Capablanca

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http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924014756724
BY JOSE
R.
CAPABLANCA
A PRIMES OF CHESS
JOSE
R.
CAPABLANCA
CHESS
FUNDAMENTALS
BY
JOSfi
R.
C^PABLANCA
CHESS CHAMPION OF THE WORLD
NEW YORK
HARCOURT, BRACE AND COMPANY LONDON: G. BELL AND SON^, LTD,
URIS LIBRARY
COPYRIGHT, I921, BY HARCOUKT, BRACE AND COMPANY, INC.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by mimeograph or any other means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
PKINIED IN THE
D. S. A.
PREFACE
Chess Fundamentals was
ago.
first
published thirteen years
Siace then there have appeared at different times

articles dealing
a number of
with the so-called Hyperarticles
modem Theory. Those who have read the may well have thought that something new,
importance, had been discovered.
of vital
The
fact
is
that the
'Hypermodem Theory
is
merely the application, during
the opening stages generally, of the same old principles
through the medium of somewhat new
tactics.
There
has been no change in the fundamentals.
The change
has been only a change of form, and not always for the
best at that.
In chess the tactics

Chess Fundamentals
years ago.
may
change but the strategic
fimdamental principles are always the same, so that

is
as good
now
as
it
was
thirteen
It will be as
good a hundred years from now;
as long in fact as the laws
and
rules of the
game remain
therefore
what they are

that there
is is
at present.
The
reader
may
go over the contents of the book with the assurance

in it everything
he needs, and that there
nothing to be added and nothing to be changed.

its
Chess Fundamentals was the one standard work of
kind thirteen years ago and the author firmly believes

that
it is
the one standard work of
its
J.
kind now.
R.
CAPABLANCA
New
York
Sept. I, ig34
LIST OF
CONTENTS
I
I
PART
CHAPTER
First Principjles: Endings, Middle-game and Openings

PAGE
1. 2.
Some Simple Mates Pawn Promotion
9
13
3.
4.
5.
Pawn EndingsSome Winning Positions in the Middle-game Relative Value of the Pieces General Strategy of the Opening Control of the Centre Traps
....
19 24
25 28
6.
7.
8.
32
CHAPTER
n
35
Further Principles in End-game Play

9.
10. 11. 12.
A A
Cardinal Principle Classical Ending Obtaining a Passed Pawn How TO find out which to Queen
37
40
Pawn will be the
first
41 43
13.
The Opposition
TfEE Relative
14.
15.
How
Value of Knight and Bishop TO Mate with Knight and Bishop
....
50
59 62
16.
Queen against Rook
CHAPTER
m
68
.
Planning a Win in Middle-game Play

17. 18.
19.
Attacking without the aid of Knights Attacking with Knights as a Prominent Force. WiNNiNO BY Indirect Attack
71
73
LIST OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER IV
General Theory
FAQE
20. 21.
The
Initiative
77
22.
23. 24.
25.
Direct Attacks bn masse The Force of the Threatened Attack Relinquishing the Initiative Cutting off Pieces from the Scene of Action ... A Player's Motives Criticised in a Specimen Game
.
7* 82
89
94 99
CHAPTER V
End-game Strategy
26. 27.
28.
29.
30.
The Sudden Attack from a Different Side The Danger of a Safe Position Endings with one Rook and Pawns A Difficult Ending: Two Rooks and Pawns .... Rook, Bishop and Pawns v. Rook, Knight and Pawns
(A Final Example
of preserving
11
120
122
127
138
Freedom
whilst
imposing restraint.)
CHAPTER
VI
Further Openings and Middle-games

31.
32.
Some Sauent Points about Pawns Some Possible Developments from a Ruy Lopez
(showing the weakness of a backward
143
Q B
P;
the 146
power
33.
The
a Pawn at s, etc.) Influence of a "Hole"

of
150
XIST OF CONTENTS
PART
GAME
1.
II
ILLUSTRATIVE GAMES
PAGE
(
Queen's Gambit Declined

White: F.
J.
Match,
J.
Marshall.
Black:
1909) R. Capablanca.
.
159
2.
Queen's Gambit Declined (San Sebastian, 1911). White: A. K. Rubinstein. Black: J. R. Capablanca.
163
3.
Irregular Defence (Havana, 1913) White: D. Janowski. Black: J. R. Capablanca.
169
4.
French Defence
(St. Petersburg, 1913) White: J. R. Capablania. Black: E. A. Snosko-Borovski. (St.
174
5.
RuY Lopez
Petersburg,
1914)
181
White: Dr.E. Lasker.

6.
Black: J.R. Capablanca. 189
French Defence ( Rice Memorial Tournament, 1916 )

White: O. Chajes.
Black:
J.
R. Capablanca.
197
7.
RuY Lopez (San

White:
J.
R. Capablanca.
Sebastian, 1911) Black: A.
Bum.
201
8.
Centre Game (Berlin, 1913)

White:
J. Mieses.
Black: J. R. Capablanca.
9.
Queen's Gambit Declined (Berlin, 1913)

White:
J.
209
R. Capablanca.
Black: R. Teichmann.
10.
Petrofp Defence (St. Petersburg, 1914)

White: J. R. Capablanca.
Black: F.
J.
215
Marshall.
221
11.
RuY Lopez
White:
J.
(St.
Petersburg,
1914)
R. Capablanca.
Black: D. Janowski.
225
12.
French Defence (New York, 1918)

White:
J.
R. Capablanca.
Black: 0. Chajes.
13.
RuY Lopez (New York,

White:
J. S. Morrison.
1918)
231
14.
Queen's
Gambit Declined
J. Marshall.
(New York,
1918).
238
White: F.
CHESS FUNDAMENTALS
CHESS FUNDAMENTALS
PART
CHAPTER
I
First Principles: Endings, Middle-Game
AND Openings
The
first
thing a student should do,
is
to famiUarise
himseK with the power of the

best be done
pieces.
This can
by
learning
how
to accomplish quickly
some
of the simple mates.

1.
SOME SIMPLE MATES

ending Rook and King against
opposing King
Example
King.
1.
The
The principle
last line
is to drive the
to
the
on any side of
the board.
SOME SIMPLE MATES
In this position the power of the Rook is demonR 7, which immediately strated by the first move,
confines the Black
King to the
accomplished
2.
last rank,
and the
7>
mate
is
quickly
i; 2
by:
iR R
K Kt
The
forced.
K Kt
combined
action
of
King
for
and Rook
a
beginner
is
needed to arrive at a position in which mate can be
The
is
general principle
to
foUow
to
keep his
King as
much as
file,
possible
on the same
rank, or, as in this case,
as the opposing King.
When,
file,
in this case, the

it is
King has been brought to

it,
the sixth rank,
better to place
it
not on the same
but on the one next to

i; 3
3,
towards the centre.
K B K K i; 4 K K 4, K-Qi; sK-Qs, K-B 6 K-Q Not K B because then the Black King will
2...K B
i
;
6.
6,
go back to
If
and
it
will take
much
longer to mate.
now
the King moves back to
i,
R R 8 mates
at once.
6...K Kti;
K Kt
K K
King
K Kt K R
6,
7R QB7,K Ri; 8K B6,

i
;
10
R B 8 mate.
It has taken exactly ten

original position.
I,
moves to mate from the On move 5 Black could have played

(the
and, according to principle. White would
have continued
will ultimately
6K Q6, K Bi
mated
Black King
be forced to move in front of the White
and
i;
be
8
by
6,
K Kt K Kt
i; 10
K B R R
K R
R R8); 7K K6, i; 9 K Kt 6,
8 mate.
. ;
SOME SIMPLE MATES

Example
2.
m
^
/A
/.
!^/<e^
V
^.
i^ ^^:
Since the Black
King
is
in the centre of the board,

is
the best
way
to proceed
to
advance your own King

2
thus:
K K,2, K Q4;
K K
it
3.
is
As
the
Rook has not
yet come into play,
better to
advance the King straight into the centre of the board,

not in front, but to one side of the other King.
Should
drives
if
now
it
the Black King
move
to
4,
the
Rook
back by
R R
5 ch.
On
the other hand,
2.
K B 5 instead, then also 3 R R 5. If K Kt s, there follows 4 K Q 3; but

3...K
now
if
3.
instead
6;
then 4
R R
4,
keeping the King
confined to as few squares as possible.
Now
5
7
the
ending
may
continue
R-B 4 ch, K-Kt 6; 6 K-Q R Kt 4 ch, K R 6; 8 K B K R

3,
3,
K B K-Kt
.
7;
It
7.
should be noticed
how often
the White King has

it,
moved
next to the Rook, not only to defend
but also to
reduce the mobihty of the opposing King.
Now
SOME SIMPLE MATES
R 4 White mates in three moves thus: 9 Rook's the on any square Kt 8; 10
ch,
file,
K
II
forcing the Black King in front of the White,
K B 8;
to mate,
it
RR
mate.
It has taken eleven

it
moves
and, imder any conditions, I beheve

in under twenty.
is
should be done
While
it
may
be monotonous,
worth while for the beginner to practice such
things, as it will teach

his pieces.
him the proper handling
of
Example 3. Now we come King against King.
to two Bishops
and
Since the Black
King
is
in the comer,
2
White can
play
3
BB
iB Q3,
s,
K Kt 2;
If the
B K Kt
5,
K B
and already the Black Eang
is
confined
to a few squares.
position,
Black King, in the origmal
had been
last
in the centre of the board, or
away
from the
row, White should have advanced his King, and then, with the aid of his Bishops, restricted
SOME SIMPLE MATES

possible.
the Black King's movements to as few squares as
We might now continue:
3.
.K
Kt 2
must
4K B
2.
In this ending the Black King must not only be driven

to the edge of the board, but he
into a corner, and, before a
also be forced
mate can be given, the

to the sixth rank and,
last
7,
White King must be brought

at the
same time,
in
one of the
two
files;
in this
case either
K R 6, K Kt 6, K B
K B 8, and as K R 6
it is
and
K
s
Kt
6 are the nearest squares,
to either of
4.
.
these squares that the King ought to go.
.K
B
7
K Kt K Kt 2; 6 K R K B 2; K R K Kt 2; 8 B Kt K Kt i; 9K R6, K Bi. White must now mark time and

2;
3,
4,
s,
6,
move one
of the Bishops, so as to force the Black

;
King to go back
loB Rs,
it
K Kti;
when
the
iiB K7,
up a
King
i;
K R
I.
Now
the White Bishop must take
position from which
can give check next move
along the White diagonal,
Black
moves back
to
ch,
Kt
i.
12
i;
13B K6
and,
in
K R
B K Kt 4, K Kt 14 B B 6 mate.'
It has taken
fourteen moves to force the

it
mate
any
position,
should be done in imder
thirty.
In
all
endings of this kind, care must be taken

into a stale mate.
not to
drift
In this particular ending one should remember that

the King must not only be driven to the edge of the
board, but also into a comer.
In
all
such endings,
is
however,
it is
immaterial whether the King
forced
8 on to the
or
SOME SIMPLE MATES

last rank, or to
an outside
file,
e.g.
KR
Q R
4,
K
4.
or
Q
the
8.
Example
the
We
As
now come
it is
against King.
to Queen and King Queen combines the power of
Rook and
the Bishop,
the easiest mate of all
and should always be accompUshed in under ten moves.
Take the
following position:
A
as
2
good way to begin
is
to
make
i
the
first
move with
the Queen, trying to Ihnit the Black King's mobility
much
as possible.
2.
Thus:
Already the Black King has only one available square 2...K B 4; 4; 3 3,
4
K Q
Q B
6,
K Q
K
5;
Q Q
6,
K Kt
6,
K
5
KK
6,
4.
;
(Should Black play
then
Q-Kt 6 ch) K R 4, K B
6 8
Q-K
and
6;
7
KR
next
3,
K Kt
5
5,
(if
mate
move); moves;
Q-K
Q
Kt
K R
K B
mates.
In this ending, as in the case of the Rook, the Black Kmg must be forced to the edge of the board; only
PAWN PROMOTION
the Queeii being so
9
the
much more powerful than

far easier
Rook, the process
is
and
and
shorter.
These
are the three elementary endings
in all of these
the principle
tion of the
is
the same.
is
In each case the co-operaIn order to force a mate
King
needed.
without the aid of the King, at least two Rooks are

required.
2.
PAWN PROMOTION
;
that can be obtained in a
The gain of a Pawn is the smallest material advantage game and it often is sufficient to win, even when the Pawn is the only remaining
from the Kings.
It is essential, speaking
unit, apart
generally, that
the
King should
be in front of his
Pawn, with
at least
one intervening square.

If the
opposing King
is
directly in front of the
Pawn,
then the game cannot be won.

plained
This can best be ex-
by the
6.
following examples.
Example
lo
PAWN PROMOTION
position
is
The
for
drawn, and the
way
to proceed
is
Black to keep the King always directly in front for inof the Pawn, and when it cannot be done, as King, stance in this position because of the White
the then the Black King must be kept in front of 3, White King. The play would proceed thus i P
:
K-K
will
4;
K-Q
later.
3,
K-.Q
4.
This
is
a very
lose,
important move.
Any other move would
as
As the Black Kmg cannot be kept close up to the Pawn, it must be brought as far forward as possible and, at the same time, m front
be shown
of the
White King.
4 ch,
3
5
PK
4,
K K
4;
K K
3,
K K
3;
Again the same 3. Black King must be kept the comes up, White King in front of it, since it cannot be brought up to the
case.
K B
K B
As the
Pawn.
7K K4, K-K2; K Q 2; 9 P K 6 ch, K K 2; 8 K Q loK Ks, K Ki; II K Q6, K Qi. If now

6
PK
ch,
K-K
3;
s,
White advances the Pawn, the Black King gets in front of it and White must either give up the Pawn
or play
K K 6,
and a
stale
mate
results.
If instead
Pawn White withdraws his King, Black brings his King up to the Pawn and, when forced to go back, he moves to K in front of the Pawn ready to come up again or to move in front of the
of advancing the
White King, as
before, should the latter advance.

of procedure is very important
The whole mode
and the student should become thoroughly conversant
PAWN PROMOTION
with
its details;
II
for it involves principles to
be taken
lost
up
later on,
and because many a beginner has

from lack of proper knowledge.
identical positions
this stage of the
its
At
on
book I cannot lay too much
stress
importance.
6.
Example
King
is
In
this position
White wins, as the
in front of his
Pawn and there is one intervening
square.
The method
of the
to follow
is
to
is
advance the King as far as
compatible with the safety
Pawn and
never to advance the

safety.
Pawn
until
it is
essential to its
own
I.
Thus:
K K
4,
K K
3.
Black does not allow the White

therefore
so to
Kmg
to advance,
now compelled to advance his Pawn as to force Black to move away. He is then able advance his own King.
White
is
2.
P-K3,K-B3;
3.
K-Qs,K-K2.
PAWN PROMOTION If Black had played 3. .K B 4, then White would be forced to advance the Pawn to K 4, smce he could
12
.
not advance his King without leaving Black the

opportunity to play
K K
5,
winning the Pawn.

better for
Since he has not done so,

to advance the
it is
White not
safety does
still
Pawn
Thus:
yet, since its
own
not require
it,
but to try to brmg the King
fur-
ther forward.
4.
K-K5,K-Q2;
the White
5.
K-B6,K-Ki.
it
Now
Pawn
6.
is
too far back and
may
be
brought up within protection of the King.
P K4,
would not do Black would play Q

it
Now
K Q2. to play K B
7,
because
to bring back his

fore he
King must continue.

7.
to
3, and White would have protect the Pawn. There-
P-Ks,K-Ki.
else,
Had
he
moved anywhere
K B 7, followed by the advance of the Pawn to K 6, K 7, K 8 all these squares being protected by
;
White could have played
As Black tries to prevent that, White must him to move away, at the same time always keeping the King in front of the Pawn. Thus
the King.
now
force
8.
K K6:'
Example
P- K
play
6 would
K B,
make it a draw, as Black would then and we would have a position similar
5.
to the one explained in connection with
8...K-B
i;
9K-Q7.
PAWN ENDINGS
King moves and the White Pawn advances becomes a Queen, and it is all over.
This ending
is
13
to
8,
Uke the previous one, and for the
same reasons should be thoroughly imderstood before proceeding any further.

3.
PAWN ENDINGS
I shall
now
see
give a couple of simple endings of two
Pawns
reader
against one, or three against two, that the
may
how they can be won. Fewer

it is
explana-
tions will
be given, as
to play
up
to the student to
work
things
learn
out for himself.
Furthermore, nobody can

the study of
how
;
weU merely from

if
a
if
book
it
can only serve as a guide and the rest must

the student has one;
be done by the teacher,

not, the student
must
realise
by long and
bitter ex-
perience the practical appUcation of the
many
things
explained in the book.
Example
7.
^
i
14
PAWN ENDINGS
position
6,
In this
1
WMte
.
cannot
win
by playing
PB
because Black plays, not
PX
P, which
would
lose,
but
i.
.K Kt
i,
and
if
then 2
PX
P,
K X P,
2P
2
and draws, as shown in a previous case. If B I, and White will never be B 7 ch,
K
his
able to Queen
Pawn
;
without
losing
I,
it.
If
K K
I
7,
PXP
K X P, K B
and draws.
White, however, can win the position given in the
diagram by playing:
7,
K Q K Kt i; 2 K K K-R i; 3P B6,PXP. If 3...K Kt i; 4 P B 7ch, K R i; s P B 8 (Q) mate. P B 4; S P Kt 7 ch, K R 2; 4 K B 6 P Kt 8 (Q) ch, K R 3; 7 Q Kt 6 mate.
7, 7,
White can't win by I 5. Black's best answer would be P Kt 3 (The student should work this out.) He draws. Kt 5, because P cannot win by i P Kt 3 draws.
Example
PB
8.
In the above
position
(This, because of the principle of the "opposition"
PAWN ENDINGS
which governs
this ending as well as
15
aU the Pawn-
endings already given, and which wiU be explained
more
fully later on.)

i
White can win, however, by playing: K K 4, K-K3. (If i...P-Kt3; 2K-Q4,K-K3; 3K-Bs,K-B3;4K-Q6,K-B2;5P-Kt5, K Kt 2; 6 K K 7, K Kt i; 7 K B 6, K R 2; 8 K B 7 and White wins the Pawn.) 2 P-B 5 ch, K-B 3; 3 K-B 4, P-Kt 3.
(If this
Pawn
is
kept back we arrive at the ending
shown
in Example 7.) 4 P Kt 5 ch, K B 2; P B K K K 4, K B 2 7 K K 5, 6, 5 3 6 K K B I. White cannot force his Bishop's Pawn

; ;
into
(find
out why), but by giving his
Pawn up he
Thus:
can win the other
Pawn and
7,
the game.
8P B7, KxP;9K Q6, K B i;ioK K6, K Kt 2; II K K K Kt i; 12 K B 6, K R2; 13 K B7, K R i; 14 K X P,
K Kti.
There
In
fact,
is
still
some
resistance in Black's position.
the only
way
to
win
is
the one given here,
as will easily be seen by experiment.

15
K R
(if
K B
6 ch,
i;
6,
K R
i
2;
and
in order
position,
i
to
win White must get back to the actual
as against 16
P Kt
K R
17
draws),
7,
K R
16
18
P Kt K R
6, 7,
K Kt
P Kt
K B
2;
and White queens the
Pawn and
wins.
This ending, apparently so simple, should show the

student the enormous
difficulties to
be surmounted.
i6
PAWN ENDINGS
left,
even when there are hardly any pieces

playing against an adversary
the resources at his disposal, and
when
to use
who knows how

it
should show the
student, also, the necessity of paying strict attention to these elementary things which form the basis of
true mastership in Chess.
Example
9.
In
this
ending
White can win by advancing any of the three Pawns

on the
first
move, but
it is
convenient to follow the

is
general rule, whenever there

it,
it.
no good reason against

no
of advancing the
Pawn
Thus we begin
I.
by
that has
Pawn
opposing
PB
6
;
5,
K K2.
If
P Kt
s.
3,
to one of
and we have a similar ending those shown above. If i...P R 3; 2
P B
P-Kt
2.
K-Ks,K-B2;
3.
P-Kt 5, K-K 2.
PAWN ENDINGS
If
17
3...P-Kt 3; 4 P-B 6, and if 3-.P-R 3', 4 P Kt 6 ch, and in either case we have a similar
ending to one of those already shown.
4.
P-R5,
and by following
it
up with P
Kt
we have the
6 ch
same ending previously shown.
Should Black play
4...P Kt
3,
then
result.
R PX
P,
PxP; P B
with the same
Having now seen the

all
on one
side of
a case when there

board.
when the Pawns are the board we shall now examine are Pawns on both sides of the
cases
Example
10.
In
these cases the general rule
is
to act immediately on the side where you have the su-
perior forces.
Thus we have
I.
P KKt4.
i8
PAWN ENDINGS
advance the
It is generally advisable to free
Pawn
that
is
from opposition.
I
P-QR4.
Black makes an advance on the other side, and now White considers whether or not he should stop the
advance.
In this case either
way
wins, but generally
the advance should be stopped
when the opposing
King
is
far
away.
2.P-QR4,K-B3; 3.P-R4,K-K3.
If 3.
.
.K
Kt
4,
3,
then simple coimting will show that

side with his King, wins the
White goes to the other
at
Q R
and then Queens

do the same.
his single
Pawn
long
before Black can

4.
s,
P Kt K B 2; S-'K B K B 6.P R If 6...P R 3; 7 P Kt 6, and

s, 2.
s,
K Kt
2;
then the two
Pawns defend themselves and White can go to the other side with his King, to win the other Pawn.
7.
K-Ks.
I
Now
This
out
it is
time to go to the other side with the King,

single
win the Black Pawn and Queen the

is
Pawn.
typical of all such endings

in this
by the student
and should be worked case and in similar cases
which he can put up.
SOME WINNING POSITIONS

4.
19
SOME WINNING POSITIONS IN THE MIDDLE-
GAME
By
the time the student has digested
all
is
that has
been previously explained, he, no doubt,

to get to the actual
anxious
game and play with
all
the pieces.
shall
However, before considering the openings, we

devote a
little
time to some combinations that often
arise during the
game, and which
will give the reader
some idea
of the beauty of the game, once he

it.
becomes
better acquainted with
Example
11.
It is Black's
move, and thinking that White merely
threatens to play
Q R
6 and to mate at
Black plays
of
i.
R K
8.
K i, threatening .R White now uncovers his

.
Kt 7, mate by way
and most
real
effective threat, viz.
I...R Ki;
2QxPch,KxQ; 3R Rsch,
K Kt
i;
4 R R 8 mate.
20

may come
as the
This same type of combination

result of
a somewhat more
12.
complicated position.
Example
White
is
a piece behind, and miless he can win

;
it
back quickly he wiU lose

I.
he therefore plays
KtX Kt
Kt
B Kt4
because White threatens mate
He
by
cannot take the
R R 3 ch. Kt K7ch Qx Kt Again B x Kt; Q X P ch, K X Q; R R King moves; R R 8 mate.

