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It certainly was a fine ending for "Luzhin." Jon Speelman is a well-known
endgame specialist. Incidentally, if White does not play 47.gxh3, Black has
...Rh5 mate as well as ...h6 mate.
On Sun, Mar 18, 2012 at 11:23 AM, Jansy <jansy@aetern.us> wrote:
> **
>
> *In Search of Luzhin's Defence
> *
>
> Many chess players have no doubt seen *The Luzhin Defence<http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0211492/>
> *, a movie based off the novel (of the same name) by *Vladimir Nabokov*.
> In viewing this movie, one cannot help but to feel empathy for the main
> character *Alexander Ivanovich Luzhin, *an eccentric Russian Grandmaster
> played credibly by *John Turturro*. As a young boy, Luzhin lived a life
> of privilege, but also one filled with contradictions and personal
> challenges. He had one escape from the confusion that swirled around his
> life… chess.
> [image: John Turturro as Alexander Ivanovich Luzhin in 'The Luzhin
> Defense']
>
> *John Turturro as "Alexander Luzhin"
> *
>
> Set in the 1920s era, Luzhin travels to Italy to compete in a
> top tournament billed as the equivalence of the World Championship. He
> meets a woman named *Natalia Kutkov* (played by *Emily Watson*) with whom
> he falls in love and to whom he proposes marriage. The entire story would
> unfold and a number of personal challenges beset a troubled Luzhin:
> memories of a neglectful childhood, Natalia's mother's opposition to the
> proposal and an exploitive acquaintance from the past.
>
> One of the most intense moments came when Luzhin faced *Dottore Turati*,
> an Italian Grandmaster played by *Fabio Sartor*. Both had won their
> respective groups and would face off in the grand finalé… the winner would
> be the World Champion. The game started off *1.Nf3 d5 *and after a
> positional battle, both players got into intense time pressure. The Dutch
> director *Marleen Gorris *was able to catch the emotions of the two
> players and some very interesting board angles.
>
> In the time scramble, the position in diagram #1 occurred. Turati had just
> played Ne5 and had the advantage. Both players had a couple minutes left
> and were feverishly blitzing out moves. The game continued 37… Rd2 38.Nxd7+
> Rxd7 39.Kf2 Bc5 (threatening Nxf4) 40.Kf3. Luzhin paused, blitzed out 40…
> Re7 and pounded the clock. Turati played 41.Rc1 followed by Luzhin's
> 41…a6!? After 42.Nc3 Luzhin maniacally slammed *42...Nxf4!? *on the board
> after which Turati played 43.exf4 (diagram #2).
> [image: The Luzhin Defense - diagram #1] [image: The Luzhin
> Defense - diagram #2 (adjourned postion)]
>
> *Diagram #1
> **(time scramble)
> *
>
> *Diagram #2
> **(adjourned position)
> *
>
> As Luzhin calculated the position, variations flashed about
> the board. Luzhin seemed to be searching for something more than a move…
> perhaps answers to his life. While at the board, Luzhin had an epiphany of
> his deceased parents and his beloved aunt. During these visions, Luzhin
> lost track of the game and his flag fell before his 43rd move (diagram #2).
> They would adjourn the game and play the secondary time control the next
> day. Spectators could be heard saying that Luzhin's position was
> practically hopeless.
>
> What would happen next is sheer tragedy. After suffering a complete
> breakdown, being told never to play chess again, and later being detoured
> from his wedding, Luzhin lost himself and leaped from a window to "escape"
> from the troubled past. Now with Luzhin dead, there would be no completion
> of the match. While searching Luzhin's suit coat, wife Natalia found his
> adjourned moves. After realizing what she had found, Natalia contacted the
> tournament officials and requested to play the moves posthumously for her
> husband.
>
> Natalia entered the hall with a demure and confident look. She took her
> seat and the game continued, 43… Re3+ (sealed move) 44.Kg4 f5+ 45.Kg5 Kg7!
> (threatening Be7 mate) 46.Nd5 (diagram #3). Using the sheet of paper with
> "Luzhin's Defence," Natalia picked up the rook, played *46…Rh3!! *and
> looked at Turati before releasing the piece. After 47.gxh3 (else 47…h6 is
> checkmate), Black triumphed with 47…h6+ 48.Kh4 Bf2 mate!! (diagram #4) This
> is what Luzhin was so happy about only moments before his initial
> emotional breakdown. A satisfying ending!
