[Event "Havana"] [Site "Havana"] [Round "11"] [White "Capablanca"] [Black "Lasker"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D02"] [Opening "Queen's Pawn: 2.Nf3 e6"] {One of Capablanca's greatest performances} 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nbd7 5. e3 Be7 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Rc1 Re8 { Playable, but the standard 7. ... Pc6 is more reliable} 8. Qc2 c6 9. Bd3 (9. a3 {But Capablanca usually chose the simplest way}) 9... dxc4 10. Bxc4 Nd5 11. Bxe7 Rxe7 (11... Qxe7 12. O-O Nxc3 13. Qxc3 e5) 12. O-O Nf8 13. Rfd1 Bd7 14. e4 Nb6 $2 {More in keeping with the demands of the position would have been the exchange on c3: in a cramped position, as we know, it is good to seek exchange as many pieces as possible. Lasker was on the lookout for complications, knowing, better than anyone, that once the position has been simplified Capablanca would be at home like a fish in water} 15. Bf1 Rc8 16. b4 $1 { Restraining the freeing move ... Pc5} 16... Be8 17. Qb3 Rec7 18. a4 Ng6 19. a5 Nd7 20. e5 $1 {Conceding Black the free use of d5, it is true, but in return obtaining for himself the superb point d6} 20... b6 21. Ne4 Rb8 22. Qc3 { A superficial move which allows Black to place his Knight on d5 with gain of tempo} (22. Qa3) 22... Nf4 23. Nd6 Nd5 24. Qa3 f6 (24... Qe7 { Drawing a bead on White's b-pawn}) 25. Nxe8 Qxe8 26. exf6 {This procedure may be compared to that in the game against Steiner. Capablanca simplifies while firmly maintaining the initiative} 26... gxf6 27. b5 Rbc8 28. bxc6 Rxc6 29. Rxc6 Rxc6 30. axb6 axb6 31. Re1 (31. Bb5) 31... Qc8 32. Nd2 Nf8 { Bolstering up the King's position} (32... Rc3 33. Qd6 Rc6 34. Qg3+ Kh8 35. Ne4 {White's attack is decisive}) 33. Ne4 Qd8 34. h4 Rc7 (34... f5 35. Bb5 Rc7 36. Ng5) (34... h6) 35. Qb3 Rg7 36. g3 Ra7 37. Bc4 Ra5 38. Nc3 Nxc3 39. Qxc3 Kf7 40. Qe3 Qd6 41. Qe4 Ra4 42. Qb7+ Kg6 (42... Qe7 43. Qc6 Ra7 44. d5 $1 $18) 43. Qc8 Qb4 44. Rc1 Qe7 (44... Qa3 45. Bd3+ Qxd3 (45... Kh6 46. Rc7) (45... f5 46. Qe8+ Kh6 47. Re1 Ra8 48. Rxe6+ Nxe6 49. Qxe6+ Kg7 50. Qe5+ Kf7 51. Bc4+ Kg6 52. Qe6+ Kg7 53. Qf7+ Kh6 54. Qf6+ Kh5 55. Qg5#) 46. Qe8+) 45. Bd3+ Kh6 (45... f5 46. Bxf5+ $1 Kxf5 (46... exf5 47. Qc6+) 47. Qc2+) 46. Rc7 Ra1+ 47. Kg2 Qd6 48. Qxf8+ $1 1-0