The Gift of Chess

Notice to commercial publishers seeking use of images from this collection of chess-related archive blogs. For use of the many large color restorations, two conditions must be met: 1) It is YOUR responsibility to obtain written permissions for use from the current holders of rights over the original b/w photo. Then, 2) make a tax-deductible donation to The Gift of Chess in honor of Robert J. Fischer-Newspaper Archives. A donation in the amount of $250 USD or greater is requested for images above 2000 pixels and other special request items. For small images, such as for fair use on personal blogs, all credits must remain intact and a donation is still requested but negotiable. Please direct any photographs for restoration and special request (for best results, scanned and submitted at their highest possible resolution), including any additional questions to S. Mooney, at bobbynewspaperblogs•gmail. As highlighted in the ABC News feature, chess has numerous benefits for individuals, including enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, improving concentration and memory, and promoting social interaction and community building. Initiatives like The Gift of Chess have the potential to bring these benefits to a wider audience, particularly in areas where access to educational and recreational resources is limited.

Best of Chess Fischer Newspaper Archives
• Robert J. Fischer, 1955 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1956 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1957 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1958 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1959 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1960 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1961 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1962 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1963 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1964 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1965 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1966 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1967 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1968 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1969 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1970 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1971 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1972 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1973 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1974 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1975 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1976 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1977 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1978 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1979 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1980 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1981 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1982 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1983 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1984 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1985 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1986 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1987 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1988 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1989 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1990 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1991 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1992 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1993 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1994 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1995 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1996 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1997 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1998 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1999 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2000 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2001 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2002 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2003 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2004 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2005 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2006 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2007 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2008 ➦
Chess Columns
Chessgames.com: Newspaper Chess Games Archive Chess.com: Newspaper Chess Games Archive Facebook: Bobby Fischer History Youtube: Newspaper Chess Games Archive My Life Notes lichess.org: Analyze Chess Game lichess.org: Board Editor Chess Notation Converter Chess.com: Chess Board Analysis Notes

July 09, 1916 Philadelphia Inquirer Chess and Checkers

< Prev Index Next >

ChessChess 09 Jul 1916, Sun The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com

We have just received an interesting communication from Stasch Mlotkowski, an old member of the Franklin Chess Club and now residing at Los Angeles. Mlotkowski states that the unfinished game in the recent match between Los Angeles and San Diego has been adjudicated a draw, thus Los Angeles wins the match with a score of 5½ to 4½.

A fine game played in the Correspondence Tournament of the Pennsylvania Chess Association between J.E. Narraway, Correspondence Chess champion of Canada, and D. R. Wyeth, of this city.

Douglas R. Wyeth (white) vs. James Ephraim Narraway (black)
Bishop's Opening: Vienna Hybrid
Submitted to chessgames.com on 05/01/2025

Douglas R. Wyeth vs. James Ephraim Narraway

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. N-QB3 N-KB3
3. B-B4 N-B3
4. P-Q3 P-Q3
5. KN-K2 B-K2
6. P-KR3 B-K3
7. B-N3 P-Q4
8. B-N5 P-Q5
9. BxN KBxB
10. N-Q5 N-R4
11. B-R4ch P-B3
12. NxBch PxN
13. N-N3 P-N4
14. B-N3 NxB
15. RPxN P-QR4
16. N-R5 R-KN
17. P-KN4 K-K2
18. Q-Q2 P-QB4
19. P-KB4 P-R5
20. P-B5 B-Q2
21. Q-R6 Q-N3
22. R-KN PxP
23. K-K2 RxR
24. RxR PxP
25. Q-Q2 P-B5
26. Q-N4ch Q-Q3
27. QxQch KxQ
28. NxP R-QR
29. R-QB R-R7
30. K-Q2 RxP
31. RxP P-B6ch
32. K-B RxRch
33. KxR B-B3
34. NxP P-N5
35. N-N5 B-R5ch
36. K-N P-B3
37. N-B3 B-Q8
38. N-K P-N6
Resigns
Algebraic
1. e4 e5
2. Nc3 Nf6
3. Bc4 Nc6
4. d3 d6
5. Ne2 Be7
6. h3 Be6
7. Bb3 d5
8. Bg5 d4
9. Bxf6 Bxf6
10. Nd5 Na5
11. Ba4+ c6
12. Nxf6+ gxf6
13. Ng3 b5
14. Bb3 Nxb3
15. axb3 a5
16. Nh5 Rg8
17. g4 Ke7
18. Qd2 c5
19. f4 a4
20. f5 Bd7
21. Qh6 Qb6
22. Rg1 axb3
23. Ke2 Rxa1
24. Rxa1 bxc2
25. Qd2 c4
26. Qb4+ Qd6
27. Qxd6+ Kxd6
28. Nxf6 Ra8
29. Rc1 Ra2
30. Kd2 Rxb2
31. Rxc2 c3+
32. Kc1 Rxc2+
33. Kxc2 Bc6
34. Nxh7 b4
35. Ng5 Ba4+
36. Kb1 f6
37. Nf3 Bd1
38. Ne1 b3
0-1

An interesting and instructive game was played recently between two contestants who had taken part in the Eagle Correspondence Tournament. The present game was played over the board to test analysis of the game that arose in the correspondence play.

H. E. Waters (white) vs. Dr. G. C. Arata (black)
Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Mason Variation
Submitted to chessgames.com on 04/29/2025

H. E. Waters vs. Dr. G. C. Arata, 1915

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. N-KB3 N-KB3
3. NxP P-Q3
4. N-KB3 NxP
5. P-Q4 P-Q4
6. B-Q3 B-K2
7. O-O O-O
8. P-B4 P-QB3
9. Q-B2 P-KB4
10. N-K5 Q-N3
11. B-K3 B-B3
12. P-B5 Q-B2
13. P-B4 P-QN4
14. N-Q2 N-R3
15. Q-N3 R-N
16. NxN PxN
17. BxKP Q-N2
18. NxP K-R
19. NxR PxB
20. NxN QxN
21. P-QR4 PxP
22. RxP Q-K7
23. P-Q5 B-R3
24. KR-R B-QN4
25. RxP B-Q6
26. B-B2 P-K6
27. BxP QxBch
28. K-R Q-K7
29. R-R8 B-Q
30. Q-N6 B-K5
31. R-KN BxPch
1/2-1/2
Algebraic
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. d4 d5
6. Bd3 Be7
7. 0-0 0-0
8. c4 c6
9. Qc2 f5
10. Ne5 Qb6
11. Be3 Bf6
12. c5 Qc7
13. f4 b5
14. Nd2 Na6
15. Qb3 Rb8
16. Nxe4 fxe4
17. Bxe4 Qb7
18. Nxc6 Kh8
19. Nxb8 dxe4
20. Nxa6 Qxa6
21. a4 bxa4
22. Rxa4 Qe2
23. d5 Ba6
24. Ra1 Bb5
25. Rxa7 Bd3
26. Bf2 e3
27. Bxe3 Qxe3+
28. Kh1 Qe2
29. Ra8 Bd8
30. Qb6 Be4
31. Rg1 Bxg2+
1/2-1/2

June 25, 1916 Philadelphia Inquirer Chess and Checkers

< Prev Index Next >

ChessChess 25 Jun 1916, Sun The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com

The championship tournament of the Los Angeles Chess Club resulted in a victory for Stasch Mlotkowski, formerly of this city. There were fourteen entries in all and a final double round contest took place between the leaders to decide the first prize. Mlotkowski's opponents in the final round were G. A. L'Hommede, formerly of Chicago and a well-known correspondence player, and E. R. Perry, a former Harvard champion. Mlotkowski won with a score of 3 to 1, L'Hommede scored 2 to 2 and Perry 1 to 3.

