Thanks to this blunder and to a blunder by Tarrasch in Round 2 (allowing Marshall to win a lost ending), Marshall was in 2nd place after Round 4 at Monte Carlo 1902. After a bye in Round 5 and a win in Round 6, Marshall appeared to be regaining the magic he had at Paris 1900. But he soon was brought back to earth and finished in 9th place, a half point behind Tchigorin.

1. d4 d5
2. c4 Nc6

Tchigorin's favorite defense to the Queen's Gambit. I am not a fan of this variation, but Tchigorin knew it well. That makes his opening blunder here all the more remarkable.

3. Nc3 dxc4

A line Tchigorin knew well.

4. d5

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4... Na5

Tchigorin had played this moves three times before. Contrary to <Bishop>, the move was indeed played several times after 1902, including one time by Trifunovic.

5. Bf4

"!"--(Tournament Book)

"Threatening Nb5." (Tournament Book)

The text, which hardly deserved the "!" bestowed upon it by the Tournament Book, was a novelty at the time (later revived by Keene).

In the three earlier games in this line, Tchigorin had faced the much better 5. Qa4+. He was apparently put off by Marshall's novelty, and now made two week moves and then a losing blunder.

The position after 5. Bf4 was:

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5... Bd7?

"?"--Tournament Book)

5...e5 as suggested by the Tournament Book is indeed better, as is 5...Nf6 (after which the Tournament Book's suggested 6. Nb5 would give Black the edge after 6...e5 7. Bxe5 Bb4+). The text move (5...Bd7) allows White to control the center and obtain a fine game:

6. e4 e6

Another weak move by Tchigorin (and in his favored opening variation!). Black has decent chances with 6...a6 or 6...c6.

7. dxe6

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7... fxe6??

"??"--(Tournament Book)(Soltis)

Soltis is surely correct in believing that Tchigorin was not happy with the position he would get with 7...Bxe6 8. QxQ+ KxQ (8...RxQ 9. Bxc7 Rc8 10. BxN b6 11. Bxb6 axB 12. Rd1 is even worse) 9. 0-0-0+ Kc8 10. Nb5.

Black would indeed have an uphill (but hardly hopeless) battle after 7...Bxe6, but it was the only move to avoid immediate loss. After the text, Marshall picked up the Black Knight on a5 with a simple fork.

8. Qh5+ g6
9. QxN

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The authorities are split on whether Tchigorin played on from here. One source has him resigning after 8. Qh5+. Others give the moves reflected on this site.

Analysis of moves 9-20 is pointless. The moves appear to be the play of non-masters rather than of Marshall and Tchigorin, Black making either silly or desperate efforts to do...God knows what. As an admirer of Tchigorin, I derived no pleasure in watching his game picked to pieces. The only further point of interest is the last move. After 19...Bc5?, the position was reportedly:

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Here, if the score is to be believed, Marshall concluded proceedings with:

20. Bh6+

1-0