Havana Blindfold Exhibition, 1922
1. d4, d5
2. e3, e6
3. Bd3, c6
4. Nf3, Bd6
5. Nbd2, f5
6. c4, Qf6
7. b3 ....
This move has a dual purpose. It supports the c4 pawn and at the same time giving a way for the c1 Bishop.
7. ... Nh6
8. Bb2, 0-0
9. Qc2, Nd7
10. h3, g6
11. 0-0-0, e5?
This opens the long diagonal, in which White has a better control.
12. dxe5, Nxe5
13. cxd5 ....
Better than 13. Nxe5 Bxe5, 14. Bxe5 Qxe5. The latter gives Black the opportunity to neutralize the a1-h8 diagonal.
13. .... cxd5
Better than 13....Nxd3, 14. Qxd3 Qe7.
14. Nc4 ....
Remember that Capablanca played this game blindfolded. Could any other player visualize this move blindfolded?
White's aim is to open the d file, and he has to sacrifice a piece to do that.
14. .... dxc4
15. Bxc4+, N6f7
If 15....Kg7 or Kh8, then 16. Rxd6 Qxd6, 17. Nxe5 with a strong attack.
16. Rxd6!!, Qxd6
17. Nxe5, Be6
18. Rd1, Qe7
19. Rd7!!, Bxd7
20. Nxd7, Rfc8
If 20....Qxd7 then 21. Qc3 and mate next move. Black thought that his last move (Rfc8) would pin White's Queen.
21. Qc3, Rxc4
22. bxc4, Resigns
(1:0)
There is no more hope. After 22....Ng5, then 23. Qh8+ Kf7, 24. Ne5+ Ke6, 25. Qxa8 and White has a tremendous positional and material advantage.
A gem of a game. One of Capa's finest.
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