8th Game Munich September 9-10

This is one of the best games in the match, with courage, resourcefulness and imagination showed by both men in a tense middlegame with opposite-colored bishops. It also marked the debut on the world championship stage of the Rio de Janeiro variation of the Berlin defense to the Ruy Lopez, as epochal a moment in opening theory then as the latest blow in the Moscow Gambit (or whatever it’s called) is now. The main line of the Berlin 100 years ago was not 5….Nd6 of Kasparov-Kramnik fame, but 5….Be7, with the queens staying on the board. In recent times Morozevich and Short have tried it.

Tarrasch's annotations, translated by yours truly, are in plain text; my and Fritz's comments are in brackets.

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. 0-0 Nxe4

This defense to the Spanish Game has for years been considered the best, despite the many knight moves that Black must make, which create a highly artificial and unhealthy impression. Pillsbury’s refutation in the Vienna Tournament seemed to leave the defense forever buried. It is a small merit of these matches that new and really important improvements are brought to light. To me it seems better than other defenses, and I think that, as with the 3…c5 defense to the Queen’s Gambit Declined, the Spanish Game has lost its terror because of the “Brazilian Variation.” [See Black’s 13th move below.]

5. d4 Be7 6. Qe2 Nd6 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. dxe5 Nb7 9. Nc3 <Earlier this year Yifan Hou tried 9. c4 against Nigel Short (Yifan Hou vs Short, 2008 ), 140 years after its debut ( Zukertort vs Anderssen, 1868 ).> 9….0-0 10. Re1

Pillsbury’s move, by far the strongest here. It hinders Black’s normal development by …d5, because then 10. exd6 Bxd6 11. Bg5 would follow, and Black gets into difficulties immediately. <In OMGP I Kasparov points out that 11…Qd7 is OK for Black here.> And 10…f6 instead of 10….d5 is dubious for Black, since after 11. Qc4+ Kh8 12. Bf4 fxe5 13. Nxe5 and White has achieved a brilliant development. 13….d5 brings only wretchedness after 14. Qxc6 Rxf4 15. Nd5 and White wins by the threat of Ne7+ followed by Ng6+. Instead of 13….d5 much better is 13…Nd6 14. Qa4, but now Black still cannot move his QP. Therefore, against Pillsbury’s rook move, …Nb7-c5-e6 is the only continuation, along with 10….Re8. However, after 10….Re8, there follows 11. Qc4 Nc5 12. Ng5 Bxg5 13. Bxg5 Qxg5 14. Qxc5 with advantage to White. <Here’s a recent example of 10….Re8: Topalov vs Morozevich, 2005 ).

10….Nc5 11. Nd4 <In 1981 Karpov played 11. Be3 Ne6 12. Rad1 against Korchnoi. (Karpov vs Korchnoi, 1981) > 11….Ne6 12. Be3 Nxd4 13. Bxd4

So far the game is identical to the second playoff game (Pillsbury vs Tarrasch, 1898) from the Vienna Tournament. Then 13….d5 was played immediately, whereupon Pillsbury played Na4! And in the end dominance of the square c5 was attained, and Black’s game was completely crippled.

13….c5

This is the new move, that was found by chess-friends in Rio de Janeiro, which gives the defense new life. In the wider circles is the move by this match made widely known.

14. Be3 d5 15. exd6

White must take the bishop, else the center is too strong.

15….Bxd6

In this position, Black is three moves behind in development and has a damaged queenside, since three pawns are isolated and weak, the pawn on c5 in particular. As compensation Black has two bishops, but what bishops! There aim unopposed (once the QB goes to b7) at the kingside, thus constantly threatening a mating attack on h2 and g2, while White has not the slightest possibility of a kingside attack, but rather only an attack on Black’s weak pawns. To me it seems that Black’s defense is sufficient.

16. Qh5

This move is intended above all to prevent …Qh4 and next to attack the c-pawn, though at present the attack is not real, since after Bxc5 g6 a piece is lost, and from the slower attack with Na4, then after …c4, Qb5, …Bd5 little good results. Apart from the queen move, which is not particularly strong, cam Ne4 and Rad1 into consideration. Alapin recommended f4 and Qf2 immediately attacking c5, but to me this is not particularly strong. After 16. f4, there follows not 16….Qh4 (which he gives) but 16…Qf6 17. Qf2 Rb8 18. Rab1 Bf5 and Black stands quite well.

