[Illustration]Diag. 125After the terrible slaughter, the position is somewhat clearer. Black has a Rook and two pawns for two minor pieces, a slight advantage for the end-game, but as yet there is no thought of an end-game. White, in possession of two Bishops, with an open Queen’s file on which the Black King stands, has good attacking chances, and most masters would think the position favourable for White.14. … B-K3P-KB4 is a plausible move, but is followed by a pretty mate by 15. B-Kt5. The move in the text threatens to eliminate the KB by P-QB4, P-QKt4.15. B-K3 P-KB4 16. Kt-B3 K-K2 17. P-KKt4Tarrasch recommends 17. R-Q1, threatening Kt-Q5ch. If P-B3, White could play 18. B-Kt6, thereby permanently preventing Black from contesting the Queen’s file, and then try to exchange Black’s B by Kt-K2-Q4. With two Bishops, White would then have winning chances.A subtle idea underlies White’s move of P-KKt4. He wishes to take advantage of the fact that Black has exchanged the KB by playing P-Kt5, thus holding all the four pawns on the King’s side. But Black finds a surprising reply, which seems to refute White’s plan.Capablanca played against Ed. Lasker (New York, 1915), 17. P- KKt4, P-KKt3; 18. K-Kt3, P-KR4; 19. PxBP, P-R5ch; 20. K-R2, PxP; 21. Kt-K2, P-Kt4; 22. B-Kt3, BxB; 23. RPxB, KR-KKt1; 24. R-Q1, QR-Q1; 25. RxR, KxR; 26. Kt-K4, winning a pawn.17. … P-KKt3 18. P-Kt5 QR-KKt1!!Black offers the exchange in order to get rid of White’s QB. If White accepts the sacrifice, he loses his KKtP, and Black retains three passed pawns for the piece, at least an equivalent for the end-game. White should decline the doubtful gift and meet the threat of P-R3 and P-KKt4 with 19. R-KKt1.19. B-Q4 P-R3 20. B-B6ch K-B2 21. BxR RxB 22. R-Q1in order to play 23. B-Q7 in answer to P-B4. This explains White’s check at move 20.22. … PxPch 23. K-Kt2 K-B3!If now 24. Kt-Q5ch, Black would assail the White King with K-K4; 25. KtxP, B-B5-K7-B6. The Black phalanx of pawns becomes menacing.24. B-Kt3 BxB25. RPxB K-K326. P-Kt4 R-R2Black need no longer fear to exchange Rooks, for he would then threaten the Queen’s side pawns with his King whilst the passed pawns kept the White forces occupied.27. Kt-K2 R-Q2 28. Kt-Q4ch K-B3 29. P-QB3 P-B3The aim of this move is not clear. Black should adopt a forward policy with P-Kt5, P-B5, R-R2, etc.30. R-KR1 P-Kt5 31. R-R8Now none of the pawns can advance: P-B5 would be answered by 32. R-K8, R-K2; 33. RxR, KxR; 34. Kt-Kt3 and one of the pawns is lost.31. … R-K2 32. Kt-K2 R-Q2 33. Kt-Q4 R-K2 34. R-B8ch K-Kt2 35. R-Q8 P-B5 36. R-Q6 K-B2 37. Kt-B2 R-K3 38. R-Q7ch R-K2 39. R-Q6 R-K3 40. R-Q1White tries to win at all costs—and loses. By a forcible advance on the Queen’s side, he creates new chances, but also new weaknesses.40. … K-B3 41. P-B4 R-K2 42. R-Q4 K-Kt4 43. R-Q6 P-K6! 44. P-B3PxP fails on account of P-B6ch and R-R2.44. … P-K7 45. Kt-K1 P-Kt6 46. P-Kt5Too late.46. … R-R2 47. PxBP PxP 48. R-K6 R-R7ch 49. K-Kt1 R-B7 50. Kt-B2 RxP 51. RxKP R-Q6 52. Kt-K1 R-Kt6 53. R-Q2 P-B6 54. Kt-Q3 P-R4 ResignsThe RP cannot be prevented from pushing on to R6, after which a mate is threatened by the BlacKRon the eighth rank. R-Q1 would then be compulsory. But that lets the Black Rook in on the seventh (KR-R7, followed by P-B7ch).GAME No. 18Emanuel Lasker. Capablanca.Ruy Lopez (see p. 37)1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. B-Kt5 P-QR3 4. BxKtQ PxB 5. P-Q4 PxPWorthy of consideration is: 5. … B-KKt5; 6PxP, QxQch; 7. KxQ, Castles ch; 8. K-K2, R-K1; 9. P-KR3, BxKtch; 10. KxB, P-B3; with a good game. In this opening Black is justified in assuming the initiative, as the exchange, which has opened a diagonal for his QB, has furthered his development. If he does not do so, and confines himself to defending tamely, the chances are that he will lose on account of White’s majority of pawns on the King’s side.6. QxP QxQCompulsory. If B-K3 instead, 7. B-B4 attacks QB7. B-Q3 in reply to that would be inferior. By exchanging Bishops White would render the Black QP “backward,” and on the open file its capture would be inevitable.7. KtxQ B-Q3 8. Kt-QB3 Kt-K2Black prepares to castle on the King’s side. It is more usual, and probably stronger, to castle on the Queen’s side, as the King then protects the QBP, which in the present case would be weak if Black’s KB were to be exchanged.9. Castles Castles. 10. P-B4 R-K1[Illustration]Diag. 126Black allows his opponent too much latitude on the King’s wing. He should prevent White’s P-B5, which obstructs his QB, by P-KB4. After P-K5 the game would be equalised by B-B4, BxKt, and B-K3.A draw would then be practically certain, with the Bishops of opposite colours. Black probably thought White would not risk weakening his KP by P-B5. But with unfailing judgment Lasker foresees that, in consequence of the greater mobility of his pieces, his attack will be successful before a counter attack on the weak KP can be instituted.11. Kt-Kt3 P-B3Even now P-KB4 was imperative, though it would keep the Bishop from that square. The continuation could have been 12. P-K5, B- Kt5; 13. Kt-K2 (or R4), Kt-Q4, and the Bishop is safe.12. P-B5!!This move has a twofold aim. It shuts in the Bishop, and allows B-B4, exchanging the Black QB.12. … P-QKt3The diagonal QR1-KR8 is the only one in which the Bishop has any prospects of action. However, as soon as he relinquishes his present diagonal, a White Knight settles at K6 and the Black Rooks are very much hampered.13. B-B4 B-Kt2Black should have exchanged the Bishops. Now he gets a weak pawn at Q3. Before playing B-Kt2, P-B4 should be played to prevent the Knight getting from Kt3-Q4-K6.14. BxB PxB 15. Kt-Q4 QR-Q1 16. Kt-K6 R-Q2 17. QR-Q1 Kt-B1 18. R-B2 P-QKt4 19. KR-Q2This holds Black’s Kt at B1. White’s next move prevents the Bishop getting into action by P-B4. After depriving all the Black pieces of their mobility, White turns his attention to a determined assault on the Black King.19. … QR-K2 20. P-QKt4 K-B2 21. P-QR3 B-R1 22. K-B2 R-R2 23. P-Kt4 P-R3 24. R-Q3 P-QR4 25. P-KR4 PxP 26. PxP R(R2)-K2There are no prospects on the Rook’s file, and Black is restricted to keeping his pieces mutually protected. He cannot prevent White from penetrating the King’s side.27. K-B3 R-Kt1 28. K-B4 P-Kt3 29. R-Kt3 P-Kt4ch 30. K-B3If Black captures the pawn, he would lose it again forthwith through White’s R-R3, and the pawn at R3 would also be captured.30. … Kt-Kt3 31. PxP RPxP 32. R-R3 R-Q2 33. K-Kt3[Illustration]Diag. 127The White King leaves the diagonal because Black’s P-B4 would interfere with the combination by which White intends to annihilate Black’s game in a few moves.33. … K-K1 34. QR-KR1 B-Kt2 35. P-K5!!A beautiful final stroke.35. … QPxP 36. Kt-K4!! Kt-Q4 37. Kt(K6)-B5 B-B1Black dares not move the Rook on account of KtxB and Kt-Q6ch.38. KtxR BxKt 39. R-R7ch R-B1 40. R-R1 K-Q1 41. R-R8ch B-B1 42. Kt-B5 ResignsMate in two is threatened. Black’s only move is Kt-K2, after which he is helpless, and White can capture the pawns one by one at his leisure (R-B7, etc.). In this game, so beautifully engineered by White, we have a further example of Lasker’s remarkable grasp of position.GAME No. 19White: Eduard Lasker. Black: Janowski.Four Knights’ Game.1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. Kt-B3 Kt-B3 4. B-Kt5 B-Kt5B-K2; 5 Castles, P-Q3; would lead into the Ruy Lopez.5. Castles Castles 6. P-Q3 P-Q 3It is, of course, better to castle before playing P-Q3, as the opponent could at once play Kt-Q5 and utilise the pin to initiate an immediate attack, e.g. 5. Castles, P-Q3; 6. Kt-Q5, B-B4; 7. P- Q4, PxP; 8. B-Kt5.7. B-Kt5[Illustration]Diag. 128The position is not unlike that in Diagram 90, and the same remarks apply to it. Here B-K3 is inadvisable, because P-Q4, threatening to fork two pieces, forces the exchange of Black’s centre pawn. After 7. … B-Kt5; 8. Kt-Q5, Kt-Q5; 9. B-B4, B-B4, on the other hand, we get the position discussed on p. 115, in which White obtains the advantage by Q-Q2. Instead of 9. … B- B4, Black should play Q-Q2 with a similar threat. But he has not the cooperation of his King’s Bishop for the attack, and White just manages to escape with a draw, e.g. 9. … Q-Q2; 10. KtxKtch, PxKt; 11. BxP, P-KR3(BxKt; 12. PxB, Q-R6 fails on account of K-R1 and R-KKt1); 12. P-B3, KtxKtch; 13. PxKt, B-KR4; 14. K-R1, K-R2 (Diagram 129); 15. R-KKt1.