9. QxKt Q-B4
10. R-K1ch B-K2
11. B-Q3
prevents castling, as Q-K4 would win a piece.
11. ... P-Q4
12. B-K3
White has the development of the B gratis, as Black must lose
time with the Queen.
12. ... Q-Q3
13. B-KB4 Q-KB3
14. QxP!!
Black being behind with his development is already threatened by
sacrificial combinations. If he takes the Bishop he loses by 15.
B-Kt5ch, K-B1; 16. Q-Q8ch!, BxQ; 17. R-K8 mate, or l5. ... P-B3;
16. BxPch, and so on.
14. ... P-B3
15. Q-K4 B-K3
16. R-K3 B-QB4
Here Black might have castled on the Queen’s side, but R-Q1 would
have had much the same sequel as in the actual game.
17. B-K5 Q-R3
18. R-Kt3 B-KB1
A sorry retreat. But after Q-Q7, which may have been Black’s
original intention, White plays R-KB1, threatening B-KB4.
19. R-Q1
This move completes White’s development, and only seems to give
Black a chance of castling. However, Black has no satisfactory
continuation.
19. ... Castles?
20. QxPch PxQ
21. B-R6 Mate
GAME No. 21
White: Eduard Lasker. Black: Aljechin.
Three Knights’ Defence.
1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. Kt-B3 B-Kt5
4. Kt-Q5
Developing another piece by B-Kt5 or B4 would be more in
accordance with principle.
4. ... B-K2
There was a threat of KtxB and KtxP. If Black plays P-Q3, the B
must retire all the same after 5. B-Kt5. It seems best to retire
the B to K2 rather than to B4 or R4, because there remains the
threat of a pin subsequently by B-KKt5, which might become
serious with the Knight at Q5.
5. B-B4 Kt-B3
6. P-Q3 P-Q3
7. KtxB QxKt
8. P-B3 P-KR3
The KKt is to support the advance of P-Q4 subsequently, and that
is why Black does not want to allow it to be pinned. This is
sound strategy, since White has exchanged his QKt, which from B3
prevents P-Q4 in the ordinary way.
9. B-K3 Castles
10. Q-Q2 B-K3
11. B-Kt3
The first mistake. B-QKt5 should be played to retard P-Q4.
11. ... BxB
12. PxB P-Q4
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | | #Q | #P | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #Kt| | | #Kt| | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | #P | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | ^P | ^P | ^P | ^B | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | ^P | | ^Q | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | | ^K | | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 132
13. PxP
The second mistake. Unimportant as it seems, it leads to the loss
of the game. White did not defend the pawn by Q-B2, because it
would have proved 10. Q-Q2 to have been a lost move. But giving
up the centre is a far greater evil. Black now commands his Q5
and KB5, and this enables him to start an attack to which there
is no defence. The game shows conclusively how important it is to
maintain the centre.
13. ... KtxP
14. Castles KR P-B4
15. P-QKt4 P-QKt3
16. Q-K2
to prevent P-K5, which would now be countered by PxP and Q-B4.
However, as P-K5 cannot be prevented permanently, and the Q must
move in any case, Q-B2 would have been the better move, as there
the Queen cannot be molested by a Rook.
16. ... Q-Q3
17. P-Kt5 QKt-K2
18. B-Q2 Kt-Kt3
19. R-R4 QR-K1!
Black’s game is beautifully developed, whilst White cannot make a
combined effort. The Black Rooks are particularly well placed,
and threaten to take an effective part in the attack in various
ways. All this is the outcome of White losing the centre.
20. P-KKt3
Though this prevents Kt(Q 4)-B5, it weakens KB3, which is all the
more serious as Black threatens to open the file by P-B5.
20. ... Q-Q2
If now White refrains from taking the pawn, Black plays P-QR4!
21. RxP P-K5
22. Kt-Q4 PxP
23. QxP Kt-K4
24. Q-K2 P-B5
All the avenues of attack are now open, and White’s game
collapses quickly.
25. Q-R5 Kt-KB 3
26. Q-B5 Kt-B6ch
27. K-R1 QxQ
28. KtxQ KtxB
29. R-Q1 Kt(B3)-K5
30. KtxP KtxBPch
31. K-Kt2 P-B6ch
Resigns.
GAME No. 22
White: Forgacz. Black: Tartakower.
French Defence (see p. 48).
1. P-K4 P-K3
2. P-Q4 P-Q4
3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3
4. B-Kt5 B-K2
5. P-K5 Kt-K5
KKt-Q2 is better, because it would support the advance of P-QB4
and also be of use eventually in an attack on White’s centre by
P-KB3. The text move allows the exchange of two minor pieces,
which can only be to White’s advantage, as Black cannot get his
QB into play, and is for a long time practically a piece down.
6. KtxKt BxB
After PxKt the pawn would be very weak, and could hardly be held
for long.
7. KtxB QxKt
8. P-KKt3
To be able to play P-KB4 before developing the Kt (see p. 49).
8. ... P-QB4
9. P-QB3 Kt-B3
10. P-KB4 Q-K2
11. Q-Q2 B-Q2
12. Kt-B3 Castles KR
13. B-Q3 P-B5
14. B-B2 P-QKt4
15. Castles KR P-Kt2
16. Q R-K1 P-QR4
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | | | #R | #Q | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | #B | #Q | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #Kt| | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | #P | | | #P | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | #P | #P | ^P | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | | | ^Kt| ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^B | ^Q | | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | ^R | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 133
So far the game is easy to understand in the light of the remarks
made on page 44, when treating of the openings. The continuation
shows in an instructive fashion that White’s attack is the more
effective, being directed against the King’s side.
17. P-B5! KPxP
This sacrifice of a pawn in conjunction with a second sacrifice
on the next move, produces a combination of rare beauty.
18. P-Kt4!! PxP
If Black did not capture White would. In either case the storming
of the position by pawns achieves its object and the lines of
attack are free for the pieces.
19. Kt-Kt5 P-Kt3
Now that White has made an opening for himself at KB6, the rest
is easy. 19. ... P-R3 is of no avail. The sequel might have been:
20 Kt-R 7, KR-Q1; 21 Kt-B6ch, after which White wins after either
PxKt; 22 QxP, or K-R1 KtxP.
20. R-B6 K-Kt2
Black gets no breathing space. If P-R3, then 21 BxP.
21. QR-KB1 B-K1
22. Q-B4 Kt-Q1
23. P-K6 R-R3
24. Q-K5 K-R3
25. QR-B5
Help!
25. ... BPxP
26. Kt-B7ch QxKt
27. R-R5ch K-Kt2
28. RxKtP mate
GAME No. 23
White: Yates. Black: Esser.
French Defence.
1. P-K4 P-K3
2. P-Q4 P-Q4
3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3
4. B-Kt5 PxP
5. BxKt PxB
If the Queen recaptures, White obtains too great an advantage in
development, and therefore Black submits to the doubling of his
pawns. It is doubtful if this means a handicap, although the
King’s side gets broken up. For Black keeps his two Bishops, a
powerful weapon, unless White succeeds in developing swiftly an
attack on the King’s side. The present game is instructive and
shows the chances afforded to both sides by the position brought
about by the exchange at KB6.
6. KtxP P-KB4
As the KB obtains a long diagonal at Kt2, this advance is
justified. Otherwise there would be strong objections to it, as
the pawn is likely to be subjected to attack, and apart from
that, it gives up command of Black’s K4.
7. Kt-QB3
Kt-Kt3 would seem more natural, firstly, because Black has
weaknesses on the K side, and White will need his pieces for
attack in that quarter, and secondly, because the QP ought to be
supported by P-B3, as Black will attack it by B-Kt2.
7. ... B-Kt2
8. Kt-B3 Castles
9. B-B4
If now the Knight were at Kt3, White could play P-B3 and BQ3.
This is the proper place for the B, which might obtain an open
diagonal after P-KKt4.
9. ... Kt-B3
10. Kt-K2 Kt-R4
11. B-Q3 P-B4
12. P-B3 P-QB5
P-Kt3 seems preferable, as the text move releases the hold on
White’s Q4. The isolated pawn resulting after 13. PxP is not to
be feared, as the B at Kt2 would have greater efficiency (QR-
Kt1), and White would not be so firmly established in the centre.
13. B-B2 P-Kt4
14. Q-Q2
There now ensues an interesting struggle. White builds up an
attack with Q and both Knights and eventually the B (P-KKt4). If
Black can manage to play his King into safety at R1 in time, and
then occupies the Kt file with his Rooks, he would have the
better of it, his pieces having by far the greater range of
action.
14. ... B-Kt2
15. Q-B4 Q-B3
K-R1 and KR-Kt1 might be considered.
16. Kt-Kt3 B-KR3
17. Q-B7 Q-Q1
18. Q-K5
White gains a move by attacking the Knight’s Pawn. It may seem
far fetched if I now point out that this could not have happened
if from the first Black had given preference to the pawn
formation at QKt3 and B4 instead of Kt4 and B5, though the whole
game would almost certainly have taken a different course. Still,
when advancing a pawn into an unprotected position there always
is the risk of its becoming the object of an attack at an
opportune moment, and whenever the plan of development does not
necessitate such moves they are best avoided.
18. ... B-Q4
19. Kt-R5 Kt-B3?
20. Q-Kt3ch??
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | | | | | #P | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #Kt| | #P | | | #B |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | #P | | #B | | #P | | ^Kt|
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | #P | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | | | ^Kt| ^Q | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^B | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | | ^K | | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 134
The last moves have decided the game. Both players have
overlooked that 20. Q-B6 would have won a pawn at least (QxQ,
21. KtxQch with KtxB and BxP). 20. ... BxKt leads to an immediate
loss by 21. QxB, BxKt; 22. QxB followed by P-KKt4! with an
overwhelming attack.
Instead of 19. ... Kt-B3, Black should have played P-B3, followed
by K-R1 and the occupation of the Kt file by the Rooks. White’s
last move allows him to de this with even greater effect.
20. ... K-R1
21. Q-R3 R-KKt1
Black has now a preponderance of material on the field of battle,
and it can be concluded off-hand that White, not being able to
bring his Rooks into play, must lose.
22. Kt-Kt3 Q-B3
23. K-B1
K-K2 is a shade better. But there is no longer any adequate
defence.
23. ... R-Kt5
24. R-K1 QR-KKt1
25. Kt-K5
Black was threatening BxKt, followed by R-R5 and P-B5
25. ... KtxKt
26. PxKt Q-Kt4
27. Q-R5 BxPch
28. K-Kt1 RxKt?
QxQ and B-K5ch was simple and effective.
29. RPxR BxR
30. QxQ BxQ
31. KxB R-Q1
32. P-B4
R-Q1 is much more promising, although it means the loss of a pawn
(RxR and B-B8, etc.). With Bishops of different colour the game
is not easy to win even now.
32. ... R-Q7
33. PxB RxB
34. R-Q1 RxKtP
35. R-Q7 K-Kt2
36. RxRP R-QB7
He could have played P-Kt5 at once.
37. R-R5 R-QKt7
38. P-R4
R-R3 would only have drawn out the agony a little longer.
38. ... P-Kt5
Resigns.
GAME No. 24
White: Atkins. Black: Barry.
French Defence.
1. P-K4 P-K3
2. P-Q4 P-Q4
3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3
4. B-Kt5 B-K2
5. P-K5 KKt-Q2
6. BxB QxB
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | #Kt| #B | | #K | | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | #Kt| #Q | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | #P | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | ^K | ^B | ^Kt| ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 135.
7. Kt-Kt5
The intention is to strengthen the centre by P-QB3. Though it
takes a number of moves to bring the Knight into play again, yet
most of the tournament games in this variation have been won by
White, mostly through a King’s side attack on the lines set out
in the notes to Game No. 22. Investigations by Alapin tend to
show that this is due to the fact that Black in all cases devoted
his attention to Queen’s side operations (just as in Game No. 22)
when he could have utilised White’s backward development, by
himself starting a counter attack on the King’s side. He can then
either aim at the White centre at once with P-KB3, or else play
P-KB4 and prepare the advance of the KKtP by Kt-B3-Q1-B2. These
various lines of play are still under discussion. Simple
development is probably preferable to the move in the text, e.g.
7. B-Q3, Castles; 8. P-B4, P-QB4; 9. Kt-B3.
7. ... K-Q1
There can be no advantage in forfeiting the option of castling
unless there be no other way of getting the King into safety and
of bringing the Rooks into concerted action. It is obvious that
otherwise the free development of pieces is hindered, and the
King is in appreciable danger, for it is easier to open files in
the centre than on the wings where the pawns have not advanced
yet. Therefore Kt-Kt3 is the only move worth considering.
8. P-QB3 P-KB3
9. PxP
With the Black King remaining in the centre, White has no further
interest in the maintenance of his pawn at K5. On the contrary he
will try to clear the centre.
9. ... PxP
10. Q-Q2 P-B3
11. Kt-QR3 Kt-B1
At this early stage it is clear that Black will have to contend
with difficulties in trying to complete his development. The
usual way (P-QB4) is barred on account of the dangers to Black’s
King with which a clearance in the centre is fraught.
12. Kt-B3 B-Q2
13. P-KKt3!
As Black can force this advance at any time by playing R-KKt1,
White decides to develop his KB at Kt2, thereby covering his KB3
and KR3. The weakness of the latter squares would not be of any
great moment if White were to castle on the Queen’s wing. But as
P-QB4 is necessary in order to break up the centre, castling KR
is the right course.
13. ... B-K1
14. B-Kt2 QKt-Q2
15. P-B4 PxP
16. KtxP Kt-QKt3
17. KtxKt PxKt
18. Castles KR Kt-Kt3
19. KR-K1 B-Q2
20. Q-B3 R-K1
21. Kt-Q2 Q-B1
22. P-QR4!
White wishes to get rid of the pawn at Black’s Kt3, in order to
break in with his Knight at B5. Black has no means of preventing
this, and soon succumbs to the overwhelming array of White
forces.
