FURTHER OPENINGS AND MIDDLE-GAMES
31. SOME SALIENT POINTS ABOUT PAWNS
Before going back to the discussion of openings and middle-game positions,
it might be well to bear in mind a few facts concerning Pawn positions
which will no doubt help to understand certain moves, and sometimes even
the object of certain variations in the openings, and of some manoeuvres in
the middle-games.
[Illustration]
EXAMPLE 63.--In the position of the diagram we have an exceedingly bad Pawn
formation on Black's side. Black's Q B P is altogether backward, and White
could by means of the open file concentrate {144} his forces against that
weak point. There is also the square at White's Q B 5, which is controlled
by White, and from where a White piece once established could not be
dislodged. In order to get rid of it, Black would have to exchange it,
which is not always an easy matter, and often when possible not at all
convenient. The same holds true with regard to Black's K P, K B P and
K Kt P, which create what is called a "hole" at Black's K B 3. Such Pawn
formations invariably lead to disaster, and consequently must be avoided.
[Illustration]
EXAMPLE 64.--In this position we might say that the White centre Pawns have
the attacking position, while the Black centre Pawns have the defensive
position. Such a formation of Pawn occurs in the French Defence. In such
positions White most often attempts, by means of P - K B 4 and K B 5, to
obtain a crushing attack against Black's King, which is generally Castled
on the King's side. To prevent that, {145} and also to assume the
initiative or obtain material advantage, Black makes a
counter-demonstration by P - Q B 4, followed by P x P (when White defends
the Pawn by P - Q B 3), and the concentrating of Black's pieces against the
White Pawn at Q 4. This in substance might be said to be a determined
attack against White's centre in order to paralyse the direct attack of
White against Black's King. It must be remembered that at the beginning of
the book it was stated that _control of the centre was an essential
condition to a successful attack against the King_.
In an abstract way we may say that two or more Pawns are strongest when
they are in the same rank next to one another. Thus the centre Pawns are
strongest in themselves, so to speak, when placed at K 4 and Q 4
respectively, hence the question of advancing either the one or the other
to the fifth rank is one that must be most carefully considered. The
advance of either Pawn often determines the course the game will follow.
Another thing to be considered is the matter of one or more passed Pawns
when they are isolated either singly or in pairs. We might say that a
passed Pawn is either very weak or very strong, and that its weakness or
strength, whichever happens to be in the case to be considered, increases
as it advances, and is at the same time in direct relation to the number of
pieces on the board. In this last respect it might be generally said that
_a passed Pawn increases in strength as the number of pieces on the board
diminishes_. {146}
Having all this clear in mind we will now revert to the openings and
middle-game. We will analyse games carefully from beginning to end
according to general principles. I shall, whenever possible, use my own
games, not because they will better illustrate the point, but because,
knowing them thoroughly, I shall be able to explain them more
authoritatively than the games of others.
32. SOME POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS FROM A RUY LOPEZ
That some of the variations in the openings and the manoeuvres in the
middle-game are often based on some of the elementary principles just
expounded can be easily seen in the following case:
EXAMPLE 65.
1. P - K 4 P - K 4
2. Kt - K B 3 Kt - Q B 3
3. B - Kt 5 P - Q R 3
4. B - R 4 Kt - B 3
5. O - O Kt x P
6. P - Q 4 P - Q Kt 4
7. B - Kt 3 P - Q 4
8. P x P B - K 3
9. P - B 3 B - K 2
10. R - K 1 Kt - B 4
11. B - B 2 B - Kt 5
12. Q Kt - Q 2 O - O
13. Kt - Kt 3 Kt - K 3
{147}
So far a very well-known variation of the Ruy Lopez. In fact, they are the
moves of the Janowski-Lasker game in Paris, 1912.
14. Q - Q 3 P - Kt 3
Let us suppose the game went on, and that in some way White, by playing one
of the Knights to Q 4 at the proper time, forced the exchange of both
Knights, and then afterwards both the Bishops were exchanged, and we
arrived at some such position as shown in the following diagram. (I
obtained such a position in a very similar way once at Lodz in Poland. I
was playing the White pieces against a consulting team headed by Salwe.)
[Illustration]
Now we would have here the case of the backward Q B P, which will in no way
be able to advance to Q B 4. Such a position may be said to be
theoretically lost, and in practice a first-class master will invariably
win it from Black. (If I may be excused the reference, I will say that I
won the game above referred to.)
After a few moves the position may be easily thus: {148}
[Illustration]
The Black pieces can be said to be _fixed_. If White plays Q - Q B 3, Black
must answer Q - Q 2, otherwise he will lose a Pawn, and if White returns
with the Queen to Q R 3 Black will have again to return to Q Kt 2 with the
Queen or lose a Pawn. Thus Black can only move according to White's lead,
and under such conditions White can easily advance with his Pawns to K B 4
and K Kt 4, until Black will be forced to stop P - B 5 by playing
P - K B 4, and we might finally have some such position as this:
EXAMPLE 66.
[Illustration] {149}
In this situation the game might go on as follows:
1. P x P, P x P; 2. Q - K B 3, Q - Q 2
White threatened to win a Pawn by Q x P, and Black could not play
2...R - K B 1, because 3 R x B P would also win a Pawn at least.
3. R (B 5) - B 2, R - Kt 3;
4. R - Kt 2, K - R 1;
5. R (B 1) - K Kt 1, R (B 1) - K Kt 1;
6. Q - R 5, R x R;
7. R x R, R x R;
8. K x R, Q - Kt 2 ch;
9. K - R 2, Q - Kt 3;
10. Q x Q, P x Q;
11. P - Kt 4, and White wins.
Now suppose that in the position in the preceding diagram it were Black's
move, and he played R - K B 1. White would then simply defend his K B P by
some move like Q - K B 3, threatening R x Q B P, and then he would bring
his King up to Kt 3, and when the time came, break through, as in the
previous case. White might even be able to obtain the following position:
[Illustration] {150}
Black would now be forced to play R - B 1, and White could then play
Q - B 2, and follow it up with K B 3, and thus force Black to play P x P,
which would give White a greater advantage.
A careful examination of all these positions will reveal that, besides the
advantage of freedom of manoeuvre on White's part, the power of the Pawn at
K 5 is enormous, and that it is the commanding position of this Pawn, and
the fact that it is free to advance, once all the pieces are exchanged,
that constitute the pivot of all White's manoeuvres.
I have purposely given positions without the moves which lead to them so
that the student may become accustomed to build up in his own mind possible
positions that may arise (out of any given situation). Thus he will learn
to make strategical plans and be on his way to the master class. The
student can derive enormous benefit by further practice of this kind.
33. THE INFLUENCE OF A "HOLE"
The influence of a so-called "hole" in a game has already been illustrated
in my game against Blanco (page 81), where has been shown the influence
exercised by the different pieces posted in the hole created at White's
K 5. {151}
EXAMPLE 67.--In order to further illustrate this point, I now give a game
played in the Havana International Masters Tournament of 1913. (Queen's
Gambit Declined.) White: D. Janowski. Black: A. Kupchick.
1. P - Q 4 P - Q 4
2. P - Q B 4 P - K 3
3. Kt - Q B 3 Kt - K B 3
4. B - Kt 5 B - K 2
5. P - K 3 Q Kt - Q 2
6. B - Q 3 P x P
7. B x P Kt - Kt 3
Of course the idea is to post a Knight at Q 4, but as it is the other
Knight which will be posted there this manoeuvre does not seem logical. The
Knight at Kt 3 does nothing except to prevent the development of his own
Q B. The normal course O - O, followed by P - Q B 4, is more reasonable.
For a beautiful illustration of how to play White in that variation, see
the Janowski-Rubinstein game of the St. Petersburg Tournament of 1914.
8. B - Q 3
B - Kt 3 has some points in its favour in this position, the most important
being the possibility of advancing the King's Pawn immediately after
8. ... K Kt - Q 4; 9 B x B, Q x B.
8. ........ K Kt - Q 4
9. B x B Q x B
10. Kt - B 3
{152} Had White's Bishop been at Q Kt 3 he could now play P - K 4 as
indicated in the previous note, a move which he cannot make in the present
position, because of Kt - K B 5 threatening, not only the K Kt P, but also
Kt x B ch. As White's King's Bishop should never be exchanged in this
opening without a very good reason White therefore cannot play P - K 4.
10. ........ O - O
11. O - O B - Q 2
12. R - B 1
[Illustration]
White is perfectly developed, and now threatens to win a Pawn as follows:
Kt x Kt, Kt x Kt; P - K 4, followed by R x P.
12. ........ P - Q B 3
The fact that Black is practically forced to make this move in order to
avoid the loss of a Pawn is sufficient reason in itself to condemn the
whole system of development on Black's part. In effect, he plays B - Q 2
and now he has to shut off the action of his {153} own Bishop, which
thereby becomes little more than a Pawn for a while. In fact, it is hard to
see how this Bishop will ever be able to attack anything. Besides, it can
be easily seen that White will soon post his two Knights at K 5 and Q B 5
respectively, and that Black will not be able to dislodge them without
seriously weakening his game, if he can do it at all. From all these
reasons it can be gathered that it would probably have been better for
Black to play Kt x Kt and thus get rid of one of the two White Knights
before assuming such a defensive position. In such cases, the less the
number of pieces on the board, the better chances there are to escape.
13. Kt - K 4 P - K B 4
This practically amounts to committing suicide, since it creates a hole at
K 5 for White's Knight, from where it will be practically impossible to
dislodge him. If Black intended to make such a move he should have done it
before, when at least there would have been an object in preventing the
White Knight from reaching B 5.
14. Kt - B 5 B - K 1
15. Kt - K 5
The position of White's Knights, especially the one at K 5, might be said
to be ideal, and a single glance shows how they dominate the position. The
question henceforth will be how is White going to derive the full benefit
from such an advantageous situation, This we shall soon see. {154}
[Illustration]
15. ........ R - Kt 1
There is no object in this move, unless it is to be followed by Kt - Q 2.
As that is not the case, he might have gone with the Rook to B 1, as he
does later.
16. R - K 1 R - B 3
17. Q - B 3 R - R 3
18. Q - Kt 3 R - B 1
White threatened to win the exchange by playing either Kt - B 7 or
Kt - Kt 4.
19. P - B 3 R - B 2
20. P - Q R 3 K - R 1
21. P - R 3
Perhaps all these precautions are unnecessary, but White feels that he has
more than enough time to prepare his attack, and wants to be secure in
every way before he begins. {155}
21. ........ P - Kt 4
22. P - K 4 P - B 5
23. Q - B 2 Kt - K 6
He had better have played Kt - B 3; and tried later on to get rid of
White's Knights by means of Kt - Q 2.
[Illustration]
24. R x Kt
with this sacrifice of the Rook for a Knight and Pawn White obtains an
overwhelming position.
24. ........ P x R
25. Q x P Kt - B 1
Kt - Q 2 was better in order to get rid of one of the two White Knights.
