''I dress for the image. Not for myself, not for the public, not for fashion, not for men.'' Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992)
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Rare photo of Fischer vs Saidy (Ch-US 1964)
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
Fischer and Evans posing for a photo
Bobby Fischer: the legend who simply refuses to go away. I chanced upon the photo below at Winter's site (chesshistory) which is great for all sorts of historical tidbits.
The photo is from the last round game of the 1963-64 US Championship between Bobby Fischer and Anthony Saidy, after Fischer's 26th move (26...h5):
Fischer had already won the tournament before this game started (he had an incredible 10-0 score by that point!) and should he win this game then Fischer would achieve something that no other American player had ever done before (or since !) winning the US Championship with a perfect score! Saidy, for his part, was in running for second place and had no intention of becoming another Fischer victim...
The tournament was held in the ballroom of the Henry Hudson Hotel (in the exact same room as where the historic 1945 USSR vs USA Radio match was held!)
The late Larry Evans wrote about the 1963-64 US Championship: ''There was no TV coverage and spectators sitting on folding wooden chairs followed the action on six large wallboards hung above the players onstage.
Attendance was sparse in the early rounds. Some celebrities who watched included my old friends Marcel Duchamp and Stanley Kubrick who invited me to a preview of his new film Dr. Strangelove. Other visitors were Edward Lasker, a chessmaster who invented the breast pump, and Harold Phillips, then 90, a lawyer for the Rosenbergs who were executed as spies in 1953.''
The photo is from the last round game of the 1963-64 US Championship between Bobby Fischer and Anthony Saidy, after Fischer's 26th move (26...h5):
FISCHER
SAIDY
Black has a slight advantage; in combination with the isolated Q-pawns, the Knight is superior to the Bishop
Fischer had already won the tournament before this game started (he had an incredible 10-0 score by that point!) and should he win this game then Fischer would achieve something that no other American player had ever done before (or since !) winning the US Championship with a perfect score! Saidy, for his part, was in running for second place and had no intention of becoming another Fischer victim...
The tournament was held in the ballroom of the Henry Hudson Hotel (in the exact same room as where the historic 1945 USSR vs USA Radio match was held!)
The USSR thumped the Americans 15.5--4-5, signalling the start of a new era in world chess
The late Larry Evans wrote about the 1963-64 US Championship: ''There was no TV coverage and spectators sitting on folding wooden chairs followed the action on six large wallboards hung above the players onstage.
Attendance was sparse in the early rounds. Some celebrities who watched included my old friends Marcel Duchamp and Stanley Kubrick who invited me to a preview of his new film Dr. Strangelove. Other visitors were Edward Lasker, a chessmaster who invented the breast pump, and Harold Phillips, then 90, a lawyer for the Rosenbergs who were executed as spies in 1953.''
The game was adjourned at the 44th move, with Saidy having to seal his 44th move :
FISCHER
SAIDY
White thought a long time before sealing the imprecise 44.Be1
When word got out that history could be in the making, a thousand spectators crowded the ballroom as the adjournment was played out. A number of tournament participants did not want to see Fischer win the tournament with a perfect score, and so they helped Saidy analyze the above position (!) But it did little good...and Fischer won the game, the championship and the $2,000 first prize.
Larry Evans wrote: ''Recently I asked Saidy about his adjourned game. He said: “I sealed move 44 after thinking for 45 minutes and clearly saw the way to draw: 44. Ke2! Nxg4 45. Bg1 Kf5 46. Kf3 Nf6 47. Bh2 Nh5 48. a5! Kg5 49. g4 fxg3 e.p. 50. Bxg3 but I didn’t trust my analysis and lost after inaccuracies by both sides in the ensuing play. Kasparov’s analysis was deeper and differs from mine yet also ends in a draw.”''
_________________________________________________________
Some photos from the Reshevsky vs Fischer game in the same tournament.
POSITION AFTER 32 MOVES: (32...h5)
FISCHER
RESHEVSKY
It is hard to believe that Reshevsky could lose this position, but trying too hard to win (in his usual time-trouble, no doubt) Reshevsky soon blundered a piece!
Two great American rivals: Reshevsky (back to us) and Fischer
The late Larry Evans wrote (link above):
''Bobby’s 11-0 sweep of the 1963/4 U.S. Championship made a greater impact around the world than in America where the general public was indifferent to chess. Baseball, football and basketball dominated the sports pages. Chess, when it received any notice at all, was lodged in the back between obituaries and comics.
At the time Bobby said bitterly, “Around the world I’m more famous than Joe Namath. In America I’m nobody.”
