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1000 Best Short Games of Chess
Compiled by pacercina
--*--

Compiled by Irving Chernev in 1954, and a favorite from my young days. Back in the 1960s, I checked it out of the public library and determined to play through all the games by hand during the three week loan period. I did so, but was fortunate that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome had not yet been invented.

But the experience drilled basic mating and tactical patterns into my head, forming the basis of my later chess style. For better or for worse.

The games are arranged by length (from 4 to 24 moves). Chernev does abbreviate a few favorites to squeeze them in within the limit, and there are all the usual apocryphal games. But don't worry about it. This is a collection for fun, and who knows? You might even learn something. I did. (Hold on--let me think of a better example.)

Game 1 [What else?]
A Gibaud vs F Lazard, 1924 
(A45) Queen's Pawn Game, 4 moves, 0-1

Game 3
J Taylor vs NN, 1862 
(C27) Vienna Game, 13 moves, 1-0

Game 4 [Chernev adds 5...Nxf7 6.Ne6]
A Dadian vs Doubrava, 1895 
(B00) Uncommon King's Pawn Opening, 5 moves, 1-0

Game 5
W Potter vs NN, 1870 
(000) Chess variants, 15 moves, 1-0

Game 6
NN vs H Bruening, 1907 
(D32) Queen's Gambit Declined, Tarrasch, 6 moves, 0-1

Game 7
M Warren vs J Selman, 1930 
(A51) Budapest Gambit, 6 moves, 0-1

Game 8
A Seppelt vs Leganki, 1950 
(C07) French, Tarrasch, 6 moves, 0-1

Game 9
E Hamlisch vs NN, 1899 
(B00) Uncommon King's Pawn Opening, 6 moves, 1-0

Game 10
De Legal vs Saint Brie, 1750 
(C41) Philidor Defense, 7 moves, 1-0

Game 11
A Meek vs NN, 1855 
(000) Chess variants, 7 moves, 1-0

Game 12
Muehlock vs Kostic, 1912 
(C50) Giuoco Piano, 7 moves, 0-1

Game 14
F Kraus vs V Costin, 1913 
(A43) Old Benoni, 8 moves, 1-0

Game 15
J Blake vs G A Hooke, 1891 
(C41) Philidor Defense, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 16
Wiede vs A Goetz, 1880 
(C33) King's Gambit Accepted, 7 moves, 0-1

Game 17 [Chernev ends score aft 7.c4]
H Borochow vs Fine, 1932 
(B02) Alekhine's Defense, 11 moves, 1-0

Game 18
C Damant vs NN, 1932 
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 8 moves, 1-0

Game 19
I Dyner vs K Dreyer, 1934 
(E22) Nimzo-Indian, Spielmann Variation, 8 moves, 1-0

Game 20
P Frazer vs Taubenhaus, 1888 
(C45) Scotch Game, 8 moves, 1-0

Game 21
F Teed vs E Delmar, 1896 
(A80) Dutch, 8 moves, 1-0

Game 22
NN vs P Leonhardt, 1903 
(C22) Center Game, 8 moves, 0-1

Game 23
Greco vs NN, 1623 
(B00) Uncommon King's Pawn Opening, 8 moves, 1-0

Game 24 [Chernve gives Charosh vs. L. Jaffe]
M Charosh vs L Jaffe, 1936 
(A43) Old Benoni, 8 moves, 1-0

Game 25
NN vs Beis, 1940 
(C31) King's Gambit Declined, Falkbeer Counter Gambit, 9 moves, 0-1

Game 26
Barnett vs Eastwood, 1949 
(C21) Center Game, 8 moves, 1-0

Game 27
D Fidlow vs A Maier, 1959 
(D32) Queen's Gambit Declined, Tarrasch, 8 moves, 1-0

Game 28 [Just in time to be too late]
H Silbermann vs Honich, 1930 
(A40) Queen's Pawn Game, 8 moves, 0-1

