Alexander Alekhine, My Best Games of Chess 1908–1923 (1927)
Game 65 of 100
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Site
Berlin
Date
1921.??.??
Round
2
White
Black
Result
1-0
- 2…Nc6 As we have already mentioned, the best move is 2. ....Kt—K B 3 followed, if 3. B—B 4, by 3. ....Kt×P!
- 6.Nf3 By transposition of moves White has led into a safe and very promising position in the King's Gambit Declined.
- 6…Bg4 Stronger was 6. ....B—K 3 and if 7. B—Kt 5, then 7. ....P—Q R 3; 8. B×Kt ch, P×B; 9. Q—K 2, P×P! with approximate equality (Spielmann—Dr. Tarrasch, Pistyan, 1922). After the text-move White obtains a slight advantage in position.
- 7.Na4 The only correct move. On the other hand, the old move 7. P—K R 3 is inadequate, on account of 7. ....B×Kt; 8. Q×B, P×P! (but not 8. ....Kt—Q 5; 9. Q—Kt 3! Q—K 2!; 10. P×P, P×P; 11. K—Q 1 with the better game); 9. Q×P (if 9. B×P, Kt—Q 5!; 10. Q—Kt 3, Kt—R 4), Kt—K 4, and White, in view of the threat 10. ....Kt—R 4, has no way to avoid the exchange of his K B, after which Black has emerged from all the difficulties of the opening.
- 7…a6 Hardly customary, and certainly not best. His opponent's previous move clearly showed his intention to eliminate the Q B, and it was therefore futile to force him to do that. An interesting variation, which is, however, advantageous for White, was 7. ....B×Kt; 8. Q×B, Kt—Q 5; 9. Q—Q 1, P—Q Kt 4; 10. B×P ch, K×B; 11. Kt×B, P×Kt; 12. P×P followed by 13. Castles ch, and White would have formidable attacking chances, apart from the two Pawns for the sacrificed piece. In a game Alekhin—O. Tenner (a Berlin amateur), played at Cologne in 1907, the latter continued 7. ....P×P; 8. Kt×B, P×Kt; 9. B×P, Kt—K R 4; 10. B—K 3, Kt—K 4?; 11. Kt×Kt, B×Q; 12. B×P ch, K—K 2; 13. B×P ch, K—B 3; 14. Castles ch, K×Kt; 15. R—B 5 mate. Comparatively best was 7. ....B—Kt 3 or 7. ....Castles.
- 10.h3 Securing the advantage of two Bishops against two Knights.
- 14…Rae8 Further loss of time, which seriously compromises Black's game. The following was equally disadvantageous: 14. ....P—B 5; 15. P×P, Kt—Kt 3; 16. Q—Kt 5!, Q×P; 17. Q R—K 1 with the better game. On the other hand 14. ....Q R—Q 1 would clearly have been better, as it would make the advance of White's centre Pawns more difficult.
- 15.Qf2 With the double threat 16. B×P and 16. B—Kt 5.
- 17.c3 Preparing 18. P—Q 4, against which there is no defence. The loss of the present game by Black can be attributed to the fact that his Knights lack bases in the centre, and that in positions of this character the possession of the two Bishops constitutes a decisive advantage for the opponent.
- 17…Ng6 The first move of a new regrouping, the completion of which will give White a won-game. White's Q B is to be posted on K Kt 3, whence it will exercise pressure on Black's Pawn at his Q B 2, which will be weakened still more by the imminent opening of the Q B file after White's P—Q 4. Throughout the execution of this plan Black will find himself reduced to absolute passivity.
- 24.h4 This threat to win a piece compels Black to weaken his position still more, thus enabling White's Rook to break through into his game.
- 25.Kh2 Not 25. B—B 2 on account of 25. ....Q—Q 3.
- 25…f6 Evidently forced.
- 27…Qe7 27. ....Q—Q 2; 28. Q×Q, R×Q; 29. P—R 5, Kt—Kt 5 ch; 30. K—R 3, Kt (Kt 3)—K 4; 31. K R—B 1! and wins.
- 30…Nf7 Again forced, because of the double threat 31. B×Kt and 31. P—R 6.
- 32…Nd6 Allowing a decisive sacrifice. 32. ....R—B 1 was a little better, upon which White would have continued his winning attack by 33. Q—Kt 4 and 34. B—R 4.
- 33.Bxh6 Putting an end to all resistance, for if 33. ....P×B; 34. R (B 1)×P, K—Kt 1; 35. Q—Kt 3 ch and mates in a few moves.
- 33…Nxe4 A desperate move.
- 35.Qc1 If now 35. ....P×B; 36. B×Kt, Q×B; 37. Q×P ch, K—Kt 1; 38. R—Kt 4 ch, K—B 2; 39. Q×P ch and wins.