Steinitz (USA) – Chigorin (RUS) 10½- 6½
Havana, 20 January till 24 February 1889
Mikhail Ivanovich Chigorin (1850-1908) was the founder of the first chess club of St. Petersburg. His life was completely devoted to chess. Attacking player, talented with original strategy, Chigorin had not too big problem to reach the top of the World especially after his victory in the great New York tournament of 1889.
To show to the world that the Champion was not scared of anyone even by a player who beat him twice at the London tournament of 1883, Steinitz offered Chigorin to be the next Challenger. It was not merely a rivalry of personal skills, but also a clash between two schools of thought between Chigorin the romantic and Steinitz the classical. Both players accepted to play a maximum of 20 games under the auspices of the Havana Chess Club to be the organizer.
The ICM dated December 1888 described the challenge’s preparations: “The arrangement of the match Steinitz-Chigorin have been bought to a successful issue, Mr. Chigorin having in the early part of last month cabled his acceptance of the terms proposed to him. The amount of stakes is not definitively settled, for the Russian master has only signified his intention of deposing the minimum of $600, and it is still open to him to accept the maximum of $2,000. The contest will otherwise be regulated by same conditions as the last championship match between Steinitz and Zukertort. It should, however, be remembered that a limited number of games cannot be considered such a sure test as a match if only for the reason that either party who happens to be considerably ahead in the score may systematically play for draws and this is great odds in the hands of a fine player. Yet even such a limited direct trial of skill, if consisting of a large number of games as on the present occasion, is in our opinion a more accurate measure of relative skill than a tournament which is a soft of cross-play—test of one or two games, wherein the playing for draws is often a still more severe handicap for superior players, and in which other complications enter that are more a matter of chance than of merit.
We are gratified to state that with the unavoidable exception of the great distance that divided the chief parties to this contest, there was not the slightest hitch in the negotiations and all the terms were settled in the most amicable manner. The idea to arrange this affair was already suggested in the early part of the present year during the visit of Mr. Steinitz to Havana. A similar contest was then proposed between him and Captain Mackenzie, who was also a guest of the Havana Chess Club at the time, but the latter gentleman absolutely declined the offers made to him for that purpose. The members of the Havana Chess Club, with their usual generosity, thereupon proposed to make arrangements for a combat during the next winter season against any first-class player whom Mr. Steinitz would select, and the latter having chosen Mr. Chigorin, it was agreed by the Havana Chess Club to authorize an invitation to the Russian master, on the distinct condition that it should not be regarded as a challenge on the part of Mr. Steinitz. The negotiations commenced in the early part of last summer and, as already stated, all the principal terms were promptly accepted by Mr. Chigorin. It should, however, be mentioned that the playing for stakes was left optional to the Russian master, but a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $2,000 was proposed in the event of his preferring to play for stakes. Some minor details have still to be settled but they will not present the slightest difficulty. Mr. Steinitz has proposed Senor Adolfo Moliner, one of the most enthusiastic lovers of the game and a thoroughly impartial gentleman, who is conversant with many languages, as the Referee, and Senor Emilio Connil is the intended stakeholder. The two gentlemen will ad in their respective capacities if Mr. Chigorin gives his formal consent to the selections of his opponent.
Mr. Chigorin is universally acknowledged as one of the greatest Chess masters of our time and he is regarded by many connoisseurs as the coming champion. He plays ten games blindfold with facility and he has most profound book knowledge of the openings and of practical games. The victory of St. Petersburg in their correspondence match against London i chiefly ascribed to his splendid analytical powers, and hi elucidating notes to those games, which appeared some time ago in the French Chess journal, La Strategie, have excited the admiration of the Chess World. His style is remarkably brilliant and he is one of the most dangerous opponents in the conduct of the King’s side attack.”
The arrival of Mr. Chigorin in Cuba was delayed longer than we anticipated in our last number, in consequence of bad weather on his journey from Copenhagen to New York ; but the Russian master reached safely the American shores on the 10th , and was cordially received by Mr. Lipschutz and Dr. Mintz. He sailed on the 12th for Havana which city he reached on the 17th A most enthusiastic reception was accorded to him by local members, and after settlement of little details, the commencement of the contest with Mr. Steinitz, who had already been staying in Havana for a week, was fixed to take place on Sunday.
