A
Chess 13 Mar 1943, Sat The Minneapolis Star (Minneapolis, Minnesota) Newspapers.com
The Pawn Pusher by O. A. HOLT, Willmar, Minn.
Robert (Bob) Konkel, last year's Minnesota chess champion, writes from San Antonio, where he is serving in the air corps, in part: “I was very much surprised to find so many cadets learning to play chess. In my barracks alone, which comprises 80 men, 20 play chess several times weekly. I have had some spare time and have helped improve the play of these men greatly. Many of the recreation rooms have chess sets, too.”
Bob is the strongest young chess player Minnesota has produced since the era of Dare Barkaloo. His record against G. S. Barnes, 1943 state champion whom this column terms the top performer in this territory, is most enviable. Reuben Fine is perhaps the only player in the country who has whipped Barnes in like fashion.
With Bob down south, who else in this territory can challenge Barnes' supremacy as the top performer? None that we know of.
S. Sorenson, Fred Open, Zumbrota: Composing is not easy, so don't give up the ship. Here's a tip. Good chess problems do not start with a check or a capture key.
C. A. Nelson, Mpls.: Thanks for note. Forsythe notation below diagram is simply for a check on the position. Read as a book. White pieces are designated by capital letters, black pieces by small letters, vacant squares by numerals.
J. N. Green, Ortonville: Write the Chess Review. 250 W. 57th street, New York, N.Y. , for information you request. Any good encyclopedia will give you a good explanation of chess play.
John Doe Minneapolis: Can see nothing in your position.
CHECKERS
The first game in the 1943 Southern Minnesota tourney finals.
M. Jenkins, Black
Dr. F. A. Scott, White
9-14 83-19 5-9 J7-23 11-15 22-18 15-22 ,25-18 8-11 19-15 10-19 24-8 4-11 29-25 12-16 2S-24 7-10 25-22 16-20 31-27 3-8 23-19 13-23 27-18 20-27 32-23 10-14 30-25 6-10 B. Win.
GAME NO. 573
Queen's Gambit Declined
Brilliancy Prize Game
Reichenthal (Copper Union) White vs. Mandell (N.Y.U. Square) Black
SOLUTION TO PROBLEM
No. 771 by Newman Guttman
Key: Rd8 (R-Q8)
Newman demonstrates his ability to handle a slippery combination with the ease and assurance of a seasoned expert.—W. C. Nolting.
Black defense limited, but play of N interesting.—E. C. Johnson.
Very good. The black N tries hard to help defend the point of attack at d6 but only succeeds in blocking another avenue of attack. Well constructed.—F. G. Gardner.
Pleasing set-up with good economy. The 3 cornered battery comes to life after alternate double interference.—O. Aarhus.
The 2 unpinning variations plus the interference are fine, and don't forget the self-block.—J. M.
Interesting.—H. R. Tonning.
The unpinning is superficial but it's pretty. Good flight-giving key in a classy 2er.—Joe Youngs.
Good 2er.—W. Wandel.
O. Aarhus writes: “Am sending a little thematic lightweight this time. I'd rather see the boys solve my probs than not.” It is what Aarhus terms: “A removal of White obstruction with line objective.” What does that mean? It is evident in the 3er below that White Q can't mate at f2 or gl for the good reason the diagonal is obstructed by the White P at e3. The thematic objective then, is for Q to mate on either one of those 2 squares. Note how successful Aarhus is in accomplishing this objective! A real achievement! Perhaps Aarhus may be the first to discover this feat … if so, if so it will go down as the “Aarhus theme.” In the London theme, which is closest in this field, the WP moves and the capturing piece is recaptured on the square, in fact a square objective. Wish N. H. Nelson was still alive, but hope A. C White, V. L. Eaton, or some other authority will take notice of this effort. Also fine byplay.
PROBLEM NO. 774
Original for the Minneapolis Star Journal
by O. Aarhus, St. Paul, Minn.
Black 12 Pieces
White 6 Pieces
FEN 3Rlb2/8/KNp2p2/plk5/rp2blRl/r2pPq2/3Q4/n7 w - - 0 1
White to play and mate in three moves.
