Introduction to Match the Masters

0.
[In Match the Masters you are partnered with a grandmaster or strong master, often a leading contemporary player, but occasionally, a player from the past. Your job is to figure out what your partner played in the game under consideration. The initial moves of the game are given, so you don't have to start from scratch. The task begins in the late stages of the opening, the transitional point that leads into the middle game.]

1.
[You get points for figuring out or guessing what your partner played. If you don't get the exact move he played, but come close, you can still get points, just not the full amount. But if you pick a really bad move, you can lose points.]

2.
[In order to make your job a bit easier, we've given a selection of possible moves at each turn and you are expected to make your choice from the moves listed. Naturally, the move actually played is listed among the choices.]

3.
[Remember that your partner is a very strong player who is attempting to play the best move in the position. Try to view the situation through his or her eyes and look for the best move. This is the surest way to get a good score. Of course, if you're stuck, you can always make an educated guess from the move selection.]

4.
[After you've played out the game, you're ready to move on to the Bonus Question Section, where you can add additional points to your score. Your total points, both game points and bonus points added together, constitute your score. From the ratings chart you can easily see how well you Matched the Masters.

Good Luck!
Bruce Pandolfini]

