107 Great Chess Battles 0192175904, 9780192175908

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107

Great Chess Battles Alexander Alekhine Edited and translated by E G Winter

i o

Oxford University Press 1980

Press,

Oxford University OXFORD

LO�DON

NEW YORk

TORONTO

kUALA LUMPUR DELHI

BOMBAY

NAIROBI

Walton Sireel, Oxford OX2

6DP

GLASCOW MELDOURNI::

SIr-;GAPORE CALCUTTA

DAR ES SAI.AAM

WELLINGTON

JAkARTA MADRAS

IIONG kONG KARACHI

CAPE TOWN

© Oxford University Pre.. 1980 All rights reserved. No part of this publication mal' be reproduced. stored in

II

retrieval system, or trantmitted. in any fann or by any means�

electronic, mechaniCllI, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior penn_ion of Oxford Univeflity PreIS This book is $Old subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold� hired out, or otherwise circulated

without the publisher', prior consent in any form of binding or colier other than that in which it;$ published and without

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similar condition

including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

British L ibrary Cataloguing in Publication Data Alekhin, Aleksandr Aleksandrovich

107 great chess battles. 1. Chess - Collections of games I. Title II. Winter, E G

III.

Hundred and seven great chess battles

794.1'5

GV1452

79-41072

I S B N 0-19-217590-4 ISBN 0-19-217591-2 Pbk

Set by Hope SeTVices, Abingdon and printed in Great Britain by Lowe & Brydone Printers Ltd. Thetford, Norfolk

Preface

Alexander A l e k h i n e , chess c h a m p i o n of the world for over sixteen years, was one of the greatest players of all t i m e . He also wrote some of the finest chess books ever produced, of which t h e last p u b l ished in E n g l i s h was My Best GamesofChess 1924- 1937 ( Lo n d o n , 1 93 9 1 . H e continued w r i t i n g extensively t h r o u g h o u t the w a r y e a r s , m o s t l y for p u b l i c a t i o n i n S p a n i s h , but v i r t u a l l y n o n e of t h i s material has e v e r been translated i n t o E n g l i s h . T h e present book i s a c o m p i l a t i o n of 1 07 games a n notated b y A l e k h i n e between 1 939 a n d h i s d e a t h i n 1 946. The s u p r e m e g e n i u s of t h e complicated p o s i t i o n g u i d e s u s p a t i e n t l y and e n terta i n i ng l y th rough the most fascinating of chess battles. Often h e d e l i ghts us with his candid views o n fellow masters and rivals for his world title. I should l i ke to thank M r . Bernard Cafferty for kindly clearing u p a n u m b e r of obscure points, and a l s o the editor of the British Chess Magazine for perm ission to reprint G a m e 68 and t h e remarkable tribute to Capablanca that p recedes it. C o l l e c t i n g together these games and translating the notes has been an immensely enjoyable and reward i n g task and I s i ncerely hope that the reader w i l l derive as much pleasure and benefit from them. E.G. Winter London 1 9 79

Oxford Chess Books Editor: Adam Hart-Davis

Irving C hernev The Golden Dozen Irving C hernev Capab/anca's Best Chess Endings Fischer's Chess Games Introduction by Raymond Keene

H. Golombek & W. R. Hartston The Best Games of C. H. 0'0. Alexander T.

D. Harding Better Chess for Average Chess-Players

Korchnoi's Chess Games I n t roduction by Bill Hartston

W. R. Hartston & R. D. Keene Karpov-Korchno; 1974 David Levy & Kevin O'C onnell

Oxford Encyclopedia of Ches& Games

P. R. Markland The Best o f Karpov

H. J. R Murray A History of Ches&

Alan Phillips The Che.. Teacher J. N. Wal ker Chess Openings for Juniors J. N. Wal ker Attacking the King J. N. W a l k e r First Steps in Chess Simon Webb Chess for 71ge(s If you would like to receive regular information about Oxford C hess Books, we s h ould be happy to send you eUr free b u l l e t i n . Just send your name and address on a postcard to Oxford University Press (Chess) Freepost Oxford OX2 6 B r N o stamp i s required if y o u post the card i n the Un ited K i ngdom

Contents

PART ONE: OPEN GAMES Ruy Lopez Players

Occasion

1 2

P l e c i - F riedemann Kashdan-Reshevsky

B u e n o s Aires 1 939 Sixth match game 1 94 2

3 4

Keres- Rabar Kashdan -Reshevsky

5 6 7

15

A l e k h i ne-Sch m i d t A l e k h i ne-Rey A r d i d A l e k h i ne-Zol l n e r Foltys-Keres Ale kh ine-Junge A l e k h i ne-Barcza Samisch -A l e k h i n e A l e k h i ne-Pomar A l e k h i ne-Rohacek Pomar-Perez R opstorff-Bogoljubov

M u n i c h 1 94 2 E i ghth match game 1 94 2 Salzburg 1 94 2

16 17

Kashdan-R eshevsky Kashdan-Reshevsky

M a d r i d 1 94 5 Warsaw 1 94 2 Second match game 1 94 2 Fourth match game 1 94 2

18

C r u z-Apscheneek

Buenos Aires 1 939

37

19

K i e n i n ger-Alek h i n e

M u n i c h 1 94 1

39

Buenos A i r e s 1 939

42

Berl i n 1 94 2

44

Game

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Second match game 1 944 Cracow 1 94 2 Salzburg 1 943 Cracow 1 94 2 M u n i c h 1 94 2 Prague 1 94 3 G i j6n 1 944 M u n i c h 1 94 1

Page

1 3 5 7 9 10 13 15 17 1B 20 21 25 28 30 32 34

Four Knights G ame 20

Lund in-M i c h e l

Three Knights G ame 21

Pahl-Werkmeister

Philidor's Defence 22 23

P i a z z i n i-Tartakower Von Bardeleben-Alekhine

Buenos Aires 1 939

46

Dusseldorf 1 908

49

Scotch G ambit 24 25

Med i n a-Keres R i b e i ro-Pomar

M a d r i d 1 943 M a tch 1 945

52 54

PART TWO: SEMI-OPEN GAMES French Defence 26

Bogolju bov-A l e k h i n e

Cracow 1 94 2

57

27

B u e n o s A i r e s 1 939

59

Buenos Aires 1 939 Buenos Aires 1 939

61

29

Yanofsky-D u l a n t o L u n d i n- R a u d Pleci- E n d z e l i n s

30

Keres-Stahlberg

Buenos Aires 1 939

65

31 32

A l e k h i n e-Ba rtosek Keres-F l ores

Prague 1 943 Buenos Aires 1 939

33

Pomar-A l e k h i n e

34

Apscheneek-A l e k h i n e

M a d r i d 1 94 5 B u e n o s Aires 1 939

69 71 73

28

64

76

Caro-Kann Defence 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43

Keres- M i kenas Pomar- R ico R ichter- K i e n i nger Pomar-Sanz A l e k h i n e- E l iskases Alekhine-Richter B r i n c k m a n n - H e i n ick,e Capablanca-Czerniak A l e k h i ne-Navarro

B u e n o s Aires 1 939 Bi lbao 1 94 5 Cracow 1 94 0

80 83 84

M a d r i d 1 945 Buenos Aires 1 939 M u n i c h 1 94 2 Frankfurt 1 94 2 Buenos Aires 1 939 M a d r i d 1 94 1

86 87 90 94

99 101 1 03 104 106 107 110

95 98

Sicilian Defence 44 45 46 47

M i l ner-Barry-Foltys Rometti-De Ronde Hasen fuss-Teteris Keres-Foltys

Buenos Aires 1 939 Buenos A i res 1 939 Lithuania 1 94 2 M u nich 1 94 2

48 49 50

F o l tys-Stoltz A l e k h i ne-Tsvetkov

M u n i c h 1 94 2

A l e k h i ne-Podgorny

Buenos Aires 1 939 Prague 1 943

Alekhine's Defence 51

Reed- D a n i elsson

Buenos Aires 1 939

1 14

Ki ng's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence 52

Rojahn-Czerniak

Buenos A ires 1 939

1 16

PART THREE: CLOSED GAMES Queen's G ambit Declined, Orthodox Defence 53 54

Grau-El iskases Sta h l b e rg-P i a zz i ni

Buenos Aires 1 939 Buenos Aires 1 939

55 56 57

A l ek h i n e-Kunerth M e n c h i k-Graf

Cracow 1 94 2 Buenos Aires 1 939

58 59

119 121 1 23 1 25

A l e k h i n e and W. Cruz v S i l v a Rocha, C h a r l i e r , and O . C r u z L u n d i n-Silva Rocha K a h n-Sc h m i d t

R i o d e Janeiro 1 939 B u e n os Aires 1 939 B u e n o s Aires 1 939

1 29 1 32 134

Queen's Gambit Declined, Slav Defence 60

Reshevsk y -Kashdan

Eleventh match game 1 94 2

1 36

61

St3hl berg-V a n Scheltinga

Buenos Aires 1 939

1 39

B u e n o s A i r e s 1 939

141

Queen's G ambit Accepted 62

Opocensky- L u n d i n

Queen's Pawn, Nimzowitsch Defence 63 64

Reshevsk y -Kashdan

Seventh match game 1 94 2

1 43

Enevoldsen-A leklfine

Buenos Aires 1 939

146

65

Bol bochan -Po u l s e n

Buenos Aires 1 93 9

66 67

Petrov- M i kenas Capabl anca-M ikenas E n evoldsen-Capa blanca

B u e n o s Aires 1 939 Buenos Aires 1 939 Buenos Aires 1 939

1 50 1 52

Pomar-Ticoulat

Balearic Islands 1 944

68 69 70 71 72 73

Reshevsky-Kashdan

Fifth match game 1 94 2

1 55 1 58 161 162

Tartakower-Enevoldsen Pomar- R ibeiro J u n ge-Bogoljubov

B u e n o s Aires 1 93 9

1 64

M a t c h 1 94 5 M u n i c h 1 94 2

1 66 16B

King's Indian Defence 74

Flores-Najdorf

B u enos Aires 1 939

1 70

G rOnfeld Defence Flores-Czerniak R ussher-Walcicer

Buenos Aires 1 939

1 72

Cracow/Warsaw 1 94 2

1 74

Grau-Mikenas

Buenos Aires 1 939

1 75

F i rst match game 1 94 2

1 79

79

Reshevsky-Kashdan Reshevsky-Kashdan

Third match game 1 94 2

l B2

BO

Reshevsky-Kashdan

N i nt h match game 1 94 2

Bl

Kashdan-Reshevsky

Tenth match game 1 94 2

l B5 lBB

75 76 77 7B

Queen's Indian Defence B2 B3 B4 B5

1 90

Opocensky-Capa blanca Ale k h ine-Keres

Buenos Aires 1 939 M u n ic h 1 94 2

Opocensky-Keres Bogolju bov- R e l l stab

Buenos Aires 1 939 Cracow 1 94 0

1 93 1 94 1 99

Buenos Aires 1 939

200

Buenos Aires 1 939

202

B u enos Aires 1 939

205

M a d r i d 1 943

208

Queen's Pawn, Benoni Defence B6

V a n Schelti nga-Opocensky

Dutch Defence B7

Petrov-Tartakower

Budapest G ambit 88

Van Schelti nga-Tartakower

Albin Counter G ambit 89

Siimisch- M e d i n a

Queen's Pawn G ame 90

Petrov-Grau

Buenos Aires 1 939

91

M i k enas-Cze r n i a k

209 212 214

92

M i kenas-A l e k h i n e

B u e n o s A i r e s 1 939 B u e n o s A i r e s 1 939

93

Czerniak -Tartakower

Buenos Aires 1 939

218

94

Trompowsky, S i l v a Rocha, and C harl i e r v Alekhine Rio d e Janeiro 1 939

222

and O. Cruz

95 96

Trompowsky-Va i t o n i s Bogolju bov-A l e k h i n e

B u e n os A i r e s 1 939 S a l z burg 1 94 2

223 225

E nglish Opening 97 98 99 100

Czerniak-Alekh i n e Leepin-A l e k h i n e Keres-Richter Sajtar-Al e k h i n e

230

B u e n o s A i r e s 1 939 M u n ich 1 94 1

233

M u n i c h 1 94 2 Prague 1 943

235 237

B u e n os Aires 1 93 9 Buenos Aires 1 939

240

B u e nos A i r e s 1 939

245

247 250

Reti's Opening 101 102 1 03

E n g e l s-Bergqv ist Stll h l berg-R o j a h n Stll h l berg-Casti l l o

243

Catalan System 1 04 105

F o l tys-M ichel

Buenos Aires 1939

Barcza-Bogoljubov

M u n i c h 1 94 2

1 06

A l e k h i ne-Ra bar

M u n i c h 1 94 2

107

A l e k h i n e-Bogolju bov

Warsaw 1 943

251 253

PART ONE : OPEN GAM E S

Ruy Lopez GAM E 1 B u e n os Aires 1 939 Ruy Lopez White: I. P L E C I (Arge n t i n a ) Black: F R I E D E M A N N ( E s t o n i a )

1

e4

e5

2

Nf3

Ne6

3

Bb5

a6

4 Ba4 5 O.()

Nf6 Be7

6

Re1

b5

7

B b3

d6

8 e3

Na5

I venture to predict t hat w i t h i n a space of t hree years th i s premature move (correct clearly would be 8 ... 0·0 9 h 3 N a 5 ) will be u n ivers· a l l y and d e f i n i t i v e l y abandoned i n favour of castl i n g .

This capture (whic h s hould have been replaced by 14 Nbd2, threaten­ ing 15 Nxe5 etc., with advantage) is righ t l y considered by t h eory to be too dangerous. But the reasons that have been given to su p p o rt this o p i n i o n have been i n complete or u n c o n v i n c i n g . The present game t h erefore offers a good opportunity to arrive at a solution of this l i t t l e opening problem.

Oxe5

14 15

Rxa5

16

g3

Ng4

e5

The only alternative, 1 6 f4, would give B l a c k a w i n n ing attack after 1 6 . . . Qc7 1 7 Ra1 c4 etc .

1 0 d4

Oe7

16

11

Rb8

17

9

Be2 a4!

1 2 axb5

axb5

1 3 dxe5

dxe5

14

Oh5 h4

Nxe5? Page 1

Game 1 Ruy Lopez The key to the combination, a l l ow­ ing the queen's b i s h o p to partici pate.

21

Og3

After 21 Bf4 Nxf3 22 B x h 2 N x h 2 + . foll owed by 23 . . . Ng4. B l a c k w i t h h i s extra p a w n w o u l d h ave won easily.

21

Position after 17 h4

17

. . •

Bxh4!

Many spectators (some of them experts of proven i n ternational renown) were surprised that Friedemann did n o t here p l a y the 'book' move 1 7 . . . g5 with t h e suggested c o n t i n u a t i o n 18 B x g 5 Bxg5 19 Od6 Bxh4 20 O x b 8 B d 8 e t c . P r o b a b l y the E s t o n i a n master saw over the board that his oppon­ e n t would have at his disposition the much stronger move 1 9 Od5 which, after 19 . . . h6 20 Oxc5 or 19 . . . f6, would bring Black grave problems. For this reason h is decision to sacrifice the piece was not o n l y justified by the c i r c u m ­ stances b u t a l s o . i n a w a y . neces­ sary. I t s h o u l d be noted too that the preparatory move 1 7 . . . 0-0 would be i n effective on account of 18 Od5 Ne5 19 B d 1 .

18 19

gxh4

Oxh4

Of3

Clearly forced.

19 20

Oh2+ Kf1

Page 2

Ne5

...

Oh 1 +!

A d i f f i c u l t decision since it seems i nc r e d i b l e that after 21 . . . Bh3+ 22 Ke2 Bg4+ 23 Ke3! (if 23 Kfl i t i s mate i n four with 2 3 . . . O h 1 + etc . ) , B l a c k . despite t h e poss i b i l i ty of play i ng 23 _ . . Nc4+, has n o satisfactory c o n t i n u a t i o n for h i s attack s i nce after t h i s k n i gh t check the W h i t e king, at f4, wou l d be attac k i n g the e n e m y bishop. After 23 . . . g5? it w o u l d be mate in three were W h i t e to capture the queen. B u t in t h i s case Wh i te would protect his c4 square and have no further worries. F r i e d e m a n n's move t h u s p r o v i d e s e v i d e n c e o f a profound e x a m i n a t i o n of t h e pos i t i o n .

22

Ke2

23 f3

Oh5+ Nxf3 !

A fresh a n d perfectly correct sacrifice. I t is e v i d e n t that the k n i gh t i s u n t ouchable because 0 f 2 4 . . . Bg4 but n o r c a n the rook be cap­ t u r e d . I f 2 4 O x b 8 then 24 . . . Ne5+ 25 Kf2 Oh2+ 26 K f 1 0-0 and wins.

24

Kf2!

Nxel

25

Kxel

Oh 1 +

26

Kf2

Game 2 Ruy Lopez b

I

•

struggle to obtain a draw_

27

Oe5+

Now Black is lost.

Kd8

27 28 Od6+ 29

Ke8

Ra7 !

Decisive.

Oxe2+

29

Position after 26 Kf2

26 . . .

Oxe l ?

A n u n b e l ievable error after such inspired play. Black. probably u n d e r time-pressure. completely overlooks the check that follows. Otherwise h e would doubtless h ave played 26 . . . 0·0 2 7 B f 4 ( 2 7 Oxb8? Oxcl l oses r a p i d l y ) Rb6 2 8 e5 Rg61 29 Bxg6 fxg6 30 N d 2 h 6 . after w h i c h White would r e a l l y have to

30

Nd2

Rb7

31

Ra8

Re7

32

Ke2 !

The f i n i s h i n g t o u c h .

Oa4

31 33

Rxa4

bxa4

34

Oxe7

Bg4+

A s p i te check.

35

Ke3

Black resigns

A game of theoretical v a l u e and u n ­ usual v i t a l i t y .

G AM E 2 Si x th match game. New York 1 94 2 Ruy Lopez White: I. KA SHOA N Black: S. R E S H EV S K Y

e4

e5

7 Bb3

2

Nf3

Ne6

8 e3

3

Bb5

a6

9

4

Ba4

Nf6

1 0 d4

5

0-0

Be7

11

6

Rel

b5

Perfectly playable would be the i m ·

Be2

d6 Na5 e5 Oe7

h3

Page 3

Game 2 Ruy Lopez m e d i ate move 1 1 N b d 2 s i n c e the firm p i n 1 1 . . . Bg4 offered n o danger.

11

0-0

1 2 a4 This demonstration on the queen's side. is o u t of place h e r e because Black can reply with a s i m p l e developing move. 12 Nbd2 and 1 2 B g 5 are good moves f o r White.

Bd7

12 13

Nbd2?

F i ne made the same tactical mistake against Reshevsky i n t h e A V R O tournament. Necessary first was 1 3 axb5 which wou l d keep t h e balance. Now B l a c k will force a clearly superior ending.

exd4

13 14

exd4

15

axb5

RfeS

An u n natural move which i n fact i s not t h e best. 1 9 . . . K f 8 also parries t h e threat of freedom by 20 Ba3 exd4 21 e5 and i f White continues as in the game Black gains a valuable tempo.

20 dxe5 21

dxe5

Ba3!

The exchange of t h i s bishop frees White's game but nonethel ess h e is s t i l l far from the safety of b e i n g a b l e to o b t a i n a d r a w s i n c e t h e Black bishop i s i n an assured position.

21

Bxa3

22

Rxa3

Rel

23

Rxel

Rxe1+

24 Kh2

Re2

Ral

KfS

25

In his game F i ne preferred to sacrifice a pawn by 1 5 Bd3 but f i n a l l y h e succumbed despite the obstinate tenacity of his resistance. The alternative sought by Kashdan is, i n its turn, rather poor.

E q u a l l y safe w o u l d be 25 . . . N d 7 26 N c 4 ( s t i l l the best c h a n c e ) f 6 2 7 N a 3 Rxf2 2 8 Nxb5 a x b 5 . White can win t h e b-pawn but h e would lose h is e-pawn and B l a c k , with four pawns against two on the k i n g's side, would have great chances of w i n n i n g .

15

Qxc2

26

Qxe2

Rxc2

17

Rxa5

Bxb5

1S

Ral

With the serious threat 2 7 . . . Nc5. White's following pawn sacrifice is practica l l y forced.

16

27

N e i t h e r now nor on the f o l l o w i n g m o v e can he t a k e the e·pawn because the entry of t h e bishop i nto the action at b4 w o u l d be fatal.

1S 19

RacS b3

Pa e 4

BfS

Kgl

Nc4

Nd7

Bxc4

This certa i n l y means the w i n n i ng of a pawn but it leaves White hope i n view o f t h e absence o f t h e Black a·pawn. I w o u l d have preferred to p l a y 2 7 . . . f6 (strongly threate n i ng 28 . . . N c 5 ) as 28 Na3 Rb2 29 N x b 5 axb5 30 Rd1 Ke7 3 1 Rd3

Game 3 Ruy Lopez b4, followed by 32 . . . Nc5 w o u l d be c l e a r l y favourable to B l a c k .

2 8 bxc4

Rxc4

29

Rxa6

Rxe4

30

Ra7

Ke7

Leav i n g aside t h e question of whether B l a c k can force a win with the material available (in m y view the w i n is poss i bl e , though tec h n ic· ally very difficu l t ) , one t h i n g is obv i o u s : with the text move Reshevsky l ets s l i p this last chance. Black should p l a y 30 . . . Ke8! Then if 3 1 Ng5 Rd4 32 Nxh7? B l a c k would win by 32 . . . f6 3 3 g4 ( a g a i n s t t h e threat of 33 . . . R h 4 ) g5 1 a n d Wh i te would not have, as in the game, the saving move 34 h4.

31

Ng5!

This threatens t h e rook a n d both t h e h-pawn and t h e f-pawn.

Rd4

31 32

Nxh7!

