Battles Royal of the Chessboard by R.N. Coles Part.3

8/13/2019 Battles Royal of the Chessboard by R.N. Coles Part.3

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84 BATTLES-ROYAL OF THE CHESSBOARD

J. R. Capablanca (1888-1942), a Cuban, began playing as a child, was champion of Cuba at the age of 12, of America at 21 and of

the world at 33. His style was simple and almost mechanical, ofan accuracy which reduced opponents to despair; he won a seriesof tournament victories from 1910 to 1936, and it was only afterhe lost the world title in 1927 that his infallibility was called intoquestion.

GAME 26

MARSHALL-CAPABLANCA

nth match game,New York, 1909.

P i l l s b u r y A t t a c k

i- P— Q4 P— Q42. P— QB4 P— K33. Kt— QB3 Kt— KB34* B— Kt5 B—K25. P— K3 Kt— K56. B x B Q x B

7- B— Q3This allows Black to open the

long diagonal for his bishop.The more normal line is Kt—B3, Kt— Q2 ; 8 Q— B2, followed either by K t x K t ; 9P x Kt, or by P— QB3 ; 9 Kt xKt, PxKt; 10 QxP, Q—Kt5ch-

7. KtxKt8. P x K t P x P9. B x B P P— QKt3

10. Q— B3

He cannot hold the diagonal, but this move leads to morecombinative possibilities thanthe usual Kt— B3.

10. P— QB311. Kt— K2 B— Kt212. O— O O— O13- P— QR 4To prevent P— QKt4; 14B—

Q3. p - Q B 4 ; 15 Q— Kt3, P—B5 ; 16 B— B2, P— QR4.

13. P— QB414. Q— Kt3 Kt— B315. Kt— B4 OR— B i16. B— R2

If B— Kt3, Kt— R4. Blackalready has the better position.

16. KR — Qi17. KR—Ki Kt—R418. QR— Qi

Sacrificing the RP to obtainopen lines in the centre by P—K4 or P— Q5.

18. B— B319. Q— Kt4 P— B5

If at once B x R P ; 20 K t x P,P x K t ; 21 BxPch., K — R i ;22 B xR, B x R ; 23 RXB , andit is White who is a pawn ahead.

20. P— Q5

P— K4 first gives a more enduring pressure.

20. B x RP



MARSHALL— CAPABLANCA

I f P x P ; 21 K t x P , B x K t ;22 R x B , R x R ; 23QxRch. ,R— Q i ; and Black has no ad

vantage.

21. R— Q2 P— K4

He must either submit to anattack on his king, or by playingP x P allow White freedom inthe centre.

22. Kt— R5 P— Kt3

He cannot avoid this weakening move, for if Q— B i ; 23,B— K ti, and P— Kt3 must follow, for 23 . . . , R— Q3 (preventing Kt— B6ch.) is answered by24 Kt x P.

23- P— Q6

(BLACK) CAPABLANCA

(WHITE) MARSHALL

Position before Black's 23rd move.

(D i a g r a m 34)

23. Q— K324. Q— Kt5 K— R i

If R x P at once, 25 R x R ,

Q x R ; 26 Q— R6, Q— B i ; 27Kt— B6ch., and mates.

25. Kt— B6 R x P26. R x R Q xR

27. B— K tiQ— R4 would be answered by

K—Kt2.

27. Kt— B328. B— B5 R— Qi

P x B would permit 29 Q—R6.

29. P—R4

B— Qy would prevent Black’snext move, but White is twopawns down and therefore inhaste to increase his pressure.

29. Kt— K230. Kt— K4 Q— B231. Q— B6ch. K— K ti32. B— K6 P x B

White continues to attack with ingenuity, and the defence

has to be a model of fightingcarefulness. If R— K B i ; 33Kt— Kt5, P x B ; 34 Q x Rch.,K x Q ; 35 Kt xPch, winningthe exchange.

33. QxKPch. K— B i34. Kt—Kts Kt—Kti35. P— B4 R— K i36. P x P

[Diagram 35]

The attack seems to have been beaten off, but Whiteevolves still more surprises.

Black still loses the exchange ifhe takes the queen.

36. R—K237. R— Bich. K— Kt2

85




( b l a c k ) c a p a b l a n c a

W'-'vfy

( w h i t e ) m a r s h a l l

Position before Black's 36th move.

(D i a g r a m 35)

38. P— R5 B— K i39. P— R6ch. K— Ri

Not K x P ; 40 Q— Kt4, K—Kt2 ; 41 Kt— K6ch., nor Kt xP ; 40 Q— B6ch.

40. Q— Q6 Q—B4

The attack continues. If nowQxQ; 41 PxQ, R—Q2; 42R— B8, R x P ; 43 R x B , andthe threat of Kt— B7ch., wins.If 41 . . ., R— K 4 ; 42 P— Q7,B x P ; 43 Kt— B7 Mate. Andif 41 . . ., R x P ; 42 R—B7,B x R ; 4 3 K t x B M a t e .

Black is threatening Q x Pch.,and if 41 QxQ , P x Q ; 42 R—B 8 , R x P ; 4 3 R x B , R x K t ;and Black wins.

41. R x P

41- Q —04

P— K6 dis. ch., must bestopped, but if Q x P ; 42 R—B8 (not QxQch., R x Q ; 43R—B7, R—K2), QxQ (forced

by the threat of R x B ) ; 43

K P x Q . B — B3; 44 Kt— B7ch.,R x K t ; 45 R x R , K t x P ;46 RxP, with good drawingchances.

42. Q— Q7 R— K2

The defence holds out against

White's last brilliant fling. Fatal would be B x Q ; 43 Kt— B7Mate. Had White tried 42 R—B7, the text move would haveequally sufficed, but then 42 . . . ,Kt x P ; would have beenstronger.

43. R— B7 B x Q

Or RxQ; 44 RxR, KtxP ; but not 44 . . ., B x R ; 45Kt— B7 Mate. A perfect demonstration of the power evenof an unsound attack and of

the inexorable justice that mustcome if the defence is correct.Resigns.



SCHLECHTER— LASKER 87

C. Schlechter (1873-1918), of Vienna, early earned the unenviable title of “ drawing master,” though at his best he was asfine a stylist as any player of his time. However, when he shared1st prize both at Vienna, 1908, and Prague, 1908, he was recognisedfor the great player he was. In 1910 he played and drew a matchfor the world title and oddly enough he only failed to win by notplaying for a draw. He died of under-nourishment in 1918.

GAME 27SCHLECHTER-LASKER

7th match game, Berlin, 1910.

Si c i l i a n D e f e n c e

1. P— K4 P— QB42. Kt— KB3 Kt— QB33. P— Q4 P x P4. K t x P Kt— B35. Kt— QB3 P— KKt36. B— QB4 P— Q3

7. KtxKtIntroducing the sharp Mag

nus Smith variation.

7. PxKt8. P— K5 Kt— Kts9. P— K6

Magnus Smith’s own analysiscontinued 9 B— B4, P— Q4; 10KtxP, P x K t ; n B x P , B—K3 ; 12 B— B6ch., B— Q2 ; 13B x R , Q x B ; 14 O— O, but alater improvement is 9 . . .,Q— Kt3 ; 10 Q— B3, B— B4 ;

11 PxP, PxP; 12 0 — O,O—O— O ; 13 KR— K i, P—Q4; 14 P— KR3. Black is justable to evolve a satisfactorydefence against the text.

9. P—KB410. 0 —0 B—KKt2

If P — Q4; 11 K tx P .

11. B— B4 Q— Kt312. B— QKt3

There is nothing in 12 Q— B3,B— Kt2.

12. B— QR313. Kt— R4 Q— Q5

14- QxQ

The immediate exchange ofqueens is virtually forced, forif 14 Q— B3, then Q— K5 ; 15QxQ , P x Q ; 16 P— B4, O—O ; and Black gains a move onthe variation actually played.

14. BxQ

15. P— B4 O— 016. QR—Qi B—B3

An inaccuracy, allowing White to develop ingenious winning chances by sacrificing hisQB. Better was either Kt— K4

or B— K4 blocking the bishop.17. KR— K i P— Kt418. B x Q P P x B19. R x P




( b l a c k ) LASKER

( w h i t e ) SCHLECHTER


(D i a g r a m 36)

Now White has a powerfulattacking position with thethreats of P— B5 followed byP— K7 dis. ch., and of P— KR3and P—K7 followed by RxB.Only the most determined andaccurate resistance by Black

can hold the game. He has tolet his QBP go in order to holdup the dangerous KP and

whether he tries 1 9 . . . , B— K 4 ;or 19 . . ., B— K2 ; the reply isstill 20 P— B5.

