Diag. 138.

11. ... Kt-K1

Intending to intercept the diagonal of the White KB by P-KB4. If Black plays P-KKt3 with the same intention, White plays P-KR4-5 and PxP, and brings the Rook into play.

12. Q-R3 P-KB4

P-KR3 would lead to an immediate disaster: 13. BxP, PxB; 14. QxRP, P-KB4; 15. P-KKt4. The move in the text avoids the immediate attack on the King, but the King's Pawn is now "backward," and White immediately fastens on this weakness.

13. BxB QxB 14. Castles KR R-B3 15. KR-K1 Kt-Q3 16. R-K2 B-Q2 17. QR-K1 R-K1 18. P-QB4 Kt-B2 19. P-Q5 KtxKt 20. RxKt P-KKt3

21. BxP was threatened.

21. Q-R4 K-Kt2 22. Q-Q4 P-B4 23. Q-B3 P-Kt3 24. PxP B-B1 25. B-K2

The Bishop now settles at Q5, and whether Black takes the pawn or not, he is paralysed either by the pawn itself, or the pin of the Bishop if the pawn is taken.

25. ... BxP 26. B-B3 K-B2 27. B-Q5 Q-Q3 28. Q-K3 R-K2 29. Q-R6 K-Kt1 30. P-KR4

The deciding manoeuvre, tearing up the chain of pawns in front of the K.

30. ... P-QR3 31. P-R5 P-B5 32. PxP PxP 33. RxB Resigns.

After RxR, 34. RxR, RxR; 35. QxPch wins a piece. A beautifully concise game.

GAME NO. 27

White: Niemzowitsch. Black: Tarrasch. French Defence.

1. P-K4 P-QB4

This opening is called the Sicilian Defence. White, however, adopts a continuation which leads into a variation of the French Defence.

2. P-QB3 P-K3 3. P-Q4 P-Q4 4. P-K5 Kt-QB3 5. Kt-B3 Q-Kt3 6. B-Q3 PxP

Black seeks to demonstrate that White's QP is weak. The present game, however, seems to prove that White is able to guard it adequately, thus permanently supporting the KP too. It would therefore appear to be better to attack the KP itself, and to play P-B3 on the fifth move. Now B-Q2 would be better than the text move. As White cannot give further support to his Q4, he would have to play PxP, and the protection of the K5 would have to be undertaken by pieces, which is not desirable.

7. PxP B-Q2

Not KtxP, 8. KtxKt, QxKt, because of B-Kt5ch.

8. B-K2

The B cannot go to B2 on account of Kt-Kt5 and B-Kt4.

8. ... KKt-K2 9. P-QKt3 Kt-B4 10. B-Kt2

Now White's centre is safe from further attacks. True, White has forfeited castling, but as he dominates the King's side, where Black cannot undertake anything, there is no harm in P-Kt3, preparatory to "artificial castling."

10. ... B-Kt5ch 11. K-B1 B-K2

Directed against 12. P-Kt4, driving off the Kt. Now Kt-R5 would follow.

12. P-Kt3 P-QR4

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

Diag. 139

This manoeuvre is unwise; White counters with 13. P-QR4, a move which was necessary in any case, in order to develop the QKt via R3, this being the Knight's only chance of getting into play, because, as long as the QP is attacked three times the lines of B and Q must not be interrupted. That is a weakness in White's game, and it was necessary for Black to prevent his Kt being driven off by P-KKt4. P-KR4 was the correct move. Then White also had to play P-KR4 to prevent P-KKt4-5, in which case Black could have played l3. ... P-KKt3, and have brought his Rooks into concerted action. P-KKt3 would have been necessary before castling, because White's B-Q3 would have attacked the KKt. The latter could not then capture the Queen's Pawn on account of a discovered check, e.g. l2. ... Castles; 13 B-Q3, KtxP?; 14 KtxKt, KtxKt; 15 BxKt, QxB?; 16 B-R7ch, and QxQ.

In Diagram 139 Black's P-QR4 is not only a lost move, but moreover allows a White piece to settle permanently at QKt5. It also prevents the Knight from playing to QR4, from where White's P-QR4 could be answered by Kt-Kt6 eventually.

13. P-QR4 R-QB1 14. B-Kt5 Kt-Kt5

All these skirmishes only result in the exchange of pieces, and as long as Black's KRis out of play this can only be of advantage to White.

15. Kt-B3 Kt-QR3

This is in order to drive off the B. Black should have exchanged his own inactive QB, as the White B might become effective on the Diagonal QKt1-KR7, whilst Black's QB has no future.

16. K-Kt2 Kt-B2 17. B-K2 B-Kt5

Black cannot yet castle, because of 18. B-Q3 Kt-KR3, 19. B-QB1).

18. Kt-R2 Kt-QR3 19. B-Q3 Kt-K2 20. R-QB1 Kt-B3 21. KtxB QKtxKt 22. B-Kt1

White's last eight moves completed his development, and his Bishops lie in wait for the attack on the Black King. Meanwhile Black has effected nothing. On the contrary, he

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

Diag. 140

has exchanged his valuable KB, and also allowed his KKt to be driven off. His King's side is bare, and castling would be fraught with danger. If Black castles now, White plays Kt-Kt5, and Black must weaken his position by P-R3 or P-Kt3, and White would advance his KtP or RP and force an exchange, opening a file for his Rook. In consequence Black decides to forfeit castling and to bring his KR to bear on the KB file. For this also Black must first play P-R3, and White obtains an open file by P-Kt4- Kt5. The sequel is shown here.

22. ... P-R3 23. P-Kt4 Kt-K2 24. RxRch BxR 25. Kt-K1

White waits first, to see whether Black is going to castle, and meanwhile tries to exchange Black's QKt, which commands his QB2 and Q3.

25. ... R-B1 26. Kt-Q3 P-B3 27. KtxKt QxKt 28. PxP RxP 29. B-B1 Kt-B3 30. P-Kt5 PxP 31. BxP R-B1 32. B-K3 Q-K2 33. Q-Kt4

This provides against Black attempting to free his Bishop by P- K4. Black's B-Q2 is countered by B-Kt6ch. White new wins surprisingly quickly, through the greater mobility of his pieces.

33. ... Q-B3 34. R-Kt1 R-R1 35. K-R1 R-R5

Here Black could have held out a little longer by defending his KtP: 35. ... K-B1; 36. R-Kt3, R-R5; 37. Q-Q1, K-Kt1; 38. B-Kt5, QxP (RxP, 39. Q-R5); 39. R-Q3, QxP; 40. BxR, QxB.

36. Q-Kt3 RxP

Compulsory. B-Kt5 was threatened, and after R-R1, QxP, QxQ, RxQ, the RP wins easily.

37. BxR KtxB 38. QxP Q-B6ch 39. Q-Kt2 QxQch 40. RxQ KtxP 41. P-R4 Resigns.

GAME No. 28

White: Alapin. Black: Rubinstein.

Sicilian Defence.

1. P-K4 P-QB4

At first glance this move would seem to lose time, as it does nothing towards the main object of opening strategy, namely, the development of pieces. But we shall find that it does contribute to that aim, although indirectly. For one thing it could, by a transposition of moves, lead into an opening in which P-QB4 is played in any case; in other openings it is of use, in that it acts from the first against the formation of a strong white centre. Concurrently it prepares the opening of a file for the Rooks.

2. Kt-KB3 Kt-KB3?

Black should not play Kt-KB3 as long as White's P-K5 means the clear gain of a move. There are plenty of developing moves to choose from.

Two systems of development can be followed by Black according to whether the KB is to develop at K2 or Kt2. In the first case (compare Game No. 29) P-K3 is played. In the second case, the opening might take this course: 2. ... Kt-QB3; 3. P-Q4, PxP; 4. KtxP, Kt-B3; 5. Kt-QB3, P-Q3 (not P-KKt3 at once, because White would exchange Knights and drive off the KKt by P-K5); 6. B-K3, P-KKt3, and B-Kt2. White's position is superior, as he has a pawn in the centre in conjunction with greater mobility. Black will find it difficult to bring his QB into play. Nevertheless his position is compact and difficult to get at.

3. P-K5

Undoubtedly Rubinstein had taken this move into account when playing 2. ... Kt-KB3. His idea was to provoke the advance of the KP. The pawn at K5 is weaker than at K4, particularly as Black's QBP prevents its natural support by P-Q4. Moreover Black's Q4 is free from interference by White. White refutes this ultra subtilty by simple and straight-forward play, and he gets such an advantage in development that his attack succeeds before Black is able to demonstrate any weakness in White's game.

3. ... Kt-Q4 4. Kt-B3 KtxKt 5. QPxKt Kt-B3 6. B-QB4 P-Q3

After 6 ... P-K3, 7. B-B4 would restrain the QP.

7. B-B4 PxP

At this early stage Black has no satisfactory means of development. The QP is attacked three times, and therefore the KP cannot move, nor can the KB be developed at Kt2. B-Kt5, in order to play BxKt and PxP, is refuted by BxPch. The move in the text which brings about the exchange of Queens, but develops another White piece at the same time, is more or less forced. It is instructive to watch how White's advantage in development soon materialises.

8. KtxP QxQch 9. RxQ KtxKt 10. BxKt P-QR3

White's threat of B-Kt5ch could not be parried by B-Q2 because of 11. BxPch.

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

Diag. 141

11. B-B7 B-Kt5 12. P-B3 QR-B1 13. B-Kt6 B-B4 14. B-Kt3 P-K4 15. B-R4ch K-K2 16. P-QB4

Here White could have won a pawn at once by R-Q5. If then K-K3, 17. P-QB4.

16. ... P-B3 17. K-B2 K-B2 18. B-Q7! BxB 19. RxBch B-K2 20. KR-Q1!

The pawns can wait. 20. RxP would not have been profitable because of R-QKt1.

20. ... K-K3 21. RxP B-Q3

Black might have resigned here. It is only a question of time.

22. B-R7 R-B3

Otherwise there follows R-Kt6.

23. RxP P-QR4 24. R-Kt7 R-R1 25. R-Q5 P-R4 26. P-QR4 P-R5 27. P-QKt3 R(R1)-QB1 28. R-Kt5 Resigns.

GAME No. 29

White: Teichmann. Black: Spielmann.