Game 29 [Last four moves given as announced mate]
W Cook vs A E Wilson, 1881 
(000) Chess variants, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 30
Kaprinay vs H Hubner, 1926 
(A25) English, 8 moves, 1-0

Game 31
A Pearsall vs White, 1935 
(C67) Ruy Lopez, 9 moves, 1-0

Game 32
Steinitz vs NN, 1890 
(C20) King's Pawn Game, 9 moves, 1-0

Game 33
Pillsbury vs Fernandez, 1900 
(C25) Vienna, 9 moves, 1-0

Game 34
V Manko vs Jankowitz, 1900 
(C30) King's Gambit Declined, 9 moves, 0-1

Game 35
NN vs E Canal, 1935 
(C20) King's Pawn Game, 9 moves, 0-1

Game 36
A Dake vs F R DiPaula, 1935 
(C15) French, Winawer, 9 moves, 0-1

Game 37
Bird / Dobell vs Gunsberg / Locock, 1897 
(A02) Bird's Opening, 18 moves, 0-1

Game 38 [Black resins on move 9]
J Mieses vs J Ohquist, 1895 
(B01) Scandinavian, 7 moves, 1-0

Game 39 [Baruch Harold Wood vs L.D.H, Correspondence
B H Wood vs L D H, 1948 
(C10) French, 10 moves, 1-0

Game 40
W Veitch vs J Penrose, 1950 
(E10) Queen's Pawn Game, 10 moves, 0-1

Game 41
F M Wren vs W E Mayfield, 1941 
(B02) Alekhine's Defense, 9 moves, 1-0

Game 42 [Date given as 1935]
A Miller vs Chernev, 1928 
(C45) Scotch Game, 9 moves, 0-1

Game 43 [score ends with 9...Qc1+]
K Regan vs R Michell, 1905 
(D00) Queen's Pawn Game, 11 moves, 0-1

Game 44 [Score ends with 10.Bg5+]
Reti vs Tartakower, 1910 
(B15) Caro-Kann, 11 moves, 1-0

Game 45
Wiesel vs Weigel, 1923 
(B01) Scandinavian, 9 moves, 1-0

Game 46 (Book gives 10 moves + announced mate in 2]
S Mlotkowski vs Deacon, 1913 
(C41) Philidor Defense, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 47 [Correspondence; 9.Qc3]
Prugel vs E Dyckhoff, 1899 
(C45) Scotch Game, 11 moves, 0-1

Game 48 [Ends with 10.Bb5]
G Oskam vs Euwe, 1919 
(D00) Queen's Pawn Game, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 49
H Buckle vs NN, 1840 
(B50) Sicilian, 10 moves, 1-0

Game 50
A Powers vs A Dake, 1937 
(B02) Alekhine's Defense, 10 moves, 1-0

Game 51
A Cheron vs M Polikier, 1927 
(B06) Robatsch, 10 moves, 1-0

Game 52 [Score ends with 10.b6]
R Kujoth vs J Fashingbauer, 1950 
(B20) Sicilian, 28 moves, 1-0

Game 53
Sanders vs NN, 1910 
(A00) Uncommon Opening, 10 moves, 1-0

Game 54 [White: Crakanthrop]
S Crakanthorp vs H N Maddox, 1933 
(B21) Sicilian, 2.f4 and 2.d4, 10 moves, 1-0

Game 56
H Walkerling vs Hanssen, 1928 
(B40) Sicilian, 10 moves, 1-0

Game 57
W Adams vs G Kramer, 1946 
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 9 moves, 0-1

Game 58 [White: Schiffer]
Schiffers vs G Janny, 1898 
(C44) King's Pawn Game, 10 moves, 0-1

Game 59
Rankins vs Papke, 1941 
(C34) King's Gambit Accepted, 10 moves, 1-0

Game 60
Y Rusakov vs B Verlinsky, 1947 
(C20) King's Pawn Game, 10 moves, 0-1

Game 61
NN vs Livingstone, 1941 
(C01) French, Exchange, 10 moves, 0-1

Game 62
F S Blackall vs Christian, 1942 
(C10) French, 10 moves, 1-0

Game 63
H Lohmann vs R Teschner, 1950 
(C10) French, 10 moves, 0-1

Game 65
Dr. Michaelsen vs Mrs. Michaelsen, 1884 
(000) Chess variants, 10 moves, 1-0

Game 66
F Perrin vs NN, 1883 
(C11) French, 11 moves, 1-0

Game 68
Schuster vs C Carls, 1914 
(B15) Caro-Kann, 11 moves, 0-1

Game 69
W A Oudheusden vs L de Vries, 1934 
(C25) Vienna, 11 moves, 0-1

Game 70
NN vs M Bier, 1905 
(A02) Bird's Opening, 11 moves, 0-1

Game 71
Hirst vs Smith, 1943 
(C42) Petrov Defense, 11 moves, 0-1

Game 72
L Steiner vs Stiassny, 1925 
(D21) Queen's Gambit Accepted, 11 moves, 1-0

Game 73
O Bernstein vs NN, 1932 
(C50) Giuoco Piano, 11 moves, 1-0

Game 74
G Nagy vs J Balogh, 1932 
(B20) Sicilian, 11 moves, 0-1

Game 75
Bildhauer vs G Janny, 1927 
(B00) Uncommon King's Pawn Opening, 11 moves, 0-1

Game 76
C Smith vs NN, 1849 
(000) Chess variants, 11 moves, 1-0

Game 77
J De Con vs NN, 1877 
(C21) Center Game, 11 moves, 1-0

Game 78
Bartsch vs Jennen, 1948 
(D00) Queen's Pawn Game, 11 moves, 1-0

game 79
Blackburne vs J Loye, 1913 
(B23) Sicilian, Closed, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 80
G Schnitzler vs Eberle, 1861 
(B20) Sicilian, 11 moves, 1-0

Game 81
Alekhine vs NN, 1936 
(C20) King's Pawn Game, 17 moves, 1-0

Game 82
P Leonhardt vs M Sohege, 1905 
(C24) Bishop's Opening, 11 moves, 1-0

Game 83
E Busvine vs J Birnberg, 1924 
(C77) Ruy Lopez, 11 moves, 0-1

Game 84
K Blom vs Niels Jensen, 1934 
(C10) French, 9 moves, 1-0

Game 85
H Mattison vs Tartakower, 1926 
(D20) Queen's Gambit Accepted, 29 moves, 1-0

Game 86
R Luer vs K Rattmann, 1922 
(B05) Alekhine's Defense, Modern, 11 moves, 1-0

Game 87
J Berger vs Frohlich, 1888 
(C46) Three Knights, 11 moves, 1-0

Game 88
O Bernstein vs NN, 1927 
(B45) Sicilian, Taimanov, 11 moves, 1-0

Game 89
A J Mackenzie vs F Hollins, 1893 
(C29) Vienna Gambit, 13 moves, 0-1

Game 89
Dokshytsky vs V Shcherbakov, 1945 
(C44) King's Pawn Game, 11 moves, 1-0

Game 91
I Mazel vs Botvinnik, 1938 
(A19) English, Mikenas-Carls, Sicilian Variation, 11 moves, 0-1

Game 92
Helbig vs Schroeder, 1933 
(D02) Queen's Pawn Game, 11 moves, 0-1

Game 94
I Rabinovich vs Levenfish, 1927 
(B02) Alekhine's Defense, 11 moves, 0-1

Game 95
NN vs W Lacey, 1941 
(C30) King's Gambit Declined, 11 moves, 0-1

Game 96
Chulkov vs Gavemann, 1947 
(B15) Caro-Kann, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 97
A Nimzowitsch vs Ryckhoff, 1910 
(C66) Ruy Lopez, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 98
F Nuernberg vs L Roedl, 1947 
(E12) Queen's Indian, 11 moves, 0-1