David Janowski vs Frank Marshall

Frank Marshall vs David Janowski

April 09, 1916 Philadelphia Inquirer Chess and Checkers

< Prev Index Next >

ChessChess 09 Apr 1916, Sun The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com

In an interesting letter that we have just received from Stasch Mlotkowski he suggests an equitable scheme for the division of a purse for an international match. Heretofore it has been the custom to divide the purse into fractions, say two-thirds for the winner and one third for the loser. Mlotkowski, however, suggests the following scheme:
Double the number of games which the winner needs to gain the match, subtract one and divide it into the purse. Give loser the result of such division for each game won and winner the balance. Thus suppose a match or eight games winner would receive a one-fifteenth of the purse for each game won or $160.63 if the purse were $2500. In this way the player far behind in a match would not lose heart, as each game he won thereafter would count and the player if ahead would not become indifferent. Each player would continue to put forth his best efforts until the final conclusion of the match.

Gustav Koehler vs Abraham Kupchik

An instructive consultation game played a few months ago at the Hampton Chess Club, England.

Ernest Busvine/James H. White (white) vs. Walter Emanuel Bonwick/W. M. Hardman (black)
Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Symmetrical Variation, Metger Unpin
Submitted to chessgames.com on 04/30/2025

Ernest Busvine/James H. White vs. Walter Emanuel Bonwick/W. M. Hardman, 1916

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. N-KB3 N-QB3
3. N-B3 N-B3
4. B-N5 B-N5
5. O-O O-O
6. P-Q3 BxN
7. PxB P-Q3
8. B-N5 Q-K2
9. R-K N-Q
10. P-Q4 N-K3
11. B-QB P-B3
12. B-B Q-B2
13. P-N3 R-K
14. B-KN2 N-B
15. Q-Q3 B-N5
16. N-Q2 QR-Q
17. P-KB4 PxBP
18. PxP B-B4
19. B-QR3 B-N3
20. P-B5 B-R4
21. Q-N3 Q-Q2
22. N-B4 P-Q4
23. P-K5 PxN
24. PxN RxRch
25. RxR P-KN3
26. B-R3 R-K
27. R-K7 Q-Q
28. Q-N5 N-Q2
29. PxP RPxP
30. B-K6 RxR
31. PxR Q-K
32. BxN QxB
33. Q-B4 Q-K
34. Q-K5 B-N5
35. Q-B6 Resigns
Algebraic
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Nc3 Nf6
4. Bb5 Bb4
5. 0-0 0-0
6. d3 Bxc3
7. bxc3 d6
8. Bg5 Qe7
9. Re1 Nd8
10. d4 Ne6
11. Bc1 c6
12. Bf1 Qc7
13. g3 Re8
14. Bg2 Nf8
15. Qd3 Bg4
16. Nd2 Rd8
17. f4 exf4
18. gxf4 Bf5
19. Ba3 Bg6
20. f5 Bh5
21. Qg3 Qd7
22. Nc4 d5
23. e5 dxc4
24. exf6 Rxe1+
25. Rxe1 g6
26. Bh3 Re8
27. Re7 Qd8
28. Qg5 Nd7
29. fxg6 hxg6
30. Be6 Rxe7
31. fxe7 Qe8
32. Bxd7 Qxd7
33. Qf4 Qe8
34. Qe5 Bg4
35. Qf6 1-0

April 07, 1901 Chicago Tribune, Over The Chessboard, Chicago, Illinois

< Prev Index Next >

ChessChess 07 Apr 1901, Sun Chicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois) Newspapers.com

Current Chess Topics.
Sidney P. Johnston was compelled to decline an offer to take a board in the cable match on April 19 and 20, America vs. Britain, because the offer came too late. Mr. Johnston has not played hard chess for nearly a year, and does not consider himself in good enough form to do himself or the occasion proper justice.
A London cable announces that Blackburne has declined to play on the British team this year.
“Now for a match by postal cards between Dawson City and Manila,” says the St. Paul Dispatch. A good thing as soon as express mail service by air ships (ten miles a minute) is established.
After five losses the Easterners drew the sixth game in the East vs. West match.
Dr. Paul von Seydewitz, one of the earliest members of the now famous New Orleans Chess, Checkers, and Whist club, whom Mr. Seguin describes as an eccentric but thorough gentleman of the old-time cast, is dead. He was a man of great culture and wide learning.
Here is the Sire de Legal mate again. This time it won a $5 prize for the shortest game at the Ohio Chess association meeting, Dr. Mills vs. Albert White:

Dr. Charles A. Mills (white) vs. Albert White (black)
Philidor Defense
Submitted to chessgames.com on 04/29/2025

Dr. Charles A. Mills vs. Albert White, 1901

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. N-KB3 P-Q3
3. B-B4 B-N5
4. N-B3 P-KR3
5. NxP BxQ
6. BxPch K-K2
7. N-K5mate
Algebraic
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 d6
3. Bc4 Bg4
4. Nc3 h6
5. Nxe5 Bxd1
6. Bxf7+ Ke7
7. Nd5#

Why are prizes given for games without originality.
The Manhattan and Franklin Chess clubs will furnish $75 each to purchase a trophy for a series of annual team contests. The first encounter is scheduled for Memorial day at either New York or Philadelphia. Three straight wins or five in succession will secure the prize.
Emil Kemeny claims the variation by which W. E. Napier attempts to knock out the Rice gambit will not work.

No. 31—By W. Pauly, Bucharest.
White mates in two moves.
Queen's Gambit Declined.

Semyon Alapin vs Georg Marco

This is the only game lost by Alapin, and one of the four won by Marco. White here had an excellent chance to resign, but overlooked it and twenty-seven other equally good opportunities. He gave up after Marco's fifty-fourth move, when all pieces had been exchanged, and none of Marco's pawns could be stopped from queening. At the local club recently a player punished his opponent for not resigning by bishoping six pawns.
The following game has an interesting ending, in which Janowski must exercise great care to win:

Jacques Mieses vs David Janowski

Frank Marshall vs Arturo Reggio

Frank Marshall vs David Janowski

and wins. Marshall's original treatment of the opening is certainly no improvement on book lines, and its weak points are quickly exposed by the Frenchman.

Arturo Reggio vs Carl Schlechter

Black won after fifty-five moves, but the game may be dismissed here, as the extra pawn must win with proper play.

Jacques Mieses vs Isidor Gunsberg

Drawn by perpetual check. Mieses might have improved his chances by 20. QR4ch first and 21. QR4ch, thereby hampering Black's defensive maneuvers somewhat.

Semyon Alapin vs Mikhail Chigorin

Tschigorin is the only master who considers it safe to defend this opening by 2. N-QB3. His brilliant combination beginning with 22. N-B4, unfortunately, would not yield more than a draw. Black obtained a splendid free opening.

January 30, 1916 Philadelphia Inquirer Chess and Checkers

< Prev Index Next >

ChessChess 30 Jan 1916, Sun The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com

Problem No. 1063
By Stasch Mlotkowski
White to play and mate in three moves.

FEN 8/4p1r1/1R2PPk1/1K6/5BP1/2PP4/8/Q7 w - - 0 1
Solution: 1. Qa8 exf6 2. Qe4+ f5 3. Qxf5#

Jose Raul Capablanca vs Roy Black

The following game was played in one of the matches of the Metropolitan League. The game is of special interest on account of White's unusual continuation of the attack against the Petroff Defense with his fifth move of N-B3 before advancing his Queen's Pawn.