QXP
if
ch followed by
2.^
3 ch,
3.
RxQ
Q-Q7
easily.
BxR
4.
and White wins one of the two Bishops, remains with a Q and a B against a R and B, and should
therefore
win
These two examples show the
IN THE MroDLE-GAME
danger of advancing the
having Castled on that
21
Kt P one
square, after
side.
Example
13.
This
tion.
is
another very interesting type of combina-
Black has a
R
is
for
Kt and
fact,
should therefore
win, imless White

tion immediately.
able to obtain
some compensamates in a few
White, in
moves thus:
1.
Kt B
6ch
mates.
PxKt
Forced, otherwise
2.
QXP
Q Kt3 ch
BXP
mate.
K Ri
3.
Example
curs in a
position.
14.
The
same t)^e
of combination ocin
more complicated form
the following
22
B X Kt If...BxKt; Q B
1.
QX
3
is
B.
threatens mate,
and
there-
fore wins the Q,

2.
which
already attacked.
3. 4.
Kt B6ch R Kt3ch
PxKt
K Ri
of combina-
BXP
mate.
Example 15. A very frequent type tion is shown in the following position.
IN THE MIDDLE-GAME
Here White
is
23
the exchange
:
and a Pawn behind,

i
but he can win quickly thus

(If
BXP
5,
ch,
I...K-R
6,
i;
Q-K
i;
7
K X B.
Q R
2
P-KKta;
5,
and
5 ch,
wins.)
Q R
R.
K Kt
5,
Kt Kt
by
and Black
cannot stop mate at
KR
except
sacrificing the
Queen by
Q K
16.
which woidd leave White with a
for a
Example
position.
This
same type
of combination
is
seen in a more complicated form in the following
White proceeds as follows

clears the line for the
B)
Kt X Kt ch (this B X Kt (to stop the Kt

:
from moving to Kt
2
5 after the sacrifice of the
B)
(If
RxB, KtxR
best;
BxP
ch,
K X B.
5
3...K-R1;
4Q-RS,P-KKt3; sBxPch,
7
K Kt 2; 6 Q R ch, K B 3; P Kt ch, K K3; SBxPch, RxB; 9 Q K 4 mate.) R B i; 4 Q R 5 ch, K Kt i; 5 Kt Kt

7
5,
24 6
8
10
RELATIVE VALUE OF THE PIECES

ch,
i
Q R 7 ch, K B i; 7 Q R 8 Kt R 7 ch, K K 2; 9 R K
Q X Kt
mate.
is
Kt Kt
i;
ch,
K Q
i;
This combination
ations,
rather long
and has many
vari-
therefore a beginner will hardly be able to

it;
fathom
but,
knowing the type of combination,
he might imder similar circumstances undertake and

carry out a brilliant attack which he would otherwise
never think
tions
of.
It will for
be seen that
all
the combina-
shown have
a foundation the proper co-ordi-
nation of the pieces, which have aU been brought to
bear against a weak point.
5.

it is
Before going on to the general principles of the

openings,
advisable to give the student an idea
of the proper relative value of the pieces.
There
is
no complete and accurate table

the only thing to do
arately.
is
for all of
them, and
to
compare the pieces sep-
For
all
general theoretical purposes the Bishop
and
the Knight have to be considered as of the
same value,
well
though
it is
my
opinion that the Bishop will prove the

in
more valuable piece

Knights.
most cases
and
it is
known
that two Bishops are ahnost always better than two
The Bishop
be stronger
will be.
will
be stronger against Pawns than
the Knight, and in combination with

against
Pawns
the
will also
the
Rook than
Knight
25
A Bishop and a Rook are also stronger than a Ejiight

and a Rook, but a Queen and a Knight may be stronger than a Queen and a Bishop.
A Bishop will often be worth more than three Pawns,

but a Knight very seldom
so,
and may even not be
worth so much.
A Rook
Bishop
will
will
be worth a Knight and two Pawns,
or a Bishop and two Pawns, but, as said before, the
be a better piece against the Rook.

are sUghtly stronger than a Queen.
Two Rooks
They
are slightly weaker than
two Knights and a
Bishop, and a Uttle more so than two Bishops and
a Knight.
The power
of the Knight decreases as

off.
the pieces are changed
The power
of the
Rook,
on the contrary,
increases.
The King, a purely
defensive piece throughout the

all
middle-game, becomes an offensive piece once

pieces are off the board,
the
and sometimes even when

left.
there are one or two minor pieces

of the ELing
The handling
becomes
is
of
paramount importance once
the end-game stage

6.
reached.
GENERAL STRATEGY OF THE OPENING

is
The main thing Get them into play
to develop
the
pieces
quickly.
as fast as
you
can.
From the
open up
outset
lines for
two moves, iP K4oriP Q4, the Queen and a Bishop. Therefore,

of
theoretically
one
these
first
two
moves must be
so
the best, as no other
move accompUshes
much.
26
GENERAL STRATEGY
17.
1.
Example
Suppose
we
begin:
2.
P K4 Kt KB3
P K4
move
This
is
both an attacking and a developing move.

or
Black can now either reply with the identical

play
2
Kt-QBs
This developing move at the same time defends

the King's Pawn.
3.
Kt-B3
B Kts
advisable
is
Kt-B3
These moves are of a purely developing nature.

4.
It
is
generally
not to
bring this Bishop
out until
one Knight
out,
preferably the King's

also
Knight.
to
The Bishop could

it is
have been played
4,
but
advisable whenever possible to combine
development and attack.

4
B Kt
Black
sible
replies in the
same manner, threatening a pos-
exchange of Bishop for Knight with
Kt X P
to
foUow.
S-
0-0
way
of
an
indirect
preventing
more
e:q)erience or study will

is
s...BxKt, which show to be bad. At
the same time the Rook

centre,
brought into action in the
a very important point.
OF THE OPENING
5
27
0-0
line of reasoning.
Black follows the same

6.
P-Q3
Pawn and
to
P-Q3
viz.
:
These moves have a two-fold object,

tect the King's
to profor the
open the diagonal
development of the Queen's Bishop.

7-
B-Kts
A very powerful move, which brings us to the middlegame

stage, as there is already in
view a combination
it
to win quickly
by Kt
5.
This threat makes
impossible for Black to
continue the same course.
(There
lose
if
is
a long analysis showing that Black should
he also plays
7 ...
B Kt
as
5.)
He
is
now
forced to
play
BX
Kt,
experience has
shown,
thus
bringing
First,
up
to notice three things.
the complete development of the opening

(This varies
has taken only seven moves.

or twelve
up
to ten
moves
in
some very exceptional
cases.
As
a rule, eight should be enough.)
Second, Black has
28
CONTROL OF THE CENTRE

QRP
Pawn
been compelled to exchange a Bishop for a Knight, but as a compensation he has isolated White's
and doubled a Pawn.

the game,
is
is
(This, at such
an early stage of
Third,
rather an advantage for White, as the
doubled towards the centre of the board.)
White by the exchange brings up a Pawn to control

the square
4,
puts Black on the defensive, as experiinitiative,
ence will show, and thus keeps the

tionable advantage.^
an xmques-
The
same
strategical principles
expounded above are the

only their tactical appli-
for all the openings,
cation varies according to the circumstances.
Before proceeding further I wish to lay stress on

the following point which the student should bear in
mind.
Before development has been completed no piece should
be
moved more than once, unless
it is
essential in order
to obtain either
material advantage or to secure freedom
of action.
The beginner would do

well as
well to remember this, as what has already been stated viz., bring
:
out the Knights before bringing out the Bishops.

7.
The
four squares,
4 and
4 on each side respec-
tively, are the
centre squares,
and control
The
of these
control of
squares
is
called control of the centre.
the centre is of great importance.
No
violent attack
can succeed without controlling at least two of these

*
The value
of the initiative is explaiaed in section 20, p. 77.

squares,
29
and possibly
three.
Many
a manoeuvre in
the opening has for

centre,
its sole
object the control of the
which invariably ensures the initiative. It is weU always to bear this in mind, since it will often be
the reason of a series of moves which could not otherwise be properly understood. As this book progresses
I shall dwell
more
fully
on these
diEferent points.
At
present I shall devote some time to openings taken
random and explain the moves according to general principles. The student will in that way train his mind in the proper direction, and will thus- have less
at
trouble in finding a
way out when
confronted with a
new and
difficult situation.
Example
18.
1.
2.
P K4 Kt KB3
principle the
P K4
P Q3
move
is
timid move.
Black assumes a defensive attitude

wrong.
at once.
On
In the
openings, whenever possible, pieces should be moved in

preference to Pawns.
3.
P-Q4
offensive
White takes the

deploy his forces.
3
inunediately and strives
to control the centre so as to have ample
room
to
Kt-Q2
move
to
Black does not wish to relinquish the centre and also

prefers the text
Kt Q B
3,
which would
be the more natural square
for the Kt.
But on
prin-
30
ciple the

move
is
wrong, because
it
blocks the action

facilitating the
of the Queen's Bishop,
and instead of
action of Black's pieces, tends, on the contrary, to
cramp them.
4.
B QB4
P KR3
of his previous
Black
is
forced to
pay the penalty
move.
itself
Such a move on Black's part condemns by
any form
.B
of opening that
makes
it
necessary.
White threatened Kt
it
Kt
2,
and Black could not stop
(if
K because of 5 P X P, Kt X P S-PXP, 6 Q-Q 5); 6 KtxKt, PxKt; Q R and White wins a Pawn and has besides a
with 4.
.
5,
perfectly safe position.

5.
6.
7.
Q-K2
Kt-B3 B K3
KKt-Bs
B K2
It should
The reason
be noticed that White does not Castle yet. is that he wants to deploy his forces first,
last
move force Black to play 3 to make room for the Queen as |White threatens Q i, to be followed by P x P. Black's other alternatives would finally force him to play
and through the
P Q B
R
7
8.
9.
PX
P, thus abandoning the centre to White.
R Qi
O -O
P-B3 Q-B 2
his development,
With
this last
is
move White completes

suffice to
while Black
evidently somewhat hampered.
A simple
examination will
show that White's position

is unassailable.
31
There are no weak spots
in his armour,
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 position.
study this example.
It
The student should carefully will show him that it is someI
times convenient to delay Castling.
have given the
moves as they come to my mind without following any standard book on openings. Whether the moves
given by
me
agree or not with the standard works, I

of this
do not know, but at the present stage

it is
book
not convenient to enter into discussions of mere
technicalities
which the student
will
be able to imder-
stand when he has become more proficient.
Example
19.
1.
P K4
2.
Kt KB3
P K4 P Q3
B-Kt5
least
3.
P-Q4
bad move, which
violates one of the principles set
down, according to which at

also because
one Knight should
be developed before the Bishops are brought out, and

it
exchanges a Bishop for a Knight, which

is
in the opening
generally bad, unless there
is
some
compensation.
4.
PxP
32
7.
TRAPS
8.
Q-QKt3 Kt-B3
5.
P-QKt3
P-QB3
To prevent
Kt Q
Black, however, has no pieces out except his Queen,
and White, with a Bishop and a Knight ahready developed, has a chance of obtaining an advantage quickly
by playing Kt Q 5 anyway. The student is to work out the many variations arising from
position.
left
this
These examples
will
show the
practical application
of the principles previously enunciated.

is
The student
warned against playing Pawns
in preference to pieces
at the beginning of the game, especially
P K R
and P Q R
3,
which are moves very commonly
in-
dulged in by beginners.
8.
TRAPS
which (practice has shown)
I shall
now give
a few positions or traps to be avoided
in the openings,
and
in
beginners are often caught.
TRAPS
Example 20.
33
White plays:
1.
PXP
Kt Kt
5 mate.
Kt X P
Black should have recaptured with the Pawn.

2.
BXQ
3. 4.
BxPch
Kt Q
K K2
Example 21.
J
'h
34
TRAPS
P K
Kt KB
also give
Black, having the move, should play
suppose he plays
1.
3 instead,
But then comes

3.
BxPch
White the advantage, the
Kt K
would
ifBxQ; aBxP mate. does B R 5 help matters, because of 2 Q X B, B K 3 leaves Black with the inferior position.
threat being of course
Nor
i
.
But
White's
move
in the text secures
an immediate material
advantage, and the beginner at any rate should never

miss such an opportunity for the sake of a speculative
advantage in position.
I
2.
3.
Kt K 5 ch KtxB
KxB
K moves
and White has won a Pawn besides having the better

position.
There are a good

is
many
is
other traps
in
fact, there
a book written on traps on the chess board; but

the most
the type given above
common
of
all.
CHAPTER
II
Further Prtnciples in End-Game Play
We
and
this
shall
now go back
principles,
to the endings in search of a
few more
then again to the middle-game,
finally to the
openings once more, so that the ad-
vance
may not only be gradual but homogeneous. In way the foundation on which we expect to build
the structure will be firm and solid.
9.
A CARDINAL PRINCIPLE
^ ^ #* V y
Z _/">
^^
m^
k fm
l1
In the position shown above, White can draw by

playing
P Kt
4 according to the general rule that

i.e.
governs such cases,

free
to
advance the
Pawn
that is
from
opposition.
But suppose that White,
either
because he does not
know
this principle or because

35
he
36
A CARDINAL PRINCIPLE
suppose, we say, that he plays Then Black can win by playing i
.
.
does not, in this case, sufficiently appreciate the value

of its application;
P Q R P Q R
I
4.
4,
applying one of the cardinal principles of
the high strategy of chess
A
ponent's Pawns.
stress
unit that holds two.
In this case one
Pawn would
It
hold two of the oplay too
The student cannot
on
this principle.
it
can be applied in
much many
ways, and
in the
constitutes one of the principal
weapons
hands of a master.
Example
cient proof.
22.
The example given

give a few
should be
suffi-
ation
We
moves
of the
main
vari-
1.
P R4
(Best
;
2.
K Kt 2
(Best.)
P QR4 K B 5
see why.)
3.
P Kt4
PXP
P Kt6 P Kt 7 P Kt8(Q)
4.
5.
6.
7.
P Rs P R6 P R7
P-R8(Q) Q^Ksch
8.
QxQ
KxQ
is
This brings the game to a position which

Black,
won by
classical
and which
it
constitutes
one of the
endings of King and Pawns.

guiding idea of
I shall try to explain the

it.
to those not familiar with
A CLASSICAL ENDING
10.
37
A CLASSICAL ENDING
Example
at
23.
In
this position
White's best line

it
of defence consists in keeping his
Pawn where
stands
2.
As soon
as the
easier for
Black to win.
Pawn is advanced it becomes On the other hand, Black's

parts.
plan to win (supposing that White does not advance
Pawn) may be divided into three part will be to get his King to K R 6,
his
all
The
first
at the
same time
(This
is
keeping intact the position of his Pawns.
important, since, in order to win the game,
it is
essential at the
his rearmost
end that Black
may
be able to advance
Pawn one
or two squares according to
the position of the White King.)
K-Kt3
If 2
K K6
3
K Kt
4,
K Kt2 K B 7;
PR
4,
P Kt
3 wiU
win.
38
t
A CLASSICAL ENDING
A CLASSICAL ENDING
The third part the Kt P so as
will consist in
39
timing the advance of

6
when the White Ejng is at R I. It now becomes evident how necessary it is to be able to move the Kt P either one or
to play
P Kt
two squares according to the position

King, as indicated previously.^
of the
White
it is
In this case, as
White's move, the
Pawn
move
will
be advanced two squares
smce the White

were
Kmg
will
be
m
the
the comer, but
if,
it
now
Black's
the
Kt P
should only be ad^
vanced
one
square
since
White King
is
at
Kt
I.
8.
K Ri
40
sition,
OBTAINING A PASSED PAWN

but before we devote our time to
it
I wish to
call attention to
two
things.
11.
OBTAINING A PASSED PAWN

more Pawns are opposed to each
When
there
is
three or
other in some such position as the one in Example 24,
always a chance for one side or the other of
obtaining a passed Pawn.
:/y.
/A
iT
y^^
^f
<^*
^
'>''
..
^
^/
'/.
^
y
.../.^y.
M
V
>>
^
Pawn
Example
Pawn.
24.
In the
above position the way of

is
obtaining a passed
to advance the centre
1.
P Kt6
RPxP
PxBP
White Pawn
is
If
PxP;
2.
3-
P-R P B6 P-R6
6,
and as
in this case the of the
nearer
to
will
Queen than any
Black Pawns, White
WHICH PAWN FIRST TO QUEEN

win.
41
Now
if it
had been Black's move Black could
play
I
2.
P-Kt3
BPxP
BPxP
Black Pawn.
would not be advisable to try to obtain a passed Pawn because the White Pawns would be nearer to
It
Queen than the

3-
single
PXP
PxP
The
and the game properly played would be a draw. student should work this out for himself.
12.
HOW TO
FIND OUT WHICH PAWN WILL BE FIRST TO QUEEN

are free, or will be free, to ad-
When two Pawns

Pawn
will
vance to Queen, you can find out, by counting, which
be the
25.
first
to succeed.
Example
wins.
In
this position
whoever moves
first
42
WHICH PAWN FIRST TO QUEEN

The
first
thing
is
to find out,
by counting, whether
King can be in time to stop the passed Pawn from Queening. When, as in this case, it cannot be done, the pomt is to coimt which Pawn comes in
the opposing
first.
In
this case the
tune
is
the same, but the

first
Pawn
that reaches the eighth square
and becomes a
Queen
is
m
1.
a position to capture the adversary's
Queen when he makes one.
Thus
P R4
P KR4
2.
3.
P-Rs P Kt6
little
if
P-R5 PxP
White can capture
so,
Now
ing,
comes a
calculation.
the Pawn, but
he does
he
will not,
when Queen-
command
Pawn.
the square where Black will also Queen
his
Therefore, instead of taking, he plays:

4.
5.
P R6
P R6
6.
P-R7 P-R7 P R8 (Q), andwms.

to
The student would do weU

quire the habit of coimting,
acquaint himself
sort, so as to ac-
with various simple endings of this
and thus be able to know

first.
with ease when he can or caimot get there
Once
again I must call attention to the fact that a book
cannot by
as a guide,
itself
teach
how
to play.
It can only serve
and the
rest
must be learned by experience,
and
if
a teacher can be had at the same time, so
much
the faster will the student be able to learn.
THE OPPOSITION
13.
43
THE OPPOSITION
King
into a position similar to the
When
by
Kings have to be moved, and one player can,
force, bring his
one shown in the following diagram, so that his adversary

is
forced to
move and make way

is
for him, the
player obtaining that advantage

oj)i)osition.
said to
have
the
^ample
plays
26.
Suppose in the above position White

K-Q4
King by playing
I.
Now
or,
if
Black has the option of either opposing the
passage of the White
K Q
he prefers, he can pass with his own
King
by
replying
K B
4.
Notice that the Kings are
directly opposed to each other,
and the nimiber of

is
intervening squares between them

this case.
odd
one
in
The
opposition can take the form
shown above,
44
THE OPPOSITION
close frontal opposition;
which can be called actual or

or this form:
which can be called actual or close diagonal opposition,

or, again, this
form
which can be called actual or close lateral opposition.

In practice they are
all
one and the same.
The
Kings,
Kings are always on squares of the same colour, there

is
only one intervening square between the

last
and the player who has moved
"has
the opposition.^'
THE OPPOSITION
Now,
if
45
the student will take the trouble of moving
each King backwards as in a game in the same frontal,

diagonal or lateral line respectively shown in the dia-
grams,
we
shall
have what
may be caUed distant frontal,

is
diagonal and lateral opposition respectively.
The matter
of the opposition
highly important,
all
and takes at times somewhat complicated forms,

of which can be solved mathematically; but,
for the
present, the student should only consider the
most
simple forms.
of
(An examination of some
of the examples
will
King and Pawns endings aheady given

In
all
show
several cases of close opposition.)
simple forms of opposition,
when
the
Kings are on
move has
the
same
line
and
the
number
of intervening squares between them is even, the player
who has
the
the opposition.
Example
tage
the
27.
The above position shows to advanThe
enormous value of the opposition.
4b
position
is
THE OPPOSITION
very simple.
Very
little
is
left
on the
board, and the position, to a beginner, probably looks

absolutely even.
ever has the
It is not the case,
however.
Who-
move wins.
Notice that the Kings are
directly in front of one another,
and that the number
of intervening squares
is even.
Now
Thus:
as to the procedure to win such a position.

to begin
is
The proper way
to
move
straight up.
I.
K K2
THE OPPOSITION
defence more
difi&cult
47
to overcome.
Let us begin
anew.
Now if
K K2 K Q K Q
I.
3,
2,
or
if
K Qi 2 K K K K
3,
2,
and Black obtains the opposition
in both cases.
(When
the Kings are directly in front of one another, and the
number
is
of
intervening
squares between the Kings

last
odd,
the
player
who has moved
has the
opposition.)
Now
There
in order to win, the
White King must advance.
is
only one other square where he can go,

is
3,
and that
the right place;
Therefore
it is
seen that
when the opponent makes a so-called waiting move, you must advance, leaving a rank Therefore we or file free between the Kings.
in such cases
have
2.
K B3
K K2
Now, it would be bad to advance, because then Black, by bringing up his King in front of your King, would
obtain the opposition.
simila r
It is White's turn to play a
move
3-
to Black's first
move,
viz.
K-K3
which brings the position back to the first variation shown. The student would do weU to famiharise himself with the handling of the King in all examples of
opposition.
It often
means the winning or
losing of
a game.
48
THE OPPOSITION
28.
Example
defence.
The following position
is
an
excellent
proof of the value of the opposition as
a means of
White
is
Pawn behind and
apparently
lost,
yet he
can manage to draw as follows

I.
K Ri!
The position of the Pawns does not permit White to draw by means of the actual or close opposition,
hence he takes the distant opposition
1
:
in effect
if
K B
K B
I 2,
(actual or
close
opposition),
K Q
move,
.
K Q
7;
6 and White cannot continue to
keep the
lateral
opposition essential to his safety,

at
because of his
after the text
1.
own Pawn
if
3.
On
the other hand,
2.
KK-
R2
R3!
3.
K-Q7 K-Q6 K K7
THE OPPOSITION
4.
5.
49
K-^Kt2
K-Kt3
K K6 K-Q5
forcing Black to play 6...
6.
K Kt4
Pawn and
to
attacking the
K K
when he can go back
Kt
if
3 as already
shown, and always keep the opposition.
Going back to the

1.
original position,
K Ri
PX
P Kts
P, because
White does not play

win, but plays
2.
P K
will
K Kt2
ch;
3
K Q7
foUowed by
If
2...PXP
KxP,
K K
4,
win draw.
3.
PxP
will
P K5
show that both
sides
and mere counting

drawing the game.
If the student
Queen,
wiU now take the trouble to go back
to the examples of
King and Pawns which

of
have
given in this book,^ he wiU realise that in

the matter of the opposition
is
all of
them
paramount imporall
tance
as, in fact, it is in
nearly
endings of King
and Pawns, except
in such cases
where the Pawn-
position in itself ensures the win.

