keypusher: The last encounter between these two before their match the following year, and a terrific struggle. These notes are taken from Lasker's book on the tournament.After 10. Ba4
The retreat to d3 appears stronger. It is true that Black can then exchange White's KB for a knight, by playing say ...Ne5; but in that case White would retake with the BP and would have two strong pawns in the centre as compensation for Black's two Bishops.
After 11....h6
If Black played ...Bf8 at once, White's reply would be 12. Bg5 threatening Nd5. After this Black would have nothing better than 12....h6 13. Bh4 Be7.
After 13....Ne5
By this move Black frees his game.
After 14. Bb3
It was not good to retire the Bishop. White ought to have exchanged, and developed his game further by Rad1.
After 18....f5
The point of Black's strategy. After the exchange of the King's Pawn the weakness of the Queen's Pawn does not signify. <Lasker's ...c5 and ...b5 are reminiscent of the similar advance recommended by Shredder in the 16th game of the Tarrasch-Lasker 1908 world championship. Tarrasch vs Lasker, 1908. Lasker was a very dynamic player, despite his stodgy repertoire.>
After 27....Nd4
Decisive. White dare not reply Nde3, as 28....g5 29. Bg3 h5 would get him into difficulties.
After 31. Qxc2
Intending to take up a strong position by Qf5.
After 32.....Bg7
32....d5 33. Re5 d4 and, whether Queen or Rook take BP, ...d4-d3 would have decided the game at once. The text is therefore loss of time.
After 34. g4
A desperate attempt to obtain an attack.
After 34.....d5
Simply 34....fxg4 35. fxg4 followed either by ...Qxf4 or ...d5 was indicated.
After 37. f6
If 37....Bxf6, then 38. Bxf6 Qxf6 39. Qe8+.
After 38....d2
Better 38....Kh7 39. Rg1 a5, in order to play ...b4 and c3, which was feasible in spite of f4-f5 and Qe6. Adjourned.
After 39....Qh5
39....Kh8 was still the right move. If White play 40. Qe2, then 40....Bd6 41. Kg3 Qg6+ 42. Qg4 Bxf4+ and wins; likewise after 39....Kh8 40. Qe2 Bd6 41. Qxd2 Bxf4+ 42. Qxf4 Rxd1 43. Qxh6+ Kg8 44. Qg4+ Kh7, White's checks would cease and Black should win.
After 41. f7
This clever move threatens Bf6+.
After 42. Bf6+
Far better than at once Qxf7, as White's b-pawn is saved from attack by the exchange of bishops.
After 42....Bg7
To 42....Kh7, the reply would <not> have been 43. Qf5+ Kg8 44. Rg1+, as after 44....Bg7 45. Rxg7+ Qxg7 46. Bxg7 d1/Q Black would get out of the checks and win; but after 42....Kh7 43. Qxf7+ Rxf7 44. Bc3 White would have taken up a strong defensive position.
After 45....Rxf4
Black certainly remains with a Pawn to the good, but White threatens to break up the pawns by a3-a4. After an end game, which is played by White in a sensible manner, and which needs no comment, the game now ends in a draw.
After 71. a4
If 71...c2 then follows 72. Ra6+ and 73. Rc6.
