Mention the name Aron Nimzowitsch and thoughts will most likely leap to his literary masterpiece, My System. Released in 1925, My System is one of the first books I read on chess strategy, when a friend of mine trusted me with his antique first edition copy. I read it cover to cover and it brought my appreciation of chess to another level.
I now have my own copy of the book, in both print and digital. That is how high I regard it and how well I feel that it has stood the test of time. Further illustration, is that My System very often comes up, when discussing chess books with players (of all ages and levels) around the circuit.
As well as being a very talented chess writer, Nimzowitsch, (who was born in Russia in 1886, but later took Danish citizenship and lived in Denmark until his death in 1935), was also a very fine player. While he tends to get overlooked in favour of some of the other players of his day, (Alekhine and Capablanca, for example), his games offer a wealth of learning material.
The one that we look at today is just one example. It was played in Saint Petersburg in 1914. His opponent was Lithuanian, Semion Alapin (1856-1923). It is perhaps true to say that Alapin is best known for the openings that have taken his name. He was, however, a strong player and once beat Siegbert Tarrasch in a training match (+4 -3 =2).
This game, unfortunately, is not one of Alapin’s best examples.
Sometimes it is not easy to pinpoint exactly where a player loses their way or what they do wrong. That is not the case here. Quite frankly, Alapin makes glaring errors, that would cause many recreational players to hang their head in shame. He completely neglects his development, he grabs material, and all the while, his King sits in the centre of the board.
By contrast, Aron Nimzowitsch practices what he preaches in his writing. He develops rapidly, concentrating on getting his pieces to good squares. His priority is activity and his focus becomes fixed upon the enemy King. The game is an impressive (and deserved) miniature, fittingly featuring a Queen sacrifice and showcasing the power of the pin.
[Event “Saint Petersburg”]
[Site “St. Petersburg RUE”]
[Date “1914.??.??”]
[Round “?”]
[White “Aron Nimzowitsch”]
[Black “Semion Alapin”]
[Result “1-0”]
[ECO “C11”]
{ Annotations by John Lee Shaw for www.hotoffthechess.com. } 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.exd5 Nxd5 { Recapturing with the pawn is much more popular. The problem with this move is that it hands the centre to White a little — notably, the c4 and e4 squares. } 5.Nf3 { Calmly continuing to develop. } 5…c5 { Out of context, Black really has to develop. …Bb4 was a useful alternative, even exchanging on c3. The text move merely helps White to cement his edge. } 6.Nxd5 { It makes sense to exchange this knight. Not only does it remove the need for White to take an exchange on c3 (to the detriment of his structure) into consideration, but it also facilitates the development of his dark-squared bishop to e3. dxc5 would have been unwise, of course, greatly helping Black to ease things. } ( 6.dxc5 Nxc3 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 8.Ng5 Ke8 9.bxc3 Bxc5 { is about equal. } ) 6…Qxd5 { Again, preferring to recapture with a piece rather than a pawn. After …exd5, there was some potential for the game to see Black with an isolated pawn on d5 and perhaps this made Alapin nervous. } 7.Be3 { Eyeing the pawn on c5, which is not as protected as it seems upon first glance. } 7…cxd4 { A wise decision, this pawn had become quite the liability. } 8.Nxd4 { The chess engine might say that capturing with the Queen was better, here, but I much prefer this human move. White is better and so wants to maintain pieces. Also, Black is severely behind in development, as can clearly be seen. Nimzowitsch intends to make hay while the sun is shining. } 8…a6 9.Be2 { Offering his opponent a pawn in order to continue to develop. Again, our silicon friends do not like this decision, but then again they are so materialistic. } 9…Qxg2 { According to the computer, Black is equal at worst, here. What do you think? } 10.Bf3 Qg6 11.Qd2 { White makes his intent clear, he will castle long and his Queen and rook will line up towards d8. Positionally, Black is already under severe pressure, here. His lack of development is already telling, his King remains in the centre and castling short is now risky because of White’s potential access along the g-file. And that is the whole point of this position, when one considers potential, White holds it all. } 11…e5 { In a way, this is the best move and had to be played. Black wants the knight gone so that he can develop a bit. However, at the same time, the move is also horrible and ineffective. Nimzowitsch ignores the material again, shuns defence and continues to prepare his hostilities. } 12.O-O-O { A very nice move, demonstrating extremely deep positional vision. } 12…exd4 { ? All this move does is help White. } 13.Bxd4 { When we compare the differing situations, here, it is clear to see who is better. White’s development is complete and he already has aggressive possibilities. His bishop pair cut across the open board, his Queen and rook fire along the d-file. He has the g-file should he need it. Black, by stark contrast, has only his Queen developed, and she is rather exposed. His King is in the centre. White is now poised to show him the error of his ways. } 13…Nc6 { ?? A very costly oversight. With the White Queen and rook lined up as they are, towards d8, the first thing that one should examine is discoveries. What can White do with the Bd4? Black assumes that this is adequate but Nimzowitsch’s next deals a mighty blow. } 14.Bf6 { !! A sublime move! Of course, the immediate threat here, is Bxc6+ and Qd8 mate. White’s power on the board is such, (especially now with the open e-file), that Black has no defence, here. } 14…Qxf6 { Virtual resignation. } ( 14…Qh6 { still leads to mate after } 15.Bxc6+ bxc6 16.f4 ) 15.Rhe1+ { One way to go for mate. Bxc6+ would have got there slightly quicker, but I find this route a more fitting conclusion to this game. All roads lead to Rome. } 15…Be7 { Of course, blocking the check in this way has the consequence of pinning the bishop. White’s attack can continue unabated. The same would go in the case of 15…Be6. Black is just toast. } 16.Bxc6+ Kf8 { Because of the pin on the bishop, …bxc6 would leave Qd8 mate of course. However, this only results in prolonging the agony of the Black monarch. } 17.Qd8+ { and a Queen sacrifice to boot. } 17…Bxd8 18.Re8# { A lovely finish to a very well played game by Aron Nimzowitsch. } 1-0
[/pgn]