''Victory seemed so effortless Hans Kmoch quipped that Fischer won the exhibition but Evans won the tournament. His competitors felt a trifle humiliated but I, for one, heeded Goethe’s admonition that our only defense against a genius is to admire him.
“Our guy deserves a shot at the title. He has no superior in the world today,” exclaimed a jubilant fan who reflected the prevailing sentiment. But Danish grandmaster Bent Larsen was singularly unimpressed. “He was playing against children in the U.S.A. All I know is that when they sit down to play Fischer they play as though beaten before the game starts. The Russians say that Fischer is too limited and lacking in self-criticism and that he is really not a serious problem as far as the world championship is concerned. Keres told me he would beat Fischer 8-2 in a match.”
“Our guy deserves a shot at the title. He has no superior in the world today,” exclaimed a jubilant fan who reflected the prevailing sentiment. But Danish grandmaster Bent Larsen was singularly unimpressed. “He was playing against children in the U.S.A. All I know is that when they sit down to play Fischer they play as though beaten before the game starts. The Russians say that Fischer is too limited and lacking in self-criticism and that he is really not a serious problem as far as the world championship is concerned. Keres told me he would beat Fischer 8-2 in a match.”
They say revenge is a dish best tasted cold. The irony is that on his road to the world championship in 1971 Bobby also wiped out Bent 6-0.''--Larry Evans
A relaxed but poised Bobby Fischer before start of play in game 1.
_______________________________________________________________________
SOME TIDBITS ABOUT THE HENRY HUDSON HOTEL:
Most chessplayers remember the Henry Hudson Hotel for being the home of the Manhattan Chess Club in the '60s,'70's and to the early '80's (the club moved in 1982) or for being the site of many of Bill Goichberg's early tournaments. Not so well known, however, is that Bobby Fischer spent a lot of time there--living there-- especially in the months before the 1972 Iceland match.
However, the building has an interesting history. After doing some research, these are some of the more curious facts and tidbits:
This magnificent 27-story building was not originally intended as a hotel. Financed principally by Anne Morgan, daughter of J.P Morgan (of the Morgan financial dynasty) and a advocate of women's rights, the building was to house the American Women's Association clubhouse and residence. Construction began in 1928 and finished in 1929.
The $7,000,000 club had 1,250 rooms, swimming pool, gym, meeting rooms, terraces on the top, restaurants, etc. Anne Morgan created the club with her wealthy friends as a place where professional women could network their way to upward mobility in businesses. In those days, even white women were largely excluded from the men’s clubs and corporate offices.
Anne Morgan ( 1873 -1952) was the daughter of J.P Morgan and sister of J.P Morgan. She did a lot to promote women's issues and rights. As well, she played an important role in relief work in France at the end of both world wars. Anne Morgan became the 1st American woman to be awarded the French Legion of Honour. She never married.
The Great Depression did not treat the club very kindly, and in 1941 was declared bankrupt, and from that point on it became a hotel (Henry Hudson Hotel) During the II World War it housed soldiers who were being trained before shipped overseas. After the war, it briefly housed the UN Security Council.
The Great Depression did not treat the club very kindly, and in 1941 was declared bankrupt, and from that point on it became a hotel (Henry Hudson Hotel) During the II World War it housed soldiers who were being trained before shipped overseas. After the war, it briefly housed the UN Security Council.
Harry Gold (center left) and the Rosenbergs
''The hotel played a tangential role in the famous Rosenberg spy case. Harry Gold, the spy courier whose arrest and confession led eventually to the prosecution of the Rosenbergs, and his Soviet handler had violated spy protocol. Rather than sticking to furtive rendezvous at subway platforms or movie theaters, they met for drinks several time at the Ferris Wheel Bar in the hotel basement.
They were supposed to remain anonymous to each other but after a few drinks at the bar, the homesick Soviet spoke about his wish to return home to his wife and children, divulging enough personal information to Gold for the FBI later to identify him by name as a clerk at the Consulate General of the USSR in New York.''
Leonard Cohen was a frequent guest at the Henry Hudson Hotel, as were many other famous musicians and artists of the day. He wrote or finished several of his songs there, including '' Stranger Song''
Leonard Cohen - Stranger Song por popefucker
Harry Gold was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role, and the Rosenbergs became the first civilians to be executed for espionage. The case is still widely disputed today, often seen as an example of the government's anti-communist paranoia in the 1950's.
Leonard Cohen - Stranger Song por popefucker
In 1997, the building was purchased by Morgans Hotel Group and underwent a three-year renovation that cost $125 million. It is now called the Hudson Hotel . http://www.hudsonhotel.com/en-us/#/home/
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Today's consumer tip
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
(thx, Ralph)
This makes me think of becoming a vegetarian....
