Born in Germany in 1868, Emmanuel Lasker began playing chess in student tournaments. By 1889, he was competing in international events. Between 1998 and 1893, Lasker won several major tournaments and matches against renowned chess players. Inspired by his success, he challenged the world champion, Wilhelm Steinitz. Lasker confidently defeated Steinitz in their 1894 match and again in the rematch held in 1896-97.
Emanuel Lasker, who held the title of World Chess Champion for the longest period in history—27 years (1894–1921)—was also a Doctor of Philosophy and Mathematics.
Emanuel Lasker solidified his claim to the chess crown by securing first place in the strongest tournaments. He successfully defended his title against challengers such as Frank Marshall (USA), Siegbert Tarrasch (Germany), Dawid Janowski (Russia/France), and Carl Schlechter (Austria).
Chigorin, Lasker, Pillsbury, Steinitz during St. Petersburg chess tournament (1895)International Chess Federation (FIDE)
Lasker was renowned for his extraordinary strategic and psychological skills.
Having lost interest in the world championship title, Emanuel Lasker relinquished it in his 1921 match against José Capablanca. However, he continued to compete successfully in tournaments, albeit with some breaks. At the age of 66, he secured 3rd place in the highly competitive second Moscow International Tournament without suffering any losses. In 1935, Lasker emigrated from Germany to the USSR, and later to the USA.
Autograph of Emanuel Lasker by Emanuel LaskerInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)
Lasker's autograph
Lasker's signature chess combination
Lasker - Bauer. Amsterdam 1889
15. Bxh7+!
The game continued: 15…Kxh7 16.Qxh5+ Kg8 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Qg4+ Kh7 19.Rf3
Black must give up his queen to avoid mate. Lasker got a decisive material advantage and soon won the game.
Emanuel Lasker playing against Mikhail Botvinnik (1935)International Chess Federation (FIDE)
Lasker vs Botvinnik
The second international chess tournament in Moscow took place from February 15 to March 15, 1935. Salo Flohr and future world champion Mikhail Botvinnik shared first place, followed by former world champions Emanuel Lasker and José Raúl Capablanca.
The world speaks: opinions on Lasker
“Emanuel Lasker was undoubtedly one of the most interesting people I came to know in my later life.” — Albert Einstein
“The greatest of the champions was, of course, Emanuel Lasker.” — Mikhail Tal
“My chess hero.” — Viktor Korchnoi
Lasker's Chess Magazine cover (1906) by Emanuel LaskerInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)
In 1892, Emanuel Lasker founded his first chess magazine, The London Chess Fortnightly, which was published from August 1892 to July 1893. Later, in November 1904, he started Lasker’s Chess Magazine, which continued until 1909.
Timeless chess tips from Lasker
He who wants to educate himself in chess must evade what is dead in chess... the habit of playing with inferior opponents; the custom of avoiding difficult tasks; the weakness of uncritically taking over variations or rules discovered by others; the vanity which is self-sufficient; the incapacity for admitting mistakes; in brief, everything that leads to standstill or to anarchy.
You should keep in mind no names, nor numbers, nor isolated incidents, not even results, but only methods.
Dive deeper: explore Emanuel Lasker's legacy through these videos
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