[Illustration]Diag. 129This is the saving clause. If now Black had his B at B4, as White has in the corresponding attack, White would first have to protect his BP with 15 Q-K2, and would be lost after R-KKt1; 16. R-KKt1, R-Kt3; as 17. B-R4 fails because of Q-R6; 18. B-KKt3, R- B3; and on the other hand, after 17. RxR, PxR Black plays R-KB1, attacking the BP a second time.With the Black Bishop at Kt5, however, Black does not succeed. The continuation could be l5. … R-KKt1; 16. R-Kt3, R-Kt3; 17. B-R4, with a probable draw.This line of play is most difficult for both sides, and it has been avoided so far in tournaments.In Diagram 128 the favourite continuation for many years was: 7. … BxKt; 8. PxB, Kt-K2. The opening of the KKt file by 9. BxKKt is not to be feared, because of the reasons given when discussing Diagram 90. But White obtains the advantage with 9. Kt-R4, preparing the opening of the KB file by P-B4 and PxP. 9. … Kt- Kt3, in order to retake with the BP after 10. KtxKt and to open the file for Black’s Rooks, is not a sufficient reply, because after 11. P-B4 and PxP White has a clear advantage, having an extra pawn in effect for the end-game. For the three Black pawns on the King’s side are held by the two adverse pawns, which they cannot pass.The attempt to expel the troublesome Bishop after 9. … Kt-K1 by P-KB3, and then play for a centre by P-B3, Kt-B2 and P-Q4 fails on account of the withering attack which White obtains on the KB file, e.g. 9. … Kt-K1; 10. B-QB4, K-R1; 11. P-B4, P-KB3; 12. Q- R5, PxB; 13. PxP, etc.In consequence the defence by 7. … BxKt and Kt-K2 has been abandoned.In the present game Black reverts to a very old defence, comprising the moves: BxKt, Q-K2, Kt-Q1-K3. It had been abandoned because White, by playing R-K1, P-Q4, and eventually B-B1 and B- R3, forces the exchange of Black’s centre pawn, and obtains an advantage, on well-known grounds. Here Black strengthens the defence by interpolating P-KR3!, after which White must come to a decision as to maintaining the pin. If he decides to do so the White Bishop will no longer be able to threaten the Black Queen from QR3.7. … BxKt 8. PxB P-KR3 9. B-KR4If the B retreats to B1 or K3, Black can adopt the defence Kt-K2- Kt3. Then Kt-R4 would be inferior, because Black can simply play P-KKt4. In this case the advance of the pawns is justified, because Black can bring his QKt to KKt3 and have practically one piece more on the King’s side, and good prospects for the attack which he can open with K-R2, R-KKt1, Kt-Kt3-B5.9. … Q-K2P-KKt4 would be premature. White would win at once by 10. KtxKtP, PxKt; 11. BxP, as he can attack the Knight a second time by P-KB4 and PxP before Black can either protect it sufficiently or relieve the “pin.”10. Q-Q2 Kt-Q1 11. P-Q4 B-Kt5 12. Q-K3 BxKt 13. QxB Kt-K3It would be wrong to play for the gain of a pawn with P-KKt4 and PxP, e.g. 13. … P-KKt4; 14. B-Kt3, PxP; 15. R-K1!, PxP; 16. P- K5, etc.14. BxKtBlack’s threat was to develop an attack, similar to that described at move 9, with P-KKt4 and Kt-B5.14. … QxB 15. QxQ PxQ 16. B-B4in order to exchange the Knight, which is generally superior to a Bishop in an end-game, as mentioned before.16. … PxP 17. BxKt PxB 18. PxP[Illustration]Diag. 130In the end-game thus brought about the White Rooks have more freedom, as they can be mobilised easily on the third rank to act on either wing. Black’s pawns, however, are stronger, being easily protected by the King, whilst White’s weak pawns at QR2 and QB2 are at too great a distance from the King; therefore White must see to it that Black does not open files for his Rooks on the Queen’s side.18. … QR-B1 19. QR-Kt1 P-Kt3 20. KR-Q1 KR-Q1 21. R-Kt3White must now allow Black to occupy the QB or Q file. After 21. P-Q5 Black would simply play PxP; 22. PxP, P-B3, with a certain draw.21. … P-Q4 22. R-Kt3chP-KB3 was the correct move here, in view of subsequent threats of mate.22. … K-B2 23. PxP RxP 24. R-QR3 P-QR4 25. P-KB4?A mistake under time pressure, costing a pawn. QR-Q3 was the move.25. … P-QB4 26. R-QB3 QR-Q1 27. R-Kt1 RxP 28. RxKtP RxP 29. P-KR3 R-Q7 30. R-Kt5Not RxP, on account of R-B7, and the KKtP cannot be saved.30. … R-(B5)B7 31. R-KKt3 P-B4 32. P-B4 P-B5 33. R-KKt4 P-R4 34. R-Kt5 RxP 35. P-R4Mate was threatened in a few moves through R-QB7-B8 and R(R7)-R8.35. … R-(B7)Kt7If now R-B7, White would win the KBP or obtain a perpetual check (36. R-QKt7ch, followed by R-QKt8-KB8). After the move in the text, White can still draw, as he wins back his pawn.36. RxR RxR 37. RxRP?This careless move now loses the game. Of course White should have taken the BP. If then P-R5, R-R5 held the pawn from behind, also after 37. … K-B3; 38. RxQRP, P-K4, a draw would have been the result, as the White BP would soon have become threatening, e.g. 39. R-R8, K-B4; 40. P-B5, P-K5; 41. P-B6, R-QB7; 42. R-QB8, K-Kt5; 43. P-B7, KxP; 44. K-R2, P-K6; 45. R-B8, RxP; 46. RxPch, K-Kt4; 47. R-K4, R-B6; 48. K-Kt3, etc.; or 44. R-K8, RxP; 45. RxP, K-Kt6; 46. R-K1, R-B7; 47. K-R1, RxP; 48. R-K3ch, and so on.37. … P-R538. RxP P-R6Resigns.After R-R5 there follows P-R7 and R-Kt8ch, or (if 40. K-R 2) P- B6.GAME No. 20White: Eduard Lasker. Black: Englund.Four Knights’ Game.1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. Kt-B3 Kt-B3 4. B-Kt5 Kt-Q5 5. KtxPBlack can now get White’s KP by playing Q-K2, and moreover exchange White’s valuable Bishop. Instead of the move in the text it is advisable to retire the Bishop to R4 or B4, or else to play 5. KtxKt, PxKt; 6. P-K5, PxKt; 7. PxKt. Black would then play QxP and not PxQPch, as the latter move allows White to develop quickly, and Black has no time to castle—e.g. 8. BxP, QxP; 9. Castles, B-K2; 10. B-B3, followed by R-K1.5. … Q-K2 6. Kt-B3 KtxP?