Jose Raul Capablanca vs. Frank James Marshall (1909, Spanish Game: Schliemann Defense, Dyckhoff Variation)

[Date "1909"]

[Round "12"]

[White "Jose Raul Capablanca"]

[Black "Frank James Marshall"]

[Result "1-0"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 {Marshall is truly a player poised to attack. His choice of the "schliemann defense" is an affirmation that he prefers to attack and to immediately annihilate his opponent. This defense, also known as "jaenisch defense", is very sharp and white has to exercise extreme caution. Black intends to open up the f-file and would not hesitate to sacrifice a pawn to gain the advantage. While the opening of the f-file immediately creates tension on the chessboard, I consider the opening very risky on the part of black. If white, as in this game, is able to refute black's attack and survives up to the end game, the former would definitely have the advantage. } 4. Nc3 {The "dyckhoff variation" of this defense seems to create a more chaotic situation on the chessboard.} 4... Nf6 5. exf5 {White is now a pawn up after the usual acceptance of the gambit pawn. Black however takes control of the central squares.} 5... e4 6. Nh4 d5 7. d3 Be7 8. dxe4 dxe4 9. Qxd8+ Bxd8 {The exchange of queens and the resulting simplification seems to favor black.} 10. Bg5 O-O 11. O-O-O Ne5 12. h3 a6 13. Ba4 c5 14. Bf4 Nfd7 {This bishop has the possibility of being trapped by black pawns. It is thus wise to exchange it and further simplify the position.} 15. Bxd7 Nxd7 16. Bg3 Bxh4 17. Bxh4 Rxf5 18. Rhe1 Nf8 19. Nxe4 {White is now again a pawn up and has better developed and active pieces.} 19... Be6 20. Be7 {Attacking the c5 pawn. Black however ignores this threat.} 20... Rd5 21. Nxc5 {White is now two pawns up and can easily head for the endgame to win.} 21... Rxd1+ 22. Rxd1 Bf5 23. Bxf8 Rxf8 {The position is now won for white. Being ahead in material, winning is now a matter of pure technique. Black can still hope for a draw provided he plays accurately.}  24. Rd2 Bc8 25. f3 h6 26. b3 Kh7 27. Kb2 Rf7 28. a4 Rc7 29. Ne4

Bf5 30. Nd6 Bg6 31. a5 h5 32. c4 Re7 33. Kc3 Kh6 34. h4 Bh7 35. Rd5 Re3+ 36. Kb4 Re2 37. Nf7+ Kg6 38. Ng5 Bg8 39. Rd6+ Kf5 40. Rd8 {The bishop being

doomed, black was constrained to sacrifice it for a pawn. It is now clear that Marshall is only playing for a draw.} 40... Bxc4 41. Kxc4 Rxg2 42. Rf8+ Ke5

43. f4+ Kd6 44. Rd8+ Kc6 45. Nf3 Rc2+ 46. Kb4 Rf2 47. Ne5+ Kc7 48. Rd7+ Kc8 49. Rf7 Rh2 50. Ng6 Re2 51. Rxg7 b6 52. axb6 a5+ {At least, black's fighting

heart should be appreciated. If white plays carelessly a stalemate can still occur. Unfortunately for black, it did not happen here.} 53. Kb5 a4 54. Ne5 axb3 55. b7+ {As the pawn can no longer be prevented from reaching the highest rank, black is forced to resign.} 1-0