Now this paradoxical move w h i c h defi n i tely saves the game i s poss i b l e .

f6

32

Position after 33 g4

33 . . .

Kf7

If 33 . . . g5, W h i t e escapes by 34 h 4 ! ! Rxg4+ 35 Kfl (threate n i n g 36 Rxd7+) Rxh4 36 Nxf6, leading to a theoretic a l l y d r a w n endgame.

34 g5

f5

35

Rd6

Kfl

The k i ng cannot approach the knight, either via gB, because of 36 g6 or v i a g6, because of 36 R x d 7 . N o resource r e m a i n s .

3 6 g6+

Rxg6

37

Rxd7+

Kg8

38

Re7

Kxh7

Drawn

33 g4

GAME3 M u n i c h 1 94 2 Ruy Lopez White: P. K E R ES Black: B. R A B A R

1

e4

e5

3

Bb5

a6

2

Nf3

Nc6

4

Ba4

Nf6 Page 5

Game 3 Ruy Lopez

5

0-0

Be7

15

6

Re1

b5

16

gxf3

7

Bb3

d6

17

Kh1

Ng6

0-0

18

Rg1

Nh5

8 c3 9

a4

Keres knows that the r e p l y 9 . . . b4 considerably reduces W h i t e ' s i n itiative b e c a u s e i n a g a m e p l a y e d i n Moscow a f e w y e a r s ago h e o b t a i n e d a satisfactory p o s i t i o n , n o t to say a s u p e r i o r o n e , after 1 0 d 4 exd4 1 1 cxd4 Bg4 1 2 Be3 Na5 13 Bc2 c5. However, Keres assumes that his y o u n g adversary w i l l be ignorant of this l i n e , and he is certa i n l y right.

9

. . .

Rb8?

This move i s a strategic error s i n c e it h e l p s W h i t e to o b t a i n a d o m i n a n t central position.

10

axb5

11

d4

ax b5

T h i s t h reatens to w i n a p i e c e a n d obliges h i s o p p o n e n t to exchange, opening u p a dangerous l i ne of attack.

11

exd4

12

cxd4

Bg4

13

Nc3

Od7

14

Be3

Bd8

Bxf3 Ne7

These m a noeuvres d o n o t i m ply a d e s i r e to c o u n ter-attack b u t s i m p l y to d e f e n d against t h e g r o w i n g pressure i n t h e c e n t r e of t h e board of the White i nfantry. But t h i s object c o u l d a l s o have been ach i eved through 1B . . . R e B 1 9 f4 b4 etc.

19

an

Kh8

Black be l i eves h e has the chance to m a n o e u v re his pieces with a v iew to a c o u n ter-offensive, but he succeeds in doing n o t h i n g except l o s i n g more temp i . T h e move 19 . . . c6 was necessary.

20

Ne2 !

N o w t h e reply 20 . . . f5 w ou l d be refuted by 21 a h 3 a n d i f 2 0 . . . N h 4 t h e n 2 1 Ng3 etc.

20

_ _ ,

21

f4

c6

This a d v a n c e reduces t h e a l re a d y l i m i t e d poss i b i l ities of B l a c k , whose only hope will n o w consist of a despe rate sacrifice. 21

.

_ .

22 f5

d5 Nh4

If 22 . . . Ne7 then naturally 23 ah3

So as to be able t o answer 1 5 d5 with 1 5 . . . N e 7 .

23 f3

15

If 23 . . . ReB, 24 Nf4 with a v i ol e n t attack.

Od3

A l l o w i n g B l a c k the mQve 1 5 . . . B x f 3 , w h i c h gives c e r t a i n defensive chances, in exchange f o r t h e pos­ sess i o n of t h e two b i s h o p s . Page 6

24

Nf4

25

ah3

Oe8

Nf6

I f now 2 5 . . . NgB there w o u l d

Game 4 Ruy Lopez follow 26 e5. and if 26 . . . ad7. 2 7 f6 axh3 28 fxg7 mate.

Ilit • • s tilt' •6

26 fxe4

Oxe4+

27

Nxf5

Ng2

After 2 7 . . . Oxf5 t h e re fol l ows 28 Qg3 N x g 2 29 R x g 2 Bf6 30 Bc2 ad7 3 1 Rfl Rg8 3 2 Bxh 7 K x h 7 33 Rxf6 etc .

28

Bf4 !

Forcing the g a i n of m a t e r i a l .

Rb7

28 Rae1

Oxd4

30

Oxf5

Oxb2

31

Be5 !

Oxb3

32

Re3

Black resigns

29

Position after 25 Qh3

25

. . .

Nxe4

At first s i g h t t h i s sacrifice seems to be very strong but Keres has fore· seen such a n eventuality for some time and has to hand the appropriate recipe.

After 3 2 . . . ac4 there w o u l d f o l l o w 33 B x g 7 + K x g 7 34 Nf4+ Kh8 35 O x h 7 + K x h 7 3 6 R h 3 + . fol l owed by m a t e .

G AM E 4 E ighth match game. New York 1 94 2 R u y Lopez White: I . KASH D A N Black: S . R E SH E V SK Y

e4

e5

2

Nf3

Nc6

3

Bb5

a6

4

Ba4

Nf6

5

0-0

Be7

6

Oe2

This variation offers White at least as many chances as 6 R e 1 . The

choice of l i n e of p l a y i s a m a t t e r of taste and style.

b5

6 7

Bb3

d6

8

a4

Bg4

Definitely not 8 . . . b4 because of 9 ac4.

9

c3

0-0 Page 7

Game 4 Ruy Lopez

10

h3

Bd7

If 10 . . . Bh5 White plays 1 1 d3 or the i m med iate 1 1 g4 and Black's q u e e n 's bishop has l i ttle future.

11

d4

ae8

12

Rdl

b4

13

exb4

White does not judge at its proper value t h e defensive strength of the Black knight at b4. More c h a n ces are offered by maintai n i n g the tension in the centre with 13 a5.

13

26

Kg2

Nd4

As may be seen, Black's defence offers n o d i f f i c u l t i e s .

27

Rael

28

Rel

Rd5

I f 28 f4 Black wou l d h ave the effective reply 28 . . . N b 3 .

28

h6

29 Ngf3

Nxf3

30

Kxf3

Rf8+

31

Kg2

exd4

14

Nxd4

Nxb4

15

Ne3

e5!

Black to move

Black does not leave h is opponent the necessary time to develop h is pieces and proceeds with a series of exchanges which frees h i m from all difficulties.

16

Nf3

17

Bc4

Be6

E q u a l l y u n i ns p i r i n g would be 1 7 N d 5 Bxd5 18 exd5 ReB etc.

Bxe4

17 18

axe4

ae6

19

axe6

fxe6

20 e5

dxe5

21

Nfd5

Nxe5

The active position of his pieces compensates Black adequately for the isolation of his pawns.

Posi tion after 3 1 Kg2

31

. . .

Rxe5

T h i s forces l i qu idation and a draw.

32

Rxe5

Nd3

33

Rexe5

Rxf2+

The p o i n t of the c o m b i n a t i o n .

Nxe5

34

Kgl

22 Ne4

Rfd8

35

Rxe5

Rxb2

23

BgS

Bxg5

36

Re6

a5

24

Nxg5

Nf4

37

Re5

Ra2

Ne2+

38

Rxa5

e5

25 g3 Page 8

Game 5 Ruy LOpez

39

Rxe5

Rxa4

Drawn

T h i s e a s i l y comprehensible game shows the d y n a m i c force of Reshevsky's defence.

GAM E 5 Salzburg 1 942 Ruy Lopez White: A. A L E K H I N E Black: P . S C H M I DT

1

e4

e5

2

Nf3

Nc6

3

Bb5

a6

4

Ba4

5 0-0

Nf6 Be7

6

Ce2

b5

7

Bb3

d6

B a4 Against Keres in the same tournament I selected the tranquil l i ne res u l t i n g from 8 c3 0-0 9 R d 1 etc. But in this game, i n h o n o u r 0 f my opponent, I preferred to play rather aggress i v e l y .

B

Bg4

9 c3

0-0

10

11

. . .

d5!?

Too risky.

12

exd5

e4!

The r i g h t move, for i f 12 . . . N x d 5 there would follow 13 d41 exd4 14 Qc4 ! w i n n i ng a piece.

13 dxc6

Bd6

1 4 d4!

ReB

Rd1

As is well known, the moves 10 axb5 axb5 1 1 Rxa8 Qxa8 12 Qxb5 p e r m i t the reply 12 . . . Na7 which i s r i g h t l y considered more than satisfactory.

b4

10 11

13 e5 Ne4 wou l d not exactly have been to my advantage.

a5

The l i n e 1 1 d4 exd4 12 cxd4 d5

Position after 14

15

. . .

ReB

Be3

At this j u ncture I gave considerable time to the idea 1 5 Bxf7+ Kxf7 Page 9

Game 6 Ruy Lopez 1 6 Qc4+ with the f o l l o w i n g possi· bilities:

24 bxc3. w h i c h w o u l d offer B l a c k better chances.

( a ) 1 6 . . . K f 8 1 7 Ng5 Q e 7 1 8 R e 1 h 6 19 N h 3 .

24 d5!

Oh3+

25

Bc2

(b) 16 . . . Kg6 1 7 N h 4 + Kh5 18 f3! Be6 19 Qe2 Kxh4 20 Qe3 !

25 . . . Bg4 would have been a l i ttle better.

However I am satisfied with my decision.

26 cxb4

Rxe3+

27 fxe3

Oxe3+

28

Oh6

15

exf3

1 6 gxf3

Bh5

17

Nd2

Ne4!

18

Bxf7+

Kxf7

19

Oc4+

Kf8

20 fxe4 And not 20 Nxe4 Rxe4 ! 21 fxe4 Qh4 with a strong c o u n ter·attack.

20

. . .

Qh4

Or 20 . . . Bxd 1 21 R x d 1 Qh4 22 Kfl !

21

e5

22 exd6 23

Kfl

Bxd1 0g4+ cxd6?

It was necessary to p l a y 23 . . . bxc3

Ke1

Oe2

In order to avoid an exchange the B l a c k queen i s forced to withdraw q u i te a way from the batt l e f i e l d .

29

Ra3 !

Preventing 29 . . . Re8 because of t h e reply 30 Rf3+ etc.

Bf5

29 30

Re3

g6

31

Of2 !

Rb8

32 Nc4

Rxb4

33 Nxd6 Now 33 . . . Rxb2 is not possible o w i n g to 34 R e 8 + a n d mate next move. Black resigned.

GAM E 6 Second match game. Saragossa 1 944 Ruy Lopez White: A. A L E K H I N E Black: R . R E V A R D I D

e4

e5

5 0·0

Be7

2

Nf3

Nc6

6

Oe2

b5

3

Bb5

a6

7

Bb3

d6

Nf6

8 c3

4

Ba4

Page 1 0

Na5

Game 6 R u y Lopez

9 d4 This move, so s i m p l e , has not y e t b e e n tried out i n master p r a x i s , but i t m e r i ts at least a mention i n t h e theoretical m a n u a l s . I h a v e p l ayed i t once a n d , i n s pite of the success obta i n e d . I shall not do so again because subsequent analysis per· suaded me that Black can easily obtain e q u a l i t y at least. I n this game Dr. Rey Ardid f a l l s i nto an inferior position solely because he allows h i mself to be i nfluenced by preconceived ideas.

9

. . .

Nc2-b4 l . The text move results i n a dangerous weake n i n g of the square d6.

14

Nc2

15

b4

Qe7

Demonstrating the i n adequacies of Black's queen's s i d e .

15

0·0

, . .

d

q

Nxb3

Very p l a u s i b l e , although not the best. A her 9 . . . exd4 10 Nxd4 c5 1 1 Nf3 (or 1 1 Nf5 Nxb3 12 axb3 Bxf5 13 exf5 Qd7 14 Qf3 0·0 etc . ) Nxb3 1 2 axb3 B b 7 , White would be i n an u n e n v iable position whether h e played 13 N b d 2 or 13 Nfd2.

10

axb3

Nd7

Black's i ntention can be seen c l e a r l y ; he i s try i ng at all costs to m a i n t a i n h i s centre. Now 1 0 . . . e x d 4 1 1 Nxd4 (threatening 1 2 Nxb5 and 1 2 Nc6) would give White a good game.

11

Rd1

Bf6

12

dxe5

dxe5

After 1 2 . . . Nxe5 1 3 Nxe5 Bxe5 14 f4 Bf6 15 e5 Be 7 1 6 exd6 c x d 6 17 R e 1 Ra7 1 B B e 3 R d 7 19 N d 2 . Whi te's p o s i t i o n would have been e q u a l l y preferable.

13

Na3

c6

The threat of 14 Nxb5 could have been parried by 14 . . . RbB but this too w o u l d l e a d to troubles ( a l l o w i n g

Position after 1 5

16

. . .

0-0

h3!

To my m i n d this m o v e i s the most d i f f i c u l t of the whole game. I n fact White, d e s p i t e h i s good position, has d i fficulty in conso l i d a t i n g it. For instance, i f he plays 16 Ne3 then 1 6 . . . Nb6, a n d i f 1 6 B e 3 t h e n 16 . . . c5 with a good g a m e . T h e t e x t m o v e threatens by Nh 2-g4 to harass the Black k i n g 's bishop (conserv i n g his bishop pai r is the only satisfaction that Black has to compensate for his weakened position) and thus c reate a weakness, however slight i t may be, on Black's king s i d e .

Re8

16 17

Nh2

Qe6 Page 1 1

Game 6 Ruy LOpez To avoid t h e exchange of the bishop. But now the square fS is acces s i b l e to the knight and the move . . . g6 becomes u n av o i d a b l e a s a result.

18

Ne3

19

Nf31

g6

, ,'

Seeking an exchange of queens which would i n fact have granted him some c h ances of salvation. I t is evident that if 2 2 . . . gxfS 23 Rd6! i s decisive.

Black resigns

23 Cc2 !

Threaten i n g t h e exchange of the b i s h o p by means of 20 N g 4 and 21 Nh6+.

19

0c4

22 exf5

a

b

c

d

e

q

Bd8

T h i s move would be good if Black had c o n t i n u e d l o g i c a l l y with his idea.

20 Ng4

fS7

This move loses. Black a l l ows h i m · s e l f t o be i n f l uenced b y the variation 21 exfS gxfS 22 NgxeS? Bf6 and wins, and forgets that at t h i s moment h i s d 6 is not sufficiently well protected. H e ought to have played 20 . . . f6 21 Ne1 as 2 2 bxaS RxaS 23 RxaS BxaS 24 b4 Bc7 2S Nd3 after which he would have excel l e n t c h a � ces of resistance.

21

Nh6+

E q u a l l y strong was 21 exfS gxfS 2 2 Nh6+ Kf8! 23 g 4 ! , with the occupation of fS.

21

. • .

Kg7

With 21 . . . Kf8 22 exfS etc. Black could reach t h e variation mentioned above b u t i t too would be without hope. I f 2 1 . . . K h 8 , then 2 2 exfS gxfS 23 Rd6 ! and wins.

Page 1 2

F i n a l position

Black's resignation in this position is justified since he has a lost game. The continuation would have been 23 . . . Nf6 24 BgS Nd5! 2 S Bxd8 Kxh6 (or after 2S . . . Rxd8 the prosaic win by 26 N x e S Qf4 27 Nxc6 Rd6 28 Ng4 BxfS 29 Od2 etc.) 26 R x d S ! cxdS 2 7 Bf6! (threatening 28 Od2+) gxfS (if 2 7 . . . e4 then 28 Od2+ e3 29 fxe3 Oe4 30 NgS! Oxe3+ 31 Oxe3 Rxe3 3 2 Nf7+ K h S 33 g 4 m a t e ) 28 O d 2 + f 4 29 N x e S and w i n s .

Game 1 Ruy Lopez G AM E 7 Cracow 1 94 2 Ruy Lopez White: A. A L E K H I N E Black: L. Z OL L NER

2

e4

e5

Nf3

Ne6

3

Bb5

a6

4

Ba4

Nf6

5 0-0

Be7

6 Ce2

b5

7

Bb3

0-0

This move has been played very often recently instead of the normal variation 7 . . . d 6 .

8 d4

12

Also very practicable is 8 c3 d5 9 d 3 ! as I tried with success in a later game against Junge [Game 9] . The positio nal advan tage that White would obtain i s full compensation for t h e sacrifice of a pawn that the text move involves.

8

_ _ _

d5

If 8 . . . exd4 (or 8 . . . Nxd4 9 N xd4 exd41. then 9 e5 NeB 1 0 c3 ! dxc3 1 1 Nxc3 with a n excellent game.

9 dxe5

Nxe4

10 e3 After 10 Rd 1 Be6 1 1 c4 there would f o l l ow 1 1 . . . b x c 4 1 2 B x c 4 B c 5 1 3 B e 3 B x e 3 14 Q x e 3 Ne7 with good defensive chances_

Be6

10 11

Nbd2

12

Bc2

More frequent l y played at this p o i n t (since by i n v e r s i o n of moves we find ourselves i n a w e l l -known I ine of the O pen Defence 5 . . _ Nxe41 is 1 2 Nd4 Nxb3 1 3 Nxb3 - and not 1 3 Nxc6 owing t o 1 3 . . _ N x c 1 - Qd7 etc. with a l m ost abso lute e q u a l i t y _ The t e x t m o v e turns out to be rather deficient, as Black's reply w i l l demon­ strate. We are thus at a stage w h i c h m e r i t s consideration from the p o i n t of view of t h e development of t h i s game.

Ne5

, , _

d4

After this the continuation 13 cxd4 Nxd4 14 Nxd4 Qxd4 15 Nf3 Qc4 ! would scarcely be pleasant for White_ Neverthel ess by h i s next move W h i te manages to resolve the situation, giving Black a d i f f i c u l t p r o b lam to tack l e _

13

Bb 1 !

dxe3

If 13 . . _ d3 White would p l a y 1 4 Qe3 and the Black pawn would be destined to succumb.

14

bxe3

Cd7

With the idea of d i s p u t i n g the queen's file w i t h White by 15 R d 1 R a d B et ..

15

Ne4!

Rad8

If now 15 . . . Bc4 there would follow 16 Nxc5 Bxc5 17 Qe4 with great advantage.

16

Nxe5

Bxe5 A

13

Game 1 Ruy LOpez

17

0e4

g6

A weakening of B lack's position that w i l l become fatal. Although not e n t i r e l y satisfactory, 1 7 . . . fS would have been more bearable but after 1B exf6 gxf6 1 9 Bh6 Rf7 20 Bc2 White has the advantage any· way.

18

Bg5

19

Qh4!

24

• . •

Qe8!

With the i n t e n t i o n of answering 2S e6 with 2S . . . f6, e l u d ing the coup.

Be7

With the strong threat of 20 Bf6, which o b l i ges Black to create a new weakness.

hS

19 20

�-�-'--�.�.....!...--''-----'

Be4

Threatening 21 Bxc6 BxgS 22 Bxd7 etc., w i n n i n g a piece.

BxgS

20 21

QxgS

22

Rfel

BfS

Very seductive, but insufficient to w i n , would be 22 R a d 1 Oxd 1 23 BxfS since after 23 . . . OdS! White would have to make do with equality by means of 24 Bxg6. N o r would 2 2 Oh6 B x e 4 23 NgS b e practical because of the response 23 . . . fS, w h i c h shows B l ack's defensive powers.

22

• • ,

Bxe4

If 22 . . . Rfe8 White w o u l d secure a decisive material advantage by 23 Bxc6! Oxc6 24 Nd4 OcS 2S e6 BxeS 26 Nxe6.

23

Rxe4

24

Rael

Ne7

Now 2S e6 i s threatened w i t h d e m o l i s h i n g effect. Page 1 4

Position after 24

. . .

Qe8

25 g4 Up u n t i l now W h i t e has managed to conduct the attack wel l , obta i n i n g a w i n n i n g position. But t h i s move and especia!ly the next are wel l refuted by B l a c k . A s i m p l e and efficacious solution to the problem was 2S Rh4 Kh7 2 6 at6 ! , w i n n i n g pawns and increasing t h e attack u n t i l t h e f i n i s h . T h i s would h a v e brought t h e struggle t o a n end shortly.

Rd3!

2S 26 Nh4?

Now too White could have attained victory by means of the most n a t u ra l and l o g i c a l continuation 2 6 Nd4 ! and if 26 . . . cS t h e n 27 NfS NxfS 28 gxfS (or 28 e6 or even 28 gxhS I . T h e position o f t h e k n ight a t h 4 h i nders White's natural attack down t h e rook's f i l e , at the same time fac i l itating Black's counter-attack.

26

• • •

hxg4

Game 8 Ruy Lopez

27

Rxg4

28 Oh6

31

A mistake which annuls Black's b r i l l i a n t resistance and tarnishes the game. I n d icated was 3 1 . . . R eB ! , preventing 3 2 Ne4 and at the same time weakening the effect of 32 e6. The text move was however chosen by Black with the idea of answering 32 e6 with 32 . . . fxe6, to which White would have replied with 33 Ne4 ! Kg7 ( o r 33 . . . K h 7 ) 34 Kh 1 ! and the battle continues with vigour.

With the intention of re p l y i n g to 29 e6 w i t h 29 . . . Rd 1 30 exf7+ Rxf7.

2 9 Nf3

Nf5

30 Oe1 30 Of4 Ng7 would be useless for White.

Rd3

30 31

Nh67

Rd5 O d 8!

Ng5

H o p i n g to play 32 e6 o r 32 Ne4.

32

...

Ne6!

Forcing the win of the queen through t h e threat of mate in a few moves.

32

. . •

Oe7

After 32 . . . Nxg4 33 N x d B RfxdB 34 Qf4 White would win the knight as wel l .