There were, however, any number of good replies to it, among them the
following: Kt (B 5) x Kt, B x Kt; Q x P, Q x Q; Kt - B 7 ch, K - Kt 2;
Kt x Q, and with two Pawns for the exchange, and the position so much in
his favour, White should have no trouble in winning. {156}
26. Kt - Kt 4 R - Kt 3
27. P - K 5 R - Kt 2
28. B - B 4 B - B 2
All these moves are practically forced, and as it is easily seen they tie
up Black's position more and more. White's manoeuvres from move 24 onwards
are highly instructive.
29. Kt - B 6 Kt - Kt 3
This wandering Knight has done nothing throughout the game.
30. Kt (B5) - K 4 P - K R 3
31. P - K R 4 Kt - Q 4
32. Q - Q 2 R - Kt 3
33. P x P Q - B 1
If P x P; K - B 2, and Black would be helpless.
34. P - B 4 Kt - K 2
35. P - K Kt 4 P x P
36. P x P Resigns.
There is nothing to be done. If B - Kt 1; Q - R 2 ch, K - Kt 2; B x P.
The student should notice that, apart from other things, White throughout
the game has had control of the Black squares, principally those at K 5 and
Q B 5.
From now on to the end of the book I shall give a collection of my games
both lost and won, chosen so as to serve as illustrations of the general
principles laid down in the foregoing pages.
* * * * *
{159}
PART II
GAME 1. QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED
(Match, 1909)
White: F. J. Marshall. Black: J. R. Capablanca.
1. P - Q 4 P - Q 4
2. P - Q B 4 P - K 3
3. Kt - Q B 3 Kt - K B 3
4. B - Kt 5 B - K 2
5. P - K 3 Kt - K 5
I had played this defence twice before in the match with good results, and
although I lost this game I still played it until the very last game, when
I changed my tactics. The reason was my total lack of knowledge of the
different variations in this opening, coupled with the fact that I knew
that Dr. E. Lasker had been successful with it against Marshall himself in
1907. I thought that since Dr. Lasker had played it so often, it should be
good. The object is to exchange a couple of pieces and at the same time to
bring about a position full of possibilities and with promising chances of
success once the end-game stage is reached. On general principles it should
be wrong, because the {160} same Knight is moved three times in the
opening, although it involves the exchange of two pieces. In reality the
difficulty in this variation, as well as in nearly all the variations of
the Queen's gambit, lies in the slow development of Black's Queen Bishop.
However, whether this variation can or cannot be safely played is a
question still to be decided, and it is outside the scope of this book. I
may add that at present my preference is for a different system of
development, but it is not unlikely that I should some time come back to
this variation.
6. B x B Q x B
7. B - Q 3
P x P is preferable for reasons that we shall soon see.
7. ........ Kt x Kt
8. P x Kt Kt - Q 2
Now P x P would be a better way to develop the game. The idea is that after
8...P x P; 9 B x B P, P - Q Kt 3, followed by B - Kt 2, would give Black's
Bishop a powerful range. For this variation see the eleventh game of the
match.
9. Kt - B 3 O - O
No longer would 9...P x P; 10 B x P, P - Q Kt 3 be good, because
11 B - Kt 5 would prevent B - Kt 2 on account of Kt - K 5. {161}
10. P x P P x P
11. Q - Kt 3 Kt - B 3
12. P - Q R 4 P - B 4
Played with the intention of obtaining the majority of Pawns on the Queen's
side. Yet it is doubtful whether this move is good, since it leaves Black's
Queen's-side Pawns disrupted in a way. The safer course would have been to
play P - B 3.
13. Q - R 3 P - Q Kt 3
[Illustration]
This exposes Black to further attack by P - R 5 without any compensation
for it. If I had to play this position nowadays I would simply play
13...R - K 1. Then after 14 Q x P, Q x Q would follow, and I believe that
Black would regain the Pawn. If, instead, White played 14 P x P then
B - Kt 5 would give Black an excellent game.
14. P - R 5 B - Kt 2
15. O - O Q - B 2
16. K R - Kt 1 Kt - Q 2
{162}
[Illustration]
Black's position was bad and perhaps lost in any case, but the text move
makes matters worse. As a matter of fact I never saw White's reply B - B 5.
It never even passed through my mind that this was threatened. Black's best
move would have been 16...K R - Kt 1. If that loses, then any other move
would lose as well.
17. B - B 5 K R - B 1
From bad to worse. Kt - B 3 offered the only hope.
18. B x Kt Q x B
19. P - R 6 B - B 3
20. P x P P x P
21. Q x P Q R - Kt 1
The game was lost. One move was as good as another.
22. R x R R x R
23. Kt - K 5 Q - B 4
24. P - K B 4 R - Kt 3
25. Q x R ! Resigns.
{163} Of course, if 25 Kt x B, R - Kt 8 ch would have drawn. The text move
is pretty and finishes quickly. A well-played game on Marshall's part.
* * * * *
GAME 2. QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED
(San Sebastian, 1911)
White: A. K. Rubinstein. Black: J. R. Capablanca.
1. P - Q 4 P - Q 4
2. Kt - K B 3 P - Q B 4
3. P - B 4 P - K 3
4. P x Q P K P x P
5. Kt - B 3 Kt -Q B 3
6. P - K Kt 3 B - K 3
Kt - B 3 is the normal move in this variation. White's development was
first introduced by Schlechter and elaborated later on by Rubinstein. It
aims at the isolation of Black's Q P, against which the White pieces are
gradually concentrated. In making the text move I was trying to avoid the
beaten track. Being a developing move there should be no objection to it in
the way of general principles, except that the Knights ought to come out
before the Bishops.
7. B - Kt 2 B - K 2
8. O - O R - B 1
In pursuance of the idea of changing the normal {164} course of this
variation, but with very poor success. The move in theory ought to be
unsound, since Black's K Kt is yet undeveloped. I had not yet learned of
the attack founded on Kt - Kt 5 and the exchange of the B at K 3. Either
Kt - B 3 or P - K R 3; to prevent either B or Kt - K Kt 5, was right.
[Illustration]
9. P X P B x P
10. Kt - K Kt 5 Kt - B 3
11. Kt x B P x Kt
12. B - R 3 Q - K 2
13. B - Kt 5 O - O
This is a mistake. The right move was R - Q 1 in order to get the Rook away
from the line of the Bishop at R 3 and at the same time to support the Q P.
Incidentally it shows that White failed to take proper advantage of Black's
weak opening moves. Against the text move White makes a very fine
combination {165} which I had seen, but which I thought could be defeated.
14. B x Kt Q x B
I considered P x B, which it seemed would give me a playable game, but I
thought White's combination unsound and therefore let him play it, to my
lasting regret.
[Illustration]
15. Kt x P ! Q - R 3
[Illustration] {166}
16. K - Kt 2 !
_This_ is the move which I had not considered. I thought that Rubinstein
would have to play B - Kt 2, when I had in mind the following winning
combination: 16 B - Kt 2, Kt - K 4 ! 17 Kt - B 4 (if R - B 1, Q x R !!
Q x Q, B x P ch wins), Kt - Kt 5; 18 P - K R 3 (if Kt - R 3, B x P ch wins
the exchange), Kt x P; 19 R x Kt, B x R ch; 20 K x B, P - K Kt 4, and Black
should win. It is curious that this combination has been overlooked. It has
been taken for granted that I did not see the 17th move Q - B 1.
16. ........ Q R - Q 1
After White's last move there was nothing for me to do but submit to the
inevitable.
17. Q - B 1 ! P x Kt
18. Q x B Q - Q 7
19. Q - Kt 5 Kt - Q 5
20. Q - Q 3 Q x Q
21. P x Q K R - K 1
22. B - Kt 4
This gives Black a chance. He should have played K R - K 1. If then
Kt - B 7; R x R ch, R x R; R - Q B 1, R - K 7; K - B 1, Kt - Q 5 (if
R - Q 7; B - K 6 ch, K - B 1; B x P would win); R - B 8 ch, K - B 2;
R - B 7 ch, R - K 2; R - B 5 wins. {167}
22. ........ R - Q 3
23. K R - K 1 R x R
24. R x R R - Q Kt 3
25. R - K 5 R x P
26. R x P Kt - B 3
27. B - K 6 ch K - B 1
28. R - B 5 ch K - K 1
29. B - B 7 ch K - Q 2
30. B - B 4
[Illustration]
30. ........ P - Q R 3
A bad move, which gives away any legitimate chance Black had to draw. It
loses a very important move. In fact, as the course of the game will show,
it loses several moves. The proper way was to play K - Q 3. If then
R - Q Kt 5, R x R; B x R, Kt - Q 5; followed by P - Q Kt 4; and White would
have an exceedingly difficult game to draw on account of the dominating
position of the Knight at {168} Q 5 in conjunction with the extra Pawn on
the Queen's side and the awkward position of White's King. (See how this is
so.)
31. R - B 7 ch K - Q 3
32. R x K Kt P P - Kt 4
33. B - Kt 8 P - Q R 4
34. R x P P - R 5
35. P - R 4 P - Kt 5
36. R - R 6 ch K - B 4
37. R - R 5 ch K - Kt 3
38. B - Q 5
With these last three moves White again gives Black a chance. Even before
the last move B - B 4 would have won with comparative ease, but the text
move is a downright blunder, of which, fortunately for him, Black does not
avail himself.
[Illustration]
38. ........ P - Kt 6
R x P would make it practically impossible for White to win, if he can win
at all. White's best {169} continuation then would have been: 39 B - B 4,
R - B 7; 40 R - Kt 5 ch, K - B 2; 41 B - Kt 8, P - R 6; 42 P - R 5,
P - R 7; 43 B x P, R x B, and if there is a win it is very difficult to
find it, as against 44 P - R 6, R - R 3 ! offers excellent chances for a
draw.
39. P x P P - R 6
40. B x Kt R x Kt P
If 40...P - R 7; 41 R - Kt 5 ch, K - R 3; 42 R - Kt 8.
41. B - Q 5 P - R 7
42. R - R 6 ch Resigns.
As an end game, this is rather a sad exhibition for two masters. The
redeeming feature of the game is Rubinstein's fine combination in the
middle game, beginning with 14 B x Kt.
* * * * *
GAME 3. IRREGULAR DEFENCE
(Havana, 1913)
White: D. Janowski. Black: J. R. Capablanca.
1. P - Q 4 Kt - K B 3
2. Kt - K B 3 P - Q 3
3. B - Kt 5 Q Kt - Q 2
4. P - K 3 P - K 4
5. Kt - B 3 P - B 3
6. B - Q 3 B - K 2
7. Q - K 2 Q - R 4
8. O - O Kt - B 1
9. K R - Q 1 B - Kt 5
{170}
At last Black is on his way to obtain full development. The idea of this
irregular opening is mainly to throw White on his own resources. At the
time the game was played, the system of defence was not as well known as
the regular forms of the Queen's Pawn openings. Whether it is sound or not
remains yet to be proved. Its good features are that it keeps the centre
intact without creating any particular weakness, and that it gives plenty
of opportunity for deep and concealed manoeuvring. The drawback is the long
time it takes Black to develop his game. It is natural to suppose that
White will employ that time to prepare a well-conceived attack, or that he
will use the advantage of his development actually to prevent Black's
complete development, or failing that, to obtain some definite material
advantage.
