1

Paul Morphy (2850) - Some Amateur (2200)

[C34]
Club/Casual Game
New Orleans, LA; 1858.
[Annotator = A.J. Goldsby I]

A new, and completely fresh look at this classic game.

A MODEL Morphy game. (White's execution of his attack is PERFECT!!)
***
"Morphy's combinations usually ended in a mate, or a reasonable facsimile thereof. Here he
resorts
to a device rarely seen in his time. He simplifies by a series of exchanges, to reach a position
where
the mere threat of a simple pin clinches the win." - Irving Chernev.
("The 1000 Best Short Games of Chess." Game # 898, page # 485.).
This is game # 163 in the book:
"PAUL MORPHY: And The Evolution of Chess Theory."
Copyright (c) 1993, by Macon Shibut.

1.e4 e5; 2.f4 exf4; 3.Nf3 c6!?; ('?!') {Diagram?}
Controls the center square on d5, but takes the best square away from Black's QN.

[ The best line for Black was: 3...d5!; 4.exd5 Nf6; 5.Bb5+ c6; 6.dxc6 Nxc6; 7.d4 Bd6;
8.Qe2+ Be6; 9.Ng5 0-0!; {Black has "compensation."} and Black gets a playable game.
Another book line is: 3...d6; 4.d4 g5; 5.h4 g4; 6.Ng1 Bh6; 7.Nc3 c6; 8.Nge2 Qf6;
9.g3!, {"Unclear."} with complicated play for both sides. ].
(For a complete survey on the King's Gambit, visit the "Best Games" page of my
Geo-Cities web-site ... and click on the game, "B. Spassky - D. Bronstein.")

4.Nc3 Bb4?!; {Diagram?}
Black is in a rush to get rid of White's Knight. Yet later in the game, it is the LONG-RANGE
Bishop that will be the (MUCH) more dangerous of the two minor pieces.
"A continuing characteristic of all amateurs is that they rush to exchange off enemy Knights,
so that the risk of a nasty knight fork is eliminated." - GM E. Mednis.

5.Bc4 Bxc3?; {Diagram?}
Continuing with the idea expressed by his last move.
GM Mednis notes this is a bad move - mainly because it terribly weakens the dark-squares.
[ Much better was: 5...Qe7!?; "~" {Diagram?}
when Black is congested, but is not yet lost.
Several writers have recommended the line: 5...d5; ('!') 6.exd5 Nf6!?; {"Comp."}
gambiting a pawn. ].

6.dxc3!, {Diagram?}
White captures away from the center! (Violating a general guide-line.)
He opens up his Queen, his QB, pressures the d-file, prevents ...d5; and threatens to take
the pawn on f4.
2
[ Normally I teach my students to capture towards the center with, 6.bxc3, but the text
is much sharper and much more accurate. ].

6...Ne7; {Diagram?}
Black tries to develop.
[ The move, ...d5 just drops a pawn, while the move 6...d6?!; {Diagram?} gives Black
problems defending the d6-square, after 7.Bxf4, "+/" ].

7.Qd6!, {Diagram?} (Maybe - '!!')
Normally you do not bring out the Queen early.
But here there are 2 very good reasons for doing so:
# 1.) The Queen on d6 is almost impervious to attack.
# 2.) The Queen on d6 prevents Black from easily developing his entire Queen-side.
Notice Black was also threatening ...d5; (A break in the center.); which White just prevented.
"Cramping (preventing) the other fellow's development is just as just as important as
completing
your own." - Irving Chernev.
[ 7.0-0 d5!; "~" etc. ].

7...0-0; 8.Bxf4 Ng6; {Diagram?}
Black tries to unravel his pieces. (And develop ... well, sort of anyway.)
9.Bg5!, {Diagram?}
The best and the most aggressive move here.
[ A strong version of the computer program 'Crafty' wants to play the
move: 9.Be3, "+/=" instead. ].

9...Qe8; {Diagram?}
Black is trying defend.
(This may be the best/forced move in this position.)
[ Worse is: 9...Qb6?!; 10.0-0-0!, "+/" ].

With his next move, White offers Black a pawn.
10.0-0! Kh8; {Diagram?}
Which Black probably wisely decides not to accept.
[ If 10...Qxe4?!; 11.Bb3, (11.Nd4!?) 11...b6; 12.Rae1! Qg4; 13.h3 Qh5; 14.Ne5! Nxe5;
This is nearly forced. (14...Qxg5? 15.Rxf7 Ne7; (15...Rxf7?; 16.Bxf7+ Kh8; 17.Nxg6+!
hxg6;
18.Qf8+ Kh7; 19.Qg8+ Kh6; 20.Qh8#) 16.Rxe7+ Kh8; 17.Nf7+ Kg8; 18.Nxg5+ Kh8;
19.Re8 h5; 20.Rxf8# ) 15.Rxe5 h6; {Diagram?} Black has no good move here.
16.Be7, "+/-" and White has a winning attack. ].

11.Rae1!, {Diagram} -----------> (See the diagram just below.)
3

White has mobilized his entire army!
(All pieces - or units from the 1st row - have been deployed ... on good posts.)
He avoids moving any other piece until every unit is actively engaged!!!
***
GM Edmar Mednis writes:
"Again admire Morphy's plan: It is only move 11 and ALL of his pieces have been actively and
purposefully developed; moreover, his King is safely castled. On the other hand, Black is
playing
WITHOUT his Queenside. Under such conditions, combinations appear as if they, ...
'fell from out of the sky.' " - GM Edmar Mednis.
(From the book: "Practical Opening Tips," page # 20.)
[ Several Masters have recommended: 11.Nh4!?, as winning for White. ].

11...f6; {Diagram.}
Black tries to drive White back. (He can do nothing right now, with White's pieces so
deeply entrenched in his half of the board.)
(This move {...f6} is also the first choice of many computer programs.)
[ Black could also have tried: 11...b5!?; 12.Bb3, a5; 13.a4!? {Diagram?}
White stops Black's pawn advance on the Queen-side.
(Also possible was for White to play: 13.Nh4!? "+/")
13...bxa4; 14.Bxa4, Ba6; 15.Rf2, f6; 16.Rf2, "+/="
with the clearly better game for White.
(NOTE: These lines are NOT re-playable. I added them later.) ].

12.e5!, {Diagram.}
Morphy insists on opening lines!
[ White could also play: 12.Nh4!?, Or 12.Bd2!? ].

12...f5!; {Diagram?}
Black wisely tries to keep lines closed.
Black MUST have been one of several things:
#1.) A very strong player, capable of seeing that if he took the Bishop on g5; that White
would
get a winning attack; (and/or)
#2.) He knew Morphy liked to open the game, and thus he simply wanted to keep the game
4
closed;
#3.) He had been destroyed by Morphy before, and was simply terrified of what the great
genius
might do, if given the chance!
It might have been this, or any number of things - or a combination of the factors listed above -
that
caused Morphy's opponent to play as he did.
[ A good example of what happens if Black foolishly OPENS lines is: 12...fxg5?; ('??')
13.Nxg5 Na6; 14.Rxf8+ Qxf8; 15.Re4! Nc5; 16.Qxg6! hxg6; 17.Rh4#. ].

With his next move, Morphy prepares to break the game wide open by the vigorous pawn push
to e6.
13.Nd4 f4; 14.e6!, {Diagram?}
Morphy single-mindedly continues to pursue open lines.
(This is one of the "Morphy Principles" in action. One of the things Morphy always did
VERY
SYSTEMATICALLY was to always open lines - once he had completed his development!!)
[ Maroczy pointed out many years later that White could have played: 14.h4! h6;
(14...f3!?);
15.h5 hxg5; 16.hxg6 g4!?; 17.Kf2!, {Diagram?} with Mate coming on the h-file. ].

14...dxe6; 15.Nxe6 Bxe6; 16.Rxe6 Qc8; {Diagram.}
(This move looks forced.)
It looks as if Black ALMOST has everything under control. But once again, Morphy finds a
combination that brilliantly exploits Black's sadly under-developed game.

***
I also must point out that:
A.) Morphy has calculated this entire combination out, even though it is nearly 10 moves
long!!; &
B.) Morphy may have had this whole thing planned well in advance!
***
17.Rxg6!!, (Maybe - '!!!') {Diagram?}
An incredibly brilliant, very forceful, and well though-out sacrifice.
[ Other methods, such as: 17.h4!?, {"Compensation?"} are not nearly as good. ].

17...hxg6; 18.Qxg6, ('!') {Diagram?}
Seemingly ... the obvious move.
{But did White have a better one?}
In fact this is such an obvious move ... that few people have even bothered to look for
improvements at this particular point. But this move is not even in the top three picks of
most strong computer {chess} programs here.
Going over some old notes, I find that an improvement was suggested by (one) Rick Frye
during one of my 'PCC' (Pensacola Chess Club) lectures. (Circa approximately 1977.)
But I had forgotten all about this idea until Bjrnar Snoksrud e-mailed me and mentioned
it again. (This note added: February 11th, 2004.)
[ In all likelihood, White could improve with: >/=
18.Rf3!! Re8!; 19.Rxf4! Re1+; 20.Kf2! Re4!; 21.Rf8+! Kh7!?;
22.Bg8+!, {Diag?} Much better than simply grabbing the Queen here.
( Also sufficient was: 22.Rxc8!?, ("+/-") {Diagram?}
which is probably good enough to make the average player resign. )
5
22...Kh8; 23.Bf7+ Qxf8; {Diagram?}
This is probably forced.
( </= 23...Kh7?!; 24.Qxg6#. )
24.Qxf8+ Kh7; 25.Qg8#.
****************************************************
White could have also played: (</=)
= 18.Rxf4! Rxf4; 19.Qxf4, ("+/-") {Diagram?}
and the only way Black can stop mate is to give
up the Queen with ...Qg8. ] (This note does NOT work in js-script.)

18...Qf5; {Diagram?}
Black must try to defend. (18...Qg4; 19.h3, Qf5; is similar to the game.)
[ Not 18...Na6??; 19.Qh5#. ].

Now White (temporarily) sacrifices a Queen.
19.Rxf4!!, {Diagram?}
"Very beautiful!" exclaims GM Edmar Mednis.
[ White has a simple win with: 19.Qh5+! Qh7; 20.Qg4!, Probably the best move here.
(The move 20.Qd1!?, "+/=" {Diagram?} is also good for White.) 20...b5!?; {Diagram?}
Black is trying to gain some space ... which is preparing to (finally) finish his
development.
(The continuation: 20...Qf5!?; 21.Rxf4!; "+/-" wins - as in the actual game.)
21.Be6 Na6!?; {Diagram?} Black tries to finish his development. (21...Qxc2!?;
22.Bf6!! Rxf6!?; There is no good defense here, in this position. (Or 22...Qh7; 23.Bf5
Qh6;
24.Bg5, "+/-") 23.Qh5+ Rh6; 24.Qe8+ Kh7; 25.Bg8+ Kh8; 26.Bf7+ Kh7; 27.Qg8#.)
22.Rf3, ("+/-") {Diagram?} There is no defense to the threat of Rh3, winning Black's
Queen on the h-file. ].

The next few moves are pretty much all forced.
19...Qxg6; 20.Rxf8+ Kh7; 21.Bg8+ Kh8; 22.Bf7+ (!) 22...Kh7;
23.Bxg6+ Kxg6; {Diagram?}
The stage is set for a simple, but elegant conclusion.
24.Bf4, ('!') {Diagram.} Black resigns.
He is going to lose a piece due to the pin on the back rank.
One of Morphy's prettiest games, and one that has withstood the rigors of analysis for nearly
150 years.
(It was also one of SIX {6!} games played in a SIMULTANEOUS and BLINDFOLD
exhibition!!!)
Paul Morphy (2400) - Eugene Rousseau (2000)
[C39]
A casual game
New Orleans, LA / USA / 1849.
An interesting short-game/miniature. (The ratings are only simple estimates, no reliable rating
system existed at the time that this game was played. I should point out, that - at one time - E.
Rousseau was considered to be one of the strongest players in all of America.)
**********************************************************************
1.e4 e5 ; 2.f4 exf4 ; 3.Nf3 g5 ; 4.h4 g4 ; 5.Ng5!? ,
A wild and woolly line ... that is no longer in use today. (White is basically forced into making an
unsound piece sacrifice.)
[ The Allagaier Gambit. ]
[ Better is: >/= 5.Ne5!?, {"comp"} "The Kieseritzsky Gambit." (See any standard reference
work.) ]
6
5...h6!? ; 6.Nxf7 Kxf7 ; 7.Qxg4!? ,
Condemned by some pundits - and also frowned upon by theory - but it looks like a perfectly
reasonable move (to me) in this position.
{It is also the first choice of several different computer programs.}
[ Theory currently prefers: 7.d4 , as being superior to the text line. ]
7...Qf6? ;
Just a bad and unnecessary play with the Queen ... so typical of the chess play of that era.
[ Better is: >/= 7...Nf6 ; 8.Qxf4 Bd6; "/+" which clearly favors Black.
(Several postal games clearly show that Black generally wins from this particular position.)
]
8.Bc4+ Ke7 ; 9.Nc3 c6 ;
Other than Black's one Queen move, all the moves thus far have been ... more-or-less ... fairly
decent and relatively reasonable.
10.e5!? , (hmmm)
Rather than wait, Morphy sacrifices a Pawn here.
[ Probably better was: 10.d4!? , ('!') with good play for the material.
(GM Chris Ward calls this a viable, "dynamic alternative.") ]

10...Qxe5+ ; 11.Kd1 Kd8!? ;
Not terrible - but this is definitely inferior to the obvious move of ...Knight-to-f6.
(Which is far better than the move actually played.)
Ward gives this move a whole question mark ... this definitely appears a bit extreme to me.
12.Re1 Qc5!? ; (Probably - '?')
This LOOKS like a reasonable move, at least at a first, very casual glance. {But it is actually a
mistake.}
[ A really big improvement was: >/= 12...d6! ; 13.Qf3 Qg7! ; "/+" which obviously favors
Black. (Maybe "-/+") ]
13.Bxg8 d5?! ; (Really - '?' or '??')
This appears to be a VERY plausible move ... however it is refuted in an extremely spectacular
fashion!!!



You might think, after at least a quick glance at this position, that Black is doing OK here.
However, appearances are deceiving!
[ Much better than the game would have been the continuation: >/= 13...d6! ; 14.Qg6!? ,
There are several playable moves in this position for White ... but not any choices that I
would
want to brag or write home about. (14.Be6 is {also} a plausible alternative.)
7
( Much worse would be: </= 14.Re8+?! Kxe8 ; 15.Qxc8+ Ke7 ; 16.Qxb7+!? Nd7 ;
17.Qxa8? Qg1+ ; and Black has a winning attack. )
14...Kc7; "~" when - almost surprisingly - Black is probably OK in this position. ]

14.Re8+!! Kxe8 ; 15.Qxc8+ Ke7[];
Black's only legal move.
16.Nxd5+! , (Maybe - '!!')
Another shocker ... one can only wonder what poor Rousseau was feeling at this point in the
game.
[ Most students choose the vastly inferior continuation of: 16.Qxb7+!? , (Really - '?')
for White in this position. (But Black responds with ...Nd7; and if White grabs the Rook
on a8, then Black will have a winning attack.) ]
16...Kd6 ; ('?')
Suicide ... but Black may have missed Morphy's very sneaky reply.
[ The box says that the {very ugly} move of (>/=) 16...Qxd5 ; is forced {for Black} in this
position.
(Most of my students say they would rather resign than play such a move!) ]
17.Qc7# ,
This is not a perfect game ... but definitely a highly entertaining one!!
(Almost unbelievably ... Paul Morphy was no more than 12 years old when this miniature was
played!!!)
GM Chris Ward spends three whole pages annotating and analyzing this game in his excellent
book:
"The Genius of Paul Morphy." My notes are much inferior to his, and it is my hope that - if you
really
enjoyed this game - you would try to obtain a copy of this excellent book.
T. Lichtenhein (2420)
- Paul Morphy (2800)
(Note: The above ratings are basically extrapolations, based on
what the players would be [minimally] rated in the year 2000.)
(ECO Code =) [C55]
1st American Chess Congress
New York City, NY, 1857.

One of the most brilliant games of the last century. (And probably one of my "Top Ten"
favorite Morphy Games!!) It shows just how much talent Morphy really had. ALL the other
Masters present during the game labeled Paul's 12th move a mistake. It is actually a very
brilliant move, and reminds me greatly of another chess genius, M. Tal.
***
This game is a brilliant example of the "Two-ROOK Sacrifice."
(The Anderssen "Immortal Game" was probably the first great
example of this technique.)
***
This game has also been savaged by many writers who have greatly disparaged White's
play. Yet few (if any!) players have successfully found ALL of Black's moves. And I have
showed this game dozens and dozens of times over the years. Even MASTER's have failed
to correctly find all of Black's moves.
***
(Click HERE to see this this game on a java-script re-play board.)
***
Note: I have annotated this game many times over the years.

1. e4 e5;
Morphy's favorite response against 1. P-K4, or 1. e4. Morphy delighted in piece play, and there is
more than ample opportunity for it in the Open Games.
8
2.Nf3 Nc6; 3.d4, (!?)
At one time thought to be inferior, but revived by Garry Kasparov in some of his World
Championship
encounters. (It is most likely that this move will lead to the Scotch Game, or even ... the Scotch
Gambit.
Click here to go to my "Traps Page.")
It is certainly completely playable, and abides by all the opening principles.
[ 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.e5, is the normal move
order to arrive at the position we achieve in the game. ].
3...exd4; 4.Bc4, (!?)
Gambiting a pawn, which was common and accepted at that time.
[ 4.Nxd4 is a straight Scotch Opening. ].

4...Nf6; 5.e5!?, {Diagram just below.}


(The position after 5.e5!?)

White thinks to disturb Morphy's development.
[ 5.0-0!? Nxe4; transposes to The 'Max Lange Attack.' ].

Reti writes: "The most important thing in an open position is to bring ALL the pieces into play as
quickly as possible. In open games, it is possible to obtain a perhaps superficial, but rapid and -
for all practical purposes - an
often sufficient opinion in regard to a position; simply by counting the [number of] pieces that have
been developed." (R. Reti, in "Masters of the ChessBoard. " Pg. # 33.)

(In other words, if I have two pieces developed and my opponent has developed five, then my
opponent may have a very large advantage. Things such as being ahead a pawn in such a
situation is of a secondary, and a greatly diminished consideration.)

Now the great Morphy plays:
5...d5!;
Black (Morphy) does not move or retreat a well-posted piece. Instead he vigorously counter-
attacks in the center! (Hitting White's Bishop.) We now have transposed to a Scotch Opening.
***
This thrust (5.e5, d5!), is common today, but was practically unheard of in Paul Morphy's
time.

***
"If 6. exf6, dxc4; 7.fxg7 Bxg7; and Black stands well." - Reinfeld.


6.Bb5 Ne4!; {Diagram just below.}

9

(The position after 6...Ne4!)
Again, no retreating!

Black's Knight occupies an advanced square in the center ...
securely anchored by a pawn. This is known as an "outpost."
(You should always strive to get your Knights to a square of this type.
A good definition of an outpost is: "An advanced square, in or near the center,
- or very near the opponent's King - where the Knight can occupy this square
and is NOT easily driven off. The square should be firmly anchored (protected)
by one of your own pawns. The 'driving away' process should always involve a
significant weakening of your opponents' Pawn structure." - LM A.J. Goldsby I)
7.Nxd4 Bd7; 8. Nxc6?!, ('?')
With this move, White will lose a tempo in the opening, which is not a good idea.
(White's Bishop on b5 will be forced to retreat, or move again. Another loss of time.)

