CHESS
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Fifty years ago today, Alexander Alekhine was found in the armchair of his hotel room in Estoril, Portugal, undefeated as world champion but checkmated by his maker. Others have gone into paroxysms of joy at Alekhine's flashy victories against Bogolyubov at Hastings 1922, or Reti at Baden- Baden 1925, but my own favourite has always been this unsung masterpiece, a game of pure power.
White: Paul Johner
Black: Alexander Alekhine
Pistyan 1922
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 c5 4.Nc3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 d5
A move criticised by Alekhine on the grounds that it lets White simplify to a draw if he so wishes. Yet what young master of today would not give his eye teeth for a draw with the black pieces?
6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Ndb5 Bd7 8.e4 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Qa5 10.Rb1
Alekhine himself adorned White's 7th, 9th and 10th moves with exclamation marks, correctly realising that one's own play looks better if one praises the opponent's moves.
10...a6 11.Nd6+ Bxd6 12.Qxd6 Qxc3+ 13.Bd2 Qc6 14.Qf4
White should have been content to regain his pawn with 14.Qb4 a5! 15.Qxb7.
14...0-0 15.Bd3 e5!
Returning the pawn to seize a powerful initiative.
16.Qxe5 Re8 17.Qd4 Qg6! 18.f3 Qxg2!
Well calculated, sir! White's "attack" is exposed as pure illusion.
19.Rg1 Nc6! 20.Qe3 Qxh2 21.Bc3 g6 22.Rxb7 Rad8 23.Bf6 (see diagram)
Perhaps still entertaining hopes of sneaking a mate on g7, but he is quickly disabused.
23...Ne5! 24.Be2 Bb5!
Now 25.Bxd8 loses to 25...Bxe2 when 26.Bc7 Qxg1+! leads to a won endgame for Black.
25.Bxe5 Rxe5 26.Bxb5 Rxb5 27.Rxb5 axb5 White resigns
28.a3 Qc2, or even 28...Rd2! is an easy win for Black.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments