Pillsbury the Extraordinary

PILLSBURY THE EXTRAORDINARY

ANDREW SOLTIS KEN SMITH CHESS DIGEST

0 Copyright 1990

A n drew Soltis & Ken Smith

A l l rights rese r v e d u n d e r P a n A m e ri c a n a n d I n te r­ nation a l C o p y r i g h t con v e n tions. I SBN: 0-87568-187·5

No p a r t o f t his p u b l i cation m a y be r e p rod u ce d , s t o r e d i n a r e t ri e v a l s y s t e m , o r t ra n s m i t t e d i n a n y f o r m , o r b y a n y means: e l e c t ro n i c, e l e c t rost atic, m ag n e t i c t a pes, m e ­ c h a n i ca l p hotocop y i ng, reco r d i n g, o r oth e r w ise, wi t h o u t prior a n d cu r r e n t p e r mission from t h e p u b lis h e r. A u t h o rs: A n d re w S o l tis & K e n S mith Editor: J o h n H a l l C o m p u t e r T y pesetti n g: E l a i n e S m i t h Photo Provid ed: C. G a b riele Wi n k l e r C o v e r: Elai n e Smith P roo fre a d e r: Hugh M y e rs Diagram Past e - u p: L a u ri n C u rtis Final Preparation & Diagrams: David S e w ell P u b lis h e r: C h ess Digest, I n c.• , 1 18 3 6 J u d d C o u rt, #338-E, D al l as, T e x as 75234-4402 Send the publisher $2.00 for the New Chess Guide that

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Man h attan Chess Club

N e w Y o r k 1893

4

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Photo: Pillsbury at the Manhattan

Chess Club, New York 1893

3

PART ONE: BIOGRAPHY by Andrew Soltis

8

CHAPTER ONE

The Youn g Years CHAPTER TWO

Hero o f Hastings

16 26

CHAPTER THREE

Pillsbu ry Ve rsus Las k e r CHAPTER FOUR

Othe r S truggles

28 31

CHAPTER FIVE

L i fe o f a P ro fessional CHAPTER SIX

Portrait o f t h e B l i n d fold Artist CHAPTER SEVEN

42 48

F i n a l Steps PART TWO

•

GAME S by Ken Smith

GAME ONE

53

Pillsbu ry v s Ta r rasch Hastings 1 895 GAME TWO

Mieses v s Pillsb u r y Hast i n gs 1 895 GAME THREE

P i l lsbu r y vs Mason Hasti n gs 1 895 GAME FOUR

P i llsb u r y vs Las k e r N u re m b e rg 1896

59 61

65

Table o f Cont ents

GAME FIVE

P i l lsbu r y v s Wi n a w e r Bu d apest 1 896 GAME SIX

70 73

S h o w a l t e r v s P i l l sb u r y N e w Y o r k 1 897 GAME SEVEN

P i l lsbu r y vs T a rrasch V i e n n a 1 898 GAME EIGHT

S h o w a l t e r v s P i l l sb u r y Vie n n a 1 898 GAME NINE

Wal b r o d t v s Pil l sb u r y V i e n n a 1 898 GAME TEN

Pill sb u r y v s T re n c h a r d Vie n n a 1 898 GAME ELEVEN

P i l l sb u ry vs B l a c k b u r n e V i e n n a 1 898 GAME TWELVE

Lee vs P i llsb u r y Lon don 1899 GAME THIRTEEN

Stei n i tz v s P i l l sb u r y London 1 899 GAME FOURTEEN

75

79 82 85 87 90 93 96

B i r d v s Pillsb u r y London 1 899 GAME FIFTEEN

Pillsbu ry v s Steinitz Lon d on 1 899 GAME SIXTEEN

Pillsb u r y v s A m a te u r Toronto 1 899 GAME SEVENTEEN

Pill sb u r y vs Marco Paris 1900

99 102 104

T ab l e o f C o n tents

6

GAME EIGH TEEN

107

P i l lsb u ry vs B a r d e l e b e n M u n i ch 1900 GAME N I NETEEN

110

P i llsb u r y vs M a rsh a l l Bu f falo 1901 GAME TWENTY

1 13

A t kins vs P i llsb u r y H a n o v e r 1902 GAME TWENTY ONE

1 16

P i llsbury v s L e v i n Hanover 1902 GAME TWENTY TWO

1 19

Pillsb u r y v s S w i d e rs k i H a n o v e r 1902 GAME TWE N TY THREE

P i llsb u r y vs T a r rasch Monte C a r l o 1902 GAME TWENTY FOUR

121

124

Pillsb u r y vs G u n sb e rg Mon t e C a rlo 1902 GAME TWENTY F I VE

128

V o n S c h e v e v s P i llsb u r y Monte Carlo 1902 GAME TWENTY S I X

130

P i llsb u r y v s Wol f Mon t e C a rlo 1902 GAME TWE N TY S E VEN

133

P i llsb u r y v s Mieses Monte C a r l o 1903 GAME TWE N TY EIGH T

135

P i llsb u r y v s S c h l e c h t e r Mon te C a rlo 1903 GAME TWE N TY N I N E

137

P i llsbu r y v s Wol f Monte C a rlo 1903 GAME THIRTY

G u n sb e rg vs Pil l sb u r y V i e n n a 1903

140

P i l lsbury T h e Ex traordinary

Part One by A n dre w S o ltis

BIOGRAPHY

7

8

P i l lsbury T h e Ex traordinary

CHAPTER ON E TH E YOU N G Y EARS The word "tragic" i s o ften o v e r wo r k e d and usu ally m e l o d r a m a t i c w h e n a p p l i e d to the c a re e rs o f g r e a t m e n . B u t i n t h e case o f H a r r y P i llsb u r y , noth i n g e lse q u i te su f­ f i ces. P i llsb u r y started out in chess u nus u a l l y late in l i fe, yet h e became one of the st rongest p l a y e rs in A m e r i c a with i n two y e a rs o f lea rning t h e m o v es. A series o f i ndi f­ f e r e n t results in his e a r l y t w e n ties w e re ab r u p t l y e n d e d w h e n h e w o n t h e fi rst i n t e r n a t i o n a l tou r n a m e n t i n w hich h e compete d , H as t i n gs 1895. That e v ent w as, a t the t i m e , t h e stron gest tou r n a m e n t e v e r h e l d . A n d a l t h o u g h h e won m a n y top p r i zes in t h e y e a rs t h a t fol l o w e d , his H as t i n gs t r i um p h was n e v e r repeated. I t also l e d h i m, i n d i re c t l y, to t h e fatal disease t h a t r a v aged h i s talent and ultim a t e l y killed h i m . P i llsb u r y ' s seri ous ch ess c a ree r lasted b a r e l y e l e v e n y e a rs. H e w as o n l y t h i rty-th ree w h e n h e d i e d , h a v ­ i n g spent his fin a l d e p ressi n g d a y s in a P e n n s y l v a n i a hos­ pital. P i llsbury w as a n A m e rican o r i g i n a l , a t y p i c a l outgo­ ing 19th cen t u r y Yan k e e who j ust h a p p e n e d to be b l essed w i th a talent for the game that aston i s h e d h i s contem po­ raries. He was t h e most serious t h reat to Wo rld C h a m p i on Em anuel Las k e r , as w e l l as the m ost enjo y able e n t e rtai n e r f o r a v e r age fans. P i llsb u r y also s e t reco r d s for b l i n d fol d p l a y t h a t lasted for d e c a d e s -- a n d s e t st a n d a rds for t h ose d i spla y s t h a t m a y n e v e r b e m a t c h e d . His m e n t al p ro w e ss, w h e t h e r at m u l t i p l y i n g f i v e - d i g i t n u mb e rs in his h e a d or r e c a l l i n g long l i sts of m e m o r i zed w o r d s, w as stun n i ng. Yet i n b e t w e e n w i n n i n g p r i ze s at t h e m ost e l e g a n t E u rope an e v e n ts, h e would e a r n a l i ving at a N e w Yo r k s i d e show p l a y i n g am ateu rs, w h i le concealed and contorted in the m a c h i n e r y of a bogus "ch essp l a y i n g autom a ton".

C h ap t e r O n e: T h e Y o u n g Y e ars

9

Wh en H a r r y N e lson P i l lsbury w as born m S o m e r ville, Massa c h usetts on D e ce m b e r 5, 1 8 7 2 , o r g a n i zed chess w as b a r e l y t w o d e cades old. F e w e r t h a n f o r t y seri ous tou r n a m e n ts h ad b e e n h e l d s i n c e the fi rst one a t London ' s G r e a t E x pos i t i on o f 1 8 5 1 . More o v e r, i n A m e r i ca, chess w as liv i n g o f f t h e jolt o f p u b l i c e n t h u s i asm p r ov i d ed b y P a u l Morph y's i m p e r i a l tou r o f Eu rope du r i n g 1 8 5 8 . I n t h e t h i r t y y e a rs s i n c e Morp h y's reti rement, t h e U n i ted S t a tes h ad p roduced o n l y the m ost m i n o r of m as t e r s a nd the t i m e w a s ripe for a n e w c h a m p i o n . P i llsb u r y g r e w up i n a m iddle cl ass f a m i l y i n a Boston subu rb. I t w as t h e re on T h a n k sgi v i n g D a y 1888, a few w e e k s short o f h i s si x te e n t h b i rthda y , t h a t h e l e a rned t h e moves. Among t h e great p l a y e r s o f h i st o r y , o n l y M i k h ail T c h igo r i n b e c a m e f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e game at a late r age. Alt hough t h e re w e re few t r ue p rodi g i e s i n t h e 1 9 t h c e n t u r y , most o f t h e f u t u re masters o f t h e d a y h ad started p l a y i n g casu a l l y b y t h e i r t w e l f t h y e a r. Wh ate v e r h a n d i c ap t h i s m a y h a v e p osed seemed m i ­ n o r a s Pi llsbu r y b e g a n d e m o n s t r a t i n g a rem a r k a b l y m a t u re grasp o f t h e game at a v a r i e t y o f Boston c l u bs. T h e c i t y h ad a r i c h chess h e r i tage, a n d at t h i s t i m e t h e best o f t h e l o c a l e x p e rts called t h e m s e l v e s t h e "Ma nd a r i n s o f the Y e l­ lo w B u t ton", a re fere n ce to t h e e l i t e m e m b e rs o f t h e C h i­ nese ci v i l se r v i ce, w h o wore y e llow p i n s. P i l l s b u r y ' s fi rst se rious resu l t a p p e a r s t o be a series of E v a n s G a m b i t s played a g a i n s t o n e o f t h e M a nda r i n s, He n r y N a t h a n S t o n e , t h a t ended 5-2 i n P i llsb u r y ' s f a v o r i n 1 8 9 0 . A m o r e formal m atch came t w o y e a r s l a t e r against J o h n F i n an Barry, another M a nd a r i n a n d p robab l y t h e l e ad i n g Ne w Engl and p l a y e r o f the d a y . (Ba r r y o n ce a n ­ nou n ced a m ate i n 1 3 against P i l lsb u r y .) T h e 1 7- y e a r-old m a y h a v e s u f f e r e d f rom t h e s i n s o f i n e x p e r i e n ce ag ai nst Barry s i n ce h e lost his f i rst fou r games. But in a re m a rk­ able t u r n a rou nd, P i llsbu r y won the n e x t f i v e games and the m at c h .

10

P i l lsbury T h e E x traordin ary

Also i n 1882 P i llsb u r y got h i s fi rst c h a n ce to m e e t a wo rld cha m p i o n . Wi l h e l m S t e i nitz h a d been p u b lishing his o w n m ag a z i n e in N e w York f or the p revi o u s si x y e a rs, a n d h a d e xe rted a p ro fo u n d e f fe c t on Ame r i c a n c h e s s i n gen­ e r al -- a n d on H a r r y P illsb u r y i n p a r t i cular. S te i n i tz's e l u­ sive posi tional style, s t r i p p e d o f its i d iosy n c rasies, p r o v e d to be a m o d e l for t h e y o u n g A m e r i c a n . As L as k e r' s b i og r a­ p h e r, H e i n r i c h F r ae n k el, p u t i t , "Pillsbu r y p l a y e d Morp h y­ g a m e s w i t h S t e i n i tz's l u c i d i t y: i n h i m t h e som b e r o l d m a n ' s p ro foun d n ess w as t e m p e r e d b y t h e c h ee r f u l n e ss o f youth." M a n y o f t h e champion's o pe n i n g i d e as, s u c h as d e f e n ding the Ruy Lopez with 3 . g6!?, re m ai n e d w i t h Pil l sb u r y for y e a rs. .

.

Not surp r i s i n g l y , a you n g man w ho had learned t h e m o v e s b a re l y t h re e y e a rs be fore cou l d not e x p e c t to p l a y on e v e n te rms w i t h the w o rld's No. 1 p l a y e r . B u t P i l lsbu r y a c q u i tt e d h i m se l f w e l l w i t h a h a nd i c a p: H e b e a t S t e i nitz in a 20-board s i m u l t a n eous e x h i bition given by t h e cham p ion a n d i n a se ries of casual g a mes, re ce i v i n g odds of P a wn a n d Move, h e scored 2- 1 . H e re's the w i n f rom t h e si m u l:

S T EINITZ- P ILL S B URY B oston 1 8 9 2 1 e4 2 f4 3 N f3

e5 B c5 d6

C h ap t e r One: T h e Y oung Y e ars

4 B c4 5 c3 6 d3

N c6 N f6 Qe7

7 Qe2 8 Bb5 9 B a4?!

Be6 B d7 0·0

1 0 B c2 11 fS 12 Bg5

Rad8 d5! dxe4

11

12

P i l l sbury T h e Extraordinary

13 d x e 4 1 4 N b dl 15 Nb3

NbS! b5! Bb6

16 0-0-0 1 7 Rdl 18 N a 1

aS! a4 a3

19 b3

QcS

C h ap t e r One: T h e Y o ung Y e ars

20 R d3 2 1 B e3

Bc6 Qe7

22 B x b 6 23 Rhd1 2 4 B x d3

cxb6 Rx d3 QcS

25 Kc2 2 6 Kb 1 2 7 B el

N a6 Rd8 Rxd1ch

13

14

P i llsbury T h e E x traord i n ary

28 Q x d l 2 9 Qcl 3 0 Q x a3

Q x c3 Nb4 Q x alch!

Wh i t e R esigns. U p u n t i l the n P i llsbu r y was a y o u n g m a n a s p i r i n g t o a c a r e e r i n l a w o r busi n e ss, w ho a l s o h a d m a d e a m i nor name for hi mse l f i n Boston c h e ss. B u t i n 1 893 he m a d e t h e b re a k that e s t ab l i s h e d h i s c a ree r: P i l l sb u r y left f o r N e w Y o r k , w h i c h h a d e m e rg e d i n t h e p r e v i o u s d e c a d e as the c e n t e r of U.S. che ss. He a l so began tou r i n g o t h e r c i t i es, g i v i n g small e xhib i t ions - - often fe w e r than h a lf a dozen boards -- of b l i n d fold play. P i l lsbu ry on ce s a i d his visit to Phil adelphi a's f a m e d F r a n k lin Chess Clu b th a t y e a r w as t h e s t a r t o f h i s c h e s s c a re e r. Later i n Mon t r e a l o n e of h i s si m u l oppon e n ts was 1 6 - y e a r-old F r an k M a rs h a l l . Mar­ s h all's w i n t h a t day, h e once s a i d , w a s t h e s t a r t of HIS c a ­ reer. Later i n 1893 Pillsb ury p l a y e d i n h i s fi rst s e r i o u s tou r n a m e n t . It w as h e l d as p a r t o f t h e Colum b i a n Wo rld Con gress and, accor d i n g to som e ac cou n ts, w a s i n te n d e d as a w ay of in t rod u c i n g a 25- y e a r-old G e r m a n M a s t e r n am e d E m a n ue l L a s k e r to A m e ri c a . L as k e r h a d c rosse d the At­ l a n t i c i n t h e hopes of d ra w i n g Ste i n i t z i n to a title m a t ch. Wh e n he e v e n t u a l l y won t h e t i tle from h i m a ye a r l a t e r i n 1894, e n d i n g Ste i n i tz's uno ffi c i a l reign of som e t w e n t y ­ e i g h t y e a rs, the n e w s w as rece i v e d b y m a n y a s a m i n o r bombs h e l l . B u t i n t h i s tou r n a m e n t , N e w Yo r k 1 8 93, Las k e r s h o w e d how f a r a h e a d h e w as o f t h e A m e r i c a n s. L as k e r' s u n b l e m i sh e d score, 13- 0 , w as a n a c h i e v e m e n t r i v a l e d o n l y b y Bobb y F i sc h e r's 1 1 - 0 resu l t i n t h e U . S . C h a m p i on sh i p, also i n N e w Y o r k , se v e n t y y e a rs l a t e r. As for P i l lsb u r y , h e f i n i sh e d i n the m i d d le o f t h e f i e l d . Aga i n st h i m Las k e r p l a y e d o n e o f h i s f a v o rite we apons, t h e E x c h a n g e V a ri a­ t i o n o f t h e Lopez, a n d e x p loited a l a t e m i d d lega m e

C h apter One: T h e Young Y e ars

15

b l unde r to w in in 55 m o v es. Pillsb u r y t h en took p a r t in a series o f m inor N e w Yor k tou rnaments in 1 8 9 4 and showed some i m p ro v e m ent -- an e v e n score in one w o n b y Stein i tz, a cle a r fi rst place a h e ad o f the best A m e ricans in another. (And according to one account, h e also b e a t Barry in an­ o t h e r m a t c h , by 6 - 5 .)