[Illustration]Diag. 131Here KtxB was essential, followed by QxP, freeing the Bishop. After 7. KtxKt, QxPch; 8. Q-K2, QxQch; 9. KxQ, Kt-Q4 (10. P-B4, P-QR3), Black completes his development a little later (10. R-K1, P-KB3; 11. K-B1ch, K-B2), but after the exchange of Queens there is not much to fear from an immediate attack, and the value of the two Bishops soon asserts itself. In a match game Ed. Lasker- Cole (London, 1913) the continuation was 12. P-Q4, P-QR3; 13. Kt- B3, KtxKt; 14. PxKt, P-Q4. Here the doubled pawn is a disadvantage, in that the pawn at B2 is immobile, and constantly liable to be attacked by B-B4. P-Q3 was the better move.7. Castles KtxKtNow KtxB was no longer possible. After KtxQKt there would be threats of KtxBP as well as of R-K1 and P-Q3. The game is almost lost for Black at this stage, as the King cannot escape the impending attack on the K file by castling.8. QPxKt KtxKtch9. QxKt Q-B410. R-K1ch B-K211. B-Q3prevents castling, as Q-K4 would win a piece.11. … P-Q4 12. B-K3White has the development of the B gratis, as Black must lose time with the Queen.12. … Q-Q3 13. B-KB4 Q-KB3 14. QxP!!Black being behind with his development is already threatened by sacrificial combinations. If he takes the Bishop he loses by 15. B-Kt5ch, K-B1; 16. Q-Q8ch!, BxQ; 17. R-K8 mate, or l5. … P-B3; 16. BxPch, and so on.14. … P-B3 15. Q-K4 B-K3 16. R-K3 B-QB4Here Black might have castled on the Queen’s side, but R-Q1 would have had much the same sequel as in the actual game.17. B-K5 Q-R318. R-Kt3 B-KB1A sorry retreat. But after Q-Q7, which may have been Black’s original intention, White plays R-KB1, threatening B-KB4.19. R-Q1This move completes White’s development, and only seems to give Black a chance of castling. However, Black has no satisfactory continuation.19. … Castles? 20. QxPch PxQ 21. B-R6 MateGAME No. 21White: Eduard Lasker. Black: Aljechin.Three Knights’ Defence.1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. Kt-B3 B-Kt5 4. Kt-Q5Developing another piece by B-Kt5 or B4 would be more in accordance with principle.4. … B-K2There was a threat of KtxB and KtxP. If Black plays P-Q3, the B must retire all the same after 5. B-Kt5. It seems best to retire the B to K2 rather than to B4 or R4, because there remains the threat of a pin subsequently by B-KKt5, which might become serious with the Knight at Q5.5. B-B4 Kt-B3 6. P-Q3 P-Q3 7. KtxB QxKt 8. P-B3 P-KR3The KKt is to support the advance of P-Q4 subsequently, and that is why Black does not want to allow it to be pinned. This is sound strategy, since White has exchanged his QKt, which from B3 prevents P-Q4 in the ordinary way.9. B-K3 Castles 10. Q-Q2 B-K3 11. B-Kt3The first mistake. B-QKt5 should be played to retard P-Q4.11. … BxB 12. PxB P-Q4[Illustration]Diag. 13213. PxPThe second mistake. Unimportant as it seems, it leads to the loss of the game. White did not defend the pawn by Q-B2, because it would have proved 10. Q-Q2 to have been a lost move. But giving up the centre is a far greater evil. Black now commands his Q5 and KB5, and this enables him to start an attack to which there is no defence. The game shows conclusively how important it is to maintain the centre.13. … KtxP 14. Castles KR P-B4 15. P-QKt4 P-QKt3 16. Q-K2to prevent P-K5, which would now be countered by PxP and Q-B4. However, as P-K5 cannot be prevented permanently, and the Q must move in any case, Q-B2 would have been the better move, as there the Queen cannot be molested by a Rook.16. … Q-Q3 17. P-Kt5 QKt-K2 18. B-Q2 Kt-Kt3 19. R-R4 QR-K1!Black’s game is beautifully developed, whilst White cannot make a combined effort. The Black Rooks are particularly well placed, and threaten to take an effective part in the attack in various ways. All this is the outcome of White losing the centre.20. P-KKt3Though this prevents Kt(Q 4)-B5, it weakens KB3, which is all the more serious as Black threatens to open the file by P-B5.20. … Q-Q2If now White refrains from taking the pawn, Black plays P-QR4!21. RxP P-K5 22. Kt-Q4 PxP 23. QxP Kt-K4 24. Q-K2 P-B5All the avenues of attack are now open, and White’s game collapses quickly.25. Q-R5 Kt-KB 3 26. Q-B5 Kt-B6ch 27. K-R1 QxQ 28. KtxQ KtxB 29. R-Q1 Kt(B3)-K5 30. KtxP KtxBPch 31. K-Kt2 P-B6ch Resigns.GAME No. 22White: Forgacz. Black: Tartakower.French Defence (see p. 48).1. P-K4 P-K3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 4. B-Kt5 B-K2 5. P-K5 Kt-K5KKt-Q2 is better, because it would support the advance of P-QB4 and also be of use eventually in an attack on White’s centre by P-KB3. The text move allows the exchange of two minor pieces, which can only be to White’s advantage, as Black cannot get his QB into play, and is for a long time practically a piece down.6. KtxKt BxBAfter PxKt the pawn would be very weak, and could hardly be held for long.7. KtxB QxKt 8. P-KKt3To be able to play P-KB4 before developing the Kt (see p. 49).8. … P-QB4 9. P-QB3 Kt-B3 10. P-KB4 Q-K2 11. Q-Q2 B-Q2 12. Kt-B3 Castles KR 13. B-Q3 P-B5 14. B-B2 P-QKt4 15. Castles KR P-Kt2 16. Q R-K1 P-QR4[Illustration]Diag. 133So far the game is easy to understand in the light of the remarks made on page 44, when treating of the openings. The continuation shows in an instructive fashion that White’s attack is the more effective, being directed against the King’s side.17. P-B5! KPxPThis sacrifice of a pawn in conjunction with a second sacrifice on the next move, produces a combination of rare beauty.18. P-Kt4!! PxPIf Black did not capture White would. In either case the storming of the position by pawns achieves its object and the lines of attack are free for the pieces.19. Kt-Kt5 P-Kt3Now that White has made an opening for himself at KB6, the rest is easy. 19. … P-R3 is of no avail. The sequel might have been: 20 Kt-R 7, KR-Q1; 21 Kt-B6ch, after which White wins after either PxKt; 22 QxP, or K-R1 KtxP.20. R-B6 K-Kt2Black gets no breathing space. If P-R3, then 21 BxP.21. QR-KB1 B-K1 22. Q-B4 Kt-Q1 23. P-K6 R-R3 24. Q-K5 K-R3 25. QR-B5Help!25. … BPxP 26. Kt-B7ch QxKt 27. R-R5ch K-Kt2 28. RxKtP mateGAME No. 23White: Yates. Black: Esser.French Defence.1. P-K4 P-K3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 4. B-Kt5 PxP 5. BxKt PxBIf the Queen recaptures, White obtains too great an advantage in development, and therefore Black submits to the doubling of his pawns. It is doubtful if this means a handicap, although the King’s side gets broken up. For Black keeps his two Bishops, a powerful weapon, unless White succeeds in developing swiftly an attack on the King’s side. The present game is instructive and shows the chances afforded to both sides by the position brought about by the exchange at KB6.6. KtxP P-KB4As the KB obtains a long diagonal at Kt2, this advance is justified. Otherwise there would be strong objections to it, as the pawn is likely to be subjected to attack, and apart from that, it gives up command of Black’s K4.7. Kt-QB3Kt-Kt3 would seem more natural, firstly, because Black has weaknesses on the K side, and White will need his pieces for attack in that quarter, and secondly, because the QP ought to be supported by P-B3, as Black will attack it by B-Kt2.7. … B-Kt2 8. Kt-B3 Castles 9. B-B4If now the Knight were at Kt3, White could play P-B3 and BQ3. This is the proper place for the B, which might obtain an open diagonal after P-KKt4.9. … Kt-B3 10. Kt-K2 Kt-R4 11. B-Q3 P-B4 12. P-B3 P-QB5P-Kt3 seems preferable, as the text move releases the hold on White’s Q4. The isolated pawn resulting after 13. PxP is not to be feared, as the B at Kt2 would have greater efficiency (QR- Kt1), and White would not be so firmly established in the centre.13. B-B2 P-Kt4 14. Q-Q2There now ensues an interesting struggle. White builds up an attack with Q and both Knights and eventually the B (P-KKt4). If Black can manage to play his King into safety at R1 in time, and then occupies the Kt file with his Rooks, he would have the better of it, his pieces having by far the greater range of action.14. … B-Kt2 15. Q-B4 Q-B3K-R1 and KR-Kt1 might be considered.16. Kt-Kt3 B-KR3 17. Q-B7 Q-Q1 18. Q-K5White gains a move by attacking the Knight’s Pawn. It may seem far fetched if I now point out that this could not have happened if from the first Black had given preference to the pawn formation at QKt3 and B4 instead of Kt4 and B5, though the whole game would almost certainly have taken a different course. Still, when advancing a pawn into an unprotected position there always is the risk of its becoming the object of an attack at an opportune moment, and whenever the plan of development does not necessitate such moves they are best avoided.18. … B-Q4 19. Kt-R5 Kt-B3? 