The Favorite Game of Frederick Yates

Frederick Yates (1884-1932) was the British Chess Champion six times. Sandor Takacs (1893-1932) was a Hungarian master. These two players met twice in Kecskemet 1927. That tournament began with two sections, A and B, each with ten players. They were both in the A section. Takacs won their game. The top four scorers in these sections played in the S1 section, which was won by Nimzowitsch, a point ahead of Alekhine. The S2 section included the players from the A and B groups who came in places 5 through 8. As a result Yates and Takacs played again with Yates winning. That game follows. Yates and Tartakower, who defeated Yates, scored 5 points out of 7 taking 1st place. Takacs came in 5th with 3.5 Yates called this game his best. Takacs could have played better, but that in no way diminishes the play of Yates. Both players were engaged in a struggle which often rewards ambition more than caution.