chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
 
Chessgames.com User Profile Chessforum

Teyss
Member since Sep-30-20
Since my (chess) life is utterly uninteresting, I won’t bore you about myself, my favourite players, my simul against Kasparov in 1990, etc. Instead I’ll show as a small present a fantastic puzzle; it’s a masterpiece of simplicity and complexity. If you haven’t seen it, try finding the solution, it’s worth it. If you have, it might be fun to go through it again. Enjoy.


click for larger view

White to play and win (David Joseph, British Chess Journal, 1922).

Any luck?

Don’t cheat, now.

All right, here it is.
_____________________________________________

Easy, let’s queen the h2 Pawn before the one on a6 does: 1.h4? axb5 (not a5??). Oops, draw at best. Well that was too simple, let’s take the a6 Pawn then: 1.bxa6? b5 (not bxa6??). Draw again, damn it.

Annoying pawns. Let’s first block the b column: <1.b6+ Kb8!> (not Ka8? or Kxb6? as we’ll see). Aha, now I can queen: <2.h4 a5 3.h5 a4 4.h6 a3 5.h7 a2 6.h8=Q> *yawn* and wins <6…a1=Q> NOT. 7.Qxa1 stalemate, damn, damn. If the Black King were on a8 or b6 White would win, but the bugger isn’t.

Wait I get it, it’s one of these tricky studies, I should have underpromoted.
- 6.h8=B? a1=Q 7.Bxa1 Draw.
- 6.h8=R? a1=Q Black wins.
- 6.h8=N?? and my opponent might have collapsed laughing but it’s a long shot.

So perhaps I didn’t mess it up yet. Patzer sees check, patzer gives check: 7.Qh2+? Ka8 8.Qc7 (threatening Qc8#) Qf6+ 9.Ke8 Qf8+! 10.Kd7 Qe7+! 11.Kc8 Qd8+! Stalemate. Likewise after 9.Kc8 or 9.Kd7. What if 7.Qh3? (same threat) Qd4+ and 8...Qxb6. Still no cigar.

Lemme think. "A mate is a stalemate plus a check." - Shakespeare. So how about <7.Qg8!!> threatening 8.Kd7# or Ke7# (we’ll see why this move and the following deserve two exclamation marks). <7…Qa2!> (not 7...Qc1? or Qc3? 8.Kd7+ Qc8+ 9.Qxc8#).

Uh, stalemate again. You’re pushing it, wise guy. <8.Qe8!! Qa4!> Won’t give up? Is it Groundhog Day? Er… what next? Oh yes, patzer sees check: <9.Qe5+ Ka8 10.Qh8!> Back to starting point, only now your King is exposed, smartass.

<10…Qf4 (or other)> Your desperate attempt does not impress me: <11.Kd7+ or Ke7+ (or Qa1+) Qb8 12.Qa1+ Qa7 13.Qxa7#> Phew, almost blew it. Now call it a draw like in "Holy Grail"!

The equilateral triangular manoeuvre by the Queen to undo the stalemate position is aesthetical. But did you figure out why White did not play 7.Qe8 right away? Or 8.Qf8 before 9.Qe8 (surely, not to save time)? That’s what makes the study most beautiful. Think a bit before looking below.

All set?

(a) 7.Qe8? Qg7!! Draw (trust me).
(b) 8.Qf8? Qa3! 9.Qe8 Qd6+ 10.Qd7 Qxd7+ 11.Kxd7 Draw.

The two Queens distant dancing sequence of 1+2 squares (instead of 3 or 2+1 or 1+1+1) is extraordinary.

>> Click here to see Teyss's game collections.

Chessgames.com Full Member

   Teyss has kibitzed 2242 times to chessgames   [more...]
   May-07-25 A R Saleh Salem vs Duda, 2015
 
Teyss: Agree with <goodevans>, neat interference. That was the point of 35...Kh7 first, to avoid the saving move Rd8+, else Black could have done the combination two moves earlier. At this level there is no doubt White saw 16...Nc6 so he basically wanted to exchange the Q for 2 Rs. Why
 
   May-06-25 Carlsen vs S Randjelovic, 1999 (replies)
 
Teyss: The infamous Englund Gambit named after Fritz Englund even though he wasn't the first one to play it: only 283 game in the Db. Here is the first game ever, also a Black win: H W Apperly vs H Charlick, 1894 . We are in unknown territory as early as 3...f6. What a crazy game, if these ...
 