33 Oxh6

Oxe6

34

Black resigns

Rh4

P osition after 31 Ng5

GAMES Salzburg 1 943 R u y Lopez l1Ihite: J. F O L TYS Black: P. K E R ES

e4

e5

2

Nf3

Ne6

3

Bb5

a6

4

Ba4

Nf6

5 O.{)

Be7

6 Oe2

b5

7

O.{)

Bb3

The fashionable variation.

8 e3 Page 1 5

Game 8 Ruy L6pez To be considered is t h e pawn sacrifice played by m e agai nst Z o l l n e r at Warsaw 1 94 2 : B d 4 exd4 9 e5 N e B 10 c3 !

d5

8 9

exd5

Against 9 d3 Black can play 9 . . . d4 and i f 10 cxd4 then 10 . . . Bg4 1 1 d 5 N d 4 with good attac k i n g chances.

...

g5

White to move

Bg4

9 10

19

This move w h i c h at first sight seems so momentous al lows White a clever reo j o i n d e r which saves him from per i l . Black could force a draw b y p l a y i n g 1 9 . . . Rxe5 20 O x e 5 N h 3 + 2 1 K g 2 N f 4 + etc.

dxc6

The continuation 1 0 h3 Bxf3 1 1 Oxf3 e4 1 2 Oe2 Na5 1 3 Bc2 Oxd5 1 4 Re1 RfeB 15 Bxe4 Nxe4 16 Oxe4 Od7 1 7 Qf3 c5 would hardly be satisfactory for White.

e4

10 11

d4

exf3

12

gxf3

Bh5

13

Bf4

As w i l l be seen in the continuation Black, after th i s move, could force a draw. 13 N d 2 Bd6 14 Ne4 ReB 1 5 Od3 etc. offered more poss i b i l ities.

14

Be5

20 Nxh5

Oxh5

21

Oh3?

e6 ! !

Bd6

T h i s w i n n i n g attempt could have had f a t a l results. Correct was 2 1 . . . Nxe6 2 2 0e4! Nf4 23 Of5 Re7 24 Og4. W h i te can d e a l with the immediate threats but the k n i g h t at f4 exerts i n tense pressure on h is position.

Re8

13

-,.

Position after 19 . . . g5

15

Nd2

Bxe5

22 exf7+

16

dxe5

Nd5

17

Ne4

Nf4

If 22 . . . KfB then 23 Oc5+ R e 7 24 O x g 5 and w i n s .

After 17 . . . Rxe5 1B Rad1 the p i n on t h e q u e e n ' s f i l e w o u l d have been u n p l easant. With the text move Black makes sure of a draw.

Kg7

23 0d4+

Perhaps t h i s is sufficient to w i n but s i mpler i s 23 fxeB ( N ) + ! K h 6 (if 23 . . . RxeB then 24 Od4+ Kg6 25 Bf7+ ! , fol lowed by 26 O d 7 + and Oh4 1 8 Oe3 wins) 24 Oxf4 gxf4 25 Rfe 1 Oxf3 19 Ng3 26 Re6+ Kg5 2 7 R a e 1 and White The only defence against 19 . . . R x e 5 . w i n s comforta b l y . Page 1 6

Game 9 R u y Lopez

23

. . .

Re5!

The only move because if 23 . . . Kg6 then 24 fxeB ( O ) + RxeB 2 5 B f 7 + and w i ns

24 Oxe&+ 25 Oxf4 26

Kg6 gxf4

posi tion to draw.

RfB

26 27

Re7

Oxf3

2B

Rael

Og4+

29

Khl

If 29 K f 1 then of course 29 . . . f3.

Rfel?

After 26 Bd5 RfB 27 R fd 1 . f o l l owed by 2B R d 3 Wh i te keeps excellent w i n n i ng chances. Now Black is in a

29 30

Of3+ Kgl

Og4+

Drawn

GAM E 9 Cracow 1 94 2 Ruy Lopez White: A. A L E K H I N E Black: K . JU N G E

e4

e5

Nf3

Ne6

3

Bb5

a6

4

Ba4

Nf6

2

5 0-0

Be7

6

Oe2

b5

7

Bb3

0-0

B e3

cxd4 Nxd4 1 1 Nxd4 Oxd4 1 2 Nc3 f o l l owed by 13 Be3 would also have involved some difficulty for B l a c k .

1 0 dxe4

Bg4

11

h3

Bh5

12

Bg5

Preventing 12 . . . Na5 which would be refuted by 13 g4 Bg6 14 Nxe5 s i m p l y w i n n i n g a pawn.

NeB 12 I n connection with the following Bxf3 1 3 Bxe7 move this is a safe method of pre­ paring to counter the aggress ive If immediately 1 3 . . . N x e 7 t h e n 1 4 plan of Black w h i c h was i n d icated by g 4 etc. h is seventh move. Nxe7 14 Oxf3 B d5 15 R d l Nd6 9 d3 ! dxe4 1 6 Nd2 c6 The o p e n i n g of the queen's f i l e is to A better defensive i d e a w o u l d have White's advantage. But 9 . . . d4 1 0 Page 1 7

Game 10 Ruy Lopez been 1 6 . . . K h 8 i n order to be able t o a n s w e r 1 7 Bc2 with 17 . . . c 6 and 17 N f l with 17 . . . f5.

17

Nf1

18

a4!

ae7

after w h i c h Black's position could not be h e l d .

24 f 6 !

gxf6

25 ah6

f5

The o p e n i n g of the a-file i n t h e R u y Lopez is, a l most w i t h o u t exception, favourable to White.

18 19

R ad8

Ng3

20 axb5 21

Nee8 axb5

Nf5

I n order to m a i n t a i n , after the possible exchange, a new weapon of attack in the form of the pawn at f5.

21

Nb6

22 ae3!

Nxf5

3.�D H •

Oft.2

1�_.ij._ �_ a

b

c:

d

e

lg

h

Position after 25 ... f5

26

Bxf7 + !

A n elegant f i n i s h . Whether or n o t h e captures the bishop B l a c k loses mater i a l .

After 2 2 . . . Nbc4 W h i t e w o u l d a c q u i r e a decisive positional advantage by means of 2 3 Bxc4 bxc4 axf7 26 24 Qc5! Na4 27 Rxd8 23 exf5 e5 28 b3 ! It is a l ready the e n d . To 23 . . . N d 5 If 28 . . . Nxc3 there follows 29 Raa8, W h i t e w o u l d h a v e r e p l i e d 24 Of3 B l a c k resigned.

GAME 1 0 M u n i c h 1 94 2 Ruy Lopez White: A. A L E K H I N E Black: G . B A R C Z A

e4

e5

4 Ba4

Nf6

2

Nf3

N c6

5 0·0

Be7

3

Bb5

a6

6

b5

Page 1 8

Ne3

Game 10 Ruy Lopez

7

Bb3

8

NdS ! ?

d&

1&

cS

1 7 dxcS

dxcS

With t h i s interesting move I defeated 1 8 Ra&: Bogoljubov in t h e M u nich Tour nament With the threat 19 Oa 1 . last year. The correct continuation 18 Bxd5 for B l ack is 8 . . . N a S when White has at h is d i sposal n o part i c u l a r l y aca 1 9 exd5 advantageous l i n e . ab7 20 aa1 Bg4 8 21 b4! 0-0 9 c3 I t w i l l n o l o n g e r n o w be possible t o I f Black had played . . . Nxe4 avoid 22 d6 e t c . either now o r on his previous move Rfb8 21 the reply d4! would have had a Bd8 22 d& d e m o l i s h i n g effect.

10

23 bxc5

h3!

Forcing t h e b i s h o p to d e c l are i t s plans 24 at this stage is very p r e c i s e . After 10 . . . BhS W h i t e would play 1 1 d3 w i t h o u t the l oss of t i m e .

10 11

Rc8

Ra2

Be&

d4

Kh8 !

Preparing against 1 2 Nxe7 w h i c h would now be refuted by m e a n s of 1 2 . . . Bxb3 13 Nxc6 Bxd1 1 4 Nxd8 Bxf3 etc.

12

Re1

Nd7

And not 12 . . . NaS because of the reply 13 Nxe7 Nxb3 14 Nc6 Od7 1 S axb3, f o l l owed by 1 6 d S .

13

Bc2

14 a4

f& Na7

Positio n after 24 Ra2

24

_ . ,

e4

Veritable desperation. If 24 . . . Nxc5 there fo l l ows 25 Bxc5 Rxc5 26 Be4 etc.

I f 1 4 . . . Rb8 t h e n 1 5 axb5 axb5 1 6 Ra6 w i t h a good game.

25

Bxe4 !

axe4

1 5 axb5

2&

Bd4

ag&

27

Rxa7

Rxa7

28

axa7

Ne5

1&

axbS

Be3

Again threate n i n g 1 7 N x e 7 , w i n n i n g a piece.

29 Bxe5

Black resigns Page 1 9

Game 1 1 Ruy Lopez

GAME 1 1 Prague 1 943 Ruy Lopez White: F. S A M I S C H Black: A. A L E K H I N E

e4

e5

2

Nf3

Ne6

3

Bb5

a6

4

Ba4

Nf6

5

0-0

d6

6

Re1

B e t t e r w o u l d have b e e n 6 Bxc6+. f o l l owed by 7 d 4 .

6

b5

7 Bb3

Na5

The exchange of t h e White k ing's bishop gives Black the present of the best prospects of obta i n i ng equality.

8 d4

Nxb3

9 axb3

Nd7

More common and perhaps better is 9 . . • Bb 7 . The text move in any case, provides White with a problem w h i c h is not very easy to resolve.

10

dxe5

And - after forty-five m i n utes' reflect i o n ! - Siimi s c h , dismayed, decides upon a l iq u i d a t i o n which hands over to Black a very peaceful game. Schmidt in h is game against Keres at Salzburg 1 943 played the proper manoeuvre: 10 Bd2 ! , f o l l owed b y 1 1 BaS. B l ack h a d to make considerable efforts to achieve a drawn game.

10

• • •

Nxe5

Not 10 . . . dxe5 because of 1 1 adS.

11

Nxe5

1 2 Oxd8+

dxe5 Kxd8

The two bishops promise Black a few remote prospects but the e x p l o itation of t h i s advantage is not a n easy matter.

13

Be3

14

Nd2

Bb7

14 Nc3 would be s i m p l e r .

Bd6

14

Position after 9 .

Page 20

. .

Nd7

15

f3

Ke7

16

Bf2

KeG

17

Nf1

g6

Game 12 Ruy Lopez It is evident that Black must attempt to open u p the game i n order to leave the f i e l d free for h is bishops.

18

c3

a5

I n order to prevent 1 9 b4, fol lowed by Nd2·b3-c5.

19

Ra2

This move has no effect. But i t is al ready d i fficult to ind icate a good defensive plan for W h i t e .

19

Ra6

20 Ne3

f5

21

exf5+

gxf5

22

Ne2

Kf7 !

T h i s prevents 23 Nd4+. In t h i s p o s i t i o n f7 is the best s q u a r e for the king.

23 b4

25

Kf2

Re6!

After this move White must make a decision : y i e l d to h i s opponent t h e c o m m a n d of t h e q u e e n ' s f i l e or o p t for a n e w restriction on the activity of his pieces after 26 Be3 f4 etc. In this l atter case Black would also conserve excellent w i n n i n g chances.

26 Bxd6 27

Rxd6

Re2?

Losing i m m e d i a t e l y . In any case even i f h e had played 2 7 g3 ( d e f i n i t e l y not 2 7 Rxe5 Rd2+ 28 Re2 R x g 2 + ! w i n n i ng a p i e c e ) , w h i c h w a s the best m o v e , h e would not have saved the game. For instance, 2 7 . . . Bd5 28 Raa1 Bc4 29 Rad 1 Rgd8 30 Rxd6 Rxd6 and t h e entry of the rook to the seventh rank w i l l be decisive.

White, after strenuous efforts, w i l l succeed i n exchanging o n e bishop but i n t h e meantime Black will have secured other advantages.

27 . . .

23

a4

28 White resigns

24 Be5

Rg8

Bd5

T h i s w i n s the exchange after 28 R a 1 Bc4, and all further fight is i m possible.

GAME 1 2 Gijon 1944 Ruy Lopez White: A. A L E K H I N E Black: A . POM A R

2

e4

e5

3

Bb5

a6

Nf3

Ne6

4

Ba4

Nf6 Page 2 1

Game 12 Ruy Lopez

S

0-0

d6

6 c3 The only sure way of obta i n i ng a s l i g h t advantage in space is 6 Bxc6+, f o l l owed by 7 d4 but that day I was i n the mood to play with a more c o m p l i cated structure. ·

14

• . .

cS !

The right move, after w h i c h Black w i l l have n o t h i n g to fear o n t h e queen's s i d e . But it remains t o be seen whether W h i t e w i l l be able t o w o r k u p a s u f f i c i e n t l y strong attack against the k i ng's position.

6

Bg4

1 S axbS

axbS

7 d4

b5

16

g4

Bg6

8

Be7

17

Nh4

Nd7

Bb3

B . . . Bxf3 9 gxf3 would have been d i sadvantageous for B l a c k .

9

Be3

0-0

10

Nbd2

Re8

11

h3

BhS

12

dS

Black c a n n o t take the k i n g ' s pawn. I f 17 . . . Bxe4? 1B Nxe4 Nxe4 19 NfS Nf6 20 gS N d 7 2 1 Od3 NfB 2 2 OxbS R a B 23 b4 and w i n s .

1 8 NfS

BxfS

This blockad i n g of the position i s not b a d but i t can prove somewhat premature. 12 a4 deserved to be taken i nto serious consideration.

12

NaS

13

Bc2

14

a4

ReS

The o p e n i n g of t h e a - f i l e corresponds to p u r e l y tactical ends but W h i te has no need t o conduct the game on both wings (this stratagem has won me many a game but it s h o u l d be used with d i scretion and not misappl ied ) , because the natural move 1 4 b4 would guarantee White an advantage after either 14 . . . Nc4 1S Nxc4 bxc4 16 g4 Bg6 1 7 Nd2 or 14 . . . Nb7 1 S c4 c 6 1 6 dxc6 Rxc6 1 7 cxbS axbS 1 B a 4 etc.

Understandable against a twelve-year­ old opponent! E.G.W.

Position after 18 . .

.

Bxf5

1 9 gxfS? The attack down the g · f i l e w i l l be sufficient to m a i n t a i n the e q u i l i b r i u m but t h a t is a l l . However w i t h 1 9 exfS Nc4 ! 20 Nxc4 bxc4 21 Ba4 RfB 22 Bxd7 Oxd7 23 Oa4 ! Ob7 24 Oxc4 Oxb2 2S R a b 1 Oa3 26 Rb7 BdB 27 R f b 1 White would have assured h i m ­ self of lasting pressure.

19

BgS!

20 Oe2

c4

•

Page 2 2

Game 12 Ruy Lopez

21 22

Oxg6

Kh1

Ra8

33

Rg1

Bxe3

34 Oe3?

Of6

26 Nf3

Nb7

But here 34 Qcl is d e c i d e d l y prefer­ able, for instance: 34 . . _ Og5 35 R h 6 R g 6 36 Qxg5 f x g 5 37 R x g 6 Nxg6 38 Nh6 Kg7 39 Nf5+ Kf6 40 B d l and the bishop can a t last b e used_

27 Rh4

Ra6!

34

23 Oxe3 24

R g4

Kh8

25

Rag1

Rg8

With the a i m of u t i l i z i n g t h e k n i g h t at d 7 f o r the defence without having to fear Qb6.

28 Og5!

Nd8

Obviously h e cannot exchange queens.

29 Oh5 30

Nf8

Nh2

With 30 Ng5 W h i t e could force the reply 30 . _ . h6 but the attack cannot break through in any case s i n ce he has two serious weaknesses: firstly t h e fact that i t i s i m possible to employ t h e bishop and secondly B l ack's latent threat to p l a y . _ . Ra2_ The text manoeuvre will practically oblige Black to p l a y _ _ _ g6 and w i l l , i n a few moves, re-esta b l i s h a balanced position_

30 31

Oh6

32 Ng4

35

Og5 Rh6

Oxe3

36 fxe3 And not 36 Nxe3 because of 36 . _ . R x g 1 + 37 K x g l R a 1 + 38 K h 2 Ng6 etc. with advantage to B l a c k .

Nd7

36 37

Rf1

Ra2

This i s good but not the best_ Black would have conserved w i n n i ng chances by protec t i n g the f-pawn with 3 7 _ . . Nf7. For example 37 . . _ Nf7 38 Rh5 Rg6 39 Rf5 Kg7 and White's position would remain seriously threatened_

38

Nxf6

Nxf6

39

R hxf6

Rxb2

40 B d 1

Rgg2

41

Rg3

Bf3

g6

42 B g4

Og7

43

Ra1

Rh2+

f6

44

Kg1

Rhg2+

45

Kf1

Rh2

33 bg6

Rgg2

The s i m plest because if the q u e e n retreats t h e m o v e 33 _ . _ N f 7 w o u l d give B l a c k a defence that w o u l d be more than sufficient. B l a c k is forced to recapture with the q u e e n because 33 . _ . Nxg6 would be fatal on account of 34 Nxf6 ! Page 2 3

Game 12 Ruy Lopez White to move

51

Be2

Nf7

52

Kd2

Rxb4

White was threatening 53 Kc3, followed by 54 Kb3 and 55 B d 3 .

53

Rxc2

Ng5

54

Rc7+

Kg6

55

Kc3

Ra4

56 Bb5?

Position after 4 5 . .

.

Rh2

U p u n t i l here the g a m e has been fairly well conducted by both sides and after 46 K g l Black should con­ tent himself with a draw. But my n e x t move w h i c h avoids such a result is real I u nacy and deserves to lose the game.

46

Ke1??

P l a y i n g for the advantal:J in this position is sheer s u i c i d e . After 46 . . . Nb7 4 7 R f 7 R h 1 + 48 Rn R x f l + 49 Kxfl Nc5, Black would have achieved a w i n n i n g position.

46

. _ _

b4

Although t h i s advance seems to have all the appearance of something momentous, it actually a l l ows White to extricate h i m s e l f from h i s d i f f i c u l t situation.

47 cxb4

c3

48

h5!

Rc1

48 . . . c2 w o u l d have been i n effect­ ive because of 49 R f 2 .

4 9 Bd1 !

Kg7

50

c2

Rn

Page 24

O u t of all dan ger, White makes a miscalculation after which Black should win eas i l y . The logical c o n t i n u a t i o n was 56 Bd3 R x h 3 57 RfB with a cert a i n draw.

Nxe4+

56 57

Kb3

58

Rg1+

Raa2

When I played 56 Bb5? I thought I c o u l d now continue with 58 Bd3 but unfortunately t h i s move is impossible o n account of 58 . . . Rhb2+ 59 Kc4 Ra4 mate.

Kh6

58

59

Rb1

Rad2

H e could also win by 59 . . . Nc5+ o r 59 . . . R a f 2 . f o l l owed by 60 . . . Rxh3.

6 0 Bd7 61

Kc4

Rxd5

Game 13 Ruy Lopez s t r i k i n g successes. I n fact 61 . . . R d d 2 would be s i m p l e and decisive. I f 62 Rc6 (to p re ve n t 62 . . . d5+) then 62 . . . Rhe2 etc.

Black to move

Rxe7

62

Kxd5

63

Kxe4

Rxd7

64

h4!

d5+!

Otherwise W h i te w o u l d . after 65 Kd5, be in a n advantageous position, d e sp i t e b e i n g a pawn down.

Position after 6 1 Kc4

61

'"

Re2+

With a won game and free from any danger. Po mar plays for a d r a w ! This demonstrates h is uncertainty and his lack of self·confidence. and h e w i l l h a v e to f i g h t to overcome t h i s defect i f h e d e s i r e s to achi eve

65

Kxe5

Re7+

66

Kf5

Rxe3

67

R b6+

Kh7

68

Rd6

Re4

69

Rd7+

Kh6

70

Rd6+

Kg7

71

Rd7+

Drawn

GAM E 1 3 M u n i ch 1 94 1 ( F i rst B r i l l iancy Prize) Ruy Lopez White: A. A L E K H I N E Black: H . R O H A C E K

1

e4

e5

8 dxe5

Be6

2

Nf3

Ne6

9 c3

Be7

3

Bb5

a6

10

4

Ba4

Nf6

5

O.()

Nxe4

Preparing for t h e forthcom i n g pawn sacrifice. The most energetic of the replies i s 10 . . . b4 which entails very com plicated variations on which the last word has n o t yet been

6 d4 7

Bb3

b5 d5

a4 ! ?

Page 25

Game 13 Ruy Lopez spoken. I n any case t h e a n a l y s i s of t h i s position by Dr. Euwe is n eith er

advantage it becomes clear that h e w i l l be o b l i g e d to renounce castl i n g .

complete nor very c o n v i n c i n g .

17

10

• • •

Rb8

After this move the sacrifice i s f u l l y justified a s i s shown b y t h e game w h i c h . for this reason alone. has a certain theoretical v a l u e .

11

axb5

12

Nd4!

18

Kf8 Bf4

Nbd6

The threat was 19 Bxc7.

19 Nd2 Black to move

axb5

A s w i l l be seen. t h i s sacrifice assures White of the i n itiative for a long time.

Nxe5

12 13 f3

Now 13 f4 would lead to nothing after 13 . . . B g 4 14 Qc2 Nc4!

