THE MIDDLE GAME
GENERAL REMARKS
HAVING now a fair knowledge of the end-game, we should be in a
position to appreciate how the middle game should be conducted.
We must throughout maintain a favourable pawn formation, in view
of the end-game which might be forced on us by exchanges. On the
other hand, as soon as we have gained an advantage sufficient to
secure the victory in the end-game, we must ourselves, by the
exchange of pieces, try to reduce the position to one of the
typical elementary cases which we have discussed. Now it will
invariably be found that beginners are unwilling to make these
essential exchanges. This is explained by the attraction which
combinations involving the action of many pieces have for them.
They assume that exchanges, particularly of the Queens, make the
games dull. Such ideas only prove that the beginner has not
grasped the nature of chess, the essence of which is stern logic
and uncompromising conclusions, and this demands the shortest and
clearest way leading to a mate. To the strong player, able to
play logically, logic will always be inseparable from beauty in
chess.
To play logically means to subordinate all combinations to a
leading plan of campaign, but there is difficulty in finding the
latter. An unsound scheme, even if worked out to its logical
conclusion, can of course be of no value. All the same it is
better than no plan at all. And in time one gains by experience,
and develops a sort of instinct for rejecting from the large
number of possible operations all those which, properly
countered, cannot bring any advantage.
Beside practical play, which is essential in order to gain this
instinct, a methodical theoretical instruction is of inestimable
value, and accelerates the development of the student’s mind. Now
the instruction I wish to give in the THEORY of chess will not
take the form of an ANALYSIS, brought up right into the middle
game, of the various openings, tested and found correct in master
play. Such collections erroneously bear the title of “Theory of
the Openings,” and are, besides, quite useless at this stage,
since they only embody the results of ANALYSIS.
It is first necessary to ascertain a few leading principles,
which can be taught in a most simple manner, by the exercise of
common sense, rather than by applying oneself to the study of
long-winded analysis. The student will no longer need to discover
time-worn maxims in the light of his own weary experience, and on
the other hand, these principles will help him to understand
analysis, and to keep clearly before his mind’s eye the common
and principal lines of play, of which he might easily lose sight
in the labyrinth of suggested variations.
I propose to show the application of such principles to master
play, and this will give us a further opportunity of deeper
study, both of the rules set out in the first part for conducting
the opening correctly, and of the end-game principles, which
should be well considered.
I have made the pawn skeleton with its attendant grouping of
pieces the main consideration in the study of the opening; now in
the investigation of the problems of the middle game, I will
start from the TRANSFORMATION which the pawn skeleton has to
undergo in the course of further operations. In my opinion this
is the best starting-point for the choice of effective manœuvres
of the different pieces.
Before we are able to evolve a practical scheme we must have
under consideration the following important points: How do we
know if an attack is likely to succeed? In other words: On what
point should I concentrate the attack? It should be clear to all
that it is of no possible use to direct an attack on anything
that can move away. Yet beginners frequently infringe this
obvious rule, and I have often witnessed manœuvres such as these
(Diagram 90):
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #Kt| #P | | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #B | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^B | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| ^P | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | ^B | ^Q | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 90
1. P-QR3, 2. P-QKt4, and then, after the B has retired to his Kt3
even, 3. R-QKt1, 4. P-QR4, 5. P-R5. Meanwhile Black will have
played P-QR3, to make a loophole for his B at R2, and what is the
result? The Black Bishop is as effectual at R2 as at B4, but
White has advanced his pawns, and weakened them, as they are now
more liable to attack. Moreover, White has used up five moves to
achieve his aim, whilst Black only needed three. Therefore Black
has gained two moves, which he can use for the development of his
pieces.
Diagram 91 illustrates another mistake frequently made in the
choice of an objective, and one which can utterly spoil the whole
game, even in its earliest stage. Black has to
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | #K | #B | #Kt| #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | #P | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^Q | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| ^B | | ^K | ^B | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 91
move, and his game is somewhat hindered by the dominating
position of the White Queen. The latter prevents the Bishop from
occupying a desirable square at his QB4, and also makes the
liberating move P-Q4 impossible. Therefore it would seem
desirable to drive the Queen away. But this should only be done
if it is not attended by some further disadvantage.
Now the average player is not particularly fastidious in his
methods. The Queen irritates him, therefore the Queen must be
repelled one way or the other. He would probably try P-QB4. The
result is that the Queen selects another good square, for
instance at K3 or QR4, but Black has not improved matters, for he
still can play neither B-B4 nor P-Q4. On the other hand,
irredeemable harm has been done, inasmuch as the Black QP now
remains “backward.” The attack on the Queen by P-QB4 must
consequently be rejected. Sallies such as these, in which short-
lived attacks are made by pawns upon pieces, are always of
doubtful value. They must unquestionably be avoided if they break
up the pawn skeleton, which is formed in the opening, and confine
the mobility of the pieces.
Also with regard to manœuvres of PIECES, intended solely to
drive away an opposing piece, it is obviously essential that the
attacking pieces in effecting their purpose should not be made to
stray too far afield, lest they become out of play.
I shall delay dealing with the features underlying good forms of
attack, both by pieces and pawns, until I have treated of the
choice of an objective.
From what we have already expounded, it is clear that the subject
of an attack should be incapable of evasion. Should it, in the
course of attack, be desired to prevent a PIECE from being moved,
that can only be effected by means of a “pin.” A PAWN, however,
can be held in place either by occupying the square immediately
in front of it, or by controlling the latter with more forces
than the opponent can bring to bear upon it.
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | #R | | | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | #Q | #R | #B | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | #P | | #P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^P | | ^P | ^B | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | ^P | | ^R | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | | | ^Q | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | ^R | | | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 92
The last two diagrams exemplify this. If in Diagram 91 Black
makes the mistake of playing P-QB4 as suggested, the backward QP
becomes a welcome objective for White’s attack. White can keep
that pawn back by playing P-Q B4 as soon as it threatens to
advance, after which he would develop quietly, double his Rooks,
and bring the Q and QB to bear in a concentrated attack on Q6. A
position not unlike that in Diagram 92 will result ultimately, in
which Black defends the pawn as many times as it is attacked, but
in which White can bring up his KP to the attack, as the QP
cannot move away, whilst Black has no further defensive move at
his disposal. Play against a backward pawn nearly always
develops on these lines, and is even easier when there is no
defending B of the same colour as the pawn. (See p. 40, and Game
No. 26.)
Such manœuvres, in the course of which pieces are pinned and
attacked, are illustrated in Diagram 90. The most obvious move,
which initiates an attack and at the same time completes the
development of the minor pieces, is B-Kt5. Attacks by means of
such devices are so frequent and varied that it will be necessary
to treat them at some length, which I now propose to do. I should
also add that, with regard to Diagram 90, the student will derive
lasting benefit from a thorough study of the position, and will
thus improve his power to judge of the desirability, or
otherwise, of obtaining open files, diagonals, doubled pawns,
etc. After B-KKt5, the threat is to attack the Knight a second
and third time with Kt-Q5, and Q-B3, after moving the KKt away.
As Black’s KKt is only supported twice, and there is no chance of
bringing up more forces for its defence, Black must undertake
something to provide against the threatened onslaught.
The most natural plan is to develop the QB at K3, from where it
can be exchanged for the Knight should Kt-Q5 be played. The
doubled pawn, which White could force by exchanging the Bishops,
is in no way detrimental to Black’s game. On the contrary, the
opening of the file for the Rook, with the attendant chance of
playing P-Q4 supported by the doubled pawn, gives Black the
advantage.
The doubled pawn which Black obtains after 2. Kt-Q5, BxKt; 3. PxB
(or 3. BxB), Kt-K2; 4. BxKt, would also be of no help to White.
The apparent weakness created in Black’s game at KB3 and KR3 by
the disappearance of the KtP does not assist White in this case,
because the pieces which could take advantage of such a weakness,
the QB and the Kt at Q5, have been exchanged. There only remains
the KKt and the Q for an immediate attack, whilst the Black Rook
will soon get into effective action on the open Knight’s file,
e.g. 5. Q-Q2, K-R1; 6. Q-R6, Kt-Kt3; 7. Kt-R4, KtxKt; 8. QxKt, Q-
K2, followed by the doubling of the Rooks on the Kt file.
Considerations of a similar nature would tend to show that 1. B-
Kt5, Kt-K2; 2. BxKt, PxB is in favour of Black. The White QB,
which is so effective in taking advantage of weaknesses at
Black’s KB3 and R3, has been exchanged. The Queen’s Knight is not
available for attack on the KBP, as it would be exchanged or else
driven off in time by P-B3. Compared with the position considered
above, which occurs after 1. ... B-K3, 2. Kt-Q5, Black has the
further advantage of maintaining his QB, which makes it possible
to push the weak KBP on to his fourth, and either exchange it or
push it still further to B5, a useful and secure position.
Matters would be different were Black to allow his King’s wing to
be broken up without getting rid of White’s dangerous pieces by
exchanges. Let us consider what happens, if Black takes no
measures against Kt-Q5, but only prevents White’s ultimate Q-B3
by pinning the Knight with B-KKt5. White gains a decisive
advantage by bringing his Queen into play before Black is able to
secure himself against the threatened combined attack of Q and B,
or alternately Q and Kt by K-R1, R-Kt1-Kt3. I will give two
examples of how the whole game now centres on the attack and
defence of the points weakened by the disappearance of the KtP,
and how White pushes home his advantage in the one instance with
the help of the B, in the other by the co-operation of the Kt.
I. 1. B-KKt5, B-KKt5; 2. Kt-Q5, Kt-Q5; 3. Q-Q2, BxKt?; 4.
BxKt, PxB; 5. Q-R6, and there is no reply to the threat of KtxPch
and QxP mate, except through the sacrifice of the Q. Forcing the
exchange of Knights is of no avail, for after 5. ... Kt-K7ch; 6.
K-R1, BxPch; 7. KxB, Kt-B5ch; 8. KtxKt, PxKt; 9. K-R1, White
occupies the Kt file first and wins easily: 9. ... K-R1; 10. R-
KKt1, R-KKt1; 11. RxR, QxR; 12. R-KKt1 followed by mate or loss
of the Queen.
II. 3. Q-Q2, P-B3; 4. KtxKtch, PxKt; 5. B-R4! BxKt; 6. Q-
R6, Kt-K7ch; 7. K-R1, BxPch; 8. KxB, Kt-B5ch; 9. K-R1, Kt-Kt3.
Now Black has succeeded in interrupting the White Queen’s action
on the BP. But it has taken many moves, with the sole result that
Black’s Queen’s Knight is better placed. All the other pieces,
however, occupy the positions they took up in the opening. The
Black Knight, moreover, is only supported by the RP until Black
manages to block the White Bishop’s diagonal by P-Q4. Meanwhile
White has gained a big start, and is ready to occupy the open
file with his Rooks. The sequel might be: 10. P-Q4!, BxP (if PxP;
11. P-K5!!, QPxP; 12. R-KKt1, etc.); 11. P-B3, B-Kt3; 12. QR-Q1,
K-R1; 13. R-KKt1, Q-K2; 14. R-Q3, R-KKt1; 15. R-R3, R-Kt2 (KtxB;
16. QxRPch!!); 16. R-B3, followed by BxP (B6).
Taking it all in all, we see from the foregoing that the pinning
of the Black Knight can only be injurious to Black if he does not
take timely measures to provide against White’s Kt-Q5, which
threatens to concentrate more forces for the attack on KB6 than
Black is able to mobilise for its defence.
Beginners, after having experienced frequent trouble through
their inadequate defence of this kind of attack, try to avoid
their recurrence by making such pinning moves impossible from the
first and playing P-R3 on whichever side the pin is threatened.
Apart from the loss of time, on which I remarked at length when
discussing the opening, such pawn moves have various other
drawbacks.
With every pawn move it should be considered whether the squares
protected by the pawn before it has moved may not need the
support of that pawn at a later stage. This is particularly the
case with regard to squares in front of the castled King. If one
of those pawns pushes on, the squares which have lost its
protection frequently offer an opening for a direct attack by the
enemy’s pieces on the King.
A second consideration is the fact that the advancing pawn itself
becomes a target for an assault in which the opponent, moving up
a pawn on the next file, brings his Rooks into play, or in which
he sacrifices a piece for the advanced pawn and the one that
protects it, thus robbing the King of the protection he sought to
obtain in castling.
The following examples will contribute much to the understanding
of this most important subject, the grasp of which will mean a
great step forward for the student.
The position in Diagram 93 is from a game v. Scheve-Teichmann
(Berlin, 1907). White played 1. P-R3 in order to avoid the
pinning of his Knight through B-Kt5. The move is not unjustified,
as the Knight is required for the support of the square at Q4.
The pawn move, however, has the drawbacks enumerated above, and
White must think of keeping a sufficiency of pieces for the fight
on the King’s wing, in order to prevent Black from utilising the
weakness thus created for a combined assault by superior forces.
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | | #K | | #Kt| #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #B | #P | #P | | #Q | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | #Kt| #P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | ^P | | | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^B | ^P | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | ^P | | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| ^B | ^Q | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 93
In this case White does not take precautionary measures, and
succumbs in a surprisingly short time.
1. ... Kt-B3; 2. PxP? With this move White opens the diagonal for
Black’s KB for no apparent reason. 2. ... QKtxP; 3. KtxKt?
Instead of providing for the defence of his King’s wing, White
exchanges one of the King’s side pieces, 3. ... QxKt; 4. Kt-Q2,
BxP! White has provoked this sacrifice by his last two moves. The
KBP is pinned, and the Q enters by way of her Kt6, the protection
of which was given up by pushing on the RP. The rest is easy; 5.
PxB, Q-Kt6ch; 6. K-R1, QxPch; 7. K-Kt1, Kt-Kt5; 8. Kt-B3, Q-
Kt6ch; 9. K-R1, BxP; 10. resigns.
Diagram 94 shows a position from a game Marshall-Burn (Ostend,
1907). Strong in the knowledge that the Black Queen’s side pieces
are not developed, and can only with difficulty be of assistance
in the defence of the King’s side because of their limited
mobility, White takes advantage of the weakness created by the
advance of the Black KKt pawn to his third, and initiates an
immediate assault on the King’s stronghold.
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | #Kt| #P | #P | #B | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | #P | | #Kt| #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^P | | ^B | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | ^B | ^P | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | ^Kt| | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | ^K | | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 94
1. P-KR4, R-K1; 2. P-R5. This forces open the Rook’s file. If the
pawn were still at Kt2, Black would simply let White push on to
R6 and then reply with P-KKt3. 2. ... KtxP; 3. RxKt, White
concludes the game in brilliant style. Black’s wrong development
has given a welcome opportunity for sacrificial combinations. Now
the KB has an open diagonal, the pawn position is broken, and
White’s Q and R have no difficulty in using the Rook’s file for a
deadly attack. 3. ... PxR; 4. BxPch, KxB; 5. Kt-Kt5ch, K-Kt3 (if
K-Kt1, then 6. QxP, Kt-B3; 7. QxPch, K-R1; 8. Castles, etc.); 6.
