specialized vado vs trek allant

Electric Ride Owner

Specialized Vado Vs. Trek Allant (All Features Compared)

I have spent the last two weeks trying to choose between the Specialized Vado and Trek Allant. I researched each of their specs in order to choose an e-bike that would match my needs. Here’s a quick rundown of my observations from comparing a Specialized Vado to a Trek Allant.

As a general rule, Specialized Vado is a good choice for beginners for everyday urban commuting, as it offers a powerful system with a functional and smooth ride. Trek produces powerful, impressively fast, high-tech city and mountain e-bikes, making them more suitable for experienced cyclists.

On average, Specialized has been pioneering new technologies in the e-bike market since the 1990s, while Trek Allant recently became a more popular choice among riders. Trek Allant provides high-profile e-bikes for top-level cyclists, as well as novices and intermediate cyclists. 

Apart from their looks and ratings, I had questions about the difference in specifications of Specialized Vado and Trek Allant e-bikes that would matter the most to me. With the help of my research, I have compiled detailed comparisons of all of the following specifications found in the chart below.

Specialized Vado Vs. Trek Allant

The lifespan of specialized vado vs. trek allant.

On average, both Specialized Vado and Trek Allant e-bikes have a 5-year average lifespan. Their batteries may run out after three to four years, after which a replacement would be necessary. Their batteries could last longer if properly maintained.

Specialized Vado is built with high-quality aluminum and steel, making it a long-lasting companion. On the other hand, Trek Allant uses a Bosch battery, and you can replace it through your local Bosch service center at the cost of $800 to $900. 

Both Specialized Vado and Trek Allant electric bikes use a lithium battery, which loses its capacity over time, even when not in use. Therefore, it is crucial to keep the optimal temperature and charging strategies in mind to increase the lifespan of a lithium battery.

Battery experts have advised that e-bike batteries should be protected from extreme high and low temperatures. Lower temperatures can cause the battery to drain faster, while temperatures above 30°C can shorten the battery’s life.

The batteries should be stored in a cool place, ideally 0-68°F (0-20°C), without extreme exposure to sunlight. Regular discharging and charging above 80% should be avoided, especially before storing.

Check out our article about 17 e-bike storage ideas to learn more about safely storing your e-bike batteries .

“Ride as much or as little, or as long or as short as you feel. But ride.” -Eddy Merckx

Running Cost of Specialized Vado Vs. Trek Allant

As a general rule, it takes anywhere between 3 to 5 hours to charge a Specialized Vado, whereas a Trek Allant takes around 4.5 hours to charge fully. Specialized Vado costs about 10 cents per charge, and Trek Allant would cost 8 cents, which is slightly lower.

Specialized Vado comes with a 48V charger, whereas Trek Allant has a 36V charger. Like other electric bikes, these two e-bikes cost little to nothing to charge fully.

Since Trek Allant takes slightly less time to fully charge than Specialized Vado, the difference in their charging cost isn’t too significant, and there is no real difference in a real-world application.

Cost of Maintenance of Specialized Vado Vs. Trek Allant

As a whole, Specialized and Trek both offer repair and service packages for their e-bikes. A Specialized Vado can be repaired for $50-$350, while a Trek Allant’s servicing costs $100-$400. The condition of the electric bike has a major impact on the cost of maintenance.

If your e-bike is used with proper care, maintaining the Specialized Vado and the Trek Allant e-bikes won’t cost you an arm and a leg. For an electric bike in average condition, you can purchase the basic service packages of Specialized and Trek that don’t cost more than $200.

These batteries can last a long time if kept in ideal temperatures and are properly cared for. A battery replacement can cost around $500 to $900+.

Furthermore, Trek Allant has provided a guide for at-home maintenance of your electric bike. By properly maintaining your electric bike you can help avoid unnecessary repairs and replacements. In cleaning your electric bike, we recommend using the Muck-off Bike Wash, which can be found on Amazon.

