Game 3 in the book: Abraham Speijer–Alekhine, International Tournament at Hamburg, July 1910. A French Defence annotated by Alekhine, who plays Black.
3…Bb4This move is far better than its reputation. Its object is to simplify the position, at any rate in the variation usually adopted by White, starting 4. P x P, a simplification which allows Black more easily to evolve a plan of development. It has been adopted with success at various times by Niemzovitch.
4.Bd2This idea is interesting but does not produce any advantage if Black makes the correct reply. The most usual move is here 4. P x P, the consequences of 4. P—K 5, P—Q B 4 appearing to be rather in Black's favour (compare Dr. Lasker—Maróczy, New York, 1924).
4…Ne7Simplest, for the complications resulting from 4. .... P x P; 5. Q—Kt 4 would give White attacking chances; e.g.: I. 5. .... Kt—K B 3; 6. Q x Kt P, R—Kt 1; 7. Q—R 6, Q x P; 8. Castles Q R, threatening 9. B—K Kt 5. II. 5. .... Q x P; 6. Kt—B 3, Q—B 3; 7. Q x K P, followed by Castles Q R with good attacking chances for White.
6.Qf3This is not a normal developing move. As the sequel will show, most of the White pieces will find themselves on unfavourable squares. It might have been better to play 6. B—Q 3 followed by 7. K Kt—K 2; 8. Castles, etc.
6…Nbc6The Black pieces, on the other hand, are well placed for concerted action.
9.O-O-OWhite's object in playing 6. Q—B 3 was to Castle on the Queen's side; this is a strategic error, however, for on the King's side White has no prospect which might compensate for Black's attack on the Queen's side. 9. R—Q B 1, followed by 10. Castles, was certainly not so bad.
9…a6White's K B must be eliminated in order to allow a Black Knight to occupy Q B 5.
12.a3White takes advantage of the opportunity to force the exchange of one of Black's attacking pieces, for 12. .... B—Q 3 fails on account of 13. Kt x P, unmasking the White Bishop.
14…Nc6Strategically, the game is already won by Black, but the latter here makes a slight tactical error, which allows his opponent to exchange Queens. The simple plan of attack to lead to an easy win would be: P—Q R 4 followed by P—Q Kt 4—5, etc. The decision of the game could and should have been brought about by a direct attack on the King.
15…Qd6Against any other move, White's reply 16. Q—B 3 would have been still more awkward for Black.
16…Rad8The plausible K R—Q 1 would have been wrong, for then 17. Kt x P, and if Q x Kt; 18. R—K 8 ch, etc. However, White now succeeds in exchanging Queens.
17.Nd3Better late than never!
17…a5Else Black's attack would become irresistible.
18…Qxf4+If 18. .... Q—Q 2, White could already try a counter-demonstration with 19. P—K R 4 followed by R—R 3.
19…b5This advance remains strong even after the exchange of Queens, for the White Bishop is very badly placed.
21.Ne5There does not appear to be any other method of saving the Pawn. But after the exchange of Knights Black finds fresh resources for the attack, with the aid of his Q B P.
23.b3Again the only chance against the threat of P—Kt 5, etc.
23…d4The winning move, for this Pawn will exert a decisive pressure in the ensuing Rook end-game.
24.bxc4Should White avoid the exchange of pieces by 24. B—Kt 2, Black obtains a winning advantage by: 24. .... Kt—Kt 3 followed by P—R 5.
25.Re3Compulsory, for after 25. P x P, R x P, this move would not be feasible because of 26. .... K R—Kt 1.
26…Rbd8For the better appreciation of this end-game, it may be pointed out that White cannot here offer the exchange of both Rooks; e.g.: 27. R—Q 1, R x R ch; 28. K x R, R—Q 1 ch; 29. R—Q 3, K R x R ch; 30. P x R, P—Kt 4; 31. P—R 3, P—R 4! 32. P—Kt 3 (if 32. P—B 3, P—R 5), P—Kt 5! followed by K—B 1, K 2, K 3 and K x P winning. White's subsequent moves are therefore forced.
30.e6If 30. R—K 2 Black would win a Pawn by 30. .... R—Q 5.
31…Rd2After this incursion by the Black Rook the remainder of the game is purely a matter of technique.
38.Rb5To parry the threat of P—Kt 6.
Alexander Alekhine, My Best Games of Chess 1908–1923 (1927) · Public domain · source