107

Great Chess Battles

Alexander Alekhine
Edited and translated by E G Winter

l
0 Oxford University Press 1980
Oxford University Press, Walton Street, Oxford ox2 6oP
OXFORD LODON GLASGOW

NEW YORK TORONTO MELDOURNI!. WELLINGTON

KUALA LUMPUR SII\"CAPORE JAKARTA IIONC KQr.;C

DELHI BOMBAY CALCUTTA MADRAS KARACHI

Oxford University Press 1980

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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

Alekhin, Aleksandr Aleksandrovich
107 great chess battles.
1. Chess - Collections of games
I. Title II. Winter. E G
Ill. Hundred and seven great chess battles
794.1'5 GV1 452 79-41072
ISBN 0-1 9-21 7590-4
ISBN 0-1 9-2 1 759 1 -2 Pbk

Set by Hope Services, Abingdon

and printed in Great Britain by
Lowe & Brydone Printers Ltd,
Thetford, Norfolk
Preface

Alexander Alekhine, chess champion of the world for over sixteen years,
was one of the greatest players of all time. He also wrote some of the finest
chess books ever produced, of which the last publ ished in English was
My Best Games of Chess 1924-1937 ( London, 1 939). He continued writing
extensively throughout the war years, mostly for publication in Spanish,
but virtually none of this material has ever been translated into English.
The present book is a compilation of 1 07 games annotated by Alekhine
between 1 939 and his death in 1 946. The supreme genius of the
complicated position guides us patiently and entertainingly th rough the
most fascinating of chess battles. Often he delights us with his candid
views on fellow masters and rivals for his world title.
I should l ike to thank Mr. Bernard Cafferty for kindly clearing up a
number of obscure points, and also the editor of the British Chess Magazine
for perm iss ion to reprint Game 68 and the remarkable tribute to
Capablanca that p recedes it.
Collecting together these games and translating the notes has been an
immensely enjoyable and rewarding task and I si ncerely hope that the
reader w i l l derive as much pleasure and benefit from them.
E.G. Winter
London 1 979
Oxford Chess Books
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W. R. Hartston & R. D. Keene Karpov-Korchnoi 1974
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Oxford Encyclopedia of Chess Games
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H. J. R. Murray A History of Chess
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Contents

PART ONE.: OPEN GAMES

Ruy Lopez
Game Players Occasion Page

1 Pleci-Friedemann Buenos Aires 1 939

2 Kashdan-Reshevsky Sixth match game 1 942 3
3 Keres-Rabar Munich 1 942 5
4 Kashdan-Reshevsky Eighth match game 1 942 7
5 Alekhi ne-Schmidt Salzburg 1 94:2 9
6 Alekhi ne-Rey Ardid Second match game 1 944 10
7 Alekhine-Zol lner Cracow 1 94 2 13
8 Foltys-Keres Salzburg 1 943 15
9 Alekhine-Junge Cracow 1 942 17
10 Alekhine-Barcza Munich 1 942 1B
11 Samisch-Aiekhine Prague 1 943 20
12 Alekh i ne-Pomar Gij6n 1 944 21
13 Alekhi ne-Rohacek M u n ich 1 94 1 25
14 Pomar-Perez Madrid 1 945 28
15 R opstorff-Bogoljubov Warsaw 1 942 30
16 Kashdan-Reshevsky Second match game 1 94 2 32
17 Kashdan-Reshevsky Fourth match game 1 942 34
18 Cruz-Apscheneek Buenos Aires 1 939 37
19 Kieninger-Aiekhine Munich 1 94 1 39

Four Knights Game

20 Lund in-Michel Buenos Aires 1 939 42

Three Knights Game

21 Pahi-Werkmeister Berl i n 1 942 44

Philidor's Defence
22 Piazzin i-Tartakower Buenos Aires 1 939 46
23 Von Bardeleben-Aiekhine Dusseldorf 1 908 49
Scotch Gambit
24 Med i n a-Keres Madrid 1 943 52
25 Ribei ro-Pomar Match 1 945 54

PART TWO: SEMI-OPEN GAMES

French Defence
26 Bogoljubov-Aiekh ine Cracow 1 942 57
27 Yanofsky-Dulanto Buenos Aires 1 939 59
28 Lundin-Raud Buenos Aires 1 939 61
29 Pleci-Endzel ins Buenos Aires 1 939 64
30 Keres-Sthlberg Buenos Aires 1 939 65
31 Alekh ine-Bartosek Prague 1 943 69
32 Keres-Flares Buenos Aires 1 939 71
33 Pomar-Aiekh ine Madrid 1 945 73
34 Apscheneek-Aiekhine Buenos Aires 1 939 76

Caro-Kann Defence
35 Keres-Mikenas Buenos Aires 1 939 80
36 Pomar- R ico Bilbao 1 945 83
37 R ichter-Kieni nger Cracow 1 940 84
38 Pomar-Sanz Madrid 1 945 86
39 Alekh ine-Eiiskases Buenos Aires 1 939 87
40 Alekhine-Richter Munich 1 942 90
41 Brinckmann-Heinick,e Frankfurt 1 942 94
42 Capablanca-Czerniak Buenos Aires 1 939 95
43 Alekhine-Navarro Madrid 1 94 1 98

Sicilian Defence
44 M i l ner-Barry-Foltys Buenos Aires 1 939 99
45 Rometti-De Ronde Buenos Aires 1 939 101
46 Hasenfuss-Teteris Lithuania 1 942 1 03
47 Keres-Foltys M u nich 1 94 2 104
48 Foltys-Stoltz M u nich 1 94 2 106
49 Alekh ine-Tsvetkov Buenos Aires 1 939 107
50 Alekhine-Podgorny Prague 1 943 1 10
Alekhine's Defence
51 Reed-Danielsson Buenos Aires 1 939 1 14

King's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

52 Rojahn-Czerniak Buenos Aires 1 939 1 16

PART THREE: CLOSED GAMES

Queen's Gambit Declined, Orthodox Defence

53 Grau-Ei iskases Buenos Aires 1 939 1 19
54 Sta h lberg-Piazz i n i Buenos Aires 1 939 121
55 Alek h i n e-Kunerth Cracow 1 942 1 23
56 Menchik-Graf Buenos Aires 1 939 1 25
57 Alekhine and W. Cruz v
Silva Rocha, Charlier,
and 0. Cruz Rio de Janeiro 1 939 1 29
58 Lundin-Silva Rocha Buenos Aires 1 939 1 32
59 Kah n-Schmidt Buenos Aires 1 939 134

Queen's Gambit Declined, Slav Defence

60 Reshevsky-Kashdan Eleventh match game 1 942 1 36
61 Sthlberg-Van Scheltinga Buenos Aires 1 939 1 39

Queen's Gambit Accepted

62 Opocensky- Lundin Buenos Aires 1 939 141

Queen's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

63 Reshevsky-Kashdan Seventh match game 1 942 1 43
64 Enevoldsen-Aiekt1ine Buenos Aires 1 939 146
65 Bolb ochan-Poulsen Buenos Aires 1 939 1 50
66 Petrov-Mikenas Buenos Aires 1 939 1 52
67 Capab l anca-M ikenas Buenos Aires 1 939 1 55
68 E n evoldsen-Capablanca Buenos Aires 1 939 1 58
69 Pomar-Ticoulat Balearic Islands 1 944 161
70 Reshevsky-Kashdan Fifth match game 1 942 162
71 Tartakower-Enevoldsen Buenos Aires 1 939 1 64
72 Pomar- R ibeiro Match 1 945 1 66
73 Junge-Bogoljubov M unich 1 942 16B
King's Indian Defence
74 Flores-Najdorf Buenos Aires 1 939 1 70

Grunfeld Defence
75 Fla res-Czerniak Buenos Aires 1 939 1 72
76 R ussher-Walcicer Cracow/Warsaw 1 942 1 74
77 Grau-Mikenas Buenos Aires 1 939 1 75
7B Reshevsky-Kashdan First match game 1 942 1 79
79 Reshevsky-Kashdan Third match game 1 942 1 B2
BO Reshevsky-Kashdan N i nth match game 1 942 1 B5
B1 Kashdan-Reshevsky Tenth match game 1 942 1 BB

Queen's Indian Defence

B2 Opocensky-Capablanca Buenos Aires 1 939 1 90
B3 Alekhine-Keres Munich 1 942 1 93
B4 Opocensky-Keres Buenos Aires 1 939 1 94
B5 Bogoljubov-Rellstab Cracow 1 940 1 99

Queen's Pawn, Benoni Defence

B6 Van Scheltinga-Opocensky Buenos Aires 1 939 200

Dutch Defence
B7 Petrov-Tartakower Buenos Aires 1 939 202

Budapest Gambit
88 Van Schelti nga-Tartakower Buenos Aires 1 939 205

Albin Counter Gambit

89 Siimisch-Medina Madrid 1 943 208

Queen's Pawn Game

90 Petrov-Grau Buenos Aires 1 939 209
91 M ikenas-Czerniak Buenos Aires 1 939 212
92 M i kenas-Aiekhine Buenos Aires 1 939 214
93 Czerniak-Tartakower Buenos Aires 1 939 218
94 Trompowsky, Silva Rocha,
and Charlier v Alekhine
and 0. Cruz Rio de Janeiro 1 939 222
 95 Trompowsky-Vaitonis Buenos Aires 1 939 223
96 Bogoljubov-Aiekhine Salzburg 1 942 225

English Opening
97 Czerniak-Aiekh i ne Buenos Aires 1 939 230
98 Leepin-Aiekhine M u n ich 1 94 1 233
99 Keres-Richter M u n ich 1 942 235
100 Sajtar-Ai ekhine Prague 1 943 237

Reti's Opening
101 Engels-Bergqvist Buenos Aires 1 939 240
102 Sta h lberg-Rojahn Buenos Aires 1 939 243
1 03 Stah l berg-Castil lo Buenos Aires 1 939 245

Catalan System
1 04 Foltys-M ichel Buenos Aires 1939 247
105 Barcza-Bogoljubov M unich 1 94 2 250
1 06 Alekhi ne-Rabar M u n ich 1 942 251
107 Alekh ine-Bogoljubov Warsaw 1 943 253
PART ONE : OPEN GAMES

Ruy Lopez

GAMEl

Buenos Aires 1 939

Ruy Lopez

White: I. P L E C I (Argentina)
Black: F R I E D E M A N N (Estonia)

e4 e5 This capture (which should have

2 Nf3 Nc6 been replaced by 14 Nbd2, threaten
ing 15 Nxe5 etc., with advantage) is
3 Bb5 a6 rightly considered by theory to be
4 Ba4 Nf6 too dangerous. But the reasons that
have been given to support this
5 00 Be7
opinion have been i n complete or
6 Re1 b5 unconvincing. The present game
7 Bb3 d6 therefore offers a good opportunity
to arrive at a solution of this little
8 c3 Na5
opening problem.
I venture to predict that within a
14 Qxe5
space of three years th is premature
move (correct clearly would be 15 Rxa5 Ng4
8 . . . 00 9 h3 Na5) will be univers 16 g3
ally and definitively abandoned i n
favour of castl ing. The only alternative, 1 6 f4, would
give Black a winning attack after
9 Bc2 c5 1 6 . . . Qc7 1 7 Ra1 c4 etc.
10 d4 Qc7 16 Oh5
11 a4! Rb8 17 h4
1 2 axb5 axb5
1 3 dxe5 dxe5
14 Nxe5?

Page 1
Game 1 Ruy Lopez
Position after 1 7 h4
17 ... Bxh4!
Many spectators (some of them
experts of proven international
renown) were surprised that
Friedemann did not here play the
'book' move 17 . . . g5 with the
suggested continuation 18 Bxg5
Bxg5 19 Od6 Bxh4 20 Oxb8 Bd8
etc. Probably the Estonian master
saw over the board that his oppon
ent would have at his disposition
the much stronger move 19 Od5
which, after 19 . . . h6 20 Oxc5
or 19 . . . f6, would bring Black
grave problems. For this reason h is
decision to sacrifice the piece was
not only justified by the circum
stances but also, in a way, neces
sary. It should be noted too that
the preparatory move 1 7 . . . 0-0
would be ineffective on account
of 18 Od5 Ne5 19 B d l .
18 gxh4 Oxh4
19 Qf3
Clearly forced.
19 Oh2+
20 Kfl Ne5
Page 2
The key to the combination, all ow
ing the queen's bishop to partici pate.
21 Og3
After 21 Bf4 Nxf3 22 Bxh2 Nxh2+,
foll owed by 23 . . . Ng4, Black with
his extra pawn would h ave won
easily.
21 ... Oh1+!
A difficult decision since it seems
i ncredible that after 21 . . . Bh3+
22 Ke2 Bg4+ 23 Ke3! (if 23 Kfl i t
is mate i n four with 23 . . . Oh 1 +
etc . ) . Black, despite t h e possibility
of play i ng 23 . . . Nc4+, has n o
satisfactory continuation for h i s
attack si nce after t h i s k n i ght check
the White king, at f4, wou l d be
attac k i n g the enemy bishop. After
23 . . . g5? it would be mate in three
were White to capture the queen.
But in this case Wh i te would protect
his c4 square and have no further
worries. Friedemann's move thus
provides evidence of a profound
examination of the position.
22 Ke2 Oh5+
23 f3 Nxf3 !
A fresh and perfectly correct
sacrifice. It is evident that the k n i gh t
is untouchable because o f 2 4 . . .
Bg4 but nor can the rook be cap
tured. If 24 Qxb8 then 24 . . . Ne5+
25 Kf2 Qh2+ 26 Kfl 0-0 and wins.
24 Kf2! Nxel
25 Kxe1 Oh 1+
26 Kf2
 Game 2 Ruy Lopez

b c d e struggle to obtain a draw.

27 Oe5+
Now Black is lost.
27 Kd8
28 Od6+ Ke8
29 Ra7!
Decisive.
29 Oxc2+
30 Nd2 Rb7

Position after 26 Kf2 31 RaB Rc7

32 Ke2!
26 . . . Oxc1 ? The finishing touch.
A n unbelievable error after such 31 Oa4
inspired play. Black, probably under 33 Rxa4 bxa4
time-pressure, completely overlooks
the check that follows. Otherwise 34 Oxc7 Bg4+
he would doubtless h ave played A spite check.
26 . . . 00 27 Bf4 (27 Oxb8? Oxc1
35 Ke3 Black resigns
l oses rapidly) Rb6 28 e5 Rg6!
29 Bxg6 fxg6 30 Nd2 h6, after A game of theoretical value and un
which White would really have to usual vitality.

GAME2

Sixth match game, New York 1 942

Ruy Lopez
White: I. KASHDAN
Black: S. R E S H EVSKY

e4 e5 7 Bb3 d6
2 Nf3 Nc6 8 c3 Na5
3 Bb5 aS 9 Bc2 c5
4 Ba4 Nf6 10 d4 Oc7
5 0-0 Be7 11 h3
6 Re1 b5 Perfectly playable would be the im-

Page 3
Game 2 Ruy Lopez

mediate move 1 1 Nbd2 since the An u nnatural move which i n fact is

firm p i n 1 1 . . . Bg4 offered n o not the best. 19 . . . Kf8 also parries
danger. the threat of freedom by 20 Ba3
11 0-0 exd4 21 e5 and if White continues
as in the game Black gains a valuable
1 2 a4 tempo.
This demonstration on the queen's 20 dxe5 dxe5
side. is out of place here because
Black can reply with a simple 21 Ba3!
developing move. 12 Nbd2 and The exchange of this bishop frees
12 Bg5 are good moves for White. White's game but nonethel ess he is
12 Bd7 still far from the safety of being
able to obtain a draw since the
13 Nbd2?
Black bishop is i n an assured
F i ne made the same tactical mistake position.
against Reshevsky i n the A V R O
21 Bxa3
tournament. Necessary first was
1 3 axb5 which wou l d keep the 22 Rxa3 Rc1
balance. Now Black will force a 23 Rxc1 Rxc1+
clearly superior ending.
24 Kh2 Rc2
13 cxd4
25 Ra1 Kf8
14 cxd4 Rfc8
Equal ly safe would be 25 . . . Nd7
15 axb5 26 Nc4 (still the best chance) f6
In his game F i ne preferred to 27 Na3 Rxf2 28 Nxb5 axb5. White
sacrifice a pawn by 1 5 Bd3 but can win the b-pawn but he would
finally he succumbed despite the lose h is e-pawn and Black, with
obstinate tenacity of his resistance. four pawns against two on the
The alternative sought by Kashdan king's side, would have great
is, i n its turn, rather poor. chances of winning.

15 Oxc2 26 Kg1 Nd7

1 6 Oxc2 Rxc2 With the serious threat 27 . . _ Nc5.
White's following pawn sacrifice is
17 Rxa5 Bxb5
practically forced.
18 Ra1
27 Nc4 Bxc4
Neither now nor on the following
This certainly means the winning of
move can he take the e-pawn
a pawn but it leaves White hope i n
because the entry of the bishop
view o f t h e absence o f t h e Black
i nto the action at b4 would be
a-pawn. I would have preferred to
fatal.
play 27 . . . f6 (strongly threate n i ng
18 Rac8 28 . . . Nc5) as 28 Na3 Rb2
1 9 b3 Bf8 29 Nxb5 axb5 30 Rd1 Ke7 3 1 Rd3

Page 4
 Game 3 Ruy Lopez

b4, followed by 32 . . . Nc5 would b c d

be clearly favourable to Black.

28 bxc4 Rxc4
29 Rxa6 Rxe4
30 Ra7 Ke7
Leaving aside the question of
whether Black can force a win with
the material available (in my view
the win is poss i ble, though tech n ic
ally very difficul t ) , one thing is
a b
obvious: with the text move
Reshevsky l ets s l i p this last chance. Position after 33 g4
Black should play 30 . . . KeB!
33 . . Kf7
Then i f 3 1 Ng5 Rd4 32 Nxh7?
Black would win by 32 . . . f6 If 33 . . . g5, White escapes by
33 g4 (against the threat of 33 . . . 34 h4 ! ! Rxg4+ 35 Kf1 (threatening
Rh4) g5 ! and Wh i te would not 36 Rxd7+) Rxh4 36 Nxf6, leading
have, as in the game, the saving to a theoretically drawn endgame.
move 34 h4. 34 g5 f5
31 Ng5! 35 Kf1 Rd6
This threatens the.rook and both The k i ng cannot approach the
the hpawn and the fpawn. knight, either via gB, because of
31 Rd4 36 g6 or via g6, because of 36 Rxd7.
No resource remains.
32 Nxh7!
36 g6+ Rxg6
Now this paradoxical move which
defi nitely saves the game is possible. 37 Rxd7+ Kg8
32 f6 38 Re7 Kxh7
33 g4 Drawn

GAME3

Munich 1 942
Ruy Lopez
White: P. K E R ES
Black: B. RABAR

e4 e5 3 Bb5 a6
2 Nf3 Nc6 4 Ba4 Nf6
Page 5
Game 3 Ruy Lopez

5 0-0 Be7 15 Bxf3

6 Re1 b5 1 6 gxf3 Ne7
7 Bb3 d6 17 Kh 1 Ng6
8 c3 0-0 18 Rg1 Nh5

9 a4 These manoeuvres d o not i m ply a

Keres knows that the reply 9 . .
b4 considerably reduces White's
i n itiative because i n a game played
in Moscow a few years ago he
obtained a satisfactory position,
not to say a superior one, after
1 0 d4 exd4 1 1 cxd4 Bg4 1 2 Be3
Na5 1 3 Bc2 c5. However, Keres
assumes that his young adversary
w i l l be ignorant of this line, and he
is certainly right.
9 ... Rb8?
This move is a strategic error since
it helps White to obtain a dominant
central position.
10 axb5 axb5
11 d4
desire to counter-attack but simply
to defend against the growing
pressure in the centre of the board
of the White i nfantry. But this
object could also have been ach i eved
through 18 . . . ReS 19 f4 b4 etc.
19 Ofl Kh8
Black bel i eves he has the chance to
manoeuvre his pieces with a view to
a counter-offensive, but he succeeds
in doing nothing except losing more
tempi . The move 19 . . . c6 was
necessary.
20 Ne2!
Now the reply 20 . . . f5 wou l d be
refuted by 21 Oh3 and if 20 . . .
N h 4 then 2 1 Ng3 etc.

Th is th reatens to win a piece and 20 c6

obliges his opponent to exchange, 21 f4
opening up a dangerous l i ne of
This advance reduces the a l ready
attack.
l i mited possibilities of Black, whose
11 exd4 only hope will now consist of a
despe rate sacrifice.
1 2 cxd4 Bg4
21 . .. d5
13 Nc3 Od7
22 f5 Nh4
14 BeJ Bd8
I f 2 2 . . . Ne7 then naturally 23 Oh3.
So as to be able to answer 1 5 d5
with 1 5 . . . Ne7. 23 f3 Oe8

15 OdJ If 23 . . . ReS, 24 Nf4 with a v i olent

attack.
Allowing Black the move 1 5 . . .
Bxf3, which gives certain defensive 24 Nf4 Nf6
chances, in exchange for the pos 25 Oh3
session of the two bishops.
If now 25 . . . Ng8 there would

Page 6
 Game 4 Ruy Lopez

follow 26 e5, and if 26 . . . Od7, 26 fxe4 Oxe4+

27 f6 Qxh3 28 fxg7 mate.
27 Ng2 Nxf5
After 27 . . . Qxf5 there fol l ows
28 Qg3 Nxg2 29 Rxg2 Bf6 30 Bc2
Qd7 3 1 Rf1 Rg8 32 Bxh 7 Kxh 7
33 Rxf6 etc.
28 Bf4!
Forcing the gai n of material.
28 Rb7
29 Rae1 Oxd4
30 Qxf5 Qxb2
31 Be5! Oxb3
Position after 25 Qh3
32 Re3 Black resigns
25 . . . Nxe4
After 32 . . . Oc4 there would
At first sight this sacrifice seems to follow 33 Bxg7+ Kxg7 34 Nf4+
be very strong but Keres has fore Kh8 35 Qxh7+ K x h 7 36 Rh3+,
seen such an eventuality for some fol l owed by mate.
time and has to hand the appropriate
recipe.

GAME4

Eighth match game, New York 1 94 2

R u y Lopez

White: I . KAS H DAN

Black: S. R ESH EVSKY

e4 e5 choice of line of play i s a matter of

taste and style.
2 Nf3 Nc6
6 b5
3 Bb5 a6
7 Bb3 d6
4 Ba4 Nf6
8 a4 Bg4
5 0-0 Be7
Definitely not 8 . . . b4 because of
6 Oe2
9 Qc4.
This variation offers White at least
9 c3 0-0
as many chances as 6 Re 1 . The

Page 7
Game 4 Ruy Lopez

1 0 h3 Bd7 26 Kg2 Nd4

If 10 .. . Bh5 White plays 1 1 d3 or As may be seen, Black's defence
the i mmediate 1 1 g4 and Black's offers no difficulties.
queen's bishop has l i ttle future. 27 Rac1 Rd5
11 d4 Oc8 28 Re1
12 Rd1 b4
If 28 f4 Black woul d h ave the
13 cxb4 effective reply 28 . . . Nb3.
White does not judge at its proper 28 h6
value the defensive strength of the
29 Ngf3 Nxf3
Black knight at b4. More chances
are offered by mai ntai n i ng the 30 Kxf3 Rf8+
tension in the centre with 13 a5. 31 Kg2
13 exd4
Black to move
14 Nxd4 Nxb4
15 Nc3 c5!
Black does not leave h is opponent
the necessary time to develop h is
pieces and proceeds with a series of
exchanges which frees h i m from all
difficulties.
1 6 Nf3 Be6
1 7 Bc4
Equal l y u n i nspiring would be
1 7 Nd5 Bxd5 1 8 exd5 ReS etc.
17 Bxc4
Position after 31 Kg2
18 Oxc4 Oe6
31 . .. Rxe5
1 9 Oxe6 fxe6
This forces l iqu idation and a draw.
20 e5 dxe5
32 Rxe5 Nd3
21 Nxe5 Nfd5
33 Rexc5 Rxf2+
The active position of his pieces
compensates Black adequately for The poi nt of the combination.
the isolation of his pawns. 34 Kg1 Nxc5
22 Ne4 Rfd8 35 Rxc5 Rxb2
23 Bg5 Bxg5 36 Rc6 a5
24 Nxg5 Nf4 37 Rc5 Ra2
25 g3 Ne2+ 38 Rxa5 e5

Page 8
 Game 5 Ruy Lopez

39 Rxe5 Rxa4 This easily comprehensible game

shows the dynamic force of
Drawn
Reshevsky's defence.

GAME5

Salzburg 1 942
Ruy Lopez

White: A. AL E K H I N E
Black: P . SCH M I DT

e4 e5 13 e5 Ne4 woul d not exactly have

been to my advantage.
2 Nf3 Nc6
11 . .. d5!?
3 Bb5 a6
Too risky.
4 Ba4 Nf6
12 exd5 e4!
5 0-0 Be7
The right move, for if 12 . . . Nxd5
6 Oe2 b5
there would follow 13 d41 exd4
7 Bb3 d6 14 Oc4 ! winning a piece.
8 a4 13 dxc6 Bd6
Against Keres in the same 14 d4! ReB
tournament I selected the tran-
quil l i ne resulting from 8 c3 0-0 b c d e g h
9 R d 1 etc. But in this game, i n
honour o f my opponent, I preferred
to play rather aggressively.
8 Bg4
9 c3 0-0
10 Rd1
As is well known, the moves
10 axb5 axb5 1 1 Rxa8 Oxa8
12 Oxb5 permit the reply 12 . . .
Na7 which is rightly considered
more than satisfactory. Position after 1 4 . . ReS
10 b4 15 Be3
11 a5 At this juncture I gave considerable
The I ine 1 1 d4 exd4 12 cxd4 d5 time to the idea 1 5 Bxf7+ Kxf7
Page 9
Game 6 Ruy Lopez

1 6 Oc4+ with the following possi 24 bxc3, which would offer Black
bilities: better chances.
(a) 16 . . . KfS 17 Ng5 Oe7 1 S Re1 24 d5! Qh3+
h6 19 Nh3. 25 Ke1 Bc2
(b) 1 6 - . . Kg6 1 7 Nh4+ Kh5 1S f3! 25 . . . Bg4 would have been a l ittle
Be6 19 Oe2 Kxh4 20 Oe3 !
better.
However I am satisfied with my 26 cxb4 Rxe3+
decision.
27 fxe3 Oxe3+
15 exf3
2S Oe2 Oh6
1 6 gxf3 Bh5
In order to avoid an exchange the
1 7 Nd2 Ne4!
Black queen is forced to withdraw
1S Bxf7+ Kxf7 quite a way from the battlefield.
1 9 Oc4+ KfS 29 RaJ!
20 fxe4 Preventing 29 . . . ReS because of
And not 20 Nxe4 Rxe4 ! 21 fxe4 the reply 30 Rf3+ etc.
Qh4 with a strong counter-attack. 29 Bf5
20 . . . Oh4 30 Re3 g6
Or 20 . . . Bxd1 21 Rxd1 Qh4 31 Qf2! RbS
22 Kf1 ! 32 Nc4 Rxb4
21 e5 Bxd1
33 Nxd6
22 exd6 Og4+
Now 33 . . . Rxb2 is not possible
23 Kf1 cxd6? owing to 34 ReS+ and mate next
move. Black resigned.
It was necessary to play 23 . . . bxc3

GAME6

Second match game, Saragossa 1 944

Ruy Lopez

White: A. A L E K H I N E
Black: R . R EY A R D I D

e4 e5 5 0-0 Be7
2 Nf3 Nc6 6 Oe2 b5
3 Bb5 a6 7 Bb3 d6
4 Ba4 Nf6 S c3 Na5

Page 1 0
 Game 6 Ruy Lopez

9 d4 Nc2-b4 ) . The text move results i n a

dangerous weakening of the square
This move, so simple, has not yet
been tried out i n master praxis, but d6.
it merits at least a mention in the 14 Nc2 Oe7
theoretical manuals. I have played i t
15 b4
once and, i n spite of the success
obtained, I shall not do so again Demonstrating the i n adequacies of
because subsequent analysis per Black's queen's side.
suaded me that Black can easily 15 . .. 0-0
obtain equality at least. I n this
game Dr. Rey Ardid falls i nto an b c d
inferior position solely because he
allows h i mself to be i nfluenced by
preconceived ideas.
9 . .. Nxb3
Very plausible, although not the
best. After 9 . . . exd4 10 Nxd4 c5
1 1 Nf3 (or 1 1 Nf5 Nxb3 12 axb3
Bxf5 13 exf5 Od7 14 Qf3 00 etc . )
Nxb3 1 2 axb3 Bb7, White would
be i n an unenviable position whether
he played 13 Nbd2 or 13 Nfd2.
Position after 1 5 . 0-0
10 axb3 Nd7 .

Black's i ntention can be seen clearly; 16 h3!

he is try i ng at all costs to maintain
his centre. Now 1 0 . . . exd4 1 1
Nxd4 (threatening 1 2 Nxb5 and
1 2 Nc6) would give White a good
game.
11 Rd1 Bf6
12 dxe5 dxe5
After 1 2 . . . Nxe5 1 3 Nxe5 Bxe5
14 f4 Bf6 1 5 e5 Be7 16 exd6 cxd6
17 Re1 Ra7 18 Be3 Rd7 19 Nd2,
White s position would have been
equal l y preferable.
13 Na3 c6
The threat of 14 Nxb5 could have
been parried by 14 . . . Rb8 but this
too would lead to troubles (allowing
To my mind this move is the most
difficult of the whole game. I n fact
White, despite his good position, has
difficulty in consolidating it. For
instance, if he plays 16 Ne3 then
1 6 . . . Nb6, and if 16 Be3 then
16 . . . c5 with a good game. The
text move threatens by Nh2-g4
to harass the Black king's bishop
(conserving his bishop pai r is the
only satisfaction that Black has to
compensate for his weakened
position) and thus c reate a weakness,
however slight it may be, on Black's
king side.
16 ReS
1 7 Nh2 Oe6

Page 1 1
Game 6 Ruy Lopez

To avoid the exchange of the 22 exf5 Oc4

bishop. But now the square f5 is Seeking an exchange of queens which
accessible to the knight and the would in fact have granted him some
move . . . g6 becomes unavoidable chances of salvation. It is evident
as a result. that if 22 . . . gxf5 23 Rd6! is
18 Ne3 g6 decisive.
19 Nf3! 23 Oc2! Black resigns
Threatening the exchange of the
bishop by means of 20 Ng4 and a b c d e

21 Nh6+.
19 . . . Bd8
This move would be good if Black
had continued logically with his
idea.
20 Ng4 f5?
This move loses. Black allows h i m
self to be influenced by the variation
21 exf5 gxf5 22 Ngxe5? Bf6 and
wins, and forgets that at this
moment his d6 is not sufficiently Final position
well protected. He ought to have Black's resignation in this position
played 20 . . . f6 21 Ne1 a5 is justified since he has a lost game.
22 bxa5 Rxa5 23 Rxa5 Bxa5 The continuation would have been
24 b4 Bc7 25 Nd3 after )Nhich he 23 . . . Nf6 24 Bg5 Nd5! 25 Bxd8
would have excel lent chances of Kxh6 (or after 25 . . . Rxd8 the
resistance. prosaic win by 26 Nxe5 Qf4
21 Nh6+ 27 Nxc6 Rd6 28 Ng4 Bxf5
29 Qd2 etc.) 26 Rxd5! cxd5
Equally strong was 21 exf5 gxf5
27 Bf6! (threatening 28 Od2+)
22 Nh6+ Kf8! 23 g4!, with the
gxf5 (if 27 . . . e4 then 28 Od2+ e3
occupation of f5.
29 fxe3 Qe4 30 Ng5! Oxe3+
21 . .. Kg7 31 Qxe3 Rxe3 32 Nf7+ Kh5
With 21 . . . Kf8 22 exf5 etc. Black 33 g4 mate) 28 Od2+ f4 29 Nxe5
could reach the variation mentioned and wins.
above but it too would be without
hope. I f 2 1 . . . Kh8, then 22 exf5
gxf5 23 Rd6! and wins.

Page 1 2
 Game 7 Ruy Lopez

GAME7

Cracow 1 942
Ruy Lopez

White: A. A L E K H I N E
Black: L. ZOLLNER

e4 e5 More frequently played at this point

(since by inversion of moves we find
2 Nf3 Nc6
ourselves i n a well known l ine of the
3 Bb5 a6 Open Defence 5 . . . Nxe4) is 1 2
4 Ba4 Nf6 Nd4 Nxb3 1 3 Nxb3 - and not 1 3
Nxc6 owing t o 1 3 . . . Nxc1 - Od7
5 0-0 Be7
etc. with almost absolute equality.
6 Oe2 b5 The text move turns out to be rather
7 Bb3 0-0 deficient, as Black's reply w i l l demon
strate. We are thus at a stage which
This move has been played very
merits consideration from the point
often recently instead of the normal of view of the development of this
variation 7 . . . d6. game.
8 d4 12 . d4
Also very practicable is 8 c3 d5 9 After this the continuation 13 cxd4
d3! as I tried with success in a later Nxd4 14 Nxd4 Oxd4 1 5 Nf3 Oc4 !
game against Junge [ Game 9]. The would scarcely be pleasant for White.
positional advantage that White Nevertheless by his next move
would obtain is full compensation White manages to resolve the
for the sacrifice of a pawn that the situation, giving Black a difficult
text move involves. problem to tackle.
8 . .. d5 13 Bb1 ! dxc3
If 8 . . . exd4 (or 8 . . . Nxd4 9 Nxd4
If 13 . . . d3 White would play 1 4
exd4). then 9 e5 NeB 1 0 c3 ! dxc3
Oe3 and the Black pawn would be
1 1 Nxc3 with an excellent game.
destined to succumb.
9 dxe5 Nxe4
14 bxc3 Od7
10 c3
With the idea of disputing the
After 1 0 Rd 1 Be6 1 1 c4 there would queen's file with White by 15 R d 1
follow 1 1 . . . bxc4 12 Bxc4 Bc5 13 RadB et
Be3 Bxe3 14 Oxe3 Ne 7 with good
1 5 Ne41 Rad8
defensive chances.
If now 15 . . . Bc4 there would foil ow
10 Be6
16 Nxc5 Bxc5 17 Oe4 with great
11 Nbd2 Nc5 advantage.
1 2 Bc2 16 Nxc5 Bxc5
Page 1 3
Game 7 Ruy Lopez

1 7 Qe4 g6 24 . . . QeB!
A weakening of Black's position that With the intention of answering 25
w i l l become fatal. Although not e6 with 25 . . . f6, eluding the coup.
entirely satisfactory, 1 7 . . . f5
would have been more bearable but
h "
after 18 exf6 gxf6 1 9 Bh6 Rf7 20
Bc2 White has the advantage any
way.
18 Bg5 Be7
19 Qh4!
With the strong threat of 20 Bf6,
which obliges Black to create a new
weakness.
19 h5
20 Be4
Threatening 2 1 Bxc6 Bxg5 22 Bxd7
etc., winning a piece. 25 g4
20 Bxg5 Up until now White has managed to
21 Qxg5 Bf5 conduct the attack wel l , obta i ning a
winning position. But this move and
22 Rfe1
especially the next are wel l refuted
Very seductive, but insufficient to by Black. A simple and efficacious
win, would be 22 Radl Oxd 1 23 solution to the problem was 25 Rh4
Bxf5 since after 23 . . . Qd5! White Kh7 26 Of6 ! , winning pawns and
would have to make do with increasing the attack until the finish.
equality by means of 24 Bxg6. Nor This would have brought the
would 22 Oh6 Bxe4 23 Ng5 be struggle to an end shortly.
practical because of the response
25 Rd3!
23 . . . f5, which shows Black's
defensive powers. 26 Nh4?
22 . . . Bxe4 Now too White could have attained
victory by means of the most natural
If 22 . . . Rfe8 White would secure
and logical continuation 26 Nd4 !
a decisive material advantage by 23
and if 26 . . . c5 then 27 Nf5 Nxf5
Bxc6! Oxc6 24 Nd4 Oc5 25 e6 Bxeo
28 gxf5 (or 28 e6 or even 28 gxh5 ) .
26 Nxe6.
T h e position o f t h e k n ight a t h4
23 Rxe4 Ne7 h i nders White's natural attack down
24 Rae1 the rook's file, at the same time
facil itating Black's counter-attack.
Now 25 e6 is threatened with
demo! ishing effect. 26 . . . hxg4

Page 1 4
 Game 8 Ruy t6pez

27 Rxg4 Rd5 31 ... Nh6?

28 Qh6 Qd8! A mistake which annuls Black's
With the intention of replying to 29 brill iant resistance and tarnishes
e6 with 29 . . . Rd 1 30 exf7+ Rxf7. the game. Ind icated was 3 1 . . . ReB ! ,
preventing 3 2 Ne4 and at the same
29 Nf3 Nf5 time weakening the effect of 32 e6.
30 Qc1 The text move was however chosen
by Black with the idea of answering
30 Qf4 Ng7 would be useless for
32 e6 with 32 . . . fxe6, to which
White.
White would have repI ied with 33
30 Rd3 Ne4 ! Kg7 (or 33 . . . K h 7 ) 34 Kh1 !
31 Ng5 and the battle continues with vigour.

Hoping to play 32 e6 or 32 Ne4. 32 Ne6!

Forcing the win of the queen through
the threat of mate in a few moves.
32 . . . Qe7
After 32 . . . Nxg4 33 NxdB RfxdB
34 Qf4 White would win the knight
as wel l .
33 Oxh6 Qxe6
34 Rh4 Black resigns

Position after 3 1 Ng5

GAMES

Salzburg 1 943
Ruy Lopez

White: J. F O L TYS
Black: P. K E R ES 5 0.{) Be7
e4 e5 6 Oe2 b5
2 Nf3 Nc6 7 Bb3 O.{)
3 Bb5 a6 The fashionable variation.
4 Ba4 Nf6 8 c3

Page 1 5
Game 8 Ruy Lopez

To be considered is the pawn sacrifice 19 ... g5

played by me against Zollner at This move which at first sight seems so
Warsaw 1 94 2 : B d4 exd4 9 e5 NeB momentous al lows White a clever re
10 c3 ! joinder which saves him from per i l .
8 d5 Black could force a draw b y playing
1 9 . . . Rxe5 20 Qxe5 Nh3+ 2 1 Kg2
9 exd5 Nf4+ etc.
Against 9 d3 Black can play 9 . . . d4 White to move
and if 10 cxd4 then 10 . . . Bg4 1 1
b c d e h
d 5 Nd4 with good attacking chances.
9 Bg4
10 dxc6
The continuation 1 0 h3 Bxf3 1 1
Qxf3 e4 1 2 Qe2 Na5 1 3 Bc2 Gxd5
1 4 Re1 RfeB 1 5 Bxe4 Nxe4 16 Gxe4
Qd7 1 7 Qf3 c5 would hardly be
satisfactory for White.
10 e4
11 d4 exf3
Position after 19 . . . g5
1 2 gxf3 Bh5
20 Nxh5 Qxh5
13 Bf4
21 e6 ! ! Qh3?
As w i l l be seen in the continuation
Black, after th is move, could force a This winn ing attempt could have had
draw. 13 Nd2 Bd6 14 Ne4 ReB 1 5 fatal results. Correct was 21 . . . Nxe6
Qd3 etc. offered more possibil ities. 22 Qe4! Nf4 23 Qf5 Re7 24 Qg4.
White can deal with the immediate
13 ReS
threats but the knight at f4 exerts
14 Be5 Bd6 intense pressure on h is position.
15 Nd2 Bxe5 22 exf7+ Kg7
16 dxe5 Nd5 If 22 . . . KfB then 23 Qc5+ Re7
17 Ne4 Nf4 24 Gxg5 and wins.

After 17 . . . Rxe5 1B Rad1 the pin 23 Od4+

on the queen's file would have been Perhaps this is sufficient to win but
un pleasant. With the text move simpler is 23 fxeB ( N ) + ! Kh6 (if 23
Black makes sure of a draw. . . . RxeB then 24 Qd4+ Kg6 25
1 8 Oe3 Qh4 Bf7+ ! , fol lowed by 26 Qd7+ and
wins) 24 Gxf4 gxf4 25 Rfe 1 Gxf3
19 Ng3 26 Re6+ Kg5 27 Rae1 and White
The only defence against 19 . . . Rxe5. wins comfortably.

Page 16
 Game 9 Ruy Lopez

23 0 0 . Re5' position to draw.

The only move because if 23 . . . 26 Rf8
Kg6 then 24 fxe8 (0)+ Rxe8 25
27 Re7 Oxf3
Bf7+ and w i ns
28 Rae1 Og4+
24 Oxe5+ Kg6
29 Kh1
25 Oxf4 gxf4
If 29 Kf1 then of course 29 . . . f3.
26 Rfel?
29 Qf3+
After 26 Bd5 Rf8 27 R fd 1 , followed
by 28 Rd3 Wh ite keeps excellent 30 Kg1 Og4+
winning chances. Now Black is i n a Drawn

GAME9

Cracow 1 942
Ruy Lopez
White: A. A L E K H I N E
Black: K . J U N G E

1 e4 e5 cxd4 Nxd4 1 1 Nxd4 Qxd4 1 2 Nc3

followed by 13 Be3 would also have
2 Nf3 Nc6
involved some difficulty for Black.
3 Bb5 a6
1 0 dxe4 Bg4
4 Ba4 Nf6
11 h3 Bh5
5 0-0 Be7
1 2 Bg5
6 Oe2 b5 Preventing 12 . . . Na5 which would
7 Bb3 0-0 be refuted by 13 g4 Bg6 14 Nxe5
simply w i n n i ng a pawn.
8 c3
12 NeB
In connection with the following
move this is a safe method of pre 13 Bxe7 Bxf3
paring to counter the aggressive If immediately 1 3 . . . Nxe7 then 1 4
plan of Black which was ind icated by g 4 etc.
h is seventh move.
14 Oxf3 Nxe7
8 d5
15 Rd1 Nd6
9 d3 ! dxe4
16 Nd2 c6
The opening of the queen's file is to
White's advantage. But 9 . . . d4 1 0 A better defensive idea would have

Page 1 7
Game 10 Ruy Lopez

been 1 6 . . . Kh8 i n order to be able after which Black's position could

to answer 1 7 Bc2 with 17 . . . c6 not be held.
and 17 Nf1 with 17 . . . f5. 24 f6! gxf6
1 7 Nf1 Oc7
25 Qh6 f5
18 a4! a b c d e f
The opening of the a-file in the Ruy
Lopez is, almost without exception,
favourable to White.
18 Rad8
19 Ng3 Nec8
20 axb5 axb5
21 Nf5
I n order to maintain, after the
possible exchange, a new weapon of
attack in the form of the pawn at f5.
Position after 25 . . f5
21 . . . Nb6
26 Bxf7 + !
22 Oe3! Nxf5
An elegant f i n i s h . Whether or n o t h e
After 22 . . . Nbc4 White would captures the bishop Black loses
acquire a decisive positional material.
advantage by means of 23 Bxc4 bxc4 Qxf7
26
24 Oc5!
27 Rxd8 Na4
23 exf5 c5
28 b3 !
It is already the end. To 23 . . . Nd5
If 28 . . . Nxc3 there follows 29 Raa8,
White would have replied 24 Qf3
Black resigned.

GAME10

Munich 1 942
Ruy Lopez

White: A. A L E K H I N E
Black: G. BARCZA

e4 e5 4 Ba4 Nf6
2 Nf3 Nc6 5 00 Be7
3 Bb5 a6 6 Nc3 b5
Page 1 8
 Game 10 Ruy Lopez

7 Bb3 dG 1G c5
8 Nd5 !? 1 7 dxc5 dxc5
With this interesting move I defeated 18 RaG:
Bogoljubov in the M u nich Tournam ent With the threat 19 Qa 1 .
last year. The correct continuation
for Black is 8 . . . Na5 when White 18 Bxd5
has at h is disposal no particularly 1 9 exd5 Qc8
advantageous I ine.
20 Oa1 Qb7
8 Bg4
21 b4!
9 c3 0-0
It w i l l no longer now be possible to
If Black had played . . . Nxe4 avoid 22 d6 etc.
either now or on his previous move
21 Rfb8
the reply d4! would have had a
demolishing effect. 22 dG Bd8

10 h3 ! 23 bxc5 ReS

Forcing the bishop to declare its plans 24 Ra2

at this stage is very precise. After
10 . . . Bh5 White would play 1 1 d3
without the l oss of time.
Br
10 BeG
11 d4 Kh8 !
Preparing against 1 2 Nxe7 which
would now be refuted by means
of 12 . . . Bxb3 13 Nxc6 Bxd1 1 4
Nxd8 Bxf3 etc.
12 Re1 Nd7
And not 12 . . . Na5 because of the
Position after 24 Ra2
reply 13 Nxe7 Nxb3 14 Nc6 Qd7 1 5
axb3, followed by 1 6 d5. 24 _ . . e4
1 3 Bc2 fG Veritable desperation. If 24 . . .
Nxc5 there fol l ows 25 Bxc5 Rxc5
14 a4 Na7
26 Be4 etc.
I f 1 4 . . . Rb8 then 15 axb5 axb5
16 Ra6 with a good game. 25 Bxe4 ! Oxe4

1 5 axb5 axb5 2G Bd4 Qg6

1G BeJ 27 Rxa7 Rxa7

28 Oxa7 Ne5
Again threatening 1 7 Nxe7, w i n n i ng
a piece. 29 Bxe5 Black resigns

Page 1 9
Game 1 1 Ruy Lopez

GAME 11

Prague 1 943
Ruy Lopez

White: F. SAMISCH
Black: A. A L E K H I N E

1 e4 e5 More common and perhaps

better is 9 . . . Bb7. The text move
2 Nf3 Nc6
in any case, provides White with a
3 Bb5 a6 problem which is not very easy to
4 Ba4 Nf6 resolve.

5 0-0 d6 10 dxe5
6 Re1 And - after forty-five m i n utes'
reflection! - Siimisch, dismayed,
Better would have been 6 Bxc6+,
decides upon a l iquidation which
followed by 7 d4.
hands over to Black a very peaceful
6 b5 game. Schmidt i n h is game against
7 Bb3 Na5 Keres at Salzburg 1 943 played the
proper manoeuvre: 10 Bd2 ! ,
The exchange of the White k ing's followed b y 1 1 Ba5. B l ack had to
bishop gives Black the present of make considerable efforts to
the best prospects of obta i n ing achieve a drawn game.
equality.
10 . .. Nxe5
8 d4 Nxb3
Not 10 . . . dxe5 because of 1 1 Qd5.
9 axb3 Nd7
11 Nxe5 dxe5
12 Oxd8+ Kxd8
a b c d e
The two bishops promise Black a
few remote prospects but the
exploitation of this advantage is
not an easy matter.
13 Be3 Bb7
14 Nd2
14 Nc3 would be simpler.
14 Bd6
15 f3 Ke7
16 Bf2 Ke6
Position after 9 . . . Nd7 17 Nf1 g6

Page 20
 Game 12 Ruy Lopez

It is evident that Black must attempt 25 Kf2 Rc6!

to open up the game in order to After this move White must make a
leave the field free for h is bishops. decision : yield to h i s opponent the
18 c3 a5 command of the queen's file or opt
I n order to prevent 1 9 b4, followed for a new restriction on the activity
of his pieces after 26 Be3 f4 etc. In
by Nd2-b3-c5.
this l atter case Black would also
19 Ra2 conserve excellent w i n n i ng chances.
This move has no effect. But it is 26 Bxd6 Rxd6
al ready d ifficult to ind icate a good
27 Re2?
defensive plan for White.
Losing immediately. In any case
19 Ra6
even if he had played 27 g3
20 Ne3 f5 (definitely not 27 Rxe5 Rd2+ 28
21 exf5+ gxf5 Re2 Rxg2+! w i n n i ng a piece),
which was the best move, he wou l d
22 Nc2 Kf7 ! not have saved the game. For
This prevents 23 Nd4+. In this instance, 2 7 . . . Bd5 28 Raa1 Bc4
position f7 is the best square for 29 Rad 1 Rgd8 30 Rxd6 Rxd6 and
the king. the entry of the rook to the seventh
23 b4 rank w i l l be decisive.

White, after strenuous efforts, w i l l 27 . . . Bd5

succeed i n exchanging o n e bishop This wins the exchange after 28
but i n the meantime Black will Ra 1 Bc4, and all further fight is
have secured other advantages. impossible.
23 a4 28 White resigns
24 Bc5 Rg8

GAME1 2

Gij6n 1944
Ruy Lopez

White: A. A L E KH I N E
Black: A . POM AR

e4 e5 3 Bb5 a6
2 Nf3 Nc6 4 Ba4 Nf6

Page 2 1
Game 12 Ruy Lopez

5 0-0 d6
6 c3
The only sure way of obta i n i ng a
slight advantage in space is 6 Bxc6+,
followed by 7 d4 but that day I was
in the mood to play with a more
complicated structure.
14 . . . c5 !
The right move, after which Black
will have nothing to fear on the
queen's side. But it remains to be
seen whether White will be able to
work up a sufficiently strong attack
against the ki ng's position.

6 Bg4 1 5 axb5 axb5

7 d4 b5 16 g4 Bg6
17 Nh4 Nd7
B Bb3 Be7
Black cannot take the king's pawn.
8 . . . Bxf3 9 gxf3 would have been
I f 17 . . . Bxe4? 1B Nxe4 Nxe4 19
disadvantageous for Black.
Nf5 Nf6 20 g5 Nd7 21 Qd3 Nf8 22
9 Be3 0-0 Oxb5 RaB 23 b4 and wins.
10 Nbd2 ReB 1 B Nf5 Bxf5
11 h3 Bh5
I I h
12 d5
This blockad ing of the position is
not bad but it can prove somewhat
premature. 12 a4 deserved to be
taken i nto serious consideration.
12 Na5
1 3 Bc2 ReB
14 a4
The opening of the a-file corresponds
to purely tactical ends but White has
no need to conduct the game on both Position after 18 . . . Bxf5
wings (this stratagem has won me 19 gxf5?
many a game but it should be used
with discretion and not misappl ied ) , The attack down the g-file will be
because the natural move 1 4 b4 sufficient to maintain the equil ibrium
would guarantee White an advantage but that is all. However with 19 exf5
after either 14 . . . Nc4 15 Nxc4 bxc4 Nc4 ! 20 Nxc4 bxc4 21 Ba4 Rf8 22
16 g4 Bg6 1 7 Nd2 or 14 . . . Nb7 1 5 Bxd7 Oxd7 23 Oa4 ! Ob7 24 Oxc4
c4 c 6 1 6 dxc6 Rxc6 1 7 cxb5 axb5 Oxb2 25 Rab1 Oa3 26 Rb7 Bd8 27
1 8 a 4 etc. Rfb1 White would have assured h im
self of lasting pressure.
19 Bg5!
*Understandable against a twelve-year
old opponent! E.G.W. 20 Oe2 c4
Page 22
 Game 12 Ruy Lopez

21 Kh1 Ra8 33 Oxg6

22 Rg1 Bxe3 34 Oe3?
23 Oxe3 Qf6 But here 34 Ocl is decidedly prefer
24 Rg4 Kh8 able, for instance: 34 . . . Og5 35 Rh6
Rg6 36 Oxg5 fxg5 37 Rxg6 Nxg6
25 Rag1 Rg8 38 Nh6 Kg7 3g Nf5+ Kf6 40 Bd l
26 Nf3 Nb7 and the bishop can at last be used.
27 Rh4 Ra6! 34 Og5
With the aim of util izing the 35 Rh6 Oxe3
knight at d7 for the defence with-
36 fxe3
out having to fear Ob6.
And not 36 Nxe3 because of 36 . . .
28 Qg5! Nd8 Rxgl + 37 Kxgl R a l + 38 Kh2 Ng6
Obviously he cannot exchange etc. with advantage to Black.
queens. 36 . . . Nd7
29 Oh5 Nf8 37 Rf1 Ra2
30 Nh2 This is good but not the best.
With 30 Ng5 White could force Black would have conserved winning
the reply 30 . . . h6 but the attack chances by protecting the f-pawn
cannot break through in any case with 37 . . . Nf7. For example 37
since he has two serious weaknesses: . . . Nf7 38 Rh5 Rg6 39 Rf5 Kg7 and
firstly the fact that it is i m possible White's position would remain
to employ the bishop and secondly seriously threatened.
Black's latent threat to play . . . Ra2. 38 Nxf6 Nxf6
The text manoeuvre w i l l practically
39 R hxf6 Rxb2
oblige Black to play . . . g6 and w i l l ,
in a few moves, re-establish a 40 Bd1 Rgg2
balanced position. 41 BfJ Rg3
30 g6 42 B g4 Rgg2
31 Oh6 Og7 43 Ra1 Rh2+
32 Ng4 f6 44 Kg1 Rhg2+
33 fxg6 45 Kf1 Rh2
The simplest because if the queen
retreats the move 33 . . . Nf7 would
give Black a defence that would be
more than sufficient. Black is forced
to recapture with the queen because
33 . . . Nxg6 would be fatal on
account of 34 Nxf6 !

Page 23
Game 12 Ruy Lopez

White to move 51 Be2 Nf7

52 Kd2 Rxb4
White was threatening 53 Kc3,
followed by 54 Kb3 and 55 Bd3.
53 Rxc2 Ng5
54 Rc7+ Kg6
55 Kc3 Ra4
56 Bb5?
Out of all danger, White makes a
miscalculation after which Black
should win easily. The logical
Position after 45 . . . Rh2 continuation was 56 Bd3 Rxh3 57
RfB with a certai n draw.
U p until here the game has been
fairly well conducted by both sides 56 Nxe4+
and after 46 Kgl Black should con 57 Kb3 Raa2
tent himself with a draw. But my
58 Rg1+
next move which avoids such a
result is real l unacy and deserves to When I played 56 Bb5? I thought I
lose the game. could now continue with 58 Bd3
but unfortunately this move is
46 Ke1??
impossible on account of 58 . . .
Playing for the advantar,J in this Rhb2+ 59 Kc4 Ra4 mate.
position is sheer suicide. After 46
. . . Nb7 47 Rf7 R h l + 48 Rfl Rxfl + 58 Kh6
49 Kxfl Nc5, Black would have 59 Rb1 Rad2
achieved a winning position. He could also win by 59 . . . Nc5+ or
46 . . - b4 59 . . . Raf2. followed by 60 . . .
Rxh3.
Although this advance seems to have
all the appearance of something 60 Bd7 Rxd5
momentous, it actually allows 61 Kc4
White to extricate himself from his
difficult situation.
47 cxb4 c3
48 Rc1 h5!
48 . . . c2 would have been ineffect
ive because of 49 Rf2.
49 Bd1 ! Kg7
50 Rf1 c2

Page 24
 Game 13 Ruy Lopez

Black to move striking successes. I n fact 61 . . .

b h Rdd2 would be simple and
decisive. I f 62 Rc6 (to prevent 62
. . . d5+) then 62 . . . Rhe2 etc.
62 Kxd5 Rxc7
63 Kxe4 Rxd7
64 h4! d5+!
Otherwise White would, after 65
Kd5, be in an advantageous position,
despite being a pawn down.
65 Kxe5 Re7+
66 Kf5 Rxe3
Position after 61 Kc4
67 R b6+ Kh7
61 . . Rc2+
68 Rd6 Re4
With a won game and free from any
danger, Pomar plays for a draw! This 69 Rd7+ Kh6
demonstrates h is uncertainty and 70 Rd6+ Kg7
his lack of self-confidence, and he
w i l l have to fight to overcome this
71 Rd7+
defect if h e desires to achieve Drawn

GAME1 3

Munich 1 94 1 ( F i rst B r i l l iancy

Prize)
Ruy Lopez
White: A. A L E K H I N E
Black: H . ROHACEK

1 e4 e5 8 dxe5 Be6

2 Nf3 Nc6 9 c3 Be7

3 Bb5 a6 10 a4 ! ?
4 Ba4 Nf6 Preparing for t h e forthcomi n g pawn
sacrifice. The most energetic of the
5 00 Nxe4
replies is 10 . . . b4 which entails
6 d4 b5 very com pi icated variations on
7 Bb3 d5 which the last word has not yet been

Page 25
Game 13 Ruy Lopez

spoken. I n any case the analysis of advantage it becomes clear that he

this position by Dr. Euwe is neither will be obliged to renounce castl ing.
complete nor very convincing. 17 KfB
10 . . Rb8 1 8 Bf4 Nbd6
After this move the sacrifice is ful l y The threat was 19 Bxc7.
justified a s is shown b y t h e game
1 9 Nd2
which , for this reason alone, has a
certain theoretical value. Black to move

11 axb5 axb5
12 Nd4!
As will be seen, this sacrifice assures
White of the i n itiative for a long
time.
12 Nxe5
13 f3
Now 1 3 f4 would lead to nothing
after 13 . . . Bg4 14 Oc2 Nc4!
13 Nc5
Position after 19 Nd2
14 Bc2
19 9517
Here the attempt to win the exchange
would be harmful for White. For This move contains more poison
exam ple : 14 f4 Nxb3 15 Oxb3 Nd3 than is apparent. Black, to be sure,
16 Nc6 ( 1 6 f5 Bd7 would recover will be forced to sacrifice the
the pawn but would leave Black exchange, but as compensation he
with the advantage of the two will achieve a certain advantageous
bishops) Bc5+ 1 7 Kh 1 Oh4 1 8 NxbB position on the Black squares. With
Nf2+ 19 Rxf2 Oxf2 20 Oxb5+ Ke7 a peaceful continuation l ike 1 9 . . .
21 Nc6+ Kf6 and wins. But now Nxd2 White would not have en
White does threaten 15 f4. countered any difficulty i n intensify
ing his pressure. For instance: 20
14 Bd7
Oxd2 Nc4 2 1 Oe2 Bf6 22 Ra7 ! ReB
15 b4 23 Bd3 and if now 23 . . . c5 then 24
With the object of continuing the Bxc4 cxd4 25 Bxd5 dxc3 26 Bd6+
attack after 15 . . . Ne6 with 1 6 Nf5. KgB 27 Bxf7+ Kxf7 28 Oe6+ Kg6
29 Rxd7 Ob6+ 30 Kh 1 with decisive
15 Nb7 threats.
1 6 Qe2 Nc4 20 Nxc4 ! gxf4
17 Re1
Disadvantageous for Black would be
Once Black has acquired his first 20 . . . Nxc4 21 Bxc7 and 20 . . . bxc4

Page 26
 Game 13 Ruy Lopez

(or 20 . . . dxc4) 21 Be5 ! Black to move

21 Ne5!
This threatens in particu lar the
square c6 which Black is i n no
position to defend effectively (if
2 1 . . . Rb6 then 22 Ra8 and wins).
21 ... Bf6 !
This is the move which places the
most obstacles before his opponent.
22 Ndc6 Bxc6
23 Nxc6 Qc8
24 Nxb8 OxbB Position after 27 Bb3
Black now threatens (after, for 27 Bxc3
instance, the plausible move 25 Od3)
28 Oc1 !
to consolidate his position by play
ing 25 . . . c6, after which White's The prosaic continuation 28 Ree l
advantage - if advantage there be - Bxd2 29 Rxc6 d4 30 Rxc7 Bxb4
would in any case be d i fficult to would have left Black opportunities
exploit. H is decision to seek a of a d raw i n view of the paucity of
solution by means of a combination material . The text move threatens 29
is consequently amply justified. Bxd5 and at the same time forces
25 Od2! the advance of this pawn, which cuts
the communication of the bishop
Here the complications begin, com with the ki ng's side.
pl ications d ifficult to calculate. The
square f4 must be taken at all cost! 28 . . . d4

25 Ob6+ After the moves 28 . . . Nf5 29 Bxd5

Ng3+ 30 hxg3 Oh6+ 3 1 Kg1 the
26 Kh1 Oc6 White k i ng would have escaped to e2.
27 Bb3! 29 Oxf4
The pawn at c3 could not be This sacrificial combination de
defended in a d irect way. The text manded preCise calculation i n the
move prepares in the main variation following variations:
for an unexpected rook sacrifice.
(a) 29 . . . Nc4 30 Bxc4 (al lowing
Black to obtai n two strong passed
pawns) bxc4 31 Oe5! Rg8 32 b5 !
Ob7 33 Oc5+ Kg7 34 Og5+ Kf8 35
Oh6+ Rg7 36 Oa6 ! ! Oxa6 37 bxa6
Rg8 38 a7 Kg7 39 Reb1 !, fol lowed
by 40 Rb8.

Page 27
Game 14 Ruy Lopez

( b ) 29 . . . Bxe 1 30 R xe 1 ! (tempting 29 . . d3
but sufficient only for a draw is 30 After this move White has an easy
Oh6+ Kg8 3 1 Rc 1 ! ? with the idea task because the pretty l i beration
of 31 . . . Bc3 32 Qg5+ Kf8 33 Qf6 imagined by Black has no effect.
Rg8 34 Bxf7 ! but Black can escape
by 31 . . . Qe8! 32 Rc5 Bd2! 33 30 Rec1 d2
Oxd2 Oe3! etc . ) Oc3 31 Oe5 Rg8 32 31 Rc2 Oa6!
Bd5 with a winning attack because 32 Rd1 Bg7
on 32 . . . Qxb4 there follows 33
Oe7+ Kg7 34 Bxf7 ! and on 32 . . . 33 Rxc7 Black resigns
Oc2 33 g4! d3 34 Ra 1 and wins.

