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Chessville
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The Man in the Red Beret Jude Acers visits Birmingham, Alabama May 30, 2004 By Michael Ciamarra
“He is the
greatest!” exclaimed one of Alabama’s star scholastic chess players Jeffrey
Byrd. Jeffrey had presented to Jude a copy of
The Italian Gambit;
A Guiding Repertoire for White 1.e4
by Jude Acers and George Laven
(Review)
for his autograph and mentioned to Jude in
passing that Alekhine was his favorite player. Jude, chess’ goodwill
ambassador to the world, rattled off a half dozen-web sites where Alekhine
games could be found and books where the world champion’s best games are
annotated. This episode is so typical of Jude Acers unremitting passion in promoting chess to all ages. He is exuberant in sharing his wealth of chess erudition and in his own words chess stories “built by standing on the shoulders of chess giants of the past,” winning fans across the country. “He owned Books & Company for the afternoon,” said Jeri Beck the bookstore events coordinator. “We have authors come through all the time, big names, but none have ever been so captivating as Jude. Even passerby’s just stopped to hear his presentation. It was great!”
Many of
Alabama’s promising scholastic chess players came out on May 30 to hear and
meet Jude. Needless to say, Jude did not disappoint. Kyle Julian,
another one of Alabama’s scholastic chess stars, was transfixed by Jude’s
practical tips on improving your chess play. “I will go through every
page of Jude’s book. Every chapter is a chess lesson. This is an
awesome book - a complete opening system against whatever Black plays
against 1.e4” Jude smiled as he signed Kyle’s book and Jude’s electrifying lecture and thoughtful practical tips on how to improve as a chessplayer is based on nearly a half-century experience as a professional chess master and chess teacher. Every chess player from beginner to seasoned master can learn from Jude’s select chess tips and useful recommendations. Jude Acers
is no stranger to Birmingham. Competing in several weekend tournaments
here in the early 1960s, he played, by all accounts brilliant chess.
“I traveled here by Greyhound back then,” Jude remembered with a smile.
Bob Dillman, who came to have his copy of Italian Gambit autographed and
listen to Jude’s lecture
To celebrate Jude’s May 30th visit to Alabama, Gov. Bob Riley declared May 30 "Chess/Jude Acers Day" in Alabama and also awarded Jude honorary citizenship. Local network media coverage was also extensive.
Jude’s lecture is fascinating: 1) Four tips on improving your chess skills.
2)Two chess books Jude highly recommends to the chess student. 3) How
he and George Laven came to write the Italian Gambit. 4) a chess
lesson. Jude then signed many copies of the Italian Gambit. Jude’s courtesy and devotion to chess was apparent as he talked with everyone that brought their copy of Italian Gambit to him for his signature. “I gave my best to this book. As the book travels around the world - I have the satisfaction of knowing it will sell long after I am gone.” He is a professional and gentleman in every sense of the word. Well, you
ask, what are those chess tips and Jude’s recommended must read chess books?
Do not lose any time – check Jude’s schedule on
his tour web site and go hear him for yourself. If Jude isn’t
scheduled to do a
book signing and lecture in your area –
check with his dynamite management team of Russell Miller and Lynn Irby.
Jude ended his lecture with a chess position. First, he explained carefully why chess players must learn to play classical defenses as part of their chess training. “My best games against grandmasters as Black began 1.e4 e5 and 1.d4 d5,” he said. Jude then concluded with “One of the greatest moves I ever saw,” he announced. “Although the move wasn’t actually played in the game,” he said. Are you up to the challenge? Torre – Ed. Lasker,
Chicago 1926 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 dxc4 Reuben Fine was right that this equalizes. My secret weapon for years. 3. Na3 e5 While it is true that Black is giving up a center pawn and a Bishop for a Knight and a pawn on the wing, he obtains a more rapid development and attacking chances on the Q-side. 4.Nxe5 4.Nxc4 e4 gaining ground. 4...Bxa3 5.Qa4+ Of course not bxa3 then Qd4 spears White. 5...b5! No good is 5…c6 6.Qxa3 Be6 7. Qc3 b5 8.b3 with an edge, Tartakover. 6. Qxa3 6. Qxb5 doesn’t work because of 6…c6 7.Nxc6 Nxc6 8. Qxc6 Bd7 9. Qe4 Be7! with not enough compensation and Black will win. 6…Bb7 Necessary because White threatened Qf3, - Ed. Lasker. 7.b3?! 7.e3 would be better, without undue haste White prepares to undermine the chain of advanced enemy pawns, - Tartakover in commentary on Tartakover – Spielmann, Moscow 1925. 7…Qd6 8.Bb2
Now the critical position. Black to play and win. “Chess Apache Frank Marshall found the winning move nearly three years later in private analysis. What did both players overlook that Marshall found in his chess study at home?” asked Jude. After Jude had signed numerous copies of The Italian Gambit, with professional poise and a tight schedule, he left Alabama to return again next year. Jude Acers is simply the greatest – his fans in Alabama will tell you nothing less! He is unique and there isn’t anyone that even comes close to his skills with the public in promoting our venerable game. What goes around comes around. Answer: 8…c3! References: Chess
Masterpieces, by Frank Marshall; Chess For Fun and & Chess For Blood, by
Edward Lasker; My Best Games 1905-1930, by S.G. Tartakover Other Jude Acers pages at Chessville
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remembers
those days. “I played Jude in 1962 tournaments, I think. Even
then he was an unforgettable character. One of our games, I remember,
was a tactical mess. However, Jude calculated like a machine.
What a blast from the past to see him here today.” A fan for life – what
goes around comes around.