16….Bb7 17. Rad1 Re8

Averting the threat of Bxc5 in a simple manner. Now Nd5 loses a piece to …Re5. But then how should White play? Perhaps 18. Na4? Then comes …Re5 followed by ….Qe7, and White has just worsened his game, since his knight is misplaced and his bishop in fetters. But White must act, since Black threatens, by simple and natural moves, to strengthen his game. The game in other words is not equal; rather, Black stands better. Thus I immediately sought to achieve equality and ward off the threatening danger in the following moves, and in large measure succeeded.

18. Nb5! Qf6 19. Nxd6 cxd6 20. Bc1

Absolutely necessary! The threat, apart from …Qxb2, is …Re5 followed by doubling rooks and gaining an iron grip on the e-file.

20….Re6 21. c3

This, together with the following moves, makes it possible to effectively oppose the doubling of Black’s rooks. Exchanging rooks is weaker for White, in that possession of the e-file would give Black an advantage.

21….Rae8 22. Re3

One might think that the previous move was a nullity, but now after ….Rxe3 the b-pawn is not lost after the bishop retakes.

22….Re5

To this point Lasker has played excellently, but this move is ineffectual and weak. A very good plan is to play …Be4 and then advance the QP to d4.

<22….Be5 23. f3 Bc6 (23….Bg6?! 24. Qd5 and White has a slight advantage) 24. Rde1 would probably lead to an early draw. Fritz agrees with pretty much every move Lasker and Tarrasch are making at this point, actually, including 22….Re5. The position is quite even.>

23. Rde1 h6 24. Qg4

The rook exchange is still not advisable, since Black would retake with the pawn and with …Qc6 and Re8-e6-g6 launch an attack on the king, supported by his compact pawn majority on the kingside.

24….R8e6

Now threatening …Rg5, but finally White can take on e5, since the black queen’s path to c6 is blocked.

25. Rxe5 dxe5 26. f3

To anticipate the threat of …Qe7 followed by …Rg6. White has by the careful defense of the last eight moves averted Black’s attack, or at any rate hindered it, so that a counterattack is now possible.

26….Qe7 27. Be3

And if …e4 then f4 is the response, without allowing the further advance of the e-pawn. At the same time, the bishop takes aim at the c-pawn.

27….Bd5(?!)

For Black it is now very difficult to find a promising [peaceful?] continuation of the game. His attack is at an end, since after …Rg6, Qf5 is played, and the q-side pawns on dark squares (especially the c5 pawn), are not easy to defend. The bishop move is intended to hinder the later attack on this pawn via Qc4.

<Probably the first real inaccuracy of the game. 26….e4 27. f4 per Tarrasch’s previous note should keep the game fully equal.>

28. b3

The natural move was c4; I thought that he would interpolate …Rg6 and quite overlooked that I would then win his bishop by Qc8+. With c4 I would have prevented the c5-pawn from moving off a dark square and then with Qg4-g3-f2 I would have a 2:1 attack on the pawn. Black would have to defend with his rook and the white rook would (open up), for example by taking over the only open file or else by the difficult zig-zag maneuver Re1-c1-c3-a3-a5 make a new threat on the object of attack. In any case Black would have had a difficult, arduous and clearly passive defense, than if on the 22nd move he had found the right continuation.

Also, after c4 the deflection of the white queen by …h5 is unsuccessful: after 28. c4 h5 follows 29. Qxh5 Bxc4 30. Rc1 Bxa2 31. Rxc5 with the threat of Rc8+ and advantage to White, e.g. 31….Qd7 32. h3 f6? 33. Ra5 then Rxa7, or (instead of 32….f6) 32….Bd5?

28….c4(!)

Lasker immediately seizes on the weak move, and avoids the difficult defense of the c-pawn. White’s extra pawn is not very important. <Unsurprisingly, Fritz thinks the game continuation is better for White than 28. c4 would have been, since White is now a pawn up, but Tarrasch is probably right that 28. c4 would have given White better chances for a real advantage. >

29. bxc4 Bc6 30. Rb1

This rook betakes itself to the open file, so that if 30….Qa3? 31. Rb8+ Kh7 32. Qf5+ Rg6 33. Qxf7, or if, instead of 31….Kh7, Black tries 31….Be8, then 32. Bxh6 is possible.