16

P i l lsbury T h e E x traor d i n ary

CHA PTER TWO H ERO OF H ASTINGS T h e stage w as n o w s e t for Pillsb u r y ' s b r e a k t h rough and it came at H a stings, E n g l a n d in August and S e p t e m b e r o f 1 8 9 5. The tou r n a m e n t w a s o rg a nized to a t t r a c t t h e best p l a y e r from each of t h e w o r l d ' s l e a ding n ation s - - Mik h ail T c higo rin of R ussia, C a r l S c h l e c h t e r of A us t ria, Jos e p h B l a c k b u r n e o f Englan d , Siegbe rt T a r rasch o f G e r m a n y - ­ e v e n I t a l y ' s obscure B e nj amin V e rgani. Pil l sb u r y w as in­ vit e d as t h e A m e rican r e p rese n t ativ e , even t h ough h e was n o t t h e o f ficial n atio n a l c h a m pion. And, asi d e f rom a 2 1/2-1/2 score in e x hib i tion games again st t h e visiting B e rlin e r C a r l Walb r o d t in Ne w Y o r k two y e a rs be fore, Pillsb u r y had n o a ccom p lis h m e n ts to spe a k of against es­ tablish e d p l a y e rs. Wh at t h e Eu rope a n s foun d i n Pil lsb u r y w as a l a n k y six- foot e r with i n n o c e n t d a r k e y es, gi v e n t o l o n g b l a c k ciga rs a n d sti f f- c o l l a r e d shirts a n d w h ose r e a l p assion i n li fe see m e d to be p l a yi n g w hist. U n li k e m a n y c o n t e m p o ­ r a ries h e w a s clean-sh a v e n - - a n d u n li k e so m a n y U . S . C h a m pions past a n d p rese n t ( R e sh e v sk y , M o rp h y , Fis c h e r) , h e w a s e x ception a l l y f rie n d l y a n d a p p r o a c h a b l e , i f a bit n ai v e . Las k e r l a t e r d e s c ribe d him as being '"gi f t e d with pleasant and loveable t r aits" - - quite a c h a n ge f ro m so m a n y top p l a y e rs o f t h e d a y w h o w e re b a re l y on s p e a king t e r m s with one a n o t h e r . But m ost o f a l l t h e re w a s Pillsb u r y ' s c h e ss. He D ID seem to p l a y a bit di f fe re n t l y from his European ri v a ls, p a rtic u l a r l y i n t h e mid d legame w h e re h e dis p l a y e d a de­ cepti v e l y sim ple but a m b i tious style. A ge n e r a tion l a ter, Rich ard R e ti said he rep rese n t e d " A m e r i c anism" in c h ess -­ in f usin g Old Wo r l d position a l t h e o r y with e nerg y a n d p r agm atism.

C h ap t e r T w o: H ero O f H astings

17

P i llsbury c hose s i m p l e ope n i n g sch e m e s d ire c t e d not so m u ch towar d s a q u i c k k n o c k o u t as towar d s s e t t i n g u p a sol i d m i d d legame pos i tion. Wi t h t h e Wh i t e p i e ces, this m ean t the R u y Lopez and Q u ee n's Gam b i t, a n d as Black, t h e Petro f f D e fense a n d Orthodox Q u e e n's Gambi t D e ­ c l i n e d . I n Las k er' s w or d s, i t was P i l lsbury w h o d e m o l i s h e d t h e Be r l i n D e f e n se, t h e n the p r i m a r y Lopez va r i a t i on, an d it w a s Pillsbur y w h o resurrec t e d t h e Petro f f. A hal f cen­ tury later, R e u b e n Fine w rote: " Both t h e Queen's Gam b i t a n d t h e R u y Lopez, t h e t w o maj or d e fensi v e w eapons o f t h e m ode rn mas t e r, f i rst beca m e popular ch i e f l y b ecause o f t h e treatm e n t w h i c h P i l l sb u r y gav e t h e m". T h e P i llsbury A t tack, as it is k n o w n, was t h e m e t h o d by w h i ch t h e Q u e e n ' s Gamb i t Decli n e d e n t ered t h e 20th cen tury. Be fore Has t i ngs, the b e s t m e t h o d o f han d l i n g t h e Wh i t e p i e c e s a ft er 1 d 4 : 1...

2 c4

3 Nc3

dS

e6 Nf6

was in d i sp u te. Man y o f t h e strongest players o f t h e era, i n cl u d i ng Ho w ard Staun ton, I s i d or G u n sberg a n d J ohan nes Zukertort, favored t h e deployment of Wh i te ' s q u e e n b i shop o n t h e q u e e n si d e, e i t h e r at d2 or b2, for b o t h o f fe n s i v e a n d de fens i v e reasons. B u t at Hast i n gs, P i llsbury put the b i s h o p whe re i t belonged -- o n gS. I f Black d e v eloped rou t i n ely:

P illsbury T h e E x traordin ary

18

4 B gS 5 e3 6 N f3

Be7 0-0 b6

T h e A m e r i c a n s e t u p a n a tt a c k i n g form a t i o n w it h 7 cx dS 8 B d3 9 N e 5! and l a t e r f2- f4 and Qf3 .

e x dS Bb7

B l a c k m i g h t a c h i e v e a queensi d e m aj o r i t y wit h c 5 - c4, a n d h e m i g h t n e ut rali z e the m ost d ange r o us min o r p i e ces w it h N e 4 . B ut h e n e v e r seem e d to com p l etely sol v e

•••

•••

t h e ope n i n g prob l e m s t h e A m e r i c a n h ad b rough t to Eu rope. U nli ke so m a n y oth e r p rod ucts of open i n g f as h i o n , the P i llsb u r y Q.G.D . armed Wh i te for the m iddl e g a m e , yet a lso g a v e h i m e x cellent c h a n ces in the e n d g a m e . More often t h a n not, h is v i ctories e n d e d long b e fore t h e e n d ga m e , in what w e re known as "Pi l lsb u r i als". Because of an open i n g roun d loss to T c h i g o r i n , P i llsbu ry's n a m e d i d n ot a p p e a r a m o n g t h e le a d e rs a t H ast­ i n gs un t i l the se v e nth roun d , w h e n his Queen's G a m b it a g a i n st Stei n it z p r o d u c e d a m a r v e l o f positi o n al t e c h n i q u e . I nste a d o f Pillsb ury v s . Ste i n itz, i t loo k e d l i k e S t e i n i t z vs. A m ateur, and it w a s P illsb u r y's f i fth win in a s t r e a k of n i n e st r a i ght. He r a c k e d up points w i t h b o l d m i d d le g a m e p l a n s -- a P i l lsbury At t a c k agai nst T a r rasch, a spa r k l i n g coun t e r at t a c k a g a i n st J a c q u es Mi eses, a b rilli a n c y-p r i ze c a n d idate agai nst B u r n .

C h apter T w o: H ero O f H astings

19

He a n d T c h i go r i n s h a r e d the le a d at t h e m i d way point a n d d e s p i t e a c a rele ssl y pla y e d late m i ddle g a m e against L a s k e r a n d a n o v e r- r e a c h aga i nst S c hle chte r, h e w as still i n con t e n t i o n w i t h t w o rou n d s to go. T h e n Tch i g­ o r i n h o r r i bly m i s h a n d le d t h e Wh i t e p i e ce s ( 1 e4, e5 2 Nc3, N f6 3 d3?!, d 5 4 e x d 5? , Nxd5 5 Qe2?) i n a 16-move d i s aste r against D a v i d J a n o w s k i , l e a v i n g P illsb u r y i n cle a r fi rst. O n the tou r n a m e n t' s f i n a l d a y the A m e ri c a n h a d Wh i te a n d a p p e a r e d con t e n t to t r a d e w o o d w i t h I s i d o r G u n sbe rg, a H u n ga r i a n w h o h a d n a r row l y l o s t a w o r l d c h ampionsh i p a few y e a rs be fore. But P i llsb u r y ' s re m a i n ­ i n g bishop was al w a y s b e t t e r t h a n B l a c k ' s a n d t h e fi n a l s t age, a k n ight- a n d - p a w n e n d ga m e featu r i n g p a w n sac ri­ fi ces, e n d e d surp r i s i n g l y qui c k l y ( T h e k e y pos ition w a s later i n scribed on a m e n u for a b a n q u e t gi v e n i n Piiis­ b u r y' s honor on h i s return t o New Y o r k ) . The f i n al s c o r e w a s P iiisbu r y 1 6 1 / 2 p o i n t s (ou t o f 2 1) , T c higo r i n 16, Wo rld C h a m p i on L a s k e r , 15 1/2. Wi n n i n g m e ant more to h i s re p u t a t i on t h a n t o h i s p o c k e t book: T h e fi rst p r i ze w a s o n l y 150 pou n d s . B u t T c h i go r i n u s e d t h e f i n al b a n q u e t to i n v i te t h e fou r oth e r top f i n i s h e rs to a grand tou r n a m e n t bei n g p l a n n e d f o r t h e e n d o f t h e y e a r at t h e St. Pete rsbu rg C h ess Clu b. T a r rasch, a pro fess i o n a l p h y s i c i a n , d e c l i n e d b e c a u se o f h i s m e d i c a l p r a c t i c e , b u t t h e o t h e rs re a d i l y accepted. I n a m a t t e r o f w e e ks, P i l lsb ury h a d gone from a n obscu re New Engl a n d e r t o a member o f a ve r y s m a l l In t e r n a t i on al e l i te. I f H as t i n g s was the st rongest tou r n a m e n t h e l d u p to t h a t t i m e , St. Pete rsb u rg e x ce e d e d i t consi d e ra b l y. Wi t h a n a v e rage est i m ated r a t i n g o f 2617, i t not on l y s u p p l a n t e d H as t i n gs, b u t re m a i n e d t h e h i ghest r a t e d tou r n a m e n t u n til the N e t h e rl a n d s' A V RO e v e n t of 1938, some 42 y e a rs l a te r. P iiisbu r y began b y e x a ctin g re venge a g a i n s t Las k e r, b e a t­ i n g h im on t h e B l a c k s i d e o f a P e t ro f f D efen se i n 3 3 m o v e s o n t h e f i rs t d a y . H e a l s o h ad B l a c k i n t h e se cond

20

Pillsbury T h e E x traordin ary

rou n d a n d he won e v e n more q u i c k l y w i t h w h a t w a s re­ g a r d e d as a n origi n a l k n i g h t m a n e u v e r i n the o p e n i ng:

PILL S B U RY T C HIG O RIN St. Petersburg 1 8 9 5 · 6 •

1 e4 2 N f3 3 N c3

e5 N f6 N c6

4 Bb5 5 0-0 6 d3

Bb4 0-0 d6

7 B g5 8 b x c3 9 B x f6

B x c3 N e 7 !? gx f6

C h ap t e r T w o: H ero O f H astings

1 0 Qd2 1 1 Kb 1 12 d4

Ng6 Kh8 Rg8

13 B d3 1 4 Rab 1 15 Ng1

Qe7 b6 Be6

1 6 dS? 1 7 g3

B d7 Rg7

21

22

P illsbury T h e E x traordin ary

18 Rbe l

R agS

22 Q x f4 2 3 N f3 24 N d 4?

Nh7 Bg4 h 4!

23

C h ap t e r T w o: H e ro O f H astings

25 Re3 26 gx h 4?

Qe5! B f3 c h

Wh i te Resigns T h e fou r m e n w e re p a i red with o n e a n o t h e r si x t i m e s o v e r a t w o - m o n t h p e r i od. In e f fect t h e tou rnament t u r n e d o u t to be th ree m i n i - m at c h e s for P i l l sb u r y . H e d e feated L a s k e r 3 1 / 2 - 2 1/2 ( i n c l u d i n g t h re e d ra w n) a n d T c hi g o r i n b y t h e s a m e score ( o n e d r a w). B u t h e lost b a d l y to S t e i n i tz, m a n a g i n g only t w o d ra w s i n si x g a m e s, w h i l e Lasker crushed the former champion b y 4 - 2. Wi t h t h e o l d e r m a n i n cl u d e d, i t w a s a L a s k e r ru n a w a y: 11 1/2 - 6 1 / 2 com p a re d to 9 1 / 2 p o i n ts for se c­ o n d p l a c e S te i n i tz, a n d an e v e n score 8 - 8 for t h e A m e ri ­ c a n . P i l lsbu r y h a d , i n fact, b e e n l e a d i n g t h e f i e l d at t h e t o u r n a m e n t ' s h al f w a y poi n t, b u t t h e n s u f fe r e d fou r straight d e feats a n d f i n i s h e d w i th o n l y 1 1/2 p o i n t s i n h i s f i n al n i n e games. A l t h ou g h t h e results showed that P i l ls b u r y ' s H ast­ i n gs resu l t w as n ot a f l u k e , i t also rea f fi rm e d L a s k e r ' s c l a i m to be t h e "M a n t o B e a t". H e won h i s fi rst tou r n a m e n t as w o r l d c h a m p i on a n d a l s o p l a y e d t h e f i n es t g a m e o f t h e e ve n t , a Q u e e n ' s G a m b i t D e c l i n e d i n t h e l O t h rou n d t h a t fe atu re d a s p e c t a cu l a r s a c r i f i ce o f a B l a c k roo k . L a s k e r l a t e r conside red i t t h e b e s t g a m e h e e v e r p l a y e d . A n d i t w a s one P i llsbu r y w o u l d re m e m b e r t o t h e v e r y e n d o f h i s c a re e r . P I L L S U RY · LA S K E R , S T . P E T E R S B U R G 1 8 9 5 - 9 6 1 d4, d5 2 c4, e6 3 N c3 , N f6 4 N f3, c 5 5 B g 5 , c x d4 6 Q x d 4 , N c 6 7 Q h 4 , B e 7 8 0 - 0 - 0, Q a 5 9 e 3 , B d7 1 0 Kb 1 , h 6! 1 1 cx d5, e x d5 12 N d 4, 0 - 0 13 B x f6 ( t h e s a c r i f i c e 1 3 B x h 6 f a i l s a ft e r 13 ... Ne4!) 13 B x f6 1 4 Q h S , N x d4 1 5 e x d 4 , B e 6 1 6 f4 ( N o t i m e for t h is. Bette r 16 Bc4 or 16 B d 3) 16 R a c l 17 f5, R x c3! 1 8 fxe6 (On 1 8 b x c3 , Q x c3 1 9 f x e 6 [19 Q f3 j us t o f fe rs m o r e resistan ce] 1 9 . . . R c 8 a n d B l a c k w i n s) 1 8 Ra6 ! 1 9 e x f7 c h , R x f7 2 0 b x a3 , Qb6 c h 2 1 B b S , Q x bS c h 22 K a 1 , •••

•..

.••

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P i l lsbury T h e E x traordin ary

Rc7 2 3 R d 2 , Rc4 24 R h d l , R c 6 25 Q fS (Be tte r 25 Q e 2 or 25 Q c4 26 Kb2 (Be tte r 26 Qb 1) 26 R x a6! 27 Q e 6 ch, Kh7 28 Kx a3 and B l a c k a n n o u n ces m ate in fi v e a s follo w s: 2 8 Q c 3 c h 2 9 Ka4, b S c h ! 3 0 K x b S , Q c 4 c h 3 1 K a S , B d8

R e 1) 2S

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•••

•••

m ate. O n e final poi n t about St. Pete rsb u rg m u s t b e m a d e . S i x te e n y e a rs a ft e r h i s d e a t h , a collection o f P i llsb u r y s g a m e s w as p u bli s h e d , w ri tten b y t h e E n g l i s h m e n P . W. S e r ge a n t a n d W. H . Watts. I n i t t h e re a p p e a r e d t h i s c r y p t i c li n e about P illsb u r y ' s t r i p to R u ss i a: " He w as, h o w e v e r, v e r y u n fort u n ate i n con t ra c t i n g a n i l l n ess t h e r e w h i c h se­ riously i m p a i re d his h e alth, and u l t i m a t e l y p r o v e d fatal to h i m". '

T h e re is no e l aboration in t h e book a n d for m a n y y e a rs t h e e x a ct n at u re o f P illsbu ry ' s d i se ase r e m a i n e d a n o p e n b u t u n p u b l i s h e d secret. I t w as s y p h i l i s. T h e v e r y n a m e o f t h e t h e n f a t a l d i se ase w a s for­ i n poli te con v e rs a t i o n in those d a y s. (Ibsen's "Ghosts", w h i ch s h oc k e d so m a n y people i n 1 8 8 1 b y d e a l i n g w i t h t h e subje ct, n e v e r a c t u all y u s e d t h e w o r d " s y p h ilis".) P i llsb u r y' s f a m i l y a l w a y s d e n i e d t h e n a t u re o f h i s subse­ q u e n t d e ath -- but the death ce rt i f i c a t e con f i r m e d i t w a s d u e to " ge n e ral p a r e s i s " , t h a t i s , s y p h i l i s. N o d o c u ment a t i on h as b e e n p ro d u c e d t o v e ri f y t h e St. Petersb u rg p a rt o f t h e s t o r y , b u t accord i n g to the e n d g a m e compose r J . Ed m u n d P e c k o v e r, Alb e r t B. Hodges told h i m t h a t P i llsbury h i m se l f h a d con fi rmed t h a t to h i m .

bidden

P i llsbu r y ' s h e alth h a r d l y see m e d to a f fe c t h i m w h e n h e r e t u r n e d to Eu rope t h a t s u m m e r f o r tou r n a m e n t s i n Ge r m a n y a n d H u n ga r y . T h e fi rst, a t N u re mbe rg, w as a b i t t h e stronge r o f t h e t w o . P i l l sb u r y started slow l y , a b y e i n t h e f i rst rou n d b e i n g follo w e d b y a q u i e t d r a w w i t h S c h l e c h t e r. In t h e t h i r d rou n d , P i l l sb u r y e s c a p e d w h e n J a n o w s k i sacri f i ced a p a w n i n th e open i n g, t h e n t h e E x ­ c h a n ge , a n d h a d a won g a m e b y m o v e 20. T a r ra s c h re­ m a r k e d t h a t i f Wh i t e h ad fou n d the cor rect, con c l u d i n g

C h apter T w o : H ero O f H astings

25

p i e ce sacrifi ce at move 21, h e would have ass u red h i msel f of t h e F i rst B r i l l i a n c y P r ize a w a r d e d b y B a ro n Albert d e Rothsch i l d . B u t h e o n l y d re w . P i llsbu r y t h e n won a f i n e 70-move game a g a i n s t A d ol f Albin -- y e t l o s t d i scou rag­ i n g l y to B l a c k b u r n e a n d Geza M a ro c z y . Wi t h o n l y t w o poin ts, t h e " h e ro o f H a s t i n gs" fou n d h i m se lf t i e d for 11th p l a ce. B u t t h e re w a s a free d a y follo w i n g t h e si x t h rou n d , a n d P i llsb u r y spe n t i t w i n n i n g a t a n d e m g a m e w i t h B l a c k ­ bo rne. T h i s see m e d to re-estab l i s h P i llsbu r y ' s e q u a n i m i t y . H e crushed Georg M a rco t h e n e x t d a y , t h e n w o n a k i n g­ a n d- p a w n e n d i n g o v e r T a rrasch t h at t h e G e r m a n i n s i s t e d w a s a d e a d d r a w . T h e re fol l o w e d w i n s from L a s k e r a n d T c h i go r i n , t h e form e r b e i n g a spe c t a c u l a r F re n ch D e fense i n which P i llsb u r y s a c rif i c e d a pawn o n pos i t i o n a l g r o u n d s , t h e n t h e E x c h a n ge, a n d f i n a l l y a p i e c e to create a w i n n i n g a t t a c k t h a t t h e w o r l d c h a m p i o n could not resist, even aft e r g i v i n g u p his q u e e n . H e cou l d n't m ai n t a i n t h a t l e v e l f o r t h e r e s t o f Nu rembe rg. Wi t h t w o rou n d s t o go, P i l lsbu r y w a s t i e d w i t h T a r rasch f o r secon d p l a ce be h i n d L a s k e r . B u t a m i se r able loss with Wh i t e to Walbrodt se v e re l y h u rt his c h a n ce s and h e h a d to allow M a rocz y to slip past h i m. I n the e n d , P i lls­ b u r y and T a r rasch tied for t h i r d, e a rn i n g 1250 m a r k s e a ch. I t w as some consolation ( a n d worth a n e x t r a 300 m a r k s) w h e n h i s game w i t h L a s k e r w as a w a r d e d a b r i l l i a n c y p r i ze , the A m e r i c an's fi rst. H e w o u l d l a te r b e a w a rd e d p r i zes at V i e n n a 1 8 9 8 , Monte C a rlo 1 9 0 3 , a n d V i e n n a 1903.

