Contents

Emanuel Lasker: Two matches

Forward
MATCH TABLE
GAME ONE
GAME TWO
GAME THREE
GAME FOUR
GAME FIVE
SIXTH GAME
GAME SEVEN
GAME EIGHT
GAME NINE
GAME TEN
GAME ELEVEN
GAME TWELVE
GAME THIRTEEN
About the game thirteen
GAME FOURTEEN
GAME FIFTEEN
GAME SIXTEEN
GAME SEVENTEEN
GAME EIGHTEEN
GAME NINETEEN
Interview with Alekhine by S. Landau.
GAME TWENTY
GAME TWENTYONE
GAME TWENTYTWO
GAME TWENTYTHREE
GAME TWENTYFOUR
GAME TWENTYFIVE
Flohr called Alekhine to the world championship match
Interview with A. A. Alekhine
GAME TWENTYSIX
GAME TWENTYSEVEN
GAME TWENTYEIGHT
GAME TWENTYNINE
GAME THIRTIETH
Amsterdam, December 18
APPENDIX
 Emanuel Lasker: Two matches
This October is a happy month for chess players. In place of many
tournaments come two matches, and moreover, outstanding ones! The
attention of USSR chess players is riveted to Botvinnik and Levenfish. They
fight for the primacy of the Soviet Union, which Levenfish won in the last
championship. Levenfish conducted the entire tournament in a brilliant style,
but Botvinnik was not among the participants. This victory is a wonderful
achievement of Levenfish.

There is no need to talk about Botvinnik's achievements: they speak for

themselves. The best of the best chess masters gathered in Moscow and
Nottingham, and no one was able to demonstrate superiority over it.
Botvinnik’s fight with Levenfish will be extremely interesting. Levenfish
plays very strongly and takes advantage of every opportunity in the game. In
Tbilisi, he lost only three games out of nineteen, and one of them in the last
round, when he was already secured the first prize. Defeating such a master is
a difficult task for every chess player, no matter who he is. This task would
be facilitated if it were not necessary to take care of the security of one's
position. However, in this case, the Levenfish attack will not slow down.

Botvinnik is even more dangerous in attack than Levenfish. We should

not forget that Botvinnik is a candidate for world champions. If during the
game it turns out that the position of both opponents is equally, which can be
expected, then Botvinnik, to a lesser extent than Levenfish, will decide to
storm the enemy’s stronghold. In chess, as in war is easier to carry out the
defense than an attack with equal forces. The decision to launch an attack of a
sufficiently strong position involves too much risk. Chess players from all
over the world will observe with great interest how Botvinnik will solve this
problem.

However, the chess world does not forget about Holland, where Dr. Euwe
defends the world title. The match that will be played there is a rematch for
Alekhine, who lost the title in the first match two years ago.
 Alekhine began his chess career with rapid tempo. He only recalled
caution when it came to Capablanca. Capablanca has been a world champion
since 1921, however, only in 1927 Alekhine met him in a match. From 1921
to 1927 Alekhine prepared well. All this time he carefully checked, specified
and supplemented the arsenal of his chess weapons - opening, middlegame,
endgame. His victory was a triumph of talent and training.

After this victory, he returned to the aggressive style of his youth. But did
he continue systematic training after 1927? Unlikely. He didn’t need it: he
easily played against his rivals until 1935.

Only in 1935 he met Euwe, a master who managed to prove the

shortcomings of Alekhin’s training and at the same time took the proud title
of world champion.
There is no doubt that Alekhine has seriously engaged in his training in
recent months. But three or four months is not enough to eliminate the bad
habits for the last eight years. It must, however, be taken into account that
Alekhine was used to pass all obstacles. Perhaps in a short time he managed
to catch up.

Euwe, the current world chess champion, is a system genius. Euwe does
everything systematically. He systematically trained, systematically studied
the style of Alekhine and very logically puts everything on the right way.

Match Alekhine - Euwe will be an interesting match if Alekhine will be

well prepared for it.

October will bring great pleasure to the chess world: these two matches
will show all the best that today's chess masters are capable of.
 Forward
The return match Alekhine — Euwe was the most significant event in
1937. Both outstanding players were in excellent shape, except for the
unsuccessful game of Euwe at the finish. Their games are a good material to
study and, first of all, can bring invaluable benefits to all young chess
players. The match-return of Alekhine — Euwe is much more interesting
than their first match in 1935. If in the first match, Alekhine played several
games, roughly speaking “adventurous”, then in this match he was playing in
an actual style. The same style in which he played in the 1927 match with
Capablanca. However, even in this match, he sometimes unreasonably
complicated the position (for example, the fourteenth game); it seems to me
that this is due to different reasons — no matter how strong a chess player is,
he can incorrectly assess the position. When at the end of 1937 I commented
on two games of rematch for the magazine "Chess in the USSR", I noticed
that my comments differ from those previously published. Moreover, this is
quite understandable: comments can be unmistakable if the chess player does
not write them in a hurry. I concluded that it would be extremely useful to re-
analyze all the games of the match, despite the fact that they are well known
to the Soviet reader. I set myself the task of analyzing the games as deeply as
possible, so that the picture of the struggle was the most complete. The
readers with interest would re-examine the games.
It is not for me to judge how well this task has been accomplished. In
advance, I must warn the reader that in some simple games I was not able to
contribute anything substantial. However, in those games where the struggle
was complicated — here, it seems, I fulfilled my intentions satisfactorily.
MATCH TABLE
Match
№ Where? When? Opening Result
situation
Alekhine Euwe Alekhine Euwe
5 and 6 Slav
1. Hague 0 1
October Defense
7 Slav
2. Rotterdam 1 0
October Defense
10 and Slav
3. Hague ½ ½
11 October Defense
12 Slav
4. Amsterdam ½ ½
October Defense
Queen’s
14
5. Hague Gambit 0 1
October
Accepted
16 Slav
6. Haarlem 1 0
October Defense
19 Slav
7. Rotterdam 1 0
October Defense
21
8. Leiden Nimzoindian 1 0
October
24 Slav
9. Hague ½ ½
October Defense
26
10. Hague Nimzoindian 1 0
October
30 Slav
11. Groningen ½ ½
October Defense
1
12. Amsterdam Nimzoindian ½ ½
November
3 and 4 Slav
13. Amsterdam 0 1
November Defense
 Zwolle and 6 and 7
14. Catalan 1 0
Amsterdam November
9 and 10 Slav
15. Rotterdam ½ ½
November Defense
11 and
16. Rotterdam 12 Catalan ½ ½
November
14 Slav
17. Hague 0 1
November Defense
16 and
Queen’s
18. Hague 17 ½ ½
Gambit
November
20 and
19. Eindhoven 21 Nimzoindian ½ ½
November
23
20. Amsterdam Nimzoindian ½ ½
November
25 Queen’s
21. Amsterdam 1 0
November Indian
27 and
Reti
22. Delft 28 1 0
Opening
November
30 Nov. Queen’s
23. Rotterdam ½ ½
and 1 Dec. Indian
2 Queen’s
24. Rotterdam 1 0
December Gambit
4
25. Hague Nimzoindian 1 0
December

Max Euwe played White in the odd-numbered games.

Time Control: ​2 ½ hours for 40 moves;
16 moves per hour thereafter;
Match Terms: Winner was the first to score 15 ½ points, with not less
than six games won. The match began October 5th, 1937 and ended
December 4th, 1937, with Alekhine regaining his title.
 GAME ONE
SLAVE DEFENSE
M. Euwe - A. Alekhine
Played at The Hague, October 5th and 6th

The first game of the match begins in an extremely tense atmosphere.

At the beginning of the game Alekhine kept very calm. Beside him there is
no usual pile of cigarette butts, as he seriously preparing for the match, he
even quit Smoking. Many spectators, long before the start of the game filled
the room, show exceptional interest in the unfolding struggle. Naturally, their
sympathy is on the side of his compatriot.
1. d4 d5 2. с4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. NсЗ dxc4
This is an old system of defense. Its idea is that if White plays to regain
the pawn by 5.e3, Black can continue 5. … b5 6. a4 b4 7. Na2 e6 with fully
satisfactory play, as the White knight at a2 is misplaced. Therefore, White
plays 5. a4, not allowing 5. … b5. However, this weakens Whites Queenside
(The square b4) giving Black compensation for exchanging his central d5.
5. а4 Bf5
Black prevents 6.e4, though in case of 5…e6 6. e4 (or 6.e3) Bb4 7.e5 Ne4
8. Qc2 the chances are on Whites side.
6. Ne5 …
Playing to recapture the pawn on c4. According to analysis, later in the
match, against this move Black could continue 6. …e6 with a
following...Bb4. Therefore, Euwe later refrained from 6. Ne6 and played
6. e3.
6. ... Nd7
This is a fully satisfactory answer to 6. Ne5 as well.
7. Nxc4 Qc7
By this Black prepares the counter stroke 8...e5 on the next move. If
White counters with 8. Qb3 (to tie the Black Queen to the defense of the b7),
there still follows 8...e5! and 9 Nxe5 Nxe5 10. de Be6! 11. Qc2, Qxe5, or
9.de Nc5 10. Qa2 Na6! are satisfactory for Black. In the following moves
White plays to develop his bishops (to Bg2 and Bf4):
8. g3 e5 9. dxe5 Ndxe5 10. Bf4 Nd7 11. Bg2 f6 12. 0-0 Ra8-d8
If Black, instead of this move, attacked the Knight on c4 by 12...Be6, then
after 13. Nxe5 Nxe5
14. Qc2! the White Queen is well placed. With his following moves Black
tries to exploit the position of the White Queen at c1.
13. Qc1 Be6
All this has been played before in tournament and match practice. Black
expects the usual 14. Nxe5, however, he gets a surprise.
14. Ne4! …
Max Euwe: This new move, introduced by the Estonian master, J. Turn,
throws an entirely new light upon the so-called main variation of the Slav
defense to the Queen’s Gambit. By postponing the exchange at e5, White
succeeds in taking “advantage of the greater freedom of his pieces and is able
at least to deprive his opponent of one of his bishops. In the further course of
the match I did not succeed in finding a way to meet this move, and it seems
that Alekhine did not find any either. Therefore we both avoided this
variation when we had the Black pieces. The first thirteen moves of this game
are the same as those in the twentieth and twenty-first games of the first
match.
Mikhail Botvinnik: Very good! The knight controls c5, where 14. Nxe5
Nxe5 15. Ne4 does little. Now Black cannot play 14... Bc4 15.Qxc4 Nxc4 16
B:c7 Rc8 17. Bf4, as Whites two bishops would give him the initiative in the
endgame.
The move 14. N.e4 had occurred in the game Turn-Ojanan in the
Stockholm Olympiad, 1937. This took place so near to the time of the match
that it is doubtful if Alekhine or Euwe knew of it.
14. … Bb4 15. a5! …

The threat of a4-a5-a6 exerts a dangerous pressure. This is possible only

because White left his knight on Qc4 to control his a5 square. Now on
15...Bxc4 16. Qxc4 Nxc4 17. Bxc7 Rc8 18. Bf4, not possible is 18...Bxa5 19.
B3, not 18...Nxa5 19. Ra4. Dangerous also is 15...a6 because of 16. Ra4 Nc7
17. Nxe5, Nxe5 18. Be3 and White has blockaded the Queenside.
15. ... 0-0 16. а6 ...
The alternative was 16 Ra4 Be7 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. Nc5 Bc8 (or 18. …
Bxc5 19. Qxc5 a6), and it is not easy for White to find a good continuation.
16. … bxa6
Black makes his own defense more difficult. After 16. … b6 17. Nxe5
Nx35 18. Qe3 (18. Bxe5 Qe5 19. Qxc6 Rc8! Qa4 Rc4 favors Black) though
White has the initiative, Black has a fully satisfactory defense. After the
move in the game, White cannot play 17. Rxa6 Qb7! and so is forced into
exchanges.
17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. Nc5 …
Black is compelled to capture and give White the advantage of the two
the bishops.
18. … Bxc5 19. Qxc5 g5?

Black has only one good defensive plan. This is to try to exchange
Queenside pawns to trade White's b2, then exchange Queens and try to draw
the endgame. With all of the pawns on the Ringside, it would not be easy for
White to exploit his extra pawn. In view of these things, it is not difficult to
find the move 19...Qb6! If the White Queen retreats, Black's defense is eased
because his knight at e5 is unpinned. On Rc1 Qxb2 is possible. On 20 Qxb6
ab, Black should draw. For example:
1) 21. Rxa6 Bc4 22. Rxb6 Rxe2 23. Ra1 Nf3+ etc.;
2) 21. Rxe5 fe 22. Bxc6 a5;
3) 21. Be5 fe 22. Rxa6 Bc4 23. Rxb6 Rxe2 24. Re1 Bb5! 25. Bxc6
Bxc6 26. Rxc6 Rd2;
4) 21. Bxe5 fe 2. Rxa6 Bc4 23. Rxb6 Bxe2 24. Ra1 Rb8! 25. Rxc6
Rxb2;
After the unsatisfactory text move, the pawns on the Kingside are
weakened.
20. Be3 Bd5 21. Rxa6 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Rf7 23. Ra1 …
 Black now loses a pawn with no improvement in his position.
23. … Qd6 24. Qxd6 Rxd6 25. Rxa7 Rxa7 26. Rxa7 Nc4 27. Bc5 Re6
No better was 27. … Rd2 28. Be7 Rxe2 29. Bxf6 …
28. Bd4 Rxe2 29. Bxf6 g4
The last trap: 30. Rg7+ Kf8 31. Rxg4 Ne3+ 32. Kf3 Nxg4 33. Kxe2 Nxf6,
Black has an extra piece. On 29. … h6 possible was 30. Rg7+ Kf8 31. Rc7
and Bg7+.
30. Kf1 Rc2
Or 30...Re6 31 Bc3.
31. Rg7+ Kf8 32. Rxg4 Nxb2 33. Bxb2
Clearly foreseeing that the rook and pawn ending is an easy technical
win. There were, of course, other good continuations here, but in such cases,
simplification is, in my belief, always advisable.
33. … Rxb2 34. Rc4 Rb6
With a pawn to the good, an active rook’s position, and, above all, the
possibility of obtaining in the near future two connected passed pawns,
White’s game is absolutely won.
35. Ke2 Kf7 36. Rh4 Kg6 37. Rf4 Rb3 38. Rc4 Rb6 39. Ke3
By his manoeuvre in moves 36—38 White has forced the Black king to
go farther away from the center.
39. … Kf5 40. g4+ Ke6
Or 40...Kg5 41 f3 followed by 42 Rc5+.
41. f4 …
The sealed move.
41. … Kd5 42. Rd4+ Ke6
Or 42...Kc5 43 f5.
43. f5+ Ke7 44. Re4+ Kf7 45. h4 Rb1 46. Kf4 Rc1 47. Ra4 …
Obtaining possession of the seventh rank.
47. … h6 48. Ra7+ Kg8 49. g5 Rc4+ 50. Ke5 resigned.
For if now ...Rxh4, then 51 g6.
 GAME TWO
SLAVE DEFENSE
A. Alekhine - M. Euwe
Played in Rotterdam October 7th

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5

I considered it vital to find out immediately what defense my opponent
had in mind against the line he himself adopted in the first game.
6. … e6!
Played twice by Bogoljuboff against me in the 1929 match. As the
experiment did not succeed (he only managed to draw one game with great
difficulty and he lost the other game), the move 6...e6 disappeared from
master practice. But, as was proved especially by the eleventh game of this
match, it is much safer than the fashionable Kmoch variation (6...Nbd7 in
conjunction with Qc7 and e5.)
7. Bg5
As after 7.f3 Bb4, the move 8.e4? would provoke the absolutely sound
sacrifice 8...Nxe4! (first played by Mikenas against Dr. Vidmar, Prague,
1931), White must not hurry to form a pawn centre. Still, after the following
answer, he had no better move than 8 f3, which would lead to the position
obtained in the fourth and eleventh games.
7. … Bb4
Much more logical and better than 7...Be7 , as played by Bogoljuboff in
our fifth match game in 1929.
8. Nxc4
Very harmless, inasmuch as Black, instead of the complicated variation
actually selected, could simply play here 8. ...h6, and if 9 Bh4 then 9. ...g5 10
Bg3 Ne4 11 Rc1 (or 11 Qb3 Na6) c5 etc. with at least equal prospects.
8. … Qd5
Also a good move which leads after a short, sharp intermezzo to an
equally balanced position.
9. Bxf6 …
The alternative, 9. Ne3 Qa5 10. Nxf5 Qxf5 etc., was even less promising.
And if 9. Qb3, then 9...Na6.
9. … Qxc4
 Better than 9...gxf6 10. Ne3 Qa5 11. Qb3 with slightly better prospects
for White.
10. Qd2 …
The only move, as 10. Rc1? would have been refuted by 10...gxf6 11. e4
Qa2, etc.
10. … gxf6 11. e4 Qb3 12. exf5 Nd7 13. fxe6 fxe6 14. Be2 O-O-O 15.
O-O …
These last few moves were practically forced and the position thus
reached offers about equal attacking possibilities for both sides.
15. … e5!

This logical move—which brings the knight into a strong position and
opens the queen's file to Black's advantage—has been, in my opinion, unduly
criticized. In any event, 15. ...Nb6, which was recommended instead, would
expose Black to dangerous threats after 16. a5 Na4 17. Qe3 Nxb2 18. Rfc1—
and this without offering him any real winning prospects.
16. dxe5 Nxe5 17. Qc1 Bxc3
As 18 Ne4 was not really a strong threat, this exchange should have been
postponed till a more appropriate moment. Black should have played
17...Rhg8; for if 18. Ne4 (18. Qe3 Qxb2) then ...Nf3+ 19. Bxf3 Qxf3 20. Ng3
Qg4, etc., with quite a satisfactory position. After the move in the text White
obtains the better chances because his bishop will prove superior to the
knight as soon as the Black piece is dislodged from e5.
18. bxc3 Rhg8 19. Qe3 Kb8
Not absolutely necessary, as he could indirectly protect his queen rook's
pawn by playing 19...Qd5 20. g3 Qd2; but then after 21. Qxd2 Rxd2 22. Rfe1
(here if ...Nd3 23. Rad1!) White's endgame chances would still be the better.
20. g3 Rd7 21. Rab1! Qc2 22. Rfe1 …
The most subtle move of the game, by which White prepares the
important f4. The immediate advance of that pawn would be refuted by
22...Rd2 23. Rfe1 Nd3.
 22. … Qd2 23. Qxd2 Rxd2 24. f4 Ng6 25. Bc4 Rgd8
Or 25...Rg7 26. Re8+ Kc7 27. Kh1! with advantage to White.
26. Re6 …
In order to exchange one pair of rooks. It must be noted that Black cannot
play 26...Rc2 on account of 27. Ba6 b6 28. Rxc6.
26. … R8d6 27. Rbe1 Kc7 28. Rxd6 Rxd6
If 28...Kxd6, then 20. Bg8, threatening both 30. Bxh7 and 30. Re6+.
29. h4 …
In order to play the king to f2 without being disturbed by the rook check
on the second rank.
29. … Kd7 30. Kf2 Ne7 31. Kf3 Nd5?

