[Event "New York"]  [Site "New York, NY USA"]  [Date "1924.03.23"]  [Round "6"]  [White "Jose Raul Capablanca"]  [Black "Savielly Tartakower"]  [Result "1-0"]  [ECO "A85"]  [PlyCount "103"]  [EventDate "1924.03.16"]   1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 f5 3. c4 Nf6 4. Bg5 {[pgndiagram] This move is already a very  rare option against the Dutch, but it is playable. The opening theory was  less developed back in the day anyway. And less important.} Be7 5. Nc3 O-O 6.  e3 b6 7. Bd3 Bb7 {The position resembles some sort of Queen's Indian now.  However, White's dark squared bishop is usually on d2 or c1 and in similar  positions, and not outside the pawn chain on g5. This gives Black extra  options.} 8. O-O Qe8 {A typical move, but not the strongest}   (8... c5 {Is  playable option here.} 9. Qe2   (9. d5 {Is met by simple tactical trick} Nxd5 10.  cxd5 $1 Bxg5 11. dxe6 dxe6 12. Bc4 Nc6 13. Bxe6+ Kh8 {Gives White very little})  9... Ne4 {And Black is very solid}) 9. Qe2 {[pgndiagram] There is nothing  White can do to prevent the Ne4 jump}   (9. Qc2 {Is met by} Bxf3 10. gxf3 Qg6 {  And once again White loses because of the bishop on g5})   (9. Rc1 {Might be  better, deploying the rook on a very useful square.} Ne4 10. Bxe4 fxe4 11. Bxe7  Qxe7 12. Nd2 d5 13. cxd5 exd5 14. Qb3) 9... Ne4 {Now Black has simplified the  position and most probably equalized} 10. Bxe7 Nxc3 $6 {I am not sure whether  this exchange was necessary. But back in the day when you had the opportunity  to double the pawns, you didn't think twice.}   (10... Qxe7 {Might be healthier,  waiting for a move to see what White will do} 11. Bxe4 fxe4 12. Nd2 d5 {Is  pretty healthy for Black}) 11. bxc3 {Later it was demonstrated that White has  considerable potential in similar positions. c5 or d5 advances are both  legitimate tries for advantage} Qxe7 12. a4 $6 {But this move is not necessary}   (12. e4 {Is pretty direct})   (12. Rab1 {Trying to get in c5, is also typical  move in this positions}) 12... Bxf3 $1 {[pgndiagram] A good move, not  presenting White with another chance of exchanging the light squared bishops.  The knight is a better piece in this blocked position} 13. Qxf3 Nc6 14. Rfb1   (  14. e4 {Was still possible nevertheless} fxe4 15. Qxe4 g6 {And White enjoys a  slight advantage}) 14... Rae8 15. Qh3 {So far, Capablanca hasn't found the  strongest plan in the position} Rf6 16. f4 Na5 {Probing the c4 weakness} 17.  Qf3 d6   (17... c5 {Is a typical move in this structure, blocking the c-pawns  from moving and preparing an assault on them. Remember Nimzowitsch's words:  First restrain, then blockade, finally destroy.} 18. Re1 {White can't really  pursue the e4 plan now, but for demonstration sake...} g6 19. e4 cxd4 20. cxd4  Nb3 {And d4 falls}) 18. Re1 {Finally preparing e4} Qd7 19. e4 {[pgndiagram]Now  this move is possible. There aren't any Nb3 tricks.} fxe4 20. Qxe4 g6 21. g3  Kf8 $2 {But this move is really unclear to me}   (21... c5 {Was once again  perfectly possible} 22. d5 e5 {And Black is slightly better}) 22. Kg2   (22. Bf1  {Was perhaps even better} c5 23. dxc5 bxc5 24. Rad1 {White prepares Bh3 next,  greatily activating the bishop.}) 22... Rf7   (22... c5 {Ignoring this one once  again})   (22... Nxc4 {Wasn't really an option} 23. Bxc4 d5 24. Qe5 {The f6 rook  is attacked}) 23. h4 {[pgndiagram] Black's hesitant play has given White  enough time to generate chances on the kingside} d5 $6   (23... Nxc4 {Was now  perfectly possible however} 24. Bxc4 d5 25. Bb5 dxe4 26. Bxd7 Rxd7 27. Rxe4 {  And White is slightly more active, but Black should be able to hold with best  play}) 24. cxd5 exd5 25. Qxe8+ Qxe8 26. Rxe8+ Kxe8 {[pgndiagram] Capa  simplifies to a better endgame. His kingside pawn majority is very dangerous}  27. h5 Rf6   (27... gxh5 {Is obviously bad due to} 28. Rh1) 28. hxg6 hxg6 29. Rh1  Kf8 30. Rh7 Rc6 31. g4 $2 {Objectively, this move is of a dubious value,  because Black has some amazing resources that allow him to stay in the game}   (  31. Rd7 {Was the most precise move} Nb3 {Now doesn't work, due to}   (31... Rxc3  32. Bxg6) 32. Rxd5 Nc1 33. Be4 Ne2   (33... Rxc3 34. Bxg6) 34. Rd7 Rxc3 35. Kf2  Nxg3 36. Bxg6 {[pgndiagram] And at the end of the long variation White retains  the better chances. Although even here Black has practical chances of saving  the game}) 31... Nc4 $6 {Missing the chance to save the game}   (31... Nb3 $1 {  Was correct here} 32. g5 Nc1 33. Bb1 {Keeping an eye on g6} Ne2 34. Kf3 Nxc3 {  And Black has enough counterplay for a draw}) 32. g5 Ne3+ 33. Kf3 Nf5 34. Bxf5  gxf5 {Tartakower surely counted on this position when he played 31.. Nc4, but  unfortunately for him, Capablanca shows a historic endgame idea that will find  its way to endgame manuals for decades to come} 35. Kg3 $3 {[pgndiagram]  Giving up two pawns for the sake of activity. The best example of importance  of the king position in the endgame. This move is the main reason why this  game is famous.} Rxc3+ 36. Kh4 Rf3 {Black's position was probably very  difficult already, but going for the second pawn makes his defence even harder}   (36... c5 37. dxc5 bxc5 38. g6 {Is still pretty hopeless though}) 37. g6 Rxf4+  38. Kg5 Re4 39. Kf6 {[pgndiagram] The difference between the kings is now  obvious. It is important that Black's pawn is still on f5, as it is shielding  White's king from potential checks along the f file.} Kg8 {Mate was threatened}  40. Rg7+ {An important check, forcing the black king on an unfavorable square}  Kh8 41. Rxc7 {The mating threat still exists} Re8 42. Kxf5 {[pgndiagram] White  finally captures on f5. He has regained his material investment with great  dividens. The remaining Black pawns are about to fall as well.} Re4 43. Kf6 {  "The king is a strong piece. Use it"} Rf4+ 44. Ke5 {Now d5 also falls.  Tartakower could have resigned here. The rest of the game is of no interest}  Rg4 45. g7+ Kg8 46. Rxa7 Rg1 47. Kxd5 Rc1 48. Kd6 Rc2 49. d5 Rc1 50. Rc7 Ra1  51. Kc6 Rxa4 52. d6 {[pgndiagram] One of the most instructive endgames ever  played.} 1-0

