1.
e4
e5
2.
Nf3
Nc6
3.
Bc4
Bc5
4.
b4
Bxb4
5.
c3
Ba5
6.
O-O
Qf6
7.
d4
Nge7
8.
d5
Nd8
9.
Qa4
Bb6
10.
Bg5
Qd6
11.
Na3
c6
12.
Rad1
Qb8
13.
Bxe7
Kxe7
14.
d6+
Kf8
15.
Nxe5
f6
16.
Nf3
Bc5
17.
e5
b5
18.
Bxb5
cxb5
19.
Nxb5
Ne6
20.
exf6
gxf6
21.
Qh4
Kf7
22.
Qh5+
Kg8
23.
Qg4+
Kf7
24.
Qh5+
Kg7
25.
Nfd4
Bxd4
26.
Nxd4
Rf8
27.
Rd3
Bb7
28.
Nxe6+
dxe6
29.
Rh3
Be4
30.
Qg4+
Bg6
31.
Qxe6
Qb6
32.
Qd5
Rad8
33.
Rd1
Rfe8
34.
c4
Rxd6
35.
Qf3
Rd3
36.
Qg4
Re4
0-1
Opening Explorer
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Site
Havana
Date
1889.02.21
Round
15
Black
Result
0-1
- 7…Nge7 Since the contest was finished we have carefully examined the leading variations arising from the defence initiated on Black's previous move 6....Q—B3 and we come to the conclusion that it ought to be favorable for the second player. The line of attack adopted by White in this game is the most dangerous to meet, but we believe that Black by a little amendment of the developing moves can make his game secure and keep the material advantage. The right move at this juncture is 7....Kt—R3 and afterward Kt—K2 instead of Kt—Q sq.
- 8.d5 To the attack adopted by Mr. Tschigorin in the 5th game at this point, viz 8 Q—Kt3, 8 O—O; should be added the following line of play, 9 Kt—R3, 9 P×P (best, for as Mr. Ranken points out in the British Chess Magazine, if 9....P—QR3; 10 B×P ch., 10 R×B; 11 Kt—B4, 11 Q—Kt3; 12 QKt×P, 12 Kt×Kt; 13 Kt×Kt, 13 Q—K3; 14 Kt×R, 14 K×Kt; 15 B×Kt, 15 Q×Q!; 16 P×Q with an excellent game); 10 P×P, 10 Q—Kt3; 11 P—Q5, 11 Kt—Q5; 12 Kt×Kt, 12 Q×B; 13 P—Q6, 13 Kt—Kt3; with the superior game.
- 12…Qb8 The idea on which this is based appears to us still correct, subject to its being prepared in the manner suggested above. As will be seen, in practical play Black succeeded in extricating himself in spite of the large odds against him in consequence of his pieces being imprisoned. But it should be noticed that Black could not allow a hole to be formed at his Q3. If, for instance, 12....P—KB3; 13 P×P, 13 Q×P; 14 Kt—Kt5, 14 P×B (or 14....B—B4; 15 B—K3, etc.); 15 KKt×KP, 15 Q—B4; 16 Kt—Q6 ch., 16 K—B sq.; 17 Q×P, with a winning attack.
- 15.Nxe5 Not as good as Q—Kt4 played by Mr. Tschigorin in a subsequent game.
- 15…f6 Black could now have obtained a great superiority by 15....B—B4; 16 B×P, 16 P—QKt4; 17 Q—Kt3, 17 B×QP; 18 P—KB4, 18 B—B4 ch.; 19 K—R sq., 19 P—Q3; etc.
- 17.e5 Excellent play. The attack which White obtains is quite worth the piece which he gives up.
- 19…Ne6 This seems to have been the only move not so much in order to protect the exchange as to prevent other vehement attacks. If, for instance, 19....Kt—B2; 20 Kt—B7, 20 P×P; 21 Kt×P, 21 Kt×Kt (or 21....B×P; 22 R×B, 22 Kt×R;—if 22....Q×Kt; 23 Q—B4, etc.,—23 Q—B4 ch.; 23 K—Kt sq.; 24 Kt—Q5 and wins); 23 Q—B4 ch., 23 Kt—B2; 24 R—K sq., 24 B—Kt2; 25 R—B7 and wins.
- 21…Kf7 A careless move. He ought to have played K—Kt2.
- 22.Qh5+ For White could now get his Kt into play by 22 Kt—K5 ch., which Black could not venture to capture e. g., 22 Kt—K5 ch., 22 P×Kt; 23 R—Q3, 23 P—KR3 (there is nothing better as White threatens Q—K7 ch. followed by R—Kt3 ch.); 24 Q—K7 ch., 24 K—Kt3; 25 R—Kt3 ch., 25 Kt—Kt4; 26 P—KR4, 26 R—R2; 27 P—R5 ch., 27 K—B4; 28 R×Kt ch. with an irresistible attack.
- 22…Kg8 Again careless play. K—Kt2 was correct.
- 23.Qg4+ La Revista del Ajedrez justly points out that White could have won here by 23 Q—K8 ch., 23 K—Kt2; 24 Q—K7 ch., 24 K—Kt sq.; 25 Kt—K5, 25 P×Kt; 26 R—Q3, with an irresistible attack.
- 25.Nfd4 This attack is ineffective. He ought to have been satisfied with a draw.
- 29.Rh3 Completely throwing away an important move. He evidently overlooked the opponent's telling reply. Q—Kt4 ch. to which K—R sq. was the best answer, followed by Q×P would have enabled him to make a much longer fight.
[Event "World-ch02 Steinitz-Chigorin +10-6=1"] [Site "Havana"] [Date "1889.02.21"] [Round "15"] [White "Chigorin, Mikhail Ivanovich"] [Black "Steinitz, William"] [Result "0-1"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. O-O Qf6 7. d4 Nge7 8. d5 Nd8 9. Qa4 Bb6 10. Bg5 Qd6 11. Na3 c6 12. Rad1 Qb8 13. Bxe7 Kxe7 14. d6+ Kf8 15. Nxe5 f6 16. Nf3 Bc5 17. e5 b5 18. Bxb5 cxb5 19. Nxb5 Ne6 20. exf6 gxf6 21. Qh4 Kf7 22. Qh5+ Kg8 23. Qg4+ Kf7 24. Qh5+ Kg7 25. Nfd4 Bxd4 26. Nxd4 Rf8 27. Rd3 Bb7 28. Nxe6+ dxe6 29. Rh3 Be4 30. Qg4+ Bg6 31. Qxe6 Qb6 32. Qd5 Rad8 33. Rd1 Rfe8 34. c4 Rxd6 35. Qf3 Rd3 36. Qg4 Re4 0-1