Streetfighting Chess Magazine

Fat Lady

Only Chess

30 May '14 15:08

Fat Lady
Joined
21 Feb '06
Moves
6830
30 May '14 15:08
The strong Scottish player Andy Burnett, who played and posted on here a few times as User 445860 has started a new monthly magazine called Streetfighting Chess.

The first issue is free and can be downloaded from here:
http://www.streetfightingchess.com/immortal-game/

The second issue costs £1.50 / 2 euros / $2.50 and can be bought from here:
http://www.streetfightingchess.com/ez-shop-2/

I really liked the free issue and have bought the second already. Both issues are stuffed with games played by "club" players (up to about the level of Fide Master) and the annotations are excellent and thankfully Fritz-free. I always feel that I get more out of going over games played by people of my sort of level rather than GM/IM games. I admire the Masters, but I can't play like them and never will.

It seems to be common nowadays to compare prices to a pint of beer, but this magazine is even cheaper than a pint of Ruddles in your local Wetherspoon's. So just stick to nine pints instead of your usal ten this evening and with the money you save buy issue 2 of Streetfighting Chess Magazine!
Paul Leggett
Chess Librarian
The Stacks
Joined
21 Aug '09
Moves
113572
30 May '14 20:56
I really like how the first issue has a theme and a personal feel to it.

After checking it out, I figure it's only a matter of time before we have a "kilt-and-hoodie" clan on here somewhere!
bill718
Enigma
Seattle
Joined
03 Sep '06
Moves
3298
31 May '14 12:08
Originally posted by Fat Lady
The strong Scottish player Andy Burnett, who played and posted on here a few times as User 445860 has started a new monthly magazine called Streetfighting Chess.

The first issue is free and can be downloaded from here:
http://www.streetfightingchess.com/immortal-game/

The second issue costs £1.50 / 2 euros / $2.50 and can be bought from here:
...[text shortened]... usal ten this evening and with the money you save buy issue 2 of Streetfighting Chess Magazine!
I think anything that will make studying chess more interesting is always a good thing, and yes, there are many good ideas to be learned from games at this level, one must ask however, are the ideas learned from studying weaker players of the same quality as the lessons learned from studying the masters? I'm just not sure. One thing I am sure of though. The chess world needs more of this kind of literature, these are games most of us can relate to more closely than master level chess.
greenpawn34
e4
Joined
06 May '08
Moves
42492
31 May '14 14:361 edit
Hi Bill,

"....are the ideas learned from studying weaker players of the same quality
as the lessons learned from studying the masters? "

Tartakower says in his book of Best Games:
"Masters can always learn something from amateurs!" (Marshall - Tartakower, Leiger 1930)

The more I thumb through and play out the games in this book it is
rapidly becoming in my opinion the best ever book on chess at an intermediate level.

I am a better player now then when I first went through the games
in the late 70's. I now realise I owe this book quite a lot even though
I skipped the endgames positions and in some cases the 1.d4 d5 openings.
Started doing it again from scratch a few days ago.

Honestly I'd never give you a bum steer. If you don't have it - get it.
If you have it. Read it. Devour it. (...and no skimping.)

You will get entertained, laugh, cry, gasp, applaud and the book is loaded
with anecdotes about all the games greatest players.

It is written for the average player and is simply bursting with ideas and instruction.

----------

"....are the ideas learned from studying weaker players of the same quality
as the lessons learned from studying the masters? "

Often the notes of GM games are never down graded enough to be of any practical use.

"13...h6 gives White a target for a pawn storm" End of note.

Unless the reader is fully versed in what is required of him to carry such
an attack this note is lost on him.

Sometimes (infact very often) an interesting move or a forced moved
is slipped in without a note. To me it seems the writer is saying;

"This is a GM game, if you don't understand why that move was played
then you should not be looking at it because I ain't going to tell you."

I think you need to study games played by your peers so you see the kind
of blunders (sometimes very slight) they make and how they get punished.

-----

On a lighter note. The Scottish Blitz Championship is taking place right
next to the shop Mrs Greenpawn runs.

She has called me to say 20-30 chess players (street fighter, Andy Burnett, included)
have been in to 'stare at her.' and ask her if she really is my wife.

All the years of using jokes about her to kick off an article are bearing fruit.
She will soon be signing autographs.

Some recent examples.

Outside the after getting married church I lifted her veil and people started booing.

She started crying, except in her case the tears where running up her face.

At the honeymoon hotel the bell boy took one look at her and gave me a tip!

Then you mix in the Chess.

She has the kind of face that could uncastle a King.

One eye has taken the other eye en passant.