Nc5

13 14

Bc2

Position after 19 N d 2

19 g 5!7 H e r e the attempt to w i n t h e exchange would be h a r m f u l for W h i t e . For T h i s m o v e c o n t a i n s m o r e poison than i s apparent. Black. to be sure, exam ple : 14 f4 N x b 3 15 Qxb3 Nd3 w i l l be forced to sacrifice t h e 16 Nc6 ( 1 6 f5 Bd7 would recover e x c h a n g e , but as compensation h e the pawn b u t w o u l d leave B l a c k w i l l a c h i eve a certain advantageous with the advantage of t h e two bishops) Bc5+ 17 Kh 1 Qh4 18 NxbB position on the Black squares. With a peaceful continuation l i ke 19 . . . Nf2+ 19 Rxf2 Qxf2 20 Qxb5+ Ke7 Nxd2 White would not have e n 21 Nc6+ Kf6 and wins. B u t now countered any d i f f i c u l ty i n intensify­ White d o e s threaten 15 f4. i n g his pressure. For instance: 2 0 14 Bd7 Q x d 2 N c 4 2 1 Q e 2 B f 6 22 Ra7 ! R c B 15 b4 23 Bd3 a n d i f n o w 23 . . . c5 t h e n 2 4 B x c 4 c x d 4 25 Bxd5 d x c 3 26 Bd6+ With the object of c o n t i n u i n g t h e attack a f t e r 15 . . . Ne6 with 1 6 Nf5. KgB 2 7 Bxf7+ Kxf7 28 Qe6+ Kg6 29 R x d 7 Qb6+ 30 Kh 1 with decisive 15 Nb7 t h reats. 1 6 Qe2 Nc4 20 Nxc4 ! gxf4 17 Re1 D i sadvantageous for Black w o u l d be O n c e Black has a c q u i red h i s f i r s t 20 . . . Nxc4 21 Bxc 7 and 20 . . . bxc4 Page 26

Game 13 Ruy Lopez (or 20 . . . dxc4) 21 Be5 !

21

B l ack to move

Ne5!

This threatens i n particu l a r the square c6 w h i c h Black is i n no position to defend effectively ( i f 2 1 . . . R b 6 then 22 R a 8 a n d w i n s ) .

21

• . •

B f6 !

T h i s is the move w h i c h places t h e m o s t obstacles before h i s opponent.

Bxe6

22

Nde6

23

Nxe6

Qca

24

Nxb8

Qxb8

Black now threatens (after, for instance, t h e p l a u s i b l e move 25 Qd3) to conso l i d ate his position by p l a y · i n g 25 . . . c6, after w h i c h White's advantage - i f advan tage there be would in a n y case be d i ff i c u l t to e x p l o i t . H is decision to seek a solution by means of a combination is consequently a m p l y justified.

25 Qd2! Here the c o m p l ications b e g i n , com­ p l ications d i fficult to c a l c u late. The square f4 must be taken at all cost!

Qb6+

25 26

Kh1

27

Bb3!

Qe6

The pawn at c3 could not be defended in a d i rect way. The text move prepares in the main variation for a n u n e xpected rook sacrifice.

Position after 2 7 BbJ

Bxe3

27 28 Qe1 !

The prosaic c o n t i n u a t i o n 28 Reel Bxd2 29 Rxc6 d4 30 R x c 7 Bxb4 would have left Black opportunities of a d raw i n view of t h e paucity of material . The text move threatens 29 Bxd5 and at the same t i m e forces the advance of this pawn, w h i c h cuts the communication of the bishop with t h e k i ng's side.

28

• • •

d4

After the moves 28 • . . Nf5 29 Bxd5 N g 3 + 30 h x g 3 Q h 6 + 3 1 K g l t h e W h i t e k i ng would h a v e escaped to e 2 .

2 9 Qxf4 T h i s sacrificial combination d e ­ manded preCise calculation i n t h e f o l l o w i n g variations: (a) 29 . . . Nc4 30 Bxc4 ( a l lowing Black to obta i n t w o s t r o n g passed pawns) bxc4 31 Qe5! Rg8 32 b5 ! Qb7 33 Qc5+ Kg7 34 Qg5+ Kf8 35 Qh6+ Rg7 36 Qa6 ! ! Qxa6 37 bxa6 Rg8 38 a7 Kg7 39 Rebl !. fol l owed by 40 R b 8 . Page 2 7

Game 14 Ruy Lopez ( b ) 29 . . . B x e l 30 R xe l ! (tempting but sufficient only for a draw i s 30 Qh6+ Kg8 3 1 R c l ! ? with the idea of 3 1 . . . Bc3 32 Qg5+ Kf8 33 Qf6 Rg8 34 Bxf7 ! but B l ack can escape by 31 . . . Qe8! 32 Rc5 B d 2 ! 33 Qxd2 Qe3! etc . ) Qc3 31 Qe5 Rg8 32 Bd5 with a w i n n i n g attack because on 32 . . . Qxb4 there f o l l ows 33 Qe7+ Kg7 34 Bxf7 ! and on 32 . . . Qc2 33 g 4 ! d3 34 R a l and w i n s .

29

. . •

d3

After this move White has an easy task because t h e pretty l i beration imagined by Black has no effect.

30

Ree1

d2

31

Re2

Qa6!

32

Rd1

Bg7

33

Rxe7

Black resigns

Ne3

Od6

GAME 1 4 Madrid 1945 Ruy Lopez White: A. POM A R Black: F . J . P E R E Z

e4

e5

12

2 Nf3

Ne6

13 Of3

3

Bb5

a6

4

Ba4

Nf6

5

Ne3

Be7

With the evident threat of 14 Bf4, f o l l owed by 1 5 Bxc7 and 1 6 N d 5 etc.

6 Bxe6 A n original idea of Pomar's, seeking to assure himself of a slight positional advantage and avoid the danger of l o s i n g .

6

dxe6

7 Nxe5

Nxe4

8

Qd4

Nxe4

9 0-0 10

Re1

Oxe5 e5

This is relatively best.

11

d3

Page 28

0-0

13

...

e6

1 4 Be3! T h i s move i s more ingenious (and, doubtless, of greater strength ) than 14 Bf4. If Black replies 1 4 . . . b6, then 15 Na4 Bd8 16 Bf4 Qf6 1 7 Qg3 Be6 1 8 Bc7 with advantage.

14

...

Be6?

This i s a mistake in a n al ready d i f f i c u l t position.

Game 14 Ruy Lopez

18

White to move

8

••• 8 Bt8t 7 86

18

Position after 14 . . . Be6

15

Radl

A pity ! W h i t e fails to e x p l o i t t h e advantage h e has a c q u i r e d . W i t h 1 5 Na4 h e c o u l d w i n a pawn and theoret i c a l l y the game. The text move, played with visions of opening the queen's file and t r y i n g a n attack a g a i n s t the k i n g's position which i s in no way weakened, c a n n ot lead to more than e q u a l i t y .

15

Oe7

16 d4 17

Bd6

Rxd4?

A grave tactical error after w h i c h B l ack w i l l seize t h e i n itiative. After 18 Bxd4 Black would have n o t h i n g better than to y i e l d a draw by play· i n g 1 8 . . . c5 1 9 Bxg7 e t c . because the reply to 18 . . . Be 7 would be 19 Rd3, guaranteeing White a real attack.

...

19

Bel

A sad retreat after w h i c h Black o b t a i n s an easy game. W h i te should at l e a s t have el i m i nated one of t h e b i s h o p s b y p l aying 19 B f 4 . After 19 . . . B x f 4 20 R x e 6 Be5 2 1 Rd3 g6 22 Qe2! Black would not have been able to play 22 . . . Bxh2+ 23 K h 1 because the double threat o f 2 4 g3 and 24 Re7 c o u l d not be parried.

19

Oh5

Rae8

T r y i n g to compl icate the position without a n y justifiable motive. How much better and s i m p l e r w o u l d be 1 7 h 3 c x d 4 1 8 8 x d 4 c 5 1 9 8e3 etc . ! 81ack w o u l d h a v e b e e n i n c a p a b l e of h o l d i n g on t o t h e advantage o f t h e two bishops for very long.

20

17

23 013

• . .

exd4

More effective would be 1 7 . . . c4 since the l iq u idation after 18 d5 w o u l d lead only to an equal position.

f5 !

The o n l y move, accor d i n g to Po mar. Without any doubt this is the most powerful response as i t sup· presses any hope of attack. But 1 8 . . . Rfe8 was playable too, for e x a m p l e : 19 Rh4 h6 and 20 B x h 6 is i m possible because of 20 . . . Bg4 !

Redl

20 Rdd 1 would be of greater value but i n any case t h e advantage of the two bishops is already lamentable.

20

Be5

21

R4d3

f4

22

Ne4

Bf5 Qe7!

It would have been premature t o p l a y 23 . . . Bxb2 on account of 24 Bxb2 Rxe4 25 Qxe4! Bxe4 26 R d 7 . Page 2 9

Game 15 Ruy Lopez

24

Re1

29

This l oses a p i e c e . With 24 R 3 d 2 h e c o u l d save i t but the position after 24 . . . Bb8 25 Qb3+ Kh8 26 f3 Bxe4 27 fxe4 Ba7+ 28 K h 1 Qxe4 would also be lost.

Bb8

24 25

Rd4

26

Rd2

27 ab3+

e5 Bxe4 af7!

Otherwise White would recover the piece with 2B f3.

28 Qxf7+

Kxf7 !

And not 28 . . . R x f 7 because of 29 Rde2, followed by 30 f3.

Rd7+

Kg8

and B l a c k w i n s comfort a b l y . This g1me is o f d o u b l e inte rest. I n t h e f i r s t pl ace because P o m a r knew how to i m pose h i m s e l f o n h i s mighty opponent w i t h a variation invented and ana lysed by h imself. Secon d l y , after letting slip the w i n · n i n g opportunity o n t h e fifteenth move h e proves that at t h e present moment i n h i s development he lacks the wisdom to understand t h e latent value of the two bishops. Should it be poss i b l e to procure them i t w o u l d be very profitable for h i m t o study the best games of Janowsky.

GAME 1 5 Warsaw 1 94 2 Ruy Lopez White: R O PSTO R F F Black: E . B O G O L J U B O V

e4

e5

7

Ne3!

2

Nf3

Ne6

8

Be3

Ng4

3

Bb5

a6

9

Nd5

f5

0·0

4 Ba4

Nf6

1 0 0·0

Kh8

5 d3

d6

11

Be2

Bf6

1 1 . . . f4 was to be considered h e r e 6 c4 as a preparation for a pawn attack. A system w h i c h , t h i rty y e a r s ago, F o r example: 12 Bd2 g5 13 Bc3 N h 6 enjoyed the favour of the Bohemian 14 d 4 N f 7 etc. But i t was also c h a m p i o n Duras but w h i c h has been i nteresti n g to ma i n t a i n the tension demonstrated to be totally inoffensive. In this game too Black manages to get a nd await developments. a good position without d i f f i c u l t y . 1 2 d4

6

• . .

Page 30

Be7

A correct and very d y n a m i c move.

Game 1 5 R u y Lopez

12 13

exd4 Bxd4

White to move h

d

fxe4

Bogoljubov does not want to s u b m i t h i m se llf t o a cautious l i ne , as in the case of 13 . . . Bxd4 1 4 Nxd4 fxe4 15 h3! Nf6 16 Nxc6 bxc6 1 7 Nxf6 Oxf6 18 Bxe4 Rb8, and prefers to l a u n c h into the hazardous g a i n of a pawn.

1 4 Bxf6 14 Bxe4 would be a mistake owing to 14 . . . Bxd4 1 5 Nxd4 Oh4 etc.

14

Nxf6

lS

Nxf6

axf6

16

Bxe4

axb2

17

NgS!

g6

After 1 7 . . . h6 there f o l l ows 1 8 Oh5, g a i n i n g material.

18

Rbl

1 9 ad2 20 21 22

Nh3

af6 h6 Kg7

Rb3

Nd4

Rg3

BfS?

This apparently p l a u s i b l e move is revealed to be a fatal d e c i s i o n . The right move is 22 . . . NfS 23 Rf3 Od4 24 Oc2 Re8 1 with better fighting chances for B l a c k .

Position after 22 . . . 815

23 Nf4

Kh7

24 BxfS

NxfS

If 24 . . . gxfS there would f o llow 25 Rg6 with decisive effect.

2S

Rxg6

ad4

26 ael M a i n t a i n i n g the chief threat 2 7 Ne6.

26 27

Rg8 Rdl

ah8?

Now there i s n o poss i b l e hope. It was absolutely essential to play 27 . . . OeS 28 R e 1 Od4 29 Ne6 with poss i b l y a draw (if 29 R d 1 OeS) through the continuation 29 . . . Od3! 30 Rxg8 Rxg8 and now after 3 1 Nxc7 Qf3 White would even f i n d h i m s e l f i n d a n g e r of defeat.

28

Rxg8

29

abl

Rxg8

Decisive.

29

Rf8

30 Ne6 30 RdS also w i n s .

30

. . .

Rf7 Page 31

Game 16 Ruy Lopez

31

Nd4

0f6

38 Oe8+

Kg7

32

g4

Og5

39 Nh5+

Kg6

33

Nxf5

Oxg4+

40 Og8+

Black resigns

Kg8

A game played with the strong energetic i n itiative which is ch aracteristic of the representative of Cracow.

34 Ng3 + Re1

Kf8

36 Ob2

Og7

37 Oe2

Od4

35

GAME 1 6 Second match game, New York 1 942 Ruy Lopez White: I. K A S H D A N Black: S. R E S H E V S K Y

e4

e5

2 Nf3

Ne6

3

Bb5

a6

4

Ba4

d6

The Steinitz Defence Deferred, which is certa i n l y playable but requi res on Black's part exception­ ally precise and c i rcu mspect play .

5 c3

7

Bb3!

With the strong threat of 8 Ng5 which practical l y forces Black's next move.

7

An old method w h i c h has the tendency of esta b l i s h i n g a pawn centre by means of d4. More usual at present is 5 B x c 6 + b x c 6 6 d4 f6 or else 5 c4 as played by Kashdan i n the fourth match game.

5

Bd7

6 d4

Nge7

The a l ternative is 6 . . . g6. E i t h e r one of t h e s e moves has i t s draw­ backs: Black either creates weak· nesses on h i s k i ng's side or finds Page 32

h i mself obli ged to proceed slowly and laboriously i n the advance of his pieces. This a l l ows White to establish h is mob i l i zation p l a n in total security.

8

h6 Be3

Ng6

If 8 . . . g5? (A h u e s - R u b i n s t e i n , San Remo, 1 93 0 ) , there follows 9 Bxg5! hxg5 10 Nxg5 with a strong attack for the piece sacrificed. Nor is 8 . . . g6 effective in reso l v i n g a l l Black's d i f f i c u l t i e s ; f o r e x a m p l e 9 Na3 Bg7 10 Qd2 and Black st i l l has not succeeded in solving the pro· blem of his k i ng .

9

Nbd2

Game 16 Ruy Lopez

0·0

14

Bc2

15

Nf1

Bb5

16

Bd3

f5!

With t h i s move, the l o g i c a l con· sequence of the preced i n g tactics, Reshevsky f i n a l l y manages to equalize the game. But unfortunate· Iy for him h e imagines that h is position offers chances of p l a y i n g f o r a w i n and this e r r o r w i l l q u i c k l y lead h i m into a blind alley. Position after 9 Nbd2

9

• . .

Of6!

This queen sortie, so u n u sual in this phase of the game, i n this case offers. relatively, the best chances of e q u a l i z i n g the game.

1 0 Oe2 11

1 7 dxe5 18

Bxd3+

Oxd3

Black to move

Be7

0·0·0

After t h i s move White w i l l have no advantage left. Worth more serious consideration was the move 1 1 g3 so as to answer 1 1 . . . Bh3 with 1 2 0·0·0. f o l l owed by 1 3 R d g 1 and eventu a l l y g4. I t w o u l d have been d i f f i c u l t for Black to m a i n t a i n h is queen's bishop whereas now it is he who w i l l (although certainly for a rather l im ited period of t i m e ) have the advantage of the two bishops.

Nf4

11 12

Bxf4

Oxf4

13

Kb1

Na5

This i s not the commencement of an attack but a I ittle trick, the purpose of which is t h e defence of his d5 square which was gravely threatened by the White knight ( N f 1 , followed by Bc2 and Ne3 etc.).

Position after 18 Qxd3

18

• • •

fxe4?

There i s no poss i b l e explanation for this move as Black has not taken into consideration his opponent's twentieth move. After 18 . . . Oxe4 19 Ng3 Oxd3+ 20 Rxd3 NcG the game would have had to end as a draw.

1 9 Od5+

Kh8

20

dxe5?

Rd4

A pawn was lost irremediably and Page 33

Game 11 Ruy Lopez n consequence, theoretically, the game. Nevertheless i t is incredible that a fighter of Reshevsky's category d id not try to take advantage of the practical chances, either i n the m i d d l e·game after 20 . . . Nc6 2 1 Rxe4 Qf5 22 Ng3 Og6, or in the e n d i n g after 2 0 . . . c6 21 Oxe4! (21 Oxa5 c5 ! I Oxe4+ 22 Rxe4 d5 etc. Clearly the m istake on the eighteenth move has been fatal for him and has made him lose his e q u a n i m i t y .

21

Nxe5

Threate n i ng, apart from the k n i g h t , a deadly c h e c k . The rest i s an agony that Black could have spared h i m s e l f : 2 1 • • • Rf6

22 Rxe4 Oxf2 23 Oxa5 Rb6 24 Nd3 Oxg2 25 Ng3 Bd6 26 Re2 0c6 27 Ne5 Oe8 28 Od5 Bxe5 29 Oxe5 Og6+ 30 Of5 Od6 31 Rhe1 Rg8 32 Re8 Og6 33 Rxg8+ Kxg8 34 Oxg6 Rxg6 35 Re7 Rc6 36 Kc2 g6 37 Kd3 h5 38 Ne4 a5 39 Kd4 a4 40 Ke5 Rb6 4 1 Rxc7 Rxb2 42 Kf6 Rb6+ 43 Kg5 Kf8 44 a3 Rb3 45 Kxg6 Ke8 46 Rxb 7 Rxa3 47 c4 Black resigns

GAME 1 7 Fourth match game, New York 1 942 Ruy Lopez White: I. K A S H D A N Black: S. R E S H E V S K Y

1

e4

e5

7 d4

exd4

2

Nf3

Nc6

8

Nxd4?

3

Bb5

a6

4 Ba4

d6

5 c4 A good continuation which assures W h i te of a harmonious development of h i s pieces.

5

...

6 Nc3

Bd7 Nf6

This s i m p l e development of t h e k i n g's s i d e pieces i s not censurable but better prospects are offered here by the fianchetto of the king's bishop: 6 . . . g6 7 d4 Bg7 8 Be3 exd4 9 Nxd4 Nge 7 . Page 34

Nxd4

Why this haste to exchange developed pieces? I n d icated was 8 . . . Be7, followed by 9 . . . 0·0.

Oxd7

9

Bxd7+

10

Oxd4

Be7

11

0-0

0-0

12

b3

Game 1 1 Ruy Lopez the intention of . . . c6. Also inferior would be 16 . . . g6 17 Nd5 Bg7 l B aa 7 ! a c B 1 9 N f 4 R 6 e 7 20 c5 etc. with marked superiority.

Position after 12 b3

12

• • •

Rfe8

This i s d e c i d e d l y too passive because withdrawing the bishop to fB takes away for a long time a strong prospect of activity. In Black's place I would have played 12 . . . c6, creating a weakness more imaginary than real. The d e n i a l of the point d5 to the White knight would have in creased considerably Black's freedom to manoeuvre. After e i t h e r 1 3 Bb2 or 1 3 Bg5 h6 1 4 Bh4 RfeB etc. h e would have had greater chances than in the actual game.

13

Bb2

BfS

14

Rad1

Re6

The idea of doubling the rooks on the e·file i s hardly a happy one. Logical would be 14 . . . R ad B and i f 15 f3 then 15 . . . c6 !

15

Rfe1

Rae8

I f 15 . . . g6 then 16 e5 and W h i te stands better.

1 6 f3

Kh8

A valueless move but the position is al ready very d i f f i c u l t . A l i ttle better would have been 16 . . . acB with

17

Ne2

18

Of2

ac8

The k n i g h t is going to occupy a formidable position at f5. Black has a strateg i c a l l y lost game but not because of the path chosen i n p r i n c i p l e . H is error consists o f a lack of reso l u t i o n and of any defined plan a t the moment of beg i n n i n g the battle. F i fty years ago this k i n d of defeat due to insufficient space was very frequent and the present game could e a s i l y h ave been condu cted (as W h i t e ) by Dr. Tarrasch. Nowadays such defeats are less frequent and, i n the case 0 f a master 0 f the strength and mettle of Reshevsky, they are an exception.

18

Nd7

1 9 Nd4

R6e7

20 0g3

f6

21

Nf5

Re6

22 h4 This pawn w i l l guarantee once and for a l l the position of the k n i g h t or e l s e ( a s occurs i n t h e g a m e ) w i l l serve t o open u p a way against the defence of the Black k i ng.

22

...

b5

A perfectly inoffensive counter· demonstration w h i c h , in view of the rooks' lack of action, merely creates fresh weaknesses.

23 cxb5

axb5

24 h5

aa6 Page 35

Game 1 7 Ruy Lopez

2S a3

cS

26

RdS

NeS

27

Redl

33 Bb2 With the irresistible threat of 34 f5.

33

Bg7

Threatening 28 Rxd6.

34

27

Or 34 . . . gxfS 3S Bxg7 Kxg7 36 Nh5+ Kf8 37 exfS (even stronger than 3 7 Nf6) Rh6 38 Og4 and w i n s .

Nf7

2 8 Qh4 Black to move

fS

3S fxe6

Bxb2

Rxe6

36 Qg4 Removing from Black h i s last i l l usions. O n 36 . . . Re7 or 36 . . . Oc8 the rejoinder 3 7 N f 5 is at once decisive.

36

Re8

37 Qd7

Rd8

38 Qe7

Rf8

Rf1

BeS Qc8

39 Position after 28 Qh4

28

. • •

NeS

Permitting the advance of the h·pawn is an act of desperation entirely justified by the situation. In fact after 28 . . . h6 29 Og4 ! Black would have been completely paralysed and White would easily have opened u p a path with b4. i f necessary after 0 n e o r two pre· paratory moves. Now Kashdan proceeds to the execution with precision and energy.

