Several months ago, I was doing research on the Sicilian Defense. A very strong player responded to my opening move of “e4” with “c5.” His move of “c5” is called the Sicilian Defense. It is usually played by strong players. (Bobby Fischer frequently played it.) My research indicates there is an excellent gambit to play against it. The gambit consists of losing a pawn but taking control of the center. I played this strong player again. He responded with “c5” to my opening of “e4.” Unfortunately, he didn’t accept my gambit offer. This got me thinking: the best response to a gambit generally is not to accept it. I think strong players usually will recognize an offered gambit and refuse it. Still, it’s good to learn standard gambit openings and give them a try.
Recently I read many excellent chess players reside in prisons. This also got me thinking. How about our chess club traveling to a nearby prison and playing against prisoners? We would have to clear it with the warden in advance. Does anyone have special knowledge about procedures necessary to do this? Four of us could ride together, play chess for a couple of hours, and then return home. All in one day!
During the current campaign for the presidency, our thoughts turn to past Presidents. Did any of them play chess? Here is a list of chess players who also occupied the oval office: John Adams, John Quincy Adams (he learned the game from his father), Thomas Jefferson (he played against Benjamin Franklin who was a strong player), James Madison (he played a four-hour game with Thomas Jefferson), James Monroe, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford Hayes (his mother taught him the game), James Garfield, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt (he played chess on hunting trips), William Howard Taft (played the game when he was a child), Warren Harding, Jimmy Carter (he also was a nuclear physicist), Bill Clinton (member of the chess club at Georgetown University), and Barack Obama (he mentions this in his autobiography). Who was the strongest chess player in this list of past Presidents?
It seems to me Jefferson was the strongest player. What do you think? He was serious about the game and had several chess books in his library. Does anyone know if the two candidates now campaigning to live in the White House play chess?
Don’t forget to protect your king (and your queen)!
