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Logical Chess, Move by Move - Irving & Chernev - 2022 - Anna's Archive
Logical Chess, Move by Move - Irving & Chernev - 2022 - Anna's Archive
Irving Chernev
NEW ALGEBBj
Logical Chess: Move by Move
Irving Chernev
Reprinted 2000
Introduction 5
Chess Notation and Symbols 7
Did you ever see a chess master play twenty games at once? Have you won
dered at (and perhaps envied) his confidence and ease as he stops for a few
seconds at each board, gives the position on it a moment’s consideration, and
then casually makes a move?
Docs he move quickly because he knows dozens of openings with hun
dreds of variations by heart? Hardly, because most of the games in such exhi
bitions take original turns which are not to be found in the books. Does he
analyse every conceivable combination of moves at lightning speed? Or does
he count on some infallible instinct to guide him through the strangest posi
tions? If so, he would have to analyse faster than a computer or rely on being
inspired a thousand times in an evening.
How does he do it? If we could follow his thought processes, if we could
persuade him to tell us the meaning of each move as he makes it, we might
learn the answer.
In this book we persuade him. We find out from the master the purpose of
every single move he makes in the course of a game. We follow the ideas, the
methods, the very thoughts of a master as he outlines them in simple detad.
We learn the inner workings of his mind, and thus acquire the knowledge -
yes, the instinct - for recognizing good moves and rejecting inferior ones.
To acquire this instinct it is not necessary to memorize countless opening
variations, or to burden your brain with lists of formulae and principles. True,
there are principles that govern proper procedure, and applying them will
help you build up strong, sound, winning positions. But you will familiarize
yourself with them painlessly - not by rote but by seeing their effect in the
progress of a game.
Added to the pleasure of understanding every bit of play as it unfolds - and
chess is the most exciting game in the world - is the fascination of watching
the mental workings of a master as he reveals the wealth of ideas that occur to
him in every new situation. We will learn from him the great advantages to be
derived from a knowledge of positional play. It is an understanding of posi
tional play that restrains the master from embarking on premature, foolish at
tacks and that checks the natural impulse to hunt for combinations at every
turn. It counsels him in the placing of his pieces where they have the greatest
potential for attack and tells him how to seize the vital central squares, to oc
cupy the most territory and to cramp and weaken the enemy. And it is posi
tional play that assures him that definite winning opportunities will then
disclose themselves, and decisive combinations will appear on the board.
6 Introduction
The master does not search for combinations. He creates the conditions that
make it possible for them to appear!
Every single move of every game will be commented on, in simple, every
day language, and whatever analysis is needed to detail the full effects of a
move or clarify a motive will be clear-cut and to the point. Frequent repeti
tions of the purpose of each move will impress upon you the importance of
certain basic concepts. After you have been told again and again that in the
opening White’s king’s knight works best at f3, and that rooks should control
the open files, you will know that such strategy, such development of these
pieces, is generally good. You will understand as well as any master does
what moves to look at first when you select a good spot for a knight or a rook.
This does not mean that you will accustom yourself to play thoughtless,
superficial chess. You will learn when and how to apply helpful principles,
and when and how to defy convention. You will acquire the habit of making
good moves as easily as a child absorbs a language - by hearing and speaking
it, and not by studying its rules of grammar.
Each game that you play through will be an exciting adventure in chess in
which courage, wit, imagination, and ingenuity reap their just reward. It is by
appreciating and absorbing what they teach so pleasurably that we can best
learn to play Logical Chess, Move by Move.
Irving Chernev
May 1, 1957
Chess Notation and Symbols
This book uses the universally ac Thus the square on which the knight
cepted algebraic notation, in which stands is referred to as d5.
each chess move is written using a In a similar way, the rook stands
simple system of coordinates similar on a3, the bishop on d6, the pawn on
to map references. \ e4, the queen on h5, the white king
on el and the black king on b8.
Black plays ...h6 of his own free Black trying to keep an enemy
will to stave off an unlikely attack knight out of his territory by playing
in Blackburne-Blanchard (No. 4). ...g6. He succeeds, but at the cost of
Blackburne sacrifices a bishop to re weakening the dark squares near his
move Black’s indiscreet h-pawn and king. White finds them convenient
forces an entrance into the enemy for his own pieces, which take turns
camp. in occupying the critical squares.
Ruger-Gebhard (No. 5) illustrates Tarrasch-Eckart (No. 10) is an in
the danger of castling prematurely, teresting example of the danger in
coupled with neglect of the centre. curred in playing mechanical chess.
When Black adds an attack on a Black is compelled to play ...f5 and
piece with ...h6 to his other sins, he then ...g6, after which he succumbs
is punished by a sacrifice that rips to a bishop sacrifice which removes
open a file against his king. all the pawns guarding his king.
Zeissl-Walthoffen (No. 6) is an The next two games are delightful
other instance of untimely castling miniatures with a lot of meat in them.
coupled with disregard for the im Flohr-Pitschak (No. 11) is a fasci
portance of the centre. White is nating illustration of the process of
compelled to play g3, weakening the chipping away at the king’s guards
light squares no longer guarded by to impel them to move. Pitschak
the pawn. Walthoffen’s pieces uti forces the g-pawn to advance, then
lize these squares to work their way the h-pawn, after which he crashes
into the position and get at the king. through the barriers with a queen
In the game Spielmann-Wahle sacrifice.
(No. 7), Black advances his g-pawn Pitschak-Flohr (No. 12), in which
to prevent a knight settling too close Flohr gets his revenge, has White
to his king. This deprives his own playing h3 to evict a bishop. It leads
knight on f6 of the pawn’s stout sup to the loss of the pawn and the en
port and creates weaknesses on the trance of Flohr’s queen uncomfort
squares no longer under the pawn’s ably close to White’s king. The
surveillance. Spielmann’s pieces in concentration of attack that follows
vade, fasten themselves on the weak leaves White with one solitary pawn
squares and deliver mate. to defend his king.
Przepiorka-Prokes (No. 8) is an In Dobias-Podgorny (No. 13),
illustration of ...g6 being forced, Dobias compels the advance of the
with a resultant weakening of the g-pawn, then the h-pawn. Then he
dark squares. Przepi'orka takes the subtly undermines the weakened po
precaution of destroying the bishop sition and causes it to collapse.
that travels on the dark squares (to Tarrasch-Mieses (No. 14) shows
accentuate the weakness) before Tarrasch destroying the f6-knight,
launching the decisive attack. Black’s best defender of a castled
The game between Znosko-Bor- position, and uprooting the g-pawn
ovsky and Mackenzie (No. 9) shows in the process. The disruption of the
Berlin 1907 11
pawn formation makes things easy castling, and his king kept in the
for Tarrasch, who caps the victory centre, where it is exposed to a fatal
with a quiet little pawn move. attack.
The next two games do not belong, Tarrasch-Kurschner (No. 16) is a
strictly speaking, in the category of short story depicting harsh treatment
kingside attacks. I include them to of plausible but perfunctory chess.
show the consequences of failure to Tarrasch punishes his opponent’s in
provide for the safety of the king. fractions of principle by driving his
Alekhine-Poindle (No. 15) has pieces back where they interfere with
some delightfully unconventional each other, prevents Black’s king
moves by Alekhine to punish time- from castling and then assails him
wasting play. Black is hindered from with every piece available.
Game 1
-von Scheve - Teichmann
Berlin 1907
Giuoco Piano
pieces, and makes defence difficult, The knight comes into play early
as his pieces tend to get in each in the game, in compliance with the
other’s way. precept: develop knights before
Occupation of the centre, or con bishops!
trol of it from a distance, sets up a One reason for the cogency of this
barrier that divides the opponent’s principle is that the knight takes
forces and prevents them from coop shorter steps than the bishop. It takes
erating harmoniously. Resistance by longer for him to get to the fighting
an army thus disunited is usually not area. The bishop can sweep the
very effective. length of the chessboard in one move
1 ... e5 (notice how the fl-bishop can reach
Very good! Black insists on a fair all the way to a6). Where the knight
share of the centre. He fixes a pawn takes a hop, skip and jump to get to
firmly there and liberates two of his b5, the bishop makes it in one leap.
pieces. Another purpose in developing
2 ®f3! (D) the knights first is that we are fairly
sure where they belong in the open
ing. We know that they are most ef
8 fective on certain squares. We are
7 i i i i l l A not always certain of the right spot
6 for the bishop. We may want the
bishop to command a long diagonal,
5
... ■'-* *„ •« or we may prefer to have it pin an
4 ;'.- A fJ i /.V enemy piece. So: bring out your
3 knights before developing the bish
2 AAAA AAA ops!
1
a b c d e f g
g
h
At this point you will note that
Black must defend his e-pawn be
fore going about his business.
Absolutely the best move on the There are several ways to protect
board! the pawn. He must evaluate and
The knight develops with a threat choose from these possibilities:
- attack on a pawn. This gains time 2...f6; 2...1T6; 2...®e7; 2...iLd6;
as Black is not free to develop as he 2, ,d6; and 2...£}c6. How does Black
pleases. He must save the pawn be decide on the right move? Must he
fore he does anything else, and this analyse countless combinations and
cuts down his choice of reply. try to visualize every sort of attack
The knight develops towards the and defence for the next ten or fif
centre, which increases the scope of teen moves?
his attack. Let me hasten to assure you that a
The knight exerts pressure on two master does not waste valuable time
of the strategically important squares on futile speculation. Instead, he
in the centre, e5 and d4. makes use of a potent secret weapon
Berlin 1907 13
for control of the centre and has little d4, attacking bishop and pawn, Black
scope here. must reply 5 ..exd4. The recapture
3 ..jLd6: Poor, since the d-pawn isby 6 cxd4 leaves White with two
blocked, and the other bishop may pawns in control of the centre.
have trouble coming out. His secondary aim is to bring the
3 ...ie7: Not too bad, because the queen to b3, intensifying the pres
bishop looks out on two diagonals sure on the f7-pawn.
and is well placed for defence. At e7 These are its virtues, but there are
the bishop has made only one step drawbacks to 4 c3:
forward, but it has been developed In the opening, pieces not pawns
once it has left the back rank. The should be moved.
important thing to remember is that In advancing to c3, the pawn oc
every piece must be put in motion. cupies a square that should be re
The strongest developing move is served for the bl-knight.
3.. . i c 5 . On this excellent square the 4 ... ' We7
bishop commands an important di Very good! Black develops a piece
agonal, exerts pressure on the centre while parrying the threat. If White
and attacks a weak pawn. This de persists in playing 5 d4, the continu
ployment conforms to two golden ation 5...exd4 6 cxd4 ' i ,xe4+ wins a
rules for opening play: pawn. The capture with check gives
Place each piece as quickly as White no time to recover the pawn,
possible on the square where it is and an extra pawn, everything else
most effective. being equal, is enough to win the
Move each piece only once in the game.
opening. 5 0-0
4 c3 (D) C V White postpones the advance of
_ ^ A" ' _ the d-pawn and moves his king to a
safer place.
8 1 f t ! Castle early in the game, prefera
7 i i i i A A A bly on the kingside.
6
4 5 ... do
Strengthens the centre and sup
5
ft//'4 w6SL, A
A f'/z/'/f.
ports the e-pawn and bishop. Now
4
k A the c8-bishop can get into the game.
3 A 6 d4
ft LS
IS ft AftS 'ft
IS. IS ft IS ft With the hope that Black will ex
1
I change pawns. This would leave
a b c d e f g h White with an impressive line-up in
the centre, while the c3-square is
White’s primary object is to es then available for his knight. If now
tablish two pawns in the centre and 6...exd4 7 cxd4 ©xe4, White pun
with this move he intends to support ishes the pawn-snatching by 8 S e l
an advance of the d-pawn. After 5 pinning the queen.
Berlin 1907 IS
4 31 ■# %I
3
7 ± 1 4 jj? 4 4 4
2 64 & 4
1
a b c d e f g h
* 5 flip 4 Af
4 Aw
A tricky move, but an illogical 3 a £> A
one. White threatens an attack on the 2 AA
bishop by 8 a5. If then 8....&xa5, 9 1 I £ h ± w 1$
d5 strikes at the knight protecting a b c d e f g h
the bishop. After the reply 9...®d8,
White captures by 10 2xa5, winning A coffee-house move! Weak play
a piece. Should Black, after 8 a5, ers make this move instinctively in
play 8...$Ixa5, the continuation 9 dire dread of having a piece pinned.
16 Game 1: von Scheve - Teichmann
Game 2
Liubarski - Soultanbeieff
Liege 1928
Giuoco Piano
attack pawn and bishop. To save his The act o f leaving the back rank con
e-pawn, Black will be forced to play stitutes a developing move.
5...exd4. The recapture by 6 cxd4 In addition to developing a piece
will give White a strong formation and defending a pawn, Black’s last
of pawns in the centre. move threatens to continue 6...exd4
White’s idea has some point if it 7 cxd4 ©xc4+, winning a pawn.
can be enforced. If the plan fails, his 6 0-0
pawn standing at c3 deprives the Besides the usual benefits derived
bl-knight of its most useful square. from castling (safeguarding the king
4 ... jLb6! and mobilizing the rook) White’s
Chess is not a game to be played move indirectly protects his e-pawn.
mechanically. Usually, moving a If Black tries 6...exd4 7 cxd4 Wxe4,
piece twice in the opening is a waste then 8 S e l pins and wins the queen.
of time, but threats must be parried 6 ... £if6! (D)
before continuing development. The knight develops with a threat
The bishop retreats in order to - attack on the e4-pawn.
pre-empt White’s contemplated 5
d4, which attacks pawn and bishop.
5 d4 (D)
8 1 ftl
7 k kk k kkk
6
5 k
4 i & & / -A
3
% a :
2
an ta nan
1
aa M M a
b c d e f g h
7 d5
Tempting, as it will dislodge the
c6-knight from its strong post.
Hoping to induce Black to ex The move is natural, but to be
change pawns. Note that Black’s e- censured on several counts:
pawn is attacked, but not his bishop. 1) The d-pawn blocks the path of
5 ... We7 White’s own c4-bishop, greatly lim
Instead of exchanging pawns (as iting its action.
he would have been compelled to do 2) The range of Black’s b6-bishop
if his bishop were also under attack) has been increased; now its attack
Black defends his e-pawn while leads straight to White’s king.
bringing another piece into play. His 3) White has moved a pawn while
queen has advanced only one square, his queenside pieces are crying to be
but even so the move is laudable: released.
Liege 1928 21
16...2xg2+ 17 * h l #h4#) 16 g3
#h4! and mate will come at hi.
In this line of play, Black skilfully
exploits the helplessness of White’s
pinned pawns.
14 Jle3
The bishop flees and attempts to
repel one of the assailants.
14 ... £)xh2
This capture greatly limits White’s
choice of reply. The knight has taken
a piece and now threatens the rook.
15 &XI12
On the alternative 15 itxb6 Black White’s only move.
wins by 15...axb6 16 &xh2 Wh4+ 17 16 ... #113
'A’gl 2xg2+! (the fastest) 18 ^>xg2 Threatening mate on the move.
JLh3+! and White must either walk 0-1
into mate by 19 •S’gl Wg5+ 20 ^ h 2 There is no defence that will post
Wg2#, or into a discovered check by pone the mate for long:
19<4>h2 A x fl+ 2 0 ‘4 ’gl £t.xe2, when If 17 g3, then Black continues
the loss of material is ruinous. 17.. 2h8 18 f3 ± xe3+ 19 # x e3 (or
15 ... # h4+ 19 2f2 # h l# ) 19...«fxg3#.
Black has two major pieces oper Or if 17 f3, guarding the g-pawn
ating with full force on the two open with his queen, then 17...jLxe3+ 18
files near the enemy king. The attack 2f2 ®xg2# is mate. Strange that
plays itself. White, who feared the pin so much,
16 & gl (D) should perish by the pm!
Game 3
Colle - Delvaux
Gand-Terneuzen 1929
Colle System
1 d4 1 ... d5
Modern players consider this to This move and l...<Sjf6 are by far
be one of the best opening moves. It the most common replies to 1 d4.
is equal in value to 1 e4 in that two White must not be allowed to play 2
pieces are freed for action, while a e4 and dominate the vital central
pawn seizes a central square. The squares with his pawns.
difference is that the d-pawn stands 2 £)f3
protected whereas the e-pawn would So great an authority as Emanuel
be vulnerable to an early attack. Lasker, World Champion for 27 years,
24 Game 3: Colle - Delvaux
8 i i
1 4 . W 4 A 1
i i k k k 7 1 i l l l
4 14 6 4 4 4 Tv
11 5 k k
r
Wm
» n p
WM
4
14
AiL A& 3 A A^
AA m AAA 2 AA i a AAA
S km^
a
fi,
b c d e f g h
1 i
a b
km
c d e f
1 4 ?
g h
8 i m i it
7 aul#. a* a#
6 % A i.fi
5
A
4 A I
3 11
2
A AA : A-A A
1 m
a b e d
m s*
f g h
White is still angling for 20 Wg6+
^ e 7 21 Wxg7+, when both black
bishops come off the board.
Stronger than taking the e-pawn, 19 ... &e7
after which Black has four ways to The only way to prevent the
get out of check. Each of these re queen check.
plies might lose, but it is more prac 20 JLxh6
tical to attack the enemy with blows White is not playing to pick up
that leave him little choice of reply. stray pawns, but to bring another
London 1891 29
piece into the attack. The pawn that the g-pawn is decisive.
is added to the collection is inciden 21 h4
tal to the general scheme of things. The new threat is 22 Ag5#.
20 ... 2g8 21 ... ±xh6
To parry the threat of 21 Wxg7+ Loses on the spot, but there was
tfef5 22 «fe5#. no defence for Black: if 21...e5, then
On 20...JLxh6 White intended 21 22 -£.xg7+ 2xg7 23 dxe5+ and the
fj,xh6+ *±>15 22 S ael, when the king must abandon the rook.
threat of mate either by the rook or 22 ®T7#(l-0)
Game 4
Blackburne - Blanchard
London 1891
King's Gambit Declined
4
W;s4 A
cises a cramping effect on Black’s m m
entire position and imposes particu 3
mk a
lar restraint on Black’s king’s knight, 2 a 9 A m IP A A
which cannot develop naturally at
f6.
1 s mm
a b c d
1
e f g h
7 ... ,&xc3+
Black is intrigued by the prospect 9 i.d 3
of saddling Blackburne with a dou Clearly an excellent deployment:
bled pawn, but why capture a piece the bishop reaches out in two direc
that is pinned and can do no harm? tions, ready to take a hand on either
Why relax the pressure at all? side of the board.
A more commendable procedure 9 ... h6
was to bring up the reserves, starting Apparently to prevent 10 £)g5 or
with 7.,.JLf5. 10 ±g5.
8 bxc3 White, who is interested only in
In return for the handicap of the completing his development, has not
doubled pawns (little enough, since the slightest intention of making ei
the advance c4 forces an exchange ther of these moves.
and undoubles the pawns) White en The move ...h6 by Black (or h3 by
joys advantages in his two bishops White) should be played only if the
and in the open b-file which his rook h-pawn is to form a base for an at
will put to good use. tack by pawns, i.e. if it supports an
32 Game 4: Blackburne - Blanchard
After the actual move, the light of his pieces to great effect on d5, a
squares on Black’s queenside have square from which it could never be
been weakened. More to the point, evicted by pawns.
the advance of the pawn deprives the
c6-knight of solid support - a cir
cumstance that White will exploit in s i fr i #
his forthcoming attack on the king, A A 4 AA
away over at the other side o f the 6 A4 A A
board.
12 ®d2 5 "AS
The queen leaves the first rank to 4 ' B A
enable the rooks to get in touch with 3 a i &
each other. They may wish to in ^fi. a f aa
crease the pressure on an open file
1 s : s ^
by doubling on it, or otherwise work a b c d e f g h
in concert.
The full meaning of White’s 13 Jbdh6
queen move might easily be over Blackburne must have snatched
looked by an opponent who makes this pawn up at lightning speed!
plausible but superficial replies. At the price of a bishop, he imme
Chess must not be played me diately gets two pawns as material
chanically, even in the simplest, return, demolishes the barricade of
most placid positions. pawns near the king - and more, as
12 ... 0-0 ( D ) we shall see.
Walking right into the teeth of the 13 ... gxh6
storm! Black must capture the bishop, or -
Before making a move that sug be a pawn down without any posi
gests itself so readily, Black might tional compensation
have asked himself, “How can I ex 14 S'xhfi
ploit White’s one weakness, the dou Let us see what White’s return is
bled pawns on the c-file?” for the piece that he sacrificed:
He might then have hit upon 1) He has two pawns in tangible
12...£)a5, with the object of swing assets.
ing the knight to c4. There it block 2) His queen is powerfully placed
ades the doubled pawn, interferes in enemy territory - threatening
with the free movement of White’s mate on the move, in fact!
pieces, and in general sticks like a 3) He has ripped away the screen
bone in the throat. White could cap of pawns that sheltered Black’s king.
ture the knight, but then he parts 4) He has a strong attack in pros
with one of his valuable bishops, and pect, starting with 15 £3g5.
as a result of the exchange his pawn 5) If more help is needed, he can
position would be inferior to Black’s. call up the reserves (after 15 £>g5)
Finally, Black could then anchor one by 16 Hf3, followed by 17 Bg3.
34 Game 4: Blackburne - Blanchard
Game 5
Ruger - Gebhard
Dresden 1915
Giuoco Piano
8I ± W
illiiiii
6
A ft ft
-,m T
4 .
3 & for
Ordinarily, such moves are sus 2a m
pect, as d5 should be occupied by a
piece, but here the pawn dislodges
'I A <4
a b c d e f g h
the knight and prevents Black for
ever from freeing his game by ...d5. A comparison of the two sides’
8 ... ~ £ie7 ' positions shows that White’s is de
As good as there is. The shift to a5 cidedly superior. He has more pieces
is countered by 9 ii.d3, and the knight in play, and they have far more mo
is stranded at the side of the board. bility than Black’s. He also has
9 e5 better prospects of bringing more
Now a shot at the other knight! pieces into the battle.
