Battles Royal of the Chessboard by R.N. Coles Part.2

8/13/2019 Battles Royal of the Chessboard by R.N. Coles Part.2

1/46

BATTLES-ROYAL OF THE CHESSBOARD40

KB6, Kt Kt2 ; 48 B K t2,.Q KB2 ; 49 Q Q4, P R4 ;50 R QBi, K R2 ; 51 Q

Q3. Q B4; 52 Q Q4. QB2 ; 53 Q K5, Q B2 ; 54Q -B 6, R - Q i ; 55 Q- KB3,Kt B4 ; 56 Q K2, R QBi ;57 P Kt3. And here is the slipthough it is not necessarilyfatal.

57. KtxKtP

58. Q -Q 3Best was P x Kt, Q Kt3ch.;

59 K Kt2, Q X B ; and Blackcan hardly hope to win. Now

White must lose a secondpawn.

58. Kt B459. Q K4 Q QB560. Q Kt7ch. R B261. Q Kt8

White is still fighting and nowthreatens mate.

61. Q Ktsch.62. K Ri

If K Bi, then Q Q8ch. ;63 K Kt2, with the same position as after the 65th move inthe game.

62. Q x Pch.

63. K Kt2 Q Ktsch.64. K R i

If K R2, Q B5ch.; 65 K Kti, Kt Kt2; 66 K Kt2,

R B2 ; 67 Q Kt6, Kt B4 ;winning.

64. Q Q8ch.65. K Kt2 Kt Rsch.66. K R2

Playing the king to the 3rd

rank would allow mate in two.

66. Q Q3ch.67. K K ti Kt B6ch.68. K Bi

Now if K Kt2, Q R7ch.;69 K Bi (K x Kt, R B2ch. ;

and wins), Kt Q7ch. ; 70 Kmoves, R K2ch.; winning.

68. Q R3ch.69. K Kt2 Kt Rsch.70. K R2 Q B i

After this, which breaks

Whites mating threat, positional and material superioritymust tell.

71. Q Kt6 Kt B6ch.72. K Kt2 Q Ktsch.73. K Bi R K2Resigns.


2/46

BURN MACKENZIE 41

G. H. Mackenzie (1837-1891) was a Scotsman who in 1863emigrated to New York and became an American citizen. He wasan exceptionally brilliant player and besides being Americanchampion for many years, frequently played in European mastertournaments. Hj s best results were 1st at Frankfort, 1887 and2nd at Bradford, 1888.

A. Bum (1848-1925) was one of the finest of all British masters,though his quiet unobtrusive style caused him to be overshadowedin the public imagination. Between 1870 and 1887 he only playedin England, but scored a continuous run of first prizes. Afterwards

competing abroad also he was strikingly successful, his best resultsbeing 1st prizes at Amsterdam, 1889, and Cologne, 1898, and 2ndat Breslau, 1889.

GAME 11

b u r n - m a c k e n z i e

4th match game, London, 1886.

Q u e e n s P a w n G a m e

I. KtKB3 P 04

2. P04 KtKB3

3- P k 3 P k 34- P - Q K t 3 PB45- BKt2 KtB36. QKt Q2 P xP7- P x P B - Q38. B Q3 BQ29

-0 0 R - Q B i

10. PB4 0 011. R K i Kt K212. p - b 5 BKti13- P - Q K t4 KtKt314- P - Q R 4 KtB5

In view of Whites decision to

play on his Q side majority,Black seeks to provoke a targetfor his own attack on the otherwing.

15. BKBi PKR316. P Kts Kt R217. P Kt3

He has no objection to fallingin with Blacks plan since his

white squares can be protectedby his bishop, and the Blackknights retreat will allow White

to enforce a weakened BlackKP.

17. KtKt318. B Q3 P B419. R K2

In order to play PB4.

19. KtB320. Kt K i Kt K521. PB4

[Diagram 15]

21. B x B P

So far White has had decidedly the best of it and is nowready to resume his Q sideoperations. Black must there-


3/46

42 BATTLES-ROYAL OF THE CHESSBOARD

(BLACK) MACKENZIE

(WHITE) BURN

Position before Black's 21st move.

(D i a g r a m 15)

fore adopt fighting tactics if heis to have any counter-chances.

22. P x B K tx K B P23. Kt(2) B3

If R K3, Q Kt4ch.; 24 K B i (K R i, Kt B7 Mate),Q R5; 25 R B3, Q x P(threatening Q R8 Mate) ; 26BxKt, BPxB; with a tremendous attack.

23. KtxRch.24. QxKt B K i

25. B BxTo prevent Q Kt4ch., in

reply to his intended Kt K5.

25. P Kt426. Kt K5 Q B327. R R3

A possible line for Black is27 > Kt B 6 ; 28 Q QB2,R x P ; 29 P x R , Q x K t ; 30Kt Kt2, Kt K7ch.; 1 B x

Kt, Q X R ; and though somepreparatory moves to strengthen Black's game may be preferable first, the mere possi

bility of such a variation indicates the value of this move by

White. In addition it is theeasiest way of bringing the rookto the defence of the other wingif it is required.

27.

28. B B229. Kt Kt230. B Kt231. P - R532. Kt K3

So that if 33 PR6, P x P ;then 34 RxP, threatening KtxQP.

32. K K t i33- P R6 P - K t 534- P x P R x K t P35- BQ3 KtKt436. RR6

Even better was 36 Q Bi,and after Kt R6ch.; Blackcannot play Kt B5. Thegame now becomes most exciting.

36. Kt R6ch.37. K R i Kt B538. Q Q2 K t x B39. KtxQP

Just in time. After 39 Q X Kt,B x P ; 40 KtxQP, B x Q ; 41Kt x Qch., K K t2 ; 42 Kt x B,K x K t ; Black gets a good

game.39. Q Kt2

Not Q Q i ; 40 R Q6, B

KR2

RKKtxRKt2PKR4PR5


4/46

BURN MACKENZIE 4 3

Q2; 41 K tx B , R x K t (PxKt;42 KtB6ch.); 42 RxR, QxR ; 43 Kt B6ch.

(BLACK) MACKENZIE

(WHITE) BURN

Position before White's 40th move.

(D iagram 16)

40. RxKP

Another fine move, giving up

a piece to carry on the attack.B x P is now prevented by thethreat of RKKt6.

40. Kt x Kt41. Kt B6ch. K B2

If K B i ; 42 P x K t , B x P ;

43 Q Q6ch., K B2 ; 44 QQ5, transposing back into thegame.

42. P x K t B x P

Not K x R ; 43 Q Q5ch.,KK2; 44 QxRch., KBi;45 QxR, winning.

43. Q05 K B i44. P B6 Q Kt4

Defence is no longer to be con

sidered, and counter-attack ishis only chance. The text movethreatens Q K6 K8ch., followed by P R6 Mate.

45. R K8ch.Not 45 PxR, RB8ch.; 46

KKt2 (BxR, QxBch.; 47KKt2, QB8 Mate), PR6ch.; 47 K Kt3, PBsch.;or 47 KB2, QB5CI1.

45- R x R 46. B R3chMissing his chance. P x R can

now be played for if Q K6 ; 47Q Kt8ch., K K2 ; 48 KtQ5ch., K Q2 (K Q i ; 49 KtX Q, R x Q ; 50 P Kt8=Qch.);49 Q B7ch., K B3 ; 50 KtX Q, wins easily. Or else 46 . . . ,Q x K t ; 47 B R3ch., K Kt2 ; 48 PxQch., but not 47 P xQ, R K8ch.; 48 K Kt2, RK7ch.; 49 KBi, RK4dis.ch. ; 50 K B2, R K7ch.;drawing.

46. K Kt247. KtxRch. KRi48. P x R Q K6Black has taken a long chance

and it has come off. White'sreply is forced, for if 49 QKt2, Q K8ch.; 50 Q K ti,B B3ch.

49. B B5 Q B8ch.50. B K ti B B351. Kt B6He has no time now to queen

his pawn. A grand fight, even if

Black was lucky.51. BxQch.52. K t x B Q Kt8Resigns.


5/46

4 4 BATTLES-ROYAL OF THE CHESSBOARD

I. Gunsberg (1845-1930), a Hungarian, spent almost all hichessplaying life in England. His tournament successes, whichincluded firsts at Hamburg, 1885, and at London, 1888, securedhis recognition as a contender for Steinitzs world title. Unsuccessful in this, he concentrated on chess journalism and practicallyretired from serious play.

S. Tarrasch (1862-1934), for all his failure to win the world titlfrom his compatriot Lasker, remains one of the greatest of allchessplayers. His tournament record from 1884 to 1914 is studded

with prizes and even to an advanced age he remained a dangerous

competitor in International tournaments. His style, based on thatof Steinitz, was simpler and more logical, if less imaginative,while his crystallisation of Steinitzs theories into precise dogmasmade him one of the greatest of chess teachers and profoundlyinfluenced the strategical appreciation of later players.

GAME 12

TARRASCH-GUNSBERG

Frankfort tournament, 1887.

F r e n c h D e f e n c e

1. P K4 P K32. P Q4 P Q43. Kt QB3 P x P4. K t x P Kt KB35- B-Q3

More usual is Kt x Ktch.

5. QKt-Q26. B K3 K t x K t7. B x K t Kt B38. B Q3 B -Q 2

The best development of thisbishop is on QKt2, and though

an immediate P QKt3 wouldhave been answered by 9 Q B3,he would have been betteradvised to try 8 . . ., B K2 ;

9 Kt B3, P QKt3. Now thebishop is condemned to a defensive role at best.

9. Kt B3 B Q310. O0 KtKt5

A premature attempt tocreate weaknesses in White'sposition. After Whites replyhe had nothing better than1 1 . . . , B K2.

11. B KK ts P KB312. B Q2 Q K2

13. P KR3 Kt R314. P B4

Threatening P B5.

14. P B315. PQKt4

Now he is in a position toattack Black on whichever sidehe castles, for 15 . . ., O Owould be answered by 16 B x


6/46

TARRASCH GUNSBERG 45

Kt. Black must castle intotrouble, for he cannot play15 . . ., B x P ; to which Tar-rasch gives the answer as 16B xB , Q x B ; 17 R Kti, QQ3 ; 18 R x P , 0 0 ; 19 QB2, P K B 4 ; 20 P B5, QQ4; 21 B B4, Q K 5; 22Q Bi, B B i ; 23 R QB7,P B5 ; 24 R K i, Q Kt3 ;25 RxB, QRxR; 26 RxP,

winning. A long but convincing

analysis.

15. 00016. R K i B x P17. R K ti B x B18. Q xB K K ti

So as to defend the QKtPwith the bishop, the threatotherwise being 19 Q Kt2, B K i ; 20 Rx P.

