Great news!

If people can recall my post on Robert Pye - Ireland's greatest composer! They will be aware that I think Robert isn't receiving the attention (acknowledgment) he deserves. In an attempt to remedy this I have made contact with Robert. I have asked him for some more information on his work. It's with great pleasure that I can report that Robert has made contact and has promised to supply me with studies and games! With this information I hope to write an article for the ICU site and also create a page on this blog highlighting Robert's work. Looking forward to this task, you will be kept informed.

Belfast Northern Whig

I came across the following article in the Chess Player's Chronicle of 1861. I thought it might raise a smile.

MARRIAGE VERSUS CHESS

Let it be understood that I call marriage an evil only as regards Chess; for your new-made wife is a sad drag on your ardent chess-player, and we have even known ladies, married for years, who still cry out loudly, as their lord's weekly Club-night comes round; for that night they make every possible kind of engagement - that night is the only one of the week on which they can entertain their friends, and for that night, of all others, they most gladly accept an invitation.

Then the great female failing is antagonistic to the silent game, and players are obliged to dispense with ladies' society at their meetings. This leads to bachelor parties, another great cause of conjugal offence. I entertain all possible love and reverence for the sex; but still, with this my experience, I cannot refrain from advising the bachelor chessplayer, contemplating matrimony, to pause before he take the fatal leap. He must choose for himself; but let him do it deliberately between his board and his wife - between his chess-box and her band-box. Except through many a matrimonial row, there is no middle way.

- Belfast Northern Whig.

"The Chess Player's Chronicle" lifted the piece from the "Belfast Northern Whig". This is but one of many pieces from this paper mentioned - so the chess scene in Belfast must have been extensive during this period.

Dublin Chess Congress 1865

I came across the following on page 286 of "The Chess Player's Magazine" of 1865. It makes fascinating reading. Highlighting an important stage in the development of International tournament chess. "The Chess Player's Magazine" of January 1866 reviewing 1865 stated that the "Dublin Congress was the principal event of the year". It was among the first international chess tournaments and shows the standardization of international rules of play. It replicated London 1862 in having a time-limit and also a means of controlling the same. The London tournament had a time limit of twenty-four moves in two hours, and also used hour-glasses. Also, the question of ownership of the actual game score is raised. This question is still being debated today.

So read, digest and enjoy!

DUBLIN CHESS CONGRESS – 1865
REGULATIONS TO BE OBSERVED BY PERSONS PLAYING IN THE TOURNAMENT

1. The Games shall be played according to the rules to be decided on by the players present during the opening meeting to be held on 25th September, eight o’clock, p.m.
2. The maximum time to be allowed each player for making his moves shall be two hours for twenty moves, to be measured by sand glasses, one for each player. Antagonists being at liberty to restrict the time still further, should they agree to do so. When it is a player’s turn to move, his sand glass shall be set running and shall continue so until he shall have completed his move, when it shall be stopped, and his opponent’s glass set running in the same manner; and so on to the end of the game.
3. The Games shall be divided into periods of twenty moves, commencing with the first move on each side. Should a player not have made twenty moves within two hours, and forty moves within four hours, and sixty moves within six hours, and so on, he shall forfeit the game.
4. The Games shall be played out at a sitting, and no player shall leave the room during such sitting without the consent of his opponent, except for a reasonable time, - maximum fifteen minutes, once in each sitting.
Any player analyzing an interrupted game, by moving the pieces either by himself or with others, or conferring with others upon the game, shall forfeit the game.
5. Combatants paired off for any particular day shall agree upon the hour at which their game on that day shall commence (such agreements to be entered in a book kept for that purpose); failing which it shall be left to the Managing Committee, to decide what penalty shall be inflicted. Should a player not appear within one hour of said appointed time, he shall pay a fine of five shillings; and should he not appear within two hours of the appointed time he shall forfeit the game. In Tournaments Nos. I and II., it is suggested, that in the event of a large number of entries, no hour later than eleven a.m. (half-past ten o’clock if possible) be fixed, in order that time be so divided as to allow of an average of nearly two games a day or ten games per week, but more if possible, being played.
It is hoped that players in Tournaments, I. and II., in case there should be a large number of entries, will exert themselves to play as many games as possible beyond the number of ten per week, in order not to detain visitors who have entered their names to play. Evening play, however, not compulsory in Tournaments Nos. I. and II., and day play not compulsory in Tournament No. III.
6. In Tournament No. III., each player shall be bound to play five games in the week (failing which, the Managing Committee shall decide what penalty shall be inflicted). It is hoped, however, that the some exertions to play as many games as possible in the week will be made by the players in this Tournament, as in Nos. I. and II. Players, however, in Tournament No. III. Who have entered their names in Tournaments I. and II. Shall give preference of play to the latter, and shall not be subject to any penalties until Tournaments I. and II. Shall be decided.
7. If any Tournament shall remain unfinished by the 25th October, it shall be left to the Managing Committee to fix time and place of completion.
8. If any game shall remain unfinished at half-past ten o’clock p.m., on any day, it shall be left to the option of the Managing Committee to decide such game as won or drawn, or that it shall be played out the next day. In case of a quorum of the Committee be not present, such unfinished game to be played out the next day.
9. The second player in each game shall furnish, in an envelope addressed to the Managing Committee, a copy of same, on the day of completion of said game, legibly written, and giving full particulars, such as names of players, date of play, duration of game, number of Tournament, &c., on the printed forms to be supplied for the purpose, under penalty of five shillings for each game so omitted. The first player in each game to have choice of colour.
10. Each person, before commencing to play in any Tournament, must have previously paid to the Hon. Treasurer the entrance fee to that Tournament.
11. All games to be played in the rooms, and during the period, appointed for the Congress.
12. The Games to become the property of the Managing Committee. None shall be published, or given for publication, without the consent of that Committee, under penalty of £1 for each game so published. This regulation to remain in force until the 31st of December, 1865.
13. All fines shall be paid to the funds of the Congress.
14. Each player in any of the Tournaments shall be bound to the conditions attached to such Tournament, and shall have, prior to his commencing to play, to sign his name, consenting to abide by these rules, in a book to be opened for that purpose; but each player shall have power to appeal to the Managing Committee, whose decision, however, shall be binding and final.
15. The Managing Committee reserve to themselves the power of altering adding to, or modifying the foregoing Regulations.

