[Illustration]Diag. 13713. P-B3 P-QR3 14. Q-B2 P-B4 15. P-KKt3 Kt-B4 16. B-Kt2 Q-B2Black wishes to push on the KP. White, however, prevents this at once.17. Q-K2 P-Kt4 18. Castles B-Kt2The Black position has any number of weaknesses. The King cannot castle into safety; the pawn position is full of holes, and open to attack. White takes full advantage of this and wins in masterly fashion with a few strokes.19. P-B4 P-Kt5 20. Q-Q2 R-Kt1Now White cannot capture the KtP because of BxKt. But he does not want the pawn, he wants the King.21. Q-R6 BxKt 22. BxB Q-K4 23. KR-K1 QxP 24. Q-B4 QR-B1 25. Q-Q6 P-B3Mate in two was threatened (B-B6ch, etc.).26. B-R5ch R-Kt3 27. BxRch PxB 28. RxPch Resigns.GAME No. 26White: Capablanca. Black: BlancoFrench Defence.1. P-K4 P-K3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 PxP 4. KtxP Kt-Q2 5. Kt-KB3 KKt-B3 6. KtxKtch KtxKt 7. Kt-K5This crosses Black’s plan of developing the QB at Kt2.7. … B-Q3 8. Q-B3 P-B39. B-Kt5ch, P-B3; 10. KtxP was threatened.9. P-B3 Castles 10. B-KKt5 B-K2 11. B-Q3Whatever Black plays now, he must create some weakness in order to provide against White’s Q-R3, BxKt, QxRP, and White’s attack must succeed. The whole of Black’s plan is thus frustrated, as the only reason for abandoning the centre by PxP was the occupation of the long diagonal by the QB. Now the Queen’s side pieces cannot get into play without much difficulty, and by the time they have succeeded it is too late.[Illustration]Diag. 13811. … Kt-K1Intending to intercept the diagonal of the White KB by P-KB4. If Black plays P-KKt3 with the same intention, White plays P-KR4-5 and PxP, and brings the Rook into play.12. Q-R3 P-KB4P-KR3 would lead to an immediate disaster: 13. BxP, PxB; 14. QxRP, P-KB4; 15. P-KKt4. The move in the text avoids the immediate attack on the King, but the King’s Pawn is now “backward,” and White immediately fastens on this weakness.13. BxB QxB 14. Castles KR R-B3 15. KR-K1 Kt-Q3 16. R-K2 B-Q2 17. QR-K1 R-K1 18. P-QB4 Kt-B2 19. P-Q5 KtxKt 20. RxKt P-KKt321. BxP was threatened.21. Q-R4 K-Kt2 22. Q-Q4 P-B4 23. Q-B3 P-Kt3 24. PxP B-B1 25. B-K2The Bishop now settles at Q5, and whether Black takes the pawn or not, he is paralysed either by the pawn itself, or the pin of the Bishop if the pawn is taken.25. … BxP 26. B-B3 K-B2 27. B-Q5 Q-Q3 28. Q-K3 R-K2 29. Q-R6 K-Kt1 30. P-KR4The deciding manœuvre, tearing up the chain of pawns in front of the K.30. … P-QR3 31. P-R5 P-B5 32. PxP PxP 33. RxB Resigns.After RxR, 34. RxR, RxR; 35. QxPch wins a piece. A beautifully concise game.GAME No. 27White: Niemzowitsch. Black: Tarrasch. French Defence.1. P-K4 P-QB4This opening is called the Sicilian Defence. White, however, adopts a continuation which leads into a variation of the French Defence.2. P-QB3 P-K3 3. P-Q4 P-Q4 4. P-K5 Kt-QB3 5. Kt-B3 Q-Kt3 6. B-Q3 PxPBlack seeks to demonstrate that White’s QP is weak. The present game, however, seems to prove that White is able to guard it adequately, thus permanently supporting the KP too. It would therefore appear to be better to attack the KP itself, and to play P-B3 on the fifth move. Now B-Q2 would be better than the text move. As White cannot give further support to his Q4, he would have to play PxP, and the protection of the K5 would have to be undertaken by pieces, which is not desirable.7. PxP B-Q2Not KtxP, 8. KtxKt, QxKt, because of B-Kt5ch.8. B-K2The B cannot go to B2 on account of Kt-Kt5 and B-Kt4.8. … KKt-K29. P-QKt3 Kt-B410. B-Kt2Now White’s centre is safe from further attacks. True, White has forfeited castling, but as he dominates the King’s side, where Black cannot undertake anything, there is no harm in P-Kt3, preparatory to “artificial castling.”10. … B-Kt5ch 11. K-B1 B-K2Directed against 12. P-Kt4, driving off the Kt. Now Kt-R5 would follow.12. P-Kt3 P-QR4[Illustration]Diag. 139This manœuvre is unwise; White counters with 13. P-QR4, a move which was necessary in any case, in order to develop the QKt via R3, this being the Knight’s only chance of getting into play, because, as long as the QP is attacked three times the lines of B and Q must not be interrupted. That is a weakness in White’s game, and it was necessary for Black to prevent his Kt being driven off by P-KKt4. P-KR4 was the correct move. Then White also had to play P-KR4 to prevent P-KKt4-5, in which case Black could have played l3. … P-KKt3, and have brought his Rooks into concerted action. P-KKt3 would have been necessary before castling, because White’s B-Q3 would have attacked the KKt. The latter could not then capture the Queen’s Pawn on account of a discovered check, e.g. l2. … Castles; 13 B-Q3, KtxP?; 14 KtxKt, KtxKt; 15 BxKt, QxB?; 16 B-R7ch, and QxQ.In Diagram 139 Black’s P-QR4 is not only a lost move, but moreover allows a White piece to settle permanently at QKt5. It also prevents the Knight from playing to QR4, from where White’s P-QR4 could be answered by Kt-Kt6 eventually.13. P-QR4 R-QB1 14. B-Kt5 Kt-Kt5All these skirmishes only result in the exchange of pieces, and as long as Black’s KRis out of play this can only be of advantage to White.15. Kt-B3 Kt-QR3This is in order to drive off the B. Black should have exchanged his own inactive QB, as the White B might become effective on the Diagonal QKt1-KR7, whilst Black’s QB has no future.16. K-Kt2 Kt-B2 17. B-K2 B-Kt5Black cannot yet castle, because of 18. B-Q3 Kt-KR3, 19. B-QB1).18. Kt-R2 Kt-QR3 19. B-Q3 Kt-K2 20. R-QB1 Kt-B3 21. KtxB QKtxKt 22. B-Kt1White’s last eight moves completed his development, and his Bishops lie in wait for the attack on the Black King. Meanwhile Black has effected nothing. On the contrary, he[Illustration]Diag. 140has exchanged his valuable KB, and also allowed his KKt to be driven off. His King’s side is bare, and castling would be fraught with danger. If Black castles now, White plays Kt-Kt5, and Black must weaken his position by P-R3 or P-Kt3, and White would advance his KtP or RP and force an exchange, opening a file for his Rook. In consequence Black decides to forfeit castling and to bring his KR to bear on the KB file. For this also Black must first play P-R3, and White obtains an open file by P-Kt4- Kt5. The sequel is shown here.22. … P-R3 23. P-Kt4 Kt-K2 24. RxRch BxR 25. Kt-K1White waits first, to see whether Black is going to castle, and meanwhile tries to exchange Black’s QKt, which commands his QB2 and Q3.25. … R-B1 26. Kt-Q3 P-B3 27. KtxKt QxKt 28. PxP RxP 29. B-B1 Kt-B3 30. P-Kt5 PxP 31. BxP R-B1 32. B-K3 Q-K2 33. Q-Kt4This provides against Black attempting to free his Bishop by P- K4. Black’s B-Q2 is countered by B-Kt6ch. White new wins surprisingly quickly, through the greater mobility of his pieces.33. … Q-B334. R-Kt1 R-R135. K-R1 R-R5Here Black could have held out a little longer by defending his KtP: 35. … K-B1; 36. R-Kt3, R-R5; 37. Q-Q1, K-Kt1; 38. B-Kt5, QxP (RxP, 39. Q-R5); 39. R-Q3, QxP; 40. BxR, QxB.36. Q-Kt3 RxPCompulsory. B-Kt5 was threatened, and after R-R1, QxP, QxQ, RxQ, the RP wins easily.37. BxR KtxB 38. QxP Q-B6ch 39. Q-Kt2 QxQch 40. RxQ KtxP 41. P-R4 Resigns.GAME No. 28White: Alapin. Black: Rubinstein.Sicilian Defence.1. P-K4 