Lions’ den

Daniel Johnson, the distinguished editor of Standpoint magazine, can be bracketed with Tim Congdon and Dominic Lawson, as having had the potential to become a chess master. All three chose other courses in economics, journalism and politics. Daniel, in particular, has faced world-class opposition in simultaneous displays, having drawn with Garry Kasparov and defeated the Czech grandmaster Ludek Pachman.
 
The game I have chosen to illustrate his chessboard skill was played in a curious match between Academics and Philistines, where Daniel demolished Steve Davis, the six-time winner of the snooker world championship.
 
Davis-Johnson: London 1997; Giuoco Piano
 
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5 4 0-0 Nf6 5 d3 h6 6 Nc3 6 c3 is better since it prevents Black from occupying d4 with his knight. 6 … d6 7 h3 g5 A bold attacking move, the only drawback being the possible loosening of Black’s kingside pawn structure (see diagram 1). 8 Nxg5 Equally bold but foolhardy.