10. P - K R 3 B - R 4
11. P x P P x P
12. Kt - K 4
[Illustration] {171}
12. ........ Kt x Kt
A very serious mistake. I considered castling, which was the right move,
but desisted because I was afraid that by playing 13 B x Kt, P x B;
14 Kt - Kt 3, B - Kt 3; 15 Kt - B 5, White would obtain a winning position
for the end game. Whether right or wrong this shows how closely related are
all parts of the game, and consequently how one will influence the other.
13. B x B K x B
14. B x Kt B - Kt 3
Not good. The natural and proper move would have been Kt - K 3, in order to
bring all the Black pieces into play. B x Kt at once was also good, as it
would have relieved the pressure against Black's King's Pawn, and at the
same time have simplified the game.
Here it is seen how failure to comply with the elementary logical reasons,
that govern any given position, often brings the player into trouble. I was
no doubt influenced in my choice of moves by the fear of B - B 5, which was
a very threatening move.
15. Q - B 4 Kt - K 3
16. P - Q Kt 4 Q - B 2
17. B x B R P x B
18. Q - K 4 K - B 3
{172}
[Illustration]
19. R - Q 3
P - K R 4, to be followed by P - Kt 4, might have been a more vigorous way
to carry on the attack. Black's weak point is unquestionably the Pawn at
K 4, which he is compelled to defend with the King. The text move aims at
doubling the Rooks, with the ultimate object of placing one of them at Q 6,
supported by a Pawn at Q B 5, Black could only stop this by playing P - B 4
which would create a "hole" at Q 5; or by playing P - Kt 3, which would tie
the Black Queen to the defence of the Q B P as well as the K P, which she
already defends. Black, however, can meet all this by offering the exchange
of Rooks, which destroys White's plans. For this reason P - K R 4 appears
the proper way to carry on the attack.
19. ........ Q R - Q 1
20. Q R - Q 1 P - K Kt 4
This move is preparatory to P - K Kt 3, which would {173} make Black's
position secure. Unfortunately for Black, he did not carry out his original
plan.
21. P - B 4 R x R
P - K Kt 3 would have left Black with a perfectly safe game.
22. R x R R - Q 1
A very serious mistake, which loses a Pawn. P - K Kt 3 was the right move,
and would have left Black with a very good game. In fact, if it should come
to a simple ending, the position of the Black King would be an advantage.
23. R x R Kt x R
[Illustration]
24. P - K R 4
This wins a Pawn, as will soon be seen. Black cannot reply 24...Kt - K 3;
because 25 P x P ch, Kt x P; 26 Q - R 4 wins the Knight. {174}
24. ........ P x P
25. Q x P ch K - K 3
26. Q - Kt 4 ch K - B 3
27. Q - Kt 5 ch K - K 3
28. Q x P Q - Q 3
29. P - B 5 Q - Q 4
30. P K 4 ! Q - Q 8 ch
31. K - R 2 P - B 3
32. Q - Kt 4 ch ! K - K 2
33. Kt x P Q x Q
34. Kt x Q Kt - K 3
35. P - K 5 P x P
36. Kt x P Kt - Q 5
The game went on for a few more moves, and, there being no way to
counteract the advance of White's two passed Pawns, Black resigned.
* * * * *
GAME 4. FRENCH DEFENCE
(St. Petersburg, 1913)
White: J. R. Capablanca. Black: E. A. Snosko-Borovski.
1. P - Q 4 P - K 3
2. P - K 4 P - Q 4
3. Kt - Q B 3 Kt - K B 3
4. B - Kt 5 B - Kt 5
This constitutes the _McCutcheon Variation_. It aims at taking the
initiative away from White. Instead {175} of defending, Black makes a
counter demonstration on the Queen's side. It leads to highly interesting
games.
5. P x P
At the time this game was played the variation 5 P - K 5 was in vogue, but
I considered then, as I do now, the text move to be the stronger.
5. ........ Q x P
This is considered superior to P x P. It has for its object, as I said
before, to take the initiative away from White by disrupting White's
Queen's side. White, however, has more than ample compensation through his
breaking up Black's King's side. It might be laid down as a principle of
the opening that _the breaking up of the King's side is of more importance
than a similar occurrence on the Queen's side_.
6. B x Kt B x Kt ch
7. P x B P x B
8. Kt - B 3 P - Q Kt 3
The plan of Black in this variation is to post his Bishop on the long
diagonal so as to be able later on, in conjunction with the action of his
Rooks along the open K Kt's file, to make a violent attack against White's
King. It is, of course, expected that White will Castle on the King's side
because of the broken-up condition of his Queen's side Pawns. {176}
9. Q - Q 2 B - Kt 2
10. B - K 2 Kt - Q 2
11. P - B 4 Q - K B 4
12. O - O - O
An original idea, I believe, played for the first time in a similar
position in a game against Mr. Walter Penn Shipley, of Philadelphia. My
idea is that as there is no Black Bishop and because Black's pieces have
been developed with a view to an attack on the King's side, it will be
impossible for Black to take advantage of the apparently unprotected
position of White's King. Two possibilities must be considered. Firstly: If
Black Castles on the Queen's side, as in this game, it is evident that
there is no danger of an attack. Secondly: If Black Castles on the King's
side, White begins the attack first, taking advantage of the awkward
position of Black's Queen. In addition to the attacking probabilities of
the text move, White in one move brings his King into safety and brings one
of his Rooks into play. Thus he gains several moves, "tempi" as they are
called, which will serve him to develop whatever plan he may wish to
evolve.
12. ........ O - O - O
13. Q - K 3 K R - Kt 1
14. P - Kt 3 Q - Q R 4
Unquestionably a mistake, overlooking White's fine {177} reply, but a
careful examination will show that White already has the better position.
15. R - Q 3 ! K - Kt 1
16. K R - Q 1 Q - K B 4
[Illustration]
17. Kt - R 4
This move has been criticised because it puts the Knight out of the way for
a few moves. But by forcing Q - K Kt 4; White gains a very important move
with P - B 4, which not only consolidates his position, but also drives the
Queen away, putting it out of the game for the moment. Certainly the Queen
is far more valuable than the Knight, to say nothing of the time gained and
the freedom of action obtained thereby for White's more important pieces.
17. ........ Q - K Kt 4
18. P - B 4 Q - Kt 2
19. B - B 3
{178} In such positions it is generally very advantageous to get rid of the
Black Bishop controlling his Q R 3 and Q B 3, which form "holes" for
White's pieces. The Bishop in such positions is of very great defensive
value, hence the advantage of getting rid of it.
19. ........ K R - K 1
20. B x B K x B
21. P - Q B 5 ! P - B 3
White threatened P - B 6 ch.
22. Kt - B 3 Q - B 1
To prevent the Knight from moving to Q 6 via Q 2 and K 4 or Q B 4. It is
self-evident that White has a great advantage of position.
[Illustration]
23. Kt - Q 2 ?
I had considered R - Kt 3, which was the right move, but gave it up because
it seemed too slow, and {179} that in such a position there had to be some
quicker way of winning.
23. ........ P x P
24. Kt - B 4
Kt - K 4 or Kt - Kt 3 would have brought about an ending advantageous to
White.
24. ........ Kt - Kt 3
25. Kt - R 5 ch K - R 1
26. P x P Kt - Q 4
27. Q - Q 4 R - B 1
If R - Kt 1; 28 Kt x P, R (Kt 1) - B 1; 29 Kt x P would win.
[Illustration]
28. P - B 4
Kt - B 4 was the right move. I was, however, still looking for the "grand
combination," and thought that the Pawn I would later on have at Q 6 would
win the game. Black deserves great credit for the way in which he conducted
this exceedingly difficult {180} defence. He could easily have gone wrong
any number of times, but from move 22 onwards he always played the best
move.
28. ........ P - K 4 !
29. Q - Kt 1 P - K 5
30. P x Kt P x R
31. P - Q 6 R - K 7
32. P - Q 7 R - B 7 ch
33. K - Kt 1 R - Kt 1 ch
34. Kt - Kt 3 Q - K 2
[Illustration]
35. R x P
The position is most interesting. I believe I lost here my last chance to
win the game, and if that is true it would vindicate my judgment when, on
move 28, I played P - B 4. The student can find out what would happen if
White plays Q - Q 4 ! at once. I have gone over the following variations:
35 Q - Q 4, R x K R P (of course if R x B P, P - Q 8 wins); {181}
36 Q x Q P ! R - Q 1; 37 Q - R 6, K - Kt 1 best (if Q - Q 5 ch; K - R 1,
K - Kt 1; R - Q Kt 1 wins); 38 Q x B P and White will at least have a draw.
35. ........ R - K 7
36. Q - Q 4 R - Q 1
37. Q - R 4 Q - K 5
38. Q - R 6 K - Kt 1
There is nothing to be done against this simple move, since White cannot
play Kt - Q 4, because Q - R 8 mates.
39. K - B 1 R x Q P
40. Kt - Q 4 R - K 8 ch
Resigns.
A very interesting battle.
* * * * *
GAME 5. RUY LOPEZ
(St. Petersburg, 1914)
White: Dr. E. Lasker. Black: J. R. Capablanca.
1. P - K 4 P - K 4
2. Kt - K B 3 Kt - Q B 3
3. B - Kt 5 P - Q R 3
4. B x Kt
The object of this move is to bring about speedily a middle-game without
Queens, in which White {182} has four Pawns to three on the King's side,
while Black's superiority of Pawns on the other side is somewhat balanced
by the fact that one of Black's Pawns is doubled. On the other hand, Black
has the advantage of remaining with two Bishops while White has only one.
4. ........ Q P x B
5. P - Q 4 P x P
6. Q x P Q x Q
7. Kt x Q B - Q 3
Black's idea is to Castle on the King's side. His reason is that the King
ought to remain on the weaker side to oppose later the advance of White's
Pawns. Theoretically there is very much to be said in favour of this
reasoning, but whether in practice that would be the best system would be
rather difficult to prove. The student should notice that if now all the
pieces were exchanged White would practically be a Pawn ahead, and would
therefore have a won ending.
8. Kt - Q B 3 Kt - K 2
A perfectly sound form of development. In any other form adopted the Black
Kt could not be developed either as quickly or as well. K 2 is the natural
position for the Black Kt in this variation, in order not to obstruct
Black's Pawns, and also, in some eventualities, in order to go to K Kt 3.
There is {183} also the possibility of its going to Q 5 via Q B 3 after
P - Q B 4.
