Unconventional Strategy • Bogoljubow vs Alekhine • Hastings • Hastings, England (1922) • Dutch Defense: Dutch Indian (Nimzo-Dutch) Variation (A90)

This match is widely considered one of the greatest creative achievements in chess history, played during the elite Hastings 1922 international tournament.

Efim Bogoljubow, a world-class grandmaster of Russian-Ukrainian origin (later a German citizen). He was known for his optimistic, attacking style and would eventually challenge Alexander Alekhine for the World Championship twice.

Alexander Alekhine, the future world champion, renowned for his incredible tactical imagination and the “Alekhine’s Gun” formation. At this time, he was establishing himself as the most formidable challenger to José Raúl Capablanca.

The Hastings 1922 tournament was a high-stakes event featuring the world’s best. Alekhine arrived in great form, looking to dominate the field. Bogoljubow was also in his prime, and games between these two were always sharp and theoretical. Alekhine chose the Dutch Defense, an opening that signals a fight for the win from the first move, avoiding the drawish tendencies of more classical lines. Alekhine considered the Dutch Defence risky, but he needed to win.

This game is celebrated for Alekhine’s paradoxical strategy and a legendary tactical sequence involving two promoted Queens. The game began with a Dutch-Indian Variation. Alekhine traded his Bishop early (5…Bxd2+) to disrupt White’s coordination. Bogoljubow attempted to seize space in the center, but Alekhine responded with a precise pawn thrust 10…e5.

Alekhine’s play was deeply unconventional. He maneuvered his Knights to b4 and d3, creating a strategic blockade. The move 28…Nd3! established a “knight-octopus” that paralyzed White’s queenside.

The game reached its peak at move 31. Bogoljubow thought he was holding the position, but Alekhine launched a stunning combination, 31…c2!: a stunning pawn push that forces the promotion. The game briefly featured two Queens for Black after 33…c1=Q+. Alekhine then systematically dismantled White’s defenses. Even after trading the extra Queens, the resulting endgame was completely winning for Black due to the superior King position and passed pawns.

Bogoljubow tried to resist in the endgame, but Alekhine’s technique was flawless. By move 54, White was in a state of Zugzwang (any move would worsen the position). Bogoljubow resigned as the Black King prepared to march toward the White pawns.