1
See page 13.
so
14.
THE RELATIVE VALUE

THE RELATIVE VALUE OF KNIGHT AND BISHOP
it
Before turning our attention to this matter

well to state
is
now
that two Knights alone cannot mate,
but, under certain conditions of course, they can

so
if
do
the opponent has one or more Pawns.
Example
29.
In the above position White cannot

King
is
win, although the Black
cornered, but in the
following position, in which Black has
a Pawn,
White wins with or without the move.

I.
Kt Kt6
P R5
Thus
OF KNIGHT AND BISHOP

White cannot take the Pawn because the game
be drawn, as explained before.
2.
SI
will
345-
Kt K5 Kt B6 Kt Kts
Kt B
7
P R6 P R7 P R8(Q)
mate
The reason
White with
for this pecuUarity in chess is eviaent.

the two
Knights can only stalemate
the
King, unless Black has a
Pawn
is
which can be moved.
Example
30.
Although he
a Bishop and a
Pawn
ahead the following position cannot be won by White.
It is the greatest
weakness of the Bishop, that when

square of opposite colour
in front of the
the Rook's
Pawn Queens on a
is
and the opposing King

Bishop
is
Pawn, the
absolutely worthless.
AH
that Black has to
do
is
to keep
moving
his
King
close to the
comer
square.
52
THE RELATIVE VALUE
Example
variation.
31.
In the above position White with or

win.
without the
move can
Take the most
difficult

has the choice of one colour only.
to bring a Knight from one
It takes
53
much longer
Also,
wing to the other.
as
shown
in the following Example, a Bishop can

;
stalemate a Knight
is
a compliment which the Knight
unable to return.
Example 32.
The weaker the player the more

is
terrible the
Knight
to him, but as a player increases in strength the
value of the Bishop becomes more evident to him, and

of course there
is,
or should be, a corresponding decrease
in his estimation of the value of the
Knight as compared
to the Bishop.
In
this respect, as in
many
others, the
masters of to-day are far ahead of the masters of former

generations.
While not so long ago some of the very

hardly a master of
best amongst them, like Pillsbury and Tchigorin, preferred Knights to Bishops, there
is
who would not ments made above.

to-day
completely agree with the state-
54
THE RELATIVE VALUE
This is about the only case when the Example 33. Knight is more valuable than the Bishop.
It is what is called a "block position," and aD. the Pawns are on one side of the board. (If there were Pawns
on both
sides of the
board there would be no advantage

In such a position Black has
in having a Knight.)
excellent chances of winning.
Of course, there
in
is
an
a
extra source of weakness for
White
having his Pawns

This
is
on the same colour-squares as

mistake often
generally, in
his Bishop.
made by
an ending,
players.
is
The proper way,
to
have your Pa\ras on
own Bishop. When you have your Pawns on squares of the same colour the action of your own Bishop is limited by
squares of opposite colour to that of your
them, and consequently the value of the Bishop
is
diminished, since the value of a piece can often be
measured by the number of squares

While on
it
commands.
this subject, I shall also call attention to the

fact that
it is
55
generally preferable to keep your
Pawns
on squares
of the
same colour as that

if
of the opposing
Bishop, particularly
they are passed Pawns supprinciples
ported by the King.

thus
The
might be stated
When
Bishop.
the
opponent has a Bishop, keep your

the
Pawns
on sqiMres of
same colour
as
your
opponent's
Whenever you have a Bishop, whether

has also one or not, keep your
opposite colour to that of
the
opponent
of the
Pawns on squares your own Bishop.
Naturally, these principles have sometimes to be
modified to suit the exigencies of the position.
Example 34. are on one side
In the following position the Pawns

of the board,
and there
is
no advantage
in having either a
Knight or a Bishop,
The game
should surely end in a draw.
S6
THE RELATIVE VALUE

35.
Example
Now
let
us add three
Pawns on
each side to the above position, so that there are
Pawns on both
sides of the board.
It is
now
preferable to have the Bishop, though

if
the position,
properly played out, should end in a

of having the
draw.
The advantage
in its ability to
Bishop
lies
as
much
command,
at long range, both

its
sides of the
ability to
board from a central position as in
move
quickly from one side of the board
to the other.

Example 36
57
it is
In
the
above position
un-
questionably an advantage to have the Bishop, because,
although each player has the same number of Pawns, they are not balanced on each side of the board.
Thus,
on the King's
the
side.
White has three

it
is
to two, while
on
to
Queen's
Still,
side
Black
that
has
three
two.
in
with proper play, the game should end
draw,
though
White
has
somewhat better
chances.
Example
37.
Here
is
is
a position in which to
have the Bishop
a decided advantage, since not
/;;
/ i
i*'
z
4,
/^
/A
41 h
^ J
only are there Pawns on both sides of the board,
but there
is
a passed
Black).
Pawn (K
R P
if
for
White,
Q R P
at
all.
for
Black
should
have
extreme
it
difl&culty in
drawing
this position,
he can do
S8
VALUE OF KNIGHT AND BISHOP

38.
Example
Again Black would have great
diffi-
culty in drawing this position.
The student should

tions.
carefully consider these posi-
hope that the many examples wiU help him
to understand, in their true value, the relative merits of the
Knight and Bishop.
As
to the general
of procedure, a teacher, or practical
method experience, wiU

all
be best.
I might say generally, however, that the

similar end-
proper course in these endings, as in

ings, is:
Advance
of the
King to the centre
of the
board or towards the passed Pawns, or Pawns that

are susceptible of being attacked,
of the passed
and rapid advance

is
Pawn
or
Pawns
as far as
consistent
with their safety.
To
give a fixed line of play would be foUy.

is
Each
do.
ending
different,
and
reqtiires
different handling,
according to
Calculation
will count.
what the adversary proposes to

visualising the future positions is
by
what
MATE WITH KNIGHT AND BISHOP

15.
59
HOW TO MATE WITH A KNIGHT AND A BISHOP

before going back again to the middle-game
let
Now,
and the openings,

against a Rook.
us see
and Bishop, and, thpn,
how to mate with Knight how to wia with a Queen

the
With a
Kjiight
and a Bishop
mate can only he
given in the corners of the same colour as the Bishop.
Example
at
39.
In
8.
this
example we must mate either

into
QR
or
KR
The ending can be divided
two
done
parts.
Part one consists in driving the Black
King
to the last liue.

in
We
might begin, as
is
generally
aU such
cases,
by advancing the King
to the
centre of the board

I.
K K2
make
it
K Q2
more
difl&cult,
Black, in order to
goes towards
the white-squared comer:

2.
3.
K-Q3 B-B4
K-B3 K-Q4
6o
4.
HOW TO MATE WITH
A KNIGHT AND BISHOP
6i
I give
K Kt
IS
Kt K
it is
3,
and the other which
as the text, and which I consider better for the student

to learn, because
more methodical and more
in
accord with the

the
spirit of all these endings,
6y using
King as much as
14.
possible.
62
QUEEN AGAINST ROOK

fifty
mate within the

the rules.
moves which are granted by
16.
QUEEN AGAINST ROOK

difficult
This
is
one of the most
endings without
Pawns.
The
resources of the defence are
many, and
when used
(The rule
skilfully
only a very good player wiU prevail
within the limit of fifty moves allowed

is
that at any
by the rules. moment you may demand

is
that your opponent mate you within fifty moves.
However, every time a piece
exchanged or a Pawn
afresh.)
advanced the counting must begin
Example
move.
40.
This
is
one of the standard positions
which Black can often bring about.

If it
Now,
it is
White's
were Black's move
it
would be simple, as
he would have to move his Rook away from the King

(find
out why), and then the
Rook would be compara-
tively easy
QUEEN AGAINST ROOK to win. We deduce from the

is
63
above that
the
main object
so,
to force the Black
Rook away
from the defending King, and that, in order to compel

Black to do
we must
bring about the position in
the diagram with Black to move.
Once we know
becomes
easier to
what
find.
is
required, the
way
to proceed
Thus:
I.
Q Ksch
6,
Q R because R B ch; 2 K Kt R B3ch; 3KXR. Stalemate. (The beginner

Not
I
6,
will invariably fall into this trap.)
I
2.
K to R
I I
or to
R2
3-
Q Ri ch Q-Rs
K Kt
we have accomplished our The first part is concluded. Now we come second part. The Rook can only go to a White
In a few moves
otherwise the
first
object.
to the
square,
it.
check with the Queen wiU win
Therefore
^.
64
QUEEN AGAINST ROOK

^
^
/
U
^
^Mr
^
K
Example The things
41.
y^y/.
^^
/
?^
^_
y
is
The procedure here

mind
very similar.
to bear in
be prevented from interposing at

immediate mate, and in the
Rook must Kt i because of an same way the King must

are that the
be prevented from going either to
3 or
i.
Example
42.
We
shall
now examine a more
diffi-
cult position.
QUEEN AGAINST ROOK

Many
players would be deceived
is
65
by
this position.
The most likely looking move suppose we begin

1.
not the best.
Thus
2.
Q Ksch K B K Kt6 R Q2
it
The only
defence, but, unfortvinately, a very effective
one, which maikes
very
difficult for
.
White, since he
.
cannot play 3 4
Q K
6 because of 3
.R
Kt
2 ch
K B
6,
R Kt
3
quickly
by
6,
K B
Now
Q Q R Q 3
Nor can he win 3 ch draws. i, B 5 ch because 3...K
ch!
driving back the White
King.
that
we have
seen the
difficxilties
of the situa-
tion let us go back.
The
best
move
is
Q Kt sch! K Ri IfK R2; 2Q Kt6ch, K Ri; 3K R6! Q Ksch! K Rabest K Kts R R2!best
1.
2.
3.
If 3
.R Kt
ch
K B
6 leads to a position
41.
similar to those in
Examples 40 and
'4.
66
QUEEN AGAINST ROOK
and we have the position of Example 40 with Black to move. Let us go back again.
1.
2. 3.
Q Ktsch K B Q Q8ch K Kt2 K Kts R B6

I
The
best place for the
3...K R2;
would
Q Q
Rook away from the Kt 2 ch; 5 K 4,
King.
lead to positions similar to those already seen.

I
Q Q4ch K B K Kt6 5 Q Q 6 ch, K Kt 2; 6Q Ks ch, K B i; K Kt 6 would also win the Rook. The text move,
4.
5.
however,
is
given to show the finesse of such endings.
White now threatens mate at

5-
8.
6.
QUEEN AGAINST ROOK

King are often kept on
aU the
possibilities
67
different lines.
The student
should carefully go over these positions and consider
not given in the text.
He
should once more go through everything already
written before proceeding further with the book.
CHAPTER
III
Planning a Win in Middle-Game Play

I
SHALL now give a few winning positions taken from

games.
I
my own
have selected those that I believe

types,
i.e.
can be considered as
easily occur again in
positions that
may
a somewhat similar form.

is
knowledge of such positions

one cannot know too many.
player to find,
of great help;
It often
in fact,
may
help the
with
little effort,
the right move, which
he might not be able to find at aU without such

knowledge.
17.
ATTACKING WITHOUT THE AID OF KNIGHTS
ATTACKING WITHOUT KNIGHTS
69
Example 43. It is Black's move, and as he is a Kt and P behind he must win quickly, if at all. He
plays
I
QR Kt i!
R B 2
ch
;
2.
If,
QX
Q,
RXP
2
3. 4.
K R
i,
B Q
ch
4 and mate
follows in a few moves.
RXP
K B
KtxB
B B s ch R KtSmate
Example
44.
Black's
last
move was P
5,
6,
played with the object of stopping what he thought
was White's
threat, viz.
:R Q R
5
to which he
would have answered
Q B
ch and drawn the game
by perpetual
forceful
check.
White, however, has a more
move, and he
mates
in
three
moves as
follows
70
1.
ATTACKING WITHOUT
RxPch
QxR
Black moves
2.
R-QRs
White mates
3.
Example still he had

fore plays:
45.
White has a beautiful

some material,
if
position,
but
better gaia
he can, before
Black consolidates his defensive position.

1. 2.
He
there-
RxKt!
BxPch
Rx
PxR K K2
helpless.
If
Kt X B
Kt and Black would be
3.
Q R7ch
Q X Kt
ch
4.
5.
K Ki K Q2
Q K2 QXQ
Q-R7ch
B B8 R X Q ch
6. 7.
K Ki
Resigns
8.
RxR
In these few examples the attacking has been done
by Rooks and Bishops
in combination
with the Queen.
THE
We
shall
Am
OF KNIGHTS
in
71
There have been no Knights to take part
in the attack.
now give some examples
which the Knights
play a prominent part as an attacking force.
18.
ATTACKING WITH KNIGHTS AS A PROMINENT FORCE
Example 46. White is two Pawns behind. must therefore press on his attack. The game
tinues
:
He
con-
I.
Kt
(B
s)
X Kt P
made
Kt B 4
the winning easier
Evidently an error which

for White, as
he simply took the Rook with the Knight

attack.
and kept up the
Black should have played:
i...KtxKt. Then would have followed: 2 Kt B 6ch, Kt3; 3 Kt X B, P B 3 (best) 4 P B 2 s Kt X P, R K 2 6 Kt K 4, K 5,
K K
and Black should

*
lose.^
Full score
and notes are given in
My
Chess Career, by
J.
R.
Capablanca (Game No. ii).
72
ATTACKING WITH KNIGHTS
mm ^mim
J^
%/
^
/
2*
Example
amine the
47.
The
student
should
carefully
ex-
position, as the sacrifice of the
Bishop in
for it is
similar situations is tj^pical,
and the chance

actual play.
of frequent occurrence
in
The game
continues
1.
BxPch
Kt Kt sch
;
KxB
K-Kt3
the Queen,
irresistible
5,
2.
Best.
If 2.
2
.
and
if
.K R 3 .K Kt i
.
Kt X P ch wins
with an
Q R
cLLLclCiv.*
3.
4.
Q-Kt4 Q-Kt3
P-B4 K-R3
Example 50
(p 80.).
White
finally won.'
is
This position
elaborated under
WINNING BY INDIRECT ATTACK

19.
73
We
have so far given positions where the attacks
were of a violent nature and directed against the

King's position.
Very
often, however, in the middle-
game
attacks are
made
against a position or against
pieces, or
even Pawns.
strength often
The winning of a Pawn among good players of even means the winning of the game.
of such positions
is
Hence the study

portance.
of great im-
We
give below two positions in which the
attack airns at the gain of a mere

ultimately winning the game.
Pawn
as a
means
of
Example
is
48.
Black
is
a Pawn behind, and there
no violent direct attack against White's King. Black's pieces, however, are very well placed and free
to act,
and by co-ordinating the action
of
aU
his pieces
he
is
soon able not only to regain the
Pawn but
to
obtain the better game.
The
student should carefully
74

and the subsequent moves.
It
consider this position

is
a very good example of proper co-ordination in the

of forces.
management
I
2.
The game
continues:
R Ri
P-QR4
move was P
;
White's best
follow
Kt X B
Q Kt when would 3 Q X Kt, R R 6 and Black would

3,
ultimately win the
Q R
P, always keeping a slight

text
easier.
The
move makes matters
2
3. 4.
Kt X B
QxKt
KR Qi
Q-Bs
KR Kt
is
Black could have regained the
Pawn by
more
playing
BX
and
Kt, but he sees that there
to be had,
therefore increases the pressure against White's

side.
Queen
He now
threatens,
among other
things,
R X Kt
P.
5.
Q-K3
Q Kts K Ri
R-Kts
BQ
I
5.
Threatening to win the exchange by

6.
7.
B Qsch
QR Kt
This threatens to win the Kt, and thus forces White

to give
up the exchange.
8. 9.
RxB
QXR
R-Qi
will recover his
Q-Bs
Pawn.
Now
Black
75
Example 49. An examination of this position will show that Black's main weakness lies in the exposed position of his King, and in the fact that his Q R has not yet come into the game. Indeed, if it were Black's move, we might conclude that he would have the better game, on accoimt of having three Pawns to two on the Queen's side, and his Bishop commanding
the long diagonal.
It
is,
however. White's move, and he has two courses
to choose from.
The obvious move, B

i
4,
might
i;
be good
2
enough, since after
BB
P Q Kt
is
4,
QR Q
4 would make
it difi&cult
for Black.
But
there
another
move which
completely upsets Black's
position
and wins a Pawn, besides obtaining the better position. That move is Kt Q 4 The game
continues as follows:
1. 2.
Kt Q4!
PxKt
Kt Kts
RxB
76
There is nothing better, as White threatened B

3-
4.
CHAPTER
IV
Geneeal Theory
Before we
it will
revert to the technique of the openings
be advisable to dwell a Httle on general theory,

better understood.
so that the openings in their relation to the rest of the
game may be
20.
THE INITIATIVE
on the board both
sides
As the the same

case
pieces are set
have
position
and the same amoimt
of material.
White, however, has the move, and the move in this
means
the
initiative,
is
and the
initiative,
other
things being equal,
an advantage.
Now
this ad-
vantage must be kept as long as possible, and should

only be given up
or positional,
is
if
some other advantage, material

its place.
obtained in
White, according
to the principles already laid down, develops his pieces
as fast as possible, but in so doing he also tries to
hinder his opponent's development,

sure wherever possible.
by
applyirig pres-
He
it
tries first of
aU
to control
the centre, and failing this to obtain some positional
advantage that wiU make
possible for
him
to keep
on harassing the enemy.

initiative
He
it
only relinquishes the
when he
gets for
some material advantage

feel
under such favoxirable conditions as to make him

77
78
DIRECT ATTACKS EN MASSE

will, in turn,
assured that he
be able to withstand his

through his superiinitiative,
adversary's thrust;
and
finally,
ority of material, once
more resvune the

since,
which alone can give him the victory.

assertion
is
This
last
self-evident,
xa.
order to win the
game, the opposing King must be driven to a position
where he
is
attacked without having any
way
of escape.
Once the pieces have been properly developed the

resulting positions
may
vary in character.
is
It
may
be that a direct attack against the King

or that
it is
in order;
a case of improving a position already

or, finally,
advantageous;
that some material can be
gained at the cost of relinquishing the initiative for
a more or
less
prolonged period.
21.

case the attack
In the
sufficient
first
must be
carried
on with
force to guarantee
its success.
consideration
must a
direct attack against the

is
Under no King
be carried on a outrance imless there

tainty in one's
failure in
absolute cer-
own mind
that
it
will succeed, since
such cases means disaster.
Example
diagram
50.
A good example of a successful

is
direct
attack against the King
shown
in the following
In this position White could simply play
BB
and
fers
still
have the better
position,
but instead he preside,
an immediate attack on the King's
with
79
the certainty in his mind that the attack will lead to a win. The game continues thus: ^
12. 13. 14.
BXP
ch
KxB
5ch
Kt Kt
K-Kt3
Q Kt4
4;
s; 15
P B4
fatal.
Best.
P K
4!
4 would have been immediately
Thus:
16 18
14...P K
5 ch,
Kt K
6 ch,
K B
P B
PK
3;
17
Q K
20
Q6;
K Q 2; KtxP, K B 3
;
Q Kt 5 ch, KxKt; ch, Kt 19 K R Q

i
(if
K K
; ;
i,
Kt Q6ch
i ch,
wins the Queen)
21
Rx
Kt,
QXR
22
K Kt 3
and mate
1
(if
K Q 2
mate
in two)
R B 23 Q B
ch
in five moves.
from now on, games and
with the
notes, so that the student
We
give,
may
take
familiarise himself
many and
varied considerations
that constantly are borne in

it
mind by the Chess Master.
We
must
for granted that the student has already reached a stage
where, while not being able fuUy to understand every move, yet he
can derive benefit from any discussion with regard to them.
8o

15. 16.
Q-Kt3
17.
If
;
Q R4ch Q R ch
7
K-R3 K Kt3 K B3
in
K X Kt Q X
18.
Kt P ch and mate
a few moves.
3
19.
P K4 PxP
Kt - Kt
PxP
Kt Q6 Kt(Q6)-Bs
20. 21. 22.

23.
QR Qi
Q-R3 Q Kt3
Q B
..B
KR Ki
;
Kt K7ch
This blmider loses at once, but the game could not
be saved in any case

ch,
e.g. 23.
K3; 24RXB
Kt X R;
24.
25
25.
26. 27. 28.
Kt Q 5 mate. R X Kt QxQ Kt R 7 ch K B2 RPXQ R Ri

Kt
Kt sch
4
K-B3
Resigns
this kind;
PB
Example
51.
Another
example of
8i
In the above position the simple move Kt X P would win, but White looks for compHcations and their beauties. Such a course is highly risky imtil a wide experience of actual master-play has developed a sufficient insight into all the possibilities of a position.
This game, which
won
the
brilliancy prize
:
Petersburg in 1914, continued as follows
at
St.
82
THE FORCE OF THE

often, as in
and that
out,
it is
some
of the variations pointed
the coming into action of the last available
piece that finally overthrows the enemy. It

strates the principle already stated:
demonbe
Direct
carried
and
violent attacks against the

to
King must
en masse, with full force,
ensure their success.

the attack
The opposition must be overcome

cannot be broken of, since in
defeat.
all
at all cost;
suh cases that means
22.
THE FORCE OF THE THREATENED ATTACK

an opportunity,
in
Failing
the
second case, for
direct attack, one
must attempt to increase whatever

be in the opponent's position;
It
weakness there
may
or, if there is none,

is
one or more must be created.
always an advantage to threaten something, but

if
such threats must be carried into effect only

thing
is
some-
to be gained immediately.
For, holding the
threat in hand, forces the opponent to provide against

its
it.
execution and to keep material in readiness to meet
Thus he may more

is
easily overlook, or
be xmable
to parry, a thrust at another point.
threat
carried into effect,
it
exists
But once the no longer, and

successful
your opponent can devote his attention to his own

schemes.
One
on one
of the best
and most
ma-
noeuvres in this type of

stration
side, so
game is to make a demonas to draw the forces of your

then through
the
greater
opponent to that
side,
mobility of your pieces to shift your forces quickly
THREATENED ATTACK
to the other side
83
and break through, before your
opponent has had the tune to bring over the necessary forces for the defence.
good example of positional play
is
shown
in the
following
game:
at
Example 52. Played

tional Masters
the
Havana
Interna-
Tournament, 1913. (French Defence.)

