This shuts in the White KB altogether, and at the same time opens the diagonal of Black’s KB.  Therefore, on principle alone the move is questionable.  In effect it gives Black an opportunity for a beautiful winning combination.  Only P-K5 was worth considering, as then the opposing Bishop would have been shut in and White’s own diagonal opened.

21. ...  Kt-Kt5!! 22.  QxKt Kt-Q5 23.  QxKt BxQ 24.  KtxB

Although three minor pieces are generally an equivalent for the Queen, in this case the White game collapses quickly.  The advanced pawns have produced too many weak points which afford an entry for the Black forces.

24. ...  KR-B1 25.  RxR RxR 26.  R-B2 Q-R6 27.  R-K2

B-R5 was threatened.  But the text move is of no avail either.  Black winds up the game with another fine combination.

27. ...                  R-B8!
28.  BxR                 QxB

If R-K1, Q-B4.

29.  Kt-B3 QxKtch
30.  K-B2 B-Kt4
Resigns.

Game No. 31

White:  John.  Black:  Janowski

Sicilian Defence.

1.  P-K4 P-QB4 2.  Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3.  P-Q4 PxP 4.  KtxP Kt-B3

The aim of this move is to provoke Kt-B3, and incidentally to prevent P-QB4.  The latter move would give White command of his Q5 and not only prevent Black’s P-Q4 but also immobilise Black’s KP unless his QP is to remain “backward.”

5.  QKt-B3 P-KKt3

As shown on p. 216, P-Q3 must be played first.  In any case Black must be wary of playing P-KKt3.  If, for instance, after P-Q3 White plays 6.  B-QB4, and Black replies with P-KKt3, there follows 7.  KtxKt, PxKt; 8.  P-K5!, Kt-Kt5 (PxP?, 9.  BxPch); 9.  P-K6, P-KB4, with advantage to White (see game in the match Schlechter-Lasker).

6.  KtxKt KtPxKt
7.  P-K5 Kt-Kt1
8.  B-QB4 P-Q4
9.  PxP, e.p.  PxP
10.  Q-B3

---------------------------------------
8 | #R |    | #B | #Q | #K | #B | #Kt| #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P |    |    |    |    | #P |    | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 |    |    | #P | #P |    |    | #P |    |
|---------------------------------------|
5 |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
4 |    |    | ^B |    |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
3 |    |    | ^Kt|    |    | ^Q |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P |    |    | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R |    | ^B |    | ^K |    |    | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H

Diag. 144

White has now three pieces in action and Black none.  Black’s game is hopeless already; his B2 cannot be covered by Q-Q2 because of:  11.  BxPch, QxB; 12.  QxPch, and after Q-K2ch there follows:  11.  B-K3, B-Kt2; 12.  Castles QR, and 13.  KR-K1, with an overwhelming attack.