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The Best of Hanon Russell, part 5

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Michael Nolan

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Apr 15, 1992, 4:56:55 PM4/15/92

[Part 5 in a series of material written by Hanon Russell but incorrectly
posted by yours truly. MN]

Date: Mon, 3 Feb 92 16:07:12 EDT
Subject: New York 1924, Part 5

NEW YORK 1924
Part 5

(#1353)
From: Alexander Alekhine, Detroit
To: Hermann Helms, New York
Date: January 28, 1924

Dear Mr. Helms:

I have just received your letters addressed here. I am very glad
indeed that Capablanca and Dr. Lasker will both play in the
tournament, so that it will be interesting enough without my
participation. In these circumstances I understand that the
Committee prefers to have Bogoljubow's participation, instead of
mine (because I said officially to Mr. L. Meyer and Mr. Lederer,
before leaving New York, that it will be ABSOLUTELY impossible
for me to play if Bog. will be invited. And you can believe me
that I have more than sufficient reason for to do so.) And I
think indeed, that after this very tiring tour, it will be the
very best for me to go directly home to Europe.

Wishing to the Committee good luck in further arrangements, I
remain,

Yours very truly,
[A. Alekhine]

P.S. If the Committee will absolutely invite the only man in the
world with whom it is impossible for me to play, it means that
it prefers not to see me in this tournament.

(#26)
From: Harry Latz (Alamac Hotel letterhead)
To: Norbert L. Lederer
Date: January 28, 1924

Good Morning Mr. Lederer:

Verifying my verbal promise wish to state that we will donate
$2500.00 toward the fund of the International Chess Masters
Tournament to be held from March 16th to April 7th.

We will further furnish sleeping accommodations and food for not
over twelve contestants. Each contestant participating in this
accommodation will be separately billed and will sign his own
checks after each meal and then at the end of the Tournament
same shall be complimented by me.

If you plan on an opening banquet I think you should get
together on this early, for I would like to create something
unusual.

Cordially,
/s/ Harry Latz

(#1047)
From: Norbert L. Lederer
To: Harold M. Phillips
Date: January 28, 1924

Dear Sir:

The Committee on the International Chess Masters' Tournament,
New York, 1924, decided at their yesterday's meeting to hold the
tournament on March 16th, and as immediate funds are required
for the passage of the European masters, you would great oblige
by sending your subscription at your earliest convenience to the
treasurer, Dr. Arthur A. Bryant, c/o Manhattan Chess Club.

I take the opportunity to thank you sincerely for your generous
contribution, and beg to remain,

Sincerely yours,
[Norbert L. Lederer]

(#407)
From: Norbert L. Lederer
To: Hermann Helms
Date: January 28, 1924

Dear Mr. Helms:

We duly received your letter of January 28th, and hereby accept
your proposition regarding the printing of the official Congress
Book for the New York International Chess Masters' Tournament of
1924, with the exception that we will pay Mr. Alekhine a fee of
$250.00 as he demanded, and you are therefore to supply us with
two hundred (200) copies, of which we will distribute a number
to the subscribers to the congress fund, asking you to sell the
balance for our account.

As per your suggestion of Jan. 27th, I am asking the European
players to immediately send us photographs, which I will turn
over to you as soon as they arrive.

Very truly yours,
[Norbert L. Lederer]

P.S. I am enclosing a letter from Mr. Matthews which concerns
you. Perhaps you might get a subscription from him.

(#702)
From: Norbert L. Lederer
To: Herbert H. Limburg
Date: January 28, 1924

Dear Mr. Limburg:

I have today authorized my Berlin office to arrange for
transport, etc. for the five European masters whom we decided to

invite.

There might be some difficulty with regard to the passport visas
and I have instructed my people to cable me about this. Should
they have any trouble, it occurred to me that you might be able
to smooth out any difficulties in Washington. Perhaps it will be
necessary for the Committee to give an undertaking that these
players are coming for the specified purpose of competing in the
tournament only, and will not remain in the United States over a
specified period of time.

With kindest regards I am,

Very sincerely yours,
[Norbert L. Lederer]

(#830)
From: Norbert L. Lederer
To: Frank J. Marshall
Date: January 28, 1924

Dear Mr. Marshall:

The Committee on the International Chess Masters' Tournament
definitely decided at their meeting yesterday to hold the
tournament on March 16th at the Alamac Hotel. The following
masters have agreed to play: Capablanca, Lasker, Alekhine,
Maroczy, Bogoljubow, Reti, Tartakower, Janowski, Kupschik, Ed.
Lasker, Sir George Thomas.

