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Chess Chats 26 Feb 1956, Sun The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California) Newspapers.com
Chess Chats by George Koltanowski Sunday, February 26, 1956 The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, California Problem No. 12,...
Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Monday, February 3, 2020
Problem No. 12, J. Aronec, Prague
White to play and mate in two moves.
FEN 3N4/2rrB3/2Pn1N2/4kPp1/1p6/1QpRnR2/b7/6bK w - - 0 1
Solution: 1. Qxb4 Rxe7 2. Qxd6#
Played in Phoenix, Arizona
Black in the following simultaneous game tries very hard to take the initiative, but the game ends in a most original Queen trap.
George Koltanowski (white) M. Cook (black)
Mikenas Defense
(a) An Alekhine in reverse? Means to throw his opponent off the beaten path.
(b) White has gained a number of tempi's. Black's idea stems from Nimzowitch's book “My System” which recommends that one should allow the opponent to advance his center pawns, as it is then easier to start undermining its structure.
(c) Continues to pressure White and forcing the advance of pawns. Loss of time does not bother Black at all. He has a goal and that's all that matters. So White obliges!
(d) 8. … Q-N5ch; 9. Q-Q2, QxQch (otherwise 10. N-QB3); 10. NxQ, P-Q3 should have been considered.
(e) Now White willingly advances his pawn; it will leave Black's position badly cramped.
(f) Must make this move before White castles, or he would suffocate (which he does eventually),
(g) Gains the exchange, at the expense of more important time—something White counts on heavily now.
(h) Immediately R-K1 is met by B-K3. White confuses the issues and his opponent a little bit!
(i) Home, James home.
(j) The way Black loses his queen is quite unique. If now 24. … Q-B3; 25. NxP mates or 24. … R-Q3; 25. BxR, PxB; 26. P-B7 wins. (Penalty for lack of development.
(l) “My System” by George Koltanowski.
Played at the Carroll Ogden Chess Club, San Francisco:
Sicilian Defense
Eric Brent (white) P.R. Kovach (black)
Unresolved Chess Game: Can you solve it?
(a) Could have considered here: 4.P-K5, N-N5; 5. P-Q4, PxP; 6. BxPch, KxB; 7. N-N5ch, K-K1; 8 QxN, NxP; 9. QxQp, P-Q5; 10. O-O, etc.
(b) White seems to be a “natural” player or he would not make these “unnatural” moves. Development of the pieces is more important.
(c) Powerful pawn move.
(d) Misses a good bet here. 19. B-R6ch K-R1; 20. PxN, RxQ?; 21. R-B8 mate.
(e) 19. … N-B3 was much safer.
(f) Finishes neatly.
(g) After 25. … K-N2; 26. B-R6ch, K-R1; 27. BxR mates.
Played in the CFNF Open, 1956
Sicilian Defense
Les Talcott (white) Lionel Wolfson (San Bruno)
Unresolved Chess Game: Can you solve it?
Notes by the winner.
(a) 6. … N-B3 is the move here.
(b) It's good to know the openings!
(c) 10. Q-K2 is also good.
(d) Castles the hard way!
(e) Why not simply 15. … NxB; 16. QxN, Q-N3, with good counter-chances.
(f) Black seems to forget that he has pieces on the Q's side that need developing too. N-Q2 was better.
(g) If 23. … RxR 24. RxRch, K-B2; 25. RxB, RxR; 26. N-Q6ch wins a piece.
(h) Must lose a piece.
