Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Four Knights' Game: Spanish - Symmetrical Variation

JOSE RAUL CAPABLANCA vs. HERMAN STEINER
1933

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Nc3, Nf6
4. Bb5, Bb4
5. 0-0, 0-0

If 5....Bxc3, 6. bxc3 Nxe4, then 7. Re1 will be good for White.

6. d3, d6
7. Bg5, Bxc3
8. bxc3, Ne7
9. Nh4, c6
10. Bc4, Be6
11. Bxf6, gxf6
12. Bxe6, fxe6
13. Qg4+, Kf7

Black protects the e6-pawn, but inadvertently places himself to a center attack.

14. f4!, Rg8
15. Qh5+, Kg7
16. fxe5, dxe5
17. Rxf6!!, Kxf6
18. Rf1+ ....

The point of White's 17th move.  Capablanca seeks an open file.  Now, if 18....Kg7, then 19. Rf7+ Kh8, 20. Qxe5 and wins.

18. .... Nf5
19. Nxf5 ....

White could have captured with the pawn, but intends to keep the pressure.

19. .... exf5
20. Rxf5, Ke7
21. Qf7+, Kd6
22. Rf6+, Kc6
23. Qxb7, Qb6


24. Rxf6!!, Qxf6?

Black could have prolonged the game with 24....Kb5, 25. Rxb6 axb6 but might not be able to control White's central pawns.

25. Qb4 mate

A picture-perfect mate!  A dashing brilliancy, indeed.

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