Chess Chats 18 May 1959, Mon The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California) Newspapers.com
Chess Chats by George Koltanowski
International Chess Master
The Press Democrat Chess Chats by George Koltanowski, Sunday, May 17, 1959, Santa Rosa, California Problem No....
Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Friday, March 18, 2022
Problem No. 180
White to play and mate in two moves.
FEN k7/P2p4/K3p3/8/8/b7/8/4Q3 w - - 0 1
Solution: 1. Qe5 d6 2. Qh8#
Pour Mieux Sauter
There are various reasons why, despite the many giants now bestriding Caissa's Parnassos, Emanuel Lasker may still rank as the greatest chess player of all times. And the main reason is that Lasker was not merely a tough fighter—so was Alekhine, so is Botvinnik, so are a good many others when put on their mettle.
But Lasker sought a fight for its own sake. After all, he was a professional psychologist and the propounder of his very own Philosophy of Struggle. He knew that, so as to disturb the equilibrium and to tip the balance in his favor, he must take the risk of mixing things up. And what a mixer-up he was on the chessboard!
Remarkable Game
Let us look at a most remarkable (and relatively little known) game, played over thirty years ago in the great New York tournament where Lasker, aged 56, and a post world champion, emerged l½ points ahead of the reigning champion Capablanca and future champion and third-prize winner of that tournament. The loser of the following game was Tartakower who considered it one of Lasker's best, most remarkable for the manner in which while submitting to a fierce attack, he calmly regroups his forces and then, all of a sudden, springs his own counterattack.
Savielly Tartakower vs Emanuel Lasker
New York (1924), New York, NY USA, rd 21, Apr-15
English Opening: King's English Variation. General (A20) 0-1
14. P-B4 This was rather too dashing against so wily a tactician. See how Lasker regroups completely, in preparation for his counterblow.
21. N-K3 B-N4 With his next move White prepares to sacrifice the exchange to some considerable positional advantage. Note how Lasker accepts the gift, but very much in his own way.
Scores Clear Win
White had hoped for B-R5 which would have given him the chance of RxPch. Note now how Lasker, at the expense of a P, simplifies matters to obtain a clear-cut end game.
The ending after a Q-swop would be hopeless and if 41. QxKP Q-B8ch and Q-B5ch finishes matters as well. So Tartakower committed; hari-kari by grabbing the QNP and permitting mate in ten. Starts with Q-B8ch and R-B7.
