Candidates Tournament, Switzerland · 1953
Geller–Euwe: The Counterattack
Efim Geller vs. Max Euwe — Euwe answers a fierce kingside attack with a rook sacrifice and decisive counterplay.
Moves · tap to jump
0/52Use ← → keys to step through the game
Starting position
Ready
Press Auto-play to watch the game, or step move by move.
Main lesson
Meet an attack with active counterplay when your threats arrive faster than your opponent's.
Lesson notes
Moves 1–10 — central structure
- The Nimzo-Indian exchange gives White doubled c-pawns but the bishop pair.
- Both players castle before the battle intensifies.
Moves 11–17 — two competing plans
- White gains space and lifts a rook to h4.
- Black develops counterplay on the c-file and activates the queen with ...Qb6.
Moves 18–21 — lines open
- Exchanges open diagonals and White's queen reaches h7 with check.
- Count Black's active pieces before judging the attack by appearance alone.
Moves 22–26 — the counterstroke
- 22...Rh8 offers a rook to draw the queen away.
- The surviving rook enters c2 and g2; queen and bishop join the attack.
What your student should learn
- Compare the speed of both sides' threats.
- Recognize when a rook sacrifice creates counterplay.
- Notice a queen stranded far from its own king.
- Use an open file to invade the second rank.
Rules to remember
- Rule 1Check forcing counterattacks before defending.
- Rule 2An attacking queen may abandon its own king.
- Rule 3Calculate the opponent's best reply, not just their threat.
Mini tournament checklist
- ✓ What is my opponent threatening?
- ✓ Can I create a stronger forcing threat?
- ✓ Which open file lets my rook invade?
- ✓ Have I checked captures and checks against my king?
Counterattack only when the concrete sequence works; activity does not excuse ignoring a forced mate.
Coach's challenge
Stop after 22.Bh6. Find 22...Rh8 and explain the point of ...Rc2 after the queen captures it.
Full move list
The Nimzo-Indian Centre
Attack and Counterplay
Opening Lines
The Counterstroke
Note: This game belongs to the 1953 Candidates event commonly called Zurich 1953, which also held rounds in Neuhausen. The authentic score ends at 26...Qf3.