Spielmann, Rudolf VS Prokes, Ladislav 1908.05.19

Annotations

1. 5.Qf3 It is contrary to the principles governing sound play to bring out the Queen early in the game. The opponent frequently has an opportunity of gaining a move by driving off the Queen, developing a minor piece at the same time. In the present case Black might have gained the advantage in the following way: 5...Q Kt - B 3. Now if: 6 Kt x Kt then Kt - Q 5!; 7 Q - Q 3?, P x Kt; 8 Q x P?, B - K B 4. If, however, 6 B - Kt 5, Black obtains the better game by playing 6...Kt x Kt; 7 Kt P x Kt, Q - R 5 ch; 8 P - Kt 3, Q - K 5 ch; 9 Q x Q, P x Q; 10 B x Kt ch, P x B, with two Bishops on open diagonals. There is no harm in the doubled pawn, as White cannot attack it. Black's immediate threat is B - R 3 or K B 4, which exerts pressure at Q 6, and White will find it difficult to advance his Q P.
2. 5…f5 This move is open to discussion, as the Kt which it means to support can be driven away by P - Q 3. On the other hand, if White does play his Q P to Q 3, Black can prevent its further advance by P - Q 5, after which the White K P is insecure and the K B somewhat shut in.
3. 8.Qf2 White offers his Q B P in order to be able to strengthen his centre by P - Q 4, and to free his pieces. To protect his Q B P would be inferior, e.g. 8 Kt - K 2, Kt - B 3 or 8 B - Kt 2?, P x P; 9 B x P, B - Kt 5!; 10 B x B, Q x R 5 ch; 11 Q - B 2, Q x B ch; 12 Q - Q 2, Q - Q 5.
4. 8…dxc3 It would have been better, of course, to continue developing with Kt - B 3, which at the same time maintains the pressure on Q 5.
5. 10.Nh3 Intending Kt - B 4 with a view to exchanging the Bishop. After that, Black's position on White squares is weak specially on the diagonal Q R 7, K Kt 1, which was opened by Black's fifth move, and on which the White Bishop can soon operate. The game is instructive in showing the development of that idea.
6. 13…g6 Black cannot prevent White's threat of Q - K 2 and B - B 4.
7. 15…Qxd4+ Black is obliging. The opening of files in the centre is favourable for White, as he can make use of his Rooks in the combined attack. Instead of the move in the text, development with Kt - B 3 and Castles Q R was the last, though slender, chance of saving the game.
8. 16…Qd5 If Q x P, Q - B 2 followed by B - Q 4, B - K 4, K R - K 1 and Q R - Q 1. Black has no sufficient means of defence to oppose this massing of forces.
9. 18.Bxf5 The end is swift, and easy to understand.

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