Sicilian Defence (see p. 215).

1. P-K4 P-QB4 2. Kt-QB3 P-K3 3. KKt-K2

This comes to the same as Kt-B3, as after P-Q4, PxP the Knight recaptures. If, however, Black plays P-Q4 there is a certain advantage for White to have the Kt at K2, e.g. 3. ... P-Q4; 4. PxP, PxP; 5. P-Q4. If now Black does not exchange pawns, White is able to bring his KB to bear on the centre after P-KKt3 and B- Kt2.

3. ... Kt-QB3

White can exchange this Knight later on, and thus make P-K5 possible as soon as he should deem it advisable to drive the Black Knight from his KB3, where the same is bound to develop sooner or later. It is perhaps wise to prevent P-K5 by Q-B2 instead of the move in the text. This is an old defence, introduced by Paulsen. Though it retards the development of Black's minor pieces, it produces a strong defensive position, and the opening of the QB file gives attacking chances on the Queen's side. The defence might run like this: 3. ... P-QR3; 4. P-Q4, PxP; 5. KtxP, Q-B2; 6. B-K3, Kt-KB3; 7. B-K2, B-K2; 8. Castles, P-QKt4 followed by B-Kt2, P-Q3, QKt-Q2, etc.

4. P-Q4 PxP 5. KtxP P-QR3 6. KtxKt KtPxKt 7. B-Q3 P-Q4 8. Castles Kt-B3 9. B-KB4 B-Kt5

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

Diag. #142

As White can force Black to play P-Kt3, a weakening move, by P-K5 and Q-Kt4, Black should have played P-Kt3 at once, so as to have Kt-R4 in answer to P-K5, thus keeping one piece for the defence of the King's side. The latter is in jeopardy after the move in the text, and White's attack succeeds.

10. P-K5 Kt-Q2 11. Q-Kt4 P-Kt3 12. KR-K1 P-QB4

Of course Black must not accept the sacrifice of the exchange by playing P-Q5. After 13 Kt-K4, BxR; 14 Kt-Q6ch, K-B1; 15 R x B, Black is in a mating net, from which there is no escape, as he has no time to collect sufficient forces for the defence. The move in the text does not stem the tide either, and White quickly forces the win by a beautiful combination.

13. P-QR3 B-R4 14. B-KKt5 Q-Kt3

Q-B2 leads to the same conclusion.

15. P-Kt4! PxP 16. KtxP PxKt 17. P-K6

The object of White's fifteenth move is revealed. Without it the R at K1 would now be attacked.

17. ... P-B4

Kt-B4 fails on account of 18. PxPch, KxP; 19. R-K7ch, followed by Q-KB4.

18. PxKt double ch KxP 19. BxPch Resigns.

GAME No. 30

White: Tarrasch. Black: Spielmann.

Sicilian Defence.

1. P-K4 P-QB4 2. Kt-QB3 Kt-QB3 3. P-KKt3

Speedy development by Kt-B3 and P-Q4 is more desirable, as otherwise Black may have time to get a firm footing at his Q5.

3. ... P-KKt3 4. B-Kt2 B-Kt2

The Black Bishop is the more effective, as the line of the White Bishop is masked by the KP. Small as this advantage would seem, it becomes serious later on. It is another confirmation of the doctrine that the value of each manoeuvre in the opening depends on the measure of mobility it affords for the pieces.

5. KKt-K2 Kt-B3 6. P-Q3

Here White could still obtain a freer game with P-Q4. Perhaps he was afraid of losing a pawn after 6. ... PxP; 7. KtxP, KtxP. But there is nothing in it, e.g. 8. KKtxKt, KtxKt; 9. KtxQ, KtxQ; 10. KtxBP! (KtxKtP? BxKt; 11. BxB, R-QKt1), KxKt (KtxBP?; 11. KtxR, KtxR; 12. KtxP, KtxP; 13. KtxP), KxKt. There was nothing else to be feared after P-Q4.

6. ... P-Q3 7. Castles B-Q2

in order to play Q-B1 and B-R6 and to exchange Bishops, after which there would be weak points at White's KR3 and KB3.

8. P-KR3 Castles 9. B-K3 P-KR3

Black also prevents an exchange of Bishops.

10. Q-Q2 K-R2 11. P-B4 Kt-K1

The position has now become exceedingly difficult. In order to make the most of the favourable development of his KB, Black must advance on the Queen's side. But in moving his King's side pieces over to the Queen's side, Black must proceed warily, as White might get chances of an attack with overwhelming forces on the King's side.

12. P-KKt4 Kt-B2 13. Kt-Kt3

Here it was necessary to play R-B2 in order to play the QR to KB1 before Black could manage to drive the Kt to Q1 by P-QKt4-5.

13. ... P-QKt4 14. Kt-Q1?

It would still have been better to play QR-K1 and to leave the Queen's side to itself as long as possible after P-Kt5, 15. Kt- Q1, in order to start an assault on the King's side with P-B5, P- KR4 and P-Kt5. After the text move the Queen's Rook remains shut in.

14. ... QR-Kt1 15. Kt-K2

in order to play P-B3 and P-Q4. The whole plan, however, is inconsequent, as he has started an attack on the King's side. Now he suddenly opens up files on the Queen's side where Black has assembled superior forces. The result is that White gets into trouble on both wings, for as soon as he gives up his King's side attack, the advanced pawns there, as one knows, are only a source of weakness.

15. ... P-Kt5 16. P-B3 PxP 17. PxP Q-B1 18. P-Q4 PxP 19. PxP Q-R3 20. R-B1 Kt-Kt4 21. P-Q5

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

Diag. 143

This shuts in the White KB altogether, and at the same time opens the diagonal of Black's KB. Therefore, on principle alone the move is questionable. In effect it gives Black an opportunity for a beautiful winning combination. Only P-K5 was worth considering, as then the opposing Bishop would have been shut in and White's own diagonal opened.

21. ... Kt-Kt5!! 22. QxKt Kt-Q5 23. QxKt BxQ 24. KtxB

Although three minor pieces are generally an equivalent for the Queen, in this case the White game collapses quickly. The advanced pawns have produced too many weak points which afford an entry for the Black forces.

24. ... KR-B1 25. RxR RxR 26. R-B2 Q-R6 27. R-K2

B-R5 was threatened. But the text move is of no avail either. Black winds up the game with another fine combination.

27. ... R-B8! 28. BxR QxB

If R-K1, Q-B4.

29. Kt-B3 QxKtch 30. K-B2 B-Kt4 Resigns.

GAME No. 31

White: John. Black: Janowski

Sicilian Defence.

1. P-K4 P-QB4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. P-Q4 PxP 4. KtxP Kt-B3

The aim of this move is to provoke Kt-B3, and incidentally to prevent P-QB4. The latter move would give White command of his Q5 and not only prevent Black's P-Q4 but also immobilise Black's KP unless his QP is to remain "backward."

5. QKt-B3 P-KKt3

As shown on p. 216, P-Q3 must be played first. In any case Black must be wary of playing P-KKt3. If, for instance, after P-Q3 White plays 6. B-QB4, and Black replies with P-KKt3, there follows 7. KtxKt, PxKt; 8. P-K5!, Kt-Kt5 (PxP?, 9. BxPch); 9. P- K6, P-KB4, with advantage to White (see game in the match Schlechter-Lasker).

6. KtxKt KtPxKt 7. P-K5 Kt-Kt1 8. B-QB4 P-Q4 9. PxP, e.p. PxP 10. Q-B3

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

Diag. 144

White has now three pieces in action and Black none. Black's game is hopeless already; his B2 cannot be covered by Q-Q2 because of: 11. BxPch, QxB; 12. QxPch, and after Q-K2ch there follows: 11. B-K3, B-Kt2; 12. Castles QR, and 13. KR-K1, with an overwhelming attack.

10. ... Q-Q2 11. Kt-Q5

In view of the fact that his game is so much more developed, and that the opposing King will hardly be able to escape from the centre of the board, White decides to sacrifice a Knight in order to open the files in the centre for his Rooks, instead of following the simple line indicated in the previous note.

11. ... PxKt 12. BxP Q-K2ch 13. B-K3 R-Kt1 14. Castles KR

Castles QR is stronger still, as the QR gets into action at once.

14. ... B-KKt2 15. B-KB4 R-Kt3 16. B-B6ch RxB

If B-Q2, the continuation might have been: 17. BxB, QxB; 18. QR- Q1, Q-Kt2; 19. KR-K1ch, Kt-K2; 20. RxKtch, KxR; 21. BxPch, etc.; or 18. ... Q-B1; 19. BxP, etc.

After 17. R-K1 Black could have held out a little longer with B- B3. After the text move, however, Black's game collapses quickly before the concentrated onslaught of the White forces.

17. QxRch Q-Q2 18. Q R-K1ch Kt-K2 19. RxKtch! KxR 20. R-K1ch K-B1 21. BxPch K-Kt1 22. R-K8ch B-B1 23. RxBch K-Kt2 24. Q-B3ch Resigns.

GAME No. 32

White: Ed. Lasker. Black: Mieses.

Centre Counter Defence.

1. P-K4 P-Q4 2. PxP Kt-KB3

This is to tempt White to play P-QB4, a weak move (see p. 35). By playing P-QB3 Black would obtain by far the better game in exchange for the pawn.

3. P-Q4 QxP

KtxP can also be played. In either case White wins a move by driving off the Black piece by Kt-QB3 or P-QB4. Furthermore, White has a pawn in the centre. Black's plan in retaking with the Queen might be to castle early on the Queen's side and attack White's centre pawn by P-K4, and White must be on the alert against this plan, though it will not be easy for Black to put the same into execution, because of the exposed position of his Queen. After 4. Kt-QB3, Q-QR4 is the only move which brings the Queen into momentary security, and even then Black must provide for a retreat, as after White's B-Q2 there would be a threat of an advantageous "discovery" by the Kt. P-QB3 provides such a retreat, but it bars the QKt from its natural development at B3, where the Kt could exert further pressure on White's Q4. The QB, too, is difficult to get into play and easily becomes an object of attack, as in the present game.

