Kindred’s Kaleidoscope: 1963 NYS Amateur Championship

Romulus, NY was the site of the 1963 NYS Amateur Chess Championship. Some very tough games were played and the field was extremely strong.

 One of my opponents was Mrs. Fuchs and ask readers if they have any information on her background as I would like to do a brief biography. I believe she was from NYC, one of the major women players in the USA, perhaps playing in a US Women’s Championship or other regional or state events.

             Mrs. Fuchs   (White)         Don Reithel  (Black)

                                  Slav Defense

1.d4  d5  2.c4  c6  3.Nf3  Nf6  4.e3  Bf5  5.Qb3  Qb6  6.Qxb6  axb6  7.Nc3  e6  8.Bd2  Bd6.

This bishop is centrally placed to gain as much sqct as possible, thus gaining a spatial edge early on although this is not immediately important in itself.  SqCt: 8/18.

9.Rc1  0-0  10.Nh4  Bg6  11.Nxg6  hxg6  12. f3.

Defends e4 and g4 with a support for an eventual wing pawn roll up starting with g4.

12…Nbd7  13.a3  Rfe8  14.cxd5  exd5  15.Bd3  Rac8  16.Kf2  Nf8  17.g4  Nf8  18.h4  Rcd8  19.h5  g5  20.Bf5!

This lady knows how to play chess!

20…Nf8  21.Na4  Bc7  22.Bb4.

Look at the way she is handling her bishop-pair. I was trying to safeguard inroads into my position and after a long think I came up with what I hoped was a cool plan.

22…g6  23.hxg6  fxg6  24.Bd3  Kg7.

Bringing the King into an active defensive role and making room for the Rooks to maneuver on the rank.

25.Rh3

A costly mistake as I was eying the e-pawn which might have been defended by Bd2 first.  Now, I strike with a tactical shot using a skewer on the K/R.

25…Rxe3!  26.Kxe3  Bf4+ 27.Ke2  Bxc1 28.Kd1  Be3  29.Bc3  N6d7  30.b3  Ne6  31.Rh2  Bxd4  32.Re2  Bxc3  33.Rxe6  Bf6  34.Kc2  b5  35.Nc3  Nc5.

The sqct is 13/12 which has little meaning other than the position is rather even spatial-wise. However, black has a pawn majority on the Q-side and his active pieces begin to  pressure the white position and limit movement. It is about time to bring the King into an active and aggressive role where the white monarch will be vested in a defensive capacity.

36.Re1  Bxc3  37.Kxc3  Rf8  38.Re7+  Rf7  39.Rxf7+  Kxf7  40.Bc2  Kf6  41.Kb4  b6  42.Kc3  Ne6  43.Bd3  Nf4  44.Bc2  Ke5  45.Bd1  c5  46.Bc2  d4+  47.Kd2  c4  48.bxc4  bxc4  49.Be4  Kf6  50.a4  Ng2.

Here the position was adjourned and black was awarded a win. (0-1).

Remember what I said about square count. Originally it was to find a way to map the ups and downs of a chess game. Its features spell out spatial assets in a position. The system can be used both for aggressive and defensive plans. In the above game, Mrs. Fuchs needed to defend her e3 square with best probably being Bd2. However, in advancing her aggressive intentions on the King-wing with Rh3, she overlooked the weak link in her position which subsequently squelched her excellent play to that point.

                                                   ***

 Bruno Schmidt was one of the top stars among amateurs in NYS events and a very gifted attacking player. This game was interesting because I had played this 6.h3 idea against Joe Coe from the same event and won a very tense battle.

The opening books suggest after 6.h3 that best ideas to try for black were Nc6, e6 or g6 but gave e5?! as questionable. I felt my opponent would have made himself familiar with this and decided to try e5 because I could see nothing fundamentally wrong with it and there is enough play to complicate the battle. Perhaps GMs or top masters might have concerns but in the hands of amateurs, I felt it was worth it psychologically to toss my opponent a ‘gift’ so-to-speak.

           Bruno Schmidt  (White)   vs  Don Reithel  (Black)

                                    Sicilian Defense

When I was first learning to play chess and my first adventures into tournament play by post and then after joining the Rochester Chess & Checker Club, I usually adopted 1…e5 opening defense and rarely a French, Caro Kann or Sicilian Game that came as I began to realize my opponents gearing up against 1…e5.

1.e4  c5  2.Nf3  d6  3.d4  cxd4  4.Nxd4  Nf6  5.Nc3  a6  6.h3.

In the Coe game, Joe tried here 6…Qc7 7.Be3  e6  8.N4e2 Nc6 9.g4  Ne5  10.Ng3  g6.

6…e5?! 7.Nde2  b5  8.g4  Bb7  9.Bg2  Be7  10.Ng3  g6  11.Bh6  Nc6!  12.0-0  Nd4  13.Nce2  Ne6.

The Knight takes up an excellent position and covers g7 nicely so I can drive away the Bishop.

