Hello from Argentina!! They played in the chess Club "Club Argentino" in street Paraguay 1858, Buenos Aires. The two tables used are in the second floor where members play blitz games. There are also tables from the Olympiads of 1939 and 1978. It was also played in the Congress (Congreso de la Nación) building about twelve blocks away, building blueprint that Bismarck rejected because it was too expensive but it was built in Buenos Aires despite the cost. While they stayed in the Alvear Palace Hotel, they have pictures in the Claridge hotel, so it is hard to tell now.
Really enjoyed this one. The knowledge of chess history and personal stories and experiences are what make Ben the best when it comes to these sorts of lectures. As well as the jokes, obviously!
Capablanca demanded a match purse of $10,000. The champion was to be paid 20% upfront and the remaining 80% divided 60%-40% according to the result. So Capablanca collected slightly more money ($2000 + $3200) despite losing.
Well, so Capablanca got his own way as payback for being forced to play by the same rules as the standard signed to years before. I didn't know he was vindictive.
Great lecture, great games AGAIN. Ben's knowledge of chess history and his insight into the psychology of the games and matches he presents is really amazing!
In the Summer of 1980 both Max Euwe and Boris Spassky attended a chess tournament in California where they each gave a simultaneous exhibition. After Euwe completed his simul, he answered questions from a large audience. Someone asked if he thought Alekhine was drinking during their match and Euwe said he did not believe that Alekhine was drinking. Euwe appeared certain of his response and from my recollection, no one else asked this question. I was unable to play Euwe as almost every player in the tournament wanted to play him, instead I was crushed by Boris Spassky in his simul and many boards were still available when he played. Max Euwe played many fine games during his career. RIP.
The most striking thing about Capablanca was that only Alekhine beat him more than twice, and only Lasker, Marshal, and Spielmann managed 2 wins. He lost 34 serious games in his career.
Here are some ideas for an one hour Finegold lecture. I am listing them here. If any of you like any of these, feel free to sponsor. Great players of the present : Daniil Dubov Great players of the present : Wei Yi Great players of the present : Baadur Jobava Great players of the present : Baskaran Adhiban Great players of the present : Levon Aronian Great players of the past : Topalov Best wins against Magnus Carlsen Openings : Halloween Gambit Openings : Muzio Gambit
On the very last position in this video, can't Capablanca take back the knight with his queen? Or is a rook vs bishop endgame just not good enough? Maybe he can't defend his pawns there?
I already wrote it to "Perlen vom Bodensee", who is the official German chess press secretary and has it's own RU-vid channel. In 1928 Bogoljubov became the official "Champion of the World Chess Federation". He won againt Euwe. And according to Chessmetrics in 1927 he was number 1 of the world for two month. Aljekhine won the title in 1927. Against whom else should Alekhine defend his title? Bogoljubov was born in Russia, but he was Ukrainian and it seems, that he never liked Soviet Russia and he became a German, wehre he was treated badly too. After a while he was only allowed to coach the German Nazis and he was not allowed to play for Germany. And Soviet Russia always told, he was a weak player. The statistics say something else. From December 1925 until August 1927 he was Top 3 in the world. OK, he had never a peak above 2800 or at least a tournament result above 2800. But in 1927 he was Lasker's successor at number 1 and predecessor of Capablanca.
Alekhine was the surname on his French passport, but he was originally Russian and the transliteration of his last name to English would be Alekhin. Alekhin changed names, confusing the audience.
