12. ... PxKt 13. P-KKt4 Q-K4

Not Q-Q4, on account of PxP and Kt-B6.

14. PxP KR-Kt1 15. B-R6

This is Marshall's innovation. It gets the Bishop out of play, as P-Kt5 must necessarily follow, yet the pawn at Kt7 holds the Black Rook, and there is a permanent threat of Kt-B6 either winning the exchange or, if the Knight is taken, giving White a pair of formidable passed pawns.

15. ... P-Q6 16. P-B3 B-Q3

This is quite to White's liking, since he wishes to advance Ids centre pawns. Black's only chance of escaping disaster would be: B-K2, with R-Q2, Kt-Q1-B2. Instead of this, his next few moves do not reveal any concerted plan, and he loses in a surprisingly short time.

17. P-B4 Q-Q4 18. Q-B3 B-K2 19. P-Kt5 Q-B4 20. Kt-Kt3 Q-B2

In manoeuvring his Q, Black has achieved nothing either for counter attack or defence. Now White has numerous attacking chances. He first turns his attention to the KP.

21. Q-Kt4 QR-K1 22. R-K4! P-Kt4 23. P-QR4

and now even the QR takes part in the assault. Black's game is hopeless.

23. ... P-R3 24. PxP PxP 25. K-Kt2

attacking the KP by avoiding the check.

25. ... Kt-Q1 26. Q-B3 Q-Kt3 27. R-Q4 P-B3 28. RxKtch KxR 29. QxP Resigns.

After this, no master has tried to defend a "Max Lange" in an international tournament.

GAME NO. 8

White: Blackburne. Black: Em. Lasker.

Scotch Game.

1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. P-Q4 PxP 4. KtxP B-B4 5. B-K3 Q-B3

The threat KtxKt and BxB must be met in some way. P-Q3 is not satisfactory, for Black remains with a trebled pawn after the double exchange. An alternative to the text move is B-Kt3. Q-B3, however, has the advantage of developing a piece, and although it is the Queen, White has no early opportunity of driving the same off, such as he often obtains when the Queen comes out so soon in the game.

6. P-QB3 KKt-K2 7. Kt-B2

In order to develop the QKt.

7. ... P-QKt3!

Out of three possible moves, Lasker selects the one which contributes most to development. B-Kt3 does nothing in that direction, and BxB would bring the White Knight further into play. The text move prepares the development of the B at Kt2 with the option of Castles QR. If White exchanges Bishops he gives up the command of his Q4. Black's P-Q3 might have had the same result, but then the exchange would have given White a majority of pawns on the K side, whilst White's three Q side pawns would have held the black Q side pawns, one of the latter being doubled.

8. Kt-Q2 Q-Kt3

The exchange of Bishops allows White to play Kt-K3, thus avoiding the weakening move P-K Kt3. 9. B-KB4 is answered by P-Q4!.

9. BxB PxB 10. Kt-K3 R-QKt1 11. P-QKt3 Castles 12. B-B4

To prevent Black's P-B4.

At first sight it seems as if the QBP ought to move to B4, as the advance of the QKtP has weakened it. But White dares not allow a Black Knight to settle at Q5.

12. ... P-Q3 13. P-B4!

- 8 #R #B #R #K - 7 #P #P #Kt #P #P #P - 6 #Kt #P #Q - 5 #P - 4 ^B ^P ^P - 3 ^P ^P ^Kt - 2 ^P ^Kt ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^Q ^K ^R - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 108

Black threatens to play K-R1 in order to play P-B4. White's position would then be very bad, and therefore he rightly decides to anticipate the move, even at the cost of a pawn. In order to gain the QBP Black must waste a number of moves with the Q, and White gains time for a King's side attack. The pawn sacrifice is very promising indeed.

13. ... Q-B3 14. Castles QxQBP 15. R-B3

There seem to be many threats here, and the position is a difficult one to fathom. After disentangling his Queen, Black tries very hard to force his P-B4. As soon as he succeeds in this he has a won game, for the open file is available both for defence and counter-attack.

15. ... Q-Q5 16. K-R1 B-K3 17. R-QB1 BxB 18. RxB Q-Kt7

Q-B3 is impossible apart from the fact that it would block the KBP, e.g. 18. ... Q-B3; 19. P-K5, PxP; 20. Kt-K4, etc.

19. R-QB2 Q-B3

Now the attack shown in the last note could be answered with Q- R5.

20. Kt-Kt4

Here P-KKt4 could be answered by Kt-Q5, e.g. 21. P-Kt5, Q-Kt3; 22. R-Kt3, P-B4.

20. ... Q-Kt3 21. R-Kt3 P-B4 22. Kt-K5 Q-K3 23. KtxKt KtxKt 24. P-K5 Kt-Kt5!

This prevents the Rook from occupying the Q file which is about to be opened.

25. R-B4 PxP 26. Q-R1 Q-Q2!

If now QxP, Black plays R-B2 with unanswerable threats of R-K1 or Q1.

27. Kt-B3 PxP 28. Kt-K5 Q-K2 29. RxKBP QR-K1 30. Kt-B4 Q-K8ch 31. R-B1 QxQ 32. RxQ KtxP 33. P-R3 P-B5 34. R-Q3 Kt-Kt5 35. R-Q7 P-B6! 36. PxP RxP 37. RxRP Kt-Q6

threatens mate in six.

38. R-R1 Kt-K8

mate is again threatened.

39. Kt-Q2 RxPch 40. K-Kt1 R-Kt6ch 41. K-R2 R-Q6! 42. RxKt RxKtch 43. RxR RxR 44. R-Q7 R-K6 45. RxP RxP 46. RxP P-R3 47. R-B6

A few more moves "for fun."

47. ... K-R2 48. K-Kt2 P-R4 49. R-R6 P-Kt3 50. R-R4 K-R3 51. R-QB4 R-Kt7ch 52. K-Kt3 K-Kt4 53. R-B3 P-R5ch 54. K-R3 K-R4 55. R-B4 R-Kt6ch 56. K-R2 P-Kt4 57. R-R4 R-Kt7ch 58. K-Rsq P-R6 59. R-QB4 P-Kt5 60. K-Ktsq P-Kt6 61. R-B5ch K-Kt3 62. R-Bsq K-B4 63. R-Rsq R-Q7 64. R-Ksq K-B5 65. R-Rsq K-K6 66. R-R3ch R-Q6 67. R-Rsq K-K7 Resigns.

GAME No. 9

White: Salwe. Black: Marshall.

Two Knights' Defence

1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. B-B4 Kt-B3 4. Kt-Kt5

This attack may be tempting, as the BP cannot be protected, but it is against that elementary principle which says that no attack should be undertaken in the opening until the minor pieces are mobilised, provided of course that Black also has made sound opening moves. There is every likelihood that the attack in the present instance will lead to nothing. It has taken many years to find the correct reply, but now that it is known, the opening has practically disappeared from master practice. Instead of the move in the text, White can play either P-Q3, leading almost unavoidably to a drawing variation of the Giuoco piano, or Castles which might bring about the Max Lange attack after 4. ... B-B4; 5. P-Q4, PxP.

4. ... P-Q4 5. PxP Kt-QR4!

This is a typical position in the Two Knights' defence. The former continuation 5. ... KtxQP has long been abandoned, as the attack that White can initiate by 6. KtxBP, KxKt; 7. Q-B3ch, forcing the Black King to K3, is dangerous though the result is uncertain. The move in the text breaks the attack from the very first, and Black gets the advantage

- 8 #R #B #Q #K #B #R - 7 #P #P #P #P #P #P - 6 #Kt - 5 #Kt ^P #P ^Kt - 4 ^B - 3 - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^Kt ^B ^Q ^K ^R - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 109

as he can gain time by attacking the two minor pieces which it should be noted, are unsupported, and in addition obtain a speedy development, worth more than the pawn given up for it.

6. P-Q3

B-Kt5ch is an alternative. The advantage is Black's in this case also—e.g. P-B3; 7. PxP, PxP; 8. B-K2, P-KR3; 9. Kt-KB3, P-K5; 10. Kt-K5, Q-B2; 11. P-Q4, B-Q3 (or PxP e.p. followed by B-Q3); 12. P-KB4, PxP e.p.; 13. KtxP, Kt-Kt5 or 11. P-B4, B-Q3; 12. P- Q4, PxP e.p.; 13 KtxP, Castles. Black has an easy game and open lines.

6. ... P-KR3 7. Kt-KB3 P-K5 8. Q-K2 KtxB 9. PxKt B-QB4 10. KKt-Q2

The Knight must move sooner or later.

10. ... Castles 11. Kt-Kt3 B-KKt5 12. Q-B1

A sorry retreat, but the plausible Q-Q2 would be disastrous, e.g. P-K6!; 13. PxP, Kt-K5 and Q-R5ch

12. ... B-Kt5ch

Black's superior development begins to tell in no uncertain fashion. Now White can neither play 13. B-Q2 on account of BxBch; 14. QKtxB, R-K1, followed by P-K6, nor 13. Kt-B3 on account of BxKt; 14. PXB, P-B3 regaining the pawn and maintaining positional advantage. White has therefore no alternative but P-B3, which weakens his Q3, where a Black Knight soon settles down.

13. P-B3 B-K2 14. P-KR3 B-R4 15. P-Kt4 B-Kt3

At last White can castle. He can, of course, only castle on the Queen's side, because his King's side pawns are shattered. Now games in which the Kings castle on different wings are more or less beyond calculation, as pointed out before. On the whole, the player who first attacks wins. But experience has shown that the Queen's side is more difficult to defend on account of its greater expanse, and this theory is supported by the present game. In addition, White's development is not completed yet, whilst all the Black forces are ready to strike.

16. B-K3 Kt-Q2 17. QKt-Q2 Kt-K4 18. Castles P-Kt4

Storming the position with pawns is peculiar to this kind of game. The intention is to break up the opposing pawn position, and to open files for the Rooks. Pawns are cheap in such cases. Open lines for the pieces are the things that matter, and the fewer pawns there are left, the more open lines are available for the attack.

19. PxP Kt-Q6ch 20. K-Kt1 QxP 21. K-R1

The King was not safe on the diagonal. White wishes to push on his King's side pawns (P-B4-B5, and so on). But after PxP e.p. there would be a fatal discovered check by the Black Knight.

22. ... QxP

Black's advantage becomes more marked. He has recovered his pawn, and for the ensuing attacks on both sides he is better placed, having already two open files for his Rooks.

