MY SYSTEM 21st Century Edition by Aron Nimzowitsch THE LANDMARK POSITIONAL CHESS TRAINING CLASSIC IN AN EASY-TO-STUDY ALGEBRAIC FORMAT / 419 DIAGRAMS “A thorough knowledge of the elements takes us more than half the road to mastership” ~Aron Nimzowitsch Edited by Lou Hays Introduction by International Grandmaster Yasser SeirawanLovers® Hello everybody! Hola a todos! ‘We are @ group of chess fans who are producing new chess material. We have members from all around the ‘world, belonging to diferent cultures and speaking different languages, all of us joined by our common love for choss! We hope you wil enjoy our work! Somos un grupo de fanicos de ajedres, que estamos watando de product nueyo material como este, desarollande liforentes proyectos dens. Tenomes micros de diferentes pares del munda, provenientes de diferentes eta hblande diferentes lengua, unidos por nuesirs pas pore ajedrea!.Esperames que dsfuten de est muestra de esto tbo Ifyou are Interested in joining us, or send any comments drop us an email at: caissa,_lovers@yahoo.com, Si alguien estvies interesaido oo uninse al grupo nos pueden eserbi a: ease lovers G2yahoo. crn Best regards Saludos! Caissa LoversMY SYSTEM ARON NIMZOWITSCH Edited and converted to algebraic notation by Lou Hays Hays Publishing Dallas, TexasCopyright © Lou Hays, 1991 All rights reserved under Pan American and International Copyright conventions. My System-2ist Century Edition was derived in its entirety from the original My System published by Harcourt, Brace and Co.; Copyright 1930. No part of this edition may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. Original English translation of My System by Philip Hereford Editor: Lou Hays Book design and typeset: Lou Hays _ Cover Illustration: Carolyn Hoefelmeyer Proofreaders: John Hall, David Sewell, Luis Salinas, Mike Richards, Joe Drake, Al Sprague lilustrative game computer files built on “Zarkov 2.5" (developed by John Stanback and distributed by Chess Laboratories). Diagrams created on “Zarkov 2.5" and "Diagram 2.01" (developed by Steve Kelly). Many of the examples in parts one and two of the book (particularly those with "nested variations") were created and processed on “ChessBase 3.0" (distributed by ChessBase U.S.A). Ninth Printing February, 1997 PRINTED !N THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Hays Publishing P.O. Box 797623 Dallas, Texas 75379 ISBN 1-880673-85-1 Softcover This edition is dedicated to my parents, Bill and Dorothy Hays, who in 1958 dragged me to the Muskogee, Oklahoma public library for Saturday chess lessons, and to Frank Rogers, who taught me to play.A WORD FROM THE PUBLISHER My System, by Aron Nimzowitsch, first published in 1925, has its place among the two or three all-time most instructive books in the literature of chess. Indeed, it is difficult to find a strong chessplayer who has not studied this great classic. The current edition, My System - 21st Century Edition, incorporates many positive changes. To accommodate the modern reader, the chess notation has been converted to the algebraic format and the text has been updated to contemporary language. in parts one and two, paragraphs are double spaced to provide for easier reading, while the illustrative games section is peppered with new diagrams and liberal spacing to facilitate the study of variations. Aron Nimzowitsch comments in the preface to his book Chess Praxis (published 1936), "! would have liked to see each game provided with four or five diagrams to facilitate the study of the variations which often are particularly intricate, but obese volumes are not in favor nowadays (slimming is the watchword)." \n this vein t feel certain that he would be most pleased to know that My System - 21st Century Edition contains 419 diagrams! This is nearly double the number found in the original 1930 English language edition from which this book is derived. In short, everything possible has been done to make the use of this book convenient and easy for today's chessplayer. | wish to thank the staff of the John G. White Collection of the Cleveland Public Library for the photograph from which the cover illustration was created. The goal of making My System as accurate and easy as possible for the contemporary reader has been achieved. The master work of Aron Nimzowitsch, after nearly seventy years of challenging and teaching thousands of the world’s best chess thinkers, is now in a position to continue its noble task throughout the next century. Lou Hays Dallas, Texas December, 1991 PART 1 - CHAPTER 1. CHAPTER 2. CHAPTER 3. CHAPTER 4. CHAPTER 5. CHAPTER 