9. O - O O - O
10. P - B 4
This move I considered weak at the time, and I do still. It leaves the K P
weak, unless it advances to K 5, and it also makes it possible for Black to
pin the Kt by B - Q B 4.
10. ........ R - K 1
Best. It threatens B - B 4; B - K 3, Kt - Q 4. It also prevents B - K 3
because of Kt - Q 4 or B 4.
11. Kt - Kt 3 P - B 3
Preparatory to P - Q Kt 3, followed by P - Q B 4 and B - Kt 2 in
conjunction with Kt - Kt 3, which would put White in great difficulties to
meet the combined attack against the two centre Pawns.
12. P - B 5
[Illustration] {184}
It has been wrongly claimed that this wins the game, but I would like
nothing better than to have such a position again. It required several
mistakes on my part finally to obtain a lost position.
12. ........ P - Q Kt 3
13. B - B 4
[Illustration]
13. ........ B - Kt 2
Played against my better judgment. The right move of course was B x B. Dr.
Lasker gives the following variation: 13...B x B; 14 R x B, P - B 4;
15 Q R - Q 1, B - Kt 2; 16 R - B 2, Q R - Q 1; 17 R x R, R x R; 18 R - Q 2,
R x R; 19 Kt x R, and he claims that White has the best of it. But, as
Niemzovitch pointed out immediately after the game, 16...Q R - Q 1 given in
Dr. Lasker's variation, is not the best. If 16...Q R - B 1 ! then White
will have great difficulty in drawing the game, {185} since there is no
good way to stop Black from playing Kt - B 3, followed by Kt - K 4,
threatening Kt - B 5. And should White attempt to meet this manoeuvre by
withdrawing the Kt at Kt 3; then the Black Knight can go to Q 5, and the
White Pawn at K 4 will be the object of the attack. Taking Dr. Lasker's
variation, however, whatever advantage there might be disappears at once if
Black plays 19...Kt - B 3, threatening Kt - Kt 5 and also Kt - Q 5, neither
of which can be stopped. If White answers 20 Kt - Q 5, Kt - Q 5 for Black
will at least draw. In fact, after 19...Kt - B 3 Black threatens so many
things that it is difficult to see how White can prevent the loss of one or
more Pawns.
14. B x B P x B
15. Kt - Q 4
It is a curious but true fact that I did not see this move when I played
13...B - Kt 2, otherwise I would have played the right move 13...B x B.
15. ........ Q R - Q 1
The game is yet far from lost, as against the entry of the Knight, Black
can later on play P - B 4, followed by P - Q 4.
16. Kt - K 6 R - Q 2
17. Q R - Q 1
{186}
[Illustration]
I now was on the point of playing P - B 4, to be followed by P - Q 4, which
I thought would give me a draw, but suddenly I became ambitious and thought
that I could play the text move, 17...Kt - B 1, and later on sacrifice the
exchange for the Knight at K 6, winning a Pawn for it, and leaving White's
K P still weaker. I intended to carry this plan either before or after
playing P - K Kt 4 as the circumstances demanded. Now let us analyse:
17...P - B 4. If 18 Kt - Q 5, B x Kt; 19 P x B, P - Q Kt 4; and a careful
analysis will show that Black has nothing to fear. Black's plan in this
case would be to work his Kt around to K 4, via Q B 1, Q Kt 3, and Q B 5 or
Q 2. Again, 17...P - B 4; 18 R - B 2, P - Q 4; 19 P x P, B x P; 20 Kt x B
(best, since if R (B 2) - Q 2, B x Kt give Black the advantage), R x Kt;
21 R x R, Kt x R; and there is no good reason why Black should lose.
17. ........ Kt - B 1
18. R - B 2 P - Q Kt 4
{187}
19. K R - Q 2 R (Q 2) - K 2
20. P - Q Kt 4 K - B 2
21. P - Q R 3 B - R 1
Once more changing my plan and this time without any good reason. Had I now
played R x Kt; P x R ch, R x P; as I intended to do when I went back with
the Knight to B 1, I doubt very much if White would have been able to win
the game. At least it would have been extremely difficult.
22. K - B 2 R - R 2
23. P - Kt 4 P - R 3
24. R - Q 3 P - Q R 4
25. P - K R 4 P x P
26. P x P R (R 2) - K 2
This, of course, has no object now. Black, with a bad game, flounders
around for a move. It would have been better to play R - R 6 to keep the
open file, and at the same time to threaten to come out with the Knight at
Kt 3 and B 5.
27. K - B 3 R - Kt 1
28. K - B 4 P - Kt 3
Again bad. White's last two moves were weak, since the White King does
nothing here. He should have played his Rook to Kt 3 on the 27th move.
Black now should have played P - Kt 4 ch. After missing this chance White
has it all his own way, and finishes the game most accurately, and Black
becomes more {188} helpless with each move. The game needs no further
comment, excepting that my play throughout was of an altogether irresolute
character. When a plan is made, it must be carried out if at all possible.
Regarding the play of White, I consider his 10th and 12th moves were very
weak; he played well after that up to the 27th move, which was bad, as well
as his 28th move. The rest of his play was good, probably perfect.
29. R - Kt 3 P - Kt 4 ch
30. K - B 3 Kt - Kt 3
31. P x P R P x P
32. R - R 3 R - Q 2
33. K - Kt 3 ! K - K 1
34. Q R - K R 1 B - Kt 2
35. P - K 5 Q P x P
36. Kt - K 4 Kt - Q 4
37. Kt (K 6) - B 5 B - B 1
38. Kt x R B x Kt
39. R - R 7 R - B 1
40. R - R 1 K - Q 1
41. R - R 8 ch B - B 1
42. Kt - B 5 Resigns.
* * * * *
{189}
GAME 6. FRENCH DEFENCE
(Rice Memorial Tournament, 1916)
White: O. Chajes. Black: J. R. Capablanca.
1. P - K 4 P - K 3
2. P - Q 4 P - Q 4
3. Kt - Q B 3 Kt - K B 3
4. B - Kt 5 B - Kt 5
Of all the variations of the French Defence I like this best, because it
gives Black more chances to obtain the initiative.
5. P - K 5
Though I consider P x P the best move, there is much to be said in favour
of this move, but not of the variation as a whole, which White adopted in
this game.
5. ........ P - K R 3
6. B - Q 2 B x Kt
7. P x B Kt - K 5
8. Q - Kt 4 K - B 1
The alternative, P - K Kt 3; leaves Black's King's side very weak. White by
playing P - K R 4 would force Black to play P - K R 4; and later, on
White's Bishop by going to Q 3, would threaten the weakened K Kt P. By the
text move Black gives up Castling, but gains time for an attack against
White's centre and Queen's side. {190}
9. B - B 1 P - Q B 4
Threatening Q - R 4 and stopping thereby White's threat of B - R 3. It
demonstrates that White's last move was a complete loss of time and merely
weakened his position.
10. B - Q 3 Q - R 4
11. Kt - K 2 P x P
12. O - O P x P
13. B x Kt P x B
14. Q x P Kt - B 3
[Illustration]
Black has come out of the opening with a Pawn to the good. His development,
however, has suffered somewhat, and there are Bishops of opposite colour,
so that it cannot be said as yet, that Black has a won game; but he has
certainly the best of the position, because, besides being a Pawn to the
good, he threatens White's K P, which must of course be {191} defended, and
this in turn will give him the opportunity to post his Knight at Q 4 via
K 2. When the Black Knight is posted at Q 4, the Bishop will be developed
to B 3 via Q 2, as soon as the opportunity presents itself, and it will be
Black that will then have the initiative, and can consequently decide the
course of the game.
15. R - Q 1
To prevent Kt - K 2; which would be answered by Kt x P, or still better by
B - R 3. The move, however, is strategically wrong, since by bringing his
pieces to the Queen's side, White loses any chance he might have of making
a determined attack on the King's side before Black is thoroughly prepared
for it.
15. ........ P - K Kt 3
16. P - B 4 K - Kt 2
17. B - K 3
Better would have been P - Q R 4, in order to play B - R 3. The White B
would be much better posted on the open diagonal than here, where it acts
purely on the defensive.
17. ........ Kt - K 2
18. B - B 2 Kt - Q 4
This Knight completely paralyses the attack, as it dominates the whole
situation, and there is no way to dislodge it. Behind it Black can quietly
develop his pieces. The game can now be said to be won for Black
strategically. {192}
19. R - Q 3 B - Q 2
20. Kt - Q 4 Q R - Q B 1
21. R - Kt 3 K - R 2
22. P - K R 4 K R - Kt 1
23. P - R 5 Q - Kt 5
In order to pin the Knight and be ready to come back to either K 2 or B 1.
Also to prevent Q R - Kt 1. In reality nearly all these precautions are
unnecessary, since White's attack amounts to nothing. Probably Black should
have left aside all these considerations, and played Q - R 5 now, in order
to follow it up with P - B 4, as he did later, but under less favourable
circumstances.
24. R - R 3
[Illustration]
24. ........ P - B 4
Not the best, as White will soon prove. Q - B 1 would have avoided
everything, but Black wants to assume the initiative at once and plunges
into {193} complications. However, as will soon be seen, the move is not a
losing one by any means.
25. P x P e.p. Kt x P (B 3)
26. P x P ch R x P
[Illustration]
27. R x P ch
This wins the Queen.
27. ........ K x R
28. Kt - B 5 ch P x Kt
29. Q x Q
[Illustration] {194}
The position looks most interesting. I thought it would be possible to get
up such an attack against the White King as to make it impossible for him
to hold out much longer, but I was wrong, unless it could have been done by
playing B - B 3 first, forcing P - Kt 3 and then playing K - R 4. I
followed a similar plan, but lost a very important move by playing
Q R - K Kt 1; which gave White time to play R - Q 1. I am convinced,
however, that B - B 3 at once was the right move. White would be forced to
play P - Kt 3, and Black would reply with either K - R 4; as already
indicated, which looks the best (the plan, of course, is to play R - K R 1;
and follow it up with K - Kt 5; threatening mate, or some other move
according to circumstances. In some cases, of course, it will be better
first to play K - Kt 5), or Kt - K 5, which will at least give him a draw.
There are so many possibilities in this position that it would be
impossible to give them all. It will be worth the reader's time to go
carefully through the lines of play indicated above.
29. ........ Q R - K Kt 1
As stated B - B 3 was the best move.
30. P - Kt 3 B - B 3
31. R - Q 1 K - R 4
The plan, of course, as explained above, is to go to Kt 5 in due time and
threaten mate at K R 8, but it is now too late, the White Rook having come
in {195} time to prevent the manoeuvre. Instead of the text move,
therefore, Black should have played Kt - K 5; which would have given him a
draw at the very least. After the text moves the tables are turned. It is
now White who has the upper hand, and Black who has to fight for a draw.
32. R - Q 6 B - K 5
Kt - K 5 was still the right move, and probably the last chance Black had
to draw against White's best play.