Game 1
Next day the contest commenced at the beautiful halls of the Union Club. The Captain General of Cuba Senor Marin arrived before the opening of proceedings with his suite in the company of the Minister of Finance, and the Governor of Havana, and stayed throughout the first sitting of four hours. A large number of members and distinguished visitors assembled to witness the opening of the fight, and it was announced that the stakes of $600 which was contributed for the Russian master by members of the St. Petersburg Chess Club and had already been covered for his opponent by subscribers in Havana had been further increased by the sum of $400 on each side solely contributed by Cuban amateurs. A beautiful chess table and set of men made of native wood of different natural colors had been provided for the occasion by the club, and at two o’clock the two players sat down in a separate room with their umpires. Senor Matchado recorded the moves and communicated them to the members and visitors in the- adjoining hall where the play was repeated on an enormously-sized board with men of the same description were in use during the last match between Messrs. Steinitz and Zukertort under the auspices of the Manhattan C. C., the St. Louis C. C. and the New Orleans C. C. The time limit is the same as in the last match between Messrs. Steinitz and Zukertort, namely Two hours for the first 30 moves and 15 moves per hour after that. The principal other regulations of that match have also been adopted for the present contest The play days are Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Mr. Chigorin, who won the toss for the first move, opened with his favorite Evans’ Gambit, and already on the 6th move a novelty was introduced by Mr. Steinitz by 6.. . . Qf6 We think well of the venture, and if we are not much mistaken it may, if further improved, break the famous attack of this opening right at the root in the early part of the debut. For it is applicable alike as a reply to 6. Castles or 6 d4. Its object is to dispense with the exchange of e-pawn for White’s c-pawn, which gives the latter a strong centre and a fine attacking development for all his pieces, whereas the defense here adopted may lead to the recovery of the P for White, who, however, will be much harassed by the weakness of his c-pawn and the difficulty of getting his Knight into play. On the 8th move, however, Black did not choose the best continuation which we point out in our notes and which we believe would have given him some superiority. On the 11th move Steinitz gave up a Pawn in order to exchange the hostile Bishop for a Knight and double the adversaries Pawns in the Queen’s centre, and also with a view of forming an attack after castling against the opponent’s loose pieces. This plan was, however, foiled by Chigorin’ s excellent play, and the latter assumed the offensive which required the greatest care in parrying. The consummation of several exchanges left Black with Q R, and Kt and a doubled Pawn on the b file against Q, R and B and two isolated Pawns on the other side, the King’s wings being well balanced by both parties, excepting that White’s KBP was a little too far advanced. On the 25th move Chigorin tried to dissolve the game completely on the Queen’s side by an exchange of Pawns on that wing which must have led to an easy draw, but Steinitz thought that he could retain the advantage by manoeuvre with his Knight against both isolated Pawns. The sally was imprudent, as it got him into difficulties Just toward the close of the second hour, and he committed a blunder on the 27th move which cost him a clear piece. The game was then virtually over, but a ray of hope for a draw was given to Black on White’s 31st move, where Chigorin could have kept his King’s side intact by Qc1 in stead of which he advanced g3, which exposed his King to a series of attacks at different stages of the ending. Steinitz then struggled on, and perhaps by an earlier attacking advance of his b-pawn on the 47th move he might have had some further chance of losing a Bishop, but he preferred to defend instead. Chigorin played well and attacked with his King’s pawns instead eventually forcing Steinitz to resign in a hopeless position after 6 hours 30 min of play.
Game 2
Played Tuesday, 22nd January, at the rooms of the Union Club. Again there was a large and select attendance, and the play commence punctually at 2 o’clock P. M. Steinitz tackled the irregular game (Zukertort’ s favorite), 1. Nf3, and he could hardly have chosen an opening that Chigorin was more familiar with. For, as is well known, it was unsuccessfully adopted by London in their match by telegraph against St. Petersburg, in which Mr. Chigorin took the most prominent part on the Russian side. But already on the 4th move White gave the game a new turn by Dd3. Chigorin promptly replied 4,… Qc8; which is no doubt the best move, for if 4. . . c6 White would answer Qh3 with a strong attack. Black soon drove back White’s Knight as anticipated, but this somewhat weakened the former’ s Pawns on the King’s side. On the 8th move, White on his Queen being attacked by the adverse Bishop, decided to remove her right back to d-sq., in order to have her available on both wings, and as it turned out, she strongly supported, subsequently, the attack on the King’s side, and though White had apparently lost two moves, he had still two pieces developed against the adversaries one, and Black was greatly hampered in the development of his forces.