14.Qd2  Ng8!

Sometimes you have to go backwards a step inorder to advance two steps.

15.Be3  Qc7  16.Nc3  Rc8  17.Rac1  Nf6  18.Nd5  Bxd5!

This is the right way to capture the Knight. Part of the reason Bruno wanted to exchange here was to free up e4 for his pieces in an anticipation of an eventual attack on the K-side.

19. exd5  Nc5  20.c4  b4   21.b3.

Why did he refuse to take the b-pawn with his Queen? On 21.Qxb4?? black’s Knight forks by Nd3 the Q & R.

 21…0-0  22.f4  Nfd7  23.f5.

All Hell is breaking loose! There was definitely a gleam in his eye and the pawn was screwed into the square as though to tell me that he was going for my King.

23… a5  24.Bh6  Rfe8  25.fxg6  fxg6  26.Qf2  Nf6  27.Rcd1.

Taking time to defend the d3 square and limit my counterplay.

27…Bf8  28.Bg5  Nfd7  29.Ne4  Bg7  30.Qf7+.

Obviously coming down to look around but I could not see any way white can achieve much.

30…Kh8  31.Nxc5  Nxc5  32.Qxc7  Rxc7.

I suspect he sought exchange of the Queens due to having spent considerable time on planning his attack and the fact that he was unable to find a winning blow with the Queen sortie.

33.Be3  Kg8  34.Rf2  a4  35.Bxc5  Rxc5.

Better than …dxc5 which would have given him more play.

36.Be4  axb3  37.axb3  Ra5  38.Rc2  Bh6!  39.Kg2  Be3  40.Rd3  Bd4  41.Rf3  Rf8  42.Rxf8+  Kxf8  43.Rc1  Ra2+  44.Kg3 Bf2+  45.Kf3  Bd4  46.Rb1  Rf2+  47.Kg3  Re2.

Suddenly white finds himself in hot water.

48.Bf3  Re3  49.Kg2  e4  50.Bd1  Re1  51.Kg3  e3  52.Kf3  e2.

From move 40ish on both clocks had flags rising. While the time control was reached, the end of the game was at hand. After one last deliberation, Mr. Schmidt resigned and congratulated me on my handling of the black forces in a very tense fight.

Kindred’s Kaleidoscope: Xerox Recreation Club Simultaneous

In 1971 the Xerox Recreation Center had a very active club which fielded two teams in the Industrial League. In training the teams, preparation included both class participation and active play. On this occasion I gave a simultaneous so as to gauge the skill developed from the sessions.

                     1971 Xerox Recreation Club Simultaneous

          Don Reithel  (White)    vs   Cecil  (Black)

                         Opening:  Caro Kann Defense

1.e4  c6  2.d4  d5  3.Nc3  dxe4  4.Nxe4  Bf5  5.Ng3  Bg6  6.h4  h5.

About the time this game was played some attention was given h5 as playable in one of the chess journals. However, the best move is 6….h6.  I was not at all familiar with the h5 idea.

7.Nf3  e6  8.Bd3  Bxd3  9.Qxd3  Nf6  10.Bg5  Nbd7  11.0-0  Qc7  12.Rfe1  Bd6  13.Nf5  0-0-0  14.Nxd6+  Qxd6  15.c4  Rdg8  16.g3  Ng4  17.Bf4  Qe7  18.a3  f6  19.b4  g5  20.hxg5  fxg5  21.Nxg5  Rxg5  22.Bxg5  Qxg5  23.Rxe6  Ndf6.

Black brings the Knight into position to assist in the attack against White’s monarch. The maneuver is too slow as it takes two or three tempi to effect a hostile action.

24.Rae1  Rg8  25.f4  Qh6  26.Qf5  Kb8  27.Re7 h4.

Note how White’s square count is growing which is often a sign of pending disaster.

28.Qc5  Rd8  29.Qa5!  Rc8  30.Rxb7+  Kxb7  31.Re7+ (1-0).

I made a copy of the scoresheet using a xerox printer.

Unfortunately Mr. Cecil was transferred so he never had the opportunity to play on the Xerox squad as I recall but was one of the potential starters. Both teams represented Xerox and finished with respectable totals in the league.

Kindred’s Special: Chess and Kids

One of the primary responsibilities of parents is to provide a loving home life for their children. There is no question that kids have enormous burdens handed them. In addition to regular subjects, students are bombarded with a host of social issues, school sports, class field trips, and class projects to supplement their homework. Parents expect help with chores and to keep their rooms neat while taking time to talk with them about issues and personal questions they want to discuss with either or both parents. Often parents work and have to balance home life with driving their kids and friends to after school activities, preparing meals, and to structure growth in their beliefs and religious training. It is easy to become frustrated with kids and scold with comments like: “Why don’t you do as well as your brother or sister?” forgetting that each child is a unique individual with different interests and capabilities. It is wiser to respect each for their good points and work on those where improvement can be made in a constructive manner. Sounds pretty commonplace!

