Delaware Chess Newsletter Volume 1, Issue #3 October, 2004 Dunne’s Doings White uses his lead in devel- opment to attack on the Q-side by FM Alex Dunne where he has a two to one Pawn majority and an advanced King.} W: Alex Dunne; B: M. Pril- 16 Bb5+ Kf8 17 Rhc1 {So, letensky; Atlanta, June 2004; instead of being a Pawn up but [D92]; 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 on the defensive, material is d5 4 Nf3 Bg7 5 Bf4 c5 {Black even; however, White has a usually castles first -- 5 ... powerful endgame initiative.} 0-0 6 e3 c5!? with equal play. 17 ... Be6 18 a4 Rb8 19 Kc3 Kg7 The difference is that Black's 20 b4 Kf6 21 Bc6 Rhd8 22 b5 Rd6 Bg7 is unguarded.} 23 a5 Rbd8 24 Rd1 Rc8 25 Kb4 a6 6 dxc5 Qa5 7 e3 Ne4 {Black {This tactical try falls to has a triple attack on c3, but White's positional advantage.} White has an out.} 8 Be5 Nxc3 9 26 Rdc1 axb5 27 a6 Rdd8 28 a7 Qd2 {This pin gives White the d4 29 Bb7 Ra8 30 Ra1 Bc4 31 better chances.} 9 ... Bxe5 10 exd4 e6 32 Bxa8 Rxa8 33 Rxb5 Nxe5 Nc6 11 Nxc6 bxc6 12 cxd5 {White wins easily after 33 ... Qxc5 13 Rc1 Ne4 14 Rxc5 Nxd2 15 Bxb5 34 Kxb5 Ke7 35 Kb6 Kd8 36 Kxd2 cxd5 Kb7.} 1-0 ******************************* The 23¢ Solution by Martin Erlich Please consider this pro- posal to address what I con- sider to be a serious problem, together with a possible, or partial solution. Over the years, I have sent quite a few articles to chess magazines and have even enjoyed a few suc- cesses. However, there is still the caveat that most columnists employ, usually at the bottom {Black now expected play of their columns. It goes like to continue with 16 Rxd5?! 0-0! this: Because of the tremendous when Black will have active volume of mail which I receive, play for his Rooks and White I can’t possibly respond, and lags in development. Instead, you can kiss your submissions -1- goodbye. I am sure you will Each submission which you understand. Signed: Z. Expert send for publication consid- {Ye editor would like to eration should be accompanied respond. There is a term used by a return addressed 23-cent for unsolicited material: the post card. The post card, when slush pile! Usually, material returned, allows the columnist received as this would be is or staff to give the author a pure dreck, not worth reading. clue as to the status of his However, once in a while, an submission. After all, there is editor will assign some under- a quid pro quo. The author has ling to read the slush pile and invested his time in re- that poor wretch will actually searching the article, typing find worthwhile stuff! Thus, his masterpiece, postage costs, the slush pile is kept running and, above all, his ego in- and grows exponentially. It is volvement. It is a big deal to possible the editor never even be published in a prestigious saw the article submitted! In magazine for us, and especially the Chess world, now, all of for retired seniors, even if the editors have so many as- only in the obit column. sistants, hah! We must read {Editor: Seriously, just everything ourselves, and can because some one, well-meaning, easily get snowed under.} sends an article to a very busy Martin: You don’t get your editor, I do not think that submissions returned! A lot of that editor has an obligation us Underwood-Royal Peckers have to spend the time reading it or only enough energy to produce even commenting on it. If an one copy. {Editor: a lame editor did not ask for the excuse, if I ever heard one; I article, then he really has no would expect that even an need to even look at it. Underwood-Royal user could find Courtesy would say that it some carbon paper!} We are should be returned if the supposed to enclose a self-ad- postage and envelope for doing dressed envelope complete with so are included. Just courtesy postage in which the master- says that. One of my favorite piece may be returned. Given authors, J. A. Vance, comments the present state of affairs, that if you tell her you have we may not ever learn if our an idea for a story, she masterpieces have even been immediately cuts you off, so received! that there are no legal grounds I really do understand and for a suit dealing with theft appreciate the chess colum- of intellectual property!} nist’s problem. But, surely, he Martin: The returned post and his staff have to open the card allows the author the mail as well as read it. following benefits: There is a {Editor: want to bet???