Winter – Alekhine

The game has transposed to the French Defense which usually leads to a solid but somewhat cramped positions for Black. Usually it arises from the move order 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5.

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Date: 1936.??.??
Location: ?
Tournament: Nottingham
Round:
Opening:
Submitted by:
Published on: February 9, 2020

[Event "Nottingham"] [Site "?"] [Date "1936.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Winter"] [Black "Alekhine"] [Result "0-1"] [PlyCount "78"] 1.d4 e6 2.e4 d5 {The game has transposed to the French Defense which usually leads to a solid but somewhat cramped positions for Black. Usually it arises from the move order 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5.} 3.exd5 {The Exchange Variation of the French Defense. It is not played that often since it opens up the c8-h3 for Black's light squared bishop.} exd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.Ne2 Bd6 6.c3 Qh4 {Black has been able to seize the initiative due to White's unambitious play. The queen move prevents White from developing his dark squared bishop to f4.} 7.Nd2 Bg4 8.Qc2 {8.Qb3 O-O-O 9.Qxd5 Nf6 10.Qb3 Rhe8 would give Black a tremendous lead in development for the sacrificed pawn.} O-O-O 9.Nf1 {9.Bf5+ Kb8} g6 {Black wishes to exchange off White's good bishop on d3 and so prepares for Bf5.} 10.Be3 Nge7 11.O-O-O Bf5 12.Nfg3 Bxd3 13.Qxd3 h6 {With the idea of securing Black's queen position, which may be uncomfortable after White plays Qd2, by controlling the g5 square.} 14.f4 {This move is a mistake as it comprises White's control of the e-file by taking away the protection of his dark squared bishop.} Qg4 {Not allowing White's f-pawn to advance Black take control of the f5 square.} 15.h3 Qd7 16.Rhf1 h5 17.Ng1 {17.f5 h4 18.f6 Ng8 19.Nh1 Re8 when Black has the advantage as White's f-pawn has broken away from the protection of his pieces.} h4 18.N3e2 Nf5 19.Nf3 f6 {Notice how Black's f-pawn keeps White's pieces away from the center by controlling the e5 square.} 20.Nh2 Rde8 {Black stands better as White's pieces lack sufficient space to maneuver in response to Black's play on the open e-file.} 21.Bd2 Re6 {Black prepares to double rooks on the open e-file.} 22.Ng4 Rhe8 23.Rde1 R8e7 {The idea behind this move is to make room for the queen on e8 so Black can triple his pieces on the open e-file.} 24.Kd1 Qe8 25.Qf3 Na5 {With the Black knight entering the attack White will soon be faced with a material disadvantage.} 26.b3 {26.Qxd5 Rxe2 27.Rxe2 Rxe2 28.Qxa5 Ng3 29.Rf3 Qe4 30.Kc1 Rxg2 would leave White's back rank undefendable.} Nc4 27.Bc1 {27.bxc4 Qa4+ 28.Kc1 Ba3+ 29.Kb1 Rb6+ 30.Ka1 Qc2 There are numerous checkmating possibilities here.} Nce3+ 28.Bxe3 Nxe3+ 29.Nxe3 Rxe3 {The exchanges have helped Black's major pieces to force entry further down the open e-file.} 30.Qf2 Qb5 {Having tied down the White pieces to the defense of the knight on e2 Black is able to maneuver more quickly with his pieces to start new threats. The current threat is Qd3+ with mate to follow.} 31.Nc1 {31.Kd2 would allow Black a forced mate in two.} Rxc3 32.Rxe7 Bxe7 33.Qe1 Kd7 34.f5 {34.Qxc3 Qxf1+ 35.Kc2 Qxg2+ With a two pawn advantage for Black.} Re3 35.Qf2 {35.Qxe3 Qxf1+ 36.Kd2 Qxf5 With a winning two pawn advantage for Black.} g5 36.Re1 Re4 37.Rxe4 dxe4 {Black's extra pawn and passed e-pawn give him a easily winning endgame.} 38.Kd2 Bd6 39.Kc2 Bf4 {White resigned due to his material deficit and Black's strong passed e- pawn. If you think you could hold White's position try playing the position out against Gambit.} 0-1