30….Qc7

Here the game was adjourned for the first time, with Black sealing his move.

31. c5 Qd8(!)

Threatening to bring the queen to d3. Obviously this threat can be met with Qc4. White with his passed pawns would then stand better. <32. Qc4 e4 33. f4 Qd3 is equal, thinks Fritz.>

32. Qf5?

A very thoughtless move, with which White almost at once throws the game at his opponent's head. <I wish we had this expression in English!> After the advance of the e-pawn the entry of the black queen is possible. I thought because of mate threats the queen could not forsake her own back rank.

32….e4 33. f4

Either Qf4 or Bf4 (to threaten Rb8) came into consideration, but neither of these moves is successful, as Black threatens at the very least with the move …exf3 to bring up the white k-formation, for example 33. Bf4 Re8 <Fritz prefers 33….Rf6> 34. Rb8<??; White is only a little worse after 34….Bd6> 34….Qd1+ 35. Kh2 e3+ and wins <33. Kg3 Rxb8 34. Bxb8 e2>, or 33. Qf4 Qd3 34. Rb8+ Kh7 35. fxe4? Rf6 threatening mate on f1; if instead of 35. fxe4, White plays 35. Qf5+, then after 35….Rg6 and the bishop on e3 is attacked.

33….Qd3 34. Re1

Nevertheless it was still better to play 34. Rb8+ Be8 (after 34….Re8 35. Rxe8+ Bxe8 36. Kf2! [36. Bd4? Qb1+ followed by 37….e3+ wins the queen] 36….Bd7 [if 36….Bb5 perpetual check follows] 37. Qe5! Bb5 38. Qd4 would draw the game) 35. Kf2 (not 35. Bd4 because of 35….Qd1+ 36. Kf2 Qd2+ 37. Kf1 e3) 35….Qc2+ 36. Kf1 Qxc3 37. Kf2 Qc2+ 38. Kf1 Qxa2, though Black retains a considerable advantage.

34….Qxc3 35. Kf2 Qc4

Here the a-pawn cannot be protected, because after 36. Re2 Bb5 37. Rd2 (or Rb2) Qf1+ 38. Kg3 Qe1+ and either the bishop or the rook is lost. If 37. Rb2, then …Qc3+ <37. Rb2 Qf1+ 38. Kg3 Qe1+ 39. Bf2 Qc3+>.

36. Qg4

Bringing the momentarily misplaced queen back into play; White also threatens f5 at some point.

36….Qxa2+ 37. Re2 Qc4

Black now has a seemingly better position of all his pieces, especially the kings, a passed a-pawn more and should win.

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38. Rd2

f5 would expose the pawn to attack by …Rf6 and …Bd7.

38….Bb5 39. Qd1 Ra6

The black rook penetrates the White game, and one would think the game cannot last much longer.

40. Rc2 Qe6

After 40…Ra2 followed by the exchange of rooks White always had drawing chances on account of the unlike bishops; while if Black achieves the exchange of queen and rook, the win would be certain, for in an endgame with unlike bishops two passed pawns on different sides are decisive. <Nevertheless 40….Ra2 41. Rxa2 Qxa2+ 42. Kg1 a5 is probably better for Black than the text move. If Black had real winning chances in this ending (and I’m not sure he did), this was probably his opportunity.> After …Qb3 White could play 41. Qd2 Ra3 42. Rb2 and there still appears to be nothing decisive.

41. h3

A good defensive plan; White will bring his king to safety at h2.

41….Bd3 42. Rd2

The rook obviously stands badly here, but if it goes to b2, then by …Qf6 Black can attack, via both …Ra1 and …Qh4.

42….f5

This weakens Black’s game, because the black king formation is exposed and later White’s attack on the g7 point is made easier. But even with other moves, one can hardly show a forced black win, though his position is strong, e.g. 42….Qf6 43. Kg3 Ra1 44. Qg4 a5 45. Qc8+ Kh7 46. c6.

43. Kg3 Ra3 44. Kh2 a5 45. Qc1 Ra4

If the rook goes to b3, then follows 46. c6, now after 46…Rc4 47. Qa3 a4 48. c7 Qe6 with loss of the passed pawn.

