Lasker - S Defense To The Queen - S Gambit Soltis

Lasker's Defense
to the
Queen's Gambit
by
GM Andrew Soltis
Chess Digest, Inc.

Lasker's Defense to the Queen's Gambit
Copyright© 1993
Andrew Soltis
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ISBN 0-87568-239-1
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Author: Andrew Soltis

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3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introd uction 5
Marshall-Lask er , Match 1907 5
Karpov-Yusupov , Candidat es Match 1 989 8
St rat egi es 12
Botvinnik-Mod el, L eningrad 1 930 12
Bronst ein-L ern er , Od essa 1 974 16
Chapt er On e 21
Main Lin e Introduction 21
1 d 4 d 5 2 c 4 e6 3 Nc3 N f6 4 Bg5 B e7 5 e3 0-0 6 N f3 h6
7 Bh4
Illustrativ e Gam es
( 1 ) Euw e-Spi elmann, Karlsbad 1 929 24
(2) Sliwa-Bondar evsky , Hastings 1 960-1 27
(3) Kan-L ev en fish, Moscow 1 936 29
Cha pt er Two 33
Th e Bid for R efutation , 9 Nx e4
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 N f6 4 Bg5 B e7 5 e3 0-0 6 Nf3 h6
7 Bh4 N e4 8 Bx e7 Qx e7 9 Nx e4
Chapt er Thr ee 36
Th e Old Main Lin e, 9 Qc2
7 Bh4 N e4 8 Bx e7 Qx e7 9 Qc2
Illustrativ e Gam es
(4) Rad ulovic-Ciric , B elgrad e 1 976 39
(5) L ev en fish-Lasker, Moscow 1935 42
(6) Akopian-Yus upov, Vladivostok 1 990 45
(7) Paskhis-Yus upov, Bad en Bad en 1 992 48
(8) Kharitonov-Korn eev, U .S.S .R. 1 99 1 52
Chapt er Fo ur 56
Rariti es - 9 Qb3 and 9 Bd3 56
7 Bh4 N e4 8 Bx e7 Qx e7
4 TABLE OF CONTENTS
(a) 9 Qb3 56
(b) 9 Bd3 58
Ill ustrativ e Gam es
(9) H. St ein er-L evin, U .S . Ch . 1 946 59
(10) Mo ell er-G uimard, Stockholm 1937 62
Chapt er Fiv e 66
The Simpli fying 9 cxd5
7 Bh4 N e4 8 Bx e7 Qx e7 9 cxd5 Nxc3 10 bxc3 exd5
11 Qb3 Rd8
(a) 12 B e2 67
(b) 1 2 Bd3 68
(c) 12 c4 69
( 1 1 ) Ftacnik-In kiov, Banja Luka 1 983 71
( 1 2) Vinri esa-Christia, Rosario 1939 75
Cha pt er Six 78
The Modern 9 Rcl
7 Bh4 N e4 8 Bx e7 Qx e7 9 Rcl
(13) Shau felb erg er-Ciric, Montr eux 1 977 81
( 14) Psakhis-Kholmov, Tallin 1983 84
Chapt er S ev en 88
Wh en Whit e Avoids Lask er ( 7 Bx f6)
7 Bx f6 Bx f6
(a) 8 Qc2 89
(b) 8 Qb3 91
(c) 8 Qd2 94
oos•1 %
( 1 5) van W ely-Piket, L eeuward en 1992 98
(16) P. Nikolic-Vaganyan, L uc ern e 1989 101
5
INTRODUCTION
A good part of answering 1 d4 with 1 d5 is that you know exactly

•••
what will happen next. You know your opponent is almost certain to lead
the game into a Queen's Gambit.
That's also the bad part.
The Queen's Gambit, whether accepted or declined, is one of the war

horses of the openings. Others, even the Ruy Lopez as the favored form of 1
e4 e5, may fade in and out of fashion. But the Queen's Gambit remains an
institution. The main reason there are fewer Q.G. D's today than in the
1 93 0's is that today more defenders are reluctant to defend, and can avoid
the issue entirely by playing 1 Nf6.
.•.
To ease the burden of declining the gambit, some of the greatest

masters of the past have contributed their ideas. Siegbert Tarrasch
recommended attacking the center with c7-c5. Jose Capablanca
.••
recommended (after 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bg5 Bel) an eventual

exchange of minor pieces with dxc4 and Nd5.
••• •.•
And Emanuel Lasker had another thought. Like Capablanca, he

wanted to exchange two pairs of minor pieces to ease Black's constriction.
But the German's manner was different: he wanted Black to play Ne4!?.
.•.
After introducing the idea in the 1890's, Lasker adopted it irregularly

over the years but with generally good results. It was a memorable success
in the 1 907 Lasker-Marshall match, the last world championship match
held entirely on American soil. Lasker scored 2 1 /2 - 1 /2 with Black, as he
easily repulsed the American's questionable middlegame attacks.
Marshall-Lask er, Match 1 907

1 d4 d5
2 c4 e6
3 Nc3 N f6
4 Bg5 B e7
5 e3 N e4
Virtually assuring that one pair of bishops and one pair of knights
will be exchanged. This was the accelerated version of the Lasker, which is
not quite as accurate as the delayed forms (5... 0-0 6 Nj3 h6 7 Bh4 Ne4).
6 Bx e7 Qx e7
6 LASKER' S DEFE NSE TO THE QUEE N' S GAMBIT
7 cxd5 Nxc3
8 bxc3 exd5
Black's game is freer than in other Q.G.D. positions, he has solved

the chronic problem of what to do with his c8-bishop and he has a
qucenside majority. But his d5-pawn is fixed and may become a target.
Moreover White, with c3-c4, has the most natural means of opening the
position for his rooks.
9 Qb3 c6
10 c4 0-0
1 1 Nf3 Qc7 ! ?
Switching the queen to the open lines o f the queenside.
12 Rcl ? Qa5ch
1 3 Rc3 Nd7
White needs to exercise some caution because he is so far behind in
development. With 1 4 cxd5 cxd5 15 Bb5 and 1 6 0-0 he would stand
comfortably.
14 Nd2? c5!
15 cxd5 cxd4
16 exd4 R eSch
White is getting into a mess. After 1 6 Be2 Nf6 Black regains the
pawn with advantage.
1 7 Re3 Rxe3ch
18 fxe3 N f6
19 B el?! Ne4 !
20 Qd3 Bf5
INTRODUCTION 7
A winning move: White cannot escape the pin without losing at least
the Exchange.
21 0-0 Ng3 !
2 2 Rxf5 Nxf5
23 e4 Ne7
24 a3 ReS
25 d6 Ng6
White has compensation but too many weaknesses, almost all of

them on the dark squares.
26 Ne4 Qg5
27 B fl b5
2S Na5 N f4
29 Qg3 Qf6
30 Qe3
White would like to play 30 e5 but 30 . Ne2ch 3 1 Bxe2 Rc l ch mates.
. .
30 ... Qxd6
31 Bxb5 Qb6
32 Be4 Ne6
33 Bxe6 fxe6
34 Nb3 e5 !
Decisive (35 dxe5?? Qxe3ch).
35 Kf2 RbS
36 Ne5 exd4
37 Qxd4 ReS
White resigns
8 LASKER 'S DEFENSE TO THE QUEEN 'S GAMBIT
The status of the Lasker Defense declined over the next several
decades - - for no particular reason other than it fell out of fashion. Other,
sharper systems such as the various offshoots of the Slav, Tartakower and
Tarrasch Defenses supplanted the Lasker in the games of the top
grandmasters.
As a result, the Lasker unfairly took on the reputation of other

openings that had once been played at the highest levels but had fallen
under suspicion, such as the Danish or Albin Gambits. But when it was
revived in a semifinal candidates' match in 1 989 by Artur Yusopov,
annotators were stumped for an explanation of why the Lasker had
remained so long on hiatus.
In two of the games, Yusupov even held the advantage in the early
middle game. Here's one:
Karpov-Yusupov, Candidates Match 1 989

1 d4 Nf6
2 c4 e6
3 NO d5
An indirect method of reaching the Q.G.D. in which Black
"threatens" to play the Nimzo-Indian (3 Nc3 Bb4!).
4 Nc3 Be7
5 Bg5 0-0
6 e3 h6
INTRODUCTION 9
As we'll see, this gives Black the extra luft-move (. . . h7-h6) compared
with the original, "Old Lasker Defense".
7 Bh4 Ne4
8 Bxe7 Qxe7
9 cxd5
Continuing a liquidation of pieces (9 . exd5? 10 Nxd5).
. .
9 ... Nxc3
10 bxc3 exd5
1 1 Qb3 Rd8
12 c4
With this White opens a second file and hopes to pressure the pawns
at b7 and c 7 before Black can gain counter chances on the other wing.
12 ... dxc4
13 Bxc4 Nc6
14 Qc3 Bg4
15 0-0 Bx f3
As we'll see in Chapter Five, the doubling of these pawns could not
easily be avoided.
16 gxf3 Qf6
1 7 Be2
The position takes on the character of another Q.G.D. line, the
Tchigorin Defense. If White succeeds in getting his kingside in order (/3-/4
and Bj3) and posts his rooks at b1 and c J , he may hold a significant
initiative.
1 7 ... Rac8!
1 8 Rab1 b6
10 LASK ER'S DEFENSE T O TH EQU EEN'S GAMBIT
19 R fcl Ne 7
20 Kh1 Rd5 !
Now the threat of 2 l . . .Rh5 and 22 . . . Qh4 is serious and 2 1 f4 would

be strongly met by 2 l . . .c5, e.g. 22 dxc5 Rdxc5 23 Qe l Qc6ch.
21 Qc2 Qh4
22 f4!
The only way to reduce the attack. After 22 Bfl Rh5 23 h3 c5 Black
takes the initiative on the queenside as well.
22 ... Qxf2
23 Bg4 ! Qxc2
24 Rxc2 f5
25 Bf3 Rd7
26 Rbcl
White must regain a pawn now but Black's superior rook gave him
excellent chances in the endgame.
26 ... Nd5
27 Bxd5ch Rxd5
28 Rxc7 Rxc 7
29 Rxc 7 Ra5
30 d5!
Passive defense (30 Rc2 Ra3! and .. Kj7 e6 d5 etc.) would likely
. - -
have been fatal .

30 ... Kf8
31 d6 Ke8
32 Rxg 7 Rxa2
INTROD UCTION 11
33 Kgl aS
34 Re7ch?
This should have lost. The rook belongs at b7 to slow the b-pawn.
White mistakenly thinks the king is poorly placed on d8 because he can
create a passed f-pawn.
34 ... Kd8
35 e4 fxe4
36 Rb7 e3!
37 Kfl a4
38 Rxb6
Now with 38 ... Rxh2 (and 39...Rxj2ch, 40. .. Rxf4) Black should win.
38 ... a3?
39 Ra6 Rf2ch
40 Kel a2
41 f5 Kd7
42 f6 !
The f-pawn proves just enough of a distraction for White to draw
(42... Rxh2 43 j7).
42 ... Ke6
43 Ra8! Kxd6
44 f7 Rx f7
45 Rxa2 Kc5
46 Ra6 Draw
12 LASKER'S DEFENSE T O THE QUEEN' S GAMBIT
STRATEGIES
The Lasker Defense can be played in a variety of methods, depending

on how Black treats the pawn structure in response to White's ninth move.
He can, for example, reinforce his knight on e4 as in a Stonewall Dutch, as
in this defeat of a future World Champion.
Bo tvinnik-Model, Leningrad 1930

1 d4 Nf6
2 c4 e6
3 Nc3 d5
4 Bg5 Be7
5 e3 0-0
6 Nf3 Ne4
The . . . h6 finesse was not widely accepted as an improvement until

the 1 950's.
7 Bxe7 Qxe7
8 Qc2 c6
9 Bd3 f5 ! ?
10 0-0 Nd7
Played in true Stonewall {F,ashion. The knight heads for f6.
In Stahlberg-Aitken, Stockholm 1 937 White forced a loosening of the

center after 11 Rae I b6 1 2 Nd2 Bb7 13 f3 Nxd2 14 Qxd2 .
INTRODUCTION 13
But Black obtained excellent queenside chances following 1 4 . . . dxc4

1 5 Bxc4 Rad8 16 Qc2 Kh8 17 Qa4 a6 1 8 f4? Rf6! 19 Qb3 c5 20 a4 Rh6.
1 1 Nd2 Ndf6
1 2 Bxe4
White now decides on a double-edged policy: exchanging off his
bishop - - usually a good policy when Black is stuck with a bad light
squared bishop - - and then opening the center.
12 ... fxe4
13 f3 exfJ
14 RxfJ Bd7
15 Ra ft DeS !
The time-honored method of activating the bishop o n the kingsidc,

where its only good diagonals lie.
1 6 cxd5 exd5
1 7 e4 Qb4 !
1 8 Qa4
Seeing that 1 8 Nb3 Bg6 puts him in a bad pin, White offers the b-
pawn.
18 ... Qxb2
19 Nb3 aS !
20 R1f2
(See diagram next page)
14 LASKER'S DEFENSE TO T H E QUEEN' S GAMBIT
Just when it appears Black's queen is trapped . . . Black traps White's

in reply.
20 ... b5!
21 Rxb2 bxa4
22 Nc5 dxe4
23 N3xe4 Nxe4
24 Rxf8ch Kxf8
25 Nxe4
Black has an extra pawn, but it is that ugly, doubled one on a4. How
Black enlarges his chances is instructive. First he finds a target for his rook.
25 .•. B ti
26 Nc3 Rd8
27 Rd2 a3
28 Kf2 Rb8
Second, he increases the power of his bishop by trading rooks.
29 Ke3 Rb2
30 Ke2 Bh5ch
31 Kd3 Bg6ch
32 Ke2 Bc2
33 Ke3 Bf5
INTRODUCTION 15
34 d5 c5 !
There is a good chance the d5-pawn, on a light square, will fall.
35 g3 Rxd2
36 Kxd2 Ke7
37 NbS Be4
38 Nc3 Bg6
39 Ke3 Kd6
40 Kf4 Bd3
41 Ke3 Bc4
42 Ke4 Bfl !
This wins the pawn. White makes one last attempt to penetrate with
his king and harass the enemy with his knight.
43 g 4 Bg2ch
44 Kf5 Bxd5
45 Nb5ch Kc6
46 Nc3 Kd6
47 Nb5ch Kc6
48 Nc3 Bf3
49 Kf4 Bg2
50 Ke5 g5 !
16 LASKER'S DEFENSE TO THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT
This fixes the g4-pawn on a light square. To go after the g5-pawn or

the h7-pawn will allow Black's c-pawn to advance.
51 Kf5 c4
52 K.xg5 Kc5
53 Kf4 Kd4
54 Nb5ch KdJ
The pawn cannot be halted before cJ now.
55 h4 c3
56 NxaJ a4
57 h5 Bd5
5 8 Ke5 BfJ
59 Kf4 Bdl !
White resigns
There are obvious drawbacks to the Stonewall plan, particularly since