Black
:
White
J.
R. Capablanca.
I.
R. Blanco.
84
THE FORCE OF THE
prevent the development of Black's Queen's Bishop Q Kt 3, which is Black's usual vid Q Kt 2, after P
development in
to
this variation.
Generally
it
is
bad
move
the same piece twice in an opening before
the other pieces are out, and the violation of that

principle is the only objection that can
this
be made to
move, which otherwise has everything to recomit.
mend
7
8.
B-Q3
Q-B3
B K Kt
himself
might be
better.
The
text
move
gives
Black an opportimity of which he does not avail
P-B3
It
P B
own;
4 was the right move.

at least. White's play
would have led to

held his
difficult.
complications, in which Black might have
would be very
The
text
move accomplishes
nothing, and puts Black
THREATENED ATTACK
in
85
veiled threat
an altogether defensive
followed
9.
position.
The
is
B X Kt;
by
Q R
3
4 ch;
easily met.
P B
10.
B KKts
00 B K2
lost too
The
fact that
Black has now to move his Bishop
back clearly demonstrates that Black's plan of devel-
opment is faulty. White brings his
He
has
much
time,
and
pieces
into
their
most attacking
position without hindrance of

11.
any
sort.
B Q3
was Kt
3,
Kt Ki
The
play
alternative
woidd play
Q R
3
4.
Otherwise White
and Black would be forced to
P K Kt sacrifice B X P),
12.
(not
P K R
3,
because of the
side.
seriously
weakening his King's
Q R3
P KB
White has no longer an attack, but he has compelled

Black to create a marked weakness. whole plan
will
Now
White's
be to exploit this weakness (the weak

see
K P),
move
and the student can now

directed to
how
the principles
expounded previously are applied

is
in this
game.
Every
tenable, or to
make the weak King's Pawn improfit by the inactivity of the Black
Pawn,
in order to
pieces defending the
improve the
position of
White at other
13. 14. 15.
points.
BxB 00
KR Ki
R K2
QxB R B3
B Q2
Kt Q3
16.
86
THE FORCE OF THE

last the
At
Bishop comes out, not as an active attack-
ing piece, but merely to

17.
make way
for the
Rook.
18.
QR Ki P QB 4
R Ki Kt B 2
PB
5,
A
B X
Kt 4
25
very clever move, tending to prevent
and tempting White to play Kt

tion shows:
;
B, followed by
P, which would be bad, as the following varia-
21
Kt X B, Q X Kt; 20 B X P, Kt Q Kt 4, R X B 22 P K R 4, P
19
;
KR4; 23QxR,PxQ; 24RxRch,K R

PX
Kt,
2;
QX
if
P.
But
it
always happens in such
cases that,
is
one
line of attack is anticipated, there
another;
and
this is
no exception to the
rule, as
will
be seen.
19.
P Qs!
way
to
KtxKt
meet the manifold threats
matters worse, as
bear on the weak
Apparently the best

of White.
B P X P would make
finally
the White Bishop would
King's
Pawn
vid
QB
4.
THREATENED ATTACK
20.
87
RX
Kt
21. 22.
Q R4 Q-Q4
Q-B3
better.
P KKt3 K Kta
P B4 Px
Forced, as White threatened

23.
K P, and also Q X P P-Kt3

to
Q Q
was
But Black wants
tempt
White to play
regain his
is
P X P, thinking that he will soon after Pawn with a safe position. Such, however,
I in
not the case, as White quickly demonstrates.
must add that
any case Black's position
is,
in
my
for
opinion, untenable, since all his pieces are tied
up
the defence of a Pawn, while White's pieces are free

to act.
24.
PXP
BB
25-
B K2!
All the Black
The
deciding and timely manoeuvre.
pieces are useless after this Bishop reaches
5.
88
FORCE OF THREATENED ATTACK

25
26. 27-
BxP
B B3
K B 2
Q-Q3
all
B-Q5
Now
way
his
it is
it
evident that
the Black pieces are tied
up, and
only remains for White to find the quickest
to force the issue.
White
will
now
try to place
Queen at
K R
6,
and then advance the
KRP
to
5 in order to
break up the Black Pawns defend-
ing the King.

28.
Q K3
s;
R K2
If
28...P
B
4, 4, 4,
29
Q K
3,
P
5,
K R
Q-R R-K 2; 31 Q-Kt K-Kt 2; P-K R Q-Q 2; 33P-K Kt 3,PXP; and Black will soon be helpless, as he has 34 P B
30
32
to
4;
mark time with
his pieces while
White prepares
proper time
to advance to play
P R 5, and R X B, winniug.
29.
finally at the
RELINQUISHING THE INITIATIVE

sacrifices of pieces.
89
for a brilliant direct attack agaiast the King, involving
23.

is
In the third case, there

material advantage
is
nothing to do, once the
obtained, but to submit to the

it
opponent's attack for a while, and once

repulsed to act quickly with
all
has been
your forces and win

this
on material.
is
A
53.
good example of
type of game
given below.
Example
From
P-K4
the
Masters Tournament, 1913.

J,
Havana International (Ruy Lopez.) White:
R. Capablanca.
1.
Black: D. Janowski.
P-K4
Kt-QB3
Kt-B3
2.
Kt KB3
3. 4.
5.
B-Kts
0-0
B X Kt
ch
P-Q3
PXB B K2
6.
7.
P Q4
Kt-B3
better,
PXP
might be
but at the tune I was not
fa mili ar
with that variation, and therefore I played
what I knew to be good.

7.
8.
90 Black
to

offers the
exchange in order to gain time and
obtain
an attack.
Without considering at
justified
all
whether or not such a course was

of Black,
it is
on the part
is
evident that as far as White

viz., to
concerned
there
is
only one thing to do,
win the exchange

Then, once
and then prepare to weather the storm.

it is
passed, to act quickly with all forces to derive
the benefit of munerical superiority.

13. 14.
B R6
15.
R Q2 Kt Qi
PQ B
Kt B4 R Kt I R Kt 5
4,
To
the
force
White to play
of a master.
and thus create a

tactics
hole at
5 for his Knight.^
Such grand
show
hand

Black's manceuvring for positional advantage
is
91
adit
mirable throughout this game, and
if
he loses
is
due entirely to the

without even a
fact that the sacrifice of the exchange,

for
it,
Pawn
could not succeed against
sound defensive play.
21. 22.
Kt B
PXP
The
position begins to look really dangerous for White.

is
In reality Black's attack

force.
reaching
its
maximimi
Very soon
it
wiU reach the apex, and then
92

who
is
White,
action,
weU
prepared, wiU begin his counter

his superiority in material obtain
and through
an undoubted advantage.
23.
24.
Kt B I Kt X Kt
25.
26.
R-Ki He could not play R K

he
will
Q Rs
PB 5 B P X Kt B Kt2 P B4
i
R X Q P. Besides, he wants to be ready to play P K 5. At present White cannot with safety play R X K P, but
because of
soon prepare the
way
for
it.
Then, by giving
up a Rook for a Bishop and a Pawn, he will completely upset Black's attack and come out a Pawn ahead. It is on this basis that White's whole defensive manoeuvre
is
foimded.
27. 28.
P B3
R-Ki K2 R K3 (Q2)
Now
is
the Black
prepared.
It is
Rook enters into the game, but White now time to give back the exchange.

29.
93
303132-
RXP RXB Q-K8

RxQch R K5 Kt-Q2
BxR
R KR3
3334-
QXQ K B 2 R-QB3
The
text
RB
ch might have been better.
move
did not prove as strong as anticipated.
34
35.
R Qs
Kt
36.
K4ch
K B3 R K3 K K2
P-Q6! R B7
RX
Very
of
Kt would
37.
fine.
I
;
lose easily
RxBP
RX
B,
White cannot play
ch because
K Q
RX
2
38.
39. 40.
KB
Kt wmning. B X Kt
PXB R Qs
the last
RxP R K6
At
this point
The ending is very White had to make was adjourned.
difficult to win.
move
before the
game
94
CUTTING OFF PIECES FROM

41.
THE SCENE OF ACTION

Example
Tournament,
Winter.
54.
95
Victory
Played
J.
at
the
Hastings
1919.
(Four Knights.)
White:
W.
Black:
R. Capablanca.
I.
96

alternative,
The
Kt P x B
gives
White the best
of
the game, without doubt.^

7.
P-Q3
B Kts
not at
all in
B-Qs
accordance with the nature
8.
This move
is
of this variation.
The
general strategical plan for
P K R 3, to be followed in time by the advance of the K Kt P to Kt 4, and the bringing of the Q Kt to K B s via K 2 and K Kt 3 or Q i and K 3. Then, if possible, the K Kt is linked with the other Kt by placing it at either K R 4, K Kt 3, or K 3
White
is
to play
as.
the occasion demands.
remains at
Kt
i,
and other
i.
The White King sometimes times it is placed at K Kt 2,

most cases comes
Somereal attack begins.
but mostly at
KR
Finally, in
P KB
times
4,
and then the
it is
a direct assault against the King,^ and at

it
other times
comes simply to finessing
for positional
advantage in the end-game, after most of the pieces
have been exchanged.'

8
9.
B R4
P KR3 P B4
See game Capablanca-Kupchick, from Havana International Masters Tournament Book, 1913, by J. R. Capablanca; or a game
in the Carlsbad Alechin.

'
Tournament
of 191 1,
Vidmar playing Black
against
See Niemzowitch's
game
in the All Russian Masters Tourna-
ment, 1914, at St. Petersburg, against Levitzki, I believe. ' See Capablanca-Janowski game, New York Masters Tournament, 1913.
THE SCENE OF ACTION
97
To prevent P Q 4 and to draw White into playing Kt Q 5, which woxild prove fatal. Black's plan is to play P K Kt 4, as soon as the circumstances
permit, in order to free his Queen and Knight from the pin by the Bishop.
10.
Kt-Qs
White falls into the trap. Only lack of experience can account for this move. White should have considered that a player of my experience and strength could never allow such a move if it were good.
10.
P-KKt4
98
move White's game is lost. White camiot play Kt X Kt P, because Kt x Kt will win a piece. Kt 3, either before or Therefore he must play B after Kt X Kt, with disastrous results in either case,
After this
as will be seen.
II.
Kt X Kt ch
12. 1314. IS-
B-Kt3
P-KR3
QXB PXQ
QxKt B-Kt5 BxKt
QXQ P-KB3
A simple examination will

a Bishop for
it
show that White
is
minus
free
all
practical purposes.
He
can only
by
sacrificing
one Pawn, and possibly not even
then.
At
least it
would
lose
time besides the Pawn.

side,
Black now
devotes
all his
energy to the Queen's
and, having practically a Bishop
more, the
resiilt
cannot be in doubt.
so that the student
The
rest of the
game
is
given,
may
see
how
simple
it is
to win
such a game.
THE SCENE OF ACTION

16.
99
100
A PLAYER'S MOTIVES CRITICISED

kindly wrote the notes to the
interesting feature for the student that Sir George
Thomas
game
for
me
at
my
request,
and with the imderstanding that
would
the conunents on them that I considered appropriate. Sir George Thomas' notes are in brackets and thus wiU be distinguished from my own comments.
make
Example
55.
Queen's
Gambit Declined.
{The
notes within brackets by Sir George Thomas.)
White
Mr. F. F. L. Alexander.
I.
Black: Sir George Thomas.
IN A SPECIMEN
of meeting this threat.)
GAME
first,
loi
There
are, besides,
two good
that
it
is
reasons for this method of defence;
not as
much played
as
some
of the other defences
and consequently not

it
so well
known, and second that
leaves Black with
two Bishops against
and Kt,
which, in a general way, constitutes an advantage.

7.
B X Kt
Kt X B
8. 9.
P-QR3 Q Kt3
Q
3.
Kt-K5
B-K2
B which
should
is
This
is
not the logical place for the
have been posted at

great importance,
In the opening, time
of
and
therefore the player should be
extremely careful in his development and

that he posts his pieces in the right places.
10.
make
sure
11. 12.
(I
BQ 3 P X Kt
Kt X Kt
BxBP
Kt
it
PXP B B3
to
did not want White's
come
to
5,
from
where I could not dislodge

weakening
out
my K
P.)
K B 3 without by P same result could be acThe

3.
complished by playing
BQ
Incidentally
it
bears
my
previous statement that the
should have
been originally played to

13.
3.
0-0
was P
The
and
alternative
then O 0.
4,
followed
by P
5,
White would thereby assmne the
initiative
but would weaken his
Pawn
position con-
siderably,
and might be compelled to stake aU on a
102

This
is
violent attack against the King.
a tiiming
point in the game, and

the temperament
it
is
in such positions that
and
style of the player decide the
course of the game.

13
14.
P K4
0-0 P K4
'y//
////
k
'A
IS.
P-Qs
K R Q
i,
(White might play 15

of breaking
keeping the option

I
up
the centre later on.
wanted him
to advance this
at
QB
4.)
P as there is now By this move White
fine post for
my
His
shows that he does
not understand the true value of his position.
only advantage consisted in the imdeveloped condition

of Black's
B.
He
should therefore have
made a
if
plan to prevent the
from coming out, or
that
were not possible, then he should try to force Black

to
weaken
his
Pawn
position in order to
come out with

first,
the B.
There were three moves to consider:
IN A SPECIMEN
GAME
B
occupies.
103
in the
PQ R
4, in
order to maintain the White

that
it
dominating
position
now
2
;
This
would have been met by

the Rooks to
17
QB
second, either of 16
Kt X B,
Q i in order to threaten Q X Kt 18 B X P ch.

;
PX
P,
BxP
This would have
been met by
vent
B Kt
5
and
third,
PK
3 to pre-
B Kt
4,
and by playing
either
R to Q i, followed
Black
to
up as previously stated to
force
play
side
P Q Kt
Pawns.
which would weaken his Queen's

'P
Thus by playing
K R
B and
White would
text
have attained the desired

development.
sive,
object.
The
move
blocks the action of the White
facilitates Black's
Hereafter White wiU act on the defeninterest throughout the rest of the
and the
wiU centre mainly on Black's play and the

which he
carries out the attack.
game manner in
IS
16.
Q B
B-Q3
it
makes the development of At present he cannot Black's Queen wing easier.

(This seems wrong, as
play
P Q Kt 3, because of the reply P X P followed

16
byB-Qs.)
I04

i8
19.
20.
(It
R B 2 Q Kt2
been
B-K2 B B4 P B3
better,
would
. .
have
probably,
to
play
20
K R K I, with
the idea of
is
P B
it
4 presently.)
Black's play hereabout
weak;
most
lacks force,
and
It
there seems to be no weU-defined plan of attack.

is
true that these are the
difficult positions to
handle in a game.
In such cases a player

scale,
must conceive
a plan on a large
success,
which promises chances of
and with
it
aU,
carried out with the
it must be a plan that can be means at his disposal. From it
the look of the position
seems that Black's best
chance would be to mass his forces for an attack

against White's centre, to be followed
by a
White
it,
direct
attack against the King.
He
should, therefore, play

4. If
is
Q R K
I,
threatening
P K B
able
to defeat this plan, or rather to prevent
then, once
he has fixed some of the White pieces on the EJng's

side, side,
he should quickly
shift his
attack to the Queen's
and open a
line for his
Rooks, which, once they
enter in action, should produce an advantage
on
ac-
count of the great power of the two Bishops.

21. 22. 23.
QR Kt
R-Qi
lost
P QR4
QR Qi B R3
KR Ki
(White has clearly

23
24.
time with his Rook's moves.)
Q-Kt3
IN A SPECIMEN
(To bring his Queen across after Kt
24
25. 26.
GAME
105
R 4 and B K2.) R-Q3

P-Kt3
Kt
R4
B K2
26.
PxP
Kt 4
to
(I
is
thought this exchange necessary here, as White
threatening to play his Bishop via
6.
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 wing.

it
I did not expect
him
to retake
with the King's Pawn, which seemed to expose
him to a violent King's side attack.) Black's judgment in this instance I beUeve to be faulty. Had White retaken with the B P, as he expected, he would have had the worst of the Pawn position, as White would have" had a passed Pawn well supported on the
Queen's
side.
His only advantage would he in his
having a very well posted Bishop against a badly
io6

is
posted Knight, and on the fact that in such positions as the above, the Bishop
invariably stronger
than the Knight.

vented
all that,
He
could and should have pre^
then replied
by playing B B i, as, had White with Kt 3, he could then play
PX
P, and White would not have been able to retake
with the
exchange.
B P on
27.
account of
BXP
ch winmng the
KPxP
P Kt3
move.
It
P K5
28.
P K6
would have been better
to have played
do not
it
like this
to hold
in reserve
and
be followed in due time by

after having placed the
P K Kt 4 Q at Q 2, K B 2,
P B 4, to and P 65^
text
or some other
square as the occasion demanded.

blocks the action of the powerful
The
move
4,
at
Q B
and
make White's position safer than it should have been. The move in itself is a very strong attacktends to
ing move, but
continuation.
it is isolated,
and there
is
no
effective
Such advances as a
rule should only
be made when they can be followed by a concerted

action of the pieces.
29.
30.
31.
P B4 Kt B 3
B Bi B B4
32. 33.
R Kt2 K Kt2
Kt Kt
I
R Ks Q B
I
P KKt4
IN A SPECIMEN
(If now 34 3, with a winning attack.)
GAME
BXR, BXB
107
ch,
B-B
PXP;
35
34. 35.
PxP
PxP
P-Kts
White's only
position
R-KBi
alternative.
i.
R R
dently
was the
move
is
would have been
K R
The
it is
now
evi-
won
for Black,
and
only a question of
finding the right course.
carried
on by
36. 37.
Sir
The final attack is now George Thomas in an irreproachable
manner.
B-Q3 Kt K2
R-KB3
Q B
I
(Again preventing
BX
R, by the masked attack

his Rook.)
on White's Rook.
If
White therefore protects

7!; 39
! !
Kt
B
R,
is
4,
P-K
5
40
RX
BK
If,
ch
41
KtxP, RxKt B X B, best, R X R

2,
ch;
and
White lost. however, against 38 Kt B 4, Black plays Q R 3, and White 39 Q B I take pleasure
io8

my
readers as a most beau-
in offering the position to

tiful
and extraordinary win

6 ch!!!
for Black, beginning with
39... Q R
I leave the variations for the
student to work out.

38. 39-
R(Kt2)-Kti
Q-R3
Q-B2
(Making a double attack on the Rook

cannot be taken
If either the
which
still
and preparing to defend the K R P.)

or Bishop are taken White would
Rook
be mated in a few moves.

3940.
K-Ri
^
Q R6ch RXP!!
/^*^
^
i
^
^..y ^5^1
\%
^^^^/
(If
40...R-R3;
2.
41
Kt Kt
I,
QxKtP;
42
Q
away
K Kt
best
Black therefore
tries to get
the Queen
from the defence.)
very beautiful move, and the
way
41.
to carry
on the attack.
QxR
IN A SPECIMEN
(The best defence was 41
GAME
109
RX
B, but Black would
emerge with Queen agamst Rook and Knight.)

41
(Again, not
R K R 3 42. R X R
B, then, at
42
43.
BxB because of P Q 6
dis. ch.)
(If
42
QX
last,
R R
3 wins.)
BXQ
Kt B4
P K7!
(The Queen has no

to take
it.)
escape,,
but White has no time
44.
R KKti
A
very
Q-B8
White
resigns.
fine finish.
CHAPTER V
EnD-GAME STRATEGy
We must now revert once more to

who has taken
the endings.
Their
importance will have become evident to the student

the trouble to study
my game
with
Janowski (Example
a
my
Ruy Lopez
in
53).
After an uneventful opening

its
one of
normal variations,
opponent suddenly made things interesting by
offering the exchange;
an
offer which, of course, I
Then followed a very hard, arduous struggle, had to defend myself against a very dangerous attack made possible by the excellent manoeuvring of my adversary. Finally, there came the time when I could give back the material and change off most of the pieces, and come to an ending in which I clearly had the advantage. But yet the ending
accepted.
in
which
itself
was not as simple as

became a very
it
at
first
appeared, and
finally
perhaps through one weak move on my part

difficult
it
matter to find a win.
Had
I been a weak end-game player the game would

all
probably have ended in a draw, and

efforts
is
my
previous
would have been
in vain.
Unfortunately, that
very often the case among the large majority of

;
players
they are weak in the endings

first
failing
from
free.
which masters of the
rank are at times not
END-GAME STRATEGY
all
III
Incidentally, I might call attention to the fact that
the world's champions of the last sixty years have
been exceedingly strong in the endings:
Morphy,
Steinitz, and Dr. Lasker had no superiors in this
department of the game while they held their
titles.
26.
THE SUDDEN ATTACK FROM A

DIFFERENT SIDE
have previously stated, when speaking about
general theory, that at times the

in attacking first
way
to
win consists
on one
side, then,
granted greater
mobility of the pieces, to transfer the attack quickly
from one
side to the other, breaking through before

sufficient
your opponent has been able to bring up

forces to withstand the attack.
This principle of the
middle-game can sometimes be applied in the endings

in
somewhat
similar
manner.
Example
56.
112
THE SUDDEN ATTACK

I,
In the above position

played
I 2.
with the Black pieces,
3.
R K2 R R2
R Ksch R QR5 P-KR4

is
The
idea, as will
be seen very soon,
to play
PR
in order to fix White's King's side
Pawns with a view

3 to support his
to the future.
It
is
evident to Black that White

to
wants to bring
his
King
Q Kt
two weak
isolated Pawns, and thus to free his Rooks.
Black, therefore, makes a plan to shift the attack to
the King's side at the proper time, in order to obtain
some advantage from the greater mobility

Rooks,
4.
of
his
R-Qi
Rook
R(Q4)-QR4
to Rook's square, keeping
in order to force the
both Rooks tied up.