9 ... £se4 The recommended recipe now is
Retreating to e8 does not look at to occupy Black with threats - keep
tractive, so Black plays to exchange him on the run and give him no time
knights. to put up effective resistance.
10 1&C2 12 £sg5!
38 Game 5: Ruger - Gebhard
Game 6
Zeissl - Walthoffen
Vienna 1899
Ruy Lopez
8 1 1.W44.A2 8 I jL lr * i.* X
7 4444 44 7 14 4 44
G 41 6 4
5 k 4 5 k A
4 &4 4
■/ ■ ;\/-
ISf'y//
4 AS' :/ .. f t
3 3
2 ASA AAA 2 AAA- A-A A
1
a b c d e f
a
g h
1
a b c d e f g
a
h
8 I"': i
7 ii i4
6 a 4
5 if,.
4
'y^ •
3 .&.4A k. A
2 AA & A A Hoping for a line such as 14. .'i'el
1 i
a b
m i *
c d e f g h
15 Axd6 Wxd6 16 ®f4, when an ex
change or two might ease his diffi
culties.
Black bases his attack on the theme After White’s fourteenth move,
of penetration. White has weakened Black has a forced mate in a few
the f3- and h3-squares by 12 g3, as moves.
these squares are no longer guarded 14 ... Wf5!
by the g-pawn. These squares are Deserts the bishop, but Black is
now ‘holes’, as Steinitz first named interested only in getting the queen
them. Enemy pieces that settle them to h3, with a death grip on the light
selves on these squares stand firm, squares.
as no pawns can ever drive them 15 £ld l
away. The only possible chance to
The bishop attacks the queen, defend. The knight is to be brought
with the object of insinuating itself to e3 to guard the g2-square, where
into f3 without loss of time. mate impends.
13 W d 2 15 ... Wh3
As good as there is. If White in Threatening instant mate.
terposes the knight at e2 instead, 16 £ie3
then 13...'®rh5, attacking the knight Defending the critical square.
once more, forces 14 S e l, where 16 ... £>g4
upon 14.. 1®h3 plants a piece in one The new threat is mate at h2. No
hole. Black’s following move is tice the clever use of the weakened
Vienna 1926 43
Game 7
Spielmann - Wahle
Vienna 1926
French Defence
The king takes refuge in flight, in support. It is still guarded by two
cidentally unpinning the bishop and pieces, but if the bishop were not
preserving his knight. there it would be defended only
Spielmann’s strategy to this point once. In fact, if the bishop were not
and the decisive combination that there, the knight would be pinned
follows would have pleased Lasker, and subject to an enduring attack.
who once said, “In the beginning of The bishop appears in both equa
the game ignore the search for com tions. Obviously the bishop is the
binations, abstain from violent culprit, and it must be destroyed!
moves. Aim for small advantages, And at once, before Black has time
accumulate them, and only after for 12..JLe6!
having attained these ends search for 12 2xe7H
the combination - and then with all “When we know about the inspir
the power of will and intellect, be ing ideas, how simple the sacrifices
cause then the combination must ex appear!” says Znosko-Borovsky.
ist, however deeply hidden.” 12 ... WxeT (D)
Black must recapture, leaving the
knight pinned and a fine target for
further attack.
8 i. I#
7 4 fi 4
6 4 *4
5 nn 4 £
4
3 O T v &
2 A A A & A :A
A glance shows that White has 1 .______________
achieved the requisite positional su a b c d e f g h
periority. If there is a combination to
be evolved, it must be now, before 13 ®f3
Black has time to reorganize his Putting pressure on the pinned
pieces for defence. Now, while he has piece, and threatening to take the
five pieces actively in play against knight.
two of Black’s. Now, while he has an 13 ... ^ g l(D )
open file - enough! enough! The The king comes to the rescue of
combination must be there! the knight. Against the alternative
Here is White’s line of reason defence 13...JLf5 Spielmann had
ing: this pretty continuation: 14 £lxf5
Black’s advance of the g-pawn gxf5 15 Wg3 (threatening mate on
has deprived the knight of stable the move by 16 ii.xl'6#) 15.,.&g7 (or
Budapest 1929 47
Game 8
Przepiorka - Prokes
Budapest 1929
Colie System1
recapture with the e-pawn and open More energetic than 6...£Lel, when
the diagonal for the cl-bishop. the bishop is limited to defensive
It may seem that White’s last duties.
move denies the bl-knight his best 7 0-0
square, but in this form of attack the White secures the safety of his
knight belongs at d2. king before starting any decisive ac
5 ... £lbd7 (D) tion. It is dangerous to open up the
position and leave the king in the
centre where it is exposed to a possi
8 1 Jt«r*A 1 ble counterattack.
7 i4 1 444 White’s castling is aggressive in
6 4% U character as the king’s rook plays an
important role in the coming attack.
5 '}iM 44 7 ... 0-0 (D)
4 A Black’s castling is a defensive
3 A iA £> measure. But why give the king’s
2 AS ■ A AA: permanent address when White has
1
a b
a c d e f g h
revealed that he is preparing an as
sault on the kingside? It would be
better strategy to keep the opponent
This is probably superior to plac in the dark - delay castling for a
ing the knight at c6. At d7, the while and continue developing the
knights are in touch with each other, pieces (which surely can do no
so that if the f6-knight is exchanged harm). Black might bring his queen
the other can get to f6, an ideal to c7, with a view to an early ...e5,
square for attack or defence. At d7, and then fianchetto his c8-bishop
the knight keeps clear of the c-file. (,..b6, followed by ...Ji.b7).
The more open the file is, the more
useful will it be for the queen or rook
that occupies it. Finally, should White
play 6 dxc5, the knight can recapture
and come strongly into the game.
In queen’s pawn openings, Black’s
queen’s knight often does a better
job at d7 than at c6.
6 £ibd2
Intensifying the pressure on e4.
To the uninitiated, White’s develop
ment has an awkward look. The
pieces seem to be in each other’s way,
but as will be seen they can spring 8 Sel
into action smoothly and easily. Still more pressure on e4! The
6 ... Id 6 rook gets a grip on the e-file; it is
50 Game 8: Przepiorka - Prokes
14 2 c l!
A fine ‘in-between’ move! The
rook is developed effectively on the
open file, while the queen is ban After the text-move, White has
ished to the first rank. There she in accomplished what he set out to do:
terferes with the a8-rook, preventing he has forced the advance of the g-
its development for a long time - pawn. But how does he exploit the
forever, as it turns out! resulting weakness? Is there an at
14 ... Wb8 tack against the pawn? Apparently
There is nothing else as 14...Jk.xeA there isn’t, as in order to strike at it
15 2xc7 i.x f3 16 Wxf3 &xc7 17 with the h-pawn, he must move the
®c6 wins a piece for White. rook out of die way, and then play h4
15 2h4! and h5, a process which takes time
The point! White’s threat of 16 and achieves little.
JLxh7+ forces one of the pawns in What other line is there? Sacrifice
front of the king to move forward. a piece for the g-pawn? Obviously
White gets an advantage, no matter this is useless, as White still does not
which pawn advances, as: break through.
Every pawn move loosens the de But the pawn did advance, and
fending structure. there is a weakness somewhere. We
Every undefended square (occa know this fact to be true, and in this
sioned by such an advance) creates fact there must be the clue to the
a weakness in the position. winning combination.
52 Game 8: Przepiorka - Prokes
Game 9
Znosko-Borovsky - Mackenzie
Weston-super-Mare 1924
Ruy Lopez
4 SLa4
This is in the spirit of the opening
6I jL W * .t* X as it maintains pressure on the knight.
7 4 44 4 444 The alternative withdrawal to c4 is
6 inferior, as the same position could
&
have arisen after the move 3 j Lc4,
5 A 4 except that here Black has the addi
4
tional move ...a6, which can only be
3 to his benefit.
2 A AAA A A A 4 ... £)f6
Black develops a piece, attacks a
1 gg>AWsS? 1 pawn and prepares early kingside
a b c d e f g h
castling. More could hardly be ex
The most natural move on the pected of one move.
board: White strikes at the defender 5 0-0 (D)
of the pawn he attacks. It is true that White brings his king to safety
he cannot win the pawn at once, as and swings the rook over toward the
after 4 j Lxc6 dxc6 5 $lxe5 Wd4 c e n tr e file s .
Black regains the pawn, but the pres
sure on Black is constant, and the
threat is always in the air. 8 I AW# A 1
The Ruy Lopez is probably the 7 444 444
strongest of all kingside openings. 6 4 % %
White has more to say in the centre,
since he will be able to play d4 with
5 4
out much trouble, while Black will
4 1 ;A
find it difficult to achieve ...d5. 3 -A,
White’s pieces have more room to 2 AAAA AAA
move around in, while Black’s game 1
is considerably cramped in many a b c d e f g h
variations.
3 ... a6 5 ... JLe7
This can become like the story A favourite continuation with
The House that Jack Built: the pawn many players is 5...£lxe4, not with
attacks the bishop that attacks the the idea of winning a pawn, as White
knight that defends the pawn that the regains it easily, but in order to ob
knight attacks. tain a free, open game. The danger in
Black’s purpose is to dislodge the this line is that it leaves Black’s posi
bishop from its favourable position. tion in the centre somewhat inse
The loss of time involved in moving cure.
a pawn is compensated for by the The text leads to a more blocked
fact that the threatened bishop must position, difficult to break through,
also lose a move in retreating. but requires patience on Black’s part.
Weston-super-Mare 1924 55
s|i A ir* ¥
7 i l i i
6i i 41 i
l i i 1
4 A
Black protects the e-pawn, re 3 &
leases the c8-bishop and prepares AAA
8...£ia5 to remove the troublesome
enemy bishop.
i[s
a b c d e f g h
At first glance it seems illogical
to give one bishop freedom while 10 d4
56 Game 9: Znosko-Borovsky - Mackenzie
Game 10
Tarrasch - Eckart
Nuremberg 1889
French Defence
4 e5
Why does White disregard Staun
ton’s advice about keeping two
pawns on the fourth rank? He knows Very good, as Black must not de
that the pawn may be weaker at e5, lay in trying to free his constricted
but he weighs strengths and weak position. The pawn move strikes at
nesses. At e5 the pawn drives the the centre and opens another path for
knight away from its most useful Black’s queen.
post and sends it off to another 6 c3
Nuremberg 1889 63
Ready to reply to 6...cxd4 with 7 obtain more space for his pieces. The
cxd4, and preserve the pawn-chain, correct continuation was 8...cxd4 9
which so cramps the enemy. cxd4 f6, virtually forcing 10 exf6
6 ... £ic6 (D) £lxf6. Then the problem with the
The knight develops with tempo, d7-knight blocking in the c8-bishop
as the d-pawn is now twice attacked. has been resolved, and the disap
pearance of the e5-pawn means that
Black has gained the d6-square for
8 I 'I the development of his dark-squared
7 44 4 444 bishop. If Black does not take the
6 4 4 necessary liberating action, then he
is likely to be gradually squeezed to
5 44 A ri death. Such a fate befell even so
4 A great a player as Capablanca in his
3 & jl, game with Alekhine at AVRO 1938.
2
flfl ® A A A As a consequence of his inferior
opening play, Capablanca was tied
1 g- iLtfsl? g jg up so badly that he could not stir and
a b c d e f g h
that he resigned with nearly all his
7 foe.2! pieces still on the board.
One of those rare times when the 9 0-0
knight belongs here instead of at f3. The king must be spirited off to a
It is true that f3 should be occupied safer spot before any violent action
by a knight, and White will arrange is undertaken.
to have one there. His plan is to 9 ... 0-0 (D)
swing the knight from d2 to f3,
meanwhile freeing his cl-bishop.
7 ... Wb6
Black puts more pressure on the
white d-pawn, threatening to win it
by 8...cxd4 9 cxd4 5ixd4 10 £)xd4
Wxd4.
8 <53f3
A clever knight shift protects the
pawn and clears the decks for the
dark-squared bishop’s appearance.
8 ... £e7
Another plausible move, but far too
passive. Black’s position is cramped Black is still playing mechanical
by the chain of enemy pawns on d4 chess, unconscious of possible dan
and e5, and he should not allow this ger. With this move he misses the
situation to persist. He must try to last chance of striking at the pawn
break White’s grip on the centre to chain by 9...f6.
64 Game 10: Tarrasch - Eckart
Game 11
Flohr - Pitschak
Bilin 1930
Colie System
develop the pieces quickly: get them leaves no white pawn remaining in
into play as fast as you can.” the centre.
Now back to Flohr and Pitschak: 4 e3
White’s first move fixes a pawn in White shores up the d-pawn and
the centre and liberates two pieces. provides an outlet for the fl-bishop.
1 ... ®f6 4 ... b6 (D)
Black brings his king’s knight out Black too props up his advanced
to its most favourable post and hin pawn and prepares to fianchetto the
ders White from continuing with 2 c8-bishop.
e4.
2 £if3
8 l& J L ir* ! . 1
Napier recalls that in the first of
several lessons he took from Stein- 7 1 1 A i l
itz, the World Champion said, “No 6 A A A
doubt you move your knight out on
each side before the bishop? And do
5
4
a m%
you know why?” Napier says he was ■'/' a %
stuck for an intelligent answer. 3 in .
Steinitz went on to explain: “One 2 A A A 4A A A A
good reason is that you know where
the knight belongs before you know
1 a
a
i m i
b c d
a e f g h
that much of your bishop; certainty
is a far better friend than doubt.” 5 £d3
2 ... e6 Customary practice in this system
Black postpones the straightfor of attack: the bishop adds his strength
ward reply 2...d5, which lets him in to the pressure exerted on e4 in prep
for the regular lines of the Queen’s aration for an advance by the e—
Gambit. Meanwhile he opens a line pawn, which will open up lines of
for the f8-bishop. attack for the pieces in the back
3 £ibd2 ground, The bishop also aims at
A typical knight manoeuvre in the Black’s h-pawn, a fine target after
Colie Attack: the knight puts pres the enemy king castles on that side.
sure on the critical e4-square with 5 ... jLb7
out blocking the c-file. This solves one of Black’s chief
3 ... c5 problems in queen’s pawn openings
Black strikes a blow at the d-pawn - an effective disposition of the
in an attempt to secure control of the light-squared bishop. By means of
centre. This flank thrust is almost this fianchetto arrangement, the
compulsory in queen’s pawn open bishop commands the longest diago
ings because Black must try to dis nal on the board and participates in
turb White’s central formation. the fight for domination of e4, the
The immediate threat is 4,..cxd4, strategic square in the Colie System.
so that the recapture by 5 5ixd4 6 0-0
Bilin 1930 67
17 ... Wxh4!
This is brilliant! Not because of
fF i # the fact that the queen is offered, but
i A a a a because it brings to an appropriate
climax the systematic exploitation
i £ A
of pawn weaknesses cleverly brought
w into being.
4 %A Black introduces two threats of
aa A A mate in one, at hi and h2.
i & A 0-1
After 18 gxh4 the reply 18...jkh2#
s * would come quick as a flash.
a b c d e 1 g h
Game 12
Pitschak - Flohr
Liebwerda 1934
English Opening
1 c4 1 ... e5
Despite the fact that only one piece Black develops in the good old-
is freed by this move, against the two fashioned way: he plants a pawn in
that are released by 1 e4 or 1 d4, the the centre and frees two pieces for
English is one of the strongest open action.
ing weapons in White’s arsenal. It 2 £ic3
appeals to those who like originality White brings a piece out in prefer
right from the start, as it allows ma ence to advancing a centre pawn.
noeuvring of the pieces without In fact, on 2 d4 exd4 3 Wxd4 £ic6
coming to grips too early with the the queen must retreat and lose a
enemy. In many forms of this open move. Or if 2 e4. White remains with
ing, White does not even try to oc a backward d-pawn, while the fl-
cupy the centre. He lets Black mass bishop cannot get to c4.
pieces and pawns there, and then at 2 ... £sf6
tacks them from the sides. He might Black watches the order of his
fianchetto his bishops, for example, moves. The knight move is not merely
and strike at the centre from a dis routine development of a piece. Its
tance, in order to undermine it. purpose is to offset the pressure of
Should White decide to temper White’s knight and pawn on the d5-
his originality with caution, he can square.
transpose from the English to some 3 g3
form of queen’s pawn opening and Clearly with the intention of mak
still retain a fine game. ing room for the bishop at g2, where
Liebwerda 1934 71
it will operate on a long diagonal and The bishop can wait! The advan
also contribute to the pressure on d5. tage of this move is that Black is able
3 ... d5! to retain control of the d4-square,
Black frees his game by opening and so prevent White from opening
new paths for the queenside pieces. up the centre by advancing his d-
Simultaneously, he puts the question pawn to d4. After 5...jLe6, on the
to White’s c-pawn. other hand, play might continue 6
4 cxd5 £sf3 5ic6 7 0-0 jLel 8 d4, when
White is happy to exchange a flank Black is in trouble, since the position
pawn for a centre pawn. At the same is becoming open while his king is
time, his c-file, now clear of pawns, still in the centre.
offers good prospects for his queen’s 6 £)f3
rook when it gets to cl. Again one of White’s pieces de
4 ... ®xd5 velops with a threat - this time
Such recaptures are practically against the e-pawn.
compulsory. A delay might give 6 ... ?}c6
White time to protect and hold on to Black defends in the simplest,
the extra pawn. most natural, way by posting the b8-
5 (D) knight on its most effective station.
Despite the fact that Black has
fewer pieces in play than White, his
8 2 * 4 . f + i. I game is not inferior. He does have a
7 Ai i A il pawn in the centre, and his bishops,
6 undeveloped as yet, have great po
5
tential, as their cruising range is
more extensive than White’s.
4 Mz. 7 0-0 (D)
3
2 a a 8 I A # * A 1
1
b c d e f g h
7 AAA AAA
6
White develops a piece with gain
of tempo - an attack on the d5-
5 W M A
4
knight.
In the old days, Black would 3 if & A
probably have met this by 5...Ae6, 2 A A A A AAA
protecting the knight while develop
ing another piece. Today’s players
1 a Jl
a b c d e f g h
regard with suspicion even the most
natural moves, in their search for White does not commit himself,
truth (and new ways to win). but spirits away the king and mobi
5 ... £ib6! lizes one of his rooks.
72 Game 12: Pitschak - Flohr
A tremendous move! One threat mates at g2. If White does not take
from this beautifully centralized the pawn but plays 18 A c5, Black
knight is 16...£lxe3 17 fxe3 Wxg3+ wins cleverly by 18...f3 (threatening
18 ifehl ®h3+ 19 * g l i.g5, and 19.. .Wg2#) 19 exf3 <S3t'4 (again aim
White’s game is in ruins, while an ing at the mate) 20 gxf4 2f5, and
other threat is 16...£)f6, followed by White can only stop 21.. 2h5, fol
17.. .$3g4 and 18...Wh2#. lowed by mate, by giving up his
16 tt'el queen with 21 Wxe5.
This awkward move is absolutely 17 1 x 5
necessary to save the g-pawn from If White tries to rid himself of
16.. .£)xe3 17 fxe3 ®xg3+. Should Black’s troublesome knight by 17
this pawn fall, his king could not 5)c3 Black pursues the attack by
withstand the attack. 17.. .£lf6 18 f3 £)h5 (concentrating
White may have intended to play on the vital g-pawn) 19 JLf2 jLh4
16 3ic5, when after 16...£lf6 he could (still hammering at the pawn) 20
have put up a fight by 17 2xf6 ii.xf6 gxh4 £3f4 and forces mate at g2.
18 JLxf8, but at the last moment saw The text-move gives White a faint
the refutation: 16...jLxc5 17 £sxc5 chance of holding out after 17...jLxc5
lS3f6, and in order to stop 18...£)g4 18 £lxc5 £)f6 19 f3, or if 17...^f6
and 19...#h2#, he must give up his then 18 2xf6.
rook for the knight, a course which 17 ... f4!
means an eventual loss. Not only to strike at the g-pawn
16 ... f5! (D) but also to clear a path for the rook’s
Not at once 16...5)f6 as 17 f3 passage to f5 and h5 to assist the
keeps the knight out (note how es queen in a mating operation.
sential it is to have the g-pawn pro- 18 & x e 7
te c te d ). If instead 18 g4 to keep the rook
out, Black has three or four easy
wins on tap:
8 I I * 1) 18,..f3 19 exf3 5)f4, followed
7 k k ± k l by mate at g2.
6 I : „ 2) 18..,Wxg4+ 19 * h 2 and then:
2a) 19. ,2f5, and the rook mates.
5 4 i i 2b) 19...f3 20 2 g l ®h4#.
4
: . : The move played exchanges to re
3 a i am duce the number of pieces besetting
2 AA AA his king. He hopes for the simple re
1
# 24? capture by 18..,5)xe7, when the
a b c d e f g h knight, no longer centralized, is less
of a menace.
With his last move Black pre 18 ... fxg3
pares to play 17...f4. If 18 gxf4 then With the simple, brutal threat of
18...2xf4 19 £.xf4 £)xf4, and Black 19.. .'th2#.
Prague 1952 75
Game 13
Dobias - Podgorny
Prague 1952
French Defence
centre pawn or protecting it) he takes The best possible way to put the
that which enables him to develop a king’s knight to work - by develop
piece and maintain the pressure. ing it at f3 where it has enormous in
3 ... dxe4 fluence on the centre, and where it
Temporarily allowing White more stands peerless in defence of the cas
freedom of action, but Black hopes tled king.
to play ...c5 later and destroy the 5 ... ie 7
troublesome d-pawn. A noncommittal developing move
4 £ixe4 (it brings a piece off the back rank
The recapture leaves White with a and helps the king castle quickly)
slight edge in his centralized knight but not so good as the conventional
and pawn position. 5...£tgf6.
