Chess legends series: Wilhelm Steinitz
Wilhelm Steinitz ( 14.5.1836 - 12.8.1900)
1st official world chess champion Wilhelm Steinitz was born in May of 1836 to a family of 13 children ( he was 9th, however, 4 children died at an early age which is why he referred to himself as 13th). He learned how to play chess from his father at an early age. In 1858 he left Prague to attend the polytechnic university in Vienna. Studies didn't last for long and in 1861 he won a tournament called "Wiener Schachgesellschaft" with a more than impressive and dominant result of 30 victories out of 31 matches. His love for chess and undeniable talent got him an invitation to the 2nd International tournament in London in 1862. He finished 6th out of 14 players (all strong masters of the 19th century, including Adolf Anderssen-more about him here https://www.chess.com/blog/mato_popovic/chess-legends-series-adolf-anderssen). Steinitz did well in this tournament even though his fellow competitors were more experienced. His game against Mongredien impressed Adolf Anderssen so much that he said that this game was the "bravest and most impressive game of the tournament".
Steinitz between the years 1874-1881 played very little tournament chess. His reputation as the best player in the world was not challenged in the tournament in Vienna (where he placed 1st with a polish player Winawer) but in 1883 a new name entered the competition. In the London tournament in 1883, Johannes Zukertort placed 1st with 3 points ahead of Steinitz. This was enough for Wilhelm to challenge Johannes in an official matchup. After tiring 3 years and many dialogues and compromises the match was finally agreed to take place in the USA with three stops in total (New York, St.Louis, New Orleans).
11.1.1866 the first official world chess championship has begun. After the first-round victory, Steinitz suffered a heavy blow by Zukertort-4 losses in a row. After 2 weeks break the match continued in St.Louis. Steinitz managed to recover from an unpleasant first section and equalized the match after 3 victories (with one draw) to 4:4. Steinitz took lead in the 11th game and did not let go of his lead since. According to the witnesses of the match, Zukertort was towards the end getting more and more exhausted which minimized his chances of a comeback. 29.3.1886 the chess world had its first official world champion: Wilhelm Steinitz. The match score was 10:5 (5 draws).
Steinitz (like everyone who is successful) faced many doubters and in 1889 in Havana, he faced one such critic: Mikhail Chigorin. The heavily anticipated match ended in an unfavorable result for the challenger. Steinitz won convincingly 10:6 (with 1 draw in the last round). Chigorin afterward complained about climate conditions in Havana which was a common excuse in world chess championship history.
2 years later Steinitz faced another challenger: Isidor Gunsberg. An anglo-Hungarian master was not as famous as Chigorin therefore their match did not raise much recognition and appreciation. Unexpectedly Isidor managed to put up a great fight and lost only by 2 score points (10:8 with 9 draws ).
This match was more dramatic than people thought, which shook by Steinitz's dominance. The telegraphical games with Mikhail Chigorin just increased the need for another match. Chigorin prevailed and the St. Petersburg chess club just a few days after offered Steinitz a rematch with Mikhail. The same offer came from Havana to Chirogin. Chigorin left the decision up to Steinitz (even though he complained about climate conditions) and he picked Havana. This match was the most dramatic in Steinitz's career and it definitely deserves a closer look which we might do some other time. Before the last round, the score was just 9:8 in favor of Steinitz. In the last game, Zukertort got the advantage and was on the right track to a win, however, chess goddess Caissa had other plans. A terrible blunder happened and Johannes lost the game and the match, still complaining about the climate.
Next matches he played against a chess legend we will talk about next: Emmanuel Lasker - 2nd world champion
Wilhelm Steinitz's health deteriorated after these matches leading him to a psychiatric ward. Till his last breath, Steinitz was traveling from one tournament to another, trying to gain some money. On the 12th of august 1900 when the world awaited the new century, Steinitz in a park with pocket chess in his hands passed away.
