STEINITZ-LASKER MATCH

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 38

STEINITZ-LASKER MATCH

The seventh game (a). Ruy Lopez. White. Black. (Lasker.) (Steiaitz.) 1 P-K 4 P-K 4 2 X Kt-B 3 Q Kt-B 3 3 B-Kt 5 P-Q 3 4 P-Q 4 80. 2 5 Kt-B 3 X Kt-K 2 6 B-K 3-6, Kt-Kt3c 7 Q-Q 2 B-K 2 8 O-O-O d P-Q R 3 9 B-K 2 PxP 10 Xt x P Xt x Xt 11 Q x Kt-e B X B 3 12 Q-Q 2 B-B 3 13 Kt-Q 5/ 0-0 14 P-K Xt 4-tf R-Kl-A 15 P-Kt 5 i B x Xt 16 Q x B-j R-K 4 17 Q-Q 2-ft B x P-J 18P-KB4-wi RxP 19 P x B Q-K 2-» 20 Q R B l-o R x B 21 B-B 4 Kt-R 1-p 22 P-K R 4 P-Q B 3 23 P-Kt 6-g P-Q 4 24PxRPch KxP 258-Q3ch K-Ktl-r 26 PR S R-Kl 27 PR 6 P-K Xt 3 28 P-R 7 eh K-Kt 2-s 29 K-Kt 1 Q-K 4 30 PR 3« P-Q B 4-w 31 Q-B 2 P-B 5 32 Q-R 4 P-B 3 33 B-B 5 K-B 2 34 X K-Kt 1 P x B 35 Q-R 5 eh K-K2 36 R-Kt 8 K-0. 3 37 R x P Q-K 3 38RxR QxR 39 Rxß Peh K-B 4 40 Q-R 6 R-K 2 41 Q-R2 Q-Q 2 42QKtlch P-Q 5 43Q-Ktsch Q.Q4 44 R-B 5 Q x R 45 Q x Q eh K-Q 3 46 Q-B 6 eh Resigns. Notes. (a) Asthis gameisconsidcredone of the best of the match, a large number of notes derived from different sources are given. Lasker says : " The game proceeded on novel lines from the sth move, when in order to get more advantage out of tho position I changed my line of attack C' mpletely. Tho fundamental difference of the two treatments consisted in the early castling on tho queen's side. It seems,' however, that I over-reached my attack when I played 14 P-K Xt 4. A quiet move like P-K B 3 first would have solidified my nosition. Steinitz, by a finely laid trap, gained two pawns, and, although I could have won one of them back by 20 B-B 3, I preferred to go on with my attack. Apparently Black underrated its force, otherwise he would have played 21 r-k b 1. Perhaps my 23rd, move was unexpected by him. He did not see his way clear to accept my offer of a third pawn, because I should have forced an open king's rook's file. On his 32nd turn I expected k-b 1, whereupon again B-B 5 would have left me with eood chances for a draw, as tne bishop could not well be taken on account of X R-Kt 1. Instead, Steinitz preferred to play 32 p-k b3, which was a trifle rkky. In consequence I held a very strong position, which should have warned my opponent against attempting to force the win. In the end his winning chances were almost annihilated, if, indeed, I had not the best of the bargain. However, still playing for a win, he committed a great blunder on the 41st move, lost the q, and kt or r, and resigned shorcly afterwardi."

(ft) In the previous games Lasker played 6 B-B 4. Steinitz was supposed to have worked out a defence to this, and Lasker therefore tries a change.

(c) The line of defence adopted by Steinitz seriously retards Black's development of the king's pieces. This kt in particular giyes rise to trouble by offering a point of attack. (d) See note (a). The Times Democrat considers this premature, and recommendßßKt-Qsor 8 Kt-K 2, reserving the option of castling on either side. ' («)' If 11 Q x Xt then b-k kt 4 ; 12 B-K 3, bx b ; 1? Q x B, 00, with a good game (f) Bettor 13 P-K B 3, with the view of advancing the pawns on that side.

(FlO See note (a). ■ (h) Spotting the weak point ; the want of support of the P and bishops on the king's file. (i) Apparently 15 Xt x B eh, followed by 16 P-K B 3 would be better. (j) If 16 P x Q B, b-k 4 ; then if 17 P-K B 4, then kt x p ; and if 17 P-K R4, then b-b 5 ; 18 PR5, b x b ; 19 P x B, kt-k 4 ; with a good position.

(*) He does not care to risk 17 Q x Xt P, giving an open file to double tho Rs against his K.

On) It 18 P-K B 3, b x b eh ; 19 Q x B, q kt 4 ; forcing the exchange of Q's ; getting rid of the attack with a p',wn to the good. (n) The outcome of White too rashly advancing 14 P-K Xt 4. Black has gained two pawns. (o) He is not to be tempted into 20 B-B 3 in the hope of regaining a Pawn but prefers sontinuing the attack on Blacks (p) This does not look good, and in fact turns out badly. 21 r-k b 1 does not seem satisfactory either, and that is apparently tie only alternative.

(</) There is no pause ia the attack, and no time to spare. A weak move on White's part would speedily turn the tables. If instead23p x p ;24P-R5. p-q4 25 P x P, kt x p ; 26 Q-R 2, q-kt 4, and White's attack seems to be done. The result of the game hinged upon Black's 24th move, and he failed to make the right one.

(r) p-kt 3 looks better at first sight, but as pointed out by Mr Hookham would lose thus — 26 PR 5, k kt 2 (obviously compulsory) ; 27 P x P, kt x p ; 28 B x Xt, px b ; 29 Q-R 2, and Black cannot Have the game. (s) Mr Hoffer con&iders this a weik move, and recommends 28 k-b 1, with the view of escaping to the queen's side.

(t) White now takes breath and makes things safe at home.

(m) To shut the diagonal and afford a chance of escape by k-b 1, &c, and also to win the B, which after p-b 5 has no e3capo. It is all too late.'the attack takes a new direction.

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