" " Not at all," he returned pleasantly. " I may be mistaken, but I don't think so. You ccc, this is the move, Xt E 6 check, and, whatever you do, I think it's mate in three." A light began to dawn on me. This chap I had put down as a rank duffer had evolved a most ingenious combination, but even then I was unablo to examine all the variations, so complicated had the position become. I moved X R square, and waited the avalanche. Down it came in the shape of a sacrifice of his queen's bishop, and then I saw his fell design in all its Satanic fulness. At that moment a great jarring noise seemed to be reverberating through the carriage, a buzzing came into my head, and a voice from the outer world said, " Tickets, please." I started and woke from my slumber, and looked for the gentleman opposite, but he had gone — and, sad to relate, so had my chessmen. — Notts Guardian.

White. Black. White. Black. Bfllingham. Bridgwater Bellingham. Bridgwatei 1 P-K 4 P-K 4 2 Ki-KB3 Kt-QB3 3 B-Kt 5 P-Q R 3 4 B-R4 ' KL-B3 5 0 0 TC l x P « P-Q 4 l>-QKt4 7 B-Kt 3 PQ4 8 P x P B X 3-A 9 P-R3 B-K2 10 Q Kt-Q 2 Kt-B 4-B 11 li-B2 Kt-Q2-c 12RK1 0-0 13 Xt-Xt 3 R-K 1 ]4Kt(Kt3)-QlKtxKt 15 Xt xKt PQB 4 d l(i ICr x B P x Xt 17 Q-Kt 4 Kt-B l-E 18 B-116 P-Kt3 19 R-K 3 RR 2 !-f 20 R-B 3 P-B 5 I 21 Q-B 4 B-B 4 22 P-K R 4 R-Q 2 23 P- it 5 Q-B 2-G 24 P x P P x P 25 Q-Kt 5 R-Kt 2-H 2t< 14 x R Qxß 27 I'-Q Kt-i B-Kt2 28 P-H 4 BB 2(lhr 29 P-K 3 R-Q 1-j 30 P x P P x P 31 R-R 7-ic P-Q 5 ffiPxP R x P 33 R-Kt. 3 ! Q x P 34 Rx B ! Qx It 35 B x P R-Q 8 eh S6 K-R2 Ktxß-L 37 U x Xt oh K-B 1 38QB6ch K-Kl-M 3!) P-K 1)4 Q-R2ch-; 40 R-R 3 Q>-B 7 41 QxPcli K-Ql Mates in four moves.

Black, 1. White, 2. P-Q 3 Q-Q B 1 B-R7 Q-Q 2 eh, or Kt-B 2 eh R-Q 3 Q x R eh B-B 7 Xt x B eh B-B 6 R Q 3 eh Kt-QB3orR3Q-Q2ch B-Kt 7, 14-t-B 7nr ICtrKtH") Tnatna of>. I &C. &c. ice. &c. &c. <fee.