PETER JONES, Jun., Hon.
THOMAS LONG, Secretaries.

Dublin, August, 1865.

Don't Resign Too Early!

This is the snappy title to an excellent article run in the original "Ficheall" in 1958. I present, verbatim, a fascinating position from the May issue. Again you may call it laziness - but I say why fix it if it isn't broken.

"Most players are inclined to resign too late rather than too early, but the opposite case is not unknown. In this page of missed last-minute escapes we refrain from giving such well-known chessnuts as von Popiel-Marco; all our examples are relatively recent and, we hope, new to our readers."



White looked at 1.Rh7 Ka5 2.Rxb7 Ka3 3.Rb8 Ka7 and resigned. He could have saved the game in two different ways!


Solution - don't peek till you've tried!
This is one of the strangest happenings in the history of tournament chess. After Mieses had resigned, his colleagues pointed out to him that 1.Rh7 Ka5 2. Rh8 (instead of Rxb7!) would probably have won, because with the king on the a-file the threat of Ra8+ could not be parried.

Could it not? In 1950 – 36 years after the event – grandmaster Szabo pointed out that 1...Ka5? Is a serious error for Black, instead of which he must play (1...a1=Q if then 2.Rxb7+ Ka5 3.Ra7+ Kb4! 4.Rxa1 – and Black is stalemated.

But this is not the end. Another seven years later. S. Driman, of Johannesburg (South Africa) found that Mieses’ first idea, 1.Rh7 Ka5 2.Rxb7 Ka6 and now 3.Bf3! was also good enough to draw. For if now 3... a1=Q 4.Bd5! the Black queen is helpless to budge the position of the White Rook, Bishop and pawn, with the easiest of easy “positional“ draws!

A remarkable position - again showing why chess is such an attractive game. However, on research I have encountered a number of problems with this position. Firstly, the game was not played in the Mannheim tournament of 1914. Secondly, on a web search of games databases I can not find the game either. It may have been played during the internment of the players in Mannheim but you would expect the score to be available. Anyone who can clarify these questions please contact me.

Dun Laoghaire Master Tournaments

It's absolutely great news that the Dun Laoghaire Chess Club with the ICU and Rathdown County Council are organizing two closed all play all tournaments in Aug. Details of which can be seen on the ICU site. These tournaments will hopefully provide Irish players with GM and IM norms.

Now, for the real reason for this post! In today's world the profile of these tournaments (and Irish chess) can be highlighted easily, and for free, with the use of the internet. A blog could be created giving the results of each day’s games and the game scores. This event provides the ideal opportunity because of the small number of competitors involved. A simple hit counter would provide the necessary feedback on the interest generated.

Finally, it would be great if these tournaments became an annual event. For this reason I think the rough costs of organizing the event should be made public. The figure would provide a useful reference for other potential organizers.