22. P-KB4 P-QR4 23. QR-Kt1 P-KB4 24. Kt-Q4 Q-R5!

- 8 #R #R #K - 7 #P #B #P - 6 #B #P - 5 #P #P - 4 #Q ^Kt #P ^P ^P - 3 ^P #Kt ^B ^P - 2 ^P ^P ^Kt - 1 ^K ^R ^Q ^R - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 110

The position bristles with chances for daring sacrifices. After 25. KtxBP, for instance, Black could play RxKt!; 26. PxR, Kt-Kt5; 27. PxKt, PxP; 28. P-R3 (Q-B4ch?, B-B2), B-B3; 29. K-R2, QxPch; 30. PxQ, RxP mate.

25. P-Kt3 Q-Q2 26. PxP BxP 27. Q-Kt2 P-B4

White's compulsory 25. P-Kt3 has weakened his QB3, and the move in the text is intended to open the diagonal KB3-QB6 for the Black Bishop.

28. KtxB QxKt 29. QxP B-B3 30. Q-B4ch K-R1 31. Kt-K4 QR-K1

White cannot parry all the threats at once. Though he gets rid of the threatening B, he lets in the hostile R on the K file and the end cannot long be delayed.

32. KtxB RxKt 33. B-B1 KR-K3 34. B-R3 R-K7 35. KR-Q1 Kt-K8 36. BxP Kt-B7ch 37. K-Kt2 Kt-Kt5ch

and mate at R7 or B7.

GAME No. 10

White: Teichmann. Black: Amateurs in consultation.

Two Knights' Defence.

1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. B-B4 Kt-B3 4. Castles

- 8 #R #B #Q #K #B #R - 7 #P #P #P #P #P #P #P - 6 #Kt #Kt - 5 #P - 4 ^B ^P - 3 ^Kt - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^Kt ^B ^Q ^K ^R - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 111

The idea underlying this pawn sacrifice is to open the K file for the Rook. It will be seen that, with correct play, Black manages to castle just in time, and White, though winning back his pawn, has no advantage in position. The opening is seldom played by modern masters.

Instead of the move in the text, White can hardly defend the KP with Kt-B3, as Black simply captures the pawn and recovers his piece by P-Q4, with a satisfactory position. It is even better for Black if White plays 6. BxPch in reply to 5. ... KtxP. The capture of White's KP is far more important than that of the Black KBP, particularly as the White Bishop, which could be dangerous on the diagonal QR2-KKt8, is exchanged, e.g. 6. ... KxB; 7. KtxKt, P-Q4; 8. Kt-Kt5ch, K-Kt1! Black continues P-KR3, K-R2, R-B1 and has open lines for Rooks and Bishops.

4. ... KtxP

Black can, of course, develop his B-B4. Then he must either submit to the Max Lange attack (5. P-Q4, PxP) or play BxP, giving up the useful B, in which case he loses the pawn gained after 6. KtxB, KtxKt; 7. P-KB4, P-Q3; 8. PxP, PxP; 9. B-KKt5, and eventually Q-B3.

5. P-Q4

R-K1 at once would lead to nothing.

5. ... PxP 6. R-K1 P-Q4 7. BxP! QxB 8. Kt-B3

- 8 #R #B #K #B #R - 7 #P #P #P #P #P #P - 6 #Kt - 5 #Q - 4 #P #Kt - 3 ^Kt ^Kt - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^B ^Q ^R ^K - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 112

This attack has been analysed extensively by Steinitz. The only square where the Queen cannot be attacked at once by the minor pieces is at QI. After 8. ... Q-QI, Black obtains quite a satisfactory game: 9. RxKtch, B-K2; 10. KtxP, P-B4. This is Pillsbury's move, intending to displace the Rook. Black has then open lines for his two Bishops as compensation for his shattered pawn position. 11. R-KB4, Castles; 12. KtxKt, QxQch; 13. KtxQ, PxKt. Now it is not easy to find a reasonable plan for White, as Black threatens to cramp White's game with B-Q3 and P-B5. It is therefore necessary for White to take measures against that by playing R-B4 and B-B4. If Black still plays B-Q3, B-B4 follows, with the intention of exchanging and of provoking Black's P-B4, which leaves the QP "backward."

8. ... Q-KR4 9. KtxKt B-K2 10. B-Kt5 B-K3 11. BxB KtxB 12. Kt-Kt3 Q-R3 13. QxP Castles KR 14. QR-Q1

Now White is ahead with his development, having both Rooks in play and his Queen better placed. Nor can the latter be attacked by R-Q1, as White would simply play QxR. On the Queen being driven away by the Black Knight, he exchanges the latter and plays the Queen back into the same dominating position, eventually producing a dislocation of the Black Queen's side pawns.

14. ... Kt-B3 15. Q-QR4 QR-Q1 16. Kt-Q4! KtxKt 17. RxKt RxR 18. QxR P-QKt3 19. Q-K5 P-QB4

It is instructive to watch how this very slight weakness created by Black's advance of his pawns brings him into trouble. A White Knight settles down at his Q6, which is no longer guarded by the Black QBP, and paralyses the whole of Black's game. Another factor in White's superiority of position is the possession of the King's file. The Black Rook cannot move until the King gets a loophole by a pawn move. As we have seen, such a pawn move often affords an entry to the opposing pieces.

20. P-KB4 B-B1

Not BxP, of course, because of P-QKt3 and Q-Kt2. The Bishop which cannot remain at K3 is to go to Kt2, so that the threat of mate after Q-QB3 may also hold up a White piece.

21. P-B5 B-Kt2 22. Q-K7 Q-QB3 23. R-K2 P-B3

Compulsory, as otherwise P-B6 forces the KtP to advance, which is fatal in any case. After P-Kt3, White would cover his BP and play his Q to KR6. On the other hand, after PxP there is Kt-R5-B6, and Black is in a mating net.

24. Kt-K4 Q-Q4 25. Kt-Q6 B-B3

The threat was QxRch and R-K8 mate.

26. P-KR3

in order to retreat to R2 in case of Q-Q8ch. In a way P-KR3 creates a certain weakness, as the square at Kt3 is now defenceless, but Black has no pieces with which to take advantage of it: his Rook cannot move, his Bishop is on the White squares. If Black had a KB instead, the move would be very doubtful, because then Black might break in through White's KKt3.

26. ... P-B5

White's threat was to repel the Black Queen by P-B4 and to mate in five moves, beginning with Q-K6ch.

27. P-B3 P-KR3



- 8 #R #K - 7 #P ^Q #P - 6 #P #B ^Kt #P #P - 5 #Q ^P - 4 #P - 3 ^P ^P - 2 ^P ^P ^R ^P - 1 ^K - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 113

This disposes of the winning of the Queen by the threatened mate. But it creates a weakness at Black's Kt3, which White exploits in grand style. He decides to play the King himself to Kt6, threatening mate at Kt7. In spite of several raids by the Black Queen, this quaint device is crowned with success. The weakness created by P-KR3 could not be demonstrated more drastically.

28. K-R2 P-QKt4 29. K-Kt3 P-QR4 30. K-R4 P-Kt3

If White were to play PxP now, Black would mate him one move earlier (Q-Kt4). Of course he parries the threat first, and Black is helpless.

31. R-K3 QxKtP 32. R-Kt3 Q-B7

After P-Kt4ch White could not play 33. K-Kt4 on account of the pretty mate by B-B6. He would play K-R5-Kt6.

33. PxP Q-B5ch 34. R-Kt4 Q-B7ch 35. K-R5 Resigns.

A most instructive game, showing how the superior position of the pieces can lead indirectly to a win, by reducing the opponent's pieces gradually to impotence and compelling him to move pawns, thereby affording opportunities for a decisive entry.

GAME No. 11

White: Schlechter. Black: Janowski.

Ruy Lopez (compare p. 40).

1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. B-Kt5 Kt-B3 4. Castles KtxP

A continuation, which has lately gained in favour, is: P-Q3 and B-K2 (see p. 39).

5. P-Q4 B-K2

It is clearly very dangerous to gratify White's wish for an open file by playing PxP. The move may be playable in the system of defence called the "Riga variation" (see Game No. 17). Here it would be advantageous to be able to close the KB's diagonal. It is better when intending to play the "Riga variation" to have played P-QR3 on the third move.

6. Q-K2 Kt-Q3 7. BxKt KtPxB 8. PxP Kt-Kt2 9. Kt-B3 Castles 10. R-K1 R-K1

The manoeuvre cited on p. 40, namely Kt-B4-K3, which makes P-Q4 possible, is essential for the development of the QB. Black loses the present game because White is able to keep the Bishop shut in permanently

11. Q-B4 Kt-B4

so that the pawn B3 should not be "hanging" when the QP moves.

12. Kt-KKt5! BxKt 13. BxB QxB 14. QxKt R-K3

- 8 #R #B #K - 7 #P #P #P #P #P #P - 6 #P #R - 5 ^Q ^P #Q - 4 - 3 ^Kt - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^R ^K - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 114

After the exchanges the position is clearly in favour of White. Against an undeveloped B, which also hampers a Rook, his Knight is mobile. The Black Queen's side pawns are weak, and give White winning chances even if Black succeeds in playing P-Q4 and bringing the Bishop into play. The move in the text, which covers the pawn at B3, again prepares for P-Q4.

15. Q-Q4 B-Kt2

The only chance lay in the pawn sacrifice by P-QB4, after which the Bishop gets to Kt2 with a threat of mate, and the QR is free.

16. Q-QKt4 B-B1 17. Kt-K4

Fine play. If Black captures the pawn, White obtains a combined attack with Q, R, and Kt, to which Black can only oppose the Q, so that the result cannot be in doubt—e.g. 17. ... QxKP; 18. Kt- B5, Q-Q3; 19. Q-QB4, RxRch; 20. RxR, P-KR3; 21. R-K8ch, K-R2; 22. Q-K4ch, P-Kt3 (Q-Kt3?; 23. QxQ, followed by KtxP); 23. Kt-Q3 and R-K7.

17. ... Q-K2 18. Kt-B5 R-Kt3 19. R-K3 P-QR4 20. Q-Q4 R-Kt1 21. P-QB4

preventing R-Kt4

21. ... P-R3 22. P-QKt3 K-R2 23. R-Q1 Q-Kt4 24. R-Kt3 Q-B4 25. RxR PxR

Black has built a wall of pawns round his King, but it does not avail against the superior forces which White can concentrate.

White's plan is clear. He will advance his pawns, and break up those that surround the Black King, always taking care that Black does not free his Queen's side meanwhile. His pieces will then break in easily, and Black is forced to look on passively.

26. P-KR3 R-R1 27. P-QR4

to prevent the sacrifice of a pawn by P-R5, which would bring the Black Rook into play.

27. ... R-Kt1 28. R-Q3 Q-Kt4 29. K-R2 Q-K2 30. P-B4 Q-B2 31. P-K6!!

