"The following brilliant game was played on board 2. Notes by the winner. … Mr. Mears is Champion of Torquay Club." — Western Daily Mercury
[The match was lost by Exeter 21/2-31/2 — DR]
French Defence, Exchange Variation
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bd3 Bd6 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3
This is not a good place for the Knight, which should be developed via d2; 7. c3 is best.
7... c6 8. Ne2 Bg4 9. Ng3 Qc7 10. c3 Nbd7 11. h3 Be6 12. Ne2
The Knight has to go back again, losing a move.
12... Rae8 13. Qc2 h6 14. Be3 Ne4 15. Nd2 f5 16. f4 Ndf6 17. Nf3 Nh5 18. Ne5 Rf6 19. Rf3 Ref8 20. Re1 g6 21. Bf2
21... g5! 22. Qc1 g4 23. Re3 Bxe5 24. dxe5 Rg6 25. Bh4 Qg7 26. Bxe4 fxe4 27. g3 gxh3 28. Kh2
28... Nxf4! 29. Nxf4
[29. gxf4 Rg2+]
29... Rxf4 30. gxf4
[30. Bf6 is best, but that, too, loses as follows 30... Rf2+ 31. Kg1
[But 31. Kh1! Rxg3? 32. Bxg7 Rgg2 33. Rg3 saves — DR]
31... Rxg3+ 32. Kxf2 Rg2+ 33. Kf1 Rf2+ 34. Kxf2 Qg2#
a problem-like ending]
30... Rg2+ 31. Kh1 Rh2+ 32. Kxh2 Qg2#
[Notes by G. Bailey-Toms from Western Daily Mercury, 16th May 1904]