Ireland's greatest politican?

Came across the following image on Edward Winter's "chess notes" site. It was too good to let go. Whatever your politics it has to make you think!

An Tostal (VI)

Well here, about time you say, is the final report on An Tostal, Cork 1955. This, I'm sorry to say, represents all the knowledge available, to me, on this tournament. It's such a pity that such an important event should be almost forgotten.

COUNT O’KELLY WINS TOSTAL TOURNAMENT
With a quick draw with Van Scheltinga of Holland, Count O’Kelly last night assured himself of first place in the Tostal International Tournament held in Cork, repeating his success of last year. Van Scheltinga played the Sicilian Defence, but an early exchange of queens left a level position.
Reid against Dr. Bernstein played the Exchange Variation of the Lopez. In a complicated position the balance remained even, until Reid sacrificed a pawn on move 30 for dubious prospects, and got into difficulties. He resigned on move 36 as a piece was lost.
B.H. Wood against J.J. Walsh launched a massed Kingside attack against Walsh’s King’s Indian. Walsh defended carefully and reaches a queen and pawn ending with fair prospects. The game is adjourned.
E.N. Mulcahy went for a Q-side attack against A.J. O’Sullivan’s King’s Indian, having a knight against a bad bishop. On move 33 O’Sullivan blundered and lost two pawns. The game is adjourned.
Position with one round to go; Count O’Kelly, 5½ pts.; T.D. van Scheltinga, 4 pts.; Dr. Bernstein, 3½; B.H. Wood, 2 ½ (and one adjourned); E.N. Mulcahy, 2 (and one adjourned); J. Reid 2; Walsh 1 ½; O’Sullivan 1.
"Examiner" Thursday 19th May 1955

TOSTAL CHESS TOURNAMENT CONCLUDES
Count O’Kelly And Dr. Bernstein Draw
The Tostal International Chess Tournament concluded last night in Cork. Count O’Kelly de Galway enhanced his reputation as one of Europe’s foremost chess exponents by winning the masters section.
The first game to finish was that between the tournament winner O’Kelly and the veteran Dr. Bernstein – a 21 move draw from a French Defence.
B. H. Wood got the worse of his King’s Indian Defence with D. O’Sullivan, but when it looked as if the Irishman was going to spring a surprise he gave Wood an immediate win by putting a piece en prise.
J.J. Walsh who earlier in the day lost his adjourned game to Wood, scored an incisive win over J. Reid. The game was a Sicilian Defence and was adjourned after 34 moves, Reid resigned without resuming.
Mulcahy, against Van Scheltinga, defended with the King’s Indain and got a cramped position. He eased his position by exchanging; Van Scheltinga then opened the Q-side too hastily and Mulcahy won a pawn. The position then came down to Rook and two pawns against Rook and one pawn, which Mulcahy tried hard to win as it would put him in the prize list. Van Scheltinga, however, defended carefully and drew after 69 moves and seven hours play.
Final positions: A. O’Kelly de Galway, 6 ½ pts.; B.H. Wood and T. Van Scheltinga 4 1/2 ; Dr. O. Bernstein 4; E.N. Mulcahy, 3 ½ ; J.J. Walsh 2 ½; J. Reid, 2, D. O’Sullivan 1.
"Evening Echo", Friday 20 May 1955

The following game is annotated by Maurice Kennefick who represented Ireland in the 1970 and 1976 Olympiad. He had the remarkable result of drawing nine of his eleven games in Siegen Olympiad.

And now a cross-table, stolen of course, from the ICU site.



Just to warn you, if I come across any new information on this event I am liable to post it!

An Tostal (part V)

Time to have another look at An Tostal 1955 which was held in Cork. In this article I again reproduce the reports as found in the contemporary "Evening Echo".

Round four was held Monday 16th May 1955. There was no play on Sunday!

