,illustration3 ,,jose ,r4 ,,capablanca ,,chess ,,fundamentals ,,by ,,jose ,r4 ,,capablanca ,,chess ,,champion ,,of ,,the ,,world ,,new ,,york ,,harcourt1 ,,brace ,,world1 ,,inc4 ,,london3 ,g4 ,,bell ,,and ,,sons1 ,,ltd4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,copyright1 #aiba1 ,,by ,,harcourt1 ,,brace ,,world1 ,,inc4 7c7 #aidi ,,by ,,olga ,,capablanca ,all rights reserved4 ,no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means1 electronic or mechanical1 including photocopy1 recording1 or any information storage and retrieval system1 without permission in writing from the publisher4 ,seventeenth ,printing ,,printed ,,in ,,the ,,united ,,states ,,of ,,america 99 99 99 99 99 ,,preface ,chess ,fundamentals was first published thirteen years ago4 ,since then there have appeared at different times a number of articles dealing with the so-called ,hypermodern ,theory4 ,those who have read the articles may well have thought that something new1 of vital importance1 had been discovered4 ,the fact is that the ,hypermodern ,theory is merely the application1 during the opening stages generally1 of the same old principles through the medium of somewhat new tactics4 ,there has been no change in the fundamentals4 ,the change has been only a change of form1 and not always for the best at that4 ,in chess the tactics may change but the strategic fundamental principles are always the same1 so that ,chess ,fundamentals is as good now as it was thirteen years ago4 ,it will be as good a hundred years from now2 as long in fact as the laws and rules of the game remain what they are at present4 ,the reader may therefore go over the contents of the book with the assurance that there is in it everything he needs1 and that there is nothing to be added and nothing to be changed4 ,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 kind now4 ,j4 ,r4 ,,capablanca ,new ,york ,sept4 #a1 #aicd 99 99 99 99 99 ,,list ,,of ,,contents ,,part ,i ,,chapter ,i ,first ,principles3 ,endings1 ,middle-game and ,openings ,,page #a4 ,,some ,,simple ,,mates #c #b4 ,,pawn ,,promotion #i #c4 ,,pawn ,,endings #ac #d4 ,,some ,,winning ,,positions ,,in ,,the ,,middle-,,game #ai #e4 ,,relative ,,value ,,of ,,the ,,pieces #bd #f4 ,,general ,,strategy ,,of ,,the ,,opening #be #g4 ,,control ,,of ,,the ,,centre #bh #h4 ,,traps #cb ,,chapter ,,ii ,,further ,,principles ,,in ,,end-,,game ,,play #i4 ,a ,,cardinal ,,principle #ce #aj4 ,a ,,classical ,,ending #cg #aa4 ,,obtaining ,a ,,passed ,,pawn #dj #ab4 ,,how ,,to ,,find ,,out ,,which ,,pawn ,,will ,,be ,,the ,,first ,,to ,,queen #da #ac4 ,,the ,,opposition #dc #ad4 ,,the ,,relative ,,value ,,of ,,knight ,,and ,,bishop #ej #ae4 ,,how ,,to ,,mate ,,with ,,knight ,,and ,,bishop #ei #af4 ,,queen ,,against ,,rook #fb ,,chapter ,,iii ,,planning ,a ,,win ,,in ,,middle-,,game ,,play #ag4 ,,attacking ,,without ,,the ,,aid ,,of ,,knights #fh #ah4 ,,attacking ,,with ,,knights ,,as ,a ,,prominent ,,force #ga #ai4 ,,winning ,,by ,,indirect ,,attack #ge ,,chapter ,,iv ,,general ,,theory #bj4 ,,the ,,initiative #gg #ba4 ,,direct ,,attacks ,,en ,,masse #gh #bb4 ,,the ,,force ,,of ,,the ,,threatened ,,attack #hb #bc4 ,,relinquishing ,,the ,,initiative #hi #bd4 ,,cutting ,,off ,,pieces ,,from ,,the ,,scene ,,of ,,action #id #be4 ,a ,,player',s ,,motives ,,criticised ,,in ,a ,,specimen ,,game #ii ,,chapter ,v ,,end-,,game ,,strategy #bf4 ,,the ,,sudden ,,attack ,,from ,a ,,different ,,side #aaa #bg4 ,,the ,,danger ,,of ,a ,,safe ,,position #abj #bh4 ,,endings ,,with ,,one ,,rook ,,and ,,pawns #abb #bi4 ,a ,,difficult ,,ending3 ,,two ,,rooks ,,and ,,pawns #abg #cj4 ,,rook1 ,,bishop ,,and ,,pawns v4 ,,rook1 ,,knight ,,and ,,pawns #ach 7,a ,final ,example of preserving ,freedom whilst imposing restraint47 ,,chapter ,,vi ,,further ,,openings ,,and ,,middle-,,games #ca4 ,,some ,,salient ,,points ,,about ,,pawns #adc #cb4 ,,some ,,possible ,,developments ,,from ,a ,,ruy ,,lopez 7showing the weakness of a backward ,q ,b ,p2 the power of a ,pawn at ,k #e1 etc47 #adf #cc4 ,,the ,,influence ,,of ,a ,,hole #aej ,,part ,,ii ,,illustrative ,,games ,,game4 #a4 ,,queen',s ,,gambit ,,declined 7,,match1 #aiji7 #aei ,white3 ,f4 ,j4 ,marshall4 ,black3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 #b4 ,,queen',s ,,gambit ,,declined 7,,san ,,sebastian1 #aiaa7 #afc ,white3 ,a4 ,k4 ,rubinstein4 ,black3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 #c4 ,,irregular ,,defence 7,,havana1 #aiac7 #afi ,white3 ,d4 ,janowski4 ,black3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 #d4 ,,french ,,defence 7,,st4 ,,petersburg1 #aiac7 #agd ,white3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 ,black3 ,e4 ,a4 ,snosko-,borovski4 #e4 ,,ruy ,,lopez 7,,st4 ,,petersburg1 #aiad7 #aha ,white3 ,dr4 ,e4 ,lasker4 ,black3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 #f4 ,,french ,,defence 7,,rice ,,memorial ,,tournament1 #aiaf7 #ahi ,white3 ,o4 ,chajes4 ,black3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 #g4 ,,ruy ,,lopez 7,,san ,,sebastian1 #aiaa7 #aig ,white3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 ,black3 ,a4 ,burn4 #h4 ,,centre ,,game 7,,berlin1 #aiac7 #bja ,white3 ,j4 ,mieses4 ,black3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 #i4 ,,queen',s ,,gambit ,,declined 7,,berlin1 #aiac7 #bji ,white3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 ,black3 ,r4 ,teichmann4 #aj4 ,,petroff ,,defence 7,,st4 ,,petersburg1 #aiad7 #bae ,white3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 ,black3 ,f4 ,j4 ,marshall4 #aa4 ,,ruy ,,lopez 7,,st4 ,,petersburg1 #aiad7 #bba ,white3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 ,black3 ,d4 ,janowski4 #ab4 ,,french ,,defence 7,,new ,,york1 #aiah7 #bbe ,white3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 ,black3 ,o4 ,chajes4 #ac4 ,,ruy ,,lopez 7,,new ,,york1 #aiah7 #bca ,white3 ,j4 ,s4 ,morrison4 ,black3 ,j4,r4 ,capablanca4 #ad4 ,,queen',s ,,gambit ,,declined 7,,new ,,york1 #aiah7 #bch ,white3 ,f4 ,j4 ,marshall4 ,black3 ,j4,r4 ,capablanca4 99 99 99 99 99 #c ,,chess ,,fundamentals ,,part ,i ,,chapter ,i ,,first ,,principles3 ,,endings1 ,,middle-,,game ,,and ,,openings ,the first thing a student should do1 is to familiarise himself with the power of the pieces4 ,this can best be done by learning how to accomplish quickly some of the simple mates4 #a4 ,,some ,,simple ,,mates ,,example #a4--,the ending ,rook and ,king against ,king4 ,the principle is to drive the opposing ,king to the last line on any side of the board4 ,illustration #d ,in this position the power of the ,rook is demonstrated by the first move1 ,r - ,r #g1 which immediately confines the ,black ,king to the last rank1 and the mate is quickly accomplished by3 #a ,r - ,r #g1 ,k - ,kt #a2 #b ,k - ,kt #b4 ,the combined action of ,king and ,rook is needed to arrive at a position in which mate can be forced4 ,the general principle for a beginner to follow is to keep his ,king as much as possible on the same rank1 or1 as in this case1 file1 as the opposing ,king4 ,when1 in this case1 the ,king has been brought to the sixth rank1 it is better to place it1 not on the same file1 but on the one next to it towards the centre4 #b444,k - ,b #a2 #c ,k - ,b #c1 ,k - ,k #a2 #d ,k - ,k #d1 ,k - ,q #a2 #e ,k - ,q #e1 ,k - ,b #a2 #f ,k - ,q #f4 ,not ,k - ,b #f1 because then the ,black ,king will go back to ,q #a and it will take much longer to mate4 ,if now the ,king moves back to ,q #a1 ,r - ,r #h mates at once4 #f444,k - ,kt #a2 #g ,r - ,q ,b #g1 ,k - ,r #a2 #h ,k - ,b #f1 ,k - ,kt #a2 #i ,k - ,kt #f1 ,k - ,r #a2 #aj ,r - ,b #h mate4 ,it has taken exactly ten moves to mate from the original position4 ,on move #e ,black could have played ,k - ,k #a1 and1 according to principle1 ,white would have continued #f ,k - ,q #f1 ,k - ,b #a 7the ,black ,king will ultimately be forced to move in front of the ,white ,king and be mated by ,r - ,r #h72 #g ,k - ,k #f1 ,k - ,kt #a2 #h ,k - ,b #f1 ,k - ,r #a2 #i ,k - ,kt #f1 ,k - ,kt #a2 #aj ,r - ,r #h mate4 #e ,,example #b4 ,illustration ,since the ,black ,king is in the centre of the board1 the best way to proceed is to advance your own ,king thus3 #a ,k - ,k #b1 ,k - ,q #d2 #b ,k - ,k #c4 ,as the ,rook has not yet come into play1 it is better to advance the ,king straight into the centre of the board1 not in front1 but to one side of the other ,king4 ,should now the ,black ,king move to ,k #d1 the ,rook drives it back by ,r - ,r #e ch4 ,on the other hand1 if #b444 ,k - ,b #e instead1 then also #c ,r - ,r #e4 ,if now #c444 ,k - ,kt #e1 there follows #d ,k - ,q #c2 but if instead #c444 ,k - ,b #f2 then #d ,r - ,r #d1 keeping the ,king confined to as few squares as possible4 ,now the ending may continue3 #d444,k - ,b #g2 #e ,r - ,b #d ch1 ,k - ,kt #f2 #f ,k - ,q #c1 ,k - ,kt #g2 #g ,r - ,kt #d ch1 ,k - ,r #f2 #h ,k - ,b #c1 ,k - ,r #g4 ,it should be noticed how often the ,white ,king has moved next to the ,rook1 not only to defend it1 but also to reduce the mobility of the opposing ,king4 ,now #f ,white mates in three moves thus3 #i ,r - ,r #d ch1 ,k - ,kt #h2 #aj ,r - any square on the ,rook's file1 forcing the ,black ,king in front of the ,white1 ,k - ,b #h2 #aa ,r - ,r #a mate4 ,it has taken eleven moves to mate1 and1 under any conditions1 ,i believe it should be done in under twenty4 ,while it may be monotonous1 it is worth while for the beginner to practice such things1 as it will teach him the proper handling of his pieces4 ,,example #c4--,now we come to two ,bishops and ,king against ,king4 ,illustration ,since the ,black ,king is in the corner1 ,white can play #a ,b - ,q #c1 ,k - ,kt #b2 #b ,b - ,k ,kt #e1 ,k - ,b #b2 #c ,b - ,b #e1 and already the ,black ,king is confined to a few squares4 ,if the ,black ,king1 in the original position1 had been in the centre of the board1 or away from the last row1 ,white should have advanced his ,king1 and then1 with the aid of his ,bishops1 restricted #g the ,black ,king's movements to as few squares as possible4 ,we might now continue3 #c444,k - ,kt #b2 #d ,k - ,b #b4 ,in this ending the ,black ,king must not only be driven to the edge of the board1 but he must also be forced into a corner1 and1 before a mate can be given1 the ,white ,king must be brought to the sixth rank and1 at the same time1 in one of the last two files2 in this case either ,k ,r #f1 ,k ,kt #f1 ,k ,b #g1 ,k ,b #h1 and as ,k ,r #f and ,k ,kt #f are the nearest squares1 it is to either of these squares that the ,king ought to go4 #d444,k - ,b #b2 #e ,k - ,kt #c1 ,k - ,kt #b2 #f ,k - ,r #d1 ,k - ,b #b2 #g ,k - ,r #e1 ,k - ,kt #b2 #h ,b - ,kt #f1 ,k - ,kt #a2 #i ,k - ,r #f1 ,k - ,b #a4 ,white must now mark time and move one of the ,bishops1 so as to force the ,black ,king to go back2 #aj ,b - ,r #e1 ,k - ,kt #a2 #aa ,b - ,k #g1 ,k - ,r #a4 ,now the ,white ,bishop must take up a position from which it can give check next move along the ,white diagonal1 when the ,black ,king moves back to ,kt #a4 #ab ,b - ,k ,kt #d1 ,k - ,kt #a2 #ac ,b - ,k #f ch1 ,k - ,r #a2 #ad ,b - ,b #f mate4 ,it has taken fourteen moves to force the mate and1 in any position1 it should be done in under thirty4 ,in all endings of this kind1 care must be taken not to drift into a stale mate4 ,in this particular ending one should remember that the ,king must not only be driven to the edge of the board1 but also into a corner4 ,in all such endings1 however1 it is immaterial whether the ,king is forced #h on to the last rank1 or to an outside file1 e4g4 ,k ,r #e or ,q ,r #d1 ,k #a or ,q #h4 ,,example #d4--,we now come to ,queen and ,king against ,king4 ,as the ,queen combines the power of the ,rook and the ,bishop1 it is the easiest mate of all and should always be accomplished in under ten moves4 ,take the following position3 ,illustration ,a good way to begin is to make the first move with the ,queen1 trying to limit the ,black ,king's mobility as much as possible4 ,thus3 #a ,q - ,b #f1 ,k - ,q #e2 #b ,k - ,q #b4 ,already the ,black ,king has only one available square #b444,k - ,k #d2 #c ,k - ,k #c1 ,k - ,b #d2 #d ,q - ,q #f1 ,k - ,kt #d4 7,should ,black play ,k - ,kt #e1 then ,q - ,kt #f ch72 #e ,q - ,k #f1 ,k - ,r #e 7if ,k - ,r #d1 ,k - ,b #d and mate next move72 #f ,q - ,k ,kt #f1 ,k - ,r #f2 #g ,k - ,b #c1 ,k moves2 #h ,q mates4 ,in this ending1 as in the case of the ,rook1 the ,black ,king must be forced to the edge of the board2 only #i the ,queen being so much more powerful than the ,rook1 the process is far easier and shorter4 ,these are the three elementary endings and in all of these the principle is the same4 ,in each case the co-operation of the ,king is needed4 ,in order to force a mate without the aid of the ,king1 at least two ,rooks are required4 99 99 99 99 99 #b4 ,,pawn ,,promotion ,the gain of a ,pawn is the smallest material advantage that can be obtained in a game2 and it often is sufficient to win1 even when the ,pawn is the only remaining unit1 apart from the ,kings4 ,it is essential1 speaking generally1 that the ,king should be in front of his ,pawn1 with at least one intervening square4 ,if the opposing ,king is directly in front of the ,pawn1 then the game cannot be won4 ,this can best be explained by the following examples4 ,,example #e4 ,illustration #aj ,the position is drawn1 and the way to proceed is for ,black to keep the ,king always directly in front of the ,pawn1 and when it cannot be done1 as for instance in this position because of the ,white ,king1 then the ,black ,king must be kept in front of the ,white ,king4 ,the play would proceed thus3 #a ,p - ,k #c1 ,k - ,k #d2 #b ,k - ,q #c1 ,k - ,q #d4 ,this is a very important move4 ,any other move would lose1 as will be shown later4 ,as the ,black ,king cannot be kept close up to the ,pawn1 it must be brought as far forward as possible and1 at the same time1 in front of the ,white ,king4 #c ,p - ,k #d ch1 ,k - ,k #d2 #d ,k - ,k #c1 ,k - ,k #c2 #e ,k - ,b #d1 ,k - ,b #c4 ,again the same case4 ,as the ,white ,king comes up1 the ,black ,king must be kept in front of it1 since it cannot be brought up to the ,pawn4 #f ,p - ,k #e ch1 ,k - ,k #c2 #g ,k - ,k #d1 ,k - ,k #b2 #h ,k - ,q #e1 ,k - ,q #b2 #i ,p - ,k #f ch1 ,k - ,k #b2 #aj ,k - ,k #e1 ,k - ,k #a2 #aa ,k - ,q #f1 ,k - ,q #a4 ,if now ,white advances the ,pawn1 the ,black ,king gets in front of it and ,white must either give up the ,pawn or play ,k - ,k #f1 and a stale mate results4 ,if instead of advancing the ,pawn ,white withdraws his ,king1 ,black brings his ,king up to the ,pawn and1 when forced to go back1 he moves to ,k in front of the ,pawn ready to come up again or to move in front of the ,white ,king1 as before1 should the latter advance4 ,the whole mode of procedure is very important and the student should become thoroughly conversant #aa with its details2 for it involves principles to be taken up later on1 and because many a beginner has lost identical positions from lack of proper knowledge4 ,at this stage of the book ,i cannot lay too much stress on its importance4 ,,example #f4--;,in this position ,white wins1 as the ,king is in front of his ,pawn and there is one intervening square4 ,illustration ,the method to follow is to advance the ,king as far as is compatible with the safety of the ,pawn and never to advance the ,pawn until it is essential to its own safety4 ,thus3 #a4 ,k - ,k #d1 ,k - ,k #c4 ,black does not allow the ,white ,king to advance1 therefore ,white is now compelled to advance his ,pawn so as to force ,black to move away4 ,he is then able to advance his own ,king4 #b4 ,p - ,k#c1 ,k - ,b #c2 #c4 ,k - ,q #e1 ,k - ,k #b4 #ab ,if ,black had played #c444,k - ,b #d1 then ,white would be forced to advance the ,pawn to ,k #d1 since he could not advance his ,king without leaving ,black the opportunity to play ,k - ,k #e1 winning the ,pawn4 ,since he has not done so1 it is better for ,white not to advance the ,pawn yet1 since its own safety does not require it1 but to try to bring the ,king still further forward4 ,thus3 #d4 ,k - ,k #e1 ,k - ,q #b2 #e4 ,k - ,b #f1 ,k - ,k #a4 ,now the ,white ,pawn is too far back and it may be brought up within protection of the ,king4 #f4 ,p - ,k #d1 ,k - ,q #b4 ,now it would not do to play ,k - ,b #g1 because ,black would play ,k - ,q #c1 and ,white would have to bring back his ,king to protect the ,pawn4 ,therefore he must continue4 #g4 ,p - ,k #e1 ,k - ,k #a4 ,had he moved anywhere else1 ,white could have played ,k - ,b #g1 followed by the advance of the ,pawn to ,k #f1 ,k #g1 ,k #h2 all these squares being protected by the ,king4 ,as ,black tries to prevent that1 ,white must now force him to move away1 at the same time always keeping the ,king in front of the ,pawn4 ,thus3 #h4 ,k - ,k #f4 ,p - ,k #f would make it a draw1 as ,black would then play ,k - ,b1 and we would have a position similar to the one explained in connection with ,example #e4 #h444,k - ,b #a2 #i4 ,k - ,q #g4 #ac ,king moves and the ,white ,pawn advances to ,k #h1 becomes a ,queen1 and it is all over4 ,this ending is like the previous one1 and for the same reasons should be thoroughly understood before proceeding any further4 99 99 99 99 99 #c4 ,,pawn ,,endings ,i shall now give a couple of simple endings of two ,pawns against one1 or three against two1 that the reader may see how they can be won4 ,fewer explanations will be given1 as it is up to the student to work things out for himself4 ,furthermore1 nobody can learn how to play well merely from the study of a book2 it can only serve as a guide and the rest must be done by the teacher1 if the student has one2 if not1 the student must realise by long and bitter experience the practical application of the many things explained in the book4 ,,example #g4 ,illustration #ad ,in this position ,white cannot win by playing #a ,p - ,b #f1 because ,black plays1 not ,p x ,p1 which would lose1 but #a444,k - ,kt #a1 and if then #b ,p x ,p1 ,k x ,p1 and draws1 as shown in a previous case4 ,if #b ,p - ,b #g ch1 ,k - ,b #a1 and ,white will never be able to ,queen his ,pawn without losing it4 ,if #b ,k - ,k #g1 ,p x ,p2 #c ,k x ,p1 ,k - ,b #a1 and draws4 ,white1 however1 can win the position given in the diagram by playing3 #a ,k - ,q #g1 ,k - ,kt #a2 #b ,k - ,k #g1 ,k - ,r #a2 #c ,p - ,b #f1 ,p x ,p4 ,if #c444,k - ,kt #a2 #d ,p - ,b #g ch1 ,k - ,r #a2 #e ,p - ,b #h 7,q7 mate4 #d ,k - ,b #g1 ,p - ,b #d2 #e ,p - ,kt #g ch1 ,k - ,r #b2 #f ,p - ,kt #h 7,q7 ch1 ,k - ,r #c2 #g ,q - ,kt #f mate4 ,illustration ,,example #h4--;,in the above position ,white can't win by #a ,p - ,b #e4 ,black's best answer would be ,p - ,kt #c draws4 7,the student should work this out47 ,he cannot win by #a ,p - ,kt #e1 because ,p - ,kt #c draws4 7,this1 because of the principle of the opposition #ae which governs this ending as well as all the ,pawn-endings already given1 and which will be explained more fully later on47 ,white can win1 however1 by playing3 #a ,k - ,k #d1 ,k - ,k #c4 7,if #a444,p - ,kt #c2 #b ,k - ,q #d1 ,k - ,k #c2 #c ,k - ,b #e1 ,k - ,b #c2 #d ,k - ,q #f1 ,k - ,b #b2 #e ,p - ,kt #e1 ,k - ,kt #b2 #f ,k - ,k #g1 ,k - ,kt #a2 #g ,k - ,b #f1 ,k - ,r #b2 #h ,k - ,b #g and ,white wins the ,pawn47 #b ,p - ,b #e ch1 ,k - ,b #c2 #c ,k - ,b #d1 ,p - ,kt #c4 7,if this ,pawn is kept back we arrive at the ending shown in ,example #g47 #d ,p - ,kt #e ch1 ,k - ,b #b2 #e ,p - ,b #f1 ,k - ,k #c2 #f ,k - ,k #d1 ,k - ,b #b2 #g ,k - ,k #e1 ,k - ,b #a4 ,white cannot force his ,bishop's ,pawn into ,q 7find out why71 but by giving his ,pawn up he can win the other ,pawn and the game4 ,thus3 #h ,p - ,b #g1 ,k x ,p2 #i ,k - ,q #f1 ,k - ,b #a2 #aj ,k - ,k #f1 ,k - ,kt #b2 #aa ,k - ,k #g1 ,k - ,kt #a2 #ab ,k - ,b #f1 ,k - ,r #b2 #ac ,k - ,b #g1 ,k - ,r #a2 #ad ,k x ,p 1 ,k - ,kt #a4 ,there is still some resistance in ,black's position4 ,in fact1 the only way to win is the one given here1 as will easily be seen by experiment4 #ae ,k - ,r #f 7if ,k - ,b #f1 ,k - ,r #b2 and in order to win ,white must get back to the actual position1 as against #af ,p - ,kt #f ch1 ,k - ,r #a draws71 ,k - ,r #a2 #af ,p - ,kt #f1 ,k - ,kt #a2 #ag ,p - ,kt #g1 ,k - ,b #b2 #ah ,k - ,r #g1 and ,white queens the ,pawn and wins4 ,this ending1 apparently so simple1 should show the student the enormous difficulties to be surmounted1 #af even when there are hardly any pieces left1 when playing against an adversary who knows how to use the resources at his disposal1 and it should show the student1 also1 the necessity of paying strict attention to these elementary things which form the basis of true mastership in ,chess4 ,,example #i4--;,in this ending ,illustration ,white can win by advancing any of the three ,pawns on the first move1 but it is convenient to follow the general rule1 whenever there is no good reason against it1 of advancing the ,pawn that has no ,pawn opposing it4 ,thus we begin by-- #a4 ,p - ,b #e1 ,k - ,k #b4 ,if ,p - ,kt #c1 ,p - ,b #f2 and we have a similar ending to one of those shown above4 ,if #a444,p - ,r #c2 #b ,p - ,kt #e4 #b4 ,k - ,k #e1 ,k - ,b #b2 #c4 ,p - ,kt #e1 ,k - ,k #b4 #ag ,if #c444,p - ,kt #c2 #d ,p - ,b #f1 and if #c444,p - ,r #c2 #d ,p - ,kt #f ch1 and in either case we have a similar ending to one of those already shown4 #d4 ,p - ,r #e1 and by following it up with ,p - ,kt #f we have the same ending previously shown4 ,should ,black play #d444,p - ,kt #c1 then ,r ,p x ,p1 ,p x ,p2 ,p - ,b #f ch with the same result4 ,having now seen the cases when the ,pawns are all on one side of the board we shall now examine a case when there are ,pawns on both sides of the board4 ,,example #aj4--;,in these cases the general rule is to act immediately on the side where you have the superior forces4 ,thus we have3 ,illustration #a4 ,p - ,k ,kt #d4 #ah ,it is generally advisable to advance the ,pawn that is free from opposition4 #a4 44444444 ,p - ,q ,r #d4 ,black makes an advance on the other side1 and now ,white considers whether or not he should stop the advance4 ,in this case either way wins1 but generally the advance should be stopped when the opposing ,king is far away4 #b4 ,p - ,q ,r #d1 ,k - ,b #c2 #c4 ,p - ,r #d1 ,k - ,k #c4 ,if #c444,k - ,kt #c1 then simple counting will show that ,white goes to the other side with his ,king1 wins the ,p at ,q ,r #d1 and then ,queens his single ,pawn long before ,black can do the same4 #d4 ,p - ,kt #e1 ,k - ,b #b2 #e4 ,k - ,b #e1 ,k - ,kt #b2 #f4 ,p - ,r #e1 ,k - ,b #b4 ,if #f444,p - ,r #c2 #g ,p - ,kt #f1 and then the two ,pawns defend themselves and ,white can go to the other side with his ,king1 to win the other ,pawn4 #g4 ,k - ,k #e4 ,now it is time to go to the other side with the ,king1 win the ,black ,pawn and ,queen the single ,pawn4 ,this is typical of all such endings and should be worked out by the student in this case and in similar cases which he can put up4 #ai 99 99 99 99 99 #d4 ,,some ,,winning ,,positions ,,in ,,the ,,middle-,,game ,by the time the student has digested all that has been previously explained1 he1 no doubt1 is anxious to get to the actual game and play with all the pieces4 ,however1 before considering the openings1 we shall devote a little time to some combinations that often arise during the game1 and which will give the reader some idea of the beauty of the game1 once he becomes better acquainted with it4 ,,example #aa4 ,illustration ,it is ,black's move1 and thinking that ,white merely threatens to play ,q - ,r #f and to mate at ,k ,kt #g1 ,black plays #a 444 ,r - ,k #a1 threatening mate by way of ,r - ,k #h4 ,white now uncovers his real and most effective threat1 viz43 #a 444 ,r - ,k #a2 #b ,q x ,p ch1 ,k x ,q2 #c ,r - ,r #c ch1 ,k - ,kt #a2 #d ,r - ,r #h mate4 #bj ,this same type of combination may come as the result of a somewhat more complicated position4 ,,example #ab4 ,illustration ,white is a piece behind1 and unless he can win it back quickly he will lose2 he therefore plays3 #a4 ,kt x ,kt ,b - ,kt #d ,he cannot take the ,kt because ,white threatens mate by ,q x ,p ch followed by ,r - ,r #c ch4 #b4 ,kt - ,k #g ch ,q x ,kt ,again if ,b x ,kt2 ,q x ,p ch1 ,k x ,q2 ,r - ,r #c ch1 ,king moves2 ,r - ,r #h mate4 #c4 ,r x ,q ,b x ,r #d4 ,q - ,q #g and ,white wins one of the two ,bishops1 remains with a ,q and a ,b against a ,r and ,b1 and should therefore win easily4 ,these two examples show the #ba danger of advancing the ,k ,kt ,p one square1 after having ,castled on that side4 ,,example #ac4 ,illustration ,this is another very interesting type of combination4 ,black has a ,r for a ,kt and should therefore win1 unless ,white is able to obtain some compensation immediately4 ,white1 in fact1 mates in a few moves thus3 #a4 ,kt - ,b #f ch ,p x ,kt ,forced1 otherwise ,q ,x ,p mates4 #b4 ,q - ,kt #c ch ,k - ,r #a #c4 ,b x ,p mate4 ,,example #ad4--,the same type of combination occurs in a more complicated form in the following position4 #bb ,illustration #a4 ,b x ,kt ,q x ,b4 ,if 444,b x ,kt2 ,q - ,b #c threatens mate1 and therefore wins the ,q1 which is already attacked4 #b4 ,kt - ,b #f ch ,p x ,kt #c4 ,r - ,kt #c ch ,k - ,r #a #d4 ,b x ,p mate4 ,,example #ae4--;,a very frequent type of combination is shown in the following position4 ,illustration #bc ,here ,white is the exchange and a ,pawn behind1 but he can win quickly thus3 #a ,b x ,p ch1 ,k x ,b4 7,if #a444,k - ,r #a2 #b ,q - ,k ,r #e1 ,p - ,k ,kt #c2 #c ,q - ,r #f1 and wins47 #b ,q - ,r #e ch1 ,k - ,kt #a2 #c ,kt - ,kt #e1 and ,black cannot stop mate at ,k ,r #g except by sacrificing the ,queen by ,q - ,k #e1 which would leave ,white with a ,q for a ,r4 ,,example #af4--,this same type of combination is seen in a more complicated form in the following position4 ,illustration ,white proceeds as follows3 #a ,kt x ,kt ch 7this clears the line for the ,b72 ,b x ,kt 7to stop the ,kt from moving to ,kt #e after the sacrifice of the ,b72 #b ,r x ,b1 ,kt x ,r best2 #c ,b x ,p ch1 ,k x ,b4 7,if #c44,k - ,r #a2 #d ,q - ,r #e1 ,p - ,k ,kt #c2 #e ,b x ,p ch1 ,k - ,kt #b2 #f ,q - ,r #g ch1 ,k - ,b #c2 #g ,p - ,kt #e ch1 ,k - ,k #c2 #h ,b x ,p ch1 ,r x ,b2 #i ,q - ,k #d mate47 #d ,q - ,r #e ch1 ,k - ,kt #a2 #e ,kt - ,kt #e1 ,r - ,b #a2 #bd #f ,q - ,r #g ch1 ,k - ,b #a2 #g ,q - ,r #h ch1 ,kt - ,kt #a2 #h ,kt - ,r #g ch1 ,k - ,k #b2 #i ,r - ,k #a ch1 ,k - ,q #a2 #aj ,q x ,kt mate4 ,this combination is rather long and has many variations1 therefore a beginner will hardly be able to fathom it2 but1 knowing the type of combination1 he might under similar circumstances undertake and carry out a brilliant attack which he would otherwise never think of4 ,it will be seen that all the combinations shown have for a foundation the proper co-ordination of the pieces1 which have all been brought to bear against a weak point4 99 99 99 99 99 #e4 ,,relative ,,value ,,of ,,the ,,pieces ,before going on to the general principles of the openings1 it is advisable to give the student an idea of the proper relative value of the pieces4 ,there is no complete and accurate table for all of them1 and the only thing to do is to compare the pieces separately4 ,for all general theoretical purposes the ,bishop and the ,knight have to be considered as of the same value1 though it is my opinion that the ,bishop will prove the more valuable piece in most cases2 and it is well known that two ,bishops are almost always better than two ,knights4 ,the ,bishop will be stronger against ,pawns than the ,knight1 and in combination with ,pawns will also be stronger against the ,rook than the ,knight will be4 #be ,a ,bishop and a ,rook are also stronger than a ,knight and a ,rook1 but a ,queen and a ,knight may be stronger than a ,queen and a ,bishop4 ,a ,bishop will often be worth more than three ,pawns1 but a ,knight very seldom so1 and may even not be worth so much4 ,a ,rook will be worth a ,knight and two ,pawns1 or a ,bishop and two ,pawns1 but1 as said before1 the ,bishop will be a better piece against the ,rook4 ,two ,rooks are slightly stronger than a ,queen4 ,they are slightly weaker than two ,knights and a ,bishop1 and a little more so than two ,bishops and a ,knight4 ,the power of the ,knight decreases as the pieces are changed off4 ,the power of the ,rook1 on the contrary1 increases4 ,the ,king1 a purely defensive piece throughout the middle-game1 becomes an