Invisible Chess: Culture Club #10

Rotlewi - Rubinstein, Lodz 1907/08

A while back, I was watching a post mortem of some tournament game between Carlsen and I think maybe Aronian. At some point one of them suggests a variation and somebody says, “oh like Rotlewi - Rubinstein”.

I’d be willing to bet that since the second world war at least, not a single chesser has reached master strength without knowing this game.

Rotlewi - Rubinstein,

Lodz 1907/08

1 d4 d5

2 Nf3 e6

3 e3 c5

4 c4 Nc6

5 Nc3 Nf6

6 dxc5 Bxc5

7 a3 a6

8 b4 Bd6

9 Bb2 0-0

10 Qd2 Qe7

11 Bd3 dxc4

12 Bxc4 b5

13 Bd3 Rd8

14 Qe2 Bb7

15 0-0 Ne5

16 Nxe5 Bxe5

17 f4 Bc7

18 e4 Rac8

19 e5 Bb6+

20 Kh1 Ng4

21 Be4 Qh4

22 g3 Rxc3

23 gxh4 Rd2

24 Qxd2 Bxe4+

25 Qg2 Rh3

0-1

So, why did White resign?

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BONUS QUESTIONS

BQ1: Why doesn’t White try 21 Qxg4, eliminating the attacking knight?

BQ2: Instead of 21 Be4 White could have tried 21 Ne4 - but then 21 … Rxd3, 22 Qxd3 Bxe4, 23 Qxe4 Qh4, 24 h3 Qg3, 25 hxg4 could follow. Find how Black checkmates White.

BQ3: Instead of Samisch’s 22 g3, analyse 22 h3 Rxc3, 23 Bxc3 Bxe4, 24 Qxg4 hxg4, 25 hxg4 Rd3. What is White’s threat in this position that forces White to give up a ruinous amount of material?