- 8 #R #B - 7 #P #P #Q #P #K - 6 #P ^P #P #P - 5 #P ^Kt - 4 ^P ^P ^Q ^P - 3 ^P ^R ^P - 2 ^P ^K - 1 - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 115

A beautiful move which robs Black of his last chance of freeing his Queen's side, which he might have accomplished by the pawn sacrifice of P-Q3.

31. ... PxP 32. Q-K5 Q-K2 33. P-KKt4 R-Kt5 34. K-Kt3 R-Kt3 35. P-R4 Q-B1 36. P-R5 PxP 37. QxRP R-Kt1 38. Q-K5 R-Kt3 39. P-Kt5 P-R4 40. P-Kt6ch

The end is near. Black must take, as QxRP forces a speedy

40. ... KxP 41. Q-Kt5ch K-R2 42. QxRPch K-Kt1 43. Q-Kt5

threatening R-Q8

43. ... K-B2 44. R-Q8 Q-K2 45. Q-R5ch Resigns.

Loss of the Queen and mate in a few moves cannot be prevented. Black has played the whole game practically with two pieces less, and the mate was really only a matter of time.

GAME No. 12

White: Teichmann. Black: Rubinstein.

Ruy Lopez (see p. 37).

1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. B-Kt5 P-QR3 4. B-R4

By exchanging the Bishop White could not prove P-QR3 to be a lost move, for Black, by retaking with the QP, obtains open lines for Q and QB, and in addition to an easy development, retains two Bishops. This is a set-off against a certain weakness in Black's game, which may be found in the fact that after P-Q4, PxP, White has four pawns to three on the King's side, while his three pawns on the Queen's side are able to hold the four opposing pawns, one of which is doubled. But this weakness can only tell in the end- game, which is too far ahead for practical purposes, and to which it may not come at all. An example of the usual line of play will be found in Game No. 18.

4. ... Kt-B3 5. Castles B-K2 6. R-K1 P-QKt4 7. B-Kt3 P-Q3 8. P-B3

- 8 #R #B #Q #K #R - 7 #P #B #P #P #P - 6 #P #Kt #P #Kt - 5 #P #P - 4 ^P - 3 ^B ^P ^Kt - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^Kt ^B ^Q ^R ^K - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 116

8. ... Castles

In Capablanca's opinion Black should not castle before White's intentions in the centre have been made clear. It makes a great difference whether White plays his QP to Q4 or to Q3 only.

If after 8. ... QKt-R4; 9. B-B2, P-B4 White plays: 10. P-Q4, his intention is to move his pawn further to Q5 as soon as Black has castled, and then to attack on the King's wing with QKt-Q2-B1-K3, P-KKt4 and Kt-B5. For this reason Black should force White to disclose whether he intends to exchange his QP or to advance it to Q5. In the latter case Black can refrain from castling altogether and counter-attack on the King's wing, e.g., 10. P-Q4, Q-B2; 11. P-KR3, B-Q2; 12. QKt-Q2, R-QB1; if now: 13. P-Q5 then P-R3 followed by P-Kt4-Kt5 gives Black many chances. If on the contrary 13. PxP, then Black need no longer fear an attack on the King's side after he has castled, as his Rooks will have a favourable opportunity for operating on the open Queen's file. However, there is still the disadvantage for Black of having advanced Queen's side pawns, which are liable to attack (P-QR4).

The game takes a different course when Black exchanges the pawns in the centre. The continuation would then be: 11. ... Kt-B3; 12. Q Kt-Q2, B-Q2; 13. Kt-B1, PxP; 14. PxP, PxP; 15. B-Kt5, Q- Kt3. It is difficult to decide which side has the advantage. Black has an extra pawn, but White has the initiative.

If in Diag. 116, after 8. ... Castles White plays 9. P-Q4 at once, Black has an opportunity for the following interesting attack: 9. P-Q4, B-Kt5; 10. B-K3, KtxKP; 11. B-Q5, Q-Q2; 12. BxKKt, P-Q4; 13. B-B2, P-K5 14. P-KR3, B-R4; 15. Kt-K5, BxQ; 16. KtxQ, BxB; 17. KtxR, RxKt. White cannot take advantage of his Rooks, as there is no open file, whilst Black threatens to initiate a strong attack with P-B4.

Aljechin has analysed a variation of this line of play, which he thinks leads finally to White's advantage: 12. PxP, Kt-Kt4; 13. BxKt, BxB; 14. P-KR3, BxKt; 15. QxB, KtxP; 16. RxKt, PxR; 17. BxR, B-B8; 18. Kt-R3, Q-Q7. I doubt that White can win this game.

9. P-Q3

In this less aggressive continuation, in which nothing is immediately attempted against Black's centre, White prepares gradually for a King's side attack, as in this game with Kt-Q2- B1-Kt3. But Black should obtain time for operations in the centre.

9. ... Kt-QR4 10. B-B2 P-B4 11. QKt-Q2 Kt-B3 12. P-QR4

In many variations of the Ruy Lopez, this advance is always good, if Black cannot avoid exchanging the pawn, because the White Queen's Rook, which only gets into play with difficulty, can either be exchanged or hold the Rook's file. In any case the Black Knight's pawn is weak for the end-game. If, as in the present game. Black can play P-Kt5, P-R4 is useless and even doubtful, as the Rook's pawn itself may become weak in the end- game.

12. ... B-Kt2

This causes the loss of the game. In the Ruy Lopez the Bishop is nearly always needed on the diagonal QB1-KR6, to prevent a Knight from settling at White's KB5, which otherwise cannot be repelled except by P-KKt3, a most undesirable consummation. The proper continuation would have been P-Kt5, B-K3, Q-B2 and P-Q4, capturing the Queen's file. Compare note to move 13 in the next game.

13. Kt-B1 Q-B2 14. Kt-Kt3 P-Kt3

- 8 #R #R #K - 7 #B #Q #B #P #P - 6 #P #Kt #P #Kt #P - 5 #P #P #P - 4 ^P ^P - 3 ^P ^P ^Kt ^Kt - 2 ^P ^B ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^B ^Q ^R ^K - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 117

Here is the weakness. White first provides against Black's P-Q4, and then starts a sharp attack on the King's side.

15. B-Kt5 QR-Q1

P-Q4 at once is not feasible, because of BxKt.

16. PxP PxP 17. Q-B1

This brings the Q away from her file, which Black could now secure by P-Q4, followed by PxP.

17. ... KR-K1

The proper continuation is the one outlined in the note above.

18. P-R3

White has now ample leisure to prepare the advance of his KBP.

18. ... R-R1 19. RxR RxR 20. Kt-R2 B-QB1 21. P-KB4 Kt-K1 22. P-B5 BxB 23. QxB Q-K2

Black seeks salvation in exchanges, which White, of course, tries to avoid, having good prospects of driving home his attack. His pieces are concentrated on the King's side, whilst the Black forces are scattered, and unable to get back in time for the defence. Moreover, it is likely that the weakness at Black's KR3 and KB3 will prove fatal as the Black KB is exchanged.

24. Q-R6 Q-B1 25. Q-B1 Q-Kt2 26. R-B1 P-Kt4

White was threatening to play Kt-Kt4 with PxP and Kt-R6.

27. Kt-Kt4 Kt-B3 28. KtxKtch QxKt

One of the attacking Knights is eliminated. But there is another, which forces the entry at KB6 and KKt6.

29. P-R4

to gain access for the White Queen at KR6. If Black, captures there follows: 30. Kt-R5, Q-Q1; 31. Q-R6, Q-B1; 32. Kt-B6ch, an instructive example of the weakness created by P-KKt3.

29. ... P-R3 30. Kt-R5 Q-Q1 31. P-B6

All this is easy to understand.

31. ... K-R2 32. PxP B-Kt5 33. Kt-Kt7 K-Kt3 34. B-Q1 Q-Q2 35. Kt-B5 BxKt 36. PxBch Resigns.

The conclusion might be: K-R2; 37. B-R5, PxP; 38. QxP, R-KKt1; 39. B-Kt6ch, PxB; 40. Q-R4 mate.

GAME No. 13

White: Teichmann. Black: Schlechter.

Ruy Lopez (see p. 37).

Move 1-8 as in Game No. 12.

- 8 #R #B #Q #R #K - 7 #P #B #P #P #P - 6 #P #Kt #P #Kt - 5 #P #P - 4 ^P - 3 ^B ^P ^Kt - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^Kt ^B ^Q ^R ^K - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 118

9. P-Q3 Kt-QR4 10. B-B2 P-B4 11. QKt-Q2 Q-B2

Supporting, as it does, the KP, this is not a lost move, although White has not played P-Q4. It prepares Black's P-Q4 (after Kt- B3), the KP being fully protected against White's double attack by PxP.

12. Kt-B1 Kt-B3 13. Kt-K3 B-Kt2

The logical move would have been B-K3, to enforce P-Q4. Black is then very well developed, whilst White labours under a somewhat undeveloped Queen's side. An attempt to exert pressure in the centre with P-Q4 in order to prevent Black's P-Q4 would be belated. Black would gain the advantage by: l4. ... KPxP; 15. PxP, PxP; 16. KtxP, KtxKt; 17. QxKt, Kt-Kt5! Nor would B-Kt5 before Kt-K3 be more successful; after B-K3; 14. Kt-K3, QR-Q1; 15. P-Q4, BPxP; 16. PxP, PxP; 17. KtxP, KtxKt; 18. QxKt, Q-B4, Black has the better chances in the end-game. The move in the text is not good because, as we saw before, the Bishop is wanted on the other diagonal to cover the square at KB4.

14. Kt-B5 KR-K1 15. B-Kt5 Kt-Q2

Even now it was desirable to aim at P-Q4, therefore QR-Q1 was preferable.

16. B-Kt3

The position of the White pieces points to a dangerous menace to the opposing King's side.

16. ... Kt-B1 17. B-Q5!!

The beginning of a brilliant combination. BxKt is threatened, and Black must first cover his B at K2.

17. ... Kt-Kt3 18. BxB KKtxB

QKtxB is not feasible, because of BxB and KtxQP.

19. BxPch!! KxB 20. Kt-Kt5ch

- 8 #R #R - 7 #B #Q #Kt #K #P #P - 6 #P #Kt #P - 5 #P #P #P ^Kt ^Kt - 4 ^P - 3 ^P ^P - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^Q ^R ^K - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 119

Quite a number of charming combinations are hidden in this position. If K-Kt3 or Kt1, then 21. KtxKtP! If K-B3 White can capture the RP first with check.

20. ... K-Kt1 21. Q-R5 KtxKt 22. QxRPch K-B1 23. QxKtch K-Kt1 24. Q-Kt6!!!

The point. This prevents P-Kt3, which would allow Black to bring up his Q for the defence at Kt2. Now nothing can be done against the threatening R-K3-B3 or R3.

