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In Memoriam
Steve Smith, 1955 - 1999
Postal game between Bruce Johnson and Steve Smith
Hi,
Here is the postal game Steve Smith and I played a few years ago. Typical Steve Smith game. He’s not afraid of even positions or even of getting inferior positions, as long as there is play. He had confidence that he’d outplay you. His style was to play the game, not the move. No one taught the lesson better that in real play, both sides get chances, and it’s rare that one side gets an advantage and carries it straight through to a victory.
USCF correspondence chess game section 83-VA-99 started October 19, 1983
Bruce Johnson vs Steve Smith
1. d4 f5
The Dutch was Steve’s mainstay. "pick the opening on the first move."
2. g3 Nf6
3. Bg2 g6
4. Nf3 Bg7
5. 0-0 0-0
6. c4 d6
7. Nc3 c6
8. d5 e5
9. de Bxe6
10. Qd3
Mustn’t drop the pawn.
10. ... Na6
11. Bf4 d5
12. Ng5 Nc5
13. Qc2 dc
In the opening I merrily played along following Dr. Euwe’s Chess Archives. Now I’m playing a man in North Carolina who had Euwe as high school math teacher. Small world.
This was a standard Leningrad Dutch until 13 … dc was new for me, 13...d4 being expected.
14. Na4 Nfd7
15. Rad1 Qf6
16. Nxe6 Qxe6
17. Bd6
17 Nxc5 Nxc5 18 Bd6 could have also been played.
17. ... Nxa4
18. Bxf8 Bxb2
19. Rd6
In hindsight 19 Qxa4 was a simpler way for White to keep a sizable advantage.
19. ... Qf7
20. Bh6 Ndb6
21. Rfd1 Qe7
22. e4 Ba3
23. R6d2?
"He who cannot find the win, . . . .
23. ... Bb4
24. Rd4 c5
25. Rxc4 Nxc4
26. Qxc4+ Kh8
27. h4 Nb2
28. Qd5?
... often cannot find the draw."
28. ... Nxd1
29. Bg5 Qg7
30. e5 Nc3
31. Qd6 Kg8
32. e6 Ne4
33. Bxe4 fe
34. e7 Re8
35. Resigned
July 1984
A typical example of how the better player wins the game even from a lost position. 24 R6d4 wins. 28 Bg5 draws. If I’d only have played better, I would have won.
Since he was the state's first postal master, this game has some meaning. hope you enjoy it.
wonderful website.
Best Regards,
Bruce Johnson
Casper, Wyoming
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