P Is For Pin VIII

Game Of The Week

A couple years back, I came up with a method to organize chess tactics.  I called it the DROP Method (https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/2012/03/drop-method.html).  The DROP method is an acronym for the basic kinds of tactics.  It is meant to remind you not to drop your pieces and help you get your opponent to drop theirs.

I said that the DROP Method was a work in progress, and it was.  So, I thought I would revisit each of the four kinds of chess tactics to provide more examples.  The first kind of tactic in the DROP Method is Discovery, which I revisited on April 8th (https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/2019/04/d-is-for-discovery-vii.html).  The second kind of tactic in the DROP Method is Removal, which I revisited on May 14th (https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/2019/05/r-is-for-removal-viii.html).  The third kind of tactic in the DROP Method is Overload, which I revisited on May 29th (https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/2019/05/o-is-for-overload-viii.html).

The fourth kind of tactic in the DROP Method is Pin.

Pin is a chess move that immobilizes an opponent's piece.

The Pin is different from the other kinds of tactics in that it does not create multiple threats.  Its main function is to prevent a piece from moving.  A Pin on a target allows that target to be attacked by a lower value piece.  A Pin on a support allows the capture of the piece the support is guarding.

"The defensive power of a pinned piece is only imaginary."

Aaron Nimzovich

The Pin works by threatening a low value piece that has a higher value piece (or an ungarded piece) behind it.  The low value piece is stuck (as if with a pin) to the higher value piece due to the loss of material should the low value piece move and allow the capture of the higher value piece.

If the higher value piece is the King, the low value piece is absolutely immobilized, as the rules of Chess do not allow moves where the King could be captured.  Otherwise the Pin is relative, as the opponent can actually move the low value piece if he is willing to accept the loss of material.  The other types of Pins are rare:

• Absolute (Pins a target to the King)
• Relative (Pins a low value target to a higher value piece)
• Cross (Multiple Pins on one piece)
• Cross-check (blocks check and counter-checks)

Here is an example from the Colorado Springs Chess Club's Tuesday night event:  July Mating Game.  Alex Bozhenov created the best example of a Pin in his game with Joel Brown this night.  While the Black Pawns on the 3rd rank make this position dominating for Black, taking advantage of the Pin on g2 is by far the best move.

Black to move

P Is For Pin VIII

[Event "July Mating Game"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "2019.07.16"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Brown, Joel"]
[Black "Bozhenov, Alex"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "1378"]
[BlackElo "1971"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2019.07.16"]
[TimeControl "2700"]

1. e4 d6 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. d4 Bg7 5. h3 Nxe4 6. Bxf7+ Kxf7 7. Nxe4 Rf8 8. Nf3 Kg8 9. Be3 Nc6 10. Qd2 Bf5 11. Ng3 e5 12. Bg5 Qe8 13. d5 e4 14. Nh2 Ne5 15. Qe2 Nf7 16. Bc1 Qe5 17. c4 c6 18. dxc6 bxc6 19. Nxf5 gxf5 20. O-O d5 21. cxd5 cxd5 22. Rb1 d4 23. b4 d3 24. Qd1 Qd5 25. a4 Rac8 26. Be3 Rc7 27. Bc5 Re8 28. Re1 Rd7 29. Rb3 Re6 30. Nf1 f4 31. Nh2 Rg6 32. Nf3 Bf6 33. Nh2 e3 34. Nf3 e2 35. Rxd3 Qxd3 36. Qxd3 Rxd3 37. Rxe2 Nd6 0-1

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=114553

This Week In Chess

On July 16th, the Colorado Springs Chess Club started the July Mating Game (4SS, G/45;d/10).

Standings. July Mating Game

# Name Rtng Rd 1 Rd 2 Tot Prize

1 Aleksand Bozhenov 1971 W8 W3 2.0
2 Grayson Ed Harris 1646 W7 W4 2.0
3 Joel N Brown 1378 W5 L1 1.0
4 Jonathan An Brown unr. W6 L2 1.0
5 Mark McGough 1824 L3 W8 1.0
6 Christophe Motley 1690 L4 W7 1.0
7 Richard Buchanan 2000 L2 L6 0.0
8 Dean W Brown 1459 L1 L5 0.0

Mind Games

Game Of The Week

This week's game comes from the Colorado Springs Chess Club's July Quick Six event.  It is a 2-week tournament with 3 games per week.  It is also Quick-rated.  These games can be a lot of fun since they are fast, don't effect your standard rating, and most often leave no record of your mental lapses.

This one Chris recorded until he got in time pressure, and I filled in the rest.  The pgn may not be 100% accurate, but the final position is real.  I couldn't forget it.  I was chuckling about it all night long.  I even had tears in my eyes and laughing out loud, as I walked through Walmart after club.🤣 The crazy shoppers were looking at me like I was insane.

It was Chris' reaction.  He was so shocked that I had any chance to win after we both knew it was a draw.  However, I am a smidge of a "Bitter Ender."  I don't like to admit defeat.  I don't like to offer a draw.  I will use every weapon in my arsenal no matter how futile the position is.  I am not like Bobby Fischer.

I don’t believe in psychology. I believe in good moves.

Bobby Fischer, 11th World Chess Champion

I don't believe in good moves.  I believe in mind games.

Since I can't play like Fischer, mind games are all I have.  You see, I was getting into Chris' head from move one.  I was just playing for a draw.  I knew Chris has to play the brilliancy.  He has wildly sacrificed his Queen 3 times this year, just to make the game interesting.  A draw is too boring.  His brain just can't handle it.

So, when I traded down to this position, DuWayne Langseth was screaming that I had giving up way too much material.  However, I trust the mind games.  I have a Masters degree in brainwashing from my time in a campus mind-control group that was profiled on 20/20 (below).

I was really setting a mental trap.  And SNAP!

Black to move and lose

Mind Games

[Event "July Quick Six"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "2019.07.09"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Anderson, Paul"]
[Black "Motley, Chris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "1935"]
[BlackElo "1759"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2019.07.02"]
[TimeControl "1440+5"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 h6 3. Bxf6 exf6 4. e3 d5 5. Nf3 c6 6. Be2 Qb6 7. Qc1 Bd6 8. O-O Bf5 9. Nbd2 Qc7 10. c4 O-O 11. cxd5 cxd5 12. Qxc7 Bxc7 13. Rfc1 Bd6 14. Nh4 Bh7 15. Bg4 g6 16. a3 f5 17. Bd1 g5 18. Nhf3 Nd7 19. Bc2 f4 20. Bxh7+ Kxh7 21. e4 Rac8 22. exd5 Nf6 23. Nc4 Bb8 24. Nce5 g4 25. Nd2 Bxe5 26. dxe5 Nxd5 27. Ne4 Kg6 28. Nd6 Rc7 29. Rxc7 Nxc7 30. Rc1 Ne6 31. Rc4 f6 32. exf6 Kxf6 33. Nxb7 Rb8 34. Rb4 a5 35. Nxa5 Rxb4 36. axb4 Nd4 37. Nc4 Ke6 38. Kf1 Kd5 39. Na3 h5 40. Ke1 h4 41. Kd2 h3 42. gxh3 gxh3 43. b5 Nf3+ 44. Ke2 Nxh2 45. f3 Ng4 46. Kf1 h2 47. Kg2 Ne5 48. Nb1 Nxf3 49. Nc3+ Kc5 50. Kh1 Nd4 51. Kxh2 Nxb5 52. Nxb5 Kxb5 53. Kg2 Kb4 54. Kf3 Kb3 55. Ke4 f3 56. Kxf3 Kc2 57. b4 1-0

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=114498

This Week In Chess

On July 9th, the Colorado Springs Chess Club finished the July Quick Six event (6SS, G/24+5).

Standings. July Quick Six

# Name Rtng Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Rd 4 Rd 5 Rd 6 Tot Prize

1 Paul D Anderson 1935 W4 W7 W2 W3 W5 W6 6.0 $27.00 1st
2 Aleksand Bozhenov 1898 W8 W9 L1 W4 W6 D3 4.5 $18.00 2nd
3 Christophe Motley 1759 H--- H--- H--- L1 W4 D2 3.0
4 Robert Carlson 1569 L1 W11 W9 L2 L3 D5 2.5 $12.00 U1600
5 Mark McGough 1668 H--- H--- H--- D6 L1 D4 2.5
6 Joseph Griffin 1225 H--- H--- H--- D5 L2 L1 2.0
7 Peter Barlay 1740 W11 L1 W8 U--- U--- U--- 2.0
8 Dean W Brown 1403 L2 W10 L7 F11 U--- U--- 1.0
9 Clinton Eads 1003 W10 L2 L4 U--- U--- U--- 1.0
10 Brian Jo Rountree 1652 L9 L8 W11 U--- U--- U--- 1.0
11 Kenneth Macrae 1250 L7 L4 L10 F8 U--- U--- 0.0

Surely Free!

Game Of The Week

One score less eight months ago, our chess clubs brought forth on this state, a new petition, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created to play chess.

IN COLORADO, JULY 4, 2018

The Declaration of the chess clubs of Colorado

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the social bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Chess.