QKt-B3, P-K4; 7. Kt-R4ch, K-B3; 8. Kt-R7ch, K-K2; 9. Kt-B5ch, K-
K3; 10. KtxBch, K-K2; 11. Kt-B5ch, K-K3; 12. P-Q5ch, KxKt; 13.
QxPch, K-K5; 14. Castles, followed by P-B3 or R-Q4 mate.
In cases where both sides have already castled on the same wing,
and the opponent has weakened his position by pushing on one of
the pawns of that wing, it is seldom advisable to start an attack
with the advance of one of the pawns in front of the King, as the
latter’s position would be weakened. An attack of this kind is
only justified if there is a prospect of concentrating with all
speed a superior force before the opponent has time for a counter
attack.
The Black position in Diagram 95 illustrates one much favoured by
“natural” players. Here the advance of the
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #B | #P | #P | #Kt| #P | #B | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | #P | #Kt| | #P | | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| ^B | ^B | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 95
KRP would not be a suitable plan of attack for White as his Rook
is no longer on the Rook’s file, nor could it be brought back in
time. In this case White must endeavour to take advantage of the
weaknesses at Black’s KB3 and KR3, produced by his move P-KKt3.
This will be the modus operandi: Q-Q2 followed by B-R6, forcing
the exchange of Black’s valuable KB. After that the Q in
conjunction with one of the Knights will attempt to force an
entry at KB6 or KR6, as for instance in the following, the moves
of which are taken from a game I once watched and took note of as
being most instructive.
1. Q-Q2, P-Q3; 2. B-KR6, PxP; 3. BxB, KxB; 4. PxP, Q-Q2; 5. Kt-
K4, Kt-Q4; 6. B-B4, QR-Q1; 7. BxKt, PxB; 8. Kt-B6, Q-K3; 9. Q-
Kt5, B-B1 (to prevent Kt-Kt4); 10. QR-K1, Q-B4; 11. Q-R4, P-KR3;
12. Kt-Q4, KtxKt; 13. QxKt, P-B4; 14. Q-Q2, P-Q5; 15. P-KB4, P-
B5; 16. P-KKt4, Q-K3; 17. P-B5, Q-B3; 18. R-K4, B-Kt2; 19. R-B3!,
Q-B4; 20. QxPch, KxQ; 21. R-R3ch, followed by R-R7 or Kt-R7 mate.
A somewhat more difficult case is shown in Diagram 96.
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | #Kt| | | #Kt| #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | #B | #Q | | | #P | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | | #P | | #B | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | #P | #P | ^P | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | ^P | | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | | ^B | ^Kt| | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^B | | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | ^R | ^Kt| ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 96
Here the advance of the White King’s side pawns has undeniably
produced weaknesses in the pawn skeleton, and these would be
fatal had the Black pieces as much mobility as the White ones.
But the congestion of Black’s pieces on the Queen’s side makes
his defence unwieldy, and White has no difficulty in accumulating
his forces on the King’s side for the final assault. The
prospects are that White will be able to bring home his attack,
before Black has a chance of forcing exchanges and of bringing
about the end-game, which through the weakness of the White pawns
would probably turn to his advantage. The play (E. Cohn-Ed.
Lasker match, Berlin, 1909) is instructive, and shows how the
attack should be conducted in such positions. 1. Kt-Kt3, B-Kt2;
2. K-R2, P-B3; 3. R-KKt1, Kt-Q2; 4. Kt-R4, K-B2. The
concentration of the White pieces has become alarming, and
threatens to be continued by Q-Q2, R-Kt2. QR-KKt1, and Kt-B5. So
the Black King decides on flight, but he finds no peace on the Q
side either, because there his advanced pawns soon allow White to
make a breach in the Black position.
5. Kt-Kt2, K-K2; 6. Q-K2, Kt-Kt3; 7. KR-KB1, B-B1. It is Black’s
intention to play P-B4 as soon as practicable, and to make an
attempt at a counter demonstration on the King’s side, 8. P-K B4,
K-Q1? (Black should have kept to his original intention and
played P-B4); 9. PxP, QPxP; 10. Q-B2, Kt-Q2; 11. P-QR4; B-Kt2;
12. PxP, PxP; 13. RxR, BxR. Now White has achieved what he set
out to do. He has opened up avenues of attack on the Queen’s
side, and is ready to utilise the weakness of Black’s QBP by
playing P-Kt4, on which Black must submit to opening the file for
the White KR or the diagonal for the White QB. In either case
White brings vastly superior forces to bear on the Black King’s
position, and Black should lose. In this game Black escaped only
through a mistake on the part of his opponent.
In the foregoing positions it was seen how fatal weaknesses can
be, which are produced by the premature advance of the pawns in
front of the King, on whom the opposing pieces can force their
attack. When the pawns concerned are on the opposite wing to
their King, the disadvantages of a premature advance are felt in
a different way. The weakness concerns the pawns themselves and
not the forces behind them, and is apt to cause the loss of the
end-game, particularly of Rook end-games. Let us compare the
positions in Diagrams 97
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | |#Kt | #P | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | #P | | #P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | ^B | | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | #B | | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | |^Kt | ^P | |^Kt | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 97
and 98. In the one case the chain of Black pawns is broken by the
absence of K Kt P, in the other of the Q Kt P. The absence of the
KKt pawn can lead to serious consequences in the middle game,
because of the weakness of Black’s KB3 and KR3 (compare Diagram
90); it can, however, hardly become awkward in the end-game, as
the pawns on the B and R files are within the protecting reach of
their King.
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | | #P | #B | #B | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | #P | |#Kt | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | |^Kt | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | |^Kt | ^Q | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | ^B | | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 98
On the other hand, the absence of the Q Kt P is of no consequence
for the middle game. There is nothing behind it which could
invite an attack. The QRP and QBP, however, are very weak for the
end-game, as they are quite out of reach of the King (compare
Game No. 19). I do not wish to imply that Black should have
avoided the exchange at his QB3 at all cost; such an exchange has
always the compensating advantage of opening a file for the
Rooks, which advantage often means a favourable middle game, as
will be readily understood. Further, it is often possible to get
rid of the weak QRP by pushing it on, and eventually compelling
the exchange of the opposing Kt P, an exchange which can usually
be enforced if the Rooks have occupied the open Kt file. The pawn
itself is often useful at B 3, in that it can support the advance
of P-Q 4 in the centre, should it be desired, or it can, by
pushing on, be brought to exercise further pressure on the
opposing Kt P.
The break-up of the pawn position on the Q side can become
awkward in the end-game and sometimes in the middle-game when the
pawns can be attacked, and pieces brought to bear on the Queen’s
side without leaving the King’s side denuded of forces.
This will be illustrated by the position in Diagram 99.
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | | #P | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | ^B | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 99
FROM A GAME FR. LAZARD-ED. LASKER (PARIS, 1914)
Here the pawn positions on both sides are broken, and the player
that occupies the open files first, gets a decisive advantage.
In this case it is Black’s move. We can conclude at once that
White has played the opening badly. He must have lost two moves,
for he has still to capture the BP and then, being White, it
should be his move. This disadvantage, small as it may seem, with
which White has emerged from the opening, is sufficient to bring
him into the greatest difficulties. Black, of course, does not
defend the pawn by B-Kt2 or B-Q2, as this would practically
reduce the B to a P and, moreover, White, by R-Kt1 or Q1, would
both attack the B and obtain an open file. Instead of that, Black
utilises the two moves, which he has, as it were, as a gift in an
otherwise equalised position, to bring both Rooks on the Kt file.
This policy allows Black to occupy the seventh or eighth rank at
will, and to attack the White pawns from the flank or rear,
according to circumstances. This menace hampers the radius of
action of the White pieces, as they must always be ready for the
defence of the threatened pawns, and this gives Black by far the
superior game.
The play was continued as follows: 1. ... R-Kt1; 2. BxP, R-Kt7;
3. B-K4, B-K3; 4. P-QR3, KR-Kt1. The Knight’s file is now
definitely in Black’s hands. White could occupy the Queen’s file,
but the Black B at K3, which prevents the entry of the Rooks at
Q7, makes the operation aimless. Therefore White is condemned to
inactivity. On the contrary, Black’s line of action is clear. His
entry on the seventh can only achieve something if White’s QBP
can be deprived of its support. To do this Black has only to play
P-QB4-B5 and P-KB4. This, of course, weakens Black’s KB, and the
White Rooks might obtain an entry on the K file. Therefore Black
will effect a timely exchange of one of his Rooks, after which
his King alone will hold the K file. These considerations make
the following moves clear: 5. KR-K1, P-QB4; 6. P-KR3, a further
awkward necessity in positions of this kind. Before the Rook can
venture out, a loophole must be provided for the King.
6. ... P-B5; 7. R-K3, R-Kt8ch; 8. RxR, RxRch; 9. K-R2, P-B4; 10.
B-B3, K-B2; 11. B-K2 (threatening R-QB3), R-Kt2; 12. R-QB3, K-B3
(now BxP is not feasible on account of R-QB2); 13. P-B4. White
wishes to keep the Black King from his Q5 but cannot do so
permanently. Black, however, can occupy the Q file with his Rook,
and confine the White King to his wing. 13. ... R-Q2; 14. K-Kt3)
R-Q5; 15. K-B3, K-K2; 16. R-K3, K-Q3; 17. K-Kt3, R-Q7; 18. P-B3,
B-B2. R-R7 would be a mistake on account of RxBch, but the QRP
cannot escape. 19. P-QR4, P-Kt3; 20. B-B3, R-R7; 21. B-Q1, B-Q4;
22. R-K2, R-R8; 23. R-Q2, R-R6; 24. R-QB2, RxRP. Now at last
Black has obtained material gain, which was made possible by his
command of the open Kt file. To convert it into a win by queening
the extra pawn is only a matter of time.
We have now seen how the possession of open files reacts on the
mobility of the opposing forces, forever increasing their
difficulties until the positional advantage is converted into
material gain. We shall meet with cases later on in which the
greater mobility of minor pieces achieves the same result and
find more and more proofs of the truth of the main general
principles which I introduced at the outset.
Let us now recapitulate the chief points touched upon in the
course of our deliberations:
1. Generally speaking, attacks should only be directed to
objects which cannot be moved away.
2. If in particular cases the attack is aimed at driving off
an opposing piece from an especially favourable post that attack
is unwise, if it involves the weakening the pawn position, or if
pieces have to take up inferior positions in order to effect
their purpose.
3. Pawn moves always create weaknesses, either by leaving
other unsupported pawns behind, or by giving opposing pieces
access to squares formerly guarded by them, and this more
specially so in front of the castled King.
4. Attacks which depend on pawn moves are only justified if
overwhelming forces can be accumulated in support, as the
advanced pawns might become the object of a counter attack.
5. As pawn moves have very generally some drawbacks, the
middle game is the pieces’ own hunting ground. As in the
opening, the first consideration of sound play in the middle game
is to make only such moves as do not reduce the mobility of the
pieces.
As illustrative of such manœuvres I shall now give examples from
actual master play. In my annotations of these games I have tried
to keep before the student’s mind constantly the main ideas
underlying the different combinations which spring from general
strategical principles. I thus avoid burdening his memory with a
mass of detail, and bring into prominence the basic principle of
each line of play, thereby developing his capacity for conducting
a middle game, even after an unusual opening.
I have fixed mainly upon such games as are illustrative of the
openings treated in the first part of this book. In most cases
the first moves will, therefore, not need any special remarks.
The end-games, being typical examples, will only need reference
to the chapters in which they have been respectively dealt with.
PART II
ILLUSTRATIVE GAMES FROM MASTER TOURNAMENTS
GAME No. 1
White: Tartakower. Black: Burn.
King’s Gambit declined (compare p. 30).
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. P-KB4 B-B4
3. Kt-KB3 P-Q3
4. PxP
On principle this exchange cannot be commended, as the opening of
the Queen’s file increases the Black Queen’s mobility. White
derives no benefit from the KB file so long as the Black Bishop
makes castling impossible. White intends to play P-B3 and P-Q4,
but the manœuvre is doubtful, and the whole opening includes an
inordinately large number of pawn moves. In the present game
Black exposes the failings inherent to this system unequivocally.
4. ... PxP
5. P-B3 Kt-QB3
Black cannot put off White’s P-Q4 by B-KKt5, for White can give a
check with the Queen and unpin the Knight.
6. P-QKt4
The object of this move is not clear, as P-Kt5 does not win a
pawn (Kt-R4; 8. KtxP; 9. Q-R5ch). It does not promote development
either, and only compromises the QBP and QKtP.
6. ... B-Kt3
7. B-Kt5 Kt-B3
This is aimed at the White King’s pawn, which is deprived of its
natural support by the QKt. In this position Black does well to
attack White’s KP rather than to defend his own, because an open
King’s file can only benefit him. Being able to castle, he can
occupy the file with his Rook before White has time to bring his
King into safety.
8. KtxP
It would have been better to protect the pawn by Q-K2 or P-Q3.
8. ... Castles!
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | #B |#Kt | | |#Kt | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | ^B | | | ^Kt| | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | ^P | | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | | | ^P | | | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| ^B | ^Q | ^K | | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 100
The beginning of a brilliant attack. Whether White exchanges the
Bishop or the Knight, he is overwhelmed.
9. KtxKt
After 9. BxKt, PxB; 10. KtxP, Q-K1 wins; 10. P-Q4 would also lose
because Black gains two pawns after KtxP; 11. O-O, KtxP. It is
interesting to note how speedily the weakness at White’s QB3 is
brought to book.
9. ... PxKt
10. BxP KtxP!!
Now White can neither take the Kt nor the R. In the first case Q-
R5ch forces mate very soon, in the second B-B7ch, followed by B-
Kt5ch or B-R3ch, wins the Queen.
11. P-Q4 Q-B3!
12. BxKt Q-R5ch
13. K-Q2 QxB
14. Q-B3 Q-R5!
15. P-Kt3
Not QxR, because of Q-B7ch and the loss of the Queen by a
discovered check by the Bishop.
Q-Kt4ch
16. Q-K3 Q-Q4
17. R-K1 B-Kt5
18. K-B2 P-QR4
Such is the price to pay for premature advances.
19. PxP RxP
20. B-R3 P-QB4
Black shatters White’s pawn position, and his Bishops and Rooks
have full play along open files and diagonals.
21. PxP RxB!
22. KtxR
or PxB, RxRPch; 23. RxR,QxRch; 24. K-Bl,B-B4.
22. ... BxP
The rest speaks for itself.
23. Q-K5 B-B4ch
24. K-Kt2 Q-Kt2ch
25. K-B1 BxKtch
26. K-Q2 R-Q1ch
27. K-K3 R-Q6ch
28. K-B2 Q-B6ch
29. K-Kt1 R-Q7
30. Q-Kt8ch B-KB1
Resigns.
GAME No. 2
White: Leonhardt. Black: Marshall.
Falkbeer Counter Gambit (compare p. 35).
