Paris Match
Researched by Nick Pope
| Game | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | Wins |
| Staunton | 1 | 1 | ½ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ½ | 1 | 0 | ½ | ½ | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| Saint Amant | 0 | 0 | ½ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ½ | 0 | 1 | ½ | ½ | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
Time Control: None.
Purse: £200/2,500 francs (£100 a side).
 |  |  |
1st. The amount of stake on each side to be £100 sterling—and the winner of the first eleven games to be declared the victor, and entitled to the stakes.
2nd. The match to be played in the rooms of the Cercle des Echecs, in Paris.
3rd. The games to be conducted in accordance with the rules adopted by the Paris Cercle des Echecs.
4th. The parties to play on a Chess-board and with Chess-men similar to those used by them on the previous occasion of their playing together.
5th. The match to commence in the month of November, 1843, and to be continued at not less than four sittings each week. Either player failing to attend at the hour fixed for play, to forfeit one guinea for each omission.
6th. In the event of the English player failing to present himself within the course of four days from the time appointed for the commencement of the contest, he shall be considered to have lost, and the stakes be forfeited to his opponent. On the other hand, if his adversary be unprepared to play at the expiration of the same period after the time fixed, he shall be adjudged to have forfeited the stakes, &c.
7th. The stakes on the part of Mr. Staunton to be deposited prior to the commencement of the match in the hands of Mr. Lewis, of the London Chess Club; and those on the side of M. St. Amant in the hands of M. Chamouillet, of the Paris Chess Club.
* For a detailed history of the difficulties attending the settlement of preliminaries we must refer the reader to the fifth volume of the "Chess Player's Chronicle," and Mr. Bryan's "Historique de la Lutte, &c." Paris, 1845.
(2,500 Fr.)
Entre MM. Staunton, des Londres, et Saint-Amant, de Paris.
Londres, 22 aoùt 1843.
Mon Cher Monsieur,L'obligeance de quelques amis joueurs d'échecs, m'avait fourni une volumineuse série de conditions pour prévenir la possibilité de contestations pendant notre défi projeté. J'avais d'abord eu l'idée de vous les soumettre telles quelles, mais, après réflexion, je me suis décidé à vous éviter cet ennui et à me contenter d'appeler votre attention sur les propositions suivantes, que je considère comme les seules nécessaires à établir entre nous.
Depuis long-temps je vous aurais adressé ces conditions, n'était que je n'avais pas réponse authentique de vous que vous acceptiez mon défi. Je ne l'ai connu qu'il y a quinze jours en lisant le Palamède du mois de Juillet.
Je regardais comme important de voir auparavent M. le capitaine Évans qui, comme vous devez vous le rappeler, était convenu de m'accompagner dans le cas où j'irais jouer aux Échecs en France.
Le capitaine Évans, de retour à Londres depuis seulement peu de jours, vient de partir de nouveau pour Constantinople, d'où il est dans l'intention de revenir fin d'octobre. A cette époque, si cela est entièrement à cotre convenance, je serai heureux de faire cette partie, soit ici, soit à Paris, à votre choix.
Recevez, etc.
Signé: Staunton.
cent livres sterlings, entre lui et M. Saint-Amant
2.—On jouera à Londres ou à Paris, au choix de M. Saint-Amant. Le joueur qui se déplacera recevra vingt livres sterlings du gagnant en compensation des dépenses que son déplacement lui occasionnera.
3.—Les parties seront jouées et conduites directment d'après les règles établies dans lex cercles d'Échecs de Paris et de Londres. (N. B. Le joueur attaquant la Reine ne sera pas obligé d'avertir son adversaire en disant échec.) Le trait, au commencement de la partie, appartiendra alternativement à chaque côté pendant tout le défi, ainsi que cela se pratique dans le Cercle des Échecs de Paris.
4.—On jouera avec un échiquier et des pièces semblables à celles qui ont servi à MM. Saint-Amant et Staunton, en mai dernier. Cet Échiquier, garni de ses pièces, sera fourni par M. Staunton.
5.—Le défi commencera dans le mois de. . . . . . et sera continué jusqu'à la fin, sans qu'il puisse y avoir moins de quatre séances par semaine. Le joueur qui ne se rendrait pas au lieu et à l'heure fixés pout jouer serait passible d'une amende d'une livre, au profit de son adversaire, pour chaque absence.
6.—Dans le cas où le côté qui prendrait l'engagement de se déplacer ne se présenterait pas prêt à jouer dans le courant de quatre jours de celui pris pour le commencement du défi, il serait considéré comme ayant perdu, et l'enjeu serait acquis à la partie adverse. D'autre part, dans le cas où l'adversaire ne serait pas prêt à jouer dans le même délai, alors que celui qui se serait déplacé se serait présenté au moment fixé, ce dernier recevrait alors le montant de l'enjeu.
7.—L'argent, du côté de M. Staunton, sera déposé, avant le commencement du défi, entre les mains de M. W. Lewis, 12, chatam place Blackfriars, à Londres; et, du côté de M. de Saint-Amant, entre les mains de M. ***
Les deux dépositaires sus-nommés conserveront l'argent en leurs mains jusqu'à ce que les enjeux aient été légalement perdus (forfeited), et en pairont le montant au parti vainqueur, sur le vu d'un certficat signé par les deux témoins, qui seront, du côté de M. Staunton, M. le capitaine Evans, et, du côté de M. Saint-Amant, M. ***
8.—Comme, dans les parties d'Echecs fortement intéressées, les joueurs sont exposés à sérieux désagrémens de le part de la galerie, il est convenu que personne ne sera présent pendant le défi, excepté les joueurs, les deux témoins, et une cinquième personne qui prendra note des coups pout les transmettre aux membres des Cercles réunis dans une pièce voisine.
Mon cher Monsieur,
A votre premier not de défi à Londres, en avril dernier, j'acceptai. Seulement à cette époque et avant que nous eussions achevé notre match, vous me paraissiez viser plus haut. Je m'effaçais avec plaisir et ne croyais plus avoir à jouer qu'un rôle en cas.
Depuis lors, vois avez précisé, et moi j'ai dit, écrit, imprimé que j'étais à vos ordres. Comme vous deviez venir six semaines ou deux mois après m'avoir vu en Angleterre, ce qui correspondait à juillet et août, je pensais engager, pendant ces deux mois, la lutte que vous désirez si ardemment. Votre position aussi bien que la mienne retardent notre rencontre. Ce ne sera maintenant que vers la fin d'octobre ou le commencement de novembre que nous pourrons être en face l'un de l'autre. Ainsi soit-il!
Maintenant de vais présenter quelques modifications indispensables au petit code que vois m'avez proposé et que je publie plus haut; car ces documens appartiennent au public et auront leur place dans l'histoire des Échecs.
ART. 1er — Au lieu de parler de vingt et une parties sans compter les remises, ce qui n'a pas un sens exact, il est plus simple et plus juste de dire: « Le premier des deux qui gagnera onze parties aura le prix. »
2. — Il est inutile d'établir un doute sur le lieu où se jouera le défi. Je ne puis retourner cette année à Londres, et vous devez venir à Paris avec le capitaine Evans. C'est donce à Paris que le match aura lieu, et c'est vous qui vous déplacerez. Point de détours: vous demandez pour cela 20 livres sterl. — Refus positif d'y contribuer sur les 100 livres de notre enjeu. Au printemps je ferai comme d'habitude ma visite à l'Angleterre, et si, par événement, nous ne devons jouer qu'alors, il n'en coûtera rien à personne. Je poursuis donc la ligne de mes précédens, et ne puis accorder ce que je ne prendrais pas.
3. — Les règles ne sont pas absolument les mêmes dans les Cercles de Paris et de Londres. Il serait peut-être nécessaire d'opter pour l'une ou l'autre règle. Je propose celle du pays où la partie aura lieu.
4. — Accepté. Nous jouerons avec les armes que vous apporterez, bien convaincu qu'elles seront toujours courtoises.
5. — Accepté. Sauf à déterminer plus tard le jour du debut.
6. — Pas d'observation.
7. — Ajouter en place du blanc, « M. Chamouillet, rue Montmartre, n° 130, à Paris. » Je me réserve de nommer ultérieurement mon témoin.
8. — Le Cercle des Echecs de Paris ne consentira pas à cette clause. Quant à moi, il m'est indifférent qu'elle soit acceptée ou refusée; mais il ne dépend pas de ma volonté de forcer les mœurs et les usages de nos réunions, où jamais rien de semblable n'a été admis.
Je vous prie, Monsieur, de transiger sur ces amendemens, comme j'ai fait sur la généralité de vos propositions. Il ne faut pas tenir impitoyablement à toutes les clauses d'un pareil traité, où la forme finit par emporter le fond. Rappelez-vous le défi auquel vous avez emprunté la plupart de vos dispositions, et ne risquons pas d'en avoir une seconde édition.
Je suis, etc.
Chess.—The latest number of the Palamède (French journal of chess) contains the arrangements which are in progress for the playing of a match for 200l,, to be played between Mr. Staunton, of London, and M. St. Amant, of Paris, editor of the Palamède.
Chess.—A match has been made between Mr. Staunton, of the St. George's Club, London, and M. St. Amant, of Paris, the editor of the "Palamède" (French journal of Chess) for 200 sovereigns a-side. The match is to come off in Paris during the next month, and, in the last number of the "Palamède," M. St. Amant has published the arrangements which are in progress for the match. M. St. Amant has also proposed certain modifications of the cartel; to all of which Mr. Staunton has agreed.
Chess.—The great match for 200 guineas, between Mr. Staunton, a celebrated London player, and M. St. Amant, the editor of the "Palamede," a French journal devoted entirely to chess, which excites much interest among the players of this noble game, will be contested at Paris during the ensuing month, the first 11 games obtained by either player to decide the match. Bets to an immense amount, not only in this country but on the Continent, are pending the result.
Paris Chess Match.—The forthcoming great chess match, for 200 sovereigns, between Mr Staunton, of the St George's Club (editor of the Chess Player's Chronicle), and M. De St Amant, the editor of the Palamede, excites the greatest interest just now throughout the European chess circle. According to the articles of agreement, the scene of action is to be the Paris Chess Club, and the match must be commenced before the 15th instant. Several British amateurs are already on the move for Paris, in order to enjoy the rich feat in prospect. He who first wins eleven games carries off the laurel. Since drawn games are not to count, it is obvious that between players of so high a class, and so evenly matched, there will be in all probability 28 or 30 games played before the battle is decided; and as it is hardly likely more than one game will be played at a sitting, the chances are the struggle may last a month. The games will be all taken down for publication. Mr Staunton will be accompanied by Mr Harry Wilson, R.N., the celebrated chess amateur, in the capacity of second and referee. He could not be in better hands, since, pick England through, it were hardly possible to find a man so well qualified, not only as to personal skill in the game, but as to long experience in the chess circle, and those important advantages of imperturbable good humour, coolness, judgment, and resolution, united to the gentlemanly bearing of a British sailor. Mr Wilson has borne St George's ensign before now literally through the "battle and the breeze" acorss the sea-bright waves. May he be as successful with St George's chess banner, as with the English Jack. We hope he will favour us personally with early reports of proceedings, when the rival chess chiefs meet in the lists. Mr Wilson played a good deal in Paris about 1816, and at the time gave La Bourdonnais (then a debutant) the odds of the Knight! As to the result of the chess match between St Amant and Mr Staunton, it is difficult to form an opinion. Judging from cross play, our countryman should win, since he played many hundred games with Mr Cochrane, and won an enormous majority; while St Amant received a decided beating from the latter. But then, St Amant was here only on a flying visit, and had not time to get up his steam, while in a match with Mr Staunton himself, played here last spring, St Amant won 3 to 2. St Amant's highest quality is endurance under a protracted contest; and here his larger measure of experience will tell in his favour. On the other hand, nothing can exceed Mr Staunton's brilliancy of style, and judgment of what old players call "position." Both players are in high spirits and confidence, and we heartily hope they will meet in full health and mental powers.
Great Chess Match for £200 between England and France.—The Galignani contains the following on the subject of this match:—The death of Labourdonnais has left the chess throne vacant. Like Alexander, his empire has been divided amongst his lieutenants in France and the best players in England and Germany. Amongst the former is M. Saint Amant, the editor of the chess journal, the Palamède, who has, by general consent, taken the place of his master over the chess-players of France. The English have lost Macdonnell, who on some occasions fought with advantage against even Labourdonnais himself; but they still possess Mr. Lewis and Mr. G. Walker, whose excellent writings have so much contributed to the advancement of this noble game. Another luminary has also of late years shone forth in the United Kingdom, Mr. Staunton, the editor of the “Chess Player’s Chronicle,” and allowed to be the best player in England. His style is considered to resemble, in a great measure, that of M. Labourdonnais, from its brilliant and rapid manner. In a trial of strength with M. Saint Amant at London, last spring, he had the advantage, but now, fully relying on his skill, and possessed of the confidence of the English players, he has come over to Paris to again measure his powers with his fortunate victor. The winner of the first eleven games is to be considered the conqueror, and, in addition to the stakes, exceedingly large sums of money have been wagered on the respective champions. This match is to be played in the rooms of the Paris chess club, at the Café de la Régence, and will probably not be brought to a close before the end of December. We shall endeavour to obtain the games as they are played, and insert them in the columns of this journal.
Great Chess Match For 200l. Between England And France.—The death of Labourdonnais has left the chess throne vacant. Like Alexander his empire has been divided amongst his lieutenants in France and the best players in England and Germany. Amongst the former is M. Saint Amant, the editor of the chess journal, the Palamede, who has taken the place of his master over the chess-players of France. The English have lost Macdonnell, who on some occasions fought with advantage against even Labourdonnais himself; but they still possess Mr. Lewis and Mr. George Walker. Another luminary has also of late years shone forth in the United Kingdom, Mr. Staunton, the editor of the Chess Player's Chronicle, and allowed to be the best player in England. In a trial of strength with M. Saint Amant at London last spring he had the advantage, but now, fully relying on his skill, and possessed of the confidence of the English players, he has come over to Paris to agains measure his powers with his fortunate victor. The winner of the first 11 games is to be considered the conqueror, and in addition to the stakes exceedingly large sums of money have been wagered on the respective champions. This match will probably not be brought to a close before the end of December. Chess has of late years become so favourite an amusement with the more intellectual circles of society that the present match excites unusual interest.—Galignani.
Lex—The laws which regulate the great chess match now playing between Mr Staunton and M. St. Amant, are those of the Paris Chess Club; being exactly the same as the code of laws in Mr George Walker's Treatise, with the single difference that the move passes alternately independent of drawn games. This is a slight improvement, it strikes us, on English practice.
The Great Chess Match At Paris.—The following are the moves of the first game played last week between Mr. Staunton and M. Saint-Amant. The latter gentleman won the move, and played the white men. The game lasted a little more than five hours:—
We this week give the first game of the match now playing for 200 sovs in Paris between Mr. Staunton of London and M. St. Amant of Paris. M. St. Amant had the white men and the move.
Le défaut d’espace ne nous permet de donner aujourd’hui que les cinq premières parties. Ce sont les plus faibles, la défense n’étant pas au niveau de l’attaque. Le prochain numéro contiendra les 16 autres parties, parmi lesquelles il en est très certainement du premier ordre.
(2,500 francs)
Entre
MM. Saint-Amant (le Palamède) et Staunton (Chess-Chronicle).
Première Partie.
(Le 14 Novembre 1843, a duré six heures.)
Date: 1843.11.14
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 1)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [B21] Sicilian
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 1)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [B21] Sicilian
- 1.e4 c5 2.f4 e6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.c3 d5 5.e5 Nh6 6.Na3 Be7 7.Nc2 f5 8.d4 0-0 9.Be2 Bd7 10.0-0
- Palamède: Jusqu’ici la partie est, de part et d’autre, jouée avec une parfaite régularité. {So far the game has been played by both sides with perfect regularity.}
- 10...Rc8
- Chronicle: Even at this early stage of the game, the student will remark that Black, by the rapidity with which he contrived to develop his forces, has acquired an advantage in position.
- Companion: The fault of White's 5th move is apparent in the rapidity with which his opponent was enabled to develope his game and obtain an advantage in position so early in the contest.
- 11.Kh1
- Palamède: Il valait peut-être mieux ici pousser le P de la T du R, pour placer ensuite le R à sa case. {Perhaps it would be better here to push the h-pawn, and then place the king on h2.}
- 11...cxd4 12.cxd4 Nf7
- Chronicle: With the intention of throwing forward his g-pawn.
- Companion: Intending to throw foward his g-pawn next move.
- 13.Rg1
- Chronicle: To prevent the advance of Black’s g-pawn, and at the same time enable White to play his own.
- Companion: To prevent the advance of Black's g-pawn, and at the same time to admit of White's playing his own.
- 13...Kh8 14.g4
- Palamède: Les Blancs se sont trop laissé emporter ici à la bouillante ardeur des Français. Cette attaque a été prématurée. Il fallait auparavant avoir le pièces du côté de la D mieux sorties. Quoique ici la partie ne soit pas encore mauvaise, c’est cependant à partir de ce moment qu’elle a commencé à péricliter. Chaque coup elle a empiré, un peu par la faute du joueur, il est vrai. {White is too carried away by the fiery ardor of the French. This attack was premature. It was necessary beforehand to bring out the pieces on the queen's side. Although here the game is not bad, it does however, from this point begin to decline. Every move it gets worse, much of the blame falls on the player, it is true.}
- 14...fxg4 15.Rxg4 Nh6 16.Rg3 Be8 17.Bd3
- Palamède: Coup faible; c’est la T du R qu’il fallait porter à sa 3 c., empèchant l’arrivée du F du R adverse. {Weak move; 17.Rh3 was necessary to prevent the arrival of the e7-bishop.}
- 17...Bh5 18.Qg1 Bh4 19.Nxh4
- Palamède: Coup forcé pour ne pas perdre l’échange. Il a cependant le grave inconvénient d’attirer la D ennemie dans le jeu. {This move is forced so as not to lose the exchange. It has however the serious disadvantage of drawing the enemie's queen into the game.}
- Chronicle: If, instead of this move, White had played 19.Rh3, he would have lost the exchange.
- Companion: If White had played 19.Rh3 instead of this move, he would have lost the exchange, at least; for example:—19.Rh3 Bg4 20.Nxh4 (best) 20...Bxh3, etc.
- Chronicle: If, instead of this move, White had played 19.Rh3, he would have lost the exchange.
- 19...Qxh4 20.Ne1
- Companion: This is not a good move. Perhaps his best play was 20.Qg2.
- 20...Nb4
- Palamède: Très bon coup d’attaque qui échange le C pour le F, ou qui force celui-ci à rentrer à sa case. {Very good attacking move which exchanges the knight for the bishop, or forces the bishop to retreat to f1.}
- Chronicle: This is the coup de partie, and almost decides the game in favor of the second player.
- Companion: The winning move.
- Chronicle: This is the coup de partie, and almost decides the game in favor of the second player.
- 21.Bd2
- Chronicle: At the conclusion of the sitting, some of the leading amateurs expressed surprise that M. St. Amant did not at this point retreat 21.Bf1. Mr. Staunton, however, immediately demonstrated that the move suggested would have cost White a piece. We believe his best move was 21.Ng2.
- Companion: At the conclusion of the sitting some of the leading Parisian amateurs expressed surprise that M. St. Amant did not at this point retreat 21.Bf1. The following variations clearly show that the move suggested would have cost White a piece:—21.Bf1 Rxc1 22.Rxc1 Qxf4 23.Nd3 (best) 23...Nxd3 24.Bxd3 Bf3+ 25.Rg2 Bxg2+ 26.Qxg2 (best) 26...Qxc1+. We believe M. St. Amant's best play was:—21.Ng2.
- 21...Nxd3 22.Rxd3
- Palamède: Avant de prendre il était convenable de chasser la D en jouant le C à la 2 c. du C du R. {Before taking it was correct to chase the queen by playing 22.Ng2.}
- 22...Bg6
- Companion: Having the range of this diagonal comparatively free, this bishop now becomes most formidable.
- 23.Qg3 Qh5 24.Rb3
- Palamède: Ici tout est mauvais. On aurait pourtant pu allonger encore la partie, qui est du reste perdue sans ressources. {There are no good moves. Yet it would have been possible to prolong the game, which is, moreover, lost without resources.}
- 24...Qe2 25.Qe3
- Palamède: Très mal joué. Quoique le jeu Blancs soit tout-à-fait compromis, ils devaient vendre plus chèrement leur dernier soupir. {Played very poorly. Though White's game is entirely compromised, he had to dearly sell his last breath.}
- Chronicle: M. St. Amant played thus, under the misconception, that after 25...Qf1+ 26.Qg1 Be4+, he could safely play 27.Ng2.
- Companion: Evidently played under the misconception, that after 25...Qf1+ 26.Qg1 Be4+, he could safely play 27.Ng2.
- Chronicle: M. St. Amant played thus, under the misconception, that after 25...Qf1+ 26.Qg1 Be4+, he could safely play 27.Ng2.
- 25...Qf1+
- Palamède: Les Blanc abandonnent. {White resigned.}
- 26.Qg1 Be4+ 27.Rf3 Bxf3+ 28.Nxf3 Qxf3+ 29.Qg2 Qxg2+ 30.Kxg2 Rc2
- Meier: und Mr. Staunton gewinnt.
- 31.Rd1 Rxf4 32.Kg3 Rxd4 33.Bxh6 Rxd1 0-1
- Companion: The time occupied in playing this game was exactly six hours.
London Standard, 1843.11.20, n6034, p3 (ends 30...Rc2)
Illustrated London News, 1843.11.25, v3 n82, p352 (ends 30...Rc2)
Le Palamède, 1843.12.15, v3 n12, pp550-551 (ends 25...Qf1+)
Der Schachkampf in Paris, Carl Meier, Zürich, 1844, pp1-5 (ends 30...Rc2)
Match In Paris.—The great chess match between Messrs St Amant and Staunton began on Tuesday last, when the first game was played and won by our countryman in very beautiful style. M. St Amant appeared nervous, and more excited than we have seen him in play. This will, of course, go off in a few days. The game included 34 moves only. The parties are to play alternate days, and the match may last six weeks if they only play one game at a sitting. The stake is two hundred sovereigns, but it must be owned mr Staunton bets long odd when we take into account the heavy cost of going to Paris and living there for some time. We are happy to state that he is in excellent health and spirits, and that nothing could excee the kindness and urbanity with which he was received by St Amant and his friends. His reception was, in fact, that of a chess brother seeking a friendly trial of skill, and such must ever be the feeling between real artists. Mr Staunton was greeted with a banquet a la Francais the day before the match. This is quite like the battle of Fontenoy, when the French and English officers saluted hat in hand, and offered their opponents the compliment of first fire. The time at which we necessarily go to press will not allow us to give the result of Thursday's play in this week's edition. We are greatly indebted to the coureous express of Mr Harry Wilson, who is with Mr Staunton in the capacity of umpire. His office will be probably so far a sinecure, as nothing can surpass the kind of feeling on both sides. Several English amateurs are on the spot, and the crowd of spectators numerous; preserving, however, the gravity of American Indians rather than the volatility of la grande nation. Nothing can be judged from the first games as to the ultimate result. A paragraph has been running through our daily press this week, taken from the French papers, in which Mr Staunton is somewhat prematurely announced as "the first English player." It is very well of the Parisians to proclaim him such, since their glory would be the greater in case of conquest, but in our own chess circles we read "one of the first" for "the first." This for the present; on the future it were premature to speak. When we recognise in Mr Staunton our first player we shall be the first honestly and eagerly to proclaim him so; but at present, in case of his defeat, our consolation would conscientiously be that of King Harry when he hears of the death of the Percy at Otterbourne: "We trust we have within our realms others as good as he." We heartily wish him success, for his own sake personally as well as for the sake of the English chess school, which has hitherto been at a discount in most encounters with foreigners, from a variety of causes but not always, we fancy, from our having been really inferior. We hope to give a game next week.
(Le 16 Novembre 1843, a duré six heures et demie.)
Date: 1843.11.16
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 2)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [A43] Benoni
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 2)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [A43] Benoni
- 1.d4 c5
- Palamède: Ce début n’est pas favorable au second joueur. Bennoni en donne quelques exemples; mais il fait perdre un temps au premier joueur, ce qui le prive de tous les avantages d’une bonne ouverture. {This opening is not favorable to Black. Benoni gives some examples; but it loses time to the first player, which deprives Black of all the advantages of a good opening.}
- 2.d5
- Chronicle: This is much better play than taking the pawn.
- Companion: This is much better than taking the pawn.
- 2...f5
- Companion: M. St. Amant derived this somewhat bizarre defence from Benoni. (Benoni, oder Vertheidigungen die Gambitzüge im Schache, &c. Von Aaron Reinganum, Frankfort, 1825.)
- 3.Nf3 d6 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Bg5 e5 6.e4 a6
- Palamède: Pour empècher, sans doute, l’échec du F. C’est en temps déplorablement pris et qui fait perdre la partie. En prenant tout simplement le P du R avec le P, et sortant ensuite le F du R à la 2 c. du R pour roquer le coup suivant, les Noirs auraient un jeu égal à celui des Blancs, dont l’attaque est plus artificieuse que solide. {To prevent, no doubt, the check by the bishop. It is a deplorable loss of time taken that loses the game. By simply taking 6...fxe4, and then 7...Be7, Black would have a game equal to that of White, whose attack is more artificial than solid.}
- Companion: On referring to the "Time Table," we observe that Black devoted seventeen minutes to the consideration of the present move, and no less than nineteen before he felt justified in retreating 8...Bc8.
- 7.exf5 Bxf5 8.Nh4 Bc8
- Palamède: C’est encore ce qu’il y a de mieux à faire. {This is the best thing to do.}
- 9.Bd3
- Palamède: A partir de ce coup, les Blancs profitent merveilleusement du temps perdu par leur adversaire. {From this point, White profits marvelously from the time lost by his opponent.}
- Chronicle: White has already four pieces in the field to his opponent’s one.
- 9...g6 10.0-0 Be7 11.f4
- Companion: This was certainly not made without reflection, since we find that sixteen minutes were expended in deliberation on it; but in spite of this, it is very questionable whether the advance of his f-pawn at this point was not somewhat premature.
- 11...c4
- Palamède: Don à l’effect de retirer le F de la terrible diagonale. Ce sacrifice a été à peu près en pure perte. L’adversaire n’en a été ni plus reconnaissant ni moins acharné à l’attaque. Roquer présentait les plus désastreuses conséquences. {This has the effect of removing the bishop from the dangerous diagonal. This sacrifice was nearly a pure loss. White was neither better or worse with his attack. 11...0-0 presented the most disastrous consequences.}
- Chronicle: A good move if correctly followed up, but the real force of which M. St. Amant, strangely enough, appears to have overlooked.
