THE PROBLEMIST

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J. J. O’KEEFE AND HIS CHESS PROBLEMS by Bob Meadley and Geoff Foster In 1870 Patrick O’Keefe and his young bride Hannah Hennessey emigrated from Ireland to Australia, arriving at the port of Brisbane after thirteen weeks at sea. They founded the family home, “Mt Prosper”, thirty kilometres south of Toowoomba, Queensland, where they were to be blessed with two boys and four girls. Their first child, John James, was born on 12 January 1873. John didn’t start school until the age of nine, which he always claimed was to his advantage. His first contact with chess came at the age of 16, and soon he began enthusiastically to solve the chess problems in the Boys Own Paper. In 1890 he went to Sydney to study medicine at the University of Sydney. Chess was very popular in Sydney at the time - in one solving tourney over 900 entries were received. He began to solve in two of the local columns and his first published problem appeared in 1896. One chess editor strongly urged him to take up the game rather than problems, but he found the study of openings “a particularly revolting type of mental drudgery” and soon returned to problem study. In 1896 he failed his fifth year examinations, possibly due to his obsession with chess. He graduated as a Doctor of Medicine in 1898, but his fifth year failure limited his chances of obtaining a hospital residency. He used to refer to this as “the best thing that ever happened to me”. He took a position as assistant at a private practice just down the road from what is now the St George Hospital, and took over the practice in 1903. It would be a pleasant stroll up for surgery and outpatients and he was to take that walk for nearly 25 years. The recollections of Dr W.J. Binns are particularly illuminating: When I first joined Dr O’Keefe in December, 1909, he had become legendary in several respects, in particular his devotion to chess, his dress and his address. … O’Keefe went out very seldom, to a theatre or concert. … His dress was also legendary – a clawhammer coat and a black bowler hat, in addition, if it may be regarded as an article of attire, a well-waxed flaxen moustache, that badge of professional adolescence. He had two Talbot cars, a 12 horsepower and a 15 horsepower, an unheard of extravagance when most were content with a one horsepower conveyance. … His address was also legendary, supposed to be brusque and abrupt. Certainly he did not suffer fools gladly or receive hypochondriacs graciously. Towards unmarried ladies his approach was severely circumspect, but that did not stifle rumours of his being on his honeymoon whenever he took a few days off. … For one who began behind scratch in surgery he attained a greater degree of proficiency than many with two years’ hospital training: in medicine he was painstaking, careful and a mine of clinical observation: in obstetrics (his bete noire) he possessed a vast experience and an aseptic conscience. He was in fact the greatest general practitioner I have ever seen in forty years of practice. He had an incisive analytical mind, a prodigious memory, and he loved his work. In 1914 O’Keefe married Grace Lucas, the matron of a local hospital. Also in 1914 he was featured in The Dux, the first Australian chess problem book. O’Keefe contributed 1, using the pseudonym of “Spectator”. 1.c4 (>2.d3) 1…Re~+ 2.d3. 1…Re2+ 2.Bc2. 1…Rd~ 2.d4. 1…Rxd2,Rd3,Rxc4 2.Sd3. While establishing his practice he had done little composing, although a problem was always set up in his study and in the room adjoining his surgery. Perhaps his

(1) J.J. O’Keefe, The Dux, 1914

1896 failure had taught him that chess problems should Wdwdwdwg be subservient to his career. However, with his future dwdwdwdb assured he would be a “spectator” no more. wdwdwdwd 2 A mutate with a most unexpected key. Set: 1…Q~ 2.Sa3,Se3. 1…Qc5 2.Rxc5. 1…Ba4,Ba6 2.Sa3. 1…Sa~ 2.Rb4. 1…f5,f6 2.Qe6. There are many tries, such as 1.Rf5? 1…Qg1+! and 1.Bf6? 1…Qd4! After the ambush key 1.Rg3 there follows 1…Qc5 2.Sb2. In this variation the knight on c2, which delivers the focal mates, guards both b4 and d4.

