Conversation with Sonja Graf
Francesc Armengol i Burguès, La Rambla, February 11, 1936, p. 5
My friend Koltanowski had the good sense to introduce me to Miss Sonja Graf, the German Women’s Champion, who has been in Barcelona for a few days.
I took advantage of the opportunity to ask her for a conversation for La Rambla chess column, which she readily agreed to, and which took place last Tuesday at the Granja Royal, after enjoying a delightful concert given by the Toldrà sextet. Koltanowski, who acted as my interpreter, was a witness to our talk:
— Did you like this tune, Miss Sonja?
— Oh! Charming — she answered me in a strict German and masculine accent, shaking a fist on the table, where there was a small cardboard box, while trying to sing some notes of the zarzuela La del manojo de rosas.
— What is your impression of our country?
— Wonderful. I met always nice people so far. Take note of the names of some of them: Domènech, Cabestany, Calduc, Cardona...
— May I be indiscreet in my questions? It is so strange and unusual that foreigners come to visit us...
— I never hesitate. I am at your command.
— What purposes brought you here?
— To personally get to know your chess community, of which I have great references, as well as to introduce myself to all Catalan fans; and, least but not last, to train with Koltanowski, since I will participate in the Margate and Semmering tournaments.
— When will the Margate tournament start?
— On April 15. Pray note that in the Margate tournament it is very likely that Glòria Velat, Sofia Ruiz and Montserrat Puigcercós will participate in the women’s tournament, and Cabestany, Calduch, Cardona, Domènech and Solà in the men’s tournament.
— And the Semmering one?
— On June 16. It’s noteworthy that only women will play the Semmering tournament. One guest per country. I am currently dealing with the admission of a competitor from your country. I assume that the Grand Hotel Panhans, the organiser of this event, has already received my recommendation.
— Are there significant prizes at stake?
— 200, 150, 100 and 75 dollars, respectively, will be awarded for the first four places. An amount for each won game. As mandatory compensation, second-class travel and accommodation will be paid.
— Miss Graf, may I ask you how old you are?
— Let’s talk chess...
— I ask how old you are because a young lady shouldn’t always be talking chess...
— Well... in Ireland they say I’m twenty-one; in England they say I’m twenty-two. So now it’s up to you to make a choice...
— Since we’re talking about years... When did you begin to play chess?
— I’ve been playing it for like five years.
— Do you remember any brilliant performance?
— You may note that last year I took part in the Margate and Yarmouth tournaments. In the first, which involved several competitors and was held in two stages due to the Preliminaries, I finished third in the Final A. And in the second, which involved twelve competitors, I have the honour of defeating Prins and Klein.
— Do you think you are a good simultaneous player?
— I remember I gave five exhibitions in Ireland. In total, 79 games, twenty-seven draws and ten losses.
— Can you tell me if you are planning to get married?
— Let’s talk chess...
— At least, will you tell me where you were born?
— In Munich.
— And who was your first teacher?
— Dr. Tarrasch.
— His influence would have an effect on some competition...
— It may be noted that in the Vienna tournament of 1933, which was held in a double round-robin format, seven women participated and I took first place.
— In which section did you compete in the Hastings tournaments of 1934/35 and 1935/36?
— In the Major A, Section 1, and Premier Reserves B respectively.
— Would you like a cigarette?
— With pleasure.
— Which technique do you prefer, that of Euwe or Alekhine?
— That of the former World Champion.
— Your favourite player?
— Spielmann.
— Do you think it is good for women to play chess?
— Of course, since I am adept at it... But should be noted that, in general, women are not predisposed to it.
— Would you mind if I say that you remind me of Lilienthal? Your cropped hair, your bearing...
— If you think so, okay; I have no objection to it.
— Can you provide me with a photograph for the sake of the readers of La Rambla?
— Here it is, along with a game that I really like.
Francesc Armengol i Burguès, La Rambla, February 11, 1936, p. 5
I took advantage of the opportunity to ask her for a conversation for La Rambla chess column, which she readily agreed to, and which took place last Tuesday at the Granja Royal, after enjoying a delightful concert given by the Toldrà sextet. Koltanowski, who acted as my interpreter, was a witness to our talk:
— Did you like this tune, Miss Sonja?
— Oh! Charming — she answered me in a strict German and masculine accent, shaking a fist on the table, where there was a small cardboard box, while trying to sing some notes of the zarzuela La del manojo de rosas.
— What is your impression of our country?
— Wonderful. I met always nice people so far. Take note of the names of some of them: Domènech, Cabestany, Calduc, Cardona...
— May I be indiscreet in my questions? It is so strange and unusual that foreigners come to visit us...
— I never hesitate. I am at your command.
— What purposes brought you here?
— To personally get to know your chess community, of which I have great references, as well as to introduce myself to all Catalan fans; and, least but not last, to train with Koltanowski, since I will participate in the Margate and Semmering tournaments.
— When will the Margate tournament start?
— On April 15. Pray note that in the Margate tournament it is very likely that Glòria Velat, Sofia Ruiz and Montserrat Puigcercós will participate in the women’s tournament, and Cabestany, Calduch, Cardona, Domènech and Solà in the men’s tournament.
— And the Semmering one?
