The Chess Parrot

bored at the board?

2011-01-15T14:59:00.000-08:00

Our picture shows the new Lady World Chess Champion, Hou Ifan of China. International Grandmaster Ifan is sixteen having won the title in a knockout tournament in Turkey last November.

Her fellow finalist was Chinese too and, after an uncertain start, the youngest lady won 2-2 - the classically timed games ending in deadlock - but won the rapidplay games which split the tie.

FIDE, the world governing body, has decreed that she must defend her title this year against the winner of the Grand Prix or - as seems likely since the champ is leading this too - the second placed.

Much to my surprise she is the forth Chinese to lift the cup since Xie Jun, whom I met at the BCM shop once - won about ten years ago. Currently she is playing in a tournament in the Netherlands.

I do not think it likely that a match between Ifan and the top rated woman player of all time, Hungary's Judit Polgar, will ever take place. Polgar, now 34, may have her best chess days behind her and, let's face it, probably has too much to lose accepting such a challenge no matter how lucrative. None of the Polgar sisters play much these days which naturally is a pity. The careers of all international players have got shorter in recent times. Blame computers.

YHM

We 3 Kings

2010-12-26T06:18:00.000-08:00

Three players at chess on the Hastings seafront.
(l-r) Robert Byrne, Nikloi Krogius and Ray Keene. The Soviet Grandmaster is showing good positional understanding by wearing a fur hat!

Taken about forty years ago, all three players are still alive. Keene became a Grandmaster some six years later. Byrne, who performed at candidates level, and probably Krogius - a psychologist - were GMs to their fingertips. (Which must have been cold)...

YHM

Cold Enough for you

2010-12-02T06:07:00.000-08:00

Dr Johnson said 'When two Englishmen meet they invariably speak of the weather.'

Well, here in Basingstoke snow is everywhere, I have no active phoneline and therefore no internet connection. This is being sent from work (don't tell them!).

Are you keep warm by playing chess? These Penguins look cheerful enough, don't you think, their bills good enough to gut fish, their skins sleek and slimy. They dive easily. Run on ice, eat only when hungry, look pompous and self important.

Have a good winter!

NR McD

2010-11-27T08:52:00.000-08:00

Our inset is of Neil McDonald.

Neil has had an uneven career, perhaps lacks the single mindedness of the egotist. A former British U-18 Champion -he won the title in 1984 tying with Neil Crickmore - he quickly gained an inflated Elo of 2485 which may, in part, anyway, have disorientated this most kindly of competitors.

He became a GM in 1996.

He has written books on the Leningrad Dutch, the French Winawer, King's Gambit, Sveshnikov Sicilian, Benko Gambit, Logical Thinking, Miniatures, the Modern (with Speelman), The Queen's Gambit Declined, the Reti, Planning after the Opening, the endgame, positional sacrifices...

He lives in Gravesend, Kent. He contributed to an early Parrot. The article was later reproduced in Adam Raoof's 'Chess Circuit'. Now 43, he trains the best juniors, often travels with teams of wannerbe hopefuls to foreign climes.

YHM

Larry Evans dies

2010-11-22T23:30:00.000-08:00

Loyal US Team member, International Grandmaster Larry M Evans died last week. He was 78.
He travelled little but, like his compatriot Christiansen, enjoyed playing in Spain. I spotted two English tournaments in his trips, Williams Watson & Farley and Hastings 1949/50. He shone in neither.

Heavy criticism came his way from EG Winter, his journalistic pieces seemingly more about popularisation than historical accuracy.

He was Fischer's second in Bobby's Candidates matches with Taimanov and Petrosian. He had to miss the actual World Championship against Spassky in '72 - Lombardy took his place - others knew he would want to write as well as help. And those don't mix!

He wrote a book, diagrams every move, about Fischer-v-Spassky, dined out on it for the rest of his life.

YHM

Wellsian Vision

2010-11-18T07:11:00.000-08:00

Well, here's a spooky picture, a vision of the past from an HG Wells novel.

No chess connection, I just rather liked it.

At least some thought was given to its composition, the same as in chess. No, it is a good picture without qualification.

YHM

Board Boy

2010-11-14T11:46:00.000-08:00

Demoboards come in various shapes and sizes. Personally I have once or twice helped move the plastic, magnetised, pieces. I think it was last in 1986, a game at the GLC Open in County Hall. A massively strong event, the split for the draw came at 212 - just over 2200 Elo - with any amount of masters and stars in evidence, yet in the bottom half of the swiss draw.