26

Pillsbury T h e Ex traordinary

CHAPTER TH REE PILLSBURY V ERSUS LASKER I t' s w o r t h poi n t i n g o u t a t t h i s poi n t t h a t P i llsb u r y' s l i f e t i m e r e c o r d w i t h L a s k e r w as f i v e w i ns, f i v e l osses a n d fou r d ra w s. To a p p re c i ate h o w g o o d t h i s w as, y o u h a v e t o recall h o w t h e w o r l d c h a m p i o n f a r e d a g a i n s t h i s o t h e r c o n t e m p o r a ries: L a s k e r was 8-1, 4 d ra w s against T c h i go r i n , a n d 11-2 w i t h 4 d raws against B l a c k bu rne, t h e finest B ri t i s h p l a y e r o f t h e generation. O t h e r m e n w h o w e r e consi d e re d w o rt h y mat c h opponents f o r Lask e r h a d d i smal scores: S c h l e c h t e r w as 2-5, w i t h 1 2 d ra w s a g a i n s t h i m . M a rsh a l l w o n o n l y t w o g ames against 1 2 losses. Tar rasch h a d fou r v i ctories t o console h i m se lf f o r h i s 1 8 (!) d e feats. Y e t S c h l e c h t e r, M a rs h a l l a n d T a rrasch h a d t h e i r c h a n ce s t o c h a l l e n ge L a s k e r i n a m a t ch e s. A k i b a R u b i nstei n h a d p e r h aps t h e best s c o re o f t h i s group: one w i n , t w o losses a n d four d ra w s w i t h L a s k e r. A n d i n m ore t h e n 40 o t h e r games, L a s k e r n e v e r lost to s u c h worth y oppon e n t s as A m os B u rn , J a m es Mason, I s i d o r G u n sbe rg, R i c h a r d T e i c h m a n n , Geza M a r o c z y , O l d rich D u ras, R u d o l f S p i e l m a n n , S a v i e l l y T a r t a k o w e r , M i l a n V i d­ m a r, R i ch a rd R e t i a n d M a x E u w e . Anothe r w a y o f loo k i n g at P i l l sb u r y ' s a c c o m p l i sh­ m e n t against Lask e r i s t h i s: O n l y a h a n d f u l o f A m e r i c a n s - a n d not t h at m a n y n o n - A m e r i c a n s -- h a v e d e f e a t e d i n ­ c u m b e n t world c h a m p i o n s. S a mm y Resh e v s k y , A r th u r D a k e a n d R e u b e n F i n e e a c h d e feated A l e x a n d e r A le k h i n e i n t h e 1930s. Yasse r S e i r a w a n b e a t t w o c h a m p i o n s i n t h e 1980s, A n atoly K a rpov o n ce and Gary K asparov once. P i llsb u r y's f i v e t i m e s is e x t raor d i n a r y.

Chap ter Thre e: P i l lsbury Versus Las ker

27

The fourteen L a s k e r- P i l lsbu r y games w e re m a r velous struggles. T h e y a v e raged n e a rl y 46 m o v e s -- well above t h e grand m aster n o r m . L a s k er' s e n d g a m e s k i ll, s u c h as i n h i s elega n t 7 5 - m o v e w i n o v e r P i llsb u r y a t L o n d o n 1 8 9 9 a n d h i s 8 5- m o v e r at P a r i s a y e a r later, m a d e u p f o r t h e c r u s h ing m i d d le g a m e d e feats, such as t h e B r i l l i a n c y P rize loss at Nu rembe rg 1896. H e re we will loo k at a game n ot published often d u e to fou r slight m i s t a k es by Las k e r: Whe n i t c a m e d o w n to t h e e n d g a m e a f te r m o v e 31, e a ch side h a v i n g f i v e p a w n s, p l u s a k n i g h t f o r P i llsb u r y v s a bishop for Las k e r, t h e p l a y h a d to be e x act. P I LL S BU R Y -LA S K E R , S T . P E T E R S B U R G 1 8 95/9 6 1 e 4 , e S 2 N f3 , N c6 3 B bS, N f6 4 0-0, N x e 4 S d4, Be7 6 Qe2, N d6 7 B x c6 , b x c6 8 d x eS, Nb7 9 b 3 , 0-0 10 B b 2 , dS 1 1 e x d6, c x d 6 12 N b d 2 , B f6 13 B x f6, Q x f6 1 4 R fe 1 , N cS 1 5 N e 4 , N x e 4 1 6 Q x e 4 , B d7? (Be t t e r 16 ... d 5 to f i g h t for the c e n t e r) 1 7 c4, R fe 8 1 8 Qd4, R x e l ch 1 9 R x e 1 , Q x d4 2 0 N x d4, K f8 2 1 K f l , aS? (th i s p a w n w i l l b e c o m e w e a k on a5) 2 2 a4, R e S 2 3 R x e 8 c h , Kxe8 24 Ke2 , Kd8 25 Kdl, Kc7 2 6 Kc3, Kb6 2 7 f4, b S? 2 8 h3, KcS 2 9 fS, g 6 3 0 f6, d S 3 1 c x d S , K x d S 3 2 N f3 ! , Ke6 33 N dl , Kx f6? (B l a c k shou l d have t ri e d 33 . c5 follo w e d b y 34 B c6) 3 4 N c4, h4 3 5 N x x a5 , K e 5 3 6 N c4 c h , K f4 3 7 N b 6 , B f5 3 8 K d 4 , B e 4 3 9 a S , cSc h 4 0 Kx cS, B x gl 41 a6, gS 42 N d 5 ch, Ke5 43 Ne3, B f3 4 4 b 4 , Ke6 45 b S , Bel 46 N dS 1 - 0 . .

.

...

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P i llsbury The E x traordin ary

CHAPTER FOUR OTH ER STRUGGLES Also m e m orable w e re P i l lsbu r y's a n n u a l st ruggles with B l a c k b u r n e o n t h e f i rst b o a r d of t h e A n g l o-A m e r i c a n c a b l e m atches. B e c a u se o f t h e i r l e n g t h , t h e y w e re u s u a l l y a m o n g t h e l a s t to b e f i n i s h e d a n d t h e f a t e o f t h e m a tch w as already decided. S t i ll, they fou g h t on a n d B l a c k b u r n e h a d t h e u p p e r h a n d w i t h w i n s i n 1896 a n d 1 899, losi n g o n l y i n 190 1 . Tou r n a m e n t chess w a s s t i l l rela t i v e l y y o u n g a t t h i s t i m e a n d t h i s m a y e x p l a i n t h e a p p a r e n t b i tte r n e ss o f t hese le n g t h y s t ruggles. G r a n d m aster d ra w s did not come i n to p ro fessi o n a l fash i o n u n t i l about 19 1 0 . Moreov e r, t h e re w a s r e l at i v e l y l i t t l e o p e n i n g a n d e n d game t h e o r y . You d i d n ' t t r u s t y o u r opponent, for e x a m p le , t o h o l d a "book d ra w " e v e n i f h e w as a world c l ass p l a y e r. A t V i e n n a 1 898, P i l l sb u r y w a s a p a w n d o w n i n a r o o k e n d i ng agai n st A m os B u r n . B u t a l l t h e p a w n s w e re on t h e k i ngsi d e a n d soon t h e fam i l i a r " P h i li d o r D ra w i n g P os i t i o n" w as r e a c h e d . Wh i t e's k i n g a n d sole r e m a i n i n g p a w n r e a c h e d t h e f i f t h ran k , b u t cou l d n ot sa fe l y ad v an ce b e c a u se P i llsb u r y h a d p l a ced h i s rook o n t h e s i x t h ran k. To d a y s u c h a position w o u l d r a r e l y be r e a c h e d i n g r an d m as t e r c h e ss. ( I t w o u l d h a v e been d r a w n long be fore.) B u t at V i e n n a, B u r n i n sisted on p l a y i n g o n for a n o t h e r 2 9 m o v es, u n t i l , w i t h o n l y a k i n g a n d p a w n aga i n st a k i ng, h e s t a l e m a t e d t h e A m e ri c a n . More o v e r, c h e ss w a s a g e n t l e m e n ' s g a m e t h e n . "All a n a l y s i s a n d consu l t a t i o n of adj ou r n e d games i s forb i d ­ d e n " , s a i d the rules o f P a r i s 1 9 0 0 " w i t h t h e t h r e a t of e x­ p u ls i o n f rom t h e tou r n a m e n t". A n d also t h i s r u l e: "All po­ l i t i c a l or religious d i scussions are forbi d d e n u n d e r t h re at o f i m m e d i ate e x p u lsion " . T h e com p e t i tors i n a tou r n a m e n t --

C h apter Fo ur: O t h e r Struggles

29

w e re e x p ected to act l i k e h o n o rable m e m b e r s of a s m a l l m e n's club. At t h e e n d o f t h e d a y , r a t h e r t h a n a n a l y z i n g o n e anot h e r's ope n i n gs f o r t h ei r n e x t m e e t i n g, t h e y o ften com p a r e d ideas by p l a y i n g t a n d e m or consu l t a t i o n games. P i llsbu r y , for e x a m p l e , cou l d b e fou n d p l a y i n g a t B l a c k ­ born e's si de to b e a t T c h i go r i n a n d S c h i f fe rs a t H astings 1 895 or Stei n i tz and S c h i f fe r s a t N u r e m b e r g 1 896. Be fore e n d i n g h i s se con d E u ro p e a n tour, Pil lsb u r y e n te re d a 1 2 - m a n i n te rn at i o n a l at B u d a pest. T h i s w a s t h e s c e n e o f t h e fi rst g r e a t result b y t h e H u n ga r i a n R u do l f C h a rouse k , w h o sh a re d f i rst w i t h T c h i gori n , a p o i n t a h e a d o f P i llsb u r y . P i llsb u r y a l s o p l a y e d a s h o rt m atch a g a i n st B e rthold Englisch, a t a l e n t e d A u s t r i a n t h e n a t h i s p e a k . O n l y one o f t h e f i v e gam es, a l l d ra w n , su r vi v e s. C u r i o u s l y , C h a rouse k , Englisch a n d P i llsb u r y w o u l d a l l d i e b e fore t h e i r t i m e . Englisch was 46 w h e n h e fell f a t a l l y i l l a y e a r l a t e r, a n d C h a ro u s e k w a s o n l y 26 w h e n h e d i e d i n 1900. B a c k h o m e , P i l lsb u r y s p e n t a l l of 1 897 in A m e r i c a. T h e fi rst o r d e r o f b u s i ness w a s a m a t c h w it h t h e o f fi ci a l A m e r i c a n C h am p i o n , J a c k son Wh i pps S h o w alte r. H i s H ast­ i ngs su ccess h a d m a d e it c le a r Pillsb u r y was t h e best A m e r i c a n p l a y e r as of 1895. H e h a d , i n f a ct, p l a y e d fi rst board on the U.S. t e a m in t h e f i rst Ne w n e s T ro p h y Cable Match w i th Great Britain i n 1 896. But the issue of the o f fi c i a l A m e r i c a n t i tle n e v e r a rose u n t i l t w o y e a rs late r w h en S h o w a l t e r f e l t com p e l l e d to c h a l l e n ge P i llsb u r y i n a t i tle m at c h . T h e y agreed to p l a y for a s t a k e o f $ 1000.00 i n New Y o r k e a r l y i n 1 897 a n d t h e g rou n d r u l e s w e re t y p i c a l for t h e d a y -- d r a w s n ot count­ i n g, t h e w i n n e r would be t h e fi rst to d e feat his opponent seven tim es. If t h e score re a c h e d 6 - 6 , t h e w i n n i n g score w a s a d v a n ce d to t e n w i n s. B u t i f i t re a c h e d 9 - 9, t h e m atch w o u l d be d e c l a re d d ra w n . "I w a s n o t see k i n g t h e m a tch," P i llsb u r y s a i d o n i t s e v e. "An d e v en i f I s h o u l d w i n , I s h a l l l e a v e S h o w al t e r i n possession o f h i s c h a m p i o n s h i p title. I a m n ot i n s e a r c h o f

Plll1bury The Extraordinary

ao

lftY tltlo hut one," he ad d e d , and n o one n e e d e d h i n ts i n rlaurlng out wh i c h o n e h e h a d i n m i n d .

Bu t S h o w a lter w a s one o f t hose u n fortunate oppo­ nents w h o a l w a y s see m e d to p l a y h i s best a g a i n s t P i llsb ur y . T h e m atch w a s a b a c k a n d forth b a ttle, w i th o n l y three dra w s out of 21 games. Few of the games h a v e been m e n t i o n e d . T w o of them t u rn e d u p i n I m re K oe n i g ' s c l a s s i c stu d y o f ope n i n g e v o l u t i on , Chess From Morplly to B o t v inn i k -- a n d both are v i ctories b y S h o w a l t e r on t h e Black side o f a Queen's Gambit Declined. T h e score d i d , i n fact, re a c h t h e 6-6 d e a d l o c k - - an d h a d been 6 5 i n S h o walte r' s f a v or at one p o i n t . T h e y p l a y e d on u n ti l , w i t h t h e score 9 - 8 -- a n d S h o w a l ter n e e d ­ i n g one w i n to dra w t h e m a t c h -- P i l lsbury broke t hro u g h . ( fi v e m at c h e s fo r t h e U . S. C h a m p i o n s h i p h a ve b e e n h e l d s i n ce t h e n a n d o n l y t h e Mars h all-Ed w a r d L a s k er struggle of 1923 w as as close.) Wi th Wh i t e , P i llsbury won t h e 21st and final game i n 4 0 m ov e s, t h a nks to a m i d d le g a m e b l u n ­ d er t h a t cost S h o w alter a p i e ce . -

Wh e t h er h e a c k n o w l e d ge d i t o r not, P il l sb u r y w a s c h a m p i o n o f t h e A m e r i cans. H e h e l d t h e t i t l e u n t i l h i s d eath, reign i n g n i n e y e ars - - a period e x ce e d e d o n l y b y P a u l Morp h y , Fra n k M a rs h a l l a n d S a m m y R e s h e v s k y .

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CHAPTER FIVE LIFE OF A PROFESSIONAL Tod a y a t y p i cal gra n d m aste r p l a y s b e t w e e n se v e n t y a n d on e h u n d re d g a m e s a y e a r, m ost o f t h e m i n i n t ern a­ t i o n a l tou r n a m e n ts. H e can p l a y in a n y of a n u m b e r of lo­ c a l , wee k e n d open tourn a m e n t s i f he w i s h e s. B u t in P i l ls­ bury's d a y , t h e re w e re v e r y few e v e n ts. In 1897 P i l lsbu r y m a y o n l y h a v e p l a y e d 29 s e r i o u s games, i n cl u d i n g a s m a l l t e a m e v e n t i n u p s t a t e Ne w Y or k . H o w d i d s u c h a pro fes­ sion a l m a k e a l i v i n g? O n e a n s w er w as t o g i v e e x h i b i t i on s, a n d P i l lsbury w as one of t h e f i n est e x h i b i tors of his age. H e took on op­ p o n e n ts at chess a n d c h e c k ers, p l a y i n g some games b l i n d ­ f o l d e d -- a n d som e t i m e s t a k i n g p art i n a h a n d o f w h ist. (His skill as a card p l a y e r i s not known, but h e w a s re­ garded as one of t w e n t y best c h e c k er p l a y ers in A m e ri ca.) P i llsbu r y w as, in f a ct, a great e n t e rt a i n e r. A n d also a t i reless one. D u r i n g 1901 he tra v e l e d for s e v e n m o n t h s, c o v e r i n g the U.S. w i t h m o re t h a n 150 e x h i b i t i on s a n d log­ g i n g more t h a n 40,000 m i les. But U. S. e x h i b i ti o n tou rs, be fore J ose C a p ab l a n c a m astered t h e a r t a d e c a d e l a t e r, w e re re l a t i v e l y fe w a n d d isorga n i ze d . I n tru t h, a p r i m a r y s o u r c e o f P i l lsbu r y ' s i n­ come, e v e n a t t h e h e i g h t o f h i s powe rs, w a s to h i d e h i m ­ sel f w i t h i n t h e i m i t a t i o n cloc k w ork m a c h i n e r y t h a t passed for the chess autom aton, Ajeeb. Aj eeb w as o n e o f t h e 19t h ce n t u r y w o n d e rs, p a r t B a r n u m a n d p art c arp e n t r y , t h a t pu rported t o be a me­ c h a n i c a l chessp l a y er. A t fairs, e x h i b i t i o n s and s i d e s h o ws, Aj eeb w o u l d t a k e on a l l comers at chess o r c h e c k e rs. T h e m ac h i ne appeared to be a l i fe-sized d u m m y o f an I n d i a n pote n tate, s i t t i n g u pon a m ass o f p i stons a n d w h eels t h a t

Pillsbury T h e E x traordi n ary

were bri e f l y re v e aled to the a u d i e n ce. T h e m ac h i n e n o d ­ ded w h e n g i v i n g c h e c k . I t a n n ou n ce d m ate w i t h th ree nods. And i t d i d t h a t o fte n s i n ce Aj eeb was strong. Act u ­ a l l y , a Maste r w as h i d d e n i n t h e cab i n e t, c o n c e a l e d i n w h a t m u s t h a v e b e e n a n e x t re m e l y u n comfortable postu re.

