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Contents Introduction What does Chess Vision consist of? Useful Techniques Our Approach Terminology The Games Game 1: Anderssen v Kieseritsky “The Immortal Game”, 1851 Game 2: Anderssen v Dufresne “The Evergreen Game”, 1852 Game 3: Mayet v Anderssen, 1859 Game 4: Anderssen v Staunton, Stau nton, 1851 Game 5: Morphy v Duke Karl / Count Isouard, ‘The Opera House Game’, 1858 Game 6: Meek v Morphy, 1855 Game 7: Bird v Morphy, 1858 Game 8: Morphy v Anderssen, 1858 Game 9: Paulsen v Morphy, 1857 Game 10: Zukertort v Blackburne, 1883 Game 11: Em. Lasker v Bauer, 1889 "The Double Bishop Sacrifice" Game 12: Steinitz v Chigorin, 1892 Game 13: Steinitz v von Bardeleben, 1895 Game 14: Pillsbury v Em. Lasker, 1895 Game 15: Steinitz v Em. Lasker, 1899 Game 16: Rotlewi v Rubinstein, 1907 Game 17: Capablanca Capablan ca v Marshall, 191 1918 8 Game 18: Em. Lasker v Capablanca, 1921 3
Game 19: Bogoljubow v Alekhine, 1922 Game 20: Gruenfeld v Alekhine, 1923
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Introduction
The purpose of this book is to develop the reader’s ability to see ahead in chess games. This is a very important skill that is used to analyse the consequences of this or that move and so help us find the strongest move that we can. Beginner-level players oen ask how far ahead Grandmasters can see and are met by varying answers. Alekhine was known known for his long, complicated complicated variaons the result of which he claimed to know when he made his original move. Capablanca famously quipped, “I see only one move ahead, but it is always the correc correctt one.” one.” Garry Kasparov says that he once saw a variaon that went on for 14 or 15 moves and that this was probably the longest series he analysed. Whilst it is considered to be generally true that the ability to see ahead increases with chess strength, much of this is down to the individual player, their style and parcular strengths – analycal players with strong memory being at an advantage. However, many Grandmasters are able to play games ‘blindfold’, that is, without being able to see the posion on the board. There have been many instances where top chess players have played mulple games simultaneously, keeping all of the posions in their head, updang each when they hear their opponent’s move and following their usual processes processes for finding findin g their reply. If some Grandmasters can play whole games in their head, why do they only loo ahead a few moves as they play? The reasons are largely praccal. It is only necessary for the player to consider a few lines (variaons, or sequences of moves) and evaluate the posion a few moves deep along these lines. The number of possible replies at every stage makes this process lengthy enough and the constraints of me and mental energy mean it is best not to go deeper than is necessary. The important point, however, is that these players could see further ahead if the posion required it. The skill of looking ahead in chess, whilst different from the skills of finding the best move and evaluang a posion, is one that should be developed. This happens naturally as we play more games and become stronger at chess – think of beginner players who fall for the bait of winning a Queen with their Rook only to find that the Rook move left them open to a back-rank mate - but can be trained also. Strengthening our ability to see the chessboard and think ahead will help us avoid tactical mistakes.
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What does Chess Vision consist of?
The ability to see the board exists in all players to some degree. To prove this point, think of the beginning posion, before White’s first move. You could recreate this position on a board with ease, we do it before every game. What square is White’s Queen on? Black’s King? What colour is the boom-righ square, h1? This is an example of chess vision. We know the paern, we have it imprinted on our minds. Maybe when we first learned the game, we were were taught different rules to help us remember the position: ·
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‘White on the right’ for the correct board orientaon (h1 being a White square). Rooks in the corners, Knights next to the Rooks and Bishops next to the Knights The Queen and King next to each other, with the Queen on her own colour A pawn on the square in front of every piece
Aer seeing this posion a number of mes, we do not have to consciously think about how to set it up, we know and just do it . Through paern recognion and repeon the posion has become knowledge and the process of recreang it is automatic. This can be compared to the skills of walking or riding a bike. We are not born with the skill but develop it until it becomes automatic. The same occurs with our chess vision. I imagine that the reader can see the positions aer the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 or 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6. They occur so frequentl that we know the pattern. Largely, that is how we develop our ability to see ahead in chess. Through repeon, we begin to remember and recognise more chess paerns and are able to think about them clearly without having to refer to them on a physical chessboard. To help us bridge the gap between our current level of paern memory and the next level, we can help ourselves by thinking of the posion a piece at a me and making ‘mental notes’ about it.
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Useful Techniques Square Colours Knowing the square colours is also useful for keeping track of lines (of aack) and possible threats on the board. We might find it easy to remember that the Bishop on b7 is our light-squared Bishop but can it move to d2 in an endgame? To work out the colour of a square, consider the co-ordinates. Take the leers of the files and think of their place in the alphabet, so a=1, b=2, c=3 and so on. Now consider the rank number of the square whose colour we are finding. If the two numbers are both odd or both even, then the colour is black. If one is odd and the other even, then the colour is white. And if you forget this rule, check it against the h1 square. H (8) is even, 1 is odd, different and we know the square is white so the rule is ‘different = white squares’. This should be easy to know as h1 is usually the square that is checked to make sure that the chessboard is the correct way around – we set it up with ‘white on the right’. Another way of thinking about this is by adding up the rank and file co-ordinates. I you get an even number then the square is black, if you get an odd number then it is white – H(8) + 1 = 9 so h1 is a white square.
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Mental Notes When calculang and considering moves, we need to keep in mind not just the locaon of each piece in terms of squares but also which moves are legal. To aid us in this, we can make ‘mental notes’ and amend them as necessary. An example of this is when a piece is pinned against a King – we can remind ourselves that this piece cannot be moved by mentally telling ourselves ‘Re1 and the Bishop is pinned against the King’. Then, when the situaon changes we update the mental note, for instance, ‘Rook takes the Knight on d1 and the Bishop is no longer pinned’.
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Pins and piece placement weaknesses A parcularly useful useful mental note to make make is on pins, threats and weaknesses. weaknesses. Note that the pieces can be weak along the lines they cannot aack. For instance, Rooks can ‘return fire’ if they are aacked by a Queen or another Rook along a rank or file (unless pinned) but are suscepble to aacks along diagonals. Bishops and Knights are weak when attacked along a rank or file and a Queen has to watch out for Knight forks. So, in an endgame where White has a Bishop and Knight and Black a Rook, White wil have to be wary of posions where his Knight and Bishop (and King) are situated along the same rank or file and Black would have to watch out for his Rook and King bein caught by a Knight fork or Bishop pin/skewer. It is an oddity of Chess that when a weaker piece aacks a stronger piece, if it cannot be captured, then it is the stronger piece that must give way. Remember these points when considering where where to place your pieces pi eces..
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The 5 4x4s To help our memory of the board, we can consider it in chunks by making the 8x8 board a collecon of 5 4x4 boards. We have the square housing the diagonal a1-d4, White’s Queenside; e1-h4, White’s Kingside; a5-d8, Black’s Queenside and e5-h8, Black’ Kingside. Then we have another important 4x4 square, the centre, from c3-f6.
During the course of a game, the acon may take to one of these squares and so we can focus greater aenon upon them. Of course, we sll have to consider the board as a whole and be aware of long-distance attacks on squares from other areas. However, the smaller squares can make our task of finding moves and remembering piece placement simpler. We refer to these as: · · · · ·
White Queenside 4x4 White Kingside 4x4 Black Queenside 4x4 Black Kingside 4x4 The Centre 4x4
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Our Approach
Our approach in this book is to play through a collecon of famous chess games a few moves at a me. The next few pages have games where we discuss the posions and the moves together, pracsing some of the thought processes. Aer this, you will play through the games in your head and be responsible for your own way of thinking about the moves and the positions. There will be quesons at each step about the resulng posion. These will help you test your success at visualising the board and remembering the posion. There are usually 3 quesons, a to c. These can be answered all at once of you can play through a game answering just the ‘a’ quesons, then replay the game later answering the ‘b’ questions and so on as the ‘b’ and ‘c’ questions are designed to be more of a challenge. As we go through the game collecons, the main idea is to know the posion, see it, and be able to accurately think about what legal moves could be made, what the threats are for either side etc. This will help hugely in your own games, with analysing ahead over the board. The bonus of this method is that you will be adding some of the greatest games ever played to your memory and absorbing paerns, piece placements and taccs as you do so!
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Terminology
Material Balance: What is the difference in material value for the two sides using th traditional values below? · · · · · ·
King Queen Rook Bishop Knight Pawn
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Not counted 9 5 3 3 1
So, in this position, White has · · ·
Queen and 2 Rooks 3 minor pieces 6 pawns
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19 9 6
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19 9 7
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And Black has · · ·
Queen and 2 Rooks 3 minor pieces 7 pawns
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Black has 1 pawn advantage so we describe the material as -1. If White was a Knigh up, we would describe the material balance as +3.
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Piece and posion: Pieces on the board are somemes referred to by the square they inhabit (“the Nf3”), somemes by the side of the board they are on (“Queen’s Knight”) and other times by the diagonal/rank/file they inhabit (“dark-squared Bishop”). “Diagonal”: any of the diagonal lines that a Bishop can travel along. For instance, th a1-h8 diagonal or the th e a2-g8 a2-g8 diagonal. “Empty squares”: squares”: any square without a piece or pawn occupying it. “En passant (ep.)”: the special pawn capture that is allowed when the opponent moves his pawn 2 squares and is captured as though it had only moved one square. “En prise”: A piece is said to “en prise” if it can be taken. “The Exchange”: this refers to one side having a Rook in exchange for either a Knigh or a Bishop. The side with the Rook is said to be “up the exchange” and the opponent is said to be “the exchange down”. down”. A material difference difference of 2. “Eye”: we talk about a piece “eyeing” a square. This means that the piece is in line with a square according to its movement. It includes squares that are not currently threatened because, for instance, there is a piece in the way. In the following picture, picture, the Bishop on d4 eyes the squares marked with an X – including those with pieces of either colour on.
“File”: “File”: the vertical vertical lines lin es of the board from a-h. The Th e a-file runs from a1-a8. “Legally”: is the move allowed by the Laws of Chess? In this book, we ask if the mov is legal in situations where it might place the King in check (and, therefore, is not l egal). “Major piece”: A Rook or a Queen “Minor piece”: A Bishop or a Knight “Open file”: a file without pawns on it, is said to be open. Somemes used when the 18
only pawn is the opponent’s as the openness refers to a major piece’s ability to aack along it (a pawn of the same colour as the Queen/Rook would restrict its mobility along the file). “Rank”: the horizontal lines of the board from 1 to 8. The White pieces occupy the 1st rank at the beginning of the game. “Safely”: we use this term meaning can a move be played without allowing the loss o material or o r checkmate. checkmate. “X-ray”: an aack (or defence) by a piece that “looks through” another piece. In the position below, the Bf3 attacks the b7 pawn through the Bd5 allowing Nxb7!