4 ... £fd7 (D) If Black tries instead the fian-
Preparing a support for the g8- chetto development of his c8-bishop
knight’s development at f6. If White (tempting in view of White’s ex
then exchanges knights, Black can posed knight), there is a pretty trap
recapture with the d7-knight. he can stumble into: 5...b6 6 JLb5
If he played instead 4...£>f6 then ± b7 7 £ie5! £ x e4 (or 7...iLc8 8
comes 5 <S3xf6+ and Black must ei JLg5 ■Sfffi 9 £ sc6, winning the queen)
ther break up his kingside pawns by 8 ix d 7 + 9 .5x6! and Black
5,..gxf6 or capture with the queen must lose some material.
and risk its being bothered by the 6 &d3
minor pieces. A sample of what This is probably sharper than 6
could happen (after 4...£lf6 5 £lxf6+ i.c 4 but either move places the
'Sfxf6) is this little trap: 6 £lf3 jtd7 bishop in a good spot and clears the
(to seize the long diagonal) 7 Jid3 first rank for kingside castling.
± c6 8 i.g 5 Axf3 9 Wd2! Wxd4 10 6 ... ®gf6
ii.b5+ and White wins the enemy Black too prepares to get his king
queen. into safety by developing (at long
last) his g8-knight.
7 We2
White develops a piece and sup
ports his central knight strongly with
queen and bishop.
This is more restraining on Black’s
cramped position than 7 £)xf6+
A xf6, when Black can initiate an at
tack on White’s centre with ...c5.
7 ... 0-0
The king seeks security in the
corner. There was no easy freeing
manoeuvre in 7...$ixc4 8 _&.xe4
5if6 since 9 .fLxb7 Axb7 10 ®b5+
Prague 1952 77
followed by 11 Wxb7 wins a pawn to, but what’s wrong with the move
for White. he plays, 9...£lf6? Does it not bring
8 0-0 the knight to its best square, guard
White’s castling is less to escape against mate, beat off the queen, and
danger than to let the hi-rook take free his own queenside?
an active part in the game. Indeed it does all these things,
White’s position is so promising and under the circumstances it is
as to offer him a good attacking line probably Black’s best move. It is
in 8 JLg5 £)xe4 9 Wxe4 g6 (certainly strange that a move made under du
not 9...5)f6 to prevent mate, as 10 ress often does not have the same
jLxl’6 wins on the spot) 10 h4, when positive effect as a move made of
White can castle on the queenside one’s own volition.
and storm the enemy bastions with 10 ®h4
his kingside pawns. After this, Black’s knight, which
8 ... ‘S l\e4 (D) to be sure stands on a good square,
Black exchanges to get some el must remain on that square to guard
bow-room. against mate.
10 ... b6 (D)
The c8-bishop, barred by Black’s
8 I X * ' very first move from coming out to
7 4l i M i i 4 the kingside, seeks other means to
6 4 take part in the battle. Development
at b7 looks attractive, as from there it
5 '
commands the long diagonal.
4 A<&
3
8 1 ± *r 2 *
2 AAA fAAfi
1 a M A -g ff
7 4 4 1444
a b c d e f g h 6 4, '4 * <£
9 Wxe4!
5
- Jt
Takes command of the board with
4
A If
a threat of mate! Offhand it looks 3 it 4A
risky to make this capture and leave 2 AAA- A; A A
the queen exposed to harassment by 1 a 4
the minor pieces, but Black is in no a b c d e f g h
position (in either sense of the word)
to make trouble. He has all he can do 11 i.gS!
to stay alive! Excellent strategy! White attacks
9 ... £if6 the most important defensive piece,
Naturally, Black does not wish to the knight that guards against mate.
advance one of the kingside pawns, The specific threat is 12 jLxf6 iLxffi
for instance 9...g6, unless compelled 13 f xli7#.
78 Game 13: Dobias - Podgorny
Game 14
Tarrasch - Mieses
Berlin 1916
French Defence
The first method was favoured by Now White has a beautifully cen
Morphy, who liked open positions tralized knight, pressure on e5 and
that gave his pieces wide scope for c5, and a superior pawn position (a
attack. Nowadays it is rarely adopted, pawn at d4 to one at e6) which as
as after the exchange of pawns the sures him greater freedom of action.
positions are equal and symmetrical 4 ... ®d7
and an attack is difficult to whip up, Intending to support the g8-knight
unless you are a Morphy. when it reaches f6. If Black plays
The cramping move 3 e5 has a 4...£sf6 at once, White can exchange
great many advocates, but the argu knights by 5 l?lxf6-l-. Black’s recap
ment against this system is that ture either brings his queen too early
White’s pawn chain is rigid and sus into the game, or with 5...gxf6 al
ceptible to undermining tactics. lows his kingside pawn structure to
Black initiates a strong counterat be broken up.
tack on the base of the pawn-chain 5 & n (D )
by 3...c5, followed by ...5k6 and
,..'i'b6, when White finds himself
defending a centre that has lost its a I jL W * i. & X
flexibility. 7 I I 1% i l l
There remains the third way, which 6 •A A
is simple and consistent with com :m;y ■«.: A;;
5 ffZ Wr'. ■
mon sense in chess - to support the
4
e-pawn and bring a piece out on the
scene. 3
odds are it will turn in favour of the Black exchanges to free his
player whose development is supe crowded position and let the queen-
rior. side pieces get some air.
5 ... £igf6 8 JLxe4
A sound developing move. Not The recapture gives White a mo
only does the g8-knight move to the nopoly on the important squares and
square most suitable for its powers, poses Black the problem of attaining
but it challenges the sovereignty of equality.
White’s knight and disputes its hold 8 ... £if6
on the centre. This is always a fine square for
6 ±d3 the knight, and in this case the
Rather than retreat, White sup knight gets there with gain of time
ports the knight by developing an by attacking the unprotected bishop.
other piece. If Black exchanges on 9 £d3
e4, White remains with apiece in the This mobile bishop is too valu
centre. able for White to allow its exchange.
6 ... i.e 7 Any such transaction benefits Black
The bishop is well placed at e7, as a reduction in the number of
and the decks are cleared for early pieces on the board eases the pres
kingside castling. sure on him.
6...‘£sxe4 7 JLxe4 £if6 8 i d 3 is an 9 ... b6
interesting alternative, when the time Understandably, Black wants his
lost by the bishop’s retreat compen light-squared bishop on the job and
sates Black for the tempo he lost intends developing it at b7. There is
when he played 3...dxe4. danger, though, in attempting this
7 0-0 (D) before the king has castled Not only
is there the risk of a check on the
a4-e8 diagonal, which might compel
the king to move and forfeit his right
to castle, but there is also the possi
bility of White planting a knight on
c6, a square weakened by the ad
vance of Black’s b-pawn.
10 <Se5!
The knight occupies a wonderful
outpost and will put a restraining
hand on Black’s ambition to expand.
10 ... 0-0 (D)
Black realizes that 10...Ab7 is re
The king hides behind a pawn futed by 11 jLb5+, to which he must
barricade while the rook moves in respond either with 11 <iT 8 losing
toward the half-open e-file. the castling privilege, or with 11 ,..c6
7 ... £ixe4 giving up a pawn.
Berlin 1916 83
time the rook cannot run from the Before going any further, let’s re
queen, as the flight square b8 is cov view the bidding:
ered by White’s knight, and the re By doing nothing more remark
sponse 12 ,.JLb7 (to interpose the able than making simple developing
bishop, meanwhile developing it on moves, White has an advantage in
the long diagonal) fails after 13 his pair of bishops, a better all-
£>xe7+ 1 'xe7 14 Wxb7, and White around position, more pieces in play,
wins a piece. and an enduring initiative.
12 ... ±d7 More pieces in play? Yes, his
The upshot of all this is that in or queen and both bishops are actively
der to save the rook’s life the bishop posted, while Black’s knight is un
must be content to move to d7, able to move, his queen must hover
where it has little scope. about the knight (or lose a pawn af
13 &xe7+ ter Axf6) and his bishop has little
Strategically, this represents a tri mobility, shut off as it is from the
umph for White. Not only does he kingside by Black’s own e-pawn.
remain with the advantage of the two The pawn position in the centre also
bishops against Black’s knight and favours White, in that his d-pawn
bishop, but he has also compelled on the fourth rank has more to say
Black’s remaining bishop to take up about affairs than the enemy pawn at
an unfavourable post, while White e6.
retains control of the long light- White now plans to create a breach
squared diagonal. in the line-up of pawns screening
13 ... Wxe7 (D) Black’s king, by next playing the
Black recaptures with the impres surprising but logical 15 ®e4. Black
sion that his position is solid enough, could not reply 15...?)xe4 to this, as
though defensive in character. after 16 JLxe7 (attacking two pieces)
16.. 2e8 17 jkxe4 he has no time to
take the e7-bishop as his a8-rook is
8 i ' i * . under attack. The idea underlying 15
7 A lifiil Wed is not to induce Black to snatch
6 % * i m '■* the queen, but by the threat of 16
5 - v; p 0' w JLxf6 Wxf6 17 Wxh7# to compel
himtoplay 15...g6. The effect of this
4 & pawn move would be to loosen the
3
defensive structure shielding the
2 A A A AAA king, remove a prop from under the
1 1 % pinned knight, and offer White points
of entry on the weakened dark
a b c d e f g h
squares h6 and f6, which are no lon
14 jtg5! ger guarded by the g-pawn. One pos
White puts paralysing pressure on sibility, for example, is 15 g6 16
the knight with this powerful pin. Wh4 (attacking the knight) 16...<i?g7
Berlin 1916 85
17 ich6+, and White wins the ex The winning move - although it
change. appears that White has been playing
14 ... Iac8 a long string of winning moves.
Black shifts the rook from the line
of fire, so that 15 Wed £lxe4 16
jtxe7 Sfe8 retains material equality. 8 I I
Constructively, Black intends to 7 * i i f i i i
follow up with 15...c5, coming to
05
grips with White’s centre pawn and 5
opening the c-file for his rook. m
15 S fel 4 i§
A useful developing, restraining 3 ±
and preparatory move: 2A A A K A A A
• It brings the rook out to a half
open file.
il a f *g h
a b c d e
• It prevents any attempt by Black
to free himself by prying open the The pressure is now redoubled on
e-file. the h-pawn, which White threatens
• It makes provision for utilizing to win either by 17 J.xf6 followed
the el-rook in a kingside attack, by 18 1&xh7+ or simply by taking it
somewhat like this: 16 ®h3 (again at once with the bishop, as Black’s
threatening to win by 17 icxfb) pinned knight dare not recapture, and
16...h6 17 ii.xh6 gxh6 18 Wxh6, his king may not take the bishop.
and the rook comes in decisively How does Black defend himself
by way of e5 and g5 to inflict against White’s threats?
mate. If 16...h6, then 17 J&.xh6 gxh6 18
15 ... 2fe8 1H,xh6 Wf8 (otherwise 19 He5 will
Vacating a square for the king. lead to mate) 19 Wxf6, when White,
Black abandons the projected 15...c5, two pawns up, wins easily.
against which Tarrasch intended (ac If 16...g6 (saving the h-pawn but
cording to his own comments) 16 depriving the knight of any real sup
# h 3 (threatening 17 JLxf6) 16. ,h6 port), White wins by 17 Wh4 4ig7
17 jLxh6 and now: 18 He4!, followed by 19 Sf4, and
1) 17...C4 18 iLxg7 &xg7 19 the rook too hits out at the helpless
'0rg3+ &h8 20 Wh4+ &g7 21 Wg5+ knight.
&118 22 '©h6+ (pretty zigzagging by If 16...e5 (uncovering an attack
the queen!) 22...‘&g8 23 Se5 with a on the queen), then 17 i x f 6 ix h 3
quick mate. (or 17. ,Wxf6 18 Wxd7, and White
2) 17...gxh6 18 l'x h 6 cxd4 (to wins a piece) 18 JLxe7 and White is
meet 19 2e5 with 19...2c5) 19 Wg5+ a piece ahead.
ilihS 20 Ke4 and Black must give up Finally, after 16...c5 17 jtxh7+
his queen to avoid mate. ‘&T8 18 j Lc4 (threatening a devastat
16 W h 3 \ < D ) ing check at h8) 18.„&g8, Black is a
86 Game 14: Tarrasch - Mieses
pawn down and still on the defen <£>f8 19 Wh8+ &e7 that the king has
sive. escaped and the attack is exhausted.
All these variations are pleasant- What is worse is that White’s queen
especially if you are on the winning and d-pawn are threatened, and that
side! saving both by 20 ®h4 lets Black re
16 ... Wd6 spond with 20.,.£h 8 and suddenly
Hoping that 17 A xf 6 gxf6 18 White is thrown on the defensive!
®xh7+, winning a pawn, will ap 18 ... f5
pease White. Intercepting the bishop’s line of
17 ±xf6 attack.
White removes the only defender 19 2e3 (D)
in the neighbourhood of the black
king, and...
17 ... gxf6
...uproots the g-pawn, exposing
the king.
18 Wh6! (D)
8 I 1 is
^i i ± i i
6 i t i l m
57m
4 :A Obviously threatening check at
34?,. k :: g3, which would force Black to give
2A 'A A A g A A A up his queen in order to avoid instant
1I mate.
a b c d e f g h Notice how the occupation of the
partly open e-file by the rook en
Holding the king fast! The idea is ables the convenient use of e3 as a
to keep him from escaping by way of transfer point, allowing the rook to
f 8 while facing him with deadly switch over to the open files on the
threats. The modus operandi after kingside.
the text-move is 19 ji.xh7+! ' i ’hS 19 ... * x d 4 (D)
20 iLg6+ &g 8 21 Hh7+ * f 8 22 Guarding the g7-square, so that
Wxf7#. after 20 2g3+ « h 8, White has no
If you can play this sort of move check there with his queen.
(18 W116), you are a cut above the If instead 19...f6, to try escaping
average player. Most young players with the king, then 20 2g3+ &f7 21
(in a chess sense) have a tendency to W gl# is mate. Or if ^ . . . 'i ’hS, then
try checking the king to death only to 20 2h3 forces 20...‘i ,g8, when 21
find after something like 18 #xh7+ 2g3+ is fatal.
Simultaneous, Vienna 1936 87
20 c3!
A beautiful coup de repos!
1 I Black is helpless: his queen dare
A li 4 4 not leave the diagonal leading to g7,
A 1 m and20...Wg7 21 3g3 pins the queen,
while 20.. Wh8 succumbs to 21
4 2g3+, and the poor king’s only flight
square is occupied by his queen!
Aff 1-0
AAA AAA This game was awarded a bril
a <4> liancy prize.
a b c d e f g h
Game 15
Alekhine - Poindle
Simultaneous, Vienna 1936
Ruy Lopez
Lasker favoured the knight’s de moving the same one twice. Black
velopment at this point, but modern must not waste time holding on to
theory inclines to interpolating 3...a6 the extra pawn but should continue
first, to make the bishop declare its bringing pieces into play.
intentions, and in any case to dis 6 dxe5!
lodge it from its fine position. Initiating an attack which is trou
4 0-0 (D) blesome to meet. White temporarily
Very much to the point: the king offers a piece, but he can be sure of
is whisked away into safety while regaining it quickly. This is superior
the hi-rook is activated. to the less dynamic 6 £ a4 , which
gives Black time to reply 6...e4 with
good counterplay.
8 I I 6 ... £lxb5
7 i l l ! i i 1 The knight’s excursion has cost
6 Black valuable time, as the knight
to to v
has made four moves to capture a
5 A 4 bishop that has only moved once.
4 % >vA - 7 a4 (D)
3 rT & White attacks the knight at once
2 AAAA AAA to recover the piece he lost.
1
a b c d e f g h
4 ... £«e4
Should Black capture this pawn?
Lasker’s view was: “When you are
conscious not to have violated the
rules laid down, you should accept
the sacrifice of an important central
pawn. If you do not, as a rule, the
pawn which you have rejected will
become very troublesome to you.”
5 d4
This is stronger than 5 E el.
Black’s e-pawn is doubly attacked, A fifth move by the same knight!
while lines are opened up for White’s White will surely have a strong at
queen and dark-squared bishop. tack in return for the pawn he in
5 ... £sd6 tends to sacrifice.
Puts the question to the bishop, Black should have played 7...£sbd4
which apparently must capture the 8 £lxd4 £lxd4 9 ®xd4 d5, a better
knight or retreat. way of returning the piece as it frees
An alternative course was 5.. JLe7, his bishops.
developing another piece instead of 8 exdh
Simultaneous, Vienna 1936 89
White seizes the open file. Con 27 He7+ i>f8 (or 27...&g8 28 '&d5+
trolling it gives the rook a clear road and mate next move) 28 2xd7+ i g 8
and access to the enemy camp. 29 Wd5+ &f8 30 ®t7#.
24 ... 2h8 (D) 27 ®d5 +(D)
White’s queen must retreat from
the rook’s attack, but she gains time
8 I ?AO i by checking.
7 ilfl it?
6 ill 8 A I
5 A 7 A 'A A £
4 A AAB m AAA
3 :A /A £A W. sA n # , At
Z .a m S A A A ^A . A
1
3 % AA
9
a b c d e f g h
2 £AAA
Black intends either to evict the 1 A a : <&.
queen by 25...jLd8 or to dispute a b c d e f g h
ownership of the e-file by 25...Se8.
25 Bd6! 27 ... >4>g7
Nailing down the d-pawn and Or 27...' i f 8 28 £sb5 (threatening
paralysing Black’s forces on the 29 £ld6) 28...2e6 29 Exe6 dxe6 30
queenside. Wc5+ i g 7 31 Wc7+ and a bishop
25 ... a5 falls with check.
What else is there? 25...2e8 26 28 £ib5 (D)
Hxe8 ix e 8 27 ®xf6 wins apiece, or Ready to switch over to d6 in or
if 25...b6, then 26 ^ 5 + catches the der to support the queen in a mate
a8-rook. threat at f7.
Black’s idea is to follow up with
26...2a6, dislodging the queen and
getting his queenside pieces rolling.
26 &c3!
Excellent! White brings another
piece up to join in the attack. Notice
how the master player selects the
move he would like to make, sees
that it can’t be made (here the knight
is left en prise) and then makes the
move!
26 ... 2a6
Black does not grab the knight
with 26...jtxc3, as White mates by
Nuremberg 1889 93
Game 16
Tarrasch - Kurschner
Nuremberg 1889
Queen's Gambit Accepted
White offers a pawn to induce Black simple! The bishop’s absence from
to surrender the centre. If that does the queenside weakens that section
not work, White threatens to dis of the board and leaves the b-pawn
solve it by 3 cxd5 Wxd5 4 (Etc3 Wa5 vulnerable. Another drawback in
5 c4, and White controls most of the Black’s move is that it violates one
centre. of the precepts for sound develop
2 ... dxc4 (D) ment:
Bring out your knights before the
bishops!
8 Instead of the text-move, Black’s
7 444 4444 best bet is in counterattack, viz.:
6 3.. .e5 4 iLxc4 (or 4 dxe5 Wxdl-t- 5
5
'iSxd I jLcb) 4...exd4 5 exd4 Jtb4+.
Attempting to hold on to the extra
4 4A - pawn might lead Black into one of
3 the traps prepared for the greedy:
2 AA AAAA 3.. .b5 4 a4 c6 5 axb5 cxb5 6 ®f3,
1 and White wins a piece.
a b c d e f q h 4 JLxc4(D)
The recovery of the pawn equal
Black’s idea with this capture is to izes the material, but White’s posi
avoid the constricted positions that tion is slightly superior.
are normally his lot in the Queen’s
Gambit Declined, but in doing so he
8 1 4
has given up a beautifully central
ized pawn for a less central one. 7 444 14 4 4
Accepting the gambit is perfectly 6
sound, but the resulting play re 5
quires great care on Black’s part.
Above all, he must not hold on to the
4 iA
extra pawn for too long. 3 & m
3 e3 2
AA & A.A A
A good move, but more to the point 1
is 3 £if3 to prevent the counterthrust a b c d e f g h
3...e5.
White plays to release his light- 4 ... e6
square bishop and recover the pawn A pawn move that contributes to
at once. the development of a piece, in this
3 ... I.f5 case the f8-bishop, is always in or
By this, Black hopes to solve the der.
problem of the shut-in c8-bishop, Developing one of the knights
one of the evils the defence is heir to. first is somewhat risky. For instance,
However, the solution is not quite so 4...£tf6 5 Wb3 threatens to win a
Nuremberg 1889 95
2) to clear a path for the develop This recapture opens the e-file for
ment of his cl-bishop; the use of White’s major pieces and
3) to limit further the activities of compels Black’s bishop on c 6 to re
Black’s c 6-bishop. treat.
8 ... ±e7 11 ... icd7
The only square open to the Anything else loses material.
bishop. If instead 8...^.d 6, the reply Before making his next move,
9 e5 wins a piece for White. White must decide whether to con
The back rank is cleared and tinue bringing pieces into play or to
Black is ready to castle - if White try exploiting his present lead in de
lets him! velopment. Thus, he pauses to take
9 £lbc3 stock before committing himself to a
Bringing another piece into play definite course of action.
with gain of tempo. The threat is 10 He has a pawn stationed at d5,
d5 exd5 11 exd5 ± d l 12 Wxb7, and which at first glance is doing an ex
White wins a piece. cellent job. It prevents Black’s b 8-
9 ... Wc8 knight from developing at c6, keeps
Black must guard the b-pawn and the d7-bishop from coming to e 6,
put aside any thought of castling for and restrains the f6-knight. The pawn
a while. does this single-handed, but at a
10 d5 (£>) price! In standing at d5 it occupies a
In order to drive the bishop back square that should be reserved for
to the second rank. pieces. Pieces have more mobility
than pawns and can attack more
readily. Pieces can utilize d5 as a
8 I M # 1 jumping-off square, a point of de
7 iii 4 At* A parture to any part of the board. In
6 A 1% i f fact, the wretched pawn does a dis
service in obstructing the diagonal
5
of the bishop and the supporting
4
queen and takes up room on a file
3 TO A which should be open! Better that
2A A' T O , A A the d5-square be vacant than that a
pawn block traffic there! (And in
1m ± ® a this last sentence, as we shall see, is
a b c d e f g h
the key to White’s problem).