Borislav Kostic (white) vs. Roy Black (black)
Petrov's Defense: Nimzowitsch Attack
Submitted to chessgames.com on 04/30/2025

Borislav Kostic vs. Roy Black

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. N-KB3 N-KB3
3. NxP P-Q3
4. N-KB3 NxP
5. N-B3 NxN
6. QPxN N-B3
7. B-Q3 B-N5
8. P-KR3 B-R4
9. B-K3 B-K2
10. P-KN4 B-N3
11. Q-Q2 Q-Q2
12. O-O-O BxB
13. QxB O-O-O
14. N-Q4 N-K4
15. Q-B5 P-KN3
16. QxQch RxQ
17. P-KB4 N-B5
18. B-B2 P-Q4
19. N-B3 B-Q3
20. B-N3 P-KR4
21. N-K5 BxN
22. PxB PxP
23. PxP RxR
24. RxR R-K2
25. R-K K-Q2
26. P-N3 N-N3
27. R-B K-K
28. R-R P-QB4
29. K-Q2 N-B
30. K-Q3 R-K3
31. R-R8ch K-Q2
32. R-B8 R-K2
33. P-QB4 N-N3
34. PxP NxP
35. P-B4 N-N5ch
36. K-K4 NxP
37. B-R4 N-B6ch
38. K-Q3 P-KN4
39. BxP RxP
40. B-B6 1-0
Algebraic
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. Nc3 Nxc3
6. dxc3 Nc6
7. Bd3 Bg4
8. h3 Bh5
9. Be3 Be7
10. g4 Bg6
11. Qd2 Qd7
12. 0-0-0 Bxd3
13. Qxd3 0-0-0
14. Nd4 Ne5
15. Qf5 g6
16. Qxd7+ Rxd7
17. f4 Nc4
18. Bf2 d5
19. Nf3 Bd6
20. Bg3 h5
21. Ne5 Bxe5
22. fxe5 hxg4
23. hxg4 Rxh1
24. Rxh1 Re7
25. Re1 Kd7
26. b3 Nb6
27. Rf1 Ke8
28. Rh1 c5
29. Kd2 Nc8
30. Kd3 Re6
31. Rh8+ Kd7
32. Rf8 Re7
33. c4 Nb6
34. cxd5 Nxd5
35. c4 Nb4+
36. Ke4 Nxa2
37. Bh4 Nc3+
38. Kd3 g5
39. Bxg5 Rxe5
40. Bf6 1-0

October 31, 1915 Philadelphia Inquirer Chess and Checkers

< Prev Index Next >

ChessChess 31 Oct 1915, Sun The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com

The British Chess Magazine of October, 1915, publishes interesting analysis of the Greco Counter Gambit by S. Mlotkowski. This defense has not hitherto met with favor from the masters, but Mlotkowski is of the opinion that it is quite tenable and yields Black a fair defense.

The following game was played at Los Angeles, Cal., recently. It is an interesting contest, P. E. Greer reviving an antiquated defense to the Gambit, but is not successful. Black undoubtedly relied on his seventh move of P-Q4, the continuation after this move not being fully analyzed in the books.

(a) An old but inferior defense. Nevertheless White must play with accuracy to maintain his attack.
(b) Steinitz now recommended, 6. Q-B3 and adopted the line of play in several of his games. The variation, however, does not yield Black a satisfactory defense.
(c) 7. N-R4 at once yields White the advantage by the following line of play, 8. BxPch K-B; 9. Q-R4 KxB; l0. QxN, etc.
(d) Why not Q-Q3ch (?).

Stasch Mlotkowski (white) vs. Paul Ecoff Greer (black)
Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Anderssen Variation
Submitted to chessgames.com on 04/25/2025

Stasch Mlotkowski vs. Paul Ecoff Greer, 1915

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. N-KB3 N-QB3
3. B-B4 B-B4
4. P-QN4 BxNP
5. P-B3 B-K2
6. P-Q4 PxP
7. Q-N3 P-Q4
8. BxP N-R4
9. BxPch K-B1
10. Q-R4 P-B3
11. BxN RxB
12. PxP P-QN4
13. Q-B2 N-B5
14. O-O P-KR3
15. QN-Q2 NxN
16. BxN Q-N3
17. P-Q5 PxP
18. PxP K-B2
19. N-K5ch K-B3
20. Q-N6ch KxN
21. B-B3ch KxP
22. KR-Q1ch K-B5
23. Q-K4ch KxB
24. R(R)-B1ch K-N7
25. R-Q2ch KxR
26. Q-B2mate
Algebraic
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Bc5
4. b4 Bxb4
5. c3 Be7
6. d4 exd4
7. Qb3 d5
8. Bxd5 Na5
9. Bxf7+ Kf8
10. Qa4 c6
11. Bxg8 Rxg8
12. cxd4 b5
13. Qc2 Nc4
14. 0-0 h6
15. Nd2 Nxd2
16. Bxd2 Qb6
17. d5 cxd5
18. exd5 Kf7
19. Ne5+ Kf6
20. Qg6+ Kxe5
21. Bc3+ Kxd5
22. Rfd1+ Kc4
23. Qe4+ Kxc3
24. Rc1+ Kb2
25. Rd2+ Kxc1
26. Qc2#

The following game was the outcome of a correspondence game between these two players and was to contest a variation which did not take place in the correspondence play. Black adopts the old defense in the Petroff of 6-BK2 in place of the more popular one at present of B-Q3.

H. E. Waters (white) vs. Dr. G. C. Arata (black)
Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Mason Variation
Submitted to chessgames.com on 04/29/2025

H. E. Waters vs. Dr. G. C. Arata, 1915

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. N-KB3 N-KB3
3. NxP P-Q3
4. N-KB3 NxP
5. P-Q4 P-Q4
6. B-Q3 B-K2
7. O-O O-O
8. P-B4 P-QB3
9. Q-B2 P-KB4
10. N-K5 Q-N3
11. B-K3 B-B3
12. P-B5 Q-B2
13. P-B4 P-QN4
14. N-Q2 N-R3
15. Q-N3 R-N
16. NxN PxN
17. BxKP Q-N2
18. NxP K-R
19. NxR PxB
20. NxN QxN
21. P-QR4 PxP
22. RxP Q-K7
23. P-Q5 B-R3
24. KR-R B-QN4
25. RxP B-Q6
26. B-B2 P-K6
27. BxP QxBch
28. K-R Q-K7
29. R-R8 B-Q
30. Q-N6 B-K5
31. R-KN BxPch
1/2-1/2
Algebraic
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. d4 d5
6. Bd3 Be7
7. 0-0 0-0
8. c4 c6
9. Qc2 f5
10. Ne5 Qb6
11. Be3 Bf6
12. c5 Qc7
13. f4 b5
14. Nd2 Na6
15. Qb3 Rb8
16. Nxe4 fxe4
17. Bxe4 Qb7
18. Nxc6 Kh8
19. Nxb8 dxe4
20. Nxa6 Qxa6
21. a4 bxa4
22. Rxa4 Qe2
23. d5 Ba6
24. Ra1 Bb5
25. Rxa7 Bd3
26. Bf2 e3
27. Bxe3 Qxe3+
28. Kh1 Qe2
29. Ra8 Bd8
30. Qb6 Be4
31. Rg1 Bxg2+
1/2-1/2

October 24, 1915 Philadelphia Inquirer Chess and Checkers

< Prev Index Next >

ChessChess 24 Oct 1915, Sun The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com

The annual Telegraphic Chess Match between San Francisco and Los Angeles was contested on fifteen boards. The match was won by the San Francisco players. 9½-5½. S. Mlotkowski, formerly of Philadelphia, played on the first board for Los Angeles. The game resulted in draw.

