CHESS by Philidor

No. 308.

A. KRAEMER

(Deutsche Schachblatter, 1965) WHITE to play and mate in four moves; solution next week. Solution to No. 307 (Ceriani): Q - K 7 threat Q- Kt 4. I • . . R - Q 3 ; Kt-B 5. I . R-Q 4 or Kt 4 2 Kt- B 6 are the thematic half-pin yariations, replac- ing the set play (i.e. LACK .5 men, 2 Kt x Kt P. Key move thus transforms the problem from one based on the P half-pin to one based on the R half-pin. This week's four-mover is not too hard— just think where the knight can mate.

The Rubinstein memorial tournament at Polanica Zdroj this year was won with great ease by the Soviet grandmaster Vassily Smyslov with the fine score of 11/14, two points ahead of the field. The following game, which won the brilliancy prize, shows the general good standard of the tournament, as the winner finished bottom but one ; but he can play chess.

White, SYDOR Black, SLIWA Opening, FRENCH DEFENCE (August, 1966)

P - K 4 P- K 3

2 P- Q 4 P-Q 4 3 Kt - Q B3 B - Ke 5 4 P- 5 Kt - K z More usual and better is the imme- diate attack on the centre by P - B 5 B- Q 2 Kt - B 4 6 P-Q R3 ... And this is hardly necessary now,

Kt - B 3, Kt - B 3; 5 Kt - K 2!, B - K 2; 6 P - B 3 giving White an excellent game. B - K 2? But now Black should capture the Kt—the text loses too much time.

7 Kt-B3 P-B4 And here P - Q Kt 3 followed by B - R 3 gives a better chance of holding White's coming

attack.

8 PxP Bx P

9 B - 33 Kt -Q 5 10 0-0 Q Kt - 3 zr R- K z P-KR3 A sad reflection on his previous play; he dare not castle because of the threat of B xP ch followed by Kt - Kt 5 ch and Q - R 5 or Kt 4. 12 Kt x Kt B it RI It is instructive to count the number of effective moves made by the players—tor White, 3 pawn moves and 5 piece moves, for Black 3 pawn moves and 3 piece moves. One cannot afford to lose such time as Black in fairly open position. /3 Q- Ktg K - B 1 t3 . . . 11-...1'?; 14 R x B!, Kt x R; 15 Q .I', Kt - Kt 3; 16 It. Kt and wi-is. 14 Q - Kt 3 P- R3 Ple

imagine,R - K It t or R - K 1, preparing an ultimate P - B 5.

paring for Q - Hz.

is K - R z

16 P - B 4 Q - II 2 P - K fil 3 17 K - K 2 ... This mysterious rook move intends, I We arc not allowed, however, to see its purpose revealed as Black now devises an intricate and novel form of suicide. White has a clear advantage, anyhow. 17 . . . Kt-Ka

18 Q - R Kt - 13 4 All part of the plan. 4

19 Q - 136 R - R 2 201' K Kt 4! B - B 4

21 PKt B - K 2 22 P • Kt P R - Kt 2

•

23 P B 5!

. . . Far from being worried White does not even bother to take the rook for hi: queen.

23 . . • B . Q

P . 13 K P • P Or 24 . . R - Kt I. 25 B x P ch.

24

27K , It ch, P , It ; 28 I'- B 7 ell, K - Q 2 P 1..? ; 29 XK -. ch, K - Kt ; 26 P /.K P, and Black is helpless, e. c. 26 . . B ... P; R , Q; 30 P -KT 7 followed by R - K Kt t and li - It 7. Q-83 Or 25 . . . It - K 3; 26 11 x R ch, 25 IB.,:.•_KKtP1; 27 R x It, l' x13; 28 14- 14 6! :Ind 29 P - B 7 ch.

26 B • R ch K - Kt i . 27 P . P ch K .. P •

28 R - K 7 ch K - Kt 1 29 R - K Kt • • P - Q 5 ch 3o B - R 4! Resigns 30 ... P x13; 3t P -B7 ch,K-R 2; 32 P■./(1 ch or P■Q. winning with the utmost case.

The idea—White's queen is now lost.