10 ... exd5 What about Black’s prospects?
This exchange of pawns is infe With the exception of the f 6-
rior to simply retreating the bishop. knight, his pieces are confined to the
The opening up of lines favours the first two ranks. His position is a bit
side that is better developed, and in crowded, but if he gets a chance to
this case White will benefit. castle and reorganize his forces, it
11 exd5 will be hard to subdue him.
Nuremberg 1889 97
White must not allow him time to Black’s idea is to develop a piece
do this. While must not dawdle! and give the queen and a8-rook free
12 d 6! dom to move - if only to the next
This energetic thrust opens the di square! It is hard to suggest a better
agonal leading to Black’s tender spot, move, as every move is inadequate
the f7-pawn, clears the d-ftle for later in a losing position. Black might
exploitation by a rook, and vacates have ventured on a more active de
the strategically important d5-square fence, such as 14...iLe8 followed by
for the use of a piece. Meanwhile, 15.. .Hf8, 15. .Wd7 or 15. .Itf5. He
the attack on Black’s bishop leaves must try to beat back White’s attack
him no time to breathe! ing pieces or get rid of them by ex
12 ... ±xd6 changes.
Better than 12...cxd6 hemming The formula in such cases is:
the bishop in. In a cramped position try to re
13 iLxf7+ lieve the pressure by forcing ex
This will smoke the king out! changes of pieces.
Once the king moves and loses the 15 <&e4
privilege of castling, he stands on in White puts more strain on the
secure ground to the end of his days pinned knight. The threat (and there
(which may not be far off). always is a threat when a pinned
13 ... i d 8 (D) piece is attacked more than once) is
Black prefers this to lS -.^ fS im 16 ‘Slxfb gxf6 17 jLxf6+, and White
prisoning the h 8-rook. wins a rook.
15 ... £e7
Protecting the knight once again,
8 14## i and at the same time unpinning it.
7 ilii A#A This is a better defence than 15,. JLe5,
which helps guard the knight but
6 i. H
5 M 'M does nothing to relieve the pin. In
such situations, the extra defender it
4 'm .' w 'W; " self may be on shaky ground and apt
3 A * to be disturbed. For instance, after
2 A A & AA 15.. .1.e5 16 f4 £ d 4 17 £lxd4 (re
moving one of the knight’s protec
1 a jl * -2 tors) 17...£sxd4 18 Wc3 Black is
a b c d e f g h
embarrassed for a plausible continu -
14 A gS ation.
This pin paralyses Black’s most 16 i x ('6
useful piece. Meanwhile - and this White does well to remove this
sums up the miserable state of his rock of defence.
game - Black’s mighty queen is 16 ... gxf6 (D)
smothered by his own pieces! Black takes with the pawn, as he
14 ... £)c6 wants to keep both his bishops.
98 Game 16: Tarrasch - Kurschner
At some time in his life, almost ev nailed down so that Black’s queen-
ery chess player makes a happy dis side is held in an iron grip. The
covery - the Queen’s Pawn Opening. weaknesses on the queenside lead to
The Queen’s Pawn offers White a collapse on the kingside.
great many advantages, and all of Similar difficulties beset Black in
them can be summed up in one word Griinfeld-Schenkein (No. 19), where
- pressure! delay in challenging the centre leads
White gets opportunities to con to a sealing in of Black’s c-pawn,
trol and exert pressure on the c-file, and with it his queenside, by an un
and in particular on the c5-square. protected pawn! White’s sudden
So powerful can it be as to cause, by shifting of the attack to the kingside
itself, the collapse of Black’s game. leaves Black helpless to resist.
Against its dire effects there is Positional play on a grand scale is
only one antidote: the advance ...c5, seen in the Rubinstein-Salwe (No.
which Black must get in, sooner or 20) game. This again shows the con
later. Without it, he may be choked sequences of Black’s omission of the
to death; with it, he frees his position key defensive move in this opening,
on the queenside, establishes a state namely ...c5. White’s control of the
of tension in the centre, and can put c-file and the c5-square enables him
up a fight for possession of the c-file. to demonstrate a remarkable bit of
The game Pillsbury-Mason (No. strategy. He blockades c5 with a
17) is a classic example of White bishop (stopping Black’s c-pawn
controlling the c-file, while Black dead in its tracks) and then switches
fails to free himself by ...c5. Pills- blockaders about, so that this square
bury fixes the c-pawn so it dare not is occupied in turn by a bishop, a
move, and then proceeds to attack it knight, a rook and the queen! Rubin
with more pieces than Black can stein eventually captures the c-pawn
summon to its defence. The pawn that was marked for doom and swings
falls, of course, and White’s contin into the final movement, a triumphal
uing control of the vital c-file, ex march of his own passed pawn.
tending into the ending, makes the In the Chemev-Hahlbohm (No.
winning process look easy. 21) game, Black gets in the impor
In Noteboom-Doesburgh (No. tant counterthrust ...c5, but his cen
18) , neglect of the freeing manoeuvre tre, with an unprotected knight at d5,
...c5 allows White to restrain and lacks solidity. Chernev gains time
prevent forever the advance of the for his attack by threats against
c-pawn. Eventually, the pawn is Black’s exposed pieces, and it is
Hastings 1895 101
these gains of tempo that lend the Black who wrests control of the c-
game its interest. file by a counterattack at the second
Pillsbury-Marco (No. 22) is an move with 2...c5. It leads to more
ideal Queen’s Gambit game. In it, advantages, culminating in a rook
we see the classic demonstration of invasion of the seventh rank and the
what came to be known as the Pills- establishment of a knight outpost at
bury Attack. It is a beautiful exam e4. Eventually, Black doubles rooks
ple of the power of a knight outpost on the c-file and manoeuvres his
at e5, and the impetus it furnishes to king in among the enemy pawns.
a whirlwind kingside attack. This leads to his winning a pawn,
In the game between Van Vliet and the rest is a delightful little les
and Znosko-Borovsky (No. 23), it is son in the art of simplification.
Game 17
Pillsbury - Mason
Hastings 1895
Queen's Gambit Declined
in the opening of the c-file. Owner on the e4-square and adds its pres
ship o f this file is o f paramount im sure to that of the c-pawn in the at
portance in the Queen’s Gambit. tack on d5.
White generally tries to get full pos 3 ... ® f 6 (D)
session of it by posting his queen at This knight carries out his part of
c 2, and developing his queen’s rook Black’s opening strategy by simply
at cl. leaving the back rank. Naturally, his
Control of this file and of the c5- development is toward the centre,
square on this file is equivalent to where he counteracts the influence
control of the game. Of such pecu of White’s knight on two of the im
liar significance is this c5-square portant squares there.
that it is almost enough simply to
plant a piece securely there to get a
paralysing grip on Black’s game,
2 ... e6 '
Black defends the centre pawn by
supporting it with another pawn.
He does not care to capture by
2.. .dxc4 as that means surrendering
the centre to gain a pawn which he
cannot hold on to. White, in reply to
this, would play 3 £>f3 (to prevent
3.. .e5), follow up with 4 e3, and then
get the pawn back by 5 JLxc4, with a
central superiority. 4 l.g5
Defending the d-pawn by 2...£if6 A highly efficient move as it com
is weak. White would play in re bines rapid development of a piece
sponse 3 cxd5, and Black would with a threat. This latter consists of 5
have to recapture with a piece. On cxd5 exd5 6 jLxf6 gxf6 (or 6...®xf6
3.. .'ifxd5, 4 £lc3 banishes the queen 7 £>xd5, and White wins a pawn)
from the centre and costs Black and Black’s kingside pawn position
time, while 3...£)xd5 lets White is shattered.
seize the centre with 4 e4 and evict The opening thus far had been
the knight in the process. given sporadic earlier trials by vari
After the actual move, Black is set ous players, but Pillsbury was the
to meet 3 cxd5 by 3...exd5, keeping first to appreciate its enormous win
his hold on the centre by maintain ning possibilities. He pictured the
ing a pawn there. bishop move (most masters brought
3 £ k3 the bishop quietly into the game at
This is a commendable develop f4) as a sort of Ruy Lopez on the
ing move, as it settles a minor piece other side of the board! With this
on its most suitable square without particular sequence of moves, which
loss of time. The knight bears down he perfected and popularized, he
Hastings 1895 103
6 % 1 *
5 :% : a
4
3 : & m
2 && ' t a a a
1 g
13 iLb5!
Presto! The file is suddenly open,
and the c-file action begins with the 15 ... £if 6
rook’s attack on the c7-pawn. Blissfully unconscious of the im
13 ... 1U6 pending danger, Black goes about
Black guards the pawn and pre his business, which in this case con
pares to dislodge White’s bishop by sists of bringing the knight over to
14.. .c6. attack, and perhaps to occupy e4.
It is already too late to advance Ordinarily, this is commendable
the pawn to c5 as after 13...C5 (seem procedure, but all strategy must be
ingly a safe move as the pawn is conditioned by the circumstances,
triply defended and only twice at the position at hand. All moves must
tacked) 14 A x d l W xdl (note how be made with respect to the threats
White disposes of two of the defend of the opponent, not to arbitrary
ers with one stroke) 15 dxc5 bxc5 16 judgements which declare that cer
£xc5 White wins a pawn. tain moves are always ‘good’ or
14 2c2 ‘bad’. All moves must be measured
White makes room for the other by their worth in the particular posi
rook at cl, to add to the pressure. tion being played.
Hastings 1895 107
29 ... 2b8
Black must hang on to the b-pawn
as long as possible, as with its loss
White’s pawns on the queenside are
free to go on to queen.
110 Game 17: Pillsbury - Mason
3 A
/ K m&w
A
6 M i 4 A /
2 Sf H S' A
5 v■< 0a 4
1 *
4
A B; A,A V
a b c d e f g h
A
3 a lA
i
I 'A & A
2
The d-pawn falls at last, giving 1
'/f /'■‘A
White a passed pawn on the d-file and a b c d e f g h
a rook on the seventh rank (in addi
tion to the pawns he picked up). 34 a4!
31 ... 2c8 White goes calmly about his busi
Rather than be gradually crushed ness of pushing the passed pawns
to death, Black gives up another pawn and getting a queen.
to get some sort of counterplay on It was tempting to drive the
the open file. If his rook can get be knight off with 34 f4 but this move,
hind White’s pawns, it might gather believe it or not, enables Black to
up a couple of them. draw the game! After 34 f4 5lf3+ 35
32 £)xb6 'i ’fl (definitely not 35 "^hl 2xh2#)
White can play safe and keep the 35., 2d2! 36 <S)c4 £sxh2+ 37 & gl
rook out by 32 £lc3 but capturing the 4)f3+ 38 & fl 5)h2+ 39 & el S)f3+
b-pawn leaves him with three passed Black draws by perpetual check.
pawns - an offer hard to resist! 34 ... $'ie4
32 ... 2c2 Black tries another means of
Occupation of the seventh rank is entry.
the logical consequence of play on 35 a5
Netherlands 1931 111
Game 18
Noteboom - Doesburgh
Netherlands 1931
Queen's Gambit Declined
Game 19
Griinfeld - Schenkein
Vienna 1915
Queen's Gambit Declined
8 I A *
7 I l f i l l !
6 1 1
5
4 AA
3 &
2 AAi. AAA
1
a b e d f g h
8 e4!
This resembles the Colie device The bishop retreats, but to a fine
for breaking up the position in the vantage point. It is poised for a
centre and opening lines of attack kingside attack but can quickly shift
for the pieces crouched in the back to the queenside if necessary.
ground. White’s position is distinctly su
8 ... dxe4 perior. He enjoys these advantages:
Black cannot allow the pawn to • His bishops have a great range of
go to e5. There it would drive away attack.
his f6-knight and put it completely • He dominates the centre with his
out of action. pawns.
9 5ixe4 • He controls the strategically im
More energetic than recapturing portant e5-square.
with the bishop. The knight gets out • His major pieces can operate with
of the way of the cl-bishop and puts great effect on the centre files.
the question to the enemy knight. 11 ... b6
9 ... £lxe4 To develop the bishop at b7, since
Black must exchange to relieve it is shut in by the e-pawn on the
his constricted position. other diagonal.
10 JLxe4 12 We2
The exchange of pieces suits White develops another piece
White too. The more material disap and intensifies the pressure on e5.
pears from the board, the more scope Control of this square will make it
122 Game 19: Grunfeld - Schenkein
difficult, if not impossible, for Black lose the castling privilege, or play
to free his position by advancing the 15.,.£>d7 losing the exchange after
e-pawn. 16i.xd7+Exd7 17 £ixd7.
12 ... JLb7
With the development of this
bishop, Black seems to be finding a 8 1 1#
way out of his troubles He is now 7iif k .A A A
set to play ...c5 next move, operate 6 11 4%
on the long diagonal with his light- 5
squared bishop and establish a &
proper state of tension in the centre. V A a », ,y%" ,.,y
ii 1 i* 1 x*
A AAA Ai . i A1A
A JLA* A AA
if A m fi m a ■0 ^y
m 4$ & kr.
m m m W It fti
AA A A A A A A i f AAA
a a * a a <4>
a b c d e f g h
Game 20
R u b in s te in - S a iw e
Lodz 1908
Queen's Gambit Declined
6
1 2A A AAA A
5 1 , 1i
a b c d e f g h
4 AA J|
3 4 ... exdS
2 AA AAAA The safest recapture. Black can
offer a pawn by 4...cxd4 5 Wxd4
1 rn
a b c d e f g h £)c6 6 Wdl exd5 7 Wxd5 jte 6 but
this gambit is dubious.
A good development for the 5 £)f3
knight, now that it does not block the White’s knights now have all four
c-pawn and the opening of the c-ftle. of the strategically important central
It is a bit sharper than 3 £sf3 since it squares (e4, e5, d4 and d5) under
steps up the pressure on d5, an im surveillance.
portant square in this opening. 5 ... <$H6 (D)
126 Game 20: Rubinstein - Salwe
forcing the pawn to recapture, since the queen, is now under the rook’s
18 Hxc5 costs the exchange, and 18 care.
£)xc5 allows 18.. Wxb4. However, 18 ... SeeS
after 18 bxc5 the pawn stationed at This rook retreats to help defend
c5 is not only immobile and useless the c-file against White’s attack, since
but itself closes the c-file to White’s a move by the a8-rook costs a pawn.
pieces. This would negate the whole 19 ± f l
strategy of the position, which is to A subtle means of activating the
occupy the weak squares in the op bishop. The alternative 19 f4 is not
ponent’s position with pieces, not nearly as good, as it gives Black’s
pawns. Pieces can be freely moved pieces much more room in which to
about, so that lines are kept open for manoeuvre, his bishop and knight
the attack, and one blockader can then having access to the e4-square.
make room for a different one, if oc 19 ... Sec8 ( D )
casion demands it. Reviving the possibility of play
17 ... 2xe7 ( D ) ing 20...c5. Black must have realized
Black must recapture. by this time that if he does not get
this move in, he might just as well sit
back and wait for the axe to fall.
8
I #
7 i 4 £ l i i
6 <A £
8 1 1
5 W 1
7 A %! AAA
4
6 A £
3 AA 5 W: A //■'<
4'/ y,.y
2 AA A U i.A 4
W $#
-A /
1
S # &
3 fA AsA A
a b c d e f g h 2
A A ' A fi A
18 Wd4!
1 s
a b c d e f g h
Excellent! The centralization of
the queen is tremendously effective. 20 e3!
Not only does the queen exert its in Such a little move, but it accom
fluence on every part of the board, plishes a great deal! It gains a tempo
but it also both prohibits Black from or two as it uncovers an attack on the
getting in the freeing ...c5 move and queen (forcing Black to lose a move
prepares the posting of the knight at by its retreat), opens up a diagonal
c5. Notice how, from its new posi for the bishop, and clears a pathway
tion, the queen still guards the on the second rank, so that the rook
knight and keeps an eye on the fa- can switch from f2 to c2 and in
pawn. The knight is free to move, crease the pressure along the c-file.
while the e2-pawn, abandoned by 20 ... ®b7 ( D )
Lodz 1908 131
I; "
m i i l l
k/;y * n
%
v m tjp m
iCS w £ £ £
21 £>c5! &£ f l . £
Blockade! The knight settles down
on c5 and barricades Black’s posi
±<A>
a b c d e f g h
tion.
21 ... £>xc5 24 b4!
Black removes the knight, not only This is the point! While the rooks
to get rid of an active blockader but keep a grip on the enemy, the pawn
also on the theory that exchanges will spearhead an attack on the posi
help relieve a cramped position. tion.
22 Exc5 White’s immediate threat is 25
Not so agile as its predecessor, the b5, striking a third time at the immo
new blockader enjoys the privilege of bilized c-pawn.
immunity to harassment by pawns 24 ... a6
or the enemy bishop, which is con Black must not allow the pawn to
fined to squares of opposite colour advance.
to the one the rook occupies. 25 Ea5!
22 ... Sc'7 Shifting the attack so as to keep
Black cannot counterattack; all he Black occupied guarding all the
can do is sit tight and await events. weak points (the new target is a6).
But how does White profit by his Transferring the rook does not relin
opponent’s lack of mobility? How quish the pressure on the c-pawn,
does he overcome passive resis which must remain where it is.
tance? 25 ... Sb8
132 Game 20: Rubinstein - Salwe
centre for the endgame, in the event Not through the Iron Duke! It is
that the queens are exchanged. more important to retain control of
30 ... h5 the c-ftle and to keep Black’s pieces
This demonstration does not in off it than to pick up stray pawns.
timidate White or divert him from 33 ... ©b7
his purpose of effecting a decision The queen hasn’t a wide choice of
on the queenside. squares to flee from the rook’s at
31 £ e 2 tack.
White shelters the king from any 34 h4
annoying checks that might ensue This immobilizes Black’s king-
once the position is opened up. side pawns and also guards against
31 ... g6 any surprise attack on that wing.
Black’s pieces are tied down to the 34 ... a5
defence of the two isolated pawns, Black tries to opena file for his
so he makes a waiting move with a queen by main force.
pawn. What else is there? After 34...&g7
32 ®d6 35 2c7 Wb8 36 &xa6 &g8 (or
White responds vigorously by at 36.. 2xa6 37 2xf7+ winning the
tacking the a-pawn with a third queen) 37 ±b7! 2a7 38 2c8+ jtxc8
piece. The queen’s further infiltra 39 ®xb8 White wins easily.
tion into Black’s territory also clears 35 2c7
the c5-square so that the rook can This reduces the queen’s flight
use that as a springboard to get to the squares to the minimum - just one
seventh rank. square!
32 ... WcH (D) White is now in full control of all
Black cannot guard all his pawns the strategically important areas -
(if 32...JLc8, then 33 #xd5), so he the c-file, the all-important c5-square,
deserts the a-pawn to try to get at the d-file, the sixth rank and the sev
White’s king via the open c-file. enth rank.
35 ... UbS
The only hiding place! The queen
is driven further and further back.
36 b5
A new source of trouble' White
has a passed pawn moving up the
board.
36 ... a4
Black must give his rook more
room.
37 b6
Threatening to continue with 38
b7 2a7 39 2c8+ l.x c8 40 ®xb8,
winning everything in sight.
134 Game 21: Chernev -Hahlbohm
Game 21
Chernev - Hahlbohm
New York 1942
Colle System
an extra pawn as interest on his in piece developed, and another one
vestment. (the a8-rook) released.
14 ... &g8 17 We4
There is nothing to be gained by The queen retreats, but no time is
interposing a pawn by 14...f5 or lost as mate is threatened at h7.
14.. .g6, either of which moves fur 17 ... g6
ther disrupts the kingside pawn posi Black has little choice, and this is
tion. a better defence than 17...f5, after
15 Wxd5 which 18 ®h4 ± d 6 (or 18...i.c5 19
White wins the piece back and £)xe6 Exe6 20 ®c4 winning a
gains another tempo by the double piece) 19 Wh7+ &f8 20 % 6 £id8
attack on the bishop. Black is kept (if the e6-bishop moves, then its col
busy defending and is given no time league on d6 falls) 21 5)h7+ <&e7 22
to consolidate his position. Without Wxg7+ leads to a catastrophe.
having made any moves that were 18 # h 4
obviously bad, Black has a theoreti Again threatening mate on the
cally lost game. move. Black is kept on the run and
15 ... £ f 8 (D) has to place his pieces where White’s
Abject retreat, but the alternative mating threats compel them to go.
15.. .JLe7 lets White take the poorly 18 ... £g7
defended e-pawn. White cannot be kept from check
ing at h7, but this prevents the
queen’s further inroad at h8. Failure
81 A I i.# to keep the queen out, for instance
ii 11 by 18...JLd6 instead, would lose af
6 #§ & ter 19 Wh7+ * f 8 20 £>xe6+ Sxe6
5 ^ l (if 20...fxe6, then 21 i.h6#) 21
WhS-l-, and White wins a rook.
4 ->- With the actual move, Black seems
3 <£A & to have built a bomb-proof shelter
2A A AAA for his king.
19 £ e 3
ifai b Ac d e 2f *g h So White brings up the reserves!
The dark-squared bishop comes into
16 £lg5 active play with gain of tempo. The
Threatening 17 WxfT-l-, and mate attack on the queen is incidental to
in two more moves. Black must be the bishop’s real purpose, which is
given no respite! to gain control of c5 for itself or the
16 ... ± e6 knight. A knight planted there would
At last, the light-squared bishop dominate the centre and the queen-
comes into the game. Black’s move side; a bishop would be useful to
looks effective as mate is warded prevent Black’s king escaping by
off, the enemy queen driven back, a way of f8.
140 Game 21: Chernev - Hahlbohm
Game 22
P ills b u r y - M a r c o
Paris 1900
Queen's Gambit Declined
The king finds safer quarters while and aims at Black’s h-pawn. This
the rook prepares to make itself use pawn is in no immediate danger, but
ful. it does stand in the line of fire.
