The Art of Checkmate: new translation with algebraic chess notation [Translated ed.] 9781849942706

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The Art of Checkmate new translation by Jimmy Adams

Georges Renaud and Victor Kahn

C 23. P y Att

Table of Contents e

2 la

’ F ew d

I

d c i

Pa

O e: Pic

1. Lé

e

’s Ps u

4

P w r

3. T

S

4. T

Guér

5. T

C

e Ma e

-S

r

t

t

S

u tt s M t s

r

t

21

101

139

C rr

140

r M t (N . 2) 154

’s M t (N . 3)

169

4. M t N . 4

182

5. A

187

st s ’s M t (N . 5)

6. B

’s M t (N . 6)

201

7. B

ur

213

’s M t (N . 7)

8. Ex r s s

227

9. M t N . 8

L

’s M t

234

10. M t N . 9 rss

239 ’s M t (C

12. M t N .10

t u t

P s ury’s M t

286 296

13. Ex r s s

308

14. D 13)

315

’s M t s (N s. 11. 12 y’s M t s (N s. 14, 15, 16)

16. Ex r s s

18. M t w t M

rP

s (N s. 17

rP

19. M t

t

Tw B s

20. M t

t

Tw K

21. A t (N . 22)

rB s

22. Ar

330 360

17. M t s w t M 18)

s (N . 19)

K

M t (N . 23) 498

s!

367 394

s (N . 20)

411

ts (N . 21)

415

tM t

431

M t

449 463

497

117

r M t (N . 1)

2. V r t

15. M r

y igh

129

C rr

11. A N . 9)

s t Ex r s s

80

Tw : Ty ical Ma e

3. Gr

C

Ty

49

M t E

r

C

6. Ex r s s 1. T

26. S ut

r

22

D u

r

R

434

7

2. T

Pa

25. I S

1

T a

t t

24. Ex r s s

Ti le C

t

y

420 428 499

T

Translator’s Foreword The Art of Checkmate has been a best selling chess book, praised for its instructional value, ever since it was first published in Monaco in 1947. However, when the first French to English translation appeared in the 1950s it was severely criticised by the highly respected chess writer and teacher, Cecil Purdy, who wrote in the Australian magazine Chess World: “The Art of Checkmate by Georges Renaud. and Victor Kahn, former champions of France, is yet another demonstration of how very suited the French literary tradition is to chess exposition. The close attention to the order and neatness of presentation makes study of most of the French chess writers a pleasure. In this case, a clumsy translation has succeeded in making merely delightful what could have been made super-delightful. It is a magnificent exposition of that vital department of chess skill, the mating combination.

’ F

w

The excellence of the presentation is still there, too – the order, the neatness, and the pleasing system of classification according to names, which makes everything so easily remembered, e.g., Légal’s Pseudo-Sacrifice, Greco’s Mate, Anastasia’s Mate, Boden’s Mate, Blackburne’s Mate, Anderssen’s Mate, Pillsbury’s Mate, Damiano’s Mate, Morphy’s Mate, the Arabian Mate, and so on. All these mates – the student discovers – are typical mates that occur daily. They are not ephemeral flights of genius recalled only in print, but part of the stock in trade of every expert player; but a book like this that codifies them so elegantly and interestingly gives even an expert a far better grip of them, so that his chances of scoring a vital extra point in a tournament are appreciably increased. Over and over again, the authors quote instances of forced mates missed by masters in the heat of battle. And for the average player, from now on we list this as a must book. I am strongly opposed to the view that skill in chess can be attained only by hard work. I once studied a book on the differential calculus that was written quite flippantly, and yet gave a newcomer to the calculus a much better idea of its mysteries than the ponderous school texts I was supposed to be using. A chess book that is interesting and entertaining and yet has the subject all sewn up – that’s the ideal, and Renaud and Kahn have hit the jackpot.

The original was L’Art de Faire Mat, of which my copy – I don’t know if a nicer edition was printed – is on poor paper and very unattractive to the eye. Bell’s have produced an English edition in their usual style – well-nigh impossible to better as far as the appearance goes.

They could, however, institute a lawsuit against the translator. I really must comment on this aspect in the hope that chess publishers may exercise more care in the selection of people for this work. Previously, I railed at some faults in translations of books by Botvinnik – faults that were obvious without knowing Russian. But the translation of Renaud’s and Kahn’s work reaches what I

4

5

I

sincerely hope is an all-time low. I am no French scholar, but any fourth-former could fault this stuff. In almost every page one finds sentences that are not translations at all, or even paraphrases. They contain as much of the original as the pathetic skull of Yorick contained of the soul of that lively jester, and the bones are padded out not with the thoughts of Renaud and Kahn but, rather, thoughts of the translator’s own which he seems – for no valid reason – to prefer ...” Cecil Purdy then goes on to give illustrative examples to support his criticisms. Thus it is to rectify these serious shortcomings and do full justice to the original work of Georges Renaud and Victor Kahn, that we have endeavoured to produce a fresh and accurate translation of L’Art de Faire Mat, whilst at the same time converting the old descriptive notation used in the English version to modern figurine algebraic and making various analytical observations, which are given in italic type.

Introduction Nothing is more annoying for a player, after he has racked his brains over a position and then selected and made what he thought to be the best move, than to hear a voice in the gallery exclaim in an ironic tone: “Everyone to their own taste … but in your place I would have preferred to announce mate in two moves.” And he is astonished to discover that there really was a mate in two moves and that his premature exchange of pieces has destroyed the opportunity for ever. He curses himself for not having seen it.

We hope this new edition of a timeless classic will continue to benefit and be enjoyed by players of all strengths for many more years to come.

Here is a typical example. In the diagram position it was Black to move in a club tournament. The player of the Black pieces 6

7

I

thought for a short moment, then he picked up his Queen, held it for a moment in the air and placed it triumphantly on d3. Indeed, he threatened … ♕c2 mate. White sacrificed the exchange by ♖xf5 and having two pawns more, exchanged Queens a few moves later and easily won the game. When it was all over, the loser said:

But let this amateur encounter the same position in a game and eighty per cent of the time, if not more, he will be blind to the mate. Even very great masters have not escaped such misfortunes. Here are two examples that are particularly instructive: Chigorin, in a match against Schiffers, played in Russia in 1897, reached the following position with Black:

“There was nothing I could do. I had sacrificed two pawns and the exchange for an attack that didn’t come off.” Replacing the pieces in the diagram position, we showed him that there was a forced mate in two moves. The player thought for a few minutes and finally exclaimed: “Well, I never ...” At last, albeit a little late, he saw the mate: 1 ... ♕c3+! 2 bxc3 ♗a3 mate. However this is a classic mate which, ever since the distant day in 1857 that Boden played it for the first time, has been reproduced a considerable number of times. Perhaps the same player had seen it in a chess book or magazine. But as no one had drawn his attention to the mechanism of this mate, the position was as new to him. The first thing the student must do is to learn how to spot the mates. One will never be a good player if one cannot detect these mates and if one does not know how to carry them out. If an amateur, with some practical experience, is shown a position and told: “There is a mate in five moves, find it!,” he will discover it more or less easily, perhaps after a period of reflection but he will always discover it. 8

He played ... b6 and the game was drawn, whereas he could have announced mate in five moves. 1

...

♖h1+!

2

♘xh1

♗h2+!

3

♔xh2

♖h8+

4

♔g3

♘f5+

5

♔ any

♖h4 mate. 9

I

At the tournament in Hastings in 1937/1938, the winner S. Reshevsky, having the Black pieces against W. Fairhurst, thought a long while in the position shown in the diagram and finally played 1 ... h6? However, he could have carried out a classic mate:

topic: ‘Blunders of the Masters’. Such a title is encouraging for the amateur. But there is a lesson to be drawn from these blunders. For if great masters such as Chigorin and Reshevsky did not see – accidentally and no doubt pressed for time – such mates in a given number of moves, how many will always be overlooked by amateurs? Yet mates in a given number of moves are the simplest of all the combinations, since more often than not they consist of a series of checks with forced replies. In addition, the majority of these mates can be reduced to a few standard types whose characteristics are easy to remember. It is necessary to know these typical mating positions: 1) In order to apply them automatically and without loss of time when coming across them in games; 2) In order to try to obtain them when one has the attack; 3) In order to carefully avoid becoming a victim oneself.

1

...

♖c1+

2

♗xc1

♕a7+

3

♕b6

♕xb6+

4

♖d4

♕xd4+

5

♔h1

♘f2+

6

♔g1

♘h3++

7

♔ any

♕ mates.

One could multiply examples of this sort. Magazines and chess columns have created a 10

When you are playing, there is no guardian angel to grab your arm as you are about to make a mistaken move and whisper in your ear, when the moment has come: “Take care, my friend. There is a mate in four moves here, absolutely forced. Find it and do not miss the opportunity.” And the following lines are designed to accompany you, dear reader, in the role of this good and useful guardian angel. The majority of manuals reproduce a famous game, at rook odds, which was played move by move, blow by blow, by Walker, Morphy and Steinitz, against amateurs. Let’s 11

I

examine it too and try to understand the way these three great players were able to deliver mate in the same manner against an inexperienced opponent. GAME NO. 1

New York, 1857 P. Morphy – Amateur (Remove White’s Queen’s Rook) 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗c4

♗c5

4

b4

♗xb4

5

c3

♗a5

6

d4

exd4

7

0-0

A century ago this opening was played as automatically as the first seven moves of the Orthodox Defence of the Queen’s Gambit are nowadays. ...

♘f6?

exd5

♘a5

With this simultaneous attack on White’s Queen and Bishop, Black hopes to get rid of the dangerous Bishop. 11

♖e1+

♗e6

Here starts an entertaining combination. White, who is already playing at Rook odds, sacrifices his Queen. 12

Experience has shown us that the only playable move in this position is 7 ... ♗b6.

d5

♕b3

Giving back a Pawn to escape the opponent’s clutches. 10

Evans Gambit Accepted

7

9

dxe6!

♘xb3

There is already no satisfactory move. The only one which allows Black further resistance is 8 ... d6. From now on the game proceeds like clockwork.

Of course he should not take the Queen. But in the 19th century, amateurs always allowed themselves to be tempted by their opponent’s gifts. Anyway this has hardly changed. It is a common misconception with some players that they imagine they are playing against a novice who has thoughtlessly left his Queen en prise.

12

13

8

♗a3

♗b6?

I

White announces mate in six moves: 13

exf7+

♔d7

14

♗e6+

♔c6

15

♘e5+

♔b5

16

♗c4+

♔a5

17

♗b4+

♔a4

player will ‘feel’ that the enemy King is about to embark on a journey from which it will not return. We can also mention another no less famous game which appears in all the text books. GAME NO. 2 Dutch Defence London, 1912 Ed. Lasker – Sir George Thomas

18

axb3

mate.

Can we teach the technique of such a mate? We do not think so. There is no recipe. The King was collected at its initial square and dragged gradually to the other side of the board, right up to a4, where it was mated. An experienced player feels instinctively that positions, such as the one in the diagram, are rich in possibilities and so he searches. As here all the moves are forced and as there are no variations, it is relatively easy, with a little practice, to calculate the consequences of the Queen sacrifice and to see that seven moves later the King will be mated. And even if he is not able to see this exactly, the discerning 14

1

d4

e6

2

♘f3

f5

3

♘c3

♘f6

4

♗g5

♗e7

5

♗xf6

♗xf6

6

e4

fxe4

7

♘xe4

b6

8

♘e5

0-0

9

♗d3

♗b7

10

♕h5

If 10 ... h6 11 ♕g6 wins. [But 10 ... g6 11 ♘xg6 hxg6 12 ♕xg6+ ♗g7 13 ♘g5 (or 13 ♘d6) ♖f6! defends. And 10 ... ♗xe5 11 ♘d2! g6 12 ♕xe5 maintains equality.] 10

...

♕e7

15

I

The text move seems to save the game, since the h7 square is covered by the Queen after 11 ♘xf6+ gxf6. This position, however, is as full of hidden possibilities as the one in the Morphy game. And Edward Lasker announced mate in 8 moves. 11

♕xh7+!!

♔xh7

12

♘xf6++

♔h6

13

♘eg4+!

♔g5

14

h4+

♔f4

15

g3+

♔f3

16

♗e2+

♔g2

17

♖h2+

♔g1

18

♔d2 mate.

This mate seems amazing to the novice. However, since all the moves of the Black King are forced, it can be calculated precisely without the need for considerable mental effort. But, here again, even if we gather together a hundred examples of King walks across the chess board, it is not possible to lay down rules. The idea is to sacrifice material in order to draw out the King from its seemingly safe position, then, by a series of checks, corner it on the fatal mating square. It is a question of rapid judgment, imagination and practice. In 1940 and 1941, once a week, the authors voluntarily held a public chess course for some students. It included theoretical training on a demonstration board, practical exercises and simultaneous games. On these occasions they learned a lot themselves and this book was prompted by their training lessons.

16

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To be able to deliver mate in a given position, two things are necessary:

castling of the Black King applies to short side castling of the White King.

1) To recognize that there is the possibility of a mate.

To attack the enemy king a certain number of preliminary conditions have to be fulfilled:

2) To know how to carry out this mate. We have therefore endeavoured to classify methodically the typical mating positions. For each of these we have established a scheme. For each scheme we have explained the mechanism of the mate. We then give examples drawn from practice. These examples are of three types. The first includes games which end with the typical mate. The second includes games which end with a variation, a modification of the typical mate. The third is more complex. In fact, between experienced players of good playing strength, one will have difficulty in carrying out a typical mate. But one threatens to carry it out. And to avoid this threat, the opponent will often be compelled to make a defensive move, which weakens his position or loses material. In ninety-five percent of games the two opponents castle. In ninety percent of the games where the opponents castle, one or the other castle on the King’s side. So, in practice, nine times out of ten, it is against King’s side castling that one mounts an attack. It is therefore a castled position on the King’s side which above all we will come to attack. In all the examples which follow, we assume – unless otherwise specified – that the castled position to attack is the short side castling of the Black King. It goes without saying that everything we say about short side 18

1) The castled position must have a weakness. There are two kinds of weaknesses: a) Lasting and irrevocable weaknesses. These are the advance of one or several of the Pawns defending the castled position, namely the f, g and h-Pawns. b) Momentary weaknesses.

and

other

similar

These are the removal or the absence of Pieces which defend the castled position, namely the King’s Knight, generally placed on f6, and the Piece defending the King’s Knight, be it the ♗e7, ♘d7 or ♕d8. 2) White must be able to attack these weaknesses. To attack the weaknesses, it is necessary: a) To have open lines (files, ranks or diagonals) against the castled position; b) To have Pieces on these open lines. c) To have more Pieces for the attack than the opponent has for the defence. It is immaterial whether the defender has more Pieces than the attacker. What is essential is that he does not have the possibility of bringing them in time and to the desired place for the defence. Time and again it is necessary to apply these principles. Indeed these principles are

19

P

O

:P

M

equally applicable for attack and position play. They govern the conduct of the game. In this way our study, though limited in its objective – typical mating positions – by the same token will introduce the reader, gradually and effortlessly, to handy methods of conducting a game well. Isn’t the best way to learn the major principles of play by getting to know them through their application in the most brutal and most dramatic positions arising on the chess board: those which offer mates announced in a given number of moves. And this will serve as the best introduction to a further book we are preparing, which will deal with the conduct of the game. Finally, a remark to end this introduction. The typical mates we are going to examine are often encountered in practical play. But often does not mean always. On the contrary, between players of the same strength, it is extremely rare that a game ends in an announced mate. One of the opponents resigns because he has lost a Piece, or simply a Pawn, because he sees that after the exchange of material he will be left with a hopeless endgame. We must not therefore imagine that in all his games a player will have the opportunity to deliver a typical mate and that in order to achieve this he must embark on reckless sacrifices. Each of these mates, in order to be carried out, requires that a certain number of conditions are met. If one is missing then the sacrifice will be in vain. The player will just be left one or two pieces down and his game will be lost.

Part One: PICTURESQUE MATES In the first section, we are going to study Légal’s Pseudo-Sacrifice and show that it is a mechanism applicable to many positions; the power of the double check, because the double check is one of the fundamental elements of a mating attack; the Smothered Mate, which belongs in a mating category of its own; the Epaulettes and Guèridon Mates, which are in fact simply a curiosity, and finally the Calabrian Sacrifice. These diverse mates are heterogeneous. They could be classified differently. They are not, in the sense of the term as we understand it, typical mates, apart from the Calabrian Mate. We have grouped them under the arbitrary title of ‘Picturesque Mates.’

Let us be bold, certainly … it is the only way to win. But let us have good judgement as well. 20

21

1. Lé

’ P

-S

opponent’s King’s Knight before he has castled. CHAPTER 1:

Légal’s PseudoSacrifice We have not called this chapter ‘Légal’s Mate,’ but ‘Légal’s Pseudo-Sacrifice.’ Indeed it is not so much a mate that we are proposing to study as an attacking manoeuvre. In certain cases this manoeuvre leads to a mate. In other cases it leads to a decisive gain of material. GAME NO. 3 Philidor Defence Paris, about 1750 Kermur de Légal – X De Kermur, Sire de Légal (1702-1792), born in Paris, was a strong French player, considered the champion of the Café de la Régence until he was beaten by A.D. Philidor, whom he had taught the game. 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

d6

3

♗c4

♗g4

There are three reasons for this. First of all because this bishop can be chased away with gain of time by h2-h3 (or … h7-h6 if it was White who played ♗g5) or be induced to exchange … ♗g4xf3, which speeds up White’s development and gets into play the Queen after it recaptures the Bishop. Then because the Knight, which at the start of the game can only reasonably come out on two or three well defined squares (f6, c6, d7), should preferably be developed before the Bishop, which has the choice of several moves according to the formation adopted by the opponent. Finally, because the pin on a Knight, which is absolute when the King is behind, is only relative when it is the Queen. The Knight can move, be it with check or with a mating threat, and the Bishop, if it is unprotected or insufficiently protected on g4, ‘hanging’ as they say, will be en prise. 4

♘c3

5

♘xe5!

g6?

This move violates a general principle of open games, enunciated for the first time by Emanuel Lasker (1896). In an open game, that is to say where, on the part of the other player, the e-Pawn has been advanced two squares, it is not always advisable to pin the 22

23

1. Lé

This brilliant move, devised by Légal, leaves the Queen en prise. That does not matter because it introduces a threat of mate in two moves, that is to say if it were White’s move now he would mate by 6 ♗xf7+ ♔e7 7 ♘d5 mate. 5

...

♗xd1??

A major blunder. Black has not seen the threat and thoughtlessly rushes to take the Queen, without considering that the opponent is neither foolish nor forgetful, and that he is perfectly aware that he has left the Queen en prise. The lesser evil is the reply 5 ... dxe5. But after 6 ♕xg4, White has recaptured the piece and remains with the advantage of a Pawn and a decisive lead in development. White announces mate in two moves. 6

♗xf7+

7

♘d5 mate.

♔e7

24

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-S

The Typical Légal Mate What good, you may think, is it to spend such a long time on this mate? It is over two hundred years old. It is famous. It is quoted as an example in all the chess books. All amateurs know it. There is no chance whatsoever of pulling it off again. Not at all. First and foremost we ask you not to learn it by heart but to grasp the precise mechanism, to understand that the Bishop on g4 is ‘hanging’, that is to say exposed to capture if the Knight moves to threaten mate. But this mechanism appears in many positions as a latent threat and the opponent, if he pins your King’s Knight, is obliged to take this into account. Finally, do not assume that because a mate is famous and more than two centuries old no one will fall for it. All strong players know that in a simultaneous exhibition it is rare that one is unable to make use of it. The victims are well aware of Légal’s mate. But not having recognised the position – perhaps because some detail is different from that 25

1. Lé

which they have seen and indeed learned by heart, but without properly understanding the mechanics of it – they get caught out like novices. There are even games played by correspondence where it had been possible to make Légal’s sacrifice. Here, by way of example, are a few instructive games. GAME NO. 4 Scotch Gambit

5

...

dxc3

6

♘xc3

♗g4

E. Falkbeer – X Ernst Falkbeer (1819-1885) was a strong Austrian player and the inventor of the gambit which bears his name: 1 e4 e5 2 f4 d5!

7

0-0

♘e5

A presumptuous move. Black, who is already behind in his development, imagines that he has the right to attack. The refutation comes immediately and convincingly. ♘xe5!

Winning at least a Piece. Black’s best reply would in fact be 8 ... dxe5 9 ♕xg4 with a Bishop more and a lead in development. But Black is greedy and blind.

1

e4

e5

8

...

♗xd1?

2

♘f3

♘c6

9

♗xf7+

♔e7

3

d4

exd4

10

♘d5 mate.

4

♗c4

White offers a Pawn to speed up his development. 4

...

d6

Black shuts in his King’s Bishop and defends passively. Better would have been 4 ... ♘f6, developing a Piece. 5

-S

The bad pin.

8

Vienna, 1847

’ P

c3

Making it a Pawn sacrifice. The Pawn could have been recaptured by 5 ♘xd4. But White prefers to get his pieces into play.

GAME NO. 5

26

27

1. Lé

Vienna Game Played in a twelve board simultaneous blindfold exhibition, Hanover, 1900 H. N. Pillsbury – Fernandez Harry Nelson Pillsbury (1872-1906) was the strongest authentically American player since Morphy. A player of aggressive temperament, he gained many successes in international tournaments: 1st, Hastings, 1895; 2nd, Paris 1900; 1st, Munich 1900. A remarkable blindfold player, he was in his day the holder of the world record with twenty-three simultaneous games. He gave his name to a variation of the Queen’s Gambit Declined, commonly known as the Cambridge Springs Defence, and also an attacking formation in the same gambit. He was Champion of the United States from 1897 until his death. 1

e4

e5

2

♘c3

♘c6

3

f4

d6

4

♘f3

a6?

’ P

-S

And the unsuspecting guzzler pounces on the queen. 8

♗xf7+

9

♘d5 mate.

♔e7

GAME NO. 6 Danish Gambit Great Britain, 1912 A. G. Essery – F. H. Warren Both players were British amateurs. 1

e4

e5

2

d4

exd4

3

c3

dxc3

4

♗c4

d6

5

♘xc3

♘f6

6

♘f3

♗g4

A lost tempo. 5

♗c4

♗g4

Always the absurd pin. 6

fxe5

♘xe5?

Once again, the same misplaced ambition. It is the second player, having already lost time in playing … a6, having blocked in his King’s Bishop by … d6, who has the naïve pretension to want to attack! 7

♘xe5!

♗xd1??

Wherever Chess is played, this pin seems to be an irresistible attraction for many players. 7

0-0

8

♗g5

♘c6

Sensing the coming blunder, White pins the enemy King’s Knight in advance. 8

...

♘e5

The blunder comes ... always the same. The refutation too!

28

29

1. Lé 9

♘xe5

♗xd1

10

♗xf7+

♔e7

11

♘d5 mate.

Mate is possible, despite the presence of the King’s Knight on f6, on account of the real pin by the Bishop on g5.

6

♘xe5

’ P

-S

♗xd1?

The lesser evil was 6 ... ♘xe5 7 ♕xh5 ♘xc4 8 ♕b5+, followed by 9 ♕xc4 and White has an extra Pawn and a good game. 7

♗xf7+

8

♘d5 mate.

♔e7

GAME NO. 7 Italian Opening Played in a simultaneous exhibition at Leysin, 1929 A. Chéron – X André Chéron (1895-1980), born in Colombes, was Champion of France three times (1926, 1927 and 1929). He was the author of the Traité Complet d’Echecs (Brussels 1927), which was rightly regarded as one of the best chess manuals of the time. André Cheron specialized at first in didactic studies and systematized the rules of the various endgames featuring rook and pawn against rook. He was also a well-known and successful problem composer whose specialty was the strategical problem, pioneered in France by G. Renaud, and in Les Echecs Artistiques his presentation of the theory of this type of problem is a model of logic. 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗c4

d6

4

♘c3

♗g4

5

h3

♗h5?

The Second Form of the Légal Mate If the e7 square (or e2 if it is White who is under attack) is already either obstructed or guarded (usually by a Bishop), there is no longer the need for a Knight to give mate and the Légal sacrifice is possible and effective without the intervention of the Queen’s Knight. Let’s start with a didactic example composed for demonstration purposes. GAME NO. 8 Alapin Opening 1

e4

2

♘e2

e5

It is already bad to play a Piece to a square where it hampers the development of another Piece. Here the Queen and the Bishop are blocked. 2

...

♘f6

3

d3

♗c5

4

♗g5

He had to play 5 ... ♗xf3 and no harm would have come to him. 30

31

1. Lé

The bad pin.

’ P

6

d5

♘d8

4

...

♘xe4!

7

♗e2

d6

5

♗xd8??

♗xf2 mate.

8

h3?

f5

9

♗g5

♘f6

10

♘bd2

0-0

11

♘h4

fxe4

12

♘xe4

12

...

-S

Examples abound of Légal’s sacrifice in this kind of position. Of course it is not always as simple as in the preceding schematic game. Here are a few more which the student will find fruitful. GAME NO. 9 Italian Opening Germany, 1837 B. Horwitz – L. Bledow 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗c4

♗c5

4

c3

♗b6

5

d4

♕e7

32

♘xe4

The Légal sacrifice. White accepts it and falls headlong into the trap. And don’t suppose that B. Horwitz was a duffer. This strong Mecklenburg player (18071885) was resident in London, where he collaborated with J.Kling on a collection of studies and endgames, Chess Studies, 1851, which is justly famous. His conqueror, Ludwig Bledow, a good German player, was the inventor of a countergambit which bears his name. Only we are in 33

1. Lé

’ P

-S

1837. The Légal sacrifice was only a century old… 13

♗xe7

♗xf2+

14

♔f1

♘g3 mate.

This mate and the sacrifice that preceded it would not have been possible if White had not played the pointless 8 h3. GAME NO. 10 Philidor Defence Played in 1852 C. F. Smith – X (Remove White’s Queen’s Knight)

9

♘xe5!

10

♖d8+

♗xe2?

To deflect the Queen.

1

e4

e5

10

...

2

♘f3

d6

11

♗xf7 mate.

3

♗c4

c6

4

d4

♗e6?

GAME NO. 11

5

♗g5

♕d7?

Ruy Lopez

6

♕e2

♗g4?

Graz, 1888

7

dxe5

dxe5

J. Berger – Frolich

8

♖d1

♕c7

34

♕xd8

The player of the White pieces, Johann Berger, from Graz in Austria (1845-1933), was at the time a strong player who distinguished himself in international tournaments, a talented problem composer, a composer of studies and the author of a book on end-games, Theorie und Praxis der Endspiele (Leipzig, 1890), which is still regarded as authoritative the world over. 1

e4

e5

2

♘c3

♘c6

35

1. Lé

’ P

3

♘f3

d6

4

♗b5

♗g4

Four Knights’ Opening

5

♘d5

♘ge7

Played in 1890

6

c3

a6

7

♗a4

b5

1

e4

e5

8

♗b3

♘a5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♘c3

♗b4

4

♗c4

♘f6

5

0-0

d6

6

♘d5

♗g4

7

c3

♗c5

8

d3

♘e7

Instead of thinking about getting castled, Black indulges in inappropriate manoeuvres on the Queen’s wing.

-S

GAME NO. 12

Pollock – Hall

This position is reminiscent of that in the Berger game.

9

♘xe5!

9

♘xe5!

10

♘xf6+

♗xd1?

♗xd1?

Note the pretty variation: 9 ... ♘xb3 10 ♘xg4 ♘xa1 11 ♘gf6+! gxf6 12 ♘xf6 mate! Upon the better defence, Black loses a Pawn. For example: 9 ... ♘xb3 10 ♘xg4 ♘xd5 11 axb3 etc. 10

♘f6+

gxf6

11

♗xf7 mate.

36

37

1. Lé 10

...

gxf6

If instead 10 ... ♔f8 11 ♘ed7+ ♕xd7 12 ♘xd7+ ♔e8 13 ♘xc5, followed by 14 ♖xd1. 11

♗xf7+

12

♗h6 mate.

’ P

10

♘xe5!

♗xd1

11

♘xf6+

gxf6

12

♗f7 mate.

-S

♔f8

GAME NO. 13 Philidor Defence Played in 1868 in a tournament at the New York Chess Club G. H. Mackenzie – F. Perrin George Henry Mackenzie, born in Bellfield (Scotland) in 1837, died in New York in 1891, became a naturalised American in 1858, was a captain during the War of Secession, and obtained success in international tournaments between 1870 and 1890. He was 1st at Frankfurt ahead of J. Blackburne, S. Bardeleben, S. Tarrasch and J. Berger. F. Perrin, an American player, was above all known for the games he lost against Morphy. 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

d6

3

d4

f6

4

♗c4

♕e7?

5

0-0

♘c6

6

♘c3

♗g4

7

♘d5

♕d8

8

c3

♘ge7

9

dxe5

♘xe5

When the defending King’s Knight has been moved or exchanged The King’s Knight is essential both for the defence of the Kingside castled position and also the protection of the King if it still remains on its initial square. Its departure, be it by exchange or redeployment, allows the Légal sacrifice with this time an active intervention of the attacking Queen’s Bishop GAME NO. 14 Kieseritzky-Boden Gambit Taylor – X

38

1

e4

e5

2

♗c4

♘f6

39

1. Lé 3

♘f3

♘xe4

4

♘c3

♘xc3

5

dxc3

d6?

6

0-0

♗g4?

7

♘xe5!

♗xd1?

8

♗xf7+

♔e7

9

♗g5 mate.

-S

Black responds to the attack on his e5 Pawn with a counterattack on the White e4 Pawn. 3

This is a losing move and could even be immediately refuted by 6 ♘g5!

’ P

♘xe5

♘c6

Black could have easily regained the sacrificed Pawn by starting to chase the Knight by 3 ... d6. The text move allows White to keep the won Pawn, but to the detriment of his development. 4

dxc6

♘xc6

White now has time to defend his e-Pawn. As compensation for his sacrifice, Black has already three Pieces in action (the two Bishops and the King’s Knight) whereas White has only one. 5

d3

6

♗g5

♗c5

The same mistake as in Légal’s game. In an open game, he should not pin the enemy King’s Knight before castling. 6

...

♘xe4!

The same misfortune can happen to White, as shown by the instructive game that follows. GAME NO. 15 Petroff Defence (Theoretical variation) 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘f6 40

41

1. Lé

This pretty sacrifice leaves White defenceless. For example: 7 dxe4 ♗xf2+ 8 ♔e2 ♗g4+ 9 ♔xf2 ♕xd1 with the win of the Queen. Or else: 7 ♕e2 ♗xf2+ 8 ♔d1 ♕xg5 9 ♕xe4+ and Black has the choice between 9 ... ♗e6 (with an extra Pawn and the better development) and 9 ... ♔d8! with crushing threats. Relatively better is 7 ♗e3 (a sad retreat) 7 ... ♗xe3 8 fxe3 ♕h4+ 9 g3 ♘xg3! 10 hxg3 ♕xh1. 7

♗xd8

Blind acceptance of the gift. 7

...

♗xf2+

8

♔e2

♗g4 mate.

42

’ P

-S

GAME NO. 16 King’s Gambit Declined Played in a simultaneous exhibition in Paris, 1887 J. Taubenhaus – Colchester Jean Taubenhaus (1850-1919), a native of Warsaw, settled in Paris in 1883. He was a minor master whose best achievement was the London tournament of 1886, where he was placed third, after Blackburne and Burn, and equal with Gunsberg. He played every day at the Café de la Régence, where he was a professional. In 1910 he published Traité du Jeu d’Echecs (now out of print), which was better than its reputation. 1

e4

e5

2

f4

d6

3

♘f3

♗g4

4

♗c4

♘f6

5

fxe5

♘xe4

6

♘c3

♘xc3

7

dxc3

♘c6

43

1. Lé

’ P

8

0-0

♘xe5?

Centre Counter-Gambit

9

♘xe5!

♗xd1?

Nuremberg, 1895

10

♗xf7+

♔e7

-S

J. Mieses – J. Oehquist J. Mieses, born in Leipzig in 1865, was the doyen of international masters. An aggressive player, a record holder of ‘Beauty Prizes’ in countless tournaments in which he took part, without always achieving the first places, former editor of numerous magazines. He died in 1954. J. Oehquist was a Scandinavian player. 1

e4

d5

A violent attempt to seize the initiative and which more often rebounds on Black.

11

2

exd5

3

♘c3

♕xd5

♗g5 mate.

When the attacking King’s Bishop is able to give check The Légal sacrifice does not always lead to mate in three or four moves. Whether accepted or declined, it may simply give a decisive advantage to the attacker. Here is a game that has been played a number of times. It has been published in many anthologies and attributed to J. Préti as well as to J. Mieses. Probably it is even older. The attacking player, after losing his Queen, regains it with profit, thanks to a discovered check. GAME NO. 17

44

Nothing shows better than this opening the drawback of bringing out the Queen prematurely. White gains time by attacking it. 3

...

♕d8

4

d4

♘c6

Instead of thinking about the development of his King’s side, Black wants to attack at any cost. He threatens to take the White d-Pawn. 5

♘f3

♗g4

Pinning the Knight and threatening to win the d-Pawn. 6

d5

♘e5

Fatal temerity! Black relies too much on the efficiency of the pin. He is thinking of 45

1. Lé

everything except the Légal combination. 7

♘xe5!

’ P

-S

without ever having noticed that Black sets White the Légal trap.

♗xd1

GAME NO. 18 Bon appétit! White now regains the Queen with interest! 8

♗b5+

c6

9

dxc6

Black Resigns

Queen’s Gambit Declined (Theoretical variation) 1

d4

d5

2

c4

e6

3

♘c3

♘f6

4

♗g5

♘bd7

In this position, which every player has met hundreds of times, White cannot win the d-Pawn. If he tries to do so by relying on the immobility of the pinned Black King’s Knight, he loses a Piece in this way:

It is easy to verify that no matter what continuation Black adopts, White will remain with an extra piece and the better position. Here is one variation: 9

...

♕c7

10

cxb7+

♔d8

11

♘xf7 mate..

5

cxd5

6

♘xd5?

exd5

The blunder!

We allow the student the task of seeing what happens after 9 ... ♕b6 or 9 ... a6. It is easy to confirm this. Many amateurs play the first moves of the Queen’s Gambit Declined mechanically, 46

47

2. T 6

...

♘xd5!

7

♗xd8

♗b4+

P w

D

C

CHAPTER 2: White’s King has no move. He must cover with the Queen. 8

♕d2

♗xd2+

9

♔xd2

♔xd8

And Black has a Knight more. He wins. If, after having studied all these examples, one of our readers still allows the Légal sacrifice or one of its derivatives, it will only be due to goodwill! Since the publication of the first edition of this book, the masters who give simultaneous exhibitions have told us that it is no longer possible to carry out a Légal mate in France, as it was in the past.

