The “Dutch Evergreen”

Game reviewed at the Dayton Chess Club on June 19th, 2013. names removed.  Game commentary and analysis by:  M. Kellie.

( Game played in 1938)

1.  c4                      Nf6

2.  Nc3                   g6

3.  e4                     d6

4.  d4                     Bg7

5.  f3                      Nbd7

6.  Be3                   e5

7.  d5

Position look:  White plays the Saemich variation against Black’s King’s Indian set-up and with 7.  d5 grabs space into Black’s territory.  However the White light squared bishop is currently ‘bad’ as its blocked behind its own pieces.  Black’s plan or ideas will likely center around an …f5 counter push at some point which is typical in the King’s Indian set-up.  However, due to Black’s next move, this common theme in the King’s Indian is put off in favor of queen side expansion ideas.  Another point, these types of positions can lead to locked or cramped positions which favor the art of maneuver, by both sides.

7.                            a5           …what is this?  What is the idea here?  Answer, helps set-up a knight post at c5.

8.  Qd2                  b6

9.  g4!                    Nc5

10.  Nge2             h5

11.  g5                   Nfd7      …position has become locked up for both sides.

12.  Qc2                Ndb8

13.  O-O-O           Nba6

14.  a3                   Bd7        …what could Black be up to here?  Students, give your thoughts here…

15.  Kb1                O-O

16.  Nc1                Qe7

17.  Be2                Rfe8

18.  Rdg1              Qd8

19.  h3                   Qc8

20.  Bf1                 Re7

21.  Rh2                Qb7

22.  Bd3                Nxd3

23.  Nxd3             Nc5        …Black’s last two moves aid to simplify and maneuver; to what end?

24.  a4                   Qc8

25.  Nf2                 Na6

26.  Qd1                Nb4

27.  Nb5                Qb7

28.  Bd2                Na6

29.  Qe1                Nc5

30.  Be3                Nxa4

Position look:  White gives up the a4 pawn, why?  At first appearance, which side seems more able to get and maintain an advantage?  Which side has interesting breakthrough possibilities?  Answer, whoever strikes or ‘gets there’ first.

31.  Ng4!              hxg4      …perhaps leaving the knight offer and re-deploying Black’s pieces should be considered here; however, the immediate threat of Nf6+ does seem to pull Black into White’s planned intentions.  What are they?

32.  hxg4              Ree8

33.  Qh4                Kf8

34.  Qh7!              Nc5

Position Look:  First critical (diagram 1) position has been reached.  Question, how should White proceed?

Diagram 1

35.  Nd4!                              An amazing idea to back up White’s breakthrough idea (Qh7)!

35.                                           exd4

Diagram 2

36.  Qxg7+!!        Kxg7      Queen sac…WOW!  What an interesting and bold move!  What’s the idea here?

37.  Bxd4+           Re5

38.  f4                    Nxe4

39.  fxe5               Nxg5

40.  e6+                f6

41.  Rf1!                Rf8

42.  exd7              Qb8

43.  Rxf6!!            Rxf6

44.  Rf2                 Ne4

45.  Rxf6               Qd8!

46.  g5                   Nxg5?

Position look:  46.  …Nd2+ is a likely drawing branch, i.e.- Nd2+  47.  Ka2  Nxc4  48.  Rxd6+  Kf7  49.  Bf6  Qf8  50.  Rc6  Qb4  51.  d8 (Q)  Qa4+ with a perpetual repetion of moves and a draw.

47.  Rxd6+           Kf8

48.  Bf6                 cxd6

49.  Bxd8              Nf7

50.  Bf6                 Resigns