occupied with his profession, tarrasch did not challenge steinitz, and turned down the young emanuel lasker's request for a match. this turned out to be a mistake, for lasker then challended steinitz, and won the world chess championship. later tarrasch unsuccessfully challenged lasker for the world championship, in 1908. he was by then past his best, though he continued to play in tournaments for many years. his best result in later years was to reach the final pool in the strong st. petersburg 1914 tournament. he came fourth, behind lasker, capablanca and alekhine.