The following exceptionally fine game was played by correspondence in the Pennsylvania State Correspondence Tournament by two of the greatest correspondence players in this country, Mordecai Morgan, of Philadelphia, and J. E. Narraway, of Ottawa, Canada. The game is of special interest on account of the sacrifice on the part of Morgan in the early game. So far as we know, this is entirely a new idea worked out by this able player. Against a less formidable opponent, the sacrifice would have undoubtedly won. The defense is extremely difficult and Black deserves great credit for finally scoring the game. Morgan is of the opinion that the attack could have been slightly strengthened, and states he would be quite willing to risk the same sacrifice in another game. It is impossible to properly annotate this game. We must leave the study of the many combinations involved to our readers.

Mordecai Morgan vs James Narraway

The following instructive game in the Vienna opening was played by correspondence in the Burnside Tournament. E. S. Maguire is a well-known Philadelphia player, while Paul J. Wortman is a noted correspondence expert residing at Dayton, O.

Ernest Scott Maguire (white) vs. Paul J. Wortman (black)
Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit, Bardeleben Variation
Submitted to chessgames.com on 04/28/2025

Ernest Scott Maguire vs. Paul J. Wortman

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. N-QB3 N-KB3
3. P-B4 P-Q4
4. PxKP NxP
5. Q-B3 P-KB4
6. N-R3 QN-QB3
7. B-N5 B-B4
8. QN-K2 Q-R5ch
9. K-B B-Q2
10. BxN BxB
11. P-Q4 B-N3
12. N(R3)-B4 O-O
13. P-Kn3 Q-K2
14. P-QR4 P-QR4
15. P-QB3 B-Q2
16. P-KR4 P-QB4
17. NxP Q-K3
18. N-B4 Q-R3
19. P-K6 B-B3
20. N-K7ch K-R
21. P-Q5 Q-B3
22. P-KR5 QxN
23. N-N6ch Resigns
Algebraic
1. e4 e5
2. Nc3 Nf6
3. f4 d5
4. fxe5 Nxe4
5. Qf3 f5
6. Nh3 Nc6
7. Bb5 Bc5
8. Ne2 Qh4+
9. Kf1 Bd7
10. Bxc6 Bxc6
11. d4 Bb6
12. Nhf4 0-0
13. g3 Qe7
14. a4 a5
15. c3 Bd7
16. h4 c5
17. Nxd5 Qe6
18. Nf4 Qh6
19. e6 Bc6
20. Ne7+ Kh8
21. d5 Qf6
22. h5 Qxe7
23. Ng6+ 1-0

June 14, 1903 The People, Chess by T. F. Lawrence, London, England

< Prev Index Next >

ChessChess 14 Jun 1903, Sun The Sunday People (London, London, England) Newspapers.com The Sunday People, London, London, England, Sunday, June 14, 1903

Game Played In The Vienna Gambit Tournament.

Geza Maroczy vs Mikhail Chigorin
Vienna (1903), Vienna AUH, rd 3, May-05
King's Gambit: Accepted. MacDonnell Gambit (C37) 1-0

Geza Maroczy vs Mikhail Chigorin

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. P-KB4 PxP
3. N-KB3 P-KN4
4. B-B4 P-N5
5. N-B3 PxN
6. QxP P-Q3
7. P-Q4 B-K3
8. N-Q5 P-QB3
9. O-O PxN
10. PxP B-B4
11. BxP B-N3
12. B-N5ch N-Q2
13. QR-Kch B-K2
14. BxP K-B
15. RxB NxR
16. R-K K-N2
17. BxN Q-R4
18. Q-K2 N-B
19. B-B6ch K-N
20. Q-K5 P-KR3
21. BxR P-B3
22. Q-K7 KxB
23. QxPch Resigns
Algebraic
1. e4 e5
2. f4 exf4
3. Nf3 g5
4. Bc4 g4
5. Nc3 gxf3
6. Qxf3 d6
7. d4 Be6
8. Nd5 c6
9. 0-0 cxd5
10. exd5 Bf5
11. Bxf4 Bg6
12. Bb5+ Nd7
13. Re1+ Be7
14. Bxd6 Kf8
15. Rxe7 Nxe7
16. Re1 Kg7
17. Bxe7 Qa5
18. Qe2 Nf8
19. Bf6+ Kg8
20. Qe5 h6
21. Bxh8 f6
22. Qe7 Kxh8
23. Qxf6+ 1-0

February 07, 1915, Courier-Journal, Chess by Emanuel Lasker, Louisville, Kentucky

< Prev Index Next >

ChessChess 07 Feb 1915, Sun The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) Newspapers.com

OVER THE CHESS BOARD
French Championship Won By M. A. Goetz Just Before the War—One of His Victories.

By Emanuel Lasker.

The French chess championship was decided just before the mobilization for the war was ordered. M. A. Goetz winning with the good score of ten out of a possible eleven games. He did not lose a game, two being drawn. Following is one of his victories.

Alphonse Goetz (white) vs. Amedee Gibaud (black)
Ruy Lopez: Open, Motzko Attack
Submitted to chessgames.com on 04/27/2025

Alphonse Goetz vs. Amedee Gibaud, 1914

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. N-KB3 N-QB3
3. B-N5 P-QR3
4. B-R4 N-B3
5. O-O NxP
6. P-Q4 P-QN4
7. B-N3 P-Q4
8. PxP B-K3
9. P-B3 B-QB4
10. Q-Q3 B-N3
11. B-K3 N-B4
12. BxN BxB
13. P-QR4 P-N5
14. QN-Q2 O-O
15. QR-K R-K
16. N-Q4 NxN 
17. PxN B-KB
18. P-B4 P-N3
19. N-B3 B-R3
20. Q-K3 P-QR4
21. P-R3 R-QB
22. R-B B-B
23. K-R2 Q-Q2
24. P-N4 P-QB4
25. PxP Q-R2
26. Q-Q3 RxP
27. RxR BxR
28. P-B5 PxP
29. PxP B-QB
30. BxP B-R3
31. B-B4 BxB
32. QxB Q-B2
33. R-B R-QB
34. Q-R4 Q-Q2
35. Q-N4ch K-B
36. P-B6 QxQ
37. PxQ R-B2
38. P-N3 K-K
39. N-N5 P-R3
40. N-K4 B-Q5
41. N-Q6ch K-Q
42. RxR BxPch
43. K-N2 KxR
44. NxP BxP
45. NxP K-B3
46. K-B3 K-Q4
47. N-B5 B-N4
48. K-K2 B-B5
49. K-Q3 B-B2
50. N-K3ch K-K4
51. K-B4 K-K5
52. N-Q5 B-Q
53. K-B5 K-Q6
54. K-N5 K-Q5
55. NxP PxN
56. P-R5 B-K2
57. P-R6 B-B4
58. P-N5 Resigns
Algebraic
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Nxe4
6. d4 b5
7. Bb3 d5
8. dxe5 Be6
9. c3 Bc5
10. Qd3 Bb6
11. Be3 Nc5
12. Bxc5 Bxc5
13. a4 b4
14. Nd2 0-0
15. Re1 Re8
16. Nd4 Nxd4
17. cxd4 Bf8
18. f4 g6
19. Nf3 Bh6
20. Qe3 a5
21. h3 Rc8
22. Rc1 Bf8
23. Kh2 Qd7
24. g4 c5
25. dxc5 Qa7
26. Qd3 Rxc5
27. Rxc5 Bxc5
28. f5 gxf5
29. gxf5 Bc8
30. Bxd5 Ba6
31. Bc4 Bxc4
32. Qxc4 Qc7
33. Rc1 Rc8
34. Qh4 Qd7
35. Qg4+ Kf8
36. f6 Qxg4
37. hxg4 Rc7
38. b3 Ke8
39. Ng5 h6
40. Ne4 Bd4
41. Nd6+ Kd8
42. Rxc7 Bxe5+
43. Kg2 Kxc7
44. Nxf7 Bxf6
45. Nxh6 Kc6
46. Kf3 Kd5
47. Nf5 Bg5
48. Ke2 Bf4
49. Kd3 Bc7
50. Ne3+ Ke5
51. Kc4 Ke4
52. Nd5 Bd8
53. Kc5 Kd3
54. Kb5 Kd4
55. Nxb4 axb4
56. a5 Be7
57. a6 Bc5
58. g5 1-0