offensive piece once all the pieces are off the board1 and sometimes even when there are one or two minor pieces left4 ,the handling of the ,king becomes of paramount importance once the end-game stage is reached4 99 99 99 99 99 #f4 ,,general ,,strategy ,,of ,,the ,,opening ,the main thing is to develop the pieces quickly4 ,get them into play as fast as you can4 ,from the outset two moves1 #a ,p - ,k #d or #a ,p - ,q #d1 open up lines for the ,queen and a ,bishop4 ,therefore1 theoretically one of these two moves must be the best1 as no other first move accomplishes so much4 #bf ,,example #ag4--,suppose we begin3 #a4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,k #d #b4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,this is both an attacking and a developing move4 ,black can now either reply with the identical move or play #b4 44444444 ,kt - ,q ,b #c ,this developing move at the same time defends the ,king's ,pawn4 #c4 ,kt - ,b #c ,kt - ,b #c ,these moves are of a purely developing nature4 #d4 ,b - ,kt #e ,it is generally advisable not to bring this ,bishop out until one ,knight is out1 preferably the ,king's ,knight4 ,the ,bishop could also have been played to ,b #d1 but it is advisable whenever possible to combine development and attack4 #d4 44444444 ,b - ,kt #e ,black replies in the same manner1 threatening a possible exchange of ,bishop for ,knight with ,kt x ,p to follow4 #e4 ,o - ,o an indirect way of preventing #e444;,b x ,kt1 which more experience or study will show to be bad4 ,at the same time the ,rook is brought into action in the centre1 a very important point4 #bg #e4 44444444 ,o - ,o ,black follows the same line of reasoning4 #f4 ,p - ,q #c ,p - ,q #c ,these moves have a two-fold object1 viz43 to protect the ,king's ,pawn and to open the diagonal for the development of the ,queen's ,bishop4 #g4 ,b - ,kt #e ,illustration ,a very powerful move1 which brings us to the middle-game stage1 as there is already in view a combination to win quickly by ,kt - ,q #e4 ,this threat makes it impossible for ,black to continue the same course4 7,there is a long analysis showing that ,black should lose if he also plays ,b - ,kt #e47 ,he is now forced to play #g444;,b x ,kt1 as experience has shown1 thus bringing up to notice three things4 ,first1 the complete development of the opening has taken only seven moves4 7,this varies up to ten or twelve moves in some very exceptional cases4 ,as a rule1 eight should be enough47 ,second1 ,black has #bh been compelled to exchange a ,bishop for a ,knight1 but as a compensation he has isolated ,white's ,q ,r ,p and doubled a ,pawn4 7,this1 at such an early stage of the game1 is rather an advantage for ,white1 as the ,pawn is doubled towards the centre of the board47 ,third1 ,white by the exchange brings up a ,pawn to control the square ,q #d1 puts ,black on the defensive1 as experience will show1 and thus keeps the initiative1 an unquestionable advantage4#a ,the strategical principles expounded above are the same for all the openings1 only their tactical application varies according to the circumstances4 ,before proceeding further ,i wish to lay stress on the following point which the student should bear in mind4 ,before development has been completed no piece should be moved more than once1 unless it is essential in order to obtain either material advantage or to secure freedom of action4 ,the beginner would do well to remember this1 as well as what has already been stated3 viz41 bring out the ,knights before bringing out the ,bishops4 99 99 99 99 99 #g4 ,,control ,,of ,,the ,,centre ,the four squares1 ,k #d and ,q #d on each side respectively1 are the centre squares1 and control of these squares is called control of the centre4 ,the control of the centre is of great importance4 ,no violent attack can succeed without controlling at least two of these #bi squares1 and possibly three4 ,many a manoeuvre in the opening has for its sole object the control of the centre1 which invariably ensures the initiative4 ,it is well always to bear this in mind1 since it will often be the reason of a series of moves which could not otherwise be properly understood4 ,as this book progresses ,i shall dwell more fully on these different points4 ,at present ,i shall devote some time to openings taken at random and explain the moves according to general principles4 ,the student will in that way train his mind in the proper direction1 and will thus have less trouble in finding a way out when confronted with a new and difficult situation4 ,,example #ah4 #a4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,k #d #b4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,p - ,q #c ,a timid move4 ,black assumes a defensive attitude at once4 ,on principle the move is wrong4 ,in the openings1 whenever possible1 pieces should be moved in preference to ,pawns4 #c4 ,p - ,q #d ,white takes the offensive immediately and strives to control the centre so as to have ample room to deploy his forces4 #c4 44444444 ,kt - ,q #b ,black does not wish to relinquish the centre and also prefers the text move to ,kt - ,q ,b #c1 which would be the more natural square for the ,kt4 ,but on #cj principle the move is wrong1 because it blocks the action of the ,queen's ,bishop1 and instead of facilitating the action of ,black's pieces1 tends1 on the contrary1 to cramp them4 #d4 ,b - ,q ,b #d ,p - ,k ,r #c ,black is forced to pay the penalty of his previous move4 ,such a move on ,black's part condemns by itself any form of opening that makes it necessary4 ,white threatened ,kt - ,kt #e and ,black could not stop it with #d444;,b - ,k #b1 because of #e ,p x ,p1 ,kt x ,p 7if #e444,p x ,p1 #f ,q - ,q #e72 #f ,kt x ,kt1 ,p x ,kt2 #g ,q - ,r #e1 and ,white wins a ,pawn and has besides a perfectly safe position4 #e4 ,kt - ,b #c ,k ,kt - ,b #c #f4 ,b - ,k #c ,b - ,k #b #g4 ,q - ,k #b ,it should be noticed that ,white does not ,castle yet4 ,the reason is that he wants to deploy his forces first1 and through the last move force ,black to play ,p - ,q ,b #c to make room for the ,queen as ,white threatens ,r - ,q #a1 to be followed by ,p x ,p4 ,black's other alternatives would finally force him to play ,p x ,p1 thus abandoning the centre to ,white4 #g4 44444444 ,p - ,b #c #h4 ,r - ,q #a ,q - ,b #b #i4 ,o - ,o ,with this last move ,white completes his development1 while ,black is evidently somewhat hampered4 ,a simple examination will suffice to show that ,white's position #ca is unassailable4 ,there are no weak spots in his armour1 and his pieces are ready for any manoeuvre that he may wish to carry out in order to begin the attack on the enemy's position4 ,the student should carefully study this example4 ,it will show him that it is sometimes convenient to delay ,castling4 ,i have given the moves as they come to my mind without following any standard book on openings4 ,whether the moves given by me agree or not with the standard works1 ,i do not know1 but at the present stage of this book it is not convenient to enter into discussions of mere technicalities which the student will be able to understand when he has become more proficient4 ,,example #ai4 #a4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,k #d #b4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,p - ,q #c #c4 ,p - ,q #d ,b - ,kt #e ,a bad move1 which violates one of the principles set down1 according to which at least one ,knight should be developed before the ,bishops are brought out1 and also because it exchanges a ,bishop for a ,knight1 which in the opening is generally bad1 unless there is some compensation4 #d4 ,p x ,p ,b x ,kt #d444,p x ,p loses a ,pawn4 #e4 ,q x ,b ,p x ,p #f4 ,b - ,q ,b #d ,q - ,b #c ,if ,kt - ,b #c2 ,q - ,q ,kt #c wins a ,pawn4 #cb _/99 #g4 ,q - ,q ,kt #c ,p - ,q ,kt #c #h4 ,kt - ,b #c ,p - ,q ,b #c 99_/ ,to prevent ,kt - ,q #e4 ,illustration ,black1 however1 has no pieces out except his ,queen1 and ,white1 with a ,bishop and a ,knight already developed1 has a chance of obtaining an advantage quickly by playing ,kt - ,q #e anyway4 ,the student is left to work out the many variations arising from this position4 ,these examples will show the practical application of the principles previously enunciated4 ,the student is warned against playing ,pawns in preference to pieces at the beginning of the game1 especially ,p - ,k ,r #c and ,p - ,q ,r #c1 which are moves very commonly indulged in by beginners4 99 99 99 99 99 #h4 ,,traps ,i shall now give a few positions or traps to be avoided in the openings1 and in which 7practice has shown7 beginners are often caught4 #cc ,,example #bj4 ,illustration ,white plays3 #a4 ,p x ,p ,kt x ,p ,black should have recaptured with the ,pawn4 #b4 ,kt x ,kt ,b x ,q #c4 ,b x ,p ch ,k - ,k #b #d4 ,kt - ,q #e mate4 ,,example #ba4 ,illustration #cd ,black1 having the move1 should play ,p - ,k #c4 ,but suppose he plays ,kt - ,k ,b #c instead1 then comes-- #a4 ,b x ,p ch ,kt - ,k #e would also give ,white the advantage1 the threat being of course if ,b x ,q2 #b ,b x ,p mate4 ,nor does ,b - ,r #e help matters1 because of #b ,q x ,b1 #a444 ,b - ,k #c leaves ,black with the inferior position4 ,but ,white's move in the text secures an immediate material advantage1 and the beginner at any rate should never miss such an opportunity for the sake of a speculative advantage in position4 #a4 44444444 ,k x ,b #b4 ,kt - ,k #e ch ,k moves #c4 ,kt x ,b and ,white has won a ,pawn besides having the better position4 ,there are a good many other traps--in fact1 there is a book written on traps on the chess board2 but the type given above is the most common of all4 99 99 99 99 99 #ce ,,chapter ,,ii ,,further ,,principles ,,in ,,end-,,game ,,play ,we shall now go back to the endings in search of a few more principles1 then again to the middle-game1 and finally to the openings once more1 so that the advance may not only be gradual but homogeneous4 ,in this way the foundation on which we expect to build the structure will be firm and solid4 #i4 ,a ,,cardinal ,,principle ,illustration ,in the position shown above1 ,white can draw by playing ,p - ,kt #d according to the general rule that governs such cases1 i4e4 to advance the ,pawn that is free from opposition4 ,but suppose that ,white1 either because he does not know this principle or because he #cf does not1 in this case1 sufficiently appreciate the value of its application2 suppose1 we say1 that he plays #a ,p - ,q ,r #d4 ,then ,black can win by playing #a444 ,p - ,q ,r #d1 applying one of the cardinal principles of the high strategy of chess-- ,a unit that holds two4 ,in this case one ,pawn would hold two of the opponent's ,pawns4 ,the student cannot lay too much stress on this principle4 ,it can be applied in many ways1 and it constitutes one of the principal weapons in the hands of a master4 ,,example #bb4--,the example given should be sufficient proof4 ,we give a few moves of the main variation3-- #a4 ,p - ,r #d ,p - ,q ,r #d #b4 ,k - ,kt #b ,k - ,b #e 7,best2 see why47 #c4 ,p - ,kt #d ,p x ,p 7,best47 #d4 ,p - ,r #e ,p - ,kt #f #e4 ,p - ,r #f ,p - ,kt #g #f4 ,p - ,r #g ,p - ,kt #h 7,q7 #g4 ,p - ,r #h 7,q7 ,q - ,k #e ch #h4 ,q x ,q ,k x ,q ,this brings the game to a position which is won by ,black1 and which constitutes one of the classical endings of ,king and ,pawns4 ,i shall try to explain the guiding idea of it to those not familiar with it4 #cg 99 99 99 99 99 #aj4 ,a ,,classical ,,ending ,illustration ,,example #bc4--;,in this position ,white's best line of defence consists in keeping his ,pawn where it stands at ,r #b4 ,as soon as the ,pawn is advanced it becomes easier for ,black to win4 ,on the other hand1 ,black's plan to win 7supposing that ,white does not advance his ,pawn7 may be divided into three parts4 ,the first part will be to get his ,king to ,k ,r #f1 at the same time keeping intact the position of his ,pawns4 7,this is all important1 since1 in order to win the game1 it is essential at the end that ,black may be able to advance his rearmost ,pawn one or two squares according to the position of the ,white ,king47 #a4 ,k - ,kt #c ,k - ,k #f #b4 ,k - ,kt #b ,if #b ,k - ,kt #d1 ,k - ,b #g2 #c ,p - ,r #d1 ,p - ,kt #c will win4 #ch #b4 44444444 ,k - ,b #e #c4 ,k - ,b #b ,k - ,kt #e #d4 ,k - ,kt #b ,k - ,r #e #e4 ,k - ,kt #a ,k - ,r #f ,the first part has been completed4 ,illustration ,the second part will be short and will consist in advancing the ,r ,p up the ,k4 #f4 ,k - ,r #a ,p - ,r #d #g4 ,k - ,kt #a ,p - ,r #e ,this ends the second part4 ,illustration #ci ,the third part will consist in timing the advance of the ,kt ,p so as to play ,p - ,kt #f when the ,white ,king is at ,r #a4 ,it now becomes evident how necessary it is to be able to move the ,kt ,p either one or two squares according to the position of the ,white ,king1 as indicated previously4#b ,in this case1 as it is ,white's move1 the ,pawn will be advanced two squares since the ,white ,king will be in the corner1 but if it were now ,black's move the ,kt ,p should only be advanced one square since the ,white ,king is at ,kt #a4 #h4 ,k - ,r #a ,p - ,kt #d #i4 ,k - ,kt #a ,p - ,kt #e #aj4 ,k - ,r #a ,p - ,kt #f #aa4 ,p x ,p ,if ,k - ,kt #a1 ,p - ,kt #g4 #aa4 44444444 ,p x ,p #ab4 ,k - ,kt #a ,p - ,kt #g #ac4 ,k - ,b #b ,k - ,r #g and wins4 ,it is in this analytical way that the student should try to learn4 ,he will thus train his mind to follow a logical sequence in reasoning out any position4 ,this example is excellent training1 since it is easy to divide it into three stages and to explain the main point of each part4 ,the next subject we shall study is the simple #dj opposition1 but before we devote our time to it ,i wish to call attention to two things4 99 99 99 99 99 #aa4 ,,obtaining ,a ,,passed ,,pawn ,when three or more ,pawns are opposed to each other in some such position as the one in ,example #bd1 there is always a chance for one side or the other of obtaining a passed ,pawn4 ,illustration ,,example #bd4--;,in the above position the way of obtaining a passed ,pawn is to advance the centre ,pawn4 #a4 ,p - ,kt #f ,r ,p x ,p ,if ,b ,p x ,p2 ,p - ,r #f1 #b4 ,p - ,b #f ,p x ,b ,p #c4 ,p - ,r #f and as in this case the ,white ,pawn is nearer to ,queen than any of the ,black ,pawns1 ,white will #da win4 ,now if it had been ,black's move ,black could play #a4 44444444 ,p - ,kt #c #b4 ,b ,p x ,p ,b ,p x ,p ,it would not be advisable to try to obtain a passed ,pawn because the ,white ,pawns would be nearer to ,queen than the single ,black ,pawn4 #c4 ,p x ,p ,p x ,p and the game properly played would be a draw4 ,the student should work this out for himself4 99 99 99 99 99 #ab4 ,,how ,,to ,,find ,,out ,,which ,,pawn ,,will ,,be ,,first ,,to ,,queen ,when two ,pawns are free1 or will be free1 to advance to ,queen1 you can find out1 by counting1 which ,pawn will be the first to succeed4 ,,example #be4--;,in this position whoever moves first wins4 ,illustration #db ,the first thing is to find out1 by counting1 whether the opposing ,king can be in time to stop the passed ,pawn from ,queening4 ,when1 as in this case1 it cannot be done1 the point is to count which ,pawn comes in first4 ,in this case the time is the same1 but the ,pawn that reaches the eighth square first and becomes a ,queen is in a position to capture the adversary's ,queen when he makes one4 ,thus3 #a4 ,p - ,r #d ,p - ,k ,r #d #b4 ,p - ,r #e ,p - ,r #e #c4 ,p - ,kt #f ,p x ,p ,now comes a little calculation4 ,white can capture the ,pawn1 but if he does so1 he will not1 when ,queening1 command the square where ,black will also ,queen his ,pawn4 ,therefore1 instead of taking1 he plays3 #d4 ,p - ,r #f ,p - ,r #f #e4 ,p - ,r #g ,p - ,r #g #f4 ,p - ,r #h 7,q71 and wins4 ,the student would do well to acquaint himself with various simple endings of this sort1 so as to acquire the habit of counting1 and thus be able to know with ease when he can or cannot get there first4 ,once again ,i must call attention to the fact that a book cannot by itself teach how to play4 ,it can only serve as a guide1 and the rest must be learned by experience1 and if a teacher can be had at the same time1 so much the faster will the student be able to learn4 #dc 99 99 99 99 99 #ac4 ,,the ,,opposition ,when ,kings have to be moved1 and one player can1 by force1 bring his ,king into a position similar to the one shown in the following diagram1 so that his adversary is forced to move and make way for him1 the player obtaining that advantage is said to have the opposition4 ,illustration ,,example #bf4--,suppose in the above position ,white plays #a4 ,k - ,q #d ,now ,black has the option of either opposing the passage of the ,white ,king by playing ,k - ,q #c or1 if he prefers1 he can pass with his own ,king by replying ,k - ,b #d4 ,notice that the ,kings are directly opposed to each other1 and the number of intervening squares between them is odd--one in this case4 ,the opposition can take the form shown above1 #dd which can be called actual or close frontal opposition2 or this form3 ,illustration which can be called actual or close diagonal opposition1 or1 again1 this form3 ,illustration which can be called actual or close lateral opposition4 ,in practice they are all one and the same4 ,the ,kings are always on squares of the same colour1 there is only one intervening square between the ,kings1 and the player who has moved last has the opposition4 #de ,now1 if the student will take the trouble of moving each ,king backwards as in a game in the same frontal1 diagonal or lateral line respectively shown in the diagrams1 we shall have what may be called distant frontal1 diagonal and lateral opposition respectively4 ,the matter of the opposition is highly important1 and takes at times somewhat complicated forms1 all of which can be solved mathematically2 but1 for the present1 the student should only consider the most simple forms4 7,an examination of some of the examples of ,king and ,pawns endings already given will show several cases of close opposition47 ,in all simple forms of opposition1 when the ,kings are on the same line and the number of intervening squares between them is even1 the player who has the move has the opposition4 ,illustration ,,example #bg4--,the above position shows to advantage the enormous value of the opposition4 ,the #df position is very simple4 ,very little is left on the board1 and the position1 to a beginner1 probably looks absolutely even4 ,it is not the case1 however4 ,whoever has the move wins4 ,notice that the ,kings are directly in front of one another1 and that the number of intervening squares is even4 ,now as to the procedure to win such a position4 ,the proper way to begin is to move straight up4 ,thus3 #a4 ,k - ,k #b ,k - ,k #b #b4 ,k - ,k #c ,k - ,k #c #c4 ,k - ,k #d ,k - ,b #c ,now ,white can exercise the option of either playing ,k - ,q #e and thus passing with his ,king1 or of playing ,k - ,b #d and prevent the ,black ,king from passing1 thereby keeping the opposition4 ,mere counting will show that the former course will only lead to a draw1 therefore ,white takes the latter course and plays3 #d4 ,k - ,b #d ,k - ,kt #c ,if #d444,k - ,k #c2 #e ,k - ,kt #e will win4 #e4 ,k - ,k #e ,k - ,kt #b ,now by counting it will be seen that ,white wins by capturing ,black's ,knight ,pawn4 ,the process has been comparatively simple in the variation given above1 but ,black has other lines of #dg defence more difficult to overcome4 ,let us begin anew4 #a4 ,k - ,k #b ,k - ,q #a ,now if #b ,k - ,q #c1 ,k - ,q #b1 or if #b ,k - ,k #c1 ,k - ,k #b1 and ,black obtains the opposition in both cases4 7,when the ,kings are directly in front of one another1 and the number of intervening squares between the ,kings is odd1 the player who has moved last has the opposition47 ,now in order to win1 the ,white ,king must advance4 ,there is only one other square where he can go1 ,b #c1 and that is the right place4 ,therefore it is seen that in such cases when the opponent makes a so-called waiting move1 you must advance1 leaving a rank or file free between the ,kings4 ,therefore we have-- #b4 ,k - ,b #c ,k - ,k #b ,now1 it would be bad to advance1 because then ,black1 by bringing up his ,king in front of your ,king1 would obtain the opposition4 ,it is ,white's turn to play a similar move to ,black's first move1 viz43 #c4 ,k - ,k #c which brings the position back to the first variation shown4 ,the student would do well to familiarise himself with the handling of the ,king in all examples of opposition4 ,it often means the winning or losing of a game4 #dh ,,example #bh4--,the following position is an excellent proof of the value of the opposition as a means of defence4 ,illustration ,white is a ,pawn behind and apparently lost1 yet he can manage to draw as follows3 #a4 ,k - ,r #a 6 ,the position of the ,pawns does not permit ,white to draw by means of the actual or close opposition1 hence he takes the distant opposition3 in effect if #a ,k - ,b #a 7actual or close opposition71 ,k - ,q #g2 #b ,k - ,b #b1 ,k - ,q #f and ,white cannot continue to keep the lateral opposition essential to his safety1 because of his own ,pawn at ,b #c4 ,on the other hand1 after the text move1 if #a4 44444444 ,k - ,q #g #b4 ,k - ,r #b ,k - ,q #f #c4 ,k - ,r #c 6 ,k - ,k #g #di #d4 ,k - ,kt #b ,k - ,k #f #e4 ,k - ,kt #c ,k - ,q #e #f4 ,k - ,kt #d attacking the ,pawn and forcing ,black to play #f444 ,k - ,k #f when he can go back to ,kt #c as already shown1 and always keep the opposition4 ,going back to the original position1 if #a4 ,k - ,r #a ,p - ,kt #e ,white does not play ,p x ,p1 because ,p - ,k #e will win1 but plays3 #b4 ,k - ,kt #b ,k - ,q #g ,if #b444,p x ,p ch2 #c ,k x ,p1 followed by ,k - ,k #d1 will draw4 #c4 ,p x ,p ,p - ,k #e and mere counting will show that both sides ,queen1 drawing the game4 ,if the student will now take the trouble to go back to the examples of ,king and ,pawns which ,i have given in this book1#c he will realise that in all of them the matter of the opposition is of paramount importance2 as1 in fact1 it is in nearly all endings of ,king and ,pawns1 except in such cases where the ,pawn-position in itself ensures the win4 #ej 99 99 99 99 99 #ad4 ,,the ,,relative ,,value ,,of ,,knight ,,and ,,bishop ,before turning our attention to this matter it is well to state now that two ,knights alone cannot mate1 but1 under certain conditions of course1 they can do so if the opponent has one or more ,pawns4 ,illustration ,,example #bi4--;,in the above position ,white cannot win1 although the ,black ,king is cornered1 but in the following position1 in which ,black has a ,pawn1 ,illustration ,white wins with or without the move4 ,thus3 #a4 ,kt - ,kt #f ,p - ,r #e #ea ,white cannot take the ,pawn because the game will be drawn1 as explained before4 #b4 ,kt - ,k #e ,p - ,r #f #c4 ,kt - ,b #f ,p - ,r #g #d4 ,kt - ,kt #e ,p - ,r #h 7,q7 #e4 ,kt - ,b #g mate ,the reason for this peculiarity in chess is evident4 ,white with the two ,knights can only stalemate the ,king1 unless ,black has a ,pawn which can be moved4 ,,example #cj4--;,although he is a ,bishop and a ,pawn ahead the following position cannot be won by ,white4 ,illustration ,it is the greatest weakness of the ,bishop1 that when the ,rook's ,pawn ,queens on a square of opposite colour and the opposing ,king is in front of the ,pawn1 the ,bishop is absolutely worthless4 ,all that ,black has to do is to keep moving his ,king close to the corner square4 #eb ,illustration ,,example #ca4--;,in the above position ,white with or without the move can win4 ,take the most difficult variation4 #a4 44444444 ,k - ,r #g #b4 ,kt - ,kt #d ch ,k - ,r #h #c4 ,k - ,b #a ,p - ,kt #d #d4 ,k - ,b #b ,p - ,r #g #e4 ,kt - ,k #c ,p - ,kt #e #f4 ,kt - ,b #a ,p - ,kt #f ch #g4 ,kt x ,p mate ,now that we have seen these exceptional cases1 we can analyse the different merits and the relative value of the ,knight and the ,bishop4 ,it is generally thought by amateurs that the ,knight is the more valuable piece of the two1 the chief reason being that1 unlike the ,bishop1 the ,knight can command both ,black and ,white squares4 ,however1 the fact is generally overlooked that the ,knight1 at any one time1 #ec has the choice of one colour only4 ,it takes much longer to bring a ,knight from one wing to the other4 ,also1 as shown in the following ,example1 a ,bishop can stalemate a ,knight2 a compliment which the ,knight is unable to return4 ,,example #cb4 ,illustration ,the weaker the player the more terrible the ,knight is to him1 but as a player increases in strength the value of the ,bishop becomes more evident to him1 and of course there is1 or should be1 a corresponding decrease in his estimation of the value of the ,knight as compared to the ,bishop4 ,in this respect1 as in many others1 the masters of to-day are far ahead of the masters of former generations4 ,while not so long ago some of the very best amongst them1 like ,pillsbury and ,tchigorin1 preferred ,knights to ,bishops1 there is hardly a master of to-day who would not completely agree with the statements made above4 #ed ,,example #cc4--,this is about the only case when the ,knight is more valuable than the ,bishop4 ,illustration ,it is what is called a block position1 and all the ,pawns are on one side of the board4 7,if there were ,pawns on both sides of the board there would be no advantage in having a ,knight47 ,in such a position ,black has excellent chances of winning4 ,of course1 there is an extra source of weakness for ,white in having his ,pawns on the same colour-squares as his ,bishop4 ,this is a mistake often made by players4 ,the proper way1 generally1 in an ending1 is to have your ,pawns on squares of opposite colour to that of your own ,bishop4 ,when you have your ,pawns on squares of the same colour the action of your own ,bishop is limited by them1 and consequently the value of the ,bishop is diminished1 since the value of a piece can often be measured by the number of squares it commands4 ,while on this subject1 ,i shall also call attention to the #ee fact that it is generally preferable to keep your ,pawns on squares of the same colour as that of the opposing ,bishop1 particularly if they are passed ,pawns supported by the ,king4 ,the principles might be stated thus3 ,when the opponent has a ,bishop1 keep your ,pawns on squares of the same colour as your opponent's ,bishop4 ,whenever you have a ,bishop1 whether the opponent has also one or not1 keep your ,pawns on squares of the opposite colour to that of your own ,bishop4 ,naturally1 these principles have sometimes to be modified to suit the exigencies of the position4 ,,example #cd4--;,in the following position the ,pawns are on one side of the board1 and there is no advantage in having either a ,knight or a ,bishop4 ,the game should surely end in a draw4 ,illustration #ef ,,example #ce4--,now let us add three ,pawns on each side to the above position1 so that there are ,pawns on both sides of the board4 ,illustration ,it is now preferable to have the ,bishop1 though the position1 if properly played out1 should end in a draw4 ,the advantage of having the ,bishop lies as much in its ability to command1 at long range1 both sides of the board from a central position as in its ability to move quickly from one side of the board to the other4 ,illustration #eg ,,example #cf4--;,in the above position it is unquestionably an advantage to have the ,bishop1 because1 although each player has the same number of ,pawns1 they are not balanced on each side of the board4 ,thus1 on the ,king's side1 ,white has three to two1 while on the ,queen's side it is ,black that has three to two4 ,still1 with proper play1 the game should end in a draw1 though ,white has somewhat better chances4 ,illustration ,,example #cg4--;,here is a position in which to have the ,bishop is a decided advantage1 since not only are there ,pawns on both sides of the board1 but there is a passed ,pawn 7,k ,r ,p for ,white1 ,q ,r ,p for ,black74 ,black should have extreme difficulty in drawing this position1 if he can do it at all4 #eh ,,example #ch4--;,again ,black would have great difficulty in drawing this position4 ,illustration ,the student should carefully consider these positions4 ,i hope that the many examples will help him to understand1 in their true value1 the relative merits of the ,knight and ,bishop4 ,as to the general method of procedure1 a teacher1 or practical experience1 will be best4 ,i might say generally1 however1 that the proper course in these endings1 as in all similar endings1 is3 ,advance of the ,king to the centre of the board or towards the passed ,pawns1 or ,pawns that are susceptible of being attacked1 and rapid advance of the passed ,pawn or ,pawns as far as is consistent with their safety4 ,to give a fixed line of play would be folly4 ,each ending is different1 and requires different handling1 according to what the adversary proposes to do4 ,calculation by visualising the future positions is what will count4 #ei 99 99 99 99 99 #ae4 ,,how ,,to ,,mate ,,with ,a ,,knight ,,and ,a ,,bishop ,now1 before going back again to the middle-game and the openings1 let us see how to mate with ,knight and ,bishop1 and1 then1 how to win with a ,queen against a ,rook4 ,with a ,knight and a ,bishop the mate can only be given in the corners of the same colour as the ,bishop4 ,illustration ,,example #ci4--;,in this example we must mate either at ,q ,r #a or ,k ,r #h4 ,the ending can be divided into two parts4 ,part one consists in driving the ,black ,king to the last line4 ,we might begin1 as is generally done in all such cases1 by advancing the ,king to the centre of the board3 #a4 ,k - ,k #b ,k - ,q #b ,black1 in order to make it more difficult1 goes towards the white-squared corner3 #b4 ,k - ,q #c ,k - ,b #c #c4 ,b - ,b #d ,k - ,q #d #fj #d4 ,kt - ,k #b ,k - ,b #d #e4 ,kt - ,b #c ,k - ,kt #e #f4 ,k - ,q #d ,k - ,r #d #g4 ,k - ,b #e ,k - ,r #c #h4 ,k - ,b #f ,k - ,r #b #i4 ,kt - ,q #e ,k - ,r #a ,the first part is now over2 the ,black ,king is in the white-squared corner4 ,illustration ,the second and last part will consist in driving the ,black ,king now from ,q ,r #h to ,q ,r #a or ,k ,r #h in order to mate him4 ,q ,r #a will be the quickest in this position4 #aj4 ,kt - ,kt #f ch ,k - ,r #b #aa4 ,b - ,b #g ,k - ,r #c #ab4 ,b - ,kt #h ,k - ,r #d #ac4 ,kt - ,q #e ,k - ,r #e ,black tries to make for ,k ,r #a with his ,king4 ,white has two ways to prevent that1 one by #ad ,b - ,k #e1 #fa ,k - ,kt #f2 #ae ,kt - ,k #c1 and the other which ,i give as the text1 and which ,i consider better for the student to learn1 because it is more methodical and more in accord with the spirit of all these endings1 by using the ,king as much as possible4 #ad4 ,k - ,b #e 6 ,k - ,kt #f #ae4 ,kt - ,kt #d ,k - ,b #f #af4 ,b - ,b #d ,k - ,kt #f #ag4 ,b - ,k #e ,k - ,r #e #ah4 ,k - ,b #d ,k - ,r #d #ai4 ,b - ,b #g ch ,k - ,r #e #bj4 ,kt - ,q #c ,k - ,r #f #ba4 ,b - ,kt #f ,k - ,r #e #bb4 ,kt - ,kt #b ch ,k - ,r #f #bc4 ,k - ,b #c ,k - ,r #g #bd4 ,k - ,b #b ,k - ,r #f #be4 ,b - ,b #e ch ,k - ,r #g #bf4 ,kt - ,q #c ,k - ,r #h #bg4 ,b - ,kt #d ,k - ,r #g #bh4 ,kt - ,b #a ch ,k - ,r #h #bi4 ,b - ,b #c mate ,it will be seen that the ending is rather laborious4 ,there are two outstanding features3 the close following by the ,king1 and the controlling of the squares of opposite colour to the ,bishop by the combined action of the ,knight and ,king4 ,the student would do well to exercise himself methodically in this ending1 as it gives a very good idea of the actual power of the pieces1 and it requires foresight in order to accomplish the #fb mate within the fifty moves which are granted by the rules4 99 99 99 99 99 #af4 ,,queen ,,against ,,rook ,this is one of the most difficult endings without ,pawns4 ,the resources of the defence are many1 and when used skilfully only a very good player will prevail within the limit of fifty moves allowed by the rules4 7,the rule is that at any moment you may demand that your opponent mate you within fifty moves4 ,however1 every time a piece is exchanged or a ,pawn advanced the counting must begin afresh47 ,illustration ,,example #dj4--,this is one of the standard positions which ,black can often bring about4 ,now1 it is ,white's move4 ,if it were ,black's move it would be simple1 as he would have to move his ,rook away from the ,king 7find out why71 and then the ,rook would be #fc comparatively easy to win4 ,we deduce from the above that the main object is to force the ,black ,rook away from the defending ,king1 and that1 in order to compel ,black to do so1 we must bring about the position in the diagram with ,black to move4 ,once we know what is required1 the way to proceed becomes easier to find4 ,thus3 #a4 ,q - ,k #e ch ,not #a ,q - ,r #f1 because ,r - ,b #b ch2 #b ,k - ,kt #f1 ,r - ,b #c ch2 #c ,k x ,r4 ,stalemate4 7,the beginner will invariably fall into this trap47 #a4 44444444 ,k to ,r #a or to ,r #b #b4 ,q - ,r #a ch ,k - ,kt #a #c4 ,q - ,r #e ,in a few moves we have accomplished our object4 ,the first part is concluded4 ,now we come to the second part4 ,the ,rook can only go to a ,white square1 otherwise the first check with the ,queen will win it4 ,therefore #c4 44444444 ,r - ,kt #f #d4 ,q - ,k #e ch ,k - ,r #a best #e4 ,q - ,r #h ch ,k - ,r #b #f4 ,q - ,kt #g ch ,k - ,r #a #g4 ,q - ,kt #h ch ,r - ,kt #a #h4 ,q - ,r #b mate 7,the student should find out by himself how to win when #c444,r - ,kt #h2 #d ,q - ,k #e ch1 ,k - ,r #b47 #fd ,illustration ,,example #da4--,the procedure here is very similar4 ,the things to bear in mind are that the ,rook must be prevented from interposing at ,kt #a because of an immediate mate1 and in the same way the ,king must be prevented from going either to ,r #c or ,b #a4 ,,example #db4--,we shall now examine a more difficult position4 ,illustration #fe ,many players would be deceived by this position4 ,the most likely looking move is not the best4 ,thus suppose we begin #a4 ,q - ,k #e ch ,k - ,b #a #b4 ,k - ,kt #f ,r - ,q #b ,the only defence1 but1 unfortunately1 a very effective one1 which makes it very difficult for ,white1 since he cannot play #c ,q - ,k #f because of #c444,r - ,kt #b ch2 #d ,k - ,b #f1 ,r - ,kt #c ch draws4 ,nor can he win quickly by #c ,q - ,q ,b #e ch because #c444,k - ,k #a1 #d ,k - ,b #f1 ,r - ,q #c ch 6 driving back the ,white ,king4 ,now that we have seen the difficulties of the situation let us go back4 ,the best move is #a4 ,q - ,kt #e ch 6 ,k - ,r #a ,if ,k - ,r #b2 #b ,q - ,kt #f ch1 ,k - ,r #a2 #c ,k - ,r #f 6 #b4 ,q - ,k #e ch 6 ,k - ,r #b best #c4 ,k - ,kt #e ,r - ,r #b 6 best ,if #c444,r - ,kt #b ch2 #d ,k - ,b #f leads to a position similar to those in ,examples #dj and #da4 #d4 ,q - ,k #d ch ,k - ,kt #a #e4 ,q - ,b #d ch ,k - ,r #b #f4 ,k - ,b #f ,r - ,k ,kt #b #g4 ,q - ,r #d ch ,k - ,kt #a #h4 ,q - ,r #e #ff and we have the position of ,example #dj with ,black to move4 ,let us go back again4 #a4 ,q - ,kt #e ch ,k - ,b #a #b4 ,q - ,q #h ch ,k - ,kt #b #c4 ,k - ,kt #e ,r - ,b #f ,the best place for the ,rook away from the ,king4 #c444,k - ,r #b2 #d ,q - ,q #d1 ,r - ,kt #b ch2 #e ,k - ,b #f would lead to positions similar to those already seen4 #d4 ,q - ,q #d ch ,k - ,b #a #e4 ,k - ,kt #f #e ,q - ,q #f ch1 ,k - ,kt #b2 #f ,q - ,k #e ch1 ,k - ,b #a2 #g ,k - ,kt #f would also win the ,rook4 ,the text move1 however1 is given to show the finesse of such endings4 ,white now threatens mate at ,q #h4 #e4 44444444 ,r - ,kt #f ch #f4 ,k - ,b #f ,r - ,b #f ch #g4 ,k - ,k #f ,r - ,k ,r #f ,white threatened mate at ,k ,r #h4 #h4 ,q - ,b #d ch and the ,rook is lost4 ,note1 in these examples1 that the checks at long range along the diagonals have often been the key to all the winning manoeuvres4 ,also that the ,queen and #fg ,king are often kept on different lines4 ,the student should carefully go over these positions and consider all the possibilities not given in the text4 ,he should once more go through everything already written before proceeding further with the book4 99 99 99 99 99 #fh ,,chapter ,,iii ,,planning ,a ,,win ,,in ,,middle-,,game ,,play ,i shall now give a few winning positions taken from my own games4 ,i have selected those that ,i believe can be considered as types1 i4e4 positions that may easily occur again in a somewhat similar form4 ,a knowledge of such positions is of great help2 in fact1 one cannot know too many4 ,it often may help the player to find1 with little effort1 the right move1 which he might not be able to find at all without such knowledge4 #ag4 ,,attacking ,,without ,,the ,,aid ,,of ,,knights ,illustration #fi ,,example #dc4--;,it is ,black's move1 and as he is a ,kt and ,p behind he must win quickly1 if at all4 ,he plays3 #a4 44444444 ,q ,r - ,kt #a 6 #b4 ,r - ,b #b ,if1 ,q x ,q1 ,r x ,p ch2 ,k - ,r #a1 ,b - ,q #d and mate follows in a few moves4 #b4 44444444 ,r x ,p ch #c4 ,k - ,b #a ,b - ,b #e ch #d4 ,kt x ,b ,r - ,kt #h mate ,illustration ,,example #dd4--;,black's last move was ,p - ,k #f1 played with the object of stopping what he thought was ,white's threat1 viz43 ,r - ,q ,r #e1 to which he would have answered ,q - ,b #e ch and drawn the game by perpetual check4 ,white1 however1 has a more forceful move1 and he mates in three moves as follows3 #gj #a4 ,r x ,p ch ,q x ,r #b4 ,r - ,q ,r #e ,black moves #c4 ,white mates ,illustration ,,example #de4--,white has a beautiful position1 but still he had better gain some material1 if he can1 before ,black consolidates his defensive position4 ,he therefore plays3 #a4 ,r x ,kt 6 ,p x ,r #b4 ,b x ,p ch ,k - ,k #b ,if ,kt x ,b2 ,r x ,kt and ,black would be helpless4 #c4 ,q - ,r #g ch ,k - ,k #a #d4 ,q x ,kt ch ,k - ,q #b #e4 ,q - ,r #g ch ,q - ,k #b #f4 ,b - ,b #h ,q x ,q #g4 ,r x ,q ch ,k - ,k #a #h4 ,r x ,r ,resigns ,in these few examples the attacking has been done by ,rooks and ,bishops in combination with the ,queen4 #ga ,there have been no ,knights to take part in the attack4 ,we shall now give some examples in which the ,knights play a prominent part as an attacking force4 99 99 99 99 99 #ah4 ,,attacking ,,with ,,knights ,,as ,a ,,prominent ,,force ,illustration ,,example #df4--,white is two ,pawns behind4 ,he must therefore press on his attack4 ,the game continues3 #a4 ,kt 7,b #e7 x ,kt ,p ,kt - ,b #d ,evidently an error which made the winning easier for ,white1 as he simply took the ,rook with the ,knight and kept up the attack4 ,black should have played3 #a 444 ,kt x ,kt4 ,then would have followed3 #b ,kt - ,b #f ch1 ,k - ,kt #c2 #c ,kt x ,b1 ,p - ,b #c 7best72 #d ,p - ,k #e1 ,k - ,b #b2 #e ,kt x ,p1 ,r - ,k #b2 #f ,kt - ,k #d1 and ,black should lose4#d #gb ,illustration ,,example #dg4--,the student should carefully examine the position1 as the sacrifice of the ,bishop in similar situations is typical1 and the chance for it is of frequent occurrence in actual play4 ,the game continues3 #a4 ,b x ,p ch ,k x ,b #b4 ,kt - ,kt #e ch ,k - ,kt #c ,best4 ,if #b444,k - ,r #c2 #c ,kt x ,p ch wins the ,queen1 and if #b444,k - ,kt #a2 #c ,q - ,r #e1 with an irresistible attack4 #c4 ,q - ,kt #d ,p - ,b #d #d4 ,q - ,kt #c ,k - ,r #c ,white finally won4#e #gc 99 99 99 99 99 #ai4 ,,winning ,,by ,,indirect ,,attack ,we have so far given positions where the attacks were of a violent nature and directed against the ,king's position4 ,very often1 however1 in the middle-game attacks are made against a position or against pieces1 or even ,pawns4 ,the winning of a ,pawn among good players of even strength often means the winning of the game4 ,hence the study of such positions is of great importance4 ,we give below two positions in which the attack aims at the gain of a mere ,pawn as a means of ultimately winning the game4 ,illustration ,,example #dh4--;,black is a ,pawn behind1 and there is no violent direct attack against ,white's ,king4 ,black's pieces1 however1 are very well placed and free to act1 and by co-ordinating the action of all his pieces he is soon able not only to regain the ,pawn but to obtain the better game4 ,the student should carefully #gd consider this position and the subsequent moves4 ,it is a very good example of proper co-ordination in the management of forces4 ,the game continues3 #a4 44444444 ,r - ,r #a #b4 ,p - ,q ,r #d ,white's best move was ,p - ,q ,kt #c1 when would follow ,kt x ,b2 #c ,q x ,kt1 ,r - ,r #f and ,black would ultimately win the ,q ,r ,p1 always keeping a slight advantage in position4 ,the text move makes matters easier4 #b4 44444444 ,kt x ,b #c4 ,q x ,kt ,q - ,b #e #d4 ,k ,r - ,q #a ,k ,r - ,kt #a ,black could have regained the ,pawn by playing ,b x ,kt1 but he sees that there is more to be had1 and therefore increases the pressure against ,white's ,queen side4 ,he now threatens1 among other things1 ,r x ,kt ,p4 #e4 ,q - ,k #c ,r - ,kt #e ,threatening to win the exchange by ,b - ,q #e4 #f4 ,q - ,kt #e ,b - ,q #e ch #g4 ,k - ,r #a ,q ,r - ,kt #a ,this threatens to win the ,kt1 and thus forces ,white to give up the exchange4 #h4 ,r x ,b ,q x ,r #i4 ,r - ,q #a ,q - ,b #e ,now ,black will recover his ,pawn4 #ge ,illustration ,,example #di4--;,an examination of this position will show that ,black's main weakness lies in the exposed position of his ,king1 and in the fact that his ,q ,r has not yet come into the game4 ,indeed1 if it were ,black's move1 we might conclude that he would have the better game1 on account of having three ,pawns to two on the ,queen's side1 and his ,bishop commanding the long diagonal4 ,it is1 however1 ,white's move1 and he has two courses to choose from4 ,the obvious move1 ,b - ,b #d1 might be good enough1 since after #a ,b - ,b #d1 ,q ,r - ,q #a2 #b ,p - ,q ,kt #d would make it difficult for ,black4 ,but there is another move which completely upsets ,black's position and wins a ,pawn1 besides obtaining the better position4 ,that move is ,kt - ,q #d 6 ,the game continues as follows3 #a4 ,kt - ,q #d 6 ,p x ,kt #b4 ,r x ,b ,kt - ,kt #e #gf ,there is nothing better1 as ,white threatened ,b - ,b #d4 #c4 ,b - ,b #d ch ,k - ,r #a #d4 ,r - ,k #f ,p - ,q #f #e4 ,r x ,p ,and ,white1 with the better position1 is a ,pawn ahead4 ,these positions have been given with the idea of acquainting the student with different types of combinations4 ,i hope they will also help to develop his imagination1 a very necessary quality in a good player4 ,the student should note1 in all these middle-game positions1 that-- once the opportunity is offered1 all the pieces are thrown into action en masse when necessary2 and that all the pieces smoothly co-ordinate their action with machine-like precision4 ,that1 at least1 is what the ideal middle-game play should be1 if it is not so altogether in these examples4 99 99 99 99 99 #gg ,,chapter ,,iv ,,general ,,theory ,before we revert to the technique of the openings it will be advisable to dwell a little on general theory1 so that the openings in their relation to the rest of the game may be better understood4 #bj4 ,,the ,,initiative ,as the pieces are set on the board both sides have the same position and the same amount of material4 ,white1 however1 has the move1 and the move in this case means the initiative1 and the initiative1 other things being equal1 is an advantage4 ,now this advantage must be kept as long as possible1 and should only be given up if some other advantage1 material or positional1 is obtained in its place4 ,white1 according to the principles already laid down1 develops his pieces as fast as possible1 but in so doing he also tries to hinder his opponent's development1 by applying pressure wherever possible4 ,he tries first of all to control the centre1 and failing this to obtain some positional advantage that will make it possible for him to keep on harassing the enemy4 ,he only relinquishes the initiative when he gets for it some material advantage under such favourable conditions as to make him feel #gh assured that he will1 in turn1 be able to withstand his adversary's thrust2 and finally1 through his superiority of material1 once more resume the initiative1 which alone can give him the victory4 ,this last assertion is self-evident1 since1 in order to win the game1 the opposing ,king must be driven to a position where he is attacked without having any way of escape4 ,once the pieces have been properly developed the resulting positions may vary in character4 ,it may be that a direct attack against the ,king is in order2 or that it is a case of improving a position already advantageous2 or1 finally1 that some material can be gained at the cost of relinquishing the initiative for a more or less prolonged period4 99 99 99 99 99 #ba4 ,,direct ,,attacks ,,en ,,masse ,in the first case the attack must be carried on with sufficient force to guarantee its success4 ,under no consideration must a direct attack against the ,king be carried on a outrance unless there is absolute certainty in one's own mind that it will succeed1 since failure in such cases means disaster4 ,,example #ej4--;,a good example of a successful direct attack against the ,king is shown in the following diagram3 ,in this position ,white could simply play ,b - ,b #b and still have the better position1 but instead he prefers an immediate attack on the ,king's side1 with #gi the certainty in his mind that the attack will lead to a win4 ,the game continues thus3#f ,illustration #ab4 ,b x ,p ch ,k x ,b #ac4 ,kt - ,kt #e ch ,k - ,kt #c #ad4 ,q - ,kt #d ,p - ,b #d ,best4 ,p - ,k #d would have been immediately fatal4 ,thus3 #ad444,p - ,k #d2 #ae ,kt - ,k #f ch1 ,k - ,b #c2 #af ,p - ,b #d 6 ,p - ,k #e2 #ag ,q - ,kt #e ch1 ,k x ,kt2 #ah ,q - ,k #e ch1 ,k - ,q #b2 #ai ,k ,r - ,q #a ch1 ,kt - ,q #f2 #bj ,kt x ,p1 ,k - ,b #c 7if ,k - ,k #a1 ,kt - ,q #f ch wins the ,queen72 #ba ,r x ,kt1 ,q x ,r2 #bb ,r - ,b #a ch1 ,k - ,kt #c 7if ,k - ,q #b mate in two72 #bc ,q - ,b #g ch and mate in five moves4 #hj #ae4 ,q - ,kt #c ,k - ,r #c #af4 ,q - ,r #d ch ,k - ,kt #c #ag4 ,q - ,r #g ch ,k - ,b #c ,if ,k x ,kt2 ,q x ,kt ,p ch and mate in a few moves4 #ah4 ,p - ,k #d ,kt - ,kt #c #ai4 ,p x ,p ,p x ,p #bj4 ,q ,r - ,q #a ,kt - ,q #f #ba4 ,q - ,r #c ,kt 7,q #f7 - ,b #e #bb4 ,q - ,kt #c ,q - ,b #b #bc4 ,k ,r - ,k #a ,kt - ,k #g ch ,this blunder loses at once1 but the game could not be saved in any case2 e4g4 #bc444;,b - ,k #c2 #bd ,r x ,b ch1 ,kt x ,r2 #be ,kt - ,q #e mate4 #bd4 ,r x ,kt ,q x ,q #be4 ,kt - ,r #g ch ,k - ,b #b #bf4 ,r ,p x ,q ,r - ,r #a #bg4 ,kt - ,kt #e ch ,k - ,b #c #bh4 ,p - ,b #d ,resigns ,,example #ea4--;,another example of this kind3 ,illustration #ha ,in the above position the simple move ,kt x ,p would win1 but ,white looks for complications and their beauties4 ,such a course is highly risky until a wide experience of actual master-play has developed a sufficient insight into all the possibilities of a position4 ,this game1 which won the brilliancy prize at ,st4 ,petersburg in #aiad1 continued as follows3-- #ba4 ,b - ,r #d ,q - ,q #b #bb4 ,kt x ,b ,q x ,r #bc4 ,q - ,q #h ch ,q - ,k #a ,if ,k - ,b #b2 #bd ,kt - ,q #f ch1 ,king moves2 #be mate4 #bd4 ,b - ,k #g ch ,k - ,b #b #be4 ,kt - ,q #f ch ,k - ,kt #c #bf4 ,kt - ,r #d ch ,k - ,r #d ,if #bf444,k - ,r #c2 #bg ,kt 7,q #f7 - ,b #e ch1 ,k - ,r #d2 #bh ,kt x ,p ch1 ,k - ,r #c2 #bi ,kt 7,r #d7 - ,b #e ch1 ,k - ,kt #c2 #cj ,q - ,q #f ch and mate next move4 #bg4 ,kt x ,q ,r x ,q #bh4 ,kt x ,p ch ,k - ,r #c #bi4 ,kt 7,kt #g7 - ,b #e ch ,k - ,r #d #cj4 ,p - ,k ,r #c 6 ,the climax of the combination started with #ba ,b - ,r #d4 ,white is still threatening mate1 and the best way to avoid it is for ,black to give back all the material he has gained and to remain three ,pawns behind4 ,the student should note that in the examples given the attack is carried out with every available piece1 #hb and that often1 as in some of the variations pointed out1 it is the coming into action of the last available piece that finally overthrows the enemy4 ,it demonstrates the principle already stated3 ,direct and violent attacks against the ,king must be carried en masse1 with full force1 to ensure their success4 ,the opposition must be overcome at all cost2 the attack cannot be broken off1 since in all such cases that means defeat4 99 99 99 99 99 #bb4 ,,the ,,force ,,of ,,the ,,threatened ,,attack ,failing an opportunity1 in the second case1 for direct attack1 one must attempt to increase whatever weakness there may be in the opponent's position2 or1 if there is none1 one or more must be created4 ,it is always an advantage to threaten something1 but such threats must be carried into effect only if something is to be gained immediately4 ,for1 holding the threat in hand1 forces the opponent to provide against its execution and to keep material in readiness to meet it4 ,thus he may more easily overlook1 or be unable to parry1 a thrust at another point4 ,but once the threat is carried into effect1 it exists no longer1 and your opponent can devote his attention to his own schemes4 ,one of the best and most successful manoeuvres in this type of game is to make a demonstration on one side1 so as to draw the forces of your opponent to that side1 then through the greater mobility of your pieces to shift your forces quickly #hc to the other side and break through1 before your opponent has had the time to bring over the necessary forces for the defence4 ,a good example of positional play is shown in the following game3 ,,example #eb4--,played at the ,havana ,international ,masters ,tournament1 #aiac4 7,french ,defence47 ,white3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 ,black3 ,r4 ,blanco4 #a4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,k #c #b4 ,p - ,q #d ,p - ,q #d #c4 ,kt - ,q ,b #c ,p x ,p #d4 ,kt x ,p ,kt - ,q #b #e4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,k ,kt - ,b #c #f4 ,kt x ,kt ch ,kt x ,kt #g4 ,kt - ,k #e ,illustration ,this move was first shown to me by the talented ,venezuelan amateur1 ,m4 ,ayala4 ,the object is to #hd prevent the development of ,black's ,queen's ,bishop via ,q ,kt #b1 after ,p - ,q ,kt #c1 which is ,black's usual development in this variation4 ,generally it is bad to move the same piece twice in an opening before the other pieces are out1 and the violation of that principle is the only objection that can be made to this move1 which otherwise has everything to recommend it4 #g4 44444444 ,b - ,q #c #h4 ,q - ,b #c ,illustration ,b - ,k ,kt #e might be better4 ,the text move gives ,black an opportunity of which he does not avail himself #h4 44444444 ,p - ,b #c ,p - ,b #d was the right move4 ,it would have led to complications1 in which ,black might have held his own2 at least1 ,white's play would be very difficult4 ,the text move accomplishes nothing1 and puts ,black #he in an altogether defensive position4 ,the veiled threat ,b x ,kt2 followed by ,q - ,r #d ch2 is easily met4 #i4 ,p - ,b #c ,o - ,o #aj4 ,b - ,k ,kt #e ,b - ,k #b ,the fact that ,black has now to move his ,bishop back clearly demonstrates that ,black's plan of development is faulty4 ,he has lost too much time1 and ,white brings his pieces into their most attacking position without hindrance of any sort4 #aa4 ,b - ,q #c ,kt - ,k #a ,the alternative was ,kt - ,q #d4 ,otherwise ,white would play ,q - ,r #c1 and ,black would be forced to play ,p - ,k ,kt #c 7not ,p - ,k ,r #c1 because of the sacrifice ,b x ,p71 seriously weakening his ,king's side4 #ab4 ,q - ,r #c ,p - ,k ,b #d ,white has no longer an attack1 but he has compelled ,black to create a marked weakness4 ,now ,white's whole plan will be to exploit this weakness 7the weak ,k ,p71 and the student can now see how the principles expounded previously are applied in this game4 ,every move is directed to make the weak ,king's ,pawn untenable1 or to profit by the inactivity of the ,black pieces defending the ,pawn1 in order to improve the position of ,white at other points4 #ac4 ,b x ,b ,q x ,b #ad4 ,o - ,o ,r - ,b #c #ae4 ,k ,r - ,k #a ,kt - ,q #c #af4 ,r - ,k #b ,b - ,q #b #hf ,at last the ,bishop comes out1 not as an active attacking piece1 but merely to make way for the ,rook4 #ag4 ,q ,r - ,k #a ,r - ,k #a #ah4 ,p - ,q ,b #d ,kt - ,b #b ,a very clever move1 tending to prevent ,p - ,b #e1 and tempting ,white to play ,kt x ,b1 followed by ,b x ,p1 which would be bad1 as the following variation shows3 #ai ,kt x ,b1 ,q x ,kt2 #bj ,b x ,p1 ,kt - ,kt #d2 #ba ,q - ,kt #d1 ,r x ,b2 #bb ,p - ,k ,r #d1 ,p - ,k ,r #d2 #bc ,q x ,r1 ,p x ,q2 #bd ,r x ,r ch1 ,k - ,r #b2 #be ,p x ,kt1 ,q x ,p4 ,but it always happens in such cases that1 if one line of attack is anticipated1 there is another2 and this is no exception to the rule1 as will be seen4 ,illustration #ai4 ,p - ,q #e 6 ,kt x ,kt ,apparently the best way to meet the manifold threats of ,white4 ,b ,p x ,p would make matters worse1 as the ,white ,bishop would finally bear on the weak ,king's ,pawn via ,q ,b #d4 #hg #bj4 ,r x ,kt ,p - ,k ,kt #c #ba4 ,q - ,r #d ,k - ,kt #b #bb4 ,q - ,q #d ,p - ,b #d ,forced1 as ,white threatened ,p x ,k ,p1 and also ,q x ,p #bc4 ,q - ,b #c ,p - ,kt #c ,q - ,q #c was better4 ,but ,black wants to tempt ,white to play ,p x ,p1 thinking that he will soon after regain his ,pawn with a safe position4 ,such1 however1 is not the case1 as ,white quickly demonstrates4 ,i must add that in any case ,black's position is1 in my opinion1 untenable1 since all his pieces are tied up for the defence of a ,pawn1 while ,white's pieces are free to act4 #bd4 ,p x ,p ,b - ,b #a ,illustration #be4 ,b - ,k #b 6 ,the deciding and timely manoeuvre4 ,all the ,black pieces are useless after this ,bishop reaches ,q #e4 #hh #be4 44444444 ,b x ,p #bf4 ,b - ,b #c ,k - ,b #b #bg4 ,b - ,q #e ,q - ,q #c ,now it is evident that all the ,black pieces are tied up1 and it only remains for ,white to find the quickest way to force the issue4 ,white will now try to place his ,queen at ,k ,r #f1 and then advance the ,k ,r ,p to ,r #e in order to break up the ,black ,pawns defending the ,king4 #bh4 ,q - ,k #c ,r - ,k #b ,if #bh444,p - ,b #e2 #bi ,q - ,k ,r #c1 ,p - ,k ,r #d2 #cj ,q - ,r #d1 ,r - ,k #b2 #ca ,q - ,kt #e1 ,k - ,kt #b2 #cb ,p - ,k ,r #d1 ,q - ,q #b2 #cc ,p - ,k ,kt #c1 ,p x ,p2 #cd ,p - ,b #d1 and ,black will soon be helpless1 as he has to mark time with his pieces while ,white prepares to advance ,p - ,r #e1 and finally at the proper time to play ,r x ,b1 winning4 #bi4 ,q - ,r #f ,k - ,kt #a #cj4 ,p - ,k ,r #d ,p - ,r #c #ca4 ,p - ,r #e ,p - ,b #e #cb4 ,p x ,p ,p x ,p #cc4 ,r x ,b ,resigns4 ,commenting on ,white's play in this game1 ,dr4 ,e4 ,lasker said at the time that if ,white's play were properly analysed it might be found that there was no way to improve upon it4 ,these apparently simple games are often of the most difficult nature4 ,perfection in such cases is much more difficult to obtain than in those positions calling #hi for a brilliant direct attack against the ,king1 involving sacrifices of pieces4 99 99 99 99 99 #bc4 ,,relinquishing ,,the ,,initiative ,in the third case1 there is nothing to do1 once the material advantage is obtained1 but to submit to the opponent's attack for a while1 and once it has been repulsed to act quickly with all your forces and win on material4 ,a good example of this type of game is given below4 ,,example #ec4--;,from the ,havana ,international ,masters ,tournament1 #aiac4 7,ruy ,lopez47 ,white3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 ,black3 ,d4 ,janowski4 #a4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,k #d #b4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,kt - ,q ,b #c #c4 ,b - ,kt #e ,kt - ,b #c #d4 ,o - ,o ,p - ,q #c #e4 ,b x ,kt ch ,p x ,b #f4 ,p - ,q #d ,b - ,k #b #g4 ,kt - ,b #c ,p x ,p might be better1 but at the time ,i was not familiar with that variation1 and therefore ,i played what ,i knew to be good4 #g4 44444444 ,kt - ,q #b #h4 ,p x ,p ,p x ,p #i4 ,q - ,k #b ,o - ,o #aj4 ,r - ,q #a ,b - ,q#c #aa4 ,b - ,kt #e ,q - ,k #a #ab4 ,kt - ,k ,r #d ,p - ,kt #c #ij ,black offers the exchange in order to gain time and to obtain an attack4 ,without considering at all whether or not such a course was justified on the part of ,black1 it is evident that as far as ,white is concerned there is only one thing to do1 viz41 to win the exchange and then prepare to weather the storm4 ,then1 once it is passed1 to act quickly with all forces to derive the benefit of numerical superiority4 #ac4 ,b - ,r #f ,kt - ,b #d #ad4 ,r - ,q #b ,r - ,kt #a #ae4 ,kt - ,q #a ,r - ,kt #e ,to force ,white to play ,p - ,q ,b #d1 