20. Q-Kt3ch??[Illustration]Diag. 134The last moves have decided the game. Both players have overlooked that 20. Q-B6 would have won a pawn at least (QxQ, 21. KtxQch with KtxB and BxP). 20. … BxKt leads to an immediate loss by 21. QxB, BxKt; 22. QxB followed by P-KKt4! with an overwhelming attack.Instead of 19. … Kt-B3, Black should have played P-B3, followed by K-R1 and the occupation of the Kt file by the Rooks. White’s last move allows him to de this with even greater effect.20. … K-R1 21. Q-R3 R-KKt1Black has now a preponderance of material on the field of battle, and it can be concluded off-hand that White, not being able to bring his Rooks into play, must lose.22. Kt-Kt3 Q-B3 23. K-B1K-K2 is a shade better. But there is no longer any adequate defence.23. … R-Kt5 24. R-K1 QR-KKt1 25. Kt-K5Black was threatening BxKt, followed by R-R5 and P-B525. … KtxKt 26. PxKt Q-Kt4 27. Q-R5 BxPch 28. K-Kt1 RxKt?QxQ and B-K5ch was simple and effective.29. RPxR BxR 30. QxQ BxQ 31. KxB R-Q1 32. P-B4R-Q1 is much more promising, although it means the loss of a pawn (RxR and B-B8, etc.). With Bishops of different colour the game is not easy to win even now.32. … R-Q7 33. PxB RxB 34. R-Q1 RxKtP 35. R-Q7 K-Kt2 36. RxRP R-QB7He could have played P-Kt5 at once.37. R-R5 R-QKt7 38. P-R4R-R3 would only have drawn out the agony a little longer.38. … P-Kt5 Resigns.GAME No. 24White: Atkins. Black: Barry.French Defence.1. P-K4 P-K3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 4. B-Kt5 B-K2 5. P-K5 KKt-Q2 6. BxB QxB[Illustration]Diag. 1357. Kt-Kt5The intention is to strengthen the centre by P-QB3. Though it takes a number of moves to bring the Knight into play again, yet most of the tournament games in this variation have been won by White, mostly through a King’s side attack on the lines set out in the notes to Game No. 22. Investigations by Alapin tend to show that this is due to the fact that Black in all cases devoted his attention to Queen’s side operations (just as in Game No. 22) when he could have utilised White’s backward development, by himself starting a counter attack on the King’s side. He can then either aim at the White centre at once with P-KB3, or else play P-KB4 and prepare the advance of the KKtP by Kt-B3-Q1-B2. These various lines of play are still under discussion. Simple development is probably preferable to the move in the text, e.g. 7. B-Q3, Castles; 8. P-B4, P-QB4; 9. Kt-B3.7. … K-Q1There can be no advantage in forfeiting the option of castling unless there be no other way of getting the King into safety and of bringing the Rooks into concerted action. It is obvious that otherwise the free development of pieces is hindered, and the King is in appreciable danger, for it is easier to open files in the centre than on the wings where the pawns have not advanced yet. Therefore Kt-Kt3 is the only move worth considering.8. P-QB3 P-KB3 9. PxPWith the Black King remaining in the centre, White has no further interest in the maintenance of his pawn at K5. On the contrary he will try to clear the centre.9. … PxP 10. Q-Q2 P-B3 11. Kt-QR3 Kt-B1At this early stage it is clear that Black will have to contend with difficulties in trying to complete his development. The usual way (P-QB4) is barred on account of the dangers to Black’s King with which a clearance in the centre is fraught.12. Kt-B3 B-Q2 13. P-KKt3!As Black can force this advance at any time by playing R-KKt1, White decides to develop his KB at Kt2, thereby covering his KB3 and KR3. The weakness of the latter squares would not be of any great moment if White were to castle on the Queen’s wing. But as P-QB4 is necessary in order to break up the centre, castling KR is the right course.13. … B-K1 14. B-Kt2 QKt-Q2 15. P-B4 PxP 16. KtxP Kt-QKt3 17. KtxKt PxKt 18. Castles KR Kt-Kt3 19. KR-K1 B-Q2 20. Q-B3 R-K1 21. Kt-Q2 Q-B1 22. P-QR4!White wishes to get rid of the pawn at Black’s Kt3, in order to break in with his Knight at B5. Black has no means of preventing this, and soon succumbs to the overwhelming array of White forces.22. … Kt-K2 23. P-R5 P-QKt4 24. Kt-Kt3 Kt-Q4 25. BxKt KPxB 26. RxRch BxR 27. Kt-B5 Q-B2 28. R-K1 K-B2 29. Q-K3 B-Q2 30. Q-B4ch Resigns.If K-Q1, 31. KtxPch followed by Kt-Q6ch. If K-B1 White wins by 31. Q-Q6 and R-K7.GAME No. 25White: Emanuel Lasker. Black: Tarrasch.French Defence.1. P-K4 P-K3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 4. B-Kt5 B-Kt5[Illustration]Diag. 136This line of defence, called the McCutcheon variation, was recommended for many years by Tarrasch as being the strongest. The most obvious continuation 5. P-K5 leads to complications, and the final verdict has not yet been reached. After 5. … P-KR3, the best continuation is thought to be: 6. PxKt, PxB; 7. PxP, R- Kt1; 8. P-KR4, PxP; 9. Q-R5, Q-B3; 10. QxRP, QxP.White has an easy development, whilst Black, as in most variations in the French defence, finds it difficult to bring his QB into play. After P-KR3, it is not advisable to retire the Bishop; 6. B-R4, P-KKt4; 7. B-Kt3, for here the Bishop is out of play, and Black’s King’s Knight being free can play to K5 for concerted action with Black’s KB. Lasker’s continuation in the present instance is at once simple and effective. It leads to an entirely different system of development.5. PxP QxPIf Black recaptures with the pawn, he must lose a move with the Bishop in order to avoid getting an isolated doubled pawn after 6. Q-B3. The doubled pawn which Black may get after the move in the text would not be isolated, and therefore not necessarily weak. It could become a weakness if Black were to castle on the King’s side. But otherwise it might even become a source of strength, supporting, as it would, an advance of Black’s KP against the White centre.6. Kt-B3 P-B4?Black should retain the option of castling QR, in case White exchanges at his KB6; P-QKt3 and B-Kt2 would have been better.7. BxKt PxB8. Q-Q2 BxKt9. QxB Kt-Q210. R-Q1 R-KKt111. PxP QxP12. Q-Q2 Q-Kt3guarding against the mate at Q1 before moving the Kt. But this would have been better effected by Q-K2. After Q-Kt3 the Knight cannot move yet because of B-Kt5ch.
[Illustration]Diag. 125
Diag. 125
After the terrible slaughter, the position is somewhat clearer. Black has a Rook and two pawns for two minor pieces, a slight advantage for the end-game, but as yet there is no thought of an end-game. White, in possession of two Bishops, with an open Queen’s file on which the Black King stands, has good attacking chances, and most masters would think the position favourable for White.