So, where does chess enter the picture? In the past many children were not introduced to playing chess until they were in their teens. In fact, some did not learn to play until they were either working or attending college where some acquaintance needed a chess partner and taught them the basics of the game. Today we have kids who are taught from kindergarten on who find the game a lot of fun to play. A fairly good number work hard to improve their skill and learn about rating appreciation and wish to build upon it. Years ago boys were more interested in chess play but now many girls have found similar interest and challenge in playing due largely to the influence of school coaches, “Chess in the Schools” program and some excellent instruction books devoted to the younger player and computer chess programs aimed at sharpening their tactical eye.

Chess, like many games, enhance critical thinking skills and the attraction to chess by students has found a place in our social life. Chess literature has surpassed by far any other game. More important is the fact that it can be played almost in any setting. At times, when no chess set or board was available, players would create a makeshift board and set out of miscellaneous materials. This was true especially in prison camps during war time.

Perhaps the greatest value is found in the development of critical thinking skills complimenting those physical sports that add to muscular health. Parents who encourage their children to enjoy chess play and participate in school physical sport, music and other artistic programs that interest them lead their kids in scholastic enjoyments and memories that remain with them through life.

School years are a time to grow, to learn, to explore, to develop good study habits, responsibility and respect for and of peers, teachers, others and family members.

While I have provided herein the assets of chess learning, there are those who believe that chess as a war game is taboo and dangerous because it teaches children to be aggressive, point to playing for stakes, stimulating a competitive nature and this smacks in the face of the social elite who embrace the idea for strict social equality. Trophies anyone? There is no winner or loser? Everyone is equal. Everyone gets a prize just for entering.

I believe that children are not stupid. I believe they recognize that integrity, of honoring success has a place apart from the so called social tinkerers. I will tell them here that yes, chess is discriminatory because no two kids think or act alike or are in fact exactly the same. That is the joy of this world of chess. Every child, no matter his background, can achieve to the level of his or her best because in the final analysis, no one can play the positions, the game you are part of but yourself. Win, lose, or draw may make coaches, teachers, teams praise or wince at your result but that is in the end what chess is. Those who have the desire, who work to improve, are blessed with an ever growing appreciation for the game. And let no one tell you differently.  Remember that it is a game; so enjoy the competition and the time spent with friends.

Kindred’s Kaleidoscope: A Library Must

Yesterday I was browsing in Barnes&Noble and finding a couple books of interest and carrying them under arm, I decided to take a look in the chess shelf section. Lo and Behold! Another book that caught my eye immediately is the latest work by GM Larry Evans whose excellent column was cut in CHESS LIFE magazine.

THIS CRAZY WORLD OF CHESS is a must read for anyone interested in chess covering an array of topics. On the cover, it amply sums up the character of this book: After reading this controversial book, you’ll never look at chess the same way again!  I stand to differ with such a broad assessment; it is, however, the most revealing book covering a host of controversial subjects that only the grand old man of chess knowledge and behind the scenes historian, GM Evans, can reliably report and differentiate fact, myth and fiction.

The meat of the book covers in 101 entertainingly delightful subjects exposing the crazy world of chess blending a host of various tidbits of fun, humor, history, bizarre stories that keep you from laying the book aside once you open its pages. All the rumors, the Fischer that Larry Evans knew and worked with, the escapades from Karpov, Kasparov, and other legends of the chess world, brilliant interviews with long forgotten Dr. Ricardo Calvo and with Lev Alburt and Averbakh which will enrich your joy of chess. There are little known stories hidden in the annuals of history that only Evans could tap.

There are 297 pages loaded on every page with stories, games, a rich history of events only a man with a pen like Evans could tell. Thank you Cardoza Publishing for bringing this book to market! Thank you GM Evans for a truly enlightning look at chess as you experienced it. As Stan Vaughan, founder of the American Chess Association so well put: “Grandmaster Evans is a national treasurer.”  

Kindred’s Kaleidoscope: NYS Chess Beckons

The future of chess in New York State is better than ever with a host of tournaments across the various regions and the attraction of new business enterprises and growth opportunities makes it a good place to find a home for chessplaying guys and gals.  In addition there are states nearby that have super events like in the woods of Southeastern Connecticut near the mystic coast.

In some ways I would liken this to a piggy-back affair! Read on and I will explain.

Two really super tournaments take place in March 2008. What are these?

                                 The 30th Annual Marchand Open

                                            March 8-9,  2008

A Heritage event, this long time tournament has 40 Grand Prix points!

It has a rich history going back 30 years when local chess officials honored Dr. Erich W. Marchand with naming their main open tournament in his honor.  Dr. Marchand was many times Rochester Champ, and won many regional tournaments including a number of NYS titles and also was champion of Missouri prior to moving his family to Rochester, NY.  For many years he was the most active tournament player in USCF.