[ Better was: 8.Bxc6 bxc6; 9.0-0, ("+/=") ECO says this position is nearly equal.
9...Be7; 10.f3 Nc5; 11.Be3 Ne6; 12. Qe2 0-0; 13.c4!? Nxd4; 14.Bxd4 Be6;
15.Rd1 c5; 16.Be3 d4; 17. Bf2 Rb8; 18.b3 Qd7; 19.Nd2 Rbe8; ("=")
Black may even be slightly better here. ("=/+") Variation by A.J. Goldsby I.].

8...bxc6; 9.Bd3 Bc5!;
Rapid and active development! Morphy was never one to play passive moves.
Notice Morphy has a threat against f2 now.
***
Also please notice how Morphy has three pieces developed to his opponent's one!
***
"It is interesting that this natural move has been sort of forgotten by modern theory." - GM C.
Ward
*******
10.Bxe4, Qh4!; (Maybe - '!!') {Diagram just below.}

This, and Black's next move, are in reality so complicated that I
seriously doubt many people could have calculated this combination
to its logical conclusion. (See the analysis below!!) Perhaps Paul
Morphy was guided by his superior intuition! (?)
Perhaps just sheer genius?

10

(The position after 10...Qh4!)

The move, 10...Qh4 is a zwischenzug, or an in-between move.
This is a nice way for Black to keep the advantage.

11.Qe2,
This has the appearance of being a {half-way} decent move.

GM Edmar Mednis writes:
<< A perfectly reasonable move. White wants Black to capture on e4 with his pawn and
thus be left with a broken pawn structure on the Queenside. After the routine
11.0-0, Qxe4; Black has, at no cost to himself; the advantage of the Bishop-pair in
an open position. He therefore has a very pleasant advantage. >>
[See: "Practical {Chess} Opening Tips," page # 21-23.]


[ Not 11.Bf3?? Qxf2#; or if 11.g3?? Qxe4+; 12.Qe2 Qxh1+; 13.Qf1 Qxh2; ("-/+") ].

11...dxe4; 12.Be3?, (?!)
(Maybe this move is only dubious.)
"Certainly now 12.0-0 would be better." - GM Chris Ward

[ 12. 0-0, (E.C.O.). 12...Rb8; ("=/+") is slightly better for Black,
but VASTLY better than the game continuation. ].

Reti writes: "In open positions, especially in cases of retarded development, the safety of the
King should be the first consideration. Castling was therefore imperative." (R. Reti, in "Masters of
the Chess Board," pg. # 35.)

12...Bg4!!; (Maybe - '!!!')
This move had to be calculated VERY precisely. In fact, in order to be 100% sure of the win,
Paul Morphy would have had to calculate OVER 15 moves ahead!!!
(I don't think Morphy calculated this far ahead, but probably relied on his incredible intuition,
instincts, and just plain PURE GENIUS.)
Edge wrote (in a similar situation) that although the winning line may have been very complex,
Morphy never calculated for longer than 5-10 minutes. Sometimes Morphy would respond
instantly with a tactical shot that would simply amaze his contemporaries.
It is too bad that we will never be able to accurately test Morphy's powers of calculation. But I
would be willing to bet, that he would have been able to hold his own with any player of any age,
judging from what we do know - and what people have written about Morphy.
(I remember seeing this game as a very young person. I played - sensing the possibility of Qc4 -
12...Bb6. This move would lead to a slight advantage for Black, especially if White captures on d6
and undoubles Black's pawns.)
---> GM C. Ward calls this a stroke of genius - that was carefully calculated out to the end.

13.Qc4, {Diagram just below.}
11

(The position after 13. Qc4!?)

It appears that Black has outsmarted himself, for it seems that Black must lose material.
But all this has been calculated out to the very end by Morphy!


GM Mednis writes:
"White must counter-attack, since the safe 13. Qd2, loses routinely to 13...Rd8,
with mate on d1 coming up."


[ 13.Qf1? Bxe3; 14.g3 Qg5; 15.f4,
If 15. fxe3?? Qxe3+; 16.Qe2, (forced) 16...Qxe2#.
15...Qf5; ("-/+") and Black has won a piece.
Or 13.Qd2? Rd8; 14.Qc3 Rd1#. ]

13...Bxe3!;
Black fearlessly continues the attack.

14.g3!, [box], {Diagram?}
This move is forced, and shows just what a strong player Lichtenhein was.
Many Masters have played 14. Qxc6+ here. (When I showed them this
position and asked them what the correct move was for White.)
{Castling was an idea worth consideration here for White.}

[ Now Soltis and Reinfeld give: 14. Qxc6+, { "?!" - A.J.G. }
14...Bd7!!; The only way to make progress. Black sacrifices one rook,
(offering two;), all to get to White's King.
( 14...Kf8; {'?'} 15.Qxa8+?! Ke7; 16.g3, "~" (Maybe '')
Chris Ward gives the line: (</=) 14...Ke7!?; ('?!') 15.Qxc7+ Kf8;
16.Qd6+ Kg8; 17.g3 Qh3; 18.fxe3? Qg2; "-/+" {Diagram?}
... "when either White suffers a heavy material loss or is mated."
- GM Chris Ward )
15. Qxa8+ Ke7; 16. g3!, Forced. Taking the rook on h8 loses.
( 16.Qxh8?? Qxf2+; 17.Kd1 Bg4#)

16...Bxf2+!; 17. Kxf2 e3+!; 18. Ke1,

The alternatives were clearly worse. I.e., :
Var. #1.) 18.Kg1 e2!; 19.gxh4, e1Q+; 20.Kg2 Qe2+;
21.Kg3 Rxa8; ("-/+") Black is winning easily.
{Other moves may also win here for Black. 21...Qxe5+; 22.Kf2 Qd4+;
23.Kf3 Rxa8; 24.Re1+ Kf8; 25.Nc3 h5!; ("-/+")}
Var. # 2.) 18.Kxe3? Qg5+; 19.Kd4 c5+!; 20.Kd5 Be6+; 21.Kxc5 Qxe5+;
22.Kb4 a5+!; 23.Ka4 Qd4+!; 24.c4 Qxc4+; 25.Kxa5 Rxa8+; 26.Kb6 Qb4+;
27.Kc7 Rc8#;
Var. # 3.) 18. Kg2?? Qh3+; 19. Kg1 Rxa8; ("-/+")
Var. # 4.) 18. Kf3?? Qh5+; 19. Kxe3 Rxa8; ("-/+")
12
Var. # 5.) 18. Ke2?? Qc4+; 19. Kxe3 Rxa8; ("-/+")
So it appears that 18. Ke1, is clearly forced here.
*************************************
(Returning to the main analysis line.)
18...Qb4+; 19. c3 Qxb2; 20. Qe4,

[ And now if: 20. Qxh8? Qf2+!; The most direct.
(Also winning is: 20...Bg4!?; ("-/+") 21. Nd2 Qxd2+; 22. Kf1 Qf2#.)
21. Kd1 Ba4+; 22. Kc1 Qc2#;
or 20. Qf3 Qxa1!;
{ Not: (a1.) 20...Qc1+?; 21.Qd1. ("=")
or also bad is: (a2.) 21.Ke2?? Bb5+; 22.c4 Bxc4#. }
21.Qb7 Qxa2; 22.Rf1, Rd8; ("-/+") and now Black is winning easily. ]

20...Qc1+; 21. Ke2 Bb5+; 22. c4, Bxc4+; 23. Kf3,
( Or 23.Qxc4 Qxc4+; 24.Kxe3 Qc5+; {"-/+"} )
23...Qxh1+; 24. Kxe3 Qe1+; 25. Kf3 Qf1+; 26. Ke3 Qe2+;
27. Kf4, (Or 27.Kd4? Rd8+;), 27...g5+!;
28. Kf5 Be6+; 29. Kxg5 Qxe4; ("-/+") Black is winning easily.]
(The end of the Reinfeld / Soltis Variation.)
***
(And now we return to the analysis of the actual game.)

14...Qd8!;
"Even in retreat, Morphy finds a way to attack!"
(Threatening a mate on d1, should White become careless.
[ 14...Qh6; 15. Qxe4 Bc1; ("-/+") ].)

15.fxe3,
The alternatives here are clearly inferior.
[ 15.Qxc6+? Bd7; 16.Qxe4 Bb6; and Black has won a piece. ("-/+")
Or 15.Qxe4?? Qd1#. Or 15. Nc3, (To cover d1.) 15...Bb6; ("-/+") ].

15...Qd1+; 16.Kf2 Qf3+!;
One New York reporter wrote (in his newspaper) That White had probably been expecting the
capture of the Rook on h1 here. (Not 16...QxR/h1?!; 17. QxP/c6+, and White gets a lot of
counterplay.)

17.Kg1 Bh3!!;
(Black has other ways to win here, but this is clearly the best! AND the quickest!)

18.Qxc6+ Kf8!;
Black offers to give away BOTH his Rooks, the first with check!!
(It was not until I began analyzing this game with students again that I realized
how difficult some of these moves are to find for the average player. July, 2001.)
***
18...Ke7?; gives White needless counterplay. 19.Qxc7+, and the game goes on.
(This is the line that most of my students choose at this point.)

19.Qxa8+ Ke7; ('!') {Diagram just below.}
(Not 19...Bd7?; Which gives White more chances.)
13

(The position after 19...Ke7.)

White Resigns. 0 - 1.

(Mate is unavoidable. I.e., 20. Qxe4!?, Qf1#!)
Paul Morphy (2800) - Some Amateur (2200)
[C34]
Club Game (?) (Casual Game)
New Orleans, LA; 1858.
[A.J. Goldsby I]

A model Morphy game. Also a great game for teaching beginners.
(I have taught this game probably several hundred times!!)
You will definitely need a chess board, as there are NO diagrams here.
(Click HERE if you would like to see this game on a java-script, re-play board!!)

"Morphy's combinations usually ended in mate, or a reasonable facsimile thereof. Here he
resorts
to a device rarely seen in his time. He simplifies by a series of exchanges, to reach a
position where
the mere threat of a simple pin clinches the win." - IRVING CHERNEV.
***
1. e4 e5; 2. f4 exf4; 3. Nf3 c6!?; ('?!')
Controls the center square on d5, but takes the best square away from Black's QN.
[ The best line for Black was: 3...d5!; 4.exd5 Nf6; 5.Bb5+ c6; 6.dxc6 Nxc6; 7.d4 Bd6;
8.Qe2+ Be6; 9.Ng5 0-0!; {Comp.} and Black gets a playable game.
Another book line is: 3...d6; 4.d4 g5; 5.h4 g4; 6.Ng1 Bh6; 7.Nc3 c6; 8.Nge2 Qf6;
9.g3!, with complicated play for both sides. ]

4. Nc3 Bb4?!; {Diagram?}
Black is in a rush to get rid of White's Knight. Yet later in the game, it is the LONG-RANGE
Bishop that will be the more dangerous of the two minor pieces!!
5. Bc4 Bxc3?; {Diagram?}
Continuing with the idea expressed by his last move.
[ Much better was: 5...Qe7!?; "~" ]

14
6. dxc3!, {Diagram?}
White captures away from the center!
He opens up his Queen, his QB, pressures the d-file, prevents ...d5; and threatens to
take the pawn on f4.
[ Normally I teach my students to capture towards the center with, 6.bxc3, but the
text is much sharper and much more accurate. ]

6...Ne7; 7. Qd6!, {Diagram?}
Normally you do not bring out the Queen early!
But here there are 2 good reasons for doing so:
# 1.) The Queen on d6 is almost impervious to attack.
# 2.) The Queen on d6 prevents Black from easily developing his entire Queen-side.
(White's Queen on d6 plays the role of blockader ... something that is normally
reserved for the Knights. And as long as the Queen is on d6, Black can never
push his QP. And as long as the QP cannot move, Black will be unable to find
a reasonable development of all of his Queen-side pieces.)
Notice Black was also threatening ...d5; (A break in the center.); which White just
prevented!
[ 7.0-0 d5!; etc. Black is doing pretty well here. ]

7...0-0; 8. Bxf4 Ng6; 9. Bg5 Qe8; {Diagram?}
Black is trying defend.
With his next move, White offers Black a pawn.
("Take my e-Pawn, PLEASE!!")
10. 0-0!, {Diagram?}
The White King is safest on the King-side. There is no reason to castle on the Q-side.
Plus with a King-side deployment ... White exerts very powerful pressure down the f-file.
White is also offering a gambit. (The KP is open to possible capture.)
10...Kh8; {Diagram?}
Which Black probably wisely decides not to accept.
[ If 10...Qxe4?!; 11.Bb3, (11.Nd4!?) 11...b6; 12.Rae1! Qg4; 13.h3 Qh5; 14.Ne5!
Nxe5;
( 14...Qxg5?; 15.Rxf7 Ne7; (If 15...Rxf7?; 16.Bxf7+ Kh8; 17.Nxg6+! hxg6; 18.Qf8+
Kh7;
19.Qg8+ Kh6; 20.Qh8#) 16.Rxe7+ Kh8; 17.Nf7+ Kg8; 18.Nxg5+ Kh8; 19.Re8 h5;
20.Rxf8# ) 15.Rxe5 h6; Black has no good move here. 16.Be7, "+/-"
and White has a winning attack. ]

11. Rae1!, {Diagram?}
White has mobilized his entire army!
He avoids moving any other piece until every unit is actively engaged!!!
GM Edmar Mednis writes:
<< Again admire Morphy's plan: It is only move 11 and ALL of his pieces have been
actively
and purposefully developed; moreover, his King is safely castled. On the other hand,
Black
is playing WITHOUT his Queenside. Under such conditions, combinations appear as if
they, "fell from out of the sky." >>
(From his book, "Practical (Chess) Opening Tips," page # 20.)
[ Several Masters have recommended: 11.Nh4!?, as winning for White. ]

11...f6; 12. e5!, {Diagram?}
Morphy insists on opening lines!
15
[ White could also play: 12.Nh4!?; or 12.Bd2!? ]

12...f5!; {Diagram?}
Black wisely tries to keep lines closed.
The player guiding the Black army MUST have been one of several things:
#1.) A very strong player, capable of seeing that if he took the Bishop on g5, that
White would get a winning attack;
#2.) He knew Morphy liked to open the game, and thus he simply wanted to keep
the game closed;
#3.) He had been destroyed by Morphy before, and was simply terrified of what the
great genius might do, if given the chance!
***
It might have been this, or any number of things - or a combination of the factors listed
above -
that caused Morphy's opponent to play as he did.
[ A good example of what happens if Black foolishly OPENS lines is:
12...fxg5?; ('??') 13.Nxg5 Na6; 14.Rxf8+ Qxf8; 15.Re4! Nc5; 16.Qxg6! hxg6;
17.Rh4#. ]

13. Nd4 f4; 14. e6!, (Maybe - '!!') {Diagram?}
Morphy single-mindedly continues to pursue the idea of opening lines.
[ Maroczy pointed out many years later that White could have played:
14.h4! h6; (14...f3!?) 15.h5 hxg5; 16.hxg6 g4; 17.Kf2!, with Mate coming on the h-
file. ]

14...dxe6; 15. Nxe6 Bxe6; 16. Rxe6 Qc8; {Diagram?}
It looks as if Black ALMOST has everything under control.
But once again, Morphy finds a combination that brilliantly exploits the state
Black's sadly under-developed game.
I also must point out that:
A.) Morphy has calculated this entire combination out, even though it is nearly 10 moves
long!!; &
B.) Morphy may have had this whole thing planned well in advance!
17. Rxg6!! hxg6; 18. Qxg6, ('!')
Seemingly ... the obvious move.
{But did White have a better one?}
In fact this is such an obvious move ... that few people have even bothered to look for
improvements at this particular point. But this move is not even in the top three picks of
most strong computer {chess} programs here.
Going over some old notes, I find that a large improvement was {first} suggested by one
Rick Frye, during one of my 'PCC' (Pensacola Chess Club) lectures.
(Circa approximately 1977.)
But I had forgotten all about this idea until Bjrnar Snoksrud e-mailed me and mentioned
it again. (This note added: February 11th, 2004.)
[ In all likelihood, White could improve with: >/=
18.Rf3!! Re8!; 19.Rxf4! Re1+; 20.Kf2! Re4!; 21.Rf8+! Kh7!?;
22.Bg8+!, {D?} Much better than simply grabbing the Queen here.
( Also sufficient was: 22.Rxc8!?, ("+/-") {Diagram?}
which is probably good enough to make the average player resign. )
22...Kh8; 23.Bf7+ Qxf8; {Diagram?}
This is probably forced.
( </= 23...Kh7?!; 24.Qxg6#. )
16
24.Qxf8+ Kh7; 25.Qg8#.
****************************************************
White could have also played: (>/=)
= 18.Rxf4! Rxf4; 19.Qxf4, ("+/-") {Diagram?}
and the only way Black can stop mate is to give
up the Queen with ...Qg8. ]

18...Qf5; 19. Rxf4! Qxg6; 20. Rxf8+ Kh7; 21. Bg8+, (!)
21...Kh8; 22. Bf7+ Kh7; 23. Bxg6+ Kxg6;
24. Bf4, ('!') Black resigns.
1 - 0
Black is going to lose a piece due to the pin on the back rank.
One of Morphy's prettiest games, and one that has withstood the rigors of analysis for
nearly 150 years.
(It is also a tremendous teaching vehicle and shows clearly - the dangers of lost tempi and
poor development.)
Napoleon V. Marache (2450) - Paul Charles Morphy (2800)
[C52]
U.S. Championship (Chess Congress)
New York, NY; 1857
[A.J. Goldsby I]
Chernev writes:
"Morphy's name is synonymous with brilliancy, but never in his life did
Morphy make a move more dazzling than his nineteenth (move) in this
game. It makes a beautiful climax to the attack, and winds the game up
in a blaze of glorious Technicolor."
[ The book, {The} "1000 Best, Short Games of Chess,"
by Irving Chernev. Game # 616; pages # 312-313. ]
I will only say that the game is beautiful beyond my ability to describe it. I can also (maybe)
understand why (some) people tried to discredit Morphy and his contemporaries. After his
games, no one else had anything to brag about!!!
Lawson writes: " A chess teacher searching for a classic example of a 'positional sacrifice' will
find it here on Black's eleventh move. The game itself has a happy ending for everybody:
Morphy wins and Marache gets "Knighted." "
[ See David Lawson's book,
"Paul Morphy, The Pride and Sorrow of Chess."
Game # 18, pg. # 349. ]
***
1. e4 e5; 2. Nf3 Nc6; 3. Bc4 Bc5; {Diagram?}
One of the oldest lines in all of chess.
White's next move initiates the, "Evans Gambit."
(A variant of - and in - the Italian Game.
The Italian Game is ANY line after - - - 1. e4, e5; 2, Nf3, Nc6; 3. Bc4, Bc5;)
This opening (The Evan's) was once described, "As a gift from the gods to a languishing chess
world." (!!!) I will also say the Evans was considered UNSOUND for virtually my entire career,
until Kasparov crushed Anand with it! (Late 90's.)