5.
R(Qi)-Ri
P-Rs
6.
7.
K Q2 K-B2
R KKt
I
K Kt
R-KKt4
side.
Black begins to transfer his attack to the Eing's

8.
serious mistake,
which
loses quickly.
3,
White should
have played 8
when Black would have answered 8...R(R5) R4; 9P B3, and Black
K Kt
would have obtained an opening at

ELing,
Kt
6 for his
which in the end might give him the victory.

8
R-KBs
FROM A DIFFERENT SIDE

Now
Kt 4
the King cannot go to
ch.
9.
113
Kt
3,
because of
10.
K Q3 K K2
RXR
;
R B6ch
followed
If
P X R,
10
R K R RXRP
by
few moves.
8 winning,
and Black won
after a
Example 57. Another good example, in which is shown the advantage of the greater mobiUty of the pieces in an ending, is the following from a game
Capablanca-Kupchick played at the Havana Masters
Tournament, 1913. The fuU score and notes of the game can be fovmd in the book of the tournament.
White's only advantage in the above position
is
that
he possesses the open
file
and has the move, which

There
is
wiU secure him the
initiative.
also the shght
advantage of having his Pawns on the Queen's side

imited, while Black has
an
isolated
Q R
P.
The
114
THE SUDDEN ATTACK

is
proper course, as in the previous ending,

the
to bring
Rooks forward,
shift
so that at least one of

i
them may
be able to
other,
freely.
from one side of the board to the
and thus keep Black's Rooks from moving
What
this
it
means
really
in general theory has
been
the
stated already;
means: keep harassing
enemy; force him
to
use his big pieces to defend Pawns.

to
If he has a weak point, try
make
it
weaker, or create
his position will
another weakness somewhere else

collapse sooner or later.
and
If he has a weakness, and he
can
get rid of
it,
make
else.
sure that you create another weak-
ness somewhere
From
thus:
the position in question the
game continued
1.
R-K4
KR-Ki
control of the open
file..
with the object of repeating White's manoeuvre, and

also not to
aUow White the

2.
3.
4.
QR-Ki QR-K3 K-B

I
R-K3
R(Bi)-Ki
K-B
Black wants to bring his King to the centre of the board in order to be nearer to whatever point White
decides to attack.
The move
is
justified at least
on
the general rule that in such endings the King should
be in the middle of the board.

all
He
does nothing after

Besides,
it is
but follow White's footsteps.
hard
to point out anything better.
If4...P Q4;
2,
sR
in
Kt 4
ch, followed
by
K K
would leave Black

..P
a very disagreeable position.
If 4.
KB
4;
sR
FROM A DIFFERENT
Q4!
8
SIDE
115
RxR? 6PxR,RxP; 7K-B2,R-K2;

4,
R Q R
winning the
QR
P, which would prac-
tically leave
White with a passed Pawn ahead on the

as the three
Queen's
side,
King's side woidd be held

5.
Pawns of Black on the by the two of White.
6.
K-K2 R-QR4
is
K-K2 R-QRi
that through the same
The student should note

noeuvre Black
ma-
forced into a position similar to the
one shown in the previous ending.

7.
R-Rs!
It practically fixes
This move has a manifold object.
aU of Black's Pawns except the

vents the advance of Black's
P, which
is
the only
one that can advance two squares.
It specially pre-
KB
Pawns, and at the
of White's K B B 5. By this threat it practically forces Black to play P Q 4, which is aU White desires,
same time threatens the advance

to
Pawns
4 and
for reasons that will soon

7
8.
become evident.
P-QB4!
P-Q4 K-Q3
P, which would have
If
left
Evidently forced, as the only other move to save a
Pawn would have been P X

aU Black's Pawns
9
11
isolated
and weak.
R-K
4,
K-Q
9.
3;
10
P-Q
Kt
4!
R-K
PQ
4;
R R 6, and Black's game is hopeless.

10.
P-B sch P-Q4
K-Q2 P-B4
ii6
THE SUDDEN ATTACK

it
Apparently very strong, since

of
it
forces the exchange

;
Rooks because
of the threat
R R 3
but in
reality
leads to nothing.
I.
The
best chance
was to play
R-K K
to
11. 12.
RXR
P-B
4
PxR
now White had played with finesse, but this Up R ^ R 6 was the proper way to last move is weak.
continue, so as to force Black to give
up
I
his
QRP
or
Q B
P. 12
13.
K-B
K-Q2
13
Again a bad move.

tinuation,
R R
.
was the proper coni

;
and
IS
if
then 13.
4,
.R Kt
i;
14
P Kt
Kt
3,
K-Kt
2;
P-Kt
K-R
16
R-Q
3,
with excellent winning chances; in
fact, I beUeve,
won game.
13
K-Kt 2
R Kt
i
Black misses his only chance.
would have
drawn.
FROM A DIFFERENT
14.
SIDE
117
Ii8
THE SUDDEN ATTACK
28.
P - Kt
A
In
weak move, which
gives Black a fighting chance.
this endiag, as is often the case
with most players,

situation
White plays the best moves whenever the

is
difficult
and
requires careftd handling,
but once
his position seems to

efforts
be overwhelming he relaxes his be proud

of.
and the
result is nothing to
The
right
move was
08
28
R Kt
7.
FROM A DIFFERENT SIDE

would probably draw.
that
iig
in
The reader must bear
mind
my
opponent was then a very yoimg and inex-
perienced player, and consequently deserves a great deal of credit for the fight he put up.
37.
R-K7
followed
RxP
by
R Kt
chances.
7 ch;
R K R
7,
offered better
38.
39. 40.
P-R6! K-Kt5
RxPch
R-Q8
R-KtSch
41. 42. 43. 4445. 46.
P-R7 K-B s K-Q4
R-B Sch
R-Q8ch R-K8ch
K-Ks K-B6
R-K8ch
P-R8(Q)
R-KR8
K-R2
RxQ
K-Kt3
47.
48. 49.
50.
RxR KxP KxP

K K 5
how
easy
KxP
K-B 4
Resigns.
it is
This ending shows
to
make weak moves,

It
and how
often,
even in master-play, mistakes are
made and
opportimities are lost.

is
shows that, so
long as there
no great advantage of material, even
with a good position, a player, no matter
how
strong,
cannot afford to relax his attention even for one
move.
I20
THE DANGER OF
27.
THE DANGER OF A SAFE POSITION
A good proof of the previous stateExample 58. ment is shown in the following ending between Marshall and Kupchick in one of their two games in the
same Tournament (Havana, 1913).
It
is
evident that Marshall (White)
is
imder great
is
difl&culties in the above position.
Not only
is
he
bound
to lose a
Pawn, but
his position
rather poor.
unless someit
The
best he could hope for
was a draw
thing altogether unexpected happened, as
did.
No
reason can be given for Black's loss of the

that he
felt so certain of
game
it
except
having the best of
with a
Pawn more and what he
considered a safe position,
that he became exceedingly careless and did not consider the danger that actually existed.
Let us see
how
it
happened.
I.
P-Kt4
RXRP
A SAFE POSITION
The mistakes
begin.
i2i
This
is
the
first.
Black sees
that he can take a
Pawn
without any danger, and

is
does not stop to think whether there

better.
anything
R B 7 ch was the right move. If then K- Kt 3, R X P. If instead White played K- K 4, then R- K 4 ch followed by R X R P. 2. R-Qi R-Rsch
Mistake nmnber two, and
this
time such a serious
The proper move was to play P B 4 in order to break up White's Pawns and at the same time make room for the Black
one as to almost lose the game.
King, which
is
actually in danger, as will soon be seen.
3.
R-Q4
(Kt
4) R 4.
R(Rs)-R4
this time fatal.
Mistake number three and
His best
there
move was
is
After the text

is lost.
move
no defence.
Black's
game
This shows that
even an apparently simple ending has to be played

with care.
From a
practically
won
it
position Black
finds himself with a lost
game, and
has only taken
three moves.
4.
R(Q4)-Q8
;
R-Kt2
;
If4...P-B4; sR-R8ch, K-Kt3; 6R(B8)Kt Sch, K- B 3 7 R X P ch, R- Kt 3 8P- Kt 5 ch, K-K2; 9 R (R 6)xR, PxR; 10 R-Kt 7 ch, K K I II R X Kt P, and wins easily.
;
5.
P-R4
R-R8ch
evident.
If 6.
P-R4
Resigns.
.
6.
The reason
is
.K Kt 3
PxP
ch,
122
ENDINGS WITH ONE

9
RxP; 8RxR, KxR; 10 P R 5 mate.

28.
R-R 8
ch,
K-Kt
3;
ENDINGS WITH ONE ROOK AND PAWNS

reader has probably realised
The
by
this
time that
endings of two Rooks and
Pawns
are very dif&cult,
and that the same holds true and Pawns.

not very
for endings of
one Rook
Endings of two Rooks and Pawns are

in actual play
;
common Rook and Pawns

of endings arising
but endings of one
are about the
most common
sort
on the chess board.
Yet though
and
they do occur so often, few have mastered them thoroughly.
They
are often of a very difl&cult nature,
sometimes while apparently very simple they are in

reality extremely intricate.
Here
is
an example from
game between Marshall and Rosenthal in the Manhattan Chess Club Championship Tournament of
1909-1910.
Example
59.
ROOK AND PAWNS

In
this
123
position
Marshall
had a simple win by

6,
RB
Had
7 ch,
but played
PB
and thereby gave
Black a chance to draw.
Luckily for him Black did

lost.
not see the drawing move, played poorly, and
Black been up to the situation he would have
drawn by playing
I.
R Q P-B6
We
3.
R-Q3!
either (a)
Now
White has two continuations,
PB
7,
or (6)
R B
(a)
2.
7 ch.
have therefore
3.
P-B 7 R-Rsch
Or
R-Qi!
K-Bs
sacrifice the
and White
will finally
Black's Pawn.
(b)
2.
have to
Rook
for
3.
R-B 7ch P-B 7
K-Qs!
R Kt3ch!
R KB3, R K7
a very important move, as against

wins.
4.
5.
K-B
R-KB 3
K-B 6
R-Kt7
and White will finally have to sacrifice the Rook for the Pawn, or draw by perpetual check. If there were nothing more in the ending it would not be of any great value, but there are other
very interesting features.
I
Now
suppose that after

7,
P-B
6,
R-Q
R Q
i
3;
P-B
Black did not
realise that
was the only move to draw,
124
ENDINGS WITH ONE

then have the following position
We would
Now
(o)
there would be twojpther

3 ch, or (b)
moves
3.
to try
either
R Kt
(a)
R K B
Let us examine
them.
I
2.
R-Kt3ch
3.
IfP Kt6;
K-B 3 K-K3 R Rs
K-Q3
R-B3ch R-K3ch
ch wins, because
if if
the King
goes back, then
R R 6, and
the King goes up, then
R R
If
4 ch, followed by
4.
R K
4 wins.
R-KB3
4 wins.
R-Q
3 ch;
5.
K-K
6.
K moves R Rsch R R 6 wins

R-Kt7! R - Kt 3, and
to
(&)
I 2.
R-B3 K-B 5
White
will either capture
If
P - Kt
the
Pawn or go
KB
3,
and come out with a winning
ending.
3.
4.
5-
ROOK AND PAWNS P-R4 P-Kt6 R Kt 4 ch K moves
I2S
R-Kt3
Pawn
or play
and White
will either capture the
KB
3,
according to the circumstances, and come out
with a winning ending.
Now, going back

suppose that after
to the position
shown on page
122,
iP B6, R Q3; 2R B7ch,
Black did not reaUse that

to draw,
K Q 5 was the only move

K Kt
3 instead,
and consequently played
we would then have
the following position:
Now
the best continuation would be

1.
P-B
7
I
R- Kt 3 ch (best)
2.
K-B
3.
R-K7!
R-KB3 K-B 4 (best)

K 6.
P-Kt6
White threatened to check with the Rook at

4.
K-K2
126
Best.
If
ENDINGS WITH ONE
K-B
5;
both
P-R
4 and
K-K
3 will
win;
the last-named
move
particularly
would win
with ease.
5-
R-K3
R-QKt3
P-Kt
7 (best)
6.
7.
RxP
R-Q2 K-K3
8.
RxP R-KR2 RxP
9.
This position we have arrived at

because there are two
files
is
won by White,
is
between the opposing

cut off
King and the Pawn from which the King^
by the Rook, and

to check
besides, the
the fourth rank before the opponent's
Pawn can advance to Rook can begin

very im-
on the
file.
if,
This
last condition is
portant, because
instead of the position
on the
Rook were at K R x, and Black had the move, he could draw by preventing the addiagram, the Black
ROOK AND PAWNS

or
127
vance of the Pawn, either through constant checks
by playing R K B i at the proper time. Now that we have explained the reasons why this position is won, we leave it to the student to work
out the correct solution.
The fact that out of one apparently simple ending we have been able to work out several most unusual
and
difficult
endings should be sufficient to impress

necessity of becoming
upon the student's mind the

cially
well acquainted with all kinds of endings,
and espe-
with endings of Rook and Pawns.
29.
A DIFFICULT ENDING: TWO ROOKS AND PAWNS

way
of
Following our idea that the best

ings as well as openings
is
to learn end-
to study the
games
of the
masters,
we
give two
more endings
is
two Rooks and
Pawns.
These endings, as already stated, are not

fortimate in having
is
very common, and the author
himself played more of these endings than
generally
the case.
By
carefully
comparing and studying the
endings aheady given
(Examples 56 and 57) with the following, the student no doubt can obtain an idea
of the proper
method
to be followed in such cases.

is
The way
them.
of procedure
somewhat
similar in all of
Example
borg, in the
60.
From a game,
Capablanca-Kreym-
New York
State Championship Tourna-
ment
of 1910.
128
A DIFFICULT ENDING:
It is Black's
move, and no doubt thinking that

all
drawing such a position (that was

for)
Black played
would be easy, he contented himself with a waiting

Such conduct must always be The
best
criticised.
to
poUcy.
It
often leads to disaster.

positions is to
way
defend such
the
assume
the initiative
and keep
opponent
on
the defensive,
I
QR-Ki
The
move is already wrong. There is nothing to gain by this move. Black should play P Q R 4 to be followed by P Q R s; unless White plays P Q Kt 3. That would fix the Queen's side. After
first
that he could decide what demonstration he could
make with
at bay.
his
Rooks
to keep the opponent's
Rooks
2.
R-Q4
PB
3,
This move not only prevents

intended,
which Black
after
but threatens
P Kt
followed,
TWO ROOKS AND PAWNS

PXP
ch,
129
by the attack with one or both Rooks
against Black's
2
Q R
P.
R-B3
by
probably with the idea of a demonstration on the

King's side
R- Kt
and Kt
7.
3.
4.
5-
P-Kt3
PxPch
PXP K-Q3
K-B2
m
order to
R Q R
force
should have been played now,
Black to defend with
RK
2.
White, however,
does not want to disclose his plan at once, and thus
awaken Black to the danger of his position, hence this move, which seems to aim at the disruption of
Black's Queen's side Pawns.
5
6.
R-QRi
Black
is
R-K2 K-K3
unaware
of the danger of
This
is
a mistake.
his position.
He
3,
should have played

and,
P Kt
ening
RR
by making
this
4 threatdemonstration
;
against White's
KR
P, stop the attack against his
Queen's side Pawns, which will

7.
now
develop.
R-R6
K Q
3,
R-QB 2
because
itself
He
could not play

least
PQ B
condemns
4 would
his last
his
win at
a Pawn.
3,
This in
move
K K
8.
which has done nothing but make
situation practically hopeless.
R(Q4)-QR4 P-KKt4
it is
Now
forced,
.
but
little
too late.
He
could not
play 8.
.K
RB
2,
because
PK B
4 would have
130
left his
A DIFFICULT ENDING:
game completely
to the danger,
paralysed.
Black now
finally
awakens
and
tries to
save the day by
the coimter-demonstration on the King's side, which
he should have started before.

cannot play
Of course, White
RxR
P, because of
R X R,
followed
by
RR
3,
recovering the
Pawn with
advantage.
9.
P-KR4!
XP
;
P-Kt
Black
is
now
.
in a very disagreeable position.
If
he
played 9.
.P
10
RXP
would leave him
in a
very awkward situation, as he could not go back with the King, nor could he do
much with
10.
either
.
Rook.
He
practically
would have to play

11
5,
.P
K R 3, when White would answer

ening to win a
P Kt
or, if
4, to
4, threat-
Pawn by P Kt
of the
that were
not enough, he might play

finally
K Q
be followed
by the entry
10.
King at
5 or
5.
K-K2
TWO ROOKS AND PAWNS 131 10 PxPch Again he cannot play P K R 4, because P K B 4 woxild leave him paralysed. The advance of his K R P would make White's K R P safe, and consequently his K R would have to retire to K B 2 to defend the
QR
P.
That would make
it
impossible for his King
to go to
2,
because of the
Q R P, nor could he advance

On
the other hand, White
a single one of his Pawns.
would play
P Kt
4,
threatening to win a
first
5, if
Pawn by
P Kt
5,
or he might
play
there
K Q
at the proper time
P Kt
4, and then was nothing better.
Black meanwhile could really do nothing but mark

time with one of his Rooks.
up system with the ending

will
in
Compare this bottlingExample 57, and it
be seen that
11. 12.
it is
very similar.
KxP K-K2
P Kt
move
R(B3)-B
Probably wrong.
4 at once was the right
move.
The
12
text
gives Black good chances of
drawing.
K-Qs
P-Kt4
13.
R-QKt2
it
This could never have happened had White played

12
P Kt
4,
as he could have followed
up by
P-Kt
Not
5 after Black's
14.
K-Q
3.
P-Rs
4 offered the best chances of
If
good.
PK B
force.
winning by
then
14...R Kt
2;
15
P-
132
A DIFFICULT ENDING:
RS,R-Kt7ch; i6 K-Q 3, R-K R 7; 17 R X P, ,RxR; i8RxR,RxP; 19 R - R 6, with winning

chances.
14.
P-R3
last chance.
Black misses his

If
PB
2 ch!
5
;
would draw.
16
then IS
17
P X
P,
(Kt
2)
K
6!
KB
i,
RXP;
RXP,
R-K
IS-
R-Kt2 R (K Kt 2) - K 2 R-Kt2 R-Kt 7 R (Kt 2) - Kt 2

2
(Kt
7)
Kt
would have
is lost
offered greater resistance,

case.
(I leave
but the position
in
any
the stu-
dent to work this out.)
TWO ROOKS AND PAWNS

Nothing would
avail.
If 21
.
.
133
R-Q
RXP
White
8
;
R-R 6 ch; 23 K-B 2, R-K R 8; 24 P-Kt 5, 26 R- Q R 6, and 25 R X P ch, K- Q 2

.R - Kt 8 22
; ;
will
win
22.
23.
easily.
R-KKt2
R-Kt7
R-K 3
134
A DIFFICULT ENDING:
P Q Kt
3,
advance, because as soon as Black plays
White
replies
P Q Kt
his plans.
4.
It is
on
this fact that
White builds
He
will stop Black's
Queen's
side Pawns from own King to K
advancing, and will then bring his

3.
Then
in
5,
due time he
or
will play
5,
P-Q
forcing
4,
and finaUy
P-K
was
P-K
Kt
file.
thus
an exchange of Pawns and obtaining in that

clear passed
way a
Pawn on
the King's
It will
be seen that
this plan
carried out during the course

his winning
of the game,
and that White obtained
advantage in that way.
The play was based through-
out on the chance of obtaining a passed

King's
file,
Pawn on
the
with which White expected to win.

1.
P-KKt4
P K Kt
5
already preparing to play
when
the time
comes.
I
P-QKt3
PQ B
4,
Black wants to play

prevents
it.
but White, of course,
2.
P-Kt4!
K-Kt2
side,
This King should come to the King's
where the
danger lurks.
3.
K-B
P-QKt4
With the
followed
his
object of playing
K Kt 3
and
PQ
4,
by P X P, and thus have an open file for Rook and be able to make a coiuiter-demonstration
TWO ROOKS AND PAWNS

on the Queen's
on the
right.
135
side in order to stop White's
advance
this.
White, however, also prevents
4.
P-QR4!
;
R-Qs
will
Of course
if
PXP
Black
have
all his
the Queen's side disrupted and isolated,
Pawns on and White
can easily regain the
lost
Pawn by
playing either
Rook on the QR file.

5.
R-Q
Kt
R-K4
4,
He
still
wants to play
P Q B
but as
it is
easy
to foresee that
White wiU again prevent
it,
the text
move
is
really a serious loss of time.
Black should
bring his King over to the other side immediately.

6.
7-
K-K3
P-RS
R-Q2
is
The
for
first
part of White's strategic plan

Black's
now accom-
plished.
Pawns on
the Queen's side are fixed
aU practical pxuposes.
7
R-R3
R
would have given White a very
it
If
RXR
Kt P X
powerful centre.
Yet
might have been the best
chance for Black.