P-QB4At first glance this move would seem to lose time, as it does nothing towards the main object of opening strategy, namely, the development of pieces. But we shall find that it does contribute to that aim, although indirectly. For one thing it could, by a transposition of moves, lead into an opening in which P-QB4 is played in any case; in other openings it is of use, in that it acts from the first against the formation of a strong white centre. Concurrently it prepares the opening of a file for the Rooks.2. Kt-KB3 Kt-KB3?Black should not play Kt-KB3 as long as White’s P-K5 means the clear gain of a move. There are plenty of developing moves to choose from.Two systems of development can be followed by Black according to whether the KB is to develop at K2 or Kt2. In the first case (compare Game No. 29) P-K3 is played. In the second case, the opening might take this course: 2. … Kt-QB3; 3. P-Q4, PxP; 4. KtxP, Kt-B3; 5. Kt-QB3, P-Q3 (not P-KKt3 at once, because White would exchange Knights and drive off the KKt by P-K5); 6. B-K3, P-KKt3, and B-Kt2. White’s position is superior, as he has a pawn in the centre in conjunction with greater mobility. Black will find it difficult to bring his QB into play. Nevertheless his position is compact and difficult to get at.3. P-K5Undoubtedly Rubinstein had taken this move into account when playing 2. … Kt-KB3. His idea was to provoke the advance of the KP. The pawn at K5 is weaker than at K4, particularly as Black’s QBP prevents its natural support by P-Q4. Moreover Black’s Q4 is free from interference by White. White refutes this ultra subtilty by simple and straight-forward play, and he gets such an advantage in development that his attack succeeds before Black is able to demonstrate any weakness in White’s game.3. … Kt-Q4 4. Kt-B3 KtxKt 5. QPxKt Kt-B3 6. B-QB4 P-Q3After 6 … P-K3, 7. B-B4 would restrain the QP.7. B-B4 PxPAt this early stage Black has no satisfactory means of development. The QP is attacked three times, and therefore the KP cannot move, nor can the KB be developed at Kt2. B-Kt5, in order to play BxKt and PxP, is refuted by BxPch. The move in the text which brings about the exchange of Queens, but develops another White piece at the same time, is more or less forced. It is instructive to watch how White’s advantage in development soon materialises.8. KtxP QxQch9. RxQ KtxKt10. BxKt P-QR3White’s threat of B-Kt5ch could not be parried by B-Q2 because of 11. BxPch.[Illustration]Diag. 14111. B-B7 B-Kt5 12. P-B3 QR-B1 13. B-Kt6 B-B4 14. B-Kt3 P-K4 15. B-R4ch K-K2 16. P-QB4Here White could have won a pawn at once by R-Q5. If then K-K3, 17. P-QB4.16. … P-B3 17. K-B2 K-B2 18. B-Q7! BxB 19. RxBch B-K2 20. KR-Q1!The pawns can wait. 20. RxP would not have been profitable because of R-QKt1.20. … K-K3 21. RxP B-Q3Black might have resigned here. It is only a question of time.22. B-R7 R-B3Otherwise there follows R-Kt6.23. RxP P-QR4 24. R-Kt7 R-R1 25. R-Q5 P-R4 26. P-QR4 P-R5 27. P-QKt3 R(R1)-QB1 28. R-Kt5 Resigns.GAME No. 29White: Teichmann. Black: Spielmann.Sicilian Defence (see p. 215).1. P-K4 P-QB4 2. Kt-QB3 P-K3 3. KKt-K2This comes to the same as Kt-B3, as after P-Q4, PxP the Knight recaptures. If, however, Black plays P-Q4 there is a certain advantage for White to have the Kt at K2, e.g. 3. … P-Q4; 4. PxP, PxP; 5. P-Q4. If now Black does not exchange pawns, White is able to bring his KB to bear on the centre after P-KKt3 and B- Kt2.3. … Kt-QB3White can exchange this Knight later on, and thus make P-K5 possible as soon as he should deem it advisable to drive the Black Knight from his KB3, where the same is bound to develop sooner or later. It is perhaps wise to prevent P-K5 by Q-B2 instead of the move in the text. This is an old defence, introduced by Paulsen. Though it retards the development of Black’s minor pieces, it produces a strong defensive position, and the opening of the QB file gives attacking chances on the Queen’s side. The defence might run like this: 3. … P-QR3; 4. P-Q4, PxP; 5. KtxP, Q-B2; 6. B-K3, Kt-KB3; 7. B-K2, B-K2; 8. Castles, P-QKt4 followed by B-Kt2, P-Q3, QKt-Q2, etc.4. P-Q4 PxP 5. KtxP P-QR3 6. KtxKt KtPxKt 7. B-Q3 P-Q4 8. Castles Kt-B3 9. B-KB4 B-Kt5[Illustration]Diag. 142As White can force Black to play P-Kt3, a weakening move, by P-K5 and Q-Kt4, Black should have played P-Kt3 at once, so as to have Kt-R4 in answer to P-K5, thus keeping one piece for the defence of the King’s side. The latter is in jeopardy after the move in the text, and White’s attack succeeds.10. P-K5 Kt-Q2 11. Q-Kt4 P-Kt3 12. KR-K1 P-QB4Of course Black must not accept the sacrifice of the exchange by playing P-Q5. After 13 Kt-K4, BxR; 14 Kt-Q6ch, K-B1; 15 R x B, Black is in a mating net, from which there is no escape, as he has no time to collect sufficient forces for the defence. The move in the text does not stem the tide either, and White quickly forces the win by a beautiful combination.13. P-QR3 B-R4 14. B-KKt5 Q-Kt3Q-B2 leads to the same conclusion.15. P-Kt4! PxP 16. KtxP PxKt 17. P-K6The object of White’s fifteenth move is revealed. Without it the R at K1 would now be attacked.17. … P-B4Kt-B4 fails on account of 18. PxPch, KxP; 19. R-K7ch, followed by Q-KB4.18. PxKt double ch KxP19. BxPch Resigns.GAME No. 30White: Tarrasch. Black: Spielmann.Sicilian Defence.1. P-K4 P-QB4 2. Kt-QB3 Kt-QB3 3. P-KKt3Speedy development by Kt-B3 and P-Q4 is more desirable, as otherwise Black may have time to get a firm footing at his Q5.3. … P-KKt3 4. B-Kt2 B-Kt2The Black Bishop is the more effective, as the line of the White Bishop is masked by the KP. Small as this advantage would seem, it becomes serious later on. It is another confirmation of the doctrine that the value of each manœuvre in the opening depends on the measure of mobility it affords for the pieces.5. KKt-K2 Kt-B3 6. P-Q3Here White could still obtain a freer game with P-Q4. Perhaps he was afraid of losing a pawn after 6. … PxP; 7. KtxP, KtxP. But there is nothing in it, e.g. 8. KKtxKt, KtxKt; 9. KtxQ, KtxQ; 10. KtxBP! (KtxKtP? BxKt; 11. BxB, R-QKt1), KxKt (KtxBP?; 11. KtxR, KtxR; 12. KtxP, KtxP; 13. KtxP), KxKt. There was nothing else to be feared after P-Q4.6. … P-Q3 7. Castles B-Q2in order to play Q-B1 and B-R6 and to exchange Bishops, after which there would be weak points at White’s KR3 and KB3.8. P-KR3 Castles 9. B-K3 P-KR3Black also prevents an exchange of Bishops.10. Q-Q2 K-R2 11. P-B4 Kt-K1The position has now become exceedingly difficult. In order to make the most of the favourable development of his KB, Black must advance on the Queen’s side. But in moving his King’s side pieces over to the Queen’s side, Black must proceed warily, as White might get chances of an attack with overwhelming forces on the King’s side.12. P-KKt4 Kt-B2 13. Kt-Kt3Here it was necessary to play R-B2 in order to play the QR to KB1 before Black could manage to drive the Kt to Q1 by P-QKt4-5.13. … P-QKt414. Kt-Q1?It would still have been better to play QR-K1 and to leave the Queen’s side to itself as long as possible after P-Kt5, 15. Kt- Q1, in order to start an assault on the King’s side with P-B5, P- KR4 and P-Kt5. After the text move the Queen’s Rook remains shut in.14. … QR-Kt1 15. Kt-K2in order to play P-B3 and P-Q4. The whole plan, however, is inconsequent, as he has started an attack on the King’s side. Now he suddenly opens up files on the Queen’s side where Black has assembled superior forces. The result is that White gets into trouble on both wings, for as soon as he gives up his King’s side attack, the advanced pawns there, as one knows, are only a source of weakness.15. … P-Kt5 16. P-B3 PxP 17. PxP Q-B1 18. P-Q4 PxP 19. PxP Q-R3 20. R-B1 Kt-Kt4 21. P-Q5[Illustration]Diag. 143This shuts in the White KB altogether, and at the same time opens the diagonal of Black’s KB. Therefore, on principle alone the move is questionable. In effect it gives Black an opportunity for a beautiful winning combination. Only P-K5 was worth considering, as then the opposing Bishop would have been shut in and White’s own diagonal opened.21. … Kt-Kt5!! 