Tuesday’s 5-second tactics!
gm STEINITZ
gm PILLSBURY
Vienna, 1898! An oldie but goodie. Position after 24 moves of play. Curiously, Steinitz was doing well up to a couple of moves ago…but advancing age had reduced his ability to maintain the same level of play for the duration of the entire game. Here, in the position above, the ex-world champion overlooked a shot. Do you see it?
WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN!
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Harry Pillsbury was America’s greatest player after Paul Morphy and before Bobby Fischer. He died young, at age 33. June 17 1905.
gm LASKER, Em
gm PILLSBURY
Cambridge Springs, 1904. The greatest American tournament of the first part of the 20th century! You can find an old blog article on this magnificent tournament HERE.
Position after 24 moves of play. Pillsbury was always a difficult opponent for the world champion! Here Lasker’s King is very exposed. Too exposed. White can maintain the upper hand with the pedestrian 25. Rxf5+ followed by 26.Rf1—the Queen is more important here than the two Rooks. HOWEVER, Pillsbury was an artiste! He found much better than this!
WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN!