Icannos/chess_studies huggingface dataset:
[Event "Budapest"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1921.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Alekhine"]
[Black "Bogoljubow"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "59"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Bxd2+ 5. Qxd2 d5 { This position resembles a Queen's Gambit, but with the important difference that the dark-square bishops have left the board. Of the remaining clerics, Black's has difficulty having an impact on the game while a pawn sits at e6. } 6. e3 O-O 7. Nc3 Nbd7 8. Bd3 c6 9. O-O { A mistake which allows Black to free his game. 9. Rd1 would have left Black with a cramped game. } 9... dxc4 10. Bxc4 e5 { This move takes advantage of the exposed position of White's queen. } 11. Bb3 { 11.dxe5 Nxe5 12.Qxd8 Nxf3+ 13.gxf3 Rxd8 when Black stands a little better because of White's double f-pawns. } 11... Qe7 { 11...e4 12.Ng5 Qe7 13.Bc2 after which White wins the Black e-pawn. 11...exd4 12.Qxd4 Qb6 with equal chances. } 12. e4 exd4 13. Nxd4 Nc5 { 13...Nxe4 14.Qe3 when White would win the knight on e4 due to Black's pinned queen. } 14. Bc2 Rd8 { 14...Nfxe4 15. Bxe4 Nxe4 16.Qe3 Re8 17.Rfe1 Wins the knight due to the pin on Black's queen. } 15. Rad1 Bg4 16. f3 Ne6 17. Qf2 Nxd4 18. Rxd4 Be6 19. Rfd1 { White's control of the open d-file gives him the advantage. } 19... b6 20. h3 { White prepares to advance his f-pawn but first takes control of the g4 square. } 20... c5 21. R4d2 { 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 22.Rxd8+ Qxd8 would give Black control of the d-file. } 21... Rxd2 22. Qxd2 c4 23. f4 g6 24. Qd4 Rc8 25. g4 { White's control of the open d-file combined with his kingside initiative give him a big advantage. } 25... Bxg4 { Rather than waiting and getting pushed off the board with pawn e5 or pawn f5 Black decides on a desperate sacrifice. } 26. hxg4 Nxg4 27. Kg2 h5 { 27...Qh4 28.Rh1 demonstrates the point of White's 27.Kg2. } 28. Nd5 Qh4 29. Rh1 Qd8 30. Bd1 { Black resigned because of his material deficit. } 1-0
[Event "Budapest"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1921.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Alekhine"]
[Black "Sterk"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "59"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. e3 { Although this is certainly not a bad move one would expect the more energetic 5.Bg5 from an attacking player such as Alekhine. } 5... Bd6 { 5...Be7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 c5 would give Black a solid position. } 6. Nb5 { This attempt to gain the two bishops is dubious since White's knight will be misplaced on b5. } 6... Be7 7. Qc2 c6 { Black gains a tempo on White's knight while strengthening his center. } 8. Nc3 O-O 9. Bd3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 c5 { As a result of White wasting time with his knight Black has equalized. } 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. O-O b6 13. e4 { White not satisfied with his position strikes out to complicate the game. However, safer was 13.b3 Bb7 14.Bb2 Rc8 15.Qe2 Qe7 with an equal game. } 13... Bb7 14. Bg5 { 14.e5 would only open up White's position to be attacked. For example 14...Ng4 15.Ng5 g6 16.Nxh7 Qh4 17.h3 Black can force checkmate. } 14... Qc8 { A good move which breaks the pin and prepares for action on the c-file. } 15. Qe2 { 15.Rac1 would allow Black to win a pawn with Bxf2+ } 15... Bb4 16. Bd3 Bxc3 17. Rfc1 Nxe4 { Played with the idea of winning the pawn without doubling his f-pawns. However, 17...Nc5 was to be preferred. } 18. Bxe4 Bxe4 19. Qxe4 Nc5 20. Qe2 Ba5 21. Rab1 Qa6 22. Rc4 Na4 23. Bf6 { This is the first move of an ingenious mating attack. It's made possible by all of Black's pieces being over on queenside away from their king. 23.b4 Nc3 would get Black out of his difficulties due to the pin on White's c4 rook. } 23... Rfc8 { 23...Rac8 would allow the beautiful 24.Rg4 Qxe2 25.Rxg7+ Kh8 26.Rg3+ mates. } 24. Qe5 { White continues his attack on the dark squares. 24.Rg4 would no longer work because the Black king has a flight square on f8. For example Qxe2 25.Rxg7+ Kf8 26.Rxh7 Ke8 27.Rh8+ Kd7 28.Ne5+ Kc7 29.Rc1+ Kb7 when Black's king has walked to safety. } 24... Rc5 { 24...gxf6 would allow a forced mate in two. } 25. Qg3 { White is relentless with his attack on the dark squares. } 25... g6 26. Rxa4 { White has won a piece and with it the game. } 26... Qd3 27. Rf1 Rac8 28. Rd4 Qf5 29. Qf4 Qc2 30. Qh6 { Black resigned since he can not avoid mate on g7 by White's queen. } 1-0
[Event "Budapest"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1921.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Alekhine"]
[Black "Von Balla"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "45"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. c4 Nf6 { 5...Qb6 6.Nc3 White offers Black a poisoned pawn and if it's accepted: 6...Qxb2 7.Nb5 then the White knight penetrates the Black camp at c7. While Black's queen is almost trapped. } 6. Nc3 cxd4 7. exd4 Ne4 { This premature attack is wrong especially so as White is ahead in development. 7...Bb4 8.Bd3 dxc4 9.Bxc4 O-O Completing his development would give Black a playable game. } 8. Bd3 Bb4 9. Rc1 Qa5 10. Qb3 dxc4 11. Bxc4 g5 { This move is the logical follow up to Black's previous play. However, this advance will make it unsafe for Black to later castle on the kingside. } 12. Be3 g4 13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Bxc3+ 15. bxc3 b6 { 15...Qxe5 16.Bd4 Qf4 17.Bb5+ Bd7 18.O-O when White's huge lead in development would give him a winning initiative. } 16. O-O { 16.Bb5+ Bd7 17. Bxd7+ Kxd7 18.O-O would also be very good for White due to the exposed nature of the Black king. } 16... Bd7 17. Rfd1 { White decides upon a sacrifice which will leave the Black king undefended. } 17... Ba4 18. Qb1 Nxc3 { 18...Bxd1 19.Bb5+ Ke7 20.Qxe4 with a winning attack. For example, 20..Qxb5 would allow White to win material. } 19. Rxc3 Qxc3 { 19...Bxd1 20.Bb5+ Kf8 21.Bh6+ Kg8 22.Qxd1 With a mating attack for White. } 20. Bb5+ Bxb5 21. Qxb5+ { Black's disregard for his development has allowed White to build a mating attack. } 21... Kf8 22. Bh6+ Kg8 23. Qd7 { Black resigned. } 1-0
[Event "Vienna"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1921.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Euwe"]
[Black "Breyer"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "60"]

