Aron Nimzowitsch vs. Efim Bogoljubov (1920, French Defense,Nimzowitsch System)

[Date "1920"]

[White "Aron Nimzowitsch"]

[Black "Efim Bogoljubov"]

[Result "1-0"]

1. e4 e6 {Flexibility is one good characteristic of the "French Defense". The

move (2. e6), shows solidity on the part of black but gives a cramped position

and the momentary surrender of the center. } 2. d4 {This is the common reply

to black's 2. e6. White would immediately take possession of the center which

is immediately challenged by black.} 2... d5 {We now reach the usual pawn structure

of the French Defense. As the game flows into its natural course, black

usually attacks on the queenside and white on the kingside.} 3. e5 {This

advance variation ends the tension in the center but black usually continues

to challenge this.} 3... c5 4. Nf3 {The "Nimzowitsch System" supports the

white's e5 pawn with the knight but the central tension is not decreased.}

4... Nc6 5. dxc5 {White surrenders the center. And black should have taken

advantage of this during the rest of the game.} 5... Bxc5 6. Bd3 f6 7. Qe2

{Black has succeeded in diffusing white's domination of the center. } 7...

fxe5 8. Nxe5 Nxe5 9. Qxe5 {Black's problem with his queen's bishop being

blocked by the e6 pawn persists in the this defense even in the later part

Nimzowitsch vs. Bogoljubov (after 20. Rf4)

of the game. } 9... Nf6 10. Bb5+ Kf7 11. O-O Qb6 12. Nc3 Bxf2+ {White wins the exchange if this bishop is taken.} 13. Kh1 Rf8 14. Qe2 Bd4 15. Na4 Qc7 16. Bf4 {White continues to harass black's queen and at the same time taking claim of vital squares.} 16... e5 17. Bg3 a6 18. Bd3 Qd7 {Black should have played

with solidity. The surrender of the pawn on e5 means "surrendering the center" and definitely gave white the win.} 19. Bxe5 Qxa4 20. Rf4 {Black now is forced to resort to a desperate measure to prevent the loss of a piece.} 20... Bg4 21. Qxg4 Bxe5 22. Rxf6+ {Black loses his queen and the game.} 1-0