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. c3 Bc5
Prior to the Petrograd tournament opinions regarding the relative merit of this move and B-K2 were about equally divided, but after that tournament B-K2 was preferred. The game between Lasker and Tarrasch was continued as follows 9. ..., B-K2; 10. QN-Q2, Castles; 11. R-K, N-B4; 12. B-B2, P-Q5; and Black was in a good position.
10. Qd3
Leads to interesting complications, but involves a trap, and its value is doubtful.
10. …Bb6 11. Be3 Nc5 12. Bxc5 Bxc5 13. a4 b4 14. Nbd2 O-O 15. Rae1 Re8 16. Nd4 Nxd4
Almost forced, as it would have been dangerous to leave the white knight in its dominating position at Q4.
17. cxd4 Bf8
B-N3 was the alternative, black having to choose between withdrawing his bishop to KB square, where it would defend the king against the threatened attack by P-B4, in which case his queen’s bishop’s pawn would be left weak; or of playing it to N3, where it would be of no assistance in defending the king’s side.
18. f4 g6 19. Nf3 Bh6
Loss of time. The bishop must return later to B square to guard the weak point at QB4. P-QB4 getting rid of the weak queen’s bishop’s pawn, would have been better, although, after the exchange of pawns, the queen’s pawn would have been isolated and open to attack.
20. Qe3 a5 21. h3
Preparing the attack by the advance of the king’s side pawns.
21. … Rc8 22. Rc1 Bf8 23. Kh2 Qd7 24. g4 c5
A desperate attempt to relieve his cramped position and dispose of the weakness of his queen’s bishop’s file by the temporary sacrifice of a pawn, but it leads only to further disaster. P-QB3, followed by R-B2, would have permitted him to hold out longer. He could not play 24. … P-KB4, because of PxP e.p., RxP; 26. N-K5 (threatening PxB), B-KB4; 27. Q-KB3 with a winning position for White.
25. dxc5 Qa7 26. Qd3
Threatening P-KB5 and also to retain the queen’s bishop’s pawn by advancing it to B6.
26. … Rxc5 27. Rxc5 Bxc5 28. f5 gxf5 29. gxf5 Bc8 30. Bxd5 Ba6 31. Bc4 Bxc4 32. Qxc4 Qc7
R-QB would have been better, as White could not then have replied with 33. R-QB, because of 33. ... B-N8ch; 34. RxBch, QxRch; 35. KxQ RxQ; but White had other good moves at his disposal, and being a pawn ahead with the better position would, no doubt, have won just the same.
33. Rc1 Rc8 34. Qh4 Qd7 35. Qg4+ Kf8 36. f6 Qxg4 37. hxg4 Rc7 38. b3 Ke8 39. Ng5 h6 40. Ne4
Probably overlooking his opponent’s clever reply.
40. … Bd4 41. Nd6+ Kd8 42. Rxc7 Bxe5+ 43. Kg2 Kxc7 44. Nxf7 Bxf6 45. Nxh6
An instructive end game now ensues.
45. …Kc6 46. Kf3 Kd5 47. Nf5 Bg5 48. Ke2 Bf4
Not 48. ... K-K5; because of 49. N-Q6ch, K-B5; 50. N-K5, and both black pawns fall.
49. Kd3 Bc7 50. Ne3+ Ke5 51. Kc4 Ke4 52. Nd5 Bd8 53. Kc5 Kd3 54. Kb5 Kd4
If 54. ... K-B7, White wins easily by sacrificing his knight for the two pawns.
55. Nxb4 axb4 56. a5 Be7 57. a6 Bc5 58. g5 1-0

December 05, 1915 The People, Chess by T. F. Lawrence, London, England

< Prev Index Next >

ChessChess 05 Dec 1915, Sun The Sunday People (London, London, England) Newspapers.com

CHESS.
[By T. F. LAWRENCE.]

Chess has ever enjoyed great popularity in Holland, and of late years has made great strides there, until now the country of dykes and canals counts relatively more players of over-average amateur strength than any of its bulkier neighbours. Recently a 39-board match was played at Amsterdam between the Hague Chess Club and the United Amsterdam Association, resulting in the victory of Amsterdam by 20 games to 19. A narrow margin. Apart from the purely native variety, arrangements have been made by the British Chess Federation to stimulate the game among the involuntary residents at Groningen, and a shield is being offered for competition among the battalions of the Royal Naval Brigade there interned. In the B Division of the London Chess League, West London beat Sydenham by 8½ to 3½; Hampstead beat Metropolitan by 8 to 4, and Toynbee by 9 to 3; Brixton beat Sydenham by 9 to 3; Toynbee beat Lee by 8 to 4: Lee beat Islington by 8½ to 3½; and Metropolitan beat Islington by 10½ to is 1½.
It is proposed to hold a great international tournament at Havana during the coming year, but no date or details have yet been fixed.

CHESS IN FRANCE.
Played a few days before the outbreak of war in the National Tournament at Lyons.
RUY LOPEZ OPENING.

Alphonse Goetz (white) vs. Amedee Gibaud (black)
Ruy Lopez: Open, Motzko Attack
Submitted to chessgames.com on 04/27/2025