On the 13th move, Steinitz commenced his attack on the King’s side with his g-pawn, and Chigorin pursued the plan of entering with his Knight in the center. There was little to choose between the positions on both sides excepting that White’s Pawns were compact in the center, while Black had a weak e-pawn and White could take the initiative to break in on either wing at leisure. In the 15th move, Chigorin effected an exchange of Pawns which turned out most disadvantageous, for it cost him a clear center Pawn with much the inferior game. On the 19th move, Steinitz did not select the best plan of pursuing his advantage which he could have easily pressed by retaking the g-pawn with the Queen instead of with the h-pawn. Chigorin thereupon opened a counter-attack for the recovery of the QP, but White’s 22nd move, Rh5 counteracted the plan successfully. Chigorin, as a last resort, gave up the exchange for the passed Pawn, but as White forced the exchange of Queens and Black’s King was badly placed, the tatter’s game broke down completely in the ending after four hours’ play.
Game 3
Played on the 24th January., Chigorin opened with the Ruy Lopez and Steinitz defended with 3…d6, which has become his favorite since he tried it against several of the strongest- players in Havana last year.. White, therefore commenced the usual attack by 4.d4, which Black answered by Bd7. Chigorin man chiefly in the Queen’s centre’ and. directed his forces against that wing in a manner which cramped Black’s pieces in that quarter, he ultimately forced on the c-pawn, but, we believe, weakened the same. Black’s 17th move marked a most interesting point, for he could win the Queen for only two minor pieces, but he would have lost the game by force. At the time of the crisis on the 20th move Black could have won that Pawn clearly, but instead, he, by a hasty move, lost the exchange for a Pawn. A blocked position ensued, which however, was gradually forced open by the Russian master with an ingenuity that has hardly ever been excelled in end play. Black had, we believe, a good chance of a draw on the 54th move, but missed it. The manner in which then Mr. Chigorin liberated his Rooks and forced the Black King up to the last row, is a real study. He finally succeeded in doubling his Rooks on the 7th row, and with the help of his Bishop he threatened to construct a mating net from which Black could not escape excepting by exchanging his Rook, which left him no chance of a fight. Steinitz had to give up at last his Rook for a Bishop, and with two exchanges ahead; Chigorin forced the victory with a few powerful strokes on the 83d move. Duration, 9 hours 5 minutes, the game having been adjourned, as usual, from 6 o’clock p. m. to 8 o’clock p.m.
The score thus stood, Chigorin 2, Steinitz 1, draw 0.
Game 4
Played on the 26th of January. This was again opened by Steinitz with 1. Nf3, but he varied the attack already on the 3d move, by 3. c4. Chigorin exchanged the Bishop for Knight, and Steinitz retook with gxf3, thus allowing his Pawns to be doubled on the f-file in consideration for the strength of centre and the combined two Bishops. On the 5th move Steinitz exchanged d5, and Chigorin retook with the Queen which was disadvantageous to his game. His position became still more inferior, when, on the 7th move, he retreated the Qa5 of to Qh5. Tschigorin’s 8th move Nc6 was, however, already a great mistake, for the answer d5; followed by a3 was bound to win a piece The Russian master defended ingeniously. For by the entrance of his Kt. at d4 he obtained three Pawns and a Rook for two minor pieces, but White was enabled to. direct a tremendous attack against the hostile King which had taken shelter on the Queen’s side. By making threats White recovered a couple of Pawns on the 17th move and 19th moves, and attacked the Knight which could not escape. Chigorin made then one more desperate effort to break into the centre, whereupon an exchange of Queens followed in a position which left Black no escape from being mated in a few moves. Chigorin resigned on the 22nd move, after 2 hours and 20 minutes play. Score, Chigorin 2, Steinitz 2.