22. QxKt Kt-Q5 23. QxKt BxQ 24. KtxBAlthough three minor pieces are generally an equivalent for the Queen, in this case the White game collapses quickly. The advanced pawns have produced too many weak points which afford an entry for the Black forces.24. … KR-B1 25. RxR RxR 26. R-B2 Q-R6 27. R-K2B-R5 was threatened. But the text move is of no avail either. Black winds up the game with another fine combination.27. … R-B8!28. BxR QxBIf R-K1, Q-B4.29. Kt-B3 QxKtch30. K-B2 B-Kt4Resigns.GAME No. 31White: John. Black: JanowskiSicilian Defence.1. P-K4 P-QB4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. P-Q4 PxP 4. KtxP Kt-B3The aim of this move is to provoke Kt-B3, and incidentally to prevent P-QB4. The latter move would give White command of his Q5 and not only prevent Black’s P-Q4 but also immobilise Black’s KP unless his QP is to remain “backward.”5. QKt-B3 P-KKt3As shown on p. 216, P-Q3 must be played first. In any case Black must be wary of playing P-KKt3. If, for instance, after P-Q3 White plays 6. B-QB4, and Black replies with P-KKt3, there follows 7. KtxKt, PxKt; 8. P-K5!, Kt-Kt5 (PxP?, 9. BxPch); 9. P- K6, P-KB4, with advantage to White (see game in the match Schlechter-Lasker).6. KtxKt KtPxKt7. P-K5 Kt-Kt18. B-QB4 P-Q49. PxP, e.p. PxP10. Q-B3[Illustration]Diag. 144White has now three pieces in action and Black none. Black’s game is hopeless already; his B2 cannot be covered by Q-Q2 because of: 11. BxPch, QxB; 12. QxPch, and after Q-K2ch there follows: 11. B-K3, B-Kt2; 12. Castles QR, and 13. KR-K1, with an overwhelming attack.10. … Q-Q2 11. Kt-Q5In view of the fact that his game is so much more developed, and that the opposing King will hardly be able to escape from the centre of the board, White decides to sacrifice a Knight in order to open the files in the centre for his Rooks, instead of following the simple line indicated in the previous note.11. … PxKt 12. BxP Q-K2ch 13. B-K3 R-Kt1 14. Castles KRCastles QR is stronger still, as the QR gets into action at once.14. … B-KKt2 15. B-KB4 R-Kt3 16. B-B6ch RxBIf B-Q2, the continuation might have been: 17. BxB, QxB; 18. QR- Q1, Q-Kt2; 19. KR-K1ch, Kt-K2; 20. RxKtch, KxR; 21. BxPch, etc.; or 18. … Q-B1; 19. BxP, etc.After 17. R-K1 Black could have held out a little longer with B- B3. After the text move, however, Black’s game collapses quickly before the concentrated onslaught of the White forces.17. QxRch Q-Q2 18. Q R-K1ch Kt-K2 19. RxKtch! KxR 20. R-K1ch K-B1 21. BxPch K-Kt1 22. R-K8ch B-B1 23. RxBch K-Kt2 24. Q-B3ch Resigns.GAME No. 32White: Ed. Lasker. Black: Mieses.Centre Counter Defence.1. P-K4 P-Q4 2. PxP Kt-KB3This is to tempt White to play P-QB4, a weak move (see p. 35). By playing P-QB3 Black would obtain by far the better game in exchange for the pawn.3. P-Q4 QxPKtxP can also be played. In either case White wins a move by driving off the Black piece by Kt-QB3 or P-QB4. Furthermore, White has a pawn in the centre. Black’s plan in retaking with the Queen might be to castle early on the Queen’s side and attack White’s centre pawn by P-K4, and White must be on the alert against this plan, though it will not be easy for Black to put the same into execution, because of the exposed position of his Queen. After 4. Kt-QB3, Q-QR4 is the only move which brings the Queen into momentary security, and even then Black must provide for a retreat, as after White’s B-Q2 there would be a threat of an advantageous “discovery” by the Kt. P-QB3 provides such a retreat, but it bars the QKt from its natural development at B3, where the Kt could exert further pressure on White’s Q4. The QB, too, is difficult to get into play and easily becomes an object of attack, as in the present game.4. Kt-QB3 Q-QR4 5. Kt-B3 B-B4B-Kt5 would only help White’s intentions to attack on the King’s side in the absence of Black’s Queen, e.g. 6. P-KR3, B-R4; 7. P- KKt4, B-Kt3; 8. Kt-K5 (threatening Kt-B4), P-B3; 9. P-KR4, Q Kt- Q2; 10. Kt-B4, Q-B2; 11. P-R5, B-K5; 12. KtxB, KtxKt; 13. Q-B3 and B-B4 with the superior game.[Illustration]Diag. 1456. Kt-K5! Kt-K5P-B3 was urgent here, to provide against Kt-B4 and Q-B3. Now the game is as good as lost. White obtains a violent attack with superior forces, and brings it home before Black has time to complete his development.7. Q-B3 Kt-Q3If KtxKt, B-Q2.8. B-Q2 P-K3 9. P-KKt4 B-Kt3Black had to guard his KB2 because of Kt-Kt5, KtxKt, QxPch.10. P-KR4 Q-Kt3 11. Castles P-KB3Compulsory. Kt-B3 is refuted by 12. KtxKt, QxKt; 13. QxQ, PxQ; 14. B-Kt2 and P-R5. On the other hand, the answer to 11. … QxP would be 12. B-KB4, Q-B4; 13. P-R5, P-B3; 14. PxB, PxKt; 15. B- KKt5 followed by RxKt and R-Q8 or Q-B7 mate.12. KtxB PxKt 13. B-Q3 QxPK-B2 or P-KB4 were also unavailing in consequence of Black’s poor development.14. BxPch K-Q2 15. B-K3 Q-Kt5 16. P-R3 Q-B5 17. QxKtP Q-B3 18. B-K4 Resigns.GAME No. 33White: Barasz. Black: Mieses.Centre Counter Defence.1. P-K4 P-Q 4 2. PxP QxP 3. Kt-QB3 Q-QR4 4. Kt-B3It is better to advance the QP at once and so threaten B-Q2, after which Black is almost under compulsion to provide a retreat for his Q by P-QB3, thus blocking his QKt.4. … Kt-QB3 5. B-K2 B-B4 6. P-Q3Already now the mistake of having allowed Black to develop his Queen’s side unmolested is apparent. P-Q4 is now impossible, for Black would castle on the Queen’s side and keep the initiative by exerting a permanent pressure on White’s QP by P-K4. White must yield up the centre to Black.6. … P-K4 7. B-Q2 Castles 8. P-QR3 Q-B4The Queen must escape from White’s threat of P-QKt4.9. Castles Kt-B3 10. P-QKt4 Q-K2 11. P-Kt5This advance is somewhat purposeless, as the White pieces are not ready for an attack on Black’s King. It is difficult, though, to find a sensible plan, as the White pieces have so little mobility. It would perhaps be best to play R-K1, B-B1, and Kt-K4.11. … Kt-Q5 12. R-K1 Q-B4 13. B-KB1 B-Q3 14. Q-Kt1?[Illustration]Diag. 146The purpose of this move is not clear. The advance of the KtP could only be condoned by a desire to obtain an open file, and it seems illogical to protect it now. If White wanted to escape the pinning of his KKt he need not have moved the Queen. KtxKt would have effected this and prevented the King’s side from being laid bare.White’s game would still have been bad, particularly as the exchange at Q4 opens the diagonal for the Black KB, but the move in the text has even a worse effect. Mieses concludes the game with an elegant sacrifice.14. … KtxKtch 15. PxKt P-K5! 