Warranties of Specialized Vado Vs. Trek Allant

As a whole, Specialized Vado offers a lifetime warranty for registered electric bikes and a two years warranty for non-registered electric bikes. Trek Allant offers a two years warranty to all of its customers.

Specialized and Trek warranties could help you avoid costly repair and replacement charges. However, both companies do not cover the replacement of wear and tear and damage from accidents, abuse, corrosion, or improper maintenance. 

Top Speed of Specialized Vado Vs. Trek Allant

On average, Specialized Vado and Trek Allant have the same pedal-assisted max speed of 28 mph (45 km/h). Specialized Vado uses a full-size motor that provides continuous power to high-speed riders. Both electric bikes are class-3 e-bikes that do not have a throttle.

The Specialized Vado is 40% lighter than an average electric bike, allowing cyclists to ride at a faster pace.

Although some riders have claimed a maximum speed of 20 mph on the Trek Allant, the brand promises a faster maximum speed. Overall, there isn’t much difference between the Specialized Vado and Trek Allant in terms of speed.

Range of Specialized Vado Vs. Trek Allant

Trek Allant can travel up to 120 miles, while Specialized Vado can travel up to 80 miles of distance. Trek Allant e-bike has an additional Bosch Range Boost Battery, which effectively increases its travel distance.

Trek Allant is the perfect e-bike for long-distance trekking or touring, thanks to the optional Bosch Range Boost Battery second battery pack. With Specialized Vado, you have an option to add a battery range extender. 

However, even while doing so, the optional Range Extender can only increase the Specialized Vado’s travel distance by up to 40 miles, which still falls short of the Trek Allant’s max range of 120 miles.

Reliability of Specialized Vado Vs. Trek Allant

As a whole, Trek Allant outperforms Specialized Vado in reliability. That is because cyclists have reliability concerns about some parts of Specialized Vado, particularly the internal drive belt. 

Trek Allant has quality parts that ensure a reliable and long-lasting lifespan. While Specialized places a high value on quality, some riders have found the motor and other components to be unreliable in some situations.

When it comes to electric bikes, problems in the motor are common in most manufacturers.  However, Specialized offers a great warranty, which helps customers build trust in their brand and can help support you if a covered component needs replacing. 

The Battery of Specialized Vado Vs. Trek Allant

On average, Specialized Vado uses a Specialized 500Wh battery, whereas Trek Allant uses a 500Wh Bosch battery. The batteries that Specialized and Trek Allant use are both well made. In addition, their batteries are removable with a key.

Specialized Vado and Trek Allant both have an optional battery extender to extend your potential range. However, Trek Allant offers a waterproof battery, making it safer for unexpected rainy days.

Removable batteries allow riders to charge the battery indoors or while mounted on the electric bike. Furthermore, both companies’ batteries have similar charging times and travel distances.

Cost of Specialized Vado Vs. Trek Allant

As a general rule, Specialized Vado is generally more expensive than Trek Allant. Specialized Vado Costs around $5,000, whereas Trek Allant costs $4,500. As a result, Trek Allant is generally thought to be a more cost-effective option. 

Specialized Vado and Trek Allant are high-end electric bikes that come with innovative technology, making each of them worth the money. Specialized offers an impressive warranty, an E5 Aluminum frameset, and a magnesium motor mount for a good price.

Trek Allant, on the other hand, allows customers to have access to a wide range of services, such as excellent customer service which is able to resolve issues quickly. Their e-bikes are produced in smaller volumes and outperform comparable e-bikes in terms of durability and their top-notch features, which in most situations justifies the price.

Pros and Cons of Specialized Vado 

Pros and cons of trek allant.

If you are planning to buy an electric bike within your budget and style, reading our article “Best Electric Bike Brands (Ranked by Budget Level & Style)” might help you choose the best e-bike for you.

Best Electric Bike Brands (Ranked by Budget Level & Style)

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Tested: Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 E-bike

Well Designed, Practical, and Feature Packed Update to Specialized's Commuter E-bike Range

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear.