Here the game was adjourned for the second time, with White sealing the following move.

46. Qc3 Rb4

After Qc4 follows Qe5.

47. c6 Rc4

There is nothing better. After 47…Qc4 48. Qe5 Rb5? 49. White would with 49. Qe8+ Kh7 50. c7 Qxc7 51. Rxd3 even win.

48. Qxa5 Rxc6 Draw.

Black cannot turn his passed pawn to account; White can attack the g7 point (Qa7, Bd4), but cannot accomplish anything, since Black at once with …Rc2 can bring about the exchange of rooks.

The new defense to the Spanish Game gave me a knotty problem. Remarkably, in a difficult position, I found the only correct defensive moves, and held the game (moves 18-27). But now under a recurrence of the same psychological illness, I omitted at the proper time the clarifying move (28. c4!) as my time ran short. After the subsequent thoughtless move 32. Qf5 I came under strong pressure. True, I again succeeded in saving the game, but I am convinced that the game must have been lost, though I cannot find analytical proof. Black’s superior formation and passed pawn should have led to a win.

<Tarrasch’s main failing as an annotator in this book (and it is a serious one) is that he sometimes seems to forget that he had an opponent, with intentions, desires, pressures and blindspots of his own. Here he simply fails to note, in his postscript, that Lasker also contributed to the ebb and flow of this game...

<It's a difficult thing to maintain objectivity when commenting on one's own games. Variations running in the commentator's favor are always interesting, so details flow quick and plentiful from the pen; variations which favor one's opponent, however, are often unclear as can be. For one's own mistakes, one seeks (and generally finds) justification; while the opponent's errors seem so natural as to need no justification whatever.>

David Bronstein, Zurich International Chess Tournament 1953, p. 7.

Finally, I should emphasize that this was an extremely accurately played game. Probably the highest joint level of play of any of the games from this match that I’ve looked at. 32. Qf5 was the only clear mistake by either side.>

<This game is only remarkable for the extraordinary effusion of admiration with which it is presented to the reader by Dr. Lasker in the Daily Mail>.

<<"As a work of art it is, I believe, of no slight value. White and Black represented two contending parties of equal force, but of unequal arrangement." Modesty, perhaps, forbade the mention of the fact that half the forces were White and the other half Black. "My own side had three weak pawns, which were exposed to frequent and perilous attacks, hard to defend, and could not be permitted to fall without compensation.

My opponent had to guard his King, against which my Bishops were posted on unobstructed lines. A situtation of this nature--weakness of one kind nearly or quite counterbalanced by weakness of another kind--must of necessity give rise to a multitude of combinations, creating hopes and anxieties, to be finally dissolved by the <artistic coup which calls forth the admiration of the spectator>." The italics are not Dr. Lasker's.>>

After 13....c5: <Up to here all is "book" and the "work of art" cannot, presumably, begin here, as the move was found by the amateurs of Rio de Janeiro, and Teichmann brought it back when returning from a visit to the South American chess enthusiasts....>

...
After 18. Nb5: <Now he gets rid of one of Black's Bishops, leaving Bishops of different colour and a draw--thus completing "the work of art," the players having barely made half a dozen moves of their own.>

Lasker does appear to have gotten a little carried away, but Hoffer's comments are needlessly graceless, and, worse, he appears to believe that bishops of opposite color lead automatically to a draw even with queens and rooks on the board -- which is nonsense, of course. This was a very difficult game from beginning to end, and both men played on a very high level. It might be the best game of the match.

As always, I have leaned heavily on the excellent annotations of <keypusher> and on his translation of Tarrasch's commentary. As in the earlier games of the match, though, I found there was still more to say about this often overlooked game.

My one major beef with <keypusher> with regard to this game is his dismissal of the commentary of Hoffer. I agree that some of his commentary was "graceless" and "belittling," but he provided more extensive commentary on this game than is provided on this site by <keypusher>

While the commentary on this game by Tarrasch was indeed the best (though plagued by some of the overall flaws identified by <keypusher>, I also found the commentary by Richard Teichmann of use, especially in giving us a contemporary view of the game.