6 £>f3 (D) 7 ... &b7
Black expects to control the long
diagonal with his bishop by means
8
x^if i#~' of this fianchetto. However, Pills-
7 AAA AAA A bury’s next move puts Black in a di
6 Ai k lemma.
8 cxd5!(D)
5 A A White removes a pawn and lets
4 AA Black recapture in any of four ways
3 Q3 A AA - none of them satisfactory!
2
AA ' AAA
1 fl W & i. 1
a b c d e f g h » ! 4 W I #
7 A A A A H A
With the development of this piece, 6 A AA
White’s knights now exert pressure
on all the four squares in the centre.
5 A A
Moreover, the f3-knight has an eye 4 . 5 A - !A
to utilizing e5 as an outpost. Once 3 wi A A’4Ai
firmly stationed there, it will get a 2A A- AAA
death grip on Black’s position. i |f l ____1
6 ... b6 a b c d e I g h
It is natural to develop the bishop
at b7, especially as it is hemmed in 8 ... exdS
on the other side, and indeed this is Black wants to maintain a pawn in
one of Black’s soundest plans - the centre, but this pawn blocks the
however, it would have been more path of his b7-bishop and prevents it
accurate to precede it by 6...h6, so as from accomplishing anything useful
to remove the h-pawn from the vul on the diagonal.
nerable h7-square with gain of Black could have captured with a
tempo. piece instead, but that amounts to an
An alternative continuation was eventual surrender of the centre.
6...£lbd7 to support a thrust at White would evict the piece by e4
White’s centre by ...c5 or ...e5. The and remain in control of all the stra
knight move would also curb White’s tegically important central squares.
ambition to anchor his f3-knight at 9 $Ie5!
e5. This is the key move in the fa
7 &d3 mous ‘Pillsbury Attack’. The knight
An ideal spot for the bishop: it anchors itself on a square from
commands an important diagonal which its striking power is terrific!
144 Game 22: Pillsbury - Marco
Game 23
Van Vliet - Znosko-Borovsky
Ostend 1907
Stonewall Attack
I *jfc I 6 1^
i l f i ill 5 4 A il|
i% 4
& A
3 % V
^ zv 2
1s iit a *
6 aa a b c d e f g h
in # * a 13 A xc2
After the alternative capture 13
This counterattack must have i fxc2, Black plays 13.. Wxc2 14
come as a surprise to White. A xc2 Hxc2 and has a rook on the
What shall he do against the threat seventh rank, as in the actual game.
of 11. J ib e d ? If he plays 11 axb4, 13 ... ©XC2
there comes 11 ...©'xcl 12 Exa7 (cer Black penetrates into the vitals of
tainly not 12 i'x c l Sxcl+, and Black the enemy’s position - the seventh
wins a rook) 12...i'xb2 (threatening rank.
13...2cl, pinning the queen) 13 0-0 White is almost paralysed:
'&xb4, and Black is a pawn ahead - His el-rook and queen are pre
and a passed pawn at that. vented from moving by Black’s b5-
11 0-0 bishop.
152 Game 23: Van Vliet - Znosko-Borovsky
His bishop cannot move at all. by 19 2d2, to get rid of Black’s an
One knight must stay at d2 to pre noying rook. By this means, his
vent 14...£se4. bishop might eventually see some
The al-rook can move - but to no action.
avail. 16 ... <5364!
14 W x c 2 The knight immediately pounces
So he exchanges his helpless on this excellent outpost! Not only
queen for Black’s active one. does this throttle any freeing ad
14 ... 2xc2 vance of the e3-pawn, but it also
The upshot of Black’s positional sweeps aside White’s plan of reorga
combination is that it has given him nization. If White tries 17 £lc3, then
full control of the open file and a 17.. .<£lxc3 18 bxc3 2xc3 wins a
grip on the seventh rank with his pawn for Black.
rook. The position of the rook at c2 17 £>fd2
has a terribly constricting effect on White therefore tries to exchange
White’s game. It is especially trou or otherwise dispose of Black’s
blesome as the rook is not easily powerfully placed knight. After that,
driven off, while White’s pieces are he might arrive at some reasonable
still in each other’s way. development.
15 h3 17 ... Ad3
To prevent 15...£lg4, an invasion Black falls in with this offer, with
by another piece. the stipulation that if knights are to
15 ... £d6 be exchanged, he wants another piece
The bishop develops to a useful occupying the outpost e4.
diagonal. 18 £ixe4
16 £lbl(X>,) White has no option but to clear
the board of as many pieces as he
can, otherwise he will never be able
to extricate his forces from their tan
gled position The move 18 £sc3,
which earlier would have lost a pawn,
is even worse now because after
18.. .£sxd2 19 i.xd2 2xd2 Black
wins a piece.
18 ... ^.xe4
Black recaptures with the threat
of 19...2xg2+, so White has no time
to play 19 foci.
19 £id2 ( D )
White’s idea is to rearrange his White saves the g-pawn by block
forces so as to get some freedom of ing the rook, but he cuts off his own
movement. He plans the continua bishop as well - and White’s back to
tion 17 £\c3 JLa6 18 2 d l, followed the previous entanglement.
Ostend 1907 153
31 &e2
White is restricted to waiting
moves.
31 ... &b5!
Here, too, moving the king to the
a-file or the c-file allows a check by
Pawns, as we shall see, are unex the rook.
celled as spearheads of an attack. Black now threatens to double the
They can break through almost any pressure on the pinned bishop by
barrier. 32....&a3 and win a piece.
Black’s threat is 29...axb4 30 32 &d2
axb4 's^xb4, winning a pawn. The king moves closer to save the
29 Af2 bishop.
On 29 bxa5, 29..JLxa3 regains 32 ... ±a3
the pawn and then wins the bishop, Forcing the issue by attacking the
while after 29 <i ’d2 axb4 30 axb4 bishop again.
156 Came 23: Van Vliet - Znosko-Borovsky
Let us imagine ourselves sitting be In my book, games such as these are
side a master player who reveals his brilliancies.
thoughts in the course of a game. We In the game Capablanca-Mattison
can then thrill to the excitement of (No. 24) White does nothing but de
combinative play and revel in the velop his pieces, but it’s enough to
pleasure of watching ideas come to summon up all sorts of piquant little
life. We can see how the tactical combinations. What makes the feat
themes, the pin, the knight fork, the impressive is that all the combina
double attack and the mating combi tions are in White’s favour, right up
nation (the sort of thing we could al to the threat of mate in one (a smoth
ways spot if similar opportunities ered mate), which is enough to per
only presented themselves) are pre suade Black to resign. A Capablanca
pared for by the strategy of setting jewel!
the scene for their appearance. Janowsky-Alapin (No. 25) is un
The games that follow are not pri doubtedly the most beautiful game
marily displays of pretty fireworks, Janowsky ever played. His ma
nor do they feature explosive (and noeuvring on the open d-file leads to
sometimes unpredictable) attacks. the creation of a passed pawn. The
They may not conform to the popu pawn must be blockaded, and Black
lar concept of brilliancy, but they do shows ingenuity in shifting blockad-
show how circumstances can be ers so that a weaker piece keeps re
shaped by iron control of the forces placing a stronger one. Then comes
involved. They also show what can an interesting phase where Janow-
be accomplished by applying the sky’s pawns reach out to the dark
three great principles that Capa- squares on the seventh rank, grip
blanca advocated and himself uti ping them like so many fingers at the
lized so successfully: throat of an adversary. The finale in
1) in the opening, rapid and effi cludes an amusing shifting of attack
cient development; to various files, which Black must
2) in the middlegame, coordina try to imitate in defence.
tion of pieces; “Etude on the Black Keys” might
3) in the ending, accurate and be a title for the Bernstein-Mieses
time-saving play. (No. 26) game. Bernstein fastens on
These games are wonderful illus the weaknesses of his opponent’s
trations of the efficacy of Capa- dark squares and plants pieces in
blanca’s principles in practical play. these holes in his position. After a
158 The Chess Master Explains his Ideas
remarkable tour by his king, Black’s the wall. Against Tarrasch’s steady
pawns begin to fall and a pathway is accumulation of positional advan
cleared for the advance of Bern tages, any attack by his opponent
stein’s passed pawns. seems futile.
Chekhover-Rudakovsky (No. 27) There follow three games in which
is an unknown masterpiece in which the motif is: get a passed pawn,
the themes we discussed in the first move it up the board, and win! In the
two sections of the book (Ringside first, Capablanca-Villegas (No. 30),
Attack and the Queen’s Pawn Open White offers to sacrifice his queen,
ing) are beautifully blended. Black but where in most games such an of
omits the freeing ...c5 move, a cir fer is the high point of a combina
cumstance which his opponent im tion, here it is subordinate to the
mediately exploits. Chekhover, who grand strategy of securing a posi
controls the c-file, restrains and then tional advantage. It leads to control
blockades the enemy c-pawn. With of the d-file, and this in turn is con
Black tied up on the queenside, he verted to a queenside majority of
switches the attack suddenly to the three pawns to two. Skilful play re
kingside, giving his opponent the solves this into a lone passed pawn,
job of defending on both wings, to heavily blockaded, until another
say nothing of the centre. Black is queen sacrifice opens wide the gates.
forced to play ...g6 and weaken his Havasi-Capablanca (No. 31) is a
dark squares f6 and h6. White’s superb specimen of positional play
queen pounces on one of the weak featuring the art of squeezing the
squares. Then begins a series of mat most out of a tiny advantage. Capa
ing threats on the kingside, which blanca secures a pawn majority on
culminates in winning the queen - the queenside and sets to work to
on the queenside! translate it into a passed pawn. This
Tarrasch-Mieses (No. 28) is nota he does by getting control of the
ble for Tarrasch’s skilful refutation open c-file and then exploiting the
of a premature attack. His gains of weakness of his opponent’s light
tempo in the opening are carried squares. The rest consists of escort
over into the ending, so that what re ing the passed pawn safely to the
mains is a clear-cut demonstration queening square.
of the technique for converting a Canal-Capablanca (No. 32) is a
pawn majority on the queenside into game for the connoisseur. Canal sur
a passed pawn. prises Capablanca by a combination
Marshall-Tarrasch (No. 29) is a that wins two pieces for a rook. Or
little-known masterpiece, which fea was it a surprise? Apparently Capa
tures a duel between a genius of at blanca anticipated the combination
tack and a virtuoso of defence. The and, looking further into the position
methods of the positional player than Canal, saw resources that were
prove superior, his continual acqui not revealed to his opponent. The
sition of territory driving White to ending that follows is a fascinating
Karlsbad 1929 159
Game 24
Capablanca - Mattison
Karlsbad 1929
Nimzo-lndian Defence
1) it begins an attack on the d5- at every point. The belief is that the
square; chess master memorizes every one
2) it keeps the c-file open for the of these best moves and its proper
use of the heavy pieces; reply. That such reasoning is spe
3) it offers the queen a diagonal; cious is obvious: the very fact that
4) it hinders Black from estab millions of games have been played
lishing a pawn in the centre by 2...d5, without duplication of moves is
as White’s reply 3 cxd5 compelling proof enough in itself.
a recapture with a piece would leave Let us consider the position on
Black with no pawn in the centre. the board. Besides the text-move (4
2 ... e6 Wc2), there are at least seven excel
Black clears a path for the dark- lent alternatives, each of which has
squared bishop and indicates that he enthusiastic advocates. They are: 4
will go in for an active defence. Wb3; 4 iLd2; 4 a3; 4 ± g 5 ; 4 e3; 4
3 £ic3 g3; and 4 ‘5313. Which of these is
White’s motive is evident: he de best? No one can say for sure, but
velops the bl-knight first, to support the move that leads into positions
an advance of the e-pawn. congenial to your style is the best
3 ... i.b 4 (D) move, and the one you should play.
4 ... c5
Black too can conduct the de
8 X f t4 .lt* I fence (or the counterattack) in the
7 lili AAA manner that suits his style and tem
6 perament. The move he plays imme
5 diately disputes White’s control of
the centre. It does other things, too:
4 la a ' : it gives the queen more scope, opens
3 the c-file, protects the bishop, etc.
2 AA AAAA However, there are other moves,
1 equally effective, at Black’s disposal.
1 :
a b c d e t g h He can select from these replies,
each of which has something to rec
To this, Black counters by clamp ommend it: 4...£sc6; 4...d6; 4. .d5;
ing a pin on the knight. If White were 4...0-0; and 4...b6. There is some
to play 4 e4, then 4,..?3xe4 would thing for every taste.
leave him helpless to recapture. 5 dxc5
4 Wc2 Strongest for various reasons:
With a twofold purpose: to meet White does not lose time in taking
4 ...ix c3 + with 5 'Hlxc3, keeping the pawn, as Black in recapturing
White’s pawn structure intact, and to will return the lost tempo. The open
threaten again the advance 5 e4. d-file resulting from 5 dxc5 will
There is a prevalent concept that benefit White, who will occupy dl
in the opening there is a ‘best move’ with a rook and exert pressure along
Karlsbad 1929 161
the length of it, especially endanger can be found with this method of de
ing the backward d-pawn. velopment. It looks mild, but the
Other continuations are less ener bishop surveys an important diago
getic. For instance, after 5 e3, Black nal and bears down on d6, a tender
frees himself by 5...d5, while after 5 spot in Black’s position.
£>f3 cxd4 6 £lxd4 <S3c6 White has 7 ... d5
lost the initiative. Vigorously challenging White’s
5 ... <£>c6 possession of the centre.
Black develops another piece be 8 e3
fore recapturing the pawn. Another quiet move which liber
6 £3f3 ates one bishop and strengthens the
Somewhere about this stage, the position of the other.
amateur wants things to happen. He 8 ... ®a5 (D)
begins to look around for surprise Black spies a chance to start an at
moves. “There must be a brilliancy tack which will result in saddling
in the position!” The great master, in White with an isolated c-pawn - a
the same situation, is content to slight positional weakness, so he be
make simple moves. He knows that gins an action against the knight, but
if he keeps on bringing pieces into “such artificial manoeuvres,” says
play, there will be no need to look Tartakower, “can hardly succeed
for winning combinations. They will against a Capablanca.”
evolve naturally out of the position Black should instead do some
and spring up all over the place! thing to get his c8-bishop into play,
6 ... JUc5 (D) for example 8...a6 9 jLe2 dxc4 10
Further delay in recovering the JLxc4 b5 11 i t e 2 Wb6 (not at once
pawn might be dangerous. 11_&.b7 on account of 12 £lxb5) 12
0-0 i.b7.
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
7 if4
The aggressive 7 iLg5 is more 9 £e2
usual, to pin the knight and keep Yet another modest move, but it is
Black under pressure, but no fault packed with more energy than you
162 Came 24: Capablanca - Mattison
than does Black’s, standing at the without abandoning the pawn. Sooner
side of the board; or later, Black will be compelled to
6) an exchange of pawns in the play ...b6, or have three pieces on his
centre (which looks inevitable) will first rank interfering with each other.
open lines of attack, a circumstance There are drawbacks to ...b6, though,
that favours the player whose devel for example Black’s queen will be
opment is superior - in this case, cut off and prevented from returning
White; to the kingside and the defence of
7) he maintains the initiative. the king. In addition, his c6-knight’s
11 ... 0-0 ( D ) position will be insecure, once the
One of Black’s difficulties is re prop (the b7-pawn) is removed from
solved with his king’s escape to under it.
safer quarters. White’s move is simple and quiet,
Developing the bishop instead was but it exerts uncomfortable pressure
somewhat risky, since after 11...jk.d7 on Black’s queenside, makes normal
12 S ab i (attacking the b7-pawn) development difficult, and creates
12...b6 13 JLd6 White stops kingside permanent weaknesses which lend
castling and threatens 14 Sb5 Wa6 themselves to exploitation.
15 cxd5 exd5 16 Bxd5, and the dis
covered attack on the queen wins a
pawn for White. 8 i E#
7
a km AAA
8 I i. I#
6 4 A4
5 m a
7 AA AAA 4 A A/ k
6 I 4 A4
5 1 Iff
3
£ A A^
4
. 1
; a,
2 a m A AAA
1
3 A A4A a b c d e f g h
2 a m AAA A
12 ... Wa3
1 s- a* Black wants to develop his bishop,
a b c d e f g h
and for that purpose he must play
12 S ab i ( D ) ...b6, but to do so at once might en
Another of those subtle moves, danger the queen by cutting off her
whose purpose the average player line of retreat. For instance, 12. ..b6
usually fails to see. “What use is it,” 13 &d6 3d8 14 Sb5 Wa6 15 cxd5
he says, “to waste a rook move in at Sxd6 (15.,.exd5 permits 16 5xd5
tacking a pawn that is adequately discovering an attack on the queen)
protected?” 16 dxc6 Sxc6 17 £ld4 Sc7 18 Se5
True, the pawn is defended, but wins material, as 18..,Wb7 loses af
by a bishop which cannot develop ter 19 i f 3 £sd5 20 jk.xd5 leading to
164 Game 24: Capablanca -M attison
18 ... e5
Not only because there is no other
This stab at the knight looks antidote to 19 JLd6, but with the
harmless, the pawn being pinned hope of curbing the terrible bishops
and unable to capture, but the point by putting obstacles in their paths.
166 Game 25: Janowsky - Alapin
Game 25
Janowsky - Alapin
Barmen 1905
Queen's Gambit Declined
not do to recapture with a piece. The reluctantly, but how else can he de
piece could be driven off by White’s velop the kingside and prepare to
e-pawn, leaving White in full pos castle?
session of the central squares. 5 &g5(D)
For instance, after 2...5}f6 3 cxd5 This is not really a pin, but its ef
£lxd5 4 e4 £M'6 5 £lc3 White holds fect is somewhat similar. Pressure is
all the trumps. exerted on the knight, the bishop be
3 £>c3 hind it and even on the last in line,
This is more enterprising than the the queen.
passive 3 4bf3. Pressure is added to
the attack on d5, and the knight also
takes a hand in the battle for control 8
2ft4.fr* I
of e4. 7 AAA 1AAA
One of White’s objects in queen’s 6 A4
pawn openings is to effect a subse
quent advance of the e-pawn, just as
5 A A
in king’s pawn openings an effort is
4 AA
made to gain more ground with a 3 & &
later d4. 2 AA A AAA
3 ... JLe7 (D) 1 B
The usual move at this point is
W & JL 1
a b c d e f g h
3...£lf6 but Black transposes moves
to prevent his knight being pinned. 5 ... h6
Alapin can’t stand pins or pseudo
pins! He attacks the bishop at once,
4 1 to force it to a decision.
Ail ilil 6 i.h 4
6 A " Whether objectively this is the
strongest move is immaterial; the
5 A
fact that the bishop’s pressure both
* \ m , ers Black is enough reason for Jan-
3■ owsky to maintain the pin!
2A B m A AAA 6 ... dxc4
Black opens the position to give
a b cd e f g h his pieces more elbow room, but
with this capture he gives up his hold
4 £sf3 on the centre.
White is content with simple de 7 e3
velopment and places the king’s The simplest way to regain the
knight at its most suitable post. pawn. The fl-bishop will capture it
4 ... £if6 and make a developing move at the
Black postponed this move, ex same time.
cellent though it is, and now makes it 7 ... a6
168 Game 25: Janowsky - Alapin
3
2 AA f AAA
" % 1 I *
2 AA m AAA a b c d e f g h
1 f i t t * 18 3cd3!
a b c d e f g h
Much stronger than the plausible
16 JLxe7 continuation 18 Ed6. The reply to
In order to benefit from the weak that would be 18...c5 whereupon
ness of d6 it is necessary to remove doubling the rooks by 19 2cd3 al
the bishop that defends the dark lows the pawn fork 19...c4 and Black
squares. wins a piece.
16 ... ‘SixcS White’s actual move doubles his
Black destroys the knight before rooks without loss of time and also
it does him any damage. The alterna threatens to win a piece by 19 Hd7.
tive 16...®xe7 lets White swing his 18 ... 2fd8
knight over to e4 and then anchor it The dilemma which the weaker
either at d6 or c5. side always faces in this sort of situ
17 2xc3 ation is that if he does not dispute the
Certainly not 17 2xd8 (nor 17 enemy at every point and fight for
£.xd8) 17...S)xe2+ 18 <&>fl Slxcl, and control of every important file, diag
Black wins. The text gains a tempo onal or square, he will slowly be
for White in his plan to double rooks driven back and crushed to the wall;
on the d-file. if he does oppose him at every turn,
17 ... W x e l (D ) the resulting exchanges will sim
Material is even after this recap plify the position without improving
ture, but White has a slightly superior his chances.
Barmen 1905 171
7 A
I
k k
* k AA 1 k
i t A
6 k AA k k a
5 i t A v " A
4 k
AAi 4 a *
3
. A I# <
4>
2 AAA
I
m AA a b o d e f g h
1 <&> 29 f5!
a b c d e f g h
To this vigorous thrust Black may
26 Well not reply 29...exf5 as 30 e6 fxe6
A very fine move! The queen (otherwise White obtains two con
threatens to invade Black’s kingside nected passed pawns on the sixth
by way of 27 # h 4 or his queenside rank) 31 S ,xe6+ &h8 (31...2f7 32
by 27 Wa5. d7 wins) 32 Wc8+ &h7 33 ±xf5+
26 ... 2d7 wins for White.
Nailing down the passed pawn for 29 ... £.d7
the time being. Black completes the changing of
27 h3 the guard. Since one of his pieces
An outlet for the king in case of must act as blockader, he assigns the
need. If White’s queen and rook leave task to the least important, the
for the attack, his king must not be bishop.
caught by surprise and mated on the 30 f6
first rank. This battering ram of a pawn will
27 ... i.c 6 force a breach in Black’s defensive
Another regrouping so that the structure. White’s threat is 31 Wg3
rook may leave its post, and the (intending 32 ®xg7#) 31...g6 32
bishop (a lesser piece) stand guard. jlxg6 fxg6 33 Wxg6+, and mate in
28 f4 two.