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. P-KB4 P-Q4
3. PxQP P-K5
4. P-Q3 PxP
5. QxP Kt-KB3
6. Kt-QB3
It would be quite bad to play P-B4 and try to hold the extra pawn
at the expense of development. Black would very soon occupy the
King’s file with his Rook and there would be no time for White to
bring his King into safety, e.g. 6. P-B4, B-QB4; 7. Kt-KB3,
Castles; 8. B-K2, R-K1, and already now there are threats of Kt-
K5 or Kt-Kt5 followed by B-B7ch or Kt-B7.
6. ... B-QB4
7. B-Q2
White would of course like to continue with B-K3 in order to make
a fight for the possession of the diagonal. He would, however,
lose his chance of castling through Black’s Q-K2. This is
detrimental in all such cases where the lines in the centre are
open or likely to be forced open at any time.
7. ... Castles
8. Castles QKt-Q2
9. B-K2 Kt-Kt3
10. B-B3 B-KKt5
11. B-K3?
White has not yet completed his development, and his first care
should be to bring out his KKt. This he could have done without
difficulty, thus: 11. BxB, KtxB; 12. Kt-R3. After the move in
the text, Black not only occupies the King’s file but gains a
move in so doing.
11. ... BxBch
12. QxB R-K1
13. Q-Q4 Q-Q3
Black’s course is obvious; he must win the QP. The forces will
then be equal in material, but there will remain a
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | | #R | | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | #Kt| | #Q | | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^Q | | ^P | #B | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| | | ^B | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | ^K | ^R | | | ^Kt| ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 101.
flaw in White’s position, namely the exposed KBP, and this tells
in the ending.
14. P-KR3
Now the square at KKt3 is unprotected, and this is serious in
view of a probable Knight’s ending, where, moreover, it will
sooner or later be necessary to play P-KKt3 in order to support
the KBP. Both the KKtP and KBP would be weak, with the King on
the other wing, and be under constant threat of being captured.
The game does proceed as indicated, and the simple and logical
manner in which Marshall brings home his advantage in a very
short time shows convincingly how fatal a shattered pawn position
can be for the end-game. Instead of the move in the text, White
should have played BxB followed by Kt-B3, which would have
completed his development without making another pawn move.
14. ... BxB
15. KtxB QR-Q1
16. KR-KI RxR
17. RxR QKtxP
18. KtxKt KtxKt
19. P-KKt3 P-KR3
making a loophole for the King. In this case the move is correct,
as the threat of mate ties the Black Rook to his rank. It is
wrong to make a loophole, as weak players are fond of doing, as
early as possible “in case,” before it is shown that there will
be a need for it, or that there will be a Rook ending.
20. P-R3
White is afraid of playing 20. QxP on account of Kt-Kt5, which
threatens KtxBP followed by Q-QB3. 21. QxP would not be a
sufficient defence because of Q-B4 threatening mate, and on the
other hand 21. Q-R4 would conjure up a dangerous attack,
beginning with P-QKt4. When the players castle on different
wings, there is always the danger of the opponent sacrificing
pawns and opening up files for his Rooks and Q against the
castled King. The game then assumes a wild character, and as
matters are generally settled one way or another in the middle-
game, end-game considerations, both with regard to number and
position of pawns, can be disregarded. Experience has shown that
the player who develops his attack first is likely to win, and
that it is of little use to submit tamely to an assault of this
kind without attempting a counter attack.
Such games are very difficult for the beginner to understand.
There is about them something violent and difficult to estimate,
and years of practice are necessary in order to gain the judgment
required for weighing up the possibilities of attack and counter
attack, where the Kings have castled on opposite wings.
20. ... P-R3
21. R-Q1 Kt-B3
22. QxQ RxQ
23. RxR PxR
24. Kt-Q4 Kt-K5
25. Kt-K2 K-B1
The Black King now pushes forward irresistibly, and attacks the
weakened pawns on the King’s wing. The White King cannot get any
nearer, as a check by the Black Kt would win a pawn at once. The
end is easy.
26. P-B3 K-K2
27. K-B2 K-K3
28. P-Kt3 Kt-B7
29. Kt-Q4ch K-B3
30. P-KR4 P-KR4
Now the P at Kt3 is “backward” and therefore lost.
31. P-B4 Kt-K5
32. Kt-K2 K-B4
33. K-Q3 Kt-B7ch
34. K-B3 K-Kt5
35. P-Kt4 Kt-K5ch
36. K-Q4 KtxP
Resigns.
GAME No. 3
White: Spielmann. Black: Prokes.
Vienna Game (compare p. 35).
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3
3. P-B4 P-Q4
4. PxKP KtxP
5. Q-B3
It is contrary to the principles governing sound play to bring
out the Queen early in the game. The opponent frequently has an
opportunity of gaining a move by driving off the Queen,
developing a minor piece at the same time. In the present case
Black might have gained the advantage in the following way: 5.
... Q Kt-B3. Now if: 6 KtxKt then Kt-Q5!; 7 Q-Q3?, PxKt; 8 QxP?,
B-KB4. If, however, 6 B-Kt5, Black obtains the better game by
playing 6. ... KtxKt; 7 KtPxKt, Q-R5ch; 8 P-Kt3, Q-K5ch; 9 QxQ,
PxQ; 10 BxKtch, PxB, with two Bishops on open diagonals. There is
no harm in the doubled pawn, as White cannot attack it. Black’s
immediate threat is B-R3 or KB4, which exerts pressure at Q6, and
White will find it difficult to advance his QP.
5. ... P-KB4
This move is open to discussion, as the Kt which it means to
support can be driven away by P-Q3. On the other hand, if White
does play his QP to Q3, Black can prevent its further advance by
P-Q5, after which the White KP is insecure and the KB somewhat
shut in.
6. P-Q3 KtxKt
7. PxKt P-Q5
8. Q-B2!
White offers his QBP in order to be able to strengthen his centre
by P-Q4, and to free his pieces. To protect his QBP would be
inferior, e.g. 8 Kt-K2, Kt-B3 or 8 B-Kt2?, PxP; 9 BxP, B-Kt5!; 10
BxB, QxR5ch; 11 Q-B2, QxBch; 12 Q-Q2, Q-Q5.
8. ... PxP?
It would have been better, of course, to continue developing with
Kt-B3, which at the same time maintains the pressure on Q5.
9. P-Q4 B-K3
10. Kt-R3
Intending Kt-B4 with a view to exchanging the Bishop. After
that, Black’s position on White squares is weak specially on the
diagonal QR7, KKt1, which was opened by Black’s fifth move, and
on which the White Bishop can soon operate. The game is
instructive in showing the development of that idea.
10. ... B-K2
11. Kt-B4 Q-Q2
12. KtxB QxKt
13. B-Q3 P-KKt3
Black cannot prevent White’s threat of Q-K2 and B-B4.
14. Q-K2 Q-Q4
---------------------------------------
8 | #R |#Kt | | | #K | | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P |#P | #P | | #B | | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | #Q | ^P | #P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | #P | ^B | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | | ^P | | ^Q | | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | ^B | | ^K | | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 102.
15. Castles QxQPch
Black is obliging. The opening of files in the centre is
favourable for White, as he can make use of his Rooks in the
combined attack. Instead of the move in the text, development
with Kt-B3 and Castles QR was the last, though slender, chance of
saving the game.
16. B-K3 Q-Q4
If QxP, Q-B2 followed by B-Q4, B-K4, KR-K1 and QR-Q1. Black has
no sufficient means of defence to oppose this massing of forces.
17. QR-Q1 Q-R4
18. BxBP
The end is swift, and easy to understand.
18. ... R-B1
19. Q-Kt4 PxB
20. Q-R5ch R-B2
21. P-K6 Resigns.
GAME NO. 4
White: Tarrasch. Black: Capablanca.
Giuoco Piano
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. B-B4 B-B4
4. P-B3
The beginning of interesting operations in the centre. The steady
development with: 4. P-Q3, P-Q3; 5. Kt-B3, Kt-B3; 6. B-KKt5, B-K3
or Castles tends to a draw from the very first, and is thought
dull.
4. ... Kt-B3
Black can avoid the exchange of pawns, which White tries to bring
about after P-Q4, by playing his Queen to K2. This covers his KP
a second time, and White’s P-Q4 can be answered with B-Kt3.
White’s QBP then obstructs the Kt’s natural development. In a
game von Schewe-Teichmann (Berlin, 1907) the position discussed
on p. 117 was reached after the following moves: 5. Castles, P-
Q3; 6. P-Q4, B-Kt3; 7. P-QR4, P-QR3; 8. P-R5, B-R2.
5. P-Q4 PxP
6. PxP B-Kt5ch
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | #K | | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | #P | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #Kt| | | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | #B | ^B | ^P | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| ^B | ^Q | ^K | | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 103
7. B-Q2
The pawn sacrifice by 7. Kt-B3, KtxKP; 8. Castles! is much more
interesting and more in keeping with the spirit of the opening.
[Footnote: The following two short games will give an idea of the
various lines of attack which are to be found in this opening:
a. Howell-Michell (cable match, England--America, 1907): 8. ...
BxKt; 9. P-Q5 (Moller attack), B-B3; 10. R-K1, Kt-K2; 11. RxKt,
P-Q3; 12. B-Kt5, BxB; 13. KtxB, B-B4 (the only chance of a draw
would be this: Castles; 14. KtxRP, KxKt; 15. QR5ch, K-Kt1; 16. R-
R4, P-KB4!; 17. B-K2, Kt-Kt3!; 18. Q-R7ch, K-B2; 19. R-R6, Kt-B5;
20. B-R5ch, KtxB; 21. Q-Kt6 with perpetual check); 14. Q-B3,Q-Q2
(BxR; 15. QxPch followed by Q-K6ch and QxB); 15. B-Kt5!, QxB; 16.
QxB, P-KB3; 17. QR-K1, PxKt; 18. RxKtch and mate in a few moves.
b. X v. Y, first 10 moves as before: 11. RxKt, Castles; 12. P-Q6,
PxP 13. B-KKt5, Kt-B4; 14. Q-Q5!, BxB; 15. KtxB, Kt-R3 (QxKt; 16.
QxPch); 16. Q R-K1, resigns.] White obtains a quick development
and prevents Black from freeing his game by playing P-Q4. After
8. ... BxKt; 9. P-Q5 follows (Moller attack), and after 9. ... B-
B3, White wins back his piece by R-K1 (10. PxKt would not be
good, as Black could free his game by KtPxP and P-Q4). On the
other hand, after 8. ... KtxKt; PxKt, White in addition gains a
move, as BxP is countered by Q-Kt3.
As played here, Black succeeds in playing P-Q4, and the game is
even. Indeed the isolated QP is a weakness in the White position.
7. ... BxBch
8. QKtxB P-Q4!
9. PxP KKtxP
10. Q-Kt3 QKt-K2
11. Castles KR Castles
12. KR-K1 P-QB3
Now the Knight is securely posted in the centre, and Black can
accumulate forces for the attack on the White QP, possibly by Q-
Kt3, R-Q1 and Kt-B4.
13. P-QR4
in order to drive the Queen from her Kt3, but this advance is
“three-edged,” as Master Gregory would say, and the pawn is sure
to prove weak in the end-game.
13. ... Q-Kt3
14. Q-R3 B-K3
15. P-R5 Q-B2
16. Kt-K4
Kt-KKt5 would seem to be stronger here. B-B4 would then be
answered by 17. B-Q3. After BxB, 18. QxB, White obtains
opportunities for a King’s side attack, in which the Rook could
co-operate via K4 and Kt4 or R4.
16. ... QR-Q1
17. Kt-B5 B-B1
18. P-KKt3?
This produces weak points at KB3 and KR3, and there being as yet
no definite threat in Black’s Kt-B5, should have been avoided. It
is of course difficult to formulate a plan of attack, for there
is no weak place in Black’s armour. In any case White could
safely have played QR-Q1 and Q2 in order to double the Rooks on
the King’s file or Queen’s file according to circumstances. But
now as soon as a Rook moves to Q1--and that will have to be done
in the end, to support the weak QP--Black’s B-Kt5 might become
awkward.
18. ... Kt-B4
19. QR-Q1 Kt-Q3!
20. BxKt Kt-Kt4
avoiding an isolated pawn in a subtle manner.
---------------------------------------
8 | | | #B | #R | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #Q | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | ^P | #Kt| ^Kt| ^B | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | ^Q | | | | | ^Kt| ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | ^P | | | | ^P | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | ^R | ^R | | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 104
21. Q-Kt4 RxB
22. Kt-Q3 B-Kt5
23. QKt-K5 P-R4
24. KtxB PxKt
25. Kt-R4
Kt-K5 would be answered by KR-Q1; 26. KtxP, KtxP threatening both
Kt-B6ch and Kt-B7. If White stops both threats with Q-B3, Kt-K7ch
wins.
25. ... KR-Q1
26. R-K7 Q-Q3
Now Black foregoes his well-earned advantage. He overlooks
White’s subtle move 28. P-R6. 26 Q-B1 was indicated. White’s
Queen’s Pawn could not escape, and there was time to dislodge the
White Rook from the seventh by R-Q2, e g. 26. ... Q-B1; 27. Q-
Kt3!, QR-Q2; 28. Q-K3, RxR; 29. QxR, KtxP.
27. QxQ KtxQ
28. P-R6! PxP
29. RxRP Kt-Kt4
30. RxRP KtxP
31. K-B1 P-Kt4
32. Kt-Kt2 Kt-B6
33. RxR PxR!
The pawn threatens to queen. Taking the Rook’s pawn would not be
so good, as it would displace the Knight. White would not only
regain the pawn easily with Kt-K3, but would also get his King
into play.
34. Kt-K1 R-K1
Here R-QB1 affords winning possibilities for Black. On account
of the threat of R-B8, the exchange of Knights by White would be
forced, and his game would have been badly cramped by the Black
KBP, e.g. 34. ... R-QB1; 35. KtxKt, PxKt; 36. R-R1 (K-K1?, R-B7;
37. R-Q6, R-K7ch; 38. K-B1, RxP; 39. K-K1, R-K7ch; 40. K-B1, R-
K4), R-Kt1; 37. R-Kt1, R-Kt6. After the move in the text the game
is drawn.
35. KtxKt PxKt
36. R-Q6 R-QB1
There is nothing in this move, as the Black passed pawn is now
attacked.
37. K-K1 R-K1ch
38. K-B1 R-QB1
Drawn.
GAME No. 5
White: R. C. Griffith. Black: W. H. Gunston.
Giuoco Piano.
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. B-B4 B-B4
4. P-B3 Kt-B3
5. P-Q3
P-Q4 would seem to be the logical consequence of P-B3, and
therefore preferable. After the text move Black will sooner or
later be able to enforce the advance of his own pawn to Q4, and
his pieces will then have the greater mobility.
5. ... P-Q3
Here Black might have played P-Q4 at once. For if White takes the
pawn, he leaves Black in possession of the pawn in the centre. If
he does not do so but plays B-QKt5 instead, Black’s reply would
be Q-K2 and the exchange of pawns at K 5 would follow. White’s P-
B3 is then clearly a lost move.
6. B-K3 B-Kt3
7. QKt-Q2 Kt-K2
8. Kt-B1 P-B3
9. Q-K2 Castles
10. Kt-Kt3 P-Q4
11. PxP PxP
12. B-Kt3 Kt-Kt3
Black has now the superior position on account of his pawn
centre.
