Random Game # 19 - Asztalos vs. Breyer 1918

The Random Game feature at chessgames.com is a handy way to broaden your chess education. You never know what's going to pop up. You may see a famous classic, or maybe a subtle modernity, or maybe a true obscurity. You might even find a diamond in the rough that nobody else has spotted.



Revolution in Budapest in October 1918

Today's game introduces us to Lajos Asztalos with the white pieces against Gyula Breyer. The Vienna Game was originally called Hamppe's Game after Carl Hamppe. In the line known as the Vienna Gambit, White plays 3. f4 in order to reach a prefered line in the King's Gambit Declined. Though this line with Be7 by Black is called the Breyer variation it was certainly played long before Gyula tried it against Bernat Steiner in 1912, perhaps first by Wilfried Paulsen in 1888. A believer in the hypermodern theory of openings, Breyer also loaned his name to a variation in the Closed Ruy Lopez.

Though chess is a game of war, certainly 1918 was a tumultuous time to be playing chess in Budapest!



If you enjoy the random game idea you can try it yourself here.

Find all of the Random Games posted on the Pied Chessman here.

Timely Tactics #7 - Giri vs. Aronian

Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort

Lev Aronian forshadowed his first overall at the 2011 Amber Rapid and Blindfold Tournament with this win over Anish Giri in the 1st round of the rapid (G/25) section. Aronian played a Dutch Defense and had to defend for a bit against a passed d-pawn, but apparently had the path to a win in hand when Giri erred with 37. Rh1. How did Lev swoop in to claim his prize?

See if you can spot the move, then play over the whole game score after the break.

Timely Tactics #6 - Kramnik vs. Nakamura

Hikaru Nakamura

Lev Aronian took first overall at the 2011 Amber Rapid and Blindfold Tournament today. Aronian was first in the Blindfold section while Magnus Carlsen had the top score in the Rapid section.

In their rapid game (G/25) in the 11th and final round, Hikaru Nakamura played this knockout to force Vladimir Kramnik to resign in a few moves.

See if you can spot the move, then play over the whole game score after the break.

Kaidanov Kiboshes the Competition

GM Kaidanov appearing in Lexington 2009

Lexington Kentucky's  GM Gregory Kaidanov scored 6 out of 9 for clear first at the St. Louis Invitaional from March 6-9, earning himself a spot at the U.S. Championship. GMs Alejandro Ramirez and Ray Robson tied for second on 5.5 points, giving Robson the remaining invitation on tiebreaks.

The full field for the U.S. Championship in April will include GM Gata Kamsky (the current champion), GM Alex Onischuk, GM Varuzhan Akobian, GM Yasser Seirawan, GM Yury Shulman, GM Jaan Ehlvest, GM Alex Stripunsky, GM Larry Christiansen, GM Robert Hess, GM Alex Shabalov, GM Alexander Ivanov, IM Sam Shankland, GM Ben Finegold, IM Daniel Naroditsky, GM Gregory Kaidanov and GM Ray Robson.

Below you can catch the scores of Kaidanov winning against GM Melikset Khachiyan and grabbing a win with the black pieces against IM Michael Brooks.

Random Game #18 - Schlesinger vs. Falkbeer 1885

The Random Game feature at chessgames.com is a handy way to broaden your chess education. You never know what's going to pop up. You may see a famous classic, or maybe a subtle modernity, or maybe a true obscurity. You might even find a diamond in the rough that nobody else has spotted.
 

Today's game features a lesson by Ernst Falkbeer in his Counter Gambit against an unknown O. Schlesinger (though the lesson ends in Falkbeer's defeat). Played in 1885, the location is not known. Greco is said to have faced this opening in 1620 and demonstrated an easy win for white. Falkbeer had tried it before in 1851 against Anderssen, but lost. Jaenisch had tried it in 1842 but had no better luck. But in 1851, Staunton showed Jaenisch how to win with the idea.



This isn't the first time the Falkbeer Counter Gambit was played, and mistakes are made. But the tactics at the end of the game are instructive. Letting up on the threats can mean letting go of the chance to win.

If you enjoy the random game idea you can try it yourself here.

Find all of the Random Games posted on the Pied Chessman here.

Carnival Atmosphere

Chess Renaissance Faire

Hey! The Pied Chessman is featured in this month's chess carnival hosted by Blunderprone! As his blog is touted as the chess blogger's History Channel, it's only appropriate that George's host month is dedicated as a renaissance faire theme. You can also find the carnival on Chess.com. Our carnival entry is the post on Opposite Colored Bishops.

Also this week the Pied Chessman has the honor of a special mention by Mark Weeks in his survey of blog postings on Chess.com. As the Chess.com game viewer is used exclusively on this blog, all of the game material used is first posted at Chess.com (under my handle SirIvanhoe). Thanks for the shout-out Mark. Here's back at you with adding your blog to my blogroll and a recommendation that my readers should check out what you've got to say. It's worth reading.

Endgame Study #13 - Kuznetzov 1967

Another treasure found for us by Irving Chernev, this time from his 200 Brilliant Endgames. The composer is Anatoly Kuznetzov who himself authored Brilliant Chess Studies, a title that I don't have in my collection.

Here you must steer clear of the obvious and find a plan to win. But be careful! Don't stalemate at the last moment!



Find all of the endgame studies posted on The Pied Chessman here.