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If this game has been posted on GK already, my apologies. I just thought everyone should get a chance to see this classic. Two of the strongest players in the world [at the time] in a fierce battle. |
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1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6
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Alekhine meets Bogoljuboff's QP opening with the Dutch defense. |
 
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4. Bg2 Bb4+
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The more flexible 4... B-K2 is in common use now. However, 90 years ago people still attacked immediately -- and Alekhine is never one to shy away from an attacking move. |
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5. Bd2 Bxd2+ 6. Nxd2
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6 QxB would appear more natural and allow the later development of the QN to QB3. But what do I know? I'm a 1300 player. I'm sure Bogoljuboff had a good reason for this move. |
2 comments
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6... Nc6 7. Ngf3 O-O 8. O-O
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Both men castle their Kings into safety. |
1 comment
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8... d6 9. Qb3 Kh8
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Moving the K off the diagonal occupied by Bogoljuboff's Q, preventing any later threats along that line. |
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10. Qc3 e5 11. e3 a5
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Since Alekhine's position is tilted towards the K-side, he tries to preemptively restrain a potential Bogoljuboff advance on the Q-side. |
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12. b3 Qe8 13. a3 Qh5
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The usual Black break in this opening. |
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14. h4 Ng4 15. Ng5 Bd7 16. f3
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Forcing back the Knight. |
1 comment
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16... Nf6 17. f4 e4
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Bogoljuboff's KB is now almost useless. To free it would require the time consuming maneuver KR-K1, B-B1, B-K2 and B-Q1. |
1 comment
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18. Rfd1 h6 19. Nh3
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Now Bogoljuboff's KN is restricted as well. |
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19... d5 20. Nf1 Ne7 21. a4 Nc6
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Threatening to seize the outpost at Black's QN5. |
1 comment
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22. Rd2 Nb4 23. Bh1 Qe8
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Switching the attack to a new area. |
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24. Rg2 dxc4
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With Alekhine's spatial advantage, he wants to open some lines and penetrate the White position. [Also, the move wins a Pawn.] |
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25. bxc4 Bxa4 26. Nf2 Bd7 27. Nd2 b5
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Alekhine is continuing to seize space. With a positional and material advantage, it's now a matter of technique. |
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28. Nd1 Nd3
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Adolph Anderssen once remarked about Knights posted on the sixth rank that "they are like a rusty nail in your knee!" Or a bone in your throat -- pick your metaphor. |
1 comment
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29. Rxa5 b4 30. Rxa8 bxc3
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This brilliant move proves to be decisive. |
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31. Rxe8 c2
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Bogoljuboff can win the other Rook but cannot stop the Pawn from becoming a Queen. |
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32. Rxf8+ Kh7 33. Nf2 c1=Q+ 34. Nf1 Ne1
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White's huddled pieces are more of a hindrance than a help. |
1 comment
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35. Rh2 Qxc4 36. Rb8
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Hastening the Rook back into the game. But Alekhine has a trick worth two of that. |
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36... Bb5
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Forcing Bogoljuboff to lose the Exchange or be mated. |
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(1564)