13. Castles KR B-B2
14. B-Kt5 P-KR3
15. BxKt PxB
There is nothing in the weakness at Black’s KB3 and KR3 caused by
the disappearance of his KKt Pawn, as White has lost his KB. On
the contrary the open file should be a distinct asset, for,
having a strong centre, Black’s pieces are more mobile and he is
more likely to get an attack.
16. Q-K3 K-R2
17. P-KR3
in order to play Kt-R5, which otherwise would be answered by B-
Kt5.
17. ... KR-Kt1
18. K-R1 P-B4
19. Kt-R5 B-K3
BxP was threatened.
20. R-KKt1 P-B5
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | #Q | | | #R | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #B | | | #P | | #K |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | #B | | #Kt| #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | #P | #P | | | ^Kt|
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | | #P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | ^B | ^P | ^P | ^Q | ^Kt| | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | | ^P | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | | | | ^R | ^K |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 105
P-K5 would seem to be better, as it opens a diagonal for the KB,
and a diagonal, too, for the QB, as White has to exchange the
pawns. Indeed Black would soon have obtained a winning advantage,
e.g. 20. ... P-K5; 21. PxP (Kt-R2, Q-R5; 22. Q-K2, Kt-K4), BPxP;
22. Kt-R2, Q-R5; 23. Q-K2 (P-KKt4 or B-Q1, P-B4), Kt-K4,
threatening Kt-Kt5 and Kt-Q6. As it is, White gains a little
time, although Black’s position still remains superior.
21. Q-K2 Q-K2
22. P-Kt4 P-B3
to prevent P-Kt5.
23. R-Kt2 QR-K1
24. R-K1 Q-B2
25. Kt-Q2
intending to play P-B3, thus retarding Black’s P-K5, which is
still hanging over White like Damocles’ sword. The move, however,
lets in the Knight.
25. ... Kt-R5
26. R-R2 P-B4
27. P-B3 P-K5
Now this move is no longer feasible, as White’s brilliant
sacrifice demonstrates. To make the move possible, long
preparations would have been necessary, such as: R-Kt3, B-Q2-B3,
etc.
28. QPxP QPxP
29. KtxKP PxKt
30. QxPch R-Kt3
31. R(R2)-K2
The scene has changed with startling suddenness. White has open
files and diagonals for all his forces, whilst Black’s pieces are
immobilised. Whatever he plays, Black must lose the piece he has
gained.
31. ... B-Q3
32. Q-Q3 BxB
33. RxR Q-B5
He cannot play B-Q4 on account of Q-Q4.
34. Kt-B6ch K-Kt2
35. QR-K7ch BxR
36. RxBch KxKt
37. Q-Q6ch Resigns.
GAME No. 6
White: Mason. Black: Gunsberg.
Giuoco Piano.
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. B-B4 B-B4
4. P-Q3 P-Q3
5. B-K3 B-Kt3
6. P-B3 Kt-B3
7. QKt-Q2 Q-K2
8. P-QR4
A lost move. The logical continuation is Kt-B1-Kt3 and Castles.
8. ... B-K3
9. B-QKt5 BxB
Generally speaking, exchanges such as this are doubtful.
However, in the present case, although it opens the B file for
White, White cannot prevent Black from obtaining the same
advantage.
10. PxB P-QR3
Black gives up the move he has gained. There is no justification
for this, as nothing prevents him from proceeding with his
development at once with 10. ... Castles.
11. BxKtch PxB
12. P-QKt4
White is anxious lest his KtP should be made “backward” by P-QR4
and P-B4. This is one of the drawbacks of the premature advance
of the QRP.
12. ... Castles KR
13. Castles Kt-Kt5
14. Q-K2 P-KB4
15. PxP BxP
16. P-K4 B-Q2
17. Kt-B4 Kt-B3
18. Kt-K3 P-Kt3
19. P-B4
This creates a weakness at Q4.
Unimportant as it appears to be, it is the cause of the loss of
the game, as the opposing Knight gets in ultimately. The doubling
of the Rooks on the KB file would seem to be the best plan.
19. ... Kt-R4
20. P-Kt3
White’s weaknesses at KB3 and KR3 are more damaging than the
corresponding ones in the Black camp, as Black still possesses a
Bishop of the same colour as the weakened squares. But the move
is now compulsory; for were White to allow the Black Knight to
his KB5, and to drive him off then with P-Kt3, the Knight could
play to his R6 and prevent the doubling of the White Rooks.
20. ... B-R6
21. R-B2 Kt-Kt2
22. Q-Kt2
White begins to operate in the centre and on the Q wing, as his
position on the K side begins to be doubtful. The intention is to
play P-Q4, which, however, Black opposes at once.
22. ... Kt-K3
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | #P | | #Q | | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | #P | #P | #Kt| | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | ^P | ^Kt| ^Kt| ^P | #B |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | ^Q | | | | ^R | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | | | | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 106
If now White plays P-Q4, he loses a piece by PxP; 24. KtxP?, RxR;
25. KxR, Q-B3ch.
23. R-K1
The Rook has no future here, and R-Q1, in order to play P-Q4, is
more logical. But as Black obviously threatens to double his
Rooks on the KB file, it would be advisable to play for an
exchange of Rooks, with: Kt-Kt2, QR-B1 and Kt-K1.
23. ... R-B2
24. QR-K2 QR-KB1
25. Kt-K1 Kt-Q5
26. R-Q2 Q-Kt4
27. Kt(K3)-Kt2 BxKt
28. KxB
KtxB is frustrated by Kt-B6ch.
28. ... Q-K6
All the Black forces are now in action, and White has no defence,
as his pieces can hardly move.
29. K-B1 Kt-Kt6!
Resigns.
If R-K2 or B2, there follows RxRch; 31. RxR, Kt-Q7ch; 32. QxKt,
QxQ.
GAME NO. 7
White: Marshall. Black: Tarrasch.
Max Lange Attack.
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. P-Q4 PxP
3. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
4. B-QB4 B-B4
5. Castles Kt-B3
Black can avoid the complications of the Max Lange attack by 5.
... P-Q3. In that case White cannot recover the pawn, and in
order to develop his QKt effectively, would have to play P-B3,
aiming at rapid development in return, after 6. ... PxP; 7. KtxP.
But Black can frustrate this plan either by pushing his pawn to
Q6, so that the QKt is barred from the square B3, or by playing
B-KKt5 with this probable continuation: 7. Q-Kt3, BxKt; 8. BxPch,
K-B1; 9. PxB, Kt-B3, and Black has the better game, for White’s
King’s side is broken up and his pieces undeveloped, while Black
has prospects of attack on the open KB file.
6. P-K5 P-Q4
7. PxKt PxB
8. R-K1ch B-K3
9. Kt-Kt5 Q-Q4
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | | #K | | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #Kt| | #B | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #B | #Q | | | ^Kt| |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | #P | #P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| ^B | ^Q | ^R | | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 107
This is the typical position in the Max Lange attack. With his
ninth move White threatened to win a piece by KtxB and Q-R5ch.
Black could not parry the threat by 9. ... Q-Q3, on account of
PxP followed by Kt-K4-B6ch. The position in the diagram appears
to be favourable for Black, as all his minor pieces are in play,
whilst White’s development is somewhat restricted by Black’s
strong pawns at QB5 and Q5. For a long time this opening has not
been played in tournaments, being considered unsatisfactory for
White. With the present game, and his new move of 15. B-R6,
Marshall has reopened the question as to whether White’s attack
on the K file plus the pawn at KKt7 is sufficiently tempting.
10. Kt-QB3 Q-B4
11. QKt-K4 Castles QR
This is imperative. If Black retires the Bishop from his unsafe
position, White permanently prevents Black from castling, which
is bound to be fatal in view of the open K file--e.g. 11. ... B-
Kt3; 12. PxP, R-KKt1; 13. P-KKt4, Q-Kt3; 14. KtxB, PxKt; l5. B-
Kt5, RxP; 16. Q-B3 with a violent attack.
12. KtxQB
If White tries to win the exchange in the following way: 12. P-
KKt4, Q-K4!; 13. Kt-KB3, Q-Q4; 14. PxP followed by Kt-B6, Black
can initiate a promising counter attack by 14. ... BxP!!; 15.
PxR-Q, RxQ; 16. Kt-B6, QxKt; 17. QxQ, BxQ. In this case White
exposes his King’s side by P-KKt4 in order to benefit from the
unstable position of the Black KB, but unless care is taken, he
can easily fall a victim to an attack on the open KKt file
12. ... PxKt
13. P-KKt4 Q-K4
Not Q-Q4, on account of PxP and Kt-B6.
14. PxP KR-Kt1
15. B-R6
This is Marshall’s innovation. It gets the Bishop out of play, as
P-Kt5 must necessarily follow, yet the pawn at Kt7 holds the
Black Rook, and there is a permanent threat of Kt-B6 either
winning the exchange or, if the Knight is taken, giving White a
pair of formidable passed pawns.
15. ... P-Q6
16. P-B3 B-Q3
This is quite to White’s liking, since he wishes to advance Ids
centre pawns. Black’s only chance of escaping disaster would be:
B-K2, with R-Q2, Kt-Q1-B2. Instead of this, his next few moves do
not reveal any concerted plan, and he loses in a surprisingly
short time.
17. P-B4 Q-Q4
18. Q-B3 B-K2
19. P-Kt5 Q-B4
20. Kt-Kt3 Q-B2
In manoeuvring his Q, Black has achieved nothing either for
counter attack or defence. Now White has numerous attacking
chances. He first turns his attention to the KP.
21. Q-Kt4 QR-K1
22. R-K4! P-Kt4
23. P-QR4
and now even the QR takes part in the assault. Black’s game is
hopeless.
23. ... P-R3
24. PxP PxP
25. K-Kt2
attacking the KP by avoiding the check.
25. ... Kt-Q1
26. Q-B3 Q-Kt3
27. R-Q4 P-B3
28. RxKtch KxR
29. QxP Resigns.
After this, no master has tried to defend a “Max Lange” in an
international tournament.
GAME NO. 8
White: Blackburne. Black: Em. Lasker.
Scotch Game.
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. P-Q4 PxP
4. KtxP B-B4
5. B-K3 Q-B3
The threat KtxKt and BxB must be met in some way. P-Q3 is not
satisfactory, for Black remains with a trebled pawn after the
double exchange. An alternative to the text move is B-Kt3. Q-B3,
however, has the advantage of developing a piece, and although it
is the Queen, White has no early opportunity of driving the same
off, such as he often obtains when the Queen comes out so soon in
the game.
6. P-QB3 KKt-K2
7. Kt-B2
In order to develop the QKt.
7. ... P-QKt3!
Out of three possible moves, Lasker selects the one which
contributes most to development. B-Kt3 does nothing in that
direction, and BxB would bring the White Knight further into
play. The text move prepares the development of the B at Kt2 with
the option of Castles QR. If White exchanges Bishops he gives up
the command of his Q4. Black’s P-Q3 might have had the same
result, but then the exchange would have given White a majority
of pawns on the K side, whilst White’s three Q side pawns would
have held the black Q side pawns, one of the latter being
doubled.
8. Kt-Q2 Q-Kt3
The exchange of Bishops allows White to play Kt-K3, thus avoiding
the weakening move P-K Kt3. 9. B-KB4 is answered by P-Q4!.
9. BxB PxB
10. Kt-K3 R-QKt1
11. P-QKt3 Castles
12. B-B4
To prevent Black’s P-B4.
At first sight it seems as if the QBP ought to move to B4, as the
advance of the QKtP has weakened it. But White dares not allow a
Black Knight to settle at Q5.
12. ... P-Q3
13. P-B4!
---------------------------------------
8 | | #R | #B | | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | | #P | | #Kt| #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #Kt| #P | | | #Q | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^B | | ^P | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | ^P | ^P | | ^Kt| | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | | | ^Kt| | | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | ^K | | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 108
Black threatens to play K-R1 in order to play P-B4. White’s
position would then be very bad, and therefore he rightly decides
to anticipate the move, even at the cost of a pawn. In order to
gain the QBP Black must waste a number of moves with the Q, and
White gains time for a King’s side attack. The pawn sacrifice is
very promising indeed.
13. ... Q-B3
14. Castles QxQBP
15. R-B3
There seem to be many threats here, and the position is a
difficult one to fathom. After disentangling his Queen, Black
tries very hard to force his P-B4. As soon as he succeeds in this
he has a won game, for the open file is available both for
defence and counter-attack.
15. ... Q-Q5
16. K-R1 B-K3
17. R-QB1 BxB
18. RxB Q-Kt7
Q-B3 is impossible apart from the fact that it would block the
KBP, e.g. 18. ... Q-B3; 19. P-K5, PxP; 20. Kt-K4, etc.
19. R-QB2 Q-B3
Now the attack shown in the last note could be answered with Q-
R5.
20. Kt-Kt4
Here P-KKt4 could be answered by Kt-Q5, e.g. 21. P-Kt5, Q-Kt3;
22. R-Kt3, P-B4.
20. ... Q-Kt3
21. R-Kt3 P-B4
22. Kt-K5 Q-K3
23. KtxKt KtxKt
24. P-K5 Kt-Kt5!
This prevents the Rook from occupying the Q file which is about
to be opened.
25. R-B4 PxP
26. Q-R1 Q-Q2!
If now QxP, Black plays R-B2 with unanswerable threats of R-K1 or
Q1.
27. Kt-B3 PxP
28. Kt-K5 Q-K2
29. RxKBP QR-K1
30. Kt-B4 Q-K8ch
31. R-B1 QxQ
32. RxQ KtxP
33. P-R3 P-B5
34. R-Q3 Kt-Kt5
35. R-Q7 P-B6!
36. PxP RxP
37. RxRP Kt-Q6
threatens mate in six.
38. R-R1 Kt-K8
mate is again threatened.
39. Kt-Q2 RxPch
40. K-Kt1 R-Kt6ch
41. K-R2 R-Q6!
42. RxKt RxKtch
43. RxR RxR
44. R-Q7 R-K6
45. RxP RxP
46. RxP P-R3
47. R-B6
A few more moves “for fun.”
47. ... K-R2
48. K-Kt2 P-R4
49. R-R6 P-Kt3
50. R-R4 K-R3
51. R-QB4 R-Kt7ch
52. K-Kt3 K-Kt4
53. R-B3 P-R5ch
54. K-R3 K-R4
55. R-B4 R-Kt6ch
56. K-R2 P-Kt4
57. R-R4 R-Kt7ch
58. K-Rsq P-R6
59. R-QB4 P-Kt5
60. K-Ktsq P-Kt6
61. R-B5ch K-Kt3
62. R-Bsq K-B4
63. R-Rsq R-Q7
64. R-Ksq K-B5
65. R-Rsq K-K6
66. R-R3ch R-Q6
67. R-Rsq K-K7
Resigns.
GAME No. 9
White: Salwe. Black: Marshall.