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Game 1: Anderssen v Kieseritsky “The Immortal Game”, 1851
Perhaps the most famous game ever played, this was an informal game played between rounds of a compeve tournament (London 1851). Adolf Anderssen, who won the tournament beang Kieseritsky and Howard Staunton on the way, was considered the strongest player in the world at the me and was well known for his aggressive, sacrificial play. This game certainly displays that style with White giving up a huge amount of material to checkmate his opponent. The tle of “The Immortal Game” wa coined by Ernst Falkbeer 4 years later. 1. e4 e5
Starting position. E pawns on e4 and e5. 2. f4 exf4
Black’s Black’s e-pawn is now on f4, White has no f-pawn. 3. Bc4 Qh4+
White’s Bishop is on c4 attacking f7. Black’s Queen is on h4, White is in check.
Anderssen – Kieseritsky, 1851 3…Qh4+ 4. Kf1 b5
The King moves to the Bishop’s square and can no longer castle. Black aacks the c Bishop with an undefended b-pawn. 5. Bxb5 Nf6
Bishop is on b5, material is level, Black now has no pawn on b7 and the d7 pawn is 21
pinned. Black’s Knight Knight is on f6 attack atta cking ing White’s e4 pawn. 6. Nf3 Qh6
White’s Knight is on f3 attacking the Queen. Queen. The Queen retreats down the file to t o h6.
Anderssen – Kieseritsky, 1851 6…Qh6 7. d3 Nh5
The d-pawn protects the e4 pawn and opens the line for the dark-squared Bishop. F pawn is now aacked but sll defended by the Queen. Black moves the Knight to h5, the f4 pawn is defended twice and the Queen can move along rank 6. The Knight on h5 can check on g3. 8. Nh4 Qg5
White moves his Knight to the square in front of Black’s Knight. Note: if Black move his Nh5 then his Qh6 would be aacking the Knight. Black moves his Queen to g5, it no aacks 2 undefended pieces, White’s Bb5 and the Nh4. The Black f4 pawn is pinned t the Qg5. 9. Nf5 c6
White puts his Knight on f5 where it Is protected by the e4 pawn. This blocks th Black Queen from aacking the Bb5 and aacks g7. There are now 4 pieces on the 5th rank: the Bb5, Nf5, Qg5 and Nh5. C-pawn moves 1 square, the Bb5 is under aack an the d7 pawn is no longer pinned. The Nf5 could move to d6 with check if the Bf8 moved away.
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Anderssen – Kieseritsky, 1851 9…c6 10. g4 Nf6
The g-pawn moves 2 squares, aacking the Nh4. It is protected by Qd1 and cannot b taken en passant as the f4 is pinned. The Bb5 is sll threatened by c6. Black’s Knight is now on f6 and the g4 pawn is attacked twice, defended once. 11. Rg1 cxb5
The Rook moves 1 square to g1, protecng the g4 pawn along with the Queen. Blac now has a pawn on b5, none on the c- or e-files, one on f4. White is a piece down. 12. h4 Qg6
White has pawns on e4, g4 and h4. Black’s Queen is under aack. The h4 pawn is protected by Nf5. The Queen moves to g6, the only square not under attack.
Anderssen – Kieseritsky, 1851 12…Qg6 13. h5 Qg5
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The h-pawn is now on h5 aacking the Queen. The h5 pawn is protected by the gpawn. The Queen only has one square to move to. The Queen moves back to g5, it no has no safe squares. 14. Qf3 Ng8
The Queen moves to f3 and the f4 pawn is now aacked twice, defended once. Black’s Nf6 goes back to its original square. Black’s Queen can now move to f6 or d8 safely. 15. Bxf4 Qf6
White takes the f-pawn and aacks the Black Queen and the d6 square. There are no Black pieces on White’s side of the board. Black’s Queen is on f6 with the White Nf5 an Bf4 separang it from his Qf3 which is undefended. The Qf6 aacks b2. Posion check: White’s Queenside 4x4 – as starng posion with d-pawn on d3, Bishop on f4 and Queen on f3. White’s Kingside 4x4 – e1 empty, King on f1, Rook on g1, h1 empty, e2-h3 empty apart from Qf3, pawns on e4 and g4, Bishop on f4. Black’s Queenside 4x4 – as starn posion with Queen on f6, b-pawn on b5, no c-pawn. Black’s Kingside 4x4 – as starng posion with no e-pawn, Queen on f6, White Knight on f5 and pawn on h5. Centre 4x4 White has pawns on d3 and e4, Qf3 Bf4 and Nf5, Black has Qf6.
Anderssen – Kieseritsky, 1851 15…Qf6 16. Nc3 Bc5
The Nb1 moves to c3, obstrucng b2, aacking the b5 pawn and eyeing the empty d5 square. Black’s Bf8 moves to c5 attacking the g1 Rook. G7 is defended only by the Qf6. 17. Nd5 Qxb2
White has 2 Knights in the centre 4x4 on d5 and f5, Black’s Queen is aacked, the b2 pawn is now aacked again. The Queen takes the b2 pawn, the a1 Rook is under threat 24
of capture with check and the g1 Rook is sll aacked by Bc5. The Queen sll protects g7, only a1 and b2 are safe squares for the Queen to protect it from. 18. Bd6 Bxg1
The Bf4 moves to d6 where it aacks and is under aack by Black’s Bc5. It is protected by the Nf5. Black’s King now only has 1 square (d8) to move to. The Bisho takes the Rook on g1, the a1 Rook is still attacked.
Anderssen – Kieseritsky, 1851 18…Bxg1 19. e5 Qxa1+
White’s e-pawn is now on e5, protected by the Bd6. The e5 pawn blocks the lon diagonal from the Black Qb2. If the Nd5 moves then White’s Qf3 would threaten the a Rook. Black’s Qb2 takes the a1 Rook with check. 20. Ke2 Na6
The King moves to the square in front of his starng posion and cannot be checked next move. Black moves his Nb8 to a6, protecting the c7 square. 21. Nxg7+ Kd8
White’s Nf5 is on g7, Black has no g-pawn. Black has one legal move and moves Ke to d8. Black now has no squares for his King to move to as his Bc8 and d7 pawn bloc those squares, c7 and e7 are attacked by the Bd6 and Nd5 and e8 is attacked by the Ng7.
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Anderssen – Kieseritsky, 1851 21…Kd8 22. Qf6+ Nxf6
The Queen is on f6 giving check to d8. There are 2 legal moves. Black takes the Quee on f6 with his Ng8. 23. Be7#
Anderssen – Kieseritsky, 1851 Final Position
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Game 2: 2: Andersse Anderssen n v Dufresne “The “The Evergreen Game”, 1852 1852
Played just one year aer “The Immortal Game”, Anderssen’s opponent here was a strong chess master and student of Anderssen. This was also an informal game. It wa Wilhelm Steinitz who described the game as the “evergreen in Anderssen’s laurel wreath”. The fantasc combinaon that concludes the game was described by Tartakower as “second to none in the literature of the game”. 1.e4 e5
Starting position. E pawns on e4 and e5. 2.Nf3 Nc6
Black’s e5 pawn is now attacked by White’s Nf3 and defended by Black’s Nc6. 3.Bc4 Bc5
Anderssen Ande rssen – Dufresne, 1852, 1852, 3…Bc5 White has an undefended Bishop on c4 aacking f7 and the way is clear for castling kingside. Black places his King’s Bishop on the same file, making 3 minor pieces in a ro from c4-c6. 4.b4 Bxb4
White gambits a pawn, material now -1 and Black’s Bishop one square to the le of White’s. 5.c3 Ba5
c3 pawn aacks Black’s Bishop which moves to the edge of the board, defended by 28
the Nc6. 6.d4 exd4
D-pawn advances 2 squares aacking the e5 pawn, the c3 pawn is now pinned against the King by Ba5. Black captures the d4 pawn, material -2. White is aacking thi d4 pawn with Nf3 and Qd1, Black defends it once with Nc6. The d4 pawn aacks the c pawn, as does the Ba5, it is defended by the Nb1.
Anderssen Andersse n – Dufresne, 1852, 1852, 6…exd4 7.0–0 d3
White castles kingside and the c3 pawn is no longer pinned. The d4 pawn is now on d3 and can be taken by the Bc4 or Qd1. 8.Qb3 Qf6
The Queen moves to b3 forming a baery with the Bc4 and threatening to take on f7. Qf6 defends f7 and eyes the a1 Rook if the c3 pawn was to move. 9.e5 Qg6
The e4 pawn moves to e5, attacking the Qf6. It is attacked twice, defended once.
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Anderssen Andersse n – Dufresne, 1852, 1852, 9…Qg6 9…Qg6 10.Re1 Nge7
White’s Kingside Rook moves to e1, defending the e5 pawn a second me and giving the White King an extra square to move to (f1). The e5 pawn is the only piece stoppin the Re1 from checking the Black Ke8. Black moves his Kingside Knight to e7, providin cover for his King and further defending the Nc6. Black has cleared the way to castl Kingside. 11.Ba3 b5
White develops his Bishop to the a3-f8 diagonal, aacking the Ne7. Black places th b7 pawn on b5, aacking the Bc4. The pawn is undefended and can be captured by either the Bc4 or Qb3. 12.Qxb5 Rb8
White captures the b5 pawn with his Queen. Material is now -1 and the d3 pawn i aacked twice (by Qb5 and Bc4) and defended once (by Qg6). Black moves his Queensid Rook to b8 b 8 attacking the Qb5 and occupying the open file.
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Anderssen Ande rssen – Dufresne, 1852, 1852, 12…Rb8 13.Qa4 Bb6
The Queen goes to a4 and is no longer attacked. Black moves the Bishop to b6, eyeing f2 and reducing the threat of his Rb8. 14.Nbd2 Bb7
White develops his Queenside Knight in front of the passed pawn on d3, blockadin it. This Knight now protects, and is protected by, the Nf3. Black develops his lightsquared Bishop to b7 so the Rb8, Bb7 and Bb6 are all next to each other on the b-file. 15.Ne4 Qf5
White moves his Nd2 to e4 where it is protected by the Re1 and threatens potenal checks on d6 and f6. It also interferes with the Qg6’s protecon of the d3 pawn, which is now undefended. Black moves Qg6 to f5 attacking the e5 pawn for the second time.
Anderssen – Dufresne, 1852, 1852, 15…Qf5 15…Qf5 16.Bxd3 16.Bxd3 Qh5 Q h5
White captures the d3 pawn, material is now level and the Bishop is threatening a discovered discovered aack on the th e Qf5 by moving the Ne4. N e4. Black moves the Queen to h5 where it i unguarded. 17.Nf6+ gxf6
White sacrifices the Ne4 and Black captures it with the g7 pawn. Material is now -3 the g-file is open for Black and there are doubled pawns on f7 and f6. 18.exf6 Rg8
White captures the pawn on f6. Material is now -2 and the e-file is open with the Re1 31
pinning the Ne7 to the King. The f6 pawn is threatening the Ne7, which cannot legall move. Black occupies the g-file with his Rook and can no longer castle as both Rooks have moved. The g2 pawn is now pinned to the White King.