In case you're wondering, this has nothing to do with Switzerland. It refers to the way events are paired. A winner emerges, normally needing 100% or thereabouts. Like a knockout, but with losers staying on and playing amongst themselves. Well, I've simplified it a bit. Still puzzled? Get your local organiser to explain, or more experieneced tournament player to talk you through the system. I swear I am making it mysterious where no mystery exists.

As for board boys, they are called 'demoboard operators' and can be any sex. At the Alexander Memorial in 1975 - for one round only - the pieces were moved by former World Championship candidate David Brontein. Ever looking for fresh perspectives on the game (changes the clocks, the timelimits, abolish ratings, record, then publish, the clock times) I hope David enjoyed himself though I bet he found not talking harder than sitting still for so long. He was a regular chatterbox.

YHM

Womens World Championship

2010-11-14T11:33:00.000-08:00

Don't forget the Ladies Knockout starting in Turkey. Goes on til Christmas. My tip is Humpy Koneru, the youngest ever British Ladies Champion, beating Elaine Saunders record in 1939, achieved in 2002.

Humpy is Indian, a fully fledged GM, and her rating has been as high as 2600. However, in the World Championship she does seem to under perform. Now she is more experienced I believe her moment has arrived. With Anand still holding the Open title, it would be somehow fitting that the ancient home of the game might claim both champions. The Indian federation does tend to blow 'hot and cold' ( for example seldom fielding Anand in Olympiads or sending umpteen players to the British Championship at government expense) so more may be happening behind the scenes than we can be aware of. Her games are models of strategy - at least, I think they are - and I believe that Judit Polgar aside, who never plays female events, she is the best woman player on the planet.

So now we will see.

YHM

Great Ole Photo

2010-11-11T13:55:00.000-08:00

I'd love to tell you where and when this picture was taken but I've no idea. Some post, eh?
Looks like a USSR Championship about to happen. I am sure one of the chaps on the stage is Averbakh. The guy making the announcement has broken them the news that they've run out of loo paper and a delivery is not expected until next Thursday. So they'll have to use scoresheets.

YHM

Bookstall

2010-11-09T23:52:00.000-08:00

What a lovely photograph!

As you can see we are at a Congress Bookstall, the Bury St Edmunds Congress last month!

Who can spot old Bells, Fabers, Pachmans, Routleges and even Brad Darrasch's book on Bobby?

Book heaven. Book to go next year.

YHM

A Song from 'The Mikado'

2010-11-04T11:02:00.000-07:00

A trio from 'The Mikado' sing "Three little maids from school are we".

Well, here are three women, hardly maidens, all looking very glamorous, especially to this old man.

If you don't know who they are they are, I introduce Judit (right b. 1976), Sofia (middle b.1974) and Zsuzsa (left b. 1969).

So far as I know, Sofia (Sophie) has retired from active play, Zsuzsa (Susan) lives in the US and plays very seldom, but Judit is still treading the boards.

At Rome 1989 Sophia recorded a 2900+ result, which was slightly better than Vera Menchik did adding all her scores up from start to finish! Zs played for the US Ladies team awhile back, coaches and publicises like crazy, took the USCF to court and bankrupted them (happily, and I'm not just saying this, I don't know the ins and outs of it). All three are married, the eldest into her second marriage. They used to be considered a journalists dream. Today, I suppose, the world has caught up to them. We can't take them for granted but they command less attention. And that's OK, isn't it?

London Chess Classic 8-15th December 2010

2010-11-02T05:44:00.000-07:00

The 2nd London Chess Classic will be held at Olympia, Kensington, London from 8-15th December, 2010.

Many events.

Korchnoi Simuls

Introductory Course for Teachers

A Skills Development Course for Chess Tutors

Free junior coaching 10.30-12.30 most mornings

Free admission for children/Adults £10.

Classic: Vishy Anand - World No.1 - World Champion from India: worshipped on the sub-continent as a deity..
Magnus Carlsen - Norway's finest, highest rated teenager in chess history.
Vladimir Kramnik - Russia's No.1, former World Champion, more solid with Black than the Kremlin's vaults.
Hikamuru Nakamura - best blitz player anywhere, the American phenomenon.
Michael Adams - British Champion, English No.1.
Nigel Short - World Championship Finalist 1993 of Botvinnik wrote 'his pieces seem to live on the board.'
Luke McShane - former World Under 10 Champion in '92, today's prodigal returned ..
David Howell - British Champion 2009, a dreamer, a dark horse that kicks.

$£$£ Prize Fund 145,000 euros.

adamraoof@gmail.com

Painting

2010-10-30T12:43:00.000-07:00

Wow! Looks like Munch could play chess afterall.

If anyone is able to supply me with a postcard of this tableau I would be grateful.

YHM

Spam

2010-10-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

I have just removed over 300 Japanese spam messages from this blogg. Not funny!