P-KB4 is a plausible move, but is followed by a pretty mate by 15. B-Kt5. The move in the text threatens to eliminate the KB by P-QB4, P-QKt4.
15. B-K3 P-KB4 16. Kt-B3 K-K2 17. P-KKt4
Tarrasch recommends 17. R-Q1, threatening Kt-Q5ch. If P-B3, White could play 18. B-Kt6, thereby permanently preventing Black from contesting the Queen’s file, and then try to exchange Black’s B by Kt-K2-Q4. With two Bishops, White would then have winning chances.
A subtle idea underlies White’s move of P-KKt4. He wishes to take advantage of the fact that Black has exchanged the KB by playing P-Kt5, thus holding all the four pawns on the King’s side. But Black finds a surprising reply, which seems to refute White’s plan.
Capablanca played against Ed. Lasker (New York, 1915), 17. P- KKt4, P-KKt3; 18. K-Kt3, P-KR4; 19. PxBP, P-R5ch; 20. K-R2, PxP; 21. Kt-K2, P-Kt4; 22. B-Kt3, BxB; 23. RPxB, KR-KKt1; 24. R-Q1, QR-Q1; 25. RxR, KxR; 26. Kt-K4, winning a pawn.
17. … P-KKt3 18. P-Kt5 QR-KKt1!!
Black offers the exchange in order to get rid of White’s QB. If White accepts the sacrifice, he loses his KKtP, and Black retains three passed pawns for the piece, at least an equivalent for the end-game. White should decline the doubtful gift and meet the threat of P-R3 and P-KKt4 with 19. R-KKt1.
19. B-Q4 P-R3 20. B-B6ch K-B2 21. BxR RxB 22. R-Q1
in order to play 23. B-Q7 in answer to P-B4. This explains White’s check at move 20.
22. … PxPch 23. K-Kt2 K-B3!
If now 24. Kt-Q5ch, Black would assail the White King with K-K4; 25. KtxP, B-B5-K7-B6. The Black phalanx of pawns becomes menacing.
24. B-Kt3 BxB25. RPxB K-K326. P-Kt4 R-R2
Black need no longer fear to exchange Rooks, for he would then threaten the Queen’s side pawns with his King whilst the passed pawns kept the White forces occupied.
27. Kt-K2 R-Q2 28. Kt-Q4ch K-B3 29. P-QB3 P-B3
The aim of this move is not clear. Black should adopt a forward policy with P-Kt5, P-B5, R-R2, etc.
30. R-KR1 P-Kt5 31. R-R8
Now none of the pawns can advance: P-B5 would be answered by 32. R-K8, R-K2; 33. RxR, KxR; 34. Kt-Kt3 and one of the pawns is lost.
31. … R-K2 32. Kt-K2 R-Q2 33. Kt-Q4 R-K2 34. R-B8ch K-Kt2 35. R-Q8 P-B5 36. R-Q6 K-B2 37. Kt-B2 R-K3 38. R-Q7ch R-K2 39. R-Q6 R-K3 40. R-Q1
White tries to win at all costs—and loses. By a forcible advance on the Queen’s side, he creates new chances, but also new weaknesses.
40. … K-B3 41. P-B4 R-K2 42. R-Q4 K-Kt4 43. R-Q6 P-K6! 44. P-B3
PxP fails on account of P-B6ch and R-R2.
44. … P-K7 45. Kt-K1 P-Kt6 46. P-Kt5
Too late.
46. … R-R2 47. PxBP PxP 48. R-K6 R-R7ch 49. K-Kt1 R-B7 50. Kt-B2 RxP 51. RxKP R-Q6 52. Kt-K1 R-Kt6 53. R-Q2 P-B6 54. Kt-Q3 P-R4 Resigns
The RP cannot be prevented from pushing on to R6, after which a mate is threatened by the BlacKRon the eighth rank. R-Q1 would then be compulsory. But that lets the Black Rook in on the seventh (KR-R7, followed by P-B7ch).
Emanuel Lasker. Capablanca.
Ruy Lopez (see p. 37)
1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. B-Kt5 P-QR3 4. BxKtQ PxB 5. P-Q4 PxP
Worthy of consideration is: 5. … B-KKt5; 6PxP, QxQch; 7. KxQ, Castles ch; 8. K-K2, R-K1; 9. P-KR3, BxKtch; 10. KxB, P-B3; with a good game. In this opening Black is justified in assuming the initiative, as the exchange, which has opened a diagonal for his QB, has furthered his development. If he does not do so, and confines himself to defending tamely, the chances are that he will lose on account of White’s majority of pawns on the King’s side.
6. QxP QxQ
Compulsory. If B-K3 instead, 7. B-B4 attacks QB7. B-Q3 in reply to that would be inferior. By exchanging Bishops White would render the Black QP “backward,” and on the open file its capture would be inevitable.
7. KtxQ B-Q3 8. Kt-QB3 Kt-K2
Black prepares to castle on the King’s side. It is more usual, and probably stronger, to castle on the Queen’s side, as the King then protects the QBP, which in the present case would be weak if Black’s KB were to be exchanged.
9. Castles Castles. 10. P-B4 R-K1
[Illustration]Diag. 126
Diag. 126
Black allows his opponent too much latitude on the King’s wing. He should prevent White’s P-B5, which obstructs his QB, by P-KB4. After P-K5 the game would be equalised by B-B4, BxKt, and B-K3.
A draw would then be practically certain, with the Bishops of opposite colours. Black probably thought White would not risk weakening his KP by P-B5. But with unfailing judgment Lasker foresees that, in consequence of the greater mobility of his pieces, his attack will be successful before a counter attack on the weak KP can be instituted.
11. Kt-Kt3 P-B3
Even now P-KB4 was imperative, though it would keep the Bishop from that square. The continuation could have been 12. P-K5, B- Kt5; 13. Kt-K2 (or R4), Kt-Q4, and the Bishop is safe.
This move has a twofold aim. It shuts in the Bishop, and allows B-B4, exchanging the Black QB.
12. … P-QKt3
The diagonal QR1-KR8 is the only one in which the Bishop has any prospects of action. However, as soon as he relinquishes his present diagonal, a White Knight settles at K6 and the Black Rooks are very much hampered.
13. B-B4 B-Kt2
Black should have exchanged the Bishops. Now he gets a weak pawn at Q3. Before playing B-Kt2, P-B4 should be played to prevent the Knight getting from Kt3-Q4-K6.
14. BxB PxB 15. Kt-Q4 QR-Q1 16. Kt-K6 R-Q2 17. QR-Q1 Kt-B1 18. R-B2 P-QKt4 19. KR-Q2
This holds Black’s Kt at B1. White’s next move prevents the Bishop getting into action by P-B4. After depriving all the Black pieces of their mobility, White turns his attention to a determined assault on the Black King.
19. … QR-K2 20. P-QKt4 K-B2 21. P-QR3 B-R1 22. K-B2 R-R2 23. P-Kt4 P-R3 24. R-Q3 P-QR4 25. P-KR4 PxP 26. PxP R(R2)-K2
There are no prospects on the Rook’s file, and Black is restricted to keeping his pieces mutually protected. He cannot prevent White from penetrating the King’s side.
27. K-B3 R-Kt1 28. K-B4 P-Kt3 29. R-Kt3 P-Kt4ch 30. K-B3
If Black captures the pawn, he would lose it again forthwith through White’s R-R3, and the pawn at R3 would also be captured.
30. … Kt-Kt3 31. PxP RPxP 32. R-R3 R-Q2 33. K-Kt3
[Illustration]Diag. 127
Diag. 127
The White King leaves the diagonal because Black’s P-B4 would interfere with the combination by which White intends to annihilate Black’s game in a few moves.
33. … K-K1 34. QR-KR1 B-Kt2 35. P-K5!!
A beautiful final stroke.
35. … QPxP 36. Kt-K4!! Kt-Q4 37. Kt(K6)-B5 B-B1
Black dares not move the Rook on account of KtxB and Kt-Q6ch.