33. Q x B P Kt - Q 4
34. R x R K x R
Kt x Q; R x R, Kt x P was no better.
35. Q - K 5 K - B 2
36. P - B 4 R - K 1
37. Q - Kt 2 Kt - B 3
38. B - Q 4 R - K R 1
39. Q - Kt 5 R - R 8 ch
40. K - B 2 P - R 3
41. Q - Kt 6 R - R 7 ch
42. K - K 1 Kt - Q 2
43. Q - Q 6 B - B 3
44. P - Kt 4 P x P
45. P - K B 5 R - R 8 ch
46. K - Q 2 K - K 1
47. P - B 6 R - R 2
48. Q - K 6 ch K - B 1
49. B - K 3 R - B 2
50. B - R 6 ch K - Kt 1
{196}
Most players will be wondering, as the spectators did, why I did not
resign. The reason is that while I knew the game to be lost, I was hoping
for the following variation, which Chajes came very near playing:
51 Q x P ch, K - R 2; 52 Q - R 5, R x P; 53 B - Kt 5 ch, K - Kt 2;
54 B x R ch, K x B; and while White has a won game it is by no means easy.
If the reader does not believe it, let him take the White pieces against a
master and see what happens. My opponent, who decided to take no chances,
played 51 B - Kt 7, and finally won as shown below.
51. B - Kt 7 P - Kt 6
52. K - K2 P - Kt 7
53. K - B 2 Kt - B 1
54. Q - Kt 4 Kt - Q 2
55. K - Kt 1 P - R 4
56. P - R 4 B x P
57. Q - R 3 R x P
58. B x R Kt x B
59. Q x P ch K - B 1
60. Q x P
and after a very few more moves Black resigned.
A very fine game on Chajes' part from move 25 on, for while Black, having
the best of the position, missed several chances, White, on the other hand,
missed none.
* * * * *
{197}
GAME 7. RUY LOPEZ
(San Sebastian, 1911)
White: J. R. Capablanca. Black: A. Burn
1. P - K 4 P - K 4
2. Kt - K B 3 Kt - Q B 3
3. B - Kt 5 P - Q R 3
4. B - R 4 Kt - B 3
5. P - Q 3
This is a very solid development, to which I was much addicted at the time,
because of my ignorance of the multiple variations of the openings.
5. ........ P - Q 3
6. P - B 3 B - K 2
In this variation there is the alternative of developing this Bishop via
Kt 2, after P - K Kt 3.
7. Q Kt - Q 2 O - O
8. Kt - B 1 P - Q Kt 4
9. B - B 2 P - Q 4
10. Q - K 2 P x P
11. P x P B - Q B 4
Evidently to make room for the Queen at K 2, but I do not think the move
advisable at this stage. B - K 3 is a more natural and effective move. It
develops a piece and threatens B - B 5, which would have to be stopped.
12. B - Kt 5 B - K 3
{198} Now it is not so effective, because White's Q B is out, and the
Knight, in going to K 3 to defend the square Q B 4, does not block the Q B.
13. Kt - K 3 R - K 1
14. O - O Q - K 2
This is bad. Black's game was already not good. He probably had no choice
but to take the Knight with the Bishop before making this move.
[Illustration]
15. Kt - Q 5 B x Kt
16. P x B Kt - Kt 1
in order to bring it to Q 2, to support the other Knight and also his
King's Pawn. White, however, does not allow time for this, and by taking
advantage of his superior position is able to win a Pawn.
17. P - Q R 4 P - Kt 5
Since he had no way to prevent the loss of a Pawn, he should have given it
up where it is, and played Q Kt - Q 2, in order to make his position more
solid. {199} The text move not only loses a Pawn, but leaves Black's game
very much weakened.
18. P x P B x P
19. B x Kt Q x B
20. Q - K 4 B - Q 3
21. Q x P ch K - B 1
[Illustration]
With a Pawn more and all his pieces ready for action, while Black is still
backward in development, it only remains for White to drive home his
advantage before Black can come out with his pieces, in which case, by
using the open K R file, Black might be able to start a strong attack
against White's King. White is able by his next move to eliminate all
danger.
22. Kt - R 4 Q - R 3
This is practically forced. Black could not play P - Kt 3 because of B x P,
and White meanwhile threatened Q - R 8 ch followed by Kt - B 5 ch and
Q x P. {200}
23. Q x Q P x Q
24. Kt - B 5 P - K R 4
25. B - Q 1 Kt - Q 2
26. B x P Kt - B 3
27. B - K 2 Kt x P
28. K R - Q 1 Kt - B 5
29. B - B 4 K R - Q 1
30. P - R 4 P - R 4
Black must lose time assuring the safety of this Pawn.
31. P - Kt 3 Kt - K 3
32. B x Kt P x B
33. Kt - K 3 K R - Kt 1
34. Kt - B 4 K - K 2
Black fights a hopeless battle. He is two Pawns down for all practical
purposes, and the Pawns he has are isolated and have to be defended by
pieces.
35. Q R - B 1 R - R 2
White threatened Kt x B, followed by R - B 7 ch.
36. R - K 1 K - B 3
37. R - K 4 R - Kt 5
38. P - Kt 4 R - R 3
If R x R P; Kt x B of course would win a piece
39. R - B 3 B - B 4
40. R - B 3 ch K - Kt 2
41. P - Kt 3 B - Q 5
42. K - Kt 2 R - R 1
{201}
43. P - Kt 5 R - R 3
44. P - R 5 R x Kt
45. P x R R - B 3
46. P - Kt 6 Resigns.
* * * * *
GAME 8. CENTRE GAME
(Berlin 1913)
White: J. Mieses. Black: J. R. Capablanca.
1. P - K 4 P - K 4
2. P - Q 4 P x P
3. Q x P Kt - Q B 3
4. Q - K 3 Kt - B 3
5. Kt - Q B 3 B - Kt 5
6. B - Q 2 O - O
7. O - O - O R - K 1
In this position, instead of the text move, P - Q 3 is often played in
order to develop the Q B. My idea was to exert sufficient pressure against
the K P to win it, and thus gain a material advantage, which would, at
least, compensate whatever slight advantage of position White might have.
The plan, I think, is quite feasible, my subsequent difficulties being due
to faulty execution of the plan.
8. Q - Kt 3 Kt x P
9. Kt x Kt R x Kt
10. B - K B 4
{202}
[Illustration]
10. ........ Q - B 3
White's threat to regain the Pawn was merely with the idea of gaining time
to develop his pieces. Black could have played P - Q 3; opening the way for
his Q B, when would have followed, 11 B - Q 3, R - K 1; 12 Kt - B 3, and
White would soon start a powerful direct attack against Black's King. With
the text move Black aims at taking the initiative away from White in
accordance with the principles laid down in this book.
11. Kt - R 3
If B x P, P - Q 3; and White's Bishop would be completely shut off, and
could only be extricated, if at all, with serious loss of position. The
text move aims at quick development to keep the initiative.
11. ........ P - Q 3
This now is not only a developing move, but it also threatens to win a
piece by B x Kt. {203}
12. B - Q 3 Kt - Q 5
This complicates the game unnecessarily. R - K 1; was simple, and perfectly
safe.
13. B - K 3
[Illustration]
13. ........ B - Kt 5
This is a serious mistake. The position was most interesting, and though in
appearance dangerous for Black, not so in reality. The right move would
have been 13...R - Kt 5, when we would have 14 B x Kt, R x B; 15 P - Q B 3,
B x P; 16 P x B, R - K Kt 5; 17 Q - K 3 (best), Q x P ch; 18 B - B 2,
Q x Q; 19 P x Q, R x P, and Black has the best of the game with four Pawns
for a Knight, besides the fact that all the White Pawns are isolated.
14. Kt - Kt 5 ! R x B
There was nothing better.
15. Q x B ! Kt - K 7 ch
{204}
[Illustration]
16. B x Kt ! R x B
17. Kt - K 4 ! R x Kt
18. Q x R Q - Kt 4 ch
19. P - K B 4 Q - Kt 4
20. P - B 3 B - B 4
21. K R - K 1 Q - B 3
22. R - Q 5
Q x Q would have given White a decided advantage, enough to win with proper
play. Mieses, however, feared the difficulties of an ending where, while
having the exchange, he would be a Pawn minus. He preferred to keep the
Queens on the board and keep up the attack. At first sight, and even after
careful thought, there seems to be no objection to his plan; but in truth
such is not the case. From this point the game will gradually improve in
Black's favour until, with the exchange ahead, White is lost. {205}
22. ........ Q - Q 2
23. P - B 5 P - Q B 3
24. R - Q 2 P - Q 4
[Illustration]
My plan for the moment is very simple. It will consist in bringing my
Bishop around to B 3. Then I shall try to paralyse White's attack against
my King by playing P - K R 3, and also prevent White from ever playing
P - K Kt 5. Once my King is safe from attack I shall begin to advance my
Queen's side Pawns, where there are four to three; and that advantage,
coupled with the enormous attacking power of my Bishop at B 3, will at
least assure me an even chance of success.
25. Q - B 3 B - K 2
26. Q R - K 2 B - B 3
27. Q - R 5 P - K R 3
28. P - K Kt 4 K - R 2 !
{206} To prevent P - K R 4, which I would answer with P - K Kt 3, winning
the Queen. It can now be considered that my King is safe from attack. White
will have to withdraw his Queen via R 3, and Black can use the time to
begin his advance on the Queen's side.
29. K - Kt 1 R - Q 1
30. R - Q 1 P - B 4
Notice that, on assuming the defensive, White has placed his Rooks
correctly from the point of view of strategy. They are both on white
squares free from the possible attack of the Black Bishop.
31. Q - R 3 Q - R 5
This gains time by attacking the Rook and holding the White Q at R 3 for
the moment, on account of the K Kt P. Besides, the Queen must be in the
middle of the fray now that the attack has to be brought home. White has
actually more value in material, and therefore Black must utilise
everything at his command in order to succeed.
32. R (K2) - Q 2 Q - K 5 ch
33. K - R 1 P - Q Kt 4
threatening P - Kt 5; which would open the line of action of the Bishop and
also secure a passed Pawn.
34. Q - Kt 2 Q - R 5
indirectly defending the Q P, which White cannot take on account of
Q x R ch.
{207} /* 35. K - Kt 1 P - Kt 5 */
The attack increases in force as it is gradually brought home directly
against the King. The position now is most interesting and extremely
difficult. It is doubtful if there is any valid defence against Black's
best play. The variations are numerous and difficult.
[Illustration]
36. P x P Q x P
Black has now a passed Pawn, and his Bishop exerts great pressure. White
cannot very well play now 37 R x P because of R x R; 38 R x R, B x P; and
White could not take the Bishop because Q - K 5 ch would win the Rook,
leaving Black a clear passed Pawn ahead.