Anderssen Andersse n – Dufresne, 1852, 1852, 18…Rg8 18…Rg8 19.Rad1 Qxf3
White brings his Queenside Rook to d1, eyeing d7. Black captures the Knight on f and threatens mate with Qxg2# as well as aacking the undefended Bd3. Material is now -5. 20.Rxe7+ Nxe7
White captures the pinned Ne7 with his Re1. Material is now -7. Black has 3 lega moves, a King move to either side or recapture with the Nc6. Black recaptures with th Knight, this opens the diagonal a8-h1. The g2 pawn is now aacked 3 mes (by Bb7, Qf3 and Rg8) and defended once on ce (by Kg Kg1). 1). The move g2-g3 g2-g3 by White would allow all ow Qh1#. Qh1#. 21.Qxd7+ Kxd7
White sacrifices his Queen for the d7 pawn. Material is now -15 and the Rd1 i undefended and aacked by the Qf3. Black has 2 legal moves, to capture the Queen or play Kf8. Black captures the Queen and his King is now on d7 with 6 empty square around it. The Black King is in line with the Rd1.
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Anderssen Anderss en – Dufresne, 1852, 1852, 21…Kxd7 21…Kxd7 22.Bf5+ Ke8
White gives double-check and the King must move. Both checking pieces are en prise. There are 2 legal moves for Black, Kc6 or Ke8. Black moves Ke8 from where he has only escape square (f8). 23.Bd7+ Kf8
White checks on d7 giving Black 2 squares to move to. Black moves Kf8 and has n escape squares as g7 is attacked by the f6 pawn. 24.Bxe7#
The dark-squared Bishop captures the Knight, moving alongside the Bd7 and givin checkmate.
Anderssen Ande rssen – Dufresne, 1852, 1852, Final Position
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Game 3: Mayet v Anderssen, 1859
Anderssen’s next vicm was a barrister and judge, one of the so-called “Berlin Pleiades”, the seven stars of chess. He played a number of matches, losing the vast majority of them but was able to win some individual games including 6 against Anderssen in their 1855 match. The match this game is taken from saw Anderssen win 7 to his opponent’s 1, this being the most crushing.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Bc5 · · ·
3.1a: How many pieces/pawns are there in the Centre 4x4? 3.1b: Can White legally castle on the next move? 3.1c: How many times does Black attack the d4 square?
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Mayet v Anderssen, 1859, 3…Bc5 · · ·
3.1a: 5 3.1b: Yes 3.1c: 3 times
4.c3 Nf6 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.O-O Bg4 · · ·
3.2a: How many pieces/pawns are there in the Centre 4x4? 3.2b: 3.2b: Can Black Bla ck legally legally castle on the next move? 3.2c: Which of White’s pieces is pinned?
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Mayet v Anderssen, 1859, 6…Bg4 3.2a: 7 3.2b: Yes 3.2c: Nf3
· · ·
7.h3 h5 8.hxg4 hxg4 9.Nxe5 g3 ·
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3.3a: How many of White’s pieces (excluding pawns) are on their original squares? 3.3b: Can White legally play fxg3 on the next move? 3.3c: 3.3c: What is the material balance? ba lance?
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Mayet v Anderssen, 1859, 9…g3 · · ·
3.3a: 4 3.3b: No 3.3c: +3
10.d4 Nxe4 11.Qg4 Bxd4 12.Qxe4 Bxf2+ · · ·
3.4a: How many legal moves does White have? 3.4b: What is the material balance? 3.4c: 3.4c: Could Black legally castle Queenside Queenside on the next move?
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Mayet v Anderssen, 1859, 12…Bf2+
· · ·
3.4a: 1 3.4b: +3 3.4c: No
13.Rxf2 Qd1+ 14.Rf1 Rh1+ 15.Kxh1 Qxf1#
Mayet v Anderssen, 1859, Final Position
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Game 4: Anderssen v Staunton, 1851
A compeve game from the London 1851 tournament, where Anderssen took on Howard Staunton, who had been regarded as the strongest player in the world before this compeon. Anderssen begins a Kingside onslaught rapidly, whilst Staunton uses his me to grab material with his Queen. When Staunton realises his King is in real trouble, it’s too late.
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Nf3 e6 · · ·
4.1a: With which pieces could White legally capture on d4 on the next move? 4.1b: Is Black’s d4 pawn protected? 4.1c: 4.1c: Could Black play Qa5 on the t he next move?
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Anderssen v Staunton, 1851, 3…e6 · · ·
4.1a: Queen or Knight 4.1b: No 4.1c: Yes
4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ba7 · · ·
4.2a: Can White castle on his next move? 4.2b: Which of Black’s pieces/pawns are undefended? 4.2c: Which 3 empty squares are protected by Black’s Queen and a minor piece?
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Anderssen v Staunton, 1851, 6…Ba7 · · ·
4.2a: No 4.2b: The 2 Rooks and the g7 pawn 4.2c: b6, e7 and f6
7. Bd3 Ne7 8. O-O O-O 9. Qh5 Ng6 · · ·
4.3a: What pieces are on the 5th rank? 4.3b: Can White play Bxh7+ on his next move? 4.3c: Which of White’s pieces (excluding pawns) are undefended?
43
Anderssen v Staunton, 1851, 9…Ng6 · · ·
4.3a: White’s Queen 4.3b: No 4.3c: The Queen
10. e5 Qc7 11. Rae1 b5 12. f4 Bb7 · · ·
4.3a: Can White legally play Ne4 on his next move? 4.3b: Can White legally play Nf5 on his next move? 4.3c: How many pieces (either colour, excluding pawns) are on their original square?
44
Anderssen v Staunton, 1851, 12…Bb7 · · ·
4.3a: Yes 4.3b: Yes 4.3c: 2 – Black’s Ra8 and Nb8
13. Ne4 Bxe4 14. Bxe4 Nc6 15. Nxc6 dxc6 · · ·
4.4a: Can Black play Nb8-e7? 4.4b: How many squares can White’s Rooks move to? 4.4c: Which pieces/pawns are undefended?
45
Anderssen v Staunton, 1851, 15…dxc6 · · ·
4.4a: 4.4a: No, there is no n o Nb8 4.4b: 7; a1-d1, e2 and f2-f3 4.4c: Be4 and pawns on a2, a6, b2
16. g4 Rad8 17. Kh1 c5 18. Rf3 Qa5 · ·
·
4.5a: 4.5a: What is i s threatened by Black’s last move? 4.5b: How many pieces (excluding pawns and King) does Black have on th Queenside? 4.5c: How many pieces (excluding pawns and King) does White have on th Kingside?
46
Anderssen v Staunton, 1851, 18…Qa5 · · ·
4.5a: Qxe1+ 4.5b: 3 4.5c: 5
19. Ref1 Qa4 20. Bd3 Qxa2 21. Rh3 h6 · · ·
4.6a: 4.6a: Which pieces (excluding pawns, either colour) are undefended? 4.6b: How many pawns are there in White’s Queenside 4x4? 4.5c: If Black could move again, would Qd5+ followed by c4 trap the whit Bishop?
47
Anderssen v Staunton, 1851, 21…h6 · · ·
4.6a: Ba7 and Qa2 4.6b: 2 – b2 and c2 4.6c: No – White would have Be2 or Bxg6
22. g5 Rxd3 23. cxd3 Qd5+ 24. Rff3 Ne7 · · ·
4.7a: Would 24…Qd1+ have been a legal move? 4.7b: How many times is the h6 pawn attacked & defended? 4.7c: Can White legally play Rfg3?
48
Anderssen v Staunton, 1851, 24…Ne7 · · ·
4.7a: No, the d3 pawn blocks the file 4.7b: Attacked 3 times & defended once 4.7c: No, the Rook is pinned
25. gxh6 g6 26. h7+ Kh8 27. Qg5 Nf5 · · ·
4.8a: How many pieces/pawns (either colour) are in the centre 4x4? 4.8b: How many times is the f6 square defended by Black? 4.8c: 4.8c: What is the material balance? ba lance?
49
Anderssen v Staunton, 1851, 27…Nf5 · · ·
4.8a: 9: 5 pawns, 4 pieces 4.8b: None 4.8c: +2
28. Qf6+ Ng7 29. f5 Qb3 30. Bh6 Qd1+ · · ·
4.9a: Could Black have legally played 30…Kxh7? 4.9b: How many legal moves does White have? 4.9c: If Black could remove 1 of his pieces/pawns from the board, which would it be and why?
50
Anderssen v Staunton, 1851, 30…Qd1+ · · ·
4.9a: Yes 4.9b: 2 – Kg2 or Rf1 4.9c: The c5 pawn as it would allow a mate on the next move
31. Kg2 Qe2+ 32. Rf2 1-0
Anderssen v Staunton, Staunto n, 1851, 1851, Final Position
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Game 5: Morphy v Duke Karl / Count Isouard, ‘The Opera House Game’, 1858
Paul Morphy, the American chess prodigy and genius, was invited to play against the consulng German Duke Karl of Brunswick and French Count Isouard at a Parisian Oper House. Morphy’s rapid development soon es up the Black posion and the flowing moves result in an aracve combinaon. It is said that Morphy was sat with his back to the stage and wished to win the game as quickly as possible so that he could enjoy the Opera. He He certainly deserved to after a fter producing this beautiful beauti ful and memorable game.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Bg4 · · ·
5.1a: How many pawns are in the centre 4x4? 5.1b: 5.1b: Can White Wh ite play pla y 4. Bd3? 5.1c: 5.1c: Could Black play Qa5 on the t he next move?
53
Morphy v Duke & Count, 1858, 3…Bg4 · · ·
5.1a: 4 pawns 5.1b: Yes 5.1c: No, the c7 pawn blocks the move
4. dxe5 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 dxe5 6. Bc4 Nf6 · · ·
5.2a: How many pieces have each side developed? 5.2b: Can White castle on the next move? 5.2c: Could Black castle if it was his move again?
54
Morphy v Duke & Count, 1858, 6…Nf6 · · ·
5.2a: 2 (Queen & Bishop) for White and 1 (Knight) for Black 5.2b: Yes, Kingside 5.2c: No
7. Qb3 Qe7 8. Nc3 c6 9. Bg5 b5 · · ·
5.3a: How many pieces/pawns are there on the 6 th rank? 5.3b: Could Black legally check White’s King if it was his move again? 5.3c: How many empty squares does Black’s Queen eye?
55
Morphy v Duke & Count, 1858, 9…b5 · · ·
5.3a: 2 5.3b: No 5.3c: 9 squares
10. Nxb5 cxb5 11. Bxb5+ Nbd7 12. O-O-O Rd8 · · ·
5.4a: How many squares can Black’s King move to? 5.4b: How many times is Black’s Nd7 attacked and defended? 5.4c: How many ways does White have to check Black’s King?
