MacDonnell-Steinitz 1862

The great London tournament of 1862 was one of the strongest tournaments of the 19th century and only the second event recognized as a true international chess tournament.  Several legendary players participated and many great games and novelties were conceived.  Today we bring you one of these games between a young Wilhelm Steinitz and George Alcock MacDonnell.

Steinitz would become the unofficial champion of the chess world from 1866 until 1886, when he would then be recognized as the first official world chess champion.  His long title reign would eventually end in 1894 at the hands of Emanuel Lasker.  MacDonnell was a relatively unknown Irish chess player whose best results were third place finishes at Dundee 1867 and London 1872.

For game analysis and notes as presented by Johann Jakob Lowenthal in the 1864 tournament book, visit http://www.rookhouse.com/blog/?p=279