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Chess 07 Jun 1942, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
OCR Text
White mates in three. (Wh. 5; Bl. 4.) SOLUTION TO PROBLEM NO. 1297: N-B5. SOLUTION TO PROBLEM NO. 1298; Q-QB4. Th Hollywood Chess Group at 108 N. Formosa Ave. announces open house for the ' week keaininr June 1 to June 14. Visitors are cordially Invited. A plan is under war for class instruction for be-ginnera and advanced platers to be given b Herman Steiner, who just returned from the I'nited Slates championship tournament and a successful lecture-exhibition tour. For further Information call W'Vomlns 3510. J. O. DOnr.E AND R. KOS1.IN VlN SOLVING CONTEST WITH S3 POINTS. W congratulate Mr. Dodge, wh has climbed the ladder six times and also Mr. Roslin, whs haa climbed the ladder for th second time.
Due to the fact that the writer has recently returned from an extended tour, this column announces two winners. All unanswered letters will bo taken car of in tht near future. This la the score of last month's oar Ucipanta. Those who took part previously will have thrir score stand and should they send in solutions asain they will be added and auuiisoed next month. F. Armstrong, 17; H. Bruhn (.I 40; HB. Biishuetf, 71: A. L. Buckman, 58: C. B. Collins, 121: J. C. Drake , 189; J. O. Dodge ( , 336 winner:! W. D. Carmody (welcome to our ladder. Dr. Tarrasch's "The Game of Chess ";i O. D. Donald. 7; J. Davidson (.) 84: C. P. Ford ( 187: O. Francis. 197- J. Pon seca. 90; F. D. Fuller (welcome to our ladder.) 2: Cant. R. Getre. 0: Mrs. M. oordon. 6: a. A. Hall .) 234; W. Harmon (,) 209; R. H. Hays, 2; D. A. Innes (.) 69; P. B. Johnson, 4; W. L. Koethen (. 47: A. O. Karn. 233: O. 8. Kibbey. 27: D. Lehrer, 12; E. H. Lundstedt, 20: 8. J. McConnell. 31; H. P. Matosian, 207: L. Lippman. 2: J. W. Lawnrnce, 2: Sergt. F. Mahan 'welcome to Our ladder; i A. Meolfall. 2: W. F. Moses, 56; M. Morris. 25: F. Mar-garetten, 7; J. Maughmer, 51: O. J. Myers (welcome to our ladder;) W. C. Nolting () 37: Rev. P. Prlchard .! 250: R. Roslin (. 335 winner;! M. Rud-holm (.. 291; A. D. Reynolds Sr.. 194; E. H. Schadr !.) 236; Dr. J. B. Sheldon. 70: E. Bhlmano, 5; L. Steinberg: J. B. Stalltngs (welcome to our ladder:) J. E. Tyler (., 201; Mrs. F Touar, 14; J. P. Walsh (.) 156: J. T, Watson (.) 198: J. R. Walton. 14; A. S. Wells. 146. Score Includes Problems 1281-1298.
RULES OF THE SOLVING CONTEST I The winners of each month's contest will receive a three months' subscription to the Chess Review, a month s membership in the Chess and Checker Club of Los Angeles.
124 W. Fourth St.. and the Hollywood Chess Group. 108 N. Formosa Ave., where they may discuss composing and solving of problems and end games.
Every winner will be marked with the usual (.! showing that he was once a winner In climbing the ladder. The system will enable 12 (or mora In case of a lie) solvers to win. Solutions sent in answer to this problem will be acknowledged within two weeks after publication if you wish to figure in the "up-to-the-minute" ladder, the time limit being seven days. Otherwise credit can only be given in a later ladder. Problems in this column may begin with a castling key or have castling as a deffense. unless It can b definitely proved that such maneuvers are not letal. Cap-! ture keys, "en passant" keys and checking keys are also tolerated, but all the above types are rather uncommon. The capture of a pawn, however, la not unusual. If a problem has no solution, "no solu tion' must be claimed in order to score, points.
