GAME 145. Played in the final Round, on the White. Herr ZUKERTORT. 2 P to Q 4 16 Kt to K 3 (b) 17 Q R to K sq 18 B to Q sq 19 B P takes P 20 R P takes P 21 Q to K'B 2 22 B to B 2 23 P takes P 24 B takes P ch 25 Q takes R 26 Q to Kt sq ch Black M. CLERC. I P to K3 2 P to Q 4 3 Kt to K B 3 11 Kt to R 4 (a) · 15 P to Q Kt 4 I GAME 146. Played in the Sixth Round, on the Sicilian Defence. White. Herr ZUKERTORT. I P to K 4 2 Kt to QB 3 3 Kt to KB 3 6 K Kt to Q Kt 5 29 P to KR3 31 R to Q Kt sq 23 Kt to R 2 (c) 24 K takes B 25 Kt to Kt 4 Resigns (a) This is futile. Apparently P to Q Kt 4 ought to be the continuation, but should not like his position much, even then. I should say he has Castled too soon, but if he had not Castled, the aspect of Black's game would not be otherwise 33 R to QB 4 than unsatisfactory. There can be little 34 R to QB 8 ch doubt but that the tourney has consider. 35 to Kt 3 ch 36 K takes Q ably shaken 3 Kt to K B 3 as a reply to White's third move. It is to be hoped 37 R to Q B7 ch the French Defence is not expiring. Few would view its demise with regret, but at least two sincere mourners would follow 40 K to R 4 Mr. Blackburne, of 41 R takes P ch course, would be one of these, and the 42 R takes P 43 P to K Kt 4 other is not worth naming. However, this is a mere momentary access of depression. I apprehend that the wiry French Defence will long continue to fulfil its mission, which is to annoy gambit mongers, book consumers, weavers of variations, trap manufacturers, and such it to the grave. like. (b) This is a splendid square for the Kt, and the facts of it being able to take up such a commanding position is an important feature of Winawer's invention, 8 Kt to Q sq. 38 R takes P 44 R to O Kt 8 Black. Herr PITSCHEL. I P to QB 4 2 Kt to QB 3 5 Kt to K B 3 (a) 6 B to Q Kt 5 10 Q to Q B 2 30 K to B sq 41 K to K 4 48 K to K 3 48 P to K R 4 52 K to B 4 (a) P to Q R 3 is necessary here. (c) This very surprising mistake can only be looked upon as hastening an almost certain result, for Zukertort, while perfectly safe on the Queen's flank, had on the other side an attack such as a (c) I do not consider this a perfectly player of the very highest grade could not oppose with any expectation of averting defeat. Black must now lose not merely the exchange, but a clear Rook. satisfactory outcome of the opening (d) And of course all the rest is like unto noughts and crosses. GAME 147. Played in the Third Round on the 24th June. Evans' Gambit Declined. White. M. WINAWER. IP to K 4 2 Kt to K B 3 6 Castles 7 P to R 5 9 Kt takes Kt Black. Mr. GIFFORD. IP to K 4 2 Kt to QB 3 4 B to Kt 3 7 B to R 2 9 B takes Kt 10 B to R 2 11 Kt to K B 3 12 P to KR 3 13 P to K Kt 4 (b) 14 B to K 3 15 B to K Kt 5 16 B to K 3 17 Kt to K R 4 18 B takes B 19 P to K Kt 5 (d) 20 Q to K Kt 4 21 Q to K 6 22 P takes P 23 Q to K Kt 4 24 Q R to Q B sq 25 R to K Kt sq 26 P to QB 3 27 R to Q B 2 28 R to Q 2 29 P to KB 3 30 R to K B sq (f) 31 R P takes P 32 P to Q 4 (g) 33 Kt P takes P 34 R to Q R 2 35 K to B 2 36 Q to K Kt 3 37 B takes Kt 38 Kt takes P ch 39 Q takes R 40 K to K 2 and wins. 35 Q to Q Kt sq (a) P takes P ought to be--and I feel little hesitation in saying