Game 5
Chigorin opened with the Evan’s Gambit and Steinitz repeated the previous game with 6..Qf6. Chigorin innovate with 8. Bg5 which made the Black’s position very unpleasant. Chigorin then developed his Queen at b3 and constituted a marked attack with Rd1 against the adverse Queen. All this was no more than could be expected from the novel defence which rests on the idea of preventing the formation of White centre, and accordingly Steinitz at this stage abandoned the P he had gained in order to separate the hostile Pawns on two wings and to leave White with a doubled e- centre Pawn and a weak c-pawn which hampered the development of White’s Knight. Chigorin’s Queen, in turn, became dislodged and was almost useless on the Queen’s side, while Black gradually developed his forces and formed a strong attack against the other wing. On the 18th move White was much embarrassed, and his difficulties culminated in a blunder which cost him a clear piece. Chigorin then tried to retrieve fortunes by a desperate on slaught against White’s King’s side at the expense of another piece. But when at last Steinitz on the 26th move, simply avoided all attacks, which might have led to further complications, by remaining with his Queen on the only diagonal which the adverse Queen could have attacked, the Russian master resigned after 2 hours and 33 minutes play. The next three games will be played at the Casino de Espagnola, which society, as well as the Centre de Sports, have made arrangements with the authorities of the Union Club and the Club de Ajedrez for a portion of the contest to be played at their rooms.
Game 6
Steinitz opened with 1. Nf3 and followed the 4th game with the exchange of Bishop for Knight. Steinitz accept the gambit on e5 and an exchange of Queens followed. On the 8th move the Russian master occupied the open Q file with his Rook without, however castling, as he could have done.
This was a fine coup, for as was afterward seen, he required the King to be kept in its original place in order to provide protection for his f-pawn. On the 10th move Steinitz attacked the g-pawn on the open file with his Rook, but on examination he found that he could not take it without involving himself into complications of the opponent’s counter attack and he had therefore lost valuable time. On the 16th move the Russian master effected an exchange of Rooks and two minor pieces which left him Rook and Knight against the adverse Rook and Bishop, his opponent’s e-pawn being doubled, but nevertheless formidable as they were passed Pawns and by proper manoeuvring might have become dangerous. Steinitz on the 25th move by occupying the f-file with his Rook, might have won the exchange with at least a draw, and we believe, that if he had previously kept his King on the Queen’s side with the view of executing that manoeuvre he had a good chance of winning. Steinitz, however, took the wrong course and tried to make an impression on the Queen’s side. Chigorin then advanced his passed h-pawn in order to queen it, and by a fine man blocked out the adverse Rook from action. Chigorin then forced the exchange of Rooks having calculated to a nice that though both parties would queen their passed Pawns, he would force the exchange of Queens with a couple of checks and remain with an overwhelming superiority. Duration 3 hours and 32 minutes. Score: Steinitz 3, Chigorin 3, drawn 0.
Game 7
Chigorin opened as usual with the Evan’s Gambit which he is a world’s expert. In the present contest he had won one game and lost one at that debut, and on each occasion Steinitz had adopted the same novel defense initiated by 6…. Qf6 the play on both sides in the present game took the same course as in the fifth of the contest up to the 9th move when Chigorin proceeded with a new line of attack by 9.d5. This threw Black’s Knight back on the first row and then Chigorin attacked the undefended Bishop by 10. Qa4. Here was the critical point and it was for Black to decide whether to retreat the Bishop or to keep it on the Queen’s side almost useless for the purpose of delaying the adverse development of attack by threatening the capture of the c-pawn when the Knight came out. Steinitz decided on the former course with the view of giving up a Pawn temporarily in a manner similar to that adopted in the fifth game. But the position which this time arose from his manoeuvre became manifestly unfavorable for his defence as his King had to come out and White with his two advanced centre Pawns blocked in development of Black’s pieces. On the 26th move his game was altogether cramped, his King as well as his Rook and Bishop being imprisoned with little hope of extrication. In fact we believe that the Russian could have forced the game already on the 21st move by the sacrifice of the e-pawn, but he gave his opponent a reprieve which Steinitz might have more usefully employed by bringing out Ne6. Instead of which he made a futile attempt of developing his King and offering an exchange of Queens. Chigorin evaded the exchange until the 25th move when Black in order to open his game gave up a Pawn, no doubt too early, for he could have well postponed the sacrifice with better prospects for the ending. But as it was, Chigorin forced open the f-file by a fine temporary sacrifice of a Knight in combination with the advance of the f-pawn and then formed a pretty position with his well posted forces which was bound to gain a piece at least, whereupon Steinitz resigned. Duration: 3 hours, 35 min. Score: Chigorin 4; Steinitz 3.
