The Master's Hand:

Capablanca's Endgame
Technique
Endgame course by GM Alex Colovic

pdf created by Bahram Javanmard

The Master's Hand: Capablanca's Endgame Technique
Endgame course by GM Alex Colovic

Course stats
For: both pieces
Recommended for: Intermediate players, Advanced players , Expert players
Master players
Language: English
Puzzles: 125
Released on: May 06, 2022
Support level: High

Pdf Created by Bahram Javanmard 11/9/2024 *

 The Master's Hand:
Capablanca's Endgame Technique
Endgame course by GM Alex Colovic

Improve your overall game by studying the endgames

of one of the greatest players of all time

Though Capablanca was World Champion a century ago, his games

remain some of the most important to study. The clear logic and
simplicity of his moves inspired even Mikhail Botvinnik and Bobby
Fischer to become endgame virtuosos themselves.

By studying such endgame mastery you could be next. This course on

Capablanca’s endgame technique will help you play with such

3
precision at all levels of the game, not just the endgame. And who else
to better teach you than Grandmaster Alex Colovic?

Grandmaster Alex Colovic was the first grandmaster author for

Chessable and won Chessable’s 2021 Legend of the Year Award. He
has won 18 national championships for his native Macedonia, in
addition to representing his home country in three Chess Olympiads
and two European Championships.

It was Capablanca himself who said, “In order to improve your game,
you must study the endgame before everything else”. This is for two
main reasons:

1) The wide-open board and complicated nature of pawn endgames

force you to improve your calculation skills; and

2) middlegame decision-making is made easier once when you know

what kind of endgame is winning. You can devise your strategy to
steer games in the direction of such endgames

In this course, you will be guided through Capablanca’s most

instructive endgames and the methods used in them, including:

♞The principle of two weaknesses- The art of creating a second

weakness, leaving opponents helpless as they cannot manage both of
them at the same time.

♞How to convert an advantage in the endgame, not by brute

calculation, but by knowing where to best position your pieces. This
will carry over into the rest of your game as you will learn how to
improve your overall position.

♞Fine-tune your intuition in double-rook endgames and avoid

4
expending energy on calculating everything and making mistakes.

♞Learn about piece activity and how to fight to create imbalances

and win seemingly drawn endgames.

♞The key concept of prophylaxis when it comes to trading pieces, a

notable aspect of all of Capablanca’s games. You will learn when to
trade off superfluous pieces.

By studying these endgames, you will adopt Capablanca’s simple yet

effective style instead of unnecessarily complicating things.

Start at the end to get to the top by learning some of the most
flawless endgames ever to be played - get The Master’s Hand:
Capablanca’s Endgame Technique.

5
Introduction
Why Capablanca? It is my firm belief that a proper chess education
should include study of all the World Champions. When I did this study
I inevitably formed opinions about all of them. So in spite of my idol
being Fischer, it was Jose Raul Capablanca that made the biggest
impression. I learned the most from his games, like Fischer himself did.
It is the absolute clarity of Capablanca's moves, the apparent logic and
simplicity that show how ideal chess should be played.
Capablanca was also Botvinnik's idol, who was also of the opinion that
Capablanca's style was the ideal one. When looking at Capablanca's
games I always found it very easy to understand why he played the
moves he did. Chess made sense when looking at his moves. By studying
Capablanca's games I modelled my decision-making process according
to his.
In this course I present you some of his most famous endgames, and I
hope to show you what I saw under the surface of his moves. By studying
the endgame we improve all aspects of our play. The great Cuban
himself recommended the study of the endgame first and foremost.
This course is suitable for all levels, even Grandmasters! I remember
reading Karpov, who was a World Champion at that time, say that he felt
he needed to revise Capablanca's games. After going over his games
playing chess somehow becomes easier, the endgames become a joy to
play and, inevitably, the results improve.
It would be ideal if you could take some time to try to solve the
exercises in this course. By doing so you will train your brain to think
(even a little bit!) like the great Cuban, to attune your mental processes
to his. Better mental processes lead to better decisions on the board,
which leads to higher quality of the moves you make.
I am confident that after studying the following endgames in the manner
in which I did, you will rise to a new level of chess understanding and
practice. Join me on this journey and experience the joy of learning to
play like Capablanca!

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

1 pieces will likely ensue on it. We

1. The Complete Capablanca can say that temporarily Black has
Kline vs. Capablanca #1 the more active position, but given
the solidity of his position White
XIIIIIIIIY should be able to neutralise this
8r+l+r+k+0 activity, equalise and eventually
7zpp+-+p+-0 draw the game.So the question is,
how does a stronger player keep
6-+p+-wqn+0 the game going here? (I don't say
5+-+-zp-zp-0 'play for a win' as phrasing it like
4-+-+PsnPzp0 that puts too much psychological
3+-zPLsNP+-0 pressure on the player to 'do
2PzPQ+-+-zP0 something' and this is counter-
1tR-+-sNR+K0[ productive during a game). What
xabcdefghy would be your move here? ¤xd3
To my knowledge, it was Mark
23.¦f2 In this complex Dvoretsky who first coined the
middlegame position, White's last term 'superfluous piece,' but here
move has the idea of Bc4 we can see that Capablanca was
followed by Rd2 and Rad1, well-aware of the concept. In the
doubling on the d-file. If we take previous comment, we noted that
a look at the structure, we see that Bl ack ha s a k n i g h t o n g 6 t ha t
it is symmetrical; - bo th sides controls the f4-square, but with
have strong (and weak) squares on one knight already there, it didn't
f4 (strong for Black, weak for have much to do. Therefore, the
White) and f5 (strong for White, knight on g6 was superfluous as
weak for Black). Black already there were two knights wanting to
has a knight on f4, with the other b e on f4 . Th e s o l ut i on t o t h i s
one controlling that square, while 'superfluous' problem is to
White is also ready to jump to f5. exchange the piece already being
The difference in the pawn on the desired square to liberate it
structure on the kingside is that for the one behind. Here we see
Black has the advanced h-pawn. It Capablanca do just that.But there
can advance to h3 when White's are also other ideas behind this
king may find itself lacking an ex ch a n g e . Fr o m t h e a s p e c t o f
escape route in case of back-rank k ee p i n g t h e g a me g o i n g , t h i s
attacks. There is only one open ex ch ang e keeps t he lon g-term
file and exchanges of the heavy pers pective of a pos ition wit h

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

bishop vs. knight as it is generally XIIIIIIIIY

easier to have more play when 8r+-+r+k+0{
there is an imbalance of different 7zpp+-+p+-0
types of pieces left on the board.
For example, bishop vs. knight or
6-+p+lwqn+0
vice versa as opposed to knight vs. 5+-+-zp-zp-0
k n ig h t . Th i s exc hang e is a ls o 4-+-+P+Pzp0
prophylactic in nature 3+-zPNsNP+-0
(prophylaxis is a key aspect of 2PzPQ+-tR-zP0
Capablanca's play, notable in all 1+-+R+-+K0
of his games) because it xabcdefghy
eliminates the bishop that could
have been useful in defence from game. Ask yourself, what would
f1 or active from c4, from where it you play with White here? Do you
would control the e6-square where think White is in danger? Does his
the bishop from c8 wants to be fate depend on a single precise
developed.Please note that all move? 26.¤f5 Was the move that
these above-mentioned factors kept White safe, blocking the f-
outweigh the superficial thinking file, so there is no attack on the f3
of 'good knight on f4 shouldn't be -pawn anymore and White wants
exchanged for a bad bishop on d3, to continue with Rfd2. Black can
' a rationale that a less experienced try several moves, but n one
player may easily follow. promises much.

2 3
1. The Complete Capablanca 1. The Complete Capablanca
Kline vs. Capablanca #2 Kline vs. Capablanca #3

(Diagram) (Diagram)

25...¦ed8 Black places a rook on 26.b3 As shocking as it may

the open d-file. He keeps the other sound, White's move was a
r o o k o n t h e a - fi l e i n or de r t o serious mistake, after which White
support a possible pawn advance is in serious trouble. But in order t
with ...a5-a4. Now we come to the o prove that, you need
first fascinating moment in this Capablanca's precision. What did

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8r+-tr-+k+0 8r+-tr-+k+0
7zpp+-+p+-0 7zpp+-+p+-0
6-+p+lwqn+0 6-+p+lwqn+0
5+-+-zp-zp-0 5+-+-zp-zp-0
4-+-+P+Pzp0 4-+-+P+Pzp0
3+-zPNsNP+-0 3+-zPNsNP+-0
2PzPQ+-tR-zP0 2PzPQ+-tR-zP0
1+-+R+-+K0[ 1+-+R+-+K0[
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
Capablanca play in this position? o p e n d - f i l e b e c a u s e 28.¦d2
¤f4 All of a sudden, White is in Lo s es a pawn to £b6 29.¤f5
trouble. Black threatens to take on ¥xa2
d3 twice and play ...Rd8 to take
contro l o ver t he d-fil e. It is a
known positional rule that 5
whoever controls the only open 1. The Complete Capablanca
file keeps a stable advantage, so Kline vs. Capablanca #5
Black's play is aimed at exactly
that. Note how, starting from this XIIIIIIIIY
moment, Capablanca will never 8r+-tr-+k+0
give White a respite in the fight 7zpp+-+p+-0
for the d-file.
6-+p+lwq-+0
5+-+-zp-zp-0
4 4-+-+PsnPzp0
1. The Complete Capablanca 3+PzPNsNP+-0
Kline vs. Capablanca #4 2P+Q+-tR-zP0
1+-+R+-+K0[
xabcdefghy
(Diagram)
27.¤g2 A second mistake, after
26.¤e1 White's last move intends which White is lost. The move is
to exchange rooks, but what does not without logic, as White wants
it allow? ¦xd1 27.£xd1 £d8 to take on f4 without allowing ...
And Black takes control of the Qxf4, but the move fails tactically.

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

From a completely safe-looking XIIIIIIIIY

position, White committed two 8r+-tr-+k+0
mistakes and suddenly is lost! A 7zpp+-+p+-0
difficult to believe transformation,
but one that demonstrates how
6-+p+lwq-+0
precise and concrete one must 5+-+-zp-zp-0
play, especially when facing a 4-+-+PsnPzp0
strong opponent capable of 3+PzPNsNP+-0
ex p l o i t i n g ambi g uo us move s . 2P+Q+-tR-zP0
Black plans to take over the d-file, 1+-+R+-+K0[
h o w d i d h e c o n t i n u e ? ¤xd3 xabcdefghy
Black follows his plan of taking
over the d-file. 28.¦xd3 ¦xd3 p o s i t i o n , t h e k i n g o n h 1. T h e
29.£xd3 What do you think is tactical justification is that White
B l a c k ' s b e s t m o v e h e r e ? ¦d8 cannot oppose on the d-file due to
This is also typical of Capablanca! 31.¦d2 g4 32.fxg4 ¦xd2
He often played 'by hand' when he 33.£xd2 £h4 With the threats of
was certain that the plan he chose ...Qe1 and ...Qxg4 and a winning
and the move he intended were queen endgame in view of the bad
good. position of White's king.

6 7
1. The Complete Capablanca 1. The Complete Capablanca
Kline vs. Capablanca #6 Kline vs. Capablanca #7

(Diagram) (Diagram)

27.¤xf4 Taking on f4 didn't help 30.£e2 What would you play here
W h i t e e i t h e r , w h y ? exf4 f o r B l a c k ? h3 Another precise
Opens the a1-h8 diagonal for the move. This move is the start of
queen and pinpoints the another typical method of
weak ening creat ed by Wh ite's Capablanca's play, and that is to
26th mov e, the pawn on c3! play on two weaknesses (or play
28.¦xd8+ ¦xd8 29.¤f5 ¥xf5 on both sides of the board) . Here
30.gxf5 h3 Now pinpoints he starts with the kingside, with
another weakness in White's the pawn on h3, White's king will

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-tr-+k+0 8-+-tr-+k+0
7zpp+-+p+-0 7zpp+-+p+-0
6-+p+lwq-+0 6-+p+lwq-+0
5+-+-zp-zp-0 5+-+-zp-zp-0
4-+-+P+Pzp0 4-+-+P+P+0
3+PzPQ+P+-0 3+PzP-+P+p0
2P+-+-tRNzP0 2P+-+QtRNzP0
1+-+-+-+K0[ 1+-+-+-+K0[
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
always be weak and subject to which would definitely neutralise
back-rank threats. Thus, the first Black's advantage. The solution is
weakness is the white king. The again a prophylactic one.
second point of the move is that it Capab lanca pl ays a move t hat
is a prophylactic one as it renders White's plan of Rf1-d1
prevents White's ideas of Qe3 and unfavourable. a5 Fantastic stuff!!
Rd2 by forcing the knight to take I am pretty sure you didn't expect
the e3-square from the queen. this move (at least I didn't!). On th
e surface, this is a simple-looking
mo v e t h a t ca n ea si ly b e mad e
8 based on general considerations.
1. The Complete Capablanca In fact, this is a deeply prophylacti
Kline vs. Capablanca #8 c move that prevents White from
exchanging rooks by Rf1-d1. To
be entirely precise, perhaps
(Diagram) 'prevent' is not the best word to
use here.The move 31...a5 doesn't
31.¤e3 Now we arrive at the really 'prevent' Rf1-d1 as White
second fascinating point in the can play it, but it makes it
game. What would you play with unfavourable, which is another
Black here? It's clear he has the form of prevention, often a more
initiative, but White is not subtle one than the more direct
without ideas. Can you think of a physical prevention. The secret to
constructive idea for White? If finding and playing moves like
White has the time, he wants to this one lies in the calculation of v
play Rf1-d1 and exchange rooks, ariations. Capablanca saw that if

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

White continues with the plan, he 9

is able to start his activity on the 1. The Complete Capablanca
queenside just in time in order to Kline vs. Capablanca #9
ma k e Wh i t e ' s p l a n o f R f 1 - d 1
unsuitable.With the move 31... a5 XIIIIIIIIY
we have a perfect harmony of a 8-+-tr-+k+0
move Black wants to play as part 7+p+-+p+-0
of his plan (advance on the
queenside) with the tactical
6-+p+lwq-+0
justification of dealing with his 5+-+-zp-zp-0
opponent's plan. This is the 4p+-+P+P+0
highest ideal we should always 3+PzP-sNP+p0
strive towards when making our 2P+-+Q+-zP0
moves. The answer to how this 1+-+-+R+K0[
move prevents White's idea of xabcdefghy
Rf1-d1 is provided by the game
continuation.Since the game 33.¦d1 How can Black refute 33.
answers the concrete, we should Rd1? axb3 Black could take the
also note the general ideas of the pawn on b3 without exchanging
move we mentioned above: the rooks. 34.axb3 ¥xb3 35.¦b1
Capablanca's play on two ¥a2 Controlling the b1-square so
weaknesses continues, starting that White's rook cannot return to
with his last move. He intends to d e f e n d t h e f i r s t r a n k 36.¦xb7
attack White's queenside by ...a4, ¦a8 When the open queenside
using the long-range of his bishop files allow the black rook to
on e6. That would open a second penetrate White's position and
front o n t he q ueensi de, which join the attack on the king (here
would make White's defence we see a swing from the
impossible against the combined queenside play back to the
play on both sides of the board. kingside that started with 30...
32.¦f1 White continues with his h 3 !). @@ St ar t FEN@@3 r2 k1 /
plan. a4 This is what Capablanca 1p3p2/2p1bq2/4p1p1/p3P1P1/
had to calculate. He is just in time 1PP1NP1p/P3Q2P/3R3K b - - 1
to deal with the move Rd1. 1@@EndFEN@@Black's other
op ti o n was t o exch an ge roo k s
with 33...Rxd1 34.Nxd1 or 34.
Qxd1 axb3 35.axb3 Bxb3 winning
a pawn 34...axb3 35.axb3 and here

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

th e p reci se mo v e 3 5...Qf4 ! XIIIIIIIIY

threatening ...Qc1 in addition to ... 8-+-+-+k+0
Bxb3. Taking the pawn 7+p+r+p+-0
immediately with 35...Bxb3?! is
not precise because it allows the
6-+p+lwq-+0
knight back into the game with 36. 5+-+-zp-zp-0
Nf2 . Both options give Black a 4p+P+P+P+0
winning advantage, and these are 3+P+-+P+p0
the lines Capablanca had to see 2P+N+Q+-zP0
when playing 31... a5 as a means 1+-+-+R+K0[
of 'prevention' of White's plan of xabcdefghy
Rf1-d1. You will notice that the
variations are not too difficult or t
oo long, and this is encouraging -
usually, when converting an 11
advantage, we don't have to 1. The Complete Capablanca
calculate difficult lines or calculat Kline vs. Capablanca #11
e them too deeply.
XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-wq-+k+0
10 7+p+-+p+-0
1. The Complete Capablanca
Kline vs. Capablanca #10
6-+p+l+-+0
5+-+-zp-zp-0
4p+P+P+P+0
(Diagram) 3+P+-sNP+p0
2P+-+Q+-zP0
35.¦d1 Due to what petite 1+-+r+-+K0[
combinaison did the immediate 35. xabcdefghy
Rd1 not work? ¦xd1+ 36.£xd1
¥xg4 37.fxg4 £f2 With the 37.£xd1 What move leads to a
threat of mate on g2 that can only winning endgame for Black? £d4
be dealt with by giving up the 38.£xd4 exd4 Black wins by
extra piece. centralising his king and
executing the undermining move
...b5, which will make White's
queenside impossible to defend.
For example: 39.Nf1 Kg7 40.Kg1

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

Kf6 41.Nd2 Ke5 42.Kf2 b5 and view of 41...Qa1+ , which wins a

B l a c k w i l l wi n b y c o mb i n i n g piece for Black. Also, 41.Nxh3
threats on the queenside with the does little after 41...Bc4 where we
threat of penetration on the will have a passed b-pawn. This
kingside by ...Kf4. t yp e of p r eci se c al cu l at i o n o f
rel at i v el y s h ort l i n es ( 2– 3
moves deep) is essential for good
12 technique.
1. The Complete Capablanca
Kline vs. Capablanca #12
13
XIIIIIIIIY 1. The Complete Capablanca
8-+-+-+k+0 Kline vs. Capablanca #13
7+p+-+p+-0
6-+p+l+-+0 XIIIIIIIIY
5+-+-zp-zp-0 8-+-+-+k+0{
4p+PwqP+P+0 7+-+-+p+-0
3+P+-+P+p0 6-+-+-+-+0
2P+-+Q+-zP0 5+Q+-zp-zp-0
1+-+N+-+K0[ 4-zp-wqP+P+0
xabcdefghy 3+-+-+P+N0
2-+-+-+KzP0
38.¤f2 How would you proceed 1+-+l+-+-0
with the play on the queenside? xabcdefghy
Make sure you see the tactical
j u s t i f i c a t i o n ! b5 44...b3 A tactical mistake, also
White's queenside pawn structure typical for Capablanca! This is his
crumbles. Here again, we see a on ly mi s take in th e g ame, bu t
mo v e t h a t ca n ea si ly be mad e nevertheless, one that is
based on general considerations, characteristic of his mindset and
but one that was precisely approach. By this point, he was
calculated by Capablanca. already relaxed, correct in the
39.cxb5 axb3 40.axb3 ¥xb3 knowledge that the hardest task
This was the tactical justification t was already done, so he expected
h at C apab l an ca fores aw whe n t o wi n i n a u t o p i l o t mo d e . H e
playing 38... b5. White doesn't didn't bother to seek hidden ideas
have time to take with 41.bxc6 in for his opponent in the later

14
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

stages of the game, particularly in XIIIIIIIIY

winning positions, and while this 8r+l+r+k+0{
worked in games against weaker 7zpp+-+p+-0
opposition, this cost him dearly
later on in his career when facing
6-+p+-wqn+0
stronger players because by then 5+-+-zp-zp-0
he was al ready accusto med t o 4-+-+PsnPzp0
functioning in this manner. This 3+-zPLsNP+-0
was most clearly visible in the 2PzPQ+-tR-zP0
match with Alekhine, a player 1tR-+-sN-+K0
who never ceased to seek chances xabcdefghy
until the very end. Still, we must
cut Capablanca some slack here, ago. I fou nd that it provides a
as White's two saving ideas are complete overview of
incredibly difficult to find. You Capablanca's characteristic style
can test yourself here. Try to save and playing algorithm, with
the game for White! 45.¤f2 ¥c2 almost all of his typical stylistic p
46.¤h1 The amazing rerouting of references. If I were forced to
the knight with 46.Nh1!! with the ch oo s e o ne g ame th at i s mo s t
idea of Ng3 and then either Nh5 typical of Capablanca, this one
or Nf5 creating threats against would be it.In this complex
Black's king. middlegame position, White's last
move was 23. Rf2, with the idea
of Bc4 followed by Rd2 and Rad1,
14 doubling on the d-file. If we take
1. The Complete Capablanca a look at the structure we see that i
Kline,Harry P vs. Capablan t is symmetrical - both sides have
strong (and weak) squares on f4
(strong for Black, weak for White)
(Diagram) and f5 (strong for White, weak for
Black). Black already has a knight
This game became famous after it on f4, with the other one
featured in Shereshevsky's book co n tro l lin g that s q u are, whil e
'Endgame Strategy'. I have White is also ready to jump to f5.
repeatedly returned to it and The difference in the pawn
discovered it was much deeper structure on the kingside is that
than I first thought when studying Black has the advanced h-pawn. It
Shereshevsky's book many years can advance to h3 when White's

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

king may find himself lacking an other ideas behind this exchange.
escape route in case of back-rank From the aspect of keeping the
attacks. There is only one open game going this exchange keeps
file and exchanges of the heavy the long-term perspective of a
pieces will likely ensue on it. We position with bishop vs. knight as
can say that temporarily Black has it is generally easier to have more
the more active position, but given play when there is an imbalance of
the solidity of his position White different types of pieces left on
should be able to neutralise this the board. For example, bishop vs.
activity, equalise and eventually knight or vice versa as opposed to
draw the game.So the question is, knight vs. knight. This exchange
how does a stronger player keep i s al so p ro ph yl ac t i c i n nat ur e
the game going here? (I don't say (prophylaxis is a key aspect of
'play for a win' as phrasing it like Capablanca's play, notable in all
that puts too much psychological of his games) because it
p r e s s u r e o n t h e p l a ye r t o ' d o eliminates the bishop that could
something' and this is counter- have been useful in defence from
productive during a game). What f1 or active from c4, from where it
would be your move here? would control the e6-square where
23...¤xd3 To my knowledge, it the bishop from c8 wants to be
was Mark Dvoretsky who first developed.Please note that all
coined the term 'superfluous piece, these above-mentioned factors
' but here we can see that outweigh the superficial thinking
Capablanca was well-aware of the of 'good knight on f4 shouldn't be
concept. In the previous comment, exchanged for a bad bishop on d3,
we noted that Black has a knight ' a rationale that a less experienced
on g6 that controls the f4-square, player may easily follow.
but with one knight already there 24.¤xd3 ¥e6 The bishop is
it didn't have much to do. developed on the best available
Therefore, the knight on g6 was square from where it has open
superfl uou s as t here were two access to the queenside. 25.¦d1
knights wanting to be on f4. The White follows his plan to double
s o l u t i o n t o t h i s ' s u p e rf l u o u s ' o n t h e d -f i l e. I t wa s p e r f ec t l y
problem is to exchange the piece p o s s i b l e t o pl a y 2 5 . Nf 5 , b u t
already being on the desired White is in no rush. His position
square to liberate it for the one looks extremely safe and he keeps
behind. Here we see Capablanca the option to play Nc5 as well. It
do ju st that.But t here are also is worth noting that in case of the i

16
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

mme di a te 2 5.Nc 5 b 6 26.Nxe 6 more deeply (i.e start being more

fx e6 ! i s an import ant i dea for concrete and exact), extraordinary
Black: the pawn on e6 takes away discoveries start to emerge.Taking
the f5-square from the white a second look, you will notice that
knight, rendering him passive. the mo v e is rat h er vag u e as it
The pawn on e6 also takes away doesn't pursue a concrete goal. It
the d5-square from the same is made based on general
knight, allowing Black to use the considerations and in chess, the
c-pawn to advance on the concrete always takes precedence
q u ee n s i d e. Ad di ti onal l y, a ft e r over the general. The stronger the
taking on e6 with a pawn, Black player, the better his ability to pun
opened the f-file to put pressure ish the neglect of the concrete
on the pawn on f3. The fact that as pect . As sh o ckin g as i t may
Black created doubled pawns on sound, White's move is a serious
the e-file, in this case, is irreleva mistake after which White is in
nt as White cannot attack these serious trouble. But in order to
pawns. ¦ed8 Black places a rook prove that you need Capablanca's
on the open d-file. He keeps the precision.Objectively speaking,
other rook on the a-file in order to White had only one (!) move to
support a possible pawn advance keep the equilibrium. This often
with ...a5-a4. Now we come to the happens in the games of strong
first fascinating moment in this pl aye rs , s e emin g ly no r ma l -
game. Ask yourself, what would looking comfortable positions turn
you play with White here? Do you out to be very concrete and
think White is in danger, does his require accurate play, but in order
fate depend on a single precise to understand that one needs to go
move? 26.b3 If he asked himself under the surface by calculating
those questions then White many candidate moves. A) The
definitely answered in the move that kept White safe was 26.
negative as we can witness from Nf5 , blocking the f-file, so there i
this solid move. The move makes s no attack on the f3-pawn
sense, it blunts the a2-g8 diagonal a n y m o r e a n d Wh i t e w a n t s t o
for the bishop and it certainl y continue with Rfd2. Black can try
do esn 't l ook li ke i t endangers several moves, but none promises
Wh i t e ' s p o s i t i o n . T h a t i s t h e mu c h , f o r e x a m p l e , 2 6 . . . R d 7
thinking you normally follow if (intending to double on the d-file)
you look at the position on the 27.Rfd2 Rad8 28.Nc5 Rxd2 29.
surface. But if you start digging Rxd2 b6 and here White's only

17
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

move is 30.Nb7! (intending Nbd6) moment Capablanca will never

30...Rb8 31.Nbd6 Rd8 32.Nb7 give White a respite in the fight
wi th a repeti t i on . B) But let 's f o r t h e d - f i l e . 27.¤g2
check other moves, surely White A s eco nd mi st ake aft er wh ic h
cannot depend only on the knight White is lost. The move is not
j u mp i n g t o f 5 ? T h e m ov e 2 6 . without logic as White wants to
Ne1?! intends to exchange rooks, take on f4 without allowing ...
but it allows 26...Rxd1 27.Qxd1 Qxf4, but the move fails tactically.
Qd8 and Black takes control of From a completely safe-looking
the open d-file because 28.Rd2? position White committed two
loses a pawn to 28...Qb6 29.Nf5 mistakes and suddenly is lost! A
Bxa2 . C) Similarly, the active- difficult to believe transformation,
looking 26.Nc5?! Rxd1 27.Nxd1 yet one that shows how precise
Or 27.Qxd1 Rd8 27...b6 28.Nxe6 and concrete one must play,
fxe6! pinpoints White's problems - especially when facing a strong
he cannot contest the d-file player, who is capable of taking
because of the weakness of the advantage of the vague moves.
pawn on f3 and Black will Objectively though, there were no
continue with ...Rd8 with a clear easy paths for White anymore.
advantage. D) The move 26.Kg2?! Let 's s ee s ome al tern ati v es t o
defends the f3-pawn but allows convince ourselves that White was
26...Rxd3! 27.Rxd3 Nf4 28.Kg1 indeed in trouble. 27.Nf5 is
Nx d3 29 .Qxd 3 Rd8 an d B lack already too late. After 27...Nxd3
again took control over the d-file. 28.Rxd3 Rxd3 29.Qxd3 Rd8
You can check other moves as Black takes the open file. Even
well, like: E) 26.b4?! a5 , F) 26. mo r e s o , Wh i t e fa c es t a c t i ca l
Rdd2?! Nf4 or G) 26.a4?! Nf4 and threats against his king, a sample
will see that White is in trouble line is 30.Qe3 Bxf5 31.exf5 Rd1
everywhere. Amazing, isn't it? 32.Kg2 h3! and White is getting
¤f4 All of a sudden White is in mated after 33.Kxh3 Rg1
trouble. Black threatens to take on followed by ...Qh6.Taking on f4
d3 twice and play ...Rd8 to take doesn't help either: 27.Nxf4 exf4
contro l o ver t he d-fil e. It is a opens the a1-h8 diagonal for the
known positional rule that queen and pinpoints the
whoever controls the only open weak ening creat ed by Wh ite's
file keeps a stable advantage, so 26th move, the pawn on c3! After
Black's play is aimed at exactly 28.Rxd8 Rxd8 29.Nf5 Bxf5 30.
that. Note how starting from this gxf5 h3! now pinpoints another

18
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

weakness in White's position, the moves for White only to convince

king on h1. The tactical ourselves that Black's advantage
justification is that White cannot is present in all the lines. This is
oppose on the d-file due to 31.Rd2 the manner of thinking you should
g4! 32.fxg4 Rxd2 33.Qxd2 Qh4 ad op t i n en dg a me s - ch ec k a s
with the threats of ...Qe1 and ... many candidate moves as possible
Qxg4 and a winning queen for yo ur o pponent but don't
endgame in view of the bad calculate them too deeply. You
p o si ti o n o f Whi t e's k i ng . Th e should calculate only to a point
move 27.Rff1 (White wants to be wh ere yo u can make a precis e
able to put that rook on d1 after evaluation of the position. ¤xd3
the exchange on d3) is met by 27... Black follows his plan of taking
Nx d 3 2 8 .R x d 3 R xd 3 2 9.Qxd 3 over the d-file. 28.¦xd3 ¦xd3
Rd8 30.Qe2 Qf4! and White is 29.£xd3 What do you think is
paralysed while Black will start B l a c k ' s b e s t m o v e h e r e ? ¦d8
advancing his queenside pawns This is also typical of Capablanca!
similar to the game. White cannot He often played 'by hand' when he
continue with his plan 31.Rd1 was certain that the plan he chose
because after 31...Rxd1 32.Nxd1 and the move he intended were
Qc1 he can barely move. Playing good. Here he decided not to take
27.Ne1 makes sense as the knight advantage of a tactical opportunity
covers the pawn on f3. Still, after that would (objectively!)
27...Rxd1 28.Qxd1 the precise transform the position to an even
move is 28...Qe7! with the idea of mo r e f a v o u r a b l e o n e b y 2 9 . . .
...Qc5 to help the advance of the Bxg4! 30.Nxh4 Bh3 Not 30...gxh4
queenside pawns. Exchanging the 31.Rg2 as Capablanca noted in
second pair of rooks doesn't help 'My Chess Career' 31.Ng2 Rd8
Wh i t e as 2 9 . R d2 Qc 5 3 0 . Rd 8 followed by ...Qd6 when White's
Rxd 8 3 1 .Qxd 8 Kh7 forces th e wrecked kingside is another
queen back to d2 as both the advantage for Black in addition to
knight on e3 and the pawn on c3 the control of the d-file.What he
are hanging - hence 32.Qd2 a5 did here is important to note from
and White again is very passive a psychological point of view. He
and can only wait for Black to made a choice based on his
advance on the queenside.There preferences and played a move
are also other moves for White, that felt more comfortable to him.
but none gives him satisfactory When choosing between two (or
play. Again we checked a lot of more) roughly equal options, you

19
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

should always decide in favour of definitely neutralise Black's

the one which makes you, or leads advantage. The solution is again a
to a position where you feel, more p rop h yl acti c o n e. Cap ab l an c a
comfortable. 30.£e2 What would plays a move that renders White's
y o u p l a y h e r e f o r B l a c k ? h3 plan of Rf1-d1 unfavourable. a5
Another precise move. This move Fantastic stuff!! I am pretty sure
i s t h e s t ar t o f a not her t yp i ca l you didn't expect this move (at
method of Capablanca's play and least I didn't!). On the surface, thi
that is to play on two weaknesses s is a simple-looking move that
(or play on both sides of the can easily be made based on
board). Here he starts with the general considerations. In fact,
kingside, with the pawn on h3 this is a deeply prophylactic move
White's king will always be weak that prevents White from
and subject to back-rank threats. exchanging rooks by Rf1-d1. To
Thus th e firs t weakness is th e be entirely precise, perhaps
white king. The second point of 'prevent' is not the best word to
the move is that it is a use here.The move 31...a5 doesn't
prophylactic one as it prevents really 'prevent' Rf1-d1 as White
White's idea of Qe3 and Rd2 by can play it, but it makes it
forcing the knight to take the e3- unfavourable, which is another
sq uare from the queen. 31.¤e3 form of prevention, often a more
Keep in g t he e3-s quare vacan t subtle one than the more direct
doesn't help as 31.Ne1 a5 32.Qe3 physical prevention. The secret to
is met by 32...Rd1 and White is finding and playing moves like
paralysed since he cannot play 33. this one lies in the calculation of v
Rd2 in view of the petite ariations. Capablanca saw that if
combinaison (Capablanca's White continues with the plan he
favourite saying) 33...Qxf3! 34. is able to start his activity on the
Qxf3 Rxe1 with mate on the next queenside just in time in order to
move.Now we arrive at the second ma k e Wh i t e ' s p l a n o f R f 1 - d 1
fascinat ing point i n t he game. unsuitable.With the move 31... a5
What would you play with Black we have a perfect harmony of a
here? It's clear he has the initiativ move Black wants to play as part
e but White is not without ideas. of his plan (advance on the
Can you think of a constructive queenside) with the tactical
idea for White? If White has the justification of dealing with his
time he wants to play Rf1-d1 and opponent's plan. This is the
exchan g e rook s , wh i ch woul d highest ideal we should always

20
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

strive towards when making our we see a swing from the

moves. The answer to how this queenside play back to the
move prevents White's idea of kingside that started with 30...
Rf1-d1 is provided by the game h3!). B) Black's other option is to
continuation.Since the game exchange rooks with 33...Rxd1 34.
answers the concrete, we should Nxd1 or 34.Qxd1 axb3 35.axb3
also note the general ideas of the Bxb3 winning a pawn 34...axb3
mo v e we me n t i o ne d ab o v e: i t 35.axb3 and here the precise move
continues Capablanca's play on 35...Qf4! threatening ...Qc1 in
two weaknesses starting with his addition to ...Bxb3. Taking the
last move - he intends to attack pawn immediately with 35...
White's queenside by ...a4, using Bxb3?! is not precise because it
the long-range of his bishop on e6. allows the knight back into the
That would open a second front game with 36.Nf2 , whereas with
on the queenside, which would a queen on f4 that move can be
make White's defence impossible met by ...Qc1 - prophylaxis again!
against the combined play on both Both options give Black a
s i d e s o f t h e b o a r d . 32.¦f1 winning advantage and these are
White continues with his plan. a4 the lines Capablanca had to see
This is what Capablanca had to when playing 31...a5 as means of
calculate. He is just in time to deal 'prevention' of White's plan of
with the move Rd1. Can you see Rf1-d1. You can notice that the
how he intended to meet 33.Rd1? variations are not too difficult or t
33.c4 A positional capitulation, as oo long and this is encouraging -
this gives up the d4-square, but usually when converting an
White also saw why 33.Rd1 advantage we don't have to
doesn't work. Black h as two calculate difficult lines or calculat
options for how to refute it:A) he e t h e m t o o d e e p l y . ¦d4
can take the pawn on b3 without Immediately taking advantage of
exchanging the rooks with 33... White's last move by placing the
axb3 34.axb3 Bxb3 35.Rb1 Ba2! rook on the weakened square. The
(controlling the b1-square so that rook also frees the d8-square for
Whi te' s roo k can not r et urn t o the queen so Black can double on
defend the first rank) 36.Rxb7 the d-file. 34.¤c2 Chasing away
Ra8 wh en the open queens id e the enemy rook, but this is only
files allow the black rook to temporary. The move 34.Rd1 is
penetrate White's position and met by either 34...Qd8 or 34...Qf4
join the attack on the king (here (with the threat of ...Qxe3). ¦d7

