10.Qd2White cannot win the Q P by 10 P x P, P x P; 11 Kt x P, Kt x Kt; 12 Q x Kt, because B x P ch wins the Queen. The text move is played with the intention of bringing up the Q R for the attack on the Q P. However, it would have been more correct to fix the object of attack first by P x P, as Black could now cross White's intentions by playing P x P, after which he would sooner or later gain a move by occupying the Q file with a Rook, and forcing the White Queen to retreat.
10…Qe7Black offers to give up his Queen's Pawn. If White accepts the sacrifice, Black's attack on the Queen's file will become deadly, as White must lose a move in bringing his Queen out of the line of action of the hostile Rook. The White King has then no time to get into safety, e.g. 11 P x P, P x P; 12 Kt x P, Kt x Kt; 13 Q x Kt, R - Q 1; 14 Q - Kt 3, B - K 3 followed by Kt x P, etc.
11.Bd3Here again P x P (followed by B - K 2, R - Q 1, Castles) would have avoided the loss of a move, as indicated in my note to move 10. Now White loses yet another move, as Black exchanges pawns and the Bishop has taken two moves to reach B 4, as against one only in the case of the Black K B. The loss of two moves in the opening stages should be fatal, and of this Rubinstein gives a striking example in the present game.
15…Ne5The advantage which Black obtains by his last move is generally gained by White in this opening (compare Diag. 36). But in the game White has lost two moves and Black has assumed the offensive, having moreover a Rook acting on the Q file.
17.f4Black's threat was: B x P ch followed by Q - Q 3 ch and Q x B. If White replies 17 K R - Q 1 the answer is Q - B 2 attacking both the R P and the Kt. The text move is unsatisfactory, as it will be necessary to advance the K P to K 4 or K 5, where it will block the diagonal of one of the Bishops.
20…Ng4The beginning of magnificent sacrifices. 21 Q x Kt cannot be played because of R x B and R - Q 7, etc.
22.g3After P - R 3 Black wins also in fine style: R x Kt!!; 23 Q x Kt, Q x Q; 24 P x Q, B x B; 25 B x R, R - Q 6 threatening R - R 6 mate; or, 23 B x R, B x B; 24 Q x B, Q - Kt 6; 25 P x Kt, Q - R 5 mate.
Edward Lasker, Chess Strategy (1921) · Public domain · source