TWO rival books on the Short-Kasparov match compete for the reader's
attention in the run-up to Christmas. At least one more book on the
match has been promised, but it will not now appear until the New Year.
The two existing accounts are both paperbacks, both priced at #7.99 and
both well worth the money. The main difference between the two are
stylistic. Both are written by grandmaster colleagues on the Channel 4
TV team, which covered the contest.
Raymond Keene's Kasparov-Short 1993, published by Batsford, is the
''Official Book of the Match''. It benefits by exclusive access to the
players' analyses and thoughts on the games and uses these extensively.
The book of the same title by Daniel King and Donald Trelford, published
by Cadogan Chess, has a lighter analytical touch and provides more
background colour. Both of these books would make excellent Christmas
presents and are obtainable at Chess Suppliers (Scotland), 15 Hope
Street, Glasgow (041-248 2887), and other outlets.
Chess computers have been selling well since the world championship
match. If you are bewildered by the choice available, I can recommend
that you contact John Henderson, at Chess Suppliers (Scotland), who is
not only an expert chess player, but can also advise on models
appropriate to the entire range of playing strength.
Last month's 32nd Glasgow Congress was a great success, with a healthy
entry of more than 350, including some 20 new enthusiasts, who had never
played in a tournament before, competing in a Novices' section. The
strong Open section was won by Aaron Summerscale (Hackney Chess Club),
who scored 4[1/2]/5, ahead of John Shaw (Paisley), outright second on 4
points.
A four-year-old, Stuart Giulian, son of Scottish international mother
and father Rosie and Phil, scored his first-ever win in a competitive
game. John Henderson demonstrated his skills in this up-and-down battle
with correspondence grandmaster Douglas Bryson.
White: D. Bryson
Black: J. Henderson
Open, Glasgow Congress 1993
Alekhine's Defence, Four Pawns Attack
1 e4 Nf6 2 e5 Nd5 3 d4 d6 4 c4 Nb6 5 f4 dxe5 6 fxe5 Nc6 7 Nf3 Bf5 8
Be3 e6 9 Nc3 Be7 10 Be2 0-0 11 0-0 f6 12 Qb3!?
The main line in recent years has been 10 d5, but Bryson has a new
idea in this old line. Old theory runs 12 exf6 Bxf6 13 Qd2 Qe7 14 Rad1
Rad8 and Black has adequate chances. White's clever idea includes veiled
possibilities of attack on Black's b pawn.
12 . . . Nb4 13 Rac1 a5 14 exf6 Bxf6 15 Rfd1 Qe7 16 Kh1 Kh8 17 Bg1
Rad8?
This allows the b pawn to fall. Better was 17 . . . a4 18 Qa3, and the
position remains unclear, or possibly the manoeuvre . . . Qe8-g6 on
Black's 15th move.
18 a3 Nc6 19 c5 Nd5 20 Qxb7 Nxc3 21 bxc3 Be4!?
Black is simply a clear pawn down. He may have been relying on the
occupation of the a8-g2 diagonal to provide positional compensation, but
his bishop cannot maintain its strong posting.
22 Nd2 Rb8 23 Qa6 Bd5 24 c4 Ra8 25 Qb5 Rab8 26 Qa4 Nxd4!?
Black's white square bishop has no move, so Black is forced to give up
a piece for whatever counterplay he can conjure up in this difficult
position.
27 Bxd4 Bxg2+ 28 Kxg2 Bxd4 29 Nf3 Bxc5 30 Qxa5?
But White fails to cope with the tactical resolution of his material
advantage and allows Black to escape with a drawing combination. White
had to consolidate carefully. After 30 Rc2 Qf6 31 Rcd2, White stands
well.
30 . . . Rb2 31 Rd2 Rxf3!
The first of two forcing rook sacrifices.
32 Rxb2 Rf2+ 33 Kh1 Rxh2+!
The second. And this forces perpetual check.
34 Kxh2 Qh4+ 35 Kg2 Qf2+ 36 Kh3 Qe3+ 37 Kg4?
But White must retreat with his king. Instead he refuses to accept his
fate, goes forward and blunders into an unexpected mating net.
37 . . . h5+ 38 Kxh5
There is no escape. If 38 Kh4 g5+ 39 Kxh5 Qh3+ 40 Kg6 Qh7+ 41 Kxg5
Qf5+ 42 Kh4 Bf2 mate (or 42 Kh6 Bf8 mate).
38 . . . Qh3+ 39 Kg5 Qf5+ 40 Kh4 Bf2 mate
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