Alphonse Goetz vs. Amedee Gibaud, 1914

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. N-KB3 N-QB3
3. B-N5 P-QR3
4. B-R4 N-B3
5. O-O NxP
6. P-Q4 P-QN4
7. B-N3 P-Q4
8. PxP B-K3
9. P-B3 B-QB4
10. Q-Q3 B-N3
11. B-K3 N-B4
12. BxN BxB
13. P-QR4 P-N5
14. QN-Q2 O-O
15. QR-K R-K
16. N-Q4 NxN 
17. PxN B-KB
18. P-B4 P-N3
19. N-B3 B-R3
20. Q-K3 P-QR4
21. P-R3 R-QB
22. R-B B-B
23. K-R2 Q-Q2
24. P-N4 P-QB4
25. PxP Q-R2
26. Q-Q3 RxP
27. RxR BxR
28. P-B5 PxP
29. PxP B-QB
30. BxP B-R3
31. B-B4 BxB
32. QxB Q-B2
33. R-B R-QB
34. Q-R4 Q-Q2
35. Q-N4ch K-B
36. P-B6 QxQ
37. PxQ R-B2
38. P-N3 K-K
39. N-N5 P-R3
40. N-K4 B-Q5
41. N-Q6ch K-Q
42. RxR BxPch
43. K-N2 KxR
44. NxP BxP
45. NxP K-B3
46. K-B3 K-Q4
47. N-B5 B-N4
48. K-K2 B-B5
49. K-Q3 B-B2
50. N-K3ch K-K4
51. K-B4 K-K5
52. N-Q5 B-Q
53. K-B5 K-Q6
54. K-N5 K-Q5
55. NxP PxN
56. P-R5 B-K2
57. P-R6 B-B4
58. P-N5 Resigns
Algebraic
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Nxe4
6. d4 b5
7. Bb3 d5
8. dxe5 Be6
9. c3 Bc5
10. Qd3 Bb6
11. Be3 Nc5
12. Bxc5 Bxc5
13. a4 b4
14. Nd2 0-0
15. Re1 Re8
16. Nd4 Nxd4
17. cxd4 Bf8
18. f4 g6
19. Nf3 Bh6
20. Qe3 a5
21. h3 Rc8
22. Rc1 Bf8
23. Kh2 Qd7
24. g4 c5
25. dxc5 Qa7
26. Qd3 Rxc5
27. Rxc5 Bxc5
28. f5 gxf5
29. gxf5 Bc8
30. Bxd5 Ba6
31. Bc4 Bxc4
32. Qxc4 Qc7
33. Rc1 Rc8
34. Qh4 Qd7
35. Qg4+ Kf8
36. f6 Qxg4
37. hxg4 Rc7
38. b3 Ke8
39. Ng5 h6
40. Ne4 Bd4
41. Nd6+ Kd8
42. Rxc7 Bxe5+
43. Kg2 Kxc7
44. Nxf7 Bxf6
45. Nxh6 Kc6
46. Kf3 Kd5
47. Nf5 Bg5
48. Ke2 Bf4
49. Kd3 Bc7
50. Ne3+ Ke5
51. Kc4 Ke4
52. Nd5 Bd8
53. Kc5 Kd3
54. Kb5 Kd4
55. Nxb4 axb4
56. a5 Be7
57. a6 Bc5
58. g5 1-0

November 07, 1915 The People, Chess by T. F. Lawrence, London, England

< Prev Index Next >

ChessChess 07 Nov 1915, Sun The Sunday People (London, London, England) Newspapers.com

Norman Whitaker vs Jackson Showalter

CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT.
WESTERN CHESS ASSOCIATION (U.S.A.)

November 28, 1915 The People, Chess by T. F. Lawrence, London, England

< Prev Index Next >

ChessChess 28 Nov 1915, Sun The Sunday People (London, London, England) Newspapers.com

Correspondence Chess In Sweden.
Tidskrift For Schach Tournament.

Hans Christian Christoffersen vs Alfred Harksen

April 29 1916 Cheltenham Chronicle and Gloucestershire Graphic, Chess, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England

< Prev Index Next >

ChessChess 29 Apr 1916, Sat Cheltenham Chronicle and Gloucestershire Graphic (Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England) Newspapers.com

A game between two of the Russian prisoners of war at Triberg, Germany.

Samuil Osipovich Vainshtein (white) vs. Pyotr Romanovsky (black)

Unresolved Chess Game
Unresolved Chess Game: Can you solve it?

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. N-KB3 N-QB3
3. N-B3 N-B3
4. B-N5 P-Q3
5. O-O  B-K2
6. P-Q4 PxP
7. NxP B-Q2
8. R-K1 O-O
9. B-B1 R-K1
10. P-QN3 B-KB1
11. B-N2 P-KN3
12. P-B3 B-N2
13. Q-Q2 N-KR4
14. N(B3)-K2 N-K4
15. P-QB4 P-QR3
16. N-N3 Q-R5
17. NxN QxN
18. N-K2 B-QB3
19. N-N3 Q-R5
20. B-Q4 P-B4
21. B-B2 B-R3
22. Q-B2 B-B5
23. PxP R-KB1
24. PxP BxBP
25. PxPch K-R1
26. B-K2 N-N5
27. B-Q4ch B-K4
28. BxB PxB
29. BxB QxP
30. K-B1 RxBch
31. PxR QxQ
32. PxN R-B1ch
33. N-B5 Q-R7
34. KR-Q1 Q-R6ch
35. K-K1 QxNP
36. N-K3 Q-N8ch
37. K-K2 Q-B7
Resigns
Algebraic
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Nc3 Nf6
4. Bb5 d6
5. 0-0 Be7
6. d4 exd4
7. Nxd4 Bd7
8. Re1 0-0
9. Bf1 Re8
10. b3 Bf8
11. Bb2 g6
12. f3 Bg7
13. Qd2 Nh5
14. Ne2 Ne5
15. c4 a6
16. Ng3 Qh4
17. Nxh5 Qxh5
18. Ne2 Bc6
19. Ng3 Qh4
20. Bd4 f5
21. Bf2 Bh6
22. Qc2 Bf4
23. exf5 Rf8
24. fxg6 Bxf3
25. gxh7+ Kh8
26. Be2 Ng4
27. Bd4+ Be5
28. Bxf3

September 19, 1915 The People, Chess by T. F. Lawrence, London, England

< Prev Index Next >

ChessChess 19 Sep 1915, Sun The Sunday People (London, London, England) Newspapers.com

Chess By T. F. Lawrence
A King's Gambit Tournament has been held among the unfortunate Russian masters interned at Triberg. The acceptance of the gambit was made compulsory and a number of interesting games was the result. We have received a selection from Mr. Leonard P. Rees, secretary of the British Chess Federation, and reproduce the score of two lively encounters which, although short, are particularly instructive as showing something of what to avoid in that most elusive of openings-the Bishop's Gambit.
The enterprising Melbourne Chess Club has arranged to hold a Patriotic Handicap Tournament, two-thirds of the gross proceeds from entries to be given to the Australian Wounded Soldier's Fund. Fifty entries have already been received and there is every indication that the venture will be a great success. The example might well be followed in this country.

Played In The King's Gambit Tournament at Triberg

Ilya Rabinovich vs Samuil Vainshtein
Triberg 1415 (1914), rd 12
King's Gambit: Accepted. Bishop's Gambit (C33) 1-0

Ilya Rabinovich vs Samuil Vainshtein

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. P-KB4 PxP
3. B-B4 P-Q4
4. BxP Q-R5ch
5. K-B N-K2
6. N-KB3 Q-R4
7. N-B3 P-KN4
8. P-KR4 P-KR3
9. BxPch QxB
10. N-K5 Q-B3
11. Q-R5ch K-Q
12. N-B7ch K-Q2
13. NxR B-N2
14. N-B7 N-N3
15. NxRP NxP
16. Q-B7ch K-Q
17. N-Q5 Resigns
Algebraic
1. e4 e5
2. f4 exf4
3. Bc4 d5
4. Bxd5 Qh4+
5. Kf1 Ne7
6. Nf3 Qh5
7. Nc3 g5
8. h4 h6
9. Bxf7+ Qxf7
10. Ne5 Qf6
11. Qh5+ Kd8
12. Nf7+ Kd7
13. Nxh8 Bg7
14. Nf7 Ng6
15. Nxh6 Nxh4
16. Qf7+ Kd8
17. Nd5 1-0

Efim Bogoljubov (white) vs. Alexey Selezniev (black)
King's Gambit Accepted: Bishop's Gambit, Chigorin's Attack
Submitted to chessgames.com on 04/26/2025

Efim Bogoljubov vs. Alexey Selezniev, 1914

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. P-KB4 PxP
3. B-B4 P-Q4
4. BxP Q-R5ch
5. K-B P-KN4
6. P-KN3 PxP
7. Q-B3 P-N7ch
8. KxP N-R3
9. Q-KN3 B-QB4
10. Q-K5ch B-K3
11. P-Q4 N-Q2
12. QxRch K-K2
13. Q-N7 Q-N5ch
14. K-B Q-Q8ch
15. K-N2 Q-N5ch
1/2-1/2
Algebraic
1. e4 e5
2. f4 exf4
3. Bc4 d5
4. Bxd5 Qh4+
5. Kf1 g5
6. g3 fxg3
7. Qf3 g2+
8. Kxg2 Nh6
9. Qg3 Bc5
10. Qe5+ Be6
11. d4 Nd7
12. Qxh8+ Ke7
13. Qg7 Qg4+
14. Kf1 Qd1+
15. Kg2 Qg4+
1/2-1/2