37. P - Q R 3 Q - R 5 !
38. R x P R - Q Kt 1
39. R (Q 1) - Q 2 P - B 5
40. Q - Kt 3 R - Kt 6
41. Q - Q 6
{208}
[Illustration]
41. ........ P - B 6
B x P would also win, which shows that White's game is altogether gone. In
these cases, however, it is not the prettiest move that should be played,
but the most effective one, the move that will make your opponent resign
soonest.
42. R - Q B 2 P x P
43. R - Q 3 Q - K 5 !
44. R - Q 1 R - Q B 6
Resigns.
Of course White must play Q - Q 2, and Black then plays R x P.
* * * * *
{209}
GAME 9. QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED
(Berlin, 1913)
White: J. R. Capablanca. Black: R. Teichmann.
1. P - Q 4 P - Q 4
2. Kt - K B 3 Kt - K B 3
3. P - B 4 P - K 3
4. B - Kt 5 B - K 2
5. Kt - B 3 Q Kt - Q 2
6. P - K 3 O - O
7. R - B 1 P - Q Kt 3
8. P x P P x P
9. B - Kt 5
An invention of my own, I believe. I played it on the spur of the moment
simply to change the normal course of the game. Generally the Bishop goes
to Q 3, or to R 6, after Q - R 4. The text move is in the nature of an
ordinary developing move, and as it violates no principle it cannot be bad.
9. ........ B - Kt 2
10. O - O P - Q R 3
11. B - R 4 R - B 1
12. Q - K 2 P - B 4
13. P x P Kt x P
If P x P; K R - Q 1, and White would play to win one of Black's centre
Pawns. The drawback to the {210} text move is that it leaves Black's Q P
isolated, and consequently weak and subject to attack.
14. K R - Q 1 Kt x B
The alternative would have been 14...P - Kt 4; 15 B - B 2, P - Kt 5;
16 Kt - Q R 4, Kt (B 4) - K 5.
15. Kt x Kt P - Kt 4
16. R x R Q x R
17. Kt - B 3 Q - B 5
Black aims at the exchange of Queens in order to remain with two Bishops
for the ending, but in this position such a course is a mistake, because
the Bishop at Kt 2 is inactive and cannot come into the game by any means,
unless Black gives up the isolated Queen's Pawn which the Bishop must
defend.
18. Kt - Q 4
Not, of course, R - Q 4, because of Q x Q; Kt x Q, R - B 1; and there would
be no good way to prevent R - B 7.
18. ........ Q x Q
19. Kt (B 3) x Q !
Notice the co-ordination of the Knights' moves. They are manoeuvred
chain-like, so to speak, in order to maintain one of them, either at Q 4 or
ready to go there. Now White threatens to take the open file, and therefore
forces Black's next move.
19. ........ R - B 1
{211}
[Illustration]
The student should examine this position carefully. There seems to be no
particular danger, yet, as White will demonstrate, Black may be said to be
lost. If the game is not altogether lost, the defence is at least of the
most difficult kind; indeed, I must confess that I can see no adequate
defence against White's next move.
20. Kt - B 5 ! K - B 1
If 20...B - Q 1; 21 Kt - Q 6, R - B 2; 22 Kt x B, R x Kt; 23 B x Kt, B x B;
24 R x P, R - B 2; 25 R - Q 2, and White is a Pawn ahead. If 20...B moves
anywhere else, then B x Kt, doubling the K B P and isolating all of Black's
King's side Pawns.
21. Kt x B K x Kt
22. Kt - Q 4 P - Kt 3
This is practically forced, as White threatened Kt - B 5 ch. Notice that
the Black Knight is pinned in such a way that no relief can be afforded
except by giving up the K R P or abandoning the open file {212} with the
Rook, which would be disastrous, as White would immediately sieze it.
23. P - B 3 !
[Illustration]
23. ........ P - R 3
Black could do nothing else except mark time with his Rook along the open
file, since as soon as he moved away White would take it. White, on the
other hand, threatens to march up with his King to K 5 via K B 2, K Kt 3,
K B 4, after having, of course, prepared the way. Hence, Black's best
chance was to give up a Pawn, as in the text, in order to free his Knight.
24. B x P Kt - Q 2
25. P - K R 4 Kt - B 4
26. B - B 4 Kt - K 3
Black exchanges Knights to remain with Bishops of {213} opposite colours,
which gives him the best chance to draw.
27. Kt x Kt K x Kt
27...P x Kt would be worse, as White would then be able to post his Bishop
at K 5.
28. R - Q 2 R - K R 1
[Illustration]
Black wants to force B - Kt 3. P - K Kt 3 would be bad, on account of
P - Q 5; which would get the Black Bishop into the game, even though White
could answer P - K 4. The text move is, however, weak, as will soon be
seen. His best chance was to play P - Kt 5; and follow it up with P - R 4
and B - R 3. White meanwhile could play P - Kt 4 and R 5, obtaining a
passed Pawn, which, with proper play, should win.
29. R - Q B 2 ! R - Q B 1
30. R x R B x R
There are now Bishops of opposite colour, but nevertheless White has an
easily-won game. {214}
31. K - B 2
[Illustration]
31. ........ P - Q 5
Practically forced. Otherwise the White King would march up to Q 4 and then
to B 5 and win Black's Queen's side Pawns. If Black attempted to stop this
by putting his King at Q B 3 then the White King would enter through K 5
into Black's King's side and win just as easily.
32. P x P K - Q 4
33. K - K 3 B - K 3
34. K - Q 3 K - B 3
35. P - Q R 3 B - B 5 ch
36. K - K 3 B - K 3
37. B - R 6
It is better not to hurry P - K Kt 4 because of P - B 4; for although White
could win in any case, it would take longer. Now the White King threatens
to help by going in through K B 4 after posting the Bishop {215} at Kt 7,
where it not only protects the Q P, but indirectly also the Q Kt P.
37. ........ K - Q 4
38. B - Kt 7 Resigns.
The student ought to have realised by this time the enormous importance of
playing well every kind of ending. In this game again, practically from the
opening, White aimed at nothing but the isolation of Black's Q P. Once he
obtained that, he tried for and obtained, fortunately, another advantage of
position elsewhere which translated itself into the material advantage of a
Pawn. Then by accurate playing in the ending he gradually forced home his
advantage. This ending has the merit of having been played against one of
the finest players in the world.
* * * * *
GAME 10. PETROFF DEFENCE
(St. Petersburg, 1914)
White: J. R. Capablanca. Black: F. J. Marshall
1. P - K 4 P - K 4
2. Kt - K B 3 Kt - K B 3
3. Kt x P P - Q 3
4. Kt - K B 3 Kt x P
5. Q - K 2 Q - K 2
6. P - Q 3 Kt - K B 3
7. B - Kt 5
{216} Played by Morphy, and a very fine move. The point is that should
Black exchange Queens he will be a move behind in development and
consequently will get a cramped game if White plays accurately.
7. ........ B - K 3
Marshall thought at the time that this was the best move and consequently
played it in preference to Q x Q ch.
8. Kt - B 3 P - K R 3
9. B x Kt Q x B
10. P - Q 4 B - K 2
11. Q - Kt 5 ch Kt - Q 2
12. B - Q 3 !
[Illustration]
It is now time to examine the result of the opening. On White's side we
find the minor pieces well posted and the Queen out in a somewhat odd
place, it is true, but safe from attack and actually attacking a Pawn.
{217} White is also ready to Castle. White's position is evidently free
from danger and his pieces can easily manoeuvre.
On Black's side the first thing we notice is that he has retained both his
Bishops, unquestionably an advantage; but on the other hand we find his
pieces bunched together too much, and the Queen in danger of being attacked
without having any good square to go to. The Bishop at K 2 has no freedom
and it blocks the Queen, which, in its turn, blocks the Bishop. Besides,
Black cannot Castle on the King's side because Q x P, R - Kt 1; Q - K 4
threatening mate, wins a Pawn. Nor can he Castle on the Queen's side
because Q - R 5 would put Black's game in imminent danger, since he cannot
play P - R 3 because of B x P; nor can he play K - Kt 1 because of
Kt - Kt 5. Consequently we must conclude that the opening is all in White's
favour.
12. ........ P - Kt 4
To make room for his Queen, threatening also P - Kt 5.
13. P - K R 3 O - O
giving up a Pawn in an attempt to free his game and take the initiative. It
was difficult for him to find a move, as White threatened Kt - K 4, and
should Black go with the Queen to Kt 2, then P - Q 5, B - B 4; Kt x P ch,
followed by B x B. {218}
14. Q x P Q R - Kt 1
15. Q - K 4 Q - Kt 2
16. P - Q Kt 3 P - Q B 4
In order to break up White's centre and bring his Knight to B 4 and thus
lay the foundation for a violent attack against White's King. The plan,
however, fails, as it always must in such cases, because Black's
development is backward, and consequently his pieces are not properly
placed.
17. O - O P x P
18. Kt - Q 5 !
A simple move, which destroys Black's plan utterly. Black will now have no
concerted action of his pieces, and, as his Pawns are all weak, he will
sooner or later lose them.
[Illustration]
18. ........ B - Q 1
19. B - B 4 Kt - B 4
20. Q x P Q x Q
{219} The fact that he has to exchange Queens when he is a Pawn behind
shows that Black's game is lost.
21. Kt x Q B x Kt
22. B x B B - B 3
23. Q R - Q 1 B x Kt
The Knight was too threatening. But now the ending brought about is one in
which the Bishop is stronger than the Knight; which makes Black's plight a
desperate one. The game has no further interest, and it is only because of
its value as a study of this variation of the Petroff that I have given it.
Black was able to fight it out until the sixtieth move on account of some
poor play on White's part. The rest of the moves are given merely as a
matter of form.
24. R x B K - Kt 2
25. B - B 4 R - Kt 3
26. R - K 1 K - B 3
27. P - B 4 Kt - K 3
28. P x P ch P x P
29. R - B 1 ch K - K 2
30. R - Kt 4 R - K Kt 1
31. R - B 5 R - B 3
32. P - K R 4 K R - Q B 1
33. P x P R - B 4
34. B x Kt P x B
35. R x R R x R
36. P - Kt 6 K - B 1
37. R - Q B 4 R - Q R 4
{220}
38. P - R 4 K - Kt 2
39. R - B 6 R - Q 4
40. R - B 7 ch K x P
41. R x P R - Q 8 ch
42. K - R 2 P - Q 4
43. P - R 5 R - Q B 8
44. R - B 7 R - Q R 8
45. P - Q Kt 4 R - R 5
46. P - B 3 P - Q 5
47. R - B 6 P x P
48. R x P R x Kt P
49. R - Q R 3 R - Kt 2
50. P - R 6 R - Q R 2
51. R - R 5 K - B 3
52. P - Kt 4 K - K 2
53. K - Kt 3 K - Q 3
54. K - B 4 K - B 2
55. K - K 5 K - Q 2
56. P - Kt 5 K - K 2
57. P - Kt 6 K - B 1
58. K x P K - K 1
59. P - Kt 7 R x P
60. P - R 7 R - Kt 3 ch
61. K - B 5 Resigns.
* * * * *
{221}
GAME 11. RUY LOPEZ
(St. Petersburg, 1914)
White: J. R. Capablanca. Black: D. Janowski.
