Page 10 - The Villager December 2020

Chess by

d. The Art of Attack in Chess by move d4, there was considerable divided
Vladimir Vukovic
Chess during the 3. End game opinion and dispute on the merits of the
move among past world champions and
Festive Season a. A Guide to Chess Endings by Max grand masters. Bobby Fischer immediately
said it was not the best move as the only
Euwe and David Hooper
correct move in the opening was e4. Darth
Books by Fred Reinfeld, although dated and Vader’s reply of d5 was met with a good
hristmas time is a time for giving. old, are the best for beginners and ordinary deal of criticism. “Why on earth doesn’t
There are many different types of club players. he play Nf6?” yelled Tal, “This would give
Cchess gifts that can be given to him the chance to play the Nimzo Indian
one’s family members and friends who ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT or King Indian’s defence, which are far
are chess players. Let us consider a few 1. Chess clocks and computers more attacking defences.” Capablanca
for different members of the family. 2. Chess CDs and DVDs. and Botvinnik, strategic players of note,
There is a good deal of quality however disagreed with Tal and said the
CHESS SETS AND BOARDS: These can chess equipment and resources that move was perfectly sound on strategic
range from expensive, exquisite hard- can be purchased from the House of considerations. The game proceeded with
carved chess sets costing over R10 000, Chess: orders@houseofchess.co.za / a great deal of discussion and derision
to an ordinary, wooden Staunton chess 079 106 0106. about the play of both contestants until
set which can cost between R600 and the following position was reached.
R1 000. Wooden boards using different A FESTIVE SEASON STORY Fu Manchu at this point decided to
types of wood for black and white Fu Manchu (a devious fictional villain) sacrifice his bishop on d3 on h7. Alekhine
squares can be purchased at chess shops. and Darth Vader (of Star Wars fame) met and Tal roared their approval at this
Making a chess board can be a lovely in chess heaven, the exact part of which offer of this Greek Gift. Lasker, the great
Festive Season activity. I once made a was rigged up as a chess tournament defender, and Wilhelm Steinitz agreed
board out of different coloured pieces venue where a match between them was that Darth Vader was lost and there was
of plastic which I attached to piece of about to take place. After a good deal of no defence against the sacrifice. Not even
hardboard. Another fantastic activity is argument, it was decided that Fu Manchu all the electronic gadgets of the future
to use moulds for making chess pieces would play white and Darth Vader would could save Darth Vader. (Problem: Can
and then painting the finished products. play black. The atmosphere was electric you work out why black is lost?)
and onlooking kibitzers (meddlesome Fu Manchu decided to give his
CHESS BOOKS onlookers) screamed at the top of their moribund opponent a special Festive
There are many chess books on the voices, giving both contestants advice on Season gift, and surprisingly offered Darth
market. For beginners and ordinary club how to play. At the stroke of lightening, a draw, which was accepted with alacrity.
players who wish to improve their chess they began to play and the onlookers This classical bishop sacrifice is known
ability, I would recommend the following became deadly silent. as the Greek Gift or the Trojan Horse
books. Immediately after Fu Manchu’s first Sacrifice among chess players.
1. Openings and general play
a. The Ideas behind the chess
openings by Reuben Fine
b. Logical Chess - Move by Move by
Irving Chernev
c. Winning Chess Openings by Fred
Reinfeld
2. Middle game
a. Winning Chess by Irving Chernev
and Fred Reinfeld
b. Think Like a Grandmaster by
Alexander Kotov
c. The Art of Checkmate by Renaud &
Kahn

8 • Issue 12 2020 • The Villager