1. e4 e5

The first five games of the match had all featured the Ruy Lopez. Lasker, as Black, switched to the French Defense in Game 6, and Tarrasch followed suit in Game 7 (and later in Games 9 and 11). But Lasker returned to 1...e5 in this 8th game and persisted with this for the balance of the games in the match in which he had Black.

2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5

Tarrasch played the Ruy Lopez five times as White in this match, winning once (Game 10) and losing twice. He varied with the Four Knights' Game in games 12 and 16, winning Game 12 and losing Game 16, the final game of the match.

3... Nf6

Lasker played the Berlin Defense in each of the five games in which he faced the Ruy Lopez.

4. 0-0 Nxe4

Lasker played 4...d6 in Games 2 and 4 (winning both times, though not because of the opening). He varied with the text here in Game 8 (which was drawn) and in Games 10 (a win for Tarrasch) and 14 (a 119-move draw).

5. d4 Be7

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Though 5...Nd6 is generally considered stronger, Lasker played 5...Be7 all three times he played the Berlin in this match.

6. Qe2 Nd6
7. BxN bxB
8. dxe5 Nb7

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The so-called Rio de Janeiro variation which Lasker played here and in Games 10 and 14. Indeed, these three games were identical through move 15. Though frequently played in this position, I find this variation ugly and too cramped for my taste and much prefer 8...Nf5.

9. Re1 0-0
10. Nc3 Nc5
11. Nd4

The alternative is 11. Be3 which--as noted by <keypusher>--was played by Karpov against Korchnoi in 1981.

11... Ne6
12. Be3 NxN
13. BxN

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13... c5

Lasker's improvement.

14. Be3 d5

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15. exd6 e.p.

"White must take...else the center is too strong"--(Tarrasch)

15... Bxd6

15...cxd6? would leave Black in great difficulties (not to mention a pawn down) after 16. Bxc5 (or 16. Rad1 and then 17. Bxc5).

After the text, the position was:

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Please see the commentary by <keypusher> on this site for a translation of Tarrasch's excellent assessment of the position at this point (i.e., Black's poor development and shattered Queen-side pawn structure versus his two wonderful Bishops).

This position had earlier been reached in Marco--Teichmann, Ostend 1907.

16. Qh5

Marco played the superior 16. Ne4 against Teichmann. Tarrasch switched to that move in Game 10 of this match (a game he won) and then to 16. Rad1 in Game 14 (a draw). Hoffer stated that 16. Ne4 would have answered by 16...Bxh2+ 17. KxB Qh4+, though noting that White would nonetheless have had a better game than he obtained here. Teichmann in his 1907 game against Marco did not play this line because after 18. Kg1 QxN White would have a "won end-game: with 19. Bxc5. While this is certainly an over-statement, it is certainly true that White would emerge with much the better ending after 19...QxQ 20. RxQ. Best for Black was therefore 16...Bb7 as played by Teichmann (the game was then drawn five moves later).

Tarrasch explained his choice of 16. Qh5 as being to prevent Qh4 by Black. His move, however, dissipated most of his edge.

16... Bb7

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"Defending the c-pawn, for if 17. Bxc5? then 17...g6 wins a piece"--(Hoffer). This is also pointed out by the always alert <Chessical> on this site.

17. Rad1

Probably the only way for White to seek an advantage against Black's two monster Bishops would be with 17. Na4 or maybe 17. Nb5. But Tarrasch was generally allergic to putting Knights on the rim and so played the entirely sound text.

17... Re8

As Tarrasch pointed out, this addresses the threat of Bxc5 "in a simple manner,' since now if 18. Bxc5?? Black wins with 18... RxR+ and then 19...g6 or even with 18...g6 immediately. And if instead 18. Nd5? Black again wins instantly with 18...Re5.

18. Nb5

"!"--(Tarrasch)

It is here that Hoffer made the comment that <keypusher> rightly mocked, i.e., that White gets Bishops of opposite colors and thus a draw. Indeed, there remains plenty of play for both sides despite Bishops of opposite colors, and ultimately Hoffer recognized the upcoming possibilities in this contest.

18... Qf6

18...h6 or 18...Re6 or even 18...Bc6 were probably more accurate, though there is nothing all that much wrong with the text.