James Pratt

Yes, but is it Art?

2010-10-26T10:40:00.000-07:00

Isn't art just wonderful? I mean, just brilliant?

Have an art deco at the photo (left). What in the world is it? I have the distinct French impression you will not know. Does it link two buildings, serve some decorative purpose, just look nice, catch rainwater or frighten birds? Buddy, I don't care.

It makes a lovely pic.

YHM

Chess by Candlelight

2010-10-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

Our inset picture, which appears by courtesy of FACEBOOK, is of Olivia-Rose Bartrip. Though I have not seen her for about ten years we used to work together in Hartley Wintney, a small town in Hampshire.

As you can see, she is a girl who enjoys life, and who suggested I should serenade any dinner date I was lucky enough to bag with a candlelit supper "and perhaps a game of chess."

Then she quickly added: "NO!" Unquote ...

Well, Readers, was Olivia-Rose right? Is chess a turn-off? Would scrabble be better? I just wonder. Though, judging by the photo, I doubt she often does.

YHM

Here we all are then

2010-09-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

Here we all are then, at Simpsons in the Strand. The department store of that name may have closed and the Staunton Memorial, organised by former British Champion, RD Keene, may have stopped last year, but CJ, the ECF President, brought a hundred or so guys together ealier this month.

In our picture, Adam Raoof stands with Gary Kasparov. Heaven knows what the chap on the left is saying. No matter!

Consultation games between Kasparov and Short and McShane versus Adams, with amateurs splinkling the thinking, added substance to an evening I'd have been very pleased to have attended.

Karpov's FIDE fund got some £oney, as did the ECF Congress of 2011. Various chaities benefitted.

YHM

When I was a boy

2010-09-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

When I was a boy a much taller boy, name of Bartett, introduced me to the noble art of stamp collecting. I would go and look at his collection and he would sit, his knees seemingly sticking up like clothes props, and show his collection to any passing fellow. We were never playmates, but this was in about 1968, and we were in the school playground.

I explained that I had no collection, not even a few measily stamps ripped off envelopes, but later I returned and my interest grew. He encouraged me.

Today few people, fewer children I'm sure, collect stamps. It looks dull in an age hungry for speed, computer animation, immediate gratification. However, stamps still exist, emails have not killed them. My collection is gone now and I don't miss it.

I gave up at the ripe old age of twelve. Nobody collected anymore, or seemed not to anyway. Chess was my passion, maybe with bits of TV, school and music (which included singing) thrown in. My interest in collecting lives on through postcards and art and, I suppose, books.

Things changed shape, don't they? We'd be pretty inflexible if they didn't, I believe.

Well, our inset is of some stamps. All chess ones. Nothing here of any value but worth getting for a few quid if you see them in a dealers window. Again, stamp shops are now a rarity. I would visit them in Winchester, Windsor, Camberley, Gibbons in London, Alton. Today, many of these places are gone.

But, as you see, these are happy memories for me.

YHM

Crap Cover

2010-09-11T10:26:00.000-07:00

Here we are, my friends.
Planet James.

I doubt this looks very inspiring to you although it did take a bit of work.

It was going to be the cover for the next CHESS PARROT. Happily, commonsense made me think again, and I didn't use it. Heaven knows what you will make of this design. I was teaching myself new techniques using the computer.

I doubt it was a painless lesson!

YHM

Peanuts

2010-08-28T10:23:00.000-07:00

Here we are with a nice cartoon, four pains of fun.

As you can see, it is the classic PEANUTS.

Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Schoeder, Pig-Pen, Snoopy and their adventures are probably less well in chess circles than they might be.

We are yet to grow up!

I think the ballooned thought is correct: chess can bring happiness, and, increasingly, junior tournaments do offer certificates for many entrants and events. They take ages to write out. Why, I have even been asked to help on occasion.

I refused.

YHM

it has been a while

2010-08-28T10:10:00.000-07:00

Well, friends, it has been a while since we had any postis on TCP blog. Why not start these up again? This is a new computer and I have not got any handy. Don't worry - gloomy face - I can supply some in due course.

Hope to see you all posting here soon.