Two Knights’ Defence
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. B-B4 Kt-B3
4. Kt-Kt5
This attack may be tempting, as the BP cannot be protected, but
it is against that elementary principle which says that no attack
should be undertaken in the opening until the minor pieces are
mobilised, provided of course that Black also has made sound
opening moves. There is every likelihood that the attack in the
present instance will lead to nothing. It has taken many years
to find the correct reply, but now that it is known, the opening
has practically disappeared from master practice. Instead of the
move in the text, White can play either P-Q3, leading almost
unavoidably to a drawing variation of the Giuoco piano, or
Castles which might bring about the Max Lange attack after 4. ...
B-B4; 5. P-Q4, PxP.
4. ... P-Q4
5. PxP Kt-QR4!
This is a typical position in the Two Knights’ defence. The
former continuation 5. ... KtxQP has long been abandoned, as the
attack that White can initiate by 6. KtxBP, KxKt; 7. Q-B3ch,
forcing the Black King to K3, is dangerous though the result is
uncertain. The move in the text breaks the attack from the very
first, and Black gets the advantage
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | #K | #B | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | #Kt| | | ^P | #P | | ^Kt| |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^B | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | ^P | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| ^B | ^Q | ^K | | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 109
as he can gain time by attacking the two minor pieces which it
should be noted, are unsupported, and in addition obtain a speedy
development, worth more than the pawn given up for it.
6. P-Q3
B-Kt5ch is an alternative. The advantage is Black’s in this case
also--e.g. P-B3; 7. PxP, PxP; 8. B-K2, P-KR3; 9. Kt-KB3, P-K5;
10. Kt-K5, Q-B2; 11. P-Q4, B-Q3 (or PxP e.p. followed by B-Q3);
12. P-KB4, PxP e.p.; 13. KtxP, Kt-Kt5 or 11. P-B4, B-Q3; 12. P-
Q4, PxP e.p.; 13 KtxP, Castles. Black has an easy game and open
lines.
6. ... P-KR3
7. Kt-KB3 P-K5
8. Q-K2 KtxB
9. PxKt B-QB4
10. KKt-Q2
The Knight must move sooner or later.
10. ... Castles
11. Kt-Kt3 B-KKt5
12. Q-B1
A sorry retreat, but the plausible Q-Q2 would be disastrous, e.g.
P-K6!; 13. PxP, Kt-K5 and Q-R5ch
12. ... B-Kt5ch
Black’s superior development begins to tell in no uncertain
fashion. Now White can neither play 13. B-Q2 on account of BxBch;
14. QKtxB, R-K1, followed by P-K6, nor 13. Kt-B3 on account of
BxKt; 14. PXB, P-B3 regaining the pawn and maintaining positional
advantage. White has therefore no alternative but P-B3, which
weakens his Q3, where a Black Knight soon settles down.
13. P-B3 B-K2
14. P-KR3 B-R4
15. P-Kt4 B-Kt3
At last White can castle. He can, of course, only castle on the
Queen’s side, because his King’s side pawns are shattered. Now
games in which the Kings castle on different wings are more or
less beyond calculation, as pointed out before. On the whole, the
player who first attacks wins. But experience has shown that the
Queen’s side is more difficult to defend on account of its
greater expanse, and this theory is supported by the present
game. In addition, White’s development is not completed yet,
whilst all the Black forces are ready to strike.
16. B-K3 Kt-Q2
17. QKt-Q2 Kt-K4
18. Castles P-Kt4
Storming the position with pawns is peculiar to this kind of
game. The intention is to break up the opposing pawn position,
and to open files for the Rooks. Pawns are cheap in such cases.
Open lines for the pieces are the things that matter, and the
fewer pawns there are left, the more open lines are available for
the attack.
19. PxP Kt-Q6ch
20. K-Kt1 QxP
21. K-R1
The King was not safe on the diagonal. White wishes to push on
his King’s side pawns (P-B4-B5, and so on). But after PxP e.p.
there would be a fatal discovered check by the Black Knight.
22. ... QxP
Black’s advantage becomes more marked. He has recovered his pawn,
and for the ensuing attacks on both sides he is better placed,
having already two open files for his Rooks.
22. P-KB4 P-QR4
23. QR-Kt1 P-KB4
24. Kt-Q4 Q-R5!
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | #P | | #B | | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | | #B | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | #P | | | | | #P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | #Q | | | ^Kt| #P | ^P | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | #Kt| ^B | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | ^Kt| | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^K | ^R | | | | ^Q | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 110
The position bristles with chances for daring sacrifices. After
25. KtxBP, for instance, Black could play RxKt!; 26. PxR, Kt-Kt5;
27. PxKt, PxP; 28. P-R3 (Q-B4ch?, B-B2), B-B3; 29. K-R2, QxPch;
30. PxQ, RxP mate.
25. P-Kt3 Q-Q2
26. PxP BxP
27. Q-Kt2 P-B4
White’s compulsory 25. P-Kt3 has weakened his QB3, and the move
in the text is intended to open the diagonal KB3-QB6 for the
Black Bishop.
28. KtxB QxKt
29. QxP B-B3
30. Q-B4ch K-R1
31. Kt-K4 QR-K1
White cannot parry all the threats at once. Though he gets rid of
the threatening B, he lets in the hostile R on the K file and the
end cannot long be delayed.
32. KtxB RxKt
33. B-B1 KR-K3
34. B-R3 R-K7
35. KR-Q1 Kt-K8
36. BxP Kt-B7ch
37. K-Kt2 Kt-Kt5ch
and mate at R7 or B7.
GAME No. 10
White: Teichmann. Black: Amateurs in consultation.
Two Knights’ Defence.
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. B-B4 Kt-B3
4. Castles
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | #K | #B | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | #P | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #Kt| | | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^B | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | ^P | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| ^B | ^Q | ^K | | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 111
The idea underlying this pawn sacrifice is to open the K file for
the Rook. It will be seen that, with correct play, Black manages
to castle just in time, and White, though winning back his pawn,
has no advantage in position. The opening is seldom played by
modern masters.
Instead of the move in the text, White can hardly defend the KP
with Kt-B3, as Black simply captures the pawn and recovers his
piece by P-Q4, with a satisfactory position. It is even better
for Black if White plays 6. BxPch in reply to 5. ... KtxP. The
capture of White’s KP is far more important than that of the
Black KBP, particularly as the White Bishop, which could be
dangerous on the diagonal QR2-KKt8, is exchanged, e.g. 6. ...
KxB; 7. KtxKt, P-Q4; 8. Kt-Kt5ch, K-Kt1! Black continues P-KR3,
K-R2, R-B1 and has open lines for Rooks and Bishops.
4. ... KtxP
Black can, of course, develop his B-B4. Then he must either
submit to the Max Lange attack (5. P-Q4, PxP) or play BxP, giving
up the useful B, in which case he loses the pawn gained after 6.
KtxB, KtxKt; 7. P-KB4, P-Q3; 8. PxP, PxP; 9. B-KKt5, and
eventually Q-B3.
5. P-Q4
R-K1 at once would lead to nothing.
5. ... PxP
6. R-K1 P-Q4
7. BxP! QxB
8. Kt-B3
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | | #K | #B | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #Kt| | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | #Q | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | #P | #Kt| | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | ^B | ^Q | ^R | | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 112
This attack has been analysed extensively by Steinitz. The
only square where the Queen cannot be attacked at once by the
minor pieces is at QI. After 8. ... Q-QI, Black obtains quite a
satisfactory game: 9. RxKtch, B-K2; 10. KtxP, P-B4. This is
Pillsbury’s move, intending to displace the Rook. Black has then
open lines for his two Bishops as compensation for his shattered
pawn position. 11. R-KB4, Castles; 12. KtxKt, QxQch; 13. KtxQ,
PxKt. Now it is not easy to find a reasonable plan for White, as
Black threatens to cramp White’s game with B-Q3 and P-B5. It is
therefore necessary for White to take measures against that by
playing R-B4 and B-B4. If Black still plays B-Q3, B-B4 follows,
with the intention of exchanging and of provoking Black’s P-B4,
which leaves the QP “backward.”
8. ... Q-KR4
9. KtxKt B-K2
10. B-Kt5 B-K3
11. BxB KtxB
12. Kt-Kt3 Q-R3
13. QxP Castles KR
14. QR-Q1
Now White is ahead with his development, having both Rooks in
play and his Queen better placed. Nor can the latter be attacked
by R-Q1, as White would simply play QxR. On the Queen being
driven away by the Black Knight, he exchanges the latter and
plays the Queen back into the same dominating position,
eventually producing a dislocation of the Black Queen’s side
pawns.
14. ... Kt-B3
15. Q-QR4 QR-Q1
16. Kt-Q4! KtxKt
17. RxKt RxR
18. QxR P-QKt3
19. Q-K5 P-QB4
It is instructive to watch how this very slight weakness created
by Black’s advance of his pawns brings him into trouble. A White
Knight settles down at his Q6, which is no longer guarded by the
Black QBP, and paralyses the whole of Black’s game. Another
factor in White’s superiority of position is the possession of
the King’s file. The Black Rook cannot move until the King gets a
loophole by a pawn move. As we have seen, such a pawn move often
affords an entry to the opposing pieces.
20. P-KB4 B-B1
Not BxP, of course, because of P-QKt3 and Q-Kt2. The Bishop
which cannot remain at K3 is to go to Kt2, so that the threat of
mate after Q-QB3 may also hold up a White piece.
21. P-B5 B-Kt2
22. Q-K7 Q-QB3
23. R-K2 P-B3
Compulsory, as otherwise P-B6 forces the KtP to advance, which is
fatal in any case. After P-Kt3, White would cover his BP and play
his Q to KR6. On the other hand, after PxP there is Kt-R5-B6, and
Black is in a mating net.
24. Kt-K4 Q-Q4
25. Kt-Q6 B-B3
The threat was QxRch and R-K8 mate.
26. P-KR3
in order to retreat to R2 in case of Q-Q8ch. In a way P-KR3
creates a certain weakness, as the square at Kt3 is now
defenceless, but Black has no pieces with which to take advantage
of it: his Rook cannot move, his Bishop is on the White squares.
If Black had a KB instead, the move would be very doubtful,
because then Black might break in through White’s KKt3.
26. ... P-B5
White’s threat was to repel the Black Queen by P-B4 and to mate
in five moves, beginning with Q-K6ch.
27. P-B3 P-KR3
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | | | | ^Q | | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | #P | #B | ^Kt| | #P | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | #Q | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | #P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | | | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | ^R | | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 113
This disposes of the winning of the Queen by the threatened mate.
But it creates a weakness at Black’s Kt3, which White exploits in
grand style. He decides to play the King himself to Kt6,
threatening mate at Kt7. In spite of several raids by the Black
Queen, this quaint device is crowned with success. The weakness
created by P-KR3 could not be demonstrated more drastically.
28. K-R2 P-QKt4
29. K-Kt3 P-QR4
30. K-R4 P-Kt3
If White were to play PxP now, Black would mate him one move
earlier (Q-Kt4). Of course he parries the threat first, and Black
is helpless.
31. R-K3 QxKtP
32. R-Kt3 Q-B7
After P-Kt4ch White could not play 33. K-Kt4 on account of the
pretty mate by B-B6. He would play K-R5-Kt6.
33. PxP Q-B5ch
34. R-Kt4 Q-B7ch
35. K-R5 Resigns.
A most instructive game, showing how the superior position of the
pieces can lead indirectly to a win, by reducing the opponent’s
pieces gradually to impotence and compelling him to move pawns,
thereby affording opportunities for a decisive entry.
GAME No. 11
White: Schlechter. Black: Janowski.
Ruy Lopez (compare p. 40).
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. B-Kt5 Kt-B3
4. Castles KtxP
A continuation, which has lately gained in favour, is: P-Q3 and
B-K2 (see p. 39).
5. P-Q4 B-K2
It is clearly very dangerous to gratify White’s wish for an open
file by playing PxP. The move may be playable in the system of
defence called the “Riga variation” (see Game No. 17). Here it
would be advantageous to be able to close the KB’s diagonal. It
is better when intending to play the “Riga variation” to have
played P-QR3 on the third move.
6. Q-K2 Kt-Q3
7. BxKt KtPxB
8. PxP Kt-Kt2
9. Kt-B3 Castles
10. R-K1 R-K1
The manœuvre cited on p. 40, namely Kt-B4-K3, which makes P-Q4
possible, is essential for the development of the QB. Black loses
the present game because White is able to keep the Bishop shut in
permanently
11. Q-B4 Kt-B4
so that the pawn B3 should not be “hanging” when the QP moves.
12. Kt-KKt5! BxKt
13. BxB QxB
14. QxKt R-K3
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | | | | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | | #P | #P | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | |#R | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | ^Q | | ^P | | #Q | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | | ^R | | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 114
After the exchanges the position is clearly in favour of White.
Against an undeveloped B, which also hampers a Rook, his Knight
is mobile. The Black Queen’s side pawns are weak, and give White
winning chances even if Black succeeds in playing P-Q4 and
bringing the Bishop into play. The move in the text, which
covers the pawn at B3, again prepares for P-Q4.
15. Q-Q4 B-Kt2
The only chance lay in the pawn sacrifice by P-QB4, after which
the Bishop gets to Kt2 with a threat of mate, and the QR is free.
16. Q-QKt4 B-B1
17. Kt-K4
Fine play. If Black captures the pawn, White obtains a combined
attack with Q, R, and Kt, to which Black can only oppose the Q,
so that the result cannot be in doubt--e.g. 17. ... QxKP; 18. Kt-
B5, Q-Q3; 19. Q-QB4, RxRch; 20. RxR, P-KR3; 21. R-K8ch, K-R2; 22.
Q-K4ch, P-Kt3 (Q-Kt3?; 23. QxQ, followed by KtxP); 23. Kt-Q3 and
R-K7.
17. ... Q-K2
18. Kt-B5 R-Kt3
19. R-K3 P-QR4
20. Q-Q4 R-Kt1
21. P-QB4
preventing R-Kt4
21. ... P-R3
22. P-QKt3 K-R2
23. R-Q1 Q-Kt4
24. R-Kt3 Q-B4
25. RxR PxR
Black has built a wall of pawns round his King, but it does not
avail against the superior forces which White can concentrate.
White’s plan is clear. He will advance his pawns, and break up
those that surround the Black King, always taking care that Black
does not free his Queen’s side meanwhile. His pieces will then
break in easily, and Black is forced to look on passively.
26. P-KR3 R-R1
27. P-QR4
to prevent the sacrifice of a pawn by P-R5, which would bring the
Black Rook into play.
27. ... R-Kt1
28. R-Q3 Q-Kt4
29. K-R2 Q-K2
30. P-B4 Q-B2
31. P-K6!!
---------------------------------------
8 | | #R | #B | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | #P | #P | | #Q | #P | #K |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | | ^P | | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | #P | | ^Kt| | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | ^P | | ^P | ^Q | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | ^P | | ^R | | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | | ^P | ^K |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 115
A beautiful move which robs Black of his last chance of freeing
his Queen’s side, which he might have accomplished by the pawn
sacrifice of P-Q3.
