Icannos/chess_studies huggingface dataset:
[Event "Nottingham"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1936.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Tylor"]
[Black "Lasker"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "35: Lasker's Maneuvering Skill"]
[ECO "A00"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

{ Another example of Lasker's maneuvering skill - this from his later years } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 d6 7. Bg5 Ne7 8. Nh4 c6 9. Bc4 Kh8 10. f4 exf4 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Rxf4 Ng6 13. Nxg6+ fxg6 14. Bb3 { To prevent Black from playing ... Pd5 with gain of tempo } ( 14. d4 Bxc3 15. bxc3 d5 $1 ) 14... Qe7 15. Ne2 Ba5 16. c3 Bd7 17. Ng3 { With an eye on
the two Black Bishops, White would like to see the position assume a closed
character. He therefore takes steps to dscourage Black from playing ... Pf5,
even though in doing so the Knight is not very well placed on g3 } 17... Bc7 18. Rf2 Kg7 19. Qd2 Rae8 20. Raf1 Be6 $1 { An important decision: Black
gives up the Bishop pair. The point is that the White Bishop is so active that
it would be dangerous for Black to open up the position. Also, as teh rest of
the game shows that Black's remaining Bishop will outperform the White Knight } 21. Qc2 { Black forces a weakening of the enemy e-pawn, and the proceeds to
put it under fire } 21... Bb6 22. d4 Bc7 { The Bishop promptly returns
to its former postion. The intention was solely to force Pd4 and thereby
weaken the e-pawn } 23. Kh1 h5 $1 24. Re1 ( 24. -- h4 25. Ne2 Bc8 26. Rf4 g5 { winning the e-pawn } ) 24... Qf7 25. Rfe2 Bxb3 26. axb3 ( 26. Qxb3 Qxb3 27. axb3 Re7 28. Kg1 Rfe8 { White's endgame might be tenable though
it would not be a pleasant task. Black would continue to maneuver, keeping
White under constant nagging pressure } ) 26... Qd7 27. Nf1 Re7 28. Qd3 Rfe8 29. Nd2 d5 $1 { The game enters a new pahse. Black has laid siege to the
weak e-pawn, but since White has no other weaknesses, he can easily defend it.
Therefore Black opens the position so that the Bishop can demonstrate its
superiority over the Knight } 30. exd5 Rxe2 31. Rxe2 Rxe2 32. Qxe2 Qxd5 33. Qe7+ Qf7 34. Qe4 { The ending favours Black  in any case for in addition to the
far-ranging Bihop he has the better pawn position. It is therefore
understandable that White prefers to keep the Queens on the board } 34... Qd7 35. Nf3 Kf7 $1 36. c4 ( 36. -- Qe6 37. Qc2 Qe3 ) ( 36. Nh4 Qg4 $1 ) 36... Qe6 37. Qd3 ( 37. Qxe6+ Kxe6 38. Kg1 Kf5 39. Kf2 Ke4 40. Ke2 g5 $1 { Black soon wins a pawn } ) 37... Bf4 $1 { A powerful post for the Bishop, mainly because of its potential access to c1 } 38. g3 ( 38. Kg1 Qe3+ 39. Qxe3 Bxe3+ 40. Kf1 Bc1 ) 38... Qe3 $1 39. Qc3 ( 39. Qd1 Qc1 ) 39... Bh6 40. c5 { White has little choice. Either he must
exchange Queens, or he must allow the Black Queen to penetrate into his
position. He is hopeing that Black will now exchange Queens at c3, but Lasker
is no longer content with that. } 40... Qf2 41. Qc4+ Kg7 42. Qd3 Be3 43. Qd1 a5 $22 { Placing White in zugzwang } 44. b4 ( 44. d5 cxd5 45. Qxd5 Qf1+ ) 44... axb4 45. b3 Kh6 0-1
[Event "Hanover"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1926.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Holzhausen"]
[Black "Nimzowitsch"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "36: The Teachings of Nimzowitsch"]
[ECO "B00"]
[PlyCount "142"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 d5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bg5 Be7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7+ 7. Qe2 Bf5 8. c3 Be4 9. Nbd2 O-O-O 10. O-O-O Nh6 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Bg6 { Black is already preparing to maneuver. The weaknesses are the e-pawn and the
b1-h7 diaganal; the pivot point is the e4 square } 13. Nf3 Rhe8 14. Qe3 Kb8 15. Qf4 Be4 { The value of this square is already apparent } 16. Re1 Qc5 17. Nd2 Bg6 18. Nb3 Qb6 19. Qd4 f6 20. f4 fxe5 21. fxe5 ( 21. Rxe5 Rxe5 22. Qxe5 Re8 $17 ) 21... Be4 { Now the e-pawn must fall, but afterwards is when the
maneuvering beings in earnest } 22. Nd2 c5 23. Qe3 ( 23. Qa4 Rxe5 24. Nxe4 dxe4 25. Rxe4 Qe6 $1 $40 26. Rxe5 Qxe5 $17 ) 23... Rxe5 24. Qg3 Qc7 25. Bd3 Rde8 26. Bxe4 dxe4 27. Nc4 R5e6 28. Qxc7+ Kxc7 29. Ne3 $1 { The Knight
es an ideal blockading square. As we have already learned, such a Knight is
the perfect counter to a passed pawn } 29... Nf7 30. Kc2 Nd6 31. c4 Kc6 32. Rhf1 Rh6 $1 { A typical tacking maneuver. Black forces a weakening of the
enemy pawn structure which, although apparently insignificant, now, will later
become a matter of decisive importance } 33. h3 Rg6 34. Re2 a6 { Play on both flanks: the advance ... Pb5 will lead at least to an increase in
Black's space control } 35. Rf4 b5 36. b3 Rg5 37. g4 Rge5 38. Kc3 a5 39. Ref2 ( 39. -- a4 40. -- axb3 41. axb3 bxc4 42. bxc4 { opening two Queenside files for his Rooks } ) 39... a4 40. bxa4 bxc4 $1 { This temporary pawn sacrifice } 41. Rf8 ( 41. Nxc4 Nxc4 42. Kxc4 Ra8 { Black regains his pawns, at the same time removing the blockade of his passed
pawn } ) 41... R5e7 { Safety first. Under no circumstances will Black tolerate
an enemy Rook operating behind his lines } 42. Rxe8 Rxe8 43. Nxc4 Nxc4 44. Kxc4 Ra8 { Black's alternative maneuvers have created progress. The Black
Rook will now force an entry on the Queenside and then proceed to threaten the
White pawns on the Kingside } 45. Rf7 { As usual in Rook endings the best defence is counterattack. } ( 45. Kb3 Kd5 { followed by the advance of the e-pawn would lead to a quick loss for White } ) 45... Rxa4+ 46. Kb3 Rb4+ 47. Kc3 Rb7 48. Rf5 Ra7 49. Kc4 ( 49. -- Ra3+ ) 49... Ra4+ 50. Kb3 Rd4 51. Re5 Kd6 52. Re8 Rd3+ 53. Kc4 Rxh3 54. Rxe4 Ra3 $1 { This marks the culmination of the alternative maneuvers against the two
weaknesses. White can no longer protect them both at the same time } 55. Re2 Ra4+ 56. Kb5 Rxg4 57. a4 Rb4+ 58. Ka5 h5 59. Rd2+ Kc6 60. Re2 Rg4 61. Re6+ Kd5 62. Re8 h4 63. Rd8+ Kc4 64. Kb6 h3 65. Rd1 Kb4 66. Rb1+ Kxa4 67. Kxc5 g5 68. Rh1 Rg3 69. Kd4 g4 70. Ke4 Rg2 71. Kf4 h2 0-1
[Event "London"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1927.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Nimzowitsch"]
[Black "Buerger"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "36: The Teachings of Nimzowitsch"]
[ECO "A16"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. cxd5 Nxd5 4. g3 Nxc3 5. bxc3 g6 6. Bg2 Bg7 7. Qb3 c6 8. d4 O-O 9. Ba3 Nd7 10. Bh3 Re8 11. f4 Qc7 12. Nf3 Nf6 13. Bxc8 Raxc8 14. O-O e6 15. Rad1 b6 { With the obvious intentions of freeing his game with ...
