[Event "Baden Baden"] [Site "Baden Baden"] [Round "0"] [White "Thomas"] [Black "Alekhine"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B02"] [Opening "Alekhine: Maroczy Variation"] 1. e4 Nf6 2. d3 c5 3. f4 Nc6 4. Nf3 g6 5. Be2 Bg7 6. Nbd2 d5 7. O-O O-O 8. Kh1 b6 9. exd5 $2 Qxd5 10. Qe1 Bb7 11. Nc4 Nd4 12. Ne3 Qc6 13. Bd1 Nd5 14. Nxd4 { This leads to a serious weakening of the c-pawn} (14. Nxd5 Qxd5 15. Rf2) 14... cxd4 15. Nxd5 Qxd5 16. Bf3 Qd7 17. Bxb7 Qxb7 18. c4 { There was no other way to secure the c-pawn} (18. Rf2 Rac8 19. a4 Rc5 20. b3 Rfc8 21. Qd1 Qc7 22. Ra2 $17) (18. Bd2 Rac8 19. c4 dxc3 20. Bxc3 {The pawn stru cture would be exactly the same as in the game, but by trading the Bishops White could obtain more chances of counterplay against Black's weakened Kingside}) 18... dxc3 19. bxc3 Rac8 20. Bb2 (20. Bd2) 20... Rfd8 21. Rf3 Bf6 22. d4 {This fixes both centre pawns on the same colour as their Bishop.} (22. Qe2 Qa6 23. c4 {In this case White's pawn position would have been just as badly weakened; but after the exchange of Bishops the possibility of counterplay against the Black Kingside is certainly not to be ruled out}) 22... Qd5 23. Qe3 Qb5 24. Qd2 Rd5 {Here Nimzowitsch would have observed that the axis for Black's maneuvers is formed by the support points at d5 and c4} 25. h3 e6 26. Re1 Qa4 {Reminding White that he also as a weakness at a2} 27. Ra1 b5 28. Qd1 Rc4 29. Qb3 Rd6 30. Kh2 Ra6 31. Rff1 Be7 32. Kh1 Rcc6 33. Rfe1 Bh4 { Forcing the Rook off the e-file} 34. Rf1 (34. Re2 Qxb3 35. axb3 Rxa1+ 36. Bxa1 Ra6 37. Bb2 Ra2 38. Kh2 a5 39. -- a4) 34... Qc4 {Typical maneuvering style.} 35. Qxc4 (35. -- Ra4 36. -- Rca6 { The Exchange of Queens can no longer be avoided}) 35... Rxc4 36. a3 (36. -- b4) 36... Be7 37. Rfb1 Bd6 {Black pauses to force yet another White pawn onto the same colour as White's Bishop} 38. g3 Kf8 39. Kg2 Ke7 40. Kf2 Kd7 41. Ke2 Kc6 42. Ra2 {Now that Black's King is reinforcing the defence, White must be ready to meet ... Rca4} 42... Rca4 43. Rba1 Kd5 44. Kd3 R6a5 45. Bc1 a6 46. Bb2 { Black has accomplished all his aims; all that remains is the execution} 46... h5 $1 {Threatening to unhinge White's whole game with ... Ph4} 47. h4 (47. -- h4) 47... f6 48. Bc1 e5 49. fxe5 fxe5 50. Bb2 (50. dxe5 Bxe5 51. Bf4 Bxf4 52. gxf4 Ke6 53. -- Kf5) 50... exd4 51. cxd4 b4 {Sealing the fate of the a-pawn} 52. axb4 Rxa2 53. bxa5 Rxb2 0-1