MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION

Tales of Woe from Flint
by Victor D. Asbury, Jr.


(1)

Scholar's Mate - often called the 4-move mate - was repeated many times in the various Children's and Junior Championships held at Flint Kearsley. This is the position after 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nc6 3.Qh5 Nf6?? The knight "forces" the queen to move. Hmm? Where's a good place for the queen? Mate in one!


(2)

The next one is from the Young Juniors. This is the position after 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bc4 Bd7 4.Ng5 Nf6 White now has a mate in one! After this loss, Black lamented, "I knew about the queen doing this. I never knew about the knight doing this. Now I know!"


(3)

This is the position after 7.Ke1-e2??? Instead of getting the king to safety, or developing pieces, White has made the worst possible move. Black certainly appreciated the gift. Black to move and mate in one!


(4)

This game isn't from Flint, but it's a tale of woe for Black. If it was Black to move, White's king could be in a lot of trouble. But it's White to move, and Black forgot to pay attention to protecting the king. White to move and mate in one!

The Coaches corner Do your players play "give-away" chess? Hank Benjamin tries this with his Eaton Rapids club - A "free piece" tournament. The game is won when the first free piece is taken. Winning the exchange also works, unless the losing player can demonstrate that it was a sacrifice for a purpose. When lost pieces cost them the game, players suddenly become much more careful.

SOLUTIONS