31. ... PxP
32. Q-K5 Q-K2
33. P-KKt4 R-Kt5
34. K-Kt3 R-Kt3
35. P-R4 Q-B1
36. P-R5 PxP
37. QxRP R-Kt1
38. Q-K5 R-Kt3
39. P-Kt5 P-R4
40. P-Kt6ch
The end is near. Black must take, as QxRP forces a speedy
40. ... KxP
41. Q-Kt5ch K-R2
42. QxRPch K-Kt1
43. Q-Kt5
threatening R-Q8
43. ... K-B2
44. R-Q8 Q-K2
45. Q-R5ch Resigns.
Loss of the Queen and mate in a few moves cannot be prevented.
Black has played the whole game practically with two pieces less,
and the mate was really only a matter of time.
GAME No. 12
White: Teichmann. Black: Rubinstein.
Ruy Lopez (see p. 37).
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. B-Kt5 P-QR3
4. B-R4
By exchanging the Bishop White could not prove P-QR3 to be a lost
move, for Black, by retaking with the QP, obtains open lines for
Q and QB, and in addition to an easy development, retains two
Bishops. This is a set-off against a certain weakness in Black’s
game, which may be found in the fact that after P-Q4, PxP, White
has four pawns to three on the King’s side, while his three pawns
on the Queen’s side are able to hold the four opposing pawns, one
of which is doubled. But this weakness can only tell in the end-
game, which is too far ahead for practical purposes, and to which
it may not come at all. An example of the usual line of play will
be found in Game No. 18.
4. ... Kt-B3
5. Castles B-K2
6. R-K1 P-QKt4
7. B-Kt3 P-Q3
8. P-B3
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | #K | | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | #P | | #B | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | #Kt| #P | | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | #P | | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | ^B | ^P | | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | ^P | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| ^B | ^Q | ^R | | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 116
8. ... Castles
In Capablanca’s opinion Black should not castle before White’s
intentions in the centre have been made clear. It makes a great
difference whether White plays his QP to Q4 or to Q3 only.
If after 8. ... QKt-R4; 9. B-B2, P-B4 White plays: 10. P-Q4, his
intention is to move his pawn further to Q5 as soon as Black has
castled, and then to attack on the King’s wing with QKt-Q2-B1-K3,
P-KKt4 and Kt-B5. For this reason Black should force White to
disclose whether he intends to exchange his QP or to advance it
to Q5. In the latter case Black can refrain from castling
altogether and counter-attack on the King’s wing, e.g., 10. P-Q4,
Q-B2; 11. P-KR3, B-Q2; 12. QKt-Q2, R-QB1; if now: 13. P-Q5 then
P-R3 followed by P-Kt4-Kt5 gives Black many chances. If on the
contrary 13. PxP, then Black need no longer fear an attack on the
King’s side after he has castled, as his Rooks will have a
favourable opportunity for operating on the open Queen’s file.
However, there is still the disadvantage for Black of having
advanced Queen’s side pawns, which are liable to attack (P-QR4).
The game takes a different course when Black exchanges the pawns
in the centre. The continuation would then be: 11. ... Kt-B3;
12. Q Kt-Q2, B-Q2; 13. Kt-B1, PxP; 14. PxP, PxP; 15. B-Kt5, Q-
Kt3. It is difficult to decide which side has the advantage.
Black has an extra pawn, but White has the initiative.
If in Diag. 116, after 8. ... Castles White plays 9. P-Q4 at
once, Black has an opportunity for the following interesting
attack: 9. P-Q4, B-Kt5; 10. B-K3, KtxKP; 11. B-Q5, Q-Q2; 12.
BxKKt, P-Q4; 13. B-B2, P-K5 14. P-KR3, B-R4; 15. Kt-K5, BxQ; 16.
KtxQ, BxB; 17. KtxR, RxKt. White cannot take advantage of his
Rooks, as there is no open file, whilst Black threatens to
initiate a strong attack with P-B4.
Aljechin has analysed a variation of this line of play, which he
thinks leads finally to White’s advantage: 12. PxP, Kt-Kt4; 13.
BxKt, BxB; 14. P-KR3, BxKt; 15. QxB, KtxP; 16. RxKt, PxR; 17.
BxR, B-B8; 18. Kt-R3, Q-Q7. I doubt that White can win this game.
9. P-Q3
In this less aggressive continuation, in which nothing is
immediately attempted against Black’s centre, White prepares
gradually for a King’s side attack, as in this game with Kt-Q2-
B1-Kt3. But Black should obtain time for operations in the
centre.
9. ... Kt-QR4
10. B-B2 P-B4
11. QKt-Q2 Kt-B3
12. P-QR4
In many variations of the Ruy Lopez, this advance is always good,
if Black cannot avoid exchanging the pawn, because the White
Queen’s Rook, which only gets into play with difficulty, can
either be exchanged or hold the Rook’s file. In any case the
Black Knight’s pawn is weak for the end-game. If, as in the
present game. Black can play P-Kt5, P-R4 is useless and even
doubtful, as the Rook’s pawn itself may become weak in the end-
game.
12. ... B-Kt2
This causes the loss of the game. In the Ruy Lopez the Bishop is
nearly always needed on the diagonal QB1-KR6, to prevent a Knight
from settling at White’s KB5, which otherwise cannot be repelled
except by P-KKt3, a most undesirable consummation. The proper
continuation would have been P-Kt5, B-K3, Q-B2 and P-Q4,
capturing the Queen’s file. Compare note to move 13 in the next
game.
13. Kt-B1 Q-B2
14. Kt-Kt3 P-Kt3
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | #B | #Q | | #B | #P | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | #Kt| #P | | #Kt| #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | #P | #P | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | ^P | | | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | ^P | | ^Kt| ^Kt| |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | ^P | ^B | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | ^B | ^Q | ^R | | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 117
Here is the weakness. White first provides against Black’s P-Q4,
and then starts a sharp attack on the King’s side.
15. B-Kt5 QR-Q1
P-Q4 at once is not feasible, because of BxKt.
16. PxP PxP
17. Q-B1
This brings the Q away from her file, which Black could now
secure by P-Q4, followed by PxP.
17. ... KR-K1
The proper continuation is the one outlined in the note above.
18. P-R3
White has now ample leisure to prepare the advance of his KBP.
18. ... R-R1
19. RxR RxR
20. Kt-R2 B-QB1
21. P-KB4 Kt-K1
22. P-B5 BxB
23. QxB Q-K2
Black seeks salvation in exchanges, which White, of course, tries
to avoid, having good prospects of driving home his attack. His
pieces are concentrated on the King’s side, whilst the Black
forces are scattered, and unable to get back in time for the
defence. Moreover, it is likely that the weakness at Black’s KR3
and KB3 will prove fatal as the Black KB is exchanged.
24. Q-R6 Q-B1
25. Q-B1 Q-Kt2
26. R-B1 P-Kt4
White was threatening to play Kt-Kt4 with PxP and Kt-R6.
27. Kt-Kt4 Kt-B3
28. KtxKtch QxKt
One of the attacking Knights is eliminated. But there is another,
which forces the entry at KB6 and KKt6.
29. P-R4
to gain access for the White Queen at KR6. If Black, captures
there follows: 30. Kt-R5, Q-Q1; 31. Q-R6, Q-B1; 32. Kt-B6ch, an
instructive example of the weakness created by P-KKt3.
29. ... P-R3
30. Kt-R5 Q-Q1
31. P-B6
All this is easy to understand.
31. ... K-R2
32. PxP B-Kt5
33. Kt-Kt7 K-Kt3
34. B-Q1 Q-Q2
35. Kt-B5 BxKt
36. PxBch Resigns.
The conclusion might be: K-R2; 37. B-R5, PxP; 38. QxP, R-KKt1;
39. B-Kt6ch, PxB; 40. Q-R4 mate.
GAME No. 13
White: Teichmann. Black: Schlechter.
Ruy Lopez (see p. 37).
Move 1-8 as in Game No. 12.
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | #P | | #B | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | #Kt| #P | | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | #P | | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | ^B | ^P | | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | ^P | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| ^B | ^Q | ^R | | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 118
9. P-Q3 Kt-QR4
10. B-B2 P-B4
11. QKt-Q2 Q-B2
Supporting, as it does, the KP, this is not a lost move, although
White has not played P-Q4. It prepares Black’s P-Q4 (after Kt-
B3), the KP being fully protected against White’s double attack
by PxP.
12. Kt-B1 Kt-B3
13. Kt-K3 B-Kt2
The logical move would have been B-K3, to enforce P-Q4. Black is
then very well developed, whilst White labours under a somewhat
undeveloped Queen’s side. An attempt to exert pressure in the
centre with P-Q4 in order to prevent Black’s P-Q4 would be
belated. Black would gain the advantage by: l4. ... KPxP; 15.
PxP, PxP; 16. KtxP, KtxKt; 17. QxKt, Kt-Kt5! Nor would B-Kt5
before Kt-K3 be more successful; after B-K3; 14. Kt-K3, QR-Q1;
15. P-Q4, BPxP; 16. PxP, PxP; 17. KtxP, KtxKt; 18. QxKt, Q-B4,
Black has the better chances in the end-game. The move in the
text is not good because, as we saw before, the Bishop is wanted
on the other diagonal to cover the square at KB4.
14. Kt-B5 KR-K1
15. B-Kt5 Kt-Q2
Even now it was desirable to aim at P-Q4, therefore QR-Q1 was
preferable.
16. B-Kt3
The position of the White pieces points to a dangerous menace to
the opposing King’s side.
16. ... Kt-B1
17. B-Q5!!
The beginning of a brilliant combination. BxKt is threatened, and
Black must first cover his B at K2.
17. ... Kt-Kt3
18. BxB KKtxB
QKtxB is not feasible, because of BxB and KtxQP.
19. BxPch!! KxB
20. Kt-Kt5ch
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | | #R | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | #B | #Q | | #Kt| #K | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | #Kt| #P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | #P | #P | | #P | ^Kt| ^Kt| |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | ^R | | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 119
Quite a number of charming combinations are hidden in this
position. If K-Kt3 or Kt1, then 21. KtxKtP! If K-B3 White can
capture the RP first with check.
20. ... K-Kt1
21. Q-R5 KtxKt
22. QxRPch K-B1
23. QxKtch K-Kt1
24. Q-Kt6!!!
The point. This prevents P-Kt3, which would allow Black to bring
up his Q for the defence at Kt2. Now nothing can be done against
the threatening R-K3-B3 or R3.
24. ... Q-Q2
25. R-K 3 Resigns
A wonderful game in which Teichmann, the great judge of position,
proves himself also a master in hand-to-hand fighting, in the
wild chaos of sacrificial combinations.
GAME No. 14
White: Spielmann. Black: Tarrasch.
Ruy Lopez (see p. 41).
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. B-KT5 P-QR3
4. B-R4 Kt-B3
5. Castles Kt-P
6. P-Q4
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | #K | #B | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | #P | #P | #P | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | #Kt| | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | ^B | | | ^P | #Kt| | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| ^B | ^Q | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 120
In a game between Riga and Berlin PxP was tried for the first
time, a bold venture which anticipates White’s desire to open the
King’s file. After 7. R-K1 Black can defend the Kt by P-Q4, but
after 8. KtxP White threatens again to win the Kt by P-KB3,
besides attacking the QKt a second time. However, Black has a
surprising answer in readiness. He initiates a violent counter
attack which keeps White busy until Black, by castling, escapes
the dangers of the double pin. (Compare Game No. 17.)
6. ... P-QKt4
7. B-Kt3 P-Q4
8. P-QR4
This gives Black an opportunity of disposing of his QKt by
exchanging it, thereby enabling him to round off his pawn
position by P-QB4, at the same time threatening to cut off the
Bishop by P-B5. 8. PxP followed by P-B3 is the natural
continuation, as shown in the first part of this book, because
the Bishop, retreating to B2, can operate on a useful diagonal.
8. ... QKtxP!
QR-Kt1 would not be so good, because White obtains an open file
for his Rook. The move in the text is an absolutely valid
defence, as was proved by Schlechter in his match against Lasker.
9. KtxKt PxKt
10. Kt-B3
PxP and P-B3 seems a more natural continuation.
10. ... KtxKt
Not PxKt, on account of BxP.
11. PxKt P-QB4
12. RPxP B-K2
in order to castle in reply to B-R4.
13. Q-B3
Here White should have got back his second pawn by PxQP. If then
13. ... P-B5; 14. B-R4, Castles; 15. PxP, BxP, White plays P-QB3,
providing a retreat for his R or B. After the move in the text
this manœuvre becomes impossible, because the B after P-B3 can
be attacked twice but has lost the support of the Queen.
13. ... B-K3
14. RxP Castles
15. PxP P-B5
16. B-R2
Now the Bishop is hemmed in permanently; in other words, Black is
a piece up and must win easily. Therefore 16. B-R4 was compulsory
in order to get at any rate three pawns for the piece, thus: 16.
... B-Q2; 17. QxP, RxR; 18. PxR, BxB; 19. QxP.
16. ... RxR
17. PxR Q-R4
18. B-Kt1 P-B6
19. Q-Kt3
White tries to work up an attack on the King’s side while Black
is still occupied on the other wing.
19. ... R-B1
20. P-B4 B-KB4
21. R-K1 B-B3
22. K-R1
In order to answer BxQP by 23. B-K3 and P-R7, 22. ... QxP is not
feasible because of QxP.
22. ... P-R3
23. P-R3 R-Kt1
24. B-K3 QxP
25. R-Q1 Q-R8
26. Q-K1
---------------------------------------
8 | | #R | | | | | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | | #P | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | #B | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | #P | | #B | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^P | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | #P | | ^B | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | ^P | | | | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | #Q | ^B | | ^R | ^Q | | | ^K |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 121
The sequel forms an instructive example of how superior
development can afford winning chances even when there is no
immediate prospect of material gain. The opposing pieces are
gradually constricted until the defending lines are weakened by
compulsory pawn moves. In the present position Black quietly sets
to work to bring his Bishops to bear on the White King.
26. ... B-K5
27. K-R2 B-K2
28. Q-B1
to free his game somewhat with P-B5, which Black prevents at
once.
28. ... P-B4
29. R-K1 B-R5
Being probably short of time, Black makes a few irrelevant moves.
If his aim was not the opening of the KKt file but the subsequent
sacrifice of the Queen, he might have played Q-Kt7 at once,
followed by Q-Kt4.
30. P-Kt3 B-K2
31. B-B2 B-Q3
32. R-B1 K-R2
33. R-K1 R-Kt3
34. R-B1 B-R6
35. R-K1 Q-Kt7
36. Q-K2 R-Kt5
37. R-Kt1 R-Kt3
Otherwise White might embark upon a counter attack, beginning
with P-Kt4. Now this is impossible on account of R-Kt3.
38. R-K1 Q-Kt4
39. Q-R5
After the exchange of Queens, Black would win easily by R-Kt7.
39. B-R2 also fails on account of QxQ; 40. RxQ, R-Kt7; 41. B-Kt3,
B-Q6!; 42. R-K5, BxP, and the passed pawn costs a Rook. With the
text move, White provokes the sacrifice of the Queen at Kt 8,
apparently not seeing the fine continuation at Black’s disposal
on the forty-first move.