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. d4 { A thoroughly hypermodern approach. Black allows White to establish a big center, and now launches an attack against it. } 3... e5 4. dxe5 { 4.Nf3 would have led to the boring territory of the Scotch Four Knights. } 4... Nxe5 5. f4 Nc6 { White has accepted the invitation and re-established a pawn centre with gain of time. } 6. e5 { 6.Bc4! would have been more sensible. Now the centre becomes overextended. } 6... Ng8 7. Bc4 { 7.Nf3 d6 8.Bb5 Bg4!? 9.h3 Bd7 10.O-O Nh6 11.Qe1 dxe5 12.fxe5 Bc5+ 13.Kh1 Nf5 14.Ne4 Be7 15.Bg5 Bxg5 16.Nfxg5 gives White a promising game. } 7... d6 { "Black has achieved an ideal position a la Steinitz and now acts to eliminate the advanced White pawn" -- Tartakower. } 8. Nf3 Bg4 9. O-O Qd7 10. Qe1 O-O-O { Although this move slightly weakens f7, it allows Black to act without restraint on the kingside. } 11. Ng5 dxe5 { Well-timed! } 12. Kh1 { 12.Nxf7? Qd4+ 13.Kh1 Qxc4 14.Nxh8 Bb4A 12.Bb3!? f6 13.Nf7 Nd4 14.Nxh8 Nxb3 15.axb3 Bc5+ 16.Kh1 exf4 17.Bxf4 g5 18.Bg3 Re8? 19.Ne4 Qd4 } 12... f6 { 12...Na5 comes into consideration immediately. } 13. Nf7 Na5 14. Nxd8 { 14.Bd5 c6 15.Nxh8 cxd5 16.fxe5 Bb4 } 14... Nxc4 15. Qe4 Nd6 16. Qb4 { A critical position. White is counting on Black's capturing at d8, but Breyer comes up with a brilliant move which leads to a series of exchanges which leave White with a hopeless game. } 16... Be7 { 16...Qxd8, 16...Kxd8, and 16...Nh6 all fail to 17.fxe5. } 17. fxe5 fxe5 18. Nxb7 { 18.Nc6! was the only chance. } 18... Nxb7 19. Rf8+ Bxf8 20. Qxf8+ Qd8 { 20...Nd8? 21.Bg5 h6 22.Bxd8 Qxd8 23.Qxg7 Nf6 24.Ne4! } 21. Qxg7 Nf6 22. Bg5 Rg8 23. Qh6 { 23.Qxf6? Rxg5! } 23... Rg6 24. Qh4 Nd6 25. Rf1 Nf5 26. Qxg4 Nxg4 27. Bxd8 Nge3 28. Rf3 Kxd8 29. h3 Rg3 30. Rxg3 Nxg3+ { Black won. } 0-1
[Event "Vienna"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1922.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kmoch"]
[Black "Alekhine"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "40"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 c6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nbd2 { 5.Qb3 would try to take advantage of Black's light squared bishop leaving the b-pawn undefended. } 5... e6 6. Be2 Nbd7 7. O-O Bd6 8. c5 Bc7 9. b4 Ne4 10. Nxe4 dxe4 { 10...Bxe4 11 .Nd2 f5 12.Nxe4 fxe4 when White's two bishops and queenside initiative would give him the advantage . } 11. Nd2 h5 { With White having the better of it on the queenside it is only natural that Black should start a kingside attack. } 12. f4 { White was afraid of the Black bishop on c7 aiming at his king so he locks him out. However, a new target has appeared the White pawn on f4. } 12... g5 13. g3 { This slow defending move allows Black a winning initiative. 13.Nc4 Nf6 14.Ne5 gxf4 15.exf4 Although Black would still retain the better chances due to the weakness of White's pawn on d4. } 13... Nf6 { Black idea is to play 14...h4 without White being able to block the kingside with pawn g4. 13...h4 14.g4 when White has blocked Black's play on the g-file. } 14. Bb2 { 14.fxg5 Ng4 when Black regains his pawn with a kingside initiative. } 14... gxf4 15. exf4 h4 16. Qb3 { 16.g4, trying to keep the kingside closed would be met with 16...Rg8 17.h3 Nd5 would win White's f-pawn. } 16... hxg3 17. hxg3 Nd5 18. Nc4 Nxf4 { With this sacrifice Black is able to attack the exposed position of White's king. Notice that White's pieces are misplaced, and cannot help defend their monarch. } 19. Rae1 { 19.gxf4 Qh4 would leave White defenseless against the attack down the h- file. } 19... Qg5 20. d5 Nd3 { White resigned. Can you see why? } 0-1
[Event "Vienna"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1922.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Alekhine"]
[Black "Koenig"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "47"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 b6 { A move of doubtful value since Black will be unable to stop White from gaining control of the center with pawn e4. Better was 2... e6 which prepares for a future fight for the central square d5. } 3. Nc3 Bb7 4. Qc2 { After this move Black will be unable to prevent White from gaining control of the center with pawn e4. } 4... d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Nf3 { Before gainin g the pawn center with e4 White first stops any counterplay Black might get if he can advance his pawn from e7 to e5. } 6... e6 7. e4 Nxc3 8. bxc3 Be7 9. Bb5+ c6 10. Bd3 O-O 11. e5 { White uses his better development to start a kingside attack. } 11... h6 12. h4 { With the idea of bringing the rook into the attack with Rh3 followed by Rg3. } 12... c5 { 12...Nd7 13.Ng5 c5 14.Bh7+ Kh8 15.Bg8 With the threat of mate on h7 would bring White material rewards. } 13. Rh3 { 13.Ng5 cxd4 14.Bh7+ Kh8 15.Bg8 d3 would block the mate on h7 while winning the bishop trapped on g8. } 13... Kh8 { Black removes his king from the g-file. However, it's not enough to save the king. } 14. Bxh6 { With no Black pieces to defend the king White removes Black's pawn cover. } 14... f5 { 14...gxh6 15.Qd2 By threatening 16.Qxh6+, White wins material for example 15...Kg7 16.Rg3+ } 15. exf6 Bxf6 16. Bg5 { White has won a pawn while keeping his kingside initiative. } 16... cxd4 17. Ne5 { This move takes advantage of Black's dark squared bishop being pinned to the queen. } 17... Nc6 18. Qe2 g6 { 18...Nxe5 would allow White a forced mate in four. } 19. Bxg6 Kg7 20. Bh6+ Kg8 { 20...Kxh6 would allow White a forced mate in two. } 21. Nxc6 { White trades down to a winning ending. } 21... Bxc6 22. Qxe6+ Kh8 23. Bxf8 Qxf8 24. Qxc6 { Black resigned since he is a rook down with no compensation. } 1-0
[Event "Vienna"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1922.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Alekhine"]
[Black "Saemisch"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "39"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 { The Maroczy bind which gives White control of the center after which Black must grovel, trying to find some counterplay. } 5... Bg7 6. Nb3 { 6.Be3 Developing a piece while protecting the knight is more thematic. } 6... Nf6 7. Nc3 d6 8. Be2 Be6 { Black's light squared bishop turns out to be a target on the e6 square. Better was to castle. 8...O-O 9.O-O Bd7 10.Be3 would yield White a space advantage due to his pawns at c4 and e4. } 9. O-O h5 { This strange looking move is directed against White playing 10.f4. } 10. c5 { White should just have continued with his development. } 10... dxc5 { Black retur ns the favor as after the exchange of queens his king will remain in the center and subject to attack. Better was 10...d5 11.Nd4 Nxd4 12.Qxd4 dxe4 13. Qb4 Qc8 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Qxe4 O-O when Black's active bishops compensate for White's queenside } 11. Nxc5 Bc8 12. Qxd8+ Kxd8 { 12...Nxd8 13.Nb5 O-O 14. Nc7 Rb8 15.Bf4 with an advantage to White due to his more active pieces. } 13. Rd1+ Nd7 14. Bc4 { White wins material since Black can't defend his f-pawn. } 14... Bxc3 { 14...Rf8 15.Nb5 a6 16.Bxf7 Rxf7 17.Ne6+ Ke8 18.Nbc7+ mates. } 15. Bxf7 Kc7 { 15...Nd4 would allow White a winning combination: 16.Rxd4 Bxd4 17.Ne6++ } 16. Ne6+ Kb8 17. bxc3 { White has a won game due to his extra pawn and Black's lagging development. } 17... Nde5 18. Bf4 Bxe6 19. Bxe6 Rf8 20. Bg3 { Black resigned due to the pin on his knight which will cost him further material. } 1-0
