1924
April 17 1924
The Herald Statesman, Yonkers, New York, Thursday, April 17, 1924
Emanuel Lasker Has Been Master At Chess For Over Thirty Years
Dr. Emanuel Lasker, dean of the present-day chess masters, has been a prominent figure in the world of chess for more than 30 years, holding the world's championship from 1894 when he defeated the great Steinitz until 1921, when he was finally forced to relinquish his title to Capablanca in their memorable match in Havana. Born in Belinchen, Prussia, Dec. 24, 1868, he completed his studies at Heidelberg where he received a degree of doctor of mathematics.
He started the study of chess at the age of 12, but it was not until 1890, after he studied under his brother, Dr. Berthold Lasker, that he took up chess professionally. He spent seven years in England and then launched forth on an illustrious career, leaving him today the lone figure to link such names as Steinitz, Tchigorin and Pillsbury with the present.
In the impromptu international tournament in New York, played in 1893, he made the remarkable record of winning every one of the thirteen games he played, but at Hastings in 1895 he only was placed third in an international tournament.
In 1894 he beat Steinitz in the match for the championship of the world by 10 to 5 and 4 draws, and three years later a second time by 10 to 2 and 5 draws.
In 1896 he secured first prize in the quadrangular tournament at St. Petersburg, his competitors being Steinitz, Tschigorin and Pillsbury, and in the same year he captured the first prize in the Nuremberg international tournament and repeated this achievement four years later in the London International contest. After absenting himself from the arena for nine years, he entered the St. Petersburg tournament in 1914. He won over Capablanca by half a point.
In 1907 Frank J. Marshall challenged, but was swept aside to the tune of 8-0 and 7 draws. A year later, came Dr. Tarrasch, who made a better showing, 8-3 and 5 draws. Janowski twice encountered the champion during 1909, the first time in a series of four games, in which both won two, but the subsequent match was won by Dr. Lasker by 7-1 and 2 draws.
In 1910 came the memorable match with Schlechter. It was restricted to ten games, draws counting. The final score was Dr. Lasker, 1; Schlechter 1; drawn 8, Schlechter won the fifth game and Dr. Lasker, the tenth. The same year Janowski re-entered the arena and lost by 8-0 and 3 draws. During the war Dr. Lasker defeated Dr. Tarrasch once more and this time 5-0 and 1 draw.
His last important appearance prior to the present tourney was in 1921 when he lost his world's title to Capablanca in Havana.
