White here is Edward Lasker, not to be confused with the great World Champion Emanuel Lasker. While not at the level of his illustrious namesake, Edward Lasker was a gifted player in his own right. In this delightful miniature we see him using a bold sacrifice to slash open the enemy position and force a win.
1.Nf3
Nf6
2.d4
d5
3.c4
The Queen's Gambit.
3...e6
4.Bg5
Nbd7
5.e3
Be7
6.Nc3
0-0
7.Bd3
Here we see that White has easily established control of the center. His pieces are also far more active than Black's--just compare the two lightsquared Bishops. White's is eyeing Black's h7 spot down the long diagonal and promises to play a key role in a future attack. Black's, on the other hand...is not going anywhere.
7...a6?
This is a meaningless move. Perhaps Black was hoping for a queenside expansion. But this plan is far too slow.
8.Ne5
dxc4
9.Nxc4!
This is better than taking with the Bishop. The reason will become apparent in a moment.
9...b5?
This move would be annoying if White had a Bishop on c4, since the Bishop would have nothing better to do than retreat. But because White deliberately recaptured on c4 with a Knight, this move is not only useless, but it is actually harmful to Black! When the pawn advanced to b5, it gave up control of the space behind it. Can you find the weakness?
10.Na5!
White spots it: the c6 square. Black is helpless to prevent the White Knight from occupying it.
10...c5
11.Nc6
White's Knight arrives with a bang, forking the Bishop and Queen.
11...Qe8
12.Qf3
Probing the hot diagonal.
12...Nb6
Black sees the threat to his Rook and protects against it, but now White effortlessly shifts gears.
13.Ne4!
This sets up 14.Nxe7 followed by 15.Nxf6+, which would wreck Black's kingside.
13...Nfd5
14.Nxe7+!
Anyway! White is preparing to uncork a tremendous shot.
14...Nxe7
15.Nf6+!!
Suddenly, Black is lost! He resigned immediately here. The winning line is shown below: [15.Nf6+!!
gxf6
16.Bxh7+!
Kxh7
17.Qh5+
Kg8
(17...Kg7
fares no better, as after 18.Qh6+
Kg8
19.Bxf6
Black runs into the same pattern that occurs in the main line.) 18.Bxf6
Ng6
19.Qh6
and mate follows on g7.] 1-0