CHESS
Two day chess
Raymond Keene
hess will return to TV early next year in the shape of seven 45–minute program- mes on Thames. The tournament which provided the games to be screened, the James Cape! Speed Challenge, was filmed last week and included Nigel Short, Jon Speelman and Dr John Nunn in its formid- able line-up. The games were played at the rate of 25 minutes per player per game, but With a provision for five-minute blitz tie- breaks, Should the initial clash be drawn. Games at this speed can be of a surprising- ly high standard, and if chess is to prosper on television, the economics of speed chess, whereby an entire tournament can be played in just two days, must surely make it the most viable option.
The following game was one of a marathon series of blitz play-offs between the favourite, Nigel Short, and 16-year-old Michael Adams. Those planning to watch the programmes need have no fear of their enjoyment being spoilt in advance. This fine clash, where opportunities were mis- sed and brilliant ideas dreamed up, more or less in alternation, will not be one of those chosen for screening. I hope that conveys just how outstanding the other game were.
Adams — Short: fames Cape! Speed Chess Challenge, First Replay; Ruy Lopez.
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 0-0 Be7 6
Rel b5 7 Bb3 d6 8 c3 0-0 9 h3 Nd7 10 d4 Bf6 11 Bc2 Ne7- 12 a4 Bb7 13 Nbd2 c5 14 Nfl cxd4 15 cxd4 exd4 16 Nxd4 Rc8 17 Be3 bxa4 18 Ng3 g6 19 Ria4 Nb6 20 Ra2 Bg7 21 Bd3 Nc4 22 Bxc4 Rxc4 23 b3 Rc8 24 Qd2 Qd7 25 Bh6 Rfe8 26 Bxg7 Kxg7 White's vigorous handling of the attack has left the dark squares around Black's king exceeding- ly vulnerable. 27 Qg5 Ng8 28 Rd2 Kfti 29 Nf3 Qe6 30 Qf4 Rcd8 Now Adams misses the overwhelming 31 Ng5 with a double threat against f7 and h7. After White's error on the following move Short consolidates his lines of defence. 31 Re3 Qf6 32 Qg4 h5 33 Qg5 Qxg5 34 Nxg5 h4 35 Ne2 f6 36 NO Rxe4 37 Rxe4 Bxe4 38 Nxh4 g5 Black appears to be gaining the initiative, but Adams's next move demonstrates that he is still on top. 39 Nd4 Rb8 For if 39.. . gxh4 40 Ne6+ Ke7 41 Nxd8 Kxd8 42 Rxd6+ with advantage. 40 Nhf5 d5 41 Ne3 Ne7 42 f3 Bg6 43 Kf2 12c8 44 Ra2 Ra8 45 g3 Kf7 46 h4 gxh4 47 gxh4 Bh5 48 Ng2 Bg6 49 Nf4 Bh7 50 h5 Ke8 51 Ra5 Bg8 52 h6 K17 53 Ral Ng6 54 Nxd5 Rd8 55 Ra5 Kf8 56 Nxf6 Rxd4 57 h7 Bxh7 58 Nxh7+ Ke7 After many further vicissitudes Adams reaches an ending with two extra pawns, but unfortunately for him, the endgame of rook and knight against rook, to which Black can escape, is a theoretical draw. 59 Rxa6 Ne5 60 Ke3 Rd3+ 61 Ke4 RAO 62 Kxe5 Rxf3 63 Ra7+ Kd8 64 Nf6 Kc8 65 Nd5 Kb8 66 Re7 Rh3 67 Kd6 Rh6+ 68 Kc5 Kc8 69 Rg7 K(18 70 Nb6 Ke8 Draw agreed. A wonderful battle. The competition I set recently posed the question: Why did Hiilmer resign this position against Nigel Short at Tilburg?
The key variation is 1 Nc3! Nxc4! 2 Bxc4 Rxel+ 3 Qxel Rxc4 when Black stands clearly better, according to both Short and Karpov. Still, the consensus is that Hiibner should have postponed resignation. I have no hesitation in awarding the £20 prize to S. A. Murray of Grays, Essex, who sent me three closely written pages of detailed analysis, including the main line. I would also like to mention good contributions from A. Jones of Tiverton and D. G. Macdonald of Welwyn Garden City. Sadly, however, there was but one prize on offer. Better luck next time such a tricky position arises.
Htibner-Short
Previous page