38. KtxR BxKt 39. R-R7ch R-B1 40. R-R1 K-Q1 41. R-R8ch B-B1 42. Kt-B5 Resigns
Mate in two is threatened. Black’s only move is Kt-K2, after which he is helpless, and White can capture the pawns one by one at his leisure (R-B7, etc.). In this game, so beautifully engineered by White, we have a further example of Lasker’s remarkable grasp of position.
White: Eduard Lasker. Black: Janowski.
Four Knights’ Game.
1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. Kt-B3 Kt-B3 4. B-Kt5 B-Kt5
B-K2; 5 Castles, P-Q3; would lead into the Ruy Lopez.
5. Castles Castles 6. P-Q3 P-Q 3
It is, of course, better to castle before playing P-Q3, as the opponent could at once play Kt-Q5 and utilise the pin to initiate an immediate attack, e.g. 5. Castles, P-Q3; 6. Kt-Q5, B-B4; 7. P- Q4, PxP; 8. B-Kt5.
7. B-Kt5
[Illustration]Diag. 128
Diag. 128
The position is not unlike that in Diagram 90, and the same remarks apply to it. Here B-K3 is inadvisable, because P-Q4, threatening to fork two pieces, forces the exchange of Black’s centre pawn. After 7. … B-Kt5; 8. Kt-Q5, Kt-Q5; 9. B-B4, B-B4, on the other hand, we get the position discussed on p. 115, in which White obtains the advantage by Q-Q2. Instead of 9. … B- B4, Black should play Q-Q2 with a similar threat. But he has not the cooperation of his King’s Bishop for the attack, and White just manages to escape with a draw, e.g. 9. … Q-Q2; 10. KtxKtch, PxKt; 11. BxP, P-KR3(BxKt; 12. PxB, Q-R6 fails on account of K-R1 and R-KKt1); 12. P-B3, KtxKtch; 13. PxKt, B-KR4; 14. K-R1, K-R2 (Diagram 129); 15. R-KKt1.
[Illustration]Diag. 129
Diag. 129
This is the saving clause. If now Black had his B at B4, as White has in the corresponding attack, White would first have to protect his BP with 15 Q-K2, and would be lost after R-KKt1; 16. R-KKt1, R-Kt3; as 17. B-R4 fails because of Q-R6; 18. B-KKt3, R- B3; and on the other hand, after 17. RxR, PxR Black plays R-KB1, attacking the BP a second time.
With the Black Bishop at Kt5, however, Black does not succeed. The continuation could be l5. … R-KKt1; 16. R-Kt3, R-Kt3; 17. B-R4, with a probable draw.
This line of play is most difficult for both sides, and it has been avoided so far in tournaments.
In Diagram 128 the favourite continuation for many years was: 7. … BxKt; 8. PxB, Kt-K2. The opening of the KKt file by 9. BxKKt is not to be feared, because of the reasons given when discussing Diagram 90. But White obtains the advantage with 9. Kt-R4, preparing the opening of the KB file by P-B4 and PxP. 9. … Kt- Kt3, in order to retake with the BP after 10. KtxKt and to open the file for Black’s Rooks, is not a sufficient reply, because after 11. P-B4 and PxP White has a clear advantage, having an extra pawn in effect for the end-game. For the three Black pawns on the King’s side are held by the two adverse pawns, which they cannot pass.
The attempt to expel the troublesome Bishop after 9. … Kt-K1 by P-KB3, and then play for a centre by P-B3, Kt-B2 and P-Q4 fails on account of the withering attack which White obtains on the KB file, e.g. 9. … Kt-K1; 10. B-QB4, K-R1; 11. P-B4, P-KB3; 12. Q- R5, PxB; 13. PxP, etc.
In consequence the defence by 7. … BxKt and Kt-K2 has been abandoned.
In the present game Black reverts to a very old defence, comprising the moves: BxKt, Q-K2, Kt-Q1-K3. It had been abandoned because White, by playing R-K1, P-Q4, and eventually B-B1 and B- R3, forces the exchange of Black’s centre pawn, and obtains an advantage, on well-known grounds. Here Black strengthens the defence by interpolating P-KR3!, after which White must come to a decision as to maintaining the pin. If he decides to do so the White Bishop will no longer be able to threaten the Black Queen from QR3.
7. … BxKt 8. PxB P-KR3 9. B-KR4
If the B retreats to B1 or K3, Black can adopt the defence Kt-K2- Kt3. Then Kt-R4 would be inferior, because Black can simply play P-KKt4. In this case the advance of the pawns is justified, because Black can bring his QKt to KKt3 and have practically one piece more on the King’s side, and good prospects for the attack which he can open with K-R2, R-KKt1, Kt-Kt3-B5.
P-KKt4 would be premature. White would win at once by 10. KtxKtP, PxKt; 11. BxP, as he can attack the Knight a second time by P-KB4 and PxP before Black can either protect it sufficiently or relieve the “pin.”
10. Q-Q2 Kt-Q1 11. P-Q4 B-Kt5 12. Q-K3 BxKt 13. QxB Kt-K3
It would be wrong to play for the gain of a pawn with P-KKt4 and PxP, e.g. 13. … P-KKt4; 14. B-Kt3, PxP; 15. R-K1!, PxP; 16. P- K5, etc.
14. BxKt
Black’s threat was to develop an attack, similar to that described at move 9, with P-KKt4 and Kt-B5.
14. … QxB 15. QxQ PxQ 16. B-B4
in order to exchange the Knight, which is generally superior to a Bishop in an end-game, as mentioned before.
16. … PxP 17. BxKt PxB 18. PxP
[Illustration]Diag. 130
Diag. 130
In the end-game thus brought about the White Rooks have more freedom, as they can be mobilised easily on the third rank to act on either wing. Black’s pawns, however, are stronger, being easily protected by the King, whilst White’s weak pawns at QR2 and QB2 are at too great a distance from the King; therefore White must see to it that Black does not open files for his Rooks on the Queen’s side.
18. … QR-B1 19. QR-Kt1 P-Kt3 20. KR-Q1 KR-Q1 21. R-Kt3
White must now allow Black to occupy the QB or Q file. After 21. P-Q5 Black would simply play PxP; 22. PxP, P-B3, with a certain draw.
21. … P-Q4 22. R-Kt3ch
P-KB3 was the correct move here, in view of subsequent threats of mate.
22. … K-B2 23. PxP RxP 24. R-QR3 P-QR4 25. P-KB4?
A mistake under time pressure, costing a pawn. QR-Q3 was the move.
25. … P-QB4 26. R-QB3 QR-Q1 27. R-Kt1 RxP 28. RxKtP RxP 29. P-KR3 R-Q7 30. R-Kt5
Not RxP, on account of R-B7, and the KKtP cannot be saved.
30. … R-(B5)B7 31. R-KKt3 P-B4 32. P-B4 P-B5 33. R-KKt4 P-R4 34. R-Kt5 RxP 35. P-R4
Mate was threatened in a few moves through R-QB7-B8 and R(R7)-R8.
35. … R-(B7)Kt7
If now R-B7, White would win the KBP or obtain a perpetual check (36. R-QKt7ch, followed by R-QKt8-KB8). After the move in the text, White can still draw, as he wins back his pawn.
36. RxR RxR 37. RxRP?
This careless move now loses the game. Of course White should have taken the BP. If then P-R5, R-R5 held the pawn from behind, also after 37. … K-B3; 38. RxQRP, P-K4, a draw would have been the result, as the White BP would soon have become threatening, e.g. 39. R-R8, K-B4; 40. P-B5, P-K5; 41. P-B6, R-QB7; 42. R-QB8, K-Kt5; 43. P-B7, KxP; 44. K-R2, P-K6; 45. R-B8, RxP; 46. RxPch, K-Kt4; 47. R-K4, R-B6; 48. K-Kt3, etc.; or 44. R-K8, RxP; 45. RxP, K-Kt6; 46. R-K1, R-B7; 47. K-R1, RxP; 48. R-K3ch, and so on.
37. … P-R538. RxP P-R6Resigns.
After R-R5 there follows P-R7 and R-Kt8ch, or (if 40. K-R 2) P- B6.
White: Eduard Lasker. Black: Englund.
Four Knights’ Game.