Game 99
Zukertort vs Anderssen, 1865 
(C60) Ruy Lopez, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 100
O Bernstein vs NN, 1927 
(B23) Sicilian, Closed, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 101
Booth vs S Fazekas, 1940 
(C18) French, Winawer, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 102
Fine vs M Yudovich Sr, 1937 
(D40) Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch, 43 moves, 0-1

Game 103
Tarrasch vs Schroeder, 1890 
(000) Chess variants, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 104
Keres vs G Menke, 1933 
(C33) King's Gambit Accepted, 12 moves, 0-1

Game 105
C Saulson vs H Phillips, 1907 
(B00) Uncommon King's Pawn Opening, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 106
P Larsson vs Englund, 1942 
(C36) King's Gambit Accepted, Abbazia Defense, 12 moves, 0-1

Game 107
A Ettlinger vs Janowski, 1898 
(C31) King's Gambit Declined, Falkbeer Counter Gambit, 12 moves, 0-1

Game 108
Ruy Lopez vs G da Cutri, 1560 
(C30) King's Gambit Declined, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 109
J Taylor vs NN, 1874 
(C37) King's Gambit Accepted, 13 moves, 1-0

Game 110
Krauthauser vs H Herrmann, 1934 
(A02) Bird's Opening, 12 moves, 0-1

Game 111
Francis vs V Hooper, 1916 
(C23) Bishop's Opening, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 113
J Krejcik vs R Muenz, 1911 
(C20) King's Pawn Game, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 114
Denker vs Chiera, 1936 
(D06) Queen's Gambit Declined, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 116
B Koch vs W Kuppe, 1932 
(B62) Sicilian, Richter-Rauzer, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 117
O Soyka vs B Tot, 1948 
(C57) Two Knights, 12 moves, 0-1

Game 118
L Palau vs J Nollmann, 1948 
(A83) Dutch, Staunton Gambit, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 119
Biegler vs Peperle, 1952 
(A51) Budapest Gambit, 11 moves, 0-1

Game 120
Foldesy vs Negyesi, 1928 
(D37) Queen's Gambit Declined, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 121
A Becker vs H Norman-Hansen, 1936 
(C10) French, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 122
C Mayet vs Anderssen, 1851 
(C64) Ruy Lopez, Classical, 12 moves, 0-1

Game 123
Somers vs NN, 1923 
(C50) Giuoco Piano, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 124
Heltay vs G Janny, 1916 
(A40) Queen's Pawn Game, 12 moves, 0-1

Game 125 [Game ends at 12.d6+]
Euwe vs G Abrahams, 1939 
(A40) Queen's Pawn Game, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 126
F Englund vs E Cohn, 1905 
(C29) Vienna Gambit, 12 moves, 0-1

Game 127
Botvinnik vs Spielmann, 1935 
(B13) Caro-Kann, Exchange, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 128
Morphy vs Maurian, 1858 
(000) Chess variants, 12 moves, 0-1

Game 129
M Henneberger vs Lengacher, 1931
(B40) Sicilian, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 130
T P Accioly Borges vs A da Silva Rocha, 1933 
(B18) Caro-Kann, Classical, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 131
P Leonhardt vs NN, 1912 
(C41) Philidor Defense, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 132
Bernhold vs Kreut-Zahler, 1941 
(C21) Center Game, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 133 [Ends with 12.Ne6+]
Santasiere vs R Byrne, 1946 
(A04) Reti Opening, 14 moves, 1-0

Game 134
Hill vs C Janeway, 1946 
(B02) Alekhine's Defense, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 135
F Schubert vs L Tipary, 1938 
(D06) Queen's Gambit Declined, 12 moves, 0-1