E.N. Mulcahy Beats Dr. Bernstein In Adjourned Game.
In the fourth round of the International Master’s Tournament Count O’Kelly gave a brilliant display of combinative chess. Defending with the Sicilian against J. Reid, he won a pawn on move 12. In return Reid got strong K-side pressure. At a crucial moment, however, O’Kelly broke open the centre - and on the 26th move gave up his queen for 2 minor pieces and a fierce attack. He pushed home the attack strongly forcing Reid’s resignation on move 38.
Van Scheltinga had his first win – defeating B.H. Wood in a Nimzo-Indian defence. Wood appeared to have the better of the opening, but overreached himself on the queen’s wing and lost the exchange – resigning shortly afterwards.
In the game Mulcahy – Walsh, a king’s Indian Defence, black played a little too sharply and weakened his K-side. Mulcahy launched a strong attack, won a pawn, and then simplified into a winning ending. O’Sullivan played his favourite Reti against Bernstein, who took the initiative early on the Q-side. After the exchange of pieces O’Sullivan won a pawn, which Bernstein almost immediately recovered. The game is adjourned in an almost level position.
In his adjourned game with Dr. Bernstein, Mulcahy advanced his passed Q.R. pawn and then entered with his king on the K-side to win a piece, whereupon Bernstein resigned on the 69th move.
Present Positions – Count O’Kelly de Galway 4 points: T. Van Scheltinga 2.5 points: B.H. Wood, J. Reid and E.N. Mulcahy 2 points; Dr. Bernstein 1.5 and 1 adjourned; O’Sullivan ½ (plus 1 adj.); Walsh ½.





COUNT O’KELLY DEFEATS E.N. MULCAHY
The first game to finish in the fifth round last night was the encounter O’Kelly – Mulcahy. O’Kelly had slightly the better of the opening a King’s Indian. Mulcahy forced the exchange of queens on move 21, but O’Kelly’s pressure still continued, forcing a passed pawn on the sixth rank. In a lost position Mulcahy exceeded the time limit and resigned.
Van Scheltinga – Reid was another King’s Indian. White’s careful positional play won him a pawn on move 25. He simplified in a won ending. Reid shortened matters by blundering away a rook in time pressure.
Walsh again opened very sharply against O’Sullivan’s Sicilian. In a tense middle-game O’Sullivan got good counter chances against Walsh’s king but blundered and lost a piece and shortly resigned.
Dr. Bernstein met Wood’s Sicilian in a unusual manner. After careful manoeuvring he won a pawn on the 33rd move: queens were exchanged a few moves later. The game is now adjourned in a rook and pawn ending.
Adjourned games – D.J. O’Sullivan draw with Dr. O. Bernstein in a bishop and knight ending.
Present positions: O’Kelly de Galway 5 points, T. Van Scheltinga 3.5; Wood, Reid, Mulcahy and Bernstein 2; Walsh 1.5; O’Sullivan 1.

Thanks for looking, till next time! If anyone has any information on any of the players mentioned or of the event itself please leave a comment.

Ireland's greatest composer?

Robert Pye must have the distinction of being Ireland’s most prolific study composer. Though sadly I have little information on the man, my research has shown that he has composed at least 19 studies. Some may be familiar with his series on “STUDIES” in the ICJ in 1991. In one article Robert stated that “A composed study is thus an attempt to express a particular idea in the most economical way”. For your enjoyment I present below seven of his studies.





After playing through the above selection you have to agree that based on his own criteria Robert has certainly achieved his aim. The mind boggles at the effort required to compose these studies.

If anyone has more information on Robert Pye please contact me.

From the dean of Irish Chess

For all those who are unaware of J.J. Walsh's other talents here is a cartoon from "Fiacla Fichille" Vol.2 Issue No.16 December 1984.

An Tostal (part IV)

My thanks to David McAlister who sent me the following witty story:

Your mention of van Scheltinga and Euwe in Ficheall reminded me that I was sent a story told by Euwe about an incident van Scheltinga became involved in at Cork 1955.

It is from Caissas Weltreich (Euwe, Spaak, 1956), p.100:

"Irland hat inzwischen auch begonnen, Turniere zu organisieren, und zu den Teilnehmern von Cork 1955 gehörte der niederländische (internationale) Meister Theo van Scheltinga, der eines Abends am Eingang seines Hotels erschien und diesen Eingang verschlossen fand. Van Scheltinga schellte und schellte, hatte aber keinen Erfolg, obwohl die Schelle einen Heidenlärm machte. In dem Hotel schien niemand mehr am Leben zu sein, um so mehr aber ausserhalb, denn halb Cork strömte alarmiert herbei um zu sehen, was da los war, und selbstverständlich rückte auch die Polizei an. Dreiviertel Stunden lang hatte van Scheltinga seinen breiten Daumen auf die Klingel gedrückt. Dann erinnerte er sich der Handwerkschule, in der er zum Zimmermann ausgebildet worden war. Mit ein paar sanften Griffen löste er das Fenster aus den Fugen und arbeitete sich unter den Bravorufen der Polizisten ins Haus. Man darf dies ohne weiteres einen "forcierten Gewinnweg" nennen."