A mathematician of reknown, he served on the USCF committee to create what became known as the ELO rating system after the chairman A. Elo. Four members served on that committee and while slightly altered over the years, it has stood the test of time admirably.  He also served a term as Vice President to which Max Pavy wrote in Chess Life that he was happy to see Dr. Marchand serve as he brought much depth needed in guiding the ship of state.

Details can be found in CL, Feb. 08, page 63 which I repeat here.

5 rd Swiss System, 30/60 SD 60.  St. John Fisher College-Kearney Auditorium, 3690 East Ave.  Rochester, NY.  Guaranteed prize fund $$5375 Open: ($1000-550-300-175); U2200 & U2000 each ($300-175). Entry Fee: $55.00. Under 1800 ($350.-240-130) and under 1600 ($230-150).  EF: $50. Under 1400: ($240-160-100). Under 1200 $150-100. EF: $45. Under 1000: $150-110-75-40. Under 800 ($85-55-35). EF: $43. Unrated players in the under 1800 section can win only $125, in under 1400 and under 1000 ($55.). ALL ENTRIES $5 LESS HS, $10 LESS PRE-HS, $5 LESS IF RECEIVED BY 2/15/08. IMs and GMs free entry if entering by 2/15/08.  Registration: 8-9:15a.m. Rounds Saturday at 10-2:15-6:30p.m. Sunday 10a.m. and 2:15p.m.

1/2 pt. bye available in rd. 3 or 4 if requested at entry. Tel. inquiries  585-442-2430.  Ent.: Rochester Chess Center, 221 Norris Drive, Rochester, NY 14610. W JGP.

Excellent food is available at the college at reasonable prices!

A number of strong GMs and IMs and many other high rated amateurs fill out the open section with a host of lesser lights, but none-the-less battling it out in the lower sections, all vying for a piece of the bread called CASH or at least the chance to play maybe the game of their life! as well as meeting old friends for good food and chat at the college dining rooms.

                          10th annual FOXWOODS OPEN

                                     March 19-23, 2008

Sponsored by the Continental Chess Association. See full page ad in the February issue of Chess Life, page 80. Inquires may be sent to Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577.  Prize fund $100,000 based upon 650 entries.  $70,000 Guaranteed.

Playing in either or both of these wonderful events is an adventure and joy for chess players. These events are excellently run by efficient TDs and organizers.  One can sharpen his or her game in the Marchand and then feast on the menu at the Foxwoods Open!

If you like to play chess, meet interesting people, and enjoy a weekend of splendid opportunity to display your magic on the board, then you just got to consider entering these two great events. KindredSpirit would not entice you to make a wrong move or mislead you.

Kindred’s Special: Taxing Weekend Swiss

The Genesee Valley Open, a 6 rd. 3-day weekend long standing menu on the western NYS regional tournament agenda was hosted by the Rochester Chess Club in 1963. For me, it was to be a torture of sorts. In round 1 I defeated a Sicilian Defense in the hands of T. Noonan. The 2nd round saw me paired with the senior master Ivan Theodorovitch from Canada, rated 2323 on the pairing sheet. This game I present here for both its reasonable interest and to cook the meat of the Swiss System.

Swiss-pairings 1960s style were set up to match laddered players usually with the top half and bottom half per ratings, or; in huge events with breakdown of splitting the groups into 4 segments with the top meeting the lower top half of the ladder and the lower top against the lower players listed in order of rating. Then, winners are matched trying to keep white/black in order. The highest rated always started with white and altered colors thereafter. The TD would try to match players by point total lst and then by color if there was a color conflict. A TD could go so far as to match 3/4 places if necessary to get the colors right in the total pairings. The time control in those days was almost always 40/2 hrs. or 50/2 hrs. each side with an occasional altering like 45/90min. each and game in 30 or 60 additional minutes each. As could be expected there were usually a few games lasting many moves and tying up the start of the next round and or interfering with meals and rest time often leaving the affected players exhausted and enough stress to cause tummy aches for the Tournament Director (TD). This is a general explaination of how the Swiss System and Pairings work.

                            1963 Genesee Valley Open

       Ivan Theodorovitch (White)  vs  Don Reithel (Black)

                          Q-Pawn Opening by transposition

1.Nf3  Nf6  2.g3  g6  3.Bg2  Bg7  4.0-0  0-0  5.c3 The few times we had played in the past, I was defeated after hard fought battles. He played this move quickly so I guessed he had something special cooked up for me again!

5…c5  6.d4  cxd4 7.cxd4  d5 These were played quickly but now he spent some time thinking and then played…

8.Ne5 This sort of upset the symetrical and created an imbalance most likely favorable to white.

8…b6 9.Nc3  Bb7  10.Be3!  h6  11.Qd2  Kh7  12.Rac1  a6 My last two moves were in defense of his attaining 11/4 square count equaling a spatial edge which needed attention. One cannot shilly-shally but first things must come first.

