Monthly Archive: December 2009

Joplin Chess Club

2 days ago

Did you know that George Koltanowski played some blindfold games, gave a lecture, and played a simul in Joplin, November 1940?

In the blindfold exhibition, he defeated three players: Thomas Frick and Orville Coble of Springfield and Drury Boyd of Joplin.

In the simul, he played 18 regional players, losing only one to William Newberry of Springfield.📷: On 20 September 1937 in Edinburgh, George Koltanowski set the world's blindfold play record. His simultaneous exhibition that lasted for 13 hours included 34 games - Koltanowski won 24 and lost 10.

𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟳 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟵𝟬𝟯, Koltanowski lived a long and eventful life of 96 years, with chess being the silver lining even in the most challenging times.

Four-time Belgian Champion, Koltanowski escaped to the United States in the wake of the war. Chess goddess Kaissa had her mercy on him - when Nazis invaded Belgium, he was on a chess tour in South America. In 1940, the United States Consul in Cuba was amazed by Koltanowski giving a chess exhibition in Havana and decided to grant him a US visa. Many of Koltanowski's relatives did not survive the Holocaust.

In 1950 he was in the group of those granted the newly established title of International Master by FIDE. In 1960 Kolty, the nickname he acquired in the US, set another record of playing 56 consecutive blindfold games at ten seconds per move. Making his living entirely through chess, Koltanowski used his blindfold play ability to earn from exhibitions and showcases of his talent. A prominent figure on the American chess scene, he was also a writer who published many books and chess columns and a host of the first-ever television program dedicated entirely to chess in 1967.

In 1974, he won the President of the United States Chess Federation election and stayed in the office from 1975 to 1978.

#chess #history #OnThisDay #USchess #historical #throwbackthursday ... See MoreSee Less

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Joplin Chess Club

5 days ago

Tactics Tuesday -- Week 37

In this position, white is up a pawn and has pressure on the black king in the center. Black has just captured on e5 completing an exchange of dark squared bishops.

White has multiple winning lines here but what is the best continuation? ... See MoreSee Less

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Joplin Chess Club

2 weeks ago

Tactics Tuesday -- Week 36

Here is another easier one from a game last week played online. White has just moved a rook to e3. What should black do? ... See MoreSee Less

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Joplin Chess Club

3 weeks ago

Tactics Tuesday -- Week 35

Here is another online blitz game from a couple weeks back from a Joplin player. Black had just moved Rg8 and white replied with g3. What should black do?

Second question, what should white have done instead of g3? ... See MoreSee Less

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