New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-11
RARE CHESS PLAYING.
THE TSCHIGoRIN.GUNSBERG MATCH
INCIDENTS OF THE GREAT ToURNAMENr-A
BATTLE OF GIANTS.

about Captain Mackenzie who arrived in Havana about
the middle OF January. This favOrtc American champion
has i'll for nearly year, In TACT ever since hc
left Havana last year. This illness prevented MN
from playing in the sixth American Chess Congress
last year, and although he went to Europe In the
summer in order TO enter for the Paris International
Tournament, he doomed to disappointment as
ii did not come Off, and in the autumn he fell Ill
again. and il doubtful, indeed, whether he would
recover. However, when invited TO Havana ne was
somewhat restored to health and although not by
any means strong. he arrived in Havana much I'M
proceed. His stay In the Cuban capital has done him
a lot of good His play is as good as ever
In simultaneous combat against members Of the club
he does well both by playing quickly and brilliantly.
out Of twenty games played the other Night nc
only lost He is engaged in playing a series
OF ten games with Senior ID. A. Ponce, zone Of the
most talented amateurs Of Havana, well Known In
NewYOrk chess circles. and jealous devotee of the
game. 1t is to be hoped that the splendid climate will
restore Captain Mackenze's health, for more genial
chivalrous chess player does not exist.
1t Is interesting TO note the demcanor OF the cham
pons engaged in the match during play. Tschigorin
during the whole Of even the longest game Is
riveted to his chair His features bctray the immense
strain and strife going within. His clenched teeth
tell Of high nervous tension. Altogether there seems
to be something labored in his appearance. lie has
never much time TO spare and generally speak
nS, to be working hard.
Gunsbergs bearing is in distinct contrast to Tschi-
eorin's. GunSberg walks about the room, and even
occasionally INDUCES in casual conversation with the
spectators His appearance when thinking is earnest
but not emotional He occupies far less time than his
opponent. lie seems TO act like a who has an
important duty 10 perform, and docs IL as well As nc
without troubling himself much TO the results.
for, he often said before leaving England and on
his arrival at Havana, Il do my best, and the best
do more
But the behavior Of these brain workers during the
performance Of their arduous task Is based prin
cipcs which seem instructing a. they are widely
applicable, and should be Of special interest TO psy-
biologists. Here is what Mr.. Gunsberg has to say on
the subject: MY opponent seems 10 make a far
greater effort than do. but Won must not run away
with the idea that / not likewise doing my very
best because seem 70 play less hard and quicker
than he does. You see. my opponent /, physically
capable Of doing moro hard work than / We're
! 10 sit at the board he docs. should break down
after two three hours But even for the strongest
man, ! think Ii is advisable 10 rest the mind little
during long toll. OF course, must exercise my d.
erection when and how often ! switch Of the cur
rent Of thought TO prevent exhaustion ~ the brain
battery with the object OF ccouomIns my resources.
have 10 exercise great deal Of self restraint. J. "a
a rule. refrain from embarung In visionary schemes or
doubtful speculatons. not 10 increase The burden
Of work. The result Of my system is that do rcla
lively more work with less effort than my opponent
The games hitherto played are rich 90 complicated
positions, a. for instance, In the sixteenth game,
three II T~chsorin', pieces tucked at the
time Ly pawns This seemed impro able
to senior Goluayo. the president Of the club. that
ne twice looked at the score Of the game to verify
the position. Every body thought Gun~bcrg must
win. and while the analysts were busy IN the hall in
demonstrating this supposed fact to their own salts
faction. another excited chess PLAYER rushed among
them saying that Tschi-orin had played kt X and
must win. \ few moves later Gunshcrs again
got up q formidable looking attack on h's opponent,
Kings Rocks file. which again Wa, clcvcrly parted.
but Only in tho nick Of time. and the aspect oi The
game was changed again.
Chess PLAYERS. when playing over again game,
Of great contests apt forget that there is such
a thing a, time limit AID the following incident will
put things In their proper light: 10 was In thc
eighteenth game: Tschigorn. rs diut u the great Ia
gcauity which he generally displays In attacks.
had succeeded I'm obtaining OF those positions IN
which he is at MS best. win mastery tactics he
was pushing Gunsbcrg into the corner where stood
his King until che latter seemed 10 have no resource
left Cuu-bcre had lahOrcd heavily in consequence Of
the storm Of attack and had used up most ~ his time
lonc hour and thirty minutes for twenty movcsJ
Then T-chleorln PLAYED II. Pro. threatening
do.fruction 4 quarter Of an hour passed before
Gunsbcrg replied with - PIP. which left him only
fifteen minutes make eight moves boo critical
position. The Russian continued 10 attack. threat
cninr mate IN various forms. Every one Of Guns
berg, moves would have required ab M quarter Of
an bour or 50 Of dclJcraton under ordinary cir
curnstancc, and yet he had 10 move almost without
THINKING more than minute or two. on" could see
drop, Of cold Precipitation trcklins down ms fore
head a, De gstfuIIy looked at the clock the hands Of
which were rcmor-clcssly moving forward; tick. tack
tick tack: It wa a trying situation. But Just under
such irving conditions the great player shows himself
Great Move after move came 100 correct reply to
rscrigorln, violent onslaught Piece after piece he
had 10 retire People were wrapt in admiration At
.bi- wonderful defence under sI,h embarrassing cir
clrn.tancc. and oven thought Gunsbcrg had turned
,be tables that he had obtained the better position
when alas AT the last moment the strain proved too
much with the minute hand Of his clock almost ON
the hour Gun.bcrg played 20. k'NB. Q-Qj' 80
HvKt ExH. 81 Kt-Q5 and be saw, when too late thai
me had committed a mistake after all which lost him
the game.
r.cb,r,rio,s strong point IS the attack. He hns
Certainty pIaycd some splendid chess in some Of hi
games, There are positions In TIM, match which VIII
he set A. shining examples 10 students 81 chess Tor
ages 10 come. The Russian has also an extensive
knowledge If the theory Of openings, his memory b"
ina almost unfiling Gunsbcrg. the other hand
shows remarkably fine judgment. and conducts end
game, in clever style. lie is not scholarly player
and generally loses his games through inpcrfcctions
In the opening Gunsberg IS fully aware Of his
falling I'm tins respect but he Is often heard to say
IT'S no use my studying the openings because
do not remember them twenty four honrN after have
Learned t,enp Mr. Gunsbefg argues, and not with
ant reason that although he is at disadvantage IN
nat Lnov.ing all the openings by heart, he feels con
cinccd that having ~ rely to great extent on hls
own resources from the beginning Of the game he has
considerably strengthened his general judgment and
made his play independent and more vigorous.
nerfect knowledge Of the openings acts rs crutch to
A man. and prevents the development Of his chess
anacitv 70 the fullest extent soon as he leaves
49,, ton track Mr. Gunsberg seems to feel "A
oriortv over most players who place much dc