19. B— K420. P— B5 KR— K i

Not 20 . . ., B x R ; 21 P—K7 dis. ch., K — Kt2 ; 22 P xB,KR— K i ; 23 P— Q7, winning.

21. P—Kt3Now the subtlety of Black's

defence in choosing 19 . . . , B—K4 ; is dear. If 21 P— KR3,B—R7ch.; 22 K—Ri, BxR;23 PxB, KtxPch.; 24 K—

K ti, Kt— K5 ; 25 P— K7 dis.ch., K— Kt2 ; and the pawnsare held.

21. B— B3

Still not B x R ; 22 P— K7dis. ch., K— K t2 ; 23 P x B ,Kt— B3 ; 24 Kt— B5 (the movenot available to White in theprevious note), B— B i ; 25B— R4.

22. R x P B— QKt2Insufficient would be B —Kt

4 ; 23 R— Q6, B— K4 (BxKt;24 B xB, R— K2 ; 25 B— Q7) ;24 P— KR3, B x R ; 25 P x B ,Kt—B3; 26 Kt—B5.

23. R— B7 B— K524. K t— B3 B x Kt

If B— Q5 ; 25 K t x B , P xK t ; 26 R x KP, B x Pch.; 27K— Kt2, Kt— B3; 28 R—QKt4, B - K 6 ; 29 R(4)— Kt7,and Black is in zugswang.

25. P x B Kt— K4

Black’s defence has been so farsuccessful that the worst threatsare over though the passedpawns remain. He is now ableto interpolate a little attack ofhis own.

26. R— Qi Kt— B6ch.27. K— B i Kt x Pch.28. K— K i

Of course not 28 K— K2, B—

B6ch.28. Kt— B6ch.29. K— K2 Kt— K430. R(i)— Q7



SCHLECHTER— LASKER 89

Recovering the pawn, for if 30 . . ., P— K R 3 ; 31 R— Kt 7ch., K— B i ; 32 R— R7, threatening mate. Black's defence still has to be extremely accurate.

30. P— B531. R— Kt7ch. K— R i32. R x K t P B— Q6ch.

Now Black suddenly produces a threat to win the game himself. Of course White cannot reply 33 K— Q2 because of Kt— B6ch.

33. K— Qi P x P

The point. White cannot play

34 R x Kt because of P x P ; 35 R— B7, R— K B i ; winning.

34. P x P Kt— Kt335- R— Q5 B— K536. R— Q6 B— B437- B— Q5 QR— K ti38. P— B6 Kt— B i

39. R— QKt7

Temporarily holding the KP, for if now 39 . . ., K t x P ; 40

R x R, with a winning rook ending.

39-40. P— K7

41. B— B742. B x Kt

QR— B i Kt— Kt3

R x K P B— Ktsch.

Although he has two pieces en prise Black can save both of them owing to the position of White's king, and in fact this enables him to save the game. He now succeeds in remaininga piece ahead.

43- K— B i R— K8ch.

44- K— Kt2 P x B

45- R x K t P B— B446. R— B6 B— K5

47- R x P R— Kt8ch.48. K - R 3 B x PDrawn.

The culmination of a magnificently accurate defence. Both of White's advanced passed pawns have fallen and Black

now threatens B— Kt4 followed by R x P Mate. White has nothing better than to take perpetual check.



9 0 BATtLfiS-ROYAL OF THE CHESSBOARD

Jacques Mieses (b. 1865) played in his first masters tournamentat Hastings, 1895, and what may be his last at Hastings, 1946. His

style was extremely aggressive and he delighted in such riskygambits as the Danish. This brought him uneven results in tournaments, little success in matches, but frequent brilliancy prizes.

GAME 28

MIESES-CAPABLANCA

Exhibition game, Berlin, 1913.

C e n t r e G a m e

1. P— K4 P— K4

2. P— Q4 P x P3. Q x P Kt— QB34. Q— K 3 Kt— B35. Kt— QB3 B— Kt56. B— Q2 O— O7. 0 — 0 —0 R — K i

By simple play against White’s risky opening Black hassecured the win of a pawn. Ifnow 8 P— B3, P— Q4 ; and thenif 9 B— Q3, P— Q5.

8. Q— Kt3 K t x P9. Kt x Kt R x Kt

10. B— KB4 Q— B3Not liking P— Q3 which

would allow White a strongattack for the pawn. If now nB x P , Q— K3 ; 12 K— Ktx,R— K8; 13 B— K2, R x R c h . ;14 B x R, Q— K8 ; 15 Q— B3,

P— Q 3; with the threat ofQ - K 2 .

11. Kt— R3 P— Q312. B— Q3 Kt— Q5

R— K i would lead to variations similar to those in the

previous note. He did not likethem then, and similarly prefersnow to indulge in complications based upon the threat of Kt—K7CI1., which would allow simplification without retreat.

13. B-K3

Naturally not BxR, Kt—K7ch.; winning the queen.

Also, if P— QB3, Kt— K7ch.;i4BxKt, RxB; and Whitecannot play 15 P x B because ofQ x P Mate.

13- B— Kt5

Overcomplicated. Correct wasR— Kt5 ; i 4 B x K t , R x B ;15 P—QB3, BxP; 16 PxB,R— K K t5 ; 17 Q— K3, Q x Pch.

[Diagram 37]

14. Kt— Kt5

White must exercise the utmost care. 14 QR— K ti , Kt—K7ch.; 15 B x K t , B x B ; is

far too unenterprising. 14 P—KB3 only gives equality afterR x B ; 1 5 Q X B . K 1 4 P — Q B3, then B x P is a possible reply,for if 15 P x B , Kt— K7ch.; 16



MIESES— CAPABLANCA 91

16. B x K t R x B17. Kt— K4

A tactical finesse, enablinghim to capture on K4 instead of

on K2. With the exchange a-head in this simplified position,any player might expect to win.

17- RxKt18. Q x R Q— Kt4ch.

The alternative of B— B 4 ;

19 Q x P, Q— Q i ; was notenticing.

19. P— B4 Q— Kt420. P— B3 B— B421. KR— K i Q— B322. R— Q5

An error of judgment. Hecannot force the K side and geta quick mate by weight ofmaterial, so the logical course

was 22 QxQ, PxQ; 23 R—K7, with a winning end-game.

22. Q— Q 223. P— B5

And here Q— K7 with thesame idea was better. Blackcould not reply Q— Kt5 because of 24 Q— K8ch. Nowthat White has wasted twomoves. Black, whose positionstill does not appear to holdany promise, brings all hispieces to bear on White’s king with an economy of moves thatis quite remarkable.

23- P— QB3

24. R— Q2 P— Q425. Q— B3 B— K2

Preventing P—B6 andthreatening B— Kt4.


(WHITE) MIESES

Position before White's 14th move.

(D i a g r a m 37)

B x Kt, Q x Pch. ; (the Whitequeen was defending this on theprevious move) ; 17 K—-Kti, R— Kt5 Mate. And finally if 14Bx K t, R x B ; 15 P— QB3,B x R ; 16 R x B , R x B ; 17

QxR, B— B 4 ; with a pawnahead. Black’s combination isseen in all its ingenuity.

14. R x B

The only move. If White nowtakes the rook. Black plays B x

R and still comes out a pawnahead.

15. Q x B Kt— K7ch.

By his last move White hasproved the whole combinationto have been unsound after all.Black must now lose the exchange, for if R— K 2 ; 16 BxPch., K— B i ; 17 R x K t ,

wins a piece.




26. R(2)— K2 B— B327. Q— R5 P— KR328. P— KKt4 K— R229. K— Kti R— Qi

The first stage. P— Q5 isthreatened.

30. R— Qi P— B431. Q— R3 Q— R532. R(2)— Q2 Q— Ksch.33. K— R i P— QKt4

And now the threat of P—Kt5 is worse still. The way in which Black has seized theinitiative is an object lesson inthe correct use of material.

34. Q— Kt2 Q— R535. K— Kti

Not R x P, B— Q5 ; or evenQ xRch.

35. P - K t 536. P x P Q x P37- P— Qr 3

If now R x P , R— Q K ti; 38r (5)— Q2»P— B5 ; with variations similar to those in theactual game.