The prizes will be as follows:

First - $1500.00
Second - 1000.00
Third - 750.00
Fourth - 500.00
Fifth - 250.00

Non-prize winners will receive $25.00 for each won game and
$12.50 for each drawn game.

The Committee has instructed me to hereby invite you to take
part in this tournament, and I would be greatly obliged if you
would favor me with an early reply regarding your decision.

At the same time I would be obliged if you would let me have two
recent photographs of yourself to be used in the program and
congress book.

Trusting to be favored with your early reply, I beg to remain,

Very sincerely yours,
[Norbert L. Lederer]

(#1129)

From: Norbert L. Lederer
To: Walter Penn Shipley, Philadelphia
Date: January 28, 1924

Dear Mr. Shipley:

The Committee on the International Chess Masters' Tournament in
yesterday's meeting definitely decided to hold the tournament at
the Alamac hotel, starting March 16th. The following players
have agreed to play: Capablanca, Lasker, Alekhine, Maroczy,
Bogoljubow, Reti, Tartakower, Janowski, Kupschik, Ed. Lasker and
Sir George Thomas.

In order to cover the very high costs, estimated at $10,000.00,
the Committee wishes to make a special appeal to all chess
lovers in the country and therefore hope that you will not take
it as an intrusion if I ask your club, as well as its individual
members to subscribe to the funds. I am sending you enclosed a
list of patrons to be posted on your bulletin board, should this
meet with your approval.

All subscribers of $25.00 and up are to receive an entrance
ticket for the whole tournament, as well as a congress book.

Thanking you for your kind personal contribution, and
assistance, I beg to remain,

Sincerely yours,
[Norbert L. Lederer]

(#1176)
From: Norbert L. Lederer
To: Sir George Thomas, London
Date: January 28, 1924

Dear Sir:

A committee has been formed which has decided to hold an
International Chess Masters' Tournament in New York starting
March 16th, in which the following players have agreed to
participate: Capablanca, Lasker, Alekhine, Maroczy, Bogoljubow,
Reti, Tartakower, Janowski, Marshall, Kupschik and Ed. Lasker.

It is the sincere wish of the committee that the United Kingdom
be represented thru their official champion, and I consider it a
great pleasure to hereby invite you to participate in the
tournament. Should you be able and willing to play, I would
greatly appreciate a cable with the cable address "Salterglue"
New York, informing us of your decision.

The tournament will be a double round tournament with twelve
contestants. The prizes to be:

First - $1500.00
Second - 1000.00

Third - 750.00
Fourth - 500.00
Fifth - 250.00

Non-prize winners to receive $25.00 for each won game and $12.50
for each drawn game.

All players will receive free room and board at the Alamac
Hotel, 71st St. & Broadway, where the tournament will be held.

Looking forward to the pleasure of meeting you, I beg to remain,
with cordial greetings,

Sincerely yours,
[Norbert L. Lederer]

P.S. Should you decide to come, you would oblige me greatly if
you would let me have by return mail two good photographs of
yourself to be used for the program and tournament book.

[End Part 5]

Date: Tue, 4 Feb 92 17:33:10 EDT
Subject: New York 1924, Part 5

NEW YORK 1924
Part 5

(#1353)
From: Alexander Alekhine, Detroit
To: Hermann Helms, New York
Date: January 28, 1924

Dear Mr. Helms:

Wishing to the Committee good luck in further arrangements, I
remain,

Yours very truly,
[A. Alekhine]

P.S. If the Committee will absolutely invite the only man in the
world with whom it is impossible for me to play, it means that
it prefers not to see me in this tournament.

(#26)
From: Harry Latz (Alamac Hotel letterhead)
To: Norbert L. Lederer
Date: January 28, 1924

Good Morning Mr. Lederer:

Verifying my verbal promise wish to state that we will donate
$2500.00 toward the fund of the International Chess Masters
Tournament to be held from March 16th to April 7th.

If you plan on an opening banquet I think you should get
together on this early, for I would like to create something
unusual.

