Alekhine, Alexander VS Koenig, Imre 1922.11.23

Annotations

1. 2…b6 This move is not good after 2. P—Q B 4, as the present game shows. 2. ….P—K 3 is more correct, in order to reply to 3. Kt—Q B 3 by 3. ….B—Kt 5 !, and 3. Kt—K B 3 by 3. ….P—Q Kt 3 !
2. 4.Qc2 The right move. It was played for the first time by Teichmann against myself in our match at Berlin, 1921. Now Black can no longer prevent his opponent from securing a strong position in the centre by P—K 4.
3. 4…d5 Adopting the continuation of the game Euwe—Alekhin, Budapest, 1921, which ran 5. P×P, Kt×P; 6. P—K 4 (the correct move, introduced in the present game, is 6. Kt—B 3 !), Kt×Kt; 7. P×Kt, P—K 4 !; 8. P×P, Q—R 5 !; 9. B—Kt 5 ch, Kt—Q 2; 10. Kt—B 3, Q×P ch; 11. Q×Q, B×Q, and ultimately resulted in a draw. 4. ….Kt—B 3, played in the above-mentioned match-game Teichmann—Alekhin, is equally inadequate, because of 5. Kt—B 3, P—K 3; 6. P—K 4, P—K 4; 7. P×P, Kt—K Kt 5; 8. B—B 4, B—B 4; 9. B—Kt 3, Q—K 2; 10. Castles.
4. 6.Nf3 Preventing the counter-attack 6. ….P—K 4, which alone could give Black equalizing chances.
5. 10…O-O It was more prudent to delay this move, by playing first 10. ….Kt—Q 2, for now White will utilise his great advantage in development to undertake a strong attack against the inadequately defended position of the Black King.
6. 11…h6 Comparatively best.
7. 12.h4 The initial move of the decisive attack. Apart from the manoeuvre of the Rook via R 3, White threatens 13. Kt—Kt 5, followed by 14. B—R 7 ch and 15. B—Kt 8 !
8. 12…c5 To meet the latter threat, 13. Kt—Kt 5, by 13. ….P×P !; 14. B—R 7 ch, K—R 1; 15. B—Kt 8, P—Q 6 !, but the entry of White’s Rook decides the game in a few moves.
9. 13.Rh3 This is not an adequate defence against the threatened 14. B×P. But equally after 13. ….P—B 4; 14. P×P e.p., B×P; 15. Kt—Kt 5, White wins easily.
10. 14.Bxh6 If 14. ….P×B, then of course 15. Q—Q 2 wins off-hand.
11. 18.Qe2 If 18. ….Kt×Kt, White mates in four moves.
12. 20.Bh6+ Or 20. ….K×B; 21. Q—R 5 ch and mates next move.
13. 21.Nxc6 Since mate cannot be forced, White proceeds to a general liquidation which will leave him a Rook ahead.

Alexander Alekhine, My Best Games of Chess 1908–1923 (1927) · Public domain · source