Capablanca vs Marshall, 1918

Marshall sprung 8...d5, a prepared pawn sacrifice, on Capablanca. Capablanca found the defense at the board and won. The line is still called the Marshall Attack.

White: José Raúl Capablanca
Black: Frank Marshall
Event: New York
Year: 1918
Result: 1-0

Critical position

After 8... d5. White to move.

Take over as White vs Maia

Step through

8... d5

Annotated score

1. e4 (best) e5 (best)
2. Nf3 (best) Nc6 (excellent)
3. Bb5 (inaccuracy) a6 (good)
4. Ba4 (best) Nf6 (best)
5. O-O (best) Be7 (excellent)
6. Re1 (good) b5 (best)
7. Bb3 (best) O-O (best)
8. c3 (best) d5 (excellent)
d5: 8...d5 is the prepared break. White can take on d5 and e5.
9. exd5 (best) Nxd5 (best)
10. Nxe5 (best) Nxe5 (best)
11. Rxe5 (best) Nf6 (best)
12. Re1 (best) Bd6 (good)
13. h3 (good) Ng4 (best)
Ng4: 13...Ng4 and 14...Qh4 are the attack Marshall had analyzed at home.
14. Qf3 (best) Qh4 (best)
15. d4 (good) Nxf2 (mistake)
16. Re2 (mistake) Bg4 (mistake)
Re2: 16.Re2 is the over-the-board find that holds the king.
17. hxg4 (good) Bh2+ (best)
18. Kf1 (good) Bg3 (inaccuracy)
19. Rxf2 (inaccuracy) Qh1+ (best)
20. Ke2 (best) Bxf2 (best)
21. Bd2 (excellent) Bh4 (best)
22. Qh3 (best) Rae8+ (best)
23. Kd3 (best) Qf1+ (best)
24. Kc2 (good) Bf2 (inaccuracy)
25. Qf3 (best) Qg1 (inaccuracy)
26. Bd5 (inaccuracy) c5 (best)
27. dxc5 (best) Bxc5 (best)
28. b4 (best) Bd6 (good)
29. a4 (best) a5 (best)
30. axb5 (good) axb4 (good)
31. Ra6 (best) bxc3 (good)
32. Nxc3 (good) Bb4 (best)
33. b6 (inaccuracy) Bxc3 (good)
34. Bxc3 (best) h6 (mistake)
35. b7 (best) Re3 (best)
36. Bxf7+ (best)
Bxf7+: 36.Bxf7+ ends the counterplay. Marshall’s extra exchange is not enough.