There are two new books about Aron Nimzowitsch, chess strategist and author of My System. Aron Nimzowitsch on the Road to Chess Mastery 1886-1924 by Per Skjoldager and Jorn Erik Nielsen is published by McFarland, while Aron Nimzowitsch 1928-1935 by Rudolf Reinhardt (on which the notes to today’s game are based) is shortly to be published. This week, a game and puzzle by the crown prince of chess, as he was sometimes known.
Nimzowitsch-Asztalos: Bled 1931; English Opening
1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 c5 3 g3 Nc6 4 Bg2 e6 5 Nh3 Nimzowitsch tries something unusual instead of the normal 5 Nf3. 5 … Be7 6 d3 d6 7 0-0 0-0 8 Nf4 a6 9 b3 Qc7 10 e3 Rb8 11 a4 b6 12 d4 White has expanded in the centre whilst preventing the black freeing moves … b5 and … d5. 12 … Nb4 13 Ba3 Bb7 14 d5 e5 15 Nd3 Nxd3 16 Qxd3 Rbe8 17 Rae1 Nd7 18 e4 White obviously wants to prevent … f5. Black’s next is directed at inhibiting White from the advance f2-f4. 18 … Bf6 19 Bc1 Re7 20 Bd2 Rfe8 21 Ra1 Nimzowitsch ‘threatens’ the advance a4-a5 and panics Black into his response. 21 … a5 This is a blunder by which Black robs himself of any potential counterplay on the queenside. Now White has a free hand to build up his kingside initiative. 22 Rae1 Qd8 23 h4 Nf8 24 Qf3 Ba6 25 Bh3 White is manoeuvring to prevent Black from being able to play … g6, …Bg7, … Bc8 and … f5. 25 … Ra7 26 Kg2 Be7 27 Rh1 Ra8 28 Nd1 Ra7 29 Ne3 Ra8 30 Reg1 Ra7 (see diagram 1) 31 Kf1 White has completed his kingside manoeuvres successfully and now relocates his king prior to further advances.
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