1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 Ne4 8. Bxe7 Qxe7 9. cxd5

This and the line beginning 9. Nxe4 dxe4 10. Nd2 are the most forcing choices for White.

 

9... Nxc3 10. bxc3 exd5

This game between two Lasker Defense experts can tell us a lot about what might be the best strategy for both sides.

 

11. Qb3 Qd6!?

More common is 11... Rd8 12. c4 dxc4 13. Bxc4 Nc6 14. Qc3 Bg4= when White cannot retreat with 15. Nd2? as in the game due to 15... Rxd4!

 

12. c4

12. Bd3!? Nd7 13. Qc2 Nf6=

 

12... dxc4 13. Bxc4 Nc6 14. Qc3 Bg4 15. Nd2!

Preventing Black from damaging his kingside with 15...Bxf3 16.gxf3.

 

15... Rad8 16. O-O Ne7 17. Rfc1!? b6

Premature is 17... c5?! 18. Ne4! cxd4! 19. Nxd6 dxc3 20. Nxb7+/= and White appears to win a pawn.

 

18. Ne4! Qd7 18... Qg6 19. Ng3 c6 20. Bd3!+/=

 

19. Ng3 c6 20. Qa3!?

This piece attack seems less effective than one with a pawn starting 20. a4! Rfe8 21. a5 since Black cannot advance 21... b5? 22. Bb3 without leaving his c-pawn dreadfully weak.

 

20... Ra8 21. h3?!

White begins to drift without a definite plan. This move drives the Bishop to where it wants to go.

 

21... Be6 22. Be2

Better 22. Bxe6 Qxe6 23. Rc2

 

22... Rac8 23. Nh5 Ng6 24. Qb2!? f5!

Defending the g-pawn while beginning a kingside offensive.

 

25. a4

Too late.

 

25... f4?!

Likely premature, though Black has the right idea. An interesting idea might be 25... Bd5 26. a5 b5!? weakening the Queenside structure but stopping White's queenside play in preparation for the attack on the kingside.

 

26. Bd3?!

White misses a nice tactical trick in 26. d5! cxd5 (26... Bxd5 27. Bg4!) (26... Qxd5?? 27. Qxg7#) 27. Rxc8 Rxc8 28. Bd3 Qf7 29. Bxg6 Qxg6 30. Nxf4+/=

 

26... Bf5!

Also possible was 26... fxe3!? 27. fxe3! (27. Bxg6 Rxf2! 28. Rc2 Bf5! 29. Bxf5 Qxf5->) 27... Nh4 28. Nf4 Bd5~~

 

27. e4?

Part of Black's plan! Now the fireworks begin.

 

27... Bxh3! 28. f3

28. gxh3 Qxh3-/+ wins the wayward Knight at h5.

 

28... Qe7!? 29. a5 Nh4 30. axb6 axb6 31. gxh3

31. Ba6 Nxf3+! (31... Qg5) (31... Bxg2) 32. gxf3 Qg5+ 33. Kh2 Qxh5 34. Bxc8 Bxc8+ 35. Kg1 (35. Kg2 Qh3+ 36. Kf2?? Qh2+) 35... Qxf3-> and Black has a winning attack for only the Exchange.

 

31... Qg5+ 32. Kh1 Qxh5 33. Be2 Kh8 34. Ra3 Rf6!

Black is not ready yet for 34... Nf5?! 35. exf5 Qxh3+ 36. Kg1 Rxf5 37. Bf1 Rg5+ 38. Bg2~~

 

35. Rg1 35. Qxb6 Nf5!

 

35... Nf5! 36. Kh2 Ne3

36... Ng3!

 

37. Ra7?

More unclear is 37. Qxb6! Rcf8 (37... Rg6 38. Ra5! Qh4 39. Rxg6 Qf2+ 40. Kh1 Qxe2 41. Qb7 Qxf3+ 42. Kh2~~) 38. Qc7 R6f7 39. Qxc6 Qh4 40. Ra2 Qf2+ 41. Kh1 Qh4 42. Kh2=

 

37... Rg6! 38. Qa1 Rg5 39. d5?? Qxh3+!! 1-0