That to secure these rights, suspensions are applied to Players, deriving their just powers from the consent of the clubs,

That whenever any participant becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the Players to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new suspensions, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.  Prudence, indeed, will dictate that suspensions long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.  But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such suspension, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Such has been the patient sufferance of these Clubs; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former suspension.  The history of the present Thanos The Mad Titan is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these Clubs.  To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

• She was finally banned from the Colorado Springs Scholastic Chess Club after November 2014 when she disrespected the organizer and library security guard who asked her to reprimand a child under her supervision for vandalizing a public restroom.
• She was finally banned from the Colorado Springs Chess Club on July 12th, 2016 for the remainder of the year when she showed poor sportsmanship and disrespect to the players in the tournament hall by engaging in a profane rant about refusing to sign for a tournament prize.
• She was finally banned from the Denver Chess Club on May 19th, 2018 for the remainder of the year when she disrespected the club with disparaging comments via various social media outlets.
• After nearly a year of unrelenting, self-published attacks and dishonesty (even creating an impostor Facebook page with the club's name), repeated attempts to dissuade players from participation (even bribing a Master to not enter a tournament), and constant character defamation of its founders and directors (even those who are Junior chess players and minors), she was finally banned from Club Chess!! in May, 2018 pending formal investigation into the Denver Chess Club's ban.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms:  Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury.  A Player, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Mad Titan, is unfit to be a participant or a director of a chess event.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the chess clubs of Colorado, in an open letter, written, appealing to the Colorado State Chess Association for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good Players of these clubs, solemnly publish and declare, That these united clubs are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent Clubs, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to Thanos The Mad Titan, and that all playing privileges and tournament direction between them and Thanos The Mad Titan, is and ought to be totally dissolved (for the period of one year); and that as Free and Independent Clubs, they have full Power to remove players who demonstrate a pattern of poor sportsmanship, dishonesty, and disrespect for the rights of others.

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

Overworked & Underpaid

Game Of The Week

This week's game comes from the Colorado Springs Chess Club's June Swiss 90 (4SS, G/90+30) event.  This tournament is a month-long event with one game per week.  I like the one-game-per-week format because it is easier to direct and play.  Not easy, just easier, but I prefer playing.  I do not prefer being the tournament director (TD).

Being a TD is a thankless job.  There is no fame.  There is no fortune.  It is just work, but I do want to keep the club going.  I feel like the Godfather.

"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in."

Michael Corleone, The Godfather Part III

I can get most of the directing duties done at the beginning of the night and eventually focus on playing chess.  Well, at least, that is my hope.

Since this was the first Tuesday in June, it was round one.  I am always hopeful that my round one pairing will be an easy game because the first week of a tournament is more hectic as the TD.  It was not.

I was playing Grayson Harris again.  We met in the 4th round of the May Swiss 90, where he got behind in the opening, fought hard, and couldn't quite come back.  This time, it was my turn to fall behind and see if I could come back.  I used up a lot of time trying to figure out a plan to get my Pawn back.

Just when I thought I was won, Grayson pulled out Qa5.

Now, I was low on time and fighting to hold the draw.  When I reached this position, I wasn't thinking tactically and missed the killer move.  However, I held the draw as long as I could, and, with a minute left, I took a shot.

Just when I thought I was drawn, I pulled out a win.

White to move

Overworked & Underpaid

[Event "June Swiss 90"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "2019.06.04"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Anderson, Paul"]
[Black "Harris, Grayson"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "1950"]
[BlackElo "1534"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. g3 dxc4 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bf5 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Nbd2 Nb6 8. Nh4 Bg4 9. h3 Bh5 10. g4 Bg6 11. Nxg6 hxg6 12. e3 Qc7 13. Qf3 e5 14. Ne4 Be7 15. Bd2 exd4 16. exd4 Nbd5 17. Rfe1 O-O 18. Rac1 b5 19. Nc3 Rad8 20. Re2 Rfe8 21. Rce1 a6 22. Bg5 Kf8 23. Re5 Rd7 24. Bxf6 gxf6 25. Nxd5 cxd5 26. Rxd5 Rxd5 27. Qxd5 Qa5 28. Qe4 Qxa2 29. Re2 c3 30. bxc3 Qa1+ 31. Bf1 Qxc3 32. Qb7 Qc8 33. Qa7 Qa8 34. Qxa8 Rxa8 35. Ra2 a5 36. Bxb5 Bb4 37. d5 Ke7 38. Kg2 Kd6 39. Bc6 Ra7 40. Kf3 Ke7 41. Ke4 Kf8 42. Kd4 Kg7 43. Kd3 Kh6 44. f4 f5 45. Ke3 fxg4 46. hxg4 f5 47. gxf5 gxf5 48. Kf3 Kh5 49. Re2 a4 50. Re6 Bf8 51. Be8+ Kh4 52. Re1 1-0

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=114401

This Week In Chess

On June 6th, the Colorado Springs Chess Club started the June Swiss 90 event (4SS, G/90+30).

Standings. June Swiss 90

# Name Rtng Rd 1 Tot Prize

1 Paul D Anderson 1950 W8 1.0
2 Peter Barlay 1906 W9 1.0
3 Mark McGough 1857 W10 1.0
4 Christophe Motley 1679 W6 1.0
5 Joey Arispe 1259 W7 1.0
6 Richard Buchanan 2000 L4 0.0
7 Michael Smith II 1713 L5 0.0
8 Grayson Ed Harris 1534 L1 0.0
9 Dean W Brown 1460 L2 0.0
10 Kenneth Macrae 1264 L3 0.0

Bobby Has Left The Springs

Game Of The Week

One of the biggest chess controversies in Colorado Springs is whether or not Bobby Fischer ever played here.  On one side is the 1st Colorado Springs City Chess Champion (Francis Mason).  On the other side is the 22nd Colorado Springs City Chess Champion (NM Buck Buchanan).

Francis Mason claims to have played Bobby Fischer when he came to Colorado Springs.  As he was sharing the game of Kings with his son, Curtis Mason, he included his encounter with the King of Kings in his chess war stories.  Of course, Curtis passed along this information with any chess player who was willing to listen.

"No!" Buck shook his head gruffly.  "Never happened.  Bobby has never been to Colorado Springs."

Now, on the 55th anniversary, new evidence has appeared that proves once and for all that Bobby Fischer was in Colorado Springs in 1964.

This article appeared on page 1 of the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph from September 2nd, 1972 and recounts the events of the 1964 Bobby Fischer Simul at the Broadmoor.

"Juan, President of the Colorado Springs Chess Club for many years, was ranked as one of the strongest players in Colorado.

In the Fischer-Reid game below, players will note that Reid was a pawn up and in a strong position at move thirty.  But he believed that Bobby's vast experience would beat him in the end game and so he offered a draw.  The international grandmaster accepted instantly, with a grin."

Marshall Sprague, Colorado Springs Sun

White to move

Bobby Has Left The Springs

[Event "1964 Broadmoor Simul"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "1964.04.28"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Fischer, Bobby"]
[Black "Reid, Juan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C41"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "1964.04.28"]
[TimeControl "0"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 exd4 5. Nxd4 Be7 6. f3 Nbd7 7. Be3 Ne5 8. Qd2 c5 9. Bb5+ Bd7 10. Nf5 O-O 11. Bxd7 Qxd7 12. O-O-O Nc4 13. Qe2 Nxe3 14. Qxe3 Rfd8 15. g4 Bf8 16. e5 Ne8 17. Ne4 Qc7 18. exd6 Nxd6 19. Nexd6 Bxd6 20. Nxd6 Rxd6 21. Rxd6 Qxd6 22. Rd1 Qxh2 23. Qe7 Qb8 24. Rd7 Qf4+ 25. Kb1 g6 26. Qe2 b6 27. a3 a6 28. Qd3 b5 29. Qd5 Re8 30. Ka2 Re5 1/2-1/2

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=114257

This Week In Chess

On April 23rd, the Colorado Springs Chess Club finished the April Quick Six event (6SS, G/24+5).

Standings. April Quick Six

# Name Rtng Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Rd 4 Rd 5 Rd 6 Tot Prize

1 Gunnar Andersen 2102 W13 W7 W3 W8 D2 W4 5.5 $37.00 1st
2 Aleksand Bozhenov 1891 L9 W5 W8 W3 D1 W7 4.5 $25.00 2nd
3 Paul D Anderson 1939 W6 W4 L1 L2 W9 W8 4.0
4 Mitchell Anderson 1887 W12 L3 W13 W7 W5 L1 4.0
5 Brian Jo Rountree 1669 H--- L2 W11 W9 L4 W13 3.5
6 Joel Brown 1334 L3 W12 L7 D10 W15 W11 3.5 $16.00 U1500
7 Mark McGough 1722 W11 L1 W6 L4 W12 L2 3.0
8 Earle P Wikle 1888 W15 W9 L2 L1 W10 L3 3.0
9 Ayush Vispute 1228 W2 L8 W14 L5 L3 W12 3.0
10 Christophe Motley 1526 H--- H--- H--- D6 L8 W15 3.0
11 Jonathan Brown unr. L7 D14 L5 W15 W13 L6 2.5 $5.00 GOW
12 Grayson Ed Harris 1007 L4 L6 W15 W13 L7 L9 2.0
13 Dean W Brown 1400 L1 W15 L4 L12 L11 L5 1.0
14 William Leo Wolf 1311 U--- D11 L9 U--- U--- U--- 0.5
15 Clinton Eads 1027 L8 L13 L12 L11 L6 L10 0.0

D Is For Discovery VII

Game Of The Week

A couple years back, I came up with a method to organize chess tactics.  I called it the DROP Method (https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/2012/03/drop-method.html).  The DROP method is an acronym for the basic kinds of tactics.  It is meant to remind you not to drop your pieces and help you get your opponent to drop theirs.

