7…dxc4Before initiating this manœuvre, which aims at the development of the Queen's wing, Black should castle, as otherwise the King is exposed to dangerous and immediate attacks in the centre.
9…a6The system of opening chosen by Black has been tried frequently of late. It seems to be somewhat artificial, as the Q B Pawn takes two moves to get to his fourth. On the other hand the pawn formation at Q R 3, Q Kt 4, and Q B 4 is attained, whilst it can be prevented in other variations, e.g. 6 ..., Castles; 7 B - Q 3, P x P; 8 B x P, P - Q R 3; 9 P - Q R 4.
10…e5Black's only plausible move here seems to be P - B 4, and many critics have remarked that after 11 P - K 5, P x P!; 12 Kt - K 4 (if P x Kt, P x Kt) Kt x Kt; 13 B x Kt, R - Q Kt 1; 14 B x B, Q x B; 15 Q x P, Q - B 4; the game would have been even. However, this is not the case, for on the 15th move White does not capture the pawn with the Q but with the Kt and Black has no satisfactory continuation. If he had castled he could play 15 ..., B - Kt 2 which now is not available because of: 16 Kt - B 6, B x Kt; 17 B x B, with an overwhelming advantage in position for White. White's refutation of the text move is above criticism.
12…Bc5If Q - B 2, White would play R - B 1, after which Black could not recapture the K P yet, as the Q B P is en prise. 13 ..., K Kt x P; 14 Kt x Kt, Kt x Kt; 15 Kt - Q 5, Q - Q 3; 16 B x Kt, Q x B; 19 R x P, etc.
14…f6Again Kt x P is not feasible on account of the loss of the Q B P, as can be easily seen.
15…fxe5Black's game cannot be saved. If 15 ..., Kt (Kt 5) x K P there follows 16 Kt x Kt, Kt x Kt; 17 Kt - Q 5, Q - Q 3; 18 B x Kt, P x B; 19 R x B, or 16 ..., P x Kt; 17 Q - R 5 ch, P - Kt 3, 18 Q - R 6.
16.b4Now White initiates a brilliant attack, driving it home without giving Black a moment's rest. If Black takes the pawn, White plays Kt - Q 4, with many threats, e.g. P - B 4; 18 Kt - Q 5, Q - Q 3; 19 Kt - K 6, or 17 ..., Kt (Kt 5) - B 3; 18 Kt - K 6, etc.
17.Bxb5The sacrifice is fairly obvious, as White obtains three pawns for the piece, and moreover drives the King into the field of battle. However, this does not detract from the beauty of the game, which is full of brilliant phases.
18…Qd8Or Q - Kt 3; 19 Kt - Q 6 ch, K - K 2; 20 Kt - B 5 ch, followed by Q - Q 6.
20…Nb6The threat was: 21 Q - Q 5, Kt - R 3; 22 Kt x B, R x Kt; 23 R - Q 6, etc. 20 ..., Kt (Q 2) - B 3 is of no avail because of 21 Q - Kt 3, Kt - R 3; 22 Kt x P, or 21 ..., Q - Q 2; 22 K R - B 1, etc.
22…Qxc6Not R x Kt because of 23 Q x Q. Now Black is a whole Rook ahead. But it is as much out of play as his Queen's side pieces. The King is driven into a mating net by the concentration of superior White forces, and only escapes by giving up the extra piece.
26…Kh5If K - R 3 there follows mate in three by 27 Kt (Q 6) - B 5 ch; 28 Kt - Kt 3 ch; 29 B - Kt 5 mate.
30.h3This threatens 31 P x Kt ch, K x P; 32 P - B 3 ch, followed by P - Kt 3 or Kt 4 mate. If Black plays 30 Q R - K Kt 1, White wins as follows: 31 P x Kt ch, R x P; 32 P - B 3, Kt - B 1 ch; 33 K - R 2, Kt x B; 34 P x R ch, K x P; 35 Kt x Kt, K x Kt; 36 R - B 7. If 30 ..., Kt - R 3; 31 Kt - Kt 7 mate.
Edward Lasker, Chess Strategy (1921) · Public domain · source