Black is exchanging off his good bishop and retaining his bad bishop in the
process. The modern treatment of a Lasker Defense rniddlegame usually
involves an exchange of pieces on c3, the liquidation of the d5-pawn when
given the opportunity, and the advance of the c-pawn. Sometimes the c
pawn's advance is delayed, as in the following game:
Bronstein-Lerner, Odessa 1974

1 d4 Nf6
2 c4 e6
3 NcJ d5
INTRODUCTION 17
4 Bg5 Be7
5 e3 0-0
6 NO h6
7 Bh4 Ne4
8 Bxe7 Qxe7
9 Qc2 c6
As we'll see in Chapter Three, this last safety precaution i s not
necessary. Now 10 Nxe4 dxe4 1 1 Qxe4 allows Black to regain the pawn
with 1 1 . . . Qb4ch.
10 Bd3 Nxc3
1 1 Qxc3 dxc4!
1 2 Bxc4 Nd7
Black will free his queenside now with . . . c6-c5, in connection with
the fianchetto of the c8-bishop at b7.
13 Be2 c5
14 0-0 b6
15 Racl Bb7
16 dxc5 Rfc8 ! ?
A n important finesse that occurs i n several positions we'll consider
later. It is essential in the Lasker Defense for Black's rooks to play an active
role. After 16 . Nxc5 17 b4 it is White's rooks who take over.
. .
1 7 b4 bxc5
18 b5
18 LASKER 'S DEFENSE T O THE QUEEN 'S GAMBIT
Another standard positional idea: White isolates the c-pawn and

creates the prospect of a passed b-pawn of his own.
18 ... Nb6
19 Rfd1 c4 !
A risky but common plan. Black puts the pawn on a square where it
may easily be captured. But time was on White's side, and if allowed to play
Nd2/Bf3 he would gradually build up serious pressure on c5.
20 Nd4 Qg5
21 Bfl Rc7
22 Qc2 Rac8
23 a4
It appears White is making steady progress and will continue it with
24 Qa2 followed by 25 a5 and 26 Rxc4. But now Black makes his c-pawn
into a strength rather than a liability.
23 ... Nd5!
24 Qb2 cJ
25 Qb3 Nf6
26 b6 Bd5!
Well timed. Now White finds it impossible to save both his queenside
pawns. (On the next move 27 .. Rc4 28 Bxc4?? allows mate on g2).
.
27 Qb4 Rc4
28 b7! Rb8
29 Qd6 Rxb7
30 Qd8ch Kh7
31 Bd3ch g6
32 Bfl Rb2
INTRODUCTION 19
33 Qe7 Kg7
Everything i s protected and Black i s ready to finish u p o n the

kingside (34 Rxj2 35 Kxj2 Ng4ch).
. . .
34 Nxe6ch Bxe6
35 Bxc4 Rxfl !
36 Bfl Qxe3
With more than enough compensation for the Exchange. White only
lasts a few moves more.
37 Kh l Ne4
38 Bd3 Rxg2 !
Now 39 Kxg2 Bh3ch will mate.
39 Qh4 Rg4
White re sign s
We'll organize our investigation of Emanuel Lasker's invention in

this manner:
Chapter One: Main Line Introduction
Chapter Two: The Bid for Refutation, 9 Nxe4
Chapter Three: The Old Main Line, 9 Qc2
Chapter Four: Rarities - - 9 Qb3 and 9 Bd3

20 LASKER'S DEFENSE TO THE QUEEN 'S GAMBIT
Chapter Five: The Simplifying 9 cxd5
Chapter Six: The Modern 9 Rei
Chapter Seven: White avoids Lasker (7 Bxf6)

21
CHAPTER ONE
Main Line Introduction
1 d4 d5
2 c4 e6
S o far, these are the time-honored standard moves of the Queen's
Gambit Declined.
3 Nc3
And so is this. But with the strengthening of Black's play in the
Nimzo-Indian, the sequence l d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 began to appear more
and more in the 1 980's. Black often transposed then into a Q.G.D. with
3 . . . d5, reaching the same position we would have here after 3 Nf3 .
Black can "Laskerize" the position after 3 Nf3 in the normal main
line below. But there is also this offshoot when White brings his QN out
late : 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Bg5 Be? 5 e3 Ne4 ! and then 6 Bxe7 Qxe7 7 Nc3 Nxc3
and 8 . . . c5. See also Illustrative Game I.
3 ••• Nf6
Black may also use the finesse move 3 . . . Be7 after which 4 Nf3 is
White's best and then 4 . . . Nf6 5 Bg5 0-0 6 e3 will transpose into our main
line. The only fly in this ointment is that White may vary with 5 Bf4 ! ?.
4 Bg5
With 4 Nf3 Be? 5 Bg5 we are headed directly back into our main
line. There are some slight differences which we will note.
4 ••. Be7
White can transpose into the Exchange Variation at early points in

this move order (e. g. 3 cxd5 exd5) -- but not in later ones.
For example, after 5 Nfl h6 6 Bh4 0-0 if White plays 7 cxd5 Black
can simplify nicely by avoiding 7 . . . exd5 in favor of 7 . . . Nxd5 ! 8 Bxe7 Qxe7.
See Illustrative Game 2 .
5 e3
Here 5 Nfl and 6 Rc 1 or 6 Qc2 are sometimes tried, delaying
decisions about the f1 -bishop a bit.
After 5 Nfl 0-0 6 Qc2 Black is in a better position to play 6 . . . c5 if he

wishes. But 6 . . . Ne4 is also perfectly acceptable, e.g. 7 Bxe7 Qxe7 8 Nxe4
dxe4 9 Qxe4 Qb4ch 10 Nd2 Qxb2 with a slight plus for White.
In a more positional vein, White has tried 8 e3 Nxc3 9 bxc3 with

reasonable chances (9. . . Nd7 10 Bd3 h6 11 0-0 c5 12 a4! and if 1 2. . b6 then
.
13 cxd5 exd5 14 a5 as in Lputian-Polovodin, U.S. S.R. 1 980).
5 ... 0-0
Another common move order is 5 . . . h6 6 Bh4 and then 6 . . . 0-0, which
will transpose into the game after 7 Nfl. And on 6 Bf4 Black will also shoot
for . c7-c5 as mentioned below (6... 0-0 7 Nj3 c5 8 cxd5 cxd4! 9 Qxd4 exd5
. .
10 Bxb8 Rxb8 11 Qxa7 Be6 12 Be2 Ne4 as in Tomovic-Vidmar, Ljubljana

1 945-46).
6 Nf3
Now 6 . . . h6 leads into the modern Lasker Defense (or, if Black
wishes, to the Tartakower Defense after 7 Bh4 b6).
CHAPTER ONE 23
The immediate 6 . . . Ne4 is a rare visitor these days, and theory regards
it as inferior to 6 . . . h6. However, this is not entirely certain -- especially in
recent years, as the so-called "Anti-Tartakower Variation", 6 . .. h6 7 Bxf6
has grown in fashion. To avoid that possibility some masters have revived
6 . . Ne4 and managed to equalize without much opposition.
For a modem illustration of the "Old Lasker" there is Chemin-C.

Hansen, Wijk aan Zee 1 99 1 , which went 6 . . . Ne4 7 Bxe7 Qxe7 8 Rc l Nxc3
9 Rxc3 c6 10 Qb l !? Nd7 1 1 Bd3 h6 after which White had gained a tempo
over lines in which Black gets in . . . h7-h6 for "free" .
However, White continued 1 2 cxd5 exd5 1 3 b 4 - - a standard

middlegame plan -- and yet after 1 3 . . . a5 14 b5 c5 ! ? 1 5 dxc5 Nxc5 1 6 0-0
Bg4 ! 17 Nd4 Ne6 he had only equalized.
6 ... h6
One odd version of 6 . . . Ne4 is 7 h4 ! ?, tempting Black into opening
part of the h-file for White's minor pieces and hi-rook. After 6 . . . c5 7 cxd5
Nxc3 8 bxc3 cxd4 White tried 9 dxe6 ! ? f6 10 Nxd4 fxg5 1 1 hxg5 and
obtained excellent chances in I. Ivanov-Pajak, Toronto 1 984.
One the other hand: in the tournament book for Moscow 1 936 Fyodor
Bohatyrchuk recommended meeting 6 .. . h6 with "7 h4 ! " without further
comment. Black need not capture on g5 but can simply respond 7 . . . Ne4,
after which the move 7 h4 looks a bit silly.
7 Bh4
24 LASKER'S DEFENSE TO THE QUEEN' S GAMBIT
With 7 Bxf6 we get into Chapter Seven. This has become

increasingly popular in the last ten years for reasons that have nothing to do
with the Lasker Defense and everything to do with the Tartakower (7 Bh4
b6) Defense. As a result, 7 Bxf6 is known as the Anti-Tartakower.
One move that has virtually disappeared is 7 Bf4 . Yet at the great
Moscow 1 936 tournament White was faced with 6 ... h6 on four occasions -
and three times he retreated the bishop to f4.
The bishop is not badly placed at f4 but Black is able to simplify in

the center more easily with .. c7-c5. For example, 7 Bf4 c5 8 Bd3 cxd4 9
.
exd4 dxc4 ! 1 0 Bxc4 a6 and l l . ..b5. And 8 cxd5 cxd4 ! 9 Nxd4 Nxd5
actually favors Black.
Better for White i s to meet . . c7-c5 with dxc5. See Illustrative Game
.
3.
ILLUSTRATIVE GAMES
( 1 ) Euwe-Spielmann, Karlsbad 1 929

1 d4 e6
2 c4 Nf6
3 NO d5
4 Bg5
With this order White retains the possibility of developing his b J -
knight o n d2, rather then d.
4 ... Be7
5 e3 Ne4
6 Bxe7 Qxe7
CHAPTER ONE 25
7 Nc3 0-0
Simpler is 7 . . Nxc3 and 8 . . c5 .
. .
8 cxd5 Nxc3
9 bxc3 exd5
1 0 Qb3 Rd8
We have transposed into Chapter Five (with the difference that . . h7-
.
h6 has been omitted).

11 c4 Nc6?!
1 2 cxd5 ! Qb4ch
Or 12 . . .Na5 13 Qc3 and White gets the upper hand (1 3...Rxd5 14
Bd3 b6 15 0-0 Rh5? 1 6 Racl as in Eliskases-Spielmann, match 1 932).
13 Nd2 ! Qxb3
14 Nxb3 Nb4
1 5 Kd2
Better is 15 Rc l Nxd5 16 e4 and Bc4. The king on d2 allows Black's
equalizing 1 7th move.
15 ... Nxd5
16 g3 b6
1 7 Bg2 c5!
Of course, 1 8 dxc5 allows some powerful discovered checks
(18 Nf4ch).
. . .
18 Rhcl cxd4
19 Nxd4 Bb7
20 a4 ! Rab8
21 a5
White seems to be making progress but he has overlooked the point

of Black's last move.
21 ... Nxe3!
22 Kxe3
Not 22 Bxb7 Nf5 and Black regains the piece favorably.
22 ... Bxg2
23 f3 Rd7
24 Rd l Rbd8
Afterwards 24 . . . h5 was recommended as a better winning chance.
White's best bid to complicate matters now lies in liquidating the queenside
pawns and trying to trap the bishop.
25 axb6 axb6
26 Ra4 ! h5
To avoid 27 Rg l Bh3 28 g4 and 29 Rg3 .

CHAPTER ONE 27
27 Rg1 Bh3
2S g4 ReSch
29 Kf4!
The king must remain active.
29 ... RedS
30 Ke3 ! ReSch
3 1 Kf4 RedS
32 Ke3
And not 32 Nc6 Re8 33 Kg3 hxg4 34 fxg4 Rd3 and Black wins.
32 ... ReSch
34 Kf4 Draw
(2) Sliwa-Bondarevsky, Hastings 1960- 61

1 d4 dS
2 c4 e6
3 Nc3 Be7
This finesse was fairly new at the time -- at least new with the intent
of transposing into normal Q.G.D. variations. The British Chess Magazine
said White should now exploit Black's move order with 4 e4 dxe4 5 Nxe4
Nf6 6 Nc3 0-0 7 Nf3 b6 8 Bd3 "with a fine attacking position" .
However, Black should do better with . . c7-c5 at move six or seven.

.
4 Nf3 Nf6
5 BgS h6
6 Bh4 0-0
28 LASKER 'S DEFENSE TO THE QUEEN' S GAMBIT
7 cxd5 Nxd5!
In such positions, where Black plays . . Nd5, White often does better
.
with Bg3, rather than Bxel. Here, however, is one in which 8 Bg3 Nxc3 9
bxc3 c5 is quite comfortable for Black (10 e3 cxd4! 11 cxd4 Bb4ch 12 Nd2
Qa5).
8 Bxe7 Qxe7
9 Qb3 Nxc3
10 Qxc3 b6
1 1 Ret
-�&·
.... . �
If Black is forced into l l . . .c6 he is slipping into a slight inferiority.