I said that the DROP Method was a work in progress, and it was.  So, I thought I would revisit each of the four kinds of chess tactics to provide more examples.  The first kind of tactic in the DROP Method is Discovery.

Discovery is a chess move that attacks with two pieces.

The Discovery is played when a player is going to make an attack with the piece that he moves, but also he will make an attack with another piece that was blocked by the piece that he moves.  When the Discovery is successful, the opponent can only avoid one of the attacks.  This means that the other attack will gain material or mate.  The second attack is often a check on the King, which is called a Discovered Check.

"Discovered check is the dive bomber of the Chessboard."

Reuben Fine

Here is a position from a game played between Chris Motley and Asher MacEnulty in the Cabin Fever Reliever from the Colorado Springs Chess Club's Tuesday night April tournament.

Spectators gather at the final board of the night in the Cabin Fever Reliever.

Black to move

The Discovery is played by capturing the Bishop on h6.  This move is an attack on the White King, the Discovered Check.  White has to move the King.  However, when the Discovery is added into the mix, the attack is even better.  The Bishop capture reveals an attack on the White Queen.

The first attack is a capture and check of the King.  The second attack is a capture of the Queen.  White has to defend the King by the rules of the game.  The Bishop and Queen loss puts Black back in control of the game.

So, by just being observant, a player can find these Discovery opportunities and salvage a bad position.

D Is For Discovery VII

[Event "Cabin Fever Reliever"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "2019.04.02"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Motley, Chris"]
[Black "MacEnulty, Asher"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C23"]
[WhiteElo "1582"]
[BlackElo "1118"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2019.04.02"]
[TimeControl "2700"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 c5 3. Qh5 g6 4. Qxe5+ Qe7 5. Qxh8 Qxe4+ 6. Be2 Qxg2 7. Bf3 Qg5 8. Qxg8 h6 9. Nc3 Qe5+ 10. Nge2 d6 11. d4 Qf6 12. Bd5 Be6 13. Bxh6 Nd7 14. Bxb7 Rb8 15. Bc6 Ke7 16. Bxd7 Kxd7 17. O-O-O Bxh6+ 18. Kb1 Rxg8 19. dxc5 Kc6 20. Rxd6+ Kxc5 21. Ne4+ Kb5 22. Nxf6 Kc5 23. Ne4+ Kb5 24. Nd4+ Ka5 25. Nc6+ Kb5 26. Nxa7+ Ka5 27. a3 Bg7 28. b4+ Ka4 29. Ra6# 1-0

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=114170

This Week In Chess

On April 2nd, the Colorado Springs Chess Club started the Cabin Fever Reliever event (4SS, G/45; d/10).

Standings. Cabin Fever Reliever

# Name Rtng Rd 1 Rd 2 Tot Prize

1 Aleksand Bozhenov 1980 W4 W5 2.0
2 Mitchell Anderson 1970 W6 W3 2.0
3 Mark McGough 1822 W8 L2 1.0
4 Dean W Brown 1421 L1 W7 1.0
5 Christophe Motley 1582 W9 L1 1.0
6 William Leo Wolf 1303 L2 W10 1.0
7 Grayson Ed Harris 1471 W10 L4 1.0
8 Clinton Eads 1301 L3 W9 1.0
9 Earle Macenulty 1118 L5 L8 0.0
10 Colum Ashlin unr. L7 L6 0.0

Father And Son

Game Of The Week

This week's game comes from the March Swiss 90, round 3.  It was played by Grayson Harris and Mark McGough.  They have met four times before with Mark getting the upper hand every time.  However, Grayson has been improving rapidly.

Grayson started at the Colorado Springs Chess Club in September 2017 as a beginner.  He has continued to come back and play as often as he can.  He took Mike Madsen's chess class at Air Academy High School.  He takes lessons from LM Josh Bloomer.  So, it is no wonder he is getting good.

So far, Grayson has been published by me twice.  Both losses.  This is not uncommon when you are starting out since you have more losses than wins to get chosen.  I even published a game where Mark beat Grayson last year.

Now, it was time for revenge.  After getting a draw against me earlier this year, Grayson was ready to notch his highest rated victory, surpassing his quick-win over Jeff Fox at 1849.

I have two games in my USCF database against a Harris: the father [2004] and the son [2018].  Grayson has already surpassed his father by drawing me at 1953 while his dad got a loss when I was 1782 and his dad was 1234.  He has even passed his dad's higest victory versus a 1719.

I was similar.  I started coming to the Colorado Springs Chess Club to get better than my father.  So, I figured I would share some fatherly advice to Grayson to help him when he finds himself in a position like this.

I was once like you are now, and I know that it's not easy,

To be calm when you've found something going on

But take your time, think a lot...

Cat Stevens

White to move

Father And Son

[Event "March Swiss 90"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "2019.03.19"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Harris, Grayson"]
[Black "McGough, Mark"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "1490"]
[BlackElo "1863"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2019.03.05"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d6 3. Nc3 g6 4. e4 Bg7 5. Qd2 c6 6. Bh6 O-O 7. O-O-O b5 8. f3 b4 9. Na4 Qa5 10. b3 Ba6 11. Kb1 Bxf1 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. Rxf1 Nbd7 14. g4 c5 15. Nb2 cxd4 16. Qxd4 Qc5 17. Qd1 a5 18. Na4 Qe5 19. Nb2 Nb6 20. Nd3 Qb5 21. Ne2 e5 22. Qd2 Rfe8 23. h4 d5 24. h5 dxe4 25. hxg6 fxg6 26. Qh6+ Kg8 27. fxe4 Nbd7 28. g5 Nh5 29. Rxh5 gxh5 30. g6 Re7 31. Ng3 Rg7 32. Nf5 Rxg6 33. Ne7+ Kh8 34. Nxg6+ 1-0

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=114091

This Week In Chess

On March 19th, the Colorado Springs Chess Club continued its March Swiss 90 (4SS, G90+30).

Standings. March Swiss 90

# Name Rtng Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Tot Prize

1 Paul D Anderson 1985 W10 D6 W3 2.5
2 Brian Jo Rountree 1869 W13 H--- W7 2.5
3 Josh S Bloomer 2323 W8 W4 L1 2.0
4 Aleksand Bozhenov 1980 W12 L3 W6 2.0
5 Grayson Ed Harris 1490 W14 L7 W11 2.0
6 Christophe Motley 1599 W9 D1 L4 1.5
7 Jesse Williams 1731 H--- W5 L2 1.5
8 Ross Inman 1481 L3 D12 W9 1.5
9 Scott Ch Williams 1225 L6 W10 L8 1.0 $5.00 GOW
10 Dean W Brown 1444 L1 L9 W12 1.0 $5.00 GOW
11 Mark McGough 1863 H--- H--- L5 1.0
12 Gerald Mena 1362 L4 D8 L10 0.5
13 Clinton Eads 1307 L2 H--- U--- 0.5
14 Nick A Curott 1161 L5 U--- U--- 0.0

Projected Prizes: 1st $34.00; 2nd $23.00; U1500 $15.00

P Is For Pin VII

Game Of The Week

A couple years back, I came up with a method to organize chess tactics.  I called it the DROP Method (https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/2012/03/drop-method.html).  The DROP method is an acronym for the basic kinds of tactics.  It is meant to remind you not to drop your pieces and help you get your opponent to drop theirs.

I said that the DROP Method was a work in progress, and it was.  So, I thought I would revisit each of the four kinds of chess tactics to provide more examples.  The first kind of tactic in the DROP Method is Discovery, which I revisited on April 10th (https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/2018/04/d-is-for-discovery-vi.html).  The second kind of tactic in the DROP Method is Removal, which I revisited on May 14th (https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/2018/05/r-is-for-removal-vii.html).  The third kind of tactic in the DROP Method is Overload, which I revisited on June 18th (https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/2018/06/o-is-for-overload-vii.html).

The fourth kind of tactic in the DROP Method is Pin.

Pin is a chess move that immobilizes an opponent's piece.

The Pin is different from the other kinds of tactics in that it does not create multiple threats.  Its main function is to prevent a piece from moving.  A Pin on a target allows that target to be attacked by a lower value piece.  A Pin on a support allows the capture of the piece the support is guarding.

"The defensive power of a pinned piece is only imaginary."

Aaron Nimzovich

The Pin works by threatening a low value piece that has a higher value piece (or an ungarded piece) behind it.  The low value piece is stuck (as if with a pin) to the higher value piece due to the loss of material should the low value piece move and allow the capture of the higher value piece.