21
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

Leaving the d8-square free for the B l a c k w i l l wi n b y c o mb i n i n g

queen. Can you see the tactical threats on the queenside with the
refutation if White finally puts a threat of penetration on the
rook on d1 with 35.Rd1? 35.¤e3 k i n g s i d e b y . . . K f 4 . £d4
White again prepares Rd1. Now it is the queen's turn to
Immediately it didn't work in view o ccup y t h e st ro n g c ent ral i se d
of another petite combinaison: 35. position. 38.¤f2 How would you
Rd1 Rxd1 36.Qxd1 Bxg4! 37.fxg4 proceed with the play on the
Qf2 with the threat of mate on g2 queenside? Make sure you see the
that can only be deal t wi th b y t a c t i c a l j u s t i f i c a t i o n ! b5
giving up the extra piece. £d8 White's queenside pawn structure
Establishing domination on the d- crumbles. Here again, we see a
f i l e . T h i s i s a t r i u mp h o f t h e mo v e t h a t ca n ea si ly b e mad e
consistent implementation of the based on general considerations,
plan that started with the move but one that was precisely
2 6 . .. N f 4 - fr o m t h a t mo me n t calculated by Capablanca.
onwards Black consistently played 39.cxb5 axb3 40.axb3 ¥xb3
to obtain control over the d-file This was the tactical justification t
and hinder White's attempts to h at C apab l an ca fores aw wh e n
challenge it. 36.¦d1 White finally playing 38... b5. White doesn't
challenges the d-file, but it doesn't have time to take on c6 in view of
give him much comfort. ¦xd1+ t he c h e ck o n a 1 wh i ch wi n s a
Another typical choice for p i e c e fo r Bl ac k . T h i s t yp e o f
Capablanca. He always preferred precise calculation of relatively
to go forward with exchanges. short lines (2-3 moves deep) is
The alternative was 36...Rd4 , but e s s e n t i a l f o r g o o d t e c h ni q u e .
Capablanca accurately saw that 41.¤xh3 ¥d1 The alternative
both recaptures give him a was 41...Bc4 and then to take on
w i n n i n g a d v a n t a g e . 37.¤xd1 b5, but Capablanca prefers to keep
The alternative 37.Qxd1 Qd4! 38. White tied down to the defence of
Qx d4 exd4 leads to a win ning t he p awn o n f3 . 42.£f1 cxb5
endgame for Black. Black wins by The passed b-pawn decides the
centralising his king and game. 43.¢g2 After 43.Nxg5
executing the undermining move Black has the precise 43...Ba4!
...b5, which will make White's defending the pawn on b5 an d
queenside impossible to defend. threatening ...Qd1 to exchange
For example: 39.Nf1 Kg7 40.Kg1 queens when the b-pawn marches
Kf6 41.Nd2 Ke5 42.Kf2 b5 and forward. b4 The pawn marches

22
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

forward. 44.£b5 What would the defence of the f3-pawn once

you play for Black now? Do you again) 45.Ng1 b3 and the pawn
advance the b-pawn immediately w i l l p r o m o t e . 45.£e8+
with 44...b3 or do you play 44... White misses his chance and now
Qc3 first - try to see the difference everything ends as it should. After
b e t w e e n t h e t w o m o v e s . b3 45.Nf2 Bc2 White's two ideas to
A tactical mistake, also typical save this position are the
for Capablanca! This is his only following:A). The amazin g
mistake in the game, but rerouting of the knight with 46.
nevertheless one that is Nh1!! with the idea of Ng3 and
characteristic of his mindset and then either Nh5 or Nf5 creating
approach. By here he was already threats against Black's king. B)
relaxed, correct in the knowledge Using the queen to harass Black
that the hardest task was already by creating threats on the kingside
done, so he expected to win in and controlling the advance of the
autopilot mode. He didn't bother b -p awn : 46 .Qb 8 Kg 7 47 .Q c7 !
to seek hidden ideas for his (latching onto the bishop on c2,
opponent in the later stages of the thus preventing ...b2) 47...Bb1 48.
game and particularly in winning Qe7! attacking the pawn on g5.
positions, and while this worked Black cannot successfully help the
in games against weaker b-pawn advance and deal with the
opposition, this cost him dearly k i n g s i d e t h r e a t s . ¢g7
later on in his career when facing N o w i t ' s o v e r . 46.£e7 b2
stronger players because by then The pawn promotes and White
he was al ready accusto med t o doesn't have a perpetual. 47.¤xg5
functioning in this manner.This Or 47.Qxg5 Kf8 48.Qh6 Ke7 49.
was most clearly visible in the Qg5 Kd7 50.Qf5 Kd6 and the king
match with Alekhine, a player escapes on the queens ide. ¥b3
who never ceased to seek chances Defending against the obvious
until the very end. Still, we must threat before promoting. 48.¤xf7
cut Capablanca some slack here, ¥xf7 49.£g5+ ¢f8 50.£h6+
as White's two saving ideas are ¢e7 51.£g5+ ¢e8 The checks
incredibly difficult to find. You finished and White resigned.
can test yourself here, try to save t
he game for White!Before
proceeding it's worth pointing out
the easiest way to win, which was
44...Qc3! (tying down White to

23
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

15 where concrete calculation was

2. Conversion of an Advantage unnecessary (there are no tactics
Capablanca vs. Ragozin #1 here, so he only made sure that he
could achieve the envisioned set-
XIIIIIIIIY up) , Capablanca was thinking in
8-+-+-mk-+0 terms of where to best position his
7tr-zp-+pzp-0 pieces. This is useful thinking not
only in endgames as it gives you
6-+-+l+-zp0 an idea of how to improve your
5+-+-+-+-0 position.Another important aspect
4-+-+-+-+0 o f Cap ab l anca's s t yle, cl earl y
3zP-+-+N+P0 vi sib l e in t hi s examp le, is th e
2-zP-+-zPP+0 manner in which he converted his
1+-tR-+-mK-0[ advantage, namely by 'relentless
xabcdefghy elevation'. This term was coined
by GM Matthew Sadler and WIM
Another famous position thanks to Natasha Regan in their book
the book 'Endgame Strategy' by 'Chess for Life', and it basically
Shereshevsky. White is a pawn up means taking all your pieces and
and has a winning advantage as shoving them up the board until
Black has no compensation for the the op ponent's pieces h ave n o
ma t e r i a l d e f i c i t . C a p a b l a n c a room left! (As Matthew kindly
himself wrote about this endgame, explained, the term 'elevation' was
and it is instructive to note what first used by Alexander Shashin in
he thought about it.He wrote that his book 'Best Play: A New
White plans to stop the advance of Me t h o d t o F i n d t h e St r on g e s t
Bl ac k ' s c -p awn ( p r op h yl ac t i c Move').This method of converting
thinking!) and wants to place his an advantage is quite effective as
pieces on the following squares: it eliminates all possible
the knight on d4, the rook on c3 counterplay because it simply gets
(to defend the pawn on a3) , the rid of all the opponent's pieces
pawns on b4 and f4, and the king that stand in the way.How di d
on e3 . Thus, he further wrote, Capablanca start with his plan?
White would control the whole 33.¤d4 Capablanca follows his
fifth rank (note how Capablanca plan. ¦b7 34.b4 Defending the
thinks in terms of space!) and can pawn and continuing with the plan.
then think about how to advance Another idea is to capture on e6
on the queenside.In a position

24
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

which should also win. ¥d7 35.f4 Now that the black king was
Opening the path for the king. forced back, White continues with
his plan.

16
2. Conversion of an Advantage 17
Capablanca vs. Ragozin #2 2. Conversion of an Advantage
Capablanca vs. Ragozin #3
XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-+-+-+0{ XIIIIIIIIY
7tr-zplmkpzp-0 8-+-+-+-+0
6-+-+-+-zp0 7+-zplmkpzp-0
5+-+-+-+-0 6-+-+-+-zp0
4-zP-sN-zP-+0 5+-+-+-+-0
3zP-tR-+-+P0 4rzP-sN-zP-+0
2-+-+-mKP+0 3zP-+RmK-+P0
1+-+-+-+-0 2-+-+-+P+0
xabcdefghy 1+-+-+-+-0[
xabcdefghy
37...¢d6 How did Capablanca
maximise his chances and 40.¢e4 What strong retort does
minimise his opponent's here? Black have in response to White's
38.¦d3 A characteristic moment. further centralisation? c5 41.bxc5
It was entirely possible to play ¥c6+ (with ...Bxg2 next), made
the planned 38.Ke3 , but possible by Black's last move 39...
Capablanca takes the opportunity Ra 4 s i n ce t he k n i g h t o n d 4 i s
to worsen his opponent's position pinned.This line shows us what
first, by forcing the king to go Capablanca meant when he
back, before proceeding with his mentioned, in the beginning, the
plan. No 'detail' was too small for importance of stopping th e
Capablanca's technique. He took advance of Black's c-pawn. You
every p os s i bl e o pp ort u ni t y t o can also see how careful he was in
maximise his chances and detecting his opponent's ideas and
mi n i mi s e h i s op p on e nt ' s . ¢e7 how precise he was in thwarting
In case of 38...Kd5 White collects them.
more material after 39.Nb5 Kc4
40.Rxd7 Kxb5 41.Rxf7 . 39.¢e3

25
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

18 Bl ac k' s bl o ck a d e o n t h e l i g h t
2. Conversion of an Advantage squares is to use the knight to
Capablanca vs. Ragozin #4 dislodge the rook from a4. This
can be done either from c3 or c5
XIIIIIIIIY (or b2, but that square is difficult
8-+-+-+-+0{ to reach). This seems impossible
7+-zplmkpzp-0 at first sight, as it appears that co
ming to c3 loses the pawn on a3
6-+-+-+-zp0 while going to c5 doesn't look
5+-+-+-+-0 achievable, but Capablanca
4rzP-sN-zP-+0 ca l cu l at e d a c o u p l e o f ' s ma l l '
3zP-tR-mK-+P0 details that make it all work like cl
2-+-+-+P+0 o c k w o r k . Th i s i s al s o a g o o d
1+-+-+-+-0 opportunity for you to test
xabcdefghy yourself - can you see how
C a pa b l a n ca ma k es t h e k n i g h t
42...¢d6 A critical moment in the tran s fer work? g6 Black takes
game. White achieved his desired control over the f5-square.
set-up, but how to make further 44.¦d3+ The one-move long
progress. How to move forward? variations that Capablanca had to
Can you think of a constructive see are ¢e7 45.¤c3
p l a n f o r W h i t e ? 43.¤e2 M i s s i o n a c c o mp l i s h e d a s t h e
The most difficult move of this pawn on a3 is taboo in view of the
endgame. White advanced discovered attack Nd5 that comes
according to his plan but Black w i t h c h e c k . A n d
also set up his defences, and his @@StartFEN@@8/2pb1p2/
blockade on the queenside doesn't 3k2pp/8/rP3P2/P2RK2P/4N1P1/8
allow White to advance his pawns. b - - 1 3@@EndFEN@@ 44.. .
It often happens that in order to Kc6 45.b5 , winning the bishop on
move forward, it is necessary to d7.
temporarily disrupt the perfect
harmony of a position because the
pieces are needed on other squares 19
f ro m wh er e t h ey c a n b e mo r e 2. Conversion of an Advantage
effective. That is the case here - in Capablanca vs. Ragozin #5
o rd e r t o mov e f o rwa rd Wh i t e
needs to get his queenside pawns 43...¥f5 Black prevents the check
moving.The only way to break fro m d 3 as i t ha pp en ed i n th e

26
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-+-+-+0{ 8-+-+-+-+0{
7+-zpl+pzp-0 7+-zpl+p+-0
6-+-mk-+-zp0 6-+-mk-+pzp0
5+-+-+-+-0 5+-+-+-+-0
4rzP-+-zP-+0 4rzP-+-zP-+0
3zP-tR-mK-+P0 3zP-+RmK-+P0
2-+-+N+P+0 2-+-+N+P+0
1+-+-+-+-0 1+-+-+-+-0
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
game, but how can White 46.¤f4+ ¢e7 47.¤d5+ ¢f8
respond? 44.g4 ¥b1 45.¤d4 A king move to the d-file 47...Kd6
The knight returns to d4 with the or 47...Kd8 will be met by 48.Nf6
threat of Nb5, using the fact that . 48.¤xc7 Obtains two connected
the bishop no longer controls the passed pawns on the queenside
light squares on the queenside. with a straight-forward win.
Af t e r a f u r t h e r ¢d7 46.¤b3
The knight again finds its way to
c5. 21
2. Conversion of an Advantage
Capablanca vs. Ragozin #7
20
2. Conversion of an Advantage
Capablanca vs. Ragozin #6 (Diagram)

45.¢d4 With the game move

(Diagram) Black got an unexpected chance
to save the game. Can you see it
44...¢e6 In this position White a n d c a l c u l a t e t h e l i n e s ? ¥b5
has a tactical possibility that wins Black had to go after the knight
by force. Can you find it? 45.f5+ on e2 with this skewer. The
gxf5 It should be noted if Black tactical justification is seen after
avoids capturing the f-pawn: 45... 46.¦e3+ ¢d6 47.¤c3
Ke7 46.Nc3 Ra7 47.Nd5+ Kf8 48. When it seems Whi te is just
fxg6 fxg6 49.Kd4 Where we will wi n n i n g , b u t Ca pa b l an c a wa s
use our majority on the queenside. right - the c-pawn had to be

27
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY ¢d6 47.¤c3

8-+-+-+-+0 Mission accomplished. The pawn
7+-zpl+p+-0 on a3 is taboo in view of the
discovered attack Ne4+, and with
6-+-+k+pzp0 the knight on c3 controlling the
5+-+-+-+-0 light squares on the queenside, the
4rzP-+-zP-+0 pawns can start marching forward.
3zP-+RmK-+P0 From this moment onwards you
2-+-+N+P+0 can witness Capablanca's
1+-+-+-+-0[ 'relentless elevation.' As a
xabcdefghy sidenote, I found it satisfying that
White started from one
stopped at all cost! Now Black has aesthetically pleasing position on
c5+ And he draws after 48.¢e4 move 43 and maneuv ered to
¥c6+ 49.¢d3 ¦xa3 another aest het ically pl easin g
position four moves later with the
three pieces changing the squares
22 they stand on!
2. Conversion of an Advantage
Capablanca vs. Ragozin #8
23
XIIIIIIIIY 2. Conversion of an Advantage
8-+-+-+-+0{ Capablanca vs. Ragozin #9
7+-zpl+p+-0
6-+-+k+pzp0 (Diagram)
5+-+-+-+-0
4rzP-mK-zP-+0 51...¥g8 How did Capablanca
3zP-+R+-+P0 convert the advantage? 52.¤b5+
2-+-+N+P+0 Connected with the next move, a
1+-+-+-+-0 typical method of conversion of
xabcdefghy the adv an t age by Capabl an ca.
There was nothing wrong with
45...¦a6 How did Capablanca advancing the a-pawn with a4, but
f i n a l i s e h i s p l a n ? 46.¦e3+ the moment he is given a chance,
Things fall into place now. This is he immediately (and by force)
an important check to finalise the switches the direction of the
plan of the knight transfer to c3. at tack to th e o th er s i de o f th e

28
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8r+-+-+-+0{ 8r+-+-+l+0{
7+-+-+-+-0 7+-+-+-+-0
6-+Pmkl+pzp0 6-+k+-+pzp0
5+-+-+p+-0 5+N+-+p+-0
4-mK-+-zP-+0 4-mK-+-zP-+0
3zP-sN-tR-+P0 3zP-+R+-+P0
2-+-+-+P+0 2-+-+-+P+0
1+-+-+-+-0 1+-+-+-+-0
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
board. He temporarily 'forgets'
about his extra passed pawn on
the a-file and starts an attack on th 25
e defenceless kingside pawns . 2. Conversion of an Advantage
¢xc6 53.¦d3 Capablanca put it Capablanca vs. Ragozin #11
most eloquently himself: 'I
ma n eu v er u n t i l I wi n a n ot h e r XIIIIIIIIY
pawn.' The kingside pawns cannot 8-+-+-trl+0{
be saved. ¥d5 54.¦xd5 7+k+-+-+-0
Wins a piece thanks to the fork on
c7 after ¢xd5 55.¤c7+
6-+-+-+-+0
White wins material. 5+N+-+ptR-0
4-mK-+-+-+0
3zP-+-+-+P0
24 2-+-+-+P+0
2. Conversion of an Advantage 1+-+-+-+-0
Capablanca vs. Ragozin #10 xabcdefghy
57...f4 Black tries the same idea
(Diagram) me n t i o n e d i n t h e c o mme n t t o
White's 55th move of putting a
53...¥f7 Why was defending the pawn on f4 and perhaps trying to
pawn on g6 with 53... Bf7 not an exchange pawns by pushing ...f3.
option for Black? 54.¦d6+ ¢b7 How did Capablanca prevent this?
55.¦d7+ Drops the bishop. 58.¤d4 The last instructive
moment in this game. I have the

29
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

impression that Capablanca himself wrote about this endgame,

played this move a-tempo - he saw and it is instructive to note what
the threat of ...f3 and he simply he thought about it.He wrote that
prevented it. His innate sense of White plans to stop the advance of
prophylaxis was never idle. It is Bl ac k ' s c -p awn ( p r o p h yl ac t i c
curious that when commenting on thinking!) and wants to place his
this game he preferred the move pieces on the following squares:
58.a4 , bu t we can learn much the knight on d4, the rook on c3
more about his playing algorithm (to defend the pawn on a3) , the
and decision-making processes pawns on b4 and f4, and the king
from his actual choices during the on e3 . Thus, he furth er wrote,
game than from the comment s White would control the whole
written many days after the game fifth rank (note how Capablanca
finished. thinks in terms of space!) and can
then think about how to advance
on the queenside.In a position
26 where concrete calculation was
2. Conversion of an Advantage unnecessary (there are no tactics
Capablanca,Jose Raul vs. Ragozi here, so he only made sure that he
could achieve the envisioned set-
XIIIIIIIIY up) , Capablanca was thinking in
8-+-+-mk-+0 terms of where to best position his
7tr-zp-+pzp-0 pieces. This is useful thinking not
only in endgames as it gives you
6-+-+l+-zp0 an idea of how to improve your
5+-+-+-+-0 position.Another important aspect
4-+-+-+-+0 o f Cap ab l anca's s t yle, cl earl y
3zP-+-+N+P0 vi sib l e in t hi s examp le, is th e
2-zP-+-zPP+0 manner in which he converted his
1+-tR-+-mK-0[ advantage, namely by 'relentless
xabcdefghy elevation'. This term was coined
by GM Matthew Sadler and WIM
Another famous position thanks to Natasha Regan in their book
the book 'Endgame Strategy' by 'Chess for Life', and it basically
Shereshevsky. White is a pawn up means taking all your pieces and
and has a winning advantage as shoving them up the board until
Black has no compensation for the the op ponent's pieces h ave n o
ma t e r i a l d e f i c i t . C a p a b l a n c a room left! (As Matthew kindly

30
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

explained, the term 'elevation' was move is a prophylactic one .

first used by Alexander Shashin in Capablanca himself gave the line
his book 'Best Play: A New he was trying to prevent with this
Me t h o d t o F i nd t h e St r on ge s t move. In case of a further
Move').This method of converting centralisation with 40.Ke4?!
an advantage is quite effective as Black has the strong retort 40...
it eliminates all possible c5! 41.bxc5 Bc6 (with ...Bxg2
counterplay because it simply gets next), made possible by Black's
rid of all the opponent's pieces l a s t mo v e 3 9 . . . R a4 s i n c e t h e
t h a t s t a n d i n t h e w a y . 33.¤d4 knight on d4 is pinned.This line
Capablanca follows his plan. ¦b7 shows us what Capablanca meant
34.b4 Defending the pawn and when he mentioned, in the
co nt i n u i n g wi th th e p la n . ¥d7 b eg i n n i n g , t h e i m p o r t a nc e o f
35.f4 Opening the path for the stopping the advance of Black's c-
king. ¢e7 36.¢f2 ¦a7 37.¦c3 pawn. You can also see how
All part of the plan. ¢d6 38.¦d3 careful he was in detecting his
A characteristic moment. It was opponent's ideas and how precise
entirely possible to play the he was in thwarting them. ¢d6
planned 38. Ke3, but Capablanca 41.¦d3 The same idea as three
takes the opportunity to worsen moves earlier, Capablanca forces
his opponent's position first, by the king to go back. ¢e7 42.¦c3
forcing the king to go back, before Repetition of moves, usually used
p ro c e e d i n g wi t h h i s p l a n . N o to reach the time control or to
'detail' was too small for gain 30-seconds on the clock in
Capablanca's technique. He took modern times. However, there is a
every p os s i bl e o pp ort u ni t y t o psychological moment when it
maximise his chances and comes to repetition of moves in
mi n i mi s e h i s op p on e nt ' s . ¢e7 superior positions. In Soviet literat
In case of 38...Kd5 White collects ure it was lauded as good practice
more material after 39.Nb5 Kc4 when converting an advantage,
40.Rxd7 Kxb5 41.Rxf7 . 39.¢e3 but in my own practice I realised
Now that the black king was that things are not as
forced back, White continues with st rai ght forward as they ma y
his plan. ¦a4 40.¦c3 appear at first sight.Further
An aesthetically pleasing position deliberations on the subject led
and another important moment. me to realise that there are two
While on the surface it completes t yp e s o f pl a ye rs . P l aye r s l i k e
White's envisioned set-up, this Capablanca and Karpov (for

31
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

examp le) enjoyed rep eating p e r s o n a l l y . ¢d6 A critical

moves. It gave them a sense of moment in the game. White
superiority, as if they were achieved his desired set-up, but
playing cat-and-mouse with their how to make further progress .
opponent. They felt comfortable How to move forward? Can you
repeating moves and were doing think of a constructive plan for
so whenever possible.Other White? 43.¤e2 The most
players (like yours truly) feel very difficult move of this endgame.
uncomfortable repeating moves. White advanced according to his
The repetition feels like a sign of i pl an bu t Bl ack als o set up hi s
ndecisiveness, of not knowing defences, and his blockade on the
what to do next. It also feels like g queenside doesn't allow White to
iving the opponent quick and free advance his pawns. It often
moves (since in an inferior happens th at i n o rder to mov e
position the opponent is not forward, it is necessary to
ag ai n s t a d r aw s o th e y re p ea t temporarily disrupt the perfect
quickly). I became aware that the harmony of a position because the
repetition of moves often would pieces are needed on other squares
break my usual playing rhythm of f ro m wh er e t h ey c a n b e mo r e
going forward and would confuse effective. That is the case here - in
me. So once I understood all of o rd e r t o mov e f o rwa rd Wh i t e
the ab o ve I s topped repeat ing needs to get his queenside pawns
moves unless I badly needed to moving.The only way to break
gain time on the clock.Another Bl ac k' s bl o ck a d e o n t h e l i g h t
thing I noted was that players with squares is to use the knight to
a straight-forward and forceful dislodge the rook from a4. This
technique (like Fischer) never can be done either from c3 or c5
repeated moves and were very (or b2, but that square is difficult
direct when converting an to reach). This seems impossible
advantage; without makin g at first sight, as it appears that co
superfluous moves. There is no ming to c3 loses the pawn on a3
right or wrong when it comes to a while going to c5 doesn't look
repetition of mov es in such achievable, but Capablanca
situ at io ns . What i s important , ca l cu l at e d a c o u p l e o f ' s ma l l '
however, is to understand in details that make it all work like cl
which category of players you fall o c k w o r k . Th i s i s al s o a g o o d
so that you can take the approach opportunity for you to test
that is most comfortable to you yourself - can you see how

32
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

C a pa b l a n ca ma k es t h e k ni g h t attack Nd5 that comes with check)

tran s fer work? g6 Black takes and 44...Kc6 45.b5 , winning the
control over the f5-square. In case bi sh op on d7 . In this p osi t io n
of 43...Bb5 (intending to take the White has a tactical possibility
knight on e2), the knight finds the that wins by force. Can you find
route to c5 to dislodge the rook it? 45.¢d4 Capablanca follows
from a4 with 44.Ng3! with the h is p l an, b ut h ere h e mi ss es a
idea of Ne4-c5 and at the same tactical possibility for himself
time threatening Nf5, a check and and for his opponent,
an attack on the pawn on g7. A unfortunately an occasional
simple, one-move long variation, occurrence in his games. The idea
b u t a c ru c ia l on e t o s e e whe n of the move is to play Kc5 or to
deciding upon 43. Ne2. Another finish the transfer of the knight to
try for Black is 43...Bf5 c3, as we shall see in the game.
(preventing the check from d3 as What Capablanca missed was the
it happened in the game), but then tactical shot 45.f5! gxf5 46.Nf4
after 44.g4 Bb1 45.Nd4! the Ke7 47.Nd5 Kf8 48.Nxc7 , which
k n i g h t r et u r n s t o d 4 w i t h t h e ob tai n s two co n n ected p ass ed
threat of Nb5, using the fact that pawns on the queenside with a
the bishop no longer controls the straight-forward wi n.Wit h th e
light squares on the queenside. game move Black got an
After a further 45...Kd7 46.Nb3! unexpected chance to save the
the knight again finds its way to game. Can you see it and calculate
c5. 44.¦d3+ The key move that the lines? ¦a6 Ragozin misses his
glues White's ideas together. Now chance. Black had to go after the
wh ere v e r t he bl ack k i ng goe s knight on e2 with the skewer 45...
White uses it to his advantage. Bb5! The tactical justification is
Note that the move 44.Kd4 runs seen after 46.Re3 Kd6 47.Nc3 ,
into 44...c5! (remember when it seems White is just
Capablanca's warning against the wi n n i n g , b u t Ca pa b l an c a wa s
advance of the c-pawn?) 45.Rxc5 right - the c-pawn had to be
Rxa3 with a favourable stopped at all cost! Now Black has
trans formation for Bl ack. ¢e6 47...c5! and he draws after 48.Ke4
The one-move long variations that Bc6 49.Kd3 Rxa3 . The second
Capablanca had to see are 44... variation that White can try is 45...
Ke7 45.Nc3! (mission Bb5! 46.Nc3 , but after 46...Bxd3
accomplished as the pawn on a3 is 47.Nxa4 Bf1 Black regains the
taboo in view of the discovered pawn and should draw. 46.¦e3+

33
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

Things fall into place now. This is (and by force) switches the
an important check to finalise the direction of the attack to the other
plan of the knight transfer to c3. side of the board. He temporarily
¢d6 47.¤c3 'forgets' about his extra passed
Mission accomplished. The pawn pawn on the a-file and starts an
on a3 is taboo in view of the attack on the defenceless kingside
discovered attack Ne4+, and with pawns. ¢xc6 53.¦d3
the knight on c3 controlling the Capablanca put it most eloquently
light squares on the queenside, the himself: 'I maneuver until I win
pawns can start marching forward. another pawn.' The kingside
From this moment onwards you p a w n s c a n n o t b e s a v e d . g5
can witness Capablanca's Two short variations that had to
'relentless elevation.'As a be seen: 53...Bd5 54.Rxd5! wins a
sidenote, I found it satisfying that piece thanks to th e fork on c7
White started from one after 54...Kxd5 55.Nc7 , and
aesthetically pleasing position on defending the pawn on g6 with
move 43 and maneuv ered to 53...Bf7 drops the bishop to 54.
another aest het ically pl easing Rd6 Kb7 55.Rd7 . 54.¦d6+ ¢b7
position four moves later with the 55.fxg5 Even in completely
three pieces changing the squares winning positi ons Capablanca
they stand on! f5 Preventing the pays att ention to co unterplay,
knight from coming to e4 and then even if that counterplay doesn't
to c5. 48.b5 Crossing the equator. b r i n g mu c h . F o r e x a mp l e , h e
¦a8 Of course, taking on a3 loses doesn't take on h6 here in order
t h e r o o k t o N e 4 . 49.¢c4 not to allow 55.Rxh6 gxf4 , which
The king moves to b4 to support pins down the pawn on g2 when
the ad vance o f t he pawns. All Black threatens ...Bd5. White is
pieces should advance together. still easily winning after 56.Rg6 ,
¥e6+ 50.¢b4 c5+ Black prefers but it's notable that Capablanca
to do something rather than wait a v o i d e d t h i s . hxg5 56.¦g6
t o b e r u n o v e r . 51.bxc6 ¥g8 Wh i t e w i n s t h e g 5 - p a w n . ¦f8
52.¤b5+ Connected with the next 57.¦xg5 f4 Black tries the same
move, a typical method of idea mentioned in the comment to
conversion of the advantage by White's 55th move of putting a
Capablanca. There was nothing pawn on f4 and perhaps trying to
wrong with advancing the a-pawn exchange pawns by pushing ...f3.
wi t h a4, bu t t he moment he i s 58.¤d4 The last instructive
given a chance, he immediately moment in this game. I have the

34
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

impression that Capablanca XIIIIIIIIY

played this move a-tempo - he saw 8-+-+-+k+0{
the threat of ...f3 and he simply 7+-+-+p+-0
prevented it. His innate sense of
prophylaxis was never idle. It is
6-+r+p+p+0
curious that when commenting on 5+-+p+n+-0
this game he preferred the move 4-+-zP-+-zp0
58.a4 , bu t we can learn much 3+P+-+-+P0
more about his playing algorithm 2-+-tRNzPP+0
and decision-making processes 1+-+-+-mK-0
from his actual choices during the xabcdefghy
game than from the comment s
written many days after the game was relatively balanced. In this
finished. ¦c8 59.¦g7+ ¢b6 g a me L as k e r h ad a p r o mi s i n g
60.¦g6+ Improving the position middlegame but misplayed it and
o f t h e r o ok wi t h t e mp o - i t i s then the game gradually started to
better placed on the sixth rank g o Cap ab la nca 's wa y. Bl ac k ' s
than on the fifth. ¢b7 61.¤b5 advantage in this endgame
Impro v i n g th e po s i t ion of th e consists of White's lack of
knight with tempo, threatening mobility because he has to defend
Nd6. ¦f8 62.¤d6+ ¢b8 63.h4 h i s we ak p a wns o n d 4 a n d b 3
Ragozin finally resigned as the h- while Black can maneuver freely.
pawn runs fast and the a-pawn can What makes the remainder of the
join at any moment. Notice how g a me s p e ci a l i s t h e e a s e wi t h
Black's pieces are forced down to which Capablanca wins it against
the last rank and White's are still g the reigning World Champion.
oing towards them - the elevation What I personally find impressive
was indeed relentless! is that literally every single move
by Capablanca is accurate and at
the same time easily understood. It
27 is a classical example of how to
2. Conversion of an Advantage co nv e rt an ad v a n t a g e wh e n i t
Lasker vs. Capablanca #1 appears that the opponent can just
sit and wait. So, what would you
This position is from the 10t h p l a y h e r e f o r B l a c k ? 35...¦b6
game of the match Lasker- The first precise move. The idea is
Capablanca. Capablanca was to make the white rook passive by
leading by a point and the match tying it down to the defence of the

35
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

weak pawns on d4 and b3. Note while the knight on e2 covers both
how careful Capablanca is not to the pawn on d4 and the one on g3.
allow any counterplay: the hasty What did Capablanca play? hxg3
35...Ra6?! would allow 38.fxg3 ¦a2 Activating the rook
counterplay after 36.Rb2! with tempo by attacking the
f o l l o w e d b y b 4 . 36.¦d3 knight on e2. Along the second
The rook occupies the d3-square rank, the rook can also control
from where it defends both White's passed b-pawn by
weaknesses. Putting it behind the attacking it from behind from the
passed b-pawn loses the d4-pawn b2-square. 39.¤c3 Lasker doesn't
a f t e r 3 6 . R b 2 R b 4 . ¦a6 want to pin himself voluntarily by
Only now, when there is no Rb2, putting his king on f2 and moves
does Capablanca activate his rook t h e k n i g h t . W h e r e wo u l d yo u
along the open a-file. move with the rook now? An d
why? ¦c2 Another precise move
by Capablanca. Can you see
28 which threat it creates? The threat
2. Conversion of an Advantage is ...Nxd4, so White is forced to
Lasker vs. Capablanca #2 move the knight again.This aspect,
of always looking for ways how to
XIIIIIIIIY go forward and to make that
8-+-+-+k+0 forward progress smooth, is
7+-+-+p+-0 another typical characteristic of
Capablanca's play. And, as usual,
6r+-+p+p+0 it is substantiated with precise
5+-+p+n+-0 calculation of short lines.
4-+-zP-+-zp0
3+P+R+-+P0
2-+-+NzPP+0 29
1+-+-+-mK-0[ 2. Conversion of an Advantage
xabcdefghy Lasker vs. Capablanca #3

37.g4 Lasker's idea is to get rid of

the pawn on h4 that pins down his (Diagram)
kingside structure and then aim
for sort of a fortress. The rook on 40.¤d1 With the knight on d1
d3 defends everything along the Lasker stays true to the fortress-
third rank and the pawn on d4, like defence he is attempting to

36
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY passed pawn as in the line

8-+-+-+k+0 indicated by Capablanca in 'Chess
7+-+-+p+-0 Fundamentals' after 41.b4 Rc1
followed by ...Rb1 White loses the
6-+-+p+p+0 pawn on b4. Another short and
5+-+p+n+-0 simple variation that needed to be
4-+-zP-+-+0 seen. ¦c1+ The alternative was to
3+PsNR+-zPP0 g o 4 1 .. . R b 2 , b ut C a p a b l a n c a
2-+r+-+-+0 n ev er l ik ed to wa s te t i me. He
1+-+-+-mK-0[ escapes with tempo and proceeds
xabcdefghy with his knight transfer. 42.¢f2
¤c6 The knight reached the c6-
mou nt . Ho w does B lack mak e square. White now has to deal
progress now? ¤e7 A difficult with threats like ...Nb4 (chasing
move. It takes deep understanding the rook from d3) followed by ...
to realise that the wonderful Rc3, or ...Na5 and ...Rb1
knight on f5 that attacks the (attacking the b3-pawn). 43.¤d1
pawns on g3 and d4 and keeps the A cunning trap by Lasker! It
rook passive on d3 needs to be appears that now Black can win
relocated. As always, Capablanca the b3-pawn after 43...Nb4 44.
is concret e in findi ng ways t o Rd2 Rb1 . What did Capablanca
make progress. The knight on f5 play instead? ¦b1 Not falling for
was pretty, but Black's position the trap that we'll see in the next v
reached maximum activity, so a ariation.
rearrangement of pieces was
necessary for further improvement
of the position. He noticed that 30
the knight from c6 is no less 2. Conversion of an Advantage
active but is much more efficient Lasker vs. Capablanca #4
as Black starts a combined attack
on the pawns on b3 and d4 - from
c6 the k n ig h t s t il l at t acks th e (Diagram)
pawn on d4, but it can also come
to a5 (to attack the pawn on b3) or 44...¦b1 @@StartFEN@@6k1/
to b4 (to remove the rook from 5p2/2n1p1p1/3p4/3P4/1P1R2PP/
d3) . White cannot find a defence 5 K 2 / 2 r N 4 b - - 1 0
against these combined attacks. 9@@EndFEN@@ It appears that
41.¤e3 White couldn't push the Black can win a pawn by 43...Nb4

37
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-+-+k+0{ 8-+-+-+k+0
7+-+-+p+-0 7+-+-+p+-0
6-+-+p+p+0 6-+n+p+p+0
5+-+p+-+-0 5+-+p+-+-0
4-sn-zP-+-+0 4-+-zP-+-+0
3+P+-+-zPP0 3+P+R+-zPP0
2-+-tR-mK-+0 2-+-+-mK-+0
1+-trN+-+-0 1+r+N+-+-0[
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
44.Rd2 Rb1 and the pawn on b3 ending here? ¤a5 45.¢d2 ¦xb3
falls, but White had a great saving 46.¦xb3 ¤xb3+ With a knight
r e s o u r c e i n m i n d . 45.¤b2 ending that he considered as
Lasker saw that he can actually winning for Black even though he
'fall into the trap' with 45.Nb2! all admitted that the win would not
owing the tactic ¦xb2 46.¦xb2 be that easy to achieve.
¤d3+ When Black wins a piece,
but in fact, he continued the line
and saw that after 47.¢e2 ¤xb2 32
48.¢d2 The knight on b2 is 2. Conversion of an Advantage
trapped, and the ensuing pawn Lasker vs. Capablanca #6
endgame is drawn! An ingenious
defence, only that it didn't work
against the ingenious player (Diagram)
playing with the black pieces.
45.¢e3 Now Black should decide
whether he should exchange the
31 rooks or not. What do you think?
2. Conversion of an Advantage ¦b4 A good decision. Capablanca
Lasker vs. Capablanca #5 again compares both options and
chooses the one with easier
progress - with the rooks on board
(Diagram) he can more easily improve his
position because his rook is the
44.¢e1 How could Black reach a more active one as White's must
difficult bu t winning knight stay on d3 to protect the pawn on

38
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY fortress we mentioned earlier -