[Event "Bad Pistyan"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1922.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Alekhine"]
[Black "Hromadka"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "69"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 Qb6 5. e3 { A solid move but one that doesn't try to punish Black for his early queen sortie. 5.c5 Qc7 6.g3 With the idea of developing the dark squared bishop to f4 gaining a tempo on the Black queen. } 5... Bg4 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Qa4+ Bd7 { 7...Nc6 8.Ne5 Bd7 9.Bb5 e6 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11.e4 With an attack similiar to the game continuation. } 8. Bb5 a6 9. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 10. O-O e6 11. Ne5 { Although White has succeeded in pinning Black's knight on d7, he does not have the type of lead in development needed to exploit it. } 11... Qa7 { A terrible mistake which gives White everything he needs in order to take advantage of The pinned knight on d7. 11...Qb4 12.Qxb4 Bxb4 Black has succeeded in breaking the pin while developing his bishop was the correct way of play. } 12. Nxd7 Nxd7 13. e4 { This energetic advance is made possible due to Black's lagging development which has resulted in his king being stuck in the center. } 13... b5 14. Qc2 dxe4 15. d5 { White wants to open up the center and get at the enemy king. } 15... e5 16. a4 { Before capturing the e-pawn White wants to provoke a weakness on Black's queenside. } 16... b4 17. Nxe4 Qb7 { 17...Bc5 with the idea of castling would be met by 18.Be3 Bxe3 19.Nd6+ Kf8 20.fxe3 Qxe3+ 21.Kh1 when White would have a big advantage for the lost pawn due to Black's uncastled king and better development. } 18. Rd1 Rc8 19. Qe2 Be7 20. Qg4 g6 { 20...O-O 21.Bh6 Bf6 would allow White a forced mate in two. } 21. Bg5 { With the exchange of dark squared bishops White makes sure that the Black king will remain in the center of the board. } 21... h6 { 21...Bxg5 would lose Black's queen, as would 21...f6 22.Qe6 fxg5 } 22. Bxe7 Kxe7 23. Qh4+ { White provokes Black into playing pawn g5 in order to weaken the f5 square. } 23... g5 24. Qg4 Rc4 25. Qf5 Rf8 26. b3 { White drives back the Black rook before beginning the final assault. } 26... Rcc8 27. Nf6 { The White knight breaks into Black's position with decisive effect. } 27... Rc5 { 27...Nxf6 28.d6+ Ke8 29.Qxe5+ Kd7 30.Qxf6 This leaves Black's king exposed to constant attack while White maintains a material } 28. Nxd7 Qc8 { 28...Qxd7 29.Qxe5+ Kd8 30.Rac1 Rxc1 31.Rxc1 when White has a winning position due to Black's vulnerable king and material deficit. } 29. d6+ { Black resigned since he losses the rook after: } 29... Kd8 30. Qf6+ Kxd7 31. Qe7+ Kc6 32. d7 Qd8 33. Qxf8 Qxf8 34. d8=Q Qxd8 35. Rxd8 1-0
[Event "Bad Pistyan"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1922.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Johner"]
[Black "Alekhine"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "54"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 c5 4. Nc3 { 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 transposes to the Benoni Defense. } 4... cxd4 5. Nxd4 d5 { Although 5...d5 is not a bad move 5...Bb4 would have been more energetic. } 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Ndb5 Bd7 { 7...Nc6 would allow White a tactic based on Black's c7 square. 8.Nxd5 exd5 9.Qxd5 Qxd5 10.Nc7+ Kd8 11.Nxd5 when White is a pawn ahead. } 8. e4 Nxc3 9. bxc3 { 9.Nxc3 Bc5 would give Black a slight lead in development. } 9... Qa5 10. Rb1 a6 11. Nd6+ Bxd6 12. Qxd6 Qxc3+ 13. Bd2 Qc6 14. Qf4 { White overestimates his attacking chances forgetting that his own king has also been left in the center. 14.Qb4 a5 15.Qxb7 O-O would restore the material balance while giving White the advantage of the bishop pair. } 14... O-O 15. Bd3 e5 { With this  pawn sacrifice Black opens lines for his pieces to attack the uncastled White king. } 16. Qxe5 Re8 17. Qd4 { 17.Qg3 Rxe4+ 18.Bxe4 Qxe4+ 19.Be3 Qxb1+ 20.Ke2 Qxh1 21.Bh6 Qa1 wins for Black. } 17... Qg6 { This move stops White from castling due to the pin with 18...Bh3. } 18. f3 { 18.O-O Bh3 when White must lose material to stop the threatened mate. 19.g3 Bxf1 20.Kxf1 would leave Black an exchange ahead. } 18... Qxg2 { A surprisi ng response since Black opens the g-file for White's rooks. However, having calculated all the variations Alekhine has come to the conclusion that the resulting complications favor Black. } 19. Rg1 Nc6 20. Qe3 Qxh2 21. Bc3 g6 22. Rxb7 Rad8 { Black's pawn advantage combined with White's king being in the center gives him a winning position. } 23. Bf6 Ne5 24. Be2 { 24.Bxd8 Nxd3+ 25.Kd1 Ba4+ 26.Rb3 Rxd8 would also give Black a winning attack. } 24... Bb5 25. Bxe5 Rxe5 26. Bxb5 Rxb5 27. Rxb5 axb5 { White resigned due to his exposed king and material deficit. } 0-1
[Event "Mahrisch Ostrau"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1923.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Walter"]
[Black "Lasker"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "42"]

1. d4 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. Bd3 Bg4 4. Nf3 e6 5. c4 Nbd7 6. Qb3 { White goes after a pawn but allows his kingside to get busted open. } 6... Bxf3 7. gxf3 c5 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Qxb7 cxd4 10. exd4 Bd6 11. Nc3 O-O 12. Nxd5 { Taking this second pawn is very risky, since his king will now be permanently stuck in the center. } 12... Qa5+ { By this maneuver Black prevents exchanges and gets his queen to a good attacking square. } 13. Nc3 Qh5 14. Be2 { Black was  threatening 14...Rab8 15 Qc6 Rb6 when the f-pawn will fall and Black's queen will give White a major headache. } 14... Rab8 15. Qa6 Rb6 16. Qd3 Re8 17. Ne4 Nd5 18. Nxd6 { White is desparate to castle, but the knight was his only good piece, and with Black's rooks active there's no safety on the kingside. } 18... Rxd6 19. O-O Rde6 20. Re1 Qh3 21. Kh1 { Avoiding 21...Rg6+, but setting up a back rank mate. } 21... Rxe2 0-1