[Event "Casual Game"]  [Site "New York, NY USA"]  [Date "1918.06.18"]  [Round "?"]  [White "Jose Raul Capablanca"]  [Black "Marc Fonaroff"]  [Result "1-0"]  [ECO "C66"]  [PlyCount "43"]  [EventDate "1918.??.??"]   1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 d6 4. Nc3 Nf6 {[pgndiagram] Some strange sort of  Philidor /Four knights game is on the board.} 5. Bb5 {And now Capa transposes  to Ruy Lopez. Don't ask me what is the name of variation, I am really confused  with the move order :D. Probably some sort of Berlin/Steinitz defence with d6}  Bd7 6. O-O Be7 {Black is typicaly passive, but rather solid in this positions.  He doesn't have immediate problems with development or many weaknesses, but he  does have less space.} 7. Re1   (7. d5 {It is always a question whether White  wants to play this advance in similar structures} Nb8 8. Be2 O-O {And  objectively White should be better here, but Black has counterattacing chances  on the kingside and it probably didn't suit Capablanca's style.}) 7... exd4 {  [pgndiagram] Exchanging the pieces is usually in favour of player with less  space.} 8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Bxb5 10. Nxb5 {[pgndiagram] White is still  slightly better in this type of pawn structure, where White's e4 pawn faces  Black's d6 counterpart. However, an exchange of two pairs of minor pieces is  definitely to Black's advantage. Typicaly White has attacking chances on the  kingside in similar positions and exchanges reduce his attacking potential} O-O  11. Qc3 {This move is slightly pointless} c6 $2 {But this creates a weakness  on d6 and justified White's previous move}   (11... a6 {Was correct. The c7 pawn  is indirectly defended} 12. Nd4   (12. Nxc7 {Would of course be a horrible  blunder due to} Rc8) 12... Nd7 13. Nf5 Bf6 {[pgndiagram] And the difference  between a6 and c6 is apparent - the d6 pawn is not hanging.}) 12. Nd4 {Now  White's knight will feel very good on f5, hitting Black's d6 pawn and creating  threats on the kingside} Nd7 $2 {[pgndiagram] Not sensing the danger} (12...  Re8 {Was probably better}) 13. Nf5 {Now White has a very strong attack} Bf6 14.  Qg3 Ne5 15. Bf4   (15. Be3 {Was probably even better, not allowing Qb6}) 15...  Qc7   (15... Qb6 {Was a possibility here} 16. Nxd6 Ng6 17. e5 Bh4 {But this is  too computerish even for today's standards, let alone for the 1918.}) 16. Rad1  Rad8 17. Rxd6 $5 {[pgndiagram] Starting a very beautiful combination that is  slightly flawed. Still, Capablanca never avoided tactics when he thought the  position required them}   (17. h4 {Maintaning the tension was probably  objectively stronger, but much less fun}) 17... Rxd6 18. Bxe5 Rd1 $2 {  [pgndiagram] The problems prove to be too difficult for Fonaroff and he  commits a decisive mistake of the game}   (18... Qa5 {Attacking the rook on e1,  was the way to go.} 19. Bc3 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Rg6 21. Ne7+ Kh8 22. Nxg6+ hxg6 23.  Qd6 {[pgndiagram] And despite White's pawn advantage, the position should be  equal}) 19. Rxd1 Bxe5 {Now Capablanca finishes the game with an elegant  tactical sequence, exploiting the weakness of the back rank and the  unfortunate position of the piece on e5} 20. Nh6+ Kh8 21. Qxe5 $1 {[pgndiagram]  Forcing the Black queen on e5} Qxe5 22. Nxf7+ {[pgndiagram] And now winning a  piece, because taking with the rook is impossible due to a back rank mate. A  very attractive game by Capablanca, even if the class of the opponent was not  very high. The combination immediately became classic.} 1-0

[Event "Capablanca - Corzo"]  [Site "Habana CUB"]  [Date "1901.12.15"]  [Round "11"]  [White "Jose Raul Capablanca"]  [Black "Juan Corzo"]  [Result "1-0"]  [ECO "D05"]  [PlyCount "119"]  [EventDate "1901.11.17"]   1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c5 3. e3 {[pgndiagram] The Colle system. Harmless, but at the  same time also very dangerous system for Black.} Nc6 4. b3 {This particular  variation, featuring an early b3, is topical even today. Hell, it was even  played in the 11th game of the Carlsen - Karjakin World Championship match.} e6  {But this is already a rare response. Black locks his light squared bishop}   (  4... Nf6 {Is considered as a main move nowadays} 5. Bb2   (5. dxc5 Bg4 {Is also  ok for Black}) 5... cxd4 6. exd4 Bg4 {And Black shouldn't have problems}) 5.  Bb2 Nf6 6. Nbd2 cxd4 7. exd4 {Still, Black hasn't done anything wrong so far  and has a perfectly playable position} Bd6 8. Bd3 O-O 9. O-O Nh5 $2 {But this  is already slightly misguided. Black embarks on kingside activity instead of  completing his development calmly}   (9... b6 10. Re1 Bb7 {Would nowadays be  played by any Candidate Master most probably}) 10. g3   (10. Re1 Nf4 11. Bf1 {  Was also perfectly playable}) 10... f5 $6 {[pgndiagram] Once you have said A,  you usually say B. But here Black should have admitted his mistake and  retreated his knight}   (10... Nf6) 11. Ne5 {Apart from exploiting the weakness  of e5, White could have also opened things up with c4}   (11. c4 Nf6 12. a3 Ne4  13. Rc1 {And White is better}) 11... Nf6 12. f4 $6 {And this move is hard to  judge. On one hand it strengthens White's control of e5, but on the other hand  it hands the e4 square to Black}   (12. c4 {Was probably once again preferable})  12... Bxe5 $2 {But this is a serious error. Although the pawn on e5 shields  Black's weak e6 pawn, this exchange increases White's control of space.}   (12...  Ne4 {Taking advantage of White's last move, was preferable.} 13. Ndf3 Nxe5 14.  Nxe5 b6 15. Qe2 Bb7 {And the weakness of e5 is compensated by control of e4.  The game is balanced}) 13. fxe5 Ng4 $2   (13... Ne4 {Was once again better}) 14.  Qe2 Qb6 15. Nf3 Bd7 16. a3 (16. c3 {Was probably even better. White's next  couple of moves would intend to move the pieces toward kingside and then start  a direct attack} Rac8 17. Bc1 Qd8 18. Bd2 Ne7 19. Rae1 Qe8 20. h3 Nh6 21. Nh4 {  And here you can see how the pawn on e5 benefits White, as it is much easier  for him to bring his pieces toward kingside. He already has a grat advantage  here}) 16... Kh8 17. h3 Nh6 18. Qf2 Nf7 19. Kg2 g5 $6 {[pgndiagram] This  decision is also objectively dubious. An ancient chess rule claims that it is  better not to play on the side of the board where your opponent has the  advantage. But on the other hand Black is desperate for counterplay in this  position}   (19... a5 {Is the alternative} 20. g4 a4 21. b4 Ne7 {And Black's  position is probably better than the one he got in the actual game}) 20. g4 $1  {I like this decision by Capablanca} Ne7   (20... f4 {Would be horrible due to}  21. h4 {With a decisive opening of the kingside})   (20... fxg4 21. hxg4 {And  White's heavy pieces will bring havoc on the h-file}) 21. Qe3   (21. Bc1 {Might  be even more precise}) 21... Rg8 $6   (21... Ng6 {Was a possibility here and  this is the main reason why 21 Bc1 is probably a better move}) 22. Rae1 $6   (22.  a4 {Preventing the exchange of the light squared bishops is probably better  here. This is the best example of how space advantage allows you to play  simultaneously on both sides of the board}) 22... Ng6 $6   (22... Bb5 {Was  slightly annoying for White here as he can't continue with his plan} 23. gxf5  Nxf5 {And he is suddenly worse}) 23. gxf5 $2 {[pgndiagram] But this is a  serious mistake by Capablanca.