| Sep-14-04 | | Pawn Ambush: Is 41.Ba5 playable,who wins this game anyway ? |
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| Oct-01-04 | | Pawn Ambush: Is 41.Ba5 playable,who wins this game anyway ? Calli can you help thanks! |
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Dec-29-08
 | | Honza Cervenka: 41.Bxa5 Rh2 42.Re1 Bg2 43.Rxh2 Qxh2 44.Bxc7 Nf7 is hardly winnable for white despite of two extra Pawns. He is tied down. |
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| Dec-29-08 | | sfeuler: <Honza Cervenka> After 45.a5 what does Black do to keep the pressure up while keeping an eye on White's passed a pawn? I've seen your posts on other games and your insite always helps me out... |
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Dec-29-08
| | Honza Cervenka: <sfeuler> For example, 45...Rc8 46.Bb6 Ng5 (diagram) attacking Pf3 looks quite good for black.
click for larger viewWhite Pawn without sufficient support of his pieces is no real danger for black. |
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| Jan-05-09 | | sfeuler: Thanks Honza Cervenka, I see now... |
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May-16-21
 | | KEG: A most engrossing game. Schlechter's massive King-side advance made the game. Teichmann kept his head (except for a fumble on move 41 that Schlechter did not exploit) and the game ended in a remarkable position in which neither side could make progress. Schlechter and Teichmann are probably the two most under-rated players of the early 20th century. Schlechter, who had tied for first at Munich 1900, here at Monte Carlo 1902 defeated both Maroczy (the tournament winner) and Janowski (who had won the previous year at Monte Carlo) but ended up 5th thanks to blunders against Pillsbury and Marshall and ended up in a three-way tie for fifth prize with a rusty Tarrasch and Wolf. Teichmann took 4th prize here not far behind the top finishers. 1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 d6
5. BxN+
One of several popular lines against the Modern Steinizt Defense to the Ruy Lopez (the others being 5. 0-0 and 5. c3). 5. d4 and 5. c4 are other good options. The doubling of Black's b-pawns here sets the stage for much of the excitement to follow. 5... bxB
6. d4 f6
click for larger viewThis move was introduced by Alapin, and was later championed by Smyslov and also played by Rubinstein, Capablanca, Alekhine, Fine, Gligoric, Keres, Bronstein, and Yusupov among others. 6...exd4 looks sounder, but the text is entirely sound and not an easy nut for White to try to crack. 7. Nc3 g6
Favored by Alekhine, Gligoric, Keres, and Portisch. 7...Ne7 is also sound for Black here. 8. Be3 Nh6
This move makes a strange impression (7...Ne7 or 7...Bg7 or maybe 7...Bh6) looking more normal. But, as will be seen the text, which looked to place the Black Knight on f7, was part of a fascinating attacking scheme by Schlechter. Although this game ended in a draw. it hardly displays Schlechter as a "drawing master" and shows a side to this fine player that is sometimes overlooked. There are moments in this game in which Schlechter looks like Karpov and maybe Kasparov! The position was now:
click for larger view9. h3 Nf7
"Black's curious scheme of defence is gradually unfolding itself. He not only holds his pawn against the initiative of the opening player, but he also contemplates an aggressive forward movement on the king side later on, somewhat after the fashion of the first player in the Vienna Game Bg2 variation." (Gunsberg) 10. Qd2 Bd7
11. Rd1
Surprisingly giving up on the chance to castle long despite Schlechter's thinly veiled king-side plans. The text is nonetheless certainly sound. He could also have played 11. dxe5 as well as 11. 0-0-0. 11... Qe7
The sound 11...exd4 was not, as we will see shortly, part of Schlechter's idea in this contest. 12. 0-0 0-0
13. Rfe1 h6
Not so much a defensive move as the beginning of a larger conception of overrunning the White king-side. 
click for larger view |
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May-16-21
| | KEG: Post II
14. Ne2 Kh7
Clearing the decks for what is to come.
15. Ng3 a5
click for larger viewGunsberg, in his commentary on this game, criticized the text, stating that the hanging a5 pawn "proved a sourced of weakness to Black." But the text also had its advantages (e.g., providing an alternative diagonal for Black's light-square Bishop). Moreover, the a5 pawn enjoyed a charmed existence in this game. Schlechter left it hanging at times, but Teichmann never had the temerity to try to grab it. 16. a4 Nd8
An important repositioning of the Knight to support the planned king-side assault. 17. Nh2
A bit timid and unduly complex. 17. b3 looks indicated (at some point, anyway, so why not now!). 17. c4 was also an interesting line. 17... Ne6
18. c3 c5
At his best, Schlechter could play effectively on both wings. He was undoubtedly prepared for 19. d5 and the locked position that would result in the center. 19. Ne2
He should have jumped at the opportunity Schlechter's last move gave him to play 19. d5 immediately. 19. dxc5 would have been weak in light of 19... dxc5! And indeed, even after 19...Nxc5 20. BxN dxB leaves Black with two Bishops and somewhat better chances, as was noted by Gunsberg. 19... Bb7?