[Event "Berlin"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1923.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Alekhine"]
[Black "Saemisch"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "39"]

1. e4 c5 { Both players were blindfolded during this game! } 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Be2 e6 4. O-O d6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Nf6 7. Bf3 Ne5 8. c4 Nxf3+ 9. Qxf3 Be7 10. Nc3 O-O 11. b3 Nd7 12. Bb2 Bf6 13. Rad1 a6 14. Qg3 Qc7 15. Kh1 Rd8 16. f4 b6 { The bishop at f6 is the only guardian of the kingside. White now blasts open the f-file while destroying the pawns at e6 and f7. } 17. f5 Be5 { Black counters by threatening the White queen. Once it moves, the knight will move to f6 and the kingside will be defended. But Alekhine wastes no time defending the queen. } 18. fxe6 Bxg3 { 18...fxe6 19.Nxe6 } 19. exf7+ { 19.exf7+ Kf8 20.Ne6++ } 19... Kh8 20. Nd5 { Here Black resigned, because there was no defense. } 1-0
[Event "Carlsbad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1923.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Alekhine"]
[Black "Maroczy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "43"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 Ne4 { The Lasker ariation of the Queen's gambit Declined. Black seeks exchanges to free his somewhat cramped position. } 7. Bxe7 Qxe7 8. Qb3 Nxc3 { 8...c6 9.Bd3 f5 would give Black a strong outpost for his knight on e4. } 9. Qxc3 c6 { 9...c5 10.cxd5 cxd4 11.Nxd4 exd5 would give an advantage to White because of Black's weak isolated d-pawn. } 10. Bd3 Nd7 11. O-O f5 { A mistake which gives up control of the e5 square. 11...dxc4 12.Bxc4 c5 would be a better for White due to his better development. } 12. Rac1 g5 { This premature attack opens up Black's already weakened kingside. } 13. Nd2 Rf7 14. f3 { White's lead in development gives him the better game. His last move prepares to open up the position with 15.e4. } 14... e5 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. e4 { With Black's queenside still undeveloped White in effect is attacking with an extra rook and bishop. } 16... fxe4 17. fxe4 Rxf1+ 18. Rxf1 exd4 19. Qc7 { A strong move which ties down all of Black's pieces. 19.Qxd4 would be a mistake which would allow Black to exchange off queens with 19...Qc5 } 19... Kg7 20. Rf5 dxe4 21. Nxe4 { As a result of Black's backward development White has a winning attack. } 21... Qb4 22. Rxg5+ { Black resigned. } 1-0
[Event "Mahrisch Ostrau"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1923.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Reti"]
[Black "Lasker"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "90"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e3 b5 { The Slav defense, in which Black has won a pawn but this is only temporary. In return, White can take control of central squares and develop pieces. } 6. a4 { An important move, which undermines Black's pawn chain. } 6... b4 { 6...a6 7.axb5 cxb5 8.Nxb5 allows White to regain his pawn with advantage because of his better pawn structure. } 7. Na2 e6 8. Bxc4 { White has regained the pawn, but the knight is now misplaced. } 8... Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. Qe2 Nbd7 11. b3 { 11.e4 Fighting for the center would be more consistent with the ideas behind this opening. } 11... a5 { Black plays to lock the a2 knight out of the game. } 12. Bb2 c5 13. Rfd1 Qb6 14. Nc1 Ba6 15. dxc5 { 15.Bxa6 Qxa6 16.Qxa6 Rxa6 Black stands better due to White's undeveloped queenside and b3 weakness. } 15... Nxc5 16. Ne5 Bxc4 17. Nxc4 Qa6 18. Bd4 Rfc8 19. Bxc5 { 19.h3 would allow Black to win a pawn. } 19... Bxc5 20. Qf3 Be7 21. Nd3 { 21.Ne2 would allow White to keep the d-file open for his rooks while covering the c3 square. } 21... Nd5 22. Nde5 Bf6 { 22...f6 woul d allow a pretty smothered mate with 23.Rxd5 exd5 24.Qxd5+ Kh8 25.Nf7+ Kg8 26. Nh6+ Kh8 27.Qg8+ Rxg8 28.Nf7+ } 23. e4 Nc3 24. Rd6 { 24.Rd7 Gaining the seventh rank would be only temporary after Ra7. } 24... Qb7 25. Re1 Bxe5 26. Nxe5 Qc7 27. Nc4 { 27.Rd7 Qxe5 28.Qxf7+ Kh8 Black is fine since his queen guarding the g7 square. } 27... e5 { Played to stop White from opening the f3-a8 diagonal for his queen by e5. 27...Nxa4 28.e5 Rd8 29.Red1 Nc3 30.Rd7 Rxd7 31.Qxa8+ } 28. Qf5 Ne2+ 29. Kf1 { A mistake which will be seen shortly. White's king would be safer tucked away in the corner after 29.Kh1. } 29... Nd4 30. Qxe5 Nxb3 { Black has the advantage thanks to his passed b-pawn. } 31. Nb6 Nd2+ { This move would not be possible had White played 29.Kh1. } 32. Kg1 Nc4 33. Nxc4 Qxc4 34. Qf5 Rab8 { Black's lends support to promoting his passed b-pawn. } 35. e5 b3 36. e6 fxe6 37. Rdxe6 Rf8 38. Qe5 Qc2 39. f4 b2 40. Re7 Qg6 41. f5 Qf6 42. Qd5+ { 42.Qxf6 would not help to halt the b-pawns advance after...Rxf6 43.Rb1 Rc6 44.Ree1 Rc4 45.Re2 Rc1+ 46.Rxc1 bxc1Q+ } 42... Kh8 43. Rb7 Qc3 { White resigned. 43...Qc3 White resigned since he can't stop the b-pawn from promoting for example... } 44. Rf1 Qe3+ 45. Kh1 Qc1 0-1
[Event "Holland Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1924.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Euwe"]
[Black "Speyer"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "43"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 c6 4. c4 e6 5. Nbd2 { 5.Nc3 is more common. } 5... c5 6. Bd3 Nbd7 7. O-O b6 { Black should have attended to his kingside development. } 8. cxd5 exd5 9. e4 { Since Black is not ready to castle, the opening of the e-file is the logical plan. } 9... Bb7 10. exd5 Bxd5 11. Re1+ Be7 { 11...Be6 12.Bc4 } 12. dxc5 Nxc5 { 12...bxc5 13.Qe2 with a nasty pin on the e-file. } 13. Bb5+ Kf8 { There will be no castling. } 14. b3 Bb7 15. Bb2 Nd3 16. Bxd3 Qxd3 17. Rc1 Rd8 { Threatening Bxf3. But Euwe responds with a nice sacrifice. } 18. Rxe7 Bxf3 { 18...Kxe7 19.Ba3+ Ke8 20.Qe1+ Ne4 21.Rc7 Rd7 22.Rxb7 Rxb7 23.Nxe4 The threat of discovered check forces the win of additional material. } 19. Ba3 { Now Euwe sacrifices the queen, though this, too, must be declined. } 19... Qa6 { 19...Bxd1 20.Re3+ Kg8 21.Rxd3 Rxd3 22.Rc8+ } 20. Rcc7 { The queen remains under attack, but it still cannot be captured. } 20... Qxa3 { 20...Bxd1 21.Rxf7+ Kg8 22.Rxg7++ } 21. Rxf7+ Ke8 { 21...Kg8 22.Rxg7+ Kf8 23.Rcf7+ Ke8 24.Qe1+ } 22. Qe1+ 1-0
[Event "New York"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1924.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Capablanca"]
[Black "Tartakower"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "103"]

1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 f5 3. c4 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Nc3 O-O { White prepares to trade off Black's king knight or king bishop, both of which are important attacking pieces in this opening. } 6. e3 b6 7. Bd3 Bb7 8. O-O Qe8 { Black plans to attack on the kingside by 9...Qh5 and 10...Ng4. } 9. Qe2 { White prepare to meet 9...Qh5 by 10.e4 when Black's pieces will be embarrassed in the center. } 9... Ne4 10. Bxe7 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Qxe7 12. a4 { Preventing 12... Qa3 and preparing to play on the queenside by 13.Rfb1 and a later a5. } 12... Bxf3 { This is horrible: Black's bishop is his best piece and he voluntarily gives it up. He should play 12...d6 and 13...Nd7 to solidify his position in the center. } 13. Qxf3 Nc6 14. Rfb1 Rae8 15. Qh3 { Preventing Black from freeing himself by 15...e5. Black should now try to get some play on the kingside by 15...g5. } 15... Rf6 16. f4 Na5 17. Qf3 d6 18. Re1 Qd7 19. e4 fxe4 20. Qxe4 g6 21. g3 Kf8 22. Kg2 Rf7 23. h4 d5 24. cxd5 exd5 25. Qxe8+ Qxe8 26. Rxe8+ Kxe8 { We have now reached a classic ending) White has a bishop against a knight and a target on g6. Black struggles to get counterplay, but by giving up material White strengthens his bind until Black finally gives up. } 27. h5 Rf6 { 27...gxh5 28.Rh1 Kf8 29.Rxh5 Wins a pawn for White. } 28. hxg6 hxg6 29. Rh1 { Now each of White's pieces is more active than its Black counterpart. } 29... Kf8 { Black wants to move his rook to the c-file but can't allow a pin by Bb5. } 30. Rh7 { Now White's rook has an ideal position on the seventh rank. Black's king is in a box and will soon become the object of attack by all White's pieces. } 30... Rc6 31. g4 Nc4 { Black doesn't take on c3 as that would give White connected passed pawns on the kingside. He brings his misplaced knight to the kingside, but the time this takes lets White tighten his bind there. } 32. g5 Ne3+ 33. Kf3 Nf5 34. Bxf5 gxf5 { White has given up his bishop for Black's knight and must now lose his c- pawn, but now his king has a clear path into Black's position by g3-h4-g5-f6. } 35. Kg3 Rxc3+ 36. Kh4 Rf3 { 36...Rc1 37.Kh5 Rh1+ 38.Kg6 Rxh7 39.Kxh7 c5 40.g6 And White gets a new queen. } 37. g6 Rxf4+ 38. Kg5 Re4 { 38...Rxd4 39.Kf6 Kg8 40.Rd7 And Black get mated. } 39. Kf6 { White doesn't take the f-pawn because it will shield his king from checks on the f-file. The g6 pawn is all he needs to win with his mating battery of king and rook in place. } 39... Kg8 40. Rg7+ Kh8 41. Rxc7 Re8 42. Kxf5 { White only captures after Black's rook has been reduced to passive defense. } 42... Re4 43. Kf6 Rf4+ 44. Ke5 Rg4 45. g7+ Kg8 { 45...Rxg7 46.Rxg7 Kxg7 47.Kxd5 Kf7 48.Kd6 Ke8 49.Kc7 Ke7 50.d5 And the d- pawn can't be stopped. } 46. Rxa7 Rg1 47. Kxd5 Rc1 48. Kd6 Rc2 49. d5 Rc1 50. Rc7 Ra1 51. Kc6 Rxa4 52. d6 { White will get a new queen. If you don't see this, play the position out with Gambit. } 1-0
[Event "New York"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1924.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Alekhine"]
[Black "Lasker"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "72"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bf4 c6 7. e3 { 7.h3 With the idea of preserving his dark squared bishop, would be met with ... Be7 8.e3 Ne4 9.Be2 f5 with a good game for Black due to his strong knight one4. } 7... Nh5 8. Bd3 { This leaves his d-pawn extremely weak after Black plays 8... Nxf4. 8.Be5 would be better as after 8...f6 9.Bg3 Nxg3 10.hxg3 when White has succeeded in giving Black light square weaknesses. } 8... Nxf4 9. exf4 Bd6 10. g3 { Black has forced White to weaken his kingside in order to protect the f4 pawn. } 10... O-O 11. O-O Re8 12. Qc2 Nf8 13. Nd1 f6 14. Ne3 Be6 15. Nh4 Bc7 16. b4 { White begins a minority attack on the queenside where his two pawns will attack Black's three. } 16... Bb6 17. Nf3 Bf7 18. b5 { A mistake since the White d-pawn needs protection. 18.Qb2 Ne6 19.Nc2 Gives the weak pawn protection. } 18... Bh5 { Forcing White to further weaken his kingside in order to save his d4 pawn. } 19. g4 Bf7 20. bxc6 Rc8 { 20...bxc6 21.Qxc6 } 21. Qb2 bxc6 22. f5 { This prevent s Black from using the e6-square but it creates further holes on the kingside. } 22... Qd6 23. Ng2 Bc7 { Black moves quickly to put pressure on the dark squared. } 24. Rfe1 h5 { Black's idea is not only to undermine White's pawn position but also to get his knight into the game via h7. } 25. h3 Nh7 26. Rxe8+ Rxe8 27. Re1 { White must keep the e-file under control to avoid being mated. 27.a4 Ng5 28.Nxg5 Qh2+ 29. Kf1 Qh1+ Mate. } 27... Rb8 { 27...Ng5 28.Rxe8+ Bxe8 29.Qe2 allows White to defend himself. } 28. Qc1 Ng5 29. Ne5 { 29.Nxg5 Qh2+ 30.Kf1 fxg5 would be much better for Black because of White's exposed king. } 29... fxe5 30. Qxg5 e4 { Black reopens the b8-h2 diagonal. } 31. f6 g6 32. f4 { 32.gxh5 Qh2+ 33.Kf1 exd3 when Black threatens 34...Qh1 mate. } 32... hxg4 { 32...exd3 allows White counterplay after...33.gxh5 } 33. Be2 { 33.hxg4 exd3 34.Qh6 Qf8 would leave Black a piece up. } 33... gxh3 34. Bh5 Rb2 35. Nh4 Qxf4 36. Qxf4 Bxf4 { White resigned due to his material deficit. } 0-1
[Event "New York"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1924.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Tartakower"]
[Black "Capablanca"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "60"]

1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Be2 { A passive move which lets Black take the initiative in the center. } 3... d5 4. exd5 Nf6 5. c4 { A dangerous loss of time with White's weakness on e3 and the e1-h4 diagonal. He should remember he is playing a gambit and develop his kingside. } 5... c6 { In contrast to White, Black is perfectly willing to give up a pawn to get his pieces out. } 6. d4 Bb4+ { The first intermediate move. Before taking on d5 Black develops a piece and throws White into confusion. } 7. Kf1 { White must move his King. 8...Nxd2 9.Nbxd2 cxd5 White's position is horrible. } 7... cxd5 8. Bxf4 dxc4 9. Bxb8 { White hopes to win a piece by 10.Qa4+, but misses Black's reply. 9.Bxc4 would be only a little better for Black. } 9... Nd5 { A fine intermediate move. Black protects his bishop, centralizes his knight and threatens a deadly fork on e3. } 10. Kf2 { 10.Bf4 Qf6 } 10... Rxb8 11. Bxc4 O-O { Black has a huge advantage here: White's king is exposed, his pieces are undeveloped and Black has the bishop pair. White doesn't realize the danger to his king, else he would play 12.Bxd5 to get rid of Black's strong knight. } 12. Nf3 Nf6 { Black saves his knight from exchange, since it will become a nuisance on e4 or g4. } 13. Nc3 b5 { Driving White's bishop from the center. } 14. Bd3 Ng4+ 15. Kg1 Bb7 16. Bf5 Bxf3 17. gxf3 { Black wins easily after 17.Qxf3. } 17... Ne3 18. Bxh7+ { White can't let Black deflect his queen from the defense of d4. } 18... Kh8 19. Qd3 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Nd5 21. Be4 Nf4 22. Qd2 Qh4 { Black's queen and knight and queen are so strong that he now threatens to win by the crude ...Rb6, ... f5, ...Rg6+ and ...Rg2. White stops that but there are too many other threat as well. } 23. Kf1 f5 24. Bc6 Rf6 { Now White can only save his bishop by shutting it off from the defense of his king. } 25. d5 Rd8 26. Rd1 { 26.Qf2 Qh3+ 27.Ke1 Nd3+ } 26... Rxc6 { Winning a piece, but also trading off the last piece guarding White's king. } 27. dxc6 Rxd2 28. Rxd2 Ne6 29. Rd6 Qc4+ 30. Kg2 Qe2+ { White resigns in the face of mate or further loss of material. If you have doubts about this, Gambit will convince you. } 0-1
[Event "Leningrad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1924.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Botvinnik"]
[Black "Timofeyev"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "45"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 a6 7. Qc2 Nfd7 8. e4 Nc6 9. Be3 { White has complete control of the center, which will provide the basis for an attack. The 17-year old Botvinnik shows that he understands the opening well. } 9... Na5 { His opponent lacks such wisdom, and violates opening principles by failing to continue with development. } 10. Bd3 Nb6 11. a3 Bd6 12. Rd1 O-O { Finally! But now this loses a pawn immediately. } 13. e5 Be7 14. Bxh7+ Kh8 15. Qe4 g6 { Does Black think the bishop is trapped? } 16. Bxg6 fxg6 17. Qxg6 { And now the Black king is hopelessly exposed. } 17... Rf5 18. d5 { This move contains many threats, from the discovered attack on the queen with 19.dxe6, which also removes the defender from the rook, and also there is a threat to capture at b6 and create a passed pawn with d5-d6. } 18... Nxd5 19. Nxd5 exd5 20. e6 Rf6 21. Bd4 { The pin forces the win of material. } 21... Bxe6 22. Ng5 { And now mate is threatened. } 22... Bg8 23. Qh6+ 1-0
[Event "Soviet Union"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1924.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Abramovic"]
[Black "Botvinnik"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "34"]

1. d4 f5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 b6 { Black aims his queen bishop at the kingside, also further restraining e4 by White. } 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 Bb7 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O Ne4 { So Black occupies this key square, hoping the knight will support a kingside attack, while simultaneously encouraging White to trade off his most active piece. } 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. Rc1 { White doesn't want to trade on e4, which would give Black both the open f-file and a cramping pawn on e4, and he also doesn't want Black to leave him with doubled c-pawns, but this move wastes time. } 10... Na6 { Black connects his rooks while supporting both c7 and c5 in the event White tries to break on the c-file. } 11. a3 { Losing more time. } 11... Rf6 { Black brings the heavy artillery to bear against White's kingside. } 12. Qa4 { After this White is lost; his queen is cut off from the kingside, and Black will trade off his only good defensive piece there, the knight on f3. } 12... Nxc3 13. Rxc3 Bxf3 14. Qxa6 { White thinks he is keeping his kingside intact by not taking on f3, but the bishop is a one piece mating net while the knight had nothing to do with the attack. White would still be lost after: 14.gxf3 Rg6+ 15.Kh1 Qg5 And White has no defence to the mate on g2. } 14... Rg6 15. g3 Qg5 { Good enough, but Black could win faster by 15...Qh4. } 16. Re1 Qh5 17. e4 Qxh2+ 0-1
[Event "Moscow"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1925.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Capablanca"]
[Black "Bogoljubow"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "66"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 dxc4 4. e4 { After this White can't keep a pawn on d4, but his pieces become very active. } 4... c5 5. Bxc4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Nf6 7. Nc3 Bc5 { The bishop is exposed here; he should play 7...Nbd7. } 8. Be3 { White takes aim at Black's exposed bishop. } 8... Nbd7 { Black defends the bishop but underestimates the coming sacrifice. He should castle to defend against tactics due to White's advantage in development. } 9. Bxe6 { White cashes in his edge in development to open up Black's king. } 9... fxe6 10. Nxe6 Qa5 { 10...Qb6 11.Nxc5 Nxc5 12.O-O Qc6 13.Rc1 Ncxe4 14.Nxe4 Qxe4 15. Bc5 And White has a mighty attack. } 11. O-O { White doesn't lose time by taking on g7. } 11... Bxe3 { This opens the f-file for White's rook, but 11...Kf7 walks into 12.Qb3. } 12. fxe3 Kf7 13. Qb3 Kg6 14. Rf5 Qb6 15. Nf4+ Kh6 16. g4 { White tightens the net around Black's king, but this is really a mistake that should let Black out. He should have played 16.Qf7. 16.Qf7 g6 17.g4 Qxe3+ 18.Kg2 and Black will get mated. } 16... g5 17. Qxb6 axb6 18. Rd1 Rg8 { With his king exposed and White's pieces all active, Black has a tough defence but this is a blunder. He could have won by taking the knight. 18...gxf4 19.g5+ Kg7 20.gxf6+ Nxf6 21. Rg5+ Kf7 22.exf4 h6 23.Rg3 Nh5 And Black will eventually get away. } 19. Nfd5 Nxg4 { 19...Rg6 20.Ne7 Rg7 21.Ncd5 leaves Black completely tied up and White's attack still going full steam. } 20. Ne7 Rg7 21. Rd6+ Kh5 22. Rf3 { Sealing the mating net. This pretty move ensures the win. } 22... Ngf6 23. Rh3+ Kg4 24. Rg3+ Kh5 25. Nf5 Rg6 26. Ne7 { He could have won faster by checking first. 26.Rh3+ Kg4 27.Kg2 And Black gets mated. } 26... g4 27. Nxg6 Kxg6 28. Rxg4+ Kf7 29. Rf4 Kg7 30. e5 Ne8 31. Re6 { Black resigned here. He didn't like the idea of playing on, for example... } 31... Nc7 32. Re7+ Kg6 33. e6 { when he loses at least another piece. } 33... Nc5 1-0
[Event "Moscow"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1925.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Capablanca"]
[Black "Marshall"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "57"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. b3 c5 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. O-O Be7 7. d3 O-O 8. Bb2 d4 9. e4 { White blocks the center in order to start a flank attack. } 9... dxe3 { Black doesn't want to let White gain space on the kingside by 10.Ne1 and 11.f4, but now White's extra center pawn gives him a permanent edge there. 9...a6 10. Ne1 Rb8 Should be OK for Black. } 10. fxe3 Ng4 11. Qe2 Bf6 12. Nc3 Qa5 { The queen doesn't do anything here and Black will soon gets exposed on the kingside. } 13. Rac1 Rd8 14. h3 Nge5 15. Ne4 { The knight takes aim at Black's kingside. With his queen and queenside pieces out of play Black is hard pressed to defend the coming attack. } 15... Qxa2 { Now Black gets crushed on the kingside, but things were bad anyway. 15...Nxf3+ 16.Qxf3 Bxb2 17.Qxf7+ Kh8 18.Qf8+ } 16. Nxf6+ gxf6 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. Be4 { White's whole army is aimed at Black's king and Black has only a knight to defend. } 18... Bd7 19. Ra1 Qxb3 20. Rfb1 { Black now loses either his queen or knight. He could resign here, but the finish is amusing. } 20... Qb4 21. Bxe5 fxe5 22. Rxb4 cxb4 23. Bxb7 Rab8 24. Rxa7 b3 25. Qb2 Ba4 26. Qxe5 Bc6 27. Qg5+ Kf8 28. Bxc6 b2 29. Qe7+ 1-0
[Event "Moscow"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1925.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gotthilf"]
[Black "Capablanca"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "54"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 c5 6. dxc5 { White should advance the d-pawn here. 6.d5 exd5 White can use the diagonal to his advantage here.  Nh4  And Black can't hold the d5 pawn. } 6... Bxc5 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Nxe4 Bxe4 9. O-O Nc6 10. Nd2 Bxg2 11. Kxg2 { Now Black has an edge because of his freer pieces and White's slightly exposed king. } 11... d5 12. Qa4 { 12.Nf3 dxc4 13.Qa4 Rc8 14.Ne5 Qc7 15.Bf4 Qb7 } 12... Rc8 13. Nb3 O-O 14. Rd1 { 14.cxd5 Qxd5+ 15.e4 Qd3 16.Nxc5 bxc5 17.Be3 Nd4 } 14... d4 { Black's pawn wedge will give him a permanent edge. } 15. Nxc5 { 15.e3 e5 } 15... bxc5 16. a3 { White tries to counter Black's central clamp by opening the queenside but since he can't play b4 this is just a waste of time. } 16... Qb6 17. Bd2 a5 18. Qc2 e5 19. Rab1 f5 { Black's space edge in the center is getting dangerous, but White can't do anything about it. } 20. h3 h6 21. b3 Rb8 22. Rb2 Qb7 { Taking over the diagonal that White gave up at move 10. } 23. Kh2 Rbd8 24. b4 { White is desparate to get some play before he gets pushed off the board, but he overlooks a pretty tactic. } 24... d3 { White resigned here. If he had played on the game might end as follows: } 25. exd3 Nd4 26. Qb1 Nf3+ 27. Kg2 Nxd2+ 0-1
[Event "Kecskemet"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1927.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Takacs"]
[Black "Alekhine"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "38"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Qc2 { White doesn't need to defend his c-pawn, since ...dxc4 could be answered by Qa4+ regaining the pawn, and his queen quickly becomes exposed here. } 4... c5 { Black takes advantage of White's move order to prevent him from establishing a pawn on d4. } 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 e5 7. Nf3 Nc6 { Black feels that his secure pawn on e5 gives him enough space in the center, so he doesn't risk overextending himself by 8...e4. } 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. a3 { White begins to regret his fourth move, as now he must lose time or have his queen harassed by ...Nb4. } 9... Be6 10. Bd2 Be7 11. Nc3 O-O 12. Bg2 Rc8 { Black places his rook menacingly opposite White's queen. } 13. Rd1 { White likewise places his rook opposite Black's queen, but with Black ahead in development and White's king still in the center there is no doubt whose rook will be stronger. } 13... Nd4 { Black draws first blood, moving his knight into a strong attacking position. Because of the pin of the knight on c3 White can't trade off Black's aggressive knight: } 14. Qb1 { 14.Nxd4 exd4 And White will loses the knight on c3. } 14... Bf6 { Black reinforce s his center pawn. White's king is uncomfortable, and Black is ready to make it even less comfortable. } 15. O-O { White is understandably anxious to get his King out of the center, but this loses material. 15.h3 Nxc3 16.Bxc3 Bb3 when Black has a decisive initiative. } 15... Nxc3 { Destroying the only defender of White's pawn on e2. } 16. bxc3 Nxe2+ 17. Kh1 Qc7 { Getting out of White's rook's line of fire, defending the b7 pawn and ganging up on White's c3 pawn. } 18. Qd3 Nxc3 { Taking a second pawn, and threatening a fork which White overlooks. } 19. Rc1 e4 { White seems to have overlooked that Black's last move added another defender to c3. It is ironic that the game ends with a final attack on White's queen, whose early development got him into trouble in the first place. } 0-1
[Event "New York"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1927.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Capablanca"]
[Black "Spielmann"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "51"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Nd7 4. Nc3 Ngf6 5. Bg5 Bb4 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Qa4 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 O-O 9. e3 c5 10. Bd3 c4 11. Bc2 Qe7 12. O-O a6 13. Rfe1 Qe6 14. Nd2 b5 15. Qa5 Ne4 16. Nxe4 dxe4 { Looking at this position it hardly seems possible that White will soon have a passed pawn on the a-file! } 17. a4 Qd5 { 17...bxa4 18.Bxa4 Bb7 19.Qc7 } 18. axb5 { The pawn cannot be captured because of the pin on the a-file. Black captures the bishop at g5, but this is not relevant to the action. } 18... Qxg5 19. Bxe4 Rb8 20. bxa6 { In return for the piece, White has three pawns, normally considered enough compensation. But the fact that one of them is a passed pawn nearing the promotion rank, and that the path to the 8th rank is clear, is decisive. } 20... Rb5 21. Qc7 Nb6 22. a7 Bh3 23. Reb1 Rxb1+ 24. Rxb1 f5 25. Bf3 f4 26. exf4 { White won. } 1-0
[Event "New York"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1927.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Nimzovitch"]
