Steinitz vs Chigorin 1889 Havana

	Steinitz and Chigorin face off in Cuba

Wilhelm Steinitz was one of the first truly original thinkers in chess. What Steinitz gave to chess could be compared to what Newton gave to physics: he made it a science. By identifying a number of positional features, Steinitz realized that all sound attacks stem from weaknesses in the opponent's position. When such weaknesses do not exist, attacking is not warranted, and proper positional play dictates that one must strive for the slow addition of many small advantages.

Mikhail Chigorin was one of the last of the great romantic players, and his fighting spirit embodied the character of the Soviet school of chess which was to dominate the chess world in the latter part of the 20th century. Chigorin rejected the doctrinal approach of Steinitz and Tarrasch, but he accepted some of Steinitz's ideas, notably a belief in the soundness of the defensive center, and his investigations into the Closed Defense to the Spanish Opening have proved of lasting value.

Although Chigorin's lifetime record against Steinitz is very respectable, Steinitz's mastery of chess proved to be too much for him in this match. 

FINAL SCORE:  Steinitz 10;  Chigorin 6 (1 draw)