Lasker, Edward VS Mieses, Jacques 1913.07.31

Annotations

1. 2…Nf6 This is to tempt White to play P-Q B 4, a weak move (see p. 35). By playing P-Q B 3 Black would obtain by far the better game in exchange for the pawn.
2. 3…Qxd5 Kt×P can also be played. In either case White wins a move by driving off the Black piece by Kt-Q B 3 or P-Q B 4. Furthermore, White has a pawn in the centre. Black's plan in retaking with the Queen might be to castle early on the Queen's side and attack White's centre pawn by P-K 4, and White must be on the alert against this plan, though it will not be easy for Black to put the same into execution, because of the exposed position of his Queen. After 4 Kt-Q B 3, Q-Q R 4 is the only move which brings the Queen into momentary security, and even then Black must provide for a retreat, as after White's B-Q 2 there would be a threat of an advantageous “discovery” by the Kt. P-Q B 3 provides such a retreat, but it bars the Q Kt from its natural development at B 3, where the Kt could exert further pressure on White's Q 4. The Q B, too, is difficult to get into play and easily becomes an object of attack, as in the present game.
3. 5…Bf5 B-Kt 5 would only help White's intentions to attack on the King's side in the absence of Black's Queen, e.g. 6 P-K R 3, B-R 4; 7 P-K Kt 4, B-Kt 3; 8 Kt-K 5 (threatening Kt-B 4), P-B 3; 9 P-K R 4, Q Kt-Q 2; 10 Kt-B 4, Q-B 2; 11 P-R 5, B-K 5; 12 Kt×B, Kt×Kt; 13 Q-B 3 and B-B 4 with the superior game.
4. 6…Ne4 P-B 3 was urgent here, to provide against Kt-B 4 and Q-B 3. Now the game is as good as lost. White obtains a violent attack with superior forces, and brings it home before Black has time to complete his development.
5. 7…Nd6 If Kt×Kt, B-Q 2.
6. 9…Bg6 Black had to guard his K B 2 because of Kt-Kt 5, Kt×Kt, Q×P ch.
7. 11…f6 Compulsory. Kt-B 3 is refuted by 12 Kt×Kt, Q×Kt; 13 Q×Q, P×Q; 14 B-Kt 2 and P-R 5. On the other hand, the answer to 11...Q×P would be 12 B-K B 4, Q-Q 4; 13 P-R 5, P-B 3; 14 P×B, P×Kt; 15 B-K Kt 5 followed by R×Kt and R-Q 8 or Q-B 7 mate.
8. 13…Qxd4 K-B 2 or P-K B 4 were also unavailing in consequence of Black's poor development.

Edward Lasker, Chess Strategy (1921) · Public domain · source