Game 64 in the book: P. Johner—A. Alekhin, International Tournament at Pistyan, April 1922. A Queen’s Pawn Game annotated by Alekhine, who plays Black.
3…c5It has been shown subsequently that this move is not quite correct (see Game No. 62). The right move here was 3. ….P—Q 4, or 3. ….P—Q Kt 3.
4.Nc3This answer is insufficient to secure White an advantage. He must play 4. P—Q 5, and if 4. ….P—Q Kt 4; 5. B—Kt 5!, with the better game. But my opponent had still fresh in his memory my game against Dr. Tarrasch, played in the first round of the same tournament (see Game No. 62), in which White, having adopted the continuation 4. P—Q 5, sustained a classic defeat; and he therefore preferred the move in the text, apparently more conservative, but also duller.
5…d5This move allows White, should he so desire, to simplify the position, with an almost certain draw in view. 5. ….B—Kt 5 was more energetic, leading to a complicated game not without chances for Black.
7.Ndb5Threatening 8. Kt×Kt, P×Kt; 9. Q×P!
7…Bd7In order to answer 8. Kt×Kt with 8. ….B×Kt.
9.bxc3Much better than 9. Kt×Kt, after which Black could have obtained a slight advantage in position by 9. ….B—B 4.
10.Rb1More energetic than the defensive move 10. Q—Kt 3. For the sacrificed Q R P White, thanks to his two Bishops, obtains a position full of promise, and Black in the sequel will be compelled to return the Pawn, in order to complete his development.
10…a6If any other move, White would defend his Pawn by R—Kt 3; or he could play 11. Kt—Q 6 ch in spite of it.
14.Qf4White over-estimates his prospects of attack, forgetting that his own King is not in safety. He ought to have been content to regain his Pawn, with a good game, by 14. Q—Kt 4, P—Q R 4!; 15. Q×Kt P, Castles! The text-move, on the contrary, speedily allows Black to seize the initiative.
15…e5By this sacrifice Black opens up new lines for his pieces, and taking advantage of the fact that White has still not Castled, undertakes a direct attack against the position of the hostile King. Against any other move White would himself have obtained a powerful attack by 16. P—K 5!
17.Qd4If 17. Q—Kt 3, R×P ch; and if 17. Q—B 4, B—K 3 followed by 18. ….Kt—Q 2 and 19. ….Kt—B 4, both with advantage to Black.
17…Qg6White already finds himself in a very difficult position, since he cannot Castle on account of 18. B—R 6, winning the Exchange.
18…Qxg2This move, at first sight hazardous, was the result of a long and minute calculation.
21…g6Not 21. ….Kt—K 4 on account of 22. R×P ch!, K×R; 23. Q—Kt 5 ch, K—R 1 (if 23. ….K—B 1? 24. B—Kt 4 ch!); 24. P—B 4 and Black would have been compelled to satisfy himself with a draw.
22…Rad8The preparation for the final action.
23.Bf6It is manifest that with a Pawn less and in view of the exposed position of his King, other moves would not save White. That chosen allows Black to conclude energetically and rapidly.
23…Ne5Threatening 24. ….Kt×P ch.
24.Be2Practically ending the game, for if 25. B×R, then 25. ….B×B wins at once, on account of the threat 26. ….Kt×P ch. White is therefore forced into a general liquidation, after which his position remains absolutely without the slightest hope.
27…axb5Threatening to lead into a winning Pawn-ending by 28. R—Q 7!, etc. If 28. R—B 1, then 28. ….Q—Q B 7 and wins.
Alexander Alekhine, My Best Games of Chess 1908–1923 (1927) · Public domain · source