Pc5. Nimzowitsch now applies what he termed "prophylaxis". He takes measrues
to discourage this freeing advance - for the time being by occupying the
d-file } 16. c4 Red8 17. Rd3 Bf8 ( 17... c5 18. dxc5 bxc5 19. Rfd1 ) 18. Bb2 { Nimzowitsch plans to maneuver, and avoids exchange of pieces. But it appears
he is getting nowhere } 18... Bg7 19. Ba3 Bf8 20. Bxf8 { After all! Without this exchange Black would easily achieve ... Pc5 } 20... Rxf8 21. Qb2 Qe7 ( 21... c5 22. dxc5 ) 22. Ne5 Rfd8 23. Rfd1 Ne4 ( 23... c5 24. Qa3 Qc7 25. d5 ) 24. Qc2 f6 25. Nf3 b5 26. c5 f5 27. Re3 ( 27. Nd2 Nxd2 28. R3xd2 Rd5 29. e4 fxe4 30. Re2 Qf6 31. Rxe4 h5 $11 { Nimzowitsch } ) 27... a5 28. Ne5 Rc7 29. a3 Kg7 30. Kg2 { Intending Pg4-g5 and Ph4-h5. Since
this would at least give White an enduring initiative, it is understandable
that Black does not permit the g-pawn to advance; but the weakness which his
next move creates on g6 is the justification for the following exchange
sacrifice } 30... h5 31. Rxe4 $1 fxe4 32. Qxe4 Qf6 33. Nxc6 Rd5 ( 33... Rxc6 34. Qxc6 Rxd4 35. Qc7+ $1 Kg8 ( 35... Kh6 36. Rxd4 Qxd4 37. Qd6 $1 { a very dangerous raid } ) 36. Rb1 $1 ) 34. Ne5 Qf5 35. Qd3 $1 Qxd3 36. Rxd3 Rd8 37. Kf3 Rb8 38. Rb3 b4 39. a4 Rd8 40. Ke4 Rcc8 { White now plans
to create two united passed pawns by Pe4 and Pd5. To achieve this goal several
conditions must be met:  1) The c-pawn must be solidly defended  2) Black's
protected passed b-pawn must be blockaded  3) The White King must be posted on
c4 } 41. Nc4 Ra8 42. Re3 Kf6 43. Nd2 Ke7 44. Nb3 { The ideal post for the Knight } 44... Ra6 45. Kd3 Rd5 46. h4 Ra8 47. Kc4 Kd7 48. Rd3 Kc7 49. Rd1 { Nimzowitsch carries his love of maneuvering to excess.
The direct Pe4 could have been played immediately } ( 49. e4 Kc6 50. Nxa5+ $1 Rxa5 51. exd5+ exd5+ 52. Kxb4 $18 ) 49... Rd7 50. Rg1 Rf7 51. Rb1 Kb7 { Black can do nothing } 52. Nd2 Kc6 53. Nf3 Kc7 54. Ne5 Rg7 55. Rb3 Rb8 56. e4 Rgg8 57. d5 { The goal is reached. White's united passed pawns slice
through the Black position like a knife through butter } 57... exd5+ 58. exd5 Rbc8 59. d6+ Kd8 60. Kd5 Rg7 61. c6 1-0
[Event "Hannover"]
[Site "Hannover"]
[Date "1926.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Nimzowitsch"]
[Black "Antze"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "36: The Teachings of Nimzowitsch"]
[FEN "8/p1q5/5k1p/3Q1p2/5P2/1P2P2K/P7/8 w - - 0 44"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[SetUp "1"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

{ In this ending the pivot for White's alternating maneuvers will be d4, and to
a smaller extent e5 and f6 as well.   White's broad strategy will be to create
a passed pawn on the Queenside. Another important idea is to invade with the
White King via h5. Black's counterplay lies in harrying the White King with
checks, and in his passed h-pawn } 44. Qd4+ Kg6 45. Qd2 Kf6 46. Qb2+ Kg6 47. b4 Qc4 48. Qd2 Kh5 ( 48... Qf1+ 49. Qg2+ { Forces Queens off with a simple win
for White. This tactic constantly arises in this type of ending and thus must
be constantly watched for } ) 49. a4 a6 50. Kg3 Qg8+ 51. Kh2 Qc4 52. Qb2 Qd3 53. Qg2 Qc4 ( 53... Qxe3 54. Qh3+ $18 ) 54. Kg3 Qg8+ ( 54... Qxb4 55. Qe2+ Kg6 56. Qxa6+ ) 55. Kh3 Qc4 56. Qf3+ Kg6 57. Kh4 $1 Kg7 ( 57... Qxb4 58. Qc6+ Kg7 59. Kh5 $18 ) 58. Qb7+ Kg6 59. Qb6+ Kh7 60. Qf6 $1 { An important step towards
the win; Black now has to protect not only his a-pawn but also the f-pawn } 60... Qd5 61. Kg3 ( 61. -- Qh1+ { perpetual check } ) 61... Qg8+ 62. Kh2 Qa2+ 63. Kh3 Qd5 64. Qe7+ ( 64. Qxa6 Qf3+ 65. Kh2 Qf2+ 66. Kh1 Qf3+ $11 ) 64... Kg6 65. Qe8+ $1 Kh7 ( 65... Kf6 66. Kg3 Qd3 67. a5 Qf1 68. Qe5+ Kg6 69. Qe6+ Kg7 70. Qxf5 Qg1+ 71. Kf3 Qf1+ 72. Ke4 Qc4+ 73. Ke5 Qb5+ 74. Ke6 $16 ) 66. Kg3 Qb3 67. a5 $1 Qb1 { This allows White to win the a-pawn after which the game is as good as over } ( 67... Qd3 $1 68. Qf7+ Kh8 69. Qf6+ Kh7 70. Qd4 $1 { The pivot } 70... Qf1 ( 70... Qb1 71. Qd7+ Kg6 72. Qc6+ Kg7 73. Qb7+ Kf8 74. Qxa6 ) 71. Qd7+ Kg6 72. Qe6+ Kg7 73. Qxf5 ) 68. Qd7+ Kg6 69. Qc6+ Kg7 70. Qb7+ Kf8 71. Qxa6 Qe1+ 72. Kf3 Qd1+ 73. Qe2 Qd5+ 74. Kf2 Qd8 75. a6 Qh4+ 76. Kg2 Qe7 77. Qf3 Qc7 78. b5 Qg7+ 79. Kf2 Qb2+ 80. Qe2 Qa1 81. b6 1-0
[Event "Karlsbad"]
[Site "Karlsbad"]
[Date "1911.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Cohn"]
[Black "Nimzowitsch"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "36: The Teachings of Nimzowitsch"]
[FEN "2q5/p5pk/1p5p/3p1p2/3Pr3/P3PQP1/1P2R1KP/8 b - - 0 63"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[SetUp "1"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

{ Can the methods employed here really be classified as maneuvers or merely
marking time?  Nimzowitsch believed the difficulties which the opponent had to
contend with being quite sufficient to justify the decision to play on } 63... a5 { The idea is to clear the a7 for the King. Long term planning } 64. h4 Kg6 65. Kh2 h5 66. Kg2 Kh6 67. Rf2 g6 { Black plays with great patience - typical of a maneuvering scenario } 68. Rf1 Kg7 69. Rf2 Kf7 70. Kh2 Ke7 71. Re2 Qc1 { Black has a lot of freedom, but
as yet cannot create meaningful threats. This game exemplifies the fact that
maneuvering amounts to a "slow" initiative } 72. Qf2 Kd7 73. Re1 Qc6 74. Kg2 Rg4 { There are two weaknesses in the White pawn position - e3 and g3.