and thus create a hole at ,q #e for his ,knight4#g ,such grand tactics show the hand of a master4 #af4 ,p - ,q ,b #d ,kt - ,k #c #ag4 ,b x ,r ,q x ,b #ah4 ,kt - ,k #c ,kt - ,k ,b #c was better4 #ah4 44444444 ,kt - ,q #e #ai4 ,q - ,q #a ,p - ,q ,b #d ,in order to prevent ,r x ,kt giving back the exchange1 but winning a ,pawn and relieving the position4 #bj4 ,p - ,q ,kt #c ,r - ,kt #a ,in order to play ,b - ,kt #b without blocking his ,rook4 #ia ,black's manoeuvring for positional advantage is admirable throughout this game1 and if he loses it is due entirely to the fact that the sacrifice of the exchange1 without even a ,pawn for it1 could not succeed against sound defensive play4 ,illustration #ba4 ,kt - ,b #c ,p - ,b #d #bb4 ,p x ,p ,p x ,p ,illustration ,the position begins to look really dangerous for ,white4 ,in reality ,black's attack is reaching its maximum force4 ,very soon it will reach the apex1 and then #ib ,white1 who is well prepared1 will begin his counter action1 and through his superiority in material obtain an undoubted advantage4 #bc4 ,kt - ,b #a ,p - ,b #e #bd4 ,kt x ,kt ,b ,p x ,kt #be4 ,q - ,r #e ,b - ,kt #b #bf4 ,r - ,k #a ,p - ,b #d ,he could not play ,r - ,k #a because of ,r x ,q ,p4 ,besides1 he wants to be ready to play ,p - ,k #e4 ,at present ,white cannot with safety play ,r x ,k ,p1 but he will soon prepare the way for it4 ,then1 by giving up a ,rook for a ,bishop and a ,pawn1 he will completely upset ,black's attack and come out a ,pawn ahead4 ,it is on this basis that ,white's whole defensive manoeuvre is founded4 #bg4 ,p - ,b #c ,r - ,k #a #bh4 ,r 7,q #b7 - ,k #b ,r - ,k #c ,illustration ,now the ,black ,rook enters into the game1 but ,white is prepared4 ,it is now time to give back the exchange4 #ic #bi4 ,r x ,p ,b x ,r #cj4 ,r x ,b ,r - ,k ,r #c #ca4 ,q - ,k #h ,q x ,q #cb4 ,r x ,q ch ,k - ,b #b #cc4 ,r - ,k #e ,r - ,q ,b #c #cd4 ,kt - ,q #b ,r - ,b #e ch might have been better4 ,the text move did not prove as strong as anticipated4 #cd4 44444444 ,k - ,b #c #ce4 ,r - ,q #e ,r - ,k #c #cf4 ,kt - ,k #d ch ,k - ,k #b ,r x ,kt would lose easily #cg4 ,r x ,b ,p ,p - ,q #f 6 ,very fine4 ,white cannot play ,r ,b #g ch because of ,k - ,q #a2 ,r x ,b1 ,r x ,kt winning4 #ch4 ,k - ,b #b ,b x ,kt #ci4 ,p x ,b ,r x ,p #dj4 ,r - ,q #e ,r - ,k #f ,the ending is very difficult to win4 ,at this point ,white had to make the last move before the game was adjourned4 ,illustration #id #da4 ,p - ,q ,kt #d 6 ,r - ,k #e #db4 ,r x ,p ,r x ,p #dc4 ,r - ,k ,r #c ,r x ,p #dd4 ,r x ,p ch ,k - ,b #c #de4 ,r x ,p ,k - ,b #d #df4 ,k - ,b #c ,r - ,kt #g #dg4 ,r - ,r #e ch ,k - ,b #c #dh4 ,r - ,r #d ,k - ,kt #d #di4 ,r x ,p ,r x ,r ,p #ej4 ,p - ,r #d ch ,k - ,r #d #ea4 ,r - ,b #e ch ,k - ,r #c #eb4 ,p - ,kt #d ,resigns ,i have passed over the game lightly because of its difficult nature1 and because we are at present concerned more with the opening and the middle-game than we are with the endings1 which will be treated separately4 99 99 99 99 99 #bd4 ,,cutting ,,off ,,pieces ,,from ,,the ,,scene ,,of ,,action ,very often in a game a master only plays to cut off1 so to speak1 one of the pieces from the scene of actual conflict4 ,often a ,bishop or a ,knight is completely put out of action4 ,in such cases we might say that from that moment the game is won1 because for all practical purposes there will be one more piece on one side than on the other4 ,a very good illustration is furnished by the following game4 #ie ,,example #ed4--,played at the ,hastings ,victory ,tournament1 #aiai4 7,four ,knights47 ,white3 ,w4 ,winter4 ,black3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 #a4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,k #d #b4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,kt - ,q ,b #c #c4 ,kt - ,b #c ,kt - ,b #c #d4 ,b - ,kt #e ,b - ,kt #e #e4 ,o - ,o ,o - ,o #f4 ,b x ,kt ,niemzowitch's variation1 which ,i have played successfully in many a game4 ,it gives ,white a very solid game4 ,niemzowitch's idea is that ,white will in due time be able to play ,p - ,k ,b #d1 opening a line for his ,rooks1 which1 in combination with the posting of a ,knight at ,k ,b #e1 should be sufficient to win4 ,he thinks that should ,black attempt to stop the ,knight from going to ,k ,b #e1 he will have to weaken his game in some other way4 ,whether this is true or not remains to be proved1 but in my opinion the move is perfectly good4 ,on the other hand1 there is no question that ,black can easily develop his pieces4 ,but it must be considered that in this variation ,white does not attempt to hinder ,black's development1 he simply attempts to build up a position which he considers impregnable and from which he can start an attack in due course4 #f4 44444444 ,q ,p x ,b #if ,the alternative1 ,kt ,p x ,b2 gives ,white the best of the game1 without doubt4#h #g4 ,p - ,q #c ,b - ,q #c #h4 ,b - ,kt #e ,this move is not at all in accordance with the nature of this variation4 ,the general strategical plan for ,white is to play ,p - ,k ,r #c1 to be followed in time by the advance of the ,k ,kt ,p to ,kt #d1 and the bringing of the ,q ,kt to ,k ,b #e via ,k #b and ,k ,kt #c or ,q #a and ,k #c4 ,then1 if possible1 the ,k ,kt is linked with the other ,kt by placing it at either ,k ,r #d1 ,k ,kt #c1 or ,k #c as the occasion demands4 ,the ,white ,king sometimes remains at ,kt #a1 and other times it is placed at ,k ,kt #b1 but mostly at ,k ,r #a4 ,finally1 in most cases comes ,p - ,k ,b #d1 and then the real attack begins4 ,sometimes it is a direct assault against the ,king1#i and at other times it comes simply to finessing for positional advantage in the end-game1 after most of the pieces have been exchanged4#aj #h4 44444444 ,p - ,k ,r #c #i4 ,b - ,r #d ,p - ,b #d #ig ,illustration ,to prevent ,p - ,q #d and to draw ,white into playing ,kt - ,q #e1 which would prove fatal4 ,black's plan is to play ,p - ,k ,kt #d1 as soon as the circumstances permit1 in order to free his ,queen and ,knight from the pin by the ,bishop4 #aj4 ,kt - ,q #e ,white falls into the trap4 ,only lack of experience can account for this move4 ,white should have considered that a player of my experience and strength could never allow such a move if it were good4 #aj4 44444444 ,p - ,k ,kt #d ,illustration #ih ,after this move ,white's game is lost4 ,white cannot play ,kt x ,kt ,p1 because ,kt x ,kt will win a piece4 ,therefore he must play ,b - ,kt #c1 either before or after ,kt x ,kt1 with disastrous results in either case1 as will be seen4 #aa4 ,kt x ,kt ch ,q x ,kt #ab4 ,b - ,kt #c ,b - ,kt #e #ac4 ,p - ,k ,r #c ,b x ,kt #ad4 ,q x ,b ,q x ,q #ae4 ,p x ,q ,p - ,k ,b #c ,illustration ,a simple examination will show that ,white is minus a ,bishop for all practical purposes4 ,he can only free it by sacrificing one ,pawn1 and possibly not even then4 ,at least it would lose time besides the ,pawn4 ,black now devotes all his energy to the ,queen's side1 and1 having practically a ,bishop more1 the result cannot be in doubt4 ,the rest of the game is given1 so that the student may see how simple it is to win such a game4 #ii #af4 ,k - ,kt #b ,p - ,q ,r #d #ag4 ,p - ,q ,r #d ,k - ,b #b #ah4 ,r - ,r #a ,k - ,k #c #ai4 ,p - ,r #d ,k ,r - ,q ,kt #a ,there is no necessity to pay any attention to the ,king's side1 because ,white gains nothing by exchanging ,pawns and opening the ,king's ,rook file4 #bj4 ,p x ,p ,r ,p x ,p #ba4 ,p - ,kt #c ,p - ,b #c #bb4 ,r - ,q ,r #b ,p - ,kt #d #bc4 ,k ,r - ,r #a ,p - ,b #e ,if ,white takes the proffered ,pawn1 ,black regains it immediately by ,r - ,kt #e1 after ,p x ,b ,p4 #bd4 ,r ,p x ,p ,p x ,p 7,kt #f7 #be4 ,b ,p x ,p ,r x ,p #bf4 ,r - ,r #d ,r x ,p #bg4 ,p - ,q #d ,r - ,kt #d #bh4 ,r - ,b #d ,r - ,kt #e #bi4 ,r x ,b ,p ,r x ,p ,resigns 99 99 99 99 99 #be4 ,a ,,player',s ,,motives ,,criticised ,,in ,a ,,specimen ,,game ,now that a few of my games with my own notes have been given1 ,i offer for close perusal and study a very fine game played by ,sir ,george ,thomas1 one of ,england's foremost players1 against ,mr4 ,f4 ,f4 ,l4 ,alexander1 in the championship of the ,city of ,london ,chess ,club in the winter of #aiai-aibj4 ,it has the #ajj interesting feature for the student that ,sir ,george ,thomas kindly wrote the notes to the game for me at my request1 and with the understanding that ,i would make the comments on them that ,i considered appropriate4 ,sir ,george ,thomas' notes are in brackets and thus will be distinguished from my own comments4 ,,example #ee4--,queen's ,gambit ,declined4 7,the notes within brackets by ,sir ,george ,thomas47 ,white3 ,mr4 ,f4 ,f4 ,l4 ,alexander4 ,black3 ,sir ,george ,thomas4 #a4 ,p - ,q #d ,p - ,q #d #b4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,kt - ,k ,b #c #c4 ,p - ,b #d ,p - ,k #c #d4 ,kt - ,b #c ,q ,kt - ,q #b #e4 ,b - ,kt #e ,p - ,b #c #f4 ,p - ,k #c ,q - ,r #d ,illustration 7,one of the objects of ,black's method of defence is to attack ,white's ,q ,kt doubly by ,kt - ,k #e1 followed by ,p x ,p4 ,but #g ,kt - ,q #b is probably a strong way #aja of meeting this threat47 ,there are1 besides1 two good reasons for this method of defence2 first1 that it is not as much played as some of the other defences and consequently not so well known1 and second that it leaves ,black with two ,bishops against ,b and ,kt1 which1 in a general way1 constitutes an advantage4 #g4 ,b x ,kt ,kt x ,b #h4 ,p - ,q ,r #c ,kt - ,k #e #i4 ,q - ,kt #c ,b - ,k #b ,this is not the logical place for the ,b which should have been posted at ,q #c4 ,in the opening1 time is of great importance1 and therefore the player should be extremely careful in his development and make sure that he posts his pieces in the right places4 #aj4 ,b - ,q #c ,kt x ,kt #aa4 ,p x ,kt ,p x ,p #ab4 ,b x ,b ,p ,b - ,b #c 7,i did not want ,white's ,kt to come to ,k #e1 from where ,i could not dislodge it by ,p - ,k ,b #c without weakening my ,k ,p47 ,the same result could be accomplished by playing ,b - ,q #c4 ,incidentally it bears out my previous statement that the ,b should have been originally played to ,q #c4 #ac4 ,o - ,o ,the alternative was ,p - ,k #d1 followed by ,p - ,k #e1 and then ,o - ,o4 ,white would thereby assume the initiative but would weaken his ,pawn position considerably1 and might be compelled to stake all on a #ajb violent attack against the ,king4 ,this is a turning point in the game1 and it is in such positions that the temperament and style of the player decide the course of the game4 #ac4 44444444 ,o - ,o #ad4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,k #d ,illustration #ae4 ,p - ,q #e 7,white might play #ae ,k ,r - ,q #a1 keeping the option of breaking up the centre later on4 ,i wanted him to advance this ,p as there is now a fine post for my ,b at ,q ,b #d47 ,by this move ,white shows that he does not understand the true value of his position4 ,his only advantage consisted in the undeveloped condition of ,black's ,q ,b4 ,he should therefore have made a plan to prevent the ,b from coming out1 or if that were not possible1 then he should try to force ,black to weaken his ,pawn position in order to come out with the ,b4 ,there were three moves to consider3 first1 #ajc ,p - ,q ,r #d1 in order to maintain the ,white ,b in the dominating position that it now occupies4 ,this would have been met by ,q - ,b #b2 second1 either of the ,rooks to ,q #a in order to threaten #af ,p x ,p1 ,b x ,p2 #ag ,kt x ,b1 ,q x ,kt2 #ah ,b x ,p ch4 ,this would have been met by ,b - ,kt #e2 and third1 ,p - ,k ,r #c to prevent ,b - ,kt #e and by playing either ,r to ,q #a1 followed up as previously stated to force ,black to play ,p - ,q ,kt #d1 which would weaken his ,queen's side ,pawns4 ,thus by playing ,p - ,k ,r #c ,white would have attained the desired object4 ,the text move blocks the action of the ,white ,b and facilitates ,black's development4 ,hereafter ,white will act on the defensive1 and the interest throughout the rest of the game will centre mainly on ,black's play and the manner in which he carries out the attack4 #ae4 44444444 ,q - ,b #b #af4 ,b - ,q #c 7,this seems wrong1 as it makes the development of ,black's ,queen wing easier4 ,at present he cannot play ,p - ,q ,kt #c1 because of the reply ,p x ,p followed by ,b - ,q #e47 #af4 44444444 ,p - ,q ,kt #c #ag4 ,p - ,b #d ,b - ,kt #b #ah4 ,k ,r - ,b #a 7,with the idea of ,q ,r - ,kt #a and ,p - ,b #e4 ,but it only compels ,black to bring his ,b to ,q ,b #d1 which he would do in any case47 #ajd _/99 #ah4 44444444 ,b - ,k #b #ai4 ,r - ,b #b ,b - ,b #d #bj4 ,q - ,kt #b ,p - ,b #c 99_/ 7,it would have been better1 probably1 to play #bj444,k ,r - ,k #a1 with the idea of ,p - ,b #d presently47 ,black's play hereabout is weak2 it lacks force1 and there seems to be no well-defined plan of attack4 ,it is true that these are the most difficult positions to handle in a game4 ,in such cases a player must conceive a plan on a large scale1 which promises chances of success1 and with it all1 it must be a plan that can be carried out with the means at his disposal4 ,from the look of the position it seems that ,black's best chance would be to mass his forces for an attack against ,white's centre1 to be followed by a direct attack against the ,king4 ,he should1 therefore1 play ,q ,r - ,k #a1 threatening ,p - ,k ,b #d4 ,if ,white is able to defeat this plan1 or rather to prevent it1 then1 once he has fixed some of the ,white pieces on the ,king's side1 he should quickly shift his attack to the ,queen's side1 and open a line for his ,rooks1 which1 once they enter in action1 should produce an advantage on account of the great power of the two ,bishops4 #ba4 ,q ,r - ,kt #a ,q ,r - ,q #a #bb4 ,p - ,q ,r #d ,b - ,r #c #bc4 ,r - ,q #a 7,white has clearly lost time with his ,rook's moves47 #bc4 44444444 ,k ,r - ,k #a #bd4 ,q - ,kt #c #aje 7,to bring his ,queen across after ,kt - ,r #d and ,b - ,k #b47 #bd4 44444444 ,r - ,q #c #be4 ,kt - ,r #d ,p - ,kt #c #bf4 ,b - ,k #b ,illustration #bf4 44444444 ,p x ,p 7,i thought this exchange necessary here1 as ,white is threatening to play his ,bishop via ,kt #d to ,k #f4 ,if he retook with the ,bishop's ,pawn ,i intended to exchange ,bishops and rely on the two ,pawns to one on the ,queen's wing4 ,i did not expect him to retake it with the ,king's ,pawn1 which seemed to expose him to a violent ,king's side attack47 ,black's judgment in this instance ,i believe to be faulty4 ,had ,white retaken with the ,b ,p1 as he expected1 he would have had the worst of the ,pawn position1 as ,white would have had a passed ,pawn well supported on the ,queen's side4 ,his only advantage would lie in his having a very well posted ,bishop against a badly #ajf posted ,knight1 and on the fact that in such positions as the above1 the ,bishop is invariably stronger than the ,knight4 ,he could and should have prevented all that1 by playing ,b - ,b #a1 as1 had ,white then replied with ,q - ,kt #c1 he could then play ,p x ,p1 and ,white would not have been able to retake with the ,b ,p on account of ,b x ,p ch winning the exchange4 #bg4 ,k ,p x ,p ,p - ,k #e #bh4 ,p - ,kt #c ,p - ,k #f ,i do not like this move4 ,it would have been better to hold it in reserve and to have played ,p - ,b #d1 to be followed in due time by ,p - ,k ,kt #d and ,p - ,b #e1 after having placed the ,q at ,q #b1 ,k ,b #b1 or some other square as the occasion demanded4 ,the text move blocks the action of the powerful ,b at ,q ,b #d1 and tends to make ,white's position safer than it should have been4 ,the move in itself is a very strong attacking move1 but it is isolated1 and there is no effective continuation4 ,such advances as a rule should only be made when they can be followed by a concerted action of the pieces4 #bi4 ,p - ,b #d ,b - ,b #a #cj4 ,kt - ,b #c ,b - ,b #d #ca4 ,r - ,kt #b ,r - ,k #e #cb4 ,k - ,kt #b ,q - ,b #a #cc4 ,kt - ,kt #a ,p - ,k ,kt #d #ajg 7,if now #cd ,b - ,b #c1 ,p x ,p2 #ce ,b x ,r1 ,b x ,b ch1 with a winning attack47 #cd4 ,p x ,p ,p x ,p #ce4 ,r - ,k ,b #a ,p - ,kt #e ,r - ,r #c was the alternative4 ,white's only move would have been ,k - ,r #a4 ,the position now is evidently won for ,black1 and it is only a question of finding the right course4 ,the final attack is now carried on by ,sir ,george ,thomas in an irreproachable manner4 #cf4 ,b - ,q #c ,r - ,k ,b #c #cg4 ,kt - ,k #b ,q - ,b #a ,illustration 7,again preventing ,b x ,r1 by the masked attack on ,white's ,rook4 ,white therefore protects his ,rook47 ,if ,kt - ,b #d1 ,p - ,k #g 62 #ci ,kt x ,p1 ,r x ,kt ch2 #dj ,r x ,r1 ,b - ,k #e ch 662 #da ,b x ,b1 best1 ,r x ,r and ,white is lost4 ,if1 however1 against #ch ,kt - ,b #d1 ,black plays ,q - ,r #c1 and ,white #ci ,q - ,b #b1 ,i take pleasure #ajh in offering the position to my readers as a most beautiful and extraordinary win for ,black1 beginning with #ci444,q - ,r #f ch 666 ,i leave the variations for the student to work out4 #ch4 ,r 7,kt #b7 - ,kt #a ,q - ,r #c #ci4 ,q - ,b #b 7,making a double attack on the ,rook--which still cannot be taken--and preparing to defend the ,k ,r ,p47 ,if either the ,rook or ,bishop are taken ,white would be mated in a few moves4 #ci4 44444444 ,q - ,r #f ch #dj4 ,k - ,r #a ,r x ,p 66 ,illustration 7,if #dj444,r - ,r #c2 #da ,kt - ,kt #a1 ,q x ,kt ,p2 #db ,q - ,k ,kt #b4 ,black therefore tries to get the ,queen away from the defence47 ,a very beautiful move1 and the best way to carry on the attack4 #da4 ,q x ,r #aji 7,the best defence was #da ,r x ,b1 but ,black would emerge with ,queen against ,rook and ,knight47 #da4 44444444 ,b x ,b 7,again1 not ,r - ,k ,r #c2 because of ,p - ,q #f dis4 ch47 #db4 ,r x ,r 7,if #db ,q x ,b1 then1 at last1 ,r - ,r #c wins47 #db4 44444444 ,b x ,q #dc4 ,kt - ,b #d ,p - ,k #g 6 ,illustration 7,the ,queen has no escape1 but ,white has no time to take it47 #dd4 ,r - ,k ,kt #a ,q - ,b #h ,white resigns4 ,a very fine finish4 99 99 99 99 99 #aaj ,,chapter ,v ,,end-,,game ,,strategy ,we must now revert once more to the endings4 ,their importance will have become evident to the student who has taken the trouble to study my game with ,janowski 7,example #ec74 ,after an uneventful opening--a ,ruy ,lopez--in one of its normal variations1 my opponent suddenly made things interesting by offering the exchange2 an offer which1 of course1 ,i accepted4 ,then followed a very hard1 arduous struggle1 in which ,i had to defend myself against a very dangerous attack made possible by the excellent manoeuvring of my adversary4 ,finally1 there came the time when ,i could give back the material and change off most of the pieces1 and come to an ending in which ,i clearly had the advantage4 ,but yet the ending itself was not as simple as it at first appeared1 and finally--perhaps through one weak move on my part--it became a very difficult matter to find a win4 ,had ,i been a weak end-game player the game would probably have ended in a draw1 and all my previous efforts would have been in vain4 ,unfortunately1 that is very often the case among the large majority of players2 they are weak in the endings2 a failing from which masters of the first rank are at times not free4 #aaa ,incidentally1 ,i might call attention to the fact that all the world's champions of the last sixty years have been exceedingly strong in the endings3 ,morphy1 ,steinitz1 and ,dr4 ,lasker had no superiors in this department of the game while they held their titles4 #bf4 ,,the ,,sudden ,,attack ,,from ,a ,,different ,,side ,i have previously stated1 when speaking about general theory1 that at times the way to win consists in attacking first on one side1 then1 granted greater mobility of the pieces1 to transfer the attack quickly from one side to the other1 breaking through before your opponent has been able to bring up sufficient forces to withstand the attack4 ,this principle of the middle-game can sometimes be applied in the endings in somewhat similar manner4 ,,example #ef4 ,illustration #aab ,in the above position ,i1 with the ,black pieces1 played3 #a4 44444444 ,r - ,k #e ch #b4 ,r - ,k #b ,r - ,q ,r #e #c4 ,r - ,r #b ,p - ,k ,r #d ,the idea1 as will be seen very soon1 is to play ,p - ,r #e in order to fix ,white's ,king's side ,pawns with a view to the future4 ,it is evident to ,black that ,white wants to bring his ,king to ,q ,kt #c to support his two weak isolated ,pawns1 and thus to free his ,rooks4 ,black1 therefore1 makes a plan to shift the attack to the ,king's side at the proper time1 in order to obtain some advantage from the greater mobility of his ,rooks4 #d4 ,r - ,q #a ,r 7,q #d7 - ,q ,r #d in order to force the ,rook to ,rook's square1 keeping both ,rooks tied up4 #e4 ,r 7,q #a7 - ,r #a ,p - ,r #e #f4 ,k - ,q #b ,k - ,kt #b #g4 ,k - ,b #b ,r - ,k ,kt #d ,black begins to transfer his attack to the ,king's side4 #h4 ,r - ,k ,kt #a ,a serious mistake1 which loses quickly4 ,white should have played #h ,k - ,kt #c1 when ,black would have answered #h444,r 7,r #e7 - ,r #d2 #i ,p - ,b #c1 and ,black would have obtained an opening at ,k ,kt #f for his ,king1 which in the end might give him the victory4 #h4 44444444 ,r - ,k ,b #e #aac ,now the ,king cannot go to ,kt #c1 because of ,r - ,kt #d ch4 #i4 ,k - ,q #c ,r - ,b #f ch #aj4 ,k - ,k #b ,if ,p x ,r1 ,r x ,r2 followed by ,r - ,k ,r #h winning1 #aj4 44444444 ,r x ,r ,p and ,black won after a few moves4 ,,example #eg4--;,another good example1 in which is shown the advantage of the greater mobility of the pieces in an ending1 is the following from a game ,capablanca-,kupchick played at the ,havana ,masters ,tournament1 #aiac4 ,the full score and notes of the game can be found in the book of the tournament4 ,illustration ,white's only advantage in the above position is that he possesses the open file and has the move1 which will secure him the initiative4 ,there is also the slight advantage of having his ,pawns on the ,queen's side united1 while ,black has an isolated ,q ,r ,p4 ,the #aad proper course1 as in the previous ending1 is to bring the ,rooks forward1 so that at least one of them may be able to shift from one side of the board to the other1 and thus keep ,black's ,rooks from moving freely4 ,what this means in general theory has been stated already2 it really means3 keep harassing the enemy2 force him to use his big pieces to defend ,pawns4 ,if he has a weak point1 try to make it weaker1 or create another weakness somewhere else and his position will collapse sooner or later4 ,if he has a weakness1 and he can get rid of it1 make sure that you create another weakness somewhere else4 ,from the position in question the game continued thus3 #a4 ,r - ,k #d ,k ,r - ,k #a with the object of repeating ,white's manoeuvre1 and also not to allow ,white the control of the open file4 #b4 ,q ,r - ,k #a ,r - ,k #c #c4 ,q ,r - ,k #c ,r 7,b #a7 - ,k #a #d4 ,k - ,b #a ,k - ,b #a ,black wants to bring his ,king to the centre of the board in order to be nearer to whatever point ,white decides to attack4 ,the move is justified at least on the general rule that in such endings the ,king should be in the middle of the board4 ,he does nothing after all but follow ,white's footsteps4 ,besides1 it is hard to point out anything better4 ,if #d444,p - ,q #d2 #e ,r - ,kt #d ch1 followed by ,k - ,k #b1 would leave ,black in #aae a very disagreeable position4 ,if #d444,p - ,k ,b #d2 #e ,r - ,q #d6 ,r x ,r8 #f ,p x ,r1 ,r x ,p2 #g ,k - ,b #b1 ,r - ,k #b2 #h ,r - ,q ,r #d1 winning the ,q ,r ,p1 which would practically leave ,white with a passed ,pawn ahead on the ,queen's side1 as the three ,pawns of ,black on the ,king's side would be held by the two of ,white4 #e4 ,k - ,k #b ,k - ,k #b #f4 ,r - ,q ,r #d ,r - ,q ,r #a ,the student should note that through the same manoeuvre ,black is forced into a position similar to the one shown in the previous ending4 #g4 ,r - ,r #e6 ,this move has a manifold object4 ,it practically fixes all of ,black's ,pawns except the ,q ,p1 which is the only one that can advance two squares4 ,it specially prevents the advance of ,black's ,k ,b ,pawns1 and at the same time threatens the advance of ,white's ,k ,b ,pawns to ,b #d and ,b #e4 ,by this threat it practically forces ,black to play ,p - ,q #d1 which is all ,white desires1 for reasons that will soon become evident4 #g4 44444444 ,p - ,q #d #h4 ,p - ,q ,b #d6 ,k - ,q #c ,evidently forced1 as the only other move to save a ,pawn would have been ,p x ,p1 which would have left all ,black's ,pawns isolated and weak4 ,if #h444,p - ,q #e2 #i ,r - ,k #d1 ,k - ,q #c2 #aj ,p - ,q ,kt #d6 ,r - ,k #d2 #aa ,r - ,r #f1 and ,black's game is hopeless4 #i4 ,p - ,b #e ch ,k - ,q #b #aj4 ,p - ,q #d ,p - ,b #d #aaf ,apparently very strong1 since it forces the exchange of ,rooks because of the threat ,r - ,r #c2 but in reality it leads to nothing4 ,the best chance was to play ,r - ,k ,k #a4 #aa4 ,r x ,r ,p x ,r #ab4 ,p - ,b #d ,up to now ,white had played with finesse1 but this last move is weak4 ,r - ,r #f was the proper way to continue1 so as to force ,black to give up his ,q ,r ,p or ,q ,b ,p4 #ab4 44444444 ,k - ,b #a #ac4 ,k - ,q #b ,again a bad move4 #ac ,r - ,r #c was the proper continuation1 and if then #ac444,r - ,kt #a2 #ad ,p - ,kt #c1 ,k - ,kt #b2 #ae ,p - ,kt #d1 ,k - ,r #a2 #af ,r - ,q ,kt #c1 with excellent winning chances2 in fact1 ,i believe1 a won game4 ,illustration #ac4 44444444 ,k - ,kt #b ,black misses his only chance4 ,r - ,kt #a would have drawn4 #aag #ad4 ,r - ,r #c ,r - ,k ,kt #a #ae4 ,r - ,r #c ,r - ,kt #b #af4 ,k - ,k #b ,k - ,r #c #ag4 ,r - ,r #f ,r - ,k #b #ah4 ,k - ,q #c ,k - ,kt #b ,he goes back with the ,king to support his ,k ,p1 and thus be able to utilise his ,rook4 ,it is1 however1 useless1 and only ,white's weak play later on gives him further chances of a draw4 #ai4 ,p - ,k ,r #d ,k - ,b #a #bj4 ,r - ,r #e ,to prevent the ,black ,rook from controlling the open file #bj4 44444444 ,k - ,q #b #ba4 ,r - ,kt #e ,r - ,b #b #bb4 ,k - ,b #c ,k - ,b #a ,he must keep his ,king on that side because ,white threatens to march with his ,king to ,r #f via ,kt #d4 #bc4 ,k - ,kt #d ,r - ,b #c #bd4 ,k - ,r #e ,k - ,kt #b #be4 ,p - ,r #d ,p - ,q ,r #c #bf4 ,p - ,r #e ,r - ,r #c ,he can do nothing but wait for ,white4 ,the text move stops ,white from moving his ,rook1 but only for one move4 #bg4 ,p - ,kt #d ,r - ,b #c ,the only other move was ,k - ,r #b2 when ,white could play ,r - ,kt #g1 or even ,p - ,kt #e4 #aah ,illustration #bh4 ,p - ,kt #e ,a weak move1 which gives ,black a fighting chance4 ,in this ending1 as is often the case with most players1 ,white plays the best moves whenever the situation is difficult and requires careful handling1 but once his position seems to be overwhelming he relaxes his efforts and the result is nothing to be proud of4 ,the right move was #bh ,r - ,kt #g4 #bh4 44444444 ,r ,p x ,p #bi4 ,p x ,p ,r - ,b #a 6 #cj4 ,r - ,kt #g ,r - ,r #a ch #ca4 ,k - ,kt #d ,p x ,p #cb4 ,k x ,p ,r - ,r #g #cc4 ,p - ,b #f ch ,k - ,kt #a #cd4 ,r x ,r ,p ,r - ,kt #g ch #ce4 ,k - ,r #e ,r - ,r #g ch #cf4 ,k - ,kt #d ,r x ,p ,black misses his last chance3 ,r - ,kt #g ch1 forcing the ,king to ,b #c1 in order to avoid the perpetual1 #aai would probably draw4 ,the reader must bear in mind that my opponent was then a very young and inexperienced player1 and consequently deserves a great deal of credit for the fight he put up4 #cg4 ,r - ,k #g ,r x ,p ,r - ,kt #g ch2 followed by ,r - ,k ,r #g1 offered better chances4 #ch4 ,p - ,r #f6 ,r x ,p ch #ci4 ,k - ,kt #e ,r - ,q #h #dj4 ,p - ,r #g ,r - ,kt #h ch #da4 ,k - ,b #e ,r - ,b #h ch #db4 ,k - ,q #d ,r - ,q #h ch #dc4 ,k - ,k #e ,r - ,k #h ch #dd4 ,k - ,b #f ,r - ,k ,r #h #de4 ,r - ,k #h ch ,k - ,r #b #df4 ,p - ,r #h 7,q7 ,r x ,q #dg4 ,r x ,r ,k - ,kt #c #dh4 ,k x ,p ,k x ,p #di4 ,k x ,p ,k - ,b #d #ej4 ,k - ,k #e ,resigns4 ,this ending shows how easy it is to make weak moves1 and how often1 even in master-play1 mistakes are made and opportunities are lost4 ,it shows that1 so long as there is no great advantage of material1 even with a good position1 a player1 no matter how strong1 cannot afford to relax his attention even for one move4 #abj 99 99 99 99 99 #bg4 ,,the ,,danger ,,of ,a ,,safe ,,position ,,example #eh4--;,a good proof of the previous statement is shown in the following ending between ,marshall and ,kupchick