1. P - K 4 P - K 4
2. Kt - K B 3 Kt - Q B 3
3. B - Kt 5 P - Q R 3
4. B x Kt Q P x B
5. Kt - B 3
I played this move after having discussed it with Alechin on several
occasions. Alechin considered it, at the time, superior to P - Q 4, which
is generally played. He played it himself later on in the Tournament, in
one of his games against Dr. E. Lasker, and obtained the superior game,
which he only lost through a blunder.
5. ........ B - Q B 4
P - B 3 is probably the best move in this position. I do not like the text
move.
6. P - Q 3 B - K Kt 5
7. B - K 3 B x B
This opens the K B file for White, and also reinforces his centre, but
Black naturally did not want to make a second move with this Bishop.
8. P x B Q - K 2
9. O - O O - O - O
Bold play, typical of Janowski. {222}
10. Q - K 1 Kt - R 3
[Illustration]
The problem for White now is to advance his Q Kt P to Kt 5 as fast as he
can. If he plays P - Q Kt 4 at once, Black simply takes it. If he plays
first P - Q R 3 and then P - Q Kt 4, he will still have to protect his
Q Kt P before he can go on and play P - Q R 4 and P - Kt 5. As a matter of
fact White played a rather unusual move, but one which, under the
circumstances, was the best, since after it he could at once play
P - Q Kt 4 and then P - Q R 4 and P - Kt 5.
11. R - Kt 1 ! P - B 3
12. P - Kt 4 Kt - B 2
13. P - Q R 4 B x Kt
He simplifies, hoping to lighten White's attack, which will have to be
conducted practically with only the heavy pieces on the board. He may have
also done it in order to play Kt - Kt 4 and K 3. {223}
14. R x B
Taking with the Pawn would have opened a possibility for a counter attack.
14. ........ P - Q Kt 3
He is forced to this in order to avoid the breaking up of his Queen's side
Pawns. The only alternative would have been P - Q Kt 4; which on the face
of it looks bad.
15. P - Kt 5 B P x P
16. P x P P - Q R 4
17. Kt - Q 5 Q - B 4
18. P - B 4
[Illustration]
The White Knight is now a tower of strength. Behind it White will be able
to prepare an attack, which will begin with P - Q 4, to drive away the
Black Queen and thus leave himself free to play P - B 5. There is only one
thing to take care of and that {224} is to prevent Black from sacrificing
the Rook for the Knight and a Pawn.
18. ........ Kt - Kt 4
19. R - B 2 Kt - K 3
20. Q - B 3 R - Q 2
Had White on his 19th move played K R - B 1 instead of R - B 2, Black could
have played now instead of the text move, R x Kt; K P x R, Q x P ch;
followed by Kt - B 4 with a winning game.
21. R - Q 1 K - Kt 2
It would have been better for Black to play K - Q 1. The text move loses
very rapidly.
22. P - Q 4 Q - Q 3
23. R - B 2 P x P
24. P x P Kt - B 5
25. P - B 5 Kt x Kt
26. P x Kt Q x Q P
27. P - B 6 ch K - Kt 1
28. P x R Q x P (Q 2)
29. P - Q 5 R - K 1
30. P - Q 6 P x P
31. Q - B 6 Resigns.
* * * * *
{225}
GAME 12. FRENCH DEFENCE
(New York, 1918)
White: J. R. Capablanca. Black: O. Chajes.
1. P - K 4 P - K 3
2. P - Q 4 P - Q 4
3. Kt - Q B 3 Kt - K B 3
4. B - Q 3
Not the most favoured move, but a perfectly natural developing one, and
consequently it cannot be bad.
4 ........ P x P
P - Q B 4 is generally played in this case instead of the text move.
5. Kt x P Q Kt - Q 2
6. Kt x Kt ch Kt x Kt
7. Kt - B 3 B - K 2
[Illustration] {226}
8. Q - K 2
This is played to prevent P - Q Kt 3, followed by B - Kt 2, which is the
general form of development for Black in this variation. If Black now plays
8...P - Q Kt 3; 9. B - Kt 5 ch, B - Q 2; 10. Kt - K 5 and White obtains a
considerable advantage in position.
8. ........ O - O
9. B - K Kt 5 P - K R 3
Of course Black could not play P - Q Kt 3 because of B x Kt, followed by
Q - K 4.
10. B x Kt B x B
11. Q - K 4 P - K Kt 3
This weakens Black's King's side. R - K 1 was the right move.
12. P - K R 4
[Illustration]
12. ........ P - K 4
This is merely giving up a Pawn in order to come out quickly with his Q B.
But as he does not obtain {227} any compensation for his Pawn, the move is
bad. He should have played Q - Q 4 and tried to fight the game out that
way. It might have continued thus: 13. Q - B 4, B - Kt 2; 14. Q x B P,
B x P; 15. Kt x B, Q x Kt; 16. O - O - O with considerable advantage of
position for White. The text move might be considered a mild form of
suicide.
13. P x P B - B 4
14. Q - K B 4 B x B
15. O - O - O B - Kt 2
16. R x B Q - K 2
17. Q - B 4
In order to keep the Black Queen from coming into the game.
17. ........ Q R - Q 1
18. K R - Q 1
A better plan would have been to play R - K 1, threatening P - K 6.
18. ........ R x R
19. R x R R - K 1
20. P - B 3 P - Q B 3
Of course if B x P; Kt x B, Q x Kt; R - K 3. Black with a Pawn minus fights
very hard.
21. R - K 3
The Pawn had now to be defended after Black's last move, because after
B x P; Kt x B, Q x Kt; {228} R - K 3, Black could now play Q - Kt 1
defending the Rook.
21. ........ P - Q B 4
22. K - B 2 P - Kt 3
23. P - R 4
White's plan now is to _fix_ the Queen's side in order to be able to
manoeuvre freely on the other side, where he has the advantage of material.
23. ........ Q - Q 2
24. R - Q 3 Q - B 1
25. Q - K 4 Q - K 3
26. R - Q 5 K - B 1
27. P - B 4 K - Kt 1
[Illustration]
Black sees that he now stands in his best defensive position, and therefore
waits for White to show how he intends to break through. He notices, of
course, that the White Knight is in the way of the K B P, which cannot
advance to K B 4 to defend, or support rather, the Pawn at K 5. {229}
28. P - Q Kt 3 K - B 1
29. K - Q 3 K - Kt 1
30. R - Q 6 Q - B 1
31. R - Q 5 Q - K 3
32. P - K Kt 4 K - B 1
33. Q - B 4 K - Kt 1
34. Q - K 4 K - B 1
[Illustration]
Black persists in waiting for developments. He sees that if P - K R 5,
P x P; P x P, the Queen goes to R 6, and White will have to face serious
difficulties. In this situation White decides that the only course is to
bring his King to K Kt 3, so as to defend the squares K R 3 and K Kt 4,
where the Black Queen might otherwise become a source of annoyance.
35. K - K 2 K - Kt 1
36. K - B 1 K - B 1
37. K - Kt 2 K - Kt 1
38. K - Kt 3 K - B 1
{230}
Now that he has completed his march with the King, White is ready to
advance.
[Illustration]
39. P - K R 5 P x P
39...P - K Kt 4 would be answered by Q - B 5, with a winning game.
40. P x P Q - K 2
Against K - Kt 1; White would play Q - Kt 4, practically forcing the
exchange of Queens, after which White would have little trouble in winning
the ending, since Black's Bishop could not do much damage in the resulting
position.
41. Q - B 5 K - Kt 1
Black overlooks the force of 42 R - Q 7. His best defence was R - Q 1;
against which White could either advance the King or play Kt - R 4,
threatening Kt - Kt 6 ch.
42. R - Q7 B x P ch
{231}
This loses a piece, but Black's position was altogether hopeless.
43. K - Kt 4 Q - B 3
44. Kt x B Q - Kt 2 ch
45. K - B 4 Resigns.
The interest of this game centres mainly on the opening and on the march of
the White King during the final stage of the game. It is an instance of the
King becoming a fighting piece, even while the Queens are still on the
board.
* * * * *
GAME 13. RUY LOPEZ
(New York, 1918)
White: J. S. Morrison. Black: J. R. Capablanca.
1. P - K 4 P - K 4
2. Kt - K B 3 Kt - Q B 3
3. B - Kt 5 P - Q 3
4. Kt - B 3 B - Q 2
5. P - Q 4 P x P
6. Kt x P P - K Kt 3
In this form of defence of the Ruy Lopez the development of the K B via
Kt 2 is, I think, of great importance. The Bishop at Kt 2 exerts great
pressure along the long diagonal. At the same time the position of the
Bishop and Pawns in front of the King, once it is Castled, is one of great
defensive strength. Therefore, in this form of development, the Bishop,
{232} we might say, exerts its maximum strength (Compare this note with the
one in the Capablanca-Burn game at San Sebastian, page 197.)
7. Kt - B 3 B - Kt 2
8. B - Kt 5 Kt - B 3
Of course not K Kt - K 2; because of Kt - Q 5. The alternative would have
been P - B 3; to be followed by K Kt - K 2; but in this position it is
preferable to have the Kt at K B 3.
9. Q - Q 2 P - K R 3
10. B - K R 4
An error of judgment. White wants to keep the Knight pinned, but it was
more important to prevent Black from Castling immediately. B - K B 4 would
have done this.
10. ........ O - O
11. O - O - O
Bold play, but again faulty judgment, unless he intended to play to win or
lose, throwing safety to the winds. The Black Bishop at Kt 2 becomes a very
powerful attacking piece. The strategical disposition of the Black pieces
is now far superior to White's, therefore it will be Black who will take
the offensive.
11. ........ R - K 1
12. K R - K 1
{233}
[Illustration]
White wanted to keep his Q R on the open file, and consequently brings over
his other Rook to the centre to defend his K P, which Black threatened to
win by P - K Kt 4, followed by Kt x P.
12. ........ P - Kt 4 !
Now that the K R is in the centre, Black can safely advance, since, in
order to attack on the King's side, White would have to shift his Rooks,
which he cannot do so long as Black keeps up the pressure in the centre.
13. B - Kt 3 Kt - K R 4
Uncovering the Bishop, which now acts along the long diagonal, and at the
same time preventing P - K 5, which would be answered by Kt x B; P x Kt,
Kt x P; etc., winning a Pawn.
14. Kt - Q 5 P - R 3
Black drives the Bishop away so as to _unpin_ his pieces and be able to
manoeuvre freely. {234}
15. B - Q 3 B - K 3
Preparing the onslaught. Black's pieces begin to bear against the King's
position.