Cordially,
/s/ Harry Latz

(#1047)
From: Norbert L. Lederer
To: Harold M. Phillips
Date: January 28, 1924

Dear Sir:

I take the opportunity to thank you sincerely for your generous
contribution, and beg to remain,

Sincerely yours,
[Norbert L. Lederer]

(#407)
From: Norbert L. Lederer
To: Hermann Helms
Date: January 28, 1924

Dear Mr. Helms:

As per your suggestion of Jan. 27th, I am asking the European
players to immediately send us photographs, which I will turn
over to you as soon as they arrive.

Very truly yours,
[Norbert L. Lederer]

P.S. I am enclosing a letter from Mr. Matthews which concerns
you. Perhaps you might get a subscription from him.

(#702)
From: Norbert L. Lederer
To: Herbert H. Limburg
Date: January 28, 1924

Dear Mr. Limburg:

I have today authorized my Berlin office to arrange for
transport, etc. for the five European masters whom we decided to

invite.

With kindest regards I am,

Very sincerely yours,
[Norbert L. Lederer]

(#830)
From: Norbert L. Lederer
To: Frank J. Marshall
Date: January 28, 1924

Dear Mr. Marshall:

The prizes will be as follows:

First - $1500.00
Second - 1000.00
Third - 750.00
Fourth - 500.00
Fifth - 250.00

Non-prize winners will receive $25.00 for each won game and
$12.50 for each drawn game.

The Committee has instructed me to hereby invite you to take
part in this tournament, and I would be greatly obliged if you
would favor me with an early reply regarding your decision.

At the same time I would be obliged if you would let me have two
recent photographs of yourself to be used in the program and
congress book.

Trusting to be favored with your early reply, I beg to remain,

Very sincerely yours,
[Norbert L. Lederer]

(#1129)

From: Norbert L. Lederer
To: Walter Penn Shipley, Philadelphia
Date: January 28, 1924

Dear Mr. Shipley:

All subscribers of $25.00 and up are to receive an entrance
ticket for the whole tournament, as well as a congress book.

Thanking you for your kind personal contribution, and
assistance, I beg to remain,

Sincerely yours,
[Norbert L. Lederer]

(#1176)
From: Norbert L. Lederer
To: Sir George Thomas, London
Date: January 28, 1924

Dear Sir:

The tournament will be a double round tournament with twelve
contestants. The prizes to be:

First - $1500.00
Second - 1000.00

Third - 750.00
Fourth - 500.00
Fifth - 250.00

Non-prize winners to receive $25.00 for each won game and $12.50
for each drawn game.

All players will receive free room and board at the Alamac
Hotel, 71st St. & Broadway, where the tournament will be held.

Looking forward to the pleasure of meeting you, I beg to remain,
with cordial greetings,

Sincerely yours,
[Norbert L. Lederer]

P.S. Should you decide to come, you would oblige me greatly if
you would let me have by return mail two good photographs of
yourself to be used for the program and tournament book.

[End Part 5]

Date: Wed, 5 Feb 92 17:54:55 EDT
Subject: Judit Polgar Youngest GM?

Earlier today (Wednesday) we had an interesting telephone discussion
with Dan Edelman of the U.S. Chess Federation regarding whether or
not Judit Polgar had become the youngest GM. It seems that shortly
after Fischer's performance at Portoroz, 1958, which qualified him
for the candidates cycle and thus earned him the GM title, then FIDE
president Folke Rogard awarded Fischer the title *by decree* rather
than wait the many months until the next FIDE meeting. FIDE bylaws
allowed (and still allows) the FIDE president to so act.

However, although Judit's recent performance fulfills the final
requirements for the awarding of the title, the title itself will
not be awarded until the next FIDE meetings in June. So, technically,
she will not be the youngest to have been awarded the title.

She would also not be the youngest if the title were awarded right
now by decree. But, say you, we are splitting hairs. Perhaps. And
in any event this is one tempest in a teapot and/or irrelevant
subject, perhaps only of interest to pedantic historians and
statisticians. At any rate there you have it. And that's the truth.

HWR

Date: Thu, 13 Feb 92 22:05:25 EDT
Subject: Book Review: Play the Caro-Kann

We are pleased to introduce Rick Bauer as our guest reviewer
this week. Former Connecticut Champion and NM Rick Bauer is one
of the perennial "strongmen" in chess in the Northeast. He is
well qualified to review the latest book on the Caro-Kann as it
has occupied a major part of his opening repertoire for the past
few years. He writes a regular column for "Chess Horizons"
featuring deeply annotated games by local players in the
regional events.

PLAY THE CARO-KANN, SECOND EDITION by Egon Varnusz, Maxwell
Macmillan Chess 1991, paperback, figurine algebraic, 260pp., $

The original "Play the Caro-Kann," published in 1982, was quite
simply the best book available on the Caro-Kann Defense. It
covered the entire defense, from a neutral perspective, and
provided both knowledge AND understanding.

The secret is the structure of the book that includes both
encyclopedia lines and illustrative games. The lines allow you
to select your variations, and the games deepen your
understanding of the middlegame and endgame themes that arise
out of this opening.

The ECO 'B' revision came out in 1984, providing an updated
alternative for the lines, but Varnusz's book remained my
primary reference. Judging from the books I saw in other
players' hands at tournaments, I was not alone.

When Pergamon Press announced that they would be issuing an
updated version of "Play the Caro-Kann" in the Fall of 1990, I
put it on my "must buy" list. But 1990 came and went with no
sign of the new book. Pergamon was bought out by Maxwell
Macmillan, whose famous owner, Robert Maxwell, kept popping up
in the headlines. But the headlines never mentioned chess books,
so I just had to wait.

"Play the Caro-Kann, Second Edition" is finally out. The book
looks very different from its predecessor. A racy new paperback
cover design replaces a bland green hardcover, that made the
first book look like "My First Chess Book." Inside, things have
not changed nearly as much.

The new material is blended smoothly into the old, without
altering the layout or the primary theoretical points.
Twenty-one new illustrative games have been added to the
fifty-six original ones. I would guess that the lines have been
expanded about the same amount. 260 smaller pages replace the
original 150. The book includes grandmaster games and lines
through early 1991.

The author generally does not delve into the new material as
deeply as he went into the older games. The new games are often
presented with only "Informant style" notes. A contributing
factor may the lack of additional involvement from English GM
Murray Chandler, who in 1982 did "updating" as well
as

translating. The preface to the Second Edition mentions no
translator but only mentions Chris Dunworth "for his help in
editing the manuscript." This is likely because the bulk of the
English text had already been translated.

I would assume that all serious Caro-Kann players will buy this
book. Some 1.e4 players who do not want to be outbooked will
also chip in, but most others will be chased away by the high
price. The publisher has recognized the fact that chess players
may "want" other books, but they "need" good opening books for
their opening. The price is not listed anywhere on the book, but
I remember seeing something like $23.00 at the book seller.

If you haven't decided by now, the best thing I can do is give
you a peek into book. I do this by presenting one of the key
illustrative games added for this edition.

This game put a dagger into the heart of a plan, pioneered by
Larsen, to castle kingside in the 4...Bf5 Caro. Karpov's play is
quite thematic, especially with the effective development and
then sacrifice of his queen bishop. All notes are from the book.
This is one of the few new games that was annotated as
extensively as the old ones.

Karpov-Hubner, Tilburg 1982
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3
Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 Ngf6 11.Bf4 e6 12.0-0-0 Be7
13.Ne5 0-0 14.c4 c5!? (15.Qe2 or 15.Qc3 are also possible)
15...Nxe5 (15...exd5?! 16.Nf5!) 16.Bxe5 Ng4!? 17.Bxg7!? (A sharp
reply! 17.f4 Nf2 18.Qc3? Nxd1 19.Rxd1 f6! 20.dxe6 Qb6! 21.Nf5
Qxe6 22.Nxe7+ Qxe7 23.Bd6 Qe4 24.Bxf8 Qxf4+! leaves a lot to be
desired for White, thus 18.Qe2!? seems an improvement on
18.Qc3?) 17...Kxg7 (17...Bg5+!?) 18.Qe2 (Having the sacrifice of
the bishop in mind, White wants to play 19.Qxg4 or 19.dxe6)
18...Bg5+ (18...Nf6 19.dxe6 Qc7 20.Nf5+ and 21.g3 +/-) 19.Kb1
Nf6 20.dxe6 Qc8 21.e7 Re8 22.Rd6!! (The point of the
combination! Black cannot now play 22...Qe6) 22...Qg4 (22...Bf4
23.Rxf6! Kxf6 24.Qf3+- ; 23...Bxg3 24.Qf3 +/-) 23.Qe5 Kg8 24.Re1
Nd7 (24...Nxh5 25.Nf5 Bf4 26.Qd5! or 25.Re4 Nf4 26.Nf5 f6
27.Qxf6 +-) 25.Rxd7! Qxd7 26.Nf5 f6 (26...Qd3+ 27.Ka1 Qd4 - the
only move - 28.Nxd4 Rxe7 29.Qxe7 Bxe7 30.Nf5+-) 27.Qd5+! (White
goes into the endgame because the connected pawns will be very
strong!) 27...Qxd5 28.cxd5 Bf4 29.g3 Bc7 30.Kc2! (30.Nxh6+? Kh7
31.Nf5 Rad8!) 30...b5 31.Nxh6+ Kh7 32.Nf5 Rg8 33.d6 Ba5 34.Re6
Rg5 35.Rxf6 Rxh5 36.d7 Rh2 37.Ne3 Black Resigns.

