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Was Lasker Busted?

billwall
| 7 | Endgames

John Barry (1873-1940) was a Boston lawyer and a strong amateur who played at Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania in 1904.  He drew his games with Lasker, Marco, Showalter, Schlechter, and Mieses,  He defeated Richard Teichmann.  But his missed opportunity was a game against world champion Emanuel Lasker in round 7.  The game was drawn, but I think Barry had a win.  He threw away a pawn for nothing instead of winning a pawn and, perhaps the game.  Lasker tied for 2nd with Janowski.  A loss would have given him 3rd place.  Barry tied for 14th-15th place.  A win would have him tied for 12th place.  Lasker retreated his Queen away from his King, which should have been a losing move.  Barry could have played a number of moves to win the game.  Instead, he allowed one of his pawns to be captured.  Lasker then traded off the Queens and had the draw.  But it looks like Lasker should have lost.  You decide.  Could you have won it?

 

 

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