19. NxB cxN

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Lasker now had a backward d-pawn, but his Queen-side pawn structure was otherwise healed. However, despite Bishops of opposite colors, the position was not easy or anything approaching a simple draw. (I bet Magnus Carlsen would press for a win with either side here). The immediate question is how troubled Tarrasch should have been about his b-pawn. Right now, of course, it was not truly hanging (since 20...Qxb2 would lose his Bishop to a skewer after 21. Rb1).

20. Bc1

Tarrasch called this move "absolutely necessary." But--since the White b2 pawn was here immune--Tarrasch could and should have played 20. Qg5. And if then 20...QxQ 21. BxQ d5 he could maintain a slight advantage in the endgame with 22. Be7 c4 (best( 23. f3 with chances to attempt to exploit Black's center pawns.

20... Re6

Tarrasch said that this made it "possible to...oppose the doubling of Black's Rooks. While this makes sense, 21. RxR seems even easier.

21. c3 Rae8

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22. Re3

While not a mistake, 22. RxR RxR (or 22...QxR 23. h3) 23. Qg5 was surely a simpler way to play for a draw.

22... Re5

While Tarrasch called this move by Lasker "ineffectual<" <keypusher>--based on an evaluation by Fritz--says that the text was fine and that the position was now "quite even." Lasker could also have played 22...RxR or just 22...h6.

23. Rde1 h6
24. Qg4

Tarrasch again calls the Rook exchange "not advisable.' But both that and the text look fine to me.

24... R8e6

"Now threatening Rg5, but finally White can take on e5 [actually--he could have done so before--KEG] since the Black Queen's path to c6 is blocked"--(Tarrasch)

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"It is clear that Black has obtained at least an even game" -- (Teichmann)

A theoretical draw? Very likely. But the position still is tricky despite the Bishops of opposite colors, as will be seen.

25. RxR dxR

"Converting the weak d-Pawn into a better e-Pawn, at the expense of an isolated c-Pawn, but it is the only chance [to avoid a draw in Hoffer's view] 25...RxR 26. RxR would make it a clear draw"--(Hoffer)

26. f3

26. h4 was another road to near equality.

26... Qe7
27. Be3

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27... Bd5

"?"--(<keypusher>)

"Probably the first real inaccuracy of the game"--(<keypusher>)

<keypusher> recommends 27...e4. But then White was 28. f4 with possible play against the now blocked Black e-pawn.

So far as I can see, Black was OK after the text. My choice is the flexible 27...Qd8, but then White is probably fine after 28. Qc4 or 28. Qf5.

28. b3

I agree with Hoffer that 28. c4 "would seem obvious." In fairness, however, the game was almost certainly a theoretical draw in either case. After the text, things got interesting, the position now being:

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28... c4

"!"--(Tarrasch)

"Lasker immediately seizes on the weak move [i.e., 28. b3--KEG], and avoids the difficult defense of the c-pawn"--(Tarrasch)

"The only pretty move in the game, and this Tarrasch overlooked. Black not only breaks up the three united Pawns, but obtains a harassing attack, from which White escapes unscathed--thanks to the Bishops of different colour"--(Hoffer)

This is likely some of the sarcasm and nastiness by Hoffer that perturbed <keypusher>

Lasker's move is certainly pleasing, but it did lose a pawn. Surprisingly, none of the commentators mentioned 28...Qb7 which, if followed by 29...c4, may be the best line for Black. Theoretically, there may be little to choose between the moves. But, as will be seen, Lasker's move led to later complications that caused Tarrasch to err and provided Lasker with some practical winning chances. All in all, therefore, Lasker's move was probably best.

29. bxc4 Bc6
30. Rb1

"The Rook betakes itself to the open file"--(Tarrasch)

30. Rd1--as suggested by Teichmann--was, theoretically, probably more accurate. But the text had the merit of setting a nasty trap for Lasker, the position (after 30. Rb1 now being:

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30... Qc7

As Tarrasch pointed out in his commentary, the tempting 30...Qa3 (especially given that this was Lasker's final move before the time control) would have led to trouble for Black after 31. Rb8+. Had Lasker then played 31...Kh7? he would have been a dead duck after 32. Qf5+ Rg6 33. Qc8 (even stronger than 33. Qxf7 as recommended by Tarrasch, which also probably wins). In this line, Black can probably save himself with 31...Be8 though, as Tarrasch pointed out, White would have winning chances with 32. Bxh6 (only 32...Qf8 [or 32...Qc5+ followed by 33...Qf8] now being sufficient for Black to avoid immediate loss).