After this loss of time Black's position becomes rapidly hopeless, as the
White king will be able to attack and win the pawn on h7. But it is to be
doubted if the game could be saved even by the best answer, 31 ...f5 Then
White would not play immediately 32 g4 because of 32...fxg4+ 33 Kxg4
Rg6+, followed by 34...Nf5 with counterattack; but he would play first 32 h5,
after which g4 would free his king bishop's pawn with disastrous effect for
Black since the latter's majority on the queen side has a nominal value only,
owing to the passive position of his pieces.
32. Bd3 h6 33. Bf5+ Kd8 34. Kg4 Ne7
Or 34...Nxc3 35. Kh5 Nxa4 36. Kxh5, followed by the victorious advance
of the passed king rook's pawn.
35. Bb1 Ke8
If 35...Rd5 then 36. f5 etc.
36. Kh5 Kf7 37. Ba2+ Kf8 38. Kxh6 Rd2
The main variation was 38...Nf5+ 39. Kg6 Nxg3 40. f5 followed by the
advance of the rook's pawn.
39. Be6 Rd3 40. g4 Rxc3 41. g5 … and Black resigned.
Even simpler than 41. Rd1 Nd5. If 41...fxg5, then fxg5.
 GAME THREE
SLAVE DEFENSE
M. Euwe - A. Alekhine
Played at The Hague, October 10th and 11th

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6

In both games of the match, Black had played 4. … dc.
5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Bb4
Alekhine decides to refrain from the “Meran” complications, in which
Euwe is an expert. This is correct match tactics! The text move gives Black
better chances than in the first game. He has prevented e3-e4 and has his own
chances of achieving ...e6-e5.
7. O-O …
In addition, to be considered was 7. a3 Bxc3+. For the next few moves
Black strives to complete his development.
7. … O-O 8. a3 …
Interesting also was 8. Ne5; but 8. a3 also has its points, but has no longer
the same strength.
8. … Bxc3
After this White is left with the two bishops. Better to me, was 8. …
Bxc3, playing in the style of Chigorin, as in the Black variant (1. d4 d5 2. c4
c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bd3 Nbd7 6. 0-0 dc 7. Bxc4 Bd6!). White, to be
sure, has played an extra move free (a3). However, this factor appears to be
insignificant. In case of 8. … Bd6 9. e4 de 10. Bxc4 e5! Black has
satisfactory counterplay.
9. bxc3 Qc7
Black plays to advance his KP. Of course, 9. … Qe7 is weaker because of
10. a4 with a following Ba3.
10. Nd2 …
White does not protest against the advance of the e5; he plays to defend
his QB4 square.
10. … e5 11. Bb2! …
Clearly best. White fails to gain an advantage after 11. e4 ed 12. cd de 13.
Nxe4 Nxe4 14. Bxe4 Nf6 15. Bc2 Bg4 16. Qd3 Bh5 with a further Bg6. With
the text move White strengthens his d4, so as in the variation 12. cd cd 13. c4
ed 14. Bxd4, with two active bishops. Black tries to keep play closed by e3-
e4.
11. … e4 12. Be2 b5

Alekhine begins a very interesting combination. If 13. cb, then 13. … cb

14. Bxb5 Rb8 15. a4 a6 16. Bxd7 Rxb2 (or 16. … Bxd7) 17. Bxc8 Rxc8, and
for the pawn Black has fully sufficient compensation.
Euwe, nevertheless, decides to use the pawn sacrifice to try to open the
position. Besides Alekhine’s combination, Black has the move 12...Nb6,
preventing 13. cd cd 14. c4 with his own threat of
14. ... Be6. In case of 13. c5 Nbd7 14 c4 Rd8! White’s bishop on b2 is freed,
but Black’s position is satisfactory.
13. cxb5 cxb5 14. a4! …
This move refutes Black’s combination; White prepares c3-c4, to activate
his bishops.
14. … bxa4 15. c4! dxc4 16. Nxc4 Nb6!
Guarding the front a4 and trying to move the weak pawn on a7 via an
exchange of Knights. On b6 the Black pawn will defend his c5 square.
17. Nxb6 axb6
Not good was 17. … Qxb6 18. Ba3 Rd8 19. Bc5 with a following Qxa4,
etc.
18. Rxa4 Bb7
Nothing comes of 18. … Ng4 19. g3!
19. Rxa8 Rxa8 20. Qb1 …
Tying the knight to the defense of the pawn e4 and preparing Rc1.
20. … Re8 21. Rc1 Qd6 22. Qc2
White has two active bishops and a protected, passed d4 pawn. Black’s
b6 pawn is isolated and weak. White is guaranteed better chances in the
endgame. Alekhine can undertake nothing to improve his position, and
consents to an exchange of the heavy pieces. If Black defends his QB2 by 22.
...Nd5, then after 23. Qb3, with threats of Ba3 and Bc4, he faces great
difficulties.
22. … h6 23. Qc7 Qxc7
Black could avoid the exchange by 23. … Qb4, but would not improve
his possibilities.
24. Rxc7 Rc8 25. Rxc8+
On 25. Rxb7 follows 25. … Rc2.
25. … Bxc8 26. f3 Bb7 27. Kf2 …

27. … Ne8
This is a blunder. Black has drawing chances, but he must play very
sharply. Black’s knight must stay on f6 to answer fe with ...Nxe4. It is
dangerous for Black to try to bring his King to the center. For example:
27...Kf8 28. Ba3+ Ke8 29. Bb5+ Nd7 30. Kg3! only activates White’s pieces.
Therefore, it is not too difficult to find the move 27...g5! for Black, with the
idea of playing his King to g6. Then 28. Ba3 gives White nothing because of
28...Nd5. If now 29. fe (preventing 29...f5 with a solid position), then
29...Nc6 30. e5 Nxe2 31 Kxe2, Bxg2 with a likely draw.
28. Ba3 …
Preventing 28...Nd6. An error is 28. fe Bxe4 29. Bf3 f5 30. Bxe4 fe 31
Kg3 Nd6 32. Kf4 g5+ 33. Ke5? Nc4+ etc. After the move in the game,
Black’s position is very difficult. Poor, for example, is 28...f5 29. Bc4+Kh8
30. d5 and the pawn d is very dangerous.
28. … Bd5 29. Be7 …
Here very strong was 29. fe Bxe4 30. Bf3 f5 31. Bxe4 fe 32. Kg3 g5 33.
Kg4 Ng7 34. h4 gh 35. Kf4 or 30...Bxf3 31. Kxf3 f6 32. Ke4. In both cases
White’s King is very active.
Best for Black after 29. fe Bxe4 30. Bf3 is to play 30...Nf6; for example:
31. Bxe4 Nxe4+ 32. Kf3 Nd2+ 33. Ke2 Nc4 34. Bb4 f5 35. Kd3 b5 or 31.
Be7 Nd5 32. Bxe4 Nxe7. . Only after 31. Kg3 b5 32. Bxe4 Nxe4+ 33. Kf4
Nd2 34. d5 nc4 35. d6 Nb6 36. Ne5 Nd7+ 37. Nd5 Kf8 38. Kc6 Ke8 39.
Kxb5 Nb8 does White have good chances to win.
 29. … f5 30. fxe4 fxe4 31. Bd8 Nd6 32. Bxb6 Nc4!
The knight now has a good position, The position of White’s black-
squared bishop ties the King to the defense of the f4.
33. Bc7 …
In case of 33. Bd8 Kf7 (3. … g5? 34. h4) 34. h4 g6! White gets nowhere,
as on 35. Bc7 follows 35. … g5.
33. … Kf7 34. h4 g5
Now White cannot bring his bishop to f4. He must seek new chances.
35. Bh5+ Ke7
Of course, not 35. … Kf6 36. Bd8+
36. Bg4 Bb7 37. Be5 …
Another attempt. The threat of 37. g7, forces the exchange. To me, better
was 37. hg, moving the bishop to c7 to g1 and advancing with the King.
37. … Nxe5 38. dxe5 gxh4

39. Kg1 …
Some commentators claimed a win with 39. Ke1, but this is not correct.
After 39. Ke1 Bd5 40. Kd2 Be6 41. Bh3 Bxh3 42. gh Ke6 43. Kc3 Kxe5 44.
Kc4 Kf5 45. Kd5 h5! 46. Kd4 Kf6 47. Kxe4 Ke6 , Black draws the ending.
Another way to draw was shown by V. Checkover : 39. Ke1 Ba6 40. Kd2
Bf1 41. Bh3 Kf7 42. Kc3 Ke7 43. Kd4 Bd3 44. Kd5 Bc2 45. Bf5 Bd3 46.
Bxe4 Bf1! and then h4-h3, but in this variation White wins by 45. e6! and
then marching the King to the Kingside. There followed:
39. … Ba6 40. Kh2 Kf7 41. Kh3 Bf1 42. Bf5 Ke7 43. Kh2 Be2 44. Kh3
Bf1 45. Bxe4 Ke6 46. Kxh4 Kxe5 47. Bf3 Kf6 48. Kh5 Kg7 49. e4 Bd3 50.
e5 Bg6+ 51. Kg4 Kf7 52. Bd5+ Ke7 53. Kf4 Bh7 54. g3 Kf8 55. Be4 Bg8
56. Bf3 Ke7 57. Kg4 Ke6 58. Kf4 Ke7 59. Bg4 Bb3 60. Bc8 Kf7 Draw
Agreed
 GAME FOUR
SLAVE DEFENSE
A. Alekhine - M. Euwe
Played in Amsterdam, October 12th

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 e6 7. f3

In the second game Alekhine bypassed this move, but Euwe easily got
equality. The text move intends to play e2-e4, which would give White the
advantage.
7…Bb4
Preventing 8. e4 because of 8…Bxe4 9. fe Nxe4 10. Qf3 Qxd4 11. Qf7x
Kd8 with very complicated play. White’s next move renews his threat of e2-
e4.
8. Bg5 c5
In the 11th match game, Alekhine played the stronger 8…h6 9. Bxf6 gf
10. Nxc4 c5! and Black easily equalized the play.
9. dxc5 Qd5
This is stronger than 9… Qa5 10. Qd4! (Mikenas-Bogoljiubow, Reve,
1930). White now, naturally, must take the Queen to save his knight on e5.
10. Qxd5 exd5

This was the idea of 9…Qd5, the Black pawn on d5 prevents e2-e4.
11. e4 …
Played in consideration of Black1s threats of d5-d4 and Nc6 with a solid
central position. It is not easy to decide on a move like 11. e4, for it opens
play with the White King still in the center of the board. Alekhine feels that it
offers at least equal chances.
11…dxe4 12. Nxc4 …
 This way only. If 12. Bxc4, then 12... 0-0 and White cannot play 13. Bxf6
because of 13 ... gf and a later Ne5. Besides, White threatens a check on d6.
If Black plays 12 ... Bxc5, then 13. Nb5 and the two threats of Nd6+ and Nc7
cannot both be defended.
12…O-O 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. O-O-O …
Here Alekhine misses a stronger continuation in 14. Nd6 Bg6 15. Nxb7 ef
16. 0-0-0 Nc6 17. gf Rab8 18. Ba6 and White remains with an extra pawn.
This variant is according to Masters S.V. Belavents and N.N. Ruminim. It
seems better for Black to play 15...Nd7, and, though White has an extra
pawn, Black has good chances. For example: 16. 0-0-0 Nxc5 17. Nxc5 Bxc5
18. fe Rfc8 etc. The conclusion, of course, is that 14. Nd6 is stronger, and
casts doubt on Black's line of play with c6-c5.
14…exf3
Of course not 14…Bxc5 15. Rd5 15. Nd6 Be6 16. Nxb7 Nd7 17. c6 Ne5
is to be considered, as is 15. gf Nc6 16. Nd6 Be6 17. Nxb7 Rab8 18. a6 Bc8
19. Rd6 Ne7.
15. Nd5 Nc6
The only defense to the three threats: Ne7+, Nxb4 and Nc7.
16. gxf3 Bxc5
Euwe consents to the following complications. Black has the two bishops,
but he also has positional weaknesses and does not scorn a draw.
17. Nxf6+ Kh8
Best if 17. …Kg7, then 18. Nd7. Then on 18. ...Be7? with threat of 19. ...
Bg5+ follows 19. Rg1+! Now 18. Nd7 is met by 18. … Be7 19. Nxf8 Bg5+
20. Nd2 Nd4! and Black has a powerful attack.
18. Rd5 Nd4!

The knight defends both bishops. White cannot now win a piece. For
example:19.b4 Be7 20. Rxd4 Bxf6 21. Rf4 Bg5 or 19. Nd7 Rfd8 20. Rxc5?
Nb3+ 21. Kd1 Nxc5. Thus, Black easily repels all threats and sets his own of
19. … Nb3+ 20. Kd1 Rad8etc. Alekhine is forced to exchange the Black f5.
 19. Ne4 Bxe4
Not good was 19. … Be6 20. Rxc5 Nb3+ 21. Kb1 Nxc5 22. Nxc5 Bxc4
23. Bxc4 Rfc8 (23. … Rac8 24. Nd7) 24. b4 b6 25. Bd5 bc 26. Bxa8 Rxa8
27. bc and White wins the endgame.
20. fxe4 Rad8
Exchange of Rooks cannot be avoided.
21. Ne5 …
Threatening 22. Nf7+ and Nd7.
21. … Rxd5 22. exd5 Re8 23. Nxf7+ Kg7 24. Ng5 h6 25. Ne6+ Nxe6
26. dxe6 Rxe6 27. Bc4 Draw
 GAME FIVE
QUEENTS GAMBIT ACCEPTED
M. Euwe - A. Alekhine
Played at The Hague, October 14th
1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4
Accepting the gambit for the first time in the match. Though both
opponents like the Slav defense to the Queen’s Gambit, both know that Black
usually has difficulty developing his Queen Bishop. In the Queen’s Gambit
Accepted, it is usually easily developed to f5 or g4 according to the situation.
3. Nf3 a6
This move is directed against the White options with 4. Qa4+. Now
White must settle for 4. e3.
4. e3 Nf6
Not possible here is 4. … Bg4 because of 5. Bxc4 e6 6. Qb3 and the
Black Queenside is weak.
5. Bxc4 e6 6. O-O c5 7. Qe2 …
In the 1920’s the move 7. a4 was played, which weakens White’s b4 square,
but prevents Black’s b5. Euwe always avoids the weakening.
7. … Nc6
Black is premature in deciding the position of his Queen Knight. The
knight stands very well on c6 if White has played a4. More elastic here was
7. … b5 8. Bb3 Bb7, reserving the option of developing the knight to c6 or
d7.
8. Nc3 …
The idea of this move is to answer 8. … cd witch 9. Rd1, easily regaining
the pawn.
8. … b5 9. Bb3 Be7
Black hurries to develop the King bishop. On 9. … Bb7 10. Rd1 … he
cannot answer the threat of d4-d5 by castling.
10. dxc5 …
White could play 10. Rd1, and continue to develop his pieces, but in that
case his f2 is weak, and e3-e4 is made more difficult for him.
10. … Bxc5
Great complications arise if Black tries to recapture the pawn by 10. …
Nd7. White answers 11. Nd4, and if 11. … Qc7, then 12. Bxe6 fe 13. Nxe6
Qe5 14. Nd5 etc.
11. e4 …

Very good, Clearly he intended Bg5, and also has the threat of e4-e5
followed by Nc3-e4. Against these threats Reshevsky plays 11 ... Nd7. The
British master W. Winter recommends 11 ... e5; but, in any case it is clear
that Black has a difficult position, and the right answer is not easily found.
Alekhine is without a good line of play, and lands in a tragic position.
11. … b4
Black intends to force this knight to move, to answer e4-e5 by ... Nd4,
and to deny the square e4 to the White knight.
12. e5 …
So, Euwe’s reply gives him the advantage. Other moves give his
opponent an easier time. After 12. Na4 Be7 (12. … Nd4 13. Nxd4 Bxd4 14.
e5 Nd7 15. Rd1 Bxe5 16. Rxd7 Bxh2+ 17. Kxh2 with advantage) 13. Be3,
White has some advantage in the center and on the Queenside, as well as a
lead in development. With the exchange of knights, the position is not clear
but White has the advantage. Of course, 12. Qc4 Nd7 13. Na4 Na5 leads to
nothing.
12. … bxc3
he must follow the course begun by b5-b4.
13. exf6 gxf6
Black’s defense is difficult. On 13. Qxf6 follows 14. Qc4 and Black is
without a defense. For example: 14. … Qc4 15. Be3 or 14. … cb 15. Qxc5
Bd7 (15. … ba (Q) or bc (Q) are very bar for Black) 16. Bxb2 Qxb2 17.
Rad1.
14. Qc4 Qb6
Black defends with natural moves: 14. … Qe7 15. Be3 leads to loss of a
piece.
15. Qxc3 …
This is good, but even stronger seems 15. Ba4, with the threat of b2-b4,
winning a piece. After 15 ... Bd7 16. Qxc3 Black cannot play Nd4; still, 16.
Ke7 offers the best defense.
15. … Nd4!
By the threat of 16. Ne2+ Black wins time to improve his central position
and defend his f6.
16. Nxd4 Bxd4 17. Ba4+ …
White has nothing better; if 17. Be3, the sharp 17. … Bxc3 18. Bxb6
Rb8+ leaves White with no real advantage. For example: 19. Ba4+ Bd7 20.
Bxd7+ Kxd7 21. Rfd1+ Kc6 22. Ba7 Rxb2 23. Rac1 Kb7 24. Rxc3 (24. Rd7+
Ka8) Kxa7 25. Rc7+ Kb6 26. Rxf7 Rd8 etc .
17. … Ke7
Poor is 17. … Bd7 18. Bxd7+ Kd7 19. Rd1 e5 20. Re3 Rc8 21. Bxd4.
18. Be3 …

Good, but not sufficient to win. If Alekhine plays 18. … Rd8, he defends
the central squares and cannot lose the game. For example: 18. … Rd8 19.
Rad1 e5! 20. Rxd4 Rxd4 21. Rxd4 ed or 18. … Rd8 19. Bxd4 Qxd4 20. Qc7+
Bd7, of course 18. … Bc6 Rb8. In all these cases, Black has sufficient play in
the ending, and the position of his King in the center. Though Alekhine loses
with a blunder on his next move, Euwe’s forcing continuation with 12. e5 is
not sufficient to win against correct defense.
18. … Bxc3? 19. Bxb6 Be5
Poor is 19. … Bxb2 20. Bc5+ Kd8 21. Rdf1+ Kc7 22. Bd6+ Kb6 23.
Rab1 or 19. … Bb4 20. Rfd1+ Rb8 21. Bc7 Rb7 22. Rac1 Kf8 23. Rd8+ Kg7
24. Rxh8 Kxh8 25. Bd8!
20. Rad1 …
The threat is Bc5+. On the defensive 20 … Bd6 follows 21. Rxd6 Kxd6
22. Rd1+ Ke5 23. Bc6. Also bad 20. … f5 21. f4 Bxb2 22. Bc5+ Kf6 23. Rf2
Bc3 24. Rc2. Thus, Black has only the move played.
20. … Kf8 21. f4 Bxb2 22. Rf3 …
As a result of Alekhine’s blunder, and in spite of the exchange of Queens,
he has no sufficient defense. Threats are 23. Rb3 and 23. Rd8+ Kg7 Rg3+.
Black cannot avoid material loss.
22. … Bb7 23. Rg3! …
Posing the treat of mate by Bc5+. Defense 23. … Rc8 fails against 24.
Rd8+ Ke7 25. Rd7+. Black must five up a piece to stop the mate. There
followed:
23. … Ba3 24. Rxa3 Rg8 25. Rg3 Rxg3 26. hxg3 Bd5 27. Bb3 Bxb3 28.
axb3 Ke8 29. b4 Rb8 30. Bc5 Rc8 31. Ra1 Rc6 32. Kf2 f5 33. Ke3 f6 34.
Kd4 Kf7 35. Kc4 Kg6 36. Rd1 Kh5 37. Rd6 Rxd6 38. Bxd6 Kg4 39. Be7
Kxg3 40. Bxf6 Kxf4 41. Kc5 …
This was the sealed move. Black resigned, as the b4 must Queen
Score: Euwe 3 – Alekhine 2
 SIXTH GAME
SLAVE DEFENSE
A. Alekhine - M. Euwe
Played in Haarlem, October 16th

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 …
This move is played for the first time in the match. It is not said to give
more advantage than 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3. White usually transposes into this
variation anyway. It has independent significance on 3 ... Nc3 (also possible
after 3. Nf3). Still, if Black plays 3 ... dc, it is difficult for White to get an
opening advantage, and complicated play ensues.
3. … dxc4 4. e4 …
A very interesting and energetic continuation. Often played here is 4. e3,
and on 4 ... b5, the answer 5. a4. (Only not 5. Nxb5 cb 6. Qf3 Qc7 7. Qxa8
e5) or on 4 ... e5 to continue 5. Bxc4, in both cases with a good game.
Alekhine’s move is interesting, and leads to great complications.
4. … e5
It seems the most energetic, Of course, Black does not prefer 4. … b5 5.
a4 b4 6. Na2 Nf6 7. e5 Nd5 8. Bxc4 and White has the best perspective.
5. Bxc4 …
Not dangerous for White is the variation 5. … Qxd4 6. Qb3 Qd7 7. Bg5,
and the attack is worth the pawn. For example: 7. … Nf6 8. Rd1 Qc7 9.
Bxf7+ etc. Note also that White could play 5. Nf3 (5. … ed 6. Bxc4)
transposing to the game.
5. … exd4 6. Nf3! …

A natural and beautiful move.

Black has two answers: to accept the sacrifice of the knight, or decline by
6. … Bc5. We examine the points:
After 6. … Bc5, White does not play 7. … dc 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nxf7+
Ke7 10. Nxh8 Be6 he loses the knight. But after 6. … Bc5 7. 0-0 Nf6 (here is
not good to take the piece) 8. e5 dc 9. Qxd8+ Lxd8 10. ef or 8. Na4 Be7 9. e5
Nd5 10. Nxd4 0-0 11. Nc3 and White has the better chances.
If Black accepts the knight sacrifice, he enters into great complications. After
6. … dc 7. Bxf7+ Ke7 White is a piece down, but has a dangerous attack as
compensation. White cannot, of course exchange Queens. Thus, after 8. Qb3
Nf6 (the natural move) 9. e5 Ne4 10. 0-0!
The idea of this is twofold:
1) To safeguard his King;
2) To quickly bring a rook into play.
Besides this, if White could remove the Knight from his e4, he could play
Bg5+. After an exchange of knights, Black could continue his normal
development and safeguard his King.
If Black plays 10. … Na6, then 11. Bg5+ Nxg5 12. Nxg5 and then bishop
is defended.
If Black tries to exchange Queens, then after 10. … Qb6 11. Qc4! cb (the
knight on e4 cannot stay, if 11. … Bf5, then 12. Nh4, or 11. … Qb5 then 12.
Qxe4 kxf7 13. e6+!) 12. Bxb2 Qxb2 13. Qxe4 Kxf7 14. Ng5+ Ke8 15. Qf4
Be7 16. Qf7+ Kd8 17. Rad1+ Bd7 18. Ne6+ Kc8 19. Qxe7 Qxe5 gives a very
interesting position. Alatortsev follows here with 20. Rfe1. To me it seems
that White’s best is 20. Rxd7 Nxd7 21. Rd1 Kb8 22. Qxd7 a6 23. Rb1 b5 24.
Qxc6 Ra7 25. Nc5 etc.
Thus, it seems that White wins. Not sol I. Goncharov in “64” (No. 9 (189)
of 1938), wrote that Black has a beautiful defensive move (after 6...dc 7.
Bxf7+ Ke7 Qb3) 8. … cb! The variations are very interesting:
1) 8. … cb 8. Bg5+ Nf6
2) 8. … cb 9. Bxb2 Qb6!! (The best defense) 10. Bxg8 Rxg8 11.
Qxg8 Qb4+ 12. Nd2 Qxb2 13. Rb1 Qc2.
3) 8. … cb 9. Bxb2 Qb6 10. Ba3+ c5 11. Bxg8 Rxg8 12. Qxg8 Qa5+
13. Nd2 Qxa3
In these 3 cases, Black’s game is preferable, but White has another
combination: 8. … cb 9. Bxb2 Qb6 10. Ba3+ c5 11. Bxg8 Rxg8 12. Bxc5+
Qxc5 13. 0-0 Rh8 14. Rac1 Qb6 15. Rxc8 Qxb3 16. ab g6 17. Rfd1!! White
wins a piece (18. Rdd8) an then wins the endgame.
But event this combination is not sound! After 13. … Qh5!! 14. Qxg8
Be6 15. Qh8 Nc6 the White Queen is trapped and Black wins. Thus, it must
be concluded that 6. Nf3 is not completely correct. In fact, Euwe could have
played 6. … Bc5 of 6. … dc, istead of these two possibilities he answered
with a blunder.
6. … b5? 7. Nxb5 Ba6
On 7. … cb follows 8.Bd5. Thus, White has won a pawn and has an
advantage in development. Starting here, Euwe pulls himself together, but it
is too late.
8. Qb3 Qe7
There is nothing better on 8. … Bxb5 9. Bxf7+ Kd7 10. Bxg8 and Black
stands even worse.
9. O-O! Bxb5
Or 9. … cb 10. Bd5 Bb7 11. Qxb5+
10. Bxb5 Nf6
Or 10. … Qb4 11. Bc4 Qxb3 12. Bxb3 leads to loss of another pawn.
Poor is 10. … cb 11. Qd5.
11. Bc4 Nbd7 12. Nxd4 …
Thus, White has a pawn, but has much more in his positional advantage.
12. … Rb8 13. Qc2 Qc5 14. Nf5 Ne5 15. Bf4 …
Of course, this I stronger than 15. Nxg7+ Kd7 (15. … Bxg7 16. Bf7+)
etc. Now Black’s best is 15. … Nfd7.
15. … Nh5 16. Bxf7+ …
This wins outright.
16. … Kxf7 17. Qxc5 Bxc5 18. Bxe5 Rb5
On 18. … Rbe8 follows 19. Bd6.
19. Bd6 Bb6 20. b4 Rd8 21. Rad1 …
Defending 21. … Rxf5.
21. … c5 22. bxc5 Bxc5 23. Rd5 …
Black resigns, because loss of more material cannot be avoided.
​Score: Euwe 3 – Alekhine 3
 GAME SEVEN
SLAVE DEFENSE
M. Euwe - A. Alekhine
Played in Rotterdam, October 19th