(2) J.J. O’Keefe & W.J. Smith, 4th Prize, Brisbane Courier, Oct 1916 – Mar 1917

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THE PROBLEMIST

(3) J.J. O’Keefe nd 2 Prize, Brisbane Courier, April-Sept 1916

(4) J.J. O’Keefe & W.J. st Smith, 1 Prize, Good Companions, 22 Feb 1917

(5) J.J. O’Keefe, 1st Prize, th 6 Meredith Ty., Good Companions, Dec 1917

(6) J.J. O’Keefe, 2nd HM, st 1 Comp. Block Ty., Good Companions, Apr 1918

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3 The excellent set play consists of self blocks and half-pin mates: 1…c4 2.Qxd7. 1…cxd4 2.Qc6. 1…e4 2.Se3. 1…exd4 2.Bf3,Bxe6. 1…Sg~ 2.Bf3. 1…Se4 2.Se3. 1…Sd~ 2.Rxe5. The fine flight-giving key 1.Rd2 threatens 2.dxe5, with 1…Ke4 being met by 2.dxc5. The set dual is eliminated and there is a transferred mate: 2.Qc6 now occurs after 1…c4. The judge’s comment was: A very subtle block-threat. Though not quite accurate it is very cleverly constructed, and has more than ordinary difficulty. It was reproduced by the British Chess Magazine with special regard to this point. The “not quite accurate” comment relates to the moves 1…Sf7 and 1…Sh7, which after the key are met by either the threat or 2.Bf3. 4 This was used in the Good Companions annual solving competition. The startling key gives two flights and leads to an unexpected changed cross-check, as well as other changed play. Set: 1…d5+ 2.Sc5. 1…Sb~ 2.Rd4. 1…Sd3 2.Bg2. Key 1.Rf2 (>2.Qe6) 1…d5+ 2.Qe7. 1…Kd5 2.Qf5. 1…Ke3 2.Rf4. 1…Sb~ 2.Qd4. 1…Sd3,Sf3 2.Qf3. Changed mates to black checks was a favourite theme throughout his career. 5 Three interference unpins of the white queen in a light setting: 1.Rd5 (>2.Qc6) 1…Bc5 2.Qa6. 1…Bc3 2.Qxa2. 1…Sc3 2.Qxb4. 1…Re6 2.Bxc2. 6 A sweet mutate with a flight-giving key and two post-key battery mates. Set: 1…Ka7 2.Qxb7. 1…b5 2.Qxb7. 1…bxa5 2.Qxa5. Key 1.Qa2 waiting. 1…Ka7 2.Sc6. 1…b5 2.Sc4. 1…Kb5 2.Qc4. 1…bxa5 2.Qxa5. The Great War had broken out and in November 1917 he wrote to B.G. Laws, editor of the problem column of the British Chess Magazine: If, as is now practically certain, this wretched war carries over into the next year, it is my present intention to offer my services to the military authorities next January. It means giving up my livelihood at a time when starting all over again is likely to spell failure. In January 1918 he enlisted and was appointed Major and head surgeon on the hospital ship “Karoola”. When the ship arrived in England he met B.G. Laws, a highlight of his life. Laws later recalled their meeting in a lecture he gave to the BCPS: Everyone will agree that Dr J.J. O’Keefe is the finest all round composer Australia has produced. It was my good fortune in December 1918 to meet him in London. … It was agreeable news to him when he learnt his ship’s destination after the Armistice was England as he had never before visited our shores. … He wired inviting me to dine with him. We had – or at least I had – a most pleasant evening. Full of bonhomie and anecdote, he proved a delightful companion. He returned to his practice and remained there until 1926. The hospital remembers him to this day with an operating theatre named in his honour. The lane behind his home was named O’Keefe’s Lane. (7) J.J. O’Keefe, 4th Prize, Good Companions, Dec 1919

