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Wilhelm Steinitz

First Game in the Steinitz-Zukertort Match
from The Collected Works of Wilhelm Steinitz

New York, January 11, 1886
Wch-01 Game 1
Notes by W. Steinitz

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6

The usual defense here is 2...e6. The deviation in the text is adopted with the object of bringing out the Bishop to f5, and it also threatens 3...dxc4 followed by 4...b5.

3.e3 Bf5 4.Nc3 e6 5.Nf3 Nd7 6.a3

6.c5 would be premature, for Black could break up the pawns by 6...b6, followed by 7...a5 if White defended by 7.b4.

6...Bd6 7.c5 Bc7 8.b4 e5

Similar positions have arisen in match games between Zukertort (White) and Rosenthal, and in a beautiful game in which Zukertort, who had the attack, won against Winawer in the last London tournament. Black here introduces a change from the tactics of Zukertort's opponents on those occasions, and by the advance of the center pawn, prepares the weakening of the adverse Kingside.

9.Be2 Ngf6 10.Bb2 e4 11.Nd2 h5

In order to compel the adversary to push 12.h3, for otherwise Black would enter with his Knight at g4, and White could not get rid of it excepting by an unfavorable exchange for the Bishop, as h2-h3 would be afterward of no use, on account of the reply ...Qh4.

12.h3 Nf8 13.a4 Ng6 14.b5

We agree with Mr. Zukertort who stated to us that he ought have played here 14.Nb3 in order to prepare an exit for his King at d2 and to strengthen his attack on the Queenside, while the entrance of Black's Knight at 14...Nh4 could then more safely be answered by 15.g3.

14...Nh4

15.g3

His best defense now was 15.Bf1, whereupon Black would, of course, have proceeded with 15...g5. But, as we believe, Black's sacrifice of the Knight which now follows was very dangerous for White in actual play and ought to have been avoided.

15...Ng2+ 16.Kf1 Nxe3+ 17.fxe3 Bxg3 18.Kg2 Bc7 19.Qg1

If 19.Qf1 Qd7, followed by 20...Rh6, etc. But 19.Nf1 was his best defense and made it more difficult for the opponent to win, though, after careful subsequent analysis, we find that Black's attack ought to have made its impression by judicious play, and the game might have proceeded thus: 19...Rh6 20.Rg1 (or 20.Kf2 Qd7 21.h4 Bh3 22.Ke1 Bg2 23.Rg1 Qh3 24.Kd2 Ng4 25.Qe1 Rf6 with an excellent game, for if White defended by 26.Nd1 then follows 26...Bxf1 27.Bxf1 Qh2+ 28.Rg2 Qh1, followed by 29...Nh2) 20...Rg6+ 21.Kh1 Rxg1+ 22.Kxg1 Bxh3 with three pawns for the piece, as White can hardly venture on 23.Bxh5 on account of the reply 23...Ng4, followed by 24...Qg5 if 24.Bxg4, with an excellent game.

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Go to Introduction: First Game in the Steinitz-Zukertort Match

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