4. Kt-QB3 Q-QR4 5. Kt-B3 B-B4

B-Kt5 would only help White's intentions to attack on the King's side in the absence of Black's Queen, e.g. 6. P-KR3, B-R4; 7. P- KKt4, B-Kt3; 8. Kt-K5 (threatening Kt-B4), P-B3; 9. P-KR4, Q Kt- Q2; 10. Kt-B4, Q-B2; 11. P-R5, B-K5; 12. KtxB, KtxKt; 13. Q-B3 and B-B4 with the superior game.

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

Diag. 145

6. Kt-K5! Kt-K5

P-B3 was urgent here, to provide against Kt-B4 and Q-B3. Now the game is as good as lost. White obtains a violent attack with superior forces, and brings it home before Black has time to complete his development.

7. Q-B3 Kt-Q3

If KtxKt, B-Q2.

8. B-Q2 P-K3 9. P-KKt4 B-Kt3

Black had to guard his KB2 because of Kt-Kt5, KtxKt, QxPch.

10. P-KR4 Q-Kt3 11. Castles P-KB3

Compulsory. Kt-B3 is refuted by 12. KtxKt, QxKt; 13. QxQ, PxQ; 14. B-Kt2 and P-R5. On the other hand, the answer to 11. ... QxP would be 12. B-KB4, Q-B4; 13. P-R5, P-B3; 14. PxB, PxKt; 15. B- KKt5 followed by RxKt and R-Q8 or Q-B7 mate.

12. KtxB PxKt 13. B-Q3 QxP

K-B2 or P-KB4 were also unavailing in consequence of Black's poor development.

14. BxPch K-Q2 15. B-K3 Q-Kt5 16. P-R3 Q-B5 17. QxKtP Q-B3 18. B-K4 Resigns.

GAME No. 33

White: Barasz. Black: Mieses.

Centre Counter Defence.

1. P-K4 P-Q 4 2. PxP QxP 3. Kt-QB3 Q-QR4 4. Kt-B3

It is better to advance the QP at once and so threaten B-Q2, after which Black is almost under compulsion to provide a retreat for his Q by P-QB3, thus blocking his QKt.

4. ... Kt-QB3 5. B-K2 B-B4 6. P-Q3

Already now the mistake of having allowed Black to develop his Queen's side unmolested is apparent. P-Q4 is now impossible, for Black would castle on the Queen's side and keep the initiative by exerting a permanent pressure on White's QP by P-K4. White must yield up the centre to Black.

6. ... P-K4 7. B-Q2 Castles 8. P-QR3 Q-B4

The Queen must escape from White's threat of P-QKt4.

9. Castles Kt-B3 10. P-QKt4 Q-K2 11. P-Kt5

This advance is somewhat purposeless, as the White pieces are not ready for an attack on Black's King. It is difficult, though, to find a sensible plan, as the White pieces have so little mobility. It would perhaps be best to play R-K1, B-B1, and Kt-K4.

11. ... Kt-Q5 12. R-K1 Q-B4 13. B-KB1 B-Q3 14. Q-Kt1?

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

Diag. 146

The purpose of this move is not clear. The advance of the KtP could only be condoned by a desire to obtain an open file, and it seems illogical to protect it now. If White wanted to escape the pinning of his KKt he need not have moved the Queen. KtxKt would have effected this and prevented the King's side from being laid bare.

White's game would still have been bad, particularly as the exchange at Q4 opens the diagonal for the Black KB, but the move in the text has even a worse effect. Mieses concludes the game with an elegant sacrifice.

14. ... KtxKtch 15. PxKt P-K5! 16. QPxP BxPch 17. KxB QxPch 18. B-Kt2 RxB 19. R-K2 RxR 20. KtxR QxKt 21. PxB Q-K4ch 22. K-R1 R-K1

Black has wrought fearful havoc in the White ranks, and the defenceless King cannot withstand the onslaught of the three White pieces for long.

23. P-QB4 Kt-R4 24. K-Kt1 Q-Q5ch 25. K-R2 R-K7

threatening Q-R5ch, Q-B7ch, and mate at Kt7 or R7.

26. Q-R1 Q-K4ch 27. P-B4 QxPch 28. K-Kt1 Q-Q5ch Resigns.

GAME NO. 34

White: Em. Lasker. Black: Niemzowitsch.

Caro-Kann Defence (compare p. 50).

1. P-K4 P-QB3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 PxP 4. KtxP Kt-B3 5. KtxKt KtPxKt 6. B-K2 B-B4 7. B-B3 Q-R4ch 8. P-B3 P-KR4!

A deep conception. If White accepts the proffered sacrifice of a pawn, he loses time, as he must retire his B before bringing out his Kt, and, moreover, the KR file being open, he can only castle on the Q side. But there the Black Queen is ready for the attack. If he refuses the sacrifice, the text move is still of value, as even then it is hardly advisable for White to castle on the K side, whilst Black can play B-R3 as soon as it might be desirable to exchange White's QB.

9. BxP Kt-Q2 10. B-Kt4 BxB 11. QxB Castles 12. Kt-K2 P-K3 13. B-B4 Q-QKt4!

Black is the first to complete his development, and he assumes the offensive.

14. Castles QR!

This is much stronger than the alternative P-QKt3, which would fatally disturb the pawn skeleton, particularly as castling is only possible on the Q side. Although Black can now gain two pawns, White obtains an attack and Black only just manages to escape with a draw.

14. ... Kt-Kt3 15. Kt-Kt3

intending Q-K2 in answer to Kt-B5. Again P-QKt3 is not to be thought of, and R-Q2 also fails because of Kt-B5; 16. R-B2, KtxP.

15. ... Q-Q4 16. K-Kt1 QxKtP 17. QR-Kt1 QxBP 18. Kt-K4 Q-R5 19. Q-B3 Kt-B5!

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

Diag. 147

Whilst Black was busy capturing two pawns by moving the Queen four times, White was concentrating the whole of his forces, and now threatens to win back the pawn with R-Kt4. The move in the text anticipates the threat, for now the answer to 20. R-Kt4 would be Q-R4; 21. KtxP?, Q-B4ch; 22. Kt-K4?? Kt-Q7ch, winning the Q.

20. K-R1 P-KB4 21. Kt-Kt5 B-Q3 22. B-B1 R-Q2 23. R-Kt2 B-B2

intending to get rid of the awkward White Knight by Kt-Q3-K5.

24. KR-Kt Kt-Q3 25. Q-K2 Kt-K5 26. Kt-B3 Q-R6 27. P-R3

White appears to be in "time" difficulties, or else he remains passive, in order to give Black an opportunity for making the risky attempt to hold the extra pawn by P-B3 and P-K4.

27. ... P-R3 28. B-K3 KR-Q1 29. K-R2 R-R1

If Black wants to play for a win, he must play P-B3. In view of the favourable position of the White pieces, he prefers to risk nothing and to avoid the weakening of position which follows upon practically every pawn move.

30. K-R1 KR-Q1 31. K-R2 R-K1 32. R-Kt8 RxR 33. RxRch R-Q1 34. R-Kt7 R-Q2 35. R-Kt8ch

As long as Black plays steadily, White cannot hope for more than a draw.

35. ... R-Q1 36. R-Kt7 R-B1 37. P-B4 Kt-B3

In order to drive off the Rook; White now enforces the draw by a fine combination.

38. B-Kt5! Kt-R4 39. RxP! RxR 40. QxPch R-Q2

Not K-Kt1 on account of 41. Q-K8ch, K-R2; 42. QxR, QxKt; 43. QxB, threatening B-K7.

41. Kt-K5! Draw.

For after BxKt there follows 42. Q-K8ch, K-B2; 43. QxBch, with perpetual check.

Both players have shown a deep positional insight, and the game shows in an interesting manner how a preponderance of material can be counterbalanced by the greater mobility of the pieces.

GAME NO. 35

White: Reti. Black: Tartakower.

Caro-Kann Defence.

1. P-K4 P-QB3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 PxP 4. KtxP Kt-KB3 5. Q-Q3

White wishes to castle as soon as possible on the Queen's side, in order to operate on the Queen's file with the help of the Rook.

5. ... P-K4

Here Black loses two moves in bringing White's centre pawn away. The manoeuvre therefore is not sound. QKt-Q2, KtxKt, and Kt-B3, or any other developing moves would be preferable.

6. PxP Q-R4ch 7. B-Q2 QxP 8. Castles!

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

Diag. 148

White prepares a magnificent mating combination, which can only be made possible at such an early stage, when the opponent has utterly neglected his development.

8. ... KtxKt 9. Q-Q8ch!! KxQ 10. B-Kt5 double ch K-B2 11. B-Q8 mate

A beautiful mate. If 11. ... K-K1, 11. R-Q8 mate.

GAME NO. 36

White: Forgacz. Black: E. Cohn.

Queen's Gambit.

1. P-Q4 P-Q4 2. Kt-KB3 P-K3 3. P-B4 PxP 4. Kt-B3 Kt-KB3 5. B-Kt5 B-K2 6. P-K4 P-KR3

Through 3. ... PxP Black's development is one move behind, and such pawn moves should at any cost be avoided as do not contribute to the mobilisation of the pieces. Castles, P-QKt3, B- Kt2, and QKt-Q 2 was the proper course.

7. BxKt

This is better than to withdraw the Bishop; Black's last move was clearly loss of time.

7.. ... BxB 8. BxP Kt-Q2 9. Castles Castles

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

Diag. 149

There seems to be nothing alarming about the position, yet on closer investigation a number of vital failings can be discerned in Black's camp. The absence of a pawn in the centre and the unsatisfactory development have a far-reaching influence. White will be able to bring his forces to the King's side by way of K4, which is made accessible by the disappearance of Black's QP, before Black has time to bring his QB to bear on White's K4 by P- QKt3 and B-Kt2. White's immediate threat (after P-K5) is Q-K2-K4 and B-Q3. If Black does not wish to risk P-KKt3, he must defend himself with R-K1, Kt-B1. In the meantime White can play R-Q1 and threaten P-Q5, opening the Queen's file. This again necessitates P-B3, which postpones the efficiency of the QB at Kt2 until White's QKt and QR have been brought up for the attack. The game develops on these lines, and provides an excellent example of the advantage of the command of the centre.

