chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Jose Raul Capablanca vs David Janowski
New York (1918), New York, NY USA, rd 6, Oct-29
Queen's Gambit Declined: Capablanca Variation (D30)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

Click Here to play Guess-the-Move
Given 48 times; par: 45 [what's this?]

explore this opening
find similar games 10 more Capablanca/Janowski games
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: At the top of the page we display the common English name for the opening, followed by the ECO code (e.g. "D30"). The ECO codes are links that take you to opening pages.

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]

A COMPUTER ANNOTATED SCORE OF THIS GAME IS AVAILABLE.  [CLICK HERE]

Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 1 OF 2 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Apr-01-03
Premium Chessgames Member
  GlassCow: Brilliant play by the great one. Especially ingenious were the moves: 13. Nd6!, 20. Nd4! and 30. Rg7!!
Apr-01-03  Calli: Janowsky's 16 .. e5? is bad, but who could have seen such a quick finish!
Apr-02-03  Calli: How does Capa continue if 19 .. Qf6? The bishop is now protected.
Apr-03-03  Cyphelium: One try is 20. Bc4 Rad8 21. b4!? with the possible continuation of 21. -cxb4 22. Nd4 Bb7 23. Nxf5 Qxf5 24. e4 Qe5 25. exd5 Qxe2 26. Bxe2 and black cannot take on d5 of course. I'm not so sure if the resulting position is bad for black, but an amusing variation (with black playing like crap)is 26.- Rc8 27. d6 Rad8 28. Rc7 Rxc7 29. dxc7 Rxd1 30. Bxd1 Bc8 (forced) 31. h3 and white will win black's bishop or queen the c-pawn.
Apr-03-03  Calli: 20. Bc4 Rad8 21. b4 cxb4? 22. e4! looks bad for black. The point being that 22 .. fxe4 23. Qxe4 Qf5? 24. Qxf5 Rxf5 25 Nd4 wins , so black would have to play 23 .. Qf7 making the pin worse. However it looks like Black can simply play 21. b4 Kh8!

Maybe 20. Bc4 Rad8 21. e4 is the right line?

Apr-03-03  ughaibu: Yes, certainly one gets the impression that Janowski chose Qe7 to repress any plan of Capablanca's to play e4.
Apr-03-03  Calli: Okay, so 20. Bc4 Rad8 21. e4 fxe4 22. Qxe4 Qf5 23. Qxf5 Rxf5 and now 24. b4! looks strong. From there, 24 .. cxb4 loses to Nd4 (again!). Moving the king out of the pin does not appear to work in this position 24 .. Kf8 25. bxc5 bxc5 26. Bd3 wins a pawn. Black can also try 24 ..Ba4 or Bb7. Not sure about either one, but working on it :-)
Apr-04-03  Cyphelium: Calli> However it looks like Black can simply play 21. b4 Kh8!

Well, I thought that 21. b4 Kh8 22. bxc5 bxc5 23. Bxd5 would just lead to black losing the pawn on c5, that's why I didn't mention it. Perhaps it isn't that simple: 23.- Rxd5 24. Rxd5 Bxd5 25. Rxc5 Qa1+ 26. Qe1 (26. Ne1? Rb8) 26.- Qxa2 27. Ra5 Qc4 28. Rxa7 Qg4 29. Qd1...and now isn't white somewhat better after all, though black might have compensation for the pawn?...might be other alternatives though..

>Maybe 20. Bc4 Rad8 21. e4 is the right line?

Possible, but I think we need to consider 20. Bc4 Rad8 21. e4 fxe4 22. Qxe4 and now not 22.- Qf5? but 22.- Re8! instead.

Apr-04-03  Calli: Cyphelium: There is a fork! If 21. b4 Kh8 22. bxc5? Nc3. If you exchange first, 22. Bxd5 Rxd5 23 Rxd5 Bxd5 24. bxc5 then 24 .. Rc8 is equal.

Also 22.- Re8! - Good point! Might save black in this line. After 22. Qxe4 Re8 23. Rxd5 Bxd5 24. Bxd5+ Kh8 25. Qc4 Qxb2 looks equal?

