GAME 14. QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED

(New York, 1918)

White: F. J. Marshall. Black: J. R. Capablanca.

1. P - Q 4 P - Q 4 2. Kt - K B 3 Kt - K B 3 3. P - B 4 P - K 3 4. Kt - B 3 Q Kt - Q 2 5. B - Kt 5 B - K 2 6. P - K 3 O - O 7. R - B 1 P - B 3

This is one of the oldest systems of defence against the Queen's Gambit. I had played it before in this Tournament against Kostic, and no doubt Marshall expected it. At times I change my defences, {239} or rather systems of defence; on the other hand, during a Tournament, if one of them has given me good results, I generally play it all the time.

8. Q - B 2 P P 9. B P Kt - Q 4 10. B B Q B 11. O - O Kt Kt 12. Q Kt P - Q Kt 3

This is the key to this system of defence. Having simplified the game considerably by a series of exchanges, Black will now develop his Q B along the long diagonal without having created any apparent weakness. The proper development of the Q B is Black's greatest problem in the Queen's Gambit.

13. P - K 4 B - Kt 2 14. K R - K 1 K R - Q 1

[Ill.u.s.tration]

The developing stage can now be said to be complete on both sides. The opening is over and the middle-game begins. White, as is generally the case, has {240} obtained the centre. Black, on the other hand, is entrenched in his first three ranks, and if given time will post his Q R at Q B 1 and his Knight at K B 3, and finally play P - Q B 4, in order to break up White's centre and give full action to the Black Bishop posted at Q Kt 2. In this game White attempts to antic.i.p.ate that plan by initiating an advance on the centre, which, when carefully a.n.a.lysed, is truly an attack against Black's K P.

15. P - Q 5 Kt - B 4 !

Against Kostic in a previous game I had played Kt - B 1. It was carelessness on my part, but Marshall believed differently, otherwise he would not have played this variation, since, had he a.n.a.lysed this move, he would, I think, have realised that Black would obtain an excellent game.

Black now threatens not only B P P; but also Kt P; followed by B P P.

The position is very interesting and full of possibilities.

[Ill.u.s.tration] {241}

16. P K P Kt P (K 3) 17. B Kt Q B

played under the impression that White had to lose time in defending his Q R P, when I could play P - Q B 4, obtaining a very superior game. But, as will be seen, my opponent had quite a little surprise for me.

18. Kt - Q 4 !

[Ill.u.s.tration]

18. ........ Q - K 4 !

Of course, if 18...Q R P; 19 R - R 1 would win the Queen. The text move is probably the only satisfactory move in the position. The obvious move would have been Q - Q 2 to defend the Q B P, and then would have come 19 Kt - B 5, P - B 3; 20 Q - K Kt 3 (threatening Q R - Q 1), K - R 1; 21 Q R - Q 1, Q - K B 2; 22 P - K R 4, with a tremendous advantage in position. The text move, on the other hand, a.s.sures Black an even game at the very least, as will soon be seen. {242}

19. Kt P Q Q 20. R Q R - Q 7 21. R - Kt 1

A very serious error of judgment. White is under the impression that he has the better game, because he is a p.a.w.n ahead, but that is not so. The powerful position of the Black Rook at Q 7 fully compensates Black for the p.a.w.n minus. Besides, the Bishop is better with Rooks than the Knight (see pages 48-56, where the relative values of the Knight and Bishop are compared), and, as already stated, with p.a.w.ns on both sides of the board the Bishop is superior because of its long range. Incidentally, this ending will demonstrate the great power of the Bishop. White's best chance was to take a draw at once, thus. 21 Kt - K 7 ch K - B 1; 22 R - B 7 R - K 1 (not B P; because P - B 3 would give White the best of it); 23 R B (best; not Kt - Kt 6 ch, because of B P Kt; followed by R K P), R Kt; 24 R - Kt 8 ch, R - K 1; 25 R R ch, K R, and with proper play White will draw.

It is curious that, although a p.a.w.n ahead, White is the one who is always in danger. It is only now, after seeing this a.n.a.lysis, that the value of Black's 18th move Q - K 4 can be fully appreciated.

21. ........ R - K 1

With this powerful move Black begins, against White's centre, an a.s.sault which will soon be shifted against {243} the King itself. White is afraid to play 22 P - B 3 because of P - B 4.

22. P - K 5 P - K Kt 4

To prevent P - B 4. The White Knight is practically pinned, because he does not dare move on account of R K P.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

23. P - K R 4

This is a sequel to the previous move. White expects to disrupt Black's p.a.w.ns, and thus make them weak.

23. ........ P P

Though doubled and isolated this p.a.w.n exercises enormous pressure. Black now threatens R - K 3; to be followed by R - Kt 3 and P - R 6 and R 7 at the proper time.

24. R - K 1

White cannot stand the slow death any longer. {244} He sees danger everywhere, and wants to avert it by giving up his Queen's side p.a.w.ns, expecting to regain his fortunes later on by taking the initiative on the King's side.

24. ........ R - K 3 !

Much better than taking p.a.w.ns. This forces White to defend the Knight with the Rook at K 1, because of the threat R - Kt 3.

25. R (K1) - Q B 1 K - Kt 2

Preparatory to R - Kt 3. The game is going to be decided on the King's side, and it is the isolated double p.a.w.n that will supply the finishing touch.

26. P - Q Kt 4 P - Kt 4

To prevent P - Kt 5, defending the Knight and liberating the Rooks.

27. P - R 3 R - Kt 3 28. K - B 1 R - R 7

[Ill.u.s.tration] {245}

Notice the remarkable position of the pieces. White cannot move anything without incurring some loss. His best chance would have been to play 29 P - K 6, but that would only have prolonged the game, which is lost in any case.

29. K - Kt 1 P - R 6 30. P - Kt 3 P - Q R 3

Again forcing White to move and to lose something thereby, as all his pieces are tied up.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

31. P - K 6 R K P

Not even now can White move the Knight because of P - R 7 ch; K P, R - R 3 ch; K - Kt 1, R - R 8 mate.

32. P - Kt 4 R - R 3 33. P - B 3

If 33 P - Kt 5, P - R 7 ch; 34 K - R 1, R Kt; 35 R R, R P, winning easily. {246}