World Chess Championship Matches: Steinitz vs Lasker (1894)

While researching my overview on the World Chess Championship match of 1894, between the World Champion Wilhelm Steinitz and the challenger Emanuel Lasker, a peculiar remark from a special dispatch to the “Boston Herald” grabbed my attention:

“Emanuel Lasker of London, who has signally defeated all of the noted European chess experts, will begin the battle of his life tomorrow in an attempt to wrest the world's championship from William Steinitz, who has successfully defended the title against all comers for over a quarter of a century (1894.03.15).”

As far as I have known, Steinitz officially became the World Chess Champion in his match against Zukertort, in the year 1886. Even if I can’t brag about my skills in mathematics, between the time of the first World Chess Championship match and the year 1894, it is impossible for me to subtract a number that could be somewhat close to “over a quarter of a century”. A misprint - I consoled myself - as every chess resource I have been introduced to, considers Steinitz to be the World Chess Champion from 1886 until his match against Lasker in 1894, and attributes Lasker’s possession of the throne to be the longest - about 27 years (1894-1921).

Then I came across a post-match letter to the second of Lasker by then ex-World Champion Wilhelm Steinitz, who raised a certain controversy after the match, (probably, due to the pressure from his backers), breaking amicable relations with the new World Champion and allowing himself a certain tone in his letters:

“...For I held the championship for twenty-seven years and three-quarters, while Mr. Lasker's title almost survives only as many days—from May 26 to June 22 (Brooklyn Daily Standard-Union, 1894.08.13).”

It turns out, at least Steinitz, considered himself to be the World Chess Champion since his match against Anderssen, which took place in the year 1866. That would make him the most “durable” World Chess Champion, outstripping Lasker by about three-quarters of a year. “Encyclopedia Britannica”, in the page dedicated to Wilhelm Steinitz, writes:

“[Wilhelm Steinitz] is considered to have been the world champion longer than any other player, winning the championship in 1866 from Adolf Anderssen (although the first official claim to hold the title was not made until 1886) and losing it in 1894 to Emanuel Lasker.”

But enough of the detective work on such a meaningless dispute. Let's dive deep into the history of the match between the two great masters of the past, understand the conditions that brought them to fight 19 fierce battles over the chessboard, analyze those great games in-depth, and get a glimpse into the characters of these power-eager World Champions.

Table of Contents

• Challenging the World Champion to the Match
• The Match Conditions
• Chronology of the Match
• Analysis of the Games
• Post-Match Controversy
• Appendix
• References

Challenging the World Champion to the Match

Even though the analyses of the games and post-match controversy is what we are interested in the most, it would be reasonable to first understand the circumstances that brought these great chess masters to play a match with each other. The following material was created with the help of the amazing online resource by Jacques N. Pope, Chess Archeology.

Before challenging Steinitz for the World Chess Championship match, Lasker challenged another contender for the crown, his compatriot, Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch, who, out of his ignorance or arrogance, stated: “as Lasker had not won an international tournament, he would not be considered in his class (Brooklyn Daily Standard-Union, 1893.07.15).”

There had also been numerous attacks on Lasker in various journal and newspaper columns regarding his lack of enough success in winning strong tournaments. In Lasker’s defense, the “New York Sun” wrote about Dr. Tarrasch’s constant refusal of playing matches, including against Steinitz and Lasker, calling him “an amateur, [pretending] to play chess only once a year, during his vacation”.

Lasker, confident in his abilities, didn't refrain from challenging Steinitz to the match for the World Chess Crown. In their pre-match interviews, both Steinitz and Lasker spoke of each other in a respectful way, showing their willingness and motivation to play a fair match with a reasonable prize fund.

Initially, Steinitz published a statement about hearing rumors that Lasker is willing to play a match for the prize fund of $5,000 a side (of course, I checked the inflation calculator, and the amount sums up to $150,000 by today’s standards). In September 1893, Steinitz formally accepted the challenge to play the match for the World Chess Crown, with the purse of $3,000 a side, planned for the Spring of the next year. Columns of the time frequently speak of Steinitz’s fine physical condition despite his disability.

Soon, however, Lasker found it impossible to raise enough money for the match. Interesting is “Brooklyn Daily Eagle”s witty remark:

“It is a noteworthy fact that while hundreds of so called athletic clubs are willing to hang up purses of thousands of dollars to see two pugilists pound each other, all the chess clubs of the country combined fail to contribute the small purse of $3,000 to bring about a grand contest at the game of chess between two of the greatest players of the world (1893.10.30).”

Lasker was against the match to be held in Havana (chess was very popular there), claiming that the Southern climate was working against him. Alas, decades later, circumstances and necessity forced him to play his match for the World Chess Championship against Capablanca, in the contender’s native Havana - the second World Chess Champion lost the match without being able to win a single game!

After some discussion, when the Havana chess clubs refused to hold the World Chess Championship match in their city, the possibility of not having the match arose. As the time was passing, Lasker started to have more difficulties in raising enough money and asked Steinitz to reduce the purse to $2,250, who, after refusing the offer initially, agreed on the conditions by forcing several terms into the agreement.

When the financial issues were resolved after “great efforts”, finally, chess clubs of different cities agreed upon holding the match for the World Chess Championship.

The Match Conditions

After meeting in the Manhattan and City Chess clubs in the next year, Lasker provided Steinitz a copy of conditions about the match. Major points included the following:

1. The purse of $2,250 per side, the winner claiming the whole amount.
2. The side winning 10 games is declared a winner (draws not counting).
3. Time control of 15 moves per hour.
4. The match should begin no later than the second Monday of March 1894.
5. Both sides may claim for being absent three times during the match.
6. The record of the games is the property rights of the players.

As it is clear now, almost all conditions but one have been strictly met afterward. Claims for the copyright by chess players on the records of their own games still remain as an unrealized dream, and rightfully so.

The World Chess Championship match between Wilhelm Steinitz and Emanuel Lasker, who was 32 years junior to the World Champion, took place in New York City (first 8 games), Philadelphia (3 games), and Montreal (last 8 games) between March 15 and May 26, 1894. The winner of the first ten games would be declared the victor, draws not counting, with the time control of fifteen moves per hour. Games would take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays unless adjourned. Before the match, the purse from each side was then further reduced to $2,000.

In the opening ceremony, Wesley Bigelow, the Vice-President of the Manhattan Chess Club, gave a brief and wonderful speech:

“To you, Mr. Steinitz, whose brow has been decorated with the laurels of many victories, the chess world will look with confidence for the highest illustration of our noble pastime, and to you, Mr. Lasker, who have also garnered distinguished laurels, both on the other side of the water and in this country, chess players will feel assured that your share in this match will be one to excite the keenest interest and admiration. I wish you both excellent health, not only for all time, but especially during this contest as upon your physical condition depends much of your mental powers, and therefore the quality of your play. Whoever wins can feel assured of receiving the hearty plaudits of the entire chess community, and he who loses will have the satisfaction of knowing that he lost only to a master (New York Sun, 1894.03.16).”

Chronology of the Match

• Thursday, March 15 - The Opening Ceremony and Game 1.
• Friday, March 16 - Steinitz resigns the Game 1 on the day of adjournment, and the match starts with the sensational win by the contender. Score: Steinitz - 0, Lasker - 1.
• Saturday, March 17 - Steinitz catches a slight cold and postpones the game.
• Monday, March 19 - Game 2 is won by Steinitz. Score: Steinitz - 1, Lasker - 1.
• Wednesday, March 21 - Game 3 starts and is adjourned to the next day with the big advantage of Lasker.
• Thursday, March 22 - Lasker wins game 3. Score: Steinitz - 1, Lasker - 2.
• Saturday, March 24 - Steinitz wins the game 4. Score: Steinitz - 2, Lasker - 2.
• Tuesday, March 27 - Game 5 is adjourned in a drawn position. The next day sides agree on a draw without resumption. Score: Steinitz - 2, Lasker - 2, Draws - 1.
• Thursday, March 29 - Game 6. Adjourned on move 46.
• Friday, March 30 - Game 6 is drawn. Score: Steinitz - 2, Lasker - 2, Draws - 2.
• Saturday, March 31 - Lasker cancels the game.
• Tuesday, April 3 - Watershed moment. Lasker wins the dramatic game 7. Score: Steinitz - 2, Lasker - 3, Draws - 2.
• Thursday, April 5 - The last game in New York. Game 8 is adjourned in a won position for Lasker.
• Friday, April 6 - Lasker wins the game. The match will continue in Philadelphia. Score: Steinitz - 2, Lasker - 4, Draws - 2.
• Saturday, April 14 - Philadelphia. Steinitz resigns game 9 on move 49. Score: Steinitz - 2, Lasker - 5, Draws - 2.
• Tuesday, April 17 - Steinitz cancels the game for having a cold.
• Thursday, April 19 - Lasker wins game 10. Score: Steinitz - 2, Lasker - 6, Draws - 2.
• Saturday, April 21 - Lasker wins his 5th consecutive game. The match will continue in Montreal. Score: Steinitz - 2, Lasker - 7, Draws - 2.
• Tuesday, May 1 - Steinitz uses his last chance to take a day-off.
• Thursday, May 3 - Game 12. Lasker offers a draw and Steinitz accepts it. Score: Steinitz - 2, Lasker - 7, Draws - 3.
• Saturday, May 5 - Game 13. Steinitz gets his first win after a long time. Score: Steinitz - 3, Lasker - 7, Draws - 3.
• Tuesday, May 8 - Game 14. Steinitz wins again. Score: Steinitz - 4, Lasker - 7, Draws - 3.
• Thursday, May 10 - Lasker postpones the game.
• Saturday, May 12 - Lasker claims for a consecutive day-off, using his last grace day. Both sides have exhausted their chance to take a rest day.
• Tuesday, May 15 - For his 58 years birthday, from his friends, Steinitz receives as a gift “a silver-mounted walking stick beautifully decorated with miniature kings, rooks, and other chess symbols of appropriate inscription (New York Sun)”. Lasker requests a separate table during the games, claiming that “Steinitz [annoys] him and [makes] him nervous by [continuously] sipping lemonade and orange water through a straw (New York Recorder).” Lasker’s request is rejected. Lasker wins the game. Score: Steinitz - 4, Lasker - 8, Draws - 3.
• Thursday, May 17 - In case Steinitz loses the match, his backers are ready to bring $2,000 to the table for the rematch. Lasker wins Game 16. Score: Steinitz - 4, Lasker - 9, Draws - 3.
• Saturday, May 19 - Game 17 is adjourned in a lost position for Lasker. Lasker immediately resigns the game on the next day when the sealed move is on the board. Score: Steinitz - 5, Lasker - 9, Draws - 3.
• Tuesday, May 22 - Game 18 is adjourned and ends in a draw on the next day. Score: Steinitz - 5, Lasker - 9, Draws - 4.
• Thursday, May 24 - The Queen’s birthday. Holiday throughout the British Empire.
• Saturday, May 26 - Lasker becomes the World Chess Champion by winning game 19 after 52 moves. Final Score: Steinitz - 5, Lasker - 10, Draws - 4.
• Friday, June 1 - Steinitz challenges the Lasker for the return match.