19. P B5 B B i20. R Kt3 Q QB221. KRKti KRi

22. R Kt6

The attack becomes fierceand brilliant. If now 22 . . .,P x R ; 23 P x P , Q Q3; 24Q Rsch., and mates. Lessstrong was 22 B R6, R Q2 ;

but not 22 . . ., P x B ; 23 QR5, Q B5 ; 24 P Kt3, andBlack must give up his queento prevent mate on his QKti.

22. PK423. R(i) Kt4 KR K i

Beginning counter-action inthe centre just in time ; thethreat is P K5, and it now becomes a race between White's

attempts to break through onthe wing and Blacks to breakthrough in the centre. 23 . . .,P x R ; would still be fatal

because of 24 P x P, Q Q3 ;25 R R4ch., K K t i ; 26 RR8ch., K x R ; 27 Q Rsch.

24. P x P P x P

(b l a c k ) g u n s b e r g

(WHITE) TARRASCH


(D i a g r a m 17)

25. R QR4 P K526. Q R5 Q K ti27. B x P B B4

The culmination of Blackscounter-play; all his piecescome to life and White cannotmove the bishop because of28 . .., R Q8ch.; 29 Kt K i,R(8) x Ktch. Nevertheless,

better was 27 ... , R 08ch.;28 Kt K i, Kt B4.

28. R R6

Attack and counter-attackcontinue in delicate balance.


7/46


Now White threatens mate intwo and if 28 . . P x R ; 29BxPch.

28. R Q8ch.

29. Kt K i R x Ktch.Apparently turning the tide

in his favour, but White is notfinished yet.

30. Q x R B x B31. R x B

The saving clause. 31 R xPch., Q x R ; 32 RxQch., K xR ; 33 P B3, B Kt3 ; 34Q Rsch., would leave him veryproblematical drawing chances.The text gives up a piece but

wins the game.

31. R x R32. Q x R P x R33. Q x Pch. Q Kt234* Q K8ch. Q K ti35. Q K4ch. Q Kt236. P B6

The key to his 31st move.

36. Q QB237. Q K8ch. Q K ti38. Q -Q 7 Q Kt8ch.

There is no longer any defence to the threat of P B7.

39. K R2 Kt B440. P B7 Resigns.

J. H. Blackbume (1841-1924) was the greatest of all Britishtournament players, and so dangerous that he was known as

The Black Death. No great player ever had a career at once sosuccessful and so long; his first International tournament wasLondon, 1862, and in his last, at St. Petersburg in 1914, he won a

brilliancy prize. His brilliant, ingenious style was unsuited tomatch play ; among his best tournament results were 1st prizes atLondon, 1876, Berlin, 1881, Hereford, 1885, equal 1st prizes at

Vienna, 1873, Weisbaden, 1880, London, 1886, and 2nd prizes at

London, 1872, Nuremburg, 1883, and Manchester, 1890.

GAME 13

MACKENZIEBLACKBURNE

Bradford tournament, 1888.

Q u e e n s P a w n G a m e

1. KtKB3 PQ42. P Q4 B Kt5

Irregular but playable. Thereis nothing for White in 3 KtK5, B-R4.

3. P K 3 P k 3

4. B K2 Kt KB35. P QKt3 P B46. B Kt2 Kt B37. QKt Q2 R B i


8/46

MACKENZIE BLACKBURNE 4 7

Now Black is playing thePillsbury Attack with thecolours reversed.

8. O O

9. P x P10. P B411. R K i

P x P

B - Q 3 00PKR3

But here he loses time. Betterwas Q K2.

12. P QR3 Kt Q2

13. P B5 B B514. P Kt4 P KKt4

The point of his n th move.But though the attack, especially in Blackbumes hands,may become dangerous, itcreates a serious weakness on his

K side, and White remains witha solid Q side pawn majorityonce the attack is broken.

15. Kt Bi Q B316. P Kt3

This leads him into a very

involved defence. Simpler was16 P R3, B R 4 ; 17 Kt (3) R2.

16. B Kti17. Kt K3 P KR4

An ingenious continuation,for if in reply 18 K t x B thenP x K t ; 19 Kt Q2, Kt xQP ;threatening Kt xBch., or Kt B6ch.

18. K Kt2 Q Kt219. K t x B P x K t20. Kt Kti P B421. P Kts Kt Qi22. R Kti

Black threatened 22 . . ., Ktx P ; 23 P xKt , Q xB.

22. Kt KB323. P B3 P x Pch.24. K t x P P Kts25. Kt R4 P B526. B Q3 Kt R427. Kt Kt6 P B6ch.

The position is now mostcomplicated and both playersare going all out to win. Blackis not content to force the draw

by 27 . . ., P x P ; 28 Kt xR ,

Kt Bsch.; 29 K Kti (K Ri, P Kt7ch.; 30 K Kti,Q R3 ; 31 Q x Pch., K x K t ;32 B B2, Kt K7ch.; 33 R xKt, QxPch. ; wins), Kt R6ch.; 30 K Kt2, Kt B^ch.

Any attempt by White to sidetrack this variation fails, as forexample 28 Q x P (PxP, R B6), Kt Bsch; 29 K Ri,P Kt7ch.; 30 K Kti, KtxB.

28. K B2 R KB329. Q B2 P Kt3

Black now wants to forceWhite to play P B6, forthough this will give him astrong passed pawn, it blocksthe Q side to any activity bythe pieces.

30. QR Qi B Q331. P B6 Kt B232. B QBi R B233. P QR4 B Kts

Preventing P R5 and sokeeping the Q side blocked.

34. R R i Kt Q3

Now he returns to his K sideattack with the idea ultimatelyof posting a knight on his K5.


9/46


35. Kt K5 Kt B436. B x K t

Virtually forced, for if 36B Kt2, then Kt R5 ; 37

P x K t , P Kt6ch.; 38 P x P ,QxPch.; 39 KBi, RKKt2 ; 40 P B7, Q Kt7ch. ;41 Q x Q, P x Q dbl.ch.; 42 KKti, PxR=Qch.; 43 KxQ,R x P ; winning.

36. R x B37- Q Q3 KtB338. B B4 Kt Ksch.39. K - B i

(b l a c k ) b l a c k b u r n e

(WHITE) MACKENZIE

Position before Black's 39th move.

(Diagram 18)

39. Q R2

Though this threatens 40 ...,Q R6ch.; 41K K ti, Q Kt7Mate, the square KR3 would be

even stronger for the queen, anda better line was 39 . . ., R x B ;40 P x R , Q R 3 ; 41 P R4,Kt Kt6ch.; 42 K B2, K tx

Rch. ; 43 R x Kt, R KKt2 ;44 Q Kt3 (P B7, R x P ; 45QKt6ch QxQ; 46 KtxQ,RB7ch.; wins), QxBP; 45Q x B, P Kt6ch.; winning.

40. P R4 R x B41. P x R Kt Kt6ch.41. K B2 Kt Ksch.

He has sacrificed the exchange one move too late, for

now after 42 . . . , Kt x Rc h.; 43RxKt, he has nothing betterthan 43 . . ., Q Kt2 ; 44 QKt6, or 43 . . . , Q xQ ; 44 Kt xQ, B B 6; 44 K K3, holdingeverything.

43. K K3 R KKt2

44. P KR5Now White fights back a-

gainst the dangerous passedpawns by threatening to forcethe rook off the Kt file.

44- B Q345. P R6 B x Kt

The persistence with whichBlack keeps up his attack is asremarkable as it is brilliant.Now if 46 P x R, B x BPch.; 47K x B , Q B4ch. ; 48 K K3,

Q Kt4 Mate.46. Q P x B R KB2

Now the threat is Q B4.

47. R R5 P Kt6

Making a last determined

effort to win, whereas after themore natural P B7 he couldhardly lose; for example, 48Q K2, P Kt6; 49 Q Kt


10/46

WEISS TCHIGORIN 4 9

4ch., K R i ; 50 R QBi, Kt B3; 51 P x K t , Q Ksch. ;52 K Q2, P K t7; 53 PB7, P B8 = K tc h .; 54 R x Kt,PxR=Ktch, or 48 QK2,Q Kt3 ; 49 R (Q )-K R i, P -Kt6 ; 50 R(i) R4, K R2.

As it turns out, the safer P B7 was a better line.

48. K x P RxPch.

The point of his previousmove. If in reply 49 K x R ,then Q B2ch.; 50 K Kt4(K K3, Q B7 Mate), KtB7ch.; 51 KxP, KtxQ ; winning.

49. K Kt2 R B7ch.

50. K K ti Q KB251. R R4

Now White threatens to

break the whole attack by 52RxKt, PxR; 53 QxPch.Black had no better reply than51 . . ., R B4; after which52 R xKt, P x R; 53 Q Q8ch.,K R2 ; 54 P B7, wins.

51. R B652. P R7ch. K R i53- P B7

The passed pawn now comesin with devastating effect.

53- Q x B P54. Q x R Q B4ch.55. K R i Q KB7

Fighting to the bitter end,but the game is past saving now.

56. Q xQ KtxQch.57. K Kt2 K t x R58. K x P Resigns.

M. Weiss (1857-1927), during the few years in which he participated in master chess was a frequent prizewinner. His biggestsuccess was in his last tournament when he tied for 1st prize atNew York, 1889. He was a Hungarian.

M. I. Tchigorin (1850-1908) was the greatest Russian master of

the second half of the nineteenth century. His aggressive unorthodoxy secured him many prizes, of which his tie for 1st prizeat New York, 1889, was one of the most noteworthy. He unsuccessfully contested two matches with Steinitz for the world title.

GAME 14 Ru y L o p e z

1. P K4 P K4WEISSt c h i g o r i n 2 Kt KB3 Kt QB3

New York tournament, 1889. ^ B R4 Kt B3Tie Match, 1st game. 5. Kt B3 B Kt5


11/46


Preferring to try for a transposition to the Four KnightsGame rather than defendagainst the Ruy Lopez by P QKt4 or P Q3. However, hefinds next move that he has torevert to the Ruy Lopez afterall.

6. Kt Q5 B K2

For if K t x P ; 7 Q K2, Kt B3 ; 8 Kt x P, with a goodgame.

7. P Q3 P Q38. K t x B Q xK t9. P B3 P R3

10. P KR3 0 011. P KKt4

This advance, indicating adetermination to play for a winat all costs, is only possiblebecause he has reserved theoption of castling on the Q side.

11. Kt KR2

To prevent P Kt5. If 11.. . , P KKt4 ; 12 P R4, B x P ;13 P x P , securing open filesagainst Blacks king.

12. R K K ti Kt Qi13. B K3

Not so good now would be 13P Kt5,P KR4; 14 P Kt6,P x P ; 15 R x P , B x P ; 16B R6, Kt K3 ; threateningBKt5:

13. Kt K3

14. P R4 P KKt4Forced at last, but White is

now unable to derive any advantage from it.

