MARK RUBERY CHESS

The following is taken from Leonard Reitstein’s excellent book on the history of South African chess: H. Gurland - J. Wolpert [E24] South African Championship, Cape Town, 1937 Gurland vs Wolpert from Round Four was awarded the Brilliancy Prize of three guineas. In the same round Archer won a beautiful game against Siegheim, which gained neither the Brilliancy Prize nor the Best Game Prize, won by Siegheim for his game against Heidenfeld. The decision of the adjudicator caused a certain amount of debate, for many thought Archer’s win deserved recognition .. 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 The Nimzo-Indian Defence was very popular at the time, being frequently adopted by Alekhine and Euwe in their 1937 match. It was also extensively analysed by Purdy in the pages of the ‘South African Chess Magazine’ that year. 4...Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 Ne4 This was adopted by Tal in several games against Botvinnik in their 1960 title match. Botvinnik tried three replies to this, namely 6 Nh3, 6 e3 and 6 Qc2. Here Gurland tries a fourth. 6.Qd3 f5 7.g3 As White intends to play Nh3 and f3 to dislodge the knight, he should have played 7 Nh3 immediately. 7...b6 8.Nh3 Bb7 9.f3 Nf6 10.Bg2 0-0 11.0-0 d5 Black should have moved this pawn one square, not two. After this he finds himself in difficulties. 12.cxd5 exd5 This costs him a pawn. Better would appear 12... Nxd5, though the pawn at e6 would be weak. 13.Qxf5 Qe8 If 13...Ne4 14 Qe6+. 14.Qc2 Nbd7 15.Bf4 Nh5 Hoping for 16 Bxc7 Qe3+ 17 Kh1 Rc8 18 Bd6 Rfe8. But White finds a much better move. 16.Ng5 g6 Not 16...Ndf6 17 Be5 threatening 18 g4, while if 16...Nhf6 17 Bh3 with a strong attack. 17.Bd2 Ba6 If 17...Qxe2 18 Rae1 gives White a dangerous initiative. 18.Rf2 To play e4 when ready. 18...Ndf6 19.Re1 Qe7 20.e4 Opening the files is White’s best way to mount his attack. Black dare not play 20... Qxa3 now because of 21 exd5 Nxd5 22 f4 20... dxe4 21.fxe4 Ng4 22.Qb3+ Without this check White’s task would have been much more difficult. Black’s bishop plays a prominent role in defence. 22...Kh8 23.Nf7+ Kg7 24.Bg5! This would have been a difficult move to make as White would have to assure himself that any exchange of Black’s queen for a rook and minor piece would not save him. Thus if 24...Qxf7 25 Rxf7+ Rxf7 then 26 e5 Raf8 27 e6! and this pawn will take a lot of stopping. 24...Qe8 If 24... Nhf6 25 e5! Qxf7 (best according to Heidenfeld) 26 exf6+ Kh8 27 Qxf7+ Rxf7 28 Bxa8 and wins. 25.e5! With the huge threat of 26 Bf6+ when the bishop cannot be captured and 26... Kg8 would allow an immediate mate. So Black creates h7 as a flight square. 25...h6 26.h3 Enticing 26...Nxf2 after which could follow 27 Bxh6+ Kh7 28 Bxf8 Qxf8 29 Kxf2 Re8 30 e6 and wins. Black therefore takes the bishop. 26...hxg5 27.hxg4 Nxg3 28.e6 Rc8 29.Qd5 Threatening the lethal check on e5. Black has no good move available; thus if 29...Qb5 30 Qxb5 Bxb5 31 Re3 and the knight is lost. The rest needs no comment. 29...Bb5 30.Qe5+ Kh7 31.Qxg3 Kg7 32.Qe5+ Kh7 33.Qxg5 Very forcefully played by White. 1-0 Jack Wolpert was still visible on the local chess circuit during the 1980s

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“Of chess, it has been said that life is not long enough for it, but that is the fault of life, not chess.” – William Napier