Play Chess Openings: Tom Purser Draws World Champ Euwe BDG

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Tom Purser Draws World Champ Euwe BDG

When looking for some good Tom Purser games in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, I came across one from over 30 years ago. Purser was playing in a simultaneous exhibition against the former World Champion and FIDE President Max Euwe in Ramstein, Germany.

At the site chessgames.com we find commentary on this game from whiteshark:
"Dr. Euwe played 20 board simul at Ramstein Air Base rec center on 16 Feb 1978; he won 18, lost one, drew this one. He allowed all opponents choice of color."

Tom V. Purser went on to publish "BDG World" magazine for 15 years starting about 1983. Around 1984 this magazine caught MY attention. I am forever grateful for Tom Purser. For those interested in more from him, Tom Purser's blog is a great read. This opening is a BDG Ryder.

My Blackmar-Diemer Tactics with 500 combinations and mates.

Purser,Tom V - Euwe,Max simul Ramstein, Germany 1978 begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nc3 Blackmar-Diemer Gambit by transposition 4...exf3 5.Qxf3 Ryder Variation 5...Qxd4 6.Be3 Qg4 7.Qf2 a6 [The normal continuation is 7...e5! 8.a3 Bd6 9.Nf3 Nc6=/+] 8.h3 Qb4 9.0-0-0 e6 [9...Nc6 10.Nf3 with compensation] 10.Rd4 Qa5 11.Ra4 Qf5

12.Rf4!? [If White wanted to play for more, his position is very promising after 12.Nf3! when Junior 12 gives the critical line as 12...e5 13.g4 Qe6 14.Bc4 Qe7 15.g5!+-] 12...Qa5 13.Ra4 Qf5 14.Rf4!? One can hardly blame Purser for taking a draw two pawns down against a world champion. 14...Qa5 15.Ra4 1/2-1/2