The Power of the Double Check A check may be parried either by moving the King, by capturing the checking Piece, or by covering it, provided the check is given by a straight line piece. But a double check can only be parried by moving the King. So each of the two Pieces giving the double check may even be en prise without reducing the force of the attack. All players know that the consequences of a double check may prove fatal and understand why novices are advised to be wary of them. But what is less known is the fact that the double check, by compelling the enemy King to move, may soon draw it into a mating net, even sometimes in the very opening of the game Here is an elementary example, but very typical in that the King is mated on its initial square in the opening of the game. GAME NO. 19 Played in the U.S.A., about 1859 A. B. Meek – X A. B. Meek, an American player from Mobile, Alabama, was a contemporary of Morphy and a participant in the New York tournament of 1857. 1

48

e4

e5 49

2. T 2

P w

D

C

f4

This offer of a pawn in the first moves of the opening is called a gambit (from the Italian ‘dare il gambetto’: to trip up with your leg). The object of the gambit of the f-pawn is twofold: 1) To open the f-file; 2) To exploit the time Black spends on defending the won Pawn by developing some Pieces. 2

...

exf4

Accepting the gambit. 3

♘f3

The game becomes a King’s Knight Gambit. 3

...

d5

In going to f6, the Knight strikes the e8 and d7 squares. The Queen strikes the e7 and e8 squares. The King is attacked from two sides and, blocked by his own Pieces, cannot escape. It is mate. Even though the two mating Pieces are each en prise. It needed a serious blunder to be mated so quickly. And in practice it is rare that a double check can be utilized other than as a threat. Here, in a theoretical variation, is one of the usual ways of employing a double check.

The logical counterattack. 4

♘c3

dxe4

GAME NO. 20

5

♘xe4

♗g4

Giuoco Piano

6

♕e2

(Opening variation)

Threatening a double check. Black is not wary and thinks he will get away with capturing the Knight, It was better to play 6 … ♗e7. 6

...

7

♘f6++ and mate.

♗xf3?

50

1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗c4

♗c5

4

d3

♘ge7

A mistake. The normal place for the Black King’s Knight is f6, where it denies the White 51

2. T

P w

D

C

Queen access to the h5 square. White takes immediate advantage of this error. 5

♘g5

Attacking the enemy f-pawn for a second time, as the f7 square is already attacked by the King’s Bishop placed on c4. 5

...

6

♕h5

0-0

Threatening mate on h7, the square being attacked by the Queen and by the Knight, and attacking the f-pawn for a third time while the castled position is only defended twice. Black, compelled to parry the mate, cannot at the same time protect his f-Pawn. 6

...

h6

Forced. There is no other move. 7

♘xf7

With the ulterior motive, quite frankly naive, that the Knight cannot retreat since the White Queen would be en prise. But Black has forgotten the terrible effects of a double check. 8

The Bishop makes a discovered check and the Knight also checks. The King must budge. 8

Attacking the Queen. Black should resign himself to playing 7 … ♖xf7, losing the exchange. Being a Pawn and the exchange down and with a bad development, he would have died a slow death. He chooses the violent death. 7

...

♕e8

♘xh6++

...

♔h7

Now that the h-file is open to attack, White gives a discovered check and returns to f7 to mask the Black Queen. 9

♘f7+

10

♕h8 mate.

♔g8

The Preparatory Sacrifice We now come to the capital exploitation of the double check to drag the King to a fatal position. In order to place the attacked King in a situation where it will be subject to a double check with decisive consequences (a 52

53

2. T

rapid mate or gain of material), one should not hesitate to sacrifice a piece, even the Queen! In the example which follows, it is a Bishop which will be sacrificed. GAME NO. 21 Scotch Game Played in Germany, about 1885 A. Fritz – X

P w

D

C

A classical sacrifice in all positions of this kind. It is clear that if 7…hxg6 8 ♕xh8. The threat is to win the rook by discovered check. 7

...

♘g7

Counterattacking the Queen, and thereby rendering the discovered check ineffective … But White, by a sacrifice of a Piece, will force the Black King onto a square where it will be exposed to a double check. White announced mate in seven moves.

A. Fritz was a brilliant German player, but of the second rank. His win against Mason at Nuremberg, 1883, became famous. 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

d4

♘xd4

The usual move is 3 ... exd4. 4

♘xe5

For now the knight is en prise. 4 5

...

7

♘xg6

9

♘e5++

♔xf7

f6?

When defending in an open game, touching the f-Pawn should be avoided because it opens up the dangerous h5-e8 diagonal for the White Queen. ♕h5+

♗f7+!

♘e6

♗c4

6

8

g6

54

It is no longer a question of taking the Rook. The Knight is going to collaborate in a mate. 9

...

♔e6

10

♕f7+

♔d6

11

♘c4+

♔c5

12

♕d5+

♔b4

55

2. T 13

a3+

14

b3 mate.

P w

D

C

♔a4

There are numerous examples of this stratagem. GAME NO. 22 Three Knights’ Opening Played before 1913 Dr. Michelson – X (Remove White’s Queen’s Rook) 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♘c3

f5?

4

d4

fxe4

5

♘xe5

♘f6

6

♗c4

d5

7

♘xd5

♘xd5

8

♕h5+

g6

9

♘xg6

♘f6

With this counterattack on the Queen, Black is thinking of concluding the affair. It is here that the sacrifice comes into play. 10

♗f7+!

♔xf7?

A player who has a rook start always takes pieces when they are offered. But here, refusing the sacrifice would not save the game: 10 ... ♔d7 11 ♕f5+ ♔d6 12 ♗f4+ and White recoups at least two pieces. White announces mate in three moves. 11

♘e5++

♔e6 (or e7)

12

♕f7+

♔d6

If 12 ... ♔f5 13 g4 mate. 13

♘c4 mate.

The same stratagem left its stamp on an amusing game in the second French Championship: GAME NO. 23 Vienna Game 56

57

2. T

Strasbourg, 1924

P w

D

C

protection of h4.

F. Lazard – R. Crepeaux

8

♘xd4

Fred Lazard (1883-1948), born in Paris, was the most versatile of all French players. Indeed, not only was he an excellent practical player, but he joined those fine problem composers who won many awards. Finally and most importantly he was an excellent composer of studies and endgames, of world renown. There are very few people who have emulated Fred Lazard, a name appreciated in the three domains of chess: the game, the problem and the study.

9

g3

♕h4+

Forced. 9

...

10

♘f3

♘xg3

Robert Crepeaux, born in Grasse in 1900, Champion of France three times, in 1924, 1925 and 1941, was, with Andre Muffang, the most brilliant of all the players who were authentically French. He excelled in combinative play, and the game he won against von Holzhausen in a correspondence match, France – Germany, 1930, appeared in chess magazines over the whole world. Crepeaux, a former student of the L’Ecole Polytechnique, worked as an engineer with the SNCF. 1

e4

e5

2

♘c3

♘f6

3

f4

d5

4

fxe5

♘xe4

5

♘f3

♘c6

6

♗e2?

The sequel will show that 6 ♗b5 was necessary. 6

...

♗c5!

7

d4

♘xd4

Sacrificing a Piece to deflect White’s King’s Knight and thereby remove its 58

This attack on the Queen prevents the discovered check. A second sacrifice of a Piece – the stratagem that we have already seen employed in the two preceding games – will force the King to place itself in a situation where it will be subject to a terrible double check. 10

...

11

♔xf2

♗f2+

Else, 11 ♔d2 ♕f4+ or ♕h6+ etc. 11

...

♘e4++

12

♔e3

♕h6+ 59

2. T 13

Resigns.

Since Black will mate, winning the Queen, or collect an abundance of material. It will be a fruitful exercise for the student to find the variations on his own. We leave it to him.

A Famous Game All the text books published since 1914 have quoted a casual game played in Vienna in 1910 betweeen the two masters, Réti and Tartakower, as an example of the fatal double check. GAME NO. 24 Caro-Kann Defence Vienna, 1910 R. Réti – S. Tartakower Richard Réti (1889-1929) was a Hungarian Grandmaster, who died prematurely and gave his name to an opening, 1 ♘f3. His best successes were in tournaments held after the First World War: Kassa, Budapest, Gothenburg, Teplitz-Schonau. He composed some studies which are little masterpieces and wrote several books. The best known is Modern Ideas in Chess, in which he developed the ideas of the hypermodern school, of which, together with his fellow countryman, Gyula Breyer and Aron Nimzowitsch, he must be considered the founder. He was one of the greatest talents of his generation.

P w

D

C

one is Die Hypermoderne Schachpartie (The Hypermodern Game of Chess). The liveliness of his notes and comments makes for enjoyable reading. He died in Paris in 1956. 1

e4

c6

The idea of this defence is to prepare the push … d7-d5 without blocking in the Queen’s Bishop. 2

d4

d5

3

♘c3

dxe4

4

♘xe4

♘f6

5

♕d3

e5

Behind in development, it is not in Black’s interest to open lines. An open line benefits the player with the better development. 6

dxe5

♕a5+

A forced manoeuvre, if Black wants to win back the sacrificed Pawn. But now White gets another Piece into play. 7

♗d2

8

0-0-0!

♕xe5

With four Pieces in action, while Black has only two, White can allow himself to leave a Piece apparently en prise. 8

...

♘xe4?

Savielly Tartakower, born in Rostov-on-Don (Russia) in 1887 of Austro-Polish parents, took part in numerous tournaments with success. His best results were: London 1927, Vienna 1923, and Hastings 1946. He wrote innumerable articles in the chess press and many books, of which the main

Black falls right into it. First of all, it is clear that if 8 ... ♕xe4?, 9 ♖e1 wins the Queen (for Rook and Knight). Black only sees as a response to the text capture, 9 ♖e1,

60

61

2. T

which would have eventually won back the Piece.

P w

D

C

This game, with its spectacular Queen sacrifice to set up a double check leading to mate, has been reproduced so often that we would not have given it again if it did not have instructional value.

“Nothing New…” When the game was over, Réti, who was a very modest man, did not pretend to have been struck by sudden enlightenment and divine inspiration. He had had a recollection. For in Chess, as in any other sphere, it is only by drawing on the experience of others and on the acquired knowledge of past generations that one is able to progress and create. 9

♕d8+!

This Queen sacrifice indeed had a number of precedents. Here is a snapshot.

Sacrificing the Queen in order to place the King in a double check position. 9

...

Let’s start with the one that seems to be the oldest:

♔xd8

GAME NO. 25 A forced move. 10

Vienna Game

♗g5++

♔c7

If 10 ... ♔e8 11 ♖d8 mate. 11

♗d8 mate.

And so, after the double check, which can only be countered by a move of the Black King, there is a mate by the Rook or the Bishop, according to the flight square chosen by the hounded King. As Tartakower wrote himself, in his Breviary of Chess: ‘Better than any spoken word, this game illustrates the power of the double check.’ 62

Played in London, about 1846 J. W. Schulten – B. Horwitz 1

e4

e5

2

♗c4

♘f6

3

♘c3

b5

A gambit which has little to recommend itself. 4

♗xb5

♗c5

5

d3

c6

63

2. T 6

♗c4

♕b6

7

♕e2

d5

8

exd5

0-0

9

♘e4?

P w

D

C

Instead of playing this Piece which is already developed, White should have got into play his King’s Knight by 9 ♘f3, preparing castling. 9

...

♘xe4

10

dxe4

♗xf2+

Since the Queen has to recapture, she will be abandoning the defence of the Bishop and leaving it ‘hanging’.

15

...

♕f1+!

Sacrificing the Queen to place the King in a situation where it will be subject to a decisive double check.

11

♕xf2

♕b4+

16

♔xf1

♗d3++

12

♗d2

♕xc4

17

♔e1

♖f1 mate.

13

♕f3

f5!

GAME NO. 26 So as to open a file against the exposed White King. 14

Greco-Philidor Gambit London, mid-19th century

exf5

E. Falkbeer – Simpson White’s position is already compromised. 14

...

♗xf5

Black brings another Piece into play and threatens a discovered attack on the Queen. 15

(Remove White’s Queen’s Knight) 1

e4

e5

2

f4

exf4

3

♘f3

g5

4

♗c4

♗g7

5

d4

d6

♕g3

The Queen is safe here. But there is a lightning strike in store for the King. 64

65

2. T 6

♕d3

c6

7

h4

h6

8

♗d2

♕f6

9

hxg5

hxg5

10

♖xh8

♗xh8

11

e5

dxe5

12

dxe5

♕g7

13

0-0-0

♘e7?

P w

D

C

Baron Ignatius von Kolisch (1837-1889), born in Pressburg (Bratislava), was a Grandmaster with unfortunately too brief a career. He started to play at the Café de la Régence in Paris. He took 7th place at the Bristol Congress, 1861, and 1st at the Emperor’s tournament, Paris, 1867. He made a success of business and banking, and turned away from chess other than taking up the role of a patron. At the time this game was played, Maczuski was a young Polish player regarded by amateurs at the Régence as a great hope for the future. 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

d4

exd4

4

♘xd4

♕h4?

This aggressive move is not to be recommended, especially to beginners. Instead of the premature sortie of the Queen, it is better to develop a minor Piece, e.g., 4 ... ♘f6.

14

♕d8+!

♔xd8

15

♗a5++

♔e8

16

♖d8 mate.

GAME NO.27 Scotch Game

5

♘c3

♗b4

6

♕d3

♘f6

7

♘xc6

dxc6

8

♗d2

♗xc3

9

♗xc3

♘xe4

Black has got what he had aimed for with his 4th move: the capture of a Pawn. But he has not castled. 10

♕d4!

♕e7

11

0-0-0

♕g5+

Paris, 1864 Maczuski – I. Kolisch

66

67

2. T

An absurd check. He should play ... ♘xc3, followed by ... 0-0. Kolisch underestimates his opponent. 12

f4!

To allow the interposition on the following move.

P w

D

Rosentreter Gambit Awet – X 1

e4

e5

2

f4

exf4

3

♘f3

g5

12

...

♕xf4+

4

d4

g4

13

♗d2

♕g4

5

♘e5

♕h4+

6

g3

fxg3

7

♕xg4

g2+

8

♕xh4

gxh1(♕)

9

♗e3

d6

10

♘c3

dxe5

11

0-0-0

♕f3

12

♗d2

♗b4

13

dxe5

♗g4?

14

♕d8+!!

♔xd8

White announces mate in three moves. 14

♕d8+!

The sacrifice brings the Black King into a position where it will be subjected to a fatal double check. 14

...

♔xd8

15

♗g5++

♔e8

16

♖d8 mate.

GAME NO. 28 68

69

C

2. T 15

♗g5++

♔ moves

16

♖d8 mate.

These five games are of unequal merit. If Réti’s is more elegant, precise and short, it is totally lacking in originality. The position resembles that of Awet. The mechanism goes back to Horwitz and Falkbeer. The latter brought about a position. Maczuski, Awet and especially Réti merely exploited a situation created by their opponents. The Réti – Tartakower game has by no means closed the series, as the following game will show:

P w

D

2

d4

d5

3

♘c3

dxe4

4

♘xe4

♘f6

5

♗d3

C

Sacrificing a Pawn to speed up his development. 5

...

♕xd4

6

♘f3

♕d8

7

♕e2

♗f5

8

♘xf6+

gxf6

9

♗xf5

♕a5+

GAME NO. 29 Caro-Kann Defence Played at Antwerp, 1931, in a simultaneous blindfold display

To regain the Piece. 10

♗d2

♕xf5

11

0-0-0

♕e6

G. Koltanowski – X G. Koltanowski (1903-2000), originally from Poland, lived in Belgium, of which he was Champion several times. He never achieved the very top class, but specialized in massive simultaneous exhibitions, and above all in blindfold play. On May 30, 1931, at Antwerp, he played thirty simultaneous blindfold games (twenty wins and ten draws). And in October, 1937, he beat the world record at Edinburgh with thirty-four completed games in twelve hours (twenty-four wins and ten draws without a single loss). ‘Kolty’ later became an American citizen and lived in San Francisco, where he claimed another record of conducting the world’s longest running daily newspaper chess column – for over 50 years. 1

e4

Attacking the a-Pawn and threatening to exchange Queens, and consequently keeping the extra Pawn. This move looks very strong, as it seems impossible to avoid both the exchange of Queens and the loss of a Pawn. 12

♕d3!

c6 70

71

2. T

Koltanowski has cleverly engineered a position which we know already. The only thing required now for it to work is Black’s collaboration. As in all blindfold simultaneous exhibitions, it is the blindfold player who sees and the sighted player who is blind and falls into the trap. 12

...

♕xa2?

13

♕d8+

♔xd8

14

♗a5++

♔ any

15

♖d8 mate.

Here is another splendid illustration of the power of the double check:

72

P w

D

1

♘xg7!

♔xg7

2

d5

♗g4

C

Black imagines that this pin will settle the matter. 3

♖xf6!!

♗xd1

To be able to mate his opponent, White must now get his Rook to h8. This seems a challenge … but thanks to three consecutive double checks, he achieves this. 4

♖g6++

♔h7

5

♖g7++

♔h8

6

♖h7++

♔g8

7

♖h8 mate.

73

2. T

P w

D

C

The Evergreen The present survey of the double check would be incomplete if it did not include the famous ‘Evergreen’ of which the French master Alphonse Goetz wrote in the Cinéma des Echecs that every good amateur should know it by heart. In German Chess literature this game between Anderssen and Dufresne is known as the Immergrün. It has figured in practically every anthology since Anderssen’s death and is described poetically by Steinitz as ‘The Evergreen in the Laurel Crown’ of the master. GAME NO. 30 Evans Gambit Berlin, 1854 A. Anderssen – J. Dufresne Adolf Anderssen (1818-1879), of Breslau, a professor of mathematics, was a German Grandmaster of the very top rank. He won first prizes in the London tournaments of 1851 and 1862, and in the Baden tournament of 1870, and beat Harrwitz, Kolisch, Lowenthal and Zukertort in matches. He was considered as having been World Champion from 1851 until 1858, the date when Morphy beat him. His combinations were marked by genius. Jean Dufresne, of Berlin (1829-1893), was a strong German player and author of various books and collections of master games, from which several generations have learned the game of Chess. 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗c4

♗c5

4

b4 74

This move, characterizing the Evans Gambit, was thought up by the British naval captain W. D. Evans (1790-1872), and for a long time was considered ‘a gift of the Gods’ to prove their interest in Chess. The object of the Pawn sacrifice is to gain time to form a centre, which is White’s ambition in the Italian Game. For many years the accepted gambit had produced games where White obtained a strong attack as compensation for the Pawn. The Evans Gambit has disappeared from tournament play ever since Emanuel Lasker demonstrated that by giving back the gambit Pawn Black could obtain the better endgame. 4

...

♗xb4

5

c3

♗a5

Nowadays, one plays 5 ... ♗c5 6 0-0 d6 7 d4 ♗b6! 8 dxe5 dxe5 9 ♕xd8+ ♘xd8 10 ♘xe5 ♘f6, and Black has a slight advantage; when the ‘Evergreen’ was played the better player would not have dreamed of exchanging Queens on the 7th move to reach a better

75

2. T

endgame. At that time players only thought of attack and mate as the goal. 6

d4

exd4

7

0-0

d3

P w

D

C

Black should castle without delay. 15

♘e4

♕f5?

A loss of time. 16

♗xd3

An innovation of Dufresne’s. 8

♕b3

♕f6

9

e5

♕g6

It is clear that the capture of the Pawn would cost a Piece, i.e. 9 ... ♘xe5 10 ♖e1 d6 11 ♘xe5 dxe5 12 ♕a4+, winning the King’s Bishop. 10

♖e1

♘ge7

11

♗a3

b5

Black’s pieces are shut in, so he seeks to free his Queen’s flank by this sacrifice. 12

Threatening to win the Queen by ♘f6+ or ♘d6+, and showing the absurdity of Black’s last move. 16

...

♕h5

17

♘f6+

gxf6

18

exf6

White has a magnificent attacking position. But as he does not see any immediate danger, Black tries to profit from the open g-file by going over to a counterattack. 18

...

♖g8

♕xb5

The best. White threatens 13 ♗xe7 and Black is unable to castle (if 13 ... ♘xe7 14 ♕xa5). 12

...

13

♕a4

Threatening 19 ... ♕xf3! with a mating attack.

♖b8

Maintaining the threat. 13

...

♗b6

Meeting the threat. 14

♘bd2

♗b7?

76

77

2. T 19

20

♖ad1!

This quiet move prepares a decisive attack … but Dufresne may well be excused for not having detected it. 19

...

♕xf3

Black threatens mate and has two Pieces more. He is therefore entitled to think that if White’s attack were to become too strong, there would be time to unravel and return some of the material. A debate between Emanuel Lasker and Lipke took place to ascertain whether 19 ... ♖xg2+ did or did not refute this ingenious combination. The discussion has gone on since 1904 … Chess is sometimes a difficult game.

P w

♖xe7+

D ♘xe7

If 20 ... ♔f8 21 ♖e3+ wins the Queen. If 20 ... ♔d8 21 ♖xd7+ ♔c8 (21 ... ♔xd7 22 ♗e2+ wins the Queen [or even better 22 ♗f5+ ♔e8 23 ♗d7+ ♔d8 24 ♗xc6+ ♕xd1+ 25 ♕xd1+ ♗d4 26 ♕xd4+ ♔c8 27 ♕d7 mate].) 22 ♖d8+ and wins, because if 22 ... ♖xd8 23 gxf3 wins the Queen, and if 22 ... ♔xd8 23 ♗e2+ etc., and if 22 ... ♘xd8 23 ♕d7+ as in the game. 21

♕xd7+!

♔xd7

Now the King is in position. 22

♗f5++

He has to take flight. 22

...

♔e8

If 22 ... ♔c6 23 ♗d7 mate. 23

♗d7+

♔d8

The same follows on 23...♔f8. 24

♗xe7 mate.

We are now able to understand the idea of 19 ♖ad1. This is, by means of a Queen sacrifice, to place the enemy King in a situation where it will be subject to a fatal double check. The combination is at the same time precise and complicated and that is why, despite being more than a century old, it is still admired. 78

C

79

3. T

S

M

English Opening

CHAPTER 3:

The Smothered Mate

Here is a didactic example of the Smothered Mate. 1

c4

♘c6

2

e3

♘b4?

3

♘e2??

♘d3 mate.

A mate delivered by a Knight, where all the squares (or the majority of squares) surrounding the mated King are occupied by the King’s own pieces, is called a Smothered Mate.

With the help of a pin, a smothered mate can occur in one of the opening variations of the Caro-Kann Defence. GAME NO. 32 The Smothered Mate can take place directly if the King is already blocked in by its own Pieces.

Caro-Kann Defence

It can take place indirectly when a preliminary manoeuvre by the attacker forces the defensive party to obstruct the flight squares of its King.

Arnold – Bohm

GAME NO. 31

80

Munich, 1932

1

e4

c6

2

d4

d5

3

♘c3

dxe4

81

3. T 4

♘xe4

♘d7

With the idea of playing ... ♘f6, without allowing his Pawns to be doubled in case of an exchange. 5

6

M

Rotterdam – Leiden, Match, 1933 G. Oskam – W. Demmendal 1

e4

d5

2

♘f3

dxe4

3

♘g5

♗f5

4

♘c3

♘f6

5

♕e2

c6

6

♘cxe4

♘bd7

7

♘d6 mate.

♕e2

Ingeniously preventing Black’s intended continuation. 5

S

...

♘gf6??

♘d6 mate.

The threat of Smothered Mate is also encountered in a variation of the Budapest Gambit. GAME NO. 34 Budapest Gambit

Since the e-Pawn is pinned and cannot take the Knight. Alekhine played exactly the same game against four opponents in a consultation game that took place in the Balearic Islands in 1936.

1

d4

♘f6

2

c4

e5

3

dxe5

♘g4

4

♗f4

♗b4+

5

♘d2

♘c6

6

♘gf3

♕e7

7

a3

Here is another example: GAME NO. 33 Scandinavian Defence 82

83

3. T

7

...

♘gxe5!

1

♕xh7+

8

axb4??

♘d3 mate.

2

♘f7 mate.

The Smothered Mate of Damiano

M

♕xh7

It would be wrong to suppose that such a position does not occur in practice. Here is a nice example:

In practice, the Smothered Mate is obtained just as frequently against a castled King. The trick is to drive the King into a corner of the board and, by means of a sacrifice, to force the obstruction of the squares surrounding it. Here is a simple position (P. Damiano, 1512), in which the first move consists simply of a sacrifice both to deflect the Black Queen from its protection of the f7 square and its pin on the Knight. GAME ENDING NO. 5 P. Damiano, 1512 P. Damiano, a chemist from Odemira, Portugal, was famous for his Chess treatise, published for the first time in Rome in 1512.

84

S

85

3. T 1

♖xe6

♕xe6

2

♘g5

♕g6

3

♖xh7+

♕xh7

4

♘f7 mate.

S

M

The first two moves serve to create Damiano’s position. One cannot announce mate in four moves because the Black Queen is not forced to capture the Rook on the first move.

The Mate of Lucena We now come to a classic position where the attacker forces a suffocation of the enemy King by a Queen sacrifice. The oldest known example is from Lucena (1497). It is usually one of the first things shown to beginners and it evokes a cry of admiration. Indeed many amateurs have been introduced to the beauties of Chess by means of this elementary combination. GAME ENDING No. 7 Lucena, 1497 Luis Ramirez de Lucena, a Spaniard, was famous for a work which he published in 1497 and for the Manuscripts of Gottingen and Paris, which are a revision of the former.

1

♕e6+

♔h8

Let us note – it is a characteristic of all positions of this kind – that the retreat of the King into the corner is practically forced. In fact, if 1 ... ♔f8 there would be an immediate mate by 2 ♕f7. 2

♘f7+

♔g8

These two preparatory checks have placed the attacked King in a position where it will receive a double check. It is this double check that will allow the attacker to have two pieces, the Queen and the Knight, striking the g8 square. 3

♘h6++

[3 ♘d8+ ♔h8 4 ♕e8+ ♕f8 5 ♕xf8 or 3 ... ♔f8 4 ♕f7 also mates.] 3

...

♔h8

And now that this g8 square is attacked twice, White sacrifices his Queen. Black, obliged to take, can only do this with a Piece other than the King. 86

87

3. T 4

♕g8+!

♖xg8

The Black King is completely blocked in by its own Pieces. Hence: 5

♘f7 mate.

In the 18th century the authors of ‘desperate positions’ have contrived to present this mate in various ways. They precede the characteristic manoeuvre with a few appetizers. Later we will publish a few of them in the form of Exercises. Lucena’s mate is constantly met in casual games. In simultaneous displays, masters obtain it almost as often as the Légal mate, which is saying something. First of all, here is a very old example given by Greco (1612) in his manuscript Treatise of the Noble and Military Game of Chess, Containing Many Beautiful Moves and the True Science of the Game, by Gioachino the Calabrian. GAME NO. 35 Giuoco Piano

4

0-0

♘f6

5

♖e1

0-0

6

c3

♕e7

7

d4

exd4

8

e5

8

...

♘g4

9

cxd4

♘xd4

A sacrifice to dislodge the King’s Knight. 10

♘xd4

11

♘f3

♕h4

To avoid mate or major loss of material, he should have played 11 ♗e3.

G. Greco – X Gioachino Greco, called ‘the Calabrian,’ was born at Cellino, about 1600, and died in South America in 1634. He was the strongest European player of the seventeenth century, and left a treatise, which for one hundred and fifty years was the handbook of all Chess students. e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗c4

♗c5 88

M

The manoeuvres of both White and Black since the fifth move are questionable. Here, for example, instead of this vainly aggressive thrust, he should have taken control of the centre by 8 cxd4.

(Seventeenth century variation)

1

S

89

3. T 11

...

♕xf2+

12

♔h1

♕g1+

In this example, the g1 square is attacked twice: once by the Queen and once by the Bishop doubling up from behind. The recapture with the Rook or the Knight, leading to a boxing in of the King, is therefore forced. 13

S

M

MacDonnell Gambit. 5

...

♕h4+

6

g3

fxg3

7

♕xg4

g2+?

♘f2 mate.

♖xg1

We now come to a game, played in 1903 between two Swiss players, W. Renold and R. Agassiz and, move for move, at the Régence, in 1905, between Davril and Martin SaintLeon, and later by Constant Bernard who played it a great number of times. It additionally shows how Lucena’s mate does not apply only to the corner, but also to a King in the middle of the board. GAME NO. 36 Quaade Gambit Lausanne, 1903 W. Renold – R. Agassiz

A mistake against which novices should be on their guard. White has the Queen and two Knights in play. Black has only the Queen. It is sheer folly in such a position to go for the win of a piece, albeit a Rook. And more so that the new Queen, on h1, will be far distant from the attacked King. It is not enough to count the chess pieces. It is necessary to consider the position.

1

e4

e5

2

f4

exf4

3

♘f3

g5

8

♕xh4

gxh1(♕)

4

♘c3

g4

9

♕h5

♗e7

5

♘e5

This move constitutes Quaade’s Gambit. Usual is 5 ♗c4, entering the Muzio90

In good faith, Black endeavours to keep his booty and thinks he can do this at the cost of only a Pawn and a check. [But 9...♘h6 10

91

3. T

S

M

d4 d6 11 ♗xh6 ♗e6 covering f7 is also possible.] 10

♘xf7

♘f6

[Now Black could play 10 ... ♗h4+! 11 ♔e2 (11 ♕xh4 ♔xf7) 11 ... ♕xh2+ 12 ♔d1 ♘f6 etc.]

This is a position arising from a ‘brilliant’ game played by Dr. Hartlaub.

A vain counterattack, White mates in three moves. 11

♘d6++

♔d8

12

♕e8+

♖ or ♘xe8

13

♘f7 mate.

We could go on quoting scores of games like this. They are to be found in the games of Morphy, Bird and all the good players. But, as most of these are similar to one another, the reader can gain nothing more by studying them.

1

...

2

♖xf2

♗xf2+

The recapture is forced, since if the King seeks refuge in the corner White will administer a mate of a type we will discuss later: 2 ♔h1? ♘g3+ 3 hxg3 ♕h5 (or h6) mate (typical Mate No.3). 2

...

♕c1+

3

♖f1

♕e3+

4

♔h1

If 4 ♖f2 ♕xf2+ 5 ♔h1 ♕f1 mate (typical Mate No. 1 which we will study later). 4 92

...

♘f2+ 93

3. T 5

♔g1

If 5 ♖xf2 ♕e1+ 6 ♖f1 ♕xf1 mate (typical Mate No.1)

S

White has reached a position obtained by Black in the Dragon variation, but with an extra tempo. 6

...

♘b6

5

...

♘h3++

7

0-0

♗e7

6

♔h1

♕g1+

8

a3

♗e6

7

♖xg1

♘f2 mate.

9

d3

0-0

10

b4

f6

11

♗b2

♕c8

It is obvious that a good player, unless seriously distracted, will not allow his opponent to carry out a Lucena mate. But the threat to deliver the mate might be the starting point of a winning combination as shown by the following short game. GAME NO. 37 English Opening Ostend International Tournament, 1907 O. S. Bernstein – J. Metger Ossip S. Bernstein, born in 1882 in Zhitomir (Ukraine), was a doctor at law, international Grandmaster, first at Ostend in 1906. He almost completely gave up chess after 1914. But his second place in London 1946 showed that he had not forgotten it. Bernstein was resident in Paris for more than twenty years and died in 1962. 1

c4

e5

2

♘c3

♘f6

3

g3

d5

4

cxd5

♘xd5

5

♘f3

♘c6

6

♗g2 94

M

In order to exchange Bishops. Better is 11 ... ♕d7. 12

♖c1

♖d8

13

♘e4

♘c4

A complicated procedure to exchange minor Pieces. 14

♕c2

15

♕xb2

♘xb2

But now White exerts pressure on the Queen’s side and threatens b4-b5. 15

...

♗h3?

16

♗xh3

♕xh3

White wants to win a Pawn and break into the enemy position. 17

b5

♘a5

18

♕a2+

♔h8

19

♖xc7

♖d7 95

3. T

With this last move, Black believes he can relieve the pressure exerted on his position by the opponent. It is not so. The threat of a Smothered Mate, which is not quite apparent, will allow Bernstein to win in a few moves.

20

S

M

There is a very particular form of the Smothered Mate, of which we do not have an example from actual play but which might, however, feature practically in the form of a threat.

♘eg5!! 1

Attacking the Queen and threatening the mate of Lucena (21 ♘f7+; 22 ♘h6+; 23 ♕g8+; 24 ♘f7 mate).

♘h6

There is only one move to parry the threat of mate by 2 ♘xf7.

20

...

fxg5

1

...

21

♖xd7

♕xd7

2

♖g8+!

22

♘xe5

Resigns.

Indeed, White attacks the Queen and threatens once again the Smothered Mate. The Queen, having to escape capture as well as parry the mate, must go to the first rank. On d8 it would be captured immediately by a double attack, and on c8 or e8 it will be captured in three moves by 23 ♘f7+ and 24 ♘d6+.

96

♖f8

Deflecting the Rook and forcing the obstruction necessary for the Smothered Mate. 2

...

3

♘xf7 mate.

♖xg8

GAME NO. 38

97

3. T

S

M

Here is a game which was submitted to a competition of ‘imaginary games,’ organized by the Hampstead and Highgate Express and which won the Award. 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗b5

♘f6

4

0-0

♘xe4

5

d4

♗e7

6

♕e2

♘d6

7 8 9 10

bxc6

♗xc6 dxe5

14

♗h6

♗f8

15

♘f5

♘e6

16

♘e4

♔h8

17

♘f6!

gxf6

18

exf6

♗xh6

♘b7 0-0

♘c3 ♖e1

♖e8

Right up to this move we are in a theoretical variation continuing with 10 ... ♘c5. 11

♖d1

♘c5

12

♘d4

♗a6

13

♕g4

♕c8

We have now reached the position for our scheme. 19 98

♘xh6

♖f8 99

4. T

G é

E

M

[On 19 ... ♘g5 both 20 ♕xg5 and 20 ♘xf7+! ♔g8 21 ♘h6+ ♔h8 22 ♕xg5 leave Black hopelessly lost.] CHAPTER 4: 20

♕g8+!

21

♘xf7 mate.

♖xg8

The Guéridon and Epaulettes Mates Certain mates have been given picturesque names, such as Epaulettes Mate and Guéridon Mate. They are typical positions, but ones which cannot be presented theoretically because they happen accidentally, not as a consequence of a systematic weakening of the castled position or a central attack on the King.

When the two squares at an angle behind the King are obstructed by Pieces of its own colour and when the hostile Queen controls the six others adjacent to the King, the 100

101

4. T

position is called the Guéridon mate because the pieces are configured, if you like, in a kind of Guéridon, a small round table on a single central leg, as shown in the scheme above. This mate, for which one cannot clearly establish a technique because it can arise from many positions, is sometimes forced in the first moves of the game, following a serious mistake in the opening by the opponent. Here is an amusing example:

G é

E

M

2) In blocking the Queen’s Bishop, it takes away one of the defenders of the e6 square. If somehow we force the advance of Black’s f7-Pawn (or remove it), which covers the e6 square, the move ♘e6 wins the Queen, which is blocked in. This comment suggests the following manoeuvre. 6

♗xf7+

♔xf7

GAME NO. 39 Philidor Defence 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

d6

3

♗c4

♗e7

4

d4

exd4

5

♘xd4

♘d7?