29 f4!

Nf7

30 h6

g6

Evidently forced.

31

Bxf6+

32 Ng3

Page 36

Kg8 Bxh6

40

Rd3

41

Rdf3

Qe8

42

Rxf7

Qxe7

43

Rxe7

Bxg3

44 Rxf8+

Kxf8

4S

c4

Rb7

46 bxc4

Black resigns

This game is of great didactic interest. I t demonstrates i n a very convincing way the dangers of positions with a l i m ited field of action (although without a weak· ness) and also the way to take advantage of this drawbac k . I t was a defeat (but also a victory) that was w e l l deserved.

Game 18 Ruy Lopez GAME 1 8 Buenos Aires 1 939 Ruy Lopez White: W. C R U Z (Brazil) Black: F. APSCH E N E E K (Latvia )

e4

e5

2

Nf3

Nc6

3

Bb5

a6

4

Bxe6

T h i s variation, especia l l y in con­ nect io n with 5 d4 and the sub­ sequent exchange of queens, has practica l l y been abandoned for some years s i n c e it has been shown that Black not only has nothing to fear in the resulting e n d i n g but that, thanks to his pair of bishops, he possesses certain w i n n i n g chances.

sl ightest positional compensation. Still i n d icated was B . . . Bd7, followed by 9 . . . 0-0-0.

9 Be3 10

0-0

Nf5

Of course!

10

_ _ _

Bxe3

10 . . . Bb4+ w o u l d be no better; 1 1 c3 Bxf5 12 cxb4 etc. with advan tage to White.

11

Nxe3

4

dxc6

5 d4

exd4

6 Qxd4

Qxd4

From now onwards any exchange that does not alter the pawn structure will favour White because i t w i l l faci l i tate the e x p l oitation of his extra pawn on the king's side.

7

Nf6?

11

Nxd4

T h i s is an i n f e r i o r move since White's e4 square can easily be protected- w h i l e t h e k n i g h t has only very s m a l l prospects at f6. The correct plan consists of occupying t h e two centre files with the rooks, not reducing the forces (p articu larly maintaining the two b i s h o p s ) an d gradually re stric ting t h e enemy pieces. For e x a m p l e 7 . . . Bd7, followed by . . • 0-0-0, Ne7-g6, Bd6, R h e B with a p r o m i s i n g game.

8 f3

Be5?

Now the exchange of one of the bishops is necessary without the

Be6

12

Nc3

Rad8

13

0-0

Rfe8

14

Rad1

Bc8

1 5 Rfe1 15 RxdB R x d B 16 R d 1 etc. would be an excellent manoeuvre in accordance with t h e above note. But White i s anxious to obtain someth i n g m o r e t h a n a s i m p l e pawn majority and hopes that h is opponent w i l l give him opport u n i t i e s for i t . Often such tactics serve only to give the opponent chances of a counter­ attack. Page 3 7

Game 18 Ruy Lopez

15 16

Kf2

1 7 g4 18

h3

19

Kg3

g6

29

Rh1

Kg7

30

Nxh1

h5

After 30 R x h 1 Ra8, f o l l owed by 31 • . • f 6 Black would not neces s a r i l y be l o s t e i t h e r .

Rh8

The exchange of rooks on the Queen's f i l e was sti l l ind icated . The attempt to advance the central pawns merely results i n giving more opportunities to the enemy bishop.

19

Nd7

20 f4

Nc5

21

a5

e5

22 Nc4 With the pu rpose of exchanging the Black k n i g h t which has s u d d e n l y f o u n d an excellent observation post.

22 23

30 31

Rxh1

axb3 axb3

Ra8?

Now Black overplays h is h a n d and forgets that h i s k i ng can f a l l into a mating net. After the attack on White's e5 with 31 . • • f6 32 exf6+ Kxf6 the bishop would be superior to the knight and this circumstance would compe nsate for White's advantage on the king's side.

32 Nf2

Ra2

Logical but fatal. 32 . . • Kf8 33 Ne4 Ke 7 etc. would offer a better chance of salvation.

b6 Nd2

hxg4

24 hxg4

Rh7

25 Nde4

Nxe4+

Reasonable chances at least would have been provided by p l a y i n g 25 • • . R d h B 26 Nf2 etc.

26

Nxe4

Rdh8

27

Nf2

Be6

28 b3 With the object of answering 28 Bd5 with 29 c4.

28

...

P o s i t i o n after 32 . . . R a 2 • . .

a4

The reduction of forces o n the Queen's flank cannot be condemned, espec i a l l y as the manoeuvre i s related to the poss i b l e exploitation of the a·file. Page 38

33

Ne4!

A correct pawn sacrifice w h i c h p e r m i t s t h e decisive i n v a s i o n of t h e enemy fortress by the White a r m y .

33 . . .

Bd5

Or 33 • . . Rxc2 34 Rd8 with the inevitable threat of 35 Nf6.

Game 19 Ruy Lopez

34

Nf6

35

Ra1 !

Rxe2

40

Kf6?

The key to the offensive stratagem which forces t h e entry of the White rook to the eighth r a n k .

White is anxious to play a ' b r i l l iant' move and scorns the easy w i n n i n g I ine w h i c h was 40 e 6 ! fxe6 41 ReS ( o r 41 R d S ) .

35

Re3+

40 . . .

Bg2

The last m istake. He c o u l d have played 4 0 . . . Bd5 with the d o u b l e t h r e a t of 4 1 . . . B x b 3 and 41 . . . c5. I f then 4 1 b4 h e would play 41 . . . c5 42 R d S Bc6 etc. and would be saved.

36

Kh4

The o n l y way of defending against the mate that was looming but White has at h i s disposal other means of attack i n g which cannot all be parried.

37 38

Ra8 Kg5

39 Ne8+

Rh3+ Rh8 Kh7

41

e5

Kxf7

I n d i rectly protecting the rook by the threat of 46 Nf6+ Kh6 4 7 g5 mate. Black's r e p l y i s forced.

Rf8+

41 42

Kxf8

43

Nf6+

44 f5

Bxa8 Kh8 g5

Or 44 . . . gxf5 45 g5, f o l l owed by 46 g6 and 4 7 g7 mate.

45 e6

Be6

46

Nd7

Blaek resigns

e5

3

Bb5

Ne6

4 e3

Position after 3 9 . . . K h 7

GAME 1 9 M u n i c h 1 94 1 Ruy Lopez White: G. K I E N I N G E R Black: A . A L E K H I N E

e4 2 Nf3

Be5 Qf6 Page 39

Game 19 Ruy Lopez

5 0-0 Better is 5 d4 and if 5 . . . exd4 then 6 e 5 ! Against 5 d4 I had the intention of p l a y i n g 5 . . . Bd6? but i s is evident that i n this case too W h i te would have remained with greater freedom of action. On the other h a n d the text move does not offer more than l i m ited difficulties.

5

Nge7

6 d3 The continuation given by B i l g u e r 6 d4 e x d 4 7 Bg5 O g 6 S B x e 7 N x e 7 9 cxd4 B b 6 1 0 Nc3 0-0 1 1 Bd3 does not, in my view, offer any danger to Black if he continues with 1 1 . . . d6 12 e5 Oh6 etc.

6

h6

7 Nbd2

0-0

8 Ne4

Ng6

be 9 b4 B b 6 ( i f 9 . . . B e 7 then 1 0 N e 3 1 1 0 a4 a6 1 1 Nxb6 cxb6 1 2 Bc4 d6 13 Be3 Nf4 and after t h i s White cannot play 14 Bxb6 because of 1 4 . . . B h 3 ! 1 5 N e 1 Og6 1 6 Qf3 Bg4 etc. but h i s position is nonetheless s l i g h t l y prefera b l e .

9

exd4

10

Bxe6

11

Nxd4

dxe6 !

Necessary because after 1 1 cxd4 the double pin 1 1 . . . RdS 1 2 Be3 Bg4 would have had very d isagree­ able consequences.

11

_ _ _

Re8

B u t now the d i rect threat against the e-pawn i s more effective than 1 1 . . . RdS.

12

Nb3

The lesser of two evils because i f 1 2 . . . Rxe4 t h e n 1 3 Od3 etc. But t h e fact is that now the White k n ights w i l l have a restricted f i e l d of action.

Bta

12

13 0c2

Position after 8 . . . Ng6

9 d4 As a consequence of the exchanges which result from this move Black obta i n s a very appreciable advantage in space. Correct would

Page 40

Against t h e plausible move 1 3 f3 Black would s i m p l y have played 1 3 . . . Be6 1 4 Ne3 RadS 1 5 Oc2 Nh4 16 N d 4 BcS and would have achieved a co-ord ination of his forces that would h ave been fu l l of promise. The text move (which eventually prepares for f41 a l l ows him to hold u p more effectively the White queen's side development.

13 14

Oe61 Ned2

15 f3

Nh4 e5!

Game 19 Ruy LOpez N e i t h e r 15 . . . Og6 16 Nc4 nor 1 5 . . . Bd6 (threatening 1 6 . . . Nxg2) 16 N d 4 . followed by 17 Nc4 would have brought a substantial advantage. The text move prepares for . . . Bd6 and at the same time for an eventual . . . R d 8 . followed by the occupation of the square d3.

16

Rd1

This m o v e - i n reality pract i c a l l y forced i n o r d e r to g i v e the k n i g h t a square - a l l ows B l a c k to create a sacrificial combination. Black to move

18

• • •

Bd6

After 1 8 . . . Re6 19 N f l Rg6+ 20 Ng3 h5 21 Og2 Oxg2+ 22 Kxg2 h4 23 f4 White would have freed h i m · s e l f without great d i scomfort.

19

Nfl

To 19 N c4 Black would have replied 19 . . . Re6. forcing the exchange sacrifice 20 Rxd6 and after 20 . . . cxd6 2 1 Qf2 h e w o u l d have continued the attack by 21 . . . f5 without its force being lesse ned.

19 20

Oxf3 Rd3

20 Od3 would be useless on account of 20 . . . Oxd3. followed by 21 c4.

Oxe4

20 21

Rd2

Oh4!

22

Rg2

Bh3

23 Of2 Black to move

Position after 16 R d 1

16

• • •

Nxg2!

Because otherwise White would play 17 Nfl with a defendable position.

17

Kxg2

18

Kg1

Qh3+

Against 1 8 Kh 1 Bd6 19 f4 (so as to be able to save h i m s e l f after 1 9 . . . B x f4 20 N f l Qf3+ 2 1 Og2 0xd l 22 Bxf4 etc.) Black had prepared this pretty variation: 19 . . . Bf5 20 R e l (if 20 exf5 then 20 . . . R e 2 ) Bxf4 2 1 N f l Bxe4+ and wins.

Position after 23 Qf2

23

. • •

Oe4!

Now Black can proceed to the l iqu idation because h e obtains Page 4 1

Game 20 Four Knights Game sufficient advantage for the e n d i n g . Nevertheless t h e agility of h i s rooks, which accelerate considerably the denouement, should be noted.

34 R e 1

Bxe3

35

Rxe3

Rg4+

36

Rg3

Rxc4 Rd6

24 Bd2

Qxg2+

37

Rf3

25 Qxg2

Bxg2

38

Bf4

26 Kxg2

Re2+

27

Rae8

After 38 R f 2 Black w i n s w i t h the same ease by playing 38 . . . b5 with t h e threat of 39 . . . b4.

Kf3

Despite the exchange of queens Black keeps attac k i n g poss i b i lities.

28

Rd1

29 Ne1

b6 R2e6

30 b3 This attempt at consolidation w i l l b e refuted c o n v i n c i n g l y .

c4 !

30 31

bxc4

Rf6+

32

Kg2

Re4

33 Ne3

Be5

Rd1

38 3 9 Ne2

Ra1

40

Kg3

e5

41

Re3

Rxa2

42 h4

b5

43 h5

b4

44 White resigns In fact there i s no way of stopping the queen's s i d e pawns.

Four Knights Game G A M E 20 Buenos Aires 1 939 Four Knights Game White: E. L U N D I N (Swed e n ) Black: P . M I C H E L ( G e r m a n y )

e4

e5

2

Nf3

Ne6

3

Ne3

Nf6

Page 4 2

4

Bb5

Nd4

P l a u s i b l e , since the German team would be satisfied with forcing a drawn position.

Game 20 Four Knights Game

1 2 h3

5 Nxe5 I t is comprehensible that the Swedish player should avoid the drawing variation 5 Nxd4; b u t after the analysis of the game Bogoljubov­ R u b i nstein (match 1 920 played i n Sweden) why not 5 Ba4, the i n teresting continuation of which has, relatively speaking, less wel l ­ tested complications?

White does not have anything better_ I f 12 Nxc7+ KdB 13 h 3 (or 13 NxaB g5 ! with advantage) Nf6 1 4 NxaB then Black can decide the game b r i l l i antly with a queen sacrifice: 14 _ _ _ Oxh4+ ! ! 15 Kxh4 Ne4 ! etc_ All this was d i scovered i n t h e above match, played twenty years before.

5

Oe7

12

6 f4

Nxb5

7 Nxb5

d6

8 Nf3

Oxe4+

9

Kf2

Ng4+

10

Kg3

'Theory' recom mends 1 2 . . _ Nf6 13 Oxh5 Nxh5+ 14 Kf2 with approximately equal chances. But the simple text move is more con­ vincing because i t forces a series of moves which are dangerous for White's position_

This k i n g excursion is a r t i f i c i a l , appears erroneous and can f i n a l l y , i n fact, l e a d to e q u a l i t y _ O n e cannot u n d e rstand what i t was that i n d uced L u n d i n to f o l l ow this u n fortunate I ine of play in a game of capital i m portance since with t h e defeat of Sweden Germany was assured of the C u p _

10 11

Nh4

_ _ _

1 3 hxg4

Oxb5 !

g5 !

This refutes for good the strategy e m p l oyed by White in the o p e n i n g . O n e of the poi nts of M ichel's move is that the intermediary check 1 4 R e 1 + serves o n l y t o i ncrease Black's pressure : 14 . _ _ B e 7 15 fxg5 Oxg5 etc. and White lacks chances_

Og6

1 4 fxg5

Oh5

As has been s a i d , a draw would be satisfactory for Black . U n d e r other c i rcumstances 14 . _ . Oxg5 15 d4 Og7 could be played, with evident advantage.

Position after 1 1 . . . Qh5

Oe5+

15

Kf2

Od4+

16

Kg3

Oe5+

17

Kh3?

White should confine h i m s e l f to the repetition of moves. This unjustified temerity is probably based o n the l i ttle-analysed advance o n the eighteenth move which Michel refutes Page 43

Game 21 Three Knights Game swiftly and i n masterly fashion.

17

Qxg5

18 d4

Qh5!

Emphasising the disadvantageous position of the king at h3. If now 19 Kg3 then 1 9 . . . Rg8 20 g5 Qxd 1 21 R xd 1 B e 7 , f o l l owed by 22 . . . h6 and White f i n a l l y loses h i s pawn at g5.

19 g 3

Rg8

20 K h 2

Bxg4

After achieving a material advantage, w i n n i ng is purely a question of tech n i q u e ; but the speed of the method used produces a very favour· able i m p ression.

21

Re1+

2 2 Qd2 23

,..

Rae8

T h ree Knights Game

GAME 2 1 B e r l i n 1 942 Three Knights Game White: P A H L Black: W E R K M E I S T E R

Psge 44

Rh8 Reg8

28 c4

Qf3

Now s i m p l ification assists Black's victory since the queen is the only piece protect i n g White's position.

29 Qxf3 30

Bxf3

Rg1

Forced, o w i n g to t h e threat of 3 0 . . . B x h 4 etc.

Kd7

Qd5!

Bg5!

27 Qd3

31

Black avoids t h e d i rect exchange of queens i n order to exp loit the f r a i l p o s i t i o n of the e n e m y k i n g .

24 Be3

26 Qxh7

30

Qh6

Bf2

G i v i n g back the extra pawn to force the opening of the h · f i l e w i t h the plan of a d i rect attack o n the enemy king.

Be7

The o n l y temporary salvation.

23

25

f5

a4

Rh7

The rapid advance 3 1 . . . f4 w o u l d also b e conclusive.

32

Ra3

Be4

33

Raa1

f4

34

Kh3

fxg3

35

White resigns

Game 2 1 Three Knights Game

e4

e5

11

Ned7+

Oxd7

2

Nf3

Nc6

12

Nxd7+

Ke8

3

Nc3

Bb4

13

Rxd1

Rd8

4

Nd5

BaS

[I n a game probably unknown to A l e k h i n e (J. Corzo·Capablanca, Havana 1 90 9 ) Black played 13 . . . Kxd7 1 4 Bxf7 Raf8 1 5 B h 5 Bb6 and drew after many vicissitudes. E.G.W. J

4 . . . Nf6 is better.

d6

5 Bc4 6 0·0

Nge7

7 d4

B94

8

dxe5

Nxe5

A very typical mistake, well p u nished by White as w i l l be seen. After 8 . . . dxe5 White would not have had any appreciable advantage. White to move d

h

14

Nc5 !

dxc5

15

Rxd8+

Kxd8

16

Bxf7

After the hard struggle White has emerged with a n excellent pawn structure. O n this ci rcumstance is based the victorious denouement which offers o n l y the natural technical demands.

16

Rf8

1 7 Bh5

96

Be2

a6

18

Position after 8

9

. • .

Nxe5

Nxe5!

A sacrifice o f great strength and beauty.

9 10

Bxd1 Nf6+

Kf8

It is easy to see that if 1 0 . . . gxf6? there follows 1 1 Bxf7+ Kf8 12 B h 6 mate.

1 9 B95

Ke8

20

Rd1

Nc6

21

c3

Ne5

22

Rd8+

Kf7

23 R d 5 W i n n i n g a t l e a s t a second pawn.

23

Re8

24 f4

Nc6

25

Black resigns

Rd7+!

I f 25 . . . Ne7 then 26 Bc4+, w i n n i n g a piece.

Page 4 5

Game 22 Philido,'s Defence

Phil idor's Defence G A M E 22 Buenos Aires 1 939 Phil idor's Defence White: L. P I A Z Z I N I (Arge n t i n a ) Black : S . T A R T A K O W E R ( P o l a n d )

1

e4

Nf6

8

2

Nc3

e5

9

3

Nf3

d6

4 d4

Nbd7

After b e g i n n i n g as a n A l e k h i ne's Defence and changing gradually into the Vienna Game and the Three K n ights Game, the contest now has the definite character of P h i l idor's Defence.

5

Bc4

6

h3

h6

This preparation to activate the k i ng's side (which is facil itated by the fact that Black has already compromised the future residence of h i s king) i s certai n l y more promising than a n immediate l iqu idation of the tension i n the centre as played, for instance. by Tylor against D r . Tartakower at Nottingham, 1 936.

6

c6

7 Be3

Qc7

8

Bb3

Be7 94!

Quite in accordance with his overall p l a n of m o b i l ization. Now Black must try nolens volens to obtain some freedom for h i s pieces in the centre before he can d a r e to expose his k i n g to a w i n g attack.

exd4

9 10

Bxd4

Better than 10 Nxd4 Nc5 w i t h the e l i m i nation of the powerful White k i ng's bishop.

10

. . .

11

Bxf6

12

Qe2

Nxf6

Preparing to castle l o n g and threaten i n g not o n l y 13 g5 but also an eventual e5! Black has very l i t t l e choice.

A characteristic retreat to prevent 12 Black from p l a y i n g 8 . . . b5 (because 0-0-0 13 of the poss i b i l ity of the reply 9 d 5 ) . Page 4 6

c5?

Abandoning the d5 square is decidedly too risky and w i l l have tragic consequences. Necessary, and fairly natural. would be 10 . . . Ne5 w i t h a defensible game.

0 ·0

Game 22 Philidar's Defence Evidently he does not appreciate ful l y Black's ingenious fourteenth move. Otherwise he would have played the consistent 13 gS without loss of time. After 1 3 . . . hxgS 1 4 NxgS o r 1 3 . . . N h S 1 4 N d S QaS+ 1S c3 there would be very l ittle hope for Black.

13 14

Be6 ! gS

Much less strong than o n the previous move but, i n the circum· stances, best. Black to move b

..

exf6 bxa2 1 8 Nxa2 Bxa2 19 fxg7 RfeB 20 Qd2, threatening 21 Qxh6 etc. would be to White's advantage. But after 16 . . . BxeS 17 NxeS dxeS 18 Ba4 a6 19 Bd 7 ! Bxd7 20 N d S Q d 6 2 1 R h g 1 Kh8 White's temporary i n i tiative would not compensate for his material deficit. White's sixteenth move was thus more or less d i ctated by necessity.

BxdS

16 17

RxdS

18 axb3

cxb3 as

Clearly this is the best attack i n g p l a n . But its t e c h n i c a l execution w i l l e n t a i l various d i fficulties, particularly i n the event of an exchange of queens, w h i c h would practi c a l l y assure W h i te of a draw.

1 9 Nd4

Rfe8 !

If now 19 . . . a4 then 20 Qc4 ! and Black would be compelled to exchange queens (if 20 . . . Q d 7 then 21 QbS) or else allow White to con· solid ate with 21 bxa4.

NbS

Qc6

Position after 14 g5

20

The first c r i s i s : Black not o n l y escapes from h is o p e n i n g difficulties but even gains the i n i t iative.

Now 2 1 Rxd6 (not 2 1 N x d 6 QxdS) Rxe4 ! 22 Qd3 Qe8 etc. would be agreeable for Black. But 21 Qd3 a4 22 b4 could have been tried.

c4 ! 14 . . • 21 Qc4 An interesting and exactly calcu lated Again threaten i n g 22 Nxd6, a tactical resource. poss i b i l ity that Black should have 15 gxf6 Bxf6 avoided by 21 . . . Red8. Although 16 NdS the following advance seems tempting i t leads o n l y to a drawn rook e n d i n g . Besides t h i s continuation White would have had to give consideration 2 1 p r i n c i p a l l y t o the alternative 16 eS which would have been answered by 16 . . . BxeS since 16 . . . cxb3 1 7

. • •

a4 ! ?

