Black Can Still Win, Despite Playing 1...e5: Alekhine in Paris
The following is an unusual miniature played by a young Alexander Alekhine in Paris in 1913. It's unusual because most of the time capturing more stuff will mean you are winning. In this game that Mrs Jessica E Prescott (aka BoundingOwl) will show you, the white queen captures almost all of black's pieces. And yet black checkmates in 15 moves! See if you can find the moral to this chess story.
The game starts out with a familiar Philidor Opening (not super common these days). But then it shifts into a Hungarian Defense, later called the Paris Defense after Alekhine's awesome win!
White is making a threat. He is looking at the pawn on f7 and the pawn on b7. A fork! But perhaps the queen comes out too early? Black must defend. Wow, scary attacks on f7! Is black toast?
No! There are three attackers and three defenders. (Remember "Counting?") Hint: White starts the capturing with his bishop. But he doesn't trade queens. Why not? Do you remember what else she was aiming at?
The king must defend the knight. Now black gives up the rook to threaten checkmate! What would you play if you were the future former World Champion?
Yes! With the white queen offsides, black can threaten white's king. Here comes a series of great sacrifices! Watch first, then try the puzzle.
If white plays 13. cxd4 what would you do?
Nice! A pin then a skewer! Instead, white played 13. d3. Black simply took it. Next black decides to sacrifice his other rook! Do you see why?
What would you play now?
That's right! Checkmate is better than material. Look at black's back rank. There's nothing left! What a crazy game! You can see why Alekhine was destined to become World Champion probably. Do you recognize what checkmate it is? (Click for the answer.)
Moral of the story? Don't get your queen out too early grabbing material!