1 1 ... Ba6!
A splendid pawn offer, which takes advantage o f the unique features
of the position. Now 12 Qxc7 Nd7 1 3 Ne5? Rfc8 ! or 1 3 Qc3 Rac8 14 Qd2
Rxc l ch 1 5 Qxc l Rc8 16 Qd2 Nf6 and 17 . . . Ne4 offers excellent
compensation.
12 g3 Nd7
13 Bg2 Rac8
14 Nd2? c5
White is in major trouble on the c-file and loses through a blunder.
15 Qa3 cxd4 !
1 6 Rxc8 Rxc8
17 b4?
Of course, 17 Qxe7? Re i is mate. Black wins after 17 Nb3 Qxa3 1 8
bxa3 Rc2 but it at least takes a while.
CHAPTE R ONE 29
17 ... Qxb4!
White resigns
(3) Kan-Leven fish, Moscow 1936

1 d4 e6
2 NfJ Nf6
3 c4 d5
4 Bg5 Be7
5 Nc3 h6
6 Bf4 ! ?
Taking aim at c7 with Nb5 in mind. Now continuations such as

t. a6? ! 7 e3 0-0 or 6 . . 0-0 7 e3 Nbd7? ! both allow a nice 8 c5 ! , establishing
. . . .
a quccnside bind.
30 LASKER' S DEFENSE TO THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT
6 ... 0-0
7 e3 cS!
8 dxcS BxcS
9 cxdS
White isolates the enemy d-pawn at the first opportunity.
9 ... NxdS!
10 Nxd5 exdS
1 1 a3
Thanks to Black's accurate ninth move, White has to take some
precaution against . . . Bb4ch . Modern masters would prefer 1 1 Bd3 Bb4ch 1 2
Ke2 ! (not 1 2 Nd2 d4 1 3 e4 Qf6).
1 1 ... Nc6
12 Ret Bb6
13 Bb5?!
White didn't like 13 Be2 d4, but this move is simply bad. Now with
1 3 . . . Qf6 Black gets a strong initiative. But he prefers to win a pawn.
13 ... Bxe3 ! ?
14 Bxe3 QaSch
15 b4 QxbS
16 ReS Qa6
Black has his pawn but there are bishops of opposite color. White
now correctly goes into a drawable endgame (as opposed to a loseable
middlegame after 17 Qb3 d4! 18 b5 Qb6!).
1 7 b5 QaSch
18 Qd2 ! Qxd2ch
CHAPTER ONE 31
19 Bxd2 ReSch
20 Kd1 Ne5
21 Nxe5! Rxe5
22 Re1
Trading a passive rook for a n active one, White secures c 7 for his
other rook.
22 •.. Rxe1 ch
23 Bxe1 b6
24 Rc7!
Of course, this is better than 24 Rxd5 Bb7 .
24 ... a6
25 a4 axb5
26 axb5
Both sides end up with a queenside pawn on a square of the other

guy's bishop -- almost ensuring White of a draw.
26 •.. d4!
27 Rc6 Ra1 ch
28 Rcl Rxcl ch
29 Kxcl
There is no defense to 30 f4 and 3 1 Bfl, picking up at least one
enemy pawn.
29 ••• Bd7
30 f4 Bxb5
31 Bf2 Bfl
32 Bxd4 b5
32 LAS KER 'S DEFENSE TO THE QUEEN 'S GAMBIT
Levenfish noted that Black's winning chances exist only if he can

create a passed kingside pawn. ..
33 g3 Bh3
34 Kd2 g5?
Which means he should have tried 34 . f6, bring his king to g4 and
. .
try to make a passed f-pawn with . . h6-h5-h4.

.
35 fxg5 hxg5
36 Bf6! g4
37 Kc3 Kh7
38 Kb4 Bfl
39 Be5 Kg6
40 Bf4 Draw
Levenfish noted that Black can win the h-pawn with his king, but
cannot advance his own pawns.
33
CHAPTER TWO
The Bid for Refutation, 9 Nxe4
There are five reasonable responses to Lasker's 7 .. Ne4 8 Bxe7 Qxe7.

The least common of the lot is the immediate exchange of the outpost
knight. Let's see why 9 Nxe4 has dropped out of fashion.
1 d4 d5
2 c4 e6
3 Nc3 Nf6
4 Bg5 Be7
5 e3 0 -0
6 Nf3
It is the presence of this knight on j3 that makes ...Ne4 stronger.
After an exchange on e4, thej3-knight will be under attack.
6 ... h6
7 Bh4 Ne4
8 Bxe7 Qxe7
9 Nxe4
Almost nobody plays this way nowadays, but Black should be aware
of how to handle such a forcing try. After all, Black does end up with
doubled pawns and a bad bishop. . .
9. .. dxe4
10 Nd2
34 LASKER' S DEFENSE TO THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT
. . . and because the e4-pawn comes under direct attack, Black must put
another pawn on a light square, making his bishop worse.
10 ... f5
With IO . e5 Black sets a trap (1 1 Nxe4? dxe4 12 Qxd4 Rd8! and
. .
Black wins a piece). However, the right answer to IO . . . e5 is I I d5, which

gives White a slight positional plus. Black can time the advance of the e
pawn better when he has . . c7-c6 in.
.
11 Rcl
White has three reasonable alternatives:
(a) the immediate II c5, clearing c4 for a minor piece, is probably

best met by 1 l . . .e5 as in our main line, e.g. 1 2 Qb3ch Kh8 1 3 Nc4 exd4 1 4
exd4 Nc6 and the d-pawn becomes a target. Chances were roughly even in
Spassky-Lutikov, U. S. S.R. Championship 1 96 3 .
(b) After 1 1 Qc2 Black has played 1 l . . .Nd7, but 1 1 . . . c5, again
putting d4 under fire, seems better, e.g. 1 1 . . .c5 12 0-0-0 Bd7 1 3 f3 Nc6 1 4
Qc3 b 5 1 5 fxe4 f4 ! 1 6 cxb5 fxe3 (Matzukevich-A. Zaitsev, U . S . S . R. 1 963).
(c) Similarly 1 1 Be2 Nd7 1 2 0-0 c5 should be active enough for

Black to equalize chances. After 1 3 Qc2 Qg5 1 4 f4 Qe7 1 5 Nb3 b6 Black is
doing OK.
1 1 ... Nd7
Again, 1 1 . . . c5 is an alternative worth considering.
12 Qc2
This was played in our stem game, but 1 2 c5 c6 1 3 Nc4 makes more
sense. Then 1 3 . . . e5 should equalize.
CHAPTER TWO 35
12 ... c6
This takes the sting out of d4-d5 as a response to . e6-e5.
. .
13 c5 e5!
With this Black should equalize without difficulty. The stem game is
Bogolyubov-Eliskases, match 1 93 3 , which went 14 Bc4ch Kh8 1 5 0-0 Nf6
16 Rfe 1 Rd8 1 7 Qc3 exd4 1 8 exd4 Be6. Black's only liability -- the e6-
bishop -- will either be exchanged off or get the a2-g8 diagonal to itself.
36
CHAPTER THREE
The Old Main Line, 9 Qc2
In the relatively early days of the Lasker Defense, the move 9 Qc2
received the endorsement of theoreticians and soon became the line
recommended in opening manuals. But in the last 30 years Black has been
able to equalize by avoiding the stolid continuations involving c7-c6.
. . .
1 d4 d5
2 c4 e6
3 Nc3 Nf6
4 Bg5 Be7
5 e3 0-0
6 Nf3 h6
7 Bh4 Ne4
8 Bxe7 Qxe7
9 Qc2
This move, attributed to Akiba Rubinstein, attacks the e4-knight but,
say on 9 Rd8, the continuation IO Nxe4 dxe4 I I Qxe4 Qb4ch is not
. . .
clearly in White's favor.
9 ... Nxc3
This and Black's next move constitute a relatively new idea that has
supplanted the old 9 c6 (or 9...Nxc3 and JO . . c6) systems that often left
. . . .
Black with no means of liberating his position.

CHAPTER THREE 37
A rare idea is 9 . . . Nd7 10 Nxe4 dxe4 inviting 1 1 Qxe4 Qb4ch. After

1 1 Nd2 f5 1 2 g3 b6 we get a position similar to ones considered in the last
chapter. Black gets a poor pawn structure but reasonable piece play.
For example, 13 Bg2 Bb7 14 0-0 Rac8! 15 Rfdl c5 16 dxc5? Nxc5 17

Nb3 Nd3 and Black soon had a winning game in Pantebre-Moriarty, Skopje
1 972.
1 0 QxcJ
Now on 10 bxc3 c5 Black has no worries. The reason White put the
queen on c2 was to retake on c3 with it and then use pressure along the file.
1 0 ... dxc4 !
The old rule of thumb in the Q.G.D. was to delay this exchange until
White had spent a tempo developing his /1-bishop. But after 10 . . . dxc4!
Black can fianchetto his queen bishop and avoid the fixed pawn center that
so often plagues Black in the Queen's Gambit Declined. (Compare with
JO. . . b6 11 cxd5! exd5 12 Rc1 and Black has to play something like 1 2. .. c6).
The delayed exchange on c4, however, is not a bad alternative. After

IO . . .c6
1I Bd3 Nd7 I 2 0-0 dxc4 and 1 3 . . b6, Black has a slightly stodgier,
.
but quite reasonable position. See Illustrative Games 4 and 5.

1 1 Bxc4
There is no particular merit in I I Qxc4. Black can equalize with
l l . . .c6 followed by 12 . . . Nd7 and 13 . . . e5 or even I l...b6.
1 1 ... b6
Artur Yusupov has demonstrated the strength of this system in his
1989 candidates match with Anatoly Karpov and more recent games, such
as Illustrative Games 6 and 7.
1 2 0-0
White can make an indirect threat against the c7-pawn with I 2 Rc1,
but Black can simply ignore this and continue I2 . . . Bb7.
12 . .. Bb7
1 3 Be2
Preventing the doubling of kingside pawns. With 13 Rfd 1 White
challenges Black to give up his excellent bishop. Black can, however, play
normally with 13 . . . Nd7 14 b4 c5 . For example, 15 bxc5 bxc5 16 d5 was
played in Tal-Timoschenko, U.S. S.R. Championship 1 978, which was
quickly drawn after 16 . . . exd5 17 Bxd5 Bxd5 1 8 Rxd5 Rac8 19 Rei Qe6 20
Qd2 Nf6 21 Rc5 Qb6.
13 ... c5
Black can also prepare this advance with moves like 13 . . . Rc8 or
13 . . . Nd7 but the text is more accurate. For example:
(a) 13 . . . Nd7 14 b4 Rac8 allows Black's other rook to take up
residence on dB. After 15 0-0 c5 16 dxc5 bxc5 17 bxc5 Qxc5 Black should
have no complaints, e.g. 18 Qb2 Qb6 19 Qd2 Rxc 1 20 Rxc 1 Rc8 with
equality (Kharkhova-Khudarian, Moscow 1 990).
(b) 13 . . . Rc8 14 Rfd 1 c5 1 5 Qa3 pins Black's c-pawn but the

decentralization of the queen also allows 15 . . . Nd7 16 Rd2 a5 with equality
(17 d5 e4! 18 Ne 1 Nf6 or 17 dxc5 Nxc5 18 Rad1 Rc7 19 Qb4 Rac8 as in
van Scheltinga-Grau, Buenos Aires 1939).
See also Illustrative Game 7 for 1 4 b4 Nd7 15 Rfc 1 c5, an alternative

move order.
14 dxc5 ReS !
Trying to avoid the isolated c-pawn and threatening to gain control
of the file that White has been counting on since move nine.
15 b4
CHAPTER THRE E 39
One of the Karpov-Yusupov match games (London 1 988) went 1 5

Nd4?! Rxc5 1 6 Qa3 but after 1 6 . . . Nc6 1 7 Nxc6 Bxc6 1 8 Rfd 1 ReS Black, if
anything, was already superior (19 Bfl Bd5 20 Qd3 Qg5 /).
1 5 ... bxc5
16 b5
The liquidation on c5 of 16 bxc5 Nd7 offers Black no problems. See
Illustrative Game 6. In fact, the game Gaprindashvili-Dzhandagava, Tbilisi
1 99 1 , was drawn immediately after 16 . . . Nd7.
1 6 ... a6
This is considered equal by Yusupov. Now 1 7 a4 axb5 1 8 axb5 Nd7

and 1 9 . . . Nb6leads to equality.
1 7 Rfd1
Eliminating the b-pawn with 1 7 bxa6 Bxa6 1 8 Bxa6 Nxa6 offers
White no significant advantage either. A new try 17 Nd2 axb5 1 8 Bxb5 led
to even chances after 18 . . . Bxg2! 19 Kxg2 Qb7ch 20 Kh3 Qxb5 2 1 Rg 1 e5!
22 Rxg7ch! in Huebner-Yusupov, Munich 1 993 .
1 7 ... axb5!
Better than 1 7 . . . Nd7 as in Illustrative Game 8.
18 Bxb5 BxfJ
19 gxfJ c4
And Black should have equal chances after 20 a4 Qg5ch 2 1 KhI Qh5
22 e4 Nc6.
ILLUSTRATIVE GAMES
(4) Radulov-Ciric, Belgrade 1976
1 d4 Nf6
40 LASKER' S D EFENSE TO THE QUEEN' S GAMBIT
2 c4 e6
3 NfJ d5
4 Bg5
This move order invites complications from 4 . . . Bb4ch -- which Black
declines.
4 ... Be7
5 Nc3 0 -0
6 e3 h6
7 Bh4 Ne4
8 Bxe7
Here 8 Nxe4 would allow Black to transpose into Chapter Two with
8 . . dxe4 but there is also 8 . . . Bxh4 9 Nc3 Be7 (and not 9 Nxh4?! dxe4).
.
8 ... Qxe7
9 Qc2 Nxc3
10 Qxc3 c6
Quite wrong would be 10 . . . b6? since after 1 1 cxd5 exd5 12 Rac 1
leaves Black quite uncomfortable on the c-file. After 1 2 .. . c6 1 3 Bd3 Bb7 1 4
0-0 Nd7 1 5 Rfe 1 White gets the advantage by pushing his e-pawn.
1 1 Bd3 Nd7
12 0-0 dxc4
13 Bxc4
We are almost in our main line above because Black's extra move
( ... c7-c6) has been offset by White's loss of a tempo with his bishop. The
real difference in the position is that the c6-pawn will block Black's own
bishop.
13 ... b6
CHAPTER THREE 41
14 Rad1
Grandmaster Ulf Andersson, who plays the Lasker Defense as well as
anyone, usually puts his rooks on the c- and d-files. For example, 1 4 Rac l
Bb7 1 5 Rfd 1 c5 1 6 Be2 Rac8 1 7 Qa3 a5 1 8 Nd2 Qf6 1 9 Bf3 with a slight
pull for White in Andersson-Pfleger, Munich 1 979.
Similarly, 17 . . . a6 18 dxc5 Rxc5 19 Qb4 Qc7 20 Qd4 Bd5 with

equality in Gaprindashvili-Fatalibekova, Erevan 1 985.
Also, 1 4 Rfd 1 Bb7 15 b4 has been tried and now 15 . . . Nf6?! 1 6 Ne5 !
Rfc8 1 7 a3 a5 1 8 Qb2 gives White a slight edge (Agzamov-Mikhalchishin,
Alma Ata 1 977).
1 4 ... Bb7
15 e4 c5
Take away Radl and . Nd7 and we have a position known for half a
. .
century. Then 1 5 d5 exd5 16 exd5 Nd7 1 7 Rad l Qd6 is Denker-Vidmar,