If the higher value piece is the King, the low value piece is absolutely immobilized, as the rules of Chess do not allow moves where the King could be captured.  Otherwise the Pin is relative, as the opponent can actually move the low value piece if he is willing to accept the loss of material.  The other types of Pins are rare:

• Absolute (Pins a target to the King)
• Relative (Pins a low value target to a higher value piece)
• Cross (Multiple Pins on one piece)
• Cross-check (blocks check and counter-checks)

Here is an example from the Colorado Springs Chess Club's Tuesday night event:  July Mating Game. Erasmus Eskeldson, who is closing in on his 50th standard-rated tournament game, got his Bishop pinned to his Queen.

However, Erasmus realized that a Pin against the Queen is not Absolute.  It is a Relative Pin.  The pinned piece can move, and, in this case, it can create a Discovery to get out of the Pin and win material!

Black to move

P Is For Pin VII

[Event "July Mating Game"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "2018.07.24"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Arispe, Joey"]
[Black "Eskeldson, Erasmus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "1216"]
[BlackElo "1341"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2018.07.17"]
[TimeControl "2700"]

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. c3 e6 4. Nf3 c5 5. h3 Nbd7 6. e3 g6 7. Bd3 Bg7 8. O-O O-O 9. Nbd2 b6 10. Qc2 Bb7 11. Rfe1 Nb8 12. b3 Na6 13. Rad1 Rc8 14. Qb1 Nd7 15. e4 cxd4 16. cxd4 Nb4 17. Bd6 Nxd3 18. Qxd3 dxe4 19. Nxe4 Re8 20. Bh2 Bxe4 21. Qxe4 Nf6 22. Qb7 Re7 23. Qa6 Nd5 24. a3 Rd7 25. Ne5 Rdc7 26. Nc4 Re7 27. Bd6 Rd7 28. Bh2 Nc7 29. Qxa7 Bxd4 30. Nd6 Rxd6 31. Bxd6 Qxd6 32. Re4 Bxf2+ 0-1

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=112942

This Week In Chess

On July 24th, the Colorado Springs Chess Club finished the July Mating Game (4SS, G/45;d/10).

Standings. July Mating Game

# Name Rtng Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Rd 4 Tot Prize

1 Aleksand Bozhenov 1999 W10 W9 W2 W4 4.0 $37.00 1st
2 Mark McGough 1791 W11 W5 L1 W6 3.0 $25.00 2nd
3 Lawrence R Osborn 949 H--- U--- W8 W5 2.5 $16.00 U1300/unr
4 Michael Smith II 1642 L6 W7 W10 L1 2.0
5 Erasmus Eskeldson 1341 W7 L2 W6 L3 2.0 $5.00 GOW
6 Joey Arispe 1216 W4 W11 L5 L2 2.0 $5.00 GOW
7 Ross Inman unr. L5 L4 W11 W10 2.0
8 David Argaez unr. H--- U--- L3 W11 1.5
9 William Leo Wolf 1552 W12 L1 U--- U--- 1.0
10 Nick J Derosier 1312 L1 W12 L4 L7 1.0
11 Scott Ch Williams 1254 L2 L6 L7 L8 0.0
12 Braiden Denny 381 L9 L10 U--- U--- 0.0

A Tale Of The Scottch Tape

Game Of The Week

This week's game comes from Scott Williams.  He has been a regular on Tuesday nights since 2015.

One of our scholastic players, Ayush "Panda" Vispute, gave him the nickname "Scottch," and I have embraced it.

His dedication to chess is unquestioned.  He will forsake all bathroom stops on his long drive from Pueblo West just so he can check in on time.  Therefore, he has become the key master for our restroom at the club.  No one gets to use the facilities until Scottch shows up and unlocks the door.

We are the first club to implement the new transgender policy from the USCF that has banned gender-specific bathrooms.  We had to board up the Men's restroom to get in compliance since the urinal was offensive to some non-gender-specific humans who have a hard time making use of that appliance.

Scottch has yet to break the 1400 barrier, but I felt like he has been streching his patience level in our last game.  He didn't throw away a decent position on a spectulative attack like he had in our past encounters.  He continued to find good moves until he got under 10 minutes.  Then he missed a tactical shot.

A little more practice on seeing tactics quicker and Scottch should rocket past 1400 and possibly meet me somewhere in the middle of our current ratings.  So, here is a position where Scottch found the 2nd best move.

"If you find a good move, look for a better one"

2nd World Champion Emanuel Lasker

White to move

A Tale Of The Scottch Tape

[Event "June Swiss 90"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "2018.06.19"]
[Round "3.8"]
[White "Williams, Scott"]
[Black "Cruz, Gerardo"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "1243"]
[BlackElo "1214"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2018.06.05"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1. e4 d6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Bg4 4. Bc4 Nbd7 5. d4 c5 6. h3 cxd4 7. Ng5 e6 8. Qxd4 Bh5 9. O-O e5 10. Qe3 h6 11. Nf3 a6 12. Be2 Nc5 13. Ne1 Bg6 14. Bf3 Ne6 15. Nd5 Rc8 16. Nxf6+ Qxf6 17. Qb3 Qe7 18. Be3 f5 19. exf5 Bxf5 20. Bxb7 Rc7 21. Bxa6 Bxh3 22. Bd3 Bg4 23. Bg6+ Kd8 24. Bb6 Be2 25. Bxc7+ Nxc7 26. Qb8+ Kd7 27. Bf5+ Ne6 28. Qb7+ Kd8 29. Qb3 Bxf1 30. Kxf1 g6 31. Bxe6 Qc7 32. Rd1 Be7 33. Nf3 Rf8 34. Qd5 Qa7 35. Qc6 Qc7 36. Qa8+ 1-0

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=112794

This Week In Chess

On June 19th, the Colorado Springs Chess Club continued the June Swiss 90 event (4SS, G/90+30).

Standings. June Swiss 90

# Name Rtng Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Tot Prize

1 Josh S Bloomer 2324 W13 W6 W4 3.0
2 Mark McGough 1779 W18 W3 W10 3.0
3 Daniel Herman 2051 W20 L2 W14 2.0
4 Sara Herman 1971 W16 W7 L1 2.0
5 Peter Barlay 1927 W21 W8 U--- 2.0
6 Brian Jo Rountree 1822 W17 L1 W15 2.0
7 Michael Smith II 1635 W22 L4 W18 2.0
8 Dean W Brown 1571 W9 L5 W17 2.0
9 Joel Hicks unr. L8 W21 W13 2.0
10 Paul D Anderson 2032 D15 W11 L2 1.5
11 Scott Ch Williams 1243 H--- L10 W20 1.5
12 William Leo Wolf 1580 W19 U--- U--- 1.0
13 Clinton D Eads 1310 L1 W22 L9 1.0
14 Derek Eskeldson 1302 H--- H--- L3 1.0
15 Ayush Vispute 1207 D10 D20 L6 1.0
16 Joey Arispe 1192 L4 L18 W22 1.0
17 Grayson Ed Harris 1009 L6 W19 L8 1.0
18 Daniel J Rupp 973 L2 W16 L7 1.0
19 Tristan Cruz 745 L12 L17 W21 1.0
20 Gerardo Cruz 1214 L3 D15 L11 0.5
21 Shirley Herman 1105 L5 L9 L19 0.0
22 Lawrence R Osborn 898 L7 L13 L16 0.0

Projected Prizes: 1st $46.00; 2nd $31.00; U1600/unr $20.00; U1200 $13.00

The Tortoise And The Raccoon

Game Of The Week

Once upon a time there was a tortoise who, boasting how he could play chess better than anyone else, was forever teasing the raccoon for its ludicrous middle-game tactics.  Then one day, the raccoon answered back: “Who do you think you are?  There’s no denying you’re good, but even you can be beaten!”  The raccoon squealed with laughter.

A game was planned, and the next day at the Colorado Springs Chess Club they stood at the board.  When the clock was winding down, the tortoise fell asleep because he was trying to stay at two minutes.

When the tortoise awoke, it was Mating.  "How is this possible?" the tortoise asked.

“The rabid raccoon makes King's Gambit players go insane and sacrifice pieces wildly!” 

LM Brian Wall

This week's game comes from Brian Rountree and his chess blog:

"I have to give credit to Mark, he can defend, and likes to combine attack with defense; in almost any irrational position, he whips up a defense and is quick to defend first.  Mark is more at home, when positions break down, than am I."

Black to Mate In 5

The Tortoise And The Raccoon

[Event "May Swiss 90"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "2018.05.22"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Rountree, Brian"]
[Black "McGough, Mark"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C34"]
[WhiteElo "1868"]
[BlackElo "1770"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2018.05.01"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 h5 4. Bc4 h4 5. d4 g5 6. Nc3 Bb4 7. O-O Bxc3 8. bxc3 d6 9. Bxf7+ Kxf7 10. Nxg5+ Qxg5 11. Bxf4 Qh5 12. Qd3 Kg6 13. Qc4 Nf6 14. e5 Ne8 15. exd6 Nxd6 16. Qxc7 Nf5 17. Rae1 Nc6 18. Bd2 Rh7 19. Qf4 Bd7 20. d5 Nce7 21. c4 Rc8 22. Re4 a6 23. Rb1 b5 24. d6 Ng8 25. c5 Rxc5 26. c3 Nf6 27. Re7 Nxe7 28. dxe7 Rxe7 29. Qd6 Qe5 30. Qd3+ Bf5 31. Qf1 Bxb1 32. Qxb1+ Qe4 33. Qb3 Rd5 34. Qb2 Rxd2 35. Qxd2 Qe3+ 36. Qxe3 Rxe3 0-1

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=112702

This Week In Chess

On May 22nd, the Colorado Springs Chess Club finished its May Swiss 90 event (4SS, G/90+30).

