Lessons From Altea VIII: A Touch Of The Tartakowers

SAVEILLY Tartakower is possibly better known for his chess witticisms than for his games, an observation that is meant as a compliment to his sense of humour, rather than an insult to his abilities over the board.

One of his better-known aphorisms is one he liked to give while on a lecture tour of Europe after World War Two.

He regaled audiences with stories behind the tournaments he had won, the great players he had beaten, and the opening innovations he had devised.

Just when it seemed Tartakower was somewhat over-egging his boasts, he would add words to the effect: "My one regret in chess is that I never managed to defeat a fully healthy opponent."*

I was reminded of the story after my round-nine loss at the Cap Negret 65+ seniors.

I was winning for much of the game, eventually reaching the following position.

How should White proceed?

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During the game I had, for the first time in the tournament, felt tired enough to eat an energy bar while play was going on.

I should explain I like to have energy bars handy for just such a situation, especially when rounds start at the awkward-for-eating time of 16:30.

The fact that this was the first occasion in the tournament I had resorted to such an energy boost suggests I had been in reasonable physical shape.

But by round nine my exertions were clearly catching up with me, which is my only explanation for uncorking the horrific blunder 35.Nxh7??

Having played the move, I even got up from the table and went to see how a rival for a rating prize was doing on top board.

After sitting back down, I still did not realise anything was amiss, until my opponent, probably as stunned as I was about to be, played 35...Rxh7, prompting my resignation.

LESSON: you cannot expect to play your best chess when, for whatever reason, you are under the weather.

*I cannot recall where I first came across this account of Tartakower's lecture tour, and a search of the internet has not helped, except to show that the witticism has also been attributed to other players.