8-+-+-+k+0 White has everything defended
7+-+-+p+-0 n o w t w i c e . ¤f5+ 48.¢f2 g5
Black activates his pawns an d
6-+n+p+p+0 prevents h4, which would slow
5+-+p+-+-0 d o w n B l a c k ' s a d v a n c e . 49.g4
4-+-zP-+-+0 Whit e ch ases away the kn i gh t
3+r+R+-zPP0 from f5, but it only finds a better s
2-+-+K+-+0 q u a r e o n e 4 . ¤d6 50.¤g1
1+-+N+-+-0[ Th i s w a s W h i t e ' s i d e a o n t h e
xabcdefghy p rev i ous mo ve . Si n ce Bl ac k ' s
knight is chased away from f5
d4 an d the pawns on t he th ird (thus not attacking the pawn on d4
rank. anymore), White moves the knight
t o g 1 t o a l l o w f o r N f 3 . ¤e4+
Reaching a great square for the
33 knight.
2. Conversion of an Advantage
Lasker vs. Capablanca #7
34
XIIIIIIIIY 2. Conversion of an Advantage
8-+-+-+k+0 Lasker vs. Capablanca #8
7+-+-+p+-0
6-+n+p+p+0 (Diagram)
5+-+p+-+-0
4-tr-zP-+-+0 61.¦d3 What is Capablanca's idea
3+-+RmK-zPP0 here? ¦f2+ Another characteristic
2-+-+-+-+0 moment for Capablanca. He could
1+-+N+-+-0[ have continued with his plan or
xabcdefghy 61...e5 , and that would have won
without problems, but he foresees
46.¤c3 Where does the knight go that he can play the central push
now that the mission on c6 has in a n e ven mo re fav our abl e
b e e n a c c o m p l i s h e d ? ¤e7 version! 62.¢e1 ¦g2 63.¢f1
The knight returns to f5 - now all ¦a2 Black passed the move to
the action will be on the kingside. Whi t e, s o aft er Whit e' s 64.¦e3
47.¤e2 Lasker retorts to the The white rook doesn't defend the

39
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-+-+-+0 8-+-+-+k+0{
7+-+-+-+-0 7+-+-+p+-0
6-+-mkpzp-+0 6-+r+p+p+0
5+-+p+-zp-0 5+-+p+n+-0
4-+-zPn+P+0 4-+-zP-+-zp0
3+-+-tR-+P0 3+P+-+-+P0
2r+-+-+-+0 2-+-tRNzPP+0
1+-+-+KsN-0[ 1+-+-+-mK-0
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
d 4 - p a w n a n y m o r e , s o e5 g o Cap ab la nca 's wa y. Bl ac k ' s
Now he plays ...e5 with tempo, advantage in this endgame
att ack i n g t h e d 4-p awn. Th es e consists of White's lack of
details and subtleties were mobility because he has to defend
co mmon for Capablanca as h e h i s we ak p a wns o n d 4 a n d b 3
tried to be as precise as possible while Black can maneuver freely.
when converting a winning What makes the remainder of the
position, and no advantage was g a me s p e ci a l i s t h e e a s e wi t h
too small if it could be obtained. which Capablanca wins it against
the reigning World Champion.
What I personally find impressive
35 is that literally every single move
2. Conversion of an Advantage by Capablanca is accurate and at
Lasker,Emanuel vs. Capablan the same time easily understood. It
is a classical example of how to
co nv e rt an ad v a n t a g e wh e n i t
(Diagram) appears that the opponent can just
sit and wait. So, what would you
This position is from the 10t h p l a y h e r e f o r B l a c k ? 35...¦b6
game of the match Lasker- The first precise move. The idea is
Capablanca. Capablanca was to make the white rook passive by
leading by a point and the match tying it down to the defence of the
was relatively balanced. In this weak pawns on d4 and b3. Note
g a me L as k e r h ad a p r o mi s i n g how careful Capablanca is not to
middlegame but misplayed it and allow any counterplay: the hasty
then the game gradually started to 35...Ra6?! would allow

40
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

counterplay after 36.Rb2! black knight and White creates the

f o l l o w e d b y b 4 . 36.¦d3 threat of Rc3, when suddenly it
The rook occupies the d3-square appears that there is no clear way
from where it defends both to continue Black's forward
weaknesses. Putting it behind the progress.This aspect, of always
passed b-pawn loses the d4-pawn looking for ways how to go
a f t e r 3 6 . R b 2 R b 4 . ¦a6 forward and to make that forward
Only now, when there is no Rb2, pro gress smooth, is another
does Capablanca activate his rook typical characteristic of
a l o n g t h e o p e n a - f i l e . 37.g4 Capablanca's play. And, as usual,
Lasker's idea is to get rid of the pa it is substantiated with precise
wn on h4 that pins down his calculation of short lines. 40.¤d1
kingside structure and then aim Lasker decides to keep his pieces
for sort of a fortress. The rook on close. White could have played 40.
d3 defends everything along the Nb 5 , t h e mo ve t ha t b o t h e re d
third rank and the pawn on d4, Black in case of 39... Rb2, but
while the knight on e2 covers both here we see the difference: with
the pawn on d4 and the one on g3. the black rook on the c-file there
hxg3 38.fxg3 ¦a2 Activating the is no threat of Rc3 (because then
rook with tempo by attacking the Black exchanges rooks and wins
knight on e2. Along the second the pawn on d4 or g3) and Black
rank, the rook can also control can continue to go forward with
White's passed b-pawn by 40...g5 and eventually prepare ...
attacking it from behind from the f6 an d ...e5 t o create a p assed
b2-square. 39.¤c3 Lasker doesn't pawn in the centre.Precision in the
want to pin himself voluntarily by endgame mostly means prevention
putting his king on f2 and moves of t he op po nent's cou n t erp l ay
t h e k n i g h t . W he r e wo ul d yo u even if it may appear feeble. The
move with the rook now? And above short lines are what
why? ¦c2 Another precise move Capablanca had to see when
by Capablanca. Can you see deciding on where to put the rook.
which threat it creates? The threat You can notice that he took the
is ...Nxd4, so White is forced to decision by comparing both lines
move the knight again. Notably, (3 9 . .. R b 2 an d 3 9 . . . R c2 ) an d
he didn't play the more primitive chose the more favourable one.
39...Rb2 , attacking the b3-pawn, Dvoretsky called this method the
as then after 40.Nb5 the white method of comparison.With the
knight limits the movement of the knight on d1 Lasker stays true to

41
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

the fortress-like defence he i s with his knight transfer. 42.¢f2

attempting to mount. How does ¤c6 The knight reached the c6-
Black make progress now? ¤e7 square. White now has to deal
A difficult move. It takes deep with threats like ...Nb4 (chasing
understanding to realise that the the rook from d3) followed by ...
wonderful knight on f5 that Rc3, or ...Na5 and ...Rb1
attacks the pawns on g3 and d4 (attacking the b3-pawn). 43.¤d1
and keeps the rook passive on d3 A cunning trap by Lasker! It
needs to be relocated.As always, appears that now Black can win
Capablanca is concrete in finding the b3-pawn after 43...Nb4 44.
ways to make progress. The Rd2 Rb1 . Can you see the World
k n i g h t o n f 5 w a s p r e t t y, b u t Champion's devious defence? ¦b1
Black's position reached Capablanca saw it! It appears that
maximum activity, so a Black can win a pawn by 43...Nb4
rearrangement of pieces was 44.Rd2 Rb1 and the pawn on b3
necessary for further improvement falls, but White had a great saving
of the position. He noticed that resource in mind. Lasker saw that
the knight from c6 is no less he can actually 'fall into the trap'
active but is much more efficient with 45.Nb2! allowing the tactic
as Black starts a combined attack 4 5 ... Rx b2 46 .R xb 2 Nd3 wh e n
on the pawns on b3 and d4 - from Black wins a piece, but in fact, he
c6 the k n ig h t s t il l at t acks th e continued the line and saw that
pawn on d4, but it can also come after 47.Ke2 Nxb2 48.Kd2 the
to a5 (to attack the pawn on b3) or knight on b2 is trapped, and the
to b4 (to remove the rook from ensuing pawn endgame is drawn!
d3). White cannot find a defence An ingenious defence, only that it
against these combined attacks. didn't work against the ingenious
41.¤e3 White couldn't push the p l ayer p l a yi ng wi th t he b l ac k
passed pawn as in the line pieces. By playing 43...Rb1 Black
indicated by Capablanca in 'Chess now threatens the simple ...Na5 to
Fundamentals' after 41.b4 Rc1 win the pawn on b3 without any
followed by ...Rb1 White loses the c o m p e n s a t i o n . 44.¢e2
pawn on b4. Another short and White couldn't defend the pawn
simple variation that needed to be anymore, for example A) 44.Ke3
seen. ¦c1+ The alternative was to Nb4 B) 44.Ne3 Rb2 45.Kf1 Na5 ,
g o 4 1 .. . R b 2 , b ut C a p a b l a nc a C) or the line given by
n ever l ik ed to wa ste t i me. He Capablanca in 'Chess
escapes with tempo and proceeds Fundamentals' 44.Ke1 Na5 45.

42
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

Kd2 Rxb3 46.Rxb3 Nxb3 with a t o g 1 t o a l l o w f o r N f 3 . ¤e4+

knight ending that he considered 51.¢f1 ¦b1+ Black improves the
as winning for Black even though position of his rook with tempo.
he admitted that the win would 52.¢g2 ¦b2+ 53.¢f1 ¦f2+
not be that easy to achieve. ¦xb3 Capablanca l iked t o enjoy hi s
An elementary forking tactic that position when he was winning.
w i n s a p a w n . 45.¢e3 This check doesn't do anything,
Now Black should decide whether but Capablanca didn't mind
he should exchange the rooks or making a few extra moves.
n o t . W h a t d o y o u t h i n k ? ¦b4 54.¢e1 ¦a2 55.¢f1 So White is
A g o o d d ec i s i o n . C ap a b l a nc a completely passive and tied down.
again compares both options and How to finally wrap up the game?
chooses the one with easier ¢g7 A characteristic moment.
progress - with the rooks on board This move indicates that
he can more easily improve his Capablanca already relaxed
position because his rook is the somewhat as he made a move that
more active one as White's must i s c o n n e ct ed wi t h t h e pl a n o f
stay on d3 to protect the pawn on advancing with ...Kg6 and ...f5,
d4 an d the pawns on t he th ird but two moves later he changed
rank. 46.¤c3 ¤e7 his mind. Luckily White couldn't
After accomplishing the mission do much about this hesitation.
on c6 the knight returns to f5 - 56.¦e3 ¢g6 57.¦d3 f6
now all the action will be on the Here Capablanca probably
kingside. 47.¤e2 Lasker retorts realised that he didn't like 57...f5
t o t h e f o r t r e s s w e me n t i o n e d because of 58.Nf3 , when the e5-
earlier - White now has everything s q u a re i s t a r g e t e d b y W h i t e ' s
defended twice. ¤f5+ 48.¢f2 g5 knight, so he changes his plan to
Black activates his pawns and push ...e5 instead. 58.¦e3 ¢f7
prevents h4, which would slow The king goes to d6 to support the
d o w n B l a c k ' s a d v a n c e . 49.g4 passed d-pawn that will be created
Whit e ch ases away the kni gh t after Black pushes ...e5 and
from f5, but it only finds a better s White's d4-pawn is exchanged for
q u a r e o n e 4 . ¤d6 50.¤g1 Bl ac k 's e-p a wn . 59.¦d3 ¢e7
Th i s w a s W h i t e ' s i d e a o n t h e 60.¦e3 ¢d6 61.¦d3 ¦f2+
p rev i ous mo ve . Si nce Bl ac k 's Another characteristic moment for
knight is chased away from f5 Capablanca. He could have
(thus not attacking the pawn on d4 continued with his plan or 61...e5 ,
anymore), White moves the knight and that would have won without

43
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

problems, but he foresees that he XIIIIIIIIY

can play the central push in an 8r+-+-trk+0
even more favourable version! So 7zpp+-wqpzpp0
what is his idea? 62.¢e1 ¦g2
63.¢f1 ¦a2 Black passed the
6-+-+l+-+0
move to White, so after White's 5+-zp-+-+-0
64.¦e3 The white rook doesn't 4-+-+-+-+0
defend the d4-pawn anymore, so 3+-+-zPQzP-0
e5 Now he plays ...e5 with tempo, 2PzP-+-zPLzP0
att ack i n g t h e d 4-p awn. Th es e 1tR-+-+RmK-0[
details and subtleties were xabcdefghy
co mmon for Capablanca as h e
tried to be as precise as possible majority can be advanced more
when converting a winning easily than White's central
position, and no advantage was ma j o r i t y. S t i l l , t h e ma r g i n o f
too small if it could be obtained. safety for White is quite large,
65.¦d3 Defending the pawn on d4, and he shouldn't have problems to
but now everything comes with hold a draw. In fact, White can
tempo. exd4 66.¦xd4 ¢c5 practically force a draw by force
Again with tempo. 67.¦d1 d4 in this position. Can you find this
68.¦c1+ ¢d5 Total domination forced solution? 16.£xb7 £xb7
for Black and Lasker finally 17.¥xb7 ¦ab8 18.¥f3 ¦xb2
resigned. 19.¦fb1 ¦fb8 All forced so far,
Black cannot give up the b-file
20.¦xb2 ¦xb2 21.¥d5
36 Is the key move for White. He
2. Conversion of an Advantage forces a drawn roo k endgame.
Marshall vs. Capablanca #1 ¥xd5 22.¦d1 As in view of the
ma t e o n t h e b a c k r a n k B l a c k
cannot withdraw the bishop. If
(Diagram) Black doesn't take the bishop on
d5, then that bishop defends the
One of those games that cemented a2-pawn (thus liberating the rook
Capablanca's reputation as a chess on a1 to move) and controls the
machine. The position is from the c4-square, stopping Black's
last, 23rd, game of his match with passed c-pawn. With such a
Marshall in 1909. Black's position bishop White is guaranteed
is preferable here as his queenside against any problems.

44
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

37 38
2. Conversion of an Advantage 2. Conversion of an Advantage
Marshall vs. Capablanca #2 Marshall vs. Capablanca #3

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8-tr-+-trk+0 8-tr-+-trk+0
7zpp+-wqpzpp0 7zppwq-+pzpp0
6-+-+l+-+0 6-+-+l+-+0
5+-zp-+-+-0 5+-zp-+-+-0
4-+-+-+-+0 4-+-+Q+-+0
3+-+-zPQzP-0 3+-+-zP-zP-0
2PzP-+-zPLzP0 2PzP-+-zPLzP0
1tR-tR-+-mK-0[ 1tR-tR-+-mK-0[
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
17.£e4 Can you notice what 18.¦c3 Marshall is consistent
White is threateni ng wit h thi s wit h his d efensiv e plan. What
move? £c7 Capablanca's choice does Capablanca give his
prophylactic thinking was always opponent? b5 Capablanca
alert. He parries White's threat of continues with his natural plan.
Bh3 by removing the queen from Psychologically speaking, it is
the pin on the e-file and taking curious to note that he could have
control of the e5-square in the started with 18...c4 , but with the
process. Note also that game move he gives Whit e a
Capablanca doesn't fall under the choice of how to react to Black's
superficial reasoning of 'putting threats of ...c4 and ...b4 - should
the queen on the same file as the White play a3 (to stop ...b4) or b3
white rook' as he doesn't see any (to stop ...c4)? Often giving your
concrete ways for White to take opponent a choice is a wise
advantage of that fact. decision because more often than
not he will make the wrong one!
19.a3 And, surprise, surprise,
Marshall makes the wrong one!
The move makes sense, it removes
the a2-pawn from being attacked
by the bishop on e6, but it allows
Black to establish a strong pawn

45
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

on c4 and then easily organise the same time prepares to parry

.. .a 5 an d . . .b 4 ad v anc e.It wa s White's threat of Bg4 by replying
crucial for White to stop Black's ...Bd5 - the rook from d8 controls
...c4 by playing 19.b3 . Then he the d5-s qu are! 21.¦d1 ¦xd1+
would have been relatively safe as The exchange allows Black t o
in case Black pushes 19...c4 obtain con trol ov er the d-file.
White can recapture with 20.bxc4 22.¥xd1 ¦d8 Black controls the
and then attack the pawn on c4 d-file and can freely advance on
with all (!) of his remaining the queenside. He already has a
pieces - Rac1, Bf1, attacking it 4 winning position. Games like this,
times and securely blockading it when without a visible mistake
on c3. Marshall made a mistake in made by his opponents
evaluation when comparing both Capablanca won in smooth style,
options, and from this moment puzzled his contemporaries, but
onwards Capablanca's technique from today's perspective we can
t a k e s o v e r . c4 Capablanca say that he was simply in a class
i mme d ia t el y p us h e s t he pa wn of his own.
forward. Again he is not affected
by superficial reasoning along the
lines of 'don't put your pawns on 39
the same square colour as one of 2. Conversion of an Advantage
you r bis hop s.' Th e bishop is Marshall vs. Capablanca #4
excellent in supporting the pawn
on c4 when Black finally executes
. . . a 5 a n d . . . b 4 . 20.¥f3 (Diagram)
It was already too late for 20.b3
as after 20...Rfd8 21.bxc4 bxc4 22. 23.¥f3 What concrete move did
Bf1 Qa5 23.Rac1 Rb3! White fails C a p a b l a n c a p l a y h e r e ? g6
to establish a blockade on c3 and Another move that 'puts a pawn
his a3-pawn is under attack. But on the same square colour as the
Marshall didn't give up. Can you bishop' but again a concrete one.
see the idea behi nd his move? Black opens a luft for his king,
¦fd8 Another one of those natural however, there is also a concrete
moves that can be played based on threat behind it. Can you see it?
general considerations, but at the 24.£c6 Black threatened to
same time concrete and transpose to a winning rook
prophylactic ones! Capablanca endgame, which is covered in the
takes over the d-file and at the next trainable. £e5 Capablanca's

46
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY 40
8-+-tr-+k+0 2. Conversion of an Advantage
7zp-wq-+pzpp0 Marshall vs. Capablanca #5
6-+-+l+-+0 XIIIIIIIIY
5+p+-+-+-0 8-+-tr-+k+0
4-+p+Q+-+0 7zp-wq-+p+p0
3zP-tR-zP-zP-0 6-+-+l+p+0
2-zP-+-zP-zP0 5+p+-+-+-0
1+-+L+-mK-0[ 4-+p+Q+-+0
xabcdefghy 3zP-tR-zPLzP-0
accuracy on display. Of course, it 2-zP-+-zP-zP0
was perfectly fine to exchange 1+-+-+-mK-0[
queens with 24...Qxc6 25.Bxc6 xabcdefghy
and play 25...a6 and then play 26.--
Rd2 . But no, he wants to squeeze 24.h4 With what moves can Black
the maximum from the position - trans po se in to a wi nning roo k
now the threat is ...Rd2, so White ending? ¥d5 25.£g4 h5
is forced to seek an exchange of This is why the move ...g6 was
queens again, only this time it is necessary. After the forced
in a more favourable version for 26.£f4 £xf4 27.exf4 ¥xf3
Black as he doesn't have to spend 28.¦xf3 ¦d1+ 29.¢g2 ¦b1
time on the move ...a6 defending He wins the pawn on b2 with an
the pawn on b5. This is absolute easily won position.
p r e c i s i o n . 25.£e4 £xe4
C a p a b l a n c a d o e s n ' t mi n d t h e
e x c h a n g e n o w . 26.¥xe4 41
If allowed, White would like to 2. Conversion of an Advantage
play Bc2 (to prevent ...Rd1) and Marshall vs. Capablanca #6
then bring the king to f1 and e2 -
then he may be able to defend
successfully. ¦d1+ Capablanca (Diagram)
would never allow that, of course.
The move 26...Rd2 is met by 27. 30.¥f3 How does Black tie down
Rc2 . the white rook to the defence of
the b2-pawn? ¦b1 31.¥e2 b3
More pawns on light squares! But

47
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-+-+k+0 8-+-+-+k+0
7+-+-+p+p0 7+-+-+p+p0
6-+-+l+p+0 6-+-+l+p+0
5+-+-+-+-0 5+-+-+-+-0
4-zpp+L+-+0 4-+p+-+-+0
3+-+-zP-zP-0 3+p+-zP-zP-0
2-zPR+-zPKzP0 2-zP-tRLzPKzP0
1+-+r+-+-0[ 1+-tr-+-+-0[
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
in chess, the concrete is always
more important than the general,
and Capablanca already calculated 43
the winning sequence that 2. Conversion of an Advantage
follows. Marshall vs. Capablanca #8

XIIIIIIIIY
42 8-+-+-+k+0
2. Conversion of an Advantage 7+-+-+p+p0
Marshall vs. Capablanca #7
6-+-+-+p+0
5+-+-+-+-0
(Diagram) 4-+-+l+-+0
3+RzP-zP-zP-0
33.¥d1 With what petite 2-+-+-zPKzP0
combinaison does Black win the 1+-tr-+-+-0[
bishop? c3 Black removes the xabcdefghy
pawn from b2 to clear the path for
t h e b 3 - p a w n . 34.bxc3 b2 39.¢h3 What did Capablanca
35.¦xb2 ¦xd1 Black won a piece p l a y h e r e ? ¦c2 Attacking the
and the rest is elementary. p awn s al ong t he seco n d ran k .
Marshall didn't resign as a loss in t 40.f4 h5 Threatening ...Bf5 and ...
his game meant the loss of the Rxh2. White loses a pawn now.
match. 41.g4 hxg4+ 42.¢xg4 ¦xh2
White now has only one pawn for
the piece.

48
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

44 intention to defend against Black's

2. Conversion of an Advantage pawn majority, thus p utting
Marshall,Frank James vs. Capa h i ms e l f i n a p s yc h o l o g i c a l l y
inferior position. Objectively he
XIIIIIIIIY didn't have to.First, let's see the f
8r+-+-trk+0 orced solution. After 16.Qxb7!
7zpp+-wqpzpp0 Qxb7 17.Bxb7 Rab8 18.Bf3 Rxb2
19.Rfb1 Rfb8 (all forced so far,
6-+-+l+-+0 Black cannot give up the b-file)
5+-zp-+-+-0 20.Rxb2 Rxb2 21.Bd5! is the key
4-+-+-+-+0 mo v e f o r W h i t e . H e f o r c e s a
3+-+-zPQzP-0 drawn rook endgame after 21...
2PzP-+-zPLzP0 Bxd5 22.Rd1 as in view of the
1tR-+-+RmK-0[ ma t e o n t h e b a c k r a n k B l a c k
xabcdefghy cannot withdraw the bishop. If
Black doesn't take the bishop on
One of those games that cemented d5, then that bishop defends the
Capablanca's reputation as a chess a2-pawn (thus liberating the rook
machine. The position is from the on a1 to move) and controls the
last, 23rd, game of his match with c4-square, stopping Black's
Marshall in 1909. Black's position passed c-pawn. With such a
is preferable here as his queenside bishop White is guaranteed
majority can be advanced more against any problems. There were
easily than White's central other moves as well, for example
ma j o r i t y. S t i l l , t he ma r gi n o f the natural 16.Rfd1 , controlling
safety for White is quite large, the open d-file or 16.b3 , stopping
and he shouldn't have problems to ...c4 and limiting the scope of the
hold a draw. In fact, White can bishop on e6. All of them kept the
practically force a draw by force game equal without placing the
in this position. Can you find this player on the defensive,
f o r c e d s o l u t i o n ? 16.¦fc1 psychologically and practically.
Marshall failed to find it. Maybe ¦ab8 Defending the pawn on b7
he didn't think it was necessary to and preparing ...b5 without
look for it. Nevertheless, his move allowing the exchange of queen
is meek and gives away the f o r t w o r o o k s o n a 8 . 17.£e4
psychological advantage to his Can you not i ce what Whi t e i s
opponent - by putting the rook threatening with this move? £c7
from f1 to c1 he shows his Capablanca's prophylactic

49
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

thin ki ng was always al ert. He .. .a 5 an d . . .b 4 ad v anc e. It wa s

parries White's threat of Bh3 by crucial for White to stop Black's
removing the queen from the pin ...c4 by playing 19.b3 . Then he
on the e-file and taking control of would have been relatively safe as
the e5-square in the process. Note in case Black pushes 19...c4
also that Capablanca doesn't fall White can recapture with 20.bxc4
under the superficial reasoning of and then attack the pawn on c4
'putting the queen on the same file with all (!) of his remaining
as the white rook' as he doesn't pieces - Rac1, Bf1, attacking it 4
see any concrete ways for White times and securely blockading it
to take advantage of that fact . on c3. Marshall made a mistake in
18.¦c3 Marshall is consistent evaluation when comparing both
with his defensive plan. A good options, and from this moment
alternative to stop Black's onwards Capablanca's technique
queenside expansion was 18.Bf1 t a k e s o v e r . c4 Capablanca
b5 19.b3 , when it will be i mme d ia t el y p u s h e s t h e p a wn
difficult for Black to push ...c4 tha forward. Again he is not affected
nks to White's superior control by superficial reasoning along the
over that square. b5 Capablanca lines of 'don't put your pawns on
continues with his natural plan. the same square colour as one of
Psychologically speaking, it is your bishops.' The bishop is
curious to note that he could have excellent in supporting the pawn
started with 18...c4 , but with the on c4 when Black finally executes
game move he gives Whit e a . . . a 5 a n d . . . b 4 . 20.¥f3
choice of how to react to Black's It was already too late for 20.b3
threats of ...c4 and ...b4 - should as after 20...Rfd8 21.bxc4 bxc4 22.
White play a3 (to stop ...b4) or b3 Bf1 Qa5 23.Rac1 Rb3! White fails
(to stop ...c4)? Often giving your to establish a blockade on c3 and
opponent a choice is a wise his a3-pawn is under attack. But
decision because more often than Marshall didn't give up. Can you
not he will make the wrong one! see the idea behi nd his move?
19.a3 And, surprise, surprise, ¦fd8 Another one of those natural
Marshall makes the wrong one! moves that can be played based on
The move makes sense, it removes general considerations, but at the
the a2-pawn from being attacked same time concrete and
by the bishop on e6, but it allows prophylactic ones! Capablanca
Black to establish a strong pawn takes over the d-file and at the
on c4 and then easily organise the same time prepares to parry

50
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

White's threat of Bg4 by replying and play 25...a6 and then play 26.--
...Bd5 - the rook from d8 controls Rd2 . But no, he wants to squeeze
the d5-s qu are! 21.¦d1 ¦xd1+ the maximum from the position -
The exchange allows Black t o now the threat is ...Rd2, so White
obtain con trol over the d-file. is forced to seek an exchange of
22.¥xd1 ¦d8 Black controls the queens again, only this time it is
d-file and can freely advance on in a more favourable version for
the queenside. He already has a Black as he doesn't have to spend
winning position. Games like this, time on the move ...a6 defending
when without a visible mistake the pawn on b5. This is absolute
made by his opponents p r e c i s i o n . 25.£e4 £xe4
Capablanca won in smooth style, C a p a b l a n c a d o e s n ' t mi n d t h e
puzzled his contemporaries, but e x c h a n g e n o w . 26.¥xe4
from today's perspective we can If allowed, White would like to
say that he was simply in a class play Bc2 (to prevent ...Rd1) and
o f h i s o w n . 23.¥f3 g6 then bring the king to f1 and e2 -
Another move that 'puts a pawn then he may be able to d efen d
on the same square colour as the successfully. ¦d1+ Capablanca
bishop' but again a concrete one. would never allow that, of course.
Black opens a luft for his king, The move 26...Rd2 is met by 27.
however, there is also a concrete Rc2 . 27.¢g2 a5 The pawns are
threat behind it. Can you see it? rolling. 28.¦c2 b4 29.axb4 axb4
24.£c6 Black threatened to 30.¥f3 ¦b1 Tying down the
transpose to a winning rook white rook to the defence of the
endgame, for example, after 24.h4 b2-pawn. 31.¥e2 b3
Bd5 25.Qg4 h5! (this is why the More pawns on light squares! But
move ...g6 was necessary) when in chess, the concrete is always
after the forced 26.Qf4 Qxf4 27. more important than the general,
exf4 Bxf3 28.Rxf3 Rd1 29.Kg2 and Capablanca already calculated
Rb1 he wins the pawn on b2 with the winning sequence that
an easily won position.With the follows. 32.¦d2 The short
g a me mo ve Whi t e a t t a ck s t h e alternative that Capablanca had to
pawn on b5 and wants to see is 32.Rc3 Rxb2 33.Bxc4 Rc2!
exchange queens. What would winning a piece. ¦c1 Threatening
you do here? £e5 Capablanca's ...Rc2. 33.¥d1 c3
accuracy on display. Of course, it Petite combinaison at the end to
was perfectly fine to exchange win the bishop. Black removes the
queens with 24...Qxc6 25.Bxc6 pawn from b2 to clear the path for

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

t h e b 3 - p a w n . 34.bxc3 b2 XIIIIIIIIY
35.¦xb2 ¦xd1 Black won a piece 8r+-+-trk+0
and the rest is elementary. 7+n+-+pzpp0
Marshall didn't resign as a loss in t
his game meant the loss of the
6l+-sN-sn-+0
match. 36.¦c2 ¥f5 37.¦b2 ¦c1 5zp-zp-zp-+-0
Going after the c3-pawn. If White 4Pzp-+P+-+0
wants to save it he must keep his 3+LzP-+-+P0
rook passive on b3 and a3. 38.¦b3 2-zP-+-zPP+0
¥e4+ 39.¢h3 ¦c2 Attacking the 1tR-vL-tR-mK-0[
p awn s al ong t he seco nd ran k . xabcdefghy
40.f4 h5 Threatening ...Bf5 and ...
Rxh2. White loses a pawn now. advanced queenside pawns. The
41.g4 hxg4+ 42.¢xg4 ¦xh2 squares d5, d 6, b5, and c4 are
White now has only one pawn for weak, and the pawn on a5 can
the piece. 43.¦b4 f5+ 44.¢g3 easily become a weakness when
After 44.Kg5 Kg7 White cannot the position opens. These factors
give check on the seventh rank give White a technically winning
and is mated. ¦e2 The pawn on position. The question now is,
e 3 f a l l s n o w . 45.¦c4 ¦xe3+ should White take on b7 or move
46.¢h4 ¢g7 47.¦c7+ ¢f6 t h e k n i g h t t o c 4 ? 21.¤xb7
There is no check on the sixth Both moves were good, but the
rank. 48.¦d7 ¥g2 49.¦d6+ exchange on b7 is typical of
¢g7 Mate is inevitable and Capablanca's manner of play. He
Marshall resigned. liked to exchange pieces as long
as he gained time to forward his
own plan. With the exchange he
45 gains a tempo to open the position
2. Conversion of an Advantage for the pair of bishops.
Capablanca vs. Vidmar #1

46
(Diagram) 2. Conversion of an Advantage
Capablanca vs. Vidmar #2
White's advantage consists of the
pair of bishops and the fact that 22...cxb4 How does Capablanca
Black also has a lot of holes in improve his position here? 23.f3
his position because of the far- Blunting the bishop on b7 and the

52
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY tempo. ¥e8 White is fully

8r+-+-trk+0{ mobilised, do you think it is time
7+l+-+pzpp0 for decisive action or is it time to
c e n t r a l i s e t h e k i n g ? 27.¢f2
6-+-+-sn-+0 A move made 'by hand'.
5zp-zp-zp-+-0 Capablanca knew he was winning,
4PzP-+P+-+0 so he made an automatic move
3+L+-+-+P0 that he knew was good, probably
2-zP-+-zPP+0 not bothering to see that he could
1tR-vL-tR-mK-0 already win a pawn after 27.Rxd8
xabcdefghy Rxd8 28.Rc5 (attacking both
pawns on e5 and a5) when the
knight on f6 at the same time and o n ly th i ng to s ee was th at th e
preparing the development of the double attack 28...Rd3 is refuted
dark-squared bishop on e3, from with 29.Bc2! Rxe3 30.Kf2 and the
where it can come to b6 to attack rook is trapped. With the king
t h e p a w n o n a 5 . ¦fd8 mov e Cap ab lan ca d efend s th e
Alekhine recommended 23...Nd7 , bishop on e3 in advance.It is a
but while his given line 24.Be3 good rule of thumb to check for
Rfc8 25.Red1 Rc7 is correct, the direct and forced continuations
conclusion that this allows Black when the upward trend of
to defend is not, as after 26.Rd6 improvement of the position
followed by Rad1 White has a reaches its apex. Here we have
completely dominating position. such a moment, with all White's
24.¥e3 White finished pieces mobilised. In truth,
development and will occupy the Capablanca's wavering doesn't
open c- and d-files with his rooks affect the evaluation. He remains
next. h6 Generally a useful move, easily winning as Black's position
opening a luft, but one that cannot be improved to avoid
doesn't affect the essence of the material losses in the near future.
position. Attacking the bishop on
b3 is harmless, 24...Rd3 24.Bc4
f o r c e s t h e r o o k b a c k . 25.¦ed1 47
Continuing to improve his 2. Conversion of an Advantage
position. ¥c6 Black reroutes his Capablanca vs. Vidmar #3
b i s ho p t o t h e a4 - e8 d i ag on a l ,
targeting the pawn on a4. 26.¦ac1 28...¦c8 A question: is it time to
Developing the other rook with go after the pawn on a5 with 29.