(thx, Ralph)
Exciting chess at Chinese championship
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
Reasonable looking at first glance, especially since a Bishop on d5 can not be better centralized!
Now Black has a forced draw with 33...Qd7! (threatening ...Qh3) 34.gxf4 Qg4-ch 35.Kh1 Qf3-ch etc.
The Chinese Championship is taking place right now and it is proving to be a very exciting affair! Lots of sharp chess --typical of the chinese style of playing--and hard fought games. With a very fast time control that often leads to both players being short of time, this has helped to produce some really spectacular clashes, as can be witnessed in the game given below.
POSITION AFTER 30 MOVES
Li,Chao
Li,Chao
Zang,Ziyang
Black has an exchange for his important King-Bishop, but it is clear that White has more than enough compensation. In particular, the Black King lives dangerously with the White Bishops sweeping the board.
31.Bxe6!
A very strong move that no doubt came as a very unpleasant surprise to the Black player. If now 31...fxe6? 32.Qxe6 Kf8 33.Bg5! attacks the Rook and threatens 34.Bh6ch winning
31...Rf8 ! Best chance. Black now threatens to take the piece
Now with the simple 32.Bf5! White would maintain all of the advantages of his position and excellent winning chances. White plays a move that seems at first sight to be just as strong as 32.Bf5, except that it throws away all of his advantage and gives Black an unexpected opportunity to get back into the game...
32.Bd5?!
Reasonable looking at first glance, especially since a Bishop on d5 can not be better centralized!
32...Nf4!!
An unexpected tactial shot! Now if 33.gxf4 Qxf4 34.Qxc5 (forced) and Black has atleast a pertpetual and maybe more after 34...Qxf6. In the meantime, if White does not take the Knight then what to do about ...Ne2ch or ...Nh3ch ?
33.Rf1 !?
Now Black has a forced draw with 33...Qd7! (threatening ...Qh3) 34.gxf4 Qg4-ch 35.Kh1 Qf3-ch etc.
33...Ne2-ch? 34.Kg2
Maybe 34.Kh2 would be even more precise a move
Now Black is in trouble again. Perhaps the best chance to resist would be 34...Qd7!? and after 35.Bg5 Rd4 36.Qxe2 Rxd5 37.Bf6 Qe6 38.Re1 Qxf6 39.exd5 cxb4 40.Qg4 Kh8 41.Qxb4 somehow try to hold in a Queen and Rook ending a pawn down.
However, Black plays a really horrible move that is more poker than chess:
34...Nxg3?
Black is clearly hoping for a miracle in White's time trouble. But White plays a really strong move:
Perhaps even more precise is the pretty 37...Qf5 , but it makes no real difference. Black will interpose his Queen on g6 should White give a check with his Queen. White resigns.
35.e5! Threatening mate with Qg4! 35...Qd7
Now White misses his chance to end the game! 36.Qf4! Qxd5 37.Kxg3 (Diagram right) 37...Ra8 ( 37...Qd3 38.Kh2 Qg6 39.Rg1 ) 38.Qh6 Qd3 39.Kh2 Qg6 40.Qxd2 Qh5 41.Kg3 Qg6 42.Kh4 and the Black Queens has no more checks.
INSTEAD, WHITE LOST HIS HEAD AND BLUNDERED
36.Bf3?? Nxf1!
Black is now threatening the devastating ....Ne3-ch , winning the Queen, while White does not have the necessary tempo to give mate! White is now totally lost. An exciting turn around for the spectators!
37.Qf4 Qd3!
Perhaps even more precise is the pretty 37...Qf5 , but it makes no real difference. Black will interpose his Queen on g6 should White give a check with his Queen. White resigns.
[0:1]
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Today's inspirational thought
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
''My mother said to me, 'If you are a soldier, you will become a general. If you are a monk, you will become the Pope.' Instead, I was a painter, and became Picasso.''
Pablo Picasso
Today's laughs
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
Worst album ever?
Download songs from this album:
Didn't Einstein say something like that...?
He may just be a dog, but he ain't stupid!
Earth: a giant potato in space
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
MAPPING THE PULL OF GRAVITY ON THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH
It is amazing what satelites armed with the latest technologies are discovering about our planet. The team behind Europe's Goce satelite has released some stunning imagery of the earth. The Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer (Goce) was launched in March 2009.
It flies pole to pole at an altitude of just 254.9km - the lowest orbit of any research satellite in operation today.The spacecraft carries three pairs of precision-built platinum blocks inside its gradiometer instrument that can sense fantastically small accelerations.