Standings. May Swiss 90

# Name Rtng Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Rd 4 Tot Prize

1 Daniel Herman 2056 W8 D9 W4 D2 3.0 $26.75 1st
2 Sara Herman 1995 W15 W3 D5 D1 3.0 $26.75 1st
3 Mark McGough 1770 W21 L2 W14 W5 3.0 $26.75 1st + $5.00 GOW
4 Michael Smith II 1617 W13 W19 L1 W8 3.0 $26.75 1st + $5.00 GOW
5 Brian Jo Rountree 1868 W18 W6 D2 L3 2.5
6 Paul D Anderson 2032 W14 L5 D9 W13 2.5
7 Josh S Bloomer 2328 W11 H--- U--- W10 2.5
8 Clinton D Eads 1310 L1 W21 W13 L4 2.0
9 Calvin P Dejong 1872 W16 D1 D6 U--- 2.0
10 Derek Eskeldson 1302 H--- H--- W17 L7 2.0
11 Christophe Motley 1541 L7 H--- W20 U--- 1.5
12 Ross Inman unr. H--- U--- U--- W19 1.5
13 Lawrence R Osborn 905 L4 W16 L8 L6 1.0 $3.75 U1300
14 Scott Ch Williams 1243 L6 W18 L3 U--- 1.0 $3.75 U1300
15 Joey Arispe 1192 L2 L17 W21 U--- 1.0 $3.75 U1300
16 Ayush Pan Vispute 1185 L9 L13 W18 U--- 1.0 $3.75 U1300 + $5.00 GOW
17 William Leo Wolf 1550 U--- W15 L10 U--- 1.0
18 Shirley Herman 1174 L5 L14 L16 D20 0.5
19 Grayson Ed Harris 1010 H--- L4 U--- L12 0.5
20 Dean W Brown 1598 U--- U--- L11 D18 0.5
21 Daniel J Rupp 973 L3 L8 L15 U--- 0.0

D Is For Discovery VI

Game Of The Week

A couple years back, I came up with a method to organize chess tactics.  I called it the DROP Method (https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/2012/03/drop-method.html).  The DROP method is an acronym for the basic kinds of tactics.  It is meant to remind you not to drop your pieces and help you get your opponent to drop theirs.

I said that the DROP Method was a work in progress, and it was.  So, I thought I would revisit each of the four kinds of chess tactics to provide more examples.  The first kind of tactic in the DROP Method is Discovery.

Discovery is a chess move that attacks with two pieces.

The Discovery is played when a player is going to make an attack with the piece that he moves, but also he will make an attack with another piece that was blocked by the piece that he moves.  When the Discovery is successful, the opponent can only avoid one of the attacks.  This means that the other attack will gain material or mate.  The second attack is often a check on the King, which is called a Discovered Check.

"Discovered check is the dive bomber of the Chessboard."

Reuben Fine

Here is a position from a game played between Larry Osborn and Ayush "Panda" Vispute in the March Swiss 90 from the Colorado Springs Chess Club's Tuesday night monthly tournament.

Black to move

The Discovery is played by moving the Rook to c1.  This move is an attack on the White King, the Discovered Check.  White has to move the King.  However, when the Discovery is added into the mix, the attack is unstoppable.  The Rook move reveals an attack on the White Bishop.

The first attack is a check of the King.  The second attack is a capture of the Bishop.  White has to defend the King by the rules of the game.  The Bishop has been lost along with the hopes of winning a close endgame.

So, by just being observent, a player can find these Discovery opportunities and save that point.

D Is For Discovery VI

[Event "March Swiss 90"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "2018.03.20"]
[Round "3.7"]
[White "Osborn, Larry"]
[Black "Vispute, Ayush"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "974"]
[BlackElo "1209"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2018.03.06"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nf6 5. Nf3 b6 6. g3 Bb7 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Nbd2 Nbd7 10. Re1 a6 11. Ng5 b5 12. b3 h6 13. Ngf3 Nb6 14. Ne5 g5 15. dxc5 Nxc4 16. Nexc4 gxf4 17. Nb6 fxe3 18. Rxe3 Bxc5 19. Nxa8 Bxe3 20. fxe3 Qxa8 21. Qf3 Ne4 22. Qg4+ Kh7 23. Nxe4 f5 24. Nf6+ Rxf6 25. Qd4 Rg6 26. Rc1 Rg7 27. Qe5 Re7 28. Qf6 Qe8 29. Qh4 Rg7 30. Bf3 Qe7 31. Qd4 e5 32. Qb6 Rg6 33. Rc7 Rxb6 34. Rxe7+ Kg6 35. Rxe5 Kf6 36. Re8 Rc6 37. Bxd5 Rc1+ 38. Kf2 Bxd5 39. h4 Rc2+ 0-1

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=112459

This Week In Chess

On April 3rd, the Colorado Springs Chess Club started the April Quick Six event (6SS, G/24+5).

Standings. April Quick Six

# Name Rtng Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Tot Prize

1 Mark McGough 1648 W5 W4 W10 3.0
2 Paul D Anderson 1930 W7 W6 W3 3.0
3 Brian Jo Rountree 1643 W11 W8 L2 2.0
4 Michael Smith II 1508 W12 L1 W8 2.0
5 Scott Ch Williams 1294 L1 W12 W11 2.0
6 Peter Barlay 1617 W9 L2 D7 1.5
7 William Leo Wolf 1477 L2 W9 D6 1.5
8 Dean W Brown 1409 W10 L3 L4 1.0
9 Grayson Ed Harris 1011 L6 L7 W12 1.0
10 Supreme King 1889 L8 W11 L1 1.0
11 Clinton D Eads 1052 L3 L10 L5 0.0
12 Lawrence R Osborn 986 L4 L5 L9 0.0

The Threat Is Stronger Than The Execution

Game Of The Week

This week's game comes from the Colorado Springs Chess Club's March Swiss 90.  The event is a month-long tournament with one game per night.  The club officers have scheduled eight of these types of events in the second and third month of each quarter.  In the first month of each quarter, the club holds special events.  January is Speed Chess.  April and July are Quick-rated and Dual rated.  Finally, October is the City Chess Championship, which will be in its 54th year.

The new schedule has stabilized attendance.  We don't seem to have the wild swings in numbers we used to have.  However, last week was an exception.  But a good one.  For the first time in several years, the Colorado Springs Chess Club had to use three pages for the wall chart.  That means we had over 20 players in the monthly event!

With so many games going on last week, my usual job of going over all the games is getting a little more time consuming.  However, it gives me a lot of choices for the Game Of The Week.

I found one I liked from Joey Arispe vs Ayush Vispute.  When I entered the game into my computer, I was surprised that a Knight was hanging for so long.  Sometimes when you enter a game into the computer, you guess at the moves rather than read them from the score sheet because the moves look so automatic.  When you go back to reading the moves you realize that the game you entered makes no sense since the players didn't play the automatic moves.

It turns out the Knight is not an automatic capture.  There is a better threat.

There is a story about Aron Nimzowitsch that when an opponent laid an unlit cigar on the table, he complained to the tournament arbiters, "He is threatening to smoke, and as an old player you must know that the threat is stronger than the execution."

White to move

The Threat Is Stronger Than The Execution

[Event "March Swiss 90"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "2018.03.13"]
[Round "2.7"]
[White "Vispute, Ayush"]
[Black "Arispe, Joey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "1209"]
[BlackElo "1123"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2018.03.06"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. cxd4 e6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Nc3 d5 7. e5 Nd7 8. Bd3 Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. Qc2 h6 11. a3 b6 12. b4 f6 13. Nxd5 exd5 14. Qxc6 Rb8 15. Qxd5+ Kh8 16. e6 Rb7 17. Ba6 Rc7 18. Bxc8 Qxc8 19. exd7 Rxd7 20. Qe6 g5 21. d5 Kg7 22. Rd1 Bd6 23. Nd4 Be5 24. Nf5+ Kh7 25. Rb1 Re8 26. Nd6 Rxd6 27. Qf7+ Kh8 28. Qxa7 Bd4 29. Bxg5 Qc2 30. Rbc1 Qxf2+ 31. Kh1 hxg5 32. Qc7 Be5 33. Qf7 Rdd8 34. Qh5+ Kg7 35. d6 Bxd6 36. Rf1 Qh4 37. Qxh4 gxh4 38. Rc6 Be5 39. Rxb6 Rd2 40. Rb7+ Kg6 41. a4 Rb8 42. Rxb8 Bxb8 43. a5 Rb2 44. a6 Rxb4 45. Ra1 Ba7 46. g3 hxg3 47. hxg3 Kg5 48. Kg2 Kg4 49. Ra2 f5 50. Ra1 Rb2+ 51. Kf1 Kxg3 52. Ra3+ Kg4 53. Ke1 f4 54. Kf1 f3 55. Ra1 Rh2 56. Ra4+ Kg3 57. Rg4+ Kxg4 58. Ke1 Kf4 59. Kd1 Ke3 60. Kc1 Kd3 61. Kb1 Kc3 62. Ka1 Kb3 63. Kb1 Rh1# 0-1

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=112299

This Week In Chess

On March 13th, the Colorado Springs Chess Club continued its March Swiss 90 (4SS, G90+30).

