In fact, Burn was one of the best players in the world for many years, with lifetime plus scores against top players like Steinitz (+1 =3 -0), Gunsberg (+4 -3 =5), Pillsbury (+2 -1 =2), Charousek (+1 =1 -0) Bernstein (+3 -1 =0), Alekhine (+1 -0 =0), etc., and equal records against the likes of Zukertort, Chigorin, Maroczy, Spielmann, Nimzowitsch, etc.

1] Missed the all-important ...h6, which goes a long way against White's K-side attack. With this move, Black removes the target-Pawn from h7 with tempo gained on the White Bishop which normally retreats to h4.

2] Missed gaining a tempo on White's other Bishop with 7.Bd3 dxc4 8.Bxc4.

3] Missed the opportunity to exchange pieces with Nxd5. Black normally tries to un-cramp his position through exchanges in QGD.

4] Placed his QB passively on b7, since the long diagonal is shut down by P/d5. Normally that Bishop comes out on e6 instead, where it has some activity.

<after 2.c4>

"Britisher Amos Burn was a very conservative player and liked to settle down for a long session of close, defensive chess. He loved to smoke his pipe while he studied the board. As I made my second move, Burn began hunting through his pockets for his pipe and tobacco."

<after 4.Be7>

"Not much thought needed on these moves, but Burn had his pipe out and was looking for a pipe cleaner."

<after 8...exd5>

"He began filling up his pipe. I speeded up my moves."

<after 10.h4>

"Made him think on that one - and he still didn't have the pipe going."

<after 14...fxg6>

"He struck a match, appeared nervous. The match burned his fingers and went out."

<after 15...Nd7>

"Another match was by now on its way."

<after 16...Qf6>

"He was puffing away and lighting up at last. No time left."

<after 17.Rh8+>

"Poor Burn. I think I swindled him out of that one. If he could only have got that pipe going, it might have been a different story. He took it goodnaturedly and we shook hands. Then his pipe went out."