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http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924014756724
BY JOSE
R.
CAPABLANCA
A PRIMES OF CHESS
JOSE
R.
CAPABLANCA
CHESS
FUNDAMENTALS BY
JOSfi
R.
C^PABLANCA
CHESS CHAMPION OF THE WORLD
NEW YORK
HARCOURT, BRACE AND COMPANY LONDON: G. BELL AND SON^, LTD,
URIS LIBRARY
COPYRIGHT, I921, BY HARCOUKT, BRACE AND COMPANY, INC. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by mimeograph or any other means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
PKINIED IN THE
D. S. A.
PREFACE Chess Fundamentals was ago.
first
.
published thirteen years
Siace then there have appeared at different times
a number of
articles dealing
with the so-called Hyper-
modem Theory. Those who have read the may well have thought that something new, The
importance, had been discovered.
'Hypermodem Theory
is
fact
is
articles
of vital
that the
merely the application, during
the opening stages generally, of the same old principles
through the medium of somewhat new
There
tactics.
has been no change in the fundamentals.
The change
has been only a change of form, and not always for the best at that.
In chess the tactics
may
change but the strategic
fimdamental principles are always the same, so that Chess Fundamentals
is
It will be as
years ago.
as good
as long in fact as the laws
what they are
now
as
it
was
thirteen
good a hundred years from now;
and
at present.
rules of the
The
reader
game remain
may
therefore
go over the contents of the book with the assurance that there is
is
in it everything
he needs, and that there
nothing to be added and nothing to be changed.
Chess Fundamentals was the one standard work of
its
kind thirteen years ago and the author firmly believes that
it is
the one standard work of
its J.
New
York
Sept. I, ig34
kind now. R.
CAPABLANCA
LIST OF
CONTENTS
PART
I
CHAPTER
I
First Principjles: Endings, Middle-game and Openings PAGE
2.
Some Simple Mates Pawn Promotion
3.
Pawn Endings-
1.
4. 5.
6. 7.
8.
3
9 13
Some Winning Positions in the Middle-game Relative Value of the Pieces General Strategy of the Opening Control of the Centre Traps
CHAPTER
....
19 24 25 28
32
n
Further Principles in End-game Play 9.
10. 11. 12.
A A
Cardinal Principle Classical Ending Obtaining a Passed Pawn How TO find out which to Queen
13.
The Opposition
14.
TfEE Relative
15.
How
16.
Queen against Rook
35
37
40
Pawn will be the
first
41 43
Value of Knight and Bishop TO Mate with Knight and Bishop
CHAPTER
....
50 59 62
m
Planning a Win in Middle-game Play 17. 18. 19.
Attacking without the aid of Knights Attacking with Knights as a Prominent Force. WiNNiNO BY Indirect Attack
68 .
.
71
73
1
LIST OF CONTENTS CHAPTER IV General Theory FAQE 20.
The
21.
Direct Attacks bn masse The Force of the Threatened Attack Relinquishing the Initiative Cutting off Pieces from the Scene of Action ... A Player's Motives Criticised in a Specimen Game
22. 23. 24.
25.
Initiative
77
.
7* 82
89 94 99
CHAPTER V End-game Strategy 26. 27. 28.
29.
30.
The Sudden Attack from a Different Side The Danger of a Safe Position Endings with one Rook and Pawns A Difficult Ending: Two Rooks and Pawns .... Rook, Bishop and Pawns v. Rook, Knight and Pawns (A Final Example
of preserving
Freedom
11
120 122 127
138
whilst
imposing restraint.)
CHAPTER
VI
Further Openings and Middle-games 31.
32.
Some Sauent Points about Pawns Some Possible Developments from a Ruy Lopez (showing the weakness of a backward
33.
The
K
a Pawn at s, etc.) Influence of a "Hole"
power
of
Q B
P;
143
the 146
150
XIST OF CONTENTS
PART
II
ILLUSTRATIVE GAMES GAME 1.
PAGE
Queen's Gambit Declined White: F.
2.
J.
Marshall.
(
Match,
Black:
J.
1909) R. Capablanca.
159
Queen's Gambit Declined (San Sebastian, 1911). White: A. K. Rubinstein. Black: J. R. Capablanca.
.
163
Irregular Defence (Havana, 1913) White: D. Janowski. Black: J. R. Capablanca.
169
4.
French Defence
174
5.
RuY Lopez
3.
(St. Petersburg, 1913) White: J. R. Capablania. Black: E. A. Snosko-Borovski. (St.
Petersburg,
White: Dr.E. Lasker. 6.
RuY Lopez (San White:
8.
Sebastian, 1911) Black: A.
J. Mieses.
J.
White: 12.
R. Capablanca.
J.
209
Black: R. Teichmann.
Black: F.
(St.
Petersburg,
J.
215
Marshall.
1914)
221
Black: D. Janowski.
R. Capablanca.
J.
Queen's
J. S. Morrison.
1918)
J. Marshall.
231
Black: J. R. Capablanca.
Gambit Declined
White: F.
225
Black: 0. Chajes.
R. Capablanca.
RuY Lopez (New York, White:
14.
201
Black: J. R. Capablanca.
French Defence (New York, 1918) White:
13.
197
Bum.
Petrofp Defence (St. Petersburg, 1914)
RuY Lopez
189
R. Capablanca.
R. Capablanca.
White: J. R. Capablanca. 11.
J.
Queen's Gambit Declined (Berlin, 1913) White:
10.
J.
Black:
Centre Game (Berlin, 1913) White:
9.
181
French Defence ( Rice Memorial Tournament, 1916 ) White: O. Chajes.
7.
1914)
Black: J.R. Capablanca.
(New York,
1918).
.
Black: J. R. Capablanca.
.
.
238
CHESS FUNDAMENTALS
CHESS FUNDAMENTALS PART
I
CHAPTER
I
First Principles: Endings, Middle-Game
AND Openings
The
first
thing a student should do,
himseK with the power of the best be done
some
by
learning
how
is
to famiUarise
pieces.
This can
to accomplish quickly
of the simple mates. 1.
Example
1.
SOME SIMPLE MATES
— The
ending Rook and King against
King.
The principle last line
is to drive the
on any side of
opposing King
the board.
to
the
SOME SIMPLE MATES
4
In this position the power of the Rook is demonR 7, which immediately strated by the first move,
R—
confines the Black
King to the
mate
accomplished
quickly
is
K— Kt
K— Kt
i; 2
The
combined
last rank,
by:
and the
iR — R
7>
2.
action
and Rook
King
of
is
needed to arrive at a position in which mate can be
The
forced.
foUow
beginner
to
to
is
keep his
much as
King as
rank, or, as in this case,
When,
file,
in this case, the
the sixth rank, file,
a
for
general principle
it is
possible
on the same
as the opposing King.
King has been brought to
better to place
but on the one next to
not on the same
it,
towards the centre.
it
K— B K— K i; 4 K— K 4, K-Qi; sK-Qs, K-B 6 K-Q Not K — B because then the Black King will 2...K— B
i; 3
3,
i
6.
;
6,
go back to If
now
Q
and
I
it
will take
much
longer to mate.
Q
R — R 8 mates
the King moves back to
i,
at once.
6...K— Kti;
K— Kt
I
;
9
7R— QB7,K— Ri; 8K— B6,
K— Kt K— R 6,
i
;
10
R— B 8 mate.
moves to mate from the On move 5 Black could have played
It has taken exactly ten original position.
K— K
I,
and, according to principle. White would
have continued will ultimately
King
and
K— Kt K— Kt
i;
be 8
i; 10
6K— Q6, K — Bi
(the
Black King
be forced to move in front of the White
mated
K— B R— R
by 6,
R— R8); 7K— K6, i; 9 K— Kt 6,
K— R
8 mate.
.;
SOME SIMPLE MATES Example
2.
/A
m
/. !^/
V
^
^.
i^ ^^: King
Since the Black
the best
thus:
I
way
in the centre of the board,
is
to proceed
to
is
advance your own King
K— K,2, K— Q4;
Rook has not
2
K— K
yet come into play,
As
3.
it
is
the
better to
advance the King straight into the centre of the board, not in front, but to one side of the other King.
now it
the Black King
back by
R— R
move
5 ch.
K
to
On
Rook
the
4,
the other hand,
K — B 5 instead, then also 3 R — R 5. If K — Kt s, there follows 4 K — Q 3; but 3...K
—B
6;
then 4
R— R
4,
Should drives if
2.
now
3.
if
.
.
instead
keeping the King
confined to as few squares as possible.
Now 5 7
the
ending
may
continue
4
:
.
.
K— B K-Kt .
R-B 4 ch, K-Kt 6; 6 K-Q R— Kt 4 ch, K— R 6; 8 K— B K— R
should be noticed
3,
3,
how often
the White King has
next to the Rook, not only to defend
it,
7.
7
7; It
moved
but also to
reduce the mobihty of the opposing King.
Now
SOME SIMPLE MATES
6
R—
R 4 White mates in three moves thus: 9 Rook's the on any square Kt 8; 10
R—
K—
K— B 8;
forcing the Black King in front of the White, II
R—R
I
mate.
It has taken eleven
and, imder any conditions, I beheve in under twenty. is
While
may
it
it
ch, file,
moves
to mate,
should be done
be monotonous,
it
worth while for the beginner to practice such
things, as it will teach
him the proper handling
of
his pieces.
—
Example 3. Now we come King against King.
Since the Black
play 3
iB — Q3,
B—B
s,
from the
is
2
B — K Kt
had been
If the
and
White can
in the comer,
and already the Black Eang
to a few squares. position,
King
K— Kt 2;
to two Bishops
5,
K— B
is
2
;
confined
Black King, in the origmal
in the centre of the board, or
away
row, White should have advanced his King, and then, with the aid of his Bishops, restricted last
SOME SIMPLE MATES
7
the Black King's movements to as few squares as possible.
We might now continue:
3.
.K
.
— Kt 2
4K — B
;
2.
In this ending the Black King must not only be driven to the edge of the board, but he into a corner, and, before a
same time,
case either
and
K
Kt
in
also be forced
mate can be given, the
White King must be brought at the
must
to the sixth rank and,
one of the
K R 6, K Kt 6, K B
two
last 7,
files;
in this
K B 8, and as K R 6
6 are the nearest squares,
to either of
it is
these squares that the King ought to go.
4.
.
.K
—
K— Kt K— Kt 2; 6 K — R K— B 2; K— R K— Kt 2; 8 B — Kt K — Kt i; 9K — R6, K — Bi. White must now mark time and
B
2;
4,
3,
s
6,
7
s,
move one
of the Bishops, so as to force the Black
King to go back
K— R
;
Now
I.
loB — Rs,
to ch,
It has taken
and,
any
in
Kt
i.
K— R
12 i;
when
the
Black
it
King
B — K Kt 4, K — Kt 14 B — B 6 mate.'
fourteen moves to force the
position,
up a
can give check next move
it
along the White diagonal,
13B — K6
iiB — K7,
the White Bishop must take
position from which
moves back
K— Kti;
i;
mate
should be done in imder
thirty.
In
all
not to
endings of this kind, care must be taken
drift
into a stale mate.
In this particular ending one should remember that the King must not only be driven to the edge of the board, but also into a comer.
however,
it is
In
all
such endings,
immaterial whether the King
is
forced
SOME SIMPLE MATES
8 on to the 4,
K
Example
4.
Q R
or
I
Rook and
or
Q
— We As
against King.
the
an outside
last rank, or to
file,
e.g.
KR
5
8.
now come
to Queen and King Queen combines the power of
the
the Bishop,
it is
the easiest mate of all
and should always be accompUshed in under ten moves.
Take the
A
following position:
good way to begin
make
to
is
the
first
move with
the Queen, trying to Ihnit the Black King's mobility as
much
2
K— Q
4
Q— Q
Thus:
as possible.
i
Q— B
6,
K— Q
5;
Already the Black King has only one available square 2...K B 4; 4; 3 3, 2.
6,
K— Kt
—K
4.
Q-Kt 6 ch) K — R 4, K — B
then
6
Q-K
8
Q
Kt
6,
K—K
(Should Black play 5
;
4
K— R
Q-K and 6;
7
6,
mate
K— B
K—
K— Kt
K—R next 3,
K
5
5, (if
move); moves;
mates.
In this ending, as in the case of the Rook, the Black Kmg must be forced to the edge of the board; only
PAWN PROMOTION the Queeii being so
Rook, the process
much more powerful than
is
far easier
and
are the three elementary endings
the principle tion of the
is
and
the
These
shorter.
in all of these
In each case the co-opera-
the same.
is
King
9
needed.
In order to force a mate
without the aid of the King, at least two Rooks are required.
PAWN PROMOTION
2.
The gain of a Pawn is the smallest material advantage game and it often is sufficient to win, even when the Pawn is the only remaining
that can be obtained in a
unit, apart
;
from the Kings.
It is essential, speaking
generally, that the
King should
be in front of his
Pawn, with
at least
one intervening square. If the
opposing King
is
directly in front of the
then the game cannot be won. plained
by the
Example
6.
Pawn,
This can best be ex-
following examples.
PAWN PROMOTION
lo
The
position
is
drawn, and the
way
to proceed
is
Black to keep the King always directly in front for inof the Pawn, and when it cannot be done, as King, stance in this position because of the White for
the then the Black King must be kept in front of 3, White King. The play would proceed thus i P
—K
:
K-K
2
4;
K-Q
K-.Q
3,
4.
This
is
Any other move would
important move.
a very lose,
as
As the Black Kmg cannot be kept close up to the Pawn, it must be brought as far forward as possible and, at the same time, m front will
be shown
of the
3
later.
White King.
P—K
K— B
4 ch,
K— K
4;
4
K— K
K— B
3,
K— K
3;
As the
Again the same 3. Black King must be kept the comes up, White King in front of it, since it cannot be brought up to the 5
4,
case.
Pawn.
7K— K4, K-K2; K— Q 2; 9 P — K 6 ch, K— K 2; 8 K— Q loK— Ks, K— Ki; II K— Q6, K— Qi. If now 6
P—K
5
ch,
K-K
3;
s,
White advances the Pawn, the Black King gets in front of it and White must either give up the Pawn or play
K — K 6,
and a
stale
mate
results.
If instead
Pawn White withdraws his King, Black brings his King up to the Pawn and, when forced to go back, he moves to K in front of the Pawn ready to come up again or to move in front of the of advancing the
White King, as
before, should the latter advance.
The whole mode
of procedure is very important
and the student should become thoroughly conversant
PAWN PROMOTION with
up
for it involves principles to
its details;
later on,
be taken
and because many a beginner has
lost
from lack of proper knowledge.
At
identical positions this stage of the its
II
book I cannot lay too much
stress
on
importance.
Example King
is
6.
— In
in front of his
this position
White wins, as the
Pawn and there is one intervening
square.
The method
to follow
is
advance the King as far as of the
Pawn and
is
compatible with the safety
never to advance the
own
essential to its
to
K— K
4,
K— K
Black does not allow the White
to
it is
3.
Kmg
to advance,
now compelled to advance his Pawn as to force Black to move away. He is then able advance his own King.
therefore so
until
safety.
Thus: I.
Pawn
2.
White
is
P-K3,K-B3;
3.
K-Qs,K-K2.
:
PAWN PROMOTION If Black had played 3. .K— B 4, then White would be forced to advance the Pawn to K 4, smce he could 12
.
not advance his King without leaving Black the opportunity to play
K— K
Since he has not done so, to advance the
not require
yet, since its
White not
own
safety does still
fur-
Thus:
K-K5,K-Q2;
4.
winning the Pawn. better for
but to try to brmg the King
it,
ther forward.
Now
Pawn
5,
it is
the White
Pawn
5.
K-B6,K-Ki.
too far back and
is
it
may
be
brought up within protection of the King. 6.
Now
would not do Black would play Q it
K—
to bring back his fore he
King must continue. 7.
Had
he
K— Q2. to play K— B
P — K4,
to
7,
because
3, and White would have protect the Pawn. There-
P-Ks,K-Ki.
moved anywhere
else,
White could have played
K — B 7, followed by the advance of the Pawn to K 6, K 7, K 8 all these squares being protected by ;
As Black tries to prevent that, White must him to move away, at the same time always keeping the King in front of the Pawn. Thus the King.
now
force
8.
P- K play
K— K6:'
6 would
K— B,
make it a draw, as Black would then and we would have a position similar
to the one explained in connection with
8...K-B
i;
9K-Q7.
Example
5.
PAWN ENDINGS
13
King moves and the White Pawn advances becomes a Queen, and it is all over. This ending
is
K
to
8,
Uke the previous one, and for the
same reasons should be thoroughly imderstood before proceeding any further. 3.
I shall
Pawns reader
may
;
see
how they can be won. Fewer
be given, as
it is
out for himself.
how
learn
book
give a couple of simple endings of two
against one, or three against two, that the
tions will
things
now
PAWN ENDINGS
it
to play
up
explana-
to the student to
work
Furthermore, nobody can
weU merely from
the study of
a
can only serve as a guide and the rest must
be done by the teacher, not, the student
must
if
the student has one;
realise
by long and
perience the practical appUcation of the
explained in the book.
Example
7.
^ i
if
bitter ex-
many
things
PAWN ENDINGS
14
In this 1
P—B
would
WMte
position 6,
lose,
cannot
because Black plays, not
but
i.
.
.K— Kt
i,
by playing
win
and
if
PX
P, which
then 2
PX
P,
K X P, 2P —
and draws, as shown in a previous case. If B I, and White will never be B 7 ch,
K—
able to Queen 2
K— K
7,
Pawn
his
PXP
;
3
without
K X P, K— B
losing I,
it.
If
and draws.
White, however, can win the position given in the
diagram by playing:
K— Q K— Kt i; 2 K— K K-R i; — 3P B6,PXP. If 3...K— Kt i; 4 P — B 7ch, K— R i; s P — B 8 (Q) mate. P — B 4; S P— Kt 7 ch, K— R 2; 4 K— B 6 P — Kt 8 (Q) ch, K— R 3; 7 Q— Kt 6 mate. I
7,
7,
7,
Example
— In the above
White can't win by I 5. Black's best answer would be P Kt 3 (The student should work this out.) He draws. Kt 5, because P cannot win by i P Kt 3 draws.
P—B
8.
—
position
—
—
(This, because of the principle of the "opposition"
;
PAWN ENDINGS which governs
15
this ending as well as
aU the Pawn-
endings already given, and which wiU be explained
more
fully later on.)
White can win, however, by playing: K — K 4, K-K3. (If i...P-Kt3; 2K-Q4,K-K3; 3K-Bs,K-B3;4K-Q6,K-B2;5P-Kt5, K— Kt 2; 6 K— K 7, K— Kt i; 7 K— B 6, K— R 2; 8 K — B 7 and White wins the Pawn.) 2 P-B 5 ch, K-B 3; 3 K-B 4, P-Kt 3. i
Pawn
(If this
kept back we arrive at the ending
is
in Example 7.) 4 P — Kt 5 ch, K— B 2; — — P B K— K K 4, K — B 2 7 K— K 5, 6, 5 3 6 K K — B I. White cannot force his Bishop's Pawn
shown
;
into
Q
;
out why), but by giving his
(find
can win the other
Pawn and
Pawn up he Thus:
the game.
8P— B7, KxP;9K— Q6, K— B i;ioK— K6, K— Kt 2; II K— K K— Kt i; 12 K— B 6, K— R2; 13 K— B7, K — R i; 14 K X P, 7,
K— Kti. There In
fact,
is
still
some
the only
way
resistance in Black's position.
to
win
is
the one given here,
as will easily be seen by experiment.
to
K— R
18
K— R
in order
win White must get back to the actual
position,
6
as against 16
16
K— B
and
15
P— Kt K— R
(if
P — Kt
6 ch,
6,
K— R
i
2;
draws),
6,
K— Kt
7,
and White queens the
i;
17
P — Kt
7,
K— R
K— B
i
2;
Pawn and
wins.
This ending, apparently so simple, should show the student the enormous
difficulties to
be surmounted.
PAWN ENDINGS
i6
even when there are hardly any pieces playing against an adversary
left,
who knows how
the resources at his disposal, and
it
when to use
should show the
student, also, the necessity of paying strict attention to these elementary things which form the basis of
true mastership in Chess.
Example
9.
— In
this
ending
White can win by advancing any of the three Pawns on the
first
move, but
it is
general rule, whenever there it, it.
Thus we begin I.
If
Pawn
of advancing the
P — Kt
to one of
P-Kt 2.
by —
P—B
P— B
convenient to follow the is
no good reason against
that has
5,
no
Pawn
opposing
K— K2.
and we have a similar ending those shown above. If i...P R 3; 2
3,
6
;
—
s.
K-Ks,K-B2;
3.
P-Kt 5, K-K 2.
:
PAWN ENDINGS
17
3...P-Kt 3; 4 P-B 6, and if 3-.P-R 3', 4 P — Kt 6 ch, and in either case we have a similar If
ending to one of those already shown. 4.
and by following
P-R5,
up with P
it
— Kt
same ending previously shown.
4...P— Kt
3,
with the same
R PX
then
on one
we have the
PxP; P — B
6 ch
result.
when the Pawns are the board we shall now examine are Pawns on both sides of the
Having now seen the all
P,
6
Should Black play
side of
a case when there
cases
board.
Example
10.
— In
these cases the general rule
is
to act immediately on the side where you have the su-
perior forces.
Thus we have I.
P — KKt4.
PAWN ENDINGS
i8
It is generally advisable to
Pawn
advance the
that
is
from opposition.
free
P-QR4.
I
Black makes an advance on the other side, and now White considers whether or not he should stop the In this case either
advance.
way
the advance should be stopped
King
is
far
wins, but generally
when the opposing
away.
2.P-QR4,K-B3; 3.P-R4,K-K3. If 3.
.K
.
— Kt
3,
then simple coimting will show that
White goes to the other
P
at
Q R
4,
side with his King, wins the
and then Queens
before Black can
his single
long
do the same.
P— Kt K— B 2; S-'K — B K— B 6.P — R If 6...P — R 3; 7 P — Kt 6, and 4.
Pawn
s,
s,
K — Kt
2;
2.
s,
then the two
Pawns defend themselves and White can go to the other side with his King, to win the other Pawn. 7.
K-Ks. I
Now
it is
time to go to the other side with the King,
win the Black Pawn and Queen the This out
is
typical of all such endings
by the student
in this
which he can put up.
single
Pawn.
and should be worked case and in similar cases
:
SOME WINNING POSITIONS 4.
19
SOME WINNING POSITIONS IN THE MIDDLE-
GAME By
the time the student has digested
been previously explained, he, no doubt, to get to the actual
game and play with
that has
all
all
is
anxious
the pieces.
However, before considering the openings, we devote a
time to some combinations that often
little
game, and which
arise during the
some idea
better acquainted with
it.
move, and thinking that White merely
threatens to play
Black plays
R— K
becomes
11.
It is Black's
of
will give the reader
of the beauty of the game, once he
Example
shall
8.
