St. Louis Globe Democrat/1886/Steinitz Wins Again

STEINITZ WINS AGAIN

Close of the St. Louis Section

of the

Famous Chess Tourney

Public interest in the progress of the chess games that are being played in this city seems to be on the wane. The attendance at the fourth contest yesterday afternoon at the Harmonie Club room was much smaller than any of the preceding ones. In some way the idea has gained ground that the match is a hippodrome, and that it has been influenced. As near as can be ascertained this idea had its inception at the game last Monday when, for reasons unstated to the audience present, the battle was declared a draw. This supposition is well known to chess players to be a baseless fabrication, the draw being legitimate in every respect and of frequent occurrence in such contests. Drawing the issue, while a disappointment to the large audience who had paid the price of admission, was in every sense legitimate and proper. It seems the next thing to impossibility that the mere pittance from spectators, or even the innuendos of stakeholders of interested parties, could have any influence upon two such honorable men as Herr Steinitz and Dr. Zukertort. That the struggle is proceeding entirely upon the merits of the contestants is, among chessmen, universally believed. Doubtless the aspirant for honors who wins will have played the best chess, and may be accounted the greatest master of his time. The game yesterday began promptly on time with the "Queen's Gambit Declined." The odds were slightly favoring Zukertort who had the opening. This was only an implied advantage, and before many moves had been made the chances were more evenly divided. Owing to the desire of Herr Steinitz the players changed places before the game began. When the black had made his tenth move a letter was handed to him. He drew the yellow envelope up to his face - he being near-sighted - and rose with some agitation. In doing so he inadvertently upset several chessmen. "J'Doube," said the German which means in American ordinary, "I adjust." This had a nerving effect upon Zukertort, who seemed annoyed. The progress of the entire game was unmarked by any incident worthy of note, both men playing chess and devoting their time to that alone. When the result was announced the usual congratulations were offered. The games played thus far have all been splendid ones, and this period of the championship struggle will become famous, as the most famous chess games played for years occurred during that time. As will be seen by the score, Steinitz was the victor.

Zukertort - Steinitz (9) 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. e3 c5 6. Bxc4 cxd4 7. exd4 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Qe2 Nbd7 10. Bb3 Nb6 11. Bf4 Nbd5 12. Bg3 Qa5 13. Rac1 Bd7 14. Ne5 Rfd8 15. Qf3 Be8 16. Bh4 Nxc3 17. bxc3 Qc7 18. Rfe1 Rac8 19. Qd3 Nd5 20. Bxe7 Qxe7 21. Bxd5 Rxd5 22. c4 Rdd8 23. Re3 Qd6 24. Rd1 f6 25. Rh3 h6 26. Ng4 Qf4 27. Ne3 Ba4 28. Rf3 Qd6 29. Rd2 Bc6 30. Rg3 f5 31. Rg6 Be4 32. Qb3 Kf7 33. c5 Rxc5 34. Rxe6 Rc1+ 35. Nd1 Qf4 36. Qb2 Rb1 37. Qc3 Rc8 38. Rxe4 Qxe4 0-1. (1:45/2:10)

(a) In the seventh game, Zukertort played 4.e3 and also lost the game. (b) Evidently the capture with the queen is stronger than that with the knight. (c) Premature; why not keep the rook behind the pawns as a protection? (d) The position is so very interesting: if 25...fxe5 26.Qxh7+ Kf8 27.Qh8+ Ke7 28.Qxg7+ Bf7 29.Rf3 Rf8, etc. This analysis shows that the sacrifice of the knight was unsound. The reason why Steinitz did not take the knight was because he had to make six moves in about fifteen minutes and did not have the time to analyze the position. (e) Zukertort thought he should have played 31.d5 instead of the text move, then 31...exd5 32.cxd5 Bxc5 33.Nxd5 Qxd5 34.Qxd5+ Rxd5 and black wins, etc. (f) The black side now has a winning position. (g) This is beautiful playing along here. (h) 35.Nf1 is the correct reply. (i) The great master winds up the game in his happiest style.