in one of their two games in the same ,tournament 7,havana1 #aiac74 ,illustration ,it is evident that ,marshall 7,white7 is under great difficulties in the above position4 ,not only is he bound to lose a ,pawn1 but his position is rather poor4 ,the best he could hope for was a draw unless something altogether unexpected happened1 as it did4 ,no reason can be given for ,black's loss of the game except that he felt so certain of having the best of it with a ,pawn more and what he considered a safe position1 that he became exceedingly careless and did not consider the danger that actually existed4 ,let us see how it happened4 #a4 ,p - ,kt #d ,r x ,r ,p #aba ,the mistakes begin4 ,this is the first4 ,black sees that he can take a ,pawn without any danger1 and does not stop to think whether there is anything better4 ,r - ,b #g ch was the right move4 ,if then ,k - ,kt #c1 ,r x ,p4 ,if instead ,white played ,k - ,k #d1 then ,r - ,k #d ch followed by ,r x ,r ,p4 #b4 ,r - ,q #a ,r - ,r #e ch ,mistake number two1 and this time such a serious one as to almost lose the game4 ,the proper move was to play ,p - ,b #d in order to break up ,white's ,pawns and at the same time make room for the ,black ,king1 which is actually in danger1 as will soon be seen4 #c4 ,r - ,q #d ,r 7,r#e7 - ,r #d ,mistake number three and this time fatal4 ,his best move was ,r 7,kt #d7 - ,r #d4 ,after the text move there is no defence4 ,black's game is lost4 ,this shows that even an apparently simple ending has to be played with care4 ,from a practically won position ,black finds himself with a lost game1 and it has only taken three moves4 #d4 ,r 7,q #d7 - ,q #h ,r - ,kt #b ,if #d444,p - ,b #d2 #e ,r - ,r #h ch1 ,k - ,kt #c2 #f ,r 7,b #h7 - ,kt #h ch1 ,k - ,b #c2 #g ,r x ,p ch1 ,r - ,kt #c2 #h ,p - ,kt #e ch1 ,k - ,k #b2 #i ,r 7,r #f7 x ,r1 ,p x ,r2 #aj ,r - ,kt #g ch1 ,k - ,k #a2 #aa ,r x ,kt ,p1 and wins easily4 #e4 ,p - ,r #d ,p - ,r #d #f4 ,r - ,r #h ch ,resigns4 ,the reason is evident4 ,if #f444,k - ,kt #c2 #g ,p x ,p ch1 #abb ,r x ,p2 #h ,r x ,r1 ,k x ,r2 #i ,r - ,r #h ch1 ,k - ,kt #c2 #aj ,p - ,r #e mate4 99 99 99 99 99 #bh4 ,,endings ,,with ,,one ,,rook ,,and ,,pawns ,the reader has probably realised by this time that endings of two ,rooks and ,pawns are very difficult1 and that the same holds true for endings of one ,rook and ,pawns4 ,endings of two ,rooks and ,pawns are not very common in actual play2 but endings of one ,rook and ,pawns are about the most common sort of endings arising on the chess board4 ,yet though they do occur so often1 few have mastered them thoroughly4 ,they are often of a very difficult nature1 and sometimes while apparently very simple they are in reality extremely intricate4 ,here is an example from a game between ,marshall and ,rosenthal in the ,manhattan ,chess ,club ,championship ,tournament of #aiji-aiaj4 ,,example #ei4 ,illustration #abc ,in this position ,marshall had a simple win by ,r - ,b #g ch1 but played ,p - ,b #f1 and thereby gave ,black a chance to draw4 ,luckily for him ,black did not see the drawing move1 played poorly1 and lost4 ,had ,black been up to the situation he would have drawn by playing ,r - ,q #c4 #a4 ,p - ,b #f ,r - ,q #c 6 ,now ,white has two continuations1 either 7a7 ,p - ,b #g1 or 7b7 ,r - ,b #g ch4 ,we have therefore3 7a7 #b4 ,p - ,b #g ,r - ,q #a 6 #c4 ,r - ,r #e ch ,k - ,b #e and ,white will finally have to sacrifice the ,rook for ,black's ,pawn4 ,or-- 7b7 #b4 ,r - ,b #g ch ,k - ,q #e 6 #c4 ,p - ,b #g ,r - ,kt #c ch 6 a very important move1 as against ,r - ,k ,b #c1 ,r - ,k #g wins4 #d4 ,k - ,b #a ,r - ,k ,b #c #e4 ,r - ,kt #g ,k - ,b #f and ,white will finally have to sacrifice the ,rook for the ,pawn1 or draw by perpetual check4 ,if there were nothing more in the ending it would not be of any great value1 but there are other very interesting features4 ,now suppose that after #a ,p - ,b #f1 ,r - ,q #c2 #b ,p - ,b #g1 ,black did not realise that ,r - ,q #a was the only move to draw4 #abd ,we would then have the following position3 ,illustration ,now there would be two other moves to try3 either 7a7 ,r - ,kt #c ch1 or 7b7 ,r - ,k ,b #c4 ,let us examine them4 7a7 #a4 44444444 ,r - ,kt #c ch #b4 ,k - ,b #c ,r - ,b #c ch #c4 ,k - ,k #c ,r - ,k #c ch ,if ,p - ,kt #f2 ,r - ,r #e ch wins1 because if the ,king goes back1 then ,r - ,r #f1 and if the ,king goes up1 then ,r - ,r #d ch1 followed by ,r - ,k ,b #d wins4 #d4 ,k - ,q #c ,r - ,k ,b #c ,if ,r - ,q #c ch2 ,k - ,k #d wins4 #e4 ,r - ,r #e ch ,k moves #f4 ,r - ,r #f wins 7b7 #a4 44444444 ,r - ,b #c #b4 ,r - ,kt #g 6 ,k - ,b #e ,if ,p - ,kt #f2 ,r - ,kt #c1 and ,white will either capture the ,pawn or go to ,k ,b #c1 and come out with a winning ending4 #abe #c4 ,p - ,r #d ,p - ,kt #f #d4 ,r - ,kt #d ch ,k moves #e4 ,r - ,kt #c and ,white will either capture the ,pawn or play ,r - ,k ,b #c1 according to the circumstances1 and come out with a winning ending4 ,now1 going back to the position shown on page #abb1 suppose that after #a ,p - ,b #f1 ,r - ,q #c2 #b ,r - ,b #g ch1 ,black did not realise that ,k - ,q #e was the only move to draw1 and consequently played ,k - ,kt #c instead1 we would then have the following position3 ,illustration ,now the best continuation would be3 #a4 ,p - ,b #g ,r - ,kt #c ch 7best7 #b4 ,k - ,b #a ,r - ,k ,b #c #c4 ,r - ,k #g 6 ,k - ,b #d 7best7 ,white threatened to check with the ,rook at ,k #f4 #d4 ,k - ,k #b ,p - ,kt #f #abf ,best4 ,if ,k - ,b #e2 both ,p - ,r #d and ,k - ,k #c will win2 the last-named move particularly would win with ease4 #e4 ,r - ,k #c ,p - ,kt #g 7best7 #f4 ,r - ,q ,kt #c ,r x ,p #g4 ,r x ,p ,r - ,k ,r #b #h4 ,r - ,q #b ,r x ,p #i4 ,k - ,k #c ,illustration ,this position we have arrived at is won by ,white1 because there are two files between the opposing ,king and the ,pawn from which the ,king is cut off by the ,rook1 and besides1 the ,pawn can advance to the fourth rank before the opponent's ,rook can begin to check on the file4 ,this last condition is very important1 because if1 instead of the position on the diagram1 the ,black ,rook were at ,k ,r #a1 and ,black had the move1 he could draw by preventing the #abg advance of the ,pawn1 either through constant checks or by playing ,r - ,k ,b #a at the proper time4 ,now that we have explained the reasons why this position is won1 we leave it to the student to work out the correct solution4 ,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 endings1 and especially with endings of ,rook and ,pawns4 99 99 99 99 99 #bi4 ,a ,,difficult ,,ending3 ,,two ,,rooks ,,and ,,pawns ,following our idea that the best way to learn endings as well as openings is to study the games of the masters1 we give two more endings of two ,rooks and ,pawns4 ,these endings1 as already stated1 are not very common1 and the author is fortunate in having himself played more of these endings than is generally the case4 ,by carefully comparing and studying the endings already given 7,examples #ef and #eg7 with the following1 the student no doubt can obtain an idea of the proper method to be followed in such cases4 ,the way of procedure is somewhat similar in all of them4 ,,example #fj4--;,from a game1 ,capablanca-,kreymborg1 in the ,new ,york ,state ,championship ,tournament of #aiaj4 #abh ,illustration ,it is ,black's move1 and no doubt thinking that drawing such a position 7that was all ,black played for7 would be easy1 he contented himself with a waiting policy4 ,such conduct must always be criticised4 ,it often leads to disaster4 ,the best way to defend such positions is to assume the initiative and keep the opponent on the defensive4 #a4 44444444 ,q ,r - ,k #a ,the first move is already wrong4 ,there is nothing to gain by this move4 ,black should play ,p - ,q ,r #d2 to be followed by ,p - ,q ,r #e2 unless ,white plays ,p - ,q ,kt #c4 ,that would fix the ,queen's side4 ,after that he could decide what demonstration he could make with his ,rooks to keep the opponent's ,rooks at bay4 #b4 ,r - ,q #d ,this move not only prevents ,p - ,b #e which ,black intended1 but threatens ,p - ,kt #c1 followed1 after #abi ,p x ,p ch1 by the attack with one or both ,rooks against ,black's ,q ,r ,p4 #b4 44444444 ,r - ,b #c probably with the idea of a demonstration on the ,king's side by ,r - ,kt #c and ,kt #g4 #c4 ,p - ,kt #c ,p x ,p ch #d4 ,p x ,p ,k - ,b #b #e4 ,k - ,q #c ,r - ,q ,r #a should have been played now1 in order to force ,black to defend with ,r - ,k #b4 ,white1 however1 does not want to disclose his plan at once1 and thus awaken ,black to the danger of his position1 hence this move1 which seems to aim at the disruption of ,black's ,queen's side ,pawns4 #e4 44444444 ,r - ,k #b #f4 ,r - ,q ,r #a ,k - ,k #c ,this is a mistake4 ,black is unaware of the danger of his position4 ,he should have played ,p - ,kt #d2 threatening ,r - ,r #c1 and1 by making this demonstration against ,white's ,k ,r ,p1 stop the attack against his ,queen's side ,pawns1 which will now develop4 #g4 ,r - ,r #f ,r - ,q ,b #b ,he could not play ,k - ,q #c1 because ,p - ,q ,b #d would win at least a ,pawn4 ,this in itself condemns his last move ,k - ,k #c1 which has done nothing but make his situation practically hopeless4 #h4 ,r 7,q #d7 - ,q ,r #d ,p - ,k ,kt #d ,now forced1 but it is a little too late4 ,he could not play #h444,k ,r - ,b #b1 because ,p - ,k ,b #d would have #acj left his game completely paralysed4 ,black now finally awakens to the danger1 and tries to save the day by the counter-demonstration on the ,king's side1 which he should have started before4 ,of course1 ,white cannot play ,r x ,r ,p1 because of ,r x ,r1 followed by ,r - ,r #c1 recovering the ,pawn with advantage4 #i4 ,p - ,k ,r #d 6 ,p - ,kt #e ,black is now in a very disagreeable position4 ,if he played #i444,p x ,p2 #aj ,r x ,p would leave him in a very awkward situation1 as he could not go back with the ,king1 nor could he do much with either ,rook4 ,he practically would have to play #aj444,p - ,k ,r #c1 when ,white would answer #aa ,p - ,kt #d1 threatening to win a ,pawn by ,p - ,kt #e1 or1 if that were not enough1 he might play ,k - ,q #d1 to be followed finally by the entry of the ,king at ,b #e or ,k #e4 #aj4 ,k - ,k #b ,illustration #aca _/99 #aj4 44444444 ,p x ,p ch 99_/ ,again he cannot play ,p - ,k ,r #d1 because ,p - ,k ,b #d would leave him paralysed4 ,the advance of his ,k ,r ,p would make ,white's ,k ,r ,p safe1 and consequently his ,k ,r would have to retire to ,k ,b #b to defend the ,q ,r ,p4 ,that would make it impossible for his ,king to go to ,q #b1 because of the ,q ,r ,p1 nor could he advance a single one of his ,pawns4 ,on the other hand1 ,white would play ,p - ,kt #d1 threatening to win a ,pawn by ,p - ,kt #e1 or he might first play ,k - ,q #d1 and then at the proper time ,p - ,kt #e1 if there was nothing better4 ,black meanwhile could really do nothing but mark time with one of his ,rooks4 ,compare this bottling-up system with the ending in ,example #eg1 and it will be seen that it is very similar4 #aa4 ,k x ,p ,r 7,b #c7 - ,b #b #ab4 ,k - ,k #b ,probably wrong4 ,p - ,kt #d at once was the right move4 ,the text move gives ,black good chances of drawing4 #ab4 44444444 ,k - ,q #c #ac4 ,p - ,kt #d ,r - ,q ,kt #b ,this could never have happened had ,white played #ab ,p - ,kt #d1 as he could have followed it up by ,p - ,kt #e after ,black's ,k - ,q #c4 #ad4 ,p - ,r #e ,not good4 ,p - ,k ,b #d offered the best chances of #acb winning by force4 ,if then #ad444,r - ,kt #b2 #ae ,p - ,r #e1 ,r - ,kt #g ch2 #af ,k - ,q #c1 ,r - ,k ,r #g2 #ag ,r x ,p1 ,r x ,r2 #ah ,r x ,r1 ,r x ,p2 #ai ,r - ,r #f1 with winning chances4 ,illustration #ad4 44444444 ,p - ,r #c ,black misses his last chance4 ,p - ,b #e would draw4 ,if then #ae ,p x ,p1 ,r 7,kt #b7 - ,k #b ch 62 #af ,k - ,b #a1 ,r x ,p2 #ag ,r x ,p1 ,r - ,k #f 6 #ae4 ,p - ,k ,b #d ,r - ,kt #b #af4 ,k - ,q #c ,r 7,k ,kt #b7 - ,k #b #ag4 ,r - ,r #a ,r - ,kt #b #ah4 ,k - ,q #d ,r - ,kt #g #ai4 ,r 7,r #f7 - ,r #b ,r 7,kt #b7 - ,kt #b ,r 7,kt #g7 - ,kt #b would have offered greater resistance1 but the position is lost in any case4 7,i leave the student to work this out47 #bj4 ,k - ,q #c 6 ,r x ,r #ba4 ,r x ,r ,r - ,k #b #acc ,nothing would avail4 ,if #ba444,r - ,kt #h2 #bb ,r - ,r #f 6 ,r - ,q #h ch2 #bc ,k - ,b #b1 ,r - ,k ,r #h2 #bd ,p - ,kt #e1 ,r x ,p2 #be ,r x ,p ch1 ,k - ,q #b2 #bf ,r - ,q ,r #f1 and ,white will win easily4 #bb4 ,r - ,k ,kt #b ,r - ,k #c #bc4 ,r - ,kt #g ,r - ,k #b #bd4 ,r - ,kt #h ,p - ,b #d ,black is desperate4 ,he sees he can no longer defend his ,pawns4 #be4 ,r - ,kt #f ch ,r - ,k #c #bf4 ,p x ,p ch ,k - ,q #b #bg4 ,r - ,kt #g ch ,k - ,b #c #bh4 ,r x ,p ,k x ,p #bi4 ,r - ,k ,b #g ,resigns4 ,,example #fa4--;,from the game ,capablanca-,janowski1 ,new ,york ,national ,tournament of #aiac4 ,illustration ,black's game has the disadvantage of his double ,q ,b ,p1 which1 to make matters worse1 he cannot #acd advance1 because as soon as ,black plays ,p - ,q ,kt #c1 ,white replies ,p - ,q ,kt #d4 ,it is on this fact that ,white builds his plans4 ,he will stop ,black's ,queen's side ,pawns from advancing1 and will then bring his own ,king to ,k #c4 ,then in due time he will play ,p - ,q #d1 and finally ,p - ,k #e1 or ,p - ,k ,kt #e1 thus forcing an exchange of ,pawns and obtaining in that way a clear passed ,pawn on the ,king's file4 ,it will be seen that this plan was carried out during the course of the game1 and that ,white obtained his winning advantage in that way4 ,the play was based throughout on the chance of obtaining a passed ,pawn on the ,king's file1 with which ,white expected to win4 #a4 ,p - ,k ,kt #d already preparing to play ,p - ,k ,kt #e when the time comes4 #a4 44444444 ,p - ,q ,kt #c ,black wants to play ,p - ,q ,b #d1 but ,white1 of course1 prevents it4 #b4 ,p - ,kt #d 6 ,k - ,kt #b ,this ,king should come to the ,king's side1 where the danger lurks4 #c4 ,k - ,b #b ,p - ,q ,kt #d ,with the object of playing ,k - ,kt #c and ,p - ,q ,r #d1 followed by ,p x ,p1 and thus have an open file for his ,rook and be able to make a counter-demonstration #ace on the ,queen's side in order to stop ,white's advance on the right4 ,white1 however1 also prevents this4 #d4 ,p - ,q ,r #d 6 ,r - ,q #e ,of course if ,p x ,p2 ,black will have all his ,pawns on the ,queen's side disrupted and isolated1 and ,white can easily regain the lost ,pawn by playing either ,rook on the ,q ,r file4 #e4 ,r - ,q ,kt #a ,r - ,k #d ,he still wants to play ,p - ,q ,b #d1 but as it is easy to foresee that ,white will again prevent it1 the text move is really a serious loss of time4 ,black should bring his ,king over to the other side immediately4 #f4 ,k - ,k #c ,r - ,q #b #g4 ,p - ,r #e ,the first part of ,white's strategic plan is now accomplished4 ,black's ,pawns on the ,queen's side are fixed for all practical purposes4 #g4 44444444 ,r - ,k #c ,if ,r x ,r2 ,kt ,p x ,r would have given ,white a very powerful centre4 ,yet it might have been the best chance for ,black4 #h4 ,r 7,kt7 - ,k ,b #a ,r 7,q #b7 - ,k #b #i4 ,p - ,kt #e ,p x ,p #aj4 ,r x ,p #acf ,illustration ,the second part of ,white's strategical plan is now accomplished4 ,it remains to find out if the advantage obtained is sufficient to win4 ,white not only has a passed ,pawn1 but his ,king is in a commanding position in the centre of the board ready to support the advance of ,white's ,pawns1 or1 if necessary1 to go to ,q ,b #e1 or to move to the right wing in case of danger4 ,besides1 ,white holds the open file with one of his ,rooks4 ,altogether ,white's position is superior and his chances of winning are excellent4 #aj4 44444444 ,r - ,r #c #aa4 ,r - ,kt #c ,r 7,r #c7 - ,k #c to prevent ,p - ,q #d4 ,also ,black fears to keep his ,rook in front of his two ,king's side ,pawns which he may want to utilise later4 #ab4 ,p - ,r #d ,p - ,kt #c #ac4 ,r - ,kt #e ,p - ,r #c #acg ,white threatens ,p - ,r #e1 which would finally force ,black to take1 and then ,white would double his ,rooks against the isolated ,pawn and win it1 or tie up ,black's ,rooks completely4 ,the text move1 however1 only helps ,white2 therefore ,black had nothing better than to hold tight and wait4 ,r - ,k #d would not help much1 as ,white would simply answer ,r - ,b #h1 ,r - ,k #a2 ,r 7,kt #e7 x ,r1 and whichever ,rook ,black took1 ,white would have an easy game4 7,the student should carefully study these variations47 #ad4 ,r - ,kt #d ,r - ,kt #b #ae4 ,p - ,q #d ,k - ,b #a #af4 ,r - ,b #h ch ,k - ,kt #b ,k - ,q #b would not help much1 but since he made the previous move he should now be consistent and play it4 #ag4 ,p - ,k #e ,p - ,kt #d #ah4 ,k - ,k #d ,r 7,k #c7 - ,k #b #ai4 ,p x ,p ,p x ,p #bj4 ,r - ,b #e ,k - ,b #a #ba4 ,r 7,kt #d7 x ,p ,r - ,r #b #bb4 ,r - ,r #e ,k - ,q #b #bc4 ,r x ,r ,r x ,r #bd4 ,r - ,b #h ,r - ,r #e ch #be4 ,k - ,q #c ,r - ,r #f ch #ach #bf4 ,k - ,q #b ,p - ,b #d #bg4 ,kt ,p x ,p ,r - ,q ,r #f #bh4 ,p - ,q #e ,resigns4 ,the winning tactics in all these endings have merely consisted in keeping the opponent's ,rooks tied to the defence of one or more ,pawns1 leaving my own ,rooks free for action4 ,this is a general principle which can be equally applied to any part of the game4 ,it means in general terms-- ,keep freedom of manoeuvre while hampering your opponent4 ,there is one more thing of great importance1 and that is that the winning side has always had a general strategical plan capable of being carried out with the means at his disposal1 while often the losing side had no plan at all1 but simply moved according to the needs of the moment4 99 99 99 99 99 #cj4 ,,rook1 ,,bishop ,,and ,,pawns v4 ,,rook1 ,,knight ,,and ,,pawns ,we shall now examine an ending of ,rook1 ,bishop and ,pawns against ,rook1 ,knight and ,pawns1 where it will be seen that the ,rook at times is used in the same way as in the endings already given4 ,,example #fb4--;,from the first game of the ,lasker-,marshall ,championship ,match in #aijg4 #aci ,illustration ,in this position it is ,black's move4 ,to a beginner the position may look like a draw1 but the advanced player will realise immediately that there are great possibilities for ,black to win1 not only because he has the initiative1 but because of ,white's undeveloped ,queen's side and the fact that a ,bishop in such a position is better than a ,knight 7see ,section #ad74 ,it will take some time for ,white to bring his ,rook and ,knight into the fray1 and ,black can utilise it to obtain an advantage4 ,there are two courses open to him4 ,the most evident1 and the one that most players would take1 is to advance the ,pawn to ,q ,b #d and ,q ,b #e immediately in conjunction with the ,bishop check at ,r #c and any other move that might be necessary with the ,black ,rook4 ,the other1 and more subtle1 course was taken by ,black4 ,it consists in utilising his ,rook in the same way as shown in the previous endings1 forcing ,white to defend something all the time1 restricting the action of ,white's ,knight and #adj ,white's ,rook1 while at the same time keeping freedom of action for his own ,rook and ,bishop4 #a4 44444444 ,r - ,kt #a ,this forces ,p - ,q ,kt #c1 which blocks that square for the ,white ,knight4 #b4 ,p - ,kt #c ,r - ,kt #d bringing the ,rook to attack the ,king's side ,pawns so as to force the ,king to that side to defend them1 and thus indirectly making more secure the position of ,black's ,queen's side ,pawns4 #c4 ,p - ,b #d ,r - ,k ,r #d #d4 ,k - ,kt #a ,p - ,b #d ,note that the ,white ,knight's sphere of action is very limited1 and that after ,kt - ,q #b ,white's own ,pawns are in his way4 #e4 ,kt - ,q #b ,k - ,b #b #f4 ,r - ,b #a ch ,this check accomplishes nothing4 ,it merely drives ,black's ,king where it wants to go4 ,consequently it is a very bad move4 ,p - ,q ,r #c at once was the best move4 #f4 44444444 ,k - ,k #b #g4 ,p - ,q ,r #c ,r - ,r #c ,getting ready to shift the attack to the ,queen's side1 where he has the advantage in material and position4 #h4 ,p - ,k ,r #d ,r - ,r #c #ada ,notice how similar are the manoeuvres with this ,rook to those seen in the previous endings4 #i4 ,r - ,r #a ,b - ,kt #e ,paralysing the action of the ,knight and fixing the whole ,king's side4 #aj4 ,k - ,b #b ,k - ,k #c ,white cannot answer ,kt - ,b #c1 because ,b x ,kt followed by ,k - ,k #d will win a ,pawn1 on account of the check at ,k ,b #c which cannot be stopped4 #aa4 ,p - ,r #d ,k - ,k #d #ab4 ,k - ,kt #b ,r - ,k ,b #c #ac4 ,r - ,k #a ,p - ,q #f #ad4 ,r - ,k ,b #a ,k - ,q #e ,now the ,king attacks ,white's ,pawns and all will soon be over4 #ae4 ,r x ,r ,p x ,r #af4 ,k - ,b #b ,p - ,b #c ,merely to exhaust ,white's move1 which will finally force him to move either the ,king or the ,knight4 #ag4 ,p - ,q ,r #e ,p - ,q ,r #c #ah4 ,kt - ,b #a ,k x ,p #ai4 ,k - ,k #a ,b - ,k #g #bj4 ,kt - ,q #b ch ,k - ,k #f #ba4 ,kt - ,kt #a ,p - ,b #d #bb4 ,kt - ,q #b ,p - ,r #d #bc4 ,kt - ,kt #a ,k - ,b #f #bd4 ,kt - ,b #c ,k x ,p #adb #be4 ,kt - ,r #d ,p - ,b #e #bf4 ,kt x ,p ,p - ,b #f #bg4 ,kt - ,k #d ch ,k - ,b #e ,the quickest way to win4 ,white should resign4 #bh4 ,kt - ,q #f ,p - ,b #d #bi4 ,p - ,kt #d ,p x ,p #cj4 ,p - ,b #e ,p - ,kt #f #ca4 ,kt - ,b #d ,k - ,kt #f #cb4 ,kt - ,k #c ,p - ,kt #g ,resigns4 ,a very good example on ,black's part of how to conduct such an ending4 99 99 99 99 99 #adc ,,chapter ,,vi ,,further ,,openings ,,and ,,middle-,,games #ca4 ,,some ,,salient ,,points ,,about ,,pawns ,before going back to the discussion of openings and middle-game positions1 it might be well to bear in mind a few facts concerning ,pawn positions which will no doubt help to understand certain moves1 and sometimes even the object of certain variations in the openings1 and of some manoeuvres in the middle-games4 ,illustration ,,example #fc4--;,in the position of the diagram we have an exceedingly bad ,pawn formation on ,black's side4 ,black's ,q ,b ,p is altogether backward1 and ,white could by means of the open file concentrate #add his forces against that weak point4 ,there is also the square at ,white's ,q ,b #e1 which is controlled by ,white1 and from where a ,white piece once established could not be dislodged4 ,in order to get rid of it1 ,black would have to exchange it1 which is not always an easy matter1 and often when possible not at all convenient4 ,the same holds true with regard to ,black's ,k ,p1 ,k ,b ,p and ,k ,kt ,p1 which create what is called a hole at ,black's ,k ,b #c4 ,such ,pawn formations invariably lead to disaster1 and consequently must be avoided4 ,illustration ,,example #fd4--;,in this position we might say that the ,white centre ,pawns have the attacking position1 while the ,black centre ,pawns have the defensive position4 ,such a formation of ,pawn occurs in the ,french ,defence4 ,in such positions ,white most often attempts1 by means of ,p - ,k ,b #d and ,k ,b #e1 to obtain a crushing attack against ,black's ,king1 which is generally ,castled on the ,king's side4 ,to prevent that1 #ade and also to assume the initiative or obtain material advantage1 ,black makes a counter-demonstration by ,p - ,q ,b #d1 followed by ,p x ,p 7when ,white defends the ,pawn by ,p - ,q ,b #c71 and the concentrating of ,black's pieces against the ,white ,pawn at ,q #d4 ,this 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 ,king4 ,it must be remembered that at the beginning of the book it was stated that control of the centre was an essential condition to a successful attack against the ,king4 ,in an abstract way we may say that two or more ,pawns are strongest when they are in the same rank next to one another4 ,thus the centre ,pawns are strongest in themselves1 so to speak1 when placed at ,k #d and ,q #d respectively1 hence the question of advancing either the one or the other to the fifth rank is one that must be most carefully considered4 ,the advance of either ,pawn often determines the course the game will follow4 ,another thing to be considered is the matter of one or more passed ,pawns when they are isolated either singly or in pairs4 ,we might say that a passed ,pawn is either very weak or very strong1 and that its weakness or strength1 whichever happens to be in the case to be considered1 increases as it advances1 and is at the same time in direct relation to the number of pieces on the board4 ,in this last respect it might be generally said that a passed ,pawn increases in strength as the number of pieces on the board diminishes4 #adf ,having all this clear in mind we will now revert to the openings and middle-game4 ,we will analyse games carefully from beginning to end according to general principles4 ,i shall1 whenever possible1 use my own games1 not because they will better illustrate the point1 but because1 knowing them thoroughly1 ,i shall be able to explain them more authoritatively than the games of others4 #cb4 ,,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 expounded can be easily seen in the following case3 ,,example #fe4 #a4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,k #d #b4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,kt - ,q ,b #c #c4 ,b - ,kt #e ,p - ,q ,r #c #d4 ,b - ,r #d ,kt - ,b #c #e4 ,o - ,o ,kt x ,p #f4 ,p - ,q #d ,p - ,q ,kt #d #g4 ,b - ,kt #c ,p - ,q #d #h4 ,p x ,p ,b - ,k #c #i4 ,p - ,b #c ,b - ,k #b #aj4 ,r - ,k #a ,kt - ,b #d #aa4 ,b - ,b #b ,b - ,kt #e #ab4 ,q ,kt - ,q #b ,o - ,o #ac4 ,kt - ,kt #c ,kt - ,k #c #adg ,so far a very well-known variation of the ,ruy ,lopez4 ,in fact1 they are the moves of the ,janowski-,lasker game in ,paris1 #aiab4 #ad4 ,q - ,q #c ,p - ,kt #c ,let us suppose the game went on1 and that in some way ,white1 by playing one of the ,knights to ,q #d at the proper time1 forced the exchange of both ,knights1 and then afterwards both the ,bishops were exchanged1 and we arrived at some such position as shown in the following diagram4 7,i obtained such a position in a very similar way once at ,lodz in ,poland4 ,i was playing the ,white pieces against a consulting team headed by ,salwe47 ,illustration ,now we would have here the case of the backward ,q ,b ,p1 which will in no way be able to advance to ,q ,b #d4 ,such a position may be said to be theoretically lost1 and in practice a first-class master will invariably win it from ,black4 7,if ,i may be excused the reference1 ,i will say that ,i won the game above referred to47 ,after a few moves the position may be easily thus3 #adh ,illustration ,the ,black pieces can be said to be fixed4 ,if ,white plays ,q - ,q ,b #c1 ,black must answer ,q - ,q #b1 otherwise he will lose a ,pawn1 and if ,white returns with the ,queen to ,q ,r #c ,black will have again to return to ,q ,kt #b with the ,queen or lose a ,pawn4 ,thus ,black can only move according to ,white's lead1 and under such conditions ,white can easily advance with his ,pawns to ,k ,b #d and ,k ,kt #d1 until ,black will be forced to stop ,p - ,b #e by playing ,p - ,k ,b #d1 and we might finally have some such position as this3 ,,example #ff4 ,illustration #adi ,in this situation the game might go on as follows3 #a4 ,p x ,p1 ,p x ,p2 #b4 ,q - ,k ,b #c1 ,q - ,q #b ,white threatened to win a ,pawn by ,q x ,p1 and ,black could not play #b444,r - ,k ,b #a1 because #c ,r x ,b ,p would also win a ,pawn at least4 #c4 ,r 7,b #e7 - ,b #b1 ,r - ,kt #c2 #d4 ,r - ,kt #b1 ,k - ,r #a2 #e4 ,r 7,b #a7 - ,k ,kt #a1 ,r 7,b #a7 - ,k ,kt #a2 #f4 ,q - ,r #e1 ,r x ,r2 #g4 ,r x ,r1 ,r x ,r2 #h4 ,k x ,r1 ,q - ,kt #b ch2 #i4 ,k - ,r #b1 ,q - ,kt #c2 #aj4 ,q x ,q1 ,p x ,q2 #aa4 ,p - ,kt #d1 and ,white wins4 ,now suppose that in the position in the preceding diagram it were ,black's move1 and he played ,r - ,k ,b #a4 ,white would then simply defend his ,k ,b ,p by some move like ,q - ,k ,b #c1 threatening ,r x ,q ,b ,p1 and then he would bring his ,king up to ,kt #c1 and when the time came1 break through1 as in the previous case4 ,white might even be able to obtain the following position3 ,illustration #aej ,black would now be forced to play ,r - ,b #a1 and ,white could then play ,q - ,b #b1 and follow it up with ,k ,b #c1 and thus force ,black to play ,p x ,p1 which would give ,white a greater advantage4 ,a careful examination of all these positions will reveal that1 besides the advantage of freedom of manoeuvre on ,white's part1 the power of the ,pawn at ,k #e is enormous1 and that it is the commanding position of this ,pawn1 and the fact that it is free to advance1 once all the pieces are exchanged1 that constitute the pivot of all ,white's manoeuvres4 ,i have purposely given positions without the moves which lead to them so that the student may become accustomed to build up in his own mind possible positions that may arise 7out of any given situation74 ,thus he will learn to make strategical plans and be on his way to the master class4 ,the student can derive enormous benefit by further practice of this kind4 #cc4 ,,the ,,influence ,,of ,a ,,hole ,the influence of a so-called hole in a game has already been illustrated in my game against ,blanco 7page #ha71 where has been shown the influence exercised by the different pieces posted in the hole created at ,white's ,k #e4 #aea ,,example #fg4--;,in order to further illustrate this point1 ,i now give a game played in the ,havana ,international ,masters ,tournament of #aiac4 7,queen's ,gambit ,declined47 ,white3 ,d4 ,janowski4 ,black3 ,a4 ,kupchick4 #a4 ,p - ,q #d ,p - ,q #d #b4 ,p - ,q ,b #d ,p - ,k #c #c4 ,kt - ,q ,b #c ,kt - ,k ,b #c #d4 ,b - ,kt #e ,b - ,k #b #e4 ,p - ,k #c ,q ,kt - ,q #b #f4 ,b - ,q #c ,p x ,p #g4 ,b x ,p ,kt - ,kt #c ,of course the idea is to post a ,knight at ,q #d1 but as it is the other ,knight which will be posted there this manoeuvre does not seem logical4 ,the ,knight at ,kt #c does nothing except to prevent the development of his own ,q ,b4 ,the normal course ,o - ,o1 followed by ,p - ,q ,b #d1 is more reasonable4 ,for a beautiful illustration of how to play ,white in that variation1 see the ,janowski-,rubinstein game of the ,st4 ,petersburg ,tournament of #aiad4 #h4 ,b - ,q #c ,b - ,kt #c has some points in its favour in this position1 the most important being the possibility of advancing the ,king's ,pawn immediately after #h4 444 ,k ,kt - ,q #d2 #i ,b x ,b1 ,q x ,b4 #h4 44444444 ,k ,kt - ,q #d #i4 ,b x ,b ,q x ,b #aj4 ,kt - ,b #c #aeb ,had ,white's ,bishop been at ,q ,kt #c he could now play ,p - ,k #d as indicated in the previous note1 a move which he cannot make in the present position1 because of ,kt - ,k ,b #e threatening1 not only the ,k ,kt ,p1 but also ,kt x ,b ch4 ,as ,white's ,king's ,bishop should never be exchanged in this opening without a very good reason ,white therefore cannot play ,p - ,k #d4 #aj4 44444444 ,o - ,o #aa4 ,o - ,o ,b - ,q #b #ab4 ,r - ,b #a ,illustration ,white is perfectly developed1 and now threatens to win a ,pawn as follows3 ,kt x ,kt1 ,kt x ,kt2 ,p - ,k #d1 followed by ,r x ,p4 #ab4 44444444 ,p - ,q ,b #c ,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 part4 ,in effect1 he plays ,b - ,q #b and now he has to shut off the action of his #aec own ,bishop1 which thereby becomes little more than a ,pawn for a while4 ,in fact1 it is hard to see how this ,bishop will ever be able to attack anything4 ,besides1 it can be easily seen that ,white will soon post his two ,knights at ,k #e and ,q ,b #e respectively1 and that ,black will not be able to dislodge them without seriously weakening his game1 if he can do it at all4 ,from all these reasons it can be gathered that it would probably have been better for ,black to play ,kt x ,kt and thus get rid of one of the two ,white ,knights before assuming such a defensive position4 ,in such cases1 the less the number of pieces on the board1 the better chances there are to escape4 #ac4 ,kt - ,k #d ,p - ,k ,b #d ,this practically amounts to committing suicide1 since it creates a hole at ,k #e for ,white's ,knight1 from where it will be practically impossible to dislodge him4 ,if ,black intended to make such a move he should have done it before1 when at least there would have been an object in preventing the ,white ,knight from reaching ,b #e4 #ad4 ,kt - ,b #e ,b - ,k #a #ae4 ,kt - ,k #e ,the position of ,white's ,knights1 especially the one at ,k #e1 might be said to be ideal1 and a single glance shows how they dominate the position4 ,the question henceforth will be how is ,white going to derive the full benefit from such an advantageous situation1 ,this we shall soon see4 #aed ,illustration #ae4 44444444 ,r - ,kt #a ,there is no object in this move1 unless it is to be followed by ,kt - ,q #b4 ,as that is not the case1 he might have gone with the ,rook to ,b #a1 as he does later4 #af4 ,r - ,k #a ,r - ,b #c #ag4 ,q - ,b #c ,r - ,r #c #ah4 ,q - ,kt #c ,r - ,b #a ,white threatened to win the exchange by playing either ,kt - ,b #g or ,kt - ,kt #d4 #ai4 ,p - ,b #c ,r - ,b #b #bj4 ,p - ,q ,r #c ,k - ,r #a #ba4 ,p - ,r #c ,perhaps all these precautions are unnecessary1 but ,white feels that he has more than enough time to prepare his attack1 and wants to be secure in every way before he begins4 #aee #ba4 44444444 ,p - ,kt #d #bb4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,b #e #bc4 ,q - ,b #b ,kt - ,k #f ,he had better have played ,kt - ,b #c2 and tried later on to get rid of ,white's ,knights by means of ,kt - ,q #b4 ,illustration #bd4 ,r x ,kt with this sacrifice of the ,rook for a ,knight and ,pawn ,white obtains an overwhelming position4 #bd4 44444444 ,p x ,r #be4 ,q x ,p ,kt - ,b #a ,kt - ,q #b was better in order to get rid of one of the two ,white ,knights4 ,there were1 however1 any number of good replies to it1 among them the following3 ,kt 7,b #e7 x ,kt1 ,b x ,kt2 ,q x ,p1 ,q x ,q2 ,kt - ,b #g ch1 ,k - ,kt #b2 ,kt x ,q1 and with two ,pawns for the exchange1 and the position so much in his favour1 ,white should have no trouble in winning4 #aef #bf4 ,kt - ,kt #d ,r - ,kt #c #bg4 ,p - ,k #e ,r - ,kt #b #bh4 ,b - ,b #d ,b - ,b #b ,all these moves are practically forced1 and as it is easily seen they tie up ,black's position more and more4 ,white's manoeuvres from move #bd onwards are highly instructive4 #bi4 ,kt - ,b #f ,kt - ,kt #c ,this wandering ,knight has done nothing throughout the game4 #cj4 ,kt 7,b#e7 - ,k #d ,p - ,k ,r #c #ca4 ,p - ,k ,r #d ,kt - ,q #d #cb4 ,q - ,q #b ,r - ,kt #c #cc4 ,p x ,p ,q - ,b #a ,if ,p x ,p2 ,k - ,b #b1 and ,black would be helpless4 #cd4 ,p - ,b #d ,kt - ,k #b #ce4 ,p - ,k ,kt #d ,p x ,p #cf4 ,p x ,p ,resigns4 ,there is nothing to be done4 ,if ,b - ,kt #a2 ,q - ,r #b ch1 ,k - ,kt #b2 ,b x ,p4 ,the student should notice that1 apart from other things1 ,white throughout the game has had control of the ,black squares1 principally those at ,k #e and ,q ,b #e4 ,from now on to the end of the book ,i shall give a collection of my games both lost and won1 chosen so as to serve as illustrations of the general principles laid down in the foregoing pages4 99 99 99 99 99 #aei ,,part ,,ii ,,game #a4 ,,queen',s ,,gambit ,,declined 7,match1 #aiji7 ,white3 ,f4 ,j4 ,marshall4 ,black3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 #a4 ,p - ,q #d ,p - ,q #d #b4 ,p - ,q ,b #d ,p - ,k #c #c4 ,kt - ,q ,b #c ,kt - ,k ,b #c #d4 ,b - ,kt #e ,b - ,k #b #e4 ,p - ,k #c ,kt - ,k #e ,i had played this defence twice before in the match with good results1 and although ,i lost this game ,i still played it until the very last game1 when ,i changed my tactics4 ,the reason was my total lack of knowledge of the different variations in this opening1 coupled with the fact that ,i knew that ,dr4 ,e4 ,lasker had been successful with it against ,marshall himself in #aijg4 ,i thought that since ,dr4 ,lasker had played it so often1 it should be good4 ,the object is to exchange a couple of pieces and at the same time to bring about a position full of possibilities and with promising chances of success once the end-game stage is reached4 ,on general principles it should be wrong1 because the #afj same ,knight is moved three times in the opening1 although it involves the exchange of two pieces4 ,in reality the difficulty in this variation1 as well as in nearly all the variations of the ,queen's gambit1 lies in the slow development of ,black's ,queen ,bishop4 ,however1 whether this variation can or cannot be safely played is a question still to be decided1 and it is outside the scope of this book4 ,i may add that at present my preference is for a different system of development1 but it is not unlikely that ,i should some time come back to this variation4 #f4 ,b x ,b ,q x ,b #g4 ,b - ,q #c ,p x ,p is preferable for reasons that we shall soon see4 #g4 44444444 ,kt x ,kt #h4 ,p x ,kt ,kt - ,q #b ,now ,p x ,p would be a better way to develop the game4 ,the idea is that after #h444,p x ,p2 #i ,b x ,b ,p1 ,p - ,q ,kt #c1 followed by ,b - ,kt #b1 would give ,black's ,bishop a powerful range4 ,for this variation see the eleventh game of the match4 #i4 ,kt - ,b #c ,o - ,o ,no longer would #i444,p x ,p2 #aj ,b x ,p1 ,p - ,q ,kt #c be good1 because #aa ,b - ,kt #e would prevent ,b - ,kt #b on account of ,kt - ,k #e4 #afa #aj4 ,p x ,p ,p x ,p #aa4 ,q - ,kt #c ,kt - ,b #c #ab4 ,p - ,q ,r #d ,p - ,b #d ,played with the intention of obtaining the majority of ,pawns on the ,queen's side4 ,yet it is doubtful whether this move is good1 since it leaves ,black's ,queen's-side ,pawns disrupted in a way4 ,the safer course would have been to play ,p - ,b #c4 #ac4 ,q - ,r #c ,p - ,q ,kt #c ,illustration ,this exposes ,black to further attack by ,p - ,r #e without any compensation for it4 ,if ,i had to play this position nowadays ,i would simply play #ac444,r - ,k #a4 ,then after #ad ,q x ,p1 ,q x ,q would follow1 and ,i believe that ,black would regain the ,pawn4 ,if1 instead1 ,white played #ad ,p x ,p then ,b - ,kt #e would give ,black an excellent game4 #ad4 ,p - ,r #e ,b - ,kt #b #ae4 ,o - ,o ,q - ,b #b #af4 ,k ,r - ,kt #a ,kt - ,q #b #afb ,illustration ,black's position was bad and perhaps lost in any case1 but the text move makes matters worse4 ,as a matter of fact ,i never saw ,white's reply ,b - ,b #e4 ,it never even passed through my mind that this was threatened4 ,black's best move would have been #af444,k ,r - ,kt #a4 ,if that loses1 then any other move would lose as well4 #ag4 ,b - ,b #e ,k ,r - ,b #a ,from bad to worse4 ,kt - ,b #c offered the only hope4 #ah4 ,b x ,kt ,q x ,b #ai4 ,p - ,r #f ,b - ,b #c #bj4 ,p x ,p ,p x ,p #ba4 ,q x ,p ,q ,r - ,kt #a ,the game was lost4 ,one move was as good as another4 #bb4 ,r x ,r ,r x ,r #bc4 ,kt - ,k #e ,q - ,b #d #bd4 ,p - ,k ,b #d ,r - ,kt #c #be4 ,q x ,r 6 ,resigns4 #afc ,of course1 if #be ,kt x ,b1 ,r - ,kt #h ch would have drawn4 ,the text move is pretty and finishes quickly4 ,a well-played game on ,marshall's part4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,game #b4 ,,queen',s ,,gambit ,,declined 7,san ,sebastian1 #aiaa7 ,white3 ,a4 ,k4 ,rubinstein4 ,black3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 #a4 ,p - ,q #d ,p - ,q #d #b4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,p - ,q ,b #d #c4 ,p - ,b #d ,p - ,k #c #d4 ,p x ,q ,p ,k ,p x ,p #e4 ,kt - ,b #c ,kt -,q ,b #c #f4 ,p - ,k ,kt #c ,b - ,k #c ,kt - ,b #c is the normal move in this variation4 ,white's development was first introduced by ,schlechter and elaborated later on by ,rubinstein4 ,it aims at the isolation of ,black's ,q ,p1 against which the ,white pieces are gradually concentrated4 ,in making the text move ,i was trying to avoid the beaten track4 ,being a developing move there should be no objection to it in the way of general principles1 except that the ,knights ought to come out before the ,bishops4 #g4 ,b - ,kt #b ,b - ,k #b #h4 ,o - ,o ,r - ,b #a ,in pursuance of the idea of changing the normal #afd course of this variation1 but with very poor success4 ,the move in theory ought to be unsound1 since ,black's ,k ,kt is yet undeveloped4 ,i had not yet learned of the attack founded on ,kt - ,kt #e and the exchange of the ,b at ,k #c4 ,either ,kt - ,b #c or ,p - ,k ,r #c2 to prevent either ,b or ,kt - ,k ,kt #e1 was right4 ,illustration #i4 ,p ,x ,p ,b x ,p #aj4 ,kt - ,k ,kt #e ,kt - ,b #c #aa4 ,kt x ,b ,p x ,kt #ab4 ,b - ,r #c ,q - ,k #b #ac4 ,b - ,kt #e ,o - ,o ,this is a mistake4 ,the right move was ,r - ,q #a in order to get the ,rook away from the line of the ,bishop at ,r #c and at the same time to support the ,q ,p4 ,incidentally it shows that ,white failed to take proper advantage of ,black's weak opening moves4 ,against the text move ,white makes a very fine combination #afe which ,i had seen1 but which ,i thought could be defeated4 #ad4 ,b x ,kt ,q x ,b ,i considered ,p x ,b1 which it seemed would give me a playable game1 but ,i thought ,white's combination unsound and therefore let him play it1 to my lasting regret4 ,illustration #ae4 ,kt x ,p 6 ,q - ,r #c ,illustration #aff #af4 ,k - ,kt #b 6 ,this is the move which ,i had not considered4 ,i thought that ,rubinstein would have to play ,b - ,kt #b1 when ,i had in mind the following winning combination3 #af ,b - ,kt #b1 ,kt - ,k #d 6 #ag ,kt - ,b #d 7if ,r - ,b #a1 ,q x ,r 66 ,q x ,q1 ,b x ,p ch wins71 ,kt - ,kt #e2 #ah ,p - ,k ,r #c 7if ,kt - ,r #c1 ,b x ,p ch wins the exchange71 ,kt x ,p2 #ai ,r x ,kt1 ,b x ,r ch2 #bj ,k x ,b1 ,p - ,k ,kt #d1 and ,black should win4 ,it is curious that this combination has been overlooked4 ,it has been taken for granted that ,i did not see the #agth move ,q - ,b #a4 #af4 44444444 ,q ,r - ,q #a ,after ,white's last move there was nothing for me to do but submit to the inevitable4 #ag4 ,q - ,b #a 6 ,p x ,kt #ah4 ,q x ,b ,q - ,q #g #ai4 ,q - ,kt #e ,kt - ,q #e #bj4 ,q - ,q #c ,q x ,q #ba4 ,p x ,q ,k ,r - ,k #a #bb4 ,b - ,kt #d ,this gives ,black a chance4 ,he should have played ,k ,r - ,k #a4 ,if then ,kt - ,b #g2 ,r x ,r ch1 ,r x ,r2 ,r - ,q ,b #a1 ,r - ,k #g2 ,k - ,b #a1 ,kt - ,q #e 7if ,r - ,q #g2 ,b - ,k #f ch1 ,k - ,b #a2 ,b x ,p would win72 ,r - ,b #h ch1 ,k - ,b #b2 ,r - ,b #g ch1 ,r - ,k #b2 ,r - ,b #e wins4 #afg #bb4 44444444 ,r - ,q #c #bc4 ,k ,r - ,k #a ,r x ,r #bd4 ,r x ,r ,r - ,q ,kt #c #be4 ,r - ,k #e ,r x ,p #bf4 ,r x ,p ,kt - ,b #c #bg4 ,b - ,k #f ch ,k - ,b #a #bh4 ,r - ,b #e ch ,k - ,k #a #bi4 ,b - ,b #g ch ,k - ,q #b #cj4 ,b - ,b #d ,illustration #cj4 44444444 ,p - ,q ,r #c ,a bad move1 which gives away any legitimate chance ,black had to draw4 ,it loses a very important move4 ,in fact1 as the course of the game will show1 it loses several moves4 ,the proper way was to play ,k - ,q #c4 ,if then ,r - ,q ,kt #e1 ,r x ,r2 ,b x ,r1 ,kt - ,q #e2 followed by ,p - ,q ,kt #d2 and ,white would have an exceedingly difficult game to draw on account of the dominating position of the ,knight at #afh ,q #e in conjunction with the extra ,pawn on the ,queen's side and the awkward position of ,white's ,king4 7,see how this is so47 #ca4 ,r - ,b #g ch ,k - ,q #c #cb4 ,r x ,k ,kt ,p ,p - ,kt #d #cc4 ,b - ,kt #h ,p - ,q ,r #d #cd4 ,r x ,p ,p - ,r #e #ce4 ,p - ,r #d ,p - ,kt #e #cf4 ,r - ,r #f ch ,k - ,b #d #cg4 ,r - ,r #e ch ,k - ,kt #c #ch4 ,b - ,q #e ,with these last three moves ,white again gives ,black a chance4 ,even before the last move ,b - ,b #d would have won with comparative ease1 but the text move is a downright blunder1 of which1 fortunately for him1 ,black does not avail himself4 ,illustration #ch4 44444444 ,p - ,kt #f ,r x ,p would make it practically impossible for ,white to win1 if he can win at all4 ,white's best #afi continuation then would have been3 #ci ,b - ,b #d1 ,r - ,b #g2 #dj ,r - ,kt #e ch1 ,k - ,b #b2 #da ,b - ,kt #h1 ,p - ,r #f2 #db ,p - ,r #e1 ,p - ,r #g2 #dc ,b x ,p1 ,r x ,b1 and if there is a win it is very difficult to find it1 as against #dd ,p - ,r #f1 ,r - ,r #c 6 offers excellent chances for a draw4 #ci4 ,p x ,p ,p - ,r #f #dj4 ,b x ,kt ,r x ,kt ,p ,if #dj444,p - ,r #g2 #da ,r - ,kt #e ch1 ,k - ,r #c2 #db ,r - ,kt #h4 #da4 ,b - ,q #e ,p - ,r #g #db4 ,r - ,r #f ch ,resigns4 ,as an end game1 this is rather a sad exhibition for two masters4 ,the redeeming feature of the game is ,rubinstein's fine combination in the middle game1 beginning with #ad ,b x ,kt4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,game #c4 ,,irregular ,,defence 7,havana1 #aiac7 ,white3 ,d4 ,janowski4 ,black3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 #a4 ,p - ,q #d ,kt - ,k ,b #c #b4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,p - ,q #c #c4 ,b - ,kt #e ,q ,kt - ,q #b #d4 ,p - ,k #c ,p - ,k #d #e4 ,kt - ,b #c ,p - ,b #c #f4 ,b - ,q #c ,b - ,k #b #g4 ,q - ,k #b ,q - ,r #d #h4 ,o - ,o ,kt - ,b #a #i4 ,k ,r - ,q #a ,b - ,kt #e #agj ,at last ,black is on his way to obtain full development4 ,the idea of this irregular opening is mainly to throw ,white on his own resources4 ,at the time the game was played1 the system of defence was not as well known as the regular forms of the ,queen's ,pawn openings4 ,whether it is sound or not remains yet to be proved4 ,its good features are that it keeps the centre intact without creating any particular weakness1 and that it gives plenty of opportunity for deep and concealed manoeuvring4 ,the drawback is the long time it takes ,black to develop his game4 ,it is natural to suppose that ,white will employ that time to prepare a well-conceived attack1 or that he will use the advantage of his development actually to prevent ,black's complete development1 or failing that1 to obtain some definite material advantage4 #aj4 ,p - ,k ,r #c ,b - ,r #d #aa4 ,p x ,p ,p x ,p #ab4 ,kt - ,k #d ,illustration #aga #ab4 44444444 ,kt x ,kt ,a very serious mistake4 ,i considered castling1 which was the right move1 but desisted because ,i was afraid that by playing #ac ,b x ,kt1 ,p x ,b2 #ad ,kt - ,kt #c1 ,b - ,kt #c2 #ae ,kt - ,b #e1 ,white would obtain a winning position for the end game4 ,whether right or wrong this shows how closely related are all parts of the game1 and consequently how one will influence the other4 #ac4 ,b x ,b ,k x ,b #ad4 ,b x ,kt ,b - ,kt #c ,not good4 ,the natural and proper move would have been ,kt - ,k #c1 in order to bring all the ,black pieces into play4 ,b x ,kt at once was also good1 as it would have relieved the pressure against ,black's ,king's ,pawn1 and at the same time have simplified the game4 ,here it is seen how failure to comply with the elementary logical reasons1 that govern any given position1 often brings the player into trouble4 ,i was no doubt influenced in my choice of moves by the fear of ,b - ,b #e1 which was a very threatening move4 #ae4 ,q - ,b #d ,kt - ,k #c #af4 ,p - ,q ,kt #d ,q - ,b #b #ag4 ,b x ,b ,r ,p x ,b #ah4 ,q - ,k #d ,k - ,b #c #agb ,illustration #ai4 ,r - ,q #c ,p - ,k ,r #d1 to be followed by ,p - ,kt #d1 might have been a more vigorous way to carry on the attack4 ,black's weak point is unquestionably the ,pawn at ,k #d1 which he is compelled to defend with the ,king4 ,the text move aims at doubling the ,rooks1 with the ultimate object of placing one of them at ,q #f1 supported by a ,pawn at ,q ,b #e1 ,black could only stop this by playing ,p - ,b #d which would create a hole at ,q #e2 or by playing ,p - ,kt #c1 which would tie the ,black ,queen to the defence of the ,q ,b ,p as well as the ,k ,p1 which she already defends4 ,black1 however1 can meet all this by offering the exchange of ,rooks1 which destroys ,white's plans4 ,for this reason ,p - ,k ,r #d appears the proper way to carry on the attack4 #ai4 44444444 ,q ,r - ,q #a #bj4 ,q ,r - ,q #a ,p - ,k ,kt #d ,this move is preparatory to ,p - ,k ,kt #c1 which would #agc make ,black's position secure4 ,unfortunately for ,black1 he did not carry out his original plan4 #ba4 ,p - ,b #d ,r x ,r ,p - ,k ,kt #c would have left ,black with a perfectly safe game4 #bb4 ,r x ,r ,r - ,q #a ,a very serious mistake1 which loses a ,pawn4 ,p - ,k ,kt #c was the right move1 and would have left ,black with a very good game4 ,in fact1 if it should come to a simple ending1 the position of the ,black ,king would be an advantage4 #bc4 ,r x ,r ,kt x ,r ,illustration #bd4 ,p - ,k ,r #d ,this wins a ,pawn1 as will soon be seen4 ,black cannot reply #bd444,kt - ,k #c2 because #be ,p x ,p ch1 ,kt x ,p2 #bf ,q - ,r #d wins the ,knight4 #agd #bd4 44444444 ,p x ,p #be4 ,q x ,p ch ,k - ,k #c #bf4 ,q - ,kt #d ch ,k - ,b #c #bg4 ,q - ,kt #e ch ,k - ,k #c #bh4 ,q x ,p ,q - ,q #c #bi4 ,p - ,b #e ,q - ,q #d #cj4 ,p ,k #d 6 ,q - ,q #h ch #ca4 ,k - ,r #b ,p - ,b #c #cb4 ,q - ,kt #d ch 6 ,k - ,k #b #cc4 ,kt x ,p ,q x ,q #cd4 ,kt x ,q ,kt - ,k #c #ce4 ,p - ,k #e ,p x ,p #cf4 ,kt x ,p ,kt - ,q #e ,the game went on for a few more moves1 and1 there being no way to counteract the advance of ,white's two passed ,pawns1 ,black resigned4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,game #d4 ,,french ,,defence 7,st4 ,petersburg1 #aiac7 ,white3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 ,black3 ,e4 ,a4 ,snosko-,borovski4 #a4 ,p - ,q #d ,p - ,k #c #b4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,q #d #c4 ,kt - ,q ,b #c ,kt - ,k ,b #c #d4 ,b - ,kt #e ,b - ,kt #e ,this constitutes the ,mc,cutcheon ,variation4 ,it aims at taking the initiative away from ,white4 ,instead #age of defending1 ,black makes a counter demonstration on the ,queen's side4 ,it leads to highly interesting games4 #e4 ,p x ,p ,at the time this game was played the variation #e ,p - ,k #e was in vogue1 but ,i considered then1 as ,i do now1 the text move to be the stronger4 #e4 44444444 ,q x ,p ,this is considered superior to ,p x ,p4 ,it has for its object1 as ,i said before1 to take the initiative away from ,white by disrupting ,white's ,queen's side4 ,white1 however1 has more than ample compensation through his breaking up ,black's ,king's side4 ,it might be laid down as a principle of the opening that the breaking up of the ,king's side is of more importance than a similar occurrence on the ,queen's side4 #f4 ,b x ,kt ,b x ,kt ch #g4 ,p x ,b ,p x ,b #h4 ,kt - ,b #c ,p - ,q ,kt #c ,the plan of ,black in this variation is to post his ,bishop on the long diagonal so as to be able later on1 in conjunction with the action of his ,rooks along the open ,k ,kt's file1 to make a violent attack against ,white's ,king4 ,it is1 of course1 expected that ,white will ,castle on the ,king's side because of the broken-up condition of his ,queen's side ,pawns4 #agf #i4 ,q - ,q #b ,b - ,kt #b #aj4 ,b - ,k #b ,kt - ,q #b #aa4 ,p - ,b #d ,q - ,k ,b #d #ab4 ,o - ,o - ,o ,an original idea1 ,i believe1 played for the first time in a similar position in a game against ,mr4 ,walter ,penn ,shipley1 of ,philadelphia4 ,my idea is that as there is no ,black ,bishop and because ,black's pieces have been developed with a view to an attack on the ,king's side1 it will be impossible for ,black to take advantage of the apparently unprotected position of ,white's ,king4 ,two possibilities must be considered4 ,firstly3 ,if ,black ,castles on the ,queen's side1 as in this game1 it is evident that there is no danger of an attack4 ,secondly3 ,if ,black ,castles on the ,king's side1 ,white begins the attack first1 taking advantage of the awkward position of ,black's ,queen4 ,in addition to the attacking probabilities of the text move1 ,white in one move brings his ,king into safety and brings one of his ,rooks into play4 ,thus he gains several moves1 tempi as they are called1 which will serve him to develop whatever plan he may wish to evolve4 #ab4 44444444 ,o - ,o - ,o #ac4 ,q - ,k #c ,k ,r - ,kt #a #ad4 ,p - ,kt #c ,q - ,q ,r #d ,unquestionably a mistake1 overlooking ,white's fine #agg reply1 but a careful examination will show that ,white already has the better position4 #ae4 ,r - ,q #c 6 ,k - ,kt #a #af4 ,k ,r - ,q #a ,q - ,k ,b #d ,illustration #ag4 ,kt - ,r #d ,this move has been criticised because it puts the ,knight out of the way for a few moves4 ,but by forcing ,q - ,k ,kt #d2 ,white gains a very important move with ,p - ,b #d1 which not only consolidates his position1 but also drives the ,queen away1 putting it out of the game for the moment4 ,certainly the ,queen is far more valuable than the ,knight1 to say nothing of the time gained and the freedom of action obtained thereby for ,white's more important pieces4 #ag4 44444444 ,q - ,k ,kt #d #ah4 ,p - ,b #d ,q - ,kt #b #ai4 ,b - ,b #c #agh ,in such positions it is generally very advantageous to get rid of the ,black ,bishop controlling his ,q ,r #c and ,q ,b #c1 which form holes for ,white's pieces4 ,the ,bishop in such positions is of very great defensive value1 hence the advantage of getting rid of it4 #ai4 44444444 ,k ,r - ,k #a #bj4 ,b x ,b ,k x ,b #ba4 ,p - ,q ,b #e 6 ,p - ,b #c ,white threatened ,p - ,b #f ch4 #bb4 ,kt - ,b #c ,q - ,b #a ,to prevent the ,knight from moving to ,q #f via ,q #b and ,k #d or ,q ,b #d4 ,it is self-evident that ,white has a great advantage of position4 ,illustration #bc4 ,kt - ,q #b 8 ,i had considered ,r - ,kt #c1 which was the right move1 but gave it up because it seemed too slow1 and #agi that in such a position there had to be some quicker way of winning4 #bc4 44444444 ,p x ,p #bd4 ,kt - ,b #d ,kt - ,k #d or ,kt - ,kt #c would have brought about an ending advantageous to ,white4 #bd4 44444444 ,kt - ,kt #c #be4 ,kt - ,r #e ch ,k - ,r #a #bf4 ,p x ,p ,kt - ,q #d #bg4 ,q - ,q #d ,r - ,b #a ,if ,r - ,kt #a2 #bh ,kt x ,p1 ,r 7,kt #a7 - ,b #a2 #bi ,kt x ,p would win4 ,illustration #bh4 ,p - ,b #d ,kt - ,b #d was the right move4 ,i was1 however1 still looking for the grand combination1 and thought that the ,pawn ,i would later on have at ,q #f would win the game4 ,black deserves great credit for the way in which he conducted this exceedingly difficult #ahj defence4 ,he could easily have gone wrong any number of times1 but from move #bb onwards he always played the best move4 #bh4 44444444 ,p - ,k #d 6 #bi4 ,q - ,kt #a ,p - ,k #e #cj4 ,p x ,kt ,p x ,r #ca4 ,p - ,q #f ,r - ,k #g #cb4 ,p - ,q #g ,r - ,b #g ch #cc4 ,k - ,kt #a ,r - ,kt #a ch #cd4 ,kt - ,kt #c ,q - ,k #b ,illustration #ce4 ,r x ,p ,the position is most interesting4 ,i believe ,i lost here my last chance to win the game1 and if that is true it would vindicate my judgment when1 on move #bh1 ,i played ,p - ,b #d4 ,the student can find out what would happen if ,white plays ,q - ,q #d 6 at once4 ,i have gone over the following variations3 #ce ,q - ,q #d1 ,r x ,k ,r ,p 7of course if ,r x ,b ,p1 ,p - ,q #h wins72 #aha #cf ,q x ,q ,p 6 ,r - ,q #a2 #cg ,q - ,r #f1 ,k - ,kt #a best 7if ,q - ,q #e ch2 ,k - ,r #a1 ,k - ,kt #a2 ,r - ,q ,kt #a wins72 #ch ,q x ,b ,p and ,white will at least have a draw4 #ce4 44444444 ,r - ,k #g #cf4 ,q - ,q #d ,r - ,q #a #cg4 ,q - ,r #d ,q - ,k #e #ch4 ,q - ,r #f ,k - ,kt #a ,there is nothing to be done against this simple move1 since ,white cannot play ,kt - ,q #d1 because ,q - ,r #h mates4 #ci4 ,k - ,b #a ,r x ,q ,p #dj4 ,kt - ,q #d ,r - ,k #h ch ,resigns4 ,a very interesting battle4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,game #e4 ,,ruy ,,lopez 7,st4 ,petersburg1 #aiad7 ,white3 ,dr4 ,e4 ,lasker4 ,black3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 #a4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,k #d #b4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,kt - ,q ,b #c #c4 ,b - ,kt #e ,p - ,q ,r #c #d4 ,b x ,kt ,the object of this move is to bring about speedily a middle-game without ,queens1 in which ,white #ahb has four ,pawns to three on the ,king's side1 while ,black's superiority of ,pawns on the other side is somewhat balanced by the fact that one of ,black's ,pawns is doubled4 ,on the other hand1 ,black has the advantage of remaining with two ,bishops while ,white has only one4 #d4 44444444 ,q ,p x ,b #e4 ,p - ,q #d ,p x ,p #f4 ,q x ,p ,q x ,q #g4 ,kt x ,q ,b - ,q #c ,black's idea is to ,castle on the ,king's side4 ,his reason is that the ,king ought to remain on the weaker side to oppose later the advance of ,white's ,pawns4 ,theoretically there is very much to be said in favour of this reasoning1 but whether in practice that would be the best system would be rather difficult to prove4 ,the student should notice that if now all the pieces were exchanged ,white would practically be a ,pawn ahead1 and would therefore have a won ending4 #h4 ,kt - ,q ,b #c ,kt - ,k #b ,a perfectly sound form of development4 ,in any other form adopted the ,black ,kt could not be developed either as quickly or as well4 ,k #b is the natural position for the ,black ,kt in this variation1 in order not to obstruct ,black's ,pawns1 and also1 in some eventualities1 in order to go to ,k ,kt #c4 ,there is #ahc also the possibility of its going to ,q #e via ,q ,b #c after ,p - ,q ,b #d4 #i4 ,o - ,o ,o - ,o #aj4 ,p - ,b #d ,this move ,i considered weak at the time1 and ,i do still4 ,it leaves the ,k ,p weak1 unless it advances to ,k #e1 and it also makes it possible for ,black to pin the ,kt by ,b - ,q ,b #d4 #aj4 44444444 ,r - ,k #a ,best4 ,it threatens ,b - ,b #d2 ,b - ,k #c1 ,kt - ,q #d4 ,it also prevents ,b - ,k #c because of ,kt - ,q #d or ,b #d4 #aa4 ,kt - ,kt #c ,p - ,b #c ,preparatory to ,p - ,q ,kt #c1 followed by ,p - ,q ,b #d and ,b - ,kt #b in conjunction with ,kt - ,kt #c1 which would put ,white in great difficulties to meet the combined attack against the two centre ,pawns4 #ab4 ,p - ,b #e ,illustration #ahd ,it has been wrongly claimed that this wins the game1 but ,i would like nothing better than to have such a position again4 ,it required several mistakes on my part finally to obtain a lost position4 #ab4 44444444 ,p - ,q ,kt #c #ac4 ,b - ,b #d ,illustration #ac4 44444444 ,b - ,kt #b ,played against my better judgment4 ,the right move of course was ,b x ,b4 ,dr4 ,lasker gives the following variation3 #ac444;,b x ,b2 #ad ,r x ,b1 ,p - ,b #d2 #ae ,q ,r - ,q #a1 ,b - ,kt #b2 #af ,r - ,b #b1 ,q ,r - ,q #a2 #ag ,r x ,r1 ,r x ,r2 #ah ,r - ,q #b1 ,r x ,r2 #ai ,kt x ,r1 and he claims that ,white has the best of it4 ,but1 as ,niemzovitch pointed out immediately after the game1 #af444,q ,r - ,q #a given in ,dr4 ,lasker's variation1 is not the best4 ,if #af444,q ,r - ,b #a 6 then ,white will have great difficulty in drawing the game1 #ahe since there is no good way to stop ,black from playing ,kt - ,b #c1 followed by ,kt - ,k #d1 threatening ,kt - ,b #e4 ,and should ,white attempt to meet this manoeuvre by withdrawing the ,kt at ,kt #c2 then the ,black ,knight can go to ,q #e1 and the ,white ,pawn at ,k #d will be the object of the attack4 ,taking ,dr4 ,lasker's variation1 however1 whatever advantage there might be disappears at once if ,black plays #ai444,kt - ,b #c1 threatening ,kt - ,kt #e and also ,kt - ,q #e1 neither of which can be stopped4 ,if ,white answers #bj ,kt - ,q #e1 ,kt - ,q #e for ,black will at least draw4 ,in fact1 after #ai444,kt - ,b #c ,black threatens so many things that it is difficult to see how ,white can prevent the loss of one or more ,pawns4 #ad4 ,b x ,b ,p x ,b #ae4 ,kt - ,q #d ,it is a curious but true fact that ,i did not see this move when ,i played #ac444;,b - ,kt #b1 otherwise ,i would have played the right move #ac444;,b x ,b4 #ae4 44444444 ,q ,r - ,q #a ,the game is yet far from lost1 as against the entry of the ,knight1 ,black can later on play ,p - ,b #d1 followed by ,p - ,q #d4 #af4 ,kt - ,k #f ,r - ,q #b #ag4 ,q ,r - ,q #a #ahf ,illustration ,i now was on the point of playing ,p - ,b #d1 to be followed by ,p - ,q #d1 which ,i thought would give me a draw1 but suddenly ,i became ambitious and thought that ,i could play the text move1 #ag444,kt - ,b #a1 and later on sacrifice the exchange for the ,knight at ,k #f1 winning a ,pawn for it1 and leaving ,white's ,k ,p still weaker4 ,i intended to carry this plan either before or after playing ,p - ,k ,kt #d as the circumstances demanded4 ,now let us analyse3 #ag444,p - ,b #d4 ,if #ah ,kt - ,q #e1 ,b x ,kt2 #ai ,p x ,b1 ,p - ,q ,kt #d2 and a careful analysis will show that ,black has nothing to fear4 ,black's plan in this case would be to work his ,kt around to ,k #d1 via ,q ,b #a1 ,q ,kt #c1 and ,q ,b #e or ,q #b4 ,again1 #ag444,p - ,b #d2 #ah ,r - ,b #b1 ,p - ,q #d2 #ai ,p x ,p1 ,b x ,p2 #bj ,kt x ,b 7best1 since if ,r 7,b #b7 - ,q #b1 ,b x ,kt give ,black the advantage71 ,r x ,kt2 #ba ,r x ,r1 ,kt x ,r2 and there is no good reason why ,black should lose4 #ag4 44444444 ,kt - ,b #a #ah4 ,r - ,b #b ,p - ,q ,kt #d #ahg #ai4 ,k ,r - ,q #b ,r 7,q #b7 - ,k #b #bj4 ,p - ,q ,kt #d ,k - ,b #b #ba4 ,p - ,q ,r #c ,b - ,r #a ,once more changing my plan and this time without any good reason4 ,had ,i now played ,r x ,kt2 ,p x ,r ch1 ,r x ,p2 as ,i intended to do when ,i went back with the ,knight to ,b #a1 ,i doubt very much if ,white would have been able to win the game4 ,at least it would have been extremely difficult4 #bb4 ,k - ,b #b ,r - ,r #b #bc4 ,p - ,kt #d ,p - ,r #c #bd4 ,r - ,q #c ,p - ,q ,r #d #be4 ,p - ,k ,r #d ,p x ,p #bf4 ,p x ,p ,r 7,r #b7 - ,k #b ,this1 of course1 has no object now4 ,black1 with a bad game1 flounders around for a move4 ,it would have been better to play ,r - ,r #f to keep the open file1 and at the same time to threaten to come out with the ,knight at ,kt #c and ,b #e4 #bg4 ,k - ,b #c ,r - ,kt #a #bh4 ,k - ,b #d ,p - ,kt #c ,again bad4 ,white's last two moves were weak1 since the ,white ,king does nothing here4 ,he should have played his ,rook to ,kt #c on the #bgth move4 ,black now should have played ,p - ,kt #d ch4 ,after missing this chance ,white has it all his own way1 and finishes the game most accurately1 and ,black becomes more #ahh helpless with each move4 ,the game needs no further comment1 excepting that my play throughout was of an altogether irresolute character4 ,when a plan is made1 it must be carried out if at all possible4 ,regarding the play of ,white1 ,i consider his #ajth and #abth moves were very weak2 he played well after that up to the #bgth move1 which was bad1 as well as his #bhth move4 ,the rest of his play was good1 probably perfect4 #bi4 ,r - ,kt #c ,p - ,kt #d ch #cj4 ,k - ,b #c ,kt - ,kt #c #ca4 ,p x ,p ,r ,p x ,p #cb4 ,r - ,r #c ,r - ,q #b #cc4 ,k - ,kt #c 6 ,k - ,k #a #cd4 ,q ,r - ,k ,r #a ,b - ,kt #b #ce4 ,p - ,k #e ,q ,p x ,p #cf4 ,kt - ,k #d ,kt - ,q #d #cg4 ,kt 7,k #f7 - ,b #e ,b - ,b #a #ch4 ,kt x ,r ,b x ,kt #ci4 ,r - ,r #g ,r - ,b #a #dj4 ,r - ,r #a ,k - ,q #a #da4 ,r - ,r #h ch ,b - ,b #a #db4 ,kt - ,b #e ,resigns4 99 99 99 99 99 #ahi ,,game #f4 ,,french ,,defence 7,rice ,memorial ,tournament1 #aiaf7 ,white3 ,o4 ,chajes4 ,black3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 #a4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,k #c #b4 ,p - ,q #d ,p - ,q #d #c4 ,kt - ,q ,b #c ,kt - ,k ,b #c #d4 ,b - ,kt #e ,b - ,kt #e ,of all the variations of the ,french ,defence ,i like this best1 because it gives ,black more chances to obtain the initiative4 #e4 ,p - ,k #e ,though ,i consider ,p x ,p the best move1 there is much to be said in favour of this move1 but not of the variation as a whole1 which ,white adopted in this game4 #e4 44444444 ,p - ,k ,r #c #f4 ,b - ,q #b ,b x ,kt #g4 ,p x ,b ,kt - ,k #e #h4 ,q - ,kt #d ,k - ,b #a ,the alternative1 ,p - ,k ,kt #c2 leaves ,black's ,king's side very weak4 ,white by playing ,p - ,k ,r #d would force ,black to play ,p - ,k ,r #d2 and later1 on ,white's ,bishop by going to ,q #c1 would threaten the weakened ,k ,kt ,p4 ,by the text move ,black gives up ,castling1 but gains time for an attack against ,white's centre and ,queen's side4 #aij #i4 ,b - ,b #a ,p - ,q ,b #d ,threatening ,q - ,r #d and stopping thereby ,white's threat of ,b - ,r #c4 ,it demonstrates that ,white's last move was a complete loss of time and merely weakened his position4 #aj4 ,b - ,q #c ,q - ,r #d #aa4 ,kt - ,k #b ,p x ,p #ab4 ,o - ,o ,p x ,p #ac4 ,b x ,kt ,p x ,b #ad4 ,q x ,p ,kt - ,b #c ,illustration ,black has come out of the opening with a ,pawn to the good4 ,his development1 however1 has suffered somewhat1 and there are ,bishops of opposite colour1 so that it cannot be said as yet1 that ,black has a won game2 but he has certainly the best of the position1 because1 besides being a ,pawn to the good1 he threatens ,white's ,k ,p1 which must of course be #aia defended1 and this in turn will give him the opportunity to post his ,knight at ,q #d via ,k #b4 ,when the ,black ,knight is posted at ,q #d1 the ,bishop will be developed to ,b #c via ,q #b1 as soon as the opportunity presents itself1 and it will be ,black that will then have the initiative1 and can consequently decide the course of the game4 #ae4 ,r - ,q #a ,to prevent ,kt - ,k #b2 which would be answered by ,kt x ,p1 or still better by ,b - ,r #c4 ,the move1 however1 is strategically wrong1 since by bringing his pieces to the ,queen's side1 ,white loses any chance he might have of making a determined attack on the ,king's side before ,black is thoroughly prepared for it4 #ae4 44444444 ,p - ,k ,kt #c #af4 ,p - ,b #d ,k - ,kt #b #ag4 ,b - ,k #c ,better would have been ,p - ,q ,r #d1 in order to play ,b - ,r #c4 ,the ,white ,b would be much better posted on the open diagonal than here1 where it acts purely on the defensive4 #ag4 44444444 ,kt - ,k #b #ah4 ,b - ,b #b ,kt - ,q #d ,this ,knight completely paralyses the attack1 as it dominates the whole situation1 and there is no way to dislodge it4 ,behind it ,black can quietly develop his pieces4 ,the game can now be said to be won for ,black strategically4 #aib #ai4 ,r - ,q #c ,b - ,q #b #bj4 ,kt - ,q #d ,q ,r - ,q ,b #a #ba4 ,r - ,kt #c ,k - ,r #b #bb4 ,p - ,k ,r #d ,k ,r - ,kt #a #bc4 ,p - ,r #e ,q - ,kt #e ,in order to pin the ,knight and be ready to come back to either ,k #b or ,b #a4 ,also to prevent ,q ,r - ,kt #a4 ,in reality nearly all these precautions are unnecessary1 since ,white's attack amounts to nothing4 ,probably ,black should have left aside all these considerations1 and played ,q - ,r #e now1 in order to follow it up with ,p - ,b #d1 as he did later1 but under less favourable circumstances4 #bd4 ,r - ,r #c ,illustration #bd4 44444444 ,p - ,b #d ,not the best1 as ,white will soon prove4 ,q - ,b #a would have avoided everything1 but ,black wants to assume the initiative at once and plunges into #aic complications4 ,however1 as will soon be seen1 the move is not a losing one by any means4 #be4 ,p x ,p e4p4 ,kt x ,p 7,b #c7 #bf4 ,p x ,p ch ,r x ,p ,illustration #bg4 ,r x ,p ch ,this wins the ,queen4 #bg4 44444444 ,k x ,r #bh4 ,kt - ,b #e ch ,p x ,kt #bi4 ,q x ,q ,illustration #aid ,the position looks most interesting4 ,i thought it would be possible to get up such an attack against the ,white ,king as to make it impossible for him to hold out much longer1 but ,i was wrong1 unless it could have been done by playing ,b - ,b #c first1 forcing ,p - ,kt #c and then playing ,k - ,r #d4 ,i followed a similar plan1 but lost a very important move by playing ,q ,r - ,k ,kt #a2 which gave ,white time to play ,r - ,q #a4 ,i am convinced1 however1 that ,b - ,b #c at once was the right move4 ,white would be forced to play ,p - ,kt #c1 and ,black would reply with either ,k - ,r #d2 as already indicated1 which looks the best 7the plan1 of course1 is to play ,r - ,k ,r #a2 and follow it up with ,k - ,kt #e2 threatening mate1 or some other move according to circumstances4 ,in some cases1 of course1 it will be better first to play ,k - ,kt #e71 or ,kt - ,k #e1 which will at least give him a draw4 ,there are so many possibilities in this position that it would be impossible to give them all4 ,it will be worth the reader's time to go carefully through the lines of play indicated above4 #bi4 44444444 ,q ,r - ,k ,kt #a ,as stated ,b - ,b #c was the best move4 #cj4 ,p - ,kt #c ,b - ,b #c #ca4 ,r - ,q #a ,k - ,r #d ,the plan1 of course1 as explained above1 is to go to ,kt #e in due time and threaten mate at ,k ,r #h1 but it is now too late1 the ,white ,rook having come in #aie time to prevent the manoeuvre4 ,instead of the text move1 therefore1 ,black should have played ,kt - ,k #e2 which would have given him a draw at the very least4 ,after the text moves the tables are turned4 ,it is now ,white who has the upper hand1 and ,black who has to fight for a draw4 #cb4 ,r - ,q #f ,b - ,k #e ,kt - ,k #e was still the right move1 and probably the last chance ,black had to draw against ,white's best play4 #cc4 ,q x ,b ,p ,kt - ,q #d #cd4 ,r x ,r ,k x ,r ,kt x ,q2 ,r x ,r1 ,kt x ,p was no better4 #ce4 ,q - ,k #e ,k - ,b #b #cf4 ,p - ,b #d ,r - ,k #a #cg4 ,q - ,kt #b ,kt - ,b #c #ch4 ,b - ,q #d ,r - ,k ,r #a #ci4 ,q - ,kt #e ,r - ,r #h ch #dj4 ,k - ,b #b ,p - ,r #c #da4 ,q - ,kt #f ,r - ,r #g ch #db4 ,k - ,k #a ,kt - ,q #b #dc4 ,q - ,q #f ,b - ,b #c #dd4 ,p - ,kt #d ,p x ,p #de4 ,p - ,k ,b #e ,r - ,r #h ch #df4 ,k - ,q #b ,k - ,k #a #dg4 ,p - ,b #f ,r - ,r #b #dh4 ,q - ,k #f ch ,k - ,b #a #di4 ,b - ,k #c ,r - ,b #b #ej4 ,b - ,r #f ch ,k - ,kt #a #aif ,most players will be wondering1 as the spectators did1 why ,i did not resign4 ,the reason is that while ,i knew the game to be lost1 ,i was hoping for the following variation1 which ,chajes came very near playing3 #ea ,q x ,p ch1 ,k - ,r #b2 #eb ,q - ,r #e1 ,r x ,p2 #ec ,b - ,kt #e ch1 ,k - ,kt #b2 #ed ,b x ,r ch1 ,k x ,b2 and while ,white has a won game it is by no means easy4 ,if the reader does not believe it1 let him take the ,white pieces against a master and see what happens4 ,my opponent1 who decided to take no chances1 played #ea ,b - ,kt #g1 and finally won as shown below4 #ea4 ,b - ,kt #g ,p - ,kt #f #eb4 ,k - ,k#b ,p - ,kt #g #ec4 ,k - ,b #b ,kt - ,b #a #ed4 ,q - ,kt #d ,kt - ,q #b #ee4 ,k - ,kt #a ,p - ,r #d #ef4 ,p - ,r #d ,b x ,p #eg4 ,q - ,r #c ,r x ,p #eh4 ,b x ,r ,kt x ,b #ei4 ,q x ,p ch ,k - ,b #a #fj4 ,q x ,p and after a very few more moves ,black resigned4 ,a very fine game on ,chajes' part from move #be on1 for while ,black1 having the best of the position1 missed several chances1 ,white1 on the other hand1 missed none4 99 99 99 99 99 #aig ,,game #g4 ,,ruy ,,lopez 7,san ,sebastian1 #aiaa7 ,white3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 ,black3 ,a4 ,burn #a4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,k #d #b4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,kt - ,q ,b #c #c4 ,b - ,kt #e ,p - ,q ,r #c #d4 ,b - ,r #d ,kt - ,b #c #e4 ,p - ,q #c ,this is a very solid development1 to which ,i was much addicted at the time1 because of my ignorance of the multiple variations of the openings4 #e4 44444444 ,p - ,q #c #f4 ,p - ,b #c ,b - ,k #b ,in this variation there is the alternative of developing this ,bishop via ,kt #b1 after ,p - ,k ,kt #c4 #g4 ,q ,kt - ,q #b ,o - ,o #h4 ,kt - ,b #a ,p - ,q ,kt #d #i4 ,b - ,b #b ,p - ,q #d #aj4 ,q - ,k #b ,p x ,p #aa4 ,p x ,p ,b - ,q ,b #d ,evidently to make room for the ,queen at ,k #b1 but ,i do not think the move advisable at this stage4 ,b - ,k #c is a more natural and effective move4 ,it develops a piece and threatens ,b - ,b #e1 which would have to be stopped4 #ab4 ,b - ,kt #e ,b - ,k #c #aih ,now it is not so effective1 because ,white's ,q ,b is out1 and the ,knight1 in going to ,k #c to defend the square ,q ,b #d1 does not block the ,q ,b4 #ac4 ,kt - ,k #c ,r - ,k #a #ad4 ,o - ,o ,q - ,k #b ,this is bad4 ,black's game was already not good4 ,he probably had no choice but to take the ,knight with the ,bishop before making this move4 ,illustration #ae4 ,kt - ,q #e ,b x ,kt #af4 ,p x ,b ,kt - ,kt #a in order to bring it to ,q #b1 to support the other ,knight and also his ,king's ,pawn4 ,white1 however1 does not allow time for this1 and by taking advantage of his superior position is able to win a ,pawn4 #ag4 ,p - ,q ,r #d ,p - ,kt #e ,since he had no way to prevent the loss of a ,pawn1 he should have given it up where it is1 and played ,q ,kt - ,q #b1 in order to make his position more solid4 #aii ,the text move not only loses a ,pawn1 but leaves ,black's game very much weakened4 #ah4 ,p x ,p ,b x ,p #ai4 ,b x ,kt ,q x ,b #bj4 ,q - ,k #d ,b - ,q #c #ba4 ,q x ,p ch ,k - ,b #a ,illustration ,with a ,pawn more and all his pieces ready for action1 while ,black is still backward in development1 it only remains for ,white to drive home his advantage before ,black can come out with his pieces1 in which case1 by using the open ,k ,r file1 ,black might be able to start a strong attack against ,white's ,king4 ,white is able by his next move to eliminate all danger4 #bb4 ,kt - ,r #d ,q - ,r #c ,this is practically forced4 ,black could not play ,p - ,kt #c because of ,b x ,p1 and ,white meanwhile threatened ,q - ,r #h ch followed by ,kt - ,b #e ch and ,q x ,p4 #bjj #bc4 ,q x ,q ,p x ,q #bd4 ,kt - ,b #e ,p - ,k ,r #d #be4 ,b - ,q #a ,kt - ,q #b #bf4 ,b x ,p ,kt - ,b #c #bg4 ,b - ,k #b ,kt x ,p #bh4 ,k ,r - ,q #a ,kt - ,b #e #bi4 ,b - ,b #d ,k ,r - ,q #a #cj4 ,p - ,r #d ,p - ,r #d ,black must lose time assuring the safety of this ,pawn4 #ca4 ,p - ,kt #c ,kt - ,k #c #cb4 ,b x ,kt ,p x ,b #cc4 ,kt - ,k #c ,k ,r - ,kt #a #cd4 ,kt - ,b #d ,k - ,k #b ,black fights a hopeless battle4 ,he is two ,pawns down for all practical purposes1 and the ,pawns he has are isolated and have to be defended by pieces4 #ce4 ,q ,r - ,b #a ,r - ,r #b ,white threatened ,kt x ,b1 followed by ,r - ,b #g ch4 #cf4 ,r - ,k #a ,k - ,b #c #cg4 ,r - ,k #d ,r - ,kt #e #ch4 ,p - ,kt #d ,r - ,r #c ,if ,r x ,r ,p2 ,kt x ,b of course would win a piece #ci4 ,r - ,b #c ,b - ,b #d #dj4 ,r - ,b #c ch ,k - ,kt #b #da4 ,p - ,kt #c ,b - ,q #e #db4 ,k - ,kt #b ,r - ,r #a #bja #dc4 ,p - ,kt #e ,r - ,r #c #dd4 ,p - ,r #e ,r x ,kt #de4 ,p x ,r ,r - ,b #c #df4 ,p - ,kt #f ,resigns4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,game #h4 ,,centre ,,game 7,berlin #aiac7 ,white3 ,j4 ,mieses4 ,black3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 #a4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,k #d #b4 ,p - ,q #d ,p x ,p #c4 ,q x ,p ,kt - ,q ,b #c #d4 ,q - ,k #c ,kt - ,b #c #e4 ,kt - ,q ,b #c ,b - ,kt #e #f4 ,b - ,q #b ,o - ,o #g4 ,o - ,o - ,o ,r - ,k #a ,in this position1 instead of the text move1 ,p - ,q #c is often played in order to develop the ,q ,b4 ,my idea was to exert sufficient pressure against the ,k ,p to win it1 and thus gain a material advantage1 which would1 at least1 compensate whatever slight advantage of position ,white might have4 ,the plan1 ,i think1 is quite feasible1 my subsequent difficulties being due to faulty execution of the plan4 #h4 ,q - ,kt #c ,kt x ,p #i4 ,kt x ,kt ,r x ,kt #aj4 ,b - ,k ,b #d #bjb ,illustration #aj4 44444444 ,q - ,b #c ,white's threat to regain the ,pawn was merely with the idea of gaining time to develop his pieces4 ,black could have played ,p - ,q #c2 opening the way for his ,q ,b1 when would have followed1 #aa ,b - ,q #c1 ,r - ,k #a2 #ab ,kt - ,b #c1 and ,white would soon start a powerful direct attack against ,black's ,king4 ,with the text move ,black aims at taking the initiative away from ,white in accordance with the principles laid down in this book4 #aa4 ,kt - ,r #c ,if ,b x ,p1 ,p - ,q #c2 and ,white's ,bishop would be completely shut off1 and could only be extricated1 if at all1 with serious loss of position4 ,the text move aims at quick development to keep the initiative4 #aa4 44444444 ,p - ,q #c ,this now is not only a developing move1 but it also threatens to win a piece by ,b x ,kt4 #bjc #ab4 ,b - ,q #c ,kt - ,q #e ,this complicates the game unnecessarily4 ,r - ,k #a2 was simple1 and perfectly safe4 #ac4 ,b - ,k #c ,illustration #ac4 44444444 ,b - ,kt #e ,this is a serious mistake4 ,the position was most interesting1 and though in appearance dangerous for ,black1 not so in reality4 ,the right move would have been #ac444,r - ,kt #e1 when we would have #ad ,b x ,kt1 ,r x ,b2 #ae ,p - ,q ,b #c1 ,b x ,p2 #af ,p x ,b1 ,r - ,k ,kt #e2 #ag ,q - ,k #c 7best71 ,q x ,p ch2 #ah ,b - ,b #b1 ,q x ,q2 #ai ,p x ,q1 ,r x ,p1 and ,black has the best of the game with four ,pawns for a ,knight1 besides the fact that all the ,white ,pawns are isolated4 #ad4 ,kt - ,kt #e 6 ,r x ,b ,there was nothing better4 #ae4 ,q x ,b 6 ,kt - ,k #g ch #bjd ,illustration #af4 ,b x ,kt 6 ,r x ,b #ag4 ,kt - ,k #d 6 ,r x ,kt #ah4 ,q x ,r ,q - ,kt #d ch #ai4 ,p - ,k ,b #d ,q - ,kt #d #bj4 ,p - ,b #c ,b - ,b #d #ba4 ,k ,r - ,k #a ,q - ,b #c #bb4 ,r - ,q #e ,q x ,q would have given ,white a decided advantage1 enough to win with proper play4 ,mieses1 however1 feared the difficulties of an ending where1 while having the exchange1 he would be a ,pawn minus4 ,he preferred to keep the ,queens on the board and keep up the attack4 ,at first sight1 and even after careful thought1 there seems to be no objection to his plan2 but in truth such is not the case4 ,from this point the game will gradually improve in ,black's favour until1 with the exchange ahead1 ,white is lost4 #bje #bb4 44444444 ,q - ,q #b #bc4 ,p - ,b #e ,p - ,q ,b #c #bd4 ,r - ,q #b ,p - ,q #d ,illustration ,my plan for the moment is very simple4 ,it will consist in bringing my ,bishop around to ,b #c4 ,then ,i shall try to paralyse ,white's attack against my ,king by playing ,p - ,k ,r #c1 and also prevent ,white from ever playing ,p - ,k ,kt #e4 ,once my ,king is safe from attack ,i shall begin to advance my ,queen's side ,pawns1 where there are four to three2 and that advantage1 coupled with the enormous attacking power of my ,bishop at ,b #c1 will at least assure me an even chance of success4 #be4 ,q - ,b #c ,b - ,k #b #bf4 ,q ,r - ,k #b ,b - ,b #c #bg4 ,q - ,r #e ,p - ,k ,r #c #bh4 ,p - ,k ,kt #d ,k - ,r #b 6 #bjf ,to prevent ,p - ,k ,r #d1 which ,i would answer with ,p - ,k ,kt #c1 winning the ,queen4 ,it can now be considered that my ,king is safe from attack4 ,white will have to withdraw his ,queen via ,r #c1 and ,black can use the time to begin his advance on the ,queen's side4 #bi4 ,k - ,kt #a ,r - ,q #a #cj4 ,r - ,q #a ,p - ,b #d ,notice that1 on assuming the defensive1 ,white has placed his ,rooks correctly from the point of view of strategy4 ,they are both on white squares free from the possible attack of the ,black ,bishop4 #ca4 ,q - ,r #c ,q - ,r #e ,this gains time by attacking the ,rook and holding the ,white ,q at ,r #c for the moment1 on account of the ,k ,kt ,p4 ,besides1 the ,queen must be in the middle of the fray now that the attack has to be brought home4 ,white has actually more value in material1 and therefore ,black must utilise everything at his command in order to succeed4 #cb4 ,r 7,k#b7 - ,q #b ,q - ,k #e ch #cc4 ,k - ,r #a ,p - ,q ,kt #d threatening ,p - ,kt #e2 which would open the line of action of the ,bishop and also secure a passed ,pawn4 #cd4 ,q - ,kt #b ,q - ,r #e indirectly defending the ,q ,p1 which ,white cannot take on account of ,q x ,r ch4 #bjg _/99 #ce4 ,k - ,kt #a ,p - ,kt #e 99_/ ,the attack increases in force as it is gradually brought home directly against the ,king4 ,the position now is most interesting and extremely difficult4 ,it is doubtful if there is any valid defence against ,black's best play4 ,the variations are numerous and difficult4 ,illustration #cf4 ,p x ,p ,q x ,p ,black has now a passed ,pawn1 and his ,bishop exerts great pressure4 ,white cannot very well play now #cg ,r x ,p because of ,r x ,r2 #ch ,r x ,r1 ,b x ,p2 and ,white could not take the ,bishop because ,q - ,k #e ch would win the ,rook1 leaving ,black a clear passed ,pawn ahead4 #cg4 ,p - ,q ,r #c ,q - ,r #e 6 #ch4 ,r x ,p ,r - ,q ,kt #a #ci4 ,r 7,q #a7 - ,q #b ,p - ,b #e #dj4 ,q - ,kt #c ,r - ,kt #f #da4 ,q - ,q #f #bjh ,illustration #da4 44444444 ,p - ,b #f ,b x ,p would also win1 which shows that ,white's game is altogether gone4 ,in these cases1 however1 it is not the prettiest move that should be played1 but the most effective one1 the move that will make your opponent resign soonest4 #db4 ,r - ,q ,b #b ,p x ,p #dc4 ,r - ,q #c ,q - ,k #e 6 #dd4 ,r - ,q #a ,r - ,q ,b #f ,resigns4 ,of course ,white must play ,q - ,q #b1 and ,black then plays ,r x ,p4 99 99 99 99 99 #bji ,,game #i4 ,,queen',s ,,gambit ,,declined 7,berlin1 #aiac7 ,white3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 ,black3 ,r4 ,teichmann4 #a4 ,p - ,q #d ,p - ,q #d #b4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,kt - ,k ,b #c #c4 ,p - ,b #d ,p - ,k #c #d4 ,b - ,kt #e ,b - ,k #b #e4 ,kt - ,b #c ,q ,kt - ,q #b #f4 ,p - ,k #c ,o - ,o #g4 ,r - ,b #a ,p - ,q ,kt #c #h4 ,p x ,p ,p x ,p #i4 ,b - ,kt #e ,an invention of my own1 ,i believe4 ,i played it on the spur of the moment simply to change the normal course of the game4 ,generally the ,bishop goes to ,q #c1 or to ,r #f1 after ,q - ,r #d4 ,the text move is in the nature of an ordinary developing move1 and as it violates no principle it cannot be bad4 #i4 44444444 ,b - ,kt #b #aj4 ,o - ,o ,p - ,q ,r #c #aa4 ,b - ,r #d ,r - ,b #a #ab4 ,q - ,k #b ,p - ,b #d #ac4 ,p x ,p ,kt x ,p ,if ,p x ,p2 ,k ,r - ,q #a1 and ,white would play to win one of ,black's centre ,pawns4 ,the drawback to the #baj text move is that it leaves ,black's ,q ,p isolated1 and consequently weak and subject to attack4 #ad4 ,k ,r - ,q #a ,kt x ,b ,the alternative would have been #ad444,p - ,kt #d2 #ae ,b - ,b #b1 ,p - ,kt #e2 #af ,kt - ,q ,r #d1 ,kt 7,b #d7 - ,k #e4 #ae4 ,kt x ,kt ,p - ,kt #d #af4 ,r x ,r ,q x ,r #ag4 ,kt - ,b #c ,q - ,b #e ,black aims at the exchange of ,queens in order to remain with two ,bishops for the ending1 but in this position such a course is a mistake1 because the ,bishop at ,kt #b is inactive and cannot come into the game by any means1 unless ,black gives up the isolated ,queen's ,pawn which the ,bishop must defend4 #ah4 ,kt - ,q #d ,not1 of course1 ,r - ,q #d1 because of ,q x ,q2 ,kt x ,q1 ,r - ,b #a2 and there would be no good way to prevent ,r - ,b #g4 #ah4 44444444 ,q x ,q #ai4 ,kt 7,b #c7 x ,q 6 ,notice the co-ordination of the ,knights' moves4 ,they are manoeuvred chain-like1 so to speak1 in order to maintain one of them1 either at ,q #d or ready to go there4 ,now ,white threatens to take the open file1 and therefore forces ,black's next move4 #ai4 44444444 ,r - ,b #a #baa ,illustration ,the student should examine this position carefully4 ,there seems to be no particular danger1 yet1 as ,white will demonstrate1 ,black may be said to be lost4 ,if the game is not altogether lost1 the defence is at least of the most difficult kind2 indeed1 ,i must confess that ,i can see no adequate defence against ,white's next move4 #bj4 ,kt - ,b #e 6 ,k - ,b #a ,if #bj444;,b - ,q #a2 #ba ,kt - ,q #f1 ,r - ,b #b2 #bb ,kt x ,b1 ,r x ,kt2 #bc ,b x ,kt1 ,b x ,b2 #bd ,r x ,p1 ,r - ,b #b2 #be ,r - ,q #b1 and ,white is a ,pawn ahead4 ,if #bj444;,b moves anywhere else1 then ,b x ,kt1 doubling the ,k ,b ,p and isolating all of ,black's ,king's side ,pawns4 #ba4 ,kt x ,b ,k x ,kt #bb4 ,kt - ,q #d ,p - ,kt #c ,this is practically forced1 as ,white threatened ,kt - ,b #e ch4 ,notice that the ,black ,knight is pinned in such a way that no relief can be afforded except by giving up the ,k ,r ,p or abandoning the open file #bab with the ,rook1 which would be disastrous1 as ,white would immediately sieze it4 #bc4 ,p - ,b #c 6 ,illustration #bc4 44444444 ,p - ,r #c ,black could do nothing else except mark time with his ,rook along the open file1 since as soon as he moved away ,white would take it4 ,white1 on the other hand1 threatens to march up with his ,king to ,k #e via ,k ,b #b1 ,k ,kt #c1 ,k ,b #d1 after having1 of course1 prepared the way4 ,hence1 ,black's best chance was to give up a ,pawn1 as in the text1 in order to free his ,knight4 #bd4 ,b x ,p ,kt - ,q #b #be4 ,p - ,k ,r #d ,kt - ,b #d #bf4 ,b - ,b #d ,kt - ,k #c ,black exchanges ,knights to remain with ,bishops of #bac opposite colours1 which gives him the best chance to draw4 #bg4 ,kt x ,kt ,k x ,kt #bg444,p x ,kt would be worse1 as ,white would then be able to post his ,bishop at ,k #e4 #bh4 ,r - ,q #b ,r - ,k ,r #a ,illustration ,black wants to force ,b - ,kt #c4 ,p - ,k ,kt #c would be bad1 on account of ,p - ,q #e2 which would get the ,black ,bishop into the game1 even though ,white could answer ,p - ,k #d4 ,the text move is1 however1 weak1 as will soon be seen4 ,his best chance was to play ,p - ,kt #e2 and follow it up with ,p - ,r #d and ,b - ,r #c4 ,white meanwhile could play ,p - ,kt #d and ,r #e1 obtaining a passed ,pawn1 which1 with proper play1 should win4 #bi4 ,r - ,q ,b #b 6 ,r - ,q ,b #a #cj4 ,r x ,r ,b x ,r ,there are now ,bishops of opposite colour1 but nevertheless ,white has an easily-won game4 #bad #ca4 ,k - ,b #b ,illustration #ca4 44444444 ,p - ,q #e ,practically forced4 ,otherwise the ,white ,king would march up to ,q #d and then to ,b #e and win ,black's ,queen's side ,pawns4 ,if ,black attempted to stop this by putting his ,king at ,q ,b #c then the ,white ,king would enter through ,k #e into ,black's ,king's side and win just as easily4 #cb4 ,p x ,p ,k - ,q #d #cc4 ,k - ,k #c ,b - ,k #c #cd4 ,k - ,q #c ,k - ,b #c #ce4 ,p - ,q ,r #c ,b - ,b #e ch #cf4 ,k - ,k #c ,b - ,k #c #cg4 ,b - ,r #f ,it is better not to hurry ,p - ,k ,kt #d because of ,p - ,b #d2 for although ,white could win in any case1 