Takeaway: The Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 e-bike has beautiful design, useful integration, and features ideal for commuting and city riding. The Turbo Power 2.0 motor is tuned for everyday use, with a refined and natural ride feel. While the mid-drive motor only puts out 470 Watts of power, do not be mislead by that number alone as the Turbo Vado has plenty of pep and is fun to ride. The well thought out parts spec, simple interface, clutter free appearance, full fenders, rear rack, and lighting combine into a highly refined e-bike for commuting, city riding, or everyday transportation.

• Natural and intuitive ride feel.
• Turbo 2.0 motor provides ample power for commuting use.
• Full fenders, rear rack, and lights come stock.
• SRAM NX 11-speed drivetrain & Level hydraulic disc brakes.
• SR Suntour Mobie 75mm travel suspension fork, with lockout.

Price: $4,000 Weight: 57.5lbs (Large)

Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0

Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 Build Details

Style: Commuter e-bike Material: 6061-T6 Aluminium Wheel Size: 650b Fork: SR Suntour Mobie A32, 75mm travel, thru-axle, with lockout Motor: Turbo Full Power 2.0 motor, mid motor, 470W/70Nm, 28mph max speed Battery: Fully Integrated Removable and Lockable Downtube Battery, 710Wh Drivetrain: SRAM NX, 11-speed Crank: Forged Alloy, w/ Praxis 48T chainring Pedals: Specialized Commuter w/ grip tape & reflectors Rear Cassette: SRAM PG-1130, 11-speed, 11-42t Brakes: SRAM Level, 2-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, 180mm 6-bolt rotor (front & rear) Wheels: Double wall pinned aluminum rims, 32H (front & rear) Tires: Pathfinder Sport Reflect, 650Bx2.3 Saddle: Rivo Sport, steel rails, 155mm Seatpost: Spring suspension, alloy, 40mm travel, 30.9mm, 2-bolt clamp Handlebar: Specialized, alloy, 15-degree backsweep, 46mm rise, 31.8mm Stem: Specialized Flowset, 3D-forged alloy, 20-degree rise, 31.8mm clamp Other: Specialized Drytech metal fenders (front & rear), rear rack, front & rear lights, bell, kickstand

As a cyclist, there are few feelings better than a ride on a new bike where everything just feels ' right '. That, in a word, best describes almost everything about Specialized's new Turbo Vado; it just feels right. From the motor, to the interface, to the aesthetic design, to the parts spec, to the ride quality; the Turbo Vado 4.0 is a bike where the details have all been thoroughly thought through to perform as an almost seamless package. This is a rare quality which anyone—be they a lifelong cyclist or the person getting their first e-bike—can benefit from and enjoy.

Specialized's investment in continual development, design, and engineering extends far beyond only making bikes that carry professional athletes to the top step of podiums around the world. As shown with the 2022 Turbo Vado range, they utilized those product development and engineering skills to make bikes that carry you around town or to work with aplomb and with style.

The newly launched 2022 Turbo Vado platform has three models (Vado 3.0, Vado 4.o, and Vado 5.0) ranging in price from $3,250 to $5,500. These three models are each available in standard or step-thru frame variants, come in four frame sizes (S, M, L, and XL), and three color choices (Cast Black, Red Tint, and White Mountains). The Turbo Vado 3.0 and Turbo Vado 5.0 are also available with enviolo step-less internal gear rear hubs with a Gates belt drive.

The Turbo Vado 4.0 model we tested comes in at $4,000. Our White Mountains color test bike weighed in at 57.5 lbs. for a size large, standard style frame.

A class-3 e-bike, the Turbo Vado 4.0 has a maximum pedal-assisted speed of 28 mph. Unlike some other popular commuter e-bikes currently on the market, the Vado does not have a throttle to get you up to speed. While this feature can come in handy at times on other e-bikes (and truthfully is needed in many situations on some designs), there were not many times while riding the Vado that I felt as if a throttle was urgently needed or would have significantly improved my riding experience. However, if you have long, steep climbs on your regular rides, are carrying heavier cargo, or are unable to continuously pedal even with assist, the Vado might not be your best option.