Groningen 1 946, which was even after 1 8 Nh4 Ne5 1 9 Nf5 Qf6 and
20 . Rad8.
. .
16 d5 exd5
17 Bxd5
We would transpose into the last note with 1 7 exd5.
17 ... Bxd5
18 exd5 Qd6
19 Rd3 Rfe8
20 Nh4 Qe5
42 LAS KER'S DEFENSE TO THE QUEEN' S GAMBIT
With this move Black equalizes. However, White seems to believe

that he still holds the upper hand because of his passed pawn -- a belief he
maintains until it is too late.
21 Qd2 Nf6
22 d6 Rad8
23 Rd1 Ne4
24 Qe3 Qxb2
25 Nf5
White appears to have good compensation (25...Nxd6 26 Nxh6ch) but
he underestimates the power of Black's knight.
25 ... Re6
26 Qf4 Nc3!
27 Qh4 Rd7
28 Rfl Ne2ch
29 Kh1 Qf6 !
The attack is over, but White abbreviates his chances with an

oversight.
30 Qa4? Qxf5
31 RO Re4!
White resigns
(5) Leven fish-Lasker, Moscow 1 935

1 d4 d5
2 c4 e6
3 Nc3 Nf6
CHAPTER THREE 43
4 Bg5 Be7
5 e3 0 -0
6 NtJ h6!
One of the first masters to recognize the superiority of this over
6 . . . Ne4 was Lasker himself.
7 Bh4 Ne4
8 Bxe7 Qxe7
9 Qc2
At the time this was played, 9 cxd5 was considered best while 9 Qc2
offered Black equality. Earlier in the tournament Lasker met the queen
move with 9 . . Nf6 ! ? 10 Bd3 dxc4 1 1 Bxc4 c5 with a fine game.
.
9 ... Nxc3
10 Qxc3 c6
1 1 Bd3 Nd7
12 0 -0 Rd8
Black was criticized for delaying the exchange on c4 (12. . . dxc4 13
llxc4 b6), which would now allow White to gain a bit of an edge with 14 e4.
13 Racl Nf8
14 Ne5 Bd7
15 f4 f6
16 NtJ dxc4 !
Now this capture was essential, since 16 . . . Be8 would allow 1 7 c5!
with advantage.
1 7 Bxc4 Be8
18 Rf2 B ti
44 LAS KER'S DEFENSE TO THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT
19 Bb3 Ra c8
20 Qa5 b6
21 Qa6 R c7
Black is preparing the pawn break . . c6-c5. On the immediate 2 l . ..c5
.
22 Rfc2 Rc7 White would respond 23 dxc5 bxc5 24 Nd2 ! with an edge,
according to Ilya Rabinovich.
22 Rfc2 Rd c8
23 R c3 c5
24 Qa3! g5!
Black balances the queenside pressure with his own kingside

aspirations.
25 dxc5 bxc5
26 Bc4
Afterwards 26 Nd4 ! was recommended (26...cxd4? 27 Qxe7 dxc3 28
Qa3 cxb2 29 Rfl !) although Black is doing well after 26 . . . Nd7.
26 ... Rb8!
27 b3 Nd7
28 Be2 e5
29 fxe5 Nxe5!
Now Black has no trouble equalizing.
30 Nxe5 Qxe5
31 Qa6 Kg7
32 Bf3 Rd8
33 Qe2 h5!
CHAPTER THREE 45
Threatening the advance of the g-pawn. After 34 Bxh5 Bxh5 3 5

Qxh5 Black has 3 5 . . Rh8. Now o n 34 h 3 Black goes ahead with 34 . . . Kh6 !
.
and 3 5 . . . f5/36 . . . g4.

34 Q f2 g4
35 Be2 Rd2
36 R3c2 Rcd7
As Rabinovich pointed out, Black is not afraid of 37 Rxc5? because
of 3 7 . . . Qb2.
37 Qf4! Qxf4
38 exf4 Bg6
39 Rxd2 Rxd2
40 Kfl Rxa2
41 Rxc5 Draw
After 4 l . . .Be4 42 Rxh5 Bx2gch 43 Kxg2 Rxe2ch 44 Kg3 the draw is
fairly clear.
(6) Akopian -Yusupov, Vladivostok 1 990

1 d4 Nf6
2 c4 e6
3 Nf3 d5
4 Nc3
An example of the "Threatened Nimzo-Indian" method of
transposing into the Q.G.D.
4 ... Be7
5 Bg5 h6
6 Bh4 0 -0
7 e3 Ne4
8 Bxe7 Qxe7
9 Qc2
46 LASKER'S DEFENS E TO THE QUEEN' S GAMBIT
The queen move has had a bit of a comeback in the early 1 990's,
particularly in the hands of young masters.
9 ... Nx c3
1 0 Qx c3 dx c4
1 1 Bx c4 b6
1 2 0 -0 Bb7
13 Be2 c5
14 dx c5 ReS
After 14 Qxc5? 15 Qxc5 bxc5 16 Rac l Black has no compensation
. . .
for his weak pawn.

15 b4 bxc5
16 bx c5?! Nd7
17 Rfd1 Nx c5
CHAPTER THREE 47
18 Qa3
This pinning idea is a very common one in the 9 Qc2 variation, but
here it doesn't do much. Black can unpin the knight after 18 . . Kf8 and
.
19 . . Ne4 but Black has a better idea.

.
18 ... Qf6
19 Racl Ne4
20 Rxc8ch Rxc8
21 Qxa7?
White had mistakenly counted on this and his 23rd move.
2 1 ... Qb2
22 Re1 Rcl !
23 Qa5
Everything seems to be protected, but Black has a strong Exchange

sacrifice.
23 ... Qxe2 !
24 Rxcl Qxf2ch
25 Kh1 Qxe3
And because of the threat of 26 . . . Nf2ch he is winning.
26 Qe1 Nf2ch
27 Kg1 Nh3ch
28 Kh1 Qxf3!
Of course, 29 gxf3 Bxf3 is mate. On the previous move 28 Kfl Ba6ch
would have also been disastrous.
29 Qg3 Qf4!
30 Qxf4 Nxf4
31 Rb1 Bxg2ch
32 Kg1 Bd5
33 a4
White's only chance is to win one of the minor pieces with his a
pawn and then hold the fort on the kingside.
33 .
. . f5
34 a5 Kf7
35 a6 Nh3ch
36 K fl Bc4ch
37 Kg2 Nf4ch
38 Kf3 Bxa6!
But it's a losing battle as the pawns eventually must advance.
39 Kxf4 Bc4
40 Rb4 Bd5
41 h4 Kg6
And White resigned on the 63rd move.
(7) Psakhis -Yusupov, Baden Baden 1 992

1 c4 e6
2 d4 d5
3 Nf3 Nf6
4 Nc3 Be7
5 Bg5
The alternative system of 5 Bf4 usually leads to little because of
Black's ability to strike back in the center with c7-c5.
. . .
5 ... h6
6 Bh4 0-0
7 e3 Ne4
8 Bxe7 Qxe7
CHAPTER THREE 49
9 Qc2 Nxc3
10 Qxc3 dxc4
1 1 Bxc4 b6
1 2 0-0 Bb7
1 3 Be2 ReS
14 b4
In the Informant, Psakhis said White should get an advantage after
the immediate 14 . . . c5 1 5 dxc5 bxc5 16 b5 Nd7 17 Rfd l or 1 5 bxc5 bxc5 1 6
Qa3 Kf8 (to protect the queen) 1 7 Rab l .
1 4 ... Nd7
1 5 Rfcl c5
16 dxc5 bxc5
17 b5 a6
Black cannot allow White's strong queenside pawn mass to remain
unpressured. He intends to provoke matters in this area with c5-c4.
. . .
18 a4 c4
19 bxa6
On 1 9 Bxc4 BxD 20 gxD Black has 20 axb5 2 1 axb5 Rxa 1 22 Rxa 1
. . .
Nb6 .
19 ... Rxa6
20 aS! ?
50 LA SKER' S DEFEN SE TO THE QUEEN' S GAMBIT
Better, according to White, was 20 Nd2 and only pushing the a-pawn
after it is attacked (20. . .Nb6 21 a5 Nd5 22 Qe5).
Note that 20 Bxc4? loses to 20 . . Bxf3 2 1 gxf3 Rac6.

.
20 ... ReS!
21 Nd2 Ne5?
And this is an error which gives White back the advantage. After
2 l . . . Qg5 the liquidating 22 BD BxD 23 Nxf3 Qf6 creates an even endgame.
22 f4 Ng6
23 Bx c4 Nh4
24 Qb4 !
He will meet a capture on g2 with 25 Bfl , e.g. 24 . . . Bxg2 25 Bfl Rac6
26 Rxc5 Rxc5 27 Rc l ! .
24 ... Nxg2
25 B fl Rx cl !
26 Qxe7 Rxal
27 Qxb7 R6xa5
CHAPTER THREE 51
White should be winning here, and he would b e after 28 Kxg2, e.g.

28 . . . R5a2 29 Qc8ch Kh7 30 Bd3ch g6 3 1 Bc2 .
28 Qxg2? R5a2
29 Qe2 Rb2
30 Qd3 Rdl
31 Qd7 Rdxd2
32 Qe8ch Kh7
33 Qxf7 Rb6 !
Much better than 33 . . . Rd l 34 Qxe6 Rbb l 35 Qc4 when White wins
routinely.
34 h4? Rdl !
35 Kfl Rb2ch
36 Be2 Rdd2
52 LA SKER' S DEFEN SE TO TH E QUEEN' S GAMBIT
37 Qxe6 Rxelch
38 K t3 Rf2ch
39 Ke4 Rb4ch
40 Kd3 R tb2
41 h5
White has some winning chances but only if his king can penetrate to
a key square such as g6, supported by pawns.
41 ... Rb8
42 e4 R2b3ch
43 Kc2 R3b7
44 e5 Rd8!
45 Qc6
After this the White king is locked into the queenside and Black can
get his perpetual check.
45 ... Rbb8
46 Qe4ch Kh8
47 e6 Rbc8ch
48 Kb3 Rb8ch
49 Kc4 Rbc8ch
50 Kb5 Rb8ch
Draw
Neither side can make progress as indicated by 51 Ka6 RaSch 52
Kb7 Rdb8ch 53 Kc7, etc . .
(8) Kharito no v-Kor neev, U. S. S.R. 1 991

1 d4 Nf6
2 NO
This enables White to avoid the Benko Gambit, Budapest Defense
and some related openings.
2 ... d5
3 c4 e6
4 Nc3 Be7
5 Bg5 h6
6 Bh4 0 -0
7 e3 Ne4
8 Bxe7 Qxe7
9 Qc2
CHAPTER TH REE 53
Now 9 . . Nf6 10 cxd5 would resemble an Exchange Variation Q.G.D.

.
with a slight edge to White.

9 ••• Nxc3
10 Qxc3 dxc4
1 1 Bxc4 b6
12 0-0 Bb7
13 Be2
If there is a major strengthening of White's play it probably lies in 1 3
Rfd l .
13 ... c5
14 dxc5 ReS
15 b4 bxc5
16 b5 a6
17 Rfd1 Nd7
18 a4 axb5
19 Bxb5
The passed a-pawn nicely protects White's bishop while he works
against the c5-pawn.
19 .•. Nf6
54 LA SKER' S DEFEN SE TO THE QUEEN' S GAMBIT
20 Racl Bd5 ?
Right square, wrong piece. Black gets into trouble now. With
20 . . . Nd5 ! and 2 l . . . Qf6 Black is OK.
21 Nd2 ! Bb7!
22 Nc4 Rd8
23 Qe5 Nd5
24 e4
This was criticized afterwards and 24 Nb2, with the idea of Nd3xc5
was recommended instead.
24 •.. f6
25 Qg3 Nc7
26 Nd6
A good attempt, but Black is approaching equality.
26 ... Nxb5
27 axb5 Ra4
This looks like a blunder that allows a neat refutation. With
27 . . . Rd7 ! Black is probably equal (28 Nxb7 Rxbl).
( See diagram next page)
CHAPT ER THR E E 55
28 Nf5! Rxdl ch
29 Rxd l Qd7!
On 29 . . . exf5 White picks up the rook with 30 Qb3ch. Now, however,
30 Qb3 Rb4 offers nothing special (and, of course, 30 Rxd7?? allows mate
on al).
30 Qf3? Qxb5??
Black can seize the advantage with 30 . . . Rxe4! and if 3 1 Ne3 , then
3 l . . .Rd4.
31 Nxh6ch K ffl
O r 3 l . . . gxh6 32 Qxf6 after which Black's best i s 3 2 . . . Rd4 but h e is
still lost on 3 3 Qg6ch Kf8 34 Qxh6ch Ke7 3 5 Qg5 Kf8 36 Qf6ch.
32 Qh5 Qe8?
33 Qxc5ch Qe7
34 Rd8ch Black resigns
Black missed the right moves time and again.
56
CHAPTER FOUR
Rarities -- 9 Qb3 and 9 Bd3
Besides 9 Nxe4, there are two other rare tries that you'll find played
from time to time and which we'll examine here.
1 d4 d5
2 c4
Another common way our key positions come about is by way of 2
Nf3 , a move designed to avoid certain surprises. After 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 c4 we
are headed back into our main line.
2 ••• e6
3 Nc3 Nf6
4 Bg5 Be7
5 e3 0-0
6 NfJ h6
7 Bh4 Ne4
8 Bxe7 Qxe7
The two odd men out are (a) 9 Qb3 and (b) 9 Bd3 .
(a)
9 Qb3
This makes some sense, since with his last move Black has lost some
control of d5.
CHAPTER FOUR 57
9 ... c6
Here this move also makes sense, inviting transposition to Chapter
Two positions with 10 Nxe4 dxe4 1 1 Nd2 f5.
1 0 Bd3
In an example of the Old Lasker Defense (without . . h7-h6) the quiet
.
10 Be2 and now 10 . . . Nd7 1 1 0-0 b6 was played in Garcia Gonzalez-Vera,