22. ... Kt-K2
23. P-R5 P-QKt4
24. Kt-Kt3 Kt-Q4
25. BxKt KPxB
26. RxRch BxR
27. Kt-B5 Q-B2
28. R-K1 K-B2
29. Q-K3 B-Q2
30. Q-B4ch Resigns.
If K-Q1, 31. KtxPch followed by Kt-Q6ch. If K-B1 White wins by
31. Q-Q6 and R-K7.
GAME NO. 25
White: Emanuel Lasker. Black: Tarrasch.
French Defence.
1. P-K4 P-K3
2. P-Q4 P-Q4
3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3
4. B-Kt5 B-Kt5
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | #Kt| #B | #Q | #K | | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | #P | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | #P | | | ^B | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | #B | | ^P | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | ^K | ^B | ^Kt| ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 136
This line of defence, called the McCutcheon variation, was
recommended for many years by Tarrasch as being the strongest.
The most obvious continuation 5. P-K5 leads to complications, and
the final verdict has not yet been reached. After 5. ... P-KR3,
the best continuation is thought to be: 6. PxKt, PxB; 7. PxP, R-
Kt1; 8. P-KR4, PxP; 9. Q-R5, Q-B3; 10. QxRP, QxP.
White has an easy development, whilst Black, as in most
variations in the French defence, finds it difficult to bring his
QB into play. After P-KR3, it is not advisable to retire the
Bishop; 6. B-R4, P-KKt4; 7. B-Kt3, for here the Bishop is out of
play, and Black’s King’s Knight being free can play to K5 for
concerted action with Black’s KB. Lasker’s continuation in the
present instance is at once simple and effective. It leads to an
entirely different system of development.
5. PxP QxP
If Black recaptures with the pawn, he must lose a move with the
Bishop in order to avoid getting an isolated doubled pawn after
6. Q-B3. The doubled pawn which Black may get after the move in
the text would not be isolated, and therefore not necessarily
weak. It could become a weakness if Black were to castle on the
King’s side. But otherwise it might even become a source of
strength, supporting, as it would, an advance of Black’s KP
against the White centre.
6. Kt-B3 P-B4?
Black should retain the option of castling QR, in case White
exchanges at his KB6; P-QKt3 and B-Kt2 would have been better.
7. BxKt PxB
8. Q-Q2 BxKt
9. QxB Kt-Q2
10. R-Q1 R-KKt1
11. PxP QxP
12. Q-Q2 Q-Kt3
guarding against the mate at Q1 before moving the Kt. But this
would have been better effected by Q-K2. After Q-Kt3 the Knight
cannot move yet because of B-Kt5ch.
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | | #K | | #R | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | | #Kt| | #P | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | #Q | | | #P | #P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | ^Q | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | ^R | ^K | ^B | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 137
13. P-B3 P-QR3
14. Q-B2 P-B4
15. P-KKt3 Kt-B4
16. B-Kt2 Q-B2
Black wishes to push on the KP. White, however, prevents this at
once.
17. Q-K2 P-Kt4
18. Castles B-Kt2
The Black position has any number of weaknesses. The King cannot
castle into safety; the pawn position is full of holes, and open
to attack. White takes full advantage of this and wins in
masterly fashion with a few strokes.
19. P-B4 P-Kt5
20. Q-Q2 R-Kt1
Now White cannot capture the KtP because of BxKt. But he does
not want the pawn, he wants the King.
21. Q-R6 BxKt
22. BxB Q-K4
23. KR-K1 QxP
24. Q-B4 QR-B1
25. Q-Q6 P-B3
Mate in two was threatened (B-B6ch, etc.).
26. B-R5ch R-Kt3
27. BxRch PxB
28. RxPch Resigns.
GAME No. 26
White: Capablanca. Black: Blanco
French Defence.
1. P-K4 P-K3
2. P-Q4 P-Q4
3. Kt-QB3 PxP
4. KtxP Kt-Q2
5. Kt-KB3 KKt-B3
6. KtxKtch KtxKt
7. Kt-K5
This crosses Black’s plan of developing the QB at Kt2.
7. ... B-Q3
8. Q-B3 P-B3
9. B-Kt5ch, P-B3; 10. KtxP was threatened.
9. P-B3 Castles
10. B-KKt5 B-K2
11. B-Q3
Whatever Black plays now, he must create some weakness in order
to provide against White’s Q-R3, BxKt, QxRP, and White’s attack
must succeed. The whole of Black’s plan is thus frustrated, as
the only reason for abandoning the centre by PxP was the
occupation of the long diagonal by the QB. Now the Queen’s side
pieces cannot get into play without much difficulty, and by the
time they have succeeded it is too late.
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | | | #B | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | | #P | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | ^Kt| | ^B | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | ^B | | ^Q | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | | ^K | | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 138.
11. ... Kt-K1
Intending to intercept the diagonal of the White KB by P-KB4. If
Black plays P-KKt3 with the same intention, White plays P-KR4-5
and PxP, and brings the Rook into play.
12. Q-R3 P-KB4
P-KR3 would lead to an immediate disaster: 13. BxP, PxB; 14.
QxRP, P-KB4; 15. P-KKt4. The move in the text avoids the
immediate attack on the King, but the King’s Pawn is now
“backward,” and White immediately fastens on this weakness.
13. BxB QxB
14. Castles KR R-B3
15. KR-K1 Kt-Q3
16. R-K2 B-Q2
17. QR-K1 R-K1
18. P-QB4 Kt-B2
19. P-Q5 KtxKt
20. RxKt P-KKt3
21. BxP was threatened.
21. Q-R4 K-Kt2
22. Q-Q4 P-B4
23. Q-B3 P-Kt3
24. PxP B-B1
25. B-K2
The Bishop now settles at Q5, and whether Black takes the pawn or
not, he is paralysed either by the pawn itself, or the pin of the
Bishop if the pawn is taken.
25. ... BxP
26. B-B3 K-B2
27. B-Q5 Q-Q3
28. Q-K3 R-K2
29. Q-R6 K-Kt1
30. P-KR4
The deciding manœuvre, tearing up the chain of pawns in front of
the K.
30. ... P-QR3
31. P-R5 P-B5
32. PxP PxP
33. RxB Resigns.
After RxR, 34. RxR, RxR; 35. QxPch wins a piece. A beautifully
concise game.
GAME NO. 27
White: Niemzowitsch. Black: Tarrasch. French Defence.
1. P-K4 P-QB4
This opening is called the Sicilian Defence. White, however,
adopts a continuation which leads into a variation of the French
Defence.
2. P-QB3 P-K3
3. P-Q4 P-Q4
4. P-K5 Kt-QB3
5. Kt-B3 Q-Kt3
6. B-Q3 PxP
Black seeks to demonstrate that White’s QP is weak. The present
game, however, seems to prove that White is able to guard it
adequately, thus permanently supporting the KP too. It would
therefore appear to be better to attack the KP itself, and to
play P-B3 on the fifth move. Now B-Q2 would be better than the
text move. As White cannot give further support to his Q4, he
would have to play PxP, and the protection of the K5 would have
to be undertaken by pieces, which is not desirable.
7. PxP B-Q2
Not KtxP, 8. KtxKt, QxKt, because of B-Kt5ch.
8. B-K2
The B cannot go to B2 on account of Kt-Kt5 and B-Kt4.
8. ... KKt-K2
9. P-QKt3 Kt-B4
10. B-Kt2
Now White’s centre is safe from further attacks. True, White has
forfeited castling, but as he dominates the King’s side, where
Black cannot undertake anything, there is no harm in P-Kt3,
preparatory to “artificial castling.”
10. ... B-Kt5ch
11. K-B1 B-K2
Directed against 12. P-Kt4, driving off the Kt. Now Kt-R5 would
follow.
12. P-Kt3 P-QR4
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | | | #K | | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | #P | | #B | #B | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | #Q | #Kt| | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | #P | | | #P | ^P | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | ^P | | | | ^Kt| ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^B | | | ^B | ^P | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| | ^Q | | ^K | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 139
This manœuvre is unwise; White counters with 13. P-QR4, a move
which was necessary in any case, in order to develop the QKt via
R3, this being the Knight’s only chance of getting into play,
because, as long as the QP is attacked three times the lines of B
and Q must not be interrupted. That is a weakness in White’s
game, and it was necessary for Black to prevent his Kt being
driven off by P-KKt4. P-KR4 was the correct move. Then White also
had to play P-KR4 to prevent P-KKt4-5, in which case Black could
have played l3. ... P-KKt3, and have brought his Rooks into
concerted action. P-KKt3 would have been necessary before
castling, because White’s B-Q3 would have attacked the KKt. The
latter could not then capture the Queen’s Pawn on account of a
discovered check, e.g. l2. ... Castles; 13 B-Q3, KtxP?; 14 KtxKt,
KtxKt; 15 BxKt, QxB?; 16 B-R7ch, and QxQ.
In Diagram 139 Black’s P-QR4 is not only a lost move, but
moreover allows a White piece to settle permanently at QKt5. It
also prevents the Knight from playing to QR4, from where White’s
P-QR4 could be answered by Kt-Kt6 eventually.
13. P-QR4 R-QB1
14. B-Kt5 Kt-Kt5
All these skirmishes only result in the exchange of pieces, and
as long as Black’s KRis out of play this can only be of advantage
to White.
15. Kt-B3 Kt-QR3
This is in order to drive off the B. Black should have exchanged
his own inactive QB, as the White B might become effective on the
Diagonal QKt1-KR7, whilst Black’s QB has no future.
16. K-Kt2 Kt-B2
17. B-K2 B-Kt5
Black cannot yet castle, because of 18. B-Q3 Kt-KR3, 19. B-QB1).
18. Kt-R2 Kt-QR3
19. B-Q3 Kt-K2
20. R-QB1 Kt-B3
21. KtxB QKtxKt
22. B-Kt1
White’s last eight moves completed his development, and his
Bishops lie in wait for the attack on the Black King. Meanwhile
Black has effected nothing. On the contrary, he
---------------------------------------
8 | | | #R | | #K | | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | #P | | #B | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | #Q | #Kt| | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | #P | | | #P | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | ^P | #Kt| | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | ^P | | | | ^Kt| ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | ^B | | | | ^P | ^K | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | ^B | ^R | ^Q | | | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 140
has exchanged his valuable KB, and also allowed his KKt to be
driven off. His King’s side is bare, and castling would be
fraught with danger. If Black castles now, White plays Kt-Kt5,
and Black must weaken his position by P-R3 or P-Kt3, and White
would advance his KtP or RP and force an exchange, opening a file
for his Rook. In consequence Black decides to forfeit castling
and to bring his KR to bear on the KB file. For this also Black
must first play P-R3, and White obtains an open file by P-Kt4-
Kt5. The sequel is shown here.
22. ... P-R3
23. P-Kt4 Kt-K2
24. RxRch BxR
25. Kt-K1
White waits first, to see whether Black is going to castle, and
meanwhile tries to exchange Black’s QKt, which commands his QB2
and Q3.
25. ... R-B1
26. Kt-Q3 P-B3
27. KtxKt QxKt
28. PxP RxP
29. B-B1 Kt-B3
30. P-Kt5 PxP
31. BxP R-B1
32. B-K3 Q-K2
33. Q-Kt4
This provides against Black attempting to free his Bishop by P-
K4. Black’s B-Q2 is countered by B-Kt6ch. White new wins
surprisingly quickly, through the greater mobility of his pieces.
33. ... Q-B3
34. R-Kt1 R-R1
35. K-R1 R-R5
Here Black could have held out a little longer by defending his
KtP: 35. ... K-B1; 36. R-Kt3, R-R5; 37. Q-Q1, K-Kt1; 38. B-Kt5,
QxP (RxP, 39. Q-R5); 39. R-Q3, QxP; 40. BxR, QxB.
36. Q-Kt3 RxP
Compulsory. B-Kt5 was threatened, and after R-R1, QxP, QxQ, RxQ,
the RP wins easily.
37. BxR KtxB
38. QxP Q-B6ch
39. Q-Kt2 QxQch
40. RxQ KtxP
41. P-R4 Resigns.
GAME No. 28
White: Alapin. Black: Rubinstein.
Sicilian Defence.
1. P-K4 P-QB4
At first glance this move would seem to lose time, as it does
nothing towards the main object of opening strategy, namely, the
development of pieces. But we shall find that
it does contribute to that aim, although indirectly. For one
thing it could, by a transposition of moves, lead into an opening
in which P-QB4 is played in any case; in other openings it is of
use, in that it acts from the first against the formation of a
strong white centre. Concurrently it prepares the opening of a
file for the Rooks.
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-KB3?
Black should not play Kt-KB3 as long as White’s P-K5 means the
clear gain of a move. There are plenty of developing moves to
choose from.
Two systems of development can be followed by Black according to
whether the KB is to develop at K2 or Kt2. In the first case
(compare Game No. 29) P-K3 is played. In the second case, the
opening might take this course: 2. ... Kt-QB3; 3. P-Q4, PxP; 4.
KtxP, Kt-B3; 5. Kt-QB3, P-Q3 (not P-KKt3 at once, because White
would exchange Knights and drive off the KKt by P-K5); 6. B-K3,
P-KKt3, and B-Kt2. White’s position is superior, as he has a pawn
in the centre in conjunction with greater mobility. Black will
find it difficult to bring his QB into play. Nevertheless his
position is compact and difficult to get at.
3. P-K5
Undoubtedly Rubinstein had taken this move into account when
playing 2. ... Kt-KB3. His idea was to provoke the advance of the
KP. The pawn at K5 is weaker than at K4, particularly as Black’s
QBP prevents its natural support by P-Q4. Moreover Black’s Q4 is
free from interference by White. White refutes this ultra
subtilty by simple and straight-forward play, and he gets such an
advantage in development that his attack succeeds before Black is
able to demonstrate any weakness in White’s game.
3. ... Kt-Q4
4. Kt-B3 KtxKt
5. QPxKt Kt-B3
6. B-QB4 P-Q3
After 6 ... P-K3, 7. B-B4 would restrain the QP.
7. B-B4 PxP
At this early stage Black has no satisfactory means of
development. The QP is attacked three times, and therefore the KP
cannot move, nor can the KB be developed at Kt2. B-Kt5, in order
to play BxKt and PxP, is refuted by BxPch. The move in the text
which brings about the exchange of Queens, but develops another
White piece at the same time, is more or less forced. It is
instructive to watch how White’s advantage in development soon
materialises.
