Chess at Lindores Abbey

I visited Lindores Abbey for the Chess All Stars.


Had a front row seat watching Carlsen, Anand, Ding Liren and Karjakin.


another pic of Carlsen playing Ding (it was a draw.)


Then to the commentary box to hear them going through the game.


When they had gone I jumped up and sat in Carlsen’s seat!


It was great chess day out. I found a giant chess set.


They also had a free archery stall. I missed the target and lost the arrow!


Then I danced in front of one of the huge outdoor display boards.


It was rapid event, 25 minutes + 10 second increment from move one.
Carlsen won it with 3½ from 6, Liren and Karjakin 3pts. Vishy Anand 2½ pts.


You will never guess what never happened next.


P. Motwani - M .Chandler, (not me) Blackpool, 1990


Black never got out of check but played 30...Rxf4 to answer 31.gxf4 with 31...Rg8


Wining the pinned Knight on g7. Which is all very imaginative but alas, illegal.

However White failed to notice Black was in check (so apparently did Black)
and White resigned. Resignation takes priority over an illegal move so it was 0-1.
Not too drastic a decision, I’m thinking with best play Black will win anyway.

jerikko - piacero RHP 2011 (White to play)


White never mated in four with 1 .Ne7+ Kh8 2.Ng6+ hxg6 3.Qh3+ and mate next move.
White played 1.Nf6+ Kh8 and suddenly discovered they were losing a lot of material.


White did indeed lose a lot of material and resigned a few moves later.

L. Palau - S. Kalabar, London, The First Olympiad 1927

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 (Black to play)


Black did not defend, move or swap the b4 Bishop he played 4...Ke7!

The story is he was writing a postcard at the time and played 4..Ke7 instead of 4..Qe7.
We can believe he was totally distracted because in answer to 5.Bxb4+ he played 5..Kxb4


The illegal move was pointed out to Black and he resigned. However White
could have accepted the illegal move (see above) and mated in two moves.

And this never happened at all (pity)



Before we go you have to see this blitz game I played in the mid 1980’s.
A lad reminded me of it a few days ago when we were swapping chess ideas.
The same tactical trick appears twice within a few moves of each other.

G. Chandler (this is me) - N.N. (it was a 5 minute game v a club visitor.)



The thread accompanying this blog is Thread 181212