> [image: The Luzhin Defense - diagram #3 (Luzhin finds 46...Rh3!!)] [image:
> The Luzhin Defense - diagram #4 (after 48...Bf2 mate!)]
>
> *Diagram #3
> **(Luzhin finds 46…Rh3!!)
> *
>
> *Diagram #4
> **(final position)
> *
>
> The movie is one a chess player can certainly appreciate and is
> crafted for a mature audience. The chess scenes were realistic (thanks to
> the film's chess advisor English GM *Jonathan Speelman*) and the movie
> set captured the 1920s prestige of the chess circuit. Some viewers have
> even noted a resemblance to Alekhine-Capablanca, but one thing is certain
> the movie is just as much a lesson in triumph in values as it is triumph
> over the chess board. Other chess movies such as "Fresh" and "Searching for
> Bobby Fischer" have similar characteristics. "The Luzhin Defense" is
> certainly worth seeing as mere words cannot even begin to capture its
> resplendent craftsmanship. Well done!
>
> *Dr. Daaim Shabazz, The Chess Drum <http://www.thechessdrum.net/>
> *
>
> *Posted by The Chess Drum <http://www.thechessdrum.net/>: 30 September
> 2003*
> Google Search the archive<http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&HL=en> Contact
> the Editors <nabokv-l@utk.edu,nabokv-l@holycross.edu> Visit "Nabokov
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>
> ****All private editorial communications are read by both co-editors.
>
--
Norky
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endgame specialist. Incidentally, if White does not play 47.gxh3, Black has
...Rh5 mate as well as ...h6 mate.
On Sun, Mar 18, 2012 at 11:23 AM, Jansy <jansy@aetern.us> wrote:
> **
>
> *In Search of Luzhin's Defence
> *
>
> Many chess players have no doubt seen *The Luzhin Defence<http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0211492/>
> *, a movie based off the novel (of the same name) by *Vladimir Nabokov*.
> In viewing this movie, one cannot help but to feel empathy for the main
> character *Alexander Ivanovich Luzhin, *an eccentric Russian Grandmaster
> played credibly by *John Turturro*. As a young boy, Luzhin lived a life
> of privilege, but also one filled with contradictions and personal
> challenges. He had one escape from the confusion that swirled around his
> life… chess.
> [image: John Turturro as Alexander Ivanovich Luzhin in 'The Luzhin
> Defense']
>
> *John Turturro as "Alexander Luzhin"
> *
>
> Set in the 1920s era, Luzhin travels to Italy to compete in a
> top tournament billed as the equivalence of the World Championship. He
> meets a woman named *Natalia Kutkov* (played by *Emily Watson*) with whom
> he falls in love and to whom he proposes marriage. The entire story would
> unfold and a number of personal challenges beset a troubled Luzhin:
> memories of a neglectful childhood, Natalia's mother's opposition to the
> proposal and an exploitive acquaintance from the past.
>
> One of the most intense moments came when Luzhin faced *Dottore Turati*,
> an Italian Grandmaster played by *Fabio Sartor*. Both had won their
> respective groups and would face off in the grand finalé… the winner would
> be the World Champion. The game started off *1.Nf3 d5 *and after a
> positional battle, both players got into intense time pressure. The Dutch
> director *Marleen Gorris *was able to catch the emotions of the two
> players and some very interesting board angles.
>
> In the time scramble, the position in diagram #1 occurred. Turati had just
> played Ne5 and had the advantage. Both players had a couple minutes left
> and were feverishly blitzing out moves. The game continued 37… Rd2 38.Nxd7+
> Rxd7 39.Kf2 Bc5 (threatening Nxf4) 40.Kf3. Luzhin paused, blitzed out 40…
> Re7 and pounded the clock. Turati played 41.Rc1 followed by Luzhin's
> 41…a6!? After 42.Nc3 Luzhin maniacally slammed *42...Nxf4!? *on the board
> after which Turati played 43.exf4 (diagram #2).