15. Px.P P x P16. Q -K 2 Q -B 3

Preventing White from playing Q B i R3

17. 0 00 Kt B518. B x Kt Q x Bch.19. Kt Q2

If 19 K Kti, B x P . Blackhas now managed to obtain theinitiative, and in what appearsto be a solid position he produces a series of tactical threatsin order to reinforce and increase his advantage.

19. K Kt220. P B3 B K321. B Kt3 R Ri

22. R Ri Kt B323. K Kti B Q2

Threatening 24 . . ., K tx K tP ; 25 P x Kt, B x P ; 26Q Kt2, B x R ; which wouldat present be answered by 25B x B .

24. R(Q) Kti P Kt425. Kt Bi P R426. P R3 P Kt527. BP x P P x P28. R x R

Not 28 PxP, R R8ch.; 29K x R, Q B8ch. ; 30 K R2,R R ic h.; 31 B R4, B K3CI1. ; 32 P Kt3, R x B Mate. Whites position is nowseen to be exceedingly precarious ; he gains a pawn which isof little value and loses the KRfile.

28. R x R29. P x P R R630. B Qi B Kt431. Kt K3 K B i


12/46

WEISS TCHIGORIN 51

Threatening 32 . . K txK P ; 33 B P x K t , R x K t ;

which would at present beanswered by 33 Kt Bsch.

32. Kt B4 R R733. R Kt2 R R834. K B2 P Q435. Kt R3

Black is fighting all the timeto establish an advantage. Ifnow 35 P x P, Kt x P ; 36 KKt3 (QxP, QxQ; 37KtxQ,Kt K6ch.), B x K t c h . ; 37 PxB, KtK6; 38 RB2, Rx B ; winning.

35* B B336. P Kt5 B Kt2

37. R B2The threat now was 37 . . .,

P x P ; 3 8 Q P x P , K t x K P ; 3 9P x Kt, B x Pch .; 40 K Kt3,B x R ; 41 Q x B , R x B ; and

wins.

37. R Kt838. Q -Q 2 Q Kt639. R R2 P x P40. QP x P

[Diagram 19]

40. R x B

Now White had a threat ofQ Q8ch., followed by Q R8ch. The text move is a fineattempt to force the win. If inreply 41 K x R then Q x Pch.;42 RK2 (KBi, QB8ch. ;43Q Qi. Q KBsch.; 44 R

Q2, Kt x KP), B x P ; 43Q -Q8ch., K K t2 ; 44 Q x P , Ktx P ; with a dangerous attack.

41. RR8ch.

(BLACK) TCHIGORIN

(WHITE) WEISS


(Diagram 19)

A magnificent counter-attackwhich comes within an ace ofwinning.

41. K Kt242. Q x Pch. K x R43. Q x Ktch. K K ti

44. K x R Q B7It is Black now who must

fight for a draw, since he mustcome out a pawn down.

45. Kt B2 Q B8ch.46. K Q2 Q x K t P

47. P Kt4 B R348. Q Q8ch. K R249- Q x P Q Q6ch.50. K B i Q x B P51. Q x P Q xK tP52. Q B5ch.

Even with the queens off,White cannot quite force a win.

52. QxQ53- P x Q K Kt2


13/46


Preferring to try for a transposition to the Four KnightsGame rather than defendagainst the Ruy Lopez by P QKt4 or P Q3. However, hefinds next move that he has torevert to the Ruy Lopez afterall.

6. Kt Q5 B K2

For if Kt x P ; 7 Q K2, Kt B3 ; 8 Kt x P, with a goodgame.

7. P Q3 P Q38. K t x B Q xK t9. P B3 P R3

10. P KR3 0 011. P KKt4

This advance, indicating adetermination to play for a winat all costs, is only possiblebecause he has reserved theoption of castling on the Q side.

11. Kt KR2

To prevent P Kt5. If n ...,P KKt4 ; 12 P R4, B x P ;13 Px P , securing open filesagainst Blacks king.

12. R KKti Kt Qi13. B -K 3

Not so good now would be 13P Kt5,P KR4; 14P Kt6,P x P ; 15 R x P , B x P ; 16B R6, Kt K3 ; threateningB Kt5;

13. Kt K3

14. P R4 P KKt4Forced at last, but White is

now unable to derive any advantage from it.

15. Px.P P x P16. Q -K 2 Q -B 3

Preventing White from playing Q B i R3

17. O O O Kt B518. B x Kt Q x Bch.19. Kt Q2

If 19 K Kti, Bx P . Blackhas now managed to obtain theinitiative, and in what appearsto be a solid position he produces a series of tactical threatsin order to reinforce and increase his advantage.

19. K Kt220. P B3 B K321. B Kt3 R Ri

22. R Ri Kt B323. K Kti B Q2

Threatening 24 . . ., Kt xKtP ; 25 P x Kt, B x P ; 26Q Kt2, B x R ; which wouldat present be answered by 25BxB.

24. R(Q) K ti P Kt425. Kt B i P R426. P R3 P Kt527. BP x P P x P28. R x R

Not 28 P x P, R R8ch.; 29K x R, Q B8ch. ; 30 K R2,R R ic h.; 31 B R4, B K3ch.; 32 P Kt3, R x B Mate. Whites position is nowseen to be exceedingly precarious ; he gains a pawn which isof little value and loses the KRfile.

28. R x R29. P x P R R630. B Qi B Kt431. Kt K3 K B i


14/46

WEISS TCHIGORIN 51

Threatening 32 . . ., Kt xK P ; 33 BP x Kt, R x K t ;

which would at present beanswered by 33 Kt Bsch.

32. Kt B4 R R733. R Kt2 R R834. K B2 P Q435. Kt R3

Black is fighting all the timeto establish an advantage. Ifnow 35 P x P, Kt x P ; 36 KKt3 (QxP, Q x Q ; 37 Kt xQ,Kt K6ch.), B x K t c h . ; 37 PxB, Kt K6; 38 R B2, Rx B ; winning.

35* B B336. P Kts B Kt2

37. R B2The threat now was 37 . . .,

P x P ; 3 8 Q P x P , K t x K P ; 3 9P x Kt, B x Pch.; 40 K Kt3,B x R ; 41 Q x B , R x B ; and

wins.

37. R Kt838. Q Q2 Q Kt639. R R2 P x P40. QP x P

[Diagram 19]

40. R x B

Now White had a threat ofQ Q8ch., followed by Q R8ch. The text move is a fineattempt to force the win. If inreply 41 K x R then Q x Pch.;42 R K2 (K B i , QB8ch.;43QQi. QKBsch. ; 44 R

Q2, Kt x KP), B x P ;4 3

Q - Q8ch., K K t 2 ; 44 QxP, Ktx P ; with a dangerous attack.

41. RR8ch.

(BLACK) TCHIGORIN

(WHITE) WEISS


(D iagram 19)

A magnificent counter-attackwhich comes within an ace ofwinning.

41. K Kt242. Q x Pch. K x R43. Q x Ktch. K K ti

44. K x R Q B7It is Black now who must

fight for a draw, since he mustcome out a pawn down.

45. Kt B2 Q B8ch.46. K Q2 Q x KtP

47. P Kt4 B R348. Q Q8ch. K R249. Q x P Q Q6ch.50. K B i Q x BP51. Q xP Q xK tP52. Q Bsch.

Even with the queens off,White cannot quite force a win.

52. QxQ53. P x Q K Kt2


15/46

54. K Q2 K B3 K B5, B Ri ; White can55. Kt Q4 K K4 only advance his pawn with the56. K B3 P B3 help of his king or his knight,

Drawn and the king is tied to theknight and the knight to the

For after 57 P Kt5, B BP. A great game up to theKt2 ; 58 K B4, B Q4ch ; 59 very last situation.


H. N. Pillsbury (1872-1907), an American, was one of thgreatest players of his time and his premature death was a tragicloss. He sprang to fame by winning the Hastings tournament,1895, ahead of almost all the worlds masters. His chess wasmarked by the will to win on all possible occasions.

GAME 15

PILLSBURY-TARRASCH

Hastings tournament, 1895.

P i l l s b u r y At t a c k

I. P -Q 4 P-.Q42. P-QB4 P k 3

3- KtQB3 KtKB3

4- BKt5 BK25- Kt B3 QKtQ2

6. RBi 0 07- p - k3 pQKt38. PxP PxP

9- BQ3 BKt210. 0 0 Pb 4

Both players are on familiarground, Pillsbury playing the

variation of the Queens Gambit Declined (4 B-Kts) namedafter him, and Tarrasch playingfor a queen side pawn majority,

the advantage of which he wasthe first to propound as atheory.

11. R K i

The subsequent course of thegame suggests that this is loss oftime.

11. p - b 512. B Kti p - q r 313. Kt K5 P Kt414. P B4 R K i

15. Q B3 KtBi16. Kt K2 Kt K517. B x B R x B

With a view to doublingrooks.

18. B x K t

A rather surprising movesince it gives Black more freedom, but in return he securesthe free use of his KKt3 and


16/46

PILLSBURY- 53

blocks any frontal attack on hisweak KP.

18. P x B19. Q Kt3 P B3

Safe enough now that WhitesKB is gone, and at the sametime both driving White fromhis outpost and forestalling anyattack by P B5 B6.

20. Kt Kt4 K R i

21. P B5 Q Q222. R B i R Qi

Black loses a little time withthis rook. As he will soon haveto defend his KP a third time,QR K i at once was better.

23. R B4 Q Q324. Q -R 4 R (Q )-K i25. Kt Kt3 B Q4

Threatening P Kt5, whichWhite only manages to delayfor one move by threateningthe KP.

26. Kt B2 Q B327. R B i P Kt528. Kt K2

The drama begins to develop.Against Blacks threats on theQ side, White must bring back

this knight to cover his QBi.28. Q R529. Kt Kt4 Kt Q2

Not yet Q X P because of 30KtxP, PxKt; 31 QxPch. ,

winning.

30. R(4) B2 K K ti

And again not Q X P becauseof 31 Kt B4, B B2 ; 32 Kt

Kt6ch., B x K t ; 33 P x B, witha winning game ; for example,33 . . ., P R3; 34 K t x R P(threatening mate in two), P xK t ; 35 QxPch., K K t i ; 36R B4, and 37 R R4, or again33. .. , Kt B i ; 34Kt xP , P xKt (P R3 ; 35 Kt X R, winning easily); 35 R x P , K K t i ; 36 R B7.

31. Kt B i P B6

Now it is Blacks turn againand he forces a dangerouspassed pawn.

32. P QKt3 Q B333. PKR3 P-QR434. Kt R2 P R535

- P Kt4 P x P36. P x P R R i

Considering that he has onlyto win Whites QKtP to havean overwhelming game; yetthere is such latent power inWhites attack that P R3

would be safer.37. P Kt5 R R638. Kt Kt4

[Diagram 20]

38. B x P

The correct line was to takethe pawn with the rook, sinceafter the exchange the bishopcould return to the defence

whereas the rook cannot. ButBlack is still underestimating

Whites chances.