This extraordinary performance allows it to map the almost imperceptible differences in the pull exerted by the mass of the planet from one place to the next - from the great mountain ranges to the deepest ocean trenches. Just getting it to work has tested the best minds in Europe.
It flies pole to pole at an altitude of just 254.9km - the lowest orbit of any research satellite in operation today.The spacecraft carries three pairs of precision-built platinum blocks inside its gradiometer instrument that can sense fantastically small accelerations.
This extraordinary performance allows it to map the almost imperceptible differences in the pull exerted by the mass of the planet from one place to the next - from the great mountain ranges to the deepest ocean trenches. Just getting it to work has tested the best minds in Europe.
''It is a highly exaggerated rendering, but it neatly illustrates how the tug we feel from the mass of rock under our feet is not the same in every location.
Gravity is strongest in yellow areas; it is weakest in blue ones. Technically speaking, the model at the top of this page is what researchers refer to as a geoid.
It is not the easiest of concepts to grasp, but essentially it describes the "level" surface on an idealised world.
Look at the potato and its slopes. Put simply, the surface which traces the lumps and bumps defines the horizontal - it traces a surface on which, at any point, the pull of gravity would be perpendicular to it.
Described another way, if you were to place a ball anywhere on this potato, it would not roll because, from the ball's perspective, there is no "up" or "down" on the undulating surface.
It is the shape the oceans would adopt if there were no winds, no currents and no tides.
The differences have been magnified nearly 10,000 times to show up as they do in the new model.
Even so, a boat off the coast of Europe (bright yellow) can sit 180m "higher" than a boat in the middle of the Indian Ocean (deep blue) and still be on the same level plane.
This is the trick gravity plays on Earth because the space rock on which we live is not a perfect sphere and its interior mass is not evenly distributed.''
The rest of the article can be found at this link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12911806
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
Korchnoi interview (Part 3)
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
Korchnoi (l) playing Karpov in the 1978 match in Baguio City
Part 3 of the Korchnoi interview covers the 1978 World Championship match against Karpov. Korchnoi talks about the role of the KGB in Karpov's final victory. An excellent series by the Europe-Echecs team!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Chessboxing at its best
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
A weird variation of chess and boxing, chessboxing is fought alternatively on the chess board and in the boxing ring. I have previously written about this new sport on this blog, but nothing this year. To tell the truth, I thought that it had died because it was just too weird--even by our standards.
THE SHOW DOWN
A weird variation of chess and boxing, chessboxing is fought alternatively on the chess board and in the boxing ring. I have previously written about this new sport on this blog, but nothing this year. To tell the truth, I thought that it had died because it was just too weird--even by our standards.
But no, chessboxing will not go quietly and is still around! I got a kick out of the run-up to the CCP Chess Boxing match between 'The Brain'' vs ''The Pain''. Quite well done! The first video circulated on the net for months before the actual confrontation which took place last week. The last video is the actual fight! I won't tell you who won...enjoy!
THE SHOW DOWN
Anton Kovalyov wins Trois Rivieres
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
The traditional Trois-Rivieres tournament (COM) was held on the weekend of March 18,19 and 20. Always a successfully run tournament, this year was quite strong with the presence of many masters, including Montreal-based GMs Kovalyov ,Sambuev and R.Roozmon.
Kovalyov taking no chances against Sambuev
The decisive encounter took place in the 4th round between Kovalyov and Sambuev. Sambuev played a bit fast and loose in the opening and he soon sacrificed a pawn trying to avoid trouble. He managed to make a fight of it by doubling on the open e-file, but Kovalyov's calm and patient handling of the defence soon neutralized all of Sambuev's play and the young Kovalyov (the highest FIDE rated player resident in Canada) had little problem scoring the point. Black could have resigned a lot sooner than he did...
POSITION AFTER WHITE'S 25th MOVE (25.b4!)
GM Sambuev
GM Kovalyov
Black is hard pressed to justify his pawn sacrifice
POSITION AFTER 12 MOVES
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
Black is hard pressed to justify his pawn sacrifice
GM Bator Sambuev is an unknown player to me, but apparently he has chosen to play for Canada and currently resides in Montreal. His style of play (judging from the games that I saw in this tournament) seems a good fit for short weekend tournaments and fast time controls. He handles the initiative well, and seems quite good at beating weaker players. The game below is a nice example of him crushing his opponent's weak opening play.
POSITION AFTER 12 MOVES
Kraiouchkine
GM Sambuev
White played the sharp 13.f4!, cracking open the position
White played the sharp 13.f4!, cracking open the position
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