is the best answer. (b) This is all very well for the time being; but how about Castling? (c) I favour B to K sq. (d) Very ingeniously conceived. (e) One of Winawer's peculiar devices. It threatens P to B 5, and so forces P to K B 3, which, to a certain extent, imports an element of weakness into the opponent's game. For all that, I very much question the virtue of the idea. (f) It is a noticeable feature of Mr. Gifford's play that he can never bring himself to take the risk of a promising dash at the opportune moment. He seems to view with fear the breaking up of his position, and apparently is unable to realise that, in most winning assaults, hazard is matched against hazard; the danger of the most endangered being the safety of the other. Unless I am very much mistaken, P to Q 4 would give Black an irresistible attack. (g) He tries it now, but has anticipated, and is too late. 55 White. 54 K takes R K to Kt 2 56 K to Kt sq 57 K to B 2 58 K to K 2 been 59 K to B 2 60 K to K 2 61 K to K 3 (h) The initial move of a very fine combination. GAME 148. Played in the Eighth Round, on the 12th July. Vienna opening. White. M. CLERC. I P to K 4 2 Kt to QB 3 9 Kt to K 2 10 P takes B 11 P takes B 12 Kt to Q B3 32 Q to K 2 Black. M. WINAWER. I P to K 4 2 B to B 4 3 P to Q 3 7 P to KR 3 10 B takes B 11 Q to K B 3 (a) 62 K to B 2 Black. 54 Q takes KP ch 55 Q to K 7 ch 56 Q to K Kt 5 ch 57 Q takes P ch 58 Q to K 5 ch 59 Q to B 5 ch 60 Q to R 7 ch 61 Q to K 4 ch 62 Q to R 7 ch Drawn (a) Black, I dare say, thought that he was going to have an advantage by this time. If he have any at all, it is of an evanescent character, and likely, if not carefully cherished, to melt into nothingness. The text move does not strike one as particularly strong. If playing for a win he should apparently check at R 5, then bring back the Queen as far as B 3, and afterwards Castle on the Q side. (b) White has the better game now. (c) This ought not to turn out well. P to K Kt 4, with the object of getting a Pawn to Kt 5, may seem hazardous,but I do do not know that it would be so very bad. GAME 149. Played in the Seventh Round on the 9th July Four Knights Game. White. Mr. GIFFORD. I P to K 4 2 Kt to KB 3 3 Kt to QB 3 7 B to K Kt 5 14 P to K B 3 15 B to B 4 ch 16 Kt to Q 3 17 B takes Kt 18 B to B 2 (a) 19 Q R to Kt sq (b) 20 B to K sq 21 P to Q5 (c) 22 K to R sq 23 B to Q Kt 5 24 P to Q R 4 25 P to QB 4 (d) 26 Q to K B 2 27 R to Q Kt 3 28 R to Q 3 29 B to QB 3 30 KR to Q sq 31 K to Kt sq (e) 32 P to K Kt 4 33 B to K sq 34 Q to K R 4 35 B takes Q 36 B to K sq 37 P takes P Black. Capt. MACKENZIE. I P to K 4 2 Kt to QB 3 3 Kt to KB 3 4 B to Kt 5 5 P to Q3 6 Castles 7 B takes Kt 8 Kt to K 2 9 Kt to Kt 3 10 P to KR 3 11 Kt to R 4 12 Q to K 2 13 K Kt to KB 5 14 P to K B 4 16 Kt takes Kt 20 P to Q Kt 3 23 R to Q sq 38 R to B 2 41 QR to KB sq 44 B takes B 45 Kt takes Pat B 2 46 Kt to Q 5 ch 47 Kt to K 3 48 Kt to Q B 4 and wins. (a) Not much to be expected from this game, though of the two positions I rather prefer White's. (b) KR to this square would be better. (c) This ought to ensure the draw if that is what White wants. (d) It is not usually wise to block up a Bishop in this