Preparing a breakthrough by 29 30 ... g6 (D)
f5 - pawns make excellent instru On 30...gxf6 White wins by 31
ments of attack. They can break into Wg3+ &h8 (31...&f8 32 ± h 7 mates)
almost any stronghold and make 32 # f 4 f5 (or 32 Wxe5 33 Wxh6+
gaps wide enough for an invasion by &g8 34 # h 7 + &f8 35 Wh8#) 33
the pieces. f c h 6 + * g 8 34 Wg5+ <S?f8 35 Wifi
28 ... 2a7 (D) *ig8 36 S fl J.c6 (or else 2 f3 and
The rook vacates d7 for occupa 2g3+) 37 M.xt'5 exf5 38 2xf5 ± e 4
tion by the bishop. 39 2h5 with a quick mate.
174 Game 25: Janowsky - Alapin
32 ... Wc8
Hastening to bring the queen over
8 to the danger zone. If Black tries to
7 I A k stop the pawn’s advance by 32...h5
then the queen works her way in by
6 1 33 Wg5 (threatening 34 '#'xh5+)
5 A# A 33...&g8 34 Wh6 and 35 Wg7#.
4 k 33 Ii5
3 A Concentrating his fire on a vul
2 A Ai A nerable spot.
33 ... ®g8 (D)
1 fit ■<
4> Not 33...ie8 , which protects the
a b c d e f g h
pawn but blocks the queen. The
After the actual move, the change queen is the only piece agile enough
in the pawn configuration provides to defend against White’s attack as it
White with fresh objects of attack. shifts from one point to another.
One thing he must watch out for,
though, is the preservation of his in
valuable e-pawn, which so stoutly 8
supports the two advanced pawns. 7 I A A w
Note that the position of these pawns
gives them a powerful grip on the
6 k AAAAA
dark squares c7, e7 and g7. These
5 A A ;A
squares are in the enemy’s camp and
4 A
close to his king, but he (Black) can 3 m
not place pieces on those squares. 2 A .A-A '"A"'
With fewer facilities at his disposal,
it will be difficult for Black to beat
1 I
a b c d e f g h
back the invaders.
The play for the win from this 34 2d4
point comes under the heading of in White makes use of all his re
struction and entertainment. sources. The rook will take part by
31 Wg3 switching over either to the h-file or
Threatening to win at once by 32 the g-file.
J.xg6 fxg6 33 #xg6+, followed 34 ... ife8
shortly by mate. The bishop helps defend the g-
31 ... &h7 pawn so that the queen is free to pro
The only way to protect the pawn. tect the h-pawn, White’s next target
Advancing it instead by 31,..g5 al of attack.
lows White a winning reply in 32 h4. 35 2h4
32 h4 Revealing the plan: mate in three
The g6-pawn is pinned and White by 36 hxg6+ fxg6 37 2xh6+ &xh6
prepares to hit it again by 33 h5. 38 Wh4#.
Barmen 1905 175
Game 26
O . B e r n s t e i n - M ie s e s
Coburg 1904
Sicilian Defence
3 8 I I
2A A A AAA 7 4 4 44
^Ia b jlw
c
&
d e
s. a
f g h
6 4# ' 4&
5 pt V
4
8 ®e4 b m ae
Exchanging knights would forfeit 3 A: u ’■;!
any advantage White enjoys. The 2 AAA AAA
move' actually made intensifies the 1a k * J l s
pressure on d6. a b c d e f g h
8 ... f5
No loitering on the premises! Ei The recapture gives While a
ther the knight leaves or it declares stranglehold on his opponent’s posi
its intentions! tion. Not only does White blockade
Black had another defence in the d-pawn, preventing the freeing
8. M c l 9 f4 « h 6 , aiming to prevent ...d5 advance, but he also enables his
White from castling kingside. king to flee to safety by castling. In
9 exf6 addition, White exerts a great deal of
The knight must stay where it is pressure on the dark squares, a pres
for White to carry out his purpose, sure that is accentuated by the fact
which is to take possession of the that Black’s king’s bishop, operating
critical d6-square. on those squares, is off the board.
9 ... £ixf6 11 ... £ie4
Black does not take with the pawn, The queen must be driven off
as that is answered by 10 Wh5+. quickly, or Black will choke for lack
This would force his king to move of air.
and thereby deprive him of the privi There is no relief in 1 l...®e7 12
lege of castling. ± f4 Wxd6 13 itxd6 £ie4 14 &a3!,
10 £sd6+ when White still bears down with a
Compelling an exchange of pieces heavy hand.
which leaves Black with a ‘bad’ 12 Wd4
bishop, one which is ineffective be In retreating, the queen manages
cause of the pawns standing on to attack in two directions, threaten
squares of the same colour as the ing both the knight and the enemy
bishop. A bishop can accomplish g-pawn.
180 Game 26: O. Bernstein - Mieses
sure it is not captured (for its re does make attacks the bishop and
moval gives White a passed a-pawn) succeeds in its object of driving it
Black must watch over it constantly away from a good square - but only
with his a8-rook. Because of the on to a better one!
need to guard this one pawn, Black
is thereby deprived of the services of
a rook. 8 A I
21 ... Ii?d7 7 # i i
Black brings his king toward the 6 H i 1
centre for the endgame.
The rooks are now united, while
5 i 1
the king himself heads for d6, where
4 A r A
he hopes to support an advance by 3 ...A *
the e-pawn or the c-pawn. 2 /A AA
22 b3 1 B S
White attacks the bishop to force a b c d e f g h
it to the side of the board. You will
note that the bishop’s scope is cut 25 &c5!
down as pawns on both sides are White dominates every important
placed on light squares, the colour of square on the board! The bishop
the diagonals on which the bishop stops the h8-rook from getting to f8,
must travel. the a6-rook from moving to b6, the
22 ... ±a6 king from d6, the d-pawn from ad
The only flight square open to the vancing and the c-pawn from mov
unhappy bishop! ing at all! Compare its control of
23 i.b6! eight squares with that of Black’s
And now an attack on the pawn... bishop, whose influence is confined
23 ... ilc8 to one square! This difference in their
...which can only be met by fur potential accounts in great measure
ther retreat! for the extent of White’s attacking
24 &e3 opportunities, and for the conse
Continuing the trek to d4, e5, and, quent difficulty Black will have in
as we shall see, all points north! 24 defending. Every gain or control of
$Lc5 was a bit more cruel, to prevent territory by White will result in more
any demonstration by 24...Sf8. and more cramping of Black’s posi
24 ... Ea6 (D) tion.
No better was 24...‘&d6 to back 25 ... <£>c7
up a pawn push, as the reply 25 &d4 Stepping aside, the king makes
nips that little idea in the bud. the d7-square accessible to the black
Black’s best chance was with bishop.
24...Ef8, to get some counterplay by 26 ■*d4!
getting his h8-rook into the game by Tightening the noose! This king
way of the open file. The move he also makes way - for the benefit of
Coburg 1904 183
the hi-rook, who will turn the e-file White attacks the g-pawn and si
to account. multaneously makes room for his
26 ... i.d 7 king.
Black will try to manoeuvre the 29 ... Hg8
bishop over to the kingside, for in The pawn must be protected, and
stance to g6. this of course is more elastic than
His h8-rook seems to have a great 29...5h6, when the rook has no mo
deal of scope, but what does it avail bility to speak of.
him? If it moves to b8 (as good a file 30 &e5(T>)
as there is) at what point can it pene Further penetration along the con
trate? It cannot get to any useful venient dark squares. The threat is
square on that file. 31 <&f6 jte8 32 B el (even stronger
27 2 h e l (D) than 32 &xe6), followed by 33
Sxe6.
8
7 AA
6 1 A i
5 A A A t
4 A •A; 9
3 A ■A / .4 Jg#
Hv
'A A
o
1
a
a b c d
2£
e 1 g h
fM-,
8
m„ m i
7
6 1 At ^ i
5 A iis A
4 A fe A ! Otherwise, White’s procedure is
3 fUA A 42 'i'fO-t- JLd7 43 g4, and the pawn
<]
2 i a cannot be stopped.
42 &h6
1
m t§ n W- The king must stay within range
a b c d e f g h
of his rook.
Does White now settle the issue 42 ... 2xh7+
by removing the h-pawn? The exchange of rooks cannot be
39 &g7! avoided, so Black captures first to
No, no, a thousand times no! If 39 draw White’s king away from h5. If
2xh5? then 39...jLe8+, when Black the bishop can get there, it might still
wins a whole rook and the game. stir up some trouble.
186 Game 26: O. Bernstein - Mieses
8
7
6 1
5 1 i &
4 A & &
3
Game 27
Chekhover - Rudakovsky
Moscow 1945
Queen's Gambit Declined
8 1AJLW-+ 1
7 ill i l l !
6 m u k a
5 A jK The development by 6,..<$3bd7 is
4 A A ' , ^ stronger than appears at first glance.
3 Black’s position is cramped for the
2 AA AAA. moment, but the knight is ready to
1 1■£> 1
support a liberating movement and
a b c d e f g h an attack on White’s centre by ...c5
or ...e5.
5 ... 0-0 7 '<§c2
Black gets his king into safety be A magnificent square for White’s
fore revealing his plans for the de queen! From c2, the queen exerts her
velopment of the queenside pieces. powerful influence in several direc
His b8-knight may go to d7, or fol tions: on the partly open c-file and
lowing an attack on White’s centre, on the centre, preventing Black from
perhaps to c6. freeing himself by 7...£le4. This at
6 £ic3 tempt to force some exchanges and
White has no such problems. His shake off the pressure is refuted by
queen’s knight can move to c3, since (after 7...£le4) 8 jLxe7 W xel 9 cxd5
it does not obstruct the c-pawn and 5ixc3 (if 9...exd5, then 10 £3xd5
the opening of the c-file. At c3 the wins on the spot) 10 Wxc3 exd5 11
Moscow 1945 189
W xcl Wb4+ 12 Wc3, and White has White is content with the result of
won a pawn. the pawn exchange. Lines are opened
Another feature of 7 Wc2 is that it which increase the mobility of his
vacates d l for the queen’s rook, pieces.
whose presence on the same file as
Black’s queen will discourage the
opponent from making a break in the a E A ir
centre. Exchanges of pawns in the 7
li 4iii 1 i
centre would clear away some of the 6 A A * n
obstructions and intensify the rook’s 5 -' ;^ ■:: &
pressure on the file - a pressure which MM f/M
4
reaches all the way up the file to the
queen. 3
m A£v
7 ... c6 2 A A A A
This move provides solid support 1 1 <A> 5
to the centre pawn and gives the a b c d e f g h
queen access to the queenside. It looks
substantial enough, but the more ag 9 ... £id5
gressive 7...c5, disputing control of Obviously to compel White to ex
the centre by establishing a state of change bishops.
tension there, might be more to the 10 i.xe7
point. The danger in delaying ...c5 is This is safer than 10 if f 4 <5jxf4 11
that Black may never again have a exf4, when White is left with an iso
favourable opportunity to get in this lated d-pawn. The pawn itself is in
thrust. no great danger, but the d5-square,
8 ±d3 directly in front of it, is! It is in dan
White develops a fifth piece, ger of being occupied indefinitely
pointing it at Black’s kingside, and is by one of Black’s pieces. A piece
ready to castle instantly on either stationed on a square in front o f an
wing. isolated pawn can never be driven
8 ... dxc4 off by enemy pawns.
Black waited for White to move 10 ... W xel
his fl-bishop before making this cap The proper recapture, letting the
ture. Otherwise, the bishop recap queen come into play; taking with
tures and develops at the same time. the knight would be developing
Black’s intention, in clearing d5, is backwards.
to' swing his knight over to that 11 0-0
square, force some exchanges, and The king finds a safer shelter
free his cramped position. while the rooks get in touch with
Nevertheless, Black has surren each other.
dered the pawn-centre, which he so White’s position is excellent, the
carefully built up. result of simple straightforward de
9 j Lxc4 (D) velopment.
190 Game 27: Chekhover - Rudakovsky
1
~a b c d e t g "I T
22 ... £ld7
Trying to shake off the grip of the
knight, which is strangling his queen-
side to death. If he waits too long,
White pursues his attack with 23
JLd3, followed by 24 g4 (to dislodge
the knight which guards against
mate). After the compulsory reply
Black tries counterattack on the 24.,.h6, White plays 25 g5, forcing
queenside - mostly to distract his an exchange of pawns which opens
opponent’s attention. There is little the g-file. White can then shift his
he can do to strengthen the defence king to hi and swing a rook over to
of his kingside. Any move of a pawn attack on the open file. Against this,
only loosens the position and re Black could not hold out very long.
duces his chances of resistance. The 23 b3
break in the centre by 20...e5, which Defending the a-pawn, and so re
he contemplated making, is risky, to lieving the knight of that task.
say the least, as 21 ®g3 in reply, pin 23 ... £)xc5
ning the pawn, is troublesome. There is hardly anything better.
21 a3 The tempting 23...e5 succumbs to 24
The simplest way to save the a- £)xd7 &xd7 25 2c5 26 Sxe5,
pawn and to keep the queen from when White has won a pawn.
moving to b4. 24 Bxc5
Moscow 1945 193
Bishop 9 Bishop 2
25 2 d cl
Doubling rooks on an open file Total 42 Total 17
more than doubles the pressure on the
file (and on the opponent). White’s White’s pieces are 250% as effi
immediate threat is 26 2xc6. cient as Black’s! With so great a dis
25 ... i.b 7 parity in mobility (and consequently
The bishop guards both light- in attacking force) how long can
squared pawns, but its mobility is al Black continue the struggle?
most nil. 26 a5
The subject of mobility is inter In order to isolate Black’s fa-
esting. While it is not always true pawn, and incidentally drive the
that the player whose pieces have queen back to the second rank.
more room in which to manoeuvre 26 ... « a 7 (D)
enjoys an advantage, it applies often On the alternative 26...Wcl White
enough in practice for us to disre can either resume operations on the
gard the exceptional cases. It stands kingside or go after a pawn on the
to reason that pieces that are free and queenside by 27 JLf3 2d6 28 2 lc 4
untrammelled not only have more followed by 29 2xb4. Winning the
194 Game 77: Chekhover - Rudakovsky
pawn will not diminish the force of h4, threatening to break up the pawns
White’s attack or loosen his grip on by 30 h5. If Black replies 29...h5 to
the position. stop the advance, White can either
snap the h-pawn off with his rook or
keep hammering away by 30 g4
hxg4 31 h5.
After the actual move, Black has
weaknesses on the dark squares and
holes in his position
28 Wf6! (D)
8 I X*
7
»JL k k
6 i k i f i
27 ±d3!
5 £
Now that the queenside is fixed,
4 k A
White turns his attention to the 3 ;A ifi
kingside and threatens mate on the 2
AAA
move. Black can easily dispose of
this threat, but only by moving one of
1
a b
Ic d e f
*g h
the pawns near his king and thereby
creating a weakness which is or The queen plants herself securely
ganic, permanent and irremediable! in one of the holes created by Black’s
27 ... g6 ...g6 advance. A hole is an unguarded
If 27...h6, then 28 We4 forces square such as f6 or h6 brought into
28.. .g6, when two pawns have been being by the advance of a nearby
uprooted. White could then continue pawn. It is a weak square, because it
by 29 2h5 <&g7 (if 29...gxh5, then is no longer under the surveillance
30 W hl#, or if 29...$h7, then 30 of a pawn and is vulnerable to inva
Wf4 wins) 30 We5+ f6 (or 30...*h7, sion by an enemy piece. Such a
when the neat double pin 31 ®g5 piece can settle itself comfortably in
wins) 31 ^ 3 g5 (if 31...f5, then 32 one of these holes, secure in the
We5+ &h7 33 ®c7+ <*g8 34 2xh6 knowledge that no enemy pawn can
wins) 32 2xh6! &xh6 33 # h 3 + disturb it.
&g7 34 #h7#. White’s plan, now that the queen
A simpler way, if White doesn’t has worked her way into a dominat
want to bother analysing combina ing position on the kingside, is clas
tions, is to maintain the pressure and sical in its simplicity: he will just
then apply more! For instance, after advance the h-pawn to h4, h5 and h6,
27.. .h6 28 We4 g6, instead of play and then play Wg7#. If, after the
ing 29 2h5 White could advance 29 pawn reaches h5, it is captured en
Moscow 1945 195
4 A .£ 8# , it 7
3 : £ 7 ± 1 A A
2
£££ 6A A 1 A f A
1
a b
fi
c d e
&
f g h
5A 4 a
A A A
4 A
An attack on the exposed rook, so 3 A
that Black will have his hands full 2 • £A
warding off the accumulating threats.
Black has three problems, each on a
1
a b
a
c d e f
* g h
different part of the board:
1) on the kingside, he must guard 32 i.e4!
against being mated; Not at once 32 h5 because of
2) on the queenside, he must re 32.. .Wd8 in reply. After the text-
lease himself from White’s strangle move (which incidentally prevents
hold; 32.. .2d5) White can meet 32...Wd8
3) in the middle, he must rescue by exchanging queens and taking
any pieces that are loose. the c-pawn, winning easily if prosai
29 ... 2fd8 cally.
If instead 29...WbB, 30 i.e 4 2c8 32 ... We8
31 h4 ®c7 32 Wf6 I 'd 8 33 ! fxd8+ Hoping to lure White into the pre
followed by either 34 ilxc6 or 34 mature 33 JLxc6, when 33...^.xc6
2 lc 4 , with an easy, routine win. 34 2xc6 2xc6 35 2xc6 2xd4 re
30 h4 gains the pawn and gives him fight
White is still aiming for mate by ing chances.
h5, h6 and Wf6. 33 h5!
196 Game 77: Chekhover - Rudakovsky
Game 28
Tarrasch - Mieses
Gothenburg 1920
Scandinavian D efence
Black does not defend his pawn his f3-knight. The threat of 8 <53xe5
but intensifies the attack on White’s becomes more acute.
pinned knight. He does not care for 7 ... exd4
5...exd4 6 1S,xd4, which only speeds Black is practically forced to
White’s development. make this capture, even though it
6 ±d2 leads to a position in White’s favour.
Chess can be so simple! White But what else can he do? If he pro
brings a third piece into play and at tects the e-pawn by 7...£lc6, then 8
the same time eases the strain on his a3 is again embarrassing, for exam
knight. ple, after 8...JLd6 9 b4 Wb6 10 £3a4
Meanwhile he threatens 7 ®xe5, his queen is lost, while 8...JLxc3 9
against which Black has no defence .fi.xc3 ^ 5 10 dxe5 simply loses a
in 6...£lc6 as 7 a3 .&xc3 8 Axc3 at pawn.
tacks the queen and wins the enemy 8 £}xd4
pawn on e5. How does Black meet The recapture discovers an attack
the threat? on Black’s g4-bishop.
6 ... i.g 4 8 ... ©e5 (D)
Answer: by another pin! Appar Black’s response pins the 62-
ently, Black is not interested in rou bishop and attacks the unprotected
tine defence, or for that matter in d4-knight. Black rejects 8..JLxe2 as
normal development. He wants his the recapture by 9 Wxe2+ gains an
pieces to rush out of their corners other tempo for White.
fighting. If this strategy is sound,
what is to become of all the princi
ples of development - the precepts
which in the hand of a master are his
greatest weapons?
So far, Black has violated the con
ventions governing proper develop
ment, by these acts:
1) he has brought the queen into
play too early;
2) he has moved the same piece
twice in the opening;
3) he has developed bishops be
fore knights; 9 £tcb5!
4) he has launched an attack be Suddenly White turns aggressor!
fore completing his development. He protects his exposed knight, at
The question is: can he get away tacks Black’s b4-bishop and threat
with all this? ens by 10 "Sixc7+ Wxc7 11 jLxg4 to
7 ie 2 win a pawn. All this is directed to
White keeps on developing. He ward bringing about further ex
brings another piece out and unpins changes which will speed up his
200 Game 28: Tarrasch - Mieses
3 a
2 AAA AAA
1 1
a b c d e f g h
1 1 7 ^ 1
a b c d e f g h s AAi i
31 S al!
5 2 1
One way to dispose of a threat is 4 A A V
to disregard it and counter with a 3 A A1 A
more urgent one! White’s threat is 2 y A;
32 a7, which would force Black to 1 :>■ -V;- i
sacrifice his knight for the pawn. a b c d e f g h
31 ... £)a7
The pawn must be blockaded! 34 ... g6
On 31...£lxf4+ 32 &e4 £ixg2 33 a7 The only way to save the pawn.
£)xa7 34 2xa7 the win is elemen Black can try interposing the knight
tary. at d5 instead, but after 35 <4'c4 and
32 g3 36 ^ b 3 (to protect the b-pawn)
White stabilizes the kingside pawn White evicts the knight by 37 c4 and
position before proceeding with af wins the unguarded h-pawn.
fairs on the queenside. 35 c4
32 ... c6 Keeping the knight away from d5
With the double object of making forever!
it more difficult for White’s b-pawn 35 ... £sbc8 ( D )
Gothenburg 1920 205
Game 29
Marshall - Tarrasch
Nuremberg m atch (1) 1905
Queen's Gambit Declined
win a pawn which it turns out you knight 99.44% of the time, since
cannot keep? Playing 2...dxc4 is from there it influences affairs in the
equivalent to exchanging a centre centre strongly, enjoys great free
pawn for a side pawn, in itself an dom of movement, and is magnifi
unprofitable transaction However, cently placed for attack and defence.
many leading players are happy to However, Tarrasch feared the strength
play this opening, so there must be of the pin that White can clamp on
some counterbalancing plus points. the knight next move. Instead of
The main advantage is that Black no 3...£if6, he therefore recommended
longer has the responsibility of sup that Black challenge White’s centre
porting the d5-pawn, and this makes at once by 3...c5 (the advance ...c5
it easier for him to organize the cru is almost a must at some stage in
cial thrust ...c5, exchanging his own queen’s pawn games), meanwhile
c-pawn for White’s d-pawn. Thus, opening up the c-file for the use of
although White has a temporary su his own heavy pieces.
periority in the centre, it is often not Why then, you may ask, did
long before Black can restore a sym Tarrasch play a move that he himself
metrical central situation. disparaged? His explanation is that
After Black’s actual move, his d- this was the first game of a match
pawn is firmly supported. If now 3 against one of the world’s leading
cxd5, Black recaptures with a pawn, masters (Marshall had recently won
maintaining a pawn in the centre. the Cambridge Springs tournament
It is true that Black’s c8 bishop is without losing a game, ahead of
shut in by the e-pawn, making its Lasker, Schlechter, Pillsbury and
development difficult, and this is a Janowsky) and he did not wish to
drawback to the defence. But if stray so soon from orthodox paths.