16. QPxP BxPch 17. KxB QxPch 18. B-Kt2 RxB 19. R-K2 RxR 20. KtxR QxKt 21. PxB Q-K4ch 22. K-R1 R-K1Black has wrought fearful havoc in the White ranks, and the defenceless King cannot withstand the onslaught of the three White pieces for long.23. P-QB4 Kt-R4 24. K-Kt1 Q-Q5ch 25. K-R2 R-K7threatening Q-R5ch, Q-B7ch, and mate at Kt7 or R7.26. Q-R1 Q-K4ch27. P-B4 QxPch28. K-Kt1 Q-Q5chResigns.GAME No. 34White: Em. Lasker. Black: Niemzowitsch.Caro-Kann Defence (compare p. 50).1. P-K4 P-QB3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 PxP 4. KtxP Kt-B3 5. KtxKt KtPxKt 6. B-K2 B-B4 7. B-B3 Q-R4ch 8. P-B3 P-KR4!A deep conception. If White accepts the proffered sacrifice of a pawn, he loses time, as he must retire his B before bringing out his Kt, and, moreover, the KR file being open, he can only castle on the Q side. But there the Black Queen is ready for the attack. If he refuses the sacrifice, the text move is still of value, as even then it is hardly advisable for White to castle on the K side, whilst Black can play B-R3 as soon as it might be desirable to exchange White’s QB.9. BxP Kt-Q2 10. B-Kt4 BxB 11. QxB Castles 12. Kt-K2 P-K3 13. B-B4 Q-QKt4!Black is the first to complete his development, and he assumes the offensive.14. Castles QR!This is much stronger than the alternative P-QKt3, which would fatally disturb the pawn skeleton, particularly as castling is only possible on the Q side. Although Black can now gain two pawns, White obtains an attack and Black only just manages to escape with a draw.14. … Kt-Kt3 15. Kt-Kt3intending Q-K2 in answer to Kt-B5. Again P-QKt3 is not to be thought of, and R-Q2 also fails because of Kt-B5; 16. R-B2, KtxP.15. … Q-Q4 16. K-Kt1 QxKtP 17. QR-Kt1 QxBP 18. Kt-K4 Q-R5 19. Q-B3 Kt-B5![Illustration]Diag. 147Whilst Black was busy capturing two pawns by moving the Queen four times, White was concentrating the whole of his forces, and now threatens to win back the pawn with R-Kt4. The move in the text anticipates the threat, for now the answer to 20. R-Kt4 would be Q-R4; 21. KtxP?, Q-B4ch; 22. Kt-K4?? Kt-Q7ch, winning the Q.20. K-R1 P-KB4 21. Kt-Kt5 B-Q3 22. B-B1 R-Q2 23. R-Kt2 B-B2intending to get rid of the awkward White Knight by Kt-Q3-K5.24. KR-Kt Kt-Q3 25. Q-K2 Kt-K5 26. Kt-B3 Q-R6 27. P-R3White appears to be in “time” difficulties, or else he remains passive, in order to give Black an opportunity for making the risky attempt to hold the extra pawn by P-B3 and P-K4.27. … P-R3 28. B-K3 KR-Q1 29. K-R2 R-R1If Black wants to play for a win, he must play P-B3. In view of the favourable position of the White pieces, he prefers to risk nothing and to avoid the weakening of position which follows upon practically every pawn move.30. K-R1 KR-Q1 31. K-R2 R-K1 32. R-Kt8 RxR 33. RxRch R-Q1 34. R-Kt7 R-Q2 35. R-Kt8chAs long as Black plays steadily, White cannot hope for more than a draw.35. … R-Q1 36. R-Kt7 R-B1 37. P-B4 Kt-B3In order to drive off the Rook; White now enforces the draw by a fine combination.38. B-Kt5! Kt-R4 39. RxP! RxR 40. QxPch R-Q2Not K-Kt1 on account of 41. Q-K8ch, K-R2; 42. QxR, QxKt; 43. QxB, threatening B-K7.41. Kt-K5! Draw.For after BxKt there follows 42. Q-K8ch, K-B2; 43. QxBch, with perpetual check.Both players have shown a deep positional insight, and the game shows in an interesting manner how a preponderance of material can be counterbalanced by the greater mobility of the pieces.GAME No. 35White: Reti. Black: Tartakower.Caro-Kann Defence.1. P-K4 P-QB3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 PxP 4. KtxP Kt-KB3 5. Q-Q3White wishes to castle as soon as possible on the Queen’s side, in order to operate on the Queen’s file with the help of the Rook.5. … P-K4Here Black loses two moves in bringing White’s centre pawn away. The manœuvre therefore is not sound. QKt-Q2, KtxKt, and Kt-B3, or any other developing moves would be preferable.6. PxP Q-R4ch7. B-Q2 QxP8. Castles![Illustration]Diag. 148White prepares a magnificent mating combination, which can only be made possible at such an early stage, when the opponent has utterly neglected his development.8. … KtxKt9. Q-Q8ch!! KxQ10. B-Kt5 double ch K-B211. B-Q8 mateA beautiful mate. If 11. … K-K1, 11. R-Q8 mate.GAME No. 36White: Forgacz. Black: E. Cohn.Queen’s Gambit.1. P-Q4 P-Q4 2. Kt-KB3 P-K3 3. P-B4 PxP 4. Kt-B3 Kt-KB3 5. B-Kt5 B-K2 6. P-K4 P-KR3Through 3. … PxP Black’s development is one move behind, and such pawn moves should at any cost be avoided as do not contribute to the mobilisation of the pieces. Castles, P-QKt3, B- Kt2, and QKt-Q 2 was the proper course.7. BxKtThis is better than to withdraw the Bishop; Black’s last move was clearly loss of time.7.. … BxB 8. BxP Kt-Q2 9. Castles Castles[Illustration]Diag. 149There seems to be nothing alarming about the position, yet on closer investigation a number of vital failings can be discerned in Black’s camp. The absence of a pawn in the centre and the unsatisfactory development have a far-reaching influence. White will be able to bring his forces to the King’s side by way of K4, which is made accessible by the disappearance of Black’s QP, before Black has time to bring his QB to bear on White’s K4 by P- QKt3 and B-Kt2. White’s immediate threat (after P-K5) is Q-K2-K4 and B-Q3. If Black does not wish to risk P-KKt3, he must defend himself with R-K1, Kt-B1. In the meantime White can play R-Q1 and threaten P-Q5, opening the Queen’s file. This again necessitates P-B3, which postpones the efficiency of the QB at Kt2 until White’s QKt and QR have been brought up for the attack. The game develops on these lines, and provides an excellent example of the advantage of the command of the centre.10. P-K5 B-K2 11. Q-K2 R-K1 12. QR-Q1 P-QB3 13. Q-K4 Q-B2preparing P-QKt3.14. KR-K1 Kt-B1 15. Q-Kt4 P-QKt3 16. Q-R5 B-Kt2 17. R-K4 B-Kt5Black cannot yet play P-QB4, as R-B4 is threatened with an attack on KB7. The Bishop which obstructs the Q would have no move, save the sorry retreat to Q1, and White would win speedily: 17. … P- QB4; 18. R-B4, B-Q1; 19. P-Q5, PxP; 20. KtxP, BxKt; 21. BxB, attacking R and P.18. R-Kt4 BxKt 19. PxB K-R1QxP was threatened.20. Kt-Kt5 R-K2 21. Kt-K4Even the Knight is brought in via K4.21. … R-Q1 22. R-Q3 P-QB4 23. Kt-B6threatening QxPch and R-Kt8 mate. Black cannot capture the Kt because of QxPch and mate at Kt7. But the mate cannot be delayed much longer in view of the concentration of superior forces for the attack.23. … Kt-Kt3 24. R-R3 ResignsThere is no answer to Q-Kt5 and RxP.GAME No. 37White: Marshall. Black: Capablanca.Queen’s Gambit Declined (see p. 52).1. P-Q4 P-Q4 2. P-QB4 P-K3 3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 4. B-Kt5 B-K2 5. P-K3 Kt-K5
[Illustration]Diag. 137
Diag. 137
13. P-B3 P-QR3 14. Q-B2 P-B4 15. P-KKt3 Kt-B4 16. B-Kt2 Q-B2
Black wishes to push on the KP. White, however, prevents this at once.