Q— R
—
K i, threatening .R White now uncovers his
i.
.
K
Kt 7, mate by way
6 and to mate at
real
and most
effective threat, viz.
I...R— Ki;
K— Kt
i;
2QxPch,KxQ; 3R— Rsch,
4 R— R 8 mate.
:
SOME WINNING POSITIONS
20
This same type of combination
a somewhat more
result of
may come
as the
complicated position.
Example
12.
White
a piece behind, and miless he can win
is
back quickly he wiU lose I.
He
;
B — Kt4
KtX Kt
cannot take the
Kt
because White threatens mate
R — R 3 ch. Kt — K7ch Qx Kt Again B x Kt; Q X P ch, K X Q; R — R King moves; R — R 8 mate. by
QXP
it
he therefore plays
ch followed by 2.^
if
3.
RxQ
4.
Q-Q7
3 ch,
BxR
and White wins one of the two Bishops, remains with a Q and a B against a R and B, and should therefore
win
easily.
These two examples show the
IN THE MroDLE-GAME
K
danger of advancing the having Castled on that
Example
This tion.
is
Kt P one
21
square, after
side.
13.
another very interesting type of combina-
Black has a
win, imless White
R is
tion immediately.
Kt and
should therefore
able to obtain
some compensa-
a
for
White, in
fact,
mates in a few
moves thus: 1.
Kt— B
Forced, otherwise
Example curs in a position.
6ch
QXP
mates.
2.
Q— Kt3 ch
3.
BXP
14.
PxKt
K — Ri
mate.
— The
same t)^e
of combination oc-
more complicated form
in
the following
22
SOME WINNING POSITIONS
B X Kt If...BxKt; Q — B
QX
1.
fore wins the Q,
which
3
threatens mate,
3. 4.
BXP
—
and
there-
already attacked.
is
Kt — B6ch R— Kt3ch
2.
B.
PxKt
K— Ri
mate.
Example 15. A very frequent type tion is shown in the following position.
of combina-
;
IN THE MIDDLE-GAME Here White
is
the exchange
but he can win quickly thus
I...K-R
(If
3
Q— R 2
6,
Q— R
i;
and
2
Q
for a
Q-K
and a Pawn behind, i
BXP
R
ch,
K X B.
P-KKta;
5,
wins.)
5 ch,
K— Kt
cannot stop mate at
Queen by
:
23
Q— K
i;
KR
7
Kt — Kt
3
except
by
5,
and Black
sacrificing the
which woidd leave White with a
5,
R.
Example
16.
— This
same type
of combination
is
seen in a more complicated form in the following position.
Kt X Kt ch (this B X Kt (to stop the Kt
White proceeds as follows clears the line for the
from moving to Kt 2
RxB, KtxR
3...K-R1;
B)
;
:
i
5 after the sacrifice of the
best;
3
BxP
ch,
K X B.
B) (If
4Q-RS,P-KKt3; sBxPch,
K— Kt 2; 6 Q— R ch, K— B 3; P — Kt ch, K— K3; SBxPch, RxB; 9 Q— K 4 mate.) R — B i; 4 Q— R 5 ch, K— Kt i; 5 Kt — Kt 7
5
7
5,
RELATIVE VALUE OF THE PIECES
24
Q— R 7 ch, K — B i; 7 Q— R 8 Kt — R 7 ch, K— K 2; 9 R— K
6 8
Q X Kt
10
ch, i
Kt— Kt
i;
K— Q
i;
ch,
mate.
This combination
is
rather long
and has many
vari-
ations,
therefore a beginner will hardly be able to
fathom
it;
but,
knowing the type of combination,
he might imder similar circumstances undertake and carry out a brilliant attack which he would otherwise
never think tions
It will
of.
shown have
for
be seen that
all
the combina-
a foundation the proper co-ordi-
nation of the pieces, which have aU been brought to
bear against a weak point.
5.
RELATIVE VALUE OF THE PIECES
Before going on to the general principles of the openings,
it is
advisable to give the student an idea
of the proper relative value of the pieces.
no complete and accurate table the only thing to do
is
to
for all of
There
is
them, and
compare the pieces sep-
arately.
For
all
general theoretical purposes the Bishop
the Knight have to be considered as of the
though
it is
my
and
same value,
opinion that the Bishop will prove the
more valuable piece
in
most cases
;
and
it is
well
known
that two Bishops are ahnost always better than two
Knights.
The Bishop
will
be stronger against Pawns than
the Knight, and in combination with
be stronger will be.
against
the
Pawns
Rook than
the
will also
Knight
RELATIVE VALUE OF THE PIECES
25
A Bishop and a Rook are also stronger than a Ejiight and a Rook, but a Queen and a Knight may be stronger than a Queen and a Bishop.
A Bishop will often be worth more than three Pawns, but a Knight very seldom
so,
and may even not be
worth so much.
A Rook
will
be worth a Knight and two Pawns,
or a Bishop and two Pawns, but, as said before, the
Bishop
will
be a better piece against the Rook.
Two Rooks They
are sUghtly stronger than a Queen.
are slightly weaker than
two Knights and a
Bishop, and a Uttle more so than two Bishops and
The power
a Knight.
the pieces are changed
on the contrary,
of the Knight decreases as
The power
off.
of the
increases.
The King, a purely
defensive piece throughout the
middle-game, becomes an offensive piece once pieces are off the board,
becomes
the end-game stage 6.
is
of
the
The handling
left.
paramount importance once
reached.
GENERAL STRATEGY OF THE OPENING
The main thing Get them into play
From the open up
is
to develop
as fast as
lines for
the
you
pieces
quickly.
can.
—
two moves, iP— K4oriP Q4, the Queen and a Bishop. Therefore,
outset
theoretically
one
of
the best, as no other
much.
all
and sometimes even when
there are one or two minor pieces of the ELing
Rook,
these first
two
moves must be
move accompUshes
so
GENERAL STRATEGY
26
Example
17. 1.
2.
This
is
— Suppose
we
begin:
P— K4
P— K4 Kt— KB3
both an attacking and a developing move.
Black can now either reply with the identical
move
or
play
Kt-QBs
2
This developing move at the same time defends the King's Pawn. 3.
Kt-B3
Kt-B3
These moves are of a purely developing nature. 4.
It
B — Kts
generally
is
advisable
not to
out until
one Knight
Knight.
The Bishop could
to
B
4,
but
it is
is
bring this Bishop
preferably the King's
out,
also
have been played
advisable whenever possible to combine
development and attack.
B — Kt
4
Black sible
replies in the
5
same manner, threatening a pos-
exchange of Bishop for Knight with
Kt X P
to
foUow. S-
an
indirect
more
0-0 way
of
the same time the Rook centre,
s...BxKt, which show to be bad. At
preventing
e:q)erience or study will is
brought into action in the
a very important point.
OF THE OPENING
0-0
5
Black follows the same 6.
27
line of reasoning.
P-Q3
P-Q3
These moves have a two-fold object, tect the King's
Pawn and
viz.
:
open the diagonal
to
to profor the
development of the Queen's Bishop. 7-
B-Kts
A very powerful move, which brings us to the middlegame
stage, as there is already in
to win quickly
by Kt
—Q
impossible for Black to
(There lose
play
if
is
bringing First,
This threat makes
5.
it
continue the same course.
a long analysis showing that Black should
he also plays 7 ...
view a combination
BX
up
Kt,
B — Kt as
5.)
He
is
experience has
now
forced to
shown,
thus
to notice three things.
the complete development of the opening
has taken only seven moves. or twelve
moves
in
(This varies
some very exceptional
a rule, eight should be enough.)
up
to ten
cases.
As
Second, Black has
CONTROL OF THE CENTRE
28
been compelled to exchange a Bishop for a Knight, but as a compensation he has isolated White's
and doubled a Pawn. the game, is
is
(This, at such
QRP
an early stage of
rather an advantage for White, as the
doubled towards the centre of the board.)
Pawn
Third,
White by the exchange brings up a Pawn to control the square
Q
4,
puts Black on the defensive, as experi-
ence will show, and thus keeps the
initiative,
an xmques-
tionable advantage.^
The same
strategical principles
for all the openings,
expounded above are the only their tactical appli-
cation varies according to the circumstances.
Before proceeding further I wish to lay stress on the following point which the student should bear in
mind. Before development has been completed no piece should be
moved more than once, unless
to obtain either
it is
essential in order
material advantage or to secure freedom
of action.
The beginner would do well as
well to remember this, as what has already been stated viz., bring :
out the Knights before bringing out the Bishops. 7.
The
CONTROL OF THE CENTRE
four squares,
tively, are the
squares
is
K
4 and
Q
centre squares,
4 on each side respec-
and control
called control of the centre.
the centre is of great importance.
No
The
of these control of
violent attack
can succeed without controlling at least two of these *
The value
of the initiative is explaiaed in section 20, p. 77.
CONTROL OF THE CENTRE squares,
and possibly
the opening has for
three.
its sole
Many
29
a manoeuvre in
object the control of the
which invariably ensures the initiative. It is weU always to bear this in mind, since it will often be centre,
the reason of a series of moves which could not otherwise be properly understood. As this book progresses I shall dwell
more
fully
on these
diEferent points.
At
present I shall devote some time to openings taken
random and explain the moves according to general principles. The student will in that way train his mind in the proper direction, and will thus- have less at
trouble in finding a
new and
18. 1.
2.
On
P — K4
P— K4 Kt— KB3
timid move.
at once.
confronted with a
difficult situation.
Example
A
way out when
P — Q3
Black assumes a defensive attitude
principle the
move
is
wrong.
In the
openings, whenever possible, pieces should be moved in preference to Pawns. 3.
P-Q4
White takes the
offensive
inunediately and strives
to control the centre so as to have ample
room
to
deploy his forces.
Kt-Q2
3
Black does not wish to relinquish the centre and also prefers the text
move
to
Kt — Q B
be the more natural square
3,
for the Kt.
which would
But on
prin-
30
CONTROL OF THE CENTRE
ciple the
move
is
wrong, because
of the Queen's Bishop,
it
blocks the action
and instead of
facilitating the
action of Black's pieces, tends, on the contrary, to
cramp them.
B — QB4
4.
Black
move. itself
is
forced to
pay the penalty
of his previous
Such a move on Black's part condemns by
any form
of opening that
White threatened Kt it
P— KR3
— Kt
5
makes
it
necessary.
and Black could not stop
— K because of 5 P X P, Kt X P S-PXP, 6 Q-Q 5); 6 KtxKt, PxKt; Q — R and White wins a Pawn and has besides a with 4.
.
.B
2,
(if
7
5,
perfectly safe position.
Kt-B3 B — K3
5.
6.
B — K2
Q-K2
7.
It should
KKt-Bs
be noticed that White does not Castle yet. is that he wants to deploy his forces first,
The reason
move force Black to play 3 to make room for the Queen as |White threatens Q i, to be followed by P x P. Black's other alternatives would finally force him to play and through the
last
P— Q B
R—
PX
P, thus abandoning the centre to White. 7
With
8.
R— Qi
9.
O -O
this last
while Black
is
P-B3 Q-B 2
move White completes
his development,
evidently somewhat hampered.
examination will
suffice to
A simple
show that White's position
CONTROL OF THE CENTRE There are no weak spots
is unassailable.
31
in his armour,
and
his pieces are ready for
may
wish to carry out in order to begin the attack on
the enemy's position.
study this example.
It
any manoeuvre that he
The student should carefully will show him that it is some-
times convenient to delay Castling.
I
have given the
moves as they come to my mind without following any standard book on openings. Whether the moves given by
me
agree or not with the standard works, I
do not know, but at the present stage it is
of this
book
not convenient to enter into discussions of mere
technicalities
which the student
will
be able to imder-
stand when he has become more proficient.
Example
A
19. 1.
P — K4
2.
Kt— KB3
P— K4 P— Q3
3.
P-Q4
B-Kt5
bad move, which
violates one of the principles set
down, according to which at
least
one Knight should
be developed before the Bishops are brought out, and also because
exchanges a Bishop for a Knight, which
it
in the opening
is
generally bad, unless there
compensation. 4.
PxP
is
some
TRAPS
32 7.
8.
To prevent
Q-QKt3 Kt-B3
Kt— Q
P-QKt3
P-QB3
5.
Black, however, has no pieces out except his Queen,
and White, with a Bishop and a Knight ahready developed, has a chance of obtaining an advantage quickly
—
by playing Kt Q 5 anyway. The student is to work out the many variations arising from
left
this
position.
These examples
will
show the
practical application
of the principles previously enunciated. is
warned against playing Pawns
at the beginning of the game, especially
and P — Q R
3,
The student
in preference to pieces
P— K R
which are moves very commonly
3
in-
dulged in by beginners. 8.
I shall
now give
in the openings,
TRAPS
a few positions or traps to be avoided
and
in
which (practice has shown)
beginners are often caught.
TRAPS
33
Example 20.
White plays: 1.
PXP
Kt X P
Black should have recaptured with the Pawn.
BXQ
Kt
2.
Kt
3.
BxPch
4.
Kt — Q
K— K2
5 mate.
Example 21.
/
/
J 'h
.
TRAPS
34
Black, having the move, should play
suppose he plays 1.
Kt — K
5
Kt — KB
P— K
3 instead,
But then comes 3.
BxPch
would
also give
White the advantage, the
ifBxQ; aBxP mate. — does B R 5 help matters, because of 2 Q X B, B — K 3 leaves Black with the inferior position. threat being of course
White's
move
—
in the text secures
Nor i
.
.
But
an immediate material
advantage, and the beginner at any rate should never miss such an opportunity for the sake of a speculative
advantage in position. I 2.
3.
Kt — K 5 ch KtxB
KxB K moves
and White has won a Pawn besides having the better position.
There are a good is
many
other traps
— in
fact, there
a book written on traps on the chess board; but
the type given above
is
the most
common
of
all.
CHAPTER
II
Further Prtnciples in End-Game Play
We
shall
few more
and
now go back principles,
finally to the
to the endings in search of a
then again to the middle-game,
openings once more, so that the ad-
may not only be gradual but homogeneous. In way the foundation on which we expect to build
vance this
the structure will be firm and solid.
9.
A CARDINAL PRINCIPLE
^ ^ #* V y W
^^
i
Z _¥/">
m^
l1
k fm
In the position shown above, White can draw by playing
P — Kt
4 according to the general rule that
governs such cases, free
from
opposition.
because he does not
i.e.
to
advance the
Pawn
But suppose that White,
know
that is
either
this principle or because 35
he
.
A CARDINAL PRINCIPLE
36
does not, in this case, sufficiently appreciate the value suppose, we say, that he plays Then Black can win by playing i
of its application;
P— Q R P— Q R I
4.
.
applying one of the cardinal principles of
4,
the high strategy of chess
A
this principle.
ways, and in the
it
It
lay too
can be applied in
constitutes one of the principal
22.
cient proof. :
hold two of the op-
much many
weapons
hands of a master.
Example ation
Pawn would
The student cannot
ponent's Pawns.
on
—
unit that holds two.
In this case one
stress
.
—
1.
— The example given
We
give a few
P — R4
2.
K— Kt 2
3.
P — Kt4
(Best
;
moves
should be
suffi-
main
vari-
of the
P — QR4 K— B 5
see why.)
PXP
(Best.) 4. 5.
6.
P— Rs P — R6 P — R7
P — Kt6 P — Kt 7 P — Kt8(Q)
7.
P-R8(Q) Q^Ksch
8.
QxQ
KxQ
This brings the game to a position which Black,
and which
constitutes
endings of King and Pawns. guiding idea of
it
is
one of the
won by classical
I shall try to explain the
to those not familiar with
it.
A CLASSICAL ENDING A CLASSICAL ENDING
10.
Example
23.
— In
R
2.
easier for
As soon
White's best line
this position
of defence consists in keeping his
at
37
as the
Black to win.
Pawn where
it
stands
Pawn is advanced it becomes On the other hand, Black's
plan to win (supposing that White does not advance
Pawn) may be divided into three part will be to get his King to K R 6, his
parts.
at the
keeping intact the position of his Pawns. all
The
same time (This
important, since, in order to win the game,
essential at the his rearmost
end that Black
Pawn one
may
first
is
it is
be able to advance
or two squares according to
the position of the White King.)
K — K6
K-Kt3 If 2
win.
K— Kt
K— Kt2 K— B 7;
4,
3
P—R
4,
P— Kt
3 wiU
A CLASSICAL ENDING
38 t
A CLASSICAL ENDING The third part the Kt P so as
will consist in
39
timing the advance of
P — Kt
when the White Ejng is at R I. It now becomes evident how necessary it is to be able to move the Kt P either one or to play
6
two squares according to the position King, as indicated previously.^
White's move, the
smce the White were
now
vanced
Kt
Black's
one
Pawn
Kmg
move
square
the
K— Ri
White
In this case, as
it is
be advanced two squares
be
since
I.
8.
will
will
of the
m
the comer, but
Kt P the
if,
it
should only be ad^
White King
is
at
OBTAINING A PASSED PAWN
40 sition,
but before we devote our time to
call attention to
11.
When
two
it
I wish to
things.
OBTAINING A PASSED PAWN
three or
more Pawns are opposed to each
other in some such position as the one in Example 24, there
is
always a chance for one side or the other of
obtaining a passed Pawn.
:/y.
i
iT
/A
<^*
^f
y
y^^
'>'' ..
^
^
M
^
^/
y
.../.^y.
'/.
y
^
>€>
Example
24.
— In the
obtaining a passed
I
V
above position the way of
Pawn
is
to advance the centre
Pawn. 1.
If
B
PxP; 2.
3-
and as
P — Kt6
RPxP
P-R P — B6 P-R6
PxBP
6,
in this case the
Queen than any
of the
White Pawn
is
nearer
Black Pawns, White
to will
WHICH PAWN FIRST TO QUEEN win.
Now
if it
41
had been Black's move Black could
play
P-Kt3
I
BPxP
2.
BPxP
would not be advisable to try to obtain a passed Pawn because the White Pawns would be nearer to It
Queen than the 3-
single
Black Pawn.
PXP
PxP
and the game properly played would be a draw. student should work this out for himself.
12.
The
HOW TO
FIND OUT WHICH PAWN WILL BE FIRST TO QUEEN
When two Pawns
are free, or will be free, to ad-
vance to Queen, you can find out, by counting, which
Pawn
will
be the
Example wins.
25.
first
— In
to succeed.
this position
whoever moves
first
:
WHICH PAWN FIRST TO QUEEN
42
The
first
thing
is
by counting, whether
to find out,
King can be in time to stop the passed Pawn from Queening. When, as in this case, it cannot be done, the pomt is to coimt which Pawn comes in the opposing
In
first.
tune
this case the
is
the same, but the
that reaches the eighth square
Queen
is
m 1.
2.
3.
comes a
the Pawn, but ing,
his
command Pawn.
and becomes a
a position to capture the adversary's
Queen when he makes one.
Now
first
Pawn
Thus
P — KR4
P — R4
P-R5 PxP
P-Rs P — Kt6 little if
calculation.
he does
so,
he
White can capture
will not,
when Queen-
the square where Black will also Queen
Therefore, instead of taking, he plays: 4. 5.
6.
P — R6
P — R6
P-R7 P-R7 P — R8 (Q), andwms.
The student would do weU
to
acquaint himself
with various simple endings of this
sort, so as to ac-
quire the habit of coimting,
and thus be able to know
with ease when he can or caimot get there
first.
Once
again I must call attention to the fact that a book
cannot by as a guide,
and
if
itself
teach
and the
how
rest
to play.
It can only serve
must be learned by experience,
a teacher can be had at the same time, so
the faster will the student be able to learn.
much
THE OPPOSITION THE OPPOSITION
13.
When by
43
Kings have to be moved, and one player can,
force, bring his
King
into a position similar to the
one shown in the following diagram, so that his adversary
is
forced to
move and make way
player obtaining that advantage
is
for him, the
said to
have
the
oj)i)osition.
£^ample
26.
— Suppose in the above position White
plays I.
Now
K-Q4
Black has the option of either opposing the
passage of the White
King by playing
K— Q
he prefers, he can pass with his own
or,
if
by
replying
K— B
4.
3
King
Notice that the Kings are
directly opposed to each other,
and the nimiber of
intervening squares between them
is
odd
— one
in
this case.
The
opposition can take the form
shown above,
:
THE OPPOSITION
44
which can be called actual or
close frontal opposition;
or this form:
which can be called actual or close diagonal opposition, or, again, this
form
which can be called actual or close lateral opposition. In practice they are
all
one and the same.
The
Kings are always on squares of the same colour, there is
only one intervening square between the
and the player who has moved
last
"has
Kings,
the opposition.^'
THE OPPOSITION Now,
45
the student will take the trouble of moving
if
each King backwards as in a game in the same frontal, diagonal or lateral line respectively shown in the dia-
grams,
we
shall
have what
may be caUed distant frontal,
diagonal and lateral opposition respectively.
The matter
of the opposition
is
highly important,
and takes at times somewhat complicated forms, of which can be solved mathematically; but,
present, the student should only consider the
simple forms. of
(An examination of some
all
for the
most
of the examples
King and Pawns endings aheady given
will
show
several cases of close opposition.)
In
when
simple forms of opposition,
all
the
Kings are on
the
same
line
and
the
number
of intervening squares between them is even, the player
who has
the
Example tage
the
move has
27.
the opposition.
— The above position shows to advan-
enormous value of the opposition.
The
THE OPPOSITION
4b position
Very
very simple.
is
little
is
left
on the
board, and the position, to a beginner, probably looks absolutely even. ever has the
It is not the case,
move wins.
Now
Who-
Notice that the Kings are
directly in front of one another,
of intervening squares
however.
and that the number
is even.
as to the procedure to win such a position.
The proper way
to begin
Thus: I.
K— K2
is
to
move
straight up.
:
defence more
THE OPPOSITION
47
to overcome.
Let us begin
difi&cult
anew.
K— K2 K— Q K — Q I.
Now if
2
3,
2,
or
if
and Black obtains the opposition
K— Qi 2 K— K K— K 3,
in both cases.
2,
(When
the Kings are directly in front of one another, and the
number is
intervening
of
the
odd,
player
squares between the Kings
who has moved
last
has the
opposition.)
Now There
in order to win, the
is
and that
White King must advance.
only one other square where he can go, is
the right place;
Therefore
it is
B
3,
seen that
when the opponent makes a so-called waiting move, you must advance, leaving a rank Therefore we or file free between the Kings. in such cases
have
—
2.
K— K2
K— B3
Now, it would be bad to advance, because then Black, by bringing up his King in front of your King, would obtain the opposition. simila r
move 3-
It is White's turn to play a
to Black's first
move,
viz.
K-K3
which brings the position back to the first variation shown. The student would do weU to famiharise himself with the handling of the King in all examples of opposition.
a game.
It often
means the winning or
losing of
:
,
THE OPPOSITION
48
Example
— The following position
28.
is
proof of the value of the opposition as
an
excellent
a means of
defence.
