Chapter XIII: Part II: Illustrative Games From Master Tournaments (3)

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

Diag. 132

13. PxP

The second mistake. Unimportant as it seems, it leads to the loss of the game. White did not defend the pawn by Q-B2, because it would have proved 10. Q-Q2 to have been a lost move. But giving up the centre is a far greater evil. Black now commands his Q5 and KB5, and this enables him to start an attack to which there is no defence. The game shows conclusively how important it is to maintain the centre.

13. ... KtxP
14. Castles KR P-B4
15. P-QKt4 P-QKt3
16. Q-K2

to prevent P-K5, which would now be countered by PxP and Q-B4. However, as P-K5 cannot be prevented permanently, and the Q must move in any case, Q-B2 would have been the better move, as there the Queen cannot be molested by a Rook.

16. ... Q-Q3
17. P-Kt5 QKt-K2
18. B-Q2 Kt-Kt3
19. R-R4 QR-K1!

Black’s game is beautifully developed, whilst White cannot make a combined effort. The Black Rooks are particularly well placed, and threaten to take an effective part in the attack in various ways. All this is the outcome of White losing the centre.

20. P-KKt3

Though this prevents Kt(Q 4)-B5, it weakens KB3, which is all the more serious as Black threatens to open the file by P-B5.

20. ... Q-Q2

If now White refrains from taking the pawn, Black plays P-QR4!

21. RxP P-K5
22. Kt-Q4 PxP
23. QxP Kt-K4
24. Q-K2 P-B5

All the avenues of attack are now open, and White’s game collapses quickly.

25. Q-R5 Kt-KB 3
26. Q-B5 Kt-B6ch
27. K-R1 QxQ
28. KtxQ KtxB
29. R-Q1 Kt(B3)-K5
30. KtxP KtxBPch
31. K-Kt2 P-B6ch
Resigns.

GAME No. 22

White: Forgacz. Black: Tartakower.

French Defence (see p. 48).

1. P-K4 P-K3
2. P-Q4 P-Q4
3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3
4. B-Kt5 B-K2
5. P-K5 Kt-K5

KKt-Q2 is better, because it would support the advance of P-QB4 and also be of use eventually in an attack on White’s centre by P-KB3. The text move allows the exchange of two minor pieces, which can only be to White’s advantage, as Black cannot get his QB into play, and is for a long time practically a piece down.

6. KtxKt BxB

After PxKt the pawn would be very weak, and could hardly be held for long.

7. KtxB QxKt
8. P-KKt3

To be able to play P-KB4 before developing the Kt (see p. 49).

8. ... P-QB4
9. P-QB3 Kt-B3
10. P-KB4 Q-K2
11. Q-Q2 B-Q2
12. Kt-B3 Castles KR
13. B-Q3 P-B5
14. B-B2 P-QKt4
15. Castles KR P-Kt2
16. Q R-K1 P-QR4

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

Diag. 133

So far the game is easy to understand in the light of the remarks made on page 44, when treating of the openings. The continuation shows in an instructive fashion that White’s attack is the more effective, being directed against the King’s side.

17. P-B5! KPxP

This sacrifice of a pawn in conjunction with a second sacrifice on the next move, produces a combination of rare beauty.

18. P-Kt4!! PxP

If Black did not capture White would. In either case the storming of the position by pawns achieves its object and the lines of attack are free for the pieces.

19. Kt-Kt5 P-Kt3

Now that White has made an opening for himself at KB6, the rest is easy. 19. ... P-R3 is of no avail. The sequel might have been: 20 Kt-R 7, KR-Q1; 21 Kt-B6ch, after which White wins after either PxKt; 22 QxP, or K-R1 KtxP.

20. R-B6 K-Kt2

Black gets no breathing space. If P-R3, then 21 BxP.

21. QR-KB1 B-K1
22. Q-B4 Kt-Q1
23. P-K6 R-R3
24. Q-K5 K-R3
25. QR-B5

Help!

25. ... BPxP
26. Kt-B7ch QxKt
27. R-R5ch K-Kt2
28. RxKtP mate

GAME No. 23

White: Yates. Black: Esser.