Bye

YHM

Corus

2010-01-08T04:01:00.000-08:00

15-31st January 2010

Anand, Carlsen, Kramnik, Leko, Ivanchuk, Nakamura, Shirov, Karajakin, Dominguez, Short, Tiviakov, Caruana, van Wely and Smeets.

http://www.coruschess.com

Lots of supporting events as ever (the Dutch really know how to do these things and keep their sponsors) I wish the UK was as clever. Sorry, but I do

Sussex Calling

2009-12-26T17:21:00.000-08:00

Winter is here and Hastings is therefore fast approaching.

http://www.hastingschess.org.uk/

I have been spectating at Hastings most years since 1973/4. That year Szabo of Hungary tied for first place with Tal, Kuzmin and Gligoric. Others playing included Hartston, Keene, Benko, Suttles, Kuzmin, Timman, Pytel; OK so I can't remember all the names, but I do recall a fascinating field. Few Premiers have matched it. Post Fischer-Spassky boom time, you see. Tournaments have been held in Hastings since the Great War. In 1994/5 I attended the centenary dinner in a French restaurant, serving champagne - until I was stopped - to the future World Champion, Ruslan Ponomariov. He was under age!

Play down on the South coast starts on 28th December, 2009. Why not enter?

YHM

Potrait of an Artist as a Middle Aged Fart

2009-12-26T16:53:00.000-08:00

Here I am readers, pictured looking too serious about less than nothing. Not drunk, and not merry either, just concentrating on the elsewhere. And not thinking (makes a change) about chess.

Did you instantly spot it was YHM?

The photo was taken at the gracious Buckland Avenue homage of Mr Roger Winter at it was his birthday bash. Several others were in evidence including Dawn, Lorraine, Sue ..

YHM

Vic and Boris

2009-12-23T13:22:00.000-08:00

Our picture shows two warriors of old.

At left, International Viktor Korchnoi and on the right, of course you knew, Boris Spassky. Viktor plays for Switzerland which he has represented since his defection in 1976. Boris is retired from the game, lives in a Paris suburb, was World Champion 1969-72.

They are different fellows. Korchnoi counter-attacks but will happily defend. He makes life difficult for himself and his opponents. Boris - once likened to a kindly Russian bear - likes an easy life, agrees quick draws. Korchnoi is a bitter ender. Both have scaled the heights of a game which they have made their own.

YHM

When two Englishmen meet

2009-12-22T17:16:00.000-08:00

Doctor Johnson said ; "When two Englishmen meet they invariably speak of the weather."

So, when chessplayers meet, they invariably are unkind about Keene. Not me, I'm too busy extolling the virtues of his Staunton Memorials, reading his books, or seeking out his Spectator columns.

Yes, I know he is no saint. But he is not a punchbag either. Read 'Aron Nimzowitsch A Reappraisal', get 'Flank Openings'. Excellent stuff!

And above all change the record. Kingpin kindly note.

YHM

Old Rivals

2009-08-28T10:58:00.000-07:00

A pleasant picture from this year's STAUNTON MEMORIAL.

As you can see it is Viktor Korchnoi, for many years the number two player in the world, against Jan Timman, again a former world no. 2.

Viktor, though playing the Black pieces, won a relatively staight-forward encounter. Jan won the tournament overall, Viktor having started too slowly to challenge for top honours.

I first saw Timman at Hastings 1973-4 and Korchnoi at the same event, only a few years later.

Long may they grace us with their presence!

YHM

Canadian Game Collections

2009-07-31T14:54:00.000-07:00

I'm just curious. How many chess books about Canadians do you have?

Hmnn. A long pause out there?! You might have said 'Chess the Hard Way' by DA Yanofsky or Diamond Dust or even 'Chess on the Edge' by Harper & Seirawan. But the latest I know is a good book, maybe not a great one.

It is about Bryon Nickoloff and is penned by IM Lawrence Day (Chess n Math 2007), pp293, pb, AN, b7w photos, £16.99. Seventy-three games with good notes, many additionals. Forward by IM Brian Hartman. Games played 1973-2004. Lots of slang 'Combo Bombo' for example

http://hugh.cc.mcgill.ca/chess/players.htm

YHM

Battle Chess

2009-07-28T14:10:00.001-07:00

If you want to know what Battle Chess is you are either very old - like me - or only involved with the competitive side of the game. I bought this box of tricks in a charity/thrift shop. It turns out to be 4 programs in one, games that lost street-cred with the coming of Star Wars and 'Harry Potter' chess (.. cribbed off Wiki-).

I played Battle Chess to test it but found the pieces - a Queen who waves her arms in triumph, a rook like a hulk, a bishop that fights with his crook - too difficult to indentify after their initial moves. All white's pieces have their backs to the first player. However, it plays a reasonable enough game and would perhaps bring a flat board (bored?) games
alive for some open minded young. Or a non-player.

2D graphics, unashamed fun.

I will be reviewing this in more detail in TCP XXVIII.

YHM

Don't be fooled

2009-07-18T14:51:00.000-07:00

Don't be fooled! Our picture shows Claire Summerscale reading 'Rampant Chess' by Geoff Chandler and Keith Ruxton, not a title in TCP library when last the curator was on duty.