13.Rc2  Nbd7  14.Rfc1  e6 Probably necessary to bolster defense of the d5 square and pawn sitting on it.

15.Nxd7  Qxd7  16.b3  Rfc8  17.Na4  Qd8  18.Qb4 Nd7 White has me on a slippery slope building up Q-side pressure. I am left with only defensive tasks and any thought of improving my position dynamics must wait.

19.Bf4  This relocation increases sqct and pressures squares along the new diagonal established.

19…Rxc2  20.Rxc2  Rc8  21.Rxc8  Bxc8 22.Qc3  Bb7  23.e3  Bf8  24.h4  This has the signs of a pending K-side action and after spending considerable time trying to find a way to smack that Bf4 had to settle for a Q-exchange offering which he refused. As a result though, I obtained the open c-file for my own Q!

25.Qb2  b5  26.Nc3  f5  27.Ne2  b4  Axing the c3 sq from use by the Knight.

28.Qb1  Nf6  29.f3  a5 The tide sqct-wise has turned to 10/12 in my favor. Does this mean very much? From my perspective it gave my spirit a boost!

30.Be5  Be7  31.Nf4  Qc6  32.g4  Bc8  33.h5  Launching a major K-side operation!

33…g5  34.Ng6  Bd8  35.Bf1  Qc3  36.Bd3  Qd2 Trying to enter through the back door.

37.gxf5  Qxe3+  38.Kg2  Qd2+  39.Kf1  exf5  40.Bxf6  Bxf6 41.Ne5  Kg7! Removing the King from the long diagonal.

42.Bxf5  Ba6+  43.Bd3  Bxd3+  44.Qxd3  Qxd3+  45.Nxd3  Bxd4  46.Kg2  Kf6  47.Kg3  Kf5  48.Kh3  Bb6  49.Kg3  Bc7+  50.Kh3  Bd6  Whenever 2 squares separate a Knight and Bishop either on a rank or file, the Bishop limits the squares the Knight influences.

51.Nf2  Kf4  52.Kg2  d4 Passed pawns need to be pushed.

53.Ng4  Bf8  54.Kf2  d3  55.Nh2  Bc5+  56.Ke1  Be3! 57.Kd1 Kg3  58.Ng4  Kxf3  59.Ne5+  Ke4  60.Ng4  Kf4  61.Nxh6  g4  62.Ng8  g3  63.Ne7  g2 White Resigns. (0-1).

So, two rounds are over starting 1pm Saturday, 2nd round at 6p.m. Lo and Behold! My next opponent is Dr. Erich W. Marchand. This game I played a variation of the Queen’s Indian Defense and it ended in a long weary draw at the 51st move. I discovered that I was playing the NYS champion from Buffalo, George Mauer in round 4. That game ended in an 18 move draw which I present here without notes for those who care enough to play out the game. The final rounds 5/6 were  played on Monday morning 9a.m. and 2pm. The event was wrapped up about 6 pm when prizes were awarded.

                          Genesee Valley Open, 1963  4th rd.

             Don Reithel (White)   vs   George Mauer (Black)

                                  King’s Indian Defense

1.Nf3  Nf6  2.c4  g6  3.g3  Bg7  4.Bg2  0-0  5.d4  d6  6.0-0  Nbd7  7.Nc3  c5  8.d5  a6  9.Rb1  b5  10.cxb5  axb5  11.Nxb5  Rxa2  12.Na3  Qb6  13.Nd2  Ne5  14.b4  Bf5  15.e4  Rxd2  16.Bxd2  Nxe4  17.bxc5  Qa6  18.cxd6  Draw by Agreement. In all I managed to lose one and draw to finish 3.5-2.5.

As tough as a 3-day schedule is, the normal weekend Swiss of 5-rounds (3 on Saturday, 2 on Sunday) are the most stressful. By the 3rd round on Saturday night, many games do not finish until well after 10pm or later with total exhaustion finding a bed and pillow a welcome resting place whether it be at home, hotel, motel, or college dorm.  And at the conclusion, players have the added prospect of traveling home and in many cases that is a long tour.Is this some form of MADNESS!!

Kindred’s Special: Fighting Irregular Play

                               Rochester Chess Club, 1958

                                  City Championship

                   Tumek  (White)              Don Reithel (Black)

This was the lst and only time I played Mr. Tumek who was a strong amateur with a reputation of having a weird style of play.  He called this opening: The Durkin Attack.

1.Na3  d5  2.c3  e5  3.Nc2  Bd6 4.e3  Nf6  5.d3  Bf5  6.Ne2  Qe7  7.Ng3  Bg6  8.Be2  h5 9.d4  Nbd7.  A long time ago but I remember that I felt satisfied with my position. My square count theory in effect has given me control of much of the board  and my pieces and pawns work well together. By deploying the Knight to d7, I keep c6 free for the c-pawn.

10.dxe5  Nxe5  11.Nd4  Qd7  12.f4  Nc6  13.Bb5  h4  14.Nf1  Be4  This counter action helps to put a crimp on Qa4 threat.

