(1) Weenink,H - Schelfhout,W [B40]
Amsterdam, 1929
[Bethel McGrew 2008]



1.e4 c5
The Sicilian Defence, an opening which was of course made overwhelmingly popular by Fischer and Kasparov in the latter half of the 20th century. It's a bit unusual to see it played in a 1920's game, but apparently it was being knocked around even then.

2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bb4
Black immediately puts pressure on the White center.

6.Bd3
White defends calmly.

6...Nc6 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.e5!
This sharp move discombobulates Black and clogs his development. For one thing, it's a lot harder for him to get his light-squared Bishop out now.

8...Nd5
The first move to pop into your head here might be the relatively passive 9.Bd2. But White has much better.

9.Qg4! g6
[9...Nxc3? is terrible for Black since after 10.Qxb4 Nd5 11.Qg4! g6 12.0-0 Black has lost his good Bishop, and his position is full of little black holes.; 9...Bxc3+ trying to trade b-pawn for g-pawn does not turn out well for Black, e.g. 10.bxc3 Nxc3 11.Qxg7 Rf8 12.Ba3! when he's losing his shirt due to the mate threat.]

10.0-0 f5??
Either Black had had one too many that day and forgotten the en passant rule, or he somehow thought he could survive the coming attack. Regardless, this move is nothing short of a disaster.

11.exf6 Bxc3??
Quick: mate in 5. Don't move until you see it. [Something like 11...Qb6 is an absolute must to give the King a place to run.; 11...0-0 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.Bxg6! Instead of grabbing Black's Bishop right away, White rips off another pawn. Of course White's Bishop is taboo due to the mate. 13...Qxf6 14.Bd3+ Kh8 15.Qxb4 ]

12.Bxg6+! Kf8
[12...hxg6 walks into 13.Qxg6+ Kf8 14.Qg7+ Ke8 15.f7+ Ke7 16.f8Q# It's a beautiful thing! Pass the tissues!]

13.Bh6+ Kg8 14.f7#
And the little guy ties it off. 1-0