James Mason vs James Moore Hanham (1889)

James Mason vs James Moore Hanham
USA-06.Congress New York 1889 · Queen Pawn Game: Sarratt Attack (D00) · 1-0

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Jun-27-03		akiba82: An interesting early example of the London System by Mason. A key move in White's attack was 27 g5 transferring the base, to use Nimzowitsh's phrase. Although Black could challenge White on the g file he is unable to oppose rooks on the h file. Steinitz, the world champion of the time, criticizes 29... Nf7 and suggests Black should get on with his Queenside pawn attack. Still exchanging knights is logical. In the game White's knight on e5 is all powerful while Black's knight on e4 accomplishes nothing. I think Steinitz underestimates White's attack and that Mason would have good attacking chances even if Black had got going on the queenside on the 29th move.

Aug-19-04		Zenchess: Starts out as a London System, but turns into a Stonewall formation. White's superior development was a major factor; Black's Q-side pieces didn't become a factor until it was too late. Black's Knight on e4 was like a one-horse open attack; it had no support from the rest of the pieces.

Jan-19-09		Marble: I think this is a fantastic site. Openings such as The Colle and the Stonewall (the so called 'system' openings) are frowned upon by some even though they can produce some great wins. The problem piece in White's development is normally the queen's bishop. Mason got around the problem over a hundred years ago (so why are some of us still struggling?)by playing his problem bishop outside of the pawn chain on the second move (a la Trompowsky). I didn't know that the opening was called The Sarratt Attack - presumably after the British chess player who died in 1820. If that's right, by the way, then the problem bishop was sorted out 200 years ago! www.dynamichesscourse.com

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