[Event "NED Wch-m (29)"] [Site "NED Wch-m (29)"] [Round "0"] [White "Alekhine"] [Black "Euwe"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B03"] [Opening "Alekhine: 4.c4 Nb6 5.Nf3"] {12. EUWE (1910-1981) One of the authors of this book would have preferred not to include this section dealing with himself, but tthe other one insisted, and there was no way out of it. However, we make no attempt at a stylistic analysis, but content ourselves with a game - one in which Euwe is seen fighting Alekhine with one of his own weapson, namely Alekhine's Defence. On principle this is good policy, but naturally opportunities are not frequent. The counter-gambit pricniple in the openings is based on the same idea eg. Falkbeer: 1. Pe4 Pe5 2. Pf4 Pd5} 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Be2 dxe5 7. c5 e4 8. cxb6 exf3 9. Bxf3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 {White is ahead in development, but also has the weaker pawn structure since the isolated d-pawn may become a liability Black's move choice is more difficult than one might suppose. In view of the above considerations, Black sought freedom in a pawn sacrifice.} 10... axb6 (10... Nc6 { One temptind idea to attack the d-pawn at once} 11. O-O $1 { Whie would simply let the d-pawn go} 11... Nxd4 $2 (11... axb6 12. d5 { excellent attacking chances}) (11... e6 {simplest}) 12. Qxb7) (10... c6 11. bxa7 Rxa7 12. O-O {leaves Black passively placed}) 11. Qxb7 Nd7 12. Bf4 e5 $1 { The point} 13. Bxe5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Bb4+ 15. Nc3 Bxc3+ 16. bxc3 O-O 17. O-O Qe7 { The situation is completely reversed: the pawn sacrifice has produced an almost forced liquidation, removing all the minor pieces from the board. Black now has a slight pull in development, and White's weak pawns are ready made targets} 18. Rfe1 Qc5 19. Re3 Ra3 20. Qf3 Re8 $2 {After this Black has problems } (20... Qc4 $1 {Black could have recovered his pawn with immediate equality}) 21. h3 $1 Ra5 (21... Rxe5 22. Rd1 h6 23. Rd7 {White is attacking again}) 22. Rd1 Qe7 23. Qc6 $1 Rc5 (23... -- 24. Rd7) (23... Rxe5 24. Qxe8+ $1 Qxe8 25. Rxe5 -- 26. Red5 $18) 24. Qd7 g6 25. f4 Rc4 26. Qxe7 Rxe7 27. Rd4 Rc5 28. Kf2 c6 29. a4 Ra7 30. Rb4 b5 31. axb5 cxb5 32. Kf3 Rac7 (32... Ra3 {Black could force an ending with three pawns against four, but under circumstance favourable to White. Black therefore decides to keep the Rooks on the board}) 33. Rb3 Kf8 34. g4 (34. Kg4 {Making things difficult for Black}) 34... Ke7 35. f5 $2 gxf5 36. gxf5 f6 $1 {This leads to the win of a pawn} 37. Kf4 fxe5+ 38. Rxe5+ Rxe5 39. Kxe5 Rc5+ 40. Ke4 Kf6 41. Ra3 Rc4+ 42. Kd3 Rh4 43. Rb3 Kxf5 44. Rxb5+ Ke6 45. c4 Rxh3+ 46. Kd4 Kd6 47. Rb6+ Kc7 48. Rf6 Rh5 49. Kc3 Kb7 50. Kb4 Kc7 1/2-1/2