4. b4!? Bxb4; {Diagram?}
The gambit accepted. Black should not be afraid to take.
{ 4...Bb6!?; 5.a4 a6; 6.Nc3 Nf6; 7.Nd5 Nxd5; 8.exd5 Nd4; 9.a5 Ba7; 10.d6! cxd6;
11.0-0 0-0; 12.Nxd4 Bxd4; The end of column # 6. 13.c3 Ba7; 14.Qf3,
"White has compensation for the material invested." - GM P. Leko.
[ See MCO-14; pages 27-28, columns 1-6, (mainly col. #6); and note # (z.).] }

5. c3 Ba5; 6.d4!, {Diagram?}
17
The most energetic.
(White attacks the center in a way that was not all that common in those days.)
{ White can also play the very logical 6.0-0!?, "White has compensation for his pawn." 6...d6!;
This is the "Lasker's Defense." This line virtually killed the Evan's for many years.
7.d4 Bb6; 8.dxe5 dxe5; 9.Qb3, ('!') The best line for White.
( Less than best is: 9.Qxd8+!? Nxd8; 10.Nxe5 Be6; 11.Be2 Ne7;
12.Nc4 Ndc6; 13.Bf4, "=" Anageliev - V. Ivanov; Ashkhabad, 1995.
[ See MCO-14; pages 27-28, columns 1-6, (mainly col. 1); and note # (c.).] )
9...Qf6; 10.Bg5 Qg6; 11.Bd5 Nge7; 12.Bxe7 Kxe7; The end of column # 1.
13.Bxc6 Qxc6; 14.Nxe5 Qe6; 15.Nc4, Probably the best.
(15.Qa3+ Qd6; "And Black is OK." - Levenfish.);
15...Rd8; 16.Qb4+ Ke8; 17.Nxb6, ("=") "The position is equal." - Y. Estrin.
[See MCO-14; pages 27-28, columns 1-6, (mainly col. # 1); and note # (d.).] }

6...exd4; {Diagram?}
Acceptance is virtually forced.
(Black cannot retain the strong-point on e5 without making his position
the worse for it.)
{ The computer gives: 6...d6!?; ('?!') 7.Qb3 Qd7; 8.dxe5, Is this forced?
( MCO gives the line: 8.Nbd2 Bb6; 9.a4 Nf6; 10.a5 Nxa5; 11.Rxa5 Bxa5;
12.dxe5 Ng4; "=/+" The end of column # 4. "After: 13.exd6 Bb6; 14.h3 Nxf2;
15.Rf1 0-0; 16.Ba3 cxd6; 17.Rxf2 Bxf2+; 18.Kxf2, a weird material balance arises
that is slightly in White's favor." - GM Nick DeFirmian. ---> Note that the computer
greatly favors Black. {"/+"} But here I prefer the GM's evaluation! {A.J.G.}
[ See MCO-14; pages 27-28, columns 1-6, (mainly col. 4); and note # (o.).] )
8...Bb6; 9.Nbd2 Na5; 10.Qc2 Nxc4; 11.Nxc4 Bc5; 12.exd6 cxd6;
13.Be3 Bxe3; 14.Nxe3 Ne7; 15.0-0 0-0; 16.Rad1 Qc7; 17.Rd2, ("+/=") but I
think this line is terrible for Black, he is slightly inferior and has no real chances
for generating meaningful counterplay.}

7. e5!?, (Maybe - '?!/?') {Diagram?}
Maybe not the best, although this was (seems to be) "accepted theory" at the time.
(I have found many examples of this line that pre-date this game!)
Mednis gives this move a question mark. (I think this is far too harsh.)
GM Mednis then goes on to write: "White must look for rapid development as compensation for
the sacrificed material. The text does not further development
and meets a clear refutation. The developing move, 7. 0-0, is in order when 7...Nge7;
is considered by theory to be the only correct response; eventual equality is the
most likely outcome."
[See the book, "Practical {Chess} Opening Tips,"
by GM Edmar Mednis. Pg.'s 22-23.]
{ Correct was: 7.0-0!, ("White has compensation for the material invested.")
but this move is the result of nearly 200 years of development in opening theory!!
Sometimes, it is easy - far too easy! - to forget this.
7...Nge7; The best according to theory.
( 7...dxc3?!; "The Compromised Defence."
- It is considered very risky by modern-day theory.
8.Qb3 Qf6; 9.e5! Qg6; 10.Nxc3 Nge7; 11.Ba3 0-0; 12.Rad1,
"With good compensation for the material AND a strong initiative."
[ See MCO-14; pages 27-28, columns 1-6, (mainly col. # 3.); and note # (k.).] )
8.cxd4 d5; 9.exd5 Nxd5; 10.Ba3 Be6; 11.Bb5 f6; 12.Qa4 Bb6; The end of the column.
13.Bxc6+ bxc6; 14.Qxc6+ Kf7; ("=") (Analysis by Botterill.)
"Black is slightly better." - GM Nick DeFirmian.
(According to the computers, the position is nearly dead-equal.
It also looks very equal to me. - LM A.J. Goldsby I.)
[ See MCO-14; pages 27-28, columns 1-6, (mainly col. 2); and note # (h.).] }

7...d5!; {Diagram?}
Chernev also awards this move an exclam.
Black immediately gains some space for his pieces by countering in the center.
(Controlling the center is the single most important thing you do in the opening!)

8. exd6 Qxd6; 9.0-0!, {Diagram?}
White correctly castles, despite many attractive alternatives.
18
[ Interesting is: 9.Qb3!? "~" {Diagram?}
The position is unclear, or maybe slightly better for Black. ]

9...Nge7!; {Diagram?}
I believe this is the correct course for Black.
(He must develop as quickly as possible. Or perish!)
[ Most strong computer programs prefer: 9...dxc3!?; ("/+") giving Black
(now) as much better. But White can play: 10.Qb3!, with a very strong attack.
(And some good compensation for the material invested.) ]

10. Ng5!?, (Maybe -'?!/'?') {Diagram?}
Sergeant gives this move a question mark, and recommends
instead B-R3 followed by R-K1.
[See the book," "Morphy's Games of Chess," by Phillip W. Sergeant.
Game # CLXI, pg. # 223.]
This may be an improvement over the actual game, but does NOT give White
the better game. (Nothing gives White the better game at this point.)
The move Ng5 is certainly a time waster, and the kind of move Morphy showed his brilliance
against. (I must also add I have taught this game dozens and dozens and
dozens of times over the years. And a lot of people will pick Ng5 as the move
White ought to play here!)
GM Edmar Mednis writes: (After giving 10. Ng5 a question mark.)
"White is insufficiently developed to expect anything from such a Knight sally.
10. Ba3, Qf6; 11. cxd4, is logical; with some compensation for the pawn."
[See the book, "Practical {Chess} Opening Tips,"
by GM Edmar Mednis. Pg.'s 22-23.]
[ Better is 10.Ba3! Qf4; ("=/+") ]

10...0-0; 11. Bd3, (!?) {Diagram?}
Maybe not the best. But it is also hard to come up with viable
alternative for White.
GM Mednis's comments are very illuminating here. He writes:
" Notice how White is attempting to attack by moving the same pieces repeatedly ... rather
than bringing new soldiers into play. Morphy, therefore, decides that he can both complete his
development and gain a safe material advantage by an exchange sacrifice. In return, he will
get 2-3 pawns and a clear initiative. "
[See the book, "Practical {Chess} Opening Tips,"
by GM Edmar Mednis. Pg.'s 22-23.]
I will only add that White threatens Qh5 with a nearly winning attack.
Morphy is as brilliant in defense as he is in attack. - LM A.J. Goldsby I
[ 11.cxd4 Qxd4; ("=/+") ]
11...Bf5!; {Diagram?}
This move is given an exclam by no less than GM Mednis.
[ My computer likes: 11...h6!?; "(-/+") ]

12. Bxf5 Nxf5; {Diagram?}
To me, Black's position is not all that impressive.
(At least, not right at this moment!) With his next move,
White wins the exchange.

13. Ba3, ('!?') {Diagram?}
White takes the bait.
(He may as well, he will get little else from Morphy!)
[ 13.cxd4? Qxd4; "/+" (Maybe - "-/+".) ]

13...Qg6; {Diagram?}
The Queen gets out of the way.
Chernev writes:
"Black is glad to give up the exchange. For his Rook, Morphy gets
a Knight ... and three tempo's! And NOBODY knew the value of
19
time better than Morphy." (Emphasis mine.)

14.Bxf8 Qxg5!; {Diagram?}
Perhaps a shock ... especially if you were expecting a simple
recapture on f8! (This is a good example of an "In-Between
move," or a "Zwischenzug.")
Now White must lose yet ANOTHER tempo and retreat his Bishop.
15. Ba3, {Diagram?}
White must retreat or lose another piece.
The loss of tempi here is very subtle and easy to miss.
(Most of my students have failed to correctly identify where
White's big tempo loss was.)
This piece has already moved 3 times (!!) {Ba3, BxR/f8, then B back to a3};
and will wind up moving two more times!
[ 15.Bb4!? ]

15...dxc3; {Diagram?}
Amazingly, Black has THREE Pawns for the lost exchange.
The pawn on c3 prevents White from moving anything on the Queenside.
And he is about to get his Rook on d8 into the game with YET
ANOTHER gain of time.
(The computers already give the assessment of "-/+" or "Black is winning.")
GM Mednis writes: "White has no chance of coping with Black's initiative."
(To say the least!)

16. Bc1, {Diagram?}
A natural looking move.
White wants the Black Queen to move from its very imposing square.
GM Mednis writes: "The attempt to bring over the Bishop to help out
on the Kingside will be insufficient, but there is nothing satisfactory."
Note White has already moved this Bishop four (4!) times, (B-R3, BxR/f8,
Bishop back to R3, then B-B1); and will move it once more.
(It maybe the losses of time with this one piece that
could be the decisive factor of this game.)
[ White could have also played: 16.Qd3!? Ne5!; ("/+") Or maybe ("-/+"). ]

16...Qg6; {Diagram?}
The Queen 'ducks'.
Very subtle. White probably thinks he is gaining time by attacking the Black Queen.
But since the Queen only loses one tempo, (And gets to a much better square where
she is well protected!); and the Bishop moves for the FOURTH (4th) time, Black
actually GAINS THREE TEMPI!! (With this one move!)

17. Bf4!?, {Diagram?}
Making a brave attempt.
White is trying hard; given enough time (!) he may eventually unravel all his pieces.
(Now the plan is probably Na3-c2, followed by the mobilization of all his other pieces.)
This is also WHITE's FIFTH (5th) MOVE WITH THIS BISHOP!!!!!
[ Maybe White should try: 17.h3!? ]

17...Rd8; {Diagram?}
Another gain of time. And the White Queen now has few ...
... if any!!! ... viable squares. (For his lady.)

18. Qc2, {Diagram?}
Its easy to label this a mistake.
It is hard (impossible!) to come up with a move or a plan to
extricate White.
20
[ 18.Qc1!? ]

18...Ncd4; {Diagram?}
And yet another gain of time. One begins to wonder if Chernev
could count!!
(This is like the 5th one. I thought he said Black only won three tempo!)
GM Mednis writes:
"Black just walks in on the fifth-rank central squares, which have been
left unattended because of (the) lack of development on White's part."

19. Qe4, {Diagram?}
Losing. But so did everything else.
"White's game is lost anyhow." - Sergeant.
[ Sergeant provides the following variations: 19.Qd3 Ng3; ("-/+")
Or 19.Rd1 Ng3!; 20.Qxg6 Nde2#; Or 19.Qa4 b5!; 20.Qxa5 Ne2+; 21.Kh1 Nxf4;
22.Rg1, (Or 22.g3 Qc6+; 23.f3 Qxf3+; 24.Rxf3 Rd1+; 25.Rf1 Rxf1#)
22...Rd1!!; 23.g3 Qc6+!, etc. ("-/+" ... & mate shortly!) ]
19...Ng3!!; {Diagram?}
White Resigns. 0 - 1.
Chernev writes:
"If 20. QxQ/g6, then N/d4-e7 is mate! White's Queen is attacked, and
if he tries 20. Qe1, then 20...N/d4-e2+; wins the Queen and Bishop
for the two Knights. White - of course! - RESIGNED.
Everybody was crying!"
I can only say if someone else had written this, it would not be believable. But Chernev's
credentials are impeccable and unimpeachable. I must also note that Chernev gave out VERY
FEW double-exclamation points to moves, but Black's 19th move is one of the few to be
showered with praise and receive the "!!"
This game is one of ultra-brilliance and of the very first magnitude. Easily one of the prettiest
games ever played in a U.S. Championship. (Several have called this an "off-hand game," but
this conflicts with both what was written about his game in the newspapers, and the game
score given by several sources, including the CB database.) One should also remember that
many events were "impromptu," and chess organization hardly existed in any form in those
days. (Many players felt they had been unfairly excluded from the Congress. They wanted a
chance to play the new champ. Morphy, on the other hand, seemed eager to prove himself
against all comers!) One writer, in a N.Y. newspaper, wrote: "This is one of the finest game
specimens recorded ever played on American Soil." ]
Sergeant compares this ending to the game,
Levitsky- Marshall; Breslau, 1912.
Macon Shibut mentions this as one of the best combinations that Morphy ever played.
[See the book, "Paul Morphy," And The Evolution of Chess Theory."
By Macon Shibut. Game # 108, pg. # 214.]
I have seen this game in literally DOZENS of books over the years. (I have quoted several
here in the analysis of this game.) I have also seen this game in many magazines over the
last 25 years, and I cannot possibly remember all the times I have seen this game mentioned. I
also wanted to thank two friends, who asked not to be named. These selfless individuals, (one
from New York, one from Cleveland); poured over old newspaper accounts (Micro-film) and
copied them and sent them to me. "The White Collection," in Cleveland is a treasure-house of
such information. (I have been there a few times, and hope to return again someday.)
(I have also taught this game literally hundreds of times over the last 25 years!)
[ Still need to see more proof that White is lost?
Then 19...Ng3!!;
{See the diagram just below for this picturesque final position.}
21

The final position of the game.

20.Qxd4 , The computer says this move is forced.
(Or 20.Qxg6?? Nde2#; Or 20.Qe1? Nde2+; 21.Qxe2[] Nxe2+; 22.Kh1 Nxf4; ("-/+");
Or 20.hxg3?, White loses his Queen this way on any recapture of the Black
Knight on g3! and now Black plays - 20...Qxe4; ("-/+"), with an easy win.)
20...Ne2+; 21.Kh1 Rxd4; ("-/+") Black has an easy win on material. ]
Stepan M. Levitsky (2498) - Frank J. Marshall (2675)
[C10]
DSB-18.Kongress, (German Open Championships)
(Round # 6), Breslau, GER 1912
***
This game contains one of the single most amazing moves ever played on a
chessboard!!
It is also the legendary ... "SHOWER OF GOLD PIECES" game!!
(After the game, the board was reputedly covered with gold marks, gold crowns,
and gold sovereigns. Many newspaper columns said the spectators became so
excited they threw coins, as if to reward Marshall for his brilliance.).
Prior to annotating this game, (or at least attempting to!); I did a lot of research.
I checked dozens of older books and old magazines, and I also spent a great
deal of time in my database, and also on-line. (Internet.).
Unfortunately - over a dozen 'chess reference' books gave NO mention of the
player who championed the White pieces in this game. (Levitsky/Lewitsky.).

Stepan (Stephen) Mikhailovich (Michael) Levitsky -
Levitsky (some db's give Lewitsky) was born in 1876 and died in 1924,
when he was just 47. (Cause of death?).
He was a Russian/Soviet player, who may [also] have been of Polish descent,
and he was almost definitely Jewish.
(As many good chess players seem to be also of Semitic origin.).
He was an inveterate KP-player, who was addicted to the Giuoco Piano.
He scored moderately well with the White pieces, but poorly with the Black
pieces.
{ The common misconception seems to be ... }
Many players have thought he was a "real fish," and ...
"not really of true Master strength."
Quite the opposite seems to be true, he was definitely a real Master-level player.
(When he was nearly 20, Tchigorin himself labeled this player,
"Russia's New Chess Hope." !!).
(ChessBase gives him a near 2500 ELO-rating.).
22
While he never won a MAJOR international tourney, he did win at least
one minor event. My database indicates he played in several German (Open)
Championships, probably by invitation. He scored third in Vilna, 1912;
(according to an Oxford Encyclopedia cross-table); behind Rubinstein and
Bernstein, but AHEAD of many stars such as Nimzovich, Alekhine, and
Levenvish!!!
He also came in like 6th, (in a field of over 20 players); in the 1903 Russian
Champ; (Kiev) ... (Won by the legendary Tchigorin!!) ...
scoring a very respectable 10.5 out of a possible 18 points.
In ChessBase's "Career Highlight's," they have Levitsky playing a 10-game
match, (St. Petersburg, 1913.); against Alekhine. Although he lost by the
somewhat lop-sided margin of 7-3; CB gives Alekhine's rating as "2774"
and Levitsky's as "2596."
(This was/is considered a pretty respectable result, especially considering
who his opponent was!!! and ..... Adjusting for rating inflation, this means
Levitsky would definitely be a GM today, especially by the watered-down
standards of modern-day!!).
He was most active in the period, 1910 - 1914; probably his chess activities,
(like SO many others!!) were interrupted by WWI.
(He played over 80 games during this period.).
He was something of an innovator. Several modern ideas in the opening
can be traced to him.
Unfortunately, very little else is known about this player.
***
Frank James Marshall -
Marshall's story is very well known.
He was one of ...
- THE FIVE ORIGINAL (!) GRAND-MASTERS of Chess!!!!! -
(From St. Petersburg, 1914. Click here for more info on this event.)
- and U.S. Champion from 1906 to 1936.
(He was also probably in the World's "Top Ten" players ... for nearly 40 years!!)
He was known to be VERY passionate about chess, often taking a small
chess-board with him when he retired to bed. Marshall won dozens of events
and matches in the U.S. - he also won 4 or 5 major international tournaments.
And he placed highly in dozens of other competitions.
( His greatest success being Cambridge Springs, 1904. )
Marshall was a feared competitor, largely responsible for helping the U.S.A.
to be THE chess world power during the 1930's .....
He played First Board in like 4 straight Chess Olympiads!
Unfortunately, Marshall never had much luck with Emmanuel Lasker.
[The World Champion.]
(He had a very poor score against him, and his 1907 match against him
was almost a complete rout.).
Marshall also did badly in his match against Capablanca.
[Poor Marshall. He probably expected to be one of the best players in the
western hemisphere - after Pillsbury's death. But he wasn't even the best
player in New York after Capablanca started attending Columbia University!]
Marshall was a renowned (and feared!) tactician, famous for his brilliant
combinations ... AND his swindles!!!
Marshall was also an innovator - he created the Marshall Attack, several lines
in the Slav ... including, "The Marshall Gambit." In addition to this, Marshall
first worked out many of the lines in the Petroff Defense.
(And he worked on many other openings, helping players work out new lines.
The common wisdom at that time was to show Marshall a line ... unless it was
a secret - OR you planned on playing it against Marshall!! ... and let him
spot any tactical flaws - - - BEFORE you used it in tournament play!
- Napier.)

23
[The ChessBase software was very helpful in discovering information on Levitsky. By bringing
up the CB software and inserting the CD-ROM disk containing the "playerbase" info, I was
able to get quite a lot of information on this player. Additionally when I clicked on the "dossier"
button, some really fantastic things began to happen. The machine automatically pulled up all
the games of this player (130+); his career highlights, provided a repertoire of the openings this
player gave, showed some of his better combinations, etc!!!
I do not impress easily, but I must say I was VERY impressed!].
(The rating given of Levitsky was the one generated by ChessBase, when it showed a
crossable of this event, and games of this player. Marshall's rating was given as over 2600, I
have adjusted his rating slightly for inflation.)