The characteristic alternating procedure is to first put one weakness and then
the other under attack } 75. Rf1 ( 75. Re2 Re4 76. Kh3 Qc1 77. Kg2 Qd1 78. Kh2 Qd3 { White is tied down to e3 and can't prevent ... Kb7 } ) 75... Qc7 76. Qf3 Kc8 77. Qf2 Kb8 78. Kh3 Ka7 { Black has traveled his King
across from h7 to a7, and has meanwhile fixed the Kingside pawns. The
consequence of this fixing is that White now has permanent weaknesses of g3
and e3. Black's maneuvering axis consists of support points e4 and g4. White's
two weak points are close together and therefore should be easy enough to
defend. The question is whether Black, by combining his concentrated attack on
these two weaknesses with a breakthrough by ... Pg5, or with an invasion down
the c-file, will be able to crack the White defences } 79. Rg1 Qd7 80. Kh2 ( 80. -- f4 ) 80... Qd6 81. Kh3 Qc6 82. Re1 Qe6 83. Kh2 Qe4 { Now white has to seriously watch for the possible breakthrough ... Pg5 } 84. Kh3 ( 84. -- g5 85. hxg5 h4 ) 84... Qe6 85. Kh2 Qe7 86. Kh3 Qe4 87. Rg1 Qe6 88. Kh2 Re4 89. Rc1 $2 { White gives up the e-pawn in the hope of getting counterchances. } ( 89. Re1 g5 90. hxg5 h4 91. gxh4 f4 92. g6 f3 93. g7 $132 ) 89... Rxe3 90. Qf4 Re2+ 91. Kh3 Ka6 92. b4 axb4 93. axb4 Kb5 { With his Queen unable to move for fear
of discovered check, the end is in sight } 94. Rc7 Qe4 { Forcing the trade of Q's because of mate threats on h1 and g2 } 95. Qxe4 ( 95. Qf1 Qg4# ) 95... Rxe4 96. Rg7 Re6 97. Rd7 Kc4 98. Kg2 Kxd4 99. Kf3 Kc4 100. b5 d4 0-1
[Event "Ramsgate"]
[Site "Ramsgate"]
[Date "1929.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Capablanca"]
[Black "Michell"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "37: Capablanca Maneuvers"]
[ECO "A25"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 g6 5. d3 Bg7 6. Bd2 Ne7 7. Nf3 d6 8. O-O O-O 9. Qc1 Nh5 10. Bh6 f5 11. Bxg7 Kxg7 12. e3 h6 13. Ne2 Be6 14. Qc3 Kh7 15. Nd2 c6 16. Rae1 Qd7 17. f4 exf4 18. Nxf4 Nxf4 19. gxf4 Rae8 20. Rf3 { With this 
and the next move Capablanca begins to exert pressure on the g-file. Black
reacts with operations in the centre } 20... Ng8 21. Rg3 Nf6 22. Bf3 d5 23. b3 Rd8 24. d4 ( 24. -- dxc4 25. Nxc4 Qxd3 ) 24... Ne4 25. Nxe4 fxe4 26. Be2 Qe7 27. Rf1 Rf7 28. Qa5 { In order to induce a weakening of Black's
Queenside. Another possibility, of course, would have been Pc5, followed by
Pb4-b5; but in the current situation this would not have had any great effect } ( 28. c5 -- 29. b4 ) 28... a6 29. Rf2 Bf5 30. Rfg2 Rd6 31. Bg4 { The struggle is coming to a dead end and Capablanca now attempts to put new
life into the position by exchanging his good Bishop for Black's bad Bishop.
The "bad" Bishop is in fact an important defensive piece } 31... Bxg4 32. Rxg4 Qd7 33. h4 Rf5 { Preventing Ph4-h5 } ( 33... -- ) 34. c5 { Now that Kingside
operations have come to a halt, White tries to do something on the Queenside } 34... Rdf6 35. a4 Qe7 36. Qb6 Re6 37. Qa5 Rh5 38. Qe1 Rf6 39. b4 Qd7 40. Qg3 Qe6 41. Rb2 { At last the moment has arrived when White can force his opponent
into weakening his Queenside } 41... Rhf5 42. Qg2 Rf7 43. b5 axb5 44. axb5 Rc7 45. Kh2 Qf6 46. Qf1 h5 { A difficult decision. This move force White to
play Rg5, after which Black exchanges a pair of Rooks plugs the weaknesses on
g6. At the same time, however, he relievves White of his weak h-pawn. There is
much to be said for retaining the possibility of ... Pg5, or even trying ...
Pg5 at once. On the other hand, Black's plan of getting the position clarified
at last is not to be wholly condemned } 47. Rg5 Rxg5 48. hxg5 Qf5 49. Qh3 $1 Qxh3+ $2 { A serious mistake, giving White the chance to resume his
alternating attacks on both flanks with great effect. } ( 49... Kg7 50. Qxf5 gxf5 51. bxc6 bxc6 52. Rb8 Ra7 { The counterattack against White's e-pawn gives Black excellent chances } ) 50. Kxh3 Kg7 51. Kh4 Kf7 52. bxc6 bxc6 53. Rb8 Re7 ( 53... Ra7 { The attack on the e-pawn would come too late } 54. Rc8 Ra3 55. Rc7+ Kg8 56. Rxc6 Rxe3 57. Rxg6+ ) 54. Rc8 Re6 55. Rc7+ Kg8 56. Kg3 Kf8 57. f5 $1 { The decisive breakthrough } 57... gxf5 58. Kf4 Re7 59. Rxc6 h4 60. Rh6 Rg7 61. Rxh4 1-0
[Event "Baden Baden"]
[Site "Baden Baden"]
[Date "1925.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Thomas"]
[Black "Alekhine"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "38: Alekhine's Dynamic Maneuvering"]
[ECO "B02"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. d3 c5 3. f4 Nc6 4. Nf3 g6 5. Be2 Bg7 6. Nbd2 d5 7. O-O O-O 8. Kh1 b6 9. exd5 $2 Qxd5 10. Qe1 Bb7 11. Nc4 Nd4 12. Ne3 Qc6 13. Bd1 Nd5 14. Nxd4 { This leads to a serious weakening of the c-pawn } ( 14. Nxd5 Qxd5 15. Rf2 ) 14... cxd4 15. Nxd5 Qxd5 16. Bf3 Qd7 17. Bxb7 Qxb7 18. c4 { There was no other way to secure the c-pawn } ( 18. Rf2 Rac8 19. a4 Rc5 20. b3 Rfc8 21. Qd1 Qc7 22. Ra2 $17 ) ( 18. Bd2 Rac8 19. c4 dxc3 20. Bxc3 { The pawn stru
cture would be exactly the same as in the game, but by trading the Bishops
White could obtain more chances of counterplay against Black's weakened
Kingside } ) 18... dxc3 19. bxc3 Rac8 20. Bb2 ( 20. Bd2 ) 20... Rfd8 21. Rf3 Bf6 22. d4 { This fixes both centre pawns on the same colour as their Bishop. } ( 22. Qe2 Qa6 23. c4 { In this case White's pawn position would have been
just as badly weakened; but after the exchange of Bishops the possibility of
counterplay against the Black Kingside is certainly not to be ruled out } ) 22... Qd5 23. Qe3 Qb5 24. Qd2 Rd5 { Here Nimzowitsch would have observed
that the axis for Black's maneuvers is formed by the support points at d5 and
c4 } 25. h3 e6 26. Re1 Qa4 { Reminding White that he also as a weakness at a2 } 27. Ra1 b5 28. Qd1 Rc4 29. Qb3 Rd6 30. Kh2 Ra6 31. Rff1 Be7 32. Kh1 Rcc6 33. Rfe1 Bh4 { Forcing the Rook off the e-file } 34. Rf1 ( 34. Re2 Qxb3 35. axb3 Rxa1+ 36. Bxa1 Ra6 37. Bb2 Ra2 38. Kh2 a5 39. -- a4 ) 34... Qc4 { Typical maneuvering style. } 35. Qxc4 ( 35. -- Ra4 36. -- Rca6 { The Exchange of Queens can no longer be avoided } ) 35... Rxc4 36. a3 ( 36. -- b4 ) 36... Be7 37. Rfb1 Bd6 { Black pauses to force yet another
