GAME No. 1

White: Tartakower. Black: Burn.

King’s Gambit declined (compare p. 30).

1. P-K4 P-K4 2. P-KB4 B-B4 3. Kt-KB3 P-Q3 4. PxP

On principle this exchange cannot be commended, as the opening of the Queen’s file increases the Black Queen’s mobility. White derives no benefit from the KB file so long as the Black Bishop makes castling impossible. White intends to play P-B3 and P-Q4, but the manœuvre is doubtful, and the whole opening includes an inordinately large number of pawn moves. In the present game Black exposes the failings inherent to this system unequivocally.

4. … PxP 5. P-B3 Kt-QB3

Black cannot put off White’s P-Q4 by B-KKt5, for White can give a check with the Queen and unpin the Knight.

6. P-QKt4

The object of this move is not clear, as P-Kt5 does not win a pawn (Kt-R4; 8. KtxP; 9. Q-R5ch). It does not promote development either, and only compromises the QBP and QKtP.

6. … B-Kt3 7. B-Kt5 Kt-B3