Calli: Deacon missed Robey's 25...Rxd3+! In "The Knights and Kings of Chess",
George Alcock MacDonnell tells the story:
"Mr. Deacon left the table, and sought out his friend, the late Mr. Staunton. Finding that gentleman surrounded by a host of admirers — myself included — he invited all of us to come and
witness the grand finale with which he was going to crown his victory over James Roby. We at once accepted the invitation, and crowded round
his board. " You see," said Deacon, in a whisper, to Staunton, " he must take the pawn or the bishop ; if he takes the pawn I sacrifice the exchange
and mate in four ; and if he takes the bishop I sacrifice the queen, the queen, sir, and mate in seven." Indeed," muttered the British autocrat.
Scarce had this little scene been enacted when Roby looked up from the board, on which he had been gazing for a long time, and surveying the increased concourse of spectators, smilingly looked at Deacon, who was standing opposite to him, and exclaimed, " Won't you take your seat, Mr.
Deacon ? " The polite Deacon at once sat down.
"It's mate in five," said Roby, still looking at his
opponent.
"No," replied Deacon; "if you make
the best move I cannot mate you in less than
seven."
" It's mate in five," rejoined the hardhearted
Roby. "It is I who give the mate, not
you."
Then followed rapidly a series of brilliant
moves, and in two minutes Roby arose from the
table triumphant, leaving his opponent to sit on
there, utterly amazed and chapfallen. " Come
into the other room," said Staunton to his
friends. We obeyed his orders, and then gave
vent to our feelings in loud and long-continued
laughter.
Kibitzing
sac: 22...Qxa3
