Sally Simpson: ***
I've just noticed this game has been added. a skittles game played in a pub but give a go, look upon it as a cartoon, chess is fun, too many people take it oh so seriously. When ever I go over it with my pupils (it has instructive moments - it is part of my 'The Queen is your weakest piece' lecture.) I always refer to it as... *** The Incident at Sandy Bells ***
A crowd of us were sitting around a board just discussing chess And this lad joined in and asked if anyone I wanted a game. I never refuse anyone a game of chess. No clocks, just quick pub moves. I sacced my Queen for the sheer fun of it. (I always messed about in pub games.)
but here was I most likely guided by the first few White moves. But I got play for it and won it back. Of course it could have been the 'I'm a duffer' ploy which worked on Fischer in a simul.
Fischer vs R F McGregor, 1964 (kibitz #10) In my game, here White to play.
 click for larger viewThe lad actually moved to play Qxc6+ but the crowd yelled,
'No take the Rook...Take the Rook!' (it was all good natured stuff) That of course is what I wanted, forget the numbers Rook=5 Bishop=3, here the Rook is useless. He took the Rook! Here:
 click for larger view14.Kf1 Bxg2 is mate.
After that I played to the crowd a wee bit, however it's pretty and instructive how the minor bits can tie up an undeveloped side. You cannot wins a game with a lone Queen. Here in kids lecture I offer £5.00 to anyone who can mate me. 'Take as many moves as you like.'  click for larger view(not lost £5.00 yet, but have not tried this v Alpha Zero.) Bringing her out too early often leads to trouble. etc... and all she does is attack, she does not defend. Everyone else is willing to lend a hand defending, but if you are reduced to defending anything with a Queen then she moans and sulks, an unhappy Queen leads to an unhappy position. She is not a team player. Black actually played a move at the end and was checkmated but I cannot recall what it was. Of course a few times I got burnt, but every now and then one of these popped up. (first!)
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