My source for this famous game is The Most Instructive Games Of Chess Ever Played:62 Masterpieces Of Chess Strategy by the late Irving Chernev who was and continues to be one of the most prolific chess authors of all time.The comments I make on moves will reflect the fact that my understanding of what is occurring is a combination of my own perceptions and what I have absorbed from Chernev's own annotations of this classic battle but the wording is always entirely my own unless otherwise indicated.
"Rook On The Seventh Rank"
Jose Raul Capablanca-Savielly Tartakower
New York 1924
Dutch Defense
1.d4 f5
2.Nf3 e6
I think Capablanca was aiming to prevent any ...e5 breaks in the center on black's part with Nf3 but my knowledge of the subtleties of the Dutch Defense is severely limited so I'll let Ray's comments inform..."2. Nf3 is mainly to prevent Bb4+ (or pin) lines that were popular at the time after the "usual" 2. c4. This is why sometimes it is better to go into a classical Dutch by way of 1...e6, then 2...f5, so White may already have committed to 2.c4...if that is an option you want to keep."
2.Nf3 e6
I think Capablanca was aiming to prevent any ...e5 breaks in the center on black's part with Nf3 but my knowledge of the subtleties of the Dutch Defense is severely limited so I'll let Ray's comments inform..."2. Nf3 is mainly to prevent Bb4+ (or pin) lines that were popular at the time after the "usual" 2. c4. This is why sometimes it is better to go into a classical Dutch by way of 1...e6, then 2...f5, so White may already have committed to 2.c4...if that is an option you want to keep."
3.c4 Nf6
It's best to play c4 before Nc3 since it allows more pressure on the central d5 square while leaving the option of Nc3 open as a possibility for further pressure.
4.Bg5 Be7
The most active square for the bishop since it pins the knight which makes it superior to 4.Bf4
5.Nc3 0-0
The queenside knight hops into the fray with additional pressure on the central d5 square.
6.e3 b6
The black bishop has no scope along the c8-h3 diagonal so black opts for the b7-h1 diagonal while e3 creates an outlet for the light squared bishop while simultaneously propping up the central d4 pawn.
7.Bd3 Bb7
The kingside bishop takes up it's most active post.
8.0-0 Qe8
The logical and crystal clear play of Capablanca in this game is a pleasure to behold!
9.Qe2 Ne4
The queen moves to support an advance of white's king pawn that will accentuate his edge in central space.
10.Be7 Nc3
11.bc3 Qe7
The important feature about this position is that Capablanca possesses an edge in central space and he should restrict black's ability to challenge this.
12.a4 Bf3
The newly weakened pawn on c3 would have come under fire after ...Qa3 so Capa puts an end to that idea.
13.Qf3 Nc6
There is another significant positional feature on the board now in the form of the different minor pieces possessed by white and black.
14.Rfb1 Rae8
The black rook is positioned to support an ...e5 break in the center that would diminish the space edge white holds.
15.Qh3 Rf6
But Capa puts an end to this notion! The advance of the e-pawn will now be met by Bf5 with advantage to white
16.f4 Na5
This leaves a backward pawn on e3 but solidifies white's control of e5 thus securing white's superior center control for the time being.
17.Qf3 d6
The queen will support an e4 advance which should open up b1-h7 diagonal for white's bishop at some point.
18.Rbe1 Qd7
The battle rages in the center with both sides aiming for central breaks.
19.e4 fe4
and Capa beats Tartakover to the punch!
20.Qe4 g6
The scope of the bishop along the b1-h7 diagonal has been tremendously improved while black's knight languishes on the sidelines.
21.g3 Kf8
The important f4 pawn is given further support.
22.Kg2 Rf7
It seems that black has trouble finding a worthwhile plan.
23.h4 d5
This move lashes out at black's pawn on g6 with the intention of opening the h-file or weakening black's kingside pawn structure and this idea is helped by the fact that white's bishop points in the same direction so the feature of bishop vs knight seems to be taken into consideration in the choice of plan by Capablanca.
24.cd5 ed5
25.Qe8+ Qe8
26.Re8+ Ke8
The exchanges have left Capablanca with a kingside pawn majority and the plan of attack on that side of the board initiated by 23.h4 is still in the air.
27.h5 Rf6
The rook hastens to defend the twice attacked g6 pawn but Capablanca gains the h-file in the ensuing exchanges.
28.hg6 hg6
29.The h-file is immediately seized and an attempt to prevent the penetration of the rook to the seventh rank by ...Rf7 is met by the winning pin Bg6
30.Rh7 Rc6
The late but still great Irving Chernev had some wise words of wisdom to say about this move.
"Rook to the seventh-the magic move in Rook and Pawn endings.What is the secret in the strength of this move? It is this:
(a) The Rook is in perfect position to attack any Pawns that have not yet moved-those still standing on the second rank.
(b) The Rook is prepared to attack any Pawns that have moved,by getting behind them without loss of time. The Pawns would be under constant threat of capture,no matter how many squares they advanced on the file.
(c) The Rook's domination of the seventh rank confines the opposing King to the last rank,preventing him from taking any part in the fighting."