it would take longer4 ,now the ,white ,king threatens to help by going in through ,k ,b #d after posting the ,bishop #bae at ,kt #g1 where it not only protects the ,q ,p1 but indirectly also the ,q ,kt ,p4 #cg4 44444444 ,k - ,q #d #ch4 ,b - ,kt #g ,resigns4 ,the student ought to have realised by this time the enormous importance of playing well every kind of ending4 ,in this game again1 practically from the opening1 ,white aimed at nothing but the isolation of ,black's ,q ,p4 ,once he obtained that1 he tried for and obtained1 fortunately1 another advantage of position elsewhere which translated itself into the material advantage of a ,pawn4 ,then by accurate playing in the ending he gradually forced home his advantage4 ,this ending has the merit of having been played against one of the finest players in the world4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,game #aj4 ,,petroff ,,defence 7,st4 ,petersburg1 #aiad7 ,white3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 ,black3 ,f4 ,j4 ,marshall #a4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,k #d #b4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,kt - ,k ,b #c #c4 ,kt x ,p ,p - ,q #c #d4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,kt x ,p #e4 ,q - ,k #b ,q - ,k #b #f4 ,p - ,q #c ,kt - ,k ,b #c #g4 ,b - ,kt #e #baf ,played by ,morphy1 and a very fine move4 ,the point is that should ,black exchange ,queens he will be a move behind in development and consequently will get a cramped game if ,white plays accurately4 #g4 44444444 ,b - ,k #c ,marshall thought at the time that this was the best move and consequently played it in preference to ,q x ,q ch4 #h4 ,kt - ,b #c ,p - ,k ,r #c #i4 ,b x ,kt ,q x ,b #aj4 ,p - ,q #d ,b - ,k #b #aa4 ,q - ,kt #e ch ,kt - ,q #b #ab4 ,b - ,q #c 6 ,illustration ,it is now time to examine the result of the opening4 ,on ,white's side we find the minor pieces well posted and the ,queen out in a somewhat odd place1 it is true1 but safe from attack and actually attacking a ,pawn4 #bag ,white is also ready to ,castle4 ,white's position is evidently free from danger and his pieces can easily manoeuvre4 ,on ,black's side the first thing we notice is that he has retained both his ,bishops1 unquestionably an advantage2 but on the other hand we find his pieces bunched together too much1 and the ,queen in danger of being attacked without having any good square to go to4 ,the ,bishop at ,k #b has no freedom and it blocks the ,queen1 which1 in its turn1 blocks the ,bishop4 ,besides1 ,black cannot ,castle on the ,king's side because ,q x ,p1 ,r - ,kt #a2 ,q - ,k #d threatening mate1 wins a ,pawn4 ,nor can he ,castle on the ,queen's side because ,q - ,r #e would put ,black's game in imminent danger1 since he cannot play ,p - ,r #c because of ,b x ,p2 nor can he play ,k - ,kt #a because of ,kt - ,kt #e4 ,consequently we must conclude that the opening is all in ,white's favour4 #ab4 44444444 ,p - ,kt #d ,to make room for his ,queen1 threatening also ,p - ,kt #e4 #ac4 ,p - ,k ,r #c ,o - ,o giving up a ,pawn in an attempt to free his game and take the initiative4 ,it was difficult for him to find a move1 as ,white threatened ,kt - ,k #d1 and should ,black go with the ,queen to ,kt #b1 then ,p - ,q #e1 ,b - ,b #d2 ,kt x ,p ch1 followed by ,b x ,b4 #bah #ad4 ,q x ,p ,q ,r - ,kt #a #ae4 ,q - ,k #d ,q - ,kt #b #af4 ,p - ,q ,kt #c ,p - ,q ,b #d ,in order to break up ,white's centre and bring his ,knight to ,b #d and thus lay the foundation for a violent attack against ,white's ,king4 ,the plan1 however1 fails1 as it always must in such cases1 because ,black's development is backward1 and consequently his pieces are not properly placed4 #ag4 ,o - ,o ,p x ,p #ah4 ,kt - ,q #e 6 ,a simple move1 which destroys ,black's plan utterly4 ,black will now have no concerted action of his pieces1 and1 as his ,pawns are all weak1 he will sooner or later lose them4 ,illustration #ah4 44444444 ,b - ,q #a #ai4 ,b - ,b #d ,kt - ,b #d #bj4 ,q x ,p ,q x ,q #bai ,the fact that he has to exchange ,queens when he is a ,pawn behind shows that ,black's game is lost4 #ba4 ,kt x ,q ,b x ,kt #bb4 ,b x ,b ,b - ,b #c #bc4 ,q ,r - ,q #a ,b x ,kt ,the ,knight was too threatening4 ,but now the ending brought about is one in which the ,bishop is stronger than the ,knight2 which makes ,black's plight a desperate one4 ,the game has no further interest1 and it is only because of its value as a study of this variation of the ,petroff that ,i have given it4 ,black was able to fight it out until the sixtieth move on account of some poor play on ,white's part4 ,the rest of the moves are given merely as a matter of form4 #bd4 ,r x ,b ,k - ,kt #b #be4 ,b - ,b #d ,r - ,kt #c #bf4 ,r - ,k #a ,k - ,b #c #bg4 ,p - ,b #d ,kt - ,k #c #bh4 ,p x ,p ch ,p x ,p #bi4 ,r - ,b #a ch ,k - ,k #b #cj4 ,r - ,kt #d ,r - ,k ,kt #a #ca4 ,r - ,b #e ,r - ,b #c #cb4 ,p - ,k ,r #d ,k ,r - ,q ,b #a #cc4 ,p x ,p ,r - ,b #d #cd4 ,b x ,kt ,p x ,b #ce4 ,r x ,r ,r x ,r #cf4 ,p - ,kt #f ,k - ,b #a #cg4 ,r - ,q ,b #d ,r - ,q ,r #d #bbj #ch4 ,p - ,r #d ,k - ,kt #b #ci4 ,r - ,b #f ,r - ,q #d #dj4 ,r - ,b #g ch ,k x ,p #da4 ,r x ,p ,r - ,q #h ch #db4 ,k - ,r #b ,p - ,q #d #dc4 ,p - ,r #e ,r - ,q ,b #h #dd4 ,r - ,b #g ,r - ,q ,r #h #de4 ,p - ,q ,kt #d ,r - ,r #e #df4 ,p - ,b #c ,p - ,q #e #dg4 ,r - ,b #f ,p x ,p #dh4 ,r x ,p ,r x ,kt ,p #di4 ,r - ,q ,r #c ,r - ,kt #b #ej4 ,p - ,r #f ,r - ,q ,r #b #ea4 ,r - ,r #e ,k - ,b #c #eb4 ,p - ,kt #d ,k - ,k #b #ec4 ,k - ,kt #c ,k - ,q #c #ed4 ,k - ,b #d ,k - ,b #b #ee4 ,k - ,k #e ,k - ,q #b #ef4 ,p - ,kt #e ,k - ,k #b #eg4 ,p - ,kt #f ,k - ,b #a #eh4 ,k x ,p ,k - ,k #a #ei4 ,p - ,kt #g ,r x ,p #fj4 ,p - ,r #g ,r - ,kt #c ch #fa4 ,k - ,b #e ,resigns4 99 99 99 99 99 #bba ,,game #aa4 ,,ruy ,,lopez 7,st4 ,petersburg1 #aiad7 ,white3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 ,black3 ,d4 ,janowski4 #a4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,k #d #b4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,kt - ,q ,b #c #c4 ,b - ,kt #e ,p - ,q ,r #c #d4 ,b x ,kt ,q ,p x ,b #e4 ,kt - ,b #c ,i played this move after having discussed it with ,alechin on several occasions4 ,alechin considered it1 at the time1 superior to ,p - ,q #d1 which is generally played4 ,he played it himself later on in the ,tournament1 in one of his games against ,dr4 ,e4 ,lasker1 and obtained the superior game1 which he only lost through a blunder4 #e4 44444444 ,b - ,q ,b #d ,p - ,b #c is probably the best move in this position4 ,i do not like the text move4 #f4 ,p - ,q #c ,b - ,k ,kt #e #g4 ,b - ,k #c ,b x ,b ,this opens the ,k ,b file for ,white1 and also reinforces his centre1 but ,black naturally did not want to make a second move with this ,bishop4 #h4 ,p x ,b ,q - ,k #b #i4 ,o - ,o ,o - ,o - ,o ,bold play1 typical of ,janowski4 #bbb #aj4 ,q - ,k #a ,kt - ,r #c ,illustration ,the problem for ,white now is to advance his ,q ,kt ,p to ,kt #e as fast as he can4 ,if he plays ,p - ,q ,kt #d at once1 ,black simply takes it4 ,if he plays first ,p - ,q ,r #c and then ,p - ,q ,kt #d1 he will still have to protect his ,q ,kt ,p before he can go on and play ,p - ,q ,r #d and ,p - ,kt #e4 ,as a matter of fact ,white played a rather unusual move1 but one which1 under the circumstances1 was the best1 since after it he could at once play ,p - ,q ,kt #d and then ,p - ,q ,r #d and ,p - ,kt #e4 #aa4 ,r - ,kt #a 6 ,p - ,b #c #ab4 ,p - ,kt #d ,kt - ,b #b #ac4 ,p - ,q ,r #d ,b x ,kt ,he simplifies1 hoping to lighten ,white's attack1 which will have to be conducted practically with only the heavy pieces on the board4 ,he may have also done it in order to play ,kt - ,kt #d and ,k #c4 #bbc #ad4 ,r x ,b ,taking with the ,pawn would have opened a possibility for a counter attack4 #ad4 44444444 ,p - ,q ,kt #c ,he is forced to this in order to avoid the breaking up of his ,queen's side ,pawns4 ,the only alternative would have been ,p - ,q ,kt #d2 which on the face of it looks bad4 #ae4 ,p - ,kt #e ,b ,p x ,p #af4 ,p x ,p ,p - ,q ,r #d #ag4 ,kt - ,q #e ,q - ,b #d #ah4 ,p - ,b #d ,illustration ,the ,white ,knight is now a tower of strength4 ,behind it ,white will be able to prepare an attack1 which will begin with ,p - ,q #d1 to drive away the ,black ,queen and thus leave himself free to play ,p - ,b #e4 ,there is only one thing to take care of and that #bbd is to prevent ,black from sacrificing the ,rook for the ,knight and a ,pawn4 #ah4 44444444 ,kt - ,kt #d #ai4 ,r - ,b #b ,kt - ,k #c #bj4 ,q - ,b #c ,r - ,q #b ,had ,white on his #aith move played ,k ,r - ,b #a instead of ,r - ,b #b1 ,black could have played now instead of the text move1 ,r x ,kt2 ,k ,p x ,r1 ,q x ,p ch2 followed by ,kt - ,b #d with a winning game4 #ba4 ,r - ,q #a ,k - ,kt #b ,it would have been better for ,black to play ,k - ,q #a4 ,the text move loses very rapidly4 #bb4 ,p - ,q #d ,q - ,q #c #bc4 ,r - ,b #b ,p x ,p #bd4 ,p x ,p ,kt - ,b #e #be4 ,p - ,b #e ,kt x ,kt #bf4 ,p x ,kt ,q x ,q ,p #bg4 ,p - ,b #f ch ,k - ,kt #a #bh4 ,p x ,r ,q x ,p 7,q #b7 #bi4 ,p - ,q #e ,r - ,k #a #cj4 ,p - ,q #f ,p x ,p #ca4 ,q - ,b #f ,resigns4 99 99 99 99 99 #bbe ,,game #ab4 ,,french ,,defence 7,new ,york1 #aiah7 ,white3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 ,black3 ,o4 ,chajes4 #a4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,k #c #b4 ,p - ,q #d ,p - ,q #d #c4 ,kt - ,q ,b #c ,kt - ,k ,b #c #d4 ,b - ,q #c ,not the most favoured move1 but a perfectly natural developing one1 and consequently it cannot be bad4 #d 44444444 ,p x ,p ,p - ,q ,b #d is generally played in this case instead of the text move4 #e4 ,kt x ,p ,q ,kt - ,q #b #f4 ,kt x ,kt ch ,kt x ,kt #g4 ,kt - ,b #c ,b - ,k #b ,illustration #bbf #h4 ,q - ,k #b ,this is played to prevent ,p - ,q ,kt #c1 followed by ,b - ,kt #b1 which is the general form of development for ,black in this variation4 ,if ,black now plays #h444,p - ,q ,kt #c2 #i4 ,b - ,kt #e ch1 ,b - ,q #b2 #aj4 ,kt - ,k #e and ,white obtains a considerable advantage in position4 #h4 44444444 ,o - ,o #i4 ,b - ,k ,kt #e ,p - ,k ,r #c ,of course ,black could not play ,p - ,q ,kt #c because of ,b x ,kt1 followed by ,q - ,k #d4 #aj4 ,b x ,kt ,b x ,b #aa4 ,q - ,k #d ,p - ,k ,kt #c ,this weakens ,black's ,king's side4 ,r - ,k #a was the right move4 #ab4 ,p - ,k ,r #d ,illustration #ab4 44444444 ,p - ,k #d ,this is merely giving up a ,pawn in order to come out quickly with his ,q ,b4 ,but as he does not obtain #bbg any compensation for his ,pawn1 the move is bad4 ,he should have played ,q - ,q #d and tried to fight the game out that way4 ,it might have continued thus3 #ac4 ,q - ,b #d1 ,b - ,kt #b2 #ad4 ,q x ,b ,p1 ,b x ,p2 #ae4 ,kt x ,b1 ,q x ,kt2 #af4 ,o - ,o - ,o with considerable advantage of position for ,white4 ,the text move might be considered a mild form of suicide4 #ac4 ,p x ,p ,b - ,b #d #ad4 ,q - ,k ,b #d ,b x ,b #ae4 ,o - ,o - ,o ,b - ,kt #b #af4 ,r x ,b ,q - ,k #b #ag4 ,q - ,b #d ,in order to keep the ,black ,queen from coming into the game4 #ag4 44444444 ,q ,r - ,q #a #ah4 ,k ,r - ,q #a ,a better plan would have been to play ,r - ,k #a1 threatening ,p - ,k #f4 #ah4 44444444 ,r x ,r #ai4 ,r x ,r ,r - ,k #a #bj4 ,p - ,b #c ,p - ,q ,b #c ,of course if ,b x ,p2 ,kt x ,b1 ,q x ,kt2 ,r - ,k #c4 ,black with a ,pawn minus fights very hard4 #ba4 ,r - ,k #c ,the ,pawn had now to be defended after ,black's last move1 because after ,b x ,p2 ,kt x ,b1 ,q x ,kt2 #bbh ,r - ,k #c1 ,black could now play ,q - ,kt #a defending the ,rook4 #ba4 44444444 ,p - ,q ,b #d #bb4 ,k - ,b #b ,p - ,kt #c #bc4 ,p - ,r #d ,white's plan now is to fix the ,queen's side in order to be able to manoeuvre freely on the other side1 where he has the advantage of material4 #bc4 44444444 ,q - ,q #b #bd4 ,r - ,q #c ,q - ,b #a #be4 ,q - ,k #d ,q - ,k #c #bf4 ,r - ,q #e ,k - ,b #a #bg4 ,p - ,b #d ,k - ,kt #a ,illustration ,black sees that he now stands in his best defensive position1 and therefore waits for ,white to show how he intends to break through4 ,he notices1 of course1 that the ,white ,knight is in the way of the ,k ,b ,p1 which cannot advance to ,k ,b #d to defend1 or support rather1 the ,pawn at ,k #e4 #bbi #bh4 ,p - ,q ,kt #c ,k - ,b #a #bi4 ,k - ,q #c ,k - ,kt #a #cj4 ,r - ,q #f ,q - ,b #a #ca4 ,r - ,q #e ,q - ,k #c #cb4 ,p - ,k ,kt #d ,k - ,b #a #cc4 ,q - ,b #d ,k - ,kt #a #cd4 ,q - ,k #d ,k - ,b #a ,illustration ,black persists in waiting for developments4 ,he sees that if ,p - ,k ,r #e1 ,p x ,p2 ,p x ,p1 the ,queen goes to ,r #f1 and ,white will have to face serious difficulties4 ,in this situation ,white decides that the only course is to bring his ,king to ,k ,kt #c1 so as to defend the squares ,k ,r #c and ,k ,kt #d1 where the ,black ,queen might otherwise become a source of annoyance4 #ce4 ,k - ,k #b ,k - ,kt #a #cf4 ,k - ,b #a ,k - ,b #a #cg4 ,k - ,kt #b ,k - ,kt #a #ch4 ,k - ,kt #c ,k - ,b #a #bcj ,now that he has completed his march with the ,king1 ,white is ready to advance4 ,illustration #ci4 ,p - ,k ,r #e ,p x ,p #ci444,p - ,k ,kt #d would be answered by ,q - ,b #e1 with a winning game4 #dj4 ,p x ,p ,q - ,k #b ,against ,k - ,kt #a2 ,white would play ,q - ,kt #d1 practically forcing the exchange of ,queens1 after which ,white would have little trouble in winning the ending1 since ,black's ,bishop could not do much damage in the resulting position4 #da4 ,q - ,b #e ,k - ,kt #a ,black overlooks the force of #db ,r - ,q #g4 ,his best defence was ,r - ,q #a2 against which ,white could either advance the ,king or play ,kt - ,r #d1 threatening ,kt - ,kt #f ch4 #db4 ,r - ,q#g ,b x ,p ch #bca ,this loses a piece1 but ,black's position was altogether hopeless4 #dc4 ,k - ,kt #d ,q - ,b #c #dd4 ,kt x ,b ,q - ,kt #b ch #de4 ,k - ,b #d ,resigns4 ,the interest of this game centres mainly on the opening and on the march of the ,white ,king during the final stage of the game4 ,it is an instance of the ,king becoming a fighting piece1 even while the ,queens are still on the board4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,game #ac4 ,,ruy ,,lopez 7,new ,york1 #aiah7 ,white3 ,j4 ,s4 ,morrison4 ,black3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 #a4 ,p - ,k #d ,p - ,k #d #b4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,kt - ,q ,b #c #c4 ,b - ,kt #e ,p - ,q #c #d4 ,kt - ,b #c ,b - ,q #b #e4 ,p - ,q #d ,p x ,p #f4 ,kt x ,p ,p - ,k ,kt #c ,in this form of defence of the ,ruy ,lopez the development of the ,k ,b via ,kt #b is1 ,i think1 of great importance4 ,the ,bishop at ,kt #b exerts great pressure along the long diagonal4 ,at the same time the position of the ,bishop and ,pawns in front of the ,king1 once it is ,castled1 is one of great defensive strength4 ,therefore1 in this form of development1 the ,bishop1 #bcb we might say1 exerts its maximum strength 7,compare this note with the one in the ,capablanca-,burn game at ,san ,sebastian1 page #aig47 #g4 ,kt - ,b #c ,b - ,kt #b #h4 ,b - ,kt #e ,kt - ,b #c ,of course not ,k ,kt - ,k #b2 because of ,kt - ,q #e4 ,the alternative would have been ,p - ,b #c2 to be followed by ,k ,kt - ,k #b2 but in this position it is preferable to have the ,kt at ,k ,b #c4 #i4 ,q - ,q #b ,p - ,k ,r #c #aj4 ,b - ,k ,r #d ,an error of judgment4 ,white wants to keep the ,knight pinned1 but it was more important to prevent ,black from ,castling immediately4 ,b - ,k ,b #d would have done this4 #aj4 44444444 ,o - ,o #aa4 ,o - ,o - ,o ,bold play1 but again faulty judgment1 unless he intended to play to win or lose1 throwing safety to the winds4 ,the ,black ,bishop at ,kt #b becomes a very powerful attacking piece4 ,the strategical disposition of the ,black pieces is now far superior to ,white's1 therefore it will be ,black who will take the offensive4 #aa4 44444444 ,r - ,k #a #ab4 ,k ,r - ,k #a #bcc ,illustration ,white wanted to keep his ,q ,r on the open file1 and consequently brings over his other ,rook to the centre to defend his ,k ,p1 which ,black threatened to win by ,p - ,k ,kt #d1 followed by ,kt x ,p4 #ab4 44444444 ,p - ,kt #d 6 ,now that the ,k ,r is in the centre1 ,black can safely advance1 since1 in order to attack on the ,king's side1 ,white would have to shift his ,rooks1 which he cannot do so long as ,black keeps up the pressure in the centre4 #ac4 ,b - ,kt #c ,kt - ,k ,r #d ,uncovering the ,bishop1 which now acts along the long diagonal1 and at the same time preventing ,p - ,k #e1 which would be answered by ,kt x ,b2 ,p x ,kt1 ,kt x ,p2 etc41 winning a ,pawn4 #ad4 ,kt - ,q #e ,p - ,r #c ,black drives the ,bishop away so as to unpin his pieces and be able to manoeuvre freely4 #bcd #ae4 ,b - ,q #c ,b - ,k #c ,preparing the onslaught4 ,black's pieces begin to bear against the ,king's position4 #af4 ,p - ,b #c ,illustration ,with the last move ,white not only blocks the action of ,black's ,k ,b1 but he also aims at placing his ,bishop at ,q ,kt #a and his ,queen at ,q ,b #b1 and then advancing his ,k ,p1 to check at ,k ,r #g4 #af4 44444444 ,p - ,b #d 6 ,initiating an attack to which there is no reply1 and which has for its ultimate object either the winning of the ,white ,q ,b or cutting it off from the game4 7,compare this game with the ,winter-,capablanca game at ,hastings47 #ag4 ,p - ,k ,r #d ,p - ,b #e ,the ,bishop is now out of action4 ,white naturally counter attacks violently against the seemingly #bce exposed position of the ,black ,king1 and1 with very good judgment1 even offers the ,bishop4 ,illustration #ah4 ,p x ,p 6 ,p x ,p 6 ,taking the ,bishop would be dangerous1 if not actually bad1 while the text move accomplishes ,black's object1 which is to put the ,bishop out of action4 #ai4 ,r - ,r #a ,b - ,b #b #bj4 ,k - ,kt #a ,this move unquestionably loses time4 ,since he would have to retire his ,bishop to ,r #b sooner or later1 he might have done it immediately4 ,it is doubtful1 however1 if at this stage of the game it would be possible for ,white to save the game4 #bj4 44444444 ,kt - ,k #d #ba4 ,kt x ,kt ,r x ,kt ,it was difficult to decide which way to retake4 ,i #bcf took with the ,rook in order to have it prepared for a possible attack against the ,king4 #bb4 ,b - ,r #b ,kt - ,b #c ,now that the ,white ,bishop has been driven back1 ,black wants to get rid of ,white's strongly posted ,knight at ,q #e1 which blocks the attack of the ,bishop at ,b #b4 ,it may be said that the ,knight at ,q #e is the key to ,white's defence4 ,illustration #bc4 ,p - ,kt #c ,white strives not only to have play for his ,bishop1 but also he wants to break up ,black's ,pawns in order to counter-attack4 ,the alternative would have been #bc ,kt x ,kt ch1 ,q x ,kt2 and ,black would be threatening ,r - ,r #d1 and also ,q - ,k #c4 ,the student should notice that ,black's drawback in all this is the fact that he is playing minus the services of his ,q ,r4 ,it is this fact that makes it possible for ,white to hold out longer4 #bcg #bc4 44444444 ,kt x ,p #bd4 ,b x ,kt ,r x ,b #be4 ,p x ,p ,p - ,b #c ,illustration #bf4 ,kt - ,k #c ,kt - ,kt #d was the alternative1 but in any event ,white could not resist the attack4 ,i leave it to the reader to work this out for himself1 as the variations are so numerous that they would take up too much space4 #bf4 44444444 ,q - ,r #d #bg4 ,p - ,b #d ,q x ,q #bh4 ,r x ,q ,p x ,p #bi4 ,kt - ,kt #d ,b - ,kt #c ,this forces the ,king to the corner1 where he will be in a mating net4 #cj4 ,k - ,r #a ,q ,r - ,k #a ,now at last the ,q ,r enters into the game and soon the battle is over4 #ca4 ,p - ,r #c ,if ,r x ,p1 ,r - ,k #h ch2 ,r - ,q #a1 ,r 7,k #a7 - ,k #g4 #bch #ca4 44444444 ,r - ,k #h ch #cb4 ,r x ,r ,r x ,r ch #cc4 ,k - ,r #b ,b - ,b #b #cd4 ,k - ,kt #c ,p - ,q #d the quickest way to finish the game4 #ce4 ,b x ,p ,p x ,p ch #cf4 ,k - ,kt #d ,p - ,b #f #cg4 ,p x ,p ,r - ,k #e ch #ch4 ,p - ,b #d ,r x ,p ch #ci4 ,k - ,r #e ,r x ,b #dj4 ,r - ,q #h ch ,k - ,r #b #da4 ,r - ,q #g ,b - ,k #c ,resigns4 ,a very lively game4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,game #ad4 ,,queen',s ,,gambit ,,declined 7,new ,york1 #aiah7 ,white3 ,f4 ,j4 ,marshall4 ,black3 ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca4 #a4 ,p - ,q #d ,p - ,q #d #b4 ,kt - ,k ,b #c ,kt - ,k ,b #c #c4 ,p - ,b #d ,p - ,k #c #d4 ,kt - ,b #c ,q ,kt - ,q #b #e4 ,b - ,kt #e ,b - ,k #b #f4 ,p - ,k #c ,o - ,o #g4 ,r - ,b #a ,p - ,b #c ,this is one of the oldest systems of defence against the ,queen's ,gambit4 ,i had played it before in this ,tournament against ,kostic1 and no doubt ,marshall expected it4 ,at times ,i change my defences1 #bci or rather systems of defence2 on the other hand1 during a ,tournament1 if one of them has given me good results1 ,i generally play it all the time4 #h4 ,q - ,b #b ,p x ,p #i4 ,b x ,p ,kt - ,q #d #aj4 ,b x ,b ,q x ,b #aa4 ,o - ,o ,kt x ,kt #ab4 ,q x ,kt ,p - ,q ,kt #c ,this is the key to this system of defence4 ,having simplified the game considerably by a series of exchanges1 ,black will now develop his ,q ,b along the long diagonal without having created any apparent weakness4 ,the proper development of the ,q ,b is ,black's greatest problem in the ,queen's ,gambit4 #ac4 ,p - ,k #d ,b - ,kt #b #ad4 ,k ,r - ,k #a ,k ,r - ,q #a ,illustration ,the developing stage can now be said to be complete on both sides4 ,the opening is over and the middle-game begins4 ,white1 as is generally the case1 has #bdj obtained the centre4 ,black1 on the other hand1 is entrenched in his first three ranks1 and if given time will post his ,q ,r at ,q ,b #a and his ,knight at ,k ,b #c1 and finally play ,p - ,q ,b #d1 in order to break up ,white's centre and give full action to the ,black ,bishop posted at ,q ,kt #b4 ,in this game ,white attempts to anticipate that plan by initiating an advance on the centre1 which1 when carefully analysed1 is truly an attack against ,black's ,k ,p4 #ae4 ,p - ,q #e ,kt - ,b #d 6 ,against ,kostic in a previous game ,i had played ,kt - ,b #a4 ,it was carelessness on my part1 but ,marshall believed differently1 otherwise he would not have played this variation1 since1 had he analysed this move1 he would1 ,i think1 have realised that ,black would obtain an excellent game4 ,black now threatens not only ,b ,p x ,p2 but also ,kt x ,p2 followed by ,b ,p x ,p4 ,the position is very interesting and full of possibilities4 ,illustration #bda #af4 ,p x ,k ,p ,kt x ,p 7,k #c7 #ag4 ,b x ,kt ,q x ,b played under the impression that ,white had to lose time in defending his ,q ,r ,p1 when ,i could play ,p - ,q ,b #d1 obtaining a very superior game4 ,but1 as will be seen1 my opponent had quite a little surprise for me4 #ah4 ,kt - ,q #d 6 ,illustration #ah4 44444444 ,q - ,k #d 6 ,of course1 if #ah444,q x ,r ,p2 #ai ,r - ,r #a would win the ,queen4 ,the text move is probably the only satisfactory move in the position4 ,the obvious move would have been ,q - ,q #b to defend the ,q ,b ,p1 and then would have come #ai ,kt - ,b #e1 ,p - ,b #c2 #bj ,q - ,k ,kt #c 7threatening ,q ,r - ,q #a71 ,k - ,r #a2 #ba ,q ,r - ,q #a1 ,q - ,k ,b #b2 #bb ,p - ,k ,r #d1 with a tremendous advantage in position4 ,the text move1 on the other hand1 assures ,black an even game at the very least1 as will soon be seen4 #bdb #ai4 ,kt x ,p ,q x ,q #bj4 ,r x ,q ,r - ,q #g #ba4 ,r - ,kt #a ,a very serious error of judgment4 ,white is under the impression that he has the better game1 because he is a ,pawn ahead1 but that is not so4 ,the powerful position of the ,black ,rook at ,q #g fully compensates ,black for the ,pawn minus4 ,besides1 the ,bishop is better with ,rooks than the ,knight 7see pages #dh-ef1 where the relative values of the ,knight and ,bishop are compared71 and1 as already stated1 with ,pawns on both sides of the board the ,bishop is superior because of its long range4 ,incidentally1 this ending will demonstrate the great power of the ,bishop4 ,white's best chance was to take a draw at once1 thus4 #ba ,kt - ,k #g ch ,k - ,b #a2 #bb ,r - ,b #g ,r - ,k #a 7not ,b x ,p2 because ,p - ,b #c would give ,white the best of it72 #bc ,r x ,b 7best2 not ,kt - ,kt #f ch1 because of ,b ,p x ,kt2 followed by ,r x ,k ,p71 ,r x ,kt2 #bd ,r - ,kt #h ch1 ,r - ,k #a2 #be ,r x ,r ch1 ,k x ,r1 and with proper play ,white will draw4 ,it is curious that1 although a ,pawn ahead1 ,white is the one who is always in danger4 ,it is only now1 after seeing this analysis1 that the value of ,black's #ahth move ,q - ,k #d can be fully appreciated4 #ba4 44444444 ,r - ,k #a ,with this powerful move ,black begins1 against ,white's centre1 an assault which will soon be shifted against #bdc the ,king itself4 ,white is afraid to play #bb ,p - ,b #c because of ,p - ,b #d4 #bb4 ,p - ,k #e ,p - ,k ,kt #d ,to prevent ,p - ,b #d4 ,the ,white ,knight is practically pinned1 because he does not dare move on account of ,r x ,k ,p4 ,illustration #bc4 ,p - ,k ,r #d ,this is a sequel to the previous move4 ,white expects to disrupt ,black's ,pawns1 and thus make them weak4 #bc4 44444444 ,p x ,p ,though doubled and isolated this ,pawn exercises enormous pressure4 ,black now threatens ,r - ,k #c2 to be followed by ,r - ,kt #c and ,p - ,r #f and ,r #g at the proper time4 #bd4 ,r - ,k #a ,white cannot stand the slow death any longer4 #bdd ,he sees danger everywhere1 and wants to avert it by giving up his ,queen's side ,pawns1 expecting to regain his fortunes later on by taking the initiative on the ,king's side4 #bd4 44444444 ,r - ,k #c 6 ,much better than taking ,pawns4 ,this forces ,white to defend the ,knight with the ,rook at ,k #a1 because of the threat ,r - ,kt #c4 #be4 ,r 7,k#a7 - ,q ,b #a ,k - ,kt #b ,preparatory to ,r - ,kt #c4 ,the game is going to be decided on the ,king's side1 and it is the isolated double ,pawn that will supply the finishing touch4 #bf4 ,p - ,q ,kt #d ,p - ,kt #d ,to prevent ,p - ,kt #e1 defending the ,knight and liberating the ,rooks4 #bg4 ,p - ,r #c ,r - ,kt #c #bh4 ,k - ,b #a ,r - ,r #g ,illustration #bde ,notice the remarkable position of the pieces4 ,white cannot move anything without incurring some loss4 ,his best chance would have been to play #bi ,p - ,k #f1 but that would only have prolonged the game1 which is lost in any case4 #bi4 ,k - ,kt #a ,p - ,r #f #cj4 ,p - ,kt #c ,p - ,q ,r #c ,again forcing ,white to move and to lose something thereby1 as all his pieces are tied up4 ,illustration #ca4 ,p - ,k #f ,r x ,k ,p ,not even now can ,white move the ,knight because of ,p - ,r #g ch2 ,k x ,p1 ,r - ,r #c ch2 ,k - ,kt #a1 ,r - ,r #h mate4 #cb4 ,p - ,kt #d ,r - ,r #c #cc4 ,p - ,b #c ,if #cc ,p - ,kt #e1 ,p - ,r #g ch2 #cd ,k - ,r #a1 ,r x ,kt2 #ce ,r x ,r1 ,r x ,p1 winning easily4 #bdf #cc4 44444444 ,r - ,q #c #cd4 ,kt - ,k #g ,r 7,q#c7 - ,q #g #ce4 ,kt - ,b #e ch ,k - ,b #c #cf4 ,kt - ,r #d ,k - ,kt #d #cg4 ,kt - ,b #e ,r - ,kt #g ch #ch4 ,k - ,b #a ,p - ,r #g #ci4 ,p - ,b #d ch ,k x ,b ,p #dj4 ,resigns4 ,an ending worth very careful study4 99 99 99 99 99 ,notes #a ,the value of the initiative is explained in section #bj1 p4 #gg4 #b ,see page #cg4 #c ,see page #ac4 #d ,full score and notes are given in ,my ,chess ,career1 by ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca 7,game ,no4 #aa74 #e ,this position is elaborated under ,example #ej 7p4 #hj474 #f ,we give1 from now on1 games and notes1 so that the student may familiarise himself with the many and varied considerations that constantly are borne in mind by the ,chess ,master4 ,we must take it for granted that the student has already reached a stage where1 while not being able fully to understand every move1 yet he can derive benefit from any discussion with regard to them4 #g ,a hole in chess parlance has come to mean a defect in ,pawn formation which allows the opponent to establish his forces in wedge formation or otherwise without the possibility of dislodging him by ,pawn moves4 ,thus1 in the following diagram1 ,black has two holes at ,k ,b #c and ,k ,r #c1 where ,white forces1 e4g4 a ,kt or ,b1 could establish themselves1 supported by pieces or ,pawns4 #h ,see game ,capablanca-,kupchick1 from ,havana ,international ,masters ,tournament ,book1 #aiac1 by ,j4 ,r4 ,capablanca2 or a game in the ,carlsbad ,tournament of #aiaa1 ,vidmar playing ,black against ,alechin4 #i ,see ,niemzowitch's game in the ,all ,russian ,masters ,tournament1 #aiad1 at ,st4 ,petersburg1 against ,levitzki1 ,i believe4 #aj ,see ,capablanca-,janowski game1 ,new ,york ,masters ,tournament1 #aiac4