37. Q— R538. R x P R— QK ti39. R(5)— Q2

[Diagram 38]39. P— B5

Much stronger than Q x RP.

40. Q— Kt3 R— Ktfx

Not P—B6; 41 QxR, PxR ; 42 R x P. The text move,followed by P—B6, makes defence of the RP an urgent necessity.


(WHITE) MIESES


(D i a g r a m 38)

41. Q -Q6 P -B 642. R— QB2 P x P43- R— Q3 Q— K5

White has battled hard tostave off the attack and just

when he seems to have succeeded Black prevents R x R bythe double threat of Q— K8ch.and R x R.

44. R— Qi R— QB6

And with this beautiful conclusion Black settles the matter.He has not only escaped defeat

but has actually won a lostgame.

Resigns

For if 45 R— Q2, R x R ; 46

R x R , Q— K8ch.; and if 45Q— Q2, R x P ; the very move

White has fought so long toprevent.



CAPABLANCA— MARSHALL 93

CAPABLANCA-MARSHALL

GAME 29

New York tournament, 1918.R u y L o p e z

I. P— K4 P—K42. Kt—KB3 Kt—QB33- B—Kt5 P - Q R 3

4-B—R4 Kt—B3

5- O— O B—K26. R— K i P - Q K t 47- B—Kt3 0— 08. p - b 3 P - Q 4

The Marshall Variation, in which a pawn is sacrificed for a

strong attack, was introducedto master play in this game.

9. P x P Kt x P10. K tx P K tx K t11. R x K t Kt—B312. R— K i

Subsequently 12 P— Q4, B—Q3 ; 13 R— K2, was preferredas a defence, but Capablanca isout of the book and has to improvise. He said afterwardsthat as soon as Marshall allowedhim to play the Ruy Lopez, hesuspected a prepared variation was coming, for Marshall hadnever faced a Ruy Lopez fromCapablanca since his unhappyexperience against it in thematch of 1909. Capablancaanticipated that the attack would be “ terrific.”

12. B— Q313. P— KR3

P-Q 4. Kt— Kt5 ; 14 P -

KR3, Q— R5 ; 15 Q— B3, would merely be a transpositionof moves.

13. Kt— Kt5

The attack begins and with ita period of intense crisis. If inreply to the text move Whiteplays 14 P x Kt, then Q— R5 ;15 P—Kt3, KB x P ; 16 P xB ,QxPch.; 17 K—Bi, BxP; 18

Q— B2 (R— K2, B— R6ch.; 19R—Kt2, Q xRch.; 20 K— K i,QR—Kich.), B—R6ch.; 19K—K2, QR—Kich.; 20 K—Qi, B— Ktsch.; winning. Or15 Q— B3, Q—R7ch.; 16 K—Bi, B x P ; 17 QxB, Q—R8

ch.; 18 K— K2, QR— Kich.14- 0—B3 Q—R5!5. P— Q4

( b l a c k ) m a r s h a l l

( w h i t e ) c a p a b l a n c a


(D i a g r a m 39)

15. KtxP16. R— K2




If 16 Q x Kt, B— R7ch„ (B— Kt6 would allow the brilliant reply 17 QxPch., R x Q ; 18 R— K8 Mate, showing how delicately the game is now

balanced); 17 K— B i, B— Kt 6; 18 Q— K2 (now if Q x Pch. the queen is captured with a check), B x P ; 19 P x B, QR— K i ; 20 Q x R , Q x P c h . ; winning. After the text the attack must ease a little as Black loses

a piece.

16. B— KKt5

The attack is continued with the utmost ferocity. If instead16 . . ., K t x P c h . ; 17 P x K t , B x P ; 18 R— K4, or 16 . . .,

B x P ; 1 7 P X B , K t x P c h . ; 18 K— Bi, K t— K t4 ; 19 Q— Kt2,

but 16 . . ., Kt— Kt5 ; 17 B— KB4, B— Kt2 ; 18 P— Q5, Kt — B3 ; was a playable alternative.

17. P x B B— R7ch.18. K— B i B— Kt619. R x Kt

White has fought his way into slightly calmer water. He obtains two pieces for the rook, but is still behindhand in de

velopment.19.20. K— K221. B— Q222. Q—R3 23- K— Q324. K — B2

25- Q— B3 26. B — £ 5

Q— R8ch. B x R B— R5 QR— Kich. Q— B8ch.B— B7

Q— Kt8 P - Q B 4

A last attempt to revivify his flagging attack, but White is now poised for his counter- thrust. The problem of Q side

development is to be solved by the advance of the Q side pawns.

27. P x P B x P28. P— Kt4 B - Q 329. P— R4 P - Q R 430. P x K t P P x P31- R— R6 P x P

32. Kt x P B— Kts33- P— Kt6

The picture has now changed completely, and Black is helpless against the passed pawn, for the moment his rook leaves the first rank. White has Q x

Pch., available again.

33. B x Kt34. B x B P— R335. P— Kt7 R— K636. BxPch.

Forcing the pawn home, for

if in reply 36 . . ., K— R i ; 37 R— R8, R x Q ; 38 RxRch., K— R2 ; 39 R— R8ch., K x R ;40 P— Kt8=Qch., or 36 . . ., K— R2; 37 Q— B5ch., K— R i;38 BxPch., K x B ; 39 Q— Kt6ch., K— R i ; 40 Q x P

Mate.36. R x B37. P— Kt8=Qch. K— R238. RxPch. Resigns.

It is mate in two after 38 . . . , K x R (P x R ; 39 Q x R Mate);

39 Q— R8ch., K— Kt3 or 4 ; 40 Q— R5 Mate.



RUBINSTEIN— ALEKHINE 95

A. Alekhine (1892-1946), Russian by birth and French by adoption, was world champion from 1927 to 1946, except for the periodI935-7* At his best he was perhaps the most completely equippedand gifted chessplayer of all time, at home in open and close positions, orthodox and experimental, sound in theory and fiery inimagination. In his early years overshadowed by Lasker andCapablanca he showed by his decisive victories in such tournamentsas San Remo, 1930 and Bled, 1931, that in the fullness of maturityhe was as great if not greater than they.

GAME 30

RUBINSTEIN—ALEKHINE

London tournament, 1922.

Sl a v D e f e n c e

1. Kt— KB 3 P— Q42. P - Q 43. p - b 44. Kt—B3

5- P— QR46. P-K37. B x P8. O— Oq. Kt— K2

Kt— KB3P—B3P x P

B—B4P— K3B— QKts0— 0

II. Kt— R4 P— B412. K t x B R P x K t13. P x P K t x P14- Q - K 2 KKt— K515- K t x K t K t x K t16. Q— Kt4 Kt— B3

17- Q— B3 Q - B 218. p — QK t3 Q - K 419. R— Rz Kt— K520. P— R 5

Continuing the attack on hisK4 by threatening R—R4 at a

suitable moment.20.21. B—Kt2

K R - Q iB—B6

The theme of this opening iscontrol of White’s K4, and with

the text move Rubinsteinevolves an elaborate plan to getrid of Black's QB. The moreusual play is Q— K2. Fromthis point the battle for controlof the vital square is fought out with all the intensity and per

sistence of which the playersare capable.

9- QKt— Q210. Kt— Kt3 B— Kt3

Not 2 1 . . . , Q— KB4 ; 22 R—R4» B— Q7 ; 23BXKP.

22.23-

B x BR—B2

K t x BP—QKt4

The threat is 24 KR—Bi, Kt— Q4; 25 P— K4, and Whitecontrols the key squares andcomes out with the better game.

24. txPe.p. PxP25. KR— B i

Maroczy recommended Q—B4 here.



g 6 BATTLES-ROYAL OF THE CHESSBOARD

25. Kt— R726. R— K i P— QKt427. B— B i Kt— B628. Q— B4

If 28 P— K4, P— Kt5 ; andthe first stage of the game endsin equality. White prefers a line

which will allow him to use theopen files in the centre later.

28. 0 x 029. P x Q P—Kt530. P—Kt3 R—R6Si- B—B4 K — B i32. K—Kt2 K—K233- R—K5 R— QBi

34- R - O 2 R - Q i35- R—B2 R - Q B i

36. P—R4 Kt—0437- R(2)— K2

Now White has succeeded indeveloping a strong game in thecentre. The immediate threatis 38 R x Kt and if 37 . . Kt—

Kt3 ; 38 B x P , P x B ; 39 R xPch., K— B2 ; 40 R x Kt, R xP ; 41 R— Kt7ch., K— B3 ; 42R(2)— K7, with advantage.