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 …

In the second and fourth match games, Alekhine played 6. Ne5 and after
6...e6 failed to get an advantage. In this and subsequent match games, Euwe
plays the 6. e3 variation, which is sufficiently sharp to regain the c4. True,
this is not a developing move, but it gives White a strong d4 pawn, and in the
further struggle he can strive for e4.
6. … e6 7. Bxc4 Nbd7 8. O-O Bd6
In other games of the match, Alekhine played this bishop to b4, to fight
for White’s e4 square. With 8...Bd6 Black prepares the counterstroke...e6-e5,
but this move is not the best in the position.
9. Qe2 Ne4
White threatened e4-e5 winning a piece. On 9...e5 could follow 10. e4
Bg4 11. d5 and White has a minimal, but sure advantage, with a better
position for his minor pieces.
10. Nxe4 …
As a result of this move, White loses his advantage. White should
continue 10. Bd3! to contest his e4. After 10. Bd3 Nxc3 11. bc Bxd3 12.
Qxd3 0-0 13. e4 it is not easy for Black to find a good plan of play. Euwe, of
course, plays to pursue Black’s Queen bishop but this is not as good as the
other play
10. … Bxe4 11. Nd2 Bg6 12. e4 …
The plan of e4 is correct, but White’s knight is misplaced on d2, where he
obstructs the development of the other pieces. His plan now of f2-f4-f5 gives
Black no extreme difficulty.
12. … Bc7
 Correct here was 12...Qc7! preventing 13. f4 and attacking the h2. If
White answers 13. g3, this weakens his position and Black gains time for his
defense. The text move also prevents 13. f4, on which follows 13. … Nf6 14.
Qd3 (14. f5 Qxd4+ 15. Qh1 Bh5) 0-0! 15. h3 h5 and White’s position is
difficult.
Nevertheless, after 12...Bc7 White could continue 13. d5, after which
Black’s defense is not easy. Better for Black are the complications after 13.
… cd 14. ed Nb6 15. Bb5+ Qf8 16. de a6 17. Bc4 Nxc4 18. Nxc4 Qd3 19.
e7+ Qe8 20. Qg4 f5!
Weaker is 13...ed, on which after 14. ed+, Qe7 leads to an endgame: 13.
d5 ed 14. ed+ Qe7 15. Qx7+ Kxe7 16. Re1+ Qd8 17. Nf3 Re8 18, Be3 Bd6
and Black should hold the game.
13. Bb3 …
Black, clearly, threatens Nb6 attacking both the bishop and the c4, but
correct was 13. d5!
13. …O-O 14. f4? …
Euwe clearly overlooked Black’s answer. If he decides to play f4, it can
only be after 14. Bc2, to guard his e4 pawn.
14. … Nf6
Of course! White cannot defend his d4 pawn because his pieces are tied
to the defense of the e4 (15.Qe3 Bb6), and on 15.f5, possible is 15. … Qxd4+
16. Kh1 Bh5.
15. Bc2 Qxd4+ 16. Kh1 Qb4
Alekhine has decided to give up the bishop for 3 pawns, though it is clear
that he is not forced to do so. After 16. … Bh5 17. Qe1 Rad8, it is not easy
for White to enforce g4.
Alekhine writes here that after 16. … Bh5 17. Nf3 Qb4 18. e5 Nd5 19. g4
Bxg4 20. Bxh7+ Kh8 21. Rg1 Bxf3 22. Qxf3 Kxh7 White has 23. Rxg7+, but
he does not say how White would continue the attack after 21...Bh5.
17. g4 Rad8
 In case of 17. … h6 18. f5 (or Ra3) ef 19. ef Re8 20. Qg2 Bh7 21. h3 the
Black bishop at h2 is out of play. Alekhine considers that Black’s beautiful
development, and the pawns for the piece, give Black at least equal play.
White, instead of accepting the piece sacrifice could play 18. Ra3 with the
continuation 18. … Rxd2 19. Bxd2 Qxb2 20. Rc3 Nxe4 21. Bxe4 Bxe4+ 22.
Qxe4 Qxd2 and Black has three pawns for the exchange.
18. f5 exf5 19. exf5 …
Forced. If White plays for “attack”, then after 19. gf Bh5 20. Qg2 Be5! he
is minus both his pawn and his attack, as on 21. Nf3 (21. Ra3 Bg4) Black
answer 21. … Bxf3.
19. …Rfe8 20. Qg2 Qxg4
The correct continuation. Black’s pawns do not count in the middlegame
and White after 20. … Nxg4 21. fg hg 22. Nf3 keeps the Queens on the board
with chances for attack.
21. fxg6 hxg6 22. Bd1 …
Of course, 22. Qxg4 Nxg4 23. Bb3 Rd7 24. nf3 Re2 only aids Black’s
initiative. If Black avoided exchanging Queens now, 23. Ra3 would give
White good attacking chances.
22. … Qxg2+ 23. Kxg2 Rd4!
Very good. The threat is 24. Red8 and the knight has no good move. On
b3 gallows 24. … Rh4 with a continued initiative.
24. Nf3 Rg4+ 25. Kh3 …
Best. On 25. Kh1 follows 25. … Ne4 26. a5 (preventing 27. Bb6) Bd6 27,
Be3 Ng3_ 28, hg $xe3 and Black wins a fourth pawn.
25. … Rd8
Threatening 26. … Rd5 with a further Rh5. Euwe finds a satisfactory
defense.
26. Bg5 Rb4
With tempo defending Bxf6.
27. Bd2 …
After 27. b3 Rd5 White has a weak pawn b3. Black now cannot capture
the b2 pawn, as after 27. … Rxb2 28. Bc3 Rb6 29. Ba5 he loses the
exchange.
27. … Re4
 28. Bb3? …
Of course, finding the best continuation for White is not easy. Poor, for
example is 28. Be1 Nd5! 29. Bg3 Bxg3 30. hg Rb4 31. b3 f6 32. Re1 g5 etc.
Nevertheless, 28. Ra3! Saves the game. On 28. ... Ng4 (Alekhine’s proposal)
29. Bc2, White has at least a draw. Or 28. … Rd5 29. kg2 g5 30. Bxg5 Rxg4!
31. Kh3 Rgxg5 32. Nxg5+ Rxg5 33. Bb3 and White’s chances are not bad.
Now the White King is in a mating net, and the struggle is fast over.
28. … Re2
The threats are 29. R8xd2 and 29. … Rd3. Both cannot be defended.
29. Bc3 Rd3 30. Kh4 Rxf3 31. Rxf3 Rxh2+ 32. Rh3 g5+ 33. Kxg5
Rxh3 34. Bd1 Ne4+
White resigned.
Score: Euwe 3 – Alekhine 4
 GAME EIGHT
NIMZO-INDIAN DEFENSE
A. Alekhine - M. Euwe
Played in Leiden, October 21st

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4

This is one of the main defenses against d2-d4. As in other modern
openings, Black strikes at the center with his pieces and pawns. Properly
played, this strategy should reduce White's initiative to a minimum. In some
old openings White's advantage is in the Middlegame, in the Nimzo Indian,
this is not so.
It is interesting to note that, although Euwe plays this opening seldom,
preferring the Slav defense neither does Alekhine.
4. Qc2 d5
Another interesting system is e6-e5, prepared by 4. … Nc6 and 5. … d6.
In this case, play has a more distinctive character.
5. cxd5 …
This move helps Black’s development, but after 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3
White does not have the advantage.
5. … Qxd5
According to the practice, fully satisfactory here is 5. … ed 6. Bg5 Be6.
The move played is not worse.
6. e3 c5
A popular answer here is 6. … Nc6, the Ragozin defense, but to me 6. …
c5 is preferable.
7. a3 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 …
Flohr played 8. Qxc3 against me (Hastings,1934/1935), still after 8. …
Nbd7 9. Nf3 cd White had only equal play.
8. … Nbd7
This continuation, it seems, was first played in my game with Euwe
(Nottingham, 1936). Euwe played 9. Nf3 and, although he got the better
game, Black’s play was hardly satisfactory. Therefore, in this game Alekhine
tries a new idea.
9. f3 …
Now White threatens to set up a powerful pawn center with e3-e4. This
plan has one specific disadvantage: White does not count on Black’s
development because of 9. f3. The move f3 does not help White to develop.
We can say after 8. 0-0 (and then Nbd7) White does not have the reason to
play f3, because follows 9. … Nc6 and e3-e4 will weak the d4 pawn.
9. … cxd4
Euwe chooses the easiest plan. Of course, he could play 9. … 0-0 10. e4
Qc6 11. Bd3 with formation of a pawn center, but for Black is not easy to
find the right plan. Also interesting was 9. … Qc6 10. Bd3 d5.
10. cxd4 …
White would be giving up all intentions of a pawn center and would leave
himself with an isolated "pawn island" as well.
10. … Nb6 11. Ne2 …
The only right move. White drives away the Black’s Queen from a central
position. Nothing gives 11. Bd3 Bd7 12. Ne2 Bb5.
11. … Bd7
Black has no direct way to prevent e4, so continues his development with
a "wait and see" attitude.
12. Nf4 Qd6
Best of the alternatives. 12...Qa4+ is poor because of 13 Bd2, Qa5 14
Qxa5 followed by 15 Rc1 with an endgame edge for White because of his
two bishops. 12...Qc6 is weaker for the same basic reasons, and because
Black intends to use the file via Rc8 to attack the White Queen.
13. Bd2 Rc8 14. Qb2 Nfd5
This is the only way to struggle against the pawn center and the two
bishops. Now Black gets control of his c4 square, and his new d5 pawn
restrains White’s e4.
15. Nxd5 exd5 16. Bb4 …
Only this will keep the Black King in the center. If 16. Bd3, then 16. …
Qb6! and Black can castle.
16. … Qe6 17. Kf2 …
 17. … Na4?
Euwe is nervous, he underestimates the danger of the bishop on b4. Black
cannot play for control of his c5 square, for after 17. … Nc4 18. Bxc4 Rxc4
19. Rac1 Rxc1 20. Rxc1 Bc6 21. e4! White has a dangerous initiative.
Therefore, Black must play 17. .. f5, to prevent e4 and safeguard his King
by bringing it to f7. After 17. … f5 18. Bc5 Kf7 19. Bxb6 Qxb6 20. Qxb6 ab
with an equal endgame. On 17. … f5 18. Bc5 Kf7 19. Bd3? Na4! 20. Qxb7
Rb8 21. Qxa7 Rxb2+ 22. Kf1 Nxc5 23. dc Ra8 or 17. … f5 18. Bc5 Kf7 19.
Bd3 Na4 20. Qxb7 Rxc5 21. dc Nxc5 22. Qb1 Re8 23. Rhe1 f4 24. Kg1! fe
25. Qc2 Rc8 26. Rac1 Qd6 with a complicated position with chances for both
sides.
18. Qd2 b6
Logical, but a blunder. Black intends a7-a5. If White prevents this by 19.
Ba6, then 19...Rb8threatens to win the bishop by b6-b5. But White has seen
further.
19. Ba6 Rb8
After 19 … Rc7 20. Rac1 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 b5 22. Bb7 Nb6 23. e4 ed 24.
Qf4 etc.
20. e4!! …

Beautiful move. The position of the black king immediately become

hopeless, because of the opening “e” file is inevitable. White at any moment
can give up his bishop on a6 just to keep a live his bishop on b4.
20. … b5
Black anyway plays b5. On 20. ... de, of course follows 21. Rhe1.
21. Qf4 …
This attack on the rook gives White a better Queen position.
21. … Rb6 22. exd5 Qxd5 23. Rhe1+ Be6 24. Rac1 …
The threat is deadly check on c8.
24. … f6 25. Rc7 Kd8 26. Rxa7 …
 After his blunders on his 17th and 18th moves, Black could never
recover.
Black resigned.
​Score: Euwe 3 – Alekhine 5
 GAME NINE
SLAVE DEFENSE
M. Euwe - A. Alekhine
Played in The Hague, October 24th
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4
Up to here the same moves as in the seventh game, in which Alekhine
now played 7...Nd7 and 8...Bd6. Developing the bishop to b4 is more logical,
for this opening struggle revolves around control of White's e4 square.
8. O-O Nbd7
8. … 0-0 was played in the seventeenth game.
9. Qe2 Ne4

The most natural. The alternative defense to the threat of e3-e4 is 9...Bg6,
as played by Alekhine in the fifteenth game. This position tends towards
equality. If White exchanges on e4 with knights, he loses any opening
advantage. Euwe finds an effective move, sacrificing his b2 pawn for control
of his e4, opening the b-file for his Rook, and the diagonal a3-f8 for his
bishop - all with gain of time.
10. Bd3 Bxc3
Black decides to accept the sacrifice. If Black defends the e4 square with
10 … Ndf6 , then 11. Qc2 and Black knight must leave. After 10 … Nxc3
11. bc Bxc3 12. Rb1 Bxd3 13. Qxf3 Ba5, then 14. Ba3 and Black cannot
castling short and long is to dangerous.
11. bxc3 Nxc3
The only real alternative is 11. .. 0-0 12. Ba3 Re8 13. Qc2 leaving Black
poorly placed.
12. Qc2 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Nd5 14. Ba3 …
Thus, in compensation for his pawn, White has prevented Black’s
castling and has the lead in development.
14. … a5!
Intending Nb4 to close the bishops’ diagonal and allow him to castle.
15. Rab1 Nb4
Alekhine decides to return the pawn to get his King out of the center.
Alternatives like Rb8 and Qc7 allow White to double Rooks on the d file and
increase the pressure.
16. Bxb4 axb4 17. Rxb4 O-O!
Now of course, White cannot play 18. Rxb7 because of 18. … Nc5.
18. Qc2 Qc7 19. Rfb1 Rfb8 20. e4 …
Euwe plays carelessly. Better were 20. h3 and 20. Nd2, intending on a
Black c6-c5 to exchange and draw. The pawn move only increases the effect
of c5.
20. … Ra5
Alekhine plays precisely, preventing d4-d5 in reply to c5. The effect of
this move has been overlooked by the commentators.
21. e5 …
Threatening Ng5-e4-d6. But this threat is easily defended and the
advanced e5 pawn will become weak. Better was 21. h3.
21. … h6 22. Nd2 c5!
Fully equalizing the position. White cannot now bring his knight to d6,
and his pawn center is in trouble.
23. Nb3 Raa8 24. Rc4 …
Of course not 24. Nxc5? b6 and White loses a piece.
24. … b6 25. f4 …
True, the e5 is not well defended, but this opens the a1-a7 diagonal,
giving Black fresh tactical possibilities.
25. … Qc6 26. dxc5 bxc5 27. Ra1 …
No better is 27. a5 Qb5! and the threat of 28... Rxa5 is not easy to answer.
White’s defensive problems are a result of his faulty e3-e4-e5.
27. … Qb6 28. Ra3 …
Of course, not 28. Nxc5 Nxc5 29. Rxc5 Rc8 20. Rc1 Ra5 and Black
emerges with an extra Rook.
28. … Qa7
Now the threat of 29...Nb6 is clear. White puts his Queen on the g1-a7
diagonal to ease the pinning threats.
29. Qf2 Nb6
 This force an exchange that leaves Black with his heavy pieces better
placed.
30. Rxc5 Nxa4 31. Rc1 Qxf2+ 32. Kxf2 Rb4
By this move, Black demonstrates his advantage; He has free play for his
pieces to attack the weak pawns.
33. g3 Rd8
To unpin the Rook.
34. Ke2 …

34 … Nb6 35. Nd2 …

At last Whit has untangled his pieces, but Black continues to attack the
pawn chain.
35. … g5! 36. fxg5 …
This holds the game.
36. … hxg5 37. Rd3 Nd5 38. Rc4 Rxc4 39. Nxc4 Ra8 40. Ne3 Nxe3 41.
Rxe3 …
Draw
​Score: Euwe 3 ½ - Alekhine 5 ½
 GAME TEN
NIMZOINDIAN DEFENSE
A. Alekhine - M. Euwe
Played in The Hague, October 26th

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4

In the eighth game Euwe also chose the Nimzoindian opening. Although
that game was not satisfactory for him, he does not blame the result on the
opening.
4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 Qxd5 6. e3 …
It seems to me that stronger here is 6. Nf3 c5 7. Bd2 Bxc3 8. bc Nc6 (or
8. … Nbd7) 9. e3 b6 10. c4 Qd6 11. Bc3. In later games Alekhine developed
his bishop at b2, and Euwe his knight at c6.
Where does the Black knight stand better, at d7 or c6? To me, the knight
belongs at d7, leaving open the long diagonal for the b7 at g2, and defending
the square f6.
6. … c5 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Nc6
In the eighth game Alekhine on 8 ... Nbd7 answers 9. f3. Now this move
is ineffective, for after
9. ... 0-0 10. e4 Qd8 White cannot defend his d4 pawn.
9. Nf3 O-O 10. c4 Qd6 11. Bb2 cxd4!
This is an unusual move in this variation. Black’s points are: first - to
open the b file for his Rook; second - to leave White with hanging pawns,
and third - to stabilize the central pawn situation easing his defense.
12. exd4 b6 13. Bd3 Bb7 14. O-O Rac8
Placing the Rook on the file to indirectly attack the White Queen.
15. Qe2 Qf4

Black defends the threat of Nf3-e5 (after Rad1) and tries to provoke e4 by
White, which would seriously weaken the Ringside.
Now White should play the accurate 16. Rfe1, preventing the maneuver
16...Na5 17. Ne5 Be4.
16. Rad1 Rfe8
It is strange that Euwe does not try 16. … Na5 17. Ne5 Be4, exchanging
bishops to weaken the White QBP. In the journal "Chess", Euwe wrote that
with 16... Rfe8 he intended to prepare Qf4-g5 with a following Nc6-a5. (An
immediate 16...Qg4 is not possible because of 17. d5 ed 18. Bxf6 gf 19. cd).
Note also that 16...Qg4 17. h3 Qh5 18. Qe3 Qa5 19. Ne5 also gives Black
nothing, so Euwe’s threat of Qg4 must be called minimal. Alekhine defends
against this "threat", when he could have prevented exchange of White-
squared bishops by 17. Rfe1 Black now hurries to make this exchange.
17. h3 Na5 18. Ne5 Be4 19. Rfe1 Bxd3 20. Qxd3 …
Not 20. Rxd3 Nxc4 21. Rf3 (21. Nxc4 Rxc4 22. Rf3 Qc7) Qd2! and
White remains a pawn down.
20. … Red8
Fully logical. Black prepares for 21...Nd7 to exchange White’s best
defending and attacking piece. Black’s position is not bad, but White has
some tactical threats.
21. Bc1 Qh4
Euwe allows White some tactical possibilities rather than playing for a
draw 21. Qf5 22. Qxf5 (preventing 22. … Nd7!) ef 23. Bg5 Nxg4 24. Nxc4
Rxc4 25. Bxf6 gf 26. Re7 etc.
22. Qe2! …
Now Black has some difficulty defending the threat of 23. Nxf7. Poor, for
example is 22. … Nd7 23. Nxf7 Kxf724. Qxe6+ Kf8 25. Bd2 Nc6 26. d5
Nd4 27. Bb4+ Nc5 Qe5. Nevertheless, fully satisfactory is 22. … Nc6 and on
23. Nxf7 Kxf7 24. Qxe6 Kg6, or of course 23. Nf3 Qh5 24. Bg5 h6 25. Bxf6
none giving White an advantage.
22. … Re8?
 A big blunder, Black defends f7, but spoils his position in doing so. 22.
… Nh5 is also bad, because 23. g4 forces the knight back.
23. g4? …
Now Alekhine overlooks the possibilities! Black could now play 23...h6
(but not 23...Qxh3 24. Rd3 Qh4 25. Kg2, with threat of Rh1) 24. Kg2 Nh7
(for White threatened 25. Nf3 winning the Queen) 25. f4 (or 25. d5 ed 26. cd
Nc4!) Qe7 with a satisfactory position. How is White to continue? He gets
nothing for example on 23. Kh2 h6 24. g3 Qh5 25. g4 Qh4 26. Nf3 Nxg4+
27. Kg2 Qh5 28. hg Qxg4+ 29. Kh1 Qh5+ 30. Nh2 Qxe2 31. Rxe2 Nxc4 and
Black has at least an equal endgame.
It is easy to see that the key to White’s problem is his undefended KRP.
Thus 23. Qf1!! leaves Euwe in a complicated position. On 23...h6 (there is
nothing better) 24. g3 Qh5 25. g4 Qh4 26. Nf3 the Black Queen is lost.
All the commentators-S. V. Belavents and N. N. Rumin in "64", V. N.
Panov in "Schachmatny USSR", Euwe in "Chess" and Alekhine, gave the
blunder 23. Qf1 an exclamation, and overlooked 23. g4.
23. … Nc6?
The second gross blunder. Now Black loses a piece.
24. Kg2 Nxe5
Else 25. Nf3
25. dxe5 Nh5
Black has no way to save the knight. There followed:
26. gxh5 Rxc4 27. Qf3 Rf8 28. h6 f5 29. Qg3 Qxg3+ 30. fxg3 Rfc8 31.
hxg7 Rc2+ 32. Kf3 R2c3+ 33. Be3 Rxa3 34. Rd7 Rc4 35. Kf2 Rc2+ 36.
Re2 Raa2 37. Rxc2 Rxc2+ 38. Kf3 a5 39. Bh6 Rc8 40. Ra7 …
Black resigned
​Score : Euwe 3 ½ - Alekhin 6 ½
 GAME ELEVEN
SLAVE DEFENSE
M. Euwe - A. Alekhine
Played in Groningen, October 30th

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 …

In the first match game this move after 6. Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Qc7 8. g3 e5 9.
de Nxe5 10. Bf4 Nfd7 11. Bg2 f6 12. 0-0 Rad8 13. Qc1 Be6 14. Ne4! gave
Euwe good play.
Alekhine also used this move as White (in the second and fourth game) to
get an advantage.
6. … e6
Note this-Alekhine does not play 6...Nbd7 as in Game One, for the line is
too well known to Euwe.
7. Bg5 Bb4 8. f3 …
All this was played in Game Four, where Euwe (Black) answered 8. … c5
9. dc Qd5. but after 10. Qxd5 ed 11. e4! de 12. Nxc4 0-0 13. Bxf6 gf 14.
Nd6! (and not 0-0-0, as played in the game) got difficult position.
8. … h6!

