NICK BARNETT CHESS

AS THE WORLD learns how to operate under COVID-19 protocols, many more over-the -board (OTB) tournaments have become possible. Australia’s Premier Grand Prix Chess Tournament since 1963, the O2C Doeberl Cup, was able to take place in Canberra with 325 players. GM Justin Tan, rating 2496, won.

Australia is not one of the countries with a high vaccination rate, but they managed to pull it off on the 1-5 April, nevertheless. Let’s hope our Chess authorities have plans for OTB!

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THE JULIUS BAER Challengers Chess Tour with Judit Polgar and Vladimir Kramnik with Play Magnus Group launched a new elite online tour designed to support rising young players and advance gender equality in the sport. It is running alongside the Meltwater Championship. 20 players are divided into teams of 10 and run by each of the Grandmasters. Live commentary of the action is provided on chess24. com.

It started on April 8 and the Final playoff will take place from September 9 to 13. To see details of the young people involved go to the web page: https:// challengerschesstour.com/

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GERALD FRANK Anderson is a name revered among followers of Chess Problems. Recently FIDE chose one of his studies for their #FridayStudy. (A study, is a composed position – made up rather than played in an actual game – presented as a puzzle, in which the aim of the solver is to find the unique way for one side (usually White) to win or draw, as stipulated, against any moves the other side plays. There is no limit to the number of moves which are allowed to achieve the win – Wikipedia). A problem on the other hand has a limited number of moves stipulated. Lieutenant Anderson MBE, DFC was a South African born flying ace who during World War I, was credited with eight aerial victories.

He was a keen chess player and problemist. He published three books on chess problems, including his own compositions, “Adventures of my chessmen 1914-23. He also published a 1959 collection of Kriegspiel problems entitled “Are there any?” and a 1971 collection by American composer Vincent Lanius Eaton, with whom he established a composing partnership in the 1950s while stationed at the British Embassy in Washington. In addition, the British

Chess Problem Society published a collection in 1974 entitled “A tribute to G.F.Anderson”. He also played against World Champion Alexander Alekhine in 1946 in Lisbon, a day before Alekhine died.

I am using one of his problems in our puzzle section this week. ***

REMEMBER to check facebook.com/ SACHESSPLAYERS for tournaments in South Africa. You need to do it often because notice is usually quite short.

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For comment or news please write to thechessnik@gmail.com

White to move and mate in 3