Mrs Summerscale has, let me assure you, about as much interest in reading a chess book as she has in reading this blog. Zero. Zero interest. Zero tolerance to such humbug also, believe me.

Snapped here at the recent Scottish Championship, the Chairwoman of the *4NCL looks good with blue nail vanish and pleasant tan. Sadly, I suspect the photographer wanted an ad for his publication.

And this was not the way to get it.

YHM

Collectomania

2009-07-07T14:49:00.000-07:00

An interesting set of seventeen badges showing the World Champs 1886-2009. I collect badges of all sorts, but chess ones are a bit thin on the ground. Surprisingly the faces are recognisable! (OK Petrosian looks a tad cheerful and Alekhine a bit weary..)

http://www.caissa.com.pl/chess_gadgets.htm

Some of the items advertised at this link are available from Chess & Bridge in London. But I have not seen any badges to date.

With thanks to Roger Winter

2009-07-05T10:54:00.000-07:00

Here I am, all eleven stone ++ of me, snapped yesterday at the gracious Popley home of Mrs Lorraine Turnip. It is rare indeed to don a hat that fits comfortably. This one did. As those of you who have been following the serialisation of my life story will already be aware, I am still Popley Club Champion 1981-2, the premises having been destroyed a mere twenty-five years after my victory! The school, John Hunt, has shifted up the road. This was the venue for several great showdowns including the Castle Stoves and the Dragonfly Cars Blitz Championships, not to mention a simul on the 1980 Wimbledon Final's Day (great timing, huh?) by IM Mike Basman.

Thanks to Roger for some great pics via Facebook.

YHM

Early Bath?

2009-06-28T12:53:00.000-07:00

What is the quickest you've ever lost? Ah, I see you wince.

My point is easily made. Quick losses can be snap mates - see the diagram below - or they can be quick in terms of time taken at the board. As Spassky once wrote 'It was rude of me but I decided to spend as little time at the board as possible.' He was bored and embarrassed, I suppose, not emotions commonly associated with the mind of a great champion.

So, let me explain. 'Early bath' is a slang term probably stemming from rugger and the players getting into the showers pronto. Spassky was World Champ 1969-1972. And there is no disgrace in losing quickly.

Books of miniatures - games finished in under 25 moves, by custom - are less common than they once were. My favourite is Peter Clarke's Soviet Miniatures.

YHM

Alan Phillips has died

2009-06-26T16:08:00.000-07:00

A photo taken at Hastings with Weaver Adams, the eccentric US Master. I think the chap on the left is Brian Reilly.

Alan Phillips (1923-2009) - British Master, joint - with Leonard Barden - British Champion 1954. Author of 'Chess: Sixty Years on with Caissa & Friends' (Caissa Editions') and 'The Chess Teacher' (OUP), host to Bob Wade and his books, onetime Blackheath Schoolmaster. Pianist and friend to Smyslov the singer, host to Bronstein, visitor to Dartington Hall in Devon for innumerable music festivals.

Maybe Tarrasch's dictum that music, like chess, has the power to make men happy came together with Alan Phillips. He was, afterall, thrice married. Now, quizzers, what other British Champion could claim that-?

What's in a name?

2009-06-14T15:17:00.001-07:00

They don't write 'em like this anymore! Titles I mean, and I don't mean GM. 'The Chess Euclid' A Collection of Two Hundred Chess Problems and Endgames composed by Herr Kling (1849). Now that has style. It is also self explanatory.

Recent efforts include something like - I daren't look - KILL K.I.D. - a reprint of ZOOM 001 - Zero Hour for Opening Operative Models (half written by Larsen!) and the highly grammatical 'Can You be a Positional Chess Genius?'

No, author Plaskett, I can't. But I won't write a book with such a title. And nor should you ..

YHM

Lake Hopatong

2009-06-07T16:39:00.000-07:00

Lake Hopatong, 1926, a triumph for the World Champion, JR Capablanca, ahead of A Kupchik, G Maroczy, FJ Marshall and Ed Lasker.

A new book, published by the very admirable McFarland of the USA, is £39.95 from BCM covering this and Chicago 1926. The author is Robert Sherwood, a new name on me.

http://www.bcmchess.co.uk/

Just look at thias great postcard with the Hungarian Geza Maroczy on the fiddle!

YHM

Simul

2009-05-23T14:50:00.000-07:00

Ketevan Arakhamia-Grant will be giving a simul at the National Museum of Scotland on 13th June 2009, starting at 11 and going on til 4 (last takers at 3.30pm).

Come to Edinburgh and challenge a Grandmaster! No contact details so be prepared to wait and browse.

Jennifer Shahade

2009-05-16T00:21:00.000-07:00

Who has tooning-in to Shahade for US Championship analysis and round-by-round updates?