August 12, 1906 Los Angeles Herald, Chess and Checkers, Los Angeles, California

< Prev Index Next >

ChessChess 12 Aug 1906, Sun Los Angeles Herald (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com

OPENINGS in chess in many ways resemble the fashions.
Certain openings may for a time be well thought of and played by leading masters, and then, without any particular reason, be discontinued, only again to be resurrected several years afterwards.
An excellent illustration of how an opening may be fashionable at one time and frowned down upon afterwards is the Ponziani opening to wit: 1. P-K4 P-K4; 2. KN-B3 QN-B3; 3. P-QB3. Major Jaenisch, a Russian officer, in his work on chess, published in 1842 (which, by the way, was and is today an exceptionally able book), says of this opening: “This is a tolerably good attack.” And Howard Staunton in 1848 remarked: “It deserves and, if we mistake not, will yet attain a higher place in the category of legitimate openings than has hitherto been assigned to it,” and some years later the same authority remarked, “The opening has been grudgingly admitted into favor, but another quarter of a century may be required to enable it to take the rank it deserves among our best debutes.”
It was not until the sixth American Chess Congress that the game really became popular. M. Tchigorin, having carefully worked up the main variations, played the opening in that tournament with marked success. After that the game was widely played, until W. Steinitz, in his Modern Chess Instructor, published an analysis, of which we give the main variation in a note to the following game, claiming that he had demolished the strength of the attack. After that the opening was again almost entirely abandoned. We fail, however, to see any good reason for thus discarding the opening, and believe that any first class chess player who will carefully study up the main lines of play can use it with success in any modern tournament.
The following game illustrates one of the variations. It was played comparatively recently by Tchigorin during a visit to the Moscow Chess Club:

Mikhail Chigorin vs. Vainshtein/Nasarovski
Ponziani Opening: Jaenisch Counterattack
Submitted to chessgames.com on 04/27/2025

Mikhail Chigorin vs. Samuil Vainshtein/Navarovszky, 1906

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. N-KB3 N-QB3
3. P-B3 N-B3
4. P-Q4 PxP
5. P-K5 N-K5
6. Q-K2 N-B4
7. PxP N-K3
8. P-Q5 QN-Q5
9. NxN NxN
10. Q-K4 B-N5ch
11. N-B3 P-QB4
12. B-Q3 Q-K2
13. O-O P-Q3
14. PxP QxQ
15. NxQ B-B4
16. P-QR3 BxN
17. BxB B-R4
18. B-K3 K-Q2
19. P-QN4 B-N3
20. KR-Q N-N6
21. B-B5ch KxP
22. QR-N P-B5
23. B-B4ch K-K2
24. B-B2 N-Q5
25. R-Kch K-Q
26. B-R4 P-QR3
27. R-K4 N-N4
28. QR-K B-B2
29. P-Q6 B-N3
30. R-K7 QR-B
31. RxBP B-Q5
32. RxQNP Resigns
Algebraic
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. c3 Nf6
4. d4 exd4
5. e5 Ne4
6. Qe2 Nc5
7. cxd4 Ne6
8. d5 Nd4
9. Nxd4 Nxd4
10. Qe4 Bb4+
11. Nc3 c5
12. Bd3 Qe7
13. 0-0 d6
14. exd6 Qxe4
15. Nxe4 Bf5
16. a3 Bxe4
17. Bxe4 Ba5
18. Be3 Kd7
19. b4 Bb6
20. Rd1 Nb3
21. Bf5+ Kxd6
22. Rb1 c4
23. Bf4+ Ke7
24. Bc2 Nd4
25. Rfe1+ Kd8
26. Ba4 a6
27. Re4 Nb5
28. Ree1 Bc7
29. d6 Bb6
30. Re7 Rc8
31. Rxf7 Bd4
32. Rxb7 1-0

October 10, 1915 Philadelphia Inquirer Chess and Checkers

< Prev Index Next >

ChessChess 10 Oct 1915, Sun The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com

The following game is taken from a recent number of the London Field. It is one of a series of games contested between the Russian players now interned in Germany, and was for the purpose of testing the Vienna opening. The present game is the second game of the series.

Alexander Flamberg/Rabinovich vs. Efim Bogoljubov/Samuil Osipovich Vainshtein
Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit, Main Line
chessgames

Alexander Flamberg/Rabinovich vs. Efim Bogoljubov/A. Wainstein

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. N-QB3 N-KB3
3. P-KB4 P-Q4
4. PxKP NxP
5. N-B3 B-QN5
6. B-K2 P-B3
7. O-O Q-N3ch
8. P-Q4 NxN
9. PxN BxP
10. B-R3 BxR
11. QxB P-KR3
12. B-Q6 N-R3
13. N-R4 N-B2
14. P-QR4 N-K3
15. N-B5 R-KN
16. P-R5 Q-Q
17. Q-R3 N-N4
18. B-K7 Q-B2
19. N-Q6ch KxB
20. N-N5ch Resigns
Algebraic
1. e4 e5
2. Nc3 Nf6
3. f4 d5
4. fxe5 Nxe4
5. Nf3 Bb4
6. Be2 c6
7. 0-0 Qb6+
8. d4 Nxc3
9. bxc3 Bxc3
10. Ba3 Bxa1
11. Qxa1 h6
12. Bd6 Na6
13. Nh4 Nc7
14. a4 Ne6
15. Nf5 Rg8
16. a5 Qd8
17. Qa3 Ng5
18. Be7 Qc7
19. Nd6+ Kxe7
20. Nb5+ 1-0

The following game, also taken from the London Field, was played by Dr. A. G. Olland in Holland in a match that he was contesting with G. J. Van Gelder, notwithstanding the unrest of the country owing to the great foreign war. Olland, who lives at Utrecht, has been considered Holland's most able player. Van Gelder is a younger man and has risen rapidly recently. Two matches were played between these masters. Olland lost the first one but won the second. The present game is the first of a third match just started.

Gerrit Jacob van Gelder (white) vs. Adolf Georg Olland (black)
Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Rubinstein Variation
Chessgames.com

Gerrit Jacob van Gelder vs. Adolf Georg Olland, 1915

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. N-KB3 N-QB3
3. N-B3 N-B3
4. B-N5 N-Q5
5. B-R4 B-B4
6. P-Q3 O-O
7. B-KN5 P-B3
8. NxP P-Q3
9. N-B3 B-KN5
10. B-K3 N-Q2
11. BxN BxB
12. Q-Q2 BxN
13. PxB N-K4
14. K-K2 Q-B3
15. P-B4 Q-R5
16. QR-KB Q-N5ch
17. P-B3 NxBP
18. Q-Q Q-N7ch
19. R-B2 QxRmate
Algebraic
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Nc3 Nf6
4. Bb5 Nd4
5. Ba4 Bc5
6. d3 0-0
7. Bg5 c6
8. Nxe5 d6
9. Nf3 Bg4
10. Be3 Nd7
11. Bxd4 Bxd4
12. Qd2 Bxf3
13. gxf3 Ne5
14. Ke2 Qf6
15. f4 Qh4
16. Rf1 Qg4+
17. f3 Nxf3
18. Qd1 Qg2+
19. Rf2 Qxf2#

October 03, 1915 Philadelphia Inquirer Chess and Checkers

< Prev Index Next >

ChessChess 03 Oct 1915, Sun The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com

The following game was contested on board number one of the match between Los Angeles and San Francisco, played September 6, 1915.