[Black "Capablanca"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "92"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Bd3 { Too passive. White trades his good bishop for Black's bad one and, by doing so, eliminates his own attacking potential. } 4... Bxd3 5. Qxd3 e6 6. Nc3 Qb6 7. Nge2 c5 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. O-O Ne7 { Black is willing to let White exchange his knight for the c5 bishop because this trade will leave White's bishop without any good squares. } 10. Na4 Qc6 11. Nxc5 Qxc5 12. Be3 Qc7 13. f4 Nf5 14. c3 Nc6 15. Rad1 g6 { Black sets a positional trap: White has been moving his pieces with no real object in mind, and Black invites him to do something apparently active on the kingside. } 16. g4 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 h5 { Now White must either let the h-file be opened onto his king or give Black the f5 square. } 18. g5 O-O { Now White has no chance to open the kingside while Black has fine squares for his pieces for his pieces all over the board. } 19. Nd4 Qb6 20. Rf2 Rfc8 21. a3 Rc7 22. Rd3 Na5 23. Re2 Re8 24. Kg2 Nc6 25. Red2 Rec8 26. Re2 Ne7 { Black saves his knight for f5 and unleashes a brutal battery on the c- file. } 27. Red2 Rc4 28. Qh3 Kg7 29. Rf2 a5 30. Re2 Nf5 { Now Black will allow the exchange of knights because the trade will leave White tied to the defense of f4. } 31. Nxf5+ gxf5 32. Qf3 { 32.Qxh5 Rh8 33.Qf3 Rh4 And the f4 pawn must fall. } 32... Kg6 33. Red2 Re4 34. Rd4 Rc4 35. Qf2 Qb5 36. Kg3 Rcxd4 37. cxd4 Qc4 { Black will now work on the weak spots on d4 and f4 until White is forced to let Black's pieces into the first rank, when White will simply run out of moves. } 38. Kg2 b5 39. Kg1 b4 40. axb4 axb4 41. Kg2 Qc1 42. Kg3 Qh1 43. Rd3 Re1 44. Rf3 Rd1 45. b3 Rc1 46. Re3 Rf1 { White's queen can only be saved at the cost of mate or his rook. } 0-1
[Event "Budapest"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1928.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Capablanca"]
[Black "Havasi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "53"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 dxc4 4. e4 c5 5. Bxc4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Nf6 7. Nc3 a6 8. O-O Bc5 9. Be3 Nbd7 10. Bxe6 fxe6 11. Nxe6 Qa5 12. Nxg7+ Kf7 13. Nf5 { White threatens 14.Qb3+ followed by 15.Ne2. } 13... Ne5 14. Qb3+ Kg6 15. Rac1 Bf8 16. Ne2 h5 17. Rfd1 { Bringing the last piece into the attack. } 17... Rg8 18. Nf4+ Kh7 19. Bb6 Qb5 20. Rc7+ Kh8 { 20...Bd7 21.Nd5 Nxd5 22.Rxd5 Qxb3 23.axb3 } 21. Qxb5 { White eliminates Black's only active piece in preparation for the final attack. } 21... axb5 22. Rd8 { Now none of Black's pieces has a productive move. } 22... Rxa2 { 22...Bxf5 23.Rxa8 Bxe4 24.Rcc8 Ned7 25.Bd4 } 23. Rdxc8 Nc4 24. h3 Nxb6 25. Rxf8 Nfd7 { 25...Rxf8 26.Ng6+ Kg8 27.Rg7+ } 26. Rf7 Rxb2 27. Nd5 { Black resigns because he must lose a piece. } 1-0
[Event "Budapest"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1928.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Merenyi"]
[Black "Capablanca"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "76"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. c3 d5 4. Bb5+ { This is weak since White's bishop is would be a good piece after the pawn center clarified. } 4... Bd7 5. Bxd7+ Qxd7 6. exd5 Qxd5 7. d4 cxd4 8. Qxd4 Qxd4 9. Nxd4 e5 { Taking advantage of White's exposed knight to gain a strong center pawn. } 10. Nb5 Kd7 { 10...Na6 would misplace the knight, while now it is White's knight which is misplaced. } 11. Ke2 Kc6 12. a4 Nd7 13. Be3 a6 14. Rd1 Ngf6 15. Nd2 Rd8 16. Na3 { White begins to retreat and Black's edge in piece activity will increase with every piece. } 16... Nd5 17. Ndc4 b6 18. Rd2 Bxa3 19. Rxa3 { 19.Nxa3 Nxe3 20.Kxe3 Nc5 And Black keeps the advantage because of his more active pieces and White's weak a-pawn. } 19... Rhe8 20. Nd6 Re7 { Black meets White's hopeful tactics by simple consolidation. } 21. c4 Nxe3 22. fxe3 { 22.Kxe3 Nf6 23.Ne4 Ng4+ 24.Kf3 Nxh2+ 25.Kg3 Nf1+ } 22... Nc5 23. Ne4 Rxd2+ 24. Nxd2 a5 { Black's edge is now clear across the whole board: White has weaknesses on c4, a4, e3 and g2, and Black's pieces are all more active than their counter- parts. } 25. Nb1 Rd7 26. Nd2 e4 27. Nb3 Nd3 28. Nd4+ Kc5 29. b3 f5 30. Ra1 Rxd4 { The e3 pawn was the key to White's keeping Black's king and pawns at bay; now White is overrun. } 31. exd4+ Kxd4 32. g3 { 32.h4 f4 } 32... g5 33. b4 f4 34. c5 f3+ 35. Kf1 e3 36. Re1 bxc5 37. Rxe3 Kxe3 38. bxa5 c4 { White will promote first, but Black will promote with mate. } 0-1
[Event "Berlin"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1928.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Reti"]
[Black "Capablanca"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "36"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. c3 a6 5. Ba4 f5 { White's fourth move did nothing for his immediate development and took the best square from his queen knight, so Black feels he can risk this push for the initiative. } 6. d4 fxe4 7. Ng5 exd4 8. Nxe4 { White might do better to castle and make a gambit of the opening. } 8... Nf6 { Black uses the exposed White knight to develop with tempo. } 9. Bg5 Be7 10. Qxd4 { White miscalculates that Black won't be able to take advantage of his exposed queen. } 10... b5 { Winning material, but White must have felt that Black's many pawn moves would give White enough counterplay. } 11. Nxf6+ gxf6 12. Qd5 bxa4 13. Bh6 { 13.Qxc6+ Bd7 } 13... Qd7 { This fine move defends the knight as well as the bishop on e7, prepares to attack White's kingside by a later ...Qg4 or Qh3 and gets ready to castle queenside. } 14. O-O Bb7 { Aiming his extra piece straight at White's king position. } 15. Bg7 O-O-O { Another fine move. Black is willing to give back a little material to take the initiative. After White takes the rook Black will have his queen bishop, knight, queen and rook all aiming at White's king, which has no defenders. } 16. Bxh8 Ne5 { Now White's queen won't be able to get back to defend the kingside. } 17. Qd1 Bf3 { Very powerful; Black wins a tempo on White's queen while not allowing the counterplay White might hope for after, e.g. 17...Qf5 18.Qxa4. } 18. gxf3 Qh3 { White has no defense to threats like 19...Nxf3+ and 19...Rg8+ } 0-1
[Event "Carlsbad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1929.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Euwe"]
[Black "Colle"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "25"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. d4 e6 3. c4 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Bxd2+ 7. Nbxd2 d6 8. O-O O-O 9. Re1 { White prepares to take over the center by e4. } 9... Nbd7 10. Qc2 { White feels that, since e4 is inevitable he should wait for Black to commit his pieces before committing his own pawns. } 10... e5 11. Nxe5 { This discovered attack wins a pawn. Black tries to cut his losses, but only makes things worse. } 11... Bxg2 { This intermediate move at least keeps White from taking over the a8-h1 diagonal as he would if Black took the knight. } 12. Nxd7 Bh3 { But this is one intermediate move too many. Black hopes for counterplay around White's king position, but after: } 13. Nxf8 { He is simply down too much material. } 1-0