Many Masters have praised this game, others have greatly criticized it!!!
***
( One Master in Europe called it "The Grandest Game of Chess Ever
Played, ending with the single best move ever played." (!!)
GM A. Soltis wrote: "Marshall's startling Queen offer occurred at the
end of what looked like a Master-versus-'C' player game."
{"The 100 Best," page # 3, paragraph 3.} )
[ I think Soltis is overly harsh in his criticisms of this game. ]
Such a HUGE difference of opinion! Why?
(Another European GM called this game, "Coffee-house rubbish."). !!!
***
<< What is the truth about this game?
Well ...
let me say first that I studied this game initially when I was very young ...
and I was somewhat hesitant about criticizing it.
But the truth is that it IS a VERY uneven game ... especially when analyzed
with the aid of a strong chess computer. (On a PC)
(This game does NOT show up in either Soltis's book, "The 100 Best;"
or in Nunn's book, "The World's Greatest Chess Games." I guess this
means this game is NOT one of the very best!!)
But I think that probably too much has been made of one or two moves,
(esp. moves # 14 and 17 by White) - that were maybe inaccurate -
while not pointing out how inconsistent the whole series of moves by
White were. It was actually White's poor handling of the entire opening
which spoiled his game.
And almost no one ... - that I am aware of - ... has pointed out
that Black [probably] had an improvement at move eighteen. (18).
But Marshall's final move is still one of the most amazing in all
of the lexicon of chess. >>
( MY comments. {A.J.G.} ) .
***
It does contain one of the most amazing and wonderful chess moves ever
played, however. (See my web page devoted to this subject.)
{ "The Best Moves"
(http://www.geocities.com /lifemasteraj/best_moves.html) }.
***
This is what the great, (late) Irving Chernev wrote of this game:
<< This is the famous "gold-pieces game." When Marshall made his
coup-de-grace, (and critics say it is THE most beautiful move ever made);
he was showered with gold pieces by the excited spectators.
Brian Harley saw Marshall in London and implored him not to play any more
chess ----- this game should be his swan song! >>
- Irving Chernev, in his book; "The 1000 Best Short Games Of Chess."
(Game # 918, Page # 499.) .
24

1. e4,
Of course there is nothing wrong with this, it grabs the center.
Fischer once said that 1. P-K4, was, "Best by test."
***
[ Chernev (AND GM A. Soltis!!) gives this game as starting with:
1.d4 e6; Marshall often played this move, because he was VERY fond
of the Dutch, especially against lower-rated players!!
[ Many Dutch fans do NOT immediately play 1...f5; as they may fear an
immediate 2. e4!? (The Staunton Gambit.) ].
2.e4 d5; transposing back to the game.
This may have explained why, Marshall used the French.
It was primarily the result of a transposition.
Or did Marshall have another reason?
(In some books, this little transpositional trick is known as,
"The Levitsky Attack.").
I pulled this game out of my database and I offer it as yet another example of an
incorrect move order!! (I have found dozens - if not hundreds - of examples!!) ].

1...e6; A French Defense.
This opening is something of an oddity for Marshall.
But I am sure Marshall ... - who had an excellent memory, and also prepared
for many an opponent - had a valid reason for playing this particular defense
against this particular opponent.
(Originally in his career, Marshall played the Black side of the Ruy Lopez. But
after some disastrous results against the immortal Capablanca, Marshall practically
gave up on the Black side of the Spanish Game; and instead began to specialize
in: 1. e4, e5; 2. Nf3, Nf6!?)
[ More normal for Marshall, during this period - was to play:
1...e5; 2.Nf3 Nf6; which is the, "Petroff's Defense." ].

2. d4 d5; 3. Nc3 c5!?; (A little unusual.)
This sudden attack on the center, is known in some books as ...
"The Franco-Sicilian."
(Although many times the normal move order is 2...c5; and then 3...d5.).
White can give Black an isolated center-Pawn, but Black then gets
a lot of play.
4. Nf3 Nc6!?;
This development cannot be bad.
I think the main idea is if White were to play 5. d4xc5!?, Black could disrupt
White's normal flow (of development) in the opening with 5...d5-d4.
[ The 'Book' line here is: 4...Nf6; 5.Bg5 dxe4; 6.Nxe4 cxd4; 7.Bxf6 gxf6;
8.Bb5+! Bd7; 9.Bxd7+ Nxd7; 10.Qxd4 Qa5+; 11.c3 Be7; 12.Qc4!? 0-0;
13.0-0 Rac8; "=" ].

5. exd5!?,
White immediately gives Black an isolated Pawn, but it is not clear
if this procedure is best.
[ 5.dxc5!? d4!; 6.Nb5 e5; "~"
The computer likes: 5.Bb5, "+/=" (Maybe closer to equal?)
Also interesting is: 5.Be3!?, "=" ].

25
For the next 5 or so moves, both sides develop pretty normally.
5...exd5; 6. Be2,
This is fine, but could have White found an improvement?
[ 6.g3!?, Rubinstein figured out long ago that - in isolated QP positions -
that a fianchettoed KB may be the best way to go. ].

6...Nf6; 7. 0-0 Be7; 8. Bg5!?,
This is OK, but does not seem congruent with Nimzovich's formula for
handling the isolated QP positions.
[ Maybe better was: 8.h3!?, "=" with the idea of Be3 to follow. ].

8...0-0; 9. dxc5!?,
This gives Black an isolated-QP, but also activates Black's
dark - squared Bishop.
[ 9.Re1!?, "+/=" ].

9...Be6!; Black guards his QP.
(Black gets in trouble if he immediately captures the QBP.)
[ Black avoids: 9...Bxc5?; ('??') 10.Bxf6 Qxf6; 11.Nxd5, "+/" ].

10. Nd4 Bxc5; 11. Nxe6!?, Hmmm.
This does not look right.
(White gives up a great blockading Knight for a do-nothing Bishop.
In addition, Black will no longer have an isolated center Pawn ... as White
has repaired his structure.).
GM A Soltis awards this move the dubious appellation, and then goes on to
write: "A common amateur error. The e6 pawn only appears to be weak,
while the exchange of minor pieces leaves Black (well) in control of the center."
- GM A. Soltis.
'?!' - GM A. Soltis.
[ 11.Be3!, "=" White may have the better long-term chances because
of Black's isolated QP. ].

11...fxe6; 12. Bg4!?, Not impressive.
Maybe White should have looked for something more vigorous.
[ Maybe 12.Na4!? ].

12...Qd6;
A centralized Queen ... usually not a bad thing to do.
[ 12...Qe7; ].

13. Bh3!?,
This is nothing to scream about, but may now be positionally forced.
[ 13.Nb5!? ].

13...Rae8; "=/+"
Black has completed his development, and already has a small,
but tangible and secure, advantage.
[ 13...h6!? ].
26

14. Qd2?!, (Maybe - '?')
It does not look good to walk into a pin ... but ...
White had few good moves here-abouts!
'?' - GM A. Soltis.
[ 14.Qd3!? ].

14...Bb4!;
GM Soltis awards this rather obvious pinning move an exclam,
so I follow suit.
"Pin and win," said Fred Reinfeld ... on more than one occasion.
15. Bxf6!?, (Maybe - '?!')
This does not make sense either, White will miss the protector of his
dark-squares.
[ Maybe better was: 15.Rae1 Bxc3; "=/+" ].

15...Rxf6;
Black's advantage increases just a little bit here.
16. Rad1!?, (Maybe - '?!/?')
This is definitely not the best here.
[ Maybe better was 16.a3, (Box?) This looked like it was, well ...
positionally forced. ].

16...Qc5!?; (Maybe - '!')
This seems like the most logical. Black piles up on the pinned piece.
[ 16...Qb8!? ].

17. Qe2!?, (Maybe - '?!')
White targets Black's backward KP ... and also prepares to exploit a pin on
the e-file.
GM A. Soltis awards this move a full question mark - but offers NO good
alternatives.
'?' - GM A. Soltis.
Since Black has a clear advantage no matter what White plays here ...
- the computer confirms this - and since no VASTLY better move for
White can be demonstrated, I think Soltis is mistaken. It is (was) White's
series of inaccurate moves earlier which caused the problems that now
exist in his game.
After hours of reflection on this position, I think one could even award an
exclam to 17.Qe2, as it is perhaps the best practical try here!
[ Maybe only slightly better was: 17.a3!? Bxc3; 18.Qxc3 Qxc3;
19.bxc3 g5!; "=/+"
Maybe White could also try: 17.Qd3!? Bxc3=/+ ; but Black is better
in both cases. ].

17...Bxc3; 18.bxc3 Qxc3!?;
Black grabs a pawn, and goes for the extreme piece activity.
(Black keeps a very small edge after this move, yet it may not be
the very best choice for Black.)
It may have been better for Black to keep his KP on the board.
[ Probably better was: 18...e5!; "=/+" (Maybe - "/+")
Black is clearly better here. ].
27

19. Rxd5, Hmmm.
Forced - to regain his pawn.
(Several annotators have criticized this move as bad, but if White
does not regain his Pawn, he will be as good as lost.)
One can now see why White played this line.
(Positionally, White has the better game. The better minor piece and a
slightly superior Pawn structure. Black also has a big target at e6!)
But ... Black now has all the play!
(Especially down the half-open f-file!)
[ Not 19.Rd3? Qc5; "/+" Or 19.f4?! Qc5+; 20.Kh1 Nb4; "/+" ].

19...Nd4!; Nice. (Energetic play.)
Probably disrupting White's well-laid plans.
"White is hanging by a thread." - GM A. Soltis.
[ Not 19...exd5??; 20.Qxe8+ Rf8; 21.Be6+ Kh8; 22.Qxf8#.
Or 19...e5!? ; ('?') 20.Bd7, "=" ].
***
FM Graham Burgess, in his book; "Chess Highlights Of The 20th
Century," picks up this fabulous game at this point.
20. Qh5?!, (Maybe - '?')
FM Graham Burgess awards this move a whole question mark - but fails to
suggest a worthy alternative! (Maybe 20. Qe4!?).
It actually may not matter either, White may already be worse off ...
in this position!
'?' - FM Graham Burgess.
(GM Soltis gives NO mark ... or appellation to this move at all!)
I think probably Burgess is closer to being right than Soltis.
20. Qh5, is probably a mistake ... BUT ...
Black is still better in any case!
[ Probably forced was: 20.Qe4[], (Maybe "=") 20...Rf4!; "<=>"
(Maybe - "=/+") Black is already just a tiny bit better here.
Not 20.Qe5?! Nf3+!; 21.gxf3 Qxf3; "-/+" (Maybe "-/+")
(GM Soltis gives instead: 21...Rg6+; which also wins for Black.) ].

20...Ref8; (Almost - '!')
Not quite an exclam, but this is clearly superior to 20...g6!?
(The computer shows that Black's advantage is now overwhelming.)
[ 20...g6?!; (Maybe - '?/??') The natural reaction ... and dead wrong!
21.Qe5, "=" ("+/=" ?) Maybe slightly better for White! ].

21. Re5 Rh6; 22. Qg5, Hmmm.
This looks ugly, but it may be forced.
FM G. Burgess writes:
"Otherwise 22...Rxh3; simply wins material for Black."
[ If 22.Qd1? Rxh3; 23.gxh3 Nf3+; 24.Kg2 Nxe5; "-/+"
Or 22.Qg4? Rxh3; 23.Qxh3 Qxh3; 24.gxh3 Nf3+; 25.Kg2 Nxe5; "-/+" ].

Black's next move is a cute little sack.
22...Rxh3!; 23. Rc5,
28
Attempting to "bump" the Black Queen.
(The routine 23.gxh3?? loses to 23...Nf3+; winning White's Queen.)
Chernev writes:
"Expecting to drive the (Black) Queen away, but ...
never to such a fantastic spot!"
GM Soltis calls this move, "A last gasp."
[ 23.gxh3?? Nf3+; ("-/+") Black wins White's Queen. ].

23...Qg3!!; (Maybe - '!!!/!!!!') Wow!
Easily one of the most amazing and incredible moves ever actually
played on a chess board.
There is no defense, so ... WHITE RESIGNS! 0 - 1
(There is no reply to a real thunderbolt!! Or a real ... "sock-dolager" as
Horowitz used to say.).
[ For those who need proof that Black is really lost:
23...Qg3!!; 24.Qxg3[], This looks forced.
Or 24.fxg3? Ne2+; 25.Kh1 Rxf1#; Or 24.hxg3? Ne2#.
24...Ne2+; 25.Kh1 Nxg3+; 26.Kg1, (26.fxg3?? Rxf1# ). 26...Nxf1; "-/+"
Black will emerge a piece up, with an easy win.
***
Or Black could have played 23...Qb2!; "-/+" Black wins. - GM A. Soltis.
Black could have also played: 23...Ne2+!?; 24.Kh1 Ng3+; 25.Kg1!,
(25.fxg3?? Rxf1#.) 25...Nxf1!, (25...Ne2+?!; 26.Kh1 Ng3+; 27.Kg1 Ne2+;
"=" - GM A. Soltis.) 26.Rxc3 Rxc3; 27.Kxf1 Rxc2; "=/+" (Maybe - "-/+")
and Black is clearly better.
(But this is GROSSLY inferior to what Marshall actually played!) ]
0 - 1
***
Chernev writes, (after 23...Q-KKt6!!):
"Such a move deserves two exclamation points! Apparently the Queen has
committed suicide, but strangely enough it is White who is helpless."
(Chernev goes on to analyze the position and prove that White is completely lost.)
Chernev goes on to comment: (after 23...Qg3!!)
"Levitszky did not mar the glory of the moment by playing on, chivalrously ...
he resigned."
FM G. Burgess writes of the move, 23...Qg3!!:
"A very pretty move to finish." (The understatement of the year!).
"The most elegant move ... I have ever played."
- GM F. Marshall.
***
Soltis awards this move (23...Qg3) THREE (3) exclamation points!
For many years ... the story on this game was that the spectators became
so excited that they ...
" ... showered the board with gold pieces."
(Even several newspapers carried this version of the story.)
<< The spectators were so thrilled with this 'magnificent play' that they
showered the board with gold pieces. >> - GM Ruben Fine.
Years later, it was revealed that gold pieces may have been paid ...
... (at least in part) ... by disgruntled bettors - - - paying off their debts!!
(But it does not lessen the tremendous impact or the electricity of Marshall's
extremely rare move!!).
On 23...Qg3:
'!!' - Irving Chernev.
29
'!!' - FM G. Burgess.
'!!!' - GM A. Soltis.
'!!!' - GM Ruben Fine.
"Many respected critics consider this stroke to be the single most amazing
move of chess ever actually executed on a chess-board." - Anne Sunnucks.
"THE ... Marshall Immortal?"

During the period from 1904 to 1909, Marshall won like four or five International Chess
Tournaments. He was obviously one of the best players in the world, and also one of the most
brilliant. The game that follows could very well be the finest game that Marshall ever created
during his long and storied career.
This tournament was one of the very strongest of that period. With the exception of Pillsbury,
who was already ill, and World Champion Emanuel Lasker ... all the world's leading masters
showed up for this exciting tournament. Geza Maroczy won ... a full point-and-a-half ahead of
David Janowski and Siegbert Tarrasch, who were tied for second. (Schlechter, Marco,
Teichmann, and Burn all finished ahead of Marshall. Click here to see a cross-table of this
extremely important and historic event - you may have to scroll down a bit.) I also have studied
many of the games of this tournament, some really great chess was played here. (You can get
a lot of these games in just about any chess database.)
While Marshall did not do too well, he played some great chess. (One of his games against
Burn won the second brilliancy prize.) But this game was probably his best effort. (I think
so!)

Was there something in the water?
Friday; April 30th, 2004: Just an aside - I received an e-mail from a good friend ... who asked
that I not use his name. (Wassup with this?) But he is a fairly well-regarded chess historian, and
while not a really strong player, knows a great deal about the lore and history of our royal game.
(His library is much bigger than mine!)
He told me that Ostende, 1905; (and 1907 - for that matter); was a VERY rare tournament in
terms of the high-quality games that were played. When I started to dispute this, he simply
pointed to a few books that he knew I had (and respected) in my library, like Soltis's book, "The
100 Best." (He has an ORIGINAL copy {or copies} of the tournament books for Ostende.)
These games are truly magnificent.
When just one game from a tournament makes into several anthologies as a really great game
... well this is good, but nothing to cheer about. But when 10-15 games are recognized as being
really outstanding games ... and have made their way into several books ... you begin to
wonder. (Was there a special prize for best play?)

White's play here is brilliant. Many historians consider this one of Marshall's best games. And I
recently (March, 2004) got some new information about this game ... and I wanted to share it
with Marshall fan's everywhere. So I finally forced myself to annotate this game.
This is mostly a text-based game ... with one or two diagrams. You will definitely want a chess
board.
Click HERE to see an explanation of some of the symbols that I use when annotating a chess
game.
Click HERE to see this game in java-script replay format. (Not one of my pages!)

Frank J. Marshall (2675) - Mikhail Tchigorin (2650)
[A80]
ICT / Masters / Ostende Invitational
Ostende Resort, Belgium, NED; (Rd. # 7), 1905
[A.J. Goldsby I]

This game is in most databases ... but usually just the game score ...
and not much else. (No indication of what kind of game this really is!)
***
30
The son of an Eastern European Master recently (March, 2004); told me a story. (And it
was one that I had never heard before.) And it was truly a most fascinating one. It seems
that many years ago that the one and only Vassily Smyslov came to town to play in a chess
tournament. Smyslov had already lost his title back to Botvinnik, but his stature in this town
was not diminished a bit.
Smyslov was invited to give a lecture at the local TV station, which would be taped and re-
transmitted later. The lecture was attended by many of the town's best players. The talk
was on chess tactics, and this game was one of those that was covered in the lecture.
{This game can be found in many chess books and game collections as well.}

The game starts off as: "A Dutch Defense."
1.d4 f5; 2.e4!?, {Diagram?}
The Staunton Gambit ... ... ...
one of the sharpest lines that a player of the White pieces could possibly meet the Dutch
with.
(Marshall said he loved to play this line ... and used it whenever possible.)
[ The main line of the Dutch usually goes something like:
2.Nf3 Nf6; 3.g3! e6!?; {Diagram?} The "Classical Dutch."
(Also heavily played today is: 3...g6!?; {Diagram?} which is known as:
"The Leningrad Dutch Defense." )
4.Bg2 d5; {Diagram?}
These are the more popular lines of this opening, which today is called:
"The Dutch Stonewall."
( Also played is: 4...Be7!? )
5.c4 c6; 6.0-0 Bd6; 7.b3 Qe7; 8.Bb2 0-0; 9.Ne5 Nbd7;
10.Nd2, "+/=" {Diagram?} White has a slight advantage in this position -
currently on the board. (White won a nice game in only 41 moves.)
A. Kalinin - A. Kripiavin; City Championship Tournament
Moscow, Russia, 2001. (White won a nice game.) ]

2...fxe4; 3.Nc3 Nf6; 4.Bg5 c6!?; {Diagram?}
Black intends to play ...d5.
(...Nc6; is the most reliable move here, according to opening theory.)

[ Black should NOT play: </= 4...d5?; 5.Bxf6 exf6;
6.Qh5+ g6; 7.Qxd5, "+/=" ('') {Diagram?}
with a clear advantage for White here.
****************************************************
Maybe the best line for Black is:
>/= 4...Nc6!?; 5.d5 Ne5; 6.Qd4 Nf7; 7.Bxf6 exf6;
8.Nxe4 Be7; {Diagram?}
The end of the column here.
9.0-0-0 0-0; 10.Ng3!? d6; 11.f4 c5; "~" ("=") {Diagram?}
... "with at least even chances for Black in a very sharp game."
- GM Nick de Firmian
S. Kravtsov - A. Vyzhmanavin; ICT / Masters / RUS. Cup # 9
Novgorod, Russia; 1997.
[ See MCO-14, page # 489; column # 20, and also note # (f.). ] ]

5.Bxf6!?, {Diagram?}
White gets rid of the Knight so as to be able to recapture the e-pawn.
But modern opening theory suggests a much better and sharper way for White
to proceed (from) here.
[ Much better is the ultra-sharp move of f3! here. For example:
>/= 5.f3! exf3; 6.Nxf3 e6; 7.Bd3 Be7; 8.Ne5, "~" ('+/=') {D?}
with great play for White.
31
Emanuel Lasker - H.N. Pillsbury; ICT / Super-Master Invitational
DRR / Paris, France; 1900. (1-0, 85m.) ]

5...exf6; 6.Nxe4 Qb6!?; 7.Rb1 d5; 8.Ng3 Be6!?; {Diagram?}
Both sides have developed the best they could given the current Pawn structure ...
although the Queen move to b6 by Black struck me as a tad too speculative.