This capture is forced since on 6 … ♔f8 7 ♘e6+ wins the Queen. 7

♘e6!

White occupies the weak square. Black can accept or refuse the sacrifice. If he accepts … 7

...

♔xe6

... White announces mate in two moves. 8

♕d5+

9

♕f5 mate.

♔f6

Black’s last move is a serious mistake. Why? Because: 1) It blocks the Queen and Queen’s Bishop. 102

103

4. T

This is the Guéridon mate. If Black had declined the sacrifice, he would have lost the Queen. 7

...

♕e8

8

♘xc7

♕d8

G é

E

11

♘xg7+!

♔f8

12

♘e6+

♔f7

M

Or 12 ... ♔e8 13 ♕h5 mate. 13

♕h5+

♔ any

14

♕f5 mate.

The Epaulettes Mate Supposing that the attacked King is Black, the Epaulettes are the two Black Pieces flanking it on its right and left on a rank or file, and preventing it from taking flight. The three schemes that follow, A, B, C show better than any long explanation what is an Epaulettes Mate.

9

♕d5+

He could equally have started by 9 ♕h5+ g6 10 ♕d5+ ♔f6 11 ♗g5+ ♔g7 12 ♘e6+ and wins. 9

...

♔f8

If 9 ... ♔f6 or g6 10 ♕f5 mate. 10

♘e6+

♔e8

With this move Black tries to get two minor Pieces for the Queen. But he only succeeds in getting mated. The right move is evidently Resigns, as 10 ... ♔f7 also loses to 11 ♘g5+ (better than 11 ♘xd8+) 11 ... ♔g6 12 ♕f5+ ♔h5 13 g4+ ♔h4 14 ♘f3+ ♔h3 15 g5+ ♔g2 16 ♖g1 mate. 104

105

4. T

Scheme A is classical. The Queen mates a King on the edge, blocked in by its own Rooks Scheme B shows a central position of the same mate. Scheme C presents the Epaulettes Mate being delivered by a Knight The game which follows belongs to scheme A. The final position is in all the text books.

6

G é

0–0

E

M

♗h6?

Instead of this absurd move, Black should unravel his pieces by … d5. 7

♕xf3

8

♗xf7+

♘c6

A second sacrifice to send the enemy king on a journey.

GAME NO. 40

8

…

♔xf7

King’s Gambit

9

♕h5+

♔g7

New York, 1857

10

♗xf4

♗xf4

Morphy – X

11

♖xf4

(Remove White’s Queen’s Knight) Paul Charles Morphy was born in 1837 in New Orleans, where he died in 1884. A veritable genius, as he revealed by winning the New York tournament in 1857. Coming soon after to Europe, he defeated in match play all the strong players whom he met and notably Anderssen. After having shone like a meteor for two years he gave up chess. 1

e4

e5

2

f4

exf4

3

♘f3

g5

4

♗c4

g4

5

d4

In spite of starting the game with a piece less, Morphy does not hesitate to sacrifice a second in order to quickly confront his weak opponent. 5

…

gxf3 106

White is three minor pieces down. But his major pieces are all in action. 11

…

♘h6

12

♖af1

♕e8

13

♕h4

d6?

14

♕f6+

♔g8

15

♕xh6

♗d7 107

4. T 16

G é

E

M

The Epaulettes mate is executed by White’s only remaining Piece.

♖4f3

Threatening to win the Queen by 17 ♖g3+. [But correct is 16 ♖f8+ ♕xf8 17 ♕g5+ ♕g7 18 ♕d5+ ♗e6 19 ♕xe6+ ♕f7 20 ♕xf7 mate.] 16

…

♘e7

17

h4

♘g6

The following amusing game finishes with an Epaulettes mate delivered at a distance. One variation presents a central Epaulettes mate. GAME NO. 41 Giuoco Piano

[For now 17 ... ♗g4 18 ♖g3 ♕g6 or 18 ♖f4 ♗h5 defends.]

A casual game played in 1904 at the Vienna Chess Club

18

h5

♗g4

A. Albin – O.S. Bernstein

19

hxg6

hxg6

A. Albin (1848-1920) originally from Bucharest but resident in Vienna, was a second-rank master. He gave his name to the Albin Counter Gambit (1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5!?).

On 19 ... ♗xf3 Morphy would have continued 20 g7, threatening 21 ♕f6 followed by 22 gxh8(♕) mate! After the text move. White announced mate in three moves.

1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗c4

♗c5

4

♘c3

d6

5

d3

♘f6

In spite of what is generally believed, the Giuoco Pianissimo, a long time favourite with all beginners, can give rise to extremely sharp combat. The least inexact move allows one of the sides to gain a decisive advantage, such is the sensitivity of the position.

20

♖f8+

♕xf8

21

♖xf8+

♖xf8

22

♕xg6 mate.

108

109

4. T

G é

E

M

A modern player would not give up his two Bishops in this way. At the time this game was played, Albin was fifty-six and Bernstein twenty-two years of age. 10

...

♕xf6

It is clear that Black has the advantage. He has two Pieces developed against one, a Bishop against a Knight and a semi-open bfile.

6

♗g5

This old move, very fashionable in the 1890s and since then abandoned for ♗e3, was reintroduced with honour by Canal at Carlsbad in 1929, then employed by Becker, Gilg, etc. Capablanca used it himself in his game against Eliskases (Moscow, 1936). 6

...

11

c3

12

b4

♖b8

The Gunsberg-Albin-Mason style which nowadays makes second rank players smile. 12

...

13

♕a4

♗b6

♗e6

Nowadays 6 ... ♘a5 is preferred or more simply 6 ... h6. Here is an example: 6 ... h6 7 ♗xf6 ♕xf6 8 ♘d5 ♕g6 9 ♘xc7+? ♔d8 10 ♘xa8 ♕xg2 11 ♖f1 ♗g4 12 ♘h4? [12 c3 ♗xf3 13 ♕d2 is best.] 12...♗xf2+ 13 ♖xf2 ♕g1+ 14 ♖f1 ♕e3+ (the Epaulettes!) 15 ♕e2 ♕xe2 mate. 7

♘d5

♗xd5

8

♗xd5

h6

9

♗xc6+

bxc6

10

♗xf6

110

The player with an inferior development should never attack. The young Bernstein is about to remind his worthy opponent of this principle.

111

4. T 13

...

d5!

Defending the attacked c6-Pawn … and counterattacking. 14

exd5

e4!

15

dxe4

♕xc3+

G é

E

M

an immediate 21 ♕a4. But Black would have won nonetheless. 21

...

♖d6

22

♕a4

♕e2

23

♖f1

23

...

♕xf3!

24

gxf3

♖g6 mate.

And now the King must go for a walk. 16

♔e2

17

♔e1

♕c4+

The retreat to d1 would not have saved the game. 17

...

♕xe4+

18

♔f1

0-0

19

♕xc6

White now has an extra Pawn … and a wretched position. In chess, gluttony is always punished. 19

...

♖fe8

Black grabs a completely open file. 20

♔g1

White’s last move is not forced. It is the acceptance of the sacrifice which allows the Epaulettes mate.

♖e6!

An amusing way of bringing the Rook into action. 21

♕d7?

Foolishly ambitious and in an aggressive spirit incompatible with White’s position, White hastens his defeat. A little better was 112

113

4. T

G é

E

M

This device, however artificial it may seem, nevertheless sometimes finds its application in practice.

This is position No. XXII in La Bourdonnais’ Treatise; it is an artificial composition in which the checks prepare the obstruction of the Black King’s neighbouring squares. 1

♘e6+

♔e8

2

♕d8+

♗xd8

Here is a very amusing end of a game actually played by J. H. Blackburne, who puts in place a curious procedure to force not the Epaulettes mate this time but that of the Guéridon.

The first Epaulette. 3

♖f8+

♖xf8

The second Epaulette. 4

♘g7 mate.

114

115

5. T 1

b4+

S

♗xb4

One of the Pieces of the Guéridon. 2

C

CHAPTER 5:

♗b6+

The Calabrian Sacrifice

Opening the a-file and placing the second Piece of the Guéridon. 2

...

axb6

3

♕xa8 mate.

This is the lateral aspect of the Guéridon mate.

A complete description of the Calabrian Sacrifice would need at least a monograph of a hundred pages and is therefore beyond the scope of this book, not only because of its dimensions but also because it does not necessarily lead to a mate. GAME NO. 42 French Defence From a treatise published in 1619 G. Greco – X

116

1

e4

e6

2

d4

♘f6

3

♗d3

♘c6

4

♘f3

♗e7

5

h4

0-0

6

e5

♘d5

117

5. T

C

S

continue the attack by 8 ♘g5 as suggested by Greco. 8

It is hardly necessary to emphasize the fact that Black has played very badly. But it was the ingenious Calabrian, Greco – or perhaps one of his contemporaries: one hardly cared about anteriorities at the beginning of of the seventeenth century – who is credited with discovering the combination which, in this position, immediately decides in White’s favour: the sacrifice ♗xh7+. This attack has been the object of numerous systematic studies over the last hundred years. The first time the necessary and sufficient conditions of the sacrifice were laid down in print was in 1911, by the erudite Swiss master Ervin Voellmy (‘Vom RochadeAngriff,’ Revue Suisse d’Echecs). But the majority of those who have written on this subject have omitted to cite it. Greco’s analysis is very perfunctory. Here it is more detailed and complete. 7

♗xh7+

♔xh7

♘g5+

Black has now three lines of play: 1) The retreat of the King to g8. 2) The capture of the Knight on g5. 3) The sortie of the King to g6 or h6. We are going to examine each of them in turn.

Retreat of the King 8

...

♔g8

It is obvious that if 8 ... ♔h8 9 ♕h5+, and mate on the following move. 9

♕h5

If Black refuses to take the bishop, White can withdraw this Piece and be content with the win of a Pawn. But it is stronger to 118

119

5. T

9

...

♗xg5

If 9 ... ♖e8 10 ♕h7+ ♔f8 11 ♕h8 mate. Or 9 ... ♘f6 10 exf6 ♖e8 11 ♕h7+ and 12 ♕h8 mate. 10

hxg5

f5

The only move (together with 10 ... f6) which meets the double threat of mate by the Queen on h7 or h8. Black makes a flight square for the King. 11

g6

♕h4

Delays the mate, but does not stop it. 12

♕xh4

any

13

♕h8 mate.

9

...

C

S

♔g6

If 9 ... ♔g8 10 ♕h5 f5 11 g6 as in the previous paragraph. 10

♕h5+

♔f5

11

♕h3+

♔g6

If 11 ... ♔e4 12 ♕d3 mate. 12

♕h7 mate.

This variation, with 3 ... c6 instead 3 ... ♘c6, was presented in a later anthology of ’short and brilliant’ games as having been played by Koch against X without indication of date or location. Which proves that the compilers have not read Greco’s Treatise!

Sortie of the King Capture of the Knight 8

...

9

hxg5+

♗xg5

120

8

...

♔g6

If 8 ... ♔h6 9 ♘xf7++ followed by 10 ♘xd8 and White wins the Queen for two minor Pieces. 121

5. T

C

3

d4

e6?

4

♘f3

♗e7

5

♗d3

0-0?

6

h4

c5?

7

♗xh7+

♔h8

S

The day before, the very same opponent had played 7 ... ♔xh7 and had been mated. 8 9

h5+

♘g5

♔h6

Here is the continuation suggested by Greco in case of the refusal of the sacrifice. But he did not give any analysis.

If 9 ... ♔f5 10 g4 mate. 10

♘xf7++

11

♘xd8

♔h7

And White, having a Queen for Bishop and Knight, wins easily. The Calabrian position is brought about by a series of moves which seems so abnormal to a modern player that we suspected the game had been composed. We believed this until the day one of the authors of this book had the opportunity to play the following casual game:

8

...

g6

9

h5!

♔g7

If 9 ... ♗xg5 10 hxg6 ♔g7 11 ♕h5 ♗xc1 12 ♗g8 ♖xg8 13 ♕h7+ and mate on the next move. 10

♕g4

f5

11

♘xe6+

dxe6

12

♕xg6+

♔h8

GAME NO. 43 Alekhine Defence Played at the Nice Chess Club, 1923 G. Renaud – X 1

e4

♘f6

2

e5

♘d5 122

123

5. T

C

S

A Piece up and with his King tucked away in the corner, Black thinks he is safe. 13

♗g8!

As the mate can be delayed but not avoided.

This first scheme, where only White material essential for the attack and Black material liable to cooperate in the defence (or obstruct it) is shown, is more general than the position in the Greco game, since the g5 square is only defended by the Bishop on c1 and there is no Pawn on h4 to provide an essential opening of the h-file. Finally the d7 and e7 squares are neither protected nor obstructed.

We would not have published this mediocre game but for the opportunity it gave us to analyze Greco’s suggestion of 8 ♘g5.

We are going to see what are the consequences of the acceptance of the Bishop sacrifice by the side of the attacked King, if the King then retreats to g8.

A classic sacrifice. White threatens 14 ♕h7 mate and if 13 ... ♖xg8 14 ♕h6 mate. 13

...

♖f7

14

♗xf7

Resigns.

1

♗xh7+

♔xh7

2

♘g5+

♔g8

If 2 ... ♕xg5 White has won Queen and Pawn for Bishop and Knight. 3

124

♕h5

♖e8

125

5. T

C

S

The only defence.

In this position White announces a forced mate because: 1) The e8 and d8 squares are obstructed.

If Black has a little more material, particularly a Bishop on e7, White also needs to bring one more Piece into action.

2) The d6 and f6 squares are inaccessible to the Black King because they are guarded by the Pawn on e5. 4

♕xf7+

It is necessary to eliminate this Pawn so that at the moment of mate, the White Queen has command of the whole of the seventh rank. 4

...

♔h8

5

♕h5+

♔g8

6

♕h7+

♔f8

7

♕h8+

♔e7

8

♕xg7 mate.

126

In this second scheme, there is an h-Pawn supported by a Rook on h1. 1

♗xh7+

♔xh7

2

♘g5+

♔g8 127

6. Ex 3

♕h5

There is nothing to be served by playing 3 ... ♖e8 since the e7 square is obstructed: 3 … ♖e8 4 ♕h7+ ♔f8 5 ♕h8 mate.

CHAPTER 6:

Exercises

As a consequence Black must play: 3

...

♗xg5

And we fall back into the lines of play already seen when studying the prototype game of Greco’s. When the conditions of one of the two schemes is fulfilled, the retreat of the King to g8 (or h8) enables White to mate or to win the Queen for two minor Pieces. It is beyond the scope of this book to study the consequences of the sortie of the King to g6. Let us only say that when this sacrifice is correct it leads either to a mate or sooner or later to a recapture of material and an attack which largely compensates for the Bishop that was initially sacrificed. The more general manoeuvre after the King is on g6 consists of 1) bringing the Queen to g4 (or g3) with the threat of a discovered check: playing ♘g5, attacking the Queen; 2) bringing the Queen’s Knight to the King’s wing via c3 and e2.

It is not everything to read the explanations, however detailed they are, that we give on each mating position. It is necessary to train oneself to recognise them, however disguised they may be, and then solve them. This is why, throughout this book, are to be found practical exercises for which the solutions are given separately, a long way from the diagram, at the end of the volume. How should one proceed to make a productive search for the solution? That depends on the strength of the reader. If the player is experienced, he should not at any price place the Pieces on the chess board. The position must be analysed and solved mentally, by looking at the diagram, irrespective of the number of moves of an announced mate. If the player is inexperienced, he should place the pieces on the chess board and force himself to find the solution, while imagining that he is playing against an opponent and, consequently, without touching the pieces, without hovering his hands over the board. It is with the head that one must play chess and not with the fingers. But, once the solution has been found mentally, it is on the other hand good to check it carefully by moving the pieces. Our long experience has indeed proved that the act of moving the pieces facilitates the memorisation of the variations that one has studied, at least for a number of players.

128

129

6. Ex

It goes without saying, above all for the first exercises, the task of the solver would be too easy if all the mates to be discovered were to relate strictly to the chapters that preceded it. So we thought it fair enough to mix them with other announced mates and some that are easier to solve. Unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the positions that we submit to the sagacity of our readers are not composed. These are not artificial works, unrelated to practical play. They are mates which were actually delivered in the course of a game or could have been delivered if the player had been able to discover them to his advantage. Whenever it was possible, we have indicated the date of a game and place where it was played. Unfortunately the majority of compilers of brilliant games and announced mates have been very negligent on this point. So a certain number of our examples do not have any references.

130

131

6. Ex

132

133

6. Ex

134

135

6. Ex

136

137

P

Tw : Ty

M

Part 2: TYPICAL MATES In this second part, the most original section of the book, we are going to study the principal mating positions that can be obtained against a castled King. The classification which we have established for these mates is based more on convenience than on theoretical considerations. Wherever possible we have given the mate, besides its number in the order, a name. Where this exists (e.g., Anastasia’s Mate, Arabian Mate), we have kept it. Where it didn’t have one, we tried to give it the name of the first famous player who used it. We would be grateful to erudite readers who can supply us with further particulars on the original authors of these mates.

138

139

1. T 2

CHAPTER 1:

C

M

(N . 1)

♖xe8 mate.

This is the characteristic final position of the Corridor Mate.

The Corridor Mate (MATE NO. 1) The simplest of all mate schemes is that of the Corridor Mate.

It is obviously the weakness of the last rank that enables such a mate to take place. If the Black Queen were somewhere on the eighth rank, on a8 for example, there would be no mate. There would no longer be a mate if the Queen were placed somewhere on the a3-f8 diagonal, and controlling the f8 square. She would be able to cover the first or second check. The Black King is confined to the corridor, hemmed in by the edge of the board and the three pawns of the castled position. It can only move sideways.

In practice the King frequently defends the mating square.

The e8 square, on the eighth rank, is weak. It is only defended by the Rook on d8. It is attacked twice: by the Queen on e2 and by the Rook on e1. The mating procedure is both simple and spectacular: 1

♕e8+

♖xe8 140

141

1. T

C

M

(N . 1)

White tries his luck and plays: The mate is only delayed. A check on the seventh rank dislodges the King and the position is like the previous example. 1

♕e7+

♔g8

2

♕e8+

♖xe8

3

♖xe8 mate.

GAME ENDING NO. 12 In the position in the diagram, Black has to avoid a trap. White cannot mate, and given the equal material and the symmetry of the Pawns, the draw is certain.

1

♕b8+

Whatever his desire to take the Queen, he must resist it and play 1 ... ♕f8! If he should yield to the temptation, he would lose the game, i.e. 1

...

♖xb8?

2

♖xb8+

♕f8

Now White indeed resists taking the Queen. He doubles the Rooks, threatening mate. 3

♖1c8

Black cannot reply 3 ... ♕xc8 because there follows 4 ♖xc8 mate. He is forced to make an escape square, 3 ... h5, for example, and after 4 ♖xf8+, White is a Rook up. GAME NO. 44 Sicilian Defence London Tournament, 1851 142

143

1. T

C

M

(N . 1)

A. Anderssen – M. Wyvill Marmaduke Wyvill (1815-1896) was a strong English master who took second place, behind Anderssen, in the first international tournament (London, 1851). 1

e4

2

♗c4

c5

A modern player would not post a Bishop at c4 in a Sicilian, when Black could play … e6. 2

...

♘c6

3

♘c3

e6

4

d3

♘e5

Similarly, in our day, no one would think of this manoeuvre before having developed some other pieces. 5

7

♕e2

♘e7

8

0-0-0

♘g6

9

♗g3

♗e7

10

f4

0-0

11

f5

♗f4

This, on the other hand, is a very modern move; Steinitz’s followers would have withdrawn their King’s Bishop to b3 in order to avoid doubled Pawns. Anderssen carries on with his development. 5

A precaution to avoid 7 ♘b5 with embarrassing domination of the c7 square. White’s game is already virtually won. He has two Pieces in play against none. He dominates the d-file and has firm control of the central squares.

...

♘xc4

The assault begins against the enemy King. 11

The Black Knight has moved three times in order to exchange itself for a Bishop which has only moved once. The manoeuvre clearly loses time. 6

dxc4

a6

144

...

♗g5+

A roundabout manoeuvre to regroup his Pieces. 12

♔b1

exf5

13

exf5

♖e8

14

♕g4

♘f8 145

1. T

The Knight has found a sort of refuge. 15

♘f3

♗f6

16

♘e4

b5

Looking for counterplay on the Queen’s side. But the attack on the King’s flank unfolds irresistibly.

17

C

M

(N . 1)

♗c7!

“Perfectly well played” we read in an annotation of the time. This is a model of a superficial and useless note. What should be explained is the reason for this sacrifice. First, it is clear that Black cannot accept it. Indeed, if 17 ... ♕xc7 White wins the Queen! There follows 18 ♘xf6+ ♔h8 19 ♘xe8, threatening mate by 20 ♕xg7 mate as well as the capture of the Queen by 20 ♘xc7. The two threats cannot be parried at the same time, after 19 … g6 20 ♘xc7 White is left with a Queen and a Rook more. On the other hand, if 17 ... ♖xe4, counterattacking the Queen, there follows 18 ♕xe4 ♕xc7 19 ♕xa8 with the win of the exchange and Black remains in an uncomfortable position. This was nevertheless the best defence. 17

You don’t have to be an expert to see that White stands better: 1) His three minor Pieces and his Queen are in action. 2) His Rooks are in communication and ready to intervene.

...

♕e7

Black settles for this retreat but he has undoubtedly not weighed up the dramatic consequences of it. White now wins a piece. 18

♘xf6+

19

♖d6!

♕xf6

3) He has an evident gain in space. On the other hand, Black, with the exception of his King’s Bishop, has all his Pieces on the edge and reduced to a strictly defensive role. But what requires a little more than talent is to know how to transform this advantage in position into a concrete advantage. This is where the combination plays its part. 146

147

1. T

The Queen has no retreat. Indeed, on 19 ... ♕e7, there follows: 20 f6!, threatening 21 ♕xg7 mate (a form of mate that we will study later on, under No. 8) and forcing the Queen to sacrifice itself for a Rook. Black decides on the lesser evil. 19 20 21

...

C

M

(N . 1)

Black should have resolved to exchange Queens. But notwithstanding the precariousness of his position and the talent of the player of the White Pieces, here he makes a little combination in order to regain his lost Piece. Gluttony is always punished, as we learn as children.

♘e6

fxe6

23

...

24

♕g3

♗xf3

dxe6

♖hd1

White develops his last inactive Piece and doubles the Rooks. 21

...

♗b7

22

♖d7

♗c6

23

♗e5

“A very fine move,” assures a contemporary commentator. It seems to us that 24 ♕xf3 would have been at least as strong, and on 24 ... ♕xe5, would have allowed the same combination as we see in the game and in a more effective and accurate manner. 24

...

25

♕xf3 bxc4?

♕g6

The player of the Black Pieces is blind. He does not see the Corridor Mate which is threatened. He should play 25 ... h5, providing an emergency exit! 148

149

1. T

C

M

(N . 1)

All the elements of scheme No.1 are very much in evidence in the final position of the Anderssen – Wyvill game. But they are featured in a different order. The recipes we are giving to carry out a mate are good. But they require a little attention so that they are applied appropriately. Here is the theoretical scheme showing that the eighth rank can be doubly defended.

26

♕xa8

♖xa8

Of course, by playing 26 ... f6 Black could have delayed the end but not have saved the game. 27

♖d8+

28

♖xd8 mate.

♖xd8

This is strictly Corridor Mate No. 1. The reader will notice in the games we publish with the application of the typical mates, that often the mate is obtained by a somewhat different procedure from that which is employed in our scheme. Thus, in this game, the Queen is not sacrificed while giving check as in the scheme. She captures a rook on the first move, without check. But in doing so: 1) She threatens mate by ♕xe8.

A preliminary sacrifice of the Queen will eliminate one of the guards: 1

♕xc8+

♖xc8

2

♖e8+

♖xe8

3

♖xe8 mate

2) She weakens the eighth rank through removing one of the two Black Rooks which command the d8 square, attacked by the two White Rooks.

Finally, one of the walls of the corridor may not necessarily be formed of Black Pawns. A White Pawn or Piece could guard the squares which block the pawns in our scheme.

150

151

1. T

C

M

(N . 1)

But the Bishop is not on c8. It is on h5. This did not prevent Réti from forcing the win. He played: 1

♗f7+!

♔h8

If 1 ...♕xf7 2 ♕xf7+ and mate in two moves. 2

Resigns.

♗e8!

Indeed, the threat of a Corridor Mate can be parried only at heavy material cost, in a position without any counterchances. Bogoljubow therefore judiciously resigned. The threat of a Corridor Mate could force the player to resign.

Thus, and we come across many other examples of it, the threat of a typical mate is sufficient to win the game, even if there is an effective defence, as this may cost the opponent material.

Suppose first of all that the White Bishop that is on h5 is on c8. White would play 1 ♗e6+ ♔h8 3 ♕xf8+ ♖xf8 4 ♖xf8 mate. 152

153

2. V

C

M

(N . 2)

The eighth rank is weak. Only the Black Rook controls it. CHAPTER 2:

Variation of the Corridor Mate (MATE NO. 2) As we have seen, the Corridor Mate is based on a single element, the weakness of the eighth rank. With Mate No. 2, a second element is going to enter into the game: the weakness of a given square.

The coming together of these elements allows White to mate simply by sacrificing the Queen. It is this sacrifice that is not noticed by inexperienced players. 1

♕xf7+

♖xf7

It is clear that if 1 ... ♔h8 2 ♕xf8 mate (Mate No.1). 2

♖c8+

♖f8

The rook must cover. But the opening of the f-file by a sacrifice allows the Rook on f1 to strike the f8 square. Hence: 3

♖(any)xf8 mate.

Thus the insufficient protection of the Pawn on f7 and the weakness of the eighth rank allowed the mate. The final scheme is that of the Corridor Mate.

This position is very often met in practice. Black’s f-Pawn is only defended twice: by the King and by the Rook. However it is attacked three times: by the Queen and each of the two Rooks.

154

155

2. V

The intervention of the pin allows the same mate to be carried out in only two moves. 1

♕xf7+

♖xf7

It is clear that if 1...♔h8 2 ♕xf8 mate (Mate No.1). 2

♖d8 mate.

The Rook on f7, pinned, cannot cover the mate. This scheme is identical with the preceding one. The same causes have made the mate possible. The pin of the Rook on f7 simply accelerated it. The first thought of the student who is about to learn this way of delivering mate is he will never come across this possibility in serious practical play, unless the opponent makes a grave oversight, This is partly true and it is also false. Sometimes it is an oversight which allows a player to deliver mate. But sometimes a position arises, ineluctably, and as a consequence of a series of weak previous moves. Here are three examples:

C

M

Frank J. Marshall (1877-1944), an attacking player with a brilliant style, was for a number of years the undisputed champion of the United States. He came first at the tournaments in Cambridge Springs, 1904, and Scheveningen, 1905.

This game was played in a Tournament of Nations, that is to say a tournament where each nation is represented by a team of four players. Each team meets the other teams, round by round. These competitions are not endowed with cash prizes as are international tournaments, and sometimes the professional masters do not play with the same bite and the same seriousness as in an individual international tournament. On the other hand, a tight schedule often requires two rounds to be played on the same day, and after several days, the older players or those with delicate health get run down and the quality of the games suffers. 1

d4

♘f6

2

c4

e6

3

♘f3

b6

4

e3

♗b7

5

♗d3

♘c6

A move which is not in the spirit of the position.

GAME NO. 45

6

♘c3

♗b4

Queen’s Pawn Opening

7

♗d2

0-0

Tournament of Nations, Hamburg, 1930

8

0-0

d5

Sir G. Thomas – F. J. Marshall Sir George Thomas (1881-1972), though below top international class, was champion of Great Britain several times and represented his country very honourably in numerous tournaments. 156

(N . 2)

Otherwise White will play e4. 9

♖c1

♕e7

157

2. V

Another purpose. 10

mechanical

cxd5

move,

without

11

♕c2

♖ad8

12

a3

♗xc3

13

♗xc3

♘e4

b4

a6

White was threatening b4-b5, winning the exchange or the c-Pawn. 15

15

♗b2

...

17

f3

♘xe5

18

dxe5

♕h4?

(N . 2)

Black is not risking too much since his game is already virtually lost. 19

g3

♕g5

Or 19 ... ♘xg3 20 hxg3 ♕h1+ 21 ♔f2 ♕h2+ 22 ♔e1 and White is a Piece up. 20

fxe4

21

♕f2!

♕xe3+

Preparing the quick finish that follows. 21

...

♕xd3

22

♖xc7

♗c6

♖d6

Marshall is thinking only of attack, without caring about his bad position. 16

M

exd5

One wonders what Black’s Queen’s Bishop is doing on b7.

14

C

♘e5

Resigns was the best move. announces mate in four moves. 23

♕xf7+

♖xf7

24

♖c8+

♗e8

♖h6

158

159

White

2. V 25

♖xe8+

26

♖(any)xf8 mate.

C

M

(N . 2)

♖f8

This is our typical mate. Even a great master such as Marshall can get caught. This is consolation for the amateur. Now here is an example of a systematic mate in our second scheme (Mate No. 2A). GAME NO. 46 Giuoco Piano Played at the Congress in Cheltenham, 1913 C. V. Loye – F. U. Beamish In Chess congresses, particularly in England, at the same time as the principal tournament (or major tournament) reserved for masters, subsidiary tournaments are held for less strong players. The game which we see here was played between amateurs of the second rank. But they were amateurs of some erudition for, as we are about to see, White’s first sixteen moves are all ‘book.’ 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗c4

♗c5

4

c3

♘f6

5

d4

exd4

6

cxd4

♗b4+

7

♘c3

♘xe4

8

0-0

♗xc3

9

d5

The Moeller attack. It is very strong and constantly the object of analysis, demonstrating in turn how White wins, how he loses or forces a draw. Though retaining only some compensation for the sacrificed Pawn, White obtains a lively attack which gives practical chances of a win. 9

...

♗f6

10

♖e1

♘e7

11

♖xe4

0-0

12

d6!

cxd6

13

♕xd6

♘f5

14

♕d5

d6

Here Black can draw by repetition of moves, going back with his Knight to e7, as White has nothing better than to play 15 ♕d6. 15

♘g5!

16

♗xg5

♗xg5

Up to here White and Black have followed ‘the books’. Black, less steeled than White, 160

161

2. V

greedily and naively takes the offered Piece. 16

...

♕xg5???

The usual move is 16 ... ♕c7. We have now reached the typical Mate No. 2 position. 17

♕xf7+

18

♖e8 mate.

♖xf7

This game further shows how futile it is to learn by heart fifteen moves of a classical variation or well known analysis, when, as soon as one is left to one’s own resources, one blunders on the sixteenth and is unable to see the most elementary mate in two moves! Now, here we have a world champion, forced to resign on account of the threat of Mate No. 2. GAME NO. 47

C

(N . 2)

Alexander Alekhine, born in Moscow in 1892, became a French citizen in 1929, and died at Lisbon in 1946. He was a Chess master at the age of fifteen, a Grandmaster at the age of twenty, and World Champion after defeating Capablanca at Buenos Aires in 1927. He is considered the greatest Chess genius of the first half of the twentieth century, and his games are regarded as priceless and imperishable gems. It is impossible to describe his particular style in a few lines. Paul Keres, born in Narva (Estonia) in 1916, started to play at a very young age in international correspondence tournaments, where he conducted up to 150 games at the same time. Since 1937 he was publicly acknowledged as a Grandmaster. In 1938 he shared first prize with R. Fine at the ‘Avro’ Tournament, at that time the strongest ever held. In 1940, he beat Euwe in a match. After the Second World War he finished runner up in four World Championship Candidates Tournaments and was considered one of the strongest players never to have become World Champion. He died in 1975. 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗b5

a6

4

♗a4

d6

This defence goes back to a game LangeSchultz, 1863. It is called the ‘Modern’ or ‘Deferred’ Steinitz Defence, because the move … d6, constituting the Steinitz Defence, is preceded by … a6 in order to be able to play … b5 at a desired moment. It was particularly recommended by Steinitz and has achieved much success over a long period. 5

c4!

Ruy Lopez Margate Tournament, 1937 P. Keres – A. Alekhine 162

M

163

2. V

C

M

(N . 2)

Fine, in the radio game, exchanged the pawns in the centre immediately, in order to open the long dark diagonal for his King’s Bishop. But after 7 ... exd4 8 ♘xd4 ♗g7 9 ♘xc6 bxc6 10 0-0 ♘e7, White soon demolished Black’s position by 11 c5!

But this move, tried for the first time by Duras against Vidmar and Janowski (Carlsbad, 1907) in a similar position (5 d3 ♘f6 6 c4) places in doubt the system adopted by Black. Indeed, all the recent games we know have been won by White. In the radio match USSR – USA, September 1945, I. Boleslavsky, champion of Ukraine, defeated R. Fine on the second board. The Pawn on c4 has two functions. It prevents Black from driving away the Bishop on a4 by ... b5, and it allows White domination of the central d5 square. 5

...

♗d7

6

♘c3

g6

8

♗e3

9

dxe5

♘f6

To force Black to have a Pawn on e5, which will block the diagonal and make the Bishop on g7 a spectator, unconnected to the action. 9

...

dxe5

Black recaptures with the Pawn in order not to simplify the position by exchanges of Pieces. It is evident that Alekhine had, as always and even when playing Black, the intention of winning the game. His fighting spirit never left him and contrasted with Capablanca who often only sought simplification. 10

♗c5!

Theoreticians have recommended other continuations, but they have not achieved any success in practical play. 7

d4!

This move must be played at once, before Black dominates the d4 square. 7

...

♗g7

164

165

2. V

C

M

(N . 2)

Preventing Black from castling on the King’s side. 10

...

♘h5

In order to play this Knight to e6, via f4, and then install the Queen’s Knight on d4, profiting from the apparent weakness of the d4 square. 11

♘d5

♘f4

12

♘xf4

exf4

Now Black’s King’s Bishop becomes active. 13

e5

But with this Pawn sacrifice, White obstructs the long diagonal. 13

...

g5

It might have been possible for Black to accept the sacrifice, but not without some dangers. For example: 13 ... ♘xe5 14 ♘xe5 ♗xe5 15 ♕e2. The text move weakens Black’s position, which has become difficult. 14

14

...

♗f8

On 14 ... g4, apparently Black’s primitive intention, there follows 15 e6! ♗xe6 (and not 15 ... fxe6 16 ♕h5 mate) 16 ♗xc6+, with a winning attack. 15

♗xf8

♖xf8

Deprived of the King’s Bishop, the Black King becomes weak. 16

0-0-0

♕e7

In order to castle Queenside as quickly as possible.

♕d5!

17

♗xc6!

Black is not given any respite. 17

...

