The Unknown Derek Oldbury

COLUMN NUMBER 57

Problem Number 57: By J.W.Dawson

White to move and draw

Solution To Problem Number 56: ... 27-23; 17-21 25-22; 21-25 23-26; 25-30 22-17; 14-21 26-22; 15-19 6-10. Drawn.

Game Number 57. 'Double Corner' Opening

This game was played in the Yorkshire v Gloucestershire correspondence match a few years ago, between E. C. Whiting (Rotherham) Black and D. Oldbury (then of Bristol) White.

Move: 9-14 22-18; 10-15 (though this move would not usually be played under two move restriction, it is no stranger to Oldbury, who has played it with success) 18-9; 5-14 25-22 (26-22 is also a strong attack); 7-10 22-17 (Oldbury played 24-20 at this stage against J. Marshall in their recent match, with a drawn result); 11-16 24-20 (forcing Black's next move as 3-7 20-11; 7-16 in reply would leave a line Black must avoid); 8-11 27-24; 3-7 24-19; 15-24 28-19; 14-18 23-14; 16-23 26-19 (Black goes a piece down, but it is necessary to secure the draw); 11-15 32-28; 15-24 28-19; 4-8 31-26; 8-11 17-13; 10-17 21-14; 1-5 Forms Diagram: White to move

Continue: ... 13-9 (returning the piece, and varies from published play, forcing Black to play with care); 6-13 29-25; 13-17 25-22; 17-21 26-23; 11-16 20-11; 7-16 19-15; 16-20 23-18; 20-24 15-11; 24-27 11-8; 27-31 8-3; 12-16 3-8; 16-19 8-11; 19-23 22-17; 31-26 17-13; 26-22 11-15; 23-27 14-10; 27-32 10-6; 2-9 13-6. Drawn.