Best for Black here was probably 30...Qd8 or 30...Qd6. The text move gave White some slight chances.

The game, as also noted by Tarrasch, was here adjourned for the first time in the following position.

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"White has not a comfortable position, as Black threatens all sorts of attacks (by e4 or Qg6)"--(Teichmann)

Actually, White should be entirely fine with 31. Qf5 or 31. Rb2 or 31. Rd1. But Tarrasch, perhaps not sure whether he had met the move-30 time control--tried the more aggressive:

31. c5?!

Now Lasker would have been fine with 31...Rg6. But he wanted more and ventured:

31... Qd8

"!"--(Tarrasch)

"Threatening to bring the Queen to d3"--(Tarrasch)

Simplest for Black here was the fully equalizing 31...Rg6! After the text, the position was:

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As Tarrasch and <keypusher> have pointed out, best for White here was 32. Qc4 leaving White with either a tiny edge (Tarrasch) or at least equality (<keypusher>). But:

32. Qf5

"?"--(Tarrasch)

"A very thoughtless move"--(Tarrasch)

"Another weak move. Qc4 would have saved White a [good] deal of trouble and anxiety"--(Hoffer)

The now suddenly dicey position for White was:

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32... e4!

Brilliantly taking advantage of Tarrasch's last move.

33. f4

Practically forced.

33... Qd3

Matters now looked entirely scary for Tarrasch:

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34. Re1

Tarrasch later decided that 34. Rb8+ was better, and this does appear to be even stronger than the text, e.g., 34...Be8 [If instead 34...Re8, then Tarrasch's 35. RxR+ BxR 36. Kf2 saves the day for White and then if 36...Bd7 (Black can maintain equality with 36...Qc2+ or 36...Bb5) 37. Qe5 and White is fine] 35. Kf2 (best) Qc2+ 36. Kg3 Qxc3 leaves Black with only a minimal edge.

34... Qxc3
35. Kf2

Obviously forced:

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35... Qc4

"Every move of Black's is actuated by some fine idea"--(Gunsberg)

"Here the a-pawn cannot be protected, because after 36. Re2 (?) Bb5 37. Rd2 (?) Qf1+ 38. Kg3 Qe1+ and either the Bishop or the Rook is lost"--(Tarrasch)

In the above line, White can avoid immediate annihilation with 37. Re1 Rxa2+ 38. Kg1 , but now Black probably still wins with 38...a5!

36. Qg4

"Bringing the momentarily misplaced Queen back into play; White also threatens f5 at some point"--(Tarrasch)

"Dr. Tarrasch makes amends now for earlier shortcomings and makes the best defense to save the game"--(Hoffer)

36... Qxa2+

"The preparatory 36...Bb5 would have yielded better chances"--(Hoffer)

Perhaps, but White is still apparently able to hold: e.g., 37. f5 (probably best) Ra6 38. a4 Qa2+ 39. Kg1 Qc3 40. Qg3 Bxa4 41. h3 with enough counter-play to temper the problem of now being a pawn behind.

37. Re2 Qc4

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"Black now has a seemingly better position of all his pieces, especially the kings, a passed a-pawn more, and should win"--(Tarrasch)

Actually, it's not quite so simple. Black is unquestionably better placed, but the position is a long way from a win, as subsequent play helped demonstrate.

38. Rb2

"f5 would expose the pawn to attack by ...Rf6 and ...Bd7"--(Tarrasch)

38... Bb5
39. Qd1

The only real chance for White.

39... Ra6

"The Black Rook penetrates the White game, and one would think the game cannot last much longer"--(Tarrasch)

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Tarrasch's diagnosis was premature here (as were those commentators who opined that the game was now a clear draw because of Bishops of opposite colors), and not only because of the theoretical merits of the position. The players were approaching the move-45 time control. Perhaps for this reason, play now became a bit sloppy from both sides. As will be seen, the coming imperfections only increased the closing thrills of the game.

40. Rc2

40. Qc1 QxQ 41. Rd8+ Kh7 42. BxQ was another possibility, which leaves White in an endgame still a pawn down but with drawing chances because of the Bishops of opposite colors.