   May-03-25 Kudrin vs E Formanek, 1994 (replies)
 
Teyss: Only two games in the Db with 8...c6: the other one is A I Woldmo vs A Dunne, 1991 with 11.Bg5 instead of 11.a4 where White won. Crazy game. So that's where the King's saftest place is, forcing resignation: in the middle of the board. Clever pun from <FSR> but TBH I had to ...
 
   May-02-25 I Birbrager vs Suetin, 1964 (replies)
 
Teyss: What a game! Love how Black sacs the Queen just to push the Pawn by one square... and then leaves it there until the very end. "The threat is stronger than the execution, especially if it's coming from the joint winner of the tournament." For memo this was the semi-final of the USSR ...
 
   Apr-30-25 Bronstein vs Pilnik, 1954 (replies)
 
Teyss: Excellent pun fitting the game and Bronstein's first name: "The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So he shall open, and no one shall shut; And he shall shut, and no one shall open. I will fasten him as a peg in a secure place, And he will become a glorious ...
 
   Apr-29-25 Capablanca vs Alekhine, 1927 (replies)
 
Teyss: 'Götterdämmerung', as spelled on the homepage, means "Thé Tw¶l¶ght öf thé Göds", an opera by W¤gnèr. Good game, nice pun yet not really fitting on the tw¶l¶ght part since the players were in their prime. On the göds part, granted. Don't have time to read all the ...
 
   Apr-27-25 Balashov vs J Sunye Neto, 1979 (replies)
 
Teyss: Appropriate pun since Jaime Sunye Neto was only 22 and the only non-GM and even non-IM of the tournament (see crosstable: Rio de Janeiro Interzonal (1979) ). He finished joint 5th behind old timers like Portisch and Petrosian. <HeMateMe: (...) and it's CALLED the Alekhine's Gun>
 
   Apr-27-25 Grenke Freestyle Open (2025) (replies)
 
Teyss: Hi metatron2, We can agree to disagree on Fischer Random. As well as a couple of other topics. <The next step will have to be fide rating for it.> You're right, this will be the breakthrough. If many top players like Carlsen go for FR, FIDE cannot just watch the train pass by ...
 
   Apr-27-25 E Grivas vs A Braun, 2008 (replies)
 
Teyss: If it's just seeing the combination up to 13.g5 regaining material with a strong attack on the BK, it's mid-week level. If it's seeing the following 11 moves and the resulting 987,654,321 positions, it's Sunday. At the end if 24...g6, 25.Qxf6+! Kxf6 26.Rf3# a pretty mate. [DIAGRAM]
 
   Apr-25-25 P Velikov vs Dorfman, 1989 (replies)
 
Teyss: What a beauty. Love the final quiet move 32...Kg7. At the end if 33.Qd7 to prevent Be7#, 33...Be7+! 34.Qxe7 Qxg4# Earlier if 32.Kxe5 Qxh2+ and depending on where the WK goes, 33... Qd2+ or Qf2+ followed by 34...Qxe1.
 
(replies) indicates a reply to the comment.

Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 4 OF 4 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Sep-22-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  Teyss: Hi Mayankk and Shamot,

I am answering to your posts Budapest Olympiad (2024) (kibitz #282) and Budapest Olympiad (2024) (kibitz #283) because they raise an important point.

I generally agree there are double standards in answering to different events around the world. However the situation is different between Russia and Israel.

1. Russia invading Ukraine was a clear agression. Israel responded to a horrendous terrorist attack. Granted, the size of what they call a retaliation is now completely out of proportions, but the events developed in such a way there wasn't a clear-cut moment when FIDE could decide on a ban, as it was for Russia where the triggering point was the invasion.

Side note: how to qualify what Israel is doing in Gaza? War crimes for sure (bombing civilians amongst others). Crimes against humanity: debatable but probably yes (intentional killing of civilians). Genocide: debatable but so far probably no (intention to eradicate a group). Notably, the International Court of Justice have not ruled on this yet.

2. For this and other reasons which would be too complex to detail on this site, FIDE did not ban Israel. If they had, TBH I would have agreed and if they were considering lifting the ban, I would also have objected. (Yes I'm just an individual so my opinion doesn't matter much, but I still voice it.) It just so happens Israel is not on FIDE's agenda and I regret it as you do.

But then many nations are not either, and the list could be very long: Saudi Arabia, China, etc. It's impossible to ban all these. FIDE draws a line at some stage, based on specific events and IMHO it's better than nothing: it shows there is at least a line, even imperfect.

If FIDE lift the ban, it would be a humiliation to Ukraine, which they absolutely don't need.

