CHESS

Norman Tweed Whitaker was an American master who led a colourful life. As a teenager he defeated both Lasker and Capablanca in simuls, enjoyed a plus record against Reshevsky and played on board one ahead of a young Fischer in team matches. However, his main source of income was that of a confidence trickster. His scams included receiving money for the return of aviator Charles Lindberg’s baby as well as extracting payment from Woolworth’s heiress Barbara Hutton. He served time for car theft and sending narcotics through the post. His long and varied chess career coupled with his unsuccessful criminal career make for a compelling read in the book ‘Shady Side: The Life and Crimes of Norman Tweed Whitaker’, Chess Master, by John S Hilbert.

An indication of his ability can be seen in his victory over Jackson Showalter. Known as the Kentucky Lion, Showalter was one America’s strongest players notably defeating David Janowsky in three matches.

Showalter, Jackson Whipps – Whitaker, Norman [D53]. Georgetown (3), 1916

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 Ne4 7.Nxe4 dxe4 8.Bxe7 Qxe7 9.Nd2 f5 10.c5 0–0 11.Bc4 Kh8 12.0–0 e5 13.Qe2 Nf6 14.f3 Bd7 15.b4 Rae8 16.d5 b6 17.Nb3 exf3 18.gxf3 b5 19.d6 cxd6 20.Bxb5 Bxb5 21.Qxb5 Nd5 22.cxd6 Qg5+ 23.Kh1 Nxe3 24.Rg1 Qh5 25.Qe2 f4 26.Nc5 e4 27.d7 Re7 28.Nxe4? Rxe4 29.Rac1 Rd4 30.Rc7 Rd8 31.Rgc1 Qd5 32.Rxa7 Rd2 0–1 ‘Norman would establish residence in a small town and open a bank account. Next, he became active in civic and church affairs. Later, after he built up an impeccable credit rating, he would buy a car at the local Cadillac agency on a Friday after the banks closed. He would pay by cheque, and the next day he would drive to a nearby town and offer to sell the car for cash. Invariably, the used car dealer would alert the Caddy dealer, who would hot-foot it to the town with the sheriff in tow. When the smoke cleared, along with the cheque on the Monday, Whitaker would be sitting pretty with a fine case of false arrest. Most dealers paid big bucks to keep the news out of the press.’ (Arnold Denker)

A game from the 2001 Cuban championship ends with a finale called ‘Stamma’ mate’ after Philip Stamma, a chessplayer from the 1700s.

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