8.
9.
R(Kt)-KBi P-Kts
R(Q2)-K2
PxP
10.
RXP
136
A DIFFICULT ENDING:
TWO ROOKS AND PAWNS

White threatens P R
5,
137
which would
finally force
Black to take, and then White would double his
Rooks against
tie
the isolated
Pawn and win

The
tight
it,
or
up Black's Rooks completely.

better
text
move,
however, only helps White;

nothing
therefore
Black
had
wait.
than
to
hold
and
(Kt
R K
4 would not
help
8,
much, as White would

i;
simply answer
RB
R-K
5)
X R,
and whichever Rook Black took. White would have an easy game. (The student should carefully study
these variations.)
14.
138
ROOK, BISHOP AND PAWNS

26. 27.
v.
K-Q2 KtPxP
PQ
5
P-B4
R-QR6
Resigns.
28.
The winning
tactics in all these endings
have merely
tied to the
consisted in keeping the opponent's
Rooks
defence of one or
free
more Pawns, leaving

This
is
my own
Rooks
It
for action.
a general principle which
can be equally appUed to any part of the game.
means
in general terins
Keep freedom
opponent.
of manoeuvre
while hampering your
There
that
is
is
one more thing of great importance, and
that the winning side has always
had a general
had
strategical plan capable of being carried out with the
means at
his disposal, while often the losing side
no plan at aU, but simply moved according to the

needs of the moment.
30.
v.
ROOK,
KNIGHT AND PAWNS
We
it
shall
now examine an ending
of
Rook, Bishop
used in the
and Pawns against Rook, Knight and Pawns, where

will
be seen that the Rook at times
is
same way as
in the endings already given.
Example
62.
From the
first
game
of the Lasker-
Marshall Championship Match in 1907.
ROOK, KNIGHT AND PAWNS
139
In this position
the position
it is
Black's move.
Tct a beginner
may
look like a draw, but the advanced
player will realise immediately that there are great

possibilities for
Black to win, not only because he has
the initiative, but because of White's undeveloped
Queen's side and the fact that a Bishop in such a position is better than a
Knight
(see Section 14).
It will
take some time for White to bring his

into the fray,
Rook and Knight

obtain an
and Black can
utilise it to
advantage.
There are two courses open to him.
The
most evident, and the one that most players would

take,
is
to advance the
Pawn
to
Q B
4 and
Q B
immediately in conjimction with the Bishop check
and any other move that might be necessary with the Black Rook. The other, and more subtle,
at 3
course
his
was taken by Black. It consists in utilising Rook in the same way as shown in the previous
White
to
endings, forcing
defend sbmethrng
all
the
time, restricting the action of White's Knight
and
I40

own Rook and
Bishop.
I
v.
White's Rook, while at the same time keeping freedom

of action for his
I
R-Kt
P Q Kt
3,
This forces
for the
which blocks that square
White Knight.
2.
P-Kt3
Rook
King to that
Pawns.
R-Kt 4
Pawns
side to defend them,
bringing the
to attack the King's side
so as to force the
and thus
indirectly
making more secure the
position
of Black's Queen's side
ROOK, KNIGHT AND PAWNS

Notice
141
how
similar are the manoeuvres with this
Rook
to those seen in the previous endings.

9.
R-Ri
side.
B-Kts
Paralysing the action of the Knight and fixing the
whole King's
ID.
K-B2
B
K-K3
3,
White cannot answer Kt

followed
because
B X Kt
by
K K
4 wUl win a Pawn, on account of
the check at
KB
which cannot be stopped.
II.
142

25.
Kt-R4
CHAPTER VI
Further Openings and Middle-Games
31.
SOME SALIENT POINTS ABOUT PAWNS

to the discussion of openings
it
Before going back

mind a few
will
and
in
middle-game positions,
might be well to bear
facts concerning
Pawn
positions which
no doubt help to understand certain moves, and
sometimes even the object of certain variations in

the openings, and of some manoeuvres in the middle-
games.
Example
side.
63.
In
the position of the diagram
we
have an exceedingly bad Pawn

Black's
formation on Black's
Q B P
is
altogether backward, and

file
White could by means of the open

143
concentrate
144
SOME SALIENT POINTS

weak
5,
his forces against that
point.
is
There
is
also the
square at White's
QB
which
controlled
by White,
and from where a White piece once established could not be dislodged. In order to get rid of it, Black
would have to exchange
venient.
it,
which
is
not always an
all
easy matter, and often when possible not at
con-
The same holds
true with regard to Black's

is
K P, K B
P and
Kt
P, which create what

3.
called
a "hole" at Black's
KB
Such Pawn formations
invariably lead to disaster,
and consequently must
be avoided.
In this position we might say that Example 64. the White centre Pawns have the attacking position,
while the Black
position.
centre
Pawns have the
defensive
in the
Such a formation of Pawn occurs
French Defence.
attempts,
In such positions White most often

of
4 and 5, to obtain a crushing attack against Black's King, which is gen-
by means
PKB
KB
erally Castled
on the King's
side.
To
prevent that,
ABOUT PAWNS
and
also to
145
assume the
followed
initiative or obtain material
advantage, Black makes a counter-demonstration by
P-Q B
the
4,
Pawn by P Q
by P X P (when White defends B 3), and the concentrating of
Black's pieces against the White
Pawn
at
4.
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 King.
It
must be
it
remembered that at the beginning

tion to
of the
book
was
stated that control of the centre was an essential condi-
a successful attack against
the
King.
In an abstract
Pawns
are strongest
way we may say when they are

Thus the
that two or more

in the
same rank
next to one another.
centre
strongest in themselves, so to speak,
Pawns are when placed at
4 and Q 4 respectively, hence the question of advancing either the one or the other to the fifth rank
is
one that must be most carefully considered.
The
advance of either
the
Pawn
often determines the course
game
will follow.
is
Another thing to be considered

or more passed
the matter of one

are isolated either
Pawns when they
singly or in pairs.
is
We
might say that a passed Pawn
either very
weak or very strong, and that its weakness

it
or strength, whichever happens to be in the case to
be considered, increases as
advances, and
is
at the
same time
in direct relation to the

this last respect it
number
of pieces
on the board. In
number of
pieces
might be generally
said that a passed
Pawn
increases in strength as the
on
the board diminishes.
146
SOME POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS

all this clear
Having
in
mind we
will
now
revert
to the openings
and middle-game.
I
shall,
We
will analyse
games
carefully
from beginning to end according to
general principles.
whenever
possible,
use
my own
shall
games, not because they will better
illustrate
the point, but because, knowing
them thoroughly,
be able to explain them more authoritatively
than the games of others.
32.
SOME POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS FROM A RUY LOPEZ

of the variations in the openings
That some
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 case:
Example
65.
FROM A RUY LOPEZ

So
far
147
a very well-known variation of the

fact,
Ruy
Lopez.
In
they are the moves of the Janowski-
Lasker game in Paris, 1912.

14.
Q-Q3
P-Kt3
Let us suppose the game went on, and that in some
way White, by
Q 4 the exchange of both Knights, at the proper time, forced

and then afterwards both the Bishops were exchanged, and we arrived at some such position as shown
following diagram.
(I
playing one of the Knights to
in the
obtained such a position in a

at
very similar
way once
Lodz
in Poland.
was play-
ing the White pieces against a consulting
team headed
by
Salwe.)
Now we would have here the case of the backward Q B P, which will in no way be able to advance to Q B 4. Such a position may be said to be theoretically
lost,
and
it
in practice a first-class master will invariably

(If
win
from Black.
may be
excused the reference,

referred to.)
I will say that I
won
the
game above
After a few moves the position
may
be easily thus
148
SOME POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS
The Black
plays
pieces can be said to be fixed.

3,
If
2,
White
other-
Q QB
Black must answer

if
Q Q
wise he wiU lose a Pawn, and

the Queen to
to
White returns with
Q R
3 Black
wiU have again to return
Q Kt
with the Queen or lose a Pawn.
Thus Black
his
can only move according to White's lead, and under

such conditions White can easily advance with
Pawns
finally
K Kt 4, until Black wiU be forced to stop P B 5 by playing P K B 4, and we might

to
KB
4 and
have some such .position as

66.
this:
Example
FROM A RUY LOPEZ

PX
P,
149
In this situation the game might go on as follows:

I.
X
2.
P;
to
.
2.
Q- KB
i,
3,
Q- Q
White threatened
could not play
win a Pawn by
QX
P, and Black
.R
KB
least.
because 3
RX B P
would
3.
5.
also
win a Pawn at
6.
8.
R(Bs)-B2,R-Kt3; R (B i) - K Kt I, Q - R 5, R X R; K X R, Q - Kt 2 ch;
II.
4.
R-Kt2,K-Ri;
R(Bi) - KKti;
7.
9.
R X R; K-R2, Q-Kt3;
R,
RX
lo.QXQ, PXQ;
P-
Kt
4,
and White wins.
Now
suppose that in the position in the preceding
diagram it were Black's move, and he played R
KB i
White would then simply defend
his
move
like
Q K B
3,
threatening
K B P by some R X Q B P, and
Kt
3,
then he would bring his King up to
and when
the time came, break through, as in the previous case.
White might even be able

position:
to obtain the following
SOME POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS Black would now be forced to play R B i, and White could then play Q B 2, and foUow it up with
ISO
KB
A
3,
and thus force Black to play

examination of
besides
PX
P, which
would give White a greater advantage.

careful
that,
all
these positions wiU

of
reveal
the advantage
freedom of
manoeuvre on White's part, the power of the Pawn

at
5 is
enormous, and that
it is
the
commanding
position of this
Pawn, and the
fact that it is free to
advance, once aU the pieces are exchanged, that constitute the pivot of all
White's manoeuvres.
I have purposely given positions without the
moves
which lead to them so that the student

positions that
may become
situation).
accustomed to build up in his own mind possible
may
arise (out of
any given
Thus he
his
will learn to
make
strategical plans
and be on
derive
way
to the master class.
The student can
enormous benefit by further practice of

33.
this kind.
THE INFLUENCE OF A "HOLE"

game has
The
influence of a so-called "hole" in a
already been illustrated in
my game
against Blanco
(page 81), where has been shown the influence exercised
by the
different pieces posted in the hole created
at White's
K 5.

Example
point, I
151
67.
In
order to further illustrate this

in the
now
national
game played Masters Tournament

give a
Havana
Inter-
of
1913.
152

at
Had WMte's Bishop been
Q Kt 3 he
could
P K
of
4 as indicated in the previous
now play note, a move
which he cannot make
in the present position, because
Kt s threatening, not only the K Kt P, but also Kt X B ch. As White's King's Bishop should
never be exchanged in this opening without a very-
KB
good reason White therefore cannot play

10
11.
P K
4.
12.
R B
B Q2
I
4ll
iz
fi
//
M
:
wsm
White
is
perfectly developed,
and now threatens to

;
win a Pawn as follows

followed
Kt X Kt, Kt x Kt
PK
4,
by
RX
P.
12
P-QB3
The fact that Black is practically forced to make this move in order to avoid the loss of a Pawn is sufficient reason in itself to condemn the whole system
of
development on Black's part.

2,
In
off
effect,
he plays
BQ
and now he has to shut
the action of his
153
own Bishop, which thereby becomes little more than a Pawn for a while. In fact, it is hard to see how this
Bishop
it
will ever
be able to attack anything.

will
Besides,
can be easily seen that White
soon post his
two Knights at
and
QB
5 respectively,
and that
Black win not be able to dislodge them without seriously
weakening his game,

these reasons
it
if
he can do
it
at
it
all.
From
all
can be gathered that
would probably
have been better for Black to play Kt

get rid of one of the
X Kt and
cases,
thus
two White Knights before assumIn such

the
ing such a defensive position.

less
the
number
of pieces
on the board, the better
chances there are to escape.

13.
Kt K4
P KB4
This practically amounts to committing suicide, since

it
it
creates a hole at
will
K 5 for White's Knight, from where

If
be practically impossible to dislodge him.
Black intended to make such a move he should have
done
ing
it
before,
when
at least there
would have been an
object in preventing the White Knight from reach-
5.
14. 15.
Kt B
B Ki
Kt-Ks
ideal,
The
at
position of White's Knights, especially the one

5,
might be said to be
and a
single glance
shows how they dominate the

henceforth wiU be
full
position.
The
question
how
is
White going to derive the

situation.
benefit
from such an advantageous
This
we
shall soon see.
154
THE INFJ.UENCE OF A "HOLE"
IS-
R Kti
this
There
is
no object in
move, unless
is
it is
to be fol-
owed by Kt
2.
As that
not the case, he might

i,
have gone with the Rook to

16.
as he does later.

21
22. 23.
I5S
P Kt4
P K4 Q B 2
P-Bs
Kt K6 Kt B
3
;
He had
better have played

rid of White's
and
tried later
on to get
Knights by means of
Kt Q 2.
24.
R X Kt
Rook
for a
with this
sacrifice of the
Knight and Pawn
White obtains an overwhelming

24
25.
position.
Kt Q
of good
QxP
it,
PXR Kt B
among them
was better
repUes to
in order to get rid of
one of the
two White Knights. There were, however, any number

the following:
Kt(Bs)xKt,BxKt; QxP,QxQ; Kt B7ch,
K Kt
2;
Kt X
Q, and with two
Pawns
for the
exchange, and the position so
much
in his favour,
White should have no trouble
in winning.
156

26. 27. 28.
Kt4 P-K5 B B4
Kt
R Kt3
R-Kt2
B B2
and as
it is
All these
easily
moves
are practically forced,
seen they tie
up Black's
position
more and
more.
White's manoeuvres from
move 24 onwards
are highly instructive.

29.
Kt B
Kt
Kt3
This wandering Knight has done nothing throughout

the game.
30.
31.
32. 33.
If
Kt(B5)-K4P-KR3 Kt-Q4 R-Kt3 Q-Q2 Q-Bi PXP
P-KR4
2,
P X P;
K B
34.
and Black would be
helpless.
35.
36.
P B 4 P KKt4
Kt K2
PxP
Resigns.
If
PxP
There
is
nothing to be done.
2;
B Kt
Q R 2 ch,
from other
K Kt
things,
B xP.
notice that, apart
The student should
White throughout the game has had control
of the Black squares, principally those at
and
QBs.
From now on
collection of
to the end of the
book I
shall give
my
games both
lost
and won, chosen so
as to serve as illustrations of the general principles

laid
down
in the foregoing pages.
PART
II
PART
GAME
1.
II
QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED
White
i6o
GAME
is
same Knight
although
it
moved
three times in the opening,
involves the exchange of
two
pieces.
In
reality the difficulty in this variation, as well as in
neariy aU the variations of the Queen's gambit, Ues

in the slow
development of Black's Queen Bishop.

this
However, whether
variation can or cannot be

still
safely played is a question

is
to be decided, I
and
it
outside the scope of this book.
may add
that at
present
my preference is for a different system of develit
opment, but
is
not imlikely that I shoidd some
time come back to this variation.
6.
7-
BxB B-Q3
QxB
we
shall soon see.
PXP
is
preferable for reasons that
7
8.
Px
is
Kt
Kt X Kt Kt Q2
Now P X P
game.
would be a better way to develop the

idea
The
3,
that after
8...PxP;
2,
gBxBP,
P Q kt
eleventh
foUowed by
B Kt
For
would give Black's
Bishop a powerful range.
this variation see the
game
9.
of the match.
Kt B3
.
00
XP
5.
;
No
longer would 9.
.P
10
BX
P,
be good, because 11
B Kt
P Q Kt
would prevent
B Kt
3
2
on accoimt
of Kt K

10.
i6i
PxP
Q-Kt3
PxP
Kt-B3 KtPB
4
11.
12.
P QR4
Played with the intention of obtaining the majority

of
Pawns on the Queen's side. Yet it is doubtful whether this move is good, since it leaves Black's Queen's-side Pawns disrupted in a way. The safer
course would have been to play
13-
P B
3.
Q-R3
P-QKt3
This exposes Black to further attack by
PR
.
without any compensation for

this position
it.
If I
had
to play
.
nowadays
after 14
would simply play 13

P,
R K
and
If,
I.
Then
QX
QXQ
would
follow,
I believe that
Black would regain the Pawn.
instead.
White played 14
PXP
then
B Kt
would give Black an excellent game.

14. 15. 16.
P Rs
00
B Kt2 Q B 2
KR Kti
Kt Q2
l62
GAME
Black's position was bad and perhaps lost in any

case,
but the text move makes matters worse.

even passed through
Black's
I.
As a
5.
matter of fact I never saw White's reply

It never
BB
threatened.
16.
.
best
.K
R Kt
17.
If
that
my mind that this was move would have been loses, then any other move
would
lose as well.
BB
KR B
From bad
to worse.
18.
Kt B
3 offered the only hope.

Of course,
if
163
Kt X B, R Kt 8 ch would have drawn. The text move is pretty and finishes quickly. A well-played game on Marshall's part.
25
GAME
2.

(San Sebastian, 191 1)
White
A. K. Rubinstein.
I.
Black
J.
R. Capablanca.
164
GAME
course of this variation, but with very poor success.
The move in theory ought to be unsound, since Black's K Kt is yet undeveloped. I had not yet learned of Kt 5 and the exchange the attack founded on Kt Either Kt B 3 or P K R 3; of the B at K 3. K Kt 5, was right. to prevent either B or Kt
9-

defeated.
14.
165
which I had seen, but which I thought could be
BxKt
B, which
it
QxB
seemed would give
I considered
PX
me
a playable game, but I thought White's combination
imsound and therefore

regret.
let
him play
it,
to
my
lasting
15.
KtxPI
Q-R3
i66
i6.
GAME
K Kta!
move which I had not considered. I thought B Kt 2, when I had in mind the following winning combination: Kt 2, Kt K 4! 17 Kt B 4 (if R B i, 16 B wins), Kt Kt 5 QXR!! QXQ, 18 P K R 3 (if Kt R 3, B X P ch wins the ex20 K X B, change), Kt X P 19 R X Kt, B X R ch P K Kt 4, and Black should win. It is curious that
This
is
the
that Rubinstein would have to play
BxPch
this
combination has been overlooked.

granted
i.
It has been
taken for
that
did
not see the 17th
move
Q B
16
After White's last
QR Qi
move
there
was nothing
for
me
to
do but submit to the

17-
inevitable.

??
167
i68
GAME
and the awkward position
this is so.)
31.
Q 5 in conjunction with the extra Pawn on the Queen's

side of White's King.
(See
how
R-B7ch
32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38-
RxKKtP
B-Kt8
RXP P-R4 R R6ch

R-Rsch
K-Q3 P Kt4 P-QR4 P-Rs

P-Kt5 K B4 K-Kt3
gives Black
B-Q5
moves White again
before the last
With
these last three
a chance.
Even
move B
4 would
have won with comparative

is
ease,
but the text move
a downright blunder, of which, fortunately for him,
Black does not avail himself.
38
P Kt6
it
RXP
would make
if
practically
all.
impossible for
White to win,
he can win at
White's best con-

tinuation then would have been
:
169
40
42
is
B B4, R B7; R Kt 5 ch, K B 2; 41 B Kt 8, P R 6; P R 5, P R 7 43 B X P, R X B, and if there

39
;
a win
it
is
very
difficult
to
find
it,
as against
44 P R
draw.
6,
R R
3! offers excellent chances for a
39.
PxP
B X Kt
7;
40.
If
P R6 R X Kt P
40...P
R
8.
41
R Kt
ch,
K R
3;
42
R Kt
41. 42.
B-Qs R R 6 ch
P-R7
Resigns.
As an end game, this is rather a sad exhibition for two masters. The redeeming feature of the game is
Rubinstein's fine combination in the middle game,
beginning with 14
BX
Kt.
GAME 3. IRREGXJLAR DEFENCE

(Havana, 1913)
White
D. Janowski.
I.
Black
J.
R. Capablanca.
I70
GAME
last
3
to obtain full developis
At
ment.
Black
is
on
his
way
The
idea of this irregular opening

his
mainly
to throw
White on
own
resources.
At the time
the
as
game was played, the system of defence was not well known as the regular forms of the Queen's
openings.
Pawn
Whether
Its
it is
soimd or not remains

it
yet to be proved.
good features are that
keeps
the centre intact without creating any particular weakness,
and that
it
gives plenty of opportunity for deep
and concealed manoeuvring.

long time
it
The drawback
is
the
It is
takes Black to develop his game.
natural to suppose that White wiU employ that time

to prepare a well-conceived attack, or that he wiU use
the advantage of his development actually to prevent

Black's
complete
development,
or
failing
that,
to
obtain some definite material advantage.

lO. II.
P-KR3
PXP
Kt K4
B R4
PxP
12.
IRREGULAR DEFENCE
12
171
Kt X Kt
I considered castling,
very serious mistake.

right
which
was the
that
move, but desisted because I was afraid
by playing
3;
15
B Kt
wrong
B x Kt, P x B 14 Kt Kt 3, Kt B s. White would obtain a win13

;
ning position for the end game.

this
Whether
all
right or
shows how closely related are
parts of
influence
the game, and consequently the other.

13. 14.
how one wiU
BxB
B X Kt
KxB B Kt 3
move would have
would
Not good.
been
The
natural and proper
Kt K
3, in
order to bring aU the Black pieces

at once
into play.
B X Kt
was
also good, as
it
have reUeved the pressure against Black's King's Pawn,
and at the same time have

Here
it is
simplified the
game.
ele-
seen
how
failure to
comply with the
mentary
logical reasons, that
govern any given posiI
tion, often brings the player into trouble.
was no
fear
doubt influenced in
of
my
choice of
moves by the
BB
5,
which was a very threatening move.
15. 16. 17. 18.
Q B4 P QKt4 BxB Q K4
Kt K3
Q B
RPxB K-B3
172
GAME
19.
R-Q3
be followed by
PK R
Black's
4, to
P Kt
4,
might have
attack.
been a more vigorous
way
to carry
on the
weak point
is
is
imquestionably the
Pawn
at
4,
which he
text
compelled to defend with the King.

at doubling the Rooks, with the
The
move aims
ultimate object of placing one of
them
at
6,
sup-
ported by a
this
Pawn
at
by playing P B 4, which would create a "hole" a^t Q S or by playing P Kt 3, which would tie the Black Queen to the defence of the Q B P as well as
;
Q B
5,
Black could only stop
the
P, which she already defends.
Black, how-
ever, can
meet aU
this
by
offering the exchange of
Rooks, which destroys White's plans.
For
this reason
PK
attack.
4 appears the proper way to carry on the

19
QR Qi 20. QR Qi P KKt4 This move preparatory to P K Kt which would

is
3,
IRREGULAR DEFENCE
he did not carry out his original plan.
21.
173
make Black's position secure. Unfortunately for Black,
PB
4
left
RXR
Black with a perfectly
P K Kt
safe
would have
game.
22.
RxR
In
R Qi
P
very serious mistake, which loses a Pawn.
K Kt 3 was the right move, and would have left Black

with a very good game.
fact, if it
should come to
a simple ending, the position of the Black King would be an advantage.