8. KtxP QxQch
9. RxQ KtxKt
10. BxKt P-QR3
White’s threat of B-Kt5ch could not be parried by B-Q2 because of
11. BxPch.
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | | #K | #B | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | #P | | | #P | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #P | | ^B | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^B | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | ^R | ^K | | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 141
11. B-B7 B-Kt5
12. P-B3 QR-B1
13. B-Kt6 B-B4
14. B-Kt3 P-K4
15. B-R4ch K-K2
16. P-QB4
Here White could have won a pawn at once by R-Q5. If then K-K3,
17. P-QB4.
16. ... P-B3
17. K-B2 K-B2
18. B-Q7! BxB
19. RxBch B-K2
20. KR-Q1!
The pawns can wait. 20. RxP would not have been profitable
because of R-QKt1.
20. ... K-K3
21. RxP B-Q3
Black might have resigned here. It is only a question of time.
22. B-R7 R-B3
Otherwise there follows R-Kt6.
23. RxP P-QR4
24. R-Kt7 R-R1
25. R-Q5 P-R4
26. P-QR4 P-R5
27. P-QKt3 R(R1)-QB1
28. R-Kt5 Resigns.
GAME No. 29
White: Teichmann. Black: Spielmann.
Sicilian Defence (see p. 215).
1. P-K4 P-QB4
2. Kt-QB3 P-K3
3. KKt-K2
This comes to the same as Kt-B3, as after P-Q4, PxP the Knight
recaptures. If, however, Black plays P-Q4 there is a certain
advantage for White to have the Kt at K2, e.g. 3. ... P-Q4; 4.
PxP, PxP; 5. P-Q4. If now Black does not exchange pawns, White is
able to bring his KB to bear on the centre after P-KKt3 and B-
Kt2.
3. ... Kt-QB3
White can exchange this Knight later on, and thus make P-K5
possible as soon as he should deem it advisable to drive the
Black Knight from his KB3, where the same is bound to develop
sooner or later. It is perhaps wise to prevent P-K5 by Q-B2
instead of the move in the text. This is an old defence,
introduced by Paulsen. Though it retards the development of
Black’s minor pieces, it produces a strong defensive position,
and the opening of the QB file gives attacking chances on the
Queen’s side. The defence might run like this: 3. ... P-QR3; 4.
P-Q4, PxP; 5. KtxP, Q-B2; 6. B-K3, Kt-KB3; 7. B-K2, B-K2; 8.
Castles, P-QKt4 followed by B-Kt2, P-Q3, QKt-Q2, etc.
4. P-Q4 PxP
5. KtxP P-QR3
6. KtxKt KtPxKt
7. B-Q3 P-Q4
8. Castles Kt-B3
9. B-KB4 B-Kt5
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | #K | | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | #P | | #P |#Kt | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | #P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | #B | | | ^P | ^B | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | |^Kt | ^B | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. #142
As White can force Black to play P-Kt3, a weakening move, by P-K5
and Q-Kt4, Black should have played P-Kt3 at once, so as to have
Kt-R4 in answer to P-K5, thus keeping one piece for the defence
of the King’s side. The latter is in jeopardy after the move in
the text, and White’s attack succeeds.
10. P-K5 Kt-Q2
11. Q-Kt4 P-Kt3
12. KR-K1 P-QB4
Of course Black must not accept the sacrifice of the exchange by
playing P-Q5. After 13 Kt-K4, BxR; 14 Kt-Q6ch, K-B1; 15 R x B,
Black is in a mating net, from which there is no escape, as he
has no time to collect sufficient forces for the defence. The
move in the text does not stem the tide either, and White quickly
forces the win by a beautiful combination.
13. P-QR3 B-R4
14. B-KKt5 Q-Kt3
Q-B2 leads to the same conclusion.
15. P-Kt4! PxP
16. KtxP PxKt
17. P-K6
The object of White’s fifteenth move is revealed. Without it the
R at K1 would now be attacked.
17. ... P-B4
Kt-B4 fails on account of 18. PxPch, KxP; 19. R-K7ch, followed by
Q-KB4.
18. PxKt double ch KxP
19. BxPch Resigns.
GAME No. 30
White: Tarrasch. Black: Spielmann.
Sicilian Defence.
1. P-K4 P-QB4
2. Kt-QB3 Kt-QB3
3. P-KKt3
Speedy development by Kt-B3 and P-Q4 is more desirable, as
otherwise Black may have time to get a firm footing at his Q5.
3. ... P-KKt3
4. B-Kt2 B-Kt2
The Black Bishop is the more effective, as the line of the White
Bishop is masked by the KP. Small as this advantage would seem,
it becomes serious later on. It is another confirmation of the
doctrine that the value of each manœuvre in the opening depends
on the measure of mobility it affords for the pieces.
5. KKt-K2 Kt-B3
6. P-Q3
Here White could still obtain a freer game with P-Q4. Perhaps he
was afraid of losing a pawn after 6. ... PxP; 7. KtxP, KtxP. But
there is nothing in it, e.g. 8. KKtxKt, KtxKt; 9. KtxQ, KtxQ; 10.
KtxBP! (KtxKtP? BxKt; 11. BxB, R-QKt1), KxKt (KtxBP?; 11. KtxR,
KtxR; 12. KtxP, KtxP; 13. KtxP), KxKt. There was nothing else to
be feared after P-Q4.
6. ... P-Q3
7. Castles B-Q2
in order to play Q-B1 and B-R6 and to exchange Bishops, after
which there would be weak points at White’s KR3 and KB3.
8. P-KR3 Castles
9. B-K3 P-KR3
Black also prevents an exchange of Bishops.
10. Q-Q2 K-R2
11. P-B4 Kt-K1
The position has now become exceedingly difficult. In order to
make the most of the favourable development of his KB, Black must
advance on the Queen’s side. But in moving his King’s side pieces
over to the Queen’s side, Black must proceed warily, as White
might get chances of an attack with overwhelming forces on the
King’s side.
12. P-KKt4 Kt-B2
13. Kt-Kt3
Here it was necessary to play R-B2 in order to play the QR to KB1
before Black could manage to drive the Kt to Q1 by P-QKt4-5.
13. ... P-QKt4
14. Kt-Q1?
It would still have been better to play QR-K1 and to leave the
Queen’s side to itself as long as possible after P-Kt5, 15. Kt-
Q1, in order to start an assault on the King’s side with P-B5, P-
KR4 and P-Kt5. After the text move the Queen’s Rook remains shut
in.
14. ... QR-Kt1
15. Kt-K2
in order to play P-B3 and P-Q4. The whole plan, however, is
inconsequent, as he has started an attack on the King’s side. Now
he suddenly opens up files on the Queen’s side where Black has
assembled superior forces. The result is that White gets into
trouble on both wings, for as soon as he gives up his King’s side
attack, the advanced pawns there, as one knows, are only a source
of weakness.
15. ... P-Kt5
16. P-B3 PxP
17. PxP Q-B1
18. P-Q4 PxP
19. PxP Q-R3
20. R-B1 Kt-Kt4
21. P-Q5
---------------------------------------
8 | | #R | | | | #R | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | | | #B | #P | #P | #B | #K |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #Q | | #Kt| #P | | | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | #Kt| | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | ^P | ^P | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | ^B | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | | | ^Q | ^Kt| | ^B | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | ^R | ^Kt| | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 143
This shuts in the White KB altogether, and at the same time opens
the diagonal of Black’s KB. Therefore, on principle alone the
move is questionable. In effect it gives Black an opportunity for
a beautiful winning combination. Only P-K5 was worth
considering, as then the opposing Bishop would have been shut in
and White’s own diagonal opened.
21. ... Kt-Kt5!!
22. QxKt Kt-Q5
23. QxKt BxQ
24. KtxB
Although three minor pieces are generally an equivalent for the
Queen, in this case the White game collapses quickly. The
advanced pawns have produced too many weak points which afford an
entry for the Black forces.
24. ... KR-B1
25. RxR RxR
26. R-B2 Q-R6
27. R-K2
B-R5 was threatened. But the text move is of no avail either.
Black winds up the game with another fine combination.
27. ... R-B8!
28. BxR QxB
If R-K1, Q-B4.
29. Kt-B3 QxKtch
30. K-B2 B-Kt4
Resigns.
GAME No. 31
White: John. Black: Janowski
Sicilian Defence.
1. P-K4 P-QB4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. P-Q4 PxP
4. KtxP Kt-B3
The aim of this move is to provoke Kt-B3, and incidentally to
prevent P-QB4. The latter move would give White command of his Q5
and not only prevent Black’s P-Q4 but also immobilise Black’s KP
unless his QP is to remain “backward.”
5. QKt-B3 P-KKt3
As shown on p. 216, P-Q3 must be played first. In any case Black
must be wary of playing P-KKt3. If, for instance, after P-Q3
White plays 6. B-QB4, and Black replies with P-KKt3, there
follows 7. KtxKt, PxKt; 8. P-K5!, Kt-Kt5 (PxP?, 9. BxPch); 9. P-
K6, P-KB4, with advantage to White (see game in the match
Schlechter-Lasker).
6. KtxKt KtPxKt
7. P-K5 Kt-Kt1
8. B-QB4 P-Q4
9. PxP, e.p. PxP
10. Q-B3
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | #K | #B | #Kt| #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | | | | | #P | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | #P | | | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^B | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| | | ^Q | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | ^B | | ^K | | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 144
White has now three pieces in action and Black none. Black’s
game is hopeless already; his B2 cannot be covered by Q-Q2
because of: 11. BxPch, QxB; 12. QxPch, and after Q-K2ch there
follows: 11. B-K3, B-Kt2; 12. Castles QR, and 13. KR-K1, with an
overwhelming attack.
10. ... Q-Q2
11. Kt-Q5
In view of the fact that his game is so much more developed, and
that the opposing King will hardly be able to escape from the
centre of the board, White decides to sacrifice a Knight in order
to open the files in the centre for his Rooks, instead of
following the simple line indicated in the previous note.
11. ... PxKt
12. BxP Q-K2ch
13. B-K3 R-Kt1
14. Castles KR
Castles QR is stronger still, as the QR gets into action at once.
14. ... B-KKt2
15. B-KB4 R-Kt3
16. B-B6ch RxB
If B-Q2, the continuation might have been: 17. BxB, QxB; 18. QR-
Q1, Q-Kt2; 19. KR-K1ch, Kt-K2; 20. RxKtch, KxR; 21. BxPch, etc.;
or 18. ... Q-B1; 19. BxP, etc.
After 17. R-K1 Black could have held out a little longer with B-
B3. After the text move, however, Black’s game collapses quickly
before the concentrated onslaught of the White forces.
17. QxRch Q-Q2
18. Q R-K1ch Kt-K2
19. RxKtch! KxR
20. R-K1ch K-B1
21. BxPch K-Kt1
22. R-K8ch B-B1
23. RxBch K-Kt2
24. Q-B3ch Resigns.
GAME No. 32
White: Ed. Lasker. Black: Mieses.
Centre Counter Defence.
1. P-K4 P-Q4
2. PxP Kt-KB3
This is to tempt White to play P-QB4, a weak move (see p. 35).
By playing P-QB3 Black would obtain by far the better game in
exchange for the pawn.
3. P-Q4 QxP
KtxP can also be played. In either case White wins a move by
driving off the Black piece by Kt-QB3 or P-QB4. Furthermore,
White has a pawn in the centre. Black’s plan in retaking with the
Queen might be to castle early on the Queen’s side and attack
White’s centre pawn by P-K4, and White must be on the alert
against this plan, though it will not be easy for Black to put
the same into execution, because of the exposed position of his
Queen. After 4. Kt-QB3, Q-QR4 is the only move which brings the
Queen into momentary security, and even then Black must provide
for a retreat, as after White’s B-Q2 there would be a threat of
an advantageous “discovery” by the Kt. P-QB3 provides such a
retreat, but it bars the QKt from its natural development at B3,
where the Kt could exert further pressure on White’s Q4. The QB,
too, is difficult to get into play and easily becomes an object
of attack, as in the present game.
4. Kt-QB3 Q-QR4
5. Kt-B3 B-B4
B-Kt5 would only help White’s intentions to attack on the King’s
side in the absence of Black’s Queen, e.g. 6. P-KR3, B-R4; 7. P-
KKt4, B-Kt3; 8. Kt-K5 (threatening Kt-B4), P-B3; 9. P-KR4, Q Kt-
Q2; 10. Kt-B4, Q-B2; 11. P-R5, B-K5; 12. KtxB, KtxKt; 13. Q-B3
and B-B4 with the superior game.
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | #Kt| | | #K | #B | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | | #P | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | #Q | | | | | #B | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | ^B | ^Q | ^K | ^B | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 145
6. Kt-K5! Kt-K5
P-B3 was urgent here, to provide against Kt-B4 and Q-B3. Now the
game is as good as lost. White obtains a violent attack with
superior forces, and brings it home before Black has time to
complete his development.
7. Q-B3 Kt-Q3
If KtxKt, B-Q2.
8. B-Q2 P-K3
9. P-KKt4 B-Kt3
Black had to guard his KB2 because of Kt-Kt5, KtxKt, QxPch.
10. P-KR4 Q-Kt3
11. Castles P-KB3
Compulsory. Kt-B3 is refuted by 12. KtxKt, QxKt; 13. QxQ, PxQ;
14. B-Kt2 and P-R5. On the other hand, the answer to 11. ... QxP
would be 12. B-KB4, Q-B4; 13. P-R5, P-B3; 14. PxB, PxKt; 15. B-
KKt5 followed by RxKt and R-Q8 or Q-B7 mate.
12. KtxB PxKt
13. B-Q3 QxP
K-B2 or P-KB4 were also unavailing in consequence of Black’s poor
development.
14. BxPch K-Q2
15. B-K3 Q-Kt5
16. P-R3 Q-B5
17. QxKtP Q-B3
18. B-K4 Resigns.
GAME No. 33
White: Barasz. Black: Mieses.
Centre Counter Defence.
1. P-K4 P-Q 4
2. PxP QxP
3. Kt-QB3 Q-QR4
4. Kt-B3
It is better to advance the QP at once and so threaten B-Q2,
after which Black is almost under compulsion to provide a retreat
for his Q by P-QB3, thus blocking his QKt.