}   (23. Kh1 f4 24. Qe2 {And White still remains  in control}) 23... Nf4+   (23... exf5 {Was good for Black. The tactical point is  that} 24. e6 f4 $1 {Important intermezzo}   (24... Rae8 25. exf7) 25. Qe2 Rae8 $1  {Is good for Black as} 26. exf7 Rxe2+ {Now comes with check}) 24. Kh2   (24. Kh1  {The computer wants to retreat here. The main reason is once again that in  some variations the king will be checked if the rook take the queen on e2} Nxd3  25. cxd3 Qxb3   (25... exf5 26. e6) 26. Re2) 24... Nxd3 25. Qxd3   (25. cxd3 exf5  26. e6 f4 27. Qe2 Rae8) 25... exf5 {[pgndiagram] So far Black has played very  well in the complications and managed to outplay Capablanca who missed some  important tactical nuances (Kasparov speculated that this tendency of being  superfluous was to cost him dearly in later stages of his career)} 26. c4 $5 {  On the outside, White's pawn mass looks extremely threatening, but Black has  strong countermeasures available} Qe6 $2 {This, unfortunately for Corzo, is  not one of them. The text move prepares Bb5 in the future, but Corzo overlooks  the possibility of a queen sacrifice}   (26... g4 {Was very unpleasant} 27. Nh4  g3+ 28. Kg2 dxc4 {And White's position is unenviable} 29. Qxc4 Be6 {Is winning  for Black} 30. d5 Rac8 31. Qd4 Rc2+ {Just wins} 32. Kg1 Ng5)   (26... dxc4 27.  Qxc4 Be6 28. d5 Rac8 29. Qd4 {Is now good for White})   (26... f4 {Is also a  better move.} 27. cxd5 Bb5 {And now there is zero possibility of a queen  sacrifice, so Black just wins an exchange}) 27. cxd5 Qxd5 28. e6 {[pgndiagram]  After this, White is winning. But Capa does it in a spectacular fashion} Bb5 {  Probably Corzo was counting on this move, but this is met by a spectacular  riposte, which is the main reason why this game is included in this collection}   (28... Bxe6 29. Rxe6 Qxe6 30. d5+ {Is naturally, over}) 29. Qxb5 $3 {  [pgndiagram] A fantastic sacrifice, although strictly speaking, it was not 100  % necessary}   (29. Qd2 {Was more prosaic and probably even stronger. White wins  material} Bxf1   (29... Nd6 30. Re5 Qc6 31. Rxb5) 30. exf7 Rgf8 31. Nxg5) 29...  Qxb5 30. d5+ Rg7 31. exf7 {White has obtained only two pieces for the queen.  But his pawn on f7 is a monster, and the pin via g7 is extremely annoying} h6  32. Nd4 {not the strongest move actually, as it allows Black to continue  resisting for some time now}   (32. Nh4 {Was actually the strongest finish here}  gxh4   (32... Qxf1 33. Rxf1 gxh4 34. Rg1)   (32... Qxb3 33. Bxg7+ Kxg7 34. Nxf5+)  33. Rg1 {And wins}) 32... Qxf1 $1 {[pgndiagram] The best chance. Black  exploits the fact that for the moment rook on g7 is not pinned, and sacrifices  his queen. Unfortunately for him, he still ends up in a losing engame} 33. Rxf1  Rxf7 34. Rxf5 {Now Capa needs to display his technique, which is not a problem  for him in this position. The game is essentially over} Rxf5 35. Nxf5+ Kh7 36.  Ne7 Rf8 37. Kg2 h5 38. d6 g4 39. hxg4 hxg4 40. Be5   (40. Kg3 {Was faster}) 40...  Kh6 41. d7 {[pgndiagram] For the moment it seems that Capa has overextended} Rd8  42. Ng8+ {But this cheeky move allows him to enter an endgame where he will be  a clear piece up} Rxg8   (42... Kg6 43. Nf6 {With Bc7 to follow, is also hopeless  }) 43. Bf6 Kg6 44. d8=Q Rxd8 45. Bxd8 {Corzo could have easily resigned here}  b5 46. Kf2 Kf5 47. Ke3 Ke5 48. Kd3 Kd5 49. Kc3 g3 50. Bh4 g2 51. Bf2 a5 52. b4  Ke4 53. Bb6 Kd5 54. Kd3 Kc6 55. Bg1 Kd5 56. Bh2 Kc6 57. Kd4 a4 58. Ke5 Kb6 59.  Kd5 Ka6 60. Kc5 {One of those games that demonstrated Capablanca's  resourcefulness in objectively worse positions and which shows that Capa  could have played as energetically and riskily as for instance Lasker and  Alekhine.} 1-0

[Event "Capablanca - Marshall"]  [Site "New York, NY USA"]  [Date "1909.06.23"]  [Round "23"]  [White "Frank James Marshall"]  [Black "Jose Raul Capablanca"]  [Result "0-1"]  [ECO "D34"]  [PlyCount "98"]  [EventDate "1909.04.19"]   1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 {[pgndiagram] The Tarrasch! Capa wasn't afraid of  the isolated pawn back in the day} 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 Be6   (6... Nf6  {Is the main move nowadays, not deciding where to put the light squared bishop  yet} 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. b3 Bg4 {The point is that in some variations  Black can take more flexible approach and develop on g4 instead}) 7. Bg2 Be7 8.  O-O Nf6 9. Bg5 {[pgndiagram] The players have transposed into mainline  nevertheless}   (9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. b3 O-O 11. Bb2) 9... Ne4 $2 {This move shows  that such dynamic positions were pretty revolutionary for those times}   (9... c4  )   (9... O-O) 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. Ne5 $2 {[pgndiagram] And here Kasparov's  comment is priceless: "A typical Marshall way of trying to initiate some  tactics out of nothing"}   (11. dxc5 {Was simple and good. After} Nxc3 12. bxc3  Qxc5 13. Rb1 b6 14. Ng5 {White has extremely pleasant position}) 11... Nxd4 {  A cold shower. Capa simplifies the position}   (11... Nxe5 12. Nxe4 dxe4 13. dxe5  {Would be for instance in Marshall's favour}) 12. Nxe4 dxe4 13. e3 Nf3+ {  Another good decision. Capa decides to give up a pawn on e4 in this way, and  as a result he will have a 3-2 pawn majority on the queenside}   (13... Nc6 14.  Nxc6 bxc6 15. Bxe4 {Is of course terrible}) 14. Nxf3 exf3 15. Qxf3 O-O {  [pgndiagram] It is time to pause for a moment. The position should be dead  equal; with the great number of the pieces on the board, the pawn majority of  the queenside shouldn't be regarded as an advantage per se. However, under the  influence of this games, for quite some time it has been regarded that  queenside pawn majority brings automatic advantage} 16. Rfc1   (16. Qxb7 {Would  of course be terrible due to} Qxb7 17. Bxb7 Rab8 18. Bf3 Rxb2 {And Black has a  sizeable advantage})   (16. Rfd1 {Grabbing an open file, was also logical}) 16...  Rab8 17. Qe4 Qc7 {Capa intends to push his pawns} 18. Rc3 $2 {And this is the  first move of questonable value. It is not clear what White hopes to achieve  by doubling on the semi open c-file}   (18. Rd1 {Is perfectly logical} Rfd8 19.  a3 b5 20. Qc2 c4 21. Be4 {And White has nothing to fear}) 18... b5 19. a3 $6   (  19. b3 {Reducing the effect of c4, was better, and more consistent with the  previous move} c4 20. bxc4 bxc4 21. Bf1) 19... c4 {[pgndiagram] Now suddenly  White has an unpleasant position} 20. Bf3 $2 {Again showing indifference  toward the d-file}   (20. Rd1 Rfd8 21. Rcc1 a5 {And still, White should be able  to defend after} 22. Rd4) 20... Rfd8 21. Rd1 Rxd1+ 22. Bxd1 Rd8 23. Bf3 g6 {  [pgndiagram] Now White's pieces are not coordinated and Black enjoys activity}  24. Qc6 $2 {Another suboptimal move.} Qe5 $1 25. Qe4 {There is now nothing  better}   (25. Kg2 Rd2) 25... Qxe4 {Now, after queen exchange, b5 will not be  attacked, so Black should go for the exchange} 26. Bxe4 Rd1+ 27. Kg2 a5 {  [pgndiagram] The game is almost over; Black's queenside pawn majority will  soon come crashing through. It is amazing how quickly Marshall, a top 10  player, lost his way in a seemingly harmless position} 28. Rc2 b4 29. axb4   (29.  h4 {Would be met by} b3 30. Re2 c3 31. bxc3 Ra1 {And wins}) 29... axb4 30. Bf3  Rb1 31. Be2   (31. Rd2 {Would come to very similar things} b3 32. Be2 Rc1 33. Bd1   (33. Kf3 Rc2) 33... c3 34. bxc3 b2 {As in the game}) 31... b3 32. Rd2 Rc1 33.  Bd1 c3 34. bxc3 b2 35. Rxb2 Rxd1 {[pgndiagram] Capa wins the piece and with it  the game. Marshall could have resigned here, but back in the day resigning  wasn't done as easily as today} 36. Rc2 Bf5 37. Rb2 Rc1 38. Rb3 Be4+ 39. Kh3  Rc2 40. f4 h5 41. g4 hxg4+ 42. Kxg4 Rxh2 43. Rb4 f5+ 44. Kg3 Re2 45. Rc4 Rxe3+  46. Kh4 Kg7 47. Rc7+ Kf6 48. Rd7 Bg2 49. Rd6+ Kg7 {[pgndiagram] An impressive  game, which had a massive influence on many subsequent generations of the  chess players.} 0-1

