Monday 18 March 2019

Double Blunder

THIS is the 35th annual Bad Wörishofen congress, the exact timing of which depends on when Easter falls.
Last year Easter was early, so entries were down as the tournaments coincided with sub-zero temperatures; this year Easter is late, and there are 387 entrants - the most I can remember at Bad Wörishofen.
Father Kneipp's bust overlooks the playing hall before the start of round three
My game on board two in the U2000 yesterday was decided by me making consecutive blunders.
White to make his 51st move in Spanton (1890) - James Reed (1947)
*****
*****
*****
*****
*****
White is a passed pawn up, and Black's bishop is locked in by my pawns - but, as is usual in chess, a modicum of care is required.
51.Rd1??
I was playing too quickly (through tiredness rather than arrogance). Correct was 51.Qd4, but after the text Black has a draw.
51...Rxa2+! 52.Kg1??
White draws after 52.Bxa3 Qxd1 53.Qc4, but after the text Black has a win.
52...Qb2 (0-1, 58 moves)

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