- Companion: An excellent move, if properly followed up, but the importance of which M. St. Amant appears to have overlooked.
- Chronicle: A good move if correctly followed up, but the real force of which M. St. Amant, strangely enough, appears to have overlooked.
- 12.Bxc4 exf4
- Chronicle: Instead of so playing, Black should have checked 12...Qb6+, and then played 13...Ng4.
- Companion: He ought now to have checked 12...Qb6+, and although White would still have had an advantage in position, the game of Black would have been much relieved.
- 13.Rxf4 Nbd7 14.Qd4 Ne5 15.Re1
- Palamède: Coup de T qui est de main de maître. Un moins habile joueur l’aurait certainement placée à la case du F du R. {A masterly move of the rook. A less skilful player would certainly have played 15.Raf1.}
- Chronicle: The object of this move—a far better one, be it observed, than doubling the rooks—was to prevent Black from castling advantageously.
- Companion: The object of this move, a far better one, be it observed, than doubleing the rooks, was to prevent Black from castling.
- Palamède: Coup de T qui est de main de maître. Un moins habile joueur l’aurait certainement placée à la case du F du R. {A masterly move of the rook. A less skilful player would certainly have played 15.Raf1.}
- 15...Nfd7
- Chronicle: If he had ventured to castle now, the following moves would probably have occured: 15...0-0 16.Rxe5 dxe5 17.d6+ Kg7 18.dxe7 Qxd4+ 19.Rxd4 exd4 20.Bh6+ winning easily.
- Companion: Here the position is interesting and instructive. If now Black, instead of playing as in the text, had castled, the following moves would probably have occurred:—15...0-0 16.Rxe5 dxe5 17.d6+ Kg7 18.dxe7 Qxd4+ 19.Rxd4 exd4 20.Bh6+ winning easily.
- 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 17.Ne4 Rf8
- Palamède: Ce coup de Tour pour Tour n’est pas trop mauvais; mais, ce qui perd inévitablement le jeu des Noirs, c’est cette position du F et de la T de la D, qui sont aussie étrangers à l’action que s’ils n’existaient pas. C’est à propos de cela que l’écrivain anglais, l’honorable G. Walker, s’écriait, dans le Bell’s Life in London: « Non, ce n’est pas là Saint-Amant, l’homme aux mille trônes! » {The rook for rook trade is not too bad; But what inevitably loses Black the game is the position of the queen's bishop and queen's rook, who are as alien to the action as if they did not exist. It is about this that the English writer, the Honorable G. Walker, exclaimed in Bell's Life in London: "No, this is not Saint-Amant, the man with a thousand thrones!"}
- 18.Rxf8+ Qxf8
- Palamède: C’est avec le R qu’il fallait ici reprendre, et l’on fût peut-être parvenu ensuite à dégager la T et le F en poussant le P du C de la D deux pas. Dans tous les cas, on prévenait le coup des Blancs qui prennent gratuitement le P de la D par échec. {It was with the king that we should recapture here, and perhaps we might have succeeded in freeing the rook and the bishop by pushing the pawn to b5. In any case, White was prevented from taking the d-pawn with check.}
- 19.Nxd6+ Kd8
- Chronicle: White would obviously have regained the piece instantly, if his adversary had taken the knight.
- Companion: White would obviously have regained a piece instantly by playing 20.Nf3, if his adversary had taken the knight.
- 20.Rxe5 Qxd6 21.Re3
- Chronicle: Well played, since it prevents Black gaining time by checking when the queen is moved from the diagonal she now occupied.
- Companion: The proper move, since it prevents Black, at an ulterior period, from gaining time by checking with his queen.
- 21...Kc7 22.Bb3
- Chronicle: For the purpose of advancing the c-pawn, when necessary.
- Companion: To enable him to advance the c-pawn when necessary.
- 22...a5 23.Nf3 Nf6 24.c4 b6 25.Ne5 a4 26.Bc2 a3 27.Nf7 Qc5 28.Qf4+ Kb7 29.b4
- Chronicle: This move at least gains White a piece.
- Companion: This move gains White at least a piece.
- 29...Nh5
- Palamède: C’est un mauvais coup, et la suite l’a bien prouvé; mais la partie est arrivée à un point où elle n’offre plus de ressource aux Noirs. {This is a bad move, and the remainder proves it; but the game has reached a point where it no longer offered Blacks any resources.}
- 30.Nd8+ Ka6
- Palamède: Le R eût été à la seconde case de la T que c’était toujours perdu. {30...Ka7 was just as lost.}
- 31.bxc5 Nxf4 32.Rxa3# 1-0
- Companion: Duration of the second game seven hours.
In this and the fourteen next games we are enabled, through the courtesy of Captain Wilson (who at this point commenced timing every move accurately with a stop-watch), to present a table, showing the exact time occupied by each player in the most important moves of the game. It is obviously unnecessary an inconvenient to makr the time of every move, Captain Wilson has kindly, therefore, selected for us all those moves which occupied five minutes and above in consideration, and we shall pass over those which took less, without comment.
[...]
Longest Time of the Players in deliberation.
By this we we [sic] find that, in the present game, White out of his thirty-two moves, in twelve instances took a period of five minutes or more for deliberation; and Black, out of thirty-one moves, required five minutes or upwards, in sixteen cases; and that the highest time occupied in consideration on a single move by each was:—White, sixteen minutes, and Black nineteen.
[...]
| White. (Mr. S.) | Black. (M. St. A.) | |||
| On Move | Minutes. | On Move | Minutes. | |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 | |
| 6 | 5 | 6 | 17 | |
| 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| 10 | 7 | 8 | 18 | |
| 11 | 16 | 9 | 11 | |
| 12 | 10 | 10 | 8 | |
| 13 | 5 | 11 | 19 | |
| 14 | 12 | 13 | 8 | |
| 15 | 5 | 14 | 5 | |
| 16 | 5 | 15 | 5 | |
| 23 | 5 | 17 | 6 | |
| 25 | 6 | 19 | 5 | |
| 21 | 5 | |||
| 22 | 5 | |||
| 23 | 5 | |||
| 25 | 5 | |||
| —— | —— | —— | —— | |
| 12 | 87 | 16 | 140 | |
(From Galignani’s Messenger.)
Third Day’s Play.
(Le 18 Novembre 1843, a duré sept heures.)
Date: 1843.11.18
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 3)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [B21] Sicilian
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 3)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [B21] Sicilian
- 1.e4 c5 2.f4 e6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.c3 d5 5.e5 Bd7 6.Na3
- Palamède: Cette marche du C vient de Macdonnell, dans ses fameuses parties avec Labourdonnais; elle n’est certes pas défectueuse, mais elle ne relève pas la partie de défense contre le P du R un pas. {This knight move comes from Macdonnell, in his famous games with Labourdonnais; It is certainly not defective, but it falls outside the play of the defenses opening.}
- 6...Nge7 7.Nc2 Ng6 8.d4 Rc8
- Palamède: Cette T est un bon coup de préparation; elle dispose favorablement le jeu pour l’attaque à venir. {This rook move is good preparation; it gives a favorable game for the upcoming attack.}
- 9.a3 Be7 10.Bd3 0-0 11.0-0
- Palamède: Au lieu de roquer, il eût été aussi bon de prendre le C du R pour doubler ce P du C du R. S’il y a eu faute à ne pas le faire de la part des Blancs , il nous semble que leur adversaire encourt le même reproche. {Instead of 11.0-0, it would have been equally good to take 11.Bxg6 to double the g-pawn. If there was a fault in not doing so on the part of White, it seems to us that their adversary incurs the same reproach.}
- 11...f5
- Palamède: Le P poussé un seul pas serait certainement tout aussi bon. {11...f6 would certainly be just as good.}
- 12.h3 cxd4 13.Ncxd4 Nxd4 14.cxd4 Qb6 15.g3 Rc7 16.Qe2 Rfc8 17.Be3 Be8 18.g4 fxg4 19.hxg4 Nf8 20.Kg2 g6 21.Rac1
- Palamède: Echange proposé assez inutilement, puisque la position occupée par les deux Fous préserve les Blancs de toute attaque dangereuse de la part des Tours doublées. {The exchange proposed is rather useless, since the position occupied by the two bishops protects White from any dangerous attack from the doubled rooks.}
- Chronicle: We should have preferred playing 21.Rh1, with which view indeed it would appear the king was moved.
- Companion: 21.Rh1, the move intended, one would suppose, when White played 20.Kg2, seems more effective than this, although the present move was not made without much reflection.
- Chronicle: We should have preferred playing 21.Rh1, with which view indeed it would appear the king was moved.
- 21...Rxc1 22.Rxc1 Rxc1 23.Bxc1 Qd8 24.Kh3
- Chronicle: This is better play than advancing 24.f5, because, in that case, Black, after 24...exf5 25.gxf5, would have played 25...Qc8, attacking the adversary’s bishop and pawn also.
- Companion: This is better than advancing 24.f5, because, in that case, Black, after 24...exf5 25.gxf5, could have played 25...Qc8, attacking the adversary's bishop and pawn also.
- 24...a6
- Chronicle: An indispensable precaution.
- Companion: A very necessary precaution.
- 25.Qg2 Bd7 26.Be3
- Chronicle: Again White was prevented making the wished for advance 26.f5, from fear of 26...Qc8.
- Companion: Again, White dared not advance 26.f5, from apprehension of 26...Qc8.
- 26...Kh8 27.Nh2
- Chronicle: With the object of pushing on the g-pawn, and ultimately planting the knight at f6.
- Companion: For the purpose of playing forward the g-pawn, and subsequently of planting this knight on f6.
- 27...Qb6 28.Qc2 Kg7 29.b4
- Palamède: C'était une grande imprudence de la part des Blancs et qui a failli leur coûter la partie. Il fallait, de ce côté, rester dans le lignes et chercher les moyens de fortifer encore l'attaque du côté du Roi. {This was a great imprudence on the part of White, which almost cost him the game. It was necessary to keep this side static and to seek means of further fortifying the attack on the king's side.}
- 29...a5
- Chronicle: Well played.
- Companion: The proper move, we believe.
- 30.bxa5 Qxa5 31.f5 exf5 32.gxf5 gxf5 33.Bc1
- Chronicle: If, instead of this move, he had taken 33.Bxf5, Black, by taking 33...Qxa3, would have obtained a great advantage in position.
- Companion: If, instead of this move, he had taken 33.Bxf5, Black would have taken 33...Qxa3, and have greatly improved his game.
- 33...Qe1
- Palamède: Le coup juste était de prendre le P de la T avec le F. Toutes les chances de gain étaient alors en faveur des Noirs. En voulant perfectionner ils se sont fourvoyés. {The proper move was to take 33...Bxa3. All chances of winning were then in favor of Black. In wanting to be perfect he erred.}
- Chronicle: A seductive move, but not nearly so sound as taking 33...Bxa3, which must have decided the partie in favour of Black.
- Companion: A tempting move, but not nearly so good as taking 33...Bxa3, which would have given Black a superiority sufficient to decide the game.
- Chronicle: A seductive move, but not nearly so sound as taking 33...Bxa3, which must have decided the partie in favour of Black.
- 34.Kg2
- Palamède: Très bien joué; sans cela tout était compromis. {Very well done; Otherwise everything was compromised.}
- Chronicle: Finely played.
- Companion: Finely played.
- Chronicle: Finely played.
- 34...Ng6 35.Nf3 Nh4+ 36.Nxh4 Qxh4
- Palamède: Prendre du F était peut-être préférable. {It may be preferable to take 36...Bxh4.}
- 37.Bxf5 Bxf5 38.Qxf5 Qxd4 39.Bg5
- Palamède: Excellent mouvement qui a assuré une partie remise avec une infériorité de Pions. Donner l'échec à la 6 c. de la T ne valait rien. {Excellent manuever that ensured a drawn game with an inferiority of pawns. 39.Bh6+ was pointless.}
- Chronicle: 39.Bh6+ would have also been an effective mode of drawing the game.
- 39...Qb2+ 40.Kh1 Qa1+ 41.Kg2 Qa2+ 42.Kh1 Qxa3 43.Bf6+
- Palamède: En prenant le F on perdait la partie. {43.Bxe7 loses the game.}
- 43...Bxf6 44.Qxf6+ Kg8 45.Qg5+ Kf7 46.Qf6+ Ke8 47.Qe6+ Qe7 48.Qg8+ Kd7 49.Qxd5+
- Palamède: La partie s'est encore prolongée d'une dixaine de coups qui n'offrent qu'un très médiocre intérêt. Il était important pour les Blancs de donner les échecs avec précision. En général, ils ont mieux joué que leur adversaire cette fin de partie. C'est à cela qu'ils ont dû de faire partie nulle, étant numériquement plus faibles. Partie remise. {The game was prolonged by a dozen moves, which offered little interest. It was important for White to give check accurately. In general, he played better than his opponent in the endgame. That's why he was able to void the game, being numerically weaker. Drawn game.}
- 49...Kc7 50.Qc4+ Kd8 51.Qg8+ Kc7 52.Qc4+ Kb6 53.Qb3+ Kc6 54.Qc4+ Qc5 55.Qe6+ Kc7 56.Qf7+ Kc6 57.Qe6+ Kc7 58.Qf7+ ½-½
- Companion: The duration of the game was seven hours.
Le Palamède, 1843.12.15, v3 n12, pp553-554 (ends 49.Qxd5+)
| White. (M. St. A.) | Black. (Mr. S.) | |||
| On Move | Minutes. | On Move | Minutes. | |
| 3 | 8 | 5 | 5 | |
| 9 | 10 | 6 | 5 | |
| 13 | 6 | 12 | 7 | |
| 15 | 11 | 14 | 6 | |
| 17 | 9 | 15 | 8 | |
| 18 | 8 | 16 | 10 | |
| 20 | 12 | 17 | 5 | |
| 24 | 7 | 20 | 5 | |
| 26 | 6 | 23 | 7 | |
| 27 | 7 | 25 | 5 | |
| 28 | 6 | 27 | 5 | |
| 28 | 15 | |||
| —— | —— | —— | —— | |
| 12 | 100 | 13 | 89 | |
(Le 19 Novembre 1843, a duré quatre heures et demie.)
Date: 1843.11.19
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 4)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [A43] Benoni
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 4)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [A43] Benoni
- 1.d4 c5 2.d5 f5 3.Nc3 d6
- Palamède: C'est un mauvais début pour le deuxième joueur. Le P de la D à sa 5 c. est généralement très fort. {This is a bad opening for the second player. 2.d5 is usually very strong.}
- 4.e4 fxe4 5.Nxe4 e5 6.Bg5 Qa5+
- Palamède: Quoique faisant gagner un temps, ce coup éloigne la D, la met dans une position inutile et donne un mauvais jeu. {Though it saves momentarily saves the queen, she is put in a useless position and gives a bad game.}
- Chronicle: Had Black interposed either 6...Ne7 or 6...Be7, he would have lost at least a pawn—e.g.: 6...Ne7 (or 6...Be7) 7.Bb5+, knight or bishop interposes, 8.Nxd6+, etc.
- Companion: Had Black interposed either 6...Be7 or 6...Ne7, he would haev lost a pawn, or have been driven to play his king disastrously (e. g.):—6...Be7 (or 6...Ne7) 7.Bb5+, if 7...Nd7 (or 7...Bd7) 8.Nxd6+, etc., etc.
- Chronicle: Had Black interposed either 6...Ne7 or 6...Be7, he would have lost at least a pawn—e.g.: 6...Ne7 (or 6...Be7) 7.Bb5+, knight or bishop interposes, 8.Nxd6+, etc.
- 7.c3 Bf5 8.Ng3 Bg6 9.Bd3 Bxd3
- Companion: The position is one of great difficulty to the second player, and this, the result of long deliberation, appears his best play.
- 10.Qxd3
- Palamède: Il est évident, à la simple inspection des deux jeux, que les Noirs ont perdu des temps, car ils n'ont qu'une pièce mal sortie, tandis que l'adversaire en a trois offensivement placées. {It is evident from the simple inspection of the two games that Black has lost time, for he has only one bad piece left, while his opponent has three offensively placed.}
- 10...g6 11.N1e2 Be7 12.Ne4 Qb6 13.0-0 Nd7 14.Bxe7 Nxe7 15.Ng5 h6 16.Ne6 Nf8
- Companion: Black plays very ingeniously all through this portion of his troubles.
- 17.Nxf8 Rxf8 18.b4 cxb4 19.cxb4 Kf7
- Chronicle: Ingeniously played.
- Companion: An odd-looking, but an excellent move, under the circumstances.
- 20.Kh1 Kg7 21.f4 Rad8
- Palamède: Les Noirs, qui avaient et eu une si mauvaise ouverture, ont joué, depuis le 10e coup, avec une grande habileté, car ils sont parvenus, à travers mille dangers, à établir une partie égale. Leur jeu, très certainement, vaut à présent celui des Blancs. {Black, who had such a bad opening, has played, since the tenth move, with great skill, for he has succeeded, through a thousand dangers, in establishing an equal game. His position, certainly, is now equal that of White's.}
- 22.Rad1 h5 23.Qc3 Qb5 24.Qd2
- 24...Rf5
- Palamède: Voici la faute qui fait perdre la partie. Il y avait là cent autres choses préférables; ne jouer cette même T qu'à la 2 c. du F, prendre le P du centre avec le C, tout était meilleur que ce coup malencontreux, qui attire le C ennemi dans le jeu. On va en voir les terribles conséquences. C'est encore à l'impatience du joueur français qu'il faut attribuer le perte de cette partie. {Here is the mistake that loses the game. There were a hundred other preferable moves here; From 24...Rf7, to 24...Nxd5, anything was better than this unfortunate move, which allows the enemy knight into the game. We will see the terrible consequences. It is the impatience of the French player that the loss of this game must be attributed.}
- Chronicle: A badly calculated move; instead of it, he might have taken 24...Nxd5, and if 25.Qxd5, 25...Qxe2 in return. White, however, even in that case would have got the better game.
- Companion: This is not well calculated. Perhaps his best play was to take 24...Nxd5. We subjoin a few variations consequent on Black's adopting this mode of play: 24...Nxd5 25.Qxd5 Qxe2 26.Rfe1 Qg4 27.fxe5 dxe5 (27...Qxb4 28.e6 and must win.) 28.Qxe5+ Kh6 (28...Kg8 29.Rxd8 Rxd8 30.h3 Qd7 31.Qf6 and wins.) 29.Rxd8 Rxd8 30.Qe3+ Qg5 31.Qe4 with the better game.
- Chronicle: A badly calculated move; instead of it, he might have taken 24...Nxd5, and if 25.Qxd5, 25...Qxe2 in return. White, however, even in that case would have got the better game.
- 25.Ng3 Rf6 26.fxe5 Rxf1+ 27.Rxf1 dxe5 28.Qg5 Rd7
- Palamède: Ici les Noirs n'ont pas de bon coup de ressource. La position des Blancs leur fait forcément gagner la partie. {Here Black has no good resource. White's position necessarily wins the game.}
- 29.Qxe5+ Kh6
- Chronicle: And White mated his opponent in four moves.
- Companion: White mates in four moves.
- 30.Qh8+ Kg5 31.Ne4+ Kh4
- Palamède: En allant à la 5 c. du C de la R, il prolongeait d'un coup son agonie. {By 31.Kg4 he only prolonged his agony.}
- 32.Rf4# 1-0
- Companion: This game lasted four hours and a half.
Chess Player’s Chronicle, 1844, v5, pp16-17 (ends 29...Kh6)
| White. (Mr. S.) | Black. (M. St. A.) | |||
| On Move | Minutes. | On Move | Minutes. | |
| 16 | 5 | 8 | 7 | |
| 17 | 5 | 9 | 18 | |
| — | — | 10 | 5 | |
| — | — | 11 | 7 | |
| — | — | 15 | 20 | |
| — | — | 16 | 5 | |
| —— | —— | —— | —— | |
| 2 | 10 | 6 | 62 | |
(From Galignani’s Messenger of Saturday.)
(Le 21 Novembre 1843, a duré neuf heures et demie.)
Date: 1843.11.21
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 5)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [B21] Sicilian
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 5)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [B21] Sicilian
- 1.e4 c5 2.f4 e6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.c3 d5 5.e5 Qb6 6.Bd3
- Palamède: Ce coup du F a été grandement critiqué; cependant nous avons vu Labourdonnais le jouer, et Mouret, qui fut un des plus habiles joueurs de cette partie du P du R 1 pas, n'y manquait jamais. Nous ne sommes pas convaincus qu'il soit plus mauvais que tout autre coup. {This move of the bishop was greatly criticized; Yet we saw Labourdonnais play it, and Mouret, who was one of the most skilled players in the king's pawn one game, was never wanting. We are not convinced that it is worse than any other move.}
- 6...Bd7 7.Bc2 Rc8 8.0-0 Nh6 9.h3 Be7 10.Kh2 f5 11.a3 a5 12.a4
- Palamède: Il valait mieux venir là d'un seul coup. {It was better to come here at once.}
- 12...Nf7 13.d4 h6 14.Re1
- Palamède: Pour empècher les Noirs de pousser 2 pas leur P du C du R. {To prevent Black from pushing 14...g5.}
- Chronicle: Threatening 15.Bxf5, and then play 16.e6.
- Companion: Threatening 15.Bxf5, and then play 16.e6.
- Chronicle: Threatening 15.Bxf5, and then play 16.e6.
- 14...g6 15.Na3 cxd4
- Companion: Black delayed the capture of the d-pawn up to this point, to prevent his opponent playing Nc3.
- 16.Nxd4
- Palamède: Si les Blancs avaient pris avec le P, le C noir fùt venu se planter à sa 5 c. où il eùt été très gènant. {If White had taken 16.cxd4, the black knight would come to plant himself on b4, where he would be very annoying.}
- 16...Nxd4 17.cxd4 g5 18.Nb5
- Palamède: Ils se font doubler un P, ce qui n'est pas bon. {This yields a doubled pawn, which is not good.}
- 18...Bxb5 19.axb5 Rc4
- Palamède: Ceci a été une perte de temps de la part de M. Staunton qui n'a pas généralement ce défaut. {This was a waste of time on the part of Mr. Staunton who generally does not have that defect.}
- 20.Bd3
- Chronicle: Very well played.
- Companion: Well played.
- 20...Rc8
- Palamède: Ils perdraient l'échange de la T pour le F, s'ils prenaient le P de la D. Il vaut encore mieux reconnaître qu'on s'est trompé, et battre prudemment en retraite. {He would lose the exchange of rook for bishop if he took the d-pawn. It is better to acknowledge the mistake, and cautiously make a retreat.}
- Chronicle: Black would have lost the exchange if he had taken the d-pawn.
- Companion: He was compelled to retreat, for it he had taken the d-pawn, White would have gained the exchange.
- Chronicle: Black would have lost the exchange if he had taken the d-pawn.
- 21.Be2 gxf4 22.Rf1
- Palamède: En prenant tout de suite le P avec le F, on eût pu empècher le C de venir se placer en tête des deux P, d'où il commande trop dans le jeu. {By immediately taking 22.Bxf4, it would have been possible to prevent the knight from placing himself at d4, whence he commands too much of the position.}
- 22...Ng5 23.Bxf4 Ne4 24.Rc1 Rxc1 25.Qxc1 Kd7 26.Qe3 Bg5 27.Bd3 Rg8 28.Bxe4 dxe4
- Companion: It would have been bad play to take 28...fxe4, because, in doing so, he would give White's rook command over the f-file.
- 29.Bxg5 hxg5
- Companion: Black has now a formidable knot of center pawns.
- 30.Qb3
- Palamède: Ce coup est très bien joué et semblait donner un jeu au moins égal au joueur français. Son adversaire ne s'en est pas laissé intimider, et a répondu par un coup au moins aussi bon. {This move is very well played and seems to give the French player at least an equal game. His adversary did not allow himself to be intimidated, and replied with a move at least as good.}
- 30...g4 31.Rd1
- Palamède: Il valait mieux prendre le P du F du R, au risque de perdre celui de la D. {It was better to take 31.Rxf5, at the risk of losing the d-pawn.}
- 31...gxh3 32.Qxh3 Qd8
- Chronicle: The latter portion of the game is conducted with remarkable caution and skill by both parties.
- Companion: The latter portion of this game is conducted with remarkable correctness and ability by both players.
- 33.d5
- Palamède: Ce P poussé empêche la T d'enfiler la D et le R, car après la liquidation l'avantage serait resté aux Blancs. {This pawn push prevents 33...Rh8, because after the liquidation the advantage would have remained with White.}
- Companion: On referring to the Time Table it will be seen that the present and move 31, which is a part of the same beautiful combination, were the result of profound deliberation.
- 33...Kc8
- Companion: Had Black attempted, at this moment, to win the adverse queen he would have lost the game. 33...Rh8 34.dxe6+ Kc7 35.b6+ Kc8 36.Rxd8+, etc.
- 34.Qc3+ Kb8 35.d6 f4 36.Qc5 e3
- Companion: Promising mate in three moves.
- 37.Qc2 Qh4+ 38.Kg1 Rc8
- Chronicle: To prevent the fatal check of 39.Qc7+.
- Companion: This is the decisive blow. White can no longer save the game.
- 39.Qe2
- Palamède: C'est n coup qui conduit droit au mat. Il était préférable, pour reculer la catastrophe, de pousser ici le P de la D sur la T. Cette T n'en prenait pas moins la D, le P poussait encore, la D le prenait, la T reprenait par échec et venait ensuite à la c. de la D. Tout cela ne donnait pas un beau jeu, mais enfin on bataillait encore. {It move leads straight to the mate. It was preferable, in order to prevent this catastrophe, to push here 39.d7. Then 39...Rxc2 40.d8Q+ Qxd8 41.Rxd8+ and then comes to 42.Rd1. All this does not give a fine game, but at last we were still fighting.}
- Companion: He might have protracted the result by now moving 39.d7, for suppose,—39.d7 Rxc2 40.d8Q+ Qxd8 41.Rxd8 Kc7 42.Rd1 (best) 42...Rxb2 and wins easily.
- 39...Rh8 0-1
- Palamède: Savante manœuvre qui assure la partie. {Savante maneuver that ensures the game.}
- Companion: White won the game. The duration of this game was nine hours and a half.
| White. (M. St. A.) | Black. (Mr. S.) | |||
| On Move | Minutes. | On Move | Minutes. | |
| 6 | 5 | 10 | 10 | |
| 7 | 5 | 20 | 6 | |
| 11 | 5 | 21 | 5 | |
| 12 | 10 | 22 | 7 | |
| 13 | 11 | 29 | 5 | |
| 14 | 5 | 30 | 6 | |
| 15 | 7 | 36 | 7 | |
| 18 | 7 | |||
| 20 | 11 | |||
| 21 | 7 | |||
| 22 | 6 | |||
| 23 | 5 | |||
| 24 | 12 | |||
| 26 | 25 | |||
| 27 | 12 | |||
| 31 | 35 | |||
| 33 | 20 | |||
| 36 | 10 | |||
| 37 | 10 | |||
| —— | —— | —— | —— | |
| 19 | 208 | 7 | 46 | |
We also give the opening of the sixth game (played on Thursday). It will be seen that at the 15th move, M. St. Amant gave his QB away, which, with such a player as Mr. Staunton, was sufficient to destroy all chance of the game. Up to the point of this mistake, the opening was a very beautiful one. This makes the fifth game won by the English champion, one having been drawn. Mr. Staunton had the move, and played the white:—
(Le 23 Novembre 1843, a duré quatre heures et demie.)