- The principal variations are necessary; when sending in the three-movers. Keys only need be given in two-ers, although it' is excellent practice to write out all the distinct variations. Two-movers receive two points. Three- movers receive three points on our ladder The prize is awarded to the leading solver once a month. (His score is then can- ceed.) Solvers may become ladderites at any time.
They are expected to solve as indi viduals or teams but not consult otherwise. Anyone desiring information for chess literature, chess lessons, address of chess clubs, or whatever Information concerning the game of chess, should send a self-ad dressed and stamped envelope or card to Herman Steiner. Chess Editor. L A. Times Requests for back issues and subscriptions should be directed to the Circulation Department.
This column appears on Sunday. THE PAWN PLUS By Kamat Were chess the mere arithmetic some players Imagine it to be. where preponder ance of material can be forced to victory by mere exchange, It would have ceased to exist as a hobby long, lorg ago. In the inquiry into the exact dtgiee of utility In the "pawn-olus " (i.e.) In the nossession of the extra pawn occasioned not by the sacrifice by the loser to further his superlative winning tactics, but by oversight on the part of the adversary, we are forced to admit that with equality In the elements of space and time In every stage of the game, the pawn-plus most often confers a winning advantage. But these other elements which are premised to balance are so complicated that the fortunate possessor of the pawn-plus cannot afford to view this in the way of pension in the evening of his life.
For chess is a struggle and the pacifist has no place In it. C. J. S. Purdy has brought this out In his usual incisive style in discussing a position from a game In the Australian championship.
"One of the least Questioned of all the horde of little maxims beloved of .the pious woodshifter is when a pawn up exchange at every opportunity." Yet we venture to state that It has turned many a won game into a draw. A striking illustration occurred in a vital game in the recent championship. Black: F. A. Crowl White: G. Koshnitsky Black to play his 14th more. In the diagrammed position. Crowl did what almost any one would do without hesitation. Being a pawn up. be simplified by 14. . . . PxP, 15. PxP. QxQ. loliowed by SxP; It seemed such a clear case for following the maxim. Yet. he found him self face to lace In a few moves with almost a dead draw. By simplifying.
Crowl threw away his chance of making an odd pawn tell. The objection to the course he took is simply that it loses a clear tempo, as the exchange of Qs immediately opens up the way for White's other rook to develop. An exchange where both pieces ar in play loses a tempo for the exchanger if the second player recaptures with a developing move. Here 16. RxQ is certainly a developing move as it helps White to develop his Rooks or to develop his K-R elsewhere.
Black would have obtained far better winning chances in our opinion definitely winning position by 14. . . . O-O! This simple and straightforward move immediately produces equilibrium in development, the opposing Rooks being exactly similarly placed, and forgetting about the pawn plus, would be the one a strong player would naturally choose.
Therefore, we maintain, it should have been chosen anyway. Our theory might be stated thus: A pawn-plus frequently proves insuffi cient for winning an end-game it it is accompanied by disadvantage in position otherwise. Therefore, a single pawn-plus in the middle game does not justify us in playing for exchanges where it involves submitting to the slightest positional disadvantage. But. we must examina 14. . . . O-Oi further. Does It not lose a tempo, too.
j for cannot White by IS. Q-S2 fore Black I to retreat his B. thus kef Dins back his I development one move? No. because White's Q-S2 Is equally nondevelepmg: his Q was already in play, lust as Black Bishop was already in play. This move 15. Q-82 is clearly th only one w have to fear. It hs a double threat (PxB and QxPi while keeping th Q-S protected. Therefore, let us examine the variations to corroborate our general Cap-! remarks. 14. . . . O-O PxP B-B3 15. Q-S2 16. PxP 17. QxP What else? Black threatens R.-Q2. etc.. and while the Q is at 82 the Q-P im pinned and forma a fine target. 17. . . . SxP ig. BxS BxB Better than getting off a pair of Rooks for now Black is able to threaten . . . KR-K1 on move 20.
