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Following on from Nic Tall’s ‘Nehemiah!’ column, the game that he introduces is a very short one which does not suggest various moves by Grandmasters (or ‘Book Keepers’ as they are known). One of the classics in Sydney in 1989, with one of the participants being the legendary Matt Jarvis. Jarvis had not had a good season, being eliminated in major championships around the world. In contrast his opponent, still in his teens, was doing rather well in the championships at senior level. Thus, organisers issued a head-to-head for the Master Book Keeper (held by Jarvis). I tuned into the world service after Radio 4 closed down at 1 o’clock on November 27th 1989, to hear this match, pitting the young genius against the possibly failing genius, with the youngster pressing to be the youngest Master Book Keeper (held, ironically, by Jarvis, being 33 when he won the honour in 1977).
Let me, without further ado, present to you, with notes, the match.
1989, Sydney Convention.
M.R.Jarvis vs. N.D.Tall
to be the Master Book Keeper
Jarvis to serve. (Tall won the toss, and decided to swap round the table):
(Jarvis - Tall)
1) Luke - 2 Timothy
2) Colossians - Hosea
3) Micah - Job
4) Lamentations -
Familiar? — Of course! It’s the Francis opening,
made popular by Jonty Francis in 1964 — this is usually
followed by “Numbers”. However, Tall tries the
following:
4) - 2 Samuel
This sets Jarvis thinking — the first moves have taken 3
minutes only, but Tall’s snappy alternative makes Jarvis
think for 15 minutes before the ‘if in doubt use a minor
prophet’ move is made.
5) Haggai - 1 Kings
6) Amos - Deuteronomy
7) Obadiah - Revelation
8) Jude - Acts
A brilliant move by Tall — Jarvis has been trapped on
the ropes with the minor prophets and as he tries to move off,
Tall restrains him with “Acts” (for
“Acts” to be effective, it must follow a letter and
that letter must not be one of Paul’s)
9) 2 John -
A bit of a measly reply from Jarvis. This should be pressed
with “Proverbs”
9) - Proverbs
And indeed it is!
10) Matthew - Ecclesiastes
11) 1 Chronicles - Joshua
12) Exodus - Ruth
13) Daniel - Habbakuk
14) Joel - Zephaniah
15) James - 3 John
16) Haggai -
Realising that this game is going nowhere, both Jarvis and
Tall ask for a ‘time-out’. As per the International
Nehemiah! Conference of 1985, a time-out can be called at any
time as long as it is agreed by both players. A
‘time-out’ is called, and lasts 65 minutes. Experts
were saying that Tall should have pressed home his advantages,
others that Jarvis needs a slick move if he’s to keep his
title, others still noting that the books of the Apocrypha have
not been used — I’ll tell you now that these books
are not touched in this game.
After the ‘time-out’, Tall offers the following:
16) - Romans
Jarvis’ head slumps to the desk, which amuses the crowd.
He offers the following:
17) Philippians - Genesis
18) Songs of Solomon - 1 Samuel
19) 1 Corinthians -
A slip perhaps? Tall should follow with
“Hebrews”
19) - 1 Peter
Well it’s not a bad move, but it gives Jarvis a
chance.
20) 2 Peter - Titus
21) 1 Thessalonians - Philemon
Tall makes a mistake here — “Leviticus” here
could have won him the game. However this gives Jarvis an
opportunity to close the game.
22) Mark - Nahum
The crowd groan after 3 hours and 27 minutes the first clear
slip is made. Inexperience crept in here —
“Genesis” was the move here. Jarvis is in a
position to win the game. But can he capitalise?
23) Judges -
Brilliant! This move highlights Jarvis’ domination of
Nehemiah! Tall is on the defensive. Many believe now that the
end is in sight for the crafty youngster.
23) - Ephesians
24) 1 Corinthians - Esther
25) 2 Corinthians - 2 Kings
26) 2 Chronicles - 1 John
27) Ezekiel - Malachi
As we can see, Tall is reeling and Jarvis is very much in
command.
28) Galatians - Ezra
29) Isaiah
After 4 hours and 39 minutes, Tall takes the handkerchief out of his tankard, turns the tankard over and throws the handkerchief.
The crowd go wild, and Jarvis heaves a sigh of relief. This has been a tough game, and both players shake hands and are in a friendly, jovial mood, which was lovely to hear about. It would have been a wonderful sight, only pictures are not transmitted by radio.
Tall was gallant in defeat: “Several times I should have pressed on the advantage I had, but when you’re up against a great competitor such as Matt, one slip is fatal. I made it, and Matt, like the champion that he is, used it and won the game. ‘Nehemiah!’ would have been called on his next move. A great win by a very nice man.”
Jarvis had a huge amount of respect for his opponent: “Never in a match have I been with my back to the wall, so often, and so I was grateful for the chance. He is very good for his age, but I think Nic resigned too early. There were, I feel, still a few moves to make on my part. He’ll be hard to beat in the future.”
Igor Kronskiov, 1956 Master Book Keeper, and also from 1958–1965 said: “Both players were courageous in trying the unorthodox moves, particularly Nic Tall. Neither man entered the Apocrypha, which is a wonderfully refreshing change. Both men will be at the top for years to come.”
Note: This is and remains the only resignation since the International Board was set up in 1902.
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Last modified: 25th November 2005