9.a3Grünfeld is probably correct in affirming that this move is the best here, but this assertion simply demonstrates that White's whole system, or rather 8. Q—B 2, yields no more than equality.
9…h6This advance should not be made until Black has definitely made up his mind between the two systems of defence: ....P×P, followed by P—Q Kt 4 and P—Q B 4; or ....P×P, followed by Kt—Q 4. But although this move has the advantage of weakening the attack on the point K R 2, when White succeeds in posting his K B on Q Kt 1 (Grünfeld's variation), it is, on the other hand, insufficient after ....P×P and ....Kt—Q 4, since it affords White the opportunity to retain his Q B by B—K Kt 3, which thereby leaves Black's pieces in their confined positions.
10…Re8An important improvement on the line of play adopted by Maróczy against Grünfeld in the Vienna Tournament of 1922. This game continued 10. ....P×P; 11. B×P, P—Q Kt 4; 12. B—R 2, B—Kt 2; 13. B—Kt 1, R—K 1; 14. Kt—K 5!, Kt—B 1; 15. Castles, and White has far the better game. The text-move gains an extremely important move by eliminating the subsequent mating threat at K R 2 and thereby enables Black to free his game speedily by ....P—Q B 4!
11.Bd3White could have played 11. P—R 3 without loss of time, seeing that Black has nothing better than the following capture of the Q B P. The question is whether this move would in the end prove useful or detrimental to him. In my game against Chajes (see Game No. 85) I wished to try this experiment, but my opponent, who adopted an altogether abnormal system of defence, did not give me the chance.
13…c5The liberating move!
14.Rd1Upon 14. P×P, Black would have replied 14. ....Kt×P, and if 15. B—Kt 1, B—Kt 2!, for the variation 16. B×Kt, B×B; 17. Q—R 7 ch, K—B 1; 18. Kt×P, P×Kt; 19. R×Kt, B×P would be completely in his favour. After the text-move Black gradually succeeds in seizing the initiative. 14. Castles, P×P (14. ....Q—Kt 3 is also worthy of consideration); 15. P×P was a little better, as played by Réti and Grünfeld against Teichmann in the same tournament. Here is the continuation of the game Grünfeld—Teichmann: 15. ....B—Kt 2; 16. K R—Q 1, Q—Kt 3; 17. Kt—K 5, and instead of the passive move 17. ....Kt—B 1 Black could have obtained a slight advantage in position by a pretty combination discovered by Victor Kahn: 17. ....Kt×Kt!; 18. P×Kt, Q—B 3!; 19. P—B 3, Kt—Kt 5!; 20. Kt—Q 5! (White has nothing better, for 20. B×B is refuted by 20. ....Q—Kt 3 ch), 20. ....P×Kt; 21. Q×Q, B×Q; 22. P×Kt (not 22. B×B, Kt×K P; 23. B—Q 6, Kt—B 5), 22. ....B×B; 23. R×B, R×P; 24. P—K Kt 3! (not 24. B×P, Q R—Q 1), 24. ....B—B 3 or B—Kt 4; 25. R×P, R—K 8 ch followed by Q R—K 1, with advantage to Black. This variation shows once again the frailty of the variation 8. Q—B 2 and 9. P—Q R 3.
14…cxd4Simplest, for after the removal of the Rook from the Q B file Black could not with certainty visualize a counter-attack on the Queen-side.
15.Nxd4Hoping to break through with his attack by a subsequent sacrifice of the Exchange on Q 7.
15…Qb6This move appears to prevent the reply 15. ....B—Kt 2 owing to the possibility of 16. Kt (Q 4)×Kt P, P×Kt; 17. R×Kt!, with a winning attack for White.
16…Bb7Black plays this move all the same, for 17. Kt (Q 4)×Kt P would be refuted by 17. ....Q—B 3!!; 18. Kt—Q 4 (forced), Q×P, with a strong counter-attack. In this way Black has successfully completed his development. There consequently remains nothing else for White than Castling, after the failure of his premature attack.
18.Qd2Hindering the double threat B—K 5 or Kt—K 5. 18. Q—K 2 would be insufficient on account of 18. ....B×R P; 19. Kt (Q 4)×Kt P, B—Kt 5! and Black wins a Pawn.
18…Ne5This Knight will occupy the square Q B 5, thereby fixing the weakness of the Queen-side, induced by 9. P—Q R 3.
19.Bxf6In order to exchange Black's dangerous Q B, White's next manœuvre is finely conceived, but insufficient to equalize.
20…g6Not at all to prevent a harmless check at K R 2 but rather to secure a retreat subsequently for his K B, whose action on the long diagonal will be very powerful.
22.Be4Feeling himself in a strategic inferiority, Grünfeld attempts to save himself by tactical skirmishing. Having provoked 20. ....P—Kt 3 he now hopes for the variation: 22. ....Kt×R P; 23. Q—B 3!, B×B; 24. Kt×B, B×Kt; 25. P×B, etc., which would ensure him the gain of the Exchange.
22…Bg7But by this simple move, which is part of his plan, Black retains his advantage.
24.Rc1The threat 24. ....Kt×R P compels White to retrace his 14th move.
24…e5This advance of the K P will give Black's Knight a new out-post on Q 6, still more irksome for the opponent than its present position.
25…e4Renewing the threat 26. ....Kt×R P.
26…Red8To make the following Knight-manœuvre still more effective, for now when it reaches Q 6 it will intercept the defence of the White Knight by the Rook.
28.Na2After this move, which removes the Knight from the field of action, White is definitely lost. Comparatively better was 28. P—B 3, upon which Black would have continued 28. ....P×P; 29. P×P, Kt—B 5 with attacking chances on both flanks, and a probable win after a long and difficult struggle.
30.f3Too late! But already there was no satisfactory reply, e.g.: after 30. Kt—B 3, P—B 4; 31. P—B 3, Black would have gained the victory by the same sacrifice which occurred in the actual game: 31. ....R×Kt!; 32. P×R, B×P ch; 33. K—B 1, Kt—B 5; 34. Q—Q 2, Q—B 5 ch; 35. Kt—K 2, P—K 6!; 36. Q—K 1, B×P; 37. R—Q 8 ch, K—B 2; 38. Q—Q 1, B×P!; 39. Q—Q 7 ch, B—K 2; 40. Q—K 8 ch, K—B 3; 41. Q—R 8 ch, K—Kt 4; 42. P—R 4 ch, K—R 4; 43. P—Kt 4 ch, P×P; 44. Q—K 5 ch, P—Kt 4!! and Black wins.
30…Rxd4If 31. P×R, B×P ch; 32. K—B 1, Kt—B 5; 33. Q×P (or 33. Q—Q 2, Q—B 5 ch; 34. K—K 1, P—K 6! and wins), Q—B 5 ch; 34. K—K 1, Kt×P ch; 35. K—Q 2, B—K 6 ch and Black wins. White, who does not perceive the hidden point of the sacrifice, hopes to save himself by the text-move.
32.exf4Evidently forced.
32…Qc4Winning at least a piece; but White chooses the speediest death.
34…Bd4+and mates next move.
Alexander Alekhine, My Best Games of Chess 1908–1923 (1927) · Public domain · source