(8) J.J. O’Keefe & F.T. st Hawes, 1 Prize, Good Companions, May 1923

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7 Withdrawal unpins by a line-pinned black rook. 1.Sb3 (>2.Sd4) 1…R~ 2.Qg4. 1…Rf5 2.Qd5. 1…Rf4 2.Qxe3. 1…Sc6 2.Qg4. The correction moves on the line of pin were extremely original at the time. 8 After 1.Rc6 (threatening 2.Rxd6 Kf4,Kf5 3.Qf3) there are beautiful echo pin models: 1…Kf5 2.Qf3+ Ke6 3.Qf7 and 1…Sf5 2.Rc4+ Sd4 3.Qf3. There is an impressive amount of other play from so few pieces: 1…Sc4 2.Bg6+ Kf4/Kd4/Kd5 3.Qg3/Qd3/Qc5. 1…Sf5 2.Rc4+ Kd5 3.Bf7. 1…Sb7 2.Bf3+ Kf4/Kd4/Kf5 3.Rf6/Qc3/Qf8. 1…Kd4,Kd5 2.Rxd6+ Ke4/Kc4 3.Qf3/Be2.

THE PROBLEMIST

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(9) J.J. O’Keefe, 2nd Prize, Good Companions, April 1923

(10) J.J. O’Keefe, 1st Prize, Good Companions, Nov 1923

(11) J.J. O’Keefe, st 1 Prize, Australian Columns Ty., 1928

(12) J.J. O’Keefe, nd 2 Prize, Daily News, 1928

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9 An added mate waiter. After 1.Ke5 f4, White can play 2.Qh6+ Qh2 3.Rxf1, because Qh2 is no longer check. This is a pin model, as are the variations 1…Qh2+ 2.g3+ Qg2 2.Qxg2 and 1…Be2 2.Qh6+ Bh5 3.Qxh5. Other play is: 1…Kh2 2.Qh6+ Kg3 3.Qh3. 1…Qh2+ 2.g3+ Kg1 3.Rxf1. 10 Chameleon echo model mates and other models: 1.Se3 (>2.f8=Q,Re5+) 1…Kxe3 2.Re5+ Kxf3 3.Be2. 1…Bxf3 2.Ra4+ Kxe3 3.Bf4. 1…Sxe3 2.Sg5+ Kd4 3.Be5. 1…Bh3 2.Be2 Kxe3 3.Re5. 11 A complete block in which the key takes the set flight but gives two others in return. Two of the mates are models and the white king plays a part in both set and actual play. Set: 1…Kd4 2.Bf3 Kd3 3.Rd1. Key 1.Sf5 waiting. 1…Ke6 2.Rd1 Kxf6 3.Rd6. 1…Ke4 2.Rc4+ Kd5/Kd3 3.Se3/Rd4. 12 An ingenious try play problem. Try 1.Rg8? (2.Qe4+) 1…Bg2 2.Sd3 Kg1 3.Qe1. 1…Bd3! Try 1.Qh6? (2.Qc6+) 1…Bg2 2.Sd3 Kg1 3.Qc1. 1…Bb5! Try 1.Qh7? (>2.Qb7+,Qe4+) 1…Bg2! Key 1.Qh8 (>2.Qa8+) 1…Bg2 2.Sd3 Kg1 3.Qa1. In 1930 A.C. White published “Antiform” by F. Palatz, a work on the New German school of composition. O’Keefe became intensely interested in the theory, teaching himself German and even collaborating with Palatz on one problem. From now on, his passion would be logical problems. 13 The queen clears the way for both the bishop and rook: 1.Qh6 waiting 1…Sg5 2.Bxg5 f6 3.Bc1 bxc1 4.Qxc1. 1…Sxf6 2.Rxb3+ axb3 3.Qxf6 Ka4 4.Qa6. 1…Sf8 2.Rxb3+ axb3 3.Qxf8 Ka4 4.Qa8. 14 The key 1.Rc7 threatens 2.Sb6+ Ke5 3.Re7. In the variation 1…Re8 2.Sb6+ Ke5, the black rook crosses the critical square e5; the king then occupies the critical square, imprisoning the rook and allowing White to inflict zugzwang by 3.Rd7. This is Seeberger strategy. Other play is: 1…Rg2+ 2.Kxg2 Ke5 3.Re7+ Kd5 4.Bf3. 1…Rb2 2.Bc8 Rb1 3.Sb6+ Rxb6 4.Rf5. 1…Ke5 2.Re7+ Kd5 3.Bf3+ Re4 4.Bxe4. 15 After 1.Qh4 Rxh4 2.Ba2, Black is in zugzwang. All moves unguard a square, with the exception of 2…g2, which opens a gate, allowing the splendid 3.Rh3+. The other variations are 2…exf5 3.Rbb5+. 2…exf6 3.Rb6+. 2…Bb7,Bd7 3.Rb7+. 2…Rg4 3.Rxg3+. 2…Rf4 3.Rf3+. 2…Re4 3.Re3+. Moves of the knight unguard two squares, allowing 3.Rb2+ or 3.Se3+, a pity. A possible correction is to replace the BPa3 with a WPb2. The tries 1.Qg4? and 1.Qf4? are defeated by 1…RxQ 2.Ba2 Rh4! 16 Try 1.Be7? 1…h3! Try 1.Bf8? 1…hxg3! Key 1.d4. 1…hxg3 2.Be7 g2 3.Bg5 g1=Q 4.Qh7. 1…h3 2.Bf8 h2 3.Bh6 h1=Q 4.Qh7. This is a doubling of a manoeuvre which Franz Sackmann dubbed the “White Roman”, because the deployment of the white bishop is reminiscent of the way a black piece is decoyed in the Roman Theme. (13) J.J. O’Keefe,1st Prize, Die Schwalbe, 1932