Game 8
Steinitz opened with the usual Nf3. On this occasion Chigorin answered 1…Nf6, thus abandoning the defense with d5 which he had also practiced three times in the present contest. The positions then slowly developed themselves like a Queen Gambit declined, with the exception that the Russian master played 4. . . c6 which we consider questionable. Both parties manoeuvred for an opening in the King’s centre and White with the first move in hand effected an opening early, whereas Black in his endeavor to advance the e-pawn became subject to a vehement attack of the Queen’s centre Pawn which blocked up his Rook and Bishop. The well- known respective styles of the two players were then reversed. Steinitz neglected his advantage on the Queen’s side for a King’s side attack, whereas the Russian master, by some clever tactics, broke in on the other wing with the view of winning c5 which he at last affected on the 23d move. At this stage Steinitz could have drawn the game by a repetition of moves to which the answers were forced. But he elected to attack a Rook with a Bishop, and no doubt the Russian would have made a much better fight with some fair prospect of drawing if he had given up the exchange at this point. But Chigorin attempted to save the Rook over looking that his opponent obtained a vehement attack on the King’s side and in the centre. His miscalculations became apparent too late when Steinitz on the 33d move, sacrificed a Rook for two Pawns with an irresistible attack, which drove the Black King into a mating net. An adjournment took place at 6 o’clock on White 35th move, Bg6, which Steinitz had to seal. After the game was resumed only two more moves on each side were made, and in reply to the next the 38th move, d7 which blocked out Black’s Queen from succor to the King. Chigorin resigned.
Duration: 4 hours, 43 minutes. Score: Steinitz 4; Chigorin 4; drawn 0.
Game 9
The opening was an Evans’ Gambit of the same character as the previous ones up to the 10th move, when Steinitz tried 10… . b6 with the view of keeping command of the c-pawn. As the 11th game will show, this variation will have to be discarded, as the attack which White afterward obtains is irresistible. However, in the present game White did not hit on the right continuation, and proceeded on the 12th move with Bb3 in stead of 12 Bd3, which is the proper play. A general exchange of pieces followed, Black being two Pawns ahead, which, however, he could not maintain, and in order to avoid all attack he gave up both with the view of reducing forces, and then to direct his attention against the opponent’s e-pawn and a-pawn, which were both left weak. The former fell on the 27th move, and Black three moves later could have brought his King to the Queen’s side with an irresistible game. Instead of which he manoeuvred prematurely in order to free his centre Pawn and a prolonged fight ensued, in which Steinitz manoeuvred for gaining moves in order to push his centre Pawn or to break up the adverse King’s side. The result was that he was sure to win a second pawn, but he thoughtlessly omitted the precise harmony Rc6 on the 43rd move, which would have secured the victory absolutely: This taking the g-pawn at once gave the opponent at least time, and Chigorin might have spun out the struggle with some fair prospects of a draw if he had played 46 Rg5. But in consequence of the move actually made, Chigorin’s King was driven off by a series of checks far away on the Queen’s side, and after the exchange of the Knight for the Bishop, White’s King was cut off from the centre pawn which marched on to Queen’s rear supported by Black’s King and Rook.
