chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Simon Winawer vs Berthold Englisch
London (1883), London ENG, rd 6, May-04
Spanish Game: Exchange. Normal Variation (C69)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

explore this opening
find similar games 9 more Winawer/Englisch games
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: You can get computer analysis by clicking the "ENGINE" button below the game.

PGN Viewer:  What is this?
For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.
PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

A COMPUTER ANNOTATED SCORE OF THIS GAME IS AVAILABLE.  [CLICK HERE]

Kibitzer's Corner
Mar-28-05
Premium Chessgames Member
  offramp: Amazing mating attack in an ending.
Aug-20-07  sanyas: Surely Black can draw this.
Aug-20-07  sanyas: What I mean is, b4 was White's only thrust in the position, and I am sure that with two pawns guarding that square the pieces could have been arranged to prevent it, while simultaneously guarding f6 and blockading the d-pawn. White's forces are locked into his own half and cannot easily create threats, so Black's multiple commitments could all be tended to.
Nov-20-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  FSR: William Ewart Napier in "Paul Morphy and the Golden Age of Chess," p. 234, rather extravagantly wrote of this game, "Winawer's amazing game against Englisch is perhaps the most important single game ever played."
Aug-18-19  Granny O Doul: It changed my life. Starting right now. Watch how different things are from now on.
Mar-22-23
Premium Chessgames Member
  FSR: <sanyas: Surely Black can draw this.>

Evidently. Stockfish 9 above analyzes 49...Rbb7 50.Rb1 b3 51.R1xb3 bxa5 52.Rxa5+ Kb8 53.Rab5 = 0.00 (35 ply).

Mar-22-23
Premium Chessgames Member
  beatgiant: <FSR> The interesting thing is after 49...Rbb7 50. axb6+ Rxb6 51. Rxc5 <Ra6> and surprisingly, Black gets enough counterplay for a draw.

To prevent this, what if White first transfers his king to the queenside? Consider the following position:


click for larger view

and here 1. b4 axb4 2. a5 Rb8 3. Rb3, and the 3...Rbb7 defense now fails to 4. axb6+ Rxb6 5. Rxc5 breaking up the queenside while avoiding the counterplay.

Of course Black doesn't have to sit back and wait for White to arrange the above, but it looks challenging to set up a good defense against this plan.

Mar-22-23  SymphonicKnight: Winawer in this hugely instructive Exchange Ruy Lopez game reminds me of a squirrel trying to break open a nut, or a chimpanzee trying various methods to break open a coconut. While this game should have ended in a draw, Winawer shows great persistence after opposite side castling and a very closed position meant a protracted battle. Games like this seem to have been a great inspiration for Nimzowitsch, who was clearly a fan of Winawer's openings and positional methods.
Mar-22-23
Premium Chessgames Member
  FSR: <beatgiant> As you say, Black gets to play moves too while White is shuffling his king over the queenside. In your diagram position, the prophylactic ...Re8-c8 looks good, preparing to meet b4? with cxb4.
Mar-22-23
Premium Chessgames Member
  beatgiant: <FSR> You're right.

White also has the plan of maneuvering the knight to b3 to prepare a Nxa5 or Nxc5 breakthrough, trading the knight for two or three passers, but it's hard to make it work even if Black allows it. Black would usually be saved by some counterplay against White's kingside.

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.


NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific game only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

This game is type: CLASSICAL. Please report incorrect or missing information by submitting a correction slip to help us improve the quality of our content.

Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2025, Chessgames Services LLC