Tempus Fugit

2009-05-08T11:14:00.001-07:00

When was the first time that a World Championship Match was played with the clock times recorded for each and every move? My reason for asking is that several books of the 1950s, the Botvinnik-Smyslov matches for example, have these times recorded by authors, for example Harry Golombek. Did this happen any earlier? And what difference will digital clocks with time added make to these readings in matches to come?

Come to think of it, the Anand-Kramnik Match had the players splitting the purse regardless of outcome. Has this every happened before, we wonder ..

YHM

Remembering Hugh

2009-05-08T10:54:00.000-07:00

In (26-1) I wrote about the US Master Hugh E Myers who died just before Christmas 2008.

Hugh was my friend. The Parrot was modelled - it is still perhaps - on 'The Myers Openings Bulletin' which Hugh produced entirely himself. A selftaught player, fiercely independent, I learnt a lot from a man not affraid to state his own opinions and think for himself.

We all ought to do that, surely?

Hugh's last note to me explained that he could no longer walk and was a wheelchair user, but all the old fire was still there.

"Keep your polly supplied with crackers" said the Iowa King.

I'll promise to do my best, young man!

YHM

Jacques Mieses

2009-04-29T14:41:00.000-07:00

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 Ne2

2009-04-21T14:57:00.000-07:00

Here we are in a line in the French, so sensible that it is not likely to have been sufficiently played at a high level since Alekhine's time.

Or maybe I'm wrong.

A 1975 RHM Book quotes a number of references including Alekhine-Nimzowitsch, Bled 1931. Common sensical moves seemed to spring from Alekhine, and, I suppose, Keres, in a way modern masters fail to grasp. Perhaps computers have killed such originality, such freshness of approach.

(French Defence - Gligoric, Uhlmann, Botvinnik, Karpov)

YHM

Richard Reti

2009-04-18T01:56:00.000-07:00

He was born the same year as Capablanca, in 1888, but died much sooner, in 1929.

We have already touched briefly on the career of Richard Reti. He wrote two books, both available today in English, 'Modern Ideas in Chess' and 'Masters of the Chessboard'.

As player he was perhaps less aggressively inclined, his belief that pawn moves should be relayed until the opponent has committed himself in the centre, not giving vent to terrifying attacks in the old Morphy manner; assaults on f7/f2 were not his way. The sophisticated Reti Opening is not for the tyro.

He win over Capablanca, when the World Champion appeared invincible, at New York 1924, will live forever.

He became Czechoslovak Champion in 1925 but died of Scarlet Fever for years later.

Perhaps RR's games might be considered poems and enjoyed as such. Lessons too, but poetry is here still for us today.

YHM

Richard Reti

2009-04-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

The man died young but his ideas will never leave.

Richard Reti is perhaps undervalued as a player.

This is a 1954 book, originally a Bell, but released by Batsfords in 1997 with the moves converted into figurine algebraic and the games checked by John Nunn. The author, the former British Champion Harry Golombek, would not have expected so much scrutiny as the modern computer age has given him. Correcions appear at the bottom of pages like tickings-off from teacher!

Seventy games are given 1907-1927, including six versus Spielmann, all served with loving care by HG, also a Capa biographer. Tournament + match record (3 pages), index of opponents, studies, openings.

www.batsford.com

I got my copy cheaply from Yorkshire's CHESS DIRECT, though the cover price £13.99, is a give-away. I have seen this on e-bay so if you want it in hardcovers, without the JN corrections, or as a Dover with a bright yellow cover ..

'Richard Reti's Best Games of Chess' - Harry Golombek. pb. ISBN 0 7134 8169 2. pp iii + 205. 8.5" x 5.5".

YHM

Nottingham 1936

2009-04-15T12:57:00.000-07:00

Which chess tournament contained five World Champions, past, present and future? Yes, that's right. The 1973 Soviet Championship, won by Boris Spassky. The other players included Anatoly Karpov, heir presumptive, Vasily Smyslov, Mikhail Tal, Tigran Petrosian. It was to be one of the last tournaments for Paul Keres, certainly I don't think he played in a Soviet Championships again.

Could a National Championship be so tough today? Kramnik, Kasparov, Karpov, Spassky, Smyslov, err.. somehow this would never happen. Spassky and Kasparov are retired. I must assume Smyslov is blind now and well into his eighties anyway, bless him. The breakup of the USSR robbed us of such a tough annual gathering, and state support of course.

As late as 1989 there was a Soviet Championship, won by Vaganian and, in 1990, Khalifman came 5th=. And he was to be World Champion, of A SORT, though today he writes and coaches more and to great effect.