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8r+-+l+k+0{ 8-+r+l+k+0
7+-+-+pzp-0 7+-+-+pzp-0
6-+-+-sn-zp0 6-+-+-sn-zp0
5zp-+-zp-+-0 5zp-+-zp-+-0
4Pzp-+P+-+0 4Pzp-+P+-+0
3+L+-vLP+P0 3+L+-vLP+P0
2-zP-+-mKP+0 2-zP-+-mKP+0
1+-+R+-+-0 1+-+R+-+-0[
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
Bb6? 29.g4 Capablanca is patient Black prepared the defence.
and careful. He simply advances 30.¥xa5 ¤c5 When he obtains
on the kingside, further improving counterplay.
his position. ¥d7 Black decides
to exchange White's strong light-
squared bishop, but the bishop 49
now occupies the d7-square that 2. Conversion of an Advantage
was u se d by t he kn ig ht i n th e Capablanca vs. Vidmar #5
defence against Bb6 as mentioned
in the previous content. 30.¥b6 XIIIIIIIIY
Capablanca immediately takes 8-+r+-+k+0{
advantage of Black's last move. 7+-+-+pzp-0
Now that the defence with ...Nd7
is not possible White can safely
6-vL-+Lsn-zp0
go after the pawn on a5. 5zp-+-zp-+-0
4Pzp-+P+P+0
3+-+-+P+P0
48 2-zP-+-mK-+0
2. Conversion of an Advantage 1+-+R+-+-0
Capablanca vs. Vidmar #4 xabcdefghy
31...fxe6 How does White prevent
(Diagram) ...Rc2? 32.¦d8+ Eliminating
possible counterplay based on ...
29.¥b6 How does Black obtain Rc2. ¦xd8 33.¥xd8
c o u n t e r p l a y h e r e ? ¤d7 The queenside pawns are eas y

54
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

prey now. ¤d7 34.¥xa5 ¤c5 typical of Capablanca's manner of

35.b3 Black can take on b3, but play. He liked to exchange pieces
the passed a4-pawn will stay as long as he gained time to
alive. ¤xb3 36.¥xb4 forward his own plan. With the
Wh e n t h e a- p awn d e ci de s t h e exchange he gains tempo to open
game. the position for the pair of
bishops.To give an illustrative
line after the alternative: 21.Nc4
50 Bxc4 22.Bxc4 Nd6 attacks both
2. Conversion of an Advantage the bishop on c4 and the pawn on
Capablanca,Jose Raul vs. Vidmar e4. White keeps the advantage in
mor e t han one way here, for
XIIIIIIIIY example, the simple 23.Bf1 Nfxe4
8r+-+-trk+0 24.f3 Ng3 25.Rxe5 Nxf1 26.Kxf1
7+n+-+pzpp0 and Black suffers because of his
weak queenside pawns.
6l+-sN-sn-+0 Comp aring th is line with
5zp-zp-zp-+-0 Capablanca's choice, we can
4Pzp-+P+-+0 conclude that Capablanca chose
3+LzP-+-+P0 the simpler line. ¥xb7 22.cxb4
2-zP-+-zPP+0 Opening files and diagonals on
1tR-vL-tR-mK-0[ the queenside. cxb4 Taking with
xabcdefghy the a-pawn gives White a passed
pawn on the a-file and a target to
Apart from the pair of bishops that attack on c5. It was still the better
White has as an advantage, Black o p t i o n ( al s o reco mmend ed b y
also has a lot of holes in his positi Alekhine in the tournament book,
on because of the far-advanced who explai ned Black's id ea t o
queenside pawns. The squares d5, play ...Ba6 with ...c4 to come) as
d6, b5, and c4 are weak, and the White has to find the precise 22...
pawn on a5 can easily become a axb4 23.Be3! Nxe4 24.a5! with
weakness when the position opens. the idea to continue with Rec1 and
These factors give White a f3 to win the pawn on c5 with a
technically winning position.The w i n n i n g p o s i t i o n . 23.f3
question now is, should White Blunting the bishop on b7 and the
take on b7 or move the knight to knight on f6 at the same time and
c4? 21.¤xb7 Both moves were preparing the development of the
good, but the exchange on b7 is dark-squared bishop on e3, from

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

where it can come to b6 to attack rook is trapped. With the king

t h e p a w n o n a 5 . ¦fd8 mov e Cap ab lan ca d efend s th e
Alekhine recommended 23...Nd7 , bishop on e3 in advance.It is a
but while his given line 24.Be3 good rule of thumb to check for
Rfc8 25.Red1 Rc7 is correct, the direct and forced continuations
conclusion that this allows Black when the upward trend of
to defend is not, as after 26.Rd6 improvement of the position
followed by Rad1 White has a reaches its apex. Here we have
completely dominating position. such a moment, with all White's
24.¥e3 White finished pieces mobilised. In truth,
development and will occupy the Capablanca's wavering doesn't
open c- and d-files with his rooks affect the evaluation. He remains
next. h6 Generally a useful move, easily winning as Black's position
opening a luft, but one that cannot be improved to avoid
doesn't affect the essence of the material losses in the near future.
position. Attacking the bishop on ¦xd1 28.¦xd1 ¦c8 A question:
b3 is harmless, 24...Rd3 24.Bc4 is it time to go after the pawn on
f o r c e s t h e r o o k b a c k . 25.¦ed1 a 5 w i t h 2 9 . B b 6 ? 29.g4
Continuing to improve his Capablanca is patient and careful.
position. ¥c6 Black reroutes his He simply advances on the
b i s ho p t o t h e a4 - e8 d i ag on a l , kingside, further improving his
targeting the pawn on a4. 26.¦ac1 position. In the event of 29.Bb6?!
Developing the other rook with Black prepared the defence 29...
tempo. ¥e8 White is fully Nd7! 30.Bxa5 Nc5 when he
mobilised, do you think it is time o b t a i n s c o u n t e r p l a y . ¥d7
for decisive action or is it time to Black decides to exchange White's
c e n t r a l i s e t h e k i n g ? 27.¢f2 strong light-squared bishop, but
A move made 'by hand'. the bishop now occupies the d7-
Capablanca knew he was winning, square that was used by the knight
so he made an automatic move i n t he defen ce ag ai n s t Bb 6 a s
that he knew was good, probably mentioned in the previous content.
not bothering to see that he could 30.¥b6 Capablanca immediately
already win a pawn after 27.Rxd8 takes advantage of Black's last
Rxd8 28.Rc5 (attacking both move. Now that the defence with
pawns on e5 and a5) when the ...Nd7 is not possible White can
o n ly th i ng to s ee was that th e safely go after the pawn on a5.
double attack 28...Rd3 is refuted ¥e6 Black continues with his plan
with 29.Bc2! Rxe3 30.Kf2 and the b u t h e l o s e s ma t e r i a l . 31.¥xe6

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

fxe6 In case of the knight on c3, an important piece

zwischenschach 31...Rc2 32.Ke3 for White as it controls the b5-
fxe6 33.Rd2! kills off all square in case Black recaptures 7...
c o u n t e r p l a y . 32.¦d8+ cxd5?! when the knight can come
Eliminating possible counterplay to b5. This is the difference why
based on ...Rc2 ¦xd8 33.¥xd8 it was more precise for White to
The queenside pawns are eas y capture on d5 at move 5, as then
prey now. ¤d7 34.¥xa5 ¤c5 he would have forced the
35.b3 Black can take on b3, but recapture with a pawn, thus
the passed a4-pawn will stay avoiding the game move.Usually
alive. ¤xb3 36.¥xb4 ¤d4 the double pawns on the
37.a5 The only way to stop the qu eensi de b6,b 7 seen in thes e
passed a-pawn is to give up the setups is a weakness if white gains
knight for it, so Black resigned. control over the key b5 square.
Smooth conversion by
Capablanca.
52
3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
51 Janowski vs. Capablanca #2
3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
Janowski vs. Capablanca #1 XIIIIIIIIY
8r+-+kvl-tr0
XIIIIIIIIY 7+p+-zppzpp0
8rsn-+kvl-tr0 6-zpn+-+-+0
7+p+-zppzpp0 5+-+p+l+-0
6-zpp+-sn-+0 4-+-zP-+-+0
5+-+p+l+-0 3+-+-zPN+-0
4-+PzP-+-+0 2PzP-+-zPPzP0
3+-sN-+N+-0 1tR-vL-mKL+R0[
2PzP-+PzPPzP0 xabcdefghy
1tR-vL-mKL+R0[
xabcdefghy 10.¥d2 How does Capablanca
increase his control over the b5-
7.cxd5 How does Black square? ¥d7 One of Capablanca's
r e c a p t u r e ? ¤xd5 most famous moves. He
Black recaptures with a knight as voluntarily retreats his bishop
h e want s t o ex change Wh it e's from the active spot on f5 to have

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

it shut on d7 after the subsequent XIIIIIIIIY

...e6. Naturally, he could have 8r+-+-+-tr0
played other moves like 10...e6 or 7+p+lmkpzpp0
10...f6 (to cover the e5-square).
Can you think of some good
6-zpnvlp+-+0
reasons why he made this move? 5+-+p+-+-0
This move shows Capablanca's 4-+-zP-+-+0
concrete thinking and rejection of 3+-+-zPN+-0
dogma when he could see clearly 2PzP-vLLzPPzP0
what needed to be done. He 1tR-tR-+-mK-0[
realised that the battle will take pl xabcdefghy
ace on the queenside and that he
must strive to achieve the ...b5 last move? ¦hc8 Another one of
push and the ...Na5-c4 maneuver. those 'natural' moves that also
To do so he needs control over the deal with the opponent's threats.
b5 square and the only piece that Capablanca could also have
can help is the light-squared parried the same idea with 14...f6 ,
bishop from the d7-square. Hence, but he chose a more relevant move,
the game move.The logic behind i.e. he developed the rook and
Capablanca's moves is one of the placed it on the open file,
most important traits that make his preparing for play on the
mov es eas y t o unders tand. He queenside. 15.¤e5 White wanted
always followed logic when to play Ne5, which now can be
deciding on his moves and was met by ¥e8 When the rook is not
not concerned about outward shut on h8.
appearances.

54
53 3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
3. The Principle of 2 Weakness Janowski vs. Capablanca #4
Janowski vs. Capablanca #3

(Diagram)
(Diagram)
15.a3 How did Capablanca
14.¥c3 White set up a solid continue with his plan of
position on the queenside. Can q u e e n s i d e a c t i v i t y ? ¤a5
you see what he intends with his The immediate threat is ...Nb3,

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY If he wanted to play f3, was his

8r+r+-+-+0 previous move g3 necessary? The
7+p+lmkpzpp0 other explanation is that possibly
he missed a small tactical detail
6-zpnvlp+-+0 after his intended 19.Kf2 which
5+-+p+-+-0 can be seen in the next comment.
4-+-zP-+-+0 ¤c4 Black continues with the
3+-vL-zPN+-0 plan. I keep repeating this to stress
2PzP-+LzPPzP0 how consistent Capablanca was in
1tR-tR-+-mK-0[ e x e c u t i n g h i s p l a n s . 19.¥xc4
xabcdefghy A definite concession, giving up
the good light-squared bishop and
wi n ni n g t he exch an ge . 16.¤d2 improving Black's pawn structure,
White covers the b3-square and but this is what happens when the
introduces a threat of his own. player realises too late that the int
Can you see it? f5 Capablanca is ended move had a tactical flaw.
c a r e f u l , a s a l w a ys . T h i s i s a Most likely Janowski intended to
prophylactic move against White's play 19.Kf2 but missed 19...b4!
threat of e4 . 17.g3 Objectively Things are not bad for White after
there is nothing wrong with this this, but possibly he panicked.
move, as the position continues to White's best try is 20.Nxc4 bxc3
be objectively equal, but there is 21.Nxd6 cxb2 22.Nxc8 Rxc8 23.
a stark contrast between Black's Rcb1 bxa1=Q 24.Rxa1 Rc2 when
concrete and precise moves and Black has the initiative, but White
White's vague choices. Playing should be able to defend
vague moves only makes it more successfully. 19...b4 20.axb4 Is
demanding for White to keep that another move to consider where
objective equality as the game Rxa1 21.Rxa1 Nxd2 22.Bxd2 Rc2
progresses as then concrete moves Leaves Black with excellent play
will be required which, if missed, o n th e s eco nd rank. No te t ha t
will lead to serious deterioration taking on c4 with a knight is
of the position. b5 Capablanca worse, as 19.Nxc4?! bxc4
continues with his plan to followed by ...Ba4 and ...b5-b4
establish a knight on c4. White's doesn't give White much play. By
position is solid, but if he continue keeping the knight alive he
s to play neutral moves he can achieves the e4-push and hopes
e a s i l y e n d u p w o r s e . 18.f3 that in a closed position the
White is slowly crossing the line. knight can be more useful than a

59
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

bishop. bxc4 Black's plan is still 56

clear - he wants to advance with ... 3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
b5-b4 to open the position on the Janowski vs. Capablanca #6
queenside.
XIIIIIIIIY
8r+r+-+-+0{
55 7+p+lmk-zpp0
3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
Janowski vs. Capablanca #5
6-zp-vlp+-+0
5sn-+p+p+-0
XIIIIIIIIY 4-+-zP-+-+0
8r+r+-+-+0{ 3zP-vL-zP-zP-0
7+p+lmkpzpp0 2-zP-sNLzP-zP0
6-zp-vlp+-+0 1tR-tR-+-mK-0
5sn-+p+-+-0 xabcdefghy
4-+-zP-+-+0 17...b5 Capablanca continues with
3zP-vL-zP-+-0 his plan to establish a knight on
2-zP-sNLzPPzP0 c4. White's position is solid, but if
1tR-tR-+-mK-0 he continues to play neutral moves
xabcdefghy he can easily end up worse. He
can solve all his problems with a
16...b5 How does White gain sh ort forcing sequ en ce i n thi s
c o u n t e r p l a y h e r e ? 17.e4 position. Can you find it?
Black continues with his plan, but 18.¥xa5 Here he had a clear-cut
allows White's counterplay. dxe4 and forcing variation after 18.
18.¤xe4 ¤b3 19.¤xd6 Bxa5! that would have eliminated
When Black is lost as 19...Kxd6 all danger from his position.
20.Bb4+ Kd5 21.Bf3+ Kxd4 22. ¦xc1+ 19.¦xc1 ¦xa5 20.¤b3
Rxc8 Bxc8 23.Rd1+ Ke5 24.Rd8 ¦a8 21.¤c5 White runs no risk
c om p l et el y p a ra l ys e s B l a c k ' s with the strong knight on c5.
pieces.

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

57 XIIIIIIIIY
3. The Principle of 2 Weakness 8r+r+-+-+0
Janowski vs. Capablanca #7 7+p+lmk-zpp0
XIIIIIIIIY 6-+-vlp+-+0
8r+r+-+-+0 5+-+p+p+-0
7+p+lmk-zpp0 4-+pzP-+-+0
6-+-vlp+-+0 3zP-vL-zPPzP-0
5+p+p+p+-0 2-zP-sN-+-zP0
4-+nzP-+-+0 1tR-tR-+-mK-0[
3zP-vL-zPPzP-0 xabcdefghy
2-zP-sNL+-zP0 Preventing White's f4. Then after
1tR-tR-+-mK-0[ 21.e5 ¥c7 He may have to spend
xabcdefghy a few tempi to bring the bishop to
e7 as in t he game , but th ese
19.¢f2 What did Janowski miss wouldn't have mattered much in a
when he intended to play 19. Kf2 closed position.
a f e w m o v e s b a c k ? b4
Things are not bad for White after
this, but possibly he panicked. 59
White's best try is 20.Nxc4 bxc3 3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
21.Nxd6 cxb2 22.Nxc8+ Rxc8 23. Janowski vs. Capablanca #9
Rcb1 bxa1=Q 24.Rxa1 Rc2 when
Black has the initiative, but White
should be able to defend (Diagram)
successfully.
20...¢f7 A rare case where
Capablanca's prophylactic
58 thinking fails. The move liberates
3. The Principle of 2 Weakness the e7-square for the bishop, but
Janowski vs. Capablanca #8 it allows White to equalise the
position. Can you see how White
can achieve that and what Black
(Diagram) sh o uld have p layed in stead t o
prevent it? 21.exf5 exf5 22.f4
20.e4 What strong move did Followed by Nf3-e5 White would
C a p a b l a n c a m i s s h e r e ? g5

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY queenside he can advance with ...

8r+r+-+-+0{ b5-b4, and on the kingside with ...
7+p+lmk-zpp0 g 5 . T h e l i g h t - s q u a re d b i s h o p
appears 'bad' for now, but don't
6-+-vlp+-+0 forget that it can be activated via e
5+-+p+p+-0 i t h e r a 4 o r e 8 - h 5 . 22.f4 g5
4-+pzPP+-+0 It was better to engage White on
3zP-vL-+PzP-0 the kingside before he was
2-zP-sN-+-zP0 mobilised there, so 22...g5!
1tR-tR-+-mK-0 (intending ...gxf4 and ...Rg8 to
xabcdefghy start an attack along the g-file)
was the best move. After 23.fxg5
have been completely safe with ¥xg5 Black maintains the
such a dominating knight on e5. flexibility to play on both sides of
the board: ...h5-h4 on the kingside
and ...b5-b4 on the queenside.
60 Notice the accuracy and the exact
3. The Principle of 2 Weakness moment to play like this: if here
Janowski vs. Capablanca #10 White reacts in the same way as in
t he c o mme nts t o Bl ack's 2 3r d
XIIIIIIIIY move with 24.¢f2 Intending Rg1
8r+r+-+-+0 and Nf3, then Black has the move
7+p+l+kzpp0 ¥a4 Using the fact that the pawn
is still on b7! That prevents the
6-+-vlp+-+0 move 25.Rg1 as then the bishop
5+-+p+p+-0 will be activated via 25...Bc2 and
4-+pzPP+-+0 will become a monster on one of
3zP-vL-+PzP-0 the defended squares on d3 or e4.
2-zP-sN-+-zP0 This move glues the rook to the
1tR-tR-+-mK-0[ c 1- s q u ar e , w h i c h ma k e s b o t h
xabcdefghy White's rooks completely
inefficient.
21.e5 Janowski just made a huge
positional mistake. How did Black
secure a stable advantage? ¥e7
Now Black has a stable advantage.
He has a better position on both
sides of the board. On the

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

61 62
3. The Principle of 2 Weakness 3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
Janowski vs. Capablanca #11 Janowski vs. Capablanca #12

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8r+-+-+-+0{ 8-+-+-+r+0
7+-+lvlkzp-0 7+-+lvlk+-0
6-+-+p+-zp0 6-+-+p+-zp0
5+p+pzPp+-0 5+p+pzPpzp-0
4r+pzP-zP-+0 4r+pzP-zP-+0
3zP-vL-mKNzP-0 3zP-vL-mK-zP-0
2-zP-+-+-zP0 2-zP-+-+-zP0
1+RtR-+-+-0 1+RtR-sN-+-0[
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
26...g5 What forcing variation to 28.¢f3 Black played the natural
solve his strategical problems did 28...gxf4 here, since Black opens
J a n o w s k i m i s s h e r e ? 27.fxg5 the g-f ile in a moment when
hxg5 28.h4 White poses a White cannot oppose it, but
question to Black. Either to give objectively speaking this is
up the f4-square after 28...g4 29. premat ure as White still has a
Ng1 with Ne2-f4 to come. Or to defence after Black occupies the g-
allow White a passed pawn on the f i l e . Wh a t f l e x i b l e mo v e w a s
h-file after 28...gxh4 29.gxh4 Rg8 better? ¥e8 With the idea to
30.Rg1 when White successfully activate the bishop after the king
challenges for the g-file as Black moves, and ...Bh5, still keeping
cannot play 30...Raa8 because of the options to open the game on
31.Bb4! when suddenly Black is both wings.
in tro u b le. Wh i te activ at es hi s
dormant bishop and intends to
exchange all rooks and obtain a 63
winning 'good knight vs bad light- 3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
squared bishop endgame.' Now we Janowski vs. Capablanca #13
can understand the importance of
the urgency to start play on the 29...¦aa8 Capablanca uses the
kingside on move 22. greater mobility of his rooks and
t h e f ac t th a t t h e k ni g h t o n e 1

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XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-+-+r+0{ 8-+-+-+r+0{
7+-+lvlk+-0 7+-+-vlk+-0
6-+-+p+-zp0 6-+-+p+-zp0
5+p+pzPp+-0 5+-+pzPp+-0
4r+pzP-zP-+0 4lzPpzP-zPr+0
3zP-vL-+K+-0 3+-+-+K+-0
2-zP-+-+-zP0 2-zP-+-+NzP0
1+RtR-sN-+-0 1tR-+-vL-tR-0
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
prevents White to fight for the g- involves a temporary piece
file with Rg1 to take over the g- s a c r i f i c e . ¥e4+ 36.¢e3
file. White responded with 30. When Black cannot take the piece.
Ng2? , which is the correct idea Taking with a bishop allows ¥xg2
but the wrong implementation. 37.b5 With the threat of Bb4.
What narrow path to equality did
White have? 30.¤c2 Now after
¦g4 31.¦g1 ¦ag8 32.¦xg4 65
¦xg4 33.¤e3 White is perfectly 3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
safe as with only one rook Black Janowski,Dawid Markelowicz vs
doesn't have enough firepower to
pose serious problems. 1.d4 ¤f6 2.¤f3 d5 3.c4 c6
4.¤c3 ¥f5 Capablanca was never
s t r o n g i n t h e o p en i n g s , s o h e
64 usually played trusted and proven
3. The Principle of 2 Weakness variations to avoid surprises. Here
Janowski vs. Capablanca #14 we s ee hi m experiment wit h a
move that, even today, is
considered not to be good. 5.£b3
(Diagram) The capture on d5 first is
co n s id e red mo r e p r e ci s e as i t
34...¥c2 Black is on the verge of forces Black to recapture with a
completing his idea. Can you find pawn , so 5 .cx d5 cx d5 6. Qb 3 .
White's saving idea now? (hint: This is good for White because
it's difficult!) 35.¦a7 The saving Bl ack 's on ly pl a usi b le way t o
resource was difficult to spot as it defend the pawn consists of 6...

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

Bc8 , losing tempo. Then after the control over the b5-square (for
subsequent ...e6 Black will have example by putting a bishop there),
an inferior version of the then the pawns won't be able to
Exchange Variation of the Slav move forward.On the other hand,
Defence. £b6 Black defends the thanks to thes e p awns Bl ack's
pawn on b7 by offering an rook on a8 is active on the a-file. I
e x c h a n g e o f q u e e n s . 6.£xb6 f the b6-pawn manages to get to
After this exchange Black has an b5 then Black will have the
equal endgame. It was better to try natural plan of ...Nc6-a5-c4,
f o r m o r e w i t h 6 . c 5 . axb6 easily taking over the initiative on
As early as move six we have an the queenside. 9.e3 A surprising
endgame, and we can now observe move by Janowski. He voluntarily
how Capablanca outplays a top-10 sh uts hi s dark -s quared b is ho p
player and former World when he could have actively
Championship challenger from developed it on f4 with 9.Bf4 . On
t h i s p o s i t i o n . 7.cxd5 ¤xd5 the other hand, he immediately
Black recaptures with a knight as takes control over the b5-square.
h e want s t o ex change Wh it e's ¤c6 Now both sides develop their
knight on c3, an important piece pieces to natural squares. 10.¥d2
for White as it controls the b5- White develops the dark-squared
square in case Black recaptures 7... bishop. ¥d7 One of Capablanca's
cxd5?! when the knight can come most famous moves. He
to b5. This is the difference why voluntarily retreats his bishop
it was more precise for White to from the active spot on f5 to have
capture on d5 at move 5, as then it shut on d7 after the subsequent
he would have forced the ...e6. Naturally, he could have
recapture with a pawn, thus played other moves like 10...e6 or
avoiding the game move. 8.¤xd5 10...f6 (to cover the e5-square).
cxd5 Now the pawn structure is Can you think of some good
almost completely symmetrical, reasons why he made this move?
the only difference being Black's This move shows Capablanca's
doubled pawns on the b-file. concrete thinking and rejection of
There are pros and cons to these dogma when he could see clearly
pawns.Being doubled, they are what needed to be done. He
theoretically weak, but it's not easi realised that the battle will take pl
ly vis ib le h ow Whi te can tak e ace on the queenside and that he
advantage of their weakness. If must strive to achieve the ...b5
White manages to establish good push and the ...Na5-c4 maneuver,

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

something we mentioned in the Nxe5 12.dxe5 e6 when the

comments to Black's eighth move. en dga me was a ppro xi mat e l y
To do so he needs control over the equal. e6 12.0-0
b5 square and the only piece that White completes development,
can help is the light-squared though as I mentioned it made
bishop from the d7-square. Hence, more sense to leave the king in the
the game move.The logic behind centre. ¥d6 Continuing with
Capablanca's moves is one of the development and taking control
most important traits that make his over the e5-square, so Ne5 is no
mov es eas y t o unders tand. He longer an option for White.
always followed logic when Additionally, Black leaves the e7-
deciding on his moves and was square for his king. 13.¦fc1 ¢e7
not concerned about outward Unlike his opponent, Capablanca
a p p e a r a n c e s . 11.¥e2 l ea v es t h e k i n g i n t h e ce n t r e .
White develops normally. Still, it 14.¥c3 White set up a solid
made a bit more sense to put the position on the queenside. Can
bishop on d3 so that the king can you see what he intends with his
come to e2 - after all in endgames last move? ¦hc8 Another one of
the king should be in the centre. those 'natural' moves that also
Putting the bishop on b5 would deal with the opponent's threats.
have led to an exchange of the White wanted to play Ne5, which
light-squared bishops when Black now can be met by 15.Ne5 Be8!
can continue with the ...b5 push, when the rook is not shut on h8.
for example 11.Bb5 f6 (to take Capablanca could also have
control of the e5-square) 12.Ke2 parried the same idea with 14...f6 ,
e6 13.Rhc1 Bd6 (threatening a but he chose a more relevant move,
central expansion with ...e5) 14. i.e. he developed the rook and
Bc3 Na5 15 .B xd7 Kx d7 whe n placed it on the open file,
Black is ready to jump to c4 and preparing for play on the
s u p po rt t he kn ig ht wi t h ...b 5 , q u e e n s i d e . 15.a3 A surprising
firmly taking over the initiative move at first sight, as it weakens
on the queenside. It's curious to the light squares on the queenside.
note that there are two modern However, this move cannot be
games played from this position avoided in the medium term.
between strong GMs. In the Black is ready for ...Na5 and ...b5,
games Karpov-Chernin from 1992 wh en h e wi l l th reate n ... b4 t o
and Epishin-Khalifman from 1996 att ack t he bi sh o p on c3 . So i f
White played the direct 11.Ne5 White wants to keep it there he

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

will inevitably have to play a3. progresses as then concrete moves

Note how White's voluntary will be required which, if missed,
passive play from the beginning of will lead to serious deterioration
the endgame led him to a position of the position.It made more sense
where he is defending and already to play 17.f4 . It allows the king to
forces him to make concessions, come cl o s er t o th e ce nt r e an d
despite the position still being prepares for a possible Nf3-e5
o b j e c t i v e l y e q u a l . ¤a5 transfer. White would have had no
Black continues with his plan of problems in this case, for example
queenside activity. The immediate 17...b5 18.Kf2 Nc4 19.Nf3 (once
threat is ...Nb3, winning the Black played ...Nc4 there is no
exchange. 16.¤d2 White covers threat of ...Nb3, so the d2-knight
the b3-square and introduces a can be transferred to e5) 19...Be8
threat of his own. Can you see it? 20.Ne5 and the strong knights
f5 Capablanca is careful, as c a n c e l e a c h o t h e r o u t . b5
always . This is a prophylacti c Capablanca continues with his
move against White's threat of e4. plan to establish a knight on c4.
The danger of allowing White to White's position is solid, but if he
play e4 can be seen from the line continues to play neutral moves he
16...b5?! (Black continues with can easily end up worse. He can
his plan, but allows White's solve all his problems with a short
counterplay) 17.e4! dxe4? better forcing sequence in this position.
is 17...Bf4 or 17...Ke8 , keeping C a n y o u f i n d i t ? 18.f3
the equilibrium 18.Nxe4! Nb3? 19. White is slowly crossing the line.
Nxd6 when Black is lost as 19... If he wanted to play f3, was his
Kxd6 20.Bb4 Kd5 21.Bf3 Kxd4 previous move g3 necessary? The
22.Rxc8 Bxc8 23.Rd1 Ke5 24. other explanation is that possibly
Rd8 completely paralyses Black's he missed a small tactical detail
pieces. 17.g3 Objectively there is after his intended 19. Kf2 (see the
nothing wrong with this move, as next comment for the explanation.
the position continues to be ) What's more important, here he
objectively equal, but there is a sta had a clear-cut and forcing
rk contrast between Black's variation that would have
concrete and precise moves and eliminated all danger from his
White's vague choices. Playing position. After 18.Bxa5! Rxc1 19.
vague moves only makes it more Rxc1 Rxa5 20.Nb3 Ra8 21.Nc5
demanding for White to keep that White runs no risk with the strong
objective equality as the game k n i g h t o n c 5 . ¤c4

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

Black continues with the plan. I instead to prevent it?Capablanca

keep repeating this to stress how probably missed White's idea of a
cons i st ent Ca pabl an ca was i n knight transfer to e5 after a
e x e c u t i n g h i s p l a n s . 19.¥xc4 capture on f5 or d5 followed by f4
A definite concession, giving up and Nf3, because otherwise, he
the good light-squared bishop and would have played the strong 20...
improving Black's pawn structure, g5! preventing White's f4. Then
but this is what happens when the after 21.e5 Bc7 he may have to
player realises too late that the int spend a few tempi to bring the
ended move had a tactical flaw. bishop to e7 as in the game, but
Most likely Janowski intended to t h e s e wo u l d n' t h a ve ma t t e re d
play 19.Kf2 but missed 19...b4! much in a closed position. 21.e5
Things are not bad for White after A huge positional mistake.
this, but possibly he panicked. Janowski misses the chance that
White's best try is 20.Nxc4 bxc3 Capablanca allowed. After 21.
21.Nxd6 cxb2 22.Nxc8 Rxc8 23. exf5 exf5 22.f4! followed by Nf3-
Rcb1 bxa1=Q 24.Rxa1 Rc2 when e5 White would have been
Black has the initiative, but White co mp l etel y s afe wi t h s uch a
should be able to defend d o mi n at i n g kn i g h t o n e 5 . ¥e7
successfully. Note that taking on Now Black has a stable advantage.
c4 with a knight is worse, as 19. He has a better position on both
Nxc4?! bxc4 followed by ...Ba4 sides of the board. On the
and ...b5-b4 doesn't give White queenside he can advance with ...
much play. By keeping the knight b5-b4, and on the kingside with ...
alive he achieves the e4-push and g 5 . T h e l i g h t - s q u a re d b i s h o p
hopes that in a closed position the appears 'bad' for now, but don't
knight can be more useful than a forget that it can be activated via e
bishop. bxc4 Black's plan is still i t h e r a 4 o r e 8 - h 5 . 22.f4 b5
clear - he wants to advance with ... The most natural move,
b5-b4 to open the position on the Capablanca follows the plan to
q u e e n s i d e . 20.e4 ¢f7 continue his queenside play. This
A rare case where Capablanca's is fully in line with his method of
prophylactic thinking fails. The maximising his position on the
move liberates the e7-square for more active side before switching
the bishop, but it allows White to his attention to the other. However,
equalise the position. Can you see h ere we h av e a n ex cep t i o n . It
how White can achieve that and required deep immersion in the
what Black should have played p o s i ti on to re al i s e t h at i t wa s

68
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

more important t o add ress th e before executing the ...b4 push.

kingside first. We will see later in Pl ayi n g 23. . .g 5 was a l rea d y a
the game why this was important move too late, as after 24.fxg5
and how White could have taken Bxg5 25.Rg1! followed by Nf3
advantage of it. It was better to White will be prepared for any
en gage White on t he kings id e opening of the game on the
before he was mobilised there, so kingside. 24.¢e3 ¦ca8
22...g5! (intending ...gxf4 and ... Black is fully mobilised on the
Rg8 to start an attack along the g- queenside and given the pin on
file) was the best move. After 23. the a-file already threatens ...b4, s
fxg5 Bxg5 Black maintains the o White's next move is forced.
flexibility to play on both sides of 25.¦ab1 Avoiding the pin on the
the board: ...h5-h4 on the kingside a-file. h6 Typical Capablanca.
and ...b5-b4 on the queenside. First of all, he saw that the
Notice the accuracy and the exact immediate 25...b4?! doesn't bring
moment to play like this: if here much in view of 26.axb4 Bxb4 27.
White reacts in the same way as in b 3 ! wh e n Wh i t e s u c c e s s f u l l y
t he c o mme nts t o Bl ack's 2 3r d exchanges all pawns on the
move with 24.Kf2 (intending Rg1 queenside. Since the direct
and Nf3), then Black has the move opening of the queenside doesn't
24...Ba4! (using the fact that the wo rk, he s wi tc h es p la y t o t h e
pawn is still on b7!) that prevents kingside, a common occurrence in
the move Rg1 as then the bishop his games of playing on both sides
will be activated via c2 and will of the board. However, compared
become a monster on one of the to the immediate action on move
defended squares on d3 or e4 . 2 2 , t h i s t i m e Wh i t e i s b e t t e r
This move glues the rook to the prepared to deal with this activity.
c 1- s q u ar e , w h i c h ma k e s b o t h Note that he prepares the advance
White's rooks completely wi th p at i en ce. The immed i at e
inefficient. 23.¢f2 White brings opening of the g-file with 25...g5
the king towards the centre, but 26.Nf3 gxf4 27.gxf4 Rg8 gives
more importantly, it allows his nothing as White has the simple
rooks to take control over the g- 28.Rg1 . 26.¤f3 g5 27.¤e1
file from the g1-square in case it is Again (the first time was on move
opened. ¦a4 Capablanca 18), we can notice Janowski
maximises the concentration of miss ing a forcin g v ariat io n t o
his forces on the queenside. He solve his strategical problems.
wa n t s t o d o u b l e o n t h e a - f i l e After 27.fxg5! hxg5 28.h4! White

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

poses a question to Black. Either Black occupies the g-file. It was

to give up the f4-square after 28... better to stay flexible with 28...
g4 29.Ng1 with Ne2-f4 to come. Be8!? (with the idea to activate
Or to allow White a passed pawn the bishop after the king moves)
on the h-file after 28...gxh4 29. and ...Bh5, still keeping the
gxh4 Rg8 3 0.R g1 when Wh it e options to open the game on both
successfully challenges for the g- wings. 29.gxf4 ¦aa8
file as Black cannot play 30... Capablanca uses the greater
Raa8 because of 31.Bb4! when mobility of his rooks and the fact
suddenly Black is in trouble. that the knight on e1 prevent s
White acti vates his dor mant White to fight for the g-file with
bishop and intends to exchange all Rg1 to take over the g-file.
rooks and obtain a winning 'good 30.¤g2 This is the correct idea,
knight vs bad light-squared bishop but the implementation isn't. From
endgame.' Now we can understand g2 the knight can also come to e3
the importance of the urgency to to cover the g4-square, and it also
start play on the kingside on move covers the h4-square (after Black
22. ¦g8 Capablanca transfers the plays ...Rg4 it will prevent ...Rh4),
rook to the g-file that he can open but the more important factor is
whenever he sees it appropriate. that now White cannot oppose his
The immediate 27...gxf4 28.gxf4 rook on the g-file and this grants
Rg8 29.Nf3 with Rg1 next brings total control of the open file to Bla
nothing, so Black waits for a more ck. White still had a narrow path
o p p o r t u n e m o m e n t . 28.¢f3 to eq ual i ty wi th 3 0.Nc2! No w
A strange move. Connected with after 30...Rg4 31.Rg1 Rag8 or 31...
his previous move was the knight Rh4 32.Rg2 , defending the pawn
transfer 28.Ng2 , to be able to o n h 2 and i nte n d ing Rag 1 3 2 .
cap ture on f4 with the knight . Rxg4 Rxg4 33.Ne3 White is
With the knight on g2 an opening perfectly safe as with only one
of the kingside is not possible. rook Black doesn't have enough
Black should switch the flanks firepower to pose serious
again with 28...Rb8 and continue problems, for example 33...Rh4 is
wi t h ...b 4 n ex t. gxf4 Natural, s i m p l y m e t b y 3 4 . K g 3 . ¦g4
since Black opens the g-file in a Capablanca follows up naturally,
moment when White cannot doubling on the g-file. I am pretty
oppose it, but objectively certain that pinpointing the
s p e a k i n g t h i s is p re ma t u r e a s vulnerability of White's king with
White still has a defence after 30...Be8 (blocking the eighth rank

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

and breaking the plan of doubling passive black piece will join the
on the g-file at mid-point) battle with decisive effect.
followed by ...Kf8 and ...Bh5 was However, the p osition holds a
too 'unnatural' for his deep and well-hidden resource for
understanding of how the game White, so objectively we must say
s h o u l d f l o w f r e e l y . 31.¦g1 that this move lets the advantage
A move that is difficult to slip. Still, in light of the difficul
understand as White voluntarily ty of this resource it's difficult to
pins himself on the g-file. Maybe blame the players for missing it.
he thought that he had a fortress Objectivel y, it was better to
on the kingside by securely activate the light-squared bishop
defending the knight on g2. White on the other side of the board with
had better chances to defend with 32...Be8 followed by ...Kf8 and ...
31.Rh1! (defending the h2-pawn Bh5. 33.axb4 Capturing with the
in advance so ...Rh4 doesn't attack bishop would have been met with
it) 31...Rag8 32.Ne3 R4g7 33.Bb4 the same idea 33.Bxb4 Ba4 . By
(activating the bishop) 33...Bd8 taking with the pawn White opens
34.Kf2 with th e idea of Rbg1 . t h e a - f i l e . ¥a4 Capablanca
With the queenside secure White f o l l o w s t h e p l a n . 34.¦a1
has good chances to resist on the White activates the rook on the
kingside. ¦ag8 Now White is tied open a-file. In case of
up, the knight on g2 cannot move Capablanca's recommended (in
since the rook on g1 is hanging. 'My Chess Career') 34.Rc1 Rb8
32.¥e1 Janowski wants to bolster followed by ...Bxb4 leaves White
h i s k i n g s i d e wi t h B g 3, wh i c h w i t h a w e a k p a w n o n b 2 . ¥c2
wo u l d l en d ex t ra co ver t o th e Black is on the verge of
pawn on f4 and the h4-square and completing his idea. Can you find
will unpin the knight on g2 as it White's saving idea now? (hint:
c o v e r s t h e g - f i l e . b4 i t ' s d i f f i c u l t ! ) 35.¥g3
I n a cc o rd an c e wi t h h i s s t yl e , White misses his chance. This
having reached the maximum on move was part of his plan but it's
the kingside, Capablanca switches too passive to stop the assault of
sides at the exact moment when all Black 's pieces . The s avin g
White's coordination along the resource was difficult to spot as it
first rank is disturbed. The idea is involves a temporary piece
to open the path for the activation sacrifice. It starts with 35.Ra7!!
of the light-squared bishop via a4 Be4 36.Ke3 when Black cannot
and c2. If successful, the only take the piece as A)

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

@@StartFEN@@6r1/R3bk2/ the passed b-pawn and threatening

4p2p/3pPp2/1PpPbPr1/4K3/ t o creat e o ne o f h is o wn afte r
1P4NP/4B1R1 b - - 6 t a k i n g o n b 2 . 43.¥g5+ ¢g6
36@@EndFEN@@ 36...Rxg2 37. White has nothing as the bishop
R x g 2 R x g2 3 8 . B h 4 re g a i ns i t and rook cannot create threats
thanks to the pin along the a g a i n s t B l a c k ' s k i n g . 44.¦e7
s e v e n t h r a n k . B ) ¦xb2+ 45.¢f3 ¦a8 Going after
@@StartFEN@@6r1/R3bk2/ Wh i t e ' s k i n g . 46.¦xe6+ ¢h7
4p2p/3pPp2/1PpPbPr1/4K3/ The black king will hide on the
1P4NP/4B1R1 b - - 6 eighth rank when White's king
36@@EndFEN@@ Taking with will be mated after ...Ra3 and ...
a bishop allows 36...Bxg2 37.b5! Rh2, for example 47.Re7 Kg8 48.
with the threat of Bb4 as well as Kg3 Ra3 49.Kh4 Rh2# .
pushing the b-pawn. C)
@@StartFEN@@6r1/R3bk2/
4p2p/3pPp2/1PpPbPr1/4K3/ 66
1P4NP/4B1R1 b - - 6 3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
36@@EndFEN@@ In case Black Capablanca vs. Marshall #1
tries to avoid the pin along the
seventh rank with 36...Ke8 , XIIIIIIIIY
White has three moves that keep 8-tr-+-tr-+0
the balance: 37.Ra8 , 37.Bg3 or 7zp-+-+pmk-0
37.b5 . After each, his counterplay
based on the active rook and the
6-+-zp-+-zp0
passed b-p awn is sufficient t o 5+-snL+-zp-0
hold a draw. ¥e4+ Now it's over. 4-+-tR-+-+0
The dormant light-squared bishop 3+P+-+-+P0
is t ransformed into the most 2P+P+-zPP+0
i mp o r t a n t p i e c e o n e4 , wh i c h 1+-+-+RmK-0[
decides the game. 36.¢f2 h5 xabcdefghy
After ...h4 White suffers material
l o s s e s o n t h e g - f i l e . 37.¦a7 In this position White is a pawn up,
Too late! ¥xg2 38.¦xg2 h4 h a s a d o mi n a t i n g b i s h o p a n d
W i n n i n g m a t e r i a l . 39.¥xh4 Black's d6 and a7-pawns are weak.
¦xg2+ 40.¢f3 ¦xh2 He can win in many ways, bu t
Collecting the pawn and Capablanca's choice is typical of
t h r e a t e n i n g . . . R h 3 . 41.¥xe7 his manner of conversion of an
¦h3+ 42.¢f2 ¦b3 Controlling advantage. White's extra pawn is

72
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

on the queenside, so it's natural to XIIIIIIIIY

play on that side of the board, for 8-+-+-tr-+0{
e x a mp l e 2 5 . B f 3 ( k ee p i n g t h e 7zp-+-+p+-0
bishop on the long diagonal
looking towards the queenside)
6-tr-zpnmk-+0
2 5 ... Rb 6 26. Rf d1 R d8 27 .a 4 , 5+-+-+-zp-0
followed by a5, b4 etc. 4-+LtR-+-+0
Capablanca, however, does the 3+P+-+-+P0
opposite. With a decisive 2P+P+-+P+0
advantage on the queenside, he 1+-+-+RmK-0
wants to attack his opponent's xabcdefghy
kingside and obtain an advantage
there as well! This play on both g5. ¦g8 31.¦f5 Putting more
sides of the board, also known as pressure on the g5-pawn, which
the principle of two weaknesses Black cannot keep for long. ¦c6
(B l a ck ' s qu ee n s i d e i s al r ea d y Black pins the bishop as the pawn
weak, so White wants to create the on c2 would hang in case it moves,
second weakness on the kingside), thus defending against the threat
can be observed in many games of Bxe6. 32.h4 Capablanca
b y C a p a b l a n c a . 25.¥c4 continues the attack on the g5-
White keeps the bishop looking pawn. ¦gc8 Abandoning the g5-
t o war d s t h e k i ngs id e a nd t i e s pawn. Defending it was no longer
Black down to the defence of the possible, as 32...f6 is met by 33.
d6-pawn. ¦b6 26.¦e1 Bd5 followed by Re4, winning the
T h r e a t e n i n g R e 7 . ¢f6 k n i g h t o n e 6 . 33.hxg5
Black covers the e7-square. 27.f4 And so Capablanca won a second
He r e c o me s t h e a t t a c k o n t h e pawn.
kingside.