10. P-K5 B-K2 11. Q-K2 R-K1 12. QR-Q1 P-QB3 13. Q-K4 Q-B2

preparing P-QKt3.

14. KR-K1 Kt-B1 15. Q-Kt4 P-QKt3 16. Q-R5 B-Kt2 17. R-K4 B-Kt5

Black cannot yet play P-QB4, as R-B4 is threatened with an attack on KB7. The Bishop which obstructs the Q would have no move, save the sorry retreat to Q1, and White would win speedily: 17. ... P- QB4; 18. R-B4, B-Q1; 19. P-Q5, PxP; 20. KtxP, BxKt; 21. BxB, attacking R and P.

18. R-Kt4 BxKt 19. PxB K-R1

QxP was threatened.

20. Kt-Kt5 R-K2 21. Kt-K4

Even the Knight is brought in via K4.

21. ... R-Q1 22. R-Q3 P-QB4 23. Kt-B6

threatening QxPch and R-Kt8 mate. Black cannot capture the Kt because of QxPch and mate at Kt7. But the mate cannot be delayed much longer in view of the concentration of superior forces for the attack.

23. ... Kt-Kt3 24. R-R3 Resigns

There is no answer to Q-Kt5 and RxP.

GAME NO. 37

White: Marshall. Black: Capablanca.

Queen's Gambit Declined (see p. 52).

1. P-Q4 P-Q4 2. P-QB4 P-K3 3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 4. B-Kt5 B-K2 5. P-K3 Kt-K5

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

Diag. 150

Lasker has played this move successfully in his match against Marshall; but it has not come into general use. White should get the better game by 6. BxB, QxB; 7. Q-B2, KtxKt; 8. QxKt or 7. PxP, KtxKt; 8. PxKt, PxP; 9. Q-Kt3, in the first case because the Black QB is out of play, in the second case because of the open Kt file. 7. KtxKt is bad, because PxKt prevents the natural development of the KKt at B3, and Black can obtain an attack after castling by P-KB4-5.

6. BxB QxB 7. B-Q3

This also is a good move, as it furthers development.

7. ... KtxKt 8. PxKt PxP

Giving up the centre pawn in this case is not against the spirit of the opening, as it opens the only diagonal on which the Black QB can operate.

9. BxP P-QKt3 10. Q-B3 P-QB3 11. Kt-K2 B-Kt2 12. Castles KR Castles 13. P-QR4

This move can only be good if White intends to operate on the Queen's side, possibly by KR-Kt1 and P-R5. But the position of the White Queen makes the adoption of a different plan compulsory. For one thing, it is rational to concentrate forces where the Queen can take her share, therefore, in this case, on the King's side. On the other hand, the manoeuvre referred to could not be put into execution here because Black can prevent P- R5 by P-QB4 and Kt-B3. A fairly obvious course was to play P-K4, taking possession of the centre. P-QB4 would then be answered by P-Q5, after which the White Rooks would be very effective at Q1 and K1. In this game White does initiate a King's side attack subsequently, and thus 13. ... P-QR4 is clearly a lost move.

13. ... P-QB4 14. Q-Kt3 Kt-B3 15. Kt-B4 QR-B1

The tempting move of P-K4 cannot be played because of 16. Kt-Q5, Q-Q1; 17. PxBP, Kt-R4; 18. KR-Q1. The move in the text threatens PxP, KtxP and RxB.

16. B-R2 KR-Q1 17. KR-K1 Kt-R4

This threatens B-B3 attacking the RP. White decides to yield the same at once, thinking quite rightly that a direct attack must have good chances, as Black gets two pieces out of play in capturing the pawn.

18. QR-Q1 B-B 3 19. Q-Kt4

Black cannot take the pawn yet, because of KtxP and BxPch.

19. ... P-B5 20. P-Q5?

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

Diag. 151

There is no need to play for violent complications. The logical course was to open the way to the King's side for the Rooks by P- K4. The continuation could have been: 20. P-K4, BxRP; 21. Kt-R5, P-Kt3; 22. P-K5, BxR; 23. RxB followed by Kt-B6, with a strong attack; also after 21. ... P-B3, 22. R-Q2, White's attacking chances are good. After the move in the text, Black could get an advantage by simply exchanging: 20. ... PxP; 21. KtxP, BxKt; 22. RxB, RxR; 23. QxRch, R-Q1; 24. Q-KB5, P-Kt3; 25. Q-B2, Q-R6. In taking the RP, however, Black incurs grave risks.

20. ... BxRP 21. R-Q2 P-K4 22. Kt-R5 P-Kt3 23. P-Q6 Q-K3 24. Q-Kt5 K-R1

Black finds the weaknesses at his KB3 and KR3 very troublesome. RxP would lose at once, because of 25. RxR, QxR; 26. Q-R6!

25. Kt-B6 RxP 26. RxR QxR 27. B-Kt1

Q-R4 would have been answered by K-Kt2.

27. ... Kt-B3

Black must try to bring back his minor pieces for the defence. If he succeeds in doing that in time, the end-game is easily won on the Queen's side.

28. B-B5 R-Q1

Not PxB because of Q-R6.

29. P-KR4

White's attacking resources seem inexhaustible. By exchanging Queens he could have got his pawn back in this way: 29. B-Q7, Q- B1 (R xB?, 30. Q-R6); 30. BxKt, BxB; 31. QxQP, Q-Q3; 32. Kt- Q7,QxQ; 33. KtxQ, B-K1; 34. KtxQBP. But even then Black would maintain a superiority in the end-game owing to the freedom of his passed pawn, and because he can post his Rook at the seventh after P-QKt4. This explains why Marshall prefers not to win back his pawn, but to enter upon a violent attack with a doubtful issue. However, Capablanca finds the right move in all the ensuing complications, and finally wins the game.

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

Diag. 152

29. ... Kt-K2 30. Kt-K4 Q-B2 31. Q-B6ch K-Kt1 32. B-K6

This is now compulsory. If White loses time in withdrawing the B, Black consolidates his position by: Kt-Q4 and Q-K2.

32. ... PxB

R-B1 is refuted by 33. Kt-Kt5!, PxB; 34. QxR, etc.

33. QxKPch

Better than Kt-Kt5, for after Kt-Q4, 34. QxPch, the Black King finds a safe retreat at Kt2.

33. ... K-B1 34. Kt-Kt5 Kt-Kt1 35. P-B4

in order to open the file for the Rook.

35. ... R-K1 36. PxP R-K2 37. R-B1ch K-Kt2 38. P-R5 B-K1 39. P-R6ch K-R1

KtxP fails on account of Q-B6ch.

40. Q-Q6

White takes all possible advantage from the position, but cannot bring home his attack, as Black has concentrated his forces for the defence. Black must still be careful to avoid a mate, e.g. QxQ?; 41. PxQ, RxP; 42. R-B7 or 4l. ... R-Q2; 42. R-B8.

40. ... Q-B4 41. Q-Q4

Here White could have tried QxQ and R-B8. There was then a permanent threat of RxB, e.g. 41. QxQ, PxQ; 42. R-B8, RxP; 43. Kt-B3, R-K2; 44. Kt-Kt5, etc. It seems as if Black would have to give up the piece again by 43. ... R-R4 in order to win. White, however, would then have drawing chances, which would have been a fitting conclusion to this wonderful game.

41. ... RxP 42. Q-Q7 R-K2 Resigns

GAME No. 38

White: Rotlewi. Black: Teichmann.

Queen's Gambit Declined.

1. P-Q4 P-Q 4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-KB3 3. P-B4 P-K3 4. Kt-B3 QKt-Q2 5. B-Kt5 B-K2

Capablanca tried 5. ... B-Kt5; against Ed. Lasker in New York, 1915. The continuation was: 6. P-K3, P-B4; 7. B-Q3, Q-R4; 8. Q- Kt3.

The correct move is here 8. Castles. If Black wins the pawn by BxKt; 9. PxB, QPxP; 10. BxP, QxBP, White obtains a strong attack, e.g., 11. R-B1, Q-R4; 12. BxKt, PxB (KtxB; 13. PxP); 13. P-Q5, with this possible continuation l3. ... Kt-Kt3, 14. PxP, PxP; 15. Q-Q6, with a strong attack.

6. P-K3 Castles 7. Q-B2 P-B4

White intends to castle on the Queen's side, and to follow this up with a storm by the King's side pawns. Although Rubinstein has on many occasions been successful with this form of attack, it is open to criticism. For, where Kings have castled on different wings, the attack on the King which has castled on the Q side should be more successful.

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

Diag. 153

This is much stronger than P-Q Kt3 and B-Kt2, as then the Black Queen cannot participate in the attack quickly enough. As pointed out before, speed is the first consideration for the attack, whenever the Kings have castled on different wings. An interesting counterpart to the present game is found in a game won by Rubinstein from Teichmann (Match, Vienna, 1908) 7. ... P- QKt3; 8. PxP, PxP; 9. B-Q3, B-Kt2; 10. Castles QR, P-B4; 11. P- KR4, P-B5? (the only hope lay in the opening of the QB file); 12. B-B5, R-K1; 13. BxKKt, KtxB; 14. P-KKt4, B-Q3; 15. P-Kt5, Kt- K5; 16. P-R5, Q-K2; 17. QR-Kt1, P-QR3; 18. BxPch!, KxB; 19. P- Kt6ch, K-Kt1; 20. KtxKt, PxKt; 21. P-R6, P-B31 22. PxP, PxKt; 23 R-R8ch, KxP; 24. R-R7ch, and Black resigned a few moves later.

8. Castles Q-R4 9. PxQP

White loses time in the centre. It was imperative to proceed at once with P-KKt4 followed by BxKt, P-Kt5 and P-KR4.

9. ... KPxP 10. PxP KtxP 11. Kt-Q4 B-K3 12. K-Kt1

It would be too risky to leave both King and Queen on the QB file.