The Turbo 2.o motor delivers power to the pedals in a quick and seamless fashion. The lag is barely noticeable, and you do not even think about it while riding. The best way to describe this feeling to someone who has not tried a Specialized Turbo e-bike before is "natural and intuitive". Riding the Turbo Vado often feels like riding a non-assist bike, just with the slightest sound of motor "whir" and with a whole lot of extra confidence that you'll make it to work without getting all sweaty or up that hill on the ride home .

While the Turbo 2.0 motor on the Vado 4.0 only puts out a claimed 470 Watts power (250 Watts nominal) and 70Nm of torque, don't let these numbers confuse you when comparing it to other city or commuter e-bikes claiming 500 or 750 Watt power numbers. Some of this is due to the motor's mid-drive positioning (located at the center of the crank arms), but a lot of this also comes down to the tuning work done by the team at Specialized.

A 710 Watt hour rechargeable battery powers the Vado's motor, housed very cleanly inside the Vado's downtube. The battery is removable for charging and locks to deter theft.

The Turbo Vado's head unit displays all of the vital bicycle metrics such as speed, power assist, and battery power level. It is simple, clean, and easy to see in both bright light and after dusk on dimly lit bike paths. The three power control settings (Eco, Sport, and Turbo) dictate the amount of power assist served up by the motor. You can fine tune the amount of power assist for each of the three settings in Specialized's Mission Control phone app.

Speaking of the Mission control app, I used the iPhone version of the app and found it to be straightforward to use, with a clean and simple layout. With the app you can update motor firmware, tune motor power assist levels, send diagnostic info on your bike to Specialized, and plan out your rides to ensure you will have enough charge left in the battery to get you home.

Like with any e-bike, the more power assist you use, the faster your battery will drain down, thus decreasing the bike's range. For most rides on the Vado, I found the Sport mode to provide a good balance of power assist and range. For a zippier ride, or for heading up hills, I could easily switch the power assist into Turbo mode.

When you have such a good motor and interface on an e-bike, the other component parts that make up a bike can easily be overlooked. Luckily, the product developers at Specialized also did a great job on the Turbo Vado 4.0's component spec, building out an e-bike where the parts all blend together functionally and aesthetically.

For the drivetrain, a SRAM NX 11-speed derailleur and trigger shifter are combined with a wide range 11-42 tooth SRAM cassette to give the Vado 4.0 a broad selection of gears. This wide gear range, paired with a 48-tooth front chainring, suits a variety of terrain. The 46T chainring keeps you from running out of gears when in Turbo mode and the low 42T rear cog helps you get up longer or unexpectedly steep hills.

Strong brakes are important on any e-bike and the Vado 4.0 does not disappoint here either. Stopping duties are managed by SRAM Level hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm diameter rotors. These SRAM brakes have plenty of power on hand and good modulation. An additional benefit of SRAM brakes are that small parts (such as replacement pads) are easy to track down and most good shops are capable of handling routine service (such as brake bleeds).

Suspension forks on commuter bikes can be pretty hit or miss. They are often heavier than a rigid fork and underperform at soaking up bumps or potholes on the road or bike path. On e-bikes, many suspension forks come set-up too soft and will have excessive bob while riding and bottom-out under even the smallest hits. As a result, many riders just end up setting them to lock-out mode.

The SR Suntour Mobie A32 model fork, however, performed much better than expected. The fork has a very smooth feel, and despite not having damping adjustments, remained well mannered over a variety of different sized bumps regularly encountered riding around town. It also feels laterally stiff under heavy braking; a reassuring quality on a 57 lb. e-bike with a 200 lb rider aboard.

