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Capa-Alek (1-4)

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Jose R. Capablanca (2775) - Alexander A. Alekhine (2745) 

[D52]

World Championship Match in Buenos Aires, 
Argentina. (Game # 11), 1927.

So far we have looked at the moves:
1. d4, d5; 2. c4, e6; 3. Nc3, Nf6; 4. Bg5, Nbd7; 
5. e3, c6; 6. Nf3, Qa5; 7. Nd2, Bb4; 8. Qc2, dxc4.

(We are now [back to] studying the actual game.)

***

9. Bxf6 Nxf6; 10. Nxc4 Qc7; 11. a3!,

"Here we go again with that a3-move? What does White hope to accomplish by playing this?
(The actual game position after 11. a3.)

***

This will probably lead to the greatest advantage for White.

***

 

 

***
Also playable is: 11. Be2 0-0; 12.0-0 Rd8;

(Or 12...b6; 13. Rac1 Bb7; 14.Bf3, "+/=")

13. a3 Bf8; 14.b4, "+/=" 

***
[ See NCO; pg 415-416, line/row # 4, note # 21. ]

***

 

***

11...Be7;

Why did Black retreat his Bishop?

 

It seems illogical to retreat and lose time, but Black maintains the 
Bishop pair as his only hope for advantage later in the game.

***

 

 

 

***

(If instead Black had played the line below...)

Black exchanges. He does not lose time, but his position holds little promise.
(Analysis Diagram.)

***

"After - 11...Bxc3+?!; ('?') 12. Qxc3, "+/="  
{'Plus over an equal sign,' or 'plus over a line.'}

(See the diagram just above.)

... White has a clear advantage. He has more space and 
the much stronger center." {A.J.G.}
***

***

(We now return to the actual game.)

12. Be2 0-0; 13. 0-0 Bd7; 14. b4!?, 

[Possibly - '!']


White gains space and restricts Black's freeing move, ... c5.

 

"White just ignored his development to play b4. Can you figure out why?" asks Life-Master A.J.

(Actual game position after White plays 14. b4.)

 

 

***

[ If 14. Rfe1, then 14...c5!;  Black is OK now. ]

***

 

 

14...b6; 15. Bf3, Rac8; 16. Rfd1, Rfd8;

***
 {See the diagram directly below.}

Both sides have almost completed their development.
(Game Position after 16...Rfd8.)

***

Both sides mass towards the center.

 

 

***

Or 16...c5; 17. dxc5 bxc5; 18. b5, ("+/=")

***

White just played 18. b5. Who is better here and why?
(Analysis Diagram of one of Capablanca's ideas.)

 

"with a comfortable game for White." - Capablanca. 

***

 

***

17. Rac1 Be8;

(17...Be8 is so that Black can clear the two central files for his Rooks.
Black is a little cramped for space, so he does the best he can.)

***

Can you evaluate this position? ( << Who has more space? Better development? More usable lines for their pieces? Better Pawn Structure? Whose King is safer? >> ALL of these factors {and many more!} must be looked at when trying to determine who is better and why. )
(Actual Game position after 17...Be8.)

***

Time to evaluate the Opening. White is better. He has more space 
and better central control. His pieces also work better together. 

***

 

18. g3, 

White is just a tiny bit better here. ("+/=")

White just played g3. Can you explain why he is not concerned with the weakening of his light squares all around his King?
(Game Position after White plays 18. g3.)

***

White insures he will not be mated on the back-rank. 
He also prevents Black intrusions on his f4 square.

 

 

***
 [ Or playable was: 18. e4!?, "+/=" {A.J.G.} ]

***

 

18...Nd5; 19. Nb2!?,

White just retreated his Knight. I am not 100% convinced this is best. (A.J.G.)

(Game position after 19. Nb2.)

***

Perhaps an inaccuracy. I see no good reason to withdraw the Knight from the c4-square. In Capa's defense, his excellent positional judgment probably told him that he needed to clear the c-file for his heavy pieces.

 

 

***

[ Perhaps better is: 19. e4 Nxc3; 20. Qxc3 Bg5; 21. Rb1 h6; 
22. Bg2 Qb8; 23. f4 Bf6; 24. Qe3 Qc7; 25. Rbc1, 
and White is just a little bit better here. ("+/=") {A.J.G.} ]

***

 

 

19...Qb8; 20. Nd3 Bg5!;

What is Black's 'Primary Tactical Threat' after hsi move, 20...Bg5?

(Game position after 20...Bg5!)

***

"A strong move preventing e4 and 
threatening a sacrifice on e3."  - Capablanca.

 

21. Rb1,

(White sets a trap.)

***

21...Qb7;

(Which Black does not fall for!)

***

 

The trap was if Black played 21...Bxe3?;

(Black is hoping white will immediately recapture with the pawn.)

22. Bxd5!,  This is a very nice "in-between" move or Zwischenzug.

***

(The continuation 22. fxe3?, Nxe3; 23. Qf2, Nxd1; 24. Rxd1 gives Black 
a Rook and TWO pawns for two minor pieces. This was Black's idea.)

***

(Now after 22. Bxd5!, we have the continuation:) 22. cxd5; 23. fxe3,
and all Black has accomplished is to find a fancy way to drop a piece.

***

 

(Now we return to the actual game.)

22. e4!?,

(Actual game position after White plays 22. e4!?)

***

This helps Black by exchanging pieces and easing 
the cramped condition of Black's army.  

***

 

***

[Maybe better was: 22. Ne2!?]

***

(Analysis Diagram.) Analysis of one of A.J.'s ideas. (22. Ne2) Was this better than what was actually played in the game?
( The position after 22. Ne2. [Analysis Diagram.] )

***

The idea behind this move (22. Ne4) is to play e4 and force the 
Knight (on d5) to move, WITHOUT allowing any exchanges 
that free Black's position.  

 

[ A  Master  taught me many years ago that:

 

"When you have an opponent cramped, you must keep him cramped.
Do NOT  allow too many simple exchanges."


This will eventually dilute your advantage and free 
your opponent's position." {A.J.G.} ]

***

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  Copyright (c) {LM} A.J. Goldsby I 

  Copyright (c) A.J. Goldsby, 1995-2008. 
  Copyright © A.J. Goldsby, 2009.  All rights reserved.  

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