15-Year-Old Denker Crushes Dutch Defense - Best of the 20s - Denker vs. Feit, 1929

GM Arnold Denker was known as the Dean of American Chess. Born in 1914, Denker was a fixture on the American chess scene until his passing at the age of 90 in 2005.

He was US Champion in 1944 and defended in a challenge match in 1946, and he organized many chess events, including founding the Denker Tournament of High School Chess Champions, a staple tournament in the US scholastic chess scene. I twice played and have the fondest memories of the event.

Denker was an attacking player and always had an enthusiasm for beautiful chess, no matter who it was played against. His personal favorite game illustrates that. His opponent, Feit, was not a famous opponent, and Denker was but 15 when this game was played in the NY City Team Scholastic Championship, but Denker considered this his gem, containing the most purity and clarity.

Top 10 Games of the 1920s

• #1: ????
  
• #2: ????
• #3: ????
  
• #4: ????
• #5: ????
• #6: ????
  
• #7: ????
  
• #8: Denker vs. Feit, 1929
  
• #9: Reti vs. Euwe, 1920
  
• #10: Torre vs. Banks, 1924
  
• See also: Top 10 of the 1930s, Top 10 of the 1940s, Top 10 of the 1950s, Top 10 of the 1960s, Top 10 of the 1970s, Top 10 of the 1980s, Top 10 of the 1990s, Top 10 of the 2000s, and Top 10 of the 2010s

The game starts out as a Dutch Defense, an opening that Denker says he never saw before this game! In light of that, Denker's response is remarkable as he perfectly utilizes breaks with d5 and e4 to open the light squares and then multiple piece sacrifices starting with 14.Bxe4!! seal the Black king's fate!

My annotations are below. Enjoy the game!

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