Menchik defeats a future champion

Vera Menchik vs Max Euwe

Hastings 1931–32 · 1931 · 1-0

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A masterpiece, move by move

Menchik’s victory over Euwe at Hastings 1931–32 is a notable encounter between the women’s champion and a future open champion.

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11. Bb5+

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Prevent a comfortable king shelter. The bishop checks along b5–c6–d7–e8. Euwe replies Ke7, giving up castling and leaving the king in the center.

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16. exf6+

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Win the knight with check. Menchik’s e-pawn captures the knight on f6. The capture also checks the king along the e-file by uncovering White’s queen on e2.

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44. Bc4

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Improve the bishop. The bishop returns to c4, attacking the rook on a2 along the diagonal. Black trades that rook for the bishop on d2, leaving White with a rook and bishop against bishop and knight.