Alekhine considered this game a good example of his individual style, as Queenside maneuvers divert the Black pieces, setting the stage for a surprising mating attack with threats on both sides of the board.
Alekhine – Sterk
Budapest, 1921
D45 QUEEN’S GAMBIT DECLINED
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. e3 Bd6 6. Nb5 Be7 7. Qc2 c6 8. Nc3 0-0 9. Bd3 dxc4
Black has gained a move over a position that could arise from the Semi-Slav Defense (1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 Nf6), a formation known to be satisfactory for Black. Alekhine now displays his ingenuity in trying to squeeze out an opening advantage.
10. Bxc4 c5 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. 0-0 b6 13. e4 Bb7 14. Bg5 Qc8 15. Qe2 Bb4 16. Bd3 Bxc3 17. Rfc1 Nxe4
The main variation Alekhine analyzed was 17. ... Nc5 18. Rxc3 Bxe4 19. Bxf6 Bxd3 20. Qe3 gxf6 21. b4 Bg6 22. bxc5 bxc5 23. Rxc5, with good attacking chances for the pawn.
18. Bxe4 Bxe4 19. Qxe4 Nc5 20. Qe2 Ba5 21. Rab1 Qa6
(Diagram)
22. Rc4 Na4 23. Bf6
Now if 23. ... h5 24. Rg4 Qxe2 25. Rxg7+ Kh8 26. Ng5, and there is no defense to 27. Rh7+ and 28. Rh8 mate. On 23. ... h6, 24. Ne5 decides, with the threat of 25. Qg4 g6 26. Nxg6.
23. ... Rfc8 24. Qe5
The main idea is 24. ... Qxc4 25. Qg5 Kf8 26. Qxg7+ Ke8 27. Qg8+ Kd7 28. Ne5+ Kc7 29. Qxf7+ and 30. Nxc4.
24. ... Rc5 25. Qg3 g6 26. Rxa4 Qd3 27. Rf1 Qf5 28. Qf4 Qc2 29. Qh6, Black resigns
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