Havana 1 986. Black equalized quickly and a draw was agreed after 1 2 Rfc 1
Bb7 1 3 cxd5 exd5 1 4 Nxe4 dxe4 1 5 Nd2 c5 .
10 ... Nxc3
This is the modem, flexible treatment of the opening. With 10 . . f5
.
Black plays a somewhat questionable Stonewall middlegame -- questionable

because he's left himself with the wrong type of bishops. Nevertheless, there
are strengths as well as weaknesses to this system. See Illustrative Game 9 .
11 Qxc3 dxc4
12 Bxc4
Not 1 2 Qxc4 because Black has an easier time then liberating his
queenside with 1 2 . . . Nd7 and 13 . . . e5.
1 2 ... Nd7
And we have transposed exactly into a position from the last chapter,
in which the queen was on c2 before retaking on c3 (see the note to
1 0.. . dxc4).
(b)
9 Bd3
(After 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bg5 Be7 5 e3 0-0 6 Nf3 h6
7 Bh4 Ne4 8 Bxe7 Qxe7)
9 Bd3
This was popular when the Lasker Defense was very young and was
used, for example, in the Marshall-Lasker world championship match of
1 907.
9 ... Nxc3
10 bxc3 dxc4
With the immediate IO . ..c5 Black agrees to a fixed pawn structure
(1 1 cxd5 exd5). The text is more fluid.
When Lasker used this variation against Marshall it came about in

accelerated form (without .. .h7-h6 and without the moves Nj3 and . . . 0-0) .
Lasker's choice, by transposition, was I O Nd7 I I 0-0 Rd8 in one game
. . .
(and then 12 Qc2 Nj8 13 Ne5 c5).
See also Illustrative Game 1 0 .

CHAPTER FOUR 59
1 1 Bxc4 c5
This could be delayed in favor of 1 l . . .Nd7 12 0-0 b6 13 Qe2 Bb7 and
only then 14 e4 c5 15 Rfd 1 Nf6 ! and 16 . . . Rfd8.
12 0-0 Rd8
Now 13 Qe2 Nd7 14 e4 b6 could lead into the last note.
13 Ne5 Nd7
14 f4 f6
We are following Chityakov-Kopgan, Moscow Championship 1 9 3 8
(without . h6 inserted).
. .
That game first saw White's initiative disappear (15 Ng4 Nj8 16 Rb 1
b6 17 Qel Bb7 18 f5 Bd5! 19 Bxd5 exd5) then Black gain space on the
queenside (20 Qh4 ReB 21 Rf4 Rac8 22 h3 cxd4 23 cxd4 Q/7 24 Qg3 Kh8
25 Rb2 Reich) and eventually saw Black win a long endgame.
ILLUSTRATIVE GAMES
(9) H. Steiner-Levin, U.S. Championship 1 946
1 d4 Nf6
2 c4 e6
3 Nc3 d5
4 Bg5 Be7
5 e3 0-0
6 NO h6
7 Bh4 Ne4
8 Bxe7 Qxe7
9 Qb3 c6
10 Bd3 f5?!
The conversion to a Stonewall pawn formation is dubious when
Black has traded off his good bishop.
1 1 Ne5 Qg5
1 2 g3 Rd8
1 3 cxd5 cxd5
Forced because 13 . . . exd5 14 Nxe4 fxe4 allows 1 5 Bxe4 !
14 NbS Nd7
15 Rac1 Nxe5
16 dxe5 Bd7
17 Nd4
CHAPTER FOUR 61
White has a n excellent game but spoils i t with his next move,
surrendering the only open file.
17 ... Rdc8
18 Rc2? b6
1 9 0-0 Rxc2
20 Qxc2 Rc8
21 Qe2 NcS
22 BbS
After this Black appears to rid himself of his only major problem, the
bishop. However, his e-pawn becomes a liability and when he manages to
trade it off, he leaves himself with a bad d-pawn.
22 ... Qd8
23 Ret Ne4
24 Rc2 ReS
2S b4 Rc7
26 Bxd7 Qxd7
27 Rxc7 Qxc7
28 Nxe6!
The f-pawn also becomes hard to hold after Nd4 and Qc2.
28 ... QxeS
29 Nd4 Nf6
30 Qc2
Now 30 . . . g6 3 1 Qc8ch Kh7 32 Qb7ch or 3 l . . .Ne8 32 Qd7 is
unpleasant, so Black accepts a bad knight-and-pawn endgame.
30 ... Qe4
31 Qc8ch Kh7
32 Qxf5ch Qxf5
33 Nxf5 Ne4
34 Ne7 Nc3
By all rights, Black should lose. Had White rushed his king to the
queenside, he would have.
3S aJ g6
36 Kg2 Kg7
37 Nc8?! NbS
38 a4 Nc3
39 a5 bxa5
40 bxaS a6
41 Ne7 Kf6
42 Nc6? Na2
43 NbS? Nb4
White has managed to trap his knight, which Black can pick up with
. . Ke7-d8-c7. However, 44 Kf3 (or 44 h4 and 45 Kj3) might at least hold a
.
draw.
44 Nc6?? Nxc6
White resigns
( 1 0) Moeller-Guimard, Stockholm 1 937

1 d4 Nf6
2 c4 e6
3 Nc3 d5
Bobby Fischer used to use this move order as Black to reach the
Q.G.D. It has the advantage of avoiding the fixed pawn structure Black can
receive in the Exchange Variation. After 4 cxd5, Black can retake with a
knight, not a pawn.
4 Bg5 Be7
5 e3 0-0
6 Nf3 Ne4
CHAPTER FOUR 63
Another example of the Old Lasker. Note that this costs Black a
tempo at move 10.
7 Bxe7 Qxe7
8 Bd3 Nxc3
9 bxc3 c5
10 Qc2 h6
1 1 Ne5 ! ?
This doesn't make much of a n impression, and the knight is
immediately traded off. Correct is 1 1 0-0.
11 ... Nd7
12 Nxd7 Bxd7
13 cxd5 exd5
14 0-0 c4
Although this makes his bishop worse it creates a plan : making a
passed queenside pawn.
15 Be2 b5
16 BfJ Bc6
17 Rfe1 Rfe8
18 Re2 Rb8
19 Rae1 b4
White is counting on e3-e4 as a counterweight to the passed c-pawn.
But he makes a simple oversight.
20 cxb4 Qxb4
21 h3 Re7
22 e4? dxe4
23 Bxe4
23 ..•
Bxe4
24 Rxe4 Qxe l ch!
This is what White overlooked. Generally two rooks are a bit better
than a queen because they can coordinate together to pick off the remaining
pawns.
25 Rxel Rxel ch
26 Kh2 Rc8
27 Qc3
Otherwise 27 . . . c3 followed by repositioning the other rook (... Re7-
b7-b2) would make progress.
27 . . . Rdl
28 Qc2 Ret
29 Qc3 Re2!
30 Kg3 Rxa2
CHAPTER FOUR 65
Now Black has a simple winning plan of pushing the a-pawn.

White's only try is to push his pawn.
31 d5 Ra6
32 Qb4 Rb6
33 Qe7 c3
34 d6 Rxd6!
White resigns
Resignation is in order because of 35 Qxd6 c2 36 Qd7 c l (Q).
66
CHAPTER FIVE
The Simplifying 9 cxd5
The traditional objection to the Lasker Defense -- and its brethren

such as the Tartakower Defense -- is that an exchange of pawns on d5 will
leave Black with a static pawn structure that he can change only by
accepting an isolated d-pawn or a pair of hanging pawns. The natural way
for White to saddle his opponent with this problem is the immediate 9 cxd5.
1 d4 d5
2 c4 e6
3 Nc3 Nf6
4 Bg5 Be7
5 e3 0-0
6 Nf3 h6
7 Bh4 Ne4
8 Bxe7 Qxe7
9 cxd5
Since 9 exd5? 10 Nxd5 loses a pawn without a scintilla of

. . .
compensation, Black's hand is forced.

9 ••• Nxc3
10 bxc3
This pawn will be used to liquidate the center (c3-c4) when White
feels ready.
CHAPTER FIVE 67
1 0 ... exd5
Now quiet play such as 1 1 Bd3 will encourage Black to act in the
center with l l . . .c5 ! , not fearing the possible isolated pawn. After 1 2 0-0
Nc6 1 3 h3 Be6 we have a position reminiscent of the Tartakower Defense
but without that variation's characteristic ... b7-b6.
Black should be OK once he gets his rooks to the natural d- and c

files, e.g. 1 4 Re i Rfd8 1 5 Rb l Rac8 and now 1 6 e4 ! ? cxd4 1 7 exd5 Rxd5 1 8
Bc4 (Uhlmann-Averbach, Polanica Zdroi 1 975) 1 8 . . . Rd7 ! with equality.
1 1 Qb3
White is really threatening the d5-pawn, since l l . . . c5 1 2 Qxd5 Be6
1 3 Qxc5 is unsound as a gambit.
1 1 ... Rd8
Here 1 1 . . . c6 would be unnecessarily passive, particularly since with
12 c4 ! White seizes the initiative.
White has a choice now between two developing moves with his
bishop and the dynamic 12 c4 : (a) 12 Be2, (b) 12 Bd3 and (c) 12 c4.
(a)
12 Be2
The bishop can go to j3 after Ne5.
1 2 ... b6
A common-sense response. It avoids the complications of 1 2 . . . c5 1 3
Qa3 .
1 3 Ne5
Perhaps more promising is 1 3 a4 and if 13 . . . Bb7 then 1 4 a5 . A good

response would be 13 . . . Nc6.
13 ... Bb7
14 a4 Nc6
Now Lombardy-Benko, Lone Pine 1 98 1 , continued 15 Nxc6 Bxc6 1 6

a 5 with White hopes of extracting an advantage along the a-file. However,
1 6 . . . Rab8 1 7 axb6 axb6 1 8 0-0 Ra8 led to a series of exchanges on the open
file and a draw in ten moves.
Since 1 3 Be2 seems a bit too quiet, the other bishop move has its
appeal.
(b)
1 2 Bd3
(After 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bg5 Be7 5 e3 0-0 6 NfJ h6
7 Bh4 Ne4 8 Bxe7 Qxe7 9 cxd5 Nxc3 1 0 bxc3 exd5 1 1 Qb3 Rd8)
12 Bd3
CHAPTER FIVE 69
12 ... c5
Another idea is 12 . . . Nc6 13 0-0 b6, as in the 13 Be2 line. The text is
more forceful because of the threat of 13 . . . c4.
13 Qa3
A natural reaction, pinning the c-pawn, which from now on becomes
the point of White's attack.
1 3 ... b6
1 4 0-0 Nd7
Perhaps simpler is 1 4 . . . Nc6, which protects the queen and enables
Black to meet 1 5 Bb5 with 1 5 . . . c4 ! 16 Qxe7 Nxe7 with a fine endgame for
Black (Marshall-Treybal, Folkstone 1 93 3 ) .
1 5 Rfe1 Bb7
16 Rab1 Qe6!
By unpinning the c-pawn and preventing 1 7 Bf5 Black is on the road
to equality. See Illustrative Game I I .
(c)
12 c4
(After 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 NcJ Nf6 4 Bg5 Be7 5 eJ 0-0 6 NtJ h6
7 Bh4 Ne4 8 Bxe7 Qxe7 9 cxd5 Nxc3 1 0 bxcJ exd5 1 1 QbJ Rd8)
12 c4
This, by far, is the favored move. White liquidates Black's target d
pawn, but gets a nice diagonal for his queen and bishop.
12 ... dxc4
Not 1 2 . . . Nc6?! 13 cxd5 Qb4ch because of 14 Nd2 ! with a favorable
endgame, while 1 3 . . . Na5 14 Qc3 favors White slightly.
13 Bxc4 Nc6
1 4 Qc3
This was Karpov's attempt to improve over the book-endorsed 1 4
Be2. After the bishop move Black should be able to equalize with 1 4 . . . Rd6.
For example, 1 5 0-0 Be6 16 Qb2 Bd5 (and not 16 Qxb7? Rb8 17 Qa6
Nxd4).
Alternatives include 1 4 Qb2, which leads to play like the main line
after 1 4 . . . Bg4 1 5 0-0 Bxf3 1 6 gxf3 and now 1 6 . . . Qf6 1 7 Be2 Ne7 1 8 Rac 1
Nd5 .
1 4 ... Bg4
1 5 0-0
This looks provocative but 1 5 Be2, safeguarding the kingside, is
more risky: 15 Be2 Bxf3 1 6 Bxf3 Nxd4 ! or 1 6 gxf3 Rd6 and then 17 Rg 1 ?
Nxd4 ! 1 8 exd4 Re8 1 9 Qd2 Re6 and Black wins.
15 .. . Bxf3
Black must take now or White will play Nd2, e.g. 1 5 . . . Rd6 16 Nd2
Rae8 17 Rfc 1 with advantage to White in view of his firm pressure against
the queenside pawns.
16 gxfJ Qf6
CHAPTER FIVE 71
1 7 Be2 Rac8 !
This was Yusupov's improvement over the previously seen 1 7 . . . Rd7
and 1 8 . . . Re8 (see Illustrative Game 1 2). Black prepares to advance his c
pawn and this plan should give him all the play he needs.
Karpov, in their sixth match game, tried 1 8 Rab 1 b6 1 9 Rfc 1 Ne7 20