GAME 1 4

Madrid 1945
Ruy Lopez
White: A. POM AR
Black: F.J. P E R EZ

e4 e5 12 Nc3 Qd6
2 Nf3 Nc6 13 Qf3
3 Bb5 a6 With the evident threat of 14 Bf4,
4 Ba4 Nf6 followed by 1 5 Bxc7 and 1 6 Nd5
etc.
5 Nc3 Be7
13 c6
6 Bxc6
14 Be3!
An original idea of Pomar's, seeking
to assure himself of a slight This move is more ingenious (and.
positional advantage and avoid the doubtless, of greater strength ) than
danger of losing. 14 Bf4. If Black replies 14 . . . b6,
then 15 Na4 Bd8 16 Bf4 Qf6 1 7
6 dxc6
Og3 Be6 1 8 Bc7 with advantage.
7 Nxe5 Nxe4
14 Be6?
8 Nxe4 Od4
This is a mistake in an al ready
9 00 Qxe5 difficult position.
10 Re1 c5
This is relatively best.
11 d3 0.()

Page 28

White to move
Position after 14 . . . Be6
15 Rad1
A pity ! White fails to exploit the
advantage he has acquired. With 1 5
Na4 h e could win a pawn and
theoretically the game. The text
move, played with visions of
opening the queen's file and trying
an attack against the king's
position which is in no way
weakened, cannot lead to more
than equality.
15 Oc7
16 d4 Bd6
17 Qh5
Trying to compl icate the position
without any justifiable motive.
How much better and simpler
would be 17 h3 cxd4 1 8 Bxd4 c5
19 Be3 etc . ! Black would have
been incapable of holding on to
the advantage of the two bishops
for very long.
17 ... cxd4
More effective would be 1 7 . . . c4
since the l iquidation after 18 d5
would lead only to an equal
position.
Game 14 Ruy Lopez
18 Rxd4?
A grave tactical error after which
B l ack will seize the i n itiative. After
18 Bxd4 Black would have nothing
better than to yield a draw by play
ing 1 8 . . . c5 1 9 Bxg7 etc. because
the reply to 18 . . . Be7 would be
19 Rd3, guaranteeing White a real
attack.
18 . . . f5 !
The only move, according to
Pomar. Without any doubt this is the
most powerful response as it sup
presses any hope of attack. But 1 8
. . . Rfe8 was playable too, for
example: 19 Rh4 h6 and 20 Bxh6
is impossible because of 20 . . . Bg4 !
19 Bc1
A sad retreat after which Black
obtains an easy game. White should
at least have el im i nated one of the
bishops by playing 19 Bf4. After 19
. . . Bxf4 20 Rxe6 Be5 2 1 Rd3 g6
22 Oe2! Black would not have been
able to play 22 . . . Bxh2+ 23 Kh 1
because the double threat of 24 g3
and 24 Re7 could not be parried.
19 Rae8
20 Red1
20 Rdd 1 would be of greater value
but i n any case the advantage of the
two bishops is already lamentable.
20 Be5
21 R4d3 f4
22 Ne4 Bf5
23 Qf3 Oe7!
It would have been premature to
play 23 . . . Bxb2 on account of 24
Bxb2 Rxe4 25 Oxe4! Bxe4 26 R d 7 .
Page 29
Game 15 Ruy Lopez

24 Re1 29 Rd7+ Kg8

This loses a piece. With 24 R3d2 he and Black wins comfortably.
could save it but the position after
This g1me is of double interest. In
24 . . . Bb8 25 Ob3+ Kh8 26 f3
the first pl ace because Pomar knew
Bxe4 27 fxe4 Ba7+ 28 K h 1 Oxe4
how to impose himself on his
would also be lost.
mighty opponent with a variation
24 Bb8 invented and analysed by h imself.
25 Rd4 c5 Secondly, after letting slip the win
ning opportunity on the fifteenth
26 Rd2 Bxe4
move he proves that at the present
27 Ob3+ Of7! moment i n his development he lacks
Otherwise White would recover the the wisdom to understand the latent
piece with 2B f3. value of the two bishops. Should it
be possible to procure them it
28 Oxf7+ Kxf7 ! would be very profitable for h i m to
And not 28 . . . Rxf7 because of 29 study the best games of Janowsky.
Rde2, followed by 30 f3.

GAME 1 5

Warsaw 1 942
Ruy Lopez

White: ROPSTO R F F
Black: E . BOGOLJUBOV

1 e4 e5 7 Nc3! 0-0
2 Nf3 Nc6 8 Be3 Ng4
3 Bb5 a6 9 Nd5 f5
4 Ba4 Nf6 1 0 0-0 Kh8
5 d3 d6 11 Bc2 Bf6
6 c4 1 1 . . . f4 was to be considered here
as a preparation for a pawn attack.
A system which, thirty years ago,
For example: 12 Bd2 g5 13 Bc3 Nh6
enjoyed the favour of the Bohemian
champion Duras but which has been .1 4 d4 Nf7 etc. B t 1t was also .
ma m ta m the tension
demonstrated to be totally inoffensiv e. mterest m g to
In this game too Black manages to get and await developments.
a good position without difficulty. 1 2 d4
6 ... Be7 A correct and very dynamic move.

Page 30
 Game 15 Ruy Lopez

12 exd4 White to move

b c d
13 Bxd4 fxe4
Bogoljubov does not want to submit
himse.lf to a cautious l i ne, as in the
case of 13 . . . Bxd4 1 4 Nxd4 fxe4
15 h3! Nf6 16 Nxc6 bxc6 1 7 Nxf6
Qxf6 18 Bxe4 RbB, and prefers to
launch into the hazardous gain of a
pawn.
14 Bxf6
1 4 Bxe4 would be a mistake owing
to 14 . . . Bxd4 1 5 Nxd4 Oh4 etc.
Position after 22 . . . Bf5
14 Nxf6
23 Nf4 Kh7
1 5 Nxf6 Oxf6
24 Bxf5 Nxf5
16 Bxe4 Oxb2
If 24 . . . gxf5 there would follow
17 Ng5 ! g6
25 Rg6 with decisive effect.
After 1 7 . . . h6 there follows 1 8
25 Rxg6 Od4
Oh5, gaining material.
26 Oc1
18 Rb1 Of6
Maintaining the chief threat 27 Ne6.
1 9 Od2 h6
26 Rg8
20 Nh3 Kg7
27 Rd1 Oh8?
21 Rb3 Nd4
Now there is no possible hope. It
22 Rg3 Bf5?
was absolutely essential to play 27
This apparently plausible move is . . . Oe5 28 R e 1 Od4 29 Ne6 with
revealed to be a fatal decision. The possibly a draw (if 29 R d 1 Oe5)
right move is 22 . . . Nf5 23 Rf3 through the continuation 29 . . .
Od4 24 Oc2 ReB ! with better Qd31 30 Rxg8 Rxg8 and now after
fighting chances for Black. 3 1 Nxc7 013 White would even find
himself in danger of defeat.
28 Rxg8 Rxg8
29 Ob1
Decisive.
29 Rf8
30 Ne6
30 Rd5 also wins.
30 . . . Rf7

Page 31
Game 16 Ruy Lopez

31 Nd4 Qf6 38 Oe8+ Kg7

32 g4 Og5 39 Nh5+ Kg6
33 Nxf5 Oxg4+ 40 Qg8+ Black resigns
34 Ng3+ Kg8 A game played with the strong
energetic i n itiative which is
35 Re1 KfB
characteristic of the representative
36 Qb2 Og7 of Cracow.
37 Oe2 Qd4

GAME 1 6

Second match game, New York 1 942

Ruy Lopez
White: I. KASHDAN
Black: S. R ES H E VSKY

e4 e5 h imself obliged to proceed slowly

2 Nf3 Nc6
3 Bb5 a6
4 Ba4 d6
The Steinitz Defence Deferred,
which is certainly playable but
requi res on Black's part exception
ally precise and circu mspect play .
5 c3
An old method which has the
tendency of establishing a pawn
centre by means of d4. More usual
at present is 5 Bxc6+ bxc6 6 d4 f6
or else 5 c4 as played by Kashdan i n
the fourth match game.
5 Bd7
6 d4 Nge7
The alternative is 6 . . . g6. Either
one of these moves has its draw
backs: Black either creates weak
nesses on h is ki ng's side or finds
and laboriously i n the advance of
his pieces. This allows White to
establish h is mob i l i zation plan in
total security.
7 Bb3!
With the strong threat of 8 Ng5
which practically forces Black's
next move.
7 h6
8 Be3 Ng6
If 8 . . . g5? (Ahues-Rubinstein, San
Remo, 1 930). there follows 9 Bxg5!
hxg5 10 Nxg5 with a strong attack
for the piece sacrificed. Nor is 8
. . . g6 effective in resolving all
Black's difficulties; for example 9
Na3 Bg7 10 Od2 and Black sti l l has
not succeeded in solving the pro
blem of his k i ng.
9 Nbd2

Page 32
 Game 16 Ruy Lopez

14 Bc2 0-0
1 5 Nf1 Bb5
16 Bd3 f5 !
With this move, the logical con
sequence of the preced ing tactics,
Reshevsky finally manages to
equalize the game. But unfortunate
ly for him he imagines that h is
position offers chances of playing
for a win and this error will quickly
lead h i m into a blind alley.
Position after 9 Nbd2
1 7 dxe5 Bxd3+
9 ... Qf6! 18 Qxd3
This queen sortie, so unusual in this
phase of the game, i n this case Black to move
offers, relatively, the best chances
of equalizing the game.
10 Qe2 Be7
11 0-0-0
After this move White will have no
advantage left. Worth more serious
consideration was the move 1 1 g3
so as to answer 1 1 . . . Bh3 with 1 2
0-00, followed by 1 3 Rdg1 and
eventually g4. It would have been
difficult for Black to maintain h is
queen's bishop whereas now it is he
Position after 18 Oxd3
who will (although certainly for a
rather l im ited period of time) have 18 ... fxe4?
the advantage of the two bishops. There is no possible explanation for
11 Nf4 this move as Black has not taken
into consideration his opponent's
1 2 Bxf4 Qxf4
twentieth move. After 18 . . . Oxe4
13 Kb1 Na5 19 Ng3 Oxd3+ 20 Rxd3 Nc6 the
This is not the commencement of an game would have had to end as a
attack but a l ittle trick, the purpose draw.
of which is the defence of his d5 1 9 Qd5+ Kh8
square which was gravely threatened
by the White knight ( N f 1 , followed 20 Rd4 dxe5?
by Bc2 and Ne3 etc.). A pawn was lost irremediably and

Page 33
Game 17 Ruy Lopez

in consequence, theoretically, the Threatening, apart from the knight,

game. Nevertheless it is incredible
that a fighter of Reshevsky's
category d id not try to take
advantage of the practical chances,
either in the middlegame after 20
. . . Nc6 2 1 Rxe4 Of5 22 Ng3 Qg6,
or in the ending after 20 . . . c6
21 Oxe4! (21 Oxa5 c5 ! ) Oxe4+ 22
Rxe4 d5 etc. Clearly the m istake
on the eighteenth move has been
fatal for him and has made him lose
his equanimity.
21 Nxe5
a deadly check. The rest is an agony
that Black could have spared himself:
21 . . . Rf6
22 Rxe4 Oxf2 23 Oxa5 Rb6 24 Nd3
Oxg2 25 Ng3 Bd6 26 Re2 Oc6 27
Ne5 Oe8 28 Od5 Bxe5 29 Oxe5 Og6+
30 Of5 Qd6 31 Rhe1 Rg8 32 ReS
Og6 33 Rxg8+ Kxg8 34 Oxg6 Rxg6
35 Re7 Rc6 36 Kc2 g6 37 Kd3 h5
38 Ne4 a5 39 Kd4 a4 40 Ke5 Rb6
41 Rxc7 Rxb2 42 Kf6 Rb6+ 43
Kg5 Kf8 44 a3 Rb3 45 Kxg6 Ke8
46 Rxb7 Rxa3 47 c4 Black resigns

GAME 1 7

Fourth match game, New York 1 942

Ruy Lopez
White: I. KASHDAN
Black: S. R ESH EVSKY
1 e4 e5 7 d4 exd4
2 Nf3 Nc6 8 Nxd4 Nxd4?
3 Bb5 a6 Why this haste to exchange developed
4 Ba4 d6 pieces? Ind icated was 8 . . . Be7,
followed by 9 . . . 00.
5 c4
9 Bxd7+ Oxd7
A good continuation which
assures White of a harmonious 10 Qxd4 Be7
development of h is pieces. 11 0-0 0-0
5 Bd7 12 b3
6 Nc3 Nf6
This simple development of the
king's side pieces is not censurable
but better prospects are offered here
by the fianchetto of the king's
bishop: 6 . . . g6 7 d4 Bg7 8 Be3
exd4 9 Nxd4 Nge 7.

Page 34

Position after 12 b3
12 ... Rfe8
This is decidedly too passive because
withdrawing the bishop to fB takes
away for a long time a strong
prospect of activity. In Black's place
I would have played 12 . . . c6,
creating a weakness more imaginary
than real. The denial of the point
d5 to the White knight would have
increased considerably Black's
freedom to manoeuvre. After either
13 Bb2 or 13 Bg5 h6 1 4 Bh4 Rfe8
etc. he would have had greater
chances than in the actual game.
13 Bb2 Bf8
14 Rad1 ReG
The idea of doubling the rooks on
the e-file is hardly a happy one.
Logical would be 14 . . . R ad 8 and
i f 15 f3 then 15 . . . c6 !
15 Rfe1 Rae8
If 1 5 . . . g6 then 16 e5 and White
stands better.
16 f3 Kh8
A valueless move but the position is
al ready very difficult. A l ittle better
would have been 16 . . . Oc8 with
Game 1 7 Ruy Lopez
the intention of . . . c6. Also
inferior would be 16 . . . g6 1 7 Nd5
Bg7 18 Oa7 ! Oc8 1 9 Nf4 R6e7 20 c5
etc. with marked superiority.
17 Ne2 Oc8
18 Qf2
The knight is going to occupy a
formidable position at f5. Black has
a strategically lost game but not
because of the path chosen i n
p rinciple. H is error consists o f a lack
of resolution and of any defined plan
at the moment of beginning the
battle. Fifty years ago this kind of
defeat due to insufficient space was
very frequent and the present game
could easily h ave been conducted
(as White) by Dr. Tarrasch. Nowadays
such defeats are less frequent and, i n
the case o f a master o f the strength
and mettle of Reshevsky, they are
an exception.
18 Nd7
19 Nd4 R6e7
20 Qg3 f6
21 Nf5 ReG
22 h4
This pawn w i l l guarantee once and
for all the position of the knight
or else (as occurs i n the game) w i l l
serve t o open u p a way against
the defence of the Black k ing.
22 . . . b5
A perfectly inoffensive counter
demonstration which, in view of the
rooks' lack of action, merely creates
fresh weaknesses.
23 cxb5 axb5
24 h5 Oa6
Page 35
Game 1 7 Ruy Lopez

25 a3 c5 33 Bb2
26 Rd5 Ne5 With the irresistible threat of 34 f5.
27 Red1 33 Bg7
Threatening 28 Rxd6. 34 f5 Bxb2
27 Nf7 Or 34 . . . gxf5 35 Bxg7 Kxg7 36
28 Oh4 Nh5+ Kf8 37 exf5 (even stronger
than-37 Nf6) Rh6 38 Qg4 and wins.
Black to move
35 fxe6 Rxe6
36 Og4
Removing from Black his last
illusions. On 36 . . . Re7 or 36 . . .
Oc8 the rejoinder 37 Nf5 is at once
decisive.
36 ReS
37 Od7 Rd8
38 Oe7 Rf8
,. 39 Rf1 Be5

Position after 28 Qh4 40 Rd3 Oc8

28 . Ne5 41 Rdf3 Oe8
Permitting the advance of the h-pawn 42 Rxf7 Oxe7
is an act of desperation entirely 43 Rxe7 Bxg3
justified by the situation. In fact
44 Rxf8+ Kxf8
after 28 . . . h6 29 Qg4 ! Black
would have been completely 45 Rb7 c4
paralysed and White would easily 46 bxc4 Black resigns
have opened up a path with b4, i f
necessary after o n e o r two pre This game is of great didactic
paratory moves. Now Kashdan interest. It demonstrates i n a very
proceeds to the execution with convincing way the dangers of
precision and energy. positions with a l i m ited field of
action (although without a weak
29 f4! Nf7 ness) and also the way to take
30 h6 g6 advantage of this drawback. It was
a defeat (but also a victory) that
Evidently forced.
was well deserved.
31 Bxf6+ Kg8
32 Ng3 Bxh6

Page 36
 Game 18 Ruy Lopez

GAME 1 8

Buenos Aires 1 939

Ruy Lopez
White: W. C R U Z (Brazil)
Black: F. APSCH E N E E K
(Latvia )

e4 e5 sl ightest positional compensation.

Nc6 Still indicated was 8 . . . Bd7,
2 Nf3
followed by 9 . . . 0-0-0.
3 Bb5 a6
9 Be3 0-0
4 Bxc6
10 Nf5
This variation, especia l l y in con
nection with 5 d4 and the sub Of course!
sequent exchange of queens, has 10 . . . Bxe3
practically been abandoned for some 10 . . . Bb4+ would be no better;
years since i t has been shown that 1 1 c3 Bxf5 12 cxb4 etc. with
Black not only has nothing to fear advantage to White.
i n the resulting ending but that,
thanks to his pair of bishops, he 11 Nxe3
possesses certain winning chances. From now onwards any exchange
that does not alter the pawn
4 dxc6
structure will favour White because
5 d4 exd4 it will facil i tate the exploitation of
6 Oxd4 Oxd4 his extra pawn on the king's side.
7 Nxd4 Nf6? 11 Be6
This is an inferior move since 1 2 Nc3 Rad8
White's e4 square can easily be 13 0-0 Rfe8
protectedwhile the knight has only
very small prospects at f6. The 14 Rad1 Bc8
correct plan consists of occupying 1 5 Rfe1
the two centre files with the rooks,
15 RxdB RxdB 16 R d 1 etc. would
not reducing the forces (particularly
be an excellent manoeuvre in
maintaining the two bishops) and
accordance with the above note. But
gradually restricting the enemy
White is anxious to obtain something
pieces. For example 7 . . . Bd7,
more than a simple pawn majority
followed by . . . 0-0-0, Ne7-g6, Bd6,
and hopes that h is opponent will give
RheB with a promising game.
him opportunities for it. Often such
8 f3 Bc5? tactics serve only to give the
Now the exchange of one of the opponent chances of a counter
bishops is necessary without the attack.

Page 37
Game 18 Ruy Lopez

15 g6 29 Rh1 Rxh1
16 Kf2 Kg7 30 Nxh1
1 7 g4 h5 After 30 Rxh 1 Ra8, followed by 31
18 h3 Rh8 . . . f6 Black would not necessarily
be lost either.
19 Kg3
30 axb3
The exchange of rooks on the
queen's file was sti l l ind icated . The 31 axb3 Ra8?
attempt to advance the central Now Black overplays h is hand and
pawns merely results i n giving more forgets that his k i ng can fall into a
opportunities to the enemy bishop. mating net. After the attack on
19 Nd7 White's e5 with 3 1 . . . f6 32 exf6+
Kxf6 the bishop would be superior
20 f4 Nc5
to the knight and this circumstance
21 e5 a5 would compensate for White's
22 Nc4 advantage on the king's side.

With the purpose of exchanging the

32 Nf2 Ra2
Black knight which has suddenly Logical but fatal. 32 . . . Kf8 33
found an excellent observation Ne4 Ke7 etc. would offer a better
post. chance of salvation.
22 b6
23 Nd2 hxg4
24 hxg4 Rh7
25 Nde4 Nxe4+
Reasonable chances at least would
have been provided by playing 25
. . . RdhB 26 Nf2 etc.
26 Nxe4 Rdh8
27 Nf2 Be6
28 b3
Position after 32 . . . Ra2
With the object of answering 28 . . .
Bd5 with 29 c4. 33 Ne4!

28 . . . a4 A correct pawn sacrifice which

The reduction of forces on the
queen's flank cannot be condemned,
especially as the manoeuvre is
related to the possible exploitation
of the a-file.
permits the decisive invasion of the
enemy fortress by the White army.
33 . . . Bd5
Or 33 . . . Rxc2 34 Rd8 with the
inevitable threat of 35 Nf6.

Page 38
 Game 19 Ruy Lopez

34 Nf6 Rxc2 40 Kf6?

35 Ra1 ! White is anxious to play a
The key to the offensive 'brill iant' move and scorns the
stratagem which forces the entry of easy w i n n i ng l ine which was 40
the White rook to the eighth rank. e6! fxe6 4 1 ReB (or 4 1 Rd8).

35 Rc3+ 40 . . . c5

36 Kh4 Bg2 The last m istake. He could have

played 40 . . . Bd5 with the double
The only way of defending against threat of 4 1 . . . Bxb3 and 41 . . .
the mate that was looming but
c5. I f then 4 1 b4 he would play
White has at his disposal other
41 . . . c5 42 RdB Bc6 etc. and
means of attacking which cannot
would be saved.
all be parried.
41 Kxf7
37 RaB Rh3+
Indirectly protecting the rook by
3B Kg5 RhB
the threat of 46 Nf6+ Kh6 47 g5
39 NeB+ Kh7 mate. Black's reply is forced.
White to move
41 RfB+
42 KxfB Bxa8
43 Nf6+ KhB
44 f5 g5
Or 44 . . . gxf5 45 g5, followed by
46 g6 and 4 7 g7 mate.
45 e6 Bc6
46 Nd7 Black resigns

Position after 39 . . . Kh7

GAME 1 9

Munich 1 94 1
Ruy Lopez
White: G. K I E N I N G E R
Black: A. A L E K H I N E

e4 e5 3 Bb5 Bc5
2 Nf3 Nc6 4 c3 Qf6

Page 39
Game 19 Ruy Lopez
5 0-0
Better is 5 d4 and if 5 . . . exd4
then 6 e 5 ! Against 5 d4 I had the
intention of playing 5 . . . Bd6?
but is is evident that in this case
too White would have remained
with greater freedom of action. On
the other hand the text move does
not offer more than l i m ited
difficulties.
5 Nge7
6 d3
The continuation given by Bilguer
6 d4 exd4 7 Bg5 Qg6 B Bxe 7 Nxe 7
9 cxd4 Bb6 1 0 Nc3 0-0 1 1 Bd3
does not, in my view, offer any
danger to Black if he continues with
1 1 . . . d6 12 e5 Qh6 etc.
6 h6
7 Nbd2 0-0
8 Nc4 Ng6
Position after 8 . . . Ng6
9 d4
As a consequence of the exchanges
which result from this move Black
obtains a very appreciable
advantage in space. Correct would
Page 40
be 9 b4 Bb6 (if 9 . . . Be7 then 1 0
Ne3) 1 0 a4 a6 1 1 Nxb6 cxb6 1 2 Bc4
d6 13 Be3 Nf4 and after this White
cannot play 14 Bxb6 because of 1 4
. . . Bh3! 1 5 N e 1 Qg6 1 6 Qf3 Bg4
etc. but his position is nonetheless
slightly preferable.
9 exd4
10 Bxc6 dxc6 !
11 Nxd4
Necessary because after 1 1 cxd4
the double pin 1 1 . . . RdB 1 2 Be3
Bg4 would have had very d isagree
able consequences.
11 --- ReS
But now the direct threat against
the e-pawn is more effective than
1 1 . . . Rd8.
12 Nb3
The lesser of two evils because if
1 2 . . . Rxe4 then 1 3 Qd3 etc. But
the fact is that now the White
knights will have a restricted field
of action.
12 Bf8
13 Oc2
Against the plausible move 1 3 f3
Black would simply have played 1 3
. . . Be6 1 4 Ne3 Rad8 1 5 Oc2 Nh4
16 Nd4 Bc8 and would have achieved
a co-ordination of his forces that
would h ave been fu l l of promise.
The text move (which eventually
prepares for f4) allows him to hold
up more effectively the White
queen's side development.
13 Oe6!
14 Ncd2 Nh4
15 f3 c5!
 Game 19 Ruy Lopez

Neither 15 . . . Qg6 16 Nc4 nor 1 5 18 Bd6

. . . Bd6 (threatening 1 6 . . . Nxg2)
After 1 8 . . . Re6 19 Nf1 Rg6+ 20
16 Nd4, followed by 17 Nc4 would
Ng3 h5 21 Qg2 Qxg2+ 22 Kxg2 h4
have brought a substantial
23 f4 White would have freed him
advantage. The text move prepares
self without great discomfort.
for . . . Bd6 and at the same time for
an eventual . . . Rd8, followed by 19 Nf1
the occupation of the square d3. To 19 Nc4 Black would have replied
1 6 Rd1 19 . . . Re6, forcing the exchange
sacrifice 20 Rxd6 and after 20 . . .
This move - i n reality practically
cxd6 2 1 Qf2 he would have
forced in order to give the knight a
continued the attack by 21 . . . f5
square - allows Black to create a
without its force being lessened.
sacrificial combination.
19 Qxf3
Black to move
20 Rd3
d
20 Qd3 would be useless on account
of 20 . . . Oxd3, followed lay 21 . . .
c4.
20 Oxe4
21 Rd2 Qh4!
22 Rg2 Bh3
23 Qf2

Black to move

Position after 16 Rd1

16 . . Nxg2!
Because otherwise White would
play 17 Nf1 with a defendable
position.
17 Kxg2 Qh3+
18 Kg1
Against 1 8 Kh 1 Bd6 19 f4 (so as to
be able to save himself after 1 9 . . .
Bxf4 20 N f 1 Qf3+ 2 1 Qg2 Oxd 1 Position after 23 Qf2
22 Bxf4 etc.) Black had prepared
this pretty variation: 19 . . . Bf5 23 . Qe4!
20 R e 1 (if 20 exf5 then 20 . . . Re2) Now Black can proceed to the
Bxf4 21 N f 1 Bxe4+ and wins. l iqu idation because he obtains
Page 4 1
Game 20 Four Knights Game

sufficient advantage for the ending. 34 Re1 Bxe3

Nevertheless the agility of his rooks,
35 Rxe3 Rg4+
which accelerate considerably the
denouement, should be noted. 36 Rg3 Rxc4

24 Bd2 Oxg2+ 37 Rf3 Rd6

25 Oxg2 Bxg2 38 Bf4

26 Kxg2 Re2+ After 38 Rf2 Black wins with the

same ease by playing 38 . . . b5 with
27 Kf3 Rae8 the threat of 39 . . . b4.
Despite the exchange of queens
38 Rd1
Black keeps attacking possibilities.
39 Ne2 Ra1
28 Rd1 b6
40 Kg3 c5
29 Nc1 R2e6
41 Re3 Rxa2
30 b3
42 h4 b5
This attempt at consolidation w i l l
b e refuted convincingly. 43 h5 b4

30 c4 ! 44 White resigns

31 bxc4 Rf6+ In fact there is no way of

stopping the queen's side pawns.
32 Kg2 Re4
33 Ne3 Bc5

Four Knights Game

G A M E 20

Buenos Aires 1 939

Four Knights Game

White: E . L U N D I N (Sweden)
Black: P. M I C H E L (Germany)

1 e4 e5 4 Bb5 Nd4
2 Nf3 Nc6 Plausible, since the German team
would be satisfied with forcing a
3 Nc3 Nf6
drawn position.

Page 42

5 Nxe5
It is comprehensible that the
Swedish player should avoid the
drawing variation 5 Nxd4; but after
the analysis of the game Bogoljubov
Rubi nstein (match 1 920 played i n
Sweden) why not 5 Ba4, the
i n teresting continuation of which
has, relatively speaking, less wel l
tested complications?
5 Oe7
6 14 Nxb5
7 Nxb5 d6
8 Nf3 Oxe4+
9 Kf2 Ng4+
1 0 Kg3
This king excursion is artificial,
appears erroneous and can finally,
in fact, lead to equality. One cannot
understand what it was that induced
Lundin to follow this unfortunate
l ine of play in a game of capital
importance since with the defeat of
Sweden Germany was assured of
the Cup.
10 Og6
11 Nh4 Oh5
Position after 1 1 . . . Oh5
Game 20 Four Knights Game
1 2 h3
White does not have anything
better. I f 12 Nxc7+ Kd8 13 h3 (or
13 Nxa8 g5 ! with advantage) Nf6
14 Nxa8 then Black can decide the
game bril l i antly with a queen
sacrifice: 14 . . . Oxh4+ ! ! 1 5 Kxh4
Ne4 ! etc. All this was discovered i n
t h e above match, played twenty
years before.
12 . . . Oxb5 !
'Theory' recommends 1 2 . . . Nf6
13 Oxh5 Nxh5+ 14 Kf2 with
approximately equal chances. But
the simple text move is more con
vincing because it forces a series of
moves which are dangerous for
White's position.
13 hxg4 g5 !
This refutes for good the strategy
employed by White in the opening.
One of the poi nts of M ichel's move
is that the intermediary check 1 4
R e 1 + serves only t o i ncrease Black's
pressure : 14 . . . Be7 15 fxg5 Oxg5
etc. and White lacks chances.
14 fxg5 Oe5+
As has been said, a draw would be
satisfactory for Black . Under other
circumstances 14 . . . Oxg5 15 d4
Og7 could be played, with evident
advantage.
15 Kf2 Od4+
16 Kg3 Oe5+
17 Kh3?
White should confine himself to the
repetition of moves. This unjustified
temerity is probably based on the
l ittle-analysed advance on the
eighteenth move which Michel refutes
Page 43
Game 21 Three Knights Game

swiftly and in masterly fashion. 25 Bf2 Bg5!

17 Oxg5 Giving back the extra pawn to force
the opening of the hfile with the
18 d4 Qh5!
plan of a d i rect attack on the enemy
Emphasising the disadvantageous king.
position of the king at h3. If now
26 Oxh7 Rh8
19 Kg3 then 1 9 . . . Rg8 20 g5 Oxd 1
21 R xd 1 Be7, followed by 22 . . . h6 27 Qd3 RegS
and White finally loses his pawn at 28 c4 Qf3
g5.
Now simpl ification assists Black's
1 9 g3 Rg8 victory since the queen is the only
20 Kh2 Bxg4 piece protecting White's position.
After achieving a material advantage, 29 Qxf3 Bxf3
winning is purely a question of
30 Rg1
technique; but the speed of the
method ued produces a very favour Forced, owing to the threat of 30
able impression. . . . Bxh4 etc.

21 Re1+ Be7 30 f5

22 Qd2 Kd7 31 a4 Rh7

23 Qh6 The rapid advance 3 1 . . . f4 would

also be conclusive.
The only temporary salvation.
32 RaJ Be4
23 . Qd5!
33 Raa1 f4
Black avoids the direct exchange of
queens in order to exploit the frail 34 Kh3 fxg3
position of the enemy king. 35 White resigns
24 Be3 Rae8

Three Knights Game

GAME 2 1

Berlin 1 942
Three Knights Game
White: PAH L
Black: W E R K M E ISTER

Page 44
 Game 2 1 Three Knights Game

e4 e5 11 Ned7+ Oxd7
2 Nf3 Nc6 12 Nxd7+ Ke8
3 Nc3 Bb4 13 Rxd1 Rd8
4 Nd5 Ba5 [ I n a game probably unknown to
4 . . . Nf6 is better. Alekh ine (J. CorzoCapablanca,
Havana 1 909) Black played 13 . . .
5 Bc4 d6 Kxd7 1 4 Bxf7 RafB 1 5 Bh5 Bb6
6 0-0 Nge7 and drew after many vicissitudes.
E.G.W.)
7 d4 Bg4
14 Nc5 ! dxc5
8 dxe5 Nxe5
15 Rxd8+ Kxd8
A very typical mistake, well
punished by White as will be seen. 16 Bxf7
After 8 . . . dxe5 White would not
After the hard struggle White has
have had any appreciable advantage. emerged with an excellent pawn
White to move structure. On this ci rcumstance is
based the victorious denouement
which offers only the natural
technical demands.
16 Rf8
1 7 Bh5 g6
18 Be2 a6
1 9 Bg5 Ke8
20 Rd1 Nc6
21 c3 Ne5
22 Rd8+ Kf7
Position after 8 . . . Nxe5
23 Rd5
9 Nxe51
Winning at least a second pawn.
A sacrifice of great strength and
23 ReS
beauty.
24 f4 Nc6
9 Bxd1
25 Rd7+! Black resigns
10 Nf6+ Kf8
If 25 . . . Ne7 then 26 Bc4+, winning
It is easy to see that if 1 0 . . . gxf6?
a piece.
there follows 1 1 Bxf7+ Kf8 12 Bh6
mate.

Page 45
Game 22 Philidor's Defence

Philidor's Defence

GAME 22

Buenos Aires 1 939

Phil idor's Defence

White: L. P I AZZ I N I (Argentina)

Black : S. TARTAKOWER (Poland)

e4 Nf6
2 Nc3 e5
3 Nf3 d6
4 d4 Nbd7
After beginning as an Alekhi ne's
Defence and changing gradually into
the Vienna Game and the Three
Kn ights Game, the contest now has
the definite character of Phil idor's
Defence.
5 Bc4 h6
6 h3
This preparation to activate the
ki ng's side (which is facil itated by
the fact that Black has already
compromised the future residence
of his king) is certai n l y more
promising than an immediate
l iqu idation of the tension i n the
centre as played, for instance, by
Tylor against Dr. Tartakower at
Nottingham, 1 936.
8 Be7
9 g4!
Quite in accordance with his overall
plan of mobil ization. Now Black
must try nolens volens to obtain
some freedom for his pieces in the
centre before he can dare to expose
his king to a wing attack.
9 exd4
10 Bxd4
Better than 10 Nxd4 Nc5 with the
elimination of the powerful White
king's bishop.
10 . . . c5?
Abandoning the d5 square is
decidedly too risky and w i l l have
tragic consequences. Necessary, and
fairly natural, would be 10 . . . Ne5
with a defensible game.
11 Bxf6 Nxf6
1 2 Oe2

6 c6 Preparing to castle long and

threatening not only 13 g5 but also
7 Be3 Oc7
an eventual e5! Black has very little
8 Bb3 choice.
A characteristic retreat to prevent 12 0-0
Black from playing 8 . . . b5 (because - -
13 O O O
of the possibil ity of the reply 9 d 5 ) .

Page 4 6

Evidently he does not appreciate
ful l y Black's ingenious fourteenth
move. Otherwise he would have
played the consistent 13 g5 without
loss of time. After 13 . . . hxg5 1 4
Nxg5 o r 1 3 . . . N h 5 1 4 Nd5 Oa5+
15 c3 there would be very I ittle hope i n i tiative would not compensate for
for Black.
13 Be6 1
14 g5
Much less strong than on the
previous move but, i n the circum
stances, best.
Black to move
Position after 14 g5
The first crisis: Black not only
escapes from h is opening difficulties
but even gains the initiative.
14 . . c4 !
An interesting and exactly calcu lated
tactical resource.
15 gxf6 Bxf6
16 Nd5
Besides this continuation White
would have had to give consideration 21
principally to the alternative 1 6 e5
which would have been answered by
1 6 . . . Bxe5 since 16 . . . cxb3 1 7
Game 22 Philidor's Defence
exf6 bxa2 1 8 Nxa2 Bxa2 19 fxg7
RfeB 20 Od2, threatening 21 Oxh6
etc. would be to White's advantage.
But after 16 . . . Bxe5 17 Nxe5 dxe5
18 Ba4 a6 19 Bd7 ! Bxd7 20 Nd5
Od6 2 1 Rhg1 KhB White's temporary
his material deficit. White's sixteenth
move was thus more or less dictated
by necessity.
16 Bxd5
1 7 Rxd5 cxb3
18 axb3 a5
Clearly this is the best attack ing
plan. But its technical execution w i l l
entail various difficulties, particularly
in the event of an exchange of
queens, which would practically
assure White of a draw.
19 Nd4 Rfe8 !
If now 19 . . . a4 then 20 Oc4 !
and Black would be compelled to
exchange queens (if 20 . . . Od 7 then
21 Ob5) or else allow White to con
solidate with 21 bxa4.
20 Nb5 Qc6
Now 2 1 Rxd6 (not 2 1 Nxd6 Oxd5)
Rxe4 ! 22 Qd3 OeB etc. would be
agreeable for Black. But 21 Od3 a4
22 b4 could have been tried.
21 Oc4
Again threatening 22 Nxd6, a
possibil ity that Black should have
avoided by 21 . . . RedS. Although
the following advance seems tempting
it leads only to a drawn rook ending.
. a4 !?
Page 47
Game 22 Philidor's Defence

White to move 30 Re3 !

It is absolutely essential to
e l iminate the advanced king's pawn;
it would be poi ntless for Black to
try to defend it, for instance 30 . . .
f5 3 1 f3 Ra4 32 Kb3 Rd4 33 Kc3
etc.
30 Rf1
31 Rxe4 Rxf2+
32 Kc1
The k i ng is cut off only momentarily
Position after 2 1 . . . a4 since White, before sacrificing the
h-pawn, will always be i n a position
The second crisis: White, dangerously to propose an exchange of rooks.
threatened, avoids defeat with a
move of great ingenuity. 32 f5

22 Nxd6! 33 Rd4 Rf3

axb3
34 h4 Ke7
Nor would other moves be successful
against the correct replies. For 35 b4 KeG
example, firstl y : 22 . . . Bg5+ 23 36 Kc2 Ke5
Rxg5 ! Secondly 22 . . . Re6 23 Oxc6
37 Rd3
bxc6 24 Rd3 axb3 25 Kb1 . Thirdly
22 . . . Rad8 23 Nf5! axb3 24 Rxd8 To a certain extent this is the
Bxd8 25 Oxc6 bxc6 26 Kb1 , still simplest way, but 37 Rd7 would
with a d raw i n prospect. also h ave saved the half point.
23 Oxc6 bxc6 37 Rf4
24 Nxe8 cxd5 38 b5 Rxh4
25 Nxf6+ gxf6 39 Rb3 Rc4+
26 Rg1+ Kf8 Or 39 . . . Rh2+ 40 Kd 1 Rg2 41 b6
27 Rg3 Ra1+ Rg8 42 b7 Rb8 43 Ke2 with the
same result.
28 Kd2 bxc2
40 Kd3 Rc7
29 Kxc2 dxe4
41 b6 Rb7
Black's great effort has been
translated i n to the gain of a pawn. 42 Ke3 Kd5
But as this pawn is doubled and his 43 Rb5+ Kc4
king cannot stop White's free b
44 Rxf5 Rxb6
pawn in time, a d raw is the defin ite
conclusion. 45 Rxf7 Rg6

Page 48
 Game 23 Philidor's Defence

46 Kf3 K d5 Drawn
47 Re7 h5 A splendid effort by the
Argentinian master.
48 Ra7

G A M E 23

Dusseldorf 1 908
Philidor's Defence
White: C. VON 8A R D E LE 8E N
Black: A . A LE K H I N E

Recently I was glancing through historical importance for chess and

one of my old notebooks that I had is not wholly lacking in i nterest.
not looked at for many years when I 1 e4 e5
found the following game. It was the
2 Nf3 d6
first game of a short championship
that I d isputed and 'won' in 3 d4 N d7
Dusseldorf i n 1 908 against the Nimzowitsch's proposal to replace
former champion C. von Bardeleben this in novation of the American
by four wins and one draw. This Hanham by 3 . . . Nf6 seems to be
championship took place shortly refuted by the continuation 4 dxe5
after the German Chess Federation Nxe4 5 Od5 ! etc.
Congress and just before the battle
4 Bc4 c6
for the world championship between
Lasker and Tarrasch. Although I was 5 dxe5
then only fifteen years of age and
Neither useful nor necessary.
unable to judge by true strength, or
Ind icated is Schlechter's continuation
rather weakness, it was very clear to
(played against me at Hamburg,
me that I should not become too
1 9 1 0 ) 5 Nc3 and i f 5 . . . Be7 (some
conceited over this success since my
what better than 5 . . . h6) then 6
opponent, an elderly and kindly
dxe5 dxe5 7 Ng5! Bxg5 8 Oh5 with the
gentleman, was quite lacking in
advantage of the pai r of bishops.
fighting ambition and, what was
worse, in any real class as a chess 5 dxe5
player. 6 Be3
Anyway, I believe that this game,
which until now has never been To p revent 6 . . . Nc5.
published, has perhaps some small 6 Be7
* Alekhine, writing in February 1 94 1 , Nc3 Oc7
7
forgets that White was in fact only
forty-seven. E.G.W. At this moment the text was not
Page 49
Game 23 Philidor's Defence
necessary and could have been
replaced by the developing move 7
. . . Nfg6, followed by castI ing,
which would u ndoubtedly have
been more logical and more con
venient for Black.
8 a4 Nc5
8 . . . Nfg6 would sti l l have been
more natural and better.
Position after 8 . . . Nc5
9 b4?
A double mistake which al lows the
initiative to pass into Black's hands.
F i rstly, with this move White com
promises h is pawn structure on the
queen's side without any compensa
tion and secondly he fails to take
advantage of the opportu nity to
acquire the better position by 9
Ng5 Nh6 1 0 h 3 ! etc.
9 Ne6
10 Rb1 Nf6
11 0-0 0-0
12 Ne1
Probably with the idea of being able
to play 13 Nd3 against 12 . . . Rd8.
But if White had foreseen the
expanding move that follows he
Page 50
would have preferred to be on his
guard by means of 12 Be2 (or 1 2
Bd3 ) . i n which case, however, Black's
position would have been preferable
after 12 . . . Rd8, followed by 1 3
. . . Nd4 .
12 ... b5!
Together with the next move, this
is without doubt the best way of
exploiting the weakness of White's
ninth move which left the queen's
knight i n a precarious position.
13 Bd3 a5 !
14 axb5
There hardly exists an alternative
since after 1 4 bxa5 b4, followed by
15 . . . Oxa5 the White pawn would
be without protection.
14 axb4
15 b6
Black would have remained with an
extra pawn if permitted to pi ay
15 . . . cxb5.
15 Qb7
16 Ne2 c5
This is the position that I had been
seeking on my twelfth move, in the
hope of obtaining a decisive
advantage. Nonetheless the truth is
that White sti l l has at h is d isposal
several hidden possibi l i ties.
17 c3!
Not only is the weakness of the
c-pawn hereby eliminated but
the harmful possibil ity of 1 7 . . .
Nxe4 is preventeq because of 1 8
cxb4 cxb4 1 9 Nc2 with a fairly
good game for White.
17 . . . Bd7
 Game 23 Philidor's Defence

Best, as this prudent manoeuvre w i l l finally . . . Ne2+ with decisive

contribute t o t h e threat (in case of advantage.
18 f3, for example) 18 . . . Ba4 1 9
Nc2 Rad8 with the better game. d .
Consequently White has to protect
his epawn with the knight and to do
this he must undertake an u nprofit
able exchange at b4.
1 8 cxb4 cxb4
19 Ng3 Nc5
Threatening two pawns at the same
time. White prefers, not without
reason, to protect h is free pawn.
20 Bc4 Ncxe4
20 . . . Oxb6 is not possible owing Position after 25 Rb2
to 21 Nd3 with good compensation. 25 . . . Ob5!
21 Nxe4 Nxe... ! Again threatening . . . g6, . . . f5 etc.,
Much better than 21 . . . Oxe4 22 ga i n i ng the exchange. If White
Od3! with compensatory chances. prevents this l i ne by 26 g3 then there
would follow 26 . . . Ral and the
22 Bd5
victorious advance of the infantry.
This simplification favours Black.
26 Nf3
The most convincing move was 22
Od5, not only with 22 . . . Bc6 23 Whether he cares to or not, Black
Oxe5 Bd6 24 Of5 R feB but also with must accept this sacrifice since the
22 . . . Oxd5 23 Bxd5 Nc3 24 Bxa8 use of more complicated offensive
Nxbl 25 Bb7 etc., after which the methods would have led to a
battle would not yet have been similar end with moves of inferior
resolved by any means. quality. For example, 26 . . . f5 27
22 Bc6 Ng5? Oxfl +, followed by mate in
two moves. But against 26 . . . f5
23 Bxc6 Oxc6 White's reply should be 27 Rel .
24 Qh5 26 Ne2+
This is veritable desperation but if 27 Rxe2 Oxe2
24 Of3 then 24 . . . Oc4 with clear
superiority. 28 Oxe5 Bf6

24 Nc3 29 Oc5 b3

25 Rb2 30 Bf4

If 25 Rcl then 25 . . . g6, followed The last hope.

if necessary, by . . . f5, . . . e4 and 30 . . . Rfe8 !

Page 5 1
Game 24 Scotch Gambit

Threatening 31 . . . Oxf 1 + , which Loo k i ng back at old games and

White fails to notice. examining the level of our
31 b7? Oxf 1 + knowledge i n time gone by un
doubtedly produces a certain
32 Kxf1 Ra1+ emotion, perhaps because in this
33 Bc1 b2 way we experience again the
34 White resigns memories of our youth, at once so
distant and so close.

Scotch Gambit

GAME 24

Madrid 1 943
Scotch Gambit

White: A. M E D I N A
Black: P. K E R ES

Up until the thirteenth move the 6 Re1 d5

variation is wel l known and con
7 Bxd5 Oxd5
sidered favourable to Black. Is the
simple bishop retreat ( instead of 14 8 Nc3 Oa5
b4 as played in a previous game) 9 Nxe4 Be6
capable of changing this view? I t is
1 0 Bg5 h6
doubtful. For instance Keres could,
i nstead of the plausible move 1 4 11 Bh4 Bb4
. . . 000, play 1 4 . . . Od5 and i f
12 Re2 g5
1 5 Bxc7 then 1 5 . . . ReB 1 6 Bd6
h 5 ! with advantage. Besides he 13 a3 Be7
later let slip several chances of 14 Bg3 000
at least equalizing.
1 5 b4 Od5
1 e4 e5
1 6 Oe1 h5
2 Nf3 Nc6
1 7 h4 Bg4
3 d4 exd4 1 8 c4!
4 Bc4 Nf6
Well played ! I f 18 . . . Oxc4
5 0-0 Nxe4 then simply 19 Ned2 and White

Page 52
 Game 24 Scotch Gambit

win two pieces for the rook. 28 Kh2 Rd8

18 Of5 29 Nf5 BcB
19 b5 Bxf3 30 Re5 Rd2
Again Black lacks any option. I f 31 f3 h3
1 9 . . . NbS then 20 Oa5 Rd7 2 1 32 Kxh3
Nxd4 etc.
Thus all the ingenious combinations
h ' conceived by White have at last
y ielded him a pawn, which shcu ld
have brought him victory. although
not easily. Lack of tech nique lets
the win escape; a pity, as this would
have been a sensational game.
32 Rd3
33 a4 Bd7
34 a5 Rc3
35 Rc5+ Kd8
36 Kh4 Bxf5
Position after 19 . . . Bxf3
37 Rxf5 R xc4+
20 bxc6 !
38 Kxh5 Ke7
The point of White's combination.
I f 20 . . . Bxe2? then 2 1 Ob1 ! wins 39 Rb5 Kf6
the queen because of the threat of 40 g3 Ra4
22 Nd6+.
41 f4 Ra3
20 d3
Drawn
21 cxb7+ Kb8
What would White have risked by
22 Bxc7+ Kxc7 continuing the game? After 42 Kh4
23 Ng3 dxe2 Keres told me that he would have
24 Nxf5 Rd1 found it extremely difficult to
obtain a draw. It was a great
25 Nxe7 Rxe 1 + surprise to him when, after the
26 R xe 1 Bxb7 adjournment, his opponent declared
himself satisfied with a draw.
27 Rxe2 gxh4

Page 53
Game 25 Scotch Gambit

GAM E 25

Match Spain v Portugal 1 945

Scotch Gambit
White: R I B E I R O
Black: A. POMAR

e4 e5 10 d5
2 Nf3 Nc6 11 cxb4
3 d4 exd4 If 1 1 exd5 then undoubtedly 1 1 . . ,
Nd4.
4 Bc4
Ribeiro was certainly i l l -advised to
11 ReB
opt for this opening against Pomar 1 2 Nd2
who has adopted it (and defended Because of the threat of 12 . . . Nd4
it) several times i n serious play. White has no satisfactory move at
4 Bc5 his disposition. If 12 Nc3 then 1 2
. . . Be6 ! 1 3 0-0 dxe4.
5 Ng5 Nh6
12 Nd4
6 Nxf7 Bb4+
13 Qc3 dxe4
The normal continuation is 6 . .
Nxf7 7 Bxf7+ Kxf7 8 Qh5+ g6 14 Bb2
9 Oxc5 d6 (it is also possible to Black to move
play 9 . . . d5, followed by 10 . . .
ReB with advantage i n development).
However Pomar's move is equally
good.
7 c3 dxc3
8 bxc3 Nxf7
9 Bxf7+
Had he played 9 cxb4 then 9 . . .
Qf6.
9 Kxf7
10 Qb3+
Position after 14 Bb2
This is a grave and perhaps decisive
l oss of time. Necessary was 10 cxb4 14 ,.. e3!
because 10 . . . Qf6 was not to be This looks decisive because 15 Oxd4
feared in view of 1 1 Ob3+, followed would deprive White of hope after
by 12 Bb2. Best for Black would 15 . . . exd2+ 1 6 Kxd2 (if 16 K d 1
have been 10 . . . d51 with a good, Og5 is strong a n d if 1 6 Kf1 then
but not decisive, game. 16 . . . Oxd4 17 Bxd4 Rd8 and
Page 54
 Game 25 Scotch Gambit

wins) Qg5+ 1 6 Kc3 Bf5 with a

w i nning attacking position.
1 5 Nf3!
Nevertheless this move offers White
defensive resou rces unsuspected at
first sight.
15 Nxf3+
16 gxf3 Qg5
1 6 . . . exf2+ leads to no resul t : 1 7
Kxf2 Oh4+ 1 8 Kg1 Qg5+ 1 9 Kf2
and i n view of the threat of 20 Rhg1 Position after 22 h5
Bl ack has nothing better than 20 . .
Qh4+. 22 . . . Qc6 !

Qg2 More effective than 22 . . . Oh6 23

17 h4
Rg 1 Kg8 24 Qf6! Qxf6 25 Bxf6
Pomar confesses that he forgot here Rf7 26 Be5, followed by 27 f4 and
that h is opponent could castle. With White is i n a better position than
17 . . . Qh6 he could prevent i n the actual game.
castl ing and 18 Rg1 would be fatal
23 Qxc6 bxc6
because of 18 . . . exf2+ 19 Kxf2
Oxh4+ 20 Rg3 Re2+, followed by 24 Rg1 ?
21 . . . Qxg3. But 18 Ke2! would However this eases Black's task. 24
have allowed White to continue the Bd4 was necessary, after which
fight. Black's best chance would have
1 8 000 exf2 consisted of 24 . . . a5 25 a3 axb4
26 axb4 RaJ etc.
19 Rhf1 Bf5!
24 g6
The fpawn could not be saved but
the strong position of this bishop, 25 h6
qu ite apart from the extra pawn, 25 hxg6+ Bxg6 would also have
assures Black of the upper hand. been insufficient.
20 Rxf2 Qg6 25 a5!
21 Rfd2 Re7 26 a3
22 h5 Or 26 bxa5 Rxa5 27 a3 Rc5+ 28
Kd 1 Re3, followed by 29 . . . Be6.
26 axb4
27 axb4 Rb8
28 Rd4 c5 !
Decisive.

Page 55
Game 25 Scotch Gambit

29 Rc4 Rxb4 34 Rg8+ Kd7

Simpler than 29 . . . cxb4 "which 35 Rg7+ KeG
would evidently have been adequate" Rh2
36 Kd1
(Pomar) .
37 Bc1 Rd4+
30 Rxc5 Re2
38 White resigns
31 Rxf5+ gxf5
An excel tent game by Pomar,
32 Rg7+ Ke8
worthy of the great opportunities.
33 Ba3 Ra4!

Page 56
PART TWO : SEMI-OPEN
GAMES

French Defence

G A M E 26

Cracow 1 942
French Defence

White: E . BOGOLJU BOV

Black: A. A L E K H I N E

e4 e6 Black could obtain approximate

compensation.
2 d4 d5
1 0 dxc5 Nxc5
3 Nc3 Nf6
Sharper would have been 10 . . .
4 Bg5 Be7
Ndxe5 1 1 Nxe5 Nxe5 1 2 Og3 f6.
5 e5 Nfd7
11 0-0-0 6
6 h4
12 Rh3 h67
This interesting attack was intro
Usually Black does not worry about
duced by me at Mannheim i n 1 9 1 4
the ki ng's side and seeks counter
dnd since then has been i ncorporated
play on the queen's flank. This move
into master praxis.
is not correct and, as w i l l be seen,
6 ... c5 White manages to take possession of
One of the numerous replies which and exploit the strong strategic
are possible but which do not point d4. The opportune move would
present White with any difficulties. have been 1 2 . . . Oc7 13 Rg3 f6 1 4
Much more promising is 6 . . . f6. exf6 gxf6 with chances of a counter
attack.
7 Bxe7 Kxe7
13 Rg3 Rg8
If 7 . . . Oxe7 there follows 8 N b5.
14 Bd3 Nxd3+
8 Qg4 Kf8
1 5 Rxd3 Ob6
9 Nf3 NeG
16 Rd2 Oc7
With the offer of an exchange of
queens by 9 . . . cxd4 10 Oxd4 Ob6 1 7 Qf4 Bd7

Page 57
Game 26 French Defence

1 S Ne2 ! ReS double threat of 25 Ra3 and 25 Ref3.

19 Ned4 Na5 24 N b3 ! Oa3+
20 Rd3 Ne4 25 Kd1 a5
21 b3 26 Nfd4 Ke7
27 Ref3 BeS
2S Ne2 Ob2
29 Nxe3 RdS+
30 Rd3 BeG
I n case of 30 . . . Oxc3 there would
follow 31 RxdB, attacking the queen.
31 Oe4 ! Rxd3+
32 Rxd3 ReS
33 Oe5+ KeS
34 Oxa5 Bxg2
Position after 21 b3
35 f3 Bf1
21 ... Oa5
36 Ob5+ KfS
A blow which is based on a tactical
calculation. With . . . Na5c6 Black 37 Oxb7 ReS
would have been able to defend him- 3S Rd7 ! KgS
self for some time but I had
39 Oe7 RfS
already lost my taste for this
position and also my confidence in 40 RdS RxdS
the resistance I would be able to 41 OxdS+ Kh7
offer.
42 Kd2
22 bxe4 dxe4
I resigned a few moves later.
23 Re3 ! c3 Bogoljubov exploited my m istakes
Too late I realized that 23 . . . Oxa2 very wel l , winning the game i n
is refuted by 24 Nd2 ! with the elegant style.

Page 58
 Game 27 French Defence

G A M E 27

Bue010s Aires 1 939

French Defence

White: D. YANOFSKY* (Canada)

Black: A. DU LANTO (Peru)

e4 e6 pressure. Besides the text move, he

could play 8 c3, avoiding for the
2 d4 d5
moment the following manoeuvre
3 Nc3 Nf6 by Black.
4 Bg5 dxe4 8 c5
For a long time I felt a preferece 9 dxc5 Oa5+
for this variation, but the experience
10 c3 Oxc5
of numerous games (mine and those
of other masters) over the last decade 11 0-0 0-0
has induced me to revise my point 12 Re1
of view regard ing this matter and I
am now convinced that White's A more effective way of l i m iting
spacial advantage is more than enough Black's chances is 12 Oe2, whereby
compensation for the potential value he would have p revented 12 . . . b6
of the two Black bishops. owing to 13 Bxf6 Bxf6 14 Oe4.

5 Nxe4 Nbd7 a b 1 g

Comparatively better would be the

immediate 5 . . . Be7 so that, after
6 Bxf6 (best) Bxf6, he can maintain
the choice between the two possible
developments of the queen's knight,
at d7 or at c6.
6 Nf3 Be7
7 Nxf6+ Nxf6
If 7 . . . Bxf6 then 8 Od2, followed
by 9 0-0-0 with the better game.
Position after 12 Re1
8 Bd3
Capablanca's move 8 Ne5, which has 12 . . . Rd8
been i n fashion for a q u arter of a Now, or at the latest on his next
century, can be refuted by 8 . . . move, he should have played . . . h6,
Od5 ! (Spielmann's discovery ) . But e l i m i nating combinations con
White does not need to make such nected with the pseudo-sacrifice
exaggerated efforts to maintain the at h7. The pinning of White's ki ng's
*Aged fourteen. E.G.W. bishop is decidedly ineffective;

Page 59
Game 27 French Defence

besides, White's next move will White to move

prevent 1 3 . . . Bd7 because of h '
1 4 Bxf6 Bxf6 15 Nxd7, followed
by 16 Bxh7+.
13 Ne5 b6?
This move would not even be
satisfactory after 13 . . . h6 14 Bf4
on account of the reply 1 5 Qf3
Od5 16 NeG etc. But 13 . . . h6 1 4
Bf4 Bd7 would have prevented
temporarily the characteristic
catastrophe !hat follows.
1 4 Bxf6
Position after 21 . . . Rg8
Simpler than the strong alternative
1 4 Qf3. 22 Rxe6+!

14 BxfG Not complicated, of course, but neat

and decisive. The whole l ittle game
15 Bxh7+ is characteristic of the incisive
Naturally this bishop is untouchable style of the young Canadian who
since 15 . . . Kxh 7 16 Oh5+ Kg8 was practically the only revelation
1 7 Oxf7+ Kh8 18 Re3 finishes the of the Buenos Aires Team
game immediately. Tournament.
15 Kf8 22 Kxe6
1 6 Oh5 Bxe5 23 Re1+ Kd6
17 Rxe5 Oc7 24 Qf6+ Kc5
18 Be4 Bb7 li 24 . . . Kd7 then 25 Re7+ or 25
Oxf7+ wins at once.
Li kewise after 1 8 . . . Rb8 19 Oh8+,
followed by 20 Oxg7 White wou l d 25 Re5+ Kc4
have w o n easily. With t h e text move 26 b3+ Kd3
Black has the hope of protecting
His g-pawn because of the possibil ity 27 Qd6+ Kc2
(after 1 9 Bxb 7 Oxb 7 20 Oh8+ Ke 7 Or 27 . . . Kxc3 28 Re3+ Kb2 29
21 Oxg7) of 2 1 . . . Rg8. But White Re2+, followed by mate in two
destroys this last hope with a pretty moves.
coup.
28 Re2+ Black resigns
19 Bxb7 Oxb7
20 Qh8+ Ke7
21 Qxg7 Rg8

Page 60
 Game 28 French Defence

G A M E 28

Buenos Aires 1 939

French Defence
White: E. L U N D I N (Sweden)
Black: I. RAUD (Estonia)

e4 e6 1 0 Qh5+ Qf7 ! 1 1 Bg6 hxg6 1 2 OxhB

2 d4
d5
3 Nc3 Nf6
4 e5 Nfd7
5 Nce2
An old l ine of play ( instead of the
more usual 5 f4) which has of late
been successfully adopted by
Spielmann. For my taste this knight
move is rather artificial.
5 c5
6 c3 f6
As the continuation will demon
strate, this move is premature and
could eventually be played after 6
. . . Nc6 7 f4 etc. The following
tactical complications are
characteristic of this type of position
and are therefore quite instructive.
7 Nf4 Oe7
8 Bd3
The first indirect protection of e5. If
now 8 . . . fxe5 9 dxe5 and Black
cannot play 9 . . . Nxe5 because this
would bring h i m great discomfort
after 10 Oh5+ Nf7 1 1 Bxh 7 Og5 1 2
Oh3!
8 fxe5
9 dxe5 Nc6
Planning to obtain a strong central
position, on the basis of the sur
render of the exchange, i n the l i ne
Ndxe5, followed by . . . Bd7 and
. . . 0-0-0 with excellent fighting
prospects.
10 Nf3!
Much more logical than the
variation ind icated above. Black's
chances of development are very
l im ited since 10 . . . g5?, for
example. would be fatal owing to
1 1 Ng6. The alternative 1 0 . . .
Ncxe5 1 1 Nxe5 Nxe5 1 2 Oh5+ Nf7
1 3 Bxh 7 Qg5 1 4 Qxg5 Nxg5 15 Bg6+
Nf7 (if 1 5 . . . Kd8 16 Nxd5) 1 6
0-0 woul d leave White with a clear
positional advantage.
10 ... Nd8
This improves very l ittle the
variation ind icated in the
previous note because after the
following tactical intermezzo the
queens w i l l still remain on the
board and the Black king w i l l be
subjected to renewed incon
venience.

