Tactics Time Chess Newsletter: Larry Eldridge Tribute

Published: Sun, 07/23/17

Newsletter Issue Larry Eldridge Tribute Tactics Time 
Larry Eldridge Tribute

Larry Eldridge's legacy will be cherished for many years by many people. He was not only an active chess player, a successful coach, a skilled teacher and an insightful journalist, he was also a true Renaissance man, a lover of music, theater, the arts, and the English language. May he rest in peace. ~ George Mirijanian


tactics position x
 
 
T
 
 
 
his position comes from the game Larry Eldridge (1799) vs Alexander Szejman (1609), 80th MA Open, Round 2, May 28, 2011. 
 
   In the position on the right it is White to move
 
   Answer below.


   Note from Tim: Today's newsletter is written by Life Master Joel Johnson with a tribute to Larry Eldridge.  Thanks Joel!


   Larry Eldridge (1933 - 6/18/2017)
Longtime Chess Player, Teacher, Chess Coach, Journalist, Husband, Father, and Friend, dead at 84.
 
Larry Eldridge
Photo: Holiday Team Challenge: K-3 1st place, Loch Chess Monsters. Darrith Phan, Max Wiegand, Tristan Young, Nelson Barnett & Coach Larry Eldridge.

   I met Larry Eldridge as a teenager when I first started playing in USCF rated tournaments at the Boylston Chess Club, roughly forty-five years ago.

   We soon formed a life-long friendship mainly due to our common interests of sports and chess.
  
   Afterwards, we spent a considerable amount of time coaching our daughters (Christina and Robin) in chess and creating invitational tournaments for them to play in.

   Both players excelled and were among the best players in the country for their age group (under age 9).

   In addition to finding ourselves pitted against each other in tournaments, we also found time for sports pools.

   Larry was a great friend and I will miss him dearly, as I am sure practically everyone that ever had the pleasure to meet him would likely say the same.

   Rest in Peace buddy.

   Joel Johnson

 
Here is the complete game:
[Event "80th MA Open"]
[Site "Charlotte"]
[Date "2011.05.28"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Eldridge, Larry"]
[Black "Szejman, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B77"]
[WhiteElo "1799"]
[BlackElo "1609"]
[PlyCount "55"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 g6 7. Be3 Bg7 8. Qd2
Nf6 9. f3 O-O 10. O-O-O Ne5 11. Bb3 b5 12. h4 h5 13. Bg5 Bd7 14. Kb1 Nc4 15.
Qe1 Rc8 16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 Re8 18. g4 hxg4 19. h5 Bf6 20. f4 Bxg5 21. fxg5
Kg7 22. hxg6 fxg6 23. Rh7+ Kxh7 24. Qh4+ Kg8 25. Rh1 Nd2+ 26. Kc1 Nxb3+ 27.
axb3 Rf8 28. Qh7# 1-0

   You can play through this game here: http://view.chessbase.com/cbreader/2017/7/16/Game169997578.html

 
   Answer:

   This game won the "Most Interesting Game" prize at the 80th Massachusetts Open, Under 1800 section, and was featured in the July 2011 issue of Chess Horizons Magazine.

   Here Larry found the best move 23. Rh7+!! which attacks the exposed Black King to the h file, where it can be further attacked with tempo by the Queen if captured.  23...Kxh7 24.Qh4+

   After 25.Rh1 Black has some spite checks, but cannot get out of the mating net.

   If Black doesn't play 23...Kxh7 and instead plays 23...Kg8 white still plays 24. Qh4 with a mating net on the h file.


   Happy Tactics!
 
   Your Friend,
   Joel

   Life Master Joel Johnson
   2007 U.S. Senior Champion
   Author of many attack books.
 
 

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