With Bishops on opposite colors, exchanges for their own sake are wrong. 19. wxkp Or 19. KR-K1. P-K4; 20. R-K2. QR-S1 and if 21. Q-Q5 say . . , R-S4 doubling on the Q-8 file with great effect. The P at K4 establishes Black's Bishop where it dominates the board. 19. . . . OxP 20. Q-K2 Practically forced, for Black threateng . . . KR-K1 and White's KR cannot develop while the KB-P is menaced. 21. . . . QxQ 22. BxQ White is now at a distinct disadvantage, apart from his pawn-minus, for he cannot double Rooks (if R-Q2, BxP and if R-Q3. KR-K1 also winning.) Bs on opposite colors come nowhere near insuring him against loss, for all the Rooks cannot be got off. We give one possible continuation lust as example. 23. R-Sl P-QR4 24. RS3 P-R5 25. R-R3 R-Bl 26. R-Sl B-B4 27. R-R2 If 27. R-B3. R-Q7; 28. B-B3. R-R4. 27. . . . P-R6 28. R-S3 R-S3! This exchange 1 offered to free the, i B. which aims at 87.
Black should then win. owing to the superior mobility of his Rook. ! RUY LOPEZ Kashdan 'steiner Kashdan Steiner White Black White Black 1- P-K4 P-K4 22-PxB O-RS 2- N-KB3 N-QB3 23-R-N2 R-KR3 3- B-N5 P-QR3 24-O-KNI BxRch 4- B-R4 N-B3 25-QxB R-KN3 5- 0-0 P-QN4 26-Q-KB Q-R4 6- B-N3 B-K2 27-B-Q R-OB 7- P-OR4 R-QN 28-R-R5 P-QB3 8- PxP PxP 29-PxP R(N3)xP 9- Q-K2 O-O 30-P-B4 R-B4 10- P-B3 P-Q4! 31-P-Q4I R-KN4! 11- P-Q3 P-Q5! 32-P-B5 P-R3I 12- PxP B-KN5! 33-RxP R-R! 13- P-OS N-Q5 34-R-N R-R3I 14- Q-Q N-R4 35-P-05 R(R3-KN3 15- B-K3 NxNch 36-P-B6? Q-R6!! 16- PxN B-R6 37-B-K2 R-N7 17- R-K B-QN5 38--Q-N RxOch 18- N-B3 N-B5! 39-RxR RxRert 19- BxN PxB 40-KxR Q-B 20- K-R R-N3 41-B-N5 Q-B3 21- R-KN BxN 42-Resigns.
Due to the fact that the writer has recently returned from an extended tour, this column announces two winners. All unanswered letters will bo taken car of in tht near future. This la the score of last month's oar Ucipanta. Those who took part previously will have thrir score stand and should they send in solutions asain they will be added and auuiisoed next month. F. Armstrong, 17; H. Bruhn (.I 40; HB. Biishuetf, 71: A. L. Buckman, 58: C. B. Collins, 121: J. C. Drake , 189; J. O. Dodge ( , 336 winner:! W. D. Carmody (welcome to our ladder. Dr. Tarrasch's "The Game of Chess ";i O. D. Donald. 7; J. Davidson (.) 84: C. P. Ford ( 187: O. Francis. 197- J. Pon seca. 90; F. D. Fuller (welcome to our ladder.) 2: Cant. R. Getre. 0: Mrs. M. oordon. 6: a. A. Hall .) 234; W. Harmon (,) 209; R. H. Hays, 2; D. A. Innes (.) 69; P. B. Johnson, 4; W. L. Koethen (. 47: A. O. Karn. 233: O. 8. Kibbey. 27: D. Lehrer, 12; E. H. Lundstedt, 20: 8. J. McConnell. 31; H. P. Matosian, 207: L. Lippman. 2: J. W. Lawnrnce, 2: Sergt. F. Mahan 'welcome to Our ladder; i A. Meolfall. 2: W. F. Moses, 56; M. Morris. 25: F. Mar-garetten, 7; J. Maughmer, 51: O. J. Myers (welcome to our ladder;) W. C. Nolting () 37: Rev. P. Prlchard .! 250: R. Roslin (. 335 winner;! M. Rud-holm (.. 291; A. D. Reynolds Sr.. 194; E. H. Schadr !.) 236; Dr. J. B. Sheldon. 70: E. Bhlmano, 5; L. Steinberg: J. B. Stalltngs (welcome to our ladder:) J. E. Tyler (., 201; Mrs. F Touar, 14; J. P. Walsh (.) 156: J. T, Watson (.) 198: J. R. Walton. 14; A. S. Wells. 146. Score Includes Problems 1281-1298.
