Anderssen, Adolf VS Steinitz, William 1873.08.12

Annotations

1. 7.h3 P—Q4 is, we believe, better. But Professor Anderssen had previously adopted successfully the same tactics, as in the present game, against first-class players (see for instance the two next games), and his manoeuvring was, we believe, based on the idea that Black's KB cannot be brought into proper action and that Black will have to exhaust himself in his efforts to undouble his QBP. The line of play adopted here for the defence shows that the open QKt file and the two bishops are sufficient recompense for the doubled Pawn.
2. 10…c5 This and the next five moves for Black form part of one plan, namely, to manoeuvre his Kt to Q5. For that purpose he was bound to provide against the hostile entrance of B—R6 as soon as the Black Kt played to K2.
3. 15.Qc3 Had he played P—QB3, then Black could, nevertheless, answer Kt—Q5, and would recover the piece should P×Kt.
4. 16…O-O Black has altogether neglected the principle of rapid development which was one of the maxims of the old school, and he has deferred castling until he has completed his manoeuvres to obtain possession of the adverse centre with his Kt. Obviously White cannot break in at any point, while Black can form an attack in different directions after due preparations, either by the ultimate advance of the QRP or the QP or the KBP.
5. 18.N1e2 White has no doubt wasted time, but it is difficult to suggest any plan of operation for him that would be more than of a waiting and defensive character.
6. 19.Bxd4 After this exchange, which might have been delayed but could hardly be avoided, Black obtains much the best of the game.
7. 26…c4 By this move Black effects his purpose of shutting up the adverse Q, and all his Pawns are well defended, or not approachable. It will be easily seen that White cannot exchange Pawns without subjecting himself to a still stronger attack on the Queen's side at once.
8. 28.b4 If he had exchanged both Pawns Black would equally gain the advantage in position afterward by P—KB4, or else by taking possession of the open QB file with his R.
9. 30…f5 Having accomplished his object of practically getting rid of the adverse Q, Black concentrates his attack on the other wing, and by steady pressure he breaks through, with some difficulty, which shows that the defensive disposition of White's forces remained strong, though they are deprived of the assistance of the Queen.
10. 45…Bxg3 Whichever R retakes the B Black answers Q×P and wins in a few moves.

William Steinitz, The Modern Chess Instructor (1889) · Public domain · source