Page 6 1
Game 28 French Defence

White to move 18 0-0 Bg7

d h 19 Re1 Kc7
20 Qd3!
With the aim of refuting the move
20 . . . Qd6 (which would be
possible in the case of 20 c4) by
the reply 21 Oh7.
20 Bxe5
21 Rxe5 Od6
22 Rae1 Bd7
23 c4!
Position after 10 . . . Nd8 Decisive since after the (practically
11 Ng6 ! forced ) reply Black will not be i n a
position to defend simultaneously
This does not win material but it
the three weak nesses at e6, g5 and
does create weaknesses i n Black's
c5.
position and, what is even more
i m portant, it prevents for a long 23 d4
time the effective co-operation 24 Bg4 Rae8
of th9 enemy forces. On the
25 Oa3
other hand 1 1 Bg6+ Nf7 would
have oeen pointless. Also very strong is 25 b4 cxb4 26
c5, followed by 27 Oxd4 but the text
11 hxg6
move is more in accordance with
1 2 Bxg6+ Nf7 the type of campaign developed by
13 Bg5 Nf6 White.

14 exf6 gxf6 25 KbB

1 5 Ne5! 26 Rxc5
This is somewhat stronger than 26
The true essence of the offensive
Oxc5 Oxc5 27 Rxc5 ReB 2B RxcB+
idea.
RxcB 29 b3 b5 30 cxb5 Bxb5 since
15 fxg5 in this case White would not have a
16 Bxf7+ passed pawn on the k i ng's side as he
has in the actual game.
After 1 6 Nxf7 RgB 1 7 Bh5 Kd7
1B Ne5+ Kc7 Black would have 26 Qf4
obtained an important tempo 27 Qg3 ReB
compared with the text continuation.
After 27 . . . Oxg3 2B hxg3 ReB 29
16 Kd8 RxcB+ RxcB 30 b3 b5 31 cxb5
17 Bh5 Rg8 Bxb5 White would force a q u ick

Page 62
 Game 28 French Defence

victory with 32 a4 ! Bd7 33 R d 1 etc. 39 gxf3 !

28 Rxc8+ Rxc8 Avoiding the last trap 39 h 7 RbB
29 Oxf4+ gxf4 40 hB (Q) RxhB 4 1 RxhB d 3 ! Now
White continues with a two-pawn
30 b3 b5 advantage in a rook ending and
31 h4 therefore there can be no doubt
about the resu lt, despite Black's
This immediate util ization of the
heroic resistance.
passed pawn is more convincing
than the inactive 31 cxb5 Bxb5 32 39 Rb8
a4 Bd3 ! after which Black would 40 Rxd4 Rh8
sti l l have resources to continue the
struggle.
41 Rh4 Kd6

31 bxc4 42 Kg3 Ke5

32 bxc4 Rxc4 43 Kg4 Kf6

33 h5 Kc7 44 Kh5 e5

Evidently there is not time for the

45 Ra4 Rh7
counter-attack 33 . . . d3. 46 f4 e4 !
34 Re4! f3 47 Rxe4 Rc7
Simple desperation since the plan 48 Ra4 Rc5+
34 . . . Rc6 would be useless owing
49 Kg4 a5
to 35 h6.
50 Rd4 Rc2
35 Bxf3 Bc6
51 Rd6+ Kf7
36 Rh4 Rc1+
52 a4 Rxf2
37 Kh2 Bxf3
53 Ra6 Rg2+
38 h6 Rb1
54 Kf5 Rh2
55 Ra7+ Kg8
56 Kg6 Rg2+
57 Kf6 Rh2
58 h7+ Kh8
59 Rxa5 Black resigns

Position after 38 . . . R b 1

Page 63
Game 29 French Defence

G A M E 29

Buenos Aires 1 939

F rench Defence

White: I. P L E C I (Argentina)
Black: L. E N D Z E L I NS ( Latvia)

e4 e6 All these Black moves have been

2 d4 d5 practically forced . If 10 . . . ad7
then simply 1 1 l\!xc5 Bxb5 12 Nxe6
3 Nd2 c5
w i n n i ng easi l y .
4 NgfJ White t o move
This move, which generelly leads to
very compl icated positions, was
introduced by me in an exhibition
gai'ne against the Champion of
Bolivia, Sanchez at Bogota i n March
1 939. This game had the following
drastic continuation: 4 . . . Nc6 5
Bb5 Bd7 (?) 6 exd5 Nxd4 7 Nxd4
cxd4 B dxe6 ! Bxb5 9 Oh5 ! Oe7 1 0
Oxb5+ KdB 1 1 0-0 and White wins
quickly by a d i rect attack.
4 ... dxe4
Position after 1 0 . . Kf7
Doubtless inferior to 4 . . . Nc6 or .

4 . . . Nf6 but playable. 11 Rd8 ! !

5 Nxe4 Nd7(? )
Allowing White to obtain the
advantage of the pair of bishops.
5 . . . cxd4 is better.
6 dxc5 Nxc5?
The decisive error. I nstead of this,
6 . . . Bxc5 7 Nxc5 Oa5+ B c3 Oxc5
9 Be3 Oc7 etc. is necesary. Now
we witness the execution of an
attack in the style of Morphy.
A truly brill iant conception which
makes this game a pearl from the
Rueno' Aires Tournament. The two
attacked pieces are now i m m u ne
because if 1 1 . . . fxg5 then 1 2 Ne5+
Ke7 13 ReB mate. After 1 1 . . .
Nxe4 1 2 Ne5+ Ke7 ( 1 2 . . . fxe5
13 BeB mate) 13 ReB+ Kd6 1 4
Nf7+ Kc5 1 5 RxfB Nxg5 1 6 NxhB
etc. White would remain with a
material advantage.

7 Oxd8+ Kxd8 11 .. . Be7!

8 Bg5+ f6 At fi rst sight it seems as though
White has made a mistake because
9 0-0-0+ Ke8
1 2 BeB+ KfB leads to nothing. But
10 Bb5+ Kf7 his next two moves clarify the
Page 64
 Game 30 French Defence

situation once and for a l l . 1 7 f4 b5

1 2 Ne5+! fxe5 18 ReB !
13 Nd6+! The precise way to prevent 1 8 .
Bb7.
I f now 13 . . . Bxd6 then 14 Be8+,
followed by mate. Black must yield 18 Kf6
the exchange, after which he will 19 Rf8+ Kg6
be practical ly lost.
20 h4 Bb7
13 Kg6
This is one of those cases when
1 4 Bxe7 Nxe7 suicide is amply justified.
15 Rxh8 a6
21 h5+ Black resigns
16 Be2 e4

G A M E 30

Buenos Aires 1 939

French Defence
White: P. K E R ES ( Estonia)
Black : G. STA H L B E R G (Swed e n )

e4 e6 Although not as bad as 6 . . . Oe7+?

2 d4 d5 played by Capablanca against Keres
in the AVRO Tournament of 1 938,
3 Nd2 c5 this move is not entirely satisfactory,
4 Ngf3 Nc6 as the continuation demonstrates.
It seem' better to prepare immediate
The alternative 4 . . . c4?, played by
ly for castling with 6 . . . Bd6 7 0-0
Stahlberg against the same opponent
Ne7 etc.
i n the final section, is of doubtful
value since after 5 g3 Nc6 6 Bg2 Bb4 7 0-0 Bd6
7 00 Nge7 8 c3 Ba5? Keres, i nstead 8 b3
of the time-consum i ng manoeuvre
The positional refutation of Black's
that he i n itiated with 9 Ne5, could
sixth move, e l i m i nating the block
have conserved his advantageous
ading pawn and at the same time
position by continuing the develop
opening up the i mportant a-fila.
ment of h is pieces: 9 Re1 0-0 1 0
exd5 exd5 1 1 Nf1 , followed b y 1 2 8 cxb3
Ne3 o r 1 2 Bf4 first. 9 axb3 Ne7
5 exd5 exd5 10 Re1 0-0
6 Bb5 c4 11 Nf1
Page 65
Game 30 French Defence

White is i n no hurry to accomplish exactitude, is therefore strategically

the profitable exchange of the incomprehensibie.
black-squared bishops since he is
16 Be2 Ng6
able to prove that i n the long run
h is opponent cannot prevent the A relatively better route for this
move Ba3. knight would be 16 . . . Nf5,
eventually followed by . . . Nd6.
11 Bg4
Since White d oes not intend
1 2 c3 Oc7 exchanging queens at this moment
13 Ba3 Rfd8 the reply g3 that the text move
provokes is, i n fact, part of his
1 4 Bd3 Bxa3 general plan.
1 5 R xa3 Qf4 Be6
1 7 Ne3
d 18 g3 Qd6
fl. a 1 9 Ra2 h6

: t
X 11 t 7 In order to avoid 20 Ng5, followed
6 by 21 f4.
20 Bd3 Bh3
But this fresh demonstration by the
bishop is merely a loss of time since
the possibility of 2 1 Bxg6 fxg6 22
Nh4 g5 23 Nhf5 OfB etc. could not
be considered a serious threat. I t
would have been better t o util i ze
Position after 1 5 . . . Qf4
this time by playing, for instance,
At first sight it appears that Black 20 . . . a6, 20 . . . RacB, or 20 . . .
has overcome his initial difficulties Rde8.
and that he w i l l not have much
21 Nd2
trouble in l iquidating the 'explosive'
material on the e-file, with a draw With the clear plan, which cannot be
in prospect. But in reality his prob prevented, of establishing this knight
lem is not as simple as that since at e5.
the majority of exchanges will 21 Nce7
weaken even more his isolated
d-pawn. Also, the conste l l ation on 22 f4
the a-file is far from reassuring (the Also threaten ing 23 f5, followed by
pawn at a7, for example, may 24 Oh5.
become compromised by the 22 Bd7
advance b4-b5 etc.). The following
attempt by Black to create threats
23 Nf3 b5
on the k i ng's flank, which w i l l be The possibil ity of c4, establ ish ing a
dealt with by Keres with extreme White passed pawn in the centre, had

Page 66
 Game 30 French Defence

to be kept in m ind, but after the 32 Nf8

text move Keres is able to take 33 Ob3 ! Be6
control of the Black squares,
practically forcing . . . a5, and to 34 Kf2
create a new and decisive weakness Not immediately 34 Bxb5
at Black's b5. because of 34 . . . Rxb5 35
Qxb5 Qxc3 with good fighting
24 Ne5 Nxe5
chances.
25 fxe5 Ob6
34 . . . b4
If 25 . . . Qc6 then 26 Qa 1 .
A much better l i ne would be 34 . . .
26 b4 a5 ReB 35 Nd 1 . White's square d4
After 26 . . . a6 White would finally would then be in a state of
have brought h is knight to c5 (via permanent unease.
c2, a 1 , and b3 or f 1 , d2, and b3) 35 cxb4 Ob6
with decisive effect.
36 Ob2 Nd7
27 bxa5 Rxa5
37 b5 f6 !
28 Ob3 Rxa2
By e l i m inating the e-pawn and
29 Oxa2 opening the f-file Sthlberg now
Black w i l l soon be incapable of obtains a real counter-attack.
defending the two squares b5 and 38 exf6
d5. H is only chance of salvation
will therefore consist of another Instead of 3B R c 1 which would
try on White's king's side which has not suffice because of 38 . . .
been slightly weakened by 1B g3. fxe5 39 Rc6 Oxd4.
The last part of this game is a model 38 Nxf6
of play with respect to the two
39 Rc1 Bd7
opponents.
40 Kg1 ReB
29 . . . Oc6
Of course not 40 . . . Bxb5 on
Also after 29 . . . Bc6 30 Oa3 Ob 7
account of 4 1 Bxb5 Oxb5 42 ReB+.
31 R b 1 , followed by 32 Qc5 Black
would have lost material forthwith. 41 Ng2 Ne4

30 Oa3 Ng6 The beginning of an opportune

demonstration against White's f3.
31 Rb1 RbB It is evident that after 42 Bxe4
32 Ob4 Rxe4 White's winning chances
would have swiftly vanished.
Now White threatens Bf 1 -g2,
followed by c4. An attempt by 42 Nf4 Ng5 !
Black to deal with this threat by 43 Kg2 Bg4
NfB-e6-c7 would be refuted by the
following double attack on d4. 44 Rf1 Rf8

Page 67
Game 30 French Defence
Each move increases Black's
p ressure but his counter-attack
is condemned to failure owing to
the fact that his queen is virtually
pinned down because of the
obligation to block the powerful
passed pawn.
45 h4!
Compelling his opponent to execute
his threats in the correct belief
that they can successively be
parried.
45 . . . Nf3
This knight is immune for the
moment because of the possibility
of 4 7 . . . g5 after 46 R xf3 Bxf3+
47 Kxf3. But White's next move
brings the matter to its critical
point.
46 Be2
Black to move
Position after 46 Be2
46 ... Rxf4!
Evidently planning several moves
ahead. In fact the acceptance of the
sacrifice would have led White into
a dangerous position, since after 47
gxf4 Nxh4+ the move 48 Kg3 would
Page 68
have been answered by 48 . . . Nf5+
(49 Kxg4? Qg6+, followed by mate)
and to 48 Kh2 Black would have
replied 48 . . . Qg6 (49 Rg 1 ? Nf3+
etc. with advantage to Black).
47 Bxf3 !
Such a refutation, in appearance
effortless, of a sacrificial com
bination is not uncommon i n the
games of Keres, and is more
characteristic than so-called
brilliancies. White returns his
material advantage and finally is
crowned with success by demonstrat
ing the perpetual vitality of his b
pawn. The ending has a clear artistic
air.
47 . . . Rxd4
If 47 . . . Bxf3+ 48 Rxf3 Qxd4 (if
48 . . . Rxd4 49 Qc2 with advantage)
49 Qxd4 Rxd4 50 Rb3 with a won
rook endgame.
48 Bxg4 Rxg4
49 Oe5
A formidable move which starts up
a mating attack. The chief threat
is of course 50 Oe8+, fol l owed by
51 Rf8.
49 Og6
50 b6!
Were this pawn captured the
execution of the threat mentioned
above would win at once.
50 Rb4
51 Oxd5+ Kh7
52 Rf8 Oc2+
If 52 . . . Qg4 then 53 Qg8+ Kg6
54 h5+ Kxh5 55 Qf7+ with mate
 Game 31 French Defence

or the gain of the queen in a few 54 Qg8+ Kg6

moves.
55 h5+ Kxh5
53 Kh3 Rb2
56 Qf7+, followed by mate.

GAME 3 1

Prague 1 943
French Defence

White: A. A L E K H I N E
Black: M . BARTOS E K

e4 e6 8 Nxd4 cxd4
2 d4 d5 9 Qe2+ Be7
3 Nd2 c5 10 Nf3 Bxb5
4 Ngf3 Nc6 11 Oxb5+ Qd7
5 Bb5 12 Qe2 0-0-0
White's inclination is to maintain If 1 2 . . . Nf6 then, natural ly, 1 3
the tension in the centre for as long Re1 and Black cannot castle.
as possible. Black's next move, 13 Bf4 !
although fairly plausible, is none
V i rtually forcing the exchange of
theless a mistake which is perhaps
bishops and at the same time
decisive. Relatively better would
e l i m i nating a very useful defensive
be 5 . . . cxd4 whereupon White
piece.
can castle since the defence of the
pawn at d4 would only create 13 Bd6
difficulties for Black. 14 Bxd6 Qxd6
5 Bd7 15 Nxd4 Nf6
6 exd5 exd5
7 0-0 Nxd4
It is quite clear that Black w i l l not
manage to castle on the king's side.
Through the exchanges arising from
the text move one perceives that he
is trying to prepare to castle long,
which furnishes him - al though
only comparatively so - with the
best chance of resistance.

Page 69
Game 31 French Defence

White to move Making use of a moment's respite to

open up an escape square for the
ki ng. This move will be found i n
analogous positions i n m a n y o f my
games.
21 Oc7
22 a6 b6
23 c4!
23 Nb5 Oc5 24 Nxa7+? Kb8 would
be premature but the move played
is very effective because against 23
. . . dxc4 White responds with 24
Position after 1 5 . . . Nf6 Nb5 winning the exchange.
The problem of creating an attack 23 . . . Oc5
is not very easy to resolve. Neither
24 Nf5
16 Nf5 Qf4 ! nor 16 Nb5 Qb6
would have any result. On the other Threaten ing to win by 25 Nxg7.
hand Black is going to occupy the 24 Ob4
e-file with his rooks, which will
25 cxd5 Rf4
procure a counter-attacking
advantage. White's next move is the 26 Od3 Re5
only one l ikely to give him a lasting 27 Rac1+ Kd7
initiative.
If 27 . . . KbB then 28 d6 etc.
16 Qf3 !
28 Ne3 Ne4
This threatens 1 7 Nf5 and at the
29 Ng4! ReS
same time 1 7 Nb5.
White to move
16 Ob6
17 Rfd1 Rhe8
It is clear that the capture of the b
pawn, either now or on the following
moves, would have deadly con
sequences for Black.
18 a4 Re4
19 a5 Oc5
For example, if 1 9 . . . Qxb2 then
20 c3 !
20 c3 Rde8
21 h3! Position after 29 . . . ReS

Page 70
 Game 32 French Defence

30 g3 This move allows an even more

rapid finish.
This wins at least the exchange
since the rook cannot retceat 31 Rxc5 Re1 +
because of 3 1 Rc4. But 30 Rc4 32 Rxe1 Oxe1 +
pl ayed immediately would con
33 Kg2 Rxg4
stitute an error owing to 30 . . .
Nxf2 ! 34 Of5+, followed by mate in a
few moves.
30 . . . Nc5

G A M E 32

Buenos Ai res 1 939

F rench Defence
White: P. K E R ES ( Estonia)
Black: R. F LO R ES (Chile)

1 e4 e6 This position is well known on

account of the match between
2 d4 d5
Spielmann and Stoltz at Stockholm
3 Nd2 Nf6 i n 1 930 and my encounter with
4 e5 Nfd7 Capablanca i n the AVRO Tourna
ment of 1 938. On both occasions
5 Bd3 c5
White answered the check with 1 0
6 c3 Nc6 K f 1 i n order t o avoid the exchange
7 Ne2 Ob6 of queens that Black could force
after 10 Bd2. Keres demonstrates
8 Nf3 cxd4 that the position resulting from this
9 cxd4 Bb4+ simpl ification is decidedly favourable
il b c e
to White and that the alternative
chosen by h im is thus, because of its
simplicity, even more convincing
than the more or less artificial k i ng
move.
10 Bd2 Bxd2+
11 Oxd2 Ob4
1 2 Rc1 Oxd2+
1 3 Kxd2 Nb6
1 4 b3
c d e I h

Position after 9 . . . Bb4+ I n order to bring the bishop back to

Page 7 1
Game 32 French Defence

bl without having to worry about because the preparations for Black's

. . . Nc4+. irruption will make him lose a great
14 . . . deal of time and even if realized it
Ke7
would have very l ittle effect.
White to move
19 Rac8
b c
20 Rg3 g6
21 h5 Rxc1
22 Nxc1
White does not have to worry
about this new reduction of material
since the presence of an active rook
on the ki ng's side is sufficient.
22 Nc8
23 Rh3 gxh5
Position after 14 . . . Ke 7 Practically forced, as after 23 . . .
Rg8 24 hxg6 hxg6 25 R h 7 Be8 26
15 h4!
Ng5 Black would have no satisfactory
The principle of an attack on the defence against Ne2-f4 etc.
k i ng's side is entirely justified from
24 Rxh5 h6
the positional point of view as it
can be sustained by nearly all the b c d h
White pieces. The venture has a
very good chance of succeeding
completely, particularly si nce the
concentration of Black pieces on the
queen's side is scarcely useful for
active counter-play and sti l l less for
defence, as the continuation
demonstrates.
15 Bd7
16 Rh3 Nb4
1 7 Bb1 a5 Position after 24 . . . h6
18 a3 NaG 25 Nh2
19 a4 The knight will come very strongly
This stops once and for all ay to f6 and after Black has made the
serious counter-attack, firstly effort to elim inate it its colleague
because Black's control of b4 has will promptly occupy the same
only an aesthetic and not a square, this time with deadly effect.
strategic value; and secondly A simple plan but an irresistible one.

Page 72
 Game 33 French Defence

25 Kf8 Or 37 . b5 38 Rh7 winn ing.

26 Ng4 Kg7 38 f4 Rg7
27 Nf6 Bc6 39 Rh7 Rxh7
28 Rh3 Nc7 40 Nxh7 Nb6
29 Nd3 ! After 40 . . . f5 the game would
At th is moment the manoeuvre 29 probably have lasted a few moves
Rg3+ Kf8 30 N h 7+ Ke7 31 Rh3 more but this would have been an
would be premature owing to the u nnecessary torture.
troublesome reply 31 . . . b5. 41 g4 NcB
29 NeB This knight has tried _very hard to
30 Nxe8+ BxeB make an impression but without
any success, since the squares it
31 Nf4 Bc6 controls have no influence over
32 Nh5+ KfB the battle l i nes.
33 Nf6 Nb6 42 f5 exf5
Or 33 . . . Ne7 34 Rg3. The h 43 gxf5 Na7
pawn is doomed. 44 f6+!
34 Nh7+ Ke7 This pawn gets through, since 44
35 Rxh6 Nd7 . . . Ke6 would be answered by 45
N f8 mate and 44 . . . Kd8 by 45
36 Bd3 Rb8
e6 Be8 46 8g6.
If 36 . . . Nf8 then 37 Nf6.
Black resigns
37 Ng5 Rg8

G A M E 33

Madrid 1 945
French Defence
White: A. POMAR
Black: A. A L E K H I N E

e4 e6 This, of course, providing that one

2 d4 of the protagonists plays for the
d5
advantage. Here, as we shall see, it
3 exd5 was Black who took it upon him
The exchange variation is very far self to complicate the game, and
from being as i nnocent as it appears. not without danger, it must be

Page 73
Game 33 French Defence

confessed. Re3 g5 with a good game but with

minimal chances of achieving
3 exd5
victory on account of the paucity
4 Bd3 Nc6 of material .
5 c3 Bd6 16 Nb3 Rde8
6 Nf3 Nge7 17 Nc5 Nd8
7 0-0 Bg4 18 Oc2 b6
8 Re1 Od7 White to move
9 Bg5 f6 c d
This move was not obl igatory now.
He could perfectly well have con-
tinued with 9 . . . 0-0-0 and if 1 0
Bb5 then 1 0 . . . f6 1 1 Bh4 Of5
1 2 Nbd2 N g6 ! 13 Bg3 Nce7 with
better chances than i n the actual
game.
1 0 Bh4 0-0-0
11 Nbd2 h5
I d id not play 1 1 . . . Ng6 12 Bg3
Nf4 because of the pin 13 Bb5 Position after 18 . . . b6
which seemed to me unpleasant.
19 Nb3?
12 Bg3 h4
There are positions i n which a com
13 Bxd6 Oxd6 bination is obligatory. In order to
13 . . . cxd6 deserved to be taken evade the necessary mental effort
into consideration, suppressing any the player lets sl i p his chances and
danger of attack against Black's little by l ittle finds himself reduced
castled position. In a general way to the defensive and ends up by
Black, whose whole interest is i n suffering a defeat which, logically,
w i n n i ng, does not examine care is well merited. In this particular
fully the details of the position and case the offer of the knight by 1 9
he w i l l soon be faced with a d i lemmo b 4 bxc5 and then either 2 0 bxc5
which is hardly pleasing. (considered by me) or 20 dxc5
1 4 h3 Bh5 (analysed by Pomar) would have
secured White an irresistible attack ,
15 Oe2 Bf7 the B l ack pieces not being well
I n order to be able to play to win arranged for the defence of h is king.
Black must withd raw h i s bishop to It was not my intention to take the
a square without a future. Prefer knight. I calculated 19 b4 KbB 20
able is 1 5 . . . Bg6 16 Bxg6 Nxg6 Reb1 Ka8 2 1 Na6 c6 and Black can
1 7 Oe6+ Oxe6 18 Rxe6 Nf4 1 9 defend h imself but i t will be difficult

Page 74
 Game 33 French Defence

for h i m to organize an attack on the 30 Oe4 Od5!

other wing.
31 Nhf3
19 g5
If 31 Oxd5 cxd 5 ! , followed by 32
20 Nh2 . . . ReB etc., since 32 Rcl is im
As no direct threat existed, the possible on account of 32 . . . Ne2+.
demonstration 20 a4 would be the 31 Nf5
right move. Against 20 . . . RhgB
32 Kh1
White would have had sufficient
time available to play 21 Nh2. With the object of being able to play
33 Rc1 , but the king is badly pl aced
20 Ne6
for the endgame.
21 c4
32 Rd8
White's position starts becoming un
33 Rc1 Kb7
pleasant and Pomar perceives that
he must undertake someth ing. But 34 b3 Oxe4
the price he pays for the opening of 35 Nxe4 Nd5
the c-file (the weakness of the
36 Re1 Kc7
central pawn and the square d5 for
the Black pieces) is decidedly too White to move
high. 21 a4 a5! 22 Nd2 still offered h c -
d-.-, h
some possibilities.
21 dxc4
22 Bxc4 Kb8
But not 22 . . . Nd5 23 Qf5!
23 Rac1 Nd8
24 Bxf7 Nxf7
Now Black has a specific objective
for the endgame, the dpawn, and
he no longer has to attempt d i rect
attacks against the k i ng. Position after 36 . . . Kc7

25 Oc4 Nd5 37 Ned2?

26 Ob5 It is obvious that White has a very
As w i l l be seen, the e-file here has d i fficult game but with 37 a3 he
no more than a relative value. could still have defended h i mself.
The plan foreseen by Black for this
26 Rxe 1 + case was 37 . . . ReB , fol l owed bv
27 Rxe1 c6 . . . Re6 and . . . Nf4.
28 Oe2 Nh6 37 Nb4!
29 Nd2 Nf4 38 Re6 Rd6

Page 7 5
Game 34 French Defence

39 ReS Nxa2 The last attempt.

40 Ne4 Rd8 44 Ke7
41 Rxd8 Kxd8 45 Nh7 cxd5
42 Nxf6 Nc1 46 b5 g4!
43 b4 47 hxg4 Nxf2+
Otherwise after the capture of this 48 Kg1 Nxg4
pawn the Black a-pawn would
49 White resigns
advance straight to its queening
square. There is no defence against 49 . . .
Kd6, followed by 50 . . . Kc5.
43 Nd3
44 d5

G A M E 34

Buenos Aires 1 939

F rench Defence
White: F. APSC H E N E E K ( Latvia)
Black: A. A LE K H I N E ( F rance)

e4 e6 7 g3 Oh5

2 d4 d5 After 7 . . . Oe7 White's threats on

the open e-file would have com
3 exd5 exd5
pensated for the relative weakness
4 Bd3 NeG of his k i ng's position.
5 c3 Bd6 8 Nf4 Oxd 1 +
6 Ne2 Oh4 9 Kxd1 Nf6
I ntroduced by me at Nottingham, More natural and, in fact, much more
1 936 against W. Winter who replied promising would be 9 . . . Bg4+ 1 0
7 Nd2 and after 7 . . . Bg4 had some Kc2 0-0-0. I n choosing the text
difficulty i n equal izing. Apscheneek's continuation I underestimated White's
move is more in accordance with the developing manoeuvre on the twelfth
tendency of 3 exd5. In fact after a and thi rteenth moves.
very few moves he achieves a per
fectly satisfactory position and I 10 Re1+ Ne7
had to take considerable chances i n 11 f3 Bd7
order t o give the game the semblance
12 b3 ! 0-0-0
of a fight.

Page 76
 Game 34 French Defence

Clearly there is no way of protecting This has no effect. The same would
the king's bishop. have been the case after 25 . . . Nf5
26 Nxf5 Bxf5+ 27 Kc1 . The position
13 Ba3 Nf5
is decidedly sterile.
14 Bxd6 Nxd6
26 Re6 Bd7
15 Nd2
27 Re2 Rg8
Thus a perfectly equal position has
28 Bh3 Kd8
been attained and Black's efforts to
give the battle some l ife will be 29 Bxg4 Bxg4
shown to be incapable of unsettling 30 Re1 h5
the balance.
31 c4 c6
15 . . . g5
32 Rf1 Ke7
With the aim of control l i n g the e-file,
33 c5 Nb5
Black wishes to open the f-file (on
which he will have an isol ated pawn) 34 Kd3 Nc7
for his opponent; this is certa inly no 35 Nf5?
small price to pay.
The previous blocking of the queen's
16 Ng2 g4 side would have been justified only
17 Nh4 by the pawn advances b4 and a4.
The premature exchange gives Black
I f 17 f4 then 1 7 . . . Nde4 18 Bxe4
the opportunity he has awaited for
dxe4 1 9 Ne3! (but not 19 Nxe4
so long.
because of 19 . . . Nxe4, followed by
20 . . . Bc6 winning) and White's 35 Bxf5
chances would not be inferior.
36 Rxf5
17 gxf3
1 8 Ndxf3 Nfe4 Black to move

19 Kc2 f6! b c

Occupation of e4 and control of e5

has been Black's idea for the
moment. But unfortunately the
coming exchange is unavoidable.
20 Re3 Nf2
21 Bf1 Rde8
22 Rae1 Re4
23 Nd2 Rxe3
24 Rxe3 Ng4
25 Re2 Bb5 Position after 36 Rxf5

Page 77
Game 34 French Defence

36 ... h4! Now . . . Ng5-e4+ becomes a strong

threat.
This eliminates Black's weakness,
creates one in the enemy position 47 Rh2
and also opens u p a very important The only possible counter-play.
f i l e for the rook. Could any more
47 Ng5
be asked of a modest pawn r.1 ove,
especially in the endgame? 48 Rh8 Ke6 !
37 Nf1 An i m portant preparation for the
capture of the gpawn ! At this
37 gxh4 would be advantageous to
moment 48 . . . Ne4+ 49 Kd3 Nxg3
Black : 37 . . . Ne6 38 Nf3 Ng7 39
would be premature.
Rf4 Nh5 40 Rf5 Rh8, th reatening
4 1 . . . Ke6. 49 Ng7+ Kf7
37 Rh8 50 Nh5
38 Ne3 hxg3 In view of the inevitable loss of
39 hxg3 Ne6 material this is a desperate
manoeuvre. I was hoping for the
40 Rf1 R h3 ! natural continuation 50 Nf5 and
And not 4 0 . . . R h 2 because o f 4 1 then 50 . . . Ne4+ 5 1 Kd3 bxc5! (at
Rxf6, b u t i n t h e l o n g r u n White w i l l the right moment; White cannot
n o t b e able t o avoid t h e rook's reply 52 dxc5 because of 52 . . . a5
intrusion to the seventh or eighth etc.) 52 bxc5 Nxg3 53 Ndo+ Ke6
rank. 54 ReB+ Kd7 55 Ra8 f5 56 Rxa7+
Kf7 Ke6 57 Rc7 f4, followed by the
41 Nf5+
victorious march of the passed
42 Ke3 Rh2 pawn.
43 Rf2 Rh1 50 Ne4+
After this the next problem w i l l be 51 Kd3 bxc5
to organize an attack on the White
52 bxc5 Nxg3
pawns without allowing the enemy
rook to intrude effectively via h5. 53 Nf4
44 KdJ b6! The rook end ing would be clearly
hopeless for White.
With a double purpose; to clear the
second rank of pawns and at the
same time to provoke another
White pawn to an exposed square.
45 b4 Rb1
As w i l l be seen, the forced move of
the White king w i l l a l l ow Black to
gain an important tempo.
46 Kc3 Rg1 !
Page 78
 Game 34 French Defence

Black to move Kf5 58 Kc3. I l l . 56 . . . Kg7 57

Rfi8 axb6 58 cxb6 Rb4. With the
continuation actually chosen Black
achieves a material advantage.
57 Rh7+ KeG
58 Rxa7 Nxc5
59 a4 Nd7
The following rook end ing w i l l i n
effect offer White t h e greatest
technical difficulties. If 59 . . . f5,
however, then the simple advance
of the a-pawn would have been
Position after 53 Nf4 sufficient to simpl ify the position
53 . . . Rf1? into a draw.

I t is not very often that I overlook 60 Nxd7 Rxd7

a tactical trap. 53 . . . Rd 1 + 54 61 Ra8 f5
Kc2 Rxd4 55 R h 7+ Kg8 56 Rg7+ 62 a5 Kd5
Kh8! wou ld qu ickly have decided
the game i n Black's favour. 63 a6 Rf7

54 Nxd5
This pseudo-sacrifice works i n two
variations: (a) 54 . . . cxd5 55 c6
Nf5 (55 . . . Rc1 56 c7 is evidently
suicidal) 56 c7 Nd6 57 Rd8 Rc1 ,
and (b) 54 . . . Kg7 55 Ne3 Kxh8
56 Nxf1 Nxf1 ? 57 d5 winning.
Black's reply is the only possible
winning method.
54 Rd1+
55 Kc2 Rxd4
56 Nb6 !
This second surprising k n ight move
is stronger than 56 Ne3 Ra4 etc . ,
a n d with correct play subsequently
it would have saved the game.
56 . . . Ne4
Other moves would be bad: I. 56
. . . axb6? 57 cxb6 F\b4 58 b7
w i n n i ng. I I . 56 . . . Ke6 57 Re8+
64 Kd3
After 64 a7 Kc5 etc. the White
pawn would have been overcome.
The plan to stop the f-pawn by the
intervention of the king is correct.
64 f4
65 Ke2 Kc4
66 Kf3
But here he does not realize the
sign ificance of Black's last move.
He could have obtained a more or
less accidental draw by 66 Rb8!
Ra7 (66 . . . f3+ 67 Kf2 would not
have changed anyth ing) 67 Rf8 Rxa6
68 Rxf4+ Kc3 69 Rf3+ Kc2 70 Rf6
after which Black would not be able
to move h is k i ng, which would per
mit the White king to take up an
im pregnable position on the c-file .
66 . . . Kb5 !

Page 79
Game 35 Caro-Kann Defence

After this White will gradually be 74 Rb8+ Kxa7

led into a blind alley_
75 Rb1
67 Rc8 Kb6
If 75 Rb3 Ka6 76 Rxf3 Rxf3+ 7 7
68 Ra8 Kxf3 K b 5 w i n n i ng.
If 68 a7 Rxa7 69 Kxf4 Re7 winning. 75 Ka6
68 Rf6 76 Ra1+ Kb5
69 Ke2 f3+ 77 R b 1 + Kc4
70 Kf2 Ka5! 78 Rc1+ Kd3
The winning triangular manoeuvre. 79 Rc5 Kd4
71 Ra7 Kb5! 80 Ra5 c5
72 Ra8 Kb6 81 White resigns
73 a7 Kb7

Caro - Kann Defence

G A M E 35

Bueras Aires 1 939

Caro-Kann Defence

White: P. K E R ES ( l:stonia)
Black: V. M I K E N AS ( lithuania)

e4 c6 8 Nf3 0-0 9 0-0 Be6 1 0 R e 1 etc. The

2 d4 best proof of the i neffectiveness of
d5
the experiment of the text is the
3 Nc3 dxe4 fact that White, despite all Keres's
4 Nxe4 Nf6 ingenuity, succeeds only in main
taining the balance throughout the
5 Nxf6+ exf6
greater part of the game and
6 Bc4 Bd6 finally wins solely because of a
7 Qh5 grave error by his opponent.
A method of playing for a q u ick 7 0-0
attack rather than slowly concen
8 Ne2 g6
trating the forces by 7 Oe2+ Be 7
Page 80
 Game 35 Caro-Kann Defence

With the double purpose of develop (I b c 9 h

ing the rook and placing the queen's

bishop at f5. The small weakness of
the k i ng's side is of m i nimal impor
tance here because the four pawns
are a good enough protection .
9 Qf3 ReS
10 Bh6 Bf5
11 0-0-0 Be4
1 2 Ob3 Oc7
13 f3
Position after 1 7 . . . b5
White forces the following simplifica
tion because otherwise Black w i l l 18 Oe3!
obtain supremacy w i t h 1 3 . . . b 5 , White certai n l y takes advantage
followed b y 1 4 . . . Bd5. of the unusual position of his
queen's bishop. The text move not
13 Bd5
only th reatens 19 Oe8+ but also
14 Bxd5 Rxe2 prevents 19 . . . Bf4+ and frees the
And not 14 . . . cxd5 1 5 Nc3. b3 s<;uare for the bishop.

15 Rhe1 ! 18 Qd7

Taking control of the central fiie. 19 Bb3 Nc7

But it wi II not be for long. 20 Qf2 a5
15 Rxe1 Also fairly good is the simple 20 .
1 6 Rxe1 Na6 RdB but Bl ack is ambitious and , in
fact, decides upon this advance
After 1 6 . . . Bf4+ 1 7 Bxf4 Qxf4+
which offers certain possibilities.
1 8 K b 1 , 18 . . . cxd5 could not be
p l ayed because of 19 Oxb 7 . 21 a4 bxa4

1 7 Bc4 b5 22 Bxa4 Nd5

23 Qh4
White begins to play with fire. The
safe alternative would be 23 Bd2 but
this would have req u i red a wholly
d i fferent strategy, an admission that
could hardly be expected from a
player of the temperament and
calibre of Keres. He prefers to
sacrifice a pawn; without much
danger, i t is true, but also without
much hope of w i n n i ng.

Page 8 1
Game 35 Caro-Kann Defence

23 - - - g5 natural thing would be to avoid

Forced but, as the continuation complications by exchanging queens
demonstrates, perfectly safe. and remain with an extra pawn. I n
fact after 27 . . . Oxe7 2 8 Rxe7 Bd6
24 Qe4 Bxh2
White would only have a choice
25 c4 between the retreat of the rook to e3
This was planned with 23 Qh4. (or e 1 ) fol l owed by 29 . . . BfB 30
White manages to infiltrate to e7, BxfB KxfB after which he would
but at a high price. have no compensation for the pawn,
and 29 Rd7 which al lows Black
25 Nb4 to force a d raw quickly by means of
26 Oe7 Bf4+ 29 . . . ReB ! 30 Kc1 (best) Bf4+
3 1 Kd 1 l\ld3! 32 Kc2 (32 Bxc6
An important intermediary check.
would be a mistake not because of
27 Kb1 32 . . . R e 1 + 33 Kc2 Nb4+ 34 Kb3
Black to move Nxc6 35 d 5 etc., but on account of
32 . . . Nxb2+ 33 Kc2 Nxc4) Nb4+
33 Kd 1 Nd3 etc. The unfortunate
check of the text move loses a piece
and puts an end to all poss ible fight.
28 Ka1 Be5
There is no other defence against
the threat of mate. Black would
have done better to resign.
29 dxe5 Nd3
30 Bc2 fxe5
31 Rd1 Og6
Position after 27 Kb1
32 Bxg5 h6
27 - - . Of5+? ?
33 Bf6 e4
This s Jicidal check is even less com
prehensible if it is assumed that 34 fxe4 Nb4
Black was short of time. The most 35 RdB+ Black resigns

Page 82
 Game 36 Caro-Kann Defence

G A M E 36

Bilbao Championship 1 945

Caro-Kann Defence

White: A. POMAR
Black: R I CO

e4 c6 fol lowed by 1 5 . . . c5 with more

or less identical prospects.
2 d4 d5
3 Nc3 14 c4
dxe4
More exact of course would be 1 4
4 Nxe4 Bf5
b4 because after the text move
5 Ng3 Bg6 there remained Black's last
6 Nf3 Nd7 opportu nity to d ivert his opponent
in the centra with 14 . . . c5.
7 Bd3
14 . . . h5
More usual is 7 h4 with the aim of
forcing the exchange of the bishops R ico launches into an attack that
after 7 . . . h6 8 Bd3. But Pomar cannot come to a good end as
plans to castle on the king's side. White's king's side offers no weak
nesses. It is easy to see that White
7 e6
must w i n .
8 0-0 Qc7
1 5 b4 h4
9 Re1 Ngf6
1 6 Ne4 Rh5
10 b3
17 c5 ! Nxe4
Inviting Black to exchange his dark
1 8 Qxe4 Nf6
squared bishop. The move is not to
be condemned but it is very modest. 1 9 Qe2 g5
Although more risky, more chances 20 Qb2!
would be uffered by the procedure
This defends the d pawn and at the
10 Ne5 and if 10 . . . Bd6 then 1 1
same time prepares for 21 Ne5 or
Bxg6 hxg6 1 2 Qe2 etc.
21 b5. Black's plan of defence is
10 Bb4 not satisfactory.
11 Bd2 Bxd2 20 g4
12 Qxd2 Bxd3 21 Ne5 Rg8
13 Qxd3 0.0-0 Black tries to suggest to his
This move is not justified by the adversary that he has a counter
position, as Black has no real attack but Pomar, undaunted, does
not let h imself be intim idated.
possibil ity of attacking the enemy's
.)l'astled position. Safe and good 22 b5 cxb5
would be 13 . . . 00 14 c4 Rfd8, 23 a4
Page 83
Game 36 Caro-Kann Defence

23 Oxb5 would be an intell igent 28 . . . Nf4

move, but the text cannot be After this move White wins simply
censured because the advance of by attacking the knight. With 28
the a-pawn could eventually be use . . . Qf4 he could present his
ful for the attack. opponent with a tactical problem
23 b4 because 29 Nd6+ Kd8 ! leads in this
case to unclear variations, for
24 Oxb4 Nd5
instance : 30 Ob2 Of2+ 31 Oxf2
25 Qb3 g3 gxt2+ 32 Kxf2 Nf4 33 Rgl Rxh3.
Otherwise White would i ncrease h is The solution l ies i n 29 Ob2! against
pressure decisively by playing 25 which Black would have no better
a5 and it 26 . . . a6 then 27 Ree l . move than 29 . . . Of2+ 30 Oxt2
gxf2+ 31 Kxt2 Nt4 32 Ne3 and
26 fxg3 hxg3 White would have achieved a
27 h3 f6 securely won endgame. 29 . . . Nc3
would be refuted by 30 Re3 !
28 Nc4
29 Nd6+ Kd7
Black to move
30 Re4! Rh4
31 Rf1
Black could resign here with a easy
conscience but he preferred to
persist with a few more moves which
were, of course, without i nterest
after 31 . . . b6 32 Rfxt4 etc. An
excellent game by Pomar, who
proves that h is failure at Bilbao was
solely due to fatigue. H is powers are
cont i n u i ng intact and are following
their normal course of development.
Position after 28 Nc4

G A M E 37

Cracow 1 940
Caro-Kann Defence
White: K . R I CH T E R
Black: G . K I E N I N G E R

e4 c6 3 Nc3 dxe4
2 d4 d5 4 Nxe4 Bf5

Page 84
 Game 37 Caro-Kann Defence

5 Bd3 After 19 . . . 0-0 there would

naturally follow 20 Rad l and Black's
An interesting pawn sacrifice which
defence would be exceed ingly
has not l' et been properly examined
difficult.
by theory.
20 Ne5 Rd8
5 Oxd4
21 Rxd8+ Nxd8?
6 Nf3 Od8
Better is 2 1 . . . Oxd8 22 Qxa7 Qd4!
7 Oe2 Nf6
23 Qb8+ Nd8 24 c3 Od6 with a
7 . . . Nd7 is not possible owing to probable draw.
8 Nd6 mate. 22 Rd1 a6
8 0-0 Bxe4
22 . . . 0-0 is i m possible because of
9 Bxe4 Nbd7 23 N d 7 . followed by 24 NxfB.
10 Bg5 Nxe4
b c d e
In view of the material advantage
more chances would probably be
offered by the continuation 10 . . .
e6, followed by 1 1 . . . Be7.
11 Oxe4 Nc5
1 2 Oe2 Ne6
13 Rfd1
Better is 13 Rad l for if then 1 3 . . .
Oa5 there follows the strong move
14 Bel Oxa2 15 Ne5.
13 Oc7 Position after 22 . . . a6

14 Bh4 g6 23 Rd7

1 5 Bg3 Oc8 Decisive, since if 23 . . . Oa5 there

follows 24 Rxe7+. Nor is 23 . . .
1 6 Be5 Bg7
Oc8 possible, owing to 24 Oc5 0-0
1 7 Bxg7 Nxg7 25 Oxe7 etc.
18 Rd3 Ne6 23 Oxd7
1 9 Oe3 Oc7 24 Nxd7 Black resigns

Page 85
Game 38 Caro-Kann Defence

G A M E 38

Madrid 1 945
Caro-Kann Defence
White: A. POMAR
Black: J . SANZ

e4 c6 White to move

2 d4 d5
3 Nc3 dxe4
4 Nxe4 Nd7
A good move rarely adopted today.
A question of fash ion ! The idea is
obvious : prepare the way for the
king's knight without fear of
modify i ng the pawn configuration
after Nxf6+.
5 Oe2
This threatens 6 Nd6 mate but 5 . . .
Position after 7 . . . Oa5+
Ndf6 easily p revents th is.
8 b4!
5 ... Oc7
The a l ternative 8 Bd2 Od5 9 Bg2
Theoretica l l y one cannot censure Nxe4 10 Bxe4 Oxd4 1 1 0-0-0
this move, nor the one that follows, certainly gives White a fine develop
because they do not put the game ment i n exchange for the sacrificed
in danger. But in fact the former pawn, but the result cannot be seen
champion of Spain should have tried clearly. Pomar opts for an immed iate
to fight with more eagerness draw against h is powerful opponent,
against h is young riva l . and h e is right to do so.
6 g3 Ngf6
8 Oxb4+
7 Bf4 Oa5+ 9 c3 Oa3
10 Nd6+ Kd8
11 Nxf7+ Ke8
1 2 Nd6+
It is quite evident that perpetual
check is agreeable to White.
Drawn

Page 86
 Game 39 Caro-Kann Defence

G A M E 39

Buenos Aires 1 939

Caro-Kann Defence

White: A. A L E K H I N E ( France)
Black: E. E L ISKASES (Germany)

e4 c6
2 d4 d5
B. a
i '
6
-
3 exd!S cxd5
4 c4 Nf6 1111

5 Nc3 e6
After 5 . . . Nc6 6 Bg5 Black
would have nothing better than 6
. . . e6 (7 Bxf6! is the reply to 6 . . .
dxc4 ) ; so it is evident that this pawn
move immediately gives Black more
options i n the future.
6 NfJ Be7
7 cxd5
White contents himself with a
m i n i mal advantage in development
and a symmetrical pawn position i n
the centre. This would b e obtained
after 7 . . . exd5 B Bb5+ Nc6 9 Ne5
or B . . . Bd7 9 Bxd7+ Nbxd 7 1 0
0-0 00 1 1 Bf4 etc.
7 Nxd5
8 Bb5+ Bd7
After 8 . . . Nc6 I intended to
continue simply with the develop
ment of my pieces by 9 0-0 0-0 1 0
R e 1 with numerous possibilities
based on the advantage in space.
9 Bxd7+
Position after 9 Bxd7+
9 ... Nxd7
A more lively game would result
from 9 . . . Oxd7 1 0 Ne5 Nxc3 1 1
bxc3 (but not 1 1 Qf3, sugge.sted by
Dr. Euwe and faithfully reproduced
i n a dozen chess magazines, on
account of 1 1 . . . Oxd4 12 Oxf7+
KdB and White, because of the
threat of mate at d 1 , has no means
of contin u i ng h is attack with
sacrifices) Ob5 1 2 c4 Oa5+ 13 Bd2
Bb4 14 R b 1 or 1 1 . . . Od5 12 00
Nc6 13 Re 1 and White has obtained
greater space, but at the cost of a
possible weakness in his central
position.
10 Nxd5 exd5
11 Ob3 Nb6
If 1 1 . . . 0-0 White would not
accept the pawn sacrifice but
would simply reply 12 0-0 which
would practica l l y force the text

Page 87
Game 39 Caro-Kann Defence
continuation.
1 2 0-0 0-0
13 Bf4 Bd6
The desire to exchange the well
placed White bishop is easy to
understand and cannot be con
sidered one of the reasons for the
subsequent deficiencies in Black's
position. The mistake comes later.
14 Bxd6 Oxd6
15 Rfe1 !
With the aim of replying to 15 . .
Nc4 with 1 6 Ne5.
15 Rac8
16 Rac1
Position after 16 Rac1
16 0 - - h6?
This not only fails to prevent 1 7
Ne5 but also accentuates the weak
ness of Black's g6. Despite some
considerations against it (for
example the weakness of e6) the
radical 16 . . . f6 - which has not
been suggested by any annotators
- would have made it possible to
maintain the equil ibrium for some
time. My most favourable reply to
Page 88
this would have been 1 7 g3,
followed by 18 Nh4.
17 Ne5 Rc7
Now this is the only way of relieving
the knight of its servile task of
defending b7.
1 8 g3!
As will soon be seen, the formation
of pawns at f2, g3, and h 2 (or h4)
is much more appropriate for the
battle of the rooks on the queen's
side than the formation f2, g2, and
h3.
18 Rfc8
19 Rxc7 Rxc7
If 19 . . . Oxc7 the reply 20 Oa3!
would have restricted Black's
position much more.
20 Qb5
In playing this move I hoped for
the natural answer 20 . . . Re7,
trusting that after 2 1 Oa5! f6 22
Ng6 Axe l + 23 Oxel Kf7 24 Nf4
I would be in a position to play for
a win despite the reduced material.
20 . . . Nd7
This e l i m i nates the disagreeable
White knight but at the cost of
the e-file and the security of the
position of h is k i ng.
21 Nxd7 Rxd7
22 ReS+ Kh7
23 h4 !
Since the queen at b5 attacks a
number of important points she w i l l
move o n l y if o b i iged t o do so.
23 . . . a6
Contrary to the opinion of learned
 Game 39 Caro-Kann Defence

commentators, it would not be Black to move

good to play the otherwise natural b c d
move 23 . . . h5 because White
would reply 24 RaB and if 24 . . .
a6 then 25 Oe2 ! , threatening 26
Qxh5+ and 26 QeB
24 Oe2 Rd8
25 Re7 Rd7
26 Re5 g6
26 . . . Og6 27 h5 Qb 1 + 2B Kg2 etc.
would be less promising.
27 h5 Qf6
Position after 32 Rf5
28 Qd3
32 . . . Rb5?
Planning the diversion 29 Qb3 and
Now White secures an easy rook
also i n some cases ReB.
ending. Nor would he have any
28 ... Rd6 difficulties after 32 . . . Kg7,
In order to answer 29 ReB with 29 because he would gain a necessary
. . . Re6. tempo for d5 by means of 33 Qe5+.
The only good move, 32 . . . KgB ! ,
29 Qb3 ! Rb6
would have given White unclear
30 hxg6+ technical problems, the solution
Forcing Black to retake with the to which would begin with 33 Rf4 ! ,
queen because 30 . . . fxg6 would be protecting the passed pawn and
answered by 31 Oxd5, threatening freeing the queen to undertake
32 Od7+ and 30 . . . Kxg6 by 31 various attacks. The final phase of
Qc2+, followed by 32 Rxd5. this wel l-played game promised i n
that case t o b e a s instructive as the
30 Qxg6 middle-game.
31 Oxd5 Rxb2 33 Rxf7+!
32 Rf5 El iskases was obviously relying upon
33 Oxf7+ Qxf7 34 Rxf7+ Kg6 with
a drawn ending.
33 Kg8
34 Rf6+ Rxd5
35 Rxg6+ Kh7
36 Rb6 Rxd4
Also after 36 . . . Rd7 the endgame
would be hopeless because of the

Page B9
Game 40 Caro-Kann Defence

dominant position of the White The game is decided and Black could
rook. quickly resign.
37 Rxb7+ Kg8 42 a3
38 Rb6 Ra4 43 g4 Ra1
39 Rxh6 Rxa2 44 Kg3 Rg1+
40 Kg2 a5 45 Kf4 Ra1
41 Ra6 a4 46 g5 Kf8
42 Ra7 47 Kf5 Black resigns

G A M E 40

Munich 1 942
Caro-Kann Defence (by trans
position)

White: A. A L E K H I N E
Black: K. R I C H T E R

1 e4 d5 advantageously offer a pawn

2 exd5 Nf6 sacrifice by means of 7 Bxc4 ! For
exam p l e : (a) 7 . . . Oxd4 8 Qxd4
3 c4 c6 Nxd4 9 0-0-0, or (b) 7 . . . Nxd4 8
4 d4 Nf3 Nxf3+ 9 Qxf3, in both cases
After 4 dxc6 Nxc6 5 Nf3 e5, with a development that is ample
followed by 6 . . . Bc5 Black wou l d compensation for the slight material
obtain a game f u l l of promise d isadvantage.
thanks to White's weakness on the 7 Nf3 Be7
queen's file. Thus the selection of
8 Bd3
this good variation of the Caro-Kann
by White is fully justified. The blockad ing attempt 8 c5 would
be a double-edged weapon. For
4 cxd5
instance, 8 c5 0-0 9 Bb5 Ne4 ! 1 0
5 Nc3 Nc6 Bxe7 Nxe7 1 1 0-0 Ng6 with a
6 Bg5 balanced position. The text move
leads to a l i ne of the Queen's
Good but probably not superior to Gambit Accepted in which White
the old move 6 Nf3. w i l l have to resolve the problem of
6 ... e6 the isolated d-pawn.
Against 6 . . . dxc4 White can 8 . . - 0-0

Page 90

9 0-0 dxc4
10 Bxc4 b6
11 a3
In order to remove the worry of the
reply 1 1 _ _ . Nb4.
11 Bb7
1'2 Qd3 !
White is now threate n i ng, after 1 3
Rad l , t o b r i n g his bishop via a 2 to
b l , provoking a weakness in h is
opponent's king's side. Black's next
move which simpl ifies the position
by exchanges is therefore well
justified, although, as will be
appreciated, it does not allow h i m
t o equalize t h e game completely.
12 - - - Nd5
Black cannot try 12 . . . Na5 13 Ba2
Bxf3 1 4 Oxf3 Oxd4 on account of
15 b4 Nc4 1 6 Rad l etc.
13 Bxd5 Bxg5
After 13 . . . exd5 14 Bxe7 Nxe7
15 Rel White's position would be
slightly preferable, chiefly
because of the lack of future for
the Black bishop at b7. Once Black
has played the text move he will be
induced to create a weakness at e6,
although i n return for the possibil ity
of finding compensation i n White's
at d4. The battle moves towards a
tactical phase.
1 4 Be4
Game 40 Caro-Kann Defence
b c d
Position after 14 Be4
14 ..- f5
Besides this move, apparently the
most energetic, two other lines had
to be considered :
(a) 14 . . . g6 with the continuation
1 5 Ob5! Bf6 16 Bxc6 a6 1 7 Oc4
(stronger than 1 7 Oa4 b5 etc . ) ReS
18 Ne5 Bxe5 1 9 dxe5 Rxc6 20 014
(threatening 21 Ne4) Rc7 21 Rad l
Rd7 22 Rd6 with advantage to
White.
(b) 1 4 . . . h6 which White would
answer simply by 15 Rad 1 and if
now 15 . . . f5 then 1 6 Nxg5 Qxg5
1 7 Bf3 or 1 6 . . . hxg5 1 7 Bxc6
Bxc6 18 Rie l , with hardly a promis
ing result for Black i n either case.
15 Nxg5 Oxg5
16 Bf3 KhB
Here Richter lets slip the possibility
of a pretty trap by playing immediate
ly 16 . . . Rad8 ! for if White executes
his threat, which consists of 1 7 Oc4
Kh8 1 8 Bxc6 Rac8 19 Oxe6, Black
wins brilliantly with 1 9 . . . Rxc6
20 Od7 Oxg2+ ! ! 21 Kxg2 Rg6+ 22
Kh3 Bg2+ 23 Kh4 Rg4+ 24 Kh5
Bf3 ! since White would have no
Page 9 1
Game 40 Caro-Kann Defence
adequate defence against the dis
covered check by the rook moving
to any square along the fifth rank
and 26 Kg5 h6+ 27 Kg6 Rf6 mate.
But by simply answering with 1 7
Oe3! White would assure h imself of
a slight positional advantage without
any danger.
17 Rfe1
Preparing for the astonishing queen
manoeuvre that we shall see forth
with.
17 . . . Rad8
Threatening not only the d-pawn
but also the strong advance 18 . . .
e5. Clearly 1 8 Rxe6 loses the
exchange after 18 . . . Nxd4. White's
position seems critical.
White to move
b h
Position after 1 7 . . . Rad8
18 Qf1 ! !
The idea of this move i s to force
Black to occupy d4 with the rook
and at the same time to make
possible the attack Ob5 which at
once would be a m istake because of
1 8 . . . Nxd4. If Black does not take
the pawn then White simply plays 1 9
Page 92
Rad 1 , maintaining his pressure on
the e-file with an excellent game.
18 Rxd4
19 Ob5 ! Rd6
Black does not resign himself to the
variation 19 . . . Nd8 20 Bxb7 Nxb7
2 1 Rxe6 * Nc5 22 ReB which would
leave h i m i n a man;festly inferior
position although, at the same time.
it would offer h i m chances of
resistance. He mistakenly decides
upon a compl icated variation which
will be refuted by the sacrifice of
the White queen. The ending that
follows is of technical i n terest;
White must proceed very meticulous
ly in order to make h is material
advantage tel l .
2 0 Ne4 Og6
21 Nxd6!
The move 21 Bh5 was tempting
since the sacrificial variation 21 . . .
Oxh5 22 Nxd6 Nd4 23 Od3 Nf3+
24 gxf3 Bxf3 25 Re3 etc. would
be incorrect. But by playing 2 1
. . . R d 5 ! 22 Oxd5 exd5 2 3 Bxg6
fxe4 24 Bh5 Ne5 25 Be2 d4 Black .
with a pawn for the exchange,
would have obtained excellent
fighting chances on account of h is
dominant position in the centre.
21 Nd4
22 Bxb7 Nxb5
23 Nxb5
*The notes to this game appeared in
Ajedrez Hipermoderno. I n Gran Ajedrez
Alekhine recommends 21 Oe5! Ag4
22 g3 Nc5 23 Radl 'with the better
prospects for White'. E . G .W.
 Game 40 CaroKann Defence

28 Red1 Kh7
29 Ba6 Rf7
30 R7d6 Og5
31 R6d5 Qf4
32 Ne2 Og5
33 Nd4 Rf6
34 Be2 !
In order to reply to 34 . . . Rg6
with 35 Bg4.
34 Qf4
Position after 23 Nxb5
35 Nc2 Rf7
23 . . . Qf6 !
36 Ne3 Kh6
White's minor pieces are now a
l ittle displaced and Black exploits 37 Bc4 g6
this circumstance in order to advance 38 Rd6 Rc7
the pawn to e4, a co-ord ination
point of the White forces. 39 b3 Kh7

24 Nc3 e5 40 a4 Oe5

25 Rad1 e4 41 ReG Oc3

26 Rd7 h5 42 Nd5 Oc2

It would be i n Black's i n terest to 43 Rf1 Rg7

exchange h is rook, which, as we 44 f3!
shall see, plays only a passive role.
The e l i m i nation of the pawn at e4
But unfortunately for him 26 . . . puts an end to all resistance.
Rd8 is at this moment impossible
because of 27 Nd5! Og5 28 Rxd8+ 44 . . . exf3
Qxd8 29 Rc1 and wins. 45 Rxf3 Kh6
27 h3 h4 Or 45 . . . Oc 1 + 46 Kh2 Og5 47 Nf4
Nor is 2 7 . . . Rd8 possible now, on winning.
accou nt of 28 Nd 5 Og5 29 h4! Oxh4 46 Ne3 Black resigns
30 N e 7 ! With this manoeuvre White
has avoided for good the exchange
of rooks.

Page 93
Game 4 1 Caro-Kann Defence

GAME 4 1

Frankfurt 1 942
Caro-Kann Defence

White: A.BR I N C K M A N N
Black: H E I N I C K E

1 e4 c6 I t would be far more practicai to

2 d4 leave the choice of this exchange
d5
to the opponent, confining h imself
3 exd5 cxd5 to playing 17 h3.
4 c4 Nf6 17 hxg6
5 Nf3 e6 18 Re3 Oc6
6 Bg5 Be7 19 Rce1 b5
7 Nc3 0-0 Black mounts his attack, and with
8 Bd3 good reason.

8 c5 would offer better cl">ances. 20 a3 a5

8 dxc4 21 Ne2 Oc2
9 Bxc4 Nc6 22 Oxa5 Oxb2
10 0-0 Nd5 23 Nf4 Oxd4
Against me at M u nich R ichter f i rst 24 Nxe6 fxe6
played 10 . . . b6, followed by 1 1 25 Oxb5 e5 !
. . . Bb7 after which the d iagonal h 1 -
The strength of the central pawns
a 8 turned out to b e fatal for Black.
now manifests itself in all its
The text move is more appropriate in
efficacy.
order to seek equality.
26 Oe2 e4
11 Bxd5 exd5
27 Rd1
12 Bxe7 Nxe7
This is like bringing coal for the
13 Ne5
opponent's fire. Sti l l necessary
Much more energetic would be 1 3 was the precautionary measure 27
Ob3, maintaining the pressure. The h3.
text move facilitates Black's defence.
27 Oc5
13 Ob6!
28 Og4?
14 Od2 Be6
Losing rapidly. But in any case 28
15 Rfe1 Rac8 h3 Rf5, followed by 29 . . . RefS
16 Rac1 Ng6 would hardly be a solution.