White
is
Pawn behind and
a
apparently
lost,
yet he
can manage to draw as follows
K— Ri!
I.
The position of the Pawns does not permit White to draw by means of the actual or close opposition, hence he takes the distant opposition 1
K— B
2
K— B
keep the
(actual or
I 2,
K— Q
lateral
if
K— Q
7;
opposition),
opposition essential to his safety,
own Pawn
after the text
move, .
in effect
6 and White cannot continue to
because of his
1.
close
:
at
B
3.
On
the other hand,
if
.
2.
K-
R2
3.
K-
R3!
K-Q7 K-Q6 K— K7
:
THE OPPOSITION 4.
K-^Kt2
5.
K-Kt3
6.
K— Kt4
K— K
6
K— K6 K-Q5
Pawn and
attacking the
49
forcing Black to play 6...
when he can go back
to
Kt
3 as already
shown, and always keep the opposition.
Going back to the 1.
original position,
K— Ri
White does not play
if
P — Kts PX
P, because
P— K
5
will
win, but plays 2.
If
2...PXP
K— Kt2 ch;
3
K— Q7
KxP,
foUowed by
K— K
4,
win draw. 3.
PxP
and mere counting
P— K5
will
show that both
sides
Queen,
drawing the game. If the student
wiU now take the trouble to go back
to the examples of
King and Pawns which
given in this book,^ he wiU realise that in the matter of the opposition
tance
;
as, in fact, it is in
and Pawns, except
is
of
nearly
in such cases
position in itself ensures the win. 1
See page 13.
I
have
all of
them
paramount imporall
endings of King
where the Pawn-
THE RELATIVE VALUE
so 14.
THE RELATIVE VALUE OF KNIGHT AND BISHOP
Before turning our attention to this matter well to state
now
it
but, under certain conditions of course, they can so
if
is
that two Knights alone cannot mate,
do
the opponent has one or more Pawns.
Example
29.
— In the above position White cannot
win, although the Black
King
is
cornered, but in the
following position, in which Black has
a Pawn,
White wins with or without the move.
Thus
I.
Kt— Kt6
P — R5
;
OF KNIGHT AND BISHOP
SI
White cannot take the Pawn because the game
will
be drawn, as explained before.
4-
Kt— K5 Kt — B6 Kt— Kts
5-
Kt — B
2.
3-
7
P — R6 P — R7 P — R8(Q)
mate
The reason
for this pecuUarity in chess is eviaent.
White with
the two
Knights can only stalemate
King, unless Black has a
Example
30.
Pawn
—Although he
the
which can be moved.
a Bishop and a
is
Pawn
ahead the following position cannot be won by White.
It is the greatest
the Rook's
weakness of the Bishop, that when
Pawn Queens on a
and the opposing King Bishop
do
is
is
in front of the
absolutely worthless.
to keep
square.
is
square of opposite colour
moving
his
AH
King
Pawn, the
that Black has to
close to the
comer
THE RELATIVE VALUE
52
Example
31.
without the variation.
— In the above position White with or
move can
win.
Take the most
difficult
OF KNIGHT AND BISHOP has the choice of one colour only. to bring a Knight from one
as
shown
much longer
wing to the other.
Also,
in the following Example, a Bishop can
stalemate a Knight is
It takes
53
;
a compliment which the Knight
unable to return.
Example 32.
The weaker the player the more is
terrible the
Knight
to him, but as a player increases in strength the
value of the Bishop becomes more evident to him, and of course there
is,
or should be, a corresponding decrease
in his estimation of the value of the
to the Bishop.
In
Knight as compared
this respect, as in
many
others, the
masters of to-day are far ahead of the masters of former generations.
While not so long ago some of the very
best amongst them, like Pillsbury and Tchigorin, preferred Knights to Bishops, there
who would not ments made above. to-day
is
hardly a master of
completely agree with the state-
THE RELATIVE VALUE
54
—
This is about the only case when the Example 33. Knight is more valuable than the Bishop.
It is what is called a "block position," and aD. the Pawns are on one side of the board. (If there were Pawns
on both
sides of the
board there would be no advantage
in having a Knight.)
In such a position Black has
excellent chances of winning.
extra source of weakness for
White
on the same colour-squares as mistake often generally, in
made by an ending,
Of course, there
is
to
having his Pawns
in
his Bishop.
players.
an
is
This
is
a
The proper way,
have your Pa\ras on
own Bishop. When you have your Pawns on squares of the same colour the action of your own Bishop is limited by squares of opposite colour to that of your
them, and consequently the value of the Bishop
is
diminished, since the value of a piece can often be
measured by the number of squares While on
it
commands.
this subject, I shall also call attention to the
:
OF KNIGHT AND BISHOP fact that
it is
on squares
55
generally preferable to keep your
of the
same colour as that
Bishop, particularly
ported by the King.
if
Pawns
of the opposing
they are passed Pawns sup-
The
principles
might be stated
thus
When
the
opponent has a Bishop, keep your
on sqiMres of
the
same colour
as
your
Pawns
opponent's
Bishop.
Whenever you have a Bishop, whether
the
opponent
Pawns on squares your own Bishop.
has also one or not, keep your opposite colour to that of
of the
Naturally, these principles have sometimes to be
modified to suit the exigencies of the position.
Example 34. are on one side
— In the following position the Pawns of the board,
in having either a
and there
is
no advantage
Knight or a Bishop,
should surely end in a draw.
The game
THE RELATIVE VALUE
S6
Example
35.
— Now
let
us add three
Pawns on
each side to the above position, so that there are
Pawns on both
It is
now
the position,
draw.
much
sides of the board.
preferable to have the Bishop, though if
properly played out, should end in a
The advantage in its ability to
sides of the ability to
Bishop
lies
as
at long range, both
board from a central position as in
move
to the other.
of having the
command,
its
quickly from one side of the board
OF KNIGHT AND BISHOP
— In
Example 36
57
above position
the
it
is
un-
questionably an advantage to have the Bishop, because,
although each player has the same number of Pawns, they are not balanced on each side of the board.
on the King's Queen's
the
two. in
a
White has three
side.
side
is
it
Black
Thus,
to two, while
that
has
three
on to
with proper play, the game should end
Still,
White
though
draw,
somewhat better
has
chances.
Example
— Here
37.
have the Bishop
is
a position in which to
a decided advantage, since not
is
/;;
i*'
/ i
/
i 4,
z
/^ /A
41 h
^„ J
only are there Pawns on both sides of the board,
but there
Q R P
is
for
difl&culty in
at
all.
a passed Black).
drawing
Pawn (K
Black
R P
should
this position,
if
for
have
White,
extreme
he can do
it
S8
VALUE OF KNIGHT AND BISHOP
Example
38.
— Again Black would have great
diffi-
culty in drawing this position.
The student should I
tions.
carefully consider these posi-
hope that the many examples wiU help him
to understand, in their true value, the relative merits
Knight and Bishop.
of the
As
of procedure, a teacher, or practical
be best.
I might say generally, however, that the
proper course in these endings, as in ings, is:
method experience, wiU
to the general
Advance
of the
all
similar end-
King to the centre
of the
board or towards the passed Pawns, or Pawns that are susceptible of being attacked, of the passed
Pawn
or
Pawns
and rapid advance
as far as
is
consistent
with their safety.
To
give a fixed line of play would be foUy.
ending
is
different,
according to Calculation will count.
by
and
reqtiires
Each
different handling,
what the adversary proposes to visualising the future positions is
do.
what
:
MATE WITH KNIGHT AND BISHOP 15.
59
HOW TO MATE WITH A KNIGHT AND A BISHOP
Now,
before going back again to the middle-game
and the openings,
how to mate with Knight how to wia with a Queen
us see
let
and Bishop, and, thpn, against a Rook.
With a
Kjiight
and a Bishop
the
mate can only he
given in the corners of the same colour as the Bishop.
Example at
QR
two
I
39.
— In
KR
or
this
8.
example we must mate either
The ending can be divided
into
Part one consists in driving the Black
parts.
King
to the last liue.
done
in
aU such
We
cases,
might begin, as
is
generally
by advancing the King
to the
centre of the board I.
K— K2
Black, in order to
make
K — Q2 it
more
difl&cult,
the white-squared comer: 2.
3.
K-Q3 B-B4
K-B3 K-Q4
goes towards
HOW TO MATE WITH
6o 4.
A KNIGHT AND BISHOP
K — Kt
6
;
IS
Kt — K
3,
6i
and the other which
I give
as the text, and which I consider better for the student to learn, because
accord with the the
it is
King as much as 14.
more methodical and more
spirit of all these endings,
possible.
in
6y using
QUEEN AGAINST ROOK
62
mate within the
fifty
moves which are granted by
the rules.
16.
This
Pawns.
is
QUEEN AGAINST ROOK
one of the most
The
when used
difficult
endings without
resources of the defence are
skilfully
many, and
only a very good player wiU prevail
within the limit of fifty moves allowed
(The rule
is
that at any
by the rules. moment you may demand
that your opponent mate you within fifty moves.
However, every time a piece
is
exchanged or a Pawn
advanced the counting must begin
Example
40.
— This
is
one of the standard positions
which Black can often bring about. move.
If it
afresh.)
were Black's move
it
Now,
it is
White's
would be simple, as
he would have to move his Rook away from the King (find
out why), and then the
Rook would be compara-
QUEEN AGAINST ROOK to win. We deduce from the
tively easy
the
main object
is
to force the Black
63
above that
Rook away
from the defending King, and that, in order to compel Black to do
so,
we must
bring about the position in
Once we know
the diagram with Black to move.
what
is
required, the
way
to proceed
becomes
easier to
Thus:
find.
I.
Q— Ksch
Q— R because R— B ch; 2 K— Kt — R B3ch; 3KXR. Stalemate. (The beginner Not
I
2
6,
6,
will invariably fall into this trap.)
I 2.
3-
Q— Ri ch Q-Rs
K to R
I
K— Kt
I
or to
R2
we have accomplished our The first part is concluded. Now we come second part. The Rook can only go to a White In a few moves
otherwise the
Therefore ^.
first
object.
to the
square,
check with the Queen wiU win
it.
64
QUEEN AGAINST ROOK
^
^
%
U
t
^
/
^Mr
^
^^ /
K Example The things
41.
y^y/.
?^
^_ y
— The procedure here
to bear in
mind
is
very similar.
Rook must Kt i because of an same way the King must are that the
be prevented from interposing at immediate mate, and in the
be prevented from going either to
Example
42.
cult position.
— We
shall
R
3 or
B
i.
now examine a more
diffi-
;
QUEEN AGAINST ROOK Many
cannot play 3
K— B
4
very
it
Q— K
3
6,
difficult for
6 because of 3
R — Kt
6,
by
K— B
Thus
defence, but, unfortvinately, a very effective
one, which maikes
quickly
this position.
not the best.
I
2.
The only
is
Q— Ksch K— B K— Kt6 R— Q2
1.
4
by
players would be deceived
The most likely looking move suppose we begin
65
.
White, since he .
.R
— Kt
2 ch
Nor can he win 3 ch draws. i, B 5 ch because 3...K
—K
Q— Q R— Q 3
ch!
driving back the White
King.
Now
that
we have
tion let us go back.
seen the
difficxilties
The
move
best
of the situa-
is
Q— Kt sch! K — Ri IfK— R2; 2Q— Kt6ch, K— Ri; 3K— R6! Q— Ksch! K— Rabest K— Kts R — R2!best 1.
2.
3.
If 3
.
.
.R— Kt
similar to those in
'4.
2
ch
;
4
K— B
6 leads to a position
Examples 40 and
41.
QUEEN AGAINST ROOK
66
and we have the position of Example 40 with Black to move. Let us go back again. 1.
2. 3.
The
Q— Ktsch K— B Q— Q8ch K— Kt2 K— Kts R — B6 I
best place for the
3...K— R2; would
4
Q— Q
Rook away from the Kt 2 ch; 5 K 4,
R—
King.
—B
6
lead to positions similar to those already seen.
Q— Q4ch K— B K— Kt6 5 Q— Q 6 ch, K— Kt 2; 6Q— Ks ch, K— B i; K — Kt 6 would also win the Rook. The text move, I
4. 5.
7
however,
is
given to show the finesse of such endings.
White now threatens mate at 5-
6.
Q
8.
QUEEN AGAINST ROOK King are often kept on
different lines.
67
The student
should carefully go over these positions and consider
aU the
He
possibilities
not given in the text.
should once more go through everything already
written before proceeding further with the book.
CHAPTER
III
Planning a Win in Middle-Game Play I
SHALL now give a few winning positions taken from
my own
games.
I
have selected those that I believe
can be considered as
types,
easily occur again in
a somewhat similar form.
knowledge of such positions one cannot know too many. player to find,
with
i.e.
positions that
of great help;
is
It often
little effort,
may
may
A
in fact,
help the
the right move, which
he might not be able to find at aU without such knowledge.
17.
ATTACKING WITHOUT THE AID OF KNIGHTS
:
:
ATTACKING WITHOUT KNIGHTS
69
—
Example 43. It is Black's move, and as he is a Kt and P behind he must win quickly, if at all. He plays
QR— Kt i!
I
2.
If,
QX
Q,
R— B 2
RXP
ch
K— R
;
i,
B— Q
4 and mate
follows in a few moves.
RXP
2
Example
3.
K— B
4.
KtxB
44.
ch
B — B s ch R— KtSmate
I
— Black's
last
move was P
—K
6,
played with the object of stopping what he thought
was White's
threat, viz.
would have answered
by perpetual forceful
follows
check.
:R— Q R
Q— B
5
5,
to which he
ch and drawn the game
White, however, has a more
move, and he
mates
in
three
moves as
ATTACKING WITHOUT
70 1.
RxPch
QxR
2.
R-QRs
Black moves
3.
White mates
Example still he had
45.
— White has a beautiful some material,
better gaia
if
position,
but
he can, before
Black consolidates his defensive position.
He
there-
fore plays:
If
Kt X B
1.
RxKt!
2.
BxPch Rx
;
Kt and Black would be
3.
Q— R7ch
4.
Q X Kt
5.
ch
Q-R7ch
7.
B — B8 R X Q ch
8.
RxR
6.
PxR K— K2 helpless.
K— Ki K— Q2 Q— K2 QXQ
K— Ki Resigns
In these few examples the attacking has been done
by Rooks and Bishops
in combination
with the Queen.
Am
THE
OF KNIGHTS
There have been no Knights to take part
We
shall
now give some examples
in
71
in the attack.
which the Knights
play a prominent part as an attacking force.
18.
ATTACKING WITH KNIGHTS AS A PROMINENT FORCE
—
Example 46. White is two Pawns behind. must therefore press on his attack. The game tinues
He con-
:
I.
Kt
(B
s)
Evidently an error which for White, as
Kt — B 4
X Kt P made
the winning easier
he simply took the Rook with the Knight
and kept up the
attack.
Black should have played:
i...KtxKt. Then would have followed: 2 Kt — B 6ch, Kt3; 3 Kt X B, P — B 3 (best) 4 P — B 2 s Kt X P, R — K 2 6 Kt — K 4, K 5,
K— K—
;
*
Full score
;
;
and Black should
lose.^
and notes are given in
Capablanca (Game No. ii).
My
Chess Career, by
J.
R.
:
ATTACKING WITH KNIGHTS
72
mm ^mim
^
*
J^
%/ /
^
Example
47.
amine the
*
^
2*
— The
student
should
carefully
position, as the sacrifice of the
similar situations is tj^pical,
of frequent occurrence
Bishop in
and the chance
for it is
The game
actual play.
in
ex-
continues
If 2.
and
2
.
.
BxPch
KxB
2.
Kt — Kt sch
K-Kt3
.K— R 3 .K— Kt i
Best. if
1.
.
;
;
3
3
Kt X P ch wins
Q— R
5,
with an
the Queen, irresistible
cLLLclCiv.*
3. 4.
White •
Q-Kt4 Q-Kt3
P-B4 K-R3
finally won.'
This position
is
elaborated under
Example 50
(p 80.).
WINNING BY INDIRECT ATTACK WINNING BY INDIRECT ATTACK
19.
We
73
have so far given positions where the attacks
were of a violent nature and directed against the
Very
King's position.
game
attacks are
pieces, or
often, however, in the middle-
made
against a position or against
even Pawns.
The winning of a Pawn among good players of even means the winning of the game.
strength often
Hence the study portance.
We
of such positions
of great im-
is
give below two positions in which the
attack airns at the gain of a mere
Pawn
as a
means
of
ultimately winning the game.
Example
48.
— Black
is
a Pawn behind, and there
no violent direct attack against White's King. Black's pieces, however, are very well placed and free is
to act,
he
is
and by co-ordinating the action
of
soon able not only to regain the
obtain the better game.
The
aU
his pieces
Pawn but
to
student should carefully
WINNING BY INDIRECT ATTACK
74
consider this position is
and the subsequent moves.
It
a very good example of proper co-ordination in the
management
The game
of forces.
R — Ri
I
P-QR4
2.
White's best follow
continues:
Kt X B
;
— Q Kt when would 3 Q X Kt, R — R 6 and Black would
move was P
ultimately win the
Q R
P, always keeping a slight
The
advantage in position.
3,
text
move makes matters
easier.
Kt X B
2 3.
QxKt
4.
KR— Qi
Q-Bs
KR— Kt
Black could have regained the
I
Pawn by
playing
BX
Kt, but he sees that there
and
therefore increases the pressure against White's
Queen
side.
R X Kt
He now
threatens,
is
more
to be had,
among other
things,
P. 5.
Q-K3
R-Kts
Threatening to win the exchange by 6. 7.
Q— Kts K— Ri
B—Q
5.
B — Qsch
QR — Kt
I
This threatens to win the Kt, and thus forces White to give
Now
up the exchange. 8.
RxB
QXR
9.
R-Qi
Q-Bs
Black
will recover his
Pawn.
WINNING BY INDIRECT ATTACK
75
—
Example 49. An examination of this position will show that Black's main weakness lies in the exposed position of his King, and in the fact that his Q R has not yet come into the game. Indeed, if it were Black's move, we might conclude that he would have the better game, on accoimt of having three Pawns to two on the Queen's side, and his Bishop commanding the long diagonal. It
is,
however. White's move, and he has two courses
to choose from.
be good 2
P — Q Kt
there
is
The obvious move, B
enough, since after
4 would make
another
i
B—B
it difi&cult
move which
—B
4,
4,
might
QR — Q
for Black.
i;
But
completely upsets Black's
and wins a Pawn, besides obtaining the better position. That move is Kt Q 4 The game
position
—
!
continues as follows: 1.
Kt— Q4!
PxKt
2.
RxB
Kt — Kts
76
WINNING BY INDIRECT ATTACK
There is nothing better, as White threatened B 3-
—B
4.
CHAPTER
IV
Geneeal Theory Before we it will
revert to the technique of the openings
be advisable to dwell a Httle on general theory,
so that the openings in their relation to the rest of the
game may be
better understood.
THE INITIATIVE
20.
As the the same
pieces are set
position
on the board both
and the same amoimt
sides
have
of material.
White, however, has the move, and the move in this case
means
the
and the
initiative,
things being equal,
is
initiative,
Now
an advantage.
other
this ad-
vantage must be kept as long as possible, and should only be given up or positional,
is
if
some other advantage, material
obtained in
its place.
White, according
to the principles already laid down, develops his pieces
as fast as possible, but in so doing he also tries to
hinder his opponent's development, sure wherever possible.
He
by
applyirig pres-
tries first of
aU
to control
the centre, and failing this to obtain some positional
advantage that wiU make
it
He
on harassing the enemy. initiative
when he
gets for
possible for
it
him
to keep
only relinquishes the
some material advantage
under such favoxirable conditions as to make him 77
feel
:
DIRECT ATTACKS EN MASSE
78
assured that he
will, in turn,
and
adversary's thrust;
be able to withstand his through his superi-
finally,
more resvune the
ority of material, once
initiative,
which alone can give him the victory. assertion
is
self-evident,
since,
This
last
order to win the
xa.
game, the opposing King must be driven to a position
where he
attacked without having any
is
way
of escape.
Once the pieces have been properly developed the resulting positions
may
vary in character.
be that a direct attack against the King or that
it is
is
It
may
in order;
a case of improving a position already
advantageous;
or, finally,
that some material can be
gained at the cost of relinquishing the initiative for
a more or
less
DIRECT ATTACKS EN MASSE
21.
In the
prolonged period.
first
case the attack
force to guarantee
sufficient
consideration
must a
must be
tainty in one's
on with
Under no King
its success.
direct attack against the
be carried on a outrance imless there
failure in
carried
own mind
that
it
is
absolute cer-
will succeed, since
such cases means disaster.
Example
50.
— A good example of a successful
attack against the King
is
shown
direct
in the following
diagram In this position White could simply play
and
still
fers
an immediate attack on the King's
have the better
position,
B—B
2
but instead he preside,
with
DIRECT ATTACKS EN MASSE
79
the certainty in his mind that the attack will lead to a win. The game continues thus: ^
BXP
13.
Kt— Kt
14.
Q— Kt4
P— K
Best.
16
P— B
18
Q— K 20
4!
We
(if
;
21
K— Q 2
6 ch,
fatal.
K— B
3;
Q— Kt 5 ch, KxKt; ch, Kt — 19 K R— Q i
(if
Kt,
mate
K— K
QXR
in two)
;
;
i,
Kt— Q6ch
R— B 23 Q— B
22
i ch,
7
ch
in five moves.
give,
from now on, games and
familiarise himself
it
17
s;
Rx
with the
that constantly are borne in
take
Kt— K
15
5 ch,
K— Kt 3 1
P— B4
K— Q 2; KtxP, K — B 3
and mate
K-Kt3
5ch
4;
P—K
wins the Queen)
may
KxB
ch
4 would have been immediately
14...P— K
Thus:
Q6;
12.
notes, so that the student
many and
varied considerations
mind by the Chess Master.
We
must
for granted that the student has already reached a stage
where, while not being able fuUy to understand every move, yet he
can derive benefit from any discussion with regard to them.
DIRECT ATTACKS EN MASSE
8o
Q— R4ch Q— R ch
16.
17. If
K-R3 K— Kt3 K— B3
Q-Kt3
15.
7
K X Kt Q X ;
Kt P ch and mate
in
a few moves.
Kt - Kt
19.
P— K4 PxP
20.
QR— Qi
Kt— Q6 Kt(Q6)-Bs
18.
22.
Q-R3 Q— Kt3
23.
KR— Ki
21.
3
PxP
Q— B
2
Kt— K7ch
This blmider loses at once, but the game could not
be saved in any case ch,
Kt X R;
e.g. 23.
..B
— K3; 24RXB
Kt— Q 5 mate. R X Kt QxQ Kt — R 7 ch K — B2 RPXQ R — Ri
25
24.
25. 26.
Example
;
— Kt sch
27.
Kt
28.
P—B
51.
