CHESS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 6, 11 August 1909, Page 11

CHESS.

All communications to be addressed to the Chess Editor, "The Weekly Graphic and ticw Zealand Mail,” Auckland.

The inclusion of a chess column amongst so many other attractions as are comprised in “ The Weekly Graphic and New Zealand Mail” may well be described as an addition to an embarrassment of riches ; that is a matter best left to the consideration of the proprietors. To refer to the same event as a new departure is a matter which I will justify, and I may state now that the term, “new departure,” is used advisedly, since, although chess columns appear in many contemporaries, I propose that this shall appeal to students and young players of the king of games, rather than as a happy hunting ground for the old players—men with book knowledge and with appetites so saturated that they require stimulants in the shape of abstruse and very often useless problems. Therein lies the novelty and my claim to the adjective “new.” To quote from an old encyclopaedia, it is very commonly supposed that chess it a very difficult game, whether to acquire or practise. This, however, is a mistake. The moves may be learned in half-an-hour, and a week’s practice will evoke sufficient skill to afford pleasure both to the learner and to his tutor. I do not wish readers to anticipate that only the elementary part of the game—a children’s class, in fact—is contemplated; but Ido wish young players to believe that a perusal of this column means to them a certain amount of amusement, and an uncertain amount of information. The fact that the chess championship of New Zealand will be decided in th.s city during the holidays which signalise the advent of Christmas and the exodus of the old year, should be an inducement to voung players—even those wdio only know the moves —to appreciate the lines of attack and defence, shown by the players; to recognise the finesse and strategy which are of necessity employed; and, to put matters shortly, to read the games, with notes and comments, -with intelligent comprehension. In this column the special features, to which I intend to devote attention, arc: — Notes to students. Hints to learners. _ Values of pieces in different positions. Analvses of openings. The knowledge of strength necessary to mate.

In stating games in this column, be it understood that a fine will be imposed upon the chess editor for any misprints that appear, and accuracy is the goal towards which I strive. Announcements have yet to be made as to contests, but it is early to issue programmes until chess lovers throughout the Dominion signalise their willingness to co-operate with the chess editor, and so assure success to this new departure. POSITION NO. 1. White. —

’’ Black to play. What result? The above position occurred in a game played recently at the Auckland Chess Club. FORSYTH NOTATION. 4K3, lq3KbPl, P2RIPPI, 2kp4, 5p2, epl, Gpl, 8. Chess in America. Game played in the match between Messrs. Marshall and Capablanca. QUEEN’S PAWN GAME. ’ White (Mr M.), Black (Mr C.), 1 P-Q 4—P Q 4 23 P-Q 6—Q-K 3 2 P QB 4—P-K 3 24 Q-Kt 5—K-R 3 Kt QB 3—Kt KB 3 25 Kt-B 6—RxP 4 B-Kt 5— B-K 2 26 RxR-QxR B P-K 3—Kt-K 5 (a) 27 B-Kt—Kt-B 3 (d) 6 Bxß—Qxß 28 B-B 5 (e)—R-Q 7 B-Q 3—KtxKt 2B PR 4—Kt-K 2 8 PxKt—PxP 30 Kt-K 4—Q B 2 9 BxP—P-QKt 3 81 Q-B 6 (ch)—K-Kt 10 Q-B B—T QB 3 32 B-K 6 (f)—Pxß 11 Kt-K 2—B-Kt 2 33 QxKP (ch)—K-B 12 C’stl’s KK—C’stl’s 34 Kt-Kt s—Kt-Kt (g) 13 P-QR 4—P-QB 4 35 P-B 4—R K 14 Q-Kt 3—Kt-B 3 36 PxP—R-K 2 15 Kt B 4—QR-B (b) 37 R-B (ch)—K-Kt 2 16 B-R3—KR-Q 38 P-R s—B-K 17 KR-K—Kt-R 4 39 P-R 6 (ch)—K-R 38 QR-Q—BB 3 40 Q-Q 6 (h)—Q-B 4 39 Q-Kt 4 (c)—P-B 5 41 Q-Q 4—RxP 20 P-Q s—BrilP 42 Q-Q 7—R-K 2 21 R-Q 2—P-K 4 43 R-B 7—BxQ 22 Kt-R s—-P-Kt5 —-P-Kt 3 White resigns 1 NOTES. r (a) This avoidance of the irksomeness cf the usual defence is a feature of the snatch, but it leaves White with a strong development. (b) Threatening to gain a pawn by P x P, 17 P x P, Kt x P, 18 P x Kt, E x B, etc. <c) A magnificent struggle here comtnences, reaching its climax a few moves later. It is planned in White’s best style, and is met with a defence in every respect worthy of it. Now Kt it P is threatened. i<d) The Knight is, fortunately, able So cross over in time, but it is a narrow escape. (e) All part of White’s combination. If P x B, Q-R6 wins. (f) White’s pertinacity is wonderful, but the loss of the Bishop leaves him ■without sufficient force to maintain the attack. (g) The saving clause for black. But for this invaluable defence the issue might well have been otherwise. (h) A more beautiful game is rarely seen. White is so resourceful that only a defence of the highest order could succeed against him. The Queen cannot be exchanged, and R-B8 is threatened. Both attack and defence command our admiration. But the former has now shot its bolt, and the end has eome. ■—From the “Illustrated London News."