Chess Chats by George Koltanowski Sunday, January 22, 1956, The Press Democrat Santa Rosa, California Problem No. 7 by...
Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Saturday, February 1, 2020
Problem No. 7 by D. Hjelle, Norway
White to play and mate in two moves.
FEN 2Q2n2/1p6/1P1p3K/N1bkp3/2p1p1p1/2P1P1Pb/3P1Nn1/3R3B w - - 0 1
Solution: 1. d4 Nd7 2. Qg8#
Game played at the Sonoma Festival:
Queen's Pawn Opening
Sherman Walker, Santa Rosa (white) Al Johnson, San Francisco (black)
Horwitz Defense
(a) Prefer 3 … B-Q3.
(b) Too tame. 5. … P-B4 is better.
(c) A typical Walker move! Maybe hard to beat back until one knows what white has in mind. Here it is a king's side push. Black intends to stop the onrush.
(d) 9. B-K5 or 9. P-KN4 are possible.
(e) Not as good as 10. … N2-B3.
(f) Doesn't like the rough and ready tactics of his opponent or he would have taken the knight. 13. … PxN; 14. RPxP, N-N5; 15. NxN, PxN 16. QxP, R-B4, etc.
(g) At long last.
(h) Bites at long last.
(i) First B-Q2 is much better.
(j) Has no inkling of white's threat.
(k) That last check really hurt!
Hints About Juniors
Organized competition among juniors—although greatly to be encouraged—is not along sufficient to produce champions.
The only boys who become expert are those who (a) study the game from books or get first-class instruction, or preferably both, and (b) obtain practice against good players, including adults, in clubs or otherwise.
As regards (b), do not imagine that the practice need be against very strong players. The ideal opponent for practice is one a little strong than yourself. But there should be time for thought, and this is where lunch-hour games at school fail.
Instruction is a different matter—the more expert the better. Not many players can afford it. Books are an excellent substitute, and much cheaper. Books are essential anyway, even with instruction.
Philippine Shortcuts
National, 1947
Caro-Kann Defense
M. Velasquez (white) vs. R. Lontoc Jr. (black)
Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack
(a) The less said the better!
Game Played in Manila, 1953
Two Knights Defense
Romula Reyes (white) vs. Carlos Benitez (black)
Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Bishop Sacrifice Line
(a) Just punishment for a pawn-snatcher!