fashion. (e) Fearing perhaps R to Kt 6, but nothing in that move, and therefore better to leave matters as they stood. (f) I am inclined to think that P takes Pen passant, followed by R to K B sq, would be a pretty good line of play. No doubt it looks dangerous in certain respects, but the danger seems to melt away when closely examined. (g) He cannot check, for Black will without any scruple sacrifice the exchange. Something is to be said for B to K 6, but on the whole his best play would seem to be BP takes Kt, after which with a correct defence he ought to be able to draw. As it is he is pretty certain to lose, for the spared Knight will be like a cat let loose amongst mice. Mr. MASON. I P to K 3 2 P to Q 4 3 Kt to KB 3 5 B to Q3 6 Kt to Q B 3 7 B to K Kt 5 8 B to K 2 9 Castles 10 Kt to Q Kt 5 II Kt takes B 12 B takes Kt 13 Kt to K sq 14 P to K Kt 3 15 Kt to Kt 2 16 P to QB 3 17 B to B 3 18 Q to 9 3 19 KR to K sq 20 Q to Q 2 21 B takes B 21 B takes Kt 22 KR to K sq 22 R takes R therefore there is not much reason for apprehension. (c) The game ought now to end in a draw, because though White has Knight against Bishop the other has no weak Pawns that may be operated against. An important item of consideration in this behalf is that White cannot keep possession of the open file nor make any use thereof before having to quit the same. (d) If Kt to B 6 then P to Q R 4. That point being therefore only weak in appearance, and Black's position being in all other respects impregnable the game is an undoubted draw. I do not say Mr. Blackburne is not justified in going on. I think he is, to a certain extent, for there are points well worth trying and he is dealing with a comparatively speaking untested opponent. However, I certainly think the trying process went on for much too long a time. Possibly neither party liked to propose a draw. (e) All this is excessively dreary. (f) Which loses, and it is a great pity considering how much patience and watchful skill has been displayed by Black up to this point. No censure can in any way attach to him on account of this mistake for the brain, after monotouously swinging backwards and forwards for a prolonged period gets dizzy. White will now get to B 6, and carry off that Rooks Pawn. 62 K to K 3 Black. Mr. BLACKBURNE. 1 P to K 4 2 Kt to Q B3 65 K to B sq 3 Kt to B 3 3 Kt to B 3 66 Kt to B sq 66 K to Q 2 4 B to Kt 5 4 B to B 4 67 Kt to Q 3 68 K to Kt 3 67 K to K 3 5 Castles 5 P to Q 3 68 K to Q 2 69 K to B 2 69 K to B 2 6 P to Q 4 7 Kt takes P 8 Kt to Q Kt 3 9 P to KR 3 10 K to R sq 11 B takes Kt 12 Q to KB 3 13 Q to KR 5 14 Q to R 4 15 B to Q 2 16 P to K B 17 Q to K sq 18 P to B 5 19 Q takes Q 20 K to R 2 21 R takes Kt 22 P to Q R 4 23 P to R 5 24 B to K sq 25 B to B 2 26 R to K sq 27 K to Kt 3 28 Kt to Q 2 29 Kt to B 4 30 R to K3 6 P takes P II 7 B to Q 2 8 B to Q Kt 3 9 P to KR 3 10 Q to QB sq (a) P takes B 12 Kt to K R. 2 13 Kt to B 3 14 Q to R 3 (b) 15 Castles Q R 16 P to K Kt 4 17 Kt to R 4 18 Q takes R ch (c) 19 Kt to Kt 6 ch 20 Kt takes Q ch 21 Q R to K sq 22 P to Q R 3 23 B to R 2 24 P to B 4 (a) Intending to sacrifice his Bishop it allowed. (b) For aught any one can say to the contrary, this eccentric