An important move. If 9. Bh4, Black has a good square for his bishop at
f5. Euwe prefers to exchange, but Black’s two bishops guarantees him an
equal game.
9. Bxf6 gxf6
Black wins a tempo and strengthens his center, intending to play for the
endgame. Fully possible also is 9. … Qxf6 10. e4 Bh7 11. Bxc4 0-0 and
Black does not stand badly.
10. Nxc4 c5
 Now 11. e4 is met by 11. … cd, so White must exchange on c5.
11. dxc5 Qxd1+ 12. Rxd1 …
Nothing comes of 12. Kxd1 Bxc5 13. e4 Bg6 14. Nb5 kd7 15. Kc2 Nc6.
This game is very different from Game Four, in that Black’s e pawn not on
e4, but e6, which eases his defense.
12. … Bc2
Thus, White is unable to shut the Black bishop out of play.
13. Rc1 Bb3
Of course, Black cannot play 13. .. Bxa4 14. Ra1 Bc6 15. Nb6. Now in
case of 14. Nd6+ Ke7 15. Nxb7 Rc8 16. e4 Rc7 17. Nd6 Rxc5 Black has the
better game. Therefore, Euwe tries to exchange a black bishop.
14. Nd2 Bxc3 15. Rxc3 Bxa4
Obtaining an equal endgame. Black's natural weakness his h6 is not
serious. More serious is the position of his bishop at a4 (poor for Black is 16.
e4 Nc6 17. b3).
16. e4 Ke7 17. Bd3 …
After this Black does not lose time in retreating his bishop from a4. More
solid was 17. Kf2 with a following Ke3. For example 17. Kf2 Rc8 18. Ke3
Be8 with equal game.
17. … Rd8 18. Ke2 Nc6
Now the King does not stand well on e2. On 19.b3 follows 19...Bb5.
Black now has a small initiative.
19. Ke3 …
To threaten 20. b3.
19. … Nb4 20. Bb1 Bb5
To free the rook from defending the a7 pawn. Not good is 20. … Rac8
21. Ra3.
21. Nb3 f5
Now on 22. Nd4 follows 22. … f4+, and on 23. ef Nd5+.
22. Na5 …
Threatening to win a piece with 23. b3. If Black defends the b7 by 22.
Rab8, then after 23. Rb3 b6 24, cb ab 25. Nb7! Rxb7 26. Rxb4 Bd7 Black’s
endgame is clearly bad.
22. … b6 23. cxb6 axb6 24. Nc4 Ra1?
 An unsound pawn sacrifice. Correct was 24. Na2 25. Bxa2 (or 25. Rc2
Nb4) Rxa2 and Black does not stand badly.
Now White can win the b6. For example 25. Nxb6 Bd3 26. Rb3 f4+ 27.
Kxf4 Nc6 28. Nd5+ or 25. … Rb8 26. Rb3 Rxb1 27. Rxb1 Nc2+ 28. Kd2
Rxb6 29. Rxb5.
25. Na3 Ba6 26. Rb3 Nd3
Threatening 27...f4+, therefore White captures to open e4 square for his
King.
27. exf5 Nxb2 28. Rxb2 Rxa3+ 29. Kf2 Rd6 30. fxe6 Rxe6
Draw
Score: Euwe 4 – Alekhine 7
 GAME TWELVE
NIMZOINDIAN DEFENSE
A. Alekhine - M. Euwe
Played in Amsterdam, November 1st

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4

Thus we reach the Nimzoindian again, though Euwe had unsatisfactory
results with it twice before. Euwe must not blame these results on the
opening.
4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 Qxd5 6. e3 c5 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 O-O!
Very solid. Black reserves the option of developing his on c6 or d7. If 9.
… Nc6 10. e4 Qd8, while if 9. Nf3, then 9. … Nbd7. Euwe has other goals.
9. Nf3 cxd4
Euwe plays to fix the central pawn formation, but improves White’s
pawns in doing so. White now can prepare e4, an opportunity which he does
not have after 9. … Nbd7 10. c4 Qd6 11. Bb2 cd 12. ed.
10. cxd4 b6
The move 9...cd is weaker unless Alekhine replies with 10. Ba6. But he
finds the strongest continuation.
11. Bc4 Qc6 12. Bd3 …

White banks on his two bishops and allowing exchange of Queens, but
loses time. A more logical continuation was 12. 0-0 Ba6 13. Ne5 Qc7 14.
Bb2 Nbd7 15. Rac1! Rfc8 16. Qe2 Bxc4 17. Rxc4 Qb7 18. Nxd7 Nxd7 19.
Rac1 or 14. … Bxc4 15. Qxc4 Qxc4 16. Nxc4 Nc6 17. a4 and Black’s
endgame is not easy. Poor would be 12. Qe2? b5; White also gets nothing
from 12. Qd3 Ba6 13. Bxa6 Nxa6 14. 0-0 Qb7 . After 12 Bd3, it seems that
Black has equal chances.
 12. … Qxc2 13. Bxc2 Ba6!
Of course! The bishop has a fine position.
14. Ne5 Nbd7 15. Nxd7 …
There is nothing better, 15. Nc6 Bb7 16. Ba4 a6 offers Black no danger.
15. … Nxd7 16. Bb2 Rac8
Black not only leads White in development, but his pieces are better
posted. However, the two bishops make it easy for White to draw.
17. Rc1 Rfd8 18. f3 …
Some commentators recommended 18. f4 here, but after 18...Bb7 19. Kf2
f5! gives a position where the knight and bishop are better than the two
bishops.
18. … e5!
By exchanging pawns in this way, he deprives White of any chances to
play for a win. If now 19. de, then 19...Nxe5 20. Bxe5 Bd3 with a draw.
Black could play for attack by 19. Nc5 but 19. d5 Nc5 20. Rd1 f6 21. e4 Bc4
gives Black a solid advantage.
19. Kf2 exd4 20. Bxd4 …
After 20. ed Ne5! White has at best a draw.
20. … Nc5 21. Rhd1 …
Besides this 21. Bf5 Nd3+ 22. Bxd3 Bxd3 gives White a draw without
resorting to a combination.
21. … Ne6 22. Bb3 …
White must five up the two bishops for 22. Bb2 Rxc3+ wins a piece.
22. … Rxc1 23. Rxc1 Nxd4 24. exd4 Rc8!

Of course not 24...Rxd4 because of 25. Rc7. Now Alekhine has a

complicated choice. In case of 25. Rxc8+ Bxc8 26. Ke3 Kf8 27 ke4 Ke7
Black’s winning chances are not bad because of his advantage on the
Queenside. Alekhine avoids this by a combination.
25. Rd1! Rc3
Nothing comes of 25. … Kf8 26. d5 Ke7 27. d6+.
 26. d5 …
Also 26. … Rxb3 27. d6 Bb5 28. d7 Bxd7 29. Rxd7 g6 30. Rxa7 or 26.
… Bb5 27. d6 Bd7 28. Ba4 Bxa4 29. d7 Bxd7 30. Rxd7 g6 31. Rxa7 – also
draw.
But after 26. … Kf8 27. d6 Ke8 28. Bxf7+ Kd8 (28. … Kd7 28. Be6+)
the advantage is on White’s side.
Draw
 GAME THIRTEEN
SLAVE DEFENSE
M. Euwe - A. Alekhine
Played in Amsterdam, November 3rd and 4th

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4

Nbd7 8. Qe2 Ne4 9. O-O Bb4 10. Bd3 Bxc3 11. Bxe4 …
This position was reached in the ninth game of the match, where Euwe
continued 11. bc Nxc3 12. Qc2 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Nd5 14. Ba3 a5 15. Rab1
Nb4 16. Bxb4 ab 17. Rxb4 but after 17...0-0! failed to get any real
advantage.
Now Black has a difficult choice. A bad position results after 11. … Bxb2
12. Bxb2 (or Qxb2) Bxe4 13. nd2 Bg6 14. Ba3 or 11. … Bg6 12. bc c5 13.
Ba3 0-0 14. dc Re8 15. Nd2 Bc6 16. Nc4
It seems that Alekhine chose the best move.
11. … Bb4 12. Bxf5 exf5 13. d5! …

A natural way to play for the initiative. Black threatened 13...Nf6, getting
control of his e4 and d5. Now he must consider the threat of 14.dc bc leaving
him with a weak c6 pawn.
Black could answer 13...c5, and after 14. Bd2 Bxd2 (or 14. … Qa5) 15.
Qxd2 0-0, Black’s position is not weak. White, true, has a passed pawn, but it
would not be easy to exploit.
Alekhine prefers to take the pawn, thinking that White will lose time in
regaining it. However, Black will be left with weak pawns, and it will be
difficult for him to castle.
13. … cxd5 14. Qb5 Qa5 15. Qxb7 Rb8 16. Qc6 Qc5
Black could also try 16. … Rd8. On 17. Rd1 follows 17...0-0, and it is
easy to see that White cannot take the d5. But 17. Nd4! gives Black a difficult
position to defend.
17. Nd4 …
Natural and stronger was 17. Ne5, which is fully sound on 17. … Qd6 18.
f4 f6 19. Qxd6 Bxd6 20. Nc6 Rb7 21. Rd1 ; Black’s best is 17...Rd1! I
though in this case after 18. Rd1 0-0 19. Qxc5 (of course not 19. Rxd5 Nxe5
), Bxc5 20. Nd3 (weaker is 20. Nc6 Rc8 21. Rxd5 Rxc6 22. Rxd7 Rb8) Bd6
21. b4! with an endgame clearly in White’s favor.
Euwe tries to provoke 17...Qa8+, But Black finds an interesting pawn
sacrifice instead.
17. … Rb6
Forcing the exchange of Queens, on 18. Qa8+ follows 18. … Rb8.
18. Qxc5 Nxc5

It is clear that taking the pawn on f5 does not give White the advantage:
in case of19. Nxf5 Nb3 20. Rb1 g6 21. Nd4 Nxd4 22. ed Kd7 or 21 Ng3 Ke7
22. Rd1 Rc8 23. e4 Nxc1 24. Rbxc1 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Bd6! 26. ed Rxb2 and
Black is down a pawn, but has full compensation in the more active position
of his pieces.
Therefore, Euwe launches a sacrifice of two pawns aimed at developing
his Queen bishop.
19. a5! …
To free a4 for the Rook.
19. … Ra6
An accurate move. In winning both of White’s Queenside pawns, he
reduces White’s winning chances to a minimum. The text is better than the
passive 19. … Rf6 20 Rd1! (not 20. Nb6 Kd7!).
20. Nc2 Bxa5
This is the natural move. Poor was 20. … Nd3 21. Rd1 Nxc1 22. Nxb4.
21. b4 Bxb4
The correct continuation! White does not win a piece (22. Rxa6 Nxa6 23.
Nxb4 Nxb4!!).
22. Bb2 …
The point of the combination: Black loses his g7 pawn.
22. … Ba5 23. Bxg7 Rg8 24. Be5 …
Sharp and accurate. If 24. Bd4, then 24. … Rag6! 25. g3 (not good is 25.
Rxa5 Rxg2+ 26. Kh1 Ne4 or 25. Bxc5 Rxg2+ 26. Kh1 Bc7 27. f4 Rxc2) 26.
… Bb6 and White has gained but little.
24. … Nb3 25. Ra4 …
Of course not 25. Rab1 Nd2 26. Rb8+ Bd8 27. Bc7 (the threat was 27. …
Nf3+) 27. … Kd7. In case of ()25. Ra3 Nd2 26. Rfa1 nc4 27. Ra4 Rag6 (or
according to I. Rabinovich 27. … Nxe5 28. Rxa5 Rxa5 29. Rxa5 Nc6 30.
Rxd5 Ke7 and Black has a dangerous passed the a pawn.) 28. g3 Bb6 White ,
clearly has no real advantage.
25. … Rag6 26. Bg3 …
Most of the commentators criticized Euwe for this move and it seems to
me to be a blunder. But after the more natural 26. g3 Bb6 27. Rd1 Rc6 28.
Nd4 Rc4 how could Black lose?
26. … Bb6 27. Rf4 …
Played for defense (to the threat of 27. … d4 28. ed f4) and attack on the
f5 pawn.
27. … h5
Very good. If White plays 28...Rxf5 then after 28...h4 28. Bxh4 Rxg2+
30. Kh1 R2g4! 31. Re5+ Kd7 32. Bg3 R4g5 Black cannot lose. Therefore,
White decides to stop the h5.
28. Rh4 a5!
Only this active defense saves Black. Bad was 28. … Rg5 29. Rb1 Nc5
30. Rd1. The text prepares 29. … Rc6 by preventing Nb4. White has nothing
better than to take the h5 pawn, for on 29.Rb1 ( to get the Black knight away
from control of his d4) 29. … Nd2 30. Rd1 Ne4 and unpromising for White is
31. Rxh5 f4 32. rf Bxf2 or 31. Rxd5 Rc6.
29. Rxh5 Rc6 30. Na3 d4!
A good ideal Black exchanges off his weak pawn.
31. exd4 …
After this Black has a small advantage. Euwe, apparently, thought he had
the better game, or he would have played for a draw by 31. Rxf5 de (31. …
d3 32. Rd5 d2 33. Nb1) 32. fe Bxe3+ 33. Bf2! with equal ending.
31. …. Nxd4 32. Re1+ Kd7 33. Kf1 Rc3
 Black gets his rook to the seventh rank.
34. Nb1 Rc2 35. Rd1 Kc6 36. Rh6+ Rg6
Stronger was 36. … Ne6! and on 37.Rf6, continuing 37. … f4 28. Bh4
Rh8. If 37. Rc3 38. Nb1 Rc2. Now White hets a rook on the back rank, but it
is not active piece.
37. Rh8 Kb7
Defending the check on c8
38. Rf8 Rg7?

Falling into a combination. Black has a fully satisfactory defense in the

move 38. … f6, or could continue 38. … Rgc6! after 39. Rxf7+ Ka6 40. Be5
Rc1 41. Ke1 a4! 43. Bxd4 Bxd4 43. Rxf5 a3!! and Black wins.
Better was 40. Re7, but in this case, Black , in spite of his pawn minus,
has good chances for equality.
39. Be5 Nf3
Of this, Alekhine wrote “White is threatened with mate in two moves, but
has a ‘combination’ with two points”. The sharp 40. Rd7+ Kc6 41. Rd6+ Kb7
42. Rxb6+ Kxb6 43. Bxg7+ and White has an extra piece (According to G.
Y. Levenfisch). Euwe chooses the second point – White gets an extra pawn.
40. Rb8+ Ka7 41. Rd7+ Bc7 !
Playing this way, Black loses only a pawn, on 41. … Ka6 42. Ra8+ Kb5
43. Na3+ he loses the exchange. On White’s next move, the natural 42. Bxc7
Rxc7 43. Rbd8 Nxh2+ Kg1 Nf3+ does not lead to a win.
42. Rxc7+ Kxb8 43. Rxc2+ Nxe5 44. Rc5 …
Winning a pawn.
44. … f6 45. Rxa5 Rc7 46. Nd2 Rc2 47. Rd5 …
To realize his extra pawn, White must keep the Black King away from
the Kingside.
47. … Kc7 48. Ke2 Rb2 49. h3 Kc6 50. Rd4 Kc5 51. Ke3 Ng6
To threaten 52. … f4+ 53. Ke4 f5+.
52. Rd8 Ne7 53. Kd3 …
 Correct was 53. Rd3.
53. … Rb7
poor! On 53. … Nc6! 54. Rf8 (54. Rc8 Kd5) Nb4+ 55. Ke2 Nd5 and
Black’s position is solid.
54. Ke3 Rb2 55. Rd3 Nd5+ 56. Kf3 Nb4 57. Rc3+ Kd4 58. Rb3 Rxb3+
Poor also was 58. … Rxd2 59. Rxb4+ and Black cannot hold the
endgame but it offered a better chance than the ending with knights.
59. Nxb3+ Ke5 60. g3 Nc6 61. h4 Nd8 62. Nc5 Nf7 63. Nd3+ Kd4 64.
Ne1 …
Even better was 64. Kf4 Kxd3 65. Kxf5 Ke2 66. Kxf6 and the White
pawns cannot be stoped.
64. … Ke5 65. Nd3+ Ke6 66. Kf4 Nd6 67. Nc5+ Kf7 68. Nb3 …
White wins the pawn, A very complicated game, in spite of the early
exchange of Queens, The play in this game reminds one of the games of
Emmanuel Lasker.
Black Resigns
​Score: Euwe 5 ½ - Alekhine 7 ½
 About the game thirteen
Max Euwe
The 13th game differed from the last ten by the fact that the position was
not analyzed enough. In addition, for the first time after the fifth game, I got
the opportunity to increase the number of my wins.
Alekhine chose the Slave defense and until the 11th move the game
coincided with the 9th game of the match. The bishop maneuver on move 11
gave me an advantage, since Alekhine could not avoid a significant
weakening of the pawn structure. Although my 17th move (Nf3-d4) was
apparently not the strongest, I still did not miss the opportunity to convert my
advantage.
After the queens were exchanged on the 18th move, the struggle
intensified. I sacrificed two pawns to complete the development of my pieces,
and put the opponent in front of a difficult task. Alekhine, however, resolved
it brilliantly. Through his strong 22nd move (Bb4-a5), he prevented me from
gaining a more or less significant advantage. The position became extremely
tense, and I did not always manage to find a strong continuation. My 26th
move was weak (Be5-g3) and gave Alekhine counter-chances. After 30
moves, it was hard to say whose position was better. Materially, the forces
were equal, and although Alekhine had weak double pawns, he also had a
passed pawn, which could become dangerous.
However, Alekhine fell into time trouble and in a difficult position was
forced to make 8 moves in 10 minutes. With his 38th move, he began a
wrong combination, as a result of which his position became difficult.
After 40 moves - before the break - my chances were much better. But I
must say that I was too optimistic (Euwe informed Alekhine of the his 41st
move). Although in the endgame that was played the next day, I had a larger
pawn (each had a rook and a knight, moreover, Euwe had 3 pawns, Alekhine
had 2), however, Alekhine developed exceptional activity and created a
number of serious threats. I missed the strongest continuation on move 53,
but Alekhine repeated the moves and thus gave me the opportunity to correct
my mistake. On move 58, Alekhine had to exchange either a rook or a knight.
He preferred the first. On move 65, Alekhine lost his second pawn and had to
resigned.
In particular, Alekhine made many mistakes under the time pressure. I
played the opening well, but I could not fully use all my opportunities. I got
new winning chances thanks to Alekhine’s mistakes in the time pressure.

Flohr
Euwe’s victory in this sensational game is more interesting because on
the second day of the game he had to overcome the unexpected strong
resistance.

Tartakower
Alekhine prepared Euwe's victory with his 36th and 38th moves. But
Alekhine defended like a lion.

Kmoch
Every chess master can defeat an opponent who has made a serious
mistake. However, a victory over an opponent who defends himself as
Alekhine must be recognized as a brilliant achievement. Euwe demonstrated
creative ideas in the opening, endurance in the middlegame, where it was
necessary to keep the achieved advantage, and finished with a well endgame
technique.
 GAME FOURTEEN
CATALAN OPENING
A. Alekhine - M. Euwe
Played in Tsolle and Amsterdam, November 6th and 7th

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 …
This line has become popular as recently as the 10th USSR Championship
in Tbilisi. Euwe plays a very sharp defense, in which Black has a good
chances for equal play. The order of moves in the text is designed to hinder
the development of the Black bishop to b7, which is possible on 3. Nf3 b6 4.
g3 Bb7.
3. … d5 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. Qxc4 …
White gets nothing special with this move. in fact sixteenth game,
Alekhine played this opening more forcefully.
6. … c5
By transposition of moves, the position is the same as the game Botvinnik
- Lasker (Moscow, 1935), in which White continued 7. dc Bxc5 8. Bg2 and
obtained no advantage.
7. Bg2 Nb6 8. Qd3 cxd4 9. O-O …
White is not worried about retaking the pawn, as on 9. … Bc5 10. Rd1 it
cannot be held.
9. … Be7 10. Nxd4 O-O
Not good was 10. … e5 11. Qb5+ Nbd7 (11. … Bd7 12. Qxe5) 12. Nf5
etc.
11. Nc3 …
This is the most active move. After 11. Rd1 e5 12. Nf5? Bxf5 White loses
a piece.
11. … e5
A natural attempt to free his position.
12. Nf5 Bb4
Again the most natural move (not 12...Qxd3 13. Nxe7+) Now Black
threatens 13...Qxd3 winning the knight, so White must lose time.
13. Qc2 Bxc3!
This is an accurate move, for the knight on c3 is White’s most active
piece. Besides that, the capture will disrupt White’s Queenside pawns.
 In case of 13. … Qc7 14. Bd2 Nbd5 15. Rfc1! Nxc3 16. Bxc3 Bxc3 17.
Qxc3 Qxc3 18. Ne7+ Kh8 19. Rxc3 White has the better endgame.
14. bxc3 Bxf5
Besides this, Black could play 14. … Qc7 14. Bd2 Nbd5 15. Rfc1! Nxc3
16. Bxc3 Bxc3 17. Qxc3 Qxc3 17. Ne7+ Kh8 19. Rxc3 with an equal game.
15. Qxf5 Qc7 16. Bh6 …
This move does not lose the game, but the only correct move was 16. Bg5
Nfd5 17. Be4 g6 18. Qf3, attacking the weak Black Kingside.
16. … Nbd7
Threatened 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Qg5+.
17. Qg5 …
White continues to attack. He has foreseen a way to rescue his bishop.
17. … Ne8 18. Rab1 …

No better was 18. Be4 Kh8 19. Qf5 Ndf6 20. Bg5 Nd6.
18. … Nc5
Euwe decides to enter onto complication and danger. After 18. … Nb6!
(Bad is 18. … Rb8 19. Rfd1 Nb6 20. Be4 f6 21. Qf5! gh 22. Rxb6! with
threat of Rd7) 19. Be4 f6 20. Qg4 f5 21. Bxf5 Nf6 22. Qg5 Kh8 or 19. c4
Qxc4 20. Qf5 (after 20. Bxb7 Rb8 there is no defense against Qe6) 20. … gh
21. Be4 Nf6! White loses a piece. Only after 19. a4 f6 20. Qf5 (20. Qg4 f5
21. Qg5 Rb8 22. a5 Nc8 loses a piece)
20. … Nd6! 21. Qe6+ Kh8 22. a5 Nbc4 23. Bc1 Nxa5, White saves the piece,
but has lost a pawn with a poor position.
19. Qg4 …
Of course! Now on 19. … f5 follows 20. Qc4! and the bishop escapes.
19. … Rd8 20. Bg5 Rd6 21. Qc4 b6 22. f4 …
With this move White enters a new adventure! (The bishop is alive on
KN5!). The natural continuation 22. Be3 Nf6 23. a4 (23. Bxc5 Nd7 24. Bxd6
Qxc4 25. Bxf8 Nxf8 leads to equal play) with a following a5 and White has
the initiative.
 22. … Rg6! 23. Rbd1 …
A natural move. Black threatened 23. … h6 24. Bh4 Nd6 25. Qd5
Nf5with a following Nxh4. Now on 23. … h6 24. Bd8 Nd6 25. Bxc7 Nxc4
26. f5 White has the better ending.

