1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Bg5 Nbd7 5. e3 Be7 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Rc1 a6

Played by Janowski many years ago, and at that time it was thought that 8.c5 or cxd5 gave white the advantage. The Swiss player, W. Henneberger analysed the defence and proved that in reality 8.c5 was a bad move and he won a fine game from Alekhine in playing against the latter move. After this game, Alekhine was so impressed with the possibilities of this defence that he adopted it in a number of games in his match with Capablanca.

8. cxd5

In the earlier games of the Capablanca - Alekhine match Capablanca played 8. a3 without gaining any advantage, but he afterwards played the text move, which is, undoubtedly, the only move which gives any prospect of advantage.

8... exd5 9. Bd3 c6

This move is necessary, and at first sight it would seem that White has a very great advantage owing to Black's weakness on the b6 and c5 squares, but in actual play it is very difficult, if not impossible, to exploit this weakness.

10. O-O

It would probably have been better for white to have played 10. Qc2 as now Black forces the exchange of Bishops and equalises the game at once.

10... Nh5 11. Bxe7 Qxe7 12. Ne5

Threatening to win a pawn by 13.Bxh7.

12... Nhf6 13. f4 Re8

A routine move whereas 13... Nxe5 14. fxe5 Ne8 followed by f6 would have given Black practically a winning advantage.

14. Qe1 Nf8

Black gains nothing by 14... Nxe5 15. fxe5 Nd7 16. Rf3 f6 17. Qh4 with advantage.

15. h3 N6d7 16. Rf3 f6 17. Nxd7 Bxd7 18. Kh2 Rad8 19. Qf2 Be6 20. a3 Bf7 21. Na4 Qc7 22. Nc5 Ne6 23. Qc2 h6 24. Nxe6

After this move, White offered a draw which, after some hesitation, Black accepted. If 24. b4 then 24... Ng5 25. Rg3 h5 26. fxg5 (if 26. h4 Rxe3 27. Rxe3 (if 27. hxg5 Qxf4 wins) 27... Qxf4+ 28. Rg3 Qxh4+ 29. Rh3 Nxh3 30. gxh3 Re8 winning) 26... h4 winning the Rook.

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Annotator(s): John J. O'Hanlon (see Source).

Source(s): Belfast News-Letter, March 1, 1928, p. 13.

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