Chess Strategy · Chapter 38Game No. 30
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White: Tarrasch. Black: Spielmann.
Sicilian Defence.
1. P-K4 P-QB4 2. Kt-QB3 Kt-QB3 3. P-KKt3
Speedy development by Kt-B3 and P-Q4 is more desirable, as otherwise Black may have time to get a firm footing at his Q5.
3. … P-KKt3 4. B-Kt2 B-Kt2
The Black Bishop is the more effective, as the line of the White Bishop is masked by the KP. Small as this advantage would seem, it becomes serious later on. It is another confirmation of the doctrine that the value of each manœuvre in the opening depends on the measure of mobility it affords for the pieces.
5. KKt-K2 Kt-B3 6. P-Q3
Here White could still obtain a freer game with P-Q4. Perhaps he was afraid of losing a pawn after 6. … PxP; 7. KtxP, KtxP. But there is nothing in it, e.g. 8. KKtxKt, KtxKt; 9. KtxQ, KtxQ; 10. KtxBP! (KtxKtP? BxKt; 11. BxB, R-QKt1), KxKt (KtxBP?; 11. KtxR, KtxR; 12. KtxP, KtxP; 13. KtxP), KxKt. There was nothing else to be feared after P-Q4.
6. … P-Q3 7. Castles B-Q2
in order to play Q-B1 and B-R6 and to exchange Bishops, after which there would be weak points at White’s KR3 and KB3.
8. P-KR3 Castles 9. B-K3 P-KR3
Black also prevents an exchange of Bishops.
10. Q-Q2 K-R2 11. P-B4 Kt-K1
The position has now become exceedingly difficult. In order to make the most of the favourable development of his KB, Black must advance on the Queen’s side. But in moving his King’s side pieces over to the Queen’s side, Black must proceed warily, as White might get chances of an attack with overwhelming forces on the King’s side.
12. P-KKt4 Kt-B2 13. Kt-Kt3
Here it was necessary to play R-B2 in order to play the QR to KB1 before Black could manage to drive the Kt to Q1 by P-QKt4-5.
13. … P-QKt4 14. Kt-Q1?
It would still have been better to play QR-K1 and to leave the Queen’s side to itself as long as possible after P-Kt5, 15. Kt- Q1, in order to start an assault on the King’s side with P-B5, P- KR4 and P-Kt5. After the text move the Queen’s Rook remains shut in.
14. … QR-Kt1 15. Kt-K2
in order to play P-B3 and P-Q4. The whole plan, however, is inconsequent, as he has started an attack on the King’s side. Now he suddenly opens up files on the Queen’s side where Black has assembled superior forces. The result is that White gets into trouble on both wings, for as soon as he gives up his King’s side attack, the advanced pawns there, as one knows, are only a source of weakness.
15. … P-Kt5 16. P-B3 PxP 17. PxP Q-B1 18. P-Q4 PxP 19. PxP Q-R3 20. R-B1 Kt-Kt4 21. P-Q5
This shuts in the White KB altogether, and at the same time opens the diagonal of Black’s KB. Therefore, on principle alone the move is questionable. In effect it gives Black an opportunity for a beautiful winning combination. Only P-K5 was worth considering, as then the opposing Bishop would have been shut in and White’s own diagonal opened.
21. … Kt-Kt5!! 22. QxKt Kt-Q5 23. QxKt BxQ 24. KtxB
Although three minor pieces are generally an equivalent for the Queen, in this case the White game collapses quickly. The advanced pawns have produced too many weak points which afford an entry for the Black forces.
24. … KR-B1 25. RxR RxR 26. R-B2 Q-R6 27. R-K2
B-R5 was threatened. But the text move is of no avail either. Black winds up the game with another fine combination.
27. … R-B8! 28. BxR QxB
If R-K1, Q-B4.
29. Kt-B3 QxKtch 30. K-B2 B-Kt4 Resigns.