1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. Kt-B3 Kt-B3 4. B-Kt5 Kt-Q5 5. KtxP
Black can now get White’s KP by playing Q-K2, and moreover exchange White’s valuable Bishop. Instead of the move in the text it is advisable to retire the Bishop to R4 or B4, or else to play 5. KtxKt, PxKt; 6. P-K5, PxKt; 7. PxKt. Black would then play QxP and not PxQPch, as the latter move allows White to develop quickly, and Black has no time to castle—e.g. 8. BxP, QxP; 9. Castles, B-K2; 10. B-B3, followed by R-K1.
5. … Q-K2 6. Kt-B3 KtxP?
[Illustration]Diag. 131
Diag. 131
Here KtxB was essential, followed by QxP, freeing the Bishop. After 7. KtxKt, QxPch; 8. Q-K2, QxQch; 9. KxQ, Kt-Q4 (10. P-B4, P-QR3), Black completes his development a little later (10. R-K1, P-KB3; 11. K-B1ch, K-B2), but after the exchange of Queens there is not much to fear from an immediate attack, and the value of the two Bishops soon asserts itself. In a match game Ed. Lasker- Cole (London, 1913) the continuation was 12. P-Q4, P-QR3; 13. Kt- B3, KtxKt; 14. PxKt, P-Q4. Here the doubled pawn is a disadvantage, in that the pawn at B2 is immobile, and constantly liable to be attacked by B-B4. P-Q3 was the better move.
7. Castles KtxKt
Now KtxB was no longer possible. After KtxQKt there would be threats of KtxBP as well as of R-K1 and P-Q3. The game is almost lost for Black at this stage, as the King cannot escape the impending attack on the K file by castling.
8. QPxKt KtxKtch9. QxKt Q-B410. R-K1ch B-K211. B-Q3
prevents castling, as Q-K4 would win a piece.
White has the development of the B gratis, as Black must lose time with the Queen.
12. … Q-Q3 13. B-KB4 Q-KB3 14. QxP!!
Black being behind with his development is already threatened by sacrificial combinations. If he takes the Bishop he loses by 15. B-Kt5ch, K-B1; 16. Q-Q8ch!, BxQ; 17. R-K8 mate, or l5. … P-B3; 16. BxPch, and so on.
Here Black might have castled on the Queen’s side, but R-Q1 would have had much the same sequel as in the actual game.
17. B-K5 Q-R318. R-Kt3 B-KB1
A sorry retreat. But after Q-Q7, which may have been Black’s original intention, White plays R-KB1, threatening B-KB4.
This move completes White’s development, and only seems to give Black a chance of castling. However, Black has no satisfactory continuation.
19. … Castles? 20. QxPch PxQ 21. B-R6 Mate
White: Eduard Lasker. Black: Aljechin.
Three Knights’ Defence.
1. P-K4 P-K4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. Kt-B3 B-Kt5 4. Kt-Q5
Developing another piece by B-Kt5 or B4 would be more in accordance with principle.
There was a threat of KtxB and KtxP. If Black plays P-Q3, the B must retire all the same after 5. B-Kt5. It seems best to retire the B to K2 rather than to B4 or R4, because there remains the threat of a pin subsequently by B-KKt5, which might become serious with the Knight at Q5.
5. B-B4 Kt-B3 6. P-Q3 P-Q3 7. KtxB QxKt 8. P-B3 P-KR3
The KKt is to support the advance of P-Q4 subsequently, and that is why Black does not want to allow it to be pinned. This is sound strategy, since White has exchanged his QKt, which from B3 prevents P-Q4 in the ordinary way.
9. B-K3 Castles 10. Q-Q2 B-K3 11. B-Kt3
The first mistake. B-QKt5 should be played to retard P-Q4.
11. … BxB 12. PxB P-Q4
[Illustration]Diag. 132
Diag. 132
13. PxP
The second mistake. Unimportant as it seems, it leads to the loss of the game. White did not defend the pawn by Q-B2, because it would have proved 10. Q-Q2 to have been a lost move. But giving up the centre is a far greater evil. Black now commands his Q5 and KB5, and this enables him to start an attack to which there is no defence. The game shows conclusively how important it is to maintain the centre.
13. … KtxP 14. Castles KR P-B4 15. P-QKt4 P-QKt3 16. Q-K2
to prevent P-K5, which would now be countered by PxP and Q-B4. However, as P-K5 cannot be prevented permanently, and the Q must move in any case, Q-B2 would have been the better move, as there the Queen cannot be molested by a Rook.
16. … Q-Q3 17. P-Kt5 QKt-K2 18. B-Q2 Kt-Kt3 19. R-R4 QR-K1!
Black’s game is beautifully developed, whilst White cannot make a combined effort. The Black Rooks are particularly well placed, and threaten to take an effective part in the attack in various ways. All this is the outcome of White losing the centre.
20. P-KKt3
Though this prevents Kt(Q 4)-B5, it weakens KB3, which is all the more serious as Black threatens to open the file by P-B5.
If now White refrains from taking the pawn, Black plays P-QR4!
21. RxP P-K5 22. Kt-Q4 PxP 23. QxP Kt-K4 24. Q-K2 P-B5
All the avenues of attack are now open, and White’s game collapses quickly.
25. Q-R5 Kt-KB 3 26. Q-B5 Kt-B6ch 27. K-R1 QxQ 28. KtxQ KtxB 29. R-Q1 Kt(B3)-K5 30. KtxP KtxBPch 31. K-Kt2 P-B6ch Resigns.
White: Forgacz. Black: Tartakower.
French Defence (see p. 48).
1. P-K4 P-K3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 4. B-Kt5 B-K2 5. P-K5 Kt-K5
KKt-Q2 is better, because it would support the advance of P-QB4 and also be of use eventually in an attack on White’s centre by P-KB3. The text move allows the exchange of two minor pieces, which can only be to White’s advantage, as Black cannot get his QB into play, and is for a long time practically a piece down.
6. KtxKt BxB
After PxKt the pawn would be very weak, and could hardly be held for long.
7. KtxB QxKt 8. P-KKt3
To be able to play P-KB4 before developing the Kt (see p. 49).
8. … P-QB4 9. P-QB3 Kt-B3 10. P-KB4 Q-K2 11. Q-Q2 B-Q2 12. Kt-B3 Castles KR 13. B-Q3 P-B5 14. B-B2 P-QKt4 15. Castles KR P-Kt2 16. Q R-K1 P-QR4
[Illustration]Diag. 133
Diag. 133
So far the game is easy to understand in the light of the remarks made on page 44, when treating of the openings. The continuation shows in an instructive fashion that White’s attack is the more effective, being directed against the King’s side.
17. P-B5! KPxP
This sacrifice of a pawn in conjunction with a second sacrifice on the next move, produces a combination of rare beauty.
18. P-Kt4!! PxP
If Black did not capture White would. In either case the storming of the position by pawns achieves its object and the lines of attack are free for the pieces.
19. Kt-Kt5 P-Kt3
Now that White has made an opening for himself at KB6, the rest is easy. 19. … P-R3 is of no avail. The sequel might have been: 20 Kt-R 7, KR-Q1; 21 Kt-B6ch, after which White wins after either PxKt; 22 QxP, or K-R1 KtxP.
20. R-B6 K-Kt2
Black gets no breathing space. If P-R3, then 21 BxP.
21. QR-KB1 B-K1 22. Q-B4 Kt-Q1 23. P-K6 R-R3 24. Q-K5 K-R3 25. QR-B5
Help!
25. … BPxP 26. Kt-B7ch QxKt 27. R-R5ch K-Kt2 28. RxKtP mate
White: Yates. Black: Esser.
French Defence.
1. P-K4 P-K3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 4. B-Kt5 PxP 5. BxKt PxB
If the Queen recaptures, White obtains too great an advantage in development, and therefore Black submits to the doubling of his pawns. It is doubtful if this means a handicap, although the King’s side gets broken up. For Black keeps his two Bishops, a powerful weapon, unless White succeeds in developing swiftly an attack on the King’s side. The present game is instructive and shows the chances afforded to both sides by the position brought about by the exchange at KB6.
6. KtxP P-KB4
As the KB obtains a long diagonal at Kt2, this advance is justified. Otherwise there would be strong objections to it, as the pawn is likely to be subjected to attack, and apart from that, it gives up command of Black’s K4.
7. Kt-QB3
Kt-Kt3 would seem more natural, firstly, because Black has weaknesses on the K side, and White will need his pieces for attack in that quarter, and secondly, because the QP ought to be supported by P-B3, as Black will attack it by B-Kt2.
