8.Qc2Black's difficulty is the development of his Q B, particularly after White's last move, which prevents P—K 4. If now Q—B 2 White plays 9 P—K 4 and either the Queen or the Knight bear on K 5, e.g. 9...P x K P; 10 Kt x P, P—K 4; 11 Q Kt—Kt 5, B—Q 3; 12 P—B 5, etc. Black therefore must develop his Q B at Kt 2 with P—Q Kt 3, B—Kt 2 and P—B 4. Having moved the Q B P twice, Black is a move behind the development usual in this opening. However, it would have been the lesser evil. In the present game the Bishop does not get into play in time.
12.Ng5If Black captures the pawn, White gains time by threatening the Queen, and brings all his forces into play, whilst the Black Queen's side remains undeveloped, e.g.: 12...Q x P; 13 R—Q 1, Q—B 4; 14 Kt—Kt 4, P—Kt 3; 15 B—K 3, Q—R 4; 16 R—B 1, with a strong attack. Black of course need not take the pawn, but the move in the text is a valuable one nevertheless, as the threat Q—B 3—R 3 provokes a weakening pawn move.
13…Kg7Preventing the entry of the B at R 6.
16…Ng8It should be noted how the weakness at K R 3 acts to the detriment of Black's game. The text move covers the weak square, but at the same time brings the Kt out of play. White in consequence gets the upper-hand on the Queen's side, and the Knight cannot return in time.
17.Bxe7It would be no use taking with the K Kt, as the threat Kt—Kt 4 and Q—R 6 must be guarded against. If the other Kt captures there follows: 18 B—K 4, R—Kt 1; 19 R—B 3 and K R—B 1.
18…Bb5This drives the Rook to a better square, but already now there is no satisfactory move. It would perhaps have been best to parry the threat of B x Kt and R—B 7 by playing Q—Q 3, although the pawn would have to recapture after 19 B x Kt, because of 20 R—B 5 and K R—B 1. The chance of bearing on the Q P through the open file, which was probably Black's intention all along, would then be lost. After the text move, however, White takes possession of the seventh rank, and Black's game collapses quickly.
23.Rxc7Kt—Kt 5 and Kt—K 6 ch was threatened.
27.Nh4The Kt P cannot be saved.
Edward Lasker, Chess Strategy (1921) · Public domain · source