Sunday, May 16

Spielmann-Mieses match (cont'd)

Word has reached us that Spielmann has won the 4th, 5th, and 6th games of the match vs. Mieses. The Austrian has now scored 4 games running, and, with a lead of 4 1/2 - 1 1/2, has assured himself of overall victory in the 8-game contest. This represents a noteworthy triumph for the rising young master, from whom much may be expected in the years to come. Our understanding is that, despite the early decision, the 7th and 8th games of the match will nevertheless be played, and we shall report on them as news arrives.

We give below the moves of the sixth game, in which Mieses may have missed a most unusual opportunity.

Spielmann-Mieses, Match (6), Regensburg 1910 Sicilian Defense
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Bg5 Be7 7. Ndb5 O-O 8. Nd6 Nxe4 (This move involves the sacrifice of the Knight for 3 pawns. But see Black's 15th move.) 9. Bxe7 Nxc3 10. Bxd8 Nxd1 11. Bg5 Nxb2 12. a4 (Apparently ensuring that the N does not escape.) 11...Nb4 13. Kd2 Nd5 14. Ra2 h6 15. Be3 (Diagram)
Here, it seems, Black, who at the moment enjoys a surplus of two pawns, could play the remarkable 15...Nd1, with the idea 16.Bd4 e5 17.Bxe5 Nxf2, or 16.Kxd1 Nc3+ 17.Kd2 Nxa2. A possible continuation then runs 18.c3 b6 19.Bc4 Nxc3 20.Kxc3, when Black's material advantage - Rook and 3 pawns for 2 minor pieces - may well compensate him for his cramped position. For this line we are indebted, as so often, to the sharp tactical eye of Herr Fritz. As played, Black obtains 3 pawns for the piece, but remains bound hand and foot, and never appears close to equality.) 15...Nxe3 16. fxe3 Nxa4 17. Rxa4 a6 18. Bd3 Rb8 19. Rc4 Rd8 20. Rf1 f6 21. Rb1 b5 22. Rc7 Kf8 23. c4 Ra8 24. Be4 Rb8 25. c5 Ke7 26. Kc3 f5 27. Bf3 g5 28. h3 Rf8 29. Rd1 b4+ 30. Kb3 Rd8 31. c6 a5 32. Nxc8+ Rbxc8 33. Rdxd7+ Rxd7 34. Rxd7+ Ke8 35. Rh7 Kd8 36. Rxh6 e5 37. e4 f4 38. Bg4 Rc7 39. Bd7 Ra7 40. Ka4 Kc7 41. Bf5 Ra8 42. Kb5 Black resigns 1-0

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