39. R KKt2A threat again at last, though

it seems to have come almosttoo late. The intention is to


17/46


(b l a c k ) TARRASCH

(w h i t e ) P i l l s b u r y


(D i a g r a m 20)

Now he must prevent 46 RK K ti and 47 Q R4 Mate.

46.

47-48.49-50.5i-

RKKti

Q R4ch.QB4ch.RxQQ Q6ch.QxKt

Q x B P

Q - R 4QKt4P x RKR4PB7

The last action of the hardwon passed pawn is honourable

hari-kari. This famous game isunequalled for the breathlessness of its split-second timing.

52. QxPMate

play 40 P x P , K t x P ; 41KtxKtch.

39-40. P x P

K R iP x P

Not K t x P ; 41 Kt K5,

Q K i ; 42 Kt Kt6ch.41. KtxB

The key to his plan. Blackspiece on his QKt6 is to be virtually out of the game.

41.42. KtR6

R x K t

RKt2The only move against R

Kt8 Mate, for if R K i ; 43Kt B7 Mate.

43. R x R K x R44- Q Kt3ch K x K t

He cannot play K B i ; 45Q Kt8ch., K K2 ; 46 QxR.

45- K R i Q Q4

GAME 16

STEXNITZPILLSBURY

St. Petersburg tournament,1896.

P e t r o f f D e f e n c e

1. P K4 P K42. KtKB3 KtKB33- P Q4

Steiriitzs own method oftreating the Petroff Defence,introduced into master play forthe first time in this game.

3- P x P4. P K5 Kt K 55. QK2

In another game against thesame opponent in the sametournament Steinitz tried 5Q x P, P Q4; 6 P x P e.p..


18/46

STEINIT#fclLLSBURY 55

K tx QP ; 7 B Kt5, and againultimately won.

5. B Ktsch.

Hoping to exchange hisknight on his Q7, White beingunable to play 6 P B3 becauseof P x P ; 7 Q x K t, P x P dis.ch. ; 8 QxB, PxB=Qch.

6. K Qi P Q47. PxPe.p. PKB4

8. KtKtsThough this wins a piece by

the threats of Q B4 and PKB3, Steinitz had previouslycondemned it as leading to alost game.

8. 00

9. Q B4CI1. K R i

10. Q x B

A new discovery, previouslynot considered because of theanswer KtxPch. The moreobvious alternatives to the text

move fai l; for example, 10 P xP, KtxPch.; 11 KK2, Q x K2ch.; 12 K x Kt, Q K8ch.;13 K B3, Q X B ; threateningQ K6 Mate, or 10 Ktx K t ,P x K t ; 11 Q x B , K t B 3;12 Q Q2, B - K t 5ch .; 13 B

K2, R x P ; 14 R K i, QB3; 15 PB3, Rx B; 16RxR, QB8ch.

10. K t QB311. Q R3

After 11 Q K i, K t x K t ;12 PxP, QB3; 13 BxKt,Q x B ; Black has the bettergame. Steinitz avoids this lineby his veiled attack on theBlack rook. Black must there

fore accept the offer of the exchange as his best chance, andthe game becomes intenselyexciting.

11. Kt x Pch.12. K K i K t x R13. P x P Q Kich.14. B K2 P B5

Trying to bring all his piecesto bear by B Kt5. ShouldWhite reply 15 P R3, thecornered knight gets out.

15. K B i B Q216. Kt Q2 Kt K4

Another attempt to extricatehis knight by 17 ..., KtKts >

and if 18 B x K t , B Kt4ch.White cannot answer the textmove with 17 K K ti becauseof Kt Kts ; 18Q K B 3 ( B xKt, Q K8ch.; or K x Kt, Q xB), Q K6ch.; i 9 Q x Q ( K xKt, Kt B7ch.; 20 K K ti,Kt R6 dbl. ch.; 21 KBi,KtxKt) , BPxQ; 20 KxKt,P x K t ; with advantage.

17. Kt(2) B3 Kt Kts18. B Q3

White has been forced to submit to the escape of the knight,so he prepares a counter-attack.The best reply was 18 . . .,PKR3.

18. Kt(8)B719. B x R P B Kt4ch.

Underestimating Whites re

sources and hoping to force theissue by his own attack. Correctwas 19 . . ., Kt B 3 ; 20 BB5, Kt(7)-Kt5.


19/46


20. K K tl Q K7Threatening Q Q8ch.21. B Q2

(b l a c k ) p i l l s b u r y

(w h i t e ) s t e i n i t z

Position before Black's 21st move.(D i a g r a m 21)

21. Kt Q8

Not quite sufficient is KtK6, threatening Kt R6ch., because of 22 Kt R4, defendingthe KKtP and threatening Kt Kt6Mate. White is suddenlyseen to have no small counterattack. The text movethreatens Q B8 Mate.

22. B Q3 B x B

The attack is held, as thefollowing variation shows:22 . . ., Q B7ch.; 23 K Ri,Kt(8) K6 ; 24 B x Kt, Kt xB ; 25 R K K ti, -B B3 ; 26Q Q6, R B 3 ; 27 Kt B7ch.,R x Kt (not K K t i ; 28 Q

Q8ch., R x Q ; 29 P x R=Qch.,K x K t ; 30 Kt Kts Mate) ;28 Q Kt6, K K t i ; 29 QR7ch., K B i ; 30 Q R8ch.,

K K2 ; 31 Q x R, B x K t ; 32Q Q8ch., K K3 ; 33 P B8=Qch., and wins. Black musttherefore simplify in order totry and establish his materialsuperiority.

23. Q x B Q xQ24. P x Q K tx K t P

This allows White to bringhis rook to the support of his

passed pawn, but if 24 . . ., Kt(8) K6 ; 25 Kt K6, obtaining at least material equalityand a positional advantage.

25. R K ti K t x Q P26. R x P Kt B427. R Kt5 Kt QR3

28. Kt K6 R B3The battle continues un

abated. If KR B i ; 29 RR5ch., K K t i ; 30 R KK ts,Kt K6; 31 R x Pch.

29. Kt(3)xP R K i

R QBi at once would havesaved a move. The text moveprepares a not very dangeroustrap.

30. R Rsch. K K ti31. R KKt5

Which White avoids. Anerror would be 31 B x P, R x B ;32 Kt x R, R K8 Mate.

31. Kt K632. Kt x KtP R QBi33. Kt K6 dis.ch. K R i

If K B2; 34 R Kt7ch.,K K i ; 35 R Kt8ch., KQ 2; 36 R Q8ch. But theposition of the king on the edge


20/46

PILLSBURY TCHIGORIN 57

of the board allows White todevelop sharp mating threats.

34. B R5 R B235. Kt K2 R B4

White was threatening 36B B3ch., K R2 ; 37 R R5ch., K Kt3 ; 38 Kt(2)xPch., R x K t; 39Kt x Rch., K B2 ; 40 R R7ch., winning.

36. B B3ch. K R2

37. R Kt7ch. K R338. Kt(2)xP KtxBP

Getting rid of the objectionable pawn at last, for if now 39R x Kt, R x R ; 40 Kt x R, R x K t ; and wins because of thethreats of R B8 Mate and R

B5. White, however, has a lineto recover the exchange with awon ending.

39. R Kt6ch. K R240. Kt Ktsch. R x Kt41. R x R Kt K i42. B Q4 Kt Q843. R R5CI1. K Kti44. R R8ch. K B245. R R7ch. K K ti46. R K7 R Qi

47. Kt K6 R Bi48. P KR4 Kt B649. B x Kt

There is no need for furthercomplications. The struggle,one of exceptional ferocity, isnow over.

49. R x B50. R x Ktch. K B2

51. R QR8 K x K t52. R x P K B453. R R4 R B7

54. K R2 R Q7

55. K R3 R Q6ch.56. P Kt3 R QB657. R - R 5ch. K Kt358. P R4 R B559. R R6ch. K R460. P Kt4ch. Resigns.

For after 60..., R x P ; therefollows 61 R R6ch.

GAME 17

PILLSBURYTCHIGORIN

St. Petersburg tournament,1896.

T c h i g o r i n D e f e n c e

1. P Q4 P Q42. P B4 Kt QB3

The Tchigorin Defence,which has not been regardedwith great favour. If 3 Kt QB3, P K4.

3. Kt KB3 B Kts

4- P K3 P k 3

5- Kt B3 B Kts6. Q - K t 3 B x K t

7- P x B KKt K28. B Q2 0 0

9- P B4

If Black is allowed to playP K4 he will have a very goodgame. After the text move hehas to have recourse to a mosteccentric development if he isto get any counter play.


21/46


9. RKtl10. 0 O O P x P11. B x P P QKt412. B Q3

Not 12 B x KtP, B x K t ; 13B x B, P QR3 ; nor 12 Kt xP, B x B c h . ; 13 R x B , P QR3 ; losing a piece either way.

12. B x Kt13. Q x B R Kt3

In order to play Kt Q4.14. K K ti P QR415. KR K ti Kt Kt516. B K4 Kt(2) 6417- Q B5 Q - R i

Blacks whole scheme of de

velopment is strikingly irregular, yet White has to treat itwith the utmost respect. Thethreat now is KtB6ch., followed by Q x B with a well-posted queen and a considerablereduction in Whites attacking

chances. But at the cost of exchanging pieces White can nowwin a pawn.

18. Q B xK t P x B19. B x Kt P x B20. Q x P(4) R QR321. Q Kt3

The open QR file is good compensation to Black for his pawn.White dare not open the QKtfile as well by 21 Q x P becauseof R K t i ; 22 Q K2, R x RP.Equally 21 P QR3 will allowBlack to open the QKt file by

21 . . ., R R 5 ; 22 Q Q2,P Kts.

21. RKti22. RKts

Owing to the weakness ofBlacks QP, White is able todevelop a counter-attack alonghis own open file without loss of

time.22. P QB323. R(Q) K ti P Kt324. P B5 P Kts25. P x P RP x P

It is now a critical race be

tween the two attacks. Blackthreatens R R6, but must firstattend to his K side.

26. Q Q3

White has emerged with the

initiative. If Black repliesRxP, then White breaksthrough with 27 R x Pch., KB i ; 28 R Kt8ch., transposinginto the actual game.

26. KBi

(b l a c k ) TCHIGORIN

(w h i t e ) p i l l s b u r y


(D i a g r a m 22)


22/46

PILLSBURY TCHIGORIN 59

27. R x KtP R x P

He dare not play P x R because of 28 QxP, R R2 (R xP ; 29 Q B6ch., K K i ; 30

R Kt8ch., K Q2 ; 31 R Kt7ch. and mates); 29 Q Kt8ch.,K K2 ; 30 Q R7ch., K K3; 31 Q R6ch K Q2(K B 4; 32 Q Kt6 Mate); 32 R Kt7ch., and mates.

28. R Kt8ch. K K229. R x R Q R5

Black now seems to be ingreat trouble, having lost a

whole rook. He has, however,this fighting reply which by itsthreat of R R8 Mate ensures

recovery of the piece.30. R Kt7ch. K K331. K B i

He has nothing better, for ifhe tries to lose the rook to hisown advantage by 31 R Kt

6ch., P B3; 32 R x Pch., K xR ; 33 K Bi, Black still hasa mate by R R8ch. ; 34 K

Q2>QQ8Mate.31. R R8ch.32. K Q2 R x R

33. Q B2

K 33 Q K2, Black answersQ R8 threatening both Q x Pch. and Q B8ch. Black willnow recover the pawn with adrawn ending.

33- QxQch.

34- K x Q R Kt7

35- R x K t P R x P36. R Kt7 RxPch.

37- K - Q 3 P KB4

For some timeWhite con-

tinues his efforts to win, but invain. The game proceeded :38 R QB7, K Q3 ; 39 R B7, P B4 ; 40 P xPch., K xP ; 41 R B7ch., K Q3 ; 42R 2, R B6 ; 43 K Q4,R R6 ; 44 R B2, K K3 ;45 P Kt4, R R5ch. ; 46 R B4, R R8 ; 47 K B5, R B8ch. ; 48 K Q4 (not 48 K Kt6, R B6), R QKt8 ; 49 K B3, R K8 ; 50 K -Q 2 , R QR8 ; 51 K Q3, R R6ch.;52 K K2, K K4 ; 53 RQ4, R Kt6; 54 R KB4,R B6 ; 55 K Q2 RB i ;56 K Q3, R B8 ; 57 K -Q 2,R QR8; 58 K K2, R R7ch.; 59 K Q3, R K K t7;60 K B3, R K7 ; 61 K Q3,R QR7 ; 62 K B3. Drawn.


23/46

6o BATTLES-ROYAL OF THE CHESSBOARD

R. Charousek (1873-1899), was a Czech by birth but Hungarianby adoption. In a very brief career before he was overtaken bytuberculosis he showed himself a player of the very first rank, his

most striking achievement being the winning of the Berlin, 1897tournament.

GAME 18

CHAROUSEKPILLSBURYNuremburg tournament, 1896.

F a l k b e e r C o u n t e r -G a m b i t

P K4 P K4P - K B 4 P - 4PxQP PK5P Q3 Kt KB3P x P

A variation rendered suspectlater and replaced by 5 Kt Q2.

5-6.

Q - K 2

K t x K P

The usual line is 6 Kt KB3,B QB4; 7 Q K2, B B4.Charousek is, however, leadingto a new variation of his own onthe 8th move, to which the best

answer is 8 . .., Kt B3.6. Q x P7. Kt Q2 P KB48. P KKt4 B K29. B Kt2 Q R4

10. P x P Kt KB311. Kt B3 O O

12. O O Q B4ch.An indifferent method of de

fending the bishop. Kt B3 atonce was preferable.

13. K R i Kt B314. KtKt3 QxKBP

15. KKt Q4 K t x K t16. Kt x Kt Q B4

Had he omitted 12 . . ., QB4ch. ; 13 K Ri, he couldnow play 16 . . ., B B4 ; pinning the knight.

17. Kt K6 B x K t18. Q x Bch. K R i19. B K 3 Q q 320. Q Kt3 P B321. QR Qi Q B222. B Q2

In order to bring the queen

over to the K side.22. QR K i23. Q Kt3 B Q324. B QB3 R K225- Q R 4 Kt Q4

Leading to situations of criti

cal intensity in which he hopesto out-manceuvre his unknownopponent.

26. B x Kt27. Q R528. Q x P

P x BB x P

28 B Kt4 is answered by RK4 ; 29 Q Kt4, Q x P (not RKt4 ; 30 Q x R) ; 3o Q R3(Rx B , R x R ; 31 Q x R , Q x


24/46

CHAROUSEK PILLSBURY 6l

Rch.), Q Ksch.; or 29 Q R4,P KtA; 30 Q R3, R K6 ;31 Q -R 5 , R(B) Ki . Afterthe text move, though there axeno absolutely immediatethreats, Black finds that hisingenuity may recoil upon himself, for danger is imminentowing to the pin of his bishop,to the pressure on the long diagonal and to the possibility insome eventualities of mate on

the first rank.

28. RKKti29. R Q4 B K4

Not B x P ; 30 R KR4, BKt6 ; 31 RxPc h. , K x R ; 32

Q R5 Mate.30. R QB4

Preventing the exchange ofbishops and threatening if30 . . ., Q Q3; 31 QxRch., KxQ; 32 R QB8ch.

30. Q K ti31. R K i

In this critical situation Tar-rasch suggested that White won

by 3 1R K4, and the only lineswhich prevent White capturingthe bishop are B Q3 ; 32 RKR4, B K4; 33 RxPch. ,K x R ; 34 Q K4ch., K R3 ;35 Q R4ch., winning, or RK B i ; 32 R Qi, B Q3 ; 33R KR4, B K4 ; 34 Q K4and 35 R Q7,but in the latter

variation J. H. White suggested33 . . B B5 ; holding everything, so Charouseks judgmentappears to be upheld. P. W.

Sergeant gives a fuller analysisin his collection of Charouseksgames.

3

i. RQi(BLACK) PILLSBURY

(WHITE) CHAROUSEK

Position before White's 32nd move.

(D i a g r a m 23)

To this White can no longerreply 32 B x B because the

bishop would then be pinned onthe rook, but apparentlyBlacks move is still insufficient.

32. Q B5

For, as G. W. Baines pointedout, White could now play 32R x B , R x Q ; 33 RxR(7), andthere is no satisfactory answerto the four threats of B xPch.,R x K K tP , R(4) B7 and R(4) K4. His main analysis continues 33 . . ., R Q8ch.; 34

K Kt2, Q Q i ; 35^(4) K4.R Q7ch- ; 36 K R3, Q Bich.; 37 K Kt3, R - Q i ; 38R KKt4, R K t i ; 39 B K5,


25/46


Q B i ; 40 R(7) x KKtP, witha winning ending.

32.33. R x R

B - Q 3

The right idea just too late.

33- B x Q34. R x KKtP

Not 34 R xB, Q B5 ; 35 Rx KKtP, R >5-

34- R Q8ch.35. R Kti dis.ch. B Q5

The complications of defencewith counter-attack on bothsides constitute chess of therichest quality.

36. BxBch. R x B37. R x R

Now the two rooks are insufficient to win against thethreat of perpetual check,though Charousek tries hardstill to force the issue.

37. Q K B i38. R Q3 Q -K 239. P KR3 P KR4

Forestalling any chance ofmate on his KKti. Whitesattempts to get a rook onto theKR file with check are neatlyfoiled.

40. R(3) -K K t 3 Q Ksch.

4i-R(i) Kt2 Q K8ch.

42. K R2 Q - K 4

43- P KR4 Q B544- K Kti Q x P

45- Pb 3 Q - K B 546. R Kts Q K6ch.

47- K R2 Q B648. R(2) Kt3 Q K7ch.

49- K R3 Q K3ch.50. K R4 Q Ksch.Drawn.

For if 51 K x P, Q R2ch.;52 K Kt4, Q Ksch.; 53K R3. Q R8ch.


26/46

STEINITZ LASKER 63

Dr. Em. Lasker (1868-1941) was world champion from 1894to 1921 and through the whole of his playing career no master wasever more dangerous or more difficult to defeat. Yet he had nodefinable style; he sought even at the cost of some temporarydisadvantage to create a position where his skill could be givenfull play. His philosophy of the struggle to succeed by any means

was applied by him to the chessboard as to life. He achieved awonderful succession of tournament and match victories, amongthe greatest being his first prizes at St. Petersburg, 1914, and atNew York, 1924.

GAME 19

STEINITZLASKER

5th match game, Moscow, 1896.

P i l l s b u r y At t a c k

1. P Q4 P Q42. P QB4 p k 33. Kt QB3 Kt KB34. B Kts B K2

5. P K3 O O6. Q Kt3

A variation which has longsince become obsolete.

6. P x P

7- B x P P B4

8. P x P Q R49- Kt B3 Q x B P10. 0 0 Kt B311. B - Q 3

The threat was Kt QR4winning a piece. 11 B K2looks more natural but White

plans an attack along thediagonal.

ii- Kt QKt512. B x K t P x B

Black cannot avoid the doubling of the pawns. If B x B ; 13Kt K4, Q Kt3 ; 14 Kt x Bch., while if Kt x B ; 13 Kt

K4, Q Q4 ; 14 QxQ, P x Q ; 15 B xB, R K i ; 16 Kt B6ch., P x K t; 17 B x P, winninga pawn.

13. B Kti

The natural continuationafter his n th move, although itshuts in the QR.

13- R Qi14- P QR3 KtQ415. Q B2 P B416. Kt Q4

Not P KKt4 at once, forthen Kt B3.

16. B B317. P KKt4 Kt x Kt

After Whites last violentattacking move, which also hasobvious weaknesses, Black decides to play for a win. There isa clear draw by B x K t ; 18PxB , Q x P ; 19 PxP, Q Ktsch.; 20 K Ri, Q B6ch.


27/46


18. P x K t P x P19 Q x Pch. K B i20. B K4

For all the constricting ap

pearance of his 13th move, hisQR is free for action beforeBlacks even now.

20. K K2

Threatening R R i winningthe queen.

2x. B Kt6 R Bx22. QR K ti Q KKt4

Now Black prepares to turnthe opening of the K side to hisown ends.

23. B B2 R R i24. Q K4 B K4

Q KR4 is answered by 25Q Kt2.

25. KR Qi B x Pch.26. K B i P B4

(BLACK) LASKER

(WHITE) STEINITZ

Position before White's 27th move.(D i a g r a m 24)

Black misses the best movewhich is P Kt3. If then 27 K t B6ch. (not Q x R .B R3CI1.),K B i ; 28 Q Kt4ch KKt2; 29 Q Q4ch. (B Q3, BKt2), P K4 ; 30 Q Q3. B -Kt2 ; with a pawn up and the

better position.

27. R x Pch.

Seizing the opportunity toreassume the initiative with a

fine sacrificial attack. K txPch., suggested by some, doesnot seem to lead to such powerful continuations.

