Interesting quote about Alfred Jordan by D.G. McKelvie

A forum dedicated to odd facts and trivia about our favorite game.
Post Reply
User avatar
DrCaesar
Posts: 59
Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2018 10:46 am
What do you like about checkers?: I love how it combines simplicity with profundity.

Interesting quote about Alfred Jordan by D.G. McKelvie

Post by DrCaesar »

From the Draughts Review, just after Jordan's death in 1926:

"Jordan was not a player of exceptionally swift perception in an unknown position, nor was he a deep and sure analyst, but he spent, utilized, or wasted--just as you view it--more time on the game than any man I have ever known. He had vast stores of knowledge, and his motto was 'play for safety.' He was not inaptly termed the 'Drawing Master.'"

I think there are a lot of objectionable and condescending aspects to McKelvie's assertions here.
Austin Kaiser, Ph.D., M.S.W.
Checkers and draughts enthusiast
George Hay
Posts: 1026
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 7:41 am
What do you like about checkers?: Checkers is a game of pure logic.
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

Re: Interesting quote about Alfred Jordan by D.G. McKelvie

Post by George Hay »

Alfred Jordan was a great draughts promoter, and was world champion from 1912-1917 according to the WCDF and ACF. Edward Winter in his Chess Notes has 10756. Emanuel Lasker and draughts/checkers, where Alfred Jordan plays Emanuel Lasker checkers. Scrolling down from the link should get to the game, Chess Note (C.N.) 10756.

https://www.chesshistory.com/winter/winter164.html

This is a single corner opening where"Herr Lasker" has the white pieces and avoids the "Goose Walk" trap in the opening. Alfred Jordan ultimately wins, with notes A and B explaining where the game went wrong for Lasker.

--George Hay
User avatar
DrCaesar
Posts: 59
Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2018 10:46 am
What do you like about checkers?: I love how it combines simplicity with profundity.

Re: Interesting quote about Alfred Jordan by D.G. McKelvie

Post by DrCaesar »

George Hay wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 7:37 pm Alfred Jordan was a great draughts promoter, and was world champion from 1912-1917 according to the WCDF and ACF. Edward Winter in his Chess Notes has 10756. Emanuel Lasker and draughts/checkers, where Alfred Jordan plays Emanuel Lasker checkers. Scrolling down from the link should get to the game, Chess Note (C.N.) 10756.

https://www.chesshistory.com/winter/winter164.html

This is a single corner opening where"Herr Lasker" has the white pieces and avoids the "Goose Walk" trap in the opening. Alfred Jordan ultimately wins, with notes A and B explaining where the game went wrong for Lasker.

--George Hay
Thanks for sharing that game, George. I wonder if Lasker ever won in draughts against Alf. I also wonder if they ever played chess, given Alf's interest in the game.
Austin Kaiser, Ph.D., M.S.W.
Checkers and draughts enthusiast
User avatar
DrCaesar
Posts: 59
Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2018 10:46 am
What do you like about checkers?: I love how it combines simplicity with profundity.

Re: Interesting quote about Alfred Jordan by D.G. McKelvie

Post by DrCaesar »

Reading more of McKelvie's articles in the Draughts Review, I think his comment on Artful Alf was less malicious than it appeared at first. Still, no player could have compiled Alf's record in tournament and match play against literally all the greatest draughts players on both sides of the Atlantic without having powerful crossboard and analytical skills.

Monomaniacal book learning alone would not have taken Alf as far as he went.
Austin Kaiser, Ph.D., M.S.W.
Checkers and draughts enthusiast
Post Reply