From: nolan@tssi.com (Michael Nolan)
Subject: The Best of Hanon Russell, Part 3
Reply-To: nolan@tssi.com
Organization: Tailored Software Services, Inc.
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 19:07:55 GMT

[This is a compilation of Hanon Russell's posts from Jan/Feb/Mar which got
incomplete distribution.  Sorry for the delay in posting part 3.  MN]


Date: Sat, 18 Jan 92 17:13:22 EDT
Subject: Inside Chess, No. 1 - 1992

                           INSIDE CHESS
                     No. 1, January 20, 1992

The debut issue of "Inside Chess" for 1992 is again packed with 
interesting articles. American Grandmaster and Editor-in-Chief 
Yasser Seirawan begins with a look back over 1991, regretting 
some of the disappointments (e.g., the collapse of the world cup 
cycle) and being cautiously optimistic about some of the 
positive developments - "For a whole week auditoriums were 
filled to capacity, while French TV cameras jockeyed to get a 
peak at the [Immopar Tournament] action. Chess on TV? What a 
concept."

Dutch GM John van der Wiel then has a comprehensive look at the 
Ivanchuk-Timman match, apparently the last in the series of 
matches sponsored by the Dutch broadcasting company KRO. 
Ivanchuk triumphed 3.5-2.5 and there was some great fighting 
chess produced. All six games of the match are presented, with 
all but the third and fifth given with detailed annotations.

In the "Inside News" department, we find out that "Darnay 
Hoffman Films has acquired the rights to produce a film based on 
Frank Brady's book, 'Bobby Fischer: Profile of a Prodigy,' for a 
floor price of $100,000. Published in 1974 by David McKay, 
'Bobby Fischer' appears under the Dover imprint." Let's see, 
Bruce Dern as Bobby, Ron Silver as Larry Evans, Nick Nolte as 
Boris Spassky and a special guest appearance by Anthony Hopkins 
as Rustam Kamsky (how that gets worked in, we'll leave to the 
screen play writers!).

In a special item, Anatoly Karpov annotates three of his games 
from Tilburg. The balance of this first issue of 1992 is rounded 
off nicely by articles on the USSR Championship, Chess in Asia 
and the Yugoslavian Team Championship.

Subscription information: "Inside Chess" PO Box 19457, Seattle, 
WA; 1-yr (26 issues) $45

Copyright 1992 Hanon W. Russell
All Rights Reserved

Date: Wed, 22 Jan 92 20:33:28 EDT
Subject: Book Review: The King's Indian Attack, 2d Edition

KING'S INDIAN ATTACK, 2d Edition, by FM Ken Smith and NM John 
Hall, Chess Digest (PO Box 59029, Dallas, TX 75229) 1991, 249pp, 
paperback, English algebraic notation, $17.50

There is a theory, for the most part a perfectly valid theory, 
that states that if a defensive system is playable for Black, 
the same system is certainly playable by White with a move in 
hand. These type of systems have usually been referred to as 
"reversed" openings. So, for example, certain lines of the 
English, when Black plays an early d5, are Reverse Sicilians, 
and so forth.

The King's Indian defensive structure has long been one of 
Black's workhorse defenses against 1 d4. The King's Bishop is 
placed on the long diagonal and the pawn structure occasioned by 
the fianchettoe (f7-g6-h7) results in defensive resiliency with 
good counter-attacking possibilities. This being the case, why 
not adopt the King's Indian structure as White?

The King's Indian reversed, or, as it has come to be known, the 
King's Indian Attack, has been played by such greats as 
Petrosyan, Smyslov, Fischer and Botvinnik, just to name a few. 
When played by a prepared practitioner, it allows White to reach 
middlegame positions that at the very least give full equality 
and at best set the stage for ferocious Kingside attacks.

This book, a second revised edition of the popular 1988 volume, 
carefully takes one through strategic concepts for both sides as 
it discusses the system both as an independent line for White 
and its transpositional possibilities when White opens 1 e4 and 
is faced with the French or Sicilian Defense (e.g. 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 
e6 3 d3). It is well produced and includes games into 1990 (and 
even a couple of '91 games).

Of particular interest is the section which deals with prior 
analysis presented by Eric Schiller in his 1989 book "How to 
Play the King's Indian Attack." Smith and Hall challenge 
Schiller's analysis with some convincing lines of their own, 
apparently rehabilitating a line which Schiller claimed was 
advantageous for Black.