Analysis of the Games

Post-Match Controversy

Steinitz, in his post-match interviews, attributed his loss to his poor physical form, especially to his disability, which wouldn’t allow him to freely walk and exercise properly, causing “insomnia, rush of blood to the head, and general depression”. He also mentions the misfortune of nearly stifling with gas in Philadelphia.

Of course, these words are mainly said due to ex-World Chess Champion’s backers, who, by the end of the match, foreseeing that Steinitz is close to losing his title, had deposited $600 for a return match between Lasker and Steinitz. Almost immediately after the match ended, On June 1, 1894, in a letter, Steinitz officially challenged Emanuel Lasker to yet another match for the World Crown, with the proviso that the match should take place by the end of the same year.

On the next day, in his reply, Lasker noted that he was looking forward to the possibility of playing a rematch with Steinitz, but before the match, the new World Champion was willing to “settle some businesses in the city and leave for the tour in Europe”, leaving Mr. De Visser as his second for the businesses in the city.

Soon Steinitz sent a letter to Mr. Visser, blaming Lasker for not keeping his promise of playing a match by the end of this year (which was actually Steinitz’s misinterpretation of Lasker’s letter), and trying to shorten the new champion's world trip, Steinitz urged the return match to take place no later than the March of 1895. Of course, pressure from Steinitz’s backers also fueled the arising scandal, however, Tsigorin’s remark on the way to his match against Steinitz, two years prior, should a little disclose the first World Chess Champion’s character: "After I agreed to everything that Mr. Steinitz asked, I received all of these letters!" - and he showed a large handful.

About a month later, De Visser, Lasker’s second in the city, wrote a reply, which didn’t conclude anything about Lasker’s arrival. The tone of the letter didn’t come suitable to the taste of Steinitz, and in his very lengthy and direct reply, in addition to some non-friendly remarks, he sent an ultimatum that in case Lasker was not going to return for having a rematch until the March of the next year, Steinitz would reclaim his championship title.

After some communication between Steinitz and De Visser, Lasker himself wrote a rather short letter to Steinitz, noting that his return till March was uncertain, Dr. Visser was fired from being his second, and that Steinitz’s other claims were rather not serious. To which, Steinitz wrote a rather childish reply, signing his letter as follows: “W.Steinitz, Chess Champion of the World”.

Of course, my summary of what happened is just a glimpse of the conversation that took place in the public letters that are known to us, and therefore, for a better vision, the reader should refer to the actual letters on the Chess Archeology website mentioned at the beginning of the article.

By the end of the year, Lasker voiced his uncertainty on whether he was looking forward to having yet another match with Steinitz for the World Chess Championship title...

Appendix

References

• Pope, N.J. - Chess Archeology - 1894 Lasker-Steinitz World Championship Match
• Neishtadt, Y.I. - The First World Champion / Нейштадт, Я.И. - Первый Чемпион Мира (1971)
• Vainshtein, B.S. - The Thinker / Вайнштейн, Б.С. - Мыслитель (1981)
• Dvoretsky, M.I. - Dvoretsky's Analytical Manual / Дворецкий, М.И. - Марк Дворецкий Анализирует (2008)
• Encyclopedia Britannica - Wilhelm Steinitz
• Chessgames - Steinitz vs Lasker 1894