Important commuter friendly features are also well thought out on the Vado. The front and rear Specialized Drytech fenders are full metal, hug the tire closely, don't rattle around over rough pavement, and do a sufficient job of keeping road spray from damp roads off your body.

The rear rack on the Vado isn't overly large, but it is built sturdy and is compatible with MIK accessories and with baby seats. Front and rear lights on the bike are powered off the main battery and were bright enough to illuminate the bike lane at night on the way home.

The 650B tires on the Turbo Vado have a wide footprint that inspires confidence while riding. They have a surprising amount of grip for a commuter tire, with a smooth center for fast rolling and knurled texture to the side that provides extra grip on turns. On one ride I found a wet section of a smooth parking lot and spent time trying to find the point where the tires would break loose and send me drifting across the asphalt. Unless I was pushing the lean angle well beyond what one would ever encounter on a typical commute, the tires held traction.

Even small features on the Vado 4.0 impressed me. An example of this are things like the cable routing and cable clips on the front of the bike that make the bike look classy and clean.

In my time on the Vado 4.0 the only two component specs with which I didn't get along were the seat and seatpost. For the seat, it just didn't fit my butt. It is wide but overly firm for me. For the seatpost, Specialized uses a suspension post on the Vado. I would have preferred to see a dropper post as standard equipment on this model. A dropper post makes getting on and off the bike easier, as well as making the bike easier to share with friends or partners.

At 6-foot tall, I am probably at the tall end of the height spectrum for the size large frame size. If you are over 6', I would recommend checking out the XL size for a little longer seat tube and top tube lengths. I also recommend the Turbo Vado step-thru frame variants for riders who have trouble getting on or off a traditional frame bike. The top tube height of the double-diamond Vado frame is not overly tall, but step-thru frames are easier to manage on a bike of this weight, especially when you have the rear rack loaded up with a basket or groceries.

The Turbo Vado 4.0 is an exceptionally well designed and executed bike for commuters and city riders. The only obstacle keeping many more riders from owning a Vado is the price. At $4,000, it is certainly a premium priced offering for a commuter e-bike—for this amount you could buy two Aventon Levels , and still have some money left over for accessories. However, with that higher price tag of the Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 comes a more refined and integrated riding experience, superior brakes and drivetrain, a usable suspension fork, and a global dealer network in the event your motor requires service.

As Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy leads Bicycling’s product test team; after having previously led product development and sourcing for multiple bike brands, run World Championship winning mountain bike teams, wrenched at renowned bicycle shops in Brooklyn, raced everything from criteriums to downhill, and ridden bikes on six different continents (landing herself in hospital emergency rooms in four countries and counting). Based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Tara spends tons of time on the road and trail testing products. A familiar face at cyclocross races, crits, and bike parks in the Mid Atlantic and New England, on weekends she can often be found racing for the New York City-based CRCA/KruisCX team. When not riding a bike, or talking about them, Tara listens to a lot of ska, punk, and emo music, and consumes too much social media.  

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A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Turbo Vado 4.0

Turbo Vado 3.0

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Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.

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NBD Vado 3 IGH

• Thread starter Ebikelife72
• Start date Nov 28, 2023
• Ebikelife72
• Nov 28, 2023