*************************

**************************

This is a rather bizarre position that we currently have on the chess board.
[ 8...Qa5+!?; 9.c3 Qxa2; 10.Bd3, "~" ]

9.Bd3 Nd7!?; {Diagram?}
"Black tries to do without ...g6; or castling." - GM Andy Soltis.
[ Possible was: 9...Bd6!?; "~" ]
Both sides continue to mobilize for the middlegame.
10.Qe2 Kf7; 11.Nf3 Re8; 12.0-0 Bd6; 13.c3!,
13...Nf8!?; 14.Nh4!, (hmmm) {See the diagram ... just below.}
It is not even clear why White made his last move ...
or just what the point of this Knight sally was.

*************************
32

**************************

I went over this game - briefly - one night on ICC, a popular chess server.
One strong player commented that:
"White seems to be walking into an upper-cut in this position!"
[ One program likes: 14.Rbe1!?, "~" ]

14...Bf5!?; (Tempting fate?) {See the diagram, just below.}
This seems like an obvious and a fairly playable move, Tchigorin expects something like:
15.Qc2, Bxd3; 16.Qxd3, Ng6; when Black has an excellent position.
(Note that White's Queen - now - is in a discovered attack.)

*************************

**************************

But the great Tchigorin is in for a very big (and rude) surprise!
(Probably the best move in this position - for Black - was ...a6; or ...g6.)

33
[ The move of: >/= 14...g6!?; "~" {Diagram?}
seems to blunt White's attack. (A little, anyway.)
*******************************************************
GM A Soltis recommends that Black play ...Bxg3; in this position,
but that is clearly bogus: </= 14...Bxg3?!; ('?') 15.fxg3! Nd7;
16.Nf3 Kg8; 17.Rbe1, '' {Diagram?} with an extremely large edge
for White in this position. ]

15.Nhxf5!!, (Maybe - '!!!') {Shocked?} {D?}
Thus begins one of the more amazing combinations of that period in chess.
(Smyslov referred to it as the very best that Marshall ever played!)
GM Andy Soltis calls this ... "much prettier" than any of Marshall's other better
known combinations, and ... "more impressive than the famous ...Qg3!!; game
with Stepan Livitsky at Breslau, 1912." (In his book, "The 100 Best.")
[ Possible was: 15.Qc2!? ]

15...Rxe2; 16.Nxd6+ Ke6[]; {Diagram?}
All the pundits agree that this is completely forced for Black.
[ After the inferior continuation: </= 16...Kg8?; 17.Bxe2! g6!?; 18.Rfe1!,
18...Qc7; 19.Ne8 Qf7; 20.Bd3 h5; 21.h4 f5; 22.Re2, ("+/-") {Diagram?}
White has a Knight, a Bishop, and a whole Rook for the Queen.
(Material advantage AND the much better position here.) ]

17.Nc8!!, (WOW!!) [Piece play!] {See the diagram ... just below.}
Odds are that Tchigorin had seen this far ahead, but had missed this shot completely.

*************************

**************************

Surely White's lone Knight on c8 will soon be isolated from the rest of its neighbors ...
and easily won?
[ Perhaps the great Tchigorin had expected (a continuation) something like:
17.Ngf5!?, "+/=" {Diagram?} when maybe Black can hang on? ]

After the nearly forced Q-B2 by Black, many of my students want to capture the Rook
on e2 with the White Knight. But this would be missing the point completely ...
34
17...Qc7; 18.Bxe2! Kf7; ('!') {Diagram?}
Black avoids the obvious stuff.
[ After the moves: </= 18...Qxc8??; 19.Bg4+ f5; 20.Bxf5+,
20...Kd6; 21.Bxc8, "+/-" {Diagram?}
Black should (possibly) consider resignation in this position.
***************************************************
Not so obvious was the following: 18...g6!?; ('!?') 19.Rfe1 f5;
20.Bf3+ Kf6; 21.Re8!, {Diagram?} Definitely the best.
( A GM offers a blatantly inferior continuation here:
</= 21.Ne7!? Ne6?; 22.Bxd5!, "+/-" {Diag?}
- GM Andrew Soltis. )
21...h5!?; 22.h4 a6; 23.Rbe1, ("+/-") {Diagram?}
White's position is dominating. (And overwhelmingly so!) ]

19.Nf5!!, {Diagram?}
"Another neat move that connects both of White's Knight's."
- GM Andrew Soltis.
(And according to the book of the tournament, a move that literally "floored" all
the spectators of this game. And I would bet that it was NOT the move that
poor Tchigorin was expecting in this position.)
'!' - GM Andrew Soltis. '!!' - GM Salo Flohr.
[ Possible was: 19.Nxa7!?, '' (Maybe "+/-") ]

19...Ne6; {Diagram?}
Of course Black could not capture the "free" Knight on c8.
[ After the moves: </= 19...Qxc8???; 20.Nd6+ Ke6; 21.Nxc8 Nd7; 22.Bg4+,
22...f5; 23.Rfe1+ Kf6; 24.Bxf5! Kxf5; 25.Nd6+ Kf6; 27.Nxb7, "+/-" {D?}
White is a Rook and two Pawns ahead ... with a very easy win. ]

20.Nfd6+! Kg6; {See the diagram ... just below.}
Apparently this was (also) forced.

*************************

**************************

Black looks like he might be getting away, ...
35
and White's Knights look very alone and stranded in this position.
[ Worse is: </= 20...Kf8?; 21.Rfe1, "+/-" ]

21.Bd3+ Kh5[]; {Diagram?}
Amazingly ... this is also forced.
(This is very hard for some of my students to believe here, but even a strong
chess engine like CM9000 confirms this to be true.)
[ Black can lose more horribly ... (and much more quickly);
than in the game. For example:
</= 21...Kg5?; 22.Rbe1 Rxc8!?; {Diagram?}
This might not be forced here, but there were darned few
really viable alternatives for Black.
( Or </= 22...Nf4!?; 23.Re7!, "/\" {Diagram?} just as in the game. )
23.Rxe6! Rd8; 24.Nf5 Rd7!?; 25.f4+ Kg6; 26.Nd6+ Kh6;
27.Rf3! g6; {Box?} {Diagram?}
This also looks forced.
( 27...g5?!; 28.Rh3+ Kg7; 29.Rxh7+ Kf8; 30.Re8#. )
28.Ne8 Qd8!?; 29.Rh3#. {Diagram?}
---> Black could have given up his Queen in this line ...
but it would have still been a lost game for the second party here. ]

22.Rbe1! Nf4!?; 23.Re7! Qa5!?; {Diagram?}
This is actually not the most accurate move for Black in this position.
(The box says that the second player must immediately begin returning massive
amounts of material, but I think that Tchigorin would have almost certainly
resigned rather than play in such a lame fashion.)
[ >/= 23...Rxc8; 24.Rxc7 Rxc7; 25.Bf5, "+/-" ]

24.Bb1, ('!?') (hmmm) {See the diagram - just below.}
GM Andy Soltis calls this, "A surprising situation."
(He also notes that Bc2 might have retained the possibility of a later Bd1+ by Marshall.
Note that after Bb1, Black's Queen has been shut completely out of the game.)

*************************

**************************

Now Black must meet the threat of RxP/g7.
36
(Tchigorin does not care about the loss of the Pawn, this capture of the Black infantry
(on g7) by White's Rook would put his King in a terrible bind.)
*******
[ White could have also played: (>/=) 24.Rxg7!?, ('!!') 24...Nxd3?;
25.Nf5!, {Diagram?} with an inescapable mating web. ]

24...g6[]; {Diagram?}
According to several books, this move is completely forced here.
[ Better is: 24...Rxc8; (Fritz) {Diagram?}
{White is still winning easily.} ]

25.g3!, (challenge) {Diagram?}
Putting the question to Black's Knight on f4 which lacks a bevy of
good squares to retreat to.
[ Interesting was: 25.Rxb7!?, "+/-" {Diagram?}
and just grab ALL of Black's Pawns on the 7th rank here. ]

25...Nh3+; 26.Kg2 Ng5; 27.Bd3!!, {See the diagram just below.}
An almost magical re-activation of this piece, White now threatens 28.h4!,
(and if) 28...Ne4; then 29.Nf7, and 20.Be2#.

*************************

**************************

'!' - GM Andrew Soltis.
[ Also good was: 27.f3!?, "+/-" ]

Now Black is in really dire straights ... and feels compelled to start returning
a little of his booty ... in a vain effort to save the leader of the dark armies.
27...Rxc8; 28.Nxc8 Qd8; 29.h4! Qxc8; {Diagram?}
Not pleasant ... but few of the variations here are.
[ Or 29...Nf7!?; 30.Rxf7 Qxc8?; {Diagram?}
Grabbing material, but ...
( >/= Or 30...Kh6; 31.Nxa7, "+/-" )
31.Rxh7+ Kg4; 32.f3#. ]
37

30.hxg5, ("+/-") {Diagram?}
(Black Resigned here.)
White has an overwhelming material advantage here ... ... ...
and it is a mate in five or six more moves from this position anyway.
[Apparently this game was submitted for the top brilliancy prize(s).]
"This is a real Fourth of July fireworks show from beginning to end."
- GM Frank J. Marshall, in his book: "My Fifty Years of Chess."
GM Andrew Soltis picked this game as one of the very best ('Top 100')
of the whole of the 20th Century.
GM Vassily Smyslov called this ...
"simply the finest combination that Marshall ever conceived!"
GM Mikhail Botvinnik and GM Salo Flohr wrote a series of articles on great chess
games.
These articles were published in Soviet chess magazines from the late 1930's ...
all the way through the 1950's.
(Most westerners have never heard of or even seen these articles.)
But this very distinguished pair called this combination:
"The finest of its kind and one of the best of that whole period of chess."
Emanuel Lasker - in his [then] new chess magazine - praised this contest as,
"a spirited and inspired attacking game, one of the best of its type."
Is this Frank J. Marshall's greatest and best chessic achievement?
It is entirely possible that this is so! (04/14/2004)
Frank J. ("James") Marshall (2650) - Amos Burn (2575)
[A46]
Ostende Resort, (GER) 1907.
[A.J. Goldsby I]

Chernev writes:
<< Amos Burn was a hard man to beat, but Marshall could have
said of him, (as Capablanca did of Vidmar): "He always gives me
a chance of a brilliancy, he is my meat." >>
[ See the book, {The} "1000 Best Short Games Of Chess,"
by (the late, great) Irving Chernev. Game # 683, pg. # 351. ]
***
For my part, I will simply say the game is incredibly brilliant. This is also the
famous, "Un-lit pipe game." (Burn was an inveterate smoker, usually
smoking his pipe non-stop during the entire game. Some opponents claimed
it was distracting and they could not see the board for the haze of smoke!)
Here, Marshall kills his opponent before he could even get his pipe properly lit!
(I do not know if this game won a prize, months of research has yielded
little information about this tournament. {Ostende, 1907.} This game is NOT
annotated by GM Andy Soltis in his excellent hard-back book, "Frank Marshall,
U.S. Chess Champion." (A biography with 220 annotated games.) But I do
remember reading that this game was at least a strong contender for the brilliancy prize.).

1. d4 Nf6; 2. Nf3 d6; 3. Bf4 Nbd7; 4. e3 g6!?; {Diagram?}
Perhaps slightly risky,
(Maybe according to GM A. Soltis.)
(See the book, "The Best Chess Games of Boris Spassky,"
Game # 16, pg.'s # 61 - 65.) (In a similar position.)
The move 4...g6!? does slightly weaken the squares around Black's King and
on the whole of the King-side. Perhaps this move, in concert with ...Nbd7;
makes the move, ...g6; a little risky. (Maybe 4...c6!?)
38
5. Bd3 Bg7; 6. Nbd2 0-0; 7. h4!? (Maybe - '!!!') {Diag?}
Marshall does not mess around, but starts an immediate attack
on his opponent's King.
[ White could have played the very sedate: 7.0-0; or the calm - 7.c3, "=" ].
7...Re8; 8. h5! Nxh5; 9. Rxh5!! gxh5; {Diagram?}
Marshall must have gotten up in the wrong side of the bed this morning.
He rains sacrifices down on his unsuspecting opponents.
10. Bxh7+! Kxh7!?; (Maybe - '?!/?') Is this capture wise?
Black captures the Bishop. At one time it was considered unchivalrous
not to capture a proffered piece. Burn may have been still suffering the
after-effects of one of their earlier encounters.
(Marshall sacked a piece unsoundly and Burn should have taken,
but he did not.)
Maybe Black should not have taken this piece!!!
[Although Chernev does not say it, the best move may be: 10...Kf8!?;
(See the diagram directly below.)

(Maybe - '!') Its not clear how White will continue his attack.
( 11.Ng5 Nf6; 12.Nde4,"~" {Unclear.} ). ].
11. Ng5+ Kg6; {Diagram?}
Unfortunately for Black, this is probably forced.
[Chernev offers the variation: "No better is 11...Kg8; ('?!') 12.Qxh5 Nf6;
13.Qxf7+ Kh8; 14.0-0-0, ("+/-")
(See the diagram directly below.)

and the Rook check will end it." - Chernev. ].

39
12. Ndf3 e5; {Diagram?}
Black is lost, the computer shows this position as a complete win
for White. - So it matters little what defense Black adopts now.
[ I would have been tempted to try something like: 12...Nf8!? ].

13. Nh4+ Kf6; 14. Nh7+ Ke7; 15. Nf5+ Ke6;
16. Nxg7+!? Ke7; {Diagram?}
Watch them little horsies dance!

17. Nf5+ Ke6; 18. d5+! Kxf5; 19. Qxh5+ Ke4;
20. 0-0-0, Black Resigns. 1-0
[The final moves could have been:
20.0-0-0 Nf6 ; (20...exf4; 21.Rd4# ) 21.f3# ]
***
Chernev writes:
"The threat is 21. P-B3 mate (f3#), and if 20...PxB/f4; then
21. R-Q4 (Rd4) is mate."
Chernev continues:
"Marshall's skillful manipulation of his Knights is reminiscent of Capablanca's
Knight maneuvers in his game against Yates at New York, 1924"
A game of exceeding brilliance and beauty. A 'one-in-a-1000' chess game.
Marshall sacrifices almost all of his pieces, yet Chernev gives him not
a single exclamation point. One has to wonder at this.
(Had Capa played this game, would Chernev given all of these
moves exclams?)
(This game got strong consideration for the "Top Ten" list, but in the end,
Burn's defense - or the lack of it - basically removed this game from real
consideration for the final candidate list of games. - A.J. Goldsby I.)
1 - 0
(There is a very long story behind this game. I was sent {loaned} a book {on Marshall} by a
friend who lived in Texas many years ago. {In the 1970's.} He was a big Marshall fan. I was to
annotate ten of Marshall's best chess games and they were to be published in the Texas State
Chess Magazine. {Over a period of several issues.} After working more than a year on this
project, I copied everything and sent it to my friend. Then the magazine changed hands several
times, and I don't know what happened to the material. The games were never printed. *sob*
Aaron Nimzowitsch (2718) - Frank J. Marshall (2647)
[A50]
Master's Invitational Tournament
Bad Kissingen, (GER); (7) 1928
[A.J. Goldsby I]
**************************************************************
One of Marshall's best games, this near miniature also won the FIRST Brilliancy Prize at the
Bad Kissingen Tournament in 1928.
The ratings are the ones that were assigned to this game when it was in the database.
According to Sonas, Nimzovich was Number Five (# 5) in the World, (behind Lasker, Capa,
Alekhine and Vidmar); with a rating of 2697. Marshall is designated as the Number Ten (# 10)
player in the World with a rating of 2622. (Rating list: Dec. 31st, 1927.)
**************************************************************
1.d4 Nf6; 2.c4 b6!?; (Maybe - '!') {Diagram?}
There are many myths about Marshall. The most popular ones are:
A.) Marshall only played swindles; and B.) He could not play a wide variety of openings.
The simple truth is that Marshall was a tremendous player. While perhaps best known for a few
famous swindles, he could beat you in ANY phase of the game!! (Opening, middle-game or
even
in an ending.)
40
The other myth about Marshall is he played only certain lines ... and played them poorly.
(Fine {in the U.S. chess magazine} once wrote:
"He had a narrow repertoire, and was addicted to a few inferior lines.")
Nothing could be further from the truth. This was a man who often took a small chess-board
and a writing pad to bed with him at night, in case he came up with a new idea.
Here he plays Nimzo's own invention, and soundly thrashes him with it!!
[ Also popular is the move: 2...e6!?; {Diagram?}
which could transpose to several different openings, but usually
signifies the Nimzo-Indian.
Or Black could try: 2...g6!?; {Diagram?}
leading to the Benoni, the Gruenfeld, or the King's Indian Defense.
(But masters did not begin playing these lines until the 1930's or even the 1940's.) ]

3.Nc3 Bb7!?; {Diagram?}
Probably not the most accurate move order - by the standards of modern theory, anyway.
(But I don't think its that big of a deal.)
[ Normal is: 3...e6 ]

4.Bg5!?, {Diagram?}
This move, while very popular in the early days of this line, is not considered dangerous by
theory
today. (The pin is not considered all that effective, but many players - like GM J. Timman -
regularly
use Bg5 against the {regular} Nimzo-Indian Defense.)
[ In modern times, one could expect the following moves:
4.Nf3 e6; 5.a3!?, "+/=" {Diagram?} transposing to the main lines.
( See MCO-14, beginning on page number # 555.
And see columns one through eighteen. {1-18} );
*******
Soltis says the best line for White is to play Queen-to-c2 on his fourth move, with the
idea of a very quick pawn advance, e2-e4: >/= 4.Qc2! c5!?; {Diagram?}
Theory says this is best - but I am not convinced.
( 4...e6; 5.e4 d5!?; {Diagram?} This allows White to fix the pawn structure,
maybe ...d6 was better. 6.cxd5 exd5; 7.e5 Ne4!?; {Diagram?}
Hmmm, maybe ...Nfd7 instead?
8.Bb5+ c6; 9.Bd3, {Diagram?} ... "with an excellent game."
- GM Andrew Soltis.
GM S. Tartakower - GM F. Marshall; Bad Kissingen, (GER); 1928.
(Later in this same tournament!);
***
The other way for Black to play this position is the following:
4...d5; ('!?/?!') {Diagram?}
This could be a very risky (dubious) concept, at least according to
GM Andrew Soltis.
5.cxd5 Nxd5; 6.e4 Nxc3; 7.bxc3 e6; 8.Nf3 c5!?; {Diagram?}
Black might do better with ...Be7; followed by ...0-0; first.
9.Ne5! a6; 10.Rb1 Be7; "~" {Diagram?}
and now White played Qa4+!, which according to Soltis gives White
a very clear advantage. (11.Qa4+!, Kf8!?; 12.Bd3, etc.)
GM F.J. Marshall - S.B. Gothilf; Moscow, (USSR); 1925. )
*******
(Returning to the main line of analysis of this opening.)
5.d5 e5!?; 6.e4 d6; 7.g3, "+/=" {Diagram?}
White has a solid edge, and went on to win a very nice game.
(But Black's handling of the opening was less than ideal, IMOHO.)
GM V. Smyslov - GM A. Matanovic; (FIDE) Interzonal Tournament
Biel, Switzerland; 1976. ]

41
4...e6; 5.Qc2 h6!; {Diagram?}
Black 'asks the question' of the Bishop without any delay.
'!' - GM Andrew Soltis. '!' - GM F.J. Marshall

6.Bh4 Be7!?; (Maybe - '!') {Diagram?}
Black immediately breaks the pin.
While not necessarily smiled upon by modern opening theory, I like this move.
It certainly makes sense ... Black develops a piece, gets ready to castle and breaks
the pin without any further delay.
[ The more modern move today is ...Bb4; viz: 6...Bb4; 7.e3 0-0; 8.Nf3 d6;
9.Bd3 Nbd7; 10.0-0-0, "+/=" {Diagram?} (when) White is thought to have
a small but steady advantage.
IM B. Finegold - GM V. Tukmakov; CAN - (open) Tournament,
Winnipeg, Canada; 1994. (Black won in under 30 moves.)
See also:
GM G. Serper - A. Bagheri; FIDE WCS Tournament (knock-out)
New Delhi, India; 2000. (White won in 26 moves.) ]

7.e4!?, {Diagram?}
White immediately grabs the center, in a purely classical vein.
[ Or 7.Nf3!? 0-0; {Diagram?}
when Black's chances are certainly no worse than White's. ]

7...0-0; ('!') 8.e5!?, (Probably - '?!') {Diagram?}
This is a natural reaction in this kind of position, the Knight on f6 is the natural defender
of Black's entire King-side. (If it leaves, the second player's defenses have been weakened -
or so the theory goes.)
Modern opening theory, however, warns against prematurely crossing the ...
'line of demarcation,' ... or advancing beyond the first four rows of the chessboard.
'?' - GM Andrew Soltis. (This looks a little harsh to me, but ...)
'?' - Fred Reinfeld. '?' - Frank J. Marshall.
Nimzovich also wanted to weaken Black's key dark squares, but here the idea simply
costs too much time.
[ After the ambitious: 8.f3!? d6; 9.Bd3!? c5!; 10.Nge2!? Nc6; "=/+" {Diag?}
Black is already (a little) better.
***
White's best bet is probably: >/= 8.Nf3 d6; 9.Bd3 Nc6; 10.a3!, "~" {Diagram?}
with close to an equal position ... but Black certainly has little to fear here.
(...e5! Or even ...a5.) ]

8...Nd5!; {Diagram?}
An excellent move by Marshall ... which Nimzovich {later} admitted he
had simply missed. (or under-estimated)
'!' - GM Frank J. Marshall.
[ Nimzovich had expected a line like: </= 8...Ne8; 9.Bxe7 Qxe7; 10.0-0-0 c5;
11.f4 cxd4; 12.Rxd4 Nc6; 13.Rd2 Nb4; 14.Qd1 Bc6; 15.Nf3, "+/=" {Diag?}
and White is slightly better - Black will experience problems with his Pawn structure
for quite some time. ]

9.Bg3, ('?!') {Diagram?}
White decides to keep pieces on the board - so that Black will feel his lack of space
more acutely. But here White should already be thinking about a trying to equalize.
(Notice White has made THREE moves with his QB already! And will have to move
once more!!)
"Loses valuable time," says the respected "Grand, Old Man" of chess.
(- F.J. Marshall.)
42
[ Or >/= 9.Bxe7 Nxe7; {Diagram?}
but Black is fine. (This is probably better than the game,
White avoids any disadvantage.) ]

9...Nb4; ('!') {Diagram?}
Many times better than other moves like ...Nxc3.
10.Qb3, {Diagram?}
The Queen must move - but cannot find a really safe and secure haven.