> [image: The Luzhin Defense - diagram #1] [image: The Luzhin
> Defense - diagram #2 (adjourned postion)]
>
> *Diagram #1
> **(time scramble)
> *
>
> *Diagram #2
> **(adjourned position)
> *
>
> As Luzhin calculated the position, variations flashed about
> the board. Luzhin seemed to be searching for something more than a move…
> perhaps answers to his life. While at the board, Luzhin had an epiphany of
> his deceased parents and his beloved aunt. During these visions, Luzhin
> lost track of the game and his flag fell before his 43rd move (diagram #2).
> They would adjourn the game and play the secondary time control the next
> day. Spectators could be heard saying that Luzhin's position was
> practically hopeless.
>
> What would happen next is sheer tragedy. After suffering a complete
> breakdown, being told never to play chess again, and later being detoured
> from his wedding, Luzhin lost himself and leaped from a window to "escape"
> from the troubled past. Now with Luzhin dead, there would be no completion
> of the match. While searching Luzhin's suit coat, wife Natalia found his
> adjourned moves. After realizing what she had found, Natalia contacted the
> tournament officials and requested to play the moves posthumously for her
> husband.
>
> Natalia entered the hall with a demure and confident look. She took her
> seat and the game continued, 43… Re3+ (sealed move) 44.Kg4 f5+ 45.Kg5 Kg7!
> (threatening Be7 mate) 46.Nd5 (diagram #3). Using the sheet of paper with
> "Luzhin's Defence," Natalia picked up the rook, played *46…Rh3!! *and
> looked at Turati before releasing the piece. After 47.gxh3 (else 47…h6 is
> checkmate), Black triumphed with 47…h6+ 48.Kh4 Bf2 mate!! (diagram #4) This
> is what Luzhin was so happy about only moments before his initial
> emotional breakdown. A satisfying ending!
> [image: The Luzhin Defense - diagram #3 (Luzhin finds 46...Rh3!!)] [image:
> The Luzhin Defense - diagram #4 (after 48...Bf2 mate!)]
>
> *Diagram #3
> **(Luzhin finds 46…Rh3!!)
> *
>
> *Diagram #4
> **(final position)
> *
>
> The movie is one a chess player can certainly appreciate and is
> crafted for a mature audience. The chess scenes were realistic (thanks to
> the film's chess advisor English GM *Jonathan Speelman*) and the movie
> set captured the 1920s prestige of the chess circuit. Some viewers have
> even noted a resemblance to Alekhine-Capablanca, but one thing is certain
> the movie is just as much a lesson in triumph in values as it is triumph
> over the chess board. Other chess movies such as "Fresh" and "Searching for
> Bobby Fischer" have similar characteristics. "The Luzhin Defense" is
> certainly worth seeing as mere words cannot even begin to capture its
> resplendent craftsmanship. Well done!
>
> *Dr. Daaim Shabazz, The Chess Drum <http://www.thechessdrum.net/>
> *
>
> *Posted by The Chess Drum <http://www.thechessdrum.net/>: 30 September
> 2003*
> Google Search the archive<http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&HL=en> Contact
> the Editors <nabokv-l@utk.edu,nabokv-l@holycross.edu> Visit "Nabokov
> Online Journal" <http://www.nabokovonline.com> Visit Zembla<http://www.libraries.psu.edu/nabokov/zembla.htm> View
> Nabokv-L Policies <http://web.utk.edu/%7Esblackwe/EDNote.htm> Manage
> subscription options <http://listserv.ucsb.edu/> Visit AdaOnline<http://www.ada.auckland.ac.nz/> View
> NSJ Ada Annotations <http://vnjapan.org/main/ada/index.html> Temporary
> L-Soft Search the archive<https://listserv.ucsb.edu/lsv-cgi-bin/wa?A0=NABOKV-L&X=58B9943B29972AFF64&Y=nabokv-l%40utk.edu>
>
> ****All private editorial communications are read by both co-editors.
>
--
Norky
Search archive with Google:
http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&HL=en
Contact the Editors: mailto:nabokv-l@utk.edu,nabokv-l@holycross.edu
Visit Zembla: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/nabokov/zembla.htm
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