Pillsbury - Lasker St. Petersburg 1895

Queen’s Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense

Emanuel Lasker considered this the best game of his career. Facing Harry Pillsbury in the famous St. Petersburg 1895 tournament, Lasker played the Queen’s Gambit Declined — a solid, classical opening — and slowly took control through subtle pressure and deep planning. Calm and calculating under pressure, Lasker turned small advantages into a winning position. He often shared this game with students as a perfect example of how to combine positional play with mental resilience.

16.f4 White is attacking the black king.

Lasker goes for an active plan by counterattacking the White king.

Both players were in time trouble by the 20th move. Lasker should have followed up with 22...Qc4.

Both players play inaccurately in time trouble.

The next brilliant combination starts with 26... Rxa3!!

White is losing either way. If he retreats to b1 white will get squeezed in a lost rook endgame.

White took the sacrifice. Unfortunately for him, Lasker wasn't bluffing.

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Move wisely,

JP