at the Buffalo Wild Wings in the Green Oak Mall in Brighton, MI.
Stop in for some friendly chess, good food and 'refreshments'.
Everyone of all ages and playing strength are welcome to attend. And free lessons to all beginners!
We delayed it a week due to the Labor Day holiday hangover. So tonight starts our free to enter Action Tournament will begin. The time limit is 25 minutes for the game with no delay or increment.
We will probably start it around 6:30 - 7pm. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Now for a short story that happened in a chess club far far away. Or maybe it was near-by. Whatever.
He was standing near our tables before we even noticed him. What we noticed first was his black suit and a tie that was a wild polka dot affair, with a matching handkerchief in the breast pocket. Some of us introduced ourselves to the stranger with a German accent. He said he has played throughout Europe with much success, even winning a game against a player that lost to a man, that drew a man that gave Magnus Carlsen a tough game. Naturally, we were in awe of this man's stated chess prowess.
He stated that he would be interested in playing one game at 2 hours per player, against our best player and he would play White and would not be giving time or piece odds, since he was tired from his travels earlier this day.
Well, we were excited a chance to witness chess greatness, but who would represent the Club against this obviously very strong adversary? The best we had in attendance this evening was Pete, and he decided he would volunteer to fall on the sword for us.
While we were deciding who would play for the Club and before the game could start, the distinguished visitor had set up a very complex "mate in four" on Pete's chess board. As we crowded around the table trying to solve it, our visiting adversary chuckled softly at our failed attempts to solve this puzzle he said he created himself. After fifteen minutes of failure, he quickly rattled off the solution, leaving us amazed and impressed.
Finally, the match began with Pete looking a little nervous. Excitement ran high when the visitor said in a calm voice, "I have a specific variation in mind that I am sure you have not seen before."
His first move was 1. Nf3, while stating off-handedly "This opening is wrongly credited to Reti, but of course you all know Zukertort was the inventor." We spectators could only nod in awe.
Pete played 1. .....Nf6 and our visitor raised an eyebrow with a smirk and said, "Ok, but you know Anand says 1. ...e6 is best here."
This expert played 2. c4 to which Pete responded with 2. ...g6. "The Grunfeld Defense," the expert commented. "Good, but not good enough against this modern treatment I have devised." We could not wait to witness it!
The stranger took 15 minutes for his next move. The game progressed along with fairly expected moves until the expert proclaimed, "So, it is a positional battle you wish for, eh? Well I will have to disappoint you." Pete didn't look worried, but we all were.
After a few more moves, Pete played Nb8 and all of us were surprised. Our visitor stated, "A Nimzowitch move. Quite bizarre and bad and I will refute it in a vigorous manner," as he developed his queen into the fray.
At move 16 the visitor castled queenside stating, "Most GM's favor castling kingside here, but you will all see the subtle point this move contains very soon." We were all positive that Pete was being set up for the surprise of his chess life and an entertaining defeat.
The game continued for another eight moves until the expert triumphantly leered in an assured tone, "You will now see the fruits of my fine play. My combination begins!"
The visitor's knight snatched a well-guarded pawn in Pete's camp. Pete studied the board for 10 minutes and accepted the sacrifice. We were sure now he was doomed.
The visiting expert did not hesitate to play BxN and continuing the assault in front of Pete's king. Pete thought for only a minute as he played BxB and the expert instantly recaptured with QXB with a hard thud on the board landing the Lady on her new square.
"See what good play an accomplish? All this was figured out in advance. Concentration is the prime factor in the game of chess. Always remember that."
Pete, who had not said a word in this hour and 40-minute struggle, frowned at his opponent and said quietly, "Did you figure this out too?", and played QxP check!
The expert said calmly, "Just a spite check," and played Kb8. Pete then played Ra1 mate.
The expert got up from his chair, and started to leave, but looked back at us and sneered, "Anand still says 1. ...e6 is best!", and out the door he went.
We shall never forget this traveling Grandmaster----------of Conversation.