Date: Thu, 13 Feb 92 22:10:56 EDT
Subject: Botvinnik Autobiography, Game 9

No. 9 Queen's Gambit
Ya. Rokhlin M. Botvinnik
Leningrad Championship, 1926

1 d2-d4 Ng8-f6
2 Ng1-f3 e7-e6
3 c2-c4 d7-d5
4 Bc1-g5 Nb8-d7
5 Nb1-c3 c7-c6
6 Ra1-c1 ...

At this time, the text was considered a panacea for the Cambridge Springs
variation. No one had yet guessed that after 6...dc 7 e4 b5 Black has an
extra pawn (see, e.g., game No. 40) and White's initiative is not as
dangerous as appeared at first glance.

6 ... h7-h6
7 Bg5-h4 ...

This retreat could lead to the loss of a pawn as indicated above. Correct
is 7 Bxf6.

7 ... d5xc4
8 e2-e4 Qd8-a5

The reader may already know that 8...b5 should be played.

9 e4-e5 ...

Now White gives up a pawn for a clear lead in development.

9 ... Nf6-e4
10 Bf1xc4 Ne4xc3
11 b2xc3 Bf8-a3

None of Black's previous activity is able to help him in the fight for the
center or in the completion of his development on the static Queenside.

12 Rc1-c2 Nd7-b6
13 Nf3-d2! Nb6-d5

Now White could undertake active operations with 14 Qg4 (or 14 0-0, and on
14...Nxc3 - 15 Qg4). The decision to spend time defending the pawn on c3
allows Black to complicate the fight by sacrificing two pawns.

14 Qd1-f3 c6-c5!
15 Bc4xd5 ...

Incidentally, it was possible not to accept Black's challenge and castle,
keeping all the advantages of the position.

15 ... e6xd5
16 Qf3xd5 Bc8-e6!
17 Qd5xb7 0-0
18 0-0 ...

And so, both sides have completed their development, with White
maintaining a solid material advantage. However, one more item was
required, and that was to keep the game closed so that Black would not be
able to make maximum use of the powers of the Bishops and Rooks.

18 ... Rf8-c8
19 Nd2-b3 Qa5-a4
20 Bh4-g3 ...

Now it becomes impossible to eliminate the enemy c-pawn, and it becomes a
real thorn in White's side.

20 ... c5-c4!
21 Nb3-a1 Be6-f5
22 Rc2-d2 Qa4-a5

How should the pawn on c3 be protected? If it is lost, there will be
nothing to hold back the pawn on c4. White comes up with a creative
solution.

23 e5-e6! Bf5xe6
24 d4-d5 Be6-f5

24...Qxc3 loses because of 25 Rc2.

25 Bg3-e5 f7-f6
26 Be5-d4 ...

Make note of this position and pay attention to the fact that it will be
repeated, inasmuch as Black decided to save some time thinking.

26 ... Rc8-b8
27 Qb7-c6 Rb8-c8
28 Qc6-b7 ...

The position appears on the board a second time.

28 ... Rc8-b8
29 Qb7-c6 Rb8-c8
30 Qc6-b7 ...

A third time! Why did White not claim a draw before this move? Because at
the time, the rule did not simply specify that the draw could be claimed
when a position was reached for the third time, but it had to be reached
via the same set of moves by both sides. And from that point of view, the
position has only been repeated twice!

30 ... Ba3-d6

Black does not want a draw, since material equality has been
reestablished, but he has a positional edge.