(14) J.J. O’Keefe, Schach Dresdner Unzeiger, 1933

(15) J.J. O’Keefe, 1st Prize, Die Schwalbe, 1934

(16) J.J. O’Keefe, Hamburgischer Corr., 1934

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4 (17) J.J. O’Keefe, Prize, Die Schwalbe, 1935

THE PROBLEMIST 17 The Swiss Theme is an indirect logical manoeuvre whose aim is a change of threat. The try 1.Qd8?, threatening 2.Qd3, is refuted by 1…Be2! and 1…Se1!, so the rook on g5 must first be decoyed. After 1.Qb8 Rg3 2.Qd8, the threat is now 3.Qd5, and the bishop and knight change their defences: 2…Bf3 3.Qd3. 2…Sf4 2.Qd4. The problem was constructed to demonstrate that multiple refutations of the try don’t necessarily spoil the purity of aim. However, the bishop on d1 could well have been omitted. This problem was the first realisation of the Swiss Theme by a composer other than Erich Brunner, the theme’s creator.

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the evening of life on some remote secluded spot, with my books, my languages, and my chess; but I never imagined that I would break thus early with life’s activities. One letter of 64 pages which he sent to Hawes from Fanning Island contained translations from German and Dutch articles. As war loomed he returned to Sydney and later moved to Lord Howe Island as Government Medical Officer. 18 A very economical focal mutate. Set: 1…R~ 2.Sc3,Sf6. Try 1.Kd8? Rd3! Try 1.Ba7? c5! Key 1.Se7 waiting. 1…R~ 2.Qe3,Qf5. 1…Rf4 2.Qd5. 1…S~ 2.Qe5. 1…c6 2.Sd6. The splendid tries are courtesy of Ian Shanahan.

O’Keefe practiced medicine until well into his seventies. He died on 26 February 1952. F.T. Hawes wrote about his friend and collaborator, with whom he had corresponded since 1908: O’K was blessed with an intelligence far beyond average. He was a man of discerning taste with a boundless zest for life, an eye for beauty, a sensitive imagination; little wonder, therefore, that his problems are characterised by spontaneity, precision, depth and boldness. … A few words concerning his last days among us may not be out of place. Early in 1950 he suffered the death of his wife and #2 in mid-1951 he was obliged to take to crutches because of an arthritic condition. I visited him in January of 1952. Whilst his mind was still keenly active, a state of physical decline was pathetically evident. Throughout, he bore his suffering philosophically and with good humour. John O’Keefe composed about 400 problems, mostly three and four movers, but chess problems were only one part of the life of a much loved and respected man.