But our header and insert promised something about Nottingham 1936. The book - see insert - is hardly anything great, as later Alekhine efforts tended to be a bit light on detail, but historic it certainly was.

I will not spoonfeed you the results. The stars shone brightly between the wars, the Brits struggled.

YHM

Big Bird but not Henry Bird

2009-04-14T13:45:00.001-07:00

Our insert shows the SESAME STREET DELUX CHESS SET.

I can accept 'Big Bird' as a king, with lopsided crown, but surely Bird liked the f-pawn openings? Lol ;-) as the witty say.

YHM

££££££ Competition Time £££££££££

2009-04-14T13:35:00.000-07:00

Who is this in the photo? (Possibly taken in the late 1940s)

Post your answers here and be the first to win a special prize.

I'll be back with the answer before long.

YHM

Easter Tournament

2009-04-14T09:40:00.000-07:00

The Jack Spiegel Memorial in Southend over Easter weekend finished as follows:

1st= JM Emms & SK Williams ~ see inset ~ both 4.5/7; 3rd= KC Arkell, GC Flear & PK Wells 4; 6th= CG Ward & NR McDonald 3; 8th ML Hebden 1.

Adam Ashton won the Open with wfm Alexandra Wilson scoring well there!

YHM

The Chess Parrot Library

2009-04-14T05:53:00.000-07:00

TCP Library has been going even longer than the magazine itself and will probably run forever. It has been willed to the National Chess Library in Hastings, so it will keep going even after I pop-off. Currently the amount of stuff it contains - which includes books, tournament bulletins, bound copies of magaines, opening manuals, many histories - must be approaching the thousand mark. Items are being bought all the time.

If anybody needs any guidance on what to buy or where to buy it, they have definitely come to the right place. We also buy and sell chess memorbilia so don't throw away that old scorebook, damaged Batsford and rubbished Reinfeld.

YHM (Your Humble Moderator) is a prolific reviewer.

The Parrot, never a silent bird, welcomes your enquiries.

Golders Green

2009-04-14T05:30:00.000-07:00

The Golders Green Rapidplays are as much a part of English chess as broken clocks and missing pieces. Set in the very heartland of London's finest Jewish quarter, a mere talismanic stone's throw from coach, rail and road links, not so far from Mecca Dance Halls and the Watling and Foss Ways, it has become for many, I know, a haven of good play, fine fellowship and he doesn't even put the charts up anymore, though he always used to.

Adam Raoof is a FIDE Arbiter and organiser, bookseller and all round good egg. I like him.

Sections for all levels. Enter late to avoid low charges.

http://www.goldersgreenchess.blogspot.com/

The Magician from Riga

2009-04-14T02:28:00.000-07:00

Mikhail Tal

Tal is Tal ! Tal remains Tal !!

The eighth World Champion was probably the naughtiest. Is chess professorial, for the clever .. but dull? In a recent DVD Hort stated that Tal turned up to play him - it may have been in about 1961, when Mikhail Tal was at his height - drunk through his teeth. The Latvian could hardly sit there, let alone move the pieces. When Soviet Grandmasters were obliged to behave, perhaps shadowed by KGB informers with raincoats collars turned-up against the wind and the scrutiny, Tal would bunk-off and go and visit girlfriends, smoke, drink and come to the board under-prepared.

In his matches with Botvinnik - the two World Champions met twice for the crown - both the strengths and weaknesses of his genius were shown and exposed. As was lamented ..."if he could prepare himself thoroughly he would be impossible to play against."

Mikhail Tal was born in 1936 and grew up into a world torn apart by war. He was a bohemian, a friendly man who would play skittles with all-comers, photos show a winning smile, a disabled hand, and in his games? a tactical eye that Morphy might have prized. His first recorded games are from the late 1940's, so we may be sure he was no prodigy like Capablanca or hot-house plant as was Kasparov.

That he became World Champion when not from Russia itself, attests to his skill. The Soviets would have preferred a good Russian boy like Karpov or, of course, the Great Botvinnik. But, in the end, his skill could not be contained and he became Champion in 1960 and quickly ex-champion. In the 1970s his skill rose again and there would have been talk - and very detailed plans emerging behind the iron curtain - for MT to challenge Fischer. But, as is well known, Bobby did not defend his title and Karpov, younger and more politically aware, did everything that was required of him.

In 1979, at the great tournament in Montreal, Tal was contacted by Moscow and told to slow-down, he was beating everybody (Spassky 2-0 for example). Thus Karpov caught up with him and they shared the spoils.

Vodka was his downfall, vodka and smoking. No addict ever got more acclaim outside of the pop world.