Yet another new bike in my stable. I recently got the very awesome Tero X 5 and am very happy with it. When I bought I struggled with deciding to get it or the Vado 4. I loved the natural speed of the Vado but ultimately felt the full suspension and general do-it-all quality of the Tero X would be the better choice. I still feel I made the right decision. However, I still love the Vado, it's just such a great bike. My wife has a Vado 4. Anyway, I'm also very interested in belt drives. I'd love to have the 5.0 IGH but they won't be available again for awhile. I recently had to put the Tero in the shop for a repair from a crash and was without a bike. I rode my wife's bike but it's a medium and I'm 6'3. It's still a very fun bike to ride. So I decided I needed a backup bike and got interested in the Vado 3 IGH due to the great price. I was concerned about the 50nm motor, the IGH gearing, and slightly concerned that it was a class 1. I tested a Como 3 IGH to get a sense of the motor and its power and felt the 50nm's were plenty. I was able to ride that bike comfortably at 20mph and no problem going 22mph though the motor cut out at 20. So the class issue was of no concern and I ordered the Vado. I picked up the bike today and was surprised that it had a Class 3 sticker. I knew the chain driven bikes were Class 3 but I thought due to the Enviolo gearing the Vado 3 IGH was class 1 similar to the Como 3 IGH I tested. I thought the sticker may have been a mistake but it was not. The motor assisted up to 28mph. I was able to achieve 28mph on flat ground in turbo mode pretty easily with a cadence of I believe 94. I climbed some pretty steep hills without issue. This is a super fun bike at a steal of a price. I love how smooth and quiet it is, definitely a fan of the belt drive. With the ability to use my 710wh battery in it, I should be able to get some great range.  

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Well-Known Member

I think the Tero 3 got a FW update to class 3 a few years ago, maybe the Vado 3 did at the same time? There was also some early press kit that showed the Tero X 4 being class 1 (I saw it in some preview videos when I was shopping) but it shipped as a class 3, so it seems like the whole strategy of making the lowest SKU Class 1 changed.  

Ben J said: I think the Tero 3 got a FW update to class 3 a few years ago, maybe the Vado 3 did at the same time? There was also some early press kit that showed the Tero X 4 being class 1 (I saw it in some preview videos when I was shopping) but it shipped as a class 3, so it seems like the whole strategy of making the lowest SKU Class 1 changed. Click to expand...

Stefan Mikes

Congratulations @Ebikelife72 on your new ride! Vado is a fun on the pavement! Regarding the Class, I thought all Vados has been Class 3 for a long time, so the information the American 3.0 IGH was expected to be Class 1 was really surprising to me...  

Stefan Mikes said: Congratulations @Ebikelife72 on your new ride! Vado is a fun on the pavement! Regarding the Class, I thought all Vados has been Class 3 for a long time, so the information the American 3.0 IGH was expected to be Class 1 was really surprising to me... Click to expand...

Ebikelife72 said: Thanks! All the Vado's may be Class 3, that definitely appears to be the case. The IGH version on their site is still showing to be class 1, the chain version shows to be class 3. They probably just failed to update their website. Click to expand...

• Dec 1, 2023

I already have 2 eBikes, NCM Moscow Plus and the Walmart Hyper bike mid drive mountain bike. I love the feeling of the excellent mid drive motor of this cheap Hyper bike (Paid $1299) and I prefer it over the HUB motor on the NCM bike. Last week I ordered the Vado 3.0 IGH. I'm glad to hear that the 50NM motor has enough power. The Hyper bike has 80NM and is very powerful so I can climb very steep hills doing mountain biking. I planning to use the Vado for more relaxed gravel roads and cross country. $2500 for the Vado 3.0 IGH is a great price!  

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Capablanca on Moscow, 1925

Edward Winter

Capablanca wrote an account of the Moscow, 1925 tournament, together with his proposals for a new form of chess, in the Revista Bimestre Cubana of the Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País, Volume XXI, Number 2, March-April 1926. Below is our translation:

‘The 1925 Moscow International Tournament – Modifying Chess for Battles between Top Masters by J.R. Capablanca

The vicissitudes of the recent major international chess tournament held in Moscow have given rise to endless comment. Before the start, it was assumed that the battle for first place would be between Dr Lasker and me. However, the scene changed very quickly. It is true that Dr Lasker began very well, but the old masters Bogoljubow, Rubinstein and Marshall were not to be left behind. Moreover, young Torre, a new and little-known player, gathered such momentum that he notched up a whole series of points and, with the competition well advanced, there was no shortage of people thinking that the gifted Mexican player would cause a great surprise by taking first place. While all this was happening, I, the “world champion”, was faring very badly, and for the first time in my life I was virtually at the tail-end of the list, so far from the top places that no longer did anybody take me into consideration for one of these positions.

