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Classic game replay

Frank James Marshall vs Jose Raul Capablanca, 1927

This replay preserves the complete 68-ply score of Capablanca playing Black across 34 numbered moves. The board can be advanced one ply at a time; the notes stick to observable board changes rather than guessing at the players’ intentions.

On this page
  1. Practice positions
  2. Replay with move-by-move board facts
  3. PGN
  4. Sources and checking
  5. Continue with another game
White
Frank James Marshall
Black
Jose Raul Capablanca
Event
New York
Year
1927
Result
0-1
Opening
A46 Torre Attack: Classical Defense

Opening reference: Torre Attack: Classical Defense (A46).

In this game, 20 half-moves are labelled opening, 48 middlegame and 0 endgame. The score contains 17 captures and 4 checks or mates; before a recorded move, the position offered a median of 39 legal choices. The source score ends after 34...Ng4 with the recorded result 0-1. Its termination tag was not retained, so this record does not infer whether the game ended by resignation, time or another cause.

Practice positions

The daily trainer uses a short set of positions from this complete score. Each link goes to the exact half-move rather than only the numbered move.

  1. 10...f6 — Advance the f-pawn10...f6 was a leading choice in the fixed engine check.
  2. 12...dxe4 — Recapture on e412...dxe4 was a leading choice in the fixed engine check.
  3. 22...Qe2 — Create pressure on f122...Qe2 was a leading choice in the fixed engine check.
  4. 26...Bd6 — Develop the bishop26...Bd6 was a leading choice in the fixed engine check.
  5. 33...Rxf1+ — Capture with check on f133...Rxf1+ was a leading choice in the fixed engine check.

Replay with move-by-move board facts

The board, fact panel and transcript use the same legal score. “Fixed engine check” means Stockfish 17.1, one thread, a fixed 25,000-node search and 3 candidate lines. It compares moves under one reproducible setting; it does not claim to reconstruct a player’s thoughts.

♜♞♝♛♚♝♞♜♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♜♞♝♛♚♝♞♜
Frank James Marshall vs Jose Raul Capablanca, 1927

Start position

Use Previous and Next on the board, or select a move in the transcript. The board fact and fixed engine check remain visible until you choose another move.

Opening · 1.d4 to 10...f6

  1. 1.d4 Claim central space

    Board fact: White moves the pawn from d2 to d4; from there it controls e5 and c5.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · d4 Nf6 Nf3 e6.

  2. 1...Nf6 Develop the knight

    Board fact: Black develops the knight from g8 to f6; from there it controls d5 and e4.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Nf6 c4 e6 Nf3.

  3. 2.Nf3 Develop the knight

    Board fact: White develops the knight from g1 to f3; from there it controls d4 and e5.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Nf3 e6.

  4. 2...e6 Advance the e-pawn

    Board fact: Black moves the pawn from e7 to e6; from there it controls d5 and f5.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · e6 c4 d5 Nc3.

  5. 3.Bg5 Develop the bishop

    Board fact: White develops the bishop from c1 to g5; from g5 it attacks Black's knight on f6.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Bg5.

  6. 3...c5 Change the pawn structure

    Board fact: Black moves the pawn from c7 to c5; the move changes the central pawn contact; from c5 it attacks White's pawn on d4.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · c5 c3 d5 e3.

  7. 4.c3 Advance the c-pawn

    Board fact: White moves the pawn from c2 to c3; from there it controls d4.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · c3 Qb6 Qb3 d5.

  8. 4...Qb6 Create pressure on b2

    Board fact: Black moves the queen from d8 to b6; from b6 it attacks White's pawn on b2.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qb6 Qb3.

  9. 5.Qc2 Create pressure on h7

    Board fact: White moves the queen from d1 to c2; from c2 it attacks Black's pawn on h7.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qc2 Ne4 Bf4 cxd4.

  10. 5...cxd4 Exchange on d4

    Board fact: Black's pawn takes the pawn on d4; the move changes the central pawn contact; Black accepts doubled pawns on the d-file; from d4 it attacks White's pawn on c3; black is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · cxd4 cxd4.

  11. 6.Nxd4 Recapture on d4

    Board fact: White's knight recaptures the pawn on d4; from d4 it attacks Black's pawn on e6; material is level after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Nxd4 Nc6 Bxf6 gxf6.

  12. 6...Nc6 Develop the knight

    Board fact: Black develops the knight from b8 to c6; from c6 it attacks White's knight on d4.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Nc6.

  13. 7.e3 Advance the e-pawn

    Board fact: White moves the pawn from e2 to e3; from there it controls d4 and f4.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · e3 Be7 Nd2 d5.

  14. 7...d5 Claim central space

    Board fact: Black moves the pawn from d7 to d5; from there it controls e4 and c4.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · d5 Nd2 Be7 Be2.