23.
RxR
KtxR
24.
P KR4
will
This wins a Pawn, as

reply 24...Kt
soon be seen.
Black cannot
ch,
because 25
PXP
Kt X P;
26
Q R 4
wins the Knight.
174
24. 25-
GAME
FRENCH DEFENCE
of defending, Black
175
makes a counter demonstration

It leads to highly interesting
on the Queen's
games.
5.
side.
PxP
game was played the
variation 5
At the time
this
was
in vogue, but I considered then, as I
do now,
the text
move
s
to be the stronger.
QxP
PX
P.
It has for its
This
is
considered superior to
object, as I said before, to take the initiative
away
from White by disrupting White's Queen's

his breaking
laid
side.
White,
however, has more than ample compensation through
up Black's King's
side.
It
might be
down
as a principle of the opening that the breaking
up
of the King's side is of more importance than a simi-
lar occurrence
on
the
Queen's
side.
6. 7. 8.
B X Kt
B X Kt
ch
PxB
Kt B3
PxB P QKt3
is
The plan
of Black
in this variation
to post his
later on,
Bishop on the long diagonal so as to be able

in conjxmction with the action of his
Rooks along
White
the open
K Kt's
file,
to
make a
violent attack against
White's King.
It
is,
of course, expected that

side because of the
wiU Castle on the King's
broken-up
condition of his Queen's side
Pawns.
176
9.
GAME
10. 11. 12.
Q Q2 B K2 P B4
B Kt2
Q2 Q KB4
Kt
000
game
against Mr. Walter
An
original idea, I believe, played for the first time
in a similar position in a
Penn
as
Shipley,
is
of
Philadelphia.
My
idea
is
that
there
no Black Bishop and because Black's
pieces have been developed with a view to
an attack
on the King's
side, it will
be impossible for Black to
take advantage of the apparently miprotected position of White's King.

sidered.
Two
possibilities
must be conno danger
Firstly:
If
Black Castles on the Queen's

evident that there
If
is
side, as in this
game,
it is
:
of
an
attack.
Secondly
Black Castles on the King's

first,
side,
White begins the attack
taking advantage of
the
awkward
position of Black's Queen.
In addition
to the attacking probabilities of the text move, White

in one
move
brings his
King
into safety
and brings
will serve
one of his Rooks into play.

moves, "tempi" as they are
Thus he
called,
gains several
which
him
to
develop
whatever plan he
may
wish to
evolve.
12
13. 14.
Q K3
P-Kt3
'a,
000 KR Kt Q-QR4
Unquestionably
mistake, overlooking White's fine
FRENCH DEFENCE
reply,
177
but a careful examination
will
show that White
already has the better position.

15. 16.
R-Q3!
K-Kti
KR Qi
Q KB4
17.
Kt R4
it
This move has been criticised because
puts the
forc-
Knight out
ing
of the
way
for a
few moves.
But by
Q K Kt
P B
4,
White gains a very important move

his position,
it
with
which not only consoUdates
but also drives the Queen away, putting
out of the
is
game
for the
moment.
Certainly the Queen
far
more valuable than the Knight, to say nothing of the time gained and the freedom of action obtained thereby
for White's
more important
17
18. 19.
pieces.
P B4
Q-KKt4 Q Kt2
B-B3
178
In such positions
to get rid of the
it
GAME
is
generally very advantageous
Black Bishop controlling his
QR
and
Q B
3,
which form "holes"
for White's pieces.
The Bishop
in such positions is of very great defensive

it.
value, hence the advantage of getting rid of
19
20.
KR Ki
BXB P QB5!
KxB
P-B3
6 ch.
21.
White threatened P
22.
Kt B3
Q-Bi
Q
6 via
To
and
prevent the Knight from moving to
K 4 or Q B
4.
It is self-evident that
White has a
great advantage of position.
23.
Kt Q2?
had considered
it
R Kt
3,
it
which was the right
move, but gave
up because
seemed too slow, and
FRENCH DEFENCE
that in such a position there had to
be,
179
some quicker
way
of wiiming.
23
24.
PxP
Kt B4
Kt K
4 or
Kt Kt
would have brought about
an ending advantageous to White.

24
25. 26. 27If
Kt Rsch
PxP Q-Q4
28
Kt Kt3 K Ri Kt Q4
I
;
R Kt
Kt X
P,
R-Bi R (Kt i) B
** -Ira
29
Kt X
P would
win.
'^
/i
-fc
^/^ i
i i
4.
1^
/
/
S^y
28.
P B4
the right move.
I was, however,
still
Kt B 4 was
that the
looking for the
"grand combination," and thought

I
Pawn
would
later
on have at
6 would
Win the game.
Black deserves great credit for the

this exceedingly difficult
way
in
which he conducted
i8o
defence.
GAME
He
move
could easily have gone wrong any
num-
ber of times, but from
22 onwards he always
played the best move.

-'8
FRENCH DEFENCE
(if
;
i8i
36QXQP! R Q i; 37 Q R6, K Kt I best Q Q S ch K R I, K Kt i R Q Kt i wins)

;
38
Q X B P and White
35
will at least
have a draw.
36
37
38
Q-Q4 Q-R4 Q-R6
R K7 R Qi Q-K5 K Kti Q
4,
There
since
is
nothing to be done against this simple move,

because
White cannot play Kt
Q R
mates.
39. 40.
K-Bi
Kt-Q4
Resigns.
RxQP R K8ch
A very
interesting battle.
GAME
(St.
5.
RUY LOPEZ
Petersburg, 1914)
White
Dr. E. Lasker.
1. 2.
Black
J.
R. Capablanca.
P K4
P K4
Kt KB3
Kt QB3
3.
B-Kts
B X Kt
move
is
P-QR3
to bring about speedily
4.
The
a
object of this
middle-game
without
Queens, in
which
White
i82
GAME
superiority of
s side,
has four Pawns to three on the King's

Black's
while
Pawns on the other

fact that
side is
somewhat balanced by the
one of Black's
Pawns
is
doubled.
On
the other hand, Black has
the advantage of remaining with two Bishops while
White has only one.
45-
RUY LOPEZ
also the possibility of its going to
183
5 via
QB
3 after
P-QB4.
9.
0-0
P B 4
KP
it
0-0
weak, unless
ID.
This move I considered weak at the time, and I do

still.
It leaves the
it
advances to
5,
and
it
also
makes
4.
Kt by B Q B
10.
possible for Black to pin the
R Ki Best. It threatens B B4; B K3, Kt Q4. It also prevents B K 3 because of Kt Q 4 or B Kt Kt3 PB 3 Preparatory to P Q Kt followed by P Q B 4 and B Kt in conjimction with Kt^-Kt which
4.
11.
3,
3,
would put White
difficulties to meet the combined attack against the two centre Pawns.
in
great
12.
PB
i84
It
GAME
like
has been wrongly claimed that this wins the game,

nothing better than to have such a
It required several mistakes
but I would
position again.
on
my
part finally to obtain a lost position.

12
13.
P-QKt3
B-B4
13-
B Kt
Played against
of course
my
Bx
better judgment.
The
B,
2,
right
move
4;
i;
was
B.
.
Dr. Lasker gives the follow-
ing
15
variation:
13.
.B
XB
2;
14
RX
PB
Q R Q
I,
B Kt
16
R B
Q
of
R Q
it.
17RXR, RxR; 18R Q'2, RxR;

and he claims that White has the best
game, 16.
tion,
is
19
Kt x R,
But,
as Niemzovitch pointed out immediately after the

.
.Q
R Q
given in Dr. Lasker 's variaIf
not the best.
16...
Q R B
i!
then
White
will
have great
difficulty in
drawing the game,

RUY LOPEZ
since there
is
i8S
no good way to stop Black from playing
Kt B
5.
K 4, threatening Kt by Kt And should White attempt to meet this ma3,
followed
nceuvre by withdrawing the
Kt
at
Kt
then the
Black Knight can go to
5,
and the White Pawn at

Taking Dr.
.Kt
K
B
of
4 will be the object of the attack.
Lasker's variation, however, whatever advantage there
might be disappears at once

3,
if
Black plays 19.

also
threatening
Kt Kt
Black
and
If
Kt
5,
neither
which can be stopped.

5,
White answers 20 Kt
draw.
Kt Q
.
5 for
will at least
In
fact,
after 19.
.Kt
3 Black threatens so
many
things
that
it is
dif&cult to see
how White can prevent
the
loss of
one or more Pawns.
14. 15.
BxB
Kt-Q4
...
PxB
It is
a curious but true fact that I did not see this

I
move when
played 13
B Kt
.
2,
otherwise I would
have played the right move 13

15
.B
B.
QR-Qi
yet far from
lost,
The game
lowed
is
as against the entry
of the Knight, Black can later
on play
PB
4, fol-
by P Q
16.
17.
4.
Kt K6
R Q2
QR-Qi
i86
GAME
*k
-i^;^ I & ^f. _1 ^

fi
^
vm^-m
I
now was on
the point of plajdng

4,
PB
4, to
be
followed
by P Q
which I thought would give
me
i,
a draw, but suddenly I became ambitious and thought

that I could
play the text move, ly.-.Kt

sacrifice
and
at
later
6,
still
on
the exchange
for
it,
for the
Knight
wiiming a
weaker.
Pawn
and leaving White's
KP
I intended to carry this plan either
before or after playing
P K Kt 4 as the circmnstances demanded. Now let us analyse: 17...P B 4. If 18 Kt Q 5, Bx Kt; 19 P x B, P Q Kt 4; and a

show that Black has nothing to fear. Black's plan in this case would be to work his Kt around to K 4, via Q B i, Q Kt 3, and Q B s or
careful analysis will
P X P, B X P 20 Q 2, B X Kt give Black the advantage), RxKt; 21 R X R, Kt X R; and there is no good reason why
19
;
2.
Again, 17...P
4; 18
R B
2,
-Q
4;
Kt X B
(best, since if
(B
2)
Black should
17
18.
lose.
Kt
Bi
R B2
P QKt4
i88
helpless with each
GAME
move.
The game needs no
further
comment, excepting that
my
if
play throughout was of
an altogether
made,
it
irresolute character.
When a
possible.
plan
is
must be
carried out
at
aU
Regard-
ing the play of White, I consider his loth and 12th
moves were very weak

move.
perfect.
he played well after that up
to the 27th move, which
was bad, as well as

play
his 28th
The
rest
of his
was good,
probably
29.
FRENCH DEFENCE
GAME
6.
189
FRENCH DEFENCE
(Rice Memorial Tournament, 1916)
White
O. Chajes.
1.
Black
J.
R. Capablanca.
P K4
2.
3.
4.
P-Q4 Kt-QBs B Kt 5
of the
it
P K3
P-Q4 Kt-KB3 B Kts

French Defence I
like
Of aU the variations
this
best,
because
gives Black
more chances
to
obtain the initiative.

5.
P-Ks
PXP
the best move, there
is
Though
I consider
much
game.
to be said ia favour of this move, but not of the vari-
ation as a whole, which

5-
White adopted
in this
iQO
9.
GAME
BB
I
P QB4
Threatening
threat of
last
Q R
3.
4 and stopping thereby White's

It
BR
demonstrates that White's

loss of
move was a complete

his position.
time and merely
weakened
10.
FRENCH DEFENCE
fended, and this in turn wUl give
to post his Knight at
191
him the opportunity

2.
4 via
When
the Black
EJiight
is
posted at
2,
Q 4, the Bishop will be developed to

itself,
3 via
as soon as the opportunity presents

will
and
it will
be Black that
then have the
initiative,
and can consequently decide the course

15-
of the game.
To prevent Kt X P, or still
ever,
is
R-Qi Kt K 2 which would be answered by The move, howbetter by B R

;
3.
strategically
wrong,
since
pieces to the Queen's side.
White
loses
by bringing his any chance

it.
he might have of making a determined attack on the

King's side before Black
IS
16.
17.
is
thoroughly prepared for
P-KKt3
P B4
K Kt2
P Q
B-K3
R
4, in
Better would have been
order to play
better posted
it
BR
3.
The White B would be much

here,
on the open diagonal than on the defensive.

17
18.
where
acts purely
BB
Kt Kt
K2 Q4
it
This Kjiight completely paralyses the attack, as dominates the whole situation, and there
to dislodge
his pieces. for
it.
is
no way
Behind
it
Black can quietly develop

said to be
The game can now be
won
Black
strategically.
192
FRENCH DEFENCE
plications.
is
193
However, as
will
soon be seen, the move
not a losing one by any means.

25.
PXP
e.p.
Kt X P
(B 3)
26.
PxPch
RxP
27.
RxP ch
This wins the Queen.

27
28.
29.
KxR
Kt B 5ch
PxKt
(^XQ
194
GAME
position looks
6
I thought
it
The
most
interesting.
would be possible to get up such an attack against

the White King as to
make
it
impossible for
him
to
it
hold out
much
longer,
but I was wrong, unless
could have been done by plajdng
P Kt
ing
3 and then playing
BB 3 K R I
4.
first,
forcing
followed a
play-
similar plan, but lost a very important
move by
R Q
Q R K Kt
I.
which gave White time to play
am
3,
convinced, however, that

right
BB
at once
to play
was the
move.
White would be forced

either
P Kt
and Black would reply with

to play
5
;
K R 4;
it
as already indicated, which looks the best

is
(the plan, of course,
R K R i
and foUow
In some
up with
K Kt
it
threatening mate, or some
other
move
according to circumstances.
cases, of course,
wiU be better first to play

which
K Kt 5),
him a
them
to
or
Kt
that
It
K
it
5,
wiU
at
least
give
draw.
tion
all.
There are so
many
possibilities in this posi-
would be
be worth
impossible
to
give
wUl
the
reader's
time
go
carefully through the lines of play indicated above.
29
QR KKti
BB
3
As stated
30.
was the best move.
P-Kt3
B-B3
K R4
is
31.
R Qi
The
plan, of course, as explained above,

s in
to go to
8,
Kt
due time and threaten mate at

too late, the White
KR
but
in
it is
now
Rook having come
FRENCH DEFENCE
time to prevent the manoeuvre.
195
Instead of the text
move,
therefore,
Black should have played Kt
which would have given him a draw at the very

After the text moves the tables are turned.
least.
It is
now
White who
has the upper hand, and Black who has
to fight for a draw.

32.
R-Q6
stiU
B-K5
Kt
was
the right move, and probably
the last chance Black had to draw against White's

best play.
33. 34.
Q'xBP
Kt-Q4
RxR
R, Kt
KxR
better.
Kt X Q
RX
35-
X P was no
196
GAME
why
I did not resign.
Most
did, I
players will be wondering, as the spectators
The
reason
is
that while
knew
the
game
lowing variation,
was hoping for the folwhich Chajes came very near playing
to be lost, I
5iQxPch,K-R2; S2Q-Rs,RxP; 53 BKt 5 ch, K Kt 2 54 B X R ch, K X B; and while

;
White has a won game

pieces against a master
it
is
it,
the reader does not believe
by no means easy. If let him take the White

what happens.
as
and
see
My
opponent,
51
who
7,
decided
to take no chances, played
B Kt
and
finally
won
shown below.
SI-
RUY LOPEZ
GAME
7.
197
RUY LOPEZ
(San Sebastian, 191 1)
White:
J.
R. Capablanca.
1.
Black:
A.
Bum
P K4
P K4
2.
Kt KB3
Kt QB3
3.
4.
S-
B-Kts B R4
P-QR3 Kt B3
my
ignorance
P-Q3
This
is
a very solid development, to which I was
much
addicted at the time, because of
of the multiple variations of the openings.

s
6.
P-Q3
P B3
is
B K2
the alternative of developing
In this variation there

this
Bishop via Kt
7.
2,
after
P K Kt
3.
QKt Q2
Kt B I BB 2
8. 9.
P QKt4
P Q4 PxP B QB4
K
2,
10. 11.
Q K2 PxP
Evidently to make room for the Queen at

I
but
do not think the move advisable at

is
this stage.
K3
a more natural and effective move.
It develops
a piece and threatens

to be stopped.
12.
BB
5
5,
which would have
B Kt
B K3
198
GAME
it is
Now
not so effective, because White's

in going to
QB
is
out,
and the Knight,
K3
to defend the square
QB
4,
does not block the

13. 14.
Q B.
Kt K3 00
Black's
R Ki Q K2
good.
This
is
bad.
game was already not
He
probably had no choice but to take the Knight
with the Bishop before making this move.
15. 16.
Kt
Qs
Q
2,
BxKt
Kt Kt
I
PxB
Pawn.
in order to bring it to
to support the other Knight
and
also his King's
White, however, does not

of his
allow time for this, and

superior position
17.
is
by taking advantage
Pawn.
5
able to win a
P QR4
it
P Kt
Since he
had no way
to prevent the loss of a
Pawn,
he shotdd have given
Q Kt Q
2,
in order to
up where it is, and played make his position more solid.
RUY LOPEZ
The
text
199
leaves
Black's
move not only loses a Pawn, but game very much weakened.
18.
200
CENTRE GAME
43-
201
202
GAME
lo
Q-B3
Pawn was merely
way
with
White's threat to regain the
the idea of gaining time to develop his pieces.
Black
for his
could have played
Q B, when would have followed, iiB Q3, R Ki; 12 Kt B 3, and White would soon start a powerful
With the text move Black aims at taking the initiative away from White in accordance with the principles laid down in this
direct attack against Black's King.
PQ
opening the
book.
II.
Kt R3
3;
off,
If
BX
at
P,
P Q
and White's Bishop would be
completely shut
if
and could only be

loss
extricated,
all,
with serious
of position.
The
text
move aims
at quick development to keep the initiative.
"
This
P-Q3
it
now
is
not only a developing move, but
also
threatens to win a piece
by B X Kt.
CENTRE GAME
12.
203
B-Q3
perfectly safe.
Kt-Qs
R K
i
This complicates the game unnecessarily.
was
simple,
and
13.
B-K3
13-
B-Kts
The
position
This
is
a serious mistake.
was most
interesting,
and though
in appearance dangerous for
Black, not so in reality.
been 13.
.R
Kt
5,
The right move would have when we would have 14 B X Kt,
RXB; isP QB3,BxP; 16P x B,R KKt 5; 17 Q K 3 (best), QxP ch; 18B B2, QxQ; 19 P X Q, R X P, and Black has the best of the game
with four Pawns for a Kjiight, besides the fact that
all
the White
14.
Pawns
are isolated.
s!
Kt Kt
RxB
Kt Kych
There was nothing

15.
better.
QXB!
204
GAME
i6.
??
2o6
GAME
To prevent P K R 4, which I woxild answer with P K Kt 3, winning the Queen. It can now be
considered that
will
my
King
his
is
safe
from attack.
have to withdraw
Queen via
3,
White and Black
can use the time to begin his advance on the Queen's

side.
29.
30.
K Kt R Qi
R Qi
P B4
Notice that, on assuming the defensive, White has

placed his Rooks correctly from the point of view of
strategy.
They
are both on white squares free from
the possible attack of the Black Bishop.

31.
Q-R3
at
Q-Rs
Rook and
holding
of
This gains time by attacking the

the White the
3 for the
moment, on account
K Kt P.
Besides, the
Queen must be
in the middle
of the fray
now
that the attack has to be brought

in material,
home.
White has actually more value
and
therefore Black
must
utilise
everything at his
command
32.
in order to succeed.
R(K2) Q2
5;
Q Ksch
P-QKt4
which would open the
also secure a passed
line
K-Ri threatenmg P Kt
33. 34.
of action of the Bishop
and
Pawn.
Q-Kt2
Q QXR
ch.
Q-R5
P, which White cannot
indirectly defending the
take on account of
CENTRE GAME
35.
207
K-Kti
force as
it is
P-Kts
gradually brought
the King.
The attack increases in home directly against

is
The
position
now
It
is
most interesting and extremely

if
difficult.
doubtful
best play.
any vahd defence against Black's The variations are nxunerous and difficult.
there
is
36.
PxP
RXR
QxP
his Bishop exerts
Black has
now a passed Pawn, and

because of
great pressure.
White cannot very well play now

;
37
RXP
38
Rx
R,
BxP
and White could not take the Bishop because
Q
clear
5 ch woxild
win the Rook, leaving Black a
passed
Pawn
37-
ahead.
38.
39-
P-QR3 RXP R(Qi) Q2

Q-Kt3
Q-Rs!
R-QKti
P B5
40. 41.
R-Kt6
Q-Q6
208
GAME
41.
P B6
also
BXP
game
it is
would
is
win, which, shows that White's
altogether gone.
In these cases, however,

that should be played,
not the prettiest
move
but the most effective one, the move that wiU make
your opponent resign soonest.

42.
209
GAME
9.

(Berlin, 1913)
Wliite: J. R. Capablanca.
I.
Black: R. Teichmann.
2IO
text
GAME
move
is
that
it
leaves Black's
QP
isolated,
and
consequently weak and subject to attack.

14.
KR Qi
s;
KtxB
14.
4,
.
The
15
alternative
2,
would have been

16
BB
P Kt
Kt QR
Kt4; Kt (B 4)
.P
15. 16. 17.
KtxKt
P Kt4
RxR
Kt-B3
QxR
Q-B5
Black aims at the exchange of Queens in order to

remain with two Bishops for the ending, but in this
position such a course
is
a mistake, because the Bishop
at
Kt
2 is inactive
and cannot come into the game

the Bishop must defend.
by any means, unless Black gives up the isolated

Queen's
Pawn which
18.
Kt Q4
Not, of course,
R Q
R B
and there
18
19.
Q; Kt X Q, would be no good way to prevent

4,
because of
QX
R B
7.
QxQ
Kt(B3)xQ!
Knights' moves.
Notice the co-ordmation of the
They
there.
are manoeuvred chain-like, so to speak, in order
to maintain one of them, either at
Now
19
4 or ready to go White threatens to take the open file, move.

