Today's chess puzzle

SPRAGGETT ON CHESS

Good morning Sunday! Today's puzzle is all about command of the board: diagonal and horizontal checks. First look at the position might give the impression that the game is a dead draw: the White King is out of it; White has no pawns; the Black King is safe since the position is open and the White Queen and Knight are not yet coordinated.

But as we know with Troitzky problems, nothing is ever as simple as it looks at first sight! In a completely open and barren position, the White Queen and Knight are able to perform magic. Are you up to the challenge? How good are you at calculating? White to play and win. Good luck!

Troitzky (1866-1942)

TODAYS CHESS COMBINATIONS

(FROM GM E.ELISKASES)

1

White Mates in 7. Eliskases vs Siegfried Wolf, 1935

2 Eliskases vs Andre Muffang, Warsaw, 1935

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN

3 Eliskases vs George Thomas, Hastings, 1936

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN

4 Eliskases vs Massimiliano Romi, Munich, 1936

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN


5

Eliskases vs Karel Treybal, Podebrady, 1936

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN


6Eliskases vs Pablo Michel, Bad Elster, 1938
WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN

Erich Gottlieb Eliskases (February 15, 1913 - February 2, 1997) was a leading chess Grandmaster, of the 1930s and 1940s who represented Austria, Germany and Argentina in international competition.

Born in Innsbruck, Austro-Hungarian Empire, he learned chess at the age of 12 and quickly showed a startling aptitude for the game, winning the Schlechter chess club championship in his first year at the club, aged just 14. At 15, he was the Tyrolean Champion and at 16, joint winner of the Austrian Championship.

His college education in Innsbruck and Vienna centred on business studies. It was chess, though, that captured his imagination and he had exceptional results at the Olympiads of 1930, 1933 and 1935. When Germany and Austria merged, he twice won the German national championship at Bad Oeynhausen in 1938 and 1939.

He played under the German flag at the 1939 Buenos Aires Olympiad and this coincided with the outbreak of World War II, when Eliskases (along with many other players) decided to stay in Argentina (and for a while in Brazil) rather than return to the scene of the conflict.

Brazilian authorities threatened to intern and expel Eliskases as they had severed all links with Nazi Germany. Some Brazilian chess enthusiasts helped Eliskases avoid that fate by hiring him as a chess teacher. After some years in the wilderness, when he struggled to make a living, he eventually became a naturalised Argentine citizen and represented his new country at the Olympiads of 1952, 1958, 1960 and 1964.FIDE awarded Eliskases the titles of International Master and Grandmaster in 1950 and 1952, respectively.

Towards the end of the 1930s, along with Keres and Capablanca, Eliskases was regarded as a third potential contender for a World Championship encounter with Alexander Alekhine. Indeed, Alekhine spoke out in favour of a match with the Austrian, who had ingratiated himself as the champion's second during his title defence with Max Euwe in 1937.

However, Eliskases' defection to South America was badly timed, as documentary evidence later showed that the Nazi regime had scheduled him a 1941 match with the World Champion, but due to circumstances, had subsequently abandoned the idea.

It can nevertheless be seen that Eliskases would have made a worthy challenger; he was one of very few masters and certainly the only Austrian to have beaten three world champions (Capablanca, Euwe and Fischer). Indeed, he had a plus score against Euwe (3-2), and even scores against Capablanca (2-2) and Fischer (1-1). Eliskases' critics may have pointed to the impressive credentials of Keres, his main rival, but the Estonian too had twice fallen victim to Eliskases in tournament play.

He carried on playing through the 1950s, 60s and even into the 70s but his results were less convincing. He married the Argentinian María Esther Almeda in 1954 and had a son, Carlos Enrico. In 1976 he and his wife ventured back to the Austrian Tyrol, but the couple failed to settle and returned to Córdoba.

Eliskases was also a strong correspondence player and his notes showed that he scored over 75 percent during his most active period.He was considered an expert in the endgame - in fact it was at Semmering in 1937, that he outplayed and beat Capablanca in the endgame phase, despite this being a major forte of the Cuban ex-world champion. (wikipedia)

Saturday's chess puzzles

SPRAGGETT ON CHESS

Good morning Saturday! Today we have a special treat for you: a gem of a Troitzky composition! White is a full rook down and is clearly in a desperate position. Most players would throw in the towel right away! But Troitzky's genius was to construct a puzzle that contained a brilliant and surprising idea to make a draw! An idea that you can probably put into practice in your own games from time to time because it is simple enough to apply once you see it. White to play and draw. Good luck!

Troitzky (1866-1942)

TODAY'S CHESS COMBOS

(FROM THE GAMES OF gm BIRD)

HENRY EDWARD BIRD (1830 - 1908)

by G. A. Macdonnell

There is no more striking figure or more chivalrous player in the chess world than the veteran Mr. H. E. Bird.

From the first day he stepped into the chess arena down to the present time he has always attracted attention, if not roused enthusiasm. Probably he never made a move on the board that was not instinct with chess. His natural taste for the game is really genius.

