11.cxd5The most natural move to which the development of the Q Kt at Q 2 instead of B 3 would seem to lead is Kt - K 5 followed by P - B 4. After 11 Kt - K 5 Black could not yet attempt 11...P x Q P; 12 K P x P, B - R 6, weakening the Q P, because of 13 B x B, Q x B; 14 P x P, Kt x Kt; 15 P x Kt, Kt x P; 16 Kt - B 4 and Kt - Q 6.
12.Nh4In order to provoke Black's weakening move: P - Kt 3, which might give White chances of attack on the long diagonal Q R 1 - K R 8, White gives up two clear moves. Black is able to get considerably ahead in his development, much to White's disadvantage.
13.Nhf3Not Kt - K 5 yet, on account of 14 P x P, P x P?; 15 B x Kt, P x B; 16 Kt x P.
14.dxc5White's position is uncomfortable, and a satisfactory continuation is hard to find. Possibly passive resistance might have been the best plan, thus: Q - K 2, K R - Q 1, Kt - B 1 - Kt 3. The text move is a preliminary to operations on the Queen's side, but allows Black too much scope in the centre.
15.Bb5White wishes to get rid of the Black Knight which supports the advance of P - Q 5.
17.Qc2White has no idea of the threatened disaster, or he would have played P - K Kt 3. Even then, however, Black has the better game with two Bishops, and the Q and Kt better placed.
17…Nxd2The beginning of a brilliant mating combination.
18…d4Black would have played the same move if White had retaken with the Queen.
19.exd4P - K 4 was comparatively the best move, although Black's attack would have become overwhelming after P - B 4, e.g. 20 P - B 3, B - B 5, etc.
21…Bxg2Emanuel Lasker won a celebrated game from Bauer (Amsterdam, 1889) with a similar sacrifice of two Bishops, and very likely this is the reason why Tarrasch's beautiful game only earned him the second brilliancy prize at Petrograd (1914).
22.f3If K x B, then Q - Kt 5 ch; 23 K - R 1, R - Q 4; 24 Q x P, R - R 4 ch; 25 Q x R, Q x Q ch; 26 K - Kt 2, Q - Kt 4 ch and Q x Kt.
22…Rfe8Not Q - Kt 6, because of Kt - K 4.
28…f4+With Q - Kt 6 ch Black mates two moves earlier.
31…Re8+If K - Q 7, B - Kt 4 mate, if K - B 6, Q - R 5 mate.
Edward Lasker, Chess Strategy (1921) · Public domain · source