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Morphy v Duke & Count, 1858, 12…Rd8 · · ·
5.4a: None 5.4b: Attacked twice (Bb5 & Rd1), defended 4 times (Rd8, Ke8, Qe7, Nf6) 5.4c: 2 – Bxd7+ and Qxf7+
13. Rxd7 Rxd7 14. Rd1 Qe6 15. Bxd7+ Nxd7 · ·
·
5.5a: How many pieces/pawns are in the centre 4x4? 5.5b: How many pieces (either colour, excluding Kings/pawns) are on their original squares? 5.5c: Is White’s Bishop en prise?
57
Morphy v Duke & Count, 1858, 15…Nxd7 · · ·
5.5a: 3 – Qe6 and e4/e5 pawns 5.5b: 2 – Black’s Bf8 and Rh8 5.5c: No
16. Qb8+ Nxb8 17. Rd8#
Morphy v Duke & Count, Final Position
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Game 6: Meek v Morphy, 1855
Meek by name but not by nature as White brings Morphy’s King out with a Bisho sacrifice early on. The iniave soon changes hands however and the game ends with Black’s Black’s King back on his original square, and White’s King on f2, under heavy onslaught. onsla ught. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4
Meek v Morphy, 1855, 3…exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. Ng5 Nh6 6. Nxf7 Nxf7 · · ·
6.1a: Could White have played 6. Bxh6? 6.1b: Could Black have played 6…Kxf7? 6.1c: How many pieces/pawns are in the centre 4x4?
60
Meek v Morphy, 1855, 6…Nxf7 · · ·
6.1a: No, the Ng5 blocks the move 6.1b: No, the Bc5 protects the Nf7 6.1c: 5 – Nc6, Bc5, Bc4 and the d4/e4 pawns
7. Bxf7+ Kxf7 8. Qh5+ g6 9. Qxc5 d6 · · ·
6.2a: What is the material balance? 6.2b: How many ‘checking’ moves does White have? 6.2c: Could Black legally play Bg7 if it was his move again?
61
Meek v Morphy, 1855, 9…d6 · · ·
6.2a: Material is level 6.2b: 3 – Qc4+, Qd5+ and Qf5+ 6.2c: No
10. Qb5 Re8 11. Qb3+ d5 12. f3 Na5 ·
· ·
6.3a: How many squares can White’s Bc1 move to where it wouldn’t be en prise? 6.3b: Can White legally play 13. exd5? 6.3c: How many White pieces (not pawns) are en prise?
62
Meek v Morphy, 1855, 12…Na5 · · ·
6.3a: 3 – d2, f4 and h6 6.3b: No, the pawn is pinned 6.3c: 1 – the Qb3
13. Qd3 dxe4 14. fxe4 Qh4+ 15. g3 Rxe4+ · · ·
6.4a: Can White play 16. fxe4? 6.4b: Which squares can White’s King move to? 6.4c: Is Black’s Knight en prise?
63
Meek v Morphy, 1855, 15…Rxe4+ · · ·
6.4a: No, there is no f-pawn 6.4b: d1, d2, f1 or f2. 6.4c: No
16. Kf2 Qe7 17. Nd2 Re3 18. Qb5 c6 · · ·
6.4a: Which squares can White’s Queen move to where it will not be en prise? 6.4b: Which pieces can White legally take Black’s Re3 with? 6.4c: How many White pieces (not including King/pawns) are in White’ Kingside 4x4?
64
Meek v Morphy, 1855, 18…c6 · · ·
6.4a: a4, a5 and f1 6.4b: None 6.4c: 1, Rh1
19. Qf1 Bh3 20. Qd1 Rf8 21. Nf3 Ke8 0-1
Meek v Morphy, 1855, Final Position
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Game 7: Bird v Morphy, 1858
More Morphy. In this famous game against the respected English Master Henry Bird the American shows great creavity to track down his opponent’s King. If his Roo sacrifice was a bolt from the blue, the next move is indescribable. A wonderful aack and an idea to remember forevermore.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 f5 · · ·
7.1a: Can White play 4. Qh5+? 7.1b: How many Black pawns are en prise? 7.1c: How many pieces/pawns are in the centre 4x4?
67
Bird v Morphy, 1858, 3…f5 · · ·
7.1a: No, Nf3 blocks the diagonal 7.1b: 2, e5 and f5 7.1c: 6
4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Ng3 e4 · · ·
7.2a: How many White pieces/pawns are en prise? 7.2b: 7.2b: Can White Wh ite legally check Black Black on the th e next move? 7.2c: How many empty squares do White’s Knights eye?
68
Bird v Morphy, 1858, 6…e4 · · ·
7.2a: 1, Nf3 7.2b: Yes, with Bb5+ 7.2c: 8 – e5, f5, g5, h5, h4, g1, e2 and d2
7. Ne5 Nf6 8. Bg5 Bd6 9. Nh5 O-O · ·
·
7.3a: How many pawns/pieces are in the centre 4x4? 7.3b: Which White minor pieces could Black legally have captured on his 9th move? 7.3c: Can White check Black on the next move?
69
Bird v Morphy, 1858, 9…0-0 · · ·
7.3a: 6 7.3b: The Ne5 and Nh5 7.3c: Yes, with Nxf6+
10. Qd2 Qe8 11. g4 Nxg4 12. Nxg4 Qxh5 · · ·
7.4a: What is the material balance? 7.4b: How many times is the Ng4 attacked? 7.4c: Can White legally castle on his next move?
70
Bird v Morphy, 1858, 12…Qxh5 · · ·
7.4a: -1 7.4b: Twice, by the Qh5 and Bc8 7.4c: Yes, Queenside
13. Ne5 Nc6 14. Be2 Qh3 15. Nxc6 bxc6 · ·
·
7.5a: Can White legally castle Kingside on his next move? 7.5b: How many of White’s pieces (not pawns) could legally be taken if it was Black to play? 7.5c: How many empty squares does Black’s Queen eye?
71
Bird v Morphy, 1858, 15…bxc6 · · ·
7.5a: No 7.5b: None 7.5c: 16
16. Be3 Rb8 17. O-O-O Rxf2 18. Bxf2 Qa3 · · ·
7.6a: How many of Black’s pieces (not pawns) are en prise? 7.6b: What is the material balance? 7.6c: How many White pieces (not pawns) are in the centre 4x4?
72
Bird v Morphy, 1858, 18…Qa3 · · ·
7.6a: 1, Qa3 7.6b: +3 (Rook for 2 pawns) 7.6c: 7.6c: None Non e
19. c3 Qxa2 20. b4 Qa1+ 21. Kc2 Qa4+ · · ·
7.7a: How many legal moves does White have? 7.7b: How many times is b4 attacked/defended? 7.7c: How many pieces/pawns (either colour, any type) are on the c-file?
73
Bird v Morphy, 1858, 21…Qa4+ · ·
·
7.7a: 3 – Kb1, Kb2 and Kc1 7.7b: Aacked 3 mes (by Qa4, Rb8 and Bd6) and defended 2 mes (once directly by c3 pawn and once on ce by Qd2’s Qd2’s x-ray protection) 7.7c: 5
22. Kb2 Bxb4 23. cxb4 Rxb4+ 24. Qxb4 Qxb4+ · · ·
7.8a: How many legal moves does White have? 7.8b: What is the material balance? 7.8c: How many White pieces (not King/pawns) are en prise?
74
Bird v Morphy, 1858, 24…Qxb4+ · · ·
7.8a: 4 – Ka1, Ka2, Kc1 and Kc2 7.8b: -1 7.8c: 7.8c: None Non e
25. Kc2 e3 26. Bxe3 Bf5+ 27. Rd3 Qc4+ · · ·
7.9a: Can White play 28. Rc3? 7.9b: Is Black’s Queen en prise? 7.9c: Can White legally play 28. Kd1?
75
Bird v Morphy, 1858, 27…Qc4+ · · ·
7.9a: No, the Rook is pinned 7.9b: No 7.9c: Yes
28. Kd2 Qa2+ 29. Kd1 Qb1+ 0-1
Bird v Morphy, 1858, Final Position
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Game 8: Morphy v Anderssen, 1858
The two aacking greats came together for a match in Paris in 1858 and it is no surprise that there were some very entertaining games. This miniature shows how masterfully Morphy exploited a weak move and quickly converted advantages. The match was won by Morphy (7 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses) despite being ill during the event. Anderssen conceded that Morphy deserved his victory and gave his opinion that Morphy was probably the strongest player ever. This is the 10 th game of their match.
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 · ·
8.1a: How many times is the Nc6 protected? 8.1b: 8.1b: Can White Wh ite safely play pla y 4. Nxd4?
78
Morphy v Anderssen, 1858, 3…cxd4 · ·
8.1a: Twice, by b7 and d7 pawns 8.1b: Yes
4. Nxd4 e6 5. Nb5 d6 6. Bf4 e5 · · ·
8.2a: How many of White’s pieces (not pawns) are en prise? 8.2b: How many ways can White check Black on the next move? 8.2c: How many ways could Black check White if he had the next move?
79
Morphy v Anderssen, 1858, 6…e5 · · ·
8.2a: One, Bf4 8.2b: 2, Nc7+ and Nxd6+ 8.2c: 1, Qa5+
7. Be3 f5 8. N1c3 f4 9. Nd5 fxe3 · · ·
8.3a: What is the material balance? 8.3b: How many pieces/pawns are in the centre 4x4? 8.3c: Which 2 squares do both White Knights eye?
80
Morphy v Anderssen, 1858, 9…fxe3 · · ·
8.3a: -3 8.3b: 6 8.3c: c3 and c7
10. Nbc7+ Kf7 11. Qf3+ Nf6 12. Bc4 Nd4 · · ·
8.4a: Could Black have legally played 12…Qa5+? 8.4b: How many of Black’s pieces are en prise? 8.4c: How many of White’s pieces are en prise?
81
Morphy v Anderssen, 1858, 12…Nd4 · · ·
8.4a: No, the Nc7 blocks the move 8.4b: 2 - Ra8 and Nf6 8.4c: 3 – Nc7, Nd5 and Qf3
13. Nxf6+ d5 14. Bxd5+ Kg6 15. Qh5+ Kxf6 · ·
8.5a: What is the material balance? 8.5b: How many squares can Black’s King move to?
82
Morphy v Anderssen, 1858, 15…Kxf6 · ·
8.5a: -2, a Bishop for a pawn 8.5b: 1, e7
16. fxe3 Nxc2+ 17. Ke2 1-0
Morphy v Anderssen, 1858, Final Position
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Game 9: Paulsen v Morphy, 1857
Paul Morphy’s next vicm is the German Louis Paulsen, at the American Ches Congress of 1857. Paulsen was a very strong player of the me and contributed theories regarding chess defence, later picked up on in wrings by Nimzowitsch and Steinitz. Against Morphy, defence is not so easy however and the American won 5 games to Paulsen’s 1 in the final of this New York tournament.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 · ·
9.1a: Which file has more minor pieces on it, c or f? 9.1b: How many pieces are on the a8-h1 diagonal?
85
Paulsen v Morphy, 1857, 3…Nf6 · ·
9.1a: 9.1a: Neither, both have 4 minor pieces p ieces 9.1b: 4 – Ra8, Nc6, Nf3 and Rh1
4. Bb5 Bc5 5. O-O O-O 6. Nxe5 Re8 · · ·
9.2a: How many pieces are there on the 5th rank? 9.2b: How many pieces are there on the c-file? 9.2c: How many times is the Ne5 attacked and defended?
