Study Group Meeting Report

A report by David Sandham

The first session of the Beckenham Chess Club Study Group met on October 23 2003. The group discussed the game Reti-Alekhine, Baden Baden 1925 (below)

The group agreed that Reti gained a positional advantage in the opening, but then took too great risks in seeking to preserve his King's Bishop by 20.Bh1?!. Some of the group also felt that 21.e4 (or e4 at an earlier stage) would also have been an improvement for White.

It was agreed by everyone that, after the thunderbolt 26....Re3, Reti's 27.Nf3 was not the best defence for White. Alan Sands suggested 27.Kh2, and 27.Bf3 was also examined.

Regarding the 27.Bf3 defence, Dave Smith suggested the original reply of 27....Rea3, calmly preserving the Rook and preparing, if White were to continue 28.bxc6 bxc6 29.Bg2, to return to the theme of the vulnerable e3 square by 29....Nxe3! when now 30.fxe3 would be swiftly defeated by 30....Qxg3 31.Kf1 Bh3 forcing mate.

In the latter stages of the game, Brian Crouch suggested the move 34.Rb4 instead of 34.Rcc2. The group felt that this possibility seems to contradict Alekhine's own assertion, followed by later commentators, that White's moves at this stage of the game are all forced. However, Neil Cannon pointed out several attacking possibilites still available to Black.

It was agreed that the game was an especially rich and complex example of attacking play.

Thanks to all participants!