31 Na1-c2 Ra8-b8
32 Qb7xa7 Qa5xa7
33 Bd4xa7 Rb8-b2

This assures the penetration of both Rooks to the second rank.

34 Rf1-c1 Rc8-a8
35 Ba7-e3 Ra8xa2
36 Nc2-d4! ...

A neat tactical twist to save a piece.

36 ... Rb2xd2
37 Be3xd2 Bf5-e4
38 Bd2-e3 Be4xd5

We were playing, as always at that time, without freedom from work (or
study) with a time control of 37 moves in two and one-half hours. Now the
game was adjourned, and White proposed a draw. I, of course, was not
convinced that I could realize my advantage, but how could I give up the
struggle in a position that still had so much life in it?

39 f2-f3 Bd5-f7!

The Bishop leaves for the better square d3, from where it can defend the
pawn on c4 and restrict the activity of the enemy pieces the most.

40 Rc1-d1 Bf7-g6

41 Nd4-c6 Bg6-d3
42 Be3-d4 ...

White should not avoid an endgame with opposite-color Bishops: 42 Nb4 Bxb4
43 cb Rb2.

42 ... Ra2-b2
43 Rd1-e1 Kg8-h7
44 Nc6-e7 h6-h5!

Black has in mind the advance of the Kingsdie pawns, prying open the
second rank.

45 Ne7-d5 h5-h4
46 Nd5-e3 ...

46 h3 was obligatory, although even this would only stave off defeat,
since all White's pieces have been relegated to passivity.

46 ... h4-h3
47 g2-g3 f6-f5

Threatening 48...f4.

48 f3-f4 Bd3-e4

Only g7-g5 remains to be played to win.

49 Re1-a1 Kh7-g8

To avoid further checks, although even they do not help White.

50 Ra1-e1 ...

White desperately hangs on in time pressure.

50 ... g7-g5!
51 Re1-d1 ...

If 51 fg, then 51...Bxg3.

51 ... g5xf4
52 Bd4-b6 f4xg3
White resigns.

This game was played at the beginning of the tournament during a run of
five wins in a row. Naturally, I was in a good mood and appeared confident
of my playing strength. Later, actually, I had a few disappointments but
in the final analysis, I finished tied for second and third places with
Rabinovich, behind the tournament winner Ilyin-Zhenevsky.

Date: Thu, 13 Feb 92 22:09:33 EDT
Subject: Botvinnik Autobiography, Game 8

No. 8 King's Indian Defense
M. Botvinnik M. Shebarshin
Semi-finals, Leningrad Championship, 1926

1 d2-d4 Ng8-f6
2 Ng1-f3 g7-g6
3 c2-c4 Bf8-g7
4 Nb1-c3 d7-d6
5 e2-e4 0-0
6 Bf1-e2 ...

Later on when facing the King's Indian Defense, I, as a rule, fianchettoed
my King's Bishop, putting my Knight on e2, which, in those years, was not
considered best.

6 ... Nb8-d7
7 0-0 c7-c6
8 h2-h3 ...

To play this move after having played the 6th move is a waste of time.
More logical is 8 Re1 or 8 Be3.

8 ... e7-e5
9 Bc1-e3 Qd8-e7

Why? More in the spirit of the position is 9...ed 10 Nxd4 Nc5 and if the
pawn on e4 is defended by 11 f3, then the pawn cover in front of the King,
in particular g3, has been substantially weakened. Now White avoids any
unpleasant consequences of his inconsistent opening play.

10 d4-d5 c6-c5
11 a2-a3 Nf6-h5

This maneuver is justified if Black can then play Nh5-f4 and f7-f5. In the
given case, this turns out to be impossible, and the Knight, after all is
said and done, has to return home. Nevertheless, it was possible to
prepare the advance of the f-pawn immediately: 11...Ne8.

12 Rf1-e1 Nh5-f4
13 Be2-f1 h7-h6

Black still cannot find the right plan, although it is now impossible to
play 13...f5 due to 14 Bxf4 ef 15 ef. However, it was still not too late
to begin withdrawing the Knight.

14 g2-g3 Nf4-h5
15 Ra1-c1 Kg8-h7
16 b2-b4 b7-b6
17 Kg1-h2 Nd7-f6

Finally, the regrouping of the Knights begins; better late than never.