68
67 3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
3. The Principle of 2 Weakness Capablanca vs. Marshall #3
Capablanca vs. Marshall #2

29...¢e7 What is White's plan (Diagram)

here? 30.¦g4 White wants to win
a second pawn by taking the 33...¦c5 How does Capablanca
knight on e6 and then the pawn on transpose to a winning rook

73
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8-+r+-+-+0{ 8-+r+-+-+0{
7zp-+-mkp+-0 7zp-+-mk-+-0
6-+rzpn+-+0 6-+-zpp+-+0
5+-+-+RzP-0 5+-tR-+-zP-0
4-+L+-+R+0 4-+-+-+R+0
3+P+-+-+-0 3+P+-+-+-0
2P+P+-+P+0 2P+P+-+P+0
1+-+-+-mK-0 1+-+-+-mK-0
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
endgame? 34.¥xe6 He chooses stop his g-pawn. Capablanca uses
the most forcing way to convert the fact that the black king will be
h is ad v ant age, by ex chan gin g far from the queenside so he starts
p i e c es h e i s g e t t i n g t h e g a me play there, attacking the
c l o s e r t o c o m p l e t i o n . fxe6 vulnerable pawns. Notice how
35.¦xc5 Exchanging a second concrete Capablanca's endgame
pair of pieces, with the two extra p l ay was - h e h ad n o t i me fo r
pawns on the kingside becoming general considerations like king
even stronger. centralisation - that will come
o n l y l a t e r , wh en t h e p o s i t i o n
stabilises.
69
3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
Capablanca vs. Marshall #4 70
3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
Capablanca vs. Marshall #5
(Diagram)

35...¦xc5 What is Capablanca's (Diagram)

p l a n h e re ? 36.g6 The passed g-
pawn won't promote, but it serves 45...¦a4 How does Capablanca
as a perfect decoy for the black s i m p l i f y t h e p o s i t i o n ? 46.c3
king. ¢f8 37.¦c4 Here comes This allows Black to regain one
the second switch of sides in this pawn, but it simplifies the
game. White cannot win on the position to such an extent that the
kingside since Black's king will remain der is el emen tary. Thi s

74
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY 71
8-+-+-+-+0{ 3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
7+-tR-+-+-0 Capablanca,Jose Raul vs. Marsha
6-+-+p+k+0 XIIIIIIIIY
5zP-+p+-+-0 8-tr-+-tr-+0
4-zP-+-+-+0 7zp-+-+pmk-0
3+-+-+-+-0 6-+-zp-+-zp0
2-+P+-+PmK0 5+-snL+-zp-0
1tr-+-+-+-0 4-+-tR-+-+0
xabcdefghy 3+P+-+-+P0
transformation to an elementary 2P+P+-zPP+0
win even at cost of some material 1+-+-+RmK-0[
is an efficient way to win a won xabcdefghy
game. d4 Black regains one pawn
but that leaves him with no hope. In this position White is a pawn up,
47.¦c6 Threatening to push a6 h a s a d o mi n a t i n g b i s h o p a n d
a n d t h e p a w n o n e 6 . dxc3 Black's d6 and a7-pawns are weak.
48.¦xc3 ¦xb4 49.¦a3 He can win in many ways, bu t
This was Capablanca's idea when Capablanca's choice is typical of
he allowed Black to regain one his manner of conversion of an
pawn. For a second time in the advantage. White's extra pawn is
game (the first one was on move on the queenside, so it's natural to
36 when the rook was behind the play on that side of the board, for
passed g-pawn) the white rook e x a mp l e 2 5 . B f 3 ( k ee p i n g t h e
stands behind the passed pawn. bishop on the long diagonal
This time the only way to stop it looking towards the queenside)
is to put the rook in front of it, wh 2 5 ... Rb 6 26. Rf d 1 R d8 2 7 .a 4 ,
ich is the worst possible position followed by a5, b4 etc.
for the rook as it cannot move. Capablanca, however, does the
White will then use this opposite. With a decisive
immobility of the rook to advance advantage on the queenside, he
with his g-pawn, switching sides wants to attack his opponent's
for a third (!) time in the game. kingside and obtain an advantage
there as well! This play on both
sides of the board, also known as
the principle of two weaknesses

75
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

(B l a ck ' s qu ee n s i d e i s al r ea d y pawn. ¦c5 34.¥xe6 With this

weak, so White wants to create the and the next move Capablanca
second weakness on the kingside), t r a n s p o s e s t o a wi n n i n g r o o k
can be observed in many games endgame. He chooses the most
b y C a p a b l a n c a . 25.¥c4 forcing way to convert his
White keeps the bishop looking advantage, by exchanging pieces
t o war d s t h e k i ngs id e a nd t i e s he is getting the game closer to
Black down to the defence of the completion. fxe6 35.¦xc5 ¦xc5
d6-pawn. ¦b6 26.¦e1 36.g6 The passed g-pawn won't
T h r e a t e n i n g R e 7 . ¢f6 promote, but it serves as a perfect
Black covers the e7-square. 27.f4 d ec o y fo r t h e b l ac k k i n g . ¢f8
He r e c o me s t h e a t t a c k o n t h e 37.¦c4 Here comes the second
kingside. ¤e6 28.fxg5+ hxg5 s wi t c h o f s i d e s i n t h i s g a me .
29.¦f1+ This check forces the White cannot win on the kingside
king away from the g5-pawn. ¢e7 since Black's king will stop his g-
The king gives extra defence to pawn. Capablanca uses the fact
the d6-pawn. In case of 29...Kg7 that the black kin g will b e far
30.Rd5 , again combining threats from the queenside so he starts
on both wings with Ra5, attacking play there, attacking the
the pawn on a7 and threatening v u ln e rabl e pawn s .No t ic e h o w
Bxe6, Black's position collapses. concrete Capablanca's endgame
30.¦g4 White wants to win a p l ay was - h e h ad n o t i me fo r
second pawn by taking the knight general considerations like king
on e6 and then the pawn on g5. centralisation - that will come
¦g8 31.¦f5 Putting more o n l y l a t e r , wh en t h e p o s i t i o n
pressure on the g5-pawn, which s t a b i l i s e s . ¦a5 Of course, the
Black cannot keep for long. ¦c6 pawn endgame after 37...Rxc4 38.
Black pins the bishop as the pawn bx c4 i s an elementary win fo r
on c2 would hang in case it moves, White with the extra passed g-
thus defending against the threat p a wn . T h e wi n n i n g pl a n i s t o
of Bxe6. 32.h4 Capablanca advance together with the pawn
continues the attack on the g5- and king and then at one point
pawn. ¦gc8 Abandoning the g5- abandon the g-pawn to win
pawn. Defending it was no longer Black's pawns in the centre. An
possible, as 32...f6 is met by 33. impo rtan t idea is t he c5-p ush ,
Bd5 followed by Re4, winning the which separates Black's pawns.If
k n i g h t o n e 6 . 33.hxg5 you are not certain, it is a good
And so Capablanca won a second ex er ci s e t o an al ys e th i s p awn

76
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

endgame yourself following the game. d4 Black regains one pawn

advice above - you will learn a lot but that leaves him with no hope.
about pawn endgames doing so. 47.¦c6 Threatening to push a6
38.a4 Defending the a-pawn. ¢g7 a n d t h e p a w n o n e 6 . dxc3
39.¦c6 Black inevitably drops 48.¦xc3 ¦xb4 49.¦a3
a n o t h e r p a w n . ¦d5 Marshall This was Capablanca's idea when
decides to give up the a-pawn. he allowed Black to regain one
40.¦c7+ ¢xg6 41.¦xa7 pawn. For a second time in the
White is still two pawns up, but game (the first one was on move
the game is now closer to 36 when the rook was behind the
completion than when he won the passed g-pawn) the white rook
second one. Eight moves passed stands behind the passed pawn.
since then and 20 more will be This time the only way to stop it
played, but as his great successor is to put the rook in front of it, wh
Alekhine said, 'technique is good ich is the worst possible position
n erv es , ' whi ch means that th e for the rook as it cannot move.
player who expects t o wi n th e White will then use this
g a me mu s t be pat ie n t an d n o t immobility of the rook to advance
rush. ¦d1+ 42.¢h2 with his g-pawn, switching sides
No t al l o wi ng 4 2. Kf2 Rd 2 . d5 for a third (!) time in the game.
43.a5 The pawns roll forward. ¦b7 50.a6 ¦a7 51.¦a5
¦c1 44.¦c7 There are many lines Precision until the end - the rook
t h a t wi n , f o r e x amp l e , i t w a s cuts off Black's king and pawn
possible to advance with 44.a6 along the fifth rank. ¢f6 52.g4
and give up the c2-pawn, but this The third switch of sides in action
was not Capablanca's style - he - it's kingside time again! ¢e7
wants to win with ma ximum 53.¢g3 Only now the king is
co mfo rt an d wit hout allowing centralised! ¢d6 54.¢f4 ¢c7
(any) counterplay. ¦a1 45.b4 55.¢e5 ¢d7 56.g5 The g-pawn
Defending the a5-pawn and simply advances, and if the black
advancing further. ¦a4 46.c3 king goes over to stop it White
This allows Black to regain one will switch sides for the fourth
pawn, but it simplifies the time in the game and will send his
position to such an extent that the king to the queenside to win the
remain der is el ementary. Thi s b l a c k r o o k . ¢e7 57.g6 ¢f8
transformation to an elementary 58.¢xe6 ¢e8 59.g7 The final
win even at cost of some material combination. ¦xg7 60.a7 ¦g6+
is an efficient way to win a won

77
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

61.¢f5 The a-pawn promotes and Rc3. 28.¤d4 ¦f6 Now the threat
Marshall finally resigned. is ...f4. Notice how forcing
Capablanca's play is.

72
3. The Principle of 2 Weakness 73
Faehndrich/Kaufmann vs. Capabl 3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
Faehndrich/Kaufmann vs. Capabl
XIIIIIIIIY
8r+-+-+-+0{ XIIIIIIIIY
7zpp+-+-+k0 8-+r+-+-+0
6-+-+-tr-zp0 7zpp+-+-+k0
5+-+p+p+-0 6-+-+-tr-zp0
4-+-+l+-+0 5+-+p+p+-0
3+-+-tRN+P0 4-+-sNl+-+0
2PzPP+-tR-zP0 3+P+-tR-+P0
1+-+-+-mK-0 2P+P+-tR-zP0
xabcdefghy 1+-+-+-mK-0[
xabcdefghy
How does Capablanca provoke a
we a k e n i n g on t h e q u ee n s i de ? 29.¦f4 White blockades the f5-
26...¦b6 He employs his favourite pawn. It appears that Black only
method of play on both sides of helped White as now he occupies
the board - he masterfully attacks both blockading squares on d4
on both wings, and White cannot and f4. But this is deceiving as
manage to cover everything in Black continues with the
time. He also wrote that the move continuous attack, and it turns out
i s al s o a pro phyl act ic one: b y that White cannot maintain the
forcing the white pawns to move blockade. How does Capablanca
he prevents the white rook from ma x i mi s e h i s p o s i t i o n o n t h e
attacking the black pawns on the kingside? ¢g6 Threatening ...
queenside from b3 or a3. 27.b3 Kg5 and ...f4 when the rook
¦c8 Attacking the pawn on c2, so moves from f4. A good alternative
White's reply is forced. The was 29...b5 with the idea of ...Ra6,
alternative was to send the king to when the b5-pawn prevents
the centre by 27...Kg7 28.-- Kf6 , Whit e's a4 . 30.c3 White misses
but Capablanca prevents the move another chance. It was better to

78
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

prevent the king's advance with 30. for the public, as the simple 33...
Rg3 Kf7 and only now 31.c3 . If Rb6 34.Nd4 Rf8! (preparing ...
Black wants to get his king to e5 Ke5 by defending the pawn on f5
he needs to sacrifice a pawn with as the immediate 34...Ke5? runs
31...Ke7 32.Rg7 Kd6 33.Rxb7 a6 into 35.Rxf5! ) should win
with ...Ke5 next, which gives him without trouble. 34.axb5 ¦a1+
great activity but at least White is 35.¦f1 After 35.Kf2 Ke5 36.Rff3
a p a w n u p ! ¢g5 Black now Ra2 37.Kf1 Rg8 Black also wins
continues with his plan. 31.¤e2 as he attacks from all sides: one
¦a6 Here comes the switching of rook from the queenside, the other
the flanks - after maximising his from the kingside, and the king
position on the kingside supports the passed f-pawn in the
Capablanca turns his attention centre. ¦xf1+ 36.¢xf1 ¢e5
back to the queenside. Black finally wins the battle for
the blockading square on f4. Once
the passed f-pawn starts moving
74 forward the game is over.
3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
Faehndrich/Kaufmann vs. Capabl
75
XIIIIIIIIY 3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
8-+r+-+-+0 Faehndrich/Kaufmann vs. Capabl
7zpp+-+-+-0
6r+-+-+-zp0 (Diagram)
5+-+p+pmk-0
4-+-+ltR-+0 34...¢e5 Why was the immediate
3+PzP-tR-+P0 34... Ke5? a mistake here?
2P+-+N+-zP0 35.¦xf5+ White wins a pawn due
1+-+-+-mK-0[ to the pinned bishop.
xabcdefghy
32.h4+ How will Black gain
control over the f4-square? ¢f6
33.a4 b5 Forceful conversion of
the advantage. Black sacrifices a
pawn to penetrate with the rook.
Probably Capablanca was playing

79
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY always, Capablanca's play is

8-+r+-+-+0{ extremely accurate as every move
7zpp+-+-+-0 contains a threat. 42.¢e1 h5
Domination. The rook on h3 is a
6-tr-+-mk-zp0 pathetic piece.
5+-+p+p+-0
4P+-sNltR-zP0
3+PzP-tR-+-0 77
2-+-+-+-zP0 3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
1+-+-+-mK-0 Faehndrich/Kaufmann vs. Capabl
xabcdefghy
XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-+-+-+0
7zp-+-+-+-0
76
3. The Principle of 2 Weakness
6-+-+-+-+0
Faehndrich/Kaufmann vs. Capabl 5+P+pmk-+p0
4-+-sNlzp-zP0
XIIIIIIIIY 3+PzP-+-+R0
8-+r+-+-+0 2-tr-+-+-zP0
7zp-+-+-+-0 1+-+-mK-+-0[
6-+-+-+-zp0 xabcdefghy
5+P+pmk-+-0 43.¢d1 How does Black convert
4-+-sNlzp-zP0 into a winning rook endgame?
3+PzP-tR-+-0 ¥f5 An instructive moment. Black
2-+-+-+-zP0 fo rces a roo k en dg ame t hat i s
1+-+-+K+-0[ eas ily wi nn ing b ecau s e of th e
xabcdefghy difference in activity of the pieces.
By exchanging White's centralised
38.¦h3 What did Capablanca play knight he opens the path to move
here? ¦g8 Threatening ...Bg2. forward. 44.¤xf5 Forced, as 44.
39.¢e1 ¦g1+ Black wants to Rf3 Bg4 loses the exchange.
land on the second rank, but he ¢xf5 The active rook on the
does it by gain of tempo. 40.¢e2 second rank that cuts off White's
¦g2+ 40...Bg2 is tempting but 41. king coupled with the passed f-
K f 2 k i l l s c o u n t e r p l a y . 41.¢f1 p awn an d th e a cti ve k in g t ha t
¦b2 Threatening ...Bg2 again. As

80
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique

su p po rt s make Black's wi n an Capablanca starts by provoking a

elementary task. weakening on the queenside. He
employs his favourite method of
play on both sides of the board -
78 he masterfully attacks on both
3. The Principle of 2 Weakness wings, and White cannot manage
Faehndrich/Kaufmann vs.Capabl,Vienna to cover everything in time. He
also wrote that the move is also a
XIIIIIIIIY prophylactic one: by forcing the
8r+-+-+-+0{ white pawns to move he prevents
7zpp+-+-+k0 the white rook from attacking the
bl ack pawns on the q u een sid e
6-+-+-tr-zp0 f r o m b 3 o r a 3 . 27.b3 ¦c8
5+-+p+p+-0 At t a c k i ng t he p a wn o n c 2, s o
4-+-+l+-+0 White's reply is forced. The
3+-+-tRN+P0 alternative was to send the king to
2PzPP+-tR-zP0 the centre by 27...Kg7 28.-- Kf6 ,
1+-+-+-mK-0 but Capablanca prevents the move
xabcdefghy Rc3. 28.¤d4 ¦f6 Now the threat
is ...f4. Notice how forcing
This was a consultation game, but C a p a b l a n c a ' s p l a y i s . 29.¦f4
in Reti's words, he was a mere White blockades the f5-pawn. It
observer of Capablanca's mastery. appears that Black only helped
And, as we shall see, the style of White as now he occupies both
condu ct i n g t he end game is s o blockading squares on d4 and f4.
characteristic of Capablanca that But t his is deceivin g as Black
there is no reason to doubt Reti's continues with the continuou s
words.Black has a dominating attack, and it turns out that White
bishop and is practically a pawn cannot maintai n the blockade.
up as White's two pawns on the h- Therefore it was better to cut off
file count as one. Still, White can Black's king with 29.Rg3! White
hope to establish a dark-square had to see that after 29...f4 30.
b lo c k ad e o n d 4 a nd f4, an d i f Rg4 f3 31.Rg3 he attacks the
successful, it will be difficult for pawn on f3 and manages to hold
Black to break through. In 'My the defence. ¢g6 Threatening ...
Chess Career' Capablanca called Kg5 and ...f4 when the rook
this endgame one of the best he'd moves from f4. A good alternative
e v e r p l a y e d . 26...¦b6 was 29...b5 with the idea of ...Ra6,

81
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

when the b5-pawn prevents centre. ¦xf1+ 36.¢xf1 ¢e5

Whit e's a4 . 30.c3 White misses Black finally wins the battle for
another chance. It was better to the blockading square on f4. Once
prevent the king's advance with 30. the passed f-pawn starts moving
Rg3 Kf7 and only now 31.c3 . If forward the game is over. 37.¤d4
Black wants to get his king to e5 f4 38.¦h3 ¦g8 Threatening ...
he needs to sacrifice a pawn with Bg2. 39.¢e1 ¦g1+ Black wants
31...Ke7 32.Rg7 Kd6 33.Rxb7 a6 to land on the second rank, but he
with ...Ke5 next, which gives him does it by gain of tempo. 40.¢e2
great activity but at least White is ¦g2+ 41.¢f1 ¦b2 Threatening ...
a p a w n u p ! ¢g5 Black now Bg2 again. As always,
continues with his plan. 31.¤e2 Capablanca's play is extremely
¦a6 Here comes the switching of accurate as every move contains a
the flanks - after maximising his threat. 42.¢e1 h5 Domination.
position on the kingside The rook on h3 is a pathetic piece.
Capablanca turns his attention 43.¢d1 ¥f5 An instructive
b a c k t o t h e q u e e n s i d e . 32.h4+ mo me n t . B l a c k f o r c e s a r o o k
This only helps Black to get closer endgame that is easily winning
to the ideal square for the king on because of the difference in
e 5. Th e i mme d i a t e 3 2 . a 4 w a s activity of the pieces. By
better, though after 32...Rb6 Black exchanging White's centralised
should still win. ¢f6 33.a4 b5 knight he opens the path to move
Forceful conversion of the forward. 44.¤xf5 Forced, as 44.
ad van t a g e. B l a ck s a c ri fi ces a Rf3 Bg4 loses the exchange.
pawn to penetrate with the rook. ¢xf5 The active rook on the
Probably Capablanca was playing second rank that cuts off White's
for the public, as the simple 33... king coupled with the passed f-
Rb6 34.Nd4 Rf8! (preparing ... p awn an d th e a cti ve k in g t ha t
Ke5 by defending the pawn on f5 su p po rt s make Black's wi n an
as the immediate 34...Ke5? runs e l e m e n t a r y t a s k . 45.c4
into 35.Rxf5! ) should win In cas e o f 45.Rd 3 Capablan ca
without trouble. 34.axb5 ¦a1+ gives the line 45...Ke4 46.Rd4
35.¦f1 After 35.Kf2 Ke5 36.Rff3 Ke3 47.Rxd5 f3 48.Re5 Kf4 49.
Ra2 37.Kf1 Rg8 Black also wins Re7 f2 50.Rf7 Ke3 , and
as he attacks from all sides: one c o n c l u d e s t h a t Wh i t e w i l l b e
rook from the queenside, the other forced to give up his rook for the
from the kingside, and the king f-pawn. ¢e4 The threat is ...f3.
supports the passed f-pawn in the 46.¦c3 f3 Now the threat is ...f2.

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

47.¢e1 d4 White resigned, as allowing a doubling of the pawns

after 48.Rc1 d3 it's all over. on the f-file after 10...Nf6?! 11.
Bxf6 gxf6 , which is just ugly.
Insisting on the development of
79 the knight on f6 allows White to
4. Double-Rook Endgames show the power of the bishops in
Kan vs. Capablanca #1 an open position after 10...h6 11.
Bh4 g5 12.Bg3 Nf6? 13.e5!
XIIIIIIIIY opening the position with
8rsnl+k+ntr0{ d e v a s t a t i n g e f f e c t . 11.0-0
7+pzp-+pzpp0 Finishin g develo pment an d
connecting the rooks, but 11.Nb5!
6-zp-zp-+-+0 w a s a l s o s t r o n g . ¤g6
5+-+-+-vL-0 Black continues with the
4-+-sNP+-+0 development of the knight and can
3+-+-+-+-0 now castle since the king
2PzPP+-zPPzP0 doesn'tneed to defend the knight
1tR-+-mKL+R0 on e7 anymore.
xabcdefghy
The queens have just been 80
exchanged. White has the 4. Double-Rook Endgames
advantage of the pair of bishops, Kan vs. Capablanca #2
and Black has little to show for it.
In positions like the one we have
here, the ability to choose from a (Diagram)
wide array of more or less good
moves comes to the fore. Stronger 9...¥d7 White played 10. Bc4
players, with their finely tuned here, which is fine, but why not
intuition, normally find it easier th present Black with direct
an weaker players, who tend to try problems? 10.¤b5 Black is
to calculate their way through, forced to choose from two
which is impossible and leads to undesirable options. Either to give
fatigue and bad decisions later on. up the second bishop after ¥xb5
What did Capablanca play here? 11.¥xb5+ ¤c6 12.f3
9...¥d7 Capablanca covers the b5- Giving White a stable edge in a
square. 10.¥c4 ¤e7 The only position with two bishops vs two
way to develop the knight without knights with the knights lacking

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY 81
8rsnl+k+ntr0{ 4. Double-Rook Endgames
7+pzp-+pzpp0 Kan vs. Capablanca #3
6-zp-zp-+-+0 XIIIIIIIIY
5+-+-+-vL-0 8rsn-+k+-tr0
4-+-sNP+-+0 7+pzpl+pzpp0
3+-+-+-+-0 6-zp-zp-+n+0
2PzPP+-zPPzP0 5+-+-+-vL-0
1tR-+-mKL+R0 4-+LsNP+-+0
xabcdefghy 3+-+-+-+-0
s a f e o u t p o s t s ; 2PzPP+-zPPzP0
@@StartFEN@@rn2k1nr/ 1tR-+-+RmK-0[
1ppb1ppp/1p1p4/1N4B1/4P3/8/ xabcdefghy
PPP2PPP/R3KB1R b KQkq - 2
10@@EndFEN@@ Or to put his 12.a3 Thanks to his unparalleled
knight on the rim to defend the c7- i n t u i t i o n , C a p a b l a n c a ma k e s
pawn after 10...Na6 11.O-O-O c h o i c e s mu c h e a s i e r t h a n h i s
when he is under serious pressure opponent, who struggles to come
as ...c6 is impossible due to the up with concrete ideas and
weakness of the d6-pawn. This is gradually lets his advantage slip.
the first instance when we can see Objectively speaking White keeps
White playing a normal-looking the advantage after 12. a3, but the
b u t r at h e r v a gue mov e. Whe n trend of indecisiveness is already
strong players have an advantage, underway and continues with the
they rarely give respite, they play n e x t f e w m o v e s a s w e l l . 0-0
forcing moves that pose concrete Black castles as he cannot
p ro b l ems . I am s ur e t ha t wi t h conveniently keep the king in the
reversed colours Capablanca centre. 13.¦ad1 A normal-
wouldn't have hesitated to jump to l o o k i n g mo ve , b u t a l re a dy a n
b5 with the knight. imprecision. If White wanted to
put a rook on a central file it was
better to place the other rook on
e1, the difference is that the rook
on a1 can support the a-pawn to
a4 if necessary. And it is
necessary, as things are becoming

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

concrete now. ¤c6 This natural XIIIIIIIIY

d e v e l o p i n g mo v e i s p o s s i b l e 8r+-+-trk+0
because of White's last move. A 7+pzpl+pzpp0
positional question: How should
White react to this move? Capture,
6-zpnzp-+n+0
leave it as it is, or move the knight 5+-+-+-vL-0
from d4? 14.¤xc6 4-+LsNP+-+0
A gross mistake in evaluation. 3zP-+-+-+-0
After this exchange, Black's 2-zPP+-zPPzP0
compact pawn structure in the 1+-+R+RmK-0[
centre compensates for White's xabcdefghy
bishop pair and the position is
equal. bxc6 The position is now desired reaction? ¤ce5 15.¥e2
equal: the pawn on c6 covers the ¥xb5 16.¥xb5 ¦a5 If White
i mp o r t a n t s q u ar e s d 5 a n d b 5 , plays 17.¥e2 Then Black has
White's bishops lack targets and ¤f3+ 18.¥xf3 ¦xg5
Black can effectively use the semi- With easy equality.
open a and e files while White can
do nothing on the semi-open d-file.
We h a v e w i t n e s s e d a s e r i o u s 83
deterioration of White's position 4. Double-Rook Endgames
in only four (!) moves, starting Kan vs. Capablanca #5
wi t h a s e r i o u s a dv a nt ag e an d
arriving at an equal position. The
reason for this were the vague (Diagram)
moves that White played and this
is a common occurrence when the 16.¥d3 How does Black gain an
player lacks a clear idea of what e a s i e r t o p l a y p o s i t i o n ? ¤e5
he should be doing. Black is taking over the initiative.
He can eliminate White's only
advantage, and then he will have
82 an easier to play position. With
4. Double-Rook Endgames h i s ce n t r al p awn ma s s h e ca n
Kan vs. Capablanca #4 maneuver freely behind it an d
prepare its advance. 17.¥c3 f6
14.¤b5 What response does Black fortifies the knight on e5
Black have against 14. Nb5, and doesn't rush with taking on d3,
which would have been White's as White still cannot remove the

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY c4, from where it cannot be

8-+-+-trk+0 chased away with b3 because of
7+-zpl+pzpp0 the attack on the pawn on a3.
6-zppzp-+n+0
5+-+-+-+-0 84
4r+L+P+-+0 4. Double-Rook Endgames
3zP-+-+-+-0 Kan vs. Capablanca #6
2-zPPvL-zPPzP0
1+-+R+RmK-0[ XIIIIIIIIY
xabcdefghy 8-+-+r+k+0
7+-zp-+-zpp0
bishop from d3 given the
vulnerability of the pawn on e4.
6lzppzp-zp-+0
18.f3 White solidifies the pawn on 5+-+-sn-+-0
e4. ¦e8 Capablanca doesn't rush. 4r+-+P+-+0
He could have started with the 3zP-vL-+P+-0
advance of his pawn mass with 2-zPP+-tRPzP0
1 8 ...c5 or take n on d3, but h e 1+-+R+LmK-0[
decides not to force matters and xabcdefghy
giv e Whit e a choice. Thi s i s a
psychological tactic that strong 21.¥xa6 From this moment White
players often employ. Capablanca starts to play for a draw in a rather
noticed that the level of his dull manner. First, he exchanges
opponent's moves up to this point all light pieces and then starts to
was not high, so he decides to ma r k t i me i n t h e d o ub l e-r o o k
give him more chances to make endgame.How does Black
choices, thus hoping that he will respond? ¦xa6 22.¥xe5
continue to voluntarily worsen his Continuing the plan. A question:
position. 19.¦f2 White prepares how would you recapture? fxe5
Bf1. ¥c8 With this move, Black With this recapture, Black creates
ensures that White won't keep the two constructive ideas for himself
pair of bishops as he can play ... - the first is the minority attack on
Ba6, forcing the exchange of the the kingside with ...g5, ...h5, ...g4
l i g h t - s q u a r e d b i s h o p s . 20.¥f1 etc, and the second one is to
¥a6 After the exchange of the advance in the centre by pushing ...
light-squared bishops, the black d5. 23.¦d3 White's strategy is to
knight can find a good square on sit and wait. Who can blame him -

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

he has no weaknesses so why not queenside in the typical Carlsbad),

just ask Black how he intends to but the objective of the minority
break through? b5 Capablanca attack remains the same - by
improves his position on the pushing ...g4 Black wants to
queenside first. create weaknesses on the kingside,
most likely by taking on f3 and
creating a backward pawn on that
85 square. 30.h3 Slowing down
4. Double-Rook Endgames Black's advance and ensuring that
Kan vs. Capablanca #7 the h-file is opened after hxg4. h5
Continuing the advance. 31.¦h1
XIIIIIIIIY A prophylactic move, now in case
8-+-+r+-+0 of 31...g4 32.hxg4 the rook will be
7+-zp-+-zpp0 active on the open h-file. ¦d4+
Capablanca improves the position
6-+-zpk+-+0 o f h i s ro ok b y c e n t ra l i s i ng i t
5+pzp-zp-+-0 before continuing with the play on
4r+-+P+-+0 t h e k i n g s i d e . 32.¢e2 ¦g8
3zP-+RmKP+-0 Black prepares the ...g4 push.
2-zPP+-+PzP0
1+-+R+-+-0[
xabcdefghy 86
4. Double-Rook Endgames
28.¢d2 What threats does Kan vs. Capablanca #8
Capablanca create before starting
p l a y o n t h e k i n g s i d e ? ¦b8
Capablanca could have started (Diagram)
with the minority attack
immediately with 28...g5 , but he 32.¦d3 How can Black respond
first tries to scare White with the t against 32. Rd3?! c4 Forcing:
hreat of ...b4. Typical Capablanca, 33.¦xd4 exd4 And forming a
playing with possible threats as potent pawn pair on d4 and c4.
w e l l a s c o n c r e t e o n e s . 29.¦c3
White continues to sit and wait.
g5 The position has a curious
reversed and mirrored Carlsbad
structure (as it's usually White
who has a minority attack on the

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XIIIIIIIIY is the objective truth in the positio

8-tr-+-+-+0 n.
7+-zp-+-+-0
6-+-zpk+-+0 88
5+pzp-zp-zpp0 4. Double-Rook Endgames
4-+-trP+-+0 Kan vs. Capablanca #10
3zP-tR-+P+P0
2-zPPmK-+P+0 XIIIIIIIIY
1+-+-+-+R0[ 8-+-+-+-tr0
xabcdefghy 7+-zp-+-+-0
6-+-zpk+-+0
5+pzp-zp-+-0
87 4r+-+P+p+0
4. Double-Rook Endgames 3zP-+RmKP+-0
Kan vs. Capablanca #9 2-zPP+-+P+0
1+-+R+-+-0[
XIIIIIIIIY xabcdefghy
8-+-+-+r+0{
7+-zp-+-+-0 37.¦b3 Capablanca liked to keep
the tension with 37... Rh2?!, but
6-+-zpk+-+0 here it could have backfired. What
5+pzp-zp-+-0 was better? ¦d4 It was better to
4r+-+P+p+0 either take on f3 first or to play 37
3zP-+RmKP+-0 ... Rd4! 38.¦bd3 ¦h4
2-zPP+-+P+0 With the pretty prophylactic idea
1+-+R+-+-0 i n t h e c a s e o f 39.f4 g3
xabcdefghy When both rooks on the fourth
rank attack the pawns on f4 and
36...¦h8 What opportunity did e4.
W h i t e m i s s h e r e ? 37.f4
Threatening f5 or fxe5, thus
f o r c i n g B l a c k t o t a k e . exf4+
38.¢xf4 When Black also has a
v u ln erab l e pa wn on g 4. Aft e r
¦f8+ 39.¢e3 White threatens to
become active with Rd5-g5. This

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89 90
4. Double-Rook Endgames 4. Double-Rook Endgames
Kan vs. Capablanca #11 Kan vs. Capablanca #12

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-+-+-+0 8-+-+-+-+0
7+-+-+-+-0 7+-+-+-+-0
6-+pzpk+-+0 6-+pzpk+-+0
5+pzp-zp-+-0 5+pzp-zp-+-0
4-+-trP+p+0 4-+-trP+-+0
3zPR+-mKP+-0 3zP-tR-mKPzp-0
2-zPP+R+Ptr0 2-zPP+R+Ptr0
1+-+-+-+-0[ 1+-+-+-+-0[
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
40.¦c3 The moment when it was 41.¦d3 What does Capablanca
high time to switch from passive i n t e n d h e r e ? ¦h1 The rook is
to active defence. Passive defence activated along the first rank and
works only when there is a Black intends to switch flanks
fortress, which is not the cas e again by attacking White's
here. White pays the price for his q u ee n s i d e pawns wi t h . .. Rb 1 .
inabil ity to a dju st mental ly, 42.f4 Too late... ¦f1 The idea we
though it has to be said that doing saw in the comment to Black's
so on the last move of the time 40th move - cutting off the white
control is incredibly difficult. king along the f-file and
What was the winning move here? threatening ...Rf4 to capture the
¦h1 Activating the rook along the p a w n o n e 4 . 43.f5+ ¢f6
first rank and with the idea of Now Black threatens ...d5 or ...
41.fxg4 ¦f1 Cutting off the king Rf4. 44.c3 ¦xd3+ 45.¢xd3 d5
along the f-file and threatening ... The central pawn mass goes
Rf4, when both pawns on e4 and forward and mops up everything
g4 will fall. Capablanca will come on its way. The threat is ...c4 and .
to this idea when given a second ..Rf4, but also ...d4 or ...Rf2.
chance.

