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In another thread, Brian Hartman wrote:
"For example, who since has come anywhere close to Capablanca's feat of defeating all the other participants at the 1914 St. Petersburg Event at 5-1 odds in speed chess?"
This is the first I've ever heard of this. Source?
Edward Winter wrote a long, excellent article on "Fast Chess", which attempts to show the history of chess played at a more rapid rate than the usual 40 moves in 2 or 2.5 hours used at top-level play in the days of analog clocks. https://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/fast.html
"Fast Chess" prior to the 1950's, would invariable be "Rapid Transit" or "Lightning" chess which was played with a gong or buzzer sounding every ten seconds - obligating the player to move immediately. Sometimes five seconds; sometimes twenty seconds - but ten was the norm. The lack of clocks made this variant popular, but it was a problem to officiate - players would constantly move after the signal. Another popular variant was "30/30" in which you had to make 30 moves in 30 minutes.
From the Winter article regarding Capablanca in 1914:
"A remark supposedly made by Lasker to Capablanca:
Source: The Unknown Capablanca by David Hooper and Dale Brandreth (London, 1975), page 168."
"What exactly is known about the rapid transit event held on the occasion of the St Petersburg, 1914 tournament?
From page 158 of the July 1914 American Chess Bulletin:
Would you want players using your 1914-vintage clock to play 5-1 blitz? One broken clock in those days could affect a whole masters event.
A typical 1914 chess clock: http://dorland-chess.com/388-dutch-clock-1914.html
Even today - it's doubtful that a strong GM could give another strong GM 5-1 successfully. In the mid-70's, I remember GM Miguel Quinteros trying to give Kevin Spraggett 5-1 (I don't remember what happened), although Quinteros was successful against a couple of other local masters. Around that time I had a master (who outrated me by 300 or 400 points) attempt to give me 5-1. After about 90 minutes of play, his wallet was somewhat lighter. :-)
"For example, who since has come anywhere close to Capablanca's feat of defeating all the other participants at the 1914 St. Petersburg Event at 5-1 odds in speed chess?"
This is the first I've ever heard of this. Source?
Edward Winter wrote a long, excellent article on "Fast Chess", which attempts to show the history of chess played at a more rapid rate than the usual 40 moves in 2 or 2.5 hours used at top-level play in the days of analog clocks. https://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/fast.html
"Fast Chess" prior to the 1950's, would invariable be "Rapid Transit" or "Lightning" chess which was played with a gong or buzzer sounding every ten seconds - obligating the player to move immediately. Sometimes five seconds; sometimes twenty seconds - but ten was the norm. The lack of clocks made this variant popular, but it was a problem to officiate - players would constantly move after the signal. Another popular variant was "30/30" in which you had to make 30 moves in 30 minutes.
From the Winter article regarding Capablanca in 1914:
"A remark supposedly made by Lasker to Capablanca:
‘A week or so earlier [compared to 26 July 1914] these two masters had met in Berlin, where they played a rapid-transit match of ten games. Capablanca won 6½:3½, and afterwards Lasker is alleged to have said, “It is remarkable: you make no mistakes”.’
Source: The Unknown Capablanca by David Hooper and Dale Brandreth (London, 1975), page 168."
"What exactly is known about the rapid transit event held on the occasion of the St Petersburg, 1914 tournament?
From page 158 of the July 1914 American Chess Bulletin:
‘Although the chief prize at St Petersburg eluded him by the narrowest of margins, José R. Capablanca, besides taking the second prize, did not come away empty-handed with regard to minor honors, which included the first Rothschild prize for brilliancy, first prize in a rapid transit tourney, in which Dr Lasker was also a participant, as well as a fine record in simultaneous exhibitions, of which he gave three. ...
In the rapid transit tourney Capablanca had the satisfaction of making a score of 5½ out of a possible 6 points, with Dr Lasker, Dr Tarrasch and Alekhine among the competitors. It is not the first time, however, that he has worsted the world’s champion in this style of chess.’"
In the rapid transit tourney Capablanca had the satisfaction of making a score of 5½ out of a possible 6 points, with Dr Lasker, Dr Tarrasch and Alekhine among the competitors. It is not the first time, however, that he has worsted the world’s champion in this style of chess.’"
Would you want players using your 1914-vintage clock to play 5-1 blitz? One broken clock in those days could affect a whole masters event.
A typical 1914 chess clock: http://dorland-chess.com/388-dutch-clock-1914.html
Even today - it's doubtful that a strong GM could give another strong GM 5-1 successfully. In the mid-70's, I remember GM Miguel Quinteros trying to give Kevin Spraggett 5-1 (I don't remember what happened), although Quinteros was successful against a couple of other local masters. Around that time I had a master (who outrated me by 300 or 400 points) attempt to give me 5-1. After about 90 minutes of play, his wallet was somewhat lighter. :-)
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