Schlechter should surely have jumped at the chance to play 19...dxc5 20. cxd4 d5! with much the better chances. The text gave Teichmann a second chance to close the center which he did not miss. 20. d5 Ng5
Schlechter did not seem to care. His eye was on the King-side! 21. f3
This played into Schlechter's hands. Teichmann might have played 21. BxN, of-if he was worried about the e-pawn but didn't want to trade Bishop for Knight--21. Qc2. 21... f5
Here comes Schlechter!
click for larger view22. Qc2
Teichmann should have done something to anticipate (or try to prevent) Schlechter's attack, maybe 22. exf5 or 22. BxN or 22. h5. Alternatively, he could have tried 22. c4 (and later b3) to forestall c4 by Schlechter. 22... f4
click for larger view23. Bc1?
23. Bf2 was best. Even 23. Bd2 was far better than the unfathomable text. 
click for larger viewWhat followed was a strange port of the game (perhaps time-pressure was a factor) in which both players declined to play the indicated c4 until Teichmann finally availed himself of this opportunity on his 27th move. |
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May-16-21
| | KEG: Post III
23... Bc8?
Schlechter should have seized the chance to hold the initiative on both wings with 23...c4! 24. Ng4?
Teichmann, in turn, should have played 24. c4 or 24. b3 to forestall 24...c4. 24... Bd7?
Hard to believe from Schlechter. Once again, c4 would have given him command of much of the board. 25. b3
A partial solution, but 25. c4 would have been better still. 25... h5
25...c4 or 25...c6 were much better.
26. Nf2 Nf7?
Schlechter's last chance to play c4.
27. c4
Finally!
click for larger viewNow the Queen-side pawn position was locked, with the Black a5 pawn sitting isolated. If Schlechter was to make progress, his original idea of advancing on the King-side provided the only method. 27... g5
TheKing-side advance resumed:
click for larger view28. Kf1
Gunsberg in his commentary on this game devoted much time to considering this move, which he concluded was forced and revealed Teichmann's deep understanding of the position. While the text was certainly not bad, 28. Nc3 looks even better. Teichmann could also have played 28. Rd3. After the text, chances in this complicated position were about equal. 28... Nh6
Schlechter could also have played 28...g4. The text delayed his advance by one crucial tempo. 29. Nc3
Teichmann made good use of the extra time Schlechter had afforded him. 29... g4
Not as strong as it would have been it played one move earlier. 30. hxg4 hxg4
click for larger viewThe move 30 time control had been reached, and the players now got down to business. 31. Ke2!
Well played by Teichmann. The King was set to seek refuge as necessary on the Queen-side. 31... Bf6
32. Rh1
The h-file provided Teichmann chances of counter-play. 32... Bh4
33. Rdg1
33. Bd2 eyeing a5 was a good alternative.
33... Rg8
click for larger viewTime pressure was past and the battle lines had been drawn. The exciting portion of the game was about to begin. |
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| May-17-21 | | 0ZeR0: A hard fought game by both sides. Thanks for sharing your analysis, <KEG>. |
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May-18-21
| | KEG: <0ZeR0>So glad you found my analysis of interest. More to come. |
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May-18-21
| | KEG: Post IV
34. Kd1
In his zeal to get his King to the Queen-side, Teichmann misses 34. Nd3 after which he could still have brought his King to c2 (after 35. Qd1 guarding fe3) but in better circumstances. 34... Rg6
Missing the chance to play 34...gxf3 35. gxf3 (the only available recapture after White's last move) RxR+ 36. RxR Rg8 35. Qe2
Once again, Nd3 was best for White.
35... Rag8
36. Rf1 gxf3
37. gxf3 Rg2
click for larger viewBlack's King-side pressure looks scary, but White still has resources, and the Black pawn at a5 looks loose. 38. Kc2
The King march to the Queen-side was at last complete. 38... Qg5
39. Bd2
click for larger viewWhat a double-edged position!
39... Qg3
This looks awfully tempting. But the Black King is insecure on h7. Schlechter might therefore have considered 39...Kg7 first to get the monarch off the dangerous h-file. 40. Ncd1?
Teichmann could have made life very difficult for Schlechter with 40. Be1! The text, by contrast, gave Schlechter new chances to bolster his attack. 40... Bh3?!
Not as formidable as it looks. Schlechter might have tried 40...Nf7 followed by Rg6 and Kg6. Now the key position of the game--which was the subject of discussion on this site in 2004 and 2008: 
click for larger viewCan White just grab the a5 pawn here? Not profitably as it turns out. As <Honza Cervenka> demonstrated on this site in 2004, after 41. Bxa5 Rh2 42. Re1 Bg2 43. RxR QxR 44. Bxc7 Nf7, White would be two pawns ahead, but White would be too tied down to make anything of this. If 45. a5 (discussed further here in 2008) [Better would be 45. Kc1], Black would have much the better chances after 45...Rc8. The right move for White would then be 46. Ng4 (and not Honza Cervenka's 46. Bb6 which loses after 46...Ng5!). In fact, White can seize the advantage here with 41. Qd3. Instead, Teichmann played:
41. Kd3?
This should have cost Teichmann the game, the position now being: 
click for larger viewBlack to move and win. |
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May-18-21
| | KEG: Post V
41... Bg4?
