Game.

Otago Witness, Issue 2416, 28 June 1900, Page 56

Game.

The following gxrae, in the opinion of many competent judges, is the finest game BlackImrne ever played blindfold. It was one of a aeiies of ton played simultaneously at the City of London Chib. Game No. 270 in " Blackbunie's G-ainos of Chess," just pub-

Scotch Gambit. White. Black. White. Black. Blackburne Ballard Blackburne Ballard 1 P-K 4 M 4 198-B4 Q x Xt P 2 Kt-K B 3 Kt-Q B 3 20 Kt-Q 2 Px P 3 P-Q 4 Px P 21 Kt-JJ 4-d Q-B 6 eh 4 B-Q B 4 B-B 4 22 Kt-K 3 B-Q 2 5 Xt-Xt 5 Kt-R 3 £3 Xx P B-R 5 c (iQBS Q-K 2 24 Xt Q 5 Q-Q 6 7 V-0 KI--K 4 2> B Xt 6 R-lt 3-f 8 B-Kt 3 ■-Q 3 26 Kt-K 6ch K-Kt 1 9 P-K R 3 Kr-Kt 1 27 Kt-K 7ch K-ll 1 10 P-K B 4 P-Q 6 ch-A 28 RR. 1 Q-Q Bch g 11 K-K 2 Xt KU 3 29QRxQPx B(Q)ch 12 Q-Q 1 QKt-K-.Sch 30KxQ Bxll eh 13 Px Xt Xt xP eh 31 K-Kt 3 R-R 8 34 K-Kt 3 P-K R 4-b 32 B-Q 2-h BR 4 15 P-B 5 B-K 6 33 B B 3 R-K Xt 1 16 B x y eh K-B 1 34 P-B 6 Bxß 17 QxKt-c PxQ 35KtxBchK-R2 18 Bx B Q-K 4ch 36 P-B 7 aud wins. (Motes by Mr Blackburne ) (a) The discovered check is useless — it only helps White to bring his other knight into play. (b) A strong move threatening P-R 5, which either mates or wins the queen. (c) When Black made his fifteenth move he could 'not have dreamed of this sacrifice. (d) At this stage the game was adjourned and most of the spectators held that White had a los.t position ; yet not only did he actually win, but exhaustive analysis proved that he could do so in every variation. (c) He should not have tried to save the advanced pawn, but with b-b 3 kept the Xt out at Q 5. (f) To prevent Kt-K 6 eh and Kt-K 7 mate! (g) The only move to prolong the game. (h) Better than Xt-Xt 5, which only wins the exchange.

[It is worthy of note that Blackburne's opponent on this occasion, Dr Ballard, was one of the strongest English amateurs when this game was played m 1871. If we consider the uncommon circumstances under which the game was conducted — for White was carrying on nine other games at the same time without seeing a board, against a representative team of the strongest chess club in the world — wa niust conclude the exhibition of skill displayed borders on the marvellous. — Ed. T. and M.]