6. CHAPTER 7. CHAPTER 8. CHAPTER 9. PART 2 - CHAPTER 10. CHAPTER 11. CHAPTER 12. CHAPTER 13. CHAPTER 14. CHAPTER 15. PART 3 - TABLE OF CONTENTS THE ELEMENTS ON THE CENTER AND DEVELOPMENT ON OPEN FILES THE SEVENTH AND EIGHTH RANKS THE PASSED PAWN ON EXCHANGING ELEMENTS OF ENDGAME STRATEGY THE PIN DISCOVERED CHECK THE PAWN CHAIN POSITIONAL PLAY POSITIONAL PLAY AND THE CENTER THE DOUBLED PAWN AND RESTRAINT THE ISOLATED d-PAWN AND ITS DESCENDANTS THE TWO BISHOPS OVERPROTECTION MANEUVERING AGAINST WEAKNESSES ILLUSTRATIVE GAMES PAGE 13 23 31 53 57 69 81 87 103 121 137 147 153 159 167-260ILLUSTRATIVE GAMES LIST 1. Nimzowitsch-Alapin, 2. Teichmann-Nimzowitsch, 3. Van Vilet - Znosko-Borovsky, 4. Lee-Nimzowitsch, 5. Dr. v. Haken-Giese, 6. Dr. Tarrasch-J. Berger, - Rabinowitsch-Nimzowitsch, . Samisch-Nimzowitsch, - Nimzowitsch-Pritzel, 10. Nimzowitsch-Dr. Tarrasch, 11. Sir George Thomas-Dr. Alekhine, 12. P.S. Leonhardt-Nimzowitsch, 13. Nimzowitsch-von Gottschall, 14. Nimzowitsch-C.Behting, 15. Nimzowitsch-von Freymann, 16. Nimzowitsch-P.S. Leonhardt, 17. Nimzowitsch-Dr. Fluss, 18. Rubinstein-Nimzowitsch, 19. Louis Paulsen-Dr. Tarrasch, 20. Nimzowitsch-Tarrasch, 21. Professor Becker-Nimzowiltsch, 22. Opocensky-Nimzowitsch, 23. Rubinstein-Duras, 24. Maroczy-Suchting, 25. Nimzowitsch-Dr. Michel, 26. Dr. Tarrasch-J. Mieses, 27. Grunfeld-Dr. Tartakower, 28. Kiine-Capablanca, 29. Rubinstein-Levenfish, 30. Bugoljubow-Nimzowitsch, 31. Nimzowitsch-Anton Olson, 32. Blackburne-Nimzowitsch, 33. Nimzowitsch-Rubinstein, 34. Nimzowitsch-Rosselli del Turko 35. Johner-Nimzowiltsch, 36. Nimzowitsch-Taubenhaus, 37. Rubinstein-Znosko-Borovsky, 38. Allies-Nimzowitsch, 39. Three Swedish Amateurs-Nimzowltsch 40. Teichmann-Nimzowitsch, oa-~l] Carlsbad, 1917 Carlsbad, 1911 Ostend, 1907 Ostend, 1907 Riga 1913 Bresiau, 1889 Baden-Baden, 1925 Copenhagen, 1923 Copenhagen, 1922 Breslau, 1925 Baden-Baden, 1925 San Sebastian, 1912 Breslau, 1925 Riga, 1919 Wiina, 1912 San Sebastian, 1911 Correspondence, 1913 Marienbad, 1925 Played in1888 San Sebastian, 1912 Breslau, 1925 Marienbad, 1925 Carlsbad, 1911 Barmen, 1905 Semmering, 1926 Berlin 1916 Semmering, 1926 New. York, 1913 Carlsbad, 1911 London, 1927 Played in1924 Petrograd, 1914 Dresden, 1926 Baden Baden, 1925 Dresden, 1926 Petrograd, 1913 Petrograd, 1909 Simultaneous Exhibition, 1926 Consultation game, 1921 San Sebastian, 1911 PAGE NO. 169 170 172 173 174 176 178 180 181 183 187 189 191 193 195 197 198 200 202 204 206 209 211 213 215 217 218 219 221 222 224 41. Dr. Lasker-Amos Burn, Petrograd, 1909 42. Nimzowltsch-Marshall, New York, 1927 43. Nimzowitsch-Alekhine, Semmering, 1926 44, Andersson, Enstrom, Oebert-Nimzowitsch Upsala, 1921 45. Yates-Nimzowitsch, London, 1927 46. Nimzowitsch-Salwe, Carlsbad, 1911 47. Gregory-Nimzowitsch, Petrograd, 1913 48. Spielmann-Nimzowitsch, San Sebastian, 1911 49. Nimzowitsch-Spielmann, San Sebastian, 1912 50. Nimzowiltsch-A. Hakansson, Kristianstad, 1922INTRODUCTION by International Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan It is with the greatest of pleasure that | write the introduction to this edition of Aron Nimzowitsch’s classic, My System. The effect of Nimzowitsch’s writings and play has had a profound impact on chessplayers since his chess career began in 1904. In his heyday (the years 1925-1931) Nimzowitsch was considered to belong to the company of the world’s strongest players. It is a pity that he never got his chance to battle in a World Championship match. Chess is poorer for it. Besides being a powerful player at the chessboard, Nimzowitsch became even more famous for his writings and his style of writing. He followed in the scientific tradition of the first World Champion, Wilhelm Steinitz. After several devastating losses, Nimzowitsch looked deeply into the causes of his defeats. Besides a single bad move that pitched a game, was there something else to be learned? Yes, the plan was wrong. What was the right plan? How could that plan be found? Why should it work in this circumstance and not another? By taking a detached look at his weak play, Nimzowitsch devised a scientific approach to the analysis of a given position. These ideas were unfolded in My System. He introduced and expounded upon bizarre strategic ideas such as "overprotection” and “prophylaxis.” He coined such classic phrases as "the passed pawn is a criminal that should be kept under lock and key,” and "the threat is stronger than its execution." By mixing scientific jargon, wit, and humor, Nimzowitsch was able to create a challenging work that has tested and treated chessplayers since 1925 and will continue