Lasker-Tarrasch 1908

by Srinivas Reddy
(Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India)

Lasker and Tarrasch playing chess as Alekhine, Capablanca and Marshall look on

The picture shows Emanuel Lasker and Siegbert Tarrasch playing in St Petersburg in 1914. But this story concerns an epic clash between the two in the World Championship of 1908, after Lasker had accepted Tarrasch's challenge. The intensity of the matches played can be understood by anyone, while seeing this, when Tarrasch had said:
"To you, Herr Lasker, I have only three words to say: Check and mate!" And we will see, who had won in this interesting game.

Tournament: World Championship
Venue: Düsseldorf/Munich, Germany
White: Emanuel Lasker(Germany)
Black: Siegbert Tarrasch(Germany)
Year: 1908


1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6

Lasker plays an classic opening and he hatches a premature attack here.

5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 Na5

Though, Lasker is first to castle and the one who attacked first, his Bishop is constantly brought under pressure. Now Tarrasch seems to have fully developed on his side.

9.Bc2 c5 10.d4 Qc7 11.Nbd2 Nc6 12.h3 O-O

Now Lasker tries to clear the center and make some room for himself. Tarrasch has also castled meanwhile.

13.Nf1 cxd4 14.cxd4 Nxd4 15.Nxd4 exd4 16.Bg5 h6

After some equal attacks on both sides, White tries attack the Black Bishop. This is an interesting move. Now Black tries to desperately trying to lay off the Bishop by ruining the entire King side pawns.

17.Bh4 Qb6 18.Qd3 g5 19.Bg3 Be6 20.Rad1 Rfc8 21.Bb1 Nd7 22.e5 Nf8

Now White has another plan, the Queen is constantly moved to attack the King directly.

23.Qf3 d5 24.Qh5 Kg7 25.f4 f5 26.exf6 Bxf6 27.fxg5 hxg5

White's advantage is growing and now it looks like he is winning.

28.Be5 d3+ 29.Kh1 Ng6 30.Qxg5 Bf7 31.Ng3 Bxe5 32.Rxe5 Rh8 33.Bxd3 Ra7

Black is just delaying his defeat.

34.Rde1 Kf8 35.Bxg6 Qxg6 36.Qe3 Rc7 37.Nf5 Qc6 38.Qg5

Black's King is too open now, and White has a clear edge over the entire board and also his "World Chess Championship Title".

1-0


Result: After all the matches Lasker retains his Championship title over Tarrasch.

Through this game, Tarrasch had a platform for him to win over Lasker and to bear a championship title.

It is evident, from the words of Tarrasch that, only strong Chess moves are required to achieve World Championship title rather than words comprising of "Pride".

A player of any Game must concentrate on executing his/her moves rather than threatening his/her Opponent is the crystal clear message of moral, that anyone can learn from this World Chess Championship battlefield.

Play through the moves of this wonderful World Chess Championship game.