[Event "New York"]  [Site "New York, NY USA"]  [Date "1924.04.12"]  [Round "19"]  [White "Savielly Tartakower"]  [Black "Jose Raul Capablanca"]  [Result "0-1"]  [ECO "C33"]  [PlyCount "60"]  [EventDate "1924.03.16"]   1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Be2 {[pgndiagram] Already a very rare variation of the  King's gambit} d5 $1 {Very thematic, simple and direct. Black strikes in the  centre}   (3... Qh4+ 4. Kf1 {Is probably playable, but it is not easy to decide  on it without thorough preparation}) 4. exd5 Nf6 {I very much like Capa's  treatment of the opening}   (4... Qxd5 5. Nf3 Bd6 6. d4 {Would lead to the type  of game White wanted to obtain from the very start- free development, obvious  moves and tactical threats from the very beginning}) 5. c4 c6 6. d4   (6. dxc6  Nxc6 {Is just terrible for White - the weakness of d4 is deciding}) 6... Bb4+   (  6... cxd5 {Is perfectly normal as well}) 7. Kf1 $6 {[pgndiagram] A very  strange and not necessary decision}   (7. Bd2 {Was the lesser evil; White got  outplayed in the opening all the same and it is time to start thinking about  equalizing} Bxd2+ 8. Qxd2 cxd5 9. Nf3 O-O 10. O-O) 7... cxd5 {White has no  compensation for the position of his king or the pawn deficit} 8. Bxf4 dxc4 9.  Bxb8 $2 {Overlooking a very nice defensive resource} Nd5 $1 {A strong riposte}   (9... Rxb8 10. Qa4+ {Would, of course, be a disaster}) 10. Kf2 Rxb8 11. Bxc4  O-O {[pgndiagram] White has restored material equality, but the position of  his king is what still hurts him} 12. Nf3 Nf6 13. Nc3 b5 $1 14. Bd3   (14. Nxb5 {  Is not very wise} Ne4+ 15. Kg1 Bg4) 14... Ng4+ 15. Kg1 Bb7 {[pgndiagram] All  Black's pieces are pointed toward the king} 16. Bf5   (16. h3 {Retained more hope  } Nf6 17. Qe2 {Although even here, White's position is terrible}) 16... Bxf3  17. gxf3 Ne3 {Now Black wins instantly} 18. Bxh7+ Kh8 $1 {The strongest}   (18...  Kxh7 19. Qd3+ Kg8 20. Qxe3 Re8 {Was also sufficient though}) 19. Qd3 Bxc3 20.  bxc3 Nd5 {Black has many threats. Qg5 and g6 for instance} 21. Be4 Nf4 22. Qd2  Qh4 23. Kf1 f5 {[pgndiagram] Now the rook will join the attack. White's rooks  haven't made a single move yet} 24. Bc6 Rf6 25. d5 Rd8 26. Rd1 Rxc6 27. dxc6  Rxd2 28. Rxd2 Ne6 29. Rd6 Qc4+ 30. Kg2 Qe2+ {[pgndiagram] An impressive,  effortless victory and the best example of the validity of "Never play King's  gambit against Capablanca" saying} 0-1

[Event "New York"]  [Site "New York, NY USA"]  [Date "1927.02.20"]  [Round "2"]  [White "Aron Nimzowitsch"]  [Black "Jose Raul Capablanca"]  [Result "0-1"]  [ECO "D30"]  [PlyCount "82"]  [EventDate "1927.02.19"]   1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 d5 4. e3 {A strange way of playing the Queen's  gambit, with the dark squared bishop locked behind the pawn chain}   (4. Bg5 {Is  more common}) 4... Be7 {This time there is no Tarrasch. Capablanca plays more  classicaly} 5. Nbd2 {I don't like this move. White refrains from Nc3, putting  some pressure on the d5 pawn, and allows Black to carry out his own c5 advance  easily}   (5. Nc3 {Is more normal}) 5... O-O 6. Bd3 c5 $1 {[pgndiagram] Pretty  thematic in similar positions and a good move, putting immediate pressure on  the White centre.} 7. dxc5 $6 {Not the best reaction in my opinion}   (7. b3 {  Given White's developing scheme, this move was the most sensible, trying to  keep his centre intact}) 7... Na6 $1 {Strong play by Capablanca. The knight  will reach the c5 with gain of tempo} 8. O-O   (8. cxd5 Nxc5 9. Be2 Qxd5 {Is  excellent for Black}) 8... Nxc5 9. Be2 {A sad, but necessary retreat} b6 $5 {  Black has no problems in developing his pieces and is already slightly better}  10. cxd5 $6 {Bringing another piece to the centre}   (10. b3 {Trying to develop  the bishop on b2 and waiting to capture on c4 with the knight, was wiser})  10... Nxd5 11. Nb3 {Nimzowitsch moves a knight for the second time, while his  dark squared bishop is still undeveloped} Bb7 $1 {[pgndiagram] Simple and  strong}   (11... Ne4 {Also came into consideration}) 12. Nxc5 Bxc5 13. Qa4 $6   (  13. Bd2 {Trying to develop finally, was probably better} Qf6 14. Qb3 Rfd8 15.  Rfd1 {And nothing terrible for White is apparent}) 13... Qf6 {Making the  development of the bishop unavailable for the moment}   (13... a5 {Not allowing  the exchange of the bishops, was probably even better}) 14. Ba6   (14. Bd2 Qxb2)  14... Bxa6 15. Qxa6 Nb4 16. Qe2 $2   (16. Qc4 {Would appear to be better. The  point is that after} Rfc8 17. Bd2 {Black doesn't have a convenient discovered  attack on the queen} Bf8   (17... Qxb2 18. Rfb1 {Is out of the question} Qc2 19.  Rxb4 Bxb4 20. Qxb4 Rc4 21. Qb3) 18. Qg4 {And White holds}) 16... Rfd8 {  [pgndiagram] Now Black manages to install the knight on d3 and White can't  move his bishop all the same} 17. a3   (17. Bd2 Qxb2 {Now hurts White}) 17... Nd3  18. Ne1 $6 {It is natural that White wants to get rid of the knight  immediately, but this delays his development further and gives Black more time  to create some attacking chances}   (18. Rd1 {Getting rid of the knight in  another fashion, was better} Ne5 19. Rxd8+ Rxd8 20. Ne1 $1 {The only defence.  Preventing Nd3. Now White threatens Bd2} Ng6 21. Ra2 $5 {A strange looking  move but a familiar idea. White intends b4 next and it seems that Black can't  prevent him from finishing development. But the nature of this moves shows  that White has complicated his task earlier and that particular ingenuinity  and creativity were required}) 18... Nxe1 19. Rxe1 Rac8 {[pgndiagram] It is  apparent that Black's pieces are much more active and that he has the upper  hand} 20. Rb1   (20. Ra2 {Once again came into consideration. However, without  the knights and with the rooks on d8 and c8, White stands worse than in the  positions examined before} Bf8 21. b4 Qc3 22. Bb2 Qb3 23. Bd4 g6 {And Black  retains the advantage}) 20... Qe5 21. g3   (21. b4 Bd6 22. g3 Qe4 23. Rb2 a5 {Is  unpleasant}) 21... Qd5 22. b4 Bf8 23. Bb2 {[pgndiagram] Nevertheless, due to  the symmetry in the position White should be able to hold the position.