Marmorosh - Kniazer Match, 1931

This match, played in Haifa, was drawn (+4 -4 =2). Marmorosh gives 'the most interesting game' in his chess column (see source below). If the previous games made it seem that Marmorosh only publishes his victories, here he shows how he didn't win a won position, due to the Kniazer's resourcefulness. It is a nice lesson in back-rank mating threats (for both sides).

Event: 1931 Match, Marmorosh-Kniazer.
Site: Haifa
Date: May 24th, 1931
White: Marmorosh
Black: Kniazer
ECO: B03 (Alekhine's Defense)
Annotator: Marmorosh
Source: Davar, July 5th, 1931, p. 5

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. d4 d6 5. exd6 exd6 6. Nc3 Bf5 7. Bd3 Bxd3 8.Qxd3 Nc6 9. Nf3 Nb4 10. Qd1 d5 11. c5 Nc4 12. Qa4+ Nc6 13. b3 N4a5 White now takes advantage of the Black Knight's loose position. 14. O-O Be7 15. Bd2 Threatening 16. Nxd5 O-O. 15... b6 16. Nxd5 Qxd5 17. Bxa5 bxa5 18. Ne5 16. Nxd5! Qxd5 17. Bxa5 b5! 18. Qxb5 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Qxd4 20. b4! Now white is a pawn up with a sure win.  20... Rac8 21. Rad1 Qb2 22. Rfe1 c6 23. Qc4 Rfe8 24. Rd7 Qf6

25. Qe4?? A gross blunder. 25. Rxa7 wins easily. 25... Bf8! 26. Qb1 26. Qxe8 is impossible due to Rxe8 27. Rxe8 Qa1+. 26... Rxe1+ 27.Qxe1.  26... Re8 28. Qd1 Qc3! 29. Rd2 Bxc5 30. g3 Bf8! 30... Bxb4? 31. Rd8! Kf8 32. Rxe8+ Kxe8 33. Qd8#. 31. Qc2 Drawn. (1/2-1/2)