Thursday, May 13

Spielmann-Mieses match (cont'd)

Spielmann has evened his match with Mieses by winning the third game. Mieses essayed the Scotch Game, but derived no noticeable advantage therefrom. Spielmann sacrificed a Bishop on his 18th move and inaugurated a strong and lasting attack against White's uncastled King. This onslaught brought victory after the first player overlooked a defensive resource (28.Nd1) on his 28th turn.

Mieses-Spielmann, Match (3), Regensburg 1910 Scotch Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5 5.Be3 Bb6 6.Bc4 d6 7.Nc3 Nf6 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.Bg5 O-O 10.Qf3 Be6 11.Bd3 (11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.Qxf6 gxf6 and only then 13.Bd3 deserved serious consideration.) 11...Bd4 12.Qg3 Rb8 13.Nd1 Nh5 (We find this unexpected sally, which leads to the exchange of White's dark-squared Bishop, an amusing tit-for-tat reply to Mieses' 12...Na5 in the previous game.) 14.Qh4 Bf6 15.Bxf6 Nxf6 16.f4 c5 17.c4 d5 Black plays most energetically, with the aim of forcing open the center even at the cost of a piece. (diagram)

18.exd5 (18.cxd5 would meet with the same reply. But 18.e5 Ne4 19.Qxd8 Rfxd8 was possible, forgoing the material advantage but likewise avoiding the danger.) 18...Bxd5 (A vigorous conception.) 19.cxd5 Qxd5 20.Qg3 Rfe8+ 21.Be2 Rbd8 (Black now threatens both 22...Qd2+ and 22...Rxe2+ 23.Kxe2 Qc4+ 23.Ke1 Re8+.) 22.Nc3 Qd2+ 23.Kf1 Nd5 24.Re1 Nxf4 25.Qf2 Rd4 26.g3 (26.Rd1 can be met with advantage by either the spectacular 26...Qxe2+ or the straightforward 26...Qxb2.) 26...Nh3 27.Qf5 Qxb2 (diagram)

28.Qxh3 (28.Nd1 was superior. If then, for example, 28...Qd2 29.Qxh3 Rde4 30.Nf2 -- not 30.Qg2 Rxe2 -- 30...Rxe2 31.Rxe2 Qxe2+ 32.Kg2 h5, and Black, enjoying approximate material equality, disposes of several promising plans, viz.: a) the continuation of the attack with ...Re6 and (should the White Queen seek active play elsewhere) with ...h4 as well; b) the advance of the passed c-pawn; and c) the capture of yet another White pawn on a2. This evaluation stems from Spielmann himself, who does seem to possess a fine knack for sacrificial play. After the move chosen by Mieses, the game finished quickly. 28...Qxc3 29.Qf5 Rde4 30.Qf2 Qd2 (With the threat of ...R4e6 followed by ...Rf6, which is in fact unanswerable.) 31.Rg1 R4e6 32.Rg2 Rf6 33.Bf3 Rxe1+ White resigns. 0-1 We expect to receive more news of this match presently.

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