Game 8:  Pirc vs. Alekhine

0.
@Q0
[Introduction: It's August 31, 1931, the start of round seven at the Veldes tournament in Yugoslavia. Veldes, better known to chessplayers as Bled, is a health resort on the lake, not far from Ljubliana. World Champion Alexander Alekhine is in brilliant form and already has the lead with 5-1/2 out of six. His closest competitors are two points behind. 

In the previous round (round 6) Alekhine was in gambit mode, sacrificing two pawns out of the opening, to crush Nimzovich's French Defense in 19 moves. This prompted Nimzovich to comment, "He's treating us all like patzers!" 

As it turned out, Bled 1931 proved to be Alekhine's greatest tournament triumph. In the double round robin, of 13 players, the champ scored 20-1/2 points out of 26. Second place winner, Bogoljubov, was left in the dust, 5-1/2 points behind. 

You've probably figured out that Alekhine is your partner today for game #8. You have the Black pieces and your opponent is the talented young Yugoslavian player, Vasja Pirc. Later, Pirc became a Grandmaster, and went on to invent the Pirc Defense, but in 1931, he was a bit outclassed, and at Bled he ended up in last place. 

The Champion is still in gambit mode for this game, still treating the opposition like patzers. You don't have to worry about the Pirc Defense because Pirc has White. So get ready to sacrifice a pawn in the Von Hennig-Schara Gambit. That's a gambit for Black. And don't ask if it's completely sound. In practical play, gambits usually score well, especially when you're Alekhine.]

1.
@Q1
[{F:B}{B:rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/32/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR BLACK}
{S:d2d4}{D:500}{S:d7d5}{D:500}{S:c2c4}{D:500}{S:e7e6}{D:500}{S:b1c3}{D:500}
{S:c7c5}{D:500}{S:c4d5}{D:500}{S:c5d4}{D:500}{S:d1a4}
{QM:Select Black's 5th move.;
5...b5:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bd7.:2;
5...Nd7:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bd7.:1;
5...Bd7:Correct.:4;
5...Qd7:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bd7.:1;
5...Ke7:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bd7.:1}]

2.
@Q2
[{R}{D:1000}{S:c8d7}{A:Bc8d7}{D:1000}{S:a4d4}{A:Wa4d4}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 6th move.;
6...Na6:Incorrect. The correct answer was exd5.:1;
6...Qa5:Incorrect. The correct answer was exd5.:1;
6...Bc6:Incorrect. The correct answer was exd5.:2;
6...exd5:Correct.:4;
6...Nf6:Incorrect. The correct answer was exd5.:1}]

3.
@Q3
[{R}{D:1000}{S:e6d5}{A:Be6d5}{D:1000}{S:d4d5}{A:Wd4d5}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 7th move.;
7...Qb6:Incorrect. The correct answer was Nc6.:1;
7...Bb4:Incorrect. The correct answer was Nc6.:2;
7...Qc7:Incorrect. The correct answer was Nc6.:1;
7...Nc6:Correct.:5;
7...Bc6:Incorrect. The correct answer was Nc6.:-1;
7...Be6:Incorrect. The correct answer was Nc6.:-1;
7...Ne7:Incorrect. The correct answer was Nc6.:1;
7...Nf6:Incorrect. The correct answer was Nc6.:5}]

4.
@Q4
[{R}{D:1000}{S:b8c6}{A:Bb8c6}{D:1000}{S:c1g5}{A:Wc1g5}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 8th move.;
8...Qa5:Incorrect. The correct answer was Nf6.:-1;
8...Qb6:Incorrect. The correct answer was Nf6.:2;
8...Nb4:Incorrect. The correct answer was Nf6.:1;
8...Qc7:Incorrect. The correct answer was Nf6.:2;
8...Be7:Incorrect. The correct answer was Nf6.:2;
8...Ne7:Incorrect. The correct answer was Nf6.:1;
8...Nf6:Correct.:4;
8...f6:Incorrect. The correct answer was Nf6.:1}]

5.
@Q5
[{R}{D:1000}{S:g8f6}{A:Bg8f6}{D:1000}{S:d5d2}{A:Wd5d2}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 9th move.;
9...Qa5:Incorrect. The correct answer was h6.:2;
9...Qb6:Incorrect. The correct answer was h6.:2;
9...Bb4:Incorrect. The correct answer was h6.:2;
9...Qc7:Incorrect. The correct answer was h6.:2;
9...Bc5:Incorrect. The correct answer was h6.:2;
9...Be7:Incorrect. The correct answer was h6.:2;
9...h6:Correct.:4}]