F a r f rom bei n g a f r e a k s h o w , Aj eeb h a d some re­ spect i n t h e chess com m u n i t y . It had been c o n t r o l l e d in the 1880s and 1 890s by a v a ri e t y of m i n o r m aste rs, i n clu d i n g C h a rl e s Mah le, t h e n o n e o f t h e best U. S . p l a y e rs, b y A l ­ b e r t H o d ges, S h o w a l t e r ' s p r e d e cesso r as U . S. C h a m p i o n , a n d b y C. F. B u r i l l e , a n o t he r o f P i llsbu r y's M a n d a r i n f r i e n d s from Boston. T h e p a y w asn' t bad - - H o d ge s re­ cei v e d $5 0.00 to $70.00 a week when h e o p e r a t e d Aj eeb at the E d e n Musee, on We st 23r d S t reet in M a n h a t t a n . E v e n w h e n h e w as o n e o f t h e w o r l d's t w o best pla y ­ e rs, Pillsb u ry w a s a l s o Aj eeb. Th e re are d i ffe r i n g a c c o u n t s o f e x a c t l y w h e n h i s ten u re as t h e m ac h i n e ' s o p e r a t o r r a n . I t w a s e i t h e r 1 898 to 1904, 1 890 to 1 9 0 0 ( a c co r d i n g to P e c k o v e r) o r 1 893 to 1900 , accord i n g to K e n n e t h Wh yld. Among its oppon e nts a t the tim e were 0. H e n r y and S a r a h B e rn h a r d t at c h e s s a n d , p e r h aps late r, C h r i s t y M a t h e wson a t c h e c k e rs. H o d ges once t o l d the story of v i s i t i n g the Eden Musee som e t i m e a ft e r l e a ving ch ess for b u s i n ess a n d f i n d ­ i n g t h e m a c h i n e i n o p e r a t i v e. A n a m a te u r o p p o n e n t h a d left his q u e e n h an g i n g - - b u t Aj eeb w ou l d n ' t m o v e . A b i t of discreet i n v estigation r e v e a l e d t h a t P i l l sb u r y h a d d r u n k a l a rge a m o u n t of b e e r a n d p assed o u t . A w a k e n e d , t h e m a ­ c h i n e g rabb e d t h e q u e e n a n d h i s opponent res i g n e d w i t h ­ o u t k n o w i n g w h at h a d g o n e o n . Be fore h e re tu rn e d to Eu rope, P illsb u r y g r a n ted S h o w a l t e r's request for a r e t u r n m at c h in Feb r u a r y 1 898. The rules w e re i d e n t i c a l to t h ose in the fi rst -- e x ce p t t his t i m e t h e U. S. t itle w a s spe cifi cally at sta k e . P illsb u r y p l a y e d a bit m o re c a u t i o u s l y a n d , w i t h t h e l e i s u r e l y p a ce,

C h apter Five: Li fe o f a Pro fessi o n a l

33

it took n e a r l y si x w e e k s for h i m to p r e v a i l . The f i n a l score w a s se v e n wins to t h ree, with two d ra w s. S h o w a l t e r w as a l w a y s a h a rd g a m e f o r h i m , e v e n w i t h Wh i t e i n a Q u e e n's G a m b i t , as t h e i r g a m e s f rom V i ­ e n n a 1 8 9 8 , P a ris 1900 a n d t h e t w o m at c h e s s h o w . S u f fi c e i t to s a y t h a t S h o w a l t e r's best resu l t i n h i s l o n g c hess c a r e e r w a s h i s n a rrow l o s s to P i l l sb u r y i n 1 8 9 7 , j u s t as t h e f i n est accom p l i s h m e n t of J o h n B a r r y had been h i s n a rrow loss to P i llsb u r y five y e a rs b e fore. The c h a m p ion's n e x t serious e v e n t began i n M a y 1 8 9 8 w i t h t h e m a m m o t h tou r n a m e n t i n V i e n n a, o n e of t h e longest a n d m o s t g r u e l l i n g e v e n t s e v e r orga n i ze d . P i llsb u r y began t h e d o u b l e- r o u n d e ve n t i m p re ss i v e l y , k n o c k i n g o f f m i nor m asters H o ra t i o C aro, P. L i p k e , A . S c h wa r z (in 19 m o v e s) a n d A. H al p r i n ( a b r i l l i a n c y p ri ze) i n t h e f i rst fou r rou n d s. But t h e n e x t stage began h a rd -- t h e u s u a l d i f fi c u lt d r aw w i t h S h o w a l t e r, a d i sappoi n t i n g loss to M a r o c z y , a q u e e n- a n d- p a w n e n d i n g w i n agai n st S c h l e c h t e r t h a t w o u l d e ve n t u a l l y m a k e t h e e n d ga m e a n t h ologies, a n d a h or r i b l e t u r n a ro u n d i n a n e a r l y - w o n p os i t i o n agai n st T c h i g o r i n . B u t a n ot h e r stre a k o f w i n s foll o w e d a n d h e w a s t i e d w i t h T a r ­ rasch, w h o m h e h a d d e feated, a ft e r t h e e n d o f t h e f i rst h al f of the n e a r l y t h ree-mo n t h tou r n a m e n t .

JAN OWS K I vs P ILLS B U R Y V I E N NA 1 8 9 8

H e m i g h t h a v e w o n t h e e ve n t easi l y i f i t w e re n o t for a fe w m i s h aps i n t h e tou r n a m e n t' s l a t e st ages. O n e came i n the 21st rou n d a ga i n st J an o w s k i i n a game t h a t began w i t h : 1 e4 2 f4 3 e x dS

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Plll1bury The Extrao rdin ary

4 d3 5 dxe4 6 Qe2

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7 N d2 8 N h 3!? 9 c3

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fx e 4

Chapter Five: L i fe o f a Profess i o n a l

1 1 N f2 1 2 g3 1 3 B g2

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O f fe r i n g a p o w e r ful quee n s a c r i f i c e (14 e x f2ch 1 5 K fl, B x d 5 ) . J an o w ski reje cte d it w i th:

35

Bxd5,

14 Ne4

A t t h i s m o m e n t t h e A m e ri can could h a v e followed with 1 4 Rhe 8!, a g a i n o f fe r i n g t h e quee n in v a riation s such as 1 5 N f6 , Q x g2 1 6 Q x g2 , g x f6 1 7 Q e 2 , B f5 1 8 Qh5 , •••

B c2.

But i n st e a d , he p l ayed the com p a r a t i v e ly m ore force ful ( a n d see m i n g ly less r i s ky) k nigh t s a c ri fice: 1 4 ...

Nb4?

Wh i c h all o w e d Wh i t e to con solid ate and win followi n g: 15 16 17 18

cxb4 N c3 B x e3 b x c3

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Pillsbury T h e Extraordinary

1 9 K f2 20 Rhcl 21 R ab1

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22 B c6 2 3 R c3!

B d7

Wh i te w i n s . N e v e rthe less P i llsbu r y w as i n fi rst p l a c e , a h a l f p oi n t a h e a d o f T a r ra s c h , w i t h t h ree rou n d s to go w h e n h e bot c h e d a m i d dlegame a g a i n s t B u rn a n d l o s t . T a r r asch caught up w i t h him, f o r c i n g a fou r-game p l a y o f f t o d e c i d e t h e 6,000-crown fi rst p r i ze. I n t h e k e y th i rd p l a y o f f game, T a rrasch avoided P i l lsbu r y's Berlin D e fense a n d w o n with t h e Wh i te s i d e of a Fou r K n i g h t s G a m e .

C h apter Five: L i fe o f a Pro fessio n a l

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E v e n th ough T a r r asc h m e t 1 d 4 , dS 2 c 4 , e 6 3 N c3 w i t h 3 b6?! i n t h e fourth a n d f i n al g a m e , P illsb u r y got n o a d v a n tage a n d i n f act w o u l d h a v e ce r t a i nl y l o s t i t i f t h e G e r m a n h a d n e e d e d a f ull poi n t to t a k e fi rst p r i ze. ..•

Th i s w as o n e of fou r great resu lts ach i e v e d d u r i n g 1 898- 1900, the o t h e rs com i n g a t Lon d o n , P a r i s a n d M u n ic h . O n l y Las k e r w as able to f i n i s h a h e a d o f h i m at t h ese tourn a m e n ts, w h ich d re w the fi nest p l a y e r s in the w o r l d . A n d i t rein force d t h e v i e w t h a t P i l lsbu r y s hould be f i rst in line t o ch alle n ge f o r the w o rld ch am pionsh i p . L as k e r h a d been v i rtuall y o u t o f c h e s s b e t w e e n h i s return m a tch w i t h S t e i n i t z i n 1896-7 a n d L o n d o n 1 899, a n d h e s h o w e d little i n t e rest i n r i s k i n g h i s t i tl e against a younger m a n , e v e n o n e li k e P illsb u r y , j us t four y e a rs y o u n ge r. T h e re w a s n o w o r l d chess fe d e r a t i o n i n t h ose d a y s and a ch a m p i on could reject all c h alle n ges for a d ecade. L a s k e r d i d j ust t h a t . H e d i d n ' t d e fe n d h i s t i t l e again u n t il 190 7, w h e n P illsb u r y w a s long d e a d . A n d w h a t w o u l d h a v e h ap pe n e d i f P i l l sb u r y a n d L a s k e r h a d me t d u ri n g t h i s period? L a s k e r' s tou r n a m e n t results w e re su p e r i o r, b u t h i s g a m e s w i t h P i l lsbu r y alone w e re uncon v i nc i n g. A com p a ri son of t h e i r rel a t i v e s t r e n g t h s a n d w e a k n esses r e v e a l s sh a r p d i f f e r e n ces. P i lls­ bury w a s n o t h e oretici a n , b u t greate r d e p t h i n his fe w o p e n i ngs o f p re f e re nce i n d i cates t h e A m e rican would be on fi r m e r grou n d in the e a r l y stages of g a m e s. I n t h e i r fourteen games w i t h o n e a n o t h e r, Pillsb u r y usuall y ob­ t a i n e d a slight e d ge w i t h Wh i te a n d u s u al l y e q u a l i z e d e f­ fortle ssly w i t h B l ac k . ( T h at Q u e e n ' s G a mbi t D ecli n e d loss at St. Pete rsb u rg w a s t h e o u t s t a n ding e xce p t i o n .) At t h e o t h e r e x tr e m e i s t h e e n d ga m e . L a s k e r' s s k ill, p a r t icularly in i n fe r i o r e n d i ngs, w as s u p e rb. P illsb u r y's abi l i t y in the e n d ga m e h as bee n clou d e d by t h e p a ssage o f t i me. H e w a s i n f act a n e x cell e n t tech n ici a n . A t y pi c a l g a m e , v e rsus M i e s e s at P a r i s 1 900, s h o w s h o w r e ad i l y h e t r a d e d q u e ens.

Plllabury The Extraordinary

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C h ap t e r Five: L i fe o f a Professi o n a l

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And soon h e had a w i n n i n g posi t i o n . T h e greatest d i f fe r e n c e be t w e e n Las k e r an d P i lls­ b u r y lies, i n e v i t abl y, i n t h e m i d dlega m e . One m an ' s lon g s u i t w as the oth e r' s s h o r t o n e . L a s k e r w as a m a n e u v e re r , a p s y c h ologist a n d a t e m p o r i ze r. H e w a s o ft e n a c c u s e d o f w a i t i n g for his oppon e n t t o blu n d e r, w h e n i n f a c t h e was w a i t i n g for t h e r i g h t moment to t a k e a c t i o n h i m s e l f. P ills­ bu r y , on the oth e r h a n d , w as a bold pla n n e r, a m i d d le g a m e m a n o f action w h o h a t e d t o w aste t i m e a n d s h i ft w o o d . I m p at i e n c e w as h i s gre atest p roble m . B u t h e o ft e n m a d e u p f o r t h i s w i t h i m ag i n ation. "An i n c re d i ble combi n a t i v e gi ft w as h i s g r e a t strength," s a i d Fin e . Sometimes h e fou n d i de a s so s tu n n i n g t h at i t o v e r w h elmed a m o r e p racti cal a p p roach. H i s w i n over Wol f a t Monte C a r l o 1903 w as o n e i n­ s t a n ce. Emplo y i n g t h e b y - n o w - n otorious P illsb u r y A t t a c k , h e obt a i n e d an o v e r w h elm i n g attack b y t h e 2 5 t h m o v e . O n t h e n e x t t u r n h e s a c r i f i c e d a bishop, but i t could n ' t be t a k e n . Wol f, i n s t e a d , a t t a c k e d Wh ite's Q u e e n . T h e Ameri­ c a n came b a c k w i t h a q u e e n s a c r i f i c e t h a t f i n i s h e d t h e

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game off in six m o ves. P i l lsbu r y was d u l y a w a r d e d the Brilli a n c y P rize.

But t h e n a short t i m e l a t e r , a n a m a te u r p l a y e r f rom Pittsbu rgh d e m on strated that P i ll sbu r y ' s s a c r i f i ce , g i v e n as 26 Qxb6! at t h e t i m e , w a s re a l l y 2 6 Qxb6?!, s i n ce h e h a d t w o oth e r m o v e s w h i c h w o u l d h a v e d e c i d e d t h e g a m e e v e n faster. Lasker, n o t know for f a n t a s y v a r i at i o n s , w as i n ­ s t e a d a h a r d h e a d e d p r a g m a tist w h o d i d n ot d e v e l o p s u c h t a c t i c a l v i s i o n . B ut he w as a gre ate r d e fe n d e r, p a r t i c u l a r l y in p assi v e positi ons. A n o t h e r factor i n a m atch i s m e ntal d i s c i p l i n e . Cou l d P i ll sbu r y h a v e o v e rcome h i s i n sti n ct i v e opti m i sm? " H e n e v e r p l a y e d for t h e score," s a i d F r a n k M a rs h a l l , a d d i n g t h a t t h i s a t t i t u d e w as n ot p a r t o f a p ro­ fessional's p ragm a t i s m . Pillsb u r y regu l a r l y re f u s e d d ra w o f fe r s h e s h o u l d h av e a c ce pte d . B u t anoth e r con t e m p o r a r y , Wi l l i a m N a p i e r, com p a r e d Pillsb u r y to a m e mber o f t h e n e x t ge n e rati on, Ale x a n d e r A le k h i ne , i n h i s t a k i n g o f ris k s to a v o i d d ra w i s h positions. In any event, a m atch be t we e n t h e two m e n would su rel y h a v e bee n close r th an the L as k e r-M a rsh a l l s h utou t o f 1 9 0 7 a n d the 8-3 trou n c i n g o f T a r rasch i n 1908. T h e C a n a d i a n h i st o r i a n N a t h a n D i v i n s k y su ggests t h at h a d P i l lsbu r y p l a y e d a n d won a m a t c h from L as k e r, h e w o u l d h a v e risen abov e h i s conte m p o r a r i e s, as L a s k e r d i d a ft e r 1 900 o r A le k h i n e i n t h e e a r l y 1930s. (An d , w e m i g h t a d d tod a y , a s An atoly K a r p o v d i d i n the l ate 1 970s) . " T h e re is a great d e a l o f ch ess p l a y i n g powe r," Di v i n s k y w r i tes, " i n t h e m e re w e a r i n g o f t h e c r o w n o f ch ess." But, because h e d i d n ' t be at Las k e r i n the contest that m attered, Divinsky s u ggests, P i l l sbu r y was "su p p resse d " by t h e world c h a m p i o n , t h e way C a p ab l a n c a w e n t i n t o d e c l i n e a ft e r losi n g to A l e k h i n e . A n d P i l lsbu r y ' s results -- w h e t h e r a f fe c t e d by h e a l t h , p s y c holog y o r i m -

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41

pro v i n g r i v als -- began t o d i p s l i g h t ly a fter t h e turn o f the ce n t u r y . O n e o f t h ose r i v als w as M a r s h a l l , f i v e y e a rs h i s j u ­ n i o r. T h e y h a d m e t d uri n g t h e Montreal e x h ib i t i o n tou r o f 1 8 93, b u t i n i t i a l l y f a c e d o n e a n ot h e r i n a se r i o u s g a m e a t t h e P a r i s tou r n a m e n t o f 1900. P i l lsb u r y rem i n d e d the ris­ ing young A m e r i c a n of t h e i r e a r l i e r g a m e and M a rs h a l l told h i m to get h i s re v e n ge . B u t M a rs h a l l w o n i n 26 m o v e s. ( P i l l sb u r y lost a g a i n to M a rs h a l l i n a K i n g's G a mb i t a t V i ­ e n n a 1 903 o n l y b e c a u se , w h e n h e w a s a roo k u p , h e re­ fused for se v e r a l moves to return m a t e r i a l in the face o f M ars h a ll's ferocious a t t a c k .) P a r i s w a s a n o t h e r L as k e r t r i u m p h , a n d for P i lls­ b u r y, a d i s p i r i t i n g 85- m o v e loss to the w o rld c h a m p i o n . He f i n i s h e d i n second p l a ce -- b u t a substan t i a l 2 1/2 p o i n t s b e h i n d t h e Germ a n . A m o n t h l a t e r P i l l sb ury w a s i n M u ­ n i ch a n d L a s k er w asn't. T h i s tourn a m e n t s h a p e d u p as a battle b e t w e e n t h e A m er i c a n , S c h l e c h t e r o f A u s t r i a a n d t h e H u n g a r i a n M a ro c z y . A l l t h ree t i e d for first p l ace w i t h 1 2-3 scores. P i llsb u ry t h e n b e a t M a roczy with Bla c k i n 2 5 m o v e s i n t h e i r fi rst pla y o f f g a m e a n d h i s o p p o n e n t t h e n d ropped out o f t h e e v e n t . P i l lsbu r y h a d n ' t lost to a n y on e u n t i l h i s fi rst playo f f g a m e w i t h S c h l e c h t e r, a n d a fter w i n n i n g the second a n d d ra w i n g t w o m ore, h e ended the e v e n t sharing t h e top pri z e with t h e "D r a w i n g M aster."

