Hastings, 10 August 1895 (Bird's Opening). Lasker meets Bird's own favourite opening and refutes it with quiet, accurate play. Notes by J. H. Blackburne.
4.g3One of Bird's innovations, but not so strong as the usual move Kt to K B 3.
4…f5P to K 4 may also be played with advantage.
13.Bf3Castling would certainly have been better, but even then his position would not be easy.
15.h3White's last two moves have not in any way improved his position; if anything, the reverse.
16.Kf2An awkward move to parry, and there does not appear any better defence than the one selected.
23.Rb1White's position is now hopeless. Mr. Lasker's play throughout the whole of this game is characterised by his usual correctness and force, but who would recognise Mr. Bird's play? He evidently was out of form this day, or it may be this opening is not suited to his attacking style.
Horace F. Cheshire, The Hastings Chess Tournament 1895 (1896) · Public domain · source