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The Ultimate Islay Malt.

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CHESS

Magnificent Anderssens

Raymond Keene

A CONTINUING debate centres on the relative talents of the old masters and the current generation. Naturally, if one assess- es playing strengths of the past and the pre- sent by reference to the openings, the ancients will appear crude and untutored. Opening theory requires a constant process of refinement. Similarly, assessment by means of strategic understanding is also suspect. As we learn more and more about chess, certain types of position will be revealed as unviable in the long term while others, initially condemned, may turn out to be full of resource.

I sense that the only true yardstick for comparing the generations is combination- al ability. In a position where there is a forced win, subject to analytical confirma- tion, the truly talented player will find it and the dull plodder will not. This week I draw up from the wells of the past a selec- tion of positions by that great genius of attack Adolf Anderssen. If combination vision is, indeed, the true yardstick of com- parative talent, then Anderssen was in no way inferior to the moderns.

Anderssen–Kieseritsky: London 1851. White to play

In this position, celebrated in chess literature as the Immortal Game, Anderssen has already sac- rificed two rooks and a bishop. He finishes with a flourish, throwing in his queen for good measure.

I Nxg7 + Kd8 2 Qf6+ Nxf6 3 Be7 mate The next Anderssen combination is also distin- guished by a special title. This is known as 'The Evergreen'.

Anderssen–Dufresne: Berlin 1852. White to play

1 Qxd7+ Kxd7 2 BfS+ Ke8 3 Bd7+ Kf8 4 Bxe7 mate

An extraordinary finish with Anderssen once again relying on his queen's bishop going to e7 to deliver the coup de grace.

Anderssen–Zukertort: Barmen 1869. White to play

At this point Anderssen announced checkmate in five moves. I Qxh7+ Kxh7 2 f6+ Kg8 2 ...Qxd3 is equally hopeless after 3 Rh3+ followed by Rh8. 3 Bh7+ Kxh7 4 Rh3+ Kg8 5 Rh8 mate Anderssen–Zukenon; Barmen 1869

a hcde f gh Ardbeg Malt Whisky Puzzle No. 6 White to play and win — first move only required. This position is a variation from the game Anderssen-Zukertort, Berlin 1871. White is a piece and a pawn down and Black has many units clustered around his king in defensive formation. There is only one good way to continue the attack. Can you see it?

Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 7 December or via e-mail to vanessa@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 0171 242 0603. The winner will be the first cor- rect answer drawn out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of a bottle of Ardbeg Malt Whisky.

Last week's solution: Ra8.

Last week's winner: Shawn Wood, Kent.