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Botvinnik’s Catalan Beats Lasker in 21 Moves – ChessTerra.com

Botvinnik’s Catalan Beats Lasker in 21 Moves

March 23, 2025 NHaselton Chess Lectures

ChessNetworkSun, March 23, 2025 9:14pmURL:
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Featured is an instructive chess game between 24-year-old Mikhail Botvinnik and 68-year-old Emmanuel Lasker from 1936. Out of a Catalan Opening, Lasker doesn’t respond properly to Botvinnik’s 2:1 central majority. After only 3 key pawn moves by Botvinnik shortly thereafter, Lasker’s position is completely busted. This model game highlights the importance of reacting well and in a timely fashion when facing white’s ideal pawn center (d4/e4). Lasker resigns this game after only 21 moves.
#CatalanOpening #MikhailBotvinnik #EmmanuelLasker

I’m a self-taught National Master in chess out of Pennsylvania, USA who was introduced to the game by my father in 1988 at the age of 8. The purpose of this channel is to share my knowledge of chess to help others improve their game. I enjoy continuing to improve my understanding of this great game, albeit slowly. Consider subscribing here on YouTube for frequent content, and/or connecting via any or all the below social medias. Your support is greatly appreciated. Take care, bye. 🙂

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PGN
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 Nbd7 7. Nc3 dxc4 8. e4 c6 9. a4 a5 10. Qe2 Nb6 11. Rd1 Bb4 12. Ne5 Qe7 13. Be3 Bd7 14. Nxc4 Nxc4 15. Qxc4 b5 16. Qe2 Rab8 17. axb5 cxb5 18. e5 Ne8 19. d5 exd5 20. Nxd5 Qxe5 21. Nxb4

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