24. ... Q-Q2 25. R-K 3 Resigns

A wonderful game in which Teichmann, the great judge of position, proves himself also a master in hand-to-hand fighting, in the wild chaos of sacrificial combinations.

GAME No. 14

White: Spielmann. Black: Tarrasch.

Ruy Lopez (see p. 41).

1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. B-KT5 P-QR3 4. B-R4 Kt-B3 5. Castles Kt-P 6. P-Q4

- 8 #R #B #Q #K #B #R - 7 #P #P #P #P #P #P - 6 #P #Kt - 5 #P - 4 ^B ^P #Kt - 3 ^Kt - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^Kt ^B ^Q ^R ^K - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 120

In a game between Riga and Berlin PxP was tried for the first time, a bold venture which anticipates White's desire to open the King's file. After 7. R-K1 Black can defend the Kt by P-Q4, but after 8. KtxP White threatens again to win the Kt by P-KB3, besides attacking the QKt a second time. However, Black has a surprising answer in readiness. He initiates a violent counter attack which keeps White busy until Black, by castling, escapes the dangers of the double pin. (Compare Game No. 17.)

6. ... P-QKt4 7. B-Kt3 P-Q4 8. P-QR4

This gives Black an opportunity of disposing of his QKt by exchanging it, thereby enabling him to round off his pawn position by P-QB4, at the same time threatening to cut off the Bishop by P-B5. 8. PxP followed by P-B3 is the natural continuation, as shown in the first part of this book, because the Bishop, retreating to B2, can operate on a useful diagonal.

8. ... QKtxP!

QR-Kt1 would not be so good, because White obtains an open file for his Rook. The move in the text is an absolutely valid defence, as was proved by Schlechter in his match against Lasker.

9. KtxKt PxKt 10. Kt-B3

PxP and P-B3 seems a more natural continuation.

10. ... KtxKt

Not PxKt, on account of BxP.

11. PxKt P-QB4 12. RPxP B-K2

in order to castle in reply to B-R4.

13. Q-B3

Here White should have got back his second pawn by PxQP. If then 13. ... P-B5; 14. B-R4, Castles; 15. PxP, BxP, White plays P-QB3, providing a retreat for his R or B. After the move in the text this manoeuvre becomes impossible, because the B after P-B3 can be attacked twice but has lost the support of the Queen.

13. ... B-K3 14. RxP Castles 15. PxP P-B5 16. B-R2

Now the Bishop is hemmed in permanently; in other words, Black is a piece up and must win easily. Therefore 16. B-R4 was compulsory in order to get at any rate three pawns for the piece, thus: 16. ... B-Q2; 17. QxP, RxR; 18. PxR, BxB; 19. QxP.

16. ... RxR 17. PxR Q-R4 18. B-Kt1 P-B6 19. Q-Kt3

White tries to work up an attack on the King's side while Black is still occupied on the other wing.

19. ... R-B1 20. P-B4 B-KB4 21. R-K1 B-B3 22. K-R1

In order to answer BxQP by 23. B-K3 and P-R7, 22. ... QxP is not feasible because of QxP.

22. ... P-R3 23. P-R3 R-Kt1 24. B-K3 QxP 25. R-Q1 Q-R8 26. Q-K1

- 8 #R #K - 7 #P #P - 6 #B #P - 5 #P #B - 4 ^P ^P - 3 #P ^B ^P - 2 ^P ^P - 1 #Q ^B ^R ^Q ^K - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 121

The sequel forms an instructive example of how superior development can afford winning chances even when there is no immediate prospect of material gain. The opposing pieces are gradually constricted until the defending lines are weakened by compulsory pawn moves. In the present position Black quietly sets to work to bring his Bishops to bear on the White King.

26. ... B-K5 27. K-R2 B-K2 28. Q-B1

to free his game somewhat with P-B5, which Black prevents at once.

28. ... P-B4 29. R-K1 B-R5

Being probably short of time, Black makes a few irrelevant moves. If his aim was not the opening of the KKt file but the subsequent sacrifice of the Queen, he might have played Q-Kt7 at once, followed by Q-Kt4.

30. P-Kt3 B-K2 31. B-B2 B-Q3 32. R-B1 K-R2 33. R-K1 R-Kt3 34. R-B1 B-R6 35. R-K1 Q-Kt7 36. Q-K2 R-Kt5 37. R-Kt1 R-Kt3

Otherwise White might embark upon a counter attack, beginning with P-Kt4. Now this is impossible on account of R-Kt3.

38. R-K1 Q-Kt4 39. Q-R5

After the exchange of Queens, Black would win easily by R-Kt7. 39. B-R2 also fails on account of QxQ; 40. RxQ, R-Kt7; 41. B-Kt3, B-Q6!; 42. R-K5, BxP, and the passed pawn costs a Rook. With the text move, White provokes the sacrifice of the Queen at Kt 8, apparently not seeing the fine continuation at Black's disposal on the forty-first move.

39. ... QxB! 40. RxQ RxR 41. P-Kt4

Compulsory. B-Kt1 would be followed by R-QB8, etc.

41. ... B-B8!! Resigns.

There might follow 42. K-Kt3, P-Kt3; 43. Q-R4, BxPch; 44. KxB, P- Kt4ch, and so on. 4l. ... B-Q3 would have given White a little respite, though his game would still have been hopeless after PxP and R-K8.

GAME No. 15

White: Aljechin. Black: Niemzowitsch.

Ruy Lopez (see p. 41).

1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. B-Kt5 P-QR3 4. B-R4 Kt-B3 5. Castles KtxP 6. P-Q4 P-QKt4 7. B-Kt3 P-Q4 8. PxP B-K3 9. P-B3 B-K2 10. R-K1

- 8 #R #Q #K #R - 7 #P #B #P #P #P - 6 #P #Kt #B - 5 #P #P ^P - 4 #Kt - 3 ^B ^P ^Kt - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^Kt ^B ^Q ^R ^K - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 122

This is one of the most important positions in the Ruy Lopez. Black has the better development, but his centre is less secure. Whilst White has a pawn secured in the centre, Black has a Knight there which will soon be driven away. White's Q4, the basis of his centre, is entirely in his hands, while Black's Q4 is exposed to a steady pressure by the White pieces. Finally Black's Q Kt is unfavourably placed, obstructing as it does the QBP and preventing it from falling into line with its fellows. In Petrograd, 1909, Lasker tried the following new defence: Kt-B4 followed by B-Kt5, giving up the moves gained before in order to relieve the pressure on the Black QP and to exchange the same ultimately at Q5. The various possibilities of the position have been discussed in connection with Diag. 22. It may be added that after 10. ... Castles; QKt-Q2 is surely a better move than the usual Kt-Q4, as the Queen's side should be developed before undertaking an attack (11. ... Q-Q2?; 12. KtxB, followed by RxKt). For a long time it was thought that after Kt-Q4 Black had to exchange Knights, which enables White to make the pawn at QB7 "backward" by B-K3. For Black must first play P-KR3 to guard his Kt against the threat of P-B3 and P-KR4. However, a sensational innovation which refutes the Kt's move was introduced in Breslau in 1912. It is the following sacrifice: 10. ... Castles; 11. Kt- Q4, KtxKP!; 12. P-B3, B-Q3!!; 13. PxKt, B-Kt5!!; 14. Q-Q2, Q-R5 with an overpowering attack.

10. ... Kt-B4 11. B-B2 B-Kt5 12. Q Kt-Q2 Castles 13. Kt-Kt3 Kt-K5

Here Lasker played Kt-K3 against Janowski (Paris, 1912), but it proved to be inferior, because 14. Q-Q3 disorganises Black's King's side forcibly.

The move in the text is not really a pawn sacrifice. After 14. BxKt, PxB; 15. QxQ, QRxQ; 16. KKt-Q4, KtxKt; 17. KtxKt, R-Q4, White cannot play 18. RxP, because of P-QB4; 19. Kt-B2, B-B4 or 19. Kt-B3, R-Q8ch; 20. Kt-K1, B-B4; 21. R-K2, B-Q6; 22. R-K3, B- Kt4.

14. B-B4 P-B4 15. PxP e.p. KtxP(B3) 16. Q-Q3 Kt-K5?

This loses the QBP, and weakens the QP. Black might have tried BxKt; 17. QxB, B-Q3. It would then have been possible to support the QP by P-B3 after moving the Kt away. If Black was anxious to preserve his two Bishops he would even have risked P-Kt3. After 17. B-R6, R-B2, the Bishop could have been driven away again by the KKt from Kt1 or Kt5. The open file offered some compensation and chances of counter attack.

17. BxP Q-Q2

Not QxB because of QxPch.

18. Kt-K5 KtxKt 19. BxKt B-R5

RxP is bad because of 20. RxKt, B-KB4; 21. Q-Kt3.

20. B-Kt3 BxB 21. RPxB B-B4

Now RxP! was feasible with a level game after: 22. RxKt, B-B4! 23. KxR, BxR; 24. Q any, Q-B4ch, followed by BxB. After missing this chance, Black soon loses the game.

22. Q-Q4 KR-Q1 23. QR-Q1 Q-QB2 24. Kt-Q2 KtxKBP

A last and desperate attempt. Black obtains Rook and pawn against two minor pieces, but has no time to initiate an attack with the Rooks. The wisest plan was to give up the P, with a view to effecting the exchange of the minor pieces, because an ending with Queen and Rooks generally produces a draw. Black could not play KtxKtP instead of the move in the text because of 25. B- Kt3!.

25. BxB KtxR 26. RxKt QxKtP 27. B-K6ch K-R1 28. BxP QR-B1 29. Kt-K4 Q-R5 30. P-QKt3 R-B3

White now obtains a passed pawn, and a speedy win.

31. Q-B2 Q-R4 32. Q-B3 QxQ 33. PxQ P-Kt3 34. R-Q2 R-Kt3 35. P-QB4 PxP 36. PxP R-Kt8ch 37. K-B2 P-QR4 38. P-B5 R-QB8 39. P-B6 K-Kt2 40. B-B4! RxB 41. RxR RxP 42. R-Q7ch K-R3 43. K-Kt3 R-B5 44. Kt-B2 K-Kt4

Mate was threatened by: 45. Kt-Kt4ch, K-R4; 46. R-Q5ch, P-Kt4; 47. R-Q6 and R-R6 mate (or if RxKtch, PxR mate).

45. R-Q5ch K-B3 46. RxP Resigns

GAME No. 16

White: Yates. Black: Gunsberg.

Ruy Lopez.

1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. B-Kt5 P-QR3 4. B-R4 Kt-B3 5. Castles KtxP 6. P-Q4 P-QKt4 7. B-Kt3 P-Q4 8. PxP B-K3 9. P-QB3 B-K2 10. B-K3

in order to exchange the Black Knight if played to B4.