French Defence.

1. P-K4 P-K3
2. P-Q4 P-Q4
3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3
4. B-Kt5 PxP
5. BxKt PxB

If the Queen recaptures, White obtains too great an advantage in development, and therefore Black submits to the doubling of his pawns. It is doubtful if this means a handicap, although the King’s side gets broken up. For Black keeps his two Bishops, a powerful weapon, unless White succeeds in developing swiftly an attack on the King’s side. The present game is instructive and shows the chances afforded to both sides by the position brought about by the exchange at KB6.

6. KtxP P-KB4

As the KB obtains a long diagonal at Kt2, this advance is justified. Otherwise there would be strong objections to it, as the pawn is likely to be subjected to attack, and apart from that, it gives up command of Black’s K4.

7. Kt-QB3

Kt-Kt3 would seem more natural, firstly, because Black has weaknesses on the K side, and White will need his pieces for attack in that quarter, and secondly, because the QP ought to be supported by P-B3, as Black will attack it by B-Kt2.

7. ... B-Kt2
8. Kt-B3 Castles
9. B-B4

If now the Knight were at Kt3, White could play P-B3 and BQ3. This is the proper place for the B, which might obtain an open diagonal after P-KKt4.

9. ... Kt-B3
10. Kt-K2 Kt-R4
11. B-Q3 P-B4
12. P-B3 P-QB5

P-Kt3 seems preferable, as the text move releases the hold on White’s Q4. The isolated pawn resulting after 13. PxP is not to be feared, as the B at Kt2 would have greater efficiency (QR- Kt1), and White would not be so firmly established in the centre.

13. B-B2 P-Kt4
14. Q-Q2

There now ensues an interesting struggle. White builds up an attack with Q and both Knights and eventually the B (P-KKt4). If Black can manage to play his King into safety at R1 in time, and then occupies the Kt file with his Rooks, he would have the better of it, his pieces having by far the greater range of action.

14. ... B-Kt2
15. Q-B4 Q-B3

K-R1 and KR-Kt1 might be considered.

16. Kt-Kt3 B-KR3
17. Q-B7 Q-Q1
18. Q-K5

White gains a move by attacking the Knight’s Pawn. It may seem far fetched if I now point out that this could not have happened if from the first Black had given preference to the pawn formation at QKt3 and B4 instead of Kt4 and B5, though the whole game would almost certainly have taken a different course. Still, when advancing a pawn into an unprotected position there always is the risk of its becoming the object of an attack at an opportune moment, and whenever the plan of development does not necessitate such moves they are best avoided.

18. ... B-Q4
19. Kt-R5 Kt-B3?
20. Q-Kt3ch??

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

Diag. 134

The last moves have decided the game. Both players have overlooked that 20. Q-B6 would have won a pawn at least (QxQ, 21. KtxQch with KtxB and BxP). 20. ... BxKt leads to an immediate loss by 21. QxB, BxKt; 22. QxB followed by P-KKt4! with an overwhelming attack.

Instead of 19. ... Kt-B3, Black should have played P-B3, followed by K-R1 and the occupation of the Kt file by the Rooks. White’s last move allows him to de this with even greater effect.

20. ... K-R1
21. Q-R3 R-KKt1

Black has now a preponderance of material on the field of battle, and it can be concluded off-hand that White, not being able to bring his Rooks into play, must lose.

22. Kt-Kt3 Q-B3
23. K-B1

K-K2 is a shade better. But there is no longer any adequate defence.

23. ... R-Kt5
24. R-K1 QR-KKt1
25. Kt-K5

Black was threatening BxKt, followed by R-R5 and P-B5

25. ... KtxKt
26. PxKt Q-Kt4
27. Q-R5 BxPch
28. K-Kt1 RxKt?

QxQ and B-K5ch was simple and effective.

29. RPxR BxR
30. QxQ BxQ
31. KxB R-Q1
32. P-B4

R-Q1 is much more promising, although it means the loss of a pawn (RxR and B-B8, etc.). With Bishops of different colour the game is not easy to win even now.

32. ... R-Q7
33. PxB RxB
34. R-Q1 RxKtP
35. R-Q7 K-Kt2
36. RxRP R-QB7

He could have played P-Kt5 at once.

37. R-R5 R-QKt7
38. P-R4

R-R3 would only have drawn out the agony a little longer.

38. ... P-Kt5
Resigns.

GAME No. 24

White: Atkins. Black: Barry.

French Defence.

1. P-K4 P-K3
2. P-Q4 P-Q4
3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3
4. B-Kt5 B-K2
5. P-K5 KKt-Q2
6. BxB QxB

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

Diag. 135.

7. Kt-Kt5

The intention is to strengthen the centre by P-QB3. Though it takes a number of moves to bring the Knight into play again, yet most of the tournament games in this variation have been won by White, mostly through a King’s side attack on the lines set out in the notes to Game No. 22. Investigations by Alapin tend to show that this is due to the fact that Black in all cases devoted his attention to Queen’s side operations (just as in Game No. 22) when he could have utilised White’s backward development, by himself starting a counter attack on the King’s side. He can then either aim at the White centre at once with P-KB3, or else play P-KB4 and prepare the advance of the KKtP by Kt-B3-Q1-B2. These various lines of play are still under discussion. Simple development is probably preferable to the move in the text, e.g. 7. B-Q3, Castles; 8. P-B4, P-QB4; 9. Kt-B3.

7. ... K-Q1

There can be no advantage in forfeiting the option of castling unless there be no other way of getting the King into safety and of bringing the Rooks into concerted action. It is obvious that otherwise the free development of pieces is hindered, and the King is in appreciable danger, for it is easier to open files in the centre than on the wings where the pawns have not advanced yet. Therefore Kt-Kt3 is the only move worth considering.

8. P-QB3 P-KB3
9. PxP

With the Black King remaining in the centre, White has no further interest in the maintenance of his pawn at K5. On the contrary he will try to clear the centre.

9. ... PxP
10. Q-Q2 P-B3
11. Kt-QR3 Kt-B1

At this early stage it is clear that Black will have to contend with difficulties in trying to complete his development. The usual way (P-QB4) is barred on account of the dangers to Black’s King with which a clearance in the centre is fraught.

12. Kt-B3 B-Q2
13. P-KKt3!

As Black can force this advance at any time by playing R-KKt1, White decides to develop his KB at Kt2, thereby covering his KB3 and KR3. The weakness of the latter squares would not be of any great moment if White were to castle on the Queen’s wing. But as P-QB4 is necessary in order to break up the centre, castling KR is the right course.

13. ... B-K1
14. B-Kt2 QKt-Q2
15. P-B4 PxP
16. KtxP Kt-QKt3
17. KtxKt PxKt
18. Castles KR Kt-Kt3
19. KR-K1 B-Q2
20. Q-B3 R-K1
21. Kt-Q2 Q-B1
22. P-QR4!

White wishes to get rid of the pawn at Black’s Kt3, in order to break in with his Knight at B5. Black has no means of preventing this, and soon succumbs to the overwhelming array of White forces.

22. ... Kt-K2
23. P-R5 P-QKt4
24. Kt-Kt3 Kt-Q4
25. BxKt KPxB
26. RxRch BxR
27. Kt-B5 Q-B2
28. R-K1 K-B2
29. Q-K3 B-Q2
30. Q-B4ch Resigns.

If K-Q1, 31. KtxPch followed by Kt-Q6ch. If K-B1 White wins by 31. Q-Q6 and R-K7.

GAME NO. 25

White: Emanuel Lasker. Black: Tarrasch.

French Defence.

1. P-K4 P-K3
2. P-Q4 P-Q4
3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3
4. B-Kt5 B-Kt5

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

Diag. 136

This line of defence, called the McCutcheon variation, was recommended for many years by Tarrasch as being the strongest. The most obvious continuation 5. P-K5 leads to complications, and the final verdict has not yet been reached. After 5. ... P-KR3, the best continuation is thought to be: 6. PxKt, PxB; 7. PxP, R- Kt1; 8. P-KR4, PxP; 9. Q-R5, Q-B3; 10. QxRP, QxP.

White has an easy development, whilst Black, as in most variations in the French defence, finds it difficult to bring his QB into play. After P-KR3, it is not advisable to retire the Bishop; 6. B-R4, P-KKt4; 7. B-Kt3, for here the Bishop is out of play, and Black’s King’s Knight being free can play to K5 for concerted action with Black’s KB. Lasker’s continuation in the present instance is at once simple and effective. It leads to an entirely different system of development.

5. PxP QxP

If Black recaptures with the pawn, he must lose a move with the Bishop in order to avoid getting an isolated doubled pawn after 6. Q-B3. The doubled pawn which Black may get after the move in the text would not be isolated, and therefore not necessarily weak. It could become a weakness if Black were to castle on the King’s side. But otherwise it might even become a source of strength, supporting, as it would, an advance of Black’s KP against the White centre.

6. Kt-B3 P-B4?

Black should retain the option of castling QR, in case White exchanges at his KB6; P-QKt3 and B-Kt2 would have been better.

7. BxKt PxB
8. Q-Q2 BxKt
9. QxB Kt-Q2
10. R-Q1 R-KKt1
11. PxP QxP
12. Q-Q2 Q-Kt3

guarding against the mate at Q1 before moving the Kt. But this would have been better effected by Q-K2. After Q-Kt3 the Knight cannot move yet because of B-Kt5ch.

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

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.

GAME No. 26

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.

7. ... B-Q3
8. Q-B3 P-B3

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.

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

Diag. 138.

11. ... Kt-K1

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

12. Q-R3 P-KB4

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

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

21. BxP was threatened.

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

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

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

The deciding 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. 27

White: Niemzowitsch. Black: Tarrasch. French Defence.

1. P-K4 P-QB4

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

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

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

7. PxP B-Q2

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

8. B-K2

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

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

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

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

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

12. P-Kt3 P-QR4

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

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

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

Diag. 140

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

36. Q-Kt3 RxP

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

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

GAME No. 28

White: Alapin. Black: Rubinstein.

Sicilian Defence.

1. P-K4 P-QB4

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

2. Kt-KB3 Kt-KB3?

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

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

3. P-K5

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

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

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

7. B-B4 PxP

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

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

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

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

Diag. 141

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

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

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

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

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

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

22. B-R7 R-B3

Otherwise there follows R-Kt6.

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

GAME No. 29

White: Teichmann. Black: Spielmann.

Sicilian Defence (see p. 215).

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

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

3. ... Kt-QB3

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

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

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

Diag. #142

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

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

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

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

Q-B2 leads to the same conclusion.

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

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

17. ... P-B4

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

18. PxKt double ch KxP
19. BxPch Resigns.

GAME No. 30

White: Tarrasch. Black: Spielmann.

Sicilian Defence.

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

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

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

The Black Bishop is the more effective, as the line of the White Bishop is masked by the KP. Small as this advantage would seem, it becomes serious later on. It is another confirmation of the doctrine that the value of each 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-QKt4
14. Kt-Q1?

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

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

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

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

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

Diag. 143

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

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

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

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

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

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

If R-K1, Q-B4.

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

GAME No. 31

White: John. Black: Janowski

Sicilian Defence.

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

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

5. QKt-B3 P-KKt3

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

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

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

Diag. 144

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GAME No. 32

White: Ed. Lasker. Black: Mieses.

Centre Counter Defence.

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

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

3. P-Q4 QxP

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

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

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

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

Diag. 145

6. Kt-K5! Kt-K5

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

7. Q-B3 Kt-Q3

If KtxKt, B-Q2.

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

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

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

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

12. KtxB PxKt
13. B-Q3 QxP

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

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

GAME No. 33

White: Barasz. Black: Mieses.

Centre Counter Defence.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Diag. 146

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GAME NO. 34

White: Em. Lasker. Black: Niemzowitsch.

Caro-Kann Defence (compare p. 50).

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

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

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

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

14. Castles QR!

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

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

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

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

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

Diag. 147

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

41. Kt-K5! Draw.

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

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

GAME NO. 35

White: Reti. Black: Tartakower.

Caro-Kann Defence.

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

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

5. ... P-K4

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

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