23. … e4?
Black weakens his position, by 23...Nd6! 24. Qd5 Nf5 25. Bd8 (In case of
25. Qd2 Rd6 26. Qc1 Rxd1 27. Rxd1 h6 White loses at least a pawn) 25. …
Qb8! 26. Qxe5 Qxe5 27. fe Ne3 or 25. Kf2 Re8! (Treat Rd6) 26. Qd8 Rxd8
27. Rxd8+ Qxd8 28. Bxd8 ef! (29. gf Rxg2+ 30. Kxg2 Ne3+ 31. Kf2 Nxf1
32. Kxf1 Ne4 ) or 25. Qd8 Qxd8! 26. Bxd8 (26. Rxd8 h6 27. Rxf8! Kxf8 28.
Bd8 Ne3 29. Rf3 ef 30. Rxf4 Nxg2 31. Kxg2 Ne6) 26. … ef 27. Rxf4 Ne3
28. Rd2 Nxg2 29. kxg2 Ne6.
In these variations, Black has the advantage. Two knights are stronger
than two bishops! Chigorin would have enjoyed such a position.
In the text move, Black “tempts” his opponent to 24. Bxe4? Nd6 25.
Rxd6 Rxd6 and Black has won an exchange.
24. Bh4! b5
Another trap. Hoping for 25. Qxb5 Nd6 26. Qb4 Rb8 Qa3 Nc4 etc. None
the less, this move is clearly the decisive error. Now the knight is insecure on
Qc5 and the Queenside pawns are weak. After 24. Nd6 25. Qd5 Nb5 26. Rc1
(26. f5 Rd6 27. Qc4 Na3 28. Qb4 Nc2) 26. … Rd6 27. Qc4, Black stands
worse but much better than after the move in the game.
25. Qb4 a5 26. Qa3 f5
Black defends the threat of f4-f5, but now White seizes the Queen file.
No better was 26. … Nd6 27. Rd5 Rc8 28. f5 Nc4? 29. Qxc5.
27. Bd8 Qa7 28. Kh1 Ra6 29. Rd5 Ne6 30. Rfd1 …
With the threat of 31. Rd7.
30. … Nxd8 31. Rxd8 Qf7 32. R1d5 …
The pawn b5 cannot be held.
32. … Rc6 33. Rxb5 Qc4
 Black, of course, saw White’s answer, but is unable to find anything
better.
34. Rxf5 Rcf6
Or 34. … Rxf5 35. Rxe8+ Kf7 36. Qe7+ Kg6 37. Bxe4.
35. Rxf6 gxf6 36. Rd4 Qxe2 37. Qb3+ Kh8 38. Rxe4 Qd2 39. Qb1
Qxc3 40. Qe1 Qxe1+
Forced, Black cannot defend both the knight and the a5 pawn.
41. Rxe1 Nd6 42. Bc6 Rb8
After 42. … Rc8 43. Ba4 Kg7 44. Kg2 White also wins.
43. Re6 Rb1+ 44. Kg2 Rb2+ 45. Kh3 Nf5 46. Rxf6 Ne7 47. Be4 Kg7
48. Re6 Kf7 49. Rh6 Rxa2 50. Rxh7+ Kf6 51. Rh6+ Kf7 52. Ra6 …
Black resigned
​Score: Euwe 5 ½ - Alekhine 8 ½
 GAME FIFTEEN
SLAVE DEFENSE
M. Euwe - A. Alekhine
Played in Rotterdam, November 9th and 10th

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4

8. O-O Nbd7
Alekhine has not used this move in the return match, but has had
satisfactory results in the openings.
In the Seventeenth Game Alekhine played 8...0-0 but after 9. Qe2 Ne4 10.
Bd3! Bxc3 bc Nxc3 Qc2 White got control of his b2 pawn and good play for
the pawn.
9. Qe2 Bg6
White threatened to continue e3-e4, which in some match games
Alekhine prevented by playing 9...Ne4. This, however, Euwe met by 10.
Bd3! Bxc3 11. Bxe4 Bb4 Bxf5 ef 13. d5! (Game 13). The text also prevents
e4, on which follows 10. … Bxc3 bc Nxe4 and White has insufficient
compensation for the pawn.
10. Bd3 Bxd3 11. Qxd3 O-O
Now 13.e4 is not playable because of 12. … Bxc3 13. bc Nc5. After the
next move Black can no longer prevent e3-e4.
12. Rd1 Qe7 13. e4 e5
Black’s natural counter-stroke in this position.
14. Bg5 h6
After 15. Nh4 Black can play 15. … Rfd8, therefore White exchanges on
f6, to gain time.
15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. d5 …
 Now the opening struggle is over. White has a minimal, but sure
advantage. After an exchange of pawns on c6 the Black c6 pawn will be
weak, but will defend Black’s d5 square.
16. … Rfd8
Defending the threat of 17. dc.
17. dxc6 …
White continues with the pawn exchange. 17. a5 seems strong, preventing
a7-a5 and threatening
a5-a6 or Qc4; for example: 17. a5 Nf8 18. a6 Rab8 19. an Rxb7 20. Ra6 etc.
17. … bxc6 18. Na2 …
Now 18. a5 to cover the b6 square is not bad, as then it is not easy for
Black to defend his a pawn and c pawn. Euwe is not concerned with that, but
with advancing his b2 pawn.
18. … Be7
To defend the rook.
19. b4 a5
Black cannot allow 20. a5, fixing the Black pawns and stranding the
knight. Now if 20. ba Rxa5 21. Nc3 Nb6 22. Qc2 Rxd1+ 23. Qxd1 Bb4 Black
has an equal game.
White could attempt to get control of his d5 square by 20. b5. But after
20. b5 Nb6! (20. … cb 21. Qxb5!) 21. Qb3 c5! 22. Nc3 c4 23. Qc2 Bb4 the
position is also not dangerous for Black. Therefore, Euwe leaves Black to
play a5, hoping to get his knight to Na2-b4-c6.
20. Qc3 axb4 21. Nxb4 Nc5
Black seizes his chance for counterplay, attacking both e4 and a4.
22. Rxd8+ Rxd8 23. Qc4 …
The best way to keep some winning chances. With 23. Qxe5 Nb3 24.
Qxf6 gf 25. Nxc6 Nxa1 26. Nxe7+ Kf8 27. Nd5 f7 Black wins. On 23. Qc2
very strong is 23. … Qe6! (not 23. … Nxe4? 24. Nxc6! and White wins)
threatening Nb3.
23. … Nxe4
A very good combination, based on the undefended White a1 Rook. If 24.
Qxe4, then 24. … Bxb4 25. Qxb4 e4 regaining the piece.
If in this variation White does not take the bishop, but plays 25.Qxe5,
then after 25. … Bc3 (with 25. … Qxe5 26. Nxe5 Bc3 27. Nxc6 Rd6 28.
Ne7+ Kf8 29. Nf5 White keeps an extra pawn) 26. Qxf6 Bxf6 27. Rxc1 Bb2
Black has an equal endgame.
 Thus White has only the continuation in the game, which gives him no
advantage.
24. Nxc6 Nd2
To point which prevents White from taking the Rook.
25. Nxd2 Rxd2 26. Nxe7+ …
Best. After 26. Rf1 Bf8 27. a5 Rd6 28. Rc1 Rd2 White must return the
rook to f1.
26. … Qxe7 27. a5 Qf6!

A fine defense. Alekhine sees that in spite of the passed a5, Black has the
advantage. Black’s attack on the King has three points:
1) To force the White Rook to Rf1 (not good is 28. f3 e4! or 28. Qf1
e4 with threat of Rxf2 or 28. Qc5 e4 29. Re1 Ra2);
2) To place his Queen on d8, so as to answer a later Ra1 by Rd1+.
3) To place the Black Queen and Rook in position to attack the a
pawn.
28. Rf1 Qd8 29. a6 Rd4
Now the White queen must move to the Rook’s file. If 30. Qc3, then 30.
… Ra4 31. Qc6 (31. Ra1 Rxa6) 31. … Qa5.
30. Qa2 …
White must get the Black e5 pawn for his a6 pawn, but Euwe does not
succeed in doing that.
30. … Rd5
Recall the third point of Black’s 27th move: 31. Ra1 is impossible
because of mate.
31. Qc4 Ra5 32. Rb1 …
So! Now White loses the pawn without compensation. He draws after 32.
Qc6 Qd3 33. Qe8+ or 32. h3 Qa8 33. Re1, for White gets the e5 for his a6
pawn.
32. … Qa8 33. Qc7 …
Besides this, White could exchange by 33. h3 Rxa6 35. Rb8+ Qxb8 36.
Qxa6. Euwe plays to attack the Black king , but gets nowhere.
33. … Qxa6 34. Rb8+ Kh7 35. h3 Ra1+ 36. Kh2 Qf6 37. Qc2+ g6 38.
Rb3 …
Defending the threat of 38. … Qf4+ 39. g3 Qf3 40. Rb1 Rxb1 41. Qxb1
Qxf2+ etc.
38. … Qf4+ 39. g3 Qa4 40. Qd3 …
Defending against 40...Ra2. Alekhine wants to exchange Queens or
Rooks. In the ensuing endgame White should draw by correct defense. There
followed:
40. … Ra2 41. Kg2 Qa7 42. Qe3 Qc7 43. Qf3 Kg7 44. Qd5 Ra5 45.
Rb5 …
Exchanging Rooks now is safe.
45. … Rxb5 46. Qxb5 Qc3 47. Qe8 Qd4 48. Qc6 Qd3 49. Qc5 Qe4+
50. Kg1 g5 51. g4 Qd4 52. Qc2 Qf4 53. Kg2 h5 54. gxh5 e4 55. Qd1 Kh6
56. Qd4 Qf3+ 57. Kg1 Kxh5 58. Qh8+ Kg6 59. Qg8+ Kf6 60. Qd8+ Kf5
61. Qc8+ Ke5 62. Qb8+ …
Draw
​Score: Euwe 6 – Alekhine 9
 GAME SIXTEEN
CATALAN OPENING
A. Alekhine - M. Euwe
Played in Rotterdam, November 11th and 12th

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 …
This is more solid than 4. Nf3, on which by 4. Nf3 dc 5. Qa4+ Qd7 6.
Qxc4 Qc6 Black forces exchange of Queens, though this does not solve all of
his problems.
4. … dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. Nf3 …
Alekhine plays the opening better than in Game 14, where he played 6.
Qxc4. Now Black's best defense is 6. … A6 7. nf3 Be7! 8. Qxc4 (or 8. 0-0 b5
9. Nxb5 Nb6 10. Nxc7++ Kf8 11. Rc6 Rb8) 8. … b5 9. Qd3 Bb7 with equal
chances.
6. … c5 7. Nc3 a6
Intending to fianchetto the Queenside bishop.
8. O-O Be7
Only now White captures on c5, to save a tempo.
9. dxc5 Bxc5
Else 10. c6.
10. Qxc4 b5 11. Qh4 Bb7 12. Bg5 O-O
In the opening White has failed to get a positional advantage, but Black
has lost two tempi in developing. It is not easy for White to capitalize on this.
For example: 13. Ne5 is easily met by 13...Qc7! (not 13. … Bxg2 14. Nxd7
Qxd7 15. Bxf6 Bxf1? 16. Qg5).
Therefore, White tries to exert pressure with his Rook.
13. Rad1 Qc7
If 13. … Qb6, then 14. e4! e5 15. Bh3 and the threat on the 14. e4 wins
Black time for development.
14. Rc1 Qb6
The threat was 15. b4 and on 14 …. Qa5 follows 15. a3 b4 16. ab Qxb4
17. Na4! clearly favoring White.
15. b4 …
With the Rook on c1, 15. e4 is not dangerous for Black, as White cannot
yet bring the other Rook into play.
 15. … Be7
Or 15. … Bd6 16. Rfd1 and 17. Be3 is a threat.
16. Rfd1 Bc6

There is no better defense to the threat of 17. Rxd7. For the next two
moves White tries to exploit the position without success. Nevertheless,
Black’s position is not completely solid. If White plays 17. Rxd7 Bxd7 18.
Ne5, than 18. … Qc7! (poor is 18. … Rad8 19. Ne4 Nxe4 20. Bxe4 f5 21.
Bxe7 fe 22. Bxf8 Rxf8 23. Rc5!) with equal chances.
17. Be3 Qb7!
A beautiful defense. A blunder was 17. … Qb8 18. Ng5! Bxg2 19. Rxd7
and wins. Not good was 17. … Qc7 18. Nb1 and Black’s defense is difficult.
For example 18. … Qb7 19. Rxd7 Bxd7 20. Ne5 Nd5 21. Qxe7 or 18. … Nd5
19. Bg5 f6 Qh3 Qd6 21. Bf4 e5 22. Nxe5 fe 23. Rxc6 Nxf4 24. Qxd7 Nxe2+
25. Kf1 etc.
18. Rxd7 …
Because of this effective combination, White wins a pawn, but allows
Black to equalize the chances.
18. … Bxd7
Natural. On 18. … Qxd7 follows 19. Ne5.
19. Ng5 …
White gets nothing from 19. Ne5 Qc7! and if 20. Nd5, then 20. Nxd5 (20
… Qxe5 21. Nxe7+ Kh8 22. Bd4! and Qxf6) 21. Rxc7 Bxh4 22. Bxd5 ed 23.
Nxd7 Bd8! in Black’s favor.
19. … Qb8 20. Bxa8 …
This move is not forced. If 20. Nxh7, then 20. … Rc8 21. Ng5 Bc6. If 20.
Bc5, then Bxc5 21. Nce4 Bxf2+ 22. Kf1 h6 23. Nxf6 gf 24. Qxh6 with a
perpetual check.
20. … Qxa8 21. Nxh7 Rc8
 Of course, poo was 21. … Nd5 22. Bg5 f6 23. Nxf8 and wins or 21. …
Nxh7 22. Qxe7 and White, besides the extra pawn has positional advantage.
22. Ng5 …
The logical continuation of the attack was 22. Bc5! Bxc5 23. Nxf6+ gf
24. bc Rxxc5 25. Qxf6 Qc8! (bas is 25. … b4 26. Rd1! Rxc3 27. Qg5+ and
Rxd7) 26. a3 a5 27. Qd4 e5 28. Qd2 Be6, though in this case Black has solid
counter chances.
22. … Rc4
Only a loss of time, for Euwe should play 22. … e5!, holding his position
in the center. For example: 23. Nce4 Rxc1+ 24. Bxc1 Bf5! 25. Nxf6 Bxf6
with equal game.
23. Nce4 Rxc1+
After 23. … Rxe4 24. Nxe4 Qxe4 25. Qxe4 Nxe4 26. Rc7 Nf6 27. Bg5
Black loses even the a6 pawn.
24. Bxc1 Qd5
Defending the threat of 25. Nxf6 Bxf6 26. Qxh7+ Kf8 27. Qh8+ and
Qxa8.
25. Nc3 Qe5
Both opponents overlooked - here and on the next move 26. Qh8+ Kxh8
27. Nxf7+ Kg8 28. Nxe5. Black should play 25. … Qc6 26. Bb2 e5! etc.
26. Bb2 Bc6 27. a3 Bd6
Finally Black notes the threat of Qh8+.
28. e3 …
He could play 28. e4 to exchange Queens. On immediate 28. e4 follows
28. … Qd4.
28. … Qf5 29. e4 …
Played hoping for 29. … e5 on which 30. Nd1 wins the queen.
29. … Qg6 30. f3 Nd7 31. Nh3 f6 32. Nf4 Qf7 33. Qg4 …
The best move to exchange Queens was 33. Qh5, though in this case,
Black has good drawing chances. Now Black forces an exchange of pawns
and gets the better endgame.
33. … Ne5 34. Qxe6 Nxf3+ 35. Kf2 Qxe6 36. Nxe6 Nd2 37. Nd4 …
Black even has winning chances after 37. Nc5 Bxc5 38. bc Nb3 39. Qe3,
but the move 37. Nd4 leads to an inferior endgame.
37. … Nxe4+ 38. Nxe4 Bxe4
Black has the advantage of the two bishops. White has the initiative and a
more active King, thus Black’s winning chances are minimal.
39. Ke3 Bb7
Black posts the bishop so as to defend the weak a6.
40. Nf5 Bc7 41. Bd4 Kf7 42. Bc5! Kg6
Black does not make the most of his chances, for the King does not stand
well on g6. Correct was 42. … Ba8! 43. Bd6 Bd8 44. Bd4 g5!
43. Bd6 Bd8 44. Nd4 Bd5 45. h3 …
Played to defend his g4 square and hoping for 45. … Bg2? 46. ne6 Bb6+
47. Bc5.
45. … Bb6 46. Bc5 Bc7 47. Ne2 Bc4 48. Nf4+ Kf7

Black also gets nothing form 48. .. Kf5, for example: 49. Bd4 a5 (49. …
g5? 50. g4#) 50. Kf3 ab 51. ab Bd6 52. h4! Bxf4 53. gf etc.
Black has equal chances.
49. h4 ..
Preparing to advance both Kingside pawns.
49. … g5 50. hxg5 fxg5 51. Nh3 Kf6 52. Nf2 Kf5 53. g4+ Ke6 54. Nh3
Kf6 55. Bd4+ Kg6 56. Ke4 …
White could bring his bishop to QB1 and win the KNP, but would lose
his return. A draw is inevitable. There followed:
56. … Bf1 57. Nf2 Bg2+ 58. Kd3 Bd5 59. Nd1 Bf3 60. Nf2 Bf4 61. Be3
Bg3 62. Kd4 Bb8 63. Kd3 Be5 64. Bd4 Bf4 65. Be3 1/2-1/2
Draw
​Score: Euwe 6 ½ - Alekhine 9 ½
 GAME SEVENTEEN
SLAVE DEFENSE
M. Euwe - A. Alekhine
Played at The Hague, November 14th

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4

In the 13th game of the match, Alekhine developed his knight to d7, and
delayed castling.
8. O-O O-O 9. Qe2 Ne4 10. Bd3! ...
Clearly best. Euwe plays to remove the knight from e4. Black cannot play
10...Nxc3 11. bc Bxc3 12. Rb1 and White regain the pawn with an advantage
in development.
10. ... Bxc3 11. bxc3 ...
Now we see the effect of 8...0-0. Euwe cannot, as in game 13, continue
11. Bxe4 Bb4! 12. Bxf5 ef because of his inability to continue with 13. d5,
which gave White the advantage. Now the line is a gambit in which White is
risking little.
11. ... Nxc3 12. Qc2 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Nd5 14. Ba3 Re8
All this, so far, is forced. White stands more actively on both the
Kingside and Queenside. Thus, for example, bad was 14...Ne7 15. Ng5 and
Black must play the weakening 15...g6.
15. Rab1 b6
And this is forced. If Black defends with the Queen, then after 15...Qc7
(or 15...Qc8) 16. Ng5 Nf6 17. e4 h6 (17. ... e5 18. f4) 18. e5 hg 19. ef gf 20.
f4 ! gf 21. Rxb7 ! Qxb7 22. Rxf4 Re7 23. Rh4 and White wins; this beautiful
variation is by masters Belavents and Panov.
16. Rfc1 ...
 The critical position for this variation. Some analysis gives here 16...Nf6,
intending to answer 17. e4 with 17...e5, and on 17. Ne5 to play :
17...Qd5, preventing 18. e4 and threatening 18...e4.
Nevertheless, the analysts agree that 16...Nf6 leads only to equal play.
This, is, of course, the correct continuation for Black.
Alekhine, clearly, is not satisfied with this, and plays to exchange his
knight for White’s bishop.
16. ... a5 17. Ne5 Nb4 ?
Black now loses the extra pawn and gets a position without couter
chances.
After 17. ... Qc7 Black is not lost. White plays not 18. e4 Nb4 ! (here
fully satisfactory) 19. Bxb4 ab 20. Rxb4 (20. Nxc6 is not dangerous.) 20. ...
Na6 ! and 21. ... c5 with a defendable position.
Or 17. ... Qc7 18. Nc4 Nd7 19. Nd6 Rb8 etc.
And if 17. ... Qc7 18. Qb3 ! Rc8 19. e4 Nb4 20. Bb4 ab 21. Qxb4, and if
21. ... c5 (too passive is 21. ... Ra6), then 22. Qxb6 Qxb6 23. Rxb6 Rxa4 24.
Rcb1 Na6 25. d5 and Black has drawing chances.
Thus, in any case 17. ... Qc7 was preferable.
18. Bxb4 axb4 19. Nxc6! ...
Of course! This pawn is much more valuable than the b4 pawn.
19. ... Nxc6 20. Rxc6 e5
Black naturally does not play 20. ... Rxa4 21. Qb5 ! Qa8 22. Rxb6 Rc8
23. h3 when Black has lost both : b4 pawn and d4 guarantees him a win.
21. Rxb4 exd4 22. Rxd4 Qb8 23. Qb5 Rc8 24. g3 ...
But not 24, Qxb6 Qxb6 25. Rxb6 Rc1+.
24. ... Rxc6 25. Qxc6 h6 26. Rb4 ...
A sharp idea. White drives the Rook to a passive position on a6. On 26.
Rd7 Black had the answer
26...Ra7.
26. ... Ra6 27. Qb5 Qa8
The threat was 28. a5.
28. Rd4 Qc8 29. Re4 ! Kh7 30. Re7 ...
Now 30. ... Ra7 is not playable and White has the seventh rank.
30. ... Ra5 31. Qxb6 Qc1+ 32. Kg2 Rf5 33. Qd4 Qc2 34. e4 Rf6 35. Re5
Rc6 36. a5 Qe2 37. Qd5 Rc1 38. Qxf7 …
Threatining mate in three moves, Black gives some checks before
resigning.
38. … Qf1+ 39. Kf3 Qd1+ 40. Kf4 Qd2+ 41. Kg4 …
Black resigned.
​Score: Euwe 7 ½ - 9 ½
 GAME EIGHTEEN
QUEENTS GAMBIT
A. Alekhine - M. Euwe
Played at The Hague, November 16th and 17th