♗xc6

18

♕d3

♗d7

Giving up a Pawn in order to castle at last. 19 166

0-0-0

♘xg5! 167

3. G

’ M

(N . 3)

Obviously not 19 ... ♕xg5?? 20 ♕xd7 mate. 20

♘f3

f6

21

exf6

♖xf6

22

♖he1

♕b4??

CHAPTER 3:

Greco’s Mate (MATE NO. 3)

A colossal blunder. Not even World Champions have the privilege of not blundering. 23

♕xd7+

Resigns

When the game was published, White’s 23rd move was adorned with an exclamation mark, which is superfluous in our view, since this is a typical mate. Indeed after: 23

...

♖xd7

24

♖e8+

♖d8

25

♖(any)xd8 mate.

It’s Corridor Mate No. 2. 168

In the position of scheme No. 3, Black’s Kingside castled position is gravely weakened: 1) The defensive King’s Knight has gone. 2) The a2-g8 diagonal has been opened (by the so often mistaken advance of the fpawn) and a White Piece controls it. If there were no Black h-Pawn, White would mate in one move by ♖h1. This comment suggests the solution. The winning manoeuvre therefore consists of forcing the opening of the mating file. 1

hxg6

♘g6+ 169

3. G 2

♖h1 mate.

The final mating pattern of No.3 is as follows.

’ M

5

♘g5

0-0

6

d3

h6

7

h4

hxg5

8

hxg5

♘h7

9

♕h5

♖e8

10

♕xf7+

♔h8

11

♖xh7+

(N . 3)

Note that he King might also be placed on h7. This mating device goes way back to a variation given by Gioachino Greco, the Calabrian, in his treatise of 1619. Let’s recall it briefly. GAME NO. 48 Giuoco Piano Analysis, 1619 G. Greco

Here the opening of the file is even more brutal. Once again in our scheme, not only must Black take, but with the King. 11

...

12

♕h5 mate.

♔xh7

1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗c4

♗c5

GAME NO. 49

4

c3

♘f6

Queen’s Gambit Declined

170

Here are a few later games illustrating the mate.

171

3. G

’ M

(N . 3)

Played in Chicago, 1899 Johnson – F. J. Marshall The opponent of Marshall, then 22 years of age and on the eve of a glorious victory in the international tournament at Paris 1900, was a strong American amateur. 1

d4

d5

2

c4

e6

3

♘c3

♘c6

A bizarre move in this position. On c6 the Knight obstructs the c-Pawn. 4

♘f3

♘f6

5

♗f4

♗d6

6

♗g3

♘e4

Marshall’s intention is to construct a ‘Stonewall’, which here seems dubious as White’s Queen’s Bishop is already in play. 7

e3

0-0

8

♗d3

f5

9

a3

b6

10

♖c1

♗b7?

Black does not seem to have precisely calculated the consequences of the captures which are about to follow. 11

cxd5

exd5

12

Black cannot think of winning the Knight by 12 ... ♗xg3 13 hxg3 ♕xd5? since after 14 ♗c4 he would lose his Queen. So he tries another manoeuvre. But it is not correct. 12

...

13

♗c4

♘xd4

A very strong move. It threatens a double check and furthermore the Knight on d4 is attacked twice. Marshall hopes to get away with first capturing White’s King’s Knight with check ... 13

...

14

gxf3

♘xf3+

... then taking the Queen’s Bishop with the attacked King’s Knight, threatening to grab a Rook. 14

172

♘xd5!

...

♘xg3

173

3. G

’ M

1

d4

e6

2

♘f3

f5

3

g3

(N . 3)

This form of development against the Dutch has been particularly advocated by Grünfeld.

But White, in a situation where he can deliver Greco’s Mate No. 3, does not spend time on an immediate recapture of the Piece. He announces mate in four moves. 15

♘e7++

♔h8

16

♘g6+

hxg6

17

hxg3+

♕h4

18

♖xh4 mate.

GAME NO. 50 Dutch Defence Baden-Baden Tournament, 1925

3

...

♘f6

4

♗g2

d5

Torre intends to build up a ‘Stonewall’ which, according to the theoreticians, is not to be recommended when the opponent’s Queen’s Bishop is not hemmed in (here by e2e3). 5

0-0

♗d6

6

c4

c6

7

♕c2

0-0

8

b3

♘e4

9

♗b2

♘d7

10

♘e5

♕f6

11

f3

♘xe5

E. Grünfeld – C. Torre Ernst Grünfeld (1893-1962) was a first rate Austrian master, with a reputation for his profound knowledge of the openings. He often secured a place of honour in thirty years of tournament play. Carlos Torre (1905-1978), a Mexican player, made his debut in this great tournament. For several years he shone with meteoric brightness and seemed to have a great future. But illness since kept him away from Chess. 174

175

3. G

’ M

(N . 3)

John Cochrane, was a Scottish born player of the nineteenth century, author of a book (1822) and analyst of a variation of the King’s Knight Gambit which bears his name. 1

e4

2

d4

c5

This premature advance of the d-Pawn was an invention of Cochrane, who experimented with it against H. Staunton in 1844. The moderns play 2 ♘f3 before pushing the Pawn. 12

dxe5??

And here it is an experienced master such as Grünfeld who blunders. He has played methodically to gain a positional advantage. Yet he allows himself to get rolled over tactically. He should play 12 fxe4 which would have still allowed Torre to complicate the game by 12 ... ♘g4.

2

...

cxd4

3

♕xd4

♘c6

4

♕d1

White has clearly lost a tempo. 4 ♕e3 seems better. 4

12

...

13

♔h1

...

e5

♗c5+

Here we are in the scheme of Mate No. 3.

This move is certainly faulty. It leaves the Pawn on d7 backward, creates a hole at d6 and above all transforms the position without reason into an open game.

13

...

♘xg3+

5

♗c4

♘f6

14

hxg3

♕h6+

6

♘f3

♕a5+

15

♗h3

♕xh3 mate.

GAME NO. 51

A useless check which will allow White to rectify his backward development. 7

♗d2

♕b6

8

♗c3

♗c5

9

0-0

0-0

Sicilian Defence Played in the nineteenth century J. Cochrane – X 176

177

3. G 10

♘xe5

♘xe4

11

♕f3

♘xc3?

’ M

(N . 3)

point of view, we reproduce another classic example. GAME NO. 52

A serious mistake. 11 ... ♘xe5 was necessary.

Ruy Lopez Breslau, 1859 A. Anderssen – Max Lange Max Lange (1832-1899), a strong German player, was the author of various text books from which innumerable players have learned the rudiments of the noble game. He also produced a collection of Morphy’s games which was considered the last word until the one by Maroczy appeared. He left his name in two lines of play in the Italian Game.

White now mates in four moves. 12

♗xf7+

♖xf7

If 12 ... ♔h8 13 ♘g6+! hxg6 14 ♕h3 mate. This is Mate No. 3. 13

♕xf7+

1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗b5

♘d4

4

♘xd4

exd4

5

♗c4

♘f6

6

e5

d5

7

♗b3

♗g4

8

f3

♘e4!

9

0-0

♔h8

14

♕e8+

15

♕xf8 mate.

♗f8

Black has indeed avoided Mate No. 3 ... but only to get himself into Corridor Mate No. 1. A typical mate can serve as a theme in all phases of a game. In commentating from this

178

The win of the Bishop would be followed by a violent attack: 9 fxg4? ♕h4+ 10 g3 (if 10 ♔e2, Black mates in two) 10 ... ♘xg3, etc., and White’s King is in an unenviable situation. 9

...

d3!

179

3. G

In order to open the a7-g1 diagonal for the action of the Black King’s Bishop. 10

fxg4?

A big mistake; 10 ♕e1 was better. After the text move, Black will work towards delivering a Greco mate. And the threat of this mate weighs heavily on White’s game for the next seven moves. 10

...

11

♔h1

♗c5+

’ M

(N . 3)

delay the fatal outcome. But only delay it, as the mate is ineluctable. 11

...

♘g3+!!

12

hxg3

♕g5

13

♖f5!

h5!!

14

gxh5

If 14 ♖xg5 hxg4+ 15 ♖h5 ♖xh5 mate. 14

...

♕xf5

15

g4

♕f2

16

g3

♕xg3

17

♕f1

♕xg4

Now there is no longer anything to be done. In our day, White would resign. But a century ago it was customary to give a few ‘consolation checks’. [In fact 17 ... ♕h4+ 18 ♔g2 ♕xg4+ 19 ♔h1 ♖xh5+ 20 ♕h3 ♖xh3 mates more quickly.]

If the Black Queen were now on a square from where it could reach h6, on g6 for example, this would be the position of the scheme and it would be mate in two moves: 11 ... ♘g3+ 12 hxg3 ♕h6 mate. Black does not have the time to prepare this mate, since if he plays, for example, 11 … ♕g5, White, by 12 ♕f3, would defend the g3 square. So, in order to avoid this defence, he will sacrifice the Knight immediately; the Queen and the Rook on h8 will then threaten mate on the h-file. For eleven moves White fights desperately to 180

18

♕xf7+

♔xf7

19

♗xd5+

♔e7

20

♗g2

♕h4+

21

♗h3

♕xh3 mate.

181

4. M

N .4

Instead of forcing this opening by a brutal sacrifice of a Piece giving check, we will force it by creating a threat which can only be parried by opening the file.

CHAPTER 4:

Mate No. 4

1

Here is a mate which ends with the same pattern as Greco’s Mate No. 3, but in which the mechanism of the attack is different.

h6

♕h5

The only defence against the threat of 2 ♕xh7 mate. 2

♕g6!

Once again threatening mate on h7 by 2 ♕h7. 2

...

hxg5

Black captures the Knight and does away with the threat. But, in doing this, he opens the h-file where… 3

♕h5 mates.

This is a classic manoeuvre and met very frequently in practice.

Black’s King’s side castled position is weakened. 1) Because disappeared.

the

King’s

Knight

has

2) Because the a2-g8 diagonal (opened by the advance of the f-Pawn) is controlled by a White Piece. If there were no Black Pawn on h7, White would have mated in one move by ♕h1. The manoeuvre will consist of forcing the opening of the mating file. 182

183

4. M

N .4

Here is a short casual game illustrating this manoeuvre: GAME NO. 53 Scotch Game Played in Nice, 1941 X – Victor Kahn 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♘c3

♘f6

4

d4

exd4

5

♘xd4

♗b4

6

♘xc6

bxc6

7

♗d3

0-0

10

...

♕h4

8

0-0

d5

11

h3

♗c5+

12

♔h1

♕g3!

A logical move intended to deprive White of his only advantage, his centre Pawn. 9

e5?

10

A serious positional mistake. The usual continuation is 10 ♗f4 f6!, and Black stands better. The punishment comes swiftly.

Of course, in such a position, Black does not pause to win the exchange. 13

An inferior continuation. 9 exd5 cxd5 10 ♗g5 c6 is usually played, with equality. 9

...

♘g4

f4??

hxg4

♕h4 mate.

Between good players, this manoeuvre cannot be realized. But it can be used as a threat, or as a variation in a combination. In the famous game Rotlewi – Rubinstein (Lodz 1907) the following position was reached:

184

185

5. A

’ M

(N . 5)

CHAPTER 5:

Anastasia’s Mate (MATE NO. 5)

Black has just played 21 ... ♕h4, threatening mate on h2. In the game, White defended by 22 g3, which allowed Rotlewi to carry out a magnificent combination commencing with … ♖xc3. But he must have envisaged the less aggressive defence 22 h3. In this eventuality, the continuation would have been: 22

h3

♖xc3!

23

♗xc3

♗xe4

24

♕xe4

♕g3

25

hxg4

♕h4 mate.

Let’s consider the scheme in the following diagram. Black’s castled position is intact. The pawns have not advanced, His only weaknesses are the disappearance of the King’s Knight and the absence of protection of the e7 square. This is sufficient to allow White a decisive attack. But how? This is not as easy to see in advance as in the elementary schemes of the preceding mates.

There are many sub-variations. We have only considered the line which ends in Mate No. 4.

186

1

♘e7+

♔h8

2

♕xh7+!!

♔xh7

3

♖h1 mate. 187

5. A

’ M

(N . 5)

On the first move, White forces Black to move his King and takes control of two squares in the field where it will be finally mated (g8 and g6). On the second move, the king is again forcibly dragged out and a mating file opened by a sacrifice. On the third move, comes the mate. In Germany the mate is called the epigrammatic mate and, in France, Anastasia’s mate, after a novel by Wilhelm Heinse, Anastasia und das Schachspiel, Briefe aus Italien, published in 1803. The two schemes below show two possible aspects of the final position of the mate, the first against a King that had castled, the second against a King in the middle of the play. These schemes show that this mate, spectacular as it may be, does not essentially differ from mates 3 and 4.

Here is a theoretical variation, pointed out by Emanuel Lasker in his Common Sense in Chess in 1895, which shows Anastasia’s mate. GAME NO. 54 Ruy Lopez Instructional game, composed in 1894 Emanuel Lasker Emanuel Lasker (1868-1941), Doctor of Philosophy, was World Champion from 1894 to 1921. His clear and precise style made him wellnigh invincible. Even after he lost his title, he finished first in international tournaments. He was the greatest Chess personality of his day.

188

1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗b5

♘f6

4

0-0

♘xe4

5

♖e1

189

5. A

This is not the best move, as it allows Black to equalize. 5 d4! is much stronger. But in order to equalize, it is necessary to play with care and be wary of the pitfalls which are sown in this line of play. 5

...

♘d6

The best retreat, since it gains time and attacks White’s King’s Bishop. 6

♘c3

7

♘xe5!

♘xb5

’ M

8

♘xc6+

♗e7

9

♘xe7!

♘xd1

10

♘g6+

♕e7

11

♘xe7

(N . 5)

And White remains at least a Piece up. The only correct move is 7 ... ♗e7!, by which Black makes himself immune to the discovered checks and at the same time pursues his development. Let’s return to the text move. 8

♖xe5+

♗e7

White is going to exploit the pin of the Bishop and make it the basis of a mating combination.

A move full of cunning and which tempts Black into a subtle trap … 7

...

♘xe5?

The first way of falling into the trap, as we are about to see. A second is to take the other Knight, For example: 7

...

♘xc3 190

9

♘d5

Instead of recapturing the Piece, White attacks the pinned Bishop for a second time. 9

...

0-0 191

5. A

Black, having a Piece more, gives up the Bishop in order to place his King in safety … Or so he believes. 10

♘xe7+

♔h8

If White now continues 11 ♖xb5, Black would obtain equality by 11 ... ♕xe7. But there is no question of this. 11

11

...

12

♕h6

’ M

(N . 5)

(g6)

This move involves a threat of mate in two moves, obvious to an experienced player but which demands some attention for a student to notice it. Anyway it can only be parried at the cost of a heavy sacrifice. 12

...

d6

13

♖h5!

♕h5!

Introducing another typical mate, which we shall study later on.

A move which is both simple and powerful and which wins the game at once. First, let’s suppose that Black does not see the threat and plays … d6 or … ♘d4. 11

…

(♘d4)

12

♕xh7+

♔xh7

13

♖h5 mate.

This is Anastasia’s mate (Mate No. 5)

13

...

gxh5

14

♕f6 mate.

The following game shows the role that thinking time plays in serious combat. In tournaments this time is limited and controlled by special clocks. Schedules vary but nowadays each player usually has a couple of hours to make the first 40 moves, after which the time is checked at a rate of 20 moves per hour. A good player should regulate his time in a way that he has some in reserve to consider a difficult move. In fact, when a position is complicated, it often happens that the two opponents get short of time. And as the time control approaches they may find themselves having to play five or six moves in a few seconds GAME NO. 55 Queen’s Pawn Opening

But Black has seen the threat and in order to parry it he attacks the Queen.

Carlsbad Tournament, 1929

192

193

M. Vidmar – M. Euwe

5. A

’ M

(N . 5)

Milan Vidmar (1885-1962), an engineer and professor in Yugoslavia, was a master of the first rank. Indeed if he had played the openings with more care when he competed in tournaments, his results would have been even better. Max Euwe, born in Holland in 1901, professor of mathematics and an international Grandmaster, combined his great talent for tactics with profound theoretical knowledge. He defeated Alekhine in a match for the world title, which he retained for two years. He died in 1981. 1

d4

♘f6

2

♘f3

g6

3

♗g5

This clearly shows that he is playing for a win and that he hopes to win before the endgame.

Vidmar often handled the openings carelessly, probably because of his failure to keep abreast of theoretical novelties. The text move is neither usual nor to be recommended.

10

...

♘xf4

11

exf4

0-0!

12

♖ad1

3

...

♗g7

4

♘bd2

c5

5

e3

b6

12

...

6

♗d3

♗b7

13

♗b1

7

0-0

h6

8

♗f4

d6

9

c3

Naturally, It was preferable to play 9 h3, preserving the Queen’s Bishop. 9

...

10

♕b3

♘h5

194

Obviously 12 ♗xg6 would be a mistake on account of ... c4!, followed by ... d5. ♘c6

Again, if 13 ♗xg6, then ... ♘a5! 13

...

cxd4

14

cxd4

e6

If 14 ... ♘xd4 15 ♘xd4 ♗xd4 16 ♗xg6 ♗xb2 and Black has an extra Pawn but a very unpleasant position. 15

♘e4

♘e7

16

♕a3

♘f5 195

5. A 17

25

♖d2

And not 17 g4 ♘h4 18 ♘xh4 ♕xh4 19 ♘xd6 ♕xg4+ etc. 17

...

♕e7

18

♘g3

♘xg3

19

fxg3!

One of those rare cases where tactical considerations allow a violation of Philidor’s principle which states that it is preferable to take towards the centre with a flank Pawn. 19

...

♖fc8

20

g4

♖c7

21

f5

exf5

22

gxf5

g5

23

♖e1

♕f6

24

h3

♖ac8

196

’ M

(N . 5)

♖dd1

In order to prevent the entrance of the enemy Rook. 25

...

♖c4

Both players, one after the other, are getting short of time, and the 30 move control is approaching. Under these circumstances not only is there a danger of tactical errors or blunders, but the whole position may be misjudged. Here, in particular, Black continues to play for a win. 25 ... ♗xf3 would have been sufficient for a draw. 26

d5

a5

27

♘d2

♕d4+

28

♔h1

♕xd5

29

♗e4

♖xe4

30

♘xe4

♕xf5

Here the time control at the thirtieth move was passed. The two players, under pressure of the last five moves, appeared to have thought that White could not play 31 ♘xd6 on account of 31…♕xh3+, forgetting the Queen on a3! White now has a material advantage. 31

♘xd6

♗xg2+

The last resource: looking for a perpetual check or even a mate. 32

♔xg2

♖c2+

33

♔h1

♕f4

197

5. A

This move seems to be decisive. But White has in reserve an exquisite mating combination.

34

♖e8+!

’ M

2

c4

e6

3

♘f3

♘f6

4

e3

b6

5

♗d3

♗b7

6

0-0

♗d6

7

♘c3

♘c6

8

e4

fxe4

9

♘xe4

♗e7

10

♘e5

(N . 5)

♗f8

Evidently forced, in order not to lose his Rook. 35

♖xf8+

♔xf8

Otherwise White wins the Queen. 36

♘f5+!

♔g8

37

♕f8+!!

Resigns.

Since after 37 ... ♔xf8 38 ♖d8 mate. The model of Anastasia’s mate). GAME NO. 56 Dutch Defence Played before 1900 X – B. Richter 1

d4

White sacrifices a Pawn, then a Piece so that he can mount an attack against the enemy King, which has still not castled and whose position is exposed because of the missing f-Pawn. 10

...

♘xd4

11

♘xf6+

♗xf6

12

♕h5+

g6

f5 198

199

6. B 13

♗xg6+

hxg6

14

♕xg6+

♔e7

15

♘g4

♕f8!

♘xf6

17

♗g5?

(N . 6)

CHAPTER 6:

Boden’s Mate

Thinking he is going to win a Piece or even the Queen, White falls headlong into the trap. 16

’ M

(MATE NO. 6)

♕xf6

Mate No. 6 Pinning the Queen and thereby thinking that he will win it for Bishop and Knight. White has forgotten only one thing: Anastasia’s mate.

Black announces mate in five moves: 17

...

♘e2+

18

♔h1

♖xh2+

19

♔xh2

♖h8+

20

♕h6

♖xh6+

21

♗xh6

♕xh6 mate.

200

In this position, it is the Queen’s side position that he must attack.

Black’s castled position is weakened by the advance of the c-Pawn, which has opened the h2-b8 diagonal. A White Piece controls it. If Black’s b-Pawn were not there, White could mate in one move by ♗a6. The manoeuvre will therefore consist of forcing open the mating diagonal. 1

♕xc6+

2

♗a6 mate. 201

bxc6

6. B

’ M

7

♕xf3

c6

8

♗d3

♘bd7

9

0-0

9

...

(N . 6)

This final scheme shows that the two Bishops alone deliver mate. This time the mechanism consists of opening a diagonal instead of a file. Here is a practical application of this mate: GAME NO. 57 Centre-Counter Game Played in England in 1913 B. G. Brown – A. G. Essery The opponents were two British amateurs.

There was no need for Black to castle on the ’side of the cemetery’, the more so that his c-Pawn has already advanced. White has castled on the King’s side, you may object, in spite of the fact that his hPawn has advanced one square. Yes. But this weakness cannot immediately be attacked, since the Black Queen’s Bishop has been exchanged, while …

1

e4

d5

2

exd5

♘f6

3

d4

♕xd5

4

♘c3

♕a5

5

♘f3

♗g4

10

...

6

h3

♗xf3

11

a3

202

0-0-0

10

♗f4

... White, without delay, seizes the h2-b8 diagonal, unfortunately opened up in Black’s castled position. e6

203

6. B

Being ahead by two tempi in his development, White commences a Pawn attack. In the case of opposite sides castling, an advance in development is enough to bring about a decision. 11

...

♕b6?

A serious mistake. But 11 ... ♘d5, though not as bad, also loses. 12

♘a4

13

♕xc6+ bxc6

14

♗a6 mate.

♕xd4

The following example is much more interesting.

’ M

(N . 6)

At the time this game was played, this very old move, brought back into usage by Rubinstein, had not yet been subjected to intense analyses and it was still not known if it was correct. 5

♘xe5

It is this variation that gives rise to the greatest complications. 5

...

6

♘f3

♕e7

Nowadays 6 f4 is played, with subsequent tactical complications in which the last word has undoubtedly not yet been spoken. 6

...

♘xe4

GAME NO. 58 Four Knights Game Scheveningen Tournament, 1913

But this does not seem to be the best continuation. By 6 ... ♘xb5 7 ♘xb5 ♕xe4+ Black would obtain at least equality.

Edward Lasker – F. Englund

7

0-0!

♘xc3

Edward Lasker (1885-1981), a cousin of the great Emanuel Lasker, electrical engineer, emigrated to the United States in 1914. He was a strong player, above all known for having written an excellent book Schachstrategie (1914) in which for the first time, there was a systematic treatment of the conduct of the game.

8

dxc3

♘xf3+

9

♕xf3

F. Englund, his opponent, was a second rank Swedish player.

White’s superior development clearly compensates for the doubling of the Pawns on the c-file. 9

...

♕c5

1

e4

e5

10

♖e1+

♗e7

2

♘f3

♘c6

11

♗d3

d5

3

♘c3

♘f6

12

♗e3

♕d6

4

♗b5

♘d4

13

♗f4

♕f6

204

205

6. B

’ M

(N . 6)

If 18 ... ♕d2 19 ♖f1, and there is no satisfactory defence against 20 ♗f4. 19

♖d1

Black must have given a sigh of relief and thought he would at last be able to castle peacefully. But it is not so. 14

c6

♕xd5!

If Black castles, he loses the c-Pawn as well. If he accepts the sacrifice, he loses the game, e.g., 14 ... ♕xf4 15 ♗b5+ c6 (and not 15 ... ♔f8 allowing the pretty sacrifice 16 ♕d8+ ♗xd8 17 ♖e8 mate) 16 ♗xc6+ bxc6 17 ♕xc6+ ♔f8 18 ♕xa8 ♕c7 19 ♖e3, followed by ♖ae1 with a winning position. 15

♕e4

Preventing Black from castling Kingside. 15

...

♗e6

16

♖e3

♗c5

17

♗e5

♕h6

18

♖g3

♗f8

Positionally, it would have been preferable to play c3-c4 in order to prevent … ♗d5. But Edward Lasker was speculating – not advisable, but also not prohibited by the rules – on a blunder by his opponent. 19

...

0-0-0???

Lasker was right. Englund carelessly castles on the Queen’s side, so it is true that a master, like any amateur, can forget the typical mating positions. This is our scheme No. 6. 20

♕xc6+

21

♗a6 mate.

bxc6

This game was awarded a prize for beauty. Needless to say, it was for his 14th move and not for the mate. GAME FRAGMENT NO. 1

206

207

6. B

’ M

(N . 6)

In a game between Nimzowitsch and Alekhine, played when the future world champion was nineteen years old, this position was reached:

18

...

♘d7

It is clear that if 18 ... ♖d7 19 ♗xd7+ and Black cannot recapture 19 ... ♘xd7 because of 20 ♕e8 mate. But covering with the Knight has led to a position where there is a typical mate (our Mate No. 6). White has just played 15 0-0-0!, setting Black a very pretty trap. Why indeed not be tempted to take a Pawn in the centre? Alekhine discovered his opponent’s subtle plan in time and with 15 … ♗d6 all the danger passed. What was this hidden danger? 15

...

cxd4

16

exd4

♘xd4

It seems the Pawn is indeed won and that the attacked Queen must take flight. But White would have continued by first sacrificing the exchange: 17

♖xd4

18

♕xe6+

19

♕c6+

bxc6

20

♗a6 mate.

And so the latent threat of Mate No. 6 prevented Black from winning White’s dPawn. Boden’s mate is not characterized by its final pattern where two Bishops just finish off the King, but by its mechanism: a Piece sacrifice with check to open a line on which to mate. The mate can instead be delivered in a position other than on the Queen’s side, as shown by the following example:

♕xd4

208

209

6. B

1

...

♕xf3+

2

gxf3

♗h3 mate.

The King may even be mated on its initial square.

1

♕xe6+!

’ M

(N . 6)

fxe6

Of 1 ... ♕e7 2 ♕xe7 mate. 2

♗g6 mate.

Rather than increase the action of a mating piece, the sacrifice can allow passage for it. But the piece itself mates. In this last example it is a Rook which mates. The pattern of the mate is quite different. But the mechanism remains the same.

210

211

7. B

’ M

(N . 7)

CHAPTER 7:

Blackburne’s Mate (MATE NO. 7) A castled King may be mated by a Bishop on h7, supported by a Knight on g5, provided the long dark diagonal is controlled by a Bishop as shown in the next diagram: 1

♕xc6+

bxc6

If 1 ... ♖c7 2 ♕xc7 mate. 2

♖b8 mate.

The Black King may also be in the corner which would give us this pattern:

212

213

7. B

Of course, some variations are possible, for instance:

’ M

1

♕h1

h5

2

♕xh5!

gxh5

3

♗h7 mate.

(N . 7)

The first move of the Queen forced the advance of the h-pawn, the following sacrifice opened a mating diagonal for the Bishop. As with Boden’s mate, the essential mechanism consists of opening a decisive diagonal. This mate, with or without the sacrifice of the Queen, is not a rarity, and numerous examples of it are known. The object of the Queen sacrifice is, as in the Boden mate, to force the opening of the mating diagonal. Here is the oldest one we know: To force this position, the attacker must not hesitate to sacrifice Pieces, even if it be the Queen. Here is a typical schematic position.

GAME NO. 59 Jerome Gambit Played at Simpson’s Divan, London, 1880 X – J. H. Blackburne

214

215

7. B

’ M

(N . 7)

Joseph Henry Blackburne (1841-1924) was one of Britain’s strongest players from 1870 to 1914. For a long time he remained champion of England. He excelled in simultaneous and blindfold Chess. 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗c4

♗c5

4

♗xf7+?

♔xf7

5

♘xe5+

♘xe5

6

♕h5+

g6?

The correct continuation is 6 ... ♔e6. But Blackburne was counting on his opponent’s inexperience. 7

♕xe5

d6!

8

♕xh8

♕h4

9

0-0

♘f6

10

c3?

13

...

♕xh3+!

14

gxh3

♗xe4 mate.

This is our typical Mate No. 7B. And now here are two examples that conform strictly to the scheme of 7A: GAME NO. 60 Bird’s Opening Played about 1880

After 10 ♕d8! ♗b6 11 e5 dxe5 12 ♕d3 White remains with the advantage. 10

...

♘g4

11

h3

♗xf2+

12

♔h1

♗f5!

13

♕xa8

216

H. E. Bird – X H. E. Bird (1830-1908) was, from 1850 to 1900, one of the most brilliant English players. He had genius, but his disregard of positional principles led him into adventurous play, so he never gained first places in tournaments. 1

f4

d5

2

e3

c5

3

♘f3

e6

4

b3

♘c6

5

♗b2

♘f6 217

7. B 6

a3

♗e7

7

♗d3

0-0

8

0-0

b6

9

♕e1

♗b7

10

♕h4

g6?

This game, apart from a few inaccurate moves, now has a very modern appearance. But it makes sense that he should play 10 … ♘e4! instead of this weakening push of the Pawn. 11

’ M

(N . 7)

White is only minus the Pawn he has sacrificed. 13

♕xh5

gxh5

14

♗h7 mate.

Some amateurs, playing against masters in simultaneous exhibitions, have undoubtedly been victims of the preceding games. But a Grandmaster – then in his younger years – Salo Flohr, was also a victim of Blackburne’s mate. GAME NO. 61

♘g5

Queen’s Pawn Opening Bilin Tournament, 1930

Threatening 12 ♗xf6 followed by 13 ♕xh7 mate. 11

...

h5

12

g4!

♘xg4?

S. Flohr – R. Pitschak Salo Flohr, born in Prague in 1908, started to play in international tournaments in 1929 and stood out immediately as one of the most formidable masters of his generation. During the Second World War, he became a Soviet citizen and Grandmaster and gained a reputation as a popular chess journalist. He died in 1983. Rudolf Pitschak, of Brno, was a strong Czech player.

Here we have the schematic position. Note that Black is still in possession of all his Pieces, including his eight Pawns, and that 218

1

d4

♘f6

2

♘f3

e6

3

♘bd2

c5

4

e3

b6

5

♗d3

♗b7

6

0-0

♗e7

7

c4

0-0

219

7. B 8

b3

d5

By an inversion of moves the two players have almost reached an approximately ‘normal position’ of the Tarrasch Defence of the Queen’s Gambit Declined. White should now continue 9 ♗b2, with an equal game. 9

♕c2

16

’ M

(N . 7)

g3

Or 16 h3 ♕e5 17 g3 ♕d5, etc. [Even better is 16 ... ♗xg2! 17 ♘xg2 (17 ♔xg2 ♕g5+ 18 ♔h1 ♕f4 wins) 17 ... ♕xh3 18 f4 ♘g4 19 ♘f3 ♘e2+ 20 ♗xe2 ♗c5+ etc.] 16

...

17

h4

♘g4

♘c6

Threatening to exchange the Knight for the attacking Bishop by playing … ♘b4. 10

a3

cxd4

Black takes advantage of the position of the White Queen to open the file and then the long diagonal by … dxc4. 11

cxd5

♕xd5

12

exd4

♘xd4

13

♕b1

One inexact move (9 ♕c2) and the initiative has passed to Black. 13

...

♖fd8

Threatening to win a Piece by 14 ... ♘xf3+, followed by 15 ... ♕xd3. 14

♘e1

15

♗b2

This move does not save the game and allows typical Mate No. 7.

♕h5

17

...

18

Resigns.

♕xh4!

Here is a game which is reminiscent of that of Blackburne. GAME NO. 62

White endeavours to complete his development. But it is too late. In view of Black’s tactical threats, 15 ♘c4 is necessary. 15

...

♗d6! 220

Ruy Lopez Munich, 1932 X – S. Tarrasch 221

7. B Dr. S. Tarrasch (1862-1934), a native of Breslau, was the strongest German master of Lasker’s generation and above all a remarkable theorist. His teachings, clear and logical, although a little dogmatic, have produced excellent players in all countries. 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗b5

a6

4

♗a4

♘f6

5

0-0

♗c5

6

♘xe5

♘xe4

7

♘xc6

bxc6

8

♕f3

♕h4

9

♘c3

♘xc3

10

♗xc6

dxc6

11

♕xc6+

♗d7

12

♕xa8+

♔e7

13

♕xh8

(N . 7)

What can he do? If 15 g3 ♗c6 mate. If 15 ♖xf2 ♕xf2 with an unstoppable mate on g1. The text move does not solve the question. Black announces mate in three moves.

15

...

♕xh3+!!

16

gxh3

♗c6+

17

♔h2

♗g3 mate.

GAME FRAGMENT NO. 2

Since the ‘Immortal’ players have known that sometimes it is very dangerous to go for the win of the opponent’s two Rooks. He should have brought back the Queen to f3. 13

...

♘e2+

14

♔h1

♗xf2

Mate sometimes crops up as a threat during a variation. This was the case in a game Colle – Grünfeld.

Threatening 15 ... ♘g3 mate! (Mate No. 22) 15

’ M

h3

222

223

7. B

’ M

(N . 7)

control of the Black King’s field only after the Queen sacrifice. GAME NO. 63 Giuoco Piano (Published without indication of source in Bulletin Ouvrier des Echecs, March, 1937)

In the diagram position, Colle played 16 ♘g5! and on 16 ... g6? he sacrificed the Knight on f7 with an irresistible attack. The game received a prize for beauty. But in playing 16 ♘g5 Colle must have taken into consideration this piquant continuation: 16

♘g5

♗xg2

17

d5

exd5

18

♘f5

♗f8

19

♕h5!

♘xh5

20

♘h6+

gxh6

21

♗xh7 mate.

It’s Mate No. 7!

1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗c4

♗c5

4

c3

♘f6

5

d4

♗b6?

It is well known that 5 ... exd4 is necessary. 6

dxe5

7

♕d5

♘xe4

Bilguer’s Handbuch points out this continuation in a note and does not go further, so it is clear that White is better. 7

...

♗xf2+

8

♔f1

0-0

9

♕xe4

♗b6

10

♗d3

g6

11

♗g5

♕e8

12

♗f6

d5

To conclude this mate, here is a game which seems to us to have been composed. The typical position is brought about in a curious way, the Knight comes over to take 224

225

8. Ex

CHAPTER 8:

Exercises

We have arrived almost at the position of the scheme. The difference is that the Knight is still on f3. However, the strange position of the Black Queen allows a sacrifice of the White Queen anyway. 13

♕h4

h5

14

♕xh5!!

gxh5

15

♘g5

Resigns.

The mate on h7 cannot be parried. If the Black Queen had been elsewhere, playing 15 ... ♖e8 would have given a flight square to the Black King.