Sep-22-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  Atterdag: Just to express that I agree 95 % with <Teyss> on this matter.

I regard Netanyahu as a self-serving, totally corrupt politician who only does this to remain prime minister and avoid the law suits that are bound to attack him the second he becomes a normal citizen. I also utterly detest and condemn Israel's annectation of any square foot of Palestenian land on the West Bank.

That, however, doesn't legitimize what Russia does to Ukraine. One offence doesn't justify another much worse. Russia has broken all international rules and acts like gangsters. Unfortunately, lifting the ban won't just humiliate Ukraine, it would be a severe blow to Ukraine's many democratic supporters, who, like Ukraine, just want piece.

Putin could make that piece this very second by retracting his army from occupied and annexed Ukrainian land. Like any other despot in human history, however, it is likely that he continues his acts of terror and intimidation.

Sep-22-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  Teyss: Hi Atterdag,

Thanks for sharing your point of view and glad we agree on Israel and Russia. (I like the 95%, for we can generally never agree 100%.)

You are totally right about Netanyahu, he's leading his country to extremism, Gaza to destruction, the West Bank to occupation and the whole region to chaos.

Sep-22-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  Atterdag: Hi again Teyss,

Thanks for taking my 5% as intended :-) Although I rarely disagree with you, there should always be a percentage open for disagreement. Btw - most things in life are in a grey zone, where I for one cannot wholeheartedly and definitively make a firm choice.

Sep-22-24  Mayankk: Hi <Teyss> and <Atterdag>,

Someone famous once replied about porn - I know it when I see it. The same is true about genocide - I know it when I see it.

It is of course self-serving to argue on semantics, blame Netanyahu while supplying Israel with all weapons for mass-murder. It confuses our moral compass and gives everything a semblance of meaning. We need to get along with our lives without feeling too guilty after all.

The truth is of course bitter and difficult to swallow. As it always is.

Sep-22-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  Teyss: Hi Mayankk,

Thanks for your post. Genocide is a complex subject involving history, international law, ethics, etc. I'm not an expert so I rely on international bodies such as the ICJ and the International Criminal Court, which so far do not mention genocide (the ICC mentions war crimes and crimes against humanity). Of course it's your right to have a different opinion and I respect it. As said, the notion is debatable.

On your second point, if we want to have an honest and mundane discussion, please don't over-interpret what we said. Atterdag and I never said Netanyahu is the only culprit, only that he's guilty, and my second post implies he's the main responsible of the situation.

I agree with you he's not the only one, even if your formulation is somewhat vague: who supplies weapons to Israel? The US mainly and some other Western countries, so indeed they are also partly responsible for what is happening. I don't say "we" because I disapprove as you do. The West is also guilty of not trying to seriously solve the Israel / Palestine conflict for decades.

But let's extend the list of responsibilities: a part of the Israeli population voted for Netanyahu and other extremist parties. A part is supporting this so-called "war". Political and terrorist organisations like Hamas and Hezbollah are fuelling the conflict. Arab states are not trying to help. The UN is hopeless partly because of the veto system.

One last point I forgot to mention earlier: I agree with your statement on the Olympiad forum: "The sense of moral outrage is always more when one's own race is at the receiving end of indiscriminate killing." I would just specify race or culture or some other form of identification.

Nov-29-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  martin moller: Hello Teyss I have a question under the chessplayer Paul Mross, and since you have helped me with some analyses on GM Bent Larsen, I thought you might be aple to help me also in this matter. Best regards Martin
Dec-02-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  Atterdag: Hi Teyss,

Just following up on DL's depression. Don't want to post this on the match thread.

This afternoon I talked to my wife about DL's condition. She told me, they had two Chinese students at her clinic a couple of years ago. Talking about depression they both said, it was taboo in China; something that was suffered in silence or/and as a secret. Psychological illnesses were not acknowledge in the Chinese society.

Another, but similar curiosity (in lack of another word) is the fact that Japanese don't have a health insurance when they travel abroad. Having one is taken as a sign of weakness. So when they get ill, they have to pay the full bill for the treatment they receive. My wife had such a couple while she was in the neuro-surgical sector. The man got a concussion and was treated. Usually, an insurance pays for such things but they (doctors/nurses) were surprised learning that it was commin not to have one coming from Japan.

Back to DL: I think this is where we should find the reason for him being so secretive about his depression.

Dec-03-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  Teyss: Hi Atterdag,

Thank you for sharing your wife's experience. Psychiatric nurse, it cannot be an easy job every day. Amazing the story about the Japanese, I didn't know about it even though we went to Japan once (loved it).

