CHESS
Amongst chess-playing Members of Parliament, past and present, the strongest was Marmaduke Wyvill. In 1847 he was elected MP for Richmond, Yorkshire, a seat he held until 1868, barring a break of two years. Wyvill competed as an enthu- siastic amateur in the very first internation- al tournament. This was Staunton's great innovation, a contest of the world's best, designed to coincide with the London Exhibition of 1851.
Wyvill astounded everyone, defeating one of the best English players, Elijah Williams, by 4-3 in the semi-final of the knock-out and performing most honour- ably against Adolph Anderssen in the final. Here the score was 4 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses in Anderssen's favour. Wyvill's score against Anderssen, in the most important chess clash held up to that time, was better than that made by any of Anderssen's other distinguished opponents (Kieseritzky, Szen and Staunton himself). This was clear evidence that Wyvill had become one of the leading players of his day. However, the MP showed little in- clination to pursue a parallel chess career. He played in no further tournaments, although it is said that he retained an interest in chess throughout his life. Here is the conclusion of one of his best wins:
WY5AII — Anderssen: Game 6, Final, London 18 Although Black is a pawn ahead his rook is shut out of play. Wyvill exploits this fact, sacrificing
Westminster warriors
Raymond Keene
the exchange to bring his bishop-pair into action. 36 Rxc7 Bxc7 37 Rxc7 Nf5 38 Ke2 Ra8 39 Bb4+ Ke8 40 Rxb7 Ra2+ 41 Bd2 Nd6 42 Rb8+ Ke7 43 Kel Rb2 44 Ba5 g5 A desperate attempt to liberate his rook, which was threatened by the manoeuvre Bd8+ and Bg5. 45 Bd8+ Kf7 46 BxgS Rg6 47 Bh5 RxbS 48 RxbS Nxb5 49 f5 The coup de grace. Black resigns.
Chess traditions in Parliament were re- vived on 4 May when Gary Kasparov played 21 MPs, peers and officers of the House, defeating them all in a period of two hours. Kasparov arrived fresh from declaring open the new Granada Chess Centre in Clapham. A unique event fol- lowed the display, a half-hour debate, inaugurated by Michael Stern (Con., Bris- tol North West), on the educational value of chess in the House of Commons. During the course of this Tam Dalyell (Lab., Linlithgow) said, apropos the morning's events, 'It is important where possible to have chess centres; that is why I greatly welcome the initiative that came to fruition this morning with the re-establishment in the city of London of a chess centre. That is a landmark and we are extremely grate- ful to the reigning world champion, Gary Kasparov, for taking the trouble to come to Britain to perform that opening.' The MP who lasted longest against Kasparov also represents a Richmond, but his constituency is located at the other end of the country from Wyvill's.
Jeremy Hanley (Con., Richmond and Barnes) Gary Kasparov: Simultaneous Display, West- minster, 4 May; Sicilian Defence.
1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 Qxd4 Nc6 4 Qdl g6 5 Nf3 Bg7 6 Bd3 d6 7 Nbd2 Nf6 8 0-0 0-0 9 h3 d5 10 exd5 Nxd5 11 Ne4 Nd5b4 12 Nc3 Nxd3 13 cxd3 Bf5 14 Nel Nb4 15 Be3 Nxd3 16 Nxd3 Qxd3 17 Qxd3 Bxd3 18 Rfdl Rfd8 19 Rd2 Bc4 20 Radl Rxd2 21 Rxd2 Be6 22 Nd5 BxdS 23 RxdS Bxb2 24 Rd7 Bf6 25 Rxb7 a6 26 a4 h5.
Up to here, after an unfortunate opening, White has defended a difficult position with great ingenuity. At this point, though, it is necessary to play g4! to gain some freedom for his king, and, also, to offer an exchange of king's side1)awns. After that move, given the activity of White's rook, he would have distinct chances of a draw. 27 Bc5 e6 28 Rb6 h4 29 g4 hxg3 ep 30 fxg3 Rc8 31 Bf2 Rcl+ 32 Kg2 Rc2 33 Rd6 White cannot play 33 Rxa6 on account of 33 . . . Bd4 nor can he play 33 Kfl to unpin, since this is answered by 33 . . . Rxf2 + 34 Kxf2 Bd4+ forking king and rook. 33 . . . Ra2 34 Kfl Rxa4 35 g4 a5 36 Rc6 Ral+ 37 Bel Bh4 White resigns.
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