Although rather philosophical, very observant and completely dispassionate in my judgment about everything concerning chess and its great exponents, I was nonetheless unable to understand the curious phenomenon that was occurring. I could comprehend perfectly well that my own work was not at all effective, but I could not see anything outstanding in that of the other players. All of those whom I have mentioned were doing fairly well, especially Dr Lasker, but Dr Tartakower who, up until then, had been playing with greater precision than anybody else, was not obtaining such good practical results as the others. For my own part, I did not understand why it should be impossible for me to concentrate my faculties for four hours at a time.

Then there was a sudden change. The different factors arising in these battles began to produce various effects according to circumstances. The tension caused by struggles of this kind took as its first victim Rubinstein. He began losing one day after another, and was soon left behind. Marshall and Torre had their setbacks. Then suddenly it seemed that Lasker too could not stand the pace. Only Bogoljubow was still, as it were, on his feet. As to myself, with the practice of the first rounds and motivated by a couple of defeats at the hands of inferior players, I at last succeeded in entering into the spirit of the battle, and, by means of a great effort, in concentrating my faculties rather better for the subsequent effort required; and thus day after day I not only improved my tournament position but was even finally attaining my maximum strength. The description above explains the final order in the contest. Bogoljubow, despite his loss to me, held such an advantage that he remained in first place by a wide margin. Lasker, with his great experience, was able to ride out the storm and take second prize by half a point. By winning seven and drawing two in my last nine games, I reached third place. With the aid of his experience, Marshall held on sufficiently well to end in fourth position. Torre, who was first only for one day, shared fifth and sixth places with Tartakower. The latter reacted admirably during the final three rounds of the contest.

The above shows the vicissitudes of Moscow, and even though it is true that similar things have happened before, there can be no doubt that the ups and downs were such that it must be agreed that there were special factors which had a great influence on such unusual happenings. The tournament was organized by the Soviet government department in charge of all matters related to chess, in accord with the directors of the Moscow Chess Club. The committee responsible for directing and organizing the tournament was composed of young members who, although enthusiastic and eager to do this well, were lacking in experience. The result was deficient organization as regards the needs of players for showing all that they were capable of producing, however much the committee did to rectify defects once these were pointed out by one of the foreign masters. But it is clear that things should have been foreseen, since almost invariably when the remedy had the desired effect the harm had already been done, and in some cases it was not possible to apply the remedy. I imagine that some of the other masters left Moscow thinking the same as I did; that is, they were very grateful for being well received and well treated, but at the same time were very grieved not to have been able to show their true powers.

Chess in the USSR enjoys official support. The Government considers it a superior means of educating the mass of the people. Chess thus has an enormous public there, and it is easy to imagine the interest and enthusiasm with which the tournament was followed. Newspapers and magazines published articles on the competition and printed everything said by the masters which could be considered of general interest. Naturally, I, as world champion, was besieged by journalists and even by some chess masters who were writing for newspapers and magazines. I spoke with Dr Tartakower, a great master and also a friend of mine, and he published, in very condensed form, my ideas on certain reforms that I believed it would be appropriate to make in chess. I told him that previously in various newspapers and magazines things had been attributed to me which I had never said, and this seemed to me a good opportunity to clarify the facts and to expound the only modifications that I really considered appropriate, while at the same time clarifying that it was untrue that I had ever declared that chess had reached its limit and that to draw was easy. It is of course easy to understand how much has been written and said on this matter. In reality, what I have heard and read on it demonstrates that I have not been understood. Today chess has a great literature. There are thousands of volumes written on chess as it is played today. No player to date has managed to remain undefeated for an indeterminate period of time. I succeeded in going eight years, through four [ sic ] tournaments and two matches, without losing a single game, but finally Réti, at the New York Tournament of 1924, succeeded in scoring over me. Now in Moscow I have lost two games against players of lesser rank. The other contemporary players have not been able to achieve as much, so it seems that for now there need be no worry about the possibility of somebody being able to draw at will; but in reality, in my judgment, this is not so. On the contrary, there is cause for concern with regard to draws. It may be that we have not yet reached the point of being able to make draws at will, but if we have not arrived, we are not far away. In reality, I must ingenuously confess that under the proper conditions of training and health as, for example, at the end of the Moscow tournament, it was impossible for me to understand how I could be beaten in a game as long as I was confining myself to scoring a draw.