Page 4 7

Game 22 Philidor's Defence

30

White to move

Re3 !

It is absolutely esse n t i a l to e l i m i n ate the advanced k i n g's pawn; i t would be p o i ntless for Black to try to defend it, for instance 30 . . . f5 3 1 f3 Ra4 32 Kb3 Rd4 33 Kc3 etc.

30

Rf1

31

Rxe4

32

Ke1

Rxf2+

The k i ng is cut off only momentarily since White, before sacrificing the Position after 2 1 . . . a4 h·pawn, will always be i n a position The second c r i s i s : W h i t e , dangerously to propose an exchange of rooks. threatened, avoids defeat with a 32 f5 move of great i n g e n u i t y . Rf3 33 Rd4 22 Nxd6! axb3 Ke7 34 h4 Nor w o u l d other moves be successful 35 b4 Ke6 against the correct replies. For example, firstl y : 22 . . . Bg5+ 23 36 Ke2 Ke5 R x g 5 ! Secondly 2 2 . . . Re6 23 axc6 37 Rd3 bxc6 24 Rd3 axb3 25 K b 1 . T h i r d l y To a certain extent this i s the 22 . . . Rad8 23 N f 5 ! a x b 3 24 R x d 8 B x d 8 25 axc6 bxc6 26 K b 1 , s t i l l s i m p lest way, but 37 Rd7 would with a d raw i n prospect. also h ave saved the h a l f point.

23 axe6

bxe6

37

24

Nxe8

exd5

38

b5

Rxh4

25

Nxf6+

gxf6

39

Rb3

Re4+

26

Rg1+

Kf8

Or 39 . . . R h 2 + 40 Kd 1 Rg2 41 b6 Rg8 42 b7 Rb8 43 Ke2 with the same result.

27

Rg3

Ra1+

28

Kd2

bxe2

29

Kxe2

dxe4

Black's great effort has been translated i n to the gain of a pawn. B u t as t h i s pawn is doubled and his k i n g cannot stop W h i te's free b· pawn i n time, a d raw is the d e f i n ite conclusion. Page 48

Rf4

40

Kd3

Re7

41

b6

Rb7

42

Ke3

Kd5

43

Rb5+

Ke4

44 Rxf5

Rxb6

45

Rg6

Rxf7

Game 23 Phflidor's Defence

46

Kfl

Kd5

Drawn

47

Re7

h5

48

Ra7

A s p l e n d i d effort by the Argen t i n i a n master.

G A M E 23 Dusseldorf 1 908 Phil idor's Defence White: C . VON 8A R D E L E 8 E N Black: A . A LE K H I N E Recently I was g l a n c i n g through one of m y oid notebooks that I had not looked at for many years when I found the f o l l o w i n g game. It was the first game of a short c h a m p i o n s h i p that I d i sputed and ' w o n ' i n Dusseldorf i n 1 908 a g a i n s t the former champion C . von Bardeleben by four wins and one draw. T h i s c h a m p i o n s h i p t o o k p l a c e shortly after t h e German Chess Federation Congress and just before the battle for the world c h a m p i o n s h i p between Lasker and Tarrasc h . Although I was then o n l y fifteen years of age and unable to judge by true strength, or rather weakness, i t was very c l e a r to me that I should not become too conceited over this success since my opponent, a n e l d e r l y · and k i n d l y gentleman, was quite l a c k i n g i n fighting a m b i t i o n a n d , w h a t was worse, in any real class as a chess· player. Anyway, I believe that this game, which until now has never been p u b l i s h e d , has perhaps some s m a l l * A l e k h ine, writing in February 1 94 1 , forgets that Wh ite was i n fact o n l y forty-seven. E . G . W .

h i storical i m portance for chess and is not w h o l l y l a c k i n g i n i nterest.

2

e4

e5

Nfl

d6

l d4

N d7

N i m zowitsch's proposal to replace t h i s i n novation of t h e American H a n h a m by 3 . . . Nf6 seems to be refuted by the continuation 4 dxe5 N x e 4 5 Od 5 ! etc. 4 Bc4 5

c6

dxe5

N e i t h e r useful nor necessary. I n d icated i s Schlechter's continuation (played against m e at Hamburg, 1 9 1 0 ) 5 Nc3 and if 5 . . . Be7 (some· what better than 5 . . . h6) then 6 dxe5 dxe5 7 N g 5 1 Bxg5 8 Oh5 with the advantage of the pai r of bishops. 5

6

dxe5 Bel

To p revent 6 . . . N c 5 . Be7

6 7

Ncl

Oc7

At t h i s moment the text was not Page 49

Game 23 Philidor's Defence necessary and could have been replaced by t h e developing move 7 . . . Nfg6. f o l l owed by castl i n g , which w o u l d u ndoubtedly have been more logical and more con· venient for Black.

8 a4

Nc5

12

8 . . . Nfg6 would sti I I have been more natural and better. d

a

e

would have preferred to be on h i s guard b y means of 1 2 B e 2 ( o r 1 2 Bd3 ) . i n w h i c h case, however, Black's position would have been preferable after 12 . . . Rd8, f o l l owed by 1 3 . . . Nd4.

y

. . •

b5!

Together with the next move, t h i s i s w i t h o u t d o u b t the best w a y of exploiting the weakness of White's n i n t h move which left the queen's knight i n a precarious position.

13

Bd3

14

axb5

a5!

There h a r d l y exists a n alternative since after 1 4 bxa5 b4, f o l l owed by 15 . . . Qxa5 the White pawn would be without protec t i o n .

14 15 Position after 8

. . .

Nc5

9 b4? A double m i stake which a l lows the i n i t i ative to pass into Black's hands. F i rstly, with t h i s move White com· promises h is pawn structure on the queen's side without any compensa· tion and secondly h e fails to take advantage of t h e opportu nity to acquire t h e better position by 9 Ng5 Nh6 1 0 h 3 ! etc. 9

Ne6

10

Rb1

Nf6

11

0-0

0-0

12

Ne1

Probably with the idea of being able to play 13 Nd3 against 12 . . . Rd8. But i f White had foreseen t h e e x p a n d i n g m o v e t h a t follows he Page 50

axb4 b6

Black would have remained w i t h a n extra p a w n i f permitted t o p l a y 15 . . . c x b 5 .

15 16

Qb7 Ne2

c5

T h i s is the position that I had been seeking on my twelfth move, in the hope of obta i n i n g a decisive advantage. Nonetheless the truth is that White st i l l has at h is d isposal several h i d d e n possibi Ii ties.

17

c3!

Not only is the weakness of the c-pawn hereby e l i m i nated but the harmful poss i b i l ity of 1 7 . . . Nxe4 i s prevented because of 1 8 cxb4 cxb4 1 9 Nc2 w i t h a f a i r l y good g a m e for W h i t e .

17

...

Bd7

Game 23 Philidor's Defence Best, as this prudent manoeuvre w i l l contribute t o t h e threat ( i n case of 18 f3, for e x a m p l e ) 18 . . . Ba4 1 9 Nc2 R a d 8 w i t h the better game. Consequently White has to protect his e·pawn with the k n i ght and to do this he must undertake an u n profit· able exchange at b4.

1 8 exb4

exb4

19

Ne5

Ng3

f i n a l l y . . . Ne2+ w i t h decisive advantage.

Threatening two pawns at the same time. White prefers, not without reason, to protect h is f r e e p a w n .

20 Bc4

Nexe4

2 0 . . . Oxb6 is not possible o w i n g to 2 1 N d 3 w i t h good compensation.

21

Nxe4

Nxe.. 1

Much better than 21 . . . Oxe4 22 O d 3 ! with compensatory chances.

22

Bd5

T h i s s i m p l i fication favours B l a c k . The m o s t c o n v i n c i n g m o v e w a s 2 2 O d 5 , n o t o n l y w i t h 22 . . . B c 6 2 3 O x e 5 Bd6 24 Q f 5 R f e 8 b u t a l s o w i t h 22 . . . O x d 5 23 Bxd5 Nc3 24 B x a 8 Nxbl 25 Bb7 etc., after w h i c h t h e battle would not yet h a v e b e e n resolved by any means.

Be6

22 23

Bxe6

24

Oh5

Oxe6

Position after 25 Rb2

25 . . .

Ob5!

Again threatening . . . g6, . . . f5 etc., ga i n i ng the exchange. I f White prevents this l i ne by 26 g3 then there would follow 26 . . . Ral and the victorious advance of t h e infantry.

26

Nf3

Whether h e cares to or not, Black must accept t h i s sacrifice since the use of more c o m p l i cated offensive methods would have led to a s i m i l a r end w i t h moves of inferior quality. For e x a m p l e , 26 . . . f5 27 Ng5? Oxf1 +, followed by mate in two moves. But against 26 . . . f5 W h i te's reply should be 27 R e l .

26

Ne2+

T h i s is veritable desperation but if 24 Qf3 then 24 . . . Oc4 with clear superiority.

27

28 Oxe5

Bf6

24

29 Oe5

b3

25

Ne3 Rb2

I f 25 Rcl then 25 . . . g6, f o l l owed i f necessary, by . . . f5, . . . e4 and

30

Rxe2

Oxe2

Bf4

The last hope.

30

..

.

Rfe8 ! Page 5 1

Game 24 Scotch Gambit Threatening 31 . . . Oxf 1 + , w h i c h W h i t e fails to notice.

Oxf 1 +

31

b7?

32

Kxf1

Ra1+

33

Bc1

b2

34 White resigns

Loo k i ng back at old games and e x a m i n i n g the level of our knowledge i n t i m e gone by un· doubtedly produces a certain emotion, perhaps because in this way we experience again the memories of our youth, at once so distant and so close.

Scotch Gambit

G A M E 24 Madrid 1 943 Scotch Gambit White: A. M E D I N A Black: P . K E R E S Up u n t i l the thirteenth move the variation is we l l k n o w n and con· sidered favourable to B l a c k . I s the simple bishop retreat ( i nstead of 14 b4 as played i n a previous game) capable of c h a n g i n g this view? It is doubtful. For instance Keres c o u l d , i n stead of the p l a u s i b l e m o v e 1 4 . • • 0·0·0, p l a y 1 4 . . . Od5 and i f 1 5 Bxc7 t h e n 1 5 . . . RcB 1 6 Bd6 h 5 ! with advantage. Besides he later l e t slip several chances of at least e q u a l i z i n g .

2

e4

e5

Nf3

Nc6

3 d4

exd4

4

Nf6

Bc4

5 0·0 Page 52

Nxe4

6

Re1

d5

7

Bxd5

Qxd5

8

Nc3

Oa5

9

Nxe4

Be6

1 0 Bg5

h6

11

Bh4

Bb4

12

Re2

g5

13 a3

Be7

14

0·0-0

Bg3

1 5 b4

Od5

1 6 Oe1

h5

1 7 h4

Bg4

1 8 c4! Well played ! If 18 . . . Oxc4 t h e n s i m p l y 19 Ned2 and White

Game 24 Scotch Gambit

Kh2

Rd8

Of5

29 Nf5

B eB

Bxf3

30

Re5

Rd2

31

f3

h3

32

Kxh3

w i n � two pieces for the rook.

18 19

b5

Aga i n Black lacks any option. I f 1 9 . . . N b S then 20 Qa5 R d 7 2 1 N x d 4 etc.

28

Thus all the i n g e n i o u s combinations conceived by White have at last y ie l d ed him a paw n , which shcu Id have brought h i m victory. although not easily. Lack of tech n i q u e lets the win escape; a p i t y , as this would have been a sensational game.

32

Rd3

33 a4

Bd7

34 a5

Re3

35

Re5+

Kd8

36

Kh4

Bxf5

20 bxe6 !

37

Rxf5

R xe4+

The p o i n t of White's comtlination. I f 2 0 . . . B x e 2 ? t h e n 2 1 Qb1 I w i n s the queen because o f the t h r e a t o f 22 N d 6 + .

38

Kxh5

Ke7

39

Rb5

Kf6

Position after 19 . .

.

Bxf3

d3

20 21

exb7+

Kb8

22

Bxe7+

Kxe7

23

Ng3

dxe2

24

Nxf5

2 5 Nxe7

Rd1 R xe 1 +

26

R xe 1

Bxb7

27

Rxe2

gxh4

40 g3

Ra4

f4

Ra3

41

Drawn What would White have risked by c o n t i n u i n g the game? After 42 K h 4 Keres t o l d me that h e would have found i t extremely d i f f i c u l t to obtain a draw. It was a great surpl" ise to him when, after the adj ournment, his opponent declared hi",self satisfied with a draw.

Page 53

Game 25 Scotch Gambit G A M E 25 Match S p a i n v Portugal 1 945 Scotch Gambit White: R I B E I R O Black: A . P O M A R

e5

10

2 Nf3

Nc6

11

3

exd4

If 1 1 exd5 then undoubtedly 1 1 . . , Nd4.

e4

d4

4 Bc4 R i b e i r o was certa i n l y i l l -advised to opt for t h i s opening against Po mar who has adopted it (and defended it) several times i n serious p l a y .

Bc5

4 5

Ng5

Nh6

6

Nxf7

Bb4+

The normal continuation is 6 . . . Nxf7 7 Bxf7+ Kxf7 a Oh5+ g6 9 Oxc5 d6 (it is also poss ible to play 9 . . . d5, f o l l owed by 10 . . . Rea with advantage i n d evelop ment). H owever P o m a r ' s m o v e i s equally good.

7 c3

dxc3

S bxc3

Nxf7

d5 cxb4

ReS

11 12

Nd2

Because of the threat of 12 . . . Nd4 White has n o satisfactory move at his disposition. If 12 Nc3 then 1 2 . . . Be6 ! 1 3 0·0 dxe4.

12

Nd4

13

Qc3

14

Bb2

dxe4

Black to move

9 Bxf7+ Had he played 9 cxb4 then 9 . . . Qf6.

Kxf7

9 10

Qb3+

This is a grave and perhaps decisive l oss of t i m e . Necessary was 10 cxb4 because 10 . . . Qf6 was not to be feared in view of 1 1 Ob3+, f o l l owed by 12 Bb2. Best for B l a c k would have been 1 0 . . . d5' w i t h a good, but not decisive, game. Page 54

Position after 1 4 Bb2

14

,.,

e3!

T h i s l o o k s decisive because 15 Oxd4 would deprive White of hope after 15 . . . exd2+ 1 6 Kxd2 (if 16 K d 1 Og5 is .trong a n d i f 1 6 K f l then 16 . . . Qxd4 17 Bxd4 Rda and

Game 25 Scotch Gambit w i n s ) Og5+ 1 6 Kc3 Bf5 with a w i nn i n g attac k i n g position.

15

Nf3!

Nevertheless t h i s move offers White defensive resources unsuspected at first sight.

15

Nxf3+

1 6 gxf3

Og5

1 6 . . . exf2+ leads to n o resu l t : 1 7 Kxf2 Oh4+ 1 8 K g l Og5+ 1 9 Kf2 and i n view of the threat of 20 R h g l B l ack h a s nothing better t h a n 20 • • . Oh4+.

17

h4

Og2

Pomar confesses that he forgot here that h is opponent could castle. With 17 . . . Oh6 h e could prevent castl i n g and 18 Rgl would be fatal because of 18 . . . exf2+ 19 Kxf2 Oxh4+ 2 0 Rg3 Re2+, f o l l owed by 21 . . . Oxg3. But 18 Ke2! would have a l l owed W h i t e to continue the fight.

1 8 0·0·0

exf2

19

Bf5!

Rhf1

The f·pawn could not be saved but the strong position of this bishop, qu ite apart from the extra pawn, assures B l a c k of the upper h a n d .

20

Rxf2

Og6

21

Rfd2

Re7

22 h5

Position after 22 h 5

22 . . .

Oc6 !

More effective than 22 . . . Oh6 23 Rg l Kg8 24 Qf6! Oxf6 25 Bxf6 Rf7 26 Be5, followed by 2 7 f4 and White is i n a better position than i n the actual game.

23

Oxe6

24

Rgn

bxc6

However this eases B l a c k ' s task. 24 8d4 was necessary, after w h i c h B l ack's best c h a n c e would have consisted of 24 • • • a5 25 a3 axb4 26 axb4 Ra3 etc.

g6

24 25 h6

25 hxg6+ Bxg6 would also have been insufficient.

25 . . .

a5!

26 a 3 Or 26 bxa5 R x a 5 2 7 a 3 R c 5 + 28 Kd 1 Re3, followed by 29 . . . B e 6 .

axb4

26 27 axb4

Rb8

28

c5 !

Rd4

Decisive. Page 55

Game 25 Scotch Gambit

29

Rc4

Rxb4

34

Rg8+

Kd7

Kc6 35 Rg7+ S i m p l e r than 29 . . . cxb4 "which would evidently have been adequate" Rh2 36 Kd1 (Pomar ) . Rd4+ 37 Bc1 30 Rxc5 Re2 38 White resigns 31 Rxf5+ gxf5 A n excel l e n t game by Pomar, 32 Rg7+ Ke8 worthy of the great opportunities. 33 Ba3 Ra4!

Page 56

PART TWO : SEMI-OPEN GAMES French Defence G A M E 26 Cracow 1 942 French Defence White: E . B O G O L J U BOV Black: A . A L E K H I N E e4

e6

2 d4

1

d5

3

Nc3

Nf6

4

Bg5

Be7

5

e5

Nfd7

6

h4

T h i s interesting attack was intro­ d u c e d by m e at Mannheim i n 1 9 1 4 dnd since then has been i ncorporated into master praxis.

6

c5

_ . _

One of the numerous replies w h i c h are p o s s i b l e but w h i c h do not present W h i t e w i t h a n y d i fficulties. Much more p r o m i s i n g is 6 . . • f6.

7 If 7

Bxe7 .

.

•

Kxe7

Oxe7 there f o l l ows 8 N b5.

8 Og4

Kf8

9

Nc6

Nf3

With the offer of an exchange of queens by 9 . . . c x d 4 10 O x d 4 Ob6

Black could obtain approximate compensat i o n .

1 0 dxc5

Nxc5

Sharper would have been 10 . . . Ndxe5 1 1 Nxe5 N x e 5 1 2 Og3 f6.

11

0-0-0

�6

12

Rh3

h67

U s u a l l y Black does not worry about the k i ng's side and seeks counter­ play on the queen's f l a n k . This move is not correct and, as w i l l be seen, White manages to take possess ion of and e x p l o i t the strong strate g i c p o i n t d 4 . T h e opportune m o v e w o u l d h a v e b e e n 1 2 _ _ . Oc7 13 R g 3 f 6 1 4 exf6 gxf6 with chances of a counter­ attack.

Rg8

13

Rg3

14

Bd3

Nxd3+

15

Rxd3

Cb6

16

Rd2

Cc7

1 7 Of4

Bd7 Page 57

Game 26 French Defence

18

Ne2 !

Re8

d o u b l e t h r e a t of 25 Ra3 and 25 Ref3.

19

Ned4

Na5

24 N b3 !

Qa3+

20

Rd3

Ne4

25

Kd1

a5

21

b3

26

Nfd4

Ke7

27

Ref3

Be8

28

Ne2

Qb2

29 Nxe3 30

Rd3

Rd8+ Bc6

I n case of 30 . . . Oxc3 there would f o l l o w 31 R x d 8 . attac k i n g the queen.

P osition after 2 1 b3

21

. . .

Qa5

A blow w h i c h is based on a tactical calculation. With . . . Na5-c6 B l a c k would have been able to defend h i m self for some t i m e but I had already lost my taste for t h i s position and also my confidence i n t h e resistance I w o u l d b e a b l e to offer.

22 bxe4

dxe4

23

c3

Re3 !

Too late I realized that 23 . . . Oxa2 is refuted by 24 N d 2 ! with the

Page 58

31

Qe4 !

Rxd3+

32

Rxd3

Re8

33 Qe5+

Ke8

34 Qxa5

Bxg2

35 f3

Bn

36

Qb5+

Kf8

37

Qxb7

Re8

38

Rd7 !

Kg8

39 Qe7

Rf8

40

Rd8

Rxd8

41

Qxd8+

Kh7

42

Kd2

I resigned a few moves later. Bogoljubov exploited my m istakes very wel l . w i n n i ng the game i n elegant style.

Game 21 French Defence G A M E 27 8uenos Aires 1 939 French Defence White: D . Y A N O F S K Y · (Canada) Black: A. D U LANTO (Peru)

e4

e6

2 d4

dS

3

Nc3

Nf6

4

BgS

dxe4

For a long t i m e I f e l t a preference for this variation, but the experience of numerous games ( m i ne and those of other masters) over the last decade has induced me to revise my p o i n t o f view regard i n g t h i s m a t t e r a n d I am now convinced that White's spacial advantage i s more than enough compensation for the potential value of the two Black bishops.

S Nxe4

pressure. Besides the text move, h e c o u l d p l a y 8 c3, avo i d i n g f o r t h e m o m e n t the f o l l o w i n g manoeuvre by Black.

cS

S 9

dxcS

aas+

10 c3

axeS

11

IUl

0·0

12

Re1

A more effective way of l i m iting Black's chances i s 12 Oe2, whereby h e would have p revented 12 . . . b6 owing to 1 3 Bxf6 Bxf6 14 Oe4.

Nbd7

Comparatively better would be the immediate S . . . Be7 so that, after 6 Bxf6 (best) Bxf6, h e can m a i n t a i n the c h o i ce between the t w o possible developments of t h e queen's k n i g h t , at d 7 or at c 6 .

6

Nf3

Be7

7

Nxf6+

Nxf6

If 7 . . . Bxf6 then 8 Od2, f o l l owed by 9 0-0·0 with the better game.

