<<The handicap tournament is drawing to its latter end ... The club's records show that Crane, after winning ten games "running" succumbed to Fisher ... The event of the week was perhaps, the meeting of Fisher and Crane. The game ... attracted considerable notice from the onlookers. Mr. C. although hardly playing up to his usual force, will have to eat a few more Christmas puddings before he can expect to cope successfully with his experienced antagonist.>(a) 4.Nxd4
We believe this to be stronger than the more frequently played B to Q B 4 variation ; it hardly deserves, however, to be called a gambit, seeing that the Pawn is immediately recaptured.
(b) 5...Bxd4
Q to B 3, to which the right answer is P to Q B 3, is the "book" play here. Black is of opinion that the play adopted avoids complications and gives him an equal game.
(c) 8...Qb6
The advance of White's P was slightly premature. Black ought to have replied with Q to B 3.
(d) 9...Ne7
Kt to R 3 is perhaps better.
(e) 11...Kh8
Black's present move, and its follower, loses time and gets him into trouble. He should have played P to Q 3, with the view of getting his Bishop into action.
(f) 13.exf6
The first move of a neat combination, which gives White a marked superiority.
(g) 16.Ne4
Mr. Fisher should have won the game at once by checking with the R, e.g.
16. R to K 8 ch ; 16... R interposes, or * 17. K R to K sq ; 17... Aught ; 18. R takes R and wins.
* 16... Kt interposes ; 17. Kt to K 4 ; 17... R to B 4, best ; 18. Kt to Kt 5, leaving Black helpless.
(h) 20.Bd5
This is better than going to Kt 3 at once, as it gains time, and weakens the enemy's pawns.
(i) 22...Ne7
Black commits a serious sin of omission in not exchanging Knights ; had he done so, his game would have been very much improved.
(j) 24.g4
Good play ; the moves of the Kt, which follow, are also well planned.
(k) 26...Ng6
Playing the Kt home was his only chance.
(l) 27...Rxe4
Taking with the P is hardly so fatal.
(m) 29...Rf8
Nothing can save the unfortunate cavalier.>
Kibitzing