Game 10
Steinitz as heretofore opened with Nf3. His persisting in adopting this first move may be accounted for by several reasons: the opening is quite in accordance with the principles of the modern school and gives a sound study development to the first player who keeps the advantage of the opening for a long time in hand. Several interesting varieties have already been introduced by both players at subsequent stages of this opening which will give analysts a good deal to think of. For the present game, the Russian master essayed two novelties on the 3d and 4th moves with the view of transforming the close game into an open one. This is generally a dangerous venture at such an early stage, but the attempt will be found ingenious and we believe White’s 5th move is the only one to give him the advantage, whereas any other line of play would have involved the first player in some difficulties. Steinitz came out of the opening struggle with one Pawn to the good, but there was no connection between his lines of Pawns, for two of them were doubled on the Queen’s file, another such pair on the f-file and he had also an isolated h-pawn; rather an inconvenient arrangement for the ending in spite of his numerical superiority and though he had his two Bishops, he had to avoid the exchange of Queens which the adversary pressed hard for, as the Knights generally make havoc among separate Pawns in the final play. White’s battle had therefore to be fought on the merits of middle play and on the strength of his open files for the Rook which threatened fire in the King’s centre and on the g-file. We believe, that on the 15th move, Chigorin was prevented from castling and his King became greatly harassed Already on move 21 White’s attack became irresistible and Steinitz forced the exchange of the Bishop which was the chief protection of Chigorin’s King. With a sacrifice of a Rook for a Knight, Black’s King went into a mating position fro which there was no escape.
Game 11
Owing to Mr. Steinitz’s indisposition this game, which was due on the previous day, had been postponed. It came off at the Union Club, where the rest of the contest is to be played, and it was a most remarkable one. . As usual with new ventures in the opening, they have to be verified by analysis and practice, and sometimes it takes hundreds of games between first-class masters before a single variation of a common debut can be satisfactorily tested. This time the Russian master completely routed the new defense in the Evans’ Gambit, which Steinitz had adopted all through the contest, and clearly proved in an ingenious manner that at least an important modification of the novel line of play is requisite. The game proceeded exactly like the ninth of the contest up to White’s 12th move, at which point, however, the Russian master altered his tactics, and withdrew his Bishop to d3 instead of to b3 as he had done on the previous occasions. On the next move in reply to 12…. Bc3, which was undoubtedly Black’s only defense, the Russian master introduced a charming coup de repos, which, we believe, will baffle all analytical efforts for a satisfactory reply. He broke the continuity of the attack with an apparently simple defensive move 13 Rb1, which, however, on examination, proved to be a deep-laid attacking scheme, from which there was no hope of escape without serious loss. Black’s Queen became so harassed that Steinitz had to force an exchange at the risk of losing a piece, and no doubt the Russian master could have finish the game right off the 17th move with 17.d6! instead he choose a line where he won a pawn and could bring both Rooks in to play on the 7th file. Steinitz had to strike the flag on the 31st move, after 1 hour and 32 minutes’ play. Score Steinitz 6, Chigorin 5.
Game 12
The opening was steadily conducted on both sides, and the Russian master contented himself in the defence of the Zukertort opening with a quiet development which gave him a fair, even game. after he had effected an exchange of two Bishops against Bishop and Knight. Steinitz, as usual, formed his attack on the Queen’s side until about the 16th move he had to defend against a Kings’s side attack of the adverse two Knights by retreating his Bishop to e1-sq. He had then to advance his f-pawn, which left the e-pawn weak, and a lively fight ensued for the possession of the centre, in which the Russian gave up the b-pawn for the attack. After a long struggle Steinitz made his King’s side safe and the Russian, with a Pawn minus, played for closing up the game in all directions as much as possible, and then manoeuvre his Knight very cleverly in order to create a diversion on the King’s wing, while Steinitz pressed hard on the other side. On the 49th move Steinitz had an opportunity of keeping up his attack by Be3 which would not have given the opponent the least chance of creating any difficulties, instead of which he unwisely opened the g-file by an in judicious, exchange of Rooks and again great complications arose until Steinitz succeeded in exchanging his Bishop for the adverse Knight, and then to press hard with his Queen and Rook against the adverse exposed King. In the final fight Chigorin no doubt could have much prolonged the game by 58…Qg7 instead of Rc1. As it was, the attack against his King was bound to cause the loss of his Queen and Chigorin resigned after 7 hours and 25 minutes play. Score:
Steinitz 7, Chigorin 5
Game 13
This game was due to be played on the 14th, but, owing to indisposition of Mr. Chigorin it was postponed. According to the rules of the contest, each party may claim exemption on three play days but after that a game must be forfeited under any circumstances for either player who absents himself, even in case of the most serious illness.
