(1) Reti,R - Grau,R [A15]
Buenos Aires, 1924



1.Nf3
The Reti. Wonderful to have an opening named after you. Even better, an opening move with merit. Rather than occupy the center with 1.e4 or 1.d4, to strike at the center with a natural move, awaiting events.

1...Nf6 2.c4
Akin to the modern English, buta formidable weapon in this early era.

2...d5
We weak response, giving white an opportunity to exchange a flank pawn for a center pawn.

3.cxd5 Qxd5
Another mistake, prematurely posting the queen in the center

4.g3
Nc3 would be fine, but Reti is in no rush to attack the misplaced Black queen.

4...c6
Trying to limit the power of the Bg2

5.Nc3 Qa5 6.Bg2 Bf5 7.d3 e6 8.0-0 Nbd7 9.Bd2
With discovered attacks in the air, but 9...Qc7 10.Rc1

9...Be7 10.Nd4
Threatening Nxf5 and Nd5

10...Bg6 11.Nd5 Qd8 12.Nxe7
Capturing black's good bishop

12...Qxe7 13.Qb3
Black has moved his queen 4 times; white, in moving his queen only once, has the more active piece.

13...Qc5
Responding to the threat of Qxb7 by threatening the Nd4

14.Be3 Qb6
Six moves now for the queen, but hoping for Qxb6 to release the pressure.

15.Qa3
Like a knife through the position, preventing ...0-0

15...Qc7
Out of the line of fire of the Be3

16.Rac1
idea Nb5-d6

16...Qe5
Diagram Eighth move for the queen.

17.Bxc6!
[17.Bxc6 bxc6 18.Nxc6 Threatening both the Qe5 and Qe7#] 1-0