On the thread about the Belgium 2011 Championship there is
much specualtion about the puzzling game:

E. Provinciael (1791) - S.Vanderwaeren (2161)

Which was agreed a draw in this position.


The player in question, Serge Vanderwaeren, who was the higher graded
Black in that 'puzzling game' was perhaps pulling 'The Manhattan Dodge.'.

I'll explain.

Including him there are 25 players over 2000 in that tournament.
He is ranked 16.

By taking a draw in the first round you avoid tougher games till
the last few rounds. So far after 5 rounds he has avoided any 2000+ player.
A perfect example of the Manhattan Dodge.

Here is his playing record and opponent's grades.

Rd1 1791 ½ - ½ ('The Manhattan Dodge.)
Rd2 1777 he won
Rd3 1971 he drew (not part of the plan but see the game below)
Rd4 1935 he won
Rd5 1979 ?? being played today.

Here is his round 3 draw. No question at all he was playing for a win.
(but perhaps missed a good shot at the end.)

P.Boons - S. Vanderwaeren Rd.3 Belgium 2011 Open.

Is there no way out for white after Re1, e.g. with Rb8+ or Rxh4?

Originally posted by greenpawn34
On the thread about the Belgium 2011 Championship there is
much specualtion about the puzzling game:

[b]E. Provinciael (1791) - S.Vanderwaeren (2161)

Which was agreed a draw in this position.

[fen]r2q1rk1/pp3ppp/2n1pn2/2b2b2/2B5/2N2P2/PPPPN1PP/R1BQ1R1K w - - 0 11[/fen]
The player in question, Serge Vanderwaeren, who was the higher graded
Oh. and why do I call it the 'Manhattan Dodge'?
I don't know. I just made that up.[/b]

Originally posted by tvochess
Is there no way out for white after Re1, e.g. with Rb8+ or Rxh4?

Originally posted by ketchuplover
41.Rxh4 f1(Q) black should win

41.Rb4 g5 42.Rg4 Re1 43.Rxh4 f1(Q) 44.Rxg5+ Kf7 45.Rh7+ Kf6 46.Rhh5 black should win but not so easily.

41.Rb8 Rxb8 42.Ke2 (Re8+ or Rxb2+) should win

41.Rh7 Bg5+ 42.Kd1 Re1+ 43.Rxe1 fxe1(Q)+ 44.Kxe1 Kxh7 black should win but not easily imo.

In france we call it the "submarine technique"
Quite appropriate i think

Our lad won as Black. The Manhattan Dodge is on a roll.

Originally posted by tvochess
Why not Rxh1 after Rb4 or Rh7? Or Kxh7 after Rh7?

Isn't this Manhatten dodge called "the Swiss gambit" like torten sais?
Probably if Swissgambit would read this, he would slap you!

It was called the Manhattan Dodge about 3 centuries before the
Swiss Gambit was invented.

The Spanish Monk Ruy Lopez mentions it in his book written in 1561
"Libro de la invención liberal y arte del juego del Axedrez."
trans = "Play the Ruy Lopez and Win".

Originally posted by greenpawn34
It was called the Manhattan Dodge about 3 centuries before the
Swiss Gambit was invented.

The Spanish Monk Ruy Lopez mentions it in his book written in 1561
"Libro de la invención liberal y arte del juego del Axedrez."
trans = "Play the Ruy Lopez and Win".

Manhattan was named in 1492.

"How I discovered America." By C. Columbus. Page 16.

"We landed and were met by a man with a hat on."

ManHattan.

C.C. continues;

"He told us of a good way to avoid stonger players in the early
rounds of a chess tournament."

Don't you guys know anything?

He has pulled Jan Rooze (2363) in round 6 with the White pieces.
Four rounds including this one left so he avoided the top guns for
more than ½ the tournament. The Manhattan Dodge.

(Good Luck Serge)

What happens when everyone plays the Manhattan Dodge? Do the same next round (The Accelerated Dodge)? Or maybe for 3 rounds (Hyper Accelerated Dodge)?

Any Game Theorists want to take a crack at determining if this strategy is sound?

Originally posted by ketchuplover
What piece can take the R on h1? After Kxh7 is Rxh4