10. ... Castles 11. QKt-Q2

If Q-Q3, then Kt-R4; 12. QKt-Q2, P-QB4.

11. ... KtxKt

This furthers White's development, and should not be played unless there is no other move available. To be considered are P- B4 and B-KKt5. An argument against P-B4 is that White can deprive Black's weak centre pawn of one protecting piece (12. PxP e.p., KtxP (B3); 13. Kt-Kt5), and experience has shown that White obtains the superior game.

12. QxKt Kt-R4 13. B-B2 Kt-B5

A very dangerous manoeuvre, as White can evade the exchange of his Bishop and the Black Kt does not get back in time for the defence of the K side, where White's attack becomes virulent. He should have played P-QB4 followed by Kt-B3.

14. Q-Q3 P-Kt3 15. B-R6 KtxKtP 16. Q-K2 R-K1 17. Kt-Q4

Black had probably anticipated that White would be content with regaining his pawn by BxP, but, with fine positional insight, he retains his Bishop for the coming onslaught and speedily concentrates his forces on the K side; whilst Black, who has won a pawn at the expense of several moves, cannot mobilise an equivalent number of pieces in time for the defence.

17. ... Kt-B5 18. P-B4 B-Q2

White was threatening 19. Kt-B6, 20. KtxB, 21. B-Kt5, 22. B-B6; 18. ... Q-Q2 is not sufficient, as 19. P-B5 would follow. Neither can 18. ... B-QB4 be played because of 19. B-Kt5, Q-B1; 20. B-B6. Preferable to the text move seems B-KB1 (19. B-Kt5, Q-B1; 20. B- B6, B-Kt2), as then the Black pieces have more freedom of action.

19. QR-K1 P-QB4 20. P-K6

A brilliant sacrifice to which no satisfactory reply can be found. For instance, 20. ... PxKt; 21. Q-Kt4, Kt-K6, 22. RxKt, PxR; 23. P-B5, BxP; 24. PxB, PxP, 25. BxP, etc.; or 24. ... R- KB1; 25. PxPch, RxP; 26. Q-K6, Q-K1; 27. BxP, etc.; or 23. ... P- Kt4; 24. PxPch, KxP; 25. Q-R5ch, K-Kt1; 26. P-B6, BxP; 27. BxP, etc.; or 21. ... B-B4; 22. PxPch, KxP; 23. BxPch, PxB; 24. P-B5, etc. There are many variations, all leading to a speedy end.

- 8 #R #Q #R #K - 7 #B #B #P #P - 6 #P ^P #P ^B - 5 #P #P #P - 4 #Kt ^Kt ^P - 3 ^P - 2 ^P ^B ^Q ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^R ^K - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 123

20. ... B-KB3 21. P-Kt4 P-Kt 22. P-B5 P-Q6 23. BxP BxKP

If PxKP then 24. PxKtP, Kt-K4; 25. RxKt, BxR; 26. Q-R5, Q-B3; 27. RxQ, BxR; 28. PxPch, K-R1; 29. Q-B7, etc.; or 26. ... BxP; 27. B- B8, etc.

24. PxB Q-Kt3ch 25. K-R1 Resigns

GAME No. 17

White: Berlin. Black: Riga.

Ruy Lopez.

Move 1-6 as in Game No. 16.

- 8 #R #B #Q #K #B #R - 7 #P #P #P #P #P #P - 6 #P #Kt - 5 #P - 4 ^B ^P #Kt - 3 ^Kt - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^Kt ^B ^Q ^R ^K - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 124

6. ... PxP

Compare note to move No. 6 in Game 14.

7. R-K1 P-Q4 8. KtxP B-Q3

This is the key to the variation. Black threatens to obtain a draw by perpetual check through BxPch, followed by Q-R5ch and QxPch. This is not good enough against a weaker opponent in a tournament, and a strong player cannot afford to play the Riga defence. But that is not a point against the variation. To prove it unsound, White has to find a win.

9. KtxKt BxPch 10. K-R1!

After 10. K-B1 Black has a tremendous attack, and drives it home before White can manage to bring his extra piece into play. A game Maroczy-Berger (Vienna, 1908) is an illustration of this. It continued in this way: 10. K-B1, Q-R5; 11. B-K3, Castles; 12. Kt- Q4, B-Kt5; 13. Kt-KB3, Q-R4. Now White has no satisfactory continuation. 14. Kt-Q2 obstructs the Queen, and it is difficult to bring the Rooks into concerted action. 14. Kt-B3, QR-Q1; 15. Q-Q3, BxKt; 16. PxB, QxP; 17. KtxKt, PxKt; 18. Q-B3, Q-R6ch; 19. K-K2, Q-Kt5ch; 20. K-B1, R-Q4; 21. B-Kt3, R-KR4; 22. P-B3, PxP; Resigns.

10. ... Q-R5

It now looks as if White were lost. But a fine sacrifice forces the exchange of all Black's attacking pieces, and saves the situation.

11. RxKtch PxR 12. Q-Q8ch QxQ 13. KtxQch KxKt 14. KxB ...

- 8 #R #B #K #R - 7 #P #P #P #P #P - 6 #P - 5 - 4 ^B #P - 3 - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P ^K - 1 ^R ^Kt ^B - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 125

After the terrible slaughter, the position is somewhat clearer. Black has a Rook and two pawns for two minor pieces, a slight advantage for the end-game, but as yet there is no thought of an end-game. White, in possession of two Bishops, with an open Queen's file on which the Black King stands, has good attacking chances, and most masters would think the position favourable for White.

14. ... B-K3

P-KB4 is a plausible move, but is followed by a pretty mate by 15. B-Kt5. The move in the text threatens to eliminate the KB by P-QB4, P-QKt4.

15. B-K3 P-KB4 16. Kt-B3 K-K2 17. P-KKt4

Tarrasch recommends 17. R-Q1, threatening Kt-Q5ch. If P-B3, White could play 18. B-Kt6, thereby permanently preventing Black from contesting the Queen's file, and then try to exchange Black's B by Kt-K2-Q4. With two Bishops, White would then have winning chances.

A subtle idea underlies White's move of P-KKt4. He wishes to take advantage of the fact that Black has exchanged the KB by playing P-Kt5, thus holding all the four pawns on the King's side. But Black finds a surprising reply, which seems to refute White's plan.

Capablanca played against Ed. Lasker (New York, 1915), 17. P- KKt4, P-KKt3; 18. K-Kt3, P-KR4; 19. PxBP, P-R5ch; 20. K-R2, PxP; 21. Kt-K2, P-Kt4; 22. B-Kt3, BxB; 23. RPxB, KR-KKt1; 24. R-Q1, QR-Q1; 25. RxR, KxR; 26. Kt-K4, winning a pawn.

17. ... P-KKt3 18. P-Kt5 QR-KKt1!!

Black offers the exchange in order to get rid of White's QB. If White accepts the sacrifice, he loses his KKtP, and Black retains three passed pawns for the piece, at least an equivalent for the end-game. White should decline the doubtful gift and meet the threat of P-R3 and P-KKt4 with 19. R-KKt1.

19. B-Q4 P-R3 20. B-B6ch K-B2 21. BxR RxB 22. R-Q1

in order to play 23. B-Q7 in answer to P-B4. This explains White's check at move 20.

22. ... PxPch 23. K-Kt2 K-B3!

If now 24. Kt-Q5ch, Black would assail the White King with K-K4; 25. KtxP, B-B5-K7-B6. The Black phalanx of pawns becomes menacing.

24. B-Kt3 BxB 25. RPxB K-K3 26. P-Kt4 R-R2

Black need no longer fear to exchange Rooks, for he would then threaten the Queen's side pawns with his King whilst the passed pawns kept the White forces occupied.

27. Kt-K2 R-Q2 28. Kt-Q4ch K-B3 29. P-QB3 P-B3

The aim of this move is not clear. Black should adopt a forward policy with P-Kt5, P-B5, R-R2, etc.

30. R-KR1 P-Kt5 31. R-R8

Now none of the pawns can advance: P-B5 would be answered by 32. R-K8, R-K2; 33. RxR, KxR; 34. Kt-Kt3 and one of the pawns is lost.

31. ... R-K2 32. Kt-K2 R-Q2 33. Kt-Q4 R-K2 34. R-B8ch K-Kt2 35. R-Q8 P-B5 36. R-Q6 K-B2 37. Kt-B2 R-K3 38. R-Q7ch R-K2 39. R-Q6 R-K3 40. R-Q1

White tries to win at all costs—and loses. By a forcible advance on the Queen's side, he creates new chances, but also new weaknesses.

40. ... K-B3 41. P-B4 R-K2 42. R-Q4 K-Kt4 43. R-Q6 P-K6! 44. P-B3

PxP fails on account of P-B6ch and R-R2.

44. ... P-K7 45. Kt-K1 P-Kt6 46. P-Kt5

Too late.

46. ... R-R2 47. PxBP PxP 48. R-K6 R-R7ch 49. K-Kt1 R-B7 50. Kt-B2 RxP 51. RxKP R-Q6 52. Kt-K1 R-Kt6 53. R-Q2 P-B6 54. Kt-Q3 P-R4 Resigns

The RP cannot be prevented from pushing on to R6, after which a mate is threatened by the BlacKRon the eighth rank. R-Q1 would then be compulsory. But that lets the Black Rook in on the seventh (KR-R7, followed by P-B7ch).

GAME No. 18.

Emanuel Lasker. Capablanca.

Ruy Lopez (see p. 37)

1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. B-Kt5 P-QR3 4. BxKtQ PxB 5. P-Q4 PxP

Worthy of consideration is: 5. ... B-KKt5; 6PxP, QxQch; 7. KxQ, Castles ch; 8. K-K2, R-K1; 9. P-KR3, BxKtch; 10. KxB, P-B3; with a good game. In this opening Black is justified in assuming the initiative, as the exchange, which has opened a diagonal for his QB, has furthered his development. If he does not do so, and confines himself to defending tamely, the chances are that he will lose on account of White's majority of pawns on the King's side.

6. QxP QxQ

Compulsory. If B-K3 instead, 7. B-B4 attacks QB7. B-Q3 in reply to that would be inferior. By exchanging Bishops White would render the Black QP "backward," and on the open file its capture would be inevitable.

7. KtxQ B-Q3 8. Kt-QB3 Kt-K2

Black prepares to castle on the King's side. It is more usual, and probably stronger, to castle on the Queen's side, as the King then protects the QBP, which in the present case would be weak if Black's KB were to be exchanged.

9. Castles Castles. 10. P-B4 R-K1

- 8 #R #B #R #K - 7 #P #P #Kt #P #P #P - 6 #P #P #B - 5 - 4 ^Kt ^P ^P - 3 ^Kt - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^B ^R ^K - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 126

Black allows his opponent too much latitude on the King's wing. He should prevent White's P-B5, which obstructs his QB, by P-KB4. After P-K5 the game would be equalised by B-B4, BxKt, and B-K3.

