MARK RUBERY CHESS

Possessing the ‘ killer instinct’ is a quality that all the world champions shared, and it is a vital component of all strong chess players. The Austrian scientist, Konrad Lorenz stated in his classic treatise ‘ On Aggression’ that aggression is an ancient innate instinct characteristic of all higher species, including the human being. All chess players realise the importance of the ability to finish off one’s opponent once an advantage has be acquired, and also how difficult this process can be. The history of chess is littered with enormously talented players who fell just a step before greatness, as they did not have this ability.

In the following game the Swedish GM Ulf Andersson, famous for his implacable will to win from the most balanced of positions, offers a draw in a completely winning position. Whether it was out of sympathy for his opponent or a more refined feeling for justice, few other players would emulate such generosity.

Andersson, Ulf ( 2565) - Dzindzichashvili, Roman ( 2535) [ A38]

Geneva ( 4), 1977

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 c5 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6.0– 0 0– 0 7. a3 d5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Nxd5 Qxd5 10. d3 Qd6 11. Rb1 c4 12. b4 cxd3 13. b5 dxe2 14. Qxe2 Nd4 15. Nxd4 Bxd4 16. Bh6 Rd8 17. Rbd1 e5 18. a4 Rb8 19. Rfe1 Be6 20. Bg5 Re8 21. Qf3 Bf5 22. Qe2 Qb4 23. Be3 Qxa4 24. h3 Be6 25. Bh6 Qb4 26. Kh2 Bc4?? ( Two pawns ahead, Dzindzichasvili drops a piece to a simple combination)

27. Rxd4! ( At this moment the full horror dawned on Black- a feeling all chess players know so well- when out of the blue Andersson offered a draw which was of course immediately accepted) 0,5- 0,5

‘ I just couldn’t allow myself to win the game’ the Swedish GM said while signing the score sheets. Rest assured had the roles of the players been reversed the same courtesy would not have been extended by the Georgian/ American GM!

While on the theme of sportsmanship…

At the Chessable Masters played online earlier this year, the Chinese GM Liren Ding was timed out due to his internet connection whilst in a drawish rook ending against Magnus Carlsen. The world champion was not pleased to receive such a win and in their next encounter returned the point in the following fashion

Ding Liren ( 2791) - Carlsen, M ( 2863) [ A13]

Chessable Masters Final 8 chess24. com INT 2020

1. c4 e6 2. g3 Qg5 3. Bg2 Qxd2+ 4. Qxd2 1– 0

‘ Sport is the most intensely physical thing that humans do… And yet the tales we tell are not of bodies but of hearts and minds and souls.’ ( Simon Barnes)