Kh 1 , but after 20 . . . Rd5 ! he had little.
ILLUSTRATIVE GAMES
( 1 1 ) Ftacnik-Inkiov, Banj a Luka 1983
1 d4 Nf6
2 c4 e6
3 Nf3 d5
4 Nc3
4 ... Be7
You may also try 4 . . . Nbd7 and then 5 Bg5 h6 6 Bh4 Be? with the
idea of 7 e3 Ne4 8 Bxe7 Qxe7.
Then, for example, 9 cxd5 Nxc3 1 0 bxc3 exd5 1 1 c4 was Seirawan

Andersson, Haninge 1 990, which resulted in active piece play for Black
after l l . . .Nf6 1 2 cxd5 Nxd5 1 3 Bc4 Be6 14 Qb3 c6 1 5 0-0 1 6 Rfe l Rac8 1 7
e4 Nf4.
5 Bg5 0-0
6 e3 h6
7 Bh4 Ne4
8 Bxe7 Qxe7
9 cxd5 Nxc3
10 bxc3 exd5
1 1 Qb3 Rd8
12 Bd3 c5
13 Qa3 b6
If they were legal, the moves 14 a4 ! and 1 5 a5 would be strong here !
Otherwise the queen looks out of place on a3 and White soon brings it back
into action in the center.
14 0-0 Nd7
15 Rfel Bb7
16 Rabl Qe6
17 Qb2 c4
A major decision; Black is betting on his queenside majority, but also

making e3-e4 more dangerous.
CHAPTER FIVE 73
18 Bc2 ReB
19 Nd2 Nf6
20 Re2
Or 20 f3 Nh5 and 2 l . . .f5 with unclear play, as Black pointed out
after the game.
20 ... Ne4
21 Nfl f5
22 Rbel Re7
23 f3 Nd6
24 Ng3 Rf8
2S Qb4 !
There is nothing to be gained by opening the position with 25 e4, e.g.
25 . . . fxe4 26 fxe4 dxe4 27 Nxe4 Nxe4 28 Bxe4 Bxe4 2 9 Rxe4 Qxe4 ! 30
Rxe4 Rxe4.
2S .
. . Kh8
26 h3 Qd7
27 h4 Qc7
28 NbS gS! ?
2 9 Kfl ! aS
30 Qbl Rh7
31 Rhl Bc6
32 Reel Be8!
The bishop will be repositioned at g6 where it protects both f5 and

the rook at h 7.
33 hxgS hxgS
34 Ng3 Bg6
35 Rxh7ch Bxh7
36 Rhl Ne4ch!
37 Nxe4
Or 37 fxe4? fxe4ch 3 8 Ke2 Qg3 and Black wins.
37 ... fxe4
38 Rh6? g4!
39 Qxb6 g3ch!
The immediate endgame (39 Qxb6 40 Rxb6 gxj3 41 Bdl I) is not at
. . .
all pleasant to play.
Now, however, on 40 Kfl Qxb6 4 1 Rxb6 exf3 favors Black.

40 Kgl Qxb6
41 Rxb6 extJ!
42 Rh6 flch
43 Kfl Rti
44 Rh3 Re7
Now 45 Bxh7 Rxe3 ! and Black wins. White must use his pawns.
45 e4 dxe4
46 d5 ! ReS
47 a3 ReS
48 d6 Re6
49 Rxg3
Now 49 . . . c3 ?? 50 Rxe3 ! Rxe3 5 1 d7 ! and White wins.

49 ... Rxd6
CHAPTER FIVE 75
50 Re3 Rd8
51 Ba4 Rd2
52 Bc6 Ra2
53 Bxe4 Bg8
54 Re2 Rxa3
With the elimination of his kingside pawns, Black's winning chances
have sharply declined.
55 Kxf2 a4
56 Bc6 Ral
57 Ke3 a3
58 Kd4 Rdl ch
59 Kc5 Rcl
60 Kb4 Rbl ch
61 Kxa3 Draw
( 1 2) Vinuesa-Christia, Rosario 1939

1 d4 Nf6
2 c4 e6
3 Nf3 d5
4 Bg5 Be7
5 e3 h6
6 Bh4 0-0
7 Nc3 Ne4
8 Bxe7 Qxe7
9 cxd5 Nxc3
10 bxc3 exd5
�
11 Qb3 Rd8
12 c4 dxc4
13 Bxc4 Nc6
14 QcJ Bg4
15 0-0 BxfJ
16 gxfJ Qf6
17 Be2 Rd7
The rook protects the c-pawn and thereby frees the knight. Here Rolf
Schwarz gives 1 8 Kh l Ne7 1 9 Rg l Nd5 as leading to equality.
18 Rab1 Re8
19 Qc2? Rxd4!
- -
CHAPTER FIVE 77
White thought he was defending against 19 .Nxd4 but the queen

. .
move only allows the dangerous Exchange sacrifice (19... Rxd4 20 exd4
Nxd4 21 Qxc7 Nxe2ch 22 Kg2 Re5).
20 Rxb7?! Rh4
21 f4 Qe6!
With 22 . . Qh3 threatening, White is hanging on.
.
22 Bdl Qh3
23 f3 Rxe3
24 Rxc7 Ne7
25 Rxa7 Nf5
This not only plugs up a dangerous diagonal but threatens to check
on g3 after White's king is forced to h 1.
26 RaSch Kh7
27 Ra4? Re6!
28 Re4 Rg6ch
White resigns
78
CHAPTER SIX
The Modern 9 Rc l
Slowly but surely, 9 Re t has elbowed its way into fashion, and today
seems to pose the greatest dangers to Black. In a way it's the most flexible
move in the position, since we've seen this rook go to c 1 in most variations
so far.
It is particularly important because of the transpositional possibility

mentioned at move five.
1 d4 d5
2 c4 e6
3 Nc3 Nf6
4 Bg5 Be7
5 e3
The key positions of this subvariation are also reached by way of 5
Nf3 0-0 6 Rc l h6 7 Bh4 and now 7 . . . Ne4 8 Bxe7 Qxe7 9 c3 c6.
5 . . .
0-0
6 Nf3 h6
7 Bh4 Ne4
8 Bxe7 Qxe7
9 Rcl
CHAPTER SIX 79
Now on the super-solid 9 . . . c6 strategy, White can open up matters

with 1 0 Nxe4 dxe4 1 1 Nd2 f5 1 2 c5 and then 1 2 . . . e5 1 3 Nc4 exd4 1 4 Qxd4.
But more common these days is 9 . . . c6 1 0 Bd3 , after which 1 0 . . . Nxc3

1 1 Rxc3 transposes into our main line.
9 ... Nxc3
Virtually untested is 9 . . . Nc6, which has . . . e6-e5 in mind, after
exchanges on c3 and c4. If White initiates the exchanges with 1 0 cxd5
Nxc3 1 1 Rxc3 exd5 then on 1 2 . . . Bf5 Black has no problems.
In Korchnoi-Bohm, Amsterdam 1 976 (with . . h7-h6 omitted) White

.
obtained a slight edge against 9 . . . Nc6 with 10 Qb3 Na5 1 1 Qa4 b6? 1 2 cxd5
Nxc3 1 3 Rxc3 exd5 1 4 Bd3 because of Black's problems along the c-file.
Korchnoi suggested the immediate 10 Bd3 was better, giving

10 . . . Nxc3 1 1 Rxc3 dxc4 12 Rxc4 e5 and now 1 3 Nxe5 Nxe5 14 dxe5 Qxe5
1 5 Qc2. But that was in the Old Lasker Defense, where Black had to spend
a tempo here to defend his h-pawn.
Since in our position, the h-pawn is already on h6, Black can reply to
this line with 1 5 . . . c6 and have a fine position.
10 Rxc3 c6
Black's move solves the long-term problem along the c-file and
allows him to play . . Nd7 in the short term. He delays capturing on c4 until
.
White has conceded the "battle of the tempo" by moving his bishop.
1 1 Bd3
If White continues the "battle" with 1 1 Qc2 Black will reply
1 l . . . Nd7 . Then 1 2 cxd5 exd5 1 3 Bd3 ReS 14 0-0 turned out well in
Chekhov-Bronstein, Yaroslavl l 982. White won after 1 4 . . . Nf8 15 Rb l a5 16
a3 a4 1 7 Qd2 Be6 1 8 Rc5, though Black's position is perfectly playable.
Most defenders would be more comfortable, however, with 14 . . . Nf6 and
. . Ne4.
.
A more sophisticated version of this is the waiting game 1 1 Qb 1 ,

which also has the idea of b2-b4 i n mind. Then l l . . .a5 i s a useful move,
although 1 2 cxd5 exd5 1 3 Bd3 leads to a tiny edge for White. See also
Illustrative Game 1 3 .
1 1 ... dxc4
Black may also delay this for a move, e.g. l l . . .Nd7 and then 1 2 0-0
dxc4, since he can meet 1 2 e4 with 12 . . . e5.
A similar plan is 1 l . . . Nd7 1 2 0-0 e5 without an exchange of pawns

on c4. For example, l l . . . Nd7 12 0-0 e5 1 3 cxd5 e4 ! ? as in Illustrative Game
14 is risky. Black wins a piece but gives up a lot of pawns. But 1 3 . . . cxd5 1 4
dxe5 leaves him with a n isolated pawn.
1 2 Bxc4
An old debate that has raged for decades is how White should retake
on c4. In recent years Ulf Andersson of Sweden and Lev Polugaevsky of
Russia have kept alive 1 2 Rxc4 ! ?, which has certain benefits, including
1 2 . . . Nd7 13 0-0 e5 14 dxe5 Ne5 and now 15 Re4 ! activates the rook nicely.
After 1 5 . . . NxDch 16 QxD Be6 White can isolate a Black pawn with
17 Bc4 Rad8 1 8 Bxe6. However, in Andersson-Rivas, Hastings 1 98 1 -82 it
led to a relatively balanced middlegame after 18 . . . fxe5 19 Qe2 Rd5 20 b4
Qd4 2 1 Qc4 Kh8 and 22 . . . e5 .
With 1 3 Bc2 and 1 4 Qd3 White tries to disorganize Black's kingside

pieces. After 1 3 . . . Rfd8 ! ? 1 4 Qd3 Nf8 Black is relatively solid but passive
(15 0-0 Bd7 16 Qb3 Be8 17 Rfcl f6 and 18. . . Bj7 was Stahlberg-Pilnik,
Stockholm 1 952).
1 2 ... Nd7
The older policy called for Black to continue now with a queenside
fianchetto and . . . c6-c5 (13 0-0 b6 14 Bd3 c5) but White managed to point
out the queenside holes it creates (1 5 Bb5 Rd8 16 Bc6). A simpler policy is
to aim for . . . e6-e5.
1 3 0-0
Here 1 3 Bb3 has been played but it should not deter Black from
1 3 . . . e5 14 0-0 exd4 with rough equality. Then after 15 exd4 White gets e5
as an outpost for his knight and Black retains the excellent d5 square:
1 5 . . . Nb6 1 6 Re 1 Qd8 1 7 Ne5 Nd5 1 8 Rg3 Be6 1 9 Bc2 Qa5 20 a3 Rad8
(Didishko-Inkiov, Minsk 1 983).
CHAPTER SIX 81
13 ... e5
The natural response. Now several moves have been tried:
(a) 1 4 b J is fairly innocuous and does little to trouble Black after

1 4 . . . Rd8 1 5 Qb l exd4 16 exd4 Nf8 (Schwarz) .
(b) 14 Bb3 transposes into the note to White's 1 3th move. In the
Karpov-Yusupov match the former champion won a crucial game with 1 4
Bb3 exd4 1 5 exd4 Nf6 1 6 Re 1 Qd6 1 7 Ne5, but the simplest method of
equalizing was probably 1 7 . . . Be6 ! 1 8 Bxe6 fxe6.
(c) 1 4 Qc2 leads to similar play with Black also being able to
equalize with a timely .. .Be6. For example, 14 . . . exd4 15 exd4 Nb6 16 Re i
Qf6 1 7 Bb3 Be6 ! . White's d-pawn then proves as much of a weakness as
Black's e-pawn.
(d) 14 dxe5 Nxe5 1 5 Nxe5 Qxe5 1 6 f4 is the traditional way to get

the kingside pawn majority rolling. But Black can effectively blockade the
pawns with 1 6 . . . Qe4 17 Qe2 Bf5 !
ILLUSTRATIVE GAMES
( 1 3) Shaufelberger-Ciric, Montreux 1 977
1 c4 e6
2 Nf3 d5
3 d4 Nf6
4 Bg5 Be7
5 Nc3 0-0
6 e3 h6
7 Bh4 Ne4
8 Bxe7 Qxe7
Now a subsequent cxd5/.. . exd5 will result in the familiar pawn

structure of the Exchange Variation Queen's Gambit Declined. This has
long been known to confer at least a slight advantage to Black. But in
normal lines of the Exchange Q.G.D. Black tries to exchange off the dark
squared bishops -- with a timely Ne4. Here, Black has already achieved
. . .
that freeing maneuver.

9 Rcl Nxc3
10 Rxc3 c6
1 1 Qb1 a5
12 Bel Nd7
13 0-0
This was White's last chance to fix the enemy pawn structure with 1 3
cxd5 .
13 ... dxc4 !
14 Bxc4 e5
This should equalize, e.g. 1 5 Qe4 Re8 16 dxe5 Nxe5 1 7 Nxe5 Qxe5
1 8 Qxe5 Rxe5 1 9 Rd 1 Bf5, as Black later pointed out. And 1 5 d5 cxd5 1 6
Bxd5 Nf6 doesn't seem like anything either.
15 dxe5 Nxe5
16 Nxe5 Qxe5
1 7 f4
CHAPTER SIX 83
The position resembles an old main line from the Orthodox Defense.
Instead of a minority attack, against Black's queenside pawns, White tries to
mobilize his own majority, on the kingside. If he can advance the e-pawn to
e5 he should have an advantage.
1 7 ... Qf6
1 8 e4 Qd4ch
19 Kh1 Be6!
But Black's centralized power will overcome any majority after 20
Bxe6 fxe6. And 20 Bd3 is met by 20 . . . f6 ! and if 2 1 f5 Bf7 Black holds the
edge because of the backward e-pawn.
20 Bb3 Bxb3
21 Rxb3 b5
22 h3 b4
Now 23 Rd l would lead to a level endgame.
23 e5? c5
24 Qcl c4
25 Re3 Rfe8
All of a sudden Black's majority is alive and White's is quiet. In fact,
it's hard to find a useful move for White (27 Rdl ? Qxf4; 27 Qe 1 Qxb2) .
He decides to throw the dice on a doomed attack.