} Qa2  24. Ra1 Qb3 25. Bd4   (25. Rec1 {Not allowing the rook on c2, was probably wiser}  Rxc1+ {Black can try to press with the a5 advance} 26. Rxc1 a5 $5) 25... Rc2  26. Qa6 $6 {Nimzowitsch's sense of danger fails him. Moving the Queen away and  going after the a pawn is a luxury in this position}   (26. Qd1 {With the threat  of Re2, was the best defence} Qc4   (26... e5 $2 27. Re2 Rc3 28. Qxb3 Rxb3 29.  Bxe5) 27. Rc1 Rc8 28. Rxc2 Qxc2 29. Qxc2 Rxc2 30. Kf1 {And White shouldn't  lose this endgame})   (26. Qf1 {Keeping the queen in the vicinity of the king,  was also a better choice}) 26... e5 $1 {[pgndiagram] Great play by Capa. At  the cost of a mere pawn he manages to double his rooks on the second rank} 27.  Bxe5 Rdd2 28. Qb7 $2 {The losing move. After the fall of f2 pawn, White is  simply left without any hope whatsoever}   (28. Rf1 $2 {Would lose to} Qxe3)   (28.  Qf1 {Was the only move.} h5 $5   (28... Rxf2 {Taking the queen for two rooks is  also a good choice, as White's king is rather weak} 29. Qxf2 Rxf2 30. Kxf2 h5 {  And again this idea yields Black an advantage in the position. The goal is to  weaken the kingside pawn structure})) 28... Rxf2 29. g4 Qe6 30. Bg3 Rxh2 $1 {  It is possible that Nimzowitsch missed this move} 31. Qf3   (31. Bxh2 {Would  lead to mate after} Qxg4+ 32. Kh1 Qh3) 31... Rhg2+ 32. Qxg2 Rxg2+ 33. Kxg2 Qxg4  {[pgndiagram] And now the game is essentialy over.} 34. Rad1 h5 35. Rd4 Qg5 36.  Kh2 a5 37. Re2 axb4 38. axb4 Be7 39. Re4 Bf6 40. Rf2 Qd5 41. Re8+ Kh7 {  [pgndiagram] Here Aaron finally decided to throw in the towel. A brilliant  game by Capablanca - healthy logical play in the opening, setting the opponent  with some problems in the middlegame and exploiting his mistakes in a tactical  manner when required. He was always a difficult opponent for Nimzowitsch.} 0-1

[Event "Margate"]  [Site "Margate ENG"]  [Date "1935.04.30"]  [Round "6"]  [White "Edward G Sergeant"]  [Black "Jose Raul Capablanca"]  [Result "0-1"]  [ECO "C01"]  [PlyCount "78"]  [EventDate "1935.04.24"]   1. e4 e6 {This is a game from the later stage of Capablanca's career, with the  peak of his chess strength long gone. However, he was still capable of  producing masterpieces reminiscent of his best days. Masterpieces such as this  one} 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. exd5 {I think that apart from the immediate  exchange variation, this delayed exchange variation of the French is the  second most annoying thing for any Winawer player} exd5 5. Bd3 Ne7 {  [pgndiagram] It is interesting to note that Capablanca puts his knight on e7  instead of f6. He is already intending to place his king on the kingside and  push the kingside pawns and he doesn't want his knight on the way of the f-pawn  } 6. Nf3 Bg4   (6... O-O {Is still safer, but without the will to risk things  Black can hardly play for the win in these structures}) 7. O-O   (7. h3 {It is  always a question whether White should include this move. I personally don't  see how White can benefit here} Bh5 8. O-O Nbc6 9. Be3 Qd7 {And the pin is as  present as always}) 7... Nbc6 8. Ne2 $2 {A questionable decision}   (8. Be3 Qd7 {  Is more normal}) 8... Bd6   (8... Bxf3 {I think Black could have shattered the  structure immediately and played for the control of the f4 square later on} 9.  gxf3 Bd6 10. c3 Qd7 {And next long castling, followed by Ng6 comes. Black is  already slightly better}) 9. c3 Qd7   (9... Bxf3 {Was now the last chance}) 10.  Ng3 $2 {[pgndiagram] The problem with this move is that it will enable Black  to push the h-pawn with tempo}   (10. Ne1 {Was apparently the strongest move in  the position. White plans to reroute the knight to e3 via c2 and also removes  the dangerous pin}) 10... h5 $1 {Good play by Capablanca} 11. Re1 O-O-O   (11...  h4 {Was probably more precise, not presenting White with the opportunity to  play h3 himself} 12. Nf1 h3 13. g3 O-O-O {And Black is slightly better}) 12. h3  h4 13. Nf1 Bh5 14. Be2 {Slightly too timid}   (14. b4 $5 {Came into  consideration.} f6 15. a4 g5 16. Ne3 {With complicated position with chances  for both sides}) 14... Ng6 15. Ng5 Bxe2 16. Rxe2 Rde8 {[pgndiagram] The  symmetry of the position and the exchanges that follow should lead to equality,  but alas..}   (16... Nf4 {Why not?} 17. Re1 Rde8 18. Rxe8+ Rxe8 19. Bxf4 Bxf4 20.  Nf3 {With equality}) 17. Rxe8+ Rxe8 18. Be3 Nf4 19. Qg4 $2 {[pgndiagram] The  first step in the wrong direction. This exchange, allowing the doubling of the  g-pawn, turns the h-pawn into a very strong soldier that will ultimately  decide the game}   (19. Bxf4 Bxf4 20. Nf3 {Was perfectly alright for White})  19... Qxg4 20. hxg4 f6 {Capablanca plays this stage very strongly in my  opinion. First he makes sure he doesn't lose his f-pawn}   (20... Nd3 $2 21. Nxf7  ) 21. Bxf4 {Wise, preventing the jump to d3}   (21. Nf3 Nd3 {Is unpleasant})  21... Bxf4 22. Nf3   (22. Nh3 {Was better, gaining a tempo and preventing the  rook to join the game} Bd6   (22... Bh6 23. f4 $1) 23. Ne3 {With equality}) 22...  Re2 $1 {[pgndiagram]Now the rook on the second rank hurts White} 23. Rb1 {Very  passive}   (23. Nxh4 Rxb2 {Was probably a better chance nevertheless, but White  is still on the back foot}) 23... g5 24. Ne1 Na5 {Now the knight also joins  the game} 25. Nd3 Nc4 26. b3 Nd6 27. Rb2 Rxb2   (27... Re6 {Maybe Black could  have refrained from exchanging the rooks, since he controls the e-file}) 28.  Nxb2 Kd7 29. f3 {Now White's pawns on the kingside are fixed. It is amazing  that Sergeant loses this position in only 8 more moves, but still, he does  have an unpleasant ending}   (29. g3 {Getting rid of the h4 pawn, was possibly a  better defence. Still, after} hxg3 30. fxg3   (30. Nxg3 Bxg3 31. fxg3 Ne4 {Loses}  ) 30... Bc1 31. Nd3 Ba3 {Black retains the upper hand}) 29... b6 30. Kf2 Nb5  31. Nd1 c5 32. a4 Nc7 33. Ke2 {Faulty. White probably missed the tactical shot  Black has at his disposal}   (33. Nfe3 {Trying to exchange a pair of minor  pieces, was probably better} Bxe3+ 34. Nxe3 a5 {And White has some chances of  surviving}   (34... Kc6 35. b4)) 33... Ne6 34. Kd3 Kc6 {[pgndiagram] Takinga  moment to defend the d5 in advance}   (34... Bd6 35. Nfe3 Kc6 36. Nxd5 {Leads to  equality, for instance}) 35. Nde3   (35. Nfe3 cxd4 36. cxd4 Bg3 {Loses to the  same tactical idea that happened in the game} 37. b4 Nf4+ 38. Kd2 Nxg2)   (35.  dxc5 {Was the only defence} bxc5 36. c4 d4 37. Ke4 {Although White doesn't  want to willingly give a passed d4 pawn to Black if he doesn't regard it as an  absolute necessity. Sergeant can probably be excused for not sensing the danger  }) 35... Bc7   (35... Bxe3 {Was now the strongest} 36. Kxe3 {If White takes with  the knight, then the familiar Nf4+ - Nxg2 tactic works} cxd4+ 37. cxd4 b5 {But  with the king on e3, Black can make progress on the other wing. White can't  really move his knight or his king} 38. Nd2 Kb6 39. Nb1 bxa4 40. bxa4 Ka5 {And  Black will soon win}) 36. Nd2 $2 {Removing the knight from a solid defensive  position and completely overlooking Black's idea}   (36. b4 {Would have allowed  White to resist. The deadly check on b5 is threatened} Nf4+ 37. Kd2 Nxg2 {  [pgndiagram] Now doesn't work} 38. b5+ $1 {A key move} Kd7 39. Nxg2 h3 40. Nge3  h2 41. Nxh2 Bxh2 42. Nxd5 {And suddenly White wins}) 36... Nf4+ {Now there is  nothing White can do and the game is over. The knight has been moved to d2 and  there is no check on b5} 37. Kc2 Nxg2 {[pgndiagram] Here Sergeant resigned. If  White takes the knight, this is what happens} 38. Nxg2 h3 39. Ne3 h2 {And the  pawn can't be stopped. A typical Capablanca game in which he displayed deeper  understanding of the position, better endgame technique and greater tactical  awareness and imagination than his opponent.} 0-1