12. ... QR-B1 13. B-Q3 P-KR3

The threat was: BxKt and BxPch. Had White played P-KKt4 and P-KR4 instead of effecting exchanges in the centre, Black would not have been able to afford this weakening move. But now Black wins the game on the other wing, before White is able to make use of the weakness thus created.

14. BxKt BxB 15. B-B5 KR-Q1 16. BxB PxB 17. Q-Kt6

The Queen must leave the QB file without delay, as Kt-K5 is threatened. Black's game is already superior; with the exception of the Queen, White has no piece available for the attack on the opposing King.

17. ... R-Q3 18. R-QB1 R-R3

Now White must again provide against Black's Kt-K5, as White's QKt is needed for the defence of QR2.

19. P-B3 R-Q1

Black intends to move his B and then to advance his KP with an attack on the Queen. The object of the text move is to prevent White from saving himself by an attack on the Rook (Q-B5).

20. R-B2 BxKt

By this exchange Black achieves his object of driving off the Knight by P-Q5, but White has time to give his RP further protection by P-QKt3, This, Black would have prevented by playing B-Kt4 instead of the text move, e.g. 21. P-B4, P-K4; 22. Q-B5, PxKt; 23. PxP, B-B3; 24. PxKt, P-Q5, etc.

21. PxB P-K4 22. Q-Kt4 PxP 23. QxP Kt-K3 24. Q-K5

This delays the fatal advance of the QP for one move.

24. ... P-QKt4 25. P-QKt3 P-Q5 26. Kt-K4 P-Q6 27. R-Q2 Kt-Q5 28. R-QB1 Kt-B7 29. Q-Kt2 Kt-R6ch 30. K-R1 Kt-B7ch 31. K-Kt1 Kt-R6ch 32. K-R1 Kt-B7ch 33. K-Kt1

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

Diag. 154

Black does not play for a draw, but only wishes to gain time.

33. ... R-QB3

The intention is to double Rooks and to force an entry at B7. P- Kt5 would not be good. The White Rook would no longer be attacked, and the Knight could attack the QP.

34. R(B1)-Q1 KR-QB1

Now that the White Rook has left the QB file, one Rook would be sufficient to force an entry at B7, and Kt-R6ch followed by P-Kt5 could have been played at once, e.g. 34. ... Kt-R6ch; 35. K-R1, P-Kt5 (preventing P-QKt4); 36. Kt-B2,R-B7; 37. RxR, PxR; 38. R- QB1, Q-Kt3; 39. Kt-K4, R-Q8 followed by RxRch, Q-Q5ch and P-B8 mate.

35. RxP Kt-R6ch 36. K-R1 P-Kt5 37. R-Q7 Q-K4!!

If QxQ, Black mates in three.

38. R-Q8ch RxR 39. RxRch K-R2 40. R-Q1 QxQch

Curiously enough there is nothing better. Q-B2 only leads to the exchange of Queens and the same end-game, which, however, is an easy win for Black, as the permanent mating threat keeps the White Rook tied to the first rank, whilst the Black King threatens to capture all the White pawns.

If Q-B2 White forces the exchange of Queens with the following combination: 41. Q-Q2, R-B7; 42. Q-Q3, R-B8ch; 43. K-Kt2, with a threat of Kt-B6ch and Q-R7 mate. Black therefore would have to play Q-B7ch, etc., as in the game.

41. KxQ R-B7ch 42. K-R1 RxP 43. R-R1 P-Kt4 44. Kt-B6ch K-Kt2 45. Kt-K4 K-Kt3 46. Kt-Q6 P-QR4

We have now a position with a forced move. If the White Knight moves, there follows K-B4-B5, etc. Therefore White gives up his R P voluntarily.

47. R-QB1 RxP 48. Kt-B4 Kt-Kt4

Now Kt-B6 and RxP mate are threatened.

49. Kt-K5ch K-Kt2 50. Kt-Kt4 R-K7 51. R-B5 R-K8ch 52. K-Kt2 Kt-R6 53. R-B7ch K-B1 54. R-B1 R-K7ch 55. K-R1 Kt-B7ch 56. K-Kt1 Kt-R6ch

Black again appears to be short of time.

57. K-R1 Kt-Kt4 58. R-B5 R-K8ch 59. K-Kt2 Kt-R6 60. R-B1 R-K7ch

Now, after the sixtieth move Black has again plenty of time, and can prepare the final combination at leisure.

61. K-R1 R-K3 62. R-R1 K-Kt2 63. R-QB1 K-Kt3 64. R-B6 RxR 65. Kt-K5ch K-B4 66. KtxR P-R4 67. Kt-Q4ch K-K4 68. Kt-K2 Kt-B7ch 69. K-Kt2 Kt-Q5 Resigns.

GAME NO. 39.

White: Rotlewi. Black: Rubinstein

Queen's Gambit Declined.

1. P-Q4 P-Q4 2. Kt-KB3 P-K3 3. P-K3 P-QB4 4. P-B4 Kt-QB3 5. Kt-B3 Kt-B3 6. QPxP BxP 7. P-QR3 P-QR3 8. P-QKt4 B-Q3 9. B-Kt2 Castles

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

Diag. 155

10. Q-Q2

White cannot win the QP by 10. PxP, PxP; 11. KtxP, KtxKt; 12. QxKt, because BxPch wins the Queen. The text move is played with the intention of bringing up the QR for the attack on the QP. However, it would have been more correct to fix the object of attack first by PxP, as Black could now cross White's intentions by playing PxP, after which he would sooner or later gain a move by occupying the Q file with a Rook, and forcing the White Queen to retreat.

10. ... Q-K2!

Black offers to give up his Queen's Pawn. If White accepts the sacrifice, Black's attack on the Queen's file will become deadly, as White must lose a move in bringing his Queen out of the line of action of the hostile Rook. The White King has then no time to get into safety, e.g. 11. PxP, PxP; 12. KtxP, KtxKt; 13. QxKt, R- Q1; 14. Q-Kt3, B-K3 followed by KtxP, etc.

11. B-Q3?

Here again PxP (followed by B-K2, R-Q1, Castles) would have avoided the loss of a move, as indicated in my note to move 10. Now White loses yet another move, as Black exchanges pawns and the Bishop has taken two moves to reach B4, as against one only in the case of the Black KB. The loss of two moves in the opening stages should be fatal, and of this Rubinstein gives a striking example in the present game.

11. ... PxP 12. BxP P-QKt4 13. B-Q3 R-Q1 14. Q-K2 B-Kt2 15. Castles KR Kt-K4

The advantage which Black obtains by his last move is generally gained by White in this opening (compare Diag. 36). But in the game White has lost two moves and Black has assumed the offensive, having moreover a Rook acting on the Q file.

16. KtxKt BxKt 17. P-B4

Black's threat was: BxPch followed by Q-Q3ch and QxB. If White replies: 17. KR-Q1 the answer is Q-B2 attacking both the RP and the Kt. The text move is unsatisfactory, as it will be necessary to advance the KP to K4 or K5, where it will block the diagonal of one of the Bishops.

17. ... B-B2 18. P-K4 QR-B1 19. P-K5 B-Kt3ch 20. K-R1 Kt-Kt5!!

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

Diag. 156

The beginning of magnificent sacrifices. 21. QxKt cannot be played because of RxB and R-Q7, etc.

21. B-K4 Q-R5 22. P-Kt3

After P-R3 Black wins also in fine style: RxKt!!; 23. QxKt, QxQ; 24. PxQ, BxB; 25. BxR, R-Q6 threatening R-R 6 mate; or, 23. BxR, BxB; 24. QxB, Q-Kt6; 25. PxKt, Q-R5 mate.

22. ... RxKt!! 23. PxQ R-Q7!! 24. QxR BxBch 25. Q-Kt2 R-R6

and mate at R7.

GAME NO. 40

White: Rubinstein. Black: Capablanca.

Queen's Gambit Declined.

1. P-Q4 P-Q4 2. Kt-KB3 P-QB4 3. P-B4 P-K3 4. PxQP KPxP 5. Kt-B3 Kt-QB3 6. P-KKt3 B-K3 7. B-Kt2 B-K2 8. Castles R-B1

This move is not satisfactory at this juncture. It rather helps a combination which is frequently resorted to in similar positions, namely, the exchange of the Black QB and subsequent pressure on the KP by the White KB on the diagonal KR3-QB8. 8. ... Kt-B3 should have been played, after

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

Diag. 157

which White could hardly be said to possess any advantage, e.g. 9. B-Kt5, Kt-K5, or 9. B-K3, Kt-KKt5, or 9. P-QR3, or 9. PxP, BxP; 10. B-Kt5, B-K2. After 9. PxP, however, it would be weak to recapture with the Queen. In a game E. Cohn-Ed. Lasker (match 1909) there followed: 9. ... Q-R4; 10. Kt-KKt5, QxP; 11. B-K3, Q- R4; 12. Q-Kt3, after which Black had to give up a pawn already: Castles QR; 13. KtxB, PxKt; 14. B-R3, etc.

9. PxP BxP 10. Kt-KKt5 Kt-B3 11. KtxB PxKt 12. B-R3 Q-K2 13. B-Kt5

P-K4 is stronger here, in order to play B-Kt5 after PxP. l3. ... P-Q5 would then be refuted by Kt-Q5.

13. ... Castles 14. BxKt QxB

After this White gains a pawn by a complicated and well-timed combination. Capablanca did not consider the subtle reply on Rubinstein's seventeenth move. Otherwise he would have recaptured with the pawn. However, in that case too, White's chances are good in the end-game which ensues after: 15. KtxP, PxKt; 16. QxPch, K-R1; 17. BxR. The Rooks would soon become effective in view of the open K side.

15. KtxP Q-R3

BxPch fails because of 16. K-Kt2, Q-B2; 17. Kt-B4!

16. K-Kt2 QR-Q1 17. Q-B1

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

Diag. 158

17. ... PxKt

If RxKt, White exchanges Queens and plays BxPch.

18. QxB Q-Q7 19. Q-Kt5 Kt-Q5 20. Q-Q3

With an extra pawn White forces the exchange of Queens. Black cannot prevent it, as 20. ... QxKtP loses the Knight on account of 21. KR-Kt1, and 20. ... Q-Kt5 loses the QP by 21. KR-Q1 and B- K6ch.