4
— Another
K-B3 Resigns
example of
this kind;
DIRECT ATTACKS EN MASSE
8i
In the above position the simple move Kt X P would win, but White looks for compHcations and their beauties. Such a course is highly risky imtil a wide experience of actual master-play has developed a sufficient insight into all the possibilities of a position. This game, which
won
the
brilliancy prize
Petersburg in 1914, continued as follows
:
—
at
St.
THE FORCE OF THE
82
and that
often, as in
out,
the coming into action of the last available
it is
some
of the variations pointed
piece that finally overthrows the enemy. It
demon-
strates the principle already stated:
and
Direct carried
King must
violent attacks against the
en masse, with full force,
to
be
ensure their success.
The opposition must be overcome
at all cost;
cannot be broken of, since in
su£h cases that means
all
the attack
defeat.
THE FORCE OF THE THREATENED ATTACK
22.
Failing
an opportunity,
direct attack, one
weakness there
may
or, if there is none, is
in
the
second case, for
must attempt to increase whatever be in the opponent's position;
one or more must be created.
It
always an advantage to threaten something, but
such threats must be carried into effect only thing
to be gained immediately.
is
if
some-
For, holding the
threat in hand, forces the opponent to provide against its it.
execution and to keep material in readiness to meet
Thus he may more
easily overlook, or
to parry, a thrust at another point.
threat
is
carried into effect,
it
exists
be xmable
But once the no longer, and
your opponent can devote his attention to his own schemes.
One
of the best
and most
successful
ma-
game is to make a demonas to draw the forces of your
noeuvres in this type of stration
on one
side, so
opponent to that
side,
then through
the
greater
mobility of your pieces to shift your forces quickly
THREATENED ATTACK to the other side
83
and break through, before your
opponent has had the tune to bring over the necessary forces for the defence.
A
good example of positional play
following
tional Masters :
shown
in the
game:
Example 52.— Played White
is
J.
R. Capablanca. I.
at
Havana
the
Interna-
Tournament, 1913. (French Defence.) Black
:
R. Blanco.
THE FORCE OF THE
84
prevent the development of Black's Queen's Bishop Q Kt 3, which is Black's usual vid Q Kt 2, after P
—
development in to
move
this variation.
Generally
it
is
bad
the same piece twice in an opening before
the other pieces are out, and the violation of that principle is the only objection that can this
be made to
move, which otherwise has everything to recom-
mend
it.
B-Q3
7
B — K Kt
8.
Q-B3
5
might be
better.
The
text
move
gives
Black an opportimity of which he does not avail himself
P-B3
8
P— B
4 was the right move.
It
would have led to
complications, in which Black might have
held his
own;
difficult.
The
at least. White's play
text
move accomplishes
would be very
nothing, and puts Black
THREATENED ATTACK in
an altogether defensive
B X Kt;
9.
10.
The
P— B
4 ch;
is
veiled threat easily met.
0—0 B — K2
3
B — KKts
fact that
The
position.
Q— R
by
followed
85
Black has now to move his Bishop
back clearly demonstrates that Black's plan of devel-
opment is faulty. White brings his
He
has
pieces
into
position without hindrance of 11.
The
woidd play
Q— R
12.
any
3
3,
time,
and
most attacking
sort.
Kt— Ki
was Kt
P — K Kt sacrifice B X P),
play
their
B — Q3
alternative
much
lost too
—Q
4.
Otherwise White
and Black would be forced to
(not
P— K R
seriously
3,
because of the
weakening his King's
P — KB
Q— R3
side.
4
White has no longer an attack, but he has compelled Black to create a marked weakness. whole plan
K P),
will
and the student can now
see
expounded previously are applied
move
is
Now
White's
be to exploit this weakness (the weak
how
in this
the principles
game.
Every
make the weak King's Pawn improfit by the inactivity of the Black
directed to
tenable, or to
pieces defending the
position of
Pawn,
White at other
14.
BxB 0—0
15.
KR— Ki
16.
R— K2
13.
in order to
points.
QxB R— B3 Kt— Q3
B — Q2
improve the
THE FORCE OF THE
86
At
Bishop comes out, not as an active attack-
last the
make way
ing piece, but merely to 17.
18.
A
R— Ki Kt — B 2
QR — Ki P — QB 4
very clever move, tending to prevent
and tempting White to play Kt
B X
Rook.
for the
X
P—B
P, which would be bad, as the following varia-
Kt X B, Q X Kt; 20 B X P, Kt — Q— Kt 4, R X B 22 P — K R 4, P —
tion shows:
Kt 4
;
21
19
;
KR4; 23QxR,PxQ; 24RxRch,K — R 25
PX
QX
Kt,
cases that, is
and
But
P.
one
if
another;
will
5,
B, followed by
it
2;
always happens in such
line of attack is anticipated, there
this is
no exception to the
rule, as
be seen.
19.
P — Qs!
Apparently the best of White.
way
KtxKt to
B P X P would make
the White Bishop would
King's
meet the manifold threats
Pawn
vid
QB
4.
finally
matters worse, as bear on the weak
THREATENED ATTACK 20.
21. 22.
RX
P — KKt3 K — Kta
Kt
Q— R4 Q-Q4
P — B4
Forced, as White threatened 23.
Q— Q
3
was
Q-B3 better.
87
K P, and also Q X P P-Kt3
Px
But Black wants
to
tempt
P X P, thinking that he will soon after Pawn with a safe position. Such, however,
White to play regain his is
not the case, as White quickly demonstrates.
must add that
in
any case Black's position
is,
opinion, untenable, since all his pieces are tied
I
in
my
up
for
the defence of a Pawn, while White's pieces are free to act.
The
24.
PXP
25-
B — K2!
B—B
deciding and timely manoeuvre.
I
All the Black
pieces are useless after this Bishop reaches
Q
5.
FORCE OF THREATENED ATTACK
88
BxP
25
Now
his
to
it
B — B3
K— B 2
27-
B-Q5
Q-Q3
evident that
it is
up, and
way
26.
all
only remains for White to find the quickest
White
to force the issue.
Queen at
R
the Black pieces are tied
K R
5 in order to
6,
will
now
try to place
and then advance the
KRP
break up the Black Pawns defend-
ing the King.
If
—B
28...P
R— K2
Q— K3
28.
s;
29
Q— K
R
3,
P
—K R
4;
Q-R R-K 2; 31 Q-Kt K-Kt 2; P-K R Q-Q 2; 33P-K Kt 3,PXP; and Black will soon be helpless, as he has 34 P — B 30
4,
32
5,
4,
4,
to
mark time with
P — R 5, and R X B, winniug.
to advance to play
his pieces while
29.
White prepares
finally at the
proper time
RELINQUISHING THE INITIATIVE
89
for a brilliant direct attack agaiast the King, involving sacrifices of pieces.
23.
RELINQUISHING THE INITIATIVE
In the third case, there material advantage
is
is
nothing to do, once the
obtained, but to submit to the
opponent's attack for a while, and once repulsed to act quickly with
A
on material. is
has been
your forces and win
good example of
this
type of game
given below.
Example
53.
— From
the
Masters Tournament, 1913. J,
all
it
R. Capablanca.
PXP
Black: D. Janowski.
1.
P-K4
P-K4
2.
Kt— KB3
Kt-QB3
3.
B-Kts
Kt-B3
4.
0-0
P-Q3
5.
B X Kt
6.
P— Q4
7.
Kt-B3
might be
fa mili ar
Havana International (Ruy Lopez.) White:
ch
better,
PXB B — K2
but at the tune I was not
with that variation, and therefore I played
what I knew to be good. 7.
8.
RELINQUISHING THE INITIATIVE
90 Black to
offers the
obtain
exchange in order to gain time and
Without considering at
an attack.
whether or not such a course was of Black,
there
is
it is
justified
evident that as far as White
only one thing to do,
viz., to
is
concerned
win the exchange Then, once
and then prepare to weather the storm. it is
all
on the part
passed, to act quickly with all forces to derive
the benefit of munerical superiority. 13. 14.
15.
To
force
hole at
the
hand
R— Q2 Kt — Qi
White to play
Q
Kt — B4 R — Kt I R— Kt 5
B — R6
P—Q B
5 for his Knight.^
of a master.
4,
and thus create a
Such grand
tactics
show
RELINQUISHING THE INITIATIVE Black's manceuvring for positional advantage
mirable throughout this game, and
due entirely to the without even a
if
91 is
he loses
adit
is
fact that the sacrifice of the exchange,
Pawn
for
it,
could not succeed against
sound defensive play.
The
21.
Kt — B
22.
PXP
3
position begins to look really dangerous for White.
In reality Black's attack force.
Very soon
it
is
reaching
its
maximimi
wiU reach the apex, and then
RELINQUISHING THE INITIATIVE
92
White,
who
action,
and through
is
weU
prepared, wiU begin his counter his superiority in material obtain
an undoubted advantage.
24.
Kt — B I Kt X Kt
25.
Q — Rs
23.
R-Ki He could not play R— K
P—B 5 B P X Kt B — Kt2 P — B4
26.
R X Q P. Besides, he wants to be ready to play P — K 5. At present White cannot with safety play R X K P, but he
will
soon prepare the
i
because of
way
for
it.
Then, by giving
up a Rook for a Bishop and a Pawn, he will completely upset Black's attack and come out a Pawn ahead. It is on this basis that White's whole defensive manoeuvre
Now is
is
foimded.
R-Ki — K2 R — K3 (Q2)
27.
P — B3
28.
R
the Black
prepared.
Rook enters into the game, but White now time to give back the exchange.
It is
RELINQUISHING THE INITIATIVE
31-
33345
R — KR3
QXQ K— B 2 R-QB3
RxQch R— K5 Kt-Q2
32-
R—B
BxR
RXP RXB Q-K8
29.
30-
93
The
ch might have been better.
text
move
did not prove as strong as anticipated.
K — B3 R— K3 K— K2
34
R— Qs
35.
Kt —
36.
RX
Kt would 37.
Very of
lose easily
RxBP
White cannot play
fine.
K— Q
K4ch
I
;
38. 39. 40.
RX
RX
B,
K—B
2
ch because
Kt wmning. B X Kt
PXB R— Qs
The ending is very White had to make was adjourned.
P-Q6! R B7
RxP R— K6
difficult to win.
the last
move
At
this point
before the
game
94
CUTTING OFF PIECES FROM 41.
THE SCENE OF ACTION Example
54.
Tournament, Winter.
1919.
Black:
I.
— Played J.
at
the
Hastings
(Four Knights.)
R. Capablanca.
95 Victory
White:
W.
CUTTING OFF PIECES FROM
96
The
alternative,
Kt P x B
;
gives
White the best
of
the game, without doubt.^ 7.
P-Q3
8.
B — Kts
This move
is
not at
B-Qs
all in
The
of this variation.
accordance with the nature
general strategical plan for
P — K R 3, to be followed in time by the advance of the K Kt P to Kt 4, and the bringing of the Q Kt to K B s via K 2 and K Kt 3 or Q i and K 3. Then, if possible, the K Kt is linked with the other Kt by placing it at either K R 4, K Kt 3, or K 3 White
as.
is
to play
the occasion demands.
remains at
Kt
but mostly at
P — KB times
and other
KR
Finally, in
i.
and then the
4,
it is
i,
The White King sometimes times it is placed at K Kt 2, most cases comes
real attack begins.
Some-
a direct assault against the King,^ and at
other times
it
comes simply to finessing
for positional
advantage in the end-game, after most of the pieces
have been exchanged.'
P — KR3 P — B4
8 9.
B — R4
• See game Capablanca-Kupchick, from Havana International Masters Tournament Book, 1913, by J. R. Capablanca; or a game
in the Carlsbad
Tournament
of 191 1,
Vidmar playing Black
against
Alechin. '
See Niemzowitch's
game
in the All Russian Masters Tourna-
ment, 1914, at St. Petersburg, against Levitzki, I believe. ' See Capablanca-Janowski game, New York Masters Tournament, 1913.
THE SCENE OF ACTION
97
To prevent P — Q 4 and to draw White into playing Kt — Q 5, which woxild prove fatal. Black's plan is to play P — K Kt 4, as soon as the circumstances permit, in order to free his Queen and Knight from the pin by the Bishop. 10.
Kt-Qs
White falls into the trap. Only lack of experience can account for this move. White should have considered that a player of my experience and strength could never allow such a move if it were good. 10.
P-KKt4
CUTTING OFF PIECES FROM
98
move White's game is lost. White camiot play Kt X Kt P, because Kt x Kt will win a piece. Kt 3, either before or Therefore he must play B after Kt X Kt, with disastrous results in either case, After this
—
as will be seen. II.
Kt X Kt ch
12.
B-Kt3
13-
P-KR3
QxKt B-Kt5 BxKt
QXB PXQ
QXQ P-KB3
14. IS-
A simple examination will a Bishop for it
by
then.
all
sacrificing
At
Black now
show that White
He
practical purposes.
minus free
one Pawn, and possibly not even
least it
would
devotes
lose
time besides the Pawn.
energy to the Queen's
all his
and, having practically a Bishop
cannot be in doubt. so that the student
such a game.
is
can only
The
may
more, the
rest of the
see
how
game
simple
is
it is
side,
resiilt
given,
to win
THE SCENE OF ACTION 16.
99
:
A PLAYER'S MOTIVES CRITICISED
100
interesting feature for the student that Sir George
Thomas
my
kindly wrote the notes to the
request,
game
for
and with the imderstanding that
I
me
at
would
make
the conunents on them that I considered appropriate. Sir George Thomas' notes are in brackets and thus wiU be distinguished from my own comments.
Example
55.
— Queen's
Gambit Declined.
notes within brackets by Sir George Thomas.)
Mr. F. F. L. Alexander. I.
{The
White
Black: Sir George Thomas.
IN A SPECIMEN There
of meeting this threat.)
GAME
much played
as
and consequently not it
leaves Black with
some
two good
are, besides,
reasons for this method of defence;
not as
loi
first,
that
it
is
of the other defences
known, and second that
so well
two Bishops against
B
and Kt,
which, in a general way, constitutes an advantage. 7.
8. 9.
This
is
B X Kt
Kt X B
P-QR3 Q— Kt3
Kt-K5
not the logical place for the
have been posted at great importance,
Q
and
:
(
B-K2 B which
should
In the opening, time
3.
is
of
therefore the player should be
extremely careful in his development and
make
sure
K
from
that he posts his pieces in the right places.
11.
B—Q 3 P X Kt
12.
BxBP
10.
(I
Kt X Kt
did not want White's
PXP B — B3 Kt
my K
P.)
complished by playing out
my
and
Incidentally
3.
previous statement that the
13.
alternative
to
5,
—
it
B—Q
been originally played to
The
come
K B 3 without by P same result could be acThe
where I could not dislodge weakening
to
Q
B
it
bears
should have
3.
0-0 was P
then O — 0.
—K
4,
followed
by P
—K
5,
White would thereby assmne the
Pawn
initiative
but would weaken his
siderably,
and might be compelled to stake aU on a
position con-
102
A PLAYER'S MOTIVES CRITICISED
violent attack against the King.
point in the game, and the temperament
and
it
is
This
is
a tiiming
in such positions that
style of the player decide the
course of the game. 13
P— K4
14.
0-0 P — K4
'y//
////
k 'A
IS.
P-Qs
(White might play 15 of breaking
up
K R— Q
P as there is now By this move White
to advance this
B
at
QB
4.)
i,
keeping the option
the centre later on.
a
I
wanted him
fine post for
my
shows that he does
not understand the true value of his position.
His
only advantage consisted in the imdeveloped condition of Black's
Q
B.
He
plan to prevent the
should therefore have
B
from coming out, or
made a if
that
were not possible, then he should try to force Black to
weaken
the B.
his
Pawn
position in order to
come out with
There were three moves to consider:
first,
;
GAME
IN A SPECIMEN
P—Q R
4, in
dominating
that
would have been met by
now
it
Q—B
2
Kt X B,
vent
Q i in order to threaten Q X Kt 18 B X P ch. B — Kt 5
5
;
and
third,
and by playing
Pawns.
4,
have attained the desired
'P
and the
R
3 to pre-
R to Q i, followed Black
force
—K R B and
3
play
to
side
White would
The
text
move
facilitates Black's
Hereafter White wiU act on the defen-
game manner in
interest throughout the rest of the
wiU centre mainly on Black's play and the which he
BxP
This would have
object.
blocks the action of the White
sive,
P,
which would weaken his Queen's
Thus by playing
development.
PX
P—K
either
up as previously stated to
P — Q Kt
This
16
;
B — Kt
in the
second, either of
;
the Rooks to 17
B
occupies.
order to maintain the White
position
been met by
103
carries out the attack.
Q— B
IS 16.
2
^
B-Q3
makes the development of At present he cannot Black's Queen wing easier. (This seems wrong, as
play
it
P— Q Kt 3, because of the reply P X P followed
byB-Qs.) 16
A PLAYER'S MOTIVES CRITICISED
I04
B-K2 B — B4 P — B3
i8 19.
20.
would
(It
20
.
.
.
R— B 2 Q— Kt2 been
have
K R — K I, with
probably,
better,
the idea of
Black's play hereabout
weak;
is
P— B it
play
to
4 presently.)
and
lacks force,
there seems to be no weU-defined plan of attack. is
most
true that these are the
a plan on a large success,
and with
difficult positions to
In such cases a player
handle in a game.
it
It
must conceive
which promises chances of
scale,
it must be a plan that can be means at his disposal. From
aU,
carried out with the
the look of the position
it
seems that Black's best
chance would be to mass his forces for an attack against White's centre, to be followed
He
attack against the King.
Q R— K
I,
threatening
by a
direct
should, therefore, play
P— K B
4. If
to defeat this plan, or rather to prevent
White it,
is
able
then, once
he has fixed some of the White pieces on the EJng's side, side,
he should quickly
and open a
shift his
line for his
attack to the Queen's
Rooks, which, once they
enter in action, should produce an advantage
on
ac-
count of the great power of the two Bishops. 21.
QR— Kt
I
22.
P — QR4
23.
R-Qi
(White has clearly
lost
time with his Rook's moves.)
KR — Ki
23 24.
QR— Qi B — R3
Q-Kt3
GAME
IN A SPECIMEN
105
— R 4 and B — K2.) R-Q3
(To bring his Queen across after Kt 24 25.
Kt —
26.
B — K2
P-Kt3
PxP
26.
(I
R4
thought this exchange necessary here, as White
is
threatening to play his Bishop via
If
he retook with the Bishop's
Pawn
Kt 4
to
K
6.
I intended to
exchange Bishops and rely on the two Pawns to one
on the Queen's wing. it
I did not expect
him
to retake
with the King's Pawn, which seemed to expose
him to a violent King's side attack.) Black's judgment in this instance I beUeve to be faulty. Had White retaken with the B P, as he expected, he would have had the worst of the Pawn position, as White would have" had a passed Pawn well supported on the Queen's
side.
His only advantage would he in his
having a very well posted Bishop against a badly
io6
A PLAYER'S MOTIVES CRITICISED
posted Knight, and on the fact that in such positions as the above, the Bishop
He
than the Knight. vented
invariably stronger
could and should have pre^
by playing B — B i, as, had White with Kt 3, he could then play
all that,
then replied
PX
is
Q—
P, and White would not have been able to retake
with the
B P on
account of
BXP
ch winmng the
exchange.
I
do not
27.
KPxP
P — K5
28.
P — Kt3
P— K6
like this
move.
It
would have been better
be followed in due time by
P — B 4, to and P — 65^
after having placed the
or some other
to hold
it
in reserve
and
to have played
P — K Kt 4 Q at Q 2, K B 2,
The
square as the occasion demanded. blocks the action of the powerful
B
at
text
Q B
move 4,
and
make White's position safer than it should have been. The move in itself is a very strong attacktends to
ing move, but continuation.
it is isolated,
and there
Such advances as a
is
no
effective
rule should only
be made when they can be followed by a concerted action of the pieces.
P — B4 Kt— B 3
B — Bi B — B4
32.
R— Kt2 K— Kt2
R— Ks Q— B
33.
Kt— Kt
29.
30. 31.
I
I
P — KKt4
IN A SPECIMEN
B-B
(If now 34 3, with a winning attack.)
R— R
3
35
PxP
PxP
35.
R-KBi
P-Kts
was the
won
White's only
alternative.
K— R
i.
and
for Black,
The it
107
BXR, BXB
34.
would have been dently
PXP;
GAME
is
position
now
ch,
move is
evi-
only a question of
The final attack is now George Thomas in an irreproachable
finding the right course.
carried
on by
Sir
manner. 36. 37.
(Again preventing
on White's Rook.
—B
If
Kt
40
RX
R,
4,
R-KB3
B-Q3 Kt — K2
BX
I
R, by the masked attack
White therefore protects
P-K
B—K
Q— B
5
ch
KtxP, RxKt B X B, best, R X R
7!; 39 ! !
;
41
his Rook.)
ch;
and
White lost. however, against 38 Kt — B 4, Black plays Q— R 3, and White 39 Q— B I take pleasure is
If,
2,
A PLAYER'S MOTIVES CRITICISED
io8
in offering the position to tiful
my
and extraordinary win
39... Q — R
readers as a most beau-
for Black, beginning with
I leave the variations for the
6 ch!!!
student to work out. 38.
R(Kt2)-Kti
39-
Q-B2
Q-R3
(Making a double attack on the Rook cannot be taken If either the
— which
still
— and preparing to defend the K R P.)
Rook
or Bishop are taken White would
be mated in a few moves.
Q — R6ch RXP!!
3940.
K-Ri ^
/^*^
^
i
^
^ ^..y ^5^1
\%
^^^^/ (If
40...R-R3;
K Kt
2.
way 41.
Kt — Kt
Black therefore
from the defence.) best
41
to carry
QxR
A
I,
QxKtP;
tries to get
Q—
42
the Queen
away
very beautiful move, and the
on the attack.
IN A SPECIMEN (The best defence was 41
RX
GAME
109
B, but Black would
emerge with Queen agamst Rook and Knight.)
BxB because of P — Q 6
41 (Again, not
(If
42
QX
R— K R 3 42. R X R B, then, at
;
last,
Kt— B4
(The Queen has no to take
escape,,
P— K7!
but White has no time
it.)
44.
White
3 wins.)
BXQ
42 43.
R— R
resigns.
dis. ch.)
R— KKti A
very
Q-B8
fine finish.
CHAPTER V EnD-GAME STRATEGy
We must now revert once more to
the endings.
Their
importance will have become evident to the student
who has taken
Janowski (Example
—a my
my game
the trouble to study
Ruy Lopez
53).
— in
with
After an uneventful opening
one of
its
normal variations,
opponent suddenly made things interesting by
offering the exchange;
an
offer which, of course, I
Then followed a very hard, arduous struggle, had to defend myself against a very dangerous attack made possible by the excellent manoeuvring of my adversary. Finally, there came the time when I could give back the material and change off most of the pieces, and come to an ending in which I clearly had the advantage. But yet the ending accepted.
in
which
itself
was not as simple as
finally
—
it
Had
I
it
at
— perhaps through one weak move on my part
became a very
difficult
matter to find a win.
