The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, March 08, 1964 - Page 96
Chess by Isaac Kashdan, International Grandmaster
Address letters to Chess Editor, L.A. Times, Los Angeles 53, Calif.
ADDISON CHAMPION OF STEINER CLUB
California chess champion William G. Addison, playing steadily and surely throughout, scored a sensational 10½-½ to win the championship tournament of the Herman Steiner, Chess Club, 8501 Cashio St.
The only draw scored against Addison was by Zoltan Kovacs, in a game that was evenly contested throughout two sessions. At no time in the tournament was Addison in serious danger of defeat.
Julius Loftsson took second place with a final tally of 7-4. He won five games, drew four and lost to Irving Rivise as well as to Addison.
James Lazos, with 6½-4½, is certain of at least a tie for third place. His score can be equalled by Charles Henin, who has 5½-4½ and an adjourned game with Robert Currie. This is the only game still to be completed.
Other scores of the 12 finalists are: Kovacs, 6-5: Morris Gordon. 5½-5½: Currie, 4½-5½; Carl Pilnick, 4½-6½: Rivise, 4½-6½; Richard Laver, Jr., 4-7; Guillermo Restreppo. 3½-7½ and Sven Almgren, 3-8.
Walt Cunningham and Tibor Weinberger also started in the event, but withdrew in the early rounds. The tournament, director was Kyle Forrest.
Following are two games by the leaders:
FISCHER EXHIBITION
Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, who at age 21 has already won the U.S. chess championship six times, will visit Los Angeles next month on his cross-country exhibition tour.
His first engagement here will he a 50-board simultaneous exhibition Sunday afternoon. April 12. at the Knickerbocker Hotel, 1714 Ivar Ave. in Hollywood. The charge for playing will be $3.50 per board, and $1 for spectators.
This will be sponsored by the Herman Steiner Chess Club. Reservations should be made in advance by writing to the club at 8801 Cashio St. Play will start promptly at 1 p.m. Players not ready by that time may be replaced.
The following Sunday afternoon, April 19, Fischer will appear at the Club Del Mar, 1910 Ocean Front, Santa Monica. Commencing at 2 p.m. Fischer will deliver a lecture and then take on 50 opponents in simultaneous play.
The charge here will be $1 for players with spectators admitted free. The club will select the 50 players from those applying. Anyone interested should write to the club, or call Alexander Bisno at EX 9-9201.
On Saturday, April 18, Fischer will appear at the Recreation Center in Santa Barbara. For reservations and further details write to Jack Tanner, 1505 Grand, Santa Barbara.
Your editor is particularly interested in this visit, as we will make every effort to convince Fischer to participate in the Interzonal Tournament in May. This is the next step on the road to the world champion-ship, and our young genius should take this opportunity.
CHESS CHARTS
Chess Charts is a new idea in the discussion of chess openings developed by A.M. Stevens, 3533 Central Ave., San Diego.
Each set of charts is based on a particular opening. The moves are given in columnar form, and under each move, for Black or White, is the percentage of wins for that side, based on games actually played.
The statistics are based on an index of about 45,000 tournament. games. It evidently took years to compile this index, which the author maintains and increases regularly.
To illustrate the method here are some figures from the latest set of charts, 40 pages on the Queen's Gambit. After 1 PQ4. Stevens tells us that White won 65% of a total of 15.387 games. Draws are not counted in determining the percentages.
After 1 P-Q4, P-Q4, we find that out of 6,206 games in the index, Black won 30%. From another chart we note that after 1 P-Q4, N-KB3, Black's percentages is 39, based on 7,995 games.
Experience has thus shown that X-KB3 is a better defense than P-Q4 to White's P-Q4. To go further. after 1 P-Q4, P-Q4: 2 P-QB4. P-N3. Black is down to 27% of 2.811 games played with those exact moves. Actually. this. formerly the standard defense to the Queen's Gambit. is rarely played today.
Stevens makes no attempt to evaluate any moves, except for the statistics indicated. When only a small number of games is involved, t.his can' be misleading, as Stevens indicates in a statement appearing in the charts.
As an example, after 1 P-Q4. P-Q4, 2 P-QB4, B-B4. Black 73%. based on 14 games, of which Black won eight, White three. and three were drawn. The variation is certainly not that good.
To quote the compiler. “Chess Charts are not intended to replace information given in the standard hooks on chess openings. They are intended as supplements, not replacements. Their function is to assist you in your use of whatever hook on chess openings you have.”
To date seven openings are available in Chess Charts, at a cost of $2 each. They are: Sicilian Defense, Ruy Lopez. Nimzo-Indian Defense, King's Indian Defense, French Defense, Caro-Kann Defense and Queen's Gambit.
SMOKELESS CHESS CLUB
Aaron B. Davidson has been elected president for the 10th consecutive year of the Verdugo Hills Smokeless Chess Club, which meets Thursday evenings in the Recreation Hall of McGroarty Park in Tujunga.
Other officers elected at the annual meeting are Harry Pollard, vice-president; Mrs. Dee Williams, secretary; Emil Schauerte, treasurer, and C. Scott Williams, tournament director.
Visitors are always welcome There are no membership dues.
L.A. Times Problem No. 3569
by J. A. W. Swane
Problem: (03/08/1964) White mates in two.
Solution: (03/29/1964).
Stockfish Analysis.
L.A. Times Problem No. 3570
by E. Tchelebi
Problem: (03/08/1964) White mates in three.
Solution: (03/29/1964).
Stockfish Analysis.
