We’ve often showed the advantage of getting your opponent’s king out into the open. Then you check, check, check until you mate him. This game between Alberic O’Kelly de Galway and Paul Devos is a great example of this. Although initially very startling, the first move in the plan is quite logical.

Solution:

The game itself is interesting. White gets the advantage out of the opening and seems to be on his way to victory, but Devos is a fighter. His 17…Ne3 move starts the brawl. If you see why the knight is immune then you will understand the solution when you get to the diagram. It's all about White controlling the light squares and then goes about controlling the dark squares. White should have played 20.d4, and, later in the game 21.Qb3 to keep his edge (see the notes below), but he didn’t, and Devos uncorked his brilliant queen sacrifice and mating attack with just the minor pieces.

O'Kelly de Galway,Alberic - Devos,Paul [A11]

Belgian championship playoff Brussels 1937

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c6 3.b3 g6 4.Bb2 Bg7 5.g3 0–0 6.Bg2 d5 7.0–0 Na6 8.d3 Be6 9.Nbd2 Qc8 10.Re1 Bh3 11.Bh1 h5 12.Rc1 Qf5 13.a3 Bh6 14.b4 Ng4 15.cxd5 cxd5 16.b5 Nb8 17.Rc5 Ne3 18.Qb3 Nd7 19.Rc7 e5 20.Qc3 [20.d4 e4 21.fxe3 exf3 22.exf3] 20...d4 21.Nxd4 [21.Qb3 Rac8 22.Rec1]

See Diagram

21...Qxf2+ 22.Kxf2 Ng4+ 23.Kf3 [23.Kg1 Be3#] 23...e4+ 24.Kxe4 [24.Nxe4 Nde5#] 24...Ndf6+ 25.Kf3 Ne5+ [25...Nxh2+ 26.Kf2 Nfg4+ 27.Kg1 Be3#] 26.Kf2 Nfg4+ 27.Kg1 Be3#

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