Annotated chess game: Future World Champion gets DESTROYED!

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ANNOTATED GAME

Future World Champion gets DESTROYED!
Henry Bird vs. Emmanuel Lasker
Annotated by: tag1153

(1700)
Chess opening: Danish gambit (C21), Collijn defence

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Two years before achieving the ultimate title of World Champion, Emmanuel Lasker met Henry Bird (of the Bird's Opening fame) at the chess board for a match in a tournament in New Castle - upon - Tyne Great Britain. Utilizing an opening that is rarely seen in modern play (the Danish Gambit), Bird evidently surprises Lasker - and punishes him severely for his pawn grabbing ways. Enjoy:)

1. e4 e5 2. d4	The Center Game. Possibly this was an attempt to gain favor with the British champion Blackburne (who played it a lot.) Who can tell?....but what this move does signify is a willingness on the part of white to totally rip up the middle of the board.



2... exd4	Black sees the chance to start gaining material, so he starts gobbling.



3. c3	The Danish Gambit. White opts to cede material for rapid development.



3... dxc3	An old chess adage says "The best way to refute a gambit is to accept it." Black continues to gobble pawns while neglecting the development of his pieces.



4. Bc4	Developing and aiming at the weak square f7.



4... cxb2	Gobble, gobble again.......Lasker HAD to be aware that after 5. Bxb2 that he is SEVERELY down in development. Didn't he?



5. Bxb2 Qg5	? d5, Nf6, or even d6 were better alternatives. While it appears that black is salivating over yet another pawn (the g pawn), it's somewhat poisonous after..............



6. Nf3	Furthering white's development while attacking the enemy queen.



6... Qxg2	Black's appetite for white pawns is almost insatiable.



7. Rg1	Black's greed is going to be his downfall. This move secures the g file for white. Look at the forces being brought to bear on f7 and g7.



7... Bb4+	Black finally develops with an aggressive check.



8. Ke2	! No way white is gonna interfere with the potency of his dark squared bishop by trying to block that check.



8... Qh3	Preserving black's queen.



9. Bxf7+	! 9...KxB is suicidal after white replies with the Royal Fork 10. Ng5 .



9... Kd8	9...Kf8 fails due to the dangers after 10. Bxg7



10. Bxg7	White is assured of gaining the Rh8 at a minimum. Just look at black's underdeveloped kingside!
	2 comments pawnhood12 (1278) on 05-May-10: Do you mean black's underdeveloped QUEEN-SIDE? (His queen-side is more underdeveloped than his king-side) bvr04 (1200) on 23-May-11: ok, both of black's flanks are undeveloped, its just that his kingside is missing half of its pieces!


10... Ne7	? As passive as it may seem, 10...d6 was the saving move, as the white queen is aiming directly at the black king.



11. Ng5	Attacking the black queen.....but can you see where he is heading?



11... Qh4	Congratulations Lasker....you have saved your queen. And oh, by the way.....................



12. Ne6#	Checkmate! I think this game goes to prove the point that pawn grabbing just for the sake of pawn grabbing is an affliction that can affect all of us - from patzers like me to World Champions like Lasker. I'm reminded of the phrase "If it looks too good to be true then it usually is." Lasker learned that concept the hard way in this game as his voracious appetite for pawns cost him dearly. I hope you enjoyed it:) - Thomas
	3 comments bvr04 (1200) on 10-Sep-10: I thought the game was just a study - not a game by Lasker! tux-fine (1200) on 28-Nov-14: Gambit's make one GREEDY... knotu2 (1684) on 17-Jun-18: If a future world champion can fall into this trap there is hope for everyone.