-Irving Chernev from The Most Instructive Games Of Chess Ever Played on pg.19
31.g4 Nc4
The c-pawn is still taboo because of Bg6 in response and the resulting connected passed pawns would be a force to be reckoned with.
32.g5 Ne3+
The g-pawn is locked down and is now a fixed target.
33.Kf3 Nf5
34.Bf5 gf5
A combined attack on the g-pawn by bishop and rook has been prevented but the exchange of bishop for knight has left white with a protected passed pawn.
35.Kg3 Rc3+
This is considered a particularly brilliant move on Capablanca's part as he willingly gives up a host of pawns for the purpose of obtaining a superior position.
36.Kh4 Rf3
The black rook is now far more active!
37.g6 Rf4+
The great Capa gives up another pawn but a spot for the king's journey to the tasty square f6 is vacated.
38.Kg5 Re4
The capture ...Rd4 leaves the rook on the wrong file to deal with the oncoming threats of mate.
39.Kf6 Kg8
The classic rook and king mate is threatened!
40.Rg7+ Kh8
Capa checks before threatening mate again.
41.Rc7 Re8
This rook retreat by black is forced as Rc8+ ...Re8 Re8++ was threatened if black took a tempo to capture the d-pawn or make an alternative move of any kind.
42.Kf5 Re4
The passed pawn must not be allowed to queen! So Capa snaps it off.
43.Kf6 Rf4+
The black rook is still given no time to capture the d-pawn as Rc8+ ...Re8 Re8++ is once again threatened
44.Ke5 Rg4
The king readies to snatch a black pawn to add a second passed pawn to his list of advantages.
45.g7+ Kg8
The variation ...Rg7 Rg7 ...Kg7 Kd5 is not pleasant for black as he will have trouble stopping white from queening his passed d-pawn.
46.Ra7 Rg1
The correct pawn to take first since the d-pawn is blockaded and not moving anytime soon.
47.Kd5 Rc1
The d-pawn falls and Capa is blessed with a pretty much won game.
48.Kd6 Rc2
The king gives the d-pawn some breathing room so it can triumphantly march up the board.
49.d5 Rc1
The d-pawn inches forward but the king will have to step out of the way for further progress to be made.
50.Rc7 Ra1
The exchange ...Rc7 Kc7 would be instantly disastrous for black as the d-pawn would quickly queen.
51.Kc6 Ra4
A passed pawn appears on the board for black but alas it is too late to change the outcome.
52.d6 Resigns
It won't be possible for black to stop the queening of the d-pawn without decisive material loss so Tartakower tipped over his king.
It's best to play c4 before Nc3 since it allows more pressure on the central d5 square while leaving the option of Nc3 open as a possibility for further pressure.
4.Bg5 Be7
The most active square for the bishop since it pins the knight which makes it superior to 4.Bf4
5.Nc3 0-0
The queenside knight hops into the fray with additional pressure on the central d5 square.
6.e3 b6
The black bishop has no scope along the c8-h3 diagonal so black opts for the b7-h1 diagonal while e3 creates an outlet for the light squared bishop while simultaneously propping up the central d4 pawn.
7.Bd3 Bb7
The kingside bishop takes up it's most active post.
8.0-0 Qe8
The logical and crystal clear play of Capablanca in this game is a pleasure to behold!
9.Qe2 Ne4
The queen moves to support an advance of white's king pawn that will accentuate his edge in central space.
10.Be7 Nc3
11.bc3 Qe7
The important feature about this position is that Capablanca possesses an edge in central space and he should restrict black's ability to challenge this.
12.a4 Bf3
The newly weakened pawn on c3 would have come under fire after ...Qa3 so Capa puts an end to that idea.
13.Qf3 Nc6
There is another significant positional feature on the board now in the form of the different minor pieces possessed by white and black.
14.Rfb1 Rae8
The black rook is positioned to support an ...e5 break in the center that would diminish the space edge white holds.
15.Qh3 Rf6
But Capa puts an end to this notion! The advance of the e-pawn will now be met by Bf5 with advantage to white
16.f4 Na5
This leaves a backward pawn on e3 but solidifies white's control of e5 thus securing white's superior center control for the time being.
17.Qf3 d6
The queen will support an e4 advance which should open up b1-h7 diagonal for white's bishop at some point.
18.Rbe1 Qd7
The battle rages in the center with both sides aiming for central breaks.
19.e4 fe4
and Capa beats Tartakover to the punch!
20.Qe4 g6
The scope of the bishop along the b1-h7 diagonal has been tremendously improved while black's knight languishes on the sidelines.
21.g3 Kf8
The important f4 pawn is given further support.
22.Kg2 Rf7
It seems that black has trouble finding a worthwhile plan.
23.h4 d5
This move lashes out at black's pawn on g6 with the intention of opening the h-file or weakening black's kingside pawn structure and this idea is helped by the fact that white's bishop points in the same direction so the feature of bishop vs knight seems to be taken into consideration in the choice of plan by Capablanca.