37. Kt—B638. R— Q2 R— B339. P— R5

Trying to increase his pressure by sacrificing a pawn, theobject of which is primarily to

weaken Black's KP. A new intensity comes into the game.

39- P— B340. R— K3 P x P41. P— B5 P— K442. R(3)—03

(BLACK) ALEKHINE

Position before Black's 42nd move.

(D i a g r a m 40)

Threatening R— Q8 followed by R(2)— Q7 Mate.

42. R— R243. R— Q8 Kt— K544. R(2)— 05 R— 03

Not Kt— Q3 ; 45 R —KKt8,

Kt xP ; 46 R(5) - 08, K t-Q 3; 47 R—Kt8.

45. R— KKt8 R—R7

White’s attack has reached its full force. He is certain to recover his pawn and he is

threatening even worse things. Black swings to counter-attack just in time.

46. RxKtPch. K— Bi47. R— Kt8ch.

Still neither player can tip the scales in his own favour. White

must now adopt this very ingenious method either to force a draw or to get back to intercept the attack.



RUBINSTEIN— ALEKHINE 97

47. K x R 48. R— Q2 dis.ch. K— Kt249. R x R(2) R— Q750. R x R K t x R 51. B— Q5

A drawn ending has beenreached after all.

51- P - K 552. P— B4

But this is a serious error, for

not only does it give Black apassed pawn but it enables himto keep the White king out ofaction in a comer. Much better

was the line suggested by Bum :52 P -K t4 , P— R5 (K— R3 ; 53K— Kt3, K— Kt4 ; 54 P—B

4ch., PxPe.p.; 55PXP, KxB P ; 56 B -B 7 ) ; 53 K - R 3 ,Kt—B6; 54 P—Kt5 (BxP,Kt—Kt4ch.), P x P ; 55 B x P ,Kt— Q7 ; 56 B— B2, K— B3 ;57 K— Kt4, Kt— B8 ; 58 B—Qi, drawing.

52. P— K653- K— K ti K— B i54. K — Kt2 K— K2

55- B— Kt8 K— Q356. B— B7 K— B457. B x P Kt x P

Allowing White to bring his

king across at last, but now theBlack king is also in range.

58. K— B3 K -Q 559. B— B7

A last effort to retain somechances by 59 . . ., Kt— Q7ch.;60 K— K2, P— Kt6 ; 61 B x P,Kt x B ; 62 P— Kt4, and Blackmust now be careful for if 62 . . . ,Kt— B4 ; 63 P— Kt5, Kt— Q2 ;64 P— Kt6, wins. Correct is62. . . , K— K5 ; 63 P -K t5, Kt— Qsch. (KxP(4); 62 KXP,

draws) ; 64 K— K i, KxP(4) ; winning. The reply chosen byBlack crashes any chances remaining for White.

59. K - Q 660. B x Kt K— Qy

61. B— B4 P— Kt662. B x P P— K7Resigns.



9 8 BATTLES-ROYAL OF THE CHESSBOARD

R. Reti (1889-1929), a Czech, was one of the most originalmasters of the twentieth century and a leader of the school whichrevolted against the dogmas of Tarrasch and was dubbed “ Hyper-modem.” The chief feature of their theory was that occupation ofa square or squares was often less effective and certainly lessflexible than remote control. The excesses of the Hypermodemssoon faded but their teachings left their mark and brought new vitality into a chess that was becoming too orthodox. A. Becker wasa prominent Austrian master who frequently figured in the prizelist of continental tournaments.

GAME 31

RETI—BECKER

Vienna tournament, 1923.

R e t i S y s t e m

1. Kt— KB3 Kt— KB32. P— B4 P— B43. P— KKt3 P — K K t 3

White’s first three movesconstitute the Reti System

which was introduced to masterplay at this time. Black’s symmetrical defence causes Whiteno trouble but the more aggressive replies based on 1 . . ., P—

Q 4; which call for a high degree of positional exactness on White's part, had not yet beendeveloped.

4- B— Kt2 B— Kt25- Kt—B3 Kt— B3

6. P - Q 3 0— 07- B— K3 P - Q 38. P— KR3

Not yet Q— Q2 threatening

B— R6, because of 8 . . ., Kt—KKt5.

8. B— Qz9. Q— Q2 R— K ti

10. B— R6 Kt— K i11. P—KR4

Indicating his intention offorsaking the positional basis ofthe opening and of going in fora combinative attack. The

KRP is to be given up to openthe file for the rook, but the whole idea is somewhat speculative and out of key.

11. B—Kts12. P— R5 P x P

If B xP, White can $lay 13Kt— R2, Q— Q2 (preventing P— KKt4); 14 P— B3, P— KKt4 ; 15 Q xP, B— Kt3 ; 16 Kt— Kt4, with a strong game.

13. Kt— KR4 Q— Q214. B— K4 Kt— Q5

Threatening to break up White’s attack completely by 15 . . . , Kt— B7ch.; 16 Q x Kt,B x B .



RETI— BECKER 99

15* O— O— O P— Kt416. P— B3 P— Kt517. Kt—Kt5

(BLACK) BECKER

(WHITE) RETI


( D i a g r a m 41)

Black has now developed his

own attack and White is indifficulties. If 17 P x B, P x K t ;18 PxBP, Q— R5 (threateningQ—R6ch.); 19 QR—Bi, B xB ; 20 Q xB, Q—B7 Mate. Orif 17 Kt— Q5, K txP c h .; 18K—Kti (K—B2, Q—Rsch.; or

QxKt, BxBch.), Kt—B6ch.;19 Kt x Kt, P x K t ; 20 Q—Kt5, R x P c h . ; followed byQ— R5. The QKt file musttherefore be kept closed.

17. Kt x Pch.

A fine move, for if in reply 18Q x Kt, B x Bc h.; and Black istwo pawns ahead with a comfortable game, while if 18 K—Kti, Kt—B6ch.; 19 PxKt,

P x P ; and wins. White musttherefore allow Black to sacrifice his knight for the completedisruption of the White pawns.

18. K— B2 K t x P19. P x B K t x B20. P x Kt Q— K321. Kt— B5

A terrible position for White,faced as he is with a threat tohis bishop, threats to threepawns, in two cases with check,and after the fall of the QBP

with a threat to the knight. Hehas to stake everything on hisattack on Black's king.

21. QxBPch.

22. K— K ti QxKPch.23. K— R i P x P

Black has secured the remarkable and very unusual

bargain of six pawns for aminor piece. Less good would

be 23 . . ., Q x P ; inviting a

direct attack on his king by 24K txB , K t x K t ; 25 QR— KKti, nor is R x Kt satisfactory

because of 24 Q— Kt5, Q— K4 ;25 B xB , Kt x B ; 26 QR— K i,Q— B3 ; 27 Kt x Pch., winning.

24. B x B K t x B

After 24 . . . . Q x K t ; 25B x R , R x K t ; 2 6 B x P , W h i t e

with a rook for five somewhatloose pawns is better off.

25. K tx K t K x K t26. Q— R6ch. K— K ti

An error under time pressure. After K— R i White would havegreat difficulty in saving thegame, for if 27 QR—KKti,



ZNOSKO-BOROVSKY— ALEKHINE IO I

13. B xQ R x B

The alternative line was P xP; 14 Bx Kt , P x R = Q ; 15Qx Q, Kt— B7ch.; 16 K— B2,

P x B ; and Black, as in thetext, has a rook and a minorpiece for the queen, but chancesof a more rapid developmentthan in the line selected. Heprefers to retain a more complicated position at some cost in

development.14. Q— Kt3 P x P15. Q x P Kt— R516. Q— R i

He cannot satisfactorily continue protecting his QB2, but

possibly a better line was 16Q— Kt3, K t— B4 ; 17 Q— K3,Kt(5)— K6ch.; 18 B x K t , KtxBch . ; 19 K— K2, B— B4 ;

20 Q-—Kt5, Kt x Rch.; but not16 Q— KB2, B— B4 ; 17 Q—Kt3, Kt—B7ch.; 18 RxKt,B x R ; threatening R— Q8ch.;20 K— K2, Kt— B6 Mate.

16. Kt— B7ch.17. R x Kt B x R 18. Kt— Q4

Playing to bring his superior

weight to bear. If 18 B—K2(against R— Q8ch.), B— QB4.

