[Event "New York"]
[Site "New York, NY USA"]
[Date "1927.03.13"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Aron Nimzowitsch"]
[Black "Jose Raul Capablanca"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "2r5/1p3p2/1q2p1k1/p2pPpPp/2r2P2/P1PR1Q2/1P1R2KP/8 b - - 3 33"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.01"]
[UTCTime "17:27:52"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Here's another famous endgame by Capablanca, this time showcasing how queenside play can lead to kingside pressure if major pieces are able to fully infiltrate. The full game without annotations can be found here: https://lichess.org/IrO9cJ1S

Capablanca is already close to winning because of queenside light squared weaknesses, whereas white has no active counterplay due to the closed kingside. } 33... Re4 $1 { The rook cements itself on the e4 square where it can never be captured without giving black a connected passed pawn. } 34. Rd4 Rc4 35. Qf2 Qb5 { Capablanca has placed all of his pieces on protected light squares, which are all available as permanent outposts due to Nimzowitsch's pawns being on dark squares. } 36. Kg3 $2 ( 36. Kf3 $1 $17 { The last chance for Nimzowitsch to defend this near lost position. As we shall see in a second, the king's placement is crucial. } ) 36... Rcxd4 $1 { In general not a move that you would want to make because it trades an active piece for a passive one. However, white is forced to take with the pawn, further weakening the position - this time the c file. } 37. cxd4 ( 37. Rxd4 $4 { The move Nimzowitsch would want to play immediately loses. } 37... Re2 $1 { The first major piece infiltrates on the 7th rank. This move would be impossible if the king was on f3 instead of g3. } 38. Qf3 h4+ $1 39. Kxh4 Rxh2+ 40. Kg3 Qxb2 $1 $19 { And the second major piece infiltrates on the 7th rank with decisive effect. Rh8 and Qh2# are impossible threats to parry. } ) ( 37. Qxd4 $4 Rxd4 $19 ) 37... Qc4 $1 { Capablanca takes over the c file, the e file, and looming infiltration on the 7th or 8th rank means that this game is now over. [%cal Bc4c1,Be4e1,Bc4e2] } 38. Kg2 { Nimzowitsch can only wait around hoping there's no decisive penetration. Capablanca now starts playing cat and mouse with his helpless opponent. } ( 38. Rc2 $6 { There's never any chance for white to get active: } 38... Qd3+ 39. Kg2 Rxf4 40. Qxf4 Qxc2+ $19 ) 38... b5 ( 38... Qc1 $1 $19 { Getting on with the penetration was obvious and just as strong as the game. But why not play with your food first? } ) 39. Kg1 b4 40. axb4 axb4 41. Kg2 Qc1 $1 { Capablanca infiltrates on the 8th rank with a winning maneuver. } 42. Kg3 ( 42. Rc2 $6 Qxf4 43. Qxf4 Rxf4 $19 { All of white's weak pawns will fall next. [%cal Gg6g5,Gf4d4] } ) 42... Qh1 $1 43. Rd3 ( 43. Qg2 $6 Re3+ 44. Kh4 Qxg2 45. Rxg2 Rf3 $19 { f4 cannot be defended, and so all of white's weak pawns (f4, d4, g5) will be taken next. [%cal Gf3f4,Gg6g5,Gf4d4] } ) 43... Re1 $1 { Rather than continue to target white's weak pawns, Capablanca has converted his activity on the queenside into a full-out kingside attack. An exposed king + decisive penetration = possible checkmate threats. } 44. Rf3 { Forced. Any other move would allow Rf1 as in the game a few moves later. } 44... Rd1 $1 { Nimzowitsch is running out of useful moves. The king must defend h2 and f3, the queen and rook must stop Rf1 and Rd2, and the h pawn cannot move without white mating himself. } 45. b3 ( 45. Kh3 $2 Rd2 $1 46. Qxd2 Qxf3+ 47. Kh4 Qg4# ) ( 45. Kh4 $2 Rd2 $1 46. Qxd2 Qxf3 47. h3 $19 ) ( 45. Rb3 $2 Rf1 $1 46. Qe2 h4+ 47. Kxh4 Rxf4+ 48. Kg3 Rg4+ $19 ) ( 45. h4 $2 Rg1+ 46. Qg2 Qxg2# ) ( 45. h3 $2 Rg1+ 46. Kh4 Rg4# ) 45... Rc1 { Any rook move along the 1st rank announces Zugzwang. } 46. Re3 Rf1 $1 $19 { Nimzowitsch resigned rather than play on with Qe2 Qg1+, mating.
This game is a great lesson in showcasing how the major pieces require infiltration squares in order to prove their dominance against an opponent's forces. This is exactly why an open file for your rooks in the middlegame is not so important unless there is a way to actually infiltrate into your opponent's camp. } 0-1