Alekhine vs Sterk
298
[Event "Budapest"] [Site "?"] [Round "0"] [White "Alekhine"] [Black "Sterk"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D02"] [Opening "Queen's Pawn: 2.Nf3 Nf6"] 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. e3 {Although this is certainly not a bad move one would expect the more energetic 5.Bg5 from an attacking player such as Alekhine.} 5... Bd6 { 5...Be7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 c5 would give Black a solid position.} 6. Nb5 { This attempt to gain the two bishops is dubious since White's knight will be misplaced on b5.} 6... Be7 7. Qc2 c6 { Black gains a tempo on White's knight while strengthening his center.} 8. Nc3 O-O 9. Bd3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 c5 { As a result of White wasting time with his knight Black has equalized.} 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. O-O b6 13. e4 {White not satisfied with his position strikes out to complicate the game. However, safer was 13.b3 Bb7 14.Bb2 Rc8 15.Qe2 Qe7 with an equal game.} 13... Bb7 14. Bg5 {14.e5 would only open up White's position to be attacked. For example 14...Ng4 15.Ng5 g6 16.Nxh7 Qh4 17.h3 Black can force checkmate.} 14... Qc8 { A good move which breaks the pin and prepares for action on the c-file.} 15. Qe2 {15.Rac1 would allow Black to win a pawn with Bxf2+} 15... Bb4 16. Bd3 Bxc3 17. Rfc1 Nxe4 {Played with the idea of winning the pawn without doubling his f-pawns. However, 17...Nc5 was to be preferred.} 18. Bxe4 Bxe4 19. Qxe4 Nc5 20. Qe2 Ba5 21. Rab1 Qa6 22. Rc4 Na4 23. Bf6 {This is the first move of an ingenious mating attack. It's made possible by all of Black's pieces being over on queenside away from their king. 23.b4 Nc3 would get Black out of his difficulties due to the pin on White's c4 rook.} 23... Rfc8 { 23...Rac8 would allow the beautiful 24.Rg4 Qxe2 25.Rxg7+ Kh8 26.Rg3+ mates.} 24. Qe5 {White continues his attack on the dark squares. 24.Rg4 would no longer work because the Black king has a flight square on f8. For example Qxe2 25.Rxg7+ Kf8 26.Rxh7 Ke8 27.Rh8+ Kd7 28.Ne5+ Kc7 29.Rc1+ Kb7 when Black's king has walked to safety.} 24... Rc5 {24...gxf6 would allow a forced mate in two.} 25. Qg3 {White is relentless with his attack on the dark squares.} 25... g6 26. Rxa4 {White has won a piece and with it the game.} 26... Qd3 27. Rf1 Rac8 28. Rd4 Qf5 29. Qf4 Qc2 30. Qh6 { Black resigned since he can not avoid mate on g7 by White's queen.} 1-0
1-0
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HITS
Players
WhiteAlekhine
BlackSterk
Game
Moves30
OpeningD02 — Queen's Pawn: 2.Nf3 Nf6
Result1-0
Date
Tags
Tournament
TournamentBudapest
Location?
Round0