The "trap" was forseen but there is another line where Pakenham gets mated. But he had to take on e5 when it is better for White but not so easy to win

I have played some nice attacking games - many more than are on here. I have beaten most of the top NZ players at one time or another.

But I have also played a lot of incredibly bad games.

The best and most ingenious tactical calculations I worked out in my last game in this tournament, but a few moves after I suddenly "collapsed" with a weak move (wrongly thinking I was lost) and I lost the game.

But I did play some good positional (or primarily "positional" games) in Correspondence Chess. My win over a very strong player of those days, Dave Cooper I was proud of.

I think you are talking about Karpov. I am currently playing over his games: all his games from about 1974 to 1982 or so. I have greatly enjoyed his games. Against Velmirovic he just outplayed him in a game where that "attacking player" adopted a very sharp line. Velmirovic annotated the game.

Karpov also praises Fischer for what he brought to chess in that book. In those days, with the absence of Fischer (who, if you think about it carefully, had a similar style: a fighting style, but classicist in basis -in other words, like Fischer and maybe unlike Tal he played practical chess and also chess with great plans and logic: while of course they both could play great attacking games)he was the best player in the world, until Kasparov played so many games against him he learnt from Karpov.

But this game was not in that league for sure! I had dropped my rating some 180 points or so over 2 to three years and my confidence dropped. But I have played the odd combo: but those are really only the "stock in trade" of any reasonably good wood pusher.

The mate is quite nice though, not many of those double check mates for sale!

And yes. I had Karpov in mind when I previously launched my diatribe against "ultra-positionists". Owing to your advice along with another member on this site, <Perfidious>, I have 'seen the light' and softened my approach even discarding the separation of Chess masters according to the distinct styles of either positional and tactical. I have lately been enjoying (not studying) the games of Emmanuel Lasker. Lasker had a universal style (even though I am no longer hang up about style) and was also years ahead of his time!

Anyway, I am of the opinion that the fact that you learnt and enjoyed Chess with your Dad since the age of 12, and your involvement in correspondence chess, is responsible for your strength in the game including an ability to 'chastise' NZ Masters! The dropping of 180 rating points means that you have been a stronger player in the past than you have been possibly aware of. I have a feeling that some very strong players by virtue of their ratings are only so because of exposure and playing in tournaments with several IMs and GMs.

Playing through his second match versus Bogoljubov though, a careful look at that shows that he only played about 2 really good games in that match. Bogoljubov lost won positions (he had got into good positions in many games due to preparation and what looks like a superior understanding of chess - BUT as Alekhine knew, he used up a lot of time (like Korchnoi). Alekhine played one great combination but it was one one would expect any competent player of his level (Bogo himself) to play.

I don't know about the first match. But in that match there were some fascinating games, Bogo lost won games, drew won games. In one he took a draw due to time pressure only. AA was quite lucky to win.

I didn't see a huge difference between Capablanca and Alekhine. Alekhine avoided a rematch with Capa.

So chess is beautiful because of combinations but also the way players deploy their pieces and pawns etc etc I have had great difficulty in that area as in fact I used to play very attacking games: I have made many many sound and unsound combinations and sacrifices! I must upload more of my Q sac games.

But we all need to study or enjoy a range of styles. I haven't played competitively for a while as am busy elsewise also lack a car just now....