The Aitken - Mieses Match (and my quandary)

[Geoff Chandler]

I came across this last night in 'Chess Explorations.'

‘It is not generally known that Aitken played a match with the veteran Mieses in 1947 which he won by 5½-1½.
In deference to the feelings of the old master the result was never published. I watched the second game, which
was played at the Ilford Chess Club; a collection was made at the time for the veteran.’ Harry Woolverton

Also here: ecret Chess Contests https://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/secret.html

I have entered the games from AItken's book and made a comment to John that Mieses, as can be expected at that age (82),
did not come out of it too well, he lost 5½-½ and hopefully it was arranged to give the old lad some money. (this looks like the case.)

Mieses, is one of my four big 'M' heroes. Morphy, Marshall, Mieses (and my Mum) .

I am wondering should we leave them there at Britbase https://www.saund.co.uk/britbase/whatsnew.html
or gently remove the games. A decision appears to have been made in 1947 not to publish the games and now I feel like a rat.

I suppose cold hearted historians will choke at this display of sentiment and I too am on their side
it happened, the moves were made, so be it. (but why did it have to be me who grassed Mieses up!)

A flavour of the games. Here Mieses plays like he did in his youth, in fact did he not always play like this...
...a book waiting to written that one. 'Mieses: The Master that Never Grew up.' (is there a book of his games.)

He had a good game at one point, misplayed it, drifted, got tired and just hung a Rook.

J. Aitken - J. Mieses, Match 1947, Game 1

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. e5 Nd5 8. Bd3 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. O-O Qxe5 11. Bd2 Bc5 12. Qf3 d5 13. Rae1 Qf6 14. Qg3 Be7 15. Qc7 O-O 16. Bf4 Bc5 17. Qxc6 Qxf4 18. Qxa8 Qc7 19. Rb1 Bb6 20. a4 a5 21. Ba6 Qc5 22. Bxc8 Rxc8 23. Qa6 Bd8 24. Rb3 g6 25. Rfb1 Rc6 26. Qa8 Qe7 27. Qxc6 1-0

If the general consensus is yes take them out, I'm OK with that, but there again should we and what kind of precedent does it set.
(I now fully expect the ghost of Mieses to appear in my bedroom and pee in my slippers - I wish I'd never seen that Chess Note.)

[Matt Mackenzie]

If you are meant to be transcribing Aitken's games, then I would say it means just that - *all* his available encounters.

[David Sedgwick]

I ... made a comment to John that Mieses, as can be expected at that age (82),
did not come out of it too well, he lost 5½-½ and hopefully it was arranged to give the old lad some money. (this looks like the case.)

Bob Wade's appearance in the Staunton Memorial Tournament 2008, a few months before his death, was a more recent similar instance.

[Matt Mackenzie]

I ... made a comment to John that Mieses, as can be expected at that age (82),
did not come out of it too well, he lost 5½-½ and hopefully it was arranged to give the old lad some money. (this looks like the case.)

Bob Wade's appearance in the Staunton Memorial Tournament 2008, a few months before his death, was a more recent similar instance.

Must say that I found the "making history" hype around that at the time from the Penguin and his associates, more than a little naff.

[Kevin Thurlow]

It is history, so publish. Real chess enthusiasts will know Mieses was not as good as he used to be.

[Geoff Chandler]

Hi Kevin,

I'm sure they will stay and yes real chess players will take the age in consideration but it is needless comments
like you see about the aforementioned Bob Wade (and Larsen) here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/kibitzi ... &reply=123
Which I know will surface. I'll have to walk away when I see them.

[Kevin Thurlow]

"I'm sure they will stay and yes real chess players will take the age in consideration but it is needless comments
like you see about the aforementioned Bob Wade (and Larsen) here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/kibitzi ... &reply=123
Which I know will surface. I'll have to walk away when I see them.

I agree Geoff - the internet abounds with trolls and morons, e.g. the ones watching live games on Chess24 and start screaming "BLUNDER" as Stockfish 1 has said -0.1 after 1 femtosecond... You have to try and ignore them, somehow. Anyway, didn't Bob draw with Fischer once?