RULES OF THE SOLVING CONTEST I The winners of each month's contest will receive a three months' subscription to the Chess Review, a month s membership in the Chess and Checker Club of Los Angeles.
124 W. Fourth St.. and the Hollywood Chess Group. 108 N. Formosa Ave., where they may discuss composing and solving of problems and end games.
Every winner will be marked with the usual (.! showing that he was once a winner In climbing the ladder. The system will enable 12 (or mora In case of a lie) solvers to win. Solutions sent in answer to this problem will be acknowledged within two weeks after publication if you wish to figure in the "up-to-the-minute" ladder, the time limit being seven days. Otherwise credit can only be given in a later ladder. Problems in this column may begin with a castling key or have castling as a deffense. unless It can b definitely proved that such maneuvers are not letal. Cap-! ture keys, "en passant" keys and checking keys are also tolerated, but all the above types are rather uncommon. The capture of a pawn, however, la not unusual. If a problem has no solution, "no solu tion' must be claimed in order to score, points.
- The principal variations are necessary; when sending in the three-movers. Keys only need be given in two-ers, although it' is excellent practice to write out all the distinct variations. Two-movers receive two points. Three- movers receive three points on our ladder The prize is awarded to the leading solver once a month. (His score is then can- ceed.) Solvers may become ladderites at any time.
They are expected to solve as indi viduals or teams but not consult otherwise. Anyone desiring information for chess literature, chess lessons, address of chess clubs, or whatever Information concerning the game of chess, should send a self-ad dressed and stamped envelope or card to Herman Steiner. Chess Editor. L A. Times Requests for back issues and subscriptions should be directed to the Circulation Department.
This column appears on Sunday. THE PAWN PLUS By Kamat Were chess the mere arithmetic some players Imagine it to be. where preponder ance of material can be forced to victory by mere exchange, It would have ceased to exist as a hobby long, lorg ago. In the inquiry into the exact dtgiee of utility In the "pawn-olus " (i.e.) In the nossession of the extra pawn occasioned not by the sacrifice by the loser to further his superlative winning tactics, but by oversight on the part of the adversary, we are forced to admit that with equality In the elements of space and time In every stage of the game, the pawn-plus most often confers a winning advantage. But these other elements which are premised to balance are so complicated that the fortunate possessor of the pawn-plus cannot afford to view this in the way of pension in the evening of his life.
For chess is a struggle and the pacifist has no place In it. C. J. S. Purdy has brought this out In his usual incisive style in discussing a position from a game In the Australian championship.
"One of the least Questioned of all the horde of little maxims beloved of .the pious woodshifter is when a pawn up exchange at every opportunity." Yet we venture to state that It has turned many a won game into a draw. A striking illustration occurred in a vital game in the recent championship. Black: F. A. Crowl White: G. Koshnitsky Black to play his 14th more. In the diagrammed position. Crowl did what almost any one would do without hesitation. Being a pawn up. be simplified by 14. . . . PxP, 15. PxP. QxQ. loliowed by SxP; It seemed such a clear case for following the maxim. Yet. he found him self face to lace In a few moves with almost a dead draw. By simplifying.
Crowl threw away his chance of making an odd pawn tell. The objection to the course he took is simply that it loses a clear tempo, as the exchange of Qs immediately opens up the way for White's other rook to develop. An exchange where both pieces ar in play loses a tempo for the exchanger if the second player recaptures with a developing move. Here 16. RxQ is certainly a developing move as it helps White to develop his Rooks or to develop his K-R elsewhere.
