William Steinitz, The Modern Chess Instructor (1889)
Game 62 of 83
52
Steinitz, William vs Chigorin, Mikhail Ivanovich
1889.01.22 · 1-0 · Queen's Pawn Game: Anti-Torre
54
Steinitz, William vs Chigorin, Mikhail Ivanovich
1889.01.26 · 1-0 · Queen's Pawn Game: Anti-Torre
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Site
Havana
Date
1889.02.12
Round
12
White
Result
1-0
- 6.Bd2 White would not get a satisfactory game by 6 Q—Kt3, for after 6....B×KKt; 7 P×B, 7 B×Kt ch.; 8 P×B, 8 Kt—R4; 9 Q—B2, 9 Kt×P; 10 B×Kt, 10 P×B; 11 Q—R4 ch., 11 P—B3; 12 Q×P, 12 Q—Q4; we slightly prefer Black's game.
- 7…Bf5 Necessary, for he evidently cannot Castle at once on account of the rejoinder B×P ch., followed by Kt—Kt5 ch. if K×B.
- 14.Bd2 R—B2 instead was much better, for he might have had an opportunity after doubling the Rooks of retreating his B at once to K sq., which saved time.
- 15.Rc2 Here again White ought to have first attacked by B—R5 compelling the advance of the QKtP which created a weak spot at Black's QB3.
- 19…Nf5 Much superior to 19....Q—Kt4 to which White could safely reply 20 B—Kt3 and if then 20....R×P the answer 21 B×Kt wins a piece.
- 25.Kf1 Black's attack in the centre is now exhausted and he must lose a P.
- 26…Qg5 26....Q—QR4 with the intention of harassing the adverse Q with his Rooks would have failed on account of 27 P—QKt4, 27 Q—R5; 28 B—R4, 28 P—KR3; 29 P—Kt5, 29 P—KKt4; 30 B—Kt3, 30 Q×KtP; 31 Q×RP, and maintains his P ahead.
- 33.Kg1 Much more simple and better was Q—KB4, threatening to enter at KR4 with the Q if Black refuse to exchange. If Black answered Q—Q6 then White could first play K—B2 followed by R—Q2 and Q—K3 constantly gaining time by offering the exchange of Queens.
- 33…Nc8 Kt—R sq. as done later on was by far better.
- 38.Bf2 38 P—B5, 38 R—Kt5; 39 P—Kt3 (or 39 B—B2, 39 R—B5), 39....Kt—Kt4 would have been in Black's favor.
- 49.Rxh6+ Careless play which again gives Black an attack. 49 B—K3, 49 R×R; 50 R×R, 50 Kt—Kt3; 51 Q—K2, 51 Kt—K2; 52 R—B7 would have given White an irresistible attack.
- 52…Rg4 52....P—R5 was here suggested afterward, but we do not think that Black would gain anything after 53 B×P, 53 R×P ch.; 54 K—R sq., 54 R—Kt5; 55 B—B6, etc.
- 54…Rd2 This is a weak move which enables White to gain time.
- 57.Rxe6 Which wins by force. See Diagram page 176.
- 58…Rc1 58....Q—KKt2 suggested by Senor Ponce would no doubt have prolonged the game, but even then White would have obtained a sure victory by 59 Q—Q6, 59 R—K7; 60 Q×QP, 60 P—R5; 61 Q—KB3, 61 R×KP; 62 R—QR6, 62 Q—QB2; 63 Q—KB4 threatening R×QRP as well as Q×P ch. and should win.