1 7 Nxg6

Page 94
 Game 42 Caro-Kann Defence

Black to move 28 Rxf2!

29 Kxf2 Rf8+
30 Ke2
Or 30 Kg1 Oxe3+ 31 Kh1 Rf6 ! , the
simplest way to w i n .
30 . . . Qb5+ !
31 Kd2
Nor would 31 R3d3 exd3+ 32 Rxd3
ReB+ etc. offer any hope.
31 ... Qb2+
a b e 1
Mate next move.
Position after 28 Qg4

G A M E 42

Buenos Aires 1939

Caro-Kann Defence
White: J . R . CAPABLANCA (Cuba)
Black : M . C Z E R N I A K (Palestine)

e4 c6 than may be the general impression

after White's rapid victory in the
2 d4 d5
present game.
3 exd5 cxd5
5 Bg4
4 c4 Nc6
6 cxd5 Oxd5
This move is rarely adopted and is
7 Be2
of great theoretical im portance
because of 5 Nc3, when Black nolens 7 Nc3 Bxf3 8 Nxd5 Bxd 1 9 Nc7+
volens would be obl iged to play the KdB 1 0 NxaB Bh5 1 1 Be3 (or 1 1 d5
usual variation 5 . . . Nf6 6 Bg5. The Nb4) e6 etc. would have been risky.
alternative 5 . . . dxc4 6 Nf3 Bg4 7 With the text move White al lows the
Bxc4 is decidedly favourable to fixing of his isolated pawn, hoping
White. to find compensation for this weak
ness in superior development.
5 Nf3
7 e6
This move gives the opening a
particular character. Black obtains 8 0.0 Nf6
good fighting chances, many more 9 Nc3 Qa5

Page 95
Game 42 Caro-Kann Defence

At this point this is preferable to 13 ... Bxb4

9 . . . Od8 because he had to take Czerniak imagi nes that he has
into consideration the reply 1 0 found a refutation of White's com
Oa4 b y White. bination and happily accepts the
10 h3 Bh5 sacrifice. But even if Black had been
less optimistic he would not have
11 a3
found a satisfactory continuation
An astute move whose true value since 1 3 . . . Ob6 would have been
Black evidently does not appreciate. answered by 14 Be3 and 13 . . . Oc7
11 ... Rd8? by 14 Oa4 ! Nd7 15 Bg5.
Decidedly too optimistic since 14 axb4 Oxa1
Black's vital preoccupation should 15 Qb3
be castl ing quickly. On the other
hand the square dB, as will be seen, Threateing 1 6 Bb2.
was a possible refuge for the Black 15 . . . Rxd4
queen. For these two reasons 1 1 . . .
If now 16 Bb2 then 16 . . . Rxb4 and
Be7 would have been good and if 1 2 if 16 Nxd4 then 16 . . . Nxd4 1 7
g 4 Bg6 1 3 b 4 then 13 . . . Qd8 Oc4 Oxc3 ( ! ) . both l i nes being in
followed by castl ing, with many
Black's favou r . But there exists a
chances of counter-play.
t h i rd possibility.
12 g4 Bg6 16 Ba3
13 b4! And after Black's last effort .
A profound conception, the con 16 0 0 0 Bc2
sequences of which are much more
effective than 1 3 Be3 Be7 14 b4 Oc7 . . . the liqu idtion of the tension
etc. with :
17 Oxc2 Oxa3
Black to move 18 Nb5 ! Oxb4
1& Nfxd4 Nxd4
20 Nxd4

Position after 13 b4

Page 96
 Game 42 Caro-Kann Defence

a b c d e t 25 Ne3
The knight is now very well placed
while d5 has become weak for
Black. White is ready to attack
(26 Rb 1 ) .
25 Ne6
26 Nd5 Oa3
27 Rd3 Oa1
28 Od2
Intending 29 Oh6.
Position after 20 Nxd4 28 . . . Kg7

If now 20 . . . Oxd4 then 21 Rd 1 29 Oe2

Oe5 22 Qc8+ Ke7 23 Qxh8 Qxe2 24 More precise is the immed iate 29
Qd8 mate. This represents a combin Oe3, threaten ing 30 R a3.
ation of twelve moves begi n n i ng with
29 f6
1 3 b4 ! , a very rare intance in
modern chess of a master having to 30 Oe3 a6
calculate so far ahead. 31 Rd1 Ob2
20 . . . 00 A comparatively better square
The three pawns obtained for the would be a5.
piece are not sufficient compensa 32 Nc3 Nd4
tion while they have no possibility
33 Rb1 Oc2
of being promoted.
34 Be4 Black resigns
21 Rd1 Nd5?
The adventurous lady has not
It must be admitted that here and
escaped her destiny.
later Black facilitates White's game.
I nstead of this useless knight
manoeuvre i t w0uld have been
better to choose 21 . . . h6 in con-
nection with . . . Rd8, or the
immediate 21 . . . a5
22 Bf3 Nf4
23 Kh2 e5?
Why? As there was no immediate
threat an escape square for the
king (23 . . . h5) wold be prefer
able.
24 Nf5 g6 Final position

Page 97
Game 43 Caro-Kann Defence

G A M E 43

Madrid 1 94 1
Caro-Kann Defence

White: A. A L E K H I N E
Black: M. NAV A R R O

After the moves 1 e 4 c 6 2 Nc3 d 5 Herein I ies the d i fference from the
3 Nf3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 o n e arrives at variation which begins with 2 d4 :
a position analogous to the normal White can at once attack the bishop,
variation !with 2 d4) and Black which can choose only between
m ight be tempted to continue i n the the square h 7 and an exchange
same way, that is to say by playing which weakens the pawn structure
4 . . . Bf5. I n reality this move is in a decisive way.
an important loss of time here and 7 Nd7
frequently leads to a swift
8 Nxg6 fxg6
catastrophe.
9 d4 !
e4 c6
This prevents 9 . . . Ne5.
2 Nc3 d5
9 e5
3 Nf3 dxe4
10 Qg4 Qf6
4 Nxe4 Bf5
11 Be3!
5 Ng3 Bg6?
The best. Less effective would have
The lesser evil would be 5 . . . Bg4.
been 1 1 Bg5 Of7 etc. But if Black
6 h4 h6 castles then 12 Bg5! is played.
7 Ne5 ! 11 . 0 0 Ne7?

Position after 7 Ne5 Position after 1 1 . . . Ne 7

Page 98
 Game 44 Sicilian Defence

Black should not lose so quickly, 1 2 Ne4

although strategically and i n the
Winning the queen.
long run his game could not be
defended. Black resigns

Sicilian Defence

G A M E 44

Buenos Aires 1 939

Sicilian Defence

White: P.S. M I L N E R-BA R R Y

( E ngland)
Black: J. FOL TYS (Czechoslovakia)

e4 c5 10 0-0
2 Nf3 Nc6 1 0 g4 appears to lead only to a
draw after 10 . . . d5 1 1 f5 Bc8
3 d4 cxd4
1 2 exd5 Nb4 etc. (Aiekhine
4 Nxd4 Nf6 Botwinnik, Nottingham . 1 936) .
5 Nc3 d6 10 ... Na5
6 Be2 A better l ine is 10 . . . Oc8,
M i l ner-Barry is one of the best con followed by 1 1 . . . Rd8 and
noisseurs of the Dragon Variation eventually . . . d5, gaining control
( . . . g6) and he does not wish to of that square.
avoid this l ine of play. There 11 f5 Bc4
would be no serious objection to
12 g4
6 Bg5, especially since White, in
reply to 6 . . . h6, could go back An important improvization, instead
with the bishop to e3 and try to of the alternative 1 2 Bd3 which
exploit the weakness of d6. has been exclusively adopted , with
out convincing success, for some
6 g6
time.
7 Be3 Bg7
12 Nd7
8 Nb3 0-0
13 Nxa5 Bxe2
9 f4 BeG
1 4 Qxe2 Oxa5
Page 99
Game 44 Sicilian Defence

1 5 Nd5 Rfe8 26 Rg2

After this f7 becomes weak. Black
should play 15 . . . Rae8 and if
1 6 Bg5 then 1 6 . . . Nf6 with
defensive chances.
16 Qf2 Ne5
1 6 . . . Nf6 would be unsatisfactory
for B l ack because of 1 7 fxg6,
followed by 18 Bd4.
1 7 fxg6 hxg6
This w i l l finally lose a pawn with
out compensation. Necessary was
1 7 . . . fxg6 and if 1 B Bd4 then 1 B 29 h4
. . . Rf8 1 9 Nxe7+ Kh8 2 0 Qg3 Nf3+
21 Rxf3 Bxd4+, fol:owed by 22 . . .
Bxb2 with a possible defence.
18 Bd4 Nf3+
The I ikely attempt 1 8 . . . f6 would
have been successful l y countered
Threatening not only 27 g5 but also
(after 26 . . . f6 for example) a forced
exchange of queens by 27 Of2!
26 Qg5
27 Ne3 f6
After this the Black queen w i l l be
caught in spectacular fash ion. 27 . . .
Kh7 would have h e l ped only for a
short time after 28 Oe2, followed
by 29 Rf3 and 30 Rh3+.
28 Nf5+ Kf7
Rh8
Hoping to sacrifice the exchange at
h4 after 30 Kg1 . But White has a
more convincing reply .
White to move
b c d

by 19 g 5 !
19 Qxf3 Bxd4+
20 Kh1 Rf8
20 . . . f6 21 g 5 ! would only have
given White new possibil ities.
21 Nxe7+ Kg7
22 c3 Be5
23 Rf2 Qd8
24 Nd5 Qh4
Position after 29 . . . Rh8
A counter-attack based on the open
h-file is Black's only hope of 30 Rh2! gxf5
salvation. Or 30 . . . Of4 31 Oxf4 Bxf4 32
25 Raf1 Rae8 Rxf4 gxf5 33 gxf5 w i n ning.

But now he could have freed his 31 hxg5 Rxh2+

rook from the defence of f7 by 32 Kg1 Reh8
playing 25 . . . f6 and if 26 Rg2 (26 33 Qxf5 Rxb2
N f4 Rad8 ) then 26 . . . Rf7, followed
by 27 . . . Rh8, offering fair Clearly 33 . . . R h 1 + leads to nothing.
resistance. 34 Od7+ Kg6
Page 1 00
 Game 45 Sicilian Defence

35 Rxf6+ 35 Bxf6
From begi nning to end White's play 36 Qf5+ Black resigns
has been fuil of energy and deter If 36 . . . Kg7 then 37 Oxf6+ Kg8
mination . 38 g6.

G A M E 45

Buenos Aires 1 939

Sicilian Defence

White: ROM ETTI ( F rance)

Black: C . DE R O N D E ( H o l land)

1 e4 c5 b c d e

2 Nf3 Nc6
3 d4 cxd4
4 Nxd4 Nf6
5 Nc3 d6
6 Be2 g6
7 Be3 Bg7
8 0.0 0-0
9 f4
The usual move here is 9 Nb3 and Posic:ion after 9 . . . Qb6
the text advance has been con
10 e5 !
sidered dubious by theory because
of the following reply. After this I do not know whether this move
game, this opinion will need to be has been played before. The latest
reviewed. edition of Modern Chess Openings,
revised by F ine, mentions here only
9 ... Qb6
10 Qd3 ( ! ) and continues 10 . . .
Seeking risks and , i n fact, giving Ng4 1 1 Nd5 Bxd4 with equal
White the opportunity to make a chances. The idea of the sacrifice in
strong pawn sacrifice. 9 . . . Bd7 the text is to foresta l l the response
would have left h is opponent with 10 . . . Oxb2 which would have
an appreciable advantage i n space. been played after 10 Nf5.

Page 1 01
Game 45 Sicilian Defence

10 dxe5 position, but he should have found

11 fxe5 Nxe5 the best way of forcing immediate
resignation. This final manoeuvre
12 Nf5 Oe6 consisted of 16 Bxg4 Oxg4 1 7
If 1 2 . . . Od8 then simply 1 3 Oxd8 Rxf6! exf6 1 8 Nd5 with numerous
Rxd8 1 4 Nxe7+ Kf8 15 Bc5 or 1 4 deadly snares, the most d i rect one
. . . Kh8 Bg5 etc. And if 1 2 . . . being 19 Bxf6+ KgB 20 Ne7 mate .
Oxb2 then 1 3 Nxe7+, fol lowed by The queen manoeuvre in the text
14 Bd4 with a won game. merely puts off the inevitable
13 Nxg7 execution.
Kxg7
16 Qf5
14 Od2 Neg4
1 7 Og3 Oe6
As the continuation demonstrates,
this loses by force. After 14 . . . Ng8 18 Rae1 Nh6
1 5 Bd4 f6 16 Nb5 White would 1 9 Bd3 Qg4
have full compensation for the
pawn sacrificed. 20 Oe5 Ng8

1 5 Bd4 Od7 Realizing that the pursuit of the

White queen would be i n vain. For
There are no satisfactory moves. If example: 20 . . . Oe6 21 Qf4 Og4 22
15 . . . Nh6 then 1 6 Nd5 etc. with Bxf6+ exf6 23 Oxf6+ Kg8 24 Nd5
a q u ick decision.
winning.
White to move 21 Nd5 Bd7
22 R xf6
The simple 22 Nxe7 would also be
sufficient.
22 exf6
23 Nxf6 Qxd4+
24 Oxd4 Nxf6
25 Rf1 Bf5
26 Bxf5 Rad8
27 Bd7 Rxd7
Position after 15 . . . Qd7 28 Oxf6+ Black resigns
16 Qf4 A game of appreciable theoretical
As a reward for his tenth move value.
White has rapidly obtained a won

Page 1 02
 Game 46 Sicilian Defence

G A M E 46

Championship of Lithuania 1 942

Sicilian Defence
White: HASEN FUSS
Black: TETER IS

1 e4 c5 1 5 Bd4 Nf8
2 Nf3 d6 16 Oe3 Oc6
3 d4 cxd4 1 7 h5 Be6
4 Nxd4 Nf6 If 17 . . . Ne6 there foll ows 1 8 hxg6
hxg6 19 f5.
5 Nc3 g6
6 Be2 Bg7 1 8 0-0-0 f5

7 Be3 0-0 1 9 exf6 exf6

8 g4 20 hxg6 hxg6

Although the attack in itiated by 21 f5 ! Bf7

this move may be premature, it If 21 . . . gxf5 22 gxf5 Bxf5 23
certainly presents Black with Rdg1 .
difficult problems and threatens 22 Rh3 ReS
a strong offensive.
23 Od2 g5
8 ''' d5
23 . . . Nd7, fol lowed by 24 . . . Ne5
Clearly this is not an acceptable would have been much better.
solution. 8 . . . Nc6 seems better.
24 Rdh1 Qc7
9 e5 Ne4
He should sti l l have played 24 . . .
1 0 f4 Nxc3 Nd7 which offered better resistance.
11 bxc3 a6 Evidently White's combination was
not suspected.
The alternative was 1 1 . . . Nc6 or
1 1 . . . Nd7.
1 2 h4 Oc7
13 Od3 Nd7
1 4 Nb3 Rd8
Black's weak nesses stand out more
and more clearly. The idea of I i bera
tion by means of a sacrifice is not
possible; for example, after 14 . . .
Bxe5 play would go 1 5 fxe5 Nxe5
16 Qd 1 Nxg4 17 Bxg4.

Page 1 03
Game 47 Sicilian Defence

White to move 25 Oxg5 !

b c d e f h
Of course it is not possible to take
the queen or. pain of mate in two
moves ( 2 6 Rh8+).
25 Bg6
26 fxg6 Rxe2
27 Bxf6 Nxg6
28 Oxg6 Black resigns
Since he cannot play 28 . . . Oxc3,
naturally.

Position after 24 . . . Oc7

G A M E 47

Munich 1 942
Sicilian Defence
White: P. K E R ES
Black : J. F O L TYS

e4 c5 8 Nf5 Nb6
2 Nf3 d6 9 Bg5 d5
3 d4 cxd4 10 Od3
4 Nxd4 Nf6 In order to reply to 10 . . . dxe4
with 1 1 Ob5+.
5 f3
10 ... g6?
In this move there is more venom
than effectiveness. Black of course This weakens Black's pawn structure,
selects the most logical and prom is which w i l l defin itely occasion
ing line. rr.aterial loss. I ndicated was 10 . . .
a6 1 1 Bxf6 gxf6, eventu ally followed
5 e5
by . . . d4.
6 Bb5+ Bd7
11 Ne3 d4
7 Bxd7+ Nbxd7
12 Ng4 Be7
Less common is 7 . . . Oxd 7 8 Nf5
13 Nxe5 0-0
d5 9 Bg5 d4! 10 Bxf6 gxf6 with
apparent equality. 14 Bh6?

Page 104
 Game 47 Sicilian Defence

This offers Black the chance of 23 Oxd4!

material compensation. Thus 14 0-0 After this excellent move what
is preferable.
follows is simple.
14 ... Bb4+ 23 Rxd4
But Black does not take advantage 24 Rxc7 Rd7
of this good opportunity to save his
game. H e ought to have played 14 25 Rc1 Ne8
. . . ReS with haste, after which 2G Nc5 Re7
White, i n order to obtain control of
27 a4 fG
the centre, would have had to give
away a pawn. For exam ple : 1 5 0-0 28 Bf4 Kf7
Bd6 16 f4 ! Bxe5 1 7 fxe5 Ng4 1 8 29 Kf2 Na8
Bf4 Nxe5 1 9 Bxe5 Rxe5 20 Nd2
30 Bb8 b6
etc. After the unfortunate text move
Black's game is clearly inferior. 31 NaG Rb7

15 c3! Re8 32 Rc8 Ke7

1G cxb4 Rxe5 33 Bg3 Black resigns
1 7 0.() ReB This game, which was so important
for Foltys, was very unsafely played
1 8 Nd2 ReG
by h i m .
19 Rac1 RecG
20 RxcG Rxc6
21 N b3 Rc4
22 Rc1 ! Oc7
If 22 . . . Rxb4 there would follow
23 a3 Ra4 24 Nc5 winn ing the
exchange.
White to move
b c d h

a b e I
Position after 22 . . . Oc7
Page 1 05
Game 48 Sicilian Defence

G A M E 48

Munich 1 942
Sicilian Defence

White: J. FOL TYS

Black: G. STOLTZ

e4 c5 a b c d e f h

2 Nf3 e6
3 Nc3 d6
4 d4 cxd4
5 Nxd4 a6
6 a4
Preventing Black's plan ned 6 . . . b5.
6 Nf6
7 g3 Bd7
8 Bg2 Nc6 Position after 18 . . . NeB

9 0-0 Be7 19 fxe6?

10 Kh1 0-0 Much better is 19 Bh3! with the
11 following possible continuation :
f4 Oc7
19 . . . Oxe5 20 Re1 Qf6 (20 . . .
1 2 Nf3 Nb4 Qd6? 2 1 fxe6 fxe6 22 Rxe6 ! ) 2 1
1 3 Be3 Rac8 fxe6 fxe6 2 2 Nxe6 Rf7 2 3 Bg4!
with numerous th reats, the main
1 4 a5! d5
one being 24 Bd4 etc.
1 5 Bb6 Qb8
19 fxe6
1 6 e5 Ne8
20 Rxf8+ Bxf8
17 Nd4
21 Oe2 Nc7!
White has assured h i mself of a very
After 2 1 . . . Nc6 White would be
considerable advantage through his
able to continue 22 Nxd5 with
exemplary handl ing of the opening.
advantage.
Nonetheless, i n the next few moves
he lets an opportunity pass by. 22 Bh3 Nc6
17 Nc7 23 Oe3 Nxd4
1 8 f5 Ne8 24 Oxd4 Nb5
More prudent would have been
24 . . . ReB first.

Page 1 06
 Game 49 Sicilian Defence

25 Nxb5 axb5 29 Qxc4 Rxc4 30 b5 Kf7 31 a6 bxa6

Qc7
26 Ba7
27 c3 b4?
A deplorable mistake which quickly
loses the game. The way to proceed
was 27 . . . Ra8 28 Bb6 Oc8 and
Black would have good defensive
means at his d i sposal.
32 bxa6 Bb4 33 Bb8 Bc6, 34 a7 BaS
35 Bd6! Bxd6 36 exd6 Rc6 37 Rf1+
Ke8 38 d7+ Kxd7 39 Rf8 Rc1+ 40
Kg2 Rc2+ 41 Kf3 Bb7 42 Rb8! Kc7
43 a8(Q) Bxa8 44 Rxa8 Rxh2 45
Bxe6 h5 46 Bxd5 Rxb2 47 Rh8
Rh2 48 Kf4 Kd6 49 Bf3 h4 50
Rxh4 Rxh4+ 51 gxh4 Black resigns

28 cxb4 Qc4? ?
Black's last hope could have been
28 . . . Qc2.

G A M E 49

Buenos Aires 1 939

Sicilian Defence
White: A. A L E K H I N E ( F rance)
Black: A . TSV ETKOV (Bulgaria)

e4 c5 6 Nxc6 bxc6
2 Nf3 d6 7 Bc4 Bf5
3 c3 The play against White's backward
The idea of this unusual move is to queen's pawn w i l l compensate for
construct a pawn centre with 4 d4 the weakness created on the queen's
if Black does not play 3 . . . Nf6 side.
immediately. After the knight move 8 d3 e6
White, with the advance of the e
9 Qf3 Qd7
pawn, h a s t h e chance o f obtaining
a favou rable position, particul arly 10 h3
since the I ine has not been analysed With the object of answering 1 0 . . .
l i ke other variations of the Sicilian. Bd6 with 1 1 Nd2 (and then Ne4 or
3 Nf6 Nb3) and 10 . . . Rd8 with 1 1 0-0
dxe5 etc. In reply to immediate castl i ng
4 e5
Black would have played 1 0 Bd6,
5 Nxe5 Nc6! followed eventually by . . . Ng4.
Consenting to impair his pawn 10 Be7
structure with the aim of e l i m i n
11 Nd2
ating White's only developed piece.

Page 1 07
Game 49 Sicilian Defence

I n this way the following transaction 17 . . . Oxa5?

will secure White a slightly preferable
Fortunately for White, Black here
ending; h owever it would perhaps
shows evidence of a lack of i nitiative
have been more promising to play
and decision; by avoiding the ex
1 1 0-0 RdB 1 2 Rd1 Nd5 13 Be3,
change of queens he would have
eventually followed by Nd2-e4.
obtained a middle-game which might
11 Rd8 perhaps have yielded a different
12 0-0 result. For example: 17 . . . Ob7 1 8
Be3 N d 5 ! 1 9 Bxc5 Nf4 o r 1 B Bf4?
And not 12 Ne4 Nxe4 13 dxe4
Oe4 19 Bc7 ReB etc. and B lack's
Bxe4. development is compensation for
12 Bxd3 the weakness on the queen's flank.
The endgame that follows is highly
13 Bxd3 Oxd3
instructive, despite the apparent
14 Oxc6+ Od7 simp! icity of the means employed
15 Oa6? by White, and represents a typical
example of a consistent exploitation
By simply playing 1 5 Oxd7+ Rxd7
of the double weakness of two
1 6 Nc4 White would have achieved
pawns on the same side of the board.
the same advantage as in the game.
The text move is inconsequential 18 Nxa5 Rd6
because Bl ack's middle-game 1 9 Be3 Ra6
chances are now equal.
20 Nb3
15 0-0
White does not need to prevent the
16 Nc4 Oc7 advance of the Black c-pawn because
17 Oa5 this would turn out to be to his own
advantage after 20 . . . c4 21 Nd2
Trying to rectify his previous queen
ReB 22 b3 Nd5 23 Bd4 Bf6 24
move.
Nxc4 Nxc3 25 Bxc3 Bxc3 26 Rac1
with a strong knight and a pawn
majority on the queen's side.
20 ReB
21 c4!
Depriving the Black knight of its
best square, d5. I t is interesting to
observe how B l ack, without com
mitting any errors, w i l l be first
reduced to complete passiveness
and then obliged to give up material
without being able to i m provize
anything i n his position.
Position after 17 Oa5 21 ... Kf8
Page 1 0B
 Game 49 Sicilian Defen::e

22 Rfd1 Rd6 31 Rd3

The reduction i n forces is welcome The immediate 31 Rb5 would per
to the side which has its movements haps have shortened the game but
restricted - as is Black's case since as Black is from now on condemned
his pieces are paralysed by the to complete inactivity White really
necessity of protecting h is c-pawn . has no need to hurry.
But a s the continuation shows, the
31 Ke7
combination of three pieces (rook,
bishop, and knight) supported by 32 g4
the k i ng is all that is requi red to This and the following pawn moves
exercise decisive pressure on the have a very clear purpose; White is
queen's side. preparing the most favourable
23 Rxd6 Bxd6 position on the k ing's flank for the
moment when he breaks through
24 Rd1 Ke7 0n the other side.
25 Na5 Be5 32 f6
Parrying the strong th reat 26 Nb7. 33 h4 Na4
26 Rd3 ! 34 Rb3 Nb6
Solely because of the possibil ity of 35 Rb5 Kd7
manoeuvring this active rook does
Black's position (which would have 36 h5 Ke7
been fairly pleasant after, say, 26 37 a3 Kd7
Rd2 Ne4 or 26 b3 Bc3) grad ually
38 Ke4
become critical.
The initial move of the wi n n i ng p l a n .
26 . . . Rc7
T h e k i ng w i l l b e provi5ionally reserved
And not 26 . . . Bxb2 27 Rb3 Be5 for the protection of the c-pawn,
28 Rb7+ Rc7 because of 29 Nc6+ which w i l l allow for the knight to go
w i n n i ng a piece. from a5 to b5 with decisive effect.
27 Rb3 Nd7 38 Ke7
28 f4 39 Kd3 Kd7
Just at the right moment because 40 Nb3 Na4
28 . . . Bd4 loses a pawn after 29
41 Nd2 Kc6
Bxd4 cxd4 30 Rd3. After 28 . . .
Bf6 the bishop is unable to co- 41 . . . a6 42 RbB would also be hope
operate in the defence of the queen's less.
wing. 42 b3 Nb6
28 Bd6 43 Ne4 Nd7
29 Kf2 Nb6 44 Ra5 Be7
30 Kf3 Kd7 Black has managed to defend his c-

Page 1 09
Game 50 Sicilian Defence

pawn adequately, but now it is the White to move

a-pawn's turn! b c d

45 Nc3! Rb7
46 Nb5 Kb6
47 b4 a6
48 Nc3 Kr.7
White planned 49 Na4+ etc. The
pawn can no longer be protected
and the alternative of abandoning
it by 48 . . . Rc7 would have proved
that Black is without hope : 49 Ne4 ! ,, b
Kb7 (or 49 . . . f5 50 gxf5 exf5 5 1 Position after 54 . . . Nd7
Nc3, followed b y 5 2 Nd5+, w i n ning)
50 bxc5 NbS 5 1 Nd6+.
55 Ke4!

49 Rxa6 The weakness of Black's e6 permits

cxb4
the White king to start up a mating
50 Nb5+ Kd8 attack, thereby bringing the game to
51 axb4 Bxb4 an end more rapidly than by any
Bc5 other exploitation of h is material
52 Rxe6
advantage.
53 Bd2!
55 Ke7
Intending a decisive simplification :
54 Ba5+ Bb6 (or 54 . . . Nb6 55 56 Kd5 Bg1
Rc6) 55 Rxb6 Rxb6 (or 55 . . . 57 Bb4+ Kd8
Nxb6 56 c5 ) 56 Kd4.
58 Ke6
53 Nf8
Threatening 59 Be7+, followed by
54 Rc6 Nd7 mate next move and thus forcing
the w i n . Black resigned.

G A M E 50

Prague 1 943
Sicilian Defence
White: A. A L E K H I N E
Black: J . PODG O R N Y

e4 c5 In reply to this relatively l ittle

2 c3 played move (which is in no way

Page 1 1 0

inferior to the other systems of
combating the Sicilian Defence ) ,
Black c a n play : (a) 2 . . . e 6 3 d 4
d5 4 exd5 etc. (b) 2 . . . d 6 , after
which White would, of course,
continue with 3 d4. (c) 2 . . . Nf6
3 e5 Nd5 4 d4 e6 etc., a form of
Alek h i ne's Defence. In fact the text
move can resu lt in Black's queen
finding herself i n an exposed
position. But, on the other hand ,
White w i l l have to seek, by means of
tactical manoeuvres, compensation
for the isolation of h is central pawn.
2 d5
3 exd5 Oxd5
4 d4 NeG
5 Nf3
Equally possible would be 5 dxc5
Oxc5 6 Be3 Oa5 etc., but White has
no wish to avoid the isolation of
the pawn since he desires to demon
strate that Black w i l l not have avail
able the necessary time to exploit
this weakness.
5 Bg4
6 Be2 cxd4
If 6 . . . e6 immediately then 7 h3 !
Bh5 8 c4, followed by cast l i ng, with
complications advantageous to
White.
7 cxd4 e6
8 Nc3 Bb4
This aggressive move, in conjunction
with the following one, leads to
compl icated tactical problems.
9 0-0 Oa5
Game 50 Sicilian Defence
White to move
Position after 9 . . . QaS
We are already at the critical point
i n the game. If White does not find
the l i ne of play appropriate to the
position he will not only lose his
advantage i n development (which
rests especially i n the fact that h is
king is in absolute safety whilst
the future of that of his rival is un
certa i n ) but w i l l also find that the
eventual weakness of h is isolated
pawn may occasion h i m serious
trouble. If, for example, he plays
10 Bd2 Nf6 1 1 a3 then the con
tinuation 1 1 . . . Bxc3 12 bxc3 Ne4
13 Bel ! would, to be sure, give h i m
f u l l satisfaction wre it not for the
fact that Black, i nstead of such a
l i ne, would answer 1 1 a3 with 1 1
. . . Be7! 1 2 Nb5 Qd8, followed by
13 . . . 0-0 and White would have
achieved absolutely nothing. Also
tempting at f i rst sight is 10 d5
since 10 . . . 0-0-0 would be punished
by 1 1 Ng5 ! ; but - apart from the
consequences of 10 . . . RdB 1 1 Ng5
Bf5 etc., which would leave nothing
clear on the horizon - B l ack can
simply play 1 0 . . . exd5 1 1 Oxd5
(if 1 1 Nxd5 0-0-0 with advantage)
Page 1 1 1
Game 50 Sicilian Defence
and now either 1 1 . . . Oxd5 1 2
Nxd5 Bd6 o r 1 1 . . . Bxc3 1 2 Qe4+
Be6 13 bxc3 Nf6, followed by
cast l i ng on the k ing's side, with a
satisfactory game for B l ack in both
cases. Consequently White is
obl iged, on account of the very
position, to seek a combinative
continuation which , i n some l i nes,
will involve impl icit sacrifices. The
objectives that White will pursue
are ( 1 ) the Black king and (2) the
B l ack queen. The following move
requires a very thorough anal ytical
examination of the position.
10 a3! !
The difficulty of this move lies
firstly i n the fact that it does not
appear to threaten anything (an
exchange of the two rooks for the
Black queen would be of doubtful
value i n this position - see the note
to White's next move) and it per
mits Black to play an important
developing move. Secondly, not
only does it fail to parry the threat
1 0 . . . Bxc3 1 1 bxc3 Oxc3 but, so
to speak, it actua l l y invites Black
to put this plan into operation.
Therefore the consequences of 1 0
. . . Nf6 and 1 0 . . . Bxc3 had to be
examined with particular care.
10 . .. Nf6
I f 10 . . . Bxc3 1 1 bxc3 Oxc3 the
continuation would have been 1 2
R b 1 ! (unconvincing o n the other
hand would be 12 Bd2 Ob2 13 R b 1
Oxa3 1 4 R x b 7 Nge7 a n d Black w i l l ,
a t least, b e able t o consolidate his
position by castl i ng) 1 2 . . . Nge7
(if 12 . . . 0-00 then 13 Oa4!
(threatening 14 d5) Bxf3 14 Bxf3
Page 1 1 2
Nge7 1 5 Ob5 Rd7 1 6 Bf4! with a
w i n n i ng position in view of the
threat, after 16 . . . Qxd4 or 1 6 . . .
Oa5, of. 1 7 Bxc6 Nxc6 1 8 Qxc6+ ! )
1 3 Rxb7 00 1 4 Oa4 ! and one can
not see how Black can parry the
m u ltiple th reats of his adversary.
11 d5!
This move alone (and not the
exchange mentioned above 1 1 axb4
Ox a 1 12 Ob3 Bxf3 1 3 Be3 Oxf1 +
1 4 Bxf1 Bd5 1 5 Nxd5 Nxd5 1 6 b5
Nee 7, toll owed by 1 7 . . . 00 with
a defensible game for Black ) con
stitutes one of the most important
objectives of the combinative play
begun with 10 a3 ! !
Position after 1 1 d5
11 . . . exd5
Besides this move, the following
were to be considered : (a) the inter
polation of 1 1 . . . Rd8 (or 1 1 . . .
0-00 ) , which would have been
triumphantly refuted by 12 Ob3 ! ,
threate n i ng 1 3 axb4, followed b y 1 4
Be3 w i n n i ng t h e queen; ( b ) 1 1 . . .
Nxd5 which would have received the
reply 12 Nxd5 exd5 13 axb4 Oxa1
14 Ob3 Bxf3 15 Bg5! Oxf 1 + 1 6
 Game 50 Sicilian Defence

Bxf1 Be4 1 7 f3 ! and Black, not Li kewise after 1 8 . . . Rfb8 1 9 N a2 !

having ma"aed to castle, w i l l Re8 20 Rxe8+ Rxe8 2 1 h3 White's
succumb, given t h e dislocation of material advantage would gradually
his pieces (the knight w i l l be impose itself.
expelled by b5). After <he text move
1 9 b5
White will force a l iquidation that
w i l l guarantee him a siight material Now this advance prevents for good
advantage. the entry of the Black rooks into
enemy territory.
12 axb4 Oxa1
19 axb5
13 Nd2!
20 Rxa7 b4
Threatening 14 Nb3 and thus forcing
the exchange that follo\'1/s. 21 Na2 Rfc8

13 Bxe2 22 f3 Ra8

14 Oxe2+ Ne7 23 Rxa8 Rxa8

If 14 . . . Kf8 then 15 Nb3 Oa6 1 6 24 Kf2 Nd7

b 5 Ob6 1 7 Na4 N d 4 1 8 Od 1 and 25 Nf4 Nb6
wins.
26 Ke3 ReB
15 Re1 !
27 Kd3 g5
More attractive but insufficient
A desperate try since there exists
would be 15 Ob5+ Nd7 16 Re1 on
no defence against the threat of 28
account of the reply 16 . . . K d 8 !
Be3 Nc4 29 Bd4.
15 . 0-0
28 Nh5 Black resigns
Evidently this is the only chance of
In fact after 28 . . . h6 29 Be3 Nc4
avoiding an immediate catastrophe.
30 Nf6+ Kf8 31 Bc5+ Kg7 32 Bd4
16 Nb3 Oa6 etc., Black's whole position crumbles
17 Qxa6 bxa6 away.

18 Rxe7 Rab8

Page 1 1 3
Game 51 Alekhine's Defence

Alekhine's Defence

GAME 5 1

Buenos Aires 1 939

Alekhine's Defence
White: E. R E E D (Chile)
Black: G. DAN I E LSSON (Swed e n )

One o f t h e very few revelations of 7 BdJ

the 1 939 Buenos Aires Olympiad
was E rnst Reed, the young Chi lean
(of German ancestry ) whose style
was distinguished by its clear energy
and daring attacking conception.
The following game is a specimen
characteristic of his understanding
of the game.
e4 Nf6
2 e5 Nd5
3 d4 d6
4 NfJ Nc6
When one chooses a pattern of play
which is in itself dubious, as is the
case with Alekhine's Defence, it is
absolutely vital to know i n depth at
least the most important l i nes derived
therefrom. After this i n correct move
(4 . . . Bg4 would have been better)
White obtains a strong, perhaps
already decisive, attack.
5 c4 Nb6
6 e6! fxe6
Naturally there is no alternative.
Black's greatest disadvantage is the
difficulty of developing his two
bishops, and he w i l l not succeed i n
doing s o without returning t h e pawn
that he has 'won '.
This simple developing move is more
convincing than 7, Ng5 after which
7 . . . e5 8 Qf3 Nxd4 9 Of7+ Kd7
would solve B l ack's problem with
out any immi nent danger.
7 ... Nd7
8 0-0
White, convi nced that he has the
superior development and the
better game, quite rightly prefers
not to force events. With 8 Ng5 he
could have won the exchange, for
examp l e : e . . . Nf6 9 Bxh 7 Nxh 7
10 Oh5+ Kd7 1 1 Nxh7 Nxd4 1 2
Na3 Oe8 (there i s nothing better)
13 Nf6+ exf6 14 Oxh8 but after 1 4
. . . Qg6 Black would nonetheless
have obtained good fighting
prospects.
8 Nf6
9 Re1 e5?
H i s opponent's quiet developing
moves have made Black nervous and
he hurriedly gives back the pawn. It
would have been better to play 9
. . . g6, after which White would
have had to increase the pressure
with another pawn sacrifice ( 10 d5
exd5 1 1 cxd5 Nxd5 1 2 Ng5 ! ) . But

Page 1 1 4
 Game 51 Alekhine's Defence

would he have decided to play this Truly forced , as 1 6 . . . e6 would be

I ine? I t is doubtful. On the other fatal owing to 1 7 Nxc7+, followed
hand, after the text move White not by 18 Rxe6+ etc. The following
only maintains his attack but does final attack is exemplarily elegant.
so with material equal .
White to move
10 dxe5 Nxe5
11 Nxe5 dxe5
12 Rxe5 Od6
If 12 . . . Bg4 then the reply 13 Ob3
would be disturbing.
1 3 Bf4 Bg4
14 Od2
Preventing 14 . . . 000 since 15 Rd5
would then win at once.
14 Od7
15 Nc3 Position after 16 . . . c6
I t is remarkable that this move
17 Oc2!
could have led to a considerable and
unnecessary tangle. The simple An intermediary move of great
technical solution to the problem importance which prepares for the
was 15 h3 and if 15 . . . 000 then following bishop attack. The
16 Oa5 ! ! Oxd3 17 Rc5 winning. immediate 1 7 h3 would not have
brought success after 17 . . . cxd5
15 . . . Rd8? 18 hxg4 dxc4.
The Swedish champion was certainly 17 . . Kf7
not on form this day, since other-
wise he would have decided to Forced because of the threat of 1 8
castl e , with the following possibilities: Bg6+.
16 Nd5 e6 and if 16 Re3 e5 1 7 Bxe5 18 h3 cxd5
Bb4 etc . , leaving White with in
Again forced because if 1 8 . . . Be6
sufficient to win. Only the sacrifice
19 Rxe6 ! Oxe6 20 Bf5.
of a piece 16 Nb5! Oxd3 17 Oa5
(and if 1 7 . . . Oxc4 18 Rc5 or 1 7 19 hxg4 Oxg4
. . . Kd7 1 8 Re3 Oc2 1 9 Oxc7+ Ke8 This loses at once but it is certain
20 Rae 1 ) would have invigorated that Black's fate was al ready decided.
the attack. But in any case instead
20 Bf5! I
of 16 . . . Oxd3 Black could play the
quieter 16 . . . c6, sustaining the In the purest and most lucid attack
position for some time. ing sty l e !
16 Nd5 c6 20 . . . Oxf4

Page 1 1 5
Game 52 King's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

21 Be6+ Ke8 24 Rxd7 Nxd7

22 Oa4+ Rd7 25 Rd1 Black resigns
23 Rxd5 Oc7

King's Pawn , Nimzowitsch Defence

G A M E 52

Buenos Ai res 1 939

King's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

White: E. ROJAHN (Norway)

Black: M . C Z E R N I A K (Palestine)

e4 Nc6 However this is a slight inexactitude

2 d4 d5
3 e5 Bf5
4 g4!
White adopts, not without success,
a stratagem common i n a similar
variation of the Caro-Kann Defence
1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 e5 Bf5 4 g4 with
the object of taking advantage of
the exposed position of the Black
bishop. The idea is particularly
enticing since Black will find
d i fficulty in undertaking a counter
attack i n the centre becase h is
c-pawn is blocked by the knight
and h is f-pawn is immob i l i zed by
the necess:ty of protecting the e
pawn against the White knight at
f4.
4 Bg6
5 Nh3 e6
6 Nf4
which would have hampered the
effect of his pi an. 6 Be3 first was
the right move, and only then Nf4.
5 Be4
7 Rg1 Nh6
Not taking into account the possib
i l ity of 7 . . . Nb4 8 Na3 c5 which
would have assured him of a game
full of promise.
8 Be3 Be7
9 Nd2 Bh4?
Of the two mistakes this is decidedly
the greater, since after the exchange
of the Black queen's bishop the
chances are in Wh ite's favour. Better
is 9 . . . Bg6, followed eventually
by . . . Qd7, . . . 0-0-0, and . . . f6.
1 0 Nxe4 dxe4
11 Bg2 Oe7
He tries to protect his e-pawn

Page 1 1 6
 Game 52 King's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

indirectly but this would not have Kxe7 20 Nxd5+ Kd6 21 Nf6 with
been successful had White selected advantage to White.
the simply reply 12 c3! and if 1 2 1 4 gxh6 Nxe3
. . . 0-0-0 (or 1 2 . . . Rd8) then 1 3
Bxe4 Nxe5 1 4 Oa4 with advantage 15 hxg7?
to White. Totally fulfi l l ing Black's hopes and
desires.
15 ... Bxf2+
A powerful intermediary check
which tilts the balance in Black's
favour.
1 6 Ke2
Clearly forced .
16 Rg8
17 Od3 Bxg1
Black has no other choice, as his
Position after 11 . . . Qe7 bishop is now truly caught.
12 Bxe4 ! ? 18 Ob5+ c6!
I n n o way a n error, but a counter Again a wel l calcul ated finesse. I f
combination by which he hopes to immediately 1 8 . . . K d 8 then 1 9
win more material than by a tranquil Rxg1 Nf5 2 0 Oxb7 ReB 2 1 Bxf5
plan. In fact the plausible variation exf5+ 22 Kd3 and White has the
12 . . . Nxe5 13 g5! Bxg5 14 Rxg5 advantage.
Oxg5 15 dxe5 Oxe5 16 Bxb 7 Rd8
19 Bxc6+ Kd8
17 Bc6+ Ke7 18 Nd3 Oxh2 19 Bc5+
would be advantageous for h i m . 20 Bxb7!
B u t Czerniak, w h o i s a tactician Insufficient would be 20 Rxg1 Nf5!
par excellence, discovers an 21 Oa5+ Oc7 and Black stands
interesting way of complicating better.
things.
20 ... Nxc2!
12 Nxe5
Now Black seems, at last, to be free
13 g5 ! Nc4! from all anguish; he not only has an
An ingenious resource which, how extra rook but the other White rook
ever, could hardly have produced and the queen (indirectly) are
the desired effect after 14 gxh6 attacked. Apparently there is no
Nxe3 15 Oe2 ! g5! 16 Nh5 Nd5 (or perpetual check; for exam p l e : 21
16 . . . Nf5 17 Bxf5 exf5 18 Ng7+, Oa5+ Oc7 22 Og5+ Ke8 23 Ob5+
followed by 19 Oxe7+ and 20 Nxf5+) Od7 and 24 Bc6 is impossible
1 7 Bxd5 exd5 18 Nf6+ Kf8 19 Oxe7+ because of 24 . . . Nxd4+. Nonethe-

Page 1 1 7
Game 52 King's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

less White saves his position with a 33) because of the reply 34 R c1
combinative m i racle. wh ich would give White an attack
21 Qa5+ Qc7 that would rapidly be decisive.
The following moves demonstrate
convincingly that it is impossible for
Black to avoid the draw.
22 fxe6
23 Qg5+ Qe7
24 Qa5+ Kd7
25 Qb5+ Kd8
26 Qa5+ Qc7
27 Qg5+ Ke8
28 Qh5+ Ke7
29 Qg5+ Kd7
30 Qb5+ Kd8
Position after 21 . . Oc7 31 Qg5+ Qe7
32 Qa5+ Kd7
22 Nxe6+! !
33 Qb5+
The idea of this sacrifice is to permit
a queen check at h5 each time the Drawn
B l ack k i ng goes to e8; i n addition This encounter can certai n l y take
the k i ng cannot escape to c7 (in the its place in an anthology of
position that is reached after move thr i l l ing games.

Page 1 1 8
PART THREE : CLOSE D GAMES

Queen's Gambit Declined ,

Orthodox Defence

G A M E 53

Buenos Aires 1 939

Queen's Gambit Declined

White: R. G R AU (Argentina)
Black: E . E L I S KASES (Germany)

1 d4 Nf6 9 cxd5
2 c4 e6 If 9 Oc2 Nxc3 10 Oxc3 the new
3 Nc3 d5 method 10 . . . dxc4 1 1 Bxc4 Nd7
(possibly also 1 1 . . . b6) offers a
4 Bg5 Be7 satisfactory defence. Characteristic
5 e3 h6 of Black's chances i n this variation,
6 Bh4 0-0 especial ly if White plays passively ,
is the game Lundin-Raud played i n
7 Nf3 Ne4 t h e pre l i m i nary section, which con
8 Bxe7 Oxe7 tinued as follows (after 1 1 . . . N d 7 ) :
1 2 00 b6 1 3 Rfd 1 Bb7 1 4 Rac1
Rfd8 15 Be2 c5 16 Oa3 a5 17 Nd2
e 5 ! 18 dxc5 Nxc5 19 Nc4 Og5 20
g3 Of6 2 1 Rxd8+ Rxd8 22 Rd 1
Rxd 1 + 23 Bxd 1 Ba6 24 Nd2 Od6
25 Oc3 Ne4 ! and White resigned.
9 Nxc3
10 bxc3 exd5
11 Qb3 Qd6
For the move 1 1 . . . Rd8 see the
game Sthlberg-Piazzini (Game 54 ) .
1 2 c4 dxc4
Position after 8 . . . Oxe7 13 Bxc4 Nc6
Page 1 1 9
Game 53 Queen 's Gambit Declined

14 Qc3 Bg4 20 h3 BcB 21 a4 Nc6. If in th is case

22 Nxc6 Oxc6 25 a5 then simply
1 5 Nd2
25 . . . Be6 with a certain draw.
Since the game Euwe-Ei iskases,
20 Nxf5 Bxf5
Noordwijk 1 93B, 15 0-0 has been
considered too daring, principally 21 Qa5!
because (as is usual ly the case) White Rightly recognizing that the couple
lost that game. But as the with of attacking moves that Black w i l l
drawal of the kn ight i n the text p l a y after losing t h e pawn can
gives Black easy equalizing chances, easily be neutralized.
Euwe's doubtful move probably
21 ... Be4
requires a more detailed analysis.
22 Oxa7
15 Rad8
And not 22 f3 b6!, saving the pawn.
16 0-0
22 Qg6
The natural reply and at the same
time a l ittle trap; the attempt 1 6 23 Bf1 Rd2
. . . Nxd4 1 7 exd4 Oxd4 would now 24 Qa5
be refuted by 1B N b 1 !
Intending to exchange a pair of
16 ... Ne7 rooks by 25 ReB if Black plays 24
17 Rfc1 . . . RfdB.
Allowing the following emancipation. 24 Rd5
17 h3 Bf5 (or BcB) 1B Rfd 1 was to
25 Qb4 Rfd8
be considered although Black would
have found adequate counter-play in
White to move
any case.
b h
17 ... c5!

The centralization of the White

knight was truly strong and its
elimi nation is thus desirable. But
why not try to achieve this without
losing a pawn? In fact there would
be no objection to 1 9 . . . a6
Position after 25 . . . Rfd8
26 Rc4?
An elementary error which is even
more surprising from Grau , who

Page 1 20
 Game 54 Queen 's Gambit Declined

usually attends to his tactical pro 30 Rxd1 Rxd1

cedures with the utmost care, even
Threatening 3 1 . . . Oa6.
in unimportant games. After the
natural 26 g3, followed by the 31 Qc4 Qc6
exchange of bishops at g2 Black 32 Oxc6 Bxc6
would have to fight very hard to
33 f4
obtain a draw.
The only defence against 33 . . .
26 . - . Bxg2!
Bb5, but now i n a few moves Black
A two-move combination (27 Bxg2 forces a won pawn ending.
R d 1 + or 27 Rg4 Qf6) which not
33 Ra1
only re-establishes the material
equilibrium but also irremediably 34 f5 Kf8
compromises the position of the 35 f6 gxf6
White king. From now on El iskases
36 Rh3 Bb5
exploits his advantage in h is usual
forceful style. 37 Rf3 Ke7
27 Rg4 Qf6 38 e4 KeG
28 Rb1 Bf3 39 White resigns
29 Rg3 Rd1

G A M E 54

Buenos Aires 1 939

Queen's Gambit Declined
White: G. STA H LB E R G (Sweden)
Black: L. P I AZZ I N I (Argentina)

d4 Nf6 7 Bh4 Ne4

2 c4 e6 8 Bxe7 Oxe7

3 Nc3 d5 9 cxd5
4 Nf3 Be7 The alternative 9 Oc2 gives Black a
satisfactory defence by simply play
5 Bg5 0-0
i ng 9 . . . Nxc3 1 0 bxc3 Nd7 (see
6 e3 h6 the game Lundin-Raud in the pre
l i m inary sectio n ) . *
This intermediary move, in con
nection with Lasker's . . . Ne4, is 9 ... Nxc3
the 'l ast cry' of this defence to the
Queen's Gambit. *See page 1 1 9

Page 1 2 1
Game 54 Queen 's Gambit Declined

10 bxc3 exd5 has neutralized White's th reats on

the queen's flank.
11 Ob3 Rd8
1 8 Kh1 ReS
This old move is, in my opinion , as
good as Bernstein's 1 1 . . . Od6, 1 9 Rae1
successfully adopted later by A sufficient defence against 19 . . .
El iskases (in his games against Euwe Nxd4 which would now be refuted
at Noordwijk and against Grau at by 20 exd4 Rde6 21 Bd l .
Buenos Aires). The p resent game,
despite being lost by Black, confirms 19 . .. ,Oe6!
its value. A fine positional move which gives
12 c4 dxc4! Black a clear advantage, since White,
in order to defend the attacked a
Bl ack shuns an exchange of queens pawn. must lose a tempo.
( 1 2 . . . Nc6 13 cxd5 Qb4+ etc . ) in
order to be able to exploit better
a l l the tactical chances that the
position offers in the middle-game
(White's uncastled king, the possibil
ity of attacking with the knight at
a5 etc . ) ; all these chances are very
clear.
13 Bxc4 Nc6
14 Oc3 Bg4
If now 1 4 . . . Ob4 then 1 5 Rac1 and
White obtains some pressure on the
c-file.
Position after 19 . . . Oe6
1 5 0-0
20 Rg1 !
Practically forced.
A profound pawn sacrifice which
15 Bxf3 shows that Stahlberg had few
16 gxf3 Of6 i l l usions about th e solidity of his
Rd6 position were he to continue with
1 7 Be2
h is passive defence. It is evident
Although Black obtains a satisfactory that if 20 a3 Qd5 2 1 Rg1 Rf6 22
game with this last move it is not Rg3 Oa5 virtually forces an exchange
the most recommendable because i t of queens, since if 23 Oa 1 or 23
reduces t h e dynamism of t h e position Qc1 Black would gain superiority
with the temporary immobil ization with 23 . . . Ne7.
of the knight. A more logical pro-
20 ... Oxa2?
-cedure would be 1 7 . . . Rd7 and
if 18 Rab1 then 18 . . . NdB, Having calculated the immed iate
followed by 19 . . . c6, and Black consequences of this capture, Black

Page 1 22
 Game 55 Queen's Gambit Declined

is unable to resist the temptation, with 26 Bb5 ! , followed by 27 Ra 1 .

and is finally the victim of a
25 . . . Oa4
positional attack executed i n
masterly style. He should have In the case of 25 . . . a6 the attack
realized that his adversary was pro 26 Ob4 would have been very good .
posing an attack not on the king 26 Ra1 Od7
but on the queen, and that the
27 Rxa7 b6
sacrifice was not based on a
particular combination but on a 28 f4 Ng6
general appreciation of the position. 29 Bf3
Thus he should have persisted with
After this Bl ack has no good defence
his original idea 20 . . . Od5! and if
against the threat of 30 e5,
21 Rg3 then 21 . . . Oa5.
followed by 3 1 e6 etc.
21 d5 Ne5
29 . . . f6
22 e4 Rg6
Weakening the position of the
One of the points of Black's knight, and causing immediate
scheme. If now 23 Oxc7 then 23 catastrophe .
. . . R xg 1 + 24 Kxg1 Ob3! with 30 Ra8+ Kh7
counter-chances.
31 Oc2 Rf7
23 Rg3!
The last hope : 32 e5 fxe5 33 fxe5?
Making h is king's position safe once Rxf3 34 Kxf3 Oxd5+.
and for a l l .
32 e5 fxe5
23 - . R xg3
33 Be4!
If 23 . . . Re7 then 24 Kg2.
With the threat (if 33 . . . Qg4 ) of
24 hxg3 Re7 34 Bxg6+ Oxg6 35 Rh8+. Black
25 Kg2 resigned.
Threaten i ng to hunt down the queen

GAME 55

Cracow 1 942
Queen's Gambit Declined
White: A. A L E K H I N E
Black: K U N E RTH

d4 d5 3 Nc3 Nf6
2 c4 e6 4 Nf3 c6

Page 1 2 3
Game 55 Queen 's Gambit Declined

5 e3 Nbd7 prospects.
6 Bd3 Bd6 21 hxg5 hxg5
The Meran Variation 6 . . . dxc4 22 Rxg5 Rh8
7 Bxc4 b5 8 Bd3 a6 - so popular 23 Og4!
in the past - is less frequently
played nowadays. Much superior to 23 Rh5 c5,
followed by 24 . . . Oc6 with an
7 e4 dxe4 effective threat.
8 Nxe4 Nxe4 23 c5
9 Bxe4 Nf6 24 Ke2 NbS
10 Bc2 Bb4+ 25 Rd1 Nc6
11 Kf1
Sharper and much better than 1 1 White to move

Bd2 which is refuted by 1 1 . . . Oa5. l,:hc;: ::;: I;;;I:;:::L::;:

::! w :
11 b6 - . B e
1 2 h4 Bb7 ' lr*l!
ru..a.l li:IJ1
ll:.
. t ..
13 Rh3 Bd6 - t . 6
14 Oe2 5
.
. -
-



Oc7
15 b3
More energetic would have been 1 5
Bd2 000 1 6 b4 ! and i f 1 6 . . . c5
then 1 7 dxc5 bxc5 18 b5.
0 I
15 00-0
Position after 25 . . . Nc6
16 Bb2 h6
26 Rd6! Rhf8
Instead of this passive move 16 . . .
c5 would be preferable. 27 Rxd8+ OxdB
1 7 Ne5 Rhe8? 28 Rg7 Kb8
1 8 a3! Bxe5 29 Of4 Od7
After this exchange Black's situation 30 Od2
remains extremely precarious. But Simpler than 30 g4 etc.
now 18 . . . c5 would solve nothing
owing to 1 9 b4 !
30 Oe7
31 Od6+ Oxd6
1 9 dxe5 Nd7
g5 32 exd6 e5!
20 Rg3!
33 Bf5! Nd4+
A desperate move since 20 . . . g6
2 1 b4 could not offer Black worse 34 Bxd4 exd4

Page 1 24
 Game 56 Queen 's Gambit Declined

35 g4 b5 46 Rh5 Re3+
36 Kd3! Or 46 . . . Kxd6 47 Rd5+ Kc6
And not 36 cxb5 Bd5 37 Bc2 Rd8. 48 Rf5.

36 BaG 47 Kd2 Rg3

37 g5 bxc4+ 48 Rxc5 Kxd6

38 bxc4 Bb7 49 Rd5+ Ke7

39 f4 Bg2 If 49 . . . Kc6 then 50 Rg5 ! fxg5 5 1

f5 etc.
40 Kd2
50 f5 Rxa3
A shorter road to victory would
have been 40 Ke2 ! 51 Rxd4 Rg3

40 Bfl 52 Re4+ Kd6

41 Bd3 Bxd3 53 ReG+ Kc5

42 Kxd3 Kc8 54 Rxf6 Kxc4

43 Rh7! Kd7 55 Rf7 a5

44 Rh6 f6 56 g7 Kd4

45 g6! ReB 57 f6 Black resigns

G A M E 56

Buenos Ai res 1 939

Queen's Gambit Declined

White: V. M E NCH I K (G reat Brita i n )

Black: S. G RAF (Germany)

1 d4 d5 6 Bd3 c5
2 c4 e6 7 0-0 0-0
3 Nf3 Nf6 8 Bd2
4 Nc3 Nbd7 The fact is that White has no more
effective move than this one. since
A strong reply to this uncommon
there are none which would follow
move is 5 cxd5 and after 5 . . . exd5
logically from the previous moves.
6 Bf4. White should not restrict the
action of the bishop as she does in 8 a6
this game. 9 cxd5 exd5
5 e3 Bb4

Page 1 25
Game 56 Queen 's Gambit Declined
Position after 9 . . . exd5
10 Rcl
A grave strategic error from which
White will find it difficult to
recover. There were two possibi l i ties
of obtain ing a combinative game:
firstly the isolation of Black's d
pawn by means of 1 0 dxc5 with
the continuation 10 . . . Nxc5 1 1
Be2 Ne6 (against the possible 1 2
a3 ) 1 2 Ob3, foll owed by 1 3 Rfdl
etc. Second l y , by allowing B l ack an
extra pawn on the queen's side but
at the cost of the exchange of her
bishop at b4. For instance, 10 a3
Bxc3 1 1 Bxc3 c4 12 Bc2 b5 1 3
Ne5 Bb7 1 4 f 3 a 5 1 5 Gel with
chances for both sides. From now
on, White, on account of her
passiveness, w i l l be forced to face
an increasingly restricted position.
10 c4
11 Bbl Re8
1 2 Ne2 Bd6
13 Bc3 b5
1 4 Ng3 g6
1 5 Rel
There are fewer moves available
Page 1 26
each time. The result of the text
move is the necessity of placing
the rook on a square that is scarcely
pleasing and eventually vulnerable.
15 Bb7
16 Re2 b4
17 Bel a5
18 Ng5
The object of this complicated
manoeuvre is finally to guarantee
the square e5 for the knight. To
achieve this White must try to
th reten (or at least pretend to do
so) e4 and thus provoke the Black
fpawn into advancing two squares.
18 Ng4
1 9 Nh3 f5?
Allowing White to complete her
plan and obtain some chances of
salvation. Much more i n accordance
with the position was 19 . . . Ndf6
when White would not be able to
play 20 e4 immediately (because
of 20 . . . dxe4 21 Rxc4 Ba6 ) , nor
prepare for it with 20 Bd2 (because
of 20 . . . Ne4 ) ; after any other move
Black would find it easy to strengthen
her position by . . . a4a3 or . . . Oc7,
followed by . . . h5h4.
20 Nfl Oc7
21 f4 Ndf6
Since Black was not intending next
move to play . . . Ne4, with which
her plan would be completely in
order, she could advance the a
pawn at once.
22 Bh4 a4
23 Ng5 Oe7
24 Rel a3

25 b3 c3
Position after 25 . . . c3
Black has obtained a won ending
by advancing on the queen's wing.
All that is necessary now is to open
up a l ine on the opposite side of
the board with the idea of penetrat
ing the enemy position and com
pel l ing the required reduction of
forces.
26 Nf3 Og7
27 h3 Nh6
28 Bxf6
It must be adm itted that un
fortunately this bishop had few
prospects, whereas the Black knight
at e4 would be a serious threat.
28 Oxf6
29 Ne5 Oe7
Here and on the following moves
Black loses valuable time and
d i rectly provokes an attack on the
ki ng's flank. The logical plan was
to bring the knight to e4 via f7
and d6 after playing 29 . . . Bf8.
30 Nh2 Rec8
31 Nhf3 Nf7
Game 56 Queen's Gambit Declined
32 Bd3 Rc7
33 Oe2 Qd8
34 Rc2 Oc8
Both players are making a series of
unusual and mysterious moves,
probably under time pressure. Now
White suddenly decides to exchange
knights although there was no reason
for doing so until the proper time.
A more pr4dent plan would be first
to obtain the formation h4, g3, Kg2,
R h 1 and threaten an attack by h5.
I f White eventual l y provoked Black
by means of such a threat into play
ing . . . h5 a definite draw would be
assured.
35 Nxf7 Rxf7
36 Bb5 Rc7
37 Bd3 Bf8
38 Ne5 Bg7
39 Kh2 Bf6?
40 Rg1 Kf8?
The preoccupation with time is past
and White now finds the following
good move after careful considera
tion. In reality, the attack started
by 41 g4 ! could have been successful
had White not failed to appreciate
her opponent's resources.
41 g4! Bxe5
42 fxe5?
This first move after the adjourn
ment is the decisive mistake. 42
dxe5 is necessary in order to answer
42 . . . fxg4 with 43 Rxg4 (threaten
ing f5) and 42 . . . Ba6 with 43 R d 1
Bxd3 4 4 Rxd3 Oa6 4 5 Od 1 etc.
with sufficient counter-play. After
the text move White's attacking
Page 1 27
Game 56 Queen's Gambit Declined

chances qu ickly vanish and Black Preparing to reply to 54 . . . h5

finally is able to force the entry of with 55 g5.
her queen into the enemy fortress. 54 h6
42 fxg4 55 Qf1 Kg7
43 Rf1+ 56 Kg3 h5
The exchange of rooks is certai n l y This should win quickly.
wel l received b y Black. Better and
much more opportune would be 43 57 gxh5 Og5+
Rxg4 although Black, by playing 43 58 Kf2 Of5+
. . . Ba6, would be i n a position
59 Bf3
gradually to repel all the threats.
After a king move there follows 59
43 Rf7
. . . Oxf1 + 60 Kxf1 Bf5 and White
44 Rxf7+ Kxf7 loses the bishop.
45 hxg4 Od8 59 . . Oc2+?
46 Kg3 Kg7 A simple w i n n i ng move would be
47 Qf1 Oe7 59 . . . g5.
48 Rf2 Rf8 60 Oe2?
49 Rf4 Bc8 M issing the opportunity to play 60
Kg3 Oxa2? 61 Be4 and the entry of
50 Bc2 Be6
the queen at f6 would force a draw.
51 Rxf8? But 60 . . . gxh5 6 1 Bxh5 Of5,
This second exchange is as difficult followed by 61 . . . c2 would still
to understand as the first one. The permit Black to w i n .
immed iate 5 1 Oa6 would place Black t o move
Black in a complicated situation. b (:

51 Oxf8
52 Oa6 Oe7
53 Bd1
There was no defence against 53 . . .
h5 and Black could have played
this move immediately; for instance,
53 . . . h5 54 gxh5 gxh5 55 Bxh5 c2
56 Oc6 Og5+ 57 Kf2 Oh4+ 58 Kg1
Oe 1 +, followed by 59 . . . c1 (0).
But this slight carelessness does not
spoil anything. Position after 60 Oe2

53 Kf7 60 ' . . Oxe2+? ?

54 Kf4 An incorrect move, the weakness of

Page 1 28
 Game 56 Queen 's Gambit Declined

which is not d im i n ished by the fact The last mistake, this time not
that Black had obtained a won through time pressure, and the last
ending more or less accidentally. opportunity to win. Victory was
With 60 . . . Ob2 the second player still obtainable by 61 . . . g5! with
would certainly achieve (speaking in the unanswerable threat of 62 . . .
general) a 'deserved' victory and at Kh6, followed by 63 . . . g4 and 64
the same time an 'undeserved' world . . . Kxh5. This time the execution
title. Undeserved because the present is played less unhappily.
game demonstrates much more Kxg6
62 hxg6
clearly than any argument that it is
totally unfair to persuade a player of 63 Bxd5 Bb1
an acknowledged superclass l i ke 64 Kd1
Miss Mench ik to defend her title
Had Black foreseen in her calcula
year after year in tournaments com
tions this simple defence?
posed of very inferior players. I t is
not surprising that after so many 64 Bd3
tournaments she has lost much of 65 Bc6 Kf7
her interest, and plays some games
66 d5 Ke7
casually, much below her strength.
But such accidental d ifficulties could 67 e4 Kf7
not possibly be decisive in a 68 e6+ Kf6
championship, if it were settled,
69 e5+ Ke7
l ike any title of importance, in a
match and not in a tournament. 70 Bb7 Bg6
M iss Graf unq uestionably has original 71 Ba6 Be4
talent but she lacks one of the
present champion's finest qualities : 72 Bc4 Bg6
interest in theoretical knowledge 73 d6+ Kd8
combined with the determination
74 Bd5 Black resigns
for self-perfection.
61 Kxe2 Bf5?