This doesn't necessarily blow the win, but the killer for Black was 41...Rh2! I see no escape for White after that. If 42. Kc2 Bg2! White has nothing better than 43. RxR BxR 44. QxB QxR 45. Qh1 QxQ 46. NxQ Rg2 after which White is tied up in knots and the exchange down to boot. After 41...Bg4, the position was:
click for larger view42. NxB!
"Best under the circumstances." (Gunsberg)
This Queen sac was White's best chance.
42... RxQ
43. KxR
This left the following fascinating position:
click for larger viewRemarkably, the only clear way for Black to prevail seems to require an exhange sacrifice: i.e., 43... RxN! 44. fxR Qxb3 45. RxB Qxc4+ 46. Kf2 Qd4+ 47. Be3 (or 47. Ke2 Qxe4+ 48. Kf2 Kg6 49. Kg1 Qd3 50. Rh2 Qd4+ 51. Kh1 Qxd5+ and Black's five [!] passed pawns must win despite his other material inferiority) Kg6 49. Ke1 Qxa4. Instead, Schlechter erred with the seemingly indicated: 43... Qg2+
Now, amazingly, Teichmann had a chance:
44. Kd3! NxN
The only winning prospect lay in 44...RxN! 45. fxR Kg6 46. Rhg1 Qh3+ 47. Kc2 Nf7 48. Nc3 Ng5 49. Rh1 Qxg4 50. Rfg1 Bg3 51. Kb2 Nf3 52. Rg2 NxB 53. RxN f3 after which Black again seems to win: 54. Rg1 Kf6 55. Rf1 Qf4 56. Rd3 f2. After the text, the win was gone and Teichmann was able to tip-toe his way to a draw despite his seemingly fatal material inferiority: 45. RxB+ Nh6
click for larger view46. Rf2 Qg1
47. Ke2
Obviously forced.
47... Rg3
click for larger view48. Rfh2 Kg7!
"A subtle attempt to save the piece." (Gunsberg) If instead 48...Rg2+ 49. RxR QxR+ 50. Nf2 Qg5 51. Rh2 Black does not seem to be able to make any progress. 49. Be1!
Not 49. RxN! Rg2+ and Black wins.
The position was now:
click for larger view |
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May-18-21
| | KEG: Post VI
49... Ng4
"A move displaying fine judgment. Black could have saved the piece by 49...Rg2+ 50. RxR QxR+
51. Nf2 but then White will play very soon Bxa5 and may even have winning chances as Black cannot do anything with the piece..." (Gunsberg) While I agree with much of what Gunsberg says here, so far as I can see, Black would have been in no danger after 49...Rg2+. The text, however, led to quite an interesting finish. 50. BxR NxR
51. BxN Qd4!
Well played by Schlechter, and the only move that clearly avoids disaster. If 51...Qg2+ 52. Nf2 Kf7 53. Rh8 (other moves are also possible for White here) Ke7 54. Rh3 Kd8 55. Rh7 Kc8 56. Rh8+ Kb7 probably also holds for Black, but Schlechter's choice was a far clearer way to stay out of trouble. The position after 51...Qd4 was:
click for larger viewDespite White's Rook and two minor pieces, Schlechter's Queen in conjunction with the locked pawn formation assured that nothing Teichmann could do would be able to lead to victory for the first player. 52. Rg4+
52. Bxf4 leads to some complex play, but so far as I can discern neither player would be able to win (though in some variations, the advance of the White e-pawn looks truly dangerous for Black). 52... Kf7
53. Rg2
This seems to make White's task more difficult, but Teichmann may well have had everything worked out. 53. Bg1 looks simpler. Once again, 53. Bxf4 again leads to wildly exciting play that ultimately appears to end in a draw, but over the board it is easy to understand Teichmann's reluctance to travel down that rabbit-hole. 53... Qa1
click for larger view54. Ke1 Qb1!
The sharpest line.
55. Rf2
Teichmann must have calculated the sequel or he would undoubtedly have played the simpler-looking 55. Rb2. 55... Qxb3
This allowed Teichmann to set up an impenetrable fortress. 56. Nb2
Teichmann's idea.
click for larger view"The game was adjourned at this stage." (Gunsberg) 56... Ke8
Beginning here, Schlechter commenced a march to bring his King to a6. After the adjournment, I suspect both players had everything worked out and under control, difficult as the position looks to of us kibitzing. 57. Kf1 Kd7
58. Kg2 Kc8
59. Re2 Kb7
59...Qb7 looks safer and easier, but--as noted above--Schlechter likely had the draw comfortably in hand. 60. Bg1
A final effort by Teichmann to create complications with his Bishop: 
click for larger view60... Ka6
Destination reached!
61. Bf2 Ka7
62. Be1 Ka6
"A pretty drawing position." (Gunsberg)
63. Bh4 Ka7
64. Bd8 Qb8
65. Bh4 Qb3
66. Be1 Ka6
67. Kf2 Kb6
68/ Bd2 Ka6
Drawn
An engrossing contest between two fine players. |
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Kibitzing