6.
@Q6
[{R}{D:1000}{S:h7h6}{A:Bh7h6}{D:1000}{S:g5f6}{A:Wg5f6}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 10th move.;
10...Qxf6:Correct.:3;
10...gxf6:Incorrect. The answer was Qxf6.:1}]

7.
@Q7
[{R}{D:1000}{S:d8f6}{A:Bd8f6}{D:1000}{S:e2e3}{A:We2e3}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 11th move.;
11...Bb4:Incorrect. The correct answer was 0-0-0.:2;
11...Rc8:Incorrect. The correct answer was 0-0-0.:1;
11...Bc5:Incorrect. The correct answer was 0-0-0.:-1;
11...0-0-0:Correct.:4;
11...Be6:Incorrect. The correct answer was 0-0-0.:1;
11...Bf5:Incorrect. The correct answer was 0-0-0.:1;
11...Bg4:Incorrect. The correct answer was 0-0-0.:1}]

8.
@Q8
[{R}{D:1000}{S:e8c8}{A:Be8c8}{S:a8d8}{A:Ba8d8}{D:1000}{S:e1c1}{A:We1c1}{S:a1d1}{A:Wa1d1}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 12th move.;
12...Nb4:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bg4.:2;
12...Bb4:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bg4.:2;
12...Bc5:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bg4.:1;
12...Be6:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bg4.:2;
12...Bf5:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bg4.:2;
12...Bg4:Correct.:4;
12...g5:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bg4.:1}]

9.
@Q9
[{R}{D:1000}{S:d7g4}{A:Bd7g4}{D:1000}{S:c3d5}{A:Wc3d5}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 13th move.;
13...Bb4:Incorrect. The correct answer was Rxd5.:2;
13...Qd6:Incorrect. The correct answer was Rxd5.:2;
13...Bxd1:Incorrect. The correct answer was Rxd5.:2;
13...Rxd5:Correct.:6;
13...Qe6:Incorrect. The correct answer was Rxd5.:2;
13...Qg6:Incorrect. The correct answer was Rxd5.:2}]

10.
@Q10
[{R}{D:1000}{S:d8d5}{A:Bd8d5}{D:1000}{S:d2d5}{A:Wd2d5}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 14th move.;
14...Ba3:Correct.:7;
14...Bb4:Incorrect. The correct answer was Ba3.:1;
14...Nb4:Incorrect. The correct answer was Ba3.:-1;
14...Bxd1:Incorrect. The correct answer was Ba3.:5;
14...Be6:Incorrect. The correct answer was Ba3.:1;
14...Qxf2:Incorrect. The correct answer was Ba3.:2}]

11.
@Q11
[{R}{D:1000}{S:f8a3}{A:Bf8a3}{D:1000}{S:d5b3}{A:Wd5b3}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 15th move.;
15...Bxb2+:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bxd1.:2;
15...Qxb2:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bxd1.:2;
15...Bb4:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bxd1.:-1;
15...Bxd1:Correct.:3;
15...Qxf2:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bxd1.:-2}]

12.
@Q12
[{R}{D:1000}{S:g4d1}{A:Bg4d1}{D:1000}{S:b3a3}{A:Wb3a3}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 16th move.;
16...Rd8:Incorrect. The correct answer was Qxf2.:1;
16...Qxf2:Correct.:4;
16...Bg4:Incorrect. The correct answer was Qxf2.:1;
16...Bh5:Incorrect. The correct answer was Qxf2.:1}]

13.
@Q13
[{R}{D:1000}{S:f6f2}{A:Bf6f2}{D:1000}{S:a3d3}{A:Wa3d3}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 17th move.;
17...Ba4:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bg4.:2;
17...Nb4:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bg4.:-2;
17...Rd8:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bg4.:3;
17...Bg4:Correct.:5;
17...Bh5:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bg4.:4}]

14.
@Q14
[{R}{D:1000}{S:d1g4}{A:Bd1g4}{D:1000}{S:g1f3}{A:Wg1f3}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 18th move.;
18...Kb8:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bxf3.:2;
18...Nb4:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bxf3.:-2;
18...Rd8:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bxf3.:2;
18...Be6:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bxf3.:2;
18...Re8:Incorrect. The correct answer was Bxf3.:2;
18...Bxf3:Correct.:4}]

