Library Chess

The term coffeehouse chess is often used by chess players for play based on simple traps that often work in casual chess. But most of the games I've played in coffee houses have been against a former student--I coached his high school team about a decade ago--who is now a little better than me. These transparent traps usually fail. Our games may be more casual than tournament games, but they call for strategies that should work in more serious games.

On the other hand, from time to time I am challenged to a game of chess by a complete stranger in one of my city's or county's libraries. I conduct most of my individual lessons in such places, so I am often sitting at a library table with a chess set in front of me while waiting for a student to arrive. Such was the case yesterday. Usually these games are quickly forgotten. However, yesterday, I was able to recall the full game and enter it into a database after arriving back home.

A stranger -- James Stripes [C24]
Library Chess Spokane, 01.03.2019

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.Qf3

I find that most of those who walk by my table and decide that they would like a game are accustomed to getting something from simple, direct attacks on my king. In this case, though, with my knight already on f6, I'm not sure what the stranger has in mind.

3...d5!?

I opt to harass the queen.

3...Nc6;
3...Bc5

4.exd5 Bc5

4...e4 would have been consistent with my notion of kicking the queen around.

5.c3

5.Nc3

5...0–0

White to move

6.Qg3??

6.d3

6...Ne4 7.Qxe5

7.Qf3 Nxf2 8.d4 Nxh1 9.dxc5 Qh4+ 10.g3 Qxc4

7...Re8 8.Qf4

Black to move

8...Qe7

Throwing away the advantage. 8...Nxf2+

9.Ne2 Nxf2 10.Rf1 Ng4??

I usually give my opponents in the library an opportunity to stay in the game. This opportunity is not offered purposely, but rather through carelessness.

10...g5 11.Qg3 Ng4

11.d6 Bxd6

White to move

12.Bxf7+

White seemed oblivious to the attack on his queen until the next move.

12.Qxf7+ Kh8 13.Qxe7 Bxe7=

12...Kh8 13.Qf3 Nxh2 14.Qh5 Bg3+ 15.Kd1 Bg4 16.Qb5?

16.Qxg4 Nxg4 17.Bxe8 Nf2+ 18.Rxf2 Bxf2

16...Bxe2+ 17.Qxe2 Qxe2+ 18.Kc2 Nxf1

White to move

19.Bxe8

White's position is hopeless, but it was possible to avoid imminent checkmate.

19.b3 Ne3+ 20.Kb2

19...Ne3+ 20.Kb3 Qc4+ 21.Ka3 Nc2# 0–1