White pawn onto the same colour as White's Bishop } 38. g3 Kf8 39. Kg2 Ke7 40. Kf2 Kd7 41. Ke2 Kc6 42. Ra2 { Now that Black's King is reinforcing the defence,
White must be ready to meet ... Rca4 } 42... Rca4 43. Rba1 Kd5 44. Kd3 R6a5 45. Bc1 a6 46. Bb2 { Black has accomplished all his aims; all that remains is the execution } 46... h5 $1 { Threatening to unhinge White's whole game with ... Ph4 } 47. h4 ( 47. -- h4 ) 47... f6 48. Bc1 e5 49. fxe5 fxe5 50. Bb2 ( 50. dxe5 Bxe5 51. Bf4 Bxf4 52. gxf4 Ke6 53. -- Kf5 ) 50... exd4 51. cxd4 b4 { Sealing the fate of the a-pawn } 52. axb4 Rxa2 53. bxa5 Rxb2 0-1
[Event "Dresden (06)"]
[Site "Dresden (06)"]
[Date "1926.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Rubinstein"]
[Black "Alekhine"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "38: Alekhine's Dynamic Maneuvering"]
[ECO "A46"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bf4 b6 4. h3 Bb7 5. Nbd2 Bd6 6. Bxd6 cxd6 7. e3 O-O 8. Be2 d5 9. O-O Nc6 10. c3 Ne4 11. Nxe4 dxe4 12. Nd2 f5 13. f4 g5 14. Nc4 d5 15. Ne5 Nxe5 16. dxe5 Kh8 17. a4 $2 { At first sight White's position looks quite
good. He has the better Bishop, and is threatening to take the initiative on
the Queenside with Pa5. The sequel will show that he is being too optimistic } ( 17. g3 Rg8 18. Kh2 ) 17... Rg8 18. Qd2 gxf4 $1 19. Rxf4 ( 19. exf4 Qh4 20. Kh1 Rxg2 21. Kxg2 Rg8+ $19 ) 19... Qg5 20. Bf1 Qg3 { Beginning to maneuver. } 21. Kh1 ( 21. -- Qxh3 ) 21... Qg7 $1 22. Qd4 Ba6 { Dashing White's only hope, for he must now give up his good Bishop
for Black's bad one } 23. Rf2 Qg3 24. Rc2 Bxf1 25. Rxf1 Rac8 { All the time Black operates with threats } 26. b3 Rc7 27. Re2 Rcg7 28. Rf4 Rc7 29. Rc2 Rcg7 30. Re2 { In the process of maneuvering, it frequently happens
that moves, even whole sequences, are repeated. In the present case the game
has not reached an impasse, as one might think. Black's primary aim is to gain
time, which was probably running short on his clock } 30... Rg6 $1 31. Qb4 ( 31. -- Rh6 32. -- Rxh3+ ) ( 31. Qd1 Rh6 $22 32. Rf1 ( 32. Qf1 Qg7 ) ( 32. b4 Qg7 33. Qd4 Rxh3+ ) ( 32. c4 d4 ) 32... Qxe5 ) 31... Rh6 32. h4 Qg7 { Disdaining the obvious gain of the h-pawn, Black goes after bigger game } 33. c4 ( 33. Qd6 Rg6 34. Rff2 f4 $1 35. exf4 e3 36. Rxe3 Rxg2 ) 33... Rg6 34. Qd2 Rg3 $1 { At last Black occupies the g3 support point, which in the
game has functioned as the "Nimzowitschian" pivot square } 35. Qe1 ( 35. Kg1 d4 36. exd4 e3 37. Qc3 Rh3 38. Qd3 Qg3 $19 { everything depends on g3 } ) 35... Rxg2 0-1
[Event "Buenos Aires"]
[Site "Buenos Aires ol-fin (14)"]
[Date "1939.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Alekhine"]
[Black "Castillo"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "38: Alekhine's Dynamic Maneuvering"]
[ECO "A44"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

1. d4 c5 2. d5 e5 3. e4 d6 4. Nc3 Ne7 5. g3 Ng6 6. h4 Be7 7. h5 Nf8 8. Bb5+ Nbd7 9. a4 a6 10. Be2 h6 11. Be3 Bg5 12. Qd2 Nh7 13. Nf3 Bxe3 14. Qxe3 O-O 15. Nd2 b6 16. Nc4 Qc7 17. f4 Re8 18. O-O Rb8 19. b3 f6 { White has more
space, and thereby the better chances. It is difficult for him to strengthen
his position any further, since it is hard to find a way to conviniently open
a file. Moreover, White must be somewhat cautious as his own King position is
a bit drafty for him to undertake anything reckless. In these circumstances
there is only one possibility left: he must maneuver. Black for his part, has
just as little chance of opening a file without disadvantage } ( 19... b5 20. axb5 axb5 21. Na5 { Black must maneuver, but his pieces have less room in which to do it } ) 20. Qf2 Kh8 21. Kh2 Ndf8 22. Ne3 ( 22. -- b5 23. axb5 axb5 24. Na5 Bd7 ) 22... Ra8 23. Rh1 Bd7 24. Qf1 Qb7 25. Kg2 Re7 { Until now Black's moves
have appeared to follow a regular patern, with the aim of enforcing ... Pb5.
This last move, however, does not fit into the pattern. Apparently Black has
decided that ... Pb5 is not practicable } 26. Bd3 Bc8 27. Qf3 Qc7 28. Rhf1 Qd8 29. Nc4 Qc7 30. Kh2 Qd8 31. Be2 Raa7 32. Rab1 Qc7 33. Rf2 Rb7 34. Ra1 Bd7 35. Ne3 Ra7 36. Raf1 Qb8 37. Ra1 Bc8 38. Qg2 Re8 39. Qf1 Qc7 40. Nc4 Qd8 41. Qd1 Rae7 42. Bg4 $1 { All this looked like aimless woodshifting, but now suddenly
White has achieved something } 42... exf4 $2 { A familiar occurence after
prolonged maneuvering: the opponent is losing his patience, and feels obliged
to take some definite action } ( 42... -- 43. Bxc8 Qxc8 44. Nxd6 ) 43. gxf4 f5 { With an eye on the open position of the White King } 44. Bh3 $1 { This suprising riposte poses insoluble problems for Black } ( 44. exf5 Re3 ) ( 44. Bxf5 Bxf5 45. exf5 Re3 $40 ) 44... b5 ( 44... fxe4 45. Bxc8 Qxc8 46. Nxd6 ) ( 44... -- 45. e5 ) 45. axb5 axb5 46. Nxb5 Rxe4 47. Nbxd6 Qh4 48. Qf3 Nf6 49. Nxe8 Ng4+ 50. Kg2 Rxe8 51. Bxg4 fxg4 52. Qg3 Qxh5 53. f5 $1 Bb7 ( 53... Bxf5 54. Nd6 $18 ) 54. Rd1 Ng6 { A last desperate attempt to save the day } 55. fxg6 Bxd5+ 56. Rxd5 Qxd5+ 57. Kg1 Re1+ 58. Rf1 Rxf1+ 59. Kxf1 Qf5+ 60. Qf2 Qxg6 61. Qf8+ Kh7 62. Ne3 Qa6+ 63. Kf2 Qa7 64. Qf5+ g6 65. Qxg4 h5 66. Qf4 Qd7 67. Qe5 1-0
[Event "Portoroz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1958.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Averbakh"]
[Black "Neikirch"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "40: More Recent Game of Maneuver"]
[ECO "C98"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d6 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Qc7 12. Nbd2 Nc6 13. dxe5 dxe5 14. Nf1 Bd6 15. Nh4 Ne7 16. Qf3 Rd8 17. Ne3 Qc6 $2 18. c4 { White plays for control of d5.
