The English Opening was essentially invented by Howard Staunton in the mid-19th century. The strategic point is to commence with c4, then fianchetto White’s king’s bishop and eventually to strike at the central and queenside light squares. This week’s game is a perfect example of this strategy in action. White’s light-squared bishop dominates proceedings and
White to play. This position is from Jones-Simutowe, Cape Town 2009. White’s next caused Black’s instant resignation. What did he play? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 10 July or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat,
This year’s British Chess Championship will be held from Sunday 22 July to Saturday 4 August 2012 at the Parks Leisure Centre, Howdon Road, North Shields, NE29 6TL (information can be found at www.britishchesschampionships.co.uk). Compared with last year’s star-studded field, this year lacks the defending champion Michael Adams and Nigel Short, who was only defeated
Black to play. This position is from Morozevich-McShane, Tal Memorial, Moscow 2012. Black’s next move did not elicit an immediate resignation but nevertheless essentially destroyed the white position. What was it? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 3 July or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner
Magnus Carlsen, the Norwegian chess superstar, has added to his numerous laurels by winning the Tal Memorial in Moscow, ahead of most of the world’s elite. The absentees were Anand and Gelfand, presumably exhausted after their strenuous efforts in the World Championship, also held in Moscow, just before the Tal. Magnus escaped, as if by
The proliferation of short draws in the recently concluded World Championship match has led to some hysterical proposals to adjust the format which decides the supreme title in chess. For the record, Viswanathan Anand of India, the defending champion, retained his title against Boris Gelfand of Israel with ten draws and one win each in
Black to play. This is from Anand-Gelfand, rapid-play play-off, World Championship, Moscow 2012. Gelfand eventually lost, but he had a clever chance here to make a clear draw. How? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 26 July or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be
White to play. This is a variation from Spassky-Bronstein, Leningrad 1960, which was used as the basis of the chess position in From Russia with Love. Can you spot White’s fine finish? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 19 June or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The
The latest Sherlock Holmes film, A Game of Shadows, starring Robert Downey jr and Jude Law, pays distinct homage to Conan Doyle’s one direct reference to chess in the Sherlock Holmes canon. Although in The Dying Detective Holmes and Watson repair for ‘something nutritious’ at Simpson’s-in-the-Strand, then the traditional hub of London chess, the only