86
Paulsen v Morphy, 1857, 6…Re8 · · ·
9.2a: 3 – Bb5, Bc5 and Ne5 9.2b: 5 – Bc1, Nc3, Bc5, Nc6 and Bc8 9.2c: Attacked twice (by Nc6 and Re8) and defended zero times
7. Nxc6 dxc6 8. Bc4 b5 9. Be2 Nxe4 · · ·
9.3a: How many times is the Ne4 attacked and defended? 9.3b: Which of Black’s pawns are undefended? 9.3c: How many times is f2 attacked and defended?
87
Paulsen v Morphy, 1857, 9…Nxe4 · · ·
9.3a: Attacked once (by Nc3) and defended once (by Re8) 9.3b: The c6 pawn 9.3c: Attacked twice (by Bc5 and Ne4) and defended twice (by Rf1 and Kg1)
10. Nxe4 Rxe4 11. Bf3 Re6 12. c3 Qd3 · · ·
9.4a: Can White safely play 13. Be2? 9.4b: Can White safely play 13. Re1? 9.4c: How many squares can Black’s light-squared Bishop move to?
88
Paulsen v Morphy, 1857, 12…Qd3 · · ·
9.4a: No 9.4b: Yes 9.4c: 3 – a6, b7 and d7
13. b4 Bb6 14. a4 bxa4 15. Qxa4 Bd7 · · ·
9.5a: 9.5a: How many safe squares can White’s Queenside Rook move to? t o? 9.5b: How many safe squares can White’s Kingside Rook move to? 9.5c: How many safe squares can Black’s Queenside Rook move to?
89
Paulsen v Morphy, 1857, 15…Bd7 · · ·
9.5a: 2 – a2 and a3 9.5b: 1 – d1 9.5c: 5 – b8, c8, d8, e8 and f8
16. Ra2 Rae8 17. Qa6 Qxf3 18. gxf3 Rg6+ · ·
9.6a: What is the material balance? 9.6b: How many legal moves does White have?
90
Paulsen v Morphy, 1857, 18…Rg6+ · ·
9.6a: +6 (Queen for a Bishop) 9.6b: 1
19. Kh1 Bh3 20. Rd1 Bg2+ 21. Kg1 Bxf3+ ·
9.7: How many legal moves does White have?
91
Paulsen v Morphy, 1857, 21…Bxf3+ ·
9.7: 1, Kf1
22. Kf1 Bg2+ 23. Kg1 Bh3+ 24. Kh1 Bxf2 · ·
9.8a: What is Black’s biggest threat? 9.8b: Can White legally play 25. Qxc6?
92
Paulsen v Morphy, 1857, 24…Bxf2 · ·
9.8a: Bg2# 9.8b: Yes
25. Qf1 Bxf1 26. Rxf1 Re2 27. Ra1 Rh6 28. d4 Be3 0-1
Paulsen v Morphy, 1857, 1857, Final Position
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Game 10: Zukertort v Blackb Bl ackburne, urne, 188 1883 3
1883 saw another London tournament, won by this game’s hero, Johannes Zukertort, who began the compeon with 22 wins in his first 23 games. This game was described by Steinitz as “one of the most brilliant games on record” and sll features in all-me top 100 games list in a book published over 100 years later. Sacrifices appear one aer another but they can’t be accepted and they can’t be ignored.
1. c4 e6 2. e3 Nf6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Be2 Bb7 5. O-O d5 · · ·
10.1a: How many pawns can White take with one of his pawns? 10.1b: Could Black play Bxf3 if it was his move again? 10.1c: Can White legally check Black?
95
Zukertort v Blackburne, 1883, 5…d5 · · ·
10.1a: 1 – with cxd5 10.1b: No, the d5 pawn blocks it 10.1c: Yes, with Qa4+
6. d4 Bd6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. b3 Nbd7 9. Bb2 Qe7 · · ·
10.2a: 10.2a: Which minor pieces (either colour) are undefended? 10.2b: 10.2b: Can White safely play Ne5? 10.2c: How many times is d5 attacked and defended?
96
Zukertort v Blackburne, 1883, 9…Qe7 · · ·
10.2a: 2 – Bb7 and Bb2 10.2b: No, it loses a pawn 10.2c: Attacked twice and defended 3 times
10. Nb5 Ne4 11. Nxd6 cxd6 12. Nd2 Ndf6 13. f3 Nxd2 · · ·
10.3a: How many ways can White recapture on d2? 10.3b: Could Black legally have played 13…Bxh2+? 10.3c: How many pawns (either colour) are on the c-file?
97
Zukertort v Blackburne, 1883, 13…Nxd2 · · ·
10.3a: 1 – Qxd2 10.3b: No, the dark squared Bishop is off the board 10.3c: 1 – c4
14. Qxd2 dxc4 15. Bxc4 d5 16. Bd3 Rfc8 17. Rae1 Rc7 18. e4 Rac8 · · ·
10.4a: Could Black safely play Rc2 if it was his move again? 10.4b: Can White legally check Black? 10.4c: Can White safely play 19. Ba3?
98
Zukertort v Blackburne, 1883, 18…Rac8 · · ·
10.4a: No, c2 is protected by the Bd3 10.4b: No 10.4c: No, the d6 pawn moved to d5 and the Queen attacks a3
19. e5 Ne8 20. f4 g6 21. Re3 f5 22. exf6ep Nxf6 23. f5 Ne4 · ·
10.5a: Can White legally play 24. f6? 10.5b: Would 23…exf5 have been a safe move?
99
Zukertort v Blackburne, 1883, 23…Ne4 · ·
10.5a: Yes 10.5b: 10.5b: No, the pawn is pinned against the Qe7
24. Bxe4 dxe4 25. fxg6 Rc2 26. gxh7+ Kh8 27. d5+ e5 28. Qb4 · · ·
10.6a: How many White pieces are en prise? 10.6b: Which Black pieces are undefended? 10.6c: Can Black legally play 28…Kxh7?
100
Zukertort v Blackburne, 1883, 28. Qb4 · · ·
28. …
10.6a: 2 – Qb4 and Bb2 10.6b: The Qe7 10.6c: Yes R8c5
29. Rf8+ Kxh7 30. Qxe4+ Kg7 31. Bxe5+ Kxf8 32. Bg7+ Kg8 33. Qxe7 1-0
Zukertort v Blackburne, 1883, Final Position 101
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Game 11: Em. Lasker v Bauer, 1889 "The Double Bishop Sacrifice"
Emanuel Lasker, the second (and sll the longest reigning at 27 years) World Champion, made many contribuons to the chess world - his “Manual of Chess” is considered a classic book. In this game, he introduces a taccal mof that tears down his opponent’s defenc d efence. e. Watch where those Bishops are a re looking!
1. f4 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. b3 e6 4. Bb2 Be7 5. Bd3 b6 · · ·
11.1a: Can White legally play 6. Qg4? 11.1b: Can White legally play 6. Qa4+? 11.1c: How many pieces/pawns (either colour) are in the centre 4x4?
104
Em. Lasker v Bauer, 1889, 5…b6
· · ·
11.1a: Yes 11.1b: No, the b3/c2 pawns block the move 11.1c: 6 – Bd3, Nf6 and pawns on d5, e6, e3 and f4
6. Nf3 Bb7 7. Nc3 Nbd7 8. O-O O-O 9. Ne2 c5 10. Ng3 Qc7 · · ·
11.2a: Which squares are White’s Knights on? 11.2b: Which minor pieces (either colour) are undefended? 11.2c: Which Black pawns are only protected once?
105
Em. Lasker v Bauer, 1889, 10…Qc7 · · ·
11.2a: f3 and g3 11.2b: Bb2 and Be7 11.2c: a7, e6 and g7
11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. Bxe5 Qc6 13. Qe2 a6 14. Nh5 Nxh5 15. Bxh7+ · ·
11.3a: How many legal moves does Black have? 11.3b: How many safe squares does Black’s Queen have available?
106
Em. Lasker v Bauer, 1889, 15. Bxh7+ · ·
11.3a: 2 – Kh8 and Kxh7 11.3b: 4 – b5, c8, d7 and e8
15. …
Kxh7
16. Qxh5+ Kg8 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Qg4+ Kh7 19. Rf3 e5 20. Rh3+ · · ·
11.4a: How many legal moves does Black have? 11.4b: What is the material balance? 11.4c: Which Black pieces are undefended?
107
Em. Lasker v Bauer, 1889, 20. Rh3+ · · ·
20. …
11.4a: 2 – Qh6 and Bh4 11.4b: -4 (2 Bishops for 2 pawns) 11.4c: The Be7 Qh6
21. Rxh6+ Kxh6 22. Qd7 Bf6 23. Qxb7 Kg7 24. Rf1 Rab8 25. Qd7 Rfd8 26. Qg4+ Kf8 · · ·
11.5a: Can White legally play 27. Qd6+? 11.5b: What is the material balance? 11.5c: How many moves can the 2 Black Rooks make?
108
Em. Lasker v Bauer, 1889, 26…Kf8 · · ·
11.5a: No, the Queen cannot move to d6 from g4 11.5b: 11.5b: +3 (Queen (Queen and 2 pawns pa wns for a Rook and a nd Bishop) 11.5c: 7
27. fxe5 Bg7 28. e6 Rb7 29. Qg6 f6 30. Rxf6+ Bxf6 31. Qxf6+ Ke8 32. Qh8+ Ke7 · · ·
11.6a: Are there any undefended Black pieces? 11.6b: How many pawns (either colour) are on the board? 11.6c: Could Black move a Rook to f7 if it was his move again?
109
Em. Lasker v Bauer, 1889, 32…Ke7
· · ·
11.6a: Yes, Rb7 11.6b: 12 pawns 11.6c: No
33. Qg7+ Kxe6 34. Qxb7 Rd6 35. Qxa6 d4 36. exd4 cxd4 37. h4 d3 38. Qxd3 1-0
Em. Lasker v Bauer, 1889, Final Position
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Game 12: Steinitz v Chigorin, 1892
This game comes from the rematch for the World Chess Championship between th Champion, Wilhelm Steinitz and challenger, the great Russian Mikhail Chigorin, oen credited as being the founder of the “Soviet School” of chess. Steinitz has been wrien into history as one of the great chess theorists, suggesng and proving in pracce many posional concepts. Sll, he was more than capable of fierce aacking play and had been called “the Austrian Morphy” earlier in his career. This is a great example of that style.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. c3 g6 · ·
12.1a: 12.1a: How How many empty squares does White’s dark-squared Bishop eye? 12.1b: How many pieces/pawns are in the centre 4x4?
