MARK RUBERY CHESS
Miguel Najdorf (1910-1997) was one of the most flamboyant and memorable characters ever to grace the chess world. Mieczyslaw Najdorf was born in Warsaw Poland, and attained some measure of immortality by having the most popular variation in the Sicilian Defence named after him. He was one of many players who after attending the 1939 Buenos Aires Olympiad did not return to Europe, where the storm clouds of war were beginning to gather. At the conclusion of World War 2 he decided to publicise his whereabouts to any members of his family who might have survived, by giving a blindfold simultaneous display against 45 opponents (+39 =4 -2). Najdorf had the distinction of playing every World Champion with the exception of Steinitz and Lasker, although he did play bridge with the latter. In 1976 Najdorf participated in the SA Open in Cape Town.
A book well worth reading is ‘Najdorf X Najdorf ‘written by his daughter Liliana Najdorf, who gives a frank and insightful view of her father. The book also contains a number of deeply annotated games by Jan Timman.
Najdorf’s tactical prowess is ably illustrated in the following game known as the ‘Polish Immortal’.
Glucksberg - Najdorf,M [A85]
Warsaw ol (Men), 1935
1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e6 4.Nf3 d5 5.e3 c6 6.Bd3 Bd6 7.0–0 0–0 8.Ne2 Nbd7
9.Ng5? (Perhaps a revealing indication on the strength of Najdorf’s opponent)…Bxh2+ 10.Kh1 Ng4 11.f4 Qe8 12.g3 Qh5 13.Kg2 Bg1! (Now Black finishes in spectacular style) 14.Nxg1 Qh2+ 15.Kf3 e5! 16.dxe5 Ndxe5+ 17.fxe5 Nxe5+ 18.Kf4 Ng6+ 19.Kf3 f4! 20.exf4 … Bg4+! 21.Kxg4 Ne5+ 22.fxe5 h5# “Mr and Madame Capablanca, please join me to meet the Duke (Edward the 8ththe king who abdicated) and Duchess of Windsor. They have just arrived, and the Ambassador is with them.” I touched Capa’s sleeve, repeating first in French, then in English, reserved for our official communications. “Dear, please come to meet the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.” No response. In vain I insisted. Capa only made a slight gesture towards Murphy, who was our good friend, then sharply turned back to the General. One could hear, “Vagram … the troops assembled at sunrise …”I got up and joined Murphy, who by now was wiping his forehead. “It is hopeless. Capa has met another Bonapartist. But I’ll be delighted to join you.” Then Murphy took me over to the Duke, who in his high-pitched voice asked me if it were true that Capablanca never practiced. “Yes, indeed, Sir”, I said, making a small curtsy, “he never practices”. (Reminisces from Olga Capablanca)