26 Ref3 Rad8
27 f5?! Rxe5
28 f6 g5!
H4 LASKER'S DEFENSE TO THE QUEEN' S GAMBI T
2 9 h4 Re4 !
30 g3 Re2
Now it is the White kingside pawns that block his pieces from
the g8-king -- but allow the Black pieces to assault the h i -king.
a l l ack i ng
31 hxg5 Qg4!
32 Kg1 Rdd2
White resigns
(14) Psakhis-Kholmov, Tallin 1 983

1 Nf3 Nf6
2 c4
Yet another move order that can lead to the Lasker.
2 ... e6
3 Nc3 d5
4 d4 Be7
5 Bg5 h6
6 Bh4 0-0
7 e3 Ne4
8 Bxe7 Qxe7
9 Rcl Nxc3
10 Rxc3 c6
1 1 Bd3 Nd7
12 0-0
CHAPTER SIX 85
12 ... e5
This would seem to leave Black, after two pawn exchanges, with an
i solated d-pawn -- a clear liability in a position with the wrong kind of
bishops remaining on the board. However, 1 3 cxd5 allows 1 3 . . . e4, winning
a piece. The other move order, 13 dxe5 first, allows Black to avoid the
isolani by way of 1 3 . dxc4 or 1 3 . . Nxe5 14 Nxe5 Qxe5 1 5 cxd5 Qxd5 .
. . .
1 3 cxd5 e4
14 dxc6 bxc6
15 Be2
White has decided on a sacrifice of the knight for three good pawns.
15 ... exfJ
16 BxfJ Bb7
17 Bxc6 Bxc6
18 Rxc6
86 LASKER' S DEFENSE TO THE QUEEN' S GAMBIT
An odd middlegame. White should have ample compensation for his

piece as long as he doesn't rush into an advance of his central pawns onto
indefensible squares. He can even allow Black to gain control of the c-file.
18 ... Rac8
19 Rxc8 Rxc8
20 Qd2 Qe6
21 b3 Qc6
22 h3
Now 22 . . . Qc2 23 Rd l Qxd2 24 Rxd2 Nf6 25 f3 or 24 . . . Rc l ch 25 Kh2
Nf6 26 f3 would be promising for Black but far from clear.
22 ... f5?
23 Qa5 g6
24 b4 Qb7
25 b5 Nb6
26 Qb4 Rc4?!
27 Qd6
This is exactly what Black didn't want to see: a middlegame in which
he has more weaknesses than his opponent and in which the enemy king is
at large.
27 ... Kh7
28 Rd1 Qd7
29 Qe5 ReS
30 Rd3
The only way to activate this rook is along the third rank.
30 ... Nc4
31 Qf6 Nd6
32 d5 Ne4
Apparently Black is convinced that 32 . . . Nxb5 33 d6 is too tricky and
that he should go after the d-pawn first.
33 Qb2 Rc5
34 a4 ! Rxd5
35 Rxd5 Qxd5
36 a5 Nd6
CHAPTER SIX 87
Now Black has to use at least one of his two pieces to block the b-
pawn. That pennits the White queen to create mischief on e5 or f6.
37 b6 a6 ! ?
38 Qf6 Nb7
39 Qe7ch Kg8
40 Qe8ch Kg7
41 Qe7ch Q f7
42 Qe5!
After a few minutes it should be clear to Black that he cannot
improve his position.
42 . . . Kh7
43 f4 Qg7
Draw
CHAPTER SEVEN
When White A voids Lasker (7 Bxf6)
As mentioned earlier, hardly anyone plays the Old Lasker nowadays.

Instead, players have found it useful to insert the "put-the-question to-the
bishop" move, . . .h 7-h6, somewhere around move 5 or 6. In this manner,
Black saves a tempo if White lines up pieces against h 7, such as with Bd3
and Qc2.
By the same token, almost no one plays the "Old Tartakower"

Variation, that is . b7-b6 without . ..h 7-h6. And as the refined Tartakower
. .
( 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bg5 Be 7 5 Nj3 0-0 6 e3 h6 7 Bh4 b6) became

increasingly popular in the 1 980's, players who opened with 1 d4 looked for
a way to avoid it.
Result: players have been avoiding the Tartakower by answering the

question put to their bishop with Bxf6. Today, even if you want to play the
brainchild of Emanuel Lasker, instead of that of Savielly Tartakower, you
may not get the chance. That's where this chapter comes in.
1 d4 d5
2 c4 e6
3 Nc3 Nf6
4 Bg5 Be7
5 e3 0-0
6 Nf3 h6
7 Bxf6 Bxf6
CHAPTER SEVEN 89
Why should White voluntarily relinquish the two bishops?
Actually, with a center pawn structure built on the dark squares d4

and e3, the loss of a dark-squared bishop is not of major significance.
White's knight may play a much greater role than Black's bishop and Black
will probably lose time getting the bishop to a better diagonal.
In a comparable position of the Exchange Variation, with

cxd5/...exd5 inserted, Black usually repositions his bishop from f6 to e7 to
d6. And here 8 cxd5 exd5 will lead to a relatively easy game for Black after,
say, 9 Qb3 c6 10 Bd3 ReS and . . Nd7/. .. Be7/. Nf6.
. . .
In recent years, there has been considerable experimentation with

four ideas for White at the eighth move. They are three queen moves, to c2,
b3 and d2, and the rook move to cl .
(a) 8 Qc2
(After 1 d4 dS 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 BgS Be7 5 e3 0-0 6 Nf3 h6
7 Bxf6 Bxf6)
8 Qc2
Now among the candidate moves are 8 . . Na6 (preparing 9 c5) and
. . . .
the more passive 8 . . . c6 and 8 . b6.

. .
8 . . . c5!
The natural method of giving his f6-bishop scope. It makes particular
sense after 8 Qc2 , a move that removes some defense of d4 and also means
that Black's own d-pawn will not be directly threatened after dxc5.
9 dxc5
There is going to be an exchange of at least one pair of pawns, and it
is up to White to decide where and how it will begin. After 9 Rd l Black
starts matters with 9 . . . cxd4 10 Nxd4 after which he has enough pressure on
d4 with 10 . . . Nc6.
Most books that consider this position cite the game Grau-Guinard,
match 1 937, which favors Black (according to E.C.O.) after 1 1 Nxc6 bxc6
1 2 cxd5 cxd5 1 3 Be2 Qa5 but after 14 0-0 Bb7 1 5 Nb5 is fine for White
according to Rolf Shwarz.
An improved version of this is 9 0-0-0 cxd4 and now 10 exd4 (not 1 0

Nxd4 Nc6 1 1 Nj3?! Qa5 1 2 cxd5 Nb4). White tries to use the prospect of a
kingside attack with h2-h4 and g2-g4-g5. A good counter would be 1 0 . . . Nc6
1 1 h4 Qc7 followed by Qf4 or . Rd8.
. . . . .
9 ... Nc6 ! ?
Probably also good enough for equality is the old 9 . . . Qa5 1 0 Be2
dxc4 or 10 Re i Nc6 and l l . . .d4 if allowed.
The immediate exchange on c4, 9 . . . dxc4, occurred in the memorable

28th K-K match game of 1 984 -- memorable because it was the last that
Karpov won in that never-ending match.
After 10 Bxc4 Qa5 I I 0-0 Bxc3 (not 1 J. .. Qxc5 12 Ne4!) 1 2 Qxc3

Qxc3 1 3 bxc3 Nd7 14 c6 ! White had a small endgame edge which,
nevertheless, proved sufficient.
10 cxd5
Before Black's initiative gets going with . . . Qa5 and . . Nb4 or
. . . . d5-
d4, White makes sure of this forcing capture.
10 ..• exd5
CHAPTER SEVEN 91
The d5-pawn is obviously going to be a target but Black's f6-bishop

emerges with some impact I I e3 d4.
1 1 0-0-0! ? Be6
1 2 Nd4
The d5-pawn should be doomed but attempts to overpower it -- 1 2
Bc4 Qa5 1 3 Bxd5 -- give Black more than adequate compensation,
1 3 . . . Be6 ! 14 Bxe6 fxe6, e.g. 1 5 Qb3 Rac8 16 Qxe6ch Kh8.
The text shortens the diagonal of Black's f6-bishop and blockades the
center. It doesn't seem White can take time out for 1 2 a3 (intending Bd3)
because of the developing initiative after 1 2 . . . Rc8 .
For example, Bakic-Vershinin, Bela Crkva 1 989 went 1 3 Kb 1 Ne7

1 4 Ne4 Nf5 1 5 Bc4 Be7 and now 16 g4 Nd6 ! was quite good for Black ( 17
Nxd6 Bxd6 18 cxd6 Rxc4 19 Qe2 Rxg4 or, as the game went, 17 Bxd5
Bxg4).
12 ... ReS
13 Bb5 Ne7
Thus far, van Wely-Piket, Leeuwarden 1 992 (Illustrative Game 1 5).
White's extra pawn is balanced by Black's ability to open the queenside
(. .. b7-b6).
(b) 8 Qb3
7 Bxf6 Bxf6)
8 Qb3
Gary Kasparov switched to this move in the third game of his 1 985
rematch with Anatoly Karpov. It immediately pressures d5 and forces Black
into a choice: hold that point with 8 . . . c6 or surrender it partially with
8 . . . dxc4 .
8 ... c6
Here this seems preferable to 8 . . dxc4 9 Qxc4 ! which stops . . . c7-c5
.
and restricts Black's pieces.
One idea that hasn't been tested much here is 9 e4, although the
Czech analyst Ludek Pachman once suggested 9 . . . Nd7 ! ? as a good gambit
reply : 10 cxd5 cxd5 1 1 exd5 Nb6 12 dxe6 Bxe6 13 Qd 1 Bg4.
9 Rdl
There is a broad choice here including:
(a) 9 Be2, the safe and sane policy. After 9 . . . Nd7 1 0 0-0 Qe7 1 1 e4
Black gets adequate play with 1 l . . .dxc4 12 Bxc4 e5 1 3 d5 Nb6 and . . Bg4.
.
E . C.O. suggests the immediate 10 . . . dxc4 1 1 Bxc4 e5 as equalizing and

better.
(b) 9 h4 threatens to push the g-pawn and open a file. Black may be
tempted to open the center or queenside in some manner. However, the best
plan appears to be 9 . . . g6 10 g4 Bg7 ! after which he keeps the kingside lines
under control ( 1 1 h5 g5 or 11 g5 h5).
(c) 9 0-0-0 also prepares a kingside attack with 9 . . . Nd7 1 0 Qc2 Re8
1 1 g4 after which l l . . .g6 1 2 h4 Bg7, as in the last paragraph, looks correct.
CHAPTER SEVEN 93
More dangerous is 1 0 e4, forcing Black's hand. With the typical

freeing device of IO . . .dxc4 I I Bxc4 e5 and 1 2 d5 Nc5 , Black stands well .
9 ... Nd7
Rafael Vaganian has drawn attention to 9 . . Na6, suggesting that
.
Black is quite all right after 10 cxd5 cxd5 1 1 Bxa6 bxa6 12 0-0 Qb6.
1 0 Bd3
White wants the bishop here so that when he pushes the e-pawn -
his best middlegame idea now -- he can retake with the bishop.
10 ... Rb8 !
In that Kasparov-Karpov game Black played I O . . . b6 and it was
hailed as an innovation despite its natural appearance. After I I cxd5 cxd5
1 2 e4 dxe4 1 3 Bxe4 Rb8 14 0-0 b5 Black had rough equality and managed
to draw in another six moves.
The text launches a more complex -- and what's more important, a

more active -- plan of pushing the b-pawn, with or without . .. dxc4.
1 1 0-0
After 1 1 Qc2 White takes precautions against l l . . .b5, which would
now cost Black a pawn for nothing.
Nevertheless, Black obtains fine play with l l . . . dxc4 1 2 Bxc4 b5, e.g.
13 Be2 Qa5 14 0-0 c5 as in Illustrative Game 16.
11 ... b5
Now 12 c5 is met by 1 2 . . . e5 ! with equal chances.
12 cxb5
Of course, 1 2 cxd5 makes no difference after 1 2 . . . cxd5.
1 2 ... cxb5
The tactical justification is that White cannot take on b5 because of
1 3 . . . a6.
Black, who actually controls more of the queenside now, is in danger

of gaining the upper hand here. Now on 13 e4, which is probably best, there
can follow 1 3 . . . b4 14 Na4 Qa5 . Black then is no worse off than he is in
other Bxf6 lines and should be approximately equal.
(c) 8 Qd2
(After 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bg5 Be7 5 e3 0-0 6 NO h6
7 Bxf6 Bxf6)
8 Qd2
This was plucked out of obscurity by Kasparov in the 1 9th game of
the first match with Karpov (although it was played in accelerated form,
with the moves e2-e3 and . . 0-0 omitted).
.
8 ..• Nc6 ! ?
CHAPTER SEVEN 95
Taking advantage of White's inability to attack the d5-pawn now

(with Qb3, for example) . An easier road to equality may lie in 8 . . dxc4 9
.
Bxc4 Nd7 and 10 . . . c5, but the text leads to a sharp battle with chances for
both sides.
9 Rcl
White has to choose between working against the queenside targets,
such as c7, or castling on that wing.
On 9 0-0-0 Black can try 9 . . . dxc4 10 Bxc4 e5 with good chances

because of 1 1 d5 Na5 ! ?. Another idea is 1 I . . .Ne7 followed by . . . Nj5-d6 and
. . . b7-b5.
This latter idea is also good against 9 Rd l , e.g. 9 dxc4 10 Bxc4 e5

. . .
1 1 d5 Ne7 12 Ne4 Nf5 13 Qe2 Nd6 14 Nfd2 Be7 (Tai-Spassky, U. S . S . R.

