Viva Akiba

Here is what Al Horowitz had to say about this great Polish Grandmaster from the 20th century: "Akiba Rubinstein (1882-1961), what a player! Only by a strange quirk of fate did he fail to reach the World's Championship, having defeated each and every champion on a different ocassion. Proficient in every department, the opening, the middle game and the endgame, he could brighten the most humdrum position with a sheen that would blind the Masters." The above French Defense was played at Karlsbad in 1911. Grigory Levenfish was the victim. Black's "irresistible" Knight sacrifice on move 16 was only a dud. The indomitable skill of Rubinstein shows it up for what is worth.