continuation of the abnormal tenth move was intended all along. Best play now anyhow, and he will evidently obtain a strong attack on the King's side. (c) I suppose any immediate danger from that shut out, Queen was about the last thing that Mr. Gifford anticipated. The effect produced is rather comical. GAME 152. Played in the Third Round, on the White. Herr PITSCHEL. I P to Q B 4 2 P to K 3 3 Kt to KB 3 4 P to Q Kt 3 5 B to Kt 2 6 B to K 2 7 Castles 8 Kt to QB 3 9 Kt to K sq 10 P to KB 4 11 B to B 3 12 P to Q4 13 P to Q R 3 14 Kt to Q3 15 B to B sq 16 Kt to K 17 R to R 2 18 R to Q 2 19 P to K Kt 3 20 R to R 2 21 Kt to Q 3 22 P to KR 3 23 P to Q Kt 4 24 Kt to Kt 2 25 B to K 2 26 Q to R 4 27 Q to B 2 (b) 28 R to B 3 29 Kt fr B 3 to R4 30 Kt to B 5 31 Kt to Q sq 32 Kt to K B 2 33 Kt P takes B 34 K takes Kt 35 K to Kt 2 36 R to B sq 37 B to Kt 2 (d) 38 B to B 3 39 Q R to R sq 40 K P takes P 41 B to B sq 42 P takes P 43 K to R 2 44 B takes R 45 B takes Kt Black. Mr. BLACKBURNE. 1 P to K 3 2 Kt to K B 3 3 P to Q Kt 3 4 B to Kt 2 5 B to K 2 7 Kt to Q R 3 9 P to KB 4 of eccentricity arises from the fact that having intended a certain line of attack, he finds the opponent to be stronger than he had counted upon. (b) Having taken nothing by his motion. Better to have captured the Pawn last move. (c) This bold device does not surprise one coming from Mr. Blackburne. Its soundness against best play is questionable. The idea, I believe, is if 37 B Ptakes P then Q to Kt 4, 38 R to B3 B to K 3 with B to Q 4 as the continuation. (d) This makes matters very comfortable for Black, seeing that now B P cannot take P. (e) This, as will be seen, has to be followed up by the sacrifice of the exchange, and though the attack obtained may seem a sufficient justification, yet where is the necessity with such an impregnable position. I would decidedly prefer here Q to K 2. (f) This is too absurd! GAME 153. Played in the Third Round on the White. 23 P to Q Kt 5 24 Q R to Q B sq 25 Q to Q Kt 3 Black. Prof. ANDERSSEN. I P to QB 4 2 P to K 3 3 Kt to QB 3 6 Kt to K 2 7 K Kt to QB 3 8 Kt takes Kt 9 P to K Kt 3 10 P to Q 3 11 P to KR 3 12 B to Q 2 13 P to Q Kt 4 14 P takes B 35 K to Q 2 36 K to B 3 37 P to KB 4 38 P to K Kt 4 (b) 39 K to Q 2 40 K to K sq 41 K to B 2 42 B to Q sq 43 B to Q Kt 3 44 B to Q sq 45 Kt to Q B 2 46 B to K 2 (c) 47 K to Kt sq 48 K to B 2 49 Kt to K sq 50 Kt to B 2 51 B to Q sq Black. White 40 B to Q R 3 41 K takes Kt 42 P to K 5 43 K to Kt 3 44 R to Q B 8 45 K to Kt 3 45 P to K 6 46 P to K 7 47 K to K 4 47 P to Q 6 48 P Queens ch 49 B takes Q 49 R takes B ch and wins 35 Kt to K sq 36 Kt to B 2 37 P to K 4 38 P to K 5 39 P takes P 40 P to K R 4 41 P to K Kt 3 42 Kt to K sq 43 Kt to K B3 44 P to KR 5 45 Kt to B 4 46 P to KR 6 47 P to Kt 6 ch 48 P to Kt 7 49 Kt to R 5 (d) 50 Kt to B 4 51 K to B 2 52 K to Kt sq 52 B to K 2 (a) Also adopted by Mr. Bird against Anderssen; see the game between them in last months number. (b) Mr. Bird took off the Knight, playing then Kt to K 2, which I should say is a better line of play than that in the text. (c) If 14 P takes P, P takes P, 15 B to R 2, R to Q R 2, or somewhere down that file, and matters would not be altogether pleasant. The text move therefore is his best resource, but is not a particularly satisfactory one. (d) The Professor has now three passed Pawns, a potent fact if he can hold up in other respects. (e) Anderssen getting his chisel in between the bricks. (f) If R takes Kt, then R to Kt sq. GAME 154. 