226

227

8. Ex

228

229

8. Ex

230

231

8. Ex

232

233

9. M

N .8

L

’ M

The only way to parry the threat of 2 ♕g7 mate. CHAPTER 9:

Mate No. 8 and Lolli’s Mate The scheme which follows shows the irresistible strength of a simple f-Pawn when it reaches and establishes itself on the f6 square. This Pawn, more valuable than a Piece, controls the g7 square, and if the Queen goes to h6, the mate on g7 is often unstoppable. In the schematic position, Black’s castled formation is still intact, But the White attack will force the fatal advance … g7-g6.

2

any

♕h6

Black has no saving move. 3

♕g7 mate.

Mate No. 8A Lolli’s mates Sometimes Black has time to move the King to h8, as a way of allowing his Rook to come to the defence of g7. If White has the necessary material, this defence will not be sufficient.

Black, threatened by ♕h6 followed by ♕g7 mate, tries a defence. 1

f6

g6

234

1

...

♔h8

2

♕h6

♖g8

235

9. M

N .8

L

’ M

But on g8, the Rook deprives the Black King of a flight square. White exploits this obstruction in the Black King’s field. 3

♕xh7+!!

4

♖h1 mate.

♔xh7

This Queen sacrifice dates back to the eighteenth century. It is credited to Lolli. Finally we note that this mate can occur in a slightly different form, by making use of a pin.

1

♕h6

2

♖a8!

♖g8

Pinning the Rook which defends against the mate. 2

...

any

3

♕g7

mate.

Here are the patterns of Mate No. 8.

1

♕h6

♖g8

2

♕xh7+!

♔xh7

3

♖h5 mate.

The g6 Pawn, being pinned by the Bishop, cannot take the Rook. The pin can occur laterally along the eighth rank.

236

237

10. M

N .9

CHAPTER 10:

Mate No. 9 When the Black g-Pawn has been advanced, a Bishop installed on f6 (or sometimes anywhere on the long dark diagonal) is even stronger than the Pawn was in the previous schemes. In fact the Bishop strikes not only the g7 square, but also the h8 square. If the h-file were open, a Rook or a Queen would mate on h8.

If, in the schematic position, there was no Black h-Pawn – or in other words the h-file was open – White (with or without the move) would mate at once by ♖h8. It is therefore necessary to open this file.

238

239

10. M

One easily arrives at the sacrifice. 1

♖xh7

♔xh7

Forced, since White threatened 2 ♖h8 mate. 2

♖h1+

♔g8

3

♖h8

mate.

The presence of a Black Bishop being able to occupy the g7 square and defend h8 does not stop the attack

Let us consider the scheme 9A, If there were no Pawn on h7, the mate would be delivered immediately by ♖h8 mate. It is therefore necessary to open the h- file. 1

♖xh7

♗g7

2

♖h8+!

♗xh8

Now we come back to the previous scheme. 3

♖xh8 mate.

The position can be met with the Bishop already on g7. If the h-file is open and strongly controlled by White, then mate follows. Let us consider scheme 9B.

1

♖h8+

2

♖xh8 mate.

♗xh8

Mayet’s Mate If, in addition, Black’s f-Pawn is pinned, White can open the h-file even more rapidly. Here is a typical scheme.

And now it is the Bishop on g7 that is the trouble. It is necessary to eliminate it. This is achieved by a sacrifice. 240

N .9

241

10. M

1 1

♕xg6+

2

♖h8 mate.

hxg6

Lolli (1763) has demonstrated that even a Black Queen, though stronger than a Bishop, cannot prevent the mate. Here is a position of his where the mechanism holds good for both scheme 8A and scheme 9. G. Lolli 1763 Giambattista Lolli (1698-1769) was born in Modena, Italy. He was a first-rate player and the author, in 1763, of a justly famous book.

♕h6

N .9

♕f8

Forced, in order to parry the mate on g7. 2

♕xh7+

Opening the h-file. 2

...

♔xh7

3

♖h1+

♕h6

Forced, since if 3 ... ♔g8 4 ♖h8 mate. 4

♖xh6+

♔xh6

If 4 ... ♔g8 5 ♖h8 mate. 5

♖h1 mate.

There is a mate because the Bishop on f6 controls not only g7 and h8, but also g5. And here is the pattern of Mate No. 9:

242

243

10. M 8

♘e2

♗g4

9

♘g3

♕c7

10

♗e3

♘bd7

11

♕d2

N .9

In order to get some play, White deliberately exposes himself to a doubling of his f-Pawns. As compensation the g-file will be opened.

It does not matter if Black’s g-Pawn is missing. The Bishop might be anywhere on the long diagonal (except on g7 or h8). Mates 8 and 9, but more particularly mate No. 9, count among those which are most frequently met in practice. And we are spoiled for choice in finding examples.

11

...

♖fe8

12

♖ae1

♘e4

13

♕c1

It is clear that 13 ♘xe4 loses a Piece because of the fork ... dxe4. And Blackburne, wanting to preserve his attacking Bishop, could not play 13 ♗xe4. 13

...

♗xf3

GAME NO. 64 French Defence Berlin Tournament, 1881 J. H. Blackburne – J. Schwartz 1

e4

e6

2

d4

d5

3

♘c3

♘f6

4

exd5

exd5

5

♘f3

♗d6

6

♗d3

c6

7

0-0

0-0 244

A series of exchanges, the explanation for which is that Black believes he can give perpetual check. 14

gxf3

♘xg3

15

hxg3

♗xg3

245

10. M

16

♔g2

This move came as a surprise to Schwartz, who had only expected 16 fxg3 ♕xg3+, etc. By refusing the sacrifice, White gains access to the h-file. As regards the White King, the continuation of the game will show that it is, despite appearances, relatively sheltered. 16

...

♗d6

17

♖h1

♘f8

N .9

The regrouping of the White forces, with a view to an assault against the castled position, continues without loss of time. This move, preparing ♖eh1, practically forces Black to weaken his castled position by advancing one of the Pawns which protects it. 18

...

g6

Black, compelled to defend his h-Pawn, plays his Knight to f8 rather than to f6, since on f6 it equally defends the g6 square. 18

♖h3

This is a characteristic position. The advance … g7-g6 has created the usual weaknesses on h6 and f6. Having control of the h-file, White is in a position to conduct a decisive attack. Black, demoralized by the 246

247

10. M

failure of his attempts to force a draw, is about to play several weak moves. But even if he had found the strongest moves, White’s attack would have been carried out in the end. Two Bishops, two Rooks and a Queen, in joint action against a weakened castled position, must triumph. But, thinks the attentive reader, White’s castled position is more than weak: it is entirely demolished. Why doesn’t Black also mount an assault against him? Because: 1) Black is primarily occupied with defence; 2) Whereas all the White pieces are converging their action on the north east of the chess board, there is only Black’s Queen and Bishop directed towards the White King; 3) Black has no open file against the White castled position. 19

♖eh1

♖ad8?

A move made mechanically and without any purpose. It was necessary to try to bring the Bishop to f6 and g7 by playing 19 … ♗e7. 20

♗g5

21

c4

N .9

This move weakens the castled position still further. White was threatening ♗f6, followed by ♕h6. 23

♖h4!

In order to prevent 23 ... ♗f4 and preparing 24 ♗f6. 23

...

b5

24

♗d3

♘e6?

This is an error that takes away the Knight from its defensive position on f8. 25

♗f6

Here is the position of our scheme. White threatens not only 26 ♕h6, but also 26 ♖xh5 gxh5 27 ♖xh5, followed by 28 ♖h8 mate (Mate No. 9). 25 ... ♘g7 is insufficient because of 26 ♕h6 ♗f8 27 ♖xh5, and mate on the next move. 25

...

♘f4+

♖d7?

The plan of playing ♗f6, followed by a Rook sacrifice on h7, would be refuted by … ♗f4! The text move was played with the idea of continuing c5, followed by ♗f4, ♗e5 and an eventual sacrifice of the Rook on h7. 21

...

dxc4

22

♗xc4

h5?

248

Black thought he would save everything with this move. On f4 not only does the Knight give check but furthermore it defends the h5 square.

249

10. M

N .9

M. Euwe – R. Loman 1

♘f3

d5

2

c4

d4

3

b4

g6

4

♗b2

♗g7

5

♘a3

This eccentric move heads for c2, as a way of continually attacking the advanced Pawn on d4. This position is famous. It is featured in the majority of text books. For well over a century it has aroused the admiration of several generations of players. The reader who has retained the explanations accompanying the schemes of mate No. 9 will perhaps admire it less … but he will instantly find Blackburne’s reply which, in his day, appeared genius-like. 26

♕xf4!!

27

♖xh5

...

e5

♗xf4

And he will judge superfluous the two exclamation marks which commentators even now habitually gratify this Rook sacrifice. 27

5

...

Resigns.

After a few consolatory sacrifices, mate is inevitable, 27 ... gxh5 28 ♖xh5 ♗h6 29 ♖xh6 ♕h2+ 30 ♔xh2 a6 31 ♖h8 mate. GAME NO. 65 Réti Opening Rotterdam, 1923 250

Also Black defends it. But the two prematurely pushed Black pawns will be a target for White. 6

♘c2

♗g4

7

e3!

♘e7

If 7 ... e4 8 h3, and on 7 ... d3 8 ♘a3, followed by 9 ♕b3. 8

exd4

exd4

9

h3

♗xf3 251

10. M 18

N .9

♖xh8 mate.

Forced in order not to lose a Pawn. It’s Mate No. 9B. 10

♕xf3

c6

11

h4

0-0

12

h5

♖e8

13

0-0-0

a5

A reaction which comes a little late. 14

hxg6

hxg6

15

♕h3

axb4

16

♘xd4!

It is the presumptuous knight which falls. Black cannot recapture and win the Piece. 16

...

♗xd4??

Black falls right into the trap. White announces mate in two.

1

♕xh6!

Threatens 2 ♕xg7 mate (Mate No. 7) and also 2 ♕h7+ followed by 3 ♕h8 mate (Corridor Mate). 1

...

gxh6

2

gxh6+

♔f8

[In fact there’s no mate in 5 if Black plays 2 ... ♕g5, although White is winning easily after 3 ♖xg5+.]

17

♕h8+!

♗xh8 252

It would be premature now to play 3 h7 threatening 4 h8(♕) mate (Mate No. 8) since, by moving his Queen, Black would have a

253

10. M

N .9

flight square on e7. A little preparation is necessary. 3

♖g8+

♔xg8

Here the King is led into a position where the White h-Pawn advances to the seventh rank with check. 4

h7+

5

h8(♕) mate.

♔f8

GAME NO. 66 Vienna Game Manchester Tournament, 1900 E. Schallopp – G. H. D. Gossip 1

e4

e5

2

♘c3

♘f6

3

f4

d5

4

fxe5

♘xe4

5

♘f3

♘xc3

This exchange favours White’s development. Modern players would play only 5 ... ♗e7. 6

bxc3

♗e7

7

d4

0-0

8

♗d3

♗g4

9

♖b1

b6

10

0-0

c5

11

h3

♗h5 254

A position which calls for the ‘Calabrian sacrifice’, which we have examined in a special chapter. 12

♗xh7+

♔xh7

13

♘g5+

♗xg5

14

♕xh5+

Here, in the game, Black played 14 ... ♗h6 and after 15 ♗xh6 gxh6 16 ♖f6, resigned, since on 16 ... ♔g7 the game would have continued 17 ♕xh6+ ♔g8 18 ♕g5+ ♔ any 19 ♖h6 mate. But it is more interesting to examine another defence, demanding more imagination from White in order to deliver a mate. 14

...

♔g8

15

♗xg5

♕c7

255

10. M

Black is only one Pawn down, and it seems that, in spite of his backward development, he will be able to ward off the attack. However there is nothing of this and White has a winning move. 16

♗f6!

Black has no effective defence against 17 ♕g5 followed by 18 ♕xg7 mate (Mate No. 8). He cannot play 16 ... g6 because of 17 ♕h8 mate (Mate No. 9). Let’s review the possible defences. A 16

...

♖c8

17

N .9

♕g5

[Even better is 17 ♖f4! gxf6 18 ♖h4 ♔f8 19 exf6 ♔e8 20 ♕xd5 ♕h2+ (20 ... ♘d7 21 ♖e1+ ♕e5 22 ♖h8+ ♘f8 23 ♖xe5 mate) 21 ♔xh2 ♘d7 22 ♖h8+ ♘f8 23 ♖e1 mate.] 17

...

♔f8

18

♕xg7+

♔e8

And White grabs two more pawns. 19

♕g8+

♔d7

20

♕xf7+

♔c6

21

♕e6+

♔b7

22

♕xd5+

And the win is just a matter of technique. Other moves lead more rapidly to a debacle. B 16

256

...

gxf6

257

10. M

17

exf6

[17 ♕g4+ ♔h7 18 ♖f5 leads to a quicker mate.] 17

...

♕g3

17

♕g5

♘xf6

18

exf6

g6

19

♕h6.

With an unstoppable mate.

To prevent 18 ♕g5+ ♔ moves 19 ♕g7 mate. [If 17 ... ♖c8 18 ♕g4+ ♔f8 19 ♖fe1 and ♕g7 mate.] 18

GAME NO. 67 French Defence A. Nimzowitsch – X

♖f5!

And Black has nothing other than to resign. There remains the arrival of the Queen’s Knight: C 16

N .9

...

♘d7

258

(Remove White’s Queen’s Knight) A well-known variation of Nimzowitsch in the French Defence leads to a more artificial form of this same Bishop sacrifice. 1

e4

e6

2

d4

d5

3

e5

c5

4

♕g4

♘c6

5

♘f3

cxd4

6

♗d3

♘ge7 259

10. M 7

0-0

♘g6

8

♖e1

♗e7

9

a3

0-0

10

h4

15

N .9

♗f6!

Black has no defence against the threat of 16 ♕g5.

10

...

15

...

♘xe5

16

♖xe5!

♕xc2

♘xh4

This capture seems safe, since White does not control the h-file.

If 16 ... gxf6 17 ♕xf6 and mate is unstoppable (Mate No. 9) [Also 17 ♕g3+ is decisive.]

11

♗xh7+!

♔xh7

17

♖g5

12

♘g5+

♗xg5

18

♖xg6 and wins.

13

♗xg5

♕c7

14

♕xh4+

♔g8

[14 ... ♔g6 15 g4 ♖h8 16 ♕xh8 ♔xg5 17 ♕xg7+ leads to mate.]

♕g6

After 15 ♗f6! let’s see the continuation if Black takes the bishop: 15

♗f6

16

exf6

gxf6

And mate on g7 (Mate No. 8) cannot be averted. GAME ENDING NO. 18 260

261

10. M

Monte Carlo Tournament, 1903 H. N. Pillsbury – H. Wolf After some bold play, the following position arose in the game, which clearly arises from a strictly Orthodox Defence of the Queen’s Gambit Declined.

N .9

The first result – Black has weakened his castled position, until now intact, by pushing the g-Pawn. 16

♗b1

♘xe5

In such positions, truly difficult to hold, many players lose their self-control and end up by making this exchange to relieve the pressure of the troublesome Knight. The result: the f4 Pawn arrives menacingly on e5, and the f-file is opened against his castled position. The remedy is worse than the disease. 16 ... ♘f8, was suggested here, in order to defend h7. But 16 ... ♗f8, pointed out by Monsieur F. Le Lionnais in his book Les Prix de Beauté aux Echecs, is incorrect, since after this move White wins a Piece by 17 ♘xd7. 17

This game had developed according to the classical scheme of the famous Pillsbury – Tarrasch game from Hastings 1895. Black is trying to reach an endgame, when he will be able to exploit his majority of Pawns on the Queen’s side. White will launch an attack on the castled position. Here Pillsbury was able, without resistance from Wolf, to build up what is known as the ‘Pillsbury formation,’ characterized by a Knight on e5, supported by a Pawn on f4. Then, if possible, by playing ♖f1-f3-h3 he will use all his pieces for an assault on the castled position. In the diagram position, White has just played 15 ♖f3-h3. 15

...

fxe5

♘d7

Here 17 ... ♘e4 was necessary. But Black underrates the strength of the White offensive and is continually thinking about a counterattack on the Queen’s side. 18

♗xe7

♖xe7

After this double exchange, it seems that Black will have some respite. There is still nothing in it. 19

♕f3

♘f8

20

♖f1

♕d7

21

♕f6

g6

262

263

10. M

Still the same pipe dream! counterattack on the Queen’s side. 25

N .9

The

♖f4

Bringing up the last semi-inactive White Piece to be able to control the h-file. 25

...

♖b8

With the idea of dislodging the White Queen on f6 by … ♖b6. But it is a little late.

The Queen is on a square which is usually occupied by a Bishop or a Pawn. Black must drive it away. 21

...

b4?

A serious mistake. First of all, in principle, because before thinking about winning a Pawn endgame on the Queen’s side, he should be wondering if a mate is not being prepared in the other corner of the chessboard. Secondly, tactically, because the Pawn move voluntarily opens a way for the Queen’s Knight to enter into play. After this mistake the attack gathers pace. 22

♘a4!

♕c7

And not 22 ... ♖e6 with the naive thought of capturing the Knight once the attacked Queen retreats, since White would play 23 ♕f2 and if 23 ... ♕xa4 24 ♕xf7+ with a winning attack. 23

♘c5

♗c8

24

♖h6

a5

264

There is an absolutely winning move here. If you have memorized the typical mating positions that we have already studied, you will be able to find for yourself this move, which, in 1903, was raved over by the gallery (which was however made up, quite frankly, only of J.Arnous de Rivière, the veteran Frenchman who directed the tournament, Prince Dadian de Mingrelia, an arrogant brute who published brilliant games he claimed to have played but which in fact were fabricated for him by starving players, Tinsley who represented The Times, and other members of the press.

265

10. M 26

N .9

Let us now return to the game. Wolf played:

♗xg6!

What is the sense of this move?

26

...

♖b6

1) It exploits the weakness of the eighth rank (abandoned by the Queen and King’s Rook and denied protection by the Queen’s Rook, intercepted by the Queen’s Bishop) if 26 … fxg6 27 ♕xf8 mate. 2) It threatens a mate in four moves if Black makes an indifferent reply. For example: 26

...

c3

27

♗xh7+

♘xh7

28

♖xh7

With the threat of delivering Mate No. 9. 28

...

♔xh7

29

♖h4+

♔g8

30

♖ or ♕h8 mate.

Here Pillsbury missed the bus. He had two ways of mating in five moves, as was pointed out after the game by an amateur from Pittsburgh, U.S.A, James C. Boyce, namely by playing 27 e6 or 27 ♘e6. He played a move which also wins, but not as quickly and which we are going to look at as a sub-variation.

It’s Mate No. 9. There are two defences to the perceived threat. A counterattack on the Queen by ... ♖b6 which was played in the game and ... ♘xg6 which we will examine first. 26

...

♘xg6

27

♖xg6+

hxg6

28

♖h4

any

29

♖h8 mate.

27

The exclamation mark is because the move is pretty. The question mark is because it is not the best. 27

...

♘xg6

If 27 ... ♕xb6 28 ♗xh7+ ♘xh7 29 ♖xb6, and White, the exchange and two Pawns up, wins easily … but after some time. 28

266

♕xb6!?

♕f6

♖e8 267

10. M

If 28 ... ♘xf4 29 exf4, followed by 30 ♖h5, and wins. 29

♖f1

♗e6

30

♕g5

♔h8

31

♕h5

♘f8

32

♘xe6

♖xe6

33

♖xe6

Resigns

For after 33 ... ♘xe6, 34 ♖xf7 attacks the Queen and threatens mate.

29

♖g4+

30

♖h8 mate.

N .9

♘g5

Or else: 27

...

♗xe6

28

♗xh7+

♘xh7

29

♖xh7

♔xh7

30

♖h4+

♔g8

31

♖h8 mate.

In both cases it is Mate No. 9. This is the way that Pillsbury should have completed the attack that he started so brilliantly. 27

♘e6!

GAME NO. 68 Queen’s Gambit Accepted Vienna Variation Played in August, 1939, on board the Piriapolis, on the sea somewhere between Antwerp and Buenos Aires.

Threatening 28 ♕g7 mate. 27

...

♖bxe6

28

♗xh7+

♘xh7

268

In August 1939, in Buenos Aires, took place the Tournament of Nations. In Antwerp all the European participants got on board a Belgian ship Piriapolis which the Argentine Chess Federation had placed at their disposal. During the long journey and while a storm roared over Europe, they played bridge and chess. They analysed the latest variations and particularly those of the Vienna Defence which resulted from the game Kotov – Yudovich, which had just been played in Moscow. The game which we see here is one of the innumerable rapid games which were played during the journey. Was it really played? Was it analysis? And who were the authors? It doesn’t matter. It is a splendid 269

10. M

illustration of Mate No. 9, and ends with a series of ‘problem moves’. 1

d4

d5

2

♘f3

♘f6

3

c4

e6

4

♗g5

dxc4

5

e4

♗b4+

6

♘c3

c5

11

♔f1!

12

♔g1

N .9

♕xc4+

A variation of the Queen’s Gambit Accepted, which was played a great deal by Viennese players from 1935 to 1938 and analysed by Grünfeld. 7

♗xc4

An innovation, credited to the Russian player Kotov (in his game against Yudovich). Previously, 7 e5 was played (Fine – Grünfeld, Amsterdam, 1936; Fine – Euwe, A.V.R.O., 1938). It was of particular interest to the players on board the Piriapolis as it was not included in the 6th edition of Modern Chess Openings, revised by Fine, which had just been published and which everyone had with them on board. 7

...

cxd4

8

♘xd4

♕a5

9

♗xf6!

♗xc3+

An extraordinary position and one which after the Tournament of Nations in Buenos Aires was made the object of deep analyses. These seemed to prove that the only defence for Black is 12 ... ♘d7 13 ♖c1 ♕a6 14 ♗xg7 ♖g8 15 ♗h6 with a position in which only practice can determine if one of the sides stands better than the other. 12

...

0-0?

13

♕g4

g6

14

♕f4

Threatening to play ♕h6 in order to inflict Mate No. 9. 14

Yudovich dared not embark on any adventures and preferred 9...gxf6, after which White stood much better. 10

♘d7

To remove the dangerous Bishop. 15

bxc3

...

e5

♕xc3+ 270

271

10. M

N .9

Threatening 16 ♘f5! winning the Queen. 15

...

16

exf6

♘xf6

Now the Bishop has been replaced by a Pawn and it remains to parry the threat of Mate No. 8. 16

...

17

♖d1

♔h8

Threatening, in particular, to play h4-h5!, and defending the Knight. 17

...

♕b4

In order to go to f8 to defend the weak g7 square. 18

♕h6

19

♘f3!

♖g8

The Queen’s Knight can now equally go to e5 or g5. 19

...

20

♘g5!

♕f8

A splendid problem move. If 20 ... ♕xh6 21 ♘xf7 mate! Black thinks he can get away with a Rook sacrifice. 20

...

♖g7

21

♖d8!!

Resigns.

Because now that the Queen is pinned, the new threat of Mate No. 8, 22 ♕xg7 mate, can be parried only be retreating the Rook, which allows the other mate, 22 ♕xh7 mate. ‘How splendid!’ said V. Kahn on showing this game on his return from Buenos Aires. ‘I have already seen something like that!’ replied G. Renaud. And he placed on the chessboard the following problem, probably not known by all the travellers on the Piriapolis.

272

273

10. M

N .9

The problem is amusing and in the style of the epoch. But how much more we prefer the game. These attacks against the King which we have examined are equally valid when they are moved over by one or several files.

And here is the solution: 1

♕h6

♖g8

2

♘e4

♕f8

3

♘g5!

♖g7

Up to here it is exactly the final theme of the Piriapolis game. But the continuation is different because the White material is not the same. 4

♘1f3

♔g8

5

♘e5

♔h8

6

♘d7

♕g8

7

h3

♕f8

8

♘xf8

♔g8

9

♕xg7 mate.

274

In the position seen here, Black has just played ... ♖g4? This move gives White the opportunity to sacrifice the Queen, as while Black is busy capturing it, he will manage to double the Rooks on the d-file and threaten mate on d8 (Mate No. 9). 23

♖xd7

24

♖ad1

♖xh4

The position is already untenable. Black must give back material. 275

10. M 24

...

♗e7

25

♖xe7+

♔f8

The King has been able to move … but White renews the threat. 26

♖ed7

N .9

Black, who blocked his Queen’s Bishop on the 5th move (since … e7-e5 appeared to allow White an advantage), is now forced to free it and so prepares … b7-b6. 7

♗d3

♘c6

A little more precise is ... cxd4, followed by ... ♗d7 and ... ♘c6.

A courteous player would have resigned after the 24th move but in chess there are always some misguided individuals who, in a dead lost position. vainly cling on in the hope that their opponent will suddenly die of apoplexy. The best tactic against these discourteous opponents is not to get impatient but to mate them without pity ... then refuse to play with them again. 26

...

♔g8

27

♖d8+

Resigns.

GAME NO. 69 Caro-Kann Defence

8

dxc5

♗xc5

9

a3

0-0

Instead of ... 0-0, he could play ... a7-a5 in order to prevent b2-b4. 10

0-0

b6

11

b4

♗e7

12

♗b2

♕c7

A loss of time which allows White to gain a markedly better position. 12 ... ♗b7 was indicated.

Vienna, February, 1929 R. Spielmann – B. Hönlinger 1

e4

c6

2

d4

d5

3

♘c3

dxe4

4

♘xe4

♘f6

5

♘g3

e6

6

♘f3

c5 13 276

b5 277

10. M

An attacking player, Spielmann – who had already got the measure of his young opponent: this was the eighth game of a match of ten games won by Spielmann (+5 -2 =3) – does not hesitate to weaken his position on the Queen’s side in order to obtain a game full of promise on the King’s side. The Knight has hardly any choice. On a5 it will be out of play but on b8, in order then to go to d7, it would allow ♗e5! 13

...

♘a5

14

♘e5

♗b7

15

♘g4!

♕d8

N .9

A second error. Black, in taking away his King’s Knight, deprives his castled position of an essential Piece for its defence. With two Bishops, two Knights and one Queen directed at the Black King, White wants to launch an assault, methodically. Above all, he wants to force the advance of one of the pawns of the enemy castled position. 17

♕h5

17

...

Black now recognizes that his twelfth move was incorrect. The Queen returns to her initial square in order to avoid ♘xf6+ gxf6, with a destruction of the castled position. Naturally 15 ... ♘xg4 did not come into consideration. On the other hand 15 ... ♕f4 could be contemplated. White would have played 16 ♗xf6 ♗xf6 17 ♘h5 ♕g5 18 ♘hxf6+ gxf6 19 f4, with an attack. 16

♘e3

♘d5?

g6

Black is absolutely without any resources. It is necessary for him to parry the threat of mate in one move: 18 ♕xh7. Let us digress first: 17 ... ♘f6, which loses a Piece by 18 ♗xf6 g6 19 ♗xe7, etc. Other than the text move, 17 … g6, there remains to consider the other Pawn advances. If 17 ... f5, the four White minor pieces and the Queen will concentrate their action on the castled position and all sacrifices become possible. Spielmann himself pointed out the continuation which he had envisaged: 278

279

10. M 17

...

f5

19

♘ef5+

exf5

18

♘exf5

exf5

20

♘xf5+

♔f6

21

♕xh6+

♔e5

22

f4+

If 18 ... g6 19 ♘h6 mate. 19

♘xf5

He must now parry the threat of mate in four moves: 20 ♘xe7+ ♕ or ♘xe7 21 ♗xh7+ ♔h8 22 ♗g6+ ♔g8 23 ♕h7 mate. We let the student verify that neither 19 ... ♘f6 nor 19 ... ♖f6 constitute a sufficient defence. Mate cannot be avoided, even at the cost of heavy sacrifices. If 17 ... h6, another sacrifice immediately becomes possible: 17

...

h6

N .9

... with an irresistible attack. [But quicker is 22 ♖ae1+ ♘e3 23 ♕xe3+ ♗e4 24 ♕xe4+ ♔f6 25 ♕h4+ ♔g6 26 ♕h6 mate.] However, thinks the reader, did Spielmann, in playing 17 ♕h5, foresee all these triumphant sacrifices? Certainly not. It is principles which serve for this. It is not possible that five Pieces will not finally invade the beleaguered castled position. Any player with a little experience senses that in such a position he will find a decisive sacrifice which will upset the equilibrium and lead either to mate or such gain of material that the opponent will have to resign. The text move brings about another weakening of the castled position, and allows Spielmann a brilliant continuation. 18

18

♗xg7!

♘g4!

♔xg7

Insufficient would be 18 ... ♗g5, since White would continue, not by taking the Rook (which in itself is enough to win the game), but with 19 ♗xh6. 280

281

10. M

N .9

If 19 ... ♕xf6 20 ♗xf6 gxh5 21 ♘xh5, and Black is left a Pawn down in a lost endgame without a shadow of a counter-chance. 20

♕h6

♖c8

On 20 ... ♕d5, 21 ♗e4! would win.

18

...

♗f6

It is clear that if 18 ... gxh5 19 ♘h6 mate. This is the typical Mate No. 9B.

21

♖ad1

♕e7

22

♖fe1

♘e8

The only square for the knight which must, in retreating, protect g7 against Mate No. 8. The six White Pieces are in action. The moment of decision has arrived. Black’s defensive position has to crumble.

The defence 18 ... ♘f6 is no better. White would continue 19 ♕e5, and the Knight, attacked three times (Bishop, Queen and Knight), cannot withdraw on account of mate on g7 or h8. Black loses at least a Piece. For example: 18 … ♘f6 19 ♕e5 ♔g7 20 ♘h5+! gxh5 21 ♕g5+ ♔h8 22 ♘xf6, and wins. [Even better is 22 ♗xf6+ ♗xf6 23 ♕h6 ♗e4 24♗xe4 and 25♕xh7 mate.] 19 ... ♕d5 (instead of ... ♔g7) 20 ♕xd5 ♗xd5 (if 20 ... ♘xd5 21 ♘h6 mate) leaves White a piece up after 21 ♘xf6+. Finally, on 18 ... f6, a new weakening of the castled position only occurs if White exploits it at once by the sacrifice 19 ♗xg6! hxg6 20 ♕xg6+ ♔h8 21 ♘h5, and wins. The text move, therefore, seems the best defence, though still not sufficient. 19

♘xf6+

♘xf6

282

23

♘f5!

♕c5

What else can Black do in this unpleasant position? If 23 ... gxf5 24 ♗xf5 (threatening an immediate mate) 24 ... f6 25 ♗xe6+ ♔h8, and White forces the decision either by 26 ♗xc8 or by 26 ♖d7.

283

10. M

If 23 ... ♕c7 24. ♗f6!, and it is necessary to give up the Queen to parry 25 ♘e7+, since if 24 ... gxf5 25 ♕g5+ and mate next move, and if 24 ... exf5; 25 ♖xe8! 24

♖e5

♗d5

27

...

28

♖h8 mate.

♔g8

The pattern of Mate No. 8B has been followed by Mate No. 9.

Here Spielmann announced mate in four moves, as follows. 25

♘e7+

The sacrifice of the knight has no other object than to unmask the Bishop on d3. 25

...

26

♕xh7+!

♕xe7

The classic Queen sacrifice to open the hfile. 26

...

27

♖h5+

♔xh7

Exploitation of the pin of the Knight on g6. 284

N .9

285

11. A

CHAPTER 11:

’ M

(C

N . 9)

1

♗xh7+

♔xh7

2

♕h5+

♔g8

3

♕h8 mate.

Anderssen’s Mate (CONTINUATION OF MATE NO. 9)

The next scheme, where the g-Pawn is missing, shows the same mate. 1 ♕g2+ does not lead to the goal because Black is able to cover the vertical check either by … ♗g4 or by … ♘g6.

The advance of the g-Pawn by one square weakens the castled position. It goes without saying that the advance by two squares of the same Pawn (or its disappearance, or its doubling on a neighbouring file) produces a greater weakening. Indeed the b1-h7 diagonal also finds itself open to action by a Bishop. In all the positions of the No. 9 schemes, where the g-Pawn is missing, advanced two squares or transferred to a neighbouring file, the sacrifice of this Bishop on h7 gives us a means of brutally opening the h-file and administering the mate on h8.

1

♗xh7+

♔xh7

2

♕h5+

♔g8

3

♕h8 mate.

What characterises the No. 9 schemes, is a Bishop on f6 (or elsewhere on the long diagonal) commanding the squares g7 (Mate No. 7) and h8 (Mate No. 9). The opening of the h-file by a sacrifice of a Rook (Mate No. 9), a Bishop (Mates Nos. 9D and E) or even a Queen (Mates Nos. 9C and F) allows a Piece

286

287

11. A

’ M

(C

N . 9)

on the long sidewalk (Queen or Rook) to mate on h8. It goes without saying that if we substitute the Bishop placed on f6 (or on the diagonal) with a Pawn installed on g7, we would no longer have the possibility of a mate in this case (Mate No. 7), but we do retain all the possibilities of a mate at h8 (Mate No. 9).

1

♗xh7+

♔xh7

2

♖h1+

♔g8

3

♖h8 mate.

Here are a few practical examples of Anderssen’s mate:

In this game, around the 8th move, Black had sacrificed two Pawns and obtained the initiative, reaching the position in the diagram. White has just played 23 ♖ce1, attacking the Rook on e8 for a second time. Instead of defending the Rook, Schallopp leaves it en prise and plays a move which obliges Gunsberg to resign. Which move? Before going further, find it by bearing in mind scheme 9D. 23

...

24

Resigns

♕f6!!

Since there is no defence against the threat.

288

25

(♖xe8)

♗h2+

26

♔xh2

♕xh4+

27

♔g1

♕h1 mate.

289

11. A

Here is an example of Mate No. 9E, delivered in the opening of a game. GAME NO. 70 French Defence Denmark, 1934 K. Blom – V. Jensen 1

e4

e6

2

d4

d5

3

♘c3

dxe4

4

♘xe4

♗d6

5

♗d3

♘e7

6

♗g5

0-0?

An error which is immediately fatal. Before castling, Black should have obtained control of the f6 square by ... ♘d7.

’ M

(C

N . 9)

Because: 1) Four White Pieces, two Bishops, the Queen’s Knight and the Queen are already in action or have the possibility of operating against the Black King. 2) On e7 the King’s Knight does not defend the h7 square, which is its essential mission after castling has taken place. 3) On e7 the King’s Knight interrupts the action of the Queen on f6. 7

♘f6+!!

A sacrifice of a piece which has as its objective: 1) To unmask the Bishop on d3; 2) To demolish the castled position if it is accepted; 3) To attack the h7 square twice if it is refused. 7

...

gxf6

In case of a refusal, the continuation would have been: 7

...

♔h8

8

♕h5

h6

9

♗xh6

Black’s game is hopelessly lost and there is no remedy. Why?

290

291

winning

11. A

’ M

15

♕xh6+

16

♕h7 mate.

(C

N . 9) ♔g8

We have given these variations to show that Black had no way of escape. 8

9

...

♗xf6!