18. B— Kt3[Diagram 42]

19- P— B5

The point. He now developshis bishop with good effectthrough the threat of B—Ktsch., winning a piece. If inreply 19 . . . , P— QR3; 20 P—

(BLACK) ALEKHINE

(WHITE) ZNOSKO-BOROVSKY


(D i a g r a m 42)

B6, P— QKt4 (if B— QB4 ; 21PxP, BxKt; 22 QxB) ; 21P— B7, R— QBi ; 22 K t x KtP, while if 19 . . ., B x P ; 20B— Ktsch., K— K2 ; 21 Kt—Kt3, winning a piece.

19. K t x P20. B— Ktsch. Kt— Q221. Q— B3 P— QR3

Now Black’s difficulties withhis development become apparent for if 2 1 . . . , B— K2 ; 22Q'—B7 (preventing O— O), P—

QR3 ; 23 B— R4, P— QKt4 ;24 B— Qi, and O— O is stillimpossible because of 25 Kt—B6.

22. BxKtc h. R x B23. Q— B8ch.

Preparing to give up a thirdpiece to keep Black tied up. If 23 O— O, at once, Black has achoice of B x P ; 24 Q xB , R xK t; or 23 . . P— Kt3 ;




threatening R x K t and B— QB4. While if 23 Kt— B3, B—Q6; 24 Q— B8ch., R— Q i; 25Q xP , B x P ; 26 Q— B6ch., K— K 2 ; and Black obtains aquick deployment of forces.

23. R— Qi24. Q x P R x Kt25. Q— B6ch. R— Q226. 0 —0 B— Q627. R x P

The point of White’s 23rdand 24th moves. Black mustnow exert all his resources tosave the game.

27. B— B4ch.

28. K— R i B— Kt429. QxPc h. R— K2

30. RxR ch . B x R 31. Q— B8ch. B— Qi32. Q— K6ch. B— K2

Drawn.

White can hope for no morenow, while Black cannot escapeperpetual check in his exposedsituation, for if 32 . . ., K— B i ;some such line follows as 33Q— B5ch., K— K2 ; 34 Q— Kt5ch. (or P— QR4. B x P ; 35 Q—

Kt4, R— B i ; 36 Q— Kt4ch.),K— K 3 ; 35 Q x P , R - K i ;36 P— QR4. B— B3 ; 37 Q—Kt3, R— B i ; 38 Q— Kt3ch.,K— Q2 ; 39 P— K6ch., K—B2 ; 40 Q— Kt3ch., K — B i ;41 Q— Q3> K— Kt2; 42 Q x

KRPch., B— B 2 ; 43 Q— Ktich., K— R2 ; 44 P— K7.

E. D. Bogolyubov (b. 1889), a Russian by birth, adopted Germany as his country after his internment there during the First World War. He rapidly achieved prominence in the 1920’s and his vigorous and aggressive style won him a number of tournaments,notably Moscow, 1925. By 1929 he was regarded as a challengerfor the world title, but was soundly defeated twice, in 1929 and1934-

S. Tartakower (b. 1887), also bom in Russia, later took Frencnationality. An original and aggressive player, he always seeks toescape from the book and this has perhaps cost him a number ofprizes. He has, however, won many tournaments, as for exampleat Liege, 1930, and at Hastings, 1946.

GAME 33 P o n z i a n i Op e n i n g

TARTAKOWER-BOGOLYUBOV I. P — K 4 P — K 42.

London tournament, 1927. 3. P— B3 Kt— B3



TARTAKOWER— BOGOLYUBOV IO3

Stronger and more usual isP— Q4 at once.

4. P— Q4 P -Q 45. K P x P Q x P

6. B— K2 P— K5 As a result of his choice on

the 3rd move Black must nowdecide between this not verysatisfactory move, and 6 . . .,P x P ; which leads to positionsakin to some in the DanishGambit or the Goring Gambit,

where White gets a strongthough not decisive attack atthe cost of a pawn.

7. KKt—Q2 P—K6

A sharp move, putting a keen

edge on the game. It is notaltogether satisfactory, however, for though White’s kingside is broken up he securescontrol of the centre.

8. P x P Q xK tP9. B— B3 Q— R6

10. Q— K2 Kt— KKts

Preventing 11 Q— Kt2, or nB— Kt2, by the threat to theKP.

11. K t— K4 Q— Rsch.12. K— Qi

If 12 Kt— Kt3, B— Q3 ; 13Q—Kt2, KtxRP; with ad

vantage.

12. B— Q2

He could retain some say inthe centre by 12 . . ., P— B4 ;13 B x Kt, P x Kt. White nowhas time to work his QB roundto the K side.

13. B— Q2 O— 0— O14* B— K i Q— K2

If 14 . . ., Q— R 4 ; 15 P—KR3, and if 14 . . Q— R6 ; 15Kt—Kts.

15. B x K t Q xK t16. B— B3 Q— Kt317. Kt— Q2 P— B3

Preferring to hold his K4

rather than try and fight it outfor his K5 by P—B4.

18. B— K t3 P— KR419. R— K K ti P— R520. B— B2 Q— B221. P— K4 B— Q322. B— K3 Kt— R4

A rather pointless move. Hiscounterweight to White’s centrelies on the other wing.

23. P— Kt4 B— Rsch.24. K— K i

Safer was K— B i. The kingcomes under fire on the otherflank.

24. Kt—B325. Kt— B4 B x RP

[Diagram 43]

A counter-attack just in time,for he was threatened with Kt— Kt2, and if instead 25 . . .,Kt— K2 ; 26 P— Kts, B x KtP ;27 K t x Bch., R x K t ; 28 Q xB, with good chances of a successful storming attack. Ofcourse if now 26 Q x B, Q x K t ;27 R x P, Q x Pch. ; while 26R— Kt2, B— Kt6ch.; leavesBlack reasonably safe.



1 0 4 BATTLES-ROYAL OF THE CHESSBOARD

( b l a c k ) b o g o l y u b o v

( w h i t e ) TARTAKOWER


( D i a g r a m 43)

26. Kt— Kt2 B x R 27. B x B K txQ P

He must lose another piece,for if 27 . . P— Q Kt4; 28 KtxB , P x K t ; 29 Q— R6ch., K—

Q2; 30 B— Kt4ch., and White will have two bishops for rookand pawn. Attack and counterattack now continue at a fastpace.

28. P x K t B— B329. P— Q5 B x P

He prefers a fighting line,even at the cost of anotherpiece, rather than 29 . . ., B—Q2 ; 30 R— Bi, threatening 31B— R2, when Black has littlehope of saving the game.

30. P x B KR— K i

31. B— K3 P— KB432. K— B i P— KKt4

The likely looking P—B5 will not win the piece because

of 33 B— Kt4ch., K— K t i ; 34B— K6, Q— B3 ; 35 B— B2. Hemust therefore stake everything on his K side pawns.

33. Q— KB2 P— Kt534. B— R i

If 34 Bx K tP , R x B ; 35B xPch ., K— K t i ; 36 Q x R ,Q x Bc h. ; 37 Q— B2 (K— K ti,R—Ktich.; 38 K—Ri, Qx

Pch.; or 37 K—Ki, QxP;threatening Q— R8ch.), Q— R6ch.; 38 K— K2 (K— K i , Q—R8ch.), Q— B 6 ; 39 K— B i, Q— R6ch.; drawing.

34- R x P

A surprise, but not the bestmove. With 34 . . . , P— B5 ; 35Q x P (B x P, R— Bi), Q x Qch.;36 B x Q , R— B i ; his pawnsshould give him at least a draw.

35- B— B4

After 35 B x R, Q x B ; Black would threaten 36.. . , P— Kt6 ;37 Q— Q2» Q— R8ch.; 38 K —K2, Q X R. The reply 36 B— B4,

would allow 36.. . , P— K t6 ; 37Q— Kt2, Q— Kt4ch.; 38 K—K ti, R— K7 ; while 36 Q— B4,

would be answered by Q— R8ch.; 37 B— K ti, Q— R6ch.;38 K— B2, P— Kt6ch.; 39 K—B3, Q— R8 Mate.

35- R - K 5

Thrill follows thrill now that

Black is committed to an all outeffort. He must close one of thetwo bishops' diagonals, for aquiet move such as R(4)— Qi



ALEKHINE— CAPABLANCA 105

would allow 36 Q x QRP with a terrific attack.

36. B x R P x B37. K— K ti P— Kt6

Not 37 . . R— K B4; 38 QxQRP, R x B ; 39 R— Qi, P— B3 ; 40 Q— R8ch., K— ¿2 ;41 Q— Q8 Mate.

