[Event "Havana"] [Site "?"] [Round "0"] [White "Steinitz"] [Black "Vasques"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C11"] [Opening "French: Burn, 5.Nxe4"] {The defender must be ready to make concessions} 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Nxf6+ Bxf6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8. Nf3 O-O 9. c3 b6 10. Ne5 Nd7 11. Ng4 Qf4 12. Be2 Bb7 13. O-O f5 14. Ne3 Rf6 {Whether Steintiz overlooked something in the opening stages, or whether he purposefully invited his opponent to attack, we shall never know. Black's attack has assumed very dangerous proportions. Against this must be set that the fact that White has not weakened his position in any way. White must proceed with care; for instrance, the attempt to change the state of affairs by the seemingly energetic 15. Pd5 would be to his disadvantage} 15. Re1 $1 {In full accord with the Steinitz theory of defence. It avoids the weakening moves Pg3 or Ph3, and prepares to answer 15. ... Rh6 with Nf1. Meanwhile White begins to focus on the weakpawn on e6} (15. d5 Rg6 16. dxe6 Qxe3 $3 {Windmill attack} 17. fxe3 Rxg2+ 18. Kh1 Rxe2+ 19. Kg1 Rg2+ 20. Kh1 Rxb2+ 21. Kg1 Rg2+ 22. Kh1 Rxa2+ 23. Kg1 Rg2+ 24. Kh1 Rg3+ 25. Rf3 Bxf3+ 26. Qxf3 Rxf3 $19) 15... Rh6 16. Nf1 Nf6 17. Bf3 $1 {An important decision. Steinitz makes a concession, allowing his opponent to weaken his pawn structure.} 17... Ne4 { Black chooses to keep more pieces on the board to maintain attacking chances} ( 17... Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Qxf3 19. gxf3 {Black would no longer havae a Kingside attack, and as compensation for the doubled and isolated f-pawn - which is not easy to get at anyway - he would be able to operate against Black's backward e-pawn}) (17... Ng4 18. h3 (18. Bxb7 Qxf2+ 19. Kh1 Nxh2 (19... Rxh2+ 20. Nxh2 Qh4 21. Kg1 (21. Qxg4 fxg4 22. Bxa8 g3 23. Kg1 $18)) 20. Nxh2 Qh4 21. Kg1) 18... Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Qxf3 20. gxf3 Nf6 21. Rxe6) 18. Re3 Rf8 19. Qa4 a5 (19... Nd2 20. Bxb7 Nxf1 21. Kxf1 $18) 20. Rae1 { building up latent pressure against the e-pawn} 20... Rd8 { The Black attack has already passed its peak} (20... Ba6 21. g3 Qg5 22. Bxe4 Bxf1 23. Bf3 $1 {White wins the e-pawn}) 21. Ng3 {Now has come the time for White to being the counterattack, and the first step is to remove Black's outpost on e4. This however, means that White will have to weaken his King's position after all, and this will automatically give Black renewed attacking prospects} 21... Qh4 22. h3 { There defender comes under fire again, but his counterattack saves the day} 22... Nxf2 {This is the logical continuation of the attack} (22... f4 23. Rxe4 Bxe4 24. Rxe4) 23. Bxb7 Nxh3+ 24. gxh3 Rg6 $2 (24... f4 25. Rxe6 Rxe6 26. Rxe6 Qxg3+ 27. Bg2 f3 28. Re8+ Kf7 $1 $19) (24... f4 25. Bg2 {Bachmann}) 25. Bg2 Rf8 26. Qc4 $1 {The tables are turned. Steinitz himself is now making threats, and the look like they are more powerful than those of his opponents} 26... Kh8 27. Qxc7 f4 28. Rf1 Rxg3 {The only reasonable move as the f8 Rook is unprotected} 29. Qd6 $1 {Preparing for the execution} 29... Rd8 30. Rxf4 $3 { Black's position burst like a bubble} 1-0