Admittedly this weakens d4, but this is only of academic importance while
Black has no way of occupying it } 18... Ne8 { Hoping to reach d4 by wat of c7 and e6 } 19. Bb3 b4 ( 19... -- 20. cxb5 axb5 21. Qxf7+ ) 20. Nd5 Qb7 { This allows White to post the Bishop actively on a4. } ( 20... a5 21. Bg5 Ra7 ) 21. Ba4 Nc7 22. Bg5 Ncxd5 ( 22... Ne6 23. Bxe7 Bxe7 ( 23... Nd4 24. Nf6+ Kh8 25. Qh5 $18 ) 24. Bc6 $1 ) ( 22... f6 23. Nxf6+ gxf6 24. Qxf6 $40 ) 23. cxd5 f6 24. Be3 Bd7 { Now the siege on the c-pawn begins } ( 24... c4 25. Rac1 ) 25. Bxd7 Qxd7 26. Rac1 Rdc8 27. Rc4 Rab8 28. b3 Rc7 29. Rec1 Rb5 30. g4 $1 { The familiar
motif: with most of the Black forces tied to the defence of the c-pawn, White
opens a second front on the other side of the board } 30... g5 31. Ng2 Kg7 32. h4 h6 33. h5 $1 { Denying Black use of g6 } 33... a5 34. Ne1 Qc8 35. Nd3 f5 { A rather desperate attempt to get some counterplay. Black is totally tied
up by the need to defend the c-pawn. It is sufficiently protected now, but
after White plays Qe2, Pf3 and Qf2 it would be lost anyway } ( 35... -- 36. Qe2 -- 37. f3 -- 38. Qf2 ) 36. exf5 Ng8 37. Re1 { Now the Black pawn is going to suffer } 37... Nf6 38. Bc1 $1 Rf7 ( 38... e4 39. Rcxe4 Nxe4 40. Qxe4 ) 39. Bb2 Qc7 40. Rce4 $1 { Beautifully decisive } 40... Nxe4 41. Qxe4 Kf6 42. Nxe5 1-0
[Event "01"]
[Site "Zurich  (19.05.59)"]
[Date "1959.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Blau"]
[Black "Keres"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "40: More Recent Game of Maneuver"]
[ECO "C85"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Qe1 Be6 8. d3 Nd7 9. b3 c5 10. Bb2 f6 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. Qe3 Nb8 { The Knight is
heading for d4 via c6. At d4 it may be exchanged, in which case Black
dissolves his doubled pawns by the recapture; or if it is driven back by c3
the White d-pawn is left weakened } 13. Rfd1 Nc6 14. c3 Qe8 15. Rac1 Rd8 16. Nf1 { White could have advanced his backward d-pawn, but this advance of course,
has the drawbakc of allowing Black to get rid of his doubled c-pawns. Also the
position would be opened up for the two Bishops } ( 16. d4 cxd4 17. cxd4 exd4 18. Nxd4 Nxd4 19. Bxd4 Qh5 $1 20. Rxc7 Bd6 { So, one way or another it seems best for White to continue maneuvering } ) 16... Rf7 17. Ng3 Bf8 18. Rd2 { White gives up his last good chance to play d4 } 18... Rfd7 19. Rcd1 a5 $1 { Now that the d-pawn has been definitely
relegated to the status of backward pawn it is a weakness. Black therefore
loses no time in seeking to create a second weakness in White's position } 20. Ne2 ( 20. d4 cxd4 21. cxd4 exd4 22. Nxd4 Bc5 ) 20... a4 21. bxa4 ( 21. c4 ) 21... Ra8 $1 22. Nc1 ( 22. d4 cxd4 23. cxd4 Bb4 ) 22... Rxa4 23. c4 { Not an easy decision, but White had only unpleasant choices here } ( 23. Ba1 Qa8 ) 23... Nd4 24. h3 g6 25. Bxd4 cxd4 26. Qe2 Qa8 27. Rc2 Rd6 { Now the game acquires a new aspect and Black begins to maneuver in earnest
against the enemy weak points } 28. Nd2 Rb6 29. Ndb3 Ra3 30. Kh2 c5 31. g3 { In order to play Pf4 later, but he is never able to get it in } 31... Qc8 32. Qf1 Bh6 33. Qg2 Bd7 34. Re2 Qc7 35. Rde1 { White indirectly prevents ... Pf5
but putting indirect pressure against Black's e-pawn } 35... Re6 36. Qf3 { Again restraining ... Pf5 } 36... Kg7 37. Rc2 Ba4 38. Rb2 Rb6 39. Ree2 $2 Rb4 ( 39... Bxc1 40. Nxc1 Bd1 $19 { both players overlook the win of the exchange } ) 40. Qg2 { Up until now
White's defensive lines have held under heavy pressure. All the same he has
had to concede terrain, and his pieces have been forced back all along the
line. In the closing phase of the game Black decides to give up the two
Bishops, as in this way he is able to facilitate the attack on the d-pawn } 40... b5 $1 41. cxb5 Bxc1 42. Nxc1 Rc3 43. Qf1 Bxb5 44. Rec2 Ba4 45. Nb3 ( 45. Rxc3 Rxb2 46. Ra3 Qa5 ) ( 45. Rxb4 cxb4 46. Rxc3 Qxc3 ) 45... Qb6 $1 ( 45... Rxc2 46. Rxc2 Bxb3 47. axb3 Rxb3 48. Qc1 $1 ) 46. Qc1 Bxb3 47. axb3 Rbxb3 48. Ra2 ( 48. Rxb3 Qxb3 49. Rxc3 dxc3 50. Qa1 c2 51. Qa7+ Kh6 52. Qxc5 Qxd3 53. Qf8+ Kg5 54. h4+ Kg4 $1 $19 ) 48... Rxd3 49. Rxc5 Rdc3 50. Rxc3 dxc3 51. Rc2 Rb2 52. Kg2 g5 53. h4 Qb7 { The e-pawn can't be saved } 54. Rxc3 ( 54. f3 Qb3 $19 ) ( 54. Kf3 g4+ 55. Ke3 Qb6+ 56. Kd3 Qd4+ ) 54... Qxe4+ 55. Rf3 Rb3 56. Qd1 Qxf3+ 57. Qxf3 Rxf3 58. Kxf3 gxh4 59. gxh4 f5 0-1
[Event "Beverwijk"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1953.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Rossolimo"]
[Black "Euwe"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "41: Liquidation in the Opening"]
[ECO "C50"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Be7 4. d4 d6 5. dxe5 dxe5 6. Qxd8+ Bxd8 7. Nc3 { White's liquidation has simplified the position, but Black's game is not easy } 7... f6 { Protecting the e-pawn, so that Black can now threaten to drive the
Bc4 off its important diagonal with ... Na5 } ( 7... Nf6 8. Bb5 Bd7 9. O-O O-O 10. Re1 Re8 11. Bg5 a6 12. Rad1 ) 8. a3 Na5 9. Ba2 b6 10. Be3 Nb7 ( 10... Ba6 11. Nd2 $1 ) 11. O-O-O Nd6 12. Nd2 { Black has been losing time, therefore White
avails himself of the chance to improve the placing of his pieces. This move
casts an eye towards the c4 squares while also making Pf4 possible } 12... Ne7 13. Nc4 Nxc4 $2 { This is a typical mistake: Black thinks he is easing
his defence by exchanging. He should have played ... Nf7, overprotecting his
e-pawn, an important precaution in the event of a White Pf4 } ( 13... Nf7 ) 14. Bxc4 c6 15. Ne2 ( 15. b4 { to obtain the d5 support point } ) 15... Bc7 16. h3 Bd7 $2 17. Ng3 $1 ( 17. Bf7+ Kxf7 18. Rxd7 Rac8 19. -- Rhd8 { White need not hurry with the liquidation } ) 17... h5 { Practically forced } ( 17... -- 18. Nh5 ) ( 17... g6 18. Bh6 -- 19. Bg7 { winning the exchange: a
clear demonstration of the strength of the Bishop on c4 } ) ( 17... Rd8 18. Nh5 Kf8 19. Rd2 Be8 20. Nxf6 $1 gxf6 21. Bh6# ) 18. Bf7+ Kxf7 19. Rxd7 Rac8 20. Nf5 $1 { Forestalling for the time being the possibility of having the
Rook forced off by Black's ... Rhd8 } 20... Rhe8 21. Rhd1 Kf8 22. Nd6 Bxd6 23. R1xd6 { White's advantage is now decisive } 23... Ra8 24. a4 { Such moves are
characteristic of the theme "The Struggle for the Diagonals". White strives to
bring his Bishop back to life by opening a diagonal } 24... c5 { Temporarily closing the diagonal } 25. Re6 Kf7 26. Red6 { White maneuvers in search of a better plan } ( 26. Rc6 ) 26... Kf8 27. Kd2 $1 { Here is one greate advantage of liquidation in the opening: the King himself
can play an active part in the fight } 27... Rec8 28. Kc3 Nc6 29. Kc4 Nd8 ( 29... Nd4 30. c3 ) 30. c3 Nf7 31. Rd2 ( 31. Re6 ) 31... Ke8 32. Kb5 Rd8 { Now White must liquidate further } 33. Rxd8+ Nxd8 ( 33... Rxd8 34. Rxd8+ Nxd8 ( 34... Kxd8 35. Ka6 ) 35. a5 ) 34. a5 $1 Rb8 35. axb6 Rxb6+ ( 35... axb6 36. Rd6 { Black must lose a pawn } ) 36. Kxc5 Nb7+ 37. Kd5 Ra6 38. b4 Kd7 39. Kc4+ { Operating at the head of his troops, the King does not feel altogether safe.
He therefore retires in order to prepare for c4. It is clear that this move
could not be played forthwith! } 39... Nd6+ 40. Kb3 Kc7 41. f3 Ra1 ( 41... Nb5 42. Rd5 $1 ) 42. Bc5 Ne8 43. Kb2 Ra6 44. Rd1 Kc8 45. Kb3 Nc7 46. c4 Ne6 47. Be3 Nf4 48. b5 Re6 49. Bxf4 exf4 50. Rd5 g6 51. c5 Kc7 52. Kc4 Re8 53. Rd6 f5 54. Rxg6 fxe4 55. Rg7+ Kb8 56. fxe4 Rxe4+ 57. Kd5 Re8 58. c6 Re2 59. Rb7+ Ka8 60. Rf7 Kb8 61. Rb7+ Ka8 62. Rf7 Kb8 63. Rxf4 Rxg2 64. Rf8+ Kc7 65. Rf7+ Kb8 66. Rb7+ Ka8 67. Rh7 Rg5+ 68. Kd6 1-0
[Event "ol"]
[Site "ol"]
[Date "1954.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Prins"]
[Black "Kotov"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "41: Liquidation in the Opening"]
[ECO "A53"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. dxe5 dxe5 5. Qxd8+ Kxd8 6. Bg5 Be7 7. Nf3 Nbd7 8. Bh4 { A multi-purpose move. White clears g5 for occupation by a Knight, and
at the same time prepares to plant the Bishop on g3, attacking the e-pawn. In
itself this attack is nothing unusual, but the presence of the Bishop on g3
has an ulterior significance. The structure of the position will sooner or
later require Black to play ... Pc6, and the ideal post for his King would
typically be on c7, after which he could complete his development. However, it
is clear that the existence of a White Bishop on g3 would defeat Black's idea.