38. Q— K3 Q— B339. R— K ti R— KB4

White has consolidated his position, and Black with his material inferiority cannot afford moves like P— Kt3. This attack, however, leads no

where and now the Black pawns begin to fall.

40. Q x R P R— Q441 • Q— R8ch. K— Q242. Q x P Q— Qsch.43. K— R i P— K644. R —QBi

Correct was 44 Q x Pch. first,

defending the bishop. Now Black can get out of his difficulties.

44. P— Kt7ch.

The point. White can no longer answer 45 K— R2 be

cause of 45 ..., Q xBch.

45. K x P P— R6ch.

Missing his opportunity. After 45 . . ., Q— Ksch.; 46 K— Kti (K— R3, Q— B6ch.;47 K xP , R— R4 Mate or K— Bi, Q xB ch.; 47 K— Kti, Q— Kt6ch.; 48 K— Ri, Q— R6ch.;49 K— Kti, R— Kt4ch.), R— Kt 4ch.; 47 B x R , Q x Q ; 48

B x R P . Q x P ; 49 Kt— B4,P— K7; with very good chances. Now it is easy for White.

46. K— B3 K— K3

47. R x P P— R748. Q— B6ch. R— Q3

Or 48 . . ., K— B4 ; 49 R— B7ch.

49. Q— K8ch. Resigns.

For if 49.. ., K— Q4 ; 50 Q— R5ch., K— K3; 51 Q—B7 Mate.

A titanic struggle from start to finish.

GAME 34

ALEKHINE—CAPABLANCA

22nd match game, Buenos Aires, 1927.

Pi l l s b u r y A t t a c k

I. P— 04 Kt— KB32. P - Q B 4 p — k 3

3- Kt— QB3 P - Ö 44- B— Kt5 B— K2

5- P— k 3 0— 06. Kt—B3 QKt— Q2

7- R— B i p — b 38. B— 03 P x P9- B x P Kt— Q4

10. B x B Q x B11. Kt— K4

If 11 0 — O, Black frees his game with Kt x Kt ; 12 R x Kt, P— K4. The text move, however, leads to a drawish position



io 6 BATTLES-ROYAL OF THE CHESSBOARD

unless he can play O— O first because of the check on his QKty.

11. Kt(4)— B3

If Kt(2)— B3 he not only reduces his chances of playing P— K4 or P— QB4 later but his advanced knight would be a target for the White KP.

12. Kt— Kt3 Q— Ktsch.13- Q— Q2 QxQch.14. K x Q R— Qi15. K R -Q i

Better than 15 B— Q3, P— K4; 16 P x P , Kt— Kts ; 17 P — K6, Kt(2)— K4 ; 18 Kt x Kt,

K t x K t ; 19 P xP ch ., K x P ;20 R— B3, P— QKt4 ; as in the 20th game of the match. Now if 15 . . ., P— K 4 ; 16 K— K2, P x P (P— K5 ; 17 Kt— K t5) ;17 R x P , with considerable pressure.

15- P— QKt316. P— K4

Here K— K2 would not be sufficiently aggressive, Black getting a solid position by 16 . . ., B— K t2 ; 17 R— Q2,

K— B i; 18 R(B)— Qi, K— K2; 19 P— K4, P— KR3.

16. B— Kt217. P— K5 Kt— K i

Against Kt— K4— Q6.

18. K— K3 K— B i Allowing White to get his

knights on aggressive squares. Preferable was P— KR3.

19. Kt— Kts P— KR320. Kt(5)— K4K — K2

If 20 . . ., P— QB4; 21 P— B4, P x Pch.; 22 R x P, with

by far the freer game.21. P— B4 P— KB422. Kt— B3 Kt— B2

Now P— QB4 would be answered by 23 P— Q5.

23. Kt(Kt)— K2 P— KKt424. P— KR4 P— Kts

P x P would lead to a probable draw after 25 R— KRi, R— K K t i ; 26 Rx P, R x P ;27 R xP, QR— K K t i ; but not25 . . ., P— B 4 ; 26 R x P , B x

P ; 27 R— KKti, R— K K t i ;28 R x P , B— Kt2 ; 29 R— R7ch., winning a piece.

25. Kt— Kt3 P— QR426. B— Kt3 QR— Bi

If 26 . . ., P— K t4; 27 P— Q5 (P—R4, P— Kts ; 28 Kt (B)— K2, QR— B i ; 29 R— B2, Kt— Q4ch.; with equality), BP x P (Kt xP ch .; 28 B xKt, BP x B ; 29 Kt xKtP) ; 28 Kt(B)

— K2, QR— B i ; 29 Kt— Q4, with positional compensation

for the pawn, as in the 24th game of the match.

27. P— R3 R— B i28. R— Q2 B— R i29. R(2)— QB2 P— B4

Not 29 . . ., Kt— Q4ch.; 30 Kt x Kt, KP x Kt (forced); 31 B xP. Black now seeks to

break out of his constricted position.



ALEKHINE— CAPABLANCA IO7

30. P x P K tx P31. Kt— R4 Kt(2)— R3

Not 31 . . Kt x B ; 32RxK tch., R x R ; 33 RxR ch.,

K— Q i ; 34 R— B3, Kt— R8(Kt—B4 ; 35 Kt x KtP, winning) J 35 Kt xKtP, B—Kt2 ;36 Kt— Kz, R— B2 ; 37 Kt—Q4 (threatening R—Bi), R—B2 ; 38 Kt x Pch., wins.

(BLACK) CAPABLANCA

(WHITE) ALEKHINE

Position before White's 32nd move.

(Diagram 44)

32. B x P

A brilliant effort to force a win. The likely looking 32 Kt xKtP, loses a piece by R— Q K ti;33K txB, RxBch.

32. K x B33. Kt x KtP R— QKti

White threatened P— Kt4-34. K tx B R— Kt6ch.

Missing his best chance, which was R x K t, for any

attempt by White to makequick use of his rooks on theQB file leads to an ending inBlack’s favour, as for example35 P—Kt4, PxP; 36 PxP,Kt x P ; 37 R x Kt, R— R6ch.;38 R (5)-B3 (K -B2 , K t- Q6ch.), R x R c h . ; 39 R x R , Kt— Q4ch.; or35 Rx K t, K t x R ;36 R xKt, KR— B i ; 37 R x R ,R x R . White must thereforeplay 35 R— Qi, a change of file

which is less effective whenBlack can oppose rooks, as hecan after 34 . . ., R xKt, thanin the game as played when

White controls the file. However, Alekhine suggested R xK t ; 35 Kt— K2, by-passing

the dangers.35. R— B3 Rx Rch.36. P x R R x Kt37. R— Qi R— K B i

He must withdraw his kingfrom the defence of the BP, for

if Kt— Kt2, the rook comes inat QKt6 after 38 R—QKti.

38. R— Q6ch. K— K239. R x P Kt— B240. R— R7ch.

Black threatens Kt— Kt4 or

Kt— Q4, but now White isable to force the king backfurther, since if 40 ..., R—B2 ;41 KtxPch.

40. K— Qi41. P— B4 K t(2 )-K 3

Preparing the countermeasure 42 . . ., K t x P ; 43KxKt, Kt—K3ch.; 44 K—K 3, P— B5CI1.; but White pre

vents the manoeuvre by



n o BATTLES-ROYAL OF THE CHESSBOARD

after 17 KPxP, R— Q 3; 18 Q— K3, P x P ; 19 Px P, R x P ; 20 Kt— B3, R— Q6. Now

White threatens 17 Kt x P, P x

K t ; 18 R x Kt, making Black’s extra pawn valueless.

16. P— K4

Now if 17 KtxP , P x P ; 18 Px P, R x P ; 19 Kt— K5, R— Q3; 20 Q— Bi, Q -B 3 ; 21

Q— b 3, r - k 3.17. Kt— B3 R— Q318. Q -K 3

He must try and hold what centre he has, for if 18 Q— R5, P x P ; 19 Kt— Kts, P— R3;

20 KtxPch., RxKt; 21 Qx R, P x P ; and the Black pawns will win.

18. P— K519. Kt— Q2 Kt— Q220. P— Kt4

A fighting reply. A less aggressive line would lead to slow suffocation. Now the game becomes very critical.

20. Kt— B321. P x B P B x P

The natural move and good enough, but more decisive was21 . . ., Kt— Q4; 22 Q— R3 (QxP, KtxP), Kt— B5 ; 23 Q— K3, Q— K t4 ; 24 Q x P (forced), B x P ; winning.

