Zukertort-Blackburne, London 1883

A striking combination by Zukertort, perhaps the best of the “old school” masters. After his defeat by Steinitz in 1886, it became clear that Steinitz’s positional theories had brought a new aspect to the game.

Zukertort – Blackburne
London, 1883
A13 ENGLISH OPENING

1. c4 e6 2. e3 Nf6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Be2 Bb7 5. 0-0 d5 6. d4 Bd6 7. Nc3 0-0 8. b3 Nbd7 9. Bb2 Qe7

More prudent was 9. ... a6, preserving the important dark-squared Bishop.

10. Nb5 Ne4 11. Nxd6 cxd6 12. Nd2 Ndf6 13. f3 Nxd2 14. Qxd2 dxc4 15. Bxc4 d5

Now both sides have a “bad” Bishop. White plans to advance in the center with e3-e4, while Black pins his hopes on the c-file.

16. Bd3 Rfc8 17. Rae1 Rc7 18. e4 Rac8 19. e5 Ne8 20. f4 g6 21. Re3 f5 22. exf6 Nxf6 23. f5 Ne4 24. Bxe4 dxe4 25. fxg6 Rc2 26. gxh7+ Kh8 27. d5+ e5

(Diagram)

Now it seems that White must lose a piece, but the active White Rooks, the exposed position of the Black King, and the strong Bishop on b2 provide the basis for an “overloading” combination.

28. Qb4! R8c5

On 28. ... Qxb4 29. Bxe5+ Kxh7 30. Rh3+ Kg6 31. Rf6+ Kg5 32. Rg3+, Black will soon be mated.

29. Rf8+ Kxh7 30. Qxe4+ Kg7 31. Bxe5+ Kxf8 32. Bg7+ Kg8 33. Qxe7, Black resigns