GAME 57

Consultation Game, Rio de Janeiro

1 939
Queen's Gambit Declined
White: A. A L E K H I N E and W. C R U Z
Black: A. S I LVA ROCHA.
C H A R L I E R , and 0. C R U Z

Page 1 29
Game 57 Queen 's Gambit Declined

d4 Nf6 threatening 1 1 . . . bxc5 1 2 bxc5

Bxc5.
2 c4 e6
d5 11 Bh2 bxc5
3 Nc3
4 Nf3 Be7 12 bxc5

A good reply to the usual move 4

a d g
. . . c5 is 5 cxd5 Nxd5 6 e3 .
5 Bf4 0-0
6 e3 a6
This permits White to block the
game in an effective way but the
plausible alternative 6 . . . c5 would
have been equally favourable to the
first player after 7 dxc5 Bxc5 8
cxd5 Nxd5 9 Nxd5 exd5 1 0 Bd3
Bb4+ 1 1 Kf1 !
7 c5!
Position after 12 bxc5
Practice has shown (and the present
game confirms it) that after this 12 ... e5
move Black, if he wishes to defend Although ingenious and correct
his position and bring his queen's from the tactical point of view.
bishop into play. will be obl iged this move is revealed to be in
to create positional weaknesses.
sufficient to equalize the battle,
7 Nbd7 as would be any other try. Black's
i n itial error was his sixth move.
8 Bd3 ReS
With the idea of playing a combina
13 Nxe51
tion similar to the one in the game The continuation 13 dxe5 Nxc5 14
Euwe-Sp ielmann, Mahrisch-Ostrau exf6 Bxf6 15 Rc1 d4 ! would have
1923 , 9 . . . Bxc5 10 dxc5 e5 etc. been dangerous and, final l y , with
out advantage for White.
9 b4 c6
10 h3 13 Nxe5
Bxc5
It is extremely important to conserve 14 Bxe5
the queen's bishop, which would 15 0-01
have had to be surrendered had The result of the preparations of
White, i nstead of this, played 1 0 the last few moves is clearly i n
0-0 Nh5. White's favour; Black's c-pawn is
10 . . . b6 weak and the White bishop at e5
occupies a dominating position.
The only possible attempt at
emancipation. Now Black is aga i n 15 .. . Bd6

Page 1 30
 Game 57 Queen 's Gambit Declined

16 f4 21 Rxb71
Equally strong is 1 6 Bxd6 Qxd6 1 7 Now the sacrifice is absolutely
Na4 since the sacrificial combina sound.
tion 1 7 . . . Bxh3 18 gxh3 Rxe3 21 . Rxb7
would be refuted by 1 9 Kg2 ! How
ever I consider it logical to main 22 Oxc6 Bxe5
tai n the bishop in its strong position. Relatively better was 22 . . . Nxe5
16 Oe7 23 fxe5 Ba3 24 Oxd5 although
this too would leave Black without
With the intention of playing 1 7 hope .
. . . Nd7.
23 Oxb7
1 7 Oc2 g6
The simplest, as 23 fxe5 would
18 Na4 Bb7 allow Black to save h is d-pawn by
19 Rab1 Ra7 23 . . . R b4 ! . after which he would
The only move. After 1 9 . . . Rab8 be able to offer vigorous resistance.
20 Nc5 would be decisive. 23 Bg7
20 Rb3 24 Kh2
White decides to defer the sacrifice Stronger than 24 Rf3 Nf6! 25 Oxe 7
of the exchange for one move. I n Rxe7 26 Bxa6 Ra7 27 Bb5 Ra5
effect the immed iate 2 0 Rxb7 Rxb7 with good drawing chances.
2 1 Oxc6 would allow the following
24 Rb8
counter-attack : 21 . . . R d 7 ! 22
Bxf6 Qxe3+ 23 Rf2 Rc7! 24 Qxd6 25 Oxd5 Oxe3
R c l + 25 Kh2 (if 25 Bf1 Rxfl + ! ) 26 Bc4 Oxd4
Oxf2 with advantage to Black.
Black does not know how to
20 " . Nd7 evaluate his chances of equal izing
White to move the game in the ending that follows.
It would have been preferable to
try to combat his opponent's
material superiority by playing, for
example, 26 . . . Qe7 27 Bb3 Nb6 28
Nxb6 Rxb6 29 Re 1 ! Qf8 although
of course Black would have l ittle
hope i n the long run.
27 Oxd4 Bxd4
28 Rd1
28 Bxa6 is impossible because of
28 . . . R b4 ! with advantage to
Position after 20 . . . Nd7 Black.

Page 1 3 1
Game 58 Queen 's Gambit Declined

28 Nc5 35 Kf3 RdG

29 Rxd4 Nxa4 3G BxeG fxeG
30 BxaG 37 a4 ReG
The rest does not present any 38 a5 h5
serious d ifficulties since White w i l l
39 Ra4 RaG
always b e a b l e t o force an exchange
of minor pieces at the opportune 40 Ke4 h4
moment, thereby guaranteeing the 41 Kd4 KfG
triumphant march of his passed
42 Kc5 g5
pawn. The final phase unfolded as
follows: 43 fxg5+ Kxg5
30 Nc5 44 Kb5 Ra8
31 Bc4 NeG 45 aG Kf5
32 Re4 Rb4 4G Rxh4 e5
33 Kg3 Kg7 47 Ra4 Black resigns
34 Bd5 RbG

G A M E 58

Buenos Aires 1 939

Queen's Gambit Declined
White: E. L U N D I N (Swed e n )
Black: A. S I LVA ROCHA (Braz i l )

Nf3 NfG G . NeG

2 c4 eG An old move that has been com
pletely abandoned since the famous
3 Nc3 c5
victory by P i l lsbury (White)
4 d4 d5 against Lasker at Cambridge Springs
5 Bg5 i n 1904. If the present game does
not manage to rehabil itate the move
The only advantage of this move
entirely, it does clearly demonstrate
over the usual 5 cxd5 is that it has
that its reputation has not been well
been l ess practised and analysed.
judged. as has generally been
5 cxd4 thought for the last quarter of a
G Oxd4 century.

After 6 Nxd4 e5 7 Nf3 d4 8 Nd5 7 BxfG gxf6

Be7 White has achieved noth ing. 8 Qh4 dxc4

Page 1 32

Position after 8 . . . dxc4
9 Oxc4?
As in his game against M ichel ,
Lund in chooses here a move which
shows an almost unbelievable
ignorance of the most important
variations in the opening. The game
Pillsbury-Lasker mentioned above,
and reproduced in nearly all chess
books, continued 9 R d 1 Bd7 10 e3
Ne5 1 1 Nxe5 fxe5 1 2 Qxc4 with
advantage to White. But even not
knowing this, White could hard l y
expect to acquire any advantage by
leaving development aside and
moving only his queen. Of course
Black, in the variation indicated,
could, i nstead of 10 . . . Ne5, play
10 . . . Be7 1 1 Bxc4 Qa5 1 2 0-0 00
with opportunities for both sides
but this alternative would be infinite
l y preferable to the l i ne of play
chosen which, in a few moves, leaves
White in a d esperate situation.
9 Qb6
10 0-0-0?
Begin n i n g to play despairingly. A
better defensive attempt for the
Game 58 Queen 's Gambit Declined
al ready compromised situation
would have been 10 Qb5.
10 ... Bd7
A safe and logical preparation for
the following attack on the cfile.
But Black could also, without any
risk, have taken the pawn offered,
since after 10 . . . Oxf2 neither 1 1
Nb5 Bh6+ 1 2 Kb1 00 nor 1 1 Ne4
Qe3+ 12 Kb1 Be7 would give White
any serious chance. The embarrassing
situation is the best proof of the
anti-positional character of 10 000?
11 e3 Ne5
Avoiding 1 2 Qb5 as a possible
answer to 1 1 . . . ReB.
1 2 Nxe5 fxe5
13 Be2?
There is no time for quiet developing
moves and this should have been
understood. Adequate would be 1 3
Qb3 and if 1 3 . . . Bb4 then 14 Kb1
etc., trying to organize a defence.
13 ReB
14 Qd3?
The fourth mistake, and this time
decisive. The last defensive chance
was offered by 14 Qb3 Bb4 15 Rd3.
14 . . Ba4
Winning at least the exchange.
15 Rd2
Page 1 33
Game 59 Queen 's Gambit Declined

Black to move Ba3+. An astonishing result in a

a b c d e 1 variation which for years has been
considered "mortally lost' for Black.
16 Kb1
Desperation.
16 .. Bxc3
17 Rc1 e4
Also 1 7 . . . 0-0 1 8 Rxc3 RedS would
have compelled resignation.
18 Od4
Or 18 Oxe4 Bc6!
Position after 1 5 Rd2
18 Bxd4
15 . . . Bb4!
19 R xc8+ Ke7
After this there is no remedy against
20 White resigns
the th reat 16 . . . Rxc3+ 17 bxc3

G A M E 59

Buenos Aires 1 939

Queen's Gambit Declined
White: V. KAHN ( France)
Black: P. SC H M I DT (Estonia)

d4 Nf6 8 Nxd4 Oa5

2 c4 e6
a b c d e t
3 Nf3 d5
4 Bg5 Bb4+
5 Nc3 dxc4
6 e4 c5
7 Bxc4
Together with the following two
moves this is far more simple and
profound than the romantic com
pl ications that arise from 7 e5 cxd4
8 Oa4+ Nc6 9 0-00.
7 ... cxd4 Position after 8 . . . Ga5

Page 1 34
 Game 59 Queen 's Gambit Declined

9 Bxf61 lead only to an exchange of queens.

A Russian d iscovery that was tried 12 Qb6
for the first time in the game Kotov 13 Oe2
Yudovich for the Soviet Champion
With the concealed pi an of
ship i n 1 93 1 . The key to this
exploiting the insecure position of
capture if to be found i n the fact
the Black king, a possibil ity that
that after the plausible moves 9 . . .
his opponent completely d isrega rds.
Bxc3+ 1 0 bxc3 Oxc3+ 1 1 Kf1
Oxc4+ 12 Kg1 White's remaining 13 ... ReB?
bishop would be untouchable
A double error. F i rst, Black loses
because of the threat of 13 Rc 1 .
the opportunity for profitable
Other possibil ities, such as 1 2 . . .
simplification by means of 13 . . .
Bd7 1 3 Rc1 Oxa2 1 4 Nxe6 ! ! or
Bxc3 1 4 Rxc3 Ne5 1 5 Rd 1 with
12 . . . Nd7 1 3 Rc1 Oa6 14 Bxg7
only extremely slight advantage to
Rg8 1 5 Bh6 etc. would immediately
White. Secondly, in the event of
be disadvantageous to Black since
Black's not attempting to simpl ify,
he would have nothing better than
he could have protected the square
to refuse the astute gift, thereby
b5 i n one stroke by 13 . . . a6.
admitting that his opening tactics
From now onwards Kahn acquires
have failed by not producing the
the advantage i n decisive fashion.
desired effect.
9 gxf6 b t

10 0-0 Bd7
If Black were able to keep his pai r
of bishops he could hope to reach
an endgame in which he might have
fair compensation for his dislocated
pawn structure and the denuded
situation of his king. But, as the
continuation shows, this is too
d ifficult a task, especially because
the bishop at b4 is exposed and
held down by the necessity of POsition after 13 . . . ReS
protecting the weak Black squares
14 Bb5
in the centre.
By means of this powerful move
11 Rc1 Nc6
White threatens to obtain a decisive
12 Nb3 positional advantage after 15 Bxc6
12 Ndb5 would be tempting but Rxc6 (if 15 . . . bxc6 then 1 6 Na4,
rather premature because of 12 . . . followed by 1 7 Nc5) 1 6 Nd 5 ! and
Black's chances remain very l i mited.
Ne5 13 Be2 Rd8 after which 14
Nd6+ Bxd6 15 Oxd6 Bc6 woul d 14 o 0 o Rd8

Page 1 35
Game 60 Queen 's Gambit Declined

15 Rfd1 20 Qc4!
Renewing the same threat and With the unavoidable threat of 2 1
intending 16 Rd3 if 15 . . . 0-0. Nxb7 .
15 Be7 20 Ke7
16 Na4 21 Nxb7 Bxb7
Now the occupation of c5 will 22 Bxc6 ReB?
quickly decide. A grave mistake which loses at once.
16 Oc7 After 22 . . . Bxc6 23 Oxc6 Oxc6
24 Rxc6 Rd8 25 Rc7+ Kf8 26 g3
1 7 Nac5 Bxc5
Rd2 27 Kg2 White would have to
Or 1 7 . . . Bc8 18 Rxd8+ Bxd8 1 9 employ all his technical ski l l to win
Nxb7 Bxb7 2 0 Bxc6+ Bxc6 2 1 Nd4 the rook ending.
with advantage to White.
23 Ob4+ Black resigns
1 8 Nxc5 BcB
This game, and of course the victory
White threatened 19 Nxb7 Oxb7 of Kotov, seems to signify it not
20 Rxd7 Rxd7 21 Bxc6 with the end of the whole Vienna
sufficient advantage. Variation at least that of the move
19 RxdB+ KxdB 6 . . . c5.

Queen's Gambit Declined, S lav Defence

G A M E 60

Eleventh and last match game, New

York 1 942
Queen's Gambit Declined
White: S. R ESHEVSKY
Black: I . KASHDAN

d4 d5 More in vogue is the variation 5 a4

2 c4 c6 (compare with the 1 937 Alekhine-
Euwe match ) . The present game
3 Nf3 Nf6 certainly will not contribute towards
4 Nc3 dxc4 bringing 5 e3 into fashion.
5 e3 5 . . . b5

Page 1 36
 Game 60 Queen 's Gambit Declined

6 a4 b4 bpawn can easily be parried.

7 Na2 e6 13 Be7
8 Bxc4 Nbd7 1 4 a5
9 0-0 Bb7 The logical consequence of the
1 0 Qe2 c5 preceding move.

11 Rdl 14 0-0
15 Bd2 Qb8!
16 a6
The exchange of the gpawn for
the bpawn would clearly be
advantageous to Black.
16 Bd5
17 Bxd5 exd5!
Much better than 1 7 . . . Nxd5 1 8
e4 etc. The isolation of the pawn is
fu lly compensated for by the free
play of his pieces and the immobil ity
of the White bishop.
Position after 11 Rd1

11 ... cxd4 18 Nd4 Qb6

19 Ncl Nc5
Against Fairhurst at Hastings in 1 937
Reshevsky played 1 1 . . . Ob6 but 20 Ncb3 Rfd8
after 12 e4 ! he had a very difficult
21 Na5
game to play. The question is
whether Black by exchanging pawns A demonstration without future.
and developing the bishop at c5 21 Rdc8
really avoids the pawn sacrifice! In
22 Rdcl Bf8
all events after 1 1 . . . cxd4 12 Nxd4
Bc5 13 e4 ! ? Nxe4 14 Be3 Black Now threatening to take the a-pawn
finds h i msel f gravely purturbed. A and making the knight go back.
detai l.ed analysis of the situation Nfe4
23 Nab3
would cast clear l ight on the value
of the whole variation. 24 Bel Nxb3

1 2 Nxd4 Bc5 24 . . . g6, followed eventually by

. . . 8g7 deserved to be taken into
13 Nb3 consideration.
Reshevsky avoids the chief problem 25 Nxb3 Nc5
and Black w i l l therefore find no
difficulty in mainta i ning the equ i l i 26 Nd4
b r i u m . The following attack on the After the exchange of knights White

Page 1 3 7
Game 60 Queen 's Gambit Declined

would have found it i m possible to 3G .. Rc2?

avoid the l iqu idation of the isolated Rather an elementary miscalculation.
pawn by . . . d4. Sufficient to obtain a draw would be
2G NeG 36 . . . Rc6 37 Rxd5 (after any
27 Nb3 other move Black plays 37 . . . Bd6,
Rc7
followed by 38 . . . f6 and 39 . . .
Playing for a win ( instead of Kf7 etc.) Rxa6 38 Rd8 R a 1 39 Kf1
repeating moves) without great f6 40 d5 Kf7 41 Ke2 (if 41 d6 Rd 1 )
justification but at the same time Be7.
without great risk.
37 Rxd5 Rxb2
28 Rxc7 Nxc7
38 Rd7!
29 Qd3 RdB
This wins a pawn through the fact
30 Od4 QbB that the k i ng is enclosed, which
31 h3 NeG could easily have been avoided i n
the middle-game (see, for example,
32 Od3 Oe5
the note to Black's 24th.m ove).
33 Nd4 Nxd4?
38 Rbl
It would be logical above all (in
39 Kfl b3
the sense of seeking complications)
to play 33 . . . ReB because after 40 Rxa7 g6
the exchange of queens Black is More natural seems 40 . . . f6 with
left with no w i n n i ng chances. the aim of bringing the king up to
34 Oxd4 Oxd4 the centre as soon as possible. But
it is pointless; i n any case White
35 exd4 ReB
must win.
3G Ra5!
41 Rb7 Ral
42 Rxb3 Rxa6
Black to move
43 Rb8 Kg7
b c d I h
44 Ke2 Ra2+
45 Kd3 Ra3+
4G Bc3 BdG
47 Rb2 Be7
Or 47 . . . Kf6 48 Rb6 Ke7 (or Ke6)
49 f4. Technically the ending is easy.
48 Kc4 Ra4+
49 Kb5 Ral
50 d5+ KfB
Position after 36 A aS 51 KeG RaB
Page 1 38
 Game 61 Queen 's Gambit Declined

52 Be5 ReB+ 55 BxbB Bd4

53 Bc7 Bf6 56 Bd6+ Kg7
54 RbB RxbB 57 Bc5 Black resigns

GAME 6 1

Buenos Ai res 1 939

Queen's Gambit Declined
White: G. STA H LB E R G (Sweden)
Black: T. VAN SCH E LT I N G A
(Hol l and)

d4 Nf6 ously weakens the diagonal a5-d8.

The simple 9 . . . Be7 would be
2 e3 d5
good because an eventual exchange
3 Nf3 Bf5 at c6 after 10 8b5 would have
4 c4 c6 given Black sufficient play on the
open b-file. The prophylactic move
5 Qb3
9 . . . Nd7 would also have been
Thus with a transposition of moves better than the text.
one of the very well-known variations
10 Qa4!
of the Slav Defence is obtained.
Simplest for Black now is to offer an Threatening 1 1 Bb5 and 1 1 Ne5.
exchange of queens with 5 . . . Qb6. I f now 10 . . . Be 7 then 1 1 Ne5
0-0 12 N d 1 !
5 Qc7
10 . . . Nd7
6 cxd5 cxd5
In adopting this defence Black
7 Nc3 e6
calculated well that he can avoid
8 Bd2 Nc6 immediate material loss. But h is
9 Rc1 positional error on the ninth move
will become more and more evident
White completes the mob i l i zation
i n the fol lowing endgame.
of his queen's side in the shortest
possible time and now hopes to take 11 Bb5 ReS
advantage by exerting p ressure on 1 2 Bxc6 Oxc6
the b-file.
9 . .. a6?
A typical positional error. As the
continuation w i l l show, Black not
only prevents nothing but danger-

Page 1 39
Game 61 Queen's Gambit Declined

White to move 15 Rxc1 Be7

c d The only move.
16 ReS+ Bd8
1 7 Ba5 Ke7
1 8 Bb4+ Ke8
1 9 Ra8!
With the aim of attack ing the enemy
pawns via a7.
19 Bd3
20 Ne5 Nxe5
21 dxe5 Bb1
Position after 12 . . . Qxc6
If 21 . . . Bb5 22 Nc5 Bc6 23 Rb8.
13 0-0!
22 Nc5 b6
This simple developing move assures
White of an appreciable advantage 23 Nxa6 Bxa2
in position. On the other hand the Black fights desperately to maintain
'brill iant' move 13 Nxd5 would be the balance of forces. But his pieces
a mistake because after 13 . . . are so badly distributed that White
Oxc1+ 1 4 Bxc1 R xc l + 1 5 Ke2 can easily choose various ways of
Rc2+ 16 Nd2 exd5 etc., B l ack execution.
would remain with a rook and two
m i nor pieces against the queen. 24 Nc7+ Kd7
25 Nb5 Bc4
13 Oxa4
26 Ra7+ Kc8
14 Nxa4 Rxc1
If 26 . . . Kc6 27 Nd4 mate.
An extremely temerarious decision,
since the devastating effect of the 27 Nd6+ Kb8
rook on the eighth rank is clear at 28 R xf7 Rg8
first sight. But here there was no
29 Rb7+ Ka8
chance other than to abandon the
open file as is shown by the 30 Rd7 Bd3
following: (a) 1 4 . . . Bc2 15 Nc5 31 Nf7 Bh4
Bxc5 (or . . . Nxc5) 16 Rxc2,
winning; (b) 14 . . . Rc2 15 Ba5! 32 g3 Bb5
b5 16 Rxc2 Bxc2 17 R c 1 Bxa4 1B 33 Rc7 Black resigns
ReS+ Ke7 1 9 BdB+ Kd6 20 Ng5
and wins.

Page 1 40
Queen's Gambit Accepted

G A M E 62

Buenos Ai res 1 939

Queen's Gambit Accepted

White: K. OPOCENSKY
(Czechoslovakia)
Black: E . L U N D I N (Sweden)

d4 d5 and eventually, . . . NbB.

2 c4 dxc4 7 ... R bB
3 Nf3 Nf6 Compel l ing two consecutive retreats.
4 Qa4+ Nbd7 Black's position is preferable.

5 Nc3 e6 8 Bd3 b5

6 e4 9 Oc2 Bb7

The present game shows that the 10 0.{)

development of the king's bishop
on the d iagonal f 1 -a6 should not
be accompanied by the queen check
on the fourth move. A good idea
would be the adoption of the
Catalan System beginning with 6
g3.
6 .. . a6!
Here Modern Chess Openings gives
admiringly 6 . . . c5 and produces a
variation which leads to equality.
Lundin's move is more convincing,
because White now loses several
tempi before finishing his develop
ment.
7 Bxc4
After 7 Oxc4 Black would have
saved the following rook move and
played the immediate 7 . . . b5 ( i f
B Oc6 Ra7, threatening 9 . . . B b 7
a n d 9 . . . Bb4 ) . followed by castl i ng
Since he is exposed to the possibil ity
of an inferior position (the difficult
situation of his pieces i n the centre)
he would have done better to select
the dangerous l ine 10 e5 Nd5 1 1
Nxd5 (or 1 1 Bxh7 Nb4 1 2 Qb1
Bxf3, followed by 1 3 . . . c5) Bxd5
1 2 Bxh7, which would have obl iged
Black to show more tactical skill
than was the case after the simple
text move.
10 c5
11 Bf4
At this stage 1 1 e5 would have been
answered by 1 1 . . . c4.
11 ReB
12 d5
Since the alternative 12 dxc5 Nxc5
would leave Black with a technical
problem that would be easy to
Page 1 4 1
Game 62 Queen 's Gambit Accepted

solve, Opocensky decides to 20 Rfd1 Og5

sacrifice a piece; but Black, axb5
21 axb5
dominating the queen's flank,
permits himself the luxury of 22 Bf1
ignoring the offer, and obtains Black to move
b c d h
decisive supremacy simply by
occupying the squares of importance.
8
- 8
12 c4
7 i . li 7
13 dxe6 fxe6!
t .6
There was no necessity to give
White two pawns and something of
5 ."' .
an attack for the piece in the varia --- "
.: .
4
tion 13 . . . cxd3 1 4 exf7+ Kxf7 1 5
!m
. w
1 3

Oxd3.
14 Be2 Bb4 .-:m.liL,
t:::1"'1 :>
6 ft 6 2
a
'
e I
15 e5
Position after 22 B f 1
If 15 Ng5 then 1 5 . . . e5, followed
by 1 6 . . . h6 or eventually . . . Oe7 22 . . . Ncd3!
etc. More effective than 22 . . . Oxe5.
15 Bxc3 If 23 Nxb5 Black wins forcibly by
23 . . . Nxf2 24 Oxf2 N h3+ 25 gxh3
16 bxc3 Nd5 Rxf2 26 Kxf2 Rf8+ 27 K e 1 Oe3+
1 7 Bg3 28 Be2 Bg2 and 29 . . . R f 1 mate.
If 1 7 Bd2 Black, before castling, 23 Rxd3
would have had i n 17 . . . Oe 7 an
This act of desperation is more
easy way of stopping all the threats
justified than the attempt to
( 1 8 Ng5 Nxe5 19 Nxh7 Oh4 ) .
e l i m i nate the intruder without a
17 0-0 sacrifice because this latter course
18 Nd4 would lead h im to a spectacular
catastrophe : 23 Bxd3 cxd3 24 Ob3
Or 18 Bh4 Qb6 19 Ng5 g6. The
Bd5 25 Oxb5 Oxe5 26 Rxd3 Oe4 27
game is al ready decided strategically
Rf3 Nh3+ 28 K h 1 Rxf3 29 Nxf3
in Black's favour.
Qxf3! and wins.
18 Nc5
23 cxd3
1 9 a4 Nf4!
24 Bxd3 Oxe5
The begi nn ing of a d i rect attack; if
The h-pawn now has no im portance.
20 Bxf4 Rxf4 21 axb5 axb5 22
Nxb5 he would have won the 25 Ob3
exchange by 22 . . . Od5 23 f3 (or Or 25 Bxf4 Qxf4 26 Nxe6 Og4
23 Bf3 Rxf3) Nb3. winning.

Page 1 4 2
 Game 63 Queen 's Pa wn, Nimzowitsch Defence

25 . . . Bd5 recover some of the material, but

the following rejoinder destroys h is
26 Qd1
last il lusion.
After 26 Oxb5 Rxc3 he would have
lost even more material. 29 Be4!

26 R xc3 30 Oe3 Rxb5

27 Bxb5 Bxg2 31 Bxf4

If now 28 Bxf4 Oxf4 29 Kxg2 If 3 1 Nxb5 then 31 . . . Nh3+,

Qxf2+ 30 Kh 1 then simply 30 . . . followed by 32 . . . Oxb5+.
Rd8 3 1 Ra4 e5 winning. 31 Rxf4
28 Od2 Rc5 32 Nxb5 Rg4+
29 Re1 33 White resigns
Now it appears that White can

Queen's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

G A M E 63

Seventh match game, New York

1 942
Queen's Pawn, N imzowitsch Defence

White: S. R ESH EVSKY

Black: I. KAS H DAN

1 d4 Nf6 5 cxd5 Oxd5

2 c4 e6 5 . . . exd5 is also good enough for
equality.
3 Nc3 Bb4
6 Nf3 c5
4 Oc2
7 Bd2 Bxc3
A variation very much in vogue u p
t i l l 1 933. I t has been abandoned 8 Bxc3 Nc6
today because Black possesses 9 e3 0-0
various methods of attain ing equal
10 Rd1
chances.
This position occurred i n the game
4 ... d5

Page 1 43
Game 63 Queen's Pa wn, Nimzowitsch Defence

Capablanca-Fine i n the A V R O be simple and good.

Tournament a n d continued 1 0 . . . 20 Nc41
b6 1 1 a3, and Black obtained the
inferior game. The present game Now not only must the b-pawn be
shows that Black can equalize by urgently defended but other Black
taking the a-pawn. squares of Kashdan's have lost
strength owing to the remoteness of
10 Oxa2! the queen. The most opportune
Erroneous would be 10 . . . cxd4 move, although only relatively
1 1 Nxd4 Nxd4 (or 1 1 . . . Qxa2 1 2 speaking, seems to be 20 . . . Rd8
Nxc6 bxc6 1 3 Bb4 ! winning the 2 1 Oc2 ! Be4 22 Oc3 Oa7 with a
exchange i n v;ew of the th reat of defensible position.
14 Bc4) 12 Rxd4 Oxa2 13 Bc4 20 Qb3?
etc.
21 Qd4!
11 dxc5 Nd5
12 Be2
Worth examining was 1 2 Ng5 pro
voking weaknesses i n the enemy
pawn position.
12 Ncb4
13 Qd2 Nxc3
i4 Qxc3 Nd5
1 5 Qd2 b6!
He frees himself of the pawn which,
otherwise, could have become un
Position after 21 Od4
comfortable. White i s reduced to
exchanging it because if 16 c6 the 21 . . ReG
reply 16 . . . Ba6 would give Black With this he loses a pawn, but there
the upper hand. was already no satisfactory defence.
16 cxb6 axb6 If, for example, 21 . . . Nd5 then
22 Nd6 Rcb8 23 Oe5 with the
17 0-0 Bb7
formidable threat of 24 e4 and
18 Rc1 Rfc8 White wins easily. It should be
Somewhat schematic play. Better noted that after 21 . . . Rc6 22 Bf3
would have been 18 . . . Rfd8 and would be a false step because of 22
if 19 Qd4 then 19 . . . Oa5 with an . . . Nd5 23 Bxd5 exd5 24 Oxd5?
excellent game. Rc7, followed by 25 . . . Rac8.

19 Ne5 Nf6? 22 Nd6 Rxc1

Black does not seem to realize the 23 Rxc1 Qd5

possible danger. 19 . . . Oa5 would 24 Qxd5 Bxd5

Page 144
 Game 63 Queen 's Pa wn, Nimzowitsch Defence

25 Rc8+ Rxc8 38 . . . Kc5 39 b4+ Kb5 40 Nc4

26 Nxc8 Kc6 etc. would have offered more
resistance.
White now wins the b-pawn ( i f 26
39 Nc4 Ba6
. . . Nd7 27 Bb5) and the rest should
be no more than a question of 40 Ne3?
technique. I ncomprehensibl e ! Immediately
26 Kf8 decisive would have been 40 Kb4
f5 41 Kc5 fxe4 42 fxe4 Bb 7 43
27 Nxb6 Bb7
Nd6, followed by the advance of the
The following phase is very simple passed paw n . Or 42 . . . Kf6 43 b4
and practically forced ; both players Kg5 44 Nd6 K f4 45 b5 Bxb5 46
must quickly bring their kings to the Kxb5.
centre of the battleground.
40 h5
28 f3 Ke7
41 Kb4 g6
29 Kf2 Ne8
42 Kc5 f5
And not 29 . . . Kd6 because of 30
43 b4?
Nc4+ and 30 . . . Kc5 is impossible
on account of 31 Ne5. And even now, in spite of the time
lost, 43 Nc4 ! fxe4 44 fxe4 Bb 7 45
30 Nc4 f6
Nd6 would win easily. The text
31 Ke1 e5 move loses a pawn and thereby
32 Kd2 Nc7 gives Black effective drawing
chances.
33 Bd3 h6
43 fxe4
34 Na5 Bc8
44 fxe4 Bd3
35 Bc4 Kd6
45 b5 Bxe4
36 Kc3 Nd5+
46 g3 Bf3
In the long run Black w i l l not be
able to avoid the exchange of one 47 h3 Bh1
of the pieces. He prefers to con 48 b6 BaS
front the knight with the bishop
49 Nc4 Kf5
because generally a bishop is an
excellent weapon against a passed 50 Kd6
pawn. But unfortunately the whole The only other possi bil ity is 50 b7.
of the right side of the board is This does not wi n : 50 . . . Bxb7 5 1
momentari l y blocked and this fact Nd6+ K g 5 52 Nxb7 h4 5 3 g 4 Kf4
should sufficiently h e l p Reshevsky's etc.
task.
37 Bx!l5 Kxd5
38 e4+ Ke6

Page 1 4 5
Game 64 Queen's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

Black to move Other variations are simpler. This

analysis shows that through his
haste on the 43rd move White let the
game slip away.
51 gxh4 e4
52 Ke7
White hereby makes sure of at
least one passed pawn on the h-file.
The main variation is 52 . . . Kf4
53 Kf6 Kg3 54 Kg5 Kxh3 55 Ne5
e3 56 Nxg6 and wins.
52 Bc6
Position after 50 Kd6 53 Kf7 Bd5+
54 Kg7 BaS
50 ... h4?
55 Kh6! Bc6
This sacrifice is premature and will
be refuted by an exquisite manoeuvre This accelerates the agony. If 55 . .
by the White k i ng. He should have Kf6 White would have created him
played 50 . . . e4 with the following self a second passed pawn by 56 h 5 .
possible variations: 5 6 Na5 Bd5
(a) 5 1 Ke7 g5 52 Kf7 (52 Kd6 e3) If 56 . . . e3 White takes the bishop.
h4 53 g4+ Kf4 54 Kf6 Bd5 etc.
57 b7 Bxb7
(b) 51 Ne3+ Kf6 52 Kc5 (if 52 h4
58 Nxb7 e3
then evidently 52 . . . g5) h4 (now
th is move is correct) 53 gxh4 Ke5 59 Nc5 Ke5
54 Ng2 e3! 55 Nxe3 Kf4. 60 Nd3+ Ke4
(c) 51 Ne3+ Kf6 52 Nd5+ (a hoax) 61 Nel Kf5
Kf5 ! (and not 52 . . . Bxd5? 53
Kxd5 e3 54 b7 e2 55 b8 (0) e 1 (0) 62 Kg7 e2
56 Of8+ Kg5 57 Qf4 mate). 63 Nc2 Black resigns

G A M E 64

Buenos Aires 1 939

Queen's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence
White: J. E N EVOLDSEN (Denmark)
Black: A. A LE K H I N E (France)

Page 1 46
 Game 64 Queen 's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

d4 Nf6 9 ... Od7

2 c4 e6
3 Nc3 Bb4
4 Oc2 NeG
5 Nf3
I f 5 e3 Black would not reply at
once 5 . . . e5 because of 6 dxe5
Nxe5 7 Bd2, followed by 8 Nf3
with a pawn structure similar to
that in some variations of the
Budapest Defence, rightly con
sidered advantageous for White
(compare with the tenth game of
the match KeresEuwe in 1 940),
but would first play 5 . . . d6,
fol l owed by the advance of the e
pawn at the earl iest opportunity.
5 d6
The correct rep l y ; Black not only
forestal l s 10 e4 (because of 10 . . .
Qg4 ) but also forces control of f5
and prepares for . . . Ng6 without
the possibil ity of being troubled by
Nf5.
10 g3 Og4
Although this manoeuvre is not as
active as it appears at first sight,
its immed iate consequences are the
moves 1 1 Qb3 and 16 Oc2 by White.
It is dubious whether it is worth
while expending so much energy
merely in order to provoke White's
f3. By continuing simply with 10 . . .
Ng6 1 1 Nxg6 hxg6 Bl ack would
have been abundantly successful in
his opening plan.

6 Bd2 11 Ob3

Not to be recommended, as Black Virtually forced.

on his next move w i l l either save his 11 Ng6
king's bishop from the exchange or,
1 2 f3 Od7
as occurs in the game, induce his
opponent to block the position, 13 Ng2
thereby gaining equal chances. Thus After this White w i l l manage to
the usual 6 a3 is preferable. keep f5 under his control, obliging
6 e5 his opponent to seek compensation
on the other side of the board. I n
7 d5 Bxc3
prospect i s a n arduous struggle
8 Bxc3 Ne7 with many chances for both players.
9 Nh4 13 00
An artificial move which , however, 1 4 e4 Od8
it is hard to condemn, for White
Black needs to have d7 available
avoids the normal (and not always
for the following knight manoeuvre.
pleasant I development which, after
9 e4, would be 9 . . . Ng6 10 g3 0'0 1 5 Ne3 Nd7
1 1 Bg2 Nh5 (and not 1 1 . . . NeB 16 Oc2 a5
because of 12 h4h5), fol lowed by
1 2 . . . f5 with the superior position 17 Bg2
for Black. A very modest development, but

Page 1 4 7
Game 64 Queen's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

1 7 Bh3 would have been answered a single move on defence despite

by 1 7 . . . Nc5 or 1 7 . . . Ne7, the threatening advance of White's
fol lowed by 1 8 . . . Nc5, depriving king's side pawns. If White had
White of the hope of exploiting in adopted another plan beginning
the more or less distant future the with f4, the Black fortress, after
advantage of the bishop pair. . . . f6, would have been solid
enough to resist until the counter
17 Nc5
attack on the queen's wing had
18 00 Bd7 once again reduced White to
19 b3 passivity.
If he had played the move 19 a4 to 22 Rb1
block the position Black would Unsuccessfully trying to contain
have replied 19 . . . Ob8 20 b3 Oa7 the following advance.
21 Rfe 1 Ne7 with good prospects.
22 a4!
19 b5
23 h4
20 Rad 1 ?
I f 23 bxa4 the conclusion would
B u t here 2 0 cxb5 Bxb5 2 1 R fe 1 Ne7 be deadly, as the following variation
would have been opportu ne. After shows: 23 . . . Bxa4 24 Ob2 (24
the text move Black's chances must Oc1 is even worse) Nd3 25 Oa1 Ob6
be considered better because of his 26 K h 1 Oc5 and then the doubling
pressure down the afile. of the rooks on the afile.
20 b4 23 . . . Ne7
21 Bd2 Threatening 24 . . . f5 and forcing
the following response which
weakens White's two squares h4 and
f4.
24 g4 axb3
25 axb3 Ra3
26 h5 Ob6
27 Kh2 Rfa8
28 Rb2
With the object of preventing 28
. . . Ra2 29 Rb2 Rxb2, foll owed
by 30 . . . Ra3 with great advantage.
Position after 21 Bd2 28 . . . c6!
As a number of White pieces are
21 ... Ob8 tied down by the necessity of pro
Black's tactics are characterized tecting vul nerable points, the
by the fact that he w i l l not spend openingup of the position is the
Page 1 48
 Game 64 Queen 's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

most appropriate plan. The text Black to move

move (based on the consideration
that after 29 dxc6 Nxc6 the control
of d4 is much more i m portant than
the surrender of d5) opens u p the
way for the Black queen to the
king's side via d8 and at the same
time prepares for an eventual
f5 i n case of dxc6 Nxc6.
29 f4
The danger of this advance which
weakens all the Black squares is also
clear. but White's chances were
becoming more and more l i m ited. Position after 32 Nd5
Slightly better would be 29 g5 32 . . . Qd8!
which I planned to answer with 29
A triumphant withdrawal, threaten
. . . Rf8, eventually followed by . . .
ing both the k i ng (with 33 . . .
f5.
Qh4+) and the queen (with 33 .
29 exf4 Nd4 ) ; White has no adequate
30 Rxf4 Ra1 defence.

31 dxc6? 33 Be3 Qh4+

The decisive e rror which permits an 34 Bh3 Ne5

even more effective co-operation of
all the Black pieces. Also inadequate
would have been the sacrificial com
bination 31 e5 dxe5 32 Rxf7? (plan
n i ng 32 . . . Kxf7 33 Oxh7 with
dangerous threats) because of the
energetic answer 32 . . . e4 and if
33 Rxd7 then 33 . . . Oc7+ 34 Kh3
Nd3 winni ng. But after 31 Rf1 !
White's position, though inferior,
would have held some defensive
chances.
31 Nxc6
32 Nd5
35 Bxc5 dxc5
36 Qf2
If 36 Qg2 Black could either win
the exchange by 36 . . . Nd3 or
double his rooks on the eighth rank
with decisive effect, as Og3 would
be refuted by . . . R h 1 +.
36 Rh1+
37 Kxh1 Qxh3+
38 White resigns
If now 38 Qh2 then 38 . . . Ra1 +
and mate in two; and if 38 Kg1
then 38 . . . R a 1 + 39 Of1 Rxf 1 + 40
Rxf1 Nf3+ etc. with an ending of
queen against rook.

Page 149
Game 65 Queen's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

G A M E 65

Buenos Ai res 1 939

Queen's Pawn, N imzowitsch Defence
White: JACOBO BO LBOCHAN
(Argentina)
Black: C. POULSEN (Denmark)

1 d4 Nf6 The second reprehensible decision,

2 c4 e6 since . . . f4 wil l never be a threat
because of the reply Bd3. The
3 Nc3 Bb4 natural and necessary move was 13
4 Qc2 Nc6 . . . Bh5, after which White would
not find it so easy to displace or
5 Nf3 0-0
exchange the central knight.
6 e3 Qe7
14 Rae1
Black hereby al lows the exchange of
He could also have played 1 4 Nd2
his king's bishop without any
immediately.
positional compensation. Some
would have been obtained here by 14 RaeB
playing 6 . . . a5 and if 7 a3 then 15 Nd2 e5?
7 . . . Bxc3+ 8 Oxc3 a4, eventually
The third, and now decisive, mistake
followed by . . Na5.
which surrenders to White complete
7 a3 Bxc3+ control of the only open file.
8 Qxc3 d6 Necessary was 15 . . . Nf6 16 f4
etc. with a hard struggle in prospect.
9 Be2 Ne4?
Now Bol bochan takes control in
Since Black cannot hope to keep convincing style.
complete control over e4 in the
long run and since, on the other
hand, it is general l y a doubtful
strategy deliberately to place pawns
on squares of the same colour as
one's own bishop, the text
manoeuvre should be repl aced by
the natural move 9 . . . e5, followed
by the development of the bishop.
1 0 Qc2 f5
11 b4 Bd7
12 Bb2 BeB
13 0-0 Bg6? Position after 15 . . . e5

Page 1 50
 Game 65 Queen 's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

1 G b5 Nxd2 the aim of doubling rooks on the

The disagreeable al ternative was 1 6 open file. Black is now forced to
. . . Nd8 1 7 Nxe4 fxe4 1 8 dxe5 leave d5 without protection since
dxe5 1 9 c5 with advantage to White. 22 . . . Be6 would be fatal because
of 23 Bh5.
17 Oxd2 Nd8
22 BgG
18 dxe5 dxe5
23 Rd5
19 Bc3!
This would also have been the
Forcing a new and more im portant reply to 22 . . . Ne6.
weake n i ng of the enemy central
position. 23 ... b6
Or 23 . . . Ne6 24 Be5 etc.
19 c5
24 Rfd1 NeG
20 Rd1 Bf7
The beg i n n i ng of a despairing
21 OdG!
counter-combination.
Simple but strong, as after the
25 Rd7 Nd4
exchange of queens the eventual
win is merely a question of time. If 25 . . . f4 the answer would be
simply 26 exf4 Nxf4 27 Bf 1 ,
21 ... e4
w i n n i ng.
Still Black should have played 2 1
2G R 1 xd4! cxd4
. . . Oxd6, since the advanced pawn
gives White the opportu n i ty to win 27 Rxe7 dxc3
i n a few moves. 28 Rxe8!

White to move
White does not have to fear 28 . . .
c2 because he can capture the pawn
b c q h
by means of 29 RxfB+, 30 Od6+,
and 31 Od2.
28 Rxe8
29 OdG f4
Black could have resigned here.
30 Od4 c2
31 Od2 f3
32 Bf1 fxg2
33 Kxg2 Bh5
Position after 21 . . . e4 34 Oxc2 Bf3+
22 Og3! 35 Kg3 ReG
Gaining an important tempo with 3G c5 Black resigns

Page 1 51
Game 66 Queen 's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

G A M E 66

Buenos Aires 1 939

Queen's Pawn, N imzowitsch Defence

White: V. PETROV ( Latvia)

Black: V. M I K E N AS ( Lithuania)

d4 Nf6 position seems to be 9 Bg5, as

played by Capablanca i n the game
2 c4 e6
mentioned above.
3 Nc3 Bb4
9 ReB
4 Oc2 Nc6
10 Bb2 Bd7
5 Nf3 d5?
Still contin u i ng with Botwinnik's
Mikenas's adoption of this inferior plan. Black will eventually obtain
variation - the combination of the the square b5 for his knight but
moves . . . Nc6 and . . . d 5 - on a the rest of h is forces will be in
few occasions at Buenos Aires (see capable of attack or defence.
also h is game with Capablanca) may
be considered . . . one of Botwinnik's
11 Bd3 a4
l ittle sins. The Soviet champion 12 b4 dxc4
made a point of adopting it i n his 13 Bxc4 Na7
decisive tournament game against
14 0-0 Bb5
Kotov i n 1 939 and won, but this
result was independent of the open
ing. Sti l l , since fashion is as tyrannic
al i n chess as in other branches of
human activity, another couple of
years will probably pass before the
i neffectiveness of this system is
u n iversally recognized.
6 a3 Bxc3+
7 Oxc3 a5
8 b3
A necessary measure against 8 . . .
a4, followed by 9 . . . Na5.
Position after 14 . . . Bb5
8 0-0 15 Rfe1 !
9 e3
The beginning of a calcul ated
Although this restriction of the action in the centre. Comparatively
queen's bishop finally turns out speaking, Black's best chance of
happily, a more convincing way equalizing now consists of : 1 5 . . .
for White to reach an advantageous Ne4 1 6 Od3 Bxc4 1 7 Qxe4 (or 1 7
Page 1 52
 Game 66 Queen's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

Qxc4 Od5 ! ) Bd5 1 8 Oc2 Nb5. After 21 f6

m issing this opportunity he w i l l 22 Rae1 1
never b e a b l e to re-establ ish the
balance of the position, particularly Quietly mobil i z i ng all his reserves,
since his opponent has no useful
si nce Petrov plays the following
moves at his d isposal . If, for example,
part of the game with great resolution
22 . . . c6 then 23 d5! exd5 24
and precision.
Bxf6! with advantage.
15 Bxc4?
22 Qh5
16 Oxc4 Qd5
23 Rg3
17 Oc2
Again threatening 24 d5 and if 24
Of course he does not take the c . . . e5 then 25 Oc5!
pawn, as the entry of the Black
23 . . . Qf7
rook to c2 after 1 7 . . . Rfc8 would
bring him serious difficulties. But White to move
after the text move 1 8 Oxa4 is a
grave threat, which gives White the
time he desires i n order to play e4.
17 ... Nb5
White's a3 w i l l certai n l y be weak
in an endgame of White bishop
against Black knight, but unfortun
ately for the second player there
arises a d ifferent type of offensive
ending.
1 8 e4 Qh5
19 Ne5 Ng4 Position after 23 . . . Qf7

Otherwise his queen would have 24 e5!

been uncomfortable after 20 Re3
etc.
20 Nxg4 Oxg4
21 Re3
Owing to the potential strength of
the bishop and the dynamic White
pawn centre, the position of the
Black king gradual ly begins to be
dangerous. For the moment there
is no time for the consolidation 2 1
. . . c 6 because o f 2 2 Rg3, followed
by 23 d5 etc.
This advance was calculated i n
several ways; firstly, the capture of
the pawn, which could be answered
either by the simple 25 dxe5 with
the subsequent concentration of
his four pieces ( Re4, Bc 1 etc.)
against the k i ng, or (probably more
effective) by 25 Rxe5 Nd6 (if 25
. ... c6 then 26 Reg5) 26 b5! with
numerous possibilities on all parts
of the board. Secondly, 24 . . . f5
which would be refuted by 25 d 5 !
e x d 5 26 e6 . Third l y , the text con-

Page 1 53
Game 66 Queen 's Pawn, Nimzo witsch Defence

tinuation, the purpose of which is ago (compare, for instance, my last

the fine 26th move. matcn game with Capablanca) it was
24 considered a kind of achievement.
c6
25 exf6 Oxf6 33 Oa1 +

26 h3! 34 Kh2 Oe5+

35 g3 Oe4
Of course 26 d5 would be a m istake
on account of 26 . . . exd5. But now 36 Of7 h6
Black has no means of obstructing 37 Of5 Oc4
the d-pawn and must therefore take
it, allowing the following d isagree- 38 Od3 Oe6
able l iquidation: 39 Oc2 Od5
26 Nxd4 40 Rd3 Oe6
27 Oc4! Rad8 41 Oc5
The immed iate 27 . . . Nf3+, as Naturally not 41 Oxa4 because of
will be seen, would not have altered 4 1 . . . Qe2. In the continuation,
the consequences. too, White will have to avoid such
28 Re4 Nf3+ l i ttle tactical tricks.

Now forced. 41 Qf6

29 Rxf3 Oxb2 42 Rd6 Qf3
30 Rxe6 Rxe6 43 Od4 Rf8
31 Oxe6+ Kh8 44 Kg1 !
32 Od7 Rg8 After 44 Rxh6+ White would not
have gained anything.
If this rook had been on aS (com
pare with move 27) Bl ack would 44 Kg8
have played exactly the same move. 45 Rd7 Rf7
33 Oxb7 46 Rd8+ Kh7
With an extra pawn and the pawn i n 47 Ob2
a better position, White must win.
However at this moment he could
The method will consist of the
exchange queens with advantage,
logical exploitation of combined
(47 Od3+) as the rejoinder 47 . . .
threats: (a) Against the weak ness of
Rf5 would not help because of 48
the queen's flank; (b) to exchange
Oc2! But this opportunity cannot
of rooks, keeping only the queens; escape.
(c) finally, also against the king.
Because of modern, highly developed 47 Oe4
techn ique, w i n ning such positions
48 Rd4 Of3
is sometimes completely natural,
but invariably about a dozen years 49 Oc2+ g6

Page 1 54
 Game 67 Queen's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

Now it is Black who avoids the 59 Qe3+ Kh7

practically hopeless rook endgame
60 Qd3 Kh6
by not playing 49 . . . Qf5. But the
subsequent weakness of the k i ng's 61 b5 Rb7
position is certainly not better. 62 b6!
50 Rd6 Rg7 A l ittle merriment (62 . . . Oxb6
51 Qd3 Qh5 63 Rd6 or 62 . . . Rxb6 63 Oe3+,
followed by 64 Rd7+ etc . ) .
52 Kg2 Qb5
62 Qg7
53 Qf3 Oe5
63 Rd6 Rf7
54 Qxc6
64 Qd4 Qf8
After this new loss B l ack could have
trusted his opponent's abil ity to win 65 Qd2+ Kh7
with two extra pawns by gracefully 66 Rd7 Oe8
resigning. The remainder offers little
67 Rxf7+ Qxf7
of interest.
68 Qd6 Qb7+
54 Qb2
69 Kg1 Oe4
55 Qf3 h5
70 Qc7+ Kg8
56 h4 Rc7
71 b7 Black resigns
57 Qe4 Rg7
58 Rd5 Kh6

G A M E 67

Buenos Aires 1 939

Queen's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence
White: J . R . CAP A B LANCA (Cuba)
Black: V. M I K E N AS ( Lithuania)

d4 Nf6 8 b3 0-0
2 c4 e6 9 Bg5!
3 Nc3 Bb4 I nstead of placing the bishop at b2
where it would be inactive for a
4 Qc2 Nc6
long time, White uses it to e l i minate
5 Nf3 d5? the only wel l-developed Black piece,
6 a3 Bxc3+ the king's knight.

7 Oxc3 a5 9 ... h6

Page 1 55
Game 67 Queen 's Pa wn, Nimzowitsch Defence

10 Bxf6 Qxf6 14 b4 dxc4

11 e3 15 Bxc4 Na7
16 Ne5
White's game plays itself. I n effect
his victory is due to one good
move : 9 Bg5!
16 . . . Be8
M i kenas is demoralized and does
not offer resistance. Necessary was
16 . . . Bb5 17 f4 Bxc4 18 Oxc4 c6,
after which it would be possible to
prolong the fight.
1 7 f4 b6
Position after 1 1 e3
18 Qd3
11 ... Bd7
Threate n i ng 19 f5, and if Black
Clearly Black does not realize how
prevents this with 18 . . . g6 then
difficult his position is. Otherwise,
1 9 g4 with the aim of 20 g5 hxg5
i nstead of making conventional
21 Ng4 etc.
moves which merely contribute to
the formation of White's attack, Black to move
he would have obtained a certain
offensive i n the centre by means of
1 1 . . . ReB and if 12 Bd3 then 1 2
. . . a4 1 3 b4 dxc4 1 4 Bxc4 e5.
White would easily have prevented
this action by exchanging the pawn
at d5 but the variation 12 cxd5
exd5 13 Bb5 would have been far
more bearable than the development
i n the actual game.
12 Bd3 Rfc8
The poor k ing is alone and aban
doned, but something had to be Position after 1 8 Qd3
done to improve the situation on 18 ... Rd8
the queen's flank.
A desperate idea in a desperate
13 00 a4 situation. This move has the appear
The same manoeuvre as in the game ance of a trap but in reality it is a
PetrovMikenas, but with less effect m iscalculation. Another road to ru i n
if Black wishes to bring the knight w a s : 1 8 . . . N c 6 1 9 Oe4 Nxe5 (or
to b5. 19 . . . Ne7 20 g4) 20 fxe5 Oe7 2 1

Page 1 56
 Game 67 Queen's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

Bd3 g6 22 Rf6 and B l ack is irretriev- 23 Rxf7

ably lost. Since the pawn at d3 is fixed White
19 f5 b5 can make his decisive material
advantage tel l .
Black hopes that the bishop will
not be able to move because of 20 23 Nb5
. . . Qxe5. 24 Rf2 Rd5
20 fxe6 bxc4 25 Nxd3 ReB
21 Rxf6 cxd3 26 Rf3 Black resigns
22 exf7+ Bxf7

Jose Raul Capablanca

The first time I heard of Capablanca was in 1 909, as indeed did all my
contemporaries, when he won his match against Marshall in such astonish
ingly convincing fash ion. Then he was twenty and I sixteen years of age.
Neither his chess performance nor his style impressed me at the time. H is
play seemed 'new' but lacking in uniformity. And then when he won so
fine a victory from the competitive point of view at San Sebastian, 1 9 1 1 ,
most o f his games were won by surprising tactical resources. H is real,
incom parable gifts first began to make themselves apparent at the time of
St. Petersburg, 1 9 1 4 , when too I came to know him personally. Neither
before nor afterwards have I seen - and I cannot even imagine as well -
such a flabbergasting qu ickness of chess comprehension as that possessed
by the Capablanca of that epoch. Enough to say that he gave all the
St. Petersburg masters the odds of 5-1 in quick games - and won! With
all this he was always good-humoured, the darling of the ladies. and
enjoyed wonderful good health - real ly a dazzling appearance. That he
came second to Lasker must be entirely ascribed to h is youthful levity -
he was al ready playing as well as Lasker.
I met Capablanca for the second time in London in 1922. He was
already World Champion, and had every intention of remaining so for the
duration. In fact, at that moment his chess powers had reached their peak;
a crystal-clear hand l i ng of the opening and midd le-game, un ited with un
su rpassed endgame technique. I n character, however, he had become some
what more nervous. and this nervousness manifested itself by his striving
to put off as much as possible any match for the title, or else even to
prevent it. For this reason he evolved the 'London Rules' which raised
the stake for a match to 10 000 gold dollars. At that time it was difficult
for h i m to imagine that any one of his rivals could get such a sum
together. And in this he was right; since it was not for the sake of his rivals

Page 1 57
Game 68 Queen's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

(in this case my insignificant self) but on account of Capablanca himself

that the sum was raised i n Buenos Aires in 1 927 - i n reality with the
expectation of greeting h im as world champion once again in a city which
he had al ready visited twice and where he was extremely popular. People
there were, of course, convinced that he would win the match against me.
How d id it happen that he lost to me? I must confess that even now I can
not answer this question with any certainty, since i n 1 927 I did not believe
that I was superior to h i m . Perhaps the chief reason for h is defeat was the
over-estimation of h is own powers arising out of h is overwhelming victory
at New York 1 927, and h is under-estimation of mine.
Be this as it may, with the loss of h is title Capablanca also lost h is form
for some time, and began to pursue a policy that, given that he real l y
wanted a return match, was calculated i n no w a y t o b r i n g about such an
eventuality, to put it mildly. Immediately after his defeat i n fact he sought
to bring about through F . I . D . E . (the chess counterpart of the League of
Nations) new conditions for a title match, and this without consulting me.
This was the sort of procedure I could not tolerate, and thus there arose a
coolness and d ifference between us.
Some years later Capablanca came to a more correct decision, namely
to attempt to show the chess world that he was the best candidate for the
world championship by actual performance. And, i ndeed, he got so far in
this respect as to win two very im portant tournaments in 1 936 (Moscow
and Nottingham ) . Then, however, h is powers gave way, from the com
petitive rather than the pure chess point of view. H is equal third (out of
eight) at Semmering-Baden 1937, and h is seventh (out of eight) i n the
AVRO Tournament showed the chess world that his hopes for the title
were final l y extinguished.
And even though until the end, for example i n Buenos Aires, 1 939, as
I am about to demonstrate, he could sti l l evolve true pearls of chess art, he
had not sufficient stamina for obtaining p ractical success i n a big tourna
ment. All the same, Capablanca was snatched from the chess world much
too soon. With his death we have lost a very great chess genius whose l ike
we shall never see again.

