He tied for 3rd-5th at Riga 1899 (the 1st Baltic Congress, Robert Behting won), took 3rd at Riga 1900 (won by T Muller), won at Riga 1900/01, shared 1st with Karl Wilhelm Rosenkrantz, W. Sohn and Wilhelm Von Stamm at Dorpat (Tartu) 1901 (the 2nd Baltic Congress), and tied for 3rd-4th at Reval (Tallin) 1904 (Bernhard Gregory won).

In 1902–1910, he was co-editor with Paul Kerkovius of the Baltische Schachblätter.

After World War I, he took 3rd, behind Hermanis Karlovich Mattison and Fricis Apsenieks, at Riga 1924 (1st LAT-ch). Behting played for Latvia in 1st unofficial Chess Olympiad at Paris 1924 (+7 –4 =2), where he took 4th place (team) and tied for 4-7th in Consolation Cup (individual; Karel Hromadka won).

The <Latvian Gambit <(1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5)>> was named as a tribute to Karl Behting, who analyzed it in the early part of the 20th century.

KARLIS BETINS (1867-1943)

From “Sachs Latvija lidz 1940. Gadam”, “Chess in Latvia to 1940".

(Translation by K Grivainis)

Karlis was born 27 Oct 1867 on the family farm named “Betini” in the Berzmuiza Municipality. He was raised within a chessplaying circle, his both brothers being top players at the time.

The youngest Roberts Betins (1875-) won the Baltic Chess Champions Title in the first Baltic Chess Congress tournament in 1899, but he did not participate in tournaments later. He also composed some interesting Endings with a special “catch”.

The eldest, Janis (born 1856), became known within the European circles as one of the best composers of chess endings. The art was not too widespread in those days, and the only well known names were Kling and Horwitz. Around 1890 Janis started to break new ground in paying greater attention to the principles of economy, but in particular he took his problems to a greater depth. His problems, although quantitatively he did not produce too many, were acclaimed for their captivating development and depth, and were partly responsible for the subsequent growth of this branch of chess.

Many Rigans followed Janis enterprising talents. Dr. Phil. J. Zevers became a well known Endings composer and he published his work in a book. These Endings were lighter in style, but appealing. Then came the unforgettable H. Mattisons, whose creative Endings earned top prizes in many European tourneys (most of them being included in the book mentioned in the title). In addition, the brothers Platov and brothers Kubbel were acclaimed for their composing art. It is certain that the Rigans of those days were in forefront in developing the art of endgame compositions and from there it spread to the rest of the chess world.

Karlis Betins was introduced to chess at about 13, and he also started composing. Soon he was mastering the art and in about 1890 a “mate in 3" ending of his won a prize in a “Münchner Nachrichten” tournament. A delegation from the “First Riga Chess Club” (1. Rigas Sacha Biedriba) invited him to join. Here he was in touch with many of the best players of the time, and this gave Betins an excellent overall chess education. In the Club’s 10 year jubilee tournament 1900/1 he was ready and he came first. Second place went to P Bols, third/fourth P Kerkoviuss and St. Mikutovics, fifth T Germanis, and then V. Zamuels and E. Vagenheims. Karlis also kept progressing in his compositions, winning prizes regularly in the European tournaments.

Around this time he discovered his best field: correspondence chess. He lost some games to start with (vs. Romashkevich, Chardins, Schiffers), but later he never lost another game!! In matches he beat players like Chigorin, Schiffers, Nimzowitsch, Iljin Zhenevsky, etc. In team matches Betins became the leader of the teams.

In the 2nd Baltic Championship in Tartu 1901 he won. He had become a top openings analyst and his published analysis were particularly utilised by H. Mattisons, (e.g. vs L Steiner in the Olympiad in Hague; and A Alekhine in the Olympiad in Prague). And soon he started devoting all his available time to the one opening: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5. As a result, FIDE renamed this opening to become “The Latvian Gambit”.

...

Source: http://latvian-gambit.blogspot.de/2...

...

[Event "First Baltic Tournament - Major"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "1899.04.??"]
[White "Betins, Karlis Karlovich"]
[Black "Betins, Robert"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C43"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "1899.04.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 d5 5. Nxe5 Nd6 6. O-O Be6 7. b3 g6 8. Re1 Bg7 9. c4 O-O 10. Nc3 dxc4 11. bxc4 Nd7 12. Qb3 Bxe5 13. dxe5 Nc5 14. Qc2 Nxd3 15. Qxd3 Nf5 16. Nd5 Kg7 17. g4 Nh6 18. Qf3 Ng8 19. Nf6 Qd4 20. Be3 Qxc4 21. Rac1 Qa4 22. Nxg8 Kxg8 23. h3 f5 24. exf6 Rf7 25. Qxb7 Rd8 26. Rxc7 Bd5 27. Rxf7 Bxb7 28. Rg7+ Kh8 29. Rxb7 Qa5 30. Rc1 h5 31. Rxa7 Qe5 32. Bd2 1-0

click for larger view

The opening was invented by the same man who established the Latvian Gambit: <Karlis Betinš (1867-1943; in German sources: <Karl Behting>>).

He published his analysis “Königsbauer gegen Damenbauer” in Deutsche Schachzeitung 1930, pp. 171-174.