Besides genius, Mr. Bird cherishes a love, an unselfish love for the game, such as no first-class chess player I know anything of ever possessed, excepting, perhaps, Anderssen. Some men play the game to win money, others to gain a reputation, a few to vindicate their intellectual supremacy, believing chess to be a criterion in this last respect; but Bird plays chess primarily and principally because he loves a free fight, for the fun and pleasure of the thing. But specially does Bird love a good game, the game in which he has to fight hard and put forth all his strength. He prefers losing a good game to winning a bad one, his adversary's part in the game always delighting him as much as his own.

His appetite, too, for chess is enormous. No matter how physically fatigued he may be, or gout-afflicted, or game-sated, he is ever ready for the fray. No champion's glove is ever thrown down at him without his snatching it up and buckling on his armour at once. Like the ruddy youth of old, afterwards the great poet-king, he cannot see a foeman ready for a fight without himself shouting for the battle and rushing to the field. No player has been for so long a time before the public without impairing his strength or diminishing his reputation. It is now forty-seven years since he made his first appearance as a player.

"I remember him well," said the late S. S. Boden to me, "when he first came to the Divan in 1846, a pretty-faced boy in a jacket, blue-eyed, fair haired, and rosy-cheeked." Everybody admired his appearance, and praised his style. At first he received the odds of Queen from Lowe, Williams, and other magnates, but before the lapse of a year he rose to second class, and at the odds of pawn and move gloriously defeated H. T. Buckle, the historian, at that time one of the best players in Europe.

In 1851 he played eighteen off-hand games with Herr Anderssen, making even games with him; and with a like result he encountered Szen, Harrwitz, and Lowenthal. In 1866 Bird made a gallant fight against Steinitz, and very nearly succeeded in plucking from the Austrian's brow the laurel wreath with which his recent victory over Anderssen had crowned him. Truly a fine performance, considering that all through the match Bird had to labour hard at his professional work, while Steinitz was perfectly free the livelong day to concoct new openings, and enjoy long walks and Roman baths.

In 1873 Bird played several matches with Wisker, and, after varying success, ultimately emerged the conqueror. In 1877 bird won the Lowenthal prize in the City tourney, amongst the vanquished being Mason, Blackburne, Potter, and Macdonnell.

During the last ten years Bird has seldom missed taking part in international tournaments, and has never failed to win a glory, if not victory he is as quick, as brilliant, and as strong at the present time as ever he was; indeed, in one respect he is stronger - I refer to the openings.

Formerly he despised book lore, and had no technical knowledge of openings. This nescience often caused him to drift into a bad position in the early part of the game, and so be beaten by an inferior but book-learned opponent. This weak point of his armour, however, he made good when, some years ago, he resolved to write a book on the openings, and to that end had, of course, to study the subject; and now, in certain débuts - notably the Evans, the Sicilian, and the Bishop's Gambit - Bird is certainly unsurpassed.

Mr. Bird works on chess are well known and highly interesting. To name them is to recommend them to masters as well as students. "Chess Masterpieces", "Chess Openings", and "Modern Chess" afford a treasury into which no player can dip without enriching his stores and feasting his imagination.

At the board Bird is very quick over his moves, and, unlike most quick players, is never impatient with a slow-coach, or ill-humoured when unlucky. He never stamps the pieces on the board as if he were crushing an enemy, or flourished his hand about as if he were grinding a hand-organ or striking a cricket ball; never depreciates a rival's skill, or harbours resentment for a defeat; but is always happy in praising other men's games when they deserve it, and in acknowledging the merits to which he himself may have been obliged to succumb.

If he cherished any jealousy at all there is not a particle of meanness or pettiness in it. In short, as a chess player, he looks and acts and plays - as genuine John Bull.

Socially, Mr. Bird is a singularly pleasant man. To see his good-humoured face is to enjoy a smile, but to see him at a banquet or hear him delivering a post-prandial oration is to experience true happiness. Mr. Bird possesses other gifts besides chess. many years ago I happened to be dinned with Mr. Turquand, the eminent accountant, and he asked if I knew Bird, then a clerk in his house, I what I thought of his chess.

I told him Bird was one of the finest players in England. "Indeed" he remarked, "well, he is also one of the cleverest accountants I know; for railway business he is unequalled.'' Bird afterwards rose to be a partner in the house of Turquand, Young, and Co. His letters and articles on Railways have frequently been published in the Times and other journals.

Mr. Bird is a man of extraordinary energy. He not merely delights in hard work, but he never fears to break fresh ground and wield unwonted weapons. Thus, during his long illness in 1890-1, when he had to spend several months in St. Thomas's Hospital, suffering constant pain, and at times unable to move, he never lost heart, never gave way to idleness, or sank into despair; but, rightly perceiving that the best thing for him was to employ his mind, and, as far as possible, diversify his pursuits, he at first proceeded to write a new chess book ("Chess for Beginners"; an excellent manual), and then sought out a fresh subject for his meditations.