Date: 1843.11.23
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 6)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [A34] English
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 6)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [A34] English
- 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 f5 3.e4 d6 4.Bd3
- Palamède: Ce début-là est très irrégulier. Il fallait être en verve et les gagner toutes pour se risquer sur un pareil terrain. Lorsque, plus tard, les forces se sont balancées, on n’a plus revu de ces débuts. {This opening is very irregular. You had to be in good form and risk all to win on such terrain. Later, when the forces were balanced, these openings were not seen again.}
- 4...e6
- Palamède: Ce n’est pas là le meilleur coup à jouer. Sortir le C du R à la 3 c. de la T, ou pousser le P du F du R, étaient préférables pour dégager le jeu. Il est important, avant tout, de ne pas aider aux Blancs à changer la position fausse qu’ils ont prise avec le F du R. {This is not the best move in the position. To leave the King's Horseman in the third place of the Tower, or to push the King's Fool's pawn, was preferable to free the game. 4...Nh6 or 4...f4, was preferable to free the game. It is important, above all, not to help White to change the bad position they have taken d3-bishop.}
- 5.exf5
- Chronicle: 5.Qe2 would also have been good play.
- Companion: Perhaps the best move at this point is 5.Qe2.
- 5...exf5 6.Nh3 Nf6 7.b3
- Companion: Playing this pawn forward to afford an outlet for the queen's bishop, was first brought into vogue by the present game, in whcih the advantages of this mode of play over the old system is eminently conspicuous.
- 7...g6 8.0-0 Be7 9.Bb2 0-0 10.Nf4 Nc6 11.Ncd5 Nxd5 12.Nxd5 Be6 13.Nxe7+ Qxe7 14.Qe2
- Companion: Even thus early in the opening, from the commanding position of his bishops, White has a far better game than his opponent.
- 14...Qf7
- Palamède: Les Noirs ont liquidé plusieurs pièces et sont parvenus à se donner en jeu à peu près égal. C’est celui qui jouera le mieux qui gagnera une semblable partie. {Black have liquidated several pieces and managed to give himself an almost equal game. It is the one who will play the best that will win a similar game.}
- 15.Rae1 Rad8
- Standard: M. St. Amant, having got up, and approached the fire, whilst his adversary was considering his next move, overlooked on his return the attack on the bishop, and, unfortunately, omitted to defend it. The game was played on for some time longer before finally given up as lost; but with such an inequality of pieces, the whole interest of the play had ceased.
- Palamède: Méprise incompréhensible! Le joueur des Noirs avait été se chauffer les pieds, et en revenant il a posé par distraction la T de la D à la c. de celle-ci, au lieu d’aller jusqu’à la c. du R. {An incomprehensible mistake! The Black player had warmed his feet, and on returning he inadvertently played 15...Rad8, instead of 15...Rae8.}
- Chronicle: An oversight of this description at the opening of a game, between two such players, and in a contest of such importance, is marvellous indeed!
- Companion: Losing a clear piece!! An oversight, in such a player, and in a combat of such importance, at the beginning of a game, ere the mind has become wearied with long and incessant application, is perfectly astounding and inexplicable! After this nearly all interest in the further progress of the moves is lost, but those readers who are at the pains to go through them, will be struck with the dauntless fight maintained by Black for hours afterwards against superior force, and all the irritating consequences of his fatal mistake.
- Palamède: Méprise incompréhensible! Le joueur des Noirs avait été se chauffer les pieds, et en revenant il a posé par distraction la T de la D à la c. de celle-ci, au lieu d’aller jusqu’à la c. du R. {An incomprehensible mistake! The Black player had warmed his feet, and on returning he inadvertently played 15...Rad8, instead of 15...Rae8.}
- 16.Qxe6
- Meier: und gewinnt.
- 16...Qxe6 17.Rxe6 Ne5 18.Bc2
- Palamède: Mal joué; mais venant de recevoir une pièce, qui n’a coûté que la peine de la prendre, M. Staunton a joué précipitamment. S’il eût pris son temps, il aurait sans doute commencé par échanger le F contre le C, et n’aurait perdu ni P ni échange. {Badly played; But having just received a piece which cost only the trouble of taking it, M. Staunton played hastily. If he had taken his time, he would doubtless have begun by exchanging 18.Bxe5, and would have lost neither pawn nor exchange.}
- 18...Kf7 19.Rxe5 dxe5 20.Bc3
- Palamède: Mieux joué que s’ils avaient pris le P du R. {Better play than taking 20.Bxe5.}
- 20...Rfe8 21.f3 h5 22.Re1 Re6 23.b4 b6 24.bxc5 bxc5 25.Kf2 Rde8 26.g3 R8e7 27.h4
- Pope: Chess Player’s Chronicle and Illustrated London News gives 27.h3. The text follows Le Palamède.
- 27...Re8
- Palamède: Le Noirs sont dans une position toute passive. Ils ne peuvent rien faire pour en sortir, sans s’exposer à se trouver pire. {Blacks is in a very passive position. He can do nothing to get out, without exposing himself to being worse.}
- 28.d3 R8e7
- Companion: He has no better play, since he dare neither leave the protection of the e-pawn, nor advance any one of the others.
- 29.a4 Ke8 30.Rb1 f4
- ILN: After several more moves M. St. Amant resigned.
- 31.a5 Kf7 32.Rb5 Rc7 33.Ba4 Ree7 34.gxf4 exf4 35.Bd2 Re6 36.Bxf4 Rce7 37.Rb2 Ra6 38.Bd2 Rd6 39.Bg5 Ree6 40.Rb7+ Kg8 41.Bd7 Rxd7
- Palamède: Le perte de l’échange est devenue forcée. {The loss of the exchange has become forced.}
- Companion: The loss of one of the rooks for bishop was now inevitable.
- 42.Rxd7 Ra6 43.Bd2 Kf8 44.Rd5 Rc6 45.Rxc5 Rd6 46.Bb4 Rd8 47.Rc8
- Chronicle: And after a few more moves M. St. Amant gave up the game.
- Companion: White won the game. This game lasted four hours and half.
- 47...Ke8
- Palamède: La partie est terminée. Il n’y a plus, depuis quelques coups, que la triste ressource du pat. {The game is over. There has been nothing for a few moves, than the sad pat resource.}
- 48.Rxd8+ Kxd8 49.Ke3 a6 50.d4 Kd7 51.Ke4 Kc6 52.d5+ Kd7 53.Kd4 1-0
London Standard, 1843.11.28, n6041, p3 (ends 15...Rad8)
Illustrated London News, 1844.01.20, v4 n90, p35(ends 30...f4)
Chess Player’s Chronicle, 1844, v5, pp19-20 (ends 47.Rc8)
Der Schachkampf in Paris, Carl Meier, Zürich, 1844, p18 (ends 16.Qxe6)
| White. (Mr. S.) | Black. (M. St. A.) | |||
| On Move | Minutes. | On Move | Minutes. | |
| Every move under 5 minutes. | 11 | 10 | ||
| 12 | 6 | |||
| 14 | 5 | |||
| 21 | 5 | |||
| 33 | 7 | |||
| —— | —— | |||
| 5 | 33 | |||
(Le 25 Novembre 1843, a durè six heures.)
Date: 1843.11.25
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 7)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [D40] Queen’s Gambit Declined
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 7)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [D40] Queen’s Gambit Declined
- 1.d4 e6 2.c4 d5 3.e3 c5 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bd3 a6 7.0-0 Bd6 8.a3 b6
- Palamède: Pour avoir une c. de plus ou sortir le F de la D, qui peut devenir plus tard un dangereux lorgneur, et soutenir en même temps le P du F de la D. {To gain a square for the queen's bishop, who can later become a dangerous scout, and support at the same time the c-pawn.}
- Chronicle: To afford an outlet for the queen’s bishop, and as an additional protection for the c-pawn.
- 9.Re1 0-0 10.h3 Qc7 11.b3 Ne7 12.Bd2
- Companion: This bishop is miserably placed. In subsequent games it will be found that M. St. Amant at length discovered the superiority of his adversary's tactics, in posting his queen's bishop at b2, and wisely adopted that plan of operation himself.
- 12...Bb7 13.cxd5
- Companion: Most important, to prevent White's queen's bishop getting the full range of the diagonal.
- 13...exd5
- Companion: At first view this appears to be unnecessarily obstructing the power of his queen's bishop, but it will be seen on examination to be much better play than taking the d-pawn with either of the knights.
- 14.Kh1
- Palamède: Précaution inutile; pour ne pas, sans doute, recevoir d’échec quand le C du R quittera la place où il est. {Unnecessary caution; to avoid, no doubt, receiving check when the knight leaves f3.}
- 14...Rae8 15.Ra2
- Palamède: Pour venir occuper la ligne du F la D sans empêcher celui-ci de revenir à sa c. pour, de là, aller occuper la 2 c. du C. {So as to occupy the c-file without preventing the bishop access to c1, from where it can go to occupy b2.}
- Companion: M. St. Amant remarks on this move (upon which, it will be seen, he expended fourty-five minutes' consideration!), that the rook was played here to occupy the c-file without preventing his queen's bishop from retreating to c1. But how much more easily and expeditiously all this could have been effected by first playing 12.Bb2 instead of 12.Bd2.
- 15...Ne4
- Companion: Having his forces fully developed, Black proceeds at once to the attack, compelling his adversary to take 16.Bxe4, and thus driving back the adverse knight to the rear, and at the same time planting his pawn in the center, where it restricts the movements of White's men most seriously.
- 16.Bxe4
- Palamède: Le Blanc est forcé de prendre ce C qui est venu occuper une position trop menaçante; cependant, passer ainsi le P de la D dans la ligne du R, ledit P étant soutenu par le F, est déjà un désavantage marqué. {White is forced to take that knight who has come to occupy a position too threatening; however, thus passing the d-pawn to the e-file, the pawn being supported by the bishop, is already a marked disadvantage.}
- 16...dxe4 17.Ng1 cxd4 18.exd4 Nf5
- Palamède: Excellent coup qui donne aux Noirs un jeu formidable. {Excellent move that gives Black a formidable position.}
- 19.Nce2
- Palamède: Mauvais sans doute, mais, relativement, il ne l’est pas plus que tout autre. {Bad, no doubt, but relatively, it is no more so than any other.}
- 19...e3
- Chronicle: The attack is sustained throughout with undiminished vigour by the second player.
- Companion: Black's attack is now quite irresistible, and strikingly exhibits the power of the queen's bishop when posted at b7.
- 20.fxe3 Rxe3
- Palamède: La T peut prendre impunément, car si elle était prise par le F, le C adverse en reprenant gagnerait la D ou ferait mat. {The rook can take with impunity, for if 21.Bxe3, the knight in retaking would win the queen or would allow mate.}
- 21.Qc1
- Palamède: C’est un échange de pièces intempestif, puisque, par cette liquidation, on périt sans ressources par des coups d’épingles multipliés. La T à la 2 c. du F, ne présentait pas un résultat si funeste. {It is an untimely exchange of pieces, since, by this liquidation, one perishes without resource by multiple pinning moves. 21.Rc2, did not present such a fatal result.}
- Chronicle: It would have been fatal play for Black to have taken the rook.
- Companion: The situation is highly instructive. If 21.Bxe3, he must either lose his queen or be mated in two moves for example:—21.Bxe3 Bxg2+ 22.Kxg2 22.Nxe3+, etc., or 21.Bxe3 Nxe3 22.any Nxd1, etc.
- Palamède: C’est un échange de pièces intempestif, puisque, par cette liquidation, on périt sans ressources par des coups d’épingles multipliés. La T à la 2 c. du F, ne présentait pas un résultat si funeste. {It is an untimely exchange of pieces, since, by this liquidation, one perishes without resource by multiple pinning moves. 21.Rc2, did not present such a fatal result.}
- 21...Qxc1
- Companion: This is the surest line of play, and therefore, in such a match, the best; but the position offers great temptation for a more speculative and brilliant move.
- 22.Rxc1 Rxb3
- Palamède: Ce n’est pas une suite brillante pour une si magnifique attaque; mais c’est solide, et, par conséquent, excellent dans un défi important. {It is not a brilliant sequel to such a magnificent attack; but it is solid, and therefore excellent in an important challenge.}
- Chronicle: The least hazardous method of securing the victory.
- 23.Rc3 Rxc3 24.Bxc3 Nh4 25.Nf3
- Palamède: Dans leur misère, les Blancs sont encore obligés de changer une pièce en perdant un P; car retires le C à la c. du F de la D, serait perdre une pièce, la T venant attaquer le F. {In his misery, White is still obliged to exchange a piece and lose a pawn; for 25.Nc1, would lose a piece, 25...Rc8.}
- Companion: If 25.Nc1, Black could have played 25...Rc8, etc.
- 25...Nxf3 26.gxf3 Bxf3+ 27.Kg1 Re8 28.Kf2
- Chronicle: 28.Nc1 would have been equally disastrous.
- 28...Bxe2 29.Rxe2 Rxe2+ 30.Kxe2 Bxa3 31.Kd3 f6 32.Ke4 b5 33.Kd5 b4 0-1
- Palamède: Le F va être obligé de se sacrifier pour ce P qui avance sans discontinuité. {The bishop will be obliged to sacrifice himself for this pawn which advances without discontinuity.}
- Companion: Black won the game. This game occupied six hours in playing.
| White. (M. St. A.) | Black. (Mr. S.) | |||
| On Move | Minutes. | On Move | Minutes. | |
| 6 | 6 | 11 | 5 | |
| 11 | 10 | 14 | 6 | |
| 12 | 7 | 21 | 16 | |
| 14 | 15 | |||
| 15 | 7 | |||
| 20 | 15 | |||
| 21 | 7 | |||
| 22 | 14 | |||
| 23 | 12 | |||
| 28 | 7 | |||
| —— | —— | —— | —— | |
| 10 | 100 | 3 | 27 | |
(Le 26 Novembre 1843, a duré sept heures.)
Date: 1843.11.26
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 8)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [B44] Siclian
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 8)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [B44] Siclian
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nf3
- Palamède: Le début du Noir est préférable à celui de l’autre. Il suffit, pour en être convaincu, de regarder la situation des pièces. Deux coups se trouvent joués de chaque côté, et le noir a conquis le trait qu’il n’avait pas; de plus, le P du F de la D a été échangé pour le P de la D, ce qui est un tout petit avantage d’après la théorie des P au centre. {Black's opening is preferable to that of the other. It is enough, to be convinced, to look at the situation of the pieces. Two moves are played on each side, and Black has equalized; moreover, Black's c-pawn has been exchanged for White's d-pawn, which is a very small advantage according to the theory of pawns to the center.}
- 5...Bc5 6.Bd3 Nge7 7.Nc3 a6 8.0-0 Ng6 9.Kh1 f6
- Palamède: C'est jouer d'une manière timide et qui se ressent de sept parties jouées sans en gagner une seule. Roquer était préférable. {This is play in a timid manner and seven moves are played without a single winning one. Castling was preferable.}
- 10.Ne1
- Companion: Preparatory to a furious onset with his f-pawn.
- 10...0-0 11.f4 Nce7
- Companion: Black's game is not well opened, and his pieces nearly all blocked in contrast disadvantageously with the freedom of his enemey's men.
- 12.Rf3
- Palamède: C'est l'attaque d'un joueur qui a pris le dessus et à qui tout réussit. D'un côté l'audace et de l'autre la timidité poussée ici jusqu'à la pusillanimité. {This is the attack of a player who has taken over and to whom everything succeeds. On one side is audacity and on the other shyness pushed to pusillanimity.}
- 12...d6 13.Rh3 f5 14.exf5 Nxf5
- Palamède: On ne peut reprendre qu’avec le C, vu le danger, en prenant avec le P, que présenterait l’échec du F à la 4 c. du F de la D. {One can only take back with the knight, considering the danger of taking with the pawn, that would allow the bishop to check at c4.}
- 15.Qh5 Kf7
- Companion: Deplorable indeed, when no better defence can be found than this.
- 16.Nf3 Rh8
- Palamède: Il n’y a réellement rien de bon à jouer, la partie ici est inévitablement perdue. Il a suffi de deux ou trois coups trop réservés pour compromettre si gravement une partie bien commencée. {There is really nothing good to play, the move here is inevitably lost. It took only two or three timid moves to seriously compromise a game that was begun so well.}
- 17.g4 Nfe7 18.f5 exf5 19.gxf5 Kf8 20.fxg6 Bxh3 21.Qxh3 Qc8 22.Qh4 Qe6
- Palamède: Bien que se faisant toujours attaquer, il faut pourtant que la D sorte pour défendre une position aussi hasardée. {Although still being attacked, it was necessary, however, for the queen to defend such a hazardous position.}
- 23.Ng5 Qe5 24.Bf4 Nf5 25.Bxe5 Nxh4 26.Rf1+ Ke8 27.Bxg7 Kd7 28.Bxh8 Rxh8 29.Rf7+ Kc6 30.Be4+
- Palamède: Au lieu de poursuivre le R sans résultat, il était mieux de pousser tout de suite le P du C sur la T. La partie se serait moins prolongée que de la manière dont elle a été conduite par le vainqueur. {Instead of chasing the king with no result, it was better to immediately push the g-pawn against the rook. The game would have been prolonged less compared to the manner conducted by the winner.}
- 30...d5
- Palamède: Si le R eût été à la 3 c. du C, il eùt été obligé de sacrifier, deux coups plus tard, le F, pour empêcher le mat du P du C. {If 30...Kb6, he would have been obliged to sacrifice, two moves later, the bishop, to prevent the mate with the b-pawn.}
- 31.Bxd5+ Kd6 32.g7 Re8
- Palamède: Présentant le mat. Triste et dernière ressource! {Threatening mate. A sad last resource.}
- Companion: Threatening mate.
- 33.Rf1 Bd4 34.g8Q Rxg8
- Palamède: La partie n’offre plus d’intérèt. Elle est gagnée depuis long-temps par les Blancs qui seulement se sont trop laissé amuser par leur adversaire expirant. {The game no longer offers any interest. It was long ago won by White, who is only been amused by his expiring adversary.}
- 35.Bxg8
- Meier: und Weiss gewinnt.
- 35...h6 36.Nge4+
- Chronicle: And White ultimately won the game.
- Companion: White won the game. This game lasted seven hours.
- 36...Ke5 37.Bh7 b5 38.Ne2 Be3
- Palamède: Si le F prenait le P du C, le C était perdu. {If the bishop took the b-pawn, the knight was lost.}
- 39.Nf6 Ke6 40.Ng4 Bg5 41.Ng3 Kd5 42.Be4+ Kc5 43.Bd3 Kd5 44.Ne4 Be7 45.Nxh6 b4 46.Nf6+ Kc6 47.Nhg8 Bd6 48.Bxa6 Kb6 49.Bd3 b3 50.axb3 Ka5 51.Nd5 Ba3 52.Ra1 Nf3 1-0
- Palamède: Le coup suivant les Blancs font échec et mat avec la T. {White gives check and mate with the rook next move.}
Chess Player’s Chronicle, 1844, v5, pp22-24 (ends 36.Nge4+)
Der Schachkampf in Paris, Carl Meier, Zürich, 1844, pp22-24 (ends 35.Bxg8)
| White. (Mr. S.) | Black. (M. St. A.) | |||
| On Move | Minutes. | On Move | Minutes. | |
| 14 | 9 | 8 | 6 | |
| One move only above 5 minutes. | 9 | 9 | ||
| 11 | 12 | |||
| 12 | 6 | |||
| 15 | 45 | |||
| 16 | 14 | |||
| 17 | 10 | |||
| 18 | 6 | |||
| —— | —— | |||
| 8 | 68 | |||
(Le 28 Novembre 1843, a durè huit heures.)
Date: 1843.11.28
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 9)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [D40] Queen’s Gambit Declined
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 9)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [D40] Queen’s Gambit Declined
- 1.d4 e6 2.c4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 c5 5.e3 Nc6 6.a3 b6 7.Bd3 Bd6 8.cxd5
- Palamède: Jusqu’ici la partie fort régulière de part et d’autre. L’attaque qui commence est de peu de portée, sans doute, mais elle ne présente aucun danger pour celui qui la tente. {So far the game is very normal from both sides. The attack initiated is of little significance, no doubt, but it is safe for anyone who tries.}
- 8...exd5 9.Bb5 Bb7 10.dxc5 Bxc5
- Palamède: Ils sont forcés de reprendre avec le F pour ne pas perdre le P du centre. {He is forced to recapture with the bishop so as not to lose the d-pawn.}
- 11.b4
- Palamède: Le C du R à la 5 c. du R n’amenait que des échanges sans bénéfice. Le P de la T ne serait pas gagné, comme une analyse incomplète le laisserait supposer. {11.Ne5 would bring an exchance without benefit. The a-pawn could not be won, as an incomplete analysis would suggest.}
- 11...Bd6 12.Bb2
- Palamède: On pouvait essayer beaucoup d’échanges en portant le C du R à la 4 c. de la D; mais le F pouvant occuper la 4 c. du R, arrêtait cette liquidation et pouvait donner l’avantage de cette partie aux Noirs. Ce qui a été joué est mieux à tous égards. {A lot of exchanges could be made by 12.Nd4; But 12...Be5 stops this liquidation and would give the advantage in this game to Black. What is played is better in all respects.}
- Chronicle: It must be apparent to the youngest player, that White would have lost a piece at least, by taking the d-pawn.
- Companion: It must be evident to the young player even, that White would have lost a piece by taking the d-pawn.
- Chronicle: It must be apparent to the youngest player, that White would have lost a piece at least, by taking the d-pawn.
- 12...0-0 13.Ne2 Qe7
- Companion: A most important step, preparatory to moving 14...Rad8.
- 14.0-0 Rad8 15.Rc1 Ne5 16.Ned4 Nxf3+ 17.Qxf3
- Palamède: Prendre avec le C valait peut-être autant, à cause de cette menace de mat par la D, qui force les P de devant le R à se mettre en mouvement; ce qui, soit dit en passant, n'est pas toujours un signe de beau jeu. {To take with the knight was perhaps better, because of this threat of mate by the queen, which forces the pawns in front of the king to set in motion; which, by the way, is not always a sign of good play.}
- 17...Qe5
- Chronicle: This move, by suddenly forcing his adversary to act on the defensive, gives Black time to bring his pieces into powerful co-operation.
- Companion: By suddenly throwing his opponent upon the defensive, this move gives Black time to bring his foces into active co-operation.
- 18.g3 Ne4
- Chronicle: The attack is kept up by Black with remkarable energy and decision.
- Companion: The attack is carried on with great spirit from this point.
- 19.Qe2 Qg5 20.f4
- Palamède: Si l'on n'eût poussé ce P qu'un pas, le sacrifice du C pouvait se faire pour trois P et une belle attaque. {If 20.f3, the knight could be sacrificed for three pawns and a fine attack.}
- 20...Qg6 21.Rc2 Bc8
- Chronicle: Hoping to plant it with effect at h3.
- 22.f5
- Palamède: Par ce P poussé on empêche le F noir d'arriver, mais on rend toute sa valeur à l'autre F: de deux maux il faut éviter le pire. {By this pawn push the c8-bishop is prevented from arriving, but we give full value to the other bishop: the lesser of two evils.}
- 22...Qh6
- Chronicle: Threatening to take the g-pawn with the bishop.
- Companion: Threatening to take the g-pawn with his bishop.
- 23.Bd3
- Palamède: Ce F ne devait venir là que pour détruire le C; du moment qu'il ne le fait pas, il a eu tort de quitter une c. où il gênait considérablement les T. {This bishop was to come here only to take the knight; as long as he did not, it was wrong to leave a square where he greatly interfered with the rooks.}
- 23...Rfe8
- Chronicle: White’s last move prevented the advantageous capture of the pawn with 23...Bxg3; Black now, therefore, plays 23...Rfe8, that he may take 24...Nxg3, and afterwards the e-pawn with his rook.
- Companion: White's last move prevented the advantageous capture of the g-pawn with 23...Bxg3. Black now therefore plays 23...Rfe8, that he may take 24...Nxg3, and afterwards the e-pawn with his rook.
- 24.Bc1 Bd7
- Chronicle: To attack the adverse rook, and thus gain command of the open file with his own.
- Chronicle: To dislodge the adverse rook, and thus gain command of the open file with his own.
- 25.Qf3
- Chronicle: The queen is played here to afford a secure retreat for the rook.
- 25...Ba4
- Palamède: Excellente combinaison pour s'emparer de la ligne avec les T. {Excellent combination to take the file for his rook.}
- 26.Rg2 Rc8 27.Re1 Ng5 28.Qxd5
- Palamède: Coup très hardi, et dans lequel les Blancs ont été plus heureux que sages. Quoique le joueur français fût arrivé à cette 9e partie sans en avoir gagné une seule, on peut juger, par ce coup, qu'il n'était pas tout-à-fait terrifié. {Very bold move, and in which White was happier than wise. Even though the French player had arrived at this 9th game without winning any, one can judge by this move that he was not completely terrified.}
- Chronicle: This pawn was left as bait, and the taking it ought to have cost Black the game.
- Companion: Black sacrificed this pawn advisedly, and its capture only added to the difficulties of White's position.
- Chronicle: This pawn was left as bait, and the taking it ought to have cost Black the game.
- 28...Nh3+ 29.Kf1
- Chronicle: If 29.Kh1, Black might have taken 29...Rxc1, and 30...Qxe3; and in a few moves have obtained the better game.
- Companion: If 29.Kh1, Black might have taken 29...Rxc1, and then 30...Qxe3, having a capital game.
- 29...Be5
- Chronicle: This move, calculated to follow the queen’s capture of the pawn, and to be succeeded by ...Rcd8, should have gained at all events “the exchange” for Black, whose play at this portion of the game was highly extolled by the leading Amateurs of the Paris Cercle.
- Companion: This move previously calculated to follow the queen's capture of the pawn, and to be succeeded by ...Rcd8, must, if properly followed up, have won the game.
- 30.Rge2 Bxd4 31.Qxd4
- Palamède: Si l'on prenait avec le P on perdait la pièce, la T commençant par prendre le F de la D. {If 31.exd4 we would lose the game, starting with 31...Rxc1.}
- Chronicle: Had White taken 31.exd4, Black might have taken 31...Rxe2; and if White then took 32.Bxh6, the adverse rook would have mated him at f2. Black’s safest move, however, in case of 31.exd4, would have been to capture 31...Rxc1.
- Companion: Had White taken 31.exd4, Black could have taken 31...Rxe2, and if White then took 32.Bxh6, the adverse rook would mate him on f2. Black's safest move, however, in the event of 31.exd4, was to take 31...Rxc1.
- Chronicle: Had White taken 31.exd4, Black might have taken 31...Rxe2; and if White then took 32.Bxh6, the adverse rook would have mated him at f2. Black’s safest move, however, in case of 31.exd4, would have been to capture 31...Rxc1.
- 31...Red8 32.b5
- Palamède: Le coup est plus élégant que solide. Les Noirs devaient prendre la D, et le coup d'ensuite pousser le P du C R 2 pas. L'attaque était parée; mais, quoique les Noirs eussent la D pour une T, il y avait une remise pour les Blancs par un échec perpétuel de la T. Nous ne donnons pas ce coup pour laisser à nos lecteurs le plaisir de le chercher. C'est un fort joli problème. {This move is more elegant than solid. If Black were to take the queen, and then push 33...g5 the attack was defeated; but, though Black has a queen for a rook, there was a draw for White by a perpetual check from the rook. We do not give this move to let our readers have the pleasure of looking for it. It is a very nice problem.}
- Chronicle: An exceedingly ingenious coup.
- Companion: A desperate but masterly resource.
- Palamède: Le coup est plus élégant que solide. Les Noirs devaient prendre la D, et le coup d'ensuite pousser le P du C R 2 pas. L'attaque était parée; mais, quoique les Noirs eussent la D pour une T, il y avait une remise pour les Blancs par un échec perpétuel de la T. Nous ne donnons pas ce coup pour laisser à nos lecteurs le plaisir de le chercher. C'est un fort joli problème. {This move is more elegant than solid. If Black were to take the queen, and then push 33...g5 the attack was defeated; but, though Black has a queen for a rook, there was a draw for White by a perpetual check from the rook. We do not give this move to let our readers have the pleasure of looking for it. It is a very nice problem.}
- 32...Qh5
- Palamède: Les Noirs, s'en s'embarrasser du danger qu'ils courent eux-mèmes, continuent à menacer du mat en deux coups. C'est ici qu'est leur perte. {Black, becomes embarrassed by the danger he presents, continues to threaten the mate in two moves. Which is his ruin.}
- Chronicle: With the victory actually in his grasp; for by simply playing 32...Bb3, or 32..Bd1, or by taking 32...Rxd4, and then playing 33...g5, he must have preserved the advanage so long laboured for. The play of Black at this and the succeeding move savours of infatuation, and can be attributed only to overweening confidence in the strength of his position, superadded to great mental exhaustion from the protraction of the sitting.
- Companion: The present is perhaps the most remarkable of all the games in this celebrated contest; remarkable not only for the unflinching pertinacity of the attack on Black's side and the ability of the defence, but from the fact of the English player permitting the game to be snatched from him at the moment it was his own. Of the three moves now suggested by the "Chronicle" for Black, 32...Bb3 is simply defensive, and playing 33...g5, although ingenious, might enable White, in his emergency, to draw the game (e. g.):—32...Rxd4 33.exd4 g5 34.fxg6 Qxc1 (best; 34...Rxc1 35.gxf7+ Kxf7 36.Re7+ and it is not easy to see how Black can do better than permit his adversary to draw the game by perpetual check.) 35.gxh7+ Kg7 36.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 37.Kg2 Ng5 38.Re7 Rc3 39.Bg6 Bb3 40.Rxa7 and although Black ought to win, yet still the game is difficult. The proper play, we believe, for Black, instead of either of the methods given above, was to move 32..Bd1, and in that case White could not possibly have saved the game, and in all probability would have resigned the match.
- Chronicle: With the victory actually in his grasp; for by simply playing 32...Bb3, or 32..Bd1, or by taking 32...Rxd4, and then playing 33...g5, he must have preserved the advanage so long laboured for. The play of Black at this and the succeeding move savours of infatuation, and can be attributed only to overweening confidence in the strength of his position, superadded to great mental exhaustion from the protraction of the sitting.
- 33.g4
- Palamède: Ce dernier coup a été ménagé avec infiniment de talent. Il est décisif. {This last move was made with infinite talent. It is decisive.}
- 33...Rxd4
- Palamède: Il est maintenant trop tard. La partie n'offre plus de ressources. {It is now too late. The game no longer offers resources.}
- 34.exd4 f6 35.gxh5 1-0
- Companion: White won the game. The duration of game the ninth was exactly eight hours.
| White. (M. St. A.) | Black. (Mr. S.) | |||
| On Move | Minutes. | On Move | Minutes. | |
| 10 | 6 | 13 | 5 | |
| 11 | 5 | 16 | 5 | |
| 12 | 10 | 17 | 5 | |
| 16 | 11 | 21 | 9 | |
| 21 | 11 | 22 | 6 | |
| 22 | 25 | 30 | 5 | |
| 23 | 26 | 32 | 7 | |
| 25 | 15 | 34 | 5 | |
| 27 | 7 | |||
| 28 | 11 | |||
| 30 | 20 | |||
| 31 | 30 | |||
| 32 | 22 | |||
| —— | —— | —— | —— | |
| 13 | 199 | 8 | 47 | |
(Le 30 Novembre 1843, a durè sept heures et demie.)
Date: 1843.11.30
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 10)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [B44] Siclian
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 10)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [B44] Siclian
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nf3
- Palamède: Nous maintenons ici ce que nous avons dit à la 8e partie: le premier joueur a perdu le trait dans ces cinq premiers coup, et cela sans aucune compensation de position, au contraire. C'est donc un mauvais début. {We maintain here what we said in the 8th game: the first player lost the initiative in those first five moves, and this without any compensation of position, to the contrary. So it's a bad opening.}
- 5...d5 6.exd5 exd5
- Palamède: L'isolement du P de la D n'est pas un désavantage, toutes les pièces pouvant parfaitement le défendre. {The isolation of the d-pawn is not a disadvantage, all the pieces can defend it perfectly.}
- 7.Be3
- Chronicle: To prevent his adversary playing 7...Bc5.
- 7...Nf6 8.Be2 Be7 9.Nbd2 Be6 10.Nb3 0-0 11.0-0 Qc7
- Chronicle: Black plays his queen thus, chiefly for the purpose of brining the queen’s rook into play.
- 12.Nfd4 Rad8 13.f4 Bc8
- Chronicle: His best move, we believe.
- 14.c3 a6 15.h3 Rfe8 16.Bd3 Bd6 17.Qf3 Ne4
- Chronicle: Intending next move to support him with the f-pawn.
- 18.g4 Re7 19.Bxe4
- Chronicle: Although, by taking the knight, White gives his opponent a passed pawn, he at the same time effectually shuts out the combined attack which would have followed the doubling of the adverse rooks.
- 19...dxe4 20.Qf2 f6 21.Ne2
- Chronicle: With the object of attacking the enemey’s queen and rook, and also to prevent the adverse bishop being posted at g3 upon the advance of the f-pawn.
- 21...Rde8 22.Rad1 f5 23.g5 Rf7
- Chronicle: Apprehensive that White might take the bishop with his rook, and then play 25.Bc5.
- 24.Kg2 Be6 25.Nbd4
- Pope: Le Palamède gives “Le C du R a la 4 c. de la D.”, indicating 25.Ned4. All other sources give 25.Nbd4.
- 25...Nxd4
- Chronicle: It would have been unwise in Black to have taken the a-pawn.
- 26.Nxd4 Bc4 27.Rh1 Bd3
- Palamède: Prendre le P de la T serait une grosse faute. {To take the a-pawn would be a big mistake.}
- 28.h4 Rff8
- Chronicle: Fearing the advance of the g-pawn and h-pawn.
- 29.h5 Qe7 30.Nb3 Rc8 31.Rd2 Rfe8 32.Rhd1 Red8 33.Nc1 Bc7 34.h6
- Palamède: En général, tant que les D existent, ces positions de P avancés sont de bonne perspective. Les Noirs en ont fait plus tard la cruelle expérience. {In general, as long as the queens exist, these advanced pawn positions are of good perspective. Black later experienced it cruelly.}
- 34...g6 35.Bd4
- Chronicle: It would have been strong play, perhaps, to have first taken the bishop with the knight.
- 35...Bb5
- Palamède: Il fallait oser ici, et la partie était gagnée: prendre le F avec la T était le coup juste; les Blancs ne pouvaient reprendre qu'avec la D, alors le F prenait le P du F du R, la D menaçant de prendre le P du C par échec au R. Bien certainement la partie était gagnée en peu de coups. {It was necessary to be bold here, and the game was won: to take 35...Rxd4 was the best move; White could only take back with the queen, then 36...Bf4, the queen threatening to take the g-pawn. Certainly the game was won in a few moves.}
- Chronicle: We should have been tempted, in Black’s position, to take 35...Rxd4.
- 36.Be3
- Chronicle: 36.Bf6 would have been injudicious play.
- 36...Rxd2 37.Qxd2 Rd8 38.Qc2 Rxd1 39.Qxd1 Qd7
- Palamède: Ici la partie, qui semble égale et même à l'avantage des Noirs, est perdue pour eux. Ils portent le germe de leur destruction dans cette diagonale qui sera envahie tôt ou tard par la D. Faire l'échange des D serait la seule planche de salut, mais leur adversaire s'y oppose. Le P passé des Noirs ne peut compenser cette fatalite de la diagonale qu'envahira, tôt ou tard et victorieusement, la D blanche. {Here the game, which seems equal and even to the advantage of Black, is lost by him. He carries the germ of his destruction along the diagonal which will be invaded sooner or later by the queen. Forcing the exchange of the queens would be the only salvation on the board, but his opponent refuses it. Black's passed pawn can not compensate for this fatality along the diagonal that sooner or later, and victoriously, the white queen will invade.}
- 40.Qb3+ Qf7 41.Qd1 Qd7 42.Qc2 Qd5
- Chronicle: Had he played 42...Bd3, White, by 43.Qb3+, could have gained at least a pawn.
- 43.Kf2 Kf7
- Palamède: Ceci est une faute. Cette marche du R rend encore plus fâcheuse la terrible diagonale. Le F à la 6 c. de la D était infiniment meilleur. Si on le prenait avec le C on reprenait avec le P qui n'était plus forçable. {This is a mistake. This march of the king renders the terrible diagonal still more unfortunate. 43...Bd3 was infinitely better. If 44.Nxd3 we recapture with the pawn which becomes much stronger.}
- Chronicle: This move loses the game.
- 44.b3 Qc6
- Chronicle: Worse even than the preceding coup.
- 45.c4 Bb6
- Palamède: Le coup ne vait rien. Il valait encore mieux sauver la pièce attacquée en poussant le P de la T; mais la D ennemie n'en arrivait pas moins, il est vrai, à la 3 c. de son F ou à la 2 c. de son C, et de là, elle dictait la loi de la partie que nous considérons maintenant comme perdue. {This move did nothing. It was better to save the attacked piece by pushing the a-pawn; but the enemy queen was nevertheless coming, it is true, to c3 or b2, and from there she dictated the conclusion of the game which we now consider lost.}
- 46.Qc3 Bxe3+ 47.Qxe3 Bxc4 48.bxc4 Qxc4 49.Qb3 Qxb3 50.axb3 Ke6
- Palamède: Les P du côté de la D étaient préférables à pousser. Néanmoins, nous pensons qu'à ce point de la partie, elle est gagnée pour les Blancs, s'ils ne commettent point de faute. {It was better to push the pawns on queen's side. Nevertheless, we think that at this point in the game, it is won for White, if he do not commit any mistakes.}
- 51.Ke3 Kd5 52.Ne2 b5 53.Nd4 Kc5 54.Nxf5
- Palamède: Cette brèche est décisive. Tout le génie des grand maîtres ne sauverait plus une aussi désastreuse partie. {This breach is decisive. All the genius of the great masters could no longer save such a disastrous game.}
- 54...a5 55.Nd4 a4 56.bxa4 bxa4 57.f5 gxf5 58.g6 f4 59.Kxe4 f3 60.Nxf3 a3 61.gxh7 1-0
London Standard, 1843.12.04, n6046, p3 (ends 58...a3 59.gxh7 a2 60.h8Q)
Le Palamède, 1844.01.15, v4 n1, pp16-17 (ends 58...hxg6 59.h7)
Der Schachkampf in Paris, Carl Meier, Zürich, 1844, pp28-32 (ends 58...a3 59.gxh7 a2 60.h8Q)
(Le 2 Décembre 1843, a durè huit heures.)
Date: 1843.12.02
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 11)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [D40] Queen’s Gambit Declined
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 11)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [D40] Queen’s Gambit Declined
- 1.d4 e6
- Chronicle: It is of little, if any, importance, whether the second player in reply to the adversary’s move of 1.d4, move 1...e6 or 1...d5; but if he play 1...d5, he should follow that with 2...e6, instead of 2...dxc4.
- 2.c4 d5 3.e3
- Chronicle: The best authorities agree that it is not advisable for the opening player to carry his queen’s bishop to the king’s side at this point, on account of the attack which the opponent gains, after throwing forward pawn to c4, upon both the d-pawn and b-pawn, by playing Qb3, and Nc3.
- 3...c5 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.a3 b6
- Chronicle: The potency of this move, when played at the proper time, in openings of the present description, has been, we think, indisputabley established by the earlier games of this match; it is evidently premature, hower, and made without reflection here.
- 7.cxd5
- Palamède: Les Blancs saisissent avec avidité cette occasion de tenter le gain d'un P, qui'ils avaient prémédité dans les précédentes parties. {White seizes with avidity the opportunity of attempting to gain a pawn, which he had thought about in the preceding games.}
- 7...exd5 8.Bb5 Bb7
- Palamède: C'est à la 2 c. de la D qu'il fallait le mettre pour ne pas perdre le P; car on n'aurait pu forcer le P de la D qu'en perdant le F du R par suite d'un échec. {It was necessary to put it at d7 so as not to lose the pawn; because he could only capture the d-pawn by losing the king's bishop as a result of a check.}
- Chronicle: White would still have gained a pawn, if the bishop had been moved to d7.
- 9.Ne5 Rc8 10.Qa4 Qc7 11.Qxa7
- Palamède: Bien joué. Cette D ne peut pas être attaquée par le T, et, provisoirement, les pièces du Noir son paralysées du côté de la D. {Good move. This queen can not be attacked by the rook, and, temporarily, the Black's pieces are paralyzed on the queen's side.}
- 11...Be7
- Chronicle: There appears to be no better move.
- 12.Bxc6+ Bxc6 13.Qxc7 Rxc7 14.Nxc6 Rxc6 15.0-0
- Palamède: Ce roque est important. Il valait mieux pousser le P du F du R, ou jouer le F. Dans cette situation, le R est une pièce importante qui doit prendre part à l'action et non pas aller s'isoler en roi fainéant. {Castling is important. It was better to push the f-pawn, or move the bishop. In this situation, the king is an important piece that must take part in the action and not be isolated as a lazy king.}
- 15...Kd7
- Chronicle: This is far better than castling, because it brings the king more immediately within the sphere of his pieces’ operation.
- 16.Rd1 c4 17.f3
- Chronicle: Well played.
- 17...Rd8 18.Bd2
- Chronicle: We should have preferred playing 18.e4; and if Black then moved the king, apparently his best defence, to have played 19.Bg5.
- 18...h6
- Chronicle: From apprehension of the moves just mentioned.
- 19.Na2 g5
- Chronicle: By the spirit and vigour of his attack on this side, Black almost nullifies the inequality of force.
- 20.Bb4 Re6
- Chronicle: With the view of doubling his rooks on the e-pawn, if circumstances require it.
- 21.Bxe7 Rxe7 22.Kf2 g4 23.Nc3 h5 24.Re1 Rde8 25.Re2 h4
- Palamède: Ces pions ont été très habilement joués. Ils ont compensé un moment l'infériorité numérique. {These pawns were very skillfully played. They compensate momentarily for the numerical inferiority.}
- 26.Rae1 Rg8 27.e4 g3
- Chronicle: Compelling the King again to retire.
- 28.Kg1 dxe4 29.Nxe4
- Palamède: En prenant ainsi du C, l'échange des pièces est forcé. {By taking with knight, the exchange of pieces is forced.}
- 29...Nxe4 30.fxe4
- Palamède: Les Blancs ont ici sacrifié au principe des P au centre. Prendre avec la T était un moyen d'échanger encore une pièce. Il y aurait cependant encore beaucoup de choses à dire, les Blancs ayant un P passé, il est vrai, mais qui n'est pas soutenu et que le R ne peut venir défendre qu'à une seule c. {White here sacrificed on the principle of the pawn toward the center. Taking with the rook was a way of exchanging another piece. There is, however, still much to be said, White has a passed pawn, it is true, but it cannot be sustained, and the king can only defend one square.}
- Chronicle: 30.Rxe4 would have improved the aspect of White’s game, we think.
- 30...Rg4
- Palamède: Extrèmement bien joué. Ce sont ces positions que la théorie ne peut enseigner et qui, dans la pratique, décident du sort des empires. {Extremely good move. These are the positions that cannot be taught by theory and which, in practice, decide the fate of empires.}
- 31.hxg3 hxg3 32.Re3
- Chronicle: Judiciously played, to prevent his opponent from doubling the rooks on the h-file; and that, at the fitting opportunity, he may play rook to f3.
- 32...b5 33.R1e2
- Chronicle: To enable him to carry his king to the queen’s side.
- 33...Re8 34.Kf1 Kd6 35.Ke1 Rf4 36.Kd2
- Chronicle: White would have lost both his centre pawns, by taking the g-pawn.
- 36...f5 37.Rxg3 Rfxe4 38.Rxe4 Rxe4 39.Kc3 Kd5 40.Rf3 f4
- Palamède: Cette fin de partie est jolie et très difficile à jouer. Les deux célèbres joûteurs y ont échoué alternativement: c'est le plus heurex qui a gagné. {This endgame is pretty and very difficult to play. The two celebrated players have failed in it alternately: it is the fortunate who won.}
- 41.g3
- Palamède: Ceci est une grosse faute. Le coup juste était de mettre le T à sa 3 c. Si la T adverse donne échec, on ne prend pas est l'on joue le R à la 2 c. de la D, et quand le R a pris le P de la D, on donne échange les T; si, au contraire, la T noire prend le P de la D, on donne échec au R et l'on prend le P du C de la D, restant avec un jeu préférable par la position et le P de plus. {This is a big mistake. The best move was 41.Rh3. If 41...Re3+, we do not take but play 41.Kd2, and om 41...Kxd4, the rooks are exchanged; If, on the contrary, 41...Rxd4, the king is given a check, and the b-pawn is taken, remaining with the preferable game in position and pawn ahead.}
- Chronicle: This move, if properly taken advantage of by his antagonist, must have cost White the game. He should have advanced 41.g4, and might then have almost insured a drawn battle.
- 41...Re3+ 42.Rxe3 fxe3 43.Kc2
- Chronicle: He has no better move.
- 43...Ke4
- Palamède: Ici les Noirs ont fait ce que nous appelons vulgairement de l'esprit; il fallait prendre tout bonnement et la partie était gagnée par un temps. Mais il fallait voir jusqu'au 14e coup avec variantes, et ce n'est pas facile surtout à la fin d'une séance de 8 heures. Les deux R finissaient alors par rester chacun avec un P; celui du Noir arrivant à D à la c. du F de la D, et le P blanc ne pouvant aller que jusqu'à la 7 c. de la T de la D. Les autres défenses pour les Blancs sont moins prolongées. {Here Black has done what we commonly call from the spirit; it was necessary to quite simply take and the game was eventually won. But it was necessary to foresee 14 moves with variants, and it is not easy especially at the end of an 8-hour session. The two kings then ended up staying each with a pawn; that of Black arriving queen at c1, and the white pawn being able to go only to a7. The other defenses for White are less prolonged.}
- Chronicle: The play on Black’s part, from the point where he so indiscreetly permitted his opponent to win a pawn, and with that, compel the exchange of queens, etc., up to the present stage, elicited repeated expressions of admiration from the surrounding spectators; but here, when on the point of acheiving the victory, he again relaxed, and permitted his indefatigable antagonist to carry off the prize. By simply taking the queen’s pawn, he wins without difficulty: ex. gr. 43...Kxd4 44.Kd1 (44.g4 Ke5 45.g5 Kf5 [best] 46.g6 Kxg6 47.Kd1 Kf5 48.Ke2 Kf4, winning) 44...Kd3 45.g4 e2+ 46.Ke1 Kc2 47.g5 Kxb2 48.g6 c3 49.g7 c2 50.g8Q c1Q+ 51.Kxe2 Qc4+, etc.
- 44.Kd1 Kd3
- Palamède: Les Noirs se sont aperçus alors de leur faute; car ils seraient aussie vite arrivés à cette c. après avoir pris le P qui va les faire perdre. {Black now perceives his mistake; because he would soon arrive at this square after taking the pawn which will cause his lose.}
- 45.d5 e2 46.Ke1 Kc2 47.d6 Kxb2 48.d7 c3 49.d8Q c2 50.Qd2
- Chronicle: And after a few moves Black resigned.
- 50...Kb1 51.Qb4+ Kc1 52.Qc3 Kb1 53.Qb3+ Kc1 54.Qa2
- Palamède: Très bien manœuvré pour terminer en deux coups. {Very good maneuvere to finish in two moves.}
- 54...b4 55.Qa1# 1-0
Chess Player’s Chronicle, 1844, v5, pp38-41 (ends 50.Qd2)
(Le 5 Décembre 1843, a durè neuf heures.)
Date: 1843.12.05
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 12)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [A34] English
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 12)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [A34] English
- 1.c4
- Chronicle: An unusual but a perfectly sound opening, and one which strikes us as deserving more consideration from writers on Chess than it has yet received.
- 1...c5 2.Nc3 f5
- Chronicle: 2...e6 would have been better play.
- 3.e4
- Chronicle: The best reply to White’s last move, because if the e-pawn be taken the queen’s knight is brought into speedy co-operation with the pieces on the king’s side; and if White does not take the pawn, his centre pawns are sure to be broken and displaced.
- 3...d6 4.Bd3
- Palamède: Nous ne pouvons admettre ce début au nombre des bonnes ouvertures. La position du F du R est contrainte et doit faire perdre des temps. {We can not admit this début to the number of good openings. The position of the king's bishop is constrained and must lose time.}
- 4...e6
- Palamède: Mal joué. Il fallait pousser le P du F afin de laisser le jeu de l'adversaire dans la position gênéc et irrégulière qu'il a prise. {Poorly played. It was necessary to push the f-pawn in order to leave the opponent's game in the disfigured and irregular position he has taken.}
- 5.Nh3
- Chronicle: Instead of this move, we would suggest 5.Qe2
- 5...Nf6 6.exf5 exf5 7.0-0 Be7 8.b3
- Chronicle: Indispensably necessary for the purpose of liberating the queen’s bishop and rook.
- 8...Nc6 9.Bb2 0-0 10.Nf4 Ng4
- Chronicle: Hoping to establish the knight at e5.
- 11.Nfd5 Bf6 12.Nxf6+ Nxf6 13.Ne2 Ng4 14.f4 b6 15.h3 Nh6 16.Rf3 Qh4
- Chronicle: The import of this move is not very obvious.
- 17.Rg3 g6 18.Qe1
- Palamède: Pour gagner la D par la découverte de la T; le piége est grossier. {To win the queen by discovery from the rook; the trap is crude.}
- Chronicle: Threatening to win the queen by taking the g-pawn with his rook. This move is not so good as playing 18.Qc2, with the view to place her afterwards at c3. Perhaps, however, 18.Qf1 would have been still better play, because in that case, without great foresight on the adversary’s part, the white queen would have been won in a few moves; and if he retired her to a place of security, Black, by moving 18...Qf6, and afterwards to h4, must have got an almost irresistable attack.
- 18...Qe7 19.Qf2 Nb4 20.Re1
- Chronicle: We believe that White might here have played with some advantage 20.Nd4, en prise of the enemey’s pawn, and followed it, if the knight were not taken, with 21.Re1.
- 20...Bb7 21.Bb1
- Palamède: Le découverte de la T sur la D n'offre aucun avantage. {The discovery of the rook on the queen offers no advantage.}
- 21...Rae8 22.Re3 Qd8 23.Ng3 Kf7
- Palamède: Faire T pour T n'eût rien valu, les Blancs auraient repris avec la D doublant la T, et, se trouvant maîtresse de la ligne vide, elle eût puissamment commandé le jeu. {To take rook with rook would not have been worthwhile, White would have continued with the queen doubling the rook, and, being mistress of the empty line, she would have powerfully commanded the game.}
- 24.Qe2 Rxe3 25.dxe3
- Palamède: Les Blancs reprennent avec le P, sans doute pour éviter de faire la liquidation des grosses pièces, qui eût été inévitable en reprenant avec la D. {White continued with the pawn capture, no doubt to avoid the liquidation of the heavy pieces, which would have been inevitable continuing with the queen capture.}
- Chronicle: As M. St. Amant during the latter games of the match played mainly to draw, and Mr. Staunton solely to win, the former estimating a remise as a victory, and his opponent looking on it as a defeat, it frequently happened, that while M. St. Amant sought eagerly for every opportunity of exchanging pieces, Mr. Staunton sacrificed position, and occasionally the game itself, to prevent him.
- 25...Qh4 26.Nf1 Ng8 27.Rd1 Rd8 28.Nd2 Qg3 29.Nf1
- Palamède: La position de la D est trop dangereuse entrée ainsi dans le jeu auprès du R adverse. C'est ce qui provoque le retour de ce C, dont l'agitation a été grande pendant un moment. {The position of the queen is too dangerous to allow entry into the game with the opposing king. This is what causes the return of this knight, which has been greatly restless for a while.}
- 29...Qh4 30.Nh2
- Chronicle: Black loses many moves in fruitlessly attempting to dislodge the queen.
- 30...h6
- Chronicle: This part of the game is very skilfully conducted by White.
- 31.Nf3 Qg3 32.Ne1 Re8
- Chronicle: Well played.
- 33.Qf2
- Palamède: Prendre le P de la D eût été d'autant plus mauvais qu'on perdait celui du R et probablement le C. Le F à sa c. pouvait seul défendre le P attaqué, mais c'était se mettre tout-à-fait sur la défensive, et l'on ne renonce pas facilement à une position d'attaque. Aussi, en jouant ainsi la D, a-t-on sacrifié un P au moins. {To take the d-pawn would have been all the worse because it lost the e-pawn and probably the knight. 33.Bc1 could defend the pawn attacked, but it was quite on the defensive, and one does not easily renounce a position of attack. Thus, by playing the queen, he has sacrificed a pawn at least.}
- 33...Qxe3 34.a3
- Chronicle: White’s play, from this point to the termination of the game, M. St. Amant acknowledged to be equal, if not superior, to any exhibited throughout the contest.
