Leonard Barden turns 90

Happy birthday to Leonard Barden, who turns 90 years old today. While remembered mainly for his longevity as a chess columnist, he was one of England's top players in the 1950's and 60's, playing in 4 Olympiads. Significantly he has a 'Morphy Number' of 3, having played Jacques Mieses in 1948, with Mieses playing Henry Bird in 1899, and Bird playing Morphy in the 1858.
The following game was played early in Barden's career, and was considered by himself as one of his favourites. It also contributed to the theory of the Two Knights Defence, with 10.Qe4 now considered the refutation of 5. ... Nxd5 line.


Barden,Leonhard William - Adams,Weaver Warren [C57]
Hastings 5051 Hastings (3), 1950

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. d4 Bb4+ 7. c3 Be7 8. Nxf7 Kxf7 9. Qf3+ Ke6 10. Qe4 Bf8 11. O-O Nce7 12. f4 c6 13. fxe5 Kd7 14. Be2 Ke8 15. c4 Nc7 16. Nc3 Be6 17. Bg5 Qd7 18. Rad1 Rc8 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. d5 Qc5+ 21. Kh1 cxd5 22. cxd5 Bd7 23. e6 Bb5 24. Qf4 Kd8 25. Bxb5 Nxb5 26. Nxb5 Qxb5 27. d6 1-0