17. Q-K2 P-Kt4 18. Castles B-Kt2
The Black position has any number of weaknesses. The King cannot castle into safety; the pawn position is full of holes, and open to attack. White takes full advantage of this and wins in masterly fashion with a few strokes.
19. P-B4 P-Kt5 20. Q-Q2 R-Kt1
Now White cannot capture the KtP because of BxKt. But he does not want the pawn, he wants the King.
21. Q-R6 BxKt 22. BxB Q-K4 23. KR-K1 QxP 24. Q-B4 QR-B1 25. Q-Q6 P-B3
Mate in two was threatened (B-B6ch, etc.).
26. B-R5ch R-Kt3 27. BxRch PxB 28. RxPch Resigns.
White: Capablanca. Black: Blanco
French Defence.
1. P-K4 P-K3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 PxP 4. KtxP Kt-Q2 5. Kt-KB3 KKt-B3 6. KtxKtch KtxKt 7. Kt-K5
This crosses Black’s plan of developing the QB at Kt2.
9. B-Kt5ch, P-B3; 10. KtxP was threatened.
9. P-B3 Castles 10. B-KKt5 B-K2 11. B-Q3
Whatever Black plays now, he must create some weakness in order to provide against White’s Q-R3, BxKt, QxRP, and White’s attack must succeed. The whole of Black’s plan is thus frustrated, as the only reason for abandoning the centre by PxP was the occupation of the long diagonal by the QB. Now the Queen’s side pieces cannot get into play without much difficulty, and by the time they have succeeded it is too late.
[Illustration]Diag. 138
Diag. 138
11. … Kt-K1
Intending to intercept the diagonal of the White KB by P-KB4. If Black plays P-KKt3 with the same intention, White plays P-KR4-5 and PxP, and brings the Rook into play.
P-KR3 would lead to an immediate disaster: 13. BxP, PxB; 14. QxRP, P-KB4; 15. P-KKt4. The move in the text avoids the immediate attack on the King, but the King’s Pawn is now “backward,” and White immediately fastens on this weakness.
13. BxB QxB 14. Castles KR R-B3 15. KR-K1 Kt-Q3 16. R-K2 B-Q2 17. QR-K1 R-K1 18. P-QB4 Kt-B2 19. P-Q5 KtxKt 20. RxKt P-KKt3
21. BxP was threatened.
21. Q-R4 K-Kt2 22. Q-Q4 P-B4 23. Q-B3 P-Kt3 24. PxP B-B1 25. B-K2
The Bishop now settles at Q5, and whether Black takes the pawn or not, he is paralysed either by the pawn itself, or the pin of the Bishop if the pawn is taken.
25. … BxP 26. B-B3 K-B2 27. B-Q5 Q-Q3 28. Q-K3 R-K2 29. Q-R6 K-Kt1 30. P-KR4
The deciding manœuvre, tearing up the chain of pawns in front of the K.
30. … P-QR3 31. P-R5 P-B5 32. PxP PxP 33. RxB Resigns.
After RxR, 34. RxR, RxR; 35. QxPch wins a piece. A beautifully concise game.
White: Niemzowitsch. Black: Tarrasch. French Defence.
This opening is called the Sicilian Defence. White, however, adopts a continuation which leads into a variation of the French Defence.
2. P-QB3 P-K3 3. P-Q4 P-Q4 4. P-K5 Kt-QB3 5. Kt-B3 Q-Kt3 6. B-Q3 PxP
Black seeks to demonstrate that White’s QP is weak. The present game, however, seems to prove that White is able to guard it adequately, thus permanently supporting the KP too. It would therefore appear to be better to attack the KP itself, and to play P-B3 on the fifth move. Now B-Q2 would be better than the text move. As White cannot give further support to his Q4, he would have to play PxP, and the protection of the K5 would have to be undertaken by pieces, which is not desirable.
7. PxP B-Q2
Not KtxP, 8. KtxKt, QxKt, because of B-Kt5ch.
The B cannot go to B2 on account of Kt-Kt5 and B-Kt4.
8. … KKt-K29. P-QKt3 Kt-B410. B-Kt2
Now White’s centre is safe from further attacks. True, White has forfeited castling, but as he dominates the King’s side, where Black cannot undertake anything, there is no harm in P-Kt3, preparatory to “artificial castling.”
10. … B-Kt5ch 11. K-B1 B-K2
Directed against 12. P-Kt4, driving off the Kt. Now Kt-R5 would follow.
12. P-Kt3 P-QR4
[Illustration]Diag. 139
Diag. 139
This manœuvre is unwise; White counters with 13. P-QR4, a move which was necessary in any case, in order to develop the QKt via R3, this being the Knight’s only chance of getting into play, because, as long as the QP is attacked three times the lines of B and Q must not be interrupted. That is a weakness in White’s game, and it was necessary for Black to prevent his Kt being driven off by P-KKt4. P-KR4 was the correct move. Then White also had to play P-KR4 to prevent P-KKt4-5, in which case Black could have played l3. … P-KKt3, and have brought his Rooks into concerted action. P-KKt3 would have been necessary before castling, because White’s B-Q3 would have attacked the KKt. The latter could not then capture the Queen’s Pawn on account of a discovered check, e.g. l2. … Castles; 13 B-Q3, KtxP?; 14 KtxKt, KtxKt; 15 BxKt, QxB?; 16 B-R7ch, and QxQ.
In Diagram 139 Black’s P-QR4 is not only a lost move, but moreover allows a White piece to settle permanently at QKt5. It also prevents the Knight from playing to QR4, from where White’s P-QR4 could be answered by Kt-Kt6 eventually.
13. P-QR4 R-QB1 14. B-Kt5 Kt-Kt5
All these skirmishes only result in the exchange of pieces, and as long as Black’s KRis out of play this can only be of advantage to White.
15. Kt-B3 Kt-QR3
This is in order to drive off the B. Black should have exchanged his own inactive QB, as the White B might become effective on the Diagonal QKt1-KR7, whilst Black’s QB has no future.
16. K-Kt2 Kt-B2 17. B-K2 B-Kt5
Black cannot yet castle, because of 18. B-Q3 Kt-KR3, 19. B-QB1).
18. Kt-R2 Kt-QR3 19. B-Q3 Kt-K2 20. R-QB1 Kt-B3 21. KtxB QKtxKt 22. B-Kt1
White’s last eight moves completed his development, and his Bishops lie in wait for the attack on the Black King. Meanwhile Black has effected nothing. On the contrary, he
[Illustration]Diag. 140
Diag. 140
has exchanged his valuable KB, and also allowed his KKt to be driven off. His King’s side is bare, and castling would be fraught with danger. If Black castles now, White plays Kt-Kt5, and Black must weaken his position by P-R3 or P-Kt3, and White would advance his KtP or RP and force an exchange, opening a file for his Rook. In consequence Black decides to forfeit castling and to bring his KR to bear on the KB file. For this also Black must first play P-R3, and White obtains an open file by P-Kt4- Kt5. The sequel is shown here.
22. … P-R3 23. P-Kt4 Kt-K2 24. RxRch BxR 25. Kt-K1
White waits first, to see whether Black is going to castle, and meanwhile tries to exchange Black’s QKt, which commands his QB2 and Q3.
25. … R-B1 26. Kt-Q3 P-B3 27. KtxKt QxKt 28. PxP RxP 29. B-B1 Kt-B3 30. P-Kt5 PxP 31. BxP R-B1 32. B-K3 Q-K2 33. Q-Kt4
This provides against Black attempting to free his Bishop by P- K4. Black’s B-Q2 is countered by B-Kt6ch. White new wins surprisingly quickly, through the greater mobility of his pieces.
33. … Q-B334. R-Kt1 R-R135. K-R1 R-R5
Here Black could have held out a little longer by defending his KtP: 35. … K-B1; 36. R-Kt3, R-R5; 37. Q-Q1, K-Kt1; 38. B-Kt5, QxP (RxP, 39. Q-R5); 39. R-Q3, QxP; 40. BxR, QxB.
36. Q-Kt3 RxP
Compulsory. B-Kt5 was threatened, and after R-R1, QxP, QxQ, RxQ, the RP wins easily.
