Game 8 in the book: Alekhine's win over Fedor Dus-Chotimirsky at the International Tournament at Carlsbad, 1911. An English Opening annotated by Alekhine, who plays White.
3.g3With this move White obtains a favourable variation of the Sicilian Defence with the additional advantage of having a move in hand.
6…f6This move weakens the position of Black's Q B and will cause Black many difficulties. 6. ....Kt—Q B 3, the natural move, was far better.
7…Nc6In playing 6. ....P—K B 3, Black most probably intended continuing 7. ....P—Q B 4, but noticed in time that this advance would be downright bad because of the reply 8. Q—Kt 3 threatening 9. Kt x P. After the text-move 8. Q—Kt 3 would not have the same sting because of the defence: 8. ....B—Q Kt 5.
8.d4After the exchange of Black's K P, which is now compulsory, the weakness of 6. ....P—K B 3 becomes manifest.
11…Bf7The alternative was: 11. ....B x Kt; 12. Q x B, Castles; 13. R—Q 1 and the White Bishop exercises an overwhelming pressure on Black's game. The text-move is, however, hardly better, because it deprives Black of the chance of Castling.
12…Kf8Compulsory, for if 12. ....P—B 3; then 13. Kt x P, etc.
15…Bxd4Relatively best, for White threatened to win a piece by Kt—B 5.
17…g5Black decides on this desperate advance in the hope of getting his K R into action. Naturally the weakness caused thereby will open new avenues of attack for White.
18.Be3Here 18. P—Kt 3 was to be considered, as White can then retain his two Bishops, e.g.: 18. ....P—B 5; 19. P x P, Kt x P; 20. R—Q B 3, R—B 1; with 21. ....K—Kt 2 to follow. But in this variation Black has more resources than in the actual game.
21.e5The beginning of an attack which leads to a speedy win.
21…Rad8Disastrous would be 21. ....P x P; 22. Q R—K 1, etc. But 21. ....K R—K 1, leaving the Black King a refuge at R 1, would have given Black better chances of defence.
22.Rde1Insufficient to win would have been: 22. R x R, R x R; 23. P x P ch, Q x P; 24. B x P, R—Q Kt 1; etc. Now White threatens 23. P x P ch, Q x P; 24. B x P, R—Q Kt 1; 25. R—K 7, etc.
23.f4White's main threat is to establish a very strong passed Pawn by 24. P—K 6, followed by P—B 5.
25.Rg3+The check was essential at this precise moment in order to prevent Black's B—Kt 3. He could not play it now because of 26. P—B 5 winning a piece. The Black King must therefore take flight to a square where he will be exposed to attack.
26…Qe6Black has no longer a sufficient defence, e.g.: 26. ....B—Kt 3; 27. R x B!, P x R; 28. Q x Kt P, Q x P; 29. R—B 1 ch, followed by R—B 7 ch and White wins. Or 26. ....B—K 3; 27. R—B 1 ch, K—K 1; 28. B—B 6 ch, B—Q 2; 29. Q—Kt 2 and White wins.
28…Qd4Or 28. ....K—K 1; 29. P—K 6, B—Kt 3; 30. P—K 7, R—Q Kt 1; 31. R—K B 3, B—B 2; 32. R x B, followed by B—Q 7 ch and White wins.
Alexander Alekhine, My Best Games of Chess 1908–1923 (1927) · Public domain · source