Game 136
M Kolnik vs Schurr, 1940 
(C79) Ruy Lopez, Steinitz Defense Deferred, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 137
Weigel vs Ebert, 1936 
(C23) Bishop's Opening, 12 moves, 0-1

Game 138 [Ends at 12.Bd3+]
Schroeder vs H Illgen, 1926 
(C55) Two Knights Defense, 13 moves, 1-0

Game 139
Shaw vs Whitney, 1949 
(A22) English, 12 moves, 0-1

Game 140
Marshall vs E McCormick, 1938 
(A21) English, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 141
Eliascheff vs NN, 1948 
(A02) Bird's Opening, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 142
W Potter vs Matthews, 1868 
(C21) Center Game, 13 moves, 1-0

Game 143
H Helms vs O Tenner, 1942 
(C51) Evans Gambit, 13 moves, 1-0

Game 144 [White gaves odds of Ra1]
Teichmann vs NN, 1914 
(000) Chess variants, 13 moves, 1-0

Game 145
O Feuer vs O'Kelly, 1934 
(C73) Ruy Lopez, Modern Steinitz Defense, 13 moves, 1-0

Game 147
L Maczuski vs Kolisch, 1863 
(C45) Scotch Game, 15 moves, 1-0

Game 148
Welch vs NN, 1940 
(B32) Sicilian, 13 moves, 1-0

Game 149 [Ends with 13.Qxe4+]
Anderssen vs E Schallopp, 1864 
(C31) King's Gambit Declined, Falkbeer Counter Gambit, 14 moves, 1-0

Game 150
A Foldeak vs F Nagy, 1942 
(B60) Sicilian, Richter-Rauzer, 13 moves, 1-0

Game 152 [continues 12...Nxb2 13.Be3#]
L Bachmann vs J Kunstmann, 1899 
(C44) King's Pawn Game, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 153 [Bird only playing White]
Bird vs NN, 1888 
(C37) King's Gambit Accepted, 13 moves, 1-0

Game 154
H Pollmaecher vs A Saalbach, 1861 
(B40) Sicilian, 13 moves, 1-0

Game 155
NN vs M Bier, 1903 
(C30) King's Gambit Declined, 13 moves, 0-1

Game 156 [Ends with 13.Nxd7]
Bogoljubov vs E Andersen, 1931 
(A47) Queen's Indian, 16 moves, 1-0

Game 157
E Zinner vs E Canal, 1933 
(D11) Queen's Gambit Declined Slav, 13 moves, 1-0

Game 158
Mason vs Chigorin, 1889 
(D00) Queen's Pawn Game, 13 moves, 1-0

Game 161
J Watkinson vs NN, 1863 
(C50) Giuoco Piano, 13 moves, 1-0

Game 162 [Ends with 13...Bxf2+]
Horwitz vs Bledow, 1837 
(C53) Giuoco Piano, 14 moves, 0-1

Game 164
B Altman vs G Katz, 1943 
(D27) Queen's Gambit Accepted, Classical, 13 moves, 0-1

Gane 165
NN vs V Kahn, 1941 
(C47) Four Knights, 13 moves, 0-1

Game 168 [finishes: 11...fxg6 12.Nxe7+ Kh8 13.Nxg6#]
J Mieses vs NN, 1900 
(C27) Vienna Game, 11 moves, 1-0

Game 169
D MacMurray vs A S Kussman, 1937 
(C57) Two Knights, 13 moves, 0-1

Game 172
O Frink vs F J Le Count, 1923 
(A45) Queen's Pawn Game, 13 moves, 0-1

Game 173
I Abonyi vs Hromadka, 1908 
(C48) Four Knights, 13 moves, 0-1

Game 174
N Speijer vs Couvee, 1955 
(C14) French, Classical, 15 moves, 1-0

Game 175 [11...Kxe6 12.Qd5+ Kf6 13.Qf5#]
W Von Holzhausen vs Tarrasch, 1912 
(C55) Two Knights Defense, 14 moves, 1-0

