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This free chess games analysis article follows a chess game that could end up in a somewhat complicated position following the �McCutcheon� variation of the French Defense. However, if you follow Lasker�s strategies of developing his pieces, you can be very successful, especially if playing online on one of those �free chess games� websites.
White: Lasker, Emanuel
Black: Tarrasch, Siegbert
Place: Munich
Opening: French Defense
1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5
3. Nc3 Nf6
4. Bg5 Bb4
This particular variation of French Defense Opening is called the McCutcheon. Master Tarrasch was a strong advocate of the variation�s strength; in fact he called it the best. The most understandable next move is e5. However it leads to complicated positions and chess analysts are yet to agree on its advantages or disadvantages. When Black replies to e5 with 5 � h6; most logical line of play is probably; 6.exf6 hxg5; 7.fxg7 Rg8; 8.h4 gxh4; 9.Qh5 Qf6; 10.Qxh4 Qxg7.
White is able to develop his pieces without any difficulty while Black will find it hard to get his white squared Bishop into action (This is a characteristic of most French Defense Openings). It is incorrect to withdraw the Bishop in reply to 5 �h6, since after 6 Bh4 g5; 7 Bg3, Bishop is more or less out of the action. Black can exploit that by positioning the Knight at e4 with support of his now unchallenged black squared Bishop.
In the game discussed here Lasker takes a completely different method to develop his pieces. It is however easy to implement and is successful.
5. exd5 Qxd5
Black should not use the e pawn to take pawn at d5, because when White plays, 6 Qf3, he will either have to face an isolated doubling of pawns on f file, or he will have to bring back the Bishop to prevent that, losing time.
Doubling of the pawns which results from 5 �Qxd5 is not entirely bad for Black. It will be bad if Black castles short for obvious reasons. If he does not do that, he can use it to his advantage, when he moves his e pawn forward to attack the Whites� centre.
6. Nf3 c5?
This is a bad move because he is giving up the possibility of castling long. If White carries out the exchange at f6 Black would have to expose his king-side as well. Black could have played the better b6 or Be7.
7. Bxf6 gxf6
8. Qd2 Bxc3
9. Qxc3 Nd7
10. Rd1 Rg8
11. dxc5 Qxc5
12. Qd2 Qb6
This prevents the possible mate at d8, when the Knight is moved out. However, best move to do that is Qe7. Knight is still unable to move because of the threat Bb5+.
13. c3 a6
14. Qc2 f5
15. g3 Nc5
16. Bg2 Qc7
Black aims to move forward the e pawn. White will put a stop to that immediately.
17. Qe2 b5
18. O-O Bb7
Black�s situation is perilous; castling would not safeguard his King, his pawn structure is broken. White would expertly exploit these weaknesses to dispose of Black quickly.
19. c4 b4
20. Qd2 Rb8
White succeeds in saving the pawn at b4; if Qxb5, Black will be counter with Bxf3. However White is not interested in the pawn, he wants to win the game.
21. Qh6 Bxf3
22. Bxf3 Qe5
23. Rfe1 Qxb2
24. Qf4 Rc8
25. Qd6 f6
There was a threat of mate two moves away; Bc6+ etc.
26. Bh5+ Rg6
27. Bxg6+ hxg6
28. Rxe6+
Black resigns.
More free chess games analyzed here, as well as 9 free chess videos on chess openings, tactics, and endgame play:
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