Hastings, 5 August 1895 (Queen’s Gambit Declined). Round 1. Von Bardeleben conducts a patient Queen’s-side counter-attack and, after Burn drifts into a poor defence, forces resignation on the 40th move. Notes by S. Tinsley.
6.Be2In a very similar position recently (Steinitz v. Lásker, St. Petersburg, January 9, 1896) the first player proceeds with P to B 5, which is doubtless generally regarded with distrust. It is curious that White seems to have no better move than the text, which appears to amount to nothing if the Bishop has to take the Pawn subsequently. Kt to K 5 has points, supported later by P to K B 4, and that may eventually turn out to be the strongest continuation.
12.Bd2R to Q sq suggests itself at once as a more vigorous line of play. P to K 4 would be good now, but for the reply P to Q Kt 5.
15.Na4The question naturally occurs, what is the future of this Piece? Kt to Q Kt sq was probably superior, notwithstanding appearances to the contrary. Afterwards Q Kt to Q 2, and then to Q B 4, or K B sq, as circumstances suggest.
16.Qd3By first playing B to B 2, a good deal might be threatened later, and the disagreeable counter-attack by Black would have been at least deferred.
17…Bxf3The exchange, not generally favourable in such positions, is here evidently in Black’s favour. He makes a doubled Pawn at once, and has many good prospects of a King’s side attack.
23.f3White has already drifted into a most unsatisfactory position, and this is one of the best of a number of poor defences. It will be noted that White’s Rook is in a line with Black’s King’s Bishop, and that some means must be found to prevent a fatal attack by Black’s Q to R 5, &c. later.
26…f5A very charming resource, the point of which is not at first sight apparent, but is disclosed in the following moves.
33.e4We have indicated a few weak points in White’s play in our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th notes. We are informed, and the game bears out the statement, that White was short of time at one or two points. In such a difficult game it is no wonder White went astray under those circumstances. In the latter part of this game we can suggest no variation satisfactory to him. On the other hand, Herr Bardeleben, if by no means enterprising, conducts his attack with deadly accuracy and force.
38…a4Leading up to a very pretty winning move, Q to B 5.
40…Qg4+If 41. B to Kt 3, R to B 7, ch; 42. K to R sq or Kt sq; 43. Q to Q 8, ch, &c. Or if K to R sq at once, then R to B 8, ch, and mate next move.
Horace F. Cheshire, The Hastings Chess Tournament 1895 (1896) · Public domain · source