Williamson Shield 1926: A New Champion
The 1926 Williamson Shield commenced in mid-February, with three of the players - the champion Allen, Orr and McMahon having played the previous year. After two rounds Allen and McMahon had each won against Orr and the only newcomer to the competition, Watson. Their third round encounter therefore assumed particular importance. Despite having the White pieces, Allen played rather timidly, content to allow exchanges. Each player inflicted doubled isolated pawns on the other, but Allen's pawns were more vulnerable to attack and he lost first one and then two Queenside pawns, thereby handing a rather bloodless victory to his opponent.
W .J. Allen - P. J. McMahon: Williamson Shield Belfast 1926
[Notes by Allen in the Belfast News-Letter 8th April 1926]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 4.d4 Bd7 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.0-0 Be7 7.Re1
7...exd4
20...b6 21.Rb4 Ra5 22.Rb2 Ra3 23.c4 Rc3 24.Ke2 Rxc4 25.Kd3 b5 26.c3 f5 27.Rb4 Rc6 28.c4
The final mistake. Black gets another pawn with an easy win. White's play in this game has not much to commend it, and Black took full advantage of the opportunities.
28...Rd6+ 29.Kc3 c5 30.Rb1 b4+ 31.Kb3 Rd3+ 32.Kc2 Rc3+ 33.Kd2 Rxc4 34.Rc1 Rxc1 35.Kxc1 c4
0-1
Play through this game in Palview
When Allen lost his next game to Orr this left McMahon with an excellent chance of securing the Championship of Belfast. He then beat both Orr and Watson to win the tournament with a round to spare. However McMahon still had his return game to play against Allen and the champion of the previous three years was determined to gain his revenge for the loss of his title. However McMahon was content to do no more than play for a draw and after 3 hour's play and 51 moves Allen gave up the struggle in a dead drawn endgame.
|
WILLIAMSON SHIELD 1926 FINAL CROSSTABLE |
|||||
|
|
PJM |
WJA |
AO |
JW |
TOTAL |
|
P. J. McMAHON |
XX |
1= |
11 |
11 |
5.5 |
|
W. J. ALLEN |
0= |
XX |
10 |
11 |
3.5 |
|
A. ORR |
00 |
01 |
XX |
0= |
1.5 |
|
J. WATSON |
00 |
00 |
1= |
XX |
1.5 |