15.Qe2  h3  16.Nf3  Qg4  17.N1d2  Kf8  18.g3  Ne7  19.Nxe4  Nxe4  20. Nd4  Qxe2+ 21.Nxe2  c5  22.Bd3  f5  23.Bd2  c4  24.Bc2  Bc5  25.Nd4  Bxd4  26.cxd4  Nf6.  Removing the Knight from capture and keeps the e4 square under control.

27.0-0  Kf7  28.b3  g6  29.bxc4  dxc4  30.Rac1  Ned5  31.Rce1  Rhe8  32.Bd1  b5  33.Re2  White spins his own web tying up his free movement of forces.

33…a5  34.Rfe1  a4  35.Bc2  b4  36.e4  fxe4  37.Bxe4  Nxe4  38.Rxe4  Rxe4  39.Rxe4  c3  40.Bc1  b3  41.axb3  axb3  42.Re2  Ra1 White Resigns. (0-1).

Whenever you face a new opening idea by your opponent, stay calm and try to decide what the next few moves might include. This will give you some idea whether right or not as to how to deploy your own forces. Notice that I simply grabbed the center, developed my units to good aggressive squares aiming at the enemy camp and this gave me a good middlegame prospect. Such artificial maneuvering I have found often leads to pieces getting into one another’s way and usually sets the stage for mass exchanges leading to a winning endgame or a setup for a smashing attack against the King or a board sector which again gives winning prospects in the endgame.

Kindred’s Special: Smashing the Sicilian

Mark Lanze was a very talented teen at the Rochester Chess Club, one of many that included Bob Eberlein, Ken Rogoff, Al Lanze, the Plutzik Bros., Bob Joynt, Jr., Henderson, Dave Love and Chuck Baden. I often had some very exciting chess battles with all of them. In the following game, Mark Lanze again tests me in the Sicilian Defense and I was fortunate to come out on top despite the fast time control.

              Rochester Chess Club, 1971 Tornado #5

          Don Reithel  (White)        vs   Mark Lanze (Black)

                                     Sicilian Defense

1.e4  c5  2.Nf3  d6  3.d4  cxd4  4.Nxd4  Nf6  5.Nc3  a6  6.Bc4 e6  7.Qe2  At the time of this game, Bobby Fischer’s 7.Bb3 was most popular and I decided to try a little different approach to throw my young opponent a bone where he might go astray or at least be in less familiar territory.

7…Be7  8.Be3  Qc7  9.a4  Nc6  10.Nxc6  bxc6  11.a5  d5  One of the principles of this defense is that if d5 can be played Black gets a good and free position to play.

12.exd5  cxd5  13.Bb3  Bc5  14.Nxd5  Nxd5  15.Bxd5  Bb4+ 16.Kf1  Bd7  17.Bb6  Qc6  18.Be4  0-0  19.Rc1  Rb8  20.Bxh7+ Kxh7  21.Qe4+ Kg8  22.Qxb4  Bc6  23.f3  Qd7  24.Kf2  e5  25.Rhd1  Qf5  26.Qc5  Bb7  27.Bc7  Rbe8  28.Bd6  Rc8  29.Qxe5  Rxc2+  30.Rxc2  Qxc2+  31.Qe2  Rc8  32.Rd2  Qa4  33.b4  Re8  34.Qd1  Qb5  35.Bc5  Kh7  36.Rd6  Re5  37.Qd3+ g6  38.Qxb5  axb5  39.a6  Bd5  40.a7  Bb7  41.Rd8  Rd5, 42.Rb8  Bc6  43.a8(Q) Bxa8  44.Rxa8 Black Resigns. (1-0).

Mark played his heart out in this one and fought a gallant struggle in good generalship. Even though this was just a Tornado training event, I was pressed harder than I found in several of the Regional events sponsored by the club.

In 1973 I had occasion to do battle with another promising teenager, John Carini. It was a Sicilian in reverse coming out of my English Opening.

                     Rochester Chess Club, 1973 Tornado #23

             Don Reithel (White)   vs  John Carini  (Black)

                                       English Opening

1.P-QB4 N-KB3 2.N-QB3 P-Q4 3.PxP NxP 4.P-KN3  P-K4  5.B-N2  B-K3  6.P-Q3  N-QB3  7.N-B3  P-B3  8.0-0  Q-Q2  9.Q-R4  B-QB4  10.B-Q2  P-KN4  11.KR-B1  B-N3  12.N-K4  P-KR4  13.N-B5  BxN  14.RxB  P-R5  15.R/1-QB1  PxP  16.RPxP  B-R6  17. B-R1  B-K3  18.BxNP  PxB  19.RxN  PxR 20.RxP  RxBch 21.KxR  Q-R2ch  22.K-N1  B-Q2  23.NxKP  N-N3  24.R-K6ch  K-Q1  25.Q-Q4  P-B4  26.Q-Q6  R-B1  27.R-R6  Q-N2  28.R-R8ch  Black Resigns. (1-0).