I been a weak end-game player the game would
probably have ended in a draw, and efforts is
appeared, and
first
would have been
in vain.
all
my
previous
Unfortunately, that
very often the case among the large majority of
players
;
they are weak in the endings
which masters of the
first
a
failing
from
rank are at times not
free.
;
END-GAME STRATEGY
III
Incidentally, I might call attention to the fact that
the world's champions of the last sixty years have
all
been exceedingly strong in the endings:
Morphy,
Steinitz, and Dr. Lasker had no superiors in this
department of the game while they held their
titles.
THE SUDDEN ATTACK FROM A
26.
DIFFERENT SIDE I
have previously stated, when speaking about
general theory, that at times the in attacking first
on one
way
side, then,
to
win consists
granted greater
mobility of the pieces, to transfer the attack quickly
from one
side to the other, breaking through before
your opponent has been able to bring up forces to withstand the attack.
sufficient
This principle of the
middle-game can sometimes be applied in the endings in
somewhat
Example
similar
56.
manner.
:
THE SUDDEN ATTACK
112
In the above position
I,
with the Black pieces,
played
R— Ksch R— QR5 P-KR4
I 2.
3.
The
R— K2 R— R2
idea, as will
be seen very soon,
in order to fix White's King's side
to the future.
It
wants to bring
his
two weak
is
is
to play
P—R
5
Pawns with a view
evident to Black that White
King
to
Q Kt
3 to support his
isolated Pawns, and thus to free his Rooks.
Black, therefore, makes a plan to shift the attack to
the King's side at the proper time, in order to obtain
some advantage from the greater mobility
of
his
Rooks, 4.
R-Qi
R(Q4)-QR4 Rook
in order to force the
to Rook's square, keeping
both Rooks tied up. 5.
6. 7.
R(Qi)-Ri
P-Rs
K— Q2 K-B2
K— Kt
2
R-KKt4
Black begins to transfer his attack to the Eing's 8.
A
R— KKt
serious mistake,
side.
I
which
K — Kt
loses quickly.
White should
when Black would have answered 8...R(R5) — R4; 9P B3, and Black
have played 8
3,
—
would have obtained an opening at ELing,
K
Kt
6 for his
which in the end might give him the victory. 8
R-KBs
FROM A DIFFERENT SIDE Now
the King cannot go to
Kt 4
ch. 9.
10.
If
P X R,
;
because of
R— K R RXRP
followed
10
and Black won
3,
R—
R — B6ch
K— Q3 K— K2 RXR
Kt
113
after a
by
8 winning,
few moves.
—
Example 57. Another good example, in which is shown the advantage of the greater mobiUty of the pieces in an ending, is the following from a game Capablanca-Kupchick played at the Havana Masters
Tournament, 1913. The fuU score and notes of the game can be fovmd in the book of the tournament.
White's only advantage in the above position
he possesses the open
wiU secure him the
file
is
that
and has the move, which
initiative.
There
is
also the shght
advantage of having his Pawns on the Queen's side imited, while Black has
an
isolated
Q R
P.
The
THE SUDDEN ATTACK
114
proper course, as in the previous ending, the
Rooks forward,
be able to other,
so that at least one of
to bring
them may
from one side of the board to the
shift
i
and thus keep Black's Rooks from moving
What
freely.
means
this
stated already;
really
it
enemy; force him
to
in general theory has
means: keep harassing
to
make
collapse sooner or later. it,
ness somewhere
From
make
it
and
another weakness somewhere else
get rid of
been the
use his big pieces to defend Pawns.
If he has a weak point, try
can
is
weaker, or create his position will
If he has a weakness, and he
sure that you create another weak-
else.
the position in question the
game continued
thus: 1.
R-K4
KR-Ki
with the object of repeating White's manoeuvre, and also not to
aUow White the 2.
3. 4.
QR-Ki QR-K3 K-B I
control of the open
file..
R-K3 R(Bi)-Ki
K-B
I
Black wants to bring his King to the centre of the board in order to be nearer to whatever point White decides to attack.
The move
is
justified at least
on
the general rule that in such endings the King should
He
be in the middle of the board. all
but follow White's footsteps.
to point out anything better.
Kt 4
ch, followed
by
K— K
a very disagreeable position.
does nothing after Besides,
it is
If4...P — Q4; 2,
hard
sR —
would leave Black
If 4.
..P
— KB
4;
in
sR—
;
FROM A DIFFERENT Q4! 8
SIDE
115
RxR? 6PxR,RxP; 7K-B2,R-K2;
R— Q R
P, which would prac-
White with a passed Pawn ahead on the
tically leave
Queen's
QR
winning the
4,
Pawns of Black on the by the two of White.
as the three
side,
King's side woidd be held
K-K2 R-QR4
5.
6.
K-K2 R-QRi
The student should note noeuvre Black
is
that through the same
ma-
forced into a position similar to the
one shown in the previous ending.
R-Rs!
7.
This move has a manifold object.
aU of Black's Pawns except the
Q
It practically fixes
P, which
one that can advance two squares. vents the advance of Black's
KB
is
the only
It specially pre-
Pawns, and at the
of White's K B B 5. By this threat it practically forces Black to play P — Q 4, which is aU White desires,
same time threatens the advance
Pawns
to
B
4 and
for reasons that will soon
become evident.
P-Q4 K-Q3
7
P-QB4!
8.
Evidently forced, as the only other move to save a
Pawn would have been P X aU Black's Pawns
isolated
P, which would have
and weak.
If
9
R-K
11
R — R 6, and Black's game is hopeless.
4,
K-Q 9.
10.
3;
10
P-B sch P-Q4
P-Q
Kt
8
4!
K-Q2 P-B4
.
.
.
left
P—Q
R-K
5
4;
THE SUDDEN ATTACK
ii6
Apparently very strong, since of
Rooks because
it
leads to nothing.
R-K K
of the threat
The
it
forces the exchange
R— R 3
but in
;
best chance
reality
was to play
I.
11.
RXR
12.
P-B
PxR 4
now White had played with finesse, but this Up R ^ R 6 was the proper way to last move is weak. to
up
continue, so as to force Black to give
or
Q B
K-B
12 13.
QRP
tinuation,
and
2;
IS
I
K-Q2
Again a bad move.
K-Kt
his
P.
if
13
R— R
then 13.
P-Kt
4,
.
3
was the proper con-
.R — Kt
K-R
i;
with excellent winning chances; in
i
;
16
14
P — Kt
R-Q
Kt
fact, I beUeve,
3,
3,
a
won game.
13
Black misses his only chance.
drawn.
K-Kt 2 R — Kt
i
would have
FROM A DIFFERENT 14.
SIDE
117
THE SUDDEN ATTACK
Ii8
28.
P - Kt
5
A
weak move, which
In
this endiag, as is often the case
gives Black a fighting chance.
with most players,
White plays the best moves whenever the is
difficult
and
requires careftd handling,
his position seems to efforts
right
and the
08
28
but once
be overwhelming he relaxes his
result is nothing to
move was
situation
R— Kt
7.
be proud
of.
The
FROM A DIFFERENT SIDE would probably draw. that
my
The reader must bear
iig in
mind
opponent was then a very yoimg and inex-
perienced player, and consequently deserves a great deal of credit for the fight he put up.
R— Kt
37.
R-K7
7 ch;
followed
RxP by
R— K R
7,
offered better
chances. 38. 39. 40.
41. 42.
P-R6! K-Kt5
P-R7 K-B s K-Q4
R-B Sch R-Q8ch R-K8ch
4445.
R-K8ch
K-R2
46.
P-R8(Q)
RxQ K-Kt3
KxP
49.
RxR KxP KxP
50.
K— K 5
Resigns.
47. 48.
This ending shows
made and
R-KtSch
K-Ks K-B6
43.
and how
RxPch
R-Q8
often,
how
R-KR8
K-B 4 easy
it is
to
opportimities are lost.
long as there
is
make weak moves,
even in master-play, mistakes are It
shows that, so
no great advantage of material, even
with a good position, a player, no matter
how
strong,
cannot afford to relax his attention even for one
move.
THE DANGER OF
I20
27.
THE DANGER OF A SAFE POSITION
—
A good proof of the previous stateExample 58. ment is shown in the following ending between Marshall and Kupchick in one of their two games in the same Tournament (Havana, 1913).
It
evident that Marshall (White)
is
difl&culties in the above position.
bound
The
to lose a
Pawn, but
Not only
his position
best he could hope for
imder great
is
was a draw
that he
felt so certain of
it
did.
game
having the best of
Pawn more and what he
he
unless some-
thing altogether unexpected happened, as
reason can be given for Black's loss of the
is
rather poor.
is
it
No
except
with a
considered a safe position,
that he became exceedingly careless and did not consider the danger that actually existed.
how
it
happened. I.
P-Kt4
RXRP
Let us see
A SAFE POSITION The mistakes
This
begin.
that he can take a
Pawn
is
the
i2i
Black sees
first.
without any danger, and
does not stop to think whether there
is
anything
R — B 7 ch was the right move. If then K- Kt 3, R X P. If instead White played K- K 4, then R- K 4 ch followed by R X R P. 2. R-Qi R-Rsch better.
Mistake nmnber two, and
this
time such a serious
The proper move was to play P — B 4 in order to break up White's Pawns and at the same time make room for the Black one as to almost lose the game.
King, which
is
actually in danger, as will soon be seen.
R-Q4
3.
R(Rs)-R4
Mistake number three and
move was is
R
(Kt
no defence.
this time fatal.
4) — R 4.
Black's
After the text
game
His best
move
there
This shows that
is lost.
even an apparently simple ending has to be played with care.
From a
practically
finds himself with a lost
won
game, and
it
position Black
has only taken
three moves. 4.
R-Kt2
R(Q4)-Q8
If4...P-B4; sR-R8ch, K-Kt3; 6R(B8)Kt Sch, K- B 3 7 R X P ch, R- Kt 3 8P- Kt 5 ch, K-K2; 9 R (R 6)xR, PxR; 10 R-Kt 7 ch, K— K I II R X Kt P, and wins easily. ;
;
;
The reason
5.
P-R4
P-R4
6.
R-R8ch
Resigns.
is
evident.
If 6.
.
.K — Kt 3
;
7
PxP
ch,
ENDINGS WITH ONE
122
RxP; 8RxR, KxR; 10 P — R 5 mate. 28.
The
9
R-R 8
ch,
K-Kt
3;
ENDINGS WITH ONE ROOK AND PAWNS reader has probably realised
endings of two Rooks and
Pawns
and that the same holds true and Pawns.
by
this
time that
are very dif&cult,
for endings of
one Rook
Endings of two Rooks and Pawns are
common Rook and Pawns not very
of endings arising
in actual play
;
are about the
but endings of one
most common
on the chess board.
sort
Yet though
they do occur so often, few have mastered them thoroughly.
They
are often of a very difl&cult nature,
and
sometimes while apparently very simple they are in reality extremely intricate.
Here
is
an example from
game between Marshall and Rosenthal in the Manhattan Chess Club Championship Tournament of
a
1909-1910.
Example
59.
:
ROOK AND PAWNS In
this
R—B
position
Marshall
had a simple win by
P—B
but played
7 ch,
123
6,
and thereby gave
Luckily for him Black did
Black a chance to draw.
not see the drawing move, played poorly, and
Had
R— Q P-B6
drawn by playing I.
Now
lost.
Black been up to the situation he would have 3.
R-Q3!
White has two continuations,
or (6)
R— B (a)
3.
will finally
Black's Pawn. (b)
2.
3.
Or
—
P—B
7,
have therefore
P-B 7 R-Rsch
2.
and White
We
7 ch.
either (a)
R-Qi!
K-Bs
have to
R-B 7ch P-B 7
sacrifice the
Rook
for
K-Qs!
R— Kt3ch!
a very important move, as against
R — KB3, R — K7
wins.
R-KB 3
4.
K-B
5.
R-Kt7
I
K-B 6
and White will finally have to sacrifice the Rook for the Pawn, or draw by perpetual check. If there were nothing more in the ending it would not be of any great value, but there are other very interesting features. I
P-B
6,
realise that
R-Q R— Q
3; i
2
Now
P-B
suppose that after 7,
Black did not
was the only move to draw,
:
ENDINGS WITH ONE
124
We would
Now
then have the following position
there would be twojpther
R — Kt
(o)
3 ch, or (b)
moves
R— K B
3.
to try
:
either
Let us examine
them. (a)
R-Kt3ch
I 2.
3.
IfP — Kt6;
K-B 3 K-K3 R — Rs
goes back, then
R— R
R-Q
6.
(&)
P - Kt
6
;
if
the King
the King goes up, then
B
4 wins.
R-KB3
K-K
4 wins.
K moves R — Rsch — R R 6 wins R-Kt7! R - Kt 3, and
Pawn or go
ending.
if
R— K
I 2.
the
R — R 6, and
K-Q3
3 ch; 5.
If
ch wins, because
4 ch, followed by 4.
If
R-B3ch R-K3ch
to
KB
3,
R-B3 K-B 5 White
will either capture
and come out with a winning
:
4.
ROOK AND PAWNS P-R4 P-Kt6 R — Kt 4 ch K moves
5-
R-Kt3
3.
and White
KB
will either capture the
Pawn
I2S
or play
R—
according to the circumstances, and come out
3,
with a winning ending.
Now, going back suppose that after
to the position
Black did not reaUse that to draw,
K — Kt
3 instead,
the following position:
the best continuation would be 1.
P-B
7
2.
K-B
I
3.
R-K7!
R- Kt 3 ch (best)
R-KB3 K-B 4 (best)
White threatened to check with the Rook at 4.
K-K2
122,
K— Q 5 was the only move
and consequently played
we would then have
Now
shown on page
iP — B6, R — Q3; 2R — B7ch,
P-Kt6
K 6.
ENDINGS WITH ONE
126 Best.
win;
If
K-B
5;
P-R
both
the last-named
move
4 and
K-K
particularly
3 will
would win
with ease. 5-
R-K3
P-Kt
6.
R-QKt3
7.
RxP
RxP R-KR2 RxP
8.
9.
R-Q2 K-K3
This position we have arrived at because there are two
files
7 (best)
is
won by White,
between the opposing
King and the Pawn from which the King^
by the Rook, and
besides, the
is
cut off
Pawn can advance to Rook can begin
the fourth rank before the opponent's to check
on the
portant, because
file. if,
This
last condition is
very im-
instead of the position
on the
Rook were at K R x, and Black had the move, he could draw by preventing the addiagram, the Black
ROOK AND PAWNS
127
vance of the Pawn, either through constant checks
by playing R — K B i at the proper time. Now that we have explained the reasons why this position is won, we leave it to the student to work or
out the correct solution.
The fact that out of one apparently simple ending we have been able to work out several most unusual and
difficult
endings should be sufficient to impress
upon the student's mind the
necessity of becoming
well acquainted with all kinds of endings, cially
and espe-
with endings of Rook and Pawns.
29.
A DIFFICULT ENDING: TWO ROOKS AND PAWNS
Following our idea that the best ings as well as openings
masters,
we
Pawns.
give two
is
way
to study the
more endings
of
to learn end-
games
of the
two Rooks and
These endings, as already stated, are not
very common, and the author
is
fortimate in having
himself played more of these endings than
By
the case.
is
generally
comparing and studying the
carefully
(Examples 56 and 57) with the following, the student no doubt can obtain an idea
endings aheady given
of the proper
The way
method
to be followed in such cases.
of procedure
is
somewhat
similar in all of
them.
Example borg, in the
ment
60.
— From a game,
New York
of 1910.
Capablanca-Kreym-
State Championship Tourna-
;
A DIFFICULT ENDING:
128
It is Black's
move, and no doubt thinking that
drawing such a position (that was for)
would be easy, he contented himself with a waiting
poUcy.
Such conduct must always be
often leads to disaster. positions is to
on
Black played
all
assume
The
best
the initiative
way
criticised. to
and keep
It
defend such the
opponent
the defensive,
QR-Ki
I
move is already wrong. There is nothing to gain by this move. Black should play P — Q R 4 to be followed by P — Q R s; unless White plays P — Q Kt 3. That would fix the Queen's side. After
The
first
that he could decide what demonstration he could
make with
his
Rooks
to keep the opponent's
Rooks
at bay. 2.
R-Q4
This move not only prevents intended,
but threatens
P—B
P — Kt
3,
5
which Black
followed,
after
TWO ROOKS AND PAWNS PXP
129
by the attack with one or both Rooks
ch,
Q R
against Black's
P.
R-B3
2
probably with the idea of a demonstration on the
3. 4. 5-
R— Q R force
R- Kt
by
King's side
3
and Kt
7.
P-Kt3
PxPch
PXP K-Q3
K-B2
should have been played now,
I
Black to defend with
R—K
m
order to
White, however,
2.
does not want to disclose his plan at once, and thus
awaken Black to the danger of his position, hence this move, which seems to aim at the disruption of Black's Queen's side Pawns.
R-K2 K-K3
5
R-QRi
6.
This
is
a mistake.
He
his position.
R—R
Black
is
unaware
should have played
of the danger of
P — Kt
4 threatdemonstration ;
3,
and,
by making
against White's
KR
P, stop the attack against his
ening
Queen's side Pawns, which will
He
could not play
win at
move
K— Q
a Pawn.
least
K— K
3,
now
develop.
R-QB 2
R-R6
7.
this
3,
because
This in
itself
P—Q B
4 would
condemns
his last
which has done nothing but make
his
situation practically hopeless. 8.
Now
forced,
play 8.
.
.K
R(Q4)-QR4 P-KKt4
but
it is
R—B
2,
a
little
because
too late.
He
P—K B
4 would have
could not
A DIFFICULT ENDING:
130 left his
game completely
awakens
to the danger,
Black now
paralysed.
and
tries to
finally
save the day by
the coimter-demonstration on the King's side, which
he should have started before. cannot play
by
R—R
RxR
3,
Black
is
now
played 9.
.
.P
R X R,
P, because of
recovering the
Pawn with
P-KR4!
9.
Of course, White
P-Kt
followed
advantage.
s
in a very disagreeable position.
XP
;
RXP
10
If
would leave him
he
in a
very awkward situation, as he could not go back
much with
with the King, nor could he do
Rook.
He
practically
would have to play
K R 3, when White would answer ening to win a
Pawn by P — Kt
not enough, he might play finally
by the entry 10.
11
of the
K-K2
5,
K— Q
King at
.
.P —
P — Kt
4, threat-
or, if
that were
4, to
B
10.
either
5 or
be followed
K
5.
TWO ROOKS AND PAWNS 131 10 PxPch Again he cannot play P — K R 4, because P— K B 4 woxild leave him paralysed. The advance of his K R P would make White's K R P safe, and consequently his K R would have to retire to K B 2 to defend the QR
That would make
P.
to go to
Q
2,
because of the
Q R P, nor could he advance
a single one of his Pawns.
P — Kt
would play
P— Kt
5,
On
the other hand, White
threatening to win a
4,
or he might
at the proper time
impossible for his King
it
play
first
P — Kt
5, if
Pawn by
K— Q
there
4, and then was nothing better.
Black meanwhile could really do nothing but mark
Compare this bottlingExample 57, and it
time with one of his Rooks.
up system with the ending will
be seen that 11. 12.
The
very similar.
KxP K-K2
Probably wrong.
move.
it is
text
in
R(B3)-B
P — Kt move
2
4 at once was the right
gives Black good chances of
drawing.
K-Qs
12 13.
P-Kt4
R-QKt2
This could never have happened had White played 12
P — Kt
P-Kt
4,
5 after Black's 14.
Not
as he could have followed
good.
winning by
K-Q
it
up by
3.
P-Rs
P—K B force.
If
4 offered the best chances of
then
14...R— Kt
2;
15
P-
A DIFFICULT ENDING:
132
RS,R-Kt7ch; i6 K-Q 3, R-K R 7; 17 R X P, ,RxR; i8RxR,RxP; 19 R - R 6, with winning chances.
P-R3
14.
Black misses his If
then IS
RXP;
17
P X
last chance.
P,
RXP,
R
(Kt
2)
R-K
(Kt
7)
— Kt
—K
2 ch!
5 ;
would draw. 16
K—B
i,
6!
R-Kt2 R (K Kt 2) - K 2 R-Kt2 R-Kt 7 R (Kt 2) - Kt 2
IS-
R
P—B
2
but the position
would have is lost
in
dent to work this out.)
offered greater resistance,
any
case.
(I leave
the stu-
!
TWO ROOKS AND PAWNS
R-R 6 ch; 23 K-B 2, R-K R 8; 24 P-Kt 5, 26 R- Q R 6, and 25 R X P ch, K- Q 2
Nothing would
R-Q RXP White
8 ;
133
will
avail.
If 21
.
.
.R - Kt 8 22 ;
;
win
easily.
22.
R-KKt2
23.
R-Kt7
R-K 3
A DIFFICULT ENDING:
134
P — Q Kt
advance, because as soon as Black plays
White
replies
White builds
P — Q Kt his plans.
side Pawns from own King to K
P-Q forcing
way a
4,
It is
4.
He
on
will stop Black's
Queen's
advancing, and will then bring his
Then
3.
and finaUy
due time he
in
P-K
5,
or
P-K
will play
Kt
5,
thus
an exchange of Pawns and obtaining in that clear passed
be seen that
Pawn on
this plan
of the game,
was
the King's
It will
file.
carried out during the course
and that White obtained
advantage in that way.
his winning
The play was based through-
out on the chance of obtaining a passed King's
3,
this fact that
Pawn on
the
with which White expected to win.
file,
1.
P-KKt4
already preparing to play
P — K Kt
5
when
the time
comes.
P-QKt3
I
Black wants to play prevents
P—Q B
4,
but White, of course,
it.
2.
P-Kt4!
K-Kt2
This King should come to the King's
side,
where the
danger lurks. 3.
With the
2
object of playing
P-QKt4
K— Kt 3
and
P—Q
R
4,
by P X P, and thus have an open file for Rook and be able to make a coiuiter-demonstration
followed his
K-B
TWO ROOKS AND PAWNS on the Queen's on the
Of course
side in order to stop White's
P-QR4!
PXP
if
advance
White, however, also prevents
right.
4.
135
R-Qs
Black
;
will
have
lost
Pawns on and White
all his
the Queen's side disrupted and isolated,
can easily regain the
this.
Pawn by
playing either
Rook on the QR file. 5.
He
still
R-Q
wants to play
to foresee that
move
is
Kt
I
R-K4
P— Q B
4,
but as
White wiU again prevent
really a serious loss of time.
it is
it,
easy
the text
Black should
bring his King over to the other side immediately.
The
first
plished. for
6.
K-K3
7-
P-RS
R-Q2
part of White's strategic plan Black's
Pawns on
now accom-
aU practical pxuposes.
R-R3
7
If
is
the Queen's side are fixed
RXR
;
Kt P X
powerful centre.
R
would have given White a very
Yet
it
might have been the best
chance for Black. 8.