Black’s first two moves are good,
and they probably form the best re
8 1
ply to the Queen’s Gambit, then one
can appreciate the terrific strength of 7 44i iii
this opening, and why so many play 6 441
ers adopt 1 d4 unhesitatingly when 5
ever they have White.
3 £>c3
4 AA
This is somewhat sharper than de 3
&
veloping the other knight first, as ad 2 AA AAA A
ditional pressure is immediately put
on the central point d5.
1 1 1 M M 1
a b c d e f g h
3 ... & t6 (D )’
Tarrasch did not approve of this 4 £g5!
knight move, which most of us would Naturally! Not only because the
make instinctively. It is true that f6 is bishop exerts uncomfortable pres
the most useful square for the king’s sure on the knight, but also because
208 Came 29: Marshall - Tarrasch
7k k 4 k k k
6 k k
81 i. tiri. I 5 # 4 A
1 i 4 k k k
4 is
6 1 k
5m 4 & 3
2 A A
& A ^
A A A
4 &
3 Z& A
1 a & & 2h
a b e d e ( g
2 A A-tf AAA
i|a 8 ... Jtb4
ab c d e 1 g h Tripling the attack on the knight.
Black threatens to win at once by
8 £>f3(D) 9.. .£sxc3 10 bxc3 jk.xc3+ followed
“In his anxiety,” says Tarrasch, “to by ll..JL xal.
guard the threatened bishop, White How shall White meet the threat?
makes a decisive mistake.” If he plays the natural 9 S c l, the
This is an interesting example of knight is adequately guarded since it
the value of accurate timing in chess. is attacked three times and defended
The fact that a normal developing three times. However, Black then
move has intrinsic strength is sec capitalizes on a curious fact about
ondary to the question of its useful the power of a pinned piece: not only
ness in the one position in front of is it helpless to make a move but it
you, not in vaguely similar posi has also lost its ability to defend!
tions. Translated into chess language, this
Despite the fact that the knight means that 9 S c l can be met by
occupies a most useful post at f3, 9.. .®xa2, a capture startling at first
and at the same time protects the glance but an obvious one if we real
bishop, its development is either too ize that the knight’s defensive power
soon or too late. White is doing noth is illusory! I stress this circumstance
ing about the problem of his pinned because it is important. Knowing it,
knight. This is where pressure is ex recognizing it and applying it has
erted; this is where danger is threat caused (chess) kingdoms to topple.
ened. All this fuss about winning a mis
More to the point is 8 e4 instead, erable a-pawn? Let’s see what would
evicting Black’s knight and forcing happen thereafter:
it to declare its intentions. If then After 9 Sc 1 Wxa2, Black’s method
8...£ixc3 9 i.d 2 # a4 10 Wxc3, White is classical in its simplicity. He fol
has resolved an uncomfortable situa lows up by ,..^.xc3+ and after the
tion. recapture by the pawn exchanges
Nuremberg match (1) 1905 211
13 ... i.d 7 2 : I M A
Black can pounce on the pawn 1 a i _______________
with 13...£>a4, but he prefers to a b c d e f g h
complete his development first and
then bring all his pieces to bear on it. 16 ... 2xc3
“Besides,” as he says, anticipating The first material gain, and with it
Nimzowitsch, “the pawn does not entry to the enemy position,
run away.” 17 2xc3 '
14 2 h c l Avoiding the exchange of rooks
White must develop and defend at by 17 W b2 lets Black retain his grip
the same time. If he gets a moment’s on the open file.
respite, he will free the pinned pawn 17 ... Wxc3
by 15 i e 2 , 16 $Ld2 and 17 c4. Much better than taking with the
14 ... 2c8 knight. Black’s idea is to occupy a
But Black doesn’t let up even for strategically strong outpost on the
a moment! The rook seizes control only open file or force an exchange
Nuremberg match (1) 1905 213
of queens. The removal of the queens territory. These will control key
would simplify matters to his advan squares and cramp White’s move
tage, as he is a pawn ahead. ments by limiting the mobility of his
18 ® b l pieces.
Forced into retreat. White man 21 iLcl
ages to incorporate the threat of 19 Just about the only place left, if
ji.xh7+, regaining his pawn. White wants to keep both his bish
18 ... h6 ops.
The simplest way of saving the 21 ... i.a 4
pawn, this also provides the king And this cuts down the activities
with a useful escape square against a of White’s queen.
surprise check on the last rank. 22 ®a2
19 ± d 2 Double attack on the knight! This
Driven back, this piece too retires is less a threat than a convenient
with a threat. means of gaining time to switch the
19 ... Wc7 queen over to the kingside. White’s
The queen reluctantly leaves the only chance, of course, is to dream
beautiful outpost at c3 but stays on up some sort of counterattack. Pas
the all-important c-file. Note the rea sive play will only lead to his being
son the queen selects the c7-square: gradually crushed to death.
at c6 the action of the bishop is inter 22 ... Ec8
fered with, at c8 that of the rook. Black protects the knight and si
Black threatens 20...£lf4+, forc multaneously takes undisputed pos
ing an exchange of the knight for session of the c-file.
one of White’s bishops. 23 We2
20 & tl(D ) White intends to stir up trouble by
Everybody going home? playing 24 We4 (threatening 25 Wh7+
<&f8 26 ith 8 + <4>e7 27 Wxg7). Then
if 24,..5]f6, the reply 25 Wh4, threat
ening 26 Axh6, might whip up some
sort of attack on the kingside.
23 ... £ic3!
Not only does this move put a
stop to any notions White might
have had of starting a counteroffen
sive, but it also restricts his queen,
which is attacked, to one solitary
move! Such is the extent of Black’s
domination of the board!
24 ® el
20 ... £lc4 The only refuge left from the ter
Begins a new phase in which rible knights who cover seven of the
Black drives pieces into the enemy’s queen’s flight squares!
214 Came 29: Marshall - Tarrasch
8 5 -“-■» ■■w
The queen pounces on the light
squares that have been weakened by
White’s last move. The attack on the 7A A i A
knight gains a tempo for the queen’s 6 W' A
further penetration into White’s ter
ritory.
5 to I
30 <i?g2
4 it
An advance by the knight, e.g. 30 3& * £ & A
ZheS, loses the queen after 30...'®Til+, 2 A*A
while protecting the knight with 30
<4'e2 runs into 30..3ite4+ 31 JLe3 a b c d e f g h
2c2+ 32 £sd2 (or 32 * d l £lc3+
winning) 32...2a2! when 33 Wxa2 33 a4
£lc3+ costs White his queen, while Driving the knight off so that it no
otherwise the d4-pawn falls with longer attacks the d-pawn.
check. 33 ... £td6
30 ... 2d8 The knight leaves, taking care to
Now onto this file, where the iso protect the b-pawn.
lated pawn makes a fine target. • 34 £ f4
31 ± e3 Otherwise, Black plays 34...g5,
Guarding the d-pawn, since the threatening 35...g4 or 35...2f5, or
pinned knight is no protection. both!
31 ... ®e4 34 ... $jf5
216 Game 29: Marshall - Tarrasch
2 m A* A
Not at once 39...e5 because 40 g6
leaves White threatening sudden
1 mate!
a b c d e f g h 40 ©c8+
If White had tried 40 g6 then
35 ... 53xe3+ 40.. .2g5+ would end the g-pawn’s
Simpler than combinations be career.
ginning with 35...e5. After the text- 40 ... &h7
move, two more pieces come off the To escape any more checks by the
board, and another pawn will fall. queen.
36 fxe3 41 W c3(D)
White must recapture. Back to the defence of the knight
36 ... Wxe3 and the d-pawn.
This unpins the knight, but the
knight must stay where it is to pro
tect the d-pawn. 8 "JC
37 g4 7 1A A#
White must not play 37 Wxb7 as 6 A
the reply 37...©e2+ forces the king
away from the knight and costs a
5 /, 1 A
piece. His actual move stops Black
4 A At A
from increasing the pressure by
37..,2f5.
3 m ^
37 ... f5
2
& A:
1
Black can afford this opening up a b c d e f
of the position. His king suffers less
from exposure than does White’s. 41 ... e5!
The threat of course is 38...fxg4, This signals the beginning of the
winning at once. last phase: the break-up of White’s
38 g5 centre.
Buenos Aires 1914 217
Game 30
Capablanca - Villegas
Buenos Aires 1914
Queen's Gambit Declined
7 44 illil
6 4 4 &JL
5 4
4
//'■
A A :V jk
3
■ A i i ® '
2 Alt® AAA
8 Wc2! 1 2 2 <i>
So White puts a stop to any such
ideas! An advance by 8..,e5 now
220 Game 30: Capablanca - Villegas
From a distance, the dark-squared White does not take action until his
bishop intensifies White’s pressure development is complete.
on the important central square e5. 12 ... ®c7 (D)
With this square under control, it
will be difficult for Black to get in
the freeing move ...e5.
10 ... .&xd3
There was no hurry about this ex
change. Why not calmly keep on
with the job of developing pieces, as
White does?
11 Wxd3 (D)
After this recapture, White has all
the play. He can choose from various
plans:
1) a break up by e4, to'open lines
of attack for his pieces; Black mobilizes another piece,
2) the establishment of an out hoping for some counterplay by
post at e5 by the knight; 13...c5. The development of the
3) a hemming-in process, begin- queen also enables the rooks to es
ning with c5. tablish communication with each
other.
13 e4!
8 I # # 1 Opening up lines of attack, which,
7 14 %llil says theory, will favour the player
6 1 14 whose development is superior.
White rejects 13 c5, the reply to
5
1 which would be 13...e5 14 dxe5
4
A 53x05. 13 53e5 is no more promis
3 A W & £) ing, since 13...53xe5 14 dxe5 5M7
2 A!& AAA 15 f4 f6 lets Black off too easily.
12 2 ‘4 ) 13 ... dxe4
a b c d e f g h Otherwise Black must live in con
stant dread of e5 or exd5, either of
11 ... 0-0 which White can play at his own
There is no way for Black to meet convenience.
all these continuations, so he trans 14 53xe4
fers his king to a safe shelter. The recapture leaves White with a
12 S ael formidable centre.
Before committing himself, White 14 ... $3xe4
brings another piece into play. The Black exchanges pieces to help
rook’s presence on the e-file will free his crowded position.
add power to the e-pawn’s advance. 15 Hxe4!
Buenos Aires 1914 221
8 I *
^i m H i
6 i
s i p P
« A p p
3 m a 29 ... g6
2A A A It would not do to recapture by
29.. Exc5 as White punishes the of
1a b
Bc d e f
^1?
g h fending rook by 30 Wb4 pinning and
then winning it.
Expecting White to recapture by 30 c6
28 bxc5, whereupon he blockades Passed pawns must be pushed!
the pawn effectively by 28...Wc6. With each step forward, the scope of
224 Game 31: Havasi - Capablanca
White’s rook increases, while the a4, Black could not bring his rook to
freedom of Black’s pieces becomes b5!
more limited. 31 ... 2d6
30 ... * g 7 (D) Putting the pawn under lock and
Black realizes that bringing the key. It cannot advance, and White’s
king to the centre might be suicidal, intended stratagem of manoeuvring
viz.: 30...‘&e7 31 WM+ <4>d6 32 his queen over to b7 is not feasible,
# b 4 + &e5 33 #14#! Black’s reply to 32 Wb4 being sim
ply 32...2xc6. But the very fact that
one pawn can keep Black’s queen
8 and rook occupied is a tribute to the
^i m i # k power of a passed pawn.
6 4A -fi 32 »e5+!
5' In spite of the heavy guard sur
1 l rounding the pawn, White with one
4 f BMi stroke will lift the blockade!
3 .. a 32 ... ffi
2 A K tO A & No matter how Black gets out of
1 check, he cannot stop the coming
I * combination.
a b c d e f g h
33 ®xd6!
31 a4! Destroying one of the guards!
A beautiful preparatory move! If 33 ... Wxd6
White were to play 31 Wb4 at once, And the recapture lures the other
aiming for 32 ®b7 (in order to dis one away!
lodge the blockader) Black could ex 34 c7 1-0
change queens and then stop the The pawn becomes a queen next
pawn by 33...2b5, coming behind it. move, leaving White a whole rook
However, with White’s a-pawn at ahead.
Game 31
Havasi - Capablanca
Budapest 1929
Nimzo- an Defence
with a pawn His knight attacks d5 becomes manifest with the opening
and e4, and prevents White gaining of the file;
more ground with 2 e4. 4) the queen, by controlling e4,
2 c4 renews White’s threat of advancing
This advance is a valuable freeing the e-pawn two squares.
move in queen’s pawn openings. It 4 ... d5
attacks the central square d5, makes Wresting control of e4 from
the c-file a favourable one for the rook White and restraining his ambitious
(because of the likelihood of the file e-pawn from taking too long a first
being later opened up) and offers the step.
queen access to the queenside. 5 £>f3(D)
2 ... e6 Quiet, perhaps too quiet. It gets
Not at once 2...d5 as 3 cxd5 Wi,xd5 the king’s knight off the ground, but
(or B.^^xdS 4 e4 £)f 6 5 £>c3, when the lull gives Black an opportunity to
White has more of the centre than he seize the initiative.
is entitled to) 4 5)c3 gains time for
White by the attack on the queen.
With 2...e6, Black prepares a pawn
support for a later occupation of the
centre by ...d5. Meanwhile, he re
leases his f 8-bishop.
3 £ic3
This is sharper than developing
the gl-knight. It backs up a threat of
4 e4, presenting a formidable array
of pawns in the centre.
3 ... - £.b4
The bishop clamps down on the
knight and, by its pin, deprives it of
the power to attack or defend. Thus, if “Black equalizes in any queen’s
White carelessly played 4 e4, Black pawn opening,” says Reuben Fine,
could snap up the pawn at once. “where he can play both ...d5 and
4 Wc2 ...c5 with impunity.”
With a number of objects in view: With 5...c5 Black aims to destroy
1) the square c2 is generally the White’s pawn-centre, or at the very
queen’s most useful post in this least to maintain a state of tension in
opening; that important area. As a fringe ben
2) the queen guards the knight: in efit, his queenside pieces have a bit
the event of Black playing 4„.Axc3+, more elbow-room.
the queen may recapture and leave 6 cxd5
White’s pawn structure undisturbed; White’s idea is to clarify the po
3) the queen exerts pressure on sition in the centre. The disappear
the c-file, the advantage of which ance of his c4-pawn also helps to
226 Game 31: Havasi - Capablanca
increase the pressure of the queen on The knight develops with a threat.
the c-file. There is now a triple attack on
6 ... ttxd5 White’s d-pawn, and this limits his
Preferable to 6...exd5 which al choice of reply.
lows 7 JLg5, an annoying pin of the 9 e3
knight. The queen is strongly cen The least of the evils, though it
tralized at d5, and in no danger of does shut in the c 1-bishop. The al
being annoyed by White’s minor ternative 9 dxc5 W \c5 saddles White
pieces. with two weak, isolated pawns, while
7 a3 after 9 c4 £lxd4 10 # 34+ (or 10
White has had enough of this tire cxd5 ?ixc2+ and Black wins a rook)
some bishop! 10,..Wd7 Black is a pawn up.
7 ... JLxc3+ 9 ... 0-0 (D)
Black must exchange. If instead The king finds a safer shelter,
7....£.a5, then 8 b4 (threatening 9 while the h 8-rook makes its appear
&xd5) 8...cxb4 9 £ixd5 b3+ 10±<12 ance.
bxc2 11 ‘Sjx1'6+ gxf6 12 JLxa5 and
White has won a piece.
8 bxc3(D) 8 i k i*
Capturing with the queen instead 7 AA AAA
lets Black gain a tempo by 8...®e4 6 , * A4
attacking the queen, whereupon the
prospect of White’s playing e4 seems
5 A#
further away than ever.
4
v
a
3 a a a £a
« I4 i * 1
2
m aaa
^A A AAA
1 a k
a b o
a d e f g h
6
A4 10 ± e 2
5 a m V -'
The bishop develops gingerly. A
4
A
oA more energetic procedure was 10 c4
3 a a to dislodge the queen from the cen
2
aa aa tre, followed by 11 jLb2, with fair
1I
a b
&
c d e
a
f g h
chances.
10 ... cxd4
This clever pawn exchange keeps
In compensation for White’s the the position fluid and gives Black a
oretical advantage of the two bish slight advantage after any recapture.
ops against knight and bishop, Black’s 11 cxd4 ( D )
pawn position on the queenside is Understandably, White rejects 11
distinctly superior. <5)xd4 as U...Wxg2 12 i.f3 £lxd4 in
8 ... <&c6 reply is ruinous. With his actual
Budapest 1929 227
move, White adheres to the principle obstruct its path. Meanwhile, the
of capturing toward the centre and c 8-square is ready for occupancy by
increases the queen’s sphere of ac another tenant, the a 8-rook.
tion by opening the c-file. Neverthe 13 iff3
less, it might have been better policy The bishop is well posted here,
to play 11 exd4, activating his dark- but at what a cost in time! The knight
squared bishop. has had to retreat, and the develop
ment of White’s queenside pieces
has been neglected.
I X 1# 13 ... Wd7
1 1 i l l The queen keeps in touch with the
1% knight, which is under attack by two
pieces.
14 0-0
A Trying to get in the advance of the
& A e-pawn is premature as 14 e4 £lxd4
m iAA A costs a pawn, while 14 jLxc6 .&xc6
15 e4 ®xd4 16 # x c 6 Wxal loses the
a ± a
abed e f g h exchange.
14 ... E ac 8 (D)
li ... b6
Preparing to develop the bishop at
b7, where it will command one of
the longest diagonals on the board.
Black’s advantage consists mainly
in his two pawns to one on the queen-
side, and this, after an exchange of
pawns, can turn into one pawn
against none. As for the c-file, it can
be seized by the a 8-rook. The rook
will drive White’s queen off and re
main in control of the file.
12 £sd 2
White wants the long diagonal Black threatens 15...£lxd4, and
for himself, so he vacates f3 for the thereby suggests that White’s queen
bishop. He hardly hopes to lure leave the c-file.
Capablanca into a cheap trap by 15 « b l
12...'ffxg2, when 13 jkf3 wins apiece. The aggressive 15 Wa4 is risky as
This sort of thing does not happen in 15...$3e5 16 Wxd7 (16 Wxa7 <&xf3+
real life. 17 £>xf3 'S,’c 6 followed by 18...Ea8
12 ... Jkb7 puts the queen in trouble) 16...£sxf3+
The bishop stands beautifully 17 £lxf3 5lxd7 is strong for Black.
here, despite the fact that two pieces 15 ... £>a5! (D)
228 Game 31: Havasi - Capablanca
I I# i E#
Ai. m AAA A W AAA
A A4 A A4fc
4 *
& A
A fli & A
£) A 4} AAA
Sa bM c s* S#
d e f g h a b c d e f g h
AA 8 1
4 1 ...A
£>•■ 7 1 ill
2 l « AA 6
1 \ f l & 5 1 A
a b c d e f g h
4 m
The first tangible gain. Now watch 3 4 1 & A
the greatest genius the game of chess 2 I® IIA A
ever produced demonstrate the art of 1
transforming a passed pawn into a a b c d e f g h
queen. Notice how any combina
tions that do not relate to that objec In return for this, White’s e2-rook
tive, no matter how attractive, are looks out on a completely open file.
carefully avoided. Such intensity of In fact, White threatens 29 Wxc3
purpose is frightening (especially to Sxc3 30 S e 8#.
one who has to face it!). 28 ... b4!
26 Ee 2 An obvious move, but brilliant
White is running out of good nevertheless in the number of things
moves. He rejects 26 ®e2 as the re it accomplishes:
ply 26..,Sc2 leads to further ex 1) it nullifies White’s threat, the
changes. An attack on the pinned e 8-square now being covered by the
knight by 26 Seal is cleverly met by queen;
26.. ®b5, nimbly extricating the 2) it defends the knight, freeing
knight from danger. the queen from that duty;
26 ... “ b5 3) it advances the pawn one step
Passed pawns must be pushed! nearer its ultimate goal, the eighth
Everything else - combinations to rank.
win pieces, gathering up stray pawns, 29 ®d2
even attacks on the king - must be Not only to support his own passed
relegated to the background as inci pawn but to bring the queen into ac
dental to the main theme of queen tive play.
ing the advanced pawn. 29 ... b3
Budapest 1929 231
Game 32
C a n a l - C a p a b la n c a
Budapest 1929
Queen’s Indian Defence
1 d4 1 ... £)f6
A favourite of modern players, Unlike l...d5 this does not meet
this is one of the best possible ways the opponent head-on, but it does
to begin the struggle for mastery of prevent him from continuing with 2
the centre - by occupying it with a e4 and has the added merit of devel
pawn and permitting two pieces to oping a piece at once to its proper
come quickly into play. square in the opening.
232 Came 32: Canal - Capablanca
3) His queen and al-rook will be Now there are three pieces bear
able to operate with good effect on ing down on d4, while the queen her
the newly opened b-file. self gets a purchase on the open
10 Wc2 b-file.
In most cases the function of the 12 a3 (D)
queen in the opening is not so much
to be moving around as it is to get off
the back rank and out of the way, so
that the rooks can get together and
work on the centre files.