60 Kt to B 4 61 Kt to Kt 2 62 Kt to K 3 63 P to Kt 4 64 Kt takes P 65 K to Kt 2 66 Kt to Kt sq Played in the Tenth Round, on the 67 Kt to K 2 White. 19th July. K BP opening. II Castles KR 12 Q R to Q B sq 13 Q to Q R 3 14 Kt to K 5 15 Q to Q R 6 16 P to Q Kt 4 17 Kt P takes B P 18 B to R 5 19 Q to Q Kt 5 20 Q to Q R 4 21 Q takes Q 22 R to Q Kt sq 23 R takes R 24 Kt to K B 3 25 B to QB 3 26 K to B 2 27 B takes Kt 28 R to Q B sq 29 Kt takes R (a) 30 K to K 2 31 K to Q 2 37 R to QB 3 32 K to B 2 33 Kt to K 2 34 K to Kt 2 38 B to Q 6 39 B to K 7 Black. 68 Kt to K B 4 Capt. MACKENZIE. I P to Q 4 2 P to K Kt 3 4 B to K B 6 B takes B 10 Q Kt to Q 2 58 Kt to K sq 59 K to B 2 60 Kt to B 2 61 K to Kt sq 62 K to B 2 63 P takes P 64 Kt to K sq 65 K to Kt sq 66 B to Q sq 67 B to K 2 68 Kt to B 2 69 Kt to K sq 70 P to Kt 6 71 Kt to B 2 72 Kt to K sq 73 Kt fr. R 5 B6 ch 73 Kt takes Kt 75 K to Kt sq 74 B to Q sq Resigns (f) (a) I have not cared to note or indeed to examine very narrowly the opening dispositions of the players. Mr. Bird's ideas concerning close games and mine would not be likely to come into collision, nor is it at all probable that war will take place between the inhabitants of Greenland, and the subjects of King Mtesa. Viewing the position now arrived at Black seems to have a slight advantage, for he has Bishop and Knight against two Knights, and the opponent is burdened with a doubled Pawn. (b) A serious and inexplicable blunder. Presumably the game, but for this false step, would have been soon abandoned as a draw, for Mr. Bird, by good play, had fortified himself against all danger of any mishap, and consequently Black, with whom the initiative rested, could do nothing. (c) This gives Mr. Bird an opportunity which no one would be less likely to miss. The position is rather curious. Black's only chance of a draw is to move his King and nothing else. By touching any other piece or man (even has he as now touched the Bishop) a lost game ensues for him. (d) Mr. Bird has one of the best pair of Chess eyes in existence, but where he does not see he is not well able to calcu There is one late. This Knight is of no use at R 5 at present, and the same remark applies to the two subsequent occasions when it alights on that square. way of winning, and one only: both Knights must be so placed that they can bear on K B 6. This being so, the correct line of play here is Kt to Kt 2, followed by Kt to K 3, and then P to Kt 4. White by a process of exhaustion rather than of reflection, ultimately, as will be seen, gets hold of the right bell rope. (e) Two moves later the Knight checks, but why not now, seeing that it is the same position? (f) Because the King cannot move on account of Kt to K 5 ch; and if the Bishop go away, then P to B 7 ch, followed by Kt to B 6, brings on the death rattle, but the Bishop must go away after the Q Kt P is disposed of. GAME 