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Barcelona, the 20th of February, 1920. Chess aficionados are eagerly waiting for the arrival of Jose Raul Capablanca. The Cuban genius is at the height of his powers, winning tournament after tournament (not before long he wins the world championship title from Dr. Emanuel Lasker).
He is here in Barcelona for a simultaneous exhibition. When he walks into the hall there is a thunderous applause. After a formal welcome the simultaneous exhibition is on.
Photo: Cleveland Public Library
Capa moves with confident, rapid strides. Soon lightning strikes board after board, most opponents giving up the ghost. Capa signs a couple of peace treaties and here and returns to one board where he should be winning. However, a surprise awaits him.
A far from perfect game. But then both players have to take their chances in a simultaneous display. In this case first Capa was winning. Then he tried to play safe and his opponent took full advantage of the chances presented to him.
A year later. Barcelona has another distinguished visitor: Alexander Alekhine. The Russian genius is on a tour of Spain and has swept the opposition in every simultaneous display. As it turns out, the Barcelona Exhibition is no exception. However, he meets his match in our friend you have just met, Valentin Marin y Llovet.
A game of fluctuating fortunes! Valentin Marin y Llovet had done it again. He had beaten two chess legends who went on to become world champions.
In 1928 Valentin Marin y Llovet [photo from Euy López Magazine, courtesy of Miquel Artigas and Isart] was asked to write a biography on his chess activities. This is what he wrote:
"My biographical information will not interest readers. I was born in Barcelona on January 17, 1872, I studied law at the University of Barcelona and began the career of a notary at the age of 26, going on practice for 30 years, 28 in Barcelona.
I started playing chess at 13. At first I only was only interested in the game, but Messrs. Josep Tolosa i Carreras and Joan Carbó i Batlle introduced me to chess problems and their composition.
Later José Paluzíe, made me aware of the principles of the German classical school summarized in the work of Johann Berger and I joined them as a composer with great enthusiasm.
As a composer of problems I have taken part in many contests and tournaments, most of them international, with good success. In spite of my relatively low output as a composer I won many awards, among them thirty first prizes, most of them in important international tournaments…."
It would not be out of place to point out here that it was José Paluzíe who had a decisive influence on Valentin Marin’s chess thought and creativity. He was impressed by the talent of the young man and encouraged him in every possible way. In 1913, his publishing house released a collection of Valentin Marin’s problems under an impressive title, Un artista en ajedrez (An artist in chess).
By the end of his life Valentin Marin had more than 250 problems to his credit. He also represented Spain in Chess Olympiads and here he was less successful. He was a gifted amateur, though and there are as many as 91 of his games in MegaBase. In his later years he was nominated President of the Spanish Chess Federation (FEDA), a post that he served with distinction. This great composer passed away on December 7th, 1936. His ticket to immortality is his work.
I present three of his problems here. The challenge for readers is to find the solution in each case. But how do you do that? Listen to the pieces. Feel their deepest thoughts, feelings and desires. Then see what you can do for them over the board.
In the first position both white rooks dream of discovered check and mate. Divining their thoughts, the black queen says, “Try that, and we shall send you up there,” pointing her finger to the sky. “What a bully she is! Meanwhile, our own queen does nothing for us. Is that fair?” asks a white rook.
Did you find the answer? Ask the rooks if they are happy now.
The next looks “crazy.” As many as three white pieces have surrounded the black king and still can’t deliver mate. Meanwhile, the pawn on d2 is distraught. “I thought I would be at the enemy gates. Instead, I am being strangled in my own backyard.” The knight by his side cheers him up, “My young friend, you and I are destined for higher things. Whether we live or die, glory is ours!” Really? What does he mean by that?
How was that? Did the knight or pawn live to tell the tale?
Now we come to the last position. Both white rooks are attacked. The rook on c3 is indignant. “That bishop is asking me to offer my last prayers. Why should I? I am young I want to live and fight.” The rook on e5 is philosophical. “My time may have come. Not yours,” and then enigmatically adds, “Be ready for the mission.”
Did you find the mission? It was a top secret arranged at the highest level!
At last, we have come to the end of our journey. But where are the solutions? You know that you can move the pieces on the diagrams above and look for them yourself. If you post your answer in the feedback section below, please mention which one you are attempting, the two-mover (#2), the three-mover (#3) or the four-mover (#4).
The full annotated solutions will be added to this article here in a few days.
Acknowledgement: I owe a special debt to the Spanish chess blog Ajedrez 365, which offers a wealth of information on Valentin Marin y Llovet.