  15. 8.Nd2 Develop the knight

    Board fact: White develops the knight from b1 to d2; from there it controls e4, c4 and f3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Nd2 Be7 Be2 Bd7.

  16. 8...Bd7 Develop the bishop

    Board fact: Black develops the bishop from c8 to d7; from there it controls c6 and e6.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Bd7.

  17. 9.N2f3 Improve the knight

    Board fact: White moves the knight from d2 to f3; from there it controls d4 and e5.

    Fixed engine check: Playable; Be2 ranked higher · N2f3 Ne4 Nxc6 Bxc6.

  18. 9...Ne4 Create pressure on g5

    Board fact: Black moves the knight from f6 to e4; from e4 it attacks White's bishop on g5 and White's pawn on c3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Ne4 Bh4 f6 Nxc6.

  19. 10.Bf4 Reposition the bishop

    Board fact: White moves the bishop from g5 to f4; from there it controls e5, d6 and e3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Bf4 f6 Nxc6 Qxc6.

  20. 10...f6 Advance the f-pawn

    Board fact: Black moves the pawn from f7 to f6; from there it controls e5.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · f6 Nxc6 bxc6 Bd3.

Middlegame · 11.Bd3 to 34...Ng4

  1. 11.Bd3 Develop the bishop

    Board fact: White develops the bishop from f1 to d3; from d3 it attacks Black's knight on e4.

    Fixed engine check: Recorded move; Nxc6 ranked higher · Bd3 e5.

  2. 11...e5 Create pressure on d4

    Board fact: Black moves the pawn from e6 to e5; from e5 it attacks White's knight on d4 and White's bishop on f4.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · e5 Nxc6 Bxc6 Nxe5.

  3. 12.Bxe4 Exchange on e4

    Board fact: White's bishop takes the knight on e4; from e4 it attacks Black's pawn on d5 and Black's pawn on h7; white is ahead by 3 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Playable; Nxc6 ranked higher · Bxe4 dxe4 Qxe4 O-O-O.

  4. 12...dxe4 Recapture on e4

    Board fact: Black's pawn recaptures the bishop on e4; the move changes the central pawn contact; Black accepts doubled pawns on the e-file; from e4 it attacks White's knight on f3; material is level after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · dxe4 Qxe4 O-O-O Bxe5.

  5. 13.Qxe4 Recapture on e4

    Board fact: White's queen recaptures the pawn on e4; from e4 it attacks Black's knight on c6 and Black's pawn on e5; white is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qxe4 O-O-O Nxe5 Nxe5.

  6. 13...O-O-O Queenside castling

    Board fact: Black castles queenside, moving the king to c8 and the rook to d8. The move changes king safety and develops the rook in one turn.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · O-O-O Nxe5 Nxe5 O-O-O.

  7. 14.Bg3 Create pressure on e5

    Board fact: White moves the bishop from f4 to g3; from g3 it attacks Black's pawn on e5.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Bg3 exd4.

  8. 14...exd4 Exchange on d4

    Board fact: Black's pawn takes the knight on d4; the move changes the central pawn contact; from d4 it attacks White's pawn on c3 and White's pawn on e3; black is ahead by 2 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · exd4 a4 dxe3 O-O.

  9. 15.O-O Kingside castling

    Board fact: White castles kingside, moving the king to g1 and the rook to f1. The move changes king safety and develops the rook in one turn.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · O-O Re8 Qf4 dxe3.

  10. 15...dxe3 Exchange on e3

    Board fact: Black's pawn takes the pawn on e3; the move changes the central pawn contact; from e3 it attacks White's pawn on f2; black is ahead by 3 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · dxe3 b4 h5 a4.

  11. 16.a4 Advance the a-pawn

    Board fact: White moves the pawn from a2 to a4.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · a4 Re8 Qc4 Qa6.

  12. 16...Re8 Create pressure on e4

    Board fact: Black moves the rook from d8 to e8; from e8 it attacks White's queen on e4.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Re8 Qf4 e2 Rfe1.

  13. 17.Qd3 Create pressure on d7

    Board fact: White moves the queen from e4 to d3; from d3 it attacks Black's bishop on d7 and Black's pawn on e3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qd3 Qa6 Qd5 exf2+.

  14. 17...exf2+ Capture with check on f2

    Board fact: Black's pawn takes the pawn on f2; the move checks White's king; the pawn is now passed; the move changes the central pawn contact; Black accepts doubled pawns on the f-file; black is ahead by 4 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · exf2+ Kh1 Qa6 Qd2.

  15. 18.Kh1 Answering the check

    Board fact: White answers the check by moving the king from g1 to h1; from h1 it reinforces the pawn on g2.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kh1 Qe3 Qb5 Qe6.