18 Nf3-g1 Nf6-g8
19 Bf1-g2 Bc8-d7
20 b4xc5 b6xc5
21 Bg2-f3 ...

White may seize the b-file, for which the Rook on e1 will go to e2, but in
doing so, it blocks the Queen's diagonal from d1 to h5. That is important
in meeting the f7-f5 advance by Black. Therefore, the Bishop assumes this
role.

21 ... Nh5-f6

Now the Knight has to block its own f-pawn.

22 Rc1-b1 Rf8-b8
23 Re1-e2 Nf6-e8
24 Re2-b2 Rb8xb2
25 Rb1xb2 f7-f5

And so, the thematic advance conceived thirteen moves ago is realized. But
much has changed in the interim, most importantly, the open lines have
been seized by White.

26 Qd1-d2 Qe7-f6
27 Nc3-d1 ...

Removing the Knight from the line-of-fire (27...f4 28 gf ef) and
simultaneously defending the Rook.

27 ... Ng8-e7
28 Qd2-a5 f5xe4
29 Bf3xe4 Bd7-f5

It is hard to say whether 29...Nf5 is better, since in principle, nothing
has substantially changed.

30 Be4xf5 ...

The proper way of fighting for the blockading square e4 is suggested by
the move 30 Nc3.

30 ... Ne7xf5
31 Kh2-g2 Qf6-f7

Ultimately the onslaught of the enemy forces cannot be held back, but the
second Knight should be brought into play.

32 Qa5-a6 Ne8-f6
33 Qa6-b7 ...

White refrains from winning a pawn, not wishing to give his opponent
counterplay after 33 Rb7 Qf8 34 Rxa7 Rb8 (35 Rb7 Ra8).

33 ... Qf7-g8

In the endgame, Black's activity has been kept to a minimum.

34 Nd1-c3 Ra8-d8
35 a3-a4 Rd8-d7
36 Qb7-b8 Qg8-f7
37 a4-a5 e5-e4
38 Rb2-b1 ...

The Rook must be removed from the diagonal of the enemy Bishop as a
preventive measure since that diagonal will soon be opened.

38 ... Nf6-g4

This exchanging line does not bring Black relief, but he could not afford
to wait in view of the the threat of a5-a6 and Rb1-b7.

39 h3xg4 Nf5xe3+
40 f2xe3 Bg7xc3
41 a5-a6 Bc3-d2
42 Qb8-b3 ...

White achieves nothing by continuing 42 Rb7 Bxe3 43 Rxd7 Qxd7 44 Qb7 Qg7
45 Ne2 because of 45...Bd2!.

42 ... Bd2-b4

Black has managed to neutralize his opponent's initiaative on the
Queenside, but the Bishop on b4 is out of play.

43 Qb3-c2 Qf7-e8

44 Rb1-f1 Qe8-e5
45 Rf1-f4 ...

Not finding the right plan immediately: The White Knight should be headed
for this square, to take advantage of the ensuing g6-g5.

45 ... Rd7-e7
46 Kg2-h3 Bb4-e1
47 Ng1-e2 Be1-b4

Otherwise 48 Rf1 Bb4 49 Nf4 and then Ne6.

48 Rf4-f1 g6-g5

Black has taken f4 under control, but at the cost of leaving a hole on f5.

49 Ne2-g1 Kh7-g6
50 Qc2-f2 Kg6-h7
51 Ng1-e2 Qe5-g7
52 Qf2-f5+ Qg7-g6
53 Qf5-f8 Qg6-g7
54 Qf8-f6! ...

The pawn on d6 cannot be saved while after 54...Qxf6 55 Rxf6 Rd7 56 Re6
the pawn on e4 is lost. Black finds the only possibility of maintaining
material equality.

54 ... Bb4-d2
55 Qf6xd6 Bd2xe3
56 Qd6-c6 Re7-c7
57 Qc6-e6 Rc7-e7
58 Qe6-f5+ Qg7-g6

Having finally obtained a passed pawn, White cannot refrain from holding
it back. Nevertheless, the win was to be had in the shortest way with 59
Rb1 followed by Rb1-b7.

59 d5-d6 Qg6xf5
60 Rf1xf5 Re7-d7
61 Rf5-d5 Kh7-g6

The attempt to hold the pawn on e4 does not work: 61...Bf2 62 Kg2 Be1 63
Rxc5 Rxd6 64 Rc7+ Kg6 65 Rxa7.