♘f5

1) 9 ... gxh6 10 ♕xh6 mate. 2) 9 ... gxf6 10 ♗d2+ ♔g8 11 ♕h7 mate; 3) 9 ... g6 10 ♕h4 ♘f5 11 ♗xf5 and mates (11 … ♗b4+ 12 ♔f1 ♕xf6 13 ♕xf6+ and 14 ♕g7 mate or 12 … g5 13 ♗xg5 and 14 ♕h6 mate). 4) 9 ... ♘g8 10 ♗g5+ ♘h6 11 ♗xh6 g6 (11 ... ♕xf6 12♗xg7++ and 13♕h7 mate) 12 ♕h4, and mate can only be delayed by heavy and useless sacrifices: 12 … ♗b4+ 13♔f1 ♕xd4 14♕xd4 etc. 10

♗xg7++

♔xg7

11

♕g5+

♔h8

12

♗xf5

♗b4+

13

♔f1

♕xf6

[If 13 ... ♗d2 14 f4 ♗xf4 15 ♕h4+ ♔g7 16 ♘h5+ ♔h6 17 ♕xf4+ ♔xh5 (relatively best is 17 ... ♕g5) 18 g4+ ♔h4 19 ♕h6 mate.] 14

♕h5+

Here is the position of schemes 9D and 9E. These can only be averted by a sacrifice of the Queen. 8

...

♕d7

Black has only taken into account the vertical threat 9 ♕g4+ and unpins his Knight so that the Queen will not be en prise after 9 … ♘g6. [After 8 ... ♗b4+ 9 c3 ♕d5 10 cxb4 ♘g6 11 ♘f3 White has an extra Pawn and a clear advantage.] 9

♗xh7+

♔xh7

10

♕h5+

♔g8

♕h6 292

293

11. A 11

♕h8 mate

Here finally is a combination, based on Mate No. 9 and which probably is the prototype.

’ M

(C

N . 9)

The Black King would benefit from an intermediate move so that it could take flight. A second sacrifice on h7 brings it back to a position to be mated, without Black being able to breathe and especially without allowing it any air by a move of the Rook on f7. 31

...

♔xh7

32

♖h3+

♔g8

33

♖h8 mate.

If on the second move Black plays 30 ... ♕xd3, then 31 ♖h3+ and 32 ♖h8 mate. This combination of Anderssen’s is found in all the text books. It makes an impression on novices, who have the tendency to judge the value of a combination by the quantity of sacrificed pieces. And it has taught them nothing because until the present work it had never been attached, as we are doing here, to a group of typical mating combinations. 29

♕xh7+

The opening of the h-file (Lolli’s sacrifice). 29

...

30

f6+

♔xh7

To obstruct the action of the Black Queen on the sixth rank. 30

...

31

♗h7+

♔g8

294

295

12. M

N .10

P

y’ M

allows the King to return to g8 and a vertical check allows the saving push ... f7-f6. CHAPTER 12:

Mate No. 10 and Pillsbury’s Mate

2

♖g8+

This double check enables White to force mate. 3

...

3

♖g1 mate.

♔xg8

The power of the double check, which we have studied in a general way in two other chapters, equally comes into play in several typical mates and especially in the mate of Rook and Bishop, as for the No. 9 mates. The next diagram shows a position which is quite often met in practice, but which is usually very badly handled by novices

There is no shortage of practical examples. Here are two of them.

The first move is obvious. 1

♖xg7+

♔h8

But it is here that one should not be derailed. Any horizontal check by the Rook 296

297

12. M

1 1

♖xg7+

♔h8

2

♖g8+

♔xg8

3

♖g1+

♕g5

4

♖xg5 mate.

The next position is more complicated, and the typical mate is concealed. But all will be revealed.

N .10

♗xf6!

P

y’ M

♖xh4

If 1 ... ♗xf6 2 ♕xf6 g6 3 ♘c3 and White is a Knight up. 2

♖xg7+

♔h8

3

♖g8+

♔xg8

4

♖g1+

♖g4

5

♖xg4+

♕g5+

6

♖xg5 mate.

Pillsbury’s Mate Mate No. 10B Here again there is an elementary application of the power of the double check. When a beginner comes across a position conforming to scheme No.10B, without stopping to think for a moment, he hurries to greedily take the Rook, as a way of winning

298

299

12. M

the exchange. The experienced player prefers to announce mate in three moves, as follows:

1

♖g1+

♔h8

2

♗g7+

♔g8

3

♗xf6 mate.

The pattern of the mate is the same as Mate No. 10. The following game illustrates Mate No. 10 in an amusing way. GAME NO. 71 Queen’s Gambit Declined Blindfold Display, Philadelphia 1900 H. N. Pillsbury – C. Newman [Not Pillsbury – Lee, London 1899, as given by the authors.] 1

d4

d5

2

c4

e6

3

♘c3

♘f6 300

N .10

P

4

♗g5

♘bd7

5

e3

♗e7

6

♘f3

b6?

y’ M

This move, which is never very good in the Orthodox Defence of the Queen’s Gambit Declined, is an absolute mistake before castling. It was Pillsbury who found the brilliant refutation of it. 7

cxd5!

The moment that Black had shown by his previous move that he planned to install his bishop in a ‘fianchetto’ on b7, White hurries to deny the opponent the opportunity to open the long diagonal by ... d5xc4. 7

...

exd5

The recapture with the Knight does not allow Black to keep the long diagonal open. After 7 ... ♘xd5 8 ♘xd5 Black in fact is forced to take with the Pawn since if he plays 8 ... ♗xg5 White would win a Pawn by 9 ♘xc7+. 301

12. M 8

♗b5

12

Seizing the a4-e8 diagonal, pinning the Queen’s Knight and threatening to establish himself in the hole that Black has created in his position on c6. 8

...

9

♘e5!

♗b7

Exploiting the pin to come to e5 with the King’s Knight and attacking the weak c6 square for a second time. 9

...

10

♗c6

0-0

N .10

P

y’ M

♘c6

The arrival of the Knight in the hole leads to the win of a Pawn. 12

...

♕e8

13

♘xe7+

♕xe7

And here is the whole point of the manoeuvre. The Pawn on d5 is eliminated. 14

♘xd5

♕e4

Black hopes to find compensation and simultaneously attacks the Knight on d5 and the Pawn on g2. 15

gxf6

♘xf6+

It is clear that if 15 ... ♘xf6 White has time to castle and calmly hold on to his extra Pawn. 16

♗h6

♕xg2?

The mistake. It is excusable, since the combination which follows can pass unnoticed by any player unfamiliar with the typical mating positions.

White installs a Piece in the hole. 10

...

♖b8

If 10 ... ♗xc6 11 ♘xc6 ♕e8 12 ♘xe7+, with a continuation analogous to that in the game. 11

♗xb7

♖xb7 302

303

12. M

N .10

P

y’ M

Black’s move regains the lost Pawn and attacks an unprotected Rook. It seems excellent. [Pillsbury now won the game after 17 ♔d2 ♕xf2+ 18 ♔c1 ♔h8 19 ♖g1 ♘e5 20 dxe5 and not by the following pretty move attributed to him by the authors. However we suspect Pillsbury had opportunities to make this Queen sacrifice on later occasions.] 17

White has a magnificent position. By shifting the Knight, he can dominate the long dark diagonal. He can also occupy the open gfile against the enemy King by playing ♖g1. 15

♘xd5!

♕f3!!

If the Queen sacrifice is accepted, White mates in four moves. 17

...

♕xf3

18

♖g1+

♔h8

19

♗g7+

♔g8

20

♗xf6+

♕g4

21

♖xg4 mate.

It is obvious that if 15 ... ♘xd5 16 ♕xg7 mate. Black has three plausible continuations: 15 ... exd5 and 15 ... ♘e8, which, as we shall see, lead to mate, and 15 ... e5 which after 16 ♘xf6+, leaves White with a material advantage. 15

...

exd5

White announces mate in three. 16

gxf6

♕xf6

It’s mate No. 10B. And if the Queen sacrifice is refused by 17 ... ♕g6, then Black loses a whole Rook

To avoid 17 ♕xg7 (Mate No. 8). [16 ... d4 17 ♗xd4 ♗xb4+ 18 axb4 ♕xd4 stops the mate but at ruinous cost of material.]

304

305

12. M 17

♖g1+

18

♗xf6 mate.

♔h8

N .10

Let us now consider the other defence, which was actually played in the game. ...

♘e8

16

♘f6+!

gxf6

If 16 ... ♘xf6 17 ♕xf6 and mate in two moves as in the previous variation. [In fact 17 ... e5 stops the mate. So better is 16 ♕xg7+ ♘xg7 17 ♘f6+ ♔h8 18 ♘xd7 ♖fd8 19 ♖g1 ♖xd7 20♗xg7+ with two extra Pawns.] 17

♖g1+

♔h8

If 17 ... ♘g7 18 ♖xg7+ etc. 18

♕xf6+

19

♗xf6 mate.

♘xf6

306

y’ M

It is still the same typical Mate No. 10.

It’s Mate No. 10.

15

P

307

13. Ex

CHAPTER 13:

Exercises

308

309

13. Ex

310

311

13. Ex

312

313

14. D

’ M

(N . 11. 12

13)

CHAPTER 14:

Damiano’s Mates (MATES NOS. 11, 12 AND 13) The study of Mate No. 8 has led us to this conclusion that a Pawn thrust into f6 like a wedge in the enemy position and controlling g7, acquires considerable power and allows the attacker several kinds of mate. This conclusion holds good for other Pawns and that leads us to examine other types of mate. In the position in the diagram where the Pawn is on g6, White mates in three moves.

1 314

♖ any

♕h5 315

14. D 2

♕h7+

3

♕h8 mate

♔f8

’ M

(N . 11. 12

13)

… ♔f8 and White 6 ♕h8 mate. The pattern of the mate is clearly that of mate No. 8.

One notices that the mate is only possible because the e7 square is obstructed.

When there is no Black Pawn in front of the King, White might deliver another type of mate if he can check on his first move.

In 1512, Damiano published the amusing position that follows. In order to get his Queen into action White must first get rid of his cumbersome Rooks. He does this by sacrifices.

1

♖h8+

♔xh8

2

♖h1+

♔g8

3

♖h8+

♔xh8

4

♕h1+

♔g8

5

♕h7 mate.

1

♕h5+

♔g8

2

♕h7+

♔f8

3

♕f7 mate.

A common stratagem, similar to that of Damiano, which was its inspiration, consists of removing a Black Piece placed in front of the Pawn, as in the scheme which we see here, and which prevents the passage of the Queen from h7 to f7.

If one imagines that there is no Rook on f8 but a Black Queen on e7, Black would play 5 316

317

14. D

1

♖h8+

♗xh8

2

♕h7+

♔f8

3

♕f7 mate.

This device holds good for any file, as shown by the similar mate carried out by the French master Betbeder against the Romanian player Tyroler.

318

’ M

(N . 11. 12

1

♖f8+

♗xf8

2

♕f7+

♔d8

3

♕d7 mate

319

13)

14. D

’ M

(N . 11. 12

13)

But how to gain access for the Queen on h7? The answer lies in the question. Blackburne does not hesitate. 1

♖xg7+

♔xg7

Very clearly, he must take; the retreat to h8 allows an easy win: 1

...

♔h8

2

♖h7+

♔g8

3

g7!

Both sides have the same number of Pieces, but Black has a Pawn more and his two magnificent Passed Pawns on the Queen’s side appear to promise a great future. If by a miracle, all the Pieces were removed, White, with or without the move, would just resign. As the Pieces stand at present, one does not see, at first sight, an advantage for White. The Queen and the Rook on g1 command a file that is well and truly closed. The Knight does not attack anything much. Only the Rook on c7 and the Pawn on g6 are primed for attack. The White Pawn, wedged into g6 and firmly supported, sends a message to the experienced player. It is this which we have called Damiano’s Pawn. It is the Pawn which allows the mate on h7 when the Queen is able to gain access.

320

Here the Queen and the Rook on the g-file enter the play. Black is lost. If 3 ... ♔xh7 4 g8(♕)+ ♖xg8 5 ♕xg8 mate. If 3 ... ♖8f6 4 ♖h8+ ♔f7 5 g8(♕)+ and mate in two moves. If 3 ... ♖d8 4 ♕g6! and 5 ♖h8 mate. If 3 ... ♔f7 4 gxf8(♕)+ ♔xf8 5 ♕g8 mate. 2

♘h5+!

321

14. D

The move has no other object than to abruptly open (since it is check) the h2-b8 diagonal for the White Queen. 2

...

♖xh5

’ M

(N . 11. 12

13)

Black cannot return to the first rank on account of Damiano’s mate, 4 ♕h7 mate. Nothing remains except to resign, as upon 3

...

♔f6

Not taking does not save Black. 2

...

3

♕c7

♔g8

4

Threatening Damiano’s Mate (Mate No. 11B) 3

...

♖5f7

4

gxf7++

♔h7

5

♕g3

♗g4

6

♕xg4

♕d6+

♗e6

If 4 ... ♔g7 5 ♕e7+, and mate in two moves. 5

♕xf8+

6

♕xf7 mate.

♗f7

Damiano’s Bishop (Mate No. 12A)

And mate next move. 3

White would announce mate in three moves:

Resigns.

♕c7+

It is obvious that, if the attacker has a Bishop instead of a Pawn, all the No. 11 positions examined with a Pawn are equally valid. But the mobility of this Bishop allows some other attacks, absolutely classical and

322

323

14. D

which it is even more important to know as they are met every day in practical play.

’ M

(N . 11. 12

1

♗g6+

♔ moves

2

♕h7+

♔f8

3

♕xf7 mate.

13)

A practical remark. In the course of the game, the attacker frequently has a position of the kind shown in the following scheme.

1

♗g6+

2

♕h7 mate.

♔g8

The pattern of the mate is that of Mate No. 8 where a Bishop replaces the Pawn. The novice has a tendency to play 1 ♕xh7+ and it is quite a surprise to see that the attacked King manages to take flight. This position is not only an application of the previous schemes, there is a mate in four moves.

324

1

♗xh7+

♔h8

2

♗g6+

♔g8

3

♕h7+

♔f8

4

♕xf7 mate.

325

14. D

’ M

(N . 11. 12

13)

The stratagem of Damiano, consisting of sacrificing a Rook in order to make room for the Queen, is equally valid in the following types of position.

1

♗xh7+

2

♗g6+

♔h8

The Bishop masks the Black Queen. 2

...

1

♗h7+

♔h8

2

♗g6+

♔g8

3

♖h8+

♔xh8

4

♕h5+

♔g8

5

♕h7 mate.

Mate No. 13

♔g8

3

♖h8+

♔xh8

4

♕h5+

♔g8

5

♕h7 mate.

We have already met several types of mate in which a pin played an important part (2A, 8B, 8C, 9C). The simplest mate of all, Berger’s mate, delivered by a Queen supported by a Bishop was presented by Damiano in 1512 with the help of a pin.

This manoeuvre is frequently met in practice. Here is one example among hundreds.

326

327

14. D

’ M

(N . 11. 12

13)

A Rook sacrifice on the first move will bring about Damiano’s position. 1

♖h8+

♔xh8

2

♕h6+

♔g8

3

♕xg7 mate.

The position is quite elementary and we only give it as preparation for the following scheme. 1

♕xa6+

2

♕xb7 mate.

328

♔b8

329

15. M 2

CHAPTER 15:

Morphy’s Mates (MATES NOS. 14, 15 AND 16)

y’ M

♖g1+

(N . 14, 15, 16) ♔h8

And a mating diagonal. 3

♗xf6 mate.

The pattern of the mate is very similar to that of Mate No. 10.

In a game against L. Paulsen, at the New York tournament in 1857, Morphy astonished the onlookers by sacrificing his Queen for a Knight to obtain a mating attack. This has become a classic sacrifice.

The only difference lies in the angular position of the King. The same sacrifice takes place if the King has not castled, and if the Rook is on its initial square, provided that access to the e-file is prohibited to the Black King.

1

gxf6

♕xf6

The acceptance of the sacrifice (and here the acceptance is forced) opens two lines. An attacking file. 330

331

15. M

1

The sacrifice opens attacking diagonal. 2

♗h6+

3

♖g1 mate.

two

(N . 14, 15, 16)

If the eighth rank is not defended (say, by a Rook on b8), there would be a second mate by 3 ♖e8 mate.

gxf6

♕xf6

y’ M

lines.

An

♔g8

And a mating file. The pattern of the mate is comparable to that of Mate No. 10.

The pattern of the mate is then only a variation of the Corridor Mate. In practice, it is very rare to obtain a position which allows one to deliver mate in a given number of moves immediately after a 332

333

15. M

Queen sacrifice. Most often, Morphy’s sacrifice allows a player a winning attack with a later mate and one in which counter sacrifices can only delay or salvage a draw by perpetual check.

y’ M

(N . 14, 15, 16)

16.

Here however is an example of Mate No. 14 delivered in a given number of moves.

If there were no Rook on f8, a White Rook or Queen would deliver mate on the eighth rank. The solution is easy. Get rid of the troublesome Rook by a sacrifice.

1

...

♕xf3+

2

gxf3

♗h3+

3

♔f2

♗h4+

4

♔g1

♖e1+

5

♕f1

♖xf1 mate.

1

♕xf8+

2

♖e8 mate.

♔xf8

This is quite simply a variation of the Corridor Mate No. 1. It is necessary to eliminate by a sacrifice the heavy piece guarding the eighth rank. The same kind of mate can occur without the doubling of the Rooks.

Mates Nos. 15 and 16 Before examining the famous Paulsen – Morphy game, let us study Mates Nos. 15 and 334

335

15. M

1

♕xf8+

♔xf8

2

♗c5+

♔g8

3

♖e8 mate.

On the first move the Rook is eliminated. On the second move the King is driven back in the corridor. On the third move comes the Corridor Mate. We have not given these two mating schemes at the same time as although the final pattern is the same, the mechanism to force the mate is quite different. The proof of it is that the mechanism functions equally in a diagonal form.

336

y’ M

(N . 14, 15, 16)

In the schematic position, if there were no Rook on f8, there would be a mate in one move by 1 ♖e8 mate. Let’s get rid of this Rook by sacrificing the Queen. 1

♕xf8+

♔xf8

Now substitute the Bishop for the Queen on the h6-f8 diagonal. 2

♗h6+

3

♖e8 mate.

♔g8

Here is an example drawn from practice:

337

15. M

y’ M

(N . 14, 15, 16)

A modern player would prefer the symmetrical continuation 4 ... ♗b4 or Rubinstein’s Defence 4 ... ♘d4. 5

0-0

In fact, 5 ♘xe5 here would have immediately assured a slight advantage . 5

...

0-0

6

♘xe5

♖e8

It is clear that if 6 ... ♘xe5 7 d4 regains the Piece with an advantage in development. 7 1

♕xd8+

♔xd8

2

♗f6+

♔e8

3

♖c8 mate.

♘xc6

Why develop the opponent and exchange a Knight having already played twice for a Knight not having moved even once? 7

...

dxc6

8

♗c4

b5

Morphy’s Sacrifice GAME NO. 73 Four Knights Game New York Tournament, 1857 L. Paulsen – P. Morphy 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♘c3

♘f6

4

♗b5

♗c5

338

Black cannot immediately win back the Pawn that he has sacrificed, since on 8 ... ♘xe4 there follows: 9 ♘xe4 ♖xe4 10 ♗xf7+ ♔xf7 11 ♕f3+, capturing the Rook. The text move forces White to make a decision: to go back with the Bishop to b3, which would allow … ♗g4, or abandon the diagonal where it strikes the f7 square. He chooses the latter. 9

♗e2

♘xe4

339

15. M

10

(N . 14, 15, 16)

13

b4

♗b6

14

a4

bxa4

15

♕xa4

15

...

♘xe4

10 ♗f3 would have been bad, since Black would have forced the win immediately by 10 ... ♘xf2 11 ♖xf2 ♕d4 12 ♘e4 (and not 12 ♕f1 ♕xf2+ 13 ♕xf2 ♖e1 mate) 12 ... ♖xe4 13 ♗xe4♕xf2+ 14 ♔h1 ♗g4 15 ♗f3 ♖e8 and mates. 10

...

♖xe4

11

♗f3

♖e6

12

c3?

A major mistake. This Pawn advance, designed to prepare d2-d4, weakens the d3 square. Black will occupy it at once and in that way keep the whole file locked. After 12 d3 White would have at least an equal game, Black’s lead in development does not compensate for his bad Pawns. 12

y’ M

...

♕d3

Simple and effective. White will have to resort to an artificial development of his Queen’s side. 340

♗d7

Perhaps anticipating the following mistake, here Morphy does not play the best move. 15 ... ♗b7 was necessary in order to maintain the protection of the a6 square and thereby prevent the White Queen from accessing it. The continuation might have been 16 ♖a2 ♖ae8 (threatening 17 ... ♕xf1+ followed by 18 ♔xf1 ♖e1 mate. Mate No. 15) 17 ♕d1 ♗a6! The text move allows White a defence. 16

♖a2?

The decisive mistake. Paulsen had no idea what his opponent had prepared for him and he expected to play ♗a3. 16 ♕a6 would free himself of all worry. 16

...

♖ae8 341

15. M

Threatening ... ♕xf1+, followed by ♖e1 mate (Mate No. 15). 17

y’ M

(N . 14, 15, 16)

players, did not understand the point of this sacrifice and thought that Morphy had suddenly gone mad.

♕a6 18

gxf3

♖g6+

19

♔h1

♗h3

With the threat of mate in two moves by 20 ... ♗g2+ 21 ♔g1 ♗xf3 mate (Mate No. 10). There is no effective defence. If 20 ♖g1 ♖xg1+ 21 ♔xg1 ♖e1+ etc. If 20 ♕d3 (in order to capture the Rook on g6), 20 ... f5 21 ♕c4+ (in order to occupy f7 from where the Queen would attack the ♖g6) 21 ... ♔f8!, and White must play 22 ♖d1 as in the game. 20

♖d1

This Queen move parries the threat but allows Morphy to make a Queen sacrifice, even now worthy of admiration. On 17 ♕d1 would have followed 17 ... c5 with the threat of playing 18…♗b5. 17

...

♕xf3!

This sacrifice is designed: 1) To open the g-file for the action of a Rook. 2) To open the f1-h3 diagonal for the action of the Bishop. On account of the remoteness of the White Queen, and the almost total inactivity of the White Queen’s Rook and Queen’s Bishop, it is absolutely decisive. The procedure is the same as Mate No. 14. It is said that the spectators in the tournament, who were very average strength 342

Here Morphy could have mated in six. But he did not see the shortest continuation, so it is true that a player even of genius does not always make the strongest moves. 20

...

♗g2+

343

15. M 21

♔g1

22

♔f1

y’ M

(N . 14, 15, 16)

♗xf3+

Since this memorable game, Morphy’s sacrifice has been repeated numerous times.

In Morphy’s Footsteps GAME NO. 74 MacDonnell Gambit Played in London, 1869 G. MacDonnell jr. – S. Boden

The game now actually continued 22 ... ♗g2+ 23 ♔g1 ♗h3+ (the text move is winning, but it would have been more elegant to announce mate in four moves: 23 ... ♗e4+ 24 ♔f1 ♗f5! 25 ♕e2 ♗h3+ 26 ♔e1 ♖g1 mate) 24 ♔h1 ♗xf2 25 ♕f1 ♗xf1 26 ♖xf1 ♖e2 27 ♖a1 ♖h6 28 d4? ♗e3, and White resigned. However, here continuation: 22

...

23

♕d3!

is

the

most

exact

♖g2!

1

e4

e5

2

♗c4

♗c5

3

b4?

A gambit of dubious worth, but that was how they liked to play in those days. 3

...

♗xb4

4

c3

♗c5

5

d4

exd4

6

cxd4

Probably a developing move such as 6 ♘f3 is better. 6

...

♗b4+

If 23 ♕xb6, ♖xh2; followed by ♖h1 mate. Or 23 ♕e2 ♖xe2 24 d4 ♖xh2 25 ♖xe2 ♖h1 mate. 23

...

♖xf2+

24

♔g1

♖g2+

25

♔ any

♖g1 mate. 344

345

15. M

y’ M

(N . 14, 15, 16)

equalizes. But White does not want to equalize, he wants to attack! 8

...

9

♗xd5

d5

Here also, it was preferable to play 9 exd5, and if 9 ... ♘f6, 10 ♕e2+. [9 ... ♕e7 still retains equality]

7

♔f1

9

...

♕e7

10

♗a3

♘f6

The counterattack. [But 10 ... ♕f6!]

The best proof of the absurdity of the opening chosen! White gives up castling in order to be able to proceed with an attack which is doomed to failure. The idea is to play on the next move 8 ♕b3. If 7 ♗d2 ♗xd2+ 8 ♘xd2 ♘f6 9 e5 d5, and Black has an extra Pawn and a good position. [In fact after 10 exf6 dxc4 11 fxg7 ♖g8 12♘xc4 ♖xg7 material is level.]

11

♗xf7+

[Because White now has 11 ♕g5! ♗b4 12 ♗xb4 ♕xb4 13 ♕xg7.] 11

...

♕xf7

12

♕xa5

♘c6!

13

♕a4

♘xe4

In an open game, no opening will allow White – if Black plays well – to hold the centre permanently and to keep two Pawns usefully on their fourth rank. 7

...

♗a5?

Nonsensical. The Bishop is hanging just as much on a5 as it is on b4. 7 ... ♕e7 was necessary. 8

♕h5

With 8 ♗xf7+ ♔xf7 9 ♕h5+, followed by 10 ♕xa5, White regains his Pawn and

346

347

15. M

y’ M

(N . 14, 15, 16)

Let us now take stock. Material is equal. But White 1) cannot castle 2) only has a Queen and a Bishop in play, whereas Black has a Queen and two Knights. 3) has lost his fine Pawn centre which he had worked so hard to obtain. Black, two tempi ahead and with a better position, ought to win. 14

♘f3

♗d7

15

♘bd2

♘xd2+

16

♘xd2

0-0-0!

17

♖b1

If at once 17 ♘f3 ♘xd4 18 ♕xd4?? ♗b5+ and wins. 17 ♔g1 was the best. 17

...

♕d5!

18

♘f3

♗f5

19

♖d1

♖he8

20

♗c5?

With his previous move (… ♖he8) Black prepared the sacrifice which follows and which White is a hundred miles away from expecting, since he is only thinking about protecting his a-Pawn. 20

...

♕xf3!!

21

gxf3

♗h3+

22

♔g1

♖e6

23

♕c2

To parry the threat of … ♖g6 mate by the counter-sacrifice 24 ♕xg6. 23

...

♖xd4!

A brilliant move, threatening ... ♖xd1, followed by ... ♖g6 mate. Less brilliant but also decisive would have been 23 ... ♘e5 24 ♕e4 ♖g6+ 25 ♕xg6 ♘xf3 mate.

348

24

♗xd4

25

Resigns.

♘xd4

349

15. M 7

y’ M

♗g5

(N . 14, 15, 16) ♖e8

It is clear, because of a same weak choice of opening, the initiative has passed to Black. 8

♘f3

8

...

Since it is necessary to protect simultaneously the squares e1 (mate by the Rook), g6 (mate by the Rook) and f3, and e2 (mate by the Knight), which is not possible (26 ♕e4 ♖g6+ 27 ♕xg6 ♘xf3 mate). And so, in this game as in the previous one, the sacrifice of the Queen does not lead to an immediate mate. But it enables a winning attack.

♘xe4!

Here is another, later example: GAME NO. 75 Centre Game Casual game, Copenhagen, 1918

This elegant move cannot properly be called a Queen sacrifice, for after 9 ♗xd8 ♘xc3+ 10 ♔f1 ♘xd1, Black has an extra Piece. 9

♗xe4!

♗xc3+

Kirdetzoff – V. Kahn 1

e4

e5

2

d4

exd4

3

♕xd4

♘c6

4 5 6

♕d1

Necessary in order not to lose a Piece after 9 … ♖xe4+? 10 ♔f1! [But after 10 ... ♕e8! 11 ♘xe4 ♕xe4 Black has Bishop and Pawn for Rook.] 10

♔f1

♗f6

11

♗xf6

♕xf6

12

♕d3

♘f6

♘c3

♗b4 0-0

♗d3 350

351

15. M

The skirmish is over. Black has won a Pawn and prevented the opponent from castling. He has the advantage. Having in mind the combination which is about to follow, he abandons the Pawn on h7 and dislodges the Queen. 12 13

...

16

...

(N . 14, 15, 16) ♕xf3!!

Morphy’s sacrifice! 17

gxf3

♗h3+

18

♔g1

♖e6

19

♕c7

♘b4 d5!

♕c4

The Queen’s Bishop’s diagonal is thereby opened without loss of time.

Parrying the threat ... ♖g6 mate, but 19 ♕d4 ♖g6+ 20 ♕g4 would have been a little better.

14

♗xh7+

♔xh7

19

...

15

♕xb4

c5

20

♖f1

A trap and at the same time a good move. 16

y’ M

♕xc5?

White falls into the trap and rushes greedily to take the Pawn. If 16 ♕h4+ ♕xh4 17 ♘xh4 ♗d7 and Black threatens ... ♗b5+ followed by an incursion of the Rook on the second rank.

352

♖ae8

The only defence against the threat of mate in two moves: ♖e1+; ♖e1, ♖xe1 mate. 20

...

21

Resigns.

♖e1!

Marshall played Morphy’s sacrifice several times during his career, notably in San Sebastian 1911, where it enabled him to force a draw in an unfavourable position, and in the third game of his match against Janowski.

353

15. M 13

y’ M

...

(N . 14, 15, 16) ♘c6!

The Black Queen does not have any reason to go anywhere, since it is not being chased away. 14

♗b2

Here again it was advisable to play h2-h3 to force the Queen away. 14

...

♘xb4!

[14 ... ♗h3! is even stronger, threatening mate on g2. Then 15 ♖g1 ♘xb4 16 ♗xh7+ ♔h8 17 ♕d1 ♕xd1+ 18 ♖xd1 ♗d7 intending both ... ♔xh7 and ... ♗b5+ winning. ] 15

Against the Petroff Defence, White has played the opening rather carelessly. As compensation for his forfeiture of castling he has a good centre and, upon a retreat of the Bishop, an attack on the Black King is about to commence by ♗xh7+. But there comes a surprise. 12

...

13

cxb4

♕xf3!

Of course, White cannot accept the sacrifice because of typical Mate No. 14B: 13 gxf3?? ♗h3+ 14 ♔g1 ♖e1+ 15 ♗f1 ♖xf1 mate. The text move is not sufficient. Perhaps he should drive away the Queen by h2-h3. But White would have undoubtedly lost at least a Pawn. 354

♗xh7+

If 15 gxf3 ♗h3+ 16 ♔g1 ♘xc2 18 ♗xc2 ♖e2, i.e. the continuation in the game but with Black preserving the h-Pawn. 15

...

♔h8

16

gxf3

♗h3+

17

♔g1

♘xc2

18

♗xc2

Scorning danger – as was often the case with Janowski, a player with an aggressive style – White has won a Piece. But as the master Goetz observed in his Cours d’Echecs: ‘A mere glance at the following diagram shows the price that has been paid for this Piece. The game is untenable. Marshall concludes the game in magnificent fashion.’

355

15. M 18

The first threatens:

y’ M

...

(N . 14, 15, 16) ♖e2

double

attack.

The

move

1) To win one of the two Bishops placed side by side on the second rank; 2) To double Rooks with the threat of mate on e1: ♖e1+; ♖xe1 ♖xe1 mate.

How will Black exploit his advantage? This advantage is twofold. 1) A positional advantage, since the White Rook is stalemated – if one can put it like that – and as a consequence potentially vulnerable.

19

♖c1

20

♗c3

♖ae8

White’s last two moves were forced. We have now arrived at a position so strong that, as E. A. Znosko-Borowsky wrote in ‘How one becomes a brilliant chess player’, “there are several solutions to achieving the win”. [20 ♗e4 f5!]

2) A material advantage, since in fact the rook on h1 is absolutely out of play (Even more, by obstructing the h1 square it contributes to an immobilization of the King). On reflection, there appear to be two ways of attack. One consists of arranging for one Rook to give check on the g-file. The other consists of doubling the Rooks on the e-file in order to deliver mate on e1. There is no way at this moment to give check on g6 (covered by the Bishop on c2), nor on g5 (the Rook does not have access to e5 and the Bishop on b2 or the Pawn on f3 could come to defend g5).

It is therefore necessary to combine the attacks, to carry out double attacks.

All the commentators are ecstatic about the ‘elegant’ way Marshall has played. Personally, we prefer the logical solution which was not adopted. Get rid of the Bishop on c2 which prevents the manoeuvre … ♖e8e6-g6.

356

357

On the other hand, a simple doubling of the Rooks would be ineffective since White would just guard e1 by ♗c3.

15. M 20

...

21

♖xc2

♖xc2!

If 21 ♖e1 ♖xe1+ 22 ♗xe1 ♖c1 23 any ♖xe1 mate. 21

...

♖e6

22

♗d2

♖g6+

23

♗g5

♖xg5 mate.

It’s Mate No. 14B.

...

(N . 14, 15, 16)

White could equally play 21 ♗e4. The continuation would have been 21 ... ♖xc3! 22 ♖d1 ♖a3, with the threat of 23 ... ♖axa2 attacking the f2 Pawn, is decisive. All these variations are not as bad as a mate in four moves. 21

...

♖xf3

22

♗d1

♖f6

23

Resigns.

Because mate is inevitable.

Marshall himself played: 20

y’ M

♖8e3!

The Paulsen – Morphy game has shown us the sacrifice in a primitive form, although Morphy did not deliver the quick mate which should have been the conclusion. In the game McDonnell – Boden, we saw, a dozen years later, the idea presented in a more elaborate form where the final position calls to mind a problem. The Kirdetzoff – Kahn and Janowski – Marshall games each simultaneously exploited the possibility of a vertical mate on the g-file and the weakness of the first rank, which allowed a horizontal mate.

21

♗b4?

If Black accepts the sacrifice, 21 fxe3, there would have followed 21 ... ♖g2+ 22 ♔f1 ♖xc2+ 23 ♔ moves ♖xc1+ 24 ♔ moves ♖xh1, and Black will clearly win as he is a Rook up. 358

359

16. Ex

CHAPTER 16:

Exercises

360

361

16. Ex

362

363

16. Ex

364

365

17. M

w

M

P

(N . 17

18)

CHAPTER 17:

Mates with Major Pieces (MATES NO. 17 AND 18) In 1512 P. Damiano published the following position which shows another typical sacrifice. It is to open a Rook’s file by a sacrifice of a Piece (Rook or Queen) in order to allow another piece (Rook or Queen) then to give mate along the same file.

366

367

17. M 1

♕xa7+

♔xa7

2

♖a2+

♕a4

3

♖xa4 mate.

w

M

P

(N . 17

18)

The pattern of the mate is as follows:

20

♕h5+

♔g8

21

♘xg7

♖f8

22

♖g4

♔h8

23

♖e3

e5

24

♘e6!

Here is a practical example: GAME ENDING NO. 34 Played in Hollywood, 1932, in a simultaneous blindfold display on eight boards

368

Black resigned. In fact, if he had taken the Knight he would have fallen into Damiano’s position: 24

...

