Tactics Time Chess Newsletter: National Chess Day

Published: Sat, 10/13/12

Newsletter Issue: National Chess Day

Tactics Time

National Chess Day

The Festivus for the Chess of us. ~ NationalChessDay.com


T

his position was played recently at the 2012 FIDE Grand Prix in London between top Grandmasters Boris Gelfand and Wang Ho.

In the position on the right it is White to move.

Answer below.

Today, October 13, 2012, is "National Chess Day" in the US.

President Gerald Ford declared the first "National Chess Day" in 1976.

You can see the Senate Bill here declaring this year's National Chess Day here: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/sres539.

Here are the contents of the Bill:

   RESOLUTION

   Designating October 13, 2012, as 'National Chess Day'.

   Whereas there are more than 80,000 members of the United States Chess Federation (referred to in this preamble as the 'Federation'), and an unknown number of additional people in the United States who play chess without joining an official organization;

   Whereas approximately 1/2 of the members of the Federation are members of scholastic chess programs, and many of those members join the Federation by the age of 10;

   Whereas the Federation is very supportive of scholastic chess programs and sponsors a Certified Chess Coach program that provides the coaches involved in the scholastic chess programs with training and ensures schools and students can have confidence in the programs;

   Whereas many studies have linked scholastic chess programs to the improvement of students' scores in reading and math, as well as improved self-esteem;

   Whereas the Federation offers guidance to educators to help incorporate chess into the school curriculum;

   Whereas chess is a powerful cognitive learning tool that can be used to successfully enhance students' reading skills and understanding of math concepts; and

   Whereas chess engages students of all learning styles and strengths and promotes problem-solving and higher-level thinking skills: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the Senate--

        (1) designates October 13, 2012, as 'National Chess Day' to enhance awareness and encourage students and adults to play chess, a game known to enhance critical-thinking and problem-solving skills; and

        (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe National Chess Day with appropriate programs and activities.

Here is the complete game:

[Event "FIDE Grand Prix London"]
[Date "2012.09.24"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black " Hao, Wang"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E10"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2012.09.21"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 c6 7. O-O O-O 8. Qc2
b6 9. Bf4 Ba6 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Rc1 Nbd7 12. Nc3 b5 13. a4 Qb6 14. axb5 Bxb5
15. Nxb5 Qxb5 16. Bf1 a5 17. e3 Qb7 18. Qc6 Qxc6 19. Rxc6 a4 20. Bb5 a3 21.
bxa3 Bxa3 22. Rc7 Nb6 23. Rb7 Nc4 24. Bxc4 dxc4 25. Rc7 h6 26. Rxc4 g5 27. Be5
Ne4 28. g4 Be7 29. Rxa8 Rxa8 30. Rc2 f6 31. Bg3 Kf7 32. Kg2 h5 33. gxh5 Rh8 34.
Rc7 g4 35. Ne1 Rxh5 36. Nd3 Rb5 37. h3 gxh3+ 38. Kxh3 Ke8 39. Ra7 Rb3 40. Nf4
Nxg3 41. Kxg3 Bd6 42. Kf3 Bxf4 43. Kxf4 Rb2 44. f3 Rh2 45. Ke4 Rh3 46. Rb7 Kf8
47. Rd7 Ke8 48. Rc7 Kf8 49. f4 f5+ 50. Ke5 Rxe3+ 51. Kf6 Kg8 52. Rg7+ Kf8 53.
Rh7 Kg8 54. Rh1 Re4 55. Rd1 Kh7 56. Kf7 1-0

You can play through this game here: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1691549.

Answer:

Black blundered on his last move 55...Kh7 which allowed 56. Kf7 there is nothing that black can do to prevent Rh1#.

Even top players make blunders!

Happy Tactics!

Your Friend,