One of the most intriguing chess strategies ever employed on the board. Alexander Alekhine demonstrates a remarkable paradox that went against conventional principles of chess. Traditionally, players aim to develop their pieces as soon as possible and prevent the opponent's development. Alekhine, however, turned this principle on its head. Instead of bringing his undeveloped pieces into play, he deliberately moved his already developed pieces, seemingly wasting valuable tempi. Even more striking, with these sophisticated maneuvers Alekhine forced his opponent to develop pieces—and this strategy, paradoxically, set the stage for a devastating attack with beautiful sacrifices. Let's dive into this strategic and tactical masterpiece and uncover the brilliance behind Alekhine's paradoxical approach.
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. e3 e6 5. Nc3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 OO 8. OO Qe7 9. e4 dxc4 10. Bxc4 e5 11. Rd1 exd4 12. Nxd4 Nb6 13. Bf1 Rd8 14. h3 Bc7 15. Be3 Re8 16. Bd3 Nh5 17. Nce2 g6 18. Re1 Nd7 19. Nf3 Bb6 20. Bg5 Qc5 21. Nc3 Ne5 22. Nxe5 Qxe5 23. Be3 Bc7 24. Ne2 Qh2+ 25. Kf1 Bxh3 26. gxh3 Qxh3+ 27. Kg1 Bh2+ 28. Kh1 Nf4 29. Nxf4 Bxf4+ 30. Kg1 Bh2+ 31. Kh1 Qf3+ 32. Kxh2 Re5 33. Qc5 Rxc5 34. Bxc5 Qh5+ 35. Kg2 Qxc5 36. Re3 Re8 37. Rae1 Qe5 38. R1e2 Re6 39. b3 Rf6 40. Rg3 Kg7 41. Bb1 Rf4 42. Bd3 Rh4 43. Kf3 Qf4+ 44. Kg2 Qc1 45. Kf3 h5 46. Rc2 Qd1+ 47. Ke3 Rh1 48. Kd4 h4 49. Re3 Re1 50. Rxe1 Qxe1 51. Re2 Qa1+ 52. Kc4 b5+ 01