CHESS by Philidor

No. 291. D. BOOTH (2nd Prize, Good Companions, 1915) WHITE to play and mate in two moves; solution next week. Solution to No. 290 (Weng) : Kt-K 2, threat Q-K 5. I. B-B 5 ; 2 Kt- Kt 2 ; 2 Kt (6)- B 4. . Kt- B 5;2QxP.I... RxP; 2 KtxP.

R-B 4; 2 Q-- Q 4. 1 • • . KxP ; 2 Qx8 P. Fine interference play. BLACK (8 men) WHITE (7 men)

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Even the most staidly orthodox openings can still have unsolved problems. Here is one which, so far as I am concerned, remains unsolved. Readers interes- ted in opening theory can make up their own minds -about it. White, DYCKHOFF Black, SCHENK (Germany) (Holland) Opening, QUEEN'S GAMBIT DEc.r.nao (Correspondence Team Championship, 1935) z p-g4_ P-9 4 P-(1 B 4 P-K_3 3 Kt-Q B 3 Kt-K 13 3 564 KPB -t--KKB31 35 KB-0 - OQC Kt-Q4 _1 tiC42 4 4

8 B-Q 3 PxP 7 R-B P-B 3 9 xP ro BxB QxB

rr 0-0 Kr x Kt 12 R x Kt P-K 4

73 Kt xP Kt x Ki

z P x Kt Q x P One of the most familiar and

4 orthodox positions in chess opening theory-but is it completely analysed?

75 P-B 4

. . . Whether or not this is good depends on one's assessment of Black's 16th move and is (to me) not clear. Q-K 5

r6 B-Kt 3 Q-Kt 3 Dyckhoff's view was that this Is best and that (for unspecified reasons) B-B 4 was insufficient; like all strong correspondence players he was an authority on the openings and his views carry weight. Pitchman, however, gave 16 B-B 4; 17 Q-R 5, F-K Kt 3; 18 Q-R Q R-Q I3-13 27Q-Q ,t; 20 R-Q i, Q-R 4 'with advantage to Black. and MCO 20 P-K 4, B xP as leading to equality. My own impression, without full analysis, is that White should have the better chances. Readers will make up their own minds. If the text move 1119=Kt 3 has to be played I definitely prefer White. 17 P-K 4! gx P r8 P-B 5! -Q Kt 4 18 . B xP?; to B-B s! is fatal so Black has difficulties in developing. Text move holds the important square Q B 4. 19 P-B 6! B-Kt g I don't like this move which drives White's queen to a better square. ist . 11-1( 3 and it 20 P x P then zo . . . K R-Q t look, better but the position is no! easy. ao Q-Q 6 B-R 4 22 (11Q-Kt 3! B-Kt 3 What else? 21 . . P-Kt -Kt 3, K-R I; 23 Q-R 6, R-K Kt I. 24 B x P is useless and 21 - • Q-Kt 3; 22 Q-R 4 and 23 R-Kt 3 is equally bad. 22 P-K R 4 P-K R 4 23 R-K B 4 Q-Kt 8 ch Q R-K r K x P

R xR

2 x nip

24 K-R 2

25 P x P a6 R P ch.! 27 B-B a QxBch 29 B-Kt 3! Q-K B 7 The best chance IA MI counter • attack on K R P. 30 Q-Q 6 ch . . . .indnot3ofl.XR?,QXRPCn 31 R-R 3, Q-B 5 ch and will draw. 30 • • • R (r)-K a 30 . . . K-Kt 1; 3r R- Kt 3 ch and 30 R (s)-K 2; 31 R-B 3 ch lose quickly. 3r rR 6 ch K-K z

32 xBPch R-Q2 33 xRch Qx111 34 R-K 3 ch K-Q

.75 8 ch K-B 2 37 A6 x P ch Resigns For. :a) ?.6 K- KS eht, Q x R; 38 Q-R S ch and win: tb, 34 . K-B 3; 37 R-B 3 ch, K-Q 3; 38 R-Q 3 cis. 3; i• QxRch,QxQ; 40 RxQ.K R: et P-K f:Zt 4 and the he% 7 ending is ewe/won.