22. Q— B4 Q— Q2

23. B x PThe only way to get freedom

in the centre, for if 23 Kt x KP, B x K t ; 24 B x B, R— K tich .;

25 B— Kt2 (K— Ri, R— Kt5), Kt— Q4 ; 23 Q— K5ch, (Q— B3, R(3)— Kt3), P— B3; 27 Q— R5, Kt— B5 ; winning.

23. KtxB24. Kt x Kt R— Kt3ch.25. Kt— Kt3

The climax of Black’s play, for White must now lose the exchange. If 25 K— Ri (K— Bi, B x K t ; 26 QxB, Q— R

6ch.), Q— Q4 (not R— Kt5 ; 26 Kt— B6); 26 P— B3, R— K i ; threatening 27 . . . , R x K t ; 28 P x R , B x P ; winning easily.

25. B x R 26. R x B P— KB4

Threatening R— Kt5 followed byP — B5.

27. P— B3 Q— KKt2

But now Black begins to go wrong, curiously enough in the same way as Mieses did against

Capablanca in Game 28, by not forcing exchanges after obtaining a material advantage. Better was 27 .. . , Q— Q3.

28. K— B2 Q— B329. P x P BP x P

A further error, for though the pawns look strong, White has now a passed pawn which enables him to fight back with magnificent virtuosity.

[Diagram 45]

30. R— Qi K— Kti31. P— Q5 Q x P

A final misjudgment; Q— Q3 was essential. The full subtlety



CAPABLANCA— NIMZOWITCH I I I

(BLACK) [ N1MZCWITCH

(WHITE) CAPABLANCA


( D i a g r a m 45 )

of White’s recovery has still toappear.

32. P— Q6 Q— B333. P— Q7 P—B634. K t x P P—B7

Of course not Q x K t ; 35QxQ, R x Q ; 36 P -Q 8 =Qch., nor R— Kt4 ; 35 R— Q5,R x K t ; 36 R x R, Q— Kt3ch.;37 K—Kt2, R x R ; 38 Q xR .

35- R— Q6

A big surprise. The tame 35R—QBi, would lose by 35 . . .,R—Kt4 (not Q— Kt3ch.; 36

Q-Q4); 36 P - K 4 . Q - K t3 ch.

35- Q— Q1

Threatening R x R and stillanticipating a won game. Otherlines lead only to a probabledraw ; for example, 35 .. . , Q xR ; 3 6 K t x Q , R x Q ; 37 P—Q8-Qch., R— B i; 38 Q— B7,R x K t ; 39 Q xP , or 35 . . .,P— B8=Q; 36 QxQ, Q x K t ;37 P—Q8=Q, RxQ; 38 RxR(8)ch. White uses his passedpawn with magnificent effect,so that Black’s move is themost reasonable one.

36. Q— K5 R x K t

Of course not 36 . . ., P— B8= Q ; 37 RxRch., P x R ; 38Q— Kt7Mate. The text appearsfinally to break White’s attack,

but there is more to it.

37- Q— K8ch.

The point. Of course 37 Q x R would lose. Now if 37 . . . , K—Kt2; 38 RxRch., P x R ; 39QxQ, P—B8=Q; 40 Q—K7ch., K— R3 ; 41 P— Q8=Q,and White actually wins, soBlack must submit to the draw

by perpetual check.37- R— B i38. RxRch. Drawn.




M. Euwe (b. 1901), the Dutch master, won the world championship from Alekhine in 1935, only to lose it again two years later. A player of deep and accurate positional sense, he has persistently won prizes in master tournaments, though often just failing to winthe 1st prize. One of his best results was his 1st prize at London,1946. (Pronunciation :— Erver.)

GAME 36

EUWE—BOGOLYUBOV

8th match game, 1928.

P i l l s b u r y A t t a c k

i - P— Q4 P— Q42. P— QB4 P— k 33. Kt— QB3 Kt— KB34. B— Kt5 QKt— Q25. P— K3 P— b 36. P-QR3

Preventing the Cambridge

Springs Defence.6. B— K27. Kt— B3 Kt— K58. B x B Q xB9. Q— B2 P— KB4

A solid variation in which he

will labour under the permanentdisadvantages of weak Blacksquares and a confined bishop.

10. B— K2 0— Oix. O— O R— B3

P— K4 is impossible because

of the loss of the QP, and if first11 . . ., Kt x K t ; then 12 Q xKt, again prevents P— K4.

12. Kt— K5

A double-edged move. Hepermanently prevents P— K4

but has to allow some weakening of his position on the K side.The more orthodox play would

be to operate on the Q side byP— B5 and P— QKt4— Kt5.

12. QKt x Kt

13. P x K t R— R314. P— KKt3

To prevent Q— R5. Were heto permit Q— R5 and then playP—R3, Black could at oncecontinue with P— KKt4— Kt5.

14. B— Q215. P— B3 Kt x P

A bold sacrifice designed totake advantage of the weakness White has permitted. But probably a quieter line like Kt—Kt4 would in the end have

proved more effective.

16. P x K t Q— Kt417. K— Kt2

If K—B2, then R—R7CI1.;18 K— K i, Q x K P ; 19 P— B4,QxPch.

17. R—Kt318. P— KKt4 Q x P19. P— B4 P x KtP



EUWE— BOGOLYUBOV M 3

To prevent 20 P— Kt5 and 21B - R 5 .

20. Q—03 Q—Kt321. P— Kt4

Preparing for 22 R— R i withthe threat of 23 R x P, K x R ;24 R—Rich., K—Kti; 25 Q xR. White is now beginning

to recover the initiative.

21. R— K B i

22. P— QB5 Q— Qi23. Q— Kt3 P— KR424. R— R i R— R325. QR— K B i P— QKt3

Black is entirely without prospects unless he can open somemore lines.

26. Q— R4 6 — R i27. B— Q3 P— R428. Q— Kt5 B— K i

I f R P x P ; 29RXP, R x R ;30 Q xR , R— B i (against 31B— R7CI1.) ; 31 RP x P, with a

great advantage.29. R— R i i

Black’s manœuvre has succeeded in making White halthis initiative. If 29 Kt— R4,R P x P ; 30 K t x P , Q x P ;

with good chances.29. Q— K ti30. KtPxP

This fails to keep Black contained. It was based on the line30..., P x RP ; 31QR— QKti,

Q— R2 ; 32 Kt— R4 (not R—Kt6, P— QR5), and Black cannot get out. Better was 30 KR—QKti (not QR— QKti, RP X

P ; 31 RP x P, P x P ; 32 P xP, Q— R2), Q— R2 ; 31 Kt—R4, P— K t4 ; 32 Kt— B3, and

White holds the Q side.

30. P— Kt431. Kt— K2 Q— R232. Kt— Kt3

He cannot prevent Black’squeen coming back into thegame, for if KR— QBi, Q x R P ;

threatening Q— Q7.32. QxBP33. P— B5

If Kt x P, B x K t ; 34 R xB, Q—K6; 35 RxR, Q— B 6ch.; with a draw by perpetual

check. If 35 Q xP, R x R ; 36Q x R, Q x B ; wins.

33- P— R5

(BLACK) BOGOLYUBOV

(WHITE) EUWE


( D i a g r a m 46)

34. R x P

A most critical position, with



VIDMAR— EU WE

An unorthodox development of the bishop which almost inevitably leads to giving up the

bishop for the knight.

3. B— Kta4- QKt— Q2 P— B45. p - k 3

If P— K4, Black will control the long diagonal.

5. P—Kt3

6. B - Q 3 B— Kt27- 0— 0 P— k r 38. B— KB4 P - Q 39- P— b 3 Kt— R4

10. Q— Kt3

White allows a certain amount of disruption in his

pawn position to obtain open lines for his pieces. The safe 10 B— Kt3, K t x B ; n RP x Kt, offered fewer possibilities.

10. KtxB11. PxKt 0 —0

If P x P ; 12 KtxP , and Black can only give White an isolated pawn at the cost of his

valuable KB. White cannot answer the text move with12 B x P, because of P— B5, followed by P— Q4.

12. QR— Qi Kt— B313. B— Kti

Now B x P would be answered by Kt— R4.

13. P x P14. P x P P— K3

Black cannot have the threat of B x P hanging over him indefinitely, but now his QP is

weak.

15. Kt— K4 Kt— K2

P— Q4 would allow White to establish himself strongly on hisK5.