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. d4 …
By this opening tactic, Alekhine avoids the Nimzoindian.
3. … Nf6 4. Nc3 c5
This leads to complicated play in the opening, which suits Euwe.
5. cxd5 …
In an earlier game between the same two opponents, Euwe played 5. Bg5
cd 6. Nxd4 e5 7. Nf3 and got the better play, but this variation needs more
practical tests.
5. … Nxd5
Tarrasch, of course, played this defense according to his own ideas (
5...ed), but Euwe, like most masters, prefers the text move.
6. e4 …
The alternate move, 6. e3, is, according to practice, very good. But
serious consideration should be given to 6. g3, as Alekhine played in game
24.
6. … Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8. cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O
The position Black had in mind when he made his fourth move. The
game is equal. True, White has a pawn center, but Black has no weaknesses.
11. Bc4 …
This is very good according to practice, with the real threat of d4-d5.
11. … Nc6
More elastic here is 11...b6, developing the knight to d7 where he does
not hinder the diagonal of the fianchetto bishop, and can be quickly
transferred to defend the Kingside.
12. O-O b6 13. Rfd1 Bb7 14. Qf4 Rc8
In the game Fogelevich - Udovich (Moscow champ.,1937/38) followed
14...Qf6 (White had played 13. Rfd1) hoping White’s center would be weak
in the endgame. The move 14...Qf6 is less good than the text, but sufficient.
15. d5 exd5
 16. Bxd5 …
If 16. ed, then in case of 16. … Ne7 17. Rd4! (17. … Nxd5 18. Qd2 Rc5
19. Rd1) or 16. … Na5 17. Bd3 and it is not easy for Black to both defend
and blockade the d5 pawn. The best defense is, clearly, 16. … Na5 17. Bd3
Bxd5! 18. Be4 Rc4 and White cannot exploit the pin on the Queen file.
16. … Qe7 17. Ng5 …
Whit threat of 18. … Nxf7 Rxf7 19. Bxf7+ Qxf7 20. Qxf7+ Kxf7 21.
Rd7+ and 22. Rxb7.
Euwe now carries out a difficult tactical maneuver, the points of which
are:
1) To transfer the Black knight to the Kingside;
2) To exchange the dangerous White bishop;
3) To prepare Black for active counter play.
17. … Ne5 18. Bxb7 Ng6
The first point - winning a tempo on the Queen while exchanging
bishops.
19. Qf5 Qxb7 20. Rd7 Qa6
The second point: Black does not play 20. … Rc7 21. Rd1, but prepared
to take the a2 pawn with
(21. … Rxf7 Qxa2 22. Rxf8+ Nxf8). That why the move 20. Rd7 is useless.
21. h4 ..
Defending a2 pawn and threatening 22. h4-h5.
21. … Rc5
The last point. Retreating the Queen to h3 is undesirable for White, but if
22. Qg4 ( or 22. Qf3), then 22...Ne5 23. Qh5 h6 . So he interposes a Rook.
22. Rd5 Rxd5
Black misses the only good move 22. … Qc8. On exchange of Queens he
has an equal ending and if 23. Qf3, then 23. … h6. Now the new d5 gives
Black troubles.
23. exd5 Qc8 24. Qe4 Re8
 Best was the preparatory 24. … h6. If 25. Nf3, it is difficult for White to
bring the knight to the defense of the d5 pawn, and on 25. h5 Black answers
25. … Re8 26. Qa4 Ne5 27. Ne4 Qd7 and his defense is easier than in the
game.
25. Qa4 …
Threatening 26. Qxa7, Black bring his rook to a good position at d7.
25. … Re7 26. d6 Rd7 27. Rd1 Nf8 28. Qf4 …
Preparing 29. Rc1.
28. … Qc6 29. Ne4 Qc2 30. Rc1 …
This lets the a2 pawn go, so it follows to play 30. Rc1. and White has
better chances in the struggle.
30. … Qxa2 31. h5 …
The combination 31. Nf6+ gf 32. Qg4! Kh8 33. Rc8 Qa1+ 34. Kh2 Qe5+
35. f4 Qxd6 leads nowhere.
Alekhine here gives the combination 31. Rc8 Qe6 32. Rb8 f5 33. Ng5
Qxd6 34. Qc4+ Qd5 35. Ne6 … and states that White wins.
But how does White win after 35. … Qd1+ 36. Kh2 Qd6+ 37. g3 Qxb8 or
37. Nf4+ Qh8. If White plays 32. Ra8, then after 32. … f5 33. Ng5 Qd5 he
loses the d6 pawn. Correct was 33. f3, when White’s win should be a matter
of technique.
Now White threatens 32. Nf6+ gf 33. Qg4! Kh8 34. Rc8 Qa1+ 35. Kh2
Qe5+ 36. f4 Qxd6 37. h6!
31. … h6 32. Ng3 …
Alekhine maneuvers well. After the weakening h7-h6, he aims the knight
for f5.
32. … Ne6 33. Qe5 …
Nothing comes of 33. Rc8+ Rd8. Now the threat is 34. Rc8+ Rd8 35.
Rxd8+ Nxd8 36. Qe8+ or 34. … Kh7 35. Qf5+ g6 36. Qe6 Ng7 37. Ne4.
33. … Qa6 34. Nf5 Qd3

Black continues to defend the threats. Now White does not play 35. Rc3
Qb1+ 36. Kh2 Kh7! , which makes it possible for Black to organize a defense
on the g file or 35. Rc3, then 35. … Qd1+ and 36. Qxh5. Alekhine could
force a draw by 35. Rc8+ Kh7 36. Nxh6!! and if 36. … Qd1+ 37. Kh2 Qxd6
38. Rh8+! Kxh8 39. Nxf7+ winning the Queen.
But Black could continue 36. … Rd8, or 36. … Qd4 37. Qf5+ g6 38. hg+
Kxh6 39. gf Qd1+ 40. Kh2 Qh5+ 41. Qxh5 Kxh5 42. Re8 Kg6 43. Rxe6+
Kxf7 44. Rh6 Kg7 with equal chances for both sides.
Besides this, 35. Nxh6+ gh 36. Rc8+ Rd8 37. Rxd8+ Nxd8 38. Qe8+ kg7
39. Qxd8 etc. leads to equal chances.
Alekhine does not check on c8; he wants to play for a win.
35. Kh2 Kh7 36. Rc3 Qd1 37. f3 Qd2
Intending to attack the h5.
38. Rc4 Qg5 39. Rh4 …
After this move the initiative passes to Black. Here Alekhine could force
a draw by 39. Rg4! Qxh5+ 40. Rh4 Qg6 41. Rg4 leading to repetition of
moves. Black cannot allow 41. … Qf6 32. Rxg7+. or 41. … Ng5 42. f4.
39. … Qf6!
Very interesting. After 40. Qxf6 gf 41. Rc4 Nc5 the Black King is secure
and the Black a7 pawn means that the game is lost for White.
40. Qe4 Nc5 41. Qc2 a5
Black’s plan is to exploit the position of the White pieces. The Queen is
tied to defense of the knight, the knight to defense the d6 pawn and the rook
cannot leave the h file to prevent g7-g6. So Black decides to advance the a
pawn.
42. g3 …
So that the d6 pawn could not be taken with check.
42. … a4 43. Rg4! …
Preparing an exchange combination to trade the d6 pawn for the a4 pawn.
Now Black cannot play 43. … a3 44. Nxg7+ Kh8 45. Nf5 and not playable is
45. … a2 46. Qxa2 Qxf5 47. Qa8+, not 45. … Qb2 46. Qxb2 ab 47. Rb4 Na4
48. Nxh6.
43. … g6 44. Nh4 Qxd6 45. hxg6+ fxg6
 The threat is 46. … Qd2+, or 46. … Qd3.
46. Rd4!! …
A strong combination. After 46. … Qxd4 47. Qxg6+ Kh8 48. Qe8+
White has perpetual check, for 48. … Kg7 49. Nf5+ loses the Queen.
46. … Qe6 47. Rxd7+ Nxd7 48. Qxa4 …
Thus White has captured the pawn, giving Black most of his winning
chances.
48. … h5 49. Qc2 Ne5 50. Kg2 Nc4?
An elementary error.
51. Nxg6! …
If now 51. … Ne3+ 52. Kf2 Nxc2 White has 53. Nf8+.
Draw
​Score: Euwe 8 – Alekhine 10
 GAME NINETEEN
NIMZOINDIAN DEFENSE
M. Euwe - A. Alekhine
Played in Aindkoven, November 20th and 21st

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4

Thus, Alekhine goes to the Nimzoindian. It is clear that he wants to
change his openings.
4. Nf3 …
Euwe does not play 4. Qc2, which has given Alekhine good results as
White. On the text move, Black has three possible continuations:
1) 4...b6 (without the preliminary 4...Bxc3+ as Nimzovich played);
2) 4...c5
3) 4...Ne4 as Alekhine played.
4. … Ne4 5. Qc2 d5
This move is not good, for after 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bc. White has the two
bishops with no compensating advantage for Black. Black should play 5...f5,
followed by fianchetting the Queen’s bishop. Euwe plays another good
continuation (not 6. a3).
6. e3 c5
And this attack leads to nothing. It follows to play 6...с6 7. Bd3 (7. a3
Qa5) 7. … f5 8. 0-0 nd7 and White has not removed the knight. This
variation shows that White would do better to play
6. a3.
7. Bd3 Nf6
The knight cannot be kept in the center. If 7...Qa5, follows 8. 0-0 Nxc3 9.
bc 10. Rb1 (Keres- Liszt, Ostende, 1937) but in case of 7. ... f5 8. 0- 0 Black
has weakened his position.
8. cxd5 …
Euwe plays to give his opponent a weak QP. This plan is possible only
because Black has lost two tempi with his KN. Nevertheless, a better plan in
this variation is a3 Bxc3 9. bc etc.
8. … exd5 9. dxc5 Bxc5
Black gets into serious difficulties on 9. … Nc6 10. 0-0 0-0 11. Na4! for
he would lack compensation for the pawn.
 10. O-O Nc6
Not good is 10. … 0-0 11. e4! d4 (11. … de 12. Nxe4 Nxe4 13. Bxe4
wins a pawn) 12. Ne2 Bb6 13. e5 and Black loses a pawn.
11. e4! …

Euwe plays sharply. Poor now is 11. … de 12. Nxe4 Nxe4 13. Bxe4 and
14. Bxh7 ; White threatens 12. Nxd5 Nxd5 13. Qxc5winning a pawn. Not
good is 11. … d4 12. Nd5! Nxd5 13. Qxc5 . Alekhine retreats his bishop.
Even more loss of time!
11. … Be7 12. e5 …
A. M. Konstantinapolsky writes, that here stronger is 12. Rd1. Black, in
this case, defends by 12...Bg4 13. Be2! Bxf3 (13. … d4 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15.
Qa4+) 14. Bxf3 d4 15. Nd5 0-0 but White has the better game.
Euwe’s move is good. The knight must go to KN5, for 12. … Nd7 is met
by 13. e6!.
12. … Ng4 13. Re1 …
The most natural. True, not good was 13. Bf4 g5 Bg3 h5, but not bad was
13. Qe2 (to defend the e5 pawn) 13...Be6 (not 13...0-0 14. h3 Nh6 15. Bxh6
gh 16. Rad1!) 14. Nb5! threatening 15. Nbd4 and
Nd6+. Black’s play is not without counter chances. The text weakens f2, and
Black seizes the initiative in a complicated and difficult position.
13. … Nb4 14. Bb5+ Kf8
Not possible is 14. … Bd7 because of 15.Qf5.
15. Qe2 Bc5 16. Nd1 …
Was it not better to return the rook to f1?
16. … Bf5
How the position has changed in three moves. The White pieces are
poorly placed (Bishop on b5 and Knight on d1) True, Black has lost castling
and his knight on g4 stands poorly.
If now White plays 17. e3, there follows 17...Bxe3 18. Bxe3 Nc2 19.
Nd4!, though Black can enter more complications by 17. Ne3 Qb6 (or 17. …
Be6) 18. Nxf5 Bxf2+ 19. Kf1 Bxe1 20. Kxe1 a6 etc.
17. h3 h5!
A strong sacrifice. White cannot afford to take the knight: 18. hg hg 19.
Ng5 (Else 19. … Qh4) 19. … Nc2 and the knight on g5 is hanging.
18. Bg5 Qb6 19. Nh4 …

Better seems 19. hg hg 20. Nh4 g3 21. Nxf5 gf+ 22. Nxf2 Bxf2+ 23.
Qxf2 Rh1+ 24. Kxh1 Qxf2 25. Rf1 and White wins. However, Black has 20.
… Be4 with sufficient compensation for the piece.
19. … Be4 20. hxg4 Nc2
The move 20. … hg gives Black an advantageous position.
21. Nc3 Nd4
Of course not 21. … Nxa1 which would leave White with an edge in
material.
22. Qf1 …
Euwe and Kotov in "Schmatny USSR”, No. 9, 1938, wrote that 22. Qd2
should be played. Kotov gives the following continuations:
1) 22...Nxb5 23. Nxe4 de 24. Rxe4
2) 22...hg 23. Nxe4 de 24. b4!
3) 22...Ne6 23. b4 Bxb4 24. Nxd5 Bxd2 (or 24. … Qxb5 25. Qxb4+
Qxb4 26. Nxb4 Nxg5 27. f4) 25. Be7+ Kg8 26. Nxb6 Bxe1 27. Nxa8 Bc3 28.
Rc1 Bxe5 29. Re1
4) 22...Ne6 23. b4 Bd4 24. Nxe4 de 25. Bc4 Nxg5 26. Qxg5 Bxf2+
27. Kf1 hg 28. Ng6+
22. … hxg4!
According to Kotov, poor is 22. Nxb5 23. Bxb5 hg 24. g3 Rh5 25. Be3
Bxe3 26. fe! and White wins.
23. Na4 Qc7
Weak was 23. … Qxb5 24. Wxb5 Nxb5 25. Nxc5 Rh5 26. Rxe4 de 27.
Nxe4 and White keeps his e5 pawn. Now White gets nothing from 24. Nxc5
Qxc5 25. Bd3 Rh5 26. Rc1 Qb6 27. Bxe4 (if 27. Be3, then 27. … Qd8
according to Konstantinapolsky) 24. … Rxg5 28. Bxd5 Rh5 29. g3 g5 etc.
24. Rxe4 …
White’s position is difficult, the threat of 24... Qxe5 and of 24...Ne6, both
attacking the bishop on g5. Sacrificing the exchange, White opens lines to
enable him to defend the e5.
According to Euwe good was 24. Nxc5 Qxc5 25. Bd3 Ne6 26. Be3 Bxd3
27. Bxc5 Nxc5 28. Re2 Rxh4 29. Qc1.
24. … dxe4 25. Qc4 …
So as to answer 25. … Ne6 b6 Ng6+! or 25. … Qxe5 26. Qxc5+. Weak
was 25. Rc1 b6 26. Nxc5 bc 27. b4 Ne6! etc. Now, Black should play 25. …
Qxe5. After 26. Qxc5+ Qxc5 27. Nxc5 Nxb5 and Black’s ending is not
hopeless.
25. … Rc8?
This leads to the loss.
26. Rc1 b6

Now 26. … Qxe5 meets with 27. Nxc5 Qxg5 28. Ne6+! and White
quickly wins.
27. Nxc5 bxc5
Of course not 27. … Qxc5 28. Qxd4.
28. Ba6? …
A blunder. After 28. e6 Nxe6 29. Ng6+ Kg8 30. Ne7+ or 28. … Nxb5 29.
e7+ Kg8 30. Qxb5 and White wins.
Also sufficient was 28. Be3. Now Black has chances for a draw.
28. … Qxe5!
Not good now is 29. Be3 Rxh4 30. Bxd4 Qh5 31. Kf1 Kh1+ 32. Ke2 g4+
etc.
29. Bxc8 Qxg5 30. Qxc5+ …
The threat was 30. … Qxc1+!
30. … Qxc5 31. Rxc5 Rxh4
If now 32. Rg5, then 32. … Ne2+ 33. Kf1 Nf4 34. Kg1 Ne2+ with
repetition.
32. Rc4 Ne2+ 33. Kf1 Nf4 34. Kg1 g3
On 35. fg now follows 35. … Ne2+ 36. Kf1 (36. Kf2 e3+) 36. … Nxg3+
37. Kg1 f4 etc.
Now Black threatens 35...Rh1+ (and also 35... e3!) 36. Kxh1 gf 37. Rc1
e3 38. Ba6 e2 39. Bxe2 Nxe2 and Black keeps an extra piece.
Nevertheless, White should take the pawn, for in the resulting ending, the
bishop is stronger than the knight.
Black should have played 34...e2+ with repetition of moves.
35. Ba6? gxf2+ 36. Kxf2 Rh6 37. Rxe4 …
An error! By 37. Rc8+ Ke7 38. Rc7+ Ke6 39. Bc4+ Nd5 40. Rxa7 and
White’s chances are better. Now it’s just a draw.
37. … Rxa6 38. Rxf4 Rxa2 39. Rb4 g6
It will not be possible to prevent exchange of the Queenside pawns.
40. Rb7 Kg7 41. Kf3 g5 42. b4 Kg6 43. b5 f5 44. b6 Ra3+ 45. Kf2 a6
46. Rb8 Rb3 47. b7 Kg7 48. Ra8 Rxb7 49. Rxa6 …
Draw
​Score: Euwe 8 ½ - 10 ½
 Interview with Alekhine by S. Landau.
There is no doubt that the games of my second match with Euwe are
much higher in quality than the games of the first match. From the games
played in the current match, I did not lose any game by big blunders, how
was for example in 12, 14 and 25 games of the first match. Of course, and
now it was not without mistakes. However, they were made in very difficult
positions, for example in 7, 10 and 17 games.
From theoretical point of view, a lot of valuable novelties has been
created. The Slave defense has a status of the solid opening.
The best games of the match won by Euwe are the 1st and 5th, games
won by me - the 6th and 14th. I consider my great moral achievement the fact
that I forced Euwe to give up his lovely Slave defense. Although Euwe
introduced many valuable novelties, but we should not think that all of his
novelties are really good. Euwe played, for example, in the 4th game the Qd5
move. This move, however, is bad. On the other hand, I was able to find a
number of reinforcements in the Slave defense; especially you can see it in
the 11th and 15th games. I seem to have satisfactorily solved the problem of
the c8 queen's bishop and I decided to use the Slave defense until the end of
the match.
Physically, I feel as good as before the start of the match, and I will
do my best to maintain my shape until the end of the match. I’m only afraid
of time pressure, which until now cost me one and a half points: a point in the
13th game and a half point in the 16th game.
It would be an unforgivable to underestimate your enemy. Of course,
he also has mistakes, but by no means as often as it might seem at first
glance. I highly appreciate Euwe's skill.
In the last tournaments, where leading chess masters met in
Nottingham and Zemmering, we can say that the difference in the strength of
these masters is insignificant. It would be extremely interesting to organize a
two-round tournament between the 8 first Nottingham winners (Botvinnik,
Capablanca, Reshevsky, Fayn, Euwe, Alekhine, Lasker, Flohr) plus Keres
and Levenfish.
In one of the latest number of the 64 newspaper, I read an article
about the achievements of Soviet masters in the opening theory. I found that
the authors of this article - Belavenets and Yudovich - are too modest. I
carefully study books and articles published in the Soviet Union, and extract
from them not only individual moves, but also general ideas. The most useful
thing was my acquaintance with the new novelties of the Soviet masters in
the Sicilian and Nimzovich defense.
 GAME TWENTY
NIMZOINDIAN DEFENSE
A. Alekhine - M. Euwe
Played in Amsterdam, November 23th

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 …

Based on results of previous match games, Alekhine has decided to try
this variation.
5. … Qxd5 6. e3 c5 7. Bd2 …
Previously, Alekhine played 7. a3. The text move is better, the bishop is
aiming at a5.
7. … Bxc3 8. bxc3 O-O 9. Nf3 Nc6
See comments on this move in the 10th game (after the sixth move).
10. c4 …
P. A. Romanovsky ( in Schmatny USSR no. 3, 1938) wrote ” As in his
match with Capablanca, Alekhine plays such positions poorly. More natural
was 10. Bd3 with threat of e3-e4-e5 etc...”. This, of course, is not true. The
game Flohr-Koll (Bled, 1931) showed that after 10. Bd3 c4 11. Be2 e5 12. de
Nxe5 Qxe5 Black had solid play.
10. … Qd6 11. dxc5 …
This move shows that Alekhine is trying to leave the theoretical paths.
His opponent could not have anticipated that he would exchange off his
central d4 pawn.
11. … Qxc5 12. Rb1 e5
Another good plan was 12...b6 with Bb7, but Euwe prefers to play his
bishop on the c8-h3 diagonal.
13. Ng5 …
 Because of the faulty 11. dc, White has difficulties. Black threatened
13...e4, but does the text move parry this threat? After 13...e4 14. Rb5 (14.
Nxe4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4 Bf5) 14. … Qe7 15. Bc3 a6 16. Rb2 (16. Bxf6 gf) 16.
… Bf5, Black stands very actively.
After Euwe’s move, White is relieved of the threat of e5-e4.
13. … h6 14. Ne4 …
Of course not 14. h4 Rd8 and the knight must retreat.
14. … Nxe4 15. Qxe4 Rd8
On 16. Bd3? to answer 16. … f5.
16. Rb5 Qe7 17. Be2 b6!
A very sharp move, fixing the weak White pawn at c5. It is not possible
18. Qxc6 is prohibitive because of 18...Bb7 19. Bb4 Qxb4+ 20. Rxb4 Bxc,
and Black clearly has the better endgame.
18. Bf3 Bb7
Euwe writes that stronger here was 18...a6! For example :
1) 19. Qxc6 Rac8 20. Qe4 Bxb5 21. cb Qa3
2) 19. Qxc6 Rac8 20. Bb4 Qg5 21. h4 Rxc6 22. hg Rxc4
3) 19. Rd5 Nb4 20. Rxd8+ Rxd8 21. Qb1 Nd3+
4) 19. Rb1 Rac8
From these variations, it follows that 16. Rb5 was a blunder.
19. Qc2 Rac8
Nothing gives 19. … e4 20. Qxe4. Now White seizes the opportunity to
castle.
20. O-O Ba6
Black continues to work on the weak c4 pawn. On 21. Rb2 follows 21 ….
Nb8 forcing 22. Be2.
21. Rd5 Nb4!
A good simplification for black.
22. Bxb4 Qxb4 23. Rxd8+ …
The most natural to get the Black Rook off the c file. Nevertheless,
stronger was 23. Rc1! and if 23. … Rxd5 24. Bxd5 Bxc4 25. Bxf7+! and
Black gains nothing.
23. … Rxd8 24. Rc1 …
After 24. Bd5 Rxd5! 25. cd Bxf1 26. Kxf1 (26. Qc8+ Qf8! 27. Qxf8+
Kxf8 28. Kxf1 e4! and Black wins the King and pawn ending) 26. … Qb5+
27. Qe1 Qxd5 28. Qc8+ Kh7 29. Qf5+ g6 and Black remains with an extra
pawn.
 24. … Rd2 25. Qb3 …
Weaker was 25. Qe4 Qb2 26. Rf1 Qxa2 etc.

