Mexico City 1932

     The first issue of Al Horowitz’ Chess Review appeared in January, 1933, and had an editorial pronouncing that a new era in chess had begun with the arrival of such recognizable names as Gosta Stoltz (Sweden), Salo Flohr (Czechoslovakia, later Russia), Sultan Kahn (India) and Erich Elkiskases (Austria, later Argentina). 
     In the US, Isaac Kashdan, Arthur Dake, Al Horowitz, Herman Steiner, Reuben Fine and Samuel Reshevsky were coming into prominence. 
     The magazine began with a review of the year 1932, noting that there weren’t any really big tournaments that could equal Bled, 1931. Hastings 1931-32 was won by Salo Flohr with a 8.0-1.0 score ahead of Kashdan (7.5-1.5), Dr. Max Euwe (5.0-4.0) and Sultan Kahn (4.5-4.5) 
     After Hasting five of the players participated in a tournament in London that included Alekhine who finished first (9.0-2.0) ahead of Flohr (8.0-3.0), Kashdan and Sultan Kahn (7.5-3.5). From there Alekhine went to Berne which he also won (12.5-2.5) ahead of Euwe and Flohr (11.5-3.5). Next came Sultan Kahn (11.0-4.0) then Dr. Ossip Bernstein and E.D. Bogoljubow (10.0-5.0). 
     From there Alekhine traveled 5,900 miles to Pasadena, California where he finished first, scoring 8.5-2.5, ahead of Kashdan (7.5-3.5), Dake, Reshevsky and Herman Steiner (6.5-4.5). 
     After Pasadena was over and the players scattered. Captain J.J. Araiza, Champion of Mexico, arrived in Mexico City and hastily threw together the country’s first international tournament. 
     Sixty-five hundred miles east of Mexico City Geza Maroczy nailed down first place in Budapest (13-4) ahead of Esteban Canal (12.0-5.0), Ulrich A. Steiner (11.0-6.0), Lajos Steiner and Andreas Lilienthal (10.5-6.5)
     Somehow Alekhine was located in Nogales, Arizona and Kashdan in Denver, Colorado and they agreed to make the trip to Mexico City. Alekhine and Kashdan tied for first (8.5-1.5) and Araiza finished third with 6.0-3.0)  
     Today take a look at that tournament in Mexico City. It appears that other than Alekhine, Kashdan and Araiza all the players were local masters.

     Nobody remembers Isaac Kashdan (November 19, 1905 - February 20, 1985) today, but Alekhine named Kashdan who was often called often called “der Kleine Capablanca” one of the most likely players to succeed him as World Champion. Kashdan was also famous for his love of the two Bishops.

Isaac Kashdan - Juan Brunner

Result: 1-0

Site: Mexico City MEX

Date: 1932.10.14

Sicilian: Kan Variation

[...] 1.e4 c5 2.♘f3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.♘xd4 a6 5.c4 Although Maroczy does not seem to have played it, this P-formation is the once dreaded Maroczy Bind. White's c- and e-Pawns control the d5-square, making it difficult for black to free his position with ...d5. Black often plays the less active ...d6 instead and sets up a Hedgehog formation, 5...♘f6 6.♘c3 d5 Apparently black was unaware that he could not play this. Either 6... Bb4 or 6...Qc7 are acceptable. 7.cxd5 exd5 8.♕a4 An odd mistake coming from a world-class player like Kashdan.

8.e5 was good. An example of what can happen is illustrated in this miniature... 8...♘e4 9.♗d3 f5 10.exf6 ♘xf6 11.O-O ♗c5 12.♖e1 ♔f7 13.♗e3 ♖e8 14.h3 ♗a7 15.♖c1 ♘bd7 16.♘xd5 ♗xd4 17.♘xf6 ♗xf6 18.♗c4 1-0 Pavlovic,M (2534)-Finger,R (2065)/Thun SUI 2007

(8.exd5 ♘xd5 9.♗d3 ♘xc3 10.bxc3⩲) 8...♗d7 9.♕b3 ♗c5 By attacking the undefended N black has gotten away clean with his 6th move. 10.♗e3 dxe4 11.♕xb7 So, white has won a P. Taking the b-Pawn with the Q is not as dangerous for white as it usually is when black plays ...Qxb2, but here Kashdan has lost time and black could have equalized with 11...Ra7 11...♗xd4 Although this move baits a trap, it is only good if white takes the bait! (11...♖a7 12.♕b3 O-O equals) 12.♗xd4 This gives white the advantage.

12.♕xa8 would lose and it's probably the move Brunner was coiunting on when he played 11...Bxd4 12...♗c6 13.♗b5 ♗xc3 14.bxc3 ♗xb5 Materially white has a R vs two Ns but his Q is out play play and after 15.♖d1 ♕c7 16.c4 Otherwise ...Qxc3+ 16...♗xc4 17.♕a7 ♕xa7 18.♗xa7 O-O A R vs 2Ns is tough to evaluate. According to Larry Kaufman in the struggle between a R and two minor pieces, there is generally equality if the side with the R has 1 or 2 Ps more. Somewhat fewer Ps are required if both minor pieces are Ns. On the other hand 2 Ps are necessary in the case of the B pair. Here it's a R vs. two Ns, but black has an extra P so the position favors him. In Shootouts black won all five games which seems to confirm this.

12...♗c6 13.♕b4 a5 14.♕c5 ♕e7 15.♘b5 ♘d5 16.♕xe7 ♔xe7 17.♗xg7 ♖g8 18.♗e5 ♖g5 Both 18...Nd7 and 18...Bxb5 offer tougher resistance. 19.♗g3 ♗xb5?20.♗xb5 ♘e3 21.♗a4 ♘f5 22.♖c1 ♘a6 23.♖c4 ♘xg3 24.hxg3 ♖e5 25.♖xh7 ♘c5 26.♔e2 ♖b8 27.b3 ♖d8 28.♖h1 ♖ed5±29.♖hc1 ♔d6 Black is following the principle of centralizing his K in the ending, but he could have put up a stouter defense with 29...Rd2+and ...e3

29...♖d2 30.♔e1 e3 31.fxe3 ♘xa4 32.♖xa4 ♖xg2 They say all double R endings are drawn, but here white has a clear advantage. In Shootouts white won by a score of +3 -0 =2. Kashdan was an excellent endgame player as his games in Mexico City showed. He defeated Asiain in 67 moves in a game where he was a P up and both sides had a Q and 2Rs. He drew Alekhine in a B+P ending and against Medina, he had an extra P in a B+P ending that took 101 moves, but he scored the point.

30.♖d1 ♔e5 Consistent with his plan of centralizing the K, but it's an elementary blunder that loses a R. After 30...Rxd1 31.Kxd1 Rh8 he could have at least played on.

30...♖xd1 31.♔xd1 ♖h8 32.♔e2 f5 33.♔e3 ♖h1 This looks like a difficult position to win, but probably not for Kashdan...Stockfish won 5 Shootout games with no difficulty.

31.♖xc5 Black resigned.

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