**************************

**************************
(Black to move: rn1q1rk1/pbppbpp1/1p2p2p/4P3/1nPP4/1QN3B1/PP3PPP/R3KBNR)

Now passive and safe moves might allow White to consolidate his space advantage ...
but Marshall is NOT a routine kind of player!!
[ Or 10.Qd1 d5!; "/\" {Diagram?} with great play. ]

10...d5!, {Diagram?}
Marshall had said he had studied all of Morphy's games. Here he shows that he clearly
understands the idea of opening the center to exploit his opponent's lag in development.
'!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!' - GM Andrew Soltis. '!' - GM Frank J. Marshall.
[ After a line like: </= 10...a5!?; 11.a3 N4a6; 12.Nf3, "=" {Diagram?}
White does not appear to have any real problems. ]

11.exd6, {Diagram?}
This is virtually forced.
[ Even worse is: </= 11.cxd5?! Nxd5; "=/+" {Diagram?}
and Black is already (a little) better in this position.
(White has a backward d-pawn and a bad Bishop on g3.)
***
Absolutely horrible is: </= 11.a3? dxc4!; 12.Qd1, {Diagram?}
This is forced.
( </= 12.Bxc4? Bxg2; 13.axb4 Bxh1; and Black should win. ("-/+") )
12...Nd3+; 13.Bxd3 cxd3; "/+" {Diagram?}
and Black is clearly better. (If Qxd3?, then ...Bxg2.) ]

11...Bxd6; 12.0-0-0!? N8c6!; {Diagram?}
Marshall goes for Tal-like piece play ... in a position where many masters said
...c5; was the best move. (Maybe - '!!')
'!' - FM Graham Burgess.
43
[ Interesting was: 12...c5!?; "~" {Diagram?}
( Black is at least a little better. If d4xc5?!, then ...Qg5+. "=/+" ) ]

13.Bxd6, {Diagram?}
One player - in a European newspaper - very stupidly criticized this move ...
but an extremely deep analysis of this position shows that it is probably forced.
(I shall allow this person to dwell forever more in a state of blissful anonymity.)
[ One writer said that exchanging here was bad, and that a3 ...
"was much better." But after the following moves: </=
13.a3? Na5!; 14.Qa4 Bc6; 15.Nb5 Qg5+!; 16.f4, {Diag?}
This could be forced.
( </= 16.Kb1? Be4+; 17.Ka1 Bc2; "-/+" )
16...Bxf4+; 17.Bxf4!? Qxf4+; 18.Kb1 Qf5+; 19.Ka1 Nc2+;
20.Ka2 Ne3; ("-/+") {Diagram?}
White will simply lose a great deal of material here. ]

13...Qxd6; 14.a3, ('!?') {Diagram?}
Nimzovich looks like he is daring Marshall to take .. and Frank gladly obliges him!
Burgess allows this move to be played without comment ... or a mark of any kind.
Soltis appends a question mark ('?') to this move, but does not trouble himself to inform
the reader what move was clearly better than a3. Meanwhile, I have worked on this game
for YEARS. My analysis indicates that White is in a bad way - no matter what move
Nimzovich would have chosen to play in this position.
I must say something here! First allow me to qualify the following statement by telling you that
I am a big Soltis fan, and I own nearly every book he has ever written. However, this kind of silly
and completely thoughtless annotation - attaching question marks to great players' moves
without
first verifying that there is a line or variation that is substantially better - is simply wrong and
almost
unforgivable. It also scars great games and makes it very difficult for subsequent generations to
make an unbiased and honest judgment of these games for themselves!!!
*************************
[ Several writers have said that the move Nf3 was better ... but this has never been
carefully checked. For example:
RR14.Nf3 Na5!; 15.Qa4 Bc6; 16.Qa3 Bxf3; 17.gxf3 Qf4+;
18.Rd2, {Diagram?} This is probably forced.
( Obviously worse was: </= 18.Kb1? Qxf3; 19.Bg2 Qxg2; 20.Qxb4 Nc6;
21.Qb5 Nxd4!; {Diagram?}
White is down two pawns ... and will probably lose more. ("-/+")
{If Rxd4??, then ...QxR/h1+.} )
18...Nbc6; "/+" {Diagram?}
and White will start dropping buttons.
**********
Reinfeld says Knight-to-Knt5 was better ... but his analysis is very unconvincing:
</= 14.Nb5!? Qe7?; {Diagram?}
The only move given by Reinfeld, but both Q-B5+, (...Qf4+) and Knight-QR4;
(...Na5); were much better than the simple ...Qe7.
( After the moves: >/= 14...Qf4+; 15.Rd2, {Diagram?}
This looks nearly forced.
( Instead - after the moves: 15.Qe3? Qf5!; 16.Bd3 Nxd3+;
17.Qxd3 Qxf2; 18.Nh3!? Qh4!; "/+" {Diagram?}
Black is clearly MUCH better. )
15...a6; 16.Nc3 Rfd8; 17.Nh3 Qd6; 18.d5!? Na5; "/+" {Diagram?}
a strong IM - who used to give me Internet lessons - agreed (with me) that
Black is practically winning. (In this position.) )
15.a3 Na6; "~" {Diagram?}
Reinfeld and Marshall conclude that "Black has good attacking chances." ]
*************************

44
14...Nxd4!!; (Maybe - '!!!') {Diagram?}
An incredibly brilliant move, especially as Black had other moves that also conferred
a clear advantage on the second player here.
'!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!' - GM Andrew Soltis. '!' - GM Frank J. Marshall.
Most annotators give this just one exclam ... there is no doubt it really deserves two ...
it is incredibly brilliant and daring. (Black goes down in material, in some lines if his attack
gives out - - - he will simply be lost.)
"An unexpected sacrifice which gives Black a lasting initiative because of his
opponent's backward development." - GM Frank J. Marshall.
[ Interesting was the simple move of ...Qf4+; which seems to give Black
a very sizable edge: 14...Qf4+!; 15.Rd2 Rad8!; "=/+" {Diagram?}
We could stop here and adjudicate this position as MUCH better for
Black. For example: 16.d5, {Diagram?}
White cannot defend the d4-square.
( White is lost after: </= 16.axb4? Nxd4; 17.Qd1 Nb3+!;
18.Kb1 Nxd2+; 19.Ka1 Nxc4; "-/+"
And an inferior line was: </= 16.Nf3?! Nxd4; 17.Nxd4 Rxd4;
18.Nb1 Be4!; "/+" {Diagram?}
Black is very clearly better if not just simply winning outright. )
16...exd5; 17.Qd1 dxc4!!; {Diagram?}
A very brilliant piece sacrifice.
( If 17...Na6; then just 18.Nxd5, "+/=" )
18.axb4, {Diagram?}
Now White is virtually forced to capture on b4 here.
( 18.Nf3? Na5!; "-/+")
18...Nxb4; 19.Nh3 Qf6; 20.f3!? Rxd2; 21.Qxd2 Rd8; 22.Qe1 Qf5;
23.Qf2 Rd4; 24.f4 c5; 25.Rg1 h5!; "/+" {Diagram?}
Black is clearly better ... with three healthy pawns for a Knight ... and poor
White can move nothing.
(For example if Be2???, Black simply replies with ...Qc2#.)
{I first came up with this line as a teen-ager and scribbled it in the margins of my book.
The amazing thing is 30+ years later, even the computer cannot find any real way to
improve on this line!!} ]

15.Rxd4!?, (Maybe - '?!') {Diagram?}
Nimzovich decides that he wants two pieces for the Rook.
Burgess gives this move (Rxd4) a 'dubious' appellation, but it is not really certain
that White has anything that is clearly better.
[ After the moves: = 15.Qxb4!? c5; 16.Qa4 Bc6; 17.Qa6 Qf4+;
18.Kb1 Qxf2; "/\" {Diagram?}
Black has very obvious "compensation" ... and it is very hard
for White to move anything without dropping more material.
(Nimzovich saw this continuation ... and rejected it out of hand.) ]

15...Qxd4; 16.axb4 Qxf2; {Diagram?}
White has two 'horsies' ... while Black has a Rook and a couple of buttons.
But it is not the material balance that is important, but the extreme activity of
Marshall's pieces that is the key to this position.
(White's King is also somewhat exposed here.)
17.Qd1, {Diagram?}
This is almost forced ... but it is much too late for White to be able to organize
a successful defense.
*******
[ The noted author points out that:
= 17.Nh3!? Qe3+; 18.Kb1 Be4+!; 19.Ka2 a5!, {Diagram?}
The sharpest and best.
( Interesting was: 19...Bf5!?; "/+" )
45
20.b5 a4!; "-/+" {Diagram?}
... "gives Black an overwhelming attack." - FM Graham Burgess.
(This line is also in the original book of the tournament -
analysis by GM Savielly Tartakower.)
***
Also the move Nf3 was no good:
</= 17.Nf3? Bxf3; 18.gxf3 Qxf3; 19.Rg1 Qe3+; ("-/+") {Diagram?}
(Black forks White's King and Rook.)
Analysis by ... - GM Savielly Tartakower. ]

17...Rfd8; 18.Qe2 Qf4+; 19.Kc2, {Diagram?}
This is pretty much forced ...
otherwise the Black Rook will penetrate to the seventh rank.

**************************

**************************
(Black to move: r2r2k1/pbp2pp1/1p2p2p/8/1PP2q2/2N5/1PK1Q1PP/5BNR)

The only question now is ... how does Black proceed from here?
[ </= 19.Kb1? Rd2; "-/+" ]

19...a5!!; {Diagram?}
Another very brilliant move ... that is less than obvious to the average player.
(I have tested this position on literally dozens of my students ... most do not even
consider this move in this particular position.)
"Black will keep pushing this pawn until lines are opened." - FM Graham Burgess.
'!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!' - GM Andrew Soltis. '!' - GM Frank J. Marshall.
It is interesting to note that I have found several different lines which all lead to a clear
advantage
for Marshall from this position. (No other author mentions these different possibilities.)
[ Interesting was: 19...Qf5+; "/+" {Diagram?}
and Black is probably for choice. ]

20.bxa5!?, (Maybe - '?!') {Diagram?}
Nimzovich agrees to the immediate opening of the a-file, but he hopes to activate his pieces.
This is an interesting concept, but it was probably wiser to play b5 instead.
[ It was almost forced (best) for White to play b5, but this move
would not have saved him. Viz:
>/= 20.b5 a4!; 21.Nf3 a3!; 22.bxa3 Rxa3; 23.Kb2!? Qd6!; "/+" {Diag?}
Black is clearly MUCH better ... if not just plain old winning outright.
(Probably "-/+") ]
46

20...Rxa5; 21.Nf3 Ra1!; {Diagram?}
Now White cannot move his KB for a spell.
[ Black was also clearly better after moves like: 21...Qf5+!; {Diagram?}
forcing the King to b3. ("-/+");
Or even the move: 21...c5!?; {Diagram?} with the idea of ...b5 next,
is VERY promising for Black. ('/+') (If Qe5!?, then just ...Rd2+!) ]

22.Kb3, {Diagram?}
Nimzovich felt this was forced.
("In order to parry ...Qc1; with the move Qc2." - Tartakower.)
[ 22.g3?? Qxf3; "-/+" {Diagram?}
and Black has a completely won game.
</= 22.h3? Qc1+; 23.Kb3 Bxf3; 24.gxf3 Rd2; "-/+" ]

22...b5!; {Diagram?}
A very alert and sharp move.
(Black opens more lines to the hapless White Monarch.)
'!' - GM Andrew Soltis. "!' - GM Frank J. Marshall.
"A new and more powerful stroke." - The Tournament Book.
(Repeated by - GM A. Soltis.)
Black's last move ... "freshened up the attack."
- GM Frank J. Marshall.
[ Good was: 22...Bxf3!?; "-/+" {Diagram?}
which also clearly favored Black. ]

Now it might be best to take on b5 - with the Knight, but White is definitely lost in any case.
23.Qe5, {Diagram?}
Nimzovich understandably wants to exchange the Queens to relieve the pressure and slow
Black's attack.
[ After the moves: 23.Nxb5 Qc1!; {Diagram?}
This is probably best.
( Some sources only give: </= 23...Be4!?; "/+" instead. )
24.h3!? Rd1!; "-/+" {Diagram?} White could throw in the towel.
***
And after the moves: </= 23.cxb5? Bd5+; 24.Nxd5 Qa4+;
25.Kc3 Rxd5; ("-/+") {Diagram?}
... "and mates." - GM Andy Soltis.
(And also Marshall gives this line as well.) ]

23...bxc4+; 24.Kb4[], {Diagram?}
This is forced.

[ Bad was: </= 24.Kc2?? Qc1#; {Diagram?}
***
Also unattractive for White was the following continuation:
</= 24.Bxc4? Qxe5; 25.Nxe5 Rxh1; {Diagram?}
because Black is winning. ("-/+") ]

24...Qc1!; {Diagram?}
Once again Marshall finds the very best move.
(Several other tries were good enough to win, but this is definitely best.)
[ Or 24...Qxe5!?; 25.Nxe5 Rd2; "-/+" ]

47
25.Nb5 c5+!; {Diagram?} White ... Resigns!
Of ...c5+; says Tartakower - "Elegant to the end." (and ... "Marshall at his best.")
I like this - it is witty. (Nimzovich can either get mated ... or lose his Queen. I.e, Kxc5, Rd5+.
Or Qxc5, ...Qxb2+ and mates. But ...Qc2!; would have worked as well. GM A. Soltis - as
well as Marshall - also gives Black's 25th move {...c5} an exclamation point here.)
This is definitely one of Marshall's best games and clearly showed why - when he was ...
'firing on all cylinders' - he was one of the World's most feared and respected tacticians!!
(Soltis jokingly calls it a "humiliating situation" for poor Nimzovich's King!)
"A whole series of surprising moves, intertwined with a positional sacrifice (14...KtxP);
leads to a winning attack by Black. A game of outstanding merit."
- GM Savielly Tartakower and James du Mont
The 5th Greatest Chess Game Ever?
This is a game from Irving Chernev's excellent book, (Game # 13);
"The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played."
(M. Porges - Em. Lasker; Nuremburg, 1896.)
This is as fine a game as ever was played, and certainly a highly tactical encounter.
It is most definitely a game the aspiring student should study. Lasker's tactics ...
and the IDEAS behind them! ... ... ... should be studied OVER and OVER again!!!
For this game, I would advise you do things a little differently. Play through the game VERY
slowly, one move at a time. It would be good if you could play: "Guess the move." (Put the
game score on a sheet of paper, and cover it up. Reveal only one move at a time.) I would do
this procedure 2-3 times. (For several hours each time.) Then after you have studied this
game, that way, study it in Chernev's book. (Then you could study my version.)

Moritz Porges (2450) - Emanuel Lasker (2785)
[C67]
All-Master Tournament
(Nuremburg, Germany)
(Round # 1); July 20th, 1896
[A.J.G.]
******************************************************************************************
From the NUREMBURG tournament, of 1896.
Lasker's celebrated win from the first round of this tournament.
Lasker won clear first in this event.
This game is in dozens of books. My favorite is:
"The Most Instructive Games Of Chess Ever Played,"
by the one-and-only Irving Chernev.
(Chernev entitles this game ...)
***
To check the ratings for these players see Elo's book,
or the web site of Jeff Sonas.
******************************************************************************************
1.e4 e5; 2.Nf3 Nc6; 3.Bb5 Nf6; {Diagram?}
The Berlin Defense, for many years a defense that was considered bad.
Then players like Kramnik began using it, and now it is being actively
played again.
[ The main line is the Morphy Defense that begins with 3...a6;
(and is considered best by most masters); for example:
3...a6; 4.Ba4 Nf6; 5.0-0 Be7; 6.Re1 b5; 7.Bb3 d6;
8.c3, "+/=" {Diagram?} White has a slight edge.
See MCO-14; or any good book on the Ruy Lopez. ]

The next few moves are all the main line, book, and were being played
quite a bit at that period in chess history.
48
4.0-0 Nxe4; 5.d4 Be7; 6.Qe2 Nd6; 7.Bxc6 bxc6;
8.dxe5, ("+/=") 8...Nb7; {Diagram?}
Black's last move was thought to be forced.
(The theory of that time said White was vastly superior in this position!!)
Black has a cramped position, but as Steinitz proved - a position of
this type is not totally devoid of chances.
[ 8...Nf5!? ]

9.b3!?, {Diagram?}
White seeks to exploit various weaknesses Black has on the dark
squares. Ba3!? is also an idea in this position.
The move, b3 has been condemned as inferior, but has been used
by many modern day GM's. (I.e., Lev Psakhis.)
[ Better is: >/= 9.Nc3, "+/=" ]

9...0-0; 10.Bb2 d5!; {Diagram?}
Black breaks in the center without any further delay.
Chernev gives this an exclam. ('!' - Irving Chernev.)
[ 10...a5!? ]

11.exd6, {Diagram?}
This gets rid of the e-pawn and unfetters White's QB.
But it also opens the e-file.
[ 11.c4!? ]

11...cxd6; 12.Nbd2 Re8!; {Diagram?}
Black makes use of the open lines that White has given him.
Chernev also gives this move an exclam as well.
('!' - Chernev.)
[ 12...d5!? ]

13.Rfe1, {Diagram?}
This is probably OK for White.
[ 13.Qd3?! Nc5; "=/+" ]

13...Bd7; {Diagram?}
A simple developing move ...
that also guards key squares for Black.
[ 13...Nc5; 14.Nd4, "+/=" ]

14.Ne4?!, (Maybe - '?') {Diagram?}
An attempt to be aggressive by White ... that back-fires on him.
(Chernev calls this, "a waste of time," and instead recommends Qf1.)
[ >/= 14.Rad1!?; or RR 14.Qf1!? ]

14...d5; ('!') {Diagram?}
It is often a good idea to advance in the center ... especially when you
can do so with a gain of time!
[ 14...Bf8; 15.Qd3, "=" ]

15.Ned2, {Diagram?}
49
The poor Knight is forced back to the square that it just came from!
[ >/= 15.Nc3?! Ba3; "/+" ]

15...Ba3!; {Diagram?}
An obvious but nice discovery.
[ The automatic and rather routine:
15...Bf6; 16.Bxf6 Qxf6; 17.Qd3, "=" {Diagram?}
gives Black no advantage at all. ]

16.Be5!?, {Diagram?}
Chernev says this is forced.
(Another author wrote White had to give up his Queen here!)