A draw would then be practically certain, with the Bishops of opposite colours. Black probably thought White would not risk weakening his KP by P-B5. But with unfailing judgment Lasker foresees that, in consequence of the greater mobility of his pieces, his attack will be successful before a counter attack on the weak KP can be instituted.

11. Kt-Kt3 P-B3

Even now P-KB4 was imperative, though it would keep the Bishop from that square. The continuation could have been 12. P-K5, B- Kt5; 13. Kt-K2 (or R4), Kt-Q4, and the Bishop is safe.

12. P-B5!!

This move has a twofold aim. It shuts in the Bishop, and allows B-B4, exchanging the Black QB.

12. ... P-QKt3

The diagonal QR1-KR8 is the only one in which the Bishop has any prospects of action. However, as soon as he relinquishes his present diagonal, a White Knight settles at K6 and the Black Rooks are very much hampered.

13. B-B4 B-Kt2

Black should have exchanged the Bishops. Now he gets a weak pawn at Q3. Before playing B-Kt2, P-B4 should be played to prevent the Knight getting from Kt3-Q4-K6.

14. BxB PxB 15. Kt-Q4 QR-Q1 16. Kt-K6 R-Q2 17. QR-Q1 Kt-B1 18. R-B2 P-QKt4 19. KR-Q2

This holds Black's Kt at B1. White's next move prevents the Bishop getting into action by P-B4. After depriving all the Black pieces of their mobility, White turns his attention to a determined assault on the Black King.

19. ... QR-K2 20. P-QKt4 K-B2 21. P-QR3 B-R1 22. K-B2 R-R2 23. P-Kt4 P-R3 24. R-Q3 P-QR4 25. P-KR4 PxP 26. PxP R(R2)-K2

There are no prospects on the Rook's file, and Black is restricted to keeping his pieces mutually protected. He cannot prevent White from penetrating the King's side.

27. K-B3 R-Kt1 28. K-B4 P-Kt3 29. R-Kt3 P-Kt4ch 30. K-B3

If Black captures the pawn, he would lose it again forthwith through White's R-R3, and the pawn at R3 would also be captured.

30. ... Kt-Kt3 31. PxP RPxP 32. R-R3 R-Q2 33. K-Kt3

- 8 #B #R - 7 #R #K - 6 #Kt #P #P ^Kt #P - 5 #P ^P #P - 4 ^P ^P ^P - 3 ^Kt ^K ^R - 2 ^P - 1 ^R - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 127

The White King leaves the diagonal because Black's P-B4 would interfere with the combination by which White intends to annihilate Black's game in a few moves.

33. ... K-K1 34. QR-KR1 B-Kt2 35. P-K5!!

A beautiful final stroke.

35. ... QPxP 36. Kt-K4!! Kt-Q4 37. Kt(K6)-B5 B-B1

Black dares not move the Rook on account of KtxB and Kt-Q6ch.

38. KtxR BxKt 39. R-R7ch R-B1 40. R-R1 K-Q1 41. R-R8ch B-B1 42. Kt-B5 Resigns

Mate in two is threatened. Black's only move is Kt-K2, after which he is helpless, and White can capture the pawns one by one at his leisure (R-B7, etc.). In this game, so beautifully engineered by White, we have a further example of Lasker's remarkable grasp of position.

GAME No. 19

White: Eduard Lasker. Black: Janowski.

Four Knights' Game.

1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. Kt-B3 Kt-B3 4. B-Kt5 B-Kt5

B-K2; 5 Castles, P-Q3; would lead into the Ruy Lopez.

5. Castles Castles 6. P-Q3 P-Q 3

It is, of course, better to castle before playing P-Q3, as the opponent could at once play Kt-Q5 and utilise the pin to initiate an immediate attack, e.g. 5. Castles, P-Q3; 6. Kt-Q5, B-B4; 7. P- Q4, PxP; 8. B-Kt5.

7. B-Kt5

- 8 #R #B #Q #R #K - 7 #P #P #P #P #P #P - 6 #Kt #P #Kt - 5 ^B #P ^B - 4 #B ^P - 3 ^Kt ^P ^Kt - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^Q ^R ^K - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 128.

The position is not unlike that in Diagram 90, and the same remarks apply to it. Here B-K3 is inadvisable, because P-Q4, threatening to fork two pieces, forces the exchange of Black's centre pawn. After 7. ... B-Kt5; 8. Kt-Q5, Kt-Q5; 9. B-B4, B-B4, on the other hand, we get the position discussed on p. 115, in which White obtains the advantage by Q-Q2. Instead of 9. ... B- B4, Black should play Q-Q2 with a similar threat. But he has not the cooperation of his King's Bishop for the attack, and White just manages to escape with a draw, e.g. 9. ... Q-Q2; 10. KtxKtch, PxKt; 11. BxP, P-KR3(BxKt; 12. PxB, Q-R6 fails on account of K-R1 and R-KKt1); 12. P-B3, KtxKtch; 13. PxKt, B-KR4; 14. K-R1, K-R2 (Diagram 129); 15. R-KKt1.

- 8 #R #R - 7 #P #P #P #Q #P #K - 6 #P ^B #P - 5 #P #B - 4 #B ^B ^P - 3 ^P ^P ^P - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^Q ^R ^K - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 120.

This is the saving clause. If now Black had his B at B4, as White has in the corresponding attack, White would first have to protect his BP with 15 Q-K2, and would be lost after R-KKt1; 16. R-KKt1, R-Kt3; as 17. B-R4 fails because of Q-R6; 18. B-KKt3, R- B3; and on the other hand, after 17. RxR, PxR Black plays R-KB1, attacking the BP a second time.

With the Black Bishop at Kt5, however, Black does not succeed. The continuation could be l5. ... R-KKt1; 16. R-Kt3, R-Kt3; 17. B-R4, with a probable draw.

This line of play is most difficult for both sides, and it has been avoided so far in tournaments.

In Diagram 128 the favourite continuation for many years was: 7. ... BxKt; 8. PxB, Kt-K2. The opening of the KKt file by 9. BxKKt is not to be feared, because of the reasons given when discussing Diagram 90. But White obtains the advantage with 9. Kt-R4, preparing the opening of the KB file by P-B4 and PxP. 9. ... Kt- Kt3, in order to retake with the BP after 10. KtxKt and to open the file for Black's Rooks, is not a sufficient reply, because after 11. P-B4 and PxP White has a clear advantage, having an extra pawn in effect for the end-game. For the three Black pawns on the King's side are held by the two adverse pawns, which they cannot pass.

The attempt to expel the troublesome Bishop after 9. ... Kt-K1 by P-KB3, and then play for a centre by P-B3, Kt-B2 and P-Q4 fails on account of the withering attack which White obtains on the KB file, e.g. 9. ... Kt-K1; 10. B-QB4, K-R1; 11. P-B4, P-KB3; 12. Q- R5, PxB; 13. PxP, etc.

In consequence the defence by 7. ... BxKt and Kt-K2 has been abandoned.

In the present game Black reverts to a very old defence, comprising the moves: BxKt, Q-K2, Kt-Q1-K3. It had been abandoned because White, by playing R-K1, P-Q4, and eventually B-B1 and B- R3, forces the exchange of Black's centre pawn, and obtains an advantage, on well-known grounds. Here Black strengthens the defence by interpolating P-KR3!, after which White must come to a decision as to maintaining the pin. If he decides to do so the White Bishop will no longer be able to threaten the Black Queen from QR3.

7. ... BxKt 8. PxB P-KR3 9. B-KR4

If the B retreats to B1 or K3, Black can adopt the defence Kt-K2- Kt3. Then Kt-R4 would be inferior, because Black can simply play P-KKt4. In this case the advance of the pawns is justified, because Black can bring his QKt to KKt3 and have practically one piece more on the King's side, and good prospects for the attack which he can open with K-R2, R-KKt1, Kt-Kt3-B5.

9. ... Q-K2

P-KKt4 would be premature. White would win at once by 10. KtxKtP, PxKt; 11. BxP, as he can attack the Knight a second time by P-KB4 and PxP before Black can either protect it sufficiently or relieve the "pin."

10. Q-Q2 Kt-Q1 11. P-Q4 B-Kt5 12. Q-K3 BxKt 13. QxB Kt-K3

It would be wrong to play for the gain of a pawn with P-KKt4 and PxP, e.g. 13. ... P-KKt4; 14. B-Kt3, PxP; 15. R-K1!, PxP; 16. P- K5, etc.

14. BxKt

Black's threat was to develop an attack, similar to that described at move 9, with P-KKt4 and Kt-B5.

14. ... QxB 15. QxQ PxQ 16. B-B4

in order to exchange the Knight, which is generally superior to a Bishop in an end-game, as mentioned before.

16. ... PxP 17. BxKt PxB 18. PxP

- 8 #R #R #K - 7 #P #P #P - 6 #P #P #P #P - 5 - 4 ^P ^P - 3 - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^R ^K - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 130

In the end-game thus brought about the White Rooks have more freedom, as they can be mobilised easily on the third rank to act on either wing. Black's pawns, however, are stronger, being easily protected by the King, whilst White's weak pawns at QR2 and QB2 are at too great a distance from the King; therefore White must see to it that Black does not open files for his Rooks on the Queen's side.

18. ... QR-B1 19. QR-Kt1 P-Kt3 20. KR-Q1 KR-Q1 21. R-Kt3

White must now allow Black to occupy the QB or Q file. After 21. P-Q5 Black would simply play PxP; 22. PxP, P-B3, with a certain draw.

21. ... P-Q4 22. R-Kt3ch

P-KB3 was the correct move here, in view of subsequent threats of mate.

22. ... K-B2 23. PxP RxP 24. R-QR3 P-QR4 25. P-KB4?

A mistake under time pressure, costing a pawn. QR-Q3 was the move.

25. ... P-QB4 26. R-QB3 QR-Q1 27. R-Kt1 RxP 28. RxKtP RxP 29. P-KR3 R-Q7 30. R-Kt5

Not RxP, on account of R-B7, and the KKtP cannot be saved.

30. ... R-(B5)B7 31. R-KKt3 P-B4 32. P-B4 P-B5 33. R-KKt4 P-R4 34. R-Kt5 RxP 35. P-R4

Mate was threatened in a few moves through R-QB7-B8 and R(R7)-R8.

35. ... R-(B7)Kt7

If now R-B7, White would win the KBP or obtain a perpetual check (36. R-QKt7ch, followed by R-QKt8-KB8). After the move in the text, White can still draw, as he wins back his pawn.