39. ... QxB!
40. RxQ RxR
41. P-Kt4
Compulsory. B-Kt1 would be followed by R-QB8, etc.
41. ... B-B8!!
Resigns.
There might follow 42. K-Kt3, P-Kt3; 43. Q-R4, BxPch; 44. KxB, P-
Kt4ch, and so on. 4l. ... B-Q3 would have given White a little
respite, though his game would still have been hopeless after PxP
and R-K8.
GAME No. 15
White: Aljechin. Black: Niemzowitsch.
Ruy Lopez (see p. 41).
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. B-Kt5 P-QR3
4. B-R4 Kt-B3
5. Castles KtxP
6. P-Q4 P-QKt4
7. B-Kt3 P-Q4
8. PxP B-K3
9. P-B3 B-K2
10. R-K1
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | #Q | #K | | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | #P | | #B | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | #Kt| | #B | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | #P | | #P | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | #Kt| | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | ^B | ^P | | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| ^B | ^Q | ^R | | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 122
This is one of the most important positions in the Ruy Lopez.
Black has the better development, but his centre is less secure.
Whilst White has a pawn secured in the centre, Black has a Knight
there which will soon be driven away. White’s Q4, the basis of
his centre, is entirely in his hands, while Black’s Q4 is exposed
to a steady pressure by the White pieces. Finally Black’s Q Kt is
unfavourably placed, obstructing as it does the QBP and
preventing it from falling into line with its fellows. In
Petrograd, 1909, Lasker tried the following new defence: Kt-B4
followed by B-Kt5, giving up the moves gained before in order to
relieve the pressure on the Black QP and to exchange the same
ultimately at Q5. The various possibilities of the position have
been discussed in connection with Diag. 22. It may be added that
after 10. ... Castles; QKt-Q2 is surely a better move than the
usual Kt-Q4, as the Queen’s side should be developed before
undertaking an attack (11. ... Q-Q2?; 12. KtxB, followed by
RxKt). For a long time it was thought that after Kt-Q4 Black had
to exchange Knights, which enables White to make the pawn at QB7
“backward” by B-K3. For Black must first play P-KR3 to guard his
Kt against the threat of P-B3 and P-KR4. However, a sensational
innovation which refutes the Kt’s move was introduced in Breslau
in 1912. It is the following sacrifice: 10. ... Castles; 11. Kt-
Q4, KtxKP!; 12. P-B3, B-Q3!!; 13. PxKt, B-Kt5!!; 14. Q-Q2, Q-R5
with an overpowering attack.
10. ... Kt-B4
11. B-B2 B-Kt5
12. Q Kt-Q2 Castles
13. Kt-Kt3 Kt-K5
Here Lasker played Kt-K3 against Janowski (Paris, 1912), but it
proved to be inferior, because 14. Q-Q3 disorganises Black’s
King’s side forcibly.
The move in the text is not really a pawn sacrifice. After 14.
BxKt, PxB; 15. QxQ, QRxQ; 16. KKt-Q4, KtxKt; 17. KtxKt, R-Q4,
White cannot play 18. RxP, because of P-QB4; 19. Kt-B2, B-B4 or
19. Kt-B3, R-Q8ch; 20. Kt-K1, B-B4; 21. R-K2, B-Q6; 22. R-K3, B-
Kt4.
14. B-B4 P-B4
15. PxP e.p. KtxP(B3)
16. Q-Q3 Kt-K5?
This loses the QBP, and weakens the QP. Black might have tried
BxKt; 17. QxB, B-Q3. It would then have been possible to support
the QP by P-B3 after moving the Kt away. If Black was anxious to
preserve his two Bishops he would even have risked P-Kt3. After
17. B-R6, R-B2, the Bishop could have been driven away again by
the KKt from Kt1 or Kt5. The open file offered some compensation
and chances of counter attack.
17. BxP Q-Q2
Not QxB because of QxPch.
18. Kt-K5 KtxKt
19. BxKt B-R5
RxP is bad because of 20. RxKt, B-KB4; 21. Q-Kt3.
20. B-Kt3 BxB
21. RPxB B-B4
Now RxP! was feasible with a level game after: 22. RxKt, B-B4!
23. KxR, BxR; 24. Q any, Q-B4ch, followed by BxB. After missing
this chance, Black soon loses the game.
22. Q-Q4 KR-Q1
23. QR-Q1 Q-QB2
24. Kt-Q2 KtxKBP
A last and desperate attempt. Black obtains Rook and pawn against
two minor pieces, but has no time to initiate an attack with the
Rooks. The wisest plan was to give up the P, with a view to
effecting the exchange of the minor pieces, because an ending
with Queen and Rooks generally produces a draw. Black could not
play KtxKtP instead of the move in the text because of 25. B-
Kt3!.
25. BxB KtxR
26. RxKt QxKtP
27. B-K6ch K-R1
28. BxP QR-B1
29. Kt-K4 Q-R5
30. P-QKt3 R-B3
White now obtains a passed pawn, and a speedy win.
31. Q-B2 Q-R4
32. Q-B3 QxQ
33. PxQ P-Kt3
34. R-Q2 R-Kt3
35. P-QB4 PxP
36. PxP R-Kt8ch
37. K-B2 P-QR4
38. P-B5 R-QB8
39. P-B6 K-Kt2
40. B-B4! RxB
41. RxR RxP
42. R-Q7ch K-R3
43. K-Kt3 R-B5
44. Kt-B2 K-Kt4
Mate was threatened by: 45. Kt-Kt4ch, K-R4; 46. R-Q5ch, P-Kt4;
47. R-Q6 and R-R6 mate (or if RxKtch, PxR mate).
45. R-Q5ch K-B3
46. RxP Resigns
GAME No. 16
White: Yates. Black: Gunsberg.
Ruy Lopez.
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. B-Kt5 P-QR3
4. B-R4 Kt-B3
5. Castles KtxP
6. P-Q4 P-QKt4
7. B-Kt3 P-Q4
8. PxP B-K3
9. P-QB3 B-K2
10. B-K3
in order to exchange the Black Knight if played to B4.
10. ... Castles
11. QKt-Q2
If Q-Q3, then Kt-R4; 12. QKt-Q2, P-QB4.
11. ... KtxKt
This furthers White’s development, and should not be played
unless there is no other move available. To be considered are P-
B4 and B-KKt5. An argument against P-B4 is that White can deprive
Black’s weak centre pawn of one protecting piece (12. PxP e.p.,
KtxP (B3); 13. Kt-Kt5), and experience has shown that White
obtains the superior game.
12. QxKt Kt-R4
13. B-B2 Kt-B5
A very dangerous manœuvre, as White can evade the exchange of
his Bishop and the Black Kt does not get back in time for the
defence of the K side, where White’s attack becomes virulent. He
should have played P-QB4 followed by Kt-B3.
14. Q-Q3 P-Kt3
15. B-R6 KtxKtP
16. Q-K2 R-K1
17. Kt-Q4
Black had probably anticipated that White would be content with
regaining his pawn by BxP, but, with fine positional insight, he
retains his Bishop for the coming onslaught and speedily
concentrates his forces on the K side; whilst Black, who has won
a pawn at the expense of several moves, cannot mobilise an
equivalent number of pieces in time for the defence.
17. ... Kt-B5
18. P-B4 B-Q2
White was threatening 19. Kt-B6, 20. KtxB, 21. B-Kt5, 22. B-B6;
18. ... Q-Q2 is not sufficient, as 19. P-B5 would follow. Neither
can 18. ... B-QB4 be played because of 19. B-Kt5, Q-B1; 20. B-B6.
Preferable to the text move seems B-KB1 (19. B-Kt5, Q-B1; 20. B-
B6, B-Kt2), as then the Black pieces have more freedom of action.
19. QR-K1 P-QB4
20. P-K6
A brilliant sacrifice to which no satisfactory reply can be
found. For instance, 20. ... PxKt; 21. Q-Kt4, Kt-K6, 22. RxKt,
PxR; 23. P-B5, BxP; 24. PxB, PxP, 25. BxP, etc.; or 24. ... R-
KB1; 25. PxPch, RxP; 26. Q-K6, Q-K1; 27. BxP, etc.; or 23. ... P-
Kt4; 24. PxPch, KxP; 25. Q-R5ch, K-Kt1; 26. P-B6, BxP; 27. BxP,
etc.; or 21. ... B-B4; 22. PxPch, KxP; 23. BxPch, PxB; 24. P-B5,
etc. There are many variations, all leading to a speedy end.
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | #Q | #R | | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | #B | #B | #P | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | | | ^P | | #P | ^B |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | #P | #P | #P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | #Kt| ^Kt| | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | | ^B | | ^Q | | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | ^R | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 123
20. ... B-KB3
21. P-Kt4 P-Kt
22. P-B5 P-Q6
23. BxP BxKP
If PxKP then 24. PxKtP, Kt-K4; 25. RxKt, BxR; 26. Q-R5, Q-B3; 27.
RxQ, BxR; 28. PxPch, K-R1; 29. Q-B7, etc.; or 26. ... BxP; 27. B-
B8, etc.
24. PxB Q-Kt3ch
25. K-R1 Resigns
GAME No. 17
White: Berlin. Black: Riga.
Ruy Lopez.
Move 1-6 as in Game No. 16.
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | #K | #B | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | #P | #P | #P | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | #Kt| | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | ^B | | | ^P | #Kt| | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| ^B | ^Q | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 124
6. ... PxP
Compare note to move No. 6 in Game 14.
7. R-K1 P-Q4
8. KtxP B-Q3
This is the key to the variation. Black threatens to obtain a
draw by perpetual check through BxPch, followed by Q-R5ch and
QxPch. This is not good enough against a weaker opponent in a
tournament, and a strong player cannot afford to play the Riga
defence. But that is not a point against the variation. To prove
it unsound, White has to find a win.
9. KtxKt BxPch
10. K-R1!
After 10. K-B1 Black has a tremendous attack, and drives it home
before White can manage to bring his extra piece into play. A
game Maroczy-Berger (Vienna, 1908) is an illustration of this. It
continued in this way: 10. K-B1, Q-R5; 11. B-K3, Castles; 12. Kt-
Q4, B-Kt5; 13. Kt-KB3, Q-R4. Now White has no satisfactory
continuation. 14. Kt-Q2 obstructs the Queen, and it is difficult
to bring the Rooks into concerted action. 14. Kt-B3, QR-Q1; 15.
Q-Q3, BxKt; 16. PxB, QxP; 17. KtxKt, PxKt; 18. Q-B3, Q-R6ch; 19.
K-K2, Q-Kt5ch; 20. K-B1, R-Q4; 21. B-Kt3, R-KR4; 22. P-B3, PxP;
Resigns.
10. ... Q-R5
It now looks as if White were lost. But a fine sacrifice forces
the exchange of all Black’s attacking pieces, and saves the
situation.
11. RxKtch PxR
12. Q-Q8ch QxQ
13. KtxQch KxKt
14. KxB ...
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #K | | | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | #P | #P | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | ^B | | | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^K |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| ^B | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 125
After the terrible slaughter, the position is somewhat clearer.
Black has a Rook and two pawns for two minor pieces, a slight
advantage for the end-game, but as yet there is no thought of an
end-game. White, in possession of two Bishops, with an open
Queen’s file on which the Black King stands, has good attacking
chances, and most masters would think the position favourable for
White.
14. ... B-K3
P-KB4 is a plausible move, but is followed by a pretty mate by
15. B-Kt5. The move in the text threatens to eliminate the KB by
P-QB4, P-QKt4.
15. B-K3 P-KB4
16. Kt-B3 K-K2
17. P-KKt4
Tarrasch recommends 17. R-Q1, threatening Kt-Q5ch. If P-B3,
White could play 18. B-Kt6, thereby permanently preventing Black
from contesting the Queen’s file, and then try to exchange
Black’s B by Kt-K2-Q4. With two Bishops, White would then have
winning chances.
A subtle idea underlies White’s move of P-KKt4. He wishes to take
advantage of the fact that Black has exchanged the KB by playing
P-Kt5, thus holding all the four pawns on the King’s side. But
Black finds a surprising reply, which seems to refute White’s
plan.
Capablanca played against Ed. Lasker (New York, 1915), 17. P-
KKt4, P-KKt3; 18. K-Kt3, P-KR4; 19. PxBP, P-R5ch; 20. K-R2, PxP;
21. Kt-K2, P-Kt4; 22. B-Kt3, BxB; 23. RPxB, KR-KKt1; 24. R-Q1,
QR-Q1; 25. RxR, KxR; 26. Kt-K4, winning a pawn.
17. ... P-KKt3
18. P-Kt5 QR-KKt1!!
Black offers the exchange in order to get rid of White’s QB. If
White accepts the sacrifice, he loses his KKtP, and Black retains
three passed pawns for the piece, at least an equivalent for the
end-game. White should decline the doubtful gift and meet the
threat of P-R3 and P-KKt4 with 19. R-KKt1.
19. B-Q4 P-R3
20. B-B6ch K-B2
21. BxR RxB
22. R-Q1
in order to play 23. B-Q7 in answer to P-B4. This explains
White’s check at move 20.
22. ... PxPch
23. K-Kt2 K-B3!
If now 24. Kt-Q5ch, Black would assail the White King with K-K4;
25. KtxP, B-B5-K7-B6. The Black phalanx of pawns becomes
menacing.
24. B-Kt3 BxB
25. RPxB K-K3
26. P-Kt4 R-R2
Black need no longer fear to exchange Rooks, for he would then
threaten the Queen’s side pawns with his King whilst the passed
pawns kept the White forces occupied.
27. Kt-K2 R-Q2
28. Kt-Q4ch K-B3
29. P-QB3 P-B3
The aim of this move is not clear. Black should adopt a forward
policy with P-Kt5, P-B5, R-R2, etc.
30. R-KR1 P-Kt5
31. R-R8
Now none of the pawns can advance: P-B5 would be answered by 32.
R-K8, R-K2; 33. RxR, KxR; 34. Kt-Kt3 and one of the pawns is
lost.
31. ... R-K2
32. Kt-K2 R-Q2
33. Kt-Q4 R-K2
34. R-B8ch K-Kt2
35. R-Q8 P-B5
36. R-Q6 K-B2
37. Kt-B2 R-K3
38. R-Q7ch R-K2
39. R-Q6 R-K3
40. R-Q1
White tries to win at all costs--and loses. By a forcible advance
on the Queen’s side, he creates new chances, but also new
weaknesses.
40. ... K-B3
41. P-B4 R-K2
42. R-Q4 K-Kt4
43. R-Q6 P-K6!
44. P-B3
PxP fails on account of P-B6ch and R-R2.
44. ... P-K7
45. Kt-K1 P-Kt6
46. P-Kt5
Too late.
46. ... R-R2
47. PxBP PxP
48. R-K6 R-R7ch
49. K-Kt1 R-B7
50. Kt-B2 RxP
51. RxKP R-Q6
52. Kt-K1 R-Kt6
53. R-Q2 P-B6
54. Kt-Q3 P-R4
Resigns
The RP cannot be prevented from pushing on to R6, after which a
mate is threatened by the BlacKRon the eighth rank. R-Q1 would
then be compulsory. But that lets the Black Rook in on the
seventh (KR-R7, followed by P-B7ch).