155. up, (a) In order to keep Black locked but he throws away a Pawn in doing so. It would be hard to say he was not justified, seeing that the apparent alternative was 21 Kt to Kt 3, Q to B 2, 22 P to Q Kt 3, B takes Kt, 23 P takes B, P to B 4, and certainly White would not seem to have much on. My own idea would very likely have been Kt to K sq, with the idea of keeping both the position and the Pawn and letting the attack wait a little while. (b) I fancy Black has time for P to Q R 4, threatening P to Q Kt 3, which diversion, with the aid of Kt to Kt 2, Played in the Seventh Round on the 8th would probably be rather awkward for July. Ruy Lopez. Capt. MACKENZIE. i P to K 4 2 Kt to K B 3 3 B to Kt 5 4 B to R 4 5 Castles 6 R to K sq 7 B takes Kt 8 P to Q 4 9 Kt takes P 10 B to K 3 11 P to KB 4 12 Kt to K B 3 13 Kt to B 3 14 Kt to K 2 15 Q to Q 2 16 P to QB 4 17 P to QB 5 18 P to KR 3 19 K to R 2 20 R to K Kt sq 21 P to K Kt 4 (a) 22 Q R to K B sq 23 Kt to Kt 3 24 P to K B 5 25 R takes B 26 Q to K B 2 27 P to R 4 28 Kt to K 2 29 P to K Kt 5 30 P to Kt 6 31 P takes P 32 R to Kt 6 (c) 33 B takes Kt 34 B to KB 4 35 R takes Q 36 P to KR 5 37 K to Kt 3 38 R to KR 2 39 B to K3 40 K to B 3 41 P to R6 20 B to Q 4 21 Q to B 2 22 B takes RP 23 B to Q 4 24 B takes Kt 25 Q to Q 4 White. This, of course, is upon the assumption that the forthcoming attack can be withstood, and I think it can, especially as Black's pieces would soon be free enough to operate in all directions. (c) The exchange could practically be won by Q to Kt 3, but it would be a dubious gain. (d) This loses, which is a great pity, after such a long, skilful and successful defence under the most difficult circum stances. By taking with the Rook he would have drawn. R to K Kt 3 (e) It is this very fine stroke that Mr. 60 P to Kt 6 Gifford did not foresee. GAME 156. 61 P to K 6 62 K to K 5 63 R to Q R 7 64 K to B6 65 K to K 5 Played in the Fourth Round, on the 66 K to Q 6 27th June. 67 R to Q R 8 ch 6 P to Q3 7 Castles 8 B to QR4 9 B to K3 10 B takes B II Kt to K 3 12 B to Q Kt 3 13 Kt to K R4 14 Q to K B3 15 K Kt to B 5 ch 16 Kt tks B ch (b) 17 Q takes Kt 18 Q to K B 3 19 KR to K sq 20 Q R to Q sq 4 Captain MACKENZIE, 1 P to K 4 2 Kt to QB 3 3 Kt to KB 3 4 B to Q Kt 5 5 B to Q B 6 P to KR 3 7 P to Q R 3 8 P to Q3 9 B to Q R 2 10 R takes B II Castles 12 Kt to K 2 13 P to K Kt 4 (a) 14 K to Kt 2 15 B takes Kt 16 Kt takes Kt 17 Q to Q 2 18 Q R to Q R sq 19 Q R to K sq 20 Q to K 2 68 P to K 7 69 K to Q 7 70 P Queens 71 K takes R 72 R to Q R 4 73 R takes Kt P 74 R to Q R 4 75 K to Q 7 76 K takes P 77 R takes P 78 R to K Kt 3 79 R takes P 80 K to K 6 81K to K5 Black. 21 Kt to Q 2 62 K to Kt sq 63 P to Q Kt 4 67 K to Kt 2 73 K to B 4 74 P to Kt 5 75 K to K 5 76 P to Kt 6 77 P to Kt 7 28 K takes P 79 K to B 5 80 P to Q5 Resigns () Always a hazardous move when adted at an early period after castling, thogh certainly the position seems to invite it. (b) Both parties have been playing very well, nor do I state this as a preface to censure at this point, nevertheless, though the text move is not to be condemned in any way, yet if he cared to back risk against risk, I fancy he could get more of |