Chess OpeningsClassic Chess Games: Lasker Ed. vs. Mieses White: Lasker, Edward
2. exd5 Nf3 Black dares White to play c4 to prevent the capture. Moving the pawn to c4 will weaken the White. If White doesn't fall for the trap, this is not a good move for Black; he should have played c6. That move will give Black a better position in compensation for his loss of the pawn. 3. d4 Qxd5 Black can also capture the pawn using his Knight. Black will lose a move by both methods when White plays Nc3 or c4 to chase the piece away. White also ends up with a central pawn White's intention in taking the pawn with the Queen may include a plan of castling quickly on the queen-side and then attacking the White's d4 using e pawn. White should be vigilant about this from the first. However Black usually finds difficulty in implementing the above mentioned plan due to the Queen's vulnerable situation. While moving the Queen to a5 does provide temporary protection, Black has to be ready to withdraw further since White's Bd2 will set up a so called discovered attack on the Queen at a5 if Knight moves. In order to cover Queen's withdrawal Black has to play c6. The move c6 in turn hampers the development of his Knight to its best square, and with that Black loses the ability to target d4 with his Knight. In addition Black's White squared Bishop is usually unable to get into action and may be targeted. In fact that is what happens in this game. 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. Nf3 Bf5 White's plans revolve around attacking the Black's king-side while the Queen is out of the way. As such if Black moves the Bishop to g4 instead of f5, it will not be beneficial for Black. This is clearly illustrated in the following continuation; 6 h3 Bh5; 7 g4 Bg6; 8 Ne5 (a threat to Queen after Nc4) c6; 9 h4 Nbd7; 10 Nc4 Qc7; 11 h5 Be4; 12 Nxe4 Nxe4; 13 Qf3 and Bf4. White has an excellent position. 6. Ne5! Ne4 Black must not lose time before playing c6 thus blunting the threats Nc4 and Qf3. By neglecting to do so, he can only lose the game, as can be seen in the following moves White is able to mount an overwhelming assault quickly, before Black can mobilize his pieces. 7. Qf3 Nd6 If Black plays Nxc3, White will counter with Bd2, pin. 8. Bd2 e6 9. g4 Bg6 Black must protect the f7 pawn due to the possibility; Nb5, Nxb5, Qxf7+ 10. h4 Qb6 11. O-O-O f6 This move was forced. If Black plays Nc6, the game will continue; 12 Nxc6 Qxc6; 13Qxc6+ bxc6; 14 Bg2, and h5. If Black plays Qxd4 the continuation might be; 12 Bf4 Qc5; 13 h5 f6; 14 hxg6 fxe5; 15 Bg5, with Rxd6 and Rd8 or Qf7, mate. 12. Nxg6 hxg6 13. Bd3 Qxd4 Kf7 or f5 will not be of much help either due to the Black's inferior piece development. 14. Bxg6+ Kd7 15. Be3 Qb4 16. a3 Qc4 17. Qxb7 Qc6 18. Be4 Black resigns. |