} So, check list as follows: (a) the let me propose my partial columnist has seen the light solution: The 23 cent solution. and will publish your epic; (b) -2- the columnist wouldn’t recog- consider adopting my 23 cent nize great literature if it hit solution. him on the head like a mate in {Editor: So far, it has one. He will not publish your taken me about 35 minutes of submission; or c) maybe he can typing to do a rough draft of use your submission at a future this article. If I factor in date. time I may need for trying to At least, now, the author scan the postcard Martin en- knows that his epic has been closed, I will probably spend received! Not a small matter. over an hour on this one article. Personally, if an Ethical Considerations: article is e-mailed to me, it has a much greater chance of Martin: I would like to being published than if I have think that, for most of my to retype it. I have been creative offerings for publi- published in many chess maga- cation, I played by the “book,” zines many times and I still that being a Code of Ethics. If get an ego-boost seeing my name I sent an article to “Chess on the by-line, so I can Nuts” magazine, I would not appreciate Martin’s ideas. What send the same article to do the readers think? And, for “Knight Life,” nor to any other your information, I always let chess magazine at the same an author know that I have re- time. If a magazine accepts ceived the article and what I your article for publication, intend to do with it.} they obtain certain rights, ******************************* especially if they are paying Book Reviews for your submission. {Editor: by Dr. Ira Lee Riddle magazines pay???} Martin: They The first book being may now say that no one can reviewed this issue is by a reproduce your masterpiece friend of mine, Dan Heisman. without prior written consent, It’s titled Looking for etc., etc. But, with the caveat Trouble: recognizing and that many columnists employ meeting threats in chess, (and not at all exclusively to published by Russell the chess establishment), Enterprises (ChessCafe.com), PO namely, “Sorry, can’t reply ... Box 30; Milford CT 06460, too busy ... too much mail ... $17.95). Dan starts out by kiss your submission good identifying three things you bye... ,” I no longer feel can do with a threat: ignore constrained to send my stuff to it, counter it with a greater only one magazine at a time. threat, or stop it. The book is Heck no! Let Duplications Reign divided into chapters on Supreme! Or, at least until we opening, middle game, and can make the columnist’s Caveat endgame threats. The theory - Empty! Or at least, until sections are well written, such time as most of them leading players to see how to -3- analyze if a move is a threat lots of practice problems. This or not, and what to do about is for the beginner to inter- it. This is aimed at all levels mediate player. from relative beginner to very Ted Nottingham, Al Law- good player, and is well worth rence, and Bob Wade combined its cost. talents to bring out winning While working at the World chess: tactics and strategies Open chess store, run by Thad ($10.95). The explanations in Rogers of American Chess this book are among the best Promotions (3055 General Lee I’ve ever seen, especially in Rd; Macon GA 31204), I came the mates taught (including two across a title that struck me, Bishops vs. K) and the pinning The Chess Terrorist’s Handbook, problems. I learned quite a bit by Paul Hodges ($19.95). Relax, from this book, and am even the title refers to Leonid using part of it in one of the Shamkovich’s habit of making classes I teach on chess! I moves that explode in the highly recommend this one to opponents’ faces later in the anyone who wants a refresher game. This book is fun to read, course or is still learning. even to the chapter titles. Gambit Press (Box 32640, (For example, “Storming the London W14 0JN, England) is an French Fortress.”) If you want anomaly among chess publishers. to see how a well-known GM sets Its officers actually play the up traps so well, this col- royal game. GM Murray Chandler lection of games and annota- is the Managing Director; GM tions is for you. Intermediate Dr. John Nunn is the Chess Di- to advanced players will gain rector, and FM Graham Burgess from this more than beginners is the Editorial Director.