Chess Strategy · Chapter 30Game No. 22
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White: Forgacz. Black: Tartakower.
French Defence (see p. 48).
1. P-K4 P-K3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. Kt-QB3 Kt-KB3 4. B-Kt5 B-K2 5. P-K5 Kt-K5
KKt-Q2 is better, because it would support the advance of P-QB4 and also be of use eventually in an attack on White’s centre by P-KB3. The text move allows the exchange of two minor pieces, which can only be to White’s advantage, as Black cannot get his QB into play, and is for a long time practically a piece down.
6. KtxKt BxB
After PxKt the pawn would be very weak, and could hardly be held for long.
7. KtxB QxKt 8. P-KKt3
To be able to play P-KB4 before developing the Kt (see p. 49).
8. … P-QB4 9. P-QB3 Kt-B3 10. P-KB4 Q-K2 11. Q-Q2 B-Q2 12. Kt-B3 Castles KR 13. B-Q3 P-B5 14. B-B2 P-QKt4 15. Castles KR P-Kt2 16. Q R-K1 P-QR4
So far the game is easy to understand in the light of the remarks made on page 44, when treating of the openings. The continuation shows in an instructive fashion that White’s attack is the more effective, being directed against the King’s side.
17. P-B5! KPxP
This sacrifice of a pawn in conjunction with a second sacrifice on the next move, produces a combination of rare beauty.
18. P-Kt4!! PxP
If Black did not capture White would. In either case the storming of the position by pawns achieves its object and the lines of attack are free for the pieces.
19. Kt-Kt5 P-Kt3
Now that White has made an opening for himself at KB6, the rest is easy. 19. … P-R3 is of no avail. The sequel might have been: 20 Kt-R 7, KR-Q1; 21 Kt-B6ch, after which White wins after either PxKt; 22 QxP, or K-R1 KtxP.
20. R-B6 K-Kt2
Black gets no breathing space. If P-R3, then 21 BxP.
21. QR-KB1 B-K1 22. Q-B4 Kt-Q1 23. P-K6 R-R3 24. Q-K5 K-R3 25. QR-B5
Help!
25. … BPxP 26. Kt-B7ch QxKt 27. R-R5ch K-Kt2 28. RxKtP mate