♗xe6

369

17. M

w

M

2

♖xh7+

3

♖h1 mate.

P

(N . 17

18)

♔xh7

Let’s open a parenthesis by noting that the association of Queen and Rook represents an enormous mating power. The following scheme shows how a White Queen and Rook can relentlessly pursue the Black King to the mating square, despite the fact that Black still has all his pieces on the board.

25

♕xh7+

♔xh7

26

♖h3+

♗h4

27

♖hxh4 mate.

However, it is usually in a slightly different form that this mate is most often met with in practice:

1

♕g4+

♔h8

370

1

♕d7+

♔e5

2

♖f5+

♔e4

3

♕d5+

♔e3

4

♖f3+

♔e2

5

♕d3+

♔e1

6

♖f1 mate.

To conclude, all sacrifices are permissible if they expose the attacked King to the 371

17. M

w

M

P

(N . 17

18)

crossfire of a suitably placed Queen and Rook. Let us close the parenthesis and come to a typical mate often met in practice:

Here are a few practical applications of Mate No. 17.

1

♖xh7+

A Rook sacrifice to force the characteristic position. The acceptance is forced, otherwise 2 ♕xf7 mate. 1

...

♔xh7

2

♕xf7+

♔h8 or h6

The second Rook enters the play. In many practical cases the attacking side must make a quiet move here in order to bring the second Rook into the game. For example 0-0-0 or ♔e2. 3

♖h1+

4

♖xh3 mate.

♕h3

The pattern of the mate is as follows: 372

17

...

18

♔h1

♖xg2+

373

17. M

If 18 ♔xg2 ♖g8+ followed by 19 ... ♕f3 or ... ♕h6 mate. 18

...

19

♔xh2

♖xh2+

If 19 ♔g1 ♖g8+ and mate next move. 19

...

♕h4+

20

♔g2

♕g4+

w

M

P

(N . 17

18)

Such an exchange is not to be recommended, since it speeds up White’s development without any compensation for Black. 6

♕xd4

♘f6

7

♘c3

d6

8

♗g5

To take control of f3 and prevent the King from taking flight. 21

♔h2

♕h5+

22

♔g2

♖g8 mate.

GAME NO. 76 Scotch Game Played in Nice, 1941 G. R. – X 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

d4

exd4

4

♗c4

♗e7

With this restrained move of the Bishop, Black wants to avoid the tactical complications of the usual 4 … ♗c5 and 4 ... ♘f6. 5

♘xd4

♘xd4

374

Preferable to 8 0-0. With this move, White has the possibility of castling on one or other side. But here there should be no hesitation. He should castle on the Queen’s side because: 1) The d-file is semi-open as a consequence of the exchange of the d-Pawn. 2) The White Queen is already on d4. 8

...

h6

An absolutely useless precaution. Black intends to castle King’s side and prepares in advance a flight square for his King, in case White arrives on the eighth rank to give check. This practice only serves to weaken in

375

17. M

advance the King’s side castled position and White will exploit this mistake without delay. 9

♗h4

10

0-0-0

♗e6

White has a marked advantage in position. With the exception of the King’s Rook, all his Pieces are in action. On the other hand, because of his loss of time (the exchange on d4) and his passive development (Bishop on e7) Black already has no good continuation. 10

...

♗xc4

This exchange – destined to avoid ♗xe6 fxe6 with a weakening of the g6 square (a consequence of … h7-h6?) – will allow White to immediately go over to the offensive. 11

0-0

♕xc4

w

M

P

(N . 17

18)

comes free of charge, as the d6 Pawn is pinned. 12

...

♘d7

13

♗xe7

♕xe7

It is clear that 13 ... ♘xe5 leaves White a piece ahead: 14 ♗xd8 ♘xc4 15 ♗xc7, etc. 14

exd6

15

♕d5!

cxd6

The simplest. The isolated and weak d6 Pawn is indefensible. Black, instead of resigning himself to defeat, embarks on an adventure. 15

...

16

♕xd6

♘b6

And so the advantage in development, which was translated first into territorial gain, now assumes material form: White has won a Pawn. The most advisable for Black was to exchange Queens and force a transfer to a Rook endgame, Instead of that, he counterattacks. 16

...

17

f4

♕g5+

This push not only covers the check, but prepares an attack on the enemy Kingside castled position. 12

e5!

17

...

♕xg2?

The player with the advantage must at all costs open lines of attack. Here this opening

Despair or presumption? It is pure folly to open a file himself that leads to his own King.

376

377

17. M

Black has indeed restored material equilibrium … but it is not only material that matters. 18

♖hg1

w

M

P

(N . 17

18)

If Black had not played ... h6, the move 19 ♕f6 would have been less effective since, after 19 ... g6, the g6 Pawn would still be defended by the h-Pawn. 19

...

♕e3+

This is not a ‘consolation check’ but a manoeuvre destined to delay the push of the f-Pawn. 20

♔b1

21

♖de1

g6

In order to chase the Queen and be able either to push the f-Pawn or, if the Queen abandons its protection of the g1 square, to deliver the mate which follows. 21

...

♕d2??

22

♖xg6+

fxg6

23

♕xg6+

♔h8

24

♕h5+

White takes immediate control of the file. Once the Queen withdraws, he will play ♕xh6 threatening mate. 18

...

♕f2

The capture of the h2 Pawn, to avoid the text continuation, would lead to another catastrophe which is at least as rapid. For example: 18 ... ♕xh2 19 ♕f6! (more energetic than 19 ♖h1 ♕f2 20 ♖dg1 threatening mate by 21 ♖xg7+ or if 20 ... g6, 21 ♖xg6+ since Black has one reply 20 ... ♕e3+ 21 ♔b1 ♕e6! and the attack is halted) 19 ... g6 (the only move) 20 ♖h1! and there is no longer any effective defence against the threat of 21 ♖xh6, followed by 22 ♖h8 mate, other than to lose a piece by 20 ... ♘d7 21 ♕d6 or d4! etc. 19

♕xh6 378

379

17. M

To keep control of f7. 24

...

25

♖g1+

M

P

(N . 17

18)

Played in 1858 in New Orleans in a blindfold display on six boards. ♔g7

P. Morphy – X

[Or the quicker 25 ♖e7+ ♖f7 26 ♖xf7+ ♔g8 27 ♕h7 mate.] 25

w

...

1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗c4

♘f6

4

d4

exd4

5

♘g5

♕g2

This delays the mate by one move. 26

♖xg2+

♔f6

27

♕e5+

♔f7

28

♖g7 mate.

It is to be noted that 21 ... ♕d4, keeping control of g1 and preventing the announced mate, would not save the game since after 22 f5 ♕g7 23 ♕g5! White threatens f6 and ♘c3e4-f6, against which there is no adequate defence. 23 ... f6 leaves White two Pawns ahead and with a very strong position. The power of a Queen and Rook also exerts itself just as well against a King in the centre as against a King having castled. In the two examples we have just seen, a first Rook was sacrificed to disrupt the castled position and bring the attacked King within the field of action of the Queen and Rook.

Instead of this move which is played prematurely, modern players continue 5 0-0. But recently the variation has become fashionable again. 5

...

d5!

6

exd5

♘xd5?

This move is faulty. And it is even one of the most curious things about the theory of the openings that an apparently harmless inexactitude entails the loss of the game The correct reply is 6 ... ♘e5, a move recommended by Jaenisch and which seems even to leave Black with a slight advantage.

In the famous Morphy game which follows, White sacrifices two Knights and a Rook to draw the Black King into the centre of the chess board and corner it with Queen and Rook on the edge, where it will be mated. GAME NO. 77 Two Knights Defence 380

381

17. M

7

0-0

There is no satisfactory defence for Black. White threatens to continue by 8 ♘xf7 (attacking Queen and Rook) 8 ... ♔xf7 9 ♕f3+, etc. 7

...

♗e7

8

♘xf7!

♔xf7

9

♕f3+

♔e6

M

P

(N . 17

18)

On any other move, White simply recaptures the sacrificed Knight on d5 with his Bishop and remains with the better position and the attack. The interest in the game is that it proves that the Black King does not have the right to come to the centre of the chessboard to try to hold on to an extra piece. 10

This seems the most logical move. It attacks the Knight on g5, anticipates a check of the Rook on e1 and prepares King’s side castling. However Morphy will demonstrate brilliantly its insufficiencies.

w

♘c3!

A second sacrifice which is still more decisive than the following (equally winning) 10 ♖e1+. 10

...

dxc3

11

♖e1+

♘e5

The reader can verify that the retreat of the King leads to mate or to the loss of the Queen.

382

12

♗f4

♗f6

13

♗xe5

♗xe5

14

♖xe5+!

383

17. M

w

M

P

(N . 17

18)

The third sacrifice. 14

...

♔xe5

One notes that Black’s moves are forced and that the King is being drawn more and more toward the centre. 15

♖e1+

♔d4

There is no other way of avoiding mate in one or two moves. Here Morphy announced mate in seven moves. 17

♕d3+

♔c5

18

b4+

♔xb4

If 18 ... ♔d6 19 ♗f3 mate. If 18 ... ♔b6 19 ♕d4+, and mate in three moves. [After 19 ... c5 20 ♕xc5+ ♔a6 21 ♗c4+ b5 22 ♕xb5 mate.]

This is one of the prettiest examples of the mating power of Queen and Rook. 16

♕d4+

♔a5

20

♕xc3+

♔a4

21

♕b3+

♔a5

22

♕a3+

♔b5

23

♖b1 mate.

♗xd5!

Black no longer has a defence. It is clear that if 16 ... ♕xd5 there is the pretty mate 17 ♕xc3 mate, which exploits the blockage on the d5 square. 16

19

...

♖e8

“So be it,” said the amateur who was playing Black, after having verified the variations. “But what would have happened if, instead of playing my Rook to e8, I had taken that damn Pawn on b2?” ‘Mate in only six moves,’ Morphy replied instantly, his back still turned to the board,

384

385

17. M

and he announced: 16

...

w

M

P

(N . 17

18)

U.S.A. Championship, New York, 1944

cxb2

A. S. Denker – H. V. Klein 1

♘f3

e6

2

d4

d5

3

c4

c6

4

e3

♘d7

The continuation 4 ... ♘f6 is more accurate, and if White plays 5 ♘bd2 then 5 ... c5!, followed by ... ♘c6.

17

♖e4+

♔c5!

If 17 ... ♔xd5 the mate comes more quickly by 18 ♕d3+; 19 ♖c4+; 20 ♕b3+; 21 ♖a4 mate. 18

♕a3+

♔xd5

19

♕d3+

♔c5

20

♖c4+

♔b5

21

♕b3+

♔a5

22

♖a4 mate.

Here finally is a more recent game which ended in typical Mate No. 17. GAME NO. 78 Slav Defence

386

5

♘c3

♘gf6

6

♗d3

♗d6

7

0-0

0-0

8

e4

dxe4

Chigorin’s continuation, 8 ... dxc4! 9 ♗xc4 e5, seems better. 9

♘xe4

♘xe4

10

♗xe4

h6

Too timid. Much more enterprising would have been 10 ... c5. 11

♖e1

♘f6

12

♗c2

♖e8

13

b3

♗b4

14

♗d2

♗xd2

15

♕xd2

♕d6

16

♖ad1

♖d8 387

17. M 17

♕e3

♗d7

At last Black remembers he has a Queen’s Bishop to get into play! 18

♘e5

19

f4

♗e8

White’s position plays itself. Every move increases his pressure. 19

...

♕c7

20

g4!

♘d7

21

♕d3

w

M

P

(N . 17

23

fxg5

♖d6

24

♖e4

♖ad8

25

♖h4

♘g6

18)

Defending against the threat of ♕h3. 26

♘xg6

fxg6

27

♖f1!

♖xd4

Threatening 22 ♕h7+ ♔f8 23 ♕h8+ ♔e7 24 ♕xg7.

We have now reached a typical mating position. 28

Resigns.

♖h8+!

Black does not wait for the mate which would have been administered as follows:

21 22

...

♘f8

g5

The logical sequel to White’s 20th move. 22

...

28

...

♔xh8

29

♖f8+

♔h7

30

♕h3+

♖h4

31

♕xh4 mate.

hxg5 388

389

17. M

w

M

P

(N . 17

18)

This is one of the typical mates No.17.

Mate No. 18 The two Rooks (or Rook and Queen), with the assistance of an advanced Pawn, can give a particular form of mate, provided the King’s neighbouring files are open to the attacker’s Rooks.

This mate, as in the case of the Corridor Mate, can take a slightly different form:

1

♖g8+

This sacrifice has no other object than to drag the enemy King into a basic mating net. 1

...

2

♖e8 mate.

♔xg8

As can easily be seen when looking at the mating pattern, we are once again in a variation of the Corridor Mate.

390

1

♕xf8+

2

♖c8+ ♕d8

3

♖xd8 mate

♔xf8

391

17. M

This is still the Corridor Mate. In short, the manoeuvre is that of Mate No. 15A and attached to Mate No. 18.

15

w

M

...

♗xf2+

12

♖xf2

♕d1+

13

♕e1

This cover, as in the previous example, has nothing to do with the mechanism of the mate. It makes a difference of one move before the fatal outcome. 13

...

♕xe1+

14

♖f1

♖h1+

392

(N . 17 ♕xf1 mate.

♔xh1

In practice this mate is forced when the attacker has been able to open the h-file occupied by a Rook and bring a pawn to g6 or g3. Here is an example:

11

P

393

18)

18. M

w

M

P

(N . 19)

CHAPTER 18:

Mate with Minor Pieces (MATE NO. 19) A Bishop and a Knight can deliver mate in a corner position without the cooperation of another Piece, as long as the attacked King is blocked by its own Pieces, as shown by the two patterns below.

Of course, in these schemes the Knight could be on e7 instead of h6 and in 19B the Bishop could be anywhere on the diagonal and also be replaced by the Queen. These mates can be forced by a prior Queen sacrifice as shown by the next example.

1 394

♕h6! 395

18. M

w

M

P

(N . 19)

Threatening 2 ♕xg7 mate. This mate can only be parried in one way. 1

...

gxh6

But in going to h6, the g-Pawn has opened the long diagonal. The Bishop now controls the whole of it. 2

♘xh6 mate.

The next scheme shows how the threat of Mate No. 19B can gain time.

This is a rather artificial example, but it is worth knowing since it results from a theoretical variation of the Spanish Game. 1

♖h5!

Threatening 2 ♕xh7 mate. 1

...

gxh5

But in capturing, the g-Pawn has granted the Queen access to the long diagonal. 2

White to move plays 1

It’s Mate No. 19A.

♘g4!

and Black cannot capture the Queen 1

...

gxh5??

because of 2

♕f6 mate.

♘h6 mate.

396

An example can be found in the instructional Game No. 54 of Emanuel Lasker which we published in Section 2, Chapter 5, in relation to Anastasia’s Mate. Now here is a series of examples which show that a Queen sacrifice, forcing one of the No. 19 Mates, has often been applied in practice. 397

18. M

w

M

P

(N . 19)

Aurbach remarked to him that if, instead of this move, he had attacked the Queen by 2 ... ♘f4, he would have been mated by 3 ♘xe7+ ♖xe7 4 ♕xh7 mate. Then he replied:

In this game played at Rook odds in Paris, 1913, the master A. Aurbach had reached the present position However, he had still not regained his Piece and so set a trap: 1

♗e3

♕xb2?

The amateur took the Pawn without hesitation. This is the mistake which Aurbach was speculating on so that he could place his Bishop on d4 with gain of time. 2

♗d4

This move seems innocent. It does threaten ♗xg7 with the win of the exchange … But there is a White Bishop en prise. The exchange does not matter, thinks our amateur, let’s take the Piece. And he played: 2

...

♕xc2

3

♕h6!

The Queen cannot be captured since if 3 … gxh6 4 ♘xh6 mate, which is Mate No. 19B. 3

...

4

♗xf6

♗f6

There is no defence against mate. Here the quiet sacrifice does not institute a double attack, but a triple attack on Black’s g-Pawn. The two forms of Mate No. 19, forced by a Knight sacrifice, are curiously reunited in a theoretical variation of the Ruy Lopez: GAME NO. 79 Ruy Lopez

398

399

18. M

(Theoretical variation) 1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗b5

d6

4

d4

♗d7

5

♘c3

♘ge7

A strange move, advocated by Steinitz who played it in his first match (New York 1894) against Lasker. It is not as good as the usual defence 5 ... ♘f6. It has the inconvenience of blocking in the King’s Bishop and delays castling.

6

...

7

♘xd4

w

M

P

(N . 19)

exd4

Commenting on this variation in one of his lectures in 1895, Emanuel Lasker explained that the logical continuation of Black’s previous moves would be ... g6, followed by ... ♗g7, exerting strong pressure on the dark diagonal. However, he added that in his match against Steinitz, the latter had never continued this way. Why? The reason will immediately become apparent. 7

...

8

♗g5

g6?

Immediately exploiting the weakness of the f6 square. The text move threatens ♗f6 and also pins the King’s Knight. 8

...

9

♘d5!

♗g7

A brilliant move and very strong. The threat is 10 ♘xc6 bxc6 11 ♗xe7 ♕b8 12 ♗f6! and White remains a Piece up. 9

6

♗c4!

The best. The Bishop no longer has anything to do on b5. The threat is 7 ♘g5. Developing his Pieces quickly is an excellent principle. But before playing mechanically a move like 6 0-0 it is necessary to see if there is something better. Here, moving a Piece already in action immediately gives White an advantage. 400

...

♗xd4

Black thinks he can get away with taking the menacing Knight freely offered to him. But this move is immediately fatal. However, if 9 ... ♘xd4 10 ♗xe7 with the win of a Piece: 10 ... ♕c8 11 ♗f6! etc.

401

18. M

10

12

♕xd4

A Queen sacrifice, the object of which is to weaken the dark f6 and h6 squares, once protected by the Bishop. Independently of the greater threat 11 ♕xh8+ there is also the threat of mate by 11 ♘f6+ followed by 12 ♗h6 mate (Mate No. 19A) 10

...

0-0

Of course not 10 ... ♘xd4 which allows the substitute mate 11 ♘f6+ ♔f8 12 ♗h6 mate. But this defence does not delay the denouement. 11

♘f6+

12

♘g4+

402

M

...

P

(N . 19)

♘xd4

Black has another typical way to succumb: 12 ... f6 (but this opens the diagonal for the Bishop on c4) 13 ♕xf6+ ♖xf6 14 ♗xf6 mate (Mate No. 20). If 12 ... ♔g8 13 ♘h6 mate. 13

♗f6+

14

♘h6 mate.

♔g8

This time it is Mate No. 19. GAME NO. 80

♔h8

It is clear that 11 ... ♔g7 would lead to mate in two moves because of the double check: 12 ♘h5++ ♔g8 13 ♕g7 mate.

w

Nimzowitsch Defence Played in Russia, 1939 E. Rabinovich – S. Goglidze 1

d4

♘f6

2

c4

e6

3

♘c3

♗b4

4

e3

0-0 403

18. M 5

♗d3

d5

6

♘ge2

dxc4

7

♗xc4

a6

8

0-0

c5

9

a3

♗xc3

10

bxc3

♕e7

11

♗d3

e5

12

dxe5

♕xe5

13

♖b1

♘c6

14

♘g3

14

...

M

P

(N . 19)

In order to open the diagonal for his Queen’s Bishop anyway. 15

...

bxc4

16

♗xc4

♕e7

17

♕f3

♗e6

18

♘f5

♕d7

19

♗xe6

♕xe6

If 19 ... fxe6 20 ♕xc6! winning a Pawn (20 ... exf5 21 ♕xc5). 20

♗b2

♘e5

21

♕f4

♘g6

22

♕g5

♘e4

23

♕h6

Resigns.

b5

The acceptance of the sacrifice would have resulted in a fatal outcome. For example: 14 ... ♕xc3? 15 ♗b2 ♕a5 16 ♗xf6 gxf6 17 ♕h5 f5 18 ♕g5+ ♔h8 19 ♕f6+ ♔g8 20 ♘h5, and the mate on g7 cannot be parried. 15

w

c4!

Because if 23 ... gxh6 24 ♘xh6 mate (Mate No. 19B). GAME NO. 81

404

405

18. M

w

M

P

(N . 19)

Vienna Game Played in Nice, December, 1940 G. Renaud – X 1

e4

e5

2

♘c3

♘f6

3

f4

d5

4

fxe5

♘xe4

5

♘f3

♗b4

6

♕e2

♗xc3

14

e6!

♘a6

7

bxc3

c6

15

e7

♖fe8

16

♗a3

♕a5

The game Spielmann – Vidmar, Semmering, 1926, continued: 7 ... 0-0 8 ♕e3! ♘c6 9 ♗d3, with advantage for White.

This attempt to win a Pawn will be fatal.

8

♕e3

0-0

17

♗d6

♕xc3

9

♗d3

♗f5

18

♖ab1

c5

10

0-0

♕b6

19

♘f5

b6?

11

♘d4!

♗g6

12

♗xe4

♗xe4

13

d3

♗g6

A logical move … But one which does not take into account the tactical possibilities of the position. It was necessary to play 19 ... ♗xf5. 20

♗e5!

Without loss of time, the Bishop gains the e5 square from where it commands the long diagonal. Black no longer has a defence. 20

406

...

♕xc2

407

18. M

w

M

P

(N . 19)

The usual move is 7 ♘f3. The idea of ♗c4 is to play ♘ge2 in order to avoid the pin ... ♗g4.

21

Resigns.

♕h6!!

For if 21 ... gxh6 22 ♘xh6 mate (Mate No. 19B). In the next example an uncastled King is mated. GAME NO. 82 Grunfeld Defence U.S.A, 1944

7

...

♗g7

8

♘e2

♘c6

9

♗e3

cxd4

10

cxd4

White has a fine centre. Unfortunately experience has shown that such a centre cannot be maintained.. 10

...

♕a5+

11

♗d2

♕a3

12

♖b1

Indirectly defending the d-Pawn, because if 12 ... ♘xd4 13 ♗b4, winning the Black Queen. [In fact Black could then play 13 ... ♕f3 as in the game. But after 14 ♕a4+ ♗d7 15 ♕xd7+ ♔xd7 16 gxf3 he emerges a Piece down.]

J. Jones – C. Tanassy jr. 1

d4

♘f6

2

c4

g6

3

♘c3

d5

4

cxd5

♘xd5

5

e4

♘xc3

6

bxc3

c5

7

♗c4

408

409

19. M 12

...

0-0

13

d5

♘e5

14

♗b4

(N . 20)

CHAPTER 19:

The Black Queen seems irretrievably lost. But ... 14

Tw B

...

Mate of the Two Bishops (MATE NO. 20)

♕f3!!

A trap. 15

gxf3??

An unforgivable bout of gluttony. After 15 0-0! ♕xe4 White is only a Pawn down and can still put up a defence. Black announces mate in two moves. 15

...

♘xf3+

16

♔f1

♗h3 mate.

Just as Bishop and Knight are sufficient to mate the King in a corner square, two Bishops can achieve the same result.

This is typical Mate No. 19A.

In the diagram position, the Bishop on c4 commands the open a2-g8 diagonal. The Bishop on b2 controls the semi-open a1-h8 diagonal. All that needs to be done is to open it completely. 1

410

♕xf6!

411

19. M

Tw B

(N . 20)

With the threat to continue 2 ♕xg7 mate. 1

...

gxf6

2

♗xf6 mate.

Here is the pattern of this mate.

1

♕xf6

gxf6

2

♗xf6 mate.

Curiously, the mate of the two Bishops can occur in the very centre of the chessboard.

This mate is so obvious that in practice it usually appears only as a threat. However we have already met it in one of the variations of the didactic Game No. 79. It may also be brought about if the g8 square is obstructed by a Black Bishop or by a pinned Piece.

Here is a theoretical variation of the Queen’s Gambit Declined which ends – after a blunder – with a mate of the two Bishops. GAME NO. 83 Queen’s Gambit Declined Opening Variation

412

1

d4

d5

2

c4

e6

3

♘f3

♘f6

4

♘c3

c5

5

♗g5

cxd4

6

♘xd4

e5

413

20. M 7

♘db5

a6

8

♕a4

♗d7

9

cxd5

♘c6

10

dxc6

♗xc6

11

e4

axb5

12

♕b3

b4

13

♘d5

♗xd5

14

exd5

♕xd5??

15

♕xd5

♘xd5

Black has worked for a long time to win a Pawn and has succeeded. But… 16

Tw K

(N . 21)

CHAPTER 20:

Mate of the Two Knights (MATE NO. 21) Here is a Knight mate which is not extremely common, but is nevertheless sometimes met in practice. One of the authors of this book had the opportunity of carrying it out in a correspondence game.

♗b5 mate.

This position, though obtained in a very artificial manner, is as amusing as it is instructive.

It is clear that the Knight on f5 would deliver mate on h6 if that square was free and the g7 square was either covered or obstructed. The Queen sacrifice allows him to achieve both these aims. 1

414

♕g7+

♘xg7 415

20. M 2

Tw K

(N . 21)

♘h6 mate.

Here is the pattern of this mate which is frequently used in chess problem compositions.

The solution is obvious.

Now for an illustration taken from a game played by Blackburne in a simultaneous exhibition:

1

...

♕g2+

2

♖xg2

♘h3 mate.

However extraordinary it might appear, this mate can be administered against an uncastled King, as evidenced by the following amusing game which was played between two American amateurs. GAME NO. 84 Centre Game Played at the Long Beach Chess Club, California, 1945 J. Van Essen – Duff

416

1

e4

e5

2

d4

exd4 417

20. M 3

♕xd4

♘c6

4

♕e3

b6

The bad system of development adopted by Black (… b6, preparing … ♗c5 to chase a Queen which is asking to move anyway) has already led to a weakening of his position. 5

♘c3

♗c5

6

♕g3

g6

7

♘d5

d6

8

♗g5

f6

9

♕c3

♘e5

10

b4

fxg5

11

bxc5

bxc5

12

♘f3!

♘f7

Tw K

(N . 21)

With many threats, the chief one being 14 ♘xf7, followed by 15 ♕xh8. 13

...

♘gh6

14

♗b5+!

♗d7

15

♘e6!

♕c8

16

♕f6

♘g8

Black’s position is full of holes. White has three Pieces in play against one and is to move. The attack is about to be launched. We have obtained the position for our typical mate. White mates in two moves.

13

17

♕e7+!

18

♘f6 mate.

♘xe7

♘xg5! 418

419

21. A

B

K

M

(N . 22)

CHAPTER 21:

Another Bishop and Knight Mate (MATE NO. 22) A Bishop and Knight can deliver mate as we have seen in the examples for Mate No. 19. But they can also administer the mate by a slightly different procedure, rather reminiscent of that of Mate No. 21.

1

♕xh7+

♘xh7

2

♘g6+

♔g8

3

♗d5 mate

By introducing a pin, a scheme is obtained in which the mate can be administered by either the Bishop or the Knight.

1

♘g6+

2

♗c4 mate.

♔g8

This is the pattern of the mate. 420

421

21. A

B

K

M

(N . 22)

Giuoco Piano Played in New York, 1894 A. Albin – W. P. Shipley

1

♗c4+

2

♘g6 mate.

♔h8

1

e4

e5

2

♘f3

♘c6

3

♗c4

♗c5

4

0-0

♘f6

5

c3

0-0

6

d4

exd4

7

cxd4

♗b6

8

d5

Exploiting Black’s mistake, White now has a strong and mobile centre. 8

Here is an amusing example of this mate: GAME NO. 85 422

...

♘e7

On 8 ... ♘a5 9 ♗d3 threatening 10 b4. 9

e5 423

21. A

B

K

♘e8

GAME NO. 86

M

(N . 22)

10

d6

cxd6

Scotch Game

11

exd6

♘g6

Played in England in the nineteenth century

12

♗g5

♘f6

X – H. E. Bird

13

♘c3

h6

1

e4

e5

14

♕d3!

hxg5

2

♘f3

♘c6

15

♕xg6

♘h7

3

d4

exd4

16

♘d5!

4

♘xd4

♕h4

A trap and at the same time a good move. 16

...

fxg6

In those days an amateur could never resist the temptation of capturing a Queen.

An old variation, due to Steinitz and which is not to be recommended. But against an inexperienced opponent it is dangerous. 5

♘b5

This continuation, due to Harrwitz, involves a Pawn sacrifice to exploit the exposed situation of the Black Queen. 5

...

♗c5

6

♕f3

♘f6

7

♘xc7+

A developing move was necessary. But in choosing this strange variation Black speculated on the voracity of his opponent. How can he resist the temptation to a win a Pawn and the exchange? White mates in two moves: 17

♘e7++

18

♘xg6 mate

♔h8

It’s Mate No. 22B without the pin. 424

7

...

♔d8

8

♘xa8

♖e8

Black now has five Pieces in play. That is worth the material sacrificed. 425

21. A 9

♗d3

10

0-0

♘xe4

10

...

♘xf2

11

♖xf2

♖e1+

12

♗f1

♘d4

13

♕xf7

K

♔h1

To open the diagonal of the Bishop pointed at c5. He could also play 14 ... ♘g3+ 15 ♔g1 ♖xf1 mate. 15

♘g3 mate.

♖xf1

This is not an example of Mate No. 3. It is a Mate No. 22B, but which here is forced by the usual procedures of Mate No. 3.

Black announces mate in three moves. ...

♘e2+

426

(N . 22)

♖xf1+

A quick glance at the diagram, dear reader. White has three unmoved Pieces on the Queen’s side. His King’s Bishop is pinned. His King’s Rook is semi-pinned. The Queen is going to pick off a Pawn in the future. Black is a Rook down and has a stalemated Bishop. But his four remaining Pieces are converging on the enemy King. How can a mate not result from this?

13

M

To force the King to go into the corner. 14

White rushes to tuck his king away: but it is too late.

B

427

22. A

CHAPTER 22:

2

♖xa7

3

♖h7 mate.

M

(N . 23)

♘ any

Arabian Mate (MATE NO. 23) Before the reforms of the fifteenth century, the only Pieces, apart from the King, which had the same moves as in our day, were the Rook and the Knight. The Rook and the Knight could deliver a mate reaching back as far as the origins of chess and which for this reason is called the ‘Arabian Mate’.

In practice this mate nearly always appears only as a threat. Here, however, is an example drawn from our book Les 6 Candidates au Championat de Monde des Echecs 1948.

1

♘f6

There is no real defence against the threat of 2 ♖h7 mate. All that Black can do is to delay the mate. 1

...

♖a7 428

429

23. P y A

R

CHAPTER 23:

Pay Attention to the Ranks! There is a Russian saying: ‘A woodpusher overlooks the ranks.’ This simply means that inexperienced players think of manoeuvres and threats on files much more easily than on the ranks.

1

♘xf6!!

♔xf6

2

♘e4+

♔g7

3

♖c2

♕a4

4

♕xg5+

♗g6

5

♖c7+

♔g8

A great number of typical mates entail a manoeuvre prior to the opening of a file or a diagonal, whether to free a passage for the mating Piece or to obtain custody of a square in the enemy King’s field. The opening of a rank occurs far more rarely. However this is no reason to neglect it.

If 5 ... ♖d7 6 ♘c3! and wins. 6

♕xg6+

hxg6

7

♘f6+

♔h8

8

♖h7 mate.

430

431

!

23. P y A

In the diagram position, White moved the attacked Knight and played 1 ♘f4. There was, however, a typical three-move mate. Why did Duras, a very strong Czech master, not see it? Because he wasn’t thinking in terms of ranks. 1 2

♗f8+

If Black’s b-Pawn were not there, or in other words if the seventh rank were open to the action of the e7-Rook on the a7 square, there would be a mate in one move by 1 ♖a7 mate. How can he open this rank? After posing the question, here is the reply:

♗h5

♕xh5+

gxh5

The sixth rank is open to the action of the Rook and it delivers mate. 3

R

♖h6 mate.

1

♘c7+

♔a7

2

♕xa6+!

bxa6

3

♘b5++

♔a8

4

♖a7 mate.

This is Mate No. 14C.

432

433

!

24. Ex

CHAPTER 24:

Exercises

434

435

24. Ex

436

437

24. Ex

438

439

24. Ex

440

441

24. Ex

442

443

24. Ex

444

445

24. Ex

446

447

25. I S

Ty

M

CHAPTER 25:

In Search of a Typical Mate Most of the time, even a remote possibility of catching the opponent in a typical mate is not enough to construct a logical plan of play. But, broadly speaking, in many cases this possibility can guide an attacking player and suggest useful manoeuvres to him. This will be particularly true whenever the attacker considers that there is a chance, without damage to his own camp, of smashing the opponent’s castled position. We will give a few examples. These examples, it is true to say, would be better placed in our next work La conduite de la partie d’échecs. But, being useful practical applications of the study of typical mates, they will provide the student with an overview of the methods which we recommend for learning how to conduct a game. The first position – as any amateur with a little experience will recognize – arises from the Orthodox Defence of the Queen’s Gambit Declined. An attacking player, Kornel Havasi, who died during deportation in the Second World War, is endeavouring to do something. And he starts with a move which will bring about the exchange of several minor Pieces.

448

449

25. I S

Ty

M

Otherwise the Knight will go calmly to f8, defending the castled position. [Of course after 18 ♗xe7 ♖xe7 Black covers the Knight on d7.] 18

…

♗xg5

Black has the two Bishops and an equal game. 19 ♕h5 is comfortably met by 19 ... ♗e7. Let’s return to the game:

16

♘e5

♘xe5

17

dxe5

♘d5

If the opponent always plays the right moves then, proceeding from an equal position, it is pretty obvious that all games would be drawn. But everyone is liable to make mistakes, and this is why games are won. Here, in his legitimate desire to go for further exchanges in order to simplify the position, Black does not play the best move. Despite appearances 17 … ♘d7 is not bad. For example: 17

…

18

♖xd7

♘d7

18

♘xd5

♗xd5

19

♗xe7

♗xa2

Black, in order not to lose a Pawn after 19 ... ♖xe7 20 ♗xd5 exd5 21 ♖xd5, embarks on an adventure. It is all the more wrong that he is not wary, persuading himself that the Bishops of opposite colours will assure an easy draw and perhaps even believing that his majority on the Queen’s side will provide him with a rather promising endgame. 20

450

♗h4

♕b7 451

25. I S

Probably to deny the White Rook momentary access to the seventh rank, and to prevent an incursion such as ♖d1-d6, accompanied by an attack on the Queen. 21

♕g4

♔h8

To avoid the unpleasant move 22 ♗f6. 22

♖d6

White is obviously preparing the doubling of his Rooks on the d-file. But the deeper significance of this doubling escapes Black. 22

...

b4

23

♖cd1

bxa3?

Ty

M

yourself the move which, in this position, forced Sacconi to resign immediately. Look for it before proceeding with the commentary on this game. 24

Resigns

♗f6!!

White indeed threatens 25 ♕xg7 mate, an elementary form of Mate No. 6. There are only two possible defences: 24 ... gxf6 and 24 ... ♖g8. Let’s examine them in succession. First defence: 24

...

