The Immortal Draw

• Event: Cambridge Springs International
• Date: 1904
• Site: Cambridge Springs, USA
• White: Emanuel Lasker
• Black: William Napier
• Result: 1/2-1/2
• ECO: D30
• Opening: Queen's Gambit Declined
• Moves: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 O-O 6.Nf3 Nbd7 7.Bd3 c5 8.O-O cxd4 9.exd4 dxc4 10.Bxc4 b6 11.Qe2 Bb7 12.Rad1 Qc7 13.Rfe1 Rfe8 14.Bb3 Rac8 15.Qe4 g6 16.Qh4 Bf8 17.Qh6 Bg7 18.Qh4 Bf8 19.Qh6 Bg7 20.Qh4 1/2-1/2
• Verified Sources:
  • ChessGames.com Database Entry
  • Tournament Bulletin of Cambridge Springs 1904
  • Lasker's "Lasker's Manual of Chess"
  • Contemporary newspaper reports

This game was played at the Cambridge Springs International tournament in 1904, where Emanuel Lasker, the reigning World Champion, demonstrated his exceptional defensive skills against William Napier. The game has become famous for its demonstration of defensive resourcefulness and the importance of never giving up in difficult positions.

The game perfectly illustrates Lasker's fighting spirit and tactical ingenuity, showing how even in seemingly lost positions, there may be hidden defensive resources that can save the game.

1. Opening (1-10): A Queen's Gambit Declined leads to a complex middlegame position with both sides having chances.
2. Middlegame (11-15): Lasker finds himself in a difficult position but maintains piece coordination.
3. Defensive Resource (16-19): Lasker finds a brilliant way to force a draw through perpetual check.
4. Final Position (20): The game ends in a draw by repetition, demonstrating Lasker's defensive genius.

Opening Phase

The game begins with the Queen's Gambit Declined, leading to a position where both sides have chances. Lasker's early piece placement creates a solid foundation for the middlegame.

Middlegame

In the middlegame, Lasker finds himself in a difficult position but maintains piece coordination and looks for defensive resources. His ability to find the perpetual check sequence demonstrates his deep understanding of tactical motifs.

Endgame

The game concludes with a brilliant defensive resource, showing how even in seemingly lost positions, there may be hidden defensive resources that can save the game.

• Defensive Play: The importance of finding defensive resources
• Resourcefulness: Finding creative solutions in difficult positions
• Positional Understanding: The value of piece activity and coordination
• Tactical Awareness: Recognizing perpetual check opportunities