Two years later Fritz Englund (1871-1933), the leading chess figure in Sweden, sponsored a thematic tournament, held at Stockholm in late 1932 and early 1933. Every game had to begin with <Betinš’> main line 4 Qd5. Don’t ask me why the new planet wasn’t named after <Karlis Betinš> – probably because his article had already been forgotten, or – more probable – because Englund died shortly afterwards. When chess magazines reported his death, they rarely failed to mention Englund’s Gambit Tournament.” So the name stuck."

<whiteshark>, <hemy>

I wonder if you guys can help read the name of Behting's opponent in this game score? I am finding it difficult to figure out the old German lettering. I guessed "J Roehler" so far, but I can't find any trace of such a player. I think "Karl Behting" must be correct because the article mentions him as "Meister Behting" and his two brothers did not get the Latvian master title.

<Game 1927> Behting v J Roehler?

<beatgiant> lol wonderful!

I had hoped to find some hints in the following editions, but even with the announcement of the final results of the club championship no full first name was mentioned. *

Marginal note: In the news about the 1927 New York tournament the 'Rigasche Rundschau' still reported about <Niemzowitsch>.**

* http://www.periodika.lv/periodika2-... (2nd column, last paragraph)

Fabulous <whiteshark> thank you.

The type is much clearer on your source, so now I can see how to fill out the event tag. Is the date of the event 1927? <Di Felice> does not list this event.

[Event "Riga Chess Club championship"]
[Site "Riga LAT"]
[Date "1927.??.??"]
[White "Behting, Karl"]
[Black "Koehler, I"]
[Result "?"]
[ECO "?"]
[Source "Rigasche Rundschau, Nr.81 (09.04.1927)"]

http://www.periodika.lv/periodika2-...

######################

On this pgn you posted previously, do you have a source I could put in before I submit the game?

[Event "First Baltic Tournament - Major"]
[Site "Riga LAT"]
[Date "1899.04.??"]
[White "Behting, Karl"]
[Black "Betins, Robert"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "?"]
[Source "?"]

Now I finished transcribing the new game. If you see anything that should be changed, please let me know?

[Event "Riga Chess Club championship"]
[Site "Riga LAT"]
[Date "1927.??.??"]
[White "Behting, Karl"]
[Black "Koehler, I"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "?"]
[Source "Rigasche Rundschau, Nr.81 (09.04.1927)"]

http://www.periodika.lv/periodika2-...

[Event "First Baltic Tournament - Major"]
[Site "Riga LAT"]
[Date "1899.04.??"]
[White "Behting, Karl"]
[Black "Betins, Robert"]
[Result "1-0"]
...>

Since the chess game was posted by <Jean Defuse>, he can perhaps serve with a source. But I hereby state my doubts:

Robert* (as white) had won the game against his brother Karl at that time (April 14th, 1899).

Source: Baltische Schachblätter Nr. 7, p.428, game #141 ; crosstable on p. 383

According to that the game has originally been published in the <Rig.[?] Rundschau> .

<whiteshark> hmm that is useful information, and reason enough for holding off on uploading that game.

Is it possible that the pgn has the colors reversed?

I will try to find it in the Latvian periodicals database.

On other news, it appears that this is a game between <Karl Behting's> brothers?

Johan and Robert Behting:

[Event "First Baltic Chess Congress- Major"]
[Site "Riga LAT"]
[Date "1899.04.14"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Behting, Robert"]
[Black "Behting, Karl"]
[ECO "C80"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Source "Baltische Schachblätter #7, p.428-429"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0–0 Nxe4 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.Nxe5 Be7 8.d3 Nf6 9.Nc3 0–0 10.Bf4 Nd5 11.Nxd5 cxd5 12.d4 Bf5 13.g4 Bc8 14.f3 f6 15.Nd3 f5 16.gxf5 Bxf5 17.Be5 Bh3 18.Rf2 Bh4 19.Rd2 Qg5+ 20.Kh1 Qe3 21.f4 Bf5 22.Rg2 Be4 23.Qg4 Bxg2+ 24.Qxg2 Rf7 25.Qxd5 c6 26.Qg2 Re8 27.Rf1 Re6 28.Rf3 Qe4 29.Nc5 Qe1+ 30.Rf1 Rg6 31.Qf3 Qa5 32.a3 Qd8 33.c4 Qc8 34.Ne4 Qd7 35.d5 cxd5 36.cxd5 Bf6 37.Bxf6 gxf6 38.f5 Rh6 39.Qg3+ Rg7 40.Qb8+ Kf7 41.Nd6+ 1–0

= = =

Note: April 14th is Julian; April 26th would be Gregorian calendar

As Amelung annotated, black was in time trouble early on and missed <24...Qe4-+>.

= = =

<I'm pretty sure that the <Rig. Rundschau> is the <Rigasche Rundschau>.>

<whiteshark> Beautiful!

Except for this- we all need to do due diligence to check what the existing spelling of every player is at cg.com. We don't want to give <Stonehenge> a heart attack.

Robert Betins

And the one game he played is from the same event even: Robert Betins vs J Zabludowski, 1899

So before submitting, if we want to change the spelling of Robert Behting we should discuss that in the Bistro.

Months ago I suggested changing <Karl Behting> to <Karis Betins>, but one of our members explained that when he was an active player, he used the German spelling.

I would vote for changing Robert's name to <Behting>. In this 1895 game, for example, the name of both Johan and Robert is listed as <Behting>:

http://www.periodika.lv/periodika2-...