16. Q— R3 Kt— B417. R— Q2 Q— K218. Kt— Kt3 K t x K t19. BPxKt KR—Bi20. P— KKt4 R— B221. P— B5 K P x P22. P x P P— KKt423. R— K i Q— B3

The immediate disruption of his K side pawns has been averted, and he threatens P— Kt5, winning the knight.

24. P— R3 QR— QBi

25- R(Q)-Qi

Of course if 25 Q x RP, B x Kt. White is now on the defensive and Black's superior de

velopment begins to tell. Some what better was R(Q)— K2, and

if R— B8 ; 26 R— K8ch., R x R ; 27 R x R.

25. R— B526. P— Q5

He can no longer stand the threat of BxKt.

26. P— QR4It was better to play for

equality with Q x KtP ; for then 27 QxRP , B— R i (B x P ;28 R x B , R— B8 ; 29 B— Q3, RxRch. ; 3o Ktx R,Q — B8;3i Q— K7, B— B6; 32 K— Bi, Q— Bsch. ; with nothing more than perpetual check) ; 28 Q— Q7 (not B— Q3, R(5)— B2 ; 29 Q— R4, BxP), R— B 8 ; 29

115



i i 6 BATTLES-ROYAL OF THE CHESSBOARD

R x R (not R— K8ch., B— Bi),R x R ; 30 Q— K8ch. (B— Q3,R x R c h . ; 31 K t x R , Q— B8 ;32 Q— K8ch., B— B i ; 33 Q xB, QxKtch.), K—R2; 31 P—B6 dis. ch., Q x B ; 32 P x B ,R x R c h . ; 3 3 K t x R , K x P ;and a draw is almost certain.

27. Kt— Q2 Q— Q5ch.28. K— R i Q xQ P

Better was simply R(5)— B2 ;29 Kt— K4, Q x KtP ; 30 Q xQP, but Black sees mating possibilities by means of a com

binative assault on the Whiteking.

( b l a c k ) e u w e

( w h i t e ) v i d m a r


( D i a g r a m 47)

29. B— K4 R x B30. K t x R Q x B P

31. Kt x QP B x Pch.32. K x B R— B7ch.33. K— R i Q— B5

tion. An apparently inescapablemate on the move is threatened,

but White has seen further andnow brings his own still more

beautiful combination intoeffect.

34. R— K8ch. B— B i

Clearly not K— R2 ; 35 Q—Q3ch.

35. R x Bch. K x R

Of course if K— Kt2 ; 36 R xPch.

36. Kt— Bsdis. ch. K— K ti37. Q— B8ch. Resigns.

It is mate next move. Agalling resignation when he isstill left threatening his ownmate on the move. For thisexquisite piece of play Vidmar

was awarded a brilliancy prize.

GAME 38

ALEKHINE-BOGOLYUBOV

nth match game,

Weisbaden, 1929.P i l l s b u r y A t t a c k

1. P— Q4 Kt— KB32. P— QB4 P— B33. Kt— QB3 P— K3

4. Kt— B3 P— Q45. B— Kt5 QKt— Q26. P— K4

The key to Black’s combina- A bold method of avoiding



ALEKHINE— BOGOLYÜBOV

the Cambridge Springs Defence.

6. PxKP7. Kt x P Q— Kt3

Q— R4ch., would avoid the break-up of his K side pawns.

8. KtxKtch. P x K t9. B—B i P— K4

10. B— Q3

Sacrificing a pawn to secureopen lines for his bishops androoks.

10. P x P11. 0 —O B—K2

He has no time for P— QB4,for then 12 R— Kich., B— K2 ;

13 Q— K2, Q— Qi (Q— Q3 ; 14B—B4); 14 B— R6 and thethreat of B— Kt7 followed by BxBP ties up Black com

pletely.

12. R— K i K t— B i13. Kt— R4 B— K 314. Kt— B5 B— Kt5Hoping to castle on the Q

side with a good game.

15. Kt— Kt7ch. K— Q216. R— K4 R— K K ti17. Kt— R5 B— K2

[Diagram 48]18. P— QKt4

Black has now somewhat consolidated his position, so Whitegives up a second pawn to keepthe pot boiling. It is rare to get

such a tense situation so earlyin a Queen’s Pawn opening.

18. P— KB419. P— B5 Q x K t P

(BLACK) BOGOLYÜBOV

(WHITE) ALEKHINE

Position before White’s 18th move.

( D i a g r a m 48)

He has now no option but toaccept the offer. If Q— B2 ; 20B— KB4, Q— B i ; 21 R x Pch.

20. R— K5

Better than 20 R— K ti, Q xP ; 21 RxKtPch. , K— B i ; 22B— QR6, P x R ; 23 R— Kt5dis. ch., K— Q i ; 24 R x Q,B x R ; and Black has a goodgame.

20. Kt— Kt3

Not liking P— B3 ; 21 R—Kti, Q—R4 >22 R xPch., KK i (K— B i ; 23 K R xB , Kt xR ; 24 R x B ) ; 23 K R x B ,Kt x R ; 24 B x P, Kt— B i ; 25Q - K 2 .

21. R— K ti Q— R4

I f Q x R ; 22 B x Q, Kt x R ;23 Q x Pch., with advantage.

22. R— K2 P— Kt3



ALEKHÎNÊ— BOGOLYUBOV I I 9

a pawn ahead, so White nowswitches his attack suddenly tothe other flank.

46. Q— B3

47. Q— Kt3 Q -K K t348. Q— R3 K— B3

( b l a c k ) BOGOLYUBOV

(WHITE) ALEKHINE


(D i a g r a m 49)

49. KtxPch.

And with a brilliant strokehe recovers the second pawn.The combination is delightfullycontrived.

49. P x Kt50. Q— B8ch. B— B2

51. R—Bich. Kt—B6

If K— Kt3; 52 B— Rsch., Kx B ; 53 Q xR , threatening

both R— R i Mate and Q x Kt.

52. B x K t R— Kt8

Not PxB; 53 RxPch., K—Kt3; 54 R—Kt3ch., preventingQ— Kt8ch. and winning therook.

53- Q—R8ch.Not yet B— Q2, for thenR x Rc h.; 54 B x R, Q— Kt8.

53- K -Q 254* Q— R+ch. K— B i55. B— Q2 RxRch.56. B x R Q— Q3

If Q— Kt8 ; 57 Q— K8ch.,B— Qi (K— Kt2 ; 58 Q— K4ch.); 58 Q— B6ch. The gameis now an inevitable draw. No

world championship match everproduced a finer struggle than

this.57. Q— K8ch. K— Kt258. Q— Ktsch. K— R259. Q— R^ch. K— Kt260. Q— Ktsch. B— Kt361. G— Q3 Q— Kt362. Q xQ B P x Q

63. K— B2 K— B3Drawn.




R. Spielmann (1883-1942) was another of the young masters who began to make a name for themselves early in the twentieth

century. In style he was a romantic and reverted to the gambits of an earlier age. His greatest success was winning the big tournament at Semmering, 1926. He was an Austrian.

G. Stoltz (b. 1910) is a young Swedish player who first appeared about 1930 and was at once successful in international competitions.

GAME 39

SPIELMANN—STOLTZ

Bled tournament, 1931.

Q u e e n ’s G a m b i t

I. P— Q4 P - Q 42. Kt— KB3 Kt— KB3

3- P— B4 P x P4- P— k 3 P— K3

5-B x P P—B4

6. 0— 0 Kt— B37- Kt—B3 P - Q R 38. Q -K 2 B— K2

A move generally deferred in order to avoid losing a move

with the bishop.

9. P x P B x P10. P— QR3 Q— B211. P— QKt4 B— Q312. B— Kt2 Kt— K413. Kt x Kt

Initiating a plan to reinforce

H B— Q3; 15 Q— B3, threatening P— K4— K5 with a fine game.

15. B x B P— QKt416. BxKt

The point. Black must submit to the disruption of his K side pawns.

16. Q x B17. Q— B3

If 17 Qx Q, P x Q ; 18 B x P , R— K K ti; 19 B— K5, B— Kt 2; 20R— B2,R— QBi; White, though a pawn up, would have diminished winning chances because of the bishops of opposite colours.

17- Q— Q418. P— K4 Q— b 319. B x P R— KK ti20. B— K5 B— Kt221. KR— K i

White has won the first

Battles Royal of the Chessboard by R.N. Coles Part.3

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Transcript of Battles Royal of the Chessboard by R.N. Coles Part.3