The New World Champion. Lasker At Hastings

Afternoon Everyone.

it struck me this week that I haven't posted any 19th century chess, or any Lasker for a while. so with what is going on today i thought it would be a good day to have a quick look at Lasker in his first tournament as World Champion at the legendary Hastings 1895 Tournament.

He came into the tournament with his status as the new champion in question - go figure - and also his participation was in doubt up to the last moment because of serious illness.

Under the circumstances his result - finishing in third place - was accepted as a perfectly good performance.

He started shakily, but once he had played himself into form he began to become the fighting Lasker we know, and also showed that he was a seriously good player.

Enough nattering - let's just enjoy some chess - the games I give here are not often quoted. I have included the notes from the official tournament book - I always find such things interesting - with a few observations of my own. Also some pictures. The Bradshaw photos from the event are legendary!

Where shall we begin? O.K. Let's go with this one. Lasker and Carl Walbrodt

Had some history! They were not best friends. In this game Lasker made a statement.

One game from early in the tournament where he played well was against the emerging David Janowski. At that time, when Lasker played 1.e4 he generally wanted a sharp game. When he wanted a slower, maneuvering, game he played 1.d4. here he outmaneuvers his opponent.

Pollock

Was a perfectly decent player, and in good shape. At Hastings he beat both Tarrasch and Steinitz. Lasker - with Black - just swatted him like an annoying fly. Lasker could play seriously good chess.

In the last round he desperately needed to win. With Black against the notoriously tough defender Amos Burn

he went 'All In'.

To finish up this humble offering I will share the two Lasker games from the tournament that I have spent the most time with over the years. Let's start with this one. The name Magnus Carlsen will come up a lot over the next few days!! I have always seen him as the modern version of Lasker, and this game could well be one of his. 

Lasker's opponent

was having an excellent tournament. Steinitz later chose to play a match with him as preparation for his World Championship rematch, and a fascinating match it was.

And finally this one. Like many Lasker games, you struggle to evaluate a lot of the positions, and then he turns out to be winning.

Teichmann

was born on the same day as Lasker, but at the time was seen as an emerging talent, whilst Lasker was already World Champion. This was their first meeting. Quite a game, and you get Steinitz's notes as a bonus. They are always fascinating..