112
Steinitz v Chigorin, 1892, 5…g6 · ·
12.1a: 5 (d2-h6) 12.1b: 8 – Nc6, Nf6, Nf3 and pawns on d6, e5, e4, d3 and c3
6. Nbd2 Bg7 7. Nf1 O-O 8. Ba4 Nd7 9. Ne3 Nc5 10. Bc2 Ne6 11. h4 Ne7 · · ·
12.2a: Can White safely play 12. Ng4? 12.2b: Which squares in the centre 4x4 do White’s Knights eye? 12.2c: Which squares in the centre 4x4 do Black’s Knights eye?
113
Steinitz v Chigorin, 1892, 11…Ne7 · · ·
12.2a: Yes 12.2b: c4, d5, f5, d4 and e5. 12.2c: c6, d5, f5, c5, d4 and f4
12. h5 d5 13. hxg6 fxg6 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Nxd5 Qxd5 16. Bb3 Qc6 ·
·
12.3a: How many pieces (either colour, including Kings) are on the d- and efiles? 12.3b: 12.3b: Can White legally play Qg4 on his next move?
114
Steinitz v Chigorin, 1892, 16…Qc6 · ·
12.3a: 2 – Qd1 and Ne6 12.3b: No, the Nf3 blocks the move
17. Qe2 Bd7 18. Be3 Kh8 19. O-O-O Rae8 20. Qf1 a5 · ·
12.4a: How many ways can Black put White in check? 12.4b: How many ways can White put Black in check?
115
Steinitz v Chigorin, 1892, 20…a5 · ·
12.4a: 1 – Qxc3+ 12.4b: 1 – Rxh7+
21. d4 exd4 22. Nxd4 Bxd4 23. Rxd4 Nxd4 24. Rxh7+ · ·
12.5a: How many legal moves does Black have? 12.5b: What is the material balance?
116
Steinitz v Chigorin, 1892, 24. Rxh7+ · ·
24. …
12.5a: 1 – Kxh7 12.5b: -4 (a Rook for a pawn), soon to be -9 Kxh7
25. Qh1+ Kg7 26. Bh6+ Kf6 27. Qh4+ Ke5 28. Qxd4+ 1-0
Steinitz v Chigorin, 1892, 1892, Final Position
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Game 13: Steinitz Steinitz v von vo n Bardeleben, Bard eleben, 1895
The winner of the Brilliancy Prize at the Hasngs 1895 tournament, this game ended on move 25 with a combinaon that forced mate. On seeing the move, von Bardeleben le the board without resigning, meaning Steinitz had to wait unl his opponent’s me ran down and he won on me. No longer World Champion having been beaten by Lasker in the previous year, Steinitz demonstrated the mang sequence to the audience aer the game, to great applause. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ · · ·
13.1a: How many minor pieces (either colour) are in the centre 4x4? 13.1b: If White played 7. Nc3 would the Knight be protected? 13.1c: What colour square is b4?
119
Steinitz v von Bardeleben, 1895, 6…Bb4+ · · ·
13.1a: 4 – Nc6, Nf6, Bc4 and Nf3 13.1b: Yes, by the b2 pawn 13.1c: Black/dark square
7. Nc3 d5 8. exd5 Nxd5 9. O-O Be6 10. Bg5 Be7 · · ·
13.2a: How many times is the Nd5 attacked and defended? 13.2b: 13.2b: How How many times is the Nd5 attacke att acked d and an d defended? 13.2c: Would 11. Re1 pin the Be7 against the Black King?
120
Steinitz v von Bardeleben, 1895, 10…Be7 · · ·
13.2a: Attacked twice and defended twice 13.2b: Attacked twice (by Be7 and Qd8) and defended once 13.2c: No, the e-file is also blocked by the Be6
11. Bxd5 Bxd5 12. Nxd5 Qxd5 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 14. Re1 f6 15. Qe2 Qd7 16. Rac1 c6 17. d5 · · ·
13.3a: 13.3a: What squares are a re the minor pieces (both colours) on? 13.3b: Can Black legally castle Queenside? 13.3c: How many times is the d5 pawn attacked and defended?
121
Steinitz v von Bardeleben, 1895, 17. d5 · · ·
13.3a: e7 and f3 13.3b: Yes 13.3c: Aacked 3 mes (including the Knight, twice is correct if you saw it but excluded it because of the pin), defended 0 times
17. …
cxd5
18. Nd4 Kf7 19. Ne6 Rhc8 20. Qg4 g6 21. Ng5+ · ·
13.4a: Can Black legally capture the Knight? 13.4b: 13.4b: What is White’s Whi te’s threat?
122
Steinitz v von Bardeleben, 1895, 21. Ng5+ · ·
13.4a: Yes, with fxg5 13.4b: To capture Black’s Queen with Qxd7
21. … Ke8 22. Rxe7+ Kf8 23. Rf7+ Kg8 24. Rg7+ Kh8 25. Rxh7+ 1-0
Steinitz v von Bardeleben, 1895, 1895, Final Position (25...Kg8 26.Rg7+ Kh8 27.Qh4+ Kxg7 28.Qh7+ Kf8 29.Qh8+ Ke7 30.Qg7+ Ke8 31.Qg8+ Ke7 32.Qf7+ Kd8 33.Qf8+ Qe8 34.Nf7+ Kd7 35.Qd6#)
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Game 14: Pillsbury v Em. Lasker, 1896 1896
Harry Nelson Pillsbury, the very strong American who won the Hasngs tournamen in 1895, was a rival of Lasker’s and it has been said that a win at this tournament, St. Petersburg 1895-6, could have earned him a World Championship match. He suffered from poor health and this impacted on some of his performances. Lasker won the tournament, and this crucial game, in some style though, producing a Morphy-esque sacrifice not once but twice.
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 c5 5. Bg5 cxd4 · ·
14.1a: How many ways can White recapture on d4? 14.1b: 14.1b: Could Black play Bb4 if i f it was his move?
125
Pillsbury v Em. Lasker, 1895, 5…cxd4 · ·
14.1a: 2, Nxd4 or Qxd4 14.1b: Yes
6. Qxd4 Nc6 7. Qh4 Be7 8. O-O-O Qa5 9. e3 Bd7 10. Kb1 h6 11. cxd5 · · ·
14.2a: 14.2a: Which of Black’s Knights Knights are a re protected by a Bishop? 14.2b: 14.2b: Which Which White Whit e piece is attacke att acked d by a pawn? pa wn? 14.2c: Can it be safely taken?
126
Pillsbury v Em. Lasker, 1895, 11. cxd5 · · ·
11. …
14.2a: Both 14.2b: Bg5 14.2c: No, because of Qxh8+ exd5
12. Nd4 O-O 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Qh5 Nxd4 15. exd4 Be6 16. f4 Rac8 17. f5 · · ·
14.3a: What is threatened by White’s last move? 14.3b: Is the f5 pawn protected? 14.3c 14.3c:: In this position, what purpose is the Rd1 serving?
127
Pillsbury v Em. Lasker, 1895, 17. f5 · · ·
14.3a: fxe6 14.3b: Yes, by the Qh5 14.3c: Protecting the d4 pawn
17. … Rxc3 18. fxe6 Ra3 19. exf7+ Rxf7 20. bxa3 Qb6+ 21. Bb5 Qxb5+ 22. Ka1 Rc7 23. Rd2 Rc4 · · ·
14.4a: What is the material balance? 14.4b: Can White safely check Black on the next move? 14.4c: What is Black’s immediate threat?
128
Pillsbury v Em. Lasker, 1895, 23…Rc4 · · ·
14.4a: +2 (White is up the exchange) 14.4b: No, f7 and e8 are protected 14.4c: Capturing the d4 pawn
24. Rhd1 Rc3 25. Qf5 Qc4 26. Kb2 Rxa3 27. Qe6+ · ·
14.5a: 14.5a: Could White Whit e legally have played pl ayed 27. Kxa3? Kxa3? 14.5b: How many legal moves does Black have?
129
Pillsbury v Em. Lasker, 1895, 27. Qe6+ · ·
14.5a: Yes 14.5b: 3 – Kf8, Kh8 and Kh7
27. … Kh7 28. Kxa3 Qc3+ 29. Ka4 b5+ 30. Kxb5 Qc4+ 0-1
Pillsbury v Em. Lasker, 1895, Final Position
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Game 15: Steinitz v Em. Lasker, 1899
A game between the current and former World Champion, this took place at the London 1899 1899 tournament, won won by Lasker Lasker in dominang fashion with with a 4 ½ point lead over second-place. It was a sad event for Steinitz, the first me he’d not won a prize in a tournament, he finished 10th out of 15. Lasker provides instrucon on how to carve open a defence and bring reinforcements into play in this fine game against a fellow chess legend.
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. d3 Nc6 5. fxe5 Nxe5 · ·
15.1a: What squares are Black’s Knights on? 15.1b: 15.1b: Can White safely play 6. Nxd5?
132
Steinitz v Em. Lasker, 1899, 5…Nxe5 · ·
15.1a: e5 and f6 15.1b: Yes
6. d4 Ng6 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. Nxd5 Qxd5 9. Nf3 Bg4 10. Be2 O-O-O 11. c3 Bd6 12. O-O Rhe8 · ·
15.2a: 15.2a: How How many pieces (either colour) are a re on their original squares? 15.2b: Can White safely play Ng5?
133
Steinitz v Em. Lasker, 1899, 12…Rhe8 · ·
15.2a: 3 – White’s Ra1, Bc1 and Qd1 15.2b: No because of Bxe2 (or Rxe2)
13. h3 Bd7 14. Ng5 Nh4 15. Nf3 Nxg2 16. Kxg2 Bxh3+ ·
15.3: How many legal moves does White have?
134
Steinitz v Em. Lasker, 1899, 16…Bxh3+ ·
15.3: 4 – Kxh3, Kh1, Kg1 and Kf2
17. Kf2 f6 18. Rg1 g5 19. Bxg5 fxg5 20. Rxg5 Qe6 21. Qd3 Bf4 · · ·
15.4a: What is the material balance? 15.4b: Which White pieces are en prise? 15.4c: Which Black pieces are en prise?
135
Steinitz v Em. Lasker, 1899, 21…Bf4 · · ·
15.4a: Material is level 15.4b: The Rg5 and Be2 15.4c: None
22. Rh1 Bxg5 23. Nxg5 Qf6+ 24. Bf3 Bf5 25. Nxh7 Qg6 · · ·
15.5a: Which pieces are in the White Kingside 4x4? 15.5b: 15.5b: Could Black safely capture the Nh7 if i f it was his move again? 15.5c: Which is Black’s least active piece (excluding the King)?
136
Steinitz v Em. Lasker, 1899, 25…Qg6 · · ·
15.5a: The Bf3, Rh1 and Kf2. 15.5b: No, it is guarded by the Rh1 15.5c: His Rd8
26. Qb5 c6 27. Qa5 Re7 28. Rh5 Bg4 29. Rg5 Qc2+ 30. Kg3 Bxf3 0-1
Steinitz v Em. Lasker, 1899, Final Position
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Game 16: Rotlewi v Rubinstein, 1907
Akiba Rubinstein, a Polish Grandmaster, was due to play Lasker for the World Championship in 1914, but the match didn’t take place because of the outbreak of the First World War. A fine endgame player, here he demonstrates fantasc harmony amongst his minor pieces, with laser-like Bishops and a supporng Knight allowing him to give up his h is Queen in exchange for his opponent’s King. King. A true classic. classic. 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 c5 4. c4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 · · ·
16.1a: How many times is the c4 pawn attacked and defended? 16.1b: Can White play 6. Bg5? 16.1c: What colour is the e6 square?