When God was making up her face he forgot to say "j'adoube".
Sirdubalot
Joined
30 Sep '11
Moves
42144
31 May '14 19:23
Tartakower says in his book of Best Games: "Masters can always learn something from amateurs!" (Marshall - Tartakower, Leiger 1930)

Could I ask which book in particular please 1905 to 1930, or 1931 to 1954, or is it worth having both. Thanks in advance,

Willy.....
Exuma
Anansi
Woodshed
Joined
16 Apr '07
Moves
35523
31 May '14 21:10
Originally posted by greenpawn34
[b]Hi Bill,

"....are the ideas learned from studying weaker players of the same quality
as the lessons learned from studying the masters? "

Tartakower says in his book of Best Games:
"Masters can always learn something from amateurs!" (Marshall - Tartakower, Leiger 1930)

The more I thumb through and play out the games in this book it is ...[text shortened]... n the other eye en passant.

When God was making up her face he forgot to say "j'adoube".[/b]
Gracious GP! That had me in tears of laughter. J'adoube. :-)
greenpawn34
e4
Joined
06 May '08
Moves
42492
01 Jun '14 02:37
Hi Dubalot,

I now have both books combined in one but it will be in the Old Book One. Game number 101.

Marshall - Tartakower, Leiger 1930

After the moves 1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3 g6

Tartakower writes:

""Masters can always learn something from amateurs!
The idea iof the text move (3..g6) Instead of the ordinary continuation
3...Nf6 is due to that excellent British player Dr. Duncan (who he?).
Black gives back the pawn of his own accord to accelerate his development.

here is the full games, some sparse notes mostly based on
Tartakowers comments who goes into the game in much more detail

Invert Board PGN Comments

1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nxe4 d5 5. Ng3 Bg7 6. h4 {Your typical Marshall move, even though by now his best attacking years were behind him. It won't really be effective Black is going to 0-0-0.} 6... Nc6 7. Bb5 Qd6 8. Bxc6+ bxc6 {Tartakowers calls this risky. Saccing his pawn structure for piece play along the open diagonal.} 9. h5 e5 {A flank attack is best met with an attack in the centre.} 10. dxe5 Qxe5+ 11. N1e2 Ne7 12. c3 Nf5 13. Bf4 Qe7 14. hxg6 Nxg3 {Black is seeking 0-0-0 and strong play in the centre. He is willing to give up the h7 pawn.} 15. Bxg3 Ba6 16. Bf4 {The Bishop is going to block the e-file. Tartakower gives detailed reasons why White cannot play Rxh7.} 16... O-O-O 17. Be3 hxg6 18. Rxh8 Rxh8 19. Ng3 Rh4 {Threatening d5.} 20. Qf3 {Stopping d5 with an xray hit on the c6 pawn.} 20... d4 {Anyway. The point being if 21.Qxc6 Bb7 0-1.} 21. cxd4 Qb4+ 22. Bd2 Qxb2 {No White Queenside castling in this game.} 23. Bc3 Qc2 24. Rd1 Qxa2 25. Bd2 Qc4 {Threat Rh1+ and Qf1 mate.} 26. Be3 Bb5 27. Rc1 Qb4+ 28. Bd2 Qxd4 29. Qf7 Qe5+ 30. Be3 Qb2 {Threat Rh1+ Qe2 mate.} 31. Bd2 Bh6 {Same idea with Rh1+ and Qe2 mate.} 32. Qe6+ Kb7 33. Rd1 Bxd2+ {The final phase. } 34. Rxd2 Qc1+ 35. Rd1 Qc3+ 36. Rd2 Rd4 37. Ne4 Qc1+ {White resigns.}
bill718
Enigma
Seattle
Joined
03 Sep '06
Moves
3298
01 Jun '14 02:542 edits
Originally posted by greenpawn34
[b]Hi Bill,

"....are the ideas learned from studying weaker players of the same quality
as the lessons learned from studying the masters? "

Tartakower says in his book of Best Games:
"Masters can always learn something from amateurs!" (Marshall - Tartakower, Leiger 1930)

The more I thumb through and play out the games in this book it is ...[text shortened]... n the other eye en passant.

When God was making up her face he forgot to say "j'adoube".[/b]
I must say I am very impressed with this magazine. The comments are instructive and entertaining, and I may just subscribe if it's possible to obtain it in the USA.

Two things I've noticed that's a bit different with chess in Europe is: 1. A larger percentage of female players, perhaps 5-15%. In America it's closer to 2%. 2. A higher percentage of adults in Europe play tournament chess. In my city (Seattle) there are about 3 million people in the city and surrounding area, yet the Seattle chess club has a maximum of 45 adult members. Oh well, I always said the Europeans were smarter. Thank God for Red Hot Pawn.😏
Sirdubalot
Joined
30 Sep '11
Moves
42144
01 Jun '14 06:41
Thanks Greenpawn, I'll order the book today.

Willy......
Dem Ravenburg
Joined
04 Feb '08
Moves
25162
01 Jun '14 17:30
http://www.streetfightingchess.co.uk/ I have his book by the same name. I enjoy it 😀

Only Chess Forum

Streetfighting Chess Magazine