4. ... Kt-QB3
5. B-K2 B-B4
6. P-Q3
Already now the mistake of having allowed Black to develop his
Queen’s side unmolested is apparent. P-Q4 is now impossible, for
Black would castle on the Queen’s side and keep the initiative by
exerting a permanent pressure on White’s QP by P-K4. White must
yield up the centre to Black.
6. ... P-K4
7. B-Q2 Castles
8. P-QR3 Q-B4
The Queen must escape from White’s threat of P-QKt4.
9. Castles Kt-B3
10. P-QKt4 Q-K2
11. P-Kt5
This advance is somewhat purposeless, as the White pieces are not
ready for an attack on Black’s King. It is difficult, though, to
find a sensible plan, as the White pieces have so little
mobility. It would perhaps be best to play R-K1, B-B1, and Kt-K4.
11. ... Kt-Q5
12. R-K1 Q-B4
13. B-KB1 B-Q3
14. Q-Kt1?
---------------------------------------
8 | | | #K | #R | | | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | #B | | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | ^P | #Q | | #P | #B | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | #Kt| | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | ^P | | ^Kt| ^P | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | ^P | ^B | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Q | | | ^R | ^B | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 146
The purpose of this move is not clear. The advance of the KtP
could only be condoned by a desire to obtain an open file, and it
seems illogical to protect it now. If White wanted to escape the
pinning of his KKt he need not have moved the Queen. KtxKt would
have effected this and prevented the King’s side from being laid
bare.
White’s game would still have been bad, particularly as the
exchange at Q4 opens the diagonal for the Black KB, but the move
in the text has even a worse effect. Mieses concludes the game
with an elegant sacrifice.
14. ... KtxKtch
15. PxKt P-K5!
16. QPxP BxPch
17. KxB QxPch
18. B-Kt2 RxB
19. R-K2 RxR
20. KtxR QxKt
21. PxB Q-K4ch
22. K-R1 R-K1
Black has wrought fearful havoc in the White ranks, and the
defenceless King cannot withstand the onslaught of the three
White pieces for long.
23. P-QB4 Kt-R4
24. K-Kt1 Q-Q5ch
25. K-R2 R-K7
threatening Q-R5ch, Q-B7ch, and mate at Kt7 or R7.
26. Q-R1 Q-K4ch
27. P-B4 QxPch
28. K-Kt1 Q-Q5ch
Resigns.
GAME NO. 34
White: Em. Lasker. Black: Niemzowitsch.
Caro-Kann Defence (compare p. 50).
1. P-K4 P-QB3
2. P-Q4 P-Q4
3. Kt-QB3 PxP
4. KtxP Kt-B3
5. KtxKt KtPxKt
6. B-K2 B-B4
7. B-B3 Q-R4ch
8. P-B3 P-KR4!
A deep conception. If White accepts the proffered sacrifice of a
pawn, he loses time, as he must retire his B before bringing out
his Kt, and, moreover, the KR file being open, he can only castle
on the Q side. But there the Black Queen is ready for the attack.
If he refuses the sacrifice, the text move is still of value, as
even then it is hardly advisable for White to castle on the K
side, whilst Black can play B-R3 as soon as it might be desirable
to exchange White’s QB.
9. BxP Kt-Q2
10. B-Kt4 BxB
11. QxB Castles
12. Kt-K2 P-K3
13. B-B4 Q-QKt4!
Black is the first to complete his development, and he assumes
the offensive.
14. Castles QR!
This is much stronger than the alternative P-QKt3, which would
fatally disturb the pawn skeleton, particularly as castling is
only possible on the Q side. Although Black can now gain two
pawns, White obtains an attack and Black only just manages to
escape with a draw.
14. ... Kt-Kt3
15. Kt-Kt3
intending Q-K2 in answer to Kt-B5. Again P-QKt3 is not to be
thought of, and R-Q2 also fails because of Kt-B5; 16. R-B2, KtxP.
15. ... Q-Q4
16. K-Kt1 QxKtP
17. QR-Kt1 QxBP
18. Kt-K4 Q-R5
19. Q-B3 Kt-B5!
---------------------------------------
8 | | | #K | #R | | #B | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | | | | #P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | | #P | #P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | #Kt| ^P | ^Kt| ^B | | #Q |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | | | ^Q | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | ^K | | | | | ^R | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 147
Whilst Black was busy capturing two pawns by moving the Queen
four times, White was concentrating the whole of his forces, and
now threatens to win back the pawn with R-Kt4. The move in the
text anticipates the threat, for now the answer to 20. R-Kt4
would be Q-R4; 21. KtxP?, Q-B4ch; 22. Kt-K4?? Kt-Q7ch, winning
the Q.
20. K-R1 P-KB4
21. Kt-Kt5 B-Q3
22. B-B1 R-Q2
23. R-Kt2 B-B2
intending to get rid of the awkward White Knight by Kt-Q3-K5.
24. KR-Kt Kt-Q3
25. Q-K2 Kt-K5
26. Kt-B3 Q-R6
27. P-R3
White appears to be in “time” difficulties, or else he remains
passive, in order to give Black an opportunity for making the
risky attempt to hold the extra pawn by P-B3 and P-K4.
27. ... P-R3
28. B-K3 KR-Q1
29. K-R2 R-R1
If Black wants to play for a win, he must play P-B3. In view of
the favourable position of the White pieces, he prefers to risk
nothing and to avoid the weakening of position which follows upon
practically every pawn move.
30. K-R1 KR-Q1
31. K-R2 R-K1
32. R-Kt8 RxR
33. RxRch R-Q1
34. R-Kt7 R-Q2
35. R-Kt8ch
As long as Black plays steadily, White cannot hope for more than
a draw.
35. ... R-Q1
36. R-Kt7 R-B1
37. P-B4 Kt-B3
In order to drive off the Rook; White now enforces the draw by a
fine combination.
38. B-Kt5! Kt-R4
39. RxP! RxR
40. QxPch R-Q2
Not K-Kt1 on account of 41. Q-K8ch, K-R2; 42. QxR, QxKt; 43. QxB,
threatening B-K7.
41. Kt-K5! Draw.
For after BxKt there follows 42. Q-K8ch, K-B2; 43. QxBch, with
perpetual check.
Both players have shown a deep positional insight, and the game
shows in an interesting manner how a preponderance of material
can be counterbalanced by the greater mobility of the pieces.
GAME NO. 35
White: Reti. Black: Tartakower.
Caro-Kann Defence.
1. P-K4 P-QB3
2. P-Q4 P-Q4
3. Kt-QB3 PxP
4. KtxP Kt-KB3
5. Q-Q3
White wishes to castle as soon as possible on the Queen’s side,
in order to operate on the Queen’s file with the help of the
Rook.
5. ... P-K4
Here Black loses two moves in bringing White’s centre pawn away.
The manœuvre therefore is not sound. QKt-Q2, KtxKt, and Kt-B3,
or any other developing moves would be preferable.
6. PxP Q-R4ch
7. B-Q2 QxP
8. Castles!
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | #Kt| #B | | #K | #B | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | | | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | #Q | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | ^Kt| | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | ^Q | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | ^B | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | ^K | ^R | | ^B | ^Kt| ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 148
White prepares a magnificent mating combination, which can only
be made possible at such an early stage, when the opponent has
utterly neglected his development.
8. ... KtxKt
9. Q-Q8ch!! KxQ
10. B-Kt5 double ch K-B2
11. B-Q8 mate
A beautiful mate. If 11. ... K-K1, 11. R-Q8 mate.
GAME NO. 36
White: Forgacz. Black: E. Cohn.
Queen’s Gambit.
1. P-Q4 P-Q4
2. Kt-KB3 P-K3
3. P-B4 PxP
4. Kt-B3 Kt-KB3
5. B-Kt5 B-K2
6. P-K4 P-KR3
Through 3. ... PxP Black’s development is one move behind, and
such pawn moves should at any cost be avoided as do not
contribute to the mobilisation of the pieces. Castles, P-QKt3, B-
Kt2, and QKt-Q 2 was the proper course.
7. BxKt
This is better than to withdraw the Bishop; Black’s last move was
clearly loss of time.
7.. ... BxB
8. BxP Kt-Q2
9. Castles Castles
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | #Kt| | #P | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | #P | #B | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^B | ^P | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 149
There seems to be nothing alarming about the position, yet on
closer investigation a number of vital failings can be discerned
in Black’s camp. The absence of a pawn in the centre and the
unsatisfactory development have a far-reaching influence. White
will be able to bring his forces to the King’s side by way of K4,
which is made accessible by the disappearance of Black’s QP,
before Black has time to bring his QB to bear on White’s K4 by P-
QKt3 and B-Kt2. White’s immediate threat (after P-K5) is Q-K2-K4
and B-Q3. If Black does not wish to risk P-KKt3, he must defend
himself with R-K1, Kt-B1. In the meantime White can play R-Q1 and
threaten P-Q5, opening the Queen’s file. This again necessitates
P-B3, which postpones the efficiency of the QB at Kt2 until
White’s QKt and QR have been brought up for the attack. The game
develops on these lines, and provides an excellent example of the
advantage of the command of the centre.
10. P-K5 B-K2
11. Q-K2 R-K1
12. QR-Q1 P-QB3
13. Q-K4 Q-B2
preparing P-QKt3.
14. KR-K1 Kt-B1
15. Q-Kt4 P-QKt3
16. Q-R5 B-Kt2
17. R-K4 B-Kt5
Black cannot yet play P-QB4, as R-B4 is threatened with an attack
on KB7. The Bishop which obstructs the Q would have no move, save
the sorry retreat to Q1, and White would win speedily: 17. ... P-
QB4; 18. R-B4, B-Q1; 19. P-Q5, PxP; 20. KtxP, BxKt; 21. BxB,
attacking R and P.
18. R-Kt4 BxKt
19. PxB K-R1
QxP was threatened.
20. Kt-Kt5 R-K2
21. Kt-K4
Even the Knight is brought in via K4.
21. ... R-Q1
22. R-Q3 P-QB4
23. Kt-B6
threatening QxPch and R-Kt8 mate. Black cannot capture the Kt
because of QxPch and mate at Kt7. But the mate cannot be delayed
much longer in view of the concentration of superior forces for
the attack.
23. ... Kt-Kt3
24. R-R3 Resigns
There is no answer to Q-Kt5 and RxP.
GAME NO. 37
White: Marshall. Black: Capablanca.
Queen’s Gambit Declined (see p. 52).
1. P-Q4 P-Q4
2. P-QB4 P-K3
3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3
4. B-Kt5 B-K2
5. P-K3 Kt-K5
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | #Kt| #B | #Q | #K | | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P | | #B | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | #P | | | ^B | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^P | ^P | #Kt| | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | ^K | ^B | ^Kt| ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 150
Lasker has played this move successfully in his match against
Marshall; but it has not come into general use. White should get
the better game by 6. BxB, QxB; 7. Q-B2, KtxKt; 8. QxKt or 7.
PxP, KtxKt; 8. PxKt, PxP; 9. Q-Kt3, in the first case because the
Black QB is out of play, in the second case because of the open
Kt file. 7. KtxKt is bad, because PxKt prevents the natural
development of the KKt at B3, and Black can obtain an attack
after castling by P-KB4-5.
6. BxB QxB
7. B-Q3
This also is a good move, as it furthers development.
7. ... KtxKt
8. PxKt PxP
Giving up the centre pawn in this case is not against the spirit
of the opening, as it opens the only diagonal on which the Black
QB can operate.
9. BxP P-QKt3
10. Q-B3 P-QB3
11. Kt-K2 B-Kt2
12. Castles KR Castles
13. P-QR4
This move can only be good if White intends to operate on the
Queen’s side, possibly by KR-Kt1 and P-R5. But the position of
the White Queen makes the adoption of a different plan
compulsory. For one thing, it is rational to concentrate forces
where the Queen can take her share, therefore, in this case, on
the King’s side. On the other hand, the manœuvre referred to
could not be put into execution here because Black can prevent P-
R5 by P-QB4 and Kt-B3. A fairly obvious course was to play P-K4,
taking possession of the centre. P-QB4 would then be answered by
P-Q5, after which the White Rooks would be very effective at Q1
and K1. In this game White does initiate a King’s side attack
subsequently, and thus 13. ... P-QR4 is clearly a lost move.
13. ... P-QB4
14. Q-Kt3 Kt-B3
15. Kt-B4 QR-B1
The tempting move of P-K4 cannot be played because of 16. Kt-Q5,
Q-Q1; 17. PxBP, Kt-R4; 18. KR-Q1. The move in the text threatens
PxP, KtxP and RxB.
16. B-R2 KR-Q1
17. KR-K1 Kt-R4
This threatens B-B3 attacking the RP. White decides to yield the
same at once, thinking quite rightly that a direct attack must
have good chances, as Black gets two pieces out of play in
capturing the pawn.
18. QR-Q1 B-B 3
19. Q-Kt4
Black cannot take the pawn yet, because of KtxP and BxPch.
19. ... P-B5
20. P-Q5?
---------------------------------------
8 | | | #R | #R | | | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | | | | #Q | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | #P | #B | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | #Kt| | | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | ^P | | #P | | | ^Kt| ^Q | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^B | | | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | ^R | ^R | | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 151
There is no need to play for violent complications. The logical
course was to open the way to the King’s side for the Rooks by P-
K4. The continuation could have been: 20. P-K4, BxRP; 21. Kt-R5,
P-Kt3; 22. P-K5, BxR; 23. RxB followed by Kt-B6, with a strong
attack; also after 21. ... P-B3, 22. R-Q2, White’s attacking
chances are good. After the move in the text, Black could get an
advantage by simply exchanging: 20. ... PxP; 21. KtxP, BxKt; 22.
RxB, RxR; 23. QxRch, R-Q1; 24. Q-KB5, P-Kt3; 25. Q-B2, Q-R6. In
taking the RP, however, Black incurs grave risks.
20. ... BxRP
21. R-Q2 P-K4
22. Kt-R5 P-Kt3
23. P-Q6 Q-K3
24. Q-Kt5 K-R1
Black finds the weaknesses at his KB3 and KR3 very troublesome.
