Cheating in Blitz? An Anachronistic Charge
Here's another old video, again with a tip o' the hat to Brian Karen:
Paul Keres playing blitz in 1938. Substantial footage concerning Keres is highlighted here: https://t.co/aFP2gs69gmhttps://t.co/aiQ8cW7XWV
— Olimpiu G. Urcan (@OlimpiuUrcan) May 6, 2016
The young guy on the left is none other than the great Paul Keres, age 22. I'm not sure who is opponent is, but at least as interesting as the historical drama is the way they're conducting the game. Just like practically all newbies to chess clocks - which they surely aren't - they're moving the pieces with one hand and hitting the clock with the other, with the clock hand resting either on or near the button. Nowadays this is against the rules, but apparently it wasn't back then. (Does anyone know when the change went into effect?) The things we take granted about our game!
By the way, the clips available via the link above may also be of interest.
Reader Comments (2)
This year is the year of Paul Keres according to FIDE, as it's his centenary, and there's a new statue of him in his home town.
I see that, apparently, 100,000 people went to his state funeral in Tallinn - has any other chess player had such recognition?
They look rather ridiculous with both of their hands camped on the clock! A good reason for the one-hand rule, among others of course, though I too have no idea when it came about.