You're right about China, there is something cultural, probably a mix of traditions and communist regime: one cannot feel bad in a society striving towards the well-being of all its citizens. Right.

Originally I thought Ding was also secretive for tactical reasons (i.e. as a competitive player he shouldn't reveal his weaknesses) but apparently it's not the case since he's now quite open. It took some time passing the cultural hurdle and getting a bit better before being able to talk about it.

Thanks for dropping by. Hope you are fine and enjoying the match. Take care.

Dec-20-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  Fusilli: Hey, <Teyss>, my friend. What are your Christmas plans? Share on my forum if you would like!
Dec-21-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  moronovich: Bon jour <Teyss> !

Jésper que tu va avoir une joyeux Noël et une bonne Année.

Dec-28-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  Fusilli: I noticed you went through a bunch of my games. I may not comment on all your comments, but I appreciate the interest!
Dec-29-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  Teyss: Hi <Fusilli>,

No issue about the comments on comments naturally. The interest is genuine as many of your games are interesting and/or impressive.

Jan-02-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  moronovich: Hi <Teyss>

Thank you so much for your New Years greetings and I send all my best wishes back to you and hope you and your loved ones have entered the new year in grand style and that your road may fulfill many of your longings and wishes. And I thank you for several very fine exchanges back in 2024 as well as I am looking forward to further meetings with you !

Like you, I also pray for a better world in the sooner future, but meanwhle we will keep the spirit, shalln´t we !? And let the spirit keep us.

See you up the road.

Jan-02-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  FSR: <Teyss> Thank you for the New Year wishes. I'm not looking forward to the next four years, but have recovered a bit from the horror of November 5. A Happy New Year to you and yours!
Jan-03-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  Check It Out: Hi <Teyss>, happy new year my chess friend! I enjoy your posts.
Jan-03-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  Teyss: Hi Check It Out,

Thanks for the wishes and the compliment, many happy returns on both counts: happy new year & I always enjoy reading you. (I actually wanted to post on your profile page but it's not possible.) The fact we overall share the same political views is a nice side-effect.

All the best.

Jan-04-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  Troller: Hey there <Teyss> - thanks for holiday wishes. I am enjoying sunny Algarve with my wife, hiking and seabathing. I think I am back home before Tata begins, ready to assume my familiar role of a know-it-all armchair analyst.
Jan-06-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  martin moller: Hello <Teyss> I have to day uploaded the game W.Bialas - P.Mross Berlin 1954. Very carefully i hope :-)
Jan-06-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  Teyss: Hi martin moller,

And it's already here, well done: W Bialas vs P Mross, 1954 Apparently the submission was correct ;)

Impressive final move, worthy of a POTD.

Jan-10-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  Teyss: Goedemorgen TheaN,

Reacting to your post Goldin vs A Stripunsky, 2004 (kibitz #27). Absolutely no issue about the language, was just teasing. (BTW it's funny the system let this pass because it even blocks expressions like WT* with a "F" at the end.) You are right, there's a quality issue recently, don't know what it's linked to. The operations of the site are quite opaque, as for most sites anyhow.

Just want to congratulate you on your rating progression, that's an achievement. Are you aiming for 2000?

Hartelijke groeten.

Jan-20-25  TheaN: In hindsight I was surprised my post was kept and nobody reported it... guess I have some sort of blind spot for the mods as I'm one of most veteran solvers on the puzzle nowadays... did decide for myself to pipe it down a bit, no real need and it is what it is.

Aiming for 2000... yes, but on the other hand part of the rating progression is inflation. The Dutch board normalized ratings from 1400 instead of 1000, so I defaulted from 1840 to low 1900s. Having said that, I'm keeping it steady, at 1936 now. Feel like I'm progressing a bit in skill (play on in drawing positions and more tenacious in lost positions), so lets see where I'm at in a year.

Thanks for the shout out!

Jan-20-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  keypusher: Happy New Year (as we enter the fourth week)!
Jan-20-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  Teyss: Hi keypusher,

Thanks. Just in time ;)

Feb-08-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  Fusilli: May I interest you in my <morbid trivia>? Check out my forum!
Jump to page #    (enter # from 1 to 4)
search thread:   
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 4 OF 4 ·  Later Kibitzing>

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.


NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific user only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

You are not logged in to chessgames.com.
If you need an account, register now;
it's quick, anonymous, and free!
If you already have an account, click here to sign-in.

View another user profile:
   
Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2025, Chessgames Services LLC