As I write, the prestigious Alekhine Memorial tournament is drawing to a close. Brainchild of sponsor Andrei Filatov, this high-powered event is taking place partly in the Louvre in Paris and partly in the Mikhailovsky Palace of the State Russian Museum in St Petersburg, combining Mr Filatov’s twin passions for chess and art. The event celebrates the brilliant Russian world champion Alexander Alekhine and this week I give samples of his ingeniously creative mind. Next week I shall report on final results and best games.
Alekhine-Rubinstein; Carlsbad 1923; Queen’s Gambit Declined
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 Be7 5 Bg5 Nbd7 6 e3 0-0 7 Rc1 c6 8 Qc2 a6 9 a4 Re8 10 Bd3 dxc4 11 Bxc4 Nd5 12 Bf4 (see diagram 1) White agrees to give up his bishop at f4 for the knight. On a dogmatic evaluation all the advantages will be on Black’s side: the two bishops and a spoiled pawn formation for the opponent.
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