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Pil lsbury T h e Extraord i n ary

CHAPTER SIX PORTRAIT OF TH E BLI N DFOLD ART I ST P i llsbury d i d n ' t r e t u r n to Europe for m o re t h a n a y e a r, spen d i n g 1 9 0 1 i n min o r U.S. e v e n ts, e x hibitio n tours and fam i l y l i fe -- be w as m a r r i e d on Jan u a r y 1 7, 1 9 0 1 . He w o n t h e New York State C h a m pionship with a c r u shin g score o f n i n e w i n s a n d o n e d ra w -- b e a t i n g M a rs h a l l t w ice. February 190 1 saw h i m at Monte C a r l o for a n o t h e r o f t h e famous casin o-based tourn a m e n ts. H e o v e r c a m e a f i rst-roun d d i saster -- losi n g w i t h Wh i te i n 33 m o v e s to M a roczy -- and a l a t e r upset by an obscure a m ateur n amed Ei se nbe rg to m a n age a secon d p l a ce f i n i s h. Later t h a t sum m e r h e a g a i n t o o k s e c o n d p rize, t h i s t i m e a t H a n o v e r f o r t h e 13th Congress o f t h e G e r m a n C h ess Fe d e r a tion. B u t t h e m ost rem a r k able e v e n t d u r i n g t h i s tou r n a m e n t took p l ace on P i l lsbu r y ' s day o f f. Followin g a 139 - m o v e d ra w w i t h H u go S u c h t i n g i n t h e s i x t h roun d , P i llsb u r y h a d a free d a y t o sp e n d be fore the s e v e n t h roun d . H e d e c i d e d to spen d the d a y b r e a king t h e w o r l d bli n d fold record. Actu all y , P i l lsbu r y broke the world b li n d fold record th ree t i m es over t h e y e a rs. H e h a d built u p slowly, g i ving s i x -board e x hibitions i n 1 8 9 3 , and eig h t- and t e n ­ b o a r d d i s p l a y s i n 1 894. D ur i n g o n e ten-bo a r d e x hibi t i o n Pillsbu r y a n n o u n c e d m at e i n eig h t m ov e s - - a re m a r k ab l e a c hie v e m e n t si nce h e h a d o n l y p l a y e d e l e v e n m ov e s w h e n h e m ad e the a n n o u n ce m e n t. T h e record w a s six te e n boa r d s, set b y Joh a n n e s Zuke rtort i n the 1 8 70s. P i l lsbury d i d not j ust b re a k i t -- h e s m a s h e d it, p l a y i n g t w e n t y in 1 8 9 7 . A y e a r l a t e r at t h e M e r c a n t i l e C hess Club i n P hil a d e l p h i a, Pil l sb u r y r e p e a t e d h i s f e a t . A n d i n h i s fin a l a chie v e m e n t , i n Moscow d ur i n g

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1 902, h e push e d t h e record t o t w e n t y - t w o. It lasted for an­ othe r se v e n te e n y e a rs, until b r o k e n by Reti. T h e Moscow e x h ibition took ten h o u rs and 875 m o v es, or rough l y one m o v e e v e r y forty secon d s and i m p resse d , among other Muscov i tes, young A l e x a n d e r A l e k h i n e , who e v e n tu a l l y b r o k e R e t i ' s reco r d m a n y y e a rs l a t e r. P i llsbu r y ' s records w e re re m a r k able b e c a use o f the con d i tions un d e r w h i ch they w e re set. T h e re have n e v e r b e e n stan d a r d i ze d rules a n d rest r i c t i o n s for s u c h d i s p l a y s a n d t h i s h as t h ro w n d oubt on t h e accom p l i s h m e n t s o f some bli n d fold a r t i sts. Some c ri t i cs question J a n os Flesch's 5 2b o a r d d isplay i n 1 960 be cause o f alleged i m p ro p r i eties. O t h e rs say t h a t t h e t w o times t h a t Miguel N aj do r f set t h e bli n d fold record a ft e r Wo rld War I I are q u e s t i o n able be­ c a u se of t h e p l a y i n g stren gth o f h i s oppon e n ts. O t h e rs h a v e d o ubts a b o u t p r e v i o u s record-setters be cause t h e y i n sisted on h a v i n g their o p p o n e n t s m o v e i n p r e c i se o r d e r -- Board 1 , t h e n Board 2, t h e n Board 3 so t h a t the e x h i b i ti on-gi v e r c o u l d r e t a i n t h e v a ri o u s posi t i o n s i n p rope r s e q u e n ce. S u s ­ p i cions h a v e been raised about the e x t re m e length o f some e x h ibitions -- and w h e t h e r the m aster out p l a y e d or out-sat his oppon en ts. And n o o n e seems to k n o w how o ft e n the great e x h i b i tors of the p ast h a v e been a l l o w e d to m a k e m i sta kes. But P i l lsb u r y ' s e x h ib i t i o n s h a d n o g i m m i c k s to help him. P l a y e rs calle d out t h e i r moves w h e n e v e r they were re a d y . T h e Ph ila delphia In q11irer of F e b r ua r y 1 , 1903 g i v e s an accoun t o f P i l lsbu ry i n action -- " M a r v e l o us M e n t a l Feats o f P h i l a d e l p h i a' s Wei r d C h ess P l a y e r." P i l l sb u r y si ts, e v e r- p resent c i g a r in h a n d , in an alcove w h i l e m o v e s are relayed t o h i m . " ' T able 1 8 m o v e s K in g t o B i shop's S q u a re,' w o u l d come f rom a d i s t a n t boa r d a n d P i l l sbury, s c a r c e l y w a i t i n g to consi d e r w h a t m o v e h e s h o u l d m a k e t o c h e c k m ate a n oppon e n t w h o h a d j ust s p e n t f i v e m i n u tes, w o ul d replay with p e r fect t r a n q ui l i t y: ' K n i gh t t a k e s Pawn, M a te.' "

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Or t a k e t h e 1 2-bo a r d d i spla y P illsbu r y g a v e at the end o f t h e P a r i s tou r n a m e n t of 1900. Some of t h e boa r d s w e r e h a n d l e d by t e a m s o f t w o oppon e n ts - - a n d e v e r y o n e h a d t h e r i g h t to consult spect ators f o r a d v i ce (!) . T h e y d i d n ' t n e e d m u c h h el p b e c a u se among t h e oppon e n ts w e re Eugene C h at a r d , co- a u t h o r o f a gambit l i n e i n t h e F r e n c h D e fense, a n d lon g t i m e F r e n c h star F r e d e r i c L a z a r d . P i llsbu r y ' s r e p l i e s c a m e c ri s p l y a n d a l l t w e l v e games w e re over i n 5 1/2 h o u rs, f ro m 8:30 i n the e v e n i n g t o 2:0 0 i n t h e m o r n i ng. H e w o n e i g h t , l o s t one a n d d re w t h ree. Even t h e loss w a s m e m orable: P I L L S B U RY - P A P E 1 e4 2 N c3 3 £4

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C h apter S ix: Portrait o f t h e B l i n d fo l d A r t i s t

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P l l labury T h e E x traord i n ary

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Wh i te Resigns. T h a t brings us b a c k t o H ano v e r 1 902. On the f re e d a y , P i l lsbu ry w anted to p l a y 2 1 opponents. B u t t h e y w e re not j u st any opponents: h e w a n te d t h e strongest a v a i l able. H e e v entu a l l y faced a field composed m a i n l y of m i n o r m aste rs. T h e y w e re o f fe r e d p r i ze s i f t h e y cou l d w in o r d ra w . P l a y e rs w h o h a v e g i v en blin d fold s i m u l s o ften s a y t h e h a rdest p a rt i s n o t k e e p ing all t h e pos i t i ons in t h e i r h e a d -- but find ing g o o d m o v es. T h e q u a l i t y o f t h e opposi­ t i on h a s a great i mpact on t h i s. P i l lsbu r y ' s opponents t h a t Ju l y d a y incl u d e d Ossi p B e rnste in, E r i c h C o h n an d Jorgen M o l l e r -- e a c h among t h e st ronge r y o u n g m asters o f t h e e ra. T h e A me r i c an' s f i n a l s c o r e , regi stered in 1 1 1/2 hou rs, was not o v e rl y i m p ressi v e 3 w ins, 1 1 d ra w s and 7 losses. But the l e v e l of his opposition h as ne v e r been a p p roa c h e d i n a l a rge blind fold s i m u l . --

T h e In quirer a d d s t h a t " P i l lsbu r y cannot e x p l ain t h e reason for h i s m a r velous powe rs, b u t s a y t h a t w h en t h e m o v e o f a p l a y e r i s announced h e i m m e d i a t e l y r e cei v e s a v i v i d p h otograph o f i t , w i th a re c u r ring i m p ression o f h i s o wn p r e v i ou s move." N o r cou l d h e re a d i l y e x plain h i s gi ft f o r non-chess d i s p l a y s o f m ental powe rs, su c h as mu l t i p l y ­ ing, a d d ing and d i v i d ing la rge sums w i t h in se conds a fte r t h e figu res w e re g i v en t o h i m . People w h o assu m e d h i s s k i lls w e re ent i re l y related to m athemati cs w e re su r p ri sed b y his v e rbal m e m o r y . At one e x h ib i t i o n , in L ondon d u r­ ing 1899, h e w a s g i v en a long list o f uncom m on w o r d s, p ro p e r n a m e s and p h rases: Ant i p hologistine, p e r i oste u m, t a k a d i astase, p l asmon, a m b rosi a, Th re l k e l d , streptococcus, stap h y lococcus, m i c ro­ coccus, p l asmod i u m , M i ssissi p p i , F re inhe i t, P h i l a d e l p h i a, C incinnati, a t h l e t i cs, no w a r, E t c h enbe rg, A me r i c an, R u s­ s i an, p h i losop h y , P i e t Potge l t e r' s R ost, S a l a m agun d i ,

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O o m i si l le cootsi, B a n gm a m v a te, S c h leete r' s N e k , M a n z i n ­ y a m a, theosop h y , c a t e c h i s m , M a dj esoom alops. P i l lsb u r y took a l o n g l o o k at the list, p l a y e d his si­ m u ltaneous e x h ib i t i o n , and a ft e r w a r d s r e c i t e d t h e e n t i re l i s t - - f o r w a r d a n d ba c k w a r d s. T h e follo w i n g d a y h e re­ p e ated t h e l ist.

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P i l lsbury T h e Extraordin ary

CHAPT ER SEV EN FINAL STEPS P i l l sb u r y ' s last t r i p to Eu rope r e v e a l e d f e w h i n ts o f h i s d e cl i n i n g p o w e rs. I n F e b r u a r y 1 903 h e w o n h i s f i rs t fou r games a t Monte C a rlo, i n cl u d i n g a 23- m o v e w i n w i t h B l a c k o v e r S c h l e c h t e r . L ate r losses t o T a r r a s c h , M a rs h a l l a n d M i e se s d e p r i v e d h i m o f a h i g h e r p r i ze b u t h e m a n aged a highly c r e d i t ab l e third p l a ce , b e h i n d T a r ra s c h a n d Maroczy. T w o m o n t h s late r h e w as i n V i e n n a for o n e o f t h e rem a r k ab l e " G a m b i t T o u r n a m e n ts" t h at w e re h eld b e fore Wo rld War I . The p l a y e rs w e re rest r i c t e d to a s m a l l n u m b e r o f l i n es, s u c h as t h e B i s h o p ' s a n d Allgaie r G a m b i ts. T h i s w as a b i t a fa r f rom P i llsbu r y ' s p r e ferred sol i d o p e n i n gs, a n d h a l f o f h i s si x w i n s c a m e w i t h t h e B l a c k p i e ces. S t i l l , h i s fou rth p l a c e b e h i n d s u c h c a r e e r gam b i t e e r s as T ch i g­ o r i n and M a rsh a l l w as no d i sgrace. A m at c h w i t h T c h i g­ o r i n h a d been p l a n n e d f o r 1 9 0 3 , b u t i t fell t h rough a n d P i l l sb u r y h a d to r e t u r n h ome. H i s V i e n n a res u l t w as t h e f i rst t i m e si n ce 1 8 9 3 t h a t P i l l sb u r y h ad f a i l e d to f i n i s h as h i g h as t h i r d . I n e i gh te e n tou r n a m e n ts, h e h a d p l a c e d f i rs t o r secon d i n t e n . B u t i n h i s f i n a l e v e n t, C a m b r i dge S p r i n gs 1 9 0 4 , h e w a s u n re cog­ n i zable. T h i s tou r n a m e n t i n We stern P e n n s y l v a n i a was t h e st rongest A m e r i c a n e v e n t i n a d e c a d e a n d i t s h o u l d h a v e b e e n a s h o w case f o r a h e alth y P i ll sb u r y . Y e t i n t h e secon d r ou n d h e m a d e a s t r a n ge c h o i c e o f ope n i n g: h e p l a y e d w h a t w o u l d l a t e r be c a l l e d t h e B l a c k s i d e o f t h e P i rc D e ­ fense, A u s t r i a n A t t a c k , a g a i n s t Marsh all. P i l lsbu r y w a s q u i te u n f am i l i a r w i t h t h e l i n e ' s s u b t l e t i e s a n d h e w as lost by the s i x te e n t h m o v e . He was m a ted on the t w e n t y - t h i r d . F o r t h e r e s t o f t h e tou r n a m e n t h e r e v e a l e d o n l y t o u c h e s o f h i s p ast sup re m a c y . H e l o s t to M i eses, u s u a l l y

C h apter Seven: F i n a l Steps

49

o n e of his f a v o ri t e p u n c h i n g bags, i n t h i rt y - f i v e m o v e s o f a T h ree K n ig hts' G a m e , a n d t o t h e l i t t l e - k n o w n T . F . L a w re n ce i n a t h i rt y - o n e - m o v e Close d S i ci l i a n . Losses t o S h o w a l t e r a n d J a n o w s k i fol l o w e d . H e h a d , i n f a c t , on l y o n e great game a n d i t c a m e a g a i n s t h i s f a v o r i t e oppon e n t: L as k e r. O n e o f t h e great m y t h s o f chess lore c o n c e r n s t h i s g a m e , a brill i a n t Q u e e n's G a mbi t D e c l i n e d . I t w as t h e s a m e Q . G . D . l i n e as L a s k e r h a d use d t o d e f e a t h i m a t St. Pete rs­ bu rg 1895-6. S h o r t l y a ft e r t h e game, P illsb u r y fou n d a c l e a r i m p r o v e m e n t f o r Wh i t e , 7 B x f6! . A c c o r d i n g to h i s longti m e f r i e n d , Wi l l i a m N a p i e r, h e a n d P i ll sb u r y a n a l y ze d t h i s e x te n s i v e l y -- N a p i e r p l a y i n g t h e B l a c k p i e ces a s a p ro x y for L a s k e r. "We pla y e d t h e pos i t i o n w h e n e v e r w e m e t, w h i c h w a s o ften," N a p i e r l a t e r r e c a l l e d . " Y e a r s we played i t , h e re a n d ab road. I t be c a m e a bore." N a p i e r w o n d e r e d w h e t h e r L a s k e r w o u l d be c a reless e n ough to gi v e P i l l sbu r y a se c o n d c h a n ce -- w h e n t h e pos­ sibili t y o f an i m p ro v e m e n t w as so obv i ous. B u t he got h i s c h an ce at C a mbri d ge S p r i n gs. L a s k e r w e n t i n to t h e Q u e e n ' s G ambi t D e c l i n e d l i n e, b u t c h ose, a s P i l l sbu r y t o l d N ap i e r, " the o n l y d a m n s c h e m e you n e v e r t ri e d . " A fter t h e w o r l d c h a m p i on resi g n e d , a t m o v e 3 0 i n t h e face o f m ate, i t be c a m e t h e t a l k o f t h e t o u r n a m e n t. O n e o f the o t h e r com p e t i tors w as Georg M a r co, t h e great an notator for t h e Wi e n e r S c h a c h zeitu n g. M a rc o n o t e d the sim i l a r i t y be t we e n t h e St. Pete rsburg and C a m b r i dge S p r i ngs b r i l l i a n c i e s and w rote: " S i n ce that t i m e , for e i g h t y e a rs, Pillsbu r y w a i t e d for an opportu n i t y o f r e v e n ge. N o w t h e m o m e n t h ad come, a n d L a s k e r r u n s bli n d l y i n t o d i sas­ te r." The story was repeated m a n y t i m e s a ft e r w a r ds, w i t h w r i te rs i m ag i n i n g h o w a n g u i s h e d P i l l sbu r y m ust h a v e b e e n to k e e p h i s open i n g re f u t a t i o n a s e c r e t - - not t o be used for a n y o n e , e v e n i f it m e a n t an e a s y p o i n t, e x cept L a s k e r.