25. … Qa5?
P.A. Romanovsky says that correct was 25. … Rb2! 26. Qxb4 (26. Qd3
Bxc4) 26. … Rxb4 27. Bd5 Ra4 28. Rc2 (28. c5 Ra5! 29. cb Rxd5 30. ba
Rd8) 28. … Ra5 and White’s endgame is very difficult due to his weak c4
pawn. For example: 29. … f4 ef 30. ef Rc5 31. Kf2 b5 32. Ke3 bc 33. Kd4
Ra5 etc.
Another variation does not lead to win 25. … Qxb3 26. ab Rb2 27. Rd1
and White holds his position.
26. a3 g6
Poor is 26. … Qc5 27. Qa4. No stronger was 26. … Rxf2 27. Kxf2 Qd2+
28. Be2 Qxc1 29. Qa4.
27. h4 …
Nothing good comes of 27. … Qc5 27. Qb4 Qxb4 28. ab e4 29. Bxe4
Bxc4.
27. … e4
Here not good is 27. … Qc5 28. Qa4 Qc8 29. Qb4 … and Black now
enters in great complications that lead only to a draw.
28. Bxe4 Qh5
By sacrificing the e5 pawn, Black has chances to attack f2 pawn.
29. Qc3 Qe2 30. Qf6 …
The only defensive possibility for the Queen.
30. … Bxc4 31. Bxg6 …
Guaranteeing White no worse than a draw.
31. … Rd1+ 32. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 33. Kh2 fxg6 34. Qxg6+ Kf8 35. Qxh6+
Kg8 36. Qg6+ Kf8 37. Qh6+ Kg8 38. Qg5+ Kf8 39. Qf4+ Bf7 40. Qb8+ …
After 40. g4 Qd3 41. h5 Qxa3 42. g5 Qc5 43. Kg3 Kg8 is an even more
complicated stuggle.
40. … Kg7 41. Qxa7 …
For Black can hold back the pawns with checks.
Draw
​Score: Euwe 9 - Alekhine 11
 GAME TWENTYONE
QUEEN'S INDIAN DEFENSE
M. Euwe - A. Alekhine
Played in Amsterdam, November 25th

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 …
Euwe likes to play this line as White. White gets little advantage, but
faces little risk.
3. … b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7
This maneuver was first played in the Dutch Defense, some years ago, by
N.N. Ruminin. The White Bishop at d2 is poorly placed, and may be
exchanged for a knight after Black's Ne4.
7. Nc3 Ne4
Necessary, White threatened 8. Qc2, controlling his e4. Now Black can
answer 8. … d5.
8. O-O O-O 9. d5 …
White has no opening advantage, but he should try 9. Qc2 Nxd2 10. Nxd2
Qc8 11. Bxb7. The exchange of White-squared bishops leaves Black's
Queenside weak.
9. … Nxd2 10. Qxd2 …
After 10. Nxd2, Black can defend the threat of 11. d6 and 11. de by 10.
… Qc8.
10. … Bf6 11. Rad1 …
And after 11. Nd4 e5 12. Nc2 d6 13, Nb4 Qd7, White obtains nothing.
11. … d6

12. dxe6 …
This is a serious error, now Black gets a strong center, analogous to the
Scheveningen Variation, of the Sicilian Defense, in which Black has better
chances.
Correct was 12. Nd4 e5 13. Nc6 Qd7 with equal play.
12. … fxe6 13. Nd4 Bxg2 14. Kxg2 …
Not possible is 14. Nxe6 Qe7 15. Nxf8 Bxc3 16. bc bb7 17, Nxh7 Kxh7
and in spite of the reduced material, Black should win.
14. … Qc8
Defending the e6 pawn and threatening 15. Nc6! 16. Nxc6 Qb7.
15. Qe3 Bxd4 16. Rxd4 Nc6 17. Re4 …
This ties a rook to defense of the e6 pawn, but only exposes the White
rook to attack. Better was 17. Rf4.
17. … Rf6 18. f4 …
Even now he could move the rook.
18. … Qd7 19. g4 …
The attack on the e6 pawn is illusory because of Black’s rook on the third
rank.
19. … Raf8 20. g5 Rf5
Now 21.Rxe6 Ne5 leads to loss of the exchange. Thus, instead of winning
the e6 pawn, White has isolated his rook and weakened his Kingside.
21. h4 Qf7 22. Rf3 …
After 22. Nd1 e5 23. Kg3 Ne7 24, Rf3 Ng6 25, fe Nxe5 or 23. … Nd4 24.
Rxd4 with a lost game for White.
22. … Kh8
Alekhin in “Chess” wrotem that after 22. … d5 23. Rxe6 d4 24. Qe4 dc
25. bc! (Poor is 25. Rxc6 cb) 25. … Nd8 26. Re7 and White can stand. I
disagree. After 26. …Re7 (27. Rxc7 Rxg5+ ) Black stands better than after
the text.
23. Qd3 …
Euwe is not himself in this game. After 23. Nd1, Black has only a
strategically won game.
23. … d5!
 Forcing the win. Poor now for White is 24. cd ed 25. Ra4 d4 and 26. …
Rxf4. White plays to give up the exchange.
24. Rxe6 Nb4!
Strongest. Not 24. … Qxe 25. cd and 26. dc. Now Black gets his knight to
c2.
25. Qe3 Nc2 26. Qd2 Qxe6 27. cxd5 Qf7 28. Qxc2 …
After 28. Kg3 (with threat of 29. e4 winning the rook) Alekhine gives 28.
… Ne1! 29. Rf2 Ng2 30. e3 Nxh4 31. Qxh4 h6 and Black win easily.
28. … Rxf4 29. Qd3 Qh5 30. Rxf4 Rxf4 31. Qh3 Rg4+ 32. Kf2 h6
After 33. gh follows 33. … Qf5+ and White loses the Queen to a
discovered check.
White resigned.
​Score: Euwe 9 – Alekhine 12
 GAME TWENTYTWO
RETI OPENING
A. Alekhine - M. Euwe
Played in Delft, November 27th and 28th

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4
Now after 3. b4 f6! 4. e3 e5 Black stand well. Alekhine tries a new
attempt.
3. e3 Nc6!
Of course, not 3. … c5 4. ed cd 5. b4, but on 4. b4 Black could answer 4.
… Nxb4 5. ed e5! (Keres-Flohr, Pernau, 1937) or 4. … de 5. de Nxb4 6. d4
e5! (Keres-Stalberg, Match, 1938) with solid play for Black in both cases.
4. exd4 …
White has not obtained a better game. Black’s Queen is drawn out, but
White loses tempo.
4. … Nxd4 5. Nxd4 Qxd4 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. d3 c6
Euwe intends to fianchetto his bishops. First, he prevents the threat 8.
Nb5 Qd8 9. Bf4. Still, the text is too passive. White gets a strong pawn
center, good piece play, and Black has a weak Queenside. Black should play
7. … e5! 8. Be3 Qd8, Black has an absolutely equal game.
8. Be3 Qd7
Though Black intends to develop his Вishop to b7, I. L. Rabinovich (In
"Schmaty USSR”, No. 2, 1938) recommended playing 8...Qg4, to provoke
the weakening 9. f3. Black’s move loses time, but Euwe wants to preserve
the possibility of Nf6-g4.
9. d4 g6 10. Be2 Bg7 11. h3 …
After 10. … Bg7, Black threatened 11. … Ng4 to exchange the bishop on
e3.
11. … O-O 12. O-O b6 13. Bf3 Bb7
Black has a satisfactory development, but his Queenside is weak. White’s
position is also not without weakness, and Black organizes pressure on the
d4.
14. a4! Rad8
 This move continues to attack the d4. Black has another possibility, for
example:
14. … a5 15. Qb3 Qc7 16. d5 c5 17. Nb5 or
14. … a6 15. Qb3 Qc7 16. d5 Nd7 17. Rfd1, worth serious consideration
is 14. … Rfd8 , leaving the Queen’s Rook to defend the a7. For example:
14. … a5 ba 16. Rxa5 Ne8 17. Qb3 Qc7 or 16. Qa4 Ne8 17. Rfd1 Nd6 -
in both cases, Black’s chances are not bad.
15. a5 Qc7
Both defending the b6 pawn and threatening 16. … e5.
16. Qb3 Nd7
Against the threat of d4-d5 , he defends the b6 pawn again. On 16. … ba
follows 17. Qa3.
17. axb6 axb6 18. Ra7 Ra8
The White rook cannot be allowed to remain.
19. Rfa1 e6
Not good was 19. … Rxa7 20. Rxa7 Ra8 21. Rxa8 Bxa8 Qa3 Qd8 Qa7
etc.
The text move is directed against d4-d5. After 20. d5 Rxa7 21 Rxa7 cd
22. cd ed 23. Bxd5 Bxd5 24. Rxc7 Bxb3 25. Rxd7 with equal play.
20. Rxa8 Bxa8
Weaker was 20. … Rxa8 21. Rxa8+ Bxa8 22. Qa3 Bb7 (23. Qe7 Bf8 24.
Qe8? Nf6) 23. Qa7 Qb8 24. Qxb8+ Nxb8 25. Ne4, giving White the better
endgame.
21. d5 …
White decides on the text; alternate continuations are unclear.
21. … cxd5 22. cxd5 …
 22. … Nc5
A very interesting position. With the text move Euwe strives for energetic
counterplay. Nevertheless, better was 22. … ed! 23. Bxd5 Bxc3 24. bc (24.
Bxf7+ Kg7 25. bc Qc6 26. Bd4+ Nf6 27. Bxf6+ Kxf6 28. f3 Rxf7 and Black
has an extra piece) 24. … Bxd5 25. Qxd5 Qxc3 26. Rc1 Nf6 27. Qd6 Qb2
and the game is drawish, in spite of the weak Black Ringside.
On 22...Bxc3 23. d6!! Qxd6 24. Qxc3 Bxf3 25. Bh6 White quickly wins.
White gets nothing good now from 23. d6 Nxb3 24. dc Nxa1 or 23. Bxc5
Qxc5 24. de Bxf3 25. ef+ Rxf7 etc..
23. Qc4 exd5 24. Bxd5 …
Of course not 24. Nxd5 Bxd5 25. Bxd5 Bxb2.
24. … Bxd5
Black does not relish 24. … Bxc3 25. bc Bxd5 26. Qxd5 which would
leave his Kingside weak.
25. Nxd5 Qe5
The Black b6 pawn will fall, but it is not easy for White to defend his b2
pawn.
26. Rb1 Na4! 27. b3 …
After 27. Qxa4 Qxd5 28. Bxb6 Rxa8 29. Qc2 Rb8 30 Be3 Qa2, White has
only small winning chances.
27. … Nb2 28. Qc6 b5
The Black b pawn stays alive. 29. Qxb5 is not playable because of 29. …
Rd8.
29. Bf4 Qe6
The decisive blunder. Poor also was 29. … Qe8 30. Nf6+ Bxf6 31. Qxf6
or 29. … Qe4 30. Nf6+ or 29. … Qd4 30. Bd6 Rd8 31. Re1 with threat of
Re8+.
Strongest is 29. … Qe2!! For example:
1) 30. Bd6 Nd1! 31. Bxf8 Qe1+ 32. Kh2 Be5+
2) 30. Nf6+ Kh8
 3) 30. Nc3 Qd3 31. Rxb2 Bxc3.
Thus, White must play 30. Rf1 with only a small advantage. Now, with
the text move, Black just loses a pawn.
30. Qxb5 Qe4
Not better was 30. … Rd8 31. Rc1, and if 31. … g5, then 32. Bxg5 Rxg5
(32. … f6 33. Nc7) 33. Qb8+ Bf8 34. Rc8 Rxg5 35. Rxf8+ Kg7 36. Rg8+
Kh6 37. Qf8+ Kh5 38. Rxg5+ Kxg5 39. Qg7+ and Qxb2.
31. Rc1! …
On 31. Rf1, Black could answer 31. … Rd8, attacking the knight. Now
after 31. … Rd8 32. Qd7! Rxd7 33. Rc8+ Bf8 34. Nf6+ Kg7 35. Nxe4 and
White wins.
31. … Nd3 32. Qc4 Qe2
Not possible is 32. … Bd4 33. Nf6+.
33. Rf1 Nxf4 34. Qxf4 …
After 34. Nxf4 Qxc4 35. bc Rc8 36. Rc1 Bh6 37. g3 (or 37. Nd5 Bxc1 38.
Ne7+ Kg7 39. Nxc8 Kf6) 37. … Bxf4 38. gf Kf8 and White’s advantage is
insufficient to win.
34. … Qb5 35. Qf3 …
Not 35. Qc4 Rb8 36. Ne7+ Kf8 37. Nc6 Qxc4 38. bc Rc8 39. Na5 Bc3.
35. … Rb8 36. Rb1 Qa6 37. Rd1 Qa3 38. Rb1 …
Here, just before the time control, it is possible that White is not playing
the best moves.
38. … Qa2 39. Qd3 Bd4 40. Rf1 …
White cannot win by 40. Qxd4 Qxb1+ 41. Kh2 Rxb3 42. Nf6+ Kf8 43.
Nxh7+ Kg8
40. … Qb2

A complex position, but Alekhine has a way to force the win. How could
Euwe defend after 40. Qa7 b4 41. Rd8 Qc4, when White has both an extra
pawn and a better position?
41. Ne7+ Kf8
 After 41. … Black loses the exchange. Also if White wins.
42. Nc6 Bxf2+
Naturally.
43. Kh2 …
A noteworthy move. White organizes an attack on the Black King.
Therefore he refrains from 43. Rxf2 Qc1+ 44. Qf1 Qxc6 45. Rxf7+ Kg8,
Which is less decisive.
The King stands better on h2 , than on h1. After 43. Kh1 Re8 44. Qf3 Re1
Black could draw.
43. … Re8
Only move. Bad is 43. … Rxb3 44. Rxf2 or 43. … Ra8 44 Qf3 Ra2 45.
Nb4, and finally 43. … Rb7 44. Qf3 Bb6 45. Nd8 Qe5+ 46. Kh1 Rd7 47.
Nxf7 etc.
44. Qf3 Re2 45. Nd4 …
The knight plays a great role in this game, Not possible now is 45. …
Qxd4 46. Qxe2, not 45. … Bxd4 46. Qxf7 mate.
45. … Rd2 46. Ne6+ Ke7 47. Nf4 Qd4 48. Kh1 Ra2
And this combination does not save Black. Neither does 48. … Qe3 49.
Qxe3 Bxe3 50. Re1 or 48. … Bh4 Qb7+ Kd6 50. Qb8+! Kd7 (50. .. Ke7 51.
Qc7+ Qd7 52. Qe5+ Kd8 53. Ne6+ fe 54. Qb8+ Ke7 55. Qf8 mate.) 51. Nxg6
fg 52. Rf7+ Be7 53. Qb7+.
Black’s troubles stem from the opening of the “f” file for White.
49. Ne2 Ra1 50. Qb7+ …
After this move, Black is without a defense
50. … Kf6 51. Nxd4 Rxf1+ 52. Kh2 Bg1+ 53. Kg3 Bf2+ 54. Kf3 Bxd4+
55. Ke4 Rd1 56. Qd5 …
Even stronger was
56. … Ke7 57. g4 h5 58. gxh5 f5+ 59. Kf3 Rd3+ 60. Ke2 Re3+ 61. Kd2
Re4 62. hxg6
A difficult game, showing Alekhine’s qualities as a great master.
Black resigned.
​Score: Euwe 9 – Alekhine 13
 GAME TWENTYTHREE
QUEEN’S INDIAN DEFENSE
M. Euwe - A. Alekhine
Played in Rotterdam, December 1st

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 …
Euwe clearly does not wish to face the Nizoindian again. Though he lose
with Nf3 in the 21st game, he tries it again.
3. … b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7
Alekhine often plays 5. … Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7. In that sense, the text move
is “new”.
6. O-O O-O 7. b3 …
This move cannot be recommended. It does not struggle for the central
squares, and makes it difficult for White to attack the Black Queenside.
Better was 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Qc2 Nxc2 9. Qxc3.
7. … d5 8. Ne5 c5
Black should play 8. … Qc8! with the serious threat of 9. … dc. On 9. dc
Bxd5, Black’s defense is easy.
9. dxc5 bxc5
Better, according to M. Kaparyan (Schahmaty USSR no.3, 1938) was 9.
… Bxc5, with 10. Nc3 Qe7 11. cd Rd8! 12. Nxf7 Kxf7 (12. … Qxf7 13. de
Qe7 14. Qxd8+ Qxd8 15. Bxb7 Na6 16. Bxa6) 13. de+ Kxe6 etc.
10. cxd5 exd5
Euwe has given Black hanging pawns in hope of exerting pressure on
them.
11. Nc3 Nbd7
Black is able to complete his development. On 12. Nxd5 follows 12. …
Nxd5 13. Bxd5 Bxd5 15. Qxd5 Nxe5 15. Qxe5 Bf6. White’s Knight finds an
active post on d4.
12. Nd3 Nb6
Black is concerned with more than just his development. On 12. … Qc8
follows 13. Ba3 d4 14. Bxb7 Qxb7 15. Na4 Rac8 16. Rac1 and White stands
better.
13. a4 a5
To defend the threat of 14. a5, but now White gets a good position for his
bishop on a3 and his knight on b5.
14. Ba3 Rc8 15. Nb5 Ne4 16. Qe1 Nd7
Interesting complications follows according to Euwe 16. … c4 17. Bxe7
Qxe7 18. Qxa5 cd 9. ed Nc5 20. Qxb6 Rc6 21. Qa5 Nxb3 22. Rae1 Qc5 23.
Qa7 Qxa7 (23. … Rb6 24. Re7!) 24. Nxa7 Rc3 (24. … Ra6 25. Rb1!) with
equal position.
17. Rd1 Nd6
White threatened 18. Bxe4 de 19. Ne5. Now 18. Nxd6 Bxd6 gives White
nothing. On 19. Nf4, Black plays 19. … Bxf4. So White plays this
immediately.
18. Nf4 Nxb5 19. axb5 Nf6
And on 19. … Nb6 could follow the same combination as in the game.
20. Nxd5 …
This combination leads only to a draw, but what else can White play in
this position?
21. … Nxd5 21. e4 …
And 21. Bxd5 Bxd5 22. e4 Qb6 23. Rxd5 Qxb5 leads to equal position.
21. … c4!
The best chance, getting the Black Queen out of the pin. Much weaker
was 21. … Qb6 22. ed Bd6 23. Qe2.
22. Bxe7 Qxe7 23. exd5 Qxe1 24. Rfxe1 cxb3 25. d6 …
Not good here was 25. Re7 b2 or 25. Ra1 Rfd8 26. Rxa5 b2 with the
threat of 27. Rc1.
25. … Bxg2 26. Kxg2 Rb8 27. d7 …