With the departure of the queen,
the fl-rook can occupy dl, exert
pressure on the d-file, and make life
uncomfortable for Black’s forces on
that file.
10 ... £sc6 (D)
The knight develops toward the
centre and intensifies the pawn’s grip
on d4. White has no wild dream of start
ing a counterattack with 13 b4;
mainly he wants to rule out ...53b4 at
some later stage.
12 ... Eab8
Fine positional play! One is apt to
forget that a rook’s first duty is to
seize upon any file that is open, not
only since the rook’s attack extends
the whole length of the file but be
cause the rook has a convenient ave
nue for its progress to other points.
13 S a b i
White’s rook also goes to b l, but
11 S fd l what a world of difference there is in
The tempting 11 e4 meets its ref the two moves! White’s rook has no
utation in ll...e5 (strengthening the open file; it has little prospect of in
pressure on d4) followed by 12. We7 creasing its mobility, and its function
and 13...£>d4. White would then is purely defensive. In protecting the
face a problem: the pressure of the b-pawn, though, it relieves the queen
knight at d4 is almost intolerable, of a responsibility.
but removing it lets Black recapture 13 ... Hfc8
by 14...cxd4, leaving him with a The rook was doing nothing at f8,
passed pawn on the d-file. so it is transferred to a file where it is
11 ... Wb6! likely to become useful.
Budapest 1929 235
There was no hurry about playing post at d4, but he also hinders White
13...a5 since White is in no position from continuing his manoeuvre. If
to try for the break by 14 b4. White tries 17 £)e3, then 17...JLxe4
14 e4 18 £id5 i.xd3 19 &xb6 £ixf3+ 20
White’s move has a superficial JLxf3 5xb6 21 2xd3 e4 wins a piece
appearance of strength. In reality, the neatly.
pawn occupies a square that should
be kept clear. White’s pieces lose a
great deal of mobility in not being 8 I I * .
able to make use of e4 as a jumping- 7 ii. iil
off point to their various destina
tions.
6 W A 4
14 ... e5
5 l £ k
4 A ^ A :
Stifling 15 e5, White’s e-pawn’s
lust to expand. 3 A tf ^ A
Notice how Black has reinforced 2
A AA A
his hold on d4. This point now has 1 1 S 4 ^
the power of the queen, a knight and a b c d e f g h
a couple of pawns trained on it.
15 Wd3 17 <S3xd4
White hopes for some counter The advanced knight cramps his
play along the d-file, either by 16 style, so White gets rid of it.
Wd6 or in manoeuvring his knight 17 ... exd4
by way of fl and e3 to d5. In the Black is happy to exchange: he
meantime, he prevents Black from has a passed pawn on the d-file,
playing 15...£ld4, the response to which in the course of time might
which is 16 £lxe5. become a queen. More than that, the
15 ... d6 pawn guards the exits. It hinders
A witty, almost impudent, reply. White’s knight from coming out at
Black guards the e-pawn (so that he e3 and puts an end to its ambition to
can play 16...5M4) with a pawn reach d5.
which itself is unprotected! The passed pawn at d4 is appar
White, of course, must not take ently the logical candidate for pro
the d-pawn, the penalty for 16 #xd6 motion to queen, but there are
being 16...2d8, winning the queen. surprises to come - many of them!
16 $)fl 18 b4
Indicating that he wants to deploy Suddenly White bursts forth! His
the knight to e3 and then d5. Excel chief threat is 19 bxc5 Wxc5 (Black
lent strategy, if White can carry it must recapture with the queen, as
out. she is doubly attacked) 20 2xb7
16 ... £)d4! ( D ) 2xb7 21 e5, and the discovered at
However, Black gets there first! tack will net White two pieces for a
Not only does he establish an out rook.
236 Game 32: Canal - Capablanca
How does Black meet this threat? This tempting combination wins
Obviously not with 18...cxb4, as 19 two pieces for a rook.
2xb4 gives White the better of it. Has Capablanca been caught off
Also not by 18...®c7, when after 19 guard, or does he see much further
bxc5 dxc5 (to protect the passed into the resources of the position
pawn) 20 f4 threatening 21 e5 fol than his opponent?
lows, and White’s pieces spring to 20 ... Wxb?
life. Black captures with the queen to
Capablanca’s actual reply initi maintain control of the valuable
ates a remarkable combination. He open file.
lets White obtain an advantage in 21 eS ( D )
material in return for a position
which looks far from promising -
except to a Capablanca! 8 II
18 ... Wc6! ( D ) 7 a m AAA
6 A
8 II 5 A A
7 l i. AAA 4 >A A
6 mi 3 a m A
5 i 2
1 s
AAA
4 &A A A a b c d e f g h
3 a m "' A '
2
AAA Discovered attack on the queen,
1 i i and direct attack on the knight.
a b c d e f g h 21 ... Wb3!
A remarkable offer to exchange
Triple attack on the e-pawn! This queens! Usually, the side that is
forces White either to defend the ahead in material tries to clear the
pawn tamely, or else to go ahead board and simplify to an ending.
boldly with the combination he 22 exf6
planned. White rejects 22 ®xb3 as it leads
19 bxc5 to 22. ,.2xb3 23 exf6 2xa3, when
White plays to win! He takes a Black is left with two passed pawns.
pawn off, opens a file for his rook, 22 ... #xd 3
and threatens to remove the passed The idea of this is to force the
d-pawn. white rook off the last rank. The rank
19 ... dxc5 then becomes available to Black’s
Black must recapture with the rook as a point of entry, enabling it
pawn to preserve the precious passed to get behind White’s pawns.
pawn. 23 Sxd3
20 2x1)7 White has no choice.
Budapest 1929 237
23 ... 2b 1!
The knight is pinned as a start,
and White has to scramble franti 6
cally to break the pin. ^i Aii
Against passive play, Black con 6 & ■
tinues with 24..,2e8 followed by
25...2eel and 26...2ecl. This wins 5 li.
the c-pawn since White cannot pro 4 AA
tect it by 27 icd5 without abandon A
ing the knight. After capturing the 2 :A*A
pawn, Black would have two dan 13' ■£f> g h
gerous connected pawns rushing to a b c d e
become queens.
24 Ad5 Now the a-pawn is in peril.
White’s plan is clear: he protects 27 £sd2
the precious c-pawn and vacates a White could not save the a-pawn
square for his king. Following 25 (if 27 a4, then 27...2b4 28 a5 Ha4),
4'g2, the knight, no longer pinned, so the knight counterattacks by go
can come into the game. ing after a pawn.
24 ... 2cb8 27 ... 2xa3
The doubled rooks give Black Winning a pawn and simulta
undisputed possession of the all- neously creating a passed pawn on
important b-file. the a-ftle. Will this be the one to be
White is now faced with two come a queen?
threats: 28 £ie4
1) 25...2 cl intending 26...2bbl. Now White’s pieces spring into
The attack on the knight would com action! The threat is 29 £ixc5, knock
pel the bishop to return to g2, where ing the support out from under the
upon Black picks up the c-pawn. d-pawn and giving himself a passed
2) 25„28b3, forcing an exchange c-pawn.
of rooks, after which one of White’s 28 ... a5!
queenside pawns must fall. Much better than 28...2a5 which
25 t£>g2 ties the rook down to defending a
White unpins the knight, which pawn and makes his role in the end
has been a spectator for the last ten ing a subordinate one.
moves. 29 £>xc5
25 ... 28b3! After this capture, White’s own
A daring concept! Black offers to passed pawn begins to look menac
exchange rooks and let White re ing.
main with two pieces to his one! 29 ... gxf6
26 Sxb3 Not so much to gain a pawn as to
White is happy to oblige! give the king more freedom. If at
26 ... 2xb3 ( D ) once 29...Wf8, then 30 ?3d7+ drives
238 Game 32: Canal - Capablanca
the king back to g8, as 30...^eS al Back at the seventeenth move it
lows 31 fxg7 winning for White. seemed that the d-pawn would reach
29...d3 allows 30 ^ 3 followed the eighth rank and become a queen.
by 31 &c3, when White wins the d- The d-pawn is blockaded, and it now
pawn. appears that the a-pawn is the one
30 & fl that will be promoted.
The king turns back to head off But will it be the a-pawn?
the passed pawns. 33 c5
30 ... a4 White’s pawn can cause trouble,
Black does not fear a double at too!
tack on this pawn by 31 A.c6. He 33 ... a2
would refute this by 31...Eal + fol Threatening to win on the spot by
lowed by 32...a3, and the pawn has 34.. .E el+ 35 < & xelal'ir.
moved another step forward. 34 &f3
31 &e2 (D) The king steps aside to evade the
The king comes closer, definitely check.
putting an end to any danger from 34 ... 2dl
the d-pawn. This move, which attacks the
knight as well as threatening to queen
the pawn, adds to W hite’s difficul
ties.
35 iLxa2
White must destroy this danger
ous creature at all costs!
35 ... Exd3+
With this capture Black nets a
piece for his a-pawn.
36 &e4
White does not fall into the trap
36 &e2 losing his passed pawn after
36.. .5c3.
36 ... 2d2
31 ... S al! The text-move attacks the bishop
By scaring White with the threat and the f-pawn. Moreover, it revives
of queening the a-pawn! Black in the d-pawn’s prospects.
tends 32...a3, followed by 33...a2, Is this pawn to be the candidate
34,..Sel + (to make way for the pawn after all?
without loss of time) and 35...al®. 37 jLc4!
32 £id3 An admirable spot for the bishop.
White blockades the d-pawn and Black can now easily go wrong
prepares to advance his own passed by 37...2x12 38 c6 2b2 (if 38 „ 2 c 2 ,
pawn. then 39 ‘i ’dS wins for White) 39 c l,
32 ... a3 and White’s pawn crashes through!
Budapest 1929 239
a b c d e t g h
Stalemating White’s king. What This is the key move in all cases!
remains now is to force him back to Black threatens to win at once by
the third rank while Black’s king 57...2c2+ 58 &gl fxg3.
moves up to the fourth. 57 £ g 2
54 i.b 7 Ready to reply to the check with
If the bishop stays on the longer 58 'i'hS saving the pawn.
diagonal, for instance by 54 JLe2, 57 ... fS! (D)
Black plays 54...2b3 and then drives
the king back by 55...2b4+.
54 ... Hc4+
Compelling the king to retreat.
55
The only move.
55 ... &g5
With the pretty threat 56...f4+ 57
^ d 3 (57 gxf4+ 2xf4 gives Black a
passed pawn, while 57 &f2 2c2+ 58
&gl fxg3 gives him two) 57.,.fxg3
58 &xc4 £>f4!, and Black wins
neatly.
' 56 &f2 (D) Passed pawns must be pushed.
A thrust at the rook by 56 Jkd5 al This pawn, which stood patiently at
lows this finish: 56...f4+ 57 <&e2 f7 for 56 moves, is, believe it or not,
2c2+ 58 i ’dS 2c7 (simple but bru the one that was destined to become
tal), and Black wins. the passed pawn that wins the game!
With the text-move, White re 0-1
treats in order to head off the poten White does not wait for the proof:
tial passed pawn, whichever one that After 58 i>h3 fxg3 59 <&xg3 h4+ (a
may be! likely-looking candidate, but not the
final choice) 60 2c3 61 JLd5
&f4 62 &xh4 2xf3 63 itx f3 Wxf3
8
7
l i if W M 64 ^ h S f4 65 tfeh2 &e2 the pawn
l 1 A ll! marches straight through to be
6 0 0 ' 0 queened.
5
4
iim i The whole game is beautiful, and
the ending so fascinating that I could
: 1 1 not resist a detailed analysis of its
3 w
0>
Game 33
Rubinstein - Maroczy
Gothenburg 1920
Queen's Gambit Declined
Although 3...e6 has the drawback Why all the fuss when the pin is
of shutting in the c8-bishop, it is still so easily lifted? For one thing, in un
Black’s best move. The difficulty in pinning the knight, the bishop is re
developing the bishop effectively stricted to a defensive, passive role.
may not seem alarming, but if it is Its development has been dictated by
not overcome, it will amount to Black the fact that White put pressure on
playing a piece short. For the pres the knight.
ent, in partial compensation, the f8- Black’s play, incidentally, is in no
bishop has lots of elbow-room. way to be deprecated. The bishop’s
4 Ag5 (D) move, modest as it is, is a step for
This move has a terribly cramp ward in the process of development.
ing effect on Black’s game. It damps The bishop has left the last rank,
a pin on the knight and thereby ex taken up a strong defensive post, and
erts pressure on any pieces behind it. cleared the kingside, enabling Black
Black cannot move freely about to castle.
while his kingside is gripped by the 5 e3
bishop. Pawns should be moved sparingly
In the 19th century, White would in the opening, but since some pawns
more often have developed the dark- must be moved to get the bishops
squared bishop at f4, where it com into play, this must be regarded as a
mands a useful diagonal. Nowadays developing move.
we look for sharper, more vigorous 5 ... £ibd7
moves. If we can mobilize our forces In the Queen’s Gambit Declined,
and at the same time restrain the en the ideal square for the development
emy’s development, we accomplish of the b8-knight is not c6 but d7.
more than with routine, often innoc From d7, the knight supports an
uous, measures. The pin of the eventual thrust at White’s centre by
knight paralyses Black’s only devel the e-pawn or the c-pawn.
oped piece. The knight must not develop at
c6, where it blocks the c-pawn. This
pawn must not be preventedfrom ad
vancing to c5, where it can dispute
control o f the centre.
6 £)c3
The white queen’s knight, con
trariwise, is posted excellently at c3.
It does not block the c-pawn and
bears down on d5 and e4, two of the
four important squares in the centre.
6 ... 0-0 (D)
Black transfers his king to a more
secure location and brings his h8-
rook closer to the centre files.
Gothenburg 1920 245
White has brought his queen, rooks, bishop and forces it still further
bishops and one knight to almost back. Meanwhile, more and more
ideal squares in one move each.” barriers are being put up about
12 ... Wa5 Black’s king, who now seems firmly
The queen flees the line of fire, entrenched in a bomb-proof shelter.
gaining a little time by attacking a Despite all the time Black seems
bishop. to have gained in his attacks on the
13 Ah4 white bishops, he should have done
The bishop retreats but maintains something to get his queenside
pressure on the knight. pieces off the ground, for instance
13 ... £le5 (D) by 14...iLd7 instead. Then the
continuation 15 <Sfb3 Wc7 16 Wbl
j Lc6 gives him reasonable fighting
chances.
15 J.g3
The bishop must step back a
square and relax its pressure on the
knight, but now it commands a mag
nificent diagonal.
Black cannot continue chasing
the bishops in an effort to get rid of
one of them since after 15...£sh5 16
5ib3 ®g5 (the queen must protect
the knight) 17 4le4 # h 6 18 J ic l
Now the other bishop is threat White dominates the board.
ened, apparently with more gain of 15 ... e5
time for Black. An extremely attractive move!
14 ± e2 These are all the things the pawn
Both bishops have been driven does:
back, but, despite this, their latent 1) It occupies a square in the cen
power is enormous The potential of tre.
two bishops working in harmony is 2) It opens a path for the c8-
not be to given up lightly, so White bishop.
does not consider a move such as 14 3) It cuts down the scope of
jtd3 which lets Black play 14...£lxd3 White’s g3-bishop.
and exchange a short-stepping knight 4) It will drive off White’s knight
for a long-range bishop. Condensed, from its centralized position.
it comes down to this: Against this, Black’s move offers
It is an advantage to keep both one objection, seemingly a slight
bishops. one. The d5-square, no longer under
14 ... <$Jg6 the pawn’s control, has been weak
Swinging over to the kingside, ened. It offers White the prospect of
the knight attacks the dark-squared utilizing this central point for the
248 Game 33: Rubinstein - Maroczy
4
li 26 b3
Frees the queen from the duty of
a line for the queen, enabling her to that White already has. However, an
return to the kingside and the de even more potent threat is the possi
fence of the king. bility of establishing a beachhead on
the seventh rank by 29 Kd7.
The posting o f a rook on the sev
8 I enth rank, in the middlegame or the
7 m ill ending, is a tremendous positional
6 1 * advantage.
28 ... Sc7 (D)
5 A ftA Black does what he can to keep
4 •^r the enemy rook out and seals up all
3 A A 1 the entrances.
2
Av, ; A .AA
1 ft <4 8 1 *
a b c d e f g h
7 m 1 A i l
27 £id6! 6 a a %
A knight fork which will force an
exchange - a simplification to
5 i A
White’s advantage. He will maintain
4 m
the pressure inherent in a superior 3 A ' A Jt
position without running the risk of 2A' AAA
being involved in unnecessary com 1:
'.A# a *
plications. a b c d e f g h
A premature attack, in fact, might
even result in a loss for White! Con White has the superior position,
sider this pretty possibility (instead but how does he break through?
of the actual move): 27 £sxe5 f6 28 Let us listen in on what Rubin
Ed7 (apparently a saving move, as stein might say to himself in reason
White attacks the queen and threat ing out a course of action:
ens to follow with 29 ®d5+ unpin My rooks are as well placed as
ning his knight) 28.. 1S,xd7! and Black they can be and doing a good job in
wins! The recapture by the rook al controlling the open d-file. My
lows Black to mate, while 29 £)xd7 queen is strongly centralized and ex
2xe4 leaves Black a rook ahead. erts pressure in every direction. My
27 ... Axd6 bishop bears down on his e-pawn
Black had no choice, as the knight and keeps a rook and knight chained
attacked both his rooks. to its defence. My pieces are all use
28 2xd6 fully occupied and must stay where
The recapture vacates the d5- they are.
square for occupation by the queen; How about my opponent? His de
the tripling of heavy pieces on the fence just about holds together, but
d-file would increase the advantage his pieces must stay where they are
252 Game 33 Rubinstein - Maroczy
to guard his weak points. If I leave dislodging the knight, and then cap
him alone, he might consolidate his turing the c-pawn. The ulterior pur
forces, and even counterattack. pose is to compel Black to protect
If I leave him alone... the endangered pawn by 29...f6,
Say, isn 't that the key to the posi weakening the cordon of pawns near
tion? his king. Further weaknesses may
I must not leave him alone! I must then be induced by h5 and h6, at
interfere with the arrangement of his tacking the g-pawn.
pieces. I must drive them off from 29 ... f6 (D)
their present positions. In fact, I Clearly, to give the e-pawn the
might ruin his game by driving off solid support only another pawn af
even one defender! fords.
Since my pieces are all useful The alternative 29...2ce7 suc
where they are, I must not disturb cumbs to 30 Wc6 followed by 31
them but look to my pawns to break Hd8, with an easy win, while 29...h5
up the defence. Which pawn shall I (to prevent 30 h5) allows 30 ®f5,
use, and which of his pieces shall I winning the h-pawn.
try' to dislodge?
The first thing to do is to find a
8 1
target. His queen and rooks are too #
far away and too agile to be bothered - f 1 1 A
by pawns Any of them can move off 6 1 fi 14
to a different square on a file or a 5 ;:j i
rank and still control it. I must aim at 1
4 [\
a fixed target - some piece that is m
needed at the spot where it is sta 3 : ; ; a & A
tioned and loses its effectiveness as 3 A & &
soon as it is displaced. How about 1 ?n
a
the knight? Suppose I played 29 h4 a b c d e f g h
and gave it a nudge by 30 h5? It
would have to leave its fine defen 30 ®d5+
sive position immediately. Where Simple and strong! The queen
could it go? If to e7, it blocks the ac makes a powerful entrance at d5,
tion of the e8-rook, and if it retreats seizing control of a diagonal leading
to the back rank, it is out of play for a to the king and at the same time tri
time. Besides, I get another benefit pling heavy pieces on the open cen
in moving the h-pawn. It gives my tral file. Notice the admirable use of
king a flight square, so that he doesn’t d5 as a pivot for the manoeuvring of
fall into a surprise mate on the first the various pieces. It has been occu
rank. pied in turn by knight, bishop, rook
29 h4! and queen - aptly enough, in order
This is the key to the decisive at of strength!
tack! The obvious threat is 30 h5, 30 ... &h8
Gothenburg 1920 253
Prokes - Przepiorka 47
Przepiorka - Prokes 47
Rubinstein - Maroczy 243, Salwe 124
Rudakovsky - Chekhover 187
Ruger - Gebhard 35
Salwe - Rubinstein 124
Schenkein - Griinfeld 118
Soultanbeieff - Liubarski 19
Spielmann - Wahle 43
Tarrasch - Eckart 61, Kurschner 93, Marshall 206, Mieses 80, 197
Teichmann - von Scheve 11
Van Vliet - Znosko-Borovsky 148
Villegas - Capablanca 217
von Scheve - Teichmann 11
Wahle - Spielmann 43
Walthoffen - Zeissl 39
Zeissl - Walthoffen 39
Znosko-Borovsky - Mackenzie 53, Van Vliet 148
Index of Openings
Colle System 23, 47, 65, 134
English Opening 70
French Defence 43, 61, 75, 80
Giuoco Piano 11, 19, 35
King’s Gambit Declined 29
Nimzo-Indian Defence 159, 224
Queen’s Gambit Accepted 93
Queen’s Gambit Declined 101, 111, 118, 124, 141, 166, 187,206,217,243
Queen’s Indian Defence 231
Ruy Lopez 39, 53, 87
Scandinavian Defence 197
Sicilian Defence 176
Stonewall Attack 148
EVERY SINGLE MOVE EXPLAINED IN DEPTH!
Having learnt the basic moves, how exactly should a player improve? In this
much loved classic, Irving Chernev explains 33 complete games in detail, telling
the reader the reason tor every single move. Playing through these gam es and
explanations gives a real insight into the power of the pieces and how to post
them most effectively.
The late Irving Chernev is known as one of the most prolific and highly regarded
writers on chess. A strong player in his own right, he had a unique gift of
explaining chess in a lucid and entertaining style.
"The novice who plays through Logical Chess can learn an ocean of basic chess
wisdom." Leonard Barden