139
Rotlewi v Rubinstein, 1907, 5…Nf6 · · ·
16.1a: Attacked once (by the d5 pawn) and defended once (by the Bf1) 16.1b: No, the e3 pawn blocks the move 16.1c: White/light square
6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. a3 a6 8. b4 Bd6 9. Bb2 O-O 10. Qd2 · · ·
16.2a: 16.2a: Could White Whit e legally have played pl ayed Bxf6? 16.2b: How many pieces/pawns are there between the two Queens? 16.2c: Can Black safely play 10…Ne4?
140
Rotlewi v Rubinstein, 1907, 10. Qd2 · · ·
10. …
16.2a: No, the Nc3 blocks it 16.2b: 2 – the d5 pawn and Bd6 16.2c: Yes Qe7
11. Bd3 dxc4 12. Bxc4 b5 13. Bd3 Rd8 14. Qe2 Bb7 15. O-O Ne5 · ·
16.3a: How many pieces does the Ne5 attack? 16.3b: How many pieces are only protected by the White Queen?
141
Rotlewi v Rubinstein, 1907, 15…Ne5 · ·
16.3a: 2 – the Nf3 and Bd3 16.3b: 2 – the Bd3 and Bb2
16. Nxe5 Bxe5 17. f4 Bc7 18. e4 Rac8 19. e5 Bb6+ 20. Kh1 Ng4 · · ·
16.4a: How many times is the Ng4 attacked and defended? 16.4b: 16.4b: How How many times is the f2 square attacked a ttacked and defended? d efended? 16.4c: How many times is the Bd3 attacked and defended?
142
Rotlewi v Rubinstein, 1907, 20…Ng4 · · ·
16.4a: Attacked once (by Qe2) and undefended 16.4b: Attacked twice (by Bb6 and Ng4) and defended twice (by Rf1 and Qe2) 16.4c: Attacked once (by Rd8) and defended once (by Qe2)
21. Be4 Qh4 22. g3 Rxc3 23. gxh4 Rd2 24. Qxd2 Bxe4+ 25. Qg2 Rh3 0-1
Rotlewi v Rubinstein, Rubinstein , 1907, 1907, Final Position 143
144
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Game 17: Capablanca v Marshall, 1918
Defence meets aack – and wins. Frank Marshall plays the gambit that came to bear his name in the Ruy Lopez opening against the third World Champion and brings on a ferocious aack. Capablanca keeps finding accurate defensive moves and sustains incredible pressure against Marshall’s invenve play. When the dust seles, the Cuban has an advantage that he converts clinically.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 · · ·
17.1a: 17.1a: How How many of White’s pieces p ieces are on their original squares? 17.1b: Could Black have castled on his last move? 17.1c: How many safe squares can White’s only attacked piece move to?
146
Capablanca Capabla nca v Marshall, 1918, 1918, 6…b5 · · ·
17.1a: 4 – Ra1, Nb1, Bc1 and Qd1 17.1b: Yes, Kingside 17.1c: 1 – the Ba4 has b3
7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 Nf6 12. Re1 Bd6 · · ·
17.2a: 17.2a: Which minor pieces (either colour) are still on their original squa res? 17.2b: Which of Black’s pieces is undefended? 17.2c: How many pieces (either colour) are in White’s Kingside 4x4?
147
Capablanca v Marshall, 1918, 12…Bd6 · · ·
17.2a: Nb1, Bc1 and Bc8 17.2b: Ra8 17.2c: 2 – Re1 and Kg1
13. h3 Ng4 14. Qf3 Qh4 15. d4 Nxf2 16. Re2 Bg4 17. hxg4 Bh2+ · · ·
17.3a: How many legal moves does White have? 17.3b: How many of Black’s pieces are completely undefended? 17.3c 17.3c:: What is the material balance?
148
Capablanca v Marshall, 1918, 17…Bh2+ · · ·
17.3a: 1 – Kf1 17.3b: None 17.3c: +3 (up a Bishop)
18. Kf1 Bg3 19. Rxf2 Qh1+ 20. Ke2 Bxf2 21. Bd2 Bh4 22. Qh3 Rae8+ 23. Kd3 Qf1+ · · ·
17.4a: How many legal moves does White have? 17.4b: How many of Black’s pieces are completely undefended? 17.4c 17.4c:: What is the material balance?
149
Capablanca v Marshall, 1918, 23…Qf1+ · · ·
17.4a: 1 – Kc2 17.4b: 1, the Bh4 17.4c: +1 (2 minor pieces for a Rook)
24. Kc2 Bf2 25. Qf3 Qg1 26. Bd5 c5 27. dxc5 Bxc5 28. b4 · · ·
17.5a: How many empty squares is White’s King next to? 17.5b: Which of Black’s pieces (excluding pawns) are en prise? 17.5c: How many times is the f7 pawn attacked and defended?
150
Capablanca Capabl anca v Marshall, Marshall , 1918, 1918, 28. 28. b4 · · ·
17.5a: 5 17.5b: The Bishop on c5 17.5c: Attacked twice (by Bc4 and Qf3) and defended twice (by Rf8 and Kg8)
28. …
Bd6
29. a4 a5 30. 30. axb5 axb4 a xb4 31. Ra6 bxc3 32. Nxc3 · · ·
17.6a: How many pawns (either colour) are in White’s Queenside 4x4? 17.6b: What is the material balance? 17.6c 17.6c:: What is White’s immediate threat?
151
Capablanca v Marshall, 1918, 32. Nxc3 · · ·
32. …
17.6a: None 17.6b: +1 (2 minor pieces for a Rook) 17.6c 17.6c:: To capture the Bishop with Rxd6 Rxd 6 Bb4
33. b6 Bxc3 34. Bxc3 h6 35. b7 Re3 36. Bxf7+ 1-0
Capablanca Capabla nca v Marshall, 1918, 1918, Final Position
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Game 18: Em. Lasker v Capablanca, Cap ablanca, 1921
Game 10 of the World Championship match between these two Champions. Whic one was the Champion and which the Challenger is vague. Lasker had been Champion u unl this match but resigned the tle to Capablanca in response to the laer’s results versus the rest of the chess world. The Cuban sll wished to play Lasker in a match so there could be no dispute as to his worthiness of the tle. The German agreed, on the condition he was viewed as the Challenger. Either way, the match was played and Capablanca won (4 wins, 10 draws, 0 losses). This game showcased Capablanca’s strong posional play, a fine demonstraon of how to face an isolated Queen’s pawn, and endgame technique.
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 · · ·
18.1a: How many times is White’s c-pawn attacked and defended? 18.1b: How many of the centre 4x4 squares are eyed by the White Knights? 18.1c: How many of the centre 4x4 squares are eyed by the Black Knights?
154
Em. Lasker v Capablanca, 1921, 6…Nbd7 · · ·
18.1a: Attacked once (by the d5 pawn) and defended once (by Bf1) 18.1b: 4 – d4, d5, e4 and e5 18.1c: 5 – f6, c5, d5, e5 and e4
7. Qc2 c5 8. Rd1 Qa5 9. Bd3 h6 10. Bh4 cxd4 11. exd4 dxc4 · · ·
18.2a: Which side has an isolated pawn? 18.2b: How many pieces/pawns are on the 5th rank? 18.2c: Could White legally play 12. Ne4?
155
Em. Lasker v Capablanca, 1921, 11…dxc4 · · ·
18.2a: White, the d-pawn 18.2b: 1 – Black’s Qa5 18.2c: No, the Nc3 is pinned to its King
12. Bxc4 Nb6 13. Bb3 Bd7 14. O-O Rac8 15. Ne5 Bb5 16. Rfe1 Nbd5 · · ·
18.3a: How many times is the Nc3 attacked and defended? 18.3b: How many pieces (either colour) are on the 5 th Rank? 18.3c: How many pieces (either colour) are on the a1-h8 diagonal?
156
Em. Lasker v Capablanca, 1921, 16…Nbd5 ·
· ·
18.3a: Aacked 3 mes (by Qa5, Rc8 and Nd5) and defended twice (by the b2 pawn and Qc2) 18.3b: 4 – Qa5, Bb5, Nd5 and Ne5 18.3c: 3 – Nc3, Ne5 and Nf6
17. Bxd5 Nxd5 18. Bxe7 Nxe7 19. Qb3 Bc6 20. Nxc6 bxc6 21. Re5 Qb6 · ·
18.4a: 18.4a: How How many isolated pawns (either colour) are there on the board? boa rd? 18.4b: 18.4b: How How many minor pieces pi eces (either (either colour) are there on o n the board?
157
Em. Lasker v Capablanca, 1921, 21…Qb6 · ·
18.4a: 3 – a7, c6 and d4 18.4b: 2 – Nc3 and Ne7
22. Qc2 Rfd8 23. Ne2 Rd5 24. Rxd5 cxd5 25. Qd2 Nf5 26. b3 h5 27. h3 h4 ·
·
18.5a: Could Black have safely aacked the d4 pawn with his Rook on the last move? 18.5b: 18.5b: Can White play 28. Rc1 without without losing material?
158
Em. Lasker v Capablanca, 1921, 27…h4 · ·
18.5a: No, the b3 pawn guards against Rc4 18.5b: No, the exchange of Rooks would remove a defender of d4 and Blac would win the pawn
28. Qd3 Rc6 29. Kf1 g6 30. Qb1 Qb4 31. Kg1 a5 32. Qb2 a4 ·
·
18.6a: Could Black have safely aacked the d4 pawn with his Rook on the last move? 18.6b: How many Queen moves can White make without losing material?
159
Em. Lasker v Capablanca, 1921, 32…a4 ·
·
18.6a: Yes, Rc4 was playable as the b3 pawn is pinned against the unprotected Qb2 18.6b: 2 – Qd2 and Qb1
33. Qd2 Qxd2 34. Rxd2 axb3 35. axb3 Rb6 36. Rd3 Ra6 37. g4 hxg3ep 38. fxg3 Ra2 · ·
18.7a: 18.7a: What is Black’s Black’s immediate threat? 18.7b: 18.7b: How How many pawn islands isla nds does each side have?
160
Em. Lasker v Capablanca, 1921, 38…Ra2 · ·
18.7a: To capture the Knight with Rxe2 18.7b: 1 for Black, 3 for White
39. Nc3 Rc2 40. Nd1 Ne7 41. Nc3 Rc1+ 42. Kf2 Nc6 43. Nd1 Rb1 44. Ke2 Rxb3 · ·
18.8a: How many of Black’s pieces are unprotected? 18.8b: How many legal moves can White make with his Knight?
161
Em. Lasker v Capablanca, 1921, 44..Rxb3 · ·
18.8a: 2 – Rb3 and Nc6 18.8b: 4 – Nd1 to a2, c3, e3 or f2.