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

91 giving White a stable edge in a

4. Double-Rook Endgames position with two bishops vs two
Kan,Ilia Abramovich vs. knights with the knights lacking
s afe o u t po st s; B) o r t o pu t h i s
XIIIIIIIIY knight on the rim to defend the c7-
8rsnl+k+ntr0{ pawn after 10...Na6 11.O-O-O
7+pzp-+pzpp0 when he is under serious pressure
as ...c6 is impossible due to the
6-zp-zp-+-+0 weakness of the d6-pawn. This is
5+-+-+-vL-0 the first instance when we can see
4-+-sNP+-+0 White playing a normal-looking
3+-+-+-+-0 b u t r a t h e r v a g u e mo v e . Wh e n
2PzPP+-zPPzP0 strong players have an advantage
1tR-+-mKL+R0 they rarely give respite, they play
xabcdefghy forcing moves that pose concrete
p ro b l ems . I am s ur e t ha t wi t h
The queens have just been reversed colours Capablanca
exchanged. White has the wouldn't have hesitated to jump to
advantage of the pair of bishops, b 5 w i t h t h e k n i g h t . ¤e7
and Black has little to show for it. The only way to develop the
In positions like the one we have knight without allowing a
here the ability to choose from a doubling of the pawns on the f-file
wide array of more or less good after 10...Nf6?! 11.Bxf6 gxf6 ,
moves comes to the fore.Stronger which is just ugly. Insisting on
players, with their finely tuned the development of the knight on
intuition, normally find it easier th f6 a llows Wh ite to show the
an weaker players, who tend to try power of the bishops in an open
to calculate their way through, position after 10...h6 11.Bh4 g5
which is impossible and leads to 12.Bg3 Nf6? 13.e5! opening the
fatigue and bad decisions later on. position with devastating effect.
9...¥d7 Capablanca covers the b5- 11.0-0 Finishing development and
square. 10.¥c4 This is fine, but connecting the rooks, but again 11.
why not pose direct problems to N b 5 ! w a s s t r o n g . ¤g6
Black? After 10.Nb5! Black is Black continues with the
forced to choose from two development of the knight and can
undesirable options:A) either to now castle since the king
give up the second bishop after doesn'tneed to defend the knight
10...Bxb5 11.Bxb5 Nc6 12.f3 , o n e 7 a n y m o r e . 12.a3

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

White has many decent moves in because of White's last move. A

this position and this is one of positional question: how should
them so why the ?! mark? Again White react to this move - take,
playing 12.Nb5! had the leave it as it is, or move the knight
advantage of simplifying White's from d4? 14.¤xc6
t as k . In t he ens uing po s it i on s A gross mistake in evaluation.
after 12...Bxb5 13.Bxb5 c6 14. After this exchange, Black's
Be2 White's play is simple - attack compact pawn structure in the
down the d-file and use the centre compensates for White's
bishops to probe for more bishop pair and the position is
weaknesses. By leaving the equal. White's desired reaction
position undefined with the game wou ld have b een 14.Nb 5 , bu t
move, White steps on unequal here Black has 14...Nce5! 15.Be2
grounds psychologically speaking. Bxb5 16.Bxb5 Ra5 A)
Thanks to his unparalleled @@StartFEN@@5rk1/1pp2ppp/
intuition Capablanca makes 1p1p2n1/rB2n1B1/4P3/P7/
c h o i c e s mu c h e a s i e r t h a n h i s 1PP2PPP/3R1RK1 w - - 1
opponent, who struggles to come 17@@EndFEN@@ and with a
up with concrete ideas and rook on a1 the move 17.a4 would
gradually lets his advantage slip. now have been possible, but with
Objectively speaking White keeps a rook on d1 it is met by 17...c6
the advantage after 12.a3 , but the 18.b4 Ra7 and when the bishop
trend of indecisiveness is already moves the pawn on a4 falls. B)
underway and continues with the @@StartFEN@@5rk1/1pp2ppp/
n e x t f e w m o v e s a s w e l l . 0-0 1p1p2n1/rB2n1B1/4P3/P7/
Black castles as he cannot 1PP2PPP/3R1RK1 w - - 1
conveniently keep the king in the 17@@EndFEN@@ If White
centre. 13.¦ad1 A normal- plays 17.Be2 instead then Black
l o o k i n g mo ve , b u t a l re a dy a n has 17...Nf3! 18.Bxf3 Rxg5 with
imprecision. If White wanted to easy eq ualit y. It was bet ter t o
put a rook on a central file it was keep the knights with 14.Ne2 or
better to place the other rook on even play 14.f3 , keeping
e1, the difference is that the rook a dv a n t ag e i n bo t h c as e s . bxc6
on a1 can support the a-pawn to The position is now equal: the
a4 if necessary. And it is pawn on c6 covers the important
necessary, as things are becoming squares d5 and b5, White's
concrete now. ¤c6 This natural bishops lack targets and Black can
d e v e l o p i n g mo v e i s p o s s i b l e effectively use the semi-open a

91
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

and e files while White can do t h e b a c k w a r d p a w n o n d 3 . f6

nothing on the semi-open d-file. Black fortifies the knight on e5
We h a v e w i t n e s s e d a s e r i o u s and doesn't rush with taking on d3
deterioration of White's position as White still cannot remove the
in only four (!) moves, starting bishop from d3 given the
wi t h a s e r i o u s a dv a nt ag e an d vulnerability of the pawn on e4.
arriving at an equal position. The 18.f3 White solidifies the pawn on
reason for this were the vague e4. ¦e8 Capablanca doesn't rush.
moves that White played and this He could have started with the
is a common occurrence when the advance of his pawn mass with
player lacks a clear idea of what 1 8 ...c5 or take n o n d 3, but h e
h e s h o u l d b e d o i n g . 15.¥d2 decides not to force matters and
White prevents ...Ra5, but this is giv e Whit e a ch oice. Thi s i s a
premature as now Black psychological tactic that strong
eliminates White's bishop pair by players often employ. Capablanca
force. It was better to play 15. noticed that the level of his
Rfe1 Ra5 16.Bd2 (with tempo!) opponent's moves up to this point
1 6 . . . R a4 1 7 . B b3 ( t h i s i s n o w was not high, so he decides to
p o ss i b l e a s t h e pa wn o n e 4 i s give him more chances to make
protected), and White keeps the choices, thus hoping that he will
bishops for the time being. ¦a4 continue to voluntarily worsen his
For cing White's next move . position. 19.¦f2 White prepares
16.¥d3 White needs to defend the Bf1. In case of 19.Be2 (keeping
pawn on e4. ¤e5 Black is taking the pair of bishops) Black would
over the initiative. He can have replied with the same move
eliminate White's only advantage as i n th e g ame. ¥c8 With this
and then he will have an easier to move Black ensures that White
play position. With his central won't keep the pair of bishops as
pa wn mass he can ma neu ver he can play ...Ba6, forcing the
freely behind it and prepare its ex ch ang e of th e li ght -s quared
advance. 17.¥c3 In case of 17.f4 bishops. 20.¥f1 ¥a6
Nxd3 18.cxd3 c5 the opposite- After the exchange of the light-
coloured bishops don't make squared bishops the black knight
Wh i t e 's l i f e eas ie r . The pa wn can fi nd a good s q u are o n c4 ,
'square' of c7-d6-b6-c5 effectively from where it cannot be chased
limits White's dark-squared away with b3 because of the
bishop while Black's light-squared attack on the pawn on a3.
bishop can come to b5 and target 21.¥xa6 From this moment White

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

starts to play for a draw in a rather t he pa wn on e4 . 26.¢e3 ¢f7

dull manner. First, he exchanges After having achieved the
all light pieces and then starts to maximum on the queenside for
ma r k t i me i n t h e d o u b l e r oo k now Black centralises the king.
endgame. It was better to 27.¦d1 ¢e6 28.¢d2 ¦b8
exchange one pair of rooks with Capablanca could have started
21.Rd4! Rxd4 22.Bxd4 Bxf1 23. with the minority attack
Rxf1 when White shouldn't have immediately with 28...g5 , but he
too many problems to keep the first tries to scare White with the t
draw.His king can easily be hreat of ...b4. Typical Capablanca,
centralised and in a rook endgame playing with possible threats as
(after the exchange of bishop for w e l l a s c o n c r e t e o n e s . 29.¦c3
k n i g h t ) B l a ck 's br e ak t h r o ug h White continues to sit and wait.
possibilities lack the punch in He could have been more
view of lack of firepower - as we prophylactic in his thinking with
will see with two rooks Black can 2 9 .h 4 ! ? fo r exa mp l e, s l o wi n g
combine threats more easily. ¦xa6 down Black's kingside expansion,
22.¥xe5 Continuing the plan. A though most likely 29...h6 and 30.-
question: how would you - g5 31.hxg5 hxg5 would have led
r e c a p t u r e ? fxe5 With this to a similar position to the one in t
recapture Black creates two he game. g5 Capablanca realised
constructive ideas for himself - that 29...b4 gives nothing after 30.
the first is the minority attack on t Rb3 followed by exchanges on b4,
he kingside with ...g5, ...h5, ...g4 so he switches flanks and starts
etc, and the second one is to the minority attack. The position
advance in the centre by pushing ... has a curious reversed and
d5. 23.¦d3 White's strategy is to mirrored Carlsbad structure (as
sit and wait. Who can blame him - it's usually White who has a
he has no weaknesses so why not minority attack on the queenside
just ask Black how he intends to in the typical Carlsbad), but the
break through? b5 Capablanca objective of the minority attack
improves his position on the remains the same - by pushing ...
q u e e n s i d e f i r s t . 24.¦fd2 c5 g4 Black wants to create
25.¢f2 ¦a4 The rook is well weaknesses on the kingside, most
placed on the fourth rank - it has likely by taking on f3 and creating
access to the d4-square, it can a backward pawn on that square.
s u p p o r t t h e . ..b4 b re a k an d i t 30.h3 Slowing down Black's
dissuades the f4-push as it targets advance and ensuring that the h-

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

f i l e i s o p e n e d a f t e r h x g 4 . h5 advance in the centre with ...d5

Continuing the advance. 31.¦h1 and wait for an opportune moment
A prophylactic move, now in case for the ...g4 push in case White's
of ...g4, hxg4 the rook will be r o o k l e av e s t h e h 1- s q u ar e . g4
active on the open h-file. ¦d4+ Black naturally takes the chance
Capablanca improves the position and advances with g-pawn.
o f h i s ro ok b y c e nt ra l i si ng i t 35.hxg4 hxg4 36.¢e3
before continuing with the play on Th e k i ng i s remo ved fro m th e
the kingside. 32.¢e2 Covering second rank to allow for R3d2.
with 32.Rd3?! would be met by ¦h8 White's idea is seen after 36...
32...c4 forcing 33.Rxd4 exd4 and gxf3 37.gxf3 Rg2 38.R3d2 when
forming a potent pawn pair on d4 the bl ack rook is forced back .
and c4. ¦g8 Black prepares the ... Still, it was better to take on f3 an
g4 push. 33.¦d3 ¦a4 d then not rush with ...Rg2, but
Now 33...c4? would be met by 34. rather use the open files on the
Re3 when suddenly the rook on kingside for both rooks.A possible
d4 is short of squares as White plan is to transfer the king to c6 an
threatens c3. Capablanca avoids d then the rook from a4 to th e
t he ex c han g e of pai r of r o ok s kingside, combining threats of
because his rooks are more active penetration, attack on the pawn on
than Whit e's - he uses b oth of f3 and eventually the expansion
them to put pressure on both sides with ...c6 and ...d5. It's possible t
o f t h e b o a r d . 34.¦hd1 hat the next moves were played in
At first sight, a strange move. mutual time trouble as th ey
White played Rh1 to dissuade ... contain inaccuracies on both sides.
g4 as that would open the h-file Now White gets a chance to
for his rook on h1 after hxg4, but l i b e r a t e h i s p o s i t i o n . 37.¦b3
now he voluntarily removes the White misses a good opportunity
rook from h1 and allows Black to here. He could have played 37.f4!
execute the ...g4 advance. The (threatening f5 or fxe5, thus
idea behind White's defence is the forcing Black to take) 37...exf4 38.
following - he allows the ...g4 Kxf4 when Black also has a
push but aims to defend along the vulnerable pawn on g4. After 38...
second rank with R3d2 in case Rf8 39.Ke3 White threatens to
Black penetrates with ...Rg2. The become active with Rd5-g5. This
alternative was to keep the rook is the objective truth in the positio
on h1, for example, 34.Rb3 c6 n.However, if we look at how the
when Black would plan to game progressed to this point, we

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

will understand that the likelihood inabil ity to a dju st mental ly,
of White taking this chance was though it has to be said that doing
low. He passively conducted the so on the last move of the time
defence, so a sudden change of control is incredibly difficult.
tactic so close to the time control White had to take on g4. It wrecks
on move 40 was not likely. This is his structure, but it wins a pawn
also the reason for White's missed that Black cannot easily regain.
chances on the next moves - few After 40.fxg4! Rh4 41.Kf3 things
players in the history of the game become concrete. If Black goes
we re cap ab l e o f qu ic k me nt a l after the pawn on g4 with 41...Kf6
ad just ments d epen ding on th e 42.Rd3 Kg5 White can play 43.
c h a n g e s i n t h e p o s i t i o n . ¦h2 Re1 and taking on g4 is taboo as
C a p a b l a nc a l i k e d t o k e ep t h e 43...Rxg4? 44.g3! leaves the rook
tension, but here it could have o n g 4 s t r an d e d. T he en dg a me
backfired. It was better to either ta remains complex after taking on
ke on f3 first or to play 37...Rd4! g4, but at least White has counter
38.Rbd3 or 38.Re1 c6 38...Rh4! chances. With the passive game
with the pretty prophylactic idea move he allows Black to obtain an
in the case of 39.f4 g3! when both a d v a n t a g e . g3 Capablanca also
rooks on the fourth rank attack the errs on move 4 0. The winnin g
p a w n s o n f 4 a n d e 4 . 38.¦d2 move was 40...Rh1! activating the
White defends the pawn on g2, rook along the first rank and with
while the pawn on b5 is still the idea of 41.fxg4 Rf1! cutting
hanging. ¦d4 It was better to take off the king along the f-file and
on f3, but that was not threatening ...Rf4 when both
Capablanca's plan. He continues p a wn s o n e 4 a n d g 4 wi l l f a l l .
to keep the tension on the Capablanca will come to this idea
kingside. 39.¦e2 The rook when given a second chance. In
defends the second rank so White this position the game was
avoids th e exchange. Now th e adjourned. Here the game was
pawn on b5 hangs so Black must adjourned and it's a curious fact
d e f e n d i t . c6 40.¦c3 that Capablanca offered a draw to
The moment when it was high Kan in case he sealed the move 41.
time to switch from passive to f4 . Alas, he didn't, and the game
active defence. Passive defence went on. 41.¦d3 Capablanca was
works only when there is a right - 41.f4 was enough for a
fortress, which is not the cas e d ra w. A ft er 4 1 . . . R h 4 4 2 . f x e 5
here. White pays the price for his White will capture the pawn on g3

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

after 42...Rhxe4 43.Kf3 Kxe5 44. 50.¢xg3 ¦xc3+ 51.¢h4 ¦c1

Rxe4 Rxe4 45.Kxg3 with a drawn The rook liberates the path for the
r o o k e n d g a me . A f t e r Wh i t e ' s c-pawn and also stops White's
passive choice, Black is winning possible counterplay with g4-g5,
and Capablanca doesn't allow any as it can give check from h1, thus
chances. ¦h1 The rook is forcing the white king to retreat
activated along the first rank and to g3. 52.g4 ¦h1+ 53.¢g3 d4
Black intends to switch flanks Now there is no threat of g5 so the
again by attacking White's pawns can move forward. 54.¦a2
q u ee n s i d e pawns wi t h ...Rb 1 . d3 This keeps the white rook on
42.f4 Too late... Staying passive the s econd rank as i f it moves
was no longer possible, 42.Rdd2 Black plays ...d2 and promotes on
Rb1 43.c3 Rxd2 44.Rxd2 d5 and t h e n e x t m o v e . 55.¢g2 ¦e1
the central avalanche advances E s c a p i n g w i t h t e m p o . 56.¢f2
with the threats of ...d4 and ...c4. In case of 56.Kf3 c3 the pawns
¦f1 The idea we saw in the m a r c h t o p r o m o t i o n . ¦xe4
comment to Black's 40th move - 57.¢f3 And here Kan resigned
cutting off the white king along without waiting for 57...Rd4 , 57...
the f-file and threatening ...Rf4 to Rf4 or even 57...c3 . Black will
capt ure th e pawn on e4. 43.f5+ soon start pushing the c- and d-
Taking on e5 leads to 'relentless pawns, and there is nothing White
elevation' after 43.fxe5 Kxe5 (the can do to stop them.
pawn on e4 is hanging) 44.Kd2 c4
4 5 .Rx d 4 Kx d4 a n d Wh i t e ca n
b a r e l y mo v e . ¢f6 Now Black 92
t h re at e n s .. . d5 o r ...Rf 4 . 44.c3 4. Double-Rook Endgames
¦xd3+ 45.¢xd3 d5 The central Capablanca vs. Janowski #1
p a w n ma s s g o e s f o r w a r d a n d
mops up everything on its way.
The threat is ...c4 and ...Rf4, but a (Diagram)
lso ...d4 or ...Rf2. 46.b3 c4+
47.bxc4 bxc4+ 48.¢e3 ¦a1 In this position, it is all about the
Collecting the a3-pawn after p awn s tru ctu re: Wh i te's p awn
which the pawn on c3 will also chain prevents the black rooks
fall. 49.¢f3 ¦xa3 White cannot from becoming active while the h-
defend the pawn on c3 as it can and g-pawns on the kingside can
also be attacked with ...d4, using easily advance for a typical
the pin along the third rank. minority attack that will create a

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8-mk-+r+-+0 8-+-+r+-+0
7+pzpr+-zpp0 7+kzpr+-zpp0
6p+p+-zp-+0 6pzpp+-zp-+0
5+-+-+R+-0 5+-+-+R+-0
4-+-+P+-+0 4-zP-+P+P+0
3+P+P+-+P0 3+-+P+-+P0
2P+P+-+P+0 2P+P+-+-+0
1+-+-+RmK-0[ 1+-+-+RmK-0[
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
we a k n e s s i n B l ac k ' s ki n gs i d e a5 And Black obtains counterplay
s t r u c t u r e . 27.g4 Capablanca along the fourth rank thanks to the
immediately starts the kingside undisturbed position of his rook
advance. His play is concrete, he on d4.
doesn't see a need to centralise
the king based on general grounds.
Compare this to the comment on 94
White's 29th move when the king 4. Double-Rook Endgames
moves towards the centre and the Capablanca vs. Janowski #3
c o n c r e t e r e a s o n f o r i t . b6
Black prepares the advance of his XIIIIIIIIY
queenside pawns. He wants t o 8-+-+r+-+0
expand with ...a5 or ...c5. 28.b4 7+kzpr+-zpp0
Typical Capablanca. He prefers to
prevent his opponent's activity
6p+p+-zp-+0
before continuing with his own, 5+p+-+R+-0
even when that activity brings 4-zP-+P+P+0
little. 3+-+P+-+P0
2P+P+-mK-+0
1+-+-+R+-0[
93 xabcdefghy
4. Double-Rook Endgames
Capablanca vs. Janowski #2 30.a4 Another move typical of
Capablanca - he attacks on the
29.a4 How can Black meet the side where Black wanted to
immediate 29. a4?! ¦d4 30.¦b1 become active! He always wanted

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

to stop his opponent's play, and XIIIIIIIIY

that desire always took 8-+-+r+-+0{
precedence over his own active 7+kzpr+-zpp0
plans.Wh at good chance did
B l a c k m i s s h e r e ? bxa4
6p+p+-zp-+0
Creating some mess of the 5+p+-+R+-0
queenside, even at the expense of 4PzP-+P+P+0
his pawn structure, was the way to 3+-+P+-+P0
steer play to the side where he is 2-+P+-mK-+0
active. 31.¦a1 ¦e5 32.¦xa4 1+-+-+R+-0
¦xf5+ 33.gxf5 g6 Undermines xabcdefghy
White's powerful pawn chain and
creates enough counterplay for a
d r a w a f t e r 34.fxg6 hxg6
When Black can use the h-file for 96
his rook and can advance with his 4. Double-Rook Endgames
king to b5 on the queenside. With Capablanca vs. Janowski #5
the pawn b4 hanging, the question
is should White defend it XIIIIIIIIY
immediately with Rb1 or should 8-+-+r+-+0
he insert the exchange on b5 first? 7+kzp-+-zpp0
6p+p+-zp-+0
95 5+p+-+R+-0
4. Double-Rook Endgames 4PzP-trP+P+0
Capablanca vs. Janowski #4 3+-+P+-+P0
2-+P+-mK-+0
1+-+-+R+-0[
(Diagram) xabcdefghy
30...¦d4 How could Capablanca 31.¦b1 What saving resource did
k e e p t h e a d v a n t a g e ? 31.axb5 J a n o w s k i h a v e h e r e ? a5
axb5 32.¦b1 Which keeps the With the active rook on d4 that
queenside under control and can be chased away on the next
liberates White to continue with move with Ke3, he had to hurry to
his kingside expansion. take advantage of it by playing
31...a5! attacking White's pawns
on the fourth rank. This simplifies

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

t h e p o s i t i o n a n d s ho u l d d r a w 98
comforta bly for Black after 4. Double-Rook Endgames
32.axb5 ¦xb4 33.¦xb4 axb4 Capablanca vs. Janowski #7
As he can use the active king for
counterplay on the queenside in XIIIIIIIIY
addition to the nice maneuver ... 8-+-+-+-+0{
Re5-c5. 7+kzpr+-zpp0
6p+p+-zp-+0
97 5zPp+-trR+-0
4. Double-Rook Endgames 4-zP-+P+P+0
Capablanca vs. Janowski #6 3+-+PmK-+P0
2-+P+-+-+0
XIIIIIIIIY 1+R+-+-+-0
8-+-+r+-+0{ xabcdefghy
7+kzp-+-zpp0
33...¦e6 What did Capablanca
6p+p+-zp-+0 p l a y h e r e ? 34.¦bf1
5+p+-+R+-0 With domination on the queenside,
4PzP-trP+P+0 White now calmly switches to the
3+-+P+-+P0 kingside. ¦de7 Black can only
2-+P+-mK-+0 d e f e n d p a s s i v e l y . 35.g5
1+R+-+-+-0 White attacks the f6-pawn and
xabcdefghy after its removal, he will have a
protected passed pawn on the e-
31...¦e5 How did White regain file.
control? 32.¢e3 Now White
chases away the active rook on d4,
regains control and is technically 99
winning. ¦d7 33.a5 4. Double-Rook Endgames
Capablanca's dream scenario came Capablanca vs. Janowski #8
true. He killed off Black's
queenside counterplay by
paralysing him on that side of the (Diagram)
board.
36...¦h6 A simple question:
wh i c h r o o k w o u l d y ou u s e t o
defend the pawn on h3? 37.¦g3

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY 100
8-+-+-+-+0{ 4. Double-Rook Endgames
7+kzp-tr-zpp0 Capablanca vs. Janowski #9
6p+p+r+-+0 XIIIIIIIIY
5zPp+-+-tR-0 8-+-+-+-+0{
4-zP-+P+-+0 7+kzp-tr-+-0
3+-+PmK-+P0 6p+p+r+pzp0
2-+P+-+-+0 5zPp+-+-+-0
1+-+-+R+-0 4-zP-+P+RzP0
xabcdefghy 3+-+PmK-+-0
Capablanca uses one rook to 2-+P+-+-+0
defend h3 and attack g7 while the 1+-+-+R+-0
oth er one is free to roam. Th e xabcdefghy
winning plan is simple, he only
needs to start advancing the 40...¦g7 Black defends the g6-
central pawns , but the way h e p awn in adv an ce and pl an s t o
carefully implements it deserves push it forward, though it won't go
careful study. ¦he6 Black tries to v e ry f a r.Wh a t d i d Wh i t e p l a y
stop the central advance by here? 41.d4 The avalanche
putting pressure on the e4-pawn, begins. ¢c8 42.¦f8+
so now the move d4 is not Immediately forcing the king back
p o s s i b l e . An ot h er i d e a o f t h e t o t h e p r i s o n o n b 7 . ¢b7
move is to obtain control over the Going to d7 loses the pawn on a6
fifth rank with ...Re5 when the a f t e r 4 2 . . . K d 7 4 3 . R a 8 . 43.e5
mo v e .. . c5 b e co me s po s s i b l e . Black is almost paralysed.
38.h4 A move based on general Relentless elevation on display.
considerations (advancing the h- g5 44.¢e4 With his last move,
pawn improves White's position) Black weakened the f5-square, so
and prophylaxis at the same time! White immediately wants to take
advantage of it with Kf5.

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

101 XIIIIIIIIY
4. Double-Rook Endgames 8-mk-+r+-+0
Capablanca vs. Janowski #10 7+pzpr+-zpp0
XIIIIIIIIY 6p+p+-zp-+0
8-+-+-tR-+0{ 5+-+-+R+-0
7+-zpk+-+-0 4-+-+P+-+0
6p+-+-+-+0 3+P+P+-+P0
5zPpzP-zP-+-0 2P+P+-+P+0
4-+-zP-+-+0 1+-+-+RmK-0[
3+-+-+-+r0 xabcdefghy
2-+PmK-+-+0 immediately starts the kingside
1+-+-+-+-0 advance. His play is concrete, he
xabcdefghy doesn't see a need to centralise
the king based on general grounds.
53...¦a3 What move made Compare this to the comment on
J a n o w s k i r e s i g n ? 54.d5 White's 29th move when the king
The pawns march forward and moves towards the centre and the
Janowski resigned. c o n c r e t e r e a s o n f o r i t . b6
Black prepares the advance of his
queenside pawns. He wants t o
102 expand with ...a5 or ...c5. 28.b4
4. Double-Rook Endgames Typical Capablanca. He prefers to
Capablanca,Jose Raul vs. Janows prevent his opponent's activity
before continuing with his own
even when that activity brings
(Diagram) little. It was perfectly possible to
continue with 28.h4 and even 28.
In this position it is all about the g5 immediately, as Black's ...c5 or
p awn s tru ctu re: Whi te's pawn ...a5 bring next to nothing. But in
chain prevents the black rooks such situations we can see the
from becoming active while the h- player's preferences and style.
and g-pawns on the kingside can ¢b7 Attacking the pawn on b4
easily advance for a typical doesn't give anything after 28...
minority attack that will create a Rd4 29.a3 , so Black moves the
we a k n e s s i n B l ac k ' s ki n gs i d e king forward intending ...b5, ...
s t r u c t u r e . 27.g4 Capablanca Kb6 and ...a5 to create some

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

activity on the queenside. It also that desire always took

opens the rook's access to the a- precedence over his own active
file in case that file is opened. plans. Objectively speaking, this
29.¢f2 Time for centralisation. time it was better either to
This is not an automatic continue with his own active plan
centralisation as it may appear at with 30.g5 or at least to limit his q
first sight. As usual with ueenside play to control mode
Capablanca, the moves made on with 30.a3 . By choosing to be
general grounds have a concrete aggressive on the side where
reason behind them. Capablanca Black advances Capablanca
understood what Black intends to allows more than he would have
do (...b5, ...Kb6 and ...a5), and he liked. ¦d4 Black misses a good
intends to counter that plan with chance here. Creating some mess
p ro p hyl a ct i c mea s ur e s o n t h e of the queenside, even at the
queenside. For these to work he expense of his pawn structure,
needs to have the d4-square under was the way to steer play to the
control so that the move ...Rd4 side where he is active. After 30...
doesn't pose problems. Hence, the bxa4! 31.Ra1 Re5! 32.Rxa4 Or 32.
k i n g n e ed s t o c o me t o e 3 . T o Rxe5 fxe5 33.Rxa4 Rd4 34.Ke3
illustrate the point, the immediate c5! when Black also has
29.a4?! is met by 29...Rd4 30.Rb1 counterplay in a sharp rook
a5 and Black obtains counterplay endgame 32...Rxf5 33.gxf5 g6!
along the fourth rank thanks to the u n d e r mi n es Wh i t e' s p o wer f u l
undisturbed position of his rook pawn chain and creates enough
on d4. b5 Black continues with counterplay for a draw after 34.
his plan. He could have prepared fxg6 hxg6 when Black can use the
the ...b5 push with 29...Ra8!? but h-file for his rook and can
White still keeps an advantage advance with his king to b5 on the
after the natural 30.Ke3 a5 31.a3 q u e e n s i d e. W i t h t h e p a wn b 4
axb4 32.ax b4 Ra4 33.Rb1 and hanging, the question is should
with the queenside under control White defend it immediately with
Wh i t e wi l l c o n t i n u e wi t h t h e Rb1 or should he insert the
minority attack with h4 and g5. e x c h a n g e o n b 5 f i r s t ? 31.¦b1
30.a4 Another move typical of An uncharacteristic one-move slip
Capablanca - he attacks on the by Capablanca. By inserting the
side where Black wanted to exchange on b5 he would have
become active! He always wanted kept the advantage: 31.axb5! axb5
to stop his opponent's play, and 32.Rb1 , which keeps the

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

queenside under control and king defends the pawn on b4 and

liberates White to continue with White continues with g5 next.
h i s k i n g s i d e e x p a n s i o n . ¦e5 35.g5 White attacks the f6-pawn
Janowski also didn't notice the and after its removal, he will have
saving resource. With the active a protected passed pawn on the e-
ro ok o n d4 t hat can be chased file. fxg5 36.¦xg5 ¦h6
away on the next move with Ke3, A simple question: which rook
he had to hurry to take advantage would you use to defend the pawn
of it by playing 31...a5! attacking on h3? 37.¦g3 Capablanca uses
White's pawns on the fourth rank. one rook to defend h3 and attack
This simplifies the position and g7 while the other one is free to
should draw comfortably for roam. The winning plan is simple,
Bl ack af te r 3 2.ax b 5 Rxb4 3 3 . he only needs to start advancing
Rxb4 axb4 as he can use the the central pawns, but the way he
active king for counterplay on the carefully implements it deserves
queenside in addition to the nice careful study. ¦he6 Black tries to
maneuver ...Re5-c5. Notice that stop the central advance by
taking on a4 is bad because of 31... putting pressure on the e4-pawn,
bxa4? 32.Ra5! when White keeps so now the move d4 is not
control over the queenside and p o s s i b l e . An o t h er i d e a o f t h e
Black only wrecked his structure move is to obtain control over the
for nothing. 32.¢e3 Now White fifth rank with ...Re5 when the
chases away the active rook on d4, move ...c5 becomes possible. Note
regains control and is technically that the immediate 37...Re5 is met
winning. ¦d7 33.a5 by 38.Rxg7 Or the simple 38.d4
Capablanca's dream scenario came 38...Rxh3 39.Kd4 followed by
true. He killed off Black's Rff7 next. 37...Rh5 38.d4 is also
queenside counterplay by smooth for White. Can you find a
paralysing him on that side of the good way to deal with Black's
board. ¦e6 34.¦bf1 idea? 38.h4 A move based on
With domination on the queenside general considerations (advancing
White now calmly switches to the t h e h - p a wn i mpr o v e s Wh i t e ' s
kingside. ¦de7 Black can only position) and prophylaxis at the
defend passively. The move 34... same time! This time there was
h6 changes little after 35.h4 and another good prophylactic
g5 next. An attempt to re-establish solution with 38.Rf4! or 38.Rg4
a rook on d4 by 34...Red6 is met with the same idea of defending
by 35.Kd2! Rd4 36.Kc3 when the the pawn on e4 when 38...Re5 can

103
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

b e m e t b y 3 9 . d 4 . g6 a g a i n s t B l a c k ' s k i n g . 49.¦xh7
Capablanca's idea is seen in case ¦xh7 50.¦f8 The threat is to
of 38...Re5 39.Rg5! - the move obtain a second passed pawn after
with the h-pawn took control over Ra8xa6 and Black has no defence
the g5-square and made White's against it. Capablanca sees his
R g 5 p o s s i b l e . 39.¦g5 queenside advance justified!
Taking control over the fifth rank ¦h4+ 51.¢d3 ¦h3+ 52.¢d2 c5
and never allowing ...c5 ideas. If A desperat e sacrifice. White's
Black wants to get rid of this rook king hides from the checks to b2
he has to weaken his g6-pawn. h6 after 52...Rh2 53.Kc3 Rh3 54.Kb2
This gets rid of the rook but now with Ra8 to come next. 53.bxc5
the pawn on g6 becomes a target. ¦a3 54.d5 The pawns march
40.¦g4 The rook defends the e4- forward and Janowski resigned.
p a w n t o a l l o w f o r d 4 . ¦g7
Bl ack defend s t he g6-pawn i n
advance and plans to push it 103
forward, though it won't go very 5. Piece Activity in the Endga
far. 41.d4 The avalanche begins. Capablanca vs. Tartakower #1
¢c8 42.¦f8+ Immediately
forcing the king back to the prison XIIIIIIIIY
on b7. ¢b7 Going to d7 loses the 8-+-+k+-+0
pawn on a6 after 42...Kd7 43.Ra8 7zp-zp-+r+p0
. 43.e5 Black is almost paralysed.
Relentless elevation on display.
6-zp-+-+p+0
g5 44.¢e4 With his last move 5sn-+p+-+-0
Black weakened the f5-square so 4P+-zP-zP-zP0
White immediately wants to take 3+-zPL+-zP-0
advantage of it with Kf5. ¦ee7 2-+-+-+K+0
Defending against Kf5 but 1tR-+-+-+-0[
a l l o w i n g R f 5 wh i c h wi n s t h e xabcdefghy
p a w n o n g 5 . 45.hxg5 hxg5
46.¦f5 White wins a pawn now. This is one of Capablanca's most
¢c8 47.¦gxg5 ¦h7 48.¦h5 famous endgames. White's bishop
Stopping activation along the h- is much better than the knight, as
file, thus keeping Black passive. it supports the kingside advance
¢d7 Avoiding the exchange of while at the same time controlling
rooks with 48...Rhg7 allows 49. t h e q u e e n s i d e . T h i s ma k e s i t
Rf8 Kd7 50.Rhh8 with threat s easier for White to create

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

something out of his pawn 105

majority on the kingside than for 5. Piece Activity in the Endga
Black to do the same on the Capablanca vs. Tartakower #3
queenside. What do you think is
the best way for White to use his XIIIIIIIIY
k i n g s i d e m a j o r i t y ? 27.h5 8-+-+-mk-+0{
Capablanca immediately attacks 7zp-zp-+-+R0
B l a c k ' s k i n g s i d e p a w n s . ¦f6
28.hxg6 Opening the h-file for the
6-zpr+-+p+0
rook. hxg6 29.¦h1 Now the rook 5+-+p+-zP-0
is very active on the h-file. 4P+nzP-zP-+0
3+-zPL+-+-0
2-+-+-+K+0
104 1+-+-+-+-0
5. Piece Activity in the Endga xabcdefghy
Capablanca vs. Tartakower #2
32...¤e3+ Now comes a crucial
XIIIIIIIIY question. Where would you put
8-+-+-mk-+0{ t h e k i n g , o n f 3 o r g 3 ? 33.¢f3
7zp-zp-+-+R0 A fantastic trap! Capablanca lures
his opponent to put the knight on
6-zp-+-trp+0 f5 and see mingly s ecur e the
5sn-+p+-+-0 position. The logic is that if he
4P+-zP-zP-+0 wanted to prevent ...Nf5 he would
3+-zPL+-zP-0 have played 33.Kg3 as then
2-+-+-+K+0 putting the knight on f5 is bad in
1+-+-+-+-0 view of 33...Nf5? 34.Bxf5 gxf5 35.
xabcdefghy Kh 4 a n d t h e ro o k e n d g a me i s
winnin g for White as th e kin g
30...¦c6 How does Capablanca marches forward to support the
p l a y t h e e n d g a m e ? 31.g4 advance of the g-pawn.So,
Capablanca plays the endgame in continuing the same logic, with
aggressive and straightforward the king on f3, that rook endgame
style. ¤c4 32.g5 White fixes the must be unfavourable for White as
pawn on g6, threatening Rh6 and he is a full tempo down, plus he
f5. Capablanca plays the endgame loses the c3-pawn with check.
sharply. ¤f5 And Tartakower falls into the
trap! The only mov e was 3 3.. .