Chigorin of course stuck to his Evans’ Gambit and nobody will blame him. It is one of the most popular openings, and so far he had won the majority of that debut by 3 to 2 games. A little change in Chigorin’s order of development on the 9th move gave, however, his opponent an opportunity of altering his defensive tactics, by first attacking the adverse Bg5 with h6, thus driving that 13 home to c1-sq. The Russian master then proceeded with his attack in the usual manner, but on the 14th move he incautiously moved his Rook to d1 which gave Steinitz occasion to attack the Queen in a manner that at least secured him a draw, for the Queen had no escape from a see-saw of attack, from the adverse Knight which moved backward and forward. After three repetitions of the same moves on each side, which Steinitz forced in order to gain time (six repetitions being allowed before either party can claim a draw), Steinitz forced an attack which was bound to win a piece for two Pawns, and as he had already gained one Pawn, his opponent had nothing for the Bishop, which he had to sacrifice, but one Pawn and a temporary attack from which Steinitz extricated himself without much difficulty.
But then came an exhibition of play such as is very rarely witnessed between first class masters. Chigorin, fighting almost against all hope, struggled very cleverly to compensate himself for the loss of a Bishop by some attack, and his opponent, chiefly owing to over-confidence, such as often the receivers of large odds indulge in, helped him greatly by some feeble and inattentive play. Several times Steinitz had an opportunity of simplifying matters and getting out of all difficulties, but he failed to take advantage of the situation. Finally Steinitz, by thoughtless play on the 40th move, dropped into a trap, which no doubt was very ingeniously conceived on the part of the Russian master, but which any rate, ought to have seen. His game then broke into pieces, and he not alone lost all the material odds in his favor, but his opponent could exchange pieces easily and remain a Pawn ahead, besides that he could gain the opposition for his King. Chigorin easily queened one of his Pawns first, and all further resistance became hopeless. Steinitz resigned after 7 hours and 28 minutes play. Score Steinitz 7; Chigorin 6; Drawn 0.
Game 14
Chigorin as second player repeated the attempt made in the eighth game- of the contest to open the position in the centre by 4. .. e5 no doubt in reliance of his 6th move Ng7, which, however, was neutralized by White with the answer 7 Nc3. The exchange of Pawns that followed left White with a Knight fixed in the adverse centre which became very inconvenient for Black’s development and Chigorin could only get rid of it on the 13th move, by an exchange which consolidated the opponent’s middle Pawns and left his own d-pawn weak. Yet the game could have been probably equalized by Black if had played 15. . .Qg4 instead of 15.. .Qh4, which exposed his King-side to a vehement attack at once. Chigorin then elected to give up a piece for which he obtained two Pawns at least, with good prospects of winning a third if it came to an end ing. Steinitz thereupon decided to abandon that Pawn at once in order to press the attack on the open g-file with Queen and Rook supported by the advance of the f-pawn which threatened to win another piece. The result of this plan was that Black lost two Pawns on the King’s side and ultimately the c-pawn which was the key of his position on the Queen’s wing, besides that his King was in trouble. With the 33rd move forced the gain of a second piece or deprive the King of all protection on the King’s side. Two moves later the game was over.
Game 15
The attack and defense of Chigorin’s Evans’ Gambit took the usual course up to Black’s 12th move, when Steinitz rather than to allow “a hole” at his d6 retreated his Queen on b8, Chigorin then exchanged the Knight for his Bishop and fixed his d-pawn with a check at d6. An extraordinary position then arose, for no less than six of Black’s pieces namely: the King, Queen, two Rooks, a Bishop and a Knight were shut in on the front row apparently with little prospect of extricating themselves. Black had however deliberately chosen this defense, speculating on the weakness of White’s d-pawn, and we believe that this plan may be safely pursued, provided some modifications are made in the earlier part of the development as indicated in our notes. It would have been also good enough in the present game against the attack actually adopted by Chigorin if Black on the 15th move had played Bc5 attacking at once the far advanced hostile d-pawn. The omission gave Chigorin an opportunity for a brilliant sacrifice of a piece, which secured him at least a draw by perpetual attack. Owing to a thoughtless move of Black’s King on the 23rd move, Chigorin could have won the game in an ingenious manner. After he had missed this opportunity he could have still drawn, but in trying to force the game he no doubt overlooked the defensive coup 29. . .Be4, which made the adversary’s game perfectly safe. Chigorin then struggled on for some time, but at last Steinitz formed an attack with his two Rooks which imprisoned the adverse Queen beyond hope of any escape from capture, whereupon Chigorin resigned. Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes. Score: Steinitz 9, Chigorin 6, drawn 0.
