Game between Jack Johnson and Joe Charles

[Mac Banks]

The following game was played in the 1983 mail world challenge round
between Jack Johnson (red) ,Ottawa, Canada, and Joe Charles (White),
Wales. Mr. Johnson won this challenge round by defeating all four
opponents: Henderson Marshall of Bermuda, 4-0-4; Ed King of the
U. S. (Texas), 1-0-7; Joe Charles of Wales, 2-0-6; and Arnold Fitzpatrick
of Ireland, 1-0-7. This gave Jack the right to challenge the world
mail play champion, Richard Chamberlain of Australia. But Mr.
Chamberlain, in poor health, resigned and Mr. Johnson took over the
champion's mantle.

1116 2117 1620(A) 1713 9-14(B) 2218 8-11 18-9 5-14 2622 (C) 4-8
2218 1417 2521 1116 (AA) 2114 1017 1814 (BB) 8-11 2419 1721 (D) 2925 1-5
2318 1623 14-9 5-14 18-9 7-10 2718 1014 3127 (E) 1423 2718 1216
2522 1619 9-5 1923 5-1 6-10 13-9 10-15 1-6 1519 6-10 1116 2217
2326 etc. Drawn

(A) Mr. Charles' choice of opening, with Note C in view.
(B) Charles was no doubt pleased to see this, but evidently
the cook was no surprise to the Canadian expert. Here
8-11, 2218 is the alternative defense, as in the 1981
Long-Tinsley world title match.
(C) Marion Tinsley's unusual idea, holding back the piece on
25 to press later. He first used this in practice with
Don Lafferty, who then used it with success in the 1978
National.
(D) As a rule, this is not a desirable square to occupy, but
here it works well as a waiting move. This improves 7-10
(Lafferty-Tinsley) or 1-5 first (Lowder-Hallet in
Midwest Checkers), although a draw was missed by Lowder.
(E) Nothing better, and works out to a well-played draw, and
an original ending. Notes A thru E are by Mr. Richard
Fortman

(AA) When I reviewed this play in 1984 I realized that Richard
Fortman, Jack Johnson and Joe Charles had no idea that
this 1116 move lost for red. It is unfortunate that Joe
got Mr. Johnson into the loss and cook of note C. but
could not take advantage of it. I have been saving this
play for 25 years but am releasing it now because 9-14
move of note B is not forced and I don't want this pretty
play to be lost when I pass.

(BB) 31-26 instead of 1814 is the move that Joe Charles overlooked.

After 31-26, here is the pretty win by white: Continue: 2117
2925 7-10 2319!! 1623 2619 1014 18-9 1-5 2522 5-14 2217 14-18
1714 6-10 14-7 2-11 13-9 1116 1915 1822 9-6 2225 6-2 2529
2-6 2925 6-10 2522(CC) 2723! 2027 2319 1623 1511 8-15 10-19-26-17
2731 3227 3124 2819 3-7 1722 7-11 2218 1116 1823 1620 2327
White Wins.

(CC) Red could have kept out of the shot but the position was
hopeless so I thought I would end the game this way as it
was more exciting.

[liam stephens]

Great play Mac. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Regards - Liam.