Simon Winawer vs Carl Schlechter (1901)

Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players ·

Kibitzing

Simon Winawer vs Carl Schlechter
Monte Carlo (1901), Monte Carlo MNC, rd 6, Feb-12
Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation. Main Line (B00) · 0-1

White to move.

ANALYSIS [x]

0-1

rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

FEN COPIED

explore this opening	find similar games	3 more Winawer/Schlechter games
	PGN: download \| view \| print	Help: general \| java-troubleshooting

TIP: If we are missing an important game, you can submit it (in PGN format) at our PGN Upload Utility.

For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.

PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

Jan-09-20		KEG: Schlechter was definitely one of the pre-tournament favorites at Monte Carlo 1901, having shared first place with Pillsbury at Munich 1900. But his start in the tournament did not live up so any lofty expectations. With five rounds completed, Schlechter had won only one game against one loss and four draws (two of which had to be replayed). Running into Winawer, who was barely ahead of last-place Didier going into this round, was just what the doctor ordered for Schlechter. This was not a pretty win, but Schlechter did what he had to in order to defeat a player who was a class below him and was having a miserable tournament. After winning this game, Schlechter went on a tear and was only relegated to 2nd place because of his later loss to tournament winner Janowski. 1. e4 Nc6 So far as I know, this was the only time Schlechter adopted what later came to be know as the Nimzowitsch Defense. Perhaps he wanted to shake up Winawer from the start. 2. d4 e5 The text and 2...d5 are the most popular lines. The latter choice seems sounder and more in Schlechter's style. The text probably reflects Schlechter's determination to play for a win. 3. dxe5 3. d5 is the usual move here, but the text is also reasonable. 3... Nxe5 click for larger view 4. f4?! "Sharper, but only by appearance." (MCO-13). 4. Nf3 (probably best) is the usual move here. The text is an effort to try to punish Black for his choice of opening. It is certainly playable and yields a small edge for White at the cost of some King-side weakening. 4... Ng6?! 4...Nc6 was soundest and theoretically best. Schlechter, however, seems to have wanted to mix it up even at this early stage of the game. 5. Nf3 Bc5 "!"--(MCO-13). MCO-13 notwithstanding, 5...Bb4+ looks best. But, once again, Schlechter seems to have been keen on a brawl in this game. click for larger view 6. Bc4 Strongest for White here were the developing 6. Nc3 (preparing to castle long) or the aggressive 6. f5. 6... d6 6...c6 could also have been played. 7. Nc3 c6! Combining offense (by opening the diagonal for the Queen) and defense (keeping White's Knight off d5 and preparing for an eventual d5). The position reached, so far as I am aware, has never otherwise occurred. click for larger view 8. Ng5?! This should have led to trouble for Winawer. There was nothing wrong with his position at this stage, and he could have continued developing and preparing to castle long with 8. Qe2 or pressed forward with 8. f5. Alternatively, and in anticipation of a possible d5 from Black, Winawer could have just played 8. Bb3 All of these moves seem to give White a small advantage. 8... Nh6 9. h3 This does little to advance White's cause. Despite his doubtful 8th move, White still had numerous reasonable options, e.g., 9. Na5, 9. Be2, 9. f5. The text allows Black to assume the initiative. 9... b5 9...0-0 was also good. 10. Bb3 a5 Schlechter decided upon a Queen-side assault. 10...0-0 was also favorable for Black. 11. a3 Ra7?! A move that was not in my mental database when I played over the game. From a7, the Rook defends f7 and prepares to swing over to e7 as needed while still keeping an eye on the a-file. Nonetheless, 11...0-0 or 11...a4 or 11...Qe7 seem simplest and better. After Schlechter's 11...Ra7?!, the position was: click for larger view