37. BxR KtxB 38. QxP Q-B6ch 39. Q-Kt2 QxQch 40. RxQ KtxP 41. P-R4 Resigns.
White: Alapin. Black: Rubinstein.
Sicilian Defence.
At first glance this move would seem to lose time, as it does nothing towards the main object of opening strategy, namely, the development of pieces. But we shall find that it does contribute to that aim, although indirectly. For one thing it could, by a transposition of moves, lead into an opening in which P-QB4 is played in any case; in other openings it is of use, in that it acts from the first against the formation of a strong white centre. Concurrently it prepares the opening of a file for the Rooks.
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-KB3?
Black should not play Kt-KB3 as long as White’s P-K5 means the clear gain of a move. There are plenty of developing moves to choose from.
Two systems of development can be followed by Black according to whether the KB is to develop at K2 or Kt2. In the first case (compare Game No. 29) P-K3 is played. In the second case, the opening might take this course: 2. … Kt-QB3; 3. P-Q4, PxP; 4. KtxP, Kt-B3; 5. Kt-QB3, P-Q3 (not P-KKt3 at once, because White would exchange Knights and drive off the KKt by P-K5); 6. B-K3, P-KKt3, and B-Kt2. White’s position is superior, as he has a pawn in the centre in conjunction with greater mobility. Black will find it difficult to bring his QB into play. Nevertheless his position is compact and difficult to get at.
Undoubtedly Rubinstein had taken this move into account when playing 2. … Kt-KB3. His idea was to provoke the advance of the KP. The pawn at K5 is weaker than at K4, particularly as Black’s QBP prevents its natural support by P-Q4. Moreover Black’s Q4 is free from interference by White. White refutes this ultra subtilty by simple and straight-forward play, and he gets such an advantage in development that his attack succeeds before Black is able to demonstrate any weakness in White’s game.
3. … Kt-Q4 4. Kt-B3 KtxKt 5. QPxKt Kt-B3 6. B-QB4 P-Q3
After 6 … P-K3, 7. B-B4 would restrain the QP.
7. B-B4 PxP
At this early stage Black has no satisfactory means of development. The QP is attacked three times, and therefore the KP cannot move, nor can the KB be developed at Kt2. B-Kt5, in order to play BxKt and PxP, is refuted by BxPch. The move in the text which brings about the exchange of Queens, but develops another White piece at the same time, is more or less forced. It is instructive to watch how White’s advantage in development soon materialises.
8. KtxP QxQch9. RxQ KtxKt10. BxKt P-QR3
White’s threat of B-Kt5ch could not be parried by B-Q2 because of 11. BxPch.
[Illustration]Diag. 141
Diag. 141
11. B-B7 B-Kt5 12. P-B3 QR-B1 13. B-Kt6 B-B4 14. B-Kt3 P-K4 15. B-R4ch K-K2 16. P-QB4
Here White could have won a pawn at once by R-Q5. If then K-K3, 17. P-QB4.
16. … P-B3 17. K-B2 K-B2 18. B-Q7! BxB 19. RxBch B-K2 20. KR-Q1!
The pawns can wait. 20. RxP would not have been profitable because of R-QKt1.
20. … K-K3 21. RxP B-Q3
Black might have resigned here. It is only a question of time.
Otherwise there follows R-Kt6.
23. RxP P-QR4 24. R-Kt7 R-R1 25. R-Q5 P-R4 26. P-QR4 P-R5 27. P-QKt3 R(R1)-QB1 28. R-Kt5 Resigns.
White: Teichmann. Black: Spielmann.
Sicilian Defence (see p. 215).
1. P-K4 P-QB4 2. Kt-QB3 P-K3 3. KKt-K2
This comes to the same as Kt-B3, as after P-Q4, PxP the Knight recaptures. If, however, Black plays P-Q4 there is a certain advantage for White to have the Kt at K2, e.g. 3. … P-Q4; 4. PxP, PxP; 5. P-Q4. If now Black does not exchange pawns, White is able to bring his KB to bear on the centre after P-KKt3 and B- Kt2.
3. … Kt-QB3
White can exchange this Knight later on, and thus make P-K5 possible as soon as he should deem it advisable to drive the Black Knight from his KB3, where the same is bound to develop sooner or later. It is perhaps wise to prevent P-K5 by Q-B2 instead of the move in the text. This is an old defence, introduced by Paulsen. Though it retards the development of Black’s minor pieces, it produces a strong defensive position, and the opening of the QB file gives attacking chances on the Queen’s side. The defence might run like this: 3. … P-QR3; 4. P-Q4, PxP; 5. KtxP, Q-B2; 6. B-K3, Kt-KB3; 7. B-K2, B-K2; 8. Castles, P-QKt4 followed by B-Kt2, P-Q3, QKt-Q2, etc.
4. P-Q4 PxP 5. KtxP P-QR3 6. KtxKt KtPxKt 7. B-Q3 P-Q4 8. Castles Kt-B3 9. B-KB4 B-Kt5
[Illustration]Diag. 142
Diag. 142
As White can force Black to play P-Kt3, a weakening move, by P-K5 and Q-Kt4, Black should have played P-Kt3 at once, so as to have Kt-R4 in answer to P-K5, thus keeping one piece for the defence of the King’s side. The latter is in jeopardy after the move in the text, and White’s attack succeeds.
10. P-K5 Kt-Q2 11. Q-Kt4 P-Kt3 12. KR-K1 P-QB4
Of course Black must not accept the sacrifice of the exchange by playing P-Q5. After 13 Kt-K4, BxR; 14 Kt-Q6ch, K-B1; 15 R x B, Black is in a mating net, from which there is no escape, as he has no time to collect sufficient forces for the defence. The move in the text does not stem the tide either, and White quickly forces the win by a beautiful combination.
13. P-QR3 B-R4 14. B-KKt5 Q-Kt3
Q-B2 leads to the same conclusion.
15. P-Kt4! PxP 16. KtxP PxKt 17. P-K6
The object of White’s fifteenth move is revealed. Without it the R at K1 would now be attacked.
Kt-B4 fails on account of 18. PxPch, KxP; 19. R-K7ch, followed by Q-KB4.
18. PxKt double ch KxP19. BxPch Resigns.
White: Tarrasch. Black: Spielmann.
Sicilian Defence.
1. P-K4 P-QB4 2. Kt-QB3 Kt-QB3 3. P-KKt3
Speedy development by Kt-B3 and P-Q4 is more desirable, as otherwise Black may have time to get a firm footing at his Q5.
3. … P-KKt3 4. B-Kt2 B-Kt2
The Black Bishop is the more effective, as the line of the White Bishop is masked by the KP. Small as this advantage would seem, it becomes serious later on. It is another confirmation of the doctrine that the value of each manœuvre in the opening depends on the measure of mobility it affords for the pieces.
5. KKt-K2 Kt-B3 6. P-Q3
Here White could still obtain a freer game with P-Q4. Perhaps he was afraid of losing a pawn after 6. … PxP; 7. KtxP, KtxP. But there is nothing in it, e.g. 8. KKtxKt, KtxKt; 9. KtxQ, KtxQ; 10. KtxBP! (KtxKtP? BxKt; 11. BxB, R-QKt1), KxKt (KtxBP?; 11. KtxR, KtxR; 12. KtxP, KtxP; 13. KtxP), KxKt. There was nothing else to be feared after P-Q4.
6. … P-Q3 7. Castles B-Q2
in order to play Q-B1 and B-R6 and to exchange Bishops, after which there would be weak points at White’s KR3 and KB3.
8. P-KR3 Castles 9. B-K3 P-KR3
Black also prevents an exchange of Bishops.
10. Q-Q2 K-R2 11. P-B4 Kt-K1
The position has now become exceedingly difficult. In order to make the most of the favourable development of his KB, Black must advance on the Queen’s side. But in moving his King’s side pieces over to the Queen’s side, Black must proceed warily, as White might get chances of an attack with overwhelming forces on the King’s side.
12. P-KKt4 Kt-B2 13. Kt-Kt3
Here it was necessary to play R-B2 in order to play the QR to KB1 before Black could manage to drive the Kt to Q1 by P-QKt4-5.
13. … P-QKt414. Kt-Q1?
It would still have been better to play QR-K1 and to leave the Queen’s side to itself as long as possible after P-Kt5, 15. Kt- Q1, in order to start an assault on the King’s side with P-B5, P- KR4 and P-Kt5. After the text move the Queen’s Rook remains shut in.
