Alexander Alekhine vs Edward Lasker (1924)

Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players ·

Kibitzing

Alexander Alekhine vs Edward Lasker
New York (1924), New York, NY USA, rd 16, Apr-08
King's Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack (E76) · 1/2-1/2

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

explore this opening	find similar games	6 more Alekhine/Ed. Lasker games
	PGN: download \| view \| print	Help: general \| java-troubleshooting

TIP: You can change the color of the light and dark squares by registering a free account then visiting your preferences page. Or, you can change it with the "SETTINGS" link in the lower right.

For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.

PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

Aug-14-06		PKNJ: Wow -- Edward Lasker meets an Alekhine Four Pawns Attack head on and winds up two pawns ahead in an almost empty endgame, but can't win because his bishop is the wrong color for both of his pawns!

Aug-14-06		PKNJ: So I have two questions. If you're exchanging pieces in a middle game and looking ahead, do you generally prefer to get bishops for knights whenever you can, or try to keep a knight around for situations like this? And how far ahead do you think Alekhine saw the draw?

Dec-19-06		notyetagm: In his new book covering the Four Pawns Attack, IM Tim Taylor points out an elegant petite combination that would have won the game for Lasker! Position after 39 ♖a7: click for larger view Here Lasker played 39 ... ♘d4+? and only managed to draw. Instead IM Taylor gives 39 ... ♗c5! and Black wins. (VARIATION) Position after 39 ... ♗c5!: click for larger view The tactical point of this move is that the passed Black a2-pawn is protected by the <Rook Endgame Skewer> because the Black c5-bishop now controls the f2-<SKEWERING> square. That is, 40 ♖xa2?? ♖f2+ and 41 ... ♖x♖. White then has nothing better than to move his threatened a7-rook, keeping it on the a-file to cover the a1-promotion square. Taylor gives 40 ♖a4. Black then plays 40 ... ♗d4!, gaining control of the a1-promotion square of the passed Black a2-pawn while continuing to control the f2-<SKEWERING> square to indirectly defend the Black a2-pawn by that <Rook Endgame Skewer>. As Reinfeld wrote in one of his instructive books, in regards to 40 ... ♗d4!, <Notice the immediate decisive effect of gaining control of the promotion square>. (VARIATION) Position after 39 ... ♗c5! 40 ♖a4 ♗d4! : click for larger view White then has to sacrifice his c1-bishop for the passed Black a2-pawn with 41 ♗b2 ♗x♗b2 42 ♖x♙a2 and Black has won a piece for a pawn. 39 ♖a7 ♗c5! 40 ♖a4 ♗d4! is the win that Edward Lasker missed.

Dec-19-06		notyetagm: <CONTINUED FROM ABOVE> This petite combination that Lasker missed (39 ... ♗c5! 40 ♖a4 ♗d4!) is a great example of Nimzowitsch's teaching that <the passed pawn is a criminal which must be kept under lock and key>; that is, it must be <BLOCKADED>. If a passed pawn is -not- <BLOCKADED>, then there is often a -tactical- means to force its promotion or to win material to prevent this promotion. Here it was the unfortunate position of the White e2-king on the same rank as the passed Black a2-pawn which made it tactically possible for Black to defend his passed pawn (♖x♙a2?? ♖f2+ and ... ♖x♖). Then simply gaining control of the promotion square (40 ... ♗d4!) gave Black a winning material advantage (♗ for ♙). <Passed pawns must be blockaded!>

Dec-20-06		who: <notyetagm> thanks. That's a very nice combination.

Dec-20-06		notyetagm: <who: <notyetagm> thanks. That's a very nice combination.> You're welcome. I was shocked when I saw this elegant, straightforward winning line pointed out by IM Taylor but missed by such strong players as Edward Lasker and Alekhine(!). Just goes to show you that chess is just not an easy game. :-)

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
Nothing in violation of United States law.
No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
No trolling.
The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.

NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific game only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

This game is type: CLASSICAL. Please report incorrect or missing information by submitting a correction slip to help us improve the quality of our content.

Featured in the Following Game Collections[what is this?]

39 ... Bc5! 40 Ra4 Bd4! controls a1-promotion square, wins
from Endgame Lessons by notyetagm

New York 1924
by Benzol

39...Bc5! 40.Ra4 Bd4! wins (Tim Taylor)
from Alekhine was sunk! by Calli

New York 1924
by JoseTigranTalFischer

Game collection: E76
by Chessdreamer

New York 1924 - Alekhine
by StoppedClock

Sixteenth Round (78)
from Alekhine, A. NEW YORK 1924 by superstoned

New York 1924 - Alekhine
by dwinco

New York 1924 - Alekhine
by igiene

New York 1924
by Mal Un

0ZeR0's Favorite Games Volume 62
by 0ZeR0

New York 1924 - Alekhine
by MSteen