  16. 18...Qe3 Create pressure on d3

    Board fact: Black moves the queen from b6 to e3; from e3 it attacks White's queen on d3 and White's knight on f3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qe3 Qc4 Qe6 Qf4.

  17. 19.Qd1 Create pressure on d7

    Board fact: White moves the queen from d3 to d1; from d1 it attacks Black's bishop on d7.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qd1 Qe2 Qd5 Ne5.

  18. 19...Bg4 Create pressure on f3

    Board fact: Black moves the bishop from d7 to g4; from g4 it attacks White's knight on f3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Bg4 Qc2 Qe2 Nd2.

  19. 20.Rxf2 Exchange on f2

    Board fact: White's rook takes the pawn on f2; the rook now works on a semi-open f-file; from f2 it reinforces the knight on f3; black is ahead by 3 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Rxf2 Rd8 Qc2 Qd3.

  20. 20...h5 Advance the h-pawn

    Board fact: Black moves the pawn from h7 to h5; from h5 it reinforces the bishop on g4.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · h5 Qf1 Bxf3 Rxf3.

  21. 21.Qf1 Reposition the queen

    Board fact: White moves the queen from d1 to f1; from there it controls c4 and d3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qf1 Bxf3 Rxf3 Qe2.

  22. 21...Bxf3 Exchange on f3

    Board fact: Black's bishop takes the knight on f3; from f3 it attacks White's pawn on g2; black is ahead by 6 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Bxf3 Rxf3 Qe2 Qg1.

  23. 22.Rxf3 Recapture on f3

    Board fact: White's rook recaptures the bishop on f3; the rook now works on a semi-open f-file; from f3 it attacks Black's queen on e3 and Black's pawn on f6; black is ahead by 3 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rxf3 Qe2 Rxf6 Qxf1+.

  24. 22...Qe2 Create pressure on f1

    Board fact: Black moves the queen from e3 to e2; from e2 it attacks White's queen on f1 and White's rook on f3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qe2 Rxf6 gxf6 Qf4.

  25. 23.Qg1 Create pressure on a7

    Board fact: White moves the queen from f1 to g1; from g1 it attacks Black's pawn on a7.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qg1 Rd8 Re1 Qc4.

  26. 23...h4 Create pressure on g3

    Board fact: Black moves the pawn from h5 to h4; from h4 it attacks White's bishop on g3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · h4 Re1 hxg3 Rxe2.

  27. 24.Re1 Rook on the open e-file

    Board fact: White moves the rook from a1 to e1; the rook now occupies the open e-file; from e1 it attacks Black's queen on e2.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Re1 hxg3 Rxe2 Rxe2.

  28. 24...hxg3 Exchange on g3

    Board fact: Black's pawn takes the bishop on g3; the move changes the central pawn contact; Black accepts doubled pawns on the g-file; from g3 it attacks White's pawn on h2; black is ahead by 6 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · hxg3 Rxe2 Rxe2 Rxg3.

  29. 25.Rxe2 Exchange on e2

    Board fact: White's rook takes the queen on e2; the rook now occupies the open e-file; from e2 it attacks Black's rook on e8; white is ahead by 3 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rxe2 Rxe2 h3 Bc5.

  30. 25...Rxe2 Recapture on e2

    Board fact: Black's rook recaptures the rook on e2; the rook now occupies the open e-file; from e2 it attacks White's pawn on b2 and White's pawn on g2; black is ahead by 2 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rxe2 h3 Bd6 Qd1.

  31. 26.Rxg3 Exchange on g3

    Board fact: White's rook takes the pawn on g3; from g3 it attacks Black's pawn on g7; black is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rxg3 Bd6 Qf1 Rhe8.

  32. 26...Bd6 Develop the bishop

    Board fact: Black develops the bishop from f8 to d6; from d6 it attacks White's rook on g3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Bd6 Qf1 Rhe8 Qf5+.

  33. 27.Qf1 Create pressure on e2

    Board fact: White moves the queen from g1 to f1; from f1 it attacks Black's rook on e2 and Black's pawn on f6.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qf1 Rhe8 Qf5+ Kb8.

  34. 27...Rhe8 Rook on the open e-file

    Board fact: Black moves the rook from h8 to e8; the rook now occupies the open e-file; from there it controls e4, e5 and e3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rhe8 Qf5+ Kb8 Rf3.

  35. 28.Qf5+ A forcing check

    Board fact: White moves the queen from f1 to f5; the move checks Black's king; from f5 it attacks Black's pawn on f6.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qf5+ Kb8 Rf3 Rxb2.

  36. 28...Kb8 Answering the check

    Board fact: Black answers the check by moving the king from c8 to b8; from b8 it reinforces the pawn on a7.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kb8 Rf3 Rxb2 Rf1.