Standings. March Swiss 90

# Name Rtng Rd 1 Rd 2 Tot Prize

1 Brian Jo Rountree 1854 W9 W8 2.0
2 Calvin P Dejong 1837 W11 D3 1.5
3 Paul D Anderson 2045 W18 D2 1.5
4 Josh S Bloomer 2353 H--- W10 1.5
5 Daniel Herman 2107 H--- W15 1.5
6 Sara Herman 1942 H--- W16 1.5
7 Michael St Filppu 1654 W19 H--- 1.5
8 Mark McGough 1804 W12 L1 1.0
9 Scott Ch Williams 1203 L1 W19 1.0
10 Dean W Brown 1422 W21 L4 1.0
11 Joseph Reininger 1193 L2 W21 1.0
12 Joey Arispe 1123 L8 W20 1.0
13 Peter Barlay 1925 W20 U--- 1.0
14 Shirley Herman 1115 U--- W18 1.0
15 Edward D Boldt 1836 H--- L5 0.5
16 Michael Smith II 1644 H--- L6 0.5
17 Austin Cl Harbach 1576 H--- U--- 0.5
18 Clinton D Eads 1250 L3 L14 0.0
19 Grayson Ed Harris 1002 L7 L9 0.0
20 Ayush Pan Vispute 1209 L13 L12 0.0
21 Lawrence R Osborn 974 L10 L11 0.0

I Get By With A Little Help From My Opponents

Speed King II

Monday, March 12th, 2018

I am back for another season of chess news and games.  Last year, I suffered another down year rating-wise.  This makes two down years in a row.  I haven't had two down years in a row since 1999 and 2000.

However, last year was not all bad news.

I had two upsets, including setting a new mark for my highest rated victim (2294).  In addition, I collected my highest pay day from chess as a tournament director at the Colorado Senior Chess Championship.  And finally, I regained my crown as Speed King by winning the Colorado Springs City Speed Chess Championship.

Game Of The Week

This week's game comes from my 59th upset.  One more upset and I could write my own version of My 60 Memorable Games.

Of course, just because I classify it as an upset doesn't mean it is memorable.  It just means that I won a game against an opponent who was within 25 (or higher) rating points of me when we played.  Since I have so few of these upsets, I enjoy them no matter how they fall into my lap.

This one was a gift.

I didn't have to make a daring sacrifice to expose the King.  I didn't have to calculate a long, tactical combination to win material.  I didn't have to grind out a drawn endgame in time pressure.  I just had to wait.

Sometimes winning at chess is like giving your opponent rope.  Eventually, he has enough rope to hang himself.

You need not play well - just help your opponent to play badly.

Genrikh Chepukaitis (FIDE 2420)

I don't how many of my upsets were gifts, but like it is said, "Don't look a gift-horse in the mouth."  Well, that is unless you need a game to publish for the start of a new year of newsletters.  Then go ahead and stare right at the bad teeth.

I was examining this set of choppers when my opponent resigned from the tooth ache.  So, I never played the winning move.  See if you can find the root-canal move.

Black to move

I Get By With A Little Help From My Opponent

[Event "November Swiss 90"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "2017.11.21"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Buchanan, Buck"]
[Black "Anderson, Paul"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E62"]
[WhiteElo "2009"]
[BlackElo "2029"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2017.11.07"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1. d4 c6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 d6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O Na6 8. e4 c5 9. d5 Bd7 10. Re1 Ng4 11. Bf4 f6 12. Qd2 g5 13. Be3 Nxe3 14. Qxe3 h6 15. a3 Qe8 16. Nd2 Nc7 17. b4 b6 18. Rab1 Na6 19. Kh1 f5 20. f4 gxf4 21. gxf4 Bd4 22. Qg3+ Kh7 23. Ne2 Rg8 24. Qf3 Bf6 25. Ng3 Qg6 26. e5 Bh4 27. exd6 exd6 28. b5 Nc7 29. Re7+ 0-1

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=112262

This Week In Chess

On March 6th, the Colorado Springs Chess Club started its March Swiss 90 (4SS, G90+30).

Standings. March Swiss 90

# Name Rtng Rd 1 Tot Prize

1 Paul D Anderson 2045 W9 1.0
2 Peter Barlay 1925 W10 1.0
3 Brian Jo Rountree 1854 W11 1.0
4 Calvin P Dejong 1837 W12 1.0
5 Mark McGough 1804 W13 1.0
6 Michael St Filppu 1654 W14 1.0
7 Dean W Brown 1422 W15 1.0
8 Austin Cl Harbach 1576 H--- 0.5
9 Clinton D Eads 1250 L1 0.0
10 Ayush Pan Vispute 1209 L2 0.0
11 Scott Ch Williams 1203 L3 0.0
12 Joseph Reininger 1193 L4 0.0
13 Joey Arispe 1123 L5 0.0
14 Grayson Ed Harris 1002 L6 0.0
15 Lawrence R Osborn 974 L7 0.0

Make It A Combo

Game Of The Week

This week's game comes from the August Swiss 90 (5SS, G/90+30).  It was the fourth round, and I was facing by best student, Calvin DeJong.  More than any other student of mine, he put into practice the advice I had given him.  So, he had all my secrets in a couple months.  It took me over seven years of testing out different ideas over the board to realize these things.

One of my secrets was the DROP Method of tactics.  It was a way of simplfying the myriad descriptions chess players use to describe tactics.  I remember looking online at lists that contain over thirty different tactics.

When I was a child learning chess, I only remember three:  Pin, Fork, and Skewer.  How could there be so many about which I was not told?  Well, the reason was because most teachers weren't separating the basic tactics from the more advanced problems.

There are four basic kinds of tactics: Discovery, Removal, Overload, and Pin.

The other tactical ideas players describe come from combinations.  A combination occurs when 2 or more of the basic tactics are needed to realize the material gain.  The more times a basic tactic is needed in a particular line or series of moves to gain the material goal the more difficult the problem becomes.  And this is what makes chess challenging.

Combinations have always been the most intriguing aspect of Chess.  The masters look for them, the public applauds them, the critics praise them.  It is because combinations are possible that Chess is more than a lifeless mathematical exercise.  They are the poetry of the game; they are to Chess what melody is to music.  They represent the triumph of mind over matter.

Reuben Fine

So, when both the teacher and student missed a combination, I was interested in discovering why that happened.  The game was still relatively young.  Neither player had made 20 moves and had plenty of time on their clocks.  Therefore, the difficultly in seeing the combination must have come from the nature of the position.

After looking a the position, I realized that it was one of those rare positions that combined all four of the basic tactics.  So, a player has to be familar with the pattern of each of the different kinds of tactics and good at calculating four moves deep.  Clearly, both of us were not up to the task that night.  See if you can do better...

White to move

Make It A Combo

[Event "August Swiss 90"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "2017.08.22"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "DeJong, Calvin"]
[Black "Anderson, Paul"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "1876"]
[BlackElo "2001"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2017.08.01"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]

1. d4 c6 2. e4 g6 3. Be3 Bg7 4. c3 d6 5. Bc4 d5 6. exd5 cxd5 7. Bd3 Nc6 8. Nf3 Nf6 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. O-O Ne8 11. Re1 Nd6 12. Bf4 a6 13. Nb3 b6 14. Ne5 Bb7 15. Qe2 Nb8 16. a4 e6 17. a5 b5 18. Nc5 Bc6 19. b3 Be8 20. Nxf7 Bxf7 21. Nxe6 Bxe6 22. Qxe6+ Nf7 23. c4 bxc4 24. bxc4 Qf6 25. Qxd5 Qxf4 26. Qxa8 Bxd4 27. Ra2 Ne5 28. Qd5+ Kh8 29. Kh1 Nxd3 30. Rf1 Nxf2+ 0-1

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=111138

This Week In Chess

On August 22nd, the Colorado Springs Chess Club continued the August Swiss 90 (5SS, G/90+30).

Standings. August Swiss 90

# Name Rtng Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Rd 4 Tot Prize

1 Paul D Anderson 2001 W6 W4 W2 W8 4.0
2 Brian Jo Rountree 1856 W13 W5 L1 W4 3.0 $5.00 GOW
3 Mark McGough 1876 W15 H--- L5 W10 2.5
4 Michael Smith II 1573 W14 L1 W7 L2 2.0
5 Aleksand Bozhenov 1994 W9 L2 W3 U--- 2.0
6 Derek Eskeldson 1270 L1 W15 L8 W14 2.0 $5.00 GOW
7 Clinton D Eads 1229 L11 W14 L4 W9 2.0
8 Calvin P Dejong 1876 H--- H--- W6 L1 2.0
9 Scott Ch Williams 1233 L5 L12 W14 L7 1.0
10 Dean W Brown 1494 H--- H--- U--- L3 1.0
11 Peter Barlay 1912 W7 U--- U--- U--- 1.0
12 William Leo Wolf 1322 U--- W9 U--- U--- 1.0
13 Brian Henry Baum 643 L2 H--- U--- U--- 0.5
14 Douglas N Clark 159 L4 L7 L9 L6 0.0
15 Daniel J Rupp 989 L3 L6 U--- U--- 0.0

Projected Prizes: 1st $27.00; 2nd $18.00; U1300 $12.00

Everything About You

Game Of The Week

This week's game comes from my loss column.  I have a tradition of publishing four losses each year.  I hate looking at a chess loss, let alone publishing it, but forcing myself to do this keeps me humble.