16. P - B 3
[Illustration]
With the last move White not only blocks the action of Black's K B, but he
also aims at placing his Bishop at Q Kt 1 and his Queen at Q B 2, and then
advancing his K P, to check at K R 7.
16. ........ P - B 4 !
Initiating an attack to which there is no reply, and which has for its
ultimate object either the winning of the White Q B or cutting it off from
the game. (Compare this game with the Winter-Capablanca game at Hastings.)
17. P - K R 4 P - B 5
The Bishop is now out of action. White naturally counter attacks violently
against the seemingly {235} exposed position of the Black King, and, with
very good judgment, even offers the Bishop.
[Illustration]
18. P x P ! P x P !
Taking the Bishop would be dangerous, if not actually bad, while the text
move accomplishes Black's object, which is to put the Bishop out of action.
19. R - R 1 B - B 2
20. K - Kt 1
This move unquestionably loses time. Since he would have to retire his
Bishop to R 2 sooner or later, he might have done it immediately. It is
doubtful, however, if at this stage of the game it would be possible for
White to save the game.
20. ........ Kt - K 4
21. Kt x Kt R x Kt
It was difficult to decide which way to retake. I {236} took with the Rook
in order to have it prepared for a possible attack against the King.
22. B - R 2 Kt - B 3
Now that the White Bishop has been driven back, Black wants to get rid of
White's strongly posted Knight at Q 5, which blocks the attack of the
Bishop at B 2. It may be said that the Knight at Q 5 is the key to White's
defence.
[Illustration]
23. P - Kt 3
White strives not only to have play for his Bishop, but also he wants to
break up Black's Pawns in order to counter-attack. The alternative would
have been 23 Kt x Kt ch, Q x Kt; and Black would be threatening R - R 4,
and also Q - K 3. The student should notice that Black's drawback in all
this is the fact that he is playing minus the services of his Q R. It is
this fact that makes it possible for White to hold out longer. {237}
23. ........ Kt x P
24. B x Kt R x B
25. P x P P - B 3
[Illustration]
26. Kt - K 3
Kt - Kt 4 was the alternative, but in any event White could not resist the
attack. I leave it to the reader to work this out for himself, as the
variations are so numerous that they would take up too much space.
26. ........ Q - R 4
27. P - B 4 Q x Q
28. R x Q P x P
29. Kt - Kt 4 B - Kt 3
This forces the King to the corner, where he will be in a mating net.
30. K - R 1 Q R - K 1
Now at last the Q R enters into the game and soon the battle is over.
31. P - R 3
If R x P, R - K 8 ch; R - Q 1, R (K 1) - K 7. {238}
31. ........ R - K 8 ch
32. R x R R x R ch
33. K - R 2 B - B 2
34. K - Kt 3 P - Q 4
the quickest way to finish the game.
35. B x P P x P ch
36. K - Kt 4 P - B 6
37. P x P R - K 5 ch
38. P - B 4 R x P ch
39. K - R 5 R x B
40. R - Q 8 ch K - R 2
41. R - Q 7 B - K 3
Resigns.
A very lively game.
* * * * *
GAME 14. QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED
(New York, 1918)
White: F. J. Marshall. Black: J. R. Capablanca.
1. P - Q 4 P - Q 4
2. Kt - K B 3 Kt - K B 3
3. P - B 4 P - K 3
4. Kt - B 3 Q Kt - Q 2
5. B - Kt 5 B - K 2
6. P - K 3 O - O
7. R - B 1 P - B 3
This is one of the oldest systems of defence against the Queen's Gambit. I
had played it before in this Tournament against Kostic, and no doubt
Marshall expected it. At times I change my defences, {239} or rather
systems of defence; on the other hand, during a Tournament, if one of them
has given me good results, I generally play it all the time.
8. Q - B 2 P x P
9. B x P Kt - Q 4
10. B x B Q x B
11. O - O Kt x Kt
12. Q x Kt P - Q Kt 3
This is the key to this system of defence. Having simplified the game
considerably by a series of exchanges, Black will now develop his Q B along
the long diagonal without having created any apparent weakness. The proper
development of the Q B is Black's greatest problem in the Queen's Gambit.
13. P - K 4 B - Kt 2
14. K R - K 1 K R - Q 1
[Illustration]
The developing stage can now be said to be complete on both sides. The
opening is over and the middle-game begins. White, as is generally the
case, has {240} obtained the centre. Black, on the other hand, is
entrenched in his first three ranks, and if given time will post his Q R at
Q B 1 and his Knight at K B 3, and finally play P - Q B 4, in order to
break up White's centre and give full action to the Black Bishop posted at
Q Kt 2. In this game White attempts to anticipate that plan by initiating
an advance on the centre, which, when carefully analysed, is truly an
attack against Black's K P.
15. P - Q 5 Kt - B 4 !
Against Kostic in a previous game I had played Kt - B 1. It was
carelessness on my part, but Marshall believed differently, otherwise he
would not have played this variation, since, had he analysed this move, he
would, I think, have realised that Black would obtain an excellent game.
Black now threatens not only B P x P; but also Kt x P; followed by B P x P.
The position is very interesting and full of possibilities.
[Illustration] {241}
16. P x K P Kt x P (K 3)
17. B x Kt Q x B
played under the impression that White had to lose time in defending his
Q R P, when I could play P - Q B 4, obtaining a very superior game. But, as
will be seen, my opponent had quite a little surprise for me.
18. Kt - Q 4 !
[Illustration]
18. ........ Q - K 4 !
Of course, if 18...Q x R P; 19 R - R 1 would win the Queen. The text move
is probably the only satisfactory move in the position. The obvious move
would have been Q - Q 2 to defend the Q B P, and then would have come
19 Kt - B 5, P - B 3; 20 Q - K Kt 3 (threatening Q R - Q 1), K - R 1;
21 Q R - Q 1, Q - K B 2; 22 P - K R 4, with a tremendous advantage in
position. The text move, on the other hand, assures Black an even game at
the very least, as will soon be seen. {242}
19. Kt x P Q x Q
20. R x Q R - Q 7
21. R - Kt 1
A very serious error of judgment. White is under the impression that he has
the better game, because he is a Pawn ahead, but that is not so. The
powerful position of the Black Rook at Q 7 fully compensates Black for the
Pawn minus. Besides, the Bishop is better with Rooks than the Knight (see
pages 48-56, where the relative values of the Knight and Bishop are
compared), and, as already stated, with Pawns on both sides of the board
the Bishop is superior because of its long range. Incidentally, this ending
will demonstrate the great power of the Bishop. White's best chance was to
take a draw at once, thus. 21 Kt - K 7 ch K - B 1; 22 R - B 7 R - K 1 (not
B x P; because P - B 3 would give White the best of it); 23 R x B (best;
not Kt - Kt 6 ch, because of B P x Kt; followed by R x K P), R x Kt;
24 R - Kt 8 ch, R - K 1; 25 R x R ch, K x R, and with proper play White
will draw.
It is curious that, although a Pawn ahead, White is the one who is always
in danger. It is only now, after seeing this analysis, that the value of
Black's 18th move Q - K 4 can be fully appreciated.
21. ........ R - K 1
With this powerful move Black begins, against White's centre, an assault
which will soon be shifted against {243} the King itself. White is afraid
to play 22 P - B 3 because of P - B 4.
22. P - K 5 P - K Kt 4
To prevent P - B 4. The White Knight is practically pinned, because he does
not dare move on account of R x K P.
[Illustration]
23. P - K R 4
This is a sequel to the previous move. White expects to disrupt Black's
Pawns, and thus make them weak.
23. ........ P x P
Though doubled and isolated this Pawn exercises enormous pressure. Black
now threatens R - K 3; to be followed by R - Kt 3 and P - R 6 and R 7 at
the proper time.
24. R - K 1
White cannot stand the slow death any longer. {244} He sees danger
everywhere, and wants to avert it by giving up his Queen's side Pawns,
expecting to regain his fortunes later on by taking the initiative on the
King's side.
24. ........ R - K 3 !
Much better than taking Pawns. This forces White to defend the Knight with
the Rook at K 1, because of the threat R - Kt 3.
25. R (K1) - Q B 1 K - Kt 2
Preparatory to R - Kt 3. The game is going to be decided on the King's
side, and it is the isolated double Pawn that will supply the finishing
touch.
26. P - Q Kt 4 P - Kt 4
To prevent P - Kt 5, defending the Knight and liberating the Rooks.
27. P - R 3 R - Kt 3
28. K - B 1 R - R 7
[Illustration] {245}
Notice the remarkable position of the pieces. White cannot move anything
without incurring some loss. His best chance would have been to play
29 P - K 6, but that would only have prolonged the game, which is lost in
any case.
29. K - Kt 1 P - R 6
30. P - Kt 3 P - Q R 3
Again forcing White to move and to lose something thereby, as all his
pieces are tied up.
[Illustration]
31. P - K 6 R x K P
Not even now can White move the Knight because of P - R 7 ch; K x P,
R - R 3 ch; K - Kt 1, R - R 8 mate.
32. P - Kt 4 R - R 3
33. P - B 3
If 33 P - Kt 5, P - R 7 ch; 34 K - R 1, R x Kt; 35 R x R, R x P, winning
easily. {246}
33. ........ R - Q 3
34. Kt - K 7 R (Q3) - Q 7
35. Kt - B 5 ch K - B 3
36. Kt - R 4 K - Kt 4
37. Kt - B 5 R - Kt 7 ch
38. K - B 1 P - R 7
39. P - B 4 ch K x B P
40. Resigns.
An ending worth very careful study.
* * * * *
Notes
[1] The value of the initiative is explained in section 20, p. 77.
[2] See page 37.
[3] See page 13.
[4] Full score and notes are given in My Chess Career, by J. R. Capablanca
(Game No. 11).
[5] This position is elaborated under Example 50 (p. 80.).
[6] We give, from now on, games and notes, so that the student may
familiarise himself with the many and varied considerations that constantly
are borne in mind by the Chess Master. We must take it for granted that the
student has already reached a stage where, while not being able fully to
understand every move, yet he can derive benefit from any discussion with
regard to them.
[7] A "hole" in chess parlance has come to mean a defect in Pawn formation
which allows the opponent to establish his forces in wedge formation or
otherwise without the possibility of dislodging him by Pawn moves. Thus, in
the following diagram, Black has two holes at K B 3 and K R 3, where White
forces, e.g. a Kt or B, could establish themselves, supported by pieces or
Pawns.
[8] See game Capablanca-Kupchick, from Havana International Masters
Tournament Book, 1913, by J. R. Capablanca; or a game in the Carlsbad
Tournament of 1911, Vidmar playing Black against Alechin.
[9] See Niemzowitch's game in the All Russian Masters Tournament, 1914, at
St. Petersburg, against Levitzki, I believe.
[10] See Capablanca-Janowski game, New York Masters Tournament, 1913.
End of Project Gutenberg's Chess Fundamentals, by Jose Raul Capablanca