Game 177
A Rosentreter vs H Hoefer, 1899 
(C55) Two Knights Defense, 13 moves, 1-0

Ga,e 180
Schwartz vs C Hartlaub, 1918 
(C50) Giuoco Piano, 13 moves, 0-1

Game 181
W Springe vs H Gebhard, 1927 
(A46) Queen's Pawn Game, 13 moves, 1-0

Game 187
Capablanca vs A Kevitz, 1924 
(A00) Uncommon Opening, 13 moves, 0-1

Game 190
A Brinckmann vs G Kieninger, 1932  
(C63) Ruy Lopez, Schliemann Defense, 13 moves, 1-0

zGame 191 [Whitr resigns after 13...Bc5+}
Nietsche vs S Factor, 1928 
(C33) King's Gambit Accepted, 16 moves, 0-1

Game 194
P Radic vs Ivkov, 1948 
(D23) Queen's Gambit Accepted, 13 moves, 0-1

Game 197 [Score ends with 13.bxc3]
Rossolimo vs V Castaldi, 1947 
(D01) Richter-Veresov Attack, 16 moves, 1-0

Game 198 [Finished 13.Nxe2 Qe1#]
Efimov vs Bronstein, 1941 
(C34) King's Gambit Accepted, 12 moves, 0-1

Game `199. [9...Kg6 10.Qh5+ Kf5 11.Qh7+ g6 12.Qh3+ Ke4 13.Qd3#]
Greco vs NN, 1620 
(C01) French, Exchange, 12 moves, 1-0

Game 200 [Source give ambgious 12...Ng3+]
Lewis vs E L Dayton, 1942 
(C55) Two Knights Defense, 13 moves, 0-1

Game 207 [Chernev gives 12...Ke7 and Hague, 1948]
O Bernstein vs Tartakower, 1937 
(C41) Philidor Defense, 13 moves, 0-1

Game no. 209
NN vs Blackburne, 1884  
(C50) Giuoco Piano, 14 moves, 0-1

Game no. 210
I A Horowitz vs NN, 1940 
(C23) Bishop's Opening, 14 moves, 1-0

Game no. 211
F Lazard vs R Crepeaux, 1924 
(C29) Vienna Gambit, 14 moves, 0-1

Game no. 212
E Canal vs Horvath, 1934 
(B01) Scandinavian, 13 moves, 1-0

Gameno. 213
Schwartz vs Samsonov, 1908 
(C39) King's Gambit Accepted, 14 moves, 1-0

Game no. 214
NN vs Teichmann, 1890 
(C31) King's Gambit Declined, Falkbeer Counter Gambit, 14 moves, 0-1

Game no. 216
J Shoup vs Marshall, 1906 
(C45) Scotch Game, 14 moves, 1-0

Game no. 217
Andrews vs F Janssens, 1864 
(C55) Two Knights Defense, 14 moves, 1-0

Game no. 218 [Ends at move 14 with announced mate in five]
W Pollock vs S Langleben / F Colson, 1893 
(C56) Two Knights, 19 moves, 1-0

Game no. 219
NN vs B Winkelman, 1945 
(C29) Vienna Gambit, 14 moves, 0-1

Game no. 220
R Dudek vs Kuhn, 1939 
(C55) Two Knights Defense, 14 moves, 0-1

Game no. 222
F Gobl vs Jonas, 1926 
(B02) Alekhine's Defense, 14 moves, 1-0

Game no. 223 [ends with 14...Ke7 and nnounced mate in two]
W Donisthorpe vs Mundell, 1892 
(C46) Three Knights, 15 moves, 1-0

Game no. 227
Nielsen vs Ottosen, 1941 
(C41) Philidor Defense, 14 moves, 1-0

Game no. 228
Fucini vs Olivari, 1895 
(C50) Giuoco Piano, 14 moves, 0-1

185 games

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