- 34...Nc6 35.Nf3
- Threatening to win “the exchange.”
- 35...Qxf2+
- Palamède: Au lieu de prendre la D on pouvait gagner encore le P du C de la D, mais c'était peut-être dangereux, du moins cela a été jugé tel et nous ne voyons pas trop que ce soit à tort. Prendre le P du F du R n'était pas possible sans perdre la D. {Instead of taking the queen he could still win the b-pawn, but it was perhaps dangerous, at least it was judged as such and we do not see too much that it is wrong. Taking the f-pawn was not possible without losing the queen.}
- 36.Kxf2 Re6 37.g4
- Palamède: A partir de ce moment, les Blancs, qui sont plus faibles d'un P que leur adversaire, ont beaucoup mieux manœuvré que lui. {From this point on, White, who is down a pawn, plays better than his opponent.}
- 37...Nce7 38.Nh4 Be4 39.Bxe4 Rxe4
- Palamède: En prenant avec le P les Noirs eussent perdu l'échange de la T. {By taking with the pawn Black would have lost the exchange of the rook.}
- 40.Rxd6 fxg4 41.hxg4 Rxf4+ 42.Kg3 g5 43.Nf3 Re4 44.Rxh6 Re3
- Palamède: C'est ici qu'est la grande faute d'appréciation. Les Noirs ont eu long-temps le P de plus et devaient chercher naturellement à gagner; mais puisqu'il l'ont reperdu et que leur position est plutôt inférieure que supérieure à celle de l'ennemi, ils devaient ici changer de plan et ne travailler qu'à la remise, qui est certaine en prenant d'abord le P du C par échec et ensuite la T. Tout le côté du R est liquidé, et l'on reste chacun avec trois P de l'autre côté et deux pièces d'égale valeur. {Here is the great fault of estimation. Black had for a long time a pawn more and had to naturally seek to win; but since he has lost it and his position is rather inferior than superior to that of the enemy, he has to change his plan here and work only for the draw, which is certain by first taking the g-pawn with check and then the rook. The whole king's side is wound up, and he remains with three pawns on the other side and two pieces of equal value.}
- Chronicle: White would have lost two pawns, in addition to his rook, if he had taken the rook.
- 45.Rh7+ Ke8
- Palamède: Les 3es c. du R et du C ne valaient pas mieux que cette retraite. {The e6 and g6 squares were no better than this retreat.}
- 46.Bc1 Rxb3 47.Bxg5 Rxa3
- Palamède: Les Noirs ont une seconde fois le P de plus, mais leur position n'est pas bonne. Leur R va recevoir un rude choc de toutes les pièces adverses qui portent sur lui. {Black has for a second time an extra pawn, but his position is not good. His king will receive a rude shock from all the opposing pieces that bear on him.}
- 48.Kf4 a5 49.Ne5
- Palamède: Marche menaçante du C. {Menacing march of the knight.}
- Chronicle: Threatening to win a piece, by first taking 50.Bxe7, and then checking with the rook at h8, and finally capturing the other knight.
- 49...Ra1
- Palamède: Si les Noirs ne jouent pas cette T ils perdent la pièce. {If Black does not move this rook they lose the piece.}
- Chronicle: Finely played to save the piece.
- 50.Bxe7 Rf1+ 51.Ke4 Nxe7 52.Rh8+ Rf8 53.Rh6
- Palamède: En faisant T pour T et donnant échec avec le C le coup suivant, les Blancs gagnaient le P; mais ils ont estimé que la position devait mieux rapporter, et ils ont eu raison. {By taking rook for rook and giving check with the knight the next move, White gained a pawn; but he felt that the position should yield more, and he was right.}
- Chronicle: White might now have taken the rook, and then checked with his knight at d7, winning the b-pawn; but subsequent analysis proved he could, in that case, only have drawn the game.
- 53...Ng8
- Palamède: On pouvait défendre le P du C avec ce C à la c. du F, mais alors le P du C du R devenait très redoutable et aurait peut-être coûté la T. {He could defend the b-pawn with this knight at c8, but then the g-pawn became very formidable and might have cost the rook.}
- Chronicle: Better play, we think, than 53...Nc8.
- 54.Rxb6 Nf6+ 55.Ke3 Nd7
- Palamède: C'est une malheureuse idée de pièce qui va coûter le C aux Noirs, et décider en faveur des Blancs une partie déjà extrêmement belle pour eux, arrivée à ce point. {It is an unfortunate idea for this piece that will cost Black the knight, and decide in favor of White a game already extremely goood for him at this point.}
- 56.Re6+ Kd8 57.Rd6 Ke7
- Palamède: Il n'y a ni moyen de sauver la pièce ni moyen de la regagner. {There is no way to save the piece and no way to regain it.}
- 58.Rxd7+ Ke6 59.Rd5 Rf1 60.Nd3 Rg1 61.Nxc5+ Kf6 62.g5+ Kg6 63.Ne4 a4 64.Rd6+ Kf5 65.Rf6+ Ke5 66.Rf8 Re1+ 67.Kd3 Rd1+
- Palamède: Si l'on eût pris le C on perdait la T. La partie est tout-à-fait désespérée. {If he had taken the knight he lost the rook. The game is quite desperate.}
- 68.Kc2 Rg1 69.Nd2 Kd6 70.Rf5 Kc6 71.Ne4 Rg4 72.Kd3 Kb6 73.Rb5+ Ka6 74.Nc5+ Ka7 75.Nxa4 Ka6 76.Nc5+ Ka7 77.Ne4 Rg1 78.Kd4 Rc1 79.g6 Rd1+ 80.Ke5 Rg1 81.Kf6 Rf1+ 82.Rf5 Rd1 83.g7 Rd8 84.Ke7 Rc8 85.Rf7 Kb6 86.c5+ Kc7 87.Kf6 Kc6 88.Rf8 Rc7 89.g8Q 1-0
London Standard, 1843.12.11, n6052, p1 (ends 75.Nxa4)
Der Schachkampf in Paris, Carl Meier, Zürich, 1844, pp37-41 (ends 75.Nxa4)
(Le 6 Décembre 1843.)
Date: 1843.12.06
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 13)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [D40] Queen’s Gambit Declined
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 13)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [D40] Queen’s Gambit Declined
- 1.d4 e6 2.c4 d5 3.e3 Nf6 4.Nc3 c5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.a3 Be7 7.Bd3 0-0 8.0-0
- Palamède: Les jeux sont parfaitement égaux. Le premier joueur n'a pas perdu son trait, mais il est ici de peu de valeur. {The games are perfectly equal. The first player did not lose the move, but it is of little value here.}
- 8...b6 9.b3 Bb7 10.cxd5
- Palamède: Quand le F de la D a quitté sa ligne naturelle, il y a moins d'inconvénient qu'auparavant de prendre le P de la D, parce que ce F ne peut venir à la 3 c. du R où il a une position forte. Celle qu'il a été occuper à la 2 c. du C de la D n'a de puissance qu'autant que le P de la D devient P du R ou se pousse à sa 5 c. {When the queen's bishop has left its natural diagonal, there is less inconvenience than before taking the d-pawn, because that bishop can not come to e6 where he has a strong position. When occupying b7 it has power only as much as the d-pawn becomes an e-pawn or gets pushed to d4.}
- Chronicle: The move of ...Bb7, in an early stage of the present close game, as adopted by Mr. Staunton, is a novel feature in the opening; and unless immediately answered by this exchange of pawns, gives fine scope for attack upon the adverse king.
- 10...exd5 11.Bb2 cxd4
- Palamède: L'observation ci-desses trouve son application avec le même justesse. {The above observation still applies with the same accuracy.}
- 12.exd4 Bd6
- Palamède: Ce F avait pu sortir tout de suite, au 6e coup, à cette 3 c. du R, comme avaient fait les Blancs. C'est ce qui rend le jeu de ceux-ci plus correct et plus digne de servir de modèle dans ce genre de parties moins connues et moins pratiquées que les ouvertures du P du R deux pas. {This bishop had been able to get out at once, on the 6th move, to d6, similar to White had done. This is what makes the play more correct and more worthy to serve as a model in this kind of less known and less practiced game than the king's pawn two opening.}
- 13.Re1 a6
- Palamède: Pour empêcher l'approche du C qui aurait gêné le développement des pièces de ce côté. {To prevent the approach of knight which would have hampered the development of pieces on this side.}
- Pope: The Chess Player's Chronicle gives h6.
- 14.Rc1 Rc8 15.Rc2 Rc7 16.Rce2 Qc8 17.h3 Nd8 18.Qd2 b5
- Pope: The Chess Player's Chronicle gives a6.
- 19.b4 Ne6 20.Bf5 Ne4
- Palamède: Depuis plusieurs coups tous les efforts de part et d'autre étaient relatifs à l'occupation de cette case. Les Noirs ont cru saisir un moment favorable pour porter leur C du R à cette 5 c. du R. {For several moves all the efforts on both sides were related to the occupation of this square. Black thought he had taken a favorable moment to carry his knight to e4.}
- Chronicle: M. Kieseritzki, and other distinguished members of the Paris Chess Circle, are of opinion, that Mr. Staunton would have obtained a decided advantage by playing 20...Bf4 at this point; the move suggested would undoubtedly have improived his game; but we still think the one mode was preferable, and that Mr. S.’s error consisted in not three moves subsequently, playing his bishop to the square mentioned.
- 21.Nxe4 dxe4
- Palamède: Le but de l'attaque est rempli. Le P de la D est devenu P du R; le F de la D a toute sa puissance. Les Blancs ne pourraient gagner ce P qu'en perdant leur F de la D. L'arrangement des pièces noirs avait été profondément médité. {The purpose of the attack is fulfilled. The d-pawn became an e-pawn; the queen's bishop has full scope. White can only win this pawn by losing his queen's bishop. The arrangement of the black pieces has been deeply considered.}
- 22.d5
- Palamède: Ici les Noirs ont combiné une attaque qu'on a qualifiée du nom de Labourdonnais. En effet, en 3 ou 4 coups très hardis, et sans s'effrayer de quelques sacrifices, les Blancs arrivent à gagner la D ou à placer le R dans une position mortelle. {Here Black receives an attack evoking the name of Labourdonnais. Indeed, in three or four very bold moves, and without fear a few sacrifices, White manages to win the queen or place the king in a deadly position.}
- Chronicle: If White had taken the pawn with his bishop, he must have lost a piece, e.g. 22.Bxe4 Bxe4 23.Rxe4 Rc2, etc.
- 22...exf3
- Palamède: Prendre le P de la D avec le F, et jouer ensuite le C à la 5 c. du F du R, était également mauvais puisqu'on perdait une pièce. {Taking 22...Bxd5, and then playing 23...Nf4, was also bad because it lost a piece.}
- Chronicle: We conceive this to have been a grave miscalculation. By playing 22...Bf4, before taking the knight, it appears to us, that Black must have had an excellent game.
- 23.Rxe6
- Palamède: Divinement joué. La pièce est forcément gagnée. {Divine play. The piece is forcibly won.}
- 23...Qd8
- Palamède: La D ne peut rester sous une aussi menaçante découverte. {The queen could not remain under such a menacing discovery.}
- 24.Bf6
- Palamède: Dans cette série de coups brillans, c'est celui-ci qui est le plus merveilleux. {In this series of brilliant moves,this is the one which is the most marvelous.}
- Chronicle: This is a remarkably ingenious and decisive coup.
- 24...gxf6
- Palamède: Ici tout était également mauvais. Prendre le F avec la D pour l'échanger contre le F et la D, n'ôte pas les dangers de l'attaque de la D et du F du R sur le R noir. {Here everything else was also bad. Taking 24...Qxf6, does not remove the dangers of the attack by the queen and king's bishop's on the black king.}
- 25.Rxd6
- Palamède: Admirable sacrifice qui impose celui de la D. Cette combinaison de quatre coups avec leurs nombreuses variantes, est une des plus belles phases de ce défi; la galerie l'a accueillie avec enthousiasme. {Excellent sacrifice imposed upon the queen. This combination of four moves with its many variations, is one of the most beautiful phases of this challenge; the gallery enthusiastically welcomed it.}
- 25...Kg7
- Palamède: Pour retarder sa chute. {To delay his fall.}
- 26.Rxd8 Rxd8
- Palamède: A moins d'une grosse faute la partie ne peut plus échapper aux Blancs. {Barring a huge blunder the game could no longer elude White.}
- 27.Be4
- Chronicle: And after a few more moves, Black resigned.
- 27...fxg2 28.Qf4 Rc4 29.Qg4+ Kf8 30.Qh5 Ke7 31.d6+
- Palamède: Ici les Noirs perdent une pièce, ce qui n'était pas forcé sur le coup, mais ne pouvait guère tarder à l'être d'une façon ou d'autre. {Here Blacks loses a piece, which was not forced on the spot, but could not be delayed in one way or another.}
- 31...Kxd6 32.Bxb7 Kc7 33.Bxa6 Rc3 34.Qxb5 1-0
- Palamède: La rapidité de cette chute du 22e au 26e coup est ce qui a le plus fortement impressionné les spectateurs pendant la durée du match. {The rapidity of the fall from the 22nd to the 26th move is what impressed the spectators most during the game.}
Chess Player’s Chronicle, 1844, v5, pp65-67 (ends 27.Be4)
(Le 7 Décembre 1843, a durè huit heures trois quarts.)
Dieselbe dauerte fast ohne Unterbrechung von Morgens eilf bis Nachts halb zwölf Uhr, und wurde als unentschieden abgebrochen.
Da die einzelnen Züge derselben indessen nicht von besonderem Interesse sind, so wird sie hier, ebenso wie in Galignani’s Messenger, weggelassen.
Da die einzelnen Züge derselben indessen nicht von besonderem Interesse sind, so wird sie hier, ebenso wie in Galignani’s Messenger, weggelassen.
Date: 1843.12.07
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 14)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [A35] English
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 14)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [A35] English
- 1.c4 c5
- Chronicle: The very best reply with think to White’s opening move.
- 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.e3
- Chronicle: This is much better than playing 3.e4.
- 3...d6 4.d4 cxd4
- Chronicle: Injudiciously played, because it yields free range to the adverse queen’s bishop.
- 5.exd4 e6
- Palamède: C'est afin d'arriver à pousser ensuite le P de la D; mais le jeu des Noirs est resserré et le pièces du côté du R sont en retard pour sortir. Il serait peut-être préférable de pousser le P du R 2 pas, ou de porter le F de la D à la 4e c. du F du R. Ce qu'il y a de certain c'est que le début du second joueur n'est pas aussi bien qu'il devrait être. {Made in order to support pushing the d-pawn; but Black's game is cramped and the pieces on the king's side are late to get out. It might be better to push 5...e5, or move 5...Bf5. What is certain is that the opening of the second player is not as good as it should be.}
- 6.Nf3 d5 7.a3 Nf6 8.c5 Be7 9.b4
- Chronicle: White would have spared himself much embarrassment, if before advancing this pawn, he had moved his king’s bishop to d3, to prevent the black knight being posted at e4.
- 9...Ne4 10.Ne2
- Palamède: Les Blancs ne peuvent prendre le C, et ne jugent pas à propos de soutenir le leur. Ils sont obligés de battre en retraite pour avoir trop ouvert leur jeu du côté de la D. {White can not take the knight, and do not think it fit to support his own. He is forced to retreat due to opening his game too much on the queen's side.}
- 10...a6 11.Ng3 f5 12.Bd3 Bf6 13.Nh5
- Chronicle: An unlooked for, but a most important move to counteract the attack Black menaced.
- 13...0-0
- Chronicle: The position here is peculiarly intricate, and it was only after long and intense deliberation that M. St. Amant, was induced to forego his meditated capture of the d-pawn. We believe the following variations will show that he acted prudently in not taking it: suppose, in the first place, 13...Nxd4 14.Nxf6+ Qxf6 15.Nxd4 and Black cannot take the knight without losing his queen, therefore, 15...Nxf2 (or 15...Nc3 16.Qd2 Qxd4 17.Bb2 and Black cannot save the piece) 16.Bb5+ axb5 17.Kxf2 having regained a piece at the expense of two pawns. In the second place 13...Bxd4 14.Nxd4 Nxf2 15.Nxc6 Qh4 16.g3 Nxd3+ (we do not think he has a better move) 17.Qxd3 Qxh5 18.Ne5 with the advantage of a piece for two pawns.
- 14.Nxf6+ Qxf6 15.Bb2 Bd7 16.0-0 h6 17.Ra2 Kh7 18.Ne1 Qg5 19.Ba1 Be8 20.Re2
- Chronicle: Threatening to win the e-pawn by attacking the knight with the f-pawn next move.
- 20..Bf7 21.f4
- Palamède: Un seul pas d'abord pour faire retirer ce C valait peut-être mieux. {A single square first to remove the knight was perhaps better.}
- 21...Qf6 22.Re3 Rg8 23.Rh3 Bg6 24.Nf3 Rgf8 25.Ne5 Nxe5 26.dxe5 Qe7 27.Bd4 Rf7 28.Be2 Qe8 29.Rff3 Rc7 30.Rb3 Qd7 31.Rhe3 Qe7
- Palamède: C'est le R qui avait l'air d'être menacé, et c'est sur le côté opposé qu'il faut veiller soigneusement. L'attaque sur le R est une feinte pour enfoncer de côté de la D, si les Noirs engagent trop leurs pièces autour du R. Les 3 P contre 2 du côté de la D, les menacent très fortement. {It was the king who seemed to be threatened, and it was on the opposite side that must be watched carefully. The attack on the king was a feint for a push on the queen's side, if Black engages too many of his pieces around the king. The 3 pawns against 2 on the queen's side, was a strong threat.}
- 32.Rh3 Qe8 33.Qe1 Qe7 34.Rh4 Qe8 35.h3 Qe7 36.g4 Rh8 37.Rd3 Qd8 38.Rd1 Qe7
- Palamède: En tenant toujours en prise la T des Blancs, on paralyse tout-à-fait les mouvemens de la D adverse, qui est la seule pièce qui puisse garder cette T. {While still holding White's rook en prise, he paralyzes the movements of the opposing queen, which is the only piece that can protect the rook.}
- 39.Kh2 Rcc8 40.g5 Kg8 41.gxh6 gxh6 42.Rb1 Kh7 43.Rb2 Rhg8 44.Bd3 Rg7 45.Bxe4 fxe4
- Palamède: Il était préférable ici de prendre avec le P de la D, pour clouer complètement la T à sa 4e c. C'est à cela que tenait sans doute le gain de la partie. Les Noirs, qui ne font que se défendre, auraient pris bientôt l'offensive. {It was preferable here to take with the d-pawn, to completely anchor the rook to h4. This would probably gain the game. Black, who was only defend himself, would soon have taken the offensive.}
- Chronicle: It would have been better to have taken with the d-pawn, for the purpose of keeping White’s king’s rook out of play.
- 46.Rg4
- Palamède: Cette T profite avec avidité de la liberté qu'on vient de lui rendre. {This rook profits with avidity from the liberty which has just been restored to him.}
- 46...Rcg8 47.Rbg2 Bh5 48.Rxg7+ Rxg7 49.Rxg7+ Qxg7 50.a4 Be8
- Palamède: Coup de la plus haute importance. La partie des Noirs est compromise s'ils laissent pousser le P du C de la D. {A move of the utmost importance. Black's game is compromised if he pushed the b-pawn.}
- 51.a5
- Chronicle: It has been suggested that 51.f5, with the view of afterwards playing 52.b5, and then 53.Qf1, would have been good play. In that case however it appears to us that Black, by moving 51...Qg5, would have had a superior position.
- 51...Bb5 52.Qh4
- Chronicle: The game was prolonged for a great many more moves, and ultimately abandoned as drawn.
- 52...Qf8 53.Kg3 Qg7+ 54.Kf2 Qf8
- Palamède: Ce qui importe ici est de ne pas laisser à la D ennemie la possibilité d'entrer. {What is important here is to not allow the enemy queen the possibility of entering.}
- 55.Be3 Bc6 56.Ke1 Ba4 57.Kf2 Bb5 58.Bd4 Bc6 59.Ke3
- Palamède: Ces marches et contre-marches sont le fait de deux ennemis qui s'observent et qui cherchent l'un et l'autre en défaut dans la cuirasse. {These marches and countermarches are the work of two enemies who are observing and seeking faults in each others armor.}
- 59...Qg7
- Palamède: Il n'y a plus d'inconvéniens à laisser entrer la D blanc; car la D noir entrerait de son côté et ferait beaucoup plus de ravages. {There are no longer any disadvantage in letting the white queen enter; for the black queen would come to White's side and do much more damage.}
- 60.Qg4 Qxg4 61.hxg4 Kg6 62.Kf2 h5 ½-½
Chess Player’s Chronicle, 1844, v5, pp67-69 (ends 52.Qh4)
To Clubs—According to our latest Paris news, respecting the match there playing between Mr Staunton and St Amant, our countryman wins ten, loses three, and draws two. The fifteenth game has been given in The Morning Herald, with the notes from Galignani; and very simple notes they are, to say nothing of half a dozen press blunders, the least of which would choke a horse. The whole of the games will be given in the next number of the Chess Players' Chronicle, which we do not, therefore, think it fair to anticipate. The fifteenth game is played in a really splendid manner by our champion, who has well earned the title he may now fairly assume as the first English player. The games will also be given in M. de St Amant's Chess Magazine, The Palamede, a work which English amateurs should universally patronise, coupled with the Chess Chronicle.
(Le 9 Décembre 1843, a durè sept heures.)
Date: 1843.12.09
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 15)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [D37] Queen’s Gambit Declined
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 15)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [D37] Queen’s Gambit Declined
- 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 a6 5.c5 Be7 6.Bg5
- Chronicle: The propriety of carrying the queen’s bishop over to the king’s side in openings of this description, is very questionable.
- 6...0-0 7.e3 b6 8.b4 Bb7 9.Bxf6
- Palamède: Cet échange de pièces n'était pas bien nécessaire. Le C du R était là peu offensif, et le F était plus désavantageux à déplacer qu'à laisser à la case qu'il occupait. {This exchange of pieces was not very necessary. The king's knight was not very offensive, and it was more disadvantageous to have the bishop move than to leave on the square he occupied.}
- 9...Bxf6 10.Bd3 a5 11.a3
- Chronicle: Threatening to gain a pawn.
- 11...Nd7 12.cxb6
- Palamède: Pourquoi prendre ce P? La T à la c. du F de la D maintenait une position tout à l'avantage des Blancs. {Why take this pawn? 12.Rc1 maintained an advantageous position for White.}
- 12...cxb6 13.0-0 Qe7
- Chronicle: A much better move than advancing the 13...e5, which although apparently good play, would have cost Black at least a pawn, e.g. 13...e5 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 16.Bxh7+ Kxh7 (best) 17.Qh5+ Kg8 18.Qxe5, etc.
- 14.Qb3
- Chronicle: Well played.
- 14...axb4 15.axb4 Rfc8 16.Bb5
- Chronicle: This appears to us an utterly lost move.
- 16...Nf8 17.Rfc1 Ng6 18.Be2 Qd8 19.Nb5 Be7 20.Ne1 Ba6
- Chronicle: From this stage, the position is undboutedly in favour of Black
- 21.f4 Nh4 22.Kf2 Nf5 23.Nf3 Bxb5 24.Rxa8 Rxa8 25.Bxb5 Nd6 26.Bd3 b5 27.Ne5 Nc4
- Palamède: Cette position donne beau jeu aux Noirs. Ce C qu'il faudra détruire tôt ou tard, passera un P qui assurera la partie. {This move gives Black good position. This knight will have to be captured sooner or later, creating a passed pawn that will ensure the game.}
- 28.Nc6 Qd6 29.Nxe7+
- Palamède: Les Blancs détruisent ce F pour sauver le P qu'il attaque, et que, soutenu de la T et de la D, il eût fini par gagner. {White captures this bishop to save the pawn it attacked, which, supported by the rook and the queen, he would eventually gain.}
- 29...Qxe7 30.Bxc4
- Palamède: En prenant ce C on passera un P uni des plus dangereux; mais en ne prenant pas, le P du C de la D n'eût pas tardé à être forcé, ce qui était tout aussi mauvais. La partie, jusqu'alors égale, a depuis quelques coups pris une teinte bien sinistre pour le Blancs. {In taking this knight he creates a most dangerous united passed pawn; but by not taking, the b-pawn would soon have been captured, which was just as bad. The game, previously equal, has for some time taken a very sinister hue for White.}
- 30...dxc4
- Chronicle: Black properly takes with the d-pawn, calculating, in the event of the capital pieces being changed off, that if left White a passed pawn, so far forward on the b-file, it would be beyond the reach of his king.
- 31.Qb2 Ra4 32.Rb1 Qa7 33.Qc2 g6 34.h4 Qe7 35.Rh1 Qxb4 36.Qe4
- Chronicle: High praise is due to M. St. Amant, for the pertinacious ingenuity with which for twenty more moves he struggled to effect a remise.
- 36...Qb2+ 37.Kg3 Ra2 38.Rf1 b4 39.Qb7 h5 40.Kh3 c3 41.Rg1
- Palamède: Maintenant que les Noirs pouvaient sacrifier la T en échangeant les D ayant 2 P près de D, il faut défendre avec une autre pièce le P du C du R. {Now that Black could sacrifice the rook by exchanging queens with 2 pawns close to queening, he had to defend the g-pawn with another piece.}
- 41...Qf2 42.Qb8+ Kh7 43.Qf8 Qxe3+ 44.g3 Ra7 45.Ra1 Qxd4 46.Rxa7 Qxa7 47.Qxb4
- Palamède: Les Blancs sont parvenus à détruire un de ces deux terribles P; mais ils ont deux P de moins. Il a cependant fallu que les Noirs jouassent avec beaucoup de soins, car on cherchait un échec perpétuel qui se présente souvent quand la partie est ainsi réduite aux deux D et à quelques P. {White has succeeded in capturing one of these two dangerous pawns; but he is still down two pawns. Nevertheless, Black has to play with great care, for White was looking for a perpetual check, which often occurs when the game is thus reduced to the two queens and a few pawns.}
- 47...Qg1 48.Qb7 Kg7 49.Qe4 Qc5 50.Qe1 c2 51.Qa1+ Kh7 52.Qc1 Qf5+ 53.Kh2 Qd3 54.f5 Qe2+ 55.Kh3 Qd1 56.fxg6 fxg6 0-1
- Chronicle: And White surrendered. At the termination of the present partie, Captain Wilson, the sole remaining second on the English side, (his collegue having departed the two or three days before,) was compelled by serious indisposition, and protraction of the contest, to return home, leaving Mr. Staunton to bear the brunt of the battle alone. The multiplied inconveniences to which this unfortunate measure subjeccted Mr. Staunton, may be inferred from a comparison of the earlier and later games of the match; and from the fact, that although upon Captain Wilson’s departure, he required to win but one game, having then gained 10 to his opponent’s 2; this final triumph was not achieved until six more games had been played!!