RxP would lose at once, because of 25. RxR, QxR; 26. Q-R6!
25. Kt-B6 RxP
26. RxR QxR
27. B-Kt1
Q-R4 would have been answered by K-Kt2.
27. ... Kt-B3
Black must try to bring back his minor pieces for the defence. If
he succeeds in doing that in time, the end-game is easily won on
the Queen’s side.
28. B-B5 R-Q1
Not PxB because of Q-R6.
29. P-KR4
White’s attacking resources seem inexhaustible. By exchanging
Queens he could have got his pawn back in this way: 29. B-Q7, Q-
B1 (R xB?, 30. Q-R6); 30. BxKt, BxB; 31. QxQP, Q-Q3; 32. Kt-
Q7,QxQ; 33. KtxQ, B-K1; 34. KtxQBP. But even then Black would
maintain a superiority in the end-game owing to the freedom of
his passed pawn, and because he can post his Rook at the seventh
after P-QKt4. This explains why Marshall prefers not to win back
his pawn, but to enter upon a violent attack with a doubtful
issue. However, Capablanca finds the right move in all the
ensuing complications, and finally wins the game.
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | #R | | | | #K |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | | | | | #P | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | #P | #Kt| #Q | | ^Kt| #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | #P | ^B | ^Q | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | #B | | #P | | | | | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | | | | | ^P | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | ^R | | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 152
29. ... Kt-K2
30. Kt-K4 Q-B2
31. Q-B6ch K-Kt1
32. B-K6
This is now compulsory. If White loses time in withdrawing the B,
Black consolidates his position by: Kt-Q4 and Q-K2.
32. ... PxB
R-B1 is refuted by 33. Kt-Kt5!, PxB; 34. QxR, etc.
33. QxKPch
Better than Kt-Kt5, for after Kt-Q4, 34. QxPch, the Black King
finds a safe retreat at Kt2.
33. ... K-B1
34. Kt-Kt5 Kt-Kt1
35. P-B4
in order to open the file for the Rook.
35. ... R-K1
36. PxP R-K2
37. R-B1ch K-Kt2
38. P-R5 B-K1
39. P-R6ch K-R1
KtxP fails on account of Q-B6ch.
40. Q-Q6
White takes all possible advantage from the position, but cannot
bring home his attack, as Black has concentrated his forces for
the defence. Black must still be careful to avoid a mate, e.g.
QxQ?; 41. PxQ, RxP; 42. R-B7 or 4l. ... R-Q2; 42. R-B8.
40. ... Q-B4
41. Q-Q4
Here White could have tried QxQ and R-B8. There was then a
permanent threat of RxB, e.g. 41. QxQ, PxQ; 42. R-B8, RxP; 43.
Kt-B3, R-K2; 44. Kt-Kt5, etc. It seems as if Black would have to
give up the piece again by 43. ... R-R4 in order to win. White,
however, would then have drawing chances, which would have been a
fitting conclusion to this wonderful game.
41. ... RxP
42. Q-Q7 R-K2
Resigns
GAME No. 38
White: Rotlewi. Black: Teichmann.
Queen’s Gambit Declined.
1. P-Q4 P-Q 4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-KB3
3. P-B4 P-K3
4. Kt-B3 QKt-Q2
5. B-Kt5 B-K2
Capablanca tried 5. ... B-Kt5; against Ed. Lasker in New York,
1915. The continuation was: 6. P-K3, P-B4; 7. B-Q3, Q-R4; 8. Q-
Kt3.
The correct move is here 8. Castles. If Black wins the pawn by
BxKt; 9. PxB, QPxP; 10. BxP, QxBP, White obtains a strong attack,
e.g., 11. R-B1, Q-R4; 12. BxKt, PxB (KtxB; 13. PxP); 13. P-Q5,
with this possible continuation l3. ... Kt-Kt3, 14. PxP, PxP; 15.
Q-Q6, with a strong attack.
6. P-K3 Castles
7. Q-B2 P-B4
White intends to castle on the Queen’s side, and to follow this
up with a storm by the King’s side pawns. Although Rubinstein has
on many occasions been successful with this form of attack, it is
open to criticism. For, where Kings have castled on different
wings, the attack on the King which has castled on the Q side
should be more successful.
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | | #Kt| #B | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | | #P | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #P | #P | | | ^B | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^P | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| | ^P | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^Q | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | | ^K | ^B | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 153
This is much stronger than P-Q Kt3 and B-Kt2, as then the Black
Queen cannot participate in the attack quickly enough. As pointed
out before, speed is the first consideration for the attack,
whenever the Kings have castled on different wings. An
interesting counterpart to the present game is found in a game
won by Rubinstein from Teichmann (Match, Vienna, 1908) 7. ... P-
QKt3; 8. PxP, PxP; 9. B-Q3, B-Kt2; 10. Castles QR, P-B4; 11. P-
KR4, P-B5? (the only hope lay in the opening of the QB file);
12. B-B5, R-K1; 13. BxKKt, KtxB; 14. P-KKt4, B-Q3; 15. P-Kt5, Kt-
K5; 16. P-R5, Q-K2; 17. QR-Kt1, P-QR3; 18. BxPch!, KxB; 19. P-
Kt6ch, K-Kt1; 20. KtxKt, PxKt; 21. P-R6, P-B31 22. PxP, PxKt; 23
R-R8ch, KxP; 24. R-R7ch, and Black resigned a few moves later.
8. Castles Q-R4
9. PxQP
White loses time in the centre. It was imperative to proceed at
once with P-KKt4 followed by BxKt, P-Kt5 and P-KR4.
9. ... KPxP
10. PxP KtxP
11. Kt-Q4 B-K3
12. K-Kt1
It would be too risky to leave both King and Queen on the QB
file.
12. ... QR-B1
13. B-Q3 P-KR3
The threat was: BxKt and BxPch. Had White played P-KKt4 and P-KR4
instead of effecting exchanges in the centre, Black would not
have been able to afford this weakening move. But now Black wins
the game on the other wing, before White is able to make use of
the weakness thus created.
14. BxKt BxB
15. B-B5 KR-Q1
16. BxB PxB
17. Q-Kt6
The Queen must leave the QB file without delay, as Kt-K5 is
threatened. Black’s game is already superior; with the exception
of the Queen, White has no piece available for the attack on the
opposing King.
17. ... R-Q3
18. R-QB1 R-R3
Now White must again provide against Black’s Kt-K5, as White’s
QKt is needed for the defence of QR2.
19. P-B3 R-Q1
Black intends to move his B and then to advance his KP with an
attack on the Queen. The object of the text move is to prevent
White from saving himself by an attack on the Rook (Q-B5).
20. R-B2 BxKt
By this exchange Black achieves his object of driving off the
Knight by P-Q5, but White has time to give his RP further
protection by P-QKt3, This, Black would have prevented by playing
B-Kt4 instead of the text move, e.g. 21. P-B4, P-K4; 22. Q-B5,
PxKt; 23. PxP, B-B3; 24. PxKt, P-Q5, etc.
21. PxB P-K4
22. Q-Kt4 PxP
23. QxP Kt-K3
24. Q-K5
This delays the fatal advance of the QP for one move.
24. ... P-QKt4
25. P-QKt3 P-Q5
26. Kt-K4 P-Q6
27. R-Q2 Kt-Q5
28. R-QB1 Kt-B7
29. Q-Kt2 Kt-R6ch
30. K-R1 Kt-B7ch
31. K-Kt1 Kt-R6ch
32. K-R1 Kt-B7ch
33. K-Kt1
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | #R | | | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | | | | | | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #R | | | | | | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | #Q | #P | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | ^Kt| | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | ^P | | #P | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^Q | #Kt| ^R | | | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | ^K | ^R | | | | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 154
Black does not play for a draw, but only wishes to gain time.
33. ... R-QB3
The intention is to double Rooks and to force an entry at B7. P-
Kt5 would not be good. The White Rook would no longer be
attacked, and the Knight could attack the QP.
34. R(B1)-Q1 KR-QB1
Now that the White Rook has left the QB file, one Rook would be
sufficient to force an entry at B7, and Kt-R6ch followed by P-Kt5
could have been played at once, e.g. 34. ... Kt-R6ch; 35. K-R1,
P-Kt5 (preventing P-QKt4); 36. Kt-B2,R-B7; 37. RxR, PxR; 38. R-
QB1, Q-Kt3; 39. Kt-K4, R-Q8 followed by RxRch, Q-Q5ch and P-B8
mate.
35. RxP Kt-R6ch
36. K-R1 P-Kt5
37. R-Q7 Q-K4!!
If QxQ, Black mates in three.
38. R-Q8ch RxR
39. RxRch K-R2
40. R-Q1 QxQch
Curiously enough there is nothing better. Q-B2 only leads to the
exchange of Queens and the same end-game, which, however, is an
easy win for Black, as the permanent mating threat keeps the
White Rook tied to the first rank, whilst the Black King
threatens to capture all the White pawns.
If Q-B2 White forces the exchange of Queens with the following
combination: 41. Q-Q2, R-B7; 42. Q-Q3, R-B8ch; 43. K-Kt2, with a
threat of Kt-B6ch and Q-R7 mate. Black therefore would have to
play Q-B7ch, etc., as in the game.
41. KxQ R-B7ch
42. K-R1 RxP
43. R-R1 P-Kt4
44. Kt-B6ch K-Kt2
45. Kt-K4 K-Kt3
46. Kt-Q6 P-QR4
We have now a position with a forced move. If the White Knight
moves, there follows K-B4-B5, etc. Therefore White gives up his R
P voluntarily.
47. R-QB1 RxP
48. Kt-B4 Kt-Kt4
Now Kt-B6 and RxP mate are threatened.
49. Kt-K5ch K-Kt2
50. Kt-Kt4 R-K7
51. R-B5 R-K8ch
52. K-Kt2 Kt-R6
53. R-B7ch K-B1
54. R-B1 R-K7ch
55. K-R1 Kt-B7ch
56. K-Kt1 Kt-R6ch
Black again appears to be short of time.
57. K-R1 Kt-Kt4
58. R-B5 R-K8ch
59. K-Kt2 Kt-R6
60. R-B1 R-K7ch
Now, after the sixtieth move Black has again plenty of time, and
can prepare the final combination at leisure.
61. K-R1 R-K3
62. R-R1 K-Kt2
63. R-QB1 K-Kt3
64. R-B6 RxR
65. Kt-K5ch K-B4
66. KtxR P-R4
67. Kt-Q4ch K-K4
68. Kt-K2 Kt-B7ch
69. K-Kt2 Kt-Q5
Resigns.
GAME NO. 39.
White: Rotlewi. Black: Rubinstein
Queen’s Gambit Declined.
1. P-Q4 P-Q4
2. Kt-KB3 P-K3
3. P-K3 P-QB4
4. P-B4 Kt-QB3
5. Kt-B3 Kt-B3
6. QPxP BxP
7. P-QR3 P-QR3
8. P-QKt4 B-Q3
9. B-Kt2 Castles
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | #P | | | | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | #Kt| #B | #P | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | #P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | ^P | ^P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | ^P | | ^Kt| | ^P | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | ^B | | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | ^K | ^B | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 155
10. Q-Q2
White cannot win the QP by 10. PxP, PxP; 11. KtxP, KtxKt; 12.
QxKt, because BxPch wins the Queen. The text move is played with
the intention of bringing up the QR for the attack on the QP.
However, it would have been more correct to fix the object of
attack first by PxP, as Black could now cross White’s intentions
by playing PxP, after which he would sooner or later gain a move
by occupying the Q file with a Rook, and forcing the White Queen
to retreat.
10. ... Q-K2!
Black offers to give up his Queen’s Pawn. If White accepts the
sacrifice, Black’s attack on the Queen’s file will become deadly,
as White must lose a move in bringing his Queen out of the line
of action of the hostile Rook. The White King has then no time to
get into safety, e.g. 11. PxP, PxP; 12. KtxP, KtxKt; 13. QxKt, R-
Q1; 14. Q-Kt3, B-K3 followed by KtxP, etc.
11. B-Q3?
Here again PxP (followed by B-K2, R-Q1, Castles) would have
avoided the loss of a move, as indicated in my note to move 10.
Now White loses yet another move, as Black exchanges pawns and
the Bishop has taken two moves to reach B4, as against one only
in the case of the Black KB. The loss of two moves in the
opening stages should be fatal, and of this Rubinstein gives a
striking example in the present game.
11. ... PxP
12. BxP P-QKt4
13. B-Q3 R-Q1
14. Q-K2 B-Kt2
15. Castles KR Kt-K4
The advantage which Black obtains by his last move is generally
gained by White in this opening (compare Diag. 36). But in the
game White has lost two moves and Black has assumed the
offensive, having moreover a Rook acting on the Q file.
16. KtxKt BxKt
17. P-B4
Black’s threat was: BxPch followed by Q-Q3ch and QxB. If White
replies: 17. KR-Q1 the answer is Q-B2 attacking both the RP and
the Kt. The text move is unsatisfactory, as it will be necessary
to advance the KP to K4 or K5, where it will block the diagonal
of one of the Bishops.
17. ... B-B2
18. P-K4 QR-B1
19. P-K5 B-Kt3ch
20. K-R1 Kt-Kt5!!
---------------------------------------
8 | | | #R | #R | | | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | #B | | | #Q | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | #B | | | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | #P | | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | ^P | | | | ^P | #Kt| |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | ^P | | ^Kt| ^B | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | ^B | | | ^Q | | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | | | ^R | | ^K |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 156
The beginning of magnificent sacrifices. 21. QxKt cannot be
played because of RxB and R-Q7, etc.
21. B-K4 Q-R5
22. P-Kt3
After P-R3 Black wins also in fine style: RxKt!!; 23. QxKt, QxQ;
24. PxQ, BxB; 25. BxR, R-Q6 threatening R-R 6 mate; or, 23. BxR,
BxB; 24. QxB, Q-Kt6; 25. PxKt, Q-R5 mate.
22. ... RxKt!!
23. PxQ R-Q7!!
24. QxR BxBch
25. Q-Kt2 R-R6
and mate at R7.
GAME NO. 40
White: Rubinstein. Black: Capablanca.
Queen’s Gambit Declined.
