In 1938 an international tournament was staged in Plymouth, featuring top British players like Geo. Thomas, local experts like Ron Bruce, and the reigning men's and women's World Champions. Mallison's result was nothing to write home about but he did secure this game against the finest woman player of her generation, Vera Menchik-Stevenson. — DR
French Defence, Advance Variation
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. Nf3 Qb6 5. Bd3 Bd7
[5...cxd4]
6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. Qe2 a6 8. O-O Bb5 9. Nc3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Qb4 11. a3 Qg4 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Qxe3 Nd7 14. Nd4 Ne7 15. h3 Qg6 16. f4 Nf5 17. Nxf5 Qxf5 18. g4
18...Qg6
[18...Qxc2 19. f5]
19. f5 Qh6 20. g5 Qh4 21. fxe6
Black suggested as much stronger
[21. Rf4 Qxg5+ 22. Kh2]
21...fxe6 22. Rad1 h6 23. g6 Qg5+ 24. Qxg5 hxg5 25. Rf7 O-O-O 26. Rxg7 Rhg8
[26...Rxh3-/+ ]
27. Rxg8 Rxg8 28. Re1 Rxg6 29. Kg2 Rh6 30. Nd1
The Knight gets into play just in time to stop ...Re4
30...Rh4 31. Nf2 Rf4 32. Re3 Kc7 33. Nd3 Rc4 34. c3 Rh4
Black here accepted a draw which White had offered some moves earlier, but it was found that the time limit had been exceeded, and therefore the game must be lost. White has now some advantage.
1-0
[Notes by HV Mallison]