The Great Chess Match.—The 16th game between M. St. Amant and Mr. Staunton was won by the French gentleman, the English champion having had the move. The games now stand—for Staunton, 10; for St. Amant, 4; and two draws. We shall give the moves on Monday.
(Le 11 Décembre 1843, a durè neuf heures.)
Date: 1843.12.11
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 16)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [A34] English
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 16)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [A34] English
- 1.c4 c5
- Palamède: Le P du R 1 pas est ici préférable pour retomber dans la partie régulière des gambits refusés du P du F de la D. {1...e6 is preferable here to transpose back into the regular game of the rejected gambits of the c-pawn.}
- 2.Nc3 e5 3.e3 Nc6 4.a3 f5 5.d3 Nf6 6.Nge2 d6 7.Ng3 Be7 8.Be2 0-0 9.0-0 h6 10.Bf3 Kh7 11.Bd5
- Chronicle: Few will be inclined to deny that the opening of this game is much in favour of White. The march of his opponent’s pieces is restricted in every instance to wo or three unimportant squares, and the White bishop in the centre of the field excercises a control almost fatal to the development of the enemy’s force.
- 11...Qe8
- Chronicle: If Black had taken the bishop with his king’s knight, White, by taking the knight with the pawn, would not only have driven the queen’s knight home again, but have established another obstacle to the movements of Black’s men as formidable almost as was the bishop himself.
- 12.Rb1 a5
- Palamède: Ce P est poussé 2 pas pour empêcher le P du C d'avancer lui-même 2 pas. Il laisse ainsi l'entrée au C de la D, qui dominera quelques coups le jeu des Noirs. {This pawn is pushed 2 squares to prevent the b-pawn from advancing to b4. Thus leaving an entrance for the queen's knight, which will dominate Black's game for a few moves.}
- 13.Nb5 Qd8
- Palamède: Les Blancs ont ici un avantage de position incontestable. {White here has an incontestable advantage in position.}
- 14.b3 Nxd5
- Chronicle: This capture has certainly not improvied the aspect of Black’s game.
- 15.cxd5 Na7 16.Nc3
- Palamède: Les Blancs sont obligés de sonner la retraite. Ils ont un P doublé au centre qui, du reste, n'est pas encore une infériorité. {White is obliged to sound a retreat. He haa a doubled pawn in the center, which is not yet an inferiority.}
- Chronicle: White prudently declines to exchange knights, preferrign to keep his adversary’s pieces in their present constrained position as long as possible.
- 16...Bd7 17.f4 Bf6 18.Nce2 g6 19.e4 Nb5 20.exf5
- Palamède: Ceci est un désavantage, car les 2 P de la D doublés ne sont plus liés ensemble, et le plus avancé sera peut-être difficile à défendre. {This is a disadvantage, as the doubled d-pawns are no longer linked together, and the most advanced may be difficult to defend.}
- Chronicle: Upon this move, M. St. Amant remarks, “Ceci est un désavantage, car les 2 P. de la D. doublés ne sont plus liés ensemble, et le plus avancé sera peut-être difficile à défendre.” Now we, on the contrary, opine that the taking this pawn increased the advanage in position which White had previously obtained.
- 20...gxf5 21.Nh5 Qe8 22.Nxf6+ Rxf6 23.fxe5 Qxe5
- Palamède: Bien préférable à prendre du P. Les Noirs ont maintenant l'attaque, et leur jeu est supérieur à celui de leur adversaire. {Most preferable to take the pawn. Black now has the attack, and his play is superior to that of his opponent.}
- Chronicle: In the Palamède for February, p. 66, note (6), we are gravely told at the present point, “Les Noirs ont maintenant l’attaque(!!), et leur jeu est supérieur à celui de leur adversaire.” (!!!) We shall have much pleasure in affording the Editor of Le Palamède an opportunity of verifying this, to us, somehwat startling assertion; and for the purpose, we undertake, on his next visit to London, to play White’s game against him from this move, half-a-dozen times, for as many guineas as he may think proper to risk on the result.
- 24.a4 Nd4 25.Nf4
- Palamède: Position d'élite pour ce C, qui exerce de là une grande autorité et paralyse les mouvemens d'attaque des Noirs. {An excellent position for this knight, which exerts great authority and paralyzes the attacks of Black.}
- Chronicle: Threatening to win at least a piece, by playing 26.Re1.
- 25...Rg8
- Chronicle: Very finely played to prevent the move alluded to, which, if now made, would have cost White “The exchange.”
- 26.Bd2
- Chronicle: 26.Kh1 would also have been a good move.
- 26...Rf7
- Chronicle: To make an outlet for the queen.
- 27.Rf2 Rg4
- Palamède: C'est un temps perdu, car il n'est d'aucun avantage pour les Noirs de faire pousser le P de la T du R. Ce coup a failli coûter la partie. {This was a waste of time, as it was of no benefit to Black to provoke the h-pawn. This move almost cost the game.}
- Chronicle: Lost time.
- 28.h3 Rg3 29.Qh5
- Palamède: L'attaque est revenue maintenant aux Blancs. Leur position est certainement effrayante pour l'adversaire, mais, avec de la prudence et de la justesse, ils en seront quittes pour la peur. {The attack has now returned to White. His position is certainly frightening to the adversary, but, with prudence and accuracy, it will rid him of fear.}
- 29...Qf6
- Palamède: C'est le coup juste. {The best move.}
- 30.Ne6
- Palamède: Ou les Blancs ont établi de faux calculs ou ils ont compté sur leur supériorité dans une situation fortement engagée, car ce coup-là ne vaut évidemment rien. {White has made a bad calculation or he has counted on his superiority in a highly active situation, because this move is obviously worth nothing.}
- Chronicle: This fatally premature move appears to have been made under the impression, that after the exchange, White could take the h-pawn with impunity, which it will be presently seen was not the case. If, instead of this rash step, he had contented himself by winning the a-pawn, that advantage, combined with his unquestionable superiority of position, must have ultimately given him the game.
- 30...Bxe6 31.dxe6 Qxe6
- Palamède: Mieux que de prendre avec le C, pour forcer le D pour D un peu plus tard. {Better than taking with the knight, to force the exchange of queens a little later.}
- 32.Bxh6 Qg6 33.Qxg6+
- Palamède: Jugé meilleur que de la retirer à la 4e c. de la T, à cause de l'échec du C qui est double au R et à la D, après avoir pris par échec avec la T le P du C. {Judged better than 33.Qh4, because of the knight's double check to the king and queen, after taking 33...Rxg2+.}
- Chronicle: The error of White’s thirtieth move is fully apparent not; he is compelled to exchange queens, and thus sacrifice a pawn; since, if he made the move upon which he evidently relied when playing 30.Ne6, viz. queen to h4, his aversary would gain a still more palpable advantage; e.g. 33.Qh4 Rxg2+ 34.Rxg2 (or 34.Kh1 Qg3 with by far the better game) 34...Nf3+ 35.Kh1 Qxg2+ 36.Kxg2 Nxh4+ 37.Kg3 Kxh6 38.Kxh4 Re7 and must win.
- 33...Kxg6 34.Bf4 Rxd3 35.Bxd6 Nxb3
- Palamède: Voilà les Noirs avec un beau P de plus. {Here's Black with a beautiful pawn more.}
- 36.Bf4 Re7 37.Rf3
- Chronicle: The excellence of this move is shown in the time it subsequently afforded White to retort the attack upon his opponent.
- 37...Rxf3 38.gxf3 c4 39.Kf2
- Palamède: Coup bien joué pour préparer la suite d'une attaque très dangereuse. {Well played move to prepare the followup for a very dangerous attack.}
- 39...Re6 40.Rg1+ Kf6
- Palamède: Il est également dangereux d'aller à droite et à gauche. Cependant la 2e c. de la T, qui permettait de présenter T pour T, était peut-être préférable. {It was dangerous to go right or left. However, the h7, which made it possible to trade rook for rook, was perhaps preferable.}
- 41.h4 Nc5 42.Bd2 Nxa4
- Palamède: Prendre ce P est moins dangereux, en ce sens que le C défend la case où le F pouvait donner échec. {Taking this pawn is not so dangerous, in the sense that the knight defends the square where the bishop could give check.}
- 43.h5 c3 44.Be3 f4
- Palamède: Sacrifice admirable, et sans lequel il est présumable que les Noirs perdraient la partie. Il vient de neutralise l'attaque si habilement retrouvée pas le joueur anglais. {Admirable sacrifice, and without which it is presumable that Black would lose the game. He just neutralized the attack so cleverly found by the English player.}
- Chronicle: Remarkably well played. But for this skilful sacrifice, we believe Black must have lost the game.
- 45.Bxf4
- Palamède: Il ne saurait mieux faire. {He could not do better.}
- 45...Nb2
- Palamède: Manœuvre savante et vue de très loin. {Wise maneuver and seen from a distance.}
- 46.Bg5+ Kf5 47.Rg4
- Palamède: Les Blancs sont menacés de l'échange des T ce qui serait leur mort. Ils jouent la leur à la 4e c. du C pour la sauver. {White was threatened with the exchange of rooks which would be his death. He plays his to g4 to save it.}
- 47...Nd3+ 48.Kg3 Ne5 49.Bd8
- Palamède: La T, en jouant à la 4e c. de la T de la D, n'était pas prise et l'on ne perdait qu'un simple P: la partie n'en était pas moins gagnée par les Noirs. C'est ce qui a déterminé leur adversaire à la chercher une autre planche de salut. {The rook, playing to a4, wouldn't be taken, and only a simple pawn was then lost: the game was none the less won by Black. This is why his opponent was determined to look for another route of salvation.}
- Chronicle: Threatening to mate with the rook, if Black advanced his c-pawn.
- 49...Nxg4
- Palamède: Les Noirs sont sous un double mat. {Black was under a mate threat.}
- 50.fxg4+ Ke5 51.Bg5
- Palamède: Ce F aurait pris le P de la T de la D que cet exploit eût accéléré sa fin. {This Bishop could have taken the a-pawn but that exploit would hasten the end.}
- 51...c2 52.h6 Rc6 53.h7 Rc8 54.Bc1 Kf6 55.Kf3 Kg6 56.Ke2 Rd8 57.h8Q Rxh8 58.Kd2 Rc8 0-1
London Standard, 1843.12.18, n6058, p4 (ends 57...Rxh8)
Der Schachkampf in Paris, Carl Meier, Zürich, 1844, pp49-52 (ends 57...Rxh8)
The following are the moves of the 17th game, which was left undecided, M. St. Amant playing first and having the white. The games now stand thus—ten for Mr. Staunton, four for M St. Amant, and three draws:—
(Le 12 Décembre 1843, a durè huit heures.)
Date: 1843.12.12
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 17)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [D40] Queen’s Gambit Declined
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 17)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [D40] Queen’s Gambit Declined
- 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 c5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.a3 a6 7.b3 Be7 8.Be2 b6 9.0-0 0-0
- Palamède: C'est, de part et d'autre, absolument le même jeu, et tout a été joué avec une parfaite régularité. Comme attaque et comme défense, cette partie est un modèle du genre. {This is, on both sides, absolutely the same game, and everything has been played with a perfect regularity. As an attack and as a defense, this game is a model of the genre.}
- 10.Qd3 Bb7 11.Rd1 cxd4 12.exd4 dxc4 13.bxc4 Qc7 14.h3 Rac8 15.Bb2 Rfd8 16.Rac1 Na5 17.Nd2
- Palamède: Ce coup était difficile à jouer. Le jeu des Blancs est exposé, parce qu'il est un peu gêné et que leur adversaire a pris l'attaque. Cette marche du C est le coup juste. {This move was difficult to play. The White's game is exposed, he is a bit constrained and because of that his opponent seizes the attack. The moving the bishop was the best move.}
- 17...Qf4
- Palamède: Attaque forte et menaçante. {Strong and menacing attack.}
- Chronicle: Black has now a fine attacking position.
- 18.g3
- Palamède: Les Noirs ne peuvent pas gagner le P du R; car, le coup d'après, ils perdraient l'échange de la T pour un C. {Black cannot take the e-pawn; for, on the following moves, he would lose the exchange of the rook for a knight.}
- Chronicle: He appears to have had no better move.
- 18...Qc7
- Chronicle: 18...Qh6 would have been better play, we think. If Black had taken the d-pawn with his queen, White would have exchanged queens, and then played his knight to d5.
- 19.Nce4 Nxe4 20.Nxe4 f5 21.Nd2 Bf6 22.Qe3 Qe7
- Chronicle: 22...Kh8 would have been a good move, as White could not then have taken the e-pawn without losing a piece.
- 23.Bc3 Nc6
- Palamède: Les Blancs se sont débarrassés et ont forcé l'assaillant à se replier. {White rid himself of trouble and forced his assailant to withdraw.}
- 24.d5
- Palamède: Le Rubicon est passé. Voici un coup destiné à amener une solution. {The Rubicon is crossed. This move is intended to bring a resolution.}
- 24...Bxc3 25.Rxc3 exd5 26.cxd5 Qxe3 27.fxe3
- Palamède: Si l'on eût pris la D avec la T, le P du centre eût été perdu. {If 27.Rxe3, the center pawn would have been lost.}
- 27...Ne5 28.Rxc8 Rxc8 29.Nf3
- Palamède: Il était important de prévenir l'arrivée de la T à la 7 c. du F de la D, qui eût gêgé long-temps les mouvemens des pièces. {It was important to prevent the arrival of the rook at the c2, which would have hampered the movements of his pieces for a long time .}
- 29...Nxf3+ 30.Bxf3 Kf8
- Chronicle: Had he played 30...Rc3, White would have won the game; e.g. 30...Rc3 31.d6 Bxf3 32.d7, etc.
- 31.g4 g6 32.gxf5
- Palamède: Pour isoler le P des Noirs. {To isolate Black's pawn.}
- 32...gxf5 33.Kf2 Ke7 34.Kg3 Kf6 35.Rb1
- Palamède: Ceci a été un temps perdu. Mais nous ne pensons pas qu'il ait changé le sort de la partie; car le R ne peut aller à la 4 c. de son F, il en serait tout de suite chassé par un échec de la T. Si le P de la D eût été poussé, il n'en serait jamais advenu que ce qui est arrivé plus tard, une remise. Que le P noir soit à la 3 c. du C ou à la 4, c'est toujours la même chose. Les Blancs n'en ont pas moins mal joué, car perdre un temps est toujours une faute, et ici on peut dire qu'il y a eu deux temps perdus, un par la T à jouer et l'autre par le P qu'on a fait avancer. {This was a wasted time. But we do not think he changed the fate of the game; because the king can not go to f4, as he would be immediately chased by a check by the rook. If the d-pawn had been pushed, then what happened later would never occur, a draw. Whether the black pawn is on b6 or b5, it would be same thing. White has played badly, because losing time is always a mistake, and here we can say that he last time twice, oncee by the rook move and the other by the pawn advance.}
- 35...b5 36.Rd1
- Palamède: Si le P de la T de la D avançait un pas, la T montait à la 4c. du F, défendant le P du C et attaquant celui de la D adverse. {If 36.a4, then 36...Rc5, defending the b-pawn and attacking the opponent's d-pawn.}
- 36...Ke5 37.d6 Bxf3 38.d7 Rd8
- Palamède: Donner échec de la T à la c. du C serait perdre un temps. {Giving check by 38...Rg8+ would be a waste of time.}
- 39.Kxf3 h5 40.h4 Ke6 41.Kf4 Rxd7 42.Rxd7
- Palamède: Les Blancs ont long-temps hésité entre faire T pour T ou jouer la leur à la c. du C du R. M. Staunton a dit, après la partie remise, que la T à la c. du ferait perdre la partie. En vérité, nous sommes forcés de confesser que nous ne voyons pas comment. A nos yeux, c'est toujours au moins la remise, et c'est pour cela qu'après sept heures de combat, nous n'avons pas voulu sans certitude courir ces nouvelles chances. Nous posons ici le problême en tableau pour l'édification de tous.
{White has long hesitated exchanging rook for rook or playing it to g1. Mr. Staunton said, after the game was drawn, that 42.Rg1 would lose the game. In truth, we are forced to confess that we do not see how. In our eyes, it is always at least a draw, and that is why after seven hours of fighting, we did not want to take any chances without certainty. Here we pose the problem in a picture for the edification of all.}
- 42...Kxd7 43.Kxf5
- Palamède: Ici le jeu est dans toutes les conditions de la remise; mais il faut pourtant que tous les coups justes soient joués, surtout par les Blancs dont les pions sont isolés et moins avancés. {The game here is in all states a draw; but all the right moves must be played, especially by White, whose pawns are isolated and less advanced.}
- 43...a5 44.Ke5
- Palamède: Incontestablement le meilleur coup. {Unquestionably the best move.}
- 44...Kc6
- Palamède: Si les Noirs poussaient le P du C, la partie entrait tout de suite dans les conditions de la remise forcée sans chances de fautes. {If Black pushed the b-pawn, the game immediately entered the state of a forced draw without any chance of mistake.}
- 45.Kd4 Kd6 46.e4 b4
- Palamède: Jouer le R à sa 3 c. amenait le même fin de partie; les Blancs marchant tout de suite sur les deux P, ou même poussant leur P du R. {Playing 46...Ke6 brought the same end to the game; White pushing forward the two pawns, or even pushing the e-pawn.}
- 47.axb4 axb4 48.Kc4 Ke5 49.Kxb4 Kxe4 50.Kc3
- Pope: The ending sequence, 50.Kc4 Ke3 51.Kc3 Ke2 52.Kc2 Kf3 53.Kd2 Kg3 54.Ke1 Kxh4 55.Kf1, is given in both the London Standard and in Der Schachkampf in Paris.
- 50...Ke3 51.Kc2 Kf2 52.Kd2 Kg3 53.Ke1
- Palamède: En général, dans cette position, pour être moins exposé à se tromper, il faut descendre le R plutôt que de le monter; car, outre le R adverse à maintenir dans la ligne de la T, il faut avoir pour but de gagner la c. de la T, où toute espèce de faute de distraction devient impossible. {In general, in this position, in order to be less exposed to error, we must fallback with the king rather than go forward with it; for, besides keeping the opposing king on h-file, it is necessary to have the goal of also reaching h1. Where every kind of distracting mistake becomes impossible.}
- 53...Kxh4 54.Kf1 ½-½
The eighteenth game was played on Friday; it ended in a draw. Mr. Staunton had the move. Great caution was evinced on both sides, and the play is characterised as “coldly correct.”
(Le 14 Décembre 1843, a durè sept heures.)
Date: 1843.12.14
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 18)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [D40] Queen’s Gambit Declined
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 18)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [D40] Queen’s Gambit Declined
- 1.c4 d5
- Palamède: Ce début n'est pas le meilleur. Nous avons déjà vu que c'était le P du R 1 pas, qui était la riposte la plus juste au P du F de la D. {This opening is not the best. We have already seen that it was 1...e6, which was the most accurate rejoinder to 1.c4.}
- 2.Nc3
- Palamède: Prendre le P avec le P était mieux. On sortait ensuite le C de la D attaquant la D, et l'on avait gagné un temps, et de plus échangé le P du F pour le P de la D. {Taking 2.cxd5 was better. Then the queen's knight could be brought out attacking the queen, and he has gained time by exchanging the c-pawn for the d-pawn.}
- 2...e6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nf3 c5 5.e3 Nc6
- Palamède: La partie des Noirs est retombée dans la meilleure condition de ce début. {Black's game has fallen back into the best state of this opening.}
- 6.a3 a6 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.b4 Be7 9.Bb2 0-0 10.Be2 dxc4 11.Bxc4 b5 12.Bd3 Bb7 13.0-0
- Palamède: Les deux jeux sont à peu près semblables et tout-à-fait d'égale valeur. L'avantage du trait a disparu. {The two side are nearly alike, and of equal value. The advantage of the move has disappeared.}
- 13...Qc7 14.Rc1 Rfd8 15.Qe2 Rac8 16.Rfd1 Bd6 17.h3 Qe7 18.Bb1 Ne5 19.Nxe5 Bxe5 20.f4 Rxd1+ 21.Qxd1 Bxc3 22.Bxc3 Nd5 23.Bd4 Rxc1 24.Qxc1 f5 25.e4 fxe4 26.Bxe4 Qd7
- Chronicle: Threatening to take 27...Nxf4, and then 28...Qxd4+.
- 27.Kh2
- Chronicle: To prevent the capture alluded to above.
- 27...Nf6
- Chronicle: If Black had now taken the pawn, it would have cost him his knight; e.g. 27...Nxf4 28.Qxf4 and Black cannot take the bishop at d4 without losing his queen.
- 28.Bxf6 Bxe4
- Palamède: Le jeu des Blancs étant un peu plus a vancé, il est dans l'intérêt des Noirs de chercher la remise. A cet effect, il leur est plus avantageux de prendre le F du R que le F de la D: les deux F restent ainsi de couleur différente. {White's game being a little more prominent, it is in the interest of Black to search for the draw. To do this, it is more advantageous for him to take the king's bishop than the queen's bishop: the two bishops thus remain of different colors.}
- Chronicle: It would have been better play, we think, to have taken the other bishop.
- 29.Be5 Qc6 30.Qe1 Qb7
- Palamède: Les Noirs ne peuvent prendre le P du C sans perdre la pièce. Ce sont des piéges bien grossiers entre forts joueurs: il est cependant permis de les laisser subsister tant que la position n'en souffre pas. {Black cannot take the g-pawn without losing the piece. These are very crude traps between strong players: it is, however, permitted to remain so long as the position does not suffer.}
- Chronicle: Black must have lost a piece by taking the offered pawn.
- 31.Qg3 h6 32.Qf2 Kh7 33.h4 Qd7 34.Qg3 Qf7 35.Qe3 Qb7
- Palamède: Il fait à tout prix empêcher la D d'entrer dans le jeu où elle pourrait, vu la position avantageuse de son F, occasionner quelques dégâts. {He had at all costs prevented the queen from entering the game where she could cause some damage, given the advantageous position of his bishop.}
- 36.Qd2
- Palamède: Pour défendre le P du C du R qui pourrait être pris toutes les fois que la ligne des P noirs est occupée par la D. {To defend the g-pawn that could be taken whenever the queen was in line to protect the black pawn.}
- 36...Qc6 37.Kg1 Qc2 38.Qxc2
- Palamède: L'échange des D étant forcé, la remise de la partie est à peu près certaine. {The exchange of queens being forced, the loss of the game is almost certain.}
- 38...Bxc2 39.Kf2 Kg6 40.Ke3 h5 41.Kd4 Kf7
- Palamède: Le R à la 4e c. de son F était plus décisif. {41...Kf5 was more decisive.}
- 42.Kc5 g6 43.Kb6 Ke7 44.Kxa6
- Palamède: Si les Noirs avaient eu l'ambition de défendre le P de la T, ils perdaient probablement la partie. {If Black had tried to defend the a-pawn, he probably would have lost the game.}
- 44...Ba4 45.Kb6 Kd7 46.Kb7 Bc2
- Pope: The following sequence: 46...Ke8 47.g3 Bd1 48.Kb6 Ba4 49.Kc5 Ke7 is given in the Chess Player’s Chronicle. The text follows the London Standard, Le Palamède and Der Schachkampf in Paris.
- 47.g3 Bd1 48.Kb6 Ba4 49.Kc5 Ke7 50.Kc6 Ke8 51.Bf6 Kf7 52.Bd4 Ke7 53.Bc5+ Ke8 54.Kd6
- Palamède: Les Blancs ont beau se démener, ils ne feront pas quitter la c. du F au R, tant que le leur ne se sera pas éloigné du P du R. « En efforts impuissans leur maître se consume. » {White struggles in vain, as black's king will not leave the f7 square until white's king leaves the e-pawn. "The master is consumed by an impotent effort."}
- 54...Kf7 55.Bd4 Bc2 56.Bc3 Bb3 57.Kd7 Bc2 ½-½
- Palamède: La fin de cette partie, qui paraît fort simple à jouer, présentait beaucoup de fautes imperceptibles pour les Noirs. Les Blancs avaient moins à risquer, et pouvaient jusqu'à un certain point chercher à la gagner. {The end of this game, which seems very simple to play, presented many small problems for Black. White had less to risk, and could, to a certain extent, try to win it.}
(Le 16 Décembre 1843, a durè neuf heures et demie.)