G A M E 68

Buenos Ai res 1 939

Queen's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

White: J. E N EVO LDSEN (Denmar k )

Black: J . R . CAPABLANCA (Cuba)

1 d4 Nf6 3 Nc3 Bb4

2 c4 e6 4 Oc2 0-0

Page 1 58
 Game 68 Queen 's Pawn, Nimzo witsch Defence

5 a3 Bxc3+ 20 f4?
6 Oxc3 d6 Not only losing a most valuable
7 g3 Oe7 tempo but also weakening the
central squares without any com
8 Bg2 pensation. White's best chance was
The same inexactitude as i n the game stil l 20 c5, as the variation 20 . . .
van Schelti nga-Capablanca, Buenos bxc5 2 1 bxc5 Rxa 1 22 Rxa 1 Nf6
Aires, 1 939. I ndicated was 8 Nf3 23 cxd6 cxd6 24 Od2 etc., although
first. slightly favourable to Black, did
e5 not actually represent any acute
8
danger.
9 d5 a5
20 exf4
10 b3(?)
21 gxf4 Nf6
A second inferior move instead of
which he should have played 10 b4 Already threate n i ng to win a pawn
as in the game mentioned. Black now by 22 . . . Ng4.
obtains comfortable equality. 22 h3 Rxa1
10 Nbd7 23 Rxa1 ReS
11 Nt3 Nc5 24 Ra3 Bh5
12 Nd2 25 Oc2 Ne4
In order to prevent at this stage 1 2 The only way to keep the initiative .
. . . Nfe4, fol lowed b y 1 3 . . . f5.
White to move
12 Bf5
13 0.{) Nfe4
14 Nxe4 Bxe4
1 5 f3 Bg6
16 Be3 b6
1 7 b4 axb4
1 8 axb4 Nd7
1 9 Rfc1
The last few moves of White,
practical ly forced, were sti l l good
enough to keep the balance of the Position after 25 ... Ne4

position. Now he threatens to 26 Bd4?

simplify sti l l more by playing 20 The decisive m istake, instead of
c5, and there is little for Black to which he should nolens volens have
do against this possibility.
taken the intruding knight. After
19 ... f5 26 Bxe4 Oxe4 ( or 26 . . . fxe4 2 7

Page 1 59
Game 68 Queen 's Pawn, Nimzo witsch Defence
Qd2 Qh4 28 Kg2 with no tragedy to
fear) 27 Qxe4 Rxe4 28 c5! (if 28 . . .
Rxb4 29 c6) White, it is true, would
have lost a pawn i n some variations,
but the reduced forces as well as the
magic of opposite-coloured bishops
would have secured h im excellent
drawing chances.
26 . . . Qh4!
After this it is already too late for
White to take the knight, for after
27 . . . Rxe4 al most all his remain
ing pieces would be strongly
threatened.
27 e3 Oe 1 +
2 8 Kh2 Bf3!
Elegant and effective, as 29 Bxf3
would lose immediately after 29
. . . Qg3+, foll owed by 30 . . . Nf2+.
29 Ra2 Re7
Position after 29 . . . Re7
Page 1 60
White is now in a kind of positional
stalemate, and Black can therefore
q u ietly prepare everythi ng for the
decisive coup. In the event of
entirely passive behaviour by White
(Qb2c2b2 etc.) the next moves of
Black would most l i kely have been
. . . h6, . . . K h 7 , foll owed by . . . g5!
30 Qa4 Kf7
I nstead the win of the exchange by
means of 30 . . . Qg3+ 31 Kg1 Nd2 ! ?
3 2 Rxd2 Oe 1 + 3 3 B f 1 Qxd2 would
have been less convincing because
of 34 Oa8+ Kf7 35 Qh8 Kg6 36
Qf8! and White is sti l l fighting.
31 Qa8 Nd2!
Threaten i ng 32 . . . Qf2.
32 Bxf3 Qf2+
33 Kh1
If 33 Bg2 then mate i n two.
33 Qf1+
34 Kh2 Nxf3+
35 Kg3 Nxd4
36 White resigns
 Game 69 Queen's Pawn, Nimzo witsch Defence

G A M E 69

Championship of the Balearic

Islands, 1 944
Queen's Pawn, N imzowitsch Defence

White: A. POM A R
Black: T I COU LAT

d4 Nf6 White to move

2 c4 e6
3 Nc3 Bb4
4 e3 b6
5 Bd2
An inoffensive but solid way of
combating Nimzowitsch's Defence.
5 Bb7
6 Nf3 0-0
7 Bd3 Bxc3
Black's first six moves were more or Position after 9 . . . Bxe4
less conventional but now it was 10 d5!
necessary to establish a plan with
the aim of completing the deploy A very powerful move which pre
ment of his forces i n a satisfactory sents Black with problems that are
way. To this end 7 . . . d5, 7 . . . c5 d i fficult to solve. For instance, the
or 7 . . . Be7, followed by . . . d6 plausible rejoinder 10 . . . f6 would
and . . . Nbd7 would be plausible turn out to be inferior after 1 1 dxe6
ideas. The transaction in the text dxe6 1 2 Nd4, followed by 13 Og4
is, however, i n opportune, and etc., and the l i ne of defence chosen
Pomar at once takes advantage of by him is also inadequate. Relative
the ci rcumstance to seize the ly preferable would. seem to be 1 0
i n itiative. . . . exd5 1 1 cxd5 (or 1 1 Od4 f6)
ReB with a hard, although defensible,
8 Bxc3 Ne4
game.
9 Bxe4 Bxe4
10 c5
11 Nd2! Bg6
After 1 1 . . . exd5 1 2 Nxe4 dxe4 1 3
Og4 f6 1 4 Oxe4 Nc6 1 5 0-0-0 White
would have had a crushing advantage.
12 h4 f5

Page 1 6 1
Game 70 Queen 's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

There was no adequate defence 16 d6 Of7

left; 12 . . . f6 would have pro
17 h6 Og6
longed the game for a few moves
but would not have changed the 18 hxg7 Rf7?
resu lt. In his desperation Black leaves his
13 Of3 Na6 queen to be taken. It is clear that
1B . . . Rf6 would not leave h im
14 h5 Be8
any hope.
1 5 Og3 Oe7
1 9 Oxg6 Black resigns

G A M E 70

Fifth match game, New York 1942

Queen's Pawn, N imzowitsch Defence
White: S. R ESH EVSKY
Black: I . KASHDAN

d4 Nf6 by 1 1 . . . e4. If White responds 1 0

2 c4 e6 e4 then 1 0 . . . h6 (avoiding the
p i n n i ng of the kn ight ) , followed by
3 Nc3 Bb4 1 1 . . . e5.
4 a3
10 d5 Ne7
With this move (Siimisch's) White
11 0-0 Kh8
imposes his w i l l upon his opponent;
as compensation for the slight Preparing for 1 2 . . . NeB, fol l owed
structural pawn weakness he obtains by 13 . . . f5. But White gets there
the two bishops and many chances first.
in the centre. 12 Ne1 Ne8
4 Bxc3+ 13 f4! exf4
5 bxc3 c5 14 exf4 g6
6 e3 0-0 With the purpose of exchanging the
7 Bd3 Nc6 enemy k i ng's bishop and directly
reduce the possible action of the
8 Nf3 d6
other bishop.
9 Oc2 e5
15 Nf3
Allowing the blockade without
More prudent was 1 5 h3 in order to
White's being forced to play e4.
be able to answer 15 . . . Bf5 by 1 6
More beneficial would seem 9 . . .
Bxf5 Nxf5 1 7 g4, followed b y 1 8
ReB, threate n i ng 1 0 . . . e5, followed
f 5 without loss of material.
Page 1 6 2
 Game 70 Queen 's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence
15 Bf5
16 Bxf5 Nxf5
1 7 g4 Nh6!
Hoping (after 1 8 h3 for example)
to play 18 . . . f5 with at least equal
chances i n view of the sad future
of the bishop. But Reshevsky k n ows
how to rise to the occasion.
White to move
Position after 1 7 . . . Nh6
1 8 f5!
If th is sacrifice is not sufficient to
obtain a w i n n i ng attack it is, none
theless, the logical consequence of
the previous manoeuvres and i t
gives h i s opponent m u l tiple defensive
problems, sometimes d ifficult to
resolve over the board.
Nxg4
18
19 h3! Ne5!
The best defence. If 1 9 . . . Ngf6
then 20 Bh6 Ng7 (or 20 . . . Rg8
21 Ng5) 21 Bg5! and 21 . . . Nxf5
is impossible because of 22 Nd2,
followed by 23 Ne4.
20 Nxe5 dxe5
The White passed pawn is very d is
pleasing, but Black has managed to
obtain the magnificent blockad ing
square d6 for the knight.
21 Bh6 Rg8
22 f6 g5
This move weakens the king's
position; only the most simple move
offers Black any benefit: 22 . . . Nd6
(and not 22 . . . Od7 because of 23
Oh2 ! ) . The outcome of this move
(22 . . . Nd6) m ight be : 23 Oe2!
(23 Bg7+ Rxg7 24 fxg7+ Kxg7,
followed eventually by . . . f5 is
manifestly to Black's advantage)
23 . . . Nf5 (and not 23 . . . ReB
24 Bg7+ Kg8 25 Oe3, followed by
26 Oh6) 24 Rxf5 gxf5+ 25 Bg7+
Rxg7+ 26 fxg7+ Kxg7 27 Oxe5+ Of6
28 Re1 Oxe5 29 Rxe5 Kf6 30 Re2
and White, thanks to his strong pawn
at d5, should not lose the endgame.
23 Qf5 Rg6
24 Bf8
This ambitious move is based on
the variation 24 . . . Nxf6 25 Bxc5
Oc8 26 Be7 and White recovers the
material sacrificed with a clear
advantage i n the endgame. However
the position achieved by means of
24 Bg7+ Nxg7 25 fxg7+ Rxg7 26
Oxe5, followed by Rae1 was not to
be scorned. The occupation of the
central squares and the weakening
of the Black k i ng's position would
have offered more than adequate
compensation for the pawn.
24 . . . Nd6!
The proper reply with which he
could have drawn.
25 Bg7+ Kg8
26 Oxe5
Page 1 63
Game 71 Queen 's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

Black to move given a satisfactory result.

26 . . . Od7?
An irreparable loss of time.
27 Rae1 h5
Of course not 27 . . . Re8 because
of 28 Qxd6.
28 Oe7!
The ending is easily won in view of
the disastrous position of the Black
king.
28 Oxe7
Position after 26 Oxe5
29 Rxe7 Rd8
The position is extremely interesting.
30 Rfe1 Kh7
Black could obtain excellent draw
ing chaQces simply by playing 26 . . . 31 Kg2 g4
NeB, fol lowed by 27 . . . Nxg7. But There is nothing to be done against
h e had an even more effective the invasion plan of R 1 e5, followed
method of guaranteeing this resu lt. after preparation by h4.
Kashdan could (and sho u l d ) have
taken the pawn with the knight. No 32 R 1e5 gxh3+
doubt he allowed hi mself to be 33 Kxh3 Rg1
dissuaded by the fact that after 26
34 Rxh5+ Kg6
. . . Nxc4 27 Oe2! capturing the
second pawn would be obvious: 27 35 Ree5! Rh1+
. . . Qxd5 28 Rfe 1 Nd6 29 Rad 1 , 36 Kg4 Ne4
fol l owed by 30 Rxd6 and wins. But
37 Rxh1 Nf2+
after 27 . . . Qd6! White would have
had nothing better than taking the 38 Kf4 Black resigns
knight, permitting perpetual check, If 38 . . . Nxh 1 then it is mate in
since neither 28 Rf3 g4 ! nor 28 Rae 1 three moves.
Qg3+ 29 Qg2 Qxc3 would have

GAME 7 1

Buenos Aires 1 939

Queen's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence
White: S. TARTAKOWER (Poland)
Black: J . E N E VOLDSEN (Denmark)
Page 1 64
 Game 71 Queen 's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

1 d4 Nf6 9 ... Nbd7

2 c4 e6 Black has a choice only between
3 Nc3 Bb4 different inferior l ines. For example,
9 . . . c5 1 0 dxc5 Bxc5 1 1 Ne4 !
4 Nf3 0-0 winning a pawn, or 9 . . . Bb7 1 0
Fairly good. But this is no reason for Ne4 ! Bxd2+ 1 1 Nfxd2 a n d Bl ack
Black not to accept the opportunity remains with an incurable weakness
in this position of playing h is queen's on his queen's bishop's d iagonal.
bishop to b 7 after 4 . . . b6. The k n ight move, whose object is to
5 Bd2 prepare for . . . c5, allows the
following devastating advance in
A passive move after which Bl ack the centre.
will have no difficulty in equalizing.
More enterprising is 5 Bg5.
10 e4! c5

d5 1 1 e5
5
Very strong i n spite of the follow
6 e3 a6
ing intermediary move by Black.
Simpler would be 6 . . . dxc4 7 Bxc4
11 . . . c4
c5 etc. but the text move cannot be
considered deficient. Black hereby obtains a good support
for his queen's side pawn majority,
7 Oc2 dxc4
but the position of his king quickly
8 Bxc4 b5? becomes indefensible against the
This is the decisive m i stake, as w i l l following attack. This short game is
b e convincingly demonstrated by an attractive model for those
Dr. Tartakower. l nsteacl , 8 . . . c5 enthusiasts who are incl ined to
would sti l l clearly be satisfactory pursue a particular advance on one
for Black. sector of the board without worry
ing about all the details of the
9 Bd3
position.
1 2 Be2 Bxc3
13 bxc3 Nd5

Position after 9 Bd3

Page 1 6 5
Game 72 Queen 's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

White to move 14 . . g6
1 5 h4 N7b6
1 5 . . . Oe7 was equally bad.
16 h5 f5
17 hxg6 hxg6
18 Rh6 Rf7
A desperate sacri lice that White
could have refuted at once by 1 9
Rh8+, but the method chosen is
also quite convincing.
19 0-0 -0 Rg7
Position after 13 . . . Nd5 20 Rdh1 Kf8
1 4 Ng5! 21 Rh8+ Rg8
Forcing either the win of a pawn 22 R 1 h7 Ne7
and the exchange (after 14 . . . f5) 23 Nf7 Oc7
or a deadly weakness on the hfile
(after 14 . . . g6). I n reality Black 24 Bh6+ Ke8
could have resigned at this moment. 25 Nd6+ Black resigns

G A M E 72

Match : Spain v Portugal, 1 945

Queen's Pawn, N i mzowitsch Defence

White: A. POMAR
Black: R I B E I RO

1 d4 Nf6 8 Qb3
2 c4 e6 This move is not bad, but strategical
ly simpler would be 8 cxd5 exd5 9
3 Nc3 Bb4
0-0 with the pu rpose of beginning
4 Bd2 a m i nority attack on the queen's
Pomar's preferred move. side.
4 d5 8 c5
5 e3 0-0 9 cxd5 cxd4
6 Nf3 Nbd7
7 Bd3 a6

Page 1 66
 Game 72 Queen 's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

b ' d Rather one would expect 16 Rfd 1 .

16 . . . Bc6
1 7 Rad1 Ng4
Erroneous strategy because it al lows
the exchange of the precious king's
bishop. The natural move 1 7 . . .
Ne4 would leave Black with a much
better game.
1 8 h3 Bxg3
19 fxg3
Notwithstanding the poor White
Position after 9 . . . cxd4
pawn formation chances are now
10 Nxd4? more or less equal since Black too
White forgets that the Black knight has a weakness at d5.
can be placed at c5. After both 1 0 19 . . . Nf6
exd4 Bxc3 1 1 bxc3, followed by 20 Ne2 Bb5
12 0-0 and 10 Qxb4 dxc3 1 1 Oxc3
Nxd5 12 Od4 he would maintain The e l i m ination of the White knight
the better position thanks to his is plausible but it does not break
bishops. the equil ibrium, as the bishop is i n
a position t o counter t h e strong
10 Nc5 position of the knight at e4.
11 Oc2 exd5 Bxe2
21 Qf5
1 2 0-0 Nxd3 22 Rxe2 Oc7
13 Oxd3 Bd6
22 . . . Ne4 23 Bel leads to nothing.
14 Nf5?
23 Bc3 Ne4
This knight manoeuvre definitely
This move, apparently a very power
does not improve his position. The
ful one, wil l be opposed by Pomar
logical plan was 14 R ad 1 , followed
in a most effective way.
by 15 Bc1 and, eventually, b3 and
Bb2.
14 Be5
1 5 Ng3 Bd7
It is clear that by playing 1 5 . . . d4
Black would e l i m i n ate a l l risk of
losing, but in any case he does wel l
to play for the advantage, since h is
position is perfectly sol id.
1 6 Rfe1
Page 1 67
Game 73 Queen 's Pa wn, Nimzowitsch Defence

b c 29 Rc1 Qd6?
Another mistake. There was no
better resource than trying an
exchange of queens with 29 . . .
Oe8.
30 g4!
This wins at least a pawn and also
gives an enviable position. Black's
answer costs him the exchange, and
his resistance therefore swiftly
crumbles.
Position after 23 . . . Ne4 30 . h4
24 Be5! Oc4 31 Ba3! Qg3
25 Og4! Of course he cannot permit 32 Rc7.
Th is w i ns the time necessary for 32 Bxf8 Rxf8
26 b3.
33 Qf5 Ng5
25 f6
34 Kh1 Ne4
26 b3 Oc6
Clearly on account of time shortage,
27 Bb2 h5? although the position was hopeless.
Too weak, because the queen at g6 35 Oxd5+ Black resigns
w i l l exert unpleasant pressure. The
Pomar knew how to exploit all his
move 27 . . . Rad8 would have given
opportunities in the second part of
a good game.
th is game.
28 Og6 Rad8

G A M E 73

M u nich 1 942
Queen's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

White: K. J U N G E
Black: E . BOGO LJU BOV

d4 Nf6 Bogoljubov takes it upon himself to

2 c4 e6 demonstrate i n practice the deficiency
of this treatment of the Nim zowitsch
3 Nc3 Bb4 Defence by White, and herein l ies
4 f3 the value of this game, although it

Page 1 68
 Game 73 Queen 's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence

was inadequately played by Junge. 10 0-0

4 d5 11 Ng3
5 a3 Bxc3+ If 1 1 Oxb7 there would follow 1 1
. . . Na5 ' 2 Oa6 Nb3 1 3 Ra2 Oe7,
6 bxc3 c5
followed by . . . Rfe8 with clear
7 cxd5 exd5! advantage to Black.
After 7 . . . Nxd5 White could have 11 Bg6
played 8 dxc5 Oa5 9 e4 with an
excellent game. 1 2 dxc5 Oe7

8 e3 Bf5! 13 c4?

NeG After this grave error the battle is

9 Ne2
practically resolved. But also after
10 Qb3? 13 Be2 h 5 ! White's position would
A loss of time which is all the more be mortally threatened.
noticeable given White's retarded Nd4!
13
development. Necessary was the
move 10 dxc5, followed eventually 14 Oc3 Nc2+
by Nd4. 15 Kf2 Nxa1

Black to move 16 Oxa1 Oxc5

b c d e I 17 cxd5 Nxd5
The technical problem of forcing
victory is undertaken by Black i n
irreproachable sty l e : 1 8 Be2 Rfe8
19 Od4 Oxd4 20 exd4 Rac8 21 Bd2
Rc2 22 Rd1 Nc3 23 Bxc3 Rxc3
24 f4 f6 25 Bb5 Rd8 26 a4 h6 27
Ne2 Rc2 28 Kf3 Bf7 29 g3 Bc4 30
Bxc4 Rxc4 31 Ra1 Rd5 32 Ke4 Ra5
33 f5 Raxa4 34 Rxa4 Rxa4 35 Kd5
Ra2 36 Nf4 Kf7 37 Kd6 b5 38 Kc5
a6 39 Nd5 Rxh2 40 Nc7 Rc2+ 41
Position after 10 Qb3 White resigns

Page 1 69
King's Indian Defence

G A M E 74

Buenos Aires 1 939

King's Indian Defence
White: R. F LO R E S (Chile)
Black: M . NAJD O R F (Poland )

1 d4 Nf6 move is not only an important loss

2 c4 g6 of time; it also weakens the diagonal
a 1 h8, allowing Black to take
3 Nc3 Bg7 advantage of this circumstance in
4 Nf3 0-0 forceful fashion.
5 e4 d6 10 . . . Nh5!
6 Be2 Al ready undertaking a d i rect attack
which, in a few moves, will be
This is more or less as playable as
irresistible.
the usual 6 Be3 or 6 g3, followed
by 7 Bg2. 11 g3
6 Nbd7 The remedy is almost worse than
the disease. He should have gone
7 0-0 e5
forward with h is mobilization by
8 d5? playing 1 1 Bg5 f6 1 2 Be3, fo l l owed
The tension in the centre should be by Ne 1 d3 etc.
maintained as long as possible, and 11 f5
the blocking of the position would
12 Nd2 f4!
be justified only if it were related
to some strategical plan. Preferable, Very strong, because an attempt to
therefore, is 8 Be3, and if 8 . . . ReB block the position with 13 g4 would
(8 . . . Ng4 9 Bg5) then 9 Oc2, not be successful owing to 13 . .
followed by 10 Rad 1 etc. with f31 1 4 Bxf3 Nf4 with a w i n n i ng
advantage to White. position.
8 Nc5 13 Qd1
9 Oc2 a5 13 Bxh5 would also be perfectly
hopeless as White's remaining m inor
10 b3?
pieces would be unable to take part
With the purpose of conserv i n g the i n the defence of his king.
i n itiative. Bogoljubov's manoeuvre
13 . . . Bh3
Nd2-b3 was indicated. The text

Page 1 70
 Game 74 King's Indian Defence

14 Re1 fxg3 16 Nfd3

1 5 hxg3 1 7 Re2 Qf6
Black to move With the strong threat of 1 7
b c h Bh6.
18 Kh2 Bd7
19 Na4
The weaknesses of the ffile cannot
possibly be protected.
19 Nxa4
20 bxa4 Bh6
21 Ba3 Bxd2
22 Rxd2 Oxf3
23 Rxd3 Oxf2+
Position after 15 hxg3
24 Ki11 Bh3
15 . . . Nf4!
25 Rd2
Najdorf quite rightly resists the
temptation of playing to the gallery Or 25 Og1 Oc2, fol l owed by 26
by sacrificing the knight at g3 since, . . . Rf2.
after 1 5 . . . Nxg3 16 fxg3 Og5 1 7 25 Oxg3
Kh2 Rf2+ 1 8 Kxh3 Oh6+ 1 9 8h5
White would not be lost. The text 26 Qb3 Rf3
move is much faster. 27 White resigns
16 Bf3 A good example of the vigorous
If 1 6 gxf4 of course 1 6 . . . exf4 style of Poland's number two
threate n i ng both 17 . . . 8xc3 and player.
1 7 . . . Og5+.

Page 1 7 1
Game 75 Griinfeld Defence

Grunfeld Defence

G A M E 75

Buenos Aires 1 939

G riinfeld Defence
White: R. F LO R ES (Chile)
Black: M . CZE R N I A K (Palestine)

d4 Nf6 characteristics are : on the White

side, an insecure pawn centre and
2 c4 g6
the possibility of eventual attacks
3 Nc3 d5 on the ki ng's flank, and on the Black
4 cxd5 Nxd5 side, a pawn majority on the queen's
wing which , however, cannot be
5 e4 Nxc3
util ized until the endgame. The
6 bxc3 c5 result wil l largely depend on the
7 Bb5+ Bd7 battle that is undertaken for the
vital squares on the open c-file. The
8 Bxd7+ Oxd7
position is very simi lar to that of a
9 Nf3 Bg7 favourable l ine of the Semi-Tarrasch
1 0 Be3 Nc6 Defence, although perhaps slightly
more advantageous to Black.
11 0-0 cxd4
13 d5
1 2 cxd4 0-0
The alternative is 13 Qd2, preventing
the Black move 13 . . . Na5 and
inducing him to reply 13 . . . b6,
which would weaken his c6.
13 . . . Ne57
An instructive strategic error
whereby Black d i rectly provokes
the following attack on h is king.
I ndicated was 1 3 . . . Na5 1 4 Bd4
Bxd4 1 5 Oxd4 Rfe8, after which
16 Ne5 Qc7 17 Ng4 would be
parried by 17 . . . Qf4. I t is clear
that Black cannot play 13 . . . Bxa1
Position after 1 2 . . . 0-0
here because of 1 4 dxc6! Oxd 1 1 5
Thus the 'classical' position of this Rxd1 Bc3 1 6 cxb7 RabB 1 7 R b 1 ,
defence has been attained. Its followed by 1 B Ba 7 etc.

Page 1 72
 Game 75 Grunfeld Defence

14 Nxe5 Bxe5 Be5, followed by 2 1 . . . Rc3.

15 Rb1 b5
Hoping that his rapid advance on
this wing will make White abandon
his plans i n the centre. The first
player could, and probably should,
prevent the placing of the Black
bishop at c3 by firstly playing 1 6
Qd3. But i t seems that i t did not
occur to him and he thought that
this manoeuvre, obstructing the c
file, would make it more difficult
for Black to develop a counter
attack.
16 f4! ? Bc3
1 7 Od3 b4
18 f5
20 fxg6 hxg6
Preparing for the following bishop
retreat and, of course, not consider
ing the strength of h is opponent's
exchange sacrifice. 20 . . . fxg6 2 1
Rbf1 Be5 (or 2 1 Bd4 a5) would
offer an adequate defence.
Bf6
21 Rbf1
If 2 1 . . . f6 the attempt 22 e5 fxe5
23 Rf6 would be refuted by 23 . . .
e4 24 Rxd6 exd3 25 Rxg6+ K h 7 .
B u t 22 R g 3 threatening 2 3 Rxg6+
would have decided the game in
White's favour. Of less danger than
the provocative text move is 21 . . .
Rf8.

Not threatening anything for the

moment but forcing Black to take
into account possible pressure (after
fxg6 hxg6) on f7 or the formation
Rf3h3, followed by Bd4.
18 . . . Rfc8
Also after 18 . . . Rab8 19 Rf3 Ob5
20 Oc2, foll owed by 21 Of2, the
assault would develop accord ing to
White's wishes.
19 Rf3
At th is particular moment the
Position after 2 1 . . . Bf6
doubling of the rooks is out of p l ace,
since the intended opening of the 22 Rxf6!
ffile would not produce dangerous
A bold sacrifice, the consequences
threats. Preferable first is 19 h4 with
of which cannot be calculated pre
the object of exerting pressure on
cisely and can only be the subject
the enemy k i ng side after 20 fxg6
of a general appreciation of the
fxg6 21 h5, depriving it of its pawn
position. In any case, the young
protection.
Chilean master deserves praise for
19 . . . Od6 his courage and determination.
Principally with the aim of 20 . . . 22 . . . exf6

Page 1 73
Game 76 Grunfeld Defence

23 Bd4 a5! Unhappily for Black he cannot play

The only possible defence and in no
way without hope since 24 Bxf6
could be answered by 24 . . . Rc1 !
25 RxcT Oxf6 and 24 Rxf6 by 24
. . . Re T + 25 Kf2 Qxh2. White must
therefore seek means of attack ing.
24 Oe3
Now threatening 25 Bxf6 with
deadly effect.
27 . . . Ra7 because of 28 Bd4
winning a clear rook. 2 7 . . . Rcc8
would also be fatal owing to 28 d 7
R d 8 2 9 R f 3 R x d 7 3 0 Rh3.
28 e5 a4
After the plausible 28 . . . Ra7
White would force victory by 29
Rd1 Rd7 30 Rd 5 ! R c 1 + 31 Kf2
Rc2+ 32 Ke3 Rxa2 33 Rb5 and wins.

24 . . . Rc4 29 Rf4!

If now 25 Rxf6 then 25 . . . Oc7 26 The double threat of 30 Rxb4 and

d6 Re T + 27 Kf2 Oc2+ 28 Kg3 R d 1 30 Rh4 decides the game. The
with salvation. counter-attack that foll ows is com
pletely hopeless.
25 Bxf6!
29 Rc1+
White's skill in offering an exchange
of queens is truly surprising. Because 30 Kf2 Rc2+
of the enormous activity of the 31 Ke3 RacB
bishop (with its mating threats and
32 Rxb4 R2c3+
support of the passed pawn) the
ending is won for White. 33 Ke4 Rc2
25 Qc5 34 Bg5 Rxa2
26 Oxc5 Rxc5 35 d7 RaB
27 d6 ReG 36 Rc4 Black resigns

G A M E 76

Cracow/Warsaw 1 942
Griinfeld Defence
White: R USSH E R
Black: WA L C I C E R

d4 Nf6 5 cxd5
2 Nf3 g6 After the experience of recent years,
3 c4 Bg7 this move is justified only when a
player desires a draw.
4 Nc3 d5

Page 1 74
 Game 76 Griinfeld Defence

5 Nxd5 Just what Black wanted. After 1 5

Ke2 ! (and not 1 5 gxf3 Bc3+ I Black
6 e4 Nxc3
would have to submit h imself to a
7 bxc3 c5 draw by repetition of moves by
8 Bc4 means of 1 5 . . . Nd4+ 16 Ke 1 - not
16 Kf1 Be6 ! 1 7 Bxa3 Bxc4+ 1 8 Ke1
The series of moves sanctioned by
Nb5 with advantage.
theory is 8 Be2 0-0 9 0-0 cxd4 1 0
cxd4 Nc6 1 1 Be3 Bg4 1 2 d5 and Black to move
after 12 _ _ _ Bxa 1 13 Oxa1 and a b c d e q h
White recovers the exchange by
means of Bh6. However this game
seems to prove that the method
selected by White is practicable.
8 0-0
9 h3 cxd4
10 cxd4 Nc6
11 Be3 Oa5+
12 Bd2 Oa3
The queen has no more effective Position after 1 5 Kf1
rejoinder, si nce if 1 2 _ . . Ob6 there 15 , . _ Be6!
would follow 13 R b 1 and if 1 2 . .
A beautiful move which decides the
Qc7 then 1 3 Rc1 .
game.
13 Rb1! Nxd4!
16 Be2 Oxa2 1 7 Bxf3 Rfd8 1 8 Oe1
An excellent idea but not too Rac8 19 g4 b6 20 Bxe7 Bc3 21 Oc1
recommendable from the practical Rd2 22 Bh4 Bd4 23 Qe1 Rcc2 24
point of view as it can only lead to Rh2 Bc4+ 25 Kg1 Rxf2 26 Rxf2
a draw. Rxf2 27 Bxf2 Bxf2+ 28 Oxf2 Oxb1 +
14 Bb4 Nxf3+ 29 Kh2 Oa2 30 Oxa2 Bxa2 31
White resigns. A game not without
15 Kf1?
theoretical interest.

G A M E 77

Buenos Aires 1 939

Griinfeld Defence
White: R. G R AU (Argentina)
Black: V . M I K E NAS (Lithuania)
Page 1 75
Game 76 Grunfeld Defence

1 d4 Nf6
2 c4 g6
3 Nc3 d5
4 Bf4 Bg7
5 e3 0-0
Probably this move w i l l be complete
ly abandoned because of having
achieved l ittle success after the
following moves: 6 cxd5 Nxd5 7
Nxd5 Qxd5 8 Bxc7 Nc6 (the attack
i n itiated by 8 . . . Na6 is not Position after 8 . . . e6
sufficient, as is proved by the game
Lil ienthal- Keres, Moscow, 1 939; 9 9 Nf3?
Bxa6 Qxg2 1 0 Qf3 Qxf3 1 1 Nxf3 This would be partially justified if
bxa6 12 0-0 ! , which is clearly i nWhite was certain to obtain com
White's favour ) . Since 5 . . . c5 fortable equality with a solid game.
(experimented with at Buenos I n the text continuation, however,
Aires) does not satisfy either on he is left with an unpleasant isolated
account of 6 dxc5 0-0 7 cxd5 Qa5 pawn. If h e decided to play 9 dxe6
on the other hand he would have
8 Qd2, what w i l l be the next reply
to 4 Bf4? to surrender the advantage to his
opponent. I n that case Black would
6 Qb3 c5
have at his disposal various attack
The well known Botwinnik variation. ing m oves, but none of them appears
7 cxd5 cxd4 good enough to arrive at a convinc
ing result. For example, 9 . . . Bxe6
8 exd4 e61 ?
10 Qxb7 Qxd4 1 1 Nge2, or 9 . . .
New and hazardous, i nstead of the fxe6 1 0 Nf3, or 9 . . . ReB 1 0 d 5 !
solid and adequate . . . Nbd7-b6. fxe6 1 1 0-0-0 etc. Relatively more
In this game, sadly, White does not promising would be 9 . . . Qxd4 1 0
try to refute the pawn sacrifice. Nge2 Qc5 1 1 exf7+ Rxf7. But here
too White would have ample
defensive possibil ities, beginning
with 12 Be3. This little opening
problem was not solved at Buenos
Aires, and it may be necessary to
await another international tourna
ment, if there are any.
9 Nxd5
10 Be5 Nc6
11 Bxg7 Kxg7

Page 1 76
 Game 76 Griinfeld Defence

12 Bb5 20 BaG Rc7

This was the last moment for 21 Oe3 Qf6
attain i ng a symmetrical position by
22 Rfd1 Rcd7
12 Nxd5, but after 12 . . . exd5 he
would not have time to castle on 23 Rac1
the king's side, and 13 0-0-0 would Hoping to obtain some chances of
be almost suicidal on account of saving himself after 23 . . . Rxd4
the open cfile. On the other hand, 24 Rxd4 Rxd4 25 Oc3. Black could
after the text move Black w i l l gain deal with this by 25 . . . e5! 26 b4
a splendid diagonal for his bishop. Nc6 and i n this case he would have
12 Na5 adequate means of parrying the
attack (27 Oxc6 Rd 1 +). But he
13 Oc2 b6 prefers, and rightly, to centralize
14 0-0 Bb7 his knight first.
15 Qd2? 23 Nb7
The possibil ity of 15 . . . Nf4 was 24 b4
certai n l y not pleasant, and it is not The queen and rook struggle after
surprising that White should try to 24 Bxb7 would be as hopeless for
prevent it. But the l oss of a pawn White as it will be i n a couple of .
or a bad pawn structure on the king's moves.
side (as occ urs in the game) is the
most that would have resulted from 24 Nd6
this kn ight move. After 1 5 Rfd 1 25 Bd3 Nf5
Nf4 1 6 Ne1 Qg5 1 7 Bfl White,
26 Bxf5
though not completely happy,
would have gained some relief. Forced.
15 Nxc3 26 Oxf5
16 Oxc3 27 Rd2 Qf6

It really is a task to decide which 28 Rcd1 Rd5

variation is worse, the text or 1 6 29 Oe4 Rf5
bxc3 Bxf3 1 7 gxf3 Qd5.
It becomes all too clear that White
16 ReB will not be capable of defending his
17 Od3 Bxf3 d-pawn and his k i ng-side weakness
at the same time.
1 8 gxf3
30 Rd3 Rdd5
After 1 8 Oxf3 Oxd4 Black with
h is extra pawn would also have had 31 Kg2 Rf4
the better position. 32 Oe3 Oh4
18 Og5+ 33 Ra3 a5
1 9 Kh1 Rfd8 34 bxa5 bxa5

Page 1 77
Game 77 Grunfeld Defence

35 Oc3 e5! Attacking the queen and threaten

The coup de grace ! i ng to win a rook by 37 _ . . Og5+.

36 Rxa5 exd4 White resigned.

Samuel Reshevsky, an American of Polish origin, was the ch i l d prodigy

who - a strange thing i n the game of chess - has succeeded i n becoming
an exceptional player in his maturity.
Can Reshevsky be considered to have sufficient abilities to seek the
world title? In view of his successes the opinion of his colleagues ( I am
amongst them ) and the pre-war chess press is that there can be no doubt
about it. But in order to be able to form a definite opinion on this matter
it would be necessary to know the view of the person concerned : what
does Reshevsky think of his chances? Does he truly desire to play a match
for the world title? This is of im portance, because without being able to
count on the firm decision of the candidate nobody would be i nterested
at the present time in organizing an encounter. Before 1 940 I was quite
certain that two masters, Botwi n n i k and Flohr, wished to fight for this
title . Neither of the two matches could be brought about, and the above
mentioned chall engers know very wel l that I had decided to face them.
As regards Keres, his position i n 1 938-9 was l ess resolved; he gave the
impression of preferring to let a few years pass. But i n 1 943, perhaps
infl uenced by the d isastrous results he obtained against me in recent meet
ings (+3 =3 -0 in my favour) he resol utely decl ared that he had not the
sl igh test intention of challenging me to a match. F i ne too, in 1 940, made
an analogous declaration.
For my part, being of course disposed to accept all challenges that
come to me from qualified opponents - such is my d uty as a sportsman -
I consider the most difficult problem (and therefore the most interesting
both for the chess world and for myself) to be a match against Botwinnik
and against Reshevsky. Both are players of stature, each with his own wel l
pronounced individual ity and both are seasoned fighters. Both have con
tinued their sporting activity i n their respective countries and have demon
strated their abil ity to maintain their strength . From the clash of our styles
there would surely arise battles that would excite i nterest in the chess
world.
Eight years have passed without a world championship match taking
place. This should not happen; it does not del ight me to be Champion
without having the chance of putting my title i n play, especially when
there is no shortage of opponents worthy of aspiring to it. I am not

Page 1 78
 Game 78 Grunfeld Defence

ignorant of the fact that the present circumstances place obstacles before
the realization of such encounters; nor am I unaware that those
d ifficulties are not insuperable. In any case there w i l l be no obstacles from
myself. Once more I insist on repeating that which I have publ ished on
several occasions: that is, that the articles which were stupid and untrue
from a chess point of view and which were printed signed with my name
i n a Paris newspaper i n 1 94 1 , are a falsification . * I t is not the first time
that unscrupulous newspapers have abused my name in order to publish
inanities of that kind but i n the present case what was published in Pariser
Zeitung is what has caused me the most grief, not only because of its con
tent but also precisely because it is impossible for me to rectify it.
This explanation is necessary. Without it all d iscussion about the
possibil ity of organizing matches for the world title would be pointless.
Col leagues know my sentiments and they know perfectly well how great
is the esteem i n which I hold their art and that I have too elevated a con
cept of chess to become entangled in the absurd statements poured out by
the above-mentioned Parisian newspaper.
On the other hand, I bow to and rely on the sane judgement of the
chess world. Let it appoint the challenger for the title and the pl ace in
which the battle is to be fought. I am ready and I await its orders.

GAME 78

F i rst match game, New York 1 942

Griinfeld Defence
White: S. R ESH EVSKY
Black: I. KASHDAN

d4 Nf6 5 e3 0-0! ?
2 c4 g6
3 Nc3 d5
4 Bf4
A variation that was very much i n
fash ion before the war (particularly
during the AV RO tournament of
1 938 ) . This fashion would lead to
very complicated positions should
B l ack try to take the initiative in
the centre by sacrificing one or two
pawns.
4 ... Bg7 Position after 5 . . . 00

*They were virulently antiSem itic . E.G.W.

Page 1 79
Game 78 Griinfeld Defence
Creating for White this probl em :
should h e accept the c-pawn? After
6 cxd5 Nxd5 7 Nxd5 Oxd5 8 Bxc7
White would certainly obtain an
advantage i n the endgame in case
of 8 . . . Na6 9 Bxa6! Oxg2 10 Qf3
Oxf3 1 1 Nxf3 bxa6 12 0-0 etc.
( F i ohr- Botwin n i k AVRO, 1 938) .
But after 8 . . . Nc6! 9 Ne2 Bg4,
followed bv 10 . . . Rac8 Black
reaches an attack ing position ful l
o f promise. The game Keres
Lil ienthal (Moscow, 1 940) con
tinued in this way and ended in a
draw. Reshevsky prefers to shun
these complications but he becomes
entangled in other greater ones i n
the following moves.
6 Ob3
I f 6 Rc1 Black can also play 6 .
c5, as did Reshevsky himself against
Capablanca i n the A V RO tourna
ment.
6 ... c5
The pawn sacrifice variation in
augurated by this move was con
sidered absolutely correct after the
game Capablanca- Fiohr in the
AV R O tournament. The new move
10 Od 1 ! played by Reshevsky i n this
game produces fresh doubts regard
ing its value.
7 dxc5 Ne4!
8 cxd5 Oa5
Nxc5
9 Ne2
The developing move 9 . . . Na6 is
not more effective because White
can reply with 10 Nd4 Naxc5 1 1
Ob5.
10 Od1 !
Page 1 80
This withd rawal offers more
security than 10 Oc4 as played by
Capablanca against Flohr. In fact
after 1 0 . . . Na6 1 1 Nd4 Black,
with 1 1 . . . e5! (i nstead of 1 1 . . .
Bd7) 1 2 dxe6 Bxe6 1 3 Nxe6 Nxe6
would have obtained an advantage
in development that would have
been lucrative compensation for
the lost pawn.
10 . . . e5
The principal object of this move is
to take the square d4 from the White
knight. After the plausible reply 1 1
Bg3 Black could continue his
attack with 1 1 . . . Bf5 (12 Nc1 ) or,
better sti l l , with 1 1 . . . b5 ( 1 2 a3
b4 13 axb4 Oxb4 with a promising
game) .
11 Bg5!
A profound and very well calculated
manoeuvre; on 1 1 . . . Ne4 White
with 12 Be7 Re8 1 3 Ba3 would have
assured himself of a game without
danger (because 13 . . . b5 would
i n this case be refuted by 1 4 Ob3 ! )
and would not have great develop
ment difficulties to overcome. I n
reply to Black's next move
Reshevsky has a surprising stroke
which justifies the defensive plan
initiated with 1 0 Od 1 !
11 .-- f6
Apparently very effective because
after 1 2 Bh4 Black recovers the
pawn by 12 . . . Ob4, keeping the
i n itiative.
 Game 78 Griinfeld Defence

White to move 18 Rc1

" b h The i m petuous advance of the
Black pawns has reached its
maximum intensity, and one realizes
that he has not really achieved any
thing. If, for example, he plays 1 B
. . . fxe3 1 9 Bxe3 exf3 2 0 gxf3 ReB
21 Qd2 it is evident that White has
nothi ng to fear.
18 . . . Bf5
He tries to complete his mobi l i zation
but is too late.
Position after 1 1 . . f6 19 Be2 exf3
12 a3! 20 gxf3!
With this move he imposes his w i l l Simpler than 20 Bxf3 which would
on his opponent. Kashdan may have created pointless complications
certainly recuperate h is sacrificed after 20 . . . ReB 21 Qd2 fxe3 22
pawn but after 12 . . . fxg5 13 b4 Bxe3 Qb6 etc. (If 23 Kf2? then 23
Qb6 14 bxc5 Qxc5 15 Ne4 Qa5+ . . . Rxe3 ! ) .
16 Qd2 Oxd2+ 1 7 Kxd2 g4 1 B fxe3
20
N2c3 White would attain a superior
ending thanks to his passed pawn 21 Bxe3 Nd7
and the sol i d position of his knight Hoping after 22 Bxg5 Qb6 to be
at e4. Consequently Black must able to fish in troubled waters.
continue the attack by advancing Reshevsky rightly prefers to place
his centre pawns. But this attack, his k i ng in safety as the pawn p resented
which in other circumstances might to h i m can guarantee victory.
have been dangerous, will be very
i neffective in view of the back- 22 0.0 Rae8
ward ness of his queen's side develop 23 Bd4 Ne5
ment. 24 Kh1
12 Ne4 A good precautionary move before
13 Bh4 g5 beginning the decisive action in the
centre. In fact Black cannot take
14 Bg3 f5
advantage of the moment of respite,
15 f3 Nxc3 as his adversary is free from vulner
15 . . . Nxg3 16 hxg3 offered still able points.
fewer chances. 24 . . a6
16 Nxc3 f4 With this he prevents 25 Nb5. But
1 7 Bf2 e4 White now has an open field in

Page 1 B 1
Game 79 Griinfeld Defence

which to deal forceful blows. 28 . . gxf3

25 d6! He rejects 28 . . . Oh4. In fact this
move would have been victoriously
With, amongst others, the threat of
refuted by 29 Nxe8 g3 30 Rf2! (but
26 Qb3+.
not 30 Bg1 Qh3 3 1 Rf2 gxf2 32
25 Kh8 Nxg7 fxg1 (Q)+ 33 Oxg1 Rg8 etc.)
26 b4! Qd8 gxf2 31 Nxg7 and wins.

A forced move because if 26 . . 29 Bxf3 Nxf3

Qxa3 27 Nd5' and wins. 30 Bxg7+ Kxg7
27 Nd5 g4 31 Nxe8+ Qxe8
The variations 27 . . . Qxd6 28 Bc5 32 Rc7+ Kg8
and 27 . . . Re6 Bb6 leave no hope
Or 32 . . . Kh6 33 Rxf3 Be4 34
and Black tries one last skirmish.
Qd2+ Kh5 35 Rc5+.
28 Nc7
33 Re7
Reshevsky does not let himself be
33 Rxf3 Be4 34 Qb3+ also wins at
frightened by ghosts.
once.
Black to move
33 Qg6
b c d h
34 Qd5+ Kh8
35 Rxf3 Black resigns

Position after 28 Nc7

G A M E 79

Third match game, New York 1 942

Griinfeld Defence
White: S. R E S H EVSKY
Black: I. KASHDAN

Page 1 82
 Game 79 Griinfeld Defence

1 d4 Nf6 If 1 1 b3 Black can play 1 1 . . . c5

2 c4 g6 1 2 dxc5 Nxe4 ! or 1 2 d5 Bxc3 1 3
Qxc3 Nxe4 1 4 Qb2 Bxd5 1 5 Bh6
3 Nc3 d5 Nf6 16 BxfB QxfB with two pawns
4 Ob3 dxc4 for the exchange and a solid position.

With this capture Black abandons 11 Bc4

the centre to his opponent but he 12 Bf4 Bxe2
trusts that h e will be able to resolve
13 Oxe2 Ob6
in his favour the important prob-
lem of the development of h is A well known manoeuvre in this
queen's bishop. The difficulty for type of position because of my
White - who w i l l have more freedom matches against Bogoljubov and
of movement available d u ring the Dr. Euwe. As White clearly has no
first phase of the game - wi l l consist i nterest i n exchanging queens, th e
of finding vul nerable points i n the Bl ack queen will occupy a strong
enemy position. In the end he position at a6 and at the same time
manages this, but not without will exert a certain pressure against
weakening his own position on the the enemy queen's wing.
queen's side. The game is instructive, 1 4 Rad1 Oa6
particularly as regards strategy.
15 Rd3 Nd7
5 Oxc4 Be6
16 e5
6 Qd3
A move with a double intention
Simpler than, and at least as good as, whereby White virtual ly binds h im
6 Qb5+ Nc6 7 Nf3 N d 5 ! (played by self to forcing a decision by an
Flohr in the tournament at Kemeri attack against the king. As Black
i n 1 93 7 ) , which after 8 e4 a6 9 Qa4 does not have any threat at his dis
Nb6 1 0 Qd 1 Bg4 1 1 Be3 Bg7 does posal 1 6 Rfd 1 , liberating the queen
not lead to any tangible resu lt. from the defence of the rook and
6 Bg7 reserving for h i mself a wider field
of action, was most logical.
7 e4 c6
16 Nb5!
8 Nf3 0-0
17 Ng5
9 Be2 NeB!
17 e6 would not lead to anything
Seeking an exchange of the queen's
practical after 17 . . _ Nxc3 18 bxc3
bishop for a bishop before White fxe6 etc.
has finished h is development. It is
evident that exchanges contribute to 1 7 Nxc3
the unfolding of Black's game. 18 bxc3 h6
10 0-0 Nd6 1 9 Ne4 c5!
11 Oc2 Now Bl ack achieves a truly favour-

Page 1 83
Game 79 Griinfeld Defence
able situation: the c-file and the
pawn majority on the queen's side.
20 Rfd1 cxd4
21 cxd4 Rac8
22 Qd2 Rfd8!
This indirectly defends the h-pawn.
If 23 Bxh6 then 23 . . . Nxe5 ! 24
Rh3 Rxd4 25 Oxd4 Nf3+ 26 Rxf3
Bxd4 27 R xd4 Oxa2 28 R fd3 f5
with advantage thanks to the d is
location of the White pieces.
23 h4 Kh7
24 h5
White must obviously try to attack
at all costs, but B l ack has adequate
defensive resources.
24 g5
25 Bg3
Sacrificing the bishop would be in
correct play: 25 Bxg5 hxg5 26
Nxg5+ Kg8 27 Qf4 f6 ! 28 Rg3
Nxe5.
25 . . . Rc4
Rather a com pi icated move which i n
t h e l o n g r u n d oes n o t achieve its
object. Sufficient to maintain the
balance would be 25 . . . f5. For
instance, 26 Nc3 Rc4 27 Bh2 Kh8
or 26 exf6 Nxf6. The sacrifice 26
Nxg5+ hxg5 27 Qxg5 would be
refuted by 27 . . . Oe6! 28 d5 Qf7
29 e6 Qf6 30 Og6+ Qxg6 31 hxg6+
Kxg6 32 exd7 Rxd7 and B l ack
appears to have a good game.
26 f4 f5
27 Nc3
The only plausible move. 27 exf6
Nxf6 28 Nc5 Oc6 would certainly
be scarcely recommendable.
Page 1 84
27 gxf4
28 Bxf4
Black to move
b ' d
<t b e f
Position after 28 Bxf4
Without doubt Kashdan examined
with this move the simplifying
variation 28 . . . Nc5 29 dxc5 Rxd3
30 Oxd3 Rxf4 3 1 Oxa6 bxa6. The
final position obtained hereby would
certainly be favourable to White
but it would however offer some
prospects of resistance because the
two White pawns would be threat
ened (the c-pawn by 32 . . . Rc4 ) .
B u t thanks t o some finesses worthy
of mention White can reach his
goal in a few moves: 32 Rd7 ! and
now:
(a) 32 . . . Bxe5 33 Rxe7+ Bg7 34
Nd5 Rd4 ! 35 Nf6+ Kh8 36 ReS+
Bf8 37 c6 ! Rc4 38 Rxf8+ Kg7 39
Nd7 Rxc6 40 Rf7+ and wins.
(b) 32 . . . Rc4 33 Nd5 Rxc5 34 e6 !
Bf8 (if 34 . . . Ra5 36 Nxe7Rxa2
36 Nxf5 and wins) 35 Nxe7 Bxe7
36 Rxe7+ Kg8 37 Rxa7 Kf8 38
Rxa6 and wins.
(c) 32 . . . e6 33 c6! Rc4 34 Nd5!
exd5 35 c7 d4 36 e6 d3 37 e7,
winning.
 Game 80 Griinfeld Defence

But in this position Black does not 017+ KcB. But with 30 Kh 1 White
need to simplify the game, as White's would have kept up the pressure.
threats can easily be parried, and
the most propitious way of doing
this is to revert to the counter
attack.
28 . . . e6
Black appears to have forgotten for
the moment that his k i ng may be
exposed to a d i rect attack . The
text move not only cuts the com
munication of the queen with the
ki ng's side but also weakens the
surrou nding squares, a factor that
Reshevsky exploits in masterly
Position after 29 . . . Nf8
style. A good stroke would be 2B
. . . Oe6 ! , threaten ing an eventual 30 Rxg7+! Kxg7
. . . Nc5. The variations 29 Rg3
31 Bxh6+ Kh7
Of7 30 Rg6 NIB and 29 d5 Ob6+
30 Be3 Oa5 would be to Black's Or 31 . . . Kf7 32 Og5 Ob6 33 Of6+
advantage; so i n all l ikelihood White KeB 34 Bxf8 and wins.
would be left with no better 32 Og5 Rd7
resou rce than 29 Ne2, and then
Black, by responding with 29 . . . 33 BxfB R xc3
017 maintains his game with at 34 Og6+ Kh8
least equal fighting chances.
35 Oe8 ! Rcc7
29 Rg3! NIB 36 Be7+ Kg7
This provokes the sacrifice. With 29 37 QfB + Kh7
. . . Ob6! he could still have stopped
the d i rect threats. For example, 30 38 Of7+ and mates next move.
Rg6 NIB 31 Rxg7+ (if 31 Bxh6 Up until move 28 Kashdan played
then 3 1 . . . Nxg6 32 hxg6+ KgB) very wel l . Reshevsky seized his
Kxg7 32 Bxh6+ Kf7 33 Og5 Rcxd4 chance to profit from his tactical
34 016+ KeB 35 OxfB+ Kd7 36 opportunity.

G A M E 80

Ninth match game, New York 1942

Griinfeld Defence
White: S. R E S H E VSKY
Black: I . KAS H DAN
Page 1 85
Game 80 Grunfeld Defence

1 d4 Nf6
2 c4 g6
3 Nc3 d5
4 Qb3 c6
5 Nf3 Bg7
6 Bf4
This is a safe developing move which
secures White a tranquil game. But
as the game shows, Black obtains in
the continuation the necessary time
to develop his own forces. The move Position after 1 5 Ob4
6 e3, in appearance more modest, f6!
15 - . 0
seems to give White more chances of
security and initiative. Now Black is going to exchange his
knight for the bishop and thereby
6 0-0 obtains the advantage of the two
7 e3 dxc4 bishops. It is clear that this advant
8 Bxc4 Nbd7 age is of a relative nature on account
of the weakening of his k i ng-side
9 0-0 Nb6 pawn position, but it is q u i te
10 Be2 Be6 adequate to equalize the chances.
11 Qc2 Nbd5 16 Bg3 Qd7
1 2 Be5 Bf5 17 Rfd1 KhB
13 Qd2 18 Nd2 Nxg3
Wh ite can allow h imself this loss of 1 9 hxg3 Rfd8
time with impunity owing to the 20 Rac1 Bf8
solid structure of his pawn position.
But it is not hard to foresee that 21 Qc3
Black will have no great d ifficulty Slightly preferable would have been
i n solving the problems in his 21 Qc4 . In any event, the loss of a
position once and for all. tempo in this quiet position is not
of great importance.
13 Nxc3
21 ... Bg4
14 Qxc3 Ne4
After 21 . . . Be6 White, with 22
1 5 Qb4
Nb3, would have been capable of
practically compell ing the exchange
of this bishop, leaving opposite
coloured bishops.
22 Qc4

Page 1 86
 Game 80 Griinfeld Defence

22 f3, followed by 23 Kf2 would,

without any risk, have made it a
more I ively contest. But Reshevsky,
with h is two-point lead, is immovably
unwi l ling to take on the sl ightest
indication of a risk.
22 Bxe2
23 Oxe2 e6
24 Ne4 Qf7
25 Nc5
iJ b t
It would have been more natural to
Position after 40 Nc4
play 25 Of3 first. Now Black
succeeds i n freeing h imself com 40 . . . Qc3!
pletely. As was to be anticipated, at the
25 e5! moment when White's pressure
against the isolated pawn has reached
26 dxe5 fxe5
its maximum intensity Bl ack has
27 b3 Rd5 available a counter-attack which w i l l
28 Rxd5 cxd5 quickly force his opponent t o accept
the draw. If now 41 Re2 then simply
29 Nd3 Bg7 41 . . . e3.
30 e41 Rd8 41 Rxe4 Rxe4
The game is moving rapidly towards
42 Oxe4 Qa1+
a draw, the reciprocal advances being
balanced. 43 Kh2 Bxf2
31 exd5 Qxd5 44 Qe8+ Kg7
32 Nb2 e4 45 Qd7+ Kg8
33 Nc4 Bd4 46 Qc8+ Kh7
34 Ne3 Qe5 47 Qd7+

35 Ng4 Qe7 Evidently not 47 Oxb7+ Kh6. But

if now 4 7 . . . Kh6? then 48 Od2+.
36 Re1 ReS
47 Qg7
37 Qc4 Qg7
48 Qe6 Bd4
38 Qd5 h5!
49 Nd6 b6
39 Ne3 Bb6
50 Ne4 Kh6
40 Nc4
51 Nd6 Kh7
52 Ne4 Kh6
Drawn
Page 1 87
Game 81 Griinfeld Defence

GAME 8 1

Tenth match game, New York 1 942

Griinfeld Defence

White: I . KASHDAN
Black: S. R ESH EVSKY

1 d4 13 Qb3
For the first time in this match Pl ayed by Capablanca against Flohr
Kashdan chooses to begin with the at SemmeringBaden, 1 937. Black's
queen's pawn. the last two Ruy next move is enough to equalize;
Lopez games not having given White's victory i n the game men
satisfactory results. Reshevsky tioned was due merely to subsequent
decides to combat him with the errors.
same procedure and uses h is
13 Qb6
opponent's weapon, the Grunfeld
Defence, a resolution all the more 1 4 Bc4 Nxc3
justified psychological l y for the 15 bxc3 Ne4
fact that h is lead allows h im quietly
16 Qa3 Bxe5
to await the conclusion.
17 Nxe5 Qc7
Nf6
Evidently not 1 7 . . . Nd2 1 8 Oxe 7 .
2 c4 g6
18 Rad1 Nd6
3 Nc3 d5
19 Bb3
4 Bf4
Since after the following advance of
The same quiet variation as was
the a-pawn this bishop cannot be
played in the ninth game. The
maintained it would be more
present game is a repetition up to
opportune to retreat it at once to
the th irteenth move with an un
d3.
important inversion.
19 .. a5!
4 Bg7
Threaten i ng to win a piece with 20
5 e3 c6
. . . a4.
6 Nf3 0-0
20 Qc1 a4
7 Qb3 dxc4
21 Bc2 c5
8 Bxc4 Nbd7
Creating an unfavourable situation
9 0-0 Nb6 i n the centre.
10 Be2 Be6 22 Bxf5 Nxf5
11 Qc2 Nbd5
12 Be5 Bf5

Page 1 88
 Game 8 1 Griinfeld Defence

White to move take the pawn because of 26 Rxa4

Oc6 (stronger than 26 . . . Qd7 27
Nh6+) 27 Rb4 (or 27 Rd4 Nxe4
28 c4 Nd6 29 Ne5 Oa4 and the
pawn will not escape from its
destiny) Nxe4 28 c4 Nd6 29 Ne3
Oc5 30 Nd5 Rfe8 with the threats
31 . . . Nxc4 and 31 . . . b5.
26 Ne3

a b c cJ e !

Position after 22 . . . Nxf5

The games are i n an almost identical

position and the battle should only
just be beginning. Everything makes
one anticipate a long, rigorous,
positional battle which could be
started by, for example, 23 Oa3 b6
24 R b 1 etc. I nstead of playing thus,
Kashdan commits a grave tactical
error.
Position after 26 Ne3
23 e4? cxd4!
26 .. Nb5!
24 Ng4?
A mistake would be 26 . . . Oxc3
A second mistake, undoubtedly due 27 Oxc3 Rxc3 28 Nd5. But now
to the commotion produced by the White cannot play 27 Nd5 because
first one. His best resource would of 27 . . . Nxd4, nor 27 Rxa4 owing
be to sacrifice the pawn by 24 to 27 . . . Nxc3 winning.
Nxf7 ! Rxf7 25 exf5 dxc3 (25 . . .
Rxf5 26 cxd4 is no better) 26 fxg6 27 Rc4 Oe5
hxg6 27 Oc2, threatening the g-pawn 28 f4
and at the same time 28 Rd3,
A desperate advance which does
followed by 29 Rc 1 . The text move
nothing but precipitate the i n
does not lose material for the
evitable defeat.
moment but it produces a deadly
weakness at c3 which Reshevsky 28 Oe6
will have no difficulty in exploiting. 29 f5 Ob6
24 . . . Nd6 30 R xc8 Rxc8
25 R xd4 Rac8 31 c4 Nd6
Very good ! White cannot easily 32 Kh1 Nxe4

Page 1 89
Game 82 Queen 's Indian Defence

The begi n n i n g of the harvest. 37 Kg1 Ng4!