1. P-Q4 P-Q4
2. Kt-KB3 P-QB4
3. P-B4 P-K3
4. PxQP KPxP
5. Kt-B3 Kt-QB3
6. P-KKt3 B-K3
7. B-Kt2 B-K2
8. Castles R-B1
This move is not satisfactory at this juncture. It rather helps a
combination which is frequently resorted to in similar positions,
namely, the exchange of the Black QB and subsequent pressure on
the KP by the White KB on the diagonal KR3-QB8. 8. ... Kt-B3
should have been played, after
---------------------------------------
8 | | | #R | #Q | #K | | #Kt| #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | | | #B | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #Kt| | #B | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #P | #P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| | | ^Kt| ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^B | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | ^B | ^Q | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 157
which White could hardly be said to possess any advantage, e.g.
9. B-Kt5, Kt-K5, or 9. B-K3, Kt-KKt5, or 9. P-QR3, or 9. PxP,
BxP; 10. B-Kt5, B-K2. After 9. PxP, however, it would be weak to
recapture with the Queen. In a game E. Cohn-Ed. Lasker (match
1909) there followed: 9. ... Q-R4; 10. Kt-KKt5, QxP; 11. B-K3, Q-
R4; 12. Q-Kt3, after which Black had to give up a pawn already:
Castles QR; 13. KtxB, PxKt; 14. B-R3, etc.
9. PxP BxP
10. Kt-KKt5 Kt-B3
11. KtxB PxKt
12. B-R3 Q-K2
13. B-Kt5
P-K4 is stronger here, in order to play B-Kt5 after PxP. l3. ...
P-Q5 would then be refuted by Kt-Q5.
13. ... Castles
14. BxKt QxB
After this White gains a pawn by a complicated and well-timed
combination. Capablanca did not consider the subtle reply on
Rubinstein’s seventeenth move. Otherwise he would have recaptured
with the pawn. However, in that case too, White’s chances are
good in the end-game which ensues after: 15. KtxP, PxKt; 16.
QxPch, K-R1; 17. BxR. The Rooks would soon become effective in
view of the open K side.
15. KtxP Q-R3
BxPch fails because of 16. K-Kt2, Q-B2; 17. Kt-B4!
16. K-Kt2 QR-Q1
17. Q-B1
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | #R | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | | | | | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #Kt| | #P | | | #Q |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #B | ^Kt| | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | | | | ^P | ^B |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^K | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | ^Q | | | ^R | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 158
17. ... PxKt
If RxKt, White exchanges Queens and plays BxPch.
18. QxB Q-Q7
19. Q-Kt5 Kt-Q5
20. Q-Q3
With an extra pawn White forces the exchange of Queens. Black
cannot prevent it, as 20. ... QxKtP loses the Knight on account
of 21. KR-Kt1, and 20. ... Q-Kt5 loses the QP by 21. KR-Q1 and B-
K6ch.
20. ... QxQ
21. PxQ KR-K1
22. B-Kt4
KR-K1 would not prevent the entry of the Black Rook: Kt-B7; 23.
RxRch, RxR; 24. R-QB1, R-K7; 25. B-Kt4, R-Q7. Black would win the
pawn back and might even succeed in the end-game with a Knight
against a Bishop.
22. ... R-Q3
23. KR-K1 RxR
24. RxR R-QKt3
Black should first play his King to KB3, and keep the Rook away
from his K5. Not that the QP is of paramount importance; the QKtP
fully makes up for its loss. But as played the Knight is driven
from his dominating position, and the badly placed Bishop gets
into play. No doubt even after the text move the ending is most
difficult, and it requires Rubinstein’s full powers to bring it
to a successful issue.
25. R-K5 RxP
26. RxP Kt-B3
27. B-K6ch K-B1
28. R-B5ch K-K1
29. B-B7ch K-Q2
30. B-B4 P-QR3
Black’s only chance is his extra pawn on the Q side. To exchange
the Kt for the B by 30. ... K-Q3; 31. R-B 7, Kt-K4; 32. RxKKtP,
KtxB would take too much time where time is all-important. White
would clear the K side in the meantime, push on his KRP, and
ultimately give up his R for Black’s remaining P, as soon as the
latter runs into Queen, after which the three passed pawns win
easily against the Rook. Generally speaking it is wise, in R
endings like the present one, to advance pawns on the side where
there is an extra pawn, in order to get a passed pawn as soon as
possible. Then the hostile Rook has to look after that pawn lest
it should queen, and the greater mobility of one’s own Rook often
saves the game even when opposed by a preponderance of pawns.
31. R-B7ch K-Q3
32. RxKKtP P-Kt4
33. B-Kt8 P-QR4
34. RxP P-R5
35. P-R4 P-Kt5
36. R-R6ch K-B4
37. R-R5ch K-Kt3
38. B-Q5 P-Kt6
RxP is tempting but unavailing, as White plays B-B4 followed by
R-Kt5ch and P-R5-6, etc. After the text move White has a problem-
like continuation, which he has worked out with great accuracy.
39. PxP P-R6
40. BxKt
If now P-R7, White simply plays 41. R-Kt5ch, K-R3; 42. R-Kt8-R8.
40. ... RxKtP
41. B-Q5 P-R7
42. R-R6ch Resigns.
As the R holds the RP, e.g. K-R4; 43. B-B4 followed by R-R6ch or
42. ... K-R2; 43. R-R8, etc.
GAME NO. 41
White: Niemzowitsch. Black: Tarrasch.
Queen’s Gambit Declined.
1. P-Q4 P-Q4
2. Kt-KB3 P-QB4
3. P-B4 P-K3
4. P-K3 Kt-KB3
5. B-Q3 Kt-B3
6. Castles B-Q3
7. P-QKt3 Castles
8. B-Kt2 P-QKt3
9. QKt-Q2 B-Kt2
10. R-B1 Q-K2
11. PxQP
The most natural move to which the development of the QKt at Q2
instead of B3 would seem to lead is Kt-K5 followed by P-B4. After
11. Kt-K5 Black could not yet attempt 11. ... PxQP; 12. KPxP, B-
R6, weakening the QP, because of 13. BxB, QxB; 14. PxP, KtxKt;
15. PxKt, KtxP; 16. Kt-B4 and Kt-Q6.
11. ... KPxP
12. Kt-R4
In order to provoke Black’s weakening move: P-Kt3, which might
give White chances of attack on the long diagonal QR1-KR8, White
gives up two clear moves. Black is able to get considerably ahead
in his development, much to White’s disadvantage.
12. ... P-Kt3
13. KKt-B3 QR-Q sq
Not Kt-K5 yet, on account of 14. PxP, PxP?; 15. BxKt, PxB; 16.
KtxP.
14. PxP
White’s position is uncomfortable, and a satisfactory
continuation is hard to find. Possibly passive resistance might
have been the best plan, thus: Q-K2, KR-Q1, Kt-B1-Kt3. The text
move is a preliminary to operations on the Queen’s side, but
allows Black too much scope in the centre.
14. ... PxP
15. B-Kt5
White wishes to get rid of the Black Knight which supports the
advance of P-Q5.
15. ... Kt-K5
16. BxKt BxB
17. Q-B2
White has no idea of the threatened disaster, or he would have
played P-KKt3. Even then, however, Black has the better game with
two Bishops, and the Q and Kt better placed.
17. ... KtxKt
The beginning of a brilliant mating combination.
18. KtxKt P-Q5!
Black would have played the same move if White had retaken with
the Queen.
19. PxP
P-K4 was comparatively the best move, although Black’s attack
would have become overwhelming after P-B4, e.g. 20. P-B3, B-B5,
etc.
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | #R | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | | | | #Q | #P | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #B | #B | | | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | ^P | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^B | ^Q | ^Kt| | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | ^R | | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 159
19. ... BxPch!!
20. KxB Q-R5ch
21. K-Kt1 BxP!
Emanuel Lasker won a celebrated game from Bauer (Amsterdam,
1889) with a similar sacrifice of two Bishops, and very likely
this is the reason why Tarrasch’s beautiful game only earned him
the second brilliancy prize at Petrograd (1914).
22. P-B3
If KxB, then Q-Kt5ch; 23. K-R1, R-Q4; 24. QxP, R-R4ch; 25. QxR,
QxQch; 26. K-Kt2, Q-Kt4ch and QxKt.
22. ... KR-K1
Not Q-Kt6, because of Kt-K4.
23. Kt-K4 Q-R8ch
24. K-B2 BxR
25. P-Q5 P-B4
26. Q-B3 Q-Kt7ch
27. K-K3 RxKtch!
28. PxR P-B5ch
With Q-Kt6ch Black mates two moves earlier.
29. KxP R-B1ch
30. K-K5 Q-R7ch
31. K-K6 R-K1ch
Resigns.
If K-Q7, B-Kt4 mate, if K-B6, Q-R5 mate.
[FOOTNOTE: Emanuel Lasker-Bauer: 1. P-KB4, P-Q4; 2. P-K3, Kt-KB3;
3. P-QKt3, P-K3; 4. B-Kt2, B-K2; 5. B-Q3, P-QKt3; 6. Kt-QB3, B-
Kt2; 7. Kt-B3, QKt-Q2; 8. Castles, Castles; 9. Kt-K2, P-B4; 10.
Kt-Kt3, Q-B2; 11. Kt-K5, KtxKt; 12. BxKt, Q-B3; 13. Q-K2, P-QR3;
14. Kt-R5, KtxKt; 15. BxPch!!, KxB; 16. QxKtch, K-Kt1; 17. BxP!,
KxB; 18. Q-Kt4ch, K-R2; 19. R-B3, P-K4; 20. R-R3ch, Q-R3; 21.
RxQ, KxR; 22. Q-Q7, and White won.]
GAME No. 42
White: Capablanca. Black: Aljechin.
Queen’s Gambit Declined (see pp. 57 and 58).
1. P-Q4 P-Q4
2. P-QB4 P-QB3
3. P-K3 Kt-B3
4. Kt-KB3 P-K3
5. QKt-Q2 QKt-Q2
6. B-Q3 B-K2
7. Castles Castles
8. Q-B2
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | | #Kt| #B | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | | #P | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | #P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^P | ^P | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | ^B | ^P | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^Q | ^Kt| | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | ^B | | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 160
Black’s difficulty is the development of his QB, particularly
after White’s last move, which prevents P-K4. If now Q-B2 White
plays 9. P-K4 and either the Queen or the Knight bear on K5, e.g.
9. ... PxKP; 10. KtxP, P-K4; 11. QKt-Kt5, B-Q3; 12. P-B5, etc.
Black therefore must develop his QB at Kt2 with P-QKt3, B-Kt2 and
P-B4. Having moved the QBP twice, Black is a move behind the
development usual in this opening. However, it would have been
the lesser evil. In the present game the Bishop does not get into
play in time.
8. ... PxP
9. KtxP P-B4
10. QKt-K5 PxP
11. PxP Kt-Kt3
12. Kt-Kt5
If Black captures the pawn, White gains time by threatening the
Queen, and brings all his forces into play, whilst the Black
Queen’s side remains undeveloped, e.g.: 12. ... QxP; 13. R-Q1,
Q-B4; 14. Kt-Kt4, P-Kt3; 15. B-K3, Q-R4; 16. R-B1, with a strong
attack. Black of course need not take the pawn, but the move in
the text is a valuable one nevertheless, as the threat Q-B3-R3
provokes a weakening pawn move.
12. ... P-Kt3
13. KKt-B3 K-Kt2
preventing the entry of the B at R6.
14. B-KKt5 QKt-Q4
15. QR-B1 B-Q2
16. Q-Q2 Kt-Kt1
It should be noted how the weakness at KR3 acts to the detriment
of Black’s game. The text move covers the weak square, but at the
same time brings the Kt out of play. White in consequence gets
the upper-hand on the Queen’s side, and the Knight cannot return
in time.
17. BxB QxB
It would be no use taking with the KKt, as the threat Kt-Kt4 and
Q-R6 must be guarded against. If the other Kt captures there
follows: 18. B-K4, R-Kt1; 19. R-B3 and KR-B1.
18. B-K4 B-Kt4
This drives the Rook to a better square, but already now there is
no satisfactory move. It would perhaps have been best to parry
the threat of BxKt and R-B7 by playing Q-Q3, although the pawn
would have to recapture after 19. BxKt, because of 20. R-B5 and
KR-B1. The chance of bearing on the QP through the open file,
which was probably Black’s intention all along, would then be
lost. After the text move, however, White takes possession of the
seventh rank, and Black’s game collapses quickly.
19. KR-K1 Q-Q3
20. BxKt PxB
21. Q-R5 P-QR3
22. Q-B7 QxQ
23. RxQ P-R3
Kt-Kt5 and Kt-K6ch was threatened.
24. RxP QR-B1
25. P-QKt3 R-B7
26. P-QR4 B-K7
27. Kt-R4! P-KR4
The KtP cannot be saved.
28. KKtxP R-K1
29. RxPch Resigns.
GAME No. 43
White: Capablanca. Black: Bernstein.
Queen’s Gambit Declined.
1. P-Q4 P-Q4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-KB3
3. P-B4 P-K3
4. Kt-B3 QKt-Q2
5. B-Kt5 B-K2
6. P-K3 P-B3
7. B-Q3 PxP
Before initiating this manœuvre, which aims at the development
of the Queen’s wing, Black should castle, as otherwise the King
is exposed to dangerous and immediate attacks in the centre.
8. BxBP P-Kt4
9. B-Q3 P-QR3
The system of opening chosen by Black has been tried frequently
of late. It seems to be somewhat artificial, as the QB Pawn takes
two moves to get to his fourth. On the other hand the pawn
formation at QR3, QKt4, and QB4 is attained, whilst it can be
prevented in other variations, e.g. 6. ... Castles; 7. B-Q3, PxP;
8. BxP, P-QR3; 9 P-QR4.
10. P-K4 P-K4
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | #K | | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | #Kt| #B | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P | | #P | | | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | #P | | | #P | | ^B | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^P | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| ^B | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | ^K | | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 161
Black’s only plausible move here seems to be P-B4, and many
critics have remarked that after 11. P-K5, PxP!; 12. Kt-K4 (if
PxKt, PxKt) KtxKt; 13. BxKt, R-QKt1; 14. BxB, QxB; 15. QxP, Q-B4;
the game would have been even. However, this is not the case, for
on the 15th move White does not capture the pawn with the Q but
with the Kt and Black has no satisfactory continuation. If he had
castled he could play l5. ... B-Kt2 which now is not available
because of: 16. Kt-B6, BxKt; 17. BxB, with an overwhelming
advantage in position for White. White’s refutation of the text
move is above criticism.
