After missing the March event, the Gabridoodle returned to Boston's
inimitable South Station to take part in a simultaneous exhibition given by grandmaster and former US champion
Larry Christiansen. Salem CHESS CLUB extends its
hearty thanks to the grandmaster and the
Boylston Chess Club for organizing this once-a-month event.
Because the "simul" was
bumped from its usual Tuesday to Wednesday, turnout was light and the games proceeded briskly. The Gabridoodle, much as would be expected, went 0 and 3.
The Gabridoodle's neighbor did manage to set a clever stalemate trap which the grandmaster avoided by means of underpromotion.
Also of note, though not directly relevant to today's event, the grandmaster told a
kibitzer that he's played as many as 16 simultaneous blindfold games.
Game 1: Christiansen, Larry - Gabridoodle, 1-0
Here, at move 18, the grandmaster strikes the decisive blow. Out of concern for pawn structure, the Gabridoodle felt unable to capture the knight that was sent to e5. He retreated his queen instead and Christiansen
snaffled up the horse on h5.
The Gabridoodle managed to stay alive until move 30. Christiansen's rook, pony, and d-pawn are working together all-too-nicely.
Game 2: Christiansen, Larry - Gabridoodle, 1-0
Ignoring the attack on his c5 knight, the Gabridoodle captured Christiansen's d-pawn, announcing "Maybe this is a
theoretical novelty." In response, the grandmaster quipped, "I wouldn't go that far."
The Gabridoodle also lived to see move 30, although here Christiansen's pawns are, true to form,
unstoppable. The Gabridoodle resigned several moves later.
Game 3: Christiansen, Larry - Gabridoodle, 1-0
At this point, the Gabridoodle was in a state of
collapse. Only 14 moves in, he resigned rather than suffer massive loss of material and swift defeat.
