The Teplice - Šanov tournament in 1922 was one of the strongest tournaments between the two world wars. It was held from 30 September to 16 October of that year, and the local administration of this famous Czech resort took care to provide a representative tournament team. Among the participants - 14 of them - were, among others: Akiba Rubinštajn, Lihart Reti, Rikard Tajhman, Geza Maroci, Bora Kostić, Rudolf Špilman...
The audience was particularly attracted by the uncompromising Rudolf Szpilman - "the knight of the king's gambit" and "the last romantic of chess", as Richard Reti called him. Since then, his duel with Ernest Grünfeld, a great positionist and an outstanding defender, has been eagerly awaited. And indeed, their principled duel of two players with different styles justified expectations.
King's Gambit
Szpilman - Grinfeld
Teplice - Sanov, 1922.
Comments: B.Ivkov
1. e4 e5. 2. f4
Spielman was known as an offensive virtuoso, and Greenfeld as a great positioner and outstanding defensive player.
2….ef4 3.Bc4 Nc6 4.Nf3 g5 5.0-0 d6 6. d4 Bg7 7.c3 h6
Black has developed solidly and defended the pawn. How will White continue? Of course, with a sacrifice! He starts with a pawn sacrifice.
8. g3! g4
Black's logical tendency is to close the f-file. That's why he moves his pawn chain one rank further. Of course, 8…fg3 is weak?
9.Bxf7+! Kxf7 10. Ne5+ etc. In a game between the same opponents a year later, Karlovy Vary 1923, Grinfled tried 8..Bh3, but after 9.gf4 Bxf1 10. Qxf1 gf4 11. Bxf4 Qf6 12.Bg3 0-0-0 13.Nbd2, White had full compensation for the sacrificed quality.
9. Nh4 f3 10. Nd2 Bf6 11. Ndxf3
Black simply forced White to make this sacrifice. Both players play consistently, defending their concept.
11… gf3 12. Qxf3 Rh7
This move was condemned by old authorities, however, even after the recommended 12…Bh3, White retains excellent attacking chances with 12. Rf2!
13. Sg6!
This horse will work wonders in the game.
13.Tg7 14. Sf4 Lg4 15. Dg2 Lg5 16.h3 Ld7 17.Sh5 Th7 18.e5! de5 19.De4 f5 20.Txf5! Lxf5 21.Dxf5
The historical position of the King's Gambit! Black has the rook more, yet he is completely lost! White has a series of decisive threats that Black cannot defend, because his king is tragically weak.
21…Te7 22. Lxg5 hg5 23.Tf1!
Spielman is unsurpassed in precisely leading attacks. He calmly brings the last undeveloped piece into play and keeps all threats at bay.
23…Qd6 24. Bxg8 ed4 25.Qf8+ Kd7 26.Qxa8
In the end, White was left with an extra piece, and he also kept the attack. Black continues to play by inertia, even though his position is hopeless.
26…Dc5 27.Sf6+ Kd6 28.Df8 De5 29.Kg2 d3 30.Tf2 De1 Dh6!!
A typical Spielmannian final move. Black surrenders, because the intended 31..Re2 is followed by 32.Ne4+Kd7 33. Nc5+ Kc8 34.Be6+ Rxe6 35. Qxe6+ Qxe6 36.Re8+! etc.
Bonus video:
