Lasker vs Steinitz
269
[Event "World Championship"] [Site "?"] [Round "12"] [White "Lasker"] [Black "Steinitz"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C70"] [Opening "Spanish: 4.Ba4"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 {The Steinitz Defense Deferred of the Ruy Lopez enjoys the reputation of a passive but solid opening.} 5. d4 Bd7 6. Bb3 {This is the wrong square for the bishop since it may come under attack from Black's knight i.e. Na5. 6.c3 would bolster the White center While allowing the light squared bishop a retreat square at c2.} 6... Be7 7. dxe5 dxe5 8. Qd5 {This premature attack ends up giving Black control of the center.} 8... Be6 9. Qxd8+ Rxd8 10. Bxe6 fxe6 {Black has doubled e-pawns which are normally considered weak. However, in this position they are not subject to attack but they do control all of the central squares. Therefore, Black's pawns are considered strong.} 11. c3 Nf6 {Another advantage of Black's doubled pawns are the two open files(d and f) he can use for his rooks.} 12. Nbd2 Bc5 13. b4 Ba7 14. a4 b5 {Stops White's threat of pawn 15.b5 followed by 16.Nxe5.} 15. Ke2 {15.axb5 axb5 16.Nxe5 Decoying Black's knight from the protection of his bishop would backfire after 16...Bxf2+ 17.Kxf2 Nxe5 when Black stands better due to his active pieces and White's exposed king.} 15... Bb6 16. axb5 axb5 17. Ne1 {Played with the idea of 18.f3 to relieve the knight on d2 from the protection of his e-pawn.} 17... Rf8 { Black's better development gives him the advantage.} 18. f3 Rf7 { Black's idea is to bring this rook over to the d-file for the attack.} 19. Nb3 {A mistake which allows Black to win a pawn. 19.Nd3 Rfd7 20.Nc5 Bxc5 21.bxc5 b4 when Black's control of the d-file and his knights ready to enter the attack would give him the advantage.} 19... Nxe4 { The knight can't be taken due to mate in one.} 20. Bb2 Nd6 { The knight heads toward the outpost square at c4.} 21. Rf1 Nc4 22. Bc1 Ne7 23. Bg5 Nd5 {The exposed position of White's king allows Black a winning combination by giving up his rook.} 24. Bxd8 Nf4+ 25. Kd1 { This is White's only legal move.} 25... Rd7+ 26. Kc2 {26.Kc1 Ne2+} 26... Ne3+ 27. Kb2 Nxf1 28. Bg5 Ne3 29. Bxf4 exf4 30. Rc1 e5 {White resigned. Even though he is only down a pawn, his pieces can hardly move and zugzwang is fast approaching. If the Nb3 moves then Rd2+. If the Ne1 moves then the g-pawn falls. The threat is Rd1. Enough is enough!} 0-1
0-1
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1820
HITS
Players
WhiteLasker
BlackSteinitz
Game
Moves30
OpeningC70 — Spanish: 4.Ba4
Result0-1
Date
Tags
Tournament
TournamentWorld Championship
Location?
Round12