36. RxR RxR 37. RxRP?

This careless move now loses the game. Of course White should have taken the BP. If then P-R5, R-R5 held the pawn from behind, also after 37. ... K-B3; 38. RxQRP, P-K4, a draw would have been the result, as the White BP would soon have become threatening, e.g. 39. R-R8, K-B4; 40. P-B5, P-K5; 41. P-B6, R-QB7; 42. R-QB8, K-Kt5; 43. P-B7, KxP; 44. K-R2, P-K6; 45. R-B8, RxP; 46. RxPch, K-Kt4; 47. R-K4, R-B6; 48. K-Kt3, etc.; or 44. R-K8, RxP; 45. RxP, K-Kt6; 46. R-K1, R-B7; 47. K-R1, RxP; 48. R-K3ch, and so on.

37. ... P-R5 38. RxP P-R6 Resigns.

After R-R5 there follows P-R7 and R-Kt8ch, or (if 40. K-R 2) P- B6.

GAME No. 20

White: Eduard Lasker. Black: Englund.

Four Knights' Game.

1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. Kt-B3 Kt-B3 4. B-Kt5 Kt-Q5 5. KtxP

Black can now get White's KP by playing Q-K2, and moreover exchange White's valuable Bishop. Instead of the move in the text it is advisable to retire the Bishop to R4 or B4, or else to play 5. KtxKt, PxKt; 6. P-K5, PxKt; 7. PxKt. Black would then play QxP and not PxQPch, as the latter move allows White to develop quickly, and Black has no time to castle—e.g. 8. BxP, QxP; 9. Castles, B-K2; 10. B-B3, followed by R-K1.

5. ... Q-K2 6. Kt-B3 KtxP?

- 8 #R #B #K #B #R - 7 #P #P #P #P #Q #P #P #P - 6 - 5 ^B - 4 #Kt #Kt - 3 ^Kt ^Kt - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^B ^Q ^K ^R - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 131.

Here KtxB was essential, followed by QxP, freeing the Bishop. After 7. KtxKt, QxPch; 8. Q-K2, QxQch; 9. KxQ, Kt-Q4 (10. P-B4, P-QR3), Black completes his development a little later (10. R-K1, P-KB3; 11. K-B1ch, K-B2), but after the exchange of Queens there is not much to fear from an immediate attack, and the value of the two Bishops soon asserts itself. In a match game Ed. Lasker- Cole (London, 1913) the continuation was 12. P-Q4, P-QR3; 13. Kt- B3, KtxKt; 14. PxKt, P-Q4. Here the doubled pawn is a disadvantage, in that the pawn at B2 is immobile, and constantly liable to be attacked by B-B4. P-Q3 was the better move.

7. Castles KtxKt

Now KtxB was no longer possible. After KtxQKt there would be threats of KtxBP as well as of R-K1 and P-Q3. The game is almost lost for Black at this stage, as the King cannot escape the impending attack on the K file by castling.

8. QPxKt KtxKtch 9. QxKt Q-B4 10. R-K1ch B-K2 11. B-Q3

prevents castling, as Q-K4 would win a piece.

11. ... P-Q4 12. B-K3

White has the development of the B gratis, as Black must lose time with the Queen.

12. ... Q-Q3 13. B-KB4 Q-KB3 14. QxP!!

Black being behind with his development is already threatened by sacrificial combinations. If he takes the Bishop he loses by 15. B-Kt5ch, K-B1; 16. Q-Q8ch!, BxQ; 17. R-K8 mate, or l5. ... P-B3; 16. BxPch, and so on.

14. ... P-B3 15. Q-K4 B-K3 16. R-K3 B-QB4

Here Black might have castled on the Queen's side, but R-Q1 would have had much the same sequel as in the actual game.

17. B-K5 Q-R3 18. R-Kt3 B-KB1

A sorry retreat. But after Q-Q7, which may have been Black's original intention, White plays R-KB1, threatening B-KB4.

19. R-Q1

This move completes White's development, and only seems to give Black a chance of castling. However, Black has no satisfactory continuation.

19. ... Castles? 20. QxPch PxQ 21. B-R6 Mate

GAME No. 21

White: Eduard Lasker. Black: Aljechin.

Three Knights' Defence.

1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. Kt-B3 B-Kt5 4. Kt-Q5

Developing another piece by B-Kt5 or B4 would be more in accordance with principle.

4. ... B-K2

There was a threat of KtxB and KtxP. If Black plays P-Q3, the B must retire all the same after 5. B-Kt5. It seems best to retire the B to K2 rather than to B4 or R4, because there remains the threat of a pin subsequently by B-KKt5, which might become serious with the Knight at Q5.

5. B-B4 Kt-B3 6. P-Q3 P-Q3 7. KtxB QxKt 8. P-B3 P-KR3

The KKt is to support the advance of P-Q4 subsequently, and that is why Black does not want to allow it to be pinned. This is sound strategy, since White has exchanged his QKt, which from B3 prevents P-Q4 in the ordinary way.

9. B-K3 Castles 10. Q-Q2 B-K3 11. B-Kt3

The first mistake. B-QKt5 should be played to retard P-Q4.

11. ... BxB 12. PxB P-Q4

- 8 #R #R #K - 7 #P #P #P #Q #P #P - 6 #Kt #Kt #P - 5 #P #P - 4 ^P - 3 ^P ^P ^P ^B ^Kt - 2 ^P ^Q ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^K ^R - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 132

13. PxP

The second mistake. Unimportant as it seems, it leads to the loss of the game. White did not defend the pawn by Q-B2, because it would have proved 10. Q-Q2 to have been a lost move. But giving up the centre is a far greater evil. Black now commands his Q5 and KB5, and this enables him to start an attack to which there is no defence. The game shows conclusively how important it is to maintain the centre.

13. ... KtxP 14. Castles KR P-B4 15. P-QKt4 P-QKt3 16. Q-K2

to prevent P-K5, which would now be countered by PxP and Q-B4. However, as P-K5 cannot be prevented permanently, and the Q must move in any case, Q-B2 would have been the better move, as there the Queen cannot be molested by a Rook.

16. ... Q-Q3 17. P-Kt5 QKt-K2 18. B-Q2 Kt-Kt3 19. R-R4 QR-K1!

Black's game is beautifully developed, whilst White cannot make a combined effort. The Black Rooks are particularly well placed, and threaten to take an effective part in the attack in various ways. All this is the outcome of White losing the centre.

20. P-KKt3

Though this prevents Kt(Q 4)-B5, it weakens KB3, which is all the more serious as Black threatens to open the file by P-B5.

20. ... Q-Q2

If now White refrains from taking the pawn, Black plays P-QR4!

21. RxP P-K5 22. Kt-Q4 PxP 23. QxP Kt-K4 24. Q-K2 P-B5

All the avenues of attack are now open, and White's game collapses quickly.

25. Q-R5 Kt-KB 3 26. Q-B5 Kt-B6ch 27. K-R1 QxQ 28. KtxQ KtxB 29. R-Q1 Kt(B3)-K5 30. KtxP KtxBPch 31. K-Kt2 P-B6ch Resigns.

GAME No. 22

White: Forgacz. Black: Tartakower.

French Defence (see p. 48).

1. P-K4 P-K3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 4. B-Kt5 B-K2 5. P-K5 Kt-K5

KKt-Q2 is better, because it would support the advance of P-QB4 and also be of use eventually in an attack on White's centre by P-KB3. The text move allows the exchange of two minor pieces, which can only be to White's advantage, as Black cannot get his QB into play, and is for a long time practically a piece down.

6. KtxKt BxB

After PxKt the pawn would be very weak, and could hardly be held for long.

7. KtxB QxKt 8. P-KKt3

To be able to play P-KB4 before developing the Kt (see p. 49).

8. ... P-QB4 9. P-QB3 Kt-B3 10. P-KB4 Q-K2 11. Q-Q2 B-Q2 12. Kt-B3 Castles KR 13. B-Q3 P-B5 14. B-B2 P-QKt4 15. Castles KR P-Kt2 16. Q R-K1 P-QR4

- 8 #R #R #Q - 7 #B #Q #P #P #P - 6 #Kt #P - 5 #P #P ^P - 4 #P #P ^P ^P - 3 ^P ^Kt ^P - 2 ^P ^P ^B ^Q ^P - 1 ^R ^R ^K - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 133

So far the game is easy to understand in the light of the remarks made on page 44, when treating of the openings. The continuation shows in an instructive fashion that White's attack is the more effective, being directed against the King's side.

17. P-B5! KPxP

This sacrifice of a pawn in conjunction with a second sacrifice on the next move, produces a combination of rare beauty.

18. P-Kt4!! PxP

If Black did not capture White would. In either case the storming of the position by pawns achieves its object and the lines of attack are free for the pieces.

19. Kt-Kt5 P-Kt3

Now that White has made an opening for himself at KB6, the rest is easy. 19. ... P-R3 is of no avail. The sequel might have been: 20 Kt-R 7, KR-Q1; 21 Kt-B6ch, after which White wins after either PxKt; 22 QxP, or K-R1 KtxP.

20. R-B6 K-Kt2

Black gets no breathing space. If P-R3, then 21 BxP.

21. QR-KB1 B-K1 22. Q-B4 Kt-Q1 23. P-K6 R-R3 24. Q-K5 K-R3 25. QR-B5

Help!

25. ... BPxP 26. Kt-B7ch QxKt 27. R-R5ch K-Kt2 28. RxKtP mate

GAME No. 23

White: Yates. Black: Esser.

French Defence.

1. P-K4 P-K3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 4. B-Kt5 PxP 5. BxKt PxB

If the Queen recaptures, White obtains too great an advantage in development, and therefore Black submits to the doubling of his pawns. It is doubtful if this means a handicap, although the King's side gets broken up. For Black keeps his two Bishops, a powerful weapon, unless White succeeds in developing swiftly an attack on the King's side. The present game is instructive and shows the chances afforded to both sides by the position brought about by the exchange at KB6.

6. KtxP P-KB4

As the KB obtains a long diagonal at Kt2, this advance is justified. Otherwise there would be strong objections to it, as the pawn is likely to be subjected to attack, and apart from that, it gives up command of Black's K4.

7. Kt-QB3

Kt-Kt3 would seem more natural, firstly, because Black has weaknesses on the K side, and White will need his pieces for attack in that quarter, and secondly, because the QP ought to be supported by P-B3, as Black will attack it by B-Kt2.

7. ... B-Kt2 8. Kt-B3 Castles 9. B-B4

If now the Knight were at Kt3, White could play P-B3 and BQ3. This is the proper place for the B, which might obtain an open diagonal after P-KKt4.

9. ... Kt-B3 10. Kt-K2 Kt-R4 11. B-Q3 P-B4 12. P-B3 P-QB5

P-Kt3 seems preferable, as the text move releases the hold on White's Q4. The isolated pawn resulting after 13. PxP is not to be feared, as the B at Kt2 would have greater efficiency (QR- Kt1), and White would not be so firmly established in the centre.