14. … QR-Kt1 15. Kt-K2
in order to play P-B3 and P-Q4. The whole plan, however, is inconsequent, as he has started an attack on the King’s side. Now he suddenly opens up files on the Queen’s side where Black has assembled superior forces. The result is that White gets into trouble on both wings, for as soon as he gives up his King’s side attack, the advanced pawns there, as one knows, are only a source of weakness.
15. … P-Kt5 16. P-B3 PxP 17. PxP Q-B1 18. P-Q4 PxP 19. PxP Q-R3 20. R-B1 Kt-Kt4 21. P-Q5
[Illustration]Diag. 143
Diag. 143
This shuts in the White KB altogether, and at the same time opens the diagonal of Black’s KB. Therefore, on principle alone the move is questionable. In effect it gives Black an opportunity for a beautiful winning combination. Only P-K5 was worth considering, as then the opposing Bishop would have been shut in and White’s own diagonal opened.
21. … Kt-Kt5!! 22. QxKt Kt-Q5 23. QxKt BxQ 24. KtxB
Although three minor pieces are generally an equivalent for the Queen, in this case the White game collapses quickly. The advanced pawns have produced too many weak points which afford an entry for the Black forces.
24. … KR-B1 25. RxR RxR 26. R-B2 Q-R6 27. R-K2
B-R5 was threatened. But the text move is of no avail either. Black winds up the game with another fine combination.
27. … R-B8!28. BxR QxB
If R-K1, Q-B4.
29. Kt-B3 QxKtch30. K-B2 B-Kt4Resigns.
White: John. Black: Janowski
Sicilian Defence.
1. P-K4 P-QB4 2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3. P-Q4 PxP 4. KtxP Kt-B3
The aim of this move is to provoke Kt-B3, and incidentally to prevent P-QB4. The latter move would give White command of his Q5 and not only prevent Black’s P-Q4 but also immobilise Black’s KP unless his QP is to remain “backward.”
5. QKt-B3 P-KKt3
As shown on p. 216, P-Q3 must be played first. In any case Black must be wary of playing P-KKt3. If, for instance, after P-Q3 White plays 6. B-QB4, and Black replies with P-KKt3, there follows 7. KtxKt, PxKt; 8. P-K5!, Kt-Kt5 (PxP?, 9. BxPch); 9. P- K6, P-KB4, with advantage to White (see game in the match Schlechter-Lasker).
6. KtxKt KtPxKt7. P-K5 Kt-Kt18. B-QB4 P-Q49. PxP, e.p. PxP10. Q-B3
[Illustration]Diag. 144
Diag. 144
White has now three pieces in action and Black none. Black’s game is hopeless already; his B2 cannot be covered by Q-Q2 because of: 11. BxPch, QxB; 12. QxPch, and after Q-K2ch there follows: 11. B-K3, B-Kt2; 12. Castles QR, and 13. KR-K1, with an overwhelming attack.
10. … Q-Q2 11. Kt-Q5
In view of the fact that his game is so much more developed, and that the opposing King will hardly be able to escape from the centre of the board, White decides to sacrifice a Knight in order to open the files in the centre for his Rooks, instead of following the simple line indicated in the previous note.
11. … PxKt 12. BxP Q-K2ch 13. B-K3 R-Kt1 14. Castles KR
Castles QR is stronger still, as the QR gets into action at once.
14. … B-KKt2 15. B-KB4 R-Kt3 16. B-B6ch RxB
If B-Q2, the continuation might have been: 17. BxB, QxB; 18. QR- Q1, Q-Kt2; 19. KR-K1ch, Kt-K2; 20. RxKtch, KxR; 21. BxPch, etc.; or 18. … Q-B1; 19. BxP, etc.
After 17. R-K1 Black could have held out a little longer with B- B3. After the text move, however, Black’s game collapses quickly before the concentrated onslaught of the White forces.
17. QxRch Q-Q2 18. Q R-K1ch Kt-K2 19. RxKtch! KxR 20. R-K1ch K-B1 21. BxPch K-Kt1 22. R-K8ch B-B1 23. RxBch K-Kt2 24. Q-B3ch Resigns.
White: Ed. Lasker. Black: Mieses.
Centre Counter Defence.
1. P-K4 P-Q4 2. PxP Kt-KB3
This is to tempt White to play P-QB4, a weak move (see p. 35). By playing P-QB3 Black would obtain by far the better game in exchange for the pawn.
3. P-Q4 QxP
KtxP can also be played. In either case White wins a move by driving off the Black piece by Kt-QB3 or P-QB4. Furthermore, White has a pawn in the centre. Black’s plan in retaking with the Queen might be to castle early on the Queen’s side and attack White’s centre pawn by P-K4, and White must be on the alert against this plan, though it will not be easy for Black to put the same into execution, because of the exposed position of his Queen. After 4. Kt-QB3, Q-QR4 is the only move which brings the Queen into momentary security, and even then Black must provide for a retreat, as after White’s B-Q2 there would be a threat of an advantageous “discovery” by the Kt. P-QB3 provides such a retreat, but it bars the QKt from its natural development at B3, where the Kt could exert further pressure on White’s Q4. The QB, too, is difficult to get into play and easily becomes an object of attack, as in the present game.
4. Kt-QB3 Q-QR4 5. Kt-B3 B-B4
B-Kt5 would only help White’s intentions to attack on the King’s side in the absence of Black’s Queen, e.g. 6. P-KR3, B-R4; 7. P- KKt4, B-Kt3; 8. Kt-K5 (threatening Kt-B4), P-B3; 9. P-KR4, Q Kt- Q2; 10. Kt-B4, Q-B2; 11. P-R5, B-K5; 12. KtxB, KtxKt; 13. Q-B3 and B-B4 with the superior game.
[Illustration]Diag. 145
Diag. 145
6. Kt-K5! Kt-K5
P-B3 was urgent here, to provide against Kt-B4 and Q-B3. Now the game is as good as lost. White obtains a violent attack with superior forces, and brings it home before Black has time to complete his development.
7. Q-B3 Kt-Q3
If KtxKt, B-Q2.
8. B-Q2 P-K3 9. P-KKt4 B-Kt3
Black had to guard his KB2 because of Kt-Kt5, KtxKt, QxPch.
10. P-KR4 Q-Kt3 11. Castles P-KB3
Compulsory. Kt-B3 is refuted by 12. KtxKt, QxKt; 13. QxQ, PxQ; 14. B-Kt2 and P-R5. On the other hand, the answer to 11. … QxP would be 12. B-KB4, Q-B4; 13. P-R5, P-B3; 14. PxB, PxKt; 15. B- KKt5 followed by RxKt and R-Q8 or Q-B7 mate.
12. KtxB PxKt 13. B-Q3 QxP
K-B2 or P-KB4 were also unavailing in consequence of Black’s poor development.
14. BxPch K-Q2 15. B-K3 Q-Kt5 16. P-R3 Q-B5 17. QxKtP Q-B3 18. B-K4 Resigns.
White: Barasz. Black: Mieses.
Centre Counter Defence.
1. P-K4 P-Q 4 2. PxP QxP 3. Kt-QB3 Q-QR4 4. Kt-B3
It is better to advance the QP at once and so threaten B-Q2, after which Black is almost under compulsion to provide a retreat for his Q by P-QB3, thus blocking his QKt.
4. … Kt-QB3 5. B-K2 B-B4 6. P-Q3
Already now the mistake of having allowed Black to develop his Queen’s side unmolested is apparent. P-Q4 is now impossible, for Black would castle on the Queen’s side and keep the initiative by exerting a permanent pressure on White’s QP by P-K4. White must yield up the centre to Black.
6. … P-K4 7. B-Q2 Castles 8. P-QR3 Q-B4
The Queen must escape from White’s threat of P-QKt4.
9. Castles Kt-B3 10. P-QKt4 Q-K2 11. P-Kt5
This advance is somewhat purposeless, as the White pieces are not ready for an attack on Black’s King. It is difficult, though, to find a sensible plan, as the White pieces have so little mobility. It would perhaps be best to play R-K1, B-B1, and Kt-K4.
11. … Kt-Q5 12. R-K1 Q-B4 13. B-KB1 B-Q3 14. Q-Kt1?