20. ... QxQ 21. PxQ KR-K1 22. B-Kt4

KR-K1 would not prevent the entry of the Black Rook: Kt-B7; 23. RxRch, RxR; 24. R-QB1, R-K7; 25. B-Kt4, R-Q7. Black would win the pawn back and might even succeed in the end-game with a Knight against a Bishop.

22. ... R-Q3 23. KR-K1 RxR 24. RxR R-QKt3

Black should first play his King to KB3, and keep the Rook away from his K5. Not that the QP is of paramount importance; the QKtP fully makes up for its loss. But as played the Knight is driven from his dominating position, and the badly placed Bishop gets into play. No doubt even after the text move the ending is most difficult, and it requires Rubinstein's full powers to bring it to a successful issue.

25. R-K5 RxP 26. RxP Kt-B3 27. B-K6ch K-B1 28. R-B5ch K-K1 29. B-B7ch K-Q2 30. B-B4 P-QR3

Black's only chance is his extra pawn on the Q side. To exchange the Kt for the B by 30. ... K-Q3; 31. R-B 7, Kt-K4; 32. RxKKtP, KtxB would take too much time where time is all-important. White would clear the K side in the meantime, push on his KRP, and ultimately give up his R for Black's remaining P, as soon as the latter runs into Queen, after which the three passed pawns win easily against the Rook. Generally speaking it is wise, in R endings like the present one, to advance pawns on the side where there is an extra pawn, in order to get a passed pawn as soon as possible. Then the hostile Rook has to look after that pawn lest it should queen, and the greater mobility of one's own Rook often saves the game even when opposed by a preponderance of pawns.

31. R-B7ch K-Q3 32. RxKKtP P-Kt4 33. B-Kt8 P-QR4 34. RxP P-R5 35. P-R4 P-Kt5 36. R-R6ch K-B4 37. R-R5ch K-Kt3 38. B-Q5 P-Kt6

RxP is tempting but unavailing, as White plays B-B4 followed by R-Kt5ch and P-R5-6, etc. After the text move White has a problem- like continuation, which he has worked out with great accuracy.

39. PxP P-R6 40. BxKt

If now P-R7, White simply plays 41. R-Kt5ch, K-R3; 42. R-Kt8-R8.

40. ... RxKtP 41. B-Q5 P-R7 42. R-R6ch Resigns.

As the R holds the RP, e.g. K-R4; 43. B-B4 followed by R-R6ch or 42. ... K-R2; 43. R-R8, etc.

GAME NO. 41

White: Niemzowitsch. Black: Tarrasch.

Queen's Gambit Declined.

1. P-Q4 P-Q4 2. Kt-KB3 P-QB4 3. P-B4 P-K3 4. P-K3 Kt-KB3 5. B-Q3 Kt-B3 6. Castles B-Q3 7. P-QKt3 Castles 8. B-Kt2 P-QKt3 9. QKt-Q2 B-Kt2 10. R-B1 Q-K2 11. PxQP

The most natural move to which the development of the QKt at Q2 instead of B3 would seem to lead is Kt-K5 followed by P-B4. After 11. Kt-K5 Black could not yet attempt 11. ... PxQP; 12. KPxP, B- R6, weakening the QP, because of 13. BxB, QxB; 14. PxP, KtxKt; 15. PxKt, KtxP; 16. Kt-B4 and Kt-Q6.

11. ... KPxP 12. Kt-R4

In order to provoke Black's weakening move: P-Kt3, which might give White chances of attack on the long diagonal QR1-KR8, White gives up two clear moves. Black is able to get considerably ahead in his development, much to White's disadvantage.

12. ... P-Kt3 13. KKt-B3 QR-Q sq

Not Kt-K5 yet, on account of 14. PxP, PxP?; 15. BxKt, PxB; 16. KtxP.

14. PxP

White's position is uncomfortable, and a satisfactory continuation is hard to find. Possibly passive resistance might have been the best plan, thus: Q-K2, KR-Q1, Kt-B1-Kt3. The text move is a preliminary to operations on the Queen's side, but allows Black too much scope in the centre.

14. ... PxP 15. B-Kt5

White wishes to get rid of the Black Knight which supports the advance of P-Q5.

15. ... Kt-K5 16. BxKt BxB 17. Q-B2

White has no idea of the threatened disaster, or he would have played P-KKt3. Even then, however, Black has the better game with two Bishops, and the Q and Kt better placed.

17. ... KtxKt

The beginning of a brilliant mating combination.

18. KtxKt P-Q5!

Black would have played the same move if White had retaken with the Queen.

19. PxP

P-K4 was comparatively the best move, although Black's attack would have become overwhelming after P-B4, e.g. 20. P-B3, B-B5, etc.

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

Diag. 159

19. ... BxPch!! 20. KxB Q-R5ch 21. K-Kt1 BxP!

Emanuel Lasker won a celebrated game from Bauer (Amsterdam, 1889) with a similar sacrifice of two Bishops, and very likely this is the reason why Tarrasch's beautiful game only earned him the second brilliancy prize at Petrograd (1914).

22. P-B3

If KxB, then Q-Kt5ch; 23. K-R1, R-Q4; 24. QxP, R-R4ch; 25. QxR, QxQch; 26. K-Kt2, Q-Kt4ch and QxKt.

22. ... KR-K1

Not Q-Kt6, because of Kt-K4.

23. Kt-K4 Q-R8ch 24. K-B2 BxR 25. P-Q5 P-B4 26. Q-B3 Q-Kt7ch 27. K-K3 RxKtch! 28. PxR P-B5ch

With Q-Kt6ch Black mates two moves earlier.

29. KxP R-B1ch 30. K-K5 Q-R7ch 31. K-K6 R-K1ch Resigns.

If K-Q7, B-Kt4 mate, if K-B6, Q-R5 mate.

[FOOTNOTE: Emanuel Lasker-Bauer: 1. P-KB4, P-Q4; 2. P-K3, Kt-KB3; 3. P-QKt3, P-K3; 4. B-Kt2, B-K2; 5. B-Q3, P-QKt3; 6. Kt-QB3, B- Kt2; 7. Kt-B3, QKt-Q2; 8. Castles, Castles; 9. Kt-K2, P-B4; 10. Kt-Kt3, Q-B2; 11. Kt-K5, KtxKt; 12. BxKt, Q-B3; 13. Q-K2, P-QR3; 14. Kt-R5, KtxKt; 15. BxPch!!, KxB; 16. QxKtch, K-Kt1; 17. BxP!, KxB; 18. Q-Kt4ch, K-R2; 19. R-B3, P-K4; 20. R-R3ch, Q-R3; 21. RxQ, KxR; 22. Q-Q7, and White won.]

GAME No. 42

White: Capablanca. Black: Aljechin.

Queen's Gambit Declined (see pp. 57 and 58).

1. P-Q4 P-Q4 2. P-QB4 P-QB3 3. P-K3 Kt-B3 4. Kt-KB3 P-K3 5. QKt-Q2 QKt-Q2 6. B-Q3 B-K2 7. Castles Castles 8. Q-B2

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

Diag. 160

Black's difficulty is the development of his QB, particularly after White's last move, which prevents P-K4. If now Q-B2 White plays 9. P-K4 and either the Queen or the Knight bear on K5, e.g. 9. ... PxKP; 10. KtxP, P-K4; 11. QKt-Kt5, B-Q3; 12. P-B5, etc.

Black therefore must develop his QB at Kt2 with P-QKt3, B-Kt2 and P-B4. Having moved the QBP twice, Black is a move behind the development usual in this opening. However, it would have been the lesser evil. In the present game the Bishop does not get into play in time.

8. ... PxP 9. KtxP P-B4 10. QKt-K5 PxP 11. PxP Kt-Kt3 12. Kt-Kt5

If Black captures the pawn, White gains time by threatening the Queen, and brings all his forces into play, whilst the Black Queen's side remains undeveloped, e.g.: 12. ... QxP; 13. R-Q1, Q-B4; 14. Kt-Kt4, P-Kt3; 15. B-K3, Q-R4; 16. R-B1, with a strong attack. Black of course need not take the pawn, but the move in the text is a valuable one nevertheless, as the threat Q-B3-R3 provokes a weakening pawn move.

12. ... P-Kt3 13. KKt-B3 K-Kt2

preventing the entry of the B at R6.

14. B-KKt5 QKt-Q4 15. QR-B1 B-Q2 16. Q-Q2 Kt-Kt1

It should be noted how the weakness at KR3 acts to the detriment of Black's game. The text move covers the weak square, but at the same time brings the Kt out of play. White in consequence gets the upper-hand on the Queen's side, and the Knight cannot return in time.

17. BxB QxB

It would be no use taking with the KKt, as the threat Kt-Kt4 and Q-R6 must be guarded against. If the other Kt captures there follows: 18. B-K4, R-Kt1; 19. R-B3 and KR-B1.

18. B-K4 B-Kt4

This drives the Rook to a better square, but already now there is no satisfactory move. It would perhaps have been best to parry the threat of BxKt and R-B7 by playing Q-Q3, although the pawn would have to recapture after 19. BxKt, because of 20. R-B5 and KR-B1. The chance of bearing on the QP through the open file, which was probably Black's intention all along, would then be lost. After the text move, however, White takes possession of the seventh rank, and Black's game collapses quickly.

19. KR-K1 Q-Q3 20. BxKt PxB 21. Q-R5 P-QR3 22. Q-B7 QxQ 23. RxQ P-R3

Kt-Kt5 and Kt-K6ch was threatened.

24. RxP QR-B1 25. P-QKt3 R-B7 26. P-QR4 B-K7 27. Kt-R4! P-KR4

The KtP cannot be saved.

28. KKtxP R-K1 29. RxPch Resigns.

GAME No. 43

White: Capablanca. Black: Bernstein.

Queen's Gambit Declined.

1. P-Q4 P-Q4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-KB3 3. P-B4 P-K3 4. Kt-B3 QKt-Q2 5. B-Kt5 B-K2 6. P-K3 P-B3 7. B-Q3 PxP

Before initiating this manoeuvre, which aims at the development of the Queen's wing, Black should castle, as otherwise the King is exposed to dangerous and immediate attacks in the centre.

