David Janowski vs Ignatz von Popiel (1902)

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David Janowski vs Ignatz von Popiel
Monte Carlo (1902), Monte Carlo MNC, rd 8, Feb-14
Dutch Defense: Classical Variation (A84) · 1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

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Apr-10-22		KEG: In light of Janowski's crushingly easy win here, it seems hard to believe that von Popiel actually had a winning record against Janowski going into this game (having won two of their first three encounters). With his win here and his victory in their next and final meeting, Janowski ended up with a record of three wins and two loses against von Popiel. In their game here at Monte Carlo, von Popiel seems entirely outclassed. With this win, Janowski remained nominally ahead of Maroczy and Pillsbury at the top of the leader board. That change when Janowski had a bye in the next round and Maroczy passed him and ultimately finished first. Janowski in the end also trailed Pillsbury, and thus took third prize. 1. d4 f5 von Popiel decided to take the fight to Janowski. This choice of opening seemed Ok for von Popiel for the first eight moves, but then he lost the thread of the game and was quickly overwhelmed. 2. c4 e6 3. e3 3. g3 and 3. Nc3 are more popular and arguably better. But there of course is nothing much wrong with the text either. 3... Nf6 4. Bd3 The move regularly played by Akiba Rubinstein. 4. Be2 is perhaps better. Most frequently played here is 4. Nc3. 4... b6 5. Ne2 A slow method of building up a King-side attack that worked beautifully here for Janowski and was a Rubinstein favorite. click for larger view 5... Bb7 6. 0-0 Bd6 "Black's system of development on moves 6 to 10 was wrong." (Tournament Book) Other then his awful move 9 and his arguably second best move 7, I see nothing much wrong with the other moves by von Popiel denounced in this opening. 6...Bd6 looks fine; though 6...g6 was also a decent option. 7. f3 Janowski's opening play to this point seemed almost ponderous. But he soon broke out of his shell and began playing in the aggressive manner we would expect from him. The text is, to be sure, reasonable, though 7. Nbc3 looks indicated. 7... 0-0 Not terrible, but in light of Janowski's slow play 7...c5 immediately looks strongest and at least equalizing for Black. 8. Nbc3 c5 Better late than never. The Tournament Book notwithstanding, after eight moves, von Popiel's position did not appear to be all that bad. At most, Janowski was slightly better: click for larger view 9. d5 This move should not have caused von Popiel any serious trouble. The best try for White to try to make something from his small edge was 9. Nb5. After the text, von Popiel once again seemed to be just fine, and his game did not seem to be meaningfully inferior: click for larger view Beginning in the above-diagrammed position, however, von Popiel collapsed and was almost certainly dead lost after 13 moves. The story of this collapse will be recounted in my next post on this game.

Apr-11-22		KEG: Post II 9... Qe8? Awful. With 9...Na6, von Popiel would have been fine. 9...Be5 was also a playable line for Black here. After the text, however, Black has achieved something close to a strategically lost game. 10. Nb5! Capitalizing immediately. 10... Qe7 Forced. click for larger view 11. NxB? In his zeal to obtain the advantage of the two Bishops (Janowski truly loved Bishops) Janowski gave von Popiel a chance to claw his way back into the game. It was to be the last respite Janowski would afford von Popiel in this game, so the latter had to take advantage of this slip. Janowski could have obtained the two Bishops AND won a pawn with 11. dxe6 dxe6 12. NxB QxN 13. Bxf5! It is surprising that a tactical wizard such as Janowski missed this chance. But he missed nothing further in this short brutal game. 11... QxN 12. e4 Janowski may have placed too much reliance on this strong move: click for larger view 12... fxe4 Another weak move, as yet again, von Popiel failed to play Na6. 13. fxe4 click for larger view 13... e5? For the final time, von Popiel failed to stave off defeat with 13...Na6. After this lemon, Janowski gave his opponent no further chances, and overran the Black King-side. 14. Ng3! Either this or 14. Rf3 dooms Black. 14... g6? Even now, Na6 was best. But it is doubtful that it would save the game any longer. 15. Bh6! click for larger view Black is busted. The only remaining interest in the game lies in observing Janowski demolishing the Black king-side. 15... Rf7 16. Qf3 This was plenty good enough. But simplest was preparing Qg5 with either 16. Qd2 or 16. Qe1. 16... Na6 Finally, but light-years too late. 17. Rf2 Janowski's plan was now clear and decisive. Bulk up on the f-file and break through the flimsy Black fortress: click for larger view

Apr-11-22		KEG: Post III 17... Nc7 18. Raf1 Janowski was now nearly ready to pounce. click for larger view 18... Nce8 Sacrificing the exchange with 18...Raf8 might have been slightly better, but Janowski would probably have played 19. Qe3! all the same, with lethal effect, as it was in the game. 19. Qe3 En route to a decisive repositioning to g5. 19... Ng7 Worse than hopeless, but nothing else would have been of much use. 20. Qg5 click for larger view 20... Raf8 Much too little; much too late: click for larger view Now comes the wipe out: 21. BxN RxB 22. RxN RxR 23. RxR click for larger view White is now up a piece with his attack undiminished. The game was over. 23... Qe7 24. d6 click for larger view 1-0 The White Knight can not join the King-side assault with Nf1-e3-g4. Black has no answer to this or to White's myriad of other threats. An efficient finish by Janowski.

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