27. B x R

If 27 . . ., K B i (K Ki ;

28 B R4CI1.) ; 28 Kt x Pch., K K ti ( B x K t ; 29 Q x B andmates); 29 R Q8ch., Q x R ;30 R Kt7 Mate. If 27. . . , KB3 ; 28 Q B6, Q K ti (B xR ; 29 Q x B leads to the actualgame) ; 29 Kt x KP, B x K t ;

30 R(i) Q7, RQBi ; 31 QR6, R B i ; 32 B Kt3.

28. QxBch. K B329. Kt x KP

And now White in turn missesthe best move which was 29 Ktx BP. If then P x K t ; 30 Q

B6ch., K B2 ; 31 R Q7ch.Or if 29 . . ., Q K t i ; 30 QK7ch., K Kt3 (K K4; 31Kt Q6, R Q B i ; 32 P QB4, R x P ; 33 Kt x R Mate) ;31 Kt Kt7 dis. ch., K R3 ;32 Q B6 Mate. The best reply

is 29 . . . , QR K i ; 30 R Q7,Q K ti ; 31 Kt Kt7, R Kt1 ; 32 Q K4, R R 3 ; 33 Qx P, with a winning attack.


28/46

LASKER BLACKBURNE 65

29. Q Kti

Not K xK t ; 30 B Kt3ch.,K -K 4 ; 31 Q-Q5ch., K - B3 ; 32 Q B7ch., K K4 ; 33Q K6 Mate.

30. Kt Q4

Whites attack would dieaway after 30 Kt B5, Q B5ch. ; 31 Kt Q3, or after 30Kt B7, B x Kt. He thereforeplays for material compensation for his sacrifice.

30.3i-32.

B x P B K4

R - Q iB K4

32.33- B0334. Q K4

35- P x B

Q Bsch.Q x PB x K t

38. Q B5ch. K Kti39. Q Kt6ch. K Bi

Drawn.

A fair ending to a game which

both players tried to win, andwhich was all the keener for thefailure always to find absolutelythe best continuations.

To free his queen from theneed to guard his KRi, a planwhich Black immediatelycounters.

GAME 20

LASKER-BLACKBURNE

London tournament, 1899.

Ru y L o p e z

P K4 P K4Kt KB3 Kt GESB - K t 5 P -Q 3 P04 B Q2P - Q 5

Preferring to have the K fileopen before taking the checks.

35- QxQP36. Q Kt6ch.

Now he has lost his materialequality but again has sufficientpositional compensation to secure the draw.

36. K K237. R Kich. K Bi

If K Q2 White draws by 38Q K6ch., K B2 ; 39 R Bich., K Kti ; 40 R Ktich.,K B2 ; 41 R Bich.

A most unusual move, whichrelieves the tension in thecentre but gives him a certainspace advantage. His nextmove is the necessary corollary,otherwise Black frees his gamewith P KB4.

5 Kt Kti6 B - Q 3 B K2

7 Kt B3 Kt KB38 Kt K2 p - b 3

9 P B4 Kt R310 Kt Kt3 Kt B4

h B B2 P - Q K t4With a view to breaking the

grip of the White pawns, buthis pieces are not well posted for


29/46


supporting the manuvre andit recoils upon him.

12. P Kt4 Kt Kt213- Q P x P B x P

*4- P x P B x K t P15. P - Q R 4 B - Q 216. O O PKt3

With a weak QP, and a Qside majority against him Blackmust try at all costs to get somesort of attack going.

17. P R3 P KR418. B K3 P R419. P Kts R QBi20. R B i Kt B421. KtQ2

Black was threatening PR5 winning the KP. Now

White threatens to open up newlines of attack by P B4.

ai. P R522. Kt K2 P Kt4

Desperate situations call fordesperate remedies, and Black-bume decides to sacrifice apawn to hinder Whites attackand further his own.

23. B x P R K K ti24. B x P B x RP

25. B K Kt3 B K326. R K i Kt Kt527. Kt B i B Kt428. RKti

Had White appreciated thefull force of the attack whichBlack has conjured out of alost position he would haveplayed PB4, though eventhen B R5 gave Black apowerful offensive.

28. R K R i29. Kt B3 B KB530. Kt Q5

If 30 B xB, Black plays QR5, though he also has 30 . . .,R R8ch. ; 31 K x R , K t xPch. The Black attack is now

beginning to show in its truecolours.

3- Q Kt4

31- P B3Forced by the threat of Q

R4.

(b l a c k ) BLACKBURNE

(WHITE) LASKER

Position before Black's 31st move.(D i a g r a m 25)

31. R R8ch.

The brilliant culmination of afighting recovery.

32. K x R B x B

33. K t x BIf R K2 (against Kt B7

ch.), B B7; 34 R x B (againstQ R5ch.), Kt x Rch.; 35 K


30/46

JANOWSKI BURN 67

Kti, Kt x Q ; with an advantage even more marked thanthat obtained in the actualgame.

33- Kt Bjch.34- K K ti K t x Q35- Kt B5 BxKt(B)36. P x B Q Q7

The game appears to be absolutely won, but it is Whitesturn now to fight back.

37 K R x K t Q x B38 Q R - B i Q x B P

39 Kt Kt6 R Qi40 Kt B4 Kt Kt2

4i Kt K3 Q - B 542 K B2 Q x P

43 RB7 Kt B444 R K R i

after his hopeless position ofeight moves earlier.

44. R Q245. R B8ch. K K2

46. R(i) R8

Making a last brave effort. Ifin reply 46 . . ., Q x P ; Whiteeven now escapes with a draw

by 47 R(B) K8ch., K B 3; 48Kt Kt4ch., K B4 (K K t4 ;

49 R(R) Kt8ch.); 49 Kt K3ch K B3 (K B5; 50P Kt3ch., K Kt4 ; 51 R(R) Kt8ch.); 50 Kt Kt4ch. Agreat game, Laskers only loss inthe tournament, and one whichearned Blackbume the bril

liancy prize.

Threatening mate on themove, a wonderful achievement

46.

Resigns.

Q Q5

D. Janowski (1868-1927), a Pole by birth but French by adoption, was with Marshall regarded as the rising star of the beginningof the twentieth century. Eventually he achieved a match withLasker for the world title, but was heavily defeated.

GAME 21

JANOWSKIBURN

Paris tournament, 1900.

Ru y L o p e z

1. P K4 P K42. Kt KB3 Kt QB33. B Kts Kt B3

4. 0 0 K t x P 5- P Q4 Kt Q36. B R4

An unusual move to whichthe best reply is P K5. Thenormal variations are either 6BxKt, QP x B; 7 P X P , Kt B4; 8 QxQch., or 6 P xP,


31/46


K t x B ; 7 P QR4, P Q3 ;8 P K6.

6. P x P7. P - B 3

A bold line by which he hopesto take advantage of the poorposition of the Black knights. IfBlack replies P x P then 8 Kt xP, B-^K2 ; 9 Kt 65, 0 - 0 ;io B B4, pinning the knighton the weak QBP. Black prefers to return one pawn.

7. B K28. P x P P QKt4

An elaborate but ultimatelyeffective freeing manoeuvre.

9. B Kt3 Kt R410. B B2 B Kt211. Kt K5 0 012. KtQB3

Again temporarily fixingBlacks KKt. If 12 . . ., PKts ; i 3 Kt R4, Kt(3) B5 ;

14 Kt x Kt, Kt x K t ; 15 QQ3, wins. The move chosen byBlack loses the QKtP and 12...,P QR3 ; was more solid.

12. Kt(4) B513. P QKt3 Kt Kt314. K tx K tP K tx K t15. Q - Q3 PKB416. Q x K t P QR4

Threatening B R3.

17. Q K2 B Q418. R K i B Kt5

With a few rapid strokesBlack completes has development but comes out with yetanother indefensible QKtP.

19. B Q2 Q R520. B x B P x B21. Q Q2 P Q322. Kt Q3 P B5

Assuming the initiative. Thethreat of P B6 prevents Whitefrom taking the QKtP.

23. P B3 R B424. Q B2

And now not 24 K txK tP,

R KR4 ; 25 P KR3, B xB P; 26 P x B , Q x P ; with awinning attack.

24. Q R325. KtxKtP RKR426. P KR3 R K B i27. P QR4

Threatening P R5 winninga piece. 27 Kt x B would not begood because the Black knightwould settle on his K6.

27. B K328. P R5

(BLACK) BURN

(w h i t e ) j a n o w s k i


(D i a g r a m 26)


32/46

JANOWSKI BURN 69

28. BxRP

Getting in the first blow in avery critical position andthreatening R Kt4. Any less

vigorous line to save the knightwould allow Whites QRP tobecome a menace. If now 29P x B , R x P ; and wins.

29. P x K t P x P30. B Q3

Too late to defend his KKt2.30. B x P31. QxB

The queen cannot be saved,so he plays to get three piecesfor it.

31. R KKt432. R R2 RxQch.33. R x R Q B334. Kt B6

Blacks attack is over and nowit is White'who has the initia

tive again. He now threatens35 Kt K7ch K R i ; 36 Kt Kt6ch., P x K t ; 37 R R2ch., K K t i ; 38 B B4CI1.

34- P Q435. KtK7ch.KB2

Not K R i ; 36 B x P(threatening Kt Kt6ch.), Q x Pch.; 37 K R i , R Ri ; 38R KR2.

36. R K5 P Kt337. KtxQP QQi

38. R K7ch. K K ti39- B B4

B ; 40 RxPch., K R i ; 41R R6ch., K K t i ; but anyattempt to continue this variation for a win leads nowhere;for example, 42 R(6) R7, RB2 ; 43 R(K) xR , Q x K t ; 44R(B)Kt7ch K B i ; 45 R Q7QKt4ch.; 46 KBi,Q Kt4ch.; 47 K B2, KK t i ; 48 R(Q) Kt7ch., KB i ; 49 R R7, K K t i ; 50R (KR) Kt7, Q K i.

39. K R i40. R KR2 P KR441. R K6 R B4

Better than K Kt2 or R2 ;42 R KKt2. Black now

threatens to break the attackb y R x K t .

42. R(R) K2 K R243. R K7ch. K R344" R K8 Q R545. R KKt2 P QKt4

(BLACK) BURN

(WHITE) JANOWSKI

Playing for a win. He could Position before White s 46th move,force a draw by 39 B xP , P x (D i a g r a m 27)


33/46


Apparently succeeding at lastin breaking up Whites gamewith advantage, but Whitefinds a brilliant continuation tothe attack.

46. R R8ch. K Kt247. R Kt8ch.

The point. Black cannotreply 47 . .., K x R ; because of48 Kt K7 dbl. ch., K R2(K Kt2 ; 49 KtxRch., orK B i ; 49 KtxPch.) ; 49B Kt8ch., K R3 ; 50 R x PMate.

47. K B248. R(2)x P P x B

Black dare not try 48 . . .,

Q K8ch.; 49 K -R 2 , Q -B7ch .; 50 R Kt2, Q x Q P ;51 R(2) Kt7ch., K K3 ; 52R K7ch., K -Q 3 ; 53 R -

Q8ch., K B4 ; 54 R B7Mate. After the text move

White must take the draw.

