Christmas is here, and what better way to celebrate than by sharing something special with the amazing readers in the Daily Chess Musings community? This year, I’ve prepared a heartfelt gift—a unique piece of content designed to bring joy, inspiration, and a little extra cheer to your chessboard festivities. Whether you’re cozying up by the fireplace or taking a moment of respite amidst the holiday hustle, I sincere hope this Christmas chess game will make your season even brighter.
When we think of famous Christmas tales, perhaps stories by Charles Dickens or Dr. Seuss come to mind. However, chess enthusiasts have several accounts of extraordinary games that occurred on Christmas Day. Of the many Christmas duels, Paul Morphy’s Christmas Miracle crosses my mind first. However, a few lesser known hero’s also played a grand chess game on Christmas.
Gunnar Gundersen was born in Bordeaux, France on March 21, 1882. During his early years, the Gundersen family moved to Australia where his Norwegian father served as the Scandinavian Consul. Gunnar Gundersen became chess enamored during his first year of study at Melbourne University in 1902 and quickly rose through the ranks of chess players in the area. On Christmas Day in 1928, the Australian chess master Gunnar Gundersen played a now famous chess game that’s En Passant checkmate ending is a Christmas gift to all chess players.
[Event “Pietzcker Christmas Tournament”]
[Site “Melbourne AUS”]
[Date “12.25.1928”]
[White “Gunnar Gundersen”]
[Black “A H Faul”]
[Result “1-0”]
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 cxd4 5.cxd4 Bb4+ 6.Nc3 Nc6 7.Nf3 Nge7 8.Bd3 O-O
9.Bxh7+ Kxh7 10.Ng5+ Kg6 11.h4 Nxd4 12.Qg4 f5 13.h5+ Kh6 14.Nxe6+ g5 15.hxg6#
1-0
Below are my lesson notes for Gundersen – Faul, Pietzcker Christmas Tournament 1928. Enjoy…
