1.
d4
d5
2.
c4
e6
3.
Nf3
c5
4.
cxd5
exd5
5.
g3
Nc6
6.
Bg2
Nf6
7.
O-O
Be6
8.
Nc3
Be7
9.
dxc5
Bxc5
10.
Na4
Be7
11.
Be3
O-O
12.
Nc5
Ne4
13.
Nxe6
fxe6
14.
Nd4
Nxd4
15.
Bxd4
Nd6
16.
Qb3
Bf6
17.
Rad1
Bxd4
18.
Rxd4
Qf6
19.
e3
Rac8
20.
Rf4
Qe7
21.
Rxf8+
Kxf8
22.
Rd1
Kg8
23.
Qa3
Rc2
24.
e4
Qf8
25.
Qxa7
Nb5
26.
Qb6
d4
27.
Rf1
Qc5
28.
Qxe6+
Kf8
29.
e5
Qc8
30.
Qb6
Rxb2
31.
Bd5
Qd7
32.
Bc4
Rb4
33.
Qc5+
Qe7
34.
Qc8+
Qe8
35.
Qf5+
Ke7
36.
Qe6+
Kf8
37.
Qg8+
Ke7
38.
Qxg7+
Kd8
39.
Qxb7
Qxe5
40.
Rc1
1-0
Opening Explorer
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Site
Paris
Date
1923.02.20
Round
1
White
Black
Muffang, Andre
Result
1-0
Score
- 3…c5 This variation, favoured by Tarrasch, is disadvantageous for Black should White adopt Rubinstein's system (P—K Kt 3 and B—Kt 2), as in the present game.
- 7…Be6 After 7. ....B—K 2 White has the choice between the line of play adopted in this game, and the continuation 8. P×P, B×P; 9. Q Kt—Q 2 followed by 10. Kt—Kt 3, successfully put into practice by Sämisch against Dr. Tarrasch (Carlsbad Tournament, 1923).
- 10.Na4 This new continuation, introduced by Réti against Dr. Tarrasch in the Pistyan Tournament of 1922, aims at occupying, once and for all, the square Q 4, of vital importance in the Tarrasch variation. This innovation, in my opinion, constitutes a notable strengthening of the Rubinstein variation.
- 11…O-O Dr. Tarrasch continued 11. ....P—Q Kt 3 in his game against Réti, without, however, obtaining a satisfactory game. Here is the continuation of the game: 12. Kt—Q 4, Kt×Kt; 13. B×Kt, Q—Q 2; 14. Kt—B 3, R—Q 1; 15. Q—Kt 3, Castles; 16. K R—Q 1 and White's advantage is obvious.
- 12.Nc5 This move is sufficient to yield White a slight advantage. It is, however, probable that 12. Kt—Q 4 first would have given a more marked advantage.
- 12…Ne4 Comparatively best. White evidently cannot capture the Q Kt P, because of 13. Q—B 2. The ensuing liquidation reduces White's winning chances, which will consist solely in the weakness of the adverse centre Pawns and the slight advantage of a Bishop against a Knight in this type of position, where it is not blocked by Pawns.
- 15.Bxd4 On the other hand, the advantage of the two Bishops is illusory, for it is clear that after ....B—B 3 White cannot avoid the exchange of his Q B.
- 16.Qb3 Already threatening 17. P—K 4.
- 19.e3 Preparing 20. R—K B 4! which would not be so strong if played at once, because of 19. ....Q—K 4.
- 20…Qe7 The weakness of the grouping of Black's Pawns on K 3 and Q 4 is felt the more as the hostile K B dominates the White squares. The plausible move 20. ....Q—K 4 would be quite bad because of the subtle reply 21. Q—R 4! attacking the Q R P and threatening to enter at Q 7 with decisive effect.
- 21…Kxf8 Again best. If 21. ....Q×R; then 22. P—K 4! or if 21. ....R×R; 22. R—Q B 1, R—B 1; 23. R×R ch, Kt×R; 24. P—K 4! and White's K B enters into action with very great effect.
- 22…Kg8 This retreat of the Black King to the square it originally occupied is intended to hinder the threatened 23. Q—Q 3 followed by 24. P—K 4, etc. It will, however, enable White to force the gain of a Pawn by a hidden manoeuvre. Better was 22. ....P—Q R 3, prolonging the resistance.
- 23.Qa3 After this move Black has no defence against the double threat, 24. Q×P and 24. P—K 4!
- 23…Rc2 Attacking the centre and thereby enabling his Queen to join in the defence of the King-side, since it will protect the K B P after capturing the Q R P.
- 25…Nb5 Reckoning to secure a passed Pawn on Q 5, but the realization of this plan necessitates an immobility of the Black pieces of which White will take advantage to conclude the game by a direct attack. On the other hand, it was scarcely possible for Black to entertain other continuations, e.g.: I.—25. ....Kt×P; 26. B×Kt, P×B; 27. Q—Kt 6! II.—25. ....P×P; 26. Q—Kt 6, R—B 3; 27. Q—Kt 4. With an easy win for White in both variations.
- 26…d4 Threatening mate in two.
- 29.e5 Enabling White's K B to enter into the adverse game with decisive effect.
- 31.Bd5 Not 31. P—Q R 4 because of 31. ....Q—B 2, whereas now White threatens inevitably 32. P—Q R 4, Q—B 2; 33. Q—K 6.
- 36…Kf8 If 36. ....K—Q 1, then 37. Q—Kt 6 ch, K—B 1; 38. Q—B 5 ch, winning the Rook.
[Event "Match/Training Alekhine-Muffang +2-0=0"] [Site "Paris"] [Date "1923.02.20"] [Round "1"] [White "Alekhine, Alexander"] [Black "Muffang, Andre"] [Result "1-0"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. g3 Nc6 6. Bg2 Nf6 7. O-O Be6 8. Nc3 Be7 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. Na4 Be7 11. Be3 O-O 12. Nc5 Ne4 13. Nxe6 fxe6 14. Nd4 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 Nd6 16. Qb3 Bf6 17. Rad1 Bxd4 18. Rxd4 Qf6 19. e3 Rac8 20. Rf4 Qe7 21. Rxf8+ Kxf8 22. Rd1 Kg8 23. Qa3 Rc2 24. e4 Qf8 25. Qxa7 Nb5 26. Qb6 d4 27. Rf1 Qc5 28. Qxe6+ Kf8 29. e5 Qc8 30. Qb6 Rxb2 31. Bd5 Qd7 32. Bc4 Rb4 33. Qc5+ Qe7 34. Qc8+ Qe8 35. Qf5+ Ke7 36. Qe6+ Kf8 37. Qg8+ Ke7 38. Qxg7+ Kd8 39. Qxb7 Qxe5 40. Rc1 1-0