— On June 16. It’s noteworthy that only women will play the Semmering tournament. One guest per country. I am currently dealing with the admission of a competitor from your country. I assume that the Grand Hotel Panhans, the organiser of this event, has already received my recommendation.
— Are there significant prizes at stake?
— 200, 150, 100 and 75 dollars, respectively, will be awarded for the first four places. An amount for each won game. As mandatory compensation, second-class travel and accommodation will be paid.
— Miss Graf, may I ask you how old you are?
— Let’s talk chess...
— I ask how old you are because a young lady shouldn’t always be talking chess...
— Well... in Ireland they say I’m twenty-one; in England they say I’m twenty-two. So now it’s up to you to make a choice...
— Since we’re talking about years... When did you begin to play chess?
— I’ve been playing it for like five years.
— Do you remember any brilliant performance?
— You may note that last year I took part in the Margate and Yarmouth tournaments. In the first, which involved several competitors and was held in two stages due to the Preliminaries, I finished third in the Final A. And in the second, which involved twelve competitors, I have the honour of defeating Prins and Klein.
— Do you think you are a good simultaneous player?
— I remember I gave five exhibitions in Ireland. In total, 79 games, twenty-seven draws and ten losses.
— Can you tell me if you are planning to get married?
— Let’s talk chess...
— At least, will you tell me where you were born?
— In Munich.
— And who was your first teacher?
— Dr. Tarrasch.
— His influence would have an effect on some competition...
— It may be noted that in the Vienna tournament of 1933, which was held in a double round-robin format, seven women participated and I took first place.
— In which section did you compete in the Hastings tournaments of 1934/35 and 1935/36?
— In the Major A, Section 1, and Premier Reserves B respectively.
— Would you like a cigarette?
— With pleasure.
— Which technique do you prefer, that of Euwe or Alekhine?
— That of the former World Champion.
— Your favourite player?
— Spielmann.
— Do you think it is good for women to play chess?
— Of course, since I am adept at it... But should be noted that, in general, women are not predisposed to it.
— Would you mind if I say that you remind me of Lilienthal? Your cropped hair, your bearing...
— If you think so, okay; I have no objection to it.
— Can you provide me with a photograph for the sake of the readers of La Rambla?
— Here it is, along with a game that I really like.
Anton Kohler – Sonja Graf
Munich City Championship 1933/34; Munich, February 14, 1934
Spanish Game C77
Munich City Championship 1933/34; Munich, February 14, 1934
Spanish Game C77
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Qe2 Bc5 6. d3 d6 7. h3 Be6 8.
Nc3 h6 9. Be3(a) b5 10. Bb3 Nd4 11. Bxd4 exd4 12. Nd1(b) 0-0 13. c3 dxc3 14. bxc3(c) Re8 15. Nd2 b4! 16. Bxe6(d) Rxe6 17. Nb3 bxc3 18. Nxc5(e) dxc5(f) 19. Ne3(g) Rb8 20. Qc2
Qd4 21. Rc1(h) Nd5!!(i) 22. Nxd5 Rb2! 23. 0-0 Rxc2 and wins. 0–1.
NOTES
(a) Castling was not good because of ... g7-g5.
(b) 12. Nd5 c6 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 looked good.
(c) It is obvious that White is hoping to get to d3-d4 right away, but has not taken the e-file into account. Sonja Graf is here in her element!
(d) If 16. d4 there naturally follows 16. ... bxc3!.
(e) 18. Nxc3 Bb4 19. Rcl d5! deserved consideration [Translator’s note: Armengol overlooked 19. ... Nd5! which would win on the spot].
(f) Dangerous tripled Pawns!
(g) If 19. Nxc3 there follows 19. ... Qd4 20. Rc1 c4!.
(h) At first glance White regains the Pawn with a good game. But Miss Graf wins the game with a splendid combination.
(i) The decisive move, which wins the Queen and the game. What if now 22. exd5? Here comes the pointe of the combination, since after 22. exd5 Rxe3+! 23. fxe3 Qxe3+ 24. Kd1 Rb2! 25. Re1! apparently it is White who will win and not Black. But there follows 25. ... Qd2+!! 26. Qxd2 Rxd2#!! — a treacherous blow which tears through the darkness.
NOTES
(a) Castling was not good because of ... g7-g5.
(b) 12. Nd5 c6 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 looked good.
(c) It is obvious that White is hoping to get to d3-d4 right away, but has not taken the e-file into account. Sonja Graf is here in her element!
(d) If 16. d4 there naturally follows 16. ... bxc3!.
(e) 18. Nxc3 Bb4 19. Rcl d5! deserved consideration [Translator’s note: Armengol overlooked 19. ... Nd5! which would win on the spot].
(f) Dangerous tripled Pawns!
(g) If 19. Nxc3 there follows 19. ... Qd4 20. Rc1 c4!.
(h) At first glance White regains the Pawn with a good game. But Miss Graf wins the game with a splendid combination.
(i) The decisive move, which wins the Queen and the game. What if now 22. exd5? Here comes the pointe of the combination, since after 22. exd5 Rxe3+! 23. fxe3 Qxe3+ 24. Kd1 Rb2! 25. Re1! apparently it is White who will win and not Black. But there follows 25. ... Qd2+!! 26. Qxd2 Rxd2#!! — a treacherous blow which tears through the darkness.
(English translation by I, Robot)