62 Ne2-c3 Kg6-f6
63 Nc3xe4+ Kf6-e6
64 Kh3-g2 Be3-d4
65 Kg2-f3 Rd7-f7+
66 Rd5-f5 Rf7-g7

Now there is another favorable possibility: 67 Rf8, transfering the Rook
to b7, and if 67...Rf7+ 68 Rxf7 Kxf7 then 69 d7 Ke7 70 Nd6 Kxd7 71 Nb5
etc. White passes up this opportunity.

67 Kf3-e2 Rg7-g8
68 Ne4xc5+ Bd4xc5
69 Rf5xc5 Ke6xd6
70 Rc5-f5 Rg8-g6

The attempt to defend the pawn on a7 also was not satisfactory: 70...Kc7
71 Rf6 Rh8 or 70...Rg7 71 Kd3 Rh7. In both cases the advance of the White
King and the c-pawn are decisive.

71 Rf5-f7 Kd6-c5
72 Rf7xa7 Kc5xc4

The conditions of this elimination tournament were rigorous: Only one
winner would proceed to the finals, and my opponent, one of the strongest
first-category players in the city, had won all the games he had played
with me. I had already drawn one game, and this meant that I had to play
to win here at all cost. Thus, there was nothing for White in 73 Ra8 Kb5
74 a7 Kb6, which left only...

73 Ra7-c7+ Kc4-b5

Black instinctively brings his King closer to the passed pawn, allowing
his Rook to limit the activity of the enemy King. But this is not really
possible, and all Black accomplishes is getting a passive position for his
King. White exchanges the a-pawn for two Black ones, leading to a
theoretically won position because of the position of the Black King. The
game would have been more complicated and more interesting after 73...Kd4,
but more about that later.

74 a6-a7 Rg6-a6

Here the game was adjourned for a second time and Sergei Kaminer
immediately explained everything to me. My opponent had been counting on
my naivete and through an intermediary had proposed a draw, convinced that
since we had both been undefeated through the tournament, we would both go
to the finals. However, after listening to Sergei, I understood that only
I would be playing in the finals!

75 Ke2-f3 Ra6-a4
76 Rc7-h7 Kb5-c5
77 Rh7xh6 Ra4xa7
78 Kf3-e4 ...

Now the Black King is cut off from the passed pawns along the ranks and
files; several years later, N. D. Grigoryev was to focus attention on the
importance of this latter factor in Rook endgames.

78 ... Ra7-g7
79 Ke4-e5 Rg7-g8
80 Rh6-e6 Rg8-f8
81 Re6-g6 Rf8-e8+
82 Ke5-f6 Re8-e4

83 Kf6xg5 and Black resigned on the 97th move.

Now let us return to the position which would have arisen after the reply
73...Kd4, which, undoubtedly, would have placed more difficult problems
before White.

As a result of home analysis, I discovered the continuation 74 a7 Ra6 75
Kd2 Ke4 76 Kc3 Kf3 77 Kb4. If 77...Kxg4 78 Kb5 Ra1 79 Rc4+ and 80 Ra4,
White wins. The same result occurs after 77...Kxg3 78 Rc3+ Kxg4 79 Ra3
Rxa7 80 Rxa7 Kf3 (80...h5 81 Kc4 h4 82 Kd3 h3 83 Ke2 h2 84 Rh7 Kg3 85 Kf1)
81 Kc3 g4 82 Kd2 g3 83 Ke1 g2 84 Ra3+. However, Black does have a tricky
continuation in 77...Kg2! (on 78 Rc2+ - 78...Kh3!) so as to give up the
Rook for the a-pawn only when the White King is too far from the first
rank. For example: 78 Kb5 Ra1 79 Kb6 Kxg3 80 Rc8 Kxg4 81 a8/Q Rxa8 82 Rxa8
h5 83 Kc5 h4 84 Kd4 h3 85 Ke3 h2 86 Rh8 Kg3, Drawn. If 80 Rc4, then
80...Kh4 81 Kb7 h5 and White still cannot win.

However, about a decade later, while studying the game, it became clear
that 73...Kd4 still lost after 74 a7 Ra6 75 Kd2 Ke4 76 Rf7! (instead of 76
Kc3) preventing the Black King from breaking in. Then there is only
76...Kd4 77 Kc2 Kc4 78 Rc7+ Kd4 79 Kb3 Ke4 80 Rf7! and White wins by
bringing the King up to the a-pawn.

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