13. B-B2 P-Kt4 14. Q-Q2

There now ensues an interesting struggle. White builds up an attack with Q and both Knights and eventually the B (P-KKt4). If Black can manage to play his King into safety at R1 in time, and then occupies the Kt file with his Rooks, he would have the better of it, his pieces having by far the greater range of action.

14. ... B-Kt2 15. Q-B4 Q-B3

K-R1 and KR-Kt1 might be considered.

16. Kt-Kt3 B-KR3 17. Q-B7 Q-Q1 18. Q-K5

White gains a move by attacking the Knight's Pawn. It may seem far fetched if I now point out that this could not have happened if from the first Black had given preference to the pawn formation at QKt3 and B4 instead of Kt4 and B5, though the whole game would almost certainly have taken a different course. Still, when advancing a pawn into an unprotected position there always is the risk of its becoming the object of an attack at an opportune moment, and whenever the plan of development does not necessitate such moves they are best avoided.

18. ... B-Q4 19. Kt-R5 Kt-B3? 20. Q-Kt3ch??

- 8 #R #Q #R #K - 7 #P #P #P - 6 #Kt #P #B - 5 #P #B #P ^Kt - 4 #P ^P - 3 ^P ^Kt ^Q - 2 ^P ^P ^B ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^K ^R - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 134

The last moves have decided the game. Both players have overlooked that 20. Q-B6 would have won a pawn at least (QxQ, 21. KtxQch with KtxB and BxP). 20. ... BxKt leads to an immediate loss by 21. QxB, BxKt; 22. QxB followed by P-KKt4! with an overwhelming attack.

Instead of 19. ... Kt-B3, Black should have played P-B3, followed by K-R1 and the occupation of the Kt file by the Rooks. White's last move allows him to de this with even greater effect.

20. ... K-R1 21. Q-R3 R-KKt1

Black has now a preponderance of material on the field of battle, and it can be concluded off-hand that White, not being able to bring his Rooks into play, must lose.

22. Kt-Kt3 Q-B3 23. K-B1

K-K2 is a shade better. But there is no longer any adequate defence.

23. ... R-Kt5 24. R-K1 QR-KKt1 25. Kt-K5

Black was threatening BxKt, followed by R-R5 and P-B5

25. ... KtxKt 26. PxKt Q-Kt4 27. Q-R5 BxPch 28. K-Kt1 RxKt?

QxQ and B-K5ch was simple and effective.

29. RPxR BxR 30. QxQ BxQ 31. KxB R-Q1 32. P-B4

R-Q1 is much more promising, although it means the loss of a pawn (RxR and B-B8, etc.). With Bishops of different colour the game is not easy to win even now.

32. ... R-Q7 33. PxB RxB 34. R-Q1 RxKtP 35. R-Q7 K-Kt2 36. RxRP R-QB7

He could have played P-Kt5 at once.

37. R-R5 R-QKt7 38. P-R4

R-R3 would only have drawn out the agony a little longer.

38. ... P-Kt5 Resigns.

GAME No. 24

White: Atkins. Black: Barry.

French Defence.

1. P-K4 P-K3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 4. B-Kt5 B-K2 5. P-K5 KKt-Q2 6. BxB QxB

- 8 #R #Kt #B #K #R - 7 #P #P #P #Kt #Q #P #P #P - 6 #P - 5 #P ^P - 4 ^P - 3 ^Kt - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^Q ^K ^B ^Kt ^R - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 135.

7. Kt-Kt5

The intention is to strengthen the centre by P-QB3. Though it takes a number of moves to bring the Knight into play again, yet most of the tournament games in this variation have been won by White, mostly through a King's side attack on the lines set out in the notes to Game No. 22. Investigations by Alapin tend to show that this is due to the fact that Black in all cases devoted his attention to Queen's side operations (just as in Game No. 22) when he could have utilised White's backward development, by himself starting a counter attack on the King's side. He can then either aim at the White centre at once with P-KB3, or else play P-KB4 and prepare the advance of the KKtP by Kt-B3-Q1-B2. These various lines of play are still under discussion. Simple development is probably preferable to the move in the text, e.g. 7. B-Q3, Castles; 8. P-B4, P-QB4; 9. Kt-B3.

7. ... K-Q1

There can be no advantage in forfeiting the option of castling unless there be no other way of getting the King into safety and of bringing the Rooks into concerted action. It is obvious that otherwise the free development of pieces is hindered, and the King is in appreciable danger, for it is easier to open files in the centre than on the wings where the pawns have not advanced yet. Therefore Kt-Kt3 is the only move worth considering.

8. P-QB3 P-KB3 9. PxP

With the Black King remaining in the centre, White has no further interest in the maintenance of his pawn at K5. On the contrary he will try to clear the centre.

9. ... PxP 10. Q-Q2 P-B3 11. Kt-QR3 Kt-B1

At this early stage it is clear that Black will have to contend with difficulties in trying to complete his development. The usual way (P-QB4) is barred on account of the dangers to Black's King with which a clearance in the centre is fraught.

12. Kt-B3 B-Q2 13. P-KKt3!

As Black can force this advance at any time by playing R-KKt1, White decides to develop his KB at Kt2, thereby covering his KB3 and KR3. The weakness of the latter squares would not be of any great moment if White were to castle on the Queen's wing. But as P-QB4 is necessary in order to break up the centre, castling KR is the right course.

13. ... B-K1 14. B-Kt2 QKt-Q2 15. P-B4 PxP 16. KtxP Kt-QKt3 17. KtxKt PxKt 18. Castles KR Kt-Kt3 19. KR-K1 B-Q2 20. Q-B3 R-K1 21. Kt-Q2 Q-B1 22. P-QR4!

White wishes to get rid of the pawn at Black's Kt3, in order to break in with his Knight at B5. Black has no means of preventing this, and soon succumbs to the overwhelming array of White forces.

22. ... Kt-K2 23. P-R5 P-QKt4 24. Kt-Kt3 Kt-Q4 25. BxKt KPxB 26. RxRch BxR 27. Kt-B5 Q-B2 28. R-K1 K-B2 29. Q-K3 B-Q2 30. Q-B4ch Resigns.

If K-Q1, 31. KtxPch followed by Kt-Q6ch. If K-B1 White wins by 31. Q-Q6 and R-K7.

GAME NO. 25

White: Emanuel Lasker. Black: Tarrasch.

French Defence.

1. P-K4 P-K3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 4. B-Kt5 B-Kt5

- 8 #R #Kt #B #Q #K #R - 7 #P #P #P #P #P #P - 6 #P #Kt - 5 #P ^B - 4 #B ^P ^P - 3 ^Kt - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^Q ^K ^B ^Kt ^R - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 136

This line of defence, called the McCutcheon variation, was recommended for many years by Tarrasch as being the strongest. The most obvious continuation 5. P-K5 leads to complications, and the final verdict has not yet been reached. After 5. ... P-KR3, the best continuation is thought to be: 6. PxKt, PxB; 7. PxP, R- Kt1; 8. P-KR4, PxP; 9. Q-R5, Q-B3; 10. QxRP, QxP.

White has an easy development, whilst Black, as in most variations in the French defence, finds it difficult to bring his QB into play. After P-KR3, it is not advisable to retire the Bishop; 6. B-R4, P-KKt4; 7. B-Kt3, for here the Bishop is out of play, and Black's King's Knight being free can play to K5 for concerted action with Black's KB. Lasker's continuation in the present instance is at once simple and effective. It leads to an entirely different system of development.

5. PxP QxP

If Black recaptures with the pawn, he must lose a move with the Bishop in order to avoid getting an isolated doubled pawn after 6. Q-B3. The doubled pawn which Black may get after the move in the text would not be isolated, and therefore not necessarily weak. It could become a weakness if Black were to castle on the King's side. But otherwise it might even become a source of strength, supporting, as it would, an advance of Black's KP against the White centre.

6. Kt-B3 P-B4?

Black should retain the option of castling QR, in case White exchanges at his KB6; P-QKt3 and B-Kt2 would have been better.

7. BxKt PxB 8. Q-Q2 BxKt 9. QxB Kt-Q2 10. R-Q1 R-KKt1 11. PxP QxP 12. Q-Q2 Q-Kt3

guarding against the mate at Q1 before moving the Kt. But this would have been better effected by Q-K2. After Q-Kt3 the Knight cannot move yet because of B-Kt5ch.

- 8 #R #B #K #R - 7 #P #P #Kt #P #P - 6 #Q #P #P - 5 - 4 - 3 ^Kt - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^Q ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^K ^B ^R - A B C D E F G H

Diag. 137

13. P-B3 P-QR3 14. Q-B2 P-B4 15. P-KKt3 Kt-B4 16. B-Kt2 Q-B2

Black wishes to push on the KP. White, however, prevents this at once.

17. Q-K2 P-Kt4 18. Castles B-Kt2

The Black position has any number of weaknesses. The King cannot castle into safety; the pawn position is full of holes, and open to attack. White takes full advantage of this and wins in masterly fashion with a few strokes.

19. P-B4 P-Kt5 20. Q-Q2 R-Kt1

Now White cannot capture the KtP because of BxKt. But he does not want the pawn, he wants the King.

21. Q-R6 BxKt 22. BxB Q-K4 23. KR-K1 QxP 24. Q-B4 QR-B1 25. Q-Q6 P-B3

Mate in two was threatened (B-B6ch, etc.).

26. B-R5ch R-Kt3 27. BxRch PxB 28. RxPch Resigns.

GAME No. 26

White: Capablanca. Black: Blanco

French Defence.

1. P-K4 P-K3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 PxP 4. KtxP Kt-Q2 5. Kt-KB3 KKt-B3 6. KtxKtch KtxKt 7. Kt-K5

This crosses Black's plan of developing the QB at Kt2.

7. ... B-Q3 8. Q-B3 P-B3

9. B-Kt5ch, P-B3; 10. KtxP was threatened.

9. P-B3 Castles 10. B-KKt5 B-K2 11. B-Q3

Whatever Black plays now, he must create some weakness in order to provide against White's Q-R3, BxKt, QxRP, and White's attack must succeed. The whole of Black's plan is thus frustrated, as the only reason for abandoning the centre by PxP was the occupation of the long diagonal by the QB. Now the Queen's side pieces cannot get into play without much difficulty, and by the time they have succeeded it is too late.

- 8 #R #B #Q #R #K - 7 #P #P #B #P #P #P - 6 #P #P #Kt - 5 ^Kt ^B - 4 ^P - 3 ^P ^B ^Q - 2 ^P ^P ^P ^P ^P - 1 ^R ^K ^R - A B C D E F G H