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Wade back in action(The Daily Telegraph, Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)INTERNATIONAL Master Bob Wade, one of the most influential figures in British chess, is back in New Zealand, his place of birth, for the Queenstown Classic. Wade has not been back for 56 years, having left in 1948 after winning the New Zealand Championship. Two years later, he became New Zealand's first IM. He was the driving force behind the explosion in British chess publishing that started in the 1970s and he is the author of more than 30 chess books. Wade was also the trainer of the England team for many years. He was the custodian of the BT Batsford chess library and had access to more chess information than anyone outside of the Soviet Union. Even the great Bobby Fischer sought his advice as he prepared his assault on the World Chess Championship. In the second round at Queenstown, the draw paired Bob against another legend of New Zealand chess, Murray Chandler. It was an exciting struggle with Chandler in time trouble at certain points, despite having a winning position. But, just as the game looked to be decided, Wade found a queen sacrifice and nearly won. M Chandler - B Wade Queenstown Classic (2.2) Ruy Lopez 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.d3 Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.Nbd2 h6 12.Nf1 Nh7 (Rather unusual, but if Black can exchange a knight on f3 and a bishop on g5 he will be fine but Chandler sidesteps this. Alternatively 12...Re8 13.Ng3 Bf8) 13.Ne3 Ng5 14.h3 Be6?! (14...Nxf3+ 15.Qxf3 Bg5 16.Nd5 with the edge) 15.Nh2! g6 16.d4 (16.Nd5 f5!? 17.f4 Nf7) 16...h5 17.Nd5 f6 18.f4! exf4 19.Bxf4 cxd4 20.cxd4 Bxd5 21.exd5 f5 22.Rxe7! Qxe7 23.Qd2 Nxh3+ (23...Nh7 24.Qxa5) 24.gxh3 Nc4 25.Qg2 Qf6 26.Nf3 Rfe8 27.Bd3 Ne3 28.Qh2 Nxd5 29.Bxd6 Re3 30.Be5 Qb6 31.Be2 Re8 32.Kh1 (The weak black kingside particularly the dark squares should be fatal but Wade finds a remarkable defence) 32...f4 33.Rg1 Qe6 34.Bd1 Rc8 35.Qg2 Kf8 36.Bb3 Qf5!! (The only chance) 37.Bxd5 Rc2 38.Qf1 Ree2 (and now Rg5 should win but Chandler was very short of time) 39.Bb3 Rxb2 40.d5 (This looks crushing but) 40...Qxe5! (Whoops, 41.Nxe5 Rh2 is mate. 40...Rf2 41.Bxb2 Rxf1 42.Rxf1 Qxh3+ 43.Nh2 g5 was another wild possibility but the passed d pawn should decide matters in White's favour) 41.Bd1 Qe4! 42.Bxe2 Rxe2 43.Rg2 Rxg2 draw. The position is easier to play for Black but a draw is a fair result. Wade Chandler Position after 40.d5 and now 41...Qxe5! with the point 42.Nxe5 Rh2 mate. Chess chess.telegraph.co.uk |