Game 16
For the second time during the contest, Chigorin abandoned the answer 1… d5 in the Zukertort opening. This time he selected 1… f5 and the game took the features of a Queen’s Gambit declined, but only for a very few moves. For Chigorin advanced his pawn to d5 and supported the same by c6. Steinitz on the other hand pushed c5 already on the 8th move. Chigorin’s reply to this, namely: 8..Nbd7 was certainly an error which gave White time to prevent the entrance of Black’s Knight at e4. Some lively play then occurred and Chigorin succeeded in exchanging both the far advanced adverse centre Pawns at d4 and c5 but owing to his hampered development he had to form “a hole” at his own b5 wherein White planted his Knight which exercised a commanding influence up to the end. Steinitz had in consequence the superior position and Black had to confine himself to defensive measures on the King’s side. Some skirmishing in the centre resulted in White obtaining the command with Queen and Rook on the Open King’s file and ultimately in his winning the g-pawn after exchanging Queens also the h-pawn. Chigorin made some desperate efforts to get a passed Pawn on the c-file supported by his King, but White’s 46th move foiled the plan completely and after a few more moves Chigorin resigned. Duration about 7 hours.
Score: Steinitz 10, Chigorin 6, drawn 0
Game 17
The last game was played n February 24th 1889. The opening took the same course as the 15th game up to the 15th move when Chigorin adopted the improvement of 15. Qb4 which prevented Black from playing Bc5 and prepared a vehement attack. Steinitz lost time on the 17th move which allowed the opponent the important advance of the a-pawn that afterward helped to confine Black’s pieces. On the 21st move Chigorin offered a brilliant sacrifice of a Knight which Steinitz refused to accept and thus the Russian master having recovered his Pawn directed the attack on the Queen’s wing compelling the adversary to give up another Pawn. At this stage Chigorin could have won the exchange but he chose to take the extra Pawn in order to block the adverse Bishop. He had still by far the best of the game, but it required great watchfulness on his part to protect the far advanced Pawns. Chigorin advanced cautiously for a long time, and on the 38th move he could have clearly won if he had exchanged Queens first but he was just then taken off his guard and allowed his opponent to recover the Pawn thus equalizing forces. Steinitz then gradually released his pieces and after exchanging Rooks he came out with the superior game. As, however, Queens remained on the board and Chigorin had a Knight against Bishop the fight became extremely difficult. On the 51st move Steinitz had the game in hand and could have won by Qd2. The move he made went very near winning, and he had reckoned that after the exchange of Queen he could confine the adverse Knight by Ba4. He saw, however, too late that White could simply leave his Knight en prise which could not be captured as the advance of White’s c-pawn would then force the game. Steinitz had therefore to content himself with playing for a draw which he accomplished after dissolving the Pawns on the Queen’s side and exchanging Bishop for Knight. The Pawns on the Kings wing were blocked on each side and as Steinitz had the opposition with his King the opponent could not effect an entrance. Duration about 7 hours.
This game ended the contest and Steinitz was declared the winner with three games to spare, the final score being Steinitz 10, Chigorin 6, drawn 1.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | Total | |
| W. Steinitz | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | = | 10.5 |
| M. Chigorin | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | = | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.5 |
After the match Steinitz wrote in the ICM: “There was a fight in Havana between an old master of the old school and a young master of an old school. “Youth will be served” and the young won despite of the age of its master.”
The Deutsche Schachzeitung of May 1889 (KL) wrote:” Steinitz played like he always played, always with original ideas, but as he did many times I the course of his experiments, also with errors. It surprised no one when he threw away the first game with Chigorin via a “blunder”…