8. BxBP P-Kt4 9. B-Q3 P-QR3

The system of opening chosen by Black has been tried frequently of late. It seems to be somewhat artificial, as the QB Pawn takes two moves to get to his fourth. On the other hand the pawn formation at QR3, QKt4, and QB4 is attained, whilst it can be prevented in other variations, e.g. 6. ... Castles; 7. B-Q3, PxP; 8. BxP, P-QR3; 9 P-QR4.

10. P-K4 P-K4

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

Diag. 161

Black's only plausible move here seems to be P-B4, and many critics have remarked that after 11. P-K5, PxP!; 12. Kt-K4 (if PxKt, PxKt) KtxKt; 13. BxKt, R-QKt1; 14. BxB, QxB; 15. QxP, Q-B4; the game would have been even. However, this is not the case, for on the 15th move White does not capture the pawn with the Q but with the Kt and Black has no satisfactory continuation. If he had castled he could play l5. ... B-Kt2 which now is not available because of: 16. Kt-B6, BxKt; 17. BxB, with an overwhelming advantage in position for White. White's refutation of the text move is above criticism.

11. PxP Kt-Kt5 12. B-KB4 B-B4

If Q-B2, White would play R-B1, after which Black could not recapture the KP yet, as the QBP is en prise. 13. ... KKtxP; 14. KtxKt, KtxKt; 15. Kt-Q5, Q-Q3; 16. BxKt, QxB; 19. RxP, etc.

13. Castles Q-B2 14. R-B1 P-B3

Again KtxP is not feasible on account of the loss of the QBP, as can be easily seen.

15. B-Kt3 PxP

Black's game cannot be saved. If l5. ... Kt(Kt5)xKP there follows 16. KtxKt, KtxKt; 17. Kt-Q5, Q-Q3; 18. BxKt, PxB; 19. RxB, or 16. ... PxKt; 17. Q-R5ch, P-Kt3, 18. Q-R6.

16. P-Kt4!

Now White initiates a brilliant attack, driving it home without giving Black a moment's rest. If Black takes the pawn, White plays Kt-Q4, with many threats, e.g. P-B4; 18. Kt-Q5, Q-Q3; 19. Kt-K6, or l7. ... Kt(Kt5)-B3; 18. Kt-K6, etc.

16. ... B-R2 17. BxKtP

The sacrifice is fairly obvious, as White obtains three pawns for the piece, and moreover drives the King into the field of battle. However, this does not detract from the beauty of the game, which is full of brilliant phases.

17. ... RPxB 18. KtxKtP Q-Q1

Or Q-Kt3; 19. Kt-Q6ch, K-K2; 20. Kt-B5ch, followed by Q-Q6.

19. Kt-Q6ch K-B1 20. RxP Kt-Kt3

The threat was: 21. Q-Q5, Kt-R3; 22. KtxB, RxKt; 23. R-Q6, etc. 20. ... Kt(Q2)-B3 is of no avail because of 21. Q-Kt3, Kt-R3; 22. KtxP, or 21. ... Q-Q2; 22. KR-B1, etc.

21. B-R4 Q-Q2 22. KtxB! QxR

Not RxKt because of 23. QxQ. Now Black is a whole Rook ahead. But it is as much out of play as his Queen's side pieces. The King is driven into a mating net by the concentration of superior White forces, and only escapes by giving up the extra piece.

23. Q-Q8ch Q-K1 24. B-K7ch K-B2 25. Kt-Q6ch K-Kt3 26. Kt-R4ch K-R4

If K-R3 there follows mate in three by 27. Kt(Q6)-B5ch; 28. Kt- Kt3ch; 29. B-Kt5 mate.

27. KtxQ RxQ 28. KtxPch K-R3 29. Kt(Kt7)-B5ch K-R4 30. P-KR3!

This threatens 31. PxKtch, KxP; 32. P-B3ch, followed by P-Kt3 or Kt4 mate. If Black plays 30. QR-KKt1, White wins as follows: 31. PxKtch, RxP; 32. P-B3, Kt-B1ch; 33. K-R2, KtxB; 34. PxRch, KxP; 35. KtxKt, K x Kt; 36. R-B7. If 30. ... Kt-R3; 31. Kt-Kt7 mate.

30. ... Kt-B1 31. PxKtch KxP 32. BxR RxB 33. P-Kt3 R-Q7 34. K-Kt2 R-K7 35. P-R4 Kt-Kt3 36. Kt-K3ch K-R4 37. P-R5 Kt-Q2 38. Kt(R4)-B5 Kt-B3 39. P-Kt5 B-Q5 40. K-B3 R-R7 41. P-R6 B-R2 42. R-B1 R-Kt7 43. P-Kt4ch K-Kt4 44. R-B7 RxPch 45. KxR KtxKtPch 46. K-B3 Resigns.

GAME NO. 44

White: Dus Chotimirski. Black: Vidmar.

Queen's Pawn Game.

1. P-Q4 P-Q4 2. Kt-KB3 P-QB4 3. P-B3 P-K3 4. B-B4

We have seen on page 55 that Black can hardly develop his QB without disadvantage. White, however, has no difficulty in doing so, as his QP is protected, and after Black's Q-Kt3 he has only to look after his KtP. He could play Q-B1, which might bring the Q into effective action on the diagonal to R6.

The aim of the text move is the early occupation of K5. But, as the present game shows, this cannot be effected. Black must not waste time with Q-Kt3, but play B-Q3 at once.

4. ... Kt-QB3 5. P-K3 Kt-B3 6. QKt-Q2 B-Q3 7. B-Kt3 Castles 8. Kt-K5 BxKt! 9. PxB Kt-Q2

Now White has no means of maintaining his centre. Whether he supports the pawn with Kt-B3 or P-KB4, Black forces matters with P-B3.

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

Diag. 162

Now that the idea underlying White's opening strategy has proved impracticable, he has difficulty in formulating a plan. Making the best of a bad job, he abandons his KP in exchange for Black's KRP. But Black obtains a powerful pawn centre, a telling advantage.

10. B-Q3 KKtxP 11. BxKt KtxB 12. BxPch KxB 13. Q-R5ch K-Kt1 14. QxKt P-B3 15. Q-R5 Q-Kt3

Black wishes to provoke the advance of the QKtP and QBP in order to obtain a passed pawn (16. P-QKt3, P-K4; 17. Castles KR, Q-R4; 18. P-QB4, P-Q5). In order to avoid this continuation, White takes his chance of castling on the Queen's side. This turns out to Black's advantage. Indeed it is a foregone conclusion. In the ensuing double assault by pawns, Black is several moves ahead, as the White pawns concerned in the attack are still on their original squares.

16. Castles QR P-K4 17. P-KKt4 P-Q5 18. P-QB4 B-Q2 19. P-Kt5 PxKtP 20. QxP RxP 21. PxP BPxP!

Finely played. Black gives up his KP in order to get his QR into play with the gain of a move.

22. QxP R-K1 23. Q-Kt3 QR-K7 24. KR-K1

KR-Kt1 would also be of no avail because of Q-KR3, 25. Q-Q3, Q- KB3 threatening B-B4. The move in the text puts an end to the agony.

24. ... RxKt!! Resigns.

For after 25. RxR, RxR; 26. KxR, QxPch; 27. K-Q3, B-B4ch; 28. R- K4, Q-B6ch; 29. K-K2, QxQ; Black remains with an extra piece.

GAME No. 45

White: Rubinstein. Black: Spielmann.

Irregular Opening.

1. P-Q4 P-QB4

With this move Black tries to avoid well-trodden paths of tournament practice. White can, at will, lead into a peaceful Queen's Gambit by 2. P-K3 or into a Sicilian Defence by P-K4. It is more usual, however, to play P-Q5, which blocks up the Black centre to some extent.

If 2. PxP, Black regains his pawn after P-K3 without any disadvantage.

2. P-Q5 P-Q3 3. P-QB4

Coupled with 4. P-K4, this move is of doubtful value, as Black gains command of White's Q4. It is advisable to keep the QBP back, thus retaining the option of driving off a hostile piece from Q4 by P-QB3. Moreover, the White KB is hemmed in by the pawn at QB4.

3. ... P-KKt3 4. P-K4 B-Kt2 5. B-Q3 P-K3

The development of the KKt is not desirable at B3, where it would block the long diagonal. From K2, however, it commands KB4, where it can take up a strong position after the exchange of pawns in the centre, or else it can support the advance of the KBP.

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

Kt-B3 would have been slightly better, because the Black QKt might play to his K4.

7. ... PxP 8. KPxP Kt-Q2 9. P-B4

This move weakens the King's position, and would be justified only if there was a possibility of opening the file for the Rook by P-B5. But Black has too strong a hold on his KB4. The text move aims at preventing the exchange of White's KB through Black's Kt-K4. It would have been better to withdraw the B to B2.

9. ... Kt-KB3 10. Kt-Kt3 P-KR4!

Now White cannot enforce P-B5, as Black can attack the Knight by P-R5. White cannot prevent this with P-KR4, as the Black Knight would take up a commanding position at Kt5. Black's game is superior. He can concentrate all his minor pieces on the King's wing, while White's QB is ineffective on account of the ill- considered advance of the KBP.

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

Diag. 163

11. Castles P-R5 12. KKt-K4 KtxKt 13. BxKt

White has to capture with the B, in order to exchange the Black Knight if it should play to B4. After 13. KtxKt, B-Q5ch; 14. K- R1, Kt-B4; White's Knight would not be able to move from K4 on account of the threat: Kt-Kt6ch. Sooner or later, Black would get a deciding advantage by enforcing the exchange of White's Knight, e.g. 15. Q-K1, Q-K2; 16. R-QKt1, B-Q2; 17. P-QKt3, Castles QR; 18. B-Kt2, QxKt; 19. BxQ, Kt-Kt6ch; 20. QxKt, PxQ; 21. P-KR3, BxP; 22. PxB, RxPch; 23. K-Kt2, R-R7ch; 24. KxP, RxB; or 21. BxB, RxPch, followed by PxB and QR-R1.