[Event "Moscow"]  [Site "Moscow URS"]  [Date "1936.06.03"]  [Round "15"]  [White "Emanuel Lasker"]  [Black "Jose Raul Capablanca"]  [Result "0-1"]  [ECO "B83"]  [PlyCount "116"]  [EventDate "1936.05.14"]   1. e4 c5 {It is interesting to observe that Capablanca even took up the  Sicilian in his later years.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 {The  Rauzer! Nowadays, this variation is not that often on the highest level, but  it still appears here and then. The most prominent case was the Karjakin -  Caruana Candidates 2016 final round clash (the famous rook sacrifice game).} 6.  Be2 {Nowadays Bg5 is regarded as the main answer} Bd7 7. Be3 e6 8. Qd2 a6 9. f4  {[pgndiagram] So, the game transposes to some sort of Scheveningen position in  the end} Qc7 {I am not 100% sure that deciding on the position of the Queen so  early is the best approach}   (9... b5 10. a3 Be7 11. Bf3 Rc8 {Is already very  modern approach.})   (9... Be7 10. O-O-O b5 11. a3 b4 {Is also possible.}) 10.  Nb3 $1 {Very good play by Lasker. He spends a tempo in order to prevent the  counterplay}   (10. O-O-O b5 11. Nb3   (11. a3 Rc8 12. Nb3 b4 {Would create quick  counterplay for Black}) 11... Rb8 {With b4 coming soon and unpleasant turn of  events for White}) 10... b5 11. Bf3 $6   (11. a3 {Was now correct. Black's ideas  reach some sort of a dead end, since White hasn't yet castled.} b4   (11... Rb8  12. g4 {And the status quo is maintained}) 12. axb4 Nxb4 13. O-O {Is the point.  White can castle on the kingside and then start attacking on the queenside})  11... Rb8 $6   (11... b4 {Was now possible, with good position for Black}) 12.  Ne2 $2   (12. a3 {Once again ignoring this move. But I guess that this idea,  which has nowadays become typical, was going against the principles of those  times (never play on the side of the board where your opponent is attacking).  This nuance is the best demonstration of the effect computers have had on the  game}) 12... Be7   (12... a5 {Going all in on the queenside was now perfectly  possible. Since White is unable to castle queenside and attack immediately,  Black can simply improve his position first and then catch up with development}  ) 13. O-O O-O 14. Ng3 {[pgndiagram] Still, this knight does very little on  this square and Black has a very good Sicilian} a5 {Better late then never} 15.  Nd4 $6   (15. Nc1 {Rerouting the knight on d3 is what engine wants to do. Still,  the thematic Sicilian move leads to a good game for Black} Rfc8 16. Nd3 e5 $1)  15... a4   (15... Nxd4 16. Bxd4 e5 17. fxe5 dxe5 18. Be3 g6 {And Black will  stomp White in the centre and on the c-file (observe how the knight on g3  doesn't have any sensible square to jump to)}) 16. Rae1   (16. c3 {Reinforcing  the knight is a possibility, but it weakens the c4 square} Na5 17. Qc1 Nc4 {  And Black is in great shape}) 16... Rfc8 {[pgndiagram] Somehow, quietly,  Capablanca creates a model Sicilian game. True, Lasker's treatment of the  position is not particularly impressive, but Capa, thanks to his incredible  talent, somehow understands what he needs to do without having a vast Sicilian  experience} 17. Rf2 $6 {Another passive move, defending the c2 pawn}   (17. Nxc6  {Came to mind, defending the pawn in a crude way} Bxc6 18. c3 b4 19. Rc1 {And  although White is on the back foot, nothing is over yet}) 17... Ne8 $6 {  [pgndiagram] So far Capablanca has played excellently, but here he starts  being too cautious}   (17... b4 {Simply continuing the attack was s strong} 18.  Nxc6 Bxc6 19. f5 e5 {And Black has a clear advantage}) 18. Nxc6 Bxc6 19. f5 {  Now with the knigh on e8, things aren't as simple} e5 20. Nh5 $6   (20. c3 {Was  a possibility, preventing b4 for the moment} b4 21. cxb4 d5 22. Bc5 Bxc5 23.  bxc5 d4 {And now the amazing shot} 24. f6 Nxf6 25. Nf5 {Creates some breathing  space for White and enables him to hold}) 20... Qb7 {Increasing pressure on e4,  which has been weakened by the departure of the g3 knight} 21. Bg5 f6 $1 {A  good decision, preventing the creation of attacking chances on the kingside.  It is not that hard to carry the d5 advance out, after which seemingly dead  bishop will breathe once again}   (21... Bxg5 22. Qxg5 f6 23. Qe3 d5 {Was also  good for Black though. The knight on h5 is once again out of play}) 22. Be3 Nc7  {Another piece controls the d5 square}   (22... Bxe4 {Is unecessary} 23. Bxe4  Qxe4 24. Ba7 Qc4 25. Bxb8 Rxb8 {Although even here Black retains some advantage  }) 23. Qd1 $1 {A good move, intending Rd2, adding defenders to d5} Rd8 24. Rd2  Kh8 $6   (24... d5 {Was possible nevertheless} 25. exd5 Bxd5 26. Bxd5+ Rxd5 27.  Rxd5 Nxd5 28. Bf2 Rc8 {And Black has a clear advantage}) 25. a3   (25. Bf2 {This  defensive move, removing the bishop from the attack of the knight on d5  probably made more sense than the a3 advance} d5 26. exd5 Bxd5 27. Bxd5 Rxd5  28. Rxd5 Nxd5 29. Qf3 Nb4 30. c3 Qxf3 31. gxf3 Nd3 32. Rd1 {And White might be  able to hold this. But who knows}) 25... Rbc8 $2 {Again refraining from d5,  which would have been very strong once again} 26. Bf2 d5 $1 {[pgndiagram]  Finally, this advance comes. But the fact that White has played a3 and Bf2 has  reduced the effect of this push. Somewhat} 27. exd5 Nxd5 28. Bxd5 $2 {But this  is the losing decision. Giving up the bishop pair in this position is just a  terrible decision}   (28. c3 {And White might be able to hold. It was time to  strengthen the defences}) 28... Rxd5 29. Qg4 {I am not sure whether Lasker  simply acted out of desperation, or overestimated the power of the mating  threat} Bc5   (29... Bf8 30. Red1 Rxd2 31. Rxd2 b4 {And Black is in great shape})   (29... Rg8 {Preparing to open the g-file, is the computer's suggestion. As  usual, it starts looking terribly dangerous after one stops to evaluate its  consequences}) 30. Red1 Bxf2+ 31. Kxf2 Rcd8 {[pgndiagram] Capablanca could  have extracted more after Lasker's unfortunate decision, but even so, he  retains the superior position. The knight on h5 is once again the main reason  for that (Am I starting to repeat myself too often?)