This game was published by GM Larry Evans in his Chess Life column.  

Kindred’s Special: Short Battles to Enjoy and Study

The Rochester Chess Club Saturday tournaments featured both tornado events, skittles training play and both offerings found plenty of support. Here are a few examples of some short battles to wet your appetite so set up your chessmen and enjoy the battles.

                      1971 Friendly Skittles Game

          DR (KindredSpirit)   vs Bob Joynt, Jr.

                                 Alekhine Defense

1.e4  Nf6  2. e5  Nd5  3.Bc4  Nb6  4.Bb3  d6  5.Qh5  g6  6.Qf3  d5  7.d4  Bg7  8.a4  c6  9.Na3  0-0 10.Ne2  a5 11.c4  dxc4  12.Nxc4  Nxc4  13.Bxc4  Bf5  14.Bg5  h6  15.Bh4  Nd7  16.g4  Nb6  17.Bb3  Bd7  18.Nf4  g5  19.Nh5  gxh4  20.Qe4!  Be6  21.Bc2  f5  22.exf6 e.p.  Rxf6  23.Qh7+  Kf8  24.Qxg7+ Ke8 25.Nxf6+ exf6 26.Bg6+  (1-0).

              DR (KindredSpirit)   vs.  Anastaiadis

                     Sicilian Defense  (also a Skittles game)

1.e4  c5  2.Nf3  d6  3.d4  cxd4  4.Nxd4  Nf6 5.Nc3  a6  6.Bc4  e6  7.Bb3  b5  8.0-0  Be7  9.Re1  0-0  10.f4  Bb7  11.Kh1  Qc7  12.e5  Nfd7  13.Qg4  dxe5  14.Nxe6  fxe6  15.Qxe6+  Kh8  16.Qxe7  exf4  17.Nd5  Qa5  18.Nxf4  Nc6  19.Ng6+!  hxg6 20.Qh4mate (1-0).

               1972 Tornado #22, Rochester Chess Club

          Don Reithel (KindredSpirit) vs Eddie Frumkin

                             Caro Kann Defense

1.e4  c6  2.d4  d5  3.Nc3  dxe4  4.Nxe4  Bf5  5.Ng3  Bg6  6.Bc4  Nd7  7.N1e2  e5  8.0-0  h5  9.f4  h4  10.f5  hxg3  11.fxg6  gxh2+  12.Kh1  f6  13.Bf7+  Ke7  14.Ng3  Qc7  15.dxe5  fxe5  16.Bg5+  Ngf6  17.Rxf6!  Resigns (1-0).

Ed was the TD and he sent this game for publication in the Atlantic Chess Monthly. Ed became our active TD while attending University and living in Rochester. He is a real chess dynamo and I miss both his friendship and of course his chess prowess continues with appreciation for his services and talents where he has made his home.

                         1962 Lake Ontario Open

        Ed Walrath  (White)  vs  Don Reithel (KS) (Black)

                         Blackmar Gambitis/my Gruenfeld

1. P-Q4  N-KB3  2. P-QB4  P-KN3  3.N-QB3  P-Q4  4. P-K4 PxKP  5.P-B3  PxP  6.QxP  B-N2  7.P-KR3  0-0  8.B-K3  P-B3 9.0-0-0  Q-R4  10.P-KN4  N-R3  11.K-N1  N-B2  12.Q-N3    P-QN4  13.B-B4  N-K3  14.B-K5  P-N5  15.P-Q5  N-B4    16.B-B7  Q-R3  17.Q-K3  PxN  18.QxN  P-B7ch  19.KxP        Q-R5ch  20.K-B1  B-R3ch  21.R-Q2  BxRch Resigns (0-1).

I used the English Descriptive to give you practice in learning this move code so you become at least a little familiar with ED.

              Warren Lohr (White)     vs Don Reithel (Black

                                        King’s Gambit

1.e4  e5  2.f4  exf4  3.Nf3  Be7  4.Bc4  Nf6 5.d3  d5  6.exd5    0-0  7.Bxf4  b5  8.Bb3  Re8  9.0-0  Nxd5 10.Bg3  Ne3 11.Bxf7+ Kxf7  12.Ng5+ Kg8  13.Qf3  Nxf1  14.Qf7+  Kh8  15.Bxc2  Qd4+ 16.Kh1  Rf8  17.Qxe2  Ng3+ 18.hxg3  Rf1+ 19.Kh2  Qg1 checkmate.

                1964 New York State Open-Rochester, NY

               Don Reithel (White)        P. Smedley (Black)

1.e4  c5  2.Nf3  Nc6  3.d4  cxd4  4.Nxd4  e6 5.Nc3  Qc7  6.Be3  a6  7.Be2  b5  8.0-0  Bb7  9.f4  Nge7?  The Canadian expert said he had this same position against a number of experts and masters with none shattering him with my reply. “Now, I got to figure out a different line!” he told me when we did a postmortem.