24.cd5 ed5
25.Qe8+ Qe8
26.Re8+ Ke8
The exchanges have left Capablanca with a kingside pawn majority and the plan of attack on that side of the board initiated by 23.h4 is still in the air.
27.h5 Rf6
The rook hastens to defend the twice attacked g6 pawn but Capablanca gains the h-file in the ensuing exchanges.
28.hg6 hg6
29.The h-file is immediately seized and an attempt to prevent the penetration of the rook to the seventh rank by ...Rf7 is met by the winning pin Bg6
30.Rh7 Rc6
The late but still great Irving Chernev had some wise words of wisdom to say about this move.
"Rook to the seventh-the magic move in Rook and Pawn endings.What is the secret in the strength of this move? It is this:
(a) The Rook is in perfect position to attack any Pawns that have not yet moved-those still standing on the second rank.
(b) The Rook is prepared to attack any Pawns that have moved,by getting behind them without loss of time. The Pawns would be under constant threat of capture,no matter how many squares they advanced on the file.
(c) The Rook's domination of the seventh rank confines the opposing King to the last rank,preventing him from taking any part in the fighting."
-Irving Chernev from The Most Instructive Games Of Chess Ever Played on pg.19
31.g4 Nc4
The c-pawn is still taboo because of Bg6 in response and the resulting connected passed pawns would be a force to be reckoned with.
32.g5 Ne3+
The g-pawn is locked down and is now a fixed target.
33.Kf3 Nf5
34.Bf5 gf5
A combined attack on the g-pawn by bishop and rook has been prevented but the exchange of bishop for knight has left white with a protected passed pawn.
35.Kg3 Rc3+
This is considered a particularly brilliant move on Capablanca's part as he willingly gives up a host of pawns for the purpose of obtaining a superior position.
36.Kh4 Rf3
The black rook is now far more active!
37.g6 Rf4+
The great Capa gives up another pawn but a spot for the king's journey to the tasty square f6 is vacated.
38.Kg5 Re4
The capture ...Rd4 leaves the rook on the wrong file to deal with the oncoming threats of mate.
39.Kf6 Kg8
The classic rook and king mate is threatened!
40.Rg7+ Kh8
Capa checks before threatening mate again.
41.Rc7 Re8
This rook retreat by black is forced as Rc8+ ...Re8 Re8++ was threatened if black took a tempo to capture the d-pawn or make an alternative move of any kind.
42.Kf5 Re4
The passed pawn must not be allowed to queen! So Capa snaps it off.
43.Kf6 Rf4+
The black rook is still given no time to capture the d-pawn as Rc8+ ...Re8 Re8++ is once again threatened
44.Ke5 Rg4
The king readies to snatch a black pawn to add a second passed pawn to his list of advantages.
45.g7+ Kg8
The variation ...Rg7 Rg7 ...Kg7 Kd5 is not pleasant for black as he will have trouble stopping white from queening his passed d-pawn.
46.Ra7 Rg1
The correct pawn to take first since the d-pawn is blockaded and not moving anytime soon.
47.Kd5 Rc1
The d-pawn falls and Capa is blessed with a pretty much won game.
48.Kd6 Rc2
The king gives the d-pawn some breathing room so it can triumphantly march up the board.
49.d5 Rc1
The d-pawn inches forward but the king will have to step out of the way for further progress to be made.
50.Rc7 Ra1
The exchange ...Rc7 Kc7 would be instantly disastrous for black as the d-pawn would quickly queen.
51.Kc6 Ra4
A passed pawn appears on the board for black but alas it is too late to change the outcome.
52.d6 Resigns
It won't be possible for black to stop the queening of the d-pawn without decisive material loss so Tartakower tipped over his king.
4 comments:
Some Dutch info:
2. Nf3 is mainly to prevent Bb4+ (or pin) lines that were popular at the time after the "usual" 2. c4. This is why sometimes it is better to go into a classical Dutch by way of 1...e6, then 2...f5, so White may already have committed to 2.c4...if that is an option you want to keep.
Then, of course White plays 3. c4. Most modern players play g3, Bg2, 0-0 before committing to c4. Also, by playing Nc3 too early, black may end up in a Stonewall Dutch with a well-timed d5, where White doesn't have the resource of b3 & Ba3, since the knight that holds the B is on c3 instead of b1.
Because Black avoided the Bb4 lines, White got in one of the most aggressive lines against the passive Dutch: Bg5 & Bd3. This is all geared up for a K-side attack. Black treis to salvage what he can with the b6, Bb7 setup, but it already looks too late.
Tartakower played many impressive Dutch Defenses in the 20s, but this isn't one of them.
One of the big themes of the Classical Dutch is the Q-side/K-side race, where White is crushing the Black Q-side while Black is trying to dig out the opposing King by storming up that wing. This never transpires here, as White shuts down Black's K-side early. Capa dominates in this game fairly early on.
By the way, Bf4 isn't as impressive as Bg5. It may be sound, but it seems to be swinging at nothing.
Ray,
Thanks for the insights and I'll look into making some modifications to my anaylsis after digesting them fully.
Post a Comment