
A Trap for a Grandmaster
(From the book "Chess Traps, Pitfalls and Swindles" by Al Horowitz)
"At the Manhattan Chess Club, Al Horowitz often played with an arch-duffer known as a "Professional Rook-odds player." Always receiving odds of a Rook, Mr. P.R.O.P. was willing to play for any stake his opponent might name. His main ambition in life was to improve his chess to the point where the Masters would ignore his arrival at the club.
That happy day never came. In fact, whenever Mr. P.R.O.P. entered the club rooms, the pros vied with each other to be the first to get him. Some even went so far as to greet him before he came into the club.
One day Mr. P.R.O.P. walked in; and immediately singled out Horowitz.
"I have a proposition for you," he said. "I'd like to play at the usual odds for a stake of ten dollars." Nothing new in this; but then Mr. P.R.O.P. went on:
"During the course of the game, at any time I don't like your move, I'll suggest a different one. Every time you take back your move and play the move I suggest, I give you a dollar. On the other hand, if you refuse my suggestion, it cost you nothing."
After a moment's tought, Horowitz agreed. What could he lose? The game proceeded:
PLease read carefully the game notations for the continuation of the story.
(While creating this blog, I removed White's Queenside Rook. For some reason, the Rook did not go away. Just imagine that Rook is not there)