Some of us on the committee are talking about how we can reestablish Richmond as a tournament venue.

The Richmond Rapidplays ran at the White House (the one in Hampton, not the one in Washington) for many years, and we ran two international tournaments in Richmond in the 1990s as part of the Richmond Chess Initiative.

But did you know that, back in 1912, the British Championships took place here, in Richmond, in the ballroom in the Castle Assembly Rooms, Richmond? This building still exists and is now known as Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond, opposite the Town Hall, in whose palatial surroundings Richmond & Twickenham Chess Club met for several years in the 1970s.

Here’s a position from a fascinating encounter played in the Major Open section.

It’s Black to play. How would you continue, and why?

I’ll tell you more about the game, and about my sources, on Friday when I publish the solution.