9.
10.
R(Kt)-KBi P-Kts
RXP
R(Q2)-K2
PxP
136
A DIFFICULT ENDING:
^
i
TWO ROOKS AND PAWNS White threatens P — R
which would
5,
137
finally force
Black to take, and then White would double his
Rooks against tie
the isolated
Pawn and win
up Black's Rooks completely.
however, only helps White; nothing
R— K
than
better
4 would not
simply answer
R—B
help 8,
therefore
hold
to
The tight
text
it,
or
move,
Black
and
had wait.
much, as White would
R-K
i;
R
(Kt
5)
X R,
and whichever Rook Black took. White would have an easy game. (The student should carefully study these variations.)
14.
ROOK, BISHOP AND PAWNS
138
27.
K-Q2 KtPxP
28.
P—Q
26.
The winning
P-B4
R-QR6 Resigns.
5
tactics in all these endings
consisted in keeping the opponent's
defence of one or free
is
have merely
Rooks
tied to the
my own
more Pawns, leaving This
for action.
v.
Rooks
a general principle which
can be equally appUed to any part of the game.
means
in general terins
Keep freedom
—
of manoeuvre
It
while hampering your
opponent.
There that
is
is
one more thing of great importance, and
that the winning side has always
had a general
strategical plan capable of being carried out with the
means at
his disposal, while often the losing side
had
no plan at aU, but simply moved according to the needs of the moment.
30.
ROOK, BISHOP AND PAWNS
v.
ROOK,
KNIGHT AND PAWNS
We
shall
now examine an ending
of
Rook, Bishop
and Pawns against Rook, Knight and Pawns, where it
will
be seen that the Rook at times
same way as
Example
is
used in the
in the endings already given.
62.
— From the
first
game
of the Lasker-
Marshall Championship Match in 1907.
ROOK, KNIGHT AND PAWNS
In this position the position
may
it is
Black's move.
139
Tct a beginner
look like a draw, but the advanced
player will realise immediately that there are great possibilities for
Black to win, not only because he has
the initiative, but because of White's undeveloped
Queen's side and the fact that a Bishop in such a position is better than a
Knight
(see Section 14).
take some time for White to bring his into the fray,
advantage.
and Black can
It will
Rook and Knight
utilise it to
obtain an
There are two courses open to him.
The
most evident, and the one that most players would take,
is
to advance the
Pawn
to
Q B
4 and
Q B
5
immediately in conjimction with the Bishop check
R
and any other move that might be necessary with the Black Rook. The other, and more subtle, at
3
was taken by Black. It consists in utilising Rook in the same way as shown in the previous
course his
endings, forcing
White
to
defend sbmethrng
all
time, restricting the action of White's Knight
the
and
I40
ROOK, BISHOP AND PAWNS
v.
White's Rook, while at the same time keeping freedom of action for his
own Rook and
R-Kt
I
This forces for the
Bishop.
P — Q Kt
3,
I
which blocks that square
White Knight. 2.
bringing the
Rook
so as to force the
and thus
R-Kt 4
P-Kt3
to attack the King's side
King to that
indirectly
making more secure the
of Black's Queen's side
Pawns.
Pawns
side to defend them,
position
ROOK, KNIGHT AND PAWNS Notice
how
141
similar are the manoeuvres with this
Rook
to those seen in the previous endings.
R-Ri
9.
B-Kts
Paralysing the action of the Knight and fixing the
whole King's ID.
side.
White cannot answer Kt — followed
by
the check at
K-K3
K-B2 B
3,
because
B X Kt
K— K
4 wUl win a Pawn, on account of
KB
which cannot be stopped.
II.
3
142
ROOK, BISHOP AND PAWNS 25.
Kt-R4
CHAPTER VI Further Openings and Middle-Games 31.
SOME SALIENT POINTS ABOUT PAWNS
Before going back
to the discussion of openings
middle-game positions,
mind a few will
and
might be well to bear
it
facts concerning
Pawn
in
positions which
no doubt help to understand certain moves, and
sometimes even the object of certain variations in the openings, and of some manoeuvres in the middle-
games.
Example
63.
— In
the position of the diagram
have an exceedingly bad Pawn side.
Black's
Q B P
is
we
formation on Black's
altogether backward, and
White could by means of the open 143
file
concentrate
SOME SALIENT POINTS
144
weak
his forces against that
square at White's
QB
5,
point.
which
is
There
controlled
also the
is
by White,
and from where a White piece once established could not be dislodged. In order to get rid of it, Black would have to exchange
it,
which
is
not always an
easy matter, and often when possible not at venient.
The same holds
K P, K B
P and
K
Kt
a "hole" at Black's
P, which create what
KB
all
con-
true with regard to Black's called
Such Pawn formations
3.
invariably lead to disaster,
is
and consequently must
be avoided.
—
In this position we might say that Example 64. the White centre Pawns have the attacking position, while the Black position.
French Defence. attempts,
centre
Pawns have the
defensive
Such a formation of Pawn occurs
in the
In such positions White most often
by means
P—KB
KB
4 and 5, to obtain a crushing attack against Black's King, which is gen-
erally Castled
of
on the King's
side.
To
prevent that,
ABOUT PAWNS and
assume the
also to
145
initiative or obtain material
advantage, Black makes a counter-demonstration by
P-Q B the
4,
followed
Pawn by P — Q
by P X P (when White defends B 3), and the concentrating of
Black's pieces against the White
Pawn
Q
at
This
4.
in substance might be said to be a determined attack
against White's centre in order to paralyse the direct
attack of White against Black's King.
It
remembered that at the beginning
book
of the
must be it
was
stated that control of the centre was an essential condition to
a successful attack against
Pawns
that two or more
are strongest
Thus the
next to one another.
King.
the
way we may say when they are
In an abstract
in the
same rank
Pawns are when placed at
centre
strongest in themselves, so to speak,
K
4 and Q 4 respectively, hence the question of advancing either the one or the other to the fifth rank is
one that must be most carefully considered.
advance of either the
game
Pawn
will follow.
Another thing to be considered or more passed
We
either very
the matter of one
is
Pawns when they
singly or in pairs. is
The
often determines the course
are isolated either
might say that a passed Pawn
weak or very strong, and that its weakness
or strength, whichever happens to be in the case to
be considered, increases as
same time
it
advances, and
in direct relation to the
on the board. In
this last respect it
number
Pawn
number of
the board diminishes.
on
at the
of pieces
might be generally
said that a passed pieces
is
increases in strength as the
SOME POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS
146
Having
all this clear
in
mind we
will
We
now
revert
to the openings
and middle-game.
games
from beginning to end according to
carefully
general principles.
my own
I
shall,
whenever
possible,
games, not because they will better
the point, but because, knowing shall
will analyse
use
illustrate
them thoroughly,
I
be able to explain them more authoritatively
than the games of others.
32.
SOME POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS FROM A RUY LOPEZ
That some
of the variations in the openings
and
the manoeuvres in the middle-game are often based
on some of the elementary
principles just
can be easily seen in the following case:
Example
65.
expounded
:
FROM A RUY LOPEZ So
far
a very well-known variation of the
In
Lopez.
147
fact,
Ruy
they are the moves of the Janowski-
Lasker game in Paris, 1912. 14.
P-Kt3
Q-Q3
Let us suppose the game went on, and that in some
way White, by
playing one of the Knights to
Q 4 the exchange of both Knights, at the proper time, forced and then afterwards both the Bishops were exchanged, and we arrived at some such position as shown following diagram.
very similar
(I
way once
obtained such a position in a at
Lodz
in Poland.
ing the White pieces against a consulting
by
in the
I
was play-
team headed
Salwe.)
Now we would have here the case of the backward Q B P, which will in no way be able to advance to Q B 4. Such a position may be said to be theoretically lost,
win
and it
in practice a first-class master will invariably
from Black.
I will say that I
(If
won
I
may be
the
excused the reference,
game above
After a few moves the position
may
referred to.)
be easily thus
SOME POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS
148
The Black plays
pieces can be said to be fixed.
Q— QB
3,
Black must answer
wise he wiU lose a Pawn, and the Queen to to
Q Kt
2
Q R
3 Black
if
Q— Q
If
White
2,
other-
White returns with
wiU have again to return
with the Queen or lose a Pawn.
Thus Black
can only move according to White's lead, and under such conditions White can easily advance with
his
K Kt 4, until Black wiU be forced to stop P — B 5 by playing P — K B 4, and we might KB
Pawns
to
finally
have some such .position as
Example
66.
4 and
this:
.
FROM A RUY LOPEZ
149
In this situation the game might go on as follows:
X
P;
White threatened
to
I.
PX
P,
P
could not play
would 3. 5.
6.
8.
also
2.
.
Q- KB
2.
win a Pawn by
.R
—KB
win a Pawn at
Now
II.
QX
2
P, and Black
RX B P
because 3
i,
least.
R(Bs)-B2,R-Kt3; R (B i) - K Kt I, Q - R 5, R X R; K X R, Q - Kt 2 ch;
lo.QXQ, PXQ;
Q- Q
3,
4.
R-Kt2,K-Ri; R(Bi) - KKti;
RX
4,
and White wins.
R X R; K-R2, Q-Kt3;
9.
P-
7.
Kt
R,
suppose that in the position in the preceding
diagram it were Black's move, and he played R
White would then simply defend
move
like
Q— K B
3,
— KB i
K B P by some R X Q B P, and
his
threatening
then he would bring his King up to
Kt
3,
and when
the time came, break through, as in the previous case.
White might even be able position:
to obtain the following
SOME POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS Black would now be forced to play R — B i, and White could then play Q — B 2, and foUow it up with ISO
KB
and thus force Black to play
3,
PX
P, which
would give White a greater advantage.
A
careful
reveal
examination of
these positions wiU
the advantage
besides
that,
all
freedom of
of
manoeuvre on White's part, the power of the Pawn
K
at
5 is
enormous, and that
position of this
it is
Pawn, and the
the
commanding
fact that it is free to
advance, once aU the pieces are exchanged, that constitute the pivot of all
White's manoeuvres.
I have purposely given positions without the
which lead to them so that the student
moves
may become
accustomed to build up in his own mind possible positions that
Thus he his
way
may
arise (out of
will learn to
make
any given
strategical plans
to the master class.
The
and be on
The student can
enormous benefit by further practice of 33.
situation).
derive
this kind.
THE INFLUENCE OF A "HOLE"
influence of a so-called "hole" in a
already been illustrated in
my game
game has
against Blanco
(page 81), where has been shown the influence exercised
by the
at White's
different pieces posted in the hole created
K 5.
THE INFLUENCE OF A "HOLE" Example point, I
national
67.
now
— In
order to further illustrate this
game played Masters Tournament give a
151
in the
of
Havana
1913.
Inter-
152
THE INFLUENCE OF A "HOLE"
Had WMte's Bishop been
P— K
at
Q Kt 3 he
4 as indicated in the previous
which he cannot make
now play note, a move
could
in the present position, because
KB
Kt — s threatening, not only the K Kt P, but also Kt X B ch. As White's King's Bishop should of
never be exchanged in this opening without a very-
good reason White therefore cannot play
12.
4.
— B — Q2
10 11.
P— K
— R— B
I
4ll
iz
//
M
fi
White
is
perfectly developed,
win a Pawn as follows followed
by
RX
12
:
wsm
and now threatens to
Kt X Kt, Kt x Kt
;
P—K
4,
P.
P-QB3
The fact that Black is practically forced to make this move in order to avoid the loss of a Pawn is sufficient reason in itself to condemn the whole system of
development on Black's part.
B—Q
2,
and now he has to shut
In off
effect,
he plays
the action of his
THE INFLUENCE OF A "HOLE"
153
own Bishop, which thereby becomes little more than a Pawn for a while. In fact, it is hard to see how this be able to attack anything.
will ever
Bishop it
can be easily seen that White
two Knights at
K
5
QB
and
will
Besides,
soon post his
and that
5 respectively,
Black win not be able to dislodge them without seriously
weakening his game, these reasons
it
if
he can do
it
can be gathered that
at it
have been better for Black to play Kt get rid of one of the
number
the
all
X Kt and
thus
two White Knights before assum-
ing such a defensive position. less
From
all.
would probably
In such
cases,
the
on the board, the better
of pieces
chances there are to escape. 13.
P — KB4
Kt — K4
This practically amounts to committing suicide, since it it
creates a hole at will
K 5 for White's Knight, from where
be practically impossible to dislodge him.
If
Black intended to make such a move he should have
done
before,
it
when
at least there
would have been an
object in preventing the White Knight from reach-
ing
B
The at
K
5.
14.
Kt — B
15.
Kt-Ks
B — Ki
5
position of White's Knights, especially the one 5,
might be said to be
ideal,
shows how they dominate the henceforth wiU be full
This
benefit
we
how
is
and a
position.
single glance
The
White going to derive the
from such an advantageous
shall soon see.
question
situation.
154
THE INFJ.UENCE OF A "HOLE"
R— Kti
IS-
There
is
no object in
owed by Kt
—Q
2.
this
move, unless
As that
have gone with the Rook to 16.
is
B
it is
to be fol-
not the case, he might i,
as he does later.
THE INFLUENCE OF A "HOLE" P — Kt4
21 22. 23.
He had
P— K4 Q— B 2
P-Bs Kt — K6
better have played
on to get
rid of White's
24.
with this
Kt — B
and
tried later
Knights by means of
Kt — Q 2.
sacrifice of the
Rook
for a
2
;
QxP
was better
Knight and Pawn
position.
PXR Kt — B
24 25.
3
R X Kt
White obtains an overwhelming
Kt — Q
I5S
I
in order to get rid of
one of the
two White Knights. There were, however, any number of good
repUes to
it,
among them
the following:
Kt(Bs)xKt,BxKt; QxP,QxQ; Kt— B7ch,
K — Kt
2;
Kt X
Q, and with two
exchange, and the position so
White should have no trouble
much
Pawns
for the
in his favour,
in winning.
THE INFLUENCE OF A "HOLE"
156
26. 27. 28.
— Kt4 P-K5 B — B4
moves
All these
R-Kt2 B — B2
up Black's
it is
more and
position
move 24 onwards
White's manoeuvres from
more.
and as
are practically forced,
seen they tie
easily
R— Kt3
Kt
are highly instructive. 29.
Kt — B
Kt
6
— Kt3
This wandering Knight has done nothing throughout the game. 30.
31. 32. 33. If
P X P;
K— B
is
K— Kt
2,
PxP
36.
PxP
Resigns.
nothing to be done.
helpless.
Kt — K2
35.
If
B — Kt
i
;
Q — R 2 ch,
B xP.
2;
The student should things,
and Black would be
P— B 4 P — KKt4
34.
There
Kt(B5)-K4P-KR3 Kt-Q4 R-Kt3 Q-Q2 Q-Bi PXP
P-KR4
notice that, apart
from other
White throughout the game has had control
of the Black squares, principally those at
K
5
and
QBs. From now on collection of
my
to the end of the
games both
lost
book I
shall give
a
and won, chosen so
as to serve as illustrations of the general principles laid
down
in the foregoing pages.
PART
II
PART GAME
White
1.
II
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED
GAME
i6o
same Knight although
is
moved
I
three times in the opening,
involves the exchange of
it
two
pieces.
In
reality the difficulty in this variation, as well as in
neariy aU the variations of the Queen's gambit, Ues
development of Black's Queen Bishop.
in the slow
However, whether
variation can or cannot be
this
safely played is a question is
to be decided,
still
outside the scope of this book.
present
may add
I
and
it
that at
my preference is for a different system of devel-
opment, but
it
not imlikely that I shoidd some
is
time come back to this variation.
BxB B-Q3
6. 7-
PXP
is
QxB
preferable for reasons that
Px
Now P X P game.
Kt
would be a better way to develop the
The
P — Q kt
idea
3,
is
that after
foUowed by
game 9.
No
For
2,
gBxBP,
would give Black's
this variation see the
of the match.
0—0
Kt — B3
longer would 9.
be good, because 11
on accoimt
8...PxP;
B — Kt
Bishop a powerful range. eleventh
shall soon see.
Kt X Kt Kt — Q2
7 8.
we
.
.P
XP
B — Kt
of Kt — K
5.
;
5
10
BX
P,
P — Q Kt
would prevent
B — Kt
3 2
.
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED 10.
PxP
PxP
11.
Q-Kt3
Kt-B3 Kt-
12.
P— QR4
P—B
i6i
4
Played with the intention of obtaining the majority
Pawns on the Queen's side. Yet it is doubtful whether this move is good, since it leaves Black's Queen's-side Pawns disrupted in a way. The safer
of
P— B
course would have been to play 13-
Q-R3
3.
P-QKt3
This exposes Black to further attack by
without any compensation for this position
R— K and If,
I.
nowadays
Then
after 14
I believe that
instead.
I
it.
If I
QX
P,
QXQ
5
to play
would simply play 13 would
.
.
follow,
Black would regain the Pawn.
White played 14
PXP
then
would give Black an excellent game.
P — Rs
15.
0—0
B — Kt2 Q— B 2
16.
KR— Kti
Kt— Q2
14.
had
P—R
B — Kt
5
GAME
l62
I
Black's position was bad and perhaps lost in any case,
but the text move makes matters worse.
matter of fact I never saw White's reply It never
.
.K
would
B—B
5.
my mind that this was move would have been loses, then any other move
even passed through
threatened. 16.
As a
Black's
R — Kt
I.
If
best
that
lose as well. 17.
From bad
B—B
to worse. 18.
5
Kt — B
KR — B
I
3 offered the only hope.
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED
163
—
Kt X B, R Kt 8 ch would have drawn. The text move is pretty and finishes quickly. A well-played game on Marshall's part. Of course,
if
GAME
25
2.
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED (San Sebastian, 191 1)
White
:
A. K. Rubinstein. I.
Black
:
J.
R. Capablanca.
GAME
164
2
course of this variation, but with very poor success.
The move in theory ought to be unsound, since Black's K Kt is yet undeveloped. I had not yet learned of Kt 5 and the exchange the attack founded on Kt Either Kt — B 3 or P — K R 3; of the B at K 3. K Kt 5, was right. to prevent either B or Kt
—
—
9-
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED
165
which I had seen, but which I thought could be defeated. 14.
I considered
QxB
BxKt
PX
B, which
it
seemed would give
me
a playable game, but I thought White's combination
imsound and therefore
let
him play
it,
regret.
15.
KtxPI
Q-R3
to
my
lasting
;
GAME
i66 i6.
2
K— Kta!
move which I had not considered. I thought B Kt 2, when I had in mind the following winning combination: Kt 2, Kt— K 4! 17 Kt B 4 (if R B i, 16 B wins), Kt Kt 5 QXR!! QXQ, 18 P K R 3 (if Kt R 3, B X P ch wins the ex20 K X B, change), Kt X P 19 R X Kt, B X R ch P K Kt 4, and Black should win. It is curious that This
is
the
that Rubinstein would have to play
—
—
—
—
—
BxPch —
—
;
;
—
this
combination has been overlooked.
taken for
move
granted
Q— B
that
I
did
It has been
not see the 17th
i.
QR— Qi
16 After White's last
move
do but submit to the 17-
there
was nothing
inevitable.
for
me
to
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED ??
167
GAME
i68
2
Q 5 in conjunction with the extra Pawn on the Queen's side
and the awkward position
how
this is so.) 31.
R-B7ch
32.
RxKKtP
33.
B-Kt8
36.
RXP P-R4 R — R6ch
37.
R-Rsch
38-
B-Q5
34. 35.
With
these last three
a chance.
Even
(See
K-Q3 P — Kt4 P-QR4 P-Rs P-Kt5 K — B4 K-Kt3
moves White again
before the last
have won with comparative is
of White's King.
move B
ease,
gives Black
—B
4 would
but the text move
a downright blunder, of which, fortunately for him,
Black does not avail himself.
P — Kt6
38
RXP
would make
White to win,
if
it
practically
he can win at
all.
impossible for
White's best con-
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED
169
42
B — B4, R — B7; R— Kt 5 ch, K — B 2; 41 B — Kt 8, P — R 6; P — R 5, P — R 7 43 B X P, R X B, and if there
is
a win
tinuation then would have been
40
:
39
;
it
44 P — R
6,
very
is
R— R
difficult
to
find
it,
as against
3! offers excellent chances for a
draw.
If
40...P
42
R— Kt
39.
PxP
40.
B X Kt
—R
7;
41
P — R6 R X Kt P
R— Kt
ch,
5
K— R
3;
8.
41. 42.
B-Qs R — R 6 ch
P-R7 Resigns.
As an end game, this is rather a sad exhibition for two masters. The redeeming feature of the game is Rubinstein's fine combination in the middle game,
beginning with 14
BX
Kt.
GAME 3. IRREGXJLAR DEFENCE (Havana, 1913)
White
:
D. Janowski. I.
Black
:
J.
R. Capablanca.
GAME
I70
At
last
ment.
to throw
the as
Black
The
is
on
his
3
way
to obtain full develop-
idea of this irregular opening
White on
his
own
resources.
mainly
is
At the time
game was played, the system of defence was not well known as the regular forms of the Queen's
Pawn
openings.
yet to be proved.
Whether Its
soimd or not remains
it is
good features are that
it
keeps
the centre intact without creating any particular weakness,
and that
it
gives plenty of opportunity for deep
and concealed manoeuvring. long time
it
The drawback
takes Black to develop his game.
the
is
It is
natural to suppose that White wiU employ that time to prepare a well-conceived attack, or that he wiU use
the advantage of his development actually to prevent Black's
complete
development,
or
failing
obtain some definite material advantage. lO.
P-KR3
B — R4
II.
PXP
PxP
12.
Kt— K4
that,
to
IRREGULAR DEFENCE Kt X Kt
12
A
very serious mistake.
was the that
15
3;
I considered castling,
B x Kt, P x B 14 Kt — Kt 3, Kt— B s. White would obtain a win13
;
ning position for the end game.
wrong
this
which
move, but desisted because I was afraid
right
by playing
B — Kt
171
Whether
shows how closely related are
the game, and consequently
all
how one wiU
right or
parts of influence
the other. 13.
BxB
14.
B X Kt
The
Not good. been
Kt — K
into play.
KxB B — Kt 3
natural and proper
3, in
B X Kt
move would have
order to bring aU the Black pieces at once
was
also good, as
it
would
have reUeved the pressure against Black's King's Pawn,
and at the same time have Here
it is
mentary
seen
how
simplified the
failure to
logical reasons, that
game.
comply with the
govern any given posi-
tion, often brings the player into trouble.
doubt influenced in of
B—B
5,
my
ele-
choice of
I
was no
moves by the
fear
which was a very threatening move.
15. 16. 17. 18.
Q— B4 P— QKt4 BxB Q— K4
Kt — K3
Q— B
2
RPxB K-B3
GAME
172
19.
P—K R
4, to
R-Q3 be followed by
way
been a more vigorous Black's
K
4,
The
weak point
which he text
3
is
P — Kt
to carry
on the
imquestionably the
is
attack.