Date: 1843.12.16
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 19)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [D20] Queen’s Gambit
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 19)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [D20] Queen’s Gambit
- 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4
- Palamède: C'est le premier gambit de la D accepté dans le courant du défi, qui est arrivé à sa 19e partie. Macdonnell, dans ses parties avec Labourdonnais prenait toujours ce gambit quoiqu'il ne lui réussît pas. Il est bien reconnu aujourd'hui que la défense en est impossible. Le prendre pour l'abandonner est déjà un premier désavantage. {This is the first Quee's gambit accepted in the current challenge, which arrives at this 19th game. Macdonnell, in his games with Labourdonnais, always accepted this gambit, although he was not successful. It is well known today that defense is impossible. To take it with abandon it is already the first disadvantage.}
- 3.e3
- Palamède: On prétend que le coup le plus juste pour le premier joueur est le P du R 2 pas. Nous ne sommes pas encore de cet avis; peut-être sommes-nous dans l'erreur; mais, en poussant 2 pas le P du R, on est condamné à une suite de coups forcés qui ne laissent aucune liberté d'alternative. En ne poussant qu'un pas, les Blancs sont toujours maîtres de leur jeu. Cependant, qu'on le remarque bien: nous nous exprimons avec une réserve que nous regardons comme due aux studieux théoriciens qui ont écrit sur cette partie. Nous n'avons pas encore terminé les analyses après lesquelles nous opterons définitivement. Mais l'une et l'autre parties peuvent être considérées dès à présent comme bonnes. Il ne s'agit que de la préférence à accorder. {It is alleged that the best move for the first player is 3.e4. We are not yet of that opinion; perhaps we are in error; but by pushing the e-pawn, one is committed to a series of forced moves which leave no freedom of choice. By pushing only one square, White was always master of his game. However, let us remark: that we are expressing this with a reservation which we regard as due to the studious theorists who have written on this game. Once we have completed an analysis we will definitely opine. But both parties can be regarded from now on as good. It is only a question of preference that can be given.}
- 3...e5 4.Bxc4 exd4 5.exd4
- Palamède: Les Blancs ont toujours l'avantage du trait. Et comme nous l'avons déjà dit, le P de la D, bien qu'isolé, ne risque rien, pouvant être défendu par toutes les pièces. {White always has the advantage of the move. And as we have already said, the d-pawn, though isolated, which does not cause any risk, can be defended by all the pieces.}
- 5...Bd6 6.Nf3 Nf6 7.h3
- Palamède: Cela vaut mieux que de roquer; on sera toujours à temps de le faire le coup suivant, tandis qu'une fois le F de l'adversaire à la 5e c. de son C du R, vous ne pourriez plus pousser le P de la T avec le même avantage. C'est ce qui est arrivé aux Noirs. {This was better than castling; there will always be time to do that next move, but once the opponent's bishop is on g4, you can no longer push the h-pawn with the same advantage. That's what happened to Black.}
- 7...0-0 8.0-0 Nc6
- Palamède: Ils auraient mieux fait de pousser le P de la T du R 1 pas. {It would have done better to push the 8...h6.}
- 9.Bg5 Be7
- Palamède: C'est un temps perdu qui est devenu nécessaire pourtant. Au 5e coup les Noirs n'auraient dû sortier le F qu'à la 2e c. du R. {This wasted time but had become necessary though. At the 5th move Black could have sortied the bishop to e7.}
- 10.Nc3 Bf5 11.a3 Ne4 12.Be3 Bf6 13.Re1 Nd6 14.Ba2 h6 15.Qa4
- Palamède: La c. où se porte la D n'est pas très bonne, mais c'est la meilleure de celles qu'elle peut aller occuper pour laisser prendre celle qu'elle quitte par sa T, où elle sera influente sur les événemens de la partie. {This square is not a good doorway for the queen, but it is the best of those which she can occupy to allow her rook to occupy the one she left, where it will influence the events of the game.}
- 15...Ne7 16.Rad1 Ng6
- Palamède: Pour empêcher le C du R de se planter en tête du P à la 5e c. du R. {To prevent the king's knight from planting itself ahead of the pawn at e5.}
- 17.Bc1
- Palamède: En vue d'aller avec le C occuper la 5e c. du R. {In order to allow the knight to occupy e5.}
- 17...c6
- Palamède: Il aurait été préférable d'opposer T pour T; à cette tactique, qui se présentait naturellement, les Noirs ont préféré une espèce de piége: ils menacent la D et espèrent arriver au moins à changer le F de la D pour le F du R qui les gêne. {It would have been better to oppose rook against rook; to this tactic, which naturally presented itself, Black preferred a kind of snare: he threatens the queen and hopes at least to exchange the queen's bishop for the king's bishop which annoyed him.}
- 18.Ne5 Qc7
- Chronicle: 18...Kh7 would have been better play.
- 19.g4
- Palamède: Coup très hardi qui devait faire perdre une pièce aux Noirs, s'ils n'avaient été conduits avec une si grande habileté, qu'il n'est resté qu'un simple P de bénéfice. {A very bold move, which would have caused Black to lose a piece, had they not been conducted with so much skill, all that remained was the profit of a pawn.}
- 19...b5 20.Qb4
- Palamède: Préférable à jouer la D à la 3e c. du C où elle eût été attaquée par le F, qui ensuite eût détruit le F du R. C'est la position classique, prise et conservée par celui-ci, qui donne tout l'avantage aux Blancs. Il importe de se maintenir ainsi dans les positions indiquées par l'expérience, alors même qu'il n'en résulterait pas d'advantage immédiat. Plus tard on reçoit la récompense de sa fidélité aux saines doctrines. {Preferable to playing 20.Qb3 where it would have been attacked by the bishop, who would then have captured the king's bishop. This is a classic position, taken and preserved by the latter, which gives all the advantage to White. It is important to remain in the positions indicated by experience, even though there would be no immediate advantage. Later, he receives the reward of his fidelity to sound doctrines.}
- 20...Bc2 21.Rd2 a5 22.Qc5 Bxe5 23.dxe5 Nb7 24.Nxb5 Nxc5 25.Nxc7 Nd3 26.Rxd3
- Palamède: C'est ce qu'il y a de mieux à faire. Prendre la T avec le C, ou le F avec la T, ne donnait pas une plus belle partie aux Blancs. {This is the best thing to do. To take 26.Nxa8, or 26.Rxc1, did not give a better game to White.}
- 26...Bxd3 27.Nxa8 Rxa8 28.f4 Re8 29.Rd1 Be4 30.Rd4 Bd5
- Palamède: Le F du R a tellement contrarié les Noirs qu'ils sacrifient ici un P pour s'en débarrasser. {The king's bishop so annoyed Black that he sacrifices a pawn here to get rid of it.}
- Chronicle: His best move, apparently.
- 31.Bxd5 cxd5 32.Kf2
- Palamède: Et pourquoi donc ne pas prendre ce P offert de si bonne grâce? — Cela tient à l'influence qu'un grand joueur fait peser sur son adversaire. On ne peut entièrement s'en défendre. Ici les Noirs se voient à peu près perdus; ils souffrent une dure oppression depuis plusieurs coups et veulent en finir. L'ennemi leur prête encore des plans de trahisons, et pour éviter des piéges qu'il ne fallait qu'un peu analyser pour s'assurer de leur inconsistance, ils préfèrent renoncer à un bénéfice qui, ajouté aux premiers, assurait, tout-à-fait la victoire. Certainement les mouvemens de la T pouvaient être dangereux et surtout tourmentans; mais ils ne l'ont pas moins été, et ce P pris laissait au contraire de nouveaux moyens à opposer avec plus de succès. C'est une faute. {And why did he not take this offer so graciously? — This is due to the influence that a great player puts on his opponent. We cannot entirely defend ourselves. Here Blacks is almost lost; He suffers a hard oppression for several moves and wants to end it. The enemy still lays plans of treachery, and to avoid traps that needed only a little analysis to be sure of their inconsistency, he prefers to give up a gain which, added to the former, assured the victory. Certainly the movement of the rook might be dangerous and especially tormenting; but they amounted to nothing, and taking this pawn, on the contrary, left new ways of opposition with greater success. This move was a mistake.}
- 32...Rc8 33.Be3 Ne7 34.Ke2 Rb8 35.Bc1 Kf8 36.b4 Rb5
- Chronicle: Well played.
- 37.bxa5 Nc6 38.Ra4 Nxa5 39.Bd2 Nc6 40.Bb4+ Ke8 41.h4 g5
- Palamède: Ce P semblait très heureusement joué. La suite a pourtant démontré qu'il était faible. Ce sont de ces erreurs, du reste, que peut seul commettre un grand joueur. {This pawn was very happily played. The sequel showed however that it was weak. There are the errors,however, that can only be commited by a great player.}
- 42.fxg5 hxg5 43.Ra8+
- Palamède: Pour préparer la marche triomphale du P de la T, après avoir éloigné le R de ce quartier. {To prepare the triumphant march of the a-pawn, after removing the king from this quarter.}
- 43...Kd7 44.h5
- Palamède: Bien préférable à prendre la P. {Much better than taking the pawn.}
- 44...Nxb4 45.h6
- Palamède: Reprendre le C eût fait perdre un temps qui n'aurait pas permis aux Blancs de gagner la T en poussant à D. La partie devenait aussi belle pour les Noirs. {To capture the knight would have wasted time that would not allow White to win the rook by pushing to queen. The game was becoming attractive for Black.}
- 45...Nc6 46.h7 Rb2+ 47.Kd3
- Palamède: Les Blancs avaient tort de s'exposer ainsi à perdre le P du R par échec. Le C noir devait le prendre, et si le R attaquait la T, elle allait alors à la 6e c. Le P blanc faisait D, La T prenait, la T noire la reprenait, et alors, le C enlevait le P du C. Tout cela a été fait, mais plus lentement, et, aux Échecs comme à la guerre, c'est le moment qu'il faut savoir saisir. {White was wrong in exposing himself to losing the e-pawn by check. The black knight had to take it, and if 48.Kc3 Rh2 49.h8Q Rxh8 50.Rxh8 Nxg4. All this was done, but more slowly, and at chess as well as at war, this is the moment to be seized.}
- 47...Rb3+
- Chronicle: In ordinary circumstances, and with his usual play, Mr. Staunton would have won the game from this point easily. He ought to have taken the e-pawn, checking.
- 48.Kc2 Rh3 49.h8Q Rxh8 50.Rxh8 Nxe5 51.Kc3 Nxg4 52.Kd4 Nf6 53.Ke5
- Palamède: Le R s'est avancé de façon à neutraliser l'action du R adverse. Bien qu'avec l'échange de la T pour le C, les Blancs ont deux pions de moins. La partie ici n'est qu'égale. {The king proceeded in such a way as to neutralize the actions of the opposing king. Although down the exchange of the rook for the knight, White having two pawns less, the game here is only equal.}
- 53...Ke7 54.a4 Nd7+ 55.Kf5
- Palamède: Mieux joué que d'avoit pris le P du R qui eût coûté le formidable P de la T. Les Blancs voulant gagner, et avec raison, cette partie, qui n'est perdable que par une grosse faute doivent veiller constamment sur leur P, qu'il ne faudrait pas donner même pour les trois P ennemis. {Better play than taking the e-pawn, which would have cost the formidable a-pawn. Whites, wishing to win, and with reason, this game, which can only lost by a great blunder, must constantly watch over his pawn, which should not be given away, even for the three enemy pawns.}
- 55...d4 56.a5 Nc5
- Palamède: Si le C ne se mettait pas en position d'arrêter ce P, il serait ensuite trop tard. {If the knight did not put himself in a position to stop this pawn, it would be too late.}
- 57.Kxg5 d3 58.Kf4 d2 59.Rh1 Kd7 60.Ke3 Kc6 61.Rb1 d1Q
- Palamède: Les Noirs ne donnent ici qu'un P qui est déjà perdu forcément. Cependant ils ont fait erreur dans leur calcul et n'ont pas vu le second mouvement de la T qui les empêche de prendre le P qui va leur coûter la partie. Depuis plusieurs coups, les Blancs ont beaucoup mieux manœuvré que leur adversaire, qui aurait dû arriver à une remise s'il eût joué ces derniers coups d'une manière digne de lui. {Black here necessarily gives up a pawn which was already lost. However he made a mistake in his calculation and did not see the followup move of the rook that prevents him from taking the a-pawn which would cost him the game. For several moves White has maneuvered much better than than adversary, who ought to have arrived at a draw if he had played these last moves in a manner worthy of him.}
- 62.Rxd1 Kb5 63.Rd5
- Palamède: Coup prévu sans doute et saisi à propos. Il a décidé la partie. {Planned move without a doubt and timely seized. It decided the game.}
- 63...Kc6
- Palamède: Le R pouvait aller à la 5e c. du F pour empêcher le R adverse d'approcher; mais alors il ne lui était plus permis de se mettre devant le P qui va à D, n'ayant plus que le C qui puisse s'y opposer, et qui sera obligé de se sacrifier infructueusement. {The king could go to c4 to prevent the opposing king from approaching; but then it was no longer able to stand before the pawn that's heading to queen, having only the knight to oppose it, and which will then be obliged to fruitlessly sacrifice itself.}
- 64.Kd4 Ne6+ 65.Kc4 Kb7 66.Rd7+
- Palamède: Pour gagner le P. {To win the pawn.}
- 66...Ka6
- Palamède: Ils pensaient pouvoir prendre le P. {He thought he could take the pawn.}
- 67.Rxf7 Nd8
- Palamède: Le C eût été perdu si le R eût pris le P. {The knight would have been lost if the king had taken the pawn.}
- 68.Rf5 Nc6 69.Rf6 Kb7 70.Kb5 Na7+ 71.Kc5 Nc8 72.Rh6 Na7 73.a6 Kb8 74.Rh7 Nc8 75.Rb7+ Ka8 76.Kc6 Na7+ 77.Kc7 Nc6
- Palamède: Si l'on était forcé de prendre le C la ressource eût été joliment trouvée; mais elle ne signifie malheureusement rien pour les pauvres Noirs. {If one were forced to take the knight this resource would have been nicely found; but it unfortunately does not mean anything to poor Black.}
- 78.Kb6 Nb4 79.Rd7 1-0
(Le 17 Décembre 1843, a durè quatre heures.)
Date: 1843.12.17
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 20)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [C01] French
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 20)
White: Staunton,H
Black: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Opening: [C01] French
- 1.c4 e6
- Palamède: Nous l'avons déjà dit: c'est la meilleure réponse au coup des Blancs. {We have already said that this is the best answer to White's move.}
- 2.e4
- Palamède: Pour empêcher sans doute le P de la D de pousser 2 pas. {To prevent without a doubt 2...d5.}
- 2...c6
- Palamède: Pour pousser le P de la D. {To push the d-pawn.}
- 3.d4 d5 4.exd5 exd5
- Palamède: Prendre avec le P du F eût été moins bon; le P de la eût été moins facile à défendre, et les pièces ne se seraient pas aussi convenablement dégagées. {To take 4...cxd5 would have been less good; the pawn would have been less easy to defend, and the pieces would not have been properly freed.}
- 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Nf3 Be7 7.Bd3 0-0 8.0-0 Bg4
- Palamède: C'est pour éviter ce F gênant, qu'il eût été mieux pour les Blancs de sortir le F du R à la 2e c. du R, comme ont fait les Noirs. {It was to avoid the annoying bishop, it would have been better for White to play the bishop to e2, similar to Black.}
- 9.Be3 Nbd7 10.b3 h6 11.Kh1
- Palamède: Ce mouvement du R est fait en vue de laisser prendre le C du R, et de rendre libre a ligne de ce C pour former, avec l'adjonction des T, une vigoureuse attaque sur le R adverse. Cette tactique avait déjà réussi au joueur anglais; mais son adversaire ne s'y est pas laissé prendre cette foisci, et il a fait retomber ce faux mouvement sur son inventeur. {This movement of the king is made in order to allow the capture of the king's knight, and to free g-file to form, with the addition of the rooks, a vigorous attack on the opposing king. This tactic had already been succeessful for the English player; but his adversary did not allow himself to be caught this time, and he let this false movement fall back upon its inventor.}
- 11...Bb4 12.Ne2
- Palamède: Pour augmenter sans doute la tentation de prendre le C, ce qui serait une énorme faute, toutes les pièces des Noirs étant portées en attaque de ce côté. {To doubtlessly increase the temptation to take the knight, which would be a huge mistake, all Black's pieces given range to attack on this side.}
- 12...Bd6 13.Bf4 Bxf4
- Palamède: Très bon coup. {Very good move.}
- 14.Nxf4 Nh5
- Palamède: Encore très bon. {Still very good.}
- 15.Nxh5
- Palamède: C'est à peu près forcé; car si le C retournait à la 2e c. du R, maintenant on pourrait doubler le P du F sans inconvénient pour les Noirs, au contraire. {This is almost forced; because if the knight returned to the e2, now he could double the f-pawn without any inconvenience for Black, to the contrary.}
- 15...Bxh5 16.Be2
- Palamède: Ce F est enfin obligé de se replier à la c. où il devait venir d'abord. {This bishop is finally obliged to retire to the square where he should have first gone.}
- 16...Re8 17.Re1 Qc7 18.Ng1 Bxe2 19.Rxe2 Nf6
- Palamède: Le jeu des Noirs est bien mieux développé que celui des Blancs, dont les pièces sont d'ailleurs placées à des positions peu orthodoxes. {The Black's game is much better developed than that of White, whose pieces are, moreover, placed in unorthodox positions.}
- 20.Qd3 Ng4 21.Nf3 Re4
- Palamède: Ce coup de T est parfait. Les Noirs abusent d'une manière cruelle de la faute de ce pauvre monarque, qui s'est si inopportunément réfugié dans le coin. {This rook move is perfect. Black in a cruel manner abuses the mistake of the poor monarch, who inappropriately took refuge in the corner.}
- 22.h3 Rae8
- Palamède: Attaque sûrement conduite. {Attack surely conducted.}
- Chronicle: The attack Black obtained through his opponent’s faulty play is kept up with much spirit.
- 23.Ne5
- Palamède: Ici les Blancs ont perdu la tête. Les Noirs se seraient contentés du P du F du R: c'est tout ce qui leur revensait si l'on eût doublé les T en apportant celle de la D à la c. du R. Il est vrai qu'il s'ensuivait une liquidation qui ne laissait plus dans chaque jeu que ls D avec sept P aux Noirs et six aux Blancs: différence considérable dans l'espèce. Il valait mieux alors prendre la T avec la T; les Noirs, pour meilleur coup, auraient pris le P du F par échec double et même triple; et ensuite, ils prenaient la D et perdaient la T par échec, ce qui laissait les Blancs avec 2 T pour la D et un P. Si les Noirs, après l'échec préféraient prendre la T avec le C, ils avaient, il est vrai, un P de plus; mais comme il restait plus de pièces au jeu que dans le premier exemple, cette infériorité numérique était moins sensible. {Here White loses his head. Black should have contented himself with the f-pawn: it was all he could do if the rooks had been doubled by the queen's rook to e1. It is true that there followed a liquidation which left each to play only the queens with seven pawns for Black and six for White: considerable difference in this case. It was better to take 23.Rxe4; Black, for a better move, would have taken the f-pawn by double or even triple attack; and then he took the queen and lost the rook by check, leaving White with 2 rooks for the queen and a pawn. If Black, after the check, preferred to take the rook with the knight, he had, it is true, one more pawn; but as there were more pieces in play than in the first example, this numerical inferiority was less sensitive.}
- Chronicle: This move deservedly lost a game, which must be ranked as the worst played partie in the match.
- 23...Nxe5 24.Rxe4
- Palamède: Si les Blancs avaient repris le C avec le P, ce n'est plus un C qu'ils perdaient, mais une T. La partie ici est tout-à-fait désespérée. {If White had picked up the knight with the pawn, it was no longer a knight they were losing, but a rook. The game here is quite desperate.}
- 24...Nxd3 25.Rxe8+ Kh7 26.Kg1 Qf4 27.Re2 Qxd4 28.Rd1 dxc4
- Palamède: Les Noirs pouvaient également retirer le C à la 5e c. du F du R. Tout est bon; ce qu'ils ont fait du reste était péremptoire. {Black could also play 28...Nf4. All is well; what he did was peremptory.}
- 29.Red2 b5 30.a4 a6 0-1
- Palamède: Les Blancs n'avaient plus rien à espérer. Cette partie a été la plus courte du match, comme temps et comme nombre de coups. Elle a eu lieu dans la période où M. de Saint-Amant avait repris l'avantage sur son adversaire. Mahlheureusement il était trop tard. {White had nothing more to hope for. This game was the shortest of the match, in time and number of moves. It took place in the period when M. de Saint-Amant had regained the advantage over his adversary. Unfortunately, it was too late.}
London Standard, 1843.12.22, n6062, p1 (ends 24...Nxd3)
Der Schachkampf in Paris, Carl Meier, Zürich, 1844, pp65-66 (ends 24...Nxd3)
This celebrated match was terminated on Wednesday morning, by Mr. Staunton, the English champion, winning his 11th game, and thus concluding the wager for the best out of 21. The battle commenced early on Tuesday morning, and M. St. Amant appeared in great force, and directed so well-combined an attack that at three o’clock, in the opinion of a crowded and scientific audience, he was likely to prove the winner. The struggle was then postponed for an hour, and re-commenced at four, when Mr. Staunton contrived, with admirable skill, to dstroy by degrees the formidable position of his adversary. In this state the game was conducted till midnight, Mr. Staunton pursuing his advantage with industrious activity, and M. St. Amant in vain trying to recover the ground which he so advantageously opened in the morning. At midnight the battle was again postponed, to be renewed on Wednesday, an increased interest being given to it by the turn fortune or skill had taken against M. St. Amant. The room was crowded on Wednesday morning, and the combatants set to work highly excited by the presence of so many distinguished amateurs. Victory, however, declared after a short struggle, for our countryman, who won in masterly style, after an engagement of two hours—making the duration of this game 14 hours.
M. Deschapelles, who for so long a period has given up chess playing, is, we hear, desirous of trying his skill with Mr. Staunton, but he will not do so unless for a very considerable stake. He offers, it is said, to raise 10,000 francs, 400l., of his own money, and to engage numerous friends to do the same, provided Mr. Staunton and his British partisans can muster money to an equal amount.
M. Deschapelles, who for so long a period has given up chess playing, is, we hear, desirous of trying his skill with Mr. Staunton, but he will not do so unless for a very considerable stake. He offers, it is said, to raise 10,000 francs, 400l., of his own money, and to engage numerous friends to do the same, provided Mr. Staunton and his British partisans can muster money to an equal amount.
(Le 19 et 20 Décembre 1843, a durè quatorze heures.)
Date: 1843.12.19 & 1843.12.20
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 21)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [D40] Queen’s Gambit Declined
Site: FRA Paris
Event: Great Chess Match (Game 21)
White: Fournier,PC (de Saint-Amant)
Black: Staunton,H
Opening: [D40] Queen’s Gambit Declined
- 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.e3 c5 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Nf3 Be7 6.Bd3 b6 7.0-0 0-0 8.b3 Bb7
- Palamède: La partie est parfaitement égale; elle est jouée jusqu'ici, de part et d'autre, avec une correction irréprochable. {The game is perfectly equal; it is played so far, by both sides, with an irreproachable correctness.}
- 9.cxd5 exd5 10.Qc2 Nc6 11.a3 a6 12.Rd1 cxd4 13.exd4 h6
- Palamède: Pour empêcher le F de la D de sortir attaquant le C, ou pouvoir jouer son C du R sans être exposé à perdre le P de la T du par échec. {To prevent the queen's bishop from coming to attack the knight, or being able to play his king's knight without being exposed to losing the h-pawn with a check.}
- 14.b4
- Palamède: Coup essentiel pour empêcher plus tard le C de la D de venir occuper la 4e c. de la T, et laisser libre pour la D la 3e c. de son C, lorsque la T viendra occuper la c. du F de la D. {An essential move to prevent the queen's knight from coming to occupy a5, and leave c6 free for the queen when the rook comes to occupy c8.}
- 14...Bd6 15.Re1 b5 16.h3 Rc8 17.Qb3 Qc7 18.Bd2 Qb6 19.Be3 Ne7 20.Rac1 Nh5 21.Qd1
- Palamède: Mouvement qui force les Noirs à abandonner l'attaque qu'ils avaient commencée. {Movement that forces Black to abandon the attack they had begun.}
- Chronicle: This move is well played.
- 21...Nf6 22.Nh4
- Palamède: Ce sont les Blancs qui tentent de foncer sur le côté du R, et leurs différentes pièces semblent parfaitement disposée pour le faire. Il n'est pas un connaisseur qui, à l'aspect des deux jeux, ne donnât incontestablement la préférence à celui du jouer français. C'est ici qu'il a sans doute faibli, car il n'a pas su tirer parti de l'excellent instrument qu'il s'était façonné dans l'espace de sept heures. {It is White who tries to go to the king's side, and his different pieces seem perfectly disposed to do so. He is not a connoisseur, who, by the appearance of the last two games, would undoubtedly give preference to that of the French player. It is here that he undoubtedly faltered, for he did not make use of the excellent instrument which he had fashioned in the space of seven hours.}
- Chronicle: Having compelled his assailant to retreat, White now commences a vigorous and well-sustained attack upon the king’s entrenchments.
- 22...Rc7 23.Qd2
- Palamède: C'est peut-être à la 3e c. du F du R qu'il fallait avancer cette D. {It was perhaps at f3 that this queen should have been advanced.}
- 23...Nh7
- Chronicle: Preventing the sacrifice White evidently purposed of the queen’s bishop for the two pawns.
- 24.Qc2
- Palamède: Le sacrifice du F de la D pour les 2 P de la T et du C du R, n'était pas possible ici. La D eût été perdue par l'échec du F qui eût découvert la D. {The sacrifice of the queen's bishop for the h-pawn and g-pawn was not possible here. The queen would have been lost by the check of the bishop on the discovered the queen.}
- Chronicle: If White had taken the h-pawn with his bishop, and followed that move by taking the pawn with his queen, he would have lost her.
- 24...Nf6 25.Kh1
- Palamède: En vue de rendre possible le sacrifice dont nous parlons ci-dessus. C'est une combinaison petite, et qui annonçait déjà que le jeu des Blancs ne pouvait plus s'élever ici à la hauteur des calculs propres à opérer leur triomphe. {In order to make possible the sacrifice mentioned above. It is a small combination, which announced that the play of White could no longer rise to the height of the calculations capable of effecting his triumph.}
- 25...Ne8
- Palamède: C qui a l'air s'éloigner de son R et qui consolide sa défense. A partir de ce moment, les Noirs ont graduellement repris l'avantage. Cette marche du C, contraire aux erremens ordinaires a été longuement méditée par le champion anglais, et ne pouvait sortir que d'un cerveau aussie richement organisé. {The knight seems to be moving away from his king and consolidating his defense. From this moment, Black gradually regained the advantage. This march of the knight, contrary to ordinary errors, was long meditated by the English champion, and could only emerge from a richly organized brain.}
- Chronicle: By retreating the knight to e8, at this proper juncture, Black effectually foiled the spirited assault of his opponent.
- 26.Nf5
- Palamède: Mauvais coup, qui achève d'enlever les débris de cette attaque avortée. {Bad move, which completes the destruction of this abortive attack.}
- 26...Nxf5 27.Bxf5 a5
- Chronicle: The preparator step to a long and complex series of manœuvres, which finally terminated in giving victory to the English side.
- 28.Qb3 axb4 29.axb4
- Palamède: Ici il y eut une suspension d'une heure pour donner le temps aux combattans de réparer un peu leurs forces: depuis plus de huit heures ils étaient aux prises. {Here there was a one hour suspension to give the combatants time to repair their forces a little: for more than eight hours they had been struggling.}
- 29...Rc4
- Palamède: Excellent coup, qui a été le brillant début d'une reprise d'hostilités, pendant lesquelles le joueur anglais n'a plus cessé d'avoir l'avantage. {Excellent move, which was the brilliant beginning of a resumption of hostilities, during which the English player had not ceased to have the advantage.}
- Chronicle: Planting this rook so advantageously, added greatly to the strength of Black’s position.
- 30.Na2 Nf6 31.Bd3
- Palamède: En vue faire déloger cette T importune. {In order to dislodge the unwelcome rook.}
- 31...Qc6 32.Qb2
- Palamède: Il est évident que les Blancs ne peuvent pas prendre cette T avec le F. Ils seraient mat ou perdraient leur D. {It is obvious that White cannot take this rook with the bishop. He would be mated or lose his queen.}
- Chronicle: White must obviously have lost his queen, had he taken the rook.
