Wilhelm Steinitz, a native of Prague, gained recognition in the Vienna Chess Society, becoming champion of the Austrian Empire. He represented Austria at the second London international tournament in 1862, choosing to stay in England afterwards. In those years, his style of play was sharp and aggressive, characterized by bold sacrifices.
Chigorin, Lasker, Pillsbury, Steinitz during St. Petersburg chess tournament (1895)International Chess Federation (FIDE)
Mikhail Chigorin, Emanuel Lasker, Harry Pillsbury, and Wilhelm Steinitz gathered around the chessboard to examine the Two Knights Defense during the St. Petersburg tournament, held from the end of 1895 to the beginning of 1896.
Steinitz won matches and tournaments, the most important being his victory in the match against A. Andersen (1866), who was considered the strongest player in the world. From that moment, Steinitz claimed the title of the strongest.
The first official World Championship was Steinitz's match against I. Zuckertort, which took place in the United States in 1886. By then, Steinitz had developed a new theory of chess and proved it by defending his title in matches against M. Tchigorin (Russia) and I. Gunsberg (England). He eventually lost the title to E. Lasker (Germany), who learned and further developed Steinitz’s chess doctrine.
Autograph of Wilhelm Steinitz by Wilhelm SteinitzInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)
Wilhelm Steinitz’s Autograph
The first world champion in chess history (1886–1894)
Steinitz's signature chess combination
Steinitz vs. von Bardeleben, 1895
22.Rxe7+! Kf8 23.Rf7+! Kg8 24.Rg7+! Kh8 25.Rxh7+ and Bardeleben ran out of the hall due to the inevitable loss of the game after 25...Kg8 26.Rg7+! Kh8 27.Qh4+ Kxg7 28.Qh7+ Kf8 29.Qh8+ Ke7 30.Qg7+ Kе8 31.Qg8+! Kе7 32.Qf7+ Kd8 33.Qf8+ Qe8 34.Nf7+ Kd7 35.Qd6#
The chess world speaks: opinions on Steinitz
“Mr. Steinitz stands high as a theoretician and as a writer. Possessed of a fine intellect and extremely fond of the game, he is apt to lose sight of all other considerations, people, and business alike. Chess is his very life and soul, the one thing for which he lives.” – The Book of the Hastings 1895 Chess Tournament
“He was a thinker deserving of a place in the halls of a university." - Emanuel Lasker.
Timeless chess tips from Steinitz
If you have an advantage in chess, you must attack; otherwise, your advantage will disappear.
The king should be considered a powerful piece for both attacking and defending.
Chess genius isn’t just about making brilliant moves after the balance of power has shifted. It also involves the extraordinary skill to maintain or disrupt that balance at the right moment to your advantage.
Dive deeper: explore Wilhelm Steinitz's legacy through these videos