After short sections on move order, the history of the KIA and 
the Schiller analysis, we are presented with seven chapters of 
solid analysis. The analytical chapters basically divide into 
two categories: (1) Those lines which are reached by White 
beginning with 1 Nf3, 2 g3, 3 Bg3, 4 0-0, 5 d3 and 6 Nbd2; and 
(2) Those lines which are reached by White beginning with 1 e4. 
Although we had no particular problems with the transpositional 
possibilities which exist when White opens 1 e4 instead of 1 
Nf3, it would have been helpful to discuss move order in more 
detail, especially when White plays 1 e4. Thus, there are a few 
lines which White must be prepared to face when 1 e4 is played 
which do not occur if 1 Nf3 is the first move.

Thirty illustrative well annotated games complete this 
comprehensive opening manual. Although intended to offer White 
a complete opening system, it is equally valuable for playing 
Black. This book is a solid addition to Chess Digest's line of 
opening publications.

Copyright 1992 Hanon W. Russell
All Rights Reserved


Date: Sat, 25 Jan 92 00:30:59 EDT
Subject: Botvinnik Autobiography, Game 6

Translated by Hanon W. Russell
Copyright 1988, 1991 by Hanon W. Russell
All Rights Reserved

No. 6 Ruy Lopez
N. Proskurin  M. Botvinnik
Category I Tournament
Leningrad, 1925

1 e2-e4       e7-e5
2 Ng1-f3      Nb8-c6
3 Bf1-b5      a7-a6
4 Bb5-a4      Ng8-f6
5 0-0         Bf8-e7

As the reader can see, I had a rather modest opening repertoire at this 
time. On 1 e4 - 1...e5, and facing the Ruy, the Chigorin System. But those 
which I did employ I knew thoroughly and I did not fear any surprises in  
the opening (inasmuch as I was not playing masters).

6 Rf1-e1      b7-b5
7 Ba4-b3      d7-d6


8 c2-c3       0-0
9 d2-d3       ...

This quiet variation was a favorite of Ilyin-Zhenevsky. It is not that 
simple for Black to play. I, of course, steered along well known paths.

9 ...         Nc6-a5
10 Bb3-c2     c7-c5
11 Nb1-d2     Qd8-c7
12 Nd1-f1     Na5-c6

I experimented with 12...h6 in game No. 98; it, not without reason, has 
not had any followers.

13 Nf1-e3     Bc8-e6
14 h2-h3      ...

Theory recommends 14 Ng5, but the text is quite acceptable. Black wishes 
to carry out d6-d5, after which White is given the possibility of invading 
e5 with a Knight.

14 ...        d6-d5
15 Qd1-e2     ...

However, this is not consistent. White should have either exchanged on d5 
- forcing Black to fight for the pawn on e5, or return to the theoretical 
continuation, exchanging the Knight for the Bishop: 15 Ng5 d4 16 Nxe6 fe 
17 Ng4 with approximate equality. Now White gets a cramped position.

15 ...        d5-d4
16 Ne3-f5     Be6xf5
17 e4xf5      Be7-d6
18 Bc1-g5     ...

On 18 Ng5 dc 19 bc b4 Black gets the central square d4 for the Knight, 
guaranteeing him counterplay. It seems as if the game move is strong, 
because of the threat 19 Bxf6 gf 20 Nd2. But it actually leads to a loss 
of a tempo, turning control of not only d4 over to the Queen Knight, but 
control of c3 to the King Knight. It would have therefore been better to 
be satisfied with 18 Bd2, so that after 18...dc 19 bc Nd5,to have the 
reply 20 Bb3.

18 ...        d4xc3
19 b2xc3      ...

If 19 Bxf6, then 19...cb and White loses a pawn.

19 ...        Nf6-d5
20 Bg5-d2     ...
20 ...        b5-b4!

Demonstrating a fine grasp of the requirements of the positional struggle.



21 c3-c4      ...

After this, White's position is hopeless. 21 cb was necessary, preserving 
the active white-squared Bishop. Now it becomes a spectator, while the 
Black pieces seize the center without opposition.

21 ...        Nd5-c3
22 Qe2-e3     Nc6-d4
23 Bc2-b3     e5-e4!