45. Ke3 Rb4 46. Nc3 Ne7 47. Ne2 Nf5+ 48. Kf2 g5 49. g4 Nd6 50. Ng1 Ne4+ · ·
18.8a: How many pawns (either colour) are unprotected? 18.8b: How many pieces (either colour) are unprotected?
162
Em. Lasker v Capablanca, 1921, 50…Ne4+ · ·
18.8a: None, they are all protected 18.8b: 2, the Rb4 and Rd3
51. Kf1 Rb1+ 52. Kg2 Rb2+ 53. Kf1 Rf2+ 54. Ke1 Ra2 55. Kf1 Kg7 56. Re3 Kg6 · ·
18.9a: How many legal King moves can White make? 18.9b: How many checks could Black have played on his last move?
163
Em. Lasker v Capablanca, 1921, 56…Kg6 · ·
18.9a: 1, Ke1 18.9b: 4 – Ra1+, Rf2+, Nd2+ and Ng3+
57. Rd3 f6 58. Re3 Kf7 59. Rd3 Ke7 60. Re3 Kd6 61. Rd3 Rf2+ · ·
18.10a: How many pieces/pawns (either colour) are in the centre 4x4? 18.10b: Which of the 4x4s has the most pieces in it?
164
Em. Lasker v Capablanca, 1921, 61…Rf2+ · ·
18.10a: 4 pawns and 3 pieces (including the Kd6) 18.10b: White’s Kingside 4x4
62. Ke1 Rg2 63. Kf1 Ra2 64. Re3 e5 65. Rd3 exd4 66. Rxd4 Kc5 67. Rd1 d4 68. Rc1+ Kd5 0-1
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Em. Lasker v Capablanca, Capabl anca, 1921, 1921, Final Position
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Game 19: Bogoljubow v Alekhine, 1922
The following game is another lauded by chess luminaries such as Botvinnik. Kasparov and Fischer, who reportedly declared it “one of the great masterpieces of the chessboard” having analysed it as a young player. Alexander Alekhine, the fourth World Champion, cramps his, very strong, opponent’s posion, switches play between Kingside, Queenside and back again and we have 3 Queen sacrifices to enjoy too. 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Bxd2+ 6. Nxd2 Nc6 · · ·
19.1a: How many minor pieces (either colour) are in the centre 4x4? 19.1b: 19.1b: What does Black Bla ck’s ’s last move threaten? t hreaten? 19.1c: What colour is the g8 square?
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Bogoljubow v Alekhine, 1922, 6…Nc6 · · ·
19.1a: 2, Black’s Nc6 and Nf6 19.1b: Nxd4 19.1c: 19.1c: White Whi te
7. Ngf3 O-O 8. O-O d6 9. Qb3 Kh8 10. Qc3 e5 11. e3 a5 12. b3 Qe8 13. a3 Qh5 · ·
19.2a: Are both sides’ Rooks connected? 19.2b: How many squares can the Nd2 move to safely?
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Bogoljubow v Alekhine, 1922, 13…Qh5 · ·
19.2a: No, Black has the Bc8 in the way 19.2b: 1 – b1
14. h4 Ng4 15. Ng5 Bd7 16. f3 Nf6 17. f4 e4 18. Rfd1 h6 · · ·
19.3a: How many White pawns are undefended? 19.3b: How many Black pawns are undefended? 19.3c: How many pieces (either colour) are undefended?
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Bogoljubow v Alekhine, 1922, 18…h6 · · ·
19.3a: 1, g3 19.3b: 2, b7 and c7 19.3c: 1, White’s Qc3
19. Nh3 d5 20. Nf1 Ne7 21. a4 Nc6 22. Rd2 Nb4 23. Bh1 Qe8 · · ·
19.4a: How many pieces does White have on his first rank? 19.4b: 19.4b: How How many outposts outp osts does Black Bla ck have in White’s pawn p awn structure? 19.4c: How many squares can White’s Queen move to safely?
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Bogoljubow v Alekhine, 1922, 23…Qe8 · · ·
19.4a: 3, (or 4 including the King) 19.4b: 4 – b4, d3, f3 and g4. 19.4c: 2, b2 and c1.
24. Rg2 dxc4 25. bxc4 Bxa4 26. Nf2 Bd7 27. Nd2 b5 28. Nd1 Nd3 · · ·
19.5a: How many squares can White’s Bishop move to? 19.5b: 19.5b: Which Which 2 files are a re most likely to be opened? 19.5c: How many squares can White’s Queen move to safely?
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Bogoljubow v Alekhine, 1922, 28…Nd3 · · ·
19.5a: None! 19.5b: 19.5b: Files a and b. 19.5c: 2 - a3 and c2.
29. Rxa5 b4 30. Rxa8 bxc3 31. Rxe8 c2 32. Rxf8+ Kh7 33. Nf2 · · ·
19.6a: What is the material balance? 19.6b: How many pieces (either colour) are there on the Queenside? 19.6c: What defends the e3 pawn?
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Bogoljubow v Alekhine, 1922, 32. Nf2 · · ·
19.6a: +10 – White is up 2 Rooks. 19.6b: 2- the Nd3 and Bd7. 19.6c: It is undefended – the Knight move Nd1-f2 removed its protection.
33. …
c1=Q+
34. Nf1 Ne1 35. Rh2 Qxc4 36. Rb8 Bb5 37. Rxb5 Qxb5 38. g4 Nf3+ 39. Bxf3 · · ·
19.7a: What is the material balance? 19.7b: How many squares can the Nf1 move to? 19.7c: How many undefended pieces and pawns (both colours) are there?
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Bogoljubow v Alekhine, 1922, 39. Bxf3 ·
· ·
19.7a: +2 (Rook, Bishop & Knight for Queen) soon to be -1 (Rook and Knight for Queen) 19.7b: 2 – d2 and g3 19.7c: 2 – the c7 pawn and the, soon to be taken, Bf3.
39. …
exf3
40. gxf5 Qe2 41. d5 Kg8 42. h5 Kh7 43. e4 Nxe4 44. Nxe4 Qxe4 45. d6 · ·
19.8a: How many minor pieces (either colour) are there and where are they? 19.8b: How many squares can each King legally move to?
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Bogoljubow v Alekhine, 1922, 45. d6 19.8a: 1, White’s Nf1. 19.8b: 2 each. f2 and h1 for White, g8 and h8 for Black.
· ·
45. …
cxd6
46. f6 gxf6 47. Rd2 Qe2 48. Rxe2 fxe2 49. Kf2 19.9a: What is the minimum number of moves for Black to get his King t
·
f5? 19.9b: What square would White’s King have to be on to protect his remaining pawns? ·
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Bogoljubow v Alekhine, 1922, 45. d6 · ·
49. …
19.9a: 4 – (Kh7-g7-f7-e6-f5). 19.9b: g4 exf1=Q+
50. Kxf1 Kg7 51. Kf2 Kf7 52. Ke3 Ke6 53. Ke4 d5+ 0-1
Bogoljubow v Alekhine, 1922, Final Position
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Game 20: Gruenfeld v Alekhine, 1923
Played in Karlsbad, Czechoslovakia, Alekhine finished this tournament in joint join t 1st, sharing with Bogojubov Bogojubov and Maroczy Maroczy.. Grunfeld finished a place place below, with 10 ½ /17 compared to the winners’ 11 ½. This match won one of the brilliancy prizes for Alekhine’s strong pressure and fine combinaonal ending.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. e3 O-O · · ·
20.1a: Can White castle on his next move? 20.1b: How many times is the c4 pawn attacked and defended? 20.1c: Which pieces/pawns (either colour) eye the e5 square?
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Gruenfeld v Alekhine, 1923, 6…0-0 · · ·
20.1a: No, the Qd1 and Bf1 are in the way on either side. 20.1b: 20.1b: Attacked Attacked once by d5 pawn p awn and defended once by the Bf1. 20.1c: The Nf3 and d4 pawn for White and the Nd7 and Re8 fo Black.
7. Rc1 c6 8. Qc2 a6 9. a3 h6 10. Bh4 Re8 11. Bd3 dxc4 12. Bxc4 b5 · · ·
20.2a: How many safe squares can White move his Bc4 to? 20.2b: How many times is the c4 pawn attacked and defended? 20.2c: Which pieces/pawns (either colour) eye the e5 square?
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Gruenfeld v Alekhine, 1923, 12…b5 · · ·
20.2a: 5 – a2, b3, d3, e2 and f1. 20.2b: There isn’t a pawn on c4. 20.2c: For White, the Nf3 and pawn on d4, for Black, the Nd7.
13. Ba2 c5 14. Rd1 cxd4 15. Nxd4 Qb6 16. Bb1 Bb7 17. O-O Rac8 18. Qd2 Ne5 ·
· ·
20.3a: How many undefended minor pieces (either colour) are on the board? 20.3b: How many open files are there? 20.3c: Which minor piece (either colour) eyes the most empty squares?
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Gruenfeld v Alekhine, 1923, 18…Ne5 · · ·
20.3a: 2, White’s Bh4 and Black’s Ne5 20.3b: 2, the c- and d-files 20.3c: White’s Bb2 and Black’s Ne5 both eye 7 empty squares
19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Qc2 g6 21. Qe2 Nc4 22. Be4 Bg7 23. Bxb7 Qxb7 · · ·
20.4a: How many safe squares can White’s minor pieces move to? 20.4b: How many safe squares can Black’s minor pieces move to? 20.4c: How many times is each Queen protected?
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Gruenfeld v Alekhine, 1923, 23…Qxb7 ·
·
·
20.4a: 5 – Nc3 to a2 or b1 and Nd4 to c2, b3 and f3 (4 is correct i you saw Nc2 allows …Nxb2) 20.4b: 8 – Nc4 to a5, b6 or e5 and Bg7 to f8, h8, f6, e5 or d capturing the Knight 20.4c: White’s Queen is protected twice (by Nc3 and Nd4) and Black’s Queen is unprotected
24. Rc1 e5 25. Nb3 e4 26. Nd4 Red8 27. Rfd1 Ne5 · ·
20.5a: 20.5a: Can either side check check the other oth er from this position? posit ion? 20.5b: How many safe squares does White’s Queen have?
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Gruenfeld v Alekhine, 1923, 27…Ne5 · ·
20.5a: Yes, Black with Nf3+. 20.5b: 4 – c2, d2, e1 and f1
28. Na2 Nd3 29. Rxc8 Qxc8 30. f3 Rxd4 31. fxe4 · · ·
20.6a: What is the material balance? 20.6b: How many Black pieces are en prise? 20.6c: Which White pieces are undefended ?
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Gruenfeld v Alekhine, 1923, 31. fxe4 · · ·
31. …
20.6a: -2 (Black is a Bishop for pawn up) 20.6b: 2, the Nd3 and Rd4 20.6c: The Na2 and Qe2 Nf4
32. exf4 Qc4 33. Qxc4 Rxd1+ 34. Qf1 Bd4+ 0-1
Gruenfeld v Alekhine, A lekhine, 1923, 1923, Final Position
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