(a) Had Black now played 9. B-Q2, the following continuation would most probably have followed.
(b) Mlotkowski states that he had first intended to have played PxQP and if Black replied KPxP, then B-R5, but changed my mind during the adjournment, for after 13. Q-QB BxN; 14. QxQ BxQ; 15. N-N3 B-B2 the position seemed drawish.
(c) The only move to save a Pawn, as P-QR4 would have been played in answer to either R-B3 or R-R2.
(d) Best. If 26. N-N4, then N-N3 follows and black regains the Pawn. If Black had, however, replied to 26. N-N4 with QRxP, then 27. RxR RxR; 28. P-Q5 would have yielded white a fine game.

Elmer Gruer (white) vs. Stasch Mlotkowski (black)
Queen's Gambit Declined: Barmen Variation
Submitted to chessgames.com on 04/25/2025

Elmer Gruer vs. Stasch Mlotkowski, September 6, 1915.

Descriptive
1. P-Q4 P-Q4
2. N-KB3 P-K3
3. P-B4 N-KB3
4. N-B3 QN-Q2
5. B-N5 B-N5
6. Q-N3 P-B4
7. P-K3 Q-R4
8. BxN NxB
9. N-Q2 O-O
10. B-K2 B-Q2
11. O-O QR-B1
12. P-QR3 BxN
13. QxB QxQ
14. PxQ PxBP
15. BxP P-QN4
16. B-Q3 PxP
17. BPxP R-B6
18. B-K4 R(B1)-B1
19. P-R3 K-B1
20. R(B1)-N1 R(B1)-B2
21. B-B3 P-QR3
22. N-N3 B-B3
23. N-B5 BxB
24. PxB N-Q2
25. NxRP R-R2
26. N-B5 NxN
27. PxN RxBP
28. R-N4 R-R5
29. R(R1)-N1 RxR
30. RxR K-K2
31. P-QR4 R-B5
32. RxP RxP
1/2-1/2
Algebraic
1. d4 d5
2. Nf3 e6
3. c4 Nf6
4. Nc3 Nd7
5. Bg5 Bb4
6. Qb3 c5
7. e3 Qa5
8. Bxf6 Nxf6
9. Nd2 0-0
10. Be2 Bd7
11. 0-0 Rc8
12. a3 Bxc3
13. Qxc3 Qxc3
14. bxc3 dxc4
15. Bxc4 b5
16. Bd3 cxd4
17. cxd4 Rc3
18. Be4 Rc8
19. h3 Kf8
20. Rb1 Rc7
21. Bf3 a6
22. Nb3 Bc6
23. Nc5 Bxf3
24. gxf3 Nd7
25. Nxa6 Ra7
26. Nc5 Nxc5
27. dxc5 Rxc5
28. Rb4 Ra4
29. Rb1 Rxb4
30. Rxb4 Ke7
31. a4 Rc4
32. Rxb5 Rxa4
1/2-1/2

The following game played in Los Angeles, Cal., September 15, illustrates a new trap that Mlotkowski has worked out in the French defense.

(a) Mlotkowski's new move.
(b) Likely B-Bsq was the best combination.
(c) NxNP was probably stronger.
(d) Threatening N-Q6ch, also B-B5 and if Black moved either the King or Rook or Castled, Black's game appears to be hopeless.

Stasch Mlotkowski (white) vs. Wilbur Lyttleton Moorman (black)
French Defense: Advance Variation, Milner-Barry Gambit
Submitted to chessgames.com on 04/25/2025

Stasch Mlotkowski vs. Wilbur Lyttleton Moorman, 1915

Descriptive
1. P-K4 P-K3
2. P-Q4 P-Q4
3. P-K5 P-QB4
4. P-QB3 N-QB3
5. N-KB3 Q-N3
6. B-Q3 B-Q2
7. PxP BxP
8. P-QN4 BxPch
9. K-K2 P-Q5
10. KxB PxPdis.ch.
11. B-K3 QxP
12. Q-B2 R-B1
13. R-B1 KN-K2
14. NxP N-N3
15. QR-N1 Q-K2
16. N-QN5 KNxP
17. NxN Q-R5ch
18. K-N1 NxN
19. N-Q6ch K-Q1
20. NxR Resigns
Algebraic
1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5
3. e5 c5
4. c3 Nc6
5. Nf3 Qb6
6. Bd3 Bd7
7. dxc5 Bxc5
8. b4 Bxf2+
9. Ke2 d4
10. Kxf2 dxc3+
11. Be3 Qxb4
12. Qc2 Rc8
13. Rc1 Nge7
14. Nxc3 Ng6
15. Rcb1 Qe7
16. Nb5 Nxe5
17. Nxe5 Qh4+
18. Kg1 Nxe5
19. Nd6+ Kd8
20. Nxc8 1-0

Recommended Books

Understanding Chess by William Lombardy Chess Duels, My Games with the World Champions, by Yasser Seirawan No Regrets: Fischer-Spassky 1992, by Yasser Seirawan Chess Fundamentals, by Jose Capablanca Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess, by Bobby Fischer My 60 Memorable Games, by Bobby Fischer Bobby Fischer Games of Chess, by Bobby Fischer The Modern Chess Self Tutor, by David Bronstein Russians versus Fischer, by Mikhail Tal, Plisetsky, Taimanov, et al

'til the world understands why Robert J. Fischer criticised the U.S./British and Russian military industry imperial alliance and their own Israeli Apartheid. Sarah Wilkinson explains:

Bobby Fischer, First Amendment, Freedom of Speech
What a sad story Fischer was,” typed a racist, pro-imperialist colonial troll who supports mega-corporation entities over human rights, police state policies & white supremacy.
To which I replied: “Really? I think he [Bob Fischer] stood up to the broken system of corruption and raised awareness! Whether on the Palestinian/Israel-British-U.S. Imperial Apartheid scam, the Bush wars of ‘7 countries in 5 years,’ illegally, unconstitutionally which constituted mass xenocide or his run in with police brutality in Pasadena, California-- right here in the U.S., police run rampant over the Constitution of the U.S., on oath they swore to uphold, but when Americans don't know the law, and the cops either don't know or worse, “don't care” -- then I think that's pretty darn “sad”. I think Mr. Fischer held out and fought the good fight, steadfast til the day he died, and may he Rest In Peace.
Educate yourself about U.S./State Laws --
https://www.youtube.com/@AuditTheAudit/videos
After which the troll posted a string of profanities, confirming there was never any genuine sentiment of “compassion” for Mr. Fischer, rather an intent to inflict further defamatory remarks.

This ongoing work is a tribute to the life and accomplishments of Robert “Bobby” Fischer who passionately loved and studied chess history. May his life continue to inspire many other future generations of chess enthusiasts and kibitzers, alike.

Robert J. Fischer, Kid Chess Wizard 1956March 9, 1943 - January 17, 2008

The photograph of Bobby Fischer (above) from the March 02, 1956 The Tampa Times was discovered by Sharon Mooney (Bobby Fischer Newspaper Archive editor) on February 01, 2018 while gathering research materials for this ongoing newspaper archive project. Along with lost games now being translated into Algebraic notation and extractions from over two centuries of newspapers, it is but one of the many lost treasures to be found in the pages of old newspapers since our social media presence was first established November 11, 2017.

Special Thanks