Pawn
at
compelled to defend with the King.
move aims
at doubling the Rooks, with the
ultimate object of placing one of
ported by a
might have
4,
Pawn
—
at
Q B
5,
them
at
Q
6,
sup-
Black could only stop
by playing P B 4, which would create a "hole" a^t Q S or by playing P Kt 3, which would tie the Black Queen to the defence of the Q B P as well as this
—
;
the
K
P, which she already defends.
ever, can
meet aU
this
by
offering the exchange of
Rooks, which destroys White's plans.
P—K
R
Black, how-
For
this reason
4 appears the proper way to carry on the
attack.
QR— Qi 20. QR— Qi P — KKt4 This move preparatory to P — K Kt which would 19
is
3,
IRREGULAR DEFENCE
173
make Black's position secure. Unfortunately for Black, he did not carry out his original plan. 21.
P — K Kt safe
RXR
4
would have
3
left
Black with a perfectly
game. 22.
A
P—B
RxR
R— Qi
very serious mistake, which loses a Pawn.
P—
K Kt 3 was the right move, and would have left Black with a very good game.
In
fact, if it
should come to
a simple ending, the position of the Black King would be an advantage. 23.
RxR
24.
P— KR4
This wins a Pawn, as reply 24...Kt
26
Q— R 4
—K
3
;
KtxR
will
soon be seen.
because 25
wins the Knight.
PXP
Black cannot ch,
Kt X P;
GAME
174 24. 25-
4
FRENCH DEFENCE
makes a counter demonstration
of defending, Black
on the Queen's
175
It leads to highly interesting
side.
games.
PxP
5.
At the time
K
was
5
this
is
P—
do now,
to be the stronger.
QxP
s
This
variation 5
in vogue, but I considered then, as I
move
the text
game was played the
PX
considered superior to
It has for its
P.
object, as I said before, to take the initiative
from White by disrupting White's Queen's
side.
away
White,
however, has more than ample compensation through his breaking laid
up
down
up Black's King's
might be
It
side.
as a principle of the opening that the breaking
of the King's side is of more importance than a simi-
lar occurrence
the
Queen's
side.
6.
B X Kt
B X Kt
7.
PxB
PxB P — QKt3
8.
The plan
on
Kt— B3
of Black
ch
in this variation
is
to post his
Bishop on the long diagonal so as to be able in conjxmction with the action of his
the open
K Kt's
White's King.
file,
It
to
is,
make a
later on,
Rooks along
violent attack against
of course, expected that
wiU Castle on the King's
side because of the
condition of his Queen's side
Pawns.
White
broken-up
GAME
176
11. 12.
0—0—0
10.
An
B — Kt2
Q— Q2 B — K2 P — B4
9.
— Q2 Q— KB4 Kt
original idea, I believe, played for the first time
in a similar position in a
Penn
Shipley,
there
as
4
is
game
Philadelphia.
of
against Mr. Walter
My
idea
is
that
no Black Bishop and because Black's
pieces have been developed with a view to
on the King's
side, it will
an attack
be impossible for Black to
take advantage of the apparently miprotected position of White's King. Firstly:
sidered.
side, as in this
of
an
side,
the
attack.
If
game,
Two
evident that there
:
If
is
no danger
Black Castles on the King's
White begins the attack
awkward
must be con-
Black Castles on the Queen's
it is
Secondly
possibilities
first,
taking advantage of
In addition
position of Black's Queen.
to the attacking probabilities of the text move, White in one
move
brings his
King
one of his Rooks into play. moves, "tempi" as they are
him
to
develop
and brings
into safety
Thus he called,
gains several
which
whatever plan he
may
will serve
wish to
evolve.
12 13.
Q— K3
14.
P-Kt3
Unquestionably
'a,
0—0—0 KR— Kt Q-QR4
I
mistake, overlooking White's fine
FRENCH DEFENCE reply,
but a careful examination
will
177
show that White
already has the better position. 15.
R-Q3!
K-Kti
16.
KR— Qi
Q— KB4
17.
Kt — R4
This move has been criticised because
Knight out ing
of the
Q — K Kt
with
P— B
4,
4
;
way
for a
few moves.
for the
puts the forc-
White gains a very important move
which not only consoUdates
but also drives the Queen away, putting
game
it
But by
moment.
his position, it
out of the
Certainly the Queen
is
far
more valuable than the Knight, to say nothing of the time gained and the freedom of action obtained thereby for White's
more important 17 18.
P — B4
19.
B-B3
pieces.
Q-KKt4 Q— Kt2
GAME
178 In such positions to get rid of the
and
Q B
3,
The Bishop
is
it
4
generally very advantageous
Black Bishop controlling his
which form "holes"
in such positions is of very great defensive
20.
21.
KxB
BXB P — QB5!
White threatened P 22.
it.
KR— Ki
19
and
3
for White's pieces.
value, hence the advantage of getting rid of
To
QR
—B
P-B3 6 ch.
Kt — B3
Q-Bi
prevent the Knight from moving to
K 4 or Q B
It is self-evident that
4.
Q
6 via
Q
2
White has a
great advantage of position.
23.
I
Kt — Q2?
had considered
move, but gave
it
R — Kt
up because
3, it
which was the right
seemed too slow, and
FRENCH DEFENCE that in such a position there had to
way
179
some quicker
be,
of wiiming.
PxP
23
Kt — B4
24.
Kt— K
4 or
Kt— Kt
3
would have brought about
an ending advantageous to White.
Kt— Kt3 K— Ri Kt — Q4
24
Kt— Rsch
25.
PxP Q-Q4
26. 27If
R — Kt
P would
I
28
;
Kt X
P,
R-Bi R (Kt i) — B
'^
** -Ira
/i
i i
-fc
^/^ i
¥4.
1^
S^y
Kt — B 4 was
Kt X
Pawn
Win the game.
/ /
^
the right move.
I was, however,
still
"grand combination," and thought
looking for the
in
29
P— B4
28.
way
;
win.
m
that the
I
I
would
later
on have at
Q
6 would
Black deserves great credit for the
which he conducted
this exceedingly difficult
GAME
i8o defence.
He
could easily have gone wrong any
ber of times, but from
played the best move. -'8
4
move
num-
22 onwards he always
FRENCH DEFENCE
i8i
36QXQP! R— Q i; 37 Q— R6, K— Kt I best Q— Q S ch K — R I, K— Kt i R— Q Kt i wins) (if
38
;
;
Q X B P and White
Q-Q4 Q-R4 Q-R6
37
38
There since
is
have a draw.
R— K7 R— Qi Q-K5 K— Kti
35
36
;
will at least
nothing to be done against this simple move,
White cannot play Kt
—Q
4,
because
Q— R
8
mates. 39.
K-Bi
40.
Kt-Q4
RxQP R— K8ch
Resigns.
A very
interesting battle.
GAME (St.
White
The a
:
5.
RUY LOPEZ
Petersburg, 1914)
Dr. E. Lasker.
Black
:
J.
R. Capablanca.
1.
P — K4
P — K4
2.
Kt— KB3
Kt— QB3
3.
B-Kts
P-QR3
4.
B X Kt
object of this
middle-game
move
without
is
to bring about speedily
Queens, in
which
White
GAME
i82
s
has four Pawns to three on the King's Black's
superiority of
Pawns on the other
somewhat balanced by the
Pawns
is
doubled.
On
side,
fact that
while
side is
one of Black's
the other hand, Black has
the advantage of remaining with two Bishops while
White has only one.
45-
RUY LOPEZ also the possibility of its going to
Q
183 5 via
QB
3 after
P-QB4.
0-0
9.
0-0
P— B 4
ID.
This move I considered weak at the time, and I do still.
K
5,
It leaves the
and
it
also
Kt by B — Q B
KP
makes
it
weak, unless
it
advances to
possible for Black to pin the
4.
R— Ki Best. It threatens B — B4; B — K3, Kt— Q4. It also prevents B — K 3 because of Kt — Q 4 or B Kt — Kt3 P—B 3 Preparatory to P — Q Kt followed by P — Q B 4 — and B Kt in conjimction with Kt^-Kt which 10.
4.
11.
3,
2
3,
would put White
difficulties to meet the combined attack against the two centre Pawns.
12.
great
in
P—B
5
GAME
i84 It
s
has been wrongly claimed that this wins the game,
but I would
like
position again.
nothing better than to have such a It required several mistakes
my
on
part finally to obtain a lost position.
P-QKt3
12 13.
B-B4
B — Kt
13-
Played against
my
was
Bx
of course
ing 15
variation:
Q R— Q
I,
better judgment.
.
The
right
move
Dr. Lasker gives the follow-
B.
13.
2
.B
B — Kt
XB 2;
;
16
RX
14
R— B
P—B
B, 2,
17RXR, RxR; 18R— Q'2, RxR; and he claims that White has the best
Q
R— Q
19 of
4; i;
Kt x R, it.
But,
as Niemzovitch pointed out immediately after the
game, 16. tion,
is
White
.
.Q
R— Q
not the best.
will
have great
i
given in Dr. Lasker 's variaIf
16...
Q R— B
difficulty in
i!
then
drawing the game,
— RUY LOPEZ
no good way to stop Black from playing
since there
is
Kt — B
followed
B
i8S
—
K 4, threatening Kt by Kt And should White attempt to meet this ma-
5.
3,
nceuvre by withdrawing the
Kt
Black Knight can go to
and the White Pawn at
K
Q
5,
Kt
at
3
;
then the
Taking Dr.
4 will be the object of the attack.
Lasker's variation, however, whatever advantage there
might be disappears at once
Kt — Kt
B
3,
of
which can be stopped.
Q
5,
threatening
Kt — Q
after 19.
that
it is
loss of
It is
5 for
—B
.Kt
.
Black
5
Black plays 19.
if
and If
Kt
also
—Q
.Kt
draw.
will at least
—
neither
5,
White answers 20 Kt In
many
3 Black threatens so
dif&cult to see
.
—
fact,
things
how White can prevent
the
one or more Pawns.
14.
BxB
15.
Kt-Q4
PxB
a curious but true fact that I did not see this
move when
I
played 13
...
B — Kt
have played the right move 13
is
yet far from
lost,
of the Knight, Black can later
lowed
2,
.B
otherwise I would
x
B.
QR-Qi
15
The game
.
.
by P — Q
as against the entry
on play
4.
16.
Kt— K6
17.
QR-Qi
R— Q2
P—B
4, fol-
GAME
i86
«
-i^;^ I & ^f. _1 ^
I
fi
•
*k
5
^ vm^-m I
now was on
the point of plajdng
by P — Q
followed
4,
P—B
be
4, to
which I thought would give
me
a draw, but suddenly I became ambitious and thought that I could
and at
K
KP
later 6,
on
play the text move, ly.-.Kt sacrifice
still
the exchange
Pawn
wiiming a
for
for the
—B
i,
Knight
and leaving White's
it,
I intended to carry this plan either
weaker.
P — K Kt 4 as the circmnstances demanded. Now let us analyse: 17...P — B 4. If 18 Kt— Q 5, Bx Kt; 19 P x B, P — Q Kt 4; and a
before or after playing
show that Black has nothing to fear. Black's plan in this case would be to work his Kt around to K 4, via Q B i, Q Kt 3, and Q B s or careful analysis will
Q
2.
Again, 17...P
—B
4; 18
R— B
P
2,
-Q
4;
— P X P, B X P 20 Q 2, B X Kt give Black the advantage), RxKt; 21 R X R, Kt X R; and there is no good reason why 19
;
Black should
(best, since if
R
lose.
Kt
17 18.
Kt X B
R— B2
— Bi
P — QKt4
(B
2)
GAME
i88 helpless with each
move.
comment, excepting that
an altogether made,
it
5
The game needs no
my
play throughout was of
irresolute character.
must be
carried out
if
further
at
aU
When a possible.
plan
is
Regard-
ing the play of White, I consider his loth and 12th
moves were very weak
;
to the 27th move, which
The
move. perfect.
29.
rest
of his
he played well after that up
was bad, as well as play
was good,
his 28th
probably
FRENCH DEFENCE GAME
6.
189
FRENCH DEFENCE
(Rice Memorial Tournament, 1916)
White
:
1.
2.
3. 4.
P — K4
P-Q4 Kt-QBs B — Kt 5
Of aU the variations this
best,
Black
O. Chajes.
because
it
of the
:
J.
R. Capablanca.
P — K3
P-Q4 Kt-KB3 B — Kts French Defence I
gives Black
more chances
like
to
obtain the initiative. 5.
Though
P-Ks
I consider
PXP
the best move, there
is
much
to be said ia favour of this move, but not of the vari-
ation as a whole, which 5-
White adopted
in this
game.
GAME
iQO
B—B
9.
Threatening threat of last
Q— R
B—R
P — QB4
I
4 and stopping thereby White's
3.
It
demonstrates that White's
move was a complete
weakened
his position.
10.
6
loss of
time and merely
FRENCH DEFENCE fended, and this in turn wUl give to post his Knight at
EJiight
B
Q
3 via
and
posted at
is
2,
Q
him the opportunity
K
When
2.
the Black
Q 4, the Bishop will be developed to
as soon as the opportunity presents
be Black that
it will
4 via
191
then have the
will
and can consequently decide the course
itself,
initiative,
of the game.
R-Qi Kt — K 2 which would be answered by The move, howbetter by B — R
15-
To prevent Kt X P, or still ever,
is
;
3.
strategically
wrong,
pieces to the Queen's side.
since
White
by bringing his any chance
loses
he might have of making a determined attack on the King's side before Black
is
16.
P — B4
17.
B-K3
Better would have been
K— Kt2 P— Q
R
4, in
The White B would be much
3.
on the open diagonal than on the defensive.
B—B
here,
where
Kt Kt
17 18.
2
order to play better posted it
acts purely
— K2 — Q4
This Kjiight completely paralyses the attack, as dominates the whole situation, and there to dislodge his pieces. for
Black
it.
it.
P-KKt3
IS
B—R
thoroughly prepared for
Behind
it
no way
Black can quietly develop
The game can now be
strategically.
is
it
said to be
won
192
FRENCH DEFENCE plications. is
However, as
will
soon be seen, the move
not a losing one by any means. 25.
PXP
26.
PxPch
27.
RxP ch
e.p.
Kt X P
RxP
This wins the Queen.
KxR
27 28.
Kt — B 5ch
29.
(^XQ
193
PxKt
(B 3)
GAME
194
The
most
position looks
6 I thought
interesting.
it
would be possible to get up such an attack against
make
the White King as to
much
hold out
longer,
him
to
but I was wrong, unless
it
it
impossible for
B—B 3 — K R I
could have been done by plajdng
P — Kt
3 and then playing
first,
ing
Q R — K Kt
R— Q
at once
was the
to play
P — Kt
K — R 4;
I
am
I
I.
move
Kt — that
tion
It
all.
is
3
White would be forced
move.
either
K it
wUl
to play 5
;
R— K R i
and foUow
;
threatening mate, or some
according to circumstances.
In some
wiU be better first to play
K — Kt 5),
it
which
5,
There are so
draw.
B—B
and Black would reply with
K — Kt
cases, of course,
or
which gave White time to play
;
right 3,
play-
as already indicated, which looks the best
up with
other
move by
convinced, however, that
(the plan, of course, it
followed a
4.
similar plan, but lost a very important
forcing
wiU
many
would be be worth
at
give
least
him a
possibilities in this posi-
impossible
the
to
reader's
give
time
them go
to
carefully through the lines of play indicated above.
QR— KKti
29
As stated
The
Kt
B—B
3
was the best move.
30.
P-Kt3
B-B3
31.
R— Qi
K — R4
plan, of course, as explained above, s in
it is
due time and threaten mate at
now
too late, the White
is
to go to
KR
8,
but
Rook having come
in
;
FRENCH DEFENCE time to prevent the manoeuvre.
move,
therefore,
195
Instead of the text
Black should have played Kt
—K
which would have given him a draw at the very After the text moves the tables are turned.
White who
5
least.
It is
now
has the upper hand, and Black who has
to fight for a draw. 32.
Kt
—K
5
R-Q6
was
B-K5
the right move, and probably
stiU
the last chance Black had to draw against White's best play. 33. 34.
Kt X Q
;
RX 35-
Q'xBP
Kt-Q4
RxR
KxR
R, Kt
X P was no
better.
:
GAME
196
Most did, I
players will be wondering, as the spectators
why
knew
6
The
I did not resign.
the
game
lowing variation,
reason
is
that while
was hoping for the folwhich Chajes came very near playing to be lost, I
5iQxPch,K-R2; S2Q-Rs,RxP; 53 BKt 5 ch, K — Kt 2 54 B X R ch, K X B; and while ;
White has a won game
it
the reader does not believe pieces against a master
opponent, 51
B — Kt
who 7,
SI-
decided
and
is it,
and
by no means easy. If let him take the White
see
what happens.
My
to take no chances, played
finally
won
as
shown below.
RUY LOPEZ GAME
7.
197
RUY LOPEZ
(San Sebastian, 191 1)
White:
J.
R. Capablanca.
is
much
A.
1.
P — K4
P — K4
2.
Kt— KB3
Kt— QB3
4.
B-Kts B — R4
P-QR3 Kt — B3
S-
P-Q3
3.
This
Black:
Bum
a very solid development, to which I was
addicted at the time, because of
my
ignorance
of the multiple variations of the openings.
P-Q3
s 6.
In this variation there this
Bishop via Kt 7.
8. 9.
10. 11.
B — K2
P — B3 2,
is
the alternative of developing
after
P — K Kt
QKt — Q2 Kt — B I B—B 2
Q— K2 PxP
3.
— P — QKt4 P— Q4 PxP B — QB4
Evidently to make room for the Queen at I
do not think the move advisable at
K3
is
this stage.
a more natural and effective move.
a piece and threatens
B—B
5,
B — Kt
5
2,
but
B—
It develops
which would have
to be stopped. 12.
K
B — K3
GAME
198
Now
it is
not so effective, because White's
and the Knight,
QB
4,
14.
He
in going to
is
QB
is
out,
to defend the square
R— Ki Q— K2
Kt — K3 0—0
game was already not
Black's
bad.
K3
Q B.
does not block the 13.
This
7
good.
probably had no choice but to take the Knight
with the Bishop before making this move.
— Qs
15.
Kt
16.
PxB
in order to bring it to
and
also his King's
Q
17.
Since he
is
2,
White, however, does not
by taking advantage
able to win a
P — QR4
he shotdd have given
I
to support the other Knight
Pawn.
had no way
Q Kt — Q
Kt — Kt
2,
allow time for this, and superior position
BxKt
Pawn.
P — Kt
5
to prevent the loss of a it
in order to
of his
Pawn,
up where it is, and played make his position more solid.
RUY LOPEZ The
move not only loses a Pawn, but game very much weakened.
text
Black's
18.
199 leaves
200
CENTRE GAME 43-
201
GAME
202
8
Q-B3
lo
White's threat to regain the
Pawn was merely
the idea of gaining time to develop his pieces.
could have played
P—Q
3
;
opening the
way
with
Black for his
Q B, when would have followed, iiB — Q3, R — Ki; 12 Kt — B 3, and White would soon start a powerful With the text move Black aims at taking the initiative away from White in accordance with the principles laid down in this direct attack against Black's King.
book. II.
If
BX
P,
Kt — R3
P— Q
completely shut if
at
all,
move aims
3; off,
and White's Bishop would be
and could only be
with serious
now
of position.
The
text
at quick development to keep the initiative.
" This
loss
extricated,
is
P-Q3
not only a developing move, but
threatens to win a piece
by B X Kt.
it
also
CENTRE GAME 12.
B-Q3
Kt-Qs
This complicates the game unnecessarily.
was
simple,
and
13.
is
i
B-K3
B-Kts
a serious mistake.
interesting,
R— K
perfectly safe.
13-
This
203
and though
The
position
was most
in appearance dangerous for
The right move would have when we would have 14 B X Kt,
Black, not so in reality.
been 13.
.
.R
— Kt
5,
RXB; isP— QB3,BxP; 16P x B,R— KKt 5; 17 Q— K 3 (best), QxP ch; 18B — B2, QxQ; 19 P X Q, R X P, and Black has the best of the game with four Pawns for a Kjiight, besides the fact that all
the White 14.
Pawns
Kt— Kt
There was nothing 15.
are isolated. s!
RxB
better.
QXB!
Kt— Kych
GAME
204
i6.
8
??
GAME
2o6
8
To prevent P — K R 4, which I woxild answer with P — K Kt 3, winning the Queen. It can now be
my
considered that
King
have to withdraw
will
is
his
safe
from attack.
Queen via
R
3,
White and Black
can use the time to begin his advance on the Queen's side.
29.
30.
K— Kt R— Qi
R— Qi
I
P — B4
Notice that, on assuming the defensive, White has placed his Rooks correctly from the point of view of strategy.
They
are both on white squares free from
the possible attack of the Black Bishop. 31.
Q-R3
Q-Rs
This gains time by attacking the the White the
Q
K Kt P.
of the fray
home.
and
at
R
now
Queen must be
White has actually more value
32.
of
in the middle
that the attack has to be brought
therefore Black
command
holding
moment, on account
3 for the
Besides, the
Rook and
must
utilise
in material,
everything at his
in order to succeed.
R(K2) — Q2
K-Ri threatenmg P — Kt
Q— Ksch P-QKt4
33.
5;
of action of the Bishop
34.
which would open the
and
also secure a passed
take on account of
Pawn.
Q-R5
Q-Kt2
indirectly defending the
line
Q
QXR
P, which White cannot
ch.
— ;
CENTRE GAME 35.
K-Kti
The attack increases in home directly against is
doubtful
if
force as
gradually brought
it is
The
the King.
Black has
now a passed Pawn, and
his Bishop exerts
White cannot very well play now
because of
5 ch woxild
passed
Pawn
RXR
;
38
Rx
R,
BxP
win the Rook, leaving Black a
ahead.
P-QR3 RXP R(Qi) — Q2
R-QKti
40.
Q-Kt3
R-Kt6
41.
Q-Q6
37-
38. 39-
is
QxP
and White could not take the Bishop because
K
now It
is
PxP
great pressure.
RXP
position
difficult.
any vahd defence against Black's The variations are nxunerous and difficult. there
36.
37
P-Kts
most interesting and extremely
best play.
207
Q-Rs! P — B5
Q clear
GAME
208
P — B6
41.
BXP game it
is
would is
8
also
win, which, shows that White's
altogether gone.
not the prettiest
In these cases, however,
move
that should be played,
but the most effective one, the move that wiU make
your opponent resign soonest. 42.
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED
GAME
9.
209
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED (Berlin, 1913)
Wliite: J. R. Capablanca. I.
Black: R. Teichmann.
GAME
2IO text
move
that
is
it
9
QP
leaves Black's
isolated,
and
consequently weak and subject to attack.
KR— Qi
14.
The 15
alternative
B—B
2,
KtxB
would have been
P — Kt
16
s;
14.
Kt— QR
4,
15.