49. R(8) Kt7ch.

For now 49 R(6) Kt7ch.,fails because the king can takethe knight.

49. K K i50. R Kt8ch. K B2

If R B i ; 51 Kt B7CI1.,K Q2(K B2; 52 R(8) Kt7Mate, or K K2 ; 52 KtQ5ch., or K Q i ; 52 KtK6ch); 52 R(6) Kt7ch KB3 ; 53 R x R. A tremendousgame.

51. R(8) Kt7ch. K B i52. R Kt8ch. K B2

Drawn.

F. J. Marshall (1877-1944) was the brilliant young Americanmaster who burst upon the chess world early in the twentiethcentury with great tournament victories such as those at Cam

bridge Springs, 1904, and Nuremburg, 1906. A certain unsound

ness was compensated by exceptional ingenuity and this earnedhim a reputation as the originator of the famous Marshall" swindles. In matches he was not successful, being heavilydefeated both by Lasker and by Capablanca. G. Marco was aprominent Austrian master.

GAME 22 Sc o t c h G a m b i t

m a r s h a l l - m a r c o t p__ p ________

Monte Carlo tournament, 2. Kt KB3 Kt QB31904. 3. P Q4 P x P


34/46

MARSHALL MARCO

4. B QB4 B B45. P B3 P Q6

P x P had been known formore than half a century to

give White a dangerous attack.For example, 5 . . P x P ; 6Kt xP, P Q3 ; 7 O O, Kt B3 ; 8 B KKts, B K3 ; 9Kt Q5, B x K t ; 10 Px B,

was a consultation game Saint-Amant and Horwitz Staunton

and Harrwitz, Hull, 1847, or7 . . . , B K3; 8 B x B , P x B ; 9 Q Kt3, Q Bi ; 10 B K3,a match game, Staunton Jae-nisch, 1851. After the textmove White cannot easily de

velop the QKt. Compare Game

8.

6. 0 0 P037. Q x P

P QKt4, B Kt3 ; 8 Q Kt3, to hinder Blacks castlingcame into consideration.

7. Kt B38. P QKt4 B Kt3

9. P QR4 P QR310. R K i

Better was 10 B KKt5.Marshall probably wanted toretain the option of playing B R3 and P K5.

10. Kt Kt511. R R2 Kt(5) K412. K t x K t K t x K t

13- Q Kt3

The inferiority of his 10th

move is now clear. P K5 isprevented and if 13 Q K2,then 13 . . ., K tx B ; 14 Q x Kt, B K3 ; winning the ex-

71

change. Marshall must therefore counter-attack at all costs.

13. KtxB14. Q xK t P R Bi

15. PK5It is not sufficient to get a

rook for two bishops by 15 B R6, Q K2 ; 16 Q x P, B K3 ;17 BxR, QxB.

15. KtxP

Better was P x P ; 16 R(2) K2, B K3 ; 17 B R6, Q K2.

16. K Ri

Threatening P KB4 recovering the piece.

16. B K317. R(2) K2

The rapid doubling of therooks has the surprise effect ofrecovering the piece, for hethreatens P KB4 B5 as wellas 18 P KB4, Kt Q6; 19RxBch., P x R ; 20 RxPch., and mates.

17- Q K218. P KB4 Kt Q6

[Diagram 28]

19. P B5

A most interesting situation.19 . . ., K t x R ; 20 RxKt , B B7; 21 B Kt5, with afearful grip on Blacks game asfor example after 21 . . ., Q Q2 ; 22 R K2, B Kt3 ; 23Q B6, R K K ti; 24 P xB, P x P ; 25 RxPch., nor canBlack try 19 . . ., Kt x B ; 20R x K t (bad would be Rx B, P x R ; 21 R x P , Q x R ; 22


35/46


(BLACK) MARCO

(w h i t e ) M a r s h a l l


(D i a g r a m 28)

P x Q, R B8 Mate), O 0 0 ;21 P x B , with any effect. Hecan however play 19 . . ., Kt xR ; 20 R x Kt, and now O O O ; 21 B Kts, Q Q2 ; 22B x R . R x B ; 2 3 P x B , P x P ;

with a slightly better game thanhe actually gets.

19.20. P x B21. B R622. B x Q23. BxKt

24. R x R25. P Kt3

The pawn cannot be defendedand if R x P at once, 25..., RQ i ; forces the rook back to thefirst rank.

25- R Qi26. K Kt2 R Q627. R x P K B228. R K2 B K6

Preventing R Q2 by White.He is now content to draw, butMarshall has other ideas and thecomplex developments whichhe conjures out of this simpleposition are an object lesson infighting chess.

29. R B2 B R330. R B2ch. K K231. R B3 R Q832. R B i R Q6

33. R B3 R Q834. Kt R3

The only move if he is to playfor a win, but it costs him hisQRP.

34. R QB8

35. P B4 R QR836. P B5 B B837. Kt B4 R x P38. Kt K5 B Kt7

If R x P ; 39 R B7CI1., KQ i ; 40 R Q7ch., K B i ; 41R x P , threatening R R8 Mate.

39- Kt Q3 BB640. R B4 P -Q R 44i- RR4 P x P42. R x Pch. K Q i43- KtB4 P Kt644- KtxPch. K B i

45- PB6[Diagram 29]

Now White has landed himself in serious trouble and hasno prospect of stopping theQKtP after R x Pch. The textmove is not quite sound

but the fact that it succeedsshows how effectively Marshallhas brought the game into astate of crisis.

KtK4P x PQ xQRB4R x B

P x R


36/46


37/46


B K 2 ; 63 P Kt5, K B2 ;64 K B5, K Kt2 ; 65 P R5, BxP.

58. P B6

59. Kt Q3 K B560. Kt K i

Not 60 K t B i, B Q3 ;with the threat of B R6.

60. K Q4

Now if 60 . . K Kt6 ; 61

P R4, P B7 ; 62 K t x P ,K x K t ; 63 P Kt4, and theBlack king is too far away. Forexample, 63.. ., K Q6; 64 PKt5, K Q5 ; 65 K Kt4, KK4 ; 66 K R5, K K3 ; 67K Kt6, B K 4 ; 68 K R7,

K B2 ; 69 P Kt6ch., KB i ; 70 P R5, B B3 ; 71P R6, B K 4 ; 72 P Kt7ch.

61. P R4 B Q362. P Kt4 B K263. P Kt5 K K464. K Kt4 B B i

65. Kt B2 K K5Even at this stage White, who

has fought so hard to createa win, has not succeeded. Blackdraws by 65 . . ., K K3 ; 66

P R5, K B2 ; 67 K B5, K K t i ; 68 P R6, K R2 ;69 K B6, B Q3 ; 70 P Kt6ch K x P ; 71 P Kt7, BK4ch. But even a master,given sufficient opportunitiesfor going wrong, will frequentlydo so sooner or later.

66. P R5 K Q667. Kt R i K K568. P R6 K K4

69. K R5 K B470. Kt B2 B Q371. Kt Q4ch.

An elegant knight manuvre,allowing the Black Pawn for

ward one square in order to freehis own pawns from the atten

tion of the Black king.71. K K572. Kt K2 P B773. P Kt6 B R674. P Kt7 K0675. PKt8=Q

Decisively creating the fifthqueen to have appeared on theboard in this superb game.

75. K x K t76. Q R2 Resigns.


38/46


39/46


Beginning to force Whiteshand. 15 K t x K t is no replynow as P x K t would win by16 B x P, Q X K t ; 17 B x B,Q x R ; i 8 B x R , QxPch.

15. Kt B5 K t x K t

16. Q x Q

If P x Kt, B x K t ; 17 P x P,B x K P ; 18 B Q4, B Kt6ch.;19 B B2 (KQ2, Q Q4 ; 20R K K ti, B Bsch.), Q B2 ;with the better game.

16. R x Q

17. Kt K7ch.

If Kt x B, Kt Q4 ; 18 O O O, B Kt5 ; and White can

not play 19 R Q3, for thenK t x B ; 20 R x K t , R Q8Mate. Also if 17 P x K t , B x K t ; 18 Px P, B x P ; 19 B Q2, B Kt6ch.; with advan

tage. The shrewdness of Blackscalculation on his 12th move is

becoming apparent, and Whitemust find the very best moveevery time to escape defeat.But at the same time White isquietly preparing his own plansagainst the Black king, as willsoon appear.

17. K R i18. P R5

In his increasingly difficultposition, White exercises everysubtlety to elude disaster. P x Kt, so far from winning a piece,

would actually lose by P x P ; 19 B Q4, B x B ; 20 P x B , R K i ; while if 18 Kt x B,Kt Q4 ; retains for Black hismaterial and positional ad

vantage. The text move sud

denly threatens a winning at

tack by 19 RP x P, B P x P ; 20KtxPch., K K t i ; 21 B B4ch., Kt Q4; 22 BxKt ch. , R x B ; 23 Kt K7ch.

18. R K i

19. B B5 P x R P

It is Black who must nowtake care not to lose a piece. IfP x B P ; 20 P x P, P x P ; 21B B4, threatening both Kt xP Mate and B B7. While if19 . . ., Kt K5 ; 20 R P x P , B P x P ; 21 B Kt5, B B4(not R Q i ; 22 B B 4); 22B x R , R x B (not K t x B ; 23B x P ) ; 23 K t x B , K t x B ; 24

Kt x B. The unlikely text moveis the solution to his problem ;he will sacrifice the exchange toobtain a probable draw with histwo bishops.

20. B B4

If Px Kt , B B i; 21 B Kt5, R x K t ; 22 B x R , B x B ;

with excellent drawing chances.White, who has throughoutaccepted all Blacks challenges,prefers to continue his threats tothe Black king.

20. P x P

The alternative, givingchances of a draw, was B K3 ;

21 B x B , P x B ; 22 P x K t , B B i ; 23 R x P, B x K t ; 24B x B , R x B ; 25 P x P , R Q B i ; 26 O O O, R x P ;27 P Kt6, but Black has yetanother surprise by which hehopes to win.


40/46

LASKER NAPIER 77

21. B x P Kt K522. B x R B x P23. R QKti B B6ch.24. K B i B KKt5

(BLACK) NAPIER

(WHITE) LASKER


(D i a g r a m 31)

The key move of Blacks plan.White is now faced with noless than four threats, R x B ,K txB , Kt Q7ch., and Kt Kt6ch. He can only returnhis material advantage, for amove like 25 K Kt2, would

simply create another threat inthe advance of Blacks BP.

25. K B x P B x B26. R x B Kt Kt6ch.

27. K Kt2 K t x R28. R x P

The complications are over,and the material is still level.It will soon be seen, however,that Whites position is nowsuperior.

