English Chess Forum

A belated call that the film 'Pawn Sacrifice' is on BBC2 this evening at 11.30pm. Check local listings obviously and enjoy the tale of Bobby versus Boris in this film, shot in 2014, which runs for a modest 115 minutes, a blessing for a late night screening I'd say. Directed by Edward Zwick and writt...

Wade told me that several of his early games were with an Aunt in NZ. But that was a long time ago wasn't it?

James

I have just seen Karpov playing 4 ... Qb6 against Nicky Ivell in a 'this day in 1977' slot/shot' when the then World Champion took on 10 Barden Babes. They called the games 'matches' and had no time to say Tolya won +9=1-0 but still. Staged in London during the 1977 British in Brighton. Almost nosta...

The Menchik biography by Tanner (2016) lists 29 games between Vera and Sir Geo. The Baronet emerges with dishonours +10 -6 =13.

Paige (2005) gives 22 games only betwixt the duo in his biography of Sir George.

In view of what Leonard writes further delving seems unnecessary.

James

Opposite one of my venues is Penrose Gardens, NW3. Someone told me this is named after the family but not the chess player, might this be true? Yes certainly. The Penroses are come down from Lord Peckover and father Lionel, brothers Oliver and Sir Roger, not to mention painter Uncle Roland, still o...

Mark Horton told me that he applied for a gratis place in the British as he was then visiting Canada. The BCF of the time declined and so he lost interest as a direct result. Nice that he's still around today, of course

The late PR Kings (King's Lynn) told me that the trouble was the clergy had much more work to do these days than hitherto. Who is Britain's strongest man of the cloth?

I have 'The King-Hunt' by WH Cozens (Bell 1970) and the similarly entitled 1996 reissue written with John Nunn. The latter is a US edition published by Henry Holt although it looks like a Batsford where it clearly originated in this newer format. Nunn gives an intro but, to respond to John Upham's p...

Harry's legacy is far more in his journalism than in his games, IM though he was, of course. That's where we should look for riches surely?

'Rabbit's Review' ?

A very great deal I could write about Bill. He was a self confessed 'chess nut' as happy playing in a local league or helping clubmates with a trip down to London to watch a World Championship match. At the London Classic one year there he was again, eating his own sandwiches no doubt brought from S...

An old story. Irishman Connor Bracken once exclaimed "It's mate in eight!" Andrew Whiteley told him to be quiet (and it was mate in 7) ..

Lady Thelma would have informed us of his death. (Does that explain why the names appear merged?) I think she came into the picture following a meeting at the BCF Congress at Edinburgh 1985, Keene's idea.

Can somebody please talk me through the opening in Matthew Wadsworth-v-Roman Edouard from Rd. 7 (yesterday). It looks like white was quickly on the back foot if not quite 'an early bath'.

Course there's always
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmaduke ... ss_player)
Or better
p 80-81 in 'The Even More Complete Chess Addict' by Mike Fox and Richard James (Faber 1993) - naturally where else would be worth looking-?