As a result the Black King will be relegated to staying in the centre, with
all the dangers that implies } 8... c6 9. O-O-O ( 9. Bg3 Bd6 ) 9... Ng4 ( 9... Kc7 10. Bg3 Bd6 ( 10... Ng4 11. h3 ) 11. c5 $1 Nxc5 12. Nxe5 ) 10. Bg3 f6 { In this way Black tries to build a barrier against the enemy Bishop
while solidly protecting the e-pawn } 11. Nh4 Nh6 12. e4 Bb4 13. Be2 $1 { This is logical. Since White means to take advantage of the insecurity of
Black's King in the centre, he doesn't shrink from doubling of his c-pawn, the
exchange would open more lines against Black's King } 13... Ke7 14. f4 $1 { The indicated means of freeing the Bishop } 14... exf4 15. Bxf4 g5 ( 15... Nf7 16. Nf5+ ) ( 15... Ne5 { An exchange on h6 would ease White's game } ) 16. Be3 Ne5 17. Nf3 Nhg4 18. Bg1 Be6 19. Nd4 $3 Bxc3 ( 19... Nxc4 20. Nxe6 Kxe6 21. Bxc4+ ) ( 19... Bxc4 20. Nf5+ Ke6 ( 20... Kf7 21. h3 Bxc3 22. Nd6+ Ke7 23. Nxc4 $18 { winning a piece } ) ( 20... Kf8 21. h3 Bxc3 22. Bc5+ Kg8 23. Bxc4+ Nxc4 24. Rd7 { These variations make it clear that the Black King is exposed to all
sorts of dangers in the middle, in spite of the exchange of Queen } ) 21. h3 Bxc3 22. Rd6+ Kf7 23. Bxc4+ Nxc4 24. Rd7+ Ke8 25. Re7+ Kd8 26. bxc3 $16 { White dominates } ) 20. bxc3 Nh6 ( 20... Bxc4 21. Nf5+ Ke6 22. Rd6+ Kf7 23. Bxc4+ Nxc4 24. Rd7+ ) 21. Nxe6 Kxe6 22. c5 Rhd8 23. Bd4 { Obviously White avoids
further liquidation. His one aim now is to keep the pieces on the board;
otherwise his attack would fizzle out } 23... Nhf7 24. Rhf1 Ke7 25. Rf2 Rf8 26. Bh5 $1 Nh8 ( 26... -- 27. Bxf7 Rxf7 28. Bxe5 fxe5 29. Rxf7+ Kxf7 30. Rd7+ $16 ) 27. Bxe5 fxe5 28. Rf5 $1 { Forcing a further exchange } 28... Rxf5 29. exf5 Rf8 30. g4 b6 ( 30... Nf7 31. Bxf7 Rxf7 32. Rd6 ) 31. Rd6 Rf6 32. Rxf6 Kxf6 33. Kd2 $2 ( 33. cxb6 ) 33... Ng6 $2 ( 33... bxc5 34. Kd3 Ng6 35. fxg6 hxg6 36. Bxg6 $11 ) 34. fxg6 hxg6 35. cxb6 $1 axb6 36. c4 gxh5 ( 36... c5 37. Bxg6 Kxg6 38. Kd3 $18 ) 37. c5 $1 b5 38. gxh5 g4 39. Ke3 Kg5 40. Ke4 Kxh5 41. Kxe5 Kh4 42. Kf6 $1 { The winning idea. Before going after the c-pawn White
must get rid of the Black g-pawn or else win a tempo } 42... Kh5 ( 42... Kh3 43. Kg5 $18 ) 43. a3 Kh6 44. Ke6 Kh5 45. Kd6 Kh4 46. Kxc6 Kh3 47. Kxb5 Kxh2 48. c6 g3 49. c7 g2 50. c8=Q g1=Q 51. Qh8+ Kg2 52. Qg8+ $18 1-0
[Event "AVRO"]
[Site "AVRO"]
[Date "1938.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Fine"]
[Black "Alekhine"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "41: Liquidation in the Opening"]
[ECO "C76"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. O-O Bd7 6. c3 g6 7. d4 Bg7 8. dxe5 Nxe5 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. f4 { A suprising advance. Once might expect that a
weakening of White's e-pawn would prove to be a serious matter in the
subsequent play, but the fact is that it is Black who has great difficulties
because of the open f-file } 10... Bxa4 ( 10... Bb5 11. Bxb5+ axb5 12. Qb3 Qd7 13. fxe5 Bxe5 14. Na3 c6 15. Bf4 ) 11. Qxa4+ Qd7 ( 11... b5 12. Qb3 { Black's Queenside is seriously weakened } ) 12. Qxd7+ Kxd7 13. fxe5 Ke6 14. Bf4 { This is the position at which White was aiming when he played 10. Pf4.
Clearly Black can't win back the pawn at once, since if he captures on e5, he
leaves the f-pawn unprotected. It is also clear that the White e-pawn cannot
be held indefinitely. Fine actually sized up the situation very acutely. The
recapture of the e-pawn will cost previous time which White will be able to
put to good use. Despite the relatively reduced material, the position of the
Black King in the centre will be a focal point of key tactical blows later } 14... Rf8 15. Nd2 Bxe5 16. Nb3 Bxf4 17. Rxf4 ( 17. Nc5+ Kd6 18. Nxb7+ Kc6 19. Na5+ Kb5 $19 ) 17... b6 18. a4 $1 Ke5 $2 ( 18... a5 ) 19. g3 $1 { Black very likely overlooked the force of this innocent move.   The advantage
of White's actual move is that his Queen Rook remains on its own file - a very
important point in view of the threatened a5 } ( 19. Raf1 f5 20. g4 Ne7 ) 19... Nf6 ( 19... g5 20. Rf5+ Kxe4 21. Raf1 { mating net } ) ( 19... a5 20. Nd4 Nf6 21. Nf3+ Ke6 22. Ng5+ Ke5 23. Raf1 { winning the f-pawn } ) 20. Nd2 Nh5 ( 20... Nd7 ) 21. Rf2 Ke6 ( 21... a5 22. b4 ) 22. a5 $1 Ra8 ( 22... b5 23. Nb3 ) 23. Raf1 Rhd8 ( 23... Rhf8 24. g4 Ng7 25. axb6 cxb6 26. Rf6+ { Wining the b-pawn } ) 24. Nf3 Ke7 ( 24... -- 25. Ng5+ ( 25. Nd4+ ) ) ( 24... f6 25. Nd4+ Kd7 26. g4 ) 25. axb6 cxb6 26. Ng5 h6 ( 26... f6 27. Nxh7 Rd6 28. g4 ) 27. Rxf7+ Kd6 28. Nf3 g5 29. Nd4 Re8 30. Rh7 Rh8 31. Rff7 Rxh7 32. Rxh7 Rf8 33. Rxh6+ Nf6 34. Nf3 Kc5 35. Nd2 g4 36. Rg6 Nd7 37. Rxg4 Ne5 38. Rg5 Kd6 39. Rf5 Rd8 40. Nf3 Nd3 41. Rd5+ Ke7 42. Rxd8 Kxd8 43. b3 Ke7 44. Nd2 a5 45. Kf1 b5 46. Ke2 1-0
[Event "USA"]
[Site "It New York"]
[Date "1927.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Spielmann"]
[Black "Capablanca"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "42: Liquidation for Defensive Reasons"]
[ECO "B15"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Ng3 Bg4 6. Qd3 Nbd7 7. h3 Bh5 8. Nxh5 Nxh5 9. Nf3 e6 10. g3 Bd6 11. Bg2 O-O 12. O-O Qc7 13. b3 Nhf6 14. Bb2 e5 { Capablanca plays for exchanges, apparently on the grounds that White,
if undisturbed, could build up a strong position by Rfe1 followed in due
course by Pc4 } 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16. Qf5 { The idea behind this move is to
prevent Black taking the sting out of the White Bishop pair by playing ...
