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By Larry Parr
Chess Life Editor 1984 - 1988
Author
WORSE
THAN A CRIME?
(Continued)
WHEN
CHESS GODS BLUNDER
(III)
Great players are foolhardy not to respect the genius of other great
players. All kinds of survival
mechanisms are thereby built into tournament behavior.
These players do not strive for victory in completely drawn positions
because they know that pressing irrationally leads to such catastrophes as Emanuel
Lasker - Max Euwe, Nottingham, 1936.
Max
Euwe (to play)
Emanuel
Lasker
23.
...
Ba5??
In this position, Black need merely move his Knight and then offer a
draw. The text loses a piece.
24. b4!
Bxb4 25. Nc2
and Black resigned on
move 33
In his book on the great Nottingham tournament, Alekhine wrote, “23.
... Ba5?? is hard indeed to understand, as even the answers 24. Nc2 or 24. Kxc4
Bxe1; 25. Be3 would yield Black no advantage.
That the draw was not declared here was only, I presume, because neither
player offered one. Dr. Emanuel
Lasker because (although he doubtless was perfectly aware that his isolated pawn
is by no means a serious weakness) he was, theoretically at least, at a slight
disadvantage; Dr. Euwe because as the new World Champion he felt obliged to
exploit even the shade of a winning chance.
The unfortunate result was the ensuing catastrophe, which changed the
normal course of the tournament.” Indeed,
Euwe missed tying for first with Capablanca and Mikhail Botvinnik in this
tournament by half a point..
QUICK GLANCE
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