Notes by S. Tinsley.

1. 2…Nc6 At the very outset some considerable difficulty is experienced in dealing with a game of such proportions as this within reasonable limits. The difficulty is the greater because the particular variations on both sides are comparatively rare. Here it may be concluded that Black has a somewhat superior move in Kt to K B 3, if one may trust the testimony of general practice recently. The superiority is, however, not easily defined.
2. 4.d3 To prevent Kt x K P, 5. Kt x Kt (B x P, ch, is poor), P to Q 4, &c., regaining the Piece with a good game. But the necessity, if such it be, of P to Q 3 here leaves White with very little attacking chances for some time.
3. 4…Bc5 This feature of all Vienna games and Steinitz Gambits is not, I think, commendable, especially when the Black Bishop, as here, is played to B 4. In fact White's troubles, later, may largely be traced to the open position thus obtained. He has four courses now that are possible alternatives: Kt to K B 3; B to K 3; Kt to R 4, to dispose of the White Bishop; or P to Q R 3 to preserve his own. The course adopted is, in fact, rather too risky for general practice.
4. 6…h6 Kt to K Kt 5 leads to no enduring attack, being answered by Q to K 2 (not R to B sq, because Black can then probably play Kt x R P safely).
5. 8…axb6 In spite of the open file now obtained the loss of the powerful Bishop is serious; and on both sides one is almost disposed to wish players would preserve the Piece by such a much-despised move as P to R 3!
6. 10.fxe5 But for the powerful reply P to Q 4 White might well play here P to B 5. The text move further opens Black's game.
7. 14.Bb3 Of course White loses the Piece at once, if B x P, by Q to B 4, ch.
8. 16.Rf2 It is impossible to follow the game in detail; but for a time it will be found that White obtains a most excellent game, if not a winning position.
9. 19.Qh4 A very tempting trap. White threatens to win the exchange by Kt to Kt 5, ch. It may be that the true line of attack is by Kt to K R 4 or even P to K R 4. But the whole series of moves now forthcoming show on the one hand subtle and dangerous attack such as could only be met by a splendidly handled defence.
10. 24.hxg5 I suggest instead K to B 2, followed by R to R sq, &c., piling up the attack on the weak Rook's Pawn. The objection to the line of play adopted is that it prematurely opens the Rook's file for the opponent. It, in fact, ultimately lost the game.
11. 25…Rg6 White threatened probably 26. Kt x P, ch, and if P x Kt; 27. R to B 6, winning the Queen or mating afterwards by Q to R 3, ch, followed by Q to R 6.
12. 39.Nf1 The Rook must not be allowed to get to B 8 or Kt 8 on the Queen's side.
13. 40…Nh6 From this point the game assumes the form of an end game requiring the greatest nicety of handling. The objects underlying the play are not very obscure.
14. 55.Nh1 Supposing now 55. Kt to K 4, Kt x Kt; 56. P x Kt, P x P: 57. P x P, K to B 4; 58. K to Kt 3, P to Q 6; 59. K to B 3, P to Q 7; 60. K x P, K x P, and Black has the position to win easily.
15. 59…e3 The winning stroke. The rest is comparatively easy.
16. 75…e2 I happened to see a good deal of this ending as it was being played at Hastings. It occupied two or three sittings. It charmed me then; I am still more struck in going over it in the complete form. I fear it has been impossible to do justice to either side. In many respects it is a grand game for both men to have played. But, taking all the circumstances into account, I doubt whether Mr. Gunsberg's conduct of this game, and especially of the ending, can be easily surpassed.