Nxf3+ followed by ... Be5 } 16... Rfe8 17. Rfe1 Nxf3+ 18. Bxf3 Rxe1+ 19. Rxe1 Re8 20. Rxe8+ Nxe8 { Black has exchanged a lot of material, but he is
still under some pressure, mainly due to the White Bishop pair } 21. Bg4 Qe7 $132 ( 21... -- 22. Qc8 ) 22. Kf1 ( 22. Qc8 Qe1+ 23. Kg2 Bc5 ) 22... Bb4 23. c3 Nd6 24. Qd3 Ba5 25. Ba3 ( 25. b4 Bc7 26. c4 { Alekhine } ) 25... Bc7 26. c4 Qe5 27. Qe2 Qxe2+ 28. Kxe2 {  } 28... b6 { In this position the players
agreed to a draw. According to Alekhine in the tournament book, White still
had the better of it. He could have maintained a promising iniative, either by } 29. c5 ( 29. Kd3 c5 30. b4 ) 29... Nb5 30. cxb6 1/2-1/2
[Event "St. Petersburg"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1914.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Marshall"]
[Black "Lasker"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "42: Liquidation for Defensive Reasons"]
[FEN "r3r1k1/pp1b2bp/1q1p2p1/2nP2B1/3p3Q/3B1N1P/PP4P1/3R1RK1 b - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[SetUp "1"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

1... Ba4 { Attacking the Rook } ( 1... Nxd3 2. Rxd3 Bb5 3. Rb3 ) 2. Bxg6 { Leading to a remarkable liquidation } ( 2. b3 Nxd3 3. Rxd3 ( 3. bxa4 Nb2 4. -- d3+ ) 3... Bb5 $19 ) 2... hxg6 3. Bd8 Qxd8 4. Ng5 Qxg5 5. Qxg5 Bxd1 6. Qxg6 Bc2 $1 { One of the basic principles of good defence ... the
willingness to give back any material gained } ( 6... -- 7. Rf7 ) 7. Qxc2 d3 8. Qd1 a5 { Now with Rook and two minor pieces, together with a powerful
passed pawn, Black has more than sufficient compensation for the Queen } 9. Qg4 Rf8 10. Rd1 Rae8 11. Qg6 Re2 12. Rf1 ( 12. Rxd3 Nxd3 13. Qxd3 Re1+ 14. Kh2 Be5+ $19 ) 12... d2 13. Rxf8+ Kxf8 14. Qxd6+ Kg8 15. Qd8+ Kh7 16. Qh4+ Bh6 0-1
[Event "Amsterdam"]
[Site "Amsterdam"]
[Date "1956.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bronstein"]
[Black "Panno"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "42: Liquidation for Defensive Reasons"]
[ECO "E86"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

{ By means of liquidation White forestalls the threatened attack on his King } 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 e5 6. Nge2 c6 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd2 Qa5 9. O-O-O b5 10. cxb5 cxb5 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Nd5 $1 Qxd2+ ( 12... Qxa2 13. Nc7 $18 { winning the exchange } ) 13. Rxd2 Nxd5 14. exd5 { White has not
only stopped the threatened attack against his castled position, but also
secured the better game, his passed d-pawn being an especially strong asset } 14... b4 15. Ng3 f5 16. Bg5 Nd7 17. Bb5 Rb8 18. Bc6 Kf7 19. Rc2 { We stop at
s poinst since the issues of primary interest in this liquidation process have
been clarified. White has an ongoing initiative } 1/2-1/2
[Event "Sweden v USSR"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1954.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Sterner"]
[Black "Boleslavsky"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "42: Liquidation for Defensive Reasons"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

{ A futile liquidation } 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Be3 Be6 10. f4 a5 11. fxe5 { Played, presumab
ly, out of fear of the opponent's world-class ranking. Fear, however, is a
poor counselor. In view of the nature of Black's position - backward d-pawn
and consequent weakness of d5, best was } ( 11. f5 Bc8 12. Bc4 ) 11... dxe5 12. Qxd8 Rfxd8 13. Rfd1 ( 13. Nc5 Bxc5 14. Bxc5 Nd4 15. Bd3 ( 15. Be7 Nxe4 $1 16. Bxd8 Nxc3 17. bxc3 Nxe2+ 18. Kf2 Rxd8 19. Kxe2 Bc4+ { combinative liquidation } ) 15... Nd7 16. Ba3 Rac8 ) 13... Nb4 14. Rxd8+ Bxd8 15. Bd3 a4 16. Nd2 ( 16. Nc5 Bb6 ) 16... a3 17. b3 Ng4 18. Bc5 ( 18. Nf1 Rc8 19. Bd2 Bb6+ $18 ) ( 18. Nd1 Nxe3 19. Nxe3 Bb6 20. Nf1 Bd4 { winning the a-pawn } ) 18... Nxd3 19. cxd3 Rc8 20. Bb4 ( 20. d4 b6 21. Bb4 Ne3 22. Nd5 ( 22. d5 Nc2 23. Rc1 Nxb4 24. dxe6 Bg5 25. exf7+ Kf8 ) 22... exd4 23. Ne7+ Bxe7 24. Bxe7 Rc2 25. Bb4 Rb2 ) 20... Bb6+ 21. Kf1 Ne3+ 22. Ke2 Nc2 0-1
[Event "New York"]
[Site "New"]
[Date "1918.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Marshall"]
[Black "Capablanca"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "42: Liquidation for Defensive Reasons"]
[ECO "D64"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

{ Capablanca liquidates in order to repel an attack } 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 O-O 7. Rc1 c6 8. Qc2 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nd5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. O-O Nxc3 12. Qxc3 b6 13. e4 Bb7 14. Rfe1 Rfd8 15. d5 Nc5 $1 { To have taken the d-pawn would have opened teh e-file, which would have given
White a strong initiative. Now Black threatens to destroy the White pawn
centre by ... Nxe4! } 16. dxe6 ( 16. -- Nxe4 17. Rxe4 cxd5 18. Rg4 f5 ) 16... Nxe6 17. Bxe6 Qxe6 18. Nd4 $1 { Offering a pawn for attacking chances } 18... Qe5 $1 { Capablanca sidesteps any White attacking chances with this brilliant
liquidation, by which he gains excellent counterpay at the cost of a pawn } ( 18... Qxa2 19. Nf5 f6 20. e5 fxe5 ( 20... Qf7 21. Nxg7 Kxg7 22. exf6+ Qxf6 23. Re7+ ) 21. Rxe5 ) 19. Nxc6 Qxc3 20. Rxc3 Rd2 21. Rb1 ( 21. Ne7+ Kf8 22. Rc7 Re8 $1 ( 22... Bxe4 23. f3 $16 ) 23. Rxb7 ( 23. Ng6+ fxg6 24. Rxb7 Rxe4 $1 ) 23... Rxe7 24. Rb8+ Re8 25. Rxe8+ Kxe8 { Theoretical draw since Black's active Rook offsets the extra pawn } ) 21... Re8 22. e5 ( 22. f3 f5 23. exf5 Ree2 ) 22... g5 $1 { Preventing Pf4 while giving air to the King } 23. h4 gxh4 24. Re1 ( 24. f4 Re6 25. -- Rg6 { putting the g-pawn under pressure } ) 24... Re6 25. Rec1 ( 25. Nxa7 Rg6 ) 25... Kg7 26. b4 b5 ( 26... -- 27. b5 ) 27. a3 Rg6 28. Kf1 Ra2 29. Kg1 $22 { White is in zugzwang! } 29... h3 30. g3 a6 31. e6 Rxe6 32. g4 ( 32. Nd4 h2+ 33. Kxh2 Rh6+ 34. Kg1 Rh1# ) 32... Rh6 33. f3 ( 33. g5 h2+ 34. Kh1 Rxc6 35. Rxc6 Rxf2 ) 33... Rd6 34. Ne7 Rdd2 { Rooks doubled on the sevent rank - every chessplayers dream! } 35. Nf5+ Kf6 36. Nh4 Kg5 37. Nf5 Rg2+ 38. Kf1 Rh2 39. f4+ Kxf4 0-1
[Event "Beverwijk"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1957.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Toran"]
[Black "Donner"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "43: Liquidation to Preserve an Advantage"]