} 32. Rxd5 Rxd5 33. Rxd5  Bxd5 34. Qb4 $2 {Just as he came close to equalizing, Lasker suddenly makes an  active move that turns out to be a decisive mistake. His king gets chased into  open} (34. Kg1 {Was very safe move, securing the king. Black retains the edge,  but scoring a full point from this position would require a lot of work and  cooperation from the opponent}) 34... Qa7+ 35. Ke2   (35. Kf1 Bc4+ {And White  would get mated}) 35... Bc4+ 36. Kf3   (36. Ke1 Qe3+ {Is mate in five}   (36...  Qg1+ 37. Kd2 Qxg2+ {Also wins})) 36... Qa8+ $2 {[pgndiagram] Not the best .}   (  36... e4+ $3 {Was incredibly strong resource in this position} 37. Kg4   (37.  Kxe4 Qa8+ 38. Kf4 Qxg2 39. Qf8+ Bg8 {And Black is winning}) 37... Be2+ 38. Kf4  Qb8+ 39. Ke3 Bxh5 {And Black wins}) 37. Kf2 Qd8 {Now White has some defensive  chances, but he needs to find a series of very precise moves, which turns out  to be an impossible task even for the great Emanuel} 38. Qc3   (38. Ke1 {Taking the  control of the entry points along the d-file with the king, was the most  precise. Naturally, the engine immediately finds all the resources in the  position}) 38... Qd1 {Capablanca immediately takes the opportunity to activate  the Queen and gains a tempo along the way} 39. Ng3 h6 $1 {[pgndiagram] Another  strong move. Capa creates some space for his king and gets rid of the back  rank issues once and for all} 40. b3 $6 {From frying pan to fire} axb3 41. cxb3  Bxb3   (41... Qxb3 {Only not this capture} 42. Qxb3 Bxb3 43. Ne4 Bd5 44. Nd6 Bc6  45. Nc8 {And Black has troubles in converting his advantage}) 42. Nf1 Qb1 43.  g4 Bc4 {The game is essentially over. Black has an additional pawn and a safer  king} 44. Ne3 Qh1 45. Nxc4 Qxh2+ 46. Ke1 Qg1+ 47. Kd2 Qf2+ 48. Kc1 Qf1+ 49. Kd2  bxc4 {Now only precision is required. And Capa never lacked precision in  winning endgames} 50. a4 Qf4+ 51. Kc2 Qxg4 52. a5 Qxf5+ 53. Kc1 Qf2 54. Qa3 Kh7  {[pgndiagram] Here Lasker finally resigned. The a-pawn advance is countered}  55. a6 e4 56. a7 c3 57. a8=Q Qd2+ 58. Kb1 c2+ {And White will soon get mated}  0-1

[Event "Hastings"]  [Site "Hastings ENG"]  [Date "1919.08.11"]  [Round "1"]  [White "Jose Raul Capablanca"]  [Black "Fred Dewhurst Yates"]  [Result "1-0"]  [ECO "C90"]  [PlyCount "121"]  [EventDate "1919.08.11"]   1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 {[pgndiagram] Nowadays, this continuation has  been pretty much overshadowed by the infamous Berlin endgame starting with 3...  Nf6. But the text move is very much playable; the recent Carlsen - Karjakin  World Championship match saw the defending champion using it on a regular  basis.} 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6   (7... O-O {Would be an  invitation to Marshall} 8. c3 d5 {Interestingly enough, Frank James Marshall  first played this pawn sacrifice against none other but Jose Raul Capablanca  himself. The Cuban managed to defend and even win the game in the end.}) 8. c3  Na5 {With this move Black chooses to play the so-called Chigorin variation of  the Ruy Lopez.} 9. Bc2 c5 10. d4 Qc7 11. Nbd2 Bg4 $6 {[pgndiagram] But this  move is not the best. Usually this move puts pressure on the d4 pawn, but here  White can simply close the center and the text move loses its point somewhat}   (  11... cxd4 {Is the main move nowadays.} 12. cxd4 Bg4 $5   (12... Nc6 13. d5 Nb4  14. Bb1 {Is advantageous for White}) 13. d5 O-O {And the opening of the c-file  is in Black's favour}) 12. d5   (12. h3 {Might have some point here, forcing the  bishop to show its hand.} Bh5 13. d5 {And Black has lost the option of  retreating the bishop toward queenside.}) 12... g5 $2 {And this agression is  just plain bad, that shows that the level of understanding of similar Ruy  Lopez positions was very low at the time. It is not possible for Black to  create an attack and this move simply creates a weakness on the kingside.  Usually Black castles kingside, but after this lunge he is unable to hide his  king there.}   (12... O-O 13. h3 Bd7 14. b3 {Leads to normal Spanish position in  which White retains better chances}) 13. Nf1 $1 {[pgndiagram] Natural and good.  White immediately reroutes his knight toward the weakened f5 square and gains  a tempo by attacking g5 on the way} h6   (13... Rg8 {Is by no means better} 14.  h3 Bxf3 15. Qxf3 g4 16. hxg4 Nxg4 17. Ng3 {And Black doesn't have enough  pieces on the kingside to create real chances}) 14. Ng3 Rd8 $6 {I fail to  understand the purpose of this move}   (14... Bd7 {Taking measures against a4  ideas an preparing the g4 advance was more sensible} 15. a4 {All the same!} b4  16. cxb4 cxb4 17. Bd3 Nb7 {And White is better, but Black's position is better  than the one he got in the game}) 15. a4 $1 {[pgndiagram] Now this move is  even stronger - the a6 pawn has been left undefended} b4 16. cxb4 cxb4 17. Bd3  {Black has to spend an additional move to defend a6} Bc8 {Obviously not a move  made willingly.} 18. Be3   (18. Bd2 {Not allowing Ng4 might have been even better  } Qb7 19. Rc1 Nd7 20. Be3 {And White has an excellent position}) 18... Ng4 19.  Rc1 $6 {Once again, Bd2, not allowing the exchane of the bishop, was the  alternative}   (19. Bd2 Qb7 20. Rc1 Bd7 21. b3 {And White can slowly strengthen  his position (h3-Re2-Bishop moves - Rec2 etc)}) 19... Qb8 $2 {Black should  have taken the opportunity and exchanged White's bishop}   (19... Nxe3 20. Rxc7  Nxd1 21. Rxd1 g4 22. Ne1 {And White is clearly better, but it is not  completely over yet}) 20. Bd2 {[pgndiagram] Capa refuses to give Yates another  opportunity} Qb6 21. Qe2 Nb3 22. Rc6 $1 Qa5   (22... Qxf2+ 23. Qxf2 Nxf2 24. Kxf2  g4 {Was a possible tactical idea, but White has an easy way of parrying this  idea} 25. Bc2 Na5 26. Rb6 $1   (26. Ng1 Nxc6 27. dxc6 d5 {Is less clear}) 26...  gxf3 27. Bxb4 {And White is winning}) 23. Bxa6   (23. h3 {Was probably even  stronger} Nf6 24. Be3 {With the deadly threat of Bb6} Nd7 25. Bc2 Nbc5 26. Nd2  {And White is winning; there is no defence against Nc4}) 23... Bd7 24. Bb5 $1 {  Still, this is a very attractive exchange sacrifice, which would make Tigran  Petrosian particularly proud.} Bxc6 25. Bxc6+   (25. dxc6 $5 {Is also possible}  Kf8 26. Nf5) 25... Kf8 26. Qc4 Nxd2 27. Nxd2 Qa7 28. Qe2 h5 29. Nf5 Bf6 30. Nc4  {[pgndiagram] The positioning and harmony of White's pieces is aesthetically  pleasing.} Qc5 31. b3   (31. a5 {Pushing the pawn immediately, was even stronger}  Nh6 32. Nxh6 Rxh6 33. a6 Kg7 34. Ra1 {And White is going to win soon}) 31...  Nh6 32. Nxh6 Rxh6 33. Qe3 {[pgndiagram] Capablanca once again doesn't hurry,  but realizes that Black s unable to disentangle himself and improves the  position of his pieces therefore.