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Nd1! attacking the pawn on c3. Career Capablanca wrote that the
Tartakower may have feared the coordinated activity of the pieces
piece sacrifice 34.Bxg6!? Rxg6 35. is the basic principle of the game
Rxc7 when White has the of chess.
connected passed pawns
supported by the king plus a rook
on the seventh rank. While this 106
does look dangerous, Black 5. Piece Activity in the Endga
should be able to hold. Another Capablanca vs. Tartakower #4
attempt for White is Alekhine's
(fr o m t he to ur na me n t b o ok ) XIIIIIIIIY
proposal of 33...Nd1 34.Rh6 Kf7 8-+-+-mk-+0
35.f5 Rxc3 36.fxg6 Kg8 37.Ke2 7zp-zp-+-+R0
a n d h e r e a n i mp r o v e m e n t f o r
Black is 37...Nf2! 38.Bf5 Ne4 and
6-zpr+-+p+0
Black somehow survives! With 5+-+p+-zP-0
these options looking dangerous, 4P+-zP-zP-+0
i t ' s n o t s u r p r i s i n g t h at B l a c k 3+-zPLsn-+-0
wanted to solve the problems in 2-+-+-+K+0
simpler fashion. With the game 1+-+-+-+-0[
move, it turns out that the logic xabcdefghy
described in the previous
comment was flawed - the rook 33.¢f3 What was the only move
endgame is winning for White T a r t a k o w e r h a d h e r e ? ¤d1
even a tempo down and losing the Attacking the pawn on c3.
pawn on c3 with check! Thanks to
the depth of his calculation and
correct evaluation of the ensuing 107
rook ending, Capablanca managed 5. Piece Activity in the Endga
to trick his formidable opponent! Capablanca vs. Tartakower #5
34.¥xf5 gxf5 35.¢g3
Th e qu eens id e doesn't matter.
What matters is the harmonious (Diagram)
cooperation of the king, rook, and
g-pawn: White wants to play Kh4, 36...¦f3 How does White achieve
g6 and then Kg5-f6 creating t h e d e s i r e d s e t - u p ? 37.g6
mating threats. It is not for White drops another pawn but he
nothing that in his book My Chess achieves the desired set-up. ¦xf4+

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY t h e q u e e n s i d e . T h i s ma k e s i t
8-+-+-mk-+0{ easier for White to create
7zp-zp-+-+R0 something out of his pawn
majority on the kingside than for
6-zp-+-+-+0 Black to do the same on the
5+-+p+pzP-0 queenside. What do you think is
4P+-zP-zP-mK0 the best way for White to use his
3+-tr-+-+-0 k i n g s i d e m a j o r i t y ? 27.h5
2-+-+-+-+0 Capablanca immediately attacks
1+-+-+-+-0 B l a c k ' s k i n g s i d e p a w n s . ¦f6
xabcdefghy Taking the pawn loses, after 27...
gxh5? 28.Rh1 White will regain
38.¢g5 White is two pawns down, the pawn on h5 when the rook
but with Kf6 next he will threaten from h5 will attack both the pawn
mate or to promote his g6-pawn. o n h 7 a n d o n d 5 . 28.hxg6
Opening the h-file for the rook.
An interesting alternative was 28.
108 Re1 followed by Re5 but
5. Piece Activity in the Endga Capablanca followed through on
Capablanca,Jose Raul vs. Tartak his plans in consistent fashion.
hxg6 29.¦h1 Now the rook is
XIIIIIIIIY v er y a c t i v e o n t h e h -f i l e . ¢f8
8-+-+k+-+0 Black intends to counterattack on
7zp-zp-+r+p0 the other side of the board and
hopes to have his king defend the
6-zp-+-+p+0 ki ngs i de. At t h e s ame t ime h e
5sn-+p+-+-0 intends to meet a check on h8 with
4P+-zP-zP-zP0 ...Kg7. 30.¦h7 The rook cuts off
3+-zPL+-zP-0 the king along the seventh rank.
2-+-+-+K+0 Giving the check was possible,
1tR-+-+-+-0[ after the forcing 30.Rh8 Kg7 31.
xabcdefghy Rd8 Rc6 32.Rxd5 Rxc3 33.Be4
White keeps the advantage though
This is one of Capablanca's most the position remains sharp. Now
famous endgames. White's bishop wi th t h e pawn on c7 h angi n g ,
is much better than the knight, as Black has only one sensible move
it supports the kingside advance here but it turns out that it gives h
while at the same time controlling im su fficient cou nterpl ay. ¦c6

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

Defending the pawn on c7 and logic is that if he wanted to

at t ack i n g t he o ne o n c 3 . 31.g4 p re v en t . . . Nf5 h e wo u l d h av e
Capablanca plays the endgame in played 33.Kg3 as then putting the
aggressive and straightforward knight on f5 is bad in view of 33...
style. A curious alternative was 31. Nf5? 34.Bxf5 gxf5 35.Kh4 and
Kh3!? with the idea to activate the the rook endgame is winning for
king with Kh4-g5. Capablanca White as the king marches
wi l l co me to t hi s i dea o f king forward to support the advance of
activation a couple of moves later. the g-pawn.So, continuing the
¤c4 Of course, the exchange of same logic, with the king on f3
the c3-pawn for the g6-pawn is that rook endgame must be
clearly in White's favour as 31... unfavourable for White as he is a
Rxc3? 32.Bxg6 gives White two full tempo down, plus he loses the
connected passed pawns, which c 3 - p a w n w i t h c h e c k . ¤f5
should decide the game. Instead, An d Tart akower fal ls i n to th e
Black activates the knight on the trap! The only mov e was 3 3.. .
rim and introduces ideas of ...Nd2- Nd1! attacking the pawn on c3.
e4 or ...Ne3. 32.g5 White fixes Tartakower may have feared the
the pawn on g6, threatening Rh6 piece sacrifice 34.Bxg6!? Rxg6 35.
a n d f5 . C ap a b l a n c a p l a ys t h e Rxc7 when White has the
endgame sharply. He had a more connected passed pawns
prophylactic move at his disposal, supported by the king plus a rook
and this would have been more in on the seventh rank. While this
tune with his style, preventing the does look dangerous, Black
activation of Black's knight with should be able to hold. Another
32.Kf2 , taking control of the e3- attempt for White is Alekhine's
s q u a re . Th i s al s o wo u l d h av e (fr o m t he to ur na me n t b o ok )
posed serious problems to Black, proposal of 33...Nd1 34.Rh6 Kf7
who had to find the move 32...a6! 35.f5 Rxc3 36.fxg6 Kg8 37.Ke2
(Or 32...Nb2 first and after 33.Bc2 a n d h e r e a n i mp r o v e m e n t f o r
a6! ) as the only way to obtain Black is 37...Nf2! 38.Bf5 Ne4 and
counterplay. ¤e3+ Now comes a Black somehow survives! With
crucial question. Where would these options looking dangerous,
you put the king, on f3 or g3? i t ' s n o t s u r p r i s i n g t h at B l a c k
33.¢f3 A fantastic trap! wanted to solve the problems in
Capablanca lures his opponent to simpler fashion. With the game
put the knight on f5 and move, it turns out that the logic
seemingly secure the position. The described in the previous

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comment was flawed - the rook king - both on h8 and f8 it will be

endgame is winning for White subject to a possible check by the
even a tempo down and losing the p a w n f r o m g 7 . ¢h8 41.¦xc7
pawn on c3 with check! Thanks to ¦e8 The only defence against
the depth of his calculation and mate. The passed g-pawn won't
correct evaluation of the ensuing promote, but now it's White's turn
rook ending Capablanca managed t o c o l l e c t p a w n s . 42.¢xf5
to trick his formidable opponent! Black's passive pieces don't allow
34.¥xf5 gxf5 35.¢g3 h i m t o p ro t e c t h i s p awn s . ¦e4
Th e qu eens id e doesn't matter. Black tries some activity. In case
What matters is the harmonious of 42...a5 43.Rb7 the pawn on b6
cooperation of the king, rook and will be lost. 43.¢f6 Threatening
g-pawn: White wants to play Kh4, ma t e a g ai n . ¦f4+ Black chases
g6 and then Kg5-f6 creating away the king from the vicinity of
mating threats. It is not for t he g 6 -p awn , bu t no w t h e d4 -
nothing that in his book 'My pawn will become decisive.
Chess Career' Capablanca wrote 44.¢e5 ¦g4 45.g7+ Saving the
that the coordinated activity of passed pawn as the pawn endgame
the pieces is the basic principle of aft e r t ak i n g i t i s h o p el es s fo r
t h e g a m e o f c h e s s . ¦xc3+ Black. ¢g8 46.¦xa7
36.¢h4 ¦f3 37.g6 White drops Black is helpless as White picks
another pawn but he achieves the u p m o r e m a t e r i a l . ¦g1
desired set-up. ¦xf4+ 38.¢g5 Saving the pawn on d5 is
White is two pawns down, but impossible as 46...Rg5 47.Kf6
with Kf6 next he will threaten leads to mate since Black cannot
mate or to promote his g6-pawn. defend the eighth rank anymore.
¦e4 Black has no time to take 47.¢xd5 With the black king tied
more pawns as 38...Rxd4? 39.Kf6 down on g8 the passed d-pawn
Ke8 4 0 .Rx c7 win s a ful l roo k decides the game - there are no
thanks to the threat of g7-g8 aided pieces left to stop it. ¦c1 48.¢d6
by the check Rc8. With the game ¦c2 49.d5 ¦c1 50.¦c7
move Black wants to defend the Securing the c-file s o that th e
eighth rank by playing ...Re8 . king can move to c6 to free the
39.¢f6 Threatening mate. ¢g8 way for the d-pawn. ¦a1 51.¢c6
40.¦g7+ It was possible to take ¦xa4 52.d6 The pawn marches to
on c7 immediately, but d8 and Black resigned.
Capablanca gives a check that
worsens the position of Black's

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109 110
5. Piece Activity in the Endga 5. Piece Activity in the Endga
Marshall vs. Capablanca #1 Marshall vs. Capablanca #2

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8r+-tr-+k+0{ 8-+-+r+k+0
7zpl+-+pzpp0 7zpl+-+pzpp0
6-zpN+-+-+0 6-zpN+-+-+0
5+-+-+-+-0 5+-+-+-+-0
4-+-+P+-+0 4-+-+P+-+0
3+-tR-+-+-0 3+-tR-+-+-0
2PzP-+-zPPzP0 2PzP-tr-zPPzP0
1+-+-tR-mK-0 1+R+-+-mK-0[
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
Black is a pawn down, but with his 22.e5 The first step along the
n ex t mo ve h e o b t a i n s en o ug h slippery slope of increasing
compensation thanks to the problems . Marsh all 's s en se o f
activity of his rook on the second danger should have told him that
rank.What is Black's next move? it was already time to admit that
20...¦d2 Black shouldn't have Black has more than enough
problems drawing this endgame - compensation and that if he insists
he can enter a (double) rook on keeping the pawn, things can
endgame which in the worst-case become dangerous.How can Black
scenario will be a 4 vs 3 for White both prevent f4 and his weak back
on the kingside, which is drawn. rank? g5 An excellent move that
However, a subtle psychological solves two issues at once. First,
ploy starts to develop from this the bl ack kin g i s no l o n g er i n
point. White i s a pawn up and danger of getting mated due to the
feels he must try to play for a win weak back rank, and second,
and is not willing to acquiesce to Black prevents f4, which would
a d raw. He bel ieves t hat he i s securely defend the pawn on e5.
completely safe and can try for White's problem is that he is tied
more without any risk. With this up: the knight on c6 cannot move
mindset he underestimates the because it loses the pawn on e5
threats that Black can pose. and opens the bishop on b7, the
rook on c3 cannot move because it

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defends the knight on c6 and the were no longer easy paths to save
rook on b1 cannot move because the game.
it defends the pawn on b2.

112
111 5. Piece Activity in the Endga
5. Piece Activity in the Endga Marshall vs. Capablanca #4
Marshall vs. Capablanca #3
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY 8-+-+r+k+0
8-+-+r+k+0{ 7zpl+-+p+p0
7zpl+-+p+p0 6-zpN+-+-+0
6-zpN+-+-+0 5+-+-zP-+-0
5+-+-zP-zp-0 4-+-+-+-zp0
4-+-+-+-zP0 3+-tR-+-+-0
3+-tR-+-+-0 2PzP-tr-zPP+0
2PzP-tr-zPP+0 1+R+-+-mK-0[
1+R+-+-mK-0 xabcdefghy
xabcdefghy
24.¦e1 The decisive mistake. It
23...gxh4 White's only chance is was already difficult for White to
to secure the knight on c6, thus d e fe n d . Wi t h th e ga me mo v e ,
ensuring that the bishop on b7 Marshall defends the e5-pawn and
doesn't come to life. How does abandons the queenside in hopes
W h i t e a c h i e v e t h i s ? 24.b4 of activity on the kingside. Should
W i t h t h e i d e a o f b 5 . b5 Black start to collect the pawns on
Renewing the threat ...Re6. the queenside? ¦e6 Following the
White's knight obtains access to p lan ! Ca p ab l anca i s accu rat e ,
the a5-square and this saves him, continuing to play on domination
for example. 25.a3 ¦e6 26.¤a5 and now allowing White to
¥e4 27.¤b3 And in view of the become active. Going after the
threats of Nc5 or Nd4 (if the rook pawns on the queenside is worse,
on d2 moves from the d-file) 24...Rxb2?! 25.Nxa7 Rxa2 26.
Black has to take the knight with a Nb5 with Nd6 to come, and White
drawn double rook endgame. It's is happy to h ave acti vated hi s
not an easy path to find, but there knight. 25.¦ec1 White must keep
the knight on c6. As an

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

illustration, here's what happens 2 8 @@ E nd F EN@ @ 2 8 . .. a 6 o r

if the knight leaves the long 28...h5 when White will soon run
diagonal: 25.Nxa7? Rg6 26.g3 h3 out of moves. Can you see White's
with the devastating threat of ... u n e x p e c t e d c h a n c e ? 29.e6
h2. How should Black continue to Capablanca wrote in his
i n c r e a s e h i s i n i t i a t i v e ? ¢g7 comments that White's best
Preparing ...Rg6 by avoiding the chance was 29.e6 and laconically
fork Ne7. explained that this only would
have prolonged the game.
Ho we v e r , a f t e r fxe6 30.¦1c2
113 Now this is possible with the sixth
5. Piece Activity in the Endga rank blocked by Black's pawn on
Marshall vs. Capablanca #5 e6. ¦xc2 31.¦xc2 Black is a
pawn up and is playing for a win,
XIIIIIIIIY b u t h i s i s o l a t ed p a wn s o n t h e
8-+-+-+-+0{ ki ngsi de an d Whit e's compact
7zpl+-+pmkp0 position make converting a
difficult task. Now White ends up
6-+N+-+r+0 in a beautiful zugzwang.
5+p+-zP-+-0
4-zP-+-+-zp0
3zP-tR-+-+-0 114
2-+-tr-zPP+0 5. Piece Activity in the Endga
1+-tR-+K+-0 Marshall vs. Capablanca #6
xabcdefghy
28...¦a2 Capablanca maximises (Diagram)
the scope of his pieces - the rook
on the second rank not only 29.¢g1 What did Capablanca
controls it but now it also attacks t play here? h3 Not only attacking
he a3-pawn. However, the rook the pawn on g2, but also opening
move gives up control over the d8- the long diagonal and introducing
s q u are , whic h g ive s Whi t e a n . . . h 2 i d e a s . 30.g3 a6
unexpected chance. Therefore, it A rare zugzwang with so many
w a s b e t t e r t o p l a y p i e c e s o n t h e b o a r d ! 31.e6
@@StartFEN@@8/pb3pkp/ Two moves too late! A move like
2N3r1/1p2P3/1P5p/P1R5/3r1PP1/ 31.Rc5 can be met with 31...h2 or
2 R 2 K 2 b - - 2

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY 32.Nd8? h2+ 33.¢xh2 ¦h6+

8-+-+-+-+0 34.¢g1 ¦h1#
7zpl+-+pmkp0
6-+N+-+r+0 116
5+p+-zP-+-0 5. Piece Activity in the Endga
4-zP-+-+-zp0 Marshall,Frank James vs. Capa
3zP-tR-+-+-0
2r+-+-zPP+0 XIIIIIIIIY
1+-tR-+K+-0[ 8r+-tr-+k+0{
xabcdefghy 7zpl+-+pzpp0
3 1 . . . R h 6 . ¦xe6 Keeping the
6-zpN+-+-+0
attack on the knight on c6. 5+-+-+-+-0
4-+-+P+-+0
3+-tR-+-+-0
115 2PzP-+-zPPzP0
5. Piece Activity in the Endga 1+-+-tR-mK-0
Marshall vs. Capablanca #7 xabcdefghy
XIIIIIIIIY Black is a pawn down, but with his
8-+-+-+-+0 n ex t mo ve h e o b t a i n s en o u g h
7+l+-+pmkp0 compensation thanks to the
activity of his rook on the second
6p+N+r+-+0 rank. 20...¦d2 Black shouldn't
5+p+-+-+-0 have problems drawing this
4-zP-+-+-+0 endgame - he can enter a (double)
3zP-tR-+-zPp0 rook endgame which in the worst-
2r+-+-zP-+0 case scenario will be a 4 vs 3 for
1+-tR-+-mK-0[ White on the kingside, which is
xabcdefghy drawn.However, a subtle
psychological ploy starts to
32.¤d8 @@StartFEN@@8/ develop from this point. White is a
1b3pkp/p1N1r3/1p6/1P6/P1R3Pp/ pawn up and feels he must try to
r4P2/2R3K1 w - - 0 play for a win and is not willing
1@@EndFEN@@ What option to acquiesce to a draw. He
does Black, due to the earlier 29... believes that he is completely safe
h3, now have in response against and can try for more without any

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risk. With this mindset he issues at once. First, the black

underestimates the threats that king is no longer in danger o f
B l a c k c a n p o s e . 21.¦b1 getting mated due to the weak
White clings onto the extra pawn. b a ck r ank , a n d s e c on d , B l ac k
In 'Chess Fundamentals' prevents f4, which would securely
C a pa b l a nc a ca l l s t h i s mo ve a defend the pawn on e5. White's
serious mistake, and problem is that he is tied up: the
psychologically speaking he may knight on c6 cannot move because
be right! Objectively, White is it loses the pawn on e5 and opens
fine after this move. As best for the bishop on b7, the rook on c3
White Capablanca proposed 21. cannot move because it defends
Ne7 Kf8 22 .Rc7 Re8 23 .Rxb7 the knight on c6 and the rook on
Rxe7 24.Rb8 Re8 with a draw, but b1 cannot move because it
Marshall wants to play for more. d efen d s th e pawn o n b 2 . 23.h4
¦e8 Capablanca continues to Marshall plays actively, opens a
attack White's position - the pawn luft and breaks up Black's
o n e 4 i s h a n g i n g n o w . 22.e5 kingside structure, but at the same
The first step along the slippery time, he is no longer a pawn up.
s lo p e o f in creasi ng probl ems . Objectively speaking the path to a
Marshall's sense of danger should draw is no longer problem-free.
have told him that it was already For example after 23.h3 Bxc6 24.
time to admit that Black has more Rxc6 Rxe5 Black's acti vi ty i s
than enough compensation and unpleasant as he threatens ...Ree2.
that if he insists on keeping the gxh4 The recapture regains the
pawn things can become pawn b ut als o t he pawn on h 4
dangerous. Equally suspicious fixes White's pawn on g2. Now
was 22.f3?! f5! as White cannot Black has the idea of ...Re6-g6,
take on f5 because of 23.exf5? which would be fatal for White as
Ree2 , but White still had more he cou ld no lo nger defend th e
than on e way to draw wi t hou t knight on c6, the pawn on g2 and
i ss u es. For examp le, 22.Nxa 7 the pawn on b2 (in case he plays
Rxe4 23.h3 Ree2 when Black will Rbc1 to defend the knight on c6).
regain the pawn with a simplified 24.¦e1 The decisive mistake. It
and drawn position, Or 22.Rbc1 was already difficult for White to
Bxc6 23.Rxc6 Rxb2 with an equal defend. His only chance was to
dou bl e- ro ok en d ga me . Ho w s ec u re t h e k n i g h t o n c 6, t h u s
should Black continue now? g5 ensuring that the bishop on b7
An excellent move that solves two doesn't come to life. The way to

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

achieve this was 24.b4! with the continue to increase his initiative?
idea of b5. After 24...Bxc6 25. ¢g7 Preparing ...Rg6 by avoiding
Rxc6 Rxe5 Black is better in the the fork Ne7. 26.b4 Now it's too
double rook endgame but White's late for this idea. b5 Of course,
drawing chances are significant. Black will never allow b5. 27.a3
In case of 24.b4! b5 (renewing the White can barely move. Going to
t h re at .. .Re 6 ), Wh i t e 's k ni g h t a5 doesn't save White as it did in
obtains access to the a5-square the line mentioned in the comment
and this saves him, for example. to White's 24th move: 27.Na5 Bd5
25.a3 Re6 26.Na5! Bd5 27.Nb3 , 28.Nb3 Rxa2 29.Nd4 Rxe5 and it
and in view of the threats of Nc5 is Black now who is a pawn up,
or Nd4 (if the rook on d2 moves with a winning position as a
from the d-file) Black has to take bonus. ¦g6 The turn of the screw.
the knight with a drawn double 28.¢f1 ¦a2 Capablanca
rook endgame. It's not an easy maximises the scope of his pieces -
path to find, but there were no the rook on the second rank not
longer easy paths to save the game. only controls it but now it also
With th e g ame move Mars hall attacks the a3-pawn. However, the
defends the e5-pawn and rook move gives up control over
abandons the queenside with the d8-square, which gives White
hopes of activity on the kingside. an unexpected chance. Therefore
Should Black start to collect the it was better to play 28...a6 or 28..
p a w n s o n t h e q u e e n s i d e ? ¦e6 .h5 when White will soon run out
Following the plan! Capablanca is of moves. Can you see White's
accurate, continuing to play on u n e x p e c t e d c h a n c e ? 29.¢g1
do mi n ati on and now al lowing Capablanca wrote in his
White to become active. Going comments that White's best
after the pawns on the queenside chance was 29.e6 and laconically
is worse, 24...Rxb2?! 25.Nxa7 explained that this only would
Rxa2 26.Nb5 with Nd6 to come, have prolonged the game.
and White is happy to have However, after 29.e6! fxe6 The
a c t i v a t e d h i s k n i g h t . 25.¦ec1 point is that 29...Rxe6? is met by
White must keep the knight on c6. 30.Nd8! - this is the problem with
As an illustration, here's what the black rook leaving the d-file
happens if the knight leaves the 30.R1c2 (now this is possible with
long diagonal: 25.Nxa7? Rg6 26. the sixth rank blocked by Black's
g3 h3 with the devastating threat pawn on e6) 30...Rxc2 31.Rxc2
of ...h2. How should Black Kf6 Black is a pawn up and is

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playing for a win, but his isolated 117

pawns on the kingside and White's 6. Drawn Endgames
compact position make converting Bogoljubow vs. Capablanca #1
a difficult task. Now White ends
up in a beautiful zugzwang. h3 XIIIIIIIIY
Not only attacking the pawn on g2, 8r+-+-+-tr0
but also opening the long diagonal 7zp-zppmkpzp-0
and introducing ...h2 ideas. 30.g3
a6 A rare zugzwang with so many
6-zpn+p+-zp0
p i e c e s o n t h e b o a r d ! 31.e6 5+-+-+-+-0
Two moves too late! A move like 4-+PzP-+P+0
31.Rc5 can be met with 31...h2 or 3+-+-zP-+-0
3 1 . . . R h 6 . ¦xe6 Keeping the 2PzP-sN-zPP+0
attack on the knight on c6. 32.g4 1tR-+-mK-+R0[
The point of the move 29... h3 can xabcdefghy
be seen after 32.Nd8 h2! 33.Kxh2
R h 6 3 4 . K g 1 R h 1 # . ¦h6 16.a3 A neutral move that doesn't
Threat ening ...h2. 33.f3 ¦d6 do anything, but this is the first
With his last move White mo men t wh en an exp e ri e n ce d
weakened the second rank and player can sense that the opponent
Capablanca immediately takes is too relaxed and vague. Time is
advantage of it by threatening ... precious in chess and wastefulness
Rdd2. 34.¤e7 The knight finally never goes unpunished for too
mo v e s , b u t t h e a t t a c k c a n n o long.What is Capablanca's plan
l o n g e r b e s t o p p e d . ¦dd2 here? a6 Capablanca has a clear
Threatening mate with the typical idea in mind. In fact, I don't
mechanism after 35.-- Rg2 36.Kh1 remembe r ev er s eeing a mo v e
Rh2 37.Kg1 Rag2 38.Kf1 Rh1# played by him that didn't have an
35.¤f5+ The knight rushes to idea behind it. Here he intends to
cover the g2-square. ¢f6 36.¤h4 execute the ...b5 push with the
¢g5 A truly hapless knight! help of ...a6 and ...Rhb8. The b5-
37.¤f5 ¦g2+ 38.¢f1 h2 39.f4+ square is the only square where
¢xf4 White is soon mated so he Black can introduce tension on the
resigned. bo ard (for ex. p layin g 1 6 ...d 5
would be bad as after 17.cxd 5
White can use the semi-open c-file
to put pressure on Black's
backward c7-pawn) and he plays

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

in a straight-forward manner to advance of the f-pawn??What did

a c h i e v e i t . 17.¢e2 C a p a b l a n c a p l a y h e r e ? ¦c8
White connects the rooks. But had We cannot argue with the logic
he played this on the previous behind Capablanca's moves. This
move, do you think he would have i s t h e d ec ei v i n g si mpl i ci t y o f
proceeded with a3 here? Capablanca's style. It gives us the
Definitely not, as there are many impression that we can also play
other more useful moves in the like this, as all his moves are so si
position, thus making his previous mple and understandable, and yet
move a complete waste of time. when we sit behind the board and
¦hb8 Capablanca continues with play ourselves we come up with
his plan. 18.¤e4 Improving the s u c h n o n s e n s e t h a t ma k e s u s
p o s i t i o n o f t h e k n i g h t . b5 question our sanity afterwards.
Capablanca executes the intended
push.
119
6. Drawn Endgames
118 Bogoljubow vs. Capablanca #3
6. Drawn Endgames
Bogoljubow vs. Capablanca #2 XIIIIIIIIY
8r+r+-+-+0
XIIIIIIIIY 7+-+-mkpzp-0
8rtr-+-+-+0 6p+nzpp+-zp0
7+-+-mkpzp-0 5+p+-+-+-0
6p+nzpp+-zp0 4-+-zPNzPP+0
5+p+-+-+-0 3zP-+-zP-+-0
4-+-zPN+P+0 2-zP-+K+P+0
3zP-+-zP-+-0 1tR-+-+-+R0[
2-zP-+KzPP+0 xabcdefghy
1tR-+-+-+R0[
xabcdefghy 22.f5 Bogoljubow is persistent
with the advance of the f-pawn,
21.f4 If the innocuous 16. a3 was but it's still difficult to see what
the first small and amendable step h e tri es to achiev e. Ho w d oe s
in the wrong directi on, t his i s Black start to create threats? ¤a5
al ready more s eri ou s . What i s It's amazing to follow how, from a
White trying to achieve with the totally safe position, White

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

managed to put himself on the 120

defensive in only eight moves! 6. Drawn Endgames
And if you also look at the Bogoljubow vs. Capablanca #4
position, you notice that he played
without rooks and advanced the XIIIIIIIIY
ki ng s i de pawns, wh ich b rings 8-+r+-+-+0
a b s o l u t e l y n o t h i n g ! 23.¢d3 7+-+-+-zp-0
C o v e r i n g t h e c 2 - s q u a r e . ¤c4
Attacking the pawn on b2.
6-+r+p+k+0
24.¦ab1 White avoids the most 5zpp+p+-zp-0
natural 24. b3, but lands in bigger 4-+nzP-+-+0
trouble. The problem wit h th e 3zP-+KzPR+-0
rook move is that now White can 2-zP-+N+P+0
never play b3 and get rid of the 1+R+-+-+-0[
knight on c4 because the pawn on xabcdefghy
a3 h an gs in that case. White's
previous inaccuracies have led to 32.g4 White has to remove the
a situation where he had to pull centralised knight, and then Black
himself together and calculate a can proceed with the advance of
line or two to stay out of trouble, e t h e e - p a w n . e5 Capablanca
v e n t h o u gh h e st i l l n e ed e d t o misses the immediate win with
suffer somewhat as price for his 32...e5 , threatening ...e4, which is
previous play. Psychologically mate, when taking on e5 leads to
this is never easy when starting l os s o f roo k after . .. Nxe5 an d
from an extremely safe and solid playing 33.e4 dxe4+ 34.¢xe4
position and constantly thinking ¤d2+ Wins the rook on b1. A
that the game should be a draw tactical miss in a winning position
without problems. d5 White has by Capablanca, but it doesn't have
to remove the centralised knight, an impact on the outcome of the
and then Black can proceed with game.
the advance of the e-pawn.

121
6. Drawn Endgames
Bogoljubow vs. Capablanca #5

33.¤c3 What is Black's plan? b4

Continuing the plan of queenside

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8-+r+-+-+0 8-+r+-+-+0
7+-+-+-zp-0 7+-+-+-zp-0
6-+rsnp+k+0 6-+-+p+k+0
5zpp+p+-zp-0 5+-+p+-zp-0
4-+-zP-+P+0 4-+-zPn+P+0
3zP-+KzPR+-0 3+p+KzP-+-0
2-zP-+N+-+0 2-zPr+-tR-+0
1+R+-+-+-0[ 1tR-+N+-+-0[
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
advance. 34.axb4 axb4 35.¤d1 ideas. He prevents White's idea of
¦c2 Threatening ...Ne4 and ...Rd2 Ra6.
mate. 36.¦f2 Blocking the c-file
with 36.Nc3 Rg2 forces the knight
to mo ve agai n. b3 Now White 123
cannot exchange on c2 because of 6. Drawn Endgames
t h e f o r k a f t e r . . . b x c 2 . 37.¦a1 Bogoljubow vs. Capablanca #7
¤e4 Black's position is a picture
of total domination. XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-+-+-+0
7+-+-+-zp-0
122
6. Drawn Endgames
6-+-+-+k+0
Bogoljubow vs. Capablanca #6 5+-+pzp-zp-0
4-+rzPn+P+0
3+p+KzP-+-0
(Diagram) 2-zPr+R+-+0
1tR-+N+-+-0[
38.¦e2 In this winning position xabcdefghy
Capab lanca pl ays a move t hat
prevents White's only (feeble) 41.¦a5 Can you notice how does
threat. Can you see which threat is Black threaten mate now? ¤c5+
that and what move Capablanca The mate is inevitable. A beautiful
played? ¦8c6 Even in totally e x a mp l e o f h o w t o w i n ' d e a d
winning positi ons Capablanca drawn' endgames. 42.¦xc5 e4#
pays attention to his opponent's

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

124 Objectively speaking, the position

6. Drawn Endgames should be a draw, so to win some
Bogoljubow,Efim vs. Capablanca help from the opponent is required.
Therefore, by playing normally
XIIIIIIIIY Capablanca allows his opponent a
8r+-+k+-tr0{ chance to go wrong. And if he
7zp-zpp+pzpp0 doesn't, well, then he deserved not
to lose - after all, the same can be
6-zpn+p+-+0 said of the initial position at the s
5+-+-+-+-0 t a r t o f t h e g a m e ! 15.g4 h6
4-+PzP-+-+0 Defending the h-pawn and
3+-+-zP-zP-0 liberating the rook on h8 from the
2PzP-sN-zPP+0 t a s k o f d e f e n d i n g i t . 16.a3
1tR-+-mK-+R0 A neutral move that doesn't do
xabcdefghy a ny t h i ng , b u t t h i s i s t h e f i r s t
mo men t wh en an exp e ri e n ce d
An early endgame and a hope for a player can sense that the opponent
draw, which would have is too relaxed and vague. Time is
practically ensured Bogoljubow precious in chess and wastefulness
fi rs t p l ac e i n t h e t ou r namen t . never goes unpunished for too
Surely a world-class player like l o n g . I t m a d e mo r e s e n s e f o r
Bogoljubow cannot lose this White to connect rooks with 16.
endgame with White, against any Ke2 and then perhaps improve the
player?On the other hand, position of the knight by Nb1(e4)-
Capablanca had to win if he were c3. The point I want to make is
to keep his hopes to win the that vague play inevitably leads to
tournament alive. Is allowing an trouble, a player must always try
endgame like this a good strategy to play with a clear idea in mind.
i n a m us t - w i n s i t u a t i o n ? Th e Wi t h t h i s b e in g sa i d , can yo u
endgame is of course equal - all come up with a plan for Black?
eight pawns are on the board and What is a constructive idea for
White's doubled g-pawns give him Black to pursue? a6 Capablanca
control over the semi-open h-file. has a clear idea in mind. In fact, I
14...¢e7 Black centralises the d o n 't r ememb er e v e r s eei n g a
king and connects the rooks. It is move played by him that didn't
important not to panic under the have an idea behind it. Here he
p r e s s u r e o f ' mu s t - wi n ' b u t t o intends to execute the ...b5 push
continue to play normally. with the help of ...a6 and ...Rhb8.

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The b5-square is the only square defending it, but a human would
where Black can introduce tension immediately recoil at the sight of
on the board (for ex. playing 16... conceding the initiative from a
d5 would be bad as after 17.cxd5 safe and 'dead drawn' position. d5
White can use the semi-open c-file Forcing the opening of the c-file.
to put pressure on Black's 20.cxd6+ White cannot keep the
backward c7-pawn) and he plays position closed, after 20.Nd2 b4
in a straight-forward manner to 21.a4 b3! with ...Rb4 to come,
a c h i e v e i t . 17.¢e2 White will have problems with the
White connects the rooks. But had a-pawn, but also with the d4-pawn
he played this on the previous after Black executes ...f6 and ...e5.
move, do you think he would have cxd6 21.f4 If the innocuous 16.
proceeded with a3 here? a3 was the first small and
Definitely not, as there are many a me n d a b l e s t e p i n t h e w r o n g
other more useful moves in the direction, this is already more
position, thus making his previous serious. What is White trying to
move a complete waste of time. achieve with the advance of the f-
¦hb8 Capablanca continues with pawn?? It made infinitely more
his plan. 18.¤e4 Improving the sense to put a rook on the c-file
p o s i t i o n o f t h e k n i g h t . b5 with 21.Rhc1 . The real question
Capablanca executes the intended is, how could a player like
push. 19.c5 More or less the only Bogoljubow not play a move that
choice for White. The alternatives any club player would make? We
to check from Black's point of cannot know for sure, but what we
v i e w a re s h o rt an d s i mp l e : A ) can draw as a lesson from this
Taking on b5 is nicely met by 19. example is that even the strongest
cxb5?! axb5 when Black obtains players can have thoughts that
the better structure (one pawn lead them in directions that are
island against White's two) and not in line with the requirements
will continue to play on the of the position. This is
queenside by aiming to push ...b4; encouraging, because if the
B) Defending with 19.b3?! is even greatest can go wrong in simple
worse as after 19...Na5 (hitting positions, then the lesser mortals
both b3 and c4) 20.Nd2 bxc4 21. will certainly do this much more
bxc4 Rb2 it's apparent that Black often. ¦c8 We cannot argue with
had taken over the initiative. If the logic behi nd Capablan ca's
you look at this line with an mo v e s . T h i s i s t h e d e c e i v i n g
engine it won't have problems simplicity of Capablanca's style.

