chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Ernst Gruenfeld vs Aron Nimzowitsch
Kecskemet (1927), Kecskemet HUN, rd 8, Jul-03
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation (E32)  ·  0-1

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a
1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
White to move.
ANALYSIS [x]
0-1

rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1
FEN COPIED

explore this opening
find similar games 6 more Gruenfeld/A Nimzowitsch games
sac: 13...c5 PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: You can get computer analysis by clicking the "ENGINE" button below the game.

PGN Viewer:  What is this?
For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.
PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

Kibitzer's Corner
May-17-05  Runemaster: A strange game. Nim's 11...Nxe4 leads to a N v 2P's position, and then a bit later it's N v 4 pawns. Grunfeld resigns because he will have to give up his bishop for the 'h' pawn and then Nimzo would win the King and Pawn ending.
May-17-05  Kangaroo: I have to slightly disagree on the last phrase.

"To give up his bishop for the 'h' pawn" is not an easy task in the final position. For instance, 48. Bf4 g5. 49. Bc7 f5 and then it will be really impossible to prevent the f5-f4 movement.

There will be no "King and Pawn ending" - White will face the K+B vs K+Q ending.

I agree that the move 11...Nxe4 was quite a gambling, very common for Nimtzowitsch against opponents such responsible as Gruenfeld.

May-17-05  soberknight: What about 12 Bxc7?
May-18-05  Runemaster: <Kangaroo> quite right.

<Sober> 12...Ke7 and the bishop is trapped.

Oct-18-12  Gambit All: Amazing - Grunfeld is up a piece for 3 pawns in a semi-open position with all his pieces active; but, still he can't win any of his pawns back. This game must have driven Grunfeld nuts.
Oct-19-12  Murky: Soberknight writes, "What about 12 Bxc7?" To which Runemaster responds, "12...Ke7 and the bishop is trapped."

Soberknight is correct. 12 Bxc7 is stronger than the played 12 Bh4. And Runemaster's 12... Ke7 is not so good. 13. c5 rescues the bishop with big advantage.

Best after 12 Bxc7 appears to be the unexpected 12...Nb5! After 13 cxb5 Ke7, the bishop on c7 will fall after black plays Rc8 and then Nf6 & Nd5.

Nimzowitsch was at his peak around the year 1927.

Oct-19-12  thomastonk: <Murky: Nimzowitsch was at his peak around the year 1927.> Nevertheless, in his comments he gave 12.. Ke7 as the reply to 12. Bxc7, and so he overlooked 13.c5! even after the game. ;-)

<12.Bxc7 is stronger than the played 12 Bh4.> Well, this was not clear to me and hence I have asked my silicon friends for advice.

Stockfish 1.9.1 prefers Bh4: +1.09 compared to +0.88 at depth 26.

Houdini 1.5 prefers Bh4 : +0.65 compared to +0.54 at depth 26.

Fritz 13 prefes Bh4: 1.48 compred to +1.25 at depth 25.

Critter 0.80 prefers Bxc7(!): +0.79 compared to +0.78 at depth 22.

Shredder 10 prefers Bh4: +1.04 compared to +0.71 at depth 20.

I have used similar computing times, which result in different depths. A serious judgement would need more carefull inspection of the resulting positions and their possibilities, and hours of time, of course.

Oct-19-12  JimNorCal: Thanks for the useful comments. I was really liking the white position in late move 20s, say move 28 timeframe.
Oct-06-16  Aunt Jemima: Nimzovich got away with murder here.
Mar-12-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  plang: A few rounds later Alekhine defeated Nimzovich with 6 e3. 10..Nxe4?! seems dubious and had White continued 14 d5 he would have maintained the advantage.

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.


NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific game only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

This game is type: CLASSICAL. Please report incorrect or missing information by submitting a correction slip to help us improve the quality of our content.

Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2025, Chessgames Services LLC