15.
@Q15
[{R}{D:1000}{S:g4f3}{A:Bg4f3}{D:1000}{S:d3f5}{A:Wd3f5}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 19th move.;
19...Kb8:Correct.:1;
19...Kc7:Incorrect. The correct answer was Kb8.:1}]

16.
@Q16
[{R}{D:1000}{S:c8b8}{A:Bc8b8}{D:1000}{S:f5f3}{A:Wf5f3}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 20th move.;
20...Qe1+:Correct.:4;
20...Qxf3:Incorrect. The correct answer was Qe1+.:2;
20...Qh4:Incorrect. The correct answer was Qe1+.:1}]

17.
@Q17
[{R}{D:1000}{S:f2e1}{A:Bf2e1}{D:1000}{S:c1c2}{A:Wc1c2}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 21st move.;
21...Ka8:Incorrect. The correct answer was Rc8.:1;
21...Nb4+:Incorrect. The correct answer was Rc8.:1;
21...Rc8:Correct.:4;
21...Rd8:Incorrect. The correct answer was Rc8.:2;
21...Re8:Incorrect. The correct answer was Rc8.:2;
21...Ne5:Incorrect. The correct answer was Rc8.:2;
21...f5:Incorrect. The correct answer was Rc8.:1;
21...f6:Incorrect. The correct answer was Rc8.:1}]

18.
@Q18
[{R}{D:1000}{S:h8c8}{A:Bh8c8}{D:1000}{S:f3g3}{A:Wf3g3}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 22nd move.;
22...Kb8:Incorrect. The correct answer was Ne5+.:-4;
22...Ne5+:Correct.:5;
22...Qxg3:Incorrect. The correct answer was Ne5+.:3}]


19.
@Q19
[{R}{D:1000}{S:c6e5}{A:Bc6e5}{D:1000}{S:c2b3}{A:Wc2b3}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 23rd move.;
23...Qa5:Incorrect. The correct answer was Qd1+.:1;
23...Rc3+:Incorrect. The correct answer was Qd1+.:-3;
23...Qd1+:Correct.:4;
23...Qxg3:Incorrect. The correct answer was Qd1+.:2}]

20.
@Q20
[{R}{D:1000}{S:e1d1}{A:Be1d1}{D:1000}{S:b3a3}{A:Wb3a3}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 24th move.;
24...Rc5:Correct.:5;
24...Qd6+:Incorrect. The correct answer was Rc5.:3;
24...Qd5:Incorrect. The correct answer was Rc5.:2;
24...f6:Incorrect. The correct answer was Rc5.:1}]

21.
@Q21
[{R}{D:1000}{S:c8c5}{A:Bc8c5}{D:1000}{S:a3b4}{A:Wa3b4}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 25th move.;
25...a5+:Incorrect. The correct answer was Qd2+.:-3;
25...b6:Incorrect. The correct answer was Qd2+.:3;
25...Qc1:Incorrect. The correct answer was Qd2+.:2;
25...Qd2+:Correct.:6;
25...Qd6:Incorrect. The correct answer was Qd2+.:3}]

22.
@Q22
[{R}{D:1000}{S:d1d2}{A:Bd1d2}{D:1000}{S:b4c5}{A:Wb4c5}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 26th move.;
26...Qa5+:Incorrect. The correct answer was b6+.:-3;
26...b6+:Correct.:4;
26...Qc1+:Incorrect. The correct answer was b6+.:-3;
26...Qc2+:Incorrect. The correct answer was b6+.:-2;
26...f6:Incorrect. The correct answer was b6+.:-2;
26...Qxb2:Incorrect. The correct answer was b6+.:-2}]

23.
@Q23
[{R}{D:1000}{S:b7b6}{A:Bb7b6}{D:1000}{S:c5b5}{A:Wc5b5}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Select Black's 27th move.;
27...Qd5+:Incorrect. The correct answer was Qa5#.:-2;
27...Qxb2+:Incorrect. The correct answer was Qa5#.:-2;
27...Qa5#:Correct.:4;
27...a6+:Incorrect. The correct answer was Qa5#.:-3;
27...Qd7+:Incorrect. The correct answer was Qa5#.:-3}]

24.
@Q24
[BONUS QUESTIONS]