[ECO "C97"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Qc7 12. Nbd2 Re8 13. Nf1 g6 14. Ne3 Bf8 15. b4 cxb4 16. cxb4 Nc6 $2 17. Bb2 Bb7 18. Bb3 Bg7 19. Rc1 Qd8 20. dxe5 Nxe5 ( 20... dxe5 21. Nd5 $16 ) 21. Bxe5 { A suprising exchange of the strong Bishop on
b2; however this is the point of the liquidation. White will force through an
attack on f7 } 21... dxe5 22. Qxd8 Raxd8 23. Rc7 Rd7 { All forced } 24. Rxd7 Nxd7 25. Ng5 { The attack on f7 is decisive } 25... Re7 ( 25... Rc8 26. Nxf7 Kf8 27. Nd6 $18 ) 26. Rc1 Bh6 ( 26... -- 27. Nxf7 Rxf7 28. Rc7 ) 27. Nxf7 Bxe3 28. fxe3 Kg7 29. Rc7 Bxe4 ( 29... Ba8 30. Nd6 Kf6 31. Rc8 Nb6 32. Rb8 $18 ) 30. Nd6 Bf5 31. g4 1-0
[Event "Moskva"]
[Site "Moskva"]
[Date "1936.??.??"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Capablanca"]
[Black "Eliskases"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "43: Liquidation to Preserve an Advantage"]
[FEN "8/pp2r2k/2p1p1pq/3pP1Rr/1P1P1PQP/P5KR/8/8 b - - 0 45"]
[PlyCount "18"]
[SetUp "1"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

{ Liquidation into a won Rook and pawn ending } 45... Kg7 ( 45... Re8 46. Rxh5 ( 46. Kf3 Re7 47. Rg3 Rxh4 48. Rxg6 Rxg4 49. Rxh6+ Kxh6 50. Rxg4 Rg7 51. Rh4+ Kg6 52. Rh8 Re7 53. Kg4 Kg7 54. Ra8 a6 55. Kg5 $22 ) 46... gxh5 { gives White nothing } ) 46. Rxh5 Qxh5 47. Qxh5 gxh5 48. f5 $1 { This pawn sacrifice allows the decisive entry of White's King } 48... exf5 49. Kf4 Re6 ( 49... Rf7 50. Rg3+ ) 50. Kxf5 Rg6 { Thus ruling out White's
threat of Rg3-g5; but now White's King enters with effect } 51. e6 Rg4 52. Ke5 Re4+ 53. Kd6 Rxd4 54. Re3 1-0
[Event "Bad Neuenahr"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1957.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Jager"]
[Black "Troger"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "43: Liquidation to Preserve an Advantage"]
[ECO "D05"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

{ Black takes the iniative and uses it to force more and more liquidation } 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 d5 4. Bd3 Nbd7 5. Qe2 $2 Bd6 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. O-O e5 8. dxe5 Nxe5 9. Nxe5 Bxe5 10. f4 $2 Bd6 11. e4 Bg4 12. Qe1 dxe4 13. Nxe4 Re8 { The poor position of White's Queen allows Black to seize the initiative } 14. Nxf6+ Qxf6 15. Qg3 Qd4+ 16. Kh1 Be2 $1 { Trying to invade on the 7th rank } 17. Bd2 $1 Bb4 $1 ( 17... Qxb2 18. Bc3 Qxc3 19. Bxh7+ $18 ) 18. Bxe2 ( 18. Bc3 Bxc3 19. bxc3 { White has weakened pawns } ) 18... Rxe2 19. Bxb4 Qxb4 20. Qd3 Rae8 21. Rad1 h6 22. b3 Qe4 23. Qxe4 R8xe4 24. c4 { Black has a won position } ( 24. Rc1 Rd2 $1 ) 24... Rxa2 25. Rd8+ Kh7 26. Rd7 Rxf4 $1 27. Rg1 Rb2 28. h3 Rxb3 29. Rxc7 h5 0-1
[Event "Wageningen"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1957.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Clark"]
[Black "Szabo"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "43: Liquidation to Preserve an Advantage"]
[FEN "2r4r/p2b1pk1/1q1p1npb/1p1Pp3/1P2P3/P2Q2PP/3N2BK/3NRR2 b - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "23"]
[SetUp "1"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

{ A forceful liquidation  Clearly Black has a much better game with control of
the open c-file as well as chances of Kingside attack by virtue of the
half-open h-file. Szabo finds a forceful means of liquidating into a won
ending } 1... Ng4+ $1 2. Kh1 Qd4 $1 { Forcing the following liquidation } 3. Qxd4 ( 3. Qf3 ) 3... exd4 4. Nb3 Ne3 5. Nxd4 ( 5. Nxe3 dxe3 6. Rc1 e2 ) ( 5. Rf3 Nxg2 6. Kxg2 Bxh3+ $1 7. Kxh3 Bd2+ $19 ) 5... Nxf1 6. Bxf1 Bc1 7. Nxb5 Bxb5 8. Bxb5 Bxa3 9. Ne3 Bxb4 10. Rb1 Bc5 11. Nc4 Rxh3+ 12. Kg2 Rch8 0-1
[Event "New York"]
[Site "New"]
[Date "1927.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Vidmar"]
[Black "Capablanca"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "43: Liquidation to Preserve an Advantage"]
[FEN "2r2rk1/pp1b1ppp/8/q1nPp3/4P3/3B4/P3QPPP/R1BR2K1 b - - 0 19"]
[PlyCount "12"]
[SetUp "1"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

{ A less successful liquidation } 19... Nxd3 $2 ( 19... Ba4 20. Qd2 ( 20. Rd2 Nxd3 21. Qxd3 Rc3 $36 ) 20... Qxd2 21. Rxd2 Nxd3 22. Rxd3 Rc4 ( 22... Rc2 ) ) 20. Qxd3 Qc3 21. Be3 Qxd3 22. Rxd3 a5 23. a4 Rc4 24. f3 { In this position a Draw was agreed. White stands slightly better, for after } 24... Bxa4 25. Bb6 { Black loses the a-pawn and then White's protected passed
d-pawn is superior to Black's b-pawn. Nonetheless, with opposite coloured
Bishops this advantage is a pretty theoretical one } 1/2-1/2
[Event "Portoroz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1958.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Olfasson"]
[Black "Szabo"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "43: Liquidation to Preserve an Advantage"]
[FEN "3r3k/ppQP2pp/1qn2pb1/8/2p5/6PB/P4P1P/3RR1K1 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "29"]
[SetUp "1"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

1. Qxb6 ( 1. Qc8 $1 -- 2. Re8+ Bxe8 3. dxe8=Q+ Rxe8 4. Qxe8# ) 1... axb6 2. Rb1 Ne5 ( 2... Bxb1 3. Re8+ $18 ) ( 2... Nd4 ) 3. Rxe5 fxe5 4. Rxb6 Be4 ( 4... c3 5. Rxb7 c2 6. Rc7 h6 7. Rc8 Kh7 8. a4 $18 ) 5. Re6 Bc6 6. Rxe5 Kg8 ( 6... Bxd7 7. Bxd7 Rxd7 8. Re8# ) 7. Rc5 Kf7 8. Rxc4 Ke7 9. f4 { Liquidation is the recurring theme here } 9... Ra8 ( 9... Bxd7 10. Rc7 { The general exchanges on d7 wins } ) 10. Rd4 Kd8 11. Be6 Ra3 12. f5 Re3 13. Rg4 g6 14. fxg6 Rxe6 15. g7 1-0
[Event "Munich ol"]
[Site "Munich ol"]
[Date "1958.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Botvinnik"]
[Black "Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "43: Liquidation to Preserve an Advantage"]
[FEN "r5k1/2p1q1b1/2Pp2p1/p2Pp1P1/1p6/3QBr2/PP6/2KR3R w - - 0 27"]
[PlyCount "23"]
[SetUp "1"]
[Source "Hays Publishing"]
[SourceDate "1964.01.01"]

{ A world champion liquidates } 27. Qxg6 $1 Kf8 ( 27... Rxe3 28. Rdf1 $18 ) ( 27... Qf7 28. Qh7+ Kf8 29. g6 Qf6 30. Bh6 $1 Bxh6+ 31. Qxh6+ Qg7 32. Qh8+ $18 ) ( 27... Raf8 28. Qh7+ Kf7 29. Qh5+ Kg8 30. g6 R8f5 31. Qh7+ Kf8 32. Bh6 Bxh6+ 33. Qxh6+ Qg7 34. Qxg7+ Kxg7 35. Rdg1 $18 ) 28. Qe4 $1 Qf7 29. g6 Qf5 30. Qxf5+ Rxf5 31. Rdf1 { The key move, White reaches f7 with gain of tempo } 31... Rxf1+ 32. Rxf1+ Kg8 33. Rf7 Rc8 34. Kc2 e4 { Otherwise White plays Kd3 } 35. b3 Bc3 36. Kd1 Be5 { Black's position is hopeless becuase he cannot exchange off the Rooks } ( 36... Rf8 37. Rxf8+ Kxf8 38. Bb6 $1 ) 37. Ke2 Bc3 38. Ba7 $1 1-0