~Image Selections~
Louis D. Statham
Master Chess Tournament
Result: 1-0, Round #7, Board #5
Saturday, March 13th, 1976
These scoresheets "SOLD" at eBay auction.
Note: This scoresheet digital scan is in black & white...
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(Anthony John Miles // 1955 - 2001)
"The Game"
GM Anthony (Tony) Miles vs. SM Jack Peters
Louis D. Statham
Master Chess Tournament
Lone Pine, CA
Round #7, Board #5
Time Control: 45 // 2 & 1/2
March 13, 1976
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A fantastic last round game only overshadowed by
the "Browne vs. Grefe" encounter in which a tie for
first place hung in the delicate balance if Grefe had
won (thus tying with GM Tigran Petrosian)... This
superb chess game by the late GM Anthony Miles
had a bit of everything. A very sharp opening posi-
tion resulting from the ever solid Nimzo-Indian De-
fense (Leningrad Variation), as black attempted to
complicate the position early with 11... e4?!
Tony's 19. f4! was a great shot to pry loose and open
up the position and begin his attacking operations on
the "e-file", also to make room for those two bishops.
Then later he advanced with 29. Re6! which led to a
dramatic king walk (finally getting to f6). In deep time-
trouble -- Tony missed the simple 39. f5! This would
have sealed Jack's fate early. Indeed, Peters fought
back hard with 42... Rg6+! Now, Tony perhaps hastily
grabbed the exchange, however instead: 43. Ke5 would
have been a better winning attempt. Jack's last chance
to save the game was with: 44... Rd8! (instead of 44...
d2?). As, then Tony would have been forced to sub-
mit to a draw by doubling his rooks on the 7th rank
setting up a perpetual check. This was truly a terrific
last round Lone Pine finish to a titanic chess struggle.
Indeed, one of the highlights that year at the Statham
Masters Chess Tournament...
I'll forever remember Tony very much like his picture
given above. He was both a chess rebel and unique.
He became England's first International Grandmaster
in 1976 (thus winning the James Slater award and the
monetary gift that accompanied it). He also won the
World Junior Chess Championship in Manila in 1974
(acquiring the IM title). I'll always fondly remember
that one special night after the many Lone Pine chess
adventures (Tony played in the LP tournaments during
the years: '73, '76, '78-'80), and we had all arrived back
in the City -- San Francisco. During one evening the late
Guthrie McClain (we just knew him as "Mac"), Robert
(Bob) Burger, Tony Miles and myself spent a fantastic
evening in a Chinatown restaurant. We were there for
well over three hours discussing the usual chess politics,
International chess tournaments, and of course -- food!
~lol~
These original scoresheets are in very good shape (they
remained boxed & fully protected for over twenty-seven
years). Both scoresheets are initialed by GM Miles and
both scores are signed by SM Peters (matched set pair).
Quite suitable for framing... :-)