Bonus Questions

25.
@Q25
[{F:B}{B:rnbqkbnr/pp3ppp/4p3/3P4/3p4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR BLACK}
{R}{D:1000}{S:d1d4}{A:Wd1d4}{D:2000}{R}
{VB:Bonus Question 1.  
How does Black respond to 5. Qxd4? Give his 5th move.;b8c6;Correct. After 6. Qd1 exd5 7. Qxd5, Black continues with either 7...Bd7 or 7...Be6. It's a gambit. Black gives up a pawn to get a jump in development.:1;{R}{B:rnbqkbnr/pp3ppp/4p3/3P4/3Q4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1B1KBNR}{A:Bb8c6}Incorrect. Black responds with Nc6.}]

26.
@Q26
[{F:W}{B:rnbqkbnr/pp3ppp/4p3/3P4/Q2p4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1B1KBNR WHITE}
{R}{D:1000}{S:d8d7}{A:Bd8d7}{D:2000}{R}
{VB:Bonus Question 2.  
How should White play if Black interposes his queen, 5...Qd7?  Give his next move.;c3b5;Correct. This threatens 7. Nc7+ and it's awkward for Black to meet. If 7...Na6, then 8. d6!:2;{R}{B:rnb1kbnr/pp1q1ppp/4p3/3P4/Q2p4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1B1KBNR}{A:Wc3b5}Incorrect. White should continue with Nb5.}]

27.
@Q27
[{F:W}{B:rnbqkbnr/pp3ppp/4p3/3P4/Q2p4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1B1KBNR WHITE}
{R}{D:1000}{S:b7b5}{A:Bb7b5}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Bonus Question 3.  
How should White reply to 5...b5?;
6. Qxb5+:Incorrect. This is followed by 6...Bd7 putting two White pieces under attack, the queen and the c3-knight. The attempt to scramble, 7. Qb7 dxc3 8. Qxa8, fails to 8...cxb2 9. Bxb2 Qa5+ 10. Kd1 Ba4+ 11. Kc1 Qe1#, which is a neat trap to know.:0;
6. Qxd4?:Correct. This is safe and gives White the advantage. There's no merit in being greedy and then getting mated.:1}]

28.
@Q28
[{F:W}{B:2kr1b1r/pp1b1pp1/2n2q1p/16/2N1P3/PP1Q1PPP/R3KBNR WHITE}
{R}
{VB:Bonus Question 4.  
White has a better 12th move than castling queenside, which is what he did in the game. What is White's best 12th move?;c3d5;This move enables White to defend himself. He played it on move 13, but by then it was one move too late.:1;{R}{B:2kr1b1r/pp1b1pp1/2n2q1p/16/2N1P3/PP1Q1PPP/R3KBNR}{A:Wc3d5}Incorrect. White's best move is Nd5.}]

29.
@Q29
[{F:B}{B:2k4r/pp3pp1/2n2q1p/3Q4/6b1/b3P3/PP3PPP/2KR1BNR BLACK}
{R}{D:1000}{S:d1d2}{A:Wd1d2}{D:2000}{R}
{VB:Bonus Question 5.  
How does Black continue if White defends by 15. Rd2? Give his 15th move.;a3b2;Correct. 16. Rxb2 Qc3+ and now either 17. Rc2 Qa1+ 18. Kd2 Qd1+ and 19...Qxd5, or 17. Kb1 Qe1+ 18. Kc2 Rd8 with a winning attack.:2;{R}{B:2k4r/pp3pp1/2n2q1p/3Q4/6b1/b3P3/PP1R1PPP/2K2BNR}{A:Ba3b2}Incorrect. Black should continue with Bxb2+.}]

30.
@Q30
[{F:B}{B:2k4r/pp3pp1/2n2q1p/16/bQ2P3/PP3PPP/2Kb1BNR BLACK}
{R}{D:1000}{S:b3d1}{A:Wb3d1}{D:2000}{R}
{VB:Bonus Question 6.  
How should Black answer 16. Qxd1? Give his 16th move.;f6b2;Correct. There is no need to analyze checkmate.:1;{R}{B:2k4r/pp3pp1/2n2q1p/16/b3P3/PP3PPP/2KQ1BNR}{A:Bf6b2}Incorrect. Black should play Qxb2# checkmate.}]

31.
@Q31
[{F:W}{B:2k4r/pp3pp1/2n4p/16/3QP3/PP3qPP/2Kb1BNR WHITE}
{R}{D:1000}{S:h8d8}{A:Bh8d8}{D:2000}{R}
{VB:Bonus Question 7.  
How does White reply to 17...Rd8? Give his 18th move.;g1h3;Correct. This enables White to keep fighting. If 18...Qe1 or 18...Qf6, then 19. Qc3.:1;{R}{B:2kr4/pp3pp1/2n4p/16/3QP3/PP3qPP/2Kb1BNR}{A:Wg1h3}Incorrect. White should reply with Nh3.}]

32.
@Q32
[{F:B}{B:1k6/pp3pp1/7p/2r1n3/8/K3P1Q1/PP4PP/3q1B1R BLACK}
{R}{QM:Bonus Question 8.  
In how many moves is Black threatening to mate?;
One:Incorrect. The correct answer was four moves.:0;
Two:Incorrect. The correct answer was four moves.:0;
Three:Incorrect. The correct answer was four moves.:0;
Four:Correct. The threat is 25...Ra5+ 26. Kb4 Ra4+ 27. Kc5 (or 27. Kc3 Qc1#) 27...b6+ 28. Kb5 Qd7#.:2;
Five:Incorrect. The correct answer was four moves.:0}]

33.
@Q33
[{F:B}{B:1k6/pp3pp1/7p/2r1n3/8/K3P1Q1/PP4PP/3q1B1R BLACK}
{R}{D:1000}{S:b2b4}{A:Wb2b4}{D:2000}{R}
{QM:Bonus Question 9.  
If White plays 25. b4, how quickly can Black mate? Give the number of moves.;
One:Incorrect. The correct answer was two moves.:0;
Two:Correct. Black mates by 25...Rc3+ 26. Kb2 Qc1#.:1;
Three:Incorrect. The correct answer was two moves.:0;
Four:Incorrect. The correct answer was two moves.:0;
Five:Incorrect. The correct answer was two moves.:0}]

34.
@Q34
[Conclusion: Since this game is essentially decided in the opening, a few words about the opening moves are in order. 

First, a little historical digression. The defense 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 is the well-known Tarrasch Defense to the Queen's Gambit. After 4. cxd5 Black usually plays 4...exd5. The gambit move, 4...cxd4, is of relatively recent origin (1931). It had been introduced into international practice by Tartakover only two years earlier, in the game Havasi vs Tartakover, Budapest 1929. Tartakover lost this last round game; he was trying to catch Rubinstein for 2nd place. Capablanca, who finished first, was out of reach. Undeterred, he tried it again at Bled. This time, in round 13, he scored a spectacular win over the American Kashdan. At Bled, then, it was two victories for Black and two zeros for White: Pirc-Alekhine and Kashdan-Tartakover. 

Appropriate methods for dealing with the gambit still remained to be worked out. That would come in 1932. As for the name of the opening, Tartakover himself called it the Duisburg Gambit but later nomenclaturists have christened it the Von Hennig-Schara Gambit. This is what we call it today. 

Alekhine's adaptation of the gambit was a one-shot deal. It was a surprise weapon for one game and one game only. Pirc just happened to be the victim. Alekhine never used it again. Pirc's first slip came on move eight, 8. Bg5. Not bad, but it was better to leave the bishop at home and concentrate on developing the kingside pieces, 8. Nf3 Nf6 9. Qd1, with the moves 10. e3, 11. Be2, and 12. 0-0 to follow. That's the way Alekhine handled the White side a year later in a simultaneous display (Alekhine vs Allies, New York Nov 8th 1932). He won on move 35. Even today this is the approved method and offers White the best chance of advantage.  

Slip two, also minor, was 10. Bxf6, promoting Black's development after 10...Qxf6. The move 10. Bh4 was marginally better. 

Slip number three was neglecting to play 12. Nd5, and this was major. When he played it at move thirteen Alekhine was ready with an exchange sac, 13...Rxd5, followed by a surprise bishop offer, 14...Ba3, which left Black in charge. The bishop could not be accepted, but neither could White afford to decline it. Alekhine had what he liked best of all -- the attack -- and he pressed it for all it was worth. Several times he could have traded queens for a much better endgame (probably winning), but he wanted a decision in the middlegame, and so he honed in on the White king. 

At the end of the game Pirc's king was defenseless, which is why he gave up. That's right, Pirc actually resigned after 24...Rc5. We've tagged on one of the pretty variations (moves 25-27) so that the game concludes with mate.]