33 Nd5 Qd6 38 Nxe7+ Kg7
34 fxg6 hxg6 39 Qb2+ f6
35 Qb1 Rxc4 40 White resigns
36 Oxb7 Nf2+

Queen's I ndian Defence

G A M E 82

Buenos Ai res 1 939

Queen's Indian Defence
White: K. OPOCENSKY
(Czechoslovak ia)
Black: J.R. CAPABLANCA (Cuba)

d4 Nf6 8 Nc6

2 c4 e6 9 Nb3 Bc5
3 Nf3 b6 Obliging his opponent to make an
effort in order to recapture the
4 g3 Bb7
pawn, which would have been so
5 Bg2 Bb4+ easy before.
6 Nbd2 c5 10 Bg5
Less usual and less elastic than 6 . . . 10 Rd 1 would have sufficed to
0-0 because White could now obtain equalize, but the text move which
the advantage of the two bishops develops a piece is not to be con
by 7 a3 Bxd2+ (or 7 . . . Ba5 8 0-0, demned.
followed by 9 Nb3) 8 Oxd2.
10 . . . Oc7?
7 0.{) cxd4 1 0 . . . Oc8, threate n i ng to protect
8 Qa4 the queen's pawn with 1 1 . . . e5
would have been consistent with the
Trying to complicate matters with
previous move.
out any p ractical benefit. Simpler
would be 8 Nb3, recovering the 11 Bxf6?
pawn with a good game. I nstead of gai n i ng an important

Page 1 90
 Game 82 Queen 's Indian Defence

tempo by 1 1 Bf4 (and if 1 1 . . . e5 the centre is a burden for the rooks

12 Nxe5 or 1 1 . . . d6 12 Nfxd4). and will soon demonstrate its weak
White prefers to transpose the game ness. 19 . . . Nc6 would have been
i nto a regular gambit, an under better.
taking which is certainly not justified 20 f4
by the exigencies of the position.
Justified by the circumstances.
11 gxf6
20 e4
1 2 Rad1 e5
21 exd4 cxd4
13 Nxc5
22 f5!
Hoping that Black's consolidation
in the centre will only be illusory Opening up new possibil ities for the
on account of e3. queen, ki ng's rook and knight at the
proper time.
13 bxc5
22 d3
14 Nh4 Ne7
23 Rf4
15 e3 Bxg2
Forestal l i ng 23 . . . 0-0 (because of
16 Nxg2 Rb8
24 Rg4+, followed by 25 Oh6 ) and
With an extra pawn and a reason strongly threatening 24 cxd5 ..
ably agreeable game, Black should
23 .. - Qb6+(?)
content himself with simply com
pleting the development of his A better defence would be offered
forces. After 1 6 . . . 0-0 17 f4 e4, by 23 . . . ReB and if 24 Oe3 then
the d-pawn would be immune from 24 . . . Kf8. The queen manoeuvre
capture ( 1 8. exd4 cxd4 19 Rxd4? is not favourable for Black.
Oc5, fol l owed by 20 . . . Nf5) and 24 Kh1 Od4
1B f5 would be answered by the
simple 18 . . . Nc6 and eventually White to move
. . . Oa5 with advantage. The
manoeuvre in itiated by the rook
move merely makes the White
queen go to a more effective square.
17 Oa3 Ob6
1 8 b3 Qb4
19 Oc1 !
And not 19 Oxa7 Nc6 20 Oc7 Ke7
21 Nh4 Ke6 etc., winning.
19 . . . d5
At first sight this appears promising,
but in reality the pawn advanced in Position after 24 . . . Qd4

Page 1 9 1
Game 82 Queen's Indian Defence

25 Qe3?
Having secured a promising position,
White, under time pressure, makes
several d isadvantageous moves, and
as a consequence l oses rapidly. By
playing the simple 25 cxd5 he would
have confronted Black with an
unpleasant choice; either to
exchange the queen for two
rooks in the variation 25 . . . Nxd5
26 Rxe4+ Oxe4 27 Re1 Oxe 1 +
28 Oxe 1 + Kf8 29 Qd2, followed by
30 Qxd3. or to lose both centre Position after 29 . . . fxe5

pawns after 25 . . . Qxd5 26 Qe3 Such an agglomeration of pawns in

(also strong is 26 Oc3). the centre has rarely been seen i n a
game.
25 Oe5
30 Rxe4 dxe3
26 Oxa7?
31 Rxe3 f6
This capture is suicidal. The only
reasonable move was 26 Qe1 ! after 32 g4 Rxa2
which he would h ave had many Nc6
33 Rexd3
chances.
34 h4
26 0-0
Sometimes a player is so short of
27 Ne3 Ra8 time that he does not have enough
28 Oc5 even to resign.
Absolutely hopeless because of the 34 Nd4
following development. The last
35 R 1 d2 Rxd2
practical opportu nity consisted of
28 Qb7. The following 'sacrifice' of 36 Rxd2 Nxb3
the knight is forced; after 28 . . . d4 37 Rd6 Nd4
29 Nd5 Nxd5 30 cxd5 e3 White
38 Kg2 h5
would have lost at once.
39 g5 Nxf5
28 d4
40 Re6 Nxh4+
29 Oxe5 fxe5
41 White resigns

Page 1 9 2
 Game 83 Queen 's Indian Defence

G A M E 83

Mu nich 1 942 *
Queen's Indian Defence

White: A. A L E K H I N E
Black: P. K E R ES

d4 Nf6 Much better was 1 3 . . . Qb8,

followed by 14 . . . Rfc8.
2 Nf3 b6
1 4 cxd51 Nxd5
3 c4 Bb7
15 e4 N5f6
4 g3 e6
16 b4!
5 Bg2 Be7
Taking the greatest possible advant
6 0-0 0-0
age of the deficient position of the
7 b3 Black rook at c7.
Avoiding the inevitable simplification 16 RfcB
that would occur after 7 Nc3 Ne4 !
1 7 dxc5 bxc5
7 ... d5
18 b5 a6?
Recommendable too is 7 . . . c5
Also after 18 . . . Nxe5 19 Bxe5 Rd7
since 8 d5 would be answered by 8
20 Nb3 Black's game would be
. Nxd5 ! , followed by9 . . . Bf6.
inferior but allowing the opening
8 Ne5 c6 of the a-file is practically suicid a l .
8 . . . c5 is of cou rse more enter 1 9 a4 axb5
prising.
20 axb5 Oa2
9 Bb2 Nbd7
Keres must have overlooked the
10 Nd2 c5 rejoinder. I n any case his position
11 e3 is al ready hopeless.

Sustain i ng the central tension and

at the same time gai n i ng a certain
advantage i n space.
11 ReS
12 Rc1 Rc7
1 3 Oe2 Oa8?
The rook at c7 is not secure, and
this move helps White to under
take a favourable mobil ization.
*The decisive game for the Champion
ship of E u rope. E.G.W.

Page 1 93
Game 84 Queen 's Indian Defence

White to move 23 b6 Rc6

b c h 24 e5 Rxb6
25 Nxb6 Nxb6
26 Bxb7 Oxb7
27 exf6 Bxf6
28 Ne4 Be7
29 Og4+ Kh8
30 Of4!
Threatening not only 31 Qxf7 but
also 3 1 Nxc5 !
30 Bf8
Position after 20 . . . Oa2
31 Nxc5 Oc7
21 Nec41 Oa8
After 32 . . . Rxc5 White would
22 Bxf6!
recover the piece either at d4 or at
Winning the exchange anyway. e5.
22 . . . gxf6 32 Nxe6 Oxf4
If 22 . . . Bxf6 23 b6 or 22 . . . Nxf6 33 Nxf4 White resigns
23 Nb6 etc.

GAM E 84

Buenos Ai res 1 939

Queen's Indian Defence

White: K. OPOCENSKY
(Czechoslovakia)
Black: P. K E R ES (Estonia)

d4 Nf6 with 7 Nc3.

2 c4 e6 6 Ne4
3 Nf3 b6 7 Bd2
4 g3 Bb7 Playing with the preconceived idea
5 Bg2 Be7 that the exchange of this bishop by
. . . Nxd2 (as happened, for example,
6 Nc3 in an analogous position i n the 2 1 st
More usual first is 6 0-0 and only match game Alekhi ne-Euwe 1 937)
after 6 . . . 0-0 does he proceed would not be advantageous to Black.

Page 1 94
 Game 84 Queen 's Indian Defence

The present game, however, has

only one innovation: the develop
ment of the White bishop at c3,
which gives White better chances
than the old 7 Oc2 and if 7 . . .
Nxc3 then 8 Oxc3 or bxc3.
7 ... d6
The basis of White's strategical
threat is d5, a move that would
now be answered by the exchange
of the White queen's bishop,
followed by 9 . . . e5.
Position after 1 6 . . . Rfe8
8 0-0 Nd7
The over-protection of e5 will be
9 Oc2 Nxc3 necessary sooner or later, with the
10 Bxc3 Nf6 object of giving the queen a role;
her next manoeuvre (via e6 or c5)
11 d5
may now become distressing for
If 1 1 Rfe1 Black, by answering 1 1 White. The simplest way for
. . . Be4, would have forced h is Opocensky would be to p rotect h is
opponent to use another tempo, most vulnerable point: 1 7 Qf5 Oc5
wasting his energy with the aim of 1 8 Qf3 and if 18 . . . Oxc4 19 Bxe5
obtaining control of e4. The text or 18 . . . e4 19 Qf4. The 'radical'
move i n itiates a transaction leading means ( 1 7 b4? ) . in order to prevent
to a simpl ified position with equal 17 . . . Oc5, actually chosen by h im
p rospects for both sides. instead of that line, compromises h is
e5 pawn structure on the queen's side
11
and later induces Black to force
12 Nxe5 exchanges to try his luck in the sub
A typical pseudo-sacrifice in this sequent promising endgame.
particular variation of the Queen's
17 b4? Oe6
Indian.
18 Bb2 h5
12 dxe5
Virtually forcing the reply. After
1 3 d6 Bxg2
the blockading of the pawn configura
1 4 dxe7 Oxe7 tion on the vital sector of the board,
15 Kxg2 0-0 the knight's chances of action are
increased.
16 Rfd1 Rfe8
19 h4 a5
On making this advance Keres has
al ready clearly decided to accept
the weakness of his b6 though

Page 1 95
Game 84 Queen 's Indian Defence

this is from a purely theoretical 28 Oe5 Oxe5

point of view. He anticipates that,
29 Bxe5 f6
owing to the closed nature of the
position, White will not be able to 30 Bxd6 Rxd6
exploit the weak sector, at least, 31 f3 Rd4
with the aid of h is bishop. A bold
strategical plan which, as the con Keres's play, at least in this part of
tinuation proves, is fully justified the game, is not of the same standard
by the ci rcumstances. as in the preceding phase, with the
result that he near.ly lets the deserved
20 b5 Rad8
victory slip away. Here, for instance,
21 a4 c6 there was no reason to waste time
Threatening to establish a new with the rook since the White move
attacking operation on the c-file 32 fxe4 cannot possibily be con
after 22 . . . cxb5, and thereby sidered a threat. Simpler, then,
inducing his opponent into tempor would be 3 1 . . . Kf7, followed by
arily surrendering the d-file in order 32 . . . Rd1 and 33 . . . R a l , with
to avoid d isagreeable eventualities. the simple win of White's a-pawn
without surrendering the square b6
22 Rxd8 Rxd8 to White (if 34 Rd2 then 34 . . .
23 Rc1 c5 Ke7 ) . We shal l also find some similar
inexactitudes i n the following moves.
Completing the blockade of the
queen's side, which leaves White 32 fxe4 Rxe4
with two vulnerable points (a4 and 33 Kf3 Rd4
c4) against Black's one (b6 ) . The
34 e3 Rd6
desire behind White's next moves is
to give his bishop the chance to 35 Ke4
attack b6. An important detail in this ending
24 Oc3 e4 is that, as matters stand, White can
not propose an exchange of rooks
25 Rc2 Ne8
since the pawn endgame would be
26 Bc1 Rd1 hopeless for h i m . For instance, 35
Playing 26 . . . Nd6 would have no Ke2 Kf7 36 Rd2 Rxd2+ 37 Kxd2
effect because of 27 Rd2. Ke6 38 Ke2 Kf5 39 Kf3 g5, winn ing
easily.
27 Bf4 Nd6
35 Kf7
Once the open file is occupied
B lack has no trouble in accepting 36 Rcl Ke6
the exchange of the minor pieces, 37 Rc2 Rdl
especially as the alternative 27 . . .
f6 would have given White certain 38 Ra2
chances after 28 Rd2 Rxd2 29 Oxd2
Oxc4 30 Od8 Oe6 31 Bc7 etc.

Page 1 96
 Game 84 Queen 's Indian Defence

Black to move The d i fference between the present

position and the variation men
tioned above is clea r : the situation
of the White king at d3 prevents
the invasion of its rival to c4 via d5.
44 Kd5
45 e4+
Naturally this pawn is immune
owing to the possibil ity of 46 RdB+.
45 Ke5
46 Rxb6 Rxe4

Position after 38 Ra2

47 Rb7 Rg4

38 . . Rg1? 48 b6 Kd6

Black attacks the enemy weaknesses 49 Rf7 Rxg3+

in the wrong order. F i rst 38 . . . 50 Kc2
Rc 1 , forcing the reply 39 Kd3, and
Or 50 Kc4 Kc6 51 b7 Rg4+,
only then 39 . . . Rg 1 (or 39 . . .
followed by 52 . . . Rb4 w i n n i ng.
Kf5). followed by 40 . . . Rxg3 and
41 . . . g5 would have left White 50 . . Rg4?
virtually without any chance of Keres's play is decidedly negligent.
resisting. After 50 . . . a4 51 b7 Rb3 52 Rxg7
39 Kf3 Rc1 f5 53 Rh7 Ke5 White would surely
have had to resign.
40 Rd2
51 b7 Rb4
The only hope, although weak.
52 Rxg7 a4?
40 . . . Ke7
And now 52 _ . . f5 followed by
Another indifferent move which
53 . . . Ke5 was ind icated. The text
finally gives White some defensive
move leaves an extremely del icate
opportunities. An easy way of win endgame in which Keres has to
n i ng would be 40 . . . Rxc4 4 1 RdB make a considerable effort in order
Rxa4 42 RbB Rb4 43 Rxb6+ Kd5 to grasp the elusive half-point.
44 R bB Kc4, after which the a-pawn
could be stopped only at the cost of 53 Rf7 Kc6
the White rook. 54 b8(Q)I Rxb8
41 Ke4 Ke6 55 Rxf6+ Kb5
42 Rd8! Rxc4+ 56 Rh6 Rg8
43 Kd3 Rxa4 57 Rxh5
44 Rb8 Who would have thought that White

Page 1 97
Game 84 Queen 's Indian Defence

was going to free his h-pawn and White to move

use it as a counter-attacking weapon b I
i n this ending! Opocensky's end
game resistance deserved a better
fate.
57 Rg2+
58 Kc3 Rg3+
59 Kc2 Kb4
60 Rh8 Rg2+
61 Kb1 Rh2
62 h5 c4
63 R b8+ Kc3 Position after 70 . . . Kc1

64 Rh8 Rh1+ 71 Kxa4

65 Ka2 Kd2 At this moment White surprised
those present at this interesting
66 h6 c3
fight by embarking upon one of
67 h7 Kc2 the two roads which represent
The position attained after a series suicide. The other was 71 Ka2 the
of more or less forced moves is won f
refutation of which consists o 7 1
for Black, although it is curious to . . . Rh2+ and then, firstly : 7 2 Ka1
note that victory can be achieved c2 73 RgB Kd2 74 RdB+ Kc3 75
only in a way remin iscent of a com ReB+ Kb3 76 hB(Q) RxhB 7 7 RbB+
posed study. This particular rook Kc4 and wins. A derivation from
endgame (rook's pawn on one side this l ine is: 73 Ka2 a3! 74 Kxa3
of the board against bishop's pawn (if 74 RgB Kd2 75 RdB+ Ke1 win
on the other) does not seem to have n i ng) Kb1 75 RbB+ Ka1 76 ReB
been analysed in complete detail, as Rh3+ 77 Ka4 Kb2 7B RbB+ Ka2
at Buenos Ai res, during the game 79 ReB Rh4+ BO Ka5 Kb3 B1 RbB+
and after it, several masters remain Ka3 B2 ReB Rh5+ B3 Ka6 Kb3 B4
ed convinced that the legitimate RbB+ Ka4 85 ReB Rh6+, followed
result from the position should by B6 . . . Rxh7+ and wins. Secondly,
have been a draw. the following might have been
played : 72 Ka3 c2 73 RgB Kb 1
68 Ka3 Rh4 74 Rb8+ Ka1 75 ReS Rh3+ 76
69 Ka2 Rh3 Kxa4 Kb2 etc., entering the pre
vious l ine.
Black begins the winning manoeuvre.
71 c2
70 Ka3 Kc1
72 Rg8
Desperation ! The maximum res-

Page 1 98
 Game 85 Queen 's Indian Defence

istance would have been achieved 72 Rxh7

by 72 Ka5 Rh4 73 Ka6 Rh5 74 73 Kb3 Kb1
Ka7 Kb2 75 RbB+ Ka1 76 ReB
Rxh7+ winning. 74 White resigns

G A M E 85

C racow 1 940
Queen's Indian Defence

White: E. BOGOLJ U BOV

Black: L. R E L LSTAB

1 d4 Nf6 11 e5 Nd5
2 Nf3 b5 12 Bxe7 Nxe7
It is certai n l y not possible to recom 13 Nc4
mend this move since Black un Black's d6 could not be more weak.
necessarily binds himself to a risky
policy. White can easily expand at 13 NcB
once. 14 Re1
3 Bg5 Bb7 Positionally sound and at the same
time a cleverly laid trap!
4 e3 a6
14 - . . d5
5 Nbd2 e6
b4 This is just the reply for which
6 a4
White was hoping. But anyway, nor
7 Bd3 c5 would the continuation 1 4 . . . 0-0
8 0-0 Be7 1 5 8e4 ! Nc6 1 6 Od3 offer Black
anything other than an indefensible
Another loss of time. More advisable
position.
seems 8 . . . Nc6 or 8 . . . d 5 .
1 5 exd6 N xd6
9 dxc5 Bxc5
10 e4 Be7?
It was absolutely essential to play
10 . . . d6 although White would
have obtained the advantage in any
case by 1 1 e5 dxe5 12 Nxe5 Qd4
13 Nef3 Od7 14 Re1 0-0 15 c4
bxc3 16 bxc3, followed by 1 7 Oc2
and 1 8 Rad 1 .
Page 1 99
Game 86 Queen's Pawn, Benoni Defence

White to move Or 16 . . . Ke7 1 7 Nxd6 Oxd6 1 8

Oxd6+ Kxd6 1 9 Bxf7 Bd5 20 Rad 1
winning immediately.
1 7 Nxd6+ Ke7
18 Nxb7 Oc7
19 Qd5
Saving the piece and ensuring
victory. Nonetheless a finish more
worthy of the pretty combination
would be 19 Od4 ! with the deadly
double threat of 20 Rxe6+ and 20
Oxb4+.
Position after 1 5 . . . N xd6 19 Rh5
16 Bg6 ! ! 20 Oe4 Nc6
A wonderful move which decides 21 g4! Black resigns
the game brill iantly.
The White knight is l i berated.
16 . . . hxg6

Queen's Paw n , Benoni Defence

G A M E 86

Buenos Aires 1 939

Queen's Pawn, Benoni Defence

White: T. VAN SCH E LT I N G A

( H ol land )
Black: K. OPOCENSKY
(Czechoslovakia)
d4 Nf6 4 d5 d6
2 c4 g6 5 e4
3 Nc3 c5 In accordance with Black's desires.
Unusual and clearly decided upon A safe alternative would be to play
within the plan of sacrificing a pawn 5 g3, fol lowed by 6 Bg2 and only
on the fifth move. then advance the epawn.

Page 200
 Game 86 Queen 's Pawn, Benoni Defence

10 Bxb5 Ob6
Threatening 1 1 . . . Nxe4.
11 Nd2
Tempting. although the simple 1 1
Oc2 would be more i n accordance
with the position. In that case
Black's reply would sti l l be 1 1
Ba6.
11 Ba6
1 2 Nc4 Ob7
Position after 5 e4 13 Bxa6 Oxa6
5 ... b5 ! ? 14 Oe2
A bold a n d interesting positional If Wh ite did not wish to obstruct
sacrifice. As compensation for the h is bishop's diagonal by retreating
pawn Black w i l l obtain. i n the course the knight, then there was no other
of the game: firstly. two open files; choice.
secondly, combined pressure (both 14 Nbd7
vertical l y and diagonal l y ) on White's
15 Be3
b2. The effectiveness of such
pressure is demonstrated , amongst Other bishop moves, such as 1 5 Bd2
other cases, by the sensational game and 15 Bg5, were also to be con
N imzowitsch-Capablanca in the sidered, but none of them would
St. Petersburg Tournament of 1 9 1 4 . radically alter the situation i n White':
favour.
6 cxb5 Bg7
15 Rfb8
7 Nf3
16 Rab1
Both sides must fi rst of all finish
their development and White does I nstead of this move, 16 a3 NeB 1 7
this in a simple and rational way. Rac 1 would have kept the extra
Speaking in general terms. van pawn, although only for a short
Scheltinga plays only good moves i n time, as Black would simply have
t h e continuation, y e t nevertheless played 1 7 . . . Ne5 1 8 Nxe5 Oxe2
his advantage is being reduced l ittle 1 9 Nxe2 Bxe5.
by l ittle. This is the reason why I
16 . . . NeB
have occupied myself with this game,
i n the belief that the Opocensky
Gambit needs further examination.
7 0-0
8 Be2 a6
9 0-0 axb5

Page 201
Game 87 Dutch Defence

White to move 1 7 Rfe 1 ?

b c e h This brings the gae t o a pre
mature end, but also after the
practically forced move 17 Rfc1
Black would have maintained the
equ i l ibrium with 17 . . . Bxc3 1 8
Rxc3 Oxa2, conserving h is position
al advantage.
17 . . . Bxc3!
Forcing the win of a piece after 1 8
bxc3 R x b 1 1 9 R x b 1 Ne5.
18 White resigns
Position after 16 . . . NeB

Dutc h Defence

GAME 87

Buenos Aires 1 939

Dutch Defence

White: V. PETROV ( Latvia)

Black: S. TARTAKOWE R (Poland)

d4 f5 8 Ob3
2 g3 Nf6 Thus far the moves are the same as
in the game LevenfishRiumin,
3 Bg2 e6
1934 but then White played 8 Nf4
4 Nh3 Bd8 9 e4 e5! and Black easily
Less frequent, but for that not less equalized.
promising, than 4 Nf3. 8 . Nc6?
4 Be7 In this type of position it is
5 c4 0-0 generally unfavourable to a l l ow
d6 White to play d5 without the
6 Nc3
possibil ity of replying with . . . e5.
7 00 Oe8 At this precise moment the develop

Page 202
 Game 87 Dutch Defence

ment of this piece w i l l be even The spectacular beginning of an

more troublesome for Black who, interesting attack.
because of the insufficient pro 18 _ . _ Nxe4
tection of his b7, w i l l be obliged
As the acceptance of the pawn
to exchange at d5, after which his
sacrifice is evidently forced, Black
e6 w i l l remain lamentably weak.
rightly decides at least to elim inate
Instead of the indifferent text,
one of the enemy bishops.
8 . . . c6 is the proper move.
19 Bxe4 fxe4
9 d5! exd5
White to move
Naturally not 9 . . . Nd4 10 Od 1 e5
1 1 e3. b .

10 cxd5 Ne5
11 NbS!
Immediately concentrating all h is
forces on the weakness at e6.
11 Bd8
12 Nd4 Kh8
1 3 Nf4 c5
This e l i m inates the weakness on
the c-file but creates another one,
at d6, which w i l l be particularly Position after 19 . . . fxe4

vul nerable after the inevitable 20 f5

exchange of his king's bishop.
Completely in accordance with the
1 4 Nde6 Rg8 daring plan initiated, and, of course,
15 Nxd8 Oxd8 sufficient to maintain superiority.
A simple and no less convincing
16 Ne6 l ine would be 20 R e 1 , followed by
With apparently simple moves 21 Rxe4 and Bd2-c3.
White has obtained two new bene Ne5
20 _ . .
fits: the pair of bishops and occupa
tion of e6. His next problem w i l l be The only chance.
to assure himself of permanent 21 Bg5(?)
control of this square. But this new combination, based
16 Oe7 on a temporary sacrifice of the
17 f4 Nf7 exchange, should lead only to a
draw. I nd icated was 21 Oe3 Bxe6
Hoping to d islodge the intruder by 22 fxe6 Raf8 23 Rxf8 Rxf8 24
18 . . . Nd8. Qxe4 Nf3+ 25 Kg2 with over
1 8 e4! whelming positional advantage.

Page 203
Game 87 Dutch Defence

21 . . Of7 This forces the exchange of queen

22 f6 for rook and m i nor pieces (in this
position very advantageous). as the
I nstead of 22 Qe3, which would alternative 26 . . . Rxf6 would
have been not only unwise but also quickly be fatal for Blac k : 27 Oc3
immediately d isadvantageous, owing Bxe6 28 Rxf6 Qg7 29 dxe6 ReB
to 22 . . . Nf3+ 23 Kg2 Oh5 etc. 30 e7 KgB 3 1 Qc4+ KhB 32 Rf7
22 Nf3+ Qh6 33 Kh 1 , fol lowed by g45
and wins.
23 Rxf3 exf3
26 Kg8
24 Rf1 gxf6
27 Be5! Oe7
This is a relatively safe l i ne; if 24
. . . Bxe6 25 dxe6 Og6 26 f7 Oxg5 28 Rf8+ Oxf8
27 fxg8 (0)+ Kxg8 28 Oxf3 Oe5 29 Nxf8 KxfB
29 Qf7 and White's passed pawn
would be a danger. 30 Bf4

25 Rxf3 Material is almost equal. but that

is the only satisfaction that Black
If 25 Oxf3 Black could have played can derive from the position. His
25 . . . Rg6 26 Bxf6+ Kg8. k i ng is exposed, his queen's side is
25 . . . Rg6? undeveloped and d6 is permanently
weak.
The l ikel iest move, apparently
guarding against the rejoinder. I f 30 . b6
he h a d played 25 . . . Rxg5 2 6 Nxg5 The queen's long journey of infiltra
Qg6 27 Ne6 Bxe6 28 dxe6 ReB he tion cannot i n any way be prevented.
would have removed any risk of If, for example, 30 . . . Rb8 then 3 1
losing. Qa4 a 6 32 Oa5 b 6 3 3 Qa4 b5 34
Qa5 etc.
31 Ob5 Bh3
32 Oc6 Rd8
33 Oc7 Rd7
34 Oc8+ Kg7
Or 34 . . . Kf7 35 QhB.
35 Bd2
Forcing victory. or at l east the gain
of the exchange.
35 Rf6
Position after 25 . . . Rg6 36 Bc3 Kf7
26 Bxf6+! 37 Bxf6 Kxf6

Page 204
 Game 88 Budapest Gambit

38 Oh8+ Kf5 44 Ke3 a5

39 Kf2 Ke4 45 a4 d4+
40 Oe8+! Kxd5 4G Kd3 RdG
If 40 . . . Kd4 the move 41 Oh5 47 Qf7+ Rd7
would have won the bishop any-
48 Of4+ KeG
way.
49 h4 RdG
41 Oh5+ KeG
50 Oe4+ Black resigns
42 Oxh3 d5
43 OeG+ Kc7

Budapest Gambit

G A M E 88

Buenos Aires 1 939

Budapest Gambit

White: T. VAN SCH E LT I N G A

(Holland)
Black: S. TARTAKOW E R (Poland )

d4 NfG And as the a l ternative of the text

will demonstrate itself to be hardly
2 c4 e5
satisfactory either, 8 . . . Nc6, pre
3 dxe5 Ne4 venting 9 b4 would have offered
4 Nd2 Nc5 Black better chances for h is develop
ment.
5 Ngf3 NeG
9 b4! Ncd7
G g3 Oe7
10 Bb2 gG
7 Bg2 Nxe5
11 Nxe5 dxe5
8 0-0 dG
12 c5
Against me in London in 1 932,
Dr. Tartakower played 8 . . . g6 Threate n i ng to create a weakness on
here, but after 9 Nb1 ! Nxf3+ 1 0 Black's queen's side, a threat that
exf3 Bg7 1 1 Re1 Ne6 1 2 Nc3 etc. cannot be avoided owing to White's
he was q u ickly at a disadvantage. superior development.

Page 205
Game 88 Budapest Gambit

12 Bg7 would be more natural, keeping the

13 Nc4 0-0 rook protected and intending 18 . . .
Nb6, but i n this case White would
14 c67 attack the a-pawn by 18 Oa4 and
After his strong development, Black would not have (as he does
White begins to play without pre after the text move) the only
cision. The logical continuation to adequate defence 18 . . . Bb7,
the previous play would be 14 Na5 ! , because of the possibil ity of 19 Bxd7
threatening not only 1 5 Nxb7 but Rxd7 20 b6. It should also be
above all 1 5 c6 bxc6 16 Nxc6, noticed on the other hand that after
winning the exchange. Black would 18 Oa4, 18 . . . Nb6 would not be
have to play 1 4 . . . c6 and after 1 5 sufficient either because of 19 Oxa7 !
Nc4 Rd8 1 6 Oc2 Nf8 1 7 Nd6 Ne6 Nxc4 20 Oxb8 Nxa3 (or 20 . . . Bh3
18 e3 his position would remain 2 1 Oxc7 Bxf1 ? 22 Be7 winning) 2 1
critical. But it must be admitted that Oxc7 etc.
van Schelti nga's move does not 18 Na5! Qf6
preserve all the advantage achieved
i n the opening. Because now he does not have to
reckon with the possibil i ty of 1 9
14 bxc6 Qa4.
1 5 Bxc6 19 Oc2
Not 1 5 Na5 because of 1 5 . . . Nb8. 1 9 Bg2 is rather better here but the
15 Rb8 text move is also good enough.
16 b5 Rd8 19 Nf8
17 Ba3 20 Rfd1?
This does not th reaten anything
b c d h
and gives his opponent an important
tempo to complete his development.
The correct way of maintaining the
positional advantage consisted of
the modest withdrawal 20 Bg2 ! with
two no less modest threats: 21 Nc6
and 21 Oxc7. If 20 . . . Ne6 then 21
Nc6 Nd4 22 Nxd4 exd4 23 Oxc7,
threatening 24 Be7. I n neither case
would Black find any compensation
for the material surrendered.
20 Bf5
Position after 17 Ba3
21 Oc5 Ne61
17 . . . Oe6!
This well conceived counter-attack
A fine defensive move. At first
sight it would seem that 17 . . . Qf6 could have saved the game.

Page 206
 Game 88 Budapest Gambit

26 Rxd1 Bc2
27 Rd7 Bxb3
28 axb3 exf2+
29 Kxf2 Rd8
30 Rxd8+ Nxd8
31 Bd5
If 3 1 Bc5 then simply 3 1 . . . a6.
31 Bd4+
32 Kf3 Ne6
Position after 21 . . . Ne6 33 Ke4 Bb6
22 Qe7 Since the White ki ng's intrusion
A wise decision, because after 22 into Black's queen's side can be
Oxa7 White would have been i n prevented a draw is almost assured.
real danger without a n y legitimate 34 Be7 Nd4
hope of winn ing. For instance, 22
35 Bc4 Nf5
Qxa7 Nd4 23 Oxc7 Nxe2+ 24 Kg2
e4 (this would also be the reply to 36 Bg5 Bg1
24 Kf1 ) 25 Be7 and Black can force The beginning of a suicidal
perpetual check by 25 . . . Bh3+! manoeuvre. The simple way to
26 Kxh3 Qf5+ 27 Kg2 Qf3+ 2B Kf1 obtain a draw was 36 . . . Kg7 37 g4
Oh 1 + 29 Kxe2 Qf3+ etc. Or 24 Kh 1 f6! etc.
e4 ! ! 25 Be7 Bg4 ! ! 26 Rxd8+ Bf8 !
37 Bf4 Bxh2?
w i n n i ng.
After 37 . . . Bb6 Black would have
22 . . . e4! nothing to fear. After this capture
The active co-operation of all B l ack's on the other side of the board the
pieces will counter-balance his bishop w i l l become imprisoned,
weakness on the queen's wing in and its l iberation will cost too much
the endgame. material. This adventure was the
consequence of time pressure.
23 Nb3 e3
Planning to answer 24 fxe3 with 38 Kf3 Bg1
24 . . . Oe5. 39 e3 h6
24 Qxf6 Bxf6 40 Bd3! g5
25 Rac1 Rxd1 + 41 Bxc7 Ne7
Insufficient would be 25 . . . Nd4 Or 41 . . . Nxe3 42 b6 axb6 43
26 Nxd4 Bxd4 because of 27 Be7 ! Bxb6 g4+ 44 Ke2 and wins.
exf2+ 2B Kg2. After the following
42 Bb8 g4+
exchange a drawn position will be
attai ned. 43 Ke2 h5
Page 207
Game 89 Albin Counter Gambit

44 Bxa7 Bh2 50 Be4 Kf7

45 Kf2 h4 51 b7 Bb8
46 gxh4 Bd6 52 h5 Ng8
The bishop has freed itself but the 53 Bd5+ Kf8
game is definitely lost. This is the
54 Bxg8 Kxg8
consequence of Black's imaginary
and sterile defence in the middle- 55 Kg2 Kh7
game. 56 Bf2 Black resigns
47 Bd4 f5 In spite of certain inexactitudes,
48 b6 f4 this is an excellent game by van
Scheltinga.
49 exf4 Bxf4

Albin Counter Ga mbit

GAME 89

Madrid 1 943
Albin Counter Gambit

White: F . SAM I SCH

Black: A. M E D I NA

I n this game Siimisch was the 5 Nbd2 BeG

victim of routine. Singularly he 6 g3 Qd7
bel ieved that in the variation
selected by his opponent Black 7 Bg2 Nge7
would have to castle on the king's 8 0-0 Ng6
side. When he castled on the queen's
9 a3 Be7
side, Siimisch lost his head and
al most immediately committed the 10 b4 0-0-0
decisive error. In reality castling here marks the
begin n i ng of a combination and is
1 d4 d5
based on the consideration that
2 c4 e5 White could not capture on the
3 dxe5 d4 th i rteenth move.

4 Nf3 Nc6 11 Bb2 Bh3

Page 208
 Game 90 Queen 's Pa wn Game

12 b5
At all events 1 2 Oa4 would be
better.
12 Ncxe5
1 3 Oa4 Bxg2!
14 Kxg2 Nxf3
1 5 exf3
And here 1 5 Nxf3 is preferable.
15 Bc5
16 Rad1 Qf5 Position after 1 7 . . . Rd6
1 7 Nb3 Rd6! 1 8 Nd2
White sees d isaster coming, but it is
too late. If, for instance, 18 Nxd4
then 18 . . . Nh4+! 19 gxh4 Rg6+
20 K h 1 Bxd4 winning a piece. A
short and instructive game.
18 Nf4+!
19 gxf4 Rh6
20 White resigns

Queen's Pawn Ga me

G A M E 90

Buenos Aires 1 939

Queen's Pawn Game
White: V. PETROV ( Latvia)
Black : R . G R AU (Argentina)

1 d4 d5 the object of a special study by the

cu rrent champion of Argentina. The
2 Nf3 Bf5
present game i n no way speaks in
This uncommon defence has been its favour.

Page 209
Game 90 Queen 's Pawn Game

3 c4 e6 Threatening t o w i n the bishop by

4 Ob3 13 Nb3, followed by 14 a3.
Nc6
12 Bxd2
5 Bd2
13 Nxd2 c6
If 5 Oxb7 then 5 . . . Nb4, followed
by 6 . . . RbB forcing a draw. 14 f4 Nd7
5 Rb8 1 5 b4 f5
6 e3 a6! Black has no satisfactory alternative.
If. for example, 1 5 . . . b5. White
All this is part of the syste m ; at
would not need to take en passant,
this moment it was necessary to
because of 16 . . . Oxb6 with a
prevent the manoeuvre 7 cxd5 exd5
counterattack. but could force
8 Bb5.
control of the afile by playing 1 6
7 Bd3 a4, followed b y Ra3. Rfa1 and, i f
Since Black is taking h is time to necessary. R 1 a 2 and Oc3a 1 .
mobil ize the rest of his forces. 1 6 a4 Oc7
White could do the same th ing and
prevent the following simpl ification 17 Rfc1
by playing first 7 a3. After the text With this move and his next White
move Black w i l l have little problem prevents for good the advance of
in equalizing. the Black bpawn.
7 Bxd3 17 Ra8
8 Oxd3 Nb4 1 8 b5 Rfb8
9 Bxb4 19 Nf3
Or 9 Ob3 dxc4 1 0 Oxc4 Od5.
9 Bxb4+
10 Nbd2 Nf6
11 00
If 1 1 c5 then 1 1 . . . Ne4 and after
the exchange of all the m inor pieces
White's slight advantage would be
virtually impossible to exploit.
11 ... 00
Permitting the following blocking of
the game. after which Black's
position becomes very d ifficult. if Position after 19 Nf3
not definitely lost. Necessary was White's pressure has been rapidly
1 1 . . . c5 with comfortable equality. accompl ished and he now has the
12 c5! possibil ity of restricting the mobility

Page 2 1 0
 Game 90 Queen 's Pawn Game

of the enemy pieces by an eventual 28 Oa2

pawn advance on the king's side (h3, 28 Nxb7 Rxb7 29 Oa6 Rb8 would
g4 etc . ) . Black's reply renders un not be adequate for White. But now
necessary this extra effort and al lows he threatens to win by 29 Nxb7
a decisive intrusion down the a-file. Rxb7 30 Rxb7 Oxb7 31 Oa7.
19 . . . axb5? 28 . . . Nd7
The decisive strategic m istake,
instead of which 19 . . . Qd8 should White to move
have been played, with the object of b c d e
continuing 20 . . . axb5 2 1 axb5
Ra5! The transposition of moves
gives Wh ite time to establ ish an
advanced post at a 7 .
2 0 axb5 Qd8
21 b6! Rxa1
If Bl ack omits this exchange White
w i l l in time become master of the
open file by playing Qc3, followed
by Rxa8 and R a 1 .
22 Rxa1 h6
Position after 28 . . . Nd7
After 22 . . . Ra8 23 Qc3 Rxa 1 + 24
This is the ideal defensive position
Qxa1 Qb8 25 Oa7 Bl ack would lose to stop any breakthrough on the
because the defensive square dB queen's wing. Had Black been able
would be accessible to his knight to maintain it he would have saved
only in five moves (Nf8-g6-h8-f7- the game, but unfortunately the
d8) whereas the offensive square a5 next excursion by the White queen
would be reached by the White wil l make the Black knight move
knight in three. (with the aim of protecting the
23 Ra7 Kf7 ki ng's side) to a square from which
it will not be able to return to d 7 .
24 Qe2 g6
2 9 Qf2! Nf6
25 Nd2
The alternative would be 29 .
From now on it becomes clear that
the game w i l l be decided by an Kf7 30 Qh4 h5 31 Qg5 Nf6 32
Qh6 !
eventual sacrifice at b7, but White's
plan for realizing this is pretty and 30 Qh4 Ng8
instructive. Kf7
31 g4!
25 Nf6 32 g5!
26 Nb3 Ke8 Now the Black knight has no way
27 Na5 Oc8 of defending the queen's side.
Page 2 1 1
Game 91 Queen 's Pawn Game

32 h5 3 7 Qa7!
33 Qf2! With the knight at d 7 Black would
have had the defence 37 . . . Ob8
After the return of the queen the
but now it is all over.
sacrifice will win immediately.
37 ' ' ' Black resigns
33 Ke8
A game of undoubted d idactic
34 Qa2 Ne7
value.
35 Nxb7! Rxb7
36 Rxb7 Qxb7

GAME 9 1

Buenos Aires 1 939

Queen's Pawn Game

White: V. M I K ENAS ( Lithuania)

Black: M . C Z E R N I A K (Palestine)

d4 e6 8 Be3
2 Nd2 An im portant tempo. White can
Mikenas's speciality, against which always recover the pawn with 9
the simple 2 . . . d5 is a solid reply. Oa4+ or 9 Qg4.

2 c5 8 ... Qa5

3 dxc5 Bxc5 This idea is not a happy one. Pre

ferable would be 8 . . . Oc7 9 Oa4+
This move entails the exchange of (if 9 Og4 then 9 . . . f5) Nc6 1 0
the Black bishop for the White Oxe4 Nf6 1 1 Oh4 with level
knight. Against Mikenas at Warsaw chances.
in 1 935 I played 3 . . . Oa5 4 c3
Oxc5, equalizing without difficulty. 9 Qg4 Ne7

4 Ne4 d5 10 Qxg7 Ng6

5 Nxc5 Qa5+ 11 h4

6 c3 Qxc5 Black's position is opaque and

requi res much caution. If 1 1 . . .
7 e4 h5 then 1 2 Bg5, after which 1 3
As White possesses the bishop pair 0-0-0 o r the equal ly good 1 3 g4
it is useful and completely correct hxg4 14 h5. But Black's actual
to open up the position. continuation ( 1 1 . . . Oe5), exchang
7 ,,, dxe4 ing queens in an inferior middle-

Page 2 1 2
 Game 91 Queen 's Pawn Game

game, is open to criticism. Nc5 24 b4 Nd3+ 25 Ke2 Bf5 26

Rc7.
11 Qe5
22 Nc5
1 2 Oxe5
23 Nxe5!
If 1 2 Oh6 Black could play 1 2 . . .
Nc6 1 3 h5 Nge 7 with a possible If now 23 . . . ReB then simply 24
defence. Rxc5 bxc5 25 Bxf4 with three
pawns for the exchange.
12 Nxe5
23 Bb7
13 Bd4 Nbd7
24 0-0-0 Rae8
The only defence. If 13 . . . Nbc6
Black loses ground after 1 4 Bb5 0-0 25 Bxf4
1 5 Bxc6 Nxc6 16 Bf6. Another of the points of the com
1 4 Bb5 0-0 bination initiated by 22 Nf3.

15 Rh3 f6 25 Rxf4

Forced. If 1 5 . . . f5? 16 Bxd 7 , 26 Rxf4 Rxe5

followed by 1 7 Rg3+. White now
wins a pawn but at the cost of losing
the pair of bishops and allowing
his opponent to counter-react.
After h is dubious opening Czerniak
has defended his position
excellently, thereby obtaining
chances.
1 6 Re3 a6!
17 Bxd7 Nxd7
1 8 Rxe4 e5
1 9 Be3 f5 Position after 29 . . . Rxe5
20 Rc4 f4 At fi rst sight it seems that White
21 Bd2 b6 will encounter difficulties in making
the endgame go i n his favour. But
Preparing for 22 . . . Nc5. This i n reality a peculiar circumstance
gives White the opportunity to make (which was calculated several moves
a combinative reply; and it would beforehand) al lows the gain of a
have been relatively better to piece through the threat of mate.
mobilize the sedentary pieces by 21
. . . Nf6. 27 Rd8+ Kg7
28 b41 Ne6
22 Nf3
29 Rd7+ Kg6
An exactly calculated counter-attack.
If now 22 . . . ReB then 23 Ng5 30 Rg4+ Kf5

Page 2 1 3
Game 92 Queen 's Pawn Game
31 f3
This is the circumstance mentioned
above. The move of the f-pawn
(which would have had the same
effect if the Black king had gone to
h5) not only protects the rook but
also prepares for the stroke 32 Rf7
mate. Thus Bl ack has no time to
G A M E 92
Buenos Aires 1 939
Queen's Pawn Game
White: V. M I K E NAS ( Lithuania)
Black: A. A L E K H I N E ( F rance)
d4 e6
2 Nd2
One of the ideas behind this un
common move is to enter into the
regu lar Colle System after having
induced Black to play . . . d5. White
thereby avoids all the variations
related to the fianchetto of Black's
queen's bishop; for instance possibly
2 Nf3 Nf6 3 e3 b6.
2 d5
Played deliberately in accordance
with White's desires, with the object
of verifying Black's chances in this
conventional l ine of defence. I have
indicated a more promising l ine in
the notes to the game between
Mikenas and Czerniak.
3 e3 c5
4 c3 Oc7
With the pu rpose of answering 5 f4
with 5 . . . cxd4, thus forcing 6 cxd4
Page 2 1 4
save the bishop.
31 Re1+
32 Kd2 Bxf3
33 gxf3 Black resigns
This is one of the best games that
the Lithuanian champion played
at the Buenos Aires Olympiad.
and also making use of the advantage
of the open c-file.
5 Bd3 Nc6
6 Ngf3 cxd4
Several times I have had occasion
to criticize this exchange in similar
positions (although generally speak
ing after the development of the
king's knight) since the pawn
structure, which is characte ristic of
the Exchange Variation of the Caro
Kann, gives White a definite
advantage i n space when, as is the
case here, the Black queen's bishop
is behind the pawn chain. Never
theless i n the present game I decided
to play the exchange with the
object of proving once again whether
it is worthwhile modifying the usual
development of the Black pieces,
placing the ki ng's knight at e7
instead of at f6. However a later
analysis showed me that such a
 Game 92 Queen 's Pawn Game

modification would augment my 14 Ng7

opponent's advantage and I finally 15 Bh6 Nf5
decided to adopt in its totality the
l i ne that I had previously criticized 16 Bxf5 gxf5
with such surety, with the result 17 Oh5 Rg8
that throughout the whole game I
Bl ack is able to protect his
had to endu re strong pressure and
vulnerable points efficiently.
survived only at the cost of con
siderable effort. 1 8 Bf4 Rg7

7 exd4 Bd6 19 Nd4 0-0-0!

8 0-0 Nf6 Possible only because of the un

protected position of the White
If instead of this 8 . . . Nge 7 then bishop in the variation 20 Nxf5?
9 Re1 Ng6 ( if 9 . . . 0-0 10 Ng5 with exf5 21 e6 Oxf4.
advantage to White) 10 g3, fol lowed
20 Rad1 Ob6
eventually by Ng5 with a promising
initiative. On the other hand 8 . . .
g5!? 9 Nxg5 Bxh2+ 1 0 K h 1 would
have been decidedly too wild for a
tournament encounter.
9 Re1 Bd7
10 Oe2
Thus White has obtained genuine
control of e5 and now threatens to
occupy this square with the knight.
The principal object of Black's next
manoeuvre (which was calculated
with great exactitude, since it
creates a transitory weakness on the Position after 20 . . Ob6
king's flank) is to make possible the Black is out of danger, and gradually
move . . . Nxe5 as an immediate begins to utilize his threats. White
answer to Ne5. therefore hopes for the first
10 Nh5! opportunity to simpl ify, trusting
that this will assure him of a com
11 g3 g6
fortable endgame.
Sti l l with the same pu rpose.
2 1 Oe2 Bc5
12 Ne5 Nxe5
22 Be3 Kb8
13 dxe5 Be7
An easy draw was to be obtained
14 N b3 by forcing bishops of opposite
With the disagreeable threat of 1 5 colours (22 . . . Bxd4 23 Bxd4
Bh6. Oa5); but, without fearing them, I

Page 2 1 5
Game 92 Queen 's Pawn Game

was attracted by the possibil ities B l ack, u ndoubted ly, i s trying to

offered by the resulting rook compl icate matters. For example,
ending. there was no necessity at this time
Bxe3 to exchange the h-pawn, since the
23 Nb3
White rook, after the previous
24 Qxe3 Qxe3 move, w i l l not have access to that
25 Rxe3 Ba4! weakness. The text move should
therefore have been replaced by 28
26 Rd4 Bxb3
. . . Rgg8 29 Red3 Kc7, eliminating
27 axb3 any danger related to the possibility
Very often such doubled pawns of c4. Now the endgame enters a
are not only not defective but dramatic phase.
even serve to improve the chances 29 c4 h4
of the player who has them. But
30 cxd5 Rxd5
here, as the instructive continua
tion will demonstrate, their In place of this 30 . . . exd5 31 Kf2
existenc.e w i l l permit Black to un hxg3+ 32 hxg3 Rg6 33 Red3 would
leash a propitious counter-attack have led virtually to the same
at the most critical moment. position.
27 Rg4 31 Rxd5 exd5
28 f4 32 Kf2 hxg3+
Nor would the alternative 28 Rxg4 33 hxg3 Rg6!
fxg4 29 Rd3 have given White any I n the present difficult circumstances
convincing advantage after 29 . . . this is Black's only chance of saving
Rg8 30 Rd4 h5 3 1 Rf4 Rg7, himself, since the alternative 33
threatening Kc7-d7-e7, followed . . . Kc7 34 e6! fxe6 35 Rxe6
by Rg5 etc. would have been hopeless sooner
or later.
34 Rd3 Rb6
Or 34 . . . Kc7 35 Rxd5 Rb6 36 Rd3
Rh6, reach ing the same position.
35 Rxd5 Kc7!
After the apparently natural 35
. . . Rxb3 White would have
secured a w i n n i ng position by play
ing 36 R d 7 ! For instance, 36 . . .
Rxb2+ 3 7 Ke3 a5 38 Rxf7 a4 39
Rxf5 a3 40 e6, practical l y forcing
the exchange of this pawn for
Position after 28 f4 Black's a-pawn, after which the
28 . . . h5 rest would be easy.

Page 2 1 6
 Game 92 Queen 's Pa wn Game

36 Rd3 Rh6 been more flexible.

37 g4! 45 Rg3! Kd6!
The most promising continuation, Insufficient would have been 45
in which the majority of variations . . . a5 because of 46 Kg 7 a4 4 7
guarantee White a w i n n i ng bxa4 bxa4 48 f6 Kc6 49 f7 Rf2 50
advantage. If White played a Rg5 ! , winning.
passive move, 37 Kg2 for instance, 46 Kg7 Kc5
m y intention was to proceed with
47 f6 Kb4
37 . . . a5, threatening 38 . . . Rc6
39 Rc3 Rxc3 40 bxc3 b5 with 48 f7 Rf2
advantage to Black. 49 Rg6!
37 fxg4 After 49 f8(0)+ Rxf8 50 Kxf8 a5
38 Rc3+ a clearly drawn game would have
Of course if 38 Kg3 Rh3+. resulted. But after the text move
Black has to avoid an ending which
38 Kd7 is n.ot at all clear and which is f u l l
39 Kg3 f5! o f traps.
At first sight a surprising decision,
Black to move
as White now obtains a dangerous
passed pawn; but otherwise, after
Kxg4 and Kf5, the cooperation of
the White king and rook with the
two king's side pawns would quickly
have become crushing.
40 exf6 Rxf6
41 Kxg4 Rg6+
42 Kf5!
w:1ite is unable to keep both his
queen's side pawns, solely because
they are doubled. If, for example,
42 Kf3 then simply 42 . . . Rh6. Position after 49 Rg6

42 Rg2 49 . . . Kxb3!

43 Kf6 Very simple in appearance but

Rxb2
44 f5 b5
Played in conjunction with the
following king march to b4. Other
wise the alternative 44 . . . a5,
avoiding the White move b4 in a
number of variations, would have
even more simple and natural at
first sight would be 49 . . . a5, firstly
since the continuation 50 f8(0)+
Rxf8, followed by 5 1 . . . a4 would
give Black an extra tempo compared
with the l ine ind icated above;
secondly, 50 Rf6 would be a move

Page 2 1 7
Game 93 Queen 's Pa wn Game

to be feared exactly as much as i n O r 5 1 K h 7 Rh2+ 52 Kg6 Rh8 with

t h e actual game. A n d y e t 49 . . . aS? an easy draw.
would have lost after the subtle Rf2
51
reply 50 Rb6! Then either:
52 Rf6 Rg2+
(a) 50 . . . a4 5 1 bxa4 Kxa4 52 Rf6
Rg2+ 53 K h 7 Rh2+ 54 Kg6 R h 8 55 53 Kh7
f8(0) Rxf8 56 Rxf8 b4 57 Kf5 b3 He could have made one last try
58 Rb8 Ka3 59 Ke4 b2 60 Kd3 with 53 Kf8, threatening to win
and wins. O r : with 54 Ke8! However this would
probably have been abortive because
(b) 5 0 . . . Kxb3 51 Rxb5+ K a 4 52 of 53 . . . Rc2! 54 Ke7 Rc8 55 f8(0)
Rb6 Ka3 53 f8(0)+ Rxf8 54 Kxf8 Rxf8 56 Rxf8 b4 57 Kd6 Ka2 ! ,
a4 55 Ke7 Ka2 56 Kd6 a3 57 Kc5 followed b y 5 8 . . . b3.
Ka1 58 Kc4 a2 59 Kb3 Kb1 60
Ka3+ K a 1 61 Rh6 and wins. 53 Rh2+
54 Kg7 Rg2+
50 Rf6
Drawn
Now, however, this is the only
possible attempt at winn ing. The last phase is of some i mportance
for the theory of rook endings.
50 Rg2+
51 Rg6

G A M E 93

Buenos Aires 1 939

Queen's Pawn Game
White: M. C Z E R N IAK (Palestine)
Black: S. TARTAKOW E R (Poland)

1 d4 d5 3 c4 e6
2 Nd2 4 e3
This move could have a meaning as If i mmediately 4 Ob3 then 4 . . .
a reply to 1 . . . e6 ( M i kenas' idea) Nc6.
with the aim of inducing Black to
4 c6
play . . . d5. But in the present
position its effect is merely to 5 Qb3
restrict White's own chances, Purely psychological chess. White
leaving h is opponent with a free hopes that his opponent, 'playing
choice. to win' will avoid an exchange of
2 ... Bf5 queens. Objectively, more i n the

Page 2 1 8
 Game 93 Queen 's Pawn Game

spirit of his eccentric second move 14 Oh4 0-0

would be development by. for Nd7
15 Bg5
instance, Ne2-g3, followed by Nf3
and Bd3. Owing to the absence of an influen
tial square i n the centre, the knight
5 Oc8
is now much weaker than the bishop,
. .

After 5 . . . Ob6 Black's position and this circumstance i n the present

with the free bishop would have
been preferable. Now, however,
White manages to complete rapidly
the mobilization of his forces and,
at the appropriate moment, to open
the position by means of e4, finally
obtaining the initiative.
6 Ngf3 Nf6
7 Bd3 Bxd3
8 Oxd3 Nbd7
state of the m i dd le-game is enough
to decide the game in White's
favour. In fact up to a certain point
the champion of Palestine utilizes
his positional advantage i n convinc
ing fash ion.
16 Rfe1 f6
Creati-ng a weakness at e6 but
temporarily defending his king's
position.

9 0-0 17 Bf4 ReS

All is now prepared for the advance 18 Re3 Nf8
in the centre and Black cannot pre 19 Bd6 Od7
vent it.
20 c5 Ng6
9 ... Bb4?
21 Oh3
There was no reason to leave the This w i l l soon cause another weak
Black squares without protection by ness in Black's position by . . . f5.
exchanging this bishop. Natural and 2 1 Oh5 would not have been so
good, i n order to maintain the strong on accou nt of the defence
positional balance, would be 9 . . . 2 1 . . . Of7 22 Rh3 Nf8.
Be7 1 0 e4 dxe4 1 1 Nxe4 Nxe4 1 2
21 Rad8
Oxe4 0-0.
22 Rae1 f5
1 0 e4 Bxd2
dxe4 If 22 . . . Nf8 then 23 f4, threaten
11 Nxd2
ing f5, fxe6, e7 etc.
1 2 N xe4 Nxe4
1 3 Oxe4 Nf6?
Another superficial move, as though
the knight could not possibly be
taken on this square. Given that 1 4
d5 i s not a threat because o f 1 4 . . .
cxd5, followed by 1 5 . . . Nf6,
immediate castl ing was indicated.

Page 2 1 9
Game 93 Queen 's Pawn Game

Better f i rst would be 25 b4 i n

accordance with t h e previous
blockading strategy.
25 ... Nh8?
White now obtains a clearly
superior game. The alternative 25
. . . fxg4 26 Oxg4 Nf8, eventually
followed by . . . Og6 offered better
practical chances.
26 Oxf7+ Nxf7
If 26 . . . Kxf7 then 27 gxf5 and
Position after 22 . . . f 5 28 Re7+.
27 Bc7 !
23 g4?
Much better than 27 Rxe6 Nxd6
One of the strengths of White's
28 cxd6 Rxe6 29 Rxe6 fxg4 or 27
position is the complete absence of
gxf5 Nxd6 28 cxd6 Rxd6 29 Rxe6
vulnerable points (because of the
Rexe6 30 fxe6 Kf8.
unmovable bishop at d6, d4 cannot
be considered a weakness) and for 27 Rxd4
this reason his advantage in space 28 Rxe6 Rxe6
should be exploited without creating
29 Rxe6 Nh6
weaknesses. A rational way of
achieving pressure against Black's At last the poor knight enters the
e6 would be 23 R3e2 ! , threatening game and now develops a monkey
24 Ob3. If then, for instance, 23 like agility.
. . . b6 24 Ob3 Kf7, then 25 g3, 30 g5 Rd1+
followed by h4-h5 etc., gradually
paralysing all Black's pieces. O n the A n d n o t 30 . . . N g 4 3 1 Re2,
other hand the text move, which threatening 32 h3.
threatens nothing (24 gxf5 exf5 25 31 Kf2
RxeB+ RxeB 26 Rxe8+ Oxe8 2 7
After 31 Kg2 Rd2+ 32 Kf3 Ng4
Oxf5? Oe l +, fol l owed b y 28 . . .
Black would th reaten perpetual
Nh4+ winning) merely opens u p new
check on the squares h 2 and f 1 . And
possibil ities for Black.
if 32 Kf1 then 32 . . . Ng4 with
23 Of7 perpetual check on h 2 and f3. Quite
24 f4 a few resources!

In some variations the Black move 31 Ng4+

. . . f4 had to be reckoned with. 32 Ke2 Rh1
24 b6 33 b4! Rxh2+
25 Qh5 34 Kd3 Rxa2?

Page 220
 Game 93 Queen 's Pawn Game

Both sides have played this difficult There was no defence against 37
ending with strength and imagina Rxc6.
tion, but now Black lapses and
37 Rxc6 Rc2+
neglects one detail in this position,
the natural exchange of pawns. 38 Kb3?
After 34 . . . bxc5 35 bxc5 Rxa2 A lamentable error, evidently
36 Rxc6 Ra4 ! White's chances, caused by time shortage. By play
based on the strong passed pawn, ing 38 Kd3 ! Rc3+ 39 Kd2 axb6
would have been rather better 40 Rxb6 White would reach an
despite his material disadvantage, ending that would be easy to win.
but the game would probably have Now Black recommences the
been drawn. battle.
38 Rc3+
White to move
39 Ka4
If Black now captured the bishop
(how natural ! ) White would be
content to obtain a draw; for
example, 39 . . . axb6 40 Rxb6
Ne3 41 c6 Nd5 42 Rb8+ K f7 43
b5 h5! I nstead of this Black, under
time pressure, pi ayed :
39 . . a6?
After this there is practically no
fight left.
40 ReB+ Kf7
Position after 34 . . . Rxa2
41 Bc7!
35 Bxb6!
The most effective way of parry
A surprising tactical stroke, typical ing the mate threat.
of Czerniak's inventive play. If 35
. . . axb6 the w i n n i ng variation 41 Nb2+
would be 36 cxb6 Ra8 37 Rxc6 42 Ka5 Ra3+
Rb8 38 Kc4 Ne3+ 39 Kc5. Or 38
43 Kb6 Nd3
. . . Nf2 39 Kb5 Nd3 40 Rc4,
followed by 41 Ka6. 44 c6! Nxb4
35 ... Nf2+ 45 Bd6 Rb3

Neither this check nor 35 . . . Ra3+ 45 . . . Nd5+ would be better.

