| Sep-29-15 | | optimal play: <<<<<<CHESS> CHAMPIONSHIP OF AUSTRALIA.>
A SECOND WIN FOR MR. WALLACE.>
The sixth game was played at Gunsler's on Saturday night. Mr. Crane began with Anderssen's variation of the "Ruy Lopez," and the opening moves were similar to those of the fourth game. At the sixteenth move, White, who had obtained a well-developed game, sacrificed a Pawn, and secured therefor ample compensation in position; at move 20, however, Mr. Crane made an almost unparalleled blunder by deliberately placing his Rook en prise to Mr. Wallace's Queen. The loss of this valuable piece of course deprived the former player of any chance of saving the game, and he shortly after resigned. It must be admitted that the play exhibited has not been up to championship form, the first three games were draws - the outcome of cautious and sound play, but the fourth game was won by Mr. Crane owing to Mr Wallace's omission to make an obvious winning move; the fifth game was lost by Mr. Crane making a bad slip in the opening, and in the sixth game that player made an oversight that a novice would not have committed. The score now stands:-
Mr. Wallace, 2 wins; Mr. Crane, 1 win; draws, 3.
The match will be decided in favour of the player who first wins 7 games. Play will be resumed to-morrow night at half-past 6 o'clock. We publish the sixth game with notes.>
Sixth Game Ruy Lopez
<8.Ba4>
Up to this point the moves are identical with those of the fourth game, White now substitutes the text move for 8. Kt to K 3 <10...Be6>
Black has castled and developed five pieces against White's three, still the latter's game is safe enough. <12.Ng5>
The right move which clears the way for P to K B 4 presently. <13...Nc5>
If 13... P to K B 4, 14. Kt takes B, winning a piece. <15.Bxf4> (24 min.)
<15...Qe7> (17 min.) <16...dxc3>
Winning a Pawn but losing position.
<17.bxc3>
Best, 17. Kt takes B would result favourably to Black. <18.Bxc3>
Taking the B at K 3 would lead to the following variation:- 18. Kt takes B ; B takes R ; 19. Kt takes R ; B to Q 5 ch ; 20. K to R sq ; R takes Kt, with a P to the good and a safe position. <(18.Nxe6 Bxa1 19.Nxf8 Bd4+ 20.Kh1 Rxf8)> 
click for larger view<19.Bf6>
This is the critical point, when White must decide on his plan of attack. The alternative move to 19. B to B 6 was 19. P to Q 4, to which Black might reply 19... B to Kt 5, followed by 20... Kt to Q 2. <19...Qh6>
If 19... Q to Kt 5, White wins by 20. Q to K 3, for if Black moves the attacked Kt, he loses his Q by P to K R 3. <20.Rf4> ???
A champion's champion blunder; comment is unnecessary. The correct continuation was:- 20. P to Q 4 ; Kt to Q 2 ; 21. P to Q 5 ; Kt takes B ; 22. R takes Kt ; Kt to Q 5 ; 23. Q to B 4 ; Kt takes B ; 24. Q takes Kt, with the better game. <(20.d4 Nd7 21.d5 Nxf6 22.Rxf6 Nd4 23.Qc4 Nxb3 24.Qxb3)> 
click for larger view<20...Qxf4>
Black knows a good thing when he sees it.
<24...Kg7>
If K to R sq White would win by Q to R 6.
<25...Kh8>
Of course perpetual check follows if P takes the Kt; the rest of the game is plain sailing for Black.> - The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW) issue Monday 14 August 1893 page 3> ½ ½ ½ 0 1 1 (3½/6) Wallace
½ ½ ½ 1 0 0 (2½/6) Crane |
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