7. … B-Kt2 8. Kt-B3 Castles 9. B-B4
If now the Knight were at Kt3, White could play P-B3 and BQ3. This is the proper place for the B, which might obtain an open diagonal after P-KKt4.
9. … Kt-B3 10. Kt-K2 Kt-R4 11. B-Q3 P-B4 12. P-B3 P-QB5
P-Kt3 seems preferable, as the text move releases the hold on White’s Q4. The isolated pawn resulting after 13. PxP is not to be feared, as the B at Kt2 would have greater efficiency (QR- Kt1), and White would not be so firmly established in the centre.
13. B-B2 P-Kt4 14. Q-Q2
There now ensues an interesting struggle. White builds up an attack with Q and both Knights and eventually the B (P-KKt4). If Black can manage to play his King into safety at R1 in time, and then occupies the Kt file with his Rooks, he would have the better of it, his pieces having by far the greater range of action.
14. … B-Kt2 15. Q-B4 Q-B3
K-R1 and KR-Kt1 might be considered.
16. Kt-Kt3 B-KR3 17. Q-B7 Q-Q1 18. Q-K5
White gains a move by attacking the Knight’s Pawn. It may seem far fetched if I now point out that this could not have happened if from the first Black had given preference to the pawn formation at QKt3 and B4 instead of Kt4 and B5, though the whole game would almost certainly have taken a different course. Still, when advancing a pawn into an unprotected position there always is the risk of its becoming the object of an attack at an opportune moment, and whenever the plan of development does not necessitate such moves they are best avoided.
18. … B-Q4 19. Kt-R5 Kt-B3? 20. Q-Kt3ch??
[Illustration]Diag. 134
Diag. 134
The last moves have decided the game. Both players have overlooked that 20. Q-B6 would have won a pawn at least (QxQ, 21. KtxQch with KtxB and BxP). 20. … BxKt leads to an immediate loss by 21. QxB, BxKt; 22. QxB followed by P-KKt4! with an overwhelming attack.
Instead of 19. … Kt-B3, Black should have played P-B3, followed by K-R1 and the occupation of the Kt file by the Rooks. White’s last move allows him to de this with even greater effect.
20. … K-R1 21. Q-R3 R-KKt1
Black has now a preponderance of material on the field of battle, and it can be concluded off-hand that White, not being able to bring his Rooks into play, must lose.
22. Kt-Kt3 Q-B3 23. K-B1
K-K2 is a shade better. But there is no longer any adequate defence.
23. … R-Kt5 24. R-K1 QR-KKt1 25. Kt-K5
Black was threatening BxKt, followed by R-R5 and P-B5
25. … KtxKt 26. PxKt Q-Kt4 27. Q-R5 BxPch 28. K-Kt1 RxKt?
QxQ and B-K5ch was simple and effective.
29. RPxR BxR 30. QxQ BxQ 31. KxB R-Q1 32. P-B4
R-Q1 is much more promising, although it means the loss of a pawn (RxR and B-B8, etc.). With Bishops of different colour the game is not easy to win even now.
32. … R-Q7 33. PxB RxB 34. R-Q1 RxKtP 35. R-Q7 K-Kt2 36. RxRP R-QB7
He could have played P-Kt5 at once.
37. R-R5 R-QKt7 38. P-R4
R-R3 would only have drawn out the agony a little longer.
38. … P-Kt5 Resigns.
White: Atkins. Black: Barry.
French Defence.
1. P-K4 P-K3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 4. B-Kt5 B-K2 5. P-K5 KKt-Q2 6. BxB QxB
[Illustration]Diag. 135
Diag. 135
7. Kt-Kt5
The intention is to strengthen the centre by P-QB3. Though it takes a number of moves to bring the Knight into play again, yet most of the tournament games in this variation have been won by White, mostly through a King’s side attack on the lines set out in the notes to Game No. 22. Investigations by Alapin tend to show that this is due to the fact that Black in all cases devoted his attention to Queen’s side operations (just as in Game No. 22) when he could have utilised White’s backward development, by himself starting a counter attack on the King’s side. He can then either aim at the White centre at once with P-KB3, or else play P-KB4 and prepare the advance of the KKtP by Kt-B3-Q1-B2. These various lines of play are still under discussion. Simple development is probably preferable to the move in the text, e.g. 7. B-Q3, Castles; 8. P-B4, P-QB4; 9. Kt-B3.
There can be no advantage in forfeiting the option of castling unless there be no other way of getting the King into safety and of bringing the Rooks into concerted action. It is obvious that otherwise the free development of pieces is hindered, and the King is in appreciable danger, for it is easier to open files in the centre than on the wings where the pawns have not advanced yet. Therefore Kt-Kt3 is the only move worth considering.
8. P-QB3 P-KB3 9. PxP
With the Black King remaining in the centre, White has no further interest in the maintenance of his pawn at K5. On the contrary he will try to clear the centre.
9. … PxP 10. Q-Q2 P-B3 11. Kt-QR3 Kt-B1
At this early stage it is clear that Black will have to contend with difficulties in trying to complete his development. The usual way (P-QB4) is barred on account of the dangers to Black’s King with which a clearance in the centre is fraught.
12. Kt-B3 B-Q2 13. P-KKt3!
As Black can force this advance at any time by playing R-KKt1, White decides to develop his KB at Kt2, thereby covering his KB3 and KR3. The weakness of the latter squares would not be of any great moment if White were to castle on the Queen’s wing. But as P-QB4 is necessary in order to break up the centre, castling KR is the right course.
13. … B-K1 14. B-Kt2 QKt-Q2 15. P-B4 PxP 16. KtxP Kt-QKt3 17. KtxKt PxKt 18. Castles KR Kt-Kt3 19. KR-K1 B-Q2 20. Q-B3 R-K1 21. Kt-Q2 Q-B1 22. P-QR4!
White wishes to get rid of the pawn at Black’s Kt3, in order to break in with his Knight at B5. Black has no means of preventing this, and soon succumbs to the overwhelming array of White forces.
22. … Kt-K2 23. P-R5 P-QKt4 24. Kt-Kt3 Kt-Q4 25. BxKt KPxB 26. RxRch BxR 27. Kt-B5 Q-B2 28. R-K1 K-B2 29. Q-K3 B-Q2 30. Q-B4ch Resigns.
If K-Q1, 31. KtxPch followed by Kt-Q6ch. If K-B1 White wins by 31. Q-Q6 and R-K7.
White: Emanuel Lasker. Black: Tarrasch.
French Defence.
1. P-K4 P-K3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 4. B-Kt5 B-Kt5
[Illustration]Diag. 136
Diag. 136
This line of defence, called the McCutcheon variation, was recommended for many years by Tarrasch as being the strongest. The most obvious continuation 5. P-K5 leads to complications, and the final verdict has not yet been reached. After 5. … P-KR3, the best continuation is thought to be: 6. PxKt, PxB; 7. PxP, R- Kt1; 8. P-KR4, PxP; 9. Q-R5, Q-B3; 10. QxRP, QxP.
White has an easy development, whilst Black, as in most variations in the French defence, finds it difficult to bring his QB into play. After P-KR3, it is not advisable to retire the Bishop; 6. B-R4, P-KKt4; 7. B-Kt3, for here the Bishop is out of play, and Black’s King’s Knight being free can play to K5 for concerted action with Black’s KB. Lasker’s continuation in the present instance is at once simple and effective. It leads to an entirely different system of development.
5. PxP QxP
If Black recaptures with the pawn, he must lose a move with the Bishop in order to avoid getting an isolated doubled pawn after 6. Q-B3. The doubled pawn which Black may get after the move in the text would not be isolated, and therefore not necessarily weak. It could become a weakness if Black were to castle on the King’s side. But otherwise it might even become a source of strength, supporting, as it would, an advance of Black’s KP against the White centre.
6. Kt-B3 P-B4?
Black should retain the option of castling QR, in case White exchanges at his KB6; P-QKt3 and B-Kt2 would have been better.
7. BxKt PxB8. Q-Q2 BxKt9. QxB Kt-Q210. R-Q1 R-KKt111. PxP QxP12. Q-Q2 Q-Kt3
guarding against the mate at Q1 before moving the Kt. But this would have been better effected by Q-K2. After Q-Kt3 the Knight cannot move yet because of B-Kt5ch.