He died in 1992 a very sick man and photos of him in his last years are heartbreaking. I heard it said that he had everything wrong with him except cancer. And Tal was born a doctor's son.

YHM

A Great Photograph

2009-04-13T23:14:00.000-07:00

How many can you name? Seeds of the coming 'English Chess Explosion'.
I'm stuck for a couple of identities. Girls are Carey Wilman - then Groves - and Claire Pickard - then Whitehead.

Try spotting Neil Dickenson, Andrew Lewis, Jimmy Howell, John Hawksworth, Erik Oscar Michael Charles Teichman, Richard Webb, Simon Brown, Gary Lane, Byron Jacobs, Stuart Conquest, Keith Arkell, David Cummings and John Cox. Oh, and hiding behind Keith, Peter Wells.

/photo (c) BCM with thanks to John Saunders.

Go quietly into that good night (and bishop?)

2009-04-13T14:26:00.000-07:00

YHM hopes that you are kind enough to laugh at his converted Dylan Thomas quote as our header hereabouts. Our inset is of Welsh International Deborah Evans-Quek with whom YHM has been enjoying a little correspondence.

She tells me that she is now presenting a fortnightly arts programme on SWANSEA RADIO.

www.radiotircoed.com 106.5FM

YHM has listened in via this hyperlink and enjoyed music, chat and an interview feature. No chess (quite?) yet, but need that matter? The veteran (she'll kill me for saying that) of several Olympiads, D E-Q is also feted artist and writer. Who knows, maybe one day she'll write a chess book...

YHM

In defensive mode

2009-04-13T14:13:00.000-07:00

Our inset pic shows Natasha Regan of Cavendish & Barbican Chess Clubs. Next to her - fist in gob - the Scots IM Craigie Pritchett.

Natasha is just one of the players whom, as helper with the Cavendish CC Newsletters of late, I have have been obliged to study. Three times a mother, she is also a demon GO mistress. Her game, from Graham Burgess's 'The Mammoth Book of Chess', an Alekhine Defence win over GB himself, will be featured in a future issue of the newsletter. Copies are obtainable from the treasurer, Ron Harman, 11 Sherston Court, Attneave Street, London WC1X ODX.

Anybody wanting a good club - they boast internationals and a full league programme - is also urged to get in touch.

YHM

Garry and Kenny

2009-04-13T10:48:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to feature a snap, taken in London at the famous Chess & Bridge Centre, of the former World Champion, Gary Kasparov ~ see his win over Stuart Conquest elsewhere ~ and, in the cool shades, the Correspondence IM Ken Harman with pupils from his Kent school.

"Is there a chess programme at your school?" enquired GK.
The answer was YES!

The British

2009-04-13T10:32:00.000-07:00

The British - or to give it its full title - the Championships of the British Isles - takes place this year from 26th July until 10th August down in Torquay in Devon. The 2008 Champion, Grandmaster Conquest ~ see below ~ will have a tough battle if he decides to defend his title. English chess is better shape than it has been for a few years with several new names swimming into contention including Lorin D'Costa, Stewart Haslinger, Stephen Gordon, Simon Williams, not to mention David Howell.

A game by last year's British Champion, Stuart Conquest, against the Thirteenth World Champion.

Gary Kasparov 2690 - SC Conquest 2255

London Simul 1983

Benko Gambit Declined [A57]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6 d6 6.Nc3 Nbd7 7.a4 Nxb6 8.a5 Nbd7 9.e4 Rb8 10.f4 Rb4 11.Ra4 e6 12.dxe6 fxe6 13.Nf3 Bb7 14.Ng5 Qe7 15.Bc4 h6 16.Nxe6 Rxc4 17.Nc7+ Kd8 18.Rxc4 Kxc7 19.0-0 Qe6 20.Qe2 g6 21.e5 d5 22.Ra4 Ng8 23.b4 cxb4 24.Na2 Qc6 25.Rxb4 Bxb4 26.Nxb4 Qc5+ 27.Be3 Qxb4 28.Qc2+ Kb8 29.Rb1 Qe4 0-1.

I will be carrying a full report of the British and wish the new Congress Manager, Manuel Weeks, every success.

YHM

European Teams

2009-04-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

The European Senior Championships, for teams of players aged over sixty, has ended with an unsurprising victory for the Russian team of Tseshkovsky, Vasiukov, Pushkov, Kremervietsky and Chernikov. Switzerland, with Korchnoi at the helm, were second. Fot=r teams were bunched on third place. England "A", GH James, M Macdonald-Ross, J Scholes and S Reuben, came 14th=. There were also teams representing Scotland - top board PM Jamieson - and England "B", with the Variant Chess enthusiast Peter Wood on top board.

Play in Velden., Austria, ended today.

YHM