I
and
therefore forces Black's next
R B
211
The student
sholild
examine
this position carefully.
There seems to be no particular danger, yet, as White
win demonstrate. Black

the
may
be said to be
the defence
is
lost.
If
game
is
not altogether
difficult
lost,
at least
of the
most
kind;
indeed, I
must confess
that I can see no adequate defence against White's
next move.
20.
Kt B
21
s!
K B
;
If2o...B
Qi;
23
2,
Kt Q6,
is
R X Kt 25 R Q
;
BX
Kt,
R B 2; 22 Kt X B X B 24 R X P, R B
a
B,
2
;
and White
else,
Pawn
ahead.
If 20.
.B
moves anywhere
then
B X
Kt, doubling
the
KB
P and
isolating all of Black's King's side

21. 22.
Pawns.
Kt X B Kt Q4
K X Kt P Kt3
White threatened Kt
is
This
is
practically forced, as
5 ch.
Notice that the Black Knight

that no
relief
pinned in
such a
giving
way
can be afforded except by

the open
file
up the
KR
or abandoning
212
GAME
sieze
it.
with the Rook, which would be disastrous, as White
would immediately
23.
P-B3!
23-
P-R3
else except mark time with Rook along the open file, since as soon as he moved away White would take it. White, on the other hand, threatens to march up with his King to K 5 via K B 2, K Kt 3, K B 4, after having, of course,
Black could do nothing

his
prepared the way.

to give
Hence, Black's best chance was

in the text, in order to free his
up a Pawn, as
24.
25.
Knight.
26.
BXP P KR4 BB 4
Kt Q
Kt B 4 Kt K3
Black exchanges Knights to remain with Bishops of

opposite colours, which gives
273
him the
best chance to
draw.
27.
Kt X Kt
KX
Kt
27.
.P
X Kt would
28.
be able to post his
be worse, as White would then Bishop at 5.
R Q2
K R KRi
Black wants to force

be
bad,
B Kt3. P KKt3 would on account of P Q 5 which would

;
get the Black Bishop into the game, even though
White could answer
P K
;
4.
The
it
text
move
is,
however, weak, as will soon be seen.
lEs best chance
was and
to play
P Kt
3.
and B
R
5,
R 4 White meanwhile could play P Kt 4

5
and follow
up with P
obtaining a passed Pawn, which, with proper
play, should win.

29.
R QB 2!
RXR
R QB
BX
30.
There are now Bishops of opposite colour, but nevertheless
White has an easily-won game.
214
31.
GAME
K B2
i
f-
31-
P-Qs
Otherwise the White King would
Practically forced.
march up
this
to
4 and then to
If
and win Black's

White King
Queen's side Pawns.
Black attempted to stop
by putting
his
King at
QB
3 then the
would enter through
into Black's King's side
and win
just as easily.
32.

at
215
Kt
7,
where
it
not only protects the

P.
P, but indi-
rectly aJso the
Q Kt
,
3738.
K-Q4
7
B Kt
Resigns.
The student ought

of ending.
to have reaUsed
by
this
time
the enormous importance of playing well every kind
In this game again, practically from the
opening, White aimed at nothing but the isolation

of Black's
P.
Once he obtained
that,
he tried for
and obtained,
terial
fortimately, another advantage of posiitself
tion elsewhere which translated
into the
ma-
advantage of a Pawn.
in the ending he gradually forced
Then by acciu-ate playing home his advantage.
This ending has the merit of having been played against
one of the
finest players in the world.
GAME
10.
PETROFF DEFENCE
White;
2l6
GAME
lo
fine
Played by Morphy, and a very

is
move.
The
point
that should Black exchange Queens he will be a

in
move behind
development and consequently
will
get a cramped
7
game
if
White plays accurately.
B-K3
it
Marshall thought at the time that this was the best
move and consequently played
in preference
to
QxQch.
8. 9.
'
Kt
B3
10. 11.
B X Kt P Q4
P KR3 QXB B K2
12.
Q Kt sch Kt Q2 B Q3!
It is
now time
to examine the result of the opening.
On
White's side
we
find the
minor pieces well posted

place, it is true,
and the Queen out
in a
somewhat odd
but safe from attack and actually attacking a Pawn.
PETROFF DEFENCE
White
is
217
is
also ready to Castle.
White's position
evidently free from danger and his pieces can easily
manoeuvre.
On
Black's side the
first
thing
we
notice
is
that
he has retained both his Bishops, unquestionably an

advantage
;
but on the other hand we fimd his pieces
bunched together too much, and the Queen in danger of being attacked without having any good square to
go
to.
The Bishop
at
2
its
has no freedom and
it
blocks the Queen, which, in
turn, blocks the Bishop.
Besides, Black cannot Castle
on the King's
side be-
cause
QxP, R Kti; Q K4
Nor can he
5
threatening mate,
wins a Pawn.
because
Castle on the Queen's side

in
Q R
would put Black's game
imminent
danger, since he cannot play
P R 3 because of B X P
i
nor can he play
K Kt
because of
Kt Kt
5.
Consequently we must conclude that the opening

all
is
in White's favour.
12
P Kt4
for his Queen, threatening also
To make room Kt 5.
13.
P KR3
in
00
free his
giving
up a Pawn
an attempt to
It
and take the

find a
initiative.
was
difficult for
move, as White threatened Kt

2,
4,
game him to and should

5,
Black go with the Queen to Kt
then
PQ
4;
Kt X P
ch, followed
by B x B.
2l8
14. IS16.
GAME
lo
QXP Q-K4
P-QKt3
QR Kti
Q Kt2 P-QB4
In order to break up White's centre and bring his
Knight to
4 and thus lay the foundation for a violent
attack against White's King.

faUs, as it
The
plan, however,
always must in such cases, because Black's

is
development
backward, and consequently his pieces
are not properly placed.

17. 18.
00
Kt Qs!
PXP
simple move, which destroys Black's plan utterly.

will
Black
and, as
lose
now have no concerted action of his pieces, his Pawns are all weak, he wiU sooner or later
them.
18
19.
B Qi
B B4
Kt B4
20.
QxP
QxQ
PETROFF DEFENCE
The
a
fact that he has to exchange
219
is
Queens when he
Pawn behmd shows

21.
that Black's
game
is lost.
22. 23.
Kt X Q B xB
B X Kt BB 3
QR-Qi
is
BxKt
But now the
one in which the Bishop
The Knight was too

ending brought about
is
threatening.
stronger than the Knight;
plight a desperate one.

interest,
The
which makes Black's game has no further

its
and
it is
only because of
value as a study
it.
of this variation of the Petroflf that I have given
Black was able to
fight it out until the sixtieth
rest of the
on account of some poor play on White's part. moves are given merely as a matter of form.
24.
move The
220
RUY LOPEZ
221
White;
222
lo.
GAME II Kt R3 Q Ki
The problem for White now to Kt 5 as fast as he can.

at once, Black simply takes
is
to advance his
If
it.
he plays
If
PQ
Q Kt P
Kt 4
he plays
first
Q R 3 and then P Q Kt 4, he will still have to protect his Q Kt P before he can go on and play P Q R 4
and P
Kt
5.
As a matter
of fact
White played a
he could at
4 and
rather unusual move, but one which, imder the circimistances,
was the
best, since after it
once play
P Q Kt 4 and
11.
then
PQ
Kt
5.
12. 13.
R Kt i! P Kt4 P QR4
PB 3 Kt B 2
BxKt
He
simplifies,
hoping to lighten White's attack, which
wiU have to be conducted practically with only the
heavy pieces on the board.

it
He may have
also
done
in order to play
Kt Kt 4 and
K 3.
RUY LOPEZ
14.
223
RXB
possi,
Taking with the Pawn would have opened a

bility for
a counter attack.
14-
P-QKt3
up
He
of
is
forced to this in order to avoid the breaking
his
Queen's side Pawns.
The only
;
alternative
would have been

it
P Q
Kt 4
which on the face of
looks bad.
15. 16. 17.
P-Kts
PXP
18.
Kt-Q5 P B4
BPxP P-QR4 Q-B4
The White Knight

hind
it
is
now
a tower of strength. Be-
White
will
be able to prepare an attack,
which wiU begin with
P Q
4,
to drive
away the
Black Queen and thus leave himself
free to play
5.
There
is
only one thing to take care of and that
224
is
GAME
from
II
to prevent Black
sacrificing the
Rook
for the
Knight and a Pawn.

i8.
...
FRENCH DEFENCE
GAME
12.
225
FRENCH DEFENCE
1918)
(New York,
White:
J.
R. Capablanca,
1.
Black:
O. Chajes.
2.
3.
4.
P K4 P-Q4 Kt-QB3 B-Q3
P K3
P-Q4 Kt KB
Not the most favoured move, but a

developing one, and consequently
it
perfectly natural
cannot be bad.
PXP
is
P Q B
generally played in this case instead of
the text move.

5-
KtxP
Kt X Kt ch
6.
7.
^Kt Q2 KtxKt
B K2
Kt-Bs
226
8.
GAME Q K2
is
12
This
is
played to prevent
2,
P Q
If
2
Kt
3,
followed
by
B Kt
for
which
the general form of development
Black in
3
;
this variation.
Black now plays 8

;
P
and
Q Kt
B Kt
8
5 ch,
BQ
10
Kt K
White obtains a considerable advantage in position.
0-0 P KR3 B KKts Of course Black could not play P Q Kt of B X Kt, followed by Q K
9.
3 because
4.
10. 11.
B X Kt
BXB
Q K4
This weakens Black's

the right move,
12.
P KKt3 King's side. R K
was
P KR4
12.
P-K4
Pawn
in order to
This
is
merely giving up a
come
out quickly with his
B.
But as he does not obtain
FRENCH DEFENCE
any compensation
for his
227
is
He
the
should have played
Pawn, the move Q 4 and tried

It
bad.
to fight
game out
that way.
might have continued
thus:
13 Q B 4,B Kt 2; i4QxBP,BxP; 16 O O O with considerable IS Kt X B, Q X Kt

;
advantage
of
position
for White.
The
text
move
might be considered a mild form of

13. 14. 15. 16.
17-
suicide.
PxP Q KB4 00 RxB Q-B4
B-B4 BxB B Kt 2 Q K2
In order to keep the Black Queen from coming into

the game.
17
18.
QR Qi
KR Qi
R K
i,
better plan would have been to play

6.
threatening P K
18
19.
20.
RxR P B3
BXP
;
RxR R Ki
P QB3
Kt X
B,
Of course
if
QX
Kt;
R K
3.
Black with a
21.
Pawn minus
fights
very hard.
R K3
to be
The Pawn had now

last
defended after Black's

B,
move, because
after
B x P; Kt x
Qx
Kt;
228
GAME
3,
12
R K
Black could
21
22. 23.
now
play
Q Kt
defending
the Rook.
P QB4
K B 2 P-R4
is
P Kt3
White's plan
now
to fix the Queen's side in otder

side,
to be able to manoeuvre freely on the other
where
he has the advantage of material.

23-
24.
FRENCH DEFENCE
22g
Black persists in waiting for developments.

that
to
if
He
sees
PK R
s,
P X P; P X
P, the
Queen goes
and White will have to face serious difficulties. In this situation White decides that the only course is to bring his King to K Kt 3, so as to defend the squares K R 3 and K Kt 4, where the Black Queen
might otherwise become a source of annoyance.
35-
R 6,
230
GAME
is
12
Now
that he has completed his
march with the King,
White
ready to advance.
39.
P KR5
*PXP
Q B
5,
39... P
K Kt
40.
4 would be answered by
with a winning game.
PxP
i;
Q K2
White would play
Against
K Kt
Q Kt
4,
practically
forcing
the
exchange
of
Queens,
after
which White would have
Uttle trouble in
winning the
ending, since Black's Bishop could not do

in the resulting position.
41.
much damage
Q-B5
i;
K-Kti
R Q
7.
Black overlooks the force of 42

defence was
either
His best
R Q
6 ch.
against which
White could
4,
advance the King or play Kt
threaten-
ing
Kt Kt
42.
R Q7
BxPch
FRENCH DEFENCE
hopeless.
434445-
231
This loses a piece, but Black's position was altogether
K Kt4
KtxB K B4
Q B3 Q Kt2ch
Resigns.
The interest of this game centres mainly on the opening and on the march of the White King during
the final stage of the game.
It is
an instance of the
King becoming a fightmg are stiU on the board.
piece,
even while the Queens
GAME
13.
RUY LOPEZ
1918)
J.
(New York,
White:
J. S.
I.
Morrison.
Black:
R. Capablanca.
232
GAME
say, exerts its
13
we might
this note
maximum
strength
(Compare
with the one in the Capablanca-Bum game
at San Sebastian, page 197.)

7.
8.
Kt B3 B Kt 5
B Kt2
Kt
2;
B3
Kt Q
3;
5.
Of course not
K Kt K
Kt
because of
The
alternative
would have been P
to be
it is
followed
by
K
9.
2; but in this position at
preferable to have the
Kt
KB
3.
10.
Q-Q2 B KR4
P-KR3
error of judgment. White wants to keep the Knight pinned, but it was more important to prevent Black from Castling immediately. B B 4 would
An
have done
this.
10
11.
00
0-0-0
Bold play, but again faulty judgment, unless he intended to play to win or lose, throwing safety to the wmds. The Black Bishop at Kt 2 becomes a
very powerful attacking piece.
position of the Black pieces
White's, therefore
offensive.
it
will
The strategical disnow far superior to be Black who will take the
is
II
12.
KR Ki
R Ki
RUY LOPEZ
233
White wanted to keep

to defend his
his
QR
on the open
file,
and
consequently brings over his other
Rook
to the centre
P, which Black threatened to win
by
P K Kt
4,
foUowed by Kt
P.
12
P Kt4!
Now
that the
KR
is
in the centre,
Black can safely
advance, since, in order to attack on the King's side.
White would have do
to shift his Rooks,
which he cannot
in the centre.
so long as Black keeps

13.
up the pressure
B Kt3
Kt KR4
P
Kt,
Uncovering the Bishop, which now acts along the

long diagonal, and at the same time preventing
5,
which would be answered by Kt

;
XB
PX
Kt X P
etc.,
winning a Pawn.
14.
Kt-Qs
P-R3
freely.
Black drives the Bishop away so as to unpin his

pieces
and be able to manoeuvre
234
15.
GAME
13
B-Q3
B-K3
Preparing the onslaught. Black's pieces begin to bear

against the King's position.
16.
P B3
With the
of Black's
last
move White not only

his
blocks the action
K B, but he also aims at placing his Bishop

and
at
his
Kt
Queen at
QB
7.
2,
and then advancing
K P,
to check at
KR
16
Initiating
P B4!
is
an attack to which there

its
no
reply,
and
which has for

of the
ultimate object either the winning or cutting

it off
White
Q B
from the game.
(Compare
this
game with the Winter-Capablanca
game
at Hastings.)
17.
P KR4
now out
PB
The Bishop
is
of action.
White naturally
coimter attacks violently against the seemingly ex-
RUY LOPEZ
235
posed position of the Black King, and, with very good judgment, even ofEers the Bishop.
i8.
PxP!
PXP!
if
Taking the Bishop would be dangerous,

bad, while the text
not actually
move accompUshes
Black's object,
which
is
to put the Bishop out of action.

19.
20.
R Ri K Kt
B B2
I
This move tmquestionably loses time.
Since he would
have to
retire his
it
Bishop to
sooner or later, he
It is doubtful,
it
might have done

ever,
if
immediately.
how-
at this stage of the
game
would be possible
for
White to save the game.

20
21.
Kt K4
Kt X Kt
RX
Kt
to retake.
1
It
was
difficult
to decide which
way
236
GAME
13
it
took with the Rook in order to have
prepared for
a possible attack against the Kiag.

22.
B R2
Kt
B3
Now
that the White Bishop has been driven back,
Black wants to get rid of White's strongly posted Knight at Q s, which blocks the attack of the Bishop
at
2.
It
may
be said that the Knight at
Q5
is
the key
to White's defence.
23.
P-KKt3
have play
for his Bishop,*
White
strives not only to
but also he wants to break up Black's Pawns in order

to counter-attack.
The
alternative
would have been
23
Kt X Kt
ch,
QX
Kt; and Black would be threat-
ening
R R 4, and also Q K 3.
Black's drawback in
is
The student should

all this is
notice that
the fact
that he
playing minus the services of his

that
R.
It
is this fact
makes
it
possible for
White to hold
out longer.
23-
24.
25-
238
31
32. 33.
34.
GAME
14
R K8ch
RxR K R2
K-Kt3
RxRch
BB
2
P-Q4
PxPch
P B6
the quickest
way
to finish the game.
35.
36.
BxP
K Kt4
PxP P B4 K-Rs
37. 38. 39. 40.

41.
R Ksch
RxPch
R Q8ch R-Q 7
Resigns.
RxB K R2 B-K 3
very lively game.
GAME
White
:
14.
(New York,
F. J. Marshall.
1.
1918)
:
Black
J.
R. Capablanca.
2.
3.
4.
5.
P-Q4 Kt KB3 P-B4 Kt B3

B Kt5 P K3 RB
I
P-Q4 Kt KB3 P-K3

QKt Q2
B K2
6.
7.
P B3
This
is
one of the oldest systems of defence against

I
had played it before in this Tournament against Kostic, and no doubt Marshall At times I change my defences, expected it.
the Queen's Gambit.

or rather systems of defence;
239
on the other hand,
during a Tournament,
if
one of them has given
me
good
results,
8.
I generally play it all the time.
240
obtained the centre.
GAME
first
14
is
Black, on the other hand,

three ranks,
entrenched in his
will post his
and
if
given time
QR
play
and
finally
at Q B I and his Knight at K B 3, P Q B 4, in order to break up

full
White's centre and give

posted at
action to the Black Bishop
Q Kt
2.
In this game White attempts to
anticipate that plan

centre, which,
by
initiating
an advance on the
is
when
carefully analysed,
truly an
attack against Black's

IS-
P.
P-Qs
was
carelessness
Kt B4!
game
I
Against Kostic in a previous
had played
but Mar-
Kt B
I.
It
on
my
part,
shall believed differently, otherwise
he would not have
played this variation, since, had he analysed this move,
he woidd, I think, have realised that Black would

obtain an excellent game.
Black now threatens not
only
BPXP
position
but also Kt
XP
followed
by B P x
P.
The
is
very interesting and
full of possibilities.

i6. 17.
241
PXKP B X Kt
Kt X P (K
3)
QXB QR
P,
played under the impression that White had to lose

time in defending his
when
I could play
QB
me.
4,
obtaining a very superior game.
But, as will
surprise for
be seen,
my
opponent had quite a
little
18.
Kt Q4I
18
Of
course,
if
18.
.Q
x R P;
Q K4! 19 R R
i
would win
the Queen.
factory
The text move is probably the only satismove in the position. The obvious move would
have been
Q Q
2;
2 to
defend the
QB
P,
3;
;
and then
20
would have come 19 Kt
K Kt 3
Q
I,
(threatening
Q R Q
The
Q KB
assiures
22
K R i 21 Q R P KR4, with a tremendous

i),
5,
PB
hand,
as will soon be seen.
text
move, on the other

least,
Black an even game at the very
242
19.
GAME
14
KtxP

the King
itself.
24^
White
4.
is
because of
22.
PB
afraid to play 22
P B
P-Ks To prevent P B
of
P-KKt4
The White Knight is practicaUy 4. pmned, because he does not dare move on account
RXK
P.
mz
a
t
23.
P KR4
White expects to disrupt Black's Pawns, and thus make them weak.
is
This
a sequel to the previous move.
23-
PXP
isolated
this
Though doubled and

enormous pressure.
the proper time.
24.
Pawn
exercises
Black now threatens R K 3; Kt 3 and P R 6 and R 7 at to be followed by R
R K
White
cannot
stand
the
slow death
any
longer^
244
GAME
sees danger everywhere,
14
He
by
giving
up
his
and wants to avert it Queen's side Pawns, expecting to
regain his fortunes later on
by taking the
initiative
on the King's
24
side.
R-K3!
This forces White
i,
Much
better than taking Pawns.
to defend the Knight with the

of the threat
25.
Rook atK
because
R Kt
R Kt
3. I
R(Ki) QB
3.
K Kt2
The game
it is is
Preparatory to
going to be
decided on the King's side, and
the isolated double
Pawn
that will supply the finishing touch.

26.
P QKt4
P Kt4
defending the Knight and
lib-
To prevent P
Kt
5,
erating the Rooks.

27.
28.
P-R3 K B I
R-Kt3
R R7

Notice the remarkable position of the pieces.
245
White
loss.
cannot move anything without incurring some
His best chance would have been to play 29 P 6, but that would only have prolonged the game, which
is lost
in
29. 30.
any
case.
I
K Kt
all his
P R6
P-Kt3
P-QR3
lose
Again forcing White to move and to

thereby, as
pieces are tied up.
something
31.
P-K6
7
RxKP
the Knight because
3
Not even now can White move

of
PR
ch;
KxP,
R R
ch;
K Kt
i,
R R
8 mate.
32. 33-
P Kt4
R R3
7
P-B3
5,
If 33
P Kt
PR
ch; 34
K R
i,
RxKt;
35
R X R, R X
P, winning easily.
246
3334.
GAME
14

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a^3

GOJINELL IJNIVERSifY LIBRARY-

books are subject

the Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright

the United States on the use of the

CHESS CHAMPION OF THE WORLD

HARCOURT, BRACE AND COMPANY LONDON: G. BELL AND SON^, LTD,

COPYRIGHT, I921, BY HARCOUKT, BRACE AND COMPANY, INC.

published thirteen years

Siace then there have appeared at different times

with the so-called Hyperarticles

merely the application, during

the opening stages generally, of the same old principles

through the medium of somewhat new

has been no change in the fundamentals.

In chess the tactics

change but the strategic

fimdamental principles are always the same, so that

good a hundred years from now;

as long in fact as the laws

what they are

go over the contents of the book with the assurance

he needs, and that there

nothing to be added and nothing to be changed.

Chess Fundamentals was the one standard work of

kind thirteen years ago and the author firmly believes

the one standard work of

First Principjles: Endings, Middle-game and Openings

Some Simple Mates Pawn Promotion

Further Principles in End-game Play

10. 11. 12.

Pawn will be the

Value of Knight and Bishop TO Mate with Knight and Bishop

Queen against Rook

Planning a Win in Middle-game Play

Further Openings and Middle-games

a Pawn at s, etc.) Influence of a "Hole"

Queen's Gambit Declined

Irregular Defence (Havana, 1913) White: D. Janowski. Black: J. R. Capablanca.

(St. Petersburg, 1913) White: J. R. Capablania. Black: E. A. Snosko-Borovski. (St.

White: Dr.E. Lasker.

Black: J.R. Capablanca. 189

French Defence ( Rice Memorial Tournament, 1916 )

RuY Lopez (San

Sebastian, 1911) Black: A.

Centre Game (Berlin, 1913)

Queen's Gambit Declined (Berlin, 1913)

Petrofp Defence (St. Petersburg, 1914)

French Defence (New York, 1918)

RuY Lopez (New York,

First Principles: Endings, Middle-Game

thing a student should do,

himseK with the power of the

of the simple mates.

SOME SIMPLE MATES

SOME SIMPLE MATES

confines the Black

needed to arrive at a position in which mate can be

rank, or, as in this case,

as the opposing King.

in this case, the

King has been brought to

the sixth rank,