to do so for many generations yet to come. | Nimzowitsch’s works, My System, Die Blockade, and Chess Praxis, ushered in an era described by Nimzowitsch as the hypermodern period. Today’s chess has thoroughly absorbed its effects. Nimzowitsch’s "restraining" defense, the Nimzo-Indian, is still the most popular way of meeting 1.d4. Most openings today featurethe Bishop's fianchetto, a radical development that was introduced by Nimzowitsch and his contemporaries. Various strategies, such as blockading Knights playing on different colored squares, and many others described in the book, have all become part of the arsenal of today’s Grandmasters. Nimzowitsch’s ideas have stood the test of time and have prospered. My own experience with My System is not a unique one. | first read My System during my teenage years - the years of rebellion. Of course | took issue with just about everything he wrote. But in this | had been tricked. Nimzowitsch had induced me to think about his ideas. Right or wrong it didn't matter. The fact that | was either forced to prove or refute these ideas had me thinking in a manner that was . unexpected. What was this business of, "restraint, blockade, destroy?" Why try to “undermine” a "base pawn?” Why not just play for mate, | thought? Yes, indeed in those days, chess was as easy as check, check, and mate. But, what to do when the opponent's King is safe? The years take their toll. Annoyed with My System, both because | didn’t understand it and didn't know how to refute it, | put the book down and didn’t look at it again for several years. The next reread had me bemused. Of course prophylaxis makes sense. Wasn't everybody — playing h2-h3, escaping back rank mates when they couldn’t find anything better to do? Certainly the conquering of the absolute 7th rank is a marvelous investment of a pawn. Maybe he hadn't been so wrong after all. The digesting process was, however, still difficult. Several defeats later brought me back for the third time, and another quick reread. More happy surprises. Nimzowitsch had understood the advantage of space and how to use this to switch to attacks on a flank. He also understood that although a player has few squares for his pieces, it is acceptable provided that each piece has a good square. This then, is the strength of My System. It is a book that provokes you to think differently about chess. it challenges you to consider a different approach and urges you to prove or refute Nimzowitsch's ideas. It is also a book that you can read and reread, each time coming away with different lessons and insights, leading to a deeper understanding of the game. i i igi tem was that it The biggest problem with my original copy of My Sys ! was written in descriptive notation at a time when algebraic was taking over as the world’s chess language. It was also written in a manner and style that was decidedly too “European” and "Scientific" for my young mind. The next generation of chessplayers may be spared my experience with the current volume, My System - 21st Century Edition. The entire layout is in algebraic notation, making it much easier to use. The book has gone through a tremendous amount of editing to create an easier read with more of an “American English" flavoring. I’m certain you'll savor this great classic every bit more. Yasser Seirawan, International Grandmaster Seattle, Washington November, 1991PART ONE THE ELEMENTS CHAPTER 1 ON THE CENTER AND DEVELOPMENT Contains a short introduction and what the less advanced student must know abou: the center and development. In my opinion the following are to be considered the elements of chess strategy: (1) The center. (2) Play in open files. (3) Play in the 7th and 8th ranks. (4) The passed pawn. (5) The pin. (6) Discovered check. (7) Exchanging. (8) The pawn chain. Each one of these elements will be as thoroughly explained as possible in wha follows. We begin with the center, which we propose to treat at first with the less experienced player in mind. In the second part of the book, which is devoted tc positional play, we will attempt to investigate the center from the point of view o “higher learning.” As you know, the center was precisely the point around which ir the years 1911-13 what amounted to a revolution in chess took place. | mean tha the articles which | wrote, (Entspricht Dr. Tarrasch’s "Modern Schachpartie wirklich moderner Auffassung ?) ran directly counter to the traditional conceptior and sounded the call to a revolt which was in fact to give birth to the neo-romantic school. The two-fold treatment of the center, which we propose