Chess
By PHILIDOR 262. Specially contributed by
J. G. MAULDON (Corpus Christi, Oxfor.!
BLACK (to men) WHITE (15 men)
THIS position is the basis of the Christmas competition . see below to discover (more or less) what has to be done; Solution to No. 261 (Grasemann) : (White moves only given—all Black's are forced) 1-8 B—Q7—R4—B6-- B3—Q5—Kt3—B7--R5. 9-12 K—Kt4---Kt3—B3-- B2. 13B—K2. 14R—Q8 mate. Brilliant and amusing composition.
CHRISTMAS COMPETITION MOULDY V. PIIIDDLB
We have some terrible players in our club ; take Mouldy and Phiddle for example—they know the rules and keep to them and that's about air you can say for their play. The diagrammed position shows a typical Mouldy-Phiddle game in progress—notice the charac- teristic Mouldy bayonet attack with tripled pawns headed by a bishop; Black is playing—with about the usual lack of success—the Phiddle multi-sacrifice de- fence. This particular game was adjourned (with Mouldy to move) while they repaired to the local and three of our stronger players—Alex Atropine, Bobby Basher and 'Cube' Casabianca—found it later on, when the following conversation took place. A.A. 'I wonder if it was Mouldy to play. He could have forced mate in two moves if it was.'
B.B. 'So you say ; but play any move yOu like and it will take you three moves, not two, to mate me.'
c.c. ' Poor old Phiddle ; the only capture he's made in the whole game is P x P.'
At this moment the club champion, 'Tiger' Peter- son, happened to come by and overheard the last remark. 'Cube, you're a square,' he said contemp- tuously ; 'next thing you'll be pointing out is that White's QRP has been captured. Now, Bobby, you're a bright boy ; just tell me what happened. to White's KKtP.'
Prizes of 5, 3 and 2 guineas are offered for the best analysis of this conversation. \Vas Alex. or Bobby—or both or neither—right about the mating possibilities? Why was Tiger so scornful of Cube? What did happen to the KKtP?
Entries to be sent to 'Chess Competition,' The Spectator, 99 Gower Street, London WCx, to reach there by first post, Tuesday, January 4.
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