27. … g6?
G. Kasparyan is correct hat this move loses and Black should play 27. …
Rfd8!
True after 27. … Rfd8 28. Ra1! Rxd7 29. Rd3 30. Re4! h6 31. Rb4 Rd5!!
Rxb3 f5, Black is a pawn down, but White is tied to the defense of the b5
pawn and the game should be drawn.
 Now with the move 28. Rd4!! White begins an attack on the Black
Queenside pawns, exchanging them for his d7 pawn and winning the extra b
pawn. Euwe in “Chess”, writes that after 28. Rd4 Rfd8 29. Re3 a4 (poor is
29. … b2 30. Rb3 Rb7 31. b6!) 30 Rxa4 Rxd7 31. Rxb3 Rbd7 32. Ra4 Rb6,
Black has drawing chances, White, however, has 28. Rd4 Rfd8 29. Re3 a4
30. Re8+ Rxe8 (according to G. Kasparyan) 31. de(Q)+ Rxe8 32. Rxa4 and
Black loses the b3 pawn and the game.
Euwe writes that the variation 28. Rd4 Kg7 29. Re3 a4 30. Rxa4 Rxb5
31. Re8 Rb8 leads to a draw, but this is incorrect. Kasparyan shows that 28.
… Kg7 loses because of 29. Ra1 a4 30. Rb4. White wins in Euwe’s variation
by 30. Rb4 with a following 31. Re8 Rfxe8 32. de(Q) Rxe8 33. Rxa4 and 34.
Rb4.
After the following move, Black remains with an extra pawn.
28. Ra1? Rxb5 29. Re8 Rd5!
Did Euwe not see this move?
33. … Kg7 34. Rb6 g5 35. h3 h5 36. h4 g4 37. Rb5 Kg6 38. Rg5+ Kh6
39. Rb5 f6 40. Kf1 Kg6
Now Black has a good plan of play, if White does not bring his King to
the center:
1) To play f6-f5 to shield the h5 pawn.
2) To post his King on e6.
3) With the move Ke6-d6 to sacrifice the f5 pawn, allowing the b3 pawn
to advance.
White brings his King to the center, which allows the pawn to reach the
seventh rank.
41. Ke2 …
41. …Rf3
On 41. … Rc3 42. Kd2 Rc2+ 43, Ke3 b2 44. f4! (this is according to
Euwe in “Chess”) and if 44. … Rg2, then 45. Ke4 Rxg3 46. Rxb2 Rh3 47.
f5+ Kh6 48. Rb6 Rxh4 49. Rxf6+ Kh7 50. Rg6 with a draw.
On after 44. … f5 45. Rb6+ kf7 46. Kd4 Rg2 47. Rb7+ Ke6 48. Rb6+
Kd7 49. Rb7+ Kc6 50. Rb8 Rxg3 51. Rxb2 Rh3 52. Ke5 Rxh4 53. Rg2! Rh3
54. Kxf5 g3 55. Kg5 h4 56. f5 Rh2 57. Rg1 Kd7 58. f6 Ke8 59. Kg6 Rf2 60.
Kg5! etc.
42. Ke1 f5
S. V. Belavenets and V. N. Panov and also Kasparyan agree that after 42.
… Rc3 43. Kd2 Rc2+ 44. Ke3 b2, Black wins, but 45. f4! should draw.
 43. Rb6+ Kf7 44. Rh6 f4
This eases White’s defense. Some commentators give 44. … Rc3 45. Kd2
Rc2+ 46. Ke3 b2 47. Rb6 Ke7 48. f3 (but not 48. f4) and if 48. … Rc3+, then
49. Kf2 Rxf3+ 50. Kg2 f4 51. gf Rh3 52. Rxb2 Rxh4 53. Rb3 with a draw.
Black could play stronger by 48. … Kd7! In this case, White, according to
Euwe, plays 49. f4! kc7 50. Rb4! Kc6 51. Kd4 drawn.
45. Rxh5 Rc3
And after 45. … fg 46. fg Rxg3 47. Kf2 and a draw resultats. Now the
threat is 45. Rc1+.
46. Rb5 f3
Or 46. … Rc1+ 47. Kd2 Rc2+ 48. Kd1 Rxf2 49 Rxb3 f3 50. Rb4 Rg2 51.
Rxg4.
47. Kd2 Rc2+ 48. Ke3 b2 49. Kf4 Rc4+ 50. Ke3 Rc2
Of course 50. Kg5 Rc5+! wins for Black.
Draw
Score: Euwe 9 ½ - Alekhine 13 ½
 GAME TWENTYFOUR
QUEEN’S GAMBIT
A. Alekhine - M. Euwe
Played in Rotterdam, December 2nd

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6
After the game 22, Euwe does not decide on 2. … d4.
3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 c5
Euwe played this in Game 18 of the match.
5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. g3 …
in the 18th game White failed to get an advantage after 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bc
cd 8. cd Bb4+. The text leads to a totally different type of position.
6. … cxd4
After this move White can get the better endgame by force. Why did
Black play it? Clearly better was 6. … Nc6 7. Bg2 cd 8. Nxd4 Nxc3 9. bc
Bd7 10. 0-0 Be7 with about equal play.
7. Nxd5 Qxd5 8. Qxd4 Qxd4
This exchange is a loss of time and White gets the central square for his
knight. It seems to me that 8. … Nc6 9. Qxd5 ed 10. Bg2 Bc5 was better.
Black will have an isolated pawn, but a good piece development.
9. Nxd4 Bb4+ 10. Bd2 Bxd2+ 11. Kxd2 Ke7
It is very difficult for Black to mobilize his Queenside; as a result of
8...Qxd4, Black must guard against a White Rook getting to his c7.
12. Bg2 Rd8 13. Ke3 Na6 14. Rac1 Rb8 15. a3 Bd7
S. V. Belavenets and V. N. Panov write that here a stronger move was 15.
… e5 16. Nb5 Bd7! but after 17. Nc7 Rdc8 18. Nd5+ Kf8 19. b4, White has a
strong position.
16. f4 f6
This weakens Black’s position. 16. … Rdc8 17. Rxc8 Bxc8 18. Rc1 (nb5
Bd7!) 18. … Bd7 19. b4 Kd8, Black has chances to equalize, through the
next few moves, though the natural weakness of his b7 remains.
17. Be4 Be8
Of course not 17. … e5 18. fe fe 19. Nf3 and Black has a weak e5 pawn.
17. … g6 is only a new weakening of his position.
18. b4 Rd7
 Defending the threat of 19. b5.
19. f5! …
This is a result of 19. … f6. On 19. … e5 follows 20. Ne6 with threats of
21. Nxg7 and 21. b5.
19. … Nc7 20. fxe6 Nxe6 21. Nxe6 Kxe6 22. Bxh7 …
Black has lost a pawn. This is the direct result of 16. … f6. White can
now take the h7 pawn because his bishop can escape via g8!
22. … f5
Another weakening.
23. Rc5 g6 24. Bg8+ Kf6 25. Rhc1 Re7+ 26. Kf2 Bc6
27. Bd5 …
The Black bishop, of course, should be exchanged.
27. … Rbe8 28. Re1 Bxd5 29. Rxd5 g5
An attempt to make it difficult for White to advance the Kingside pawns.
30. Rd6+ …
A good check. If the King moves to the second rank, 31. h4! follows.
Euwe blunders.
30. … Ke5? 31. Red1 g4

No better was 31. Re6 32. R1d5+ Kf6 33. Rxe6+ Kxe6. Now White can
win in two ways.
First: 32. R1d5+ ke4 33. Rd4+ Ke5 34. e4! Rf7 35. Ke3 Re6 36 R4d5+
etc.
Alekhine choses the second method.
32. R1d5+ Ke4 33. Rd4+ Ke5 34. Ke3 Re6
Or 34. … f4+ 35. Kd3.
35. R4d5+ Kf6+ 36. Kf4 …
Black cannot avoid material loss.
36. … Kg6 37. Rxe6+ Rxe6 38. Re5 Ra6 39. Rxf5 Rxa3 40. Rb5 b6 41.
Kxg4 …
Black resigned
Score: Euwe 9 ½ - Alekhine 14 ½
 GAME TWENTYFIVE
NIMZOINDIAN DEFENSE
M. Euwe - A. Alekhine
Played in The Hague, December 4th

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4

Since the “strongest”, 4. Qc2 has given White no advantage, he chooses
the Rubinstein system.
4. e3 O-O 5. Nge2 …
And this is the closed Rubenstein system, White defending the pinned
knight and intending a3. If Black captures on c3, White has the two bishops
with no weakening of his pawns, and if the Black bishop retreats, White
controls his e4 square. On the minus side, the system is quiet, and Black
usually gets equality.
5. … d5 6. a3 Be7 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Ng3 …
Rubinstein always played 8. Nf4, not allowing 8...c5 (9. dc Bxc5 10.
Nfxd5). The move 8. Ng3 was played in Flohr-Lisitsin (Moscow, 1935),
continuing 8...c5 9. Bd3 Nc6 with equal chances.
8. … c5 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. b4?
Euwe overlooks his opponents' answer. Better was 10. d3 or 10. Bc2 with
a good game.
After the "energetic" 10. b4, White gets behind in development.
10. … d4!
Very sharp: 11. Na4 de! 12. Nxc5 ef+ 13. Ke2 Bg4+ or 11. Na4 de 12.
Qxd8 ed+ 13. Ke2 Bg4+ 14. Kd2 Rxd8+ leading to loss of material, but after
11. Na4 de 12. Bxe3 Bxe3 13. fe or 11. Ne4 Bb6, White has a poor position.
The following move is then forced.
11. bxc5 dxc3 12. Qc2 …
After exchanging Queens, White has a worse lag in development, and his
c5 pawn is weaker than Blacks’. Therefore, White avoids the endgame.
12. … Qa5 13. Rb1 …
Or 13. Ne2 Nd5 14. e4 Nb4 15. Qb1 N4a6, and White stands poorly. The
c3 pawn is very cramping for White.
13. … Bd7 14. Rb3 …
A new problem – White loses the exchange. But if he defends 14. … Ba4
by 14. Rb4, Black answers with 14. … Na6 15. Bxa6 Qxa6, and White
cannot castle.
14. … Ba4 15. Qxc3 Qd8!
Now the Rook cannot move because of mate on d1.
16. Bc4 Na6 17. Bxa6 bxa6
The Rook still cannot move!
18. O-O Bxb3 19. Qxb3 Rb8 20. Qc2 Qd5 21. e4 Qb3 22. Qe2 …
White’s only chance is to keep the Queens on the board.
22. … Qb5 23. Qf3 …
This is not good. After 23. Qe3!, Black has a difficult choice. For
example: 23. … Nd7 24. Nf5 Nxc5 25. Nxg7! or 23. … Rfc8 24. Nf5 Rxc5
25. a4!.
Therefore, Black must continue 23. … Nd7 24. Nf5 Qxc5 25. Qg3 g6 26.
Be3 Qc4 27. bd4 f6.
23. … Qxc5 24. Nf5 …
And this is now another blunder. Correct was 24. f4, now allowing 24. …
Rb1.
24. … Rb1 25. Qf4 Nxe4 26. h4 Re8
After 26. … Nxf2 27. Be3, Black must return some material. Very strong
also on 26. … Nxf2 27. Kh2.
27. Re1 Qc3 28. Rd1 Nd2
Continuing to play powerful moves.
29. Rxd2 Rxc1+ 30. Kh2 Qc7 31. Rd6 Rc5 32. g3 …

32. … Rf8!
On only 32. … Rxf5 33. Re6!, and White gets Black’s Queen of Rook
and knight. Now 33. … Rxf5 is a threat. Not correct is 33. Nxg7 Kxg7 34.
Qg4+ Kh8 35. Qd4+ f6 36. Rxf6 Rxf6 37. Qxf6+ Kg8 8. Qe6+ Qf7.
White’s following moves are all forced.
33. g4 f6 34. Kh3 h5 35. Qd2 hxg4+ 36. Kxg4 Qf7 37. h5 Rxf5
White’s position is without hope.
 38. Kxf5 Qxh5+ 39. Kf4 Qh4+ 40. Kf3 Qh3+ 41. Ke4 Re8+ 42. Kd5
Qb3+ 43. Kd4 Qxa3
White resigned.
Final Score: Euwe 9 ½ - Alekhine 15 ½
 Flohr called Alekhine to the world championship match
Amsterdam, November 8
Today, Grandmaster S. Flohr made Alekhin an official call for the world
championship match in 1940. The match is financed by the Czechoslovak
Chess Union.
 Interview with A. A. Alekhine
Amsterdam, December 8
- Euwe played in a rematch no worse than in 1935. The result of the
match was unclear until the 10th game. After the 21st game, Euwe could not
handle the stress. He also tried to play for a win even in the worst positions.
Euwe is overestimating the significance of the opening. True, in the fight
against a weaker opponent, the importance of the opening increases, but in
the match of equal opponents the role of the opening decreases significantly.
I played, of course, better than in the last match. It is difficult to say
whether I am now in the same form as at the 1930 San Remo International
Tournament. The fight in the tournament is significantly different from the
match. Two factors played an important role in our match: I felt good
physically and I was much better theoretically prepared than in 1935.
Euwe was not defeated in the opening. He won 4 games thanks to his
opening preparation. I consider Euwe one of the best opening theoretic. His
talent is tactical. He gained the strength of a strategist through a lot of work. I
also showed a lot in the opening. Strategically, I managed to outplay Euwe
several times.
A small number (3) of games won by Black is explained by the nature of
the match atmosphere. The opponent playing black often tends to a draw. At
first, I tried Slave defense. I wanted to find out its practical value. The result
for black is not satisfactory. In the last games of the match, I refused the
Slave defense, aiming for a more sharp and intense play. I want to attribute
the 22nd game to the best games I have played.
15 ½ : 9 ½ - this is the official result of the match. The remaining 5
games we play according to the contract. The level of rematch games is
higher than the games of the first match.
At the end of the game, I go to Hastings, where I will only be an observer
in the tournament, and I will comment the games of the match. The Hasting’s
tournament is a lottery for 4 grandmasters (Flohr, Fine, Reshevsky, Keres).
In early February, I will participate in a local tournament in South
America. If some tournaments appear in Europe, I will return in April. So far,
in addition to the Moscow and Amsterdam tournaments, major competitions
are not expected. If I get the opportunity, I will come with great pleasure to
play in the USSR.
 GAME TWENTYSIX
SLAV DEFENSE
M. Euwe - A. Alekhine
Played in The Hague, December 8th

Today was the first game after the official end of the match. Alekhine
decided to experiment in the opening (1O.g2-g4). The fight was very sharp,
but after simplifications the game ended in a draw on move 30th.
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4
8. 0-0 0-0 9. Qe2 Ne4 10. g4 …

10. … Bg6 11. Ne5 Bxc3 12. bxc3 Bxc3 13. Nexg6 hxg6 14. Rab1 Qe7
15. f4 c5 16. dxc5 Nc6 17. Ba3 a5 18. Rc1 Bb4 19. Bxb4 axb4 20. Bb5
Rfd8 21. Rf-d1 Rxd1+ 22. Qxd1 e5 23. Qd6 Qh4 24. Bxc6 bxc6 25. Qxc6
Rad8 26. Qg2 exf4 27. exf4 Qe7 28. Qf3 Qa7 29. Qe3 Qxa4 30. c6 Qa3
 GAME TWENTYSEVEN
NIMZOINDIAN DEFENSE
M. Euwe - A. Alekhine
Played in Amsterdam, December 9th

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Bxc3+ 7.

bxc3 Qxf6 8. e4 Bb7 9. Bd3 e5 11. c5 ...

11. ... 0-0 12. Rb1 Rd8 13. Qc2 Nd7 14. cxd6 cxd6 15. a4 Rac8 16. a5
d5 17. axb6 axb6 18. exd5 axb6 19. Nxd4 Bxd5 20. Bb5 g6 21. Bxd7 Rxd7
22. Qd2 Kh7 23. Re1 Ra8 24. Rb2 Ra7 25. Nc2 Ra2 26. Ne3 Raxb2 27.
Qxb2 Be6 28. Ra1 ... Draw
 GAME TWENTYEIGHT
QUEEN’S PAWN OPENING
A. Alekhine - M. Euwe
Played in Amsterdam, December 12th
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. e3 Bf5 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Qb3 Qc7 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7.
Nc3 e6 8. Bxd7+Nxd7 9. d4 Nf6 10. Bd2 a6 11. 0-0 Bd6 12. Rc1 Qb6 13.
Qc2 Rc8 14. a4 0-0 15. a5 Qc7 16. Qb1 Qb8 17. h3 Rc6 18. b4 Rc4 19.
Na4 Rxc1+ 20. Bxc1 Ne4 21. Nc5 Bxc5 22. dxc5 Ne5 23. Nxe5 Qxe5 24.
Bb2 Qc7 25. Qd3 f6 26. Rac1 Qc6 27. f3 Ng5 28. Rcd1 Nf7 29. f4 Qb5 30.
Qxb5 axb5 31. e4 …

31. … Rd8 32. exd5 exd5 33. Re1 Kf8 34. Bd4 Ra8 35. c6 Nd8 36.
Bc5+ Kg8 37. Re8 …
Black resigned.
 GAME TWENTYNINE
QUEEN’S GAMBIT
M. Euwe - A. Alekhine
Played in Rotterdam, December 14th
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 c5 5. Bg5 cxd4 6. Nxd4 e5 7. Nf3 d4
8. Nd5 Nc6 9. e4 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. b4 0-0 12. Bd3 a5 13. a3 Be6 14.
Rb1 axb4 15. axb4 Be7 16. 909 f6 17. Qc2 Kh8 18. c5 Ra3 19. Bc4 f5 20.
Nxe7 Qxe7 21. Bd5 Rc3 22. Qd2 fxe4 23. Bxe4 Bf5 24. Bxf5 Rxf5 25. Re1
Rxf3 26. gxf3 Qh4 27. Re4 Qh3 28. Rg4 Qxf3 29. Rg3 Qe4 30. Rba1 h6
31. b5 Ne7 32. c6 Rf8 33. Qb4 Re8 34. c7 Nd5 35. Qd6 Nf4 36. Qd8 …

36. … Ne2+ 37. Kf1 Ng3+ 38. hxg3 Qh1+ 39. Ke2 Qh5+ 40. Kd2 Qf7
41. Ke1 … Black resigned
 GAME THIRTIETH
QUEEN’S GAMBIT
A. Alekhine - M. Euwe
Played in Rotterdam, December 16th
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. g3 Nc6 7. Bg2
Nxd4 8. Nxd4 Nxc3 9. bxc3 cxd4 10. Qxd4 Qxd4 11. cxd4 Bd6 12. a4 Rb8
13. Ba3 14. Bxd6+ Kxd6 15. Kd2 Bd7 16. Rc1 Rc8 17. Rxc8 Rxc8 18.
Bxb7 Rc4

19. a5 Rxd4+ 20. Kc3 Kc5 21. a6 Bb5 22. Ra2 Rc4+ 23. Kb3 Rb4+ 24.
Kc3 Ba4 25. e3 Rb3+ 26. Kd2 Bb5 27. Be4 Bc4 28. Bxh7 g6 29. Kc2 Rb8
30. Rb2 Rh8 31. Rb7 Rxh7 32. Rc7+ Kb5 33. Kc3 Rxh2 34. Rxf7 Bd5 35.
Rxa7 Rxf2 36. Rg7 Rf3 37. Rxg6 Rxe3+ 38. Kd4 Re4+ 39. Kd3 Kxa6 40.
g4 Kb5 White resigned.
 Amsterdam, December 18
Alekhine's answer to Flohr's challenge

The official closing ceremony of the Alekhine - Euwe match for the
world championship took place yesterday in Amsterdam. Alekhine, Euwe
and representatives of the organizing committee delivered speeches.
Alekhine answer on the challenge proposal to a world title match. Flohr
had suggested to play it in 1940 based on a decision by the Stockholm
Congress of the International Chess Federation. In his response, Alekhine
said that he could not accept the challenge at the moment, since in 1939 he
was planning to play a match with Capablanca. Alekhine writes that he can
practically consider the issue of a match with Flohr only if he loses his world
title in 1939.
Alekhine said that he does not care about the FIDE’s decision. An
organization in which, according to him, does not represent the most
important chess countries. FIDE has no rights to determine issues related to
the world chess championship.
In his speech at the close ceremony of the match, Alekhine said that
negotiations about the match between him and Capablanca was in 1939.
Although he did not receive an official personal answer from Capablanca, he
is ready to play a match with him.
 APPENDIX
Emanuel Lasker
Match Alekhine - Euwe
Match Alekhine - Euwe showed a new generation of chess players in a
leading role.
Alekhine belongs in its development to a group of masters formed in pre-
war tournaments. This group includes Rubinstein, Bernstein, Capablanca,
Nimzowitsch, Bogolyubov and Tartakower, and after World War II - Breyer
and Reti. The origin of Alekhine's style dates back to the time of Steinitz and
Chigorin, however, he diligently accepted the new that was brought to him
and combine every thing: faithfully believing in the principles of Rubinstein,
the logical of Capablanca, the adventure love of Nimtsovich, and the depths
problem solving of Breyer. Alekhine mastered all these qualities. His attempt
to combine this diversity of styles was titanic, but he could count on success
since he was hardworking, smart, and gifted with an extraordinary fantasy.
In contrast, Euwe belongs to another generation, which has completely
different qualities. The most prominent representatives of this generation,
besides Euwe, are Botvinnik, Flohr, Elikazes, Fine, Reshevsky, Dyck and
further Lilienthal, Ragozin, Kann, Alatortsev, the Steiner brothers and
Stahlberg.

These young people grew up in a harsh era. They do not believe in laws
like Steinitz and Rubinstein; The are not romantic like Chigorin, Alekhine,
Nimtsovich, Bogolyubov; They do not strive to follow the paths of logic like
Capablanca. But they are endowed with a keen sense of the real and the
essential. This generation does not dream, but fights, vigorously and
fearlessly, and it is not easy to determine what they are striving for.
It may seem strange if I will forget to describe myself as a chess
master.
A lot has been written about my style; here both understandable and
incomprehensible, deep and superficial, praise and censure, delight and
hostility; and after I was silent for a long time on this issue, I want to speak
myself. I think that my talent lies in the combination. Among a wide variety
of opportunities to find the most interesting and significant, that is what
attracts me. I do not easily believe in high chess. I do not agree that in the
struggle of life there is always only one possibility, which is the best, most
reasonable, most profitable or the most diverse among others; at least I think
it’s not in human power to always exercise superlatives thinking. Superlatives
were the ideal of Tarrash. According to his views, in each position there is
only one best move. It denotes it “!”, Other moves get “?”.
Steinitz was a completely different person. His teaching is a great value.
Anyone who wants to become my student should try to understand Steinitz’s
theory, be able to take into account the opinions of others and doubt
everything that the label of “superlative degree” is attached to. Then he
himself will come to the conclusion that he will try a lot, but retain only the
necessary things.