36 Kd4 (the only move) can bring 46 c7 Nd5+
salvation. In fact Black has ruined
47 Kc6 Nxc7
his plans for good by taking the a
pawn. 48 Rxc7+ Kg8
36 Kc4 Nd1 49 Be5 Black resigns
Page 221
Game 94 Queen 's Pawn Game

G A M E 94

Consultation Game, Rio de Janeiro

1 939
Queen's Pawn Game
White: 0. T R OMPOWSKY,
A. S I LVA ROCHA, and CH A R L I E R .
Black: A . A L E K H I N E and 0 . C R U Z

d4 Nf6 considered rough ly equal on account

2 Bg5
This move, by which White a priori
foregoes the possibil ity of the com
bined play of the two bishops, is
rightly considered less energetic
than 2 c4 or 2 Nf3. On occasions
with the White pieces it is per
missible to play a certain number
of eccentricities without the risk
of disturbing the balance of the
position.
2 . .. d5
The simplest. An interesting alter
native would be 2 . . . Ne4 3 Bh4
d5 4 f3 Nd6 5 Nc3 Nf5 6 Bf2 e5!?
3 Bxf6 exf6
4 e3 Be6
With the idea of preventing the
formation 5 c4, followed by 6 Nc3.
Black's chief objective is to keep
control of d5 and, eventually, e4.
5 Nd2 c6
6 c4 Bb4
7 cxd5 Bxd5
Ancther plausible idea was 7 . . .
cxd5 with the continuation 8 Oa4+
Nc6 9 Bb5 Bxd2+ 10 Kxd2 0-0,
after which Black would certainly
have nothing to fear. I n this case
the chances would have had to be
of the better structure of the White
pawns on the one hand but the
harmonious position of the Black
pieces on the other.
8 a3 Ba5
9 Nf3 f5
Ensuring once and for all the
balance of the centre, although at
the cost of a slight delay i n develop
ment.
10 Bd3 g6
11 0-0 0-0
As will be seen, this move, so
natural in appearance, will give
Black some difficulties in the
development of his queen's side.
This could easily have been avoided
by means of 1 1 . . _ Nd7 and if 1 2
e4? then 1 2 . . . fxe4 1 3 Bxe4 Nf6
14 Bxd5 Nxd5 1 5 R e l + Kf8 and
White has no real compensation for
h is isolated pawn.
12 Bc4!
A good reply which not only
deprives Black of his principal
weapon but also prevents, from the
positional point of view, the
developing move 12 . . . Nd7.
12 . .. Na6
A decision inspired by the possi bility

Page 222

of compensating for the weaknesses
resulting from 13 Bxa6 bxa6 by the
possession of the strong bishop pair.
If then 14 Oe2, Black could choose
either 14 . . . Bxd2 15 Nxd2 Ob6 or
simply 14 . . . Oc8.
13 Ob3
Black to move
Position after 13 Qb3
13 . . . Nc7!
By means of this move Black
succeeds in protecting d5, thereby
maintaining the equil ibrium. Thus
G A M E 95
Buenos Ai res 1 939
Queen's Pawn Game
White: 0. TROM POWSKY ( Brazi l )
Black: P. V A I TO N I S ( L ithuania)
d4 Nf6
2 Bg5
With this move (his favourite) the
present Brazilian champion has
obtained very good results, for
Game 95 Queen 's Pawn Game
1 3 . . . Bxc4 would be unsatisfactory:
14 Nxc4 Rb8 1 5 Nxa5 Oxa5 16 Ne5
with the threat of 17 Nd7.
1 4 Oxb7
Forcing equality. White could also
have played without risk, but also
without great chances of success,
14 Bxd5 Oxd5 1 5 Nc4, against
which manoeuvre the right reply
would be 1 5 . . . Bb6 16 Ob4 Na6
with an even game.
14 Rb8
15 Oxa7 Ra8
16 Ob7
Clearly 1 6 Oc5 is not playable,
owing to 16 . . . Ne6. The repetition
of moves is therefore virtually forced
for both sides.
16 Rb8
17 Oa7 Ra8
Drawn
This short game is of a certain
theoretical interest.
instance a draw against me at Rio de
Janeiro and against Alexander (after
having had an absolutely won
position) at Buenos Aires. This game
demonstrates that B l ack, without
Page 223
Game 95 Queen 's Pa wn Game
any effort and by making the most
natural developing moves, can
obtain a good position.
2 d5
3 Bxf6
This exchange is a necessary part of
White's 'system ' .
3 exf6
4 e3 Bd6
As the continuation shows, this is as
good as trying to prevent the
advance of the c-pawn d i rectly with
4 . . . Be6 (as i n the R io de Janeiro
game mentioned above) or indirectly
with 4 . . . Bf5 (as Alexander
played). I n this latter case, if 5 c4
then 5 . . . Bxb 1 , followed by 6 . . .
Bb4+.
5 c4 dxc4
6 Bxc4 0-0
7 Oh5
This, after a few moves, w i l l be
shown to be a waste of time. It is
more than doubtful how the
immediate 7 Nc3 would have
improved White's m iddle-game
chances.
7 Nd7
8 Nc3 f5!
An important practical deta i l ;
d early White cannot take t h i s pawn
on account of 9 . . . Ne5.
9 Nge2 Nf6
1 0 Of3 Re8
Ouite good but probably more
exact would be 1 0 . . . c6 and i f
1 1 0-0-0 then 1 1 . . . Oa5.
Page 224
11 0-0-0 c6
12 Ng3 Oa5
13 Nh5
As White's pieces have fewer
possibil ities than Black's, an
exchange of one of them can only
be in White's favour.
13 Nxh5
1 4 Oxh5 Be6
White to move
Position after 1 4 . . . Be6
15 d5?
An instructive error but one almost
u nbelievable in a player of
Trompowsky's strength; instead of
the manoeuvre 1 5 Bxe6 fxe6 1 6
K b 1 , followed b y 1 6 R c 1 , whereby
a drawn game would have been
assurred, White deli berately opens
u p the c-file for a d i rect attack
by his opponent, and this at the
moment when his forces are dis
located and absolutely unprepared
for protecting his threatened king.
I n the continuation the Lithuanian
master has an easy task, and does
what is necessary to bring the
battle to a rapid conclusion.
 Game 96 Queen 's Pawn Game

15 cxd5 20 Qe2
1 6 Bxd5 Rac8! This loses the queen perforce. I f
White probably did not see this 2 0 Rc1 then 2 0 . . . Qd3+ 2 1 Rc2
good intermed iate move. In any case ReS, winning.
the simple 16 . . . Bb4 would have 20 Bc7
been favou rable to Black.
21 Oc2 Rb6+
17 Bxe6 Rxc3+!
22 Kc1 Qa3+
The obl igatory consequence of the
23 Kd2 Rb2
previous move.
24 Rc1 Rxc2+
18 Kb1
25 Rxc2 Ba5+
18 bxc3 Oxc3+ 19 Kb1 Rxe6 would
merely be a transposition of moves. 26 Ke2 g6
18 Rxe6 27 Rhc1 Qd6
19 bxc3 Qxc3 28 g3 Kg7

h ' h 29 Kf1
The inevitable end.
29 Bd2
30 White resigns

Position after 19 . . . Qxc3

G A M E 96

Salzburg 1 942
Queen's Pawn Game

White: E. BOGOLJUBOV
Black: A. A L E K H I N E

1 d4 N f6 A completely inoffensive move

that offers Black the chance of
2 Bg5
Page 225
Game 96 Queen 's Pawn Game
rapidly equalizing the game.
2 d5
3 c3
The Brazilian champion
Trompowsky, and also Richter,
generally played 3 Bxf6. After the
text move Black will effectively
avoid the doubling of his pawns.
3 Ne4
4 Bh4 Od6
Artificial, especially since nothing
could be said against 4 . . . g5 5
Bg3, followed by 5 . . . g4; this
would undoubtedly be beneficial to
B lack because White would have to
deal with strong th reats. The open
ing is treated deficiently by both
pl ayers.
5 Nd2 Bf5
But more energetic would have been
5 . . . Oh6 6 Nxe4 Oxh4 7 Ng3 e6
8 Nf3 Od8, remaining in possession
of the pair of bishops. The text
move quickly compensates for
White's weaknesses.
6 Ngf3 Nd7
7 Ob3 0-0-0
Herewith he assumes too many
obligations without any advantage.
Very playable was 7 . . . f6 - and
also 7 . . . Ob6, since in the latter
case White could not happily play
8 Oxd5 owing to 8 . . . Nxd2 9
Oxf5 Oxb2 10 Rd 1 Nc4 1 1 Od3
Oxa2.
8 Nxe4 Bxe4
9 Bg3 Oc6?
Until now Black's play has not
presented any danger but the pro-
Page 226
vocative text move offers White
advantageous possibilities. After
the essential move 9 . . . Ob6 1 0
N d 2 Bg6 nothing would have
happened for Black to bewa i l .
1 0 Nd2 Bg6
11 e3 e6
12 c4 Ob6
A rather sad necessity since if 1 2
. . . dxc4 there would follow 1 3
Nxc4 and 1 4 R c 1 with a n irresistible
attack.
1 3 c5 Oa5
Or 1 3 . . . Oxb3 1 4 axb3 Kb8 15 b4,
followed by Be2 and 0-0, afterwards
doubting the rooks on the open a
file.
14 a3!
Exact and mortifying. White is
threatening Od 1 and then b4.
14 . . . e5!
The proper defence, as if 14 . . . c6
the reply by White 15 Ob4! would
be very grave.
15 Qd1 c6
16 dxe5?
A mistake, based on an erroneous
conception of the general situation
on the board, by virtue of which
Black suddenly secures the in itiative
and moves over to counter-attack.
Wh ite's prospects of a victorious
expansion later on require control
of the centre, maintaining the
tension. After 16 b4 Oc7 1 7 Be2
Black would not be able to try for
counter-play by means of 1 7 . . .
Be7 owing to 1 8 0-0, when Wnite's
th reats on the queen's flank

would be decisive.
16 Oxc5
17 Rc1
Another i mprecise move. Better
would have been immediately 1 7
Be2, as the exchange of queens 1 7
. . . Oc2 1 8 Oxc2 Bxc2 would be
punished by 19 e6! with the threat
of 20 R c 1 , 21 Rxc6+ and 22 Ba6
mate.
17 Qb6
1 8 Be2
1 8 b4 f6! would also have had its
disadvantages.
Position after 18 Be2
18 . .. Nc5
The move of the enemy king's
bishop gives Black the opportunity
to secure an estimable advantage.
But it would have been much more
effective to punish White's
negligence by 1 8 . . . Oxb2, where
by h e would threaten both 19 . . .
Nxe5 and 1 9 . . . Bxa3. Neither the
reaction 19 Rxc6+ bxc6 20 Ba6+
Kc7 21 e6+ K b6 ! nor 19 e6 Nc5
20 exf7 Nd3+ 21 Bxd3 Bxd3 22
Nb3 Bc4 23 Rxc4 dxc4 24 Og4+
Game 96 Queen 's Pawn Game
Rd7 25 Oxc4 Ob1+ 26 Nc1 Ob5
would have ended satisfactorily
for White. In any case the text move
will also make White consider the
need to adopt heroic measures in
order to save h imself.
19 b4
After 1 9 0-0 B l ack would have h ad
at his disposal 1 9 . . . Nd3 and also
19 . . . Oxb2, both moves of great
strength.
19 Nd3+
20 Bxd3 Bxd3
21 Nf3 Bc4
22 Nd4 a5!
By means of 22 . . . Oa6 23 Rc3
c5 24 bxc5 Bxc5 Black could fix
the White king in the centre of the
board indefinitely. But the move
chosen presents White with the
'obligation' of sacrificing the
exchange, in the hope of thereby
reducing Black's threats.
23 Og4+ Rd7
24 Rxc4 dxc4
25 0-0 c5!
An important detail in Black's
counter-offensive. The queen's
power now lets itself be felt
effectively over the centre.
26 bxa5 Og6!
To compel an exchange of queens,
thus annul l i ng Wh ite's aggressive
chances. Bogoljubov, h owever,
manages to find a momentary
solution to the conflict which is
truly astonishing.
Page 227
Game 96 Queen 's Pawn Game
White to move
Position after 26 . . . Og6
How can White avoid the exchange
of queens that would clearly be fatal
for h i m ?
2 7 a6 ! !
A wonderfu I idea that deserved a
better fate. If Black now plays 27
. . . Oxg4 White continues 28 a7,
followed by 29 a8(0)+; and if he
plays 27 . . . bxa6 then 28 Qf3 ! ,
with a strong attack in both cases.
But after the simple counter-measure
that follows White sees his il lusions
destroyed.
27 Oxa6
28 Ne2 Oe6
Nor would the attack on the queen
by 28 . . . h5 have been bad. If 29
Oe4 there would follow 29 . . . Be7,
threatening to win a piece. I f 29
Of4, best would be 29 . . . Oe6.
29 Qe4 f5
With the aim of frustrating White's
idea of developing his knight via c3.
30 Oc2 g5
31 f4 g4
Page 228
A weak move i n time pressure. The
control at the thi rty-second move
prevents Black from considering the
move 31 . . . Be 7, the derivations
from which would have been the
following: (a) 32 fxg5 Bxg5 33 Nf4
Oxe5! 34 Ng6 Bxe3+ 35 K h 1 Oxg3!
(b) 32 e4 Rf8 33 fxg5 Bxg5 34
exf5 Be3+ 35 Kh 1 Rd2 36 Oe4
Oxf5!, winning in either case. The
text move makes the position
difficult aga in.
32 e4! Rf7
33 exf5 Rxf5
34 Bh4
This apparently very commendable
move al lows the Black army renewed
activity by means of an astute stroke.
On the other hand Black would have
had very complicated problems to
resolve if White had played at once
34 Oe4, with the idea of continuing
with Bf2-e3 and Ng3 or Nc3-b5
(or -d5).
34 . Bh6!
Through this bishop move various
speedy sacrificial paths are created.
For example, 35 Be 7 Oxe5! 36 fxe5
Be3+ 3 7 Rf2 Rxf2. Also 35 g3
Rxe5! 36 fxe5 Be3+ 37 Rf2 Rf8 38
Nf4 Oxe5 etc. But the most interest
ing fight results from the move that
White selects, whereby he believes
he will gain some advantage.
35 Oe4 Rhf8
Clearly this move is necessary to
parry the threat of 36 Ng3.
36 g3
How can Black, faced with the
threat of R d 1 -d6, now defend his
 Game 96 Queen 's Pawn Game

pawn at c4? The two unexpected White's king position would be

moves that follow provide the very vulnerable.
answer.
38 Rexe5
Black to move 39 fxe5 Bxc1
b '
40 Nxc1 Qe6!
Now, of course, the e-pawn has no
defence, and White is therefore
forced to investigate heroic
possibil ities of obtaining com
pensation.
41 h3 gxh3+!
Even more energetic than 41 . . .
h5.
<l b P. ! 42 Kh2 Rf2+
Position after 36 g3 43 Kg1 Rg2+

36 0 0 0 Qd7 ! ! 44 Kh1
The protection o f the threatened I f 44 Kf1 there follows 44 . . . Qf7+!
pawn is abandoned! But the truth 45 Bf6 Qd7 46 Qf3 Qd2 winning.
is that this pawn is protected Or 45 Qf4 Oxf4+ 46 gxf4 Rc2 4 7
'secretly'. If White plays 37 Qxc4 Ne2 Rxe2 with the same result.
he would receive as a punishment 44 Qd7 !
37 . . . Rxe5 ! and if 38 fxe5? then
45 Qf3 Qd4!
38 . . . Be3+, followed by 39 . . .
Oc6+. 46 Qf8+

37 Rc1 If 46 Qfl there follows 46 . . . Rf2.

What else? 46 Kc7

37 . . 0 ReB ! ! 47 Qe7+ Kb6

T h e complement t o t h e combination. 48 Qd6+

I f White eventually takes the pawn The last hope. If 48 . . . Kb5 49
the reply . . . Rexe5 would have a a4+ Kb4? then 50 Qxd4 cxd4 5 1
decisive effect. e6 Rc2 52 B g 5 and White wins.
38 Kg2 48 Qxd6
Clearly disconcerted by Black's 49 exd6 Kc6
strong threat, White assists the
enemy attack. If 38 Rbl B lack 50 Be7 Rc2
would make h is position safe after 51 Bg5 Kxd6
38 . . . Rf7 but the game would
52 a4 h5
have been prolonged, although

Page 229
Game 97 English Opening

I n order to launch forth i mmediately and therefore occasioning con-

on White's a-pawn.
53 White resigns
A struggle carried out by both sides
with great aspirations for victory
siderable difficulties and not a few
m istakes. This was the first game
since 1 934 that I succeeded i n
winning from Bogoljubov with the
Black pieces.

English Opening

G A M E 97

Buenos Aires 1 939

English Opening

White: M. C Z E R N I A K (Palestine)
Black: A. A L E K H I N E ( F rance)

1 c4 Nf6 9 Be3 f5
2 Nc3 e5 The idea of this move is to induce
White to begin the fight for c5
3 g3 d5
before he would have wished. The
4 cxd5 Nxd5 usual 9 . . . Bg4 or 9 . . . Be6 would
5 Bg2 Nb6 have left the opponent with greater
prospects of a choice.
Entering the Dragon Variation of
the Sicil ian Defence (with one 10 Na4 f4
tempo less and colours reversed) in 11 Bc5 Bg4
the conviction that one tempo less
is not sufficient to transform a very 12 Rc1 Bd6
favourable l ine into a bad one. In This is an important part of the
fact this game, like any other played mobilization plan. Otherwise the
in recent years, seems to demon pressure on b7 after 13 Bxe7
strate that by playing i n this wy Oxe7 14 Nc5 would have been
B l ac k need have no fears about somewhat disagreeable.
obtaining equality.
13 Re1
6 Nf3 Nc6 This move will lead sooner or later
7 0-0 Be7 to the loss of control of d4, after
which a Black knight at this square
8 d3 0-0

Page 230
 Game 97 English Opening

w i l l be able to cause serious dis 1 7 Nb3!

comfort.
13 Oe7
14 Nd2
Kh8!
I ntending to play 1 5 . . . Nxa4
which at this stage would be pre
mature because of the very simple
reply 15 Oxa4 and if 15 . . . Bxc5
then 16 Oc4+.
15 Ne4
The consequences of the acceptance
of the Black pawn would not be
satisfactory for White : 1 5 Bxd6
cxd6 16 Nxb6 axb6 1 7 Bxc6 bxc6
18 Rxc6 Rxa2 19 Rxb6 d 5 ! ,
threatening 20 . . . fxg3, followed
by 21 . . . Oc5 or vice versa.
15 . Bxc5
After this exchange the threat to
the pawn at b7 w i l l turn out to be
less effective than Black's pressure
in the centre.
After this there is no apparent
variation giving B l ack a definite
advantage. For example:
(a) 1 7 . . . f3 18 Nxd4 fxg2 19 Nf3.
(b) 17 . . . Nxe2+ 18 Rxe2 f3? 1 9
Re1.
(c) 1 7 . . . Bxe2 1 8 Rxe2 f3? 1 9
Nxd4.
(d) 1 7 . . . Nxb3 18 Oxb3 f3 1 9
Bxf3 Bxf3 2 0 exf3 Rxf3 2 1 Re3
with equal opportunities.
17 0 0 0 c6
Black proceeds along q u iet position
al l ines, but as the move . . . Rad8
(protecting d4) will be necessary
anyway, it should have been played
first. If now 1 8 Nxd4 exd4 19 Od2
then 19 . . . Nd5 20 Oa5 b6 2 1
Oxa7 Ob4, with ample compensa
tion for the pawn. After the move
selected, White manages to balance
the position.

16 Naxc5 Nd4 18 Nxd4 exd4

With the strong threat of 1 7 . . . f3, 1 9 Od2 Nd5
against which White finds the only 20 Rc4 Oe5
adequate reply.
21 b4
Threatening to gain a pawn with 22
Ob2. White has obtained something
of a counter-attack.
21 Rad8
22 Ob2 Nb6
23 Rc5 Rd5
Threaten i ng 24 . . . Na4 !
24 Oa3 Nd7
Also protecting the rook at f8, a
point that will have great importance
Position after 1 6 . . . Nd4 in the future.

Page 231
Game 97 English Opening

25 Rxd5? the strong threat of . . . Re6-h6

The fact that White has played a few etc. White's next move allows a
aggressive moves makes him too q u icker and more convincing
optimistic; from now on his position solution.
will be definitely inferior. Better 27 h3 fxg2!
was the modest 25 Reel (25 Ra5 a6
28 hxg4 Nf6!
26 Nc5 would be refuted as i n the
actual game by 26 . . . f3 ! ) with the If now 29 Nxb7 then 29 . . . Nxg4
possible idea 26 Nc5. winning straight away.

25 . . . cxd5 29 b5
The obl igatory displacement of the Parrying the threat of 29 . . . Nxg4
White knight will permit Black to (because of 30 Nd7 and wins).
execute now the very effective 29 . . . Oe7!
latent threat . . . f3.
The poor knight is impaled ; 30 Ocl
26 Nc5 does not help owing to the new
threat 30 . . . ReB, and 30 Oxa7
Black to move
would be met by the threat of mate
begi n n i ng with 30 . . . Nxg4.
30 Ob4
This saves the king (30 . . . Nxg4
31 Oxd4) but loses the knight.
30 Nd7
31 Oxd4
3 1 Na6 Of6 ! would be hopeless.
31 . .. Nxc5
Technically simpler than 3 1 . . .
Position after 26 Nc5 Oxc5 32 Oxc5 Nxc5 33 R c l ,
followed b y 3 4 Kxg2.
26 . . . f3
32 Oxd5
This would have been the beginning
of an interesting attack if White had Or 32 Kxg2 b6 33 Oxd5 RdB 34
adopted the best defensive l ine Of3 Nxd3.
which consisted of 27 Nxd7 Bxd7 32 Rd8
2B Bfl ! (and not 2B b5 KgB ! , after
33 Of3 Rxd3
which White's b-pawn would be open
to capture). The the continuation And not 33 . . . Nxd3 34 R d 1 Ne5
would be 2B . . . h5 29 Ocl (with 35 RxdB+, followed by 36 Oxb7
the aim of stopping Black's 29 . . . with a real counter-attack.
h4, followed by 30 . . . hxg3 3 1 34 exd3 Oxe 1 +
hxg3 Oxg3+ ! ) ReB 30 e 3 h 4 with
Page 232
 Game 98 English Opening

35 Kxg2 Oe7 43 Kf3 Nxa2

36 d4 Ne4 44 f5 Nc3
37 Oe3 Oe8 45 b6 a5
38 f3 Nf6 The sim plest.
39 Oe5 46 Ke3 Nd5+
There are games in which it is truly 47 Kd4 Nxb6
difficult to determ ine the right
48 e6 a4
moment to resign. Since White has
not done so before, he now has to 49 f6 gxf6
fight on till the end. Instead of this, 49 . . . a3? would
39 Kg8 have lost after 50 e7 Kf7 51 fxg7.

40 g5 Oxe5 50 gxf6 a3

41 dxe5 Nd5 51 White resigns

42 f4 Nc3

G A M E 98

M u n ich 1 94 1
English Opening

White: P. L E E P I N
Black: A . ALE K H I N E

c4 e5 The first consequence of White's

2 Nc3 Nf6 sixth move; otherwise the bishop
would modestly have had to
3 g3 d5 satisfy itself with the square e7.
4 cxd5 Nxd5 8 Nf3 Nc6
5 Bg2 Nb6 9 0-0 0-0
6 a4 1 0 Be3 Bg4
This move is not recommendable
11 Rc1 f5!
at this stage of the game, since
White obtains no advantage and at A precisely calcul ated pawn
the same time gives up to Black the sacrifice, the acceptance of which
square b4. leads to rapid destruction foreseen
by Black here on the eleventh move.
6 a5
7 d3 Bb4

Page 233
Game 98 English Opening

White to move would have been able to stop the

b c d e t h di rect mating threats with 1 7 h 4 !
Bxc3 1 8 Rxc3 fxe2 1 9 Ob3+,
followed by 20 R e 1 etc.
17 Rxc3
If 1 7 bxc3 then 1 7 . . . f3 wins at
once.
17 Bxe2
18 Qb3+ Kh8
19 Re1

Position after 1 1 . . . f5
12 Ng5
Apparently effective in view of the
threats 1 3 Ne6 and 13 Ob3+.
12 f4!
13 Bxb6 Qxg5
14 Bxc7 Oh5
More efficacious than 14 . . . Nd4,
to which White would have been
able to respond with 15 f3. But Position after 1 9 Re1
now this move is impossible in view 19 ... Oh3!
of 15 . . . Bc5+ with an immediate
This reveals the idea behind the
win.
exchange on the sixteenth move.
1 5 Bxc6 For the only plausible move, 20 f3,
This e l i m inates one enemy but there I had prepared m ate in eight moves:
still remain sufficient reserves. 1 5 20 . . . fxg3! 21 Rxe2 Rxf3 22 R c 1
Bf3 would also have lost quickly Raf8 2 3 O d 1 ( o r 2 3 Rg2 gxh2+
after 15 . . . Bxf3, followed by 1 6 and mate i n two) Rf2! 24 Rxf2
. . . Rf6. gxf2+ 25 Kh 1 f1 (0)+ etc .

15 . . . bxc6 20 Bxe5

16 Rc2 After this move Black has the agree

able choice between mate with 20
If 1 6 Re1 then 1 6 . . . fxg3 1 7 hxg3 . . . f3 or with 20 . . . Bf3.
Rxf2! 1 8 Kxf2 Bc5+.
20 f3!
16 . . . Bxc3
21 White resigns
The most exact. I n the continuation
from the plausible 16 . . . f3 White

Page 234
 Game 99 English Opening

G A M E 99

Munich 1 942
English Opening

White: P. K E R ES
Black: K. R I C H T E R

1 c4 e5 have the better game.

2 Nc3 Nf6 15 Bg6
3 Nf3 Nc6 16 hxg5 Oxg5
4 d4 exd4 At this moment White has some
counter-attacking chances and Keres
5 Nxd4 Bb4
makes us of them with the ingen
6 Bg5 h6 ious spirit in which he specializes.
7 Bh4 g5 This opportunity could be avoided
by means of 16 . . . hxg5 17 Rxh8
Unex pected, but a stroke that is
characteristic of the German Oxh8 and White's disorganized
player. pawns would guarantee Black a good
endgame.
8 Bg3 d6
17 Qf4 Rae8
9 Rc1
18 Rd5!
Better would have been 9 e3 or 9
f3. Forcing the undoubling of one of
the pawns.
9 Nxd4
18 Qxf4
1 0 Qxd4 Bf5
1 9 gxf4 b6
11 h4?
20 Kf2 h5
A considerable loss of time. 1 1 f3
would be better. 21 e3 h4

11 . . . Kd7! 22 Be2 Be4

Intrepid and well inspired. If now 23 Rg5 RegS

12 Be5 then 12 . . . Bc5 13 Bxf6 24 Bg4+ Kc6
Bxd4 14 Bxd8 Raxd8 with advantage 25 Rxg8 Rxg8
to Black.
26 Rxh4 Kc5
12 Rd1 Ne4
27 Bf3 Bxf3
13 Oe5 Bxc3+
28 Kxf3 Kxc4
1 4 bxc3 N xg3
In spite of all his efforts, the White
1 5 fxg3 king has not succeeded in counter
Also after 1 5 Oxg3 b6 Black would balancing all the advantages that his

Page 235
Game 99 English Opening

rival obtained in the opening. How- 38 Kc4

ever, as we shall see later on, this 39 e5 b4
advantage should not be decisive.
40 Kd7 Ra8
29 Rh7 Rf8
41 e6 fxe6
30 g4 Kxc3
42 f6 a4
31 Ke4! c5
43 g6 b3
32 g5 c4
44 axb3+ axb3
33 Kd5 Kb4
45 Rxc3+ Kxc3
34 e4 c3
46 f7 b2
35 Rh2 ReS
47 g7 b1 (0)
36 Rc2 b5
48 f8(0) Ob7+?
37 f5 a5
Immediately decisive was 48 . . .
b c: d Ob5+ because if 49 Kxe6 then 49
. . . Ra6+ winning in a few moves.
49 Kxe6 Ra6+
50 Ke5 Ob5+
51 Kf4 R a4+
52 Kg3 Od3+
53 Of3 Ra8
54 g8(0) Rxg8+
Here or on the previous move
exchanging queens would have
Position after 37 . . . aS sufficed.
38 Kxd6? 55 Kh2 Rh8+
The decisive mistake. I nstead of
56 Kg1
this u n fortunate move, necessary
was 38 Kd4 with good chances of A king that does not want to resign !
salvation. Let u s look at two 56 Rg8+
principal variations:
57 Kh2 Kc2
(a) 38 . . . Rg8 39 Rg2! c2 40 Rxc2
58 Oc6+ Kd1
Rxg5 41 Kd5 Rg4 42 Re2 Kc3 43
Kxd6 Kd3 44 Rf2. 59 Of3+ Oe2+
(b) 38 . . . a4 39 Kd3 Ka3 40 Rxc3+ 60 White resigns
Rxc3+ 41 Kxc3 b4+ 42 Kd4 b3 43
g6.

Page 236
 Game 100 English Opening

G A M E 1 00

Prague 1 943
English Opening

White: SAJTAR
Black: A. A L E K H I N E

Nf3 Nf6
2 c4 e6
3 b3 c5
4 Bb2 Nc6
5 e3 d5
6 d4
White now p refers the weakness of
the diagonal e 1 -a5 in exchange for
rapidly completing his development.
But the prospect of permitting the
advance . . . d4 would i n any event Position after 1 3 . . . Qxd7
not be attractive for the first player. Black has obtained the type of
6 ... cxd4 position that is produced for White
after 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4
7 Nxd4
Nc3 c5 5 cxd5 Nxd5 6 e4 Nxc3 7
If 7 exd4 there follows 7 . . . Bb4+ bxc3 cxd4 8 cxd4 B b4+ 9 Bd2
8 Bc3 Bxc3+ 9 Nxc3 Ne4 ! and Black Bxd2+ 10 Oxd2 etc. White's chances
has the i n itiative. rest in h is queen-side pawn majority
7 ... Bb4+ which cou ld be menacing in the
endgame. B l ack's opportunities
8 Bc3
consist of the creation at the right
Relatively better than 8 Nc3 Ne4. moment of a passed pawn on the
8 Bxc3+ d-file, which will be able to exercise
strong pressure on his opponent's
9 Nxc3 e5! position during the middle-game.
1 0 Nxc6 bxc6 Consequently, whereas White con
centrates on simpl ifying the game,
11 cxd5 cxd5
Black's tactics will involve pre
12 Bb5+ Bd7 venting such a design, eluding
1 3 Bxd7+ Oxd7 exchanges.
14 0-0 0-0
15 Qd3 R fd8
16 Rfd1 Rac8

Page 237
Game 100 English Opening

1 7 Rac1 ReG! other players), defends h imself in

irreproachable fashion. Black was
With the object of avoiding the
threatening 23 . . . e4, which would
exchange of rooks, conserving
now be dealt with by 24 Od4.
greater attacking chances.
23 d4
1 8 h3 h6
24 Re1 !
Both contestants permit them
selves a breath ing space to e l i m inate Again the only possible move. I t is
any combination by the enemy evident that after 24 e4 Ne6 Black,
arising out of the kings' positions with his solidly protected passed
on the back rank. It will shortly be pawn, would have achieved a
seen how useful this precaution strategically won game. How can h e
turns out to be for Black. induce his opponent t o liqu idate
the tension in the centre by exd4
19 Ne2 Rd6!
or e4? The aggressive move 24 . . . e4
Giving White the c-file i n the would not work after 25 fxe4 Oe5+
(correct) belief that his threats on 26 K h 1 Nxe4 2 7 Nf3 Of5 28 Kg1 !
the king's side will not leave his
Black to move
opponent enough time to derive
benefit from this advantage.
20 Rc2
Against 20 Ng3 the reply would
also have been 20 . . . Ne4 !
20 Ne4
21 f3
Black was th reatening 2 1 . . . Rg6.
21 ... Ng5
With the clear threat 22 . . . Nxf3+
(or 22 . . . Nxh3+) 23 gxf3 Oxh3
Position after 24 Rel
24 Kf2 e4 winning. This threat is,
to be sure, easily parried, but it 24 . . . Rg6! !
gives Black the necessary time to Less in order to deal a d i rect
organize his main action in the attacking blow than to provide the
centre. square d6 for the queen; amongst
22 Kh2 Oe7 other considerations, this is based
on the view that the plausible reply
23 Ng1
25 Kh 1 would hardly be satisfactory
My opponent, one of the young Czech because of 25 . . . e4 26 fxe4 Nxe4
hopes (in this tournament he won 27 Nf3 Rc6 ! and now 28 Nxd4 is
fourth prize equal with Foltys, ahead impossible owing to 28 . . . Rxc2
of Opocensky, Siimisch, and many 29 Oxc2 Rxd4 30 exd4 Ng3+ 31

Page 238
 Game 100 English Opening

Kh2 Oxe l . With the intention of playing 36 . . .

25 exd4 a5 37 b5 Nc5 which at this moment
would be i neffective owing to 38
Resigning himself to the inevitable, Qc4.
'
since i n this position there exists no
more profitable move. 36 a5 a6

25 0 0 0 Qd6! 37 Rd1

Clearly the complement of the

previous move. He obtains a passed
pawn and the aim of the following
play will be to unblock it. As will
be seen, it is far from easy to attain
this objective.
26 Kh1 exd4
27 Ne2 Ne6
28 Rec1
The exchange of one pair of rooks
that follows this move is practically
Position after 37 Rd1
unavoidable, and will allow White
to obtain some chances on the 37 ... Rd5!
queen's wing. With the plan of regrouping h is
28 Qe5 forces by means of 38 . . . Qd6 etc.
It should be observed that White
29 ReB RxcB
cannot play 38 Nc3 because of 38
30 Rxc8+ Kh7 . . . dxc3 ! 39 Qxd5 Qxd5 40 Rxd5
31 Rc1 c2 and wins. Against 38 Oxa6 the
continuation would be 38 . . . d3
Against 31 Rc2 the answer would
be 31 . . . Oa5 and if then 32 Qd2 39 Ng1 Nf4 (threatening 40 . . .
Qb2) 40 Qc4 Rd4 41 Qb3 (or 4 1
Qf5 etc.
Oc3 Nd5) N h 5 42 g 4 Ng3+ 4 3 Kg2
31 ... Nc5! Ne2 44 Nxe2 Oxe2+ 45 Kg3 h5
Permitting the passed pawn to be (threatening mate in three moves).
protected by the rook. with a triumphant attack.

32 Qd2 Rd6 38 Qe4

Premature would be 32 . . . d3 33 White tries to elimi nate the danger

Nf4 Rd6 34 b4. by proposing an exchange of queens,
but Black's course of action is not
33 b4 Ne6
going to offer him any chances of
34 Qd3+ g6 resistance.
35 a4 Kg7 38 0 0 0 Qd6!

Page 239
Game 101 Reti's Opening

Threatening 39 . . . Re5 and 39 . . . 44 Nb1 axb5

d3. Ra4
45 a6
39 f4 d3 And not 45 . . . Nf4 46 Nc3!
40 Nc3 Rd4 Rxa6
46 Rxd3
41 Oe5+ Oxe5 The rest is a matter of tech nique.
42 fxe5 Nf4 Ng3+!
47 Rd2
This is not the simplest solution 48 Kg1 b4
(that would clearly be 42 . . . Rxb4
43 Rxd3 Rb3, followed by 44 . . . 49 Rd3 Ne2+
Ra3 finally winning thanks to the 50 Kf2 Nf4
a-pawn) , but it is certainly the most
51 Rd4 Ra2+
elegant. I chose it because, by virtue
of the tactical possibilities, it seemed 52 Kf3 Nxg2
to me easier to force victory with a 53 Rxb4 Ne1+!
pawn on the bfile.
The point of the preceding
43 b5 manoeuvre. Now Black easily wins
The only chance of counter-play. the e-pawn. For exam p l e : 54 Kg4
Rg2+ 55 Kf4 Nd3+ 56 Kf3 Rf2+
43 . . . Ne2 57 Ke3 Nxb4 58 Kxf2 Nd3+.
Of cou rse White cannot take the
54 Ke4 Re2+
k n ight. After 44 bxa6 Black would
have played 44 . . . Nxc3! 4 5 a7 55 Kd5 Rxe5+
Nxd 1 ! (and not 45 . . . Rd8 46 56 White resigns
Rxd3) 46 a8(0) d2 winning. The
following move is therefore forced.

Reti 's Opening

GAME 1 0 1

Buenos Aires 1 939

Reti's Opening
White: L. E N G E LS (Germany)
Black: N. B E R GQV IST (Sweden)

1 Nf3 e6 2 g3 d5

Page 240
 Game 101 Reti's Opening

3 Bg2 Nf6 the centre that will soon guarantee

Be7 White complete domination of the
4 0-0
board.
5 c4 0-0
11 cxd5 exd5
6 b3 Ne4
12 Ob3 c6
A l i ttle-played and scarcely recom
13 e4
mendable manoeuvre whereby he
sacrifices two valuable tempi in the From an elevated point of view this
hope of enticing White to obstruct is a strategic decision.
h is a 1 -h8 diagonal by playing d4. 13 . . . Nb6
But the first player finds an
Black has clearly become
ingenious way of parrying this
demoralized. Otherwise he would
positional threat.
have preferred 13 . . . fxe4 1 4 dxe4
7 a3 Nb6 1 5 e5 Be7 16 Nd4 a5, after
With the unconcealed intention of which he would retain at least some
dislodging the central knight with 8 prospects for his queen's bishop.
d3. 14 e5 Be7
7 ... f5? 15 Re2
Owing to h i s inferior development Showing that h is manoeuvre begun
he cannot yet prepare a d i rect on the seventh move has contributed
attack and this advance therefore to the most effective mobil ization of
means nothing except the weakening his queen's rook.
of his central position. 7 . . . Bf6 8
Ra2 c5 9 Rc2 dxc4 10 bxc4 Nc6 15 ... aS
1 1 d3 Nd6, although not very The only counter-demonstration
promising, would at least be that Black will be able to attempt
consistent. throughout the whole game. The
Bf6 opening of the a-file does not have
8 d3
much im portance, since Black's
9 Ra2 Nc5 minor pieces are hoarded together
9 . . . Nc3 10 Nxc3 Bxc3 1 1 d4 and cannot work jointly to u t i l ize
would also be hardly satisfactory it.
but 9 . . . Nd6 could and should 16 Bd2 axb4
have been tried.
17 axb4 Na6
1 0 b4 Ncd7?
18 Na3 Nc7
No opening can stand four inferior
19 Nc2 Be6
moves i n the first ten. 10 . . . Nca6
would doubtless have been an Nor would 1 9 . . . Ne6 be any use
emergency measure of the saddest because White, after the exchange
kind but it would have at least of one of his kn ights, would per
avoided the following breakup of manently occupy d4 with the other
one.
Page 241
Game 101 Rt!ti's Opening
20 Nfd4 Qd7
21 f4 Ra6
22 Ref2
Expecting 22 . . . g6, after which
he would have to prepare for the
advance g4 by playing h3, Bf3, and
Rg2. Meanwhile Black would be
condemned to total passivity.
22 ... KhB?
But Black del ivers an immed iate
invitation to unfold the attack.
White to play
Position after 22 . . . Kh8
23 g4
This forces a simple and vul nerable
weakness on the fpawn after 23 . . .
g6 24 gxf5 gxf5 25 Bh3 or else (as
happens in the game) complete
domination of the centre by the
two adjoining pawns at e5 and f5.
The tactical justification for the
text move is shown by the following
variation: 23 . . . Bh4 24 Re2 fxg4
25 f5 Bxf5 26 e6 and Black, as a
consequence of h is unfortunate
move 22 . . . Kh8?, has no other
reply but 26 . . . Bxe6.
23 . .. Bh4
Page 242
More prolonged resistance would
be possible after 23 . . . g6. After
the text move by the bishop this
defence will not be possible since
if 24 . . . g6 the bishop will fall
into the snare of 25 g5, followed
by 26 Nf3.
24 Re2 fxg4
25 f5 BgB
26 Bf4
White will not advance either of
his central pawns un less it may be
done with decisive effect. The text
move has chiefly a positional value
by preparing, accordi ng to circum
stances, for action against Black's
king's side, beginning with Ne3.
26 Nb5
27 Nxb5 cxb5
28 Nd4 RfaB
29 Qb2 !
This prevents the more or less
worrying possibility of 29 . . . Ra1
and at the same time proposes the
exchange of the queen for the two
Black rooks. White rightly believes
that this transaction w i l l facil itate
the strengthening of the central
pawns.
29 . . . Ra2!
Black, on the other hand, has very
l ittle to lose and he is d isposed to
run the risk.
30 Oxa2 Rxa2
31 Rxa2 Oe7
Th is only precipitates the inevitable
end. I f 31 . . . Be7 (relatively
bette r ) , White would play 32 Bd2,
threatening 33 f6 and 33 Ra5.
 Game 101 Reti's Opening

32 f6! 35 Nf5 Bxe6

Threatening to win a piece by 33 If 35 . . . Bg5 then 36 Bxg5 fxg5
Nf5 etc. 37 e7 NcB 38 Rcl winning.
32 Od7 36 Nxh4 Od7
33 Re2 gxf6 37 Rfel Bg8
Or 33 . . . Be6 34 Nxe6 Oxe6 35 38 Re7
Bg3 Bxf6 36 exf6 Oxe2 37 f7 and
With the unavoidable threat of
wins.
Bh6-g7 mate.
34 e6 Oe8 38 . _ _ Black resigns

G A M E 1 02

Buenos Aires 1 939

Reti's Opening

White: G. STAH L B E R G (Sweden)

Black: E. ROJAHN (Norway)

Nf3 Nf6 b r: d e

2 c4 b6
3 g3 Bb7
4 Bg2 g6
There is not much in this double
fianchetto because of White's
adoption of a particular pawn
structure in the centre. More flexible
is 4 . . . c5 and 5 . . . Oc8, preparing
for an eventual . . . d5 or . . . Nc6
and leaving open both possibilities
Position after 6 c5
for the development of the k i ng's . . .

bishop. 7 d3! !
5 Nc3 Bg7 Taking advantage o f the fact that,
owing to the lack of protection of
6 0-0 c5
the queen's bishop, Black cannot
play 7 . . . d5 (because of 8 Ne5
0-0 9 Bg5). White adopts a modern
stratagem used i n other systems of

Page 243
Game 102 Reti's Opening

development such as the English game is an instructive lesson in

and the Sicilian. This consists of modern opening strategy.
'sacrificing' (that is, leaving without
White to play
adequate protection) a central
square (here d4) with the purpose
of obtaining control of all the
neighbouring squares. The present
short game shows in a convincing
way how effective this strategy can
be if the opponent does not
immediately take steps to oppose
it.
7 00
8 e4 d6??
After playing this 'plausible' move
Black will soon be led into a Position after 14 . . . Ne8
desperate position. White's
15 f5! exf5
strategic threat of Nh4, followed by
f4 and then f5 can only be pre Th is l oses faster than 1 5 . . . e5
vented by 8 . . . e6 9 Nh4 NeB but there is no doubt possible that
10 f4 f5, after which his position the attempt to block the position
although somewhat inferior, would would not be successful. After 1 6
be defensible. Bh6 Oe7 1 7 Rf2, followed by 1 8
Raf1 , Black would b e almost com
9 Nh4 Nc6
pel led to alter the pawn position,
10 f4 Qd7 to his disadvantage. After the text
1 0 . . . Nd4 could not be played move Stahlberg rapidly obtains a
because of 1 1 e5. mating attack.

11 h3 RadB 16 exf5 Bxg2

12 Kh2 e6 17 Oxg2 Bf6
Weakening f6 without any necessity There was practically nothing to be
or compensation. But White's plan done against Nd5, followed by f6.
would have been Be3, Od2, and f5 18 Nd5 Bxh4
in any case.
19 gxh4 KhB
13 Be3 Nd4
19 . . . Nxf5 is of no use because of
14 Od2 NeB 20 Rxf5.
Very late, because evidently White 20 Bxd4+ cxd4
is not going to permit . . . f5. With
21 fxg6 hxg6
out any piece or pawn exchanged
Black has no effective remedy. The 22 Rae1 Ng7

Page 244
 Game 103 Reti's Opening

23 Og5 Nf5 The rook cannot be taken because

24 Rxf5! Black resigns of mate in two.

G A M E 1 03

Buenos Aires 1 939

Reti's Opening

White: G. STA H L B E R G (Sweden)

Black: CAST I L LO (Chile)

1 d4 Nf6 And not 9 . . . cxd4 1 0 Nxd4 with

2 c4 g6 clear advantage to White.
10 e3 Oa5
3 g3 d5
4 cxd5 Nxd5 11 Ob3 Rb8

5 Nf3 Bg7 12 Bd2?

6 Bg2 0-0 Since the above-mentioned game

7 0-0 c5
8 Nc3 Nxc3
9 bxc3
The position thus reached can be
obtained from different l ines of
play: firstly, Reti's Opening;
secondly, the Catalan System;
thirdly, the Griinfeld Defence.
According to the present state of
theory (the most recent well-
known experience is the game Pirc
Bogolju bov, Bad Sliac, 1 932;
previous games are Bogoljubov-Euwe,
match 1 928 and Kashdan
Bogoljubov, Bled, 1 93 1 ) the
position is considered favourable
to White, although Black is not with-
out counter-chances in practice.
These are based mainly on the com
bined activity of h is free bishops.
9 --- Nc6
Bogoljubov-Euwe the text move
has (rightly) been deemed inferior
on accou nt of the possibil i ty of 1 2
. . . Bg4 with the threat 1 3 . . . Bxf3
14 Bxf3 cxd4 w i n n i ng material. And
if 12 Ba3? then the blockading
manoeuvre 1 2 . . . c4 ! 13 Ob2 Bf5 is
permitted. The precise developing
move at this stage is 12 Bb2.
12 . _ _ cxd4?
After 1 2 . . . Bg4 the artificial reply
13 Rfb1 wou ld have been virtually
forced. The manoeuvre in the text
will be convincingly refuted by
White's fourteenth move.
13 cxd4 Oh5
14 Rac1
Parrying the threat 14 . . . Bg4
because of 1 5 Rc5.
14 Be6
1 5 Oa3 Rfd8
Page 245
Game 103 Reti's Opening

1 6 Rc5 f5 21 Oxa6 bxa6

17 h4 22 Rc1 Nb4
With the intention of exploiting to Hoping to find some compensation
the maximum the bad position of i n the two bishops.
the Black queen. 23 Bxb4 Rxb4
17 . . . h6 24 Rc7 Bxa2
White to play Or 24 . . . Bf6 25 Ne5 with clear
advantage.
25 Rxe7 Rb1
26 Rxb1 Bxb1
27 Nd2 Ba2
28 Rxa7 Rb6!
29 Bf1 Rb2
30 Bc4+ Bxc4
31 Nxc4 Ra2
32 d5?
Position after 17 . . . h6 Up until here Stahl berg has simplified
18 Nh2 material i n a totally logical way,
despite Black's tenacious defence.
An original manoeuvre; White
But here, evidently, he com m i ts an
liberates the i mprisoned queen with
error of judgement. I nstead of
the aim of catching her again in the
advancing the passed pawn, which
m iddle of the board . The pre
i ncreases the Black bishop's field
paratory m ove 1 8 R e 1 would be
of action, he could easily augment
inadequate because of the defence
his positional advantage by the
18 . . . g5 19 N h 2 Of7.
manoeuvre 32 h 5 ! g5 (or 32 . . .
18 Oe2 gxh5 33 Nd6 f4 34 Nf5 Bf8 35
1 9 Nf3! gxf4) 33 Nd6 f4 34 Nf5 Bf8 35
gxf4 gxf4 36 exf4 and wins.
This m ove is l i ke the opening and
closing of the door i n order to take 32 Rc2
the queen i n a better situation. 33 Rc7 a5
19 . . . Rd6 34 Kg2?
The only defence against the terrible This weak move can also be
threat of 20 Re1 . But now White explained only by shortage of
secures a decisive positional advantage time. What objection could be made
i n the endgame. to 34 d6 a4 35 d 7 Bf6 36 Rc6 Be7
37 Rxg6+ Kf8 38 Rc6 etc.? 38 . . .
20 Re1 Oa6

Paqe 246
 Game 104 Catalan System

a3 would not work because of 39 I ncredible but true. Black is still

ReS+. al ive and even threatens in passing
to win a piece by advancing his a
34 a4
pawn. It is rather pecu l iar that
35 ReS+ Bf8 White cannot prevent this by play
36 d6 Kg7 ing 4 1 Rd7+ Kg8 42 Ne4 Rxd7 43
Nf6+ Kf7 44 Nxd7 a3 45 Nc5 a2 46
37 d7 Be7
Nb3 Ke6 4 7 Kf3 Kd5 48 Ke2 Kc4
38 Nd6 Rd2 49 Na 1 Kc3 50 Kd 1 because of 50
39 d8(0) Bxd8 . . . Kd3 with a draw in sight.

40 Rxd8 Kh7 41 Rd7+ Kg8

42 h5! gxh5
a h c. d e f 43 Kf3!
But this method is quite safe and
convincing.
43 a3
44 Kf4 a2
45 Ra7 Rxd6
46 Kxf5 Rd2
47 f4 Rg2
48 e4 Rxg3
49 Rxa2 h4
Position after 40 . . Kh7
50 e5 Black resigns

Catalan System

G A M E 1 04

Buenos Aires 1 939

Catalan System
White: J. F O L TYS (Czechoslovakia)
Black: P. M IC H E L (Germany)

1 Nf3 d5 2 g3 c5

Page 247
Game 104 Catalan System

3 Bg2 Nc6 10 Nb3 Bb6

4 d4 11 Nbd4 ReB
White plays the Grunfeld Defence 12 e3?
with an extra tempo, but his The third inexactitude, as a resu l t
advantage w i l l be sufficient to o f which Black's chances (on
obtain only equality. account of the weakness of the
4 e6 white squares i n the enemy position)
become clearly superior. 12 Be3 and
5 0-0 Nf6 if 12 . . . Ng4 then 13 Bg5 would
6 c4 be natural.
Attaining one of the positions 12 Bg4
typical of the evocative Catalan
13 Nxc6
System, i n which Black has a fairly
good chance of finding a satisfactory Evidently fortifying Black's central
continuation. position; after 13 b3 Nxd4 14 exd4
Ne4 White's game would remain
6 ... Be7 manifestly inferior.
Also playable here is 6 . . . dxc4 7
13 bxc6
Oa4 Bd7 8 dxc5 Bxc5 9 Oxc4 Be7
1 0 Nc3 0-0 (Pelikan-Guimard, 14 h3 Bh5
Buenos Aires, 1 939) . 15 b3 Ne4
7 dxc5? 16 Bb2 Qd6
This inexact move is the cause of
White to move
Wh ite's subsequent downfal l . If he
wished to obtain, by transposition
of moves, a variation of the
Tarrasch Defence, he should have
begun with 7 cxd5 and if 7 . . .
exd5 then 8 Nc3 0-0 9 Bg5.
7 Bxc5
8 cxd5 exd5
9 Nbd2?
The idea of blocking the isolated
pawn instead of attacking it is bad.
Comparatively better would be 9
Position after 16 . . . Qd6
Bg5 0-0 1 0 Nc3 d4 1 1 Bxf6 Oxf6
1 2 Ne4 Oe7 1 3 Nxc5 Oxc5 1 4 Rc1 1 7 g4
Ob6, reaching a well known It is easy to criticise this move, the
position. weakness of which consists of com
9 _ , 0-0 promising even more the king's

Page 248
 Game 104 Catalan System

position without increasing White's

opportunities elsewhere on the
board. But a desirable l i ne of play
would now be almost unimaginable;
Black has the possibility of a
sacrificial combination at f2 or g3,
threate n i ng to create a formidable
passed pawn after . . . c5, . . . RadB
and . . . d4. Clearly White has not
understood the spirit of the varia
tion chosen by his adversary.
17 Bg6
Bc7 Position after 24 a4
18 Rc1
The first d i rect threat ( 1 9 . . . Ng5). 24 . . . d4

19 Re1 f6! The triumph of Tarrasch's central

pawn.
A timely protection of the squares
e5 and g7. 25 Red1 d3

20 Kf1 26 Qf3 d2

With the aim of weakening the 27 Ra1 Ba5

effect of . . . Ng5. 28 Kg1 Oe6
20 Rad8 Lead ing to the gain of material.
21 Nd4 c5 29 Rab1
22 Nb5 Oa6 In a desperate position any move
23 Oe2 Bb6 looks like a m istake.

24 a4 29 Ng5

24 Nc3 is not possible because of 30 Oc6 Bxb1

24 . . . Ng3+ 25 fxg3 Bd3, winning.
31 White resigns
In my opinion this game, on
account of the purity of style, is
one of the finest productions of
the 1 939 tournament.
Game 105 Catalan System

G A M E 1 05

Munich 1 942
Catalan System
White: G. BAR CZA
Black: E . BOGOLJU BOV

1 Nf3 c5 assured himself of a comfortable

2 g3 d5 and favourable endgame.
h c n e
3 Bg2 Nf6
4 0-0 Nc6
5 d4 e6
6 c4
The strength of White's treatment
of the opening is more apparent
than real. As this game also demon
strates, Black can reach a comfort
able position without great effort.
6 dxc4
Position after 18 . . . e5
7 Qa4 Bd7
19 a4!
8 dxc5 Na5!
A powerful move which changes the
9 Qc2 Bxc5
aspect of the battle.
10 Ne5 Rc8 b4
19
11 Bd2 b5
20 Bxb4 Bxb2
The simple reply 1 1 . . . 00 would
21 Ra2 c3
also be fairly acceptable. But Black
is more ambitious. Also after 2 1 . . . Bd4 22 Rc2 the c-
pawn would finally succumb.
1 2 Nxd7 Nxd7
22 Bxc3! Bxc3
1 3 Qc3 Nc6
23 Rc1 Ke7
1 4 Bxc6 Rxc6
24 Rxc3 Rhc8
1 5 Oxg7 Qf6
25 Rxc6 Rxc6
16 Qg4 Qd4!
26 Nd2 Rc3
1 7 Oxd4 Bxd4
Notwithstanding his pawn
1 8 Bc3 e5? advantage, the final phase is not an
With the simple move 1 8 . . . Bxc3 expeditious triumph for White
19 Nxc3 a6 Black would have since Black has greater space avail

Page 250
 Game 106 Catalan System

able for his forces. Barcza treats the 36 Rxh7 Ra2

ending with exquisite finesse until 37 g4
obtai n i ng victory.
The advance of this pawn quickly
27 f3 Nc5 forces victory.
28 Kf2 f5 37 a5
29 Rb2! Kd6 38 g5 Rb2
30 a5 Kc7 39 g6 Rb8
31 Rb5 e4? 40 g7 Rg8
Greater drawing chances were 41 Ne3 Ne6
offered by 31 . . . a6 32 Rb6 Ra3
etc. 42 Nf5 Kc5

32 fxe4 fxe4 43 Rh8 Rxg7

33 Nf1 Kc6 44 Nxg7 Nxg7

34 Rb8 Ra3 45 h4 Black resigns

35 Rh8 Rxa5

G A M E 1 06

Mu nich 1 942
Catalan System
White: A. A L E K H I N E
Black: B . RABAR

d4 Nf6 9 Nc3 Bc6

2 c4 e6 If 9 . . . cxd4 there would follow
d5 1 0 Nxd5 Oxd5 1 1 0-0 with the
3 g3
strong th reat of 12 Nxd4.
4 Bg2 dxc4
10 0-0 Nbd7
5 Oa4+ Bd7
11 Rd1 cxd4
6 Oxc4 Bc6
If 1 1 . . . Be7 then 12 e4 and White,
7 Nf3 Bd5 with the threat of 1 3 d5, would
Black loses too many tempi with practically force the exchange at
these bishop moves. Better is 7 . . . d4, which would guarantee h i m the
Nbd7 and if 8 Nc3 then 8 . . . Nb6 advantage of the bishop pair.
9 Qd3 Bb4, as was played i n the 12 Nxd4 Bxg2
game Ju nge-Aiekh ine i n the same
tournament. 13 Kxg2 Be7
14 Qf3!
8 Od3 c5
Page 251
Game 106 Catalan System

The queen now exerts strong 1 9 Nxg7!

pressure on the enemy queen's side.
This wins at least a pawn and leads
14 . . . Qb6 to a simply won ending. The only
This move w i l l be refuted by reply - excluding the text - would
energetic combinative play. But 1 4 be 19 . . . Nce4, against which
. . . Ob8 1 5 N b 3 with t h e threat of White would first have forced the
16 Bf4 would be equally un Black queen to abandon the fifth
satisfactory. rank and would then have occupied
the long diagonal with the bishop,
15 Be3! with decisive effect: 20 b4! Oe5 2 1
The consequences of this move are Bf4 Ob5 (or 2 1 . . . Oc3 2 2 Nh5 ! ! )
not very difficult to calculate, but 2 2 a4 ! Oxb4 2 3 Be5 etc.
it is interesting to prove that from 19 Kxg7
this moment onwards Black al ready
lacks any satisfactory defence. 20 Bd4
Against 1 5 . . . Oxb2 White replies The strength of this move l ies
1 6 Ncb5 and if 1 5 . . . Ne5 there mainly in the fact that after 20 . . .
would follow 16 Nbd 5 ! Nd7 White simply plays 2 1 Bc3,
15 . - . with the unavoidable threat of 22
0-0
Axd7.
1 6 Nf5 Bc5
20 Ne4
This apparent salvation w i l l be
refuted by a well-concealed com 21 Oxe4 Qf5
bination. Nor would the alternative 22 Qxf5
16 . . . Od8 1 7 Nxe7+ Oxe7 1 8
The endgame that follows is witt.-
Oxb7 Rfb8 1 9 Oc7 Rxb2 20 Bd4
out any technical d i fficulties.
have saved the game.
22 exf5
17 Na4 Oa5
1 8 Nxc5 Nxc5 23 Rac1 Rfe8
White to move 24 Rc7 Rxe2
b c d e h
25 Rxb7 Kg6
26 Bxf6 Kxf6
27 Rd6+ Black resigns
If 27 _ . . Kg7 there follows 28
Rdd7 Af8 29 Kf3 Rc2 30 Rdc7
Ad2 31 Ke3.

d e I
Position after 1 8 . . . Nxc5
Page 252
 Game 107 Catalan System

G A M E 1 07

Exhibition Game, Warsaw 1 943

Catalan System
Whit: A. A L E K H I N E
Black: E. BOGOLJUBOV

d4 d5 1 3 Rac1 Rhe8
2 c4 e6 14 Nc4
3 Nf3 Nf6 It goes without saying that White
will not allow . . . e5.
4 g3 dxc4
Od7 14 Re7
5 Oa4+
15 a3 Be8
The exchange of queens that Black
will force with this manoeuvre gives 16 Rfd1 Nd5
him very few advantages, because it 17 b4 Nb6
does not solve the chief problem,
which is the development of the White to move
queen's bishop. b c d e

6 Oxc4 Oc6
7 Nbd2 Oxc4
8 Nxc4 Bb4+
9 Bd2 Bxd2+
10 Ncxd2
Preferable to 1 0 Nfxd2 which, after
1 0 . . . Nc6 1 1 Nf3 Nb4 ! would
have offered Black some chances.
Despite the simpl ification Black
sti l l faces a difficult problem : if he Position after 1 7 . . . Nb6
is compelled to play . . . c6 what
future w i l l be left for the bishop? 18 b5!
Bogoljubov takes a radical measure; An important move which forces
with the aim of protecting the the knight to withdraw and permits
points he prepares to castle long. the blocking of the queen's side.
In the continuation we shall see For if 18 . . . Nxc4 then 19 bxc6
the weak side of this strategy. Nxa3 20 cxb7+ Kxb7 21 Ne5+ Kc8
10 Nc6 22 Nc6 Bxc6 23 Bxc6 Rd6 24 Rc3,
followed by 25 Ra1 and wins.
11 Bg2 Bd7
18 NbS
12 0-0 0-0-0
1 9 Nxb6+ axb6

Page 253
Game 107 Catalan System

20 a4 fG 23 Bg2 !
21 Bh3 23 Nc4 would allow Black to play
Threatening to advance the d-pawn. 23 . . . Kd8, fol lowed by 24 . . . Bc8.

21 . .. Bd7 23 cG

Now it seems that Black is at last 24 Nc4 Kc7

going to free h imself by 22 . . . e5. 25 e4 cxb5
Desperation, since there is no defence
White to move
against the advance of the d-pawn.
b ' d
2G axb5 Bxb5
27 d5!
More accurate than 27 Na3+ BeG 28
d5, after which Black would not
have been under any obl igation to
exchange pawns.
27 exd5
28 Na3+ BeG
29 exd5 Rd7
30 Nb5+ Kd8
Position after 21 . , . Bd7
31 dxcG bxc6
22 Nd2 ! !
32 Nd4!
Decisive, because if 22 . . . e5 there
This wins at least a pawn.
follows 23 Nc4 with the threat of
24 NxbG mate. What follows now is 32 ... Black resigns
practically all forced. An instructive game from the
22 ... Rf8 strategic point of view.

Page 254
Index of Players

All references are to game-numbers

Alekhine 5, 6, 7, 9, 1 0, 1 1 , 1 2 , 1 3 , 1 9 , Keres 3 , 8 , 24, 30, 32, 35, 47 , 83, 84, 99

2 3 , 2 6 , 3 1 ' 33, 3 4 , 39, 4 0 , 43, 4 9 , Kieninger 1 9 , 37
5 0 , 55, 57, 6 4 , 83, 9 2 , 9 4 , 9 6 , 9 7 , Kunerth 55
9 8 , 1 00, 1 0 6 , 107
Apscheneek 1 8, 34 Leepin 98
Lundin 20, 28, 58, 62
Barcza 1 0, 1 05
Bartosek 3 1 Medina 24, 89
Bergqvist 1 0 1 Menchik 56
Bogoljubov 1 5 , 26, 7 3 , 8 5 , 9 6 , 1 05, 1 07 Michel 20, 1 04
Bolbochim 65 Mikenas 35, 66, 67, 77, 9 1 , 92
Brinckmann 4 1 Mil ner-Barry 44

Capablanca 4 2 , 6 7 , 6 8 , 82 Najdorf 74
Castillo 1 03 N avarro 43
Charlier 57, 94
Cruz, 0. 57, 94 Opocensky 62, 82, 84, 86
Cruz, W. 1 8 , 5 7
Czerniak 4 2 , 5 2 , 75, 9 1 , 9 3 , 97 Pahl 21
Perez 1 4
Danielsson 51 Petrov 6 6 , 87, 90
De Ronde 4 5 Piazzini 22, 54
Dulanto 27 Pleci 1 , 29
Podgornv 50
Eliskases 39, 53 Pomar 1 2, 1 4 , 25, 33, 36, 38, 69, 72
Endzelins 29 Poulsen 65
Enevoldsen 64, 68, 7 1
Engels 1 0 1 Rabar 3, 106
Raud 28
F lores 3 2 , 7 4 , 7 5 Reed 5 1
Foltys 8, 4 4 , 4 7 , 4 8 , 104 Rellstab 8 5
F riedemann 1 Reshevsky 2 , 4 , 1 6 , 1 7, 60, 63, 70, 78,
79, 80, 81
Graf 56 Rey Ardid 6
G rau 53, 77, 90 Ribeiro 25, 72
R ichter 37, 40, 99
Hasenfuss 46 Rico 36
Heinicke 4 1 Rohacek 13
Rojahn 52, 1 02
Junge 9, 73 Rometti 4 5
Ropstorff 1 5
Kahn 59 Russher 76
Kashdan 2, 4, 16, 1 7, 60, 63, 70, 78, 79,
80, 8 1 Sajtar 1 00

Page 255
Index of Players

Siimisch 11 , 89 Vaitonis 95
Sanz 38 Van Scheltinga 6 1 , 86, 88
Schmidt 5 , 59 Von Bardeleben 23
Silva Rocha 57, 58, 94
Sthlberg 30, 54, 61, 102, 103 Walcicer 76
Stoltz 48 Werkmeister 2 1

Tartakower 22, 7 1 , 87, 88, 93 Yanofsky 2 7

Teteris 46
Ticoulat 69 Zollner 7
Trompowsky 94, 95
Tsvetkov 49