Introduction

Let me tell you kids about myself. I am Emanuel Lasker and I was a German chess player, mathematician, and philosopher. I was World Chess Champion for 27 years. In my prime, I was one of the most dominant champions, and I am still generally regarded as one of the strongest players who have ever lived. 

 Early Chess Career

I was born on December 24, 1868, Neumark. I was the son of a Jewish cantor. When I was eleven, I was sent to Berlin to study mathematics, where I lived with my brother and he taught me how to play chess.
I shot up through the chess rankings in 1889, when I won the annual Winter tournament and a second division tournament at the sixth German Chess Federation’s congress held in Breslau. Winning the Hauptturnier earned me the title of “master”.

Style and Later  Chess Career

People criticized me because I used psychology against my opponents. They said my game wasn’t pure enough but I answered those criticisms by creating an even more impressive playing record. I demonstrated the correctness of my ideas by beating all of my critics.
My match records were impressive from 1896-97 winning all the normal matches, and among those three of them were convincing defenses of my title. I first faced Marshall in the World Chess Championship 1907, when despite his aggressive style, Marshall could not win a single game, losing eight and drawing seven.

When I challenged Siegbert Tarrasch to a match, he declined it publicly stating that I should first prove my mettle by attempting to win one or two major international events.
I then played against him (after proving myself) in the World Chess Championship 1908. Tarrasch considered me as a coffeehouse player but I gave a brilliant answer on the chessboard and eventually I won against him.
In 1896-97, I published my book Common Sense in Chess, based on lecture I had given in London in 1895. By this time I was nearly 52 years old and I never played any serious game.
I was considered to have a psychological method of playing. Chess is, above all, a fight in which if you have the desire to win, you will win.

I was also the author of a very popular book, “Common Sense in Chess” if you would like a copy you can download it here 

If you would like to know more about me you can go here.

If you would like to know more about the previous World Champion, Wilhelm Steinitz, you can click here.