[Illustration]Diag. 146
Diag. 146
The purpose of this move is not clear. The advance of the KtP could only be condoned by a desire to obtain an open file, and it seems illogical to protect it now. If White wanted to escape the pinning of his KKt he need not have moved the Queen. KtxKt would have effected this and prevented the King’s side from being laid bare.
White’s game would still have been bad, particularly as the exchange at Q4 opens the diagonal for the Black KB, but the move in the text has even a worse effect. Mieses concludes the game with an elegant sacrifice.
14. … KtxKtch 15. PxKt P-K5! 16. QPxP BxPch 17. KxB QxPch 18. B-Kt2 RxB 19. R-K2 RxR 20. KtxR QxKt 21. PxB Q-K4ch 22. K-R1 R-K1
Black has wrought fearful havoc in the White ranks, and the defenceless King cannot withstand the onslaught of the three White pieces for long.
23. P-QB4 Kt-R4 24. K-Kt1 Q-Q5ch 25. K-R2 R-K7
threatening Q-R5ch, Q-B7ch, and mate at Kt7 or R7.
26. Q-R1 Q-K4ch27. P-B4 QxPch28. K-Kt1 Q-Q5chResigns.
White: Em. Lasker. Black: Niemzowitsch.
Caro-Kann Defence (compare p. 50).
1. P-K4 P-QB3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 PxP 4. KtxP Kt-B3 5. KtxKt KtPxKt 6. B-K2 B-B4 7. B-B3 Q-R4ch 8. P-B3 P-KR4!
A deep conception. If White accepts the proffered sacrifice of a pawn, he loses time, as he must retire his B before bringing out his Kt, and, moreover, the KR file being open, he can only castle on the Q side. But there the Black Queen is ready for the attack. If he refuses the sacrifice, the text move is still of value, as even then it is hardly advisable for White to castle on the K side, whilst Black can play B-R3 as soon as it might be desirable to exchange White’s QB.
9. BxP Kt-Q2 10. B-Kt4 BxB 11. QxB Castles 12. Kt-K2 P-K3 13. B-B4 Q-QKt4!
Black is the first to complete his development, and he assumes the offensive.
14. Castles QR!
This is much stronger than the alternative P-QKt3, which would fatally disturb the pawn skeleton, particularly as castling is only possible on the Q side. Although Black can now gain two pawns, White obtains an attack and Black only just manages to escape with a draw.
14. … Kt-Kt3 15. Kt-Kt3
intending Q-K2 in answer to Kt-B5. Again P-QKt3 is not to be thought of, and R-Q2 also fails because of Kt-B5; 16. R-B2, KtxP.
15. … Q-Q4 16. K-Kt1 QxKtP 17. QR-Kt1 QxBP 18. Kt-K4 Q-R5 19. Q-B3 Kt-B5!
[Illustration]Diag. 147
Diag. 147
Whilst Black was busy capturing two pawns by moving the Queen four times, White was concentrating the whole of his forces, and now threatens to win back the pawn with R-Kt4. The move in the text anticipates the threat, for now the answer to 20. R-Kt4 would be Q-R4; 21. KtxP?, Q-B4ch; 22. Kt-K4?? Kt-Q7ch, winning the Q.
20. K-R1 P-KB4 21. Kt-Kt5 B-Q3 22. B-B1 R-Q2 23. R-Kt2 B-B2
intending to get rid of the awkward White Knight by Kt-Q3-K5.
24. KR-Kt Kt-Q3 25. Q-K2 Kt-K5 26. Kt-B3 Q-R6 27. P-R3
White appears to be in “time” difficulties, or else he remains passive, in order to give Black an opportunity for making the risky attempt to hold the extra pawn by P-B3 and P-K4.
If Black wants to play for a win, he must play P-B3. In view of the favourable position of the White pieces, he prefers to risk nothing and to avoid the weakening of position which follows upon practically every pawn move.
30. K-R1 KR-Q1 31. K-R2 R-K1 32. R-Kt8 RxR 33. RxRch R-Q1 34. R-Kt7 R-Q2 35. R-Kt8ch
As long as Black plays steadily, White cannot hope for more than a draw.
35. … R-Q1 36. R-Kt7 R-B1 37. P-B4 Kt-B3
In order to drive off the Rook; White now enforces the draw by a fine combination.
38. B-Kt5! Kt-R4 39. RxP! RxR 40. QxPch R-Q2
Not K-Kt1 on account of 41. Q-K8ch, K-R2; 42. QxR, QxKt; 43. QxB, threatening B-K7.
41. Kt-K5! Draw.
For after BxKt there follows 42. Q-K8ch, K-B2; 43. QxBch, with perpetual check.
Both players have shown a deep positional insight, and the game shows in an interesting manner how a preponderance of material can be counterbalanced by the greater mobility of the pieces.
White: Reti. Black: Tartakower.
Caro-Kann Defence.
1. P-K4 P-QB3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 PxP 4. KtxP Kt-KB3 5. Q-Q3
White wishes to castle as soon as possible on the Queen’s side, in order to operate on the Queen’s file with the help of the Rook.
Here Black loses two moves in bringing White’s centre pawn away. The manœuvre therefore is not sound. QKt-Q2, KtxKt, and Kt-B3, or any other developing moves would be preferable.
6. PxP Q-R4ch7. B-Q2 QxP8. Castles!
[Illustration]Diag. 148
Diag. 148
White prepares a magnificent mating combination, which can only be made possible at such an early stage, when the opponent has utterly neglected his development.
8. … KtxKt9. Q-Q8ch!! KxQ10. B-Kt5 double ch K-B211. B-Q8 mate
A beautiful mate. If 11. … K-K1, 11. R-Q8 mate.
White: Forgacz. Black: E. Cohn.
Queen’s Gambit.
1. P-Q4 P-Q4 2. Kt-KB3 P-K3 3. P-B4 PxP 4. Kt-B3 Kt-KB3 5. B-Kt5 B-K2 6. P-K4 P-KR3
Through 3. … PxP Black’s development is one move behind, and such pawn moves should at any cost be avoided as do not contribute to the mobilisation of the pieces. Castles, P-QKt3, B- Kt2, and QKt-Q 2 was the proper course.
7. BxKt
This is better than to withdraw the Bishop; Black’s last move was clearly loss of time.
7.. … BxB 8. BxP Kt-Q2 9. Castles Castles
[Illustration]Diag. 149
Diag. 149
There seems to be nothing alarming about the position, yet on closer investigation a number of vital failings can be discerned in Black’s camp. The absence of a pawn in the centre and the unsatisfactory development have a far-reaching influence. White will be able to bring his forces to the King’s side by way of K4, which is made accessible by the disappearance of Black’s QP, before Black has time to bring his QB to bear on White’s K4 by P- QKt3 and B-Kt2. White’s immediate threat (after P-K5) is Q-K2-K4 and B-Q3. If Black does not wish to risk P-KKt3, he must defend himself with R-K1, Kt-B1. In the meantime White can play R-Q1 and threaten P-Q5, opening the Queen’s file. This again necessitates P-B3, which postpones the efficiency of the QB at Kt2 until White’s QKt and QR have been brought up for the attack. The game develops on these lines, and provides an excellent example of the advantage of the command of the centre.
preparing P-QKt3.
14. KR-K1 Kt-B1 15. Q-Kt4 P-QKt3 16. Q-R5 B-Kt2 17. R-K4 B-Kt5
Black cannot yet play P-QB4, as R-B4 is threatened with an attack on KB7. The Bishop which obstructs the Q would have no move, save the sorry retreat to Q1, and White would win speedily: 17. … P- QB4; 18. R-B4, B-Q1; 19. P-Q5, PxP; 20. KtxP, BxKt; 21. BxB, attacking R and P.
18. R-Kt4 BxKt 19. PxB K-R1
QxP was threatened.
20. Kt-Kt5 R-K2 21. Kt-K4
Even the Knight is brought in via K4.
21. … R-Q1 22. R-Q3 P-QB4 23. Kt-B6
threatening QxPch and R-Kt8 mate. Black cannot capture the Kt because of QxPch and mate at Kt7. But the mate cannot be delayed much longer in view of the concentration of superior forces for the attack.
23. … Kt-Kt3 24. R-R3 Resigns
There is no answer to Q-Kt5 and RxP.
White: Marshall. Black: Capablanca.
Queen’s Gambit Declined (see p. 52).
1. P-Q4 P-Q4 2. P-QB4 P-K3 3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 4. B-Kt5 B-K2 5. P-K3 Kt-K5