KtxKt
P — Kt4
16.
RxR
QxR
17.
Kt-B3
Q-B5
.
— Kt4; Kt (B 4) — .P
Black aims at the exchange of Queens in order to remain with two Bishops for the ending, but in this position such a course
at
Kt
2 is inactive
is
a mistake, because the Bishop
and cannot come into the game
by any means, unless Black gives up the isolated
Pawn which
Queen's
Kt— Q4
18.
Not, of course,
R— B
I
R— B
7.
;
the Bishop must defend.
R— Q
and there
because of
QxQ
18 19.
QX
Q; Kt X Q, would be no good way to prevent 4,
Kt(B3)xQ!
Notice the co-ordmation of the
They
are manoeuvred chain-like, so to speak, in order
and
Now
therefore forces Black's next
19
Q
4 or ready to go White threatens to take the open file,
to maintain one of them, either at there.
Knights' moves.
move.
R— B
I
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED
The student
examine
sholild
211
this position carefully.
There seems to be no particular danger, yet, as White
may
win demonstrate. Black the
game
not altogether
is
most
of the
lost,
kind;
difficult
be said to be the defence
indeed, I
If
lost.
is
at least
must confess
that I can see no adequate defence against White's
next move.
Kt — B
20.
If2o...B
R X Kt 25 R — Q ;
— Qi; BX
23 2,
P and
22.
B
Kt,
R — B 2; 22 Kt X B X B 24 R X P, R— B
else,
is
a
then
5 ch.
Pawn
B X
If 20.
ahead.
Kt, doubling
way
giving
up the
that no
KR
relief
P
;
the
Pawns.
White threatened Kt
Notice that the Black Knight
such a
2
.B
.
K X Kt P — Kt3
Kt X B Kt — Q4
practically forced, as
is
B,
;
isolating all of Black's King's side 21.
This
I
Kt — Q6,
and White
moves anywhere
KB
21
K— B
s!
is
—
pinned in
can be afforded except by
or abandoning
the open
file
GAME
212
9
with the Rook, which would be disastrous, as White
would immediately 23.
sieze
it.
P-B3!
P-R3
23-
else except mark time with Rook along the open file, since as soon as he moved away White would take it. White, on the other hand, threatens to march up with his King to K 5 via K B 2, K Kt 3, K B 4, after having, of course,
Black could do nothing his
prepared the way. to give
Hence, Black's best chance was
up a Pawn, as
in the text, in order to free his
Knight. 24. 25.
26.
BXP P — KR4 B—B 4
Kt — Q
2
Kt— B 4 Kt— K3
Black exchanges Knights to remain with Bishops of
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED opposite colours, which gives
him the
273
best chance to
draw. 27.
27.
.
.P
Kt X Kt
KX
Kt
X Kt would
be able to post his 28.
be worse, as White would then Bishop at 5.
K R — KRi
R— Q2
B — Kt3. P — KKt3 would on account of P — Q 5 which would
Black wants to force be
bad,
;
get the Black Bishop into the game, even though
White could answer
P— K
4.
The
however, weak, as will soon be seen.
was
to play
and B and
R
—R 5,
P — Kt 3.
text
move
is,
lEs best chance
—R 4 White meanwhile could play P — Kt 4 5
;
and follow
it
up with P
obtaining a passed Pawn, which, with proper
play, should win. 29.
R— QB 2!
R— QB
30.
RXR
BX
I
R
There are now Bishops of opposite colour, but nevertheless
White has an easily-won game.
GAME
214
9
K— B2
31.
i
i
f-
k
P-Qs
31-
Practically forced.
march up
to
Q
Otherwise the White King would
4 and then to
Queen's side Pawns. this
by putting
his
and win
K
just as easily. 32.
5
and win Black's
Black attempted to stop
If
King at
would enter through
B
5
QB
3 then the
White King
into Black's King's side
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED at
Kt
7,
where
rectly aJso the
it
Q Kt
3738.
not only protects the
Q
215
P, but indi-
P.
K-Q4
••,
B — Kt
The student ought
7
Resigns.
to have reaUsed
by
this
time
the enormous importance of playing well every kind of ending.
In this game again, practically from the
opening, White aimed at nothing but the isolation of Black's
Q
P.
and obtained,
Once he obtained
he tried for
fortimately, another advantage of posi-
tion elsewhere which translated terial
that,
advantage of a Pawn.
itself
into the
ma-
Then by acciu-ate playing home his advantage.
in the ending he gradually forced
This ending has the merit of having been played against
one of the
finest players in the world.
GAME
White;
10.
PETROFF DEFENCE
GAME
2l6
lo
Played by Morphy, and a very is
fine
move.
The
point
that should Black exchange Queens he will be a
move behind
development and consequently
in
get a cramped
game
if
will
White plays accurately.
B-K3
7
Marshall thought at the time that this was the best
move and consequently played
it
in preference
to
QxQch. 8. 9. '
10. 11.
12.
It is
On
now time
Kt
— B3
B X Kt P — Q4
P — KR3 QXB B — K2
Q— Kt sch Kt— Q2 B — Q3!
to examine the result of the opening.
White's side
we
and the Queen out
find the
in a
minor pieces well posted
somewhat odd
place, it is true,
but safe from attack and actually attacking a Pawn.
;
PETROFF DEFENCE White
is
also ready to Castle.
217
White's position
is
evidently free from danger and his pieces can easily
manoeuvre.
On
Black's side the
thing
first
we
notice
is
that
he has retained both his Bishops, unquestionably an advantage
;
but on the other hand we fimd his pieces
bunched together too much, and the Queen in danger of being attacked without having any good square to go
The Bishop
to.
K
at
blocks the Queen, which, in
has no freedom and
2 its
Besides, Black cannot Castle
cause
turn, blocks the Bishop.
on the King's
QxP, R — Kti; Q — K4
wins a Pawn. because
Nor can he
Q— R
5
nor can he play
K — Kt
side be-
threatening mate,
Castle on the Queen's side
would put Black's game
danger, since he cannot play
in
imminent
P — R 3 because of B X P i
because of
Kt — Kt
Consequently we must conclude that the opening all
5.
is
in White's favour.
P — Kt4
12
To make room Kt 5. 13.
giving
find a
for his Queen, threatening also
P — KR3
up a Pawn
and take the
in
an attempt to
initiative.
4;
It
was
ch, followed
2,
game him to and should
free his
difficult for
move, as White threatened Kt
Kt X P
P—
0—0
Black go with the Queen to Kt
B
it
—K
then
by B x B.
4,
P—Q
5,
B—
GAME
2l8
IS-
QXP Q-K4
16.
P-QKt3
14.
lo
QR— Kti Q— Kt2 P-QB4
In order to break up White's centre and bring his
Knight to
B
4 and thus lay the foundation for a violent
attack against White's King. faUs, as it
The
plan, however,
always must in such cases, because Black's
development
is
backward, and consequently his pieces
are not properly placed.
A
17.
0—0
18.
Kt— Qs!
PXP
simple move, which destroys Black's plan utterly.
Black
and, as lose
now have no concerted action of his pieces, his Pawns are all weak, he wiU sooner or later
will
them.
B — Qi
18 19.
B — B4
Kt — B4
20.
QxP
QxQ
PETROFF DEFENCE The a
fact that he has to exchange
Pawn behmd shows
B X Kt B—B 3
23.
QR-Qi
BxKt
ending brought about
threatening. is
plight a desperate one.
and
it is
is lost.
But now the
The
which makes Black's game has no further
only because of
its
value as a study
of this variation of the Petroflf that I have given
Black was able to
is
one in which the Bishop
stronger than the Knight;
interest,
game
Kt X Q B xB
The Knight was too is
Queens when he
that Black's
22.
21.
219
fight it out until the sixtieth
it.
move The
on account of some poor play on White's part. moves are given merely as a matter of form.
rest of the
24.
220
RUY LOPEZ
White;
221
GAME II Kt— R3 Q— Ki
222 lo.
The problem for White now to Kt 5 as fast as he can. at once, Black simply takes
to advance his
is
If
he plays
it.
If
Q Kt P
P—Q
he plays
Kt 4
first
P—
Q R 3 and then P — Q Kt 4, he will still have to protect his Q Kt P before he can go on and play P — Q R 4 and P
— Kt
5.
As a matter
of fact
White played a
rather unusual move, but one which, imder the circimistances,
once play
Kt
was the
5.
11.
12. 13.
He
best, since after it
P — Q Kt 4 and
simplifies,
R— Kt i! P — Kt4 P — QR4
then
P—Q
he could at
R
4 and
P—
P—B 3 Kt — B 2
BxKt
hoping to lighten White's attack, which
wiU have to be conducted practically with only the
heavy pieces on the board. it
in order to play
He may have
Kt — Kt 4 and
K 3.
also
done
RUY LOPEZ 14.
223
RXB
Taking with the Pawn would have opened a bility for
possi-
a counter attack. ,
P-QKt3
14-
He
is
of
his
forced to this in order to avoid the breaking
it
The only
Queen's side Pawns.
would have been
P— Q
Kt 4
;
alternative
which on the face of
looks bad. 15.
P-Kts
16.
PXP
17.
18.
it
White
BPxP P-QR4 Q-B4
Kt-Q5 P — B4
The White Knight hind
will
is
now
a tower of strength. Be-
be able to prepare an attack,
which wiU begin with
P— Q
4,
to drive
Black Queen and thus leave himself
B
up
5.
There
is
away the
free to play
P—
only one thing to take care of and that
GAME
224 is
to prevent Black
from
Knight and a Pawn. i8.
...
II
sacrificing the
Rook
for the
FRENCH DEFENCE GAME
12.
FRENCH DEFENCE
(New York, White:
R. Capablanca,
J.
1.
2.
3.
4.
P— K4 P-Q4 Kt-QB3 B-Q3
1918)
Black:
P-Q4 Kt — KB
Not the most favoured move, but a it
3
perfectly natural
cannot be bad.
PXP
4 4
O. Chajes.
P — K3
developing one, and consequently
P— Q B
225
generally played in this case instead of
is
the text move. 5-
KtxP
6.
Kt X Kt ch
^Kt — Q2 KtxKt
7.
Kt-Bs
B — K2
226 8.
This
played to prevent
is
B — Kt for
which
2,
Black in
Q Kt
3
GAME Q— K2
;
9
is
P— Q
Kt
3,
followed
by
the general form of development
this variation.
B — Kt
12
5 ch,
If
Black now plays 8
B—Q
2
10
;
.
.
Kt— K
.
5
P— and
White obtains a considerable advantage in position.
0-0 P — KR3 B — KKts Of course Black could not play P — Q Kt of B X Kt, followed by Q— K 8
9.
3 because
4.
10.
B X Kt
11.
Q— K4
This weakens Black's
BXB
P— KKt3 King's side. R— K
i
was
the right move, 12.
P— KR4
P-K4
12.
This
is
merely giving up a
out quickly with his
Q
B.
Pawn
in order to
come
But as he does not obtain
FRENCH DEFENCE any compensation
for his
He
should have played
the
game out
227
Pawn, the move Q 4 and tried
Q—
that way.
It
bad.
is
to fight
might have continued
13 Q — B 4,B — Kt 2; i4QxBP,BxP; 16 O— O— O with considerable IS Kt X B, Q X Kt
thus:
;
advantage
of
13. 14. 15. 16. 17-
The
for White.
position
might be considered a mild form of
text
move
suicide.
B-B4 BxB B — Kt 2 Q— K2
PxP Q— KB4 — 0—0 RxB Q-B4
In order to keep the Black Queen from coming into the game.
QR— Qi
17 18.
A
KR— Qi R— K
i,
R— K
3.
better plan would have been to play
threatening P — K
6.
RxR R— Ki
18 19.
20.
Of course
if
Black with a 21.
RxR P — B3 BXP
;
Kt X
Pawn minus
B,
fights
QX
Kt;
very hard.
R— K3
The Pawn had now last
P — QB3
move, because
to be
after
defended after Black's
B x P; Kt x
B,
Qx
Kt;
GAME
228
R— K
3,
Black could
now
12
play
Q — Kt
i
defending
the Rook.
P— QB4
21 22. 23.
White's plan
K— B 2 P-R4
now
is
P — Kt3
to fix the Queen's side in otder
to be able to manoeuvre freely on the other
he has the advantage of material. 23-
24.
side,
where
FRENCH DEFENCE
22g
Black persists in waiting for developments. that
if
P—K R
s,
P X P; P X
P, the
He
sees
Queen goes
R 6,
and White will have to face serious difficulties. In this situation White decides that the only course is to bring his King to K Kt 3, so as to defend the squares K R 3 and K Kt 4, where the Black Queen to
might otherwise become a source of annoyance. 35-
GAME
230
Now
12
that he has completed his
White
is
ready to advance.
39.
39... P
march with the King,
P — KR5
— K Kt
*PXP Q— B
5,
Q — Kt
4,
4 would be answered by
with a winning game. 40.
Against
K — Kt
practically
Q— K2
PxP i;
forcing
White would play the
which White would have
exchange
of
Queens,
Uttle trouble in
ending, since Black's Bishop could not do
after
winning the
much damage
in the resulting position. 41.
Q-B5
K-Kti
Black overlooks the force of 42 defence was either
ing
R— Q
i;
R— Q
against which
advance the King or play Kt
Kt— Kt
—R
6 ch.
42.
R— Q7
BxPch
7.
His best
White could 4,
threaten-
FRENCH DEFENCE
231
This loses a piece, but Black's position was altogether hopeless. 434445-
K— Kt4
Q— B3 Q— Kt2ch
KtxB K — B4
Resigns.
The interest of this game centres mainly on the opening and on the march of the White King during the final stage of the game.
King becoming a fightmg are stiU on the board.
GAME
13.
It is
piece,
RUY LOPEZ
(New York, White:
J. S. I.
Morrison.
an instance of the
even while the Queens
1918)
Black:
J.
R. Capablanca.
GAME
232
13
maximum
we might
say, exerts its
this note
with the one in the Capablanca-Bum game
strength
(Compare
at San Sebastian, page 197.) 7.
8.
Of course not
The
K
by
10.
— B3
because of
2;
would have been P
Kt
—K
preferable to have the
9.
Kt
K Kt— K
alternative
followed
B — Kt2
Kt — B3 B — Kt 5
—B
Kt — Q 3;
to be
2; but in this position
Kt
at
KB
5.
it is
3.
P-KR3
Q-Q2 B — KR4
An
error of judgment. White wants to keep the Knight pinned, but it was more important to prevent Black from Castling immediately. B B 4 would
—K
have done
this.
0—0
10 11.
0-0-0
Bold play, but again faulty judgment, unless he intended to play to win or lose, throwing safety to the wmds. The Black Bishop at Kt 2 becomes a very powerful attacking piece.
The strategical disnow far superior to be Black who will take the
position of the Black pieces
White's, therefore
it
will
is
offensive.
II 12.
KR— Ki
R— Ki
RUY LOPEZ
White wanted to keep
his
QR
on the open
consequently brings over his other to defend his
P — K Kt
4,
K
that the
Rook
file,
and
to the centre
P, which Black threatened to win
foUowed by Kt
x
by
P.
P — Kt4!
12
Now
233
KR
is
in the centre,
Black can safely
advance, since, in order to attack on the King's side.
White would have do
to shift his Rooks,
so long as Black keeps 13.
B — Kt3
which he cannot
up the pressure
in the centre.
Kt— KR4
Uncovering the Bishop, which now acts along the long diagonal, and at the same time preventing
K
5,
which would be answered by Kt
Kt X P
;
etc.,
14.
XB
;
PX
P— Kt,
winning a Pawn.
Kt-Qs
P-R3
Black drives the Bishop away so as to unpin his pieces
and be able to manoeuvre
freely.
GAME
234
13
B-K3
B-Q3
15.
Preparing the onslaught. Black's pieces begin to bear against the King's position.
P — B3
16.
With the
last
of Black's
at his
Q
Kt
his
Queen at
to check at
KR
QB
an attack to which there
White
(Compare
game
and then advancing
P — B4!
which has for of the
2,
7.
16 Initiating
blocks the action
K B, but he also aims at placing his Bishop and
I
K P,
move White not only
its
Q B
this
no
is
reply,
and
ultimate object either the winning or cutting
from the game.
it off
game with the Winter-Capablanca
at Hastings.) 17.
The Bishop
is
P — KR4 now out
P—B
of action.
5
White naturally
coimter attacks violently against the seemingly ex-
RUY LOPEZ
235
posed position of the Black King, and, with very good judgment, even ofEers the Bishop.
i8.
PXP!
PxP!
Taking the Bishop would be dangerous, bad, while the text
which
is
move accompUshes
20.
R— Ri K— Kt
retire his
might have done for
if
I
it
Bishop to
R
2
immediately.
at this stage of the
game
Since he would
sooner or later, he It is doubtful, it
how-
would be possible
White to save the game.
Kt— K4
20 21.
It
Black's object,
B — B2
This move tmquestionably loses time.
ever,
not actually
to put the Bishop out of action. 19.
have to
if
was
Kt X Kt
difficult
RX
to decide which
Kt
way
to retake.
1
GAME
236
13
took with the Rook in order to have
it
prepared for
a possible attack against the Kiag. 22.
Now
B — R2
Kt
— B3
that the White Bishop has been driven back,
Black wants to get rid of White's strongly posted Knight at Q s, which blocks the attack of the Bishop at
B
may
It
2.
the key
Q5
is
to White's defence.
23.
White
be said that the Knight at
P-KKt3
strives not only to
have play
for his Bishop,*
but also he wants to break up Black's Pawns in order to counter-attack.
23
Kt X Kt
ening
ch,
The
QX
alternative
Kt; and Black would be threat-
R — R 4, and also Q — K 3.
notice that
that he
is
would have been
Black's drawback in
The student should all this is
playing minus the services of his
is this fact
out longer.
that
makes
it
possible for
the fact
Q
R.
It
White to hold
23-
24. 25-
GAME
238
14
R— K8ch
31
RxRch
33.
RxR K — R2
34.
K-Kt3
P-Q4
32.
the quickest
way
B—B
2
to finish the game.
35.
BxP
PxPch
36.
K— Kt4
P — B6
PxP P — B4 K-Rs
R— Ksch
37. 38. 39. 40. 41.
RxPch
RxB K — R2 B-K 3
R— Q8ch R-Q 7 Resigns.
A
very lively game.
GAME
14.
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED
(New York, White
:
2.
3.
4. 5.
6. 7.
This
is
Black
F. J. Marshall. 1.
1918)
P-Q4 Kt — KB3 P-B4 Kt — B3 B — Kt5 P — K3 R—B I
:
J.
R. Capablanca.
P-Q4 Kt — KB3 P-K3 QKt — Q2 B — K2
— P — B3
one of the oldest systems of defence against
had played it before in this Tournament against Kostic, and no doubt Marshall At times I change my defences, expected it. the Queen's Gambit.
I
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED or rather systems of defence;
during a Tournament,
good
results, 8.
if
239
on the other hand,
one of them has given
I generally play it all the time.
me
GAME
240
14
obtained the centre.
Black, on the other hand,
entrenched in his
three ranks,
QR
will post his
and
play
finally
first
Q Kt
when
full
by
action to the Black Bishop
K
I.
It
truly an
Kt — B4!
P-Qs was
is
P.
Against Kostic in a previous
Kt — B
an advance on the
initiating
carefully analysed,
attack against Black's IS-
is
given time
In this game White attempts to
2.
anticipate that plan centre, which,
if
at Q B I and his Knight at K B 3, P — Q B 4, in order to break up
White's centre and give posted at
and
carelessness
game
on
shall believed differently, otherwise
my
I
had played
part,
but Mar-
he would not have
played this variation, since, had he analysed this move,
he woidd, I think, have realised that Black would obtain an excellent game.
only
BPXP
The
position
;
is
but also Kt
Black now threatens not
XP
;
followed
very interesting and
by B P x
P.
full of possibilities.
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED i6. 17.
PXKP B X Kt
Kt X P (K
241
3)
QXB
played under the impression that White had to lose
QR
time in defending his
QB
when
P,
I could play
obtaining a very superior game.
4,
my
be seen,
opponent had quite a
P—
But, as will surprise for
little
me. 18.
Kt — Q4I
Q— K4! 19 R — R
18
Of
course,
if
18.
.
x R P;
.Q
would win
i
The text move is probably the only satismove in the position. The obvious move would
the Queen. factory
have been
Q— Q
2 to
defend the
would have come 19 Kt
K Kt 3 Q
I,
(threatening
Q — KB
2;
22
assiures
5,
P—B
P, 3;
and then 20
The
i),
text
;
move, on the other
Black an even game at the very
as will soon be seen.
Q—
K — R i 21 Q R — P — KR4, with a tremendous
Q R— Q
advantage in position. hand,
—B
QB
least,
GAME
242 19.
KtxP
14
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED the King
White
itself.
because of
P—B
is
afraid to play 22
24^
P— B
3
4.
P-Ks To prevent P — B
P-KKt4
22.
The White Knight is practicaUy 4. pmned, because he does not dare move on account of
RXK
P.
A
k
mz a
23.
This
t
P— KR4
a sequel to the previous move.
White expects to disrupt Black's Pawns, and thus make them weak. is
PXP
23-
Though doubled and
isolated
this
Pawn
exercises
Black now threatens R — K 3; — Kt 3 and P — R 6 and R 7 at to be followed by R
enormous pressure. the proper time. 24.
White
R— K
cannot
I
stand
the
slow death
any
longer^
GAME
244
14
He
sees danger everywhere,
by
giving
up
his
and wants to avert it Queen's side Pawns, expecting to
regain his fortunes later on
on the King's
by taking the
side.
R-K3!
24
Much
better than taking Pawns.
to defend the Knight with the
R — Kt
of the threat 25.
R — Kt
This forces White
Rook atK
i,
because
3.
R(Ki) — QB
Preparatory to
3.
K— Kt2
I
The game
decided on the King's side, and
Pawn
initiative
it is
is
going to be
the isolated double
that will supply the finishing touch. 26.
P — QKt4
To prevent P
— Kt
5,
P — Kt4 defending the Knight and
erating the Rooks. 27.
28.
P-R3 K— B I
R-Kt3
R— R7
lib-
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED
245
Notice the remarkable position of the pieces.
White
cannot move anything without incurring some
loss.
—K
His best chance would have been to play 29 P 6, but that would only have prolonged the game, which in
is lost
any
case.
29.
K— Kt
30.
P-Kt3
P — R6
I
P-QR3
Again forcing White to move and to thereby, as
31.
all his
P—R
RxKP
P-K6
R— R
If 33
35
7
ch;
something
pieces are tied up.
the Knight because
Not even now can White move of
lose
KxP,
R— R
3
ch;
K— Kt
i,
8 mate. 32.
P — Kt4
33-
P-B3
P — Kt
5,
R X R, R X
P—R
R— R3 7
ch; 34
P, winning easily.
K— R
i,
RxKt;
GAME
246 3334.
14