S

Bd3

Capablanca's move 8 NeS, which has been i n fashion for a q u arter of a century, can be refuted by 8 . . . Od S ! ( S p i e l m a n n ' s d i scovery ) . B u t W h i t e d o e s not n e e d to make such exaggerated efforts to maintain the *Aged fourteen. E . G . W .

Position after 12 R e l

12

• • •

RdS

Now, or at the latest o n h i s next move, h e should have played . . . h6, e l i m i nating combinations con· nected with the pseud o·sac r i f i c e a t h 7 . The p i n n i n g of White's k i ng's bishop is decidealy ineffective; Page S9

Game 27 French Defence besides, White's next move w i l l prevent 1 3 . . . B d 7 because o f 1 4 Bxf6 Bxf6 15 N x d 7 , f o l l owed by 16 B x h 7 + .

13

Ne5

White to r.love

b6?

This move would not even be satisfactory after 13 . . . h6 14 Bf4 on account of the r e p l y 1 5 Qf3 Qd5 16 Nc6 etc. But 13 . . . h 6 1 4 Bf4 B d 7 would have prevented tempor a r i l y t h e characteristic catastrophe that follows.

14

Bxf6

S i m p l e r than the strong alternative 1 4 Qf3.

Bxf6

14 15

Bxh7+

N a t u r a l l y this bishop i s untouchable since 15 . . . Kxh 7 16 Qh5+ Kg8 1 7 Qxf7+ Kh8 18 Re3 f i n ishes t h e game immediately.

Position after 21 . .

22

.

Rg8

Rxe6+!

Not c o m p l i cated, of course, but neat and decisive. The whole I ittle game is characteristic of the i n c i s i v e style of the y o u n g Canadian who was pract i c a l l y the o n l y revelation of t h e B u e n os Aires Team Tournament.

Kxe6

15

Kf8

22

1 6 Qh5

Bxe5

23

Re1+

Kd6

17

Rxe5

Qc7

24 Qf6+

Kc5

18

BCJ4

Bb7

Ii 24 . . . Kd7 then 25 Re 7+ or 25 Qxf7+ w i n s at once.

L i kewise after 1 8 . . . Rb8 19 Qh8+, followed by 20 Qxg7 White wou l d have w o n e a s i l y . With t h e text move Black has the hope of protecting H i s g·pawn because of the possi b i l itv (after 1 9 Bxb 7 Qxb 7 20 Qh8+ Ke 7 21 Qxg7) of 2 1 . . . R g 8 . But White destroys t h i s last hope with a pretty coup.

19

Bxb7

Qxb7

20 Qh8+

Ke7

21

Rg8

Qxg7

Page 60

25

Re5+

Kc4

26 b3+

Kd3

27 Qd6+

Kc2

Or 2 7 . . . Kxc3 28 Re3+ Kb2 29 Re2+, f o l l owed by mate i n two moves.

28

Re2+

Black resigns

Game 28 French Defence G A M E 28 Buenos Aires 1 939 French Defence Wh ite: E. L U N D I N (Swed e n ) Black: L R A U D ( E s t o n i a )

e4

e6

2 d4

d5

3

Nc3

4 e5 5

Nf6 Nfd7

Nce2

An old I ine of play ( i nstead of the more usual 5 f4) w h i c h has of late been successf u l l y adopted by Spie l m a n n . For m y taste this k n i g h t m o v e i s rather artificial.

5

c5

6 c3

f6

As the continuation w i l l d e m o n ­ strate, t h i s move i s premature a n d c o u l d event u a l l y b e played after 6 _ . . Nc6 7 f4 etc_ The following tactical c o m p l ications are characteristic of this type of position and are therefore quite instructive_

7 Nf4 8

Ce7

Bd3

The first i n d i rect protection of e 5 . I f n o w 8 . . . fxe5 9 dxe5 and Black cannot p l a y 9 . . _ Nxe5 because this w o u l d bring him great discomfort after 10 Oh5+ Nf7 1 1 Bxh7 Og5 1 2 Oh3!

8 9

1 0 Oh5+ Qf7 ! 1 1 Bg6 hxg6 1 2 OxhB Ndxe5, f o l lowed by . . . B d 7 and . . . 0-0-0 with excellent f i g h t i n g prospects_

1 0 Nf3! Much more logical than the variation i n d icated above. Black's chances of development are very l im ited since 10 . . . g5?, for e x a m p l e . would be fatal owing to 1 1 Ng6_ The alternative 1 0 . . . Ncxe5 1 1 Nx�5 Nxe5 1 2 Oh5+ N f 7 1 3 Bxh7 Og5 1 4 Oxg5 N x g 5 1 5 Bg6+ Nf7 (if 1 5 . . . KdB 16 N x d 5 ) 1 6 0-0 wou l d leave White with a c l e a r p o s i t i o n a l advantage_

10

_ _ _

Nd8

This i m proves very l ittle the variation i n d icated in the previous note because after the following tactical intermezzo the queens w i l l still remain on the board and t h e Black king w i l l be subjected t o renewed inconvenience.

fxe5 dxe5

Nc6

P l a n n i n g to obtain a strong central position, o n the basis of the sur­ render of t h e exchange, i n the l i ne Page 6 1

Game 28 French Defence White to move

1S

0-0

Bg7

19

Re1

Ke7

20 ad3! With the a i m of refuting the move 20 . . . ad6 (which would be possible in the case of 20 c 4 ) by the reply 21 ah7.

Bxe5

20 21

Rxe5

ad6

22

Rae1

Bd7

23 e4! Position after 10

11

• • .

Nd8

Ng6 !

This does not w i n material but i t does create weaknesses i n Black's position a n d , what is even more i m portant, i t prevents for a long time the effective co· operation of the enemy forces. O n the other hand 1 1 Bg6+ Nf7 w o u l d have o e e n pointless.

12

Bxg6+

13

Bg5

14 exf6 15

25 26

fxg5 Bxf7+

RaeS

25 aa3

Nf6

The t r u e essence of the offensive idea.

16

d4

24 Bg4

gxf6

Nf7

Ne5!

15

23

Also very strong is 25 b4 cxb4 26 c5, f o l l owed by 2 7 axd4 but t h e text move is more in accordance with the type of campaign developed by White.

hxg6

11

Decisive since after the (practically forced ) reply Black will not be i n a position to defend s i m u l taneously the three weak nesses at e6, g5 and c5.

KbS Rxe5

This i s somewhat stronger than 26 axc5 axc5 2 7 Rxc5 Rc8 28 Rxc8+ Rxc8 29 b3 b5 30 cxb5 B x b 5 s i n c e i n t h i s c a s e W h i t e would not h a v e a passed pawn on the k i n g's s i d e as he has in the actual game.

After 16 Nxf7 Rg8 1 7 Bh5 Kd7 af4 26 18 Ne5+ Kc7 Black would have obtained an i m portant tempo Re8 27 ag3 compared with t h e text con tinuation . A f t e r 27 . . . Q x g 3 28 hxg3 Rc8 29 Kd8 16 Rxc8+ Rxc8 30 b3 b5 31 cxb5 Rg8 Bxb5 White would force a q u ick 17 Bh5 Page 62

Game 2 8 French Defence victory with 32 a4 ! B d 7 33 R d 1 etc.

28

Rxe8+

Rxe8

29 Qxf4+

gxf4

30 b3

b5

31

h4

T h i s i m m e d iate u t i l ization of the passed pawn i s more c o n v i n c i n g than the i n active 3 1 cxb5 Bxb5 32 a4 Bd3 ! after which Black would sti l l have resources to continue the struggle.

bxe4

31 32 bxe4

Rxc4

33

Ke7

h5

E v i d e n t l y there is not time for the counter·attack 33 . . . d3.

34

Re4!

f3

S i m p l e desperation since t h e p l a n 3 4 . . . Rc6 w o u l d be useless owing to 35 h6.

35 Bxf3

Be6

Rh4

Re1+

37 Kh2

Bxf3

38

Rb1

36

h6

39 gxf3 ! Avoi d i n g t h e l a s t t r a p 3 9 h7 R b B 40 h B ( Q ) R x h B 4 1 R x h B d 3 ! Now White continues with a two·pawn advantage in a rook e n d i n g and t h e refore there can be no doubt about t h e resu l t . despite B l ack's heroic resistance.

Rb8

39 40

Rxd4

Rh8

41

Rh4

Kd6

42

Kg3

Ke5

43

Kg4

Kf6

44

Kh5

e5

45

Ra4

Rh7

46 f4

e4 !

47

Rxe4

Re7

48

Ra4

Re5+

49

Kg4

a5

50

Rd4

Re2

51

Rd6+

Kf7

52 a4

Rxf2

53

Ra6

Rg2+

54

Kf5

Rh2

55

Ra7+

Kg8

56

Kg6

Rg2+

57

Kf6

Rh2

58

h7+

Kh8

59

Rxa5

Black resigns

Position after 3 8 . . . R b 1

Page 63

Game 29 French Defew.:e G A M E 29 B u e n os Aires 1 939 F rench Defence White: I. P L E C I (Arge n t i n a ) Black: L . E N D Z E L I N S ( Latvia)

e4

e6

2 d4

1

d5

3

Nd2

c5

4

Ngf3

A II these Black moves have been practica l l y forced . I f 10 . . . ad7 then simply 1 1 Nxc5 Bxb5 12 Nxe6 w i n n i n g easi l y . White t o move

This move. which g e n e r & l I y leads to very compl icated positions. was i n t roduced by me in an e x h i b i t i o n gafne a g a i n s t t h e Champion o f B o l i v i a . S a n c h e z at Bogota i n March 1 939. This game had t h e following drastic c o n t i n u a t i o n : 4 . . . Nc6 5 Bb5 Bd7 ( ? ) 6 exd5 Nxd4 7 Nxd4 cxd4 B dxe6! Bxb5 9 Qh 5 ! Qe7 1 0 Qxb5+ KdB 1 1 0-0 and W h i t e w i n s quickly by a d i rect attack.

4

• • •

dxe4

Doubtless i n f e r i o r to 4 . . . Nc6 or 4 . . • Nf6 but p l a y a b l e .

5

Nxe4

Nd7(? )

A l l o w i n g White to obtain the advantage of the pair of bishops. 5 . . . cxd4 i s better.

6 dxc5

Nxc5?

The decisive error. I nstead of t h i s . 6 . . . B x c 5 7 Nxc5 Qa5+ B c3 Qxc5 9 Be3 Qc7 etc. i s nece�sary. Now we witness the execution of an attack in the style of M o r p h y .

Position after 10 .

11

.

. K f7

Rd8 ! !

A t r u l y b r i l l iant conception w h i c h m a k e s t h i s g a m e a p e a r l from t h e Il u e n o � A i r e s Tournament. The two attacked pieces are now i m m u ne because if 1 1 . . . fxg5 t h e n 1 2 Ne5+ Ke 7 13 ReB mate. After 1 1 . . . Nxe4 1 2 Ne5+ K e 7 ( 1 2 . . . fxe5 13 BeB mate) 13 ReB+ Kd6 1 4 Nf7+ Kc5 1 5 R x f B Nxg5 1 6 N x h B e t c . W h i t e would remain with a material advantage.

7 Qxd8+

Kxd8

11

8

f6

At f i rst sight it seems as though White has made a m i stake because 12 BeB+ KfB leads to n o t h i n g . But his next iwo moves c l a r ify the

Bg5+

9 0-0-0+ 10

Bb5+

Page 64

Ke8 Kf7

• • •

Be7!

Game 30 French Defence situation once and for a l l .

12

Ne5+!

13

Nd6+!

fxe5

I f now 1 3 . . . Bxd6 then 14 Be8+. followed by mate. Black must y i e l d t h e exchange, after w h i c h h e w i l l be practical l y lost.

13

Kg6

1 4 Bxe7

Nxe7

15

Rxh8

a6

16

Be2

e4

1 7 f4 18

b5

Re8 !

The precise way to prevent 1 8 . . . Bb7.

18 19

Kf6 Rf8+

20 h4

Kg6 Bb7

This is one of those cases w h e n s u i c i d e is a m p l y j u s t i f i e d .

21

h5+

Black resigns

G A M E 30 Buenos A i res 1 939 French Defence White: P. K E R ES ( Estonia) Black : G. STA H L B E R G (Swed e n )

e4

e6

2 d4

1

d5

3

Nd2

c5

4

Ngf3

Nc6

The alternative 4 . . . c4?, played by StAhlberg against the same opponent i n t h e final section, i s of doubtful v a l u e s i n ce after 5 g 3 Nc6 6 Bg2 Bb4 7 0-0 Nge7 8 c3 Ba5? Keres, i nstead of the t i me-consum i ng manoeuvre that h e i n itiated with 9 N e 5 , could have conserved his advantageous position by c o n t i n u i n g the develop­ m e n t of h is pieces: 9 Re1 0-0 1 0 exd5 exd5 1 1 N f l , followed b y 1 2 Ne3 0 r 1 2 Bf4 first.

Although not as bad as 6 . . . Qe7+? played by Capablanca against K e res i n the A V R O Tournament of 1 93 8 , t h i s m o v e is not e n t i r e l y satisfactory, as the continuation d emonstrates. It seem" better to prepare i m m e d i ate­ l y for cast l i n g with 6 . . . Bd6 7 0-0 Ne7 etc.

7 0-0

Bd6

8 b3 The positional refutation of Black's sixth move, e l i m i nating the block­ ading pawn and at t h e same time o p e n i n g u p t h e i m portant a-fila.

cxb3

8 9 axb3

5 exd5

exd5

10

Rel

6 Bb5

c4

11

Nfl

Ne7 0-0 Page 65

Game 30 French Defence White is in no hurry to acco m p l i s h the profitable exchange of t h e black-squared b i s h o p s since h e is able to prove that i n the long run h is opponent cannot prevent the move Ba3.

11

Bg4

1 2 e3

ae7

13

Ba3

Rfd8

14

Bd3

Bxa3

1S

R xa3

af4

exactitude, is t h e refore strate g i c a l l y incomprehensibie.

16

Be2

Ng6

A relatively better route for this knight would be 16 . . . NfS, eventu a l l y followed by . . . Nd6. S i n ce W h i te d oes not intend exchanging queens at t h i s moment the r e p l y g3 that t h e text move provokes is, i n fact, part of h i s general p l a n .

17

Ne3

Be6

18

g3

ad6

19

Ra2

h6

In order to avoid 20 NgS, f o l l owed by 21 f4.

20

Position after 15 . . . Of4

At first sight i t appears that Black has overcome h i s i n i t i a l d i fficulties and that h e w i l l not have much t r o u b l e i n l iq u i d a t i n g t h e 'explosive' material on the e-file, w i t h a draw in prospect. B u t in reality his prob­ lem is not as s i m p l e as that since the majority of exchanges w i l l weaken even m o r e h i s isolated d-pawn. Also, the const e l l ation on t h e a-file is far from reass u r i n g (the pawn at a 7 , for example, may become compromised by t h e advance b4-bS e t c . ) . The following attempt by Black to create threats on the k i ng's f l a n k , which w i l l be dealt with by Keres with extreme Page 66

Bd3

Bh3

But t h i s fresh demonstration by the bishop is m e r e l y a loss of time since the poss i b i l i ty of 2 1 Bxg6 fxg6 22 N h 4 gS 23 N h f S atB etc. could not be considered a serious threat. It would have been better t o u t i l i ze t h i s t i m e by p l a y i n g , for instance, 20 . . . a6, 20 . . . RacB, or 20 . . . Rde8.

21

Nd2

With the clear p l a n , w h i c h cannot be prevented, of esta b l i s h i n g t h i s k n i g h t at e S .

21

Nee7

22 f4 Also threaten i n g 23 fS, f o l l owed by 24 QhS.

Bd7

22 23

Nf3

bS

The poss i b i l ity of c4, esta b l ish i n g a White passed pawn in the centre, had

Game 3 0 French Defen.:e to be kept in m i n d , but after the text move Keres i s able to take control of t h e Black squares, pract i c a l l y forcing . . . a5, and to create a new and decisive weakness at Black's b5.

24

Ne5

25 fxe5

Nxe5 Ob6

If 25 . . , Oc6 then 26 Oa l .

26 b4

a5

After 2 6 . . . a6 White w o u l d f i n a l l y have b r o u g h t h is k n i g h t to c5 (via c2, a I , and b3 or f l , d 2 , a n d b3) with decisive effect.

27 bxa5

Rxa5

28 Ob3

Rxa2

29

Oxa2

Black w i l l soon be incapable of d e f e n d i n g the two squares b5 and d5. H is o n l y chance of salvation will therefore consist of another try o n White's k i ng's s i d e which has been s l i g h t l y weakened by 18 g 3 , The l a s t p a r t of t h i s game is a m o d e l of play with respect t o the two opponents.

29

. . .

Oe6

Also after 29 . . . Bc6 30 Oa3 Ob 7 31 R b I , followed by 32 Oc5 Black w o u l d have lost material forthwith.

30 Oa3

Ng6

31

Rb8

RbI

32 Ob4 Now W h i t e threatens Bf 1 ·g2, followed by c4. An attempt by Black to deal with this threat by Nf8-e6-c7 would be refuted by the f o l l o w i n g double attack on d 4 .

Nf8

32 33

Ob3 !

34

Kf2

Be6

Not immediately 34 Bxb5 because of 34 . . . Rxb5 35 Oxb5 Oxc3 with good fighting cnances.

34

...

b4

A much better l i ne would be 34 . . . Re8 35 Nd 1 . White's square d4 would then be in a state of permanent unease.

35 exb4

Ob6

36 Ob2

Nd7

37 b5

f6 !

By e l i m i n a t i n g the e·pawn and o p e n i n g t h e f·file Sdhlberg now o bt a i n s a real counter·attack.

38 exf6 I n stead of 38 R c l w h i c h would not suffice because of 38 . . . fxe5 39 Rc6 Oxd4.

38

Nxf6

39

ReI

Bd7

40

Kgl

Re8

Of course not 41) . . . Bxb5 o n account of 4 1 B x b 5 O x b 5 42 Rc8+.

41

Ng2

Ne4

The b e g i n n i n g of a n opportune demonstration against White's f3. I t is evident that after 4 2 Bxe4 Rxe4 White's w i n n i n g chances would have swiftly vanished.

42

Nf4

Ng5!

43

Kg2

Bg4

44 R f l

Rf8 Page 6 7

Game 30 French Defence Each move increases Black's p ressure but h i s c o u n ter-attack is condemned to f a i l u r e owing to the fact that his queen is v i r t u a l l y p i n n e d down because of t h e o b l i g a t i o n to block t h e powerful passed pawn.

45 h4! Compelling his opponent to execute his threats in the correct b e l i e f t h a t they can successively be parried.

45 . . .

Nf3

This knight i s immune for the moment because of the possibility of 47 . . . g5 after 4 6 R xf3 Bxf3+ 4 7 Kxf3. But White's next move brings t h e matter to its critical point.

46

Be2

Black to move

h a v e b e e n answered by 48 . . . Nf5+ (49 Kxg4? Og6+, followed by mate) a n d to 48 K h 2 Black would have replied 48 . . . Og6 (49 Rg 1 ? Nf3+ etc. w i t h advantage to B l a c k ) .

47 Bxt3 ! Such a refutation, in appearance effortless, of a sacrificial com­ bination is not uncommon i n the games of Keres, and i s more characteristic t h a n so-called b r i l l i ancies. White returns his material advantage and f i n a l l y is crowned with success by dem onstrat­ ing t h e perpetual vitality of his b­ pawn. The ending has a clear artistic air.

47 . . .

Rxd4

If 47 . . . Bxf3+ 48 R x f3 Oxd4 ( i f 48 . . . R x d 4 49 Oc2 w i t h advantage) 49 Oxd4 Rxd4 50 Rb3 with a won rook endgame.

4S Bxg4

Rxg4

49 Oe5 A formidable move which starts up a mating attack. The c h i e f threat is of course 50 Oe8+, fo l l owed by 51 Rf8.

49 50

Position after 46 Be2

46

...

Rxf4!

Evidently p l a n n i n g several moves ahead. In fact the acceptance of the sacrifice would have led White into a dangerous position, since after 47 gxf4 Nxh4+ the move 4 8 Kg3 w o u l d Page 68

Og6 b6!

Were this pawn captured the execution of the threat mentioned above would w i n a t once.

50

Rb4

51

Oxd5+

Kh7

52

RfS

Oc2+

I f 52 . . . Og4 then 53 Og8+ Kg6 54 h5+ Kxh5 55 Qf7+ with mate

Game 31 French Defence or the gain of the queen in a few moves.

53

Kh3

Rb2

54 Og8+

Kg6

55

Kxh5

h5+

56 Of7+, followed by mate.

GAME 3 1 Prague 1 943 French Defence White: A. A L E K H I N E Black: M . B A R T O S E K

e4

e6

8

Nxd4

cxd4

2 d4

d5

9

Oe2+

Be7

3

Nd2

c5

10

Nf3

Bxb5

4

Ngf3

Nc6

11

Oxb5+

Od7

5

Bb5

12

Oe2

O·O,()

White's i n c l i n at i o n i s to m a i n t a i n the t e n s i o n i n the c e n t r e f o r as l o n g a s poss i b l e . B l a c k ' s n e x t move, although fairly p l a u s i b l e , is n o n e · theless a m i s t a k e w h i c h is perhaps decisive. Relatively better would be 5 . . . cxd4 whereupon White can castle since the defence o f t h e p a w n at d4 would o n l y create d i f f i c u l t i e s for B l a c k .

5

Bd7

6 exd5

exd5

7 0·0

Nxd4

If 1 2 . . . Nf6 t h e n , natural l y , 1 3 R e 1 and B l a c k cannot castle.

13

Bf4 !

V i rt u a l l y forcing the exchange of bishops and at the same t i m e e l i m i nating a v e r y u s e f u l defensive piece.