10.Ndxb5  axb5 11.Nxb5  Qb8  12.Nd6+ Kd8  13.Bb6+ Resigns (1-0).

                    1969 Rochester Chess Club Match Game

                                          Pirc Defense

           Don Reithel   (White)     Horst Mohrmann (Black)

1.e4  d6  2.d4  g6  3.Nc3  Bg7  4.f4  Nf6  5.Nf3  c5  6.Bb5+ Bd7  7. e5  Bxb5  8.exf6  Bxf6  9.Nxb5  Qa5+ 10.Nc3  cxd4  11.Nxd4  Qb4  12.Nb5  Na6  13.0-0  Rc8  14.Qe2  0-0  15.a3  Qc5+  16.Be3  Resigns. (1-0).

I present these short games for your enjoyment and for study as they can point more clearly to mistakes and misjudgments about positions played between amateurs. I tried to pick out some of my games here having illustrations of how and not how to play chess. It is always easier to attack than to defend!

Kindred’s Kaleidoscope: A Hard Long Journey

In 1969 I decided to take my vacation and use it to participate in Corning, NY where the locals had arranged to hold the New York State Championship at the Corning Glass Corporation. I earlier wrote A Salute to An American Icon featuring my battle with John W. Collins from round 2. My success gave me a 2-0 score and lo and behold I was next paired with my fellow club president member, the famous amateur Dr. Erich W. Marchand who was to win this event (one of many) with a total score of 8-1!  So set up your chessmen and enjoy the battle!

Through the years I have played many exciting games with my opponent and probably got the white forces about 60% of the time. For some strange reason, Dr. Marchand always seemed to defend with one of the Sicilian Defense set ups. That pleased me because I had a high percentage of success against this opening for some reason.

           Don Reithel  — White   Dr. Erich W. Marchand–Black

1.e4  c5  2.Nf3  e6  3.d4  cxd4  4.Nxd4  a6  I believe this is the first time I met this defensive idea but had some knowledge of its peculiarities.  It is called the Kan Variation and is quite popular due to the hedgehog type defensive ideas it espouses. Being familiar with Marchand’s positional style I dismissed a 5.c4 variation and decided to choose to develop my pieces to good squares in keeping with my own philosophy of opening strategy.

5.Bd3! This seems to me to be the most flexible plan for white.  With this, white can avoid playing Nc3 where b5 could prove annoying later on.

5…Bc5  6.Nb3  Ba7  7.0-0  Nc6  8.Kh1  Nge7  9.f4  d5 10.e5  g6 11.c3  Building a stop gap at d4.

11…h5  12.N1d2  Ng8  My opponent, like Collins before him, enters into a N tour that is giving me space and a free-hand development edge.

13.Nf3  Nh6  14.Qe1  Na5  15.Nbd4  Bd7  16.Be3  Rc8  20.Rc1 Ng4  21.Bg1  Be7  22.h3  Nh6  23.g3  Na8  24.Be3  Rc7  25.c4  dxc4  26.Bxc4  Ba3  27.Rd1  Qc8  28.Ng5  b5  29.Bd3  Nf5  30.Ne4  Be7  31.Nxf5  gxf5  32.Nd6+  Bxd6  33.exd6  Bc6+ 34.Kh2  Rd7  35.Bxf5! Taking advantage of the fact that the f5 pawn is tactically not protected by e6 because of the pin on the e-file and so the King must move to safety.

35…Kf8  36.Qc3  Rh6  37.Be4  h4  38.Qxc6  hxg3+ 39.Kg2  Qe8  40.Qxa8  Rd8  41.Qc6  Rd7  42.f5  Rh5  43.f6  Kg8  44.Rf3  a5  45.Rxg3+  Kh8  46.Bf3  Rh7  47.Bb6  b4  48.Rc1  Rh4  49.Qc8  Qxc8  50.Rxc8+ Resigns (1-0). After Kh7 51.Rg7+ Kh6 52.Rh8mate.

Thus, this gave me 3-0 having played three very good players. This event was held over nine days with one round per day. Unfortunately I got sun stroke playing minature golf with Matt Katrein and a couple other chaps and/or KFC dinner I had eaten before the next round. My mind went completely blank during the next battle against Dr. Buehl and then drew with a postal expert and with US master Matt Katrein where a bishop of opposite color ending was drawn with me holding a pawn material edge. I managed to win one more game and a loss finishing with a respectable 5-4.

Lessons from this game:

(1) Develope your forces in a timely fashion.

(2) Don’t poke around when a firestorm approaches your house.

(3) An imbalance will always create better chances for the player whose forces are poised aiming into the guts of an adversary.

(4) Given the chance, make your opponent squirm on his britches.

(5) Avoid playing minature golf on a hot sunny afternoon!

(6)Get plenty of rest and relaxation before the next round.