11. PxP Kt-Kt5
12. B-KB4 B-B4
If Q-B2, White would play R-B1, after which Black could not
recapture the KP yet, as the QBP is en prise. 13. ... KKtxP; 14.
KtxKt, KtxKt; 15. Kt-Q5, Q-Q3; 16. BxKt, QxB; 19. RxP, etc.
13. Castles Q-B2
14. R-B1 P-B3
Again KtxP is not feasible on account of the loss of the QBP, as
can be easily seen.
15. B-Kt3 PxP
Black’s game cannot be saved. If l5. ... Kt(Kt5)xKP there follows
16. KtxKt, KtxKt; 17. Kt-Q5, Q-Q3; 18. BxKt, PxB; 19. RxB, or 16.
... PxKt; 17. Q-R5ch, P-Kt3, 18. Q-R6.
16. P-Kt4!
Now White initiates a brilliant attack, driving it home without
giving Black a moment’s rest. If Black takes the pawn, White
plays Kt-Q4, with many threats, e.g. P-B4; 18. Kt-Q5, Q-Q3; 19.
Kt-K6, or l7. ... Kt(Kt5)-B3; 18. Kt-K6, etc.
16. ... B-R2
17. BxKtP
The sacrifice is fairly obvious, as White obtains three pawns for
the piece, and moreover drives the King into the field of battle.
However, this does not detract from the beauty of the game, which
is full of brilliant phases.
17. ... RPxB
18. KtxKtP Q-Q1
Or Q-Kt3; 19. Kt-Q6ch, K-K2; 20. Kt-B5ch, followed by Q-Q6.
19. Kt-Q6ch K-B1
20. RxP Kt-Kt3
The threat was: 21. Q-Q5, Kt-R3; 22. KtxB, RxKt; 23. R-Q6, etc.
20. ... Kt(Q2)-B3 is of no avail because of 21. Q-Kt3, Kt-R3; 22.
KtxP, or 21. ... Q-Q2; 22. KR-B1, etc.
21. B-R4 Q-Q2
22. KtxB! QxR
Not RxKt because of 23. QxQ. Now Black is a whole Rook ahead. But
it is as much out of play as his Queen’s side pieces. The King is
driven into a mating net by the concentration of superior White
forces, and only escapes by giving up the extra piece.
23. Q-Q8ch Q-K1
24. B-K7ch K-B2
25. Kt-Q6ch K-Kt3
26. Kt-R4ch K-R4
If K-R3 there follows mate in three by 27. Kt(Q6)-B5ch; 28. Kt-
Kt3ch; 29. B-Kt5 mate.
27. KtxQ RxQ
28. KtxPch K-R3
29. Kt(Kt7)-B5ch K-R4
30. P-KR3!
This threatens 31. PxKtch, KxP; 32. P-B3ch, followed by P-Kt3 or
Kt4 mate. If Black plays 30. QR-KKt1, White wins as follows: 31.
PxKtch, RxP; 32. P-B3, Kt-B1ch; 33. K-R2, KtxB; 34. PxRch, KxP;
35. KtxKt, K x Kt; 36. R-B7. If 30. ... Kt-R3; 31. Kt-Kt7 mate.
30. ... Kt-B1
31. PxKtch KxP
32. BxR RxB
33. P-Kt3 R-Q7
34. K-Kt2 R-K7
35. P-R4 Kt-Kt3
36. Kt-K3ch K-R4
37. P-R5 Kt-Q2
38. Kt(R4)-B5 Kt-B3
39. P-Kt5 B-Q5
40. K-B3 R-R7
41. P-R6 B-R2
42. R-B1 R-Kt7
43. P-Kt4ch K-Kt4
44. R-B7 RxPch
45. KxR KtxKtPch
46. K-B3 Resigns.
GAME NO. 44
White: Dus Chotimirski. Black: Vidmar.
Queen’s Pawn Game.
1. P-Q4 P-Q4
2. Kt-KB3 P-QB4
3. P-B3 P-K3
4. B-B4
We have seen on page 55 that Black can hardly develop his QB
without disadvantage. White, however, has no difficulty in doing
so, as his QP is protected, and after Black’s Q-Kt3 he has only
to look after his KtP. He could play Q-B1, which might bring the
Q into effective action on the diagonal to R6.
The aim of the text move is the early occupation of K5. But, as
the present game shows, this cannot be effected. Black must not
waste time with Q-Kt3, but play B-Q3 at once.
4. ... Kt-QB3
5. P-K3 Kt-B3
6. QKt-Q2 B-Q3
7. B-Kt3 Castles
8. Kt-K5 BxKt!
9. PxB Kt-Q2
Now White has no means of maintaining his centre. Whether he
supports the pawn with Kt-B3 or P-KB4, Black forces matters with
P-B3.
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | | #Kt| | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #Kt| | #P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #P | #P | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^P | | ^P | | ^B | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | ^Kt| | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | ^Q | ^K | ^B | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 162
Now that the idea underlying White’s opening strategy has proved
impracticable, he has difficulty in formulating a plan. Making
the best of a bad job, he abandons his KP in exchange for Black’s
KRP. But Black obtains a powerful pawn centre, a telling
advantage.
10. B-Q3 KKtxP
11. BxKt KtxB
12. BxPch KxB
13. Q-R5ch K-Kt1
14. QxKt P-B3
15. Q-R5 Q-Kt3
Black wishes to provoke the advance of the QKtP and QBP in order
to obtain a passed pawn (16. P-QKt3, P-K4; 17. Castles KR, Q-R4;
18. P-QB4, P-Q5). In order to avoid this continuation, White
takes his chance of castling on the Queen’s side. This turns out
to Black’s advantage. Indeed it is a foregone conclusion. In the
ensuing double assault by pawns, Black is several moves ahead, as
the White pawns concerned in the attack are still on their
original squares.
16. Castles QR P-K4
17. P-KKt4 P-Q5
18. P-QB4 B-Q2
19. P-Kt5 PxKtP
20. QxP RxP
21. PxP BPxP!
Finely played. Black gives up his KP in order to get his QR into
play with the gain of a move.
22. QxP R-K1
23. Q-Kt3 QR-K7
24. KR-K1
KR-Kt1 would also be of no avail because of Q-KR3, 25. Q-Q3, Q-
KB3 threatening B-B4. The move in the text puts an end to the
agony.
24. ... RxKt!!
Resigns.
For after 25. RxR, RxR; 26. KxR, QxPch; 27. K-Q3, B-B4ch; 28. R-
K4, Q-B6ch; 29. K-K2, QxQ; Black remains with an extra piece.
GAME No. 45
White: Rubinstein. Black: Spielmann.
Irregular Opening.
1. P-Q4 P-QB4
With this move Black tries to avoid well-trodden paths of
tournament practice. White can, at will, lead into a peaceful
Queen’s Gambit by 2. P-K3 or into a Sicilian Defence by P-K4. It
is more usual, however, to play P-Q5, which blocks up the Black
centre to some extent.
If 2. PxP, Black regains his pawn after P-K3 without any
disadvantage.
2. P-Q5 P-Q3
3. P-QB4
Coupled with 4. P-K4, this move is of doubtful value, as Black
gains command of White’s Q4. It is advisable to keep the QBP
back, thus retaining the option of driving off a hostile piece
from Q4 by P-QB3. Moreover, the White KB is hemmed in by the pawn
at QB4.
3. ... P-KKt3
4. P-K4 B-Kt2
5. B-Q3 P-K3
The development of the KKt is not desirable at B3, where it would
block the long diagonal. From K2, however, it commands KB4, where
it can take up a strong position after the exchange of pawns in
the centre, or else it can support the advance of the KBP.
6. Kt-QB3 Kt-K2
7. KKt-K2
Kt-B3 would have been slightly better, because the Black QKt
might play to his K4.
7. ... PxP
8. KPxP Kt-Q2
9. P-B4
This move weakens the King’s position, and would be justified
only if there was a possibility of opening the file for the Rook
by P-B5. But Black has too strong a hold on his KB4. The text
move aims at preventing the exchange of White’s KB through
Black’s Kt-K4. It would have been better to withdraw the B to B2.
9. ... Kt-KB3
10. Kt-Kt3 P-KR4!
Now White cannot enforce P-B5, as Black can attack the Knight by
P-R5. White cannot prevent this with P-KR4, as the Black Knight
would take up a commanding position at Kt5. Black’s game is
superior. He can concentrate all his minor pieces on the King’s
wing, while White’s QB is ineffective on account of the ill-
considered advance of the KBP.
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | #K | | | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | | | #Kt| #P | #B | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | | #P | | #Kt| #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #P | ^P | | | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^P | | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^Kt| ^B | | | ^Kt| |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | | | | | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | ^B | ^Q | ^K | | | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 163
11. Castles P-R5
12. KKt-K4 KtxKt
13. BxKt
White has to capture with the B, in order to exchange the Black
Knight if it should play to B4. After 13. KtxKt, B-Q5ch; 14. K-
R1, Kt-B4; White’s Knight would not be able to move from K4 on
account of the threat: Kt-Kt6ch. Sooner or later, Black would
get a deciding advantage by enforcing the exchange of White’s
Knight, e.g. 15. Q-K1, Q-K2; 16. R-QKt1, B-Q2; 17. P-QKt3,
Castles QR; 18. B-Kt2, QxKt; 19. BxQ, Kt-Kt6ch; 20. QxKt, PxQ;
21. P-KR3, BxP; 22. PxB, RxPch; 23. K-Kt2, R-R7ch; 24. KxP, RxB;
or 21. BxB, RxPch, followed by PxB and QR-R1.
13. ... B-Q5ch
14. K-R1 Kt-B4
15. BxKt BxB
White is helpless against the two powerful Bishops.
16. R-K1ch K-B1
Black forfeits his chance of castling, not a great loss under the
circumstances. In any case his KR is needed on the Rook’s file,
and Black would only have castled on the Queen’s side if at all.
17. Q-B3
Here P-KR3 was essential in order to prevent the further advance
of the KRP. The weakness at Kt3 would not have been so serious in
the absence of a Black Knight. Now Black forces the advance of
White’s KKtP, and the Bishops become immediately effective.
17. ... P-R6
18. P-KKt3
not P-KKt4 on account of Q-R5.
18. ... Q-Q2
19. B-Q2 B-Kt5
20. Q-B1
If Q-Q3, Black plays Q-B4 and White cannot exchange Queens
because of B-B6 mate.
20. ... Q-B4
threatening Q-B7.
21. QR-B1 K-Kt2
22. B-K3 B-B3
Black must not exchange his valuable Bishop.
23. P-Kt3 KR-K1
24. B-B2
There is no answer to Black’s threat of doubling the Rooks on the
K file. If White plays Q-B2, Black’s Queen effects an entry at
Q6, after which he would double his Rooks, and White’s Bishop
cannot be defended. After the text move, Black forces the
exchange of his two Rooks for the Queen. Generally speaking, this
is no disadvantage, but in consequence of the exposed position of
the White King, it means a speedy loss for White.
24. ... B-B6ch
25. K-Kt1 B-Kt7
26. RxR BxQ
27. RxR Q-Q6!
If now RxB Black plays Q-B6.
28. R-K8
In order to play R-K3 if Black plays BxKt.
28. ... Q-B6!
29. KxB Q-R8ch
30. B-Kt1 Q-Kt7ch
31. K-K1 QxBch
32. K-Q2 QxPch
Resigns
for the pawn queens.
GAME NO. 46
White: G. A. Thomas. Black: Ed. Lasker.
Irregular Opening (compare Game No. 45).
1. P-Q4 P-QB4
2. P-Q5 P-Q3
3. P-QB4 P-KKt3
4. Kt-QB3 B-Kt2
5. B-Q2
This is not necessary. Black could hardly exchange his B for the
Kt; the weakness at his KB3 and KR3 would become too serious a
disadvantage.
5. ... P-K3
6. P-K4 PxP
7. KtxP!
In view of the fact that Black’s position after BP or KPxP would
be very promising, as all his pieces would be easy to bring into
play, White decides upon the sacrifice of a pawn, in order to
further his own development.
7. ... BxP
8. R-Kt1 B-Kt2
9. Q-R4ch Kt-B3
10. KKt-B3
Kt-Kt6, R-Kt sq; 11. B-R5 leads to nothing, as Black plays 12.
QK2.
10. ... P-KR3
If Black plays KKt-K2 at once, his position becomes somewhat
cramped after 11. B-Kt5, Castles; 12. Kt-B6ch, K-R1; 13. Q-Q1.
11. B-Q3 Kt-K2
12. Castles Castles
13. Q-B2 P-Kt3
This allows the development of the QB.
14. B-B3 KtxKt
15. KPxKt Kt-K4
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | | | | | #P | #B | |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | #P | | #P | | | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #P | ^P | #Kt| | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^P | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | ^B | ^B | | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | | ^Q | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | ^R | | | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 164
Kt-K2 should have been played here in order to play BxB; 17. QxB,
B-Kt5 with Kt-B4, in answer to 16. Q-Kt2. Black is still open
to attack in consequence of his broken King’s side, but there is
no demonstrable advantage for White. The text move is a mistake,
and gives White chances of a decisive attack.
16. KtxKt BxKt
17. BxB PxB
18. BxP! Q-Kt4
Of course not PxB, on account of 19. QxPch, K-R1; 20. QxPch, K-
Kt1; 21. R-Kt3, etc. 18. ... P-B4 fails because of 19. R-Kt3.
19. B-K4 P-B4
20. P-B4!!
This elegant continuation decides the game. If PxP, White simply
plays 21. B-Q3, and Black can hardly hope to save the end-game,
as his pawns are broken up. If the Queen retreats, however, there
follows: 21. PxP, and White obtains two passed pawns for the B
and has the superior position.