Black would have obtained far better winning chances in our opinion definitely winning position by 14. . . . O-O! This simple and straightforward move immediately produces equilibrium in development, the opposing Rooks being exactly similarly placed, and forgetting about the pawn plus, would be the one a strong player would naturally choose.
Therefore, we maintain, it should have been chosen anyway. Our theory might be stated thus: A pawn-plus frequently proves insuffi cient for winning an end-game it it is accompanied by disadvantage in position otherwise. Therefore, a single pawn-plus in the middle game does not justify us in playing for exchanges where it involves submitting to the slightest positional disadvantage. But. we must examina 14. . . . O-Oi further. Does It not lose a tempo, too.
j for cannot White by IS. Q-S2 fore Black I to retreat his B. thus kef Dins back his I development one move? No. because White's Q-S2 Is equally nondevelepmg: his Q was already in play, lust as Black Bishop was already in play. This move 15. Q-82 is clearly th only one w have to fear. It hs a double threat (PxB and QxPi while keeping th Q-S protected. Therefore, let us examine the variations to corroborate our general Cap-! remarks. 14. . . . O-O PxP B-B3 15. Q-S2 16. PxP 17. QxP What else? Black threatens R.-Q2. etc.. and while the Q is at 82 the Q-P im pinned and forma a fine target. 17. . . . SxP ig. BxS BxB Better than getting off a pair of Rooks for now Black is able to threaten . . . KR-K1 on move 20.
With Bishops on opposite colors, exchanges for their own sake are wrong. 19. wxkp Or 19. KR-K1. P-K4; 20. R-K2. QR-S1 and if 21. Q-Q5 say . . , R-S4 doubling on the Q-8 file with great effect. The P at K4 establishes Black's Bishop where it dominates the board. 19. . . . OxP 20. Q-K2 Practically forced, for Black threateng . . . KR-K1 and White's KR cannot develop while the KB-P is menaced. 21. . . . QxQ 22. BxQ White is now at a distinct disadvantage, apart from his pawn-minus, for he cannot double Rooks (if R-Q2, BxP and if R-Q3. KR-K1 also winning.) Bs on opposite colors come nowhere near insuring him against loss, for all the Rooks cannot be got off. We give one possible continuation lust as example. 23. R-Sl P-QR4 24. RS3 P-R5 25. R-R3 R-Bl 26. R-Sl B-B4 27. R-R2 If 27. R-B3. R-Q7; 28. B-B3. R-R4. 27. . . . P-R6 28. R-S3 R-S3! This exchange 1 offered to free the, i B. which aims at 87.
Black should then win. owing to the superior mobility of his Rook. ! RUY LOPEZ Kashdan 'steiner Kashdan Steiner White Black White Black 1- P-K4 P-K4 22-PxB O-RS 2- N-KB3 N-QB3 23-R-N2 R-KR3 3- B-N5 P-QR3 24-O-KNI BxRch 4- B-R4 N-B3 25-QxB R-KN3 5- 0-0 P-QN4 26-Q-KB Q-R4 6- B-N3 B-K2 27-B-Q R-OB 7- P-OR4 R-QN 28-R-R5 P-QB3 8- PxP PxP 29-PxP R(N3)xP 9- Q-K2 O-O 30-P-B4 R-B4 10- P-B3 P-Q4! 31-P-Q4I R-KN4! 11- P-Q3 P-Q5! 32-P-B5 P-R3I 12- PxP B-KN5! 33-RxP R-R! 13- P-OS N-Q5 34-R-N R-R3I 14- Q-Q N-R4 35-P-05 R(R3-KN3 15- B-K3 NxNch 36-P-B6? Q-R6!! 16- PxN B-R6 37-B-K2 R-N7 17- R-K B-QN5 38--Q-N RxOch 18- N-B3 N-B5! 39-RxR RxRert 19- BxN PxB 40-KxR Q-B 20- K-R R-N3 41-B-N5 Q-B3 21- R-KN BxN 42-Resigns.
