Copenhagen, 1922.

1. 6.Qd2 In order by B-KR6 to exchange Black’s B at KKt2.
2. 8.O-O-O The plan chosen by White is seductive in the simplicity of the means to be employed. He intends after allowing the exchange of Queens, to get some advantage in the Q file.
3. 9…c6 Moves which weaken such important points (as Q3) should be avoided if in any way possible; and in fact a piece soon settles itself on this square. The important point to be observed by the student is that before Black’s P-QB3 the Q file was only under pressure, whereas after this move it is clearly weakened. It would, therefore, have been better to forgo P-QB3 and to play instead 9. ... Kt-QB3; for instance, the continuation might be: 10. P-KR3 (in order to be able to play Kt-KB3 without the fear of the reply Kt-KKt5), 10. ... Kt-Q5!?; 11. Kt-KB3! (but not 11. BxKt, PxB; 12. RxP, Kt-K4), 11. ... KtxKt; 12. PxKt, and White stands better. Nevertheless, 9. ... Kt-QB3 was the correct move, only after 10. P-KR3 Black must continue with B-K3. For example: 10. P-KR3, B-K3; 11. Kt-KB3, P-KR3; 12. KR-Q1, P-QR3. In the position here reached White has unquestionably full possession of the Q file; since, however, neither an invasion of the 7th rank by R-Q7 nor the establishment of an outpost by Kt-Q5 lies within the realms of possibility, the value of the file would seem to be problematical. White’s KP is, in fact, in need of protection and this circumstance has a not inconsiderable crippling effect. Black has two courses open for consideration: (a) to play at once KR-Q1, with the idea RxR ch, RxR, R-Q1 ch, RxR, KtxR; though this variation must be prepared for by K-R2 or P-KKt4, so as to safeguard the KRP against B-K3; else after the double exchange of Rooks and KtxKP, KtxKP, there would follow KtxKt, BxKt, BxRP. (b) the slow manœuvre KR-QB1, followed by K-B1-K1, and finally the challenge of the R’s by R-Q1. The fact that this last line of play is possible is significant proof of the small activity of White in the Q file.
4. 10.a4 Apparently compromising, in reality well thought out; for firstly P-QKt4, which would be an indirect and therefore unwelcome attack on the PK4, must be prevented, and secondly Black’s Queen’s wing is to be besieged. We feel ourselves justified in pursuing this ambitious plan since now that 9. ... P-QB3 has been played our positional advantage in the centre is unquestionable, and should have a real effect even on the wings; a proposition which may be thus formulated: a superior position in the centre justifies a thrust on an extreme flank.
5. 12…Nd7 In unusual situations ordinary moves are, it would seem, seldom suitable. The proper system of development here was Kt-R3, KR-K1, and B-KB1. The weakness at Q3 would then have been covered and the position would have been perfectly tenable.
6. 17.Na4 It is now clear that the suggested development by 12. ... Kt-R3 etc. would have wasted less time than that in the text (Kt-Q2-Kt3-B1). White has now a strong position on the extreme left and threatens to get a grip on the enemy with Kt-B5. We now see that 10. P-QR4! was not so very valueless as an attacking move.
7. 17…b6 An excellent parry. If 18. PxP, PxP; 19. BxP, then naturally B-KKt5.
8. 18…bxa5 The ‘restricted’ advance in a file, which here is revealed in a singularly plastic form, in that the Rook is brought from the Q to the QB file and thence to the QR file.
9. 18…bxa5 Bad. The right move was R-QKt1 and Black’s position still had life in it.
10. 21.Nec3 The QRP won’t run away.
11. 24.Nca4 The one Kt made room for the other.
12. 28.Rd6 Now at last is the point seized which Black weakened by his 9th move; but its occupation had always been in the air.
13. 29.Rxe6 In the notes to this game we have become acquainted with the resources at the disposal of the defender of a file. Since a knowledge of these is of the greatest practical value in the conduct of a game, we give another game which will be found instructive in the same sense.