CHESS SEASON

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 83, 24 April 1937, Page 15

CHESS SEASON

"Fianchetto.")

First Problem in Hastings Club's Competition COSY NEW ROOMS

(By

As. tbere is no block for printing the problem chart, the following method is used for showing the position of the pieces) : — 1. White pieces are shown in capitals and Black pieces in small letters. 2. Emply squares are denoted by a number showing the number of consecutive empty squares. 3. Each line is separated by a semicolon. 4. The count starts from the top lefthand corner (Black' s Queen Rook squarel PROBLEM No. 1. ((M. AdabschefE). 1 rook rook bishop 4; 3 pawn QUEEN PAWN BISHOP 1; 4 PAWN KING 2; 3 ROOK 1 BiSHOP KNIGHT bishop; 1 pawn* 3 PAWN PAWN queen; 2 king ]. KNIGHT 3; 8; 1 ROOK knight 6. White to move and mate in two moves. As stated in last week's notes,^ the prcib*I«:^3? 'this ywe'ek is the first in a competition over a sei'ies of 20, to the winner of which I am giving a 12months subscription oi either the "A.C.R." or "Chess." The conditions are as follow: — 1. Solutions must bear Tuesday's postmark, or else reach me by the Wednesday following publication. 2. In two move problem s only the key move need be given, but in three or four move problems any important variations must be shown. 3- In the event of a tie I reserve the rigkt to decide either by lot, or else by a further 6hort series of problems. Club night last Tuesday was epent almos't entirely in friendly games, though ladder matches were played between Mitcbell and Haines and between Rose and Fowler. Mitcbell retained his position by defeating Haines in two games, wkile Rose and Fowler scored one iv'in each, i uoderst'and that the handioap tourney will start next week, and it is hoped that all members will enter. The season will then have started in earnest, and fuller attendances will no doubt take place. The new rooms are cosy and well lighted, and the club considers itself fortunate to secure such a suitablo meeting place. The proposed change to Thursday evenings (to take place in a fortnight's time) is expected to prove more convenient to some playet's. I have emphasised the weakness oi club players in end game play almost

to ihe point of monotony, but must mention two cases that I noticed in the games last Tuesday, because they illustrate points every player should know, The first was a club game, in which one player had a king and two pawns against a king but only drew, and the second a ladder game in which one player had a king 3nd pawn against a king and was able to win even though his king was behind his pawn. These two endings are easy ones, and ones which are met with fairly often. The first .case, of course, should have been an easy win for the attacking player, for two passed pawns protect each other from capture. If the adverse king captures one, 'the other must go to queen. The second case should have been a draw, for king and pawn against king is a draw if the defending king can get in front of the pawn. The way to draw is to to play your king so as to be able to move into tbe opposition when the attacking king advances beside his pawn. The club acknowledges with thanks a donation from Mr John Ohambers, who has ' beeti patron of the club for the past three years.