50

P i l l sbury T h e E x traord i n ary

A las, t h e re a re m aj o r holes in the s t o r y . P i llsbu r y h a d oth e r opportu n i t i e s t o u s e i t against L a s k e r be fore 1 904. In fact, t h e U. S . C h a m p i o n had Wh i t e t h ree t i m e s a g a i n s t Lask e r b e t w e e n St. P e t e rsb u rg a n d C a m b ri dge S p r i n gs. But i n e a ch case P i llsb u r y p l a y e d 1 e4!?. Wh e n C a m b r i d ge S p ri n gs e n d e d , P i l l sb u r y h a d scored o n l y fou r v i ctories, a g a i n s t f i v e d e f e a ts, a n d h e set­ tled for a t i e for e i g h t h place in t h e 1 6 - m a n f i e l d . It w as h i s last real e v e n t. Ele v e n d a y s a fte r C a m b ri dge S p r i n gs, P i llsb u r y beat M a rsh a l l in a m atch b e t w e e n t h e F r a n k l i n a n d M a r s h a l l clubs. A n o t h e r g a m e , suppose d l y f r o m t h e 1 9 0 5 v e rsion o f t h e m a t c h w h i ch e n d e d i n a v i ct o r y o v e r a n am ateu r n a m e d H y m es, h as a p p a re n t l y b e e n lost. P i llsb u r y p rob abl y k n e w he w a s abou t t o die. A v a­ r i e t y o f d octors cou l d n ot h e l p t h e h e a d aches, i n som n i a, a t t a c k s o f d e l u si o n s a n d b l a c k o u t s t h a t h e h a d b e g u n to s u f fe r i n creasi n g l y i n 1903. Even T a r r asch h a d t ri e d to h e l p -- by h y p noti z i n g h i m -- but w i t h o u t a p p a r e n t h e l p . I n A p r i l 1 9 0 5 h e e n t e re d P h i l a d e l p h i a' s P re sb y te r i a n H o sp i t a l f o r an ope ration b u t , accor d i n g to h i s f r i e n d Wa l t e r P e n n S h i p l e y , su f fe r e d a d e l u si o n a n d t r i e d t o " fo r c e h i s w a y o u t o f t h e hosp i t al." S h i p l e y d e n i e d n e wspape r a c c o u n t s t h a t h e h a d actu a l l y t r i e d to t h row h i m se l f ou t o f a h o s p i ­ tal win dow. S h i p l e y p ro m i se d t h at P i l l sb u r y w o u l d s o o n be h i s old sel f, b u t h e m u s t h a v e k n o w n t h e t r u t h . S o m u st h i s o t h e r f r i e n d s w h o, o v e r t h e y e a rs, c u l t i v a t e d t h e m y t h t h a t P i llsbu r y ' s d e c l i n e w as d u e t o t h e stress o f h i s b l i n d fold play. Lasker blamed his d e ath on " o v e r e x e r t i o n of the m e m o r y cells" a n d M a r s h a l l w rote: " U n fort u n at e l y , h e took little c a re o f his health and constant b l i n d fold play le ft i t s m a r k on h i m." I n J a n u a r y 1906, t h e U. S. C h am p i on went to B e r m u d a for a long rest, but su f fe r e d a s t ro k e t h at le ft h i m p a r t i a l l y p a r a l y z e d . H e re t u rn e d to P h i l a d e l p h i a for

C h apter Seven: F i n a l Steps

51

f u r t h e r t re a t m e n t , b u t h i s con d i tion w o rse n e d a n d b y J u n e h e w as d e a d . Wh a t w o u l d h a ve h a p p e n e d i f f o r t u n e h ad g ra n t e d P i l lsb u r y t h e opportu n i t y to l i v e to chess m a t u ri t y ? L i ke most s u c h specu l a t i o n , t h e a n s w e r can o n l y b e a w ist f u l b i t o f guesswork: Most modern p l a y e rs reach the peak of t h e i r p l a y ­ i n g abi l i t y b e t w e e n a g e t h i rt y and t h i rt y - f i v e , a n d i n P i l l sb u r y' s d a y t h i s m i g h t be e x te n d e d to age fort y - f i v e . P i l l sb u r y s h o u l d h a v e j u st e n t e r e d h i s p r i m e p l a y i n g y e a rs a ro u n d 1 9 0 2 a n d l i k e l y wou l d h a v e rem a i n e d n e a r t h e top of his game, l i k e L a s k e r , M a r s h a l l , T a r rasch a n d S c h l e c h t e r , u n t i l Wo r l d Wa r I . H i s b e s t fi v e - y e a r a v e rage, a c cord i n g to Elo, w as 2630, m a k i n g h i m o n e of t h e t h i rt y greatest p l a y e rs o f a l l t i m e . ( t h i s m a y b e a b i t conse r v a­ t i v e , s i n ce so m a n y o f h i s con t e m p o r a r i e s seem u n d e r­ r a t e d .) C e r t a i n l y i f P i l l sb u r y h a d re m a i n e d a t t h a t l e v e l , L a s k e r would h a v e h a d to accept h i s m at c h c h a l le n ge, as h e did with t h e oth e r r i v als d u ri n g 1907- 1 0 . Whe n P i llsb u r y d i e d , on J u n e 1 7 , 1906, t h e w o r l d o f c h ess w a s ch angi n g. Jose C a p ab l a n c a w as j us t about t o e n ­ t e r Colu m b i a U n i v e rs i t y a n d be come t h e d om i n a n t f i g u re i n A m e r i c a n c h e ss. I n P o l a n d A k ib a R u b i n s t e i n w a s j u st establish i n g his status a s a master w i t h w o r l d - class p ro m i se. A ron N i m zo v i c h a n d R i ch a r d Reti w e re m a k i n g t h e steps t o w a r d s t h e m aste rs' l e v e l t h a t w o u l d e ve n t u a l l y e n ab l e t h e m to set i n motion t h e H y permod e r n Re v o l u t i on . T h e game w a s abou t t o m a k e i ts greatest l e a p forw a rd s i n t e r m s o f t h e o r y , s k i ll l e v e l a n d p l a y i n g con d i t i o n s. A n d we can on l y feel c h e a t e d t h a t H a r r y P i l lsbu r y w as n ' t t h e re t o t a k e pa rt.

52

P art T w o: P i llsbury T h e Extraordin ary

Part Two B y Ken S m i t h

GAM ES

G a m e O n e : H as t i n gs 1 8 9 5

Illustrated Games P i l l sb u r y ' s e n t i re c a ree r s p a n n e d less t h a n f i f te e n y e a rs, b u t d u ri n g t h e best of thein 1 896- 1 9 0 2 he Inay h a v e been the best p l a y e r in the w o r l d , s u p e ­ r i o r e v e n to Wo r l d C h ain ­ p i o n E in a n u e l L a s k e r. N o w , i n t h e follo w i n g gaines, e nj o y a s t y l e t h a t comb i n e s t h a t o f M o rp h y a n d Ste i n i tz. --

--

GA M E ONE

53

b y In ost In aste rs. O n e e v e n w e n t so f a r a s t o o p i ne t h a t weakened Bg5 Wh i te's Q u e e n s i d e (!) . O f cou rse, n o w a d a y s it i s k no w n t h a t 4 B g S i s Wh i te' s In o s t ag­ gressi v e l i n e . B u t t h i s w as l a rg e l y d u e t o t h e e f forts o f P i llsbu r y , w h o p l a y e d In a n y b ri l l i a n t g a in e s w i t h it. Be7

4... 5 N f3

Also q u i t e possible i s 5 w h i ch i n In o d e rn t i in e s allows the option o f devel­ o p i n g t h e K N o n e2 (a fte r B d 3) . e3

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E n v i s i on i n g possibi l i ties of play on t h e c· f i le; in p a r t i c u l a r W h i t e w ishes to d i scou rage the freeing In o v e c7- c5. 6... 7 e3

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A good Inove w h i ch fixes a pawn on dS a n d in t u rn b l o c k s t h e a8 - h 1 d i agon a l for Black's QB. 8...

ed

P i l l sbury T h e E x traordin ary

54

9 B d3

T h e B i s h o p assu m e s t h e " cl assi c" a t t a c k d i agon a l b l · h 7 from w h i ch i t p re ssu res B l a c k ' s K i ngsi d e . 9 . ..

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B l a c k ' s basic plan i s to establish a Q u e e n si de p a w n m aj o r i t y w i t h c 5 - c 4 fol­ lowed b y b 6 - b 5 - b 4 . The gain of s p a ce, and pote n t i a l p asse d c- p a w n t h u s ac­ q u i re d , assu re Black coun­ terplay. 11 Ret

Wh i te c a n ' t j u st s i t back a n d w a t c h Black's Q u e e n ­ s i d e p l a y grow. Wi t h 13 N e S h e occu pies a f i n e c e n t r a l o u t post i n p re p a r a t i o n for a K i ngsi d e d e m o n s t r a t i o n . 13... 1 4 f4

R e i n forci n g t h e steed on e S . Now i f N x e S , then fx eS

gives Wh i te on t h e f- file. 1 4 ... 1 5 Q f3

w h i ch i n a ccu r a c y An loses t i m e . The Rook s h o u l d re m a i n on f 1 so t h a t a ft e r t h e l a t e r N e S a n d f2 - f4, t h e re w i l l be a good a t t a c k ­ i n g m a n e u v e r v i a R f3 - h 3 . 1 1 ...

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G am e O ne: H astings 1 8 9 5

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C r a m p i n g B l a c k ' s K i ng­ s i d e a n d a l l o w i n g Wh i te's K n ights a n d Rook an a v ­ e n u e t h rough f4 . 2 1 ...

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P i l l sbury T h e E x traordin ary

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In v i e w o f Wh i te's ob v i ­ o u s a tt a c k i n g i n t e n t i o n s, B l a c k m u s t sti r u p cou n te r ­ p l a y w h e re h e s t a n d s b e t te r. 3 1 Net 28 N e 2

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A f i n e resou rce, aga i n p re v e n t i n g 3 0 . . . Q x a2 si n ce t h e n t h e re w ou l d follow 3 1 N f4, B f7 3 2 N g 6 c h , B x g6 3 3 f x g 6 , h 6 ( O r 3 3 . .. N f8 34

N x f6!, g x f6 3 5 R x f6, N d 7 3 6 R f7 w i n s ) 3 4 R x f6!, N x f6 3 5 Rx f6, gx f6 36 Q x h 6 c h , Kg8 3 7 N x f6 m a te. 30...

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57

G a me One: H astings 1 8 9 5

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P i l lsbury T h e E x traordin ary

58

45 K h l !

T h re ate n i n g 4 6 R g l a n d Q h 4 m ate. T h e t e m p t i n g 4 5 R f4 (Th reate n i n g 46 R h 4 m ate) allows B l a c k to per­ petually c h e c k w i t h 4 5 Rb l c h a n d Rb2 c h .

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Qd5

T h e only try. 46 Rgl 47 Qh4ch 4 8 Q f4 c h

Wi t h Rook, K n i gh t a n d t w o a d v an ce d p a s s e d p a w ns, Black seems t o h a v e a fight­ i n g c h a n ce b u t Wh i t e ' s n e x t i s con clusi v e .

Q x f5 Qb5

F o r c i n g B l a c k to g i v e u p his Queen. 4 8 ...

Qg5

4 9 R x g5

fxg5

A b l u n d e r in a lost posi­ tion. 52 Qx h 7 m a t e .

59

G ame One: H as t i ngs 1 8 9 5

GAM E TWO HASTIN G S 1895 Wh ite: Mieses B l ack: P i l lsbury eS 1 e4 2 N c3

G i v i n g up t h e c e n t e r w i t h 4 e f i s a strategical b l u n d e r. .•.

5 N f3 6 N d S?

0·0

A se r i o u s l oss o f t i m e w h i c h a l l o w s B l a c k to s e i z e t h e i n i t i at i ve. 6...

N x dS

7 B x dS

N c6

T h e V i e n n a game, a fa­ v o r i te d e b u t of M i eses. 2 ... 3 B c4

N f6

Inviting Black to enter m i n d-be n d i n g com p l i c a t i o n s a ft e r 3 N x e4 4 Q h S , N d6 5 • • •

B b 3 , N c6 6 N b S , g6 7 Q f3 , f S 8 Q d S , Q e 7 9 N x c7 c h , K d 8 1 0 N x a8. H o w e v e r,

P i l lsbu ry h a s o t h e r i d e as. 3 ...

Bb4

S i m ple d e v e lo p m e n t t h e recipe.

ts

8 c3?

Another weak move which on l y forces B l a c k ' s K B to a b e t t e r post. Neces­ sary w as 8 0 - 0 . I t i s a m u s i n g t o note t h a t Black is playing a " R u y Lopez" a t e m p o d o w n . 4 f4

The most aggress i v e cou rse. Wh ite h o p e s to u s e t h e f- f i le for a t t a c k i ng. 4...

d6

8... 9 fS

B c5

T r y i n g to rest r i c t the d e ­ v e lopm e n t o f B l a c k's Q B . B u t n o w B l a c k st r i k e s i n t h e cen t e r w i t h great e f fect.

60

P i l lsbury The E x traordin ary

9

•••

Ne7

On 13 cd, B b 4 c h for B l a c k . 13... 14 Bh6

ts

good

de

T h i s looks t h re at e n i n g, b u t P i l l s b u r y ' s retort shows w h o i s i n con t rol. 14...

A ft e r

N g6!

insipid

the

1 4 R e 8 , 1 5 Q h 5 , N g6 1 6 0 0 - 0 , Wh i t e re a l l y w o u l d •••

h a ve c h a n ces f o r a t t a c k . 10 Bb3 11 d4

d5!

Wh i t e also s t r i k e s in t h e ce n t e r. Howe v e r h i s e x posed u n castle d K i n g will soon c r e a te p roblems. 1 1 .. . 1 2 f6

1 5 B x f8

H e m i g h t as w e l l , b u t now Black's two pawns and m i n o r p i e ce f o r t h e R ook p ro v i d e superior c h a n ces. 1 5...

Q x f8

ed

Wh i te struggles m i g h t i l y to a t t a c k B l a c k " fi rst", b u t h i s posi tion i s si m p l y not good e n ough to support t h i s aggressi v e pol i c y . 1 2 . ..

gf

16 R f l

A fte r 1 6 0 - 0 B l a c k w o u l d w i th con t i n u e strongl y 1 6 ... f5 , follo w e d by Q h 6 and a very strong attack. 1 6 ...

Q h 6!

M o v i n g i n to a c t i o n . N o w 1 7 R x f6 loses to 1 7 Q h 4 c h . . •

13 N x d4

1 8 R f2 , e 3 . 1 7 Qe2

B x d4

61

G a me T w o : H astings 1 8 9 5

Removing the wellposted N d4 i n o r d e r to fol­ l o w u p w i th f5 . 18 cxd4

2 2 Ke3

f4ch!

T h e crusher. N o w m ate follows a ft e r 23 Kxe4, Qe2 ch 2 4 K d 5 , B e 6 m ate.

f5

Wh i t e R e s i g n s.

GAM E T H REE

19 g4?

T h e f i n a l e rr o r. Wh i t e s t i l l s t r i v e s for a t t a c k . N e c­ essary w as 1 9 g3 con t r o l l i n g

H A S T I N G S 1895 Wh ite: P i l lsbury B l ack: Mason 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 N f6 3 N c3

f4. 1 9...

N f4

A smash i n g b l o w . 20 Qc4 2 1 Ke2

N d3 c h

O f course, on 2 1 Kd 1 t h.e re follows 2 1 . N x b2 c h winning the Queen. ••

21.

••

Qx h2ch

4 Bg5

P i l l sb u r y w as t h e f i rst w o r l d c l ass p l a y e r to re cog­ n i ze the s t r e n g t h of t h i s pinning move. 4... 5 N f3 6 e3

Be7 b6 Bb7

P i l lsbury T h e E x traord i n ary

62

A f i n e post for t h e Q u e e n . N o w B a6 i s p ossib l e which weaken would B l a c k ' s e 6 . Wh i t e h opes to stamp t h e c- p a w n as a w e a k n ess. 1 0 ...

NdS

B l a c k hopes t o e ase t h e p ressure b y e x ch a n g i n g a few p i e ces. 1 1 Bxe7 7 Rcl

move of favorite A P i llsbu r y . F rom h e re t h e R o o k e y e s action on t h e c­ file. de

7...

Black clears the ce n t r al d i agon al for h i s QB.

Qxe7

T h e i d e a o f fu r t h e r t r a d ­ i n g b y w a y o f l l ... N x e3 loses t o 12 B x d 8 , N x e2 e h 13 B x e2 , R fx d8 1 4 R x e 7 . 1 2 N x dS

C l e a r i n g t h e c- f i le for ope rations agai n st t h e cpawn. 12 ...

e x dS

Nbd7 8 B x e4 N o t 8 N e 6 which would •••

b l o c k the QB and, e v e n m o r e i m po r t a n t , w o u l d stop t h e c-pawn f rom re a c h i n g eS. 9 0-0

0-0

1 3 Bb5!

P r e v e n t i n g 1 3 e5 sm ce t h e n 1 4 B x d7 , Q x d7 1 5 de wins a pawn. .••

1 3 ... 1 4 Re2

Qd6

S i m p le and strong. 1 0 Qe2

1 4... 15 B d3

e6 N f6

63

G a me T h ree: H astings 1 8 9 5

This loses a p a w n , but t h e other c h o i c e 1 9 R fc8 a l l o w s the c le v e r shot 20 •••

N x c6!, R x c6 2 1 Q x c8 c h ! , R x c8 2 2 R x c 8 c h , Q f8 2 3 R x f8 c h , Kx f8 2 4 Rc7 a n d

Wh i t e w i n s e a si l y . 2 0 Rx cS! 2 1 R x cS

R x cS N d7

A poor m o v e w h i ch al­ lows Wh ite's K n i g h t t o e f­ fecti v e l y occu p y e S . 16 Rfcl 1 7 B a6!

Rac8

E x ce l le n t s t r a t e g y , re­ m o v i n g the p r i m e d e f e n d e r of Black's c-pawn. B x a6

1 7 ...

I f 1 7 Q c 7 , t h e n 1 8 b4 r e t a i n s a powe r fu l g r i p . •••

1 8 Q x a6

Rc7

A d e ce n t t r y , h o p i n g to reach a R o o k a n d Q ueen ending which cou l d be t e c h n i c a l l y d i f fi c u l t to w i n . 2 2 R c6!

Wh ite k e e p s up the p ressu re. 22...

NbS

F o r c e d si n ce 2 2 . . . Q e 7 a l ­ l o w s 23 R c 7 , R d 8 2 4 QbS a n d Wh i t e w i n s t h e K n i g h t . 23 Rx d6 2 4 N c6! 19 NeS

P i l i n g on t h e p ressure a g a i n st t h e c - p a w n . 19...

cS

N x a6

E x ce l l e n t te c h n i que! The ob v i ou s c a p t u re 24 R x d S l e a ves Wh i te t w o p a w n s u p , b u t a ft e r 2 4 R c 8! se i z i n g t h e open f i l e , B l a c k would ob t a i n som e cou n terp l a y . • • •

P i llsbury The E x traordin ary

64

g6

2 4 ...

3 0 R d7!

Wh i te c o u l d w i n t h e Rook a n d p a w n e n d i n g a f­ t e r 3 0 N x d5 , N x d 5 3 1 R x d S , b u t keeping the K n i g h t s on t h e board m a ke s t h i ngs easi e r. 3 0 ...

Ne6

I f 24 . . RaS t h e n s i m p l y 2 5 R x d5 s i n ce 2 5 . . R c S loses to 2 6 N e 7 c h . RaS 2 5 N x a7 Kg7 2 6 N c6 27 a3 .

.

Restrai n i n g the scope o f t h e " co r n e re d " N a6. 2 7 ...

ReS

Not 3 0 . . . R b 7 3 1 N x dS . 3 1 N x dS 32 Nxb6

R eS

A l s o possible w as t h e sol i d 3 2 N c 3 to b l o c k t h e Rook, b u t t h e t h i r d p a w n i s h a r d to resi st. 3 2 ... 33 b4

2 S g4

Providing p ro t e c t i o n against b a c k ran k m ates. 2 S ... 2 9 Ne7

Nc7 RbS

B l a c k cou l d resign b u t h e p re fers to f i g h t to t h e e n d .

3 4 a4

Rc2 NgS

65

G ame T h ree: H astings 1 8 9 5

The p a w n s m a r c h on. I n ­ te resti n g l y , Black could d ra w a ft e r 3 4 f4 (?) by 3 4 N f3 c h 3 5 K f l ( N o t 3 5 K h 1 , R x h 2 m a te) 3 S R dl ! •••

•••

3 6 N c4 , N x h l c h 3 7 Kg 1 , N f3 c h 3 8 K f l (Ag a i n n o t 3 8 K h 1 , R h 2 m ate) 3 8 N h l c h 3 9 Ke l , N f3 c h , et c., w i t h • • .

perpetual check. 3 4... 35 aS

Ne4

•••

Wh i t e i g n o res B l a c k ' s i n ­ v asion s i n ce h e sees i t i s h a rm less. 3 5 ... 3 6 a6

Wi n a w e r' s Nowadays pinning 3 Bb4 is more usual.

N x fl

Q u ee n i n g i s now assu r e d so ...

4 eS 5 f4

Wh ite's basic strategy is t o use his c r a m p i n g p a w n w e d ge ( d 4- e 5) as a p recon­ d i tion for a n a t t a c k . 5 ...

B l a c k Resigns

GAM E FO U R N U R EM B E R G 1 89 6 Wh ite: P i l l sbury B l a c k: Las ker e6 1 e4

6 de

dS

Also good i s T a r r asch's 3 N dl . 3 ...

N f6

cS

Mean w h i le B l a c k t r i e s to d-pawn the undermine w h i ch i s an i m p o r t a n t sup­ port for eS.

B l a c k c h ooses the F r e n c h D e fense w h i c h i s n o t e d f o r i t s stu r d i n e ss. 2 d4 3 N c3

N fd7

7 a3

N c6

Pil lsbury The E x traordin ary

66

I n t e n d i n g to g a i n space on t h e Queenside too, v i a bl -b4. 7 ...

N x c5

B e t t e r w as 7 B x c5 . •..

8 b4 9 B d3

1 0 b5 1 1 N f3 1 2 B e3

T o rest r a i n f4- f5 , b u t n o w t h e K i ngsi d e p a w n s a r e weakened.

Nd7 aS

T h i s doesn ' t t u r n o u t w e l l s i n c e Wh i t e g a i n s b o t h t i m e a n d space.

g6

13 ...

14 Nel 15 Qe1

Be7

The Queen will be used to p robe B l a c k ' s K i n gs i d e .

N eb S N c5

1 5 ...

Nb6

Note t h a t Wh ite's m i n o r p i e ce d e v e l o p m e n t is com­ plete, while B l a c k ' s p i e ces a r e sti l l i n a c t i v e . 12 ...

Nbd7

1 6 N fd4

Cle a ri n g t h e f- f i le i n p re p a ration for a l a t e r f4· rs .

1 6 ... 1 7 Q f2 13 0-0

Wi t h

the

Bd7

t h re a t

N x e 6, N x e6 1 9 B x b 6 .

Wh i te's m a i n obj e c t i v e now is to break open lines f o r a t t a c k . T h e i n d i c ated b re a k i s f4 - f5.

1 7... 1 8 Rab 1

N b a4 h5

of

18

67

G a me Four: Nuremberg 1 8 9 6

I f 2 1 . . .e f, t h e n 2 2 N f4 w i t h the t h re a t o f 2 3 e6 i s t o o st rong. 2 2 N f4

Th reate n i n g 2 3 Q g3 - g 7 . 2 2 ... 23 R a 1 2 4 R x a4!!

h4 Be7

A '' d e c o y " s a c ri fi ce remove t h e g u a r d of e6. T h e attempt to rest r a i n ( w h i ch s u p p o r t s f4- f5) o n l y w e a k e n s the K i n gsi d e m o re.

2 4...

to

B x a4

g4

1 9 b6!

A fine aggressi v e c r a m p ­ i n g m o v e w h i c h gi v e s Wh i t e a c cess to b S . 1 9 ...

N x d3

B l a c k sees h e can w i n t h e a - p a w n , b u t doesn ' t sense the i m p e n d i n g combi­ n a t i v e b r e a k t h rough. 2 0 c x d3 2 1 f5!!

B x a3

The a t t a c k begi n s. 2 1 ...

gf

2 5 N d x e6!

Wh i t e i n t e n d s t o the f- file at any cost .

open

fxe6 2 5 ... B d7 26 Nxe6 I f 2 6 ... Q c 8 , t h e n Wh i t e w i n s w i t h 2 7 Q x fS, Rg 8 (Or 2 7 ... Qc6 28 Bg5, Q x b6ch 2 9

d 4 , Qb4 3 0 Q f7 c h , K d 7 3 1 B x e 7 , Q xe 7 3 2 N c5 c h , K d 8 33 N xb 7 c h , K d 7 3 4 N c5ch, Kd8 3 5 Q x d 5 c h , K c7 36 Qb7 ch and m a te i n th ree) 2 8 N c7 c h , Kd8 29 e 6 , B c6 3 0 Q f7, R e 8 ( 3 0 ... R f8 allows m a te a fter 31 Q x f8c h!) 3 1 Q g 7 a n d t h e t h reat o f 32 R f7 is too m u c h to h a n d le .

68

P i llsbury The E x traord i n ary

1.1 N x d8

3 1 QgSch 31. R c l

N o w Wh ite's m ate r i a l a d v an t age w i l l w i n e ve n t u ­ ally though Lasker fights until the end. 1. 1 ...

R x d8

Again, Wh i te.

K f7

favor

trades

3 1. ...

Rxclch

Not 3 l R x b 6 b e c a u se o f t h e p o we r f u l i n v as i o n 33 •••

R c7. 33 Q x c l

Rc8

1. 8 B cS 34 Qel

Every Wh i te. 1. 8 1. 9 B x e7 30 Qe3 •••

trade

f a v o rs

ReS Kxe7

To in vade via the dark s q u a res. 30

•••

Rc6

T h e g r e a t r a n ge o f t h e Q u e e n i s t o o m u c h for t h e scatte red B l a c k forces .

3 4 ...

h3

T r y i n g to p l a y w i t h t h e other rim pawn is also in­ su f f i c i e n t: 3 4 a4 3 5 Q x h 4 , a 3 3 6 Q h 7 c h , Ke8 ( O r i f 36 ... K e 6 t h e n 3 7 Qg7) 3 7 • . •

Qg6 c h , K d 8 3 8 Q f6 c h , Ke8 3 9 e 6 and Wh i t e w i n s . Rg8ch 35 gh T h e poi n t o f 3 4 . . . h 3 . 3 6 K fl B u t n o t 3 6 K h l b e c ause of 3 6 ... d4! ( t h r e a te n i n g

3 7 . Bc6ch) a n d B l a c k w i ns. .

.

3 6...

a4

G a m e Four: Nuremberg 1 8 9 6

69

42 K f4

T i g h te n i n g t h e g r i p .

37 Qb4

42...

b6

43 h4 44 Qb8

Rc6 Be8

Rg6

Wh ite t h reate n e d 3 8 Qd6. 3 8 K f3

a3

A despai r i n g t r a d e o f t h e a for b p a w ns, b u t t h e re i s n o g o o d de fense. 3 9 Q x a3

Rxb6

Bloc k i ng t h e Q u e e n from a ccess to t h e K i n gs i d e . 45 Kx f5

Now it's clearly over. 45 ...

Rh6

46 Qc7ch

K f8

40 Q c 5

T h e Rook and Bishop a re n o m at c h for t h e n i mb l e Queen. 40...

Re6

O n 40 ... Rb5 41 Q d6 is w i n n i n g, e.g., 41 .. B c8 4 2 .

Qc7ch. 41 Qc7 Not 4 1 Q x d5??, B c6 . 4 1 ... Ke7

O n 4 6 ... B d7 good. 4 7 Qd8 4 8 e6

47 b5 Rh7

Kg5

is

P i l lsbury T h e E x traord i n ary

70

Also possib l e i s t h e m o re d i re c t 4 e4, t h o u g h B l a c k ' s resou rces a re t h e o re t i c a l l y a d e q u ate. T h e te x t i n t e n d s to com plete d e v e l o p m e n t be fore p l a y i n g e 4 . N f6

4...

An i n te re s t i n g possi b i l i t y i s 4 r s w i t h t r a n sposition i n to a Dutch Stone w a l l . . • .

49 KeS SO Q d 6 c b

b4

Nbd7 B d6

5 N f3 6 B d3

B l a c k Resigns.

GAM E F I V E 8 UDA PEST 1896 Wh ite: P i l lsbury B l a c k: Wi n a w e r 1 d4 dS 2 c4 e6 3 N c3 c6

T h i s m o v e w a s a d v oc a t e d b y t h e g r e a t R u ssi a n p l a y e r Mikhail Tchigori n. Also p l a y able i s 6 B e 7 . •••

7 0-0

A l s o possible i s a n i m ­ m e d i ate 7 e 4 . 7... 8 e4

An e a r l y e x am p le o f w h a t we n o w c a l l t h e S e m i S a l v D e fense. 4 e3

0-0

Wh i t e m a ke s a bid to es­ t ablish more ce n t r a l con t rol. 8...

de

71

G ame Five: B u d ap e s t 1 8 9 6

A better i d e a i s 8 d c 9 B x c4, e5 w i t h o n l y a s l i g h t .••

p l u s for Wh ite. 9 Nx e4

Nxe4

R a t h e r p assi v e , but B l a c k i n te n d s to re i n force h i s K i n gs i d e w i t h B f8. 1 3 Qd3

S i m p li f y i n g to t r y t o re­ d u ce Wh i te ' s p ressu re. 10 Bxe4

N f6

Qc 7

T h i s l e a d s t o t rouble. b e t t e r t r y w as 13 B c7.

A

..•

1 4 c5!

A fine i d e a, allow i n g Wh i te's K n i g h t to o c cu p y e5.

w h i ch A poor m o v e l e a v e s Wh i te i n con t rol o f

1 4 ... 15 Ne5!

B f8

At f i rst s i g h t a b l u n d e r, b u t P i l lsbu r y h as c a l c u l a t e d everything.

e5. 1 1 B c2

1 5 ...

B x c5?

B d3 ; 11 Better t h a n Wh i te w a n t s to p l a y Q d3 w i t h t h reats against h 7 . 1 1 ...

h6

To p r e v e n t t h e a n n o y i n g p i n n i n g m o v e 12 B g5 w h i c h w o u l d a u g m e n t t h e p ressu re o n h 7 (a f t e r Wh i te ' s com i n g Q d 3) . 12 B e 3

ReS

F a l l i n g for i t. R e l a ­ t i v e l y best w as 1 5 g 6 . •••

72

P i llsbury T h e E x traordin ary

16 B x h6!

The c u te poi n t. Now i f 1 6 gx h 6 , t h e n 1 7 Qg3 c h ! , K f8 ( h 8 ) 1 8 N g 6 c h w i n s Black's Queen. •••

1 6...

Now 17

•••

if

17

N h5 . 1 7 Q x d4

B x d4 Qg3,

then

21 N g6 •••

gxh6

••

1 8 Q f4!

Now i f 1 8 Kg7, then 19 Q g3 c h i s a w i n n e r (19 ... K f8 o r h 8 allows 20 N g6ch w i n ­ n i n g t h e Q u e e n) . .••

Nd5

1 8 ...

1 9 Qx b6!

A n o t he r t a c t i cal p o i n t a r i se s: n o w 1 9 Q x e 5 allows m at e i n t h ree with 2 0 • • •

B h 7 c h , K h 8 2 1 B g6 d.c h., Kg8 2 2 Q h 7 c h , K f8 2 3 Q x f7

m ate. 1 9... 20 f4!

U n re l e n t i ng. fxe5 then

•••

• • •

with the overwhelming follow u p R f3 - g3. Now o n 2 1 R h 7 2 2 Q f8 m ate, o r i f 2 1 . R g 7 t h e n 2 2

Black is a pawn u p for the moment.

20

K f8 2 2 fx e 5 d.ch., Ke7 23 R f7 c h wi ns. 2 0... Re7 If 20 Qg7, then 21 Qh4

f6

Now 21

if

Qg6ch,

Q h 8 c h , K f7 2 3 N e 5 c h ! , f x e 5 2 4 f e d.ch fol l o w e d b y 2 5 Q x g7, e t c.

B l a c k Resi gns.

73

G am e S i x : N e w York 1 8 9 7

6 ...

e4

7 Re1 8 Ne5 9 N c3

Be7 0-0 B f6

GA M E SIX N EW Y O R K 1 8 9 7 Wh ite: S h o w alter B l a c k: P i l l sbury 1 e4 e5 2 N f3 Nc6 N f6 3 Bb5

4 0-0

N x e4

A main line o f the B e r l i n D e fense. 4 . . . d6 w o u l d t r a n spose i n t o t h e Stei n i t z D e fense.

Accord i n g to Mason, rs i s best, but the text is s a t i s f a c t o r y . P o o r i s 9 N fS a s P i l l sb u r y p l a y e d i n an­ other g a m e aga i n st S h o w a l ­ t e r.

9 s d4

.•.

Consi d e re d t h e m os t ac­ tive. 5 6 B a4?! •.•

•••

Nd6

N f5 N fx d4! Now i f 1 2 R x d4, t h e n 1 2 N x d4 1 3 Q x d 4 , d6 w i n s 1 0 B f4 1 1 Rxe4

• • •

A dubious g a m b i t . U s u a l i s 6 B x c6, d x c6 7 de, N fS 8 Q x d 8 c h , Kx d8 w i t h a s l i g h t p u l l f o r Wh ite,

for Black. 1 2 N g4

Ne6

P i l l sbury T h e Ex traordin ary

74

gxh5 21 R x h 5 m ate) 2 0 B x f8, gx h 5 2 1 B x e 7 , N g6 2 2 B f6 , N x h 4 23 B x h 4 with a l i k e ly d ra w . 1 8...

Ng6

1 9 Rg4

N d4

13 N x f6 c h Q x f6 14 N d S

Wh i t e m u st con t i n u e to p l ay as a c t i v e ly as poss i b l e t o compen sate for the p a w n . 1 4 ... 15 Q hS

Qd8 d6

Now Wh i t e ' s a t t a c k col­ l a pses. 2 0 fS

To open more l i n e s. 2 0 ... 2 1 Rfl

N x f5 c6

2 2 N c3 23 Kh 1

Qb6ch Qc5

1 6 B d2

Clearing Rh4. 1 6 ...

the

path

for

NeS

Com i n g to t h e rescue by w ay o f t h e c e n t e r. 17 R h 4 1 8 f4?!

h6

M issi ng 18 B x h6!, g6 1 9 N e 7 c h ! (Prob a b ly t h e m o v e S h o w a l t e r m issed) 1 9 Q x e 7 •••

( N ot 1 9 .. K h 7 20 B x f8 d . ch., .

of t h re a t the 2 4 N g3 c h w i n n i n g Wh i t e ' s Queen. Wi t h

•••

75

G ame S i x : N e w Y o r k 1 8 9 7

GAM E SEVEN 24 Qh3

N fe 7 VIENNA 1898 Wh ite: P i l lsbury B l a c k: T arrasch e5 1 e4 N c6 2 N f3 N f6 3 Bb5

25 Ne4 2 6 Q x g4 27 Bb3ch

B x g4 f5 Kh8

D e fe nse-a Berlin The very popu l a r d e fe n se i n t h e l at t e r h al f o f t h e 1 9 t h c e n ­ tury. 4 0-0 5 d4

Expecting

2 8 . . . N x g6

29

t h ough e v e n h e re Wh i t e i s lost. B u t P i lls­ b u r y h as a m u ch more con­ v i n ci n g reply. N x c5 ,

N x e4

E x p e r i e n ce h as p r o v e n that this move is better than 5 Rel.

d x c5

2 8 ...

Wh i te Resigns

fxe4!

5...

Be7

T h e m ost sol i d l i n e . Also p l a y able i s 5 ... N d6 though Wh ite re t a i n s t h e b e t t e r e n d i n g a ft e r 6 B x c6, dx c6 7 de, N f5 8 Q x d 8 c h , Kx d 8 . N d6 6 Qe2

P i l lsbury T h e E x traord i n ar y

76

1 1 N d4 1 2 Be3

Ne6 N x d4

A ft e r 6 f5 7 de, 0 - 0 8 N c3 , N x c3 9 Q c 4 c h , K h 8 1 0 •..

Q x c3 Wh ite i s better. 7 B x c6

to e x c h a n ges Wh i te w e a k e n B l a c k ' s p a w n s t r u c­ tu re. 7... 8 de

b x c6 Nb7

T h e poor pos i t i on of t h i s K n ig h t i s the m a i n p roblem i n t h e Berlin D e fense. 9 N c3

0-0

Simpli fying helps the side c r a m p e d p os i t i o n . 13 B x d4

normally a with

dS

T h i s l e a d s to posi t i o n a l d i f f i c u l t i es b e c a u se o f t h e w e a k n ess o f c S . B e s t w a s 13 c5 1 4 B e 3 , dS 1 5 e d e.p., B x d6 1 6 N e 4 w i t h a l m ost ••.

even c h a n ces. 1 4 N a4

Zeroi n g i n on cS. 1 4 ... 1 5 c3

Bb4 B aS

10 Ret

Mode rn t h e o r y recom­ mends 1 0 N d4 (Pre v e n t i n g t h e d - p a w n f rom m o v i n g a n d allow i n g N f5) . 1 0 ...

N cS

H e a d i n g for b6 to f i g h t f o r con t rol o f c S .

77

G am e Seven: V i e n n a 1 8 9 8

16 QhS

Com m e n c i n g p ressure on t h e s p a rsely d e fen d e d K i ng­ side. 1 6 ... 17 Re3 1 8 Rg3

Bb6 Be6

Th reaten i n g Q h 6 , f o r c i n g a se rious w e a k e n i n g o f B l a c k ' s K i n gs i d e p a w n s. 1 8 ...

19 Radl 2 0 b4

Kh8

2 2 N cS 23 Q x e S

fe Q f6

B l a c k see k s s a f e t y b y e x ­ c h a n g i n g Q u e e n s, b u t u n ­ fo r t u n a t e l y f o r B l a c k t h e ending is quite bad due to h i s i n f e r i o r B i shop a n d w e a k e n e d Q u e e n s i d e p a w n s. 2 4 Q x f6

R x f6

2 5 Re3 2 6 f3

Bg8

Qe7

P r e v e n t i n g 2 0 c5. •••

2 0... 2 1 R x d4

B x d4

N o w Wh ite's O R c a n sh i ft to the K i n gsi de. A l s o Wh ite's K n i g h t i s m u c h m o re e f fecti ve t h a n t h e o b ­ s t r u cted B l a c k B is h o p . 2 1 ...

f6

Giving ai r. 26 2 7 Re7 •••

the

King

some

g6

O ft e n the a r ri v al of a Rook o n t h e se v e n t h r a n k signals t h e b e gi n n i n g o f t h e

P i l lsbury T h e Ex traordinary

78

e n d for the d e fe n d e r. T h i s case i s n o e x ce p t i o n . 2 7...