- 32...Qd7 33.Kg1 Nh5 34.Qd2 f5 35.f4
- Palamède: Pour empêcher le P de l'adversaire de continuer à avancer, ce qui eût été des plus gênans. La partie des Blancs n'est certainement pas perdue, mais elle est inférieure à celle de son adversaire, et l'intelligence qui la dirigeait commençait à ne plus jeter que de pâles lueurs. L'heure de la catastrophe semblait près de sonner. {To prevent the enemy's pawn from continuing to advance, which would have been most troublesome. White's game is certainly not lost, but it is inferior to that of his adversary, and the intelligence which directed it began to throw no more than a pale gleam. The time of the catastrophe seemed almost ready to toll.}
- 35...Ng3 36.Bxc4 dxc4 37.Qb2
- Chronicle: To liberate the knight without losing the b-pawn.
- 37...Rf6
- Palamède: Le joueur anglais semble retrouver cette énergie des premières parties du match, qui, depuis quelque temp, l'avait abandonné. {The English player seems to regain his energy from the first games of the match, which for some time, had abandoned him.}
- Chronicle: At this point, when the admirable disposal of Black’s forces renders them almost irresistible, M. St. Amant, in a note to the last move, makes an admission which is highly honourable to him, although not quite consistent with the praises which he and his partisans have so prodically lavished on the latter games of the match. “Le joueur Anglais semble retrouver cette énergie des premières parties du match, qui depuis quelque temps l’avait abandonné.” Just so,—no one can analyse these games without being struck by the remarkable disparity between Mr. Staunton’s play at an early period of the contest, while supported by his seconds, and with time at his command, and his efforts during the last fortnight, when he was dispirited by the protraction of the contest, and harassed by anxieties to return England, and few unprejudiced players acquainted with the circumstances will doubt that M. St. Amant’s unexpected success at the latter period was owing far more to his opponent’s failing energies, than to his own reviving powers.
- 38.Nc3 Ne4 39.Re2 Rg6 40.Rd1
- Palamède: La T de la D à cette case est une faute qui coûtera l'échange. Mais très certainement ici les Blancs, qui avaient cet échange, n'étaient pas encore perdus. L'attaque est vive sans doute; les pièces du noir sont toutes bien disposée, mais une T pour un F compense bien des vices de position. Il fallait seulement n'être pas fatigué par une séance qui durait depuis si long-temps. {The queen's rook at this square is a fault that will cost the exchange. But certainly here White, who had this exchange, were not yet lost. The attack is no doubt lively; the black pieces are all well arranged, but a rook for a bishop compensates for many vices of position. It was only necessary not to be fatigued by a sitting which had lasted so long.}
- Chronicle: Unquestionably a fault, but not an error of so much importance as M. St. Amant, in his observations upon it, would lead us to suppose: for some moves previous, the game of White, to our thinking, was irretrievable; and we shall venture in this instance to repeat the offer we made to the Editor of Le Palamède, in reference to a position in Game No. 16, viz.—to play Mr. Staunton’s game against him from the 39th move, half a dozen times, for any reasonable stake he may choose to name;—and, that we have not again be met with the silly sneer about an Englishman’s love for gold, (a taunt which comes with exquisite grace from a Frenchman,) we take leave to propse that the winnings in both cases be devoted to the subscription now in progress to solace the declining days of Mr. Sarratt’s aged widow.
- 40...Nxc3 41.Qxc3 Bf3 42.Rde1
- Palamède: Encore une faute! C'est l'autre T qu'il fallait jouer. Décidément les forces ne sont plus en équilibre. {Another fault! It was the other rook that had to be played. Decidedly his forces are no longer in equilibrium.}
- Chronicle: Here, again, we are at issue with M. St. Amant, who asserts that White should now have played the king’s rook. We contend, on the contrary, that if he had done so, his loss would have been greater than it was; for example, suppose—42.Red2 (or 42.Ree1) 42...Bxd1 43.Rxd1 Qe7 44.Rb1 (he appears to have no better move), Black may now take 44...Rxg2+ and, if 45.Kxg2 Qe4+; or he may play 44...Qe4, and if then White moves 45.Rb2, he can take 45...Bxb4; he may also, after 44.Rb1, move 44...Rg3, and in every case will have a winning game.
- 42...Bxe2 43.Rxe2 Qe7 44.Qb2 Re6 45.Kf2 Re4
- Palamède: Les Noirs auraient pris le P du C de la D, qu'ils auraient aussie bien joué. La partie à ce point offre très peu de ressources aux Blancs. {If Black would have taken the b-pawn, they would have done as well. The game at this point offers very little resource to White.}
- 46.Qa2 Kf7 47.g3 Qb7
- Chronicle: With the view of afterwards moving ...Qh1.
- 48.Qa3 Re8 49.Qc3 Qh1
- Palamède: Cette évolution préparée est le fait d'un grand joueur. {This prepared evolution is the fact of a great player.}
- 50.h4 g5 51.Qe1 Qh2+ 52.Kf1 Qh3+ 53.Kg1 Qg4 54.hxg5
- Palamède: Il était minuit et demi. Les témoins ont demandé la remise de la partie au lendemain, le Cercle étant dans les habitudes de fermer à minuit. La seconde journée qui recommençait pour cette laborieuse partie, pouvait aussi bien se continuer au soleil que pendant une nuit fatigante pour tous. La partie en a même été abrégée: le silence de la méditation ayant démontré que, quoigue toujours égaux en pièces et en pions, le jeu des Blancs était tout-à-fait perdu. Nous plaçons ci-après le tableau de ce champ de bataille. {It was half past twelve. The spectators requested the halting of the game until the following day, with the Circle in the habit of closing at midnight. The second day had begun again for this laborious game, continued under the sun after a tiring night for all. The game was even abridged: the silence of meditation having shown that the game of White was entirely lost, even equal in pieces and pawns. A diagram of this battlefield is given below.}
- 54...Bxf4
- Palamède: Mieux joué que de prendre le P avec le P. {Better play than taking 54...hxg5.}
- 55.Bxf4
- Palamède: Tout est mauvais pour les Blancs. Au lieu de prendre le F qui leur fait perdre l'échange, ils auraient joué la D à la 2e c. du F du R, ce qui semble meilleur, qu'ils auraient perdu la partie tout aussi positivement. {Everything is bad for White. Instead of taking the bishop which lost the exchange, he should have played 55.Qf2, which seems better, but he would have lost the game just the same.}
- 55...Qxe2
- Palamède: C'est le moyen assuré de forcer l'échange des D, qui achève la déconfiture des Blancs malgré le P de plus qu'ils vont gagner, et qui ne compense pas, à beaucoup près ici, la supériorité d'une T sur un F. {This is the sure way to force the queen's exchange, which completes White's defeat in spite of the additional pawn that he will win, and which does not compensate, in many respects here, the superiority of the rook over the bishop.}
- 56.Qxe2 Rxe2 57.gxh6 c3 58.Kf1 Re4 59.Bc1
- Palamède: Indispensable à sauver de la voracité de la T, qui n'aurait rien de mieux à faire que de le prendre, pour pousser ensuite à D sans trouver d'obstacles. {Essential to save from the voracity of the rook, he would like nothing better to do than take it, then push to queen without encountering any obstacles.}
- 59...Kg6 60.d5 c2 61.Bd2 Rxb4 62.d6 Rd4 63.Ke2 Rxd6 64.Ke3 Kxh6 65.Ke2+
- Palamède: Cet échec est le dernier râlement d'un mourant. {This check is the last rattle of a dying man.}
- 65...Kg6
- Pope: 65...Kg7 is given in Le Palamède. The London Standard gives "K to his Kt". The Chess Player’s Chronicle and Der Schachkampf in Paris give 65...Kg6.
- 66.Ke1 b4 0-1
- Palamède: Le match appartient décidément au champion britannique, et les deux combattans, en se serrant la main, s'ajournent à une autre rencontre. {The match definitely belongs to the British champion, and the two combatants, by shaking hands, adjourn until another meeting.}
Der Schachkampf in Paris, Carl Meier, Zürich, 1844, pp67-70 (ends 24...Nxd3)
The Late Great Chess Match.—It having been insinuated by the French champion, M. St. Amant, that Mr. Staunton, in his late proposals for playing a match at chess with any player in Europe, had imposed condition which he knew were unacceptable to him, our countryman instantly published the following prompt and decisive refutation of the charge, in the shape of a challenge addressed to M. St. Amant himself:— “My challenge, to the terms of which you have taken so many exceptions, was a general one, and its conditions, however equitable, could never be so nicely shaped that they would dovetail with the wishes and convenience of every individual; they will not do so, it would seem, with yours. Keeping them, then, altogether out of view on the present occasion, regarding only the impatient desire which you express, and which I feel, for another match, and the assurance you have given us of your being in London this spring, I have the honour to submit for your consideration another défi. I will engage, upon your arrival in London this spring, to play you at the St. George’s Chess Club, a match of 25, of 21, of 15, of 11, of 7, or of 5 games, at your option, for any stake not less than £100 sterling. These games shall be played at your own appointed days and hours. I will undertake to play every day, or alternate days, or once a week, as you may determine, under the penalty of one guinea for each omission. I will agree that the maximum time for each move shall be 10, or 15, or 20, or 25, or 30 minutes, at your pleasure; and that either party exceeding that given time shall on every occasion be fined one guinea. The match shall also be played in public or private, as you may arrange, and finally, I will consent that in each game both players shall on their first move play king’s pawn two squares.”
Mr. Editor,—The amusing article by M. Delannoy on the late grand Chess struggle, which appears in Le Palamède of last month, induces me to offer a few remarks, if you will be kind enough to give them place in your Chess Chronicle. I set forth under the full persuasion that the good fellowship the amateurs of the Cercle des Echecs process to hold for us is undoubted, and therefore shall regret if any observation of mine has the slightest tendency to mar this amicable disposition; but let us throw ourselves under the old motto,-Spectemur agendo,—and then see, comment saute le chat.
The multiplied commendations and compliments bestowed upon Mr. Staunton are gratifying, even making (as we do) large allowances for the politesse and suaviter peculiar to the French language, independent of its people. Flattery is at all times a delicious dish; and John Bull, with his inflated cheeks and corps rotunde, may be thought a very soft old gentleman by our elastic and vivid neighbours, but still he has an eye to windward, and can detect irony and sarcasm be they ever so garnished with smile and adulation. M. Delannoy remarks, that Mr. Staunton, when seated before the Chess-board, has the Britaanic stamp on his features,—grave, serious, addicated to meditation and study,—his physiognomical developments indicative of intelligence, with firmness of mind and purpose, and giving evidence that a master spirit is there; and then, by way of a climax, M. Delannoy testifies, that when Mr. Staunton is free from mental labour and abstraction, they found in him all the pleasing constituents of “a good fellow.”
Now all this is very agreeable, and we have reason to be pleased that our talented countryman is so estimated by people, whose keenness of penetration permits nothing to escape their notice,-not even the disengagement of Mr. Staunton’s tight coat and cravat, or the want of his English fauteuil.
The follows the “extraordinary foresight” we posses in our minute attentions in the way of training,-nothing, in short, neglected to insure a successful issue, be it what it may. All this we accept as commendation; but now for the discrepancies, which are far from pleasing. We are gravely told, that Mr. Staunton so hugged his “own” Chessmen, as to insist upon M. St. Amant playing with them; that these men were heavy, ugly, and enormous, and the “policy” of Mr. Staunton in imposing them on his adversary, was one of the little causes which led to great consequences.
Let us, see Mr. Editor, whether we cannot fish up the facts of this matter, and get at the length and breadth of Mr. Staunton’s “policy.” The board and Chessmen taken to France, were not Mr. Staunton’s property at all, but borrowed by him for the occasion; and were of the description M. St. Amant had repeatedly played with in England, and admired so much, that he expressed to Mr. Staunton, when last in London, a desire, if they ever played “a match” together, it might be with men and board so beautiful and distinct as those in question. Moreover, upon the very evening of Mr. Staunton’s arrival in Paris, M. St. Amant took possession of both board and men, and kept them at his private residence, so that if either party has cause to complain of want of familiarity with the pieces, it was not our opponent. So much for M. St. Amant’s courtesy, in sacrificing himself to such monstrosities.
We are then favoured with the most gratuitous account of Mr. Staunton’s “practice,” before playing the match. But Mr. Delannoy has so ornamented the circumstances with poetry, that we have much difficulty to pick out the discordant prose. It appears, however, that Mr. Staunton breathed, lived, slept, and waked upon Chess—in short, was a Chess spirit, without any admixture; while (and we cannot but grieve at the ungenerous attempt at detraction) M. St. Amant’s commercial engagements precluded all leisure for Chess study. Does M. Delannoy advance these opposing cases to deteriorate Old England’s victory?—The battle of Waterloo was never lost, it was only Grouchy’s blunder! No, no, assuredly M. Delannoy is above such petty subterfuge! and I beg to inform him, that so far from truth is his assertion or surmise of Mr. Staunton’s incessant toil at Chess by day and by night, that for six months previous to the late contest, that gentleman did not play three even games, and those only with competitors to whom he could easily render odds. In fact, for years, with the single exception of Mr. Cochrane, with whom he played only for a few months, Mr. Staunton has had no one opposed to him upon equal terms. Compare this with M. St. Amant’s practice during the last ten years, against Des Chappelles, Boncourt, Le Bourdonnais, Calvi, and all the might host of the Café de la Regence; of what importance is the interval of a few weeks’ cessation, after such perpetual experience with the players of the highest rank? M. St. Amant well knows, that in laborious practice and study, his British adversary is to him but a baby, and but a few years since would have received from him the odds of a Rook?—
Such excuses are absurd. Do not attempt to alloy or detract from genius by such miserable shifts.
I cannot conclude without a glance at another unworthy inference. When the Palamède of December last is perused at St. Petersburg, Vienna, Berlin, and Algiers, the impression conveyed therein is, that the contest between France and England is still to be decided by “La Belle,” because M. St. Amant was the previous winner of “a match” with Mr. Staunton. Now this is not ingenuous. The first set-to between M. St. Amant and Mr. Staunton, last May, was by the former’s expressed wish no “match,” but simply a few introductory games; the spirit and force of the players quite in abeyance,—the one party being seriously indisposed, and the other occupied in mercantile pursuits. Besides, when the Palamède travels so far, it may well be more precise in its communications, and state the circumstances and number of games played. Its distant subscribers would then learn, that in these much-talked of preparatory parties, of which there were six (5 won and 1 drawn), M. St. Amant, after putting his Queen en prize to draw the game, had the unexpected good fortune to win it, because his antagonist refused to draw by taking the offered piece.
One word more, another struggle I am told is in contemplation, between these masterly combatants; if so, I do trust that Mr. Staunton will not again be persuaded to visit Paris up terms so disadvantageous as on the late occasion; but will steadily keep in view such modifications of those terms as his experience must have taught him are indispensable to insure a fair and equitable contest,
I remain, Mr. Editor,
Faithfully yours,
Harry Wilson,
Umpire in the late Great Chess Match.
Bellevue House,Isle of Wight,
Jan. 23, 1844.
Paris, March 15, 1844.
Dear Sir,—Confident that my testimony would sustain your second, Mr. Wilson, in his contradiction of the falsehood put forth by “Galignani’s Messenger,” relative to the time respectively occupied by M. St. Amant, and you, in deliberation, during the late great match, you have requested a letter from me on the subject. In obedience to your wish, and considering that our friend Mr. Wilson has been treated somewhat cavalierly in Le Palamède, I herewith forward an epistle, which I wrote as far back as January, in reply to the observations on Mr. Wilson’s letter by M. Sasias and Lecrivain, and which I then handed for translation to M. Rousseau, intending to send it to the Editor of Le Palamède. By the advice of M. Rousseau, who thought its publication in Paris might be detrimental to my friendly intercourse with members of the Cercle des Echecs, I was induced to withhold it at that time; but since the subject has been revived, and you appear to think my evidence of importance, you are at perfect liberty to publish my letter, and with it, if you think proper, the accompanying remarks.*
With the admiration due to the intellectual distinction of the first Chess-player of the day, accept, dear Sir, the personal regards of
Yours, very respectfully,
Thomas Jefferson Bryan.
* We can find space only for Mr. Bryan’s letter in the present Number; in our next we hope to give some extracts from his amusing comments on the play and players of the Paris Match.
January 28, 1844.
Sir,—In a note appended to the letter of Mr. Wilson, which is translated from the “Times” newspaper into Le Palamède, Messrs. Sasias and Lecrivain are pleased to accuse Mr. Wilson of exaggeration in the statement he makes, avowedly without reference to his notes, of his impressions as to the length of time which the Chess champions of England and France respectively took for consideration during the late contest. All impressions as to time are more or less inaccurate; but when one party, watch in hand, takes note of it, and the other neglects to do the same, there can be no difficulty in deciding whose declarations on the point are most entitled to belief. So long as Mr. Wilson remained in Paris, the time, as well as the moves, were minutely noted; and in the record of both, I faithfully and diligently assisted. For the first 15 games, therefore, the evidence afforded by Mr. Wilson, will, I hope, be looked upon as indisputable. Messrs. Sasias and Lecrivain ingeniously refer to what they term the exaggeration of Mr. Wilson, without denying the statement in Galignani,—the main subject in dispute, and which they knew to be false; for M. Sasias had personally acknowledged to me, that M. St. Amant occupied more time in playing than Mr. Staunton, although not in the proportion of nearly three hours to one, as mentioned by Mr. Wilson. Messrs. Sasias and Lecrivain object to Mr. Wilson’s testimony, on account of his absence from the last six games, although the like objection might be made to the evidence of each of them, during the whole match. M. Sasias seldom or ever arriving in the room before 1 o’clock P.M., leaving his place at 4 P.M. to M. Lecrivain, who had been absent in the interval, and who, when present, was not unfrequently asleep! But this objection, at any rate, cannot apply to me. I was not absent two hours during the whole struggle; I watched every move with care, every proceeding with anxiety. I looked upon the match as an intellectual combat between two great rival people, in a language familiar to both; and as an observer, belonging to neither nation, but devoted to Chess, I felt an interest in this spectacle, which I never felt in any other; and while admiring the lofty bearing of the conqueror, and sympathizing with the suffering so heroically endured by the unfortunate, I could have exclaimed at the conclusion-
"Et invictum, victâ morte, Catonem."
To my testimony, therefore, I repeat, no such objections can be taken; and my observations throughout the match are confirmatory of Mr. Wilson’s impressions, and decidedly in opposition to the gross mistatements [sic] in Galignani.
I remain, Mr. Editor,
Your obediently,
T. J. Bryan.
Mr. Editor,—I venture with some deference to trespass on your pages, where so much has been said in reference to the late Chess struggle, but desirous of adding a farewell word, I must solicit your permission for a little space.
From the statement in the March Number of Le Palamède, it appears that M. St. Amant is aggrieved, because his opponent refuses to return to Paris to play another match upon the same terms as before-and considered Mr. Staunton bound by promise to revisit the Place du Palais Royal at his bidding. Now, surely, there is something very unreasonable in this; and, upon reflection, M. St. Amant must know that, the contest being a national one, neither he nor his adversary can with any propriety bind themselves to arrangements for a future battle, without first consulting a conclave of their respective Chess brethren. Besides, as M. St. Amant is coming to London in a few weeks, and every facility will then be afforded him for renewing the contest, what possible necessity is there for the other party to make a forced march again to the French capital? I cannot entertain a doubt, however, that his part of the subject is perfectly settled by Mr. Staunton’s last “Defi” in the April “Chess Chronicle,” and that, on the perusal of that most accommodating cartel in the Cercle des Echecs, it will be determined that the St. George’s Chess Club shall be the arena for the next grand “lutte.” Every possible concession for his opponent’s convenience is proffered by Mr. Staunton;-the stake-the hours and days of play-the number of games-are each and all to be settled by M. St. Amant. There can be no more wriggling diplomacy-the challenge is certain to be accepted-and we shall now look eagerly for the arrival of St. Amant with his Chess-board and seconds.
The general impression among the Chess community of Britain is, I know,, that the conditions of the late match were one-sided; and I must, in candour, say that the stipulations were so drawn up, that perfect equity was no their characteristic.-On our leaving England, we conceived that we should go straightforward to the arena, and fight off the 21 games, without any such serious and disastrous intervals as M. St. Amant, upon the plea of “business,” compelled us to accede to; and that, consequently, our stay in the French capital would be about a fortnight, or might possibly extend to three weeks, if there should prove any great disparity of skill between the belligerents. In this respect our expectations were sadly foiled. On the score of “business,” exigent and imperative, the play-days were grievously restricted; and, under the irritation of this preposterous and unfair delay, the mind became suspicious that the protraction might be a leetle stratagem to ear and fret us; but we were too well pleased with St. Amant to suppose him capable of such motive. However, it is certainly true, that our detention has engendered a prejudice against future match-playing trips to Paris; for, supposing drawn games (which do not count) to increase in the ration of games won, the return home, in such cases, would be a perspective indeed! Fortunately our countryman was gloriously successful at the onset; had he been the losing player, this expensive and vexatious procrastination would have operated most injuriously upon him. The mind and spirit of a Chess-player, engaged in so arduous a struggle, should be utterly SANS SOUCI of all extraneous matters which can harass and perplex; and my position, as a vigilant attendant upon Mr. Staunton, convinced me that a Chess embassy like ours, contending for national mastery, to have a fair chance of competition with the player on his own ground, requires greater encouragement and support than it was our lot to enjoy.
In addition to the delay adverted to, it happened on two or three occasions, that M. St. Amant was not prepared to meet his antagonist, even on the appointed days of play; and hence again the progress of the match was stayed. There was on circumstance, too, so invariable and so remarkable, that without a wish to say aught that can give a shadow of offence, I feel myself bound to notice, viz., that we, strangers, from a foreign land, were always first in the arena. The hour for commencing play was 11 A.M.; upon reaching the club at that time, we found no one but the garçon to receive us, and had to lounge a considerable time before the adverse party made their appearance. I mention this in no captious spirit; but I think, in an important engagement like the one in question, scrupulous punctuality ought to have been observed; and the want of it in this case was the more annoying, because we were ever anxious to terminate a game before the small arena was rendered insupportable by the lighting of the lamps, and dropping in of more spectators to an already over-crowded room-inconveniences from which Mr. Staunton, I know, suffered much in his play. There are some other matters I could allude to connected with the arrangements, which were not quite favourable to the development of our champion’s powers; yet we must not dwell upon retrospects more painful than pleasant, but content ourselves with the experience acquired,-experience more impressive and instructive, because dearly purchased.
While on the subject of time-keeping, I had intended to say something on the relative proportion of time consumed in deliberation by the players, but the topic is seemingly an irritating one to our neighbours. Without entering into details, then, it will be enough now to declare that the English player had decidedly the advantage of his adversary in quickness of play-if quickness of play be an advantage, which is doubtful, since, even in this short match, Mr. Staunton by his impatience lost three clear games. But what boots a controversy about which played the quicker? The rapid player, after all, steals to himself some portion of his adversary’s time,-and besides, the game is, to take as much time as you find necessary; and I cannot but think that any limitation as to minutes in moving will be an indiscreet innovation, and one which ought not to be adopted in the forthcoming return match. There are many positions which require long and laborious examination, and the game, or even the match, may be sacrificed under the fidget of a penalty and watch-peeping. In a serious match the player should be shackled by no restraint whatever, save and except an obligation to play, whether he be first or second player, the King’s Pawn two squares, at the outset. This should be imperative, the rule absolute on both sides. Let us hope it will be made so next month, and that these great national combatants will delight us with some of those brilliant attacks and masterly defences which spring from the Gambits, the “Q.’s Pawn two.” and the Evans game. Most gladly, pen in hand, shall I attend at the St. George’s to record them. Between two such perfect players, no umpire is required; in the late match it was really beautiful to observe the clear and decided touch when once the mind was made up. There was no fingering the squares, no lugging the piece by the head to and fro, and then replacing it for another look-every move was unhesitating and unchangeable.
It was amusing also to observe, while one player was under the mental labour of a difficult position, the in-and-in scrutiny the other made of him. But I espied very little of any thing that indicated nervousness; there was certainly an occasional contraction of St. Amant’s upper lip, a paleness in his face, and a perpetual tremblement de talon, which gave to our countryman the palm for cool, unflinching firmness. When I reflect upon the interest the games I saw occasioned me, the delight of recording ten out of eleven won for old England, I deeply deplore my illness, which compelled me to leave uncompleted the duties of correspondence I owed to various provincial Chess clubs, and deprived me of participation in the crowning triumph of the eleventh British checkmate.
I cannot conclude this desultory scribble without expressing my ardent hope that in the next battle there may not exist three parties in the field. Upon the previous occasion there were the Stauntonites, the St. Amantites, and, if I may so call them, the Hermaphrodites. The former claimed for their motto, “La gloire de la patrie,” and their object was to ascertain whether England or France possessed the best Chess-player; those of Britain followed up this laudable curiosity by selecting Mr. Staunton to oppose the acknowledged champion of France, and they gloried in his victory, and welcomed his return like brother Chess-players and fellow countrymen. The third, or nondescript party, incapable of a generous rivalry, uninspired by national emotion,-Englishmen regretful of a Briton’s conquest, and Frenchmen triumphing in a Frenchman’s defeat!!!—has been properly exposed in the later numbers of Le Palamède, by M. de Lannoy:—"Maintenant mon esprit se reserre et s’attriste en songeant à ces faux frères qui se réjouissaient parmi nous à l’avance de la défaite de St. Amant. Esprits petits et étroits, qui n’avez pas su sacrifier vos animosités personelles au succès DE LA CAUSE COMMUNE!!!"—Palamède, Dec. 1843.
And my M. St. Amant himself, in Le Palamède for January of the present year:—"M. Staunton a reçu à Londres, des amateurs d’Echecs l’accueil que lui méritait son succès sur le continent. Ses compatriotes l’ont fêté et traité avec grandeur et générosité. On peut dire qu’ils ont été unanimes, à trois out quatre misérables exceptions près. Les esprits inquiets et envieux, pour qui toute gloire est une douleur, se trouvent dans tous les pays:—
`L’homme est artout le méme.’
A Rome, on payait pour faire insulter les triomphateurs: de nos jours, on trouverait peut-être qui le ferait pour rien."
No more of these paltry, miserable spirits! Let us see three of our best reputed players opposed to M. St. Amant, Kieseritzki, and La Roche; (I omit M. Des Chappelles, as a gentleman full of years, whom we all reverence, with chivalrous admiration, without a wish to disturb his well deserved honours;) even extend the number of combatants on each side to six. Let this great tournament commence after Mr. Staunton has given to M. St. Amant a revanche he so earnestly pleads for, and then, whether our Chess talents be tested by a greater or less number of warriors, may the sweeping ensign of St. George still gracefully and triumphantly wave over the proud Tri-color of noble France. With these wishes,
I rest, Mr. Editor,
Very faithfully yours,
Harry Wilson.
Bellevue House, Carisbrooke, April, 1844.