I am not saying this out of vanity since, in chess at least, I have never been vain. I say it out of conviction, admitting, of course, the possibility that I may be wrong. But let us accept that we have not yet reached that point, that is to say that there is absolutely nobody today who is capable of making a draw at will. Even so, we find that technique has advanced in such a way that today there are players of the second category amongst the masters who, by dint of their encyclopaedic knowledge, make themselves virtually invincible. And if this is the case now, and three-quarters of the process has occurred only in the past 20 years, what will happen within 50 years?

Consider the fact that the great masters of truly superior class, like Alekhine and Bogoljubow, young men, know every opening variation that has been frequently used by other masters; that Alekhine, for instance, who is only 33, knows every game played in any tournament or match in the past 25 years; that the similarity of the technical development of the majority of openings is such that even when one transposes the order of moves or plays something new or unknown, it is relatively easy to find the correct reply. Consider all this, even without taking into account other aspects more related to style, which would be difficult to explain and would make the present piece too long, and you will reach the conclusion that it is necessary to think very seriously about the question of draws if one does not wish to reach the point where there are several players who are completely invincible.

In reality, today there exists, as it were, a separate form of chess, which is understood only by the most select of the great masters, and which very often relies on a highly-developed technique which already today threatens to make talent equal to genius; that would make chess rather similar to what the game of draughts is today. Thus despite the old history of chess and the thousands of books written on chess played on a 64-square board, it is necessary to avoid what would undoubtedly be a disaster. In order to prevent, for a few centuries at least, technique from again becoming such a dominant factor, I have suggested increasing the field of operations. By making it larger, combinations would be greater and thus more difficult and interesting. The artistic side would have more scope, without the fundamental strategic principles being changed at all. To make only the changes that are necessary, I have suggested that instead of 64 squares there should be 100, i.e. a 10 x 10 board instead of 8 x 8. There would thus be two extra pawns and two more major pieces behind them. To complete the range of moves, one of the pieces would have the combined moves of the bishop and knight, and the other those of the rook and knight. One would be placed on the queen’s side, the other on the king’s side. Instead of having the option of moving one or two steps, pawns would be able to move one, two or three.

The remaining rules would stay the same.

It is not necessary to be a seer to conceive clearly what this new form of chess would be like. If today there are sometimes positions so complex that the master is hard put to solve them, what could not occur with a field of action almost double the present one and with powerful pieces which do not exist today?

What the aficionado generally appreciates most easily in a game of chess are the little, so-called brilliant, combinations. And I say “little” because when combinations are on a larger scale the aficionado generally does not understand them. As regards the great masters, they in general also lose their way in larger scale combinations. Today, with the present pieces and highly developed technique, larger scale combinations are extremely rare and there are few opportunities to carry them out. With the innovations outlined here, both the aficionado and the master could frequently take delight in the kind of combinations within their respective reaches.

To avoid prolonging this exposé and also so as to give an indication of what could happen in practice, it may just be said that one of the new pieces, the one with the combined move of bishop and knight, could conquer the enemy king on its own, which is impossible at the moment.

There would be two classes of chess: one would be the present form. The other, a more advanced type, would be only for masters, but it could be understood by everyone familiar with the present game.’

Concerning Capablanca v Bogoljubow, Moscow, 1925, see Analytical Disaccord .

Latest update: 17 April 2022.

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Copyright: Edward Winter. All rights reserved.

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Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0 vs Trek Allant Plus 9.9S

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