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Leon Szwarcman vs Alexander Alekhine
St. Petersburg (1916), St. Petersburg RUE
Spanish Game: Exchange Variation. Alapin Gambit (C69)  ·  0-1

ANALYSIS [x]

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Kibitzer's Corner
Apr-08-02  The Young Learner: On move 34 Nd4 what was he thinking? There is apparently no ultimate plan to giving away his knight, except to maybe give his e pawn an open column, but this was a terrible move! It is no wonder he lost! If he absolutely had to move his knight, it would have been at least somewhat okay of a move to e7. But just look at the game at move 34 before the knight is thrown away, and most anyone would say white is the definite winner. Andrew Heidemann, age 16
Apr-08-02
Premium Chessgames Member
  Sneaky: Often GM's are consumed with fears of a subtle threat that you and I cannot see, and they end up making moves which are OBVIOUSLY bad, to avoid hidden variations which are even worse!

In this case I think the resource you are overlooking is Rb1, which threatens Qg1# and Qh1#

Consider your move 34. Ne7. Now ...Rb1 would be premature because White could find a perpetual check (Nc6+ Nd8+ ad nauseum) However after 34. Ne7 Kb7! and I think you'll find it difficult to prevent mate without ruinious loss of material.

Apr-09-02  The Young Learner: I think the Rb1 for black can be countered with white pushing the f pawn, though white's king will still be on the run. I also realized white HAD to move his knight there because there was also the possibility for black to move his rook to e2 which forces the queen away followed by the queen check and possibly mate to follow or at least chasing white's king that way.
Apr-09-02
Premium Chessgames Member
  Sneaky: Andrew, if 34. Ne7 Rb1 35. f4 (or f3) then Black has mate in two: 35. ...Qf1+ 36. Kh2 (only move) 37. Qh3 mate (or Qh1#, whichever you think is prettier.)

So I still think Rb1 was the crushing threat that forced White to self-destruct with 34. Nd4.

In any case, this is a truly amazing game. Alekhine's disdain for material is incredible. I am particularly impressed with 30 ...b6!

Feb-17-05  ZhurLi: Alekhine's power moves that won were earlier: 8 ...Ne7 and 9 ...g5

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