[ After the moves: 16.Qxe8+ Bxe8; 17.Bxa3,
17...c5; "/+" {Diagram?}
White could call it a day. ]

White saw this much. He even predicted he would regain his
piece after Qa6. But watch what happens.
16...f6; 17.Qa6 fxe5; 18.Qxa3, {Diagram?}
This is forced. (Sad, but true.)
[ Chernev points out that:
18.Qxb7? e4; 19.Qa6, {Diagram?}
Sad, but maybe forced.
(19.Nd4 Bb2; "-/+")
19...Bb2; 20.Rab1 Bc3; "-/+" {Diagram?}
and Black wins material. ]

18...e4; 19.Nd4 Qf6!; {Diagram?}
An aggressive move ... that puts the Queen on an excellent square,
hitting multiple targets.
'!' - Chernev.
[ 19...c5!?; "=/+" ]

20.c3 Rf8; (!) {Diagram?}
Notice how Black has already doubled on the half-open file ...
and has a big threat against f2.
[ 20...c5!?; "/+" ]

21.f3!?, {Diagram?}
Chernev says (indicates) that this is forced, and Fritz agrees with him.
[ </= 21.Rf1?! Qg5; 22.Qc1 Bh3; "-/+" ]

21...Qg5!; {Diagram?}
<< "One attacking move after another! Lasker plays this
very strongly," says Tarrasch, who was usually rather
chary of praise. >> - Irving Chernev.
'!' - Chernev.
[ 21...a5!?; "=/+" ]

22.Qc1, {Diagram?}
Chernev hints that this is forced for White.
50
[ Some of the alternatives were clearly worse:
>/= 22.Nf1? exf3; 23.Nxf3 Rxf3; "-/+" {D?}
Or >/= 22.Qa6!? Nc5; 23.Qe2 Nd3; "/+" ]

22...Nc5!, {Diagram?} (FORK??!?)
The formerly sorry steed at N2 leaps into action, spying
the sensitive square at d3.
'!' - Chernev.
[ 22...c5!?, "=/+" ]

23.Nf1 Qg6; 24.Re3 Nd3; 25.Qd1, {Diagram?}
White is trying ... to hang in there - but barely.
Now what does Black play?
[ 25.Qa3!? Rf7; "/+" ]

Black's next move is a rather surprising change of direction.
25...Nf4!; {Diagram?}
"Threatens mate in one ... and the Queen in two,"
says Chernev here.

[ 25...Rab8!?; or 25...c5!?; "/=" ]

26.Ng3, {Diagram?}
Chernev says this is forced. (I agree.)
[ </= 26.Qd2?! Bh3; "/+" (Probably "-/+") ]

26...h5!, {Diagram?}
Black threatens to simply kick the Knight and then deliver a mate on g2.
The other thing is that the advance of this pawn wreck's White's King-side.
'!' - Chernev.
[ 26...Qg5!?; 27.Qc1 c5; "/+" ]

27.Nde2, {Diagram?}
This looks to be forced.
[ 27.fxe4? h4; "-/+" ]

27...Nxg2!!; {Diagram?}
This unexpected shot completely wrecks Black's position.
'!' - Chernev.

[ Black could have tried: 27...h4!?; 28.Nxf4[], {Diagram?}
Gains a tempo, as it hits Black's Queen.
(28.Nf1?? Qxg2#)
28...Rxf4; 29.Nxe4 Bh3!; 30.Ng3 hxg3;
31.gxh3 Rh4; "=/+" {Diagram?}
when Black has both the advantage AND a strong initiative.
***
Interesting was: 27...Nh3+!? ]

28.Kxg2 exf3+!; {Diagram?}
51
Another unexpected move (zwischenzug) by Lasker here.
[ 28...h4!?; 29.fxe4, "~" ]

29.Rxf3 Bh3+!; (Maybe - '!!') {Diagram?}
Its just one hammer blow after another.
This sneaky move dooms White's defensive attempts.
'!' - Chernev.
[ 29...Rxf3!?; 30.Kxf3 h4; "=/+" (Maybe - "/+") ]

30.Kxh3, {Diagram?}
This is pretty much forced.
[ An inferior line is:
30.Kf2?! Rxf3+!; {Diagram?}
The simplest and the best.
( Chernev gives the line: 30...Bg4!?; 31.Rxf8+ Rxf8+;
32.Ke3 h4; {Diagram?}
The Knight on g3 is doomed.
33.Nf1? Qe4+?! ; {Diagram?}
Not the best move.
(Here Chernev misses a long mating sequence that
begins with the move, ...Qh6!+.)
34.Kd2 Rf2; ("-/+") {Diagram?}
... "and White is lost." - I. Chernev. )
31.Kxf3 h4; "-/+" {Diagram?}
Black has a won game. ]

30...Qg4+; 31.Kg2 Qxf3+; 32.Kg1?!, (Maybe - '?') {Diag?}
This loses ... and very quickly too. White's only hope was to
simply play Kh3 ... and pray.
(In Black's defense, h3 looks like a horrible square for your
King here.)

[ Like it or not, White had to play:
>/= 32.Kh3 h4!!; {Diagram?}
The best move.
(Chernev only gives: 32...Qg4+!?; in this line.
Black is clearly better here, ("/+") but a forced win
is not right around the corner.)
33.Nd4, {Diagram?}
The only playable move.
(33.Kxh4? Rf6!; 34.Qd2 Kf7; "-/+")
33...Qxc3; 34.Rc1 Qe3; 35.Nxc6 d4; "/+" {Diagram?}
& Black has a large edge here.
(Its very close to a win for Black here.) ]

With two Knights for a Rook and a Pawn, White does not
stand badly ... at least from a material point of view ...
32...h4; {Diagram?}
This little Pawn move is White's undoing.
[ 32...Qe3+!? ]

33.Nh1?, (Maybe - '??') {Diagram?}
White commits hara-kiri.

[ 33.Nf1? h3; {Diagram?}
52
How does White stop mate?
34.Nf4[] Rxf4; 35.Qxf3 Rxf3; "-/+" {Diagram?}
and Black is clearly winning.
***
Maybe 33.Nd4 was forced?
(But White is still dead lost.) ]

33...Qe3+; {Diagram?}
White Resigns. ( 0 - 1 )
(Nf2, QxN/f2+; etc. Even more embarrassing is Kg2??, h3#!!)
A crushing game by Lasker, and a good example to study to
sharpen one's tactics!
********************
Copyright (c) A.J. Goldsby I. Copyright (c) A.J.G; 2003.
0 - 1
GM Em. Lasker (2815) - NM F. Lee (2600);
Double-Round-Robin Tournament (Rd. # 3)
London, England; (Great Britain) 02.06.1899.
[A.J.G.]
****************************************************************************************************
One of Lasker's most brilliant games ... from a tournament where he
dominated one of the strongest fields ever assembled, ...
at least up until that time.
****************************************************************************************************
Lee was one of the stronger players of his day.
(Possibly in the world's 'Top 20-25 players? {The ratings are approximations.})
****************************************************************************************************
The game starts off as a (regular) Caro-Kann.
{But the opening was still something of a novelty for that period of time!}
1.e4 c6; 2.d4 d5; 3.Nc3 dxe4; 4.Nxe4 Bf5; 5.Ng3 Bg6;
6.Nf3 Nd7; 7.h4 h6; 8.Bd3!?, {Diagram?}
A very logical move. It is also sharp and very forcing.
This move is sufficient for a small edge ... but 8.h5 is more often played today.
[ Modern theory says that: >/= 8.h5; ('!') {Diagram?}
is a more reliable method of White getting and
keeping an advantage.
[ See MCO, or any other general reference book.
Or see any book specifically on the Caro-Kann. ] ]

8...Bxd3; 9.Qxd3 Ngf6; 10.Bd2 e6; 11.0-0-0 Qc7; {Diagram?}
This opening looks very modern to me.
(Played OVER 100 years ago!!)
White now continues by centralizing his last Rook.
12.Rhe1!? 0-0-0; 13.Qb3 Bd6; 14.Ne2!?, {Diagram?}
This looks like a very passive retreat, but Lasker understands ...
better than anyone ... that allowing too many trades will only
result in a draw.
(Several writers condemned this as weak.)
[ After the continuation: 14.Ne4!? Nxe4; 15.Rxe4 Nf6;
16.Re2, "=" {Diagram?} a draw is a VERY likely result. ]

53
14...Ng4!?; {Diagram?}
Interesting.
[ Maybe better was: 14...Ne4!?; {Diagram?}
according to J. Mieses. ]

15.Rf1 Ndf6; 16.Qa4 Kb8; 17.c4, {Diagram?}
White has gained some space on the Queenside ...
a seemingly normal idea in this line.
Black is 100% OK here ...
but now seems to be struck by a paralytic fit of indecision.
[ Playable was: 17.Kb1!?, "~" ]

17...Qe7!?; 18.Nc3 Qc7!?; {Diagram?}
With the idea of playing ...Bf4; next move to exchange some pieces.
The oscillation of the Black Queen, between the c7 and the e7-square ...
is almost humorous.
[ 18...c5!?; 19.Nb5, "+/=" ]

19.g3! Qc8; 20.b4! e5!?; {Diagram?}
Black does the seemingly logical thing ... as Reinfeld would say, an attack
on the wing is best met by a strike in the center.
[ Maybe safer was: >/= 20...Rd7!?; {Diagram?}
with the idea of centralizing both Black Rooks. ]
21.dxe5 Nxe5; {Diagram?}
Notice that White's Knight on f3 is hanging ... AND his Pawn on c4!

(The position after Black's 21st move.)
**********
22.Be3!!, (Maybe - '!!!' or '!!!!') {Diagram?}
A move of unparalleled brilliance.
54
(Most spectators could not even figure out why Lasker had seemingly
dropped a piece.)
[ Or 22.Nxe5 Bxe5; 23.Rfe1, "=" ]

22...Nxc4!; {Diagram?}
Seemingly the best defence.
[ Black could not play: 22...Nxf3!?; (?) 23.Bxa7+! Kc7;
24.Bb6+! Kd7; {Box.}
Sorrowfully, this is forced.
(24...Kxb6??; 25.Qa5#)
25.Bxd8 Rxd8; 26.c5, "+/-" {Diagram?}
and White has regained much of his lost material ...
and still has a vicious attack. ]

23.Bxa7+!; {Diagram?}
The best move.
[ Interesting was: 23.Qxa7+!? ]

23...Kc7; {Box.}
Black has no choice.
[ Not 23...Ka8??; 24.Bb6+, {Diagram?}
with a simple mate to follow. ]

24.Rd4!!, {Diagram?}
It is incredible that Lasker can take the time out to play this move ...
normally time is very critical ... especially during an attack.
[ 24.Qb3!? ]

24...b5; {Diagram?}
Again, 'box.'
(Black has few options.)
25.Nxb5+!, (Maybe - '!!') {Diagram?}
Truly exquisite.
The amazing thing about this sacrifice is that Lasker would have had to
calculate - very accurately! - at least 10 moves ahead from this position.
Another factor to consider is that White's own King is exposed to the
enemy forces. But Lasker has all the bases covered.
Blackburne later said the general consensus of the spectators was that
Lasker's attack would fail. (I think that many of the Masters who were
present probably thought this as well!)
[ 25.Qb3 Qa6; "/+" ]

25...cxb5; 26.Qxb5 Na3; 27.Qa5+! Kb7+; 28.Bc5, ('!') {Diagram?}
Virtually forced, but also very, very good.
[ 28.Kb2 Nc4+; favors Black. ]

28...Bxc5; {Diagram?}
It seems logical to pare down material in an effort to try and reduce White's attack.
[ Was 28...Qc6!?; playable? ]

55
29.bxc5 Rxd4; 30.Nxd4 Qd8!?; {Diagram?}
One newspaper column of the time applauded Black for his 'gallant' attempts at defense.
[ Maybe better was: 30...Kb8; {Diagram?}
but Black is still losing. ]

White continues ... and figures out how to capture the Knight ... with check! ...
and thus his attack continues unabated.
31.c6+! Kc8; 32.Qa8+! Kc7; 33.Qa7+! Kd6; {Diagram?}
This is forced.
(The alternative was simply too ghastly to even contemplate.)
[ </= 33...Kc8??; 34.Qb7#. ]

34.Qxa3+ Kd5; 35.Rd1! Qb6; 36.Nf3+ Ke6; {Diagram?}
This looks to be nearly forced.
[ If Black plays: 36...Kxc6; then White responds with: 37.Rd6+, {Diag?}
winning Black's Queen. ]

37.Qd6+ Kf5; 38.Qd3+ Kg4; {Diagram?}
Black is trying to be tricky.
[ Black's only move was: >/= 38...Ne4[]; {Diagram?}
but then White wins simply with: 39.Qd5+ Kg6;
40.Qxe4+, ("+/-") {Diagram?}
winning a piece ... and the game. ]

39.Ne5+, ('!') {Diagram?}
Black RESIGNS ... ... ... (1-0)
(Its mate in just 2 or 3 moves.)
A game of incredible depth and complexity!!
The computer found NO improvements in White's attack!!
This is - without question - simply ... one of the finest games ...
of the whole of Emanuel Lasker's career.
Another interesting note is that I have deeply studied nearly all of Lasker's
games from this event ...
and nearly every game he won was a brilliancy. (!!!)
Francis Lee - Emanuel Lasker
Super-Master (DRR) Tourney
London, ENG; 1899.

This is a game that I saw a long time ago, I don't remember where I saw it or who showed it to
me. (This game might have been in a Hannak's book of Lasker's games, or it may have been in
a book by Reinfeld about great chess games of the Masters.)
I have been working on many games of Lasker's ... ... ... since about 1995 ... and therein lies
several stories.
(Covered elsewhere.)
***********
Click HERE to see an explanation of some of the more common symbols that I use
while annotating a game.

This is mostly a text-based page, with only one diagram. Therefore, you will probably need a
chess board.

NM F. Lee (2600) - GM Em. Lasker (2815);
Double-Round-Robin Tournament
London, England; (Great Britain) 1899.
56
[A.J.G.]
****************************************************************************************************
One of Lasker's VERY best games!!
This game is from the Super-Master tournament of London, 1899.
(Virtually ALL the best players were there. Each player played the
other players TWO games, one with White and one with Black.)
Lasker dominated one of the strongest fields ever assembled.
****************************************************************************************************
Lee was one of the stronger players of his day.
(Possibly in the world's 'Top 20-25 players? {The ratings are approximations.})
****************************************************************************************************
(The game starts as a Ruy Lopez.)
1.e4 e5; 2.Nf3 Nc6; 3.Bb5 a6; 4.Ba4 Nf6; 5.d3, {Diagram?}
A very slow system that was MUCH in use in the games of that day.
(See any database.).
Basically this was a 'book' line of that time, but can be found (only occasionally)
in GM games today.
Another odd fact is Lasker can be found on EITHER side of this position, i.e., he
played it from White and with the Black pieces as well.
(See any database, the book of Lasker's games by Ken Whyld, or the book:
"500 Master Games Of Chess," by Savielly Tartakower and J. Du Mont.)
[ The main line today is: 5.0-0 Be7; 6.Re1 b5; 7.Bb3 d6;
8.c3 0-0; 9.h3, "+/=" {Diagram?}
White will follow up with d2-d4, with a solid advantage.
(This has probably been played ... in an almost countless number
of master-level games!! ---> See any on-line database.)
Consult MCO-14, or any good book on the Ruy Lopez. ]

Both sides continue to develop normally. White's development is OK, but he does
not find the best squares for his pieces, and his move order leaves something to be
desired as well. Meanwhile Lasker's play is nearly perfect ...
and VERY MODERN in its ideas!!
5...d6; 6.c3 b5!; 7.Bc2!? g6!; {Diagram?}
Very creative play by Lasker ... at a time when a fianchetto still caused people to guffaw
and masters to raise their eyebrows.
8.a4!? Bb7!; 9.Nbd2 Bg7; 10.Nf1!?, {Diagram?}
Maybe White should have simply castled instead of these prolonged and
probably excessive maneuvers.
(This is a normal maneuver in the Ruy Lopez. Lee wants to do it now, so he
won't have to move his Rook out of the way - which is what he would have
to do if he castled first.)
[ >/= 10.0-0, "=" ]

Now Lasker takes advantage of his opponent's slow play by immediately
striking at the center.
10...d5!; 11.Qe2 0-0; 12.Ng3!? Qd6!; 13.0-0 Rfe8, "=" {Diagram?}
Black has pretty much already equalized.
***
Now Black begins a series of moves and maneuvers designed to dominate
White on the Q-side.
14.h3 Na5!; 15.Bd2!? c5!; 16.Rfd1!?, {Diagram?}
White plays as if he can take his time. This might be OK against
normal humans, but against a player of Lasker's caliber ...
[ Maybe 16.c4!? ]

57
16...Qc7!; 17.Qe1!?, {Diagram?}
White has a battery against the a5 Knight, (and threats of a 'sneaky' discovery);
but Lasker finds the correct antidote.
[ Better is: >/= 17.Qf1!?, "=" {Diagram?}
according to Reinfeld. ]

17...c4!; 18.d4!?, {Diagram?}
White explodes the center, and even has a plan to deny Black the use of the
primary defender of his dark squares.
But it does not turn out well for him, and to be honest, almost any (other) move
would have been better than what White plays here.

[ >/= 18.axb5 axb5; 19.Bg5!?, "~" ]
Black now wins a nearly meaningless Pawn, and White has a fair amount
of compensation.
18...Nxe4!; 19.Nxe4 dxe4!?; {Diagram?}
Good enough for a solid advantage.
[ Maybe >/= 19...exd4!?; ('!') {Diagram?}
was a slight improvement? (This is NOT 100% certain.) ]

20.Nxe5 Bxe5!; {Diagram?}
Black loses his dark-squared Bishop, but has all the bases covered.
(Black is also a pawn up, but his position is somewhat disorganized.)
[ 20...f6!? ]

21.dxe5 Qxe5; 22.Be3, {Diagram?}
It doesn't take a lot of imagination to visualize the following plan for
White: Qd2, followed by Bd4 and Qh6; and Black faces a mate threat on g7.
(But Lasker keeps Lee busy enough so that he never has an opportunity
to execute this idea.)
[ Maybe 22.axb5!? ]

Black continues by fixing the Queenside Pawns and slowly increases his edge.
22...Nc6; 23.b3!? Na5!; 24.b4 Nc6; 25.Rd7!? Re7; "=/+" {Diagram?}
Black already has a small advantage.
26.Rdd1!? Rd8; 27.Rxd8+ Nxd8; 28.axb5 axb5; 29.Qd2 Ne6!; {Diagram?}
Black begins to transfer his pieces to the King-side, but this is seemingly
inconsistent with his strategy on the Queen-side.
Lasker's maneuvers are highly instructive. The World Champion is creating a
positional masterpiece.
***********
White seems frustrated now and lashes out on the K-side, but he only creates
more opportunities for the great Lasker.
30.h4!?, (Maybe - '?!') {Diagram?}
Perhaps thinking to soften Black up on the King-side?
[ >/= 30.Ra7 ]

Black continues to increase his edge, and also seizes the d-file.
30...Bc6; 31.Ra6 Rd7; 32.Qe1 Bb7; 33.Ra5 f5!; {Diagram?}
Having dominated the play on the Queen-side, Lasker now turns
his attention to the other side of the board.
*****
(One newspaper column now wrote that White's next move was forced.)
34.g3?!, (Maybe - '?') {Diagram?}
This only serves to further weaken White's King-side.
58
[ Better was: >/= 34.Bc1, {Diagram?} (play this and pray?)
but this type of passive defense probably did not appeal to Lee. ]

Black now focuses on the newly created weaknesses to force a 'tear' ...
in the pawn cover in front of the White King.
34...f4!; 35.gxf4 Nxf4; 36.Bd4!?, {Diagram?}
Is White still thinking he can attack from this position?
[ White probably had to play: 36.Bxf4 Qxf4; 37.Qe3, {Diagram?}
but this would be like admitting defeat. ]

36...Qf5; 37.Qe3!?, {See the diagram just below.}
Understandably, Lee wishes to activate his Queen.
(But Bd1 was probably forced.)
[ >/= 37.Bd1[] ]



(The position in the game ... just after White plays 37.Qe3.)
*************************

The position is Black to play, what is the winning move for Lasker here?
37...Rxd4!!; (Maybe - '!!!') {Diagram?}
One of the most brilliant moves in all of Lasker's career. Black has calculated
over 10 moves ahead from this position!
[ Tarrasch pointed out a 'quicker' win that began with: 37...Qg4+!; {Diag?}
but it is not as nearly forcing or brilliant or as artistic as the
continuation found by Lasker. ]

38.cxd4 Qg4+; 39.Kf1 Qg2+; 40.Ke1 Qg1+; 41.Kd2 c3+!; {Diagram?}
This had to have been foreseen by Lasker when he played his sacrifice on d4.
[ The move: 41...Ng2!?, {Diagram?}
will probably transpose to the winning method found by Tarrasch. ]
59

42.Qxc3[], {Diagram?}
Not much choice here for White.
[ </= 42.Kxc3??, Nd5+; ("-/+") {Diagram?}
White has allowed his King and Queen to fall for a Knight fork. ]

42...Qxf2+; 43.Kd1 e3; {Diagram?}
With just a few threats!
44.Bb3+, {Diagram?}
Practically the only move for White, who may have been counting
on this move to save his skin.
[ 44.Ra7? Qf1+!; ("-/+") ]

Now Black MIGHT be able to win by blocking the check on the d5-square. But Lasker
has something supremely better in mind! (Notice the hiding place he finds.)
44...Kg7!; 45.d5+ Kh6!; 46.Qe1!? Bc8!!; ("- / +") {Diagram?}
A brilliant quiet move ... there is NO defense, so White RESIGNS!
*************************************************************************************************************
******
A truly rare and fantastic contest.
A SUPER-brilliancy! And Lasker's very high-class positional play - which led directly to
the finish - is also to be noted and praised.
(It seems Lasker was determined to win on the Q-side, but then he very suddenly
switched fronts. He also capped off an incredible positional game with a very
great and memorable combination.)
GM Harry Nelson Pillsbury (2581) - GM Emanuel Lasker (2699)
[D40]
Quadrangular Tournament, St. Petersburg, (RUS); 1895-'96
(Rd # 10.1), January 04, 1896
[A.J. Goldsby I]
***********************************************************************************************************
One of the greatest games of chess literature. MANY different authors, (like Reinfeld and
also Chernev); have said that this monumental fight is of Lasker's best games.
An exciting struggle that features many sharp, daring and brilliant plays.
***
This game is also from probably the FIRST true "Super-Tournament." Four of the World's
"Top Five" players slug it out to determine who the World's best player really is.
The ratings are exact and are those of Jeff Sonas.
(I would have rated Lasker close to or OVER 2800 ... and Pillsbury around 2730 - 2750.
This would more closely approximate their ratings in the year, 2003.)
***********************************************************************************************************
1.d4 d5; 2.c4 e6; 3.Nc3 Nf6; 4.Nf3!?, {Diagram?}
Pillsbury avoids his own variation. The reason why? Probably he has
not figured out the way to meet Lasker's own defense to this line.
(After Bg5, Black plays an early ...h6; followed by ...Ne4.)
[ The best move is: >/= 4.Bg5!, {Diagram?} which theorists all over
the world recognize today as ... "The Pillsbury Attack/Variation." ]

4...c5; 5.Bg5!?, {Diagram?}
This is probably good enough for a slight advantage for White.
(Theory today prefers cxd5 or even e3.)
[ Modern theory says it is better to play the continuation:
5.e3!? Nc6; 6.a3!, "+/=" {Diagram?} and White maintains
a fairly solid edge ... no matter what Black plays from here.
[See MCO-14; page # 432, column # 102.] ]
60

Black now finds a clever way to clarify the center to his advantage.
5...cxd4!; 6.Qxd4!? Nc6; 7.Qh4!?, {Diagram?}
From here ... White will find it hard to get much of an advantage at all.
(But I should point out that this move is the FIRST choice of most strong
chess programs!!)
---> Several books give this move a question mark.
This move has been deeply criticized by some. ('?') But since Lasker (later) wrote that
7.Bxf6?! led to a serious advantage for BLACK ... and seeing that nearly every other
square for the Queen (like d2) is blatantly INFERIOR ... I am not really sure where White
is supposed to put his Queen.
In the mid-1970's ... I showed this position to a strong IM/GM ... who was like the # 3 active
player in the U.S. at that time. (I told him this was a postal game of mine, and that I was
playing Black. Apparently he did not recognize the game.) I asked him what the correct
move was for White. He looked at it for several minutes and said: "I would play 7.Qh4,
here, this would give a small advantage to White." (He also went on to comment that
we both had not played the opening very well!)
[ In his last major tournament, the great Pillsbury played instead:
>/= 7.Bxf6!, "+/=" TN {Diagram?} and won one of his greatest victories.
Harry N. Pillsbury - Emanuel Lasker;
Super-Master Invitational Tourney
Cambridge Springs, PA; (USA) 1904. ]

Pillsbury now typically plays the most aggressive line.
---> (He was later criticized for this decision, but had he won {brilliantly},
I am sure they would have heaped praise on him instead!)
7...Be7; 8.0-0-0!? Qa5!; {Diagram?}
The most aggressive line, says the one and only Irving Chernev.
'!' - Irving Chernev.
"Lasker starts an attack ..." (- Irving Chernev.)
[ Possible was: 8...0-0!?; {Diagram?} but I doubt if Black is better. ]

9.e3 Bd7; 10.Kb1 h6!; {Diagram?}
Black immediately questions the Bishop. The Pawn on h6 is either a weakness, or
allows Black to win the dark-squared Bishop. Everyone from Marco to Chernev to
Kasparov praises this move and also awards it an exclamation point.
[ Black could try: 10...a6!?; or even 10...0-0; "=" ]

11.cxd5 exd5; 12.Nd4!? 0-0; 13.Bxf6, {Box?} {Diagram?}
Now White felt this was completely forced, as the sacrifice on h6 is unsound ...
and retreating to f4 walks into a pawn fork.
[ 13.Bxh6? gxh6; 14.Qxh6 Ne4!; "/+" ]

13...Bxf6; 14.Qh5, {Diagram?}
This is practically the only good move for White in this position.
[ </= 14.Qg3?! Nxd4; 15.exd4 Rac8; "=/+" ]

Now Black unexpectedly exchanges and seemingly helps White out.
But the most subtle difference is Black's Bishop on f6 is very strong
and the c-file has been opened for both of Lasker's Rooks.
14...Nxd4!; 15.exd4 Be6!; {Diagram?}
The best move according to: '!' - GM Garry Kasparov.
16.f4!?, {Diagram?}
What is the point of this move?
61
Chernev informs us that Pillsbury plans on a pawn avalanche ...
(f5, g2-g4, h2-h4, and g4-g5); like he used to defeat the great Tarrasch
at Hastings, 1895. (This tournament was Pillsbury's greatest triumph.)
[ 16.Bc4!? Rfd8; 17.Rhe1 Rac8; "=/+" ]

16...Rac8; ('!') {See the diagram - just below.}
The heavy pieces very naturally occupies the open line.
*************************

*************************
(2r2rk1/pp3pp1/4bb1p/q2p3Q/3P1P2/2N5/PP4PP/1K1R1B1R w - - 0 17)

This position looks nearly equal ...
but sometimes appearances can be very deceptive!
[ Also good was: 16...Rfc8!?; "=/+" ]

17.f5, {Diagram?}
This appears to gain a move for White.
[ </= 17.Be2!? Rxc3!!; "/+" ]

Now comes one of the most surprising moves of high-class chess.
17...Rxc3!!; {Diagram?}
This had to have been a shock for Pillsbury ... who predicts a seemingly random
bolt of lightning like this???
Amos Burn - considered by many to be one of the best chess analysts of all time -
later said: "This begins the finest combination ever played on a chess board!"
'!!' - GM Garry Kasparov.
[ Also good for Black was: 17...Bd7!?; 18.Be2!? Rxc3; "/+" {Diag?}
with a vicious attack. ]

18.fxe6!?, (Probably - '!') {Diagram?}
Pillsbury tries to be tricky.
'!' - GM John Emms.
[ After the continuation: 18.bxc3 Qxc3; 19.fxe6, {Diagram?}
White might as well.
(19.Qf3!? Qxf3!; 20.gxf3 Bxf5+; 21.Bd3 Be6; "/+")
19...Qb4+; 20.Ka1, {Diagram?}
This looks to be forced.
62
(Even worse was: </= 20.Kc2? Rc8+; 21.Kd3 Qxd4+;
22.Ke2 Rc2+; ("-/+") {Diagram?} and White will probably
be mated - in very short order.)
20...Rc8!!, ("-/+") {Diagram?}
and Black should win. (exf7+, Kf8!) ]

Pillsbury may have thought he was holding ... ... ...
if so, Lasker's next move abused him of that notion.
18...Ra3!!; (Maybe - '!!!') {Diagram?}
A truly stunning move ... and one that must have caused Pillsbury's
stomach to roll over a few times!!
"One of the greatest single moves ever played." - GM R. Fine.
The point of this move? Lasker is obviously going to attack White's King!
'!!!' - GM Reuben Fine. '!!' - GM Garry Kasparov.
[ Also good for Lasker was: 18...Rc6; 19.exf7+ Rxf7; "=/+" {Diag?}
and Black is slightly better. ]

19.exf7+!?, {Diagram?}
Pillsbury throws in a check ... probably thinking it does not really change the
situation a great deal. (But years later analysis determined that this move is
probably inaccurate.)
Pillsbury later wrote he expected to win rather easily - mainly because he felt
he was better and his opponent was critically short of time here.
*******
[ Believe it or not, White has to play the very dangerous looking
continuation of: >/= 19.bxa3! Qb6+; 20.Kc2!!, "~" {Diagram?}
which also leads to enormous complications from here.
(- GM J. Nunn, GM J. Emms, and also FM Graham Burgess.)
I must emphasize that most of this analysis was probably done with a
computer. And exposing your King - as White does in this line - is
VERY UN-natural and runs counter to a player's normal instincts!!
***
The players - in the postmortem - came up with the following line:
</= 19.e7?! Re8; 20.bxa3 Qb6+; 21.Kc2, {Diagram?}
This is totally forced. (But most of my students bitterly complain that
White should be winning here - - the threats don't look that imposing
and White is ... A WHOLE ROOK AHEAD!!!)
( Or White could play: 21.Ka1 Bxd4+; 22.Rxd4 Qxd4+; 23.Kb1 Rxe7; "=/+"
(Maybe - "/+") but Black is definitely better. )
21...Rc8+; 22.Kd2 Bxd4!; 23.e8Q+!? Rxe8; 24.Bd3 Qa5+;
25.Kc1 Rc8+; 26.Bc2 Rxc2+!; ("-/+") {Diagram?}
and White is quickly mated. ]
*******

19...Rxf7; 20.bxa3!?, {See the diagram - just below.}
This could be forced. (now)

*************************
63

*************************
(6k1/pp3rp1/5b1p/q2p3Q/3P4/P7/P5PP/1K1R1B1R b - - 0 20)

Now the only question is: "How does Black proceed from here?"
His attack appears stalled.
[ </= 20.Bd3? Rxa2; "/+" ]

Black has many different ways here to proceed with his attack.
20...Qb6+; ('!') {Diagram?}
This is the correct way to continue the assault against the White King.

[ The most natural move here is to capture the Pawn on a3
with the Queen ... but after: </= 20...Qxa3?; 21.Qxd5, "+/-" {Diag?}
White should win.
***
Another attacking idea that has been suggested by many of my
students here is: 20...Rc7!?; {Diagram?}
but I think this idea too falls short. ]

21.Bb5!, {Diagram?}
An ingenious defense ... that is nearly forced upon the great Pillsbury.
'!' - GM Emanuel Lasker. '!' - GM Garry Kasparov.
[ After the moves: </= 21.Ka1 Bxd4+; 22.Rxd4 Qxd4+; 23.Kb1 Qe4+!;
24.Kc1!? Rf2; "-/+" {Diagram?} White is lost. - Irving Chernev.
***
Also bad for White is: </= 21.Kc2!? Rc7+; 22.Kd2 Qxd4+; 23.Bd3 Rc2+!!;
24.Kxc2 Qb2#. {Diagram?} - Irving Chernev. ]

21...Qxb5+; 22.Ka1, {Diagram?}
This is definitely forced.
[ Going the other way - in this particular position - gets smashed;
and very quickly so: </= 22.Kc1?? Bg5+; 23.Kc2?? Rc7#.
***
Or even: </= 22.Kc1?? Rc7+; 23.Kd2 Qb2+!;
24.Ke1 Qxg2; ("-/+") {Diagram?}
and White probably cannot avoid mate. ]

22...Rc7!?; {Diagram?}
A nice-looking move and certainly one which apparently gives Black a strong attack.
64
(The threat is the very simple ...Rc2; followed by mate. And even more venomous is
the threat of ...Rc1+!! followed by ..Bxd4+; and a quick mate.)
---> Yet Black had an even better move in this position!
"Fifteen moves an hour was the prescribed time limit, and I already had consumed
nearly two whole hours. Thus - I had to make these moves in a hurry,"
says (World Champion) Emanuel Lasker.
(Anyone who has been in time pressure knows it is easy to miss a winning line.)
[ After: >/= 22...Qc4!; "/+" {Diagram?}
Black probably has a decisive attack. - GM Emanuel Lasker.
(White is forced to protect his d-pawn with something like Qg4.
Then Black simply plays ...Re7; followed by ...Re2; winning.) ]

The players both miss some tactical opportunities over the next few moves.
23.Rd2!? Rc4; 24.Rhd1!? Rc3!; {Diagram?}
Another nice attacking move ... but many years later someone discovered
another way to win for Black here.
"The concluding moves were played under fearful time pressure."
- Dr. J. Hannak.
[ Even better was: >/= 24...Qc6!!; 25.Kb1 Bg5!; 26.Qe2[], {Diag?}
No choice here for White.
( Not </= 26.Re2?? Rc1+; and Black gives mate. )
26...Bxd2; 27.Qxd2 Qd6!; "-/+" {Diagram?}
and Black should win. ]

25.Qf5, ('!?') {Diagram?}
Logically, White tries to re-centralize his Queen. (His most powerful piece.)
[ White is worse off after: 25.Qe2!? Rc1+!!; 26.Rxc1 Bxd4+;
27.Rxd4 Qxe2; "=/+" {Diagram?} - Irving Chernev.
***
The best move is probably >/= 25.Re1!, "~" {Diagram?}
with good chances to defend. (- GM John Nunn & GM J. Emms.) ]

25...Qc4; 26.Kb2, {See the diagram - just below.}
Pillsbury is trying to use "The aggressive King approach," a la' Steinitz ...
but it does not work here. (Lasker says this was a mistake {'?'} and says that
Kb1 was definitely indicated.)

*************************

*************************
(6k1/pp4p1/5b1p/3p1Q2/2qP4/P1r5/PK1R2PP/3R4 b - - 0 26)
65

I must say White appears - at a first and somewhat superficial glance -
to be quite secure here.
[ Black's threats are clearly seen in the following variation:
</= 26.g4? Rc1+; 27.Rxc1 Qxc1+; 28.Qb1 Qxd2; "-/+" {Diag?}
and Black should win handily.
*******
The best line was "King-to-Knight-One" says Lasker:
26.Kb1 Rxa3; ('!?') 27.Qc2, (!?) {Diagram?}
While this looks good, Rc1 might be even better.
27...Rc3; 28.Qb2 b5; "=/+" {Diagram?}
but Black is probably better in this position.
- Analysis by: Emanuel Lasker. ]

26...Rxa3!!; (Maybe - '!!!/!!!!') {Diagram?}
Who says lightning never strikes twice in the same place?
This thunderous shot, coming as it did with both players short of time,
must have floored poor Pillsbury.
'!!' - GM Garry Kasparov.
"This is some kind of {chessic} mysticism: the second rook is also
sacrificed on the very same square!" - GM G. Kasparov.
[ Did he expect a move like: 26...b6!?; "~" instead? ]

27.Qe6+ Kh7!?; (Maybe - '!') {Diagram?}
Putting the King in the corner was much more accurate, but it must have been very
difficult to thoroughly understand this with both players in extreme time pressure.
'!' - GM John Emms. (Sorry John.)
*************************
NEWS FLASH: Maybe Lasker was correct - as he maintained over a number of years.
(He had always maintained that ...Kh7! was the best move, although
many analysts had disagreed with him.) A construction manager, who
lives in St. Petersburg, (Sergey Sorokhtin); may have found several
substantial IMPROVEMENTS over Kasparov's analysis of this game.
(Added: Saturday; January 31st, 2004.)
*************************
[ Better was: 27...Kh8!; ("-/+") {Diagram?}
which probably should win for Black. ]

28.Kxa3?!, (Really - '?' here.) {Diagram?}
With his flag now hanging, Pillsbury (sadly) commits a severe mistake.
Many a GM probably views this position as a very easy win. But most of my
students - some who are well over 1600 - do not find the correct method for
Black to mate from here.
'??' - GM Garry Kasparov.
(I think this is terribly harsh and an obvious case of "over-kill.")
[ Better was ...Qf5+! (Kasparov?) After the following moves:
28.Qf5+! Kh8!; {Diagram?}
This might be good, but maybe the more natural ...Kg8; is much better!
(See Sergey Sorokhtin's analysis on the ChessBase web site.)
(Maybe better was (>/=) 28...Kg8!!; {and} Black wins by force?)
29.Kb1!! Rxa2!!; 30.Rxa2!? Qb3+; 31.Kc1 Bg5+;
32.Rad2!? Qc3+; 33.Qc2 Qa1+; 34.Qb1 Qc3+; 35.Qc2 Qa1+;
36.Qb1 Qc3+; ("=") {Diagram?}
Black has a draw by perpetual check/repetition of the position ...
but isn't it a bit much to ask these players to find such a deeply hidden
66
resource - especially when both parties were in such desperate time
trouble? ]

The end is now mercifully swift.
(Some say Lasker may even now have announced a mate in five.)
28...Qc3+!; 29.Ka4 b5+!!; 30.Kxb5 Qc4+!; 31.Ka5 Bd8+!; OUCH!! {Diagram?}
... and since White's only legal move is to throw his Queen in to block the check -
and then promptly get mated ... (If 32.Qb6, then simply 32...BxQ#) -
WHITE RESIGNS!!! (0-1)
Many years later ... the great Lasker himself was asked to choose one game
that was his favorite and/or very best. Understandably he chose this game.