1 966).
9 ... b6
Perhaps Karpov's 9 . . . a6 is better: 1 0 Be2 dxc4 1 1 Bxc4 e5 12 d5 and
all of a sudden there is a new retreat square, 12 . . . Na7 ! ?. Then 13 Qc2 ! is
better than 1 3 Be2 Bf5 or 13 Ne4 Bf5, but after 13 . . . Nb5 Black should be
OK.
1 0 cxd5
White doesn't have support for Bd3 and e3-e4 now because his d
pawn would hang. And he doesn't want to lose a tempo with 10 Be2 dxc4
1 1 Bxc4.
10 .•. exd5
1 1 Bd3 Ne7
A standard regrouping maneuver for Black. The knight is not

particularly well placed on e 7 but it can regroup to d6 via f5 and also
support the exchange of bishops onf5 if Black wishes.
12 0-0 Be6
This is Petrosian-Liberzon, U. S. S.R. Championship 1 969, which was

headed for equal play after 1 3 Ne5 Bxe5 ! 14 dxe5 f6 1 5 exf6 Rxf6. Black's
position is a little loose but White lacks the pressure he normally gets from
his rooks to take the initiative in the center.
(d) 8 Rcl
7 Bxf6 Bxf6)
8 Rcl
This was becoming a forgotten move by the mid- 1 980's because the
various queen moves had so dominated the first two Kasparov-Karpov
matches.
8 ... b6
CHAPTER SEVEN 97
A great deal of attention has been paid to alternatives in the last ten
years, led by 8 . . . c6 and 8 . . . a6. With 8 . . . b6 Black seeks a Tartakower-Iike
position with . . . dxc4 and . . Bb7.
.
9 cxd5
This is the standard reply to . . b7-b6 in similar positions. Its' point is
.
to close the b7-e4 diagonal and set up c7 as a target. After 9 Bd3 dxc4 1 0
Bxc4 Bb7 Black has a promising game provided he doesn't rush into . . c7- .
c5.
An interesting finesse is 10 Be4 ! ?, instead of 10 Bxc4. Then 10 . . . c6

is forced and 1 1 Nd2 Ba6 1 2 Qf3 , tying Black to the defense of c6, is an
ambitious plan for White.
In Gulko-Shamkovich, New York 1 987 a double-edged middlegame

developed following 12 . . . b5 13 a3 Nd7 ! 14 Bxc6 Rb8 1 5 0-0 Be7 and
1 6 . . . Nf6.
9... exd5
1 0 b4
With 1 0 Bd3 White begins a more standard plan, with e3-e4 in view.
Now 10 . . . Bb7 is clearly better than IO . Be6 because Black needs to
. .
safeguard the long diagonal leading to a8. After 10 . . . Bb7 1 1 0-0 Re8 (not
l l . Qe7? 12 Rei! c5 13 e4, as in Geller-Ivkov, Beverwijk 1 965) and now if
. .
allowed Black may play . Nd7, . . . Be7 and . . . Nf6 with equal chances.
. .
1 0 ... Bb7
Now that e3-e4 is not an immediate danger, a good alternative is
IO . . Be6, a Ia Tartakower, recognizing that the bishop has no great future
.
on a possible opened b-file. After 10 . . . Be6 1 1 b5 a6 ! 1 2 a4 axb5 1 3 axb5

Be7 Black has sufficient queenside play (14 Be2 Nd7 15 0-0 Ra3, Korchnoi
Darga, Havana 1 963).
11 b5 Be7
Or 1 1 . . .a6 12 a4 axb5 as in the last paragraph.
1 2 a4
1 2 ... c5! ?
An interesting bid for counterplay. Black i s willing to accept an
isolated b-pawn because of the active chances he receives.
13 bxc6
Otherwise Black's queenside problems become assets.
1 3 ... Nxc6
14 Bel Ba3!
1 5 Rb1 Bb4
We are following Schussler-Kir. Georgiev, Malmo 1 987, which is
unclear. The bishop may end up defending the queensidc at a5 -- one of the
best diagonals this piece can have.
ILLUSTRATIVE GAMES
(15) van Wely-Piket, Leeuwarden 1992
1 d4 Nf6
2 c4 e6
3 Nf3 d5
4 Nc3 Be7
5 Bg5 0-0
CHAPTER SEVEN 99
In the Kasparov-Karpov matches and in many recent grandmaster

games Black has put the question to the bishop at move five (5. . . h6) rather
than a move later. For simplicity's sake, we recommend delaying it a move.
6 e3 h6
7 Bxf6 Bxf6
8 Qc2 c5
9 dxc5 Nc6
10 cxd5 exd5
1 1 0-0-0
11 ... Be6
12 Nd4 ReS
13 Bb5 Ne7
14 NbJ b6
In his Informant notes, White pointed out here that 1 5 Ne4, with the
idea of 1 5 . . . bxc5 16 Nxf6ch, is met by 1 5 . . . Be5 . And 16 f4 ends up favoring
Black after 16 . . . Qc7 ! 17 fxe5 dxe4 or 17 Ng3 Bf6 18 Nh5 bxc5 19 Nxf6ch
gxf6 .
This is similar to what happens in the game. Note that next move
Black optimistically avoids the invitation to a draw with 1 5 . . . Rc6 1 6 Bb5
Rc8 1 7 Ba6.
15 Ba6 Rb8
16 Ne4 Be5
17 f4 Qc7!
18 NgJ?
1 00 LASKER'S DEFENSE T O THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT
White has to recognize the extent of his problems and accept the
equal chances available after 1 8 Nc3 .
1 8 ... Nc6!
1 9 a3
Otherwise 1 9 . . . Nb4 20 Q-moves bxc5 and 2 l . . . c4 is very strong for
Black.
19 ... Bxb2ch!
20 Kxb2 bxc5
21 Qxc5
The game is over after 2 1 f5? c4 22 fxe6 Rxb3ch 23 Ka2 Qa5 .
2 1 ... d4! ?
The Morphy-esque 2 l . . .Rxb3ch 2 2 Kxb3 Na5ch 2 3 Kb4 might have
won and is worth the effort -- if there's a good brilliancy prize to be had.
The text improves the variations by adding the e6 bishop to the

attack. For example, now 22 Bc4 Rxb3ch 23 Bxb3 Bxb3 is death.
22 Rd3! Bxb3
23 Rxb3 Rxb3ch
24 Kxb3 NaSch
25 Kb4!
Now, however, the king is remarkably safe.
25 ... Rb8ch
26 Bb5 Nc6ch
27 Kc4 NaSch
28 Kb4 Draw
CHAPTER SEVEN 101
(16) P. Nikolic-Vaganian, Lucerne 1 989

1 d4 Nf6
2 c4 e6
3 NfJ d5
4 Nc3 Be7
5 Bg5 0-0
6 e3 h6
7 Bxf6 Bxf6
8 Qb3 c6
9 Rd1 Nd7
10 Bd3 Rb8
1 1 Qc2 dxc4
12 Bxc4
Now 1 2 . . . c 5 and i f 1 3 dxc5, then l 3 . . . Qa5 i s g ood enough for a
balanced middlegame. The text seeks a sharpening of play.
12 ... b5 ! ?
13 Be2 Qa5
14 0-0 c5
15 a3
Better, according to Vaganian in his Informant notes, was 1 5 dxc5
Nxc5 16 b4 ! ?, although 16 . . .Qxb4 17 Nb5 Na4 is nothing to worry Black.
15 ... b4!
1 6 axb4 Qxb4
17 Na4 Bb7
1 02 LASKER' S DEFENSE TO THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT
Black has excellent chances and would probably stand a shade better
in the endgame after 1 8 Nxc5 Nxc5 1 9 Qxc5 Qxc5 20 dxc5 Bd5 .
1 8 dxc5? Be4!
1 9 Qc4 Bc6
20 Nb6 !
A nice riposte -- and much better than 20 Ra l because of 20 Qxc4
. . .
2 1 Bxc4 Rb4, winning material.

20 ... Qxc4
2 1 Nxc4 Nxc5
22 Ra1 Ba4!
23 Nd4 Rb4
24 Ra3 Rd8
25 b3!
It would seem that both sides have a weak queenside pawn. But the
future usually belongs to the bishops and White correctly reasons that a
liquidation here will bring him closer to a draw.
25 ... Bxd4
26 bxa4 ! Bb2
27 Nxb2 Rxb2
28 Bf3 Nb3
29 Rel a5
It is the rooks which matter here and give Black the advantage.
White now finds the best way to swap down.
30 h3 Kt8
31 Rd1 Ke7
32 Rxd8 Kxd8
CHAPTER SEVEN 1 03
33 Bd1 ! Nc5
34 Rc3 Ne4
35 Rc4
Now 3 5 . . . Nxf2 actually loses to 36 Bc2 ! because the knight is
trapped.
35 ... Rb4
36 Ret Nd2
37 Rc3 Ne4
38 Ret f5
39 Kfl Ke7
40 f3 Nd2ch
41 Kf2 Nc4
42 Rc3 Nb2
43 Bc2 Kd6
44 Ke2 h5
45 f4 h4
46 Rc8
Against passive defense a sample wining line, from Vaganian in the

...
Informant, would run 46 Ra3 g6 (intending 47 e5 48 .fxe5ch Kxe5) 47 Rc3
Nxa4 ! 48 Ra3 Rb2 49 Kd l Nb6 50 Rxa5 Nc4 5 1 Ra6ch Kd5 52 Kc l Rb4.
46 ... Nxa4
47 Bxa4 Rxa4
48 Rg8 Ra2ch
49 Kf3 Rc2 !
50 Rxg7 Rc7
1 04 LASKER'S DEFENSE TO THE QUEEN' S GAMBIT
Nicely done. Now the king-and-pawn endgame, of course, favors the

outside passed pawn prohibitively. The main point of Black's last is that it is
his rook that gets behind the passer.
51 Rg8 Ra7
52 Ke2 a4
53 Rd8ch Ke7!
54 Rd2 a3
55 Ra2 Kd6
56 Kd2 Kd5
57 Kd3 Ra8!
Squeezing White to the limit. He must give way (58 RaJ a2,etc.).
58 Kc3 Ke4
59 Kd2 Rd8ch!
White resigns
After 60 Ke2 Rd3 it's obvious.

Lasker - S Defense To The Queen - S Gambit Soltis

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Lasker's Defense

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Author: Andrew Soltis

A good part of answering 1 d4 with 1 d5 is that you know exactly

That's also the bad part.

The Queen's Gambit, whether accepted or declined, is one of the war­

To ease the burden of declining the gambit, some of the greatest

recommended (after 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bg5 Bel) an eventual

And Emanuel Lasker had another thought. Like Capablanca, he

After introducing the idea in the 1890's, Lasker adopted it irregularly

Marshall-Lask er, Match 1 907

Black's game is freer than in other Q.G.D. positions, he has solved

White has compensation but too many weaknesses, almost all of

As a result, the Lasker unfairly took on the reputation of other

Karpov-Yusupov, Candidates Match 1 989

Now the threat of 2 l . . .Rh5 and 22 . . . Qh4 is serious and 2 1 f4 would

have been fatal .

The Lasker Defense can be played in a variety of methods, depending

Bo tvinnik-Model, Leningrad 1930

The . . . h6 finesse was not widely accepted as an improvement until

In Stahlberg-Aitken, Stockholm 1 937 White forced a loosening of the

But Black obtained excellent queenside chances following 1 4 . . . dxc4

The time-honored method of activating the bishop o n the kingsidc,

Just when it appears Black's queen is trapped . . . Black traps White's

This fixes the g4-pawn on a light square. To go after the g5-pawn or

There are obvious drawbacks to the Stonewall plan, particularly since

Bronstein-Lerner, Odessa 1974

Another standard positional idea: White isolates the c-pawn and

Everything i s protected and Black i s ready to finish u p o n the

We'll organize our investigation of Emanuel Lasker's invention in

Chapter One: Main Line Introduction

Chapter Two: The Bid for Refutation, 9 Nxe4

Chapter Three: The Old Main Line, 9 Qc2

Chapter Four: Rarities - - 9 Qb3 and 9 Bd3

Chapter Five: The Simplifying 9 cxd5

Chapter Six: The Modern 9 Rei

Chapter Seven: White avoids Lasker (7 Bxf6)

Main Line Introduction

White can transpose into the Exchange Variation at early points in

After 5 Nfl 0-0 6 Qc2 Black is in a better position to play 6 . . . c5 if he

In a more positional vein, White has tried 8 e3 Nxc3 9 bxc3 with

13 cxd5 exd5 14 a5 as in Lputian-Polovodin, U.S. S.R. 1 980).

10 Bxb8 Rxb8 11 Qxa7 Be6 12 Be2 Ne4 as in Tomovic-Vidmar, Ljubljana

For a modem illustration of the "Old Lasker" there is Chemin-C.

However, White continued 1 2 cxd5 exd5 1 3 b 4 - - a standard

With 7 Bxf6 we get into Chapter Seven. This has become

and three times he retreated the bishop to f4.

The bishop is not badly placed at f4 but Black is able to simplify in

( 1 ) Euwe-Spielmann, Karlsbad 1 929

h6 has been omitted).

White seems to be making progress but he has overlooked the point

To avoid 27 Rg l Bh3 28 g4 and 29 Rg3 .

(2) Sliwa-Bondarevsky, Hastings 1960- 61

However, Black should do better with . . c7-c5 at move six or seven.

If Black is forced into l l . . .c6 he is slipping into a slight inferiority.

(3) Kan-Leven fish, Moscow 1936

Taking aim at c7 with Nb5 in mind. Now continuations such as

Both sides end up with a queenside pawn on a square of the other

Levenfish noted that Black's winning chances exist only if he can

try to make a passed f-pawn with . . h6-h5-h4.

The Bid for Refutation, 9 Nxe4

The Queen's Gambit, whether accepted or declined, is one of the war

Black should be OK once he gets his rooks to the natural d- and c

Then, for example, 9 cxd5 Nxc3 1 0 bxc3 exd5 1 1 c4 was Seirawan