Apr-04-03  suenteus po 147: okay, I give up. How does Janowski lose after 30...Kxg7?
Apr-04-03
Premium Chessgames Member
  lostemperor: my first hunch is ..Kxg7 31Qg5+ Kh8 32RxR and the threat of Qf6+ is too much. if 32...RxR also Qf6++.
Apr-07-03  Cyphelium: Calli> You are right, I just missed that fork. So 21. b4 is probably not very good.

>After 22. Qxe4 Re8 23. Rxd5 Bxd5 24. Bxd5+ Kh8 25. Qc4 Qxb2 looks equal?

Yes, black is certainly still in the game. Preliminary conclusion must be: Janowski's 19.- Qe7 was a blunder and 19.- Qf6 would be much better.

Apr-07-03  crafty: 30. ... ♔xg7 31. ♕g5+ ♔h8 32. ♖xd8 ♘d5 33. ♖d7 ♖g8 34. ♕xf5   (eval 11.85; depth 11 ply; 500M nodes)
Apr-07-03  Calli: Cyphelium> 19.- Qf6 would be much better.

Agreed, Janowski could at least hope for some inaccuaracy by Capablanca and a draw. White still the likely winner in variations I looked at. Even 22. Qxe4 Re8 23. Rxd5 Bxd5 24. Bxd5+ Kh8 25. Qd3! (keep the long diagonal) Qxb2 26. Rd1 (White threatens Ng5) 26 .. Qf6 and as long as White doesn't allow the black pawns to move (b5, c4), he can make progress. Well, that's as far as I am going with it.

Janowski chose a quick death over a slow one.

Apr-08-03  Cyphelium: Yes, that looks convincing. Again I have to agree with you.
Jul-05-05  yunis: black was scared 'some moves proof this scarness
Jun-19-06  notyetagm: 30 ♖g7!!, what a move, exploiting the loose Black d8-rook that Black just created with 29 ... ♖ad8?.
Nov-07-07  notyetagm: Position after 13 ♘c4-d6!:


click for larger view

Capablanca's nifty 13 ♘c4-d6! is based on the tactical point that the d6-square is not <DEFENDED> because the Black e7-bishop is <PINNED> to the Black d8-queen along the d8-h5 diagonal by the White g5-bishop.

<<<Always try to exploit the <PIN>!>>>

Apr-12-08  frank124c: A tactical masterpiece!
Sep-24-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  GrahamClayton: Here are Capablanca's own notes for this game:

http://www.chesscentral.com/game-ch...

Jan-03-11  Atking: <GrahamClayton> the site is actually closed. What is the new link? In fact I have a doubt about 12...Nd5 (Why not simply 12...Ne4) and oviously 14...f5 is weakening. A typical victory from Capablanca effortless elegant. An easy game from the opening, panic from the opponent then it's over.
Dec-17-14  Ulhumbrus: 16...e5 opens lines when it is White who is ahead in development.
Dec-17-14  RookFile: Black's 12 move is an important moment:


click for larger view

I find that black has two principled moves: either 12...Bxf3 or 12.....b5

Let's look at both:

12....Bxf3 13. Qxf3 cxd4 14. exd4 Nd5 15. Bd2 Rc8 16. Ne3 Rxc1 17. Rxc1 N7f6

I would probably play it this way, because I've seen too many games where that b7 bishop ends up being useless. There is a strong temptation to get rid of that bishop. The computer awards a microscopic advantage to white based upon the two bishops.

The best move appears to be:

12.....b5! 13. Nce5 c4 14. Bb1 h6 15. Bf4 Nb6


click for larger view

This way is very sharp, both sides can play for a win.

Dec-19-14  Ulhumbrus: <RookFile> One alternative to 12...Nd5, 12...Bxf3 and 12...b5 is 12...Ne4
Dec-16-18  andrewjsacks: Very fine little-known game by the great Capablanca.
search thread:   
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 1 OF 2 ·  Later Kibitzing>

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