Chess.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12285, 6 April 1918, Page 13

Chess.

(Bj W. S. KING.)

PROBLEM No. 269. From iho " Good Companion " Problem Tournament. By A. M. Sparko, England. Black (sis men).

White (six men). 4 kt 1 q kt, 4 B k 1 li, 4 R 1 p 1, K 6, 4 E 3, 8, B 1, Q 7. White to play and mate in two movies. Note.—As this problem was wrongly printed last week, it is reproduced in corrected form, and the solution will be withhold for a weak.—Ohess Ed. “ Star.”

THE FINEST DRAWN GAME. At tho time of the Munich tourney, 1900, the great American player Pillsbury was at tho pinnacle of his powers—early in tho same year ho had taken second place to Lasker in the big Paris tourney—and ho was looked on as tho most likely winner of the Munich tourney unless some unforeseen nos cidont spoilt his chances. To bring about such a result three of the masters got together and analysed up Pillsbury's method of defence to tho Ray Lopez, agreeing that they should try to trap him on this variation. Halprin proved to he the player to get him into difficulties, but Pillsbury, with marvellous-skill; avoided all tho pitfalls, and secured the draw—producing a game that has by many experts been proclaimed the finest draw ever occurring in match play. But even the draw was an unfortunate result, for Halprin was one of tho weakest men in tho tournev, and under ordinary circumstances Pillsbury should have won this game, and thereby had half a point more to his final score. As it was, both Schlechtor arid Maroezy won their games with Halprin, and therein- managed to tie with Pillsbury for first place in the tourney. Opening—Ruy Lopez. White. Halprin; Black. Pillbnry. IP-K4 IP K4 2RI-KBB 2Kt QB 3 3B- Kt 5 BKt B 3 (a) 4 Castles 4 Kt x P 5 P Q 4 5Kt Q 3 (hj) 6 P x P (c) 6 Kt x B 7P-OR4 7 P - Q 3 8 P - K 6 (d) 8 P x P (e) 9 P x Kt 9 Kt - K 0 10 Kt - B 3 10 Kt - Kt 3 (f) 11 Kt - Kt 5 11 B - K 2 12 Q - R 6 12 B x Kt 13 B x B 13 Q to Q 3 (g) 14 P - Kt 6 (hj) 14 B P - P 15 Kt - Q 5! (i) 15 P x Kt 16KR-Klch! 16K-B1Q) 17 R - R 3 17 Kt - K 4 16 R x Kt (k) 18 P x R 19 R B3 ch 19 K Kt 1 20 B R 6 (1) 20 Q K 2 (m) 21 B x P (n) 21 K x B (o) 22 R Kt 3oh 22 K- B 1 23 R B3 ch 23 K-Kt 9 24 R-Kt 3ch 04 K B 1 Drawn. (a) Two rounds later, when meeting Schtechter, Pillsbury gave up his usual defence and played P QR 3, and after a hard struggle won on tho ending. (b) B K2 is more usual, but the text is quite good. (c) Given by L'Hormil to refute Kt Q3, but, although it makes a difficult game for Black, it docs not give him an untenable one. '

(d) This is considered White’s strongest move. It wns first played hy Janowski in his match with Showalter, 1899. (e) In the Paris tourney, Pillshury tried against Didier 8 . . . B x P, hut after 9 P x Kt, Kt K4; 10 Kt Q 4, followed by (ho advance of the K B P, White obtained, a. splendid attack, and 8 . . . B x P became regarded as inferior to 8 . . . P x P. (f) Nowadays Kt B4 is given as best. (g) So far the game is the same as that played between Wolf and Pillsbury in the previous round, which Pillsbury had won. It was at this stage the three masters took up the position and investigated the effects of 14 P - Kt 6. (hj) Tins unassuming move, which is the introduction to a remarkable brilliant combination, is said to have been the suggestion of H. Wolf. (il Threatens Kt x Kt P. If Black defends with IS ... Q wins. (j) If 16 . , . K - B 2; 17 R - K 7 eh, and Black has to give up his Q. Certainly lie gets three pieces for it, but the position is all against him owing to his pieces not being, developed. . (k) The attack must be kept gong. White has all his pieces in play, whilst Black’s are not yet mobilised. (l) One surprise follows another. If now) 20 . . . P x B; 21 R - Kt 3 ch. K - B 1: 22 QxKP,EtoK Kt 1; $1 Q B 6 chi wins. (m) PilTfllnir3r finds the only saving' move. - (iO If ft ■— Kt 3, B K 3 , wcmls give iJißcjc a satisfactory defence. (o) If Q x B "White mates in two moves.