Chess Chats by George Koltanowski
International Chess Master
The Press Democrat Chess Chats by George Koltanowski, Sunday, October 25, 1959, Santa Rosa, California Problem No....
Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Problem No. 203
White to play and mate in two moves.
FEN 3RR2q/2Q2b2/8/8/N1p1p2p/8/1P1P1bN1/1KBk1B2 w - - 0 1
Solution: 1. d4 Bxe8 2. Nc3#
From the letter written by Adolf Anderssen to H. Von des Lasa, one of the leading German authorities, after his return from his match with Morphy in Paris:
“I am not angry that I lost this match because this man plays like one out of this world.
“I not only believe that deeper combinations and brighter sparks of genius are at Morphy's disposition than were at LeBourdonnais', but that in infallible calculation and soundness he even surpasses the latter. He who plays with Morphy must not only renounce every hope of concealing even the subtlest traps, but he must also start with the idea that Morphy will clearly see through all and that there can be no question of a misstep.
“On the contrary, if you see Morphy make a move that at first glance seems to yield you some advantage, examine it carefully because you will find that it is correct and that trying to take advantage of it will lead to disaster. But most fatal, when opposed to him, is over-confidence on account of a better position and strong attacking game.
“I cannot describe better the impression that Morphy made on me than by saying that he treats chess with the earnestness and conscientiousness of an artist.”
One of these days we will have to write a study on the Paul Morphy of the Twentieth Century, namely Paul Keres.
Here is a game played in the correspondence tournament of the Deutsche Schachzeitung of 1932-33, when Paul Keres was a youngster from Estonia. It won the brilliancy prize!
von Feilitsch (white) vs. Paul Keres (black)
Center Game: Berger Variation
(a) Might have considered immediately 8. … N-QR4; 9. B-Q3 P-Q4.
(b) Threatens P-B5. Black is now swarming all over the place. Young Keres in his element.
(d) Threatens B-R7ch. If 26. QxR QxBch; and wins easily.
(e) Forced, as after 29. K-Q2 Q-B6 mates or if 29. K-K1 Q-R4ch, etc.