Chess

BY PHILIDOR

No. 55. J. J. P. A. SEILBERGER BLACK (13 men) WHITE (II men)

WHITE to play mate in 2 mo, solution next v,s

Solution to week's problem Faulkner: B-K no threat. 1%4 variations are 1 PxKt P; 2 Kt; 1 . . . Px K 2 Q-Kt 5 Q X B P). 1 .

P-B 4; 2 Q-K

. . P-B 3

B-Q 6 (set B x P). Example of `Pickanir theme where four distinct mates arise from mc of a single Black pawn. Here two of the f 'set' mates are changed: has anyone seen example with all four changed?

ON WINNING AND LOSING

Emanuel Lasker once said that he never a game against an opponent in good het (incidentally and irrelevantly he was also resp Bible for the magnificent arrogance of 'Who am White I win because I am White; when I Black I win because I am Lasker'); and only too true that very few chess players bring themselves to admit that they have I because the other chap played better, and lea it at that. Even those 'who do admit it are more likely to attribute the result to their c preternaturally (and, of course, exceptional) play than to any merit on the opponent's when they win, however, it is surprising t often it seems to be by superlative play wh just overcomes an almost perfect defence, 'I is a pity; I think it is worth a considerable oft to school oneself to be objective about orre games-and to be generous after a loss not o gives one's opponent pleasure, but also ma it easier to get the defeat out of one's syst( And, please, if you win do not take the opP tunny to deliver a didactic lecture on the the and practice of the game; pity your oppone who is trying hard not to throw the pieces you and (however untruthfully) attribute so of your success to luck if you can.

Lastly, spectators. When I have won important game or done well in a tournaMe

am amazed to find how many friends 1 118 when I have lost or come out bottom, I fill am like a character in 'your best friend W° tell you' or 'somebody isn't using something other'-shunned by all, I long for someone speak to me, if only to tell me how badl: played. So do not, in mistaken kindness, av' the unsuccessful; just tell them what you (111 of their play instead. In some cases, of eoul it may be as well to stand a prudent distal away when making your observations. ; 2 iny ives our

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