4... dxc6 5. d4 exd4 6. ♕xd4 ♕xd4 7. ♘xd4 So after only 7 moves we have reached an ending with interesting imbalances. Lets break them down. White has the better pawn structure because of blacks doubled pawns. White has a Kingside pawn marjority which is not that significant since both kings are on the Kingside. On the flipside for his troubles black has the bishop pair and only needs to open the position for these two to work effectively. A knowledge of how to handle the minor pieces is required to excel in these positions. White has to create an environment which promotes his Knights, secure out post in the centre and deep in the enemy camp and black needs to open up for his bishops. Who will bend to the others will? 7... ♗d6 8. ♘c3 ♘e7 9. O-O O-O 10. f4 ♖e8 11. ♘b3 f6 The beggining of a wrong strategy. [11... a5 12. f5 a4 13. ♘d2 b6 14. ♖d1 a3 15. b3 (15. bxa3 ♗c5+ 16. ♔h1 g6 With the idea of keeping the position open for the bishops was better)] 12. f5!? "I remember Capa was critical of this move saying it was not the most appropriate . I think in here lay the foundations of why he lost this game, white wants the position clamped down and makes holes for his steeds in the process shutting out the light squared bishop, his next strategic idea will be
exchanging the only active Black Bishop." 12... b6?! [12... ♗d7 △ ♖ad8] 13. ♗f4 Eliminating the dark squared bishop. 13... ♗b7? [13... ♗xf4! 14. ♖xf4 c5 15. ♖d1 ♗b7
16. ♖f2 ♖ad8 17. ♖xd8 ♖xd8 18. ♖d2 ♖xd2 19. ♘xd2 ♘c6! 20. ♘d5 ♘d4=]
14. ♗xd6 cxd6 Now the effectiveness of e5 becomes evident, if only white can plant a Knight on e6. 15. ♘d4 What do you know, like clockwork. 15... ♖ad8 16. ♘e6+1.22 "Putting a bone on blacks throat with a foot!" A knight in a position like this is stronger than a rook in most cases 16... ♖d7 17. ♖ad1 ♘c8 18. ♖f2 One weakness is not enough to win a strategic game. You need to create two or more. White starts working on the d6 square 18... b5 19. ♖fd2 A novice might go, well at least everything is covered, but thats just the point a master is looking for. Imagine for one pawn a Knight and a rooks life are devoted to its protection. 19... ♖de7 20. b4 My earlier comment about a Knight being stronger than a Rook is quite evident here. In Chess Fundamentals I recall Capa regretting that he should have just taken on e6 with the rook and gotten the pawn and Knight for the castle and try to hold on to dear life. 20... ♔f7 21. a3 ♗a8? [21... ♖xe6! 22. fxe6+ ♖xe6] 22. ♔f2 ♖a7 This doubt cost black the
game. Its downhill from here. 23. g4 h6 24. ♖d3 a5 25. h4 axb4 26. axb4 ♖ae7? After going to the a file he could have at least been consistent and followed up with Ra3 27. ♔f3 ♖g8 28. ♔f4 g6 29. ♖g3 g5+ [29... gxf5 30. exf5 d5 31. g5 ♘d6 (31... hxg5+ 32. hxg5 fxg5+ 33. ♘xg5+ ♔f8 34. f6 ♖a7 35. ♔e5!+−) 32. g6+ ♔e8 33. ♖a1+−] 30. ♔f3 ♘b6 31. hxg5 hxg5 32. ♖h3 Now white adds to his list of small advatages
control of an open file. 32... ♖d7 33. ♔g3! ♔e8 34. ♖dh1 [34. e5! "Lasker missed this shot. A positional pawn sacrifice vacating e4 for the Knight " 34... fxe5 35. ♘e4 Knights can be a menance in the right environment] 34... ♗b7 35. e5!,+− The shot is still there 35... dxe5 36. ♘e4 ♘d5 37. ♘6c5 ♗c8 Admitting that he has been run over, the rest is fairly simple. 38. ♘xd7 ♗xd739. ♖h7 ♖f8 40. ♖a1 ♔d8 41. ♖a8+
♗c8 42. ♘c5 [1-0]
African Chess Magazine 9