R f7

2 8 Re6

aS

A bid for some cou n t e r­ p l a y on t h e a- f i l e .

2 9 a4 3 0 R x c6

33

•..

Rb8

3 4 N a6 35 Nb4 3 6 Ra6

Rb7 Ra7 R x a6

3 7 N x a6

K f6

Kg7

N o w i t' s j ust a m a t t e r o f te c h n i que. 3 0 ...

Re7

T h e K i n g t r i e s to rush to the Q u e e n s i d e , but it i s f a r too late. 3 8 R d2 31 K f2 3 2 cb 33 bS

ab B f7

Wh i te's strategy i s s i m ­ p le: push the Q u e e n s i d e p a w n s tow a r d t h e Quee n i n g squ a res.

T h re a te n i n g 3 9 R c2 w i n ­ ning the c-pawn. 3 8...

c6

D e spe r a t i o n , but 38 Ke6 f a i l s to 3 9 R e 2 c h , Kd7 40 •••

R x e 7 c h , K x e 7 41 N x c 7 . 3 9 b6

Be6

79

G a m e Seven: V i e n n a 1 8 9 8

Lopez. H o w e v e r B l a c k has fully a d e q u ate resou rces. N x e4

4...

T h i s see m s t o be best. Also p l a y ab l e is 4 ... ed, though Wh i t e seems to re­ tain some i n i ti a t i v e i n t h i s case. 40 N cS 4 1 aS

B c8

Wh i t e Resigns.

5 de 6 0-0

dS

T o be

consi d e r e d

is 6

N d 4.

GA M E E I G H T

6...

B cS

V I EN N A 1 8 9 8 W h i t e : S h o w alter B l ack: P i llsbury eS 1 e4 N c6 2 N f3 N f6 3 BbS

7 Nbdl

undermine To strongly p oste d N e 4 . 7... 8 Qel 9 Q x dl A fte r 9 4 d4

A sharp line against the B e r l i n D e fense to the R u y

0-0 N x dl B x dl ,

cou l d p l a y 9 . . . N d4 con v e n i e n t p l a y . 9 ...

the

Ne7

Black with

80

P i l l sbury T h e E x traordin ary

1 5 R fe 1

T r a n s fe rr i n g t h e K n ig h t to the K i ngsi d e , w h i le a voi d i n g the possi b i l i t y o f B x c6 weakening Black's Queenside. 1 0 Q c3 1 1 BgS

Bb6

1 1 ... 12 B d3

"Wi n n i n g" t h e t w o B i s h ­ ops. 1 6 B x fS

A ft e r 1 6 B g 3 , N x g3 1 7 h x g3 ,

This pin tu rns out to be i n e f fe c t i ve, though B l a c k's p os i t i o n i s sligh t l y b e t t e r a n y w ay . c6 h6

Bg4

N d4,

1 6... 1 7 B g3

Qd7

i s p r e fer­

B x fS Qe7

T h e Q u e e n s h i fts t o w a r d t h e K i ngsi d e i n p re p a r a t i o n for a n a t t a c k t h e re. Be4!

Qc7

Unpinning and preparing to obt a i n t h e B i s h o p p a i r. 14 a4

18

B l a c k ' s pos i t i o n able.

1 8 Qd2

13 B h 4

N fS

aS

Wh i t e t h reatened to w i n a p i e c e w i t h 1 5 aS.

This B i s h op ' s a c t i v e post p l a y s a key role in the com­ ing attack. 1 9 c3

rs

81

G ame E i g h t : V i e n n a 1 8 9 8

F o r c i n g open l i nes, s i n ce o t h e r w i se g5 a n d f4 w i l l b u r y t h e B g3. 20 e f e.p. .21 N e 5

T h e only t r y si n ce l S K f l loses to 2 5 ••• B x g3 d.ch. (among o t h e rs) .

Q x f6 Rad8

2 5 ...

R f5!

T h reaten i n g 26

• • •

Rh5. 26 ReS 27 NxeS

m ate

with

R x e5 Q h5ch

22 K h 1

Trying to duck out of trouble, b u t n o w t a c t i cs t a k e o v e r. 22 ••• 23 Ng4

B x f2 !

T h e ob v i o u s 2 3 m e t b y 2 3 B e3 ! .

Rfl

.••

23.... 2 4 Kxg2

B x g2 c h Q f3 c h

ts

B l a c k s i m p l i f i e s i n to an easi l y w o n h e a v y p i e ce e n d i ng. 2 8 Kg2 29 h x g3 3 0 Re 1

B x g3 QxeS Q fS

Wh i te R e s i g n s

2 5 Kh3

P i l l sbury T h e E x traordin ary

82

6...

h 6!

GAM E N I N E VIENNA 1898 Wh ite: Walbro dt B l a c k: P i l lsbury eS 1 e4 N c6 l N f3 N f6 3 BbS

Now i f 6 B h4, then a l a t e r g5 t h re a t e n s to g r e a t l y l i m i t t h e s c o p e o f Wh i te's QB. 7 Be3 8 a4

Agai n t h e f e n se , though s t a n ce Wh i te m a i n l i n es.

B e rl i n D e­ in this in­ avoids the

H o p i n g t o f o r c e B l a c k to trade B i sh ops o n e3 w h i ch o p e n s t h e f- f i l e for Wh i te . H o w e v e r, t h e loss o f t i m e in volved in this plan allows Black a fine game. 8... 9 B x c6

0-0

T o con trol a S .

4 d3

9...

V e r y sol i d , b u t i n su f fi ­ c i e n t l y acti v e f o r a n y ad­ v a n tage. 4... S N c3 6 B gS

Bb6

D eS d6

T h i s l e a d s to n ot h i n g. Bette r w as 6 N a 4 t o e x ­ c h ange B l a c k ' s strong B c5 .

b x c6

83

C h apter N i ne: V i e n n a 1 8 9 8

1 0 aS 1 1 fxe3

B x e3 Rb8

M a k i n g use of t h e n e w l y opened b- f i l e to p robe Wh i te's Q u e e n s i d e . 12 b3

N g4!

P re p a r i n g to open host i l ­ i ti e s o n t h e K i ngside w i t h fS . 13 Qe2 14 e f

fS B x fS

I ro n i c a l l y , B l a c k w i l l be the one who w i l l u s e the f ­ f i l e to g o o d e f fe c t. 15 e4

Be6

T a k i n g a d v a n t age o f t h e w e a k e n e d d a r k s q u a res. 19 Ne2

g5!

N a i l i n g down c o n t r o l o f t h e o u tpost o n f4. 2 0 Kh2

M a rs h a l l i n g p i e ce s tow a r d sector.

Qd7

his heavy t h e c r i t i cal

2 1 N fg 1

T r y i n g to d e fuse t h e i m ­ p e n d i n g a t t a c k b y e x ch a n g­ i n g Rooks. 2 1 ...

N f4

1 6 h3

C h as i n g t h e K n i g h t, b u t c r e a t i n g m o r e w e a k nesses on t h e dark s q u a res. 1 6 ... 1 7 Qe3

N f6 cS!

D e fen d i n g against 18 Q x a7 but, m o re i m po r t a n t , preventing Wh i t e from o pe n i n g t h e c e n t e r with d 3 d4. 18 0 - 0

NbS

But Black a voids Rook t r a d e s a n d establishes a po w e r f u l b ase o n f4. 22 N x f4

g x f4

P i l l sbury T h e E x traordi nary

84

Now the g- file w i l l b e i nstru m e n tal i n the a t t a c k . 2 3 Q f3 2 4 g3?

Kh7

T h i s o n l y h asten s d e f e a t b y ope n i n g l i n e s w h i c h o n l y B l a c k can use. 2 4...

A cle v e r w a y t o t r i ple on t h e g- file s i n ce 2 9 R x f6 al­ lows m ate in one. 2 9 Ne2 3 0 Q f3

Rg6 RgS

fg ch

I n t e n d i n g to s h i f t to h5 a ft e r 3 1 ... Qg6. 2 5 Q x g3 26 Qe3

31 Qe3 3 2 Kh l

Rg8 Qg7

de f e n d c a n n ot Wh i t e aga i n s t t h e t h re a t o f B x h 3 . I f 3 2 R f6 , t h e n 3 2 ... Rg2 c h

Wi th a th reat. 2 7 R f2 2 7 Q f3 B l a c k R b f8 . R b f8 2 7...

On 27

•••

Qg6

h as

3 3 K h l , R h 2 c h! 3 4 Q g2 m a te. 3 2 ... B x h3

Wh i t e R e s i g n s.

Kx h2,

85

G am e Ten: V i e n n a 1 8 9 8

GAM E T E N VIENNA 1898 Wh ite: P i l lsbury B l a c k: Tre n c h ard d5 1 d4 e6 2 c4 N f6 3 N c3

7 B d3

Also poss i b l e a r e 7 R e t o r 7 cd ( t h e E x c h ange V a r i ­ ati on). de

7...

To c l e a r t h e l o n g d i ago­ n a l for t h e QB and m a k e t h e Wh i t e K B lose t i m e b y moving again. 8 B x c4 9 0·0

c6 b5

4 Bg5

Agai n P i l lsbu r y ' s favorite move a n d t h e corne r­ of ston e the modern Queen's Gambit. 4... 5 e3

Be7 Nbd7

S l i g h t l y m o re f l e x i b l e i s 5 . . . 0 - 0 s i n ce i n som e cases

t h e O N m i g h t be placed on c6. 6 N f3

0-0

B e t t e r i s C a p a b l a n ca' s maneuver 9 N d5 e as i n g Black's game b y trading o f f some p i e ces. •••

1 0 B d3

a6

P rote c t i n g the b p a w n to be able t o p l a y a l a t e r c6· c5, c h allengi n g Wh i t e ' s cen­ te r a n d ope n i n g t h e long d i agon al f o r B l a c k ' s QB. 1 1 Q c2

Kh8

A m ys t e r i o u s m o v e . 12 R a d 1

Mean w h i l e Wh i t e con t i n ­ u e s to d e v elop a n d c e n t ral­ i ze h i s forces.

P i l l sbury T h e E x traord i n ary

86

1 2 ...

Bb7

N o w Wh i t e h as a crush­ i n g bind. Note that Black c a n n o t f re e h i s QB by c6 - c 5 n ow . f5

1 6 ... 17 Nd6

F rom h e re t h e K n i g h t d om i n ates t h e p os i t i o n . 13 N e 5 S t e p p i n g u p t h e p ressu re by establish i n g a strong ou tpost on e5. Nxe5 13 ... A b i t i m p at i e n t . 14 dxe5 N o w t h e d- f i l e a n d d 6 i n p a r t i c u l a r become p o we r fu l assets. N d5 1 4...

Rad8 BaS

1 7 ... 18 Qc5

15 Bxe7

dark the Trading s q u a r e d Bishops i n o r d e r t o i n v ad e on t h e b l a c k s q u a res. 1 5 ...

Qxe7

To rule out Qa7. Qc7 1 9 f4 2 0 B x f5!

A n i ce shot. e x f5

2 0...

A b e t t e r t r y (though q u i te hopeless i n t h e long ru n) w as 2 0 N x e 3 •••

2 1 Rxd5

.

Rd7?

O b v i o u s l y n e r v o u s a fte r 2 0 B x f5! B l a c k w a l k s i n to

anoth e r s i m p l e t a c t i c. 1 6 N e 4!

22 N x b 5

Qc8

G am e T e n: V i e n n a 1 8 9 8

2 3 R x d7 2 4 Q x c8

cxb5 R x c8

87

A ft e r 3 e d (S tr ategi cally d u b i ous si n ce i t gi ves u p t h e cen t e r) e i t h e r 4 Q x d4 (Morp h y ' s f a v o ri te) or 4 N x d4 Is for favorable Wh i te. ..•

N b d7

5...

b6

D e f i n i t e l y the best post for t h e Bishop si n ce B l a c k ' s f 7 i s o ft e n e x p ose d to t a c t i ­ c a l shots.

25 Rfd1

T h re aten i n g m at e . 2 5 ... 26 e6

4 N c3 5 Bc4

R f8

B l a c k R e s i gns.

F e a ri n g 6 N gS B l a c k loses t i m e a n d w e a k e n s h i s K i n gs i d e . 6 Be3

c6

GA M E ELEV E N VIENNA 1898 Wb ite: P i l l sbury B l a c k: B l a c kburne e5 1 e4 2 N f3 d6

P h i l i d or's D e fense, a but p assi v e , som e w h a t d u rable l i n e o f p l a y . 3 d4

N f6

C o n t rol l i n g dS a n d i n s o m e c a s e s a l lo w i n g a use fu l g a i n o f space w i t h b 7 - b 5 . 7 Qe2

Qc7

P rob ably b e t t e r i s si m p l y 7 Be7, followed by castling. • . .

8 a4

Restraining b7 - b 5 .

a

possible

P i llsbury T h e E x traordin ary

88 8

•.•

ed

T h i s s u r re n d e r o f t h e cente r i s v e r y a n t i - posi­ t i o n al. A g a i n 8 B e7 w as i n ­ d icated. •••

9 N x d4

T h e K n i g h t could n ot b e a l l o w e d to rem a i n on f5, but now t h e g- f i l e w i l l be use ful.

NeS 1 4 gx f5

gS

Otherwise t h e g 7 p a w n comes u n d e r p ressu re. 1 5 fg e.p.

10 Bb3

N x g6

B g4

A poor i d e a w h i c h o n l y h e lps Wh ite's a i m s o f at­ tack. 1 1 f3 1 2 g4!

BhS

Wh i t e corre c t l y se i zes t h e opportu n i t y to use his K i n g s i d e p a w n s to g a i n m o re space. 12

•••

B u t n o w B l a c k ' s K i n g­ side p a w n s a re all i s o l a t e d . 16 0-0-0

0-0-0

Bg6

K i ngsi d e Obviously cast l i n g i s o u t o f t h e q u es­ t i o n , b u t t h i s d rops t h e a­ pawn. 1 7 B x a7 Naturally. 1 7 ... 13 N f5

B x fS

dS

89

G ame Eleven: V i e n n a 1 8 9 8

T h e attempt to t r a p the b 6 f a i l s to 1 8

B a 7 with 1 7 Qa6ch.

•••

N f4

18 ed

T h e re a r e s e v e r a l w a y s t o w i n a n d P i llsbu r y d e ­ c i d e s to p l a y soli d m o ves, si n ce B l a c k ' s p o s i t i o n i s doomed. Bd6

2 3 ...

Mov i n g t h e R d 8 allows ReSch winning i nstantly. 2 4 B x d8

R x d8

A pawn and the Ex­ c h a n ge d o w n , B l a c k s h o u l d lose. Wh i t e m u s t b e c a r e f u l though. Bb4

2 5 aS 2 6 a6!

Now on 26 B x e 1 27 R x e 1 , ba 28 Q c S c h , Kb8 2 9 R e 7 i s d e cisi v e . ba 2 6... B aS 2 7 c3 •.•

Trying water".

to

"muddy

the

1 9 Q f2

Wi t h t h e i d e a o f Bb6. 1 9 ... 20 Nxd5 2 1 Bb6

N6x d5 cxdS QeS

�,��. ,��� • �� r � �- , ��� d� •. . � � f+I�� R� � �··

�

� .. � � �

�

2 8 Q a7

Zeroi n g i n o n t h e beleagu e re d K i ng. Black should gi v e i t u p , b u t b e i n g a s u p e rb t a c t i ­ c i a n , B l a c k b u r n e i s loo k i n g f o r e v e r y possi ble s w i n d le . 22 Rhe1 23 Kb 1

Q gS

28 2 9 Re7 •••

Now quickly.

the

3 0 B a4!

Q f6 Qc6

end

comes

P i llsbury T h e Ex traord in ary

90

N o w 30 Q x a4 allows 3 1 Q a 8 (or b 7) m ate, w h i le 3 0 ... Qb6 f a i ls to 3 1 Q a 8 c h , Qb8 32 Q x a6 c h , Q b 7 3 3 Q x b 7 m ate. .•.

The s h a rpest response. 4 ed 5 B g2

N x d5

B l a c k Resigns. A n o t h e r possi b i l i t y i s 5 N ge2 a n d t h e n B g 2 . N x c3 S...

GA M E TWELV E LONDON 1899 Wh ite: Lee B lack: P i l l sbury e5 1 e4 2 N c3

Wh ite's We a k e n i n g Queenside though the b- f i l e g i v e s Wh i t e d e c e n t p l a y t h e re i n conj u n ct i o n w i t h t h e p ressu re d o w n t h e h 1 - a8 d i agonal. 6 b x c3

N c6

T h e V i e n n a G a m e , a rel­ a t i v e o f t h e K i n g's G a m b i t s i n ce Wh i te n o r m a l l y s t r i ves for a n early f4. 2... 3 g3

N f6

variant, u nusual An fully though p l a y able. Wh i t e h opes h i s K B w i l l h a v e good scope on t h e long d i agon al. 3 ...

dS

7 Ne2

T h e best squ a re. 7 N f3 b l o c k s the K B ' s d i agon al. 7... 8 0-0 9 b3

B c5 0-0

T h i s i s w e a k e n i n g . T o be consi d e re d i s 9 R b l .

91

G a me T w e lve: L o n d o n 1 8 9 9

9

•••

Be6

P re v e n t i n g B x c4) . 14 B a3 1s Q c t

14

c4

( 1 4 ...

D eS

rs

10 Kh2

A little better was 1 0 d 3 . 1 0 ...

B dS!

Trading off Wh i t e ' s v a l u able K B or forci n g Wh i te to w e a k e n h i s p a w n s t r u c t u re w i t h f3 . 1 1 f3 12 d3

Bb6 Qe7

S te p p i n g u p t h e p ressu re against Wh i te's comp rom i se d K i n gs i d e . 16 Re1

Perhaps

bette r

w as

16

B x cS , Q x cS 1 7 Q a3 . R fe 8 16... 17 c4

T h i s o n l y w e a k e n s d4. 1 7 ... 18 N c3

B f7

A g a i n w e a k e n i n g con t rol over d 4 . 1 8 ...

13 a4

T r y i n g to f i n d some p l a y on the Queenside, but B l a c k ' s m ore h a rm o n i o u s development and central in­ f l u e n ce g i v e h i m a c l e a r a d v a n t age. 13 ...

Rad8

B x a3

P i l lsbury T h e E x traordin ary

92

2 4 ...

19 R x a3

I f 1 9 Q x a3 t h e n 1 9 ... Qg5 w i t h the strong foll o w u p f5- f4. 19... 2 0 Rb3

Q f6 b6

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