20. ... Q-Kt2
21. PxP PXB
22. RxRch QxR
23. R-KB1 Q-Kt2
24. QxP Q-Kt5
25. R-B4 Q-Q8ch
26. K-B2 Q-Q5ch
27. QxQ PxQ
28. P-K6 B-R3
29. RxP R-B1ch
If K-B1, 30. P-Q6.
30. K-K3 R-B3
31. K-K4 R-B7
32. P-Q6 R-K7ch
He might play K-Q5, after which B-Kt2ch has points.
33. K-Q3 Resigns.
GAME No. 47
White: Tartakower. Black: Asztalos.
Dutch Opening.
1. P-KB4 P-Q4
It has been tried to refute White’s non-developing first move by
a pawn sacrifice: 1. ... P-K4; which leads to a rapid
mobilisation of the Black forces after 2. PxP, P-Q3; 3. PxP, BxP.
But this attack--called the From Gambit--does not seem to prevail
against the best defence. In a match game, Tartakower-Spielmann
(Vienna, 1913), White won as follows:
4. Kt-KB3, P-KKt4; 5. P-Q4, P-Kt5; 6. Kt-K5, Kt-QB3; 7. KtxKt,
PxKt; 8. P-KKt3, P-KR4; 9. B-Kt2, P-R5; 10. Q-Q3, B-Q2; 11. Kt-
B3, R-Kt1; 12. Castles, PxP; 13. PxP, P-QB4; 14. B-B4, BxB; 15.
RxB, Q-Kt4; 16. Kt-K4, Q-R3; 17. KtxP, Kt-B3; 18. KtxB, KtxKt;
19. Q-K4ch, K-Q1; 20. RxBP, R-K1; 21. QxP, Q-K6ch; 22. K-B1,
Resigns.
When Black plays P-KB4 in answer to 1. P-Q4 we have the Dutch
Defence. After 1. P-Q4, P-KB4, White can also sacrifice a pawn by
2. P-K4, and thereby obtain a far more favourable position than
Black does in From’s gambit, as he is a move to the good, having
already advanced his QP, e.g. 2. P-K4, PxP; 3. Kt-QB3, Kt-KB3; 4.
P-B3 or 4. B-Kt5 and then P-B3. If Black captures the KBP, White
obtains a powerful attack. A drastic example is found in the
following little game, played by two students in an academic
tournament at Petrograd: 4. P-B3, PxP; 5. KtxP, P-K3; 6. B-KKt5,
B-K2; 7. B-Q3, Castles; 8. Castles, P-QKt3; 9. Kt-K5, B-Kt2; 10.
BxKt, BxB; 11. BxPch, KxB; 12. Q-R5ch, K-Kt1; 13. Kt-Kt6, R-K1;
14. Q-R8ch, K-B2; 15. Kt-K5ch, K-K2; 16. QxPch!!, BxQ; 17. R-
B7ch, K-Q3; 18. Kt-Kt5ch, K-Q4; 19. P-B4ch, K-K5; 20. R-K1 mate.
Black’s best answer is to play P-Q4 after White’s 4. P-KB3 (5.
B-Kt5, B-B4). If 4. B-Kt5, it is not yet possible to play P-Q4
because of the threat: BxKt, Q-R5ch, and QxQP. In that case Black
must first play P-QB3, after which White again obtains a strong
attack by P-KB3.
Black can avoid the attacks which follow after 1. P-Q4, P-KB4; 2.
P-K4, by playing P-K3 on his first move, and then lead into the
Dutch defence with P-KB4 on his second move. He must, however,
reckon with having to play the French defence which White can
bring about with 2. P-K4.
2. P-K3 P-K3
3. Kt-KB3 P-QB4
4. P-QKt3 Kt-QB3
5. B-Kt5 Kt-B3
Black should have played B-Q2 here, as White can exchange at B6,
leaving Black with a doubled pawn. This in itself is not a
drawback, but in the present position it is serious, as Black
will have difficulty in finding a place for his QB. For there is
no prospect of enforcing P-K4, as White commands that square in
sufficient force.
6. B-Kt2 B-K2
7. Castles Castles
8. BxQKt PxB
9. Kt-K5 Q-B2
10. P-Q3 P-QR4
Black’s attempt of capturing his K4 by playing Kt-Q2 and P-B3,
White would cross at once with Q-Kt4. With the text move Black
begins operations on the Q side, which is quite correct, as White
has the upper hand on the other wing.
11. Q-K2
White should have prevented the further advance of the Black RP
by 11. P-QR4. This would have been sound policy in any case, as
the R file could not have been forced open for the Black Rooks.
11. ... P-R5
12. Kt-Q2 PxP
Premature. The capture is only of value if the file can be held.
To that end it is first necessary to play B-Kt2 and to occupy the
R file with Rooks and Queen. After the exchange
of Rooks, Black is at a disadvantage for the end-game because of
the inefficiency of the QB.
---------------------------------------
8 | #R | | #B | | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | #Q | | #B | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | | #P | #Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #P | #P | ^Kt| | | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | #P | | ^P | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^B | ^P | ^Kt| ^Q | | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 165
If instead of the text move Black had driven off the Bishop to B1
with P-R6 (13. B-B3?, P-Q5!; 14. PxP, Kt-Q4) he could have
enforced his P-K4, but in the long run White would have captured
the QRP, and remained with a passed pawn on the R file, a
powerful weapon for the end-game, e.g. l2. ... P-R6; 13. B-B1,
Kt-Q2; 14. KtxKt, BxKt; 15. P-K4, P-KB3; 16. P-B4, followed by
Kt-Kt1.
13. RPxP RxR
14. RxR B-Kt2
15. P-KKt4
The Black pieces being cut off from the K side, White is free to
attack.
15. ... R-R1
16. RxRch BxR
17. P-Kt5 Kt-Q2
18. Q Kt-B3 KtxKt
19. BxKt Q-R4
20. P-B4
in order to prevent the release of the B by the pawn sacrifice P-
B5 and P-B4.
20. ... B-Kt2
21. K-B2 K-B1
22. P-R4 B-R3
23. P-R5 B-Kt2
24. P-R6 P-Kt3
By advancing his RP White has weakened Black’s KB3, with the
constant threat of establishing his Kt there and of capturing the
RP.
25. K-B1
This move is superfluous and probably dictated by time pressure.
The proper plan is: Q-QKt2 with the threat of B-B7 or Kt8 and Q-
R8ch.
25. ... Q-R6
26. Q-QKt2
The end-game is a clear win for White. He plays his Kt to KKt4,
threatening to reach B6 or K5. The effect is twofold.
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | | #K | | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | #B | | | #B | #P | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #P | | #P | | #P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #P | #P | ^B | | ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | ^P | | | ^P | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | #Q | ^P | | ^P | ^P | ^Kt| | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | | ^Q | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | ^K | | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 166
Black must keep his B at K2 and his K must remain near the KBP.
White’s King marches to QKt6 and captures the QB pawns, queening
his QKtP. Black cannot prevent the White King from doing this by
B-Q1, as White, by attacking Black’s QB4 with his B, could at any
time force the B back to his K2. The remainder of the game needs
no comment.
26. ... QxQ
27. BxQ B-Q3
28. Kt-R2 K-K1
29. Kt-Kt4 B-K2
30. B-K5 K-Q2
31. K-K2 K-K1
32. K-Q2 K-Q2
33. K-B2 K-K1
34. K-Kt2 K-Q2
35. K-R3 K-K1
36. K-R4 K-Q2
37. B-Kt8 K-B1
38. B-R7 K-Q2
39. B-Kt6 P-Q5
40. P-K4 K-K1
41. P-K5 K-Q2
42. Kt-B2 Resigns.
because there follows Kt-K4 and BxP.
GAME No. 48
White: Blackburne. Black: Niemzowitsch.
Irregular Opening.
1. P-K3 P-Q3
It is due to this reply of Black’s that the opening is irregular.
For had he played P-Q4 a peaceful QP game would have resulted, or
after White’s 2. P-KB4 a Dutch opening.
2. P-KB4 P-K4
3. PxP PxP
Black has the superior position; he has a pawn in the centre and
his pieces are more free.
4. Kt-QB3 B-Q3
As was seen on a former occasion, it is a shade better to develop
the Knights before the Bishops, as the choice of moves for the
latter is less limited. The alternative might have been 5. Kt-B3,
B-KKt5; 6. B-K2, Kt-B3.
5. P-K4
Now White has also a pawn in the centre, but he is a move behind
in his development.
5. ... B-K3
6. Kt-B3 P-KB3
7. P-Q3 Kt-K2
8. B-K3 P-QB4
9. Q-Q2 QKt-B3
10. B-K2 Kt-Q5
11. Castles KR Castles
12. Kt-Q1 KKt-B3
13. P-B3
Now Black has gained an advantage from the command of his Q5. The
advance of White’s QBP, which was necessitated by the dominating
position of the Black Knight, has left White with a “backward”
pawn at Q3.
13. ... KtxBch
14. QxKt R-K1
If now a general exchange takes place after P-Q4, the KP is lost
through B-Q4.
15. Kt-R4
White’s counter attack on the King’s side becomes threatening,
and Black must continue his operations on the Queen’s wing with
the greatest care, as he may be called upon at any time to
concentrate his pieces for the defence of the King’s wing.
15. ... B-KB1
16. Kt-B5 K-R1
17. P-KKt4 Q-Q2
18. Kt-B2 P-QR4
Black wishes to open up files on the Queen’s side.
19. P-QR3
Freeing the QR.
19. ... P-QKt4
20. QR-Q1 QR-Kt1
21. R-Q2 P-Kt5
22. RPxP RPxP
23. P-B4 R-R1
24. Q-B3 R-R7
Before trying to push home his advantage on the Queen’s side,
which is made possible by the weakness of White’s QP, Black
should look after his King’s side, where White has collected an
alarming array of forces. After the text move the Rook is quite
out of play.
25. P-Kt5 P-Kt3?
---------------------------------------
8 | | | | | #R | #B | | #K |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | | | | #Q | | | | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | | #Kt| | #B | #P | #P | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | #P | | #P | ^Kt| ^P | |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | #P | ^P | | ^P | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | ^P | ^B | ^Q | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | #R | ^P | | ^R | | ^Kt| | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | | | | | | ^R | ^K | |
---------------------------------------
A B C D E F G H
Diag. 167
Black should simply play PxP with the following continuation:
26. BxP, Kt-Q5; 27. KtxKt, QxKt; 28. B-K3, Q-Q3. After the move
in the text, White’s attack is overwhelming.
26. Kt-Kt4!
White obtains a Rook and two pawns for his two Knights; this is
in itself an equivalent of material. In the present instance the
exchange is of decisive advantage for White, as Black must lose
several moves to bring up his Rook for the defence of his
unguarded King.
26. ... PxKt
27. KtxBP Kt-Q5
If PxP, White wins by 28. Q-R5, Q-B2; 29. P-Kt6, QxPch; 30. QxQ
and KtxR.
28. Q-B2 Q-B3
29. KtxR QxKt
30. BxKt KPxB
31. PxP B-Q2
32. R-K1 Q-B2
33. Q-R4! R-R1
Not BxP because of 34. R-KB2, followed by KR-KB sq.
34. R-KB2 B-B3
35. Q-Kt4
The threat is to open the Rook’s file by P-Kt6 with an attack on
the King by the Rooks.
35. ... R-K1
36. RxR QxR
BxR in order to play Q-R4 might be better. With the Queens off
the board, Black has winning chances on account of his two
Bishops. But then White might evade the exchange and proceed to
seize the King’s file with the Rook after 37. Q-B4.
37. R-K2 Q-Q2
38. R-K6 B-R1
in order to play Q-QKt2 or R2.
39. P-Kt6! PxP
If Q-QKt2, 40. R-K8!, if Q-R2, 40. Q-R4. White wins in either
case.
40. RxP Q-KR2
41. Q-Kt3
Threatens Q-K5ch.
41. ... Q-R4
42. R-Kt4! Resigns.
TABLE OF OPENINGS
A. KING’S PAWN GAMES
a. 1. P-K4 P-K4
2. P-KB4 PxP
2. ... B-B4
2. ... P-Q4
2. P-Q4 PxP 3. QxP
3. Kt-KB3 P-QB4
3. ... Kt-QB3
3. B-QB4
3. P-QB3 PxP
3. ... P-Q4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. P-Q4 PxP 4. KtxP
4. B-QB4
4. P-B3
3. B-B4 B-B4 4. P-Q3
4. P-B3
3. ... Kt-B3
3. Kt-B3 Kt-B3
3. ... B-Kt5
3. B-Kt5 P-Q3 4. P-Q4
3. ... Kt-B3 4. Castle P-Q3
4. ... KtxP
3. ... P-QR3 4. B-R4 Kt-B3 5. Castle B-K2
5. ... KtxP
4. BxKt QPxB 5. KtxP
5. P-Q4
2. ... P-Q3 3. P-Q4 QKt-Q2
2. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 3. P-B4 P-Q4
b. 1. P-K4 P-K3
2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. P-K5
3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 4. P-K5
4. B-Kt5 B-K2
4. ... B-Kt5
3. ... PxP
1. P-K4 P-Q4 2. PxP QxP
1. P-K4 P-QB3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4
1. P-K4 P-QB4
B. QUEEN’S PAWN GAMES
a. 1. P-Q4 P-Q4
2. P-QB4 PxP
2. ... P-K3 3. KtQB3 KtKB3
3. ... PQB4 4. PK3
4. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 5. PxQP
2. ... P--K4
2. ... B-B4
2. ... P-QB3
2. Kt-KB3 P-K3 3. P-B4 PxP
3. ... P-QB4
3. ... Kt-KB3
2. ... P-QB4 3. P-B4 P-K3 4. P-K3
4. Kt-B3 Kt-QB3
3. P-K3 P-K3 4. B-Q3 Kt-KB3 5. P-QKt3
3. P-B3
2. ... Kt-KB3
b. 1. P-Q4 P-QB4
1. P-Q4 Kt-KB3 2. Kt-KB3 P-Q3
1. P-Q4 P-KB4
C. IRREGULAR OPENINGS
1. P-QB4
1. P-KB4 P-Q4
1. ... P-K4
1. P-K3 P-Q3