25

exf6

gxf6

The threat is repeated with a Pawn (Mate No. 8). 25

...

♖g8

The only move. 26

After all of the preparatory manoeuvres we have just seen, White launches an attack against the Black King. It will be irresistible.

♖d8!

This is the reason for the doubling of the Rooks. The Rook on d8 pins the Rook on g8, the threat of mate remains. We have already met several times this decisive pinning of a Piece which defends against a mate. 26

...

27

♖xd8

♖cxd8

Have you grasped why White has doubled his Rooks without concerning himself with Black’s activity on the Queen’s side? If yes, you will without any doubt discover by

And after a desperate check, the mate on g7 can no longer be prevented.

452

453

25. I S

M

This is exactly the mechanism of Mate No.

Second defence: 24

Ty

2.

...

♖g8

GAME ENDING NO. 46 Munich Tournament, 1926 R. Spielmann – U. Gebhardt How was it possible, in such a position, to mount an attack against Black’s castled position?

25

♕xg7+!!

♖xg7

26

♖d8+

♖xd8

27

♖xd8 mate.

This is in a form that is scarcely different from the Corridor Mate No. 1. The device of the pin removed one of the guards of the eighth rank. The position is so strong anyway that, on this second defence, there is an additional continuation, less elegant and more lengthy, but leading nonetheless to mate. 25

♗xg7+

♖xg7

26

♖d8+

♖xd8

27

♖xd8

♖g8

28

♕ or ♖xg8 mate

454

White is a little better placed than Black, but he has not recovered the Pawn which he sacrificed in the opening. It is here that one sees the difference between talent which is acquired and genius which is a gift. A good player could think over this position for several hours, trying to discover its strengths and weaknesses; if he has never seen the game before, it is doubtful whether he will find how the brilliant attacking player who is playing White forced his opponent to resign in only six moves.

455

25. I S

Spielmann’s plan is simple. It is to demolish the castled position. To demolish a castled position, first of all it is necessary to deprive it of the pieces which collaborate in its defence. Then, or at the same time, it is necessary to disrupt its Pawns. All players know this. And on this overall scheme, Spielmann bases his work. 21

♘xd6!

The first surprise. He gives up his splendidly placed Knight on f5. But this is because, first of all, he wants to deprive Black of his Knight too, as it is possibly a valuable defender of the castled position 21

...

♕xd6

Ty

M

This strategical plan is simple and every good player can devise it. But what purpose will it serve if he has not envisaged the tactical method of carrying it out? 22

♗a3!

The commencement of a manoeuvre designed to drive the Queen away from its protection of the f6 square. 22

...

♕c6

Of course not 22 ... ♕xa3, on account of 23 ♗xf7+, winning the Queen for two Bishops. 23

♗d5!

White is not interested in winning the exchange. It is the King that Spielmann wants. Black’s Queen is now compelled to leave the sixth rank. 23

...

24

♖xf6!

♕xc2

The removal of the Queen justifies this sacrifice. 24

...

gxf6

Now it is necessary: 1) To get rid of the Bishop on f6. 2) To get into action the Bishop on b2 which is languishing on a magnificent diagonal, but one which has never been opened.

456

457

25. I S

Here is the realization of the plan which we spoke about at the beginning. The Knight and the Bishop have gone. The enemy castled position has been damaged. Now all that remains is to deliver mate. How?

Ty

M

White threatens 27 ♗xf6 mate (Mate No. 14A). The continuation might be: 26

...

♖c6

But in attacking the f6 square we have, move by move, deprived it of:

27

♗xc6

♕xc6

1) the eventual support of the Knight on

28

♗xf8

d6. 2) the support of the Bishop on f6 which occupies it. 3) the support of the Queen which has been driven away. 4) the support of the Pawn on g7. Why occupy f6? Because on f6 (or f8) our Queen’s Bishop will deliver mate. No desperate sacrifice of the Rook or the Queen will be able to prevent the mate. 25 26

♕g3+

And White mates after 28 ... ♕c5+ 29 ♗xc5 h5 30 ♗f8 ♗g4 31 ♕e3 ♔g8 32 ♕h6 b5 33 ♕g7 mate. Or else: 26

...

♕c6

27

♗xc6

♖g8

27 ... ♖xc6 28 ♗xf8 ♗g4 29 ♕xg4 any 30 ♕g7 mate.

♔h8 28

♗xf6+

29

♕xg7 mate.

♖g7

♗e7!

It’s Mate No. 8.

458

459

25. I S

Let’s return now to the position in the diagram. Consider it anew and see how effective is the Bishop, which on b2 seemed totally inactive. It is this Piece, however, which enables him finally to administer Mate No. 8.

22

Ty

M

♖g3!

Why does this move prevent the counterattack 22 ... ♖e7 ? Quite simply because a typical mate would follow (our Mate No. 3) i.e. 22 ... ♖e7? (the action of the Black Queen on the Bishop on f6 is now masked) 23 ♘g6+ hxg6 24 ♖h3+ ♗h4 25 ♖xh4 mate. So Black sees the danger being resolved by exchanging the hostile Knight. But this exchange has the disadvantage of bringing another Piece into the assault on the castled position. 22

...

♗xe5

23

♗xe5

♖e7

24

♕h6

The Queen leaves … but for a better attacking position. 24

...

25

♖ag1

♕d7

White has undertaken an assault on the King’s castled position and for this he has opened the g-file. Black has hit back by bringing his Queen’s Rook to a7 for defence of the seventh rank. Therefore, on first examination, it seems that Black is going to worm his way out of the attack by means of exchanges. Janowski still has a Piece which is not in play, the Queen’s Rook. How can he bring it promptly into action without Black being able to hit back with an attack on White’s Queen? By a simple move which forestalls Black’s counterattack.

460

461

26. S

There are four Pieces attacking the Pawn on g7, which is only defended three times. The two ways of supporting it lead to a catastrophe. 25

...

♖ff7

CHAPTER 26:

Solutions to Exercises

What would have happened if Marco had played 25 ... ♖g8, not abandoning the eighth rank? White would have continued 26 ♖g4! with the difficult to parry threat of another typical mate (Mate No. 17A) 27 ♕xh7+ ♔xh7 28 ♖h4 mate. To be noted, with the same idea, 26 ♖g5 (pointed out by certain careless commentators) would be less exact. Why? Because Black would reply 26 … ♖xe5, forcing White to play 27 dxe5 (the White Queen cannot be taken because of mate on g8) 27 … ♕f7 and the attack is stopped. 26

Resigns.

♗xb8!

Since he remains a Piece down and under the impact of a strong attack. It is clear that if 27 … gxh6 28 ♖g8 mate. In this example, it is necessary to underline the subtle way in which White’s 22nd move forestalled Black’s counterattack … ♖e7 by the latent threat of a mate in three moves. In many games, the blows and the possible combinations envisaged by the two opponents are more interesting than the moves actually played. It is the role of the commentator to reveal these to the reader.

462

Ex

-11

♖h5+

2

♖xg6 mate.

♔g7

Pin and double check. -21

...

♖xg2+

2

♔ or ♖xg2

♕xh3 mate.

The object of Black’s sacrifice was to get rid of the defender of the Pawn on h3. -31

♖xf7+

2

♕g7 mate.

♔xf7/♔g8

-41

♗f6+

2

exf6 mate.

♘xf6

-51

♖xe6+

2

♕f7 mate.

463

♔xe6

26. S

One of the numerous examples of a blunder. Actually La Bourdonnais played 1 ♕e7+ which considerably extended the mating process. There was also a mate by 1 ♕f7+ ♗xf7 2 ♘e8 mate.

2

♘f6+

3

♘f7 mate.

Ex ♔d8

- 11 -

-61

♕f5+!

...

♘d4+

2

♔xd1

♘e3+

3

♔c1

♘e2 mate.

♘xf5

A deflection of the Knight. 2

1

e6 mate.

- 12 -

This position comes from a theoretical variation of the Muzio Gambit. -71

♘f6++

2

♕e8 mate.

♔f8

1

...

♕xg1+

2

♔xg1

♘e2+

3

♔h1

♘f2 mate.

These three exercises show the same mate in different but analogous positions.

An elementary example of the double check.

- 13 1

-81

♕h7+!

♔xh7

2

♖e7++

♔h8

3

♖h7 mate.

...

♕xh2+!

To place the White King in a position where it will be subject to a double check and at the same time to destroy the guard of the g3 square. 2

♔xh2

♖h5++

The power of the double check. The two pieces giving check are en prise.

-91

♘b5+

2

♘d6 mate.

♔e8

3

♔g1

♗h2+

4

♔h1

♘g3 mate.

- 14 -

- 10 1

♕e8+!

♔xe8 464

1

♕h7+

♔f8 465

26. S 2

♕h8+

♔e7

3

♘f5+!

exf5

4

♗c5++ and mate.

Ex

- 18 29

...

♗xb2+

30

♖xb2

♕e1+

31

♖b1

♕or♖xb1 mate.

Power of the double check. - 15 Mate No. 2 1

♖e8+

♗d8

2

♖xd8+

♖xd8

3

♘c7+

♔b8

30

♔b1

4

♘a6++

♔a8

31

♖b2

5

♕b8+

♖xb8

6

♘c7 mate.

- 16 1

♕e5+

♔a8

2

♘c7+

♔b8

3

♘xe8+

♔a8

4

♘c7+ etc.

Now that the Rook on e8 (which pinned the Queen) has gone, the game continues as in the classic examples: 4 ♘c7+ and mate on the 7th move.

Or else: ♗d4+

If 31 ♔c2 ♕b1 mate. 31

...

♕e1+

32

♔c2

♖xb2 mate.

- 19 1

♕c5+

dxc5

2

♖d8 mate.

Anastasia’s mate in the centre of the chessboard. - 20 1

...

♘g3+

- 17 1

♘g6+

hxg6

2

♕h3 mate.

This is Greco’s Mate No. 3. The g8 square is obstructed instead of being covered. 466

To deflect the Rook on f3 which guards the f1 square. 2

♖xg3

♖xg1+

3

♔xg1

♖e1 mate.

467

26. S

Anastasia’s mate. - 21 1

...

♕xc3+

2

bxc3

♗a3 mate.

- 22 ...

♕xc3+

2

bxc3

♗a3 mate.

- 23 ♕xh6+

gxh6

2

♗d4+

♗e5

3

♗xe5+

♖f6

4

♗xf6 mate.

Mate No. interpositions.

7B,

delayed

...

13

♗e2

3

h4

♕xh4

4

gxh4

♗h2 mate.

- 25 1

♘g6+

♔g8

2

♘e7+

♔h8

3

♖xh7+

♔xh7

4

♖h1 mate.

1

by

two

♕h5

Or else ... ♕h3, followed by mate. [This is a modified position. In the actual game the White Queen was on d2 thus allowing the defence 13 ♖e1, to meet 13 ... ♕h3 with 14 ♗f1. Then 13...♘g4 14 h4 ♕xh4? 15 gxh4 ♗h2+ 16 ♔f1 and there is no mate.]

468

♘g4

- 26 -

- 24 12

...

If 1 ... fxg6 it is the classical position of Mate No. 2. 2 ♖xh7+ ♔xh7 3 ♖h1 mate. Now it is Anastasia’s mate.

A twin brother of the previous example.

1

2

Blackburne’s mate.

The example which has given its name to Mate No. 6.

1

Ex

♖df1!

♕xc4?

It was necessary to play 1 ... ♕xf1+. Now there is a mate in four moves. 2

♘g6+

♔g8

3

♘e7+

♔h8

4

♖xh7+

♔xh7

5

♖h1 mate.

Anastasia’s mate. - 27 – The position, inspired by the game Lewitzky – Marshall, Breslau 1910, has been modified to make it more typical. Its solution, 469

26. S

coming after the two previous exercises, is relatively easy. 1

♕g6!

Threatening 2 ♕xh7 mate. If 1 ... hxg6 2 ♘e7 mate. If 1 ... fxg6 2 ♘e7+ ♔h8 3 ♖xf8 mate. 1 ... h6 2 ♖xh6 etc. 1 ... ♕e4 2 ♘e7+ and mate next move. 1

...

♕xg6

2

♘e7+

♔h8

3

♘xg6+

♔g8

The Knight cannot be captured by the fPawn because of ♖xf8 mate, nor of course by the pinned h-Pawn. 4

♘e7+

♔h8

5

♖xh7+

♔xh7

6

♖h3+

♖h4

7

♖xh4 mate.

It’s Anastasia’s mate. - 28 1

...

♖a1+

2

♖xa1

♕g5+

3

♔b1

♘d2+

4

♔c1

♘b3+

5

♔b1

♕c1+

6

♖xc1

♘d2+

7

♔a2

♖a8+

8

Ex ♖xa4 mate.

♕a4

This is a mixture of the mechanisms of Lucena’s Smothered Mate and Anastasia’s Mate. Actually, in the game the Pawn placed on c4 in our diagram was on c7. Loyd announced mate in eight moves and showed it to his opponent who resigned. But with the Pawn on c7, instead of c4, the King could flee to a2 on the sixth move and there is no mate. [It’s actually mate in 9. White interposes with 3 ♘e3 or 3 ♘f4 thus delaying the mate by one move.] - 29 No. Since there is an obvious mate in four moves. 31

♖xh7+

♔xh7

If 31 ... ♔g8 32 ♖hxg7+ and mate next move. 32

♕h5+

♔g8

33

♕f7+

♔h7

34

♕xg7 mate.

- 30 -

470

The plan to mate on h8 demands that beforehand the flight of the King to f7 is prevented. It is necessary to close the corridor. But 16 g6 is insufficient because of 16 … ♕xg6. How did Alekhine solve the problem? 16

dxe5

♘e5!

471

26. S

There is no other move. If 16 ... ♕xe5 17 g6! If 16 ... g6 17 ♖h8+! followed by mate next move. The Pawn on d6 is deflected; now it cannot come to d5 to block the a2-g8 diagonal. 17

g6!

♕xg6

18

♕c4+

♗d5

19

♕xd5+

♕ or ♖f7

20

♖h8 mate.

5

Ex ♖xg4 mate.

♗g4

- 33 1

♕xf7+

♖xf7

2

♖e8+

♖f8

3

♖xf8+

♔xf8

4

♖e8 mate.

Mate No. 1 plus Mate No. 9. - 34 -

- 31 -

White is threatening Lolli’s Mate No. 9.

The mate on g2 (Mate No. 8) is prevented by the Knight on e3. If 1 ... hxg3 2 fxg3, and the h-Pawn is protected by the White Queen. The solution? A Queen sacrifice to arrive at Mate No. 9. 1

...

♕xh2+

2

♔xh2

hxg3+

3

♔g1

♖h1 mate.

- 32 1

...

2

♘g2

♗e4+

We are reminded of typical Mate No. 10 where an interception prolonged the solution by one move. 2

...

♖xg2+

31

♖xh5+

gxh5

32

♕xh5+

♔g8

33

♕h8 mate.

And 30 ... ♕f5 is not a sufficient defence on account of 31 ♘e7. But Black has a good defence which opposes the threat of Lolli’s mate with the counter threat of the Corridor mate and renders the sacrifice unsound. For example: 30

...

♗xf4!!

31

♖xh5+?

♗h6!

And White must give up the exchange by 32 ♖xh6+ so as to be able both to stop the mate commencing with ... ♕e1+ and save the attacked Rook.

3

♔h1

♖g1+

Note that 32 ♖e5 loses a Piece after 32 ... ♖xe5 33 ♗xe5 d4!

4

♔xg1

♖g8+

- 35 -

472

473

26. S 1

g6

♗xh6

If 1 ... gxh6 2 ♕xh6+ and 3 ♕ mates. If 1 ... f6 2 ♗c1+ ♕xh5 3 ♖xh5 mate. If 1 ... d5 2 ♕xh5 and 3 ♖xh5 mate. [1 ... ♕e6 stops the mate in 3 but of course also loses at once.] 2

♕xg6+!

3

♗xf8 mate.

Ex

that is to say without loss of time, without which Black would have the possibility of making a defensive move, coming with the Queen’s Rook to d8. Lastly, abandoning the protection of the eighth rank would have allowed a Corridor Mate. - 37 -

fxg6 1

...

2

♔h1

♗g1+

- 36 – This position has a little history. Teichmann – who was one-eyed – played 26 ... ♖g6. S.Tarrasch commenting on the game (Berliner Lokal-Anzeiger) wrote: “Naturally this Rook move is entirely wrong” and published a long analysis establishing that 26 ... ♕xe5 would give Black a win. This commentary was reproduced by many journals and even by the great monthly German chess magazine Deutsche Schachzeitung. But in the book of the tournament, G.Marco replied “Despite only having one eye, the problem composer Teichmann saw at first glance that if he played 26 ... ♕xe5 it would be mate in four moves: 27

♕xh7+!!

♘xh7

28

♖d8+

♘f8

29

♖h8+

♔xh8

30

♖xf8

mate.”

The object of the Queen sacrifice is twofold. First of all, it opens the h-file for the King’s Rook. Then, it prepares for a check, 474

If 2 ♖xg1 ♕f2+ and mate on the following move. 2

...

♖g3

3

♕xg3

♕xg3

4

♖f2

If 4 ♖xg1 ♕xh3 mate. 4

...

♕xf2

5

any

♕h2 mate.

- 38 In this position, White played 1 ♕g4?, and after 1 ... ♗xf5 2 ♕xf5 obtained a draw in the endgame. But W. Henneberger could announced mate in five moves. How? 1

♗g7+!

♖xg7

2

♖c8+

♖g8

3

♕g4!

475

have

26. S

Threatening simultaneously 4 ♕xg8 mate, 4 ♖xg8 mate, and 4 ♕g7 mate. 3

...

4

♖xd8

Ex

19

♘e6+

♔h5

20

♖f5+

♔h4

♕d8

And Black, no longer able to parry the three threats, is mated on the following move. - 39 Reminiscent of a position composed by Stamma, this is one of the most extraordinary mates to which a grandmaster has been subjected in a tournament game.

Curiously, the continuation now given in earlier sources is 21 ♗g5+ ♔g3 22 ♖f3+ ♘xf3 23 ♘f5 and ‘mate’. But this is false since the King can go to f2. It is necessary to play as follows: 21

♖f4+

22

♘g7+

Two variations:

36

...

♘e2+!

22

...

37

♖xe2

♖f1+!

23

h4+

38

♔xf1

♕h1+

39

♔f2

♘g4 mate.

Here is the mating pattern.

♔h5

♔g5

[Here the authors miss the quicker finish for White by 23 ♖g4+ ♔f6 24 ♘d5 mate, which is why the exercise reads: White mates in 8 moves and not 9.] 23

...

♔h6

24

♖xf7+

♗e3

25

♗xe3 mate.

Or 22

...

♔h6

23

♖xf7+

♗e3

24

♗xe3 mate.

- 40 - 41 17

fxg7+

♔xg7

18

♕xh6+

♔xh6

476

This exercise is misleading and in a test – together with five other positions – we 477

26. S

submitted to students, it stumped a number of them. It is, however, a typical mate, strictly conforming to the scheme of Mate No. 12C. Undoubtedly it is the possibility of giving check with the Rook which induced mistakes in the solutions of the competitors.

11

♗h6+

12

♕g5+!

Ex ♔g8

Deflecting the Queen in order to deliver Mate No. 14C.

1

♗e7+

♔e8

12

...

♕xg5

2

♗f6+

♔f8

13

♖e8+

♗f8

3

♕e7+

♔g8

14

♖xf8

mate.

4

♕xg7 mate.

- 44 -

Typical mate No.12C. - 42 -

1

♖e8+

2

♘h6+

♘f8

1

...

♕h1+

2

♔xh1

♗f3+

3

♔g1

♖xe1+

2

...

♕xh6

4

♗xe1

♖xe1 mate.

3

♖xf8+

♔xf8

4

♕d8 mate.

The sacrifice of the Queen enables him to exploit the weakness of the first rank and deliver one of the derivative forms of the Corridor Mate.

In order to deflect the Black Queen, which intercepts the action of the White Queen.

This is Mate No. 15. - 45 -

- 43 – 1

This position, which in fact has been reached by a few masters – and notably Janowski – arises from a game played by White at Knight odds with the Max Lange Attack: 1 e4 e5 2 ♗c4 ♗c5 3 0-0 ♘f6 4 c3 ♘c6 5 d4 exd4 6 e5 d5 7 exf6 dxc4 8 ♖e1+ ♔f8 9 ♕h5 ♗d6 10 fxg7+ ♔xg7 And now a very pretty mate in four moves.

478

♘f6+!

Provoking the opening of the g-file, as in the ♕xf6 of Morphy’s sacrifice. 1

...

2

♕f8+!

gxf6

In order to bring the King to f8 to give check by ♗h6, without allowing Black the time to play an aggressive move. 479

26. S 2

...

♔xf8

3

♗h6+

♔g8

4

♖e8 mate.

3

Ex

♘f7+

♔c8

And here we come back to mate No.15B by the same device as in the previous exercise. 4

♖e8+

5

♖d8 mate.

♗xe8

It’s Mate No. 14C. - 46 1

- 48 -

♕d5+!

Black cannot take the Queen on account of 2 ♖e8 mate. 1

...

♔c8

2

♕d7+

♔b8

The King is in the corridor. Now he will get rid of the protecting Knight. 3

♕d8+

♘c8

4

♕xc8+

♔xc8

5

♖e8 mate.

1

♕xf6!

♖xd1

The best. If 1 ... ♕xg3 2 ♖xg3 ♖xd1+ 3 ♔g2 and wins. If 1 ... gxf6? 2 ♗e5+! ♕g4 3 ♖xg4+ ♔h8 4 ♗xf6 mate (Morphy’s Mate No. 14). 2

♕xg7+!

♔xg7

3

♗e5+

♔h6

4

♗g7+

♔h5

5

♗e2+

And Black has the choice between mate and giving back all the Pieces.

It’s mate No.15B. - 47 –

5

... ♔h4?

This position arose during the course of a simultaneous exhibition. It is justly famous.

6

♗f6 mate.

1

Or:

♕d7+!

The classic sacrifice of the Queen to place the Black King in a situation where it will be subject to a double check. 1

...

♗xd7

2

♘d6+

♔d8 480

5

...

♕g4

6

♗xg4+

♔g5

7

♗xd1+

♔f5

8

♗xf8 and wins.

481

26. S

Thus the threat of Morphy’s mate has brought about a winning endgame. - 49 Black played: 32

35

♔xg1

♖xe1+

36

♖xe1

♖b8

and Black wins.

...

- 50 -

♕g6! 1

And White resigned. The threat is 33 ... ♕xg1+ 34 ♔xg1 ♖c1+ 35 ♕f1 ♖xf1 mate (Mate No. 14C).

33

♖xg6

♖c1+

34

♖g1

♖xg1+

35

♔xg1

♖c1+

36

♕f1

♖xf1 mate.

♖aa1

♖xd8

2

gxf7+

♔e7

3

♗c5 mate.

1

♖c8!

♖xc8

2

♖xc8

♗xc8

[2 ... ♔d7 prevents mate on the next move but of course also loses.] 3

♕xd8 mate.

2

...

3

♕e7 mate.

Or ♕xc8

An amusing application of the pin. ♕e1!

- 52 -

But Black is still winning because after the exchanges he is left a Bishop up. For example: 34

...

♖c1!

Threatening a pinned mate 34 ... ♕g2 mate! The defence 34 ♖axc1 would be insufficient since after 34 ... ♖xc1, White will have to sacrifice the Queen anyway: 35 ♕e1 ♖xe1, and mate next move. 34

1

- 51 -

Again it is Mate No. 14C. Let us now try to protect the first rank and bring back the Rook on a7.

♕xd8+!

The object of this sacrifice is to remove the guard of the f7 square.

Is there a defence? Let us first try capturing the Queen.

33

Ex

...

1

♖xe5!

♕xe5?

2

♕c6+!

bxc6

♕xg1+ 482

483

26. S 3

♗xc6 mate.

Ex

It’s typical Mate No. 18. - 56 -

Boden’s mate. In the game, Black, whose Knight was on d7, played 16 … ♕g6 and not 16 … ♘e5?

11

♕g5+

hxg5

12

♗xg5 mate.

- 53 1

♕xh5+!

gxh5

If 1 ... ♘h6 2 ♕xh6+ ♔g8 3 ♕xg7 mate.

Epilogue to a famous game. - 57 12

♖xe7

♕xe7

2

g6+

♔xg6

13

♖xf6

gxf6

3

♖g1+

♔h7

14

♘f5

♕e4

4

♖ (any)xg7

mate.

A little preparation has brought about Damiano’s Mate No. 17. - 54 1

♖h7+

♔xh7

If 1 ... ♔g8 or 1 ... ♔f8 2 ♕xf7 mate. If 1 ... ♔g6 2 ♕f5 mate or 2 ♕xf7 mate. 2

♕xf7+

♔h8

3

♖h1+

♖h6

4

♖xh6 mate.

If 14 ... ♕e6 15 ♕f4 ♔h8 16 ♕h6. 15

♕g5+!

16

♘h6 mate.

It’s Mate No. 9B. Black can win in several other ways, but not so elegantly. - 58 1

gxf6

♕xf6!

If 1 ... 0-0 2 ♕xg7+ ♔xg7 3 ♗f6+ ♔g8 4 ♘h6 mate (Mate No. 19B).

It’s typical Mate No. 17C. - 55 1

♕g8+!

♔xg8

2

♖e8+

♖xe8

3

♖xe8 mate.

2

♘xf6+

3

♗h6 mate.

♔f8

It’s Mate No. 19A. - 59 1

484

fxg5

♖xg6+ 485

26. S

Ex

If 2 ... ♕e5 3 ♖g8+ ♔e7 4 ♘f5 mate. Black has the choice between two replies: 1

...

2

♕h8 mate.

3

♖e8+!

hxg6

The sacrifice for Mate No. 18 in order to draw the King into a mating net.

It’s Mate No. 9. 1

...

fxg6

2

♘e7 mate.

3

...

♔xe8

4

♖g8+

♔e7

5

♘f5 mate.

- 62 -

It’s Mate No. 20 forced by a double check. - 60 1

♖xg7+!

1 ♘xg7

If 1 ... ♔h8 2 ♖xh7+ ♔xh7 3 ♕h3+ ♔g8 4 ♖g1+ ♘g5 5 ♖xg5 mate.

...

♖xh2

Threatening Mate No. 9. 2

♔xh2

If 2 ♕xf3+ ♘xf3 the Arabian mate.

(Damiano’s Mate No. 17). 2

♘h6+

♔h8

2

...

♖h8+

3

♘exf7+

♖xf7

3

♔g1

♕xg3+

4

♘xf7+

♔g8

4

fxg3+

♘f3++

5

♘h6+

♔h8

5

♔g2

♖h2 mate.

6

♕g8+

♖xg8

7

♘f7 mate.

- 63 Editor’s correction:

Lucena’s mate has been brought about by an amusing preparatory sacrifice. - 61 1

♕xe8+

♔xe8

2

♘d4+

♔f8

The authors gave here as the solution to a proposed mate in 6 moves: 1 ♖xh6+ gxh6 2 ♘f6+ ♔h8 3 ♖g7! Threatening the Arabian mate. Then 3 ... ♔xg7 4 ♘e8++♔g6 5♕f6+ ♔h5 6 ♘g7 mate. But apart from the fact that 3 ... ♕c7+ spoils the mate in 6 there is actually a mate in 4 by : 1

486

♘f6+

♔h8 487

26. S

Ex

- 67 1 ... gxf6 2 ♕xf6 followed by 3 ♕g7 mate or 3 ♕xh6 mate depending on Black’s reply.

1

♕xf5+

♔d4 ♔xe3

2

♖xg7

♔xg7

2

♗e3+

3

♘h5+

♔h7

3

♕f2 mate.

4

♕g7 mate.

Mate by drawing the attacked King into a mating net.

- 64 -

- 68 –

1

...

♘g3+

2

♔g1

♕xg2+

3

♖xg2

♘xh3 mate.

Mate No. 21.

This position arises from a variation of the Muzio Gambit: 1 e4 e5 2 f4 exf4 3 ♘f3 g5 4 ♗c4 g4 5 0-0 gxf3 6 ♕xf3 ♕f6 7 d3 ♘c6 8 ♗xf4 ♕xb2? 9 ♗xf7+ ♔d8 10 ♗g5+ ♗e7 11 ♗xg8 d6. There is now a mate in three moves:

- 65 -

1

♕f8+

♔d7 ♔xe6

1

♘g6+

♔g8

2

♗e6+!

2

♕g7+

♖xg7

3

♕f5 mate.

3

♘h6 mate.

The same mate as in the previous exercise.

The stratagem and the mate are the same as in the previous exercise. - 69 -

- 66 1

...

2

Resigns.

♘f3!

The threat of the Arabian mate, 2 ... ♕xh2, forces the reply: 2

gxf3

♖d2

This position occurred in the last round of the Carlsbad Tournament, 1907. Rubinstein had 14½ and Maroczy, his only rival for first place, 13½. Therefore Rubinstein did not worry too much about winning the game since ½ point was sufficient for victory. That is undoubtedly why he played carelessly, 24 ... ♗a6?, a move which entailed rapid exchanges and a draw.

And the mate on h2 can no longer be prevented, White not having the means to defend the second rank.

He had overlooked a mate in a few moves, thus:

488

489

24

...

♖h5!

26. S 25

h3

♘g4!!

26

fxg4

♖xh3+

27

♔g1

♕h2+

28

♔f1

♕h1+

29

♔e2

♕xg2 mate.

- 71 1

♕xg6+

♔h8

Forced since if 1 ... ♔xg6 2 ♖g3 mate! 2

exf5

♗xf5

If 2 ... ♖xf6 3 ♕h7 mate.

Or else: 25

g3

♕xg3

26

♗e4

♖xd1

27

♖xd1

♘xe4

28

fxe4

♗xe4+

29

♕xe4

♕xh2 mate.

In this variation 27 ... ♘g4 is equally winning. The solver will verify that 25 ♘e5 would delay the mate by a move and the longest resistance is provided by 25 ♔g1. But mate is inevitable. - 70 22

Ex

...

If 2 ... ♕c7 3 ♕xh6+ ♖h7 4 ♕xf8 mate. 3

♕xh6+

4

♕xh7 mate.

♖h7

The Arabian mate. - 72 – In this position, Loyd played 33 ♕xf3! After his opponent had replied imprudently 33 ... ♕xf3?, he announced mate in three moves: 34

♘d7+

♔a8

35

♘c6++

♘a6

36

♘b6 mate.

♕xf1+!

- 73 Eliminating the guard of f2. 23

♔xf1

24

♔g1

♖xf2+

If 24 ♔e1 ♖e2+ 25 ♔d1 ♖f1 mate. 24

...

♖f1+

25

♔g2

♖8f2 mate. 490

1

♕e8+

♗d8

2

♕xd7+!

♔xd7

3

♗g4+

♔d6

4

♖e6+

♔d7

5

♖e5+

♔d6

6

c5 mate. 491

26. S

Mate by chasing the King.

not having played his 40th move in time. Réti therefore registered the full point.

- 74 1

...

Ex

On the 35th move, Hromadka could have ♖h5+

1) won the White Queen, which is not bad; 2) announced mate in five moves, which is even better.

Pretty and unexpected. 2

♔xh5

♕h3+

3

♔g5

h6+

4

♔f4

g5+

5

♔e5

♕e6 mate.

Win of the White Queen 35

...

♗f5 ?!

and the Queen is lost, because, if she goes to d5, there is a mate as follows:

- 75 –

36

♕d5

♕g2+

First of all, a little geography. Pistyan – which one must be careful not to confuse with the Italian city of Pistoia, as we have often seen done – is a small Czech spa town where they cure rheumatism. It is situated near the Carpathians, an hour and a half from Bratislava.

37

♔e1

♕f2+!

38

♗xf2

gxf2+

39

♔f1

♘e3 mate.

In the tournament contested here in 1922 and where E.D.Bogoljubow won ahead of A.Alekhine and R.Spielmann, the position in the diagram was reached between R.Réti and Major Hromadka, a charming man, but with a name that is unpronounceable for a guttural Frenchman. You do not need to be very clever to realize that White is lost. But in reaching this winning position, Hromadka had used up a lot of time. He had six moves to make in two minutes. He played 35 ... ♕g2+, and on 36 ♔e1 ♘xe5 37 ♗xe5 ♗f5 etc, ruined his position irreparably and in addition lost the game by

492

Mate in a definite number of moves: 35

...

36

♗xf2

♖f2+!

Otherwise 36 ♔e1 ♕xg1+ 37 ♗f1 ♕xf1 mate. 36

...

♗h3+

37

♔e1

gxf2+

38

♔xf2

♕g2+

39

♔e1

♕g3 mate.

493

26. S 6

-76 1

♕h4+

♔xg6

2

♕h5+

♔f6

3

♗g5+

♔e5

4

♗e7!

A charming quiet move, completely encircling the Black King and prohibiting it from d6. 4

...

5

♖e1+

6

♖xe3 mate.

♕e3+

- 77 1

hxg4 mate.

This was a possible variation in a game of Alekhine’s. - 78 1

♘h6+

♔h8

2

♘xf7+

♔g8

3

♖xg7 mate.

- 79 -

c4

[4 ... ♕b4 would have merely delayed the mate by one move.]

♕h7+

A sacrifice to drive the King into a mating net. 1

...

♔xh7

2

♖xg7+

♖xg7

The second sacrifice had been made with the object of gaining access to f6 for the Knight. 3

♘f6+

♔g6

4

♗h5+

♔f5

5

g4+

♖xg4

494

Ex

1

♗d8+

♔a7

2

♖xa6+

bxa6

If 2 ... ♔xa6? 3 ♕a5 mate. If 2 ... ♔b8 3 ♕f4+ and, after two covers, mate by 6 ♕c7. 3

♕d7+

♔b8!

4

♕c7+

♔a8

5

♕c8+

♔a7

6

♗b6+

♔xb6

7

♕b8 mate.

It’s the Epaulettes Mate. The position was composed and does not come from a game … But it is plausible. - 80 1

...

♕e1+

2

♗g1

♘f2+

3

♔g2

♕e4+

4

♔f1

♕d3+ 495

C 5

♔g2

♕f3+

 

6

♔f1

♘e4+

 

7

♔e1

♕f1 mate.

First published in the United Kingdom as Paperback and eBook in 2015 by

The adroit problemist, Edward Pape, has demonstrated here that the qualities required for composing problems also find their application in practical play.

y

Batsford 1 Gower Street London WC1E 6HD www.batsford.com An imprint of Pavilion Books Group Ltd Translated volume copyright © Batsford 2015 Text copyright © Georges Renaud and Victor Kahn The moral right of the authors has been asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, displayed, extracted, reproduced, utilised, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or scanning without the prior written permission of Pavilion Books Group Limited. eISBN 978-1-84994-296-6 This book can be ordered direct from the publisher at www.pavilionbooks.com, or try your local bookshop.

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