AApril 26 1938
The Guardian, London, Greater London, England, Tuesday, April 26, 1938
Margate Chess Congress
Latvian Master Defeats the Champion
From a Chess Correspondent
Margate, Monday.
Of the unfinished games in the fourth round of the premier tournament here that between Golombek and Book was (rather unexpectedly) agreed a draw without further play. Thomas, against Spielmann, had not sealed the best move at the adjournment, and in consequence his chances of a win were somewhat lessened. Then, under time pressure, he made an inferior thirty-eighth move, and Spielmann is too experienced a player to miss the opportunity which was offered him of drawing by perpetual check.
In the game Alexander v. Petrov the latter had suggested a draw at the adjournment, but Alexander, with a pawn to the good, had very reasonably declined. After the fifty-first move there was a second adjournment. Alexander having bishop, knight and 3 pawns, against bishop, knight and 2 pawns, and looking likely to win.
Milner-Barry, having returned from Cambridge, was able to play his game with Miss Menchik, and against her French defence adopted the Albin-Chatard variation and castled on the Queen's side. He obtained a promising position when the game was adjourned.
The openings to-day were: Petrov v. Alekhine, queen's gambit declined; Spielmann v. Golombek, Sicilian; Alexander v. Milner-Barry, Petroff's defence; Book v. Sergeant, English; Miss Menchik v. Thomas, queen's gambit declined.
The sensation of the round, perhaps of the whole tournament, was provided by the first-mentioned game, which was the earliest to finish. Alekhine, meeting at last one of the other Continental masters, seemed to be trying to get Petrov out of the books. This he succeeded in doing, but the Latvian expert, who did so well in the Kemeri and Semmering tournaments last year, declined to go astray. He got his pawn position badly shattered, but managed to keep Alekhine's king in the centre of the board. Then he delivered a smashing blow on the queen's side and drove the king right down to Q-B7, when faced by a mate on the move, Alekhine resigned. A fine game on Petrov's part, but the champion was far from his best and was actually on the point of losing on time at the end.
The next game to conclude was Book v. Sergeant, which came to an end-game where Sergeant had bishop against knight, and neither saw the way to doing anything, so that a draw was agreed on the thirty-fourth move. The other three games were adjourned, but Thomas had a lost game, and on his forty-second move he resigned. Spielmann v. Golombek was an exceedingly hard-fought game. Spielmann had played the wing gambit against the Sicilian and Golombek obtained two isolated passed pawns on the queen's side, while Spielmann had a powerful attack on the king's with eventually a passed king's pawn. The two queens came off, and each side got a pawn down to the seventh rank, when on the forty-seventh move a draw was agreed.
Alexander v. Milner-Barry was suspended to allow Alexander to finish his fourth-round game with Petrov. This he succeeded in bringing to a victorious end on the sixtieth move; so Petrov in one day beat Alekhine and lost to Alexander. Milner-Barry v. Miss Menchik in the fourth round was won by the former.
The scores are: Alekhine, 4; Book, Petrov, and Spielmann, 3½; Milner-Barry and Miss Menchik, 2; Alexander, Golombek and Sergeant, 1½; Thomas, 1. Alexander and Milner-Barry have a game to finish.
September 06 1938
Western Morning News, Plymouth, Devon, England, Tuesday, September 06, 1938
DR. ALEKHINE WINS
Chess Congress Results
100 TAKE PART AT PLYMOUTH
DR. ALEXANDER ALEKHINE, world chess champion, easily defeated Mr. P. S. Milner Barry. London, in the first round of the Premier Tournament at the Chess Congress at Plymouth yesterday.
Two rounds will be played today. Dr. Alekhine meets Herr P. M. List in the second round, and Mr. R. M. Bruce, Plymouth, in the third round. Mr. Bruce met Mr. H. V. Mallison, Exeter, yesterday, and the game was drawn. Entries total 100.
The Congress, which lasts six days, at the Guildhall, Plymouth, was officially opened by Lord Mamhead (president of the Devonshire Chess Association) yesterday.
He was welcomed and introduced by Rev. J. Julian Smith (president of Plymouth Chess Club), under whose auspices the Congress is being held to celebrate the jubilee and foundation of the club.
WELCOME TO PLAYERS.
“As president of the Devon Chess Association I would like to extend a hearty welcome to all players.” said Lord Mamhead. “I hope that they will leave Devon with happy memories of the county.”
He referred to the troubled state of the world, and remarked it would be an excellent thing if nations were to fight their battles on the chess board, where no harm was done and all were good friends afterwards.
Play began at 9.30 a.m. yesterday. Miss Rowena Dew, of Plymouth, former woman British champion, was beaten by Mr. J. E. Richardson, of Kingswood. The game lasted for six hours, the longest match yesterday.
In the premier tournament Dr. Alekhine played a queen's gambit against Mr. P. S. Milner Barry. In the middle game he obtained an overwhelming advantage.
DOUR STRUGGLE.
Devon's leading players, Mr. R. M. Bruce, of Plymouth, and Mr. H. V. Mallison, of Exeter, drew after a dour struggle. Sir George Thomas adopted the Sicilian defence in his match with Mr. G. S. A. Wheatcroft. of London. He won by a forceful attack.
In the premier reserve section “B” Mr. G. F. Anderson, of Newton Abbot, drew with Dr. A Seitz, of Germany, in a game full of difficulties.
Miss Elaine Saunders, aged 12, playing for the first time in the first class “C” section, defeated Mr. J. Spedan Lewis (president of the Hants Chess Club).
Mr. L. Barford (Plymouth Chess Congress controller) told a “Western Morning News” reporter that yesterday's play was not a great day for Plymouth.
Today will be one of the most arduous sessions during the congress, because two rounds will be played.
