ICC :

The Webmaster still has not forgotten missing a winning chance as a schoolboy against Bob Wade in a simul (in the early 1960s) and has subsequently come off worse in three "lessons" from the master in one-to-one games over the years. The WM is therefore green with envy at the accomplishment of Kevin in securing a draw against Bob Wade in one-to-one play. Kevin even had an opportunity to gain the full point - see his notes below. Here's a thought: Kevin has now shaken the hand that once shook the hand of Bobby Fischer. Sit back and enjoy the game and Kevin's account of his great moment.

KS Parrott (Grade 109) - RG Wade (IM, grade 182)
Banks Swiss (2)
Asphalia v Athenaeum 'A', 18th October 2005

Click the JavaPlay button to open the on-screen game viewer. Kevin's notes on this page have not been reproduced in the game viewer. You might wish to print this page in order to read his notes while you play the moves on screen.

First, I had better explain Asphalia's presence in the Banks Swiss. After leaving the ICC after the 1996/97 season, Asphalia joined the London Commercial Chess League. We spent eight enjoyable years in that league. We were in Division 2 - a 6-board competition. The painful decision to leave was prompted by players either retiring or leaving. We couldn't raise six boards. I approached the Banks Swiss in the form of John Skipworth (having first sounded Mike Jones out). We have been accepted fully and are enjoying the experience.

Like anyone with more than a passing interest in chess in this country, I was aware of the name, Bob Wade. We were in different sections of the Athenaeum Summer Tournament in August and September. On one occasion, I chatted with him at length as we waited for the key-holder for the Athenaeum venue to arrive. Bob told me that he had competed in his native New Zealand and also in the first Australian championships after World War 2. He spoke in a matter of fact manner about his British Championships and the 18-year gap between them (in 1952 and 1970). He has no airs and graces. I enjoyed talking to him - I felt as though I was talking to a piece of history.

In the first round of the Banks Swiss, Asphalia had been drawn against RBS `B' and we had won 3½-½. I had noticed that Athenaeum `A' had won their match 4-0. As the first match pairing had not really been according to general Swiss principles, it was to a mixture of surprise and amusement that we learnt from controller, John Skipworth, that we would play Athenaeum `A' in Round 2. My first thought was `that's a 4-0 loss' and then I twigged that I was playing Bob Wade! I felt privileged.

As often happens when playing a much stronger opponent, I felt completely relaxed. I was determined to put up a good show. I wanted to get out of the opening reasonably level and I also elected that I would play bold moves rather than meek moves if I had a choice. I wanted to die with my boots on!

The thinking was that I had given up the e pawn - but I could win his g pawn. Either that or put a dent in his defences.

On board 2 for Athenaeum was Paul McKeown, Bob Wade's biographer. I'm not joking! After the game, he pointed out that Qh5 at this point would have meant that, when Black's bishop moved, I could pile through the middle with Rxe6+.

"Hang on", I thought. “He has repeated the position. I'm going to check him over there again and offer the draw”.

I still expected the bishop to come over. "Stone me, he has accepted the draw". I could not believe it - I had drawn with Bob Wade!

John Skipworth came over and said, "You realise that you have drawn with an IM". Yes, sir, I did realise. I was in a state of shock. And the feeling is coming back just writing these annotations. In 2002, I drew with Tim Pelling (grade 194) after adjudication - but this was a genuine draw and against a legend. Later research showed that Bob counts 5 previous World champions (Smyslov, Petrosian, Botvinnik, Tal and Fischer) among previous opponents. Indeed, he drew with Bobby Fischer with the Black pieces in the Capablanca event in Havana in 1965. By association, I am in exalted company!