28. P R429. R Kt3 B Kt230. R KR3 Kt Kt631. KB3

And now White secures hisfirst material advantage, one

pawn. 31 . . ., B K4 ; is nowanswered by Kt Kt6ch., butmore deadly to Black is thethreat of P Kt6.

Si-32. K x P33- K -B 5

34. P R335- B - K 3

RR3KtK7ch.KtB6

KtR5Resigns.

It is rare indeed that twomasters, both with considerablejustification, play to outcom-bine one another in the samecombination.


41/46


O. Duras (b. 1882) was a brilliant Czech player of the firs

decade of the twentieth century. He won tournaments against thestrongest opposition, notably sharing 1st prize at Prague, 1908, andVienna, 1908. After 1914 he retired from active play.

R. Teichmann (1868-1925), a German who lived for many yearsin England, promised at one time to become one of the worldsstrongest masters, but eye trouble forced him to abandon thepractice of the game. His greatest success was winning the tourna

ment at Carlsbad, 1911.

GAME 24

DURASTEICHMANN

Ostend tournament, 1906.

Ruy L o p e z

I. P K4 p K42. K t K B3 Kt OB3

3- B Kt5 P - Q R 34- B R4 Kt B 3

5- 0 0 B K26. R K i P - Q 37- P B3 0 08 p k r 3 P - R 3

Black plays a restricted varia

tion of the defence.

910

1112

1314

P04 BQ2QKtQ2 R K i Kt B i B K B iKt Kt3 P KKt3B Kt3 Q K2B K3 B Kt2

B 04 Q K2 ; 19 Bx Kt , Q x B ; 20 Q x B , winning a

pawn.

15- P05 K t Q i

16. P B4 P K t317- BB2 P - Q R 418. Kt R2 K R2

19. R K ti K t K ti20. P B4 P x P

The purpose of Whites lastmove would appear if Blackplayed Kt QR4 here, for then1 5 PX P, P x P ; i 6 K t x P , Kt x B ; 17 P x K t , Q x K t ; 18

After a typical Lopez periodof preparation Black now has to

make up his mind how to dealwith Whites first aggressive

ness. If he does not capture thepawn, he may be faced witheither 21 P B5, or 21 Kt B3and 22 P x P. In the latter casehe would have to recapture on

K4 with the pawn on Q3, andthen Whites QR suddenly assumes a much more menacingaspect after P QR3, P QKt4 and P QB5.

21. B x P B K4

To permit 22 P K5 would beto allow the full force of Whitesattack to develop against hisking. By exchanging bishopsand getting his queen off the K


42/46

DURAS TEICHMANN 79

file the threat is largely dimin

ished.

22. B x B Q xB

23. Kt K2 Q Kt2

24. Kt KB3 Kt Kt225. Kt Kt3 Kt B4

26. Q Q2 R K2

27. Q B2 QR K i

It has been suggested thathere 28 P K5 must be pre

vented not for positional but forcombinative reasons, the continuation given being 28 . . .,P x P ; 29 Kt R5, Q R i; 3o R x P, R x R ; 31 Kt Kt5ch., P x K t ; 32 Q x Pch., K R3 ; 33 QxPMa t e. However,there seems no valid objection

to 29 . . ., Q B i ; 30 R or Ktx P, QR K i ; beyond the fact

that Whites position has beenimproved by the pawn advance.

28. R K2 K Ri

29. P Kt3 Kt B3

30. QR K i Kt R231. B K ti Kt Kt4

32. KtxKt

Double-edged. He will nowhave to prevent Blacks P Kt5 and this lets the queen takeup a strong position on the

Black squares. In addition itgives Black an open file againstthe White king.

32. P x Kt

33- Q B3 Q Q5ch.34. K R2 K Kt2

35. R KB2To give his king a flight

square on K ti after 35 . .., P

Kts ; 36 P x P , R Rich.

35* Q Kd36. R(K) K B i R K R i

37. K K ti R R538. Q K3 R R3

The position is full of complications. After Whites lastmove P Kt5 would beanswered by 39 Kt Bsch., B x K t; 40 R x B , P x R ; 41 Q Ktsch., K B i ; 42 Q x R , P x K P ; 43 R B6 (threatening

xP.

39- P R 3 P Kts40. P x P B x P41. R B4 B - Q 242. Q -B 2 B K i

43- R B5 0 B6

Again frustrating Whitesattempts to develop a combi

native win. If instead P x R ;

44 Kt x Pch., K R2 ; 45 Kt x R(6), K x K t ; 46 Q Rfch.,K Kt2 (Q R 4 ; 47 R B6ch.); 47 R B3, Kt x KP ; 48

B x Kt, Q x B ; 49 R Kt3ch,and mates. But at last Whitehas succeeded in forcing P K5and getting his bishop into theattack.

44. P K5 P x P45. R Kts K R2

[Diagram 32]

46. Kt B5

Very fine. He forces the pacewith a move Black had takensteps to prevent.

46. P x K t47. Q x Pch. R Kt3

Not K R i ; 48 R R5, Q K6ch.; 49 K R2, P K5 (Kt


43/46

8o BATTLES-ROYAL OF THE CHESSBOARD

(b l a c k ) t e i c h m a n n

(w h i t e ) d u r a s

Position before White's 46th move.(D i a g r a m 32)

Q 2; 50 R B3, Q Q7 ; 51RxRch. , QxR; 52 RR3);50 Q B6ch., K R2 (K K t i ;51 R x R ) ; 51 R(i) B5, R Q2 ; 52 R(B) Kt5, and mates.

48. Q B6

With the triple threats ofQ x R(7), BxRch. and RR5ch. In this precarious positionBlack starts a vigorous counterattack.

48. Q Qsch.49. R B2

If K R2, Q R sch.; 50K K ti, Q x R ; winning.

49. Q Q8ch.50. K R2 P K5

By stopping two of thethreats his immediate loss is

limited to the exchange, and hiscounter-attack continues.

51. Q x R R R3ch.52. K Kt3 Q K8

Much stronger than Q x KtPch., 53 R B3. The threat 53..Q K6ch.; puts both Whiterooks in jeopardy.

53- Q x B Q K6ch.54. K Kt4 P B4ch.

Of course not Q x R ; 55 QKt8 Mate. Against the text move

White must be careful. If 55K xP, QxR( 7)ch. ; and matesnext move, while if 55 R(2) xP,there is perpetual check by QK7c h. ; 56 K B4 (K Kt3,Q K6ch.), Q B7ch.; 57KK 5, Q Kt7ch.

55. R(5) xP R Kt3ch.56. QxRch.

The climax of Blacks counter-attack. White cannot playK R4 because of Q Kt6ch.;57 K R5, R R3 Mate. So hemust give up queen for rook.But his two rooks are in cooperation and will still be strong

enough to win.56. K x Q57. R B6ch. K Kt258. R B7ch. K K ti59. R B8ch. K Kt260. R(2) B7ch. K Kt361. R B6ch. K Kt262. R(8) B7ch. K K ti63. K R5

Threatening mate in two.

63. Q K7ch.64. P Kt4 Resigns.

If Q R7ch.; 65 K Kt6,and there are no more checks.

A fine example of attack anddefence.


44/46

RUBINSTEIN LASKER 8l

A. Rubinstein (b. 1882), a Pole by birth, came rapidly intoprominence early in the 1900s. IDs style was quiet and simple

but always extremely effective and frequent tournament successes,such as his 1st prizes at Carlsbad, 1907, and Pistyan, 1912, and histie for first place with Lasker at St. Petersburg, 1909, brought himinto consideration as a challenger for the world title but he neversecured a match. He retired in 1930 suffering with a mental break

down from which he has never fully recovered.

GAME 25

RUBINSTEINLASKER

St. Petersburg tournament,

1909.

T a r r a s c h D e f e n c e

1. P Q4 P Q4

2. Kt KB3 Kt KB3

3. P B4 P K34. B Kt5 P B4

An inferior move which comesbetter after 4 Kt B3, as he canthen continue P B 4 ; 5 B Kt5, P x Q P ; 6 K K t x P , P K4. Now White removes thepawn from the K file and he is

left with a weak isolated pawn.

5. B P x P K P x P6. Kt B3 P x P

7. K K t x P Kt B3

Inviting 8 B x K t , Q x B ;

9 K t x P , Q x K t ; 10 K t B

7ch., K Q i ; 11 K t x R , B Ktsch.

8. P K3 B K2

9. B Kts B Q2

He could play to hold thepawn by Q Q3 but then

10 B KB4, or by Q Q2 butthen 10 Q R4, in both caseswith a difficult game. He prefersto give up the pawn with thechance of a quick counterattack.

10. Q B x K t B x B

11. K t x P B x K t

12. P x B Q Kt4

The point. If White continues 13 Kt B7CI1., then

1 3 . . . , K Q i ; 14 B x K t , B x B ; 15 P Q5 (Kt x R, R Kich.), K x K t ; 16 P xB , QR Q i ; 17 Q B i, K R K i ch . ;

18 K B i, Q Kt4ch.; with

at least an equal game.

13. B x K t B x B

14. Kt K3 O 0 O

Somewhat better was B x P ;15 R K K ti, Q R4ch.; 16Q Q2, Qx Qch.; 17 K x Q, B K5 ; and if 18 R x P, B Kt3.

15. o _ o KR K i

16. R B i


45/46


46/46

RUBINSTEIN LASKER 83

Removing the piece that ismost likely to give Black draw

ing chances in spite of a materialinferiority.

23. K x Q24. R x P R Q8ch.

25. K B2 R Q7ch.

26. K B3 R x Q K t P

27- R QR5

He has come through a harassing time into a won rook end

ing. There are, however, somany positions in rook endingswhere the extra pawn does notwin that he still has to be verycareful how he forces theposition.

27. R Kt2

28. R R6 K B i29. P K4 R B2

30. P KR4 K B2

3i- P Kt4 K B i32. K B4 K K2

33- P R 5 P R334- K B5 K B2

35- P K5 R Kt236. R - Q 6 K B i

37- R R6

If K Kt6, K K i ; 38 P K6, R K t5 ; 39 K x P , R x Pch.; 40 K x P, and there arestill technical difficulties inWhite's way.

37. K B2

38. R Q6 K B i

39. R B6

If R Q8ch., K K2 ; 40R KKt8, K B2 ; and if 39

K Kt6, R Kt5 ; 40 R Q8ch., K K2 ; 41 R KKt8,RxPch.

39. K B2

40. P R3

A delightful conclusion, preventing R Kt5- Now after

40 . . ., K B i ; 41 K Kt6,R Q2 ; 42 R B8ch., K K2 ; 43 R KKt8, R Q5(K K3; 44 R K8ch., K Q4 ;

45 P K 6); 44 RxPch. , K

K 3 ; 45 K x P, with two unitedpassed pawns. Therefore

Resigns.

Documents

Battles Royal of the Chessboard by R.N. Coles Part.2