}   (33. a5 $5) 33... Rc8   (33... Qxe3 34. Nxe3 {  Is bad for Black; he is unable to move his pieces due to the knight coming to  f5. It will be hard to defend the d6 pawn} Be7 {Is too slow} 35. Nf5 Rf6 36. a5  Rc8 37. a6) 34. Rc1 $2 {Again this leaning toward simplicity that Kasparov  criticizes in his books. With this move Capa presents Yates with a real  opportunity to get back into the game}   (34. Qxc5 dxc5 35. Rd1 {Was most likely  winning as well. It is hard to suggest a move for White} Ke7   (35... Kg7 36. Nd6  ) 36. a5) 34... Bd8 $2   (34... Qxe3 {Was now possible. With the rook on c8  Black has gained some defensive possibilities} 35. Nxe3 Bd8 $1 36. Nf5   (36. Ra1  {Is probably better} Rc7 37. a5 Ra7 38. a6 {But conversion of the advantage is  no longer a pure formality}) 36... Rf6 {And the a5 has been neutralized. White  is probably only slightly better here}) 35. Qxc5 dxc5 36. Nxe5 {[pgndiagram]  Now White wins two additional pawns and his task is much simpler. The soldier  on c5 falls as well} Ke7   (36... Be7 {Is also hopeless} 37. Nd7+ Kg7 38. Nxc5)  37. Rxc5 f5 38. Rc4   (38. exf5 {Wins as well}) 38... Ba5 39. Bb5 Rxc4 40. Nxc4  Bc7 41. e5 Bb8 42. Ne3 {[pgndiagram] Now the f5 pawn falls as well.} Rh7 43.  Nxf5+ Kf7 44. e6+ Kf6 45. e7 $6 {The question mark is for lazyness; once again  we can observe how Capablanca refuses to calculate variations but simply plays  the "obvious moves"}   (45. Nd4 Bd6 46. Nc6 {Was simpler, not entering the  position with opposite coloured bishops as yet}) 45... Rxe7 46. Nxe7 Kxe7 47.  g3 {[pgndiagram] Three extra pawns are enough to outweigh the drawish  tendencies of the opposite coloured bishops endgame} Bc7 48. Kg2 Kd6 49. Be8 h4  50. Bf7 Ke5 51. Kh3 Bd8 52. Kg4 hxg3 53. fxg3 Kf6 54. Be6 Kg6 55. d6 Kf6 56.  Bf5 Bb6 57. d7 Bd8 58. h4 gxh4 59. gxh4 {The third passed pawn decides the  issue} Bc7 60. h5 Kg7 61. Be4 {[pgndiagram] And here Yates finally decided he  has had enough and resigned. All the criticism aside, this is a beautiful  positional game in which Cuban demonstrated deeper understanding of the Ruy  Lopez.} 1-0

[Event "New York"]  [Site "New York, NY USA"]  [Date "1927.02.24"]  [Round "5"]  [White "Alexander Alekhine"]  [Black "Jose Raul Capablanca"]  [Result "0-1"]  [ECO "E16"]  [PlyCount "84"]  [EventDate "1927.02.19"]   1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 {The Queen's Indian !? In their subsequent match  Capa would only play the Queen's gambit declined.} 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 c5 6. d5 $1  {This move is typical of Alekhine's style. He sacrifices a pawn in the opening  in order to gain the initiative} exd5 7. Nh4 $1 {This idea would later become  standard. White exploits the pin on the h1-a8 diagonal and eyes the f5 square  with his knight.} g6 {[pgndiagram] Black probably has to make this move sooner  or later}   (7... d6 8. Nc3 Be7   (8... g6 {Would transpose back to the game}) 9.  cxd5 O-O 10. Nf5 {And White is better}) 8. Nc3 Bg7 9. O-O O-O 10. Bf4 $6 {So  far Alekhine has played strongly, but here he makes the second best move}   (10.  Bg5 {Trying to place a piece on d5 was better} h6 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. Nxd5)   (10.  cxd5 {Recapturing immediately and delaying the development of the dark squared  bishop was also possible}) 10... d6 11. cxd5 Nh5 $5 {Emphasizing the drawback  of White's 10th move} 12. Bd2 Nd7 13. f4 $6 {Preventing Ne5, but pawns don't  move backward}   (13. e4 {Was more logical} Ba6 14. Re1 Ne5 15. Qa4 Bd3 {With  approximately even position}) 13... a6 $6 {Intending to advance the b5, but  Black had a stronger alternative available}   (13... f5 $5 {Preventing e4, was  good for Black} 14. e4 fxe4 15. Nxe4 Bxb2 16. Nxd6 Ba6 $1) 14. Bf3 $6   (14. a4 {  Preventing b5 was the best} f5 15. e4 {With a6 and a4 included, f5 is not that  strong anymore} fxe4 16. Nxe4 Bxb2 17. Nxd6 {And here Ba6 is not possible and  White's advantage is almost decisive already}) 14... Nhf6   (14... b5 $5 {'A la  Fischer' was possible. But Fischer wasn't even born at that particular moment}  15. Bxh5 gxh5 16. e4 b4 {And Black starts taking over}) 15. a4   (15. e4 b5 16.  Qc2 Re8 17. Rae1 c4 {And Black has a very favorable version of the Benoni})  15... c4 $1 {Opening the c5 square for the knight} 16. Be3   (16. e4 {Comes too  late} Nc5 17. f5 b5 {Is just horrible for White}) 16... Qc7 17. g4 $6 {  [pgndiagram] Here White starts an unjustified attack. He had to think about  defending and equalizing in this position}   (17. b3 {Getting rid of the c4  wedge was sensible.} cxb3 18. Qxb3 Nc5 19. Qb4 Nfd7 20. Rad1 {And White is  very much in the game})   (17. Bd4 {Would be desirable, but the problem is that  Black knight on b3 will hit the bishop} Nc5 18. Ra3 Nb3 {And White has to give  up the exchange or retreat the bishop. Whatever he does, he remains in an  inferior position}) 17... Nc5 18. g5   (18. Bd4 Nb3 {Is bad}) 18... Nfd7 19. f5 {  Once you have said A, you have to say B. But at this point already, this move  might be the best practical chance}   (19. Bd4 {Would once again run into forks  on b3} Bxd4+ 20. Qxd4 Nb3)   (19. Qc2 Nb3 20. Rad1 Ndc5 {Was very unpleasant as  well}) 19... Rfe8 20. Bf4 Be5 $1 {[pgndiagram] Refusing to let the  imprisonment of the bishop after f6. Capa realizes that with the pawn on g5 it  is much harder for his opponent to exploit the weakening of the dark square  complex around his king} 21. Bg4   (21. Bxe5 Nxe5 {And it is clear that White  has zero attacking chances and that a very difficult defensive task lays in  front of him}) 21... Nb3 22. fxg6 $5 {[pgndiagram] Official desperation, but  objectively the best chance}   (22. Ra2 Qc5+ 23. Kh1 Bxc3 24. bxc3 Bxd5+ {And  Black is completely winning}) 22... hxg6   (22... Nxa1 {Naturally, would be very  stupid} 23. gxf7+ Kxf7 24. Bxe5+) 23. Rb1 Bxc3 24. bxc3 Qc5+ 25. e3 Ne5 $1 {  Another piece joins the action}   (25... Rxe3 {Black's position is so dominating,  that even this exchange sacrifice was possible here} 26. Bxe3 Qxe3+ 27. Kh1 Ne5  28. Ng2 Qxc3 {And the difference in the activity of the pieces is very obvious}  ) 26. Bf3   (26. Bxe5 {Is terrible} Qxe3+ 27. Rf2 Qxe5) 26... Nd3 {[pgndiagram]  The Black knights create a remarkable impression and the b3-d3 duo dominates  the board.} 27. Kh1 Bxd5 28. Rxb3 {Here Alekhine could have resigned} Nxf4   (  28... cxb3 {Was even simpler} 29. Qxd3 Bc4) 29. Rb1 Rxe3 30. Ng2 Rxf3 31. Rxf3  Nxg2 32. Kxg2 Re8 33. Kf1 Bxf3 34. Qxf3 Qxg5 35. Re1 Rxe1+ 36. Kxe1 Qg1+ 37.  Kd2 Qxh2+ 38. Kc1 Qe5 39. Kb2 Kg7 40. Qf2 b5 41. Qb6 bxa4 42. Qxa6 Qe2+ {  [pgndiagram] A game in which Capablanca demonstrated superb handling of the  Benoni-like position. And you have to bear in mind that his opponent was not  "some Yates", but a future challenger and a master of dynamic positions,  Alexander Alekhine himself. Wins such as this reinforced the myth about his  invulnerability. And indeed, after analyzing a game such as this one it is  very hard to imagine that only a couple of months later Alekhine managed to  score three wins in a short span of 12 games.} 0-1