  37. 29.Rf3 Rook on the semi-open f-file

    Board fact: White moves the rook from g3 to f3; the rook now works on a semi-open f-file; from there it controls c3, d3 and e3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rf3 Rxb2 Rf1 Re7.

  38. 29...R8e5 Rook on the open e-file

    Board fact: Black moves the rook from e8 to e5; the rook now occupies the open e-file; from e5 it attacks White's queen on f5.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · R8e5 Qd3 Bc7 b4.

  39. 30.Qd3 Create pressure on e2

    Board fact: White moves the queen from f5 to d3; from d3 it attacks Black's rook on e2 and Black's bishop on d6.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qd3 Bc7 g3 Rxb2.

  40. 30...Re1+ A forcing check

    Board fact: Black moves the rook from e2 to e1; the move checks White's king; the rook now occupies the open e-file; from there it controls e4, e5 and e3.

    Fixed engine check: Playable; Bc7 ranked higher · Re1+ Rf1 Bc7 g3.

  41. 31.Rf1 Answering the check

    Board fact: White answers the check by moving the rook from f3 to f1; the rook now works on a semi-open f-file; from f1 it attacks Black's rook on e1 and Black's pawn on f6.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rf1 Bc7 g3 R1e2.

  42. 31...Rd5 Rook on the open d-file

    Board fact: Black moves the rook from e5 to d5; the rook now occupies the open d-file; from d5 it attacks White's queen on d3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rd5 Qf3 Rde5 Qd3.

  43. 32.Qf3 Create pressure on d5

    Board fact: White moves the queen from d3 to f3; from f3 it attacks Black's rook on d5 and Black's pawn on f6.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qf3 Rde5 g3 R1e3.

  44. 32...Ne5 Create pressure on f3

    Board fact: Black moves the knight from c6 to e5; from e5 it attacks White's queen on f3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Ne5 Qf2 Nd3 Qxe1.

  45. 33.Qf2 Create pressure on e1

    Board fact: White moves the queen from f3 to f2; from f2 it attacks Black's rook on e1 and Black's pawn on a7.

    Fixed engine check: Playable; Rxe1 ranked higher · Qf2 Nd3 Qxe1 Nxe1.

  46. 33...Rxf1+ Capture with check on f1

    Board fact: Black's rook takes the rook on f1; the move checks White's king; from f1 it attacks White's queen on f2; black is ahead by 6 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rxf1+ Qxf1 Ng4 g3.

  47. 34.Qxf1 Recapture on f1

    Board fact: White's queen recaptures the rook on f1; from f1 it attacks Black's pawn on f6; black is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qxf1 Ng4 g3 Rd1.

  48. 34...Ng4 Create pressure on h2

    Board fact: Black moves the knight from e5 to g4; from g4 it attacks White's pawn on h2.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Ng4 g3 Ne3 Qg1.

PGN

[Event "New York"] [Site "?"] [Date "1927.??.??"] [White "Marshall, Frank James"] [Black "Capablanca, Jose Raul"] [Result "0-1"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bg5 c5 4. c3 Qb6 5. Qc2 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Nc6 7. e3 d5 8. Nd2 Bd7 9. N2f3 Ne4 10. Bf4 f6 11. Bd3 e5 12. Bxe4 dxe4 13. Qxe4 O-O-O 14. Bg3 exd4 15. O-O dxe3 16. a4 Re8 17. Qd3 exf2+ 18. Kh1 Qe3 19. Qd1 Bg4 20. Rxf2 h5 21. Qf1 Bxf3 22. Rxf3 Qe2 23. Qg1 h4 24. Re1 hxg3 25. Rxe2 Rxe2 26. Rxg3 Bd6 27. Qf1 Rhe8 28. Qf5+ Kb8 29. Rf3 R8e5 30. Qd3 Re1+ 31. Rf1 Rd5 32. Qf3 Ne5 33. Qf2 Rxf1+ 34. Qxf1 Ng4 0-1

Sources and checking

Score source: Chess Database, version 1 by Ana Schaigorodsky (2016), licensed under CC BY 4.0. LibreChess selected the exact score identified by sha256:69ecdc91294910b51caea702c9cf4e24b1e32d37a9b531657cc4ca65772b7c7d and pins it in the selection manifest.
Exact Figshare tags:
White="Marshall, Frank James"; Black="Capablanca, Jose Raul"; Event="New York"; Date="1927.??.??"; Result="0-1". LibreChess parsed the main line with chess.js and stores normalised SAN. Source comments, side variations and termination detail were not retained.

LibreChess checks every SAN move with chess.js and compares the result and move sequence with a stored reference. The engine comparison was calculated offline from the fixed settings above; it is not a source for historical claims. No termination is inferred where the imported score does not preserve one.

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