to undertake o1 instructional grounds, would therefore seem to be justified. First a few definitions:ne #2 The Midpoint / The small square is the center The line shown on Diagram 1 we call the frontier “line,” i tT gra é,” and is of course to be taken in its mathematical, not in its chess sense. The square marked on Diagram 2 is the midpoint of the board, again naturally in its mathematical sense. The midpoint is €asy to find, as it is the point of intersection of the long diagonals. @ 1. By development we mean the strategic advance of the troops to the frontier line. The process is similar to the advance on the outbreak i ) of a war. Both armies seek to reach the frontier as quickly as possible in order to penetrate into enemy territory. Development is a collective conception. To have developed one, two, or thr pieces does not mean that we are developed. The situation demands that all pieces be developed. The period of development should be inspired by a democratic spirit How undemocratic for instance, it would be to let one of your officers go fora long walking tour, while the others kicked their heels together at home and bored memselves horribly. No, let each officer make one move only, and .. . dig himself ¢ 2. A pawn move must not in itself be regarded i | ; to development. if be reg as a developing move, but merely as an aid An important rule for the beginner is the following: if it wer the pieces without the aid of pawn moves, the pawnless achanes would be ire correct one, for, as suggested, the pawn is not a fighting unit in the sense that his crossing of the frontier is to be feared by the enemy, since obviously the attacking force of the pawns is small compared with that of the pieces. The pawnless advance however, Is in reality impossible of execution, since the enemy pawn center, thanks to its inherent aggressiveness, would drive back the pieces we had developed For this reason we should, in order to safeguard the development of our pieces, first build up a pawn center. By center we mean the four squares which enciose the midpoint - the squares e4, e5, d4, d5 (Diagram 2). The wrecking of a pawnless advance is illustrated by the following: 1.Nf3 Nc6 2.e. (since the pawn has not been moved to the center, we may still regard the advancs as pawnless in our sense). 2...e5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bc4? d5. Now the faultiness o White’s development may be seen; the Black pawns have a demobilizing effect 5.Bb3 (bad at the outset, a piece moved twice), 5...d4 and White is uncomfortabl} placed, at any rate from the point of view of the player with little fighting experience Another example is the following: White without QR, A. Nimzowitsch - Amateu (White’s a-pawn is at a3). 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 BcS 4.c3 Nf65.d4 exd4 6.cxd: Bb6. Black has now lost the center, and in addition, by neglecting to play 4...d6, hi allows White’s center too much mobility. His development may therefore rightly bi described as pawniess, or, more strictly, one which has become pawnless. 7.d' Ne7 8.e5 Ne4 9.d6 cxd6 10.exd6 Nxf2 11.Qb3 and Black, who is completel wedged in by the pawn on d6 succumbs to the enemy assault in a few moves, i spite of the win of a Rook. 11...Nxh1 12.Bxf7+ Kf8 13.Bg5 and Black resigned. It follows from the rule given (¢ 2, previous page), that pawn moves are onl admissible in the development stage when they either help to occupy the center, c stand in logical connection with its occupation; a pawn move which protects its ow or attacks the enemy’s center, for example. in the open game after 1.¢e4 e5, eithe d3 or d4 - now or later - is always a correct move. If then only the pawn moves designated above are allowable, it follows that move of the flank pawns must be regarded as Joss of time - with this qualification, that i close games the rule applies to only a limited extent, since contact with the enem is not complete, and development proceeds at a slower tempo. To sum up: In the open game speed of development is the very first law. Ever piece must be developed in one move. Every pawn move is to be regarded as los of time, unless it helps to build or support the center or attack the enemy's cente Therefore, as Lasker truly observed: In the opening one or two pawn moves, mn more. @ 3. To be ahead in development is the ideal to be aimed at. If | were running a race with someone, it would be, to say the least, inopportun were | to throw away valuable time by say, rubbing dirt off of my nose, although must not be considered as blaming that operation in itself. If, however, | can induc