40... Qe6

I agree with <keypusher> that 40...Ra2 41. RxR QxR+ is marginally superior to the text. But his suggested 42. Kg1? leads to big trouble for White after 42...a5. The better try for White, and more likely to lead to a draw is 42. Qd2.

After the actual 40...Qe6, the position was:

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41. h3?

"A good defensive plan; White will bring his King to safety at h2"--(Tarrasch)

I disagree. More dynamic play is called for if White is to save the game. I suggest 41. Rb2. Play might then continue 41...Ra2 42. Qd8+ Kh7 43. RxR QxR+ 44. Qd2 giving White a better chance to exploit the opposite color Bishops.

41... Bd3

41...Qf6 would have made White's task much harder.

42. Rd2

42. Rb2, putting the Rook on the open file, looks strongest. Tarrasch disagreed, claiming that Black would then continue 42...Qf6. But now White should play 43. Qc1 with excellent drawing chances.

The text left:

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42... f5?!

"This weakens Black's game because the Black King formation is exposed and later White's attach on g7 is made easier"--(Tarrasch)

Agreed.

Tarrasch was also correct that even with the superior 42...Qf6 there is no obvious forced win for Black. But his line after 42...Qf6 is dubious: 43. Kg3 Ra1 [43...Ra3 would make things much tougher for White] 44. Qg4 a5 ? [The critical line begins with 44...Re1] The text considerably eases White's task 45. Qc8+ [Missing 45. c6 which draws since White cannot take the c-pawn here because of the crushing reply 46. Bd4! winning the Black Rook and the game] 45... Kh7 46. c6? [White only real chance lies here in 46. Qd7]. After Tarrasch's 46. c6 White wins with 46...Re1.

43. Kg3 Ra3
44. Kh2

Perhaps 44. Qc1 was more accurate.

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44... a5

Premature. 44...Qb3 or maybe even 44...Qf6 would have presented bigger problems for White.

Now Tarrasch actually had an opportunity to shift the initiative with 45. Rb2! (e.g., 45. Bc4 46. Rb6 Qf7 47. Qc1 and now Black has to play well to avoid losing...47... Ra2 48. c6 Kh7 [forced!] 49. Bd4 e3! [Black's only chance] 50. Rb7 (not 50. Bxe3? Bd5 and Black wins) Bd5 51. Qg1 QxR [forced!] 52. cxQ Bxb7 53. Bxe3 Rxg2+ 54. QxR BxQ 55. KxB a4 56. Bc5 g5 after which Black, though now a piece down in the ending, can probably still draw.

But instead Tarrasch played:

45. Qc1 Ra4

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Here, according to Tarrasch, the game was adjourned for a second time.

46. Qc3

As good as anything.

Tarrasch correctly pointed out the problems with 46. c6?!; 46...Rc4 47. Qa3 [best] a4 and now is 48. c7? [best here is 48. Rb2, though White would still face at best an uphill struggle] Qc6 and the White c-pawn is lost, as is the game for White.

46... Rb4

As per Tarrasch, 46...Qc4 would force Black to fight for a draw following 47. Qe5!

After 46...Rb4, the position was:

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47. c6?!

Over-eager. The simpler route to a draw lay in 47. Qa3 or 47. Rd1

The text left:

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47... Rc4

Tarrasch's notes notwithstanding, 47...Qc4 would have made life tougher for White: e.g., 47...Qc4 48. Qe5. As Tarrasch has conclusively shown, 48...Rb5? now hands the game to White (49. Qe8+ [49. Qd6 or 49. Qc7 also win] Kh7 50. c7 [50. Qc8 wins even more easily than Tarrasch's continuation] Qxc7 51. RxB!). But Black doesn't have to play 48...Rb5. Rather, he can just play 48...Qxc6 with some winning chances since 49. Qxa5 [probably best] Rb5 leaves White with a tough trek to save the game.

After Lasker's actual 47...Rc4, Tarrasch was able to save the game after:

48. Qxa5 Rxc6

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White now has time for 49. Rb2 giving White threats of his own. Play might then have continued 49...Ba6 50. Rb6 RxR 51. QxR QxQ 52. BxQ with a clear draw because of the Bishops of opposite colors despite Lasker's extra pawn.

Thus: