[Event "Paris"] [Site "Paris"] [Date "1933.??.??"] [Round "4"] [White "Znosko Borovsky, Eugene"] [Black "Alekhine, Alexander"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "0"] [BlackElo "0"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "C72"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Closed, Kecskemet Variation"] [StudyName "for Website: Principle of Two Weaknesses"] [ChapterName "Znosko-Borovsky - Alekhine Paris 1933"] [ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/0DbfK1hG/barwMBDK"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/MarcoCasanova"] [Orientation "black"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 Bd7 7. Re1 Be7 8. d4 O-O 9. Nbd2 Be8 10. Bxc6 Bxc6 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Nxe5 Bxe4 13. Nxe4 Qxd1 14. Nxf6+ gxf6 15. Rxd1 fxe5 { It may look as if White's control of the open d-file and Black's extra pawn-island make the white position preferable. However, perhaps you have under-rated the role of the e5-pawn. It gives Black a spatial advantage, enabling his king to occupy a more centralized position. This is highly significant in the endgame. Which factors are more important, then? And what is the verdict on the position as a whole? Rather than hurry with the answer, let us follow how the game went. } 16. Bh6 Rfd8 17. Kf1? { White starts to play planlessly. Lulled by the harmlessness of the situation, Znosko-Borovsky clearly loses his sense of danger. After 17 f4! Black could hardly count on an advantage. For this reason the diagram position should be rated as equal. } 17... f5 18. Rxd8+ Rxd8 { The exchange of a pair of rooks is favourable to Black, as it lets his king feel very comfortable in the centre. } 19. g3 { Defending against a possible .. .f4. But let us come back to the principle of two weaknesses. Which stage of the plan is currently being pursued? That's right, the first stage! The first weakness, forcing White onto the defensive in order to guard it, has yet to be created. But now the g3-pawn becomes the 'hook' on which Black can later fasten in order to gain control of the open h-file (after ... h5-h4 and ... hxg3). } 19... Kf7 20. Be3 h5 21. Ke2 Ke6 22. Rd1 Rg8! { The question of exchanging arises again. The disappearance of the first pair of rooks made the position of Black's centralized king completely secure. Retention of the second pair will later enable Alekhine to break through successfully into his opponent's camp. } 23. f3 h4 24. Bf2 hxg3 25. hxg3 Rh8! { Now the first weakness has appeared ! The threat to invade with the black rook on the h-file diverts White's attention. } 26. Bg1 Bd6 27. Kf1 Rg8 28. Bf2 { The time has now come to think about creating a second weakness (stage 3 of the plan). } 28... b5! { Intending a subsequent pawn offensive on the queenside with ... a5, ... b4, etc. } 29. b3?! { Extreme care must be exercised when making pawn moves on the wing where your opponent is stronger, as you may be giving him further objects to fasten onto. } 29... a5 30. Kg2 a4 31. Rd2 { When defending, you must aim to remove any points of conflict. However, 3 1 b4 would merely defer the tactical confrontation, which would be renewed after the black rook's arrival at c4 (via the route g8-a8-a6-c6). } 31... axb3 32. axb3 { The second weakness has appeared: the open a-file on the queenside. According to the principle of two weaknesses, the fourth stage of Black's plan is being completed and the fifth is beginning. } 32... Ra8 33. c4 Ra3! 34. c5 Be7 35. Rb2 b4 36. g4 { White's attempt to create counterplay clearly comes too late. } 36... f4 37. Kf1 Ra1+ 38. Ke2 Rc1 39. Ra2 Rc3 40. Ra7 Kd7 41. Rb7 Rxb3 42. Rb8 Rb2+ 43. Kf1 b3 44. Kg1 Kc6 45. Kf1 Kd5 46. Rb7 e4! { Not the only continuation, but in won positions there is no need to draw up a full list of candidate moves. It is enough to single out a continuation you like, and work out its variations to the end. } 47. fxe4+ Kxe4 48. Rxc7 Kf3 49. Rxe7 Rxf2+ 50. Ke1 b2 51. Rb7 Rc2 { But not 52 .. Rc1+ 53 Kd2 b1Q?! 54 Rxb1 Rxb1 ?? (54 .. Rxc6 is still winning for Black) 55 c7, and this pawn queens. } 52. c6 Kg3 53. c7 f3 54. Kd1 Rxc7 55. Rxb2 f2 { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1