Here's my schoolboy German translation:

Ireland has now also begun to organize tournaments, and the participants of Cork 1955 included the Dutch (international) master Theo van Scheltinga, who appeared one evening at the entrance of his hotel, and this entrance was locked. Van Scheltinga rang and rang, but without success, although the bell made a racket. In the hotel, no one seemed to be alive, not so outside where half of Cork rushed alarmed to see what was going on, and naturally the police appeared. For three-quarters of an hour van Scheltinga had his broad thumb pressed to the bell. Then he remembered the trade school where he had been trained as a carpenter. With a few soft taps he loosened the window out of its joint and worked his way into the house among the cheers of the police. One may readily call this a "forced winning manoeuvre”.

An Tostal (part III)

Round three
On Saturday night in the Little Theatre Hall, C.Y.M.S. the third round of the Tostal International Masters Tournament was played. O’Kelly was the first to finish with a very incisive win against B.H. Wood, leaving himself in the lead with full points. Wood handled the Dutch defence a little too sharply, and O’Kelly, by a carefully calculated combination gained a decisive material advantage early on.
J. Reid continued to show excellent form in defeating E.N. Mulcahy in a vigorous Ruy Lopez attack. Mulcahy played the opening inaccurately, allowing Reid to build up some king-side pressure. A blunder lost him a vital pawn, and a second allowed a mate in two bringing the game to a sudden finish on move 26.
J.J. Walsh defended carefully against Dr. Bernstein’s Ruy Lopez. He got a probably decisive advantage in the end-game, but after overlooking a winning line his game went rapidly downhill. The game was adjourned, but Walsh resigned without resuming.
The game van Scheltinga – O’Sullivan also brought surprises. Van Scheltinga obtained a clear advantage against O’Sullivan’s King’s Indian Defence. Careless play allowed O’Sullivan to recover and get strong counterplay. The game is now adjourned in a Q and pawn endgame with level material.
Adjourned games-J.J. Walsh defended carefully in his adjourned game against van Scheltinga, and eventually forced the draw. Mulcahy in his adjourned game against Dr. Bernstein forced off the heavy pieces and won a pawn. The game is again adjourned (resumption 12.30 to-day).
Present leading positions – Count O’Kelly de Galway 3 points; J. Reid and B.H. Wood 2 points.



I present below J.J. Walsh's memories of An Tostal 1955 taken from his booklet "From My Games 1949-83."



Well that's another installment done. Bear with me, I'm getting there.

An Tostal (part II)

Here is the second installment on my look back at Cork's first international chess tournament. It's a difficult decision whether to edit contemporary reports of events or not. There's not much point unless you can add something to the original, in this installment I cannot. In future to distinguish my input (which will be little) I will place it in italics.

Just a piece of little known, maybe useless, information - Theo Van Scheltinga was Max Euwe's second during the 1948 World Championship tournament.

Round one Thursday 12th May
One of the finest games in the masters section was that between J. Reid (Munster and former Irish champion) and D.J. O’Sullivan. Reid handled the Sicilian with great skill, sacrificed a pawn on the 11th move and developed an attack on Black’s uncastled king. Threatened with unavoidable mate, Black resigned on the 32nd move.
Another ex Irish champion E.N. Mulcahy played a King’s Indian, lost two pawns to a neat combination by the English player, B.H. Wood and promptly resigned.
Count O’Kelly de Galway defeated J.J. Walsh (Leinster) in a King’s Indian defence.
Adjourned – T. Van Scheltinga (Holland) v. Dr. Bernstein (France) – in a rook and pawn ending where van Scheltinga has a slight initiative.

Round two Friday 13 May
Last year’s winner Count O’Kelly gave an impressive display of positional chess in defeating D.J. O’Sullivan (Leinster) in 31 moves of a Reti opening when the Tostal chess tournament was continued at Cork last night.
After an early exchange of queens O’Kelly launched a Q-side attack and gained a pawn on move 27. O’Sullivan blundered in a lost position and resigned on move 32.
B.H. Wood (England) had his second win defeating J. Reid (Munster) in a Bird’s opening. In a strong Q-side attack he won a pawn on move 25, forcing his opponents resignation on move 33.
Dr. Bernstein defended with the Slav Defence against E.N. Mulcahy, Queens were exchanged on move 16 and Bernstein by advancing in the centre obtained a passed pawn. Mulcahy counter-attacked on move 34 to liquidate the centre. The game is adjourned in an apparently even position.
Also adjourned is the game J.J. Walsh-van Scheltinga – van Scheltinga have the slight advantage of the two bishops in a minor piece ending.
Present scores – O’Kelly and Wood 2 points, Reid 1 point, van Scheltinga and Bernstein ½, O’Sullivan, Mulcahy, Walsh 0.





That's all for today folks!