The decisive move. If 24 de, then 24...Bf4 25 Qd3 (25 Qxf4 Nde2+) 
25...Nxf3+ 26 gf Rad8 27 Bxf4 Qxf4 28 Qe3 Qxe3 (also possible is 28...Qh4 
29 Kh2 Rd4 etc.) 29 Rxe3 Rd2 and the easiest win is the had by the advance 
of the a-pawn, while on 30 a3 - 30...Rb2 31 Bd1 Rd8.

24 Bd2xc3     Nd4xf3+

This leads to an irreparable weakening of the white squares.

25 g2xf3      Bd6-f4!

Saddling White with isolated pawns; note that after 25...bc 26 fe it is 
quite a different matter.

26 Qe3xe4     b4xc3
27 Kg1-h1     Ra8-d8
28 f5-f6      g7-f6

Although there is no reason to fear the weakening of the black squares in 
front of the King, there is, of course, no justification for disrupting 
the pawn structure (28...gf).

29 Qe4-e7     ...

Somewhat better was 29 Ba4.

29 ...        Qc7-c6
30 Qe7-e4     Qc6xf6
31 Qe4-e2     ...

Complete confusion. A move had to be made with the Bishop, if only to c2 
to defend d3.

31 ...        Qf6-f5
32 Qe2-f1     Bf4-d2
33 Re1-e4     Qf5xf3+
34 Qf1-g2     Qf3xd3

Black has snapped off three enemy pawns in five moves and taken c2 under 
control, to where the passed pawn inexorably advances.

35 Bb3-d1     c3-c2
36 Bd1-e2     Qd3-c3


White resigns.

My oppenent was extremely depressed by this loss, and, perhaps, therefore 
predicted that within a few months Botvinnik would no longer play chess 
since he wasted too much time during the game. However, I found a defender 
in the person of another tournament participant, Yurev. He, having 
observed the previous game, publicly noted that he liked Botvinnik's play. 
"His pieces," Yurev said, "act like they are alive."


Date: Sun, 26 Jan 92 11:25:24 EDT
Subject: Aron Nimzovich Letter


                      ARON NIMZOVICH LETTER

The following letter was written by Nimzovich after the 
conclusion of the great New York 1927 tournament. One of the 
issues of the day was the absence from that tournament of the 
former world champion Dr. Emanuel Lasker. One of the alleged 
reasons he refused to play was a dispute with Norbert Lederer, 
the organizer of both the New York 1924 and 1927 tournaments. 
During Lasker's game with Capablanca in New York 1924, Lasker 
claimed that a defective clocked had cost him valuable time and 
eventually the game and that Lederer, as tournament director, 
had failed to deal properly with that situation. That is the 
reference which one reads in the following letter. The Russell 
Collection contains most of the position papers by Lederer and 
Lasker about the incident, including Lasker's ten-page 
typewritten claims.

(#951)
From: Aron Nimzovich
To: Norbert Lederer:
Date: May 3, 1927

Dear Mr. Lederer,

Since I lead a very tranquil life here, I want to say: am 
ignoring the people here and sinking myself into a nice book, so 
I am in the mood to glance into my memory about my stay in the 
U.S.A. slowly and quietly. The result is always the same, that 
is, the knowledge that you, dear Mr. Lederer, have treated me so 
kindly and with fatherly goodwill. Without you I wouldn't just 
have been practically totally helpless. No, the feeling of 
aloneness would have been so great that I would have grown 
melancholy. I have always been astonished how much you have 
remained a European. I mean that you have succeeded in keeping 
feeling and heart in the U.S.A(!) and that your sympathy lies on 
the side of Europe.

My opinion in the split with Lasker is an honest regret that two 
people, each of whom I like very much, should be enemies between 
themselves! I assure you that I would be very, very happy if 
peace could be brought about, and I would be proud if my modest 
strengths could succeed in contributing something to that. I 
will be extremely careful with Lasker and proceed cautiously, 
because I know how hard it is to change his mind. But he cannot 
ignore my view, and if I tell him we have found in you a helpful 
friend, if I reproach him that he made a mistake, that he let 
himself be carried away into making accusations which are 
unfounded, then he can't simply say no to all of this, and he 
will not be able to doubt my liking him. And when I tell him 
Addleman's point of view, I cherish hope. He is a good man, just 
very nervous and self-satisfied.

It's not going splendidly with the throat. The irritation still 
has not abated, and it should be difficult to eat up the 160 
dollars in gruel and the like. But hopefully I can begin to eat 

solid food in a few days.

Are you coming to Europe? Many sincere greetings and once more 
sincerest thanks for all the friendliness, the effort and 
especially for the huge amount of patience with which you knew 
how to endure my feelings of Angst-this in spite of the fact 
that your nerves are also not of steel.

With friendly regards

Yours,
/s/ A. Nimzowitsch

Many cheerful greetings to your wife.

Copyright 1992 Hanon W. Russell
All Rights Reserved

Date: Tue, 28 Jan 92 14:25:13 EDT
Subject: Winning with the Schliemann


WINNING WITH THE SCHLIEMANN by GM Mikhail Tseitlin, Maxwell 
Macmillan Chess 1991, figurine algebraic notation, paperback 
155pp, $17.95

Players of the Black pieces have, for hundreds of years, 
attempted to cope with the problem of the Spanish torture: The 
Ruy Lopez or, The Spanish Game - 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5. These 
attempts have ranged from the more passive (e.g., responses such 
as 3...Nge7, 3...d6 or 3...g6 and perhaps the Breyer system in 
more modern lines) to the more violent (e.g., the Marshall 
Countergambit). The Schliemann or Jaenisch Variation, 
characterized by 3...f5, falls in the latter category.

First, a few curiosities we noticed about the book. It is 
entitled "Winning with the Schliemann." However, the first thing 
we read in the book's introduction is that the proper name of 
this line is the Jaenisch Gambit. It seems that the Schliemann 
proper only arises after 3...Bc5 4 0-0 and then 4...f5. So, why 
not entitle it "Winning with the Jaenisch?" Probably because the 
name Schliemann is much more recognizable to English-speaking 
players than Jaenisch.

The book's author, on the cover and spine at least, is listed as 
grandmaster Mikhail Tseitlin. However, the Introduction refers 
to two authors, Tseitlin and Glaskov. To confuse matters a bit 
more, the book is copyrighted in the name of English GM Murray 
Chandler.

We would have preferred to have a slightly better typesetting 
production. Close inspection seems to indicate camera-ready 
galley sheets were prepared on a dot matrix printer. This is 
most noticeable in the enlarged chapter headings. Furthermore, 
the original manuscript was undoubtedly in Russian, and a 
stilted, awkward translation occasionally shows through, e.g.: 
"10 Bxc6 bxc6 is not worrying for Black" (p.94).

These technical flaws notwithstanding, this slim, 
double-columned book is packed with analysis. This line of the 
Spanish can lead to stupefying complications and Tseitlin (or 
Tseitlin and Glaskov or Tseitlin and Glaskov and Chandler) does 
a reasonably good job leading the reader through the maze. 
Clearly, contrary to other, calmer opening systems, players of 
the Black pieces must commit some of these lines to memory, 
rather than simply relying on an understanding of the positions. 
In this respect the line is not unlike the Poisoned Pawn 
Variation of the Najdorf.

At some points, additional suggestions from the author would 
have been appreciated. For example, one of the drawbacks of this 
entire system is that there are a few drawing lines which Black 
may not be able to avoid. For example, 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 
f5 4 Bxc6 bxc6 5 exf5 e4 6 Qe2 Qe7 7 Nd4 Qe5 8 Nf3 Qe7 leads to 
a draw by repetition since, as Tseitlin points out, Black cannot 
play 8...Qxf5 because 9 d3 Nf6 10 Nbd2 d5 11 Nd4 Qg6 12 0-0 is 
in White's favor, while 7...Nf6 leads to 8 0-0 c5 (8...Qe5 9 Nf3 
Qe7 10 Re1) 9 Nb5 d5 10 f3 also giving White a clear 
advantage.

We fully understand that these lines may indeed be forced, i.e., 
there may not be any good way for Black to avoid them, but this 
could discourage some players from taking up the line at all. We 
would have liked to have seen either some suggestions to 
sidestep these lines (e.g., are there transpositional 
possibilities) or at least a comment about the use of this 
system in a must-win situation.

In general, the book represents a fine compendium of existing 
Schliemann/Jaenisch theory and is a must for anyone who espouses 
the White side of the Ruy or who, as Black, likes early and 
prolonged street fighting.

Copyright 1992 Hanon W. Russell
All Rights Reserved