When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2 (KJV)

The worse part is that I lost to Mike Smith.

I know what you are thinking, "Hey Paul, isn't that the same guy who dated your sister in high school? Didn't you hate that guy?"

Well, the good news is that this is Mike Smith part II.  And like most sequels, he is much better than the original.  We have become good friends, and I told him the story about my sister.  He responded:

"Everybody hates Mike Smith!"

I guess this widespread bias against Mike Smith has made him a little bitter.  Every week he comes to the club and tells me all the things he hates.  It is like listening to the song from Ugly Kid Joe, "Everything About You."

• "I hate New Mexico!"
• "I hate white socks!"
• "I hate the Kissing Knights logo!"
• "I hate gift cards from Will Wolf!"
• "I hate LM Brian Wall's shirt!"

So, I will leave you with this year's chess position I hate the most.

White to move

Everything About You

[Event "April Quick"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "2017.04.18"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Smith, Mike"]
[Black "Anderson, Paul"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "1569"]
[BlackElo "1986"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2017.04.18"]
[TimeControl "1440+5"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 g6 3. Nf3 d6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. Be3 Bg4 6. h3 Bxf3 7. Qxf3 Nd7 8. Bc4 Ngf6 9. g4 h6 10. h4 e6 11. g5 hxg5 12. hxg5 Rxh1+ 13. Qxh1 Nh5 14. Be2 Qb6 15. O-O-O O-O-O 16. d5 Qb4 17. dxc6 bxc6 18. e5 Nxe5 19. Bd4 Kc7 20. a3 Qa5 21. Bxh5 Rh8 22. Qe4 Rxh5 23. f4 c5 24. fxe5 d5 25. Nxd5+ Kb8 26. Ne7 Qc7 27. Bxc5 Qxc5 28. Rd8+ Kc7 29. Rc8+ Kd7 30. Qb7+ Qc7 31. Qxc7# 1-0

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=111107

This Week In Chess

On August 15th, the Colorado Springs Chess Club continued the August Swiss 90 (5SS, G/90+30).

Standings. August Swiss 90

# Name Rtng Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Tot Prize

1 Paul D Anderson 2001 W7 W3 W2 3.0
2 Brian Jo Rountree 1856 W12 W4 L1 2.0
3 Michael Smith II 1573 W13 L1 W8 2.0
4 Aleksand Bozhenov 1994 W9 L2 W6 2.0
5 Calvin P Dejong 1876 H--- H--- W7 2.0
6 Mark McGough 1876 W14 H--- L4 1.5
7 Derek Eskeldson 1270 L1 W14 L5 1.0
8 Clinton D Eads 1229 L10 W13 L3 1.0
9 Scott Ch Williams 1233 L4 L11 W13 1.0
10 Peter Barlay 1912 W8 U--- U--- 1.0
11 William Leo Wolf 1322 U--- W9 U--- 1.0
12 Brian Henry Baum 643 L2 H--- U--- 0.5
13 Douglas N Clark 159 L3 L8 L9 0.0
14 Daniel J Rupp 989 L6 L7 U--- 0.0

Projected Prizes: 1st $27.00; 2nd $18.00; U1300 $12.00

Look For A Better One

Game Of The Week

This week's game comes from the Colorado Springs Chess Club's July Quick event (6SS, G/24+5).  It is one of our faster events.  We hold faster time controls in January (Speed = 5 minute per player), April (Dual = between 30 to 60 minutes & Quick = between 10 and 30 minutes) and July (same as April).  Ordinarily, the club has month-long tournaments where each week only has one game (G/90+30).  The change to slower games dominating the schedule came about in 2015 when the old guard of officers wanted to retire and a new band of fresh, hip, and exciting officers stepped up to take over.

One of the results of switching schedules is that my 20 year grudge match with Jeff Fox has slowed down.  The match-up of Paul Anderson vs Jeff Fox is possibly the most frequent pairing in Colorado Springs chess history with 93 rated games.  However, we have only met five times in the past 3 years with the slower schedule.  In the past, we were playing five times each year.

Of course, the slower schedule may be only a contributing factor to our less common pairings.  A look at the numbers shows that Jeff's attendance had decreased dramatically a couple years before the switch to slow time controls.

Year, Games, My Wins, My Losses

2012 9 4.5 4.5
2013 2 1.0 1.0
2014 3 1.0 2.0
2015 2 2.0 0.0
2016 1 1.0 0.0
2017 2 2.0 0.0

* 2017 includes 1 Blitz rated game

A second glance at the numbers reveals that the back-and-forth nature of our ongoing battle has disappeared.  In 2014, we were dead even with 44 wins apiece.  Until 2015, I could pull ahead of Jeff by one win, but no more.  He might pull ahead by one win, but no more.  Now, I have won five straight games.

So, while the slower schedule might mean I play Jeff less, it just might be better for me.

Just like chess, while things might look good and your plan may win the game, a different move just might be better.

When you see a good move, look for a better one

Emanuel Lasker

Here is a position from my 93rd game with Jeff Fox.  I had been looking at a couple of moves before I got here.  When I arrived, I quickly went with my first candidate and didn't look back.  Well, until after the game, then I realized my other option just might have been better.

White to move

Look For A Better One

[Event "July Quick"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "2017.07.18"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Anderson, Paul"]
[Black "Fox, Jeff"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "1953"]
[BlackElo "1839"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2017.07.18"]
[TimeControl "1440+5"]

1. d4 g6 2. e4 d6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Be3 c6 6. Qd2 Nbd7 7. h3 O-O 8. Be2 Qc7 9. Bh6 Re8 10. Bxg7 Kxg7 11. g4 e5 12. d5 Nc5 13. Qe3 cxd5 14. exd5 a6 15. Nd2 b5 16. g5 Ng8 17. h4 Ne7 18. Qf3 Nf5 19. h5 Qe7 20. Nce4 Nd7 21. O-O-O Bb7 22. hxg6 fxg6 23. Qh3 Kg8 24. Nf3 Rf8 25. Nh4 Rac8 26. Nxg6 hxg6 27. Qh8+ Kf7 28. Rh7+ Ke8 29. Rxe7+ Kxe7 30. Qh7+ Rf7 31. Qxg6 Nd4 32. Qxd6+ 1-0

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=110871

This Week In Chess

On July 18th, the Colorado Springs Chess Club started the July Quick (6SS, G/24+5).

Standings. July Quick

# Name Rtng Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 3 Tot Prize

1 Paul D Anderson 1953 W9 W4 W3 3.0
2 Aleksand Bozhenov 1825 W8 D7 W5 2.5
3 Jeffrey R Fox 1839 W11 W6 L1 2.0
4 Mark McGough 1702 W14 L1 W7 2.0
5 Michael Smith II 1457 W10 W9 L2 2.0
6 Peter Barlay 1702 W12 L3 W10 2.0
7 Brian Jo Rountree 1636 W13 D2 L4 1.5
8 Matthew C Hansen 533 L2 W13 H--- 1.5
9 Scott Ch Williams 1302 L1 L5 W11 1.0
10 Konnor Katona unr. L5 W14 L6 1.0
11 Clinton D Eads 1114 L3 W12 L9 1.0
12 Ritarka Samanta unr. L6 L11 W14 1.0
13 Drake Wilson unr. L7 L8 H--- 0.5
14 Douglas N Clark 496 L4 L10 L12 0.0

Life Is A Kind Of Chess

Game Of The Week

This week's game comes from the Fourth Of July.  It is the first time I have played chess on the 4th.  Typically, the Colorado Springs Chess Club takes a break from chess when the holiday falls on a Tuesday night.  However, I was in charge of making the schedule this year and wanted to get everything in place by February.  Who is thinking about Independence Day in February?  So, I created the event and placed the ads without a second thought.

No one said anything to me about the unusual choice of days to hold a chess tournament.  Well, that is until about a week before the event.  Then it was a series of questions similar to: "Are we really meeting on the fourth of July?"

Since it was my mistake, I figured I would go down with the ship.  I imagined that no one except me would show up.  However, a handful of dedicated chess players came out to show their true patriotic spirit.

Just like the Founding Fathers, these brave men put chess before their personal lives and made the greatest sacrifice a man can make for his country.  Let us not forget their service and salute their determination to pursue the greater good.

The game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement; several very valuable qualities of the mind are to be acquired and strengthened by it, so as to become habits ready on all occasions (especially the 4th of July); for life is a kind of Chess.

Benjamin Franklin

Give me chess, or give me death!

Patrick Henry

Those who expect to reap the blessings of chess, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.