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It gives us the impression that we better to play 24.b3 d5! 25.Nc5

can also play like this, as all his m Ne5 26.dxe5 Rxc5 and hope to
oves are so simple and draw in the inferior rook endgame
understandable, and yet when we where Black control s the onl y
s i t b eh i n d t h e b oa rd an d p l a y open file but with no entry point
ourselves we come up with such after 27.Rac1 Rac8 28.Rxc5 Rxc5
nonsense that makes us question 2 9 .R b 1 ( o r 2 9 . Rd 1 , 2 9 . R f1 )
o u r s a n i t y a f t e r w a r d s . 22.f5 when White can mark time.
Bogoljubow is persistent with the White's previ ous inaccuracies
advance of the f-pawn, but it's still have led to a situation where he
difficult to see what he tries to ach had to pull himself together and
ieve. It was still not late to put a calculate a line or two to stay out
rook on the c-file with 22.Rhc1 , of trouble, even though he still
though Black has already made n eeded t o su ffer s o mewh a t a s
some progress on the queenside price for his previous play.
and can try to double on the c-file Psychologically this is never easy
with 22...Ra7 23.-- Rac7 or to when starting from an extremely
further advance on the queenside safe and solid position and
after 22...Rab8 with ...a5 and...b4. constantly thinking that the game
¤a5 Black starts to create threats. should be a draw without
It's amazing to follow how, from a problems. d5 White has to
totally safe position, White remove the centralised knight, and
managed to put himself on the then Black can proceed with the
defensive in only eight moves! advance of the e-pawn. 25.¤c3
And if you also look at the Wh i t e a g a i n m i s s e s t h e m o s t
position, you notice that he played resilient path, but he was already
without rooks and advanced the in a worse position. He prevents
ki ng s i de pawns, wh ich b rings Black's ...e5, by keeping an eye on
a b s o l u t e l y n o t h i n g ! 23.¢d3 the d5-pawn, but can no longer
C o v e r i n g t h e c 2 - s q u a r e . ¤c4 oppose Black's rooks on the c-file.
Attacking the pawn on b2. Best was 25.Nc5 e5 26.a4!
24.¦ab1 White avoids the most ( re mo v i n g t h e p a wn fr o m t h e
natural 24. b3, but lands in bigger attacked square on a3) 26...bxa4
trouble. The problem wit h th e 27.Nxa4 Rab8 when Black has
rook move is that now White can definite pressure but White can
never play b3 and get rid of the hope to defend. Moving to d2 is
knight on c4 because the pawn on even worse, 25.Nd2? e5! when
a3 hangs in that case. It was White cannot take on e5 26.dxe5

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

as then after 26...Nxe5 with check Threatening ...Nxb2. 30.¤e2 a5

t h e p a wn o n g 4 i s l o s t a n d i f A pawn up and with a dominating
White plays something else Black position Capablanca doesn't lose
can push ...e4 and expand on the patience. He continues to improve
queenside with ...a5, ...b4 etc. ¦c6 the position methodically,
Black wants to double on the c- intendin g ...b4 . 31.¦f3+ ¢g6
file when t he threat will be ... 32.g4 Can you find an immediate
Nxb2 and ...Rxc3. He already has w i n f o r B l a c k h e r e ? ¤d6
a considerable advantage. It is not Capablanca misses the immediate
surprising that White failed to win with 32...e5 , threatening ...e4,
adjust to defend better. He failed which is mate. Playing 33.e4 33.
to notice the gradual deterioration dxe5 Leads to loss of rook after
of his position as a result of his in 33...Nxe5 33...dxe4 34.Kxe4 Nd2
accuracies and then 'suddenly' wins the rook on b1. A tactical
f o u n d h i ms e l f f a c i n g s e r i o u s mis s in a winn i ng pos i ti o n b y
problems.Then he couldn't adjust Capablanca, but it doesn't have an
psychologically to start defending i mp ac t on t he o u t c ome o f t h e
as he was still under the game. 33.¤c3 Covering the e4-
impression that the position was square, but only temporarily. b4
an 'easy draw' for so long, Continuing the plan of queenside
resulting in more mistakes and advance. 34.axb4 axb4 35.¤d1
e ve n t u al l y a l o s s . T h i s i s t h e ¦c2 Threatening ...Ne4 and ...Rd2
usual scenario when one side wins mate. 36.¦f2 Blocking the c-file
a 'dead drawn' endgame. 26.fxe6 with 36.Nc3 Rg2 forces the knight
fxe6 27.g5 Notice the desperation. to mo ve agai n . b3 Now White
White gives up a pawn just to try cannot exchange on c2 because of
to distract Black from the t h e fo r k af t e r 3 7 .R x c2 b x c 2 .
intended doubling on the c-file. It 37.¦a1 ¤e4 Black's position is a
was better to clench his teeth with picture of total domination.
27.Na2 and hope for the best, but 38.¦e2 In this winning position
apparently Bogoljubow was no Capab lanca pl ays a move t hat
longer capable of defending prevents White's only (feeble)
c a r e f u l l y . hxg5 A free pawn is threat. Can you see which threat is
a l w a y s g o o d . 28.¦h5 ¢f6 that and what move Capablanca
Defending the extra pawn. 29.¦h3 played? ¦8c6 Even in totally
Going to h5 and then to h3 is a winning positi ons Capablanca
clear indication that White gave pays attention to his opponent's
u p th e p awn for not hi n g. ¦ac8 ideas. He prevents White's idea of

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

Ra6. 39.¦b1 White can only wait equal, but something else changes
f o r t h e e x e c u t i o n . e5 - with the disappearance of the
W h i c h c o m e s s w i f t l y . 40.¦a1 light-squared bishops White
In case of 40.dxe5 R6c4 Black doesn't need to worry about the
delivers mate with ...Nc5 next. defence of the f5-pawn. He can
¦6c4 Can you notice how does further try to use the weaknesses
Black threaten mate now? 41.¦a5 of the light squares on the
¤c5+ The mate is inevitable after kingside. The g6-square in
...e4 next. A beautiful example of particular is a great square for the
how to win 'dead drawn' white king. Additionally, with all
endgames. black pawns on dark squares, it's
clear that White has the better
bishop now. In other words, it was
125 so much better and simpler to just
6. Drawn Endgames wait with 47...Be8 or 47...Ra7
Capablanca vs. Kostic #1

XIIIIIIIIY 126
8-+-+-mk-+0{ 6. Drawn Endgames
7+-+lvl-zp-0 Capablanca vs. Kostic #2
6r+-+-zp-zp0 XIIIIIIIIY
5+-zp-+P+-0 8-+-+-mk-+0{
4-zpP+L+-+0 7+-+-vl-zp-0
3+P+R+-+P0 6-+-+-zp-zp0
2-+-+-zP-vL0 5+-zp-+P+-0
1+-+-+-mK-0 4-zpP+-+-+0
xabcdefghy 3+P+R+KvLP0
White's greater piece activity is 2r+-+-zP-+0
compensated with his doubled 1+-+-+-+-0
pawns on the f-file, making the xabcdefghy
position equal. Now Black has an
opportunity to exchange the light- 51...¢e8 Where does Capablanca
squared bishops with ...Bc6. Do want to move the bishop? 52.¥f4
yo u t h i n k t h a t 's a g o o d i d e a ? Transferring the bis hop to th e
47...¥e8 47...Bc6? After this optimal square on e3 - from there
exchange the position remains it defends the pawn on f2, and it

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

a t t a c k s t h e p a w n o n c 5 . ¦a6 feeling uncomfortable in an

53.¥e3 The ideal square for the objectively equal position, and
bishop. when humans are uncomfortable
the mistakes are just around the
corner. ¦a7 Black voluntarily
127 makes his rook passive when there
6. Drawn Endgames was no need for it. A move like
Capablanca vs. Kostic #3 54...Rb1 , for example, latching
onto the pawn on b3, thus limiting
XIIIIIIIIY the freedom of White's rook on d3
8-+-+k+-+0{ was active and much easier to play.
7+-+-vl-zp-0 Still, no damage done, yet.
55.¢h5 Threatening Kg6. ¢f7
6r+-+-zp-zp0 Black naturally prevents the
5+-zp-+P+-0 invasion. 56.¦d5 White activates
4-zpP+-+-+0 the rook.
3+P+RvLK+P0
2-+-+-zP-+0
1+-+-+-+-0 128
xabcdefghy 6. Drawn Endgames
Capablanca vs. Kostic #4
53...¦a1 Now that the dark-
squared bishop has reached the XIIIIIIIIY
ideal square, what is White's next 8-+-+-+-+0
plan? 54.¢g4 With the pawn on 7tr-+-vlkzp-0
f2 protected, the king is free to
continue its forward journey. If
6-+-+-zp-zp0
we compare the position with the 5+-zp-+P+K0
one immediately after the 4-zpP+-+-+0
exchange of the bishops, we can 3+P+RvL-+P0
notice that White has made 2-+-+-zP-+0
considerable progress. He has a 1+-+-+-+-0[
plan (to land on g6 with the king) xabcdefghy
and tactical threats that Black
must constantly be careful about 56.¦d5 White activates the rook,
(Rd5, attacking the pawn on c5 or but Black is just in time to avert th
Rd7 in case Black moves the king e d a n g er . Wh a t d o yo u t h i n k ,
from e8). This means that Black is should he play an active move like

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

56...Ra3 , attacking the pawn on 130

b3, or should he defend his pawn 6. Drawn Endgames
o n c 5 w i t h 5 6 . . . R c 7 ? ¦a3 Capablanca vs. Kostic #6
The only move. Staying passive
for one more move would have XIIIIIIIIY
been disastrous, 56...Rc7? 57.h4 8-+-+k+-+0
puts Black in a zugzwang - if the 7+-+Rvl-zp-0
bishop moves then Rd8 becomes
possible, if the king moves then
6-+-+-zp-zp0
Kg6 comes, and if the rook moves 5tr-zp-+P+K0
on the c-file then Rd7. 4-zpP+-+-zP0
3+P+-vL-+-0
2-+-+-zP-+0
129 1+-+-+-+-0[
6. Drawn Endgames xabcdefghy
Capablanca vs. Kostic #5
62.¦d3 A curious and rare case -
XIIIIIIIIY Capablanca liked to repeat moves
8-+-+-+-+0{ and he expected that Black would
7tr-+-vlkzp-0 follow suit, but here the retreat of
the rook gives Black a chance to
6-+-+-zp-zp0 stay in t he g ame.What chan ce
5+-zpR+P+K0 d o e s B l a c k h a v e ? ¦a3
4-zpP+-+-zP0 Activating the rook. Black could
3+P+-vL-+-0 have stayed in the game as
2-+-+-zP-+0 63.¢g6 ¢f8 Doesn't bring much
1+-+-+-+-0 to White.
xabcdefghy
60...¦a5 What does 60... Ra5 131
allow? 61.¦d7 Now White is 6. Drawn Endgames
winning. ¢e8 62.¦c7 Capablanca vs. Kostic #7
Was the winning move,
completely paralysing Black. The
rook on c7 dominates along the (Diagram)
seventh rank and ties down the
black rook to the defence of the 62...¢f7 As if hypnotised, Black
c5-pawn. follows suit. He automatically

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XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-+k+-+0{ 8-+-+k+-+0{
7+-+-vl-zp-0 7+-+-+-tR-0
6-+-+-zp-zp0 6-+-+-zpKzp0
5tr-zp-+P+K0 5+-+-+P+P0
4-zpP+-+-zP0 4-zpP+-tr-+0
3+P+RvL-+-0 3+-+-+-+-0
2-+-+-zP-+0 2-+-+-zP-+0
1+-+-+-+-0 1+-+-+-+-0
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
covers the g6-square. How does t h e o n e o n f 6 o r h 6 ? 71.¢xh6
White move into a winning rook White took the h6-pawn since the
endgame? 63.¦d5 Black is h-pawn is further away from the
paralysed now to the defence of black king and because the f6-
the c5-pawn and is lost again. ¦a3 pawn is a good shield from side
This activity comes too late. In checks.
case of 63...Bf8 64.Rd7 Be7 65.
Rc7 Black is in zugzwang, the
same set-up Wh ite could hav e 133
achieved had he played 62. Rc7. 6. Drawn Endgames
64.¥xc5 Now the rook endgame Capablanca vs. Kostic #9
i s w i n n i n g f o r W hi t e - i f yo u
compare to the line mentioned in
t h e c o mm e n t t o W h i t e ' s 5 7 t h (Diagram)
move, here the pawn on h3 isn't
hanging. ¥xc5 65.¦xc5 ¦xb3 71...¢f8 What did Capablanca
66.¦c7+ ¢f8 67.¢g6 play here? 72.¦b7 Rooks behind
Black's kingside is defenceless. pawns! ¦g4 73.f3 The rook is
overburdened - Black will either
keep the rook on the g-file and
132 lose the b4-pawn or will let the
6. Drawn Endgames white king out to g6.
Capablanca vs. Kostic #8

70...¦xc4 A quick question:

which pawn should White take,

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

XIIIIIIIIY position remains equal, bu t

8-+-+k+-+0{ something else changes - with the
7+-+-+-tR-0 disappearance of the light-squared
bishops Whit e doesn't n eed t o
6-+-+-zp-mK0 worry about the defence of the f5-
5+-+-+P+P0 pawn. He can further try to use the
4-zpr+-+-+0 weaknesses of the light squares on
3+-+-+-+-0 the kingside. The g6-square in
2-+-+-zP-+0 particular is a great square for the
1+-+-+-+-0 white king. Additionally, with all
xabcdefghy black pawns on dark squares, it's
clear that White has the better
bishop now. In other words, it was
so much better and simpler to just
134 wait with 47...Be8 or 47...Ra7 . So
6. Drawn Endgames the exchange only brought
Capablanca,Jose Raul vs. Kostic disadvantages to Black! Bori s
Kostic was a world-class player at
XIIIIIIIIY the time the match was played and
8-+-+-mk-+0{ yet he went for an exchange that
7+-+lvl-zp-0 only deteriorated his position. As
you can see, this happens even to
6r+-+-zp-zp0 strong players.The fact that the
5+-zp-+P+-0 position is still equal shows the
4-zpP+L+-+0 mar gi n of s afet y i nhere nt in
3+P+R+-+P0 Black's position, but now White
2-+-+-zP-vL0 has something to play for: th e
1+-+-+-mK-0 king march to g6 in combination
xabcdefghy with an attack on the c5-pawn and
threats along the eighth rank. In
White's greater piece activity is order to make a draw Black now
compensated with his doubled has to work harder, something he
pawns on the f-file, making the could have avoided by keeping
position equal. Now Black has an the light-squared bishops on the
opportunity to exchange the light- board. 48.¥xc6 ¦xc6 49.¢g2
squared bishops with ...Bc6. Do White's king starts the journey to
yo u t h i n k t h a t 's a g o o d i d e a ? g6. ¦a6 50.¢f3 ¦a2
47...¥c6 After this exchange the Tying White down to the defence

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o f t h e p a w n o n f 2 . 51.¥g3 invasion. 56.¦d5 White activates

Capablanca could have played the the rook, but Black is just in time t
immediate Bf4, but there is no o avert the danger. What do you
reason to hurry in this position so think, should he play an active
he wastes a move. ¢e8 52.¥f4 move like 56...Ra3 , attacking the
Transferring the bis hop to th e pawn on b3, or should he defend
optimal square on e3 - from there his pawn on c5 with 56...Rc7?
it defends the pawn on f2, and it ¦a3 The only move. Staying
a t t a c k s t h e p a w n o n c 5 . ¦a6 passive for one more move would
53.¥e3 The ideal square for the have been disastrous, 56...Rc7? 57.
bishop. ¦a1 54.¢g4 With the h4 puts Black in a zugzwang - if
pawn on f2 protected, the king is the bishop moves then Rd8
free to continue its forward b e co mes p os s i b l e, if th e k i n g
journey. If w e comp are th e moves then Kg6 comes, and if the
position with the one immediately rook moves on the c-file then Rd7.
after the exchange of the bishops, 57.¦d7 Capablanca wins a tempo
we can notice that White has made before retreating to d3. In view of
considerable progress.He has a the threat Bxc5 Black must move
plan (to land on g6 with the king) the king and then he will have to
and tactical threats that Black play ...Kf7 again to prevent Kg6.
must constantly be careful about Taking the pawn on c5 leads to a
(Rd5, attacking the pawn on c5 or sharp rook endgame after 57.Bxc5
Rd7 in case Black moves the king Bxc5 58.Rxc5 Rxb3 59.Rc7 Ke8!
from e8). This means that Black is (the only move as the king doesn't
feeling uncomfortable in an want to get trapped in a mating
objectively equal position, and net) 60.Rxg7 Rxh3 61.Kg6 Rc3!
when humans are uncomfortable when Black has enough
the mistakes are just around the cou nt erpl ay fo r a d raw. Sin ce
corner. ¦a7 Black voluntarily concrete play doesn't give more
makes his rook passive when there than a draw, Capablanca avoids
was no need for it. A move like s i mp l i fi ca t i o n s an d k ee p s t h e
54...Rb1 , for example, latching t e n s i o n i n t h e p o s i t i o n . ¢e8
onto the pawn on b3, thus limiting 58.¦d3 ¢f7 Forced, to prevent
the freedom of White's rook on d3 Kg6. 59.h4 A useful move for
was active and much easier to play. White - now the pawn on h3 won't
Still, no damage done, yet. hang in the variations when Black
55.¢h5 Threatening Kg6. ¢f7 takes on b3, like the one
Black naturally prevents the me n t i o n e d i n t h e c o mme n t t o

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 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

White's previous move.This will Rd7! with ...Rd3 next. Perhaps

eventually turn out to be the Kostic confused both positions
decisive factor, but usually the and thought it was a zugzwang
player never knows it when even with the pawn on
making moves like h4. There is h4?Irrelevant of the reason,
something deeply mysterious in Black's mistake was not an
the game of chess as good moves accident. After the exchange of
s eem t o tran scen d t he pres en t t h e b i s h op s , h e was f o rc ed t o
moment and are still good and defend against White's combined
useful in the future as well. ¦a7 threats on both sides of the board
Black prevents a possible Rd7. (the weaknesses of the g6-square
60.¦d5 ¦a5 An inexplicable and the c5-pawn and the threats of
decision - why allow White to penetration of the white rook).
occupy the seventh rank? Let's And he eventually cracked under
first note that going to a3 loses as t h e c o n s t a n t p r e s s u r e . 61.¦d7
the rook endgame after 60...Ra3? N o w W h i t e i s w i n n i n g . ¢e8
61.Bxc5 Bxc5 62.Rxc5 Rxb3 63. 62.¦d3 A curious and rare case -
Rc7 is winning for White as Black Capablanca liked to repeat moves
cannot take on h3 with check like and he expected that Black would
in the analogous variation follow suit, but here the retreat of
me n t i o n e d i n t h e c o mme n t t o the rook gives Black a chance to
White's 57th move. We will arrive stay in the game. The winning
at this endgame later in the game. move was 62.Rc7 , completely
The natural 60...Rc7 was the only paralysing Black. The rook on c7
move to keep Black in the game. dominates along the seventh rank
It leads to a position that was a and ties down the black rook to
zugzwang with the white pawn on the defence of the c5-pawn. ¢f7
h 3 ( wh en Whi t e p l a ys h 4 an d As if hypnotised, Black follows
Black is doomed - this was noted suit. He automatically covers the
in the comments to Black's 56th g6-square, but in fact after 62...
mov e), bu t here wi t h an extr a Ra3! (activating the rook) Black
move White cannot achieve the could have stayed in the game as
zugzwang because any move he 63.Kg6 Kf8 doesn't bring much to
makes deteriorates his position! White. 63.¦d5 Black is paralysed
F o r e x a mp l e , t h e mo v e 6 1 . f 3 now to the defence of the c5-pawn
undermines the bishop on e3 and a n d i s l o s t a g a i n . ¦a3
Black can use this for counterplay This activity comes too late. In
after 61...Bf8 62.Rd8 Be7 63.Rb8 case of 63...Bf8 64.Rd7 Be7 65.

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Rc7 Black is in zugzwang, the the g-file and lose the b4-pawn or
same set-up Wh ite could hav e will let the white king out to g6.
achieved had he played 62. Rc7. ¦g5 Black decides to give up the
64.¥xc5 Now the rook endgame passed b-pawn and to keep the
i s w i n n i n g f o r W hi t e - i f yo u white king on the h-file. This is,
compare to the line mentioned in h o w e v e r , t e m p o r a r y . 74.¦xb4
t h e c o mm e n t t o W h i t e ' s 5 7 t h ¢f7 Even establishing material
move, here the pawn on h3 isn't parity loses for Black: after 74...
hanging. ¥xc5 65.¦xc5 ¦xb3 Rxf5 75.Kg6! Rxf3 76.Rb8 Ke7
66.¦c7+ ¢f8 67.¢g6 77.h6 Rg3 78.Kf5 Rf3 79.Ke4
Black's kingside is defenceless. Rh3 80.h7! the pawn promotes as
¦f3 68.¦f7+ A practical move, it cannot be taken in view of the
forcing the king further away from skewer Rb7. 75.¦g4 White takes
the kingside. Taking immediately over the g-file to liberate his king
on g7 wins too, as the pawn from the confinement of the rim.
endgame after 68.Rxg7 Rxf5 69. ¦xf5 76.f4 ¦a5 77.¦g7+ ¢f8
Kxf5 Kxg7 70.Ke4 is winning for 78.¦b7 The king is now free to go
White, but this requires precise a f t e r t h e l a s t b l a c k p a w n . f5
calculation, while the move 79.¢g6 Threatening h6-h7 or
played by Capablanca wins Rf7xf5. ¦a6+ 80.¢xf5 ¦a5+
w i t h o u t t h e n e e d f o r i t . ¢e8 81.¢g4 Some positions with h-
69.¦xg7 ¦f4 Taking on f2 and f-pawns are drawn, but this is
doesn't change anything as 69... not one of them - the reason is
Rxf2 70.Rb7 collects the passed b- that the black king is cut off on
pawn and then the f6-pawn will t he ei g h th ran k. ¦a6 82.¢g5
fall too. 70.h5 White keeps the h- ¦c6 83.f5 White simply advances
pawn as it will soon become a forward. ¢g8 84.f6 Covering the
p a s s e d o n e . ¦xc4 sixth rank and intending Kg6. ¦c8
A quick question: which pawn 85.¦g7+ ¢f8 86.h6 The h-pawn
should White take, the one on f6 can no t be s t op p ed and Ko s ti c
or h6? 71.¢xh6 White took the resigned.
h6-pawn since the h-pawn is
further away from the black king
and because the f6-pawn is a good
s h i e l d f r o m s i d e c h e c k s . ¢f8
72.¦b7 Rooks behind pawns! ¦g4
73.f3 The rook is overburdened -
Black will either keep the rook on

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135 risky. Black had to pursue his plan

6. Drawn Endgames with 28...e5 , when the threat of ...
Capablanca vs. Lilienthal #1 e4 doesn't give White the time to
play on the queenside. For
XIIIIIIIIY e xa mp l e , a ft er 2 9 . Nb 3 e4 t h e
8r+-+r+k+0 pawn on d3 is already hanging
7+p+-+pzpl0 and White cannot play Na5. With
the move in the game, Capablanca
6-+p+psn-zp0 gets the time he needs (only one
5+-+p+-+-0 mo v e !) to g ra b t h e i n i t i at i v e .
4-zPP+-+-+0 29.¤b3 The threat is Ra5
3+-+P+-zP-0 (followed by doubling on the a-
2-+-sNPzPLzP0 file). ¢f8 Black brings the king
1+-tR-+RmK-0[ c l o s e r t o t h e c e n t r e . 30.¦a5
xabcdefghy Threatening to double on the a-
file. The idea 30.Na5 is met by
Both sides have compact pawn 30...Ra7 when Black can double
structures that limit the activity of on the a-file.
the bishops. With one open file
and a more advanced pawn pair,
White will seek activity on the 136
queenside while Black should try 6. Drawn Endgames
to advance in the centre with ...e5- Capablanca vs. Lilienthal #2
e4 to try to activate his bishop by
attacking the pawn on d3.How
do es Whit e find thi s act ivit y? (Diagram)
28.¦a1 White has to oppose on
the open a-file, as Black would 31...¤b6 We can now see Black's
otherwise have penetrated with idea when taking on c4 - apart
the rook on the second rank. ¤d7 from opening his bishop, he
A step in the wrong direction. In liberated the d5-square for the
safe positions, it is possible to pla knight in case White plays c5, so
y moves that look solid but don't instead of a4 or d7 (like in the line
have a clear idea, but this possibili from the comment to Black's 30th
ty shouldn't be abused. In fact, move) the knight can jump to d5.
strong players have the ability to Un fo rtun at el y, thi s id ea h as a
punish even slight inaccuracies, so tactical flaw.What tactical flaw?
p l a yi n g v a gu e mo v e s i s of t e n 32.¦xa8 Capablanca initiates a

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XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
8r+-+rmk-+0{ 8-+-+k+-+0{
7+p+n+pzpl0 7+r+-+pzpl0
6-+p+p+-zp0 6-snL+p+-zp0
5tR-+-+-+-0 5+-+-+-+-0
4-zPP+-+-+0 4-zPP+-+-+0
3+N+-+-zP-0 3+-+-+-zP-0
2-+-+PzPLzP0 2-+-+PzP-zP0
1+-+-+RmK-0 1+-+R+-mK-0
xabcdefghy xabcdefghy
forcing sequence that is crowned f o r w a r d w i t h t e m p o . ¢e7
with a petite combinaison. ¦xa8 38.¥xd7 ¤xd7 39.c6
33.¤a5 Hitting the pawn on b7. Play is very forcing, Black barely
¦a7 34.¦d1 Everything comes manages to stop the pawns from
wit h t emp o, the th reat i s Rd8 . promoting.
¢e8 It appears that Black
somehow managed to patch things
up. Can you find Capablanca's 138
p e t i t e c o m b i n a i s o n ? 35.¤xb7 6. Drawn Endgames
As a result of this small Capablanca vs. Lilienthal #4
combination White obtains two
connected passed pawns. ¦xb7
Taking on c4 loses a pawn to 35... (Diagram)
N x c 4 3 6 . B x c 6 + . 36.¥xc6+
White wins the sacrificed material 39...¤b6 Capablanca plans on
back and will soon end up with k e e p i n g a l l o f Bl ac k ' s p i e c e s
two passed queenside pawns. occupied on the queenside before
moving his play to the kingside,
h o w d o e s h e d o t h i s ? 40.c7
137 Threatening Rd8 and c8=Q. ¥f5
6. Drawn Endgames 41.¦d8 There was an alternative
Capablanca vs. Lilienthal #3 win with 41.e4 , but Capablanca
wrote that after 41...Bg4 42.f3
36...¦d7 How does White make Bxf3 43.Rd8 Bxe4 44.c8=Q
o p t i ma l u s e o f h i s q u e e n s i d e White wins the exchange, but that
pawns? 37.c5 The pawns move would have prolonged the game.

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XIIIIIIIIY 139
8-+-+-+-+0{ 6. Drawn Endgames
7+-+nmkpzpl0 Capablanca vs. Lilienthal #5
6-+P+p+-zp0 XIIIIIIIIY
5+-+-+-+-0 8-+l+-+-+0{
4-zP-+-+-+0 7+-+ksn-+-0
3+-+-+-zP-0 6-+-+-+-tR0
2-+-+PzP-zP0 5+-+-zp-+-0
1+-+R+-mK-0 4-+-+P+-zP0
xabcdefghy 3+-+-+PzP-0
e5 The only way to prevent the 2-+-+-+-+0
promotion of the c-pawn. 42.¦b8 1+-+-+-mK-0
¤c8 Again the only move. 43.b5 xabcdefghy
Threatening b6-b7, so Black must
hurry with his king. ¢d6 44.b6 52...¢e8 How did Capablanca
¤e7 Black somehow managed to f i n i s h t h e g a m e ? 53.¦f6
stop the pawns, and now Precision until the end.
Capablanca applies his favourite Capablanca cuts off the enemy
method - switching the direction king along the f-file. ¤g8 54.¦c6
o f t h e a t t a c k . 45.¦f8 A double attack to finish the game.
Typical Capablanca - all Black's When the bishop moves White
pieces are occupied, preventing will play Rc5 and capture Black's
the promotion of the queenside last pawn. It is curious to note that
pawns, and this leaves the White won this endgame without
k i n g s i d e wit h ou t def enc e . He the ubiquitous king centralisation.
starts attacking the vulnerable This shows the high level of
kingside pawns and eventually precision of Capablanca's play.
wins all of them. The immediate There was always something more
threat is b7-b8, so Black's next imp o rtan t and u rgen t t han th e
move is forced again. In 'Chess king's centralisation on general
Fundamentals' he wrote that he terms.The higher the level of a
could have played 45.c8=Q Nxc8 p l a ye r, t h e mo r e co n cr e t e h i s
46.b7 winning the exchange as the moves and ideas and the less you
knight cannot move in view of s e e m o v e s p l a ye d o n g e n e r a l
Rd8, but he decided to choose grounds. With the best players,
another manner to win. even the moves that seem to be

134
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

played on general grounds have have a clear idea, but this possibili
concrete justification, something ty shouldn't be abused. In fact,
that we have seen in all strong players have the ability to
Capablanca's games. punish even slight inaccuracies, so
p l a yi n g v a gu e mo v e s i s o f t e n
risky. Black had to pursue his plan
140 with 28...e5 , when the threat of ...
6. Drawn Endgames e4 doesn't give White the time to
Capablanca,Jose Raul vs. Lilien play on the queenside. For
e xa mp l e , a ft er 2 9 . Nb 3 e4 t h e
XIIIIIIIIY pawn on d3 is already hanging
8r+-+r+k+0 and White cannot play Na5. With
7+p+-+pzpl0 the move in the game, Capablanca
gets the time he needs (only one
6-+p+psn-zp0 mo v e !) to g ra b t h e i n i t i at i v e .
5+-+p+-+-0 29.¤b3 The threat is Ra5
4-zPP+-+-+0 (followed by doubling on the a-
3+-+P+-zP-0 file). ¢f8 Black brings the king
2-+-sNPzPLzP0 c l o s e r t o t h e c e n t r e . 30.¦a5
1+-tR-+RmK-0[ Threatening to double on the a-
xabcdefghy file. The idea 30.Na5 is met by
30...Ra7 when Black can double
Both sides have compact pawn o n t h e a - f i l e . dxc4 In 'Chess
structures that limit the activity of Fundamentals' Capablanca called
the bishops. With one open file this move a decisive error, but
and a more advanced pawn pair, that is an exaggeration. He
White will seek activity on the proposed 30...Ke7 , though the
queenside while Black should try line he analysed leads to a sad
to advance in the centre with ...e5- position for Black after 31.Rfa1
e4 to try to activate his bishop by Rxa5 32.Rxa5 Kd6 33.c5 This is
attacking the pawn on d3. 28.¦a1 better than Capablanca's 33.Ra7
White has to oppose on the open a- Kc7 34.Na5 Rb8 35.c5 because
file, as Black would otherwise here Black has 35...Nb6! with ...
have penetrated with the rook on Nc8 next to chase away the rook
t h e s e c o n d r a n k . ¤d7 from a7 33...Kc7 34.f4 when
A step in the wrong direction. In C a p a b l a n c a ' s e v a l u at i o n o f a
safe positions, it is possible to pla passive position for Black but
y moves that look solid but don't wi th o u t an immed iat e wi n fo r

135
 Capablanca's Endgame Technique - Pdf by Bahram Javanmard

White is still applicable. Rxb5 Rec8! attacking the pawn on

Objectively speaking, taking on c4. 32.¦xa8 Capablanca initiates
c4 is a double-edged decision. a forcing sequence that is crowned
Black opens the b1-h7 diagonal with a petite combinaison. ¦xa8
for his bishop while also opening 33.¤a5 Hitting the pawn on b7.
the long diagonal for the ¦a7 34.¦d1 Everything comes
fianchettoed bishop on g2. Black wit h t emp o, the th reat i s Rd8 .
couldn't chase away the annoying ¢e8 It appears that Black
rook with 30...b6?! because after somehow managed to patch things
3 1 .R x a 8 R x a 8 3 2 .b5 ! Bl a ck ' s up. Can you find Capablanca's
pawn chain on the long diagonal p e t i t e c o m b i n a i s o n ? 35.¤xb7
collapses. Playing 30...Nb6?! 31. As a result of this small
c5! either forces the knight to go combination White obtains two
back when White wins the fight connected passed pawns. ¦xb7
for the a-file by doubling on it or a Taking on c4 loses a pawn to 35...
fter 31...Na4 32.Rc1! the knight is Nxc4 36.Bxc6 . 36.¥xc6+ ¦d7
s tran d ed o n a4 . 31.dxc4 ¤b6 37.c5 The pawns move forward
We c a n n o w s e e B l a c k 's i d e a with tempo. ¢e7 38.¥xd7 ¤xd7
when taking on c4 - apart from 39.c6 Play is very forcing, Black
opening his bishop, he liberated barely manages to stop the pawns
the d5-square for the knight in f r o m p r o mo t i n g . ¤b6 40.c7
case White plays c5, so instead of Threatening Rd8 and c8=Q. ¥f5
a4 or d7 (like in the line from the 41.¦d8 There was an alternative
comment to Black's 30th move) win with 41.e4 , but Capablanca
the knight can jump to d5. wrote that after 41...Bg4 42.f3
Un fo rtun at el y, thi s idea has a Bxf3 43.Rd8 Bxe4 44.c8=Q
tactical flaw. It was better to use t White wins the exchange, but that
he other idea of the capture on c4 - would have prolonged the game.
the opening of the diagonal for the e5 The only way to prevent the
bishop and play 31...Bc2! forcing promotion of the c-pawn. 42.¦b8
32.Rfa1 and now 32...Rab8! ¤c8 Again the only move. 43.b5
keeping the b7-pawn safely Threatening b6-b7, so Black must
protected. After 33.Nd4 Bh7 it hurry with his king. ¢d6 44.b6
appears that White has the ¤e7 Black somehow managed to
initiative, but Black is extremely stop the pawns, and now
solid. An attempt to undermine Capablanca applies his favourite
the b7-c6 structure gives Black method - switching the direction
counterplay after 34.b5 cxb5 35. o f t h e a t t a c k . 45.¦f8

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Typical Capablanca - all Black's This shows the high level of

pieces are occupied, preventing precision of Capablanca's play.
the promotion of the queenside There was always something more
pawns, and this leaves the imp o rtan t and u rgen t t han th e
k i n g s i d e wit h ou t def enc e . He king's centralisation on general
starts attacking the vulnerable terms. The higher the level of a
kingside pawns and eventually p l a ye r, t h e mo r e co n cr e t e h i s
wins all of them. The immediate moves and ideas and the less you
threat is b7-b8, so Black's next s e e m o v e s p l a ye d o n g e n e r a l
move is forced again. In 'Chess grounds. With the best players,
Fundamentals' he wrote that he even the moves that seem to be
could have played 45.c8=Q Nxc8 played on general grounds have
46.b7 winning the exchange as the concrete justification, something
knight cannot move in view of that we have seen in all
Rd8, but he decided to choose Capablanca's games.
a n o t h e r m a n n e r t o w i n . ¥c8
This stops the b-pawn. 46.¦xf7
White starts the extermination of
B l a c k ' s k i n g s i d e . ¤d5
Bl ac k wi l l ma na g e t o d es t r o y
White's queenside pawns, but will
lose more pawns on the kingside.
47.¦xg7 ¤xb6 48.¦h7
T h e h 6 - p a w n f a l l s n o w . ¤d5
49.¦xh6+ ¢xc7 50.e4
White now has three pawns and a
rook for two pieces, which is a
rather simple win. ¤e7 51.f3
¢d7 52.h4 ¢e8 53.¦f6
Precision until the end.
Capablanca cuts off the enemy
king along the f-file. ¤g8 54.¦c6
A double attack to finish the game.
When the bishop moves White
will play Rc5 and capture Black's
last pawn. It is curious to note that
White won this endgame without
the ubiquitous king centralisation.

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