Bd6

13 14

Bxd6

Oxd6

15

Nxd4

Nf6

It i s q u i t e clear that Black w i l l not manage to castle on the king's s i d e . T h r o u g h t h e exchanges a r i s i n g from the text move one perceives that he is trying to prepare to castle l o n g , w h i c h furnishes h i m - al though only comparatively so - with the best chance of resistance. Page 69

Game 31 French Defence White to move h

,I

c

d

P.

I

'I

h

M a k i n g u s e o f a moment's respite to open u p an escape square for the ki ng. T h i s move w i l l be found i n analogous positions i n m a n y o f m y games.

21

ae7

22 a 6

b6

2 3 e4!

Position after 1 5 .

.

. Nf6

The problem of creating a n attack i s not very easy to reso l v e . N e i t h e r 16 Nf5 Qf4 ! nor 16 Nb5 Qb6 w o u l d have any result. On the other h a n d Black is going to occupy the e·file with h i s rooks, which w i l l procure a counter·attac k i n g advantage. White's n e x t m o v e i s t h e o n l y o n e l i k e l y to g i v e h i m a lasting i n i t iative.

1 6 af3 ! T h i s threatens 1 7 Nf5 and at the same t i m e 1 7 N b 5 .

16 17

ab6 Rfd1

23 Nb5 Qc5 24 N x a 7 + ? Kb8 would be premature but the move played i s very effective because against 23 . . . dxc4 White responds with 24 Nb5 w i n n i ng the exchange.

ae5

23 24

Nf5

Threaten i n g to win by 25 N x g 7 .

24

ab4

25 exd5

Rf4

26 ad3

Re5

27

Kd7

Rae1+

If 2 7 . . . Kb8 then 28 d6 etc.

28 Ne3

Ne4

29

Re8

Ng4!

White to move

Rhe8

It i s clear that the capture of the b· pawn, either now or o n the following moves, would have deadly con· sequences for B l a c k .

18 a4

Re4

19 a5

ae5

For e x a m p l e , if 1 9 . . . Qxb2 t h e n 20 c3 !

20 c3

21

h3!

Page 7 0

Rde8 Position after 29 . . . R e B

Game 32 French Defence

30 g3 This w i n s at least the exchange since the rook cannot retreat because of 3 1 Rc4. But 30 Rc4 pi ayed i m m e d i a t e l y would con­ stitute a n error owing to 30 . . . Nxf2 !

30

Nc5

• • •

This move a l l ows an even more rapid f i n i s h .

31

Rxc5

Rel +

32

Rxel

Oxe 1 +

33

Kg2

Rxg4

34 Of5+, followed by mate i n a few moves.

GAME 32 Buenos A i res 1 939 F rench Defence White: P. K E R ES ( E sto n i a ) Black: R . F LO R E S ( C h i l e )

1

e4

e6

2 d4

d5

3

Nd2

Nf6

4 e5

Nfd7

5 Bd3

c5 Nc6

6 c3 7

Ne2

Ob6

8

Nf3

cxd4

9 cxd4

Bb4+

This position is w e l l known on account of t h e match between S p i e l m a n n and Stoltz at Stoc k h o l m i n 1 930 and my e n c o u n t e r w i t h Capablanca i n the AVRO T o u r n a ­ ment of 1 938. O n b o t h occasions White answered the check with 1 0 K f 1 i n order t o avoid t h e exchange of queens that Black could force after 10 Bd2. Keres demo nstrates that the position resu l t i n g from this s i m p l ification is d e c i d e d l y favou rable to W h i t e and that the a l ternative chosen by h im is thus. because of its s i m p l i c i t y . even more convincing than t h e m o r e o r less a r t i f i c i a l k i ng move.

10

Bd2

Bxd2+

11

Oxd2

Ob4

12

Rcl

Oxd2+

13

Kxd2

Nb6

14 b3 Position after 9

. . .

Bb4+

In order to bring the bishop back to Page 7 1

Game 32 French Defence bl without h a v i n g to worry about . . . Nc4+.

14 . . .

Ke7

White to move

because the preparations for Black's irruption will make h i m lose a great deal of t i m e and even i f r e a l ized it would have very l ittle effect.

Rae8

19 20

Rg3

g6

21

h5

Rxe1

22 Nxe1 White does not have to worry about this new reduction of material since t h e presence of an active rook o n the k i ng's side is sufficient.

22 23 Position after 14

15

. .

. Ke7

h4!

T h e p r i n c i p l e of an attack o n the k i ng's s i d e is entirely justified from the positional point of view as it c a n be sustained b y n e a r l y a l l the W h i te pieces. The venture h a s a very good chance of succee d i n g completely, p a r t i c u l a r l y si nce t h e concentration of B l a c k pieces on t h e Q u e e n ' s s i d e i s scarcely u s e f u l for active counter· play and sti l l less for defence, as the c o n t i n u a t i o n demonstrates.

15

gxh5

Practically forced, as after 23 . . . Rga 24 hxg6 hxg6 25 R h 7 Bea 26 Ng5 Black would have no satisfactory defence against Ne2-f4 etc.

24

Rxh5

h6

Bd7

16

Rh3

Nb4

17

Bb1

85

18 a3 19

Ne8 Rh3

Na6

a4

This stops once and for all 2:ly serious counter-attack, firstly because Black's control of b4 has only an aesthetic and not a strategic v a l u e ; and secondly Page 72

Position after 24 . . . h6

25

Nh2

The k n i g h t will come very strongly to f6 and after Black has made the effort to e l i m inate i t its colleague will promptly occupy the same square, this time with deadly effect. A s i m p l e plan but an irresistible o n e .

Game 33 French Defence

Kf8

Or 37 . . . b5 3B R h 7 w i n n i n g .

Ng4

Kg7

38 f4

27 Nf&

Bc&

39

28

Nc7

40 Nxh7

25 2&

Rh3

29 Nd3 ! At th is moment the manoeuvre 29 Rg3+ KfB 30 N h 7+ Ke7 31 R h 3 w o u l d b e premature o w i n g t o the troublesome reply 31 . . . b5.

29

Ne8

30

Nxe8+

Bxe8

31

Nf4

Bc&

32

Nh5+

Kf8

33

Nf&

Nb&

Or 33 . . . Ne7 34 Rg3. The h­ pawn is doomed.

34 Nh7+

Ke7

35

Rxh&

Nd7

3&

Bd3

Rb8

If 36 . . . NfB then 37 Nf6.

37

Ng5

Rg8

Rh7

Rg7 Rxh7 Nb&

A f t e r 40 . • . f5 the game w o u l d p r o b a b l y have lasted a f e w moves more but this would have been an u nnecessary torture.

41

g4

Nc8

This k n i g h t has tried very hard to make an i m p ression but without any success, since the squares i t controls have no i n f luence over t h e battle l i nes.

42 f5

exf5

43

Na7

gxf5

44 f&+! This pawn gets through, s i n c e 44 . . . Ke6 would be answered by 45 N fB m a t e and 44 . . . KdB by 45 e6 BeB 46 Bg6.

Black resigns

G A M E 33 Madrid 1 945 French Defence White: A. P O M A R Black: A . A L E K H I N E

e4

e&

2 d4

1

d5

3 exd5 The exchange variation is very far from being as i n nocent as i t appears.

This, of course, prov i d i n g that one of t h e protagonists plays for the advantage. Here, as we shall see, it was Black who took i t upon h i m ­ s e l f t o c o m p l i cate t h e game, a n d n o t w i t h o u t danger, i t m u s t b e Page 7 3

Game 33 French Defence confessed.

exd5

3 4

Bd3

Ne6

Re3 g5 w i t h a good game but with m i n i m a l chances of achieving v i ctory on account of the paucity of material .

5 c3

Bd6

16

Nb3

6

Nf3

Nge7

Ne5

Nd8

7

0·0

17

Bg4

18

Qe2

b6

8

Re1

Qd7

9

Bg5

f6

Rde8

White to move c

d

T h i s move was not obl i gatory now. H e c o u l d perfectly w e l l have continued with 9 . . . 0·0·0 and i f 1 0 Bb5 t h e n 1 0 . . . f6 1 1 Bh4 Qf5 1 2 Nbd2 N g 6 ! 13 Bg3 Nce7 w i t h better chances than i n the actual game.

1 0 Bh4

0·0-0

11

h5

Nbd2

I d id not play 1 1 . . . Ng6 12 Bg3 Nf4 because of the pin 13 Bb5 which seemed to me u n p l easant.

12

Bg3

h4

Position after 18 . . . b6

19

Nb3?

There are positions i n which a com­ 13 Bxd6 Qxd6 bination i s o b l i gatory. In order to evade the necessary mental effort 13 . . . cxd6 deserved to be taken into consideration. suppressing any the player lets sl i p his chances and l i t t l e by l ittle f i n d s h i m s e l f reduced danger of attack against B l ack's to the defensive and ends u p by castled position. In a general way suffering a defeat w h i c h , l o g i c a l l y , B l a c k , whose whole interest is i n w i n n i n g , does not e x a m i n e care­ i s w e l l m e r i t e d . I n t h i s particular case the offer of the knight by 1 9 f u l l y the details of the position and he w i l l soon be faced with a d i l e m m � b 4 bxc5 and then e i t h e r 2 0 bxc5 w h i c h is h a r d l y p l e a s i n g . (considered by me) or 20 dxc5 (analysed by Pomar) would have Bh5 1 4 h3 secured W h i te a n i rresistible attack , 1 5 Qe2 Bf7 the B l ack pieces not being w e l l I n order to be able to p l a y to w i n arranged for the d e f e n c e of h is k i n g . B l a c k m u s t withd raw h i s bishop to I t was not my intention to t a k e t h e k n i g h t . I calculated 19 b 4 Kb8 2 0 a square without a future. Prefer· R e b l Ka8 2 1 Na6 c 6 and B l a c k c a n able is 1 5 . . . Bg6 16 Bxg6 Nxg6 1 7 ae6+ axe6 18 Rxe6 Nf4 1 9 defend h i mself but i t w i l l be d i f f i c u l t Page 74

Game 33 French Defence for h i m to organize an attack on t h e other wing.

gS

19 20

Nh2

As no d i rect threat existed, the demonstration 20 a4 w o u l d be t h e right move. Again st 20 . . . R h g 8 W h i t e would have had sufficient t i m e available t o p l a y 21 N h 2 .

20 21

Ne6 c4

30

0e4

31

Nhf3

I f 3 1 Oxd5 cxd 5 ! , f o l l owed by 32 . . . Rc8 etc., since 32 Rcl is i m · poss i b l e on account of 3 2 . . . Ne2+.

NfS

31 32

Kh1

With the object of b e i n g a b l e to p l a y 33 R c l , but the k i n g is b a d l y pl aced for the endgame.

32

W h i t e's position starts becom i n g u n ­ pleasant a n d Pomar perceives that h e must undertake somet h i n g . But the price h e pays for the opening of the c-file (the weakness of the central pawn and t h e square d5 for t h e Black pieces) i s decidedly too h i g h . 21 a4 a 5 ! 2 2 Nd2 s t i l l offered some poss i b i l i t i e s .

21

dxe4

22 Bxe4

Kb8

OdS!

Rd8

33

Re1

Kb7

34

b3

Oxe4

3S

Nxe4

NdS

36

Re1

Ke7

White to move

But not 22 . . . Nd5 23 O f 5 !

23 Rae1

Nd8

2 4 Bxf7

Nxf7

Now Black has a specific objective for the endgame, the d·pawn, and h e no longer has to attempt d i rect attacks against the k i n g .

Position after 36 . . . Kc7

2S 0c4

37

NdS

26 Ob5

Ned2?

27

Rxe1

e6

It i s obvious that White has a very d i f f i cu l t game but with 37 a3 he could s t i l l have defended h i mself. The plan foreseen by Black for this case was 37 . . . R e 8 , fo l l owed by . . . Re6 and . . . Nf4.

28

Oe2

Nh6

37

29

Nd2

Nf4

38

As w i l l be seen, the e-file here has n o more than a relative v a l u e .

R xe 1 +

26

Nb4! Re6

Rd6 Page 75

Game 34 French Defence

39

Re8

Nxa2

The l a s t attempt_

40

Ne4

Rd8

44

41

Rxd8

Kxd8

45

Nh7

cxd5

46

b5

g4 !

42 Nxf6

Nc1

Ke7

43 b4

47 hxg4

Nxf2+

Otherwise after the capture of this pawn the Black a-pawn would advance s t r a i g h t to its q u e e n i n g square_

48

Nxg4

Nd3

43

Kg1

49 W h i te resigns There is no defence against 49 . . . Kd6, followed by 50 . _ . Kc5.

44 d5

G A M E 34 Buenos Aires 1 939 F rench Defence White: F. APSC H E N E E K ( Latvia) Black: A . A L E K H I N E ( F rance)

1

e4

e6

2 d4

d5

3

exd5

exd5

4

Bd3

5 c3 6

Ne2

Nc6

g3

Qh5

Bd6

8

Nf4

Qxd 1 +

Qh4

9

Kxd1

Nf6

I n troduced by me at Nottingham, 1 936 against W . Winter who replied 7 N d 2 and a f t e r 7 . _ . 8g4 had some d i f f i c u l t y i n e q u a l i z i n g . Apsc h e n e ek's move is more in accordance with t h e tendency of 3 e x d 5 . I n fact after a very few moves he achieves a per­ fectly satisfactory position and I had to take considerable chances i n order t o give t h e game t h e semblance of a fight_ Page 7 6

7

After 7 _ . _ Qe7 White's threats on the open e-file would have com­ pensated for t h e relative weakness of his k i ng's position_

More natural and, in fact, much more promising would be 9 . _ . 8g4+ 1 0 Kc2 0-0-0. I n choosing the text continuation I u n d e restimated White's developing manoeuvre o n t h e twelfth and t h i rteenth moves.

10

Re1+

Ne7

11

f3

Bd7

12

b3 !

0-0-0

Game 34 French Defence Clear ly there is no way of protecting the king's bishop.

13

Ba3

Nf5

14

Bxd6

Nxd6

15

Nd2

Thus a perfectly equal position has been attained and B l a c k ' s efforts to give the battle some l i fe will be shown to be incapable of unsettling the balance.

T h i s has no effect. The same would have been the case after 25 . . . Nf5 26 Nxf5 B x f 5 + 2 7 K c 1 . The position is decidedly ste r i l e .

2 6 Re6

Bd7

27

Re2

Rg8

28

Bh3

29 Bxg4

Kd8 Bxg4

30

Re1

h5

31

c4

c6

15 . . . g5 Ke7 32 Rfl With the a i m of contro l l i n g the e · f i l e , Nb5 33 c5 B l ack wishes to open t h e f - f i l e (on Nc7 which h e will have an isol ated pawn) 34 Kd3 for h i s opponent; this is certa i n l y no 35 Nf5? small price to pay. The previous blocking of the q u e e n 's g4 16 Ng2 side would have been justified o n l y by t h e p a w n advances b 4 and a 4 . 17 Nh4 The p r e m a t u r e e x c h a n g e g i v e s B l a c k I f 1 7 f4 then 1 7 . . . Nde4 1B B x e 4 the o p p o r t u n i t y he has awai ted f o r dxe4 1 9 N e 3 ! (but not 19 Nxe4 so l o n g . because of 19 . . . N x e 4 , f o l l owed by 20 . . . Bc6 w i n n i n g ) and White's Bxf5 35 chances w o u l d not be i n f e r i o r . 36 Rxf5 gxf3 17 18

Ndxf3

Nfe4

19

Kc2

f6!

Black to move b

II

h

Occupation of e4 and con trol of e5 has been Black's idea for the moment. But unfortunately t h e c o m i n g exchange is u n a v o i d a b l e .

20

Re3

21

Bfl

Rde8

22

Rae1

Re4

Nf2

23

Nd2

Rxe3

24

Rxe3

Ng4

25

Re2

Bb5

Position after 36 A x f S

Page 7 7

Game 34 French Defence

36

. . .

h4!

T h i s e l i m inates Black's weakness, creates one i n the enemy position and a l so opens u p a very i m portant f i l e for the rook. Could any more be asked of a modest pawn move, especially in the endgame?

37

Nn

37 gxh4 w o u l d b e advantageous t o Black : 37 . . . N e 6 38 Nf3 Ng7 3 9 Rf4 N h 5 40 R f 5 R h 8 , th reaten i n g 4 1 . . . Ke6.

Now . . . Ng5-e4+ becomes a strong threat.

47

Rh2

The only poss i b l e counter-play.

47 48

Ng5 Rh8

Ke6 !

An i m portant preparation for the capture of the g-pawn ! At t h i s m o m e n t 48 . . . N e 4 + 4 9 Kd3 Nxg3 would be premature.

49

Ng7+

37

Rh8

50

Nh5

38 N e 3

hxg3

39 hxg3

Ne6

40

Rh3!

Kf7

41

Nf5+

Kf7

42

Ke3

Rh2

In view of the inevitable l oss of material t h i s is a desperate manoeuvre. I was h o p i n g for the natural continuation 50 N f 5 and t h e n 50 . . . Ne4+ 5 1 Kd3 b x c 5 ! (at the right moment; White cannot reply 52 dxc5 because of 52 . . . a5 etc.) 52 bxc5 Nxg3 53 Nd6+ Ke6 54 Re8+ K d 7 55 R a 8 f5 56 R x a 7 + Ke6 57 R c 7 f4, f o l l owed by t h e victorious march of the passed pawn.

43

Rf2

Rh1

50

Rn

A n d not 4 0 . . . R h 2 because o f 4 1 Rxf6, b u t i n t h e l o n g r u n White w i l l n o t b e able t o avoid t h e rook's intrusion to the seventh or e i g h t h rank.

Ne4+

After t h i s t h e next problem will b e t o organize an attack on t h e White pawns without a l l ow i n g the enemy rook to intrude effectively v i a h5.

51

4 4 Kd3

The rook end i n g would be c l e a r l y hopeless for W h i t e .

b6!

With a double purpose; to clear the second rank of pawns and at the s a m e t i m e to provoke another White pawn to an exposed square.

45

b4

Rb1

A s w i l l be seen, the forced m o v e o f t h e W h i t e k i n g w i l l a l l ow B l a c k to g a i n an i m p ortant tempo.

46

Kc3

Page 78

Rg1 !

Kd3

52 bxc5 53

bxc5 Nxg3

Nf4

Game 34 French Defence Kf5 58 Kc3. I I I . 56 . . . Kg7 57 R Ei 8 a x b 6 58 c x b 6 R b 4 . With the continuation a c t u a l l y chosen B l a c k achieves a m a t e r i a l advantage.

Black to move

57

Rh7+

Ke6

58

Rxa7

Nxc5

59 a4

d to d " I - - ---��- -

- - ---

Position after 53 Nf4

53

• • •

Rf1?

I t is not very often t h a t I overlook a tactical trap. 53 . . . R d 1 + 54 Kc2 Rxd4 55 R h 7+ Kg8 56 Rg7+ Kh8! wou l d q u i c k l y have decided the game i n 8 l a c k ' s favo u r .

5 4 Nxd5 This pseud o-sacrifice works i n two v a r i a t i o n s : ( a ) 54 . . . cxd5 55 c6 Nf5 (55 . . . R c l 56 c7 is evidently suicidal) 56 c7 N d 6 57 R d 8 R c l , and (b) 54 . . . Kg7 55 Ne3 K x h 8 56 N x f l N x f l 7 57 d5 w i n n i n g . Black's reply i s t h e o n l y poss i b l e w i n n i ng method.

54

Rd1+

55

Kc2

56

Nb6 !

Rxd4

T h i s second s u ' p r i s i n g k n ight move i s stronger than 56 Ne3 Ra4 etc . , a n d with correct play subsequently i t would have saved the game.

56

. . .

Ne4

Other moves w o u l d be bad: I. 56 . . . axb6? 57 cxb6 Rb4 58 b 7 w i n n i ng . I I . 56 . . . Ke6 57 Re8+

Nd7

The following rook e n d i n g w i l l i n effect offer W h i t e t h e greatest technical d i f f i c u l t i e s . If 59 . . . f5, howeve r , then the s i m p l e advance of the a-pawn would have been sufficient to s i m p l ify the position into a draw.

60 Nxd7

Rxd7

61

f5

Ra8

62 a5

Kd5

63 a6

Rf7

64

Kd3

After 64 a7 Kc5 etc. the White pawn would have been overcome. The plan to stop the f-pawn by the intervention of the k i n g is correct.

64

f4

65

Ke2

66

Kf3

Kc4

But here h e does not r e a l i z e the .ign ificance of Black's last move. He c o u l d have obtained a more o r l e s s accidental d r a w by 66 R b 8 ! Ra7 ( 6 6 . . . f 3 + 67 Kf2 w o u l d not have changed anyth i n g ) 67 Rf8 Rxa6 68 Rxf4+ Kc3 69 Rf3+ Kc2 70 Rf6 after which Black w o u l d not be able to move h is k i n g, w h i c h would p e r · m i t the W h i te k i n g to take u p an i m pregnable position o n the c-file .

66

• . .

Kb5 ! Page 79

Game 35 Caro-Kann Defence After t h i s White w i l l grad u a l l y be led into a b l i nd a l l e y _

67

Re8

68

Ra8

Kb6

74

Rb8+

75

Rb1

Kxa7

I f 75 R b 3 Ka6 76 R x f 3 R x f 3 + 7 7 K x f 3 K b 5 w i n n i ng.

If 68 a7 Rxa7 69 Kxf4 R e 7 w i n n i n g .

75

68

Rf6

76

Ra1+

Kb5 Ke4

Ka6

69

Ke2

f3+

77

Rb1+

70

Kf2

Ka5!

78

Re1+

Kd3

79

Re5

Kd4 e5

The w i n n i n g t r i a n g u l a r manoeuvre.

71

Ra7

Kb5!

80

Ra5

72

R38

Kb6

81

W h i t e resigns

73 a7

Kb7

C e ro - Ka n n Defence G A M E 35 Buer