Thomas Paine

I am going to skip chess on the 4th of July.

Benedict Arnold

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Chess.

Thomas Jefferson

Here are some of the fireworks that were created that memorial night at chess club.

White to move

Life Is A Kind Of Chess

[Event "July Mating Game"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "2017.07.04"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "McGough, Mark"]
[Black "Anderson, Paul"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B15"]
[WhiteElo "1853"]
[BlackElo "2014"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2017.07.04"]
[TimeControl "2700"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e5 h5 5. Bd3 Nh6 6. f4 Bf5 7. Nf3 Bxd3 8. Qxd3 Na6 9. Be3 Nf5 10. O-O-O Qa5 11. Kb1 Bh6 12. e6 f6 13. g3 O-O-O 14. Nh4 Nxh4 15. gxh4 f5 16. Rhg1 Rhg8 17. Rg2 Rg7 18. Rdg1 Rdg8 19. Qe2 Qc7 20. Nd1 Qd6 21. Nf2 Nc7 22. Nd3 Nxe6 23. Ne5 Bxf4 24. Nxg6 Bxe3 25. Qxe3 Kc7 26. a3 Nf8 27. Nf4 Rxg2 28. Rxg2 Rxg2 29. Nxg2 Ne6 30. Qh6 Nxd4 31. Qxh5 Qxh2 32. Qg5 Qe5 33. h5 Nf3 34. Qg8 Qf6 35. Nf4 Ng5 36. Qxg5 Qxg5 37. Ne6+ Kd7 38. Nxg5 Ke8 39. h6 Kf8 40. Kc1 e5 41. Kd2 Kg8 42. Ke3 b6 43. Kf3 c5 44. Kg3 c4 45. Kh4 d4 46. Kh5 d3 47. cxd3 cxd3 48. Kg6 d2 49. h7+ Kf8 50. h8=Q+ Ke7 51. Qxe5+ 1-0

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=110737

This Week In Chess

On July 4th, the Colorado Springs Chess Club started the July Mating Game (4SS, G/45d10).

Standings. July Mating Game

# Name Rtng Rd 1 Rd 2 Tot Prize

1 Jeffrey R Fox 1968 W4 W2 2.0
2 Mark McGough 1853 W3 L1 1.0
3 Paul D Anderson 2014 L2 W4 1.0
4 Alemayeh Mekonnen 1483 L1 L3 0.0

The Knight

Game Of The Week

Name: Knight
Alias: Horse, Jumper, Rider, Horseman
Number: 2
Starting Square: 1st rank, B and G files
Motto: “We are Better Guards!”
Move: One straight, one diagonally
Capture: One straight, one diagonally
Speed: Medium
Special Ability: None
Material Value: 3
Mobility Preference: Outposts
Spiritual Value: Joy
Song: Joy To The World, Three Dog Night
Verse: Joel 2:4-5 (KJV)

The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.  Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.

My horses leap for joy and I will give thanks to them in song.  The Knights are the happiest of pieces because they are free.  They jump over any obstacle in their way and are not tied to the same color.  They start fenced in by the rook and bishop but are free to jump into battle immediately.  While the other pieces only move across open ground, the knights will always leap for joy.

Since he cannot move onto the same color on his next move, he will switch colors with every move.  He combines a rook move with a bishop move.  He can capture any enemy piece that comes too close while remaining safe from him.  He circles the wagons in defense.  However, he makes sure not to go too far too fast.

The Knight will take on any mission.  He will defend the king, he will lay down his life, and he will capture his King's enemies.  But most importantly, he will serve the King by guarding the castle or an outpost.  How will you use the Knight?  You will have to play to find out!

Here is a position from my game with NM Buck Buchanan, where I chose to use the two Knights versus the Bishop Pair and get the win against a master:

Buchanan,Buck (2004) - Anderson,Paul (1952) [A42]

Al Ufer Memorial Colorado Springs (4.2), 03.01.2009

1.d4 c6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nc3 Bg4

Buck has decided to follow the conventional wisdom and bring out his Knights first.  Being the rebel that I am, I have gone the other way and employ the Bishops first.

I have added these principles to the law:  get the Knights into action before both Bishops are developed.

Emanuel Lasker

6.Be2 Bxf3 7.Bxf3 Qb6 8.d5 Qb4 9.Qb3 Qxb3 10.axb3 Nd7 11.Be3 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 c5 13.0–0 Ngf6 14.g3 0–0 15.Bg2 Rfb8 16.f4 b5 17.Rfb1 bxc4 18.bxc4 Rxb1+ 19.Rxb1 Nb6 20.e5 Ng4

When the Queens are traded, I choose to create a weakness in the Pawn Structure and battle it out with Knights vs Bishops.  Of course, the Bishop Pair is going to be the faster army.  However, I am hopeful that I can keep most of the Pawns on the board and minimize the Bishops’ activity.  A chess position where a lot of Pawns remain on the board and the Mobility of the Rooks and Bishops is inhibited is called a Closed Position.  The Knights are often more beneficial in Closed Positions as they can jump over the Pawn obstacles.

21.Bc1 Nxc4 22.h3 Nge3 23.Bf3 Nf5 24.g4 Ng7 25.Rb7 Kf8 26.Rb1 f5 27.Be2 Nb6 28.Bb5

I am pretty sure that Buck didn’t mind giving up one of his Doubled Pawns since it gave more space to his Light-squared Bishop.  However, in his rush to activate his Minor Pieces, he missed the counter-play the Knight has after trying to set up an Overload tactic.

28…Nxd5 29.Bc6 Nxc3 30.Rb2 Rc8 31.Bd7 Rd8 32.e6 Nd5 33.Bd2 Nb6 34.Ba5 Rb8 35.Kf1 fxg4 36.hxg4 h5 37.Kg1 hxg4 38.Rh2 Nh5 39.f5 Kg7 40.Bc3+ Nf6 41.Bc6 gxf5 42.Rf2 Kg6 43.Ra2 Nbd5 44.Ba1

Black to move

Despite having the faster army, Buck can’t find anywhere to do some damage, with the Knights and Pawns holding down the fort.  Now, time is becoming a factor.  The unusual move pattern of the Knights can be a tricky problem to solve for even the most experienced players with the clock ticking down.

In blitz, the Knight is stronger than the Bishop.

Vlastimil Hort

44…Rb6 45.Bd7 a6 0–1

We both missed the Knight’s patented move, The Fork (44…Nb4!).  The Knight creates an Overload by attacking both the Rook and Bishop.  White cannot defend both pieces as the Knight also covers Ra6.

The Knight Fork is possibly the first tactic most players learn.  Typically, the Fork occurs when the Knight can move forward towards two pieces and take one path to capture one piece and take a different path to capture the other one.  However, it is possible for the Knight to fork 8 different pieces!

When the Knight forks the King and Queen, it is called a Royal Fork.  When the Knight forks the King, Queen, and a Rook it is called a Family Fork.

The Knight

[Event "Al Ufer Memorial"]
[Site "https://cschessnews.blogspot.com/"]
[Date "2009.01.03"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Buchanan, Buck"]
[Black "Anderson, Paul"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A42"]
[WhiteElo "2004"]
[BlackElo "1952"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2008.01.05"]
[TimeControl "3600"]

1. d4 c6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nc3 Bg4 6. Be2 Bxf3 7. Bxf3 Qb6 8. d5 Qb4 9. Qb3 Qxb3 10. axb3 Nd7 11. Be3 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 c5 13. O-O Ngf6 14. g3 O-O 15. Bg2 Rfb8 16. f4 b5 17. Rfb1 bxc4 18. bxc4 Rxb1+ 19. Rxb1 Nb6 20. e5 Ng4 21. Bc1 Nxc4 22. h3 Nge3 23. Bf3 Nf5 24. g4 Ng7 25. Rb7 Kf8 26. Rb1 f5 27. Be2 Nb6 28. Bb5 Nxd5 29. Bc6 Nxc3 30. Rb2 Rc8 31. Bd7 Rd8 32. e6 Nd5 33. Bd2 Nb6 34. Ba5 Rb8 35. Kf1 fxg4 36. hxg4 h5 37. Kg1 hxg4 38. Rh2 Nh5 39. f5 Kg7 40. Bc3+ Nf6 41. Bc6 gxf5 42. Rf2 Kg6 43. Ra2 Nbd5 44. Ba1 Rb6 45. Bd7 a6 0-1

https://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=110585

This Week In Chess

On June 6th, the Colorado Springs Chess Club started the June Swiss 90 (5SS, G/90+30).

Standings. JuneSwiss90

# Name Rtng Rd 1 Tot Prize

1 Paul D Anderson 2008 W7 1.0
2 Peter Barlay 1957 W9 1.0
3 Aleksand Bozhenov 1914 W8 1.0
4 Calvin P Dejong 1900 W10 1.0
5 Mark McGough 1859 W11 1.0
6 Brian Jo Rountree 1767 W12 1.0
7 Michael Smith II 1545 L1 0.0
8 Alemayeh Mekonnen 1478 L3 0.0
9 Dean W Brown 1469 L2 0.0
10 Scott Ch Williams 1282 L4 0.0
11 Clinton D Eads 1180 L5 0.0
12 Daniel J Rupp 993 L6 0.0