The Daily Review, Sunday, August 13, 1967

Chess

Richard Shorman

The King's Gambit in the hands of an attacking player presents the defender with difficult problems to solve whether or not White's Pawn offer is accepted. The following game illustrates how easily Black can go wrong by opening up the position too soon.

White: Everett McNally, Black: Lawrence Vadnais.
Hayward Chess Festival, Rapid Transit Tournament.
King's Gambit Declined.

1.e4 e5

2.f4 d6 (a)

3.Nf3 Nc6

4.Bc4 (b) Be7

5.0-0 Nf6

6.c3 (c) Bg4

7.d4 Nxe4 (d)

9.Bxf7+ Kxf7 (f)

10.Nxe5+ Kg8 (g)

11.Qxg4 Nf6 (i)

12.Qe6+ Kf8

13.Qf7mate

(a) Considered inferior to 2…Bc5, but virtually "unbooked."
(b) Also good is 4.d4 or 4.Bb5.
(c) White does not fear 6…Ne4 because of 7.Bd5 Nf6 8.Bc6+ bc 9.fe de 10.Ne5.
(d) Risky. Staunton's "Handbook of Chess" (1859!) recommends 7...Bf3 with only a slight advantage to White.
(e) With 8…d5 Black can still defend himself.
(f) Black survives longer with 9...Kf8.
(g) "Better" but still hopeless is 10…Ke8.
(h) White has a sure mate with 11.Qb3+.
(i) Black's last chance to play on is 11…h6.

Where To Play Chess

The Hayward Chess Club, 2058 D Street (Hayward Arts and Science Center), Monday and Friday, 8-11 p.m.

The Newark Youth Center, 37230 Ash Street, Newark, Friday, 7-10 p.m.

Support Your Chess Column

Mail games, news and comments to The Daily Review Chess Column, P.O. Box 3127, Hayward, Calif. 94544.