13. ... B-Q5ch 14. K-R1 Kt-B4 15. BxKt BxB

White is helpless against the two powerful Bishops.

16. R-K1ch K-B1

Black forfeits his chance of castling, not a great loss under the circumstances. In any case his KR is needed on the Rook's file, and Black would only have castled on the Queen's side if at all.

17. Q-B3

Here P-KR3 was essential in order to prevent the further advance of the KRP. The weakness at Kt3 would not have been so serious in the absence of a Black Knight. Now Black forces the advance of White's KKtP, and the Bishops become immediately effective.

17. ... P-R6 18. P-KKt3

not P-KKt4 on account of Q-R5.

18. ... Q-Q2 19. B-Q2 B-Kt5 20. Q-B1

If Q-Q3, Black plays Q-B4 and White cannot exchange Queens because of B-B6 mate.

20. ... Q-B4

threatening Q-B7.

21. QR-B1 K-Kt2 22. B-K3 B-B3

Black must not exchange his valuable Bishop.

23. P-Kt3 KR-K1 24. B-B2

There is no answer to Black's threat of doubling the Rooks on the K file. If White plays Q-B2, Black's Queen effects an entry at Q6, after which he would double his Rooks, and White's Bishop cannot be defended. After the text move, Black forces the exchange of his two Rooks for the Queen. Generally speaking, this is no disadvantage, but in consequence of the exposed position of the White King, it means a speedy loss for White.

24. ... B-B6ch 25. K-Kt1 B-Kt7 26. RxR BxQ 27. RxR Q-Q6!

If now RxB Black plays Q-B6.

28. R-K8

In order to play R-K3 if Black plays BxKt.

28. ... Q-B6! 29. KxB Q-R8ch 30. B-Kt1 Q-Kt7ch 31. K-K1 QxBch 32. K-Q2 QxPch Resigns

for the pawn queens.

GAME NO. 46

White: G. A. Thomas. Black: Ed. Lasker.

Irregular Opening (compare Game No. 45).

1. P-Q4 P-QB4 2. P-Q5 P-Q3 3. P-QB4 P-KKt3 4. Kt-QB3 B-Kt2 5. B-Q2

This is not necessary. Black could hardly exchange his B for the Kt; the weakness at his KB3 and KR3 would become too serious a disadvantage.

5. ... P-K3 6. P-K4 PxP 7. KtxP!

In view of the fact that Black's position after BP or KPxP would be very promising, as all his pieces would be easy to bring into play, White decides upon the sacrifice of a pawn, in order to further his own development.

7. ... BxP 8. R-Kt1 B-Kt2 9. Q-R4ch Kt-B3 10. KKt-B3

Kt-Kt6, R-Kt sq; 11. B-R5 leads to nothing, as Black plays 12. QK2.

10. ... P-KR3

If Black plays KKt-K2 at once, his position becomes somewhat cramped after 11. B-Kt5, Castles; 12. Kt-B6ch, K-R1; 13. Q-Q1.

11. B-Q3 Kt-K2 12. Castles Castles 13. Q-B2 P-Kt3

This allows the development of the QB.

14. B-B3 KtxKt 15. KPxKt Kt-K4

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

Diag. 164

Kt-K2 should have been played here in order to play BxB; 17. QxB, B-Kt5 with Kt-B4, in answer to 16. Q-Kt2. Black is still open to attack in consequence of his broken King's side, but there is no demonstrable advantage for White. The text move is a mistake, and gives White chances of a decisive attack.

16. KtxKt BxKt 17. BxB PxB 18. BxP! Q-Kt4

Of course not PxB, on account of 19. QxPch, K-R1; 20. QxPch, K- Kt1; 21. R-Kt3, etc. 18. ... P-B4 fails because of 19. R-Kt3.

19. B-K4 P-B4 20. P-B4!!

This elegant continuation decides the game. If PxP, White simply plays 21. B-Q3, and Black can hardly hope to save the end-game, as his pawns are broken up. If the Queen retreats, however, there follows: 21. PxP, and White obtains two passed pawns for the B and has the superior position.

20. ... Q-Kt2 21. PxP PXB 22. RxRch QxR 23. R-KB1 Q-Kt2 24. QxP Q-Kt5 25. R-B4 Q-Q8ch 26. K-B2 Q-Q5ch 27. QxQ PxQ 28. P-K6 B-R3 29. RxP R-B1ch

If K-B1, 30. P-Q6.

30. K-K3 R-B3 31. K-K4 R-B7 32. P-Q6 R-K7ch

He might play K-Q5, after which B-Kt2ch has points.

33. K-Q3 Resigns.

GAME No. 47

White: Tartakower. Black: Asztalos.

Dutch Opening.

1. P-KB4 P-Q4

It has been tried to refute White's non-developing first move by a pawn sacrifice: 1. ... P-K4; which leads to a rapid mobilisation of the Black forces after 2. PxP, P-Q3; 3. PxP, BxP. But this attack—called the From Gambit—does not seem to prevail against the best defence. In a match game, Tartakower-Spielmann (Vienna, 1913), White won as follows:

4. Kt-KB3, P-KKt4; 5. P-Q4, P-Kt5; 6. Kt-K5, Kt-QB3; 7. KtxKt, PxKt; 8. P-KKt3, P-KR4; 9. B-Kt2, P-R5; 10. Q-Q3, B-Q2; 11. Kt- B3, R-Kt1; 12. Castles, PxP; 13. PxP, P-QB4; 14. B-B4, BxB; 15. RxB, Q-Kt4; 16. Kt-K4, Q-R3; 17. KtxP, Kt-B3; 18. KtxB, KtxKt; 19. Q-K4ch, K-Q1; 20. RxBP, R-K1; 21. QxP, Q-K6ch; 22. K-B1, Resigns.

When Black plays P-KB4 in answer to 1. P-Q4 we have the Dutch Defence. After 1. P-Q4, P-KB4, White can also sacrifice a pawn by 2. P-K4, and thereby obtain a far more favourable position than Black does in From's gambit, as he is a move to the good, having already advanced his QP, e.g. 2. P-K4, PxP; 3. Kt-QB3, Kt-KB3; 4. P-B3 or 4. B-Kt5 and then P-B3. If Black captures the KBP, White obtains a powerful attack. A drastic example is found in the following little game, played by two students in an academic tournament at Petrograd: 4. P-B3, PxP; 5. KtxP, P-K3; 6. B-KKt5, B-K2; 7. B-Q3, Castles; 8. Castles, P-QKt3; 9. Kt-K5, B-Kt2; 10. BxKt, BxB; 11. BxPch, KxB; 12. Q-R5ch, K-Kt1; 13. Kt-Kt6, R-K1; 14. Q-R8ch, K-B2; 15. Kt-K5ch, K-K2; 16. QxPch!!, BxQ; 17. R- B7ch, K-Q3; 18. Kt-Kt5ch, K-Q4; 19. P-B4ch, K-K5; 20. R-K1 mate.

Black's best answer is to play P-Q4 after White's 4. P-KB3 (5. B-Kt5, B-B4). If 4. B-Kt5, it is not yet possible to play P-Q4 because of the threat: BxKt, Q-R5ch, and QxQP. In that case Black must first play P-QB3, after which White again obtains a strong attack by P-KB3.

Black can avoid the attacks which follow after 1. P-Q4, P-KB4; 2. P-K4, by playing P-K3 on his first move, and then lead into the Dutch defence with P-KB4 on his second move. He must, however, reckon with having to play the French defence which White can bring about with 2. P-K4.

2. P-K3 P-K3 3. Kt-KB3 P-QB4 4. P-QKt3 Kt-QB3 5. B-Kt5 Kt-B3

Black should have played B-Q2 here, as White can exchange at B6, leaving Black with a doubled pawn. This in itself is not a drawback, but in the present position it is serious, as Black will have difficulty in finding a place for his QB. For there is no prospect of enforcing P-K4, as White commands that square in sufficient force.

6. B-Kt2 B-K2 7. Castles Castles 8. BxQKt PxB 9. Kt-K5 Q-B2 10. P-Q3 P-QR4

Black's attempt of capturing his K4 by playing Kt-Q2 and P-B3, White would cross at once with Q-Kt4. With the text move Black begins operations on the Q side, which is quite correct, as White has the upper hand on the other wing.

11. Q-K2

White should have prevented the further advance of the Black RP by 11. P-QR4. This would have been sound policy in any case, as the R file could not have been forced open for the Black Rooks.

11. ... P-R5 12. Kt-Q2 PxP

Premature. The capture is only of value if the file can be held. To that end it is first necessary to play B-Kt2 and to occupy the R file with Rooks and Queen. After the exchange of Rooks, Black is at a disadvantage for the end-game because of the inefficiency of the QB.

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

Diag. 165

If instead of the text move Black had driven off the Bishop to B1 with P-R6 (13. B-B3?, P-Q5!; 14. PxP, Kt-Q4) he could have enforced his P-K4, but in the long run White would have captured the QRP, and remained with a passed pawn on the R file, a powerful weapon for the end-game, e.g. l2. ... P-R6; 13. B-B1, Kt-Q2; 14. KtxKt, BxKt; 15. P-K4, P-KB3; 16. P-B4, followed by Kt-Kt1.

13. RPxP RxR 14. RxR B-Kt2 15. P-KKt4

The Black pieces being cut off from the K side, White is free to attack.

15. ... R-R1 16. RxRch BxR 17. P-Kt5 Kt-Q2 18. Q Kt-B3 KtxKt 19. BxKt Q-R4 20. P-B4

in order to prevent the release of the B by the pawn sacrifice P- B5 and P-B4.

20. ... B-Kt2 21. K-B2 K-B1 22. P-R4 B-R3 23. P-R5 B-Kt2 24. P-R6 P-Kt3

By advancing his RP White has weakened Black's KB3, with the constant threat of establishing his Kt there and of capturing the RP.

25. K-B1

This move is superfluous and probably dictated by time pressure. The proper plan is: Q-QKt2 with the threat of B-B7 or Kt8 and Q- R8ch.

25. ... Q-R6 26. Q-QKt2

The end-game is a clear win for White. He plays his Kt to KKt4, threatening to reach B6 or K5. The effect is twofold.

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