AApril 20 1972
Public Opinion, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Thursday, April 20, 1972
Henry Edward Bird, a “natural player”, outstanding accountant & authority on railway finance during the 1860's and 1870's, was overshadowed (and defeated) by the great Morphy. This Englishman created his own style of attack, while disregarding the positional subtleties. Bird played many sparkling gems against lesser masters of his day, as an expression of his free will and imagination. For over fifty years Bird sustained his chess career, only to expire in old age from gout.
This gem is neatly packaged and wrapped for delivery by Bird in a spectacular “smother” mate. Bird strikes out at his opponent ready to give Rook and Queen for an artistic coup de grace.
With 2. P-KB4 White offers a Pawn for a dominating center, better development and a rapid attack on KB7 (with the open KB file). If Black accepts the Pawn, he may shortly return the Pawn with equality (with…P-Q4) or dare to fight to keep it. After 3. N-KB3, Black may choose from six popular replies: 3.…P-Q4, N-KB3, P-KN4, B-K2, P-KR3 or P-Q3. Safer than 4. N-B3 is 4. P-KR4 or 4. B-B4. But Bird thrives on danger and baits his opponent on. Bird sacrifices Rook with 8.…PxR(Q) to play 9. Q-R5, which attacks B7 and renders the Black Queen useless. Black saves the Bishop and stalls mate with 9.…B-K2, but Bird threatens NxR dis ch and worse. After 10.…N-KB3 White can announce mate—in style—in three moves.
Bird / Dobell vs NN
London (1886), London ENG
King's Gambit: Accepted. Quade Gambit (C37) 1-0