Jan-09-20		KEG: Post II 12. Qe2 Given Schlechter's obvious option of Re7, putting the Queen on the e-file is bizarre. Better was 12. Qd3 or 12. Bd2. A wild option was 12. g4. 12... 0-0 In light of Winawer's last move, 12...Re7 immediately looks strong. 12...Ba6 (another way to punish Winawer for 12. Qe2) was an option. 13. Be3 click for larger view 13... Qb6 This looks like an effort to trade Bishops and seek equality. Stronger were 13...b4 or 13...Qe7. Schlechter, it appears, was confident of his ability to outplay Winawer in a theoretically even position and wanted to avoid complications and the risk of an accident. 14. BxB QxB 14...dxB was a sharp and interesting option. 15. g3 It would still be sensible to get his Queen off the e-file, perhaps with 15. Qd2. 15... a4! Beginning here, Schlechter mercilessly outplayed Winawer and (after a hiccup on move 22) obtained and retained a winning position to the end of the game. click for larger view 16. Ba2 b4! The Queen-side attack continues. 17. axb4 Qxb4 18. Re3 Re7 Schlechter could also have played 18...Qxb2, though Winawer would have been fine with 19. 0-0. After Schlechter's actual 18...Re7, the position was: click for larger view Winawer was still OK here, but now lost the thread of the game and was quickly lost: 19. 0-0? Castling into danger. Schlechter's Queen-side attack notwithstanding, Winawer should have played 19. 0-0-0. After the text, Schlechter shifted his attack and overwhelmed the seemingly bewildered Winawer. 19... Kh8! Preparing f5. 20. g4? Playing into Schlechter's hands. It made Schlechter's next move even more powerful than it need have been. 20... f5! 21, gxf5 Nxf5 click for larger view 22. Qd3? Suicidal. 22... Qc5+ Schlechter missed the crushing 22...d5! 23. Kh2? 23. Kh1 was Winawer's last chance. The position was now: click for larger view From this point on, Schlechter rolled over Winawer, never giving him a ghost of a chance. His winning methods may not have always been the fastest way, but--as so often with Schlechter--his play from here was logical and deadly.

Jan-10-20		KEG: Post III 23... Ne3! This would not have been so devastating had Winawer played 23. Kh1. With the actual position, White is now busted. 24. Rf3 click for larger view 24... Nxf4 This wins, but the real killer was 24...QxN!, since 25. fxQ gets killed by 25...RxR (since the White King, thanks to 23. Kh2? gives Black the possibility of a discovered check). 25. QxN transposes to the actual game after 25...Nxf4. The problem with the text is that it allows Winawer a chance with 25. e5! But Winawer seemed out of his depth in this complex position and allowed the Schlechter steamroller to press on: 25. QxN? QxQ click for larger view Schlechter was now a pawn up on top of his powerful attack. Among other things, he here threatened mate in 1. 26. Rg1 Qe5! Again exploiting the unfortunate position of the White King on h2. 27. Kh1 27. Rgg3 was also no panacea. After 27. Kh1, the position was: click for larger view 27... d5 27...Ree8 was perhaps a safer way to convert his winning edge, but--over the board--27...d5 must have been a nightmare to face, especially with the move 30 time control approaching. 28. Rgf1? From this point, Winawer played like a deer in the headlights. 29. Ne2 offered the only real hope of resistance. 28... g5! click for larger view Ouch! 29. Nxa4? This allowed Schlechter the opportunity for a brutal massacre beginning with 29...d4! But, perhaps facing time pressure, Schlechter took the simple route and reduced to a won endgame: 29... Qxe4 30. QxQ Winawer had no choice. If, for example, 30. Qc3+, then 30...d4 would be murder. 30... dxQ 31. Re1 click for larger view The move 30 time control had been passed, so Schlechter could now win at his leisure.

Jan-10-20		KEG: Post IV 31... Rf6 32. Nc5 The game was probably beyond saving, but Winawer should probably have tried 32. Rg3 or 32. Rfe1. 32... Rh6 click for larger view 33. Rd1 The "threat" of Rd8+ is more apparent than real. Winawer might just as well have sat tight with 33. Kg1 or 33. Rfe1. 33... Rxh3+ 34. RxR BxR click for larger view Schlechter was now up two pawns and his three passed pawns were more than scary. The game was over, though Winawer chose to endure the coming massacre for a while. 35. Bc4 e3 36. Kh2 e2 Schlechter had a potpourri of winning moves here. He chose the most direct route. 37. Re1 Bf1 38. Nd3 Ng2 click for larger view Winawer might have spared himself the rest. 39. Ra1 Ne3 40. Bb3 h5 40...Ng4+ immediately would have been faster, but the text works just fine also. 41. Ne1 Ng4+ 42. Kg1 Re3 click for larger view Maybe Winawer thought Schlechter would fail with the move 45 time control approaching. Why else play on? 43. Ra8+ Or maybe he wanted to throw in a spite check. 43... Kh7 44. Rf8 click for larger view From here Schlechter quickly put Winawer out of his misery: 44... Rg3+ 45. Kh1 Bg2+ 46. NxB If 46. Kg1 Schlechter would mate in 2 (46...Bf3+ 47. Ng2 e1(Q) mate). 46... RxN 47. Re8 Rf2 click for larger view 0-1

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:

No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
Nothing in violation of United States law.
No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
No trolling.
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.
Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

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

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.