Queen's Gambit

In the year 1347 King Charles of Bohemia, while hunting through a rocky, gorge-like valley, discovered that in the streams of the district flowed waters with remarkable medicinal properties. Since that period many a health seeker, and also many a fashionable tourist, has come to Karlovy Vary--better known as Carlsbad. Last week, however, Carlsbad became the centre of intellectual as well as medicinal activity, for to the famed spa came 22 chess Masters and Grand Masters* to play in the fourth annual Carlsbad International Tournament. They came not seeking health--for, contrary to popular impression, chess players are more often large and brawny than thin and puny--but experience, reputation and $15,000 in cash prizes. With the single exception of World's Champion Dr. Alexandre Alekhine, all the international Masters were entered. Dr. Alekhine was a spectator; did not play because next month he has a world's championship match with E. D. Bogoljubow and did not wish to exert himself too strenuously. Challenger Bogoljubow, however, had no such inhibition.

There was no outstanding favorite in the tournament, which will not be ended until Aug. 28. Safest prediction perhaps was that the favorite opening would be the Queen's Gambit, which seemed likely to be adopted in 60%, perhaps 70%, of the games. Chess Masters have a tendency to play not to lose rather than to play to win, and the queen's side opening leads to intricate but not explosive posi tional play. A favorite amateur opening which begins with both players moving their king's pawns two squares ahead also seemed unlikely to be important, as even when the player with White opens with the king's pawn move, the Black player has become increasingly wary about countering with the same reply./- So most of the games will probably start on the queen's side of the board, and there will be a great many drawn games. Possibly Bogoljubow, who has an enterprising style that overwhelms weak players, will finish ahead of Capablanca, who plays cautiously against everyone and thus, though hardly ever beaten, draws against opponents whom Bugoljubow is likely to beat.

Among the 22 entrants the following have a special claim to interest:

Ewifimij Dimitriewitsch Bogoljubow, Russian, was educated for the priesthood, but at 19 expressed a preference for chess and other worldly pleasures. Large, thickset, handsome, he looks much more like the popular conception of an operatic tenor than of a chess player. Bogoljubow is best Russian player, although the Soviet government, disapproving of some capitalistically sponsored tournament which he entered, officially deprived him of his title, and at the same time equally officially gave him a pawn-and-move handicap against any other Russian player.

Jose R. Capablanca, onetime world champion, is perhaps most logical of players. He never takes chances, is better at match play than in tournament. He holds a somewhat honorary position in the Cuban diplomatic corps, and is an expert at bridge. His well grounded confidence has frequently been mistaken for conceit.

Frank James Marshall, U. S. champion, is a large man with a red face and a hooked nose. He plays a dashing, "romantic" game; seldom draws but often loses. Marshall's style is fascinating to the onlooker, but usually does not finish him high up among first class players. He invented what is known as the Cambridge Springs variation in the Queen's Gambit. Marshall is also a bridge expert with a fondness for No Trump bids.

Aron Nimzowitsch, son of a Danish department store keeper, is one of the comparatively few players with a "system." He has figured out what might be termed the ideal game, and, within the limits of practical competition, he plays it.

Akiba Rubinstein weighs something over 200 pounds and since Mrs. Rubin stein is of equal girth they together make particularly erroneous the prevailing impression of anemic chess players. Rubin stein is a super-veteran.

Miss Vera Menchik of Russia is a resident of England but listed as a Russian entrant. She was born in Czechoslovakia, raised in Moscow, has lived in Hastings for the last five years. She was a chess pupil of Geza Maroczy, brilliant Hungarian Master, who is also playing in the Carlsbad tournament. Miss Menchik has been acknowledged best woman player since 1927. She played in an English-Russian tournament in England this spring and finished in a tie for second place. Miss Menchik lost her first two games in the Carlsbad tournament. It is safe to say that whatever victories she wins will be well earned, as chess professionals are notable for their complete lack of anything approaching an amateur sporting spirit and are not likely to let chivalry interfere with art.

*A Master is a player who has won the championship of his country; a Grand Master one who has beaten others in international competition.

/- Scoring is by points. A win counts 1; a draw 1/2 a loss 0. Each player plays each competitor once, drawing; for the White or Black pieces.