King Under Firestorm

If you’re ever in New York, you should visit the Marshall Chess Club - one of the oldest and most iconic chess clubs in the US and the world. It’s in Manhattan and has been running since 1915. A true chess arena where grandmasters, strong local players, and guests from around the world come to play. The club is named after its first leader, the legendary Frank Marshall.

So, let me show you one of Marshall’s most spectacular ideas. He was playing Black against Levitsky in a game from 1912 — and the finish is unforgettable.

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There’s a lot of tension on the board — the queen is hanging, and the rook is under attack.

It’s Black to move. What’s the fastest way for them to win?

1... Qg3!! and White resigned.

If White plays 2. Qxg3, then Ne2 3. Kh1 Nxg3+ 4. Kg1 Ne2+ 5. Kh1 Rc3, and Black is up a piece.

After 2. fxg3, then Ne2+ 3. Kh1 Rxf1# — checkmate.

After 2. hxg3, then Ne2# — checkmate.

That game is called The Gold Coins Game. According to the legend, the move Qg3 caused a shower of gold coins. Marshall claimed that "the spectators threw gold pieces onto [his] board after [his] brilliant win over Levitsky.”

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In sharp positions, focus especially on checks, captures, and threats — those are the best candidate moves.

Qg3 was probably not Marshall’s first idea. Remember what Emanuel Lasker said: “When you see a good move, look for a better one.”