Famous Chess Players: Dr. Max Lange

Mark Weeks talks about Famous Chess Players, that has a list of 112 names and also explains as to why such-and-such a name does or doesn't appear. Dr. Max Lange is one such player whose name does not appear in that list. Dr. Max Lange was from Germany and was born on 8th July, 1832. He was not only a player but also a theoretician and problemist. As a player he was 1st at Dusseldorf in 1862, 1863 and 1864, 1st at Hamburg 1868 and 1st at Aachen in 1868. His book 'Handbuch der Schachaufgaben' (published 1862) was the first systematization of problems and he also invented the 'Helpmate' problem. He was the organiser of the Leipzig 1894 tourney and he edited 'Deutsche Schachzeitung' from 1858 to 1864. Perhaps he is best known for the 'Max Lange Attack'. I reproduce here one notable game (Italian Game: Evans Gambit) played by Dr. Max Lange. Dr. Max Lange severly punishes his opponent after one of his moves. Can you guess which one?

[Event "Berlin -"]
[Site "Berlin -"]
[Date "1853.??.??"]
[EventDate "?"]
[Round "0.42"]
[Result "1-0"]
[White "Lange"]
[Black "Mayet"]
[ECO "C51"]
[WhiteElo "?"]
[BlackElo "?"]
[PlyCount "36"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O d6 5. b4 Nxb4 6. c3 Nc6 7. d4 exd4 8. cxd4 Bb6 9. h3 Na5 10. Bd3 d5 11. exd5 Qxd5 12. Nc3 Qh5 13. Re1+ Kd8 14. Ng5 Qxd1 15. Nxf7+ Kd7 16. Bf5+ Kc6 17. Nd8+ Kd6 18. Bf4# 1-0

A small tribute to Dr. Max Lange on his death anniversary today.

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