Forgotten Gem!

While doing some research recently I came across the following clipping. Hope you enjoy!

"CHESS FINESSE"

 

The end-game below occurred in actual play recently, and was first published by the Dublin Mail. It suggests the following remarks to the Times-Democrat :- "It must be confessed that it is not easy to define in limited or exact phraseology what is implied by the term 'finesse,' in chessplay. Perhaps as nearly correct as any definition would be that characteristic displayed in 'a move, or a series of moves, of such type as to induce (not compel) the adversary to play an answering move, or series of moves, apparently fortifying his position or increasing his attack, but, altogether, resulting in the development of a position which the finessing player is seeking to attain for a decisive coup.' But this is assuredly a long-winded, if precise definition, and needs some piquant illustration like the following position occurring in a game played a time time ago between Mr. Portefield Rynd, of Dublin, the leading Irish player, and Mr. Shepheard, of London.

BLACK, 8 (Mr. Shepheard).

 

WHITE, 10 (Mr. Rynd).

White having to play, the game proceeded :-

1.Re3 !

A beautifully subtle move, displaying chess finessing of high order. White seemingly plays here primarily to prevent Black's menaced perpetual check by Nb3 amd Nc1+, or to tempt Black into the incautious capture of the rook, which would be instantly fatal by 2.Qc7+, etc.

1...Rb6

But Black thinks he sees the scheme in the entirety, and, in turn, threatens one of his

own. He now menaces the safe capture of the rook after first playing Rxb5! Note bene, he is already the exchange ahead.

2.Qc7+ 

A possible check before, but then more brutum fulmen. Now, the first whisper of genuine thunder.

2...Ka8 

We wonder if Black heard it as he played?

3.Rd3 !! Resigns.

A thunderbolt itself! If  3...Rxd8 4.Qxc8#; if 3...Nxd3 Rxd8#; if 3...Qxd3 4.Bxd3 and wins easily; and finally, if 3...Qg5 4.hxg5 and wins still more easily. An elegant wind--up, and all the outcome of that one little, finessing move.

('The New Zealand Herald,' 19 March, 1892)