Phony Benoni: I played Jackson in the 1975 U.S. Open. He was 78 at the time, nearly blind, and seemed so feeble that I couldn't help feeling a bit of pity for him, despite the fact that his rating was 200 points above mine.Figuring that he might not ever play in a tournament again, I decided to take him back to the days of his youth and employed the King's Gambit. This was sheer hubris, trying to intimidate a guy who had played Marshall and Alekhine.
I managed to survive into a drawn ending, and offered a draw. He refused politely, saying he had to play for a win because of his tournament position (we both had 2½ out of 5 at the moment).
About twenty moves later, I committed a breach of etiquette by offering another draw. This time his refusal was a bit huffier, and I realized that I was going to have to earn the draw--which I managed to do after 75 moves.
This was not, of course, his last tournament. In fact, at the 1978 US Open he won his class prize, defeating several strong Experts along the way.
