Notes by W. Steinitz.

1. 8…Qc7 If 8.... P to K 5 (?); 9. Kt x K P, Q to K 2 (or 9.... P x B; 10. Kt x Kt, ch, followed by Q x R); 10. B to Q 3, B to Kt 5; 11. Q to B 4, maintaining his Pawns.
2. 9.Be2 Mr. Cheshire of Hastings informs me that he originated the combination of White's last two moves in games played by him about 1883, some of which were at the time published. The last move seems preferable to 9. B to R 4, which in theory and practice has been commonly adopted before.
3. 12.h4 The advance of this Pawn only weakens the King's side and otherwise serves no good purpose. Also it happens, this very Pawn becomes subsequently detached from this wing, being compelled to advance further, and its loss decides the game for the opponent.
4. 16.Nxe4 Strategical considerations pointed unanimously to P x Kt as the superior and even compulsory move. It should have been foreseen that the Queen's Bishop's Pawn, would have to be advanced, and subsequently the Queen's Pawn would become weak; furthermore there was the open Queen's file for White, and Black's King's Bishop's Pawn was practically stopped. There was also a supported foothold provided for White's Knight at Q 5, and a long diagonal was opened for his Queen on the other wing. Not a single plea of correspondingly equal value could be advanced for the move adopted.
5. 27.Nd2 The Knight has returned from his solitary wanderings on the other wing, but is now actually in the way of necessities of the defence of White's Queen's Pawn.
6. 34.h5 Compare note 3.
7. 35.Ne3 White's game breaks up after this. A much better defence was 35. P x P, R x P; 36. Kt to K 3, B to Q 5; 37. K to Kt 2, R to B 5; 38. R to Q sq or K R sq, with very fair drawing prospects.
8. 38.Kh3 Loss of time. Compare his move after next.
9. 39.Rfc1 Black's play is remarkably clever, and the gain of the exchange which on the next move becomes apparent is already forced. (See diagram.)
10. 40.Kg3 If 40. R x R, P x R, dis. ch, followed by R to Q 8.
11. 42…Rbd2 Perhaps the safest in combination with the next move, though 42.... R x R P; 43. R to B 8, ch, K to R 2; 44. Kt to K 5, R to Q 4; 45. Kt to Kt 6, R x P, was equally good, as Black's King would escape from the checks via Kt sq and B 2.
12. 43.Ra5 In view of White having been reluctant to capture the Pawn, his best chance was now to advance the Knight's Pawn. If he could then push the other Pawn to R 4 without being compelled to exchange Rooks he would make sure of a draw at least.
13. 48…Rxb4 A part of the plan formed on the forty-second move; all this is acute play. The key to White's position on the Queen's side is captured, and since the King's Rook's Pawn cannot escape either, the game is virtually over already. [We believe that the combination of the eighth and ninth moves is a complete answer to the Two Knights' Defence. White apparently maintains the Pawn with perfect safety and with patience soon gets attacking chances. It would be interesting to see it thrashed out by our great masters.—Ed.]