Fortunately, he bethought him of the Bible, and naturally became intensely interested in the question of figures, as set forth in the Books of the Kings and Chronicles. Then the prophecies of Isaiah attracted his attention, and filled him with delight. They awoke the spiritual in his soul, and caused him to exclaim, "How magnificent!".
_____
from the "Knight and Kings of Chess"

TODAY YOU HAVE 10 COMBOS!

1

Bird vs James Mason, New York, 1876

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN

2

Bird vs Adolf Anderssen, Paris, 1878

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN

3

Bird vs H Gifford, Paris, 1878

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN

4

White Mates in 4. Bird vs Claus Pitschel, Paris, 1878


5

Bird vs Alexander Sellmann, London, 1883
WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN


6

White Mates in 3. Bird vs NN, London, 1886


7

Mates in 3. NN vs Bird, England, 1850


8

Henry Bird vs David Baird, New York, 1889

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN

9

Black Mates in 3. William Steinitz vs Bird, London, 1866


10

Claus Pitschel vs Bird, Paris, 1878

BLACK TO PLAY AND WIN

SPRAGGETT ON CHESS

Friday's chess puzzles

SPRAGGETT ON CHESS

Good morning Friday! It has been a very productive week, and today we continue in the same manner and with the same zest! Troitzky's composition today is about dotting all the 'i's and crossing all the 't's; precision;attention to details. White's position seems quite poor at first sight, with his pieces dormant and seemingly uncoordinated.

However, what matters in chess is improving one's position, and in this composition White can improve his position ten-fold with each precise move! The question is whether you are up to the challenge? Ofcourse you are! White to play and win. Good luck!

Troitsky (1866-1942)

TODAY'S CHESS COMBOS

(FROM GRISCHUK'S GAMES)

1

Grischuk vs Ekaterina Savitskaya, Moscow, 1996

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN

2

Grischuk vs Oleg Spirin, Kazan, 1997

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN

3

Grischuk vs Stevan Kecic, Bled, 1999
WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN

4
Grischuk vs Andrei Kharlov, Moscow, 1999
WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN

5
Grischuk vs Andrey Lunev, Moscow, 1999
WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN

6
Grischuk vs Evgeniy Najer, St Petersburg, 1999
WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN

David Carradine:the passing of an American film legend

SPRAGGETT ON CHESS

December 8, 1936 - June 3, 2009

For many of my generation, David Carradine represents the teaching of dignity and courage. Moderation and understanding; wisdom and tolerance. Of an inevitable movement towards the unity of the diverse and expanding community that we live in today.

In 1972 Hollywood wanted to profit from the surge of worldwide interest in Kung Fu that legendary Bruce Lee had created. But Hollywood felt that putting a real chinese actor and superstar (Bruce Lee) into a key role on prime time television was a risky move that its investors were not yet ready to make.

And so they chose a talented white american actor with deep roots in the conservative American film culture: David Carradine. He became a house hold name to millions of Americans: Kwai Chang Caine; simple Shaolin monk.

The TV series was a great success! Beyond anything that anyone had even imagined!

..............................................................................................

With the untimely passing of Bruce Lee, Carradine must have felt some guilt and pressure for having substituted the real star of the moment. David made every effort to compensate for the strange twist of fate that had fallen upon him by trying to transmit in his role the very essence of Shaolin philosophy that Bruce Lee had embodied.

"Because a man can see, he does not look." — Master Po

The series was a world wide success and appeared on Tv between 1972 and 1975 before finally being relegated to re-runs.

The rest of the life of David Carradine was played under the shadow of the success of the highly successful Kung Fu series. But thru it all, and including the highly proclaimed books that Carradine authored, kept his head high and sent a very clear message to his millions of fans: that there is no higher ideal that working for the common good.

In the introduction to ''Spirit of Shaolin'', Carradine wrote:

Our rivers and oceans, our trees, all the animals and vegetables we don't eat, are being phased out. At the rate it's going, there won't be much left for our children, much less our grandchildren. At this moment, the planet is closer to ending as we know it than it has ever been since the great flood. I have, by some chance of fate, been given this opportunity to be a sort of Noah. Hear my plea: perhaps , in a small way, this little book can be of some help. I sure hope so.''

David Carradine's persistence and life-long loyalty to the cause paid off in the Kill Bill films of Tarantino; here Carradine was able to find a medium to pass on the Shaolin philosophy thru humour and action.

Rest in Peace

''There's an alternative. There's always a third way, and it's not a combination of the other two ways. It's a different way.''--David Carradine

Master Po: Close your eyes. What do you hear?

Young Caine: I hear the water, I hear the birds.

Po: Do you hear your own heartbeat?

Caine: No.

Po: Do you hear the grasshopper that is at your feet?

Caine: Old man, how is it that you hear these things?

Po: Young man, how is it that you do not?