Chess
By PHILIDOR No. 85 A. S1MAY-MOLNAR (1st Pr:ze, 'Good Companions,' 1922)
BLACK tS merd Wil Ill' r nun
WHITE to play and mate in two moves; solution next week Solution to last week's problem by Ellerman: Kt-Q 7 threat Kt-Ki O. I , . . Q x Kt; 2 R x P. 1 . Q x P; 2 Kt x P. 1...B-B 5: 2 Q-Q I. I... B-Kt 6; 2 P-B 4. 1 B-Q 5 ch: 2 Kt 16) - B S. I...
13 any other: 2 R x P
Superb halt-pin problem, unity o theme being com- oined with varied play in the masterly ashion one expects from this great compose'
YOUTH AT THE PROW
Whether or no, a was also pleasure at the helm is more doubtful—pleasure (whatevei spectators may think) is definitely not the emotion associated with playing in master chess; but youth was certainty to the
tore in the Hastings international tournament, Larsen (22) tying with Gligoric (33) tor first place. and the oldest competitor Alexander being last.
The play of both the winners was very impressive Gligoric (Yugoslavia) an established grandmaster in his prime showed the complete mastery 01 every phase ot the game that one would expect and beat both Otaisson and O'Keily decisively; Larsen (Denmark) played equally well with the differences one would expect trom the difference in age—more daring than Gligoric in both opening and middle game he was more likely io win or to .ose In their different generations, I think these two are the strongest players outside the USSR Clarke's play was most encouraging trom a British point ot view; his only loss was in the first round against O'Keily and he drew three very hard games With Black against Gligoric Larsen and Olatsson. Coming on top ot his excellent pertormance at Moscow, this estabhshes bun as one of the very best players in
the country, and he and Penrose arc clearly better than any ot the other young British players Clarke stayed in Moscow alter the team tournament was over to act as second to Gotombek in the Alektune Memorial tournament, he made he it uminating remark to me that watching the games had iaught him how positions should be won and his pay at Hastings showed how much he had gained trom the experience--and inci- dentally underlined the great advantage which the young Russian player has over a player oi equal gifts in any other country Penrose. too, although he did not do nearly so well as Clarke put up a pertormance that was in some ways encouraging His ehiet taut, has always been io be too ,tastly discouraged: here alto showing very poor torm tor the lirst six rounds he played with real determination n (he fast three— his pertormance in drawing an apparently lost ending against O'Kellv was particularly good Altogether like the Moscow team tournament this congress was a good omen tor British chess in the future.
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