GAME No. 18.
Emanuel Lasker. Capablanca.
Ruy Lopez (see p. 37)
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. B-Kt5 P-QR3
4. BxKtQ PxB
5. P-Q4 PxP
Worthy of consideration is: 5. ... B-KKt5; 6PxP, QxQch; 7. KxQ,
Castles ch; 8. K-K2, R-K1; 9. P-KR3, BxKtch; 10. KxB, P-B3; with
a good game. In this opening Black is justified in assuming the
initiative, as the exchange, which has opened a diagonal for his
QB, has furthered his development. If he does not do so, and
confines himself to defending tamely, the chances are that he
will lose on account of White’s majority of pawns on the King’s
side.
6. QxP QxQ
Compulsory. If B-K3 instead, 7. B-B4 attacks QB7. B-Q3 in reply
to that would be inferior. By exchanging Bishops White would
render the Black QP “backward,” and on the open file its capture
would be inevitable.
7. KtxQ B-Q3
8. Kt-QB3 Kt-K2
Black prepares to castle on the King’s side. It is more usual,
and probably stronger, to castle on the Queen’s side, as the King
then protects the QBP, which in the present case would be weak if
Black’s KB were to be exchanged.
9. Castles Castles.
10. P-B4 R-K1
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | | #R | | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | #P | #P | | #Kt| #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | #P | #B | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^Kt| ^P | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | ^B | | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 126
Black allows his opponent too much latitude on the King’s wing.
He should prevent White’s P-B5, which obstructs his QB, by P-KB4.
After P-K5 the game would be equalised by B-B4, BxKt, and B-K3.
A draw would then be practically certain, with the Bishops of
opposite colours. Black probably thought White would not risk
weakening his KP by P-B5. But with unfailing judgment Lasker
foresees that, in consequence of the greater mobility of his
pieces, his attack will be successful before a counter attack on
the weak KP can be instituted.
11. Kt-Kt3 P-B3
Even now P-KB4 was imperative, though it would keep the Bishop
from that square. The continuation could have been 12. P-K5, B-
Kt5; 13. Kt-K2 (or R4), Kt-Q4, and the Bishop is safe.
12. P-B5!!
This move has a twofold aim. It shuts in the Bishop, and allows
B-B4, exchanging the Black QB.
12. ... P-QKt3
The diagonal QR1-KR8 is the only one in which the Bishop has any
prospects of action. However, as soon as he relinquishes his
present diagonal, a White Knight settles at K6 and the Black
Rooks are very much hampered.
13. B-B4 B-Kt2
Black should have exchanged the Bishops. Now he gets a weak pawn
at Q3. Before playing B-Kt2, P-B4 should be played to prevent the
Knight getting from Kt3-Q4-K6.
14. BxB PxB
15. Kt-Q4 QR-Q1
16. Kt-K6 R-Q2
17. QR-Q1 Kt-B1
18. R-B2 P-QKt4
19. KR-Q2
This holds Black’s Kt at B1. White’s next move prevents the
Bishop getting into action by P-B4. After depriving all the Black
pieces of their mobility, White turns his attention to a
determined assault on the Black King.
19. ... QR-K2
20. P-QKt4 K-B2
21. P-QR3 B-R1
22. K-B2 R-R2
23. P-Kt4 P-R3
24. R-Q3 P-QR4
25. P-KR4 PxP
26. PxP R(R2)-K2
There are no prospects on the Rook’s file, and Black is
restricted to keeping his pieces mutually protected. He cannot
prevent White from penetrating the King’s side.
27. K-B3 R-Kt1
28. K-B4 P-Kt3
29. R-Kt3 P-Kt4ch
30. K-B3
If Black captures the pawn, he would lose it again forthwith
through White’s R-R3, and the pawn at R3 would also be captured.
30. ... Kt-Kt3
31. PxP RPxP
32. R-R3 R-Q2
33. K-Kt3
---------------------------------------
8 | #B | | | | | | #R | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | #R | | #K | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | #Kt| #P | #P | ^Kt| #P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | #P | | | | ^P | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | ^P | | | ^P | | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| | | | ^K | ^R |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | ^P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | ^R | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 127
The White King leaves the diagonal because Black’s P-B4 would
interfere with the combination by which White intends to
annihilate Black’s game in a few moves.
33. ... K-K1
34. QR-KR1 B-Kt2
35. P-K5!!
A beautiful final stroke.
35. ... QPxP
36. Kt-K4!! Kt-Q4
37. Kt(K6)-B5 B-B1
Black dares not move the Rook on account of KtxB and Kt-Q6ch.
38. KtxR BxKt
39. R-R7ch R-B1
40. R-R1 K-Q1
41. R-R8ch B-B1
42. Kt-B5 Resigns
Mate in two is threatened. Black’s only move is Kt-K2, after
which he is helpless, and White can capture the pawns one by one
at his leisure (R-B7, etc.). In this game, so beautifully
engineered by White, we have a further example of Lasker’s
remarkable grasp of position.
GAME No. 19
White: Eduard Lasker. Black: Janowski.
Four Knights’ Game.
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. Kt-B3 Kt-B3
4. B-Kt5 B-Kt5
B-K2; 5 Castles, P-Q3; would lead into the Ruy Lopez.
5. Castles Castles
6. P-Q3 P-Q 3
It is, of course, better to castle before playing P-Q3, as the
opponent could at once play Kt-Q5 and utilise the pin to initiate
an immediate attack, e.g. 5. Castles, P-Q3; 6. Kt-Q5, B-B4; 7. P-
Q4, PxP; 8. B-Kt5.
7. B-Kt5
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #Kt| #P | | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | ^B | | | #P | | ^B | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | #B | | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| ^P | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 128.
The position is not unlike that in Diagram 90, and the same
remarks apply to it. Here B-K3 is inadvisable, because P-Q4,
threatening to fork two pieces, forces the exchange of Black’s
centre pawn. After 7. ... B-Kt5; 8. Kt-Q5, Kt-Q5; 9. B-B4, B-B4,
on the other hand, we get the position discussed on p. 115, in
which White obtains the advantage by Q-Q2. Instead of 9. ... B-
B4, Black should play Q-Q2 with a similar threat. But he has not
the cooperation of his King’s Bishop for the attack, and White
just manages to escape with a draw, e.g. 9. ... Q-Q2; 10.
KtxKtch, PxKt; 11. BxP, P-KR3(BxKt; 12. PxB, Q-R6 fails on
account of K-R1 and R-KKt1); 12. P-B3, KtxKtch; 13. PxKt, B-KR4;
14. K-R1, K-R2 (Diagram 129); 15. R-KKt1.
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | | | #R | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | #Q | | #P | | #K |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | #P | | ^B | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | #P | | | #B |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | #B | ^B | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | ^P | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | | ^P | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | | ^R | | ^K |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 129.
This is the saving clause. If now Black had his B at B4, as White
has in the corresponding attack, White would first have to
protect his BP with 15 Q-K2, and would be lost after R-KKt1; 16.
R-KKt1, R-Kt3; as 17. B-R4 fails because of Q-R6; 18. B-KKt3, R-
B3; and on the other hand, after 17. RxR, PxR Black plays R-KB1,
attacking the BP a second time.
With the Black Bishop at Kt5, however, Black does not succeed.
The continuation could be l5. ... R-KKt1; 16. R-Kt3, R-Kt3; 17.
B-R4, with a probable draw.
This line of play is most difficult for both sides, and it has
been avoided so far in tournaments.
In Diagram 128 the favourite continuation for many years was: 7.
... BxKt; 8. PxB, Kt-K2. The opening of the KKt file by 9. BxKKt
is not to be feared, because of the reasons given when discussing
Diagram 90. But White obtains the advantage with 9. Kt-R4,
preparing the opening of the KB file by P-B4 and PxP. 9. ... Kt-
Kt3, in order to retake with the BP after 10. KtxKt and to open
the file for Black’s Rooks, is not a sufficient reply, because
after 11. P-B4 and PxP White has a clear advantage, having an
extra pawn in effect for the end-game. For the three Black pawns
on the King’s side are held by the two adverse pawns, which they
cannot pass.
The attempt to expel the troublesome Bishop after 9. ... Kt-K1 by
P-KB3, and then play for a centre by P-B3, Kt-B2 and P-Q4 fails
on account of the withering attack which White obtains on the KB
file, e.g. 9. ... Kt-K1; 10. B-QB4, K-R1; 11. P-B4, P-KB3; 12. Q-
R5, PxB; 13. PxP, etc.
In consequence the defence by 7. ... BxKt and Kt-K2 has been
abandoned.
In the present game Black reverts to a very old defence,
comprising the moves: BxKt, Q-K2, Kt-Q1-K3. It had been abandoned
because White, by playing R-K1, P-Q4, and eventually B-B1 and B-
R3, forces the exchange of Black’s centre pawn, and obtains an
advantage, on well-known grounds. Here Black strengthens the
defence by interpolating P-KR3!, after which White must come to a
decision as to maintaining the pin. If he decides to do so the
White Bishop will no longer be able to threaten the Black Queen
from QR3.
7. ... BxKt
8. PxB P-KR3
9. B-KR4
If the B retreats to B1 or K3, Black can adopt the defence Kt-K2-
Kt3. Then Kt-R4 would be inferior, because Black can simply play
P-KKt4. In this case the advance of the pawns is justified,
because Black can bring his QKt to KKt3 and have practically one
piece more on the King’s side, and good prospects for the attack
which he can open with K-R2, R-KKt1, Kt-Kt3-B5.
9. ... Q-K2
P-KKt4 would be premature. White would win at once by 10. KtxKtP,
PxKt; 11. BxP, as he can attack the Knight a second time by P-KB4
and PxP before Black can either protect it sufficiently or
relieve the “pin.”
10. Q-Q2 Kt-Q1
11. P-Q4 B-Kt5
12. Q-K3 BxKt
13. QxB Kt-K3
It would be wrong to play for the gain of a pawn with P-KKt4 and
PxP, e.g. 13. ... P-KKt4; 14. B-Kt3, PxP; 15. R-K1!, PxP; 16. P-
K5, etc.
14. BxKt
Black’s threat was to develop an attack, similar to that
described at move 9, with P-KKt4 and Kt-B5.
14. ... QxB
15. QxQ PxQ
16. B-B4
in order to exchange the Knight, which is generally superior to a
Bishop in an end-game, as mentioned before.
16. ... PxP
17. BxKt PxB
18. PxP
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | #P | #P | #P | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^P | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 130
In the end-game thus brought about the White Rooks have more
freedom, as they can be mobilised easily on the third rank to act
on either wing. Black’s pawns, however, are stronger, being
easily protected by the King, whilst White’s weak pawns at QR2
and QB2 are at too great a distance from the King; therefore
White must see to it that Black does not open files for his Rooks
on the Queen’s side.
18. ... QR-B1
19. QR-Kt1 P-Kt3
20. KR-Q1 KR-Q1
21. R-Kt3
White must now allow Black to occupy the QB or Q file. After 21.
P-Q5 Black would simply play PxP; 22. PxP, P-B3, with a certain
draw.
21. ... P-Q4
22. R-Kt3ch
P-KB3 was the correct move here, in view of subsequent threats of
mate.
22. ... K-B2
23. PxP RxP
24. R-QR3 P-QR4
25. P-KB4?
A mistake under time pressure, costing a pawn. QR-Q3 was the
move.
25. ... P-QB4
26. R-QB3 QR-Q1
27. R-Kt1 RxP
28. RxKtP RxP
29. P-KR3 R-Q7
30. R-Kt5
Not RxP, on account of R-B7, and the KKtP cannot be saved.
30. ... R-(B5)B7
31. R-KKt3 P-B4
32. P-B4 P-B5
33. R-KKt4 P-R4
34. R-Kt5 RxP
35. P-R4
Mate was threatened in a few moves through R-QB7-B8 and R(R7)-R8.
35. ... R-(B7)Kt7
If now R-B7, White would win the KBP or obtain a perpetual check
(36. R-QKt7ch, followed by R-QKt8-KB8). After the move in the
text, White can still draw, as he wins back his pawn.
36. RxR RxR
37. RxRP?
This careless move now loses the game. Of course White should
have taken the BP. If then P-R5, R-R5 held the pawn from behind,
also after 37. ... K-B3; 38. RxQRP, P-K4, a draw would have been
the result, as the White BP would soon have become threatening,
e.g. 39. R-R8, K-B4; 40. P-B5, P-K5; 41. P-B6, R-QB7; 42. R-QB8,
K-Kt5; 43. P-B7, KxP; 44. K-R2, P-K6; 45. R-B8, RxP; 46. RxPch,
K-Kt4; 47. R-K4, R-B6; 48. K-Kt3, etc.; or 44. R-K8, RxP; 45.
RxP, K-Kt6; 46. R-K1, R-B7; 47. K-R1, RxP; 48. R-K3ch, and so on.
37. ... P-R5
38. RxP P-R6
Resigns.
After R-R5 there follows P-R7 and R-Kt8ch, or (if 40. K-R 2) P-
B6.
GAME No. 20
White: Eduard Lasker. Black: Englund.
Four Knights’ Game.
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. Kt-B3 Kt-B3
4. B-Kt5 Kt-Q5
5. KtxP
Black can now get White’s KP by playing Q-K2, and moreover
exchange White’s valuable Bishop. Instead of the move in the text
it is advisable to retire the Bishop to R4 or B4, or else to play
5. KtxKt, PxKt; 6. P-K5, PxKt; 7. PxKt. Black would then play QxP
and not PxQPch, as the latter move allows White to develop
quickly, and Black has no time to castle--e.g. 8. BxP, QxP; 9.
Castles, B-K2; 10. B-B3, followed by R-K1.
5. ... Q-K2
6. Kt-B3 KtxP?
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | | #K | #B | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | #P | #Q | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | ^B | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | #Kt| #Kt| | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | ^P | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | ^B | ^Q | ^K | | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 131.
Here KtxB was essential, followed by QxP, freeing the Bishop.
After 7. KtxKt, QxPch; 8. Q-K2, QxQch; 9. KxQ, Kt-Q4 (10. P-B4,
P-QR3), Black completes his development a little later (10. R-K1,
P-KB3; 11. K-B1ch, K-B2), but after the exchange of Queens there
is not much to fear from an immediate attack, and the value of
the two Bishops soon asserts itself. In a match game Ed. Lasker-
Cole (London, 1913) the continuation was 12. P-Q4, P-QR3; 13. Kt-
B3, KtxKt; 14. PxKt, P-Q4. Here the doubled pawn is a
disadvantage, in that the pawn at B2 is immobile, and constantly
liable to be attacked by B-B4. P-Q3 was the better move.
7. Castles KtxKt
Now KtxB was no longer possible. After KtxQKt there would be
threats of KtxBP as well as of R-K1 and P-Q3. The game is almost
lost for Black at this stage, as the King cannot escape the
impending attack on the K file by castling.