Chigorin, Mikhail Ivanovich VS Steinitz, William 1889.02.16

Annotations

1. 9.Bg5 In order to bring about the usual blocking position it is better to play Q—R4 first.
2. 10…f6 This is now a good resource. White can hardly afford to take the B for the sake of gaining the KKtP, for after Castling Black will obtain a strong attack on the open KB file.
3. 13.Bb3 We do not think that White's attack can be sustained now anyhow, but this and the next move get him into trouble, and Black ought to win after that.
4. 19…Nb7 The repetitions were made in order to gain time for consideration. The moves on White's part are of course compulsory.
5. 22.Nxb5 Of course this is forced.
6. 23…Bd7 The best defence, we believe. If 23....Q—B3; 24 Q—B4, 24 Kt—Q3; 25 R×Kt, 25 B×R (or 25....Q×R; 26 Q—B7 ch., 26 K—Q sq.; 27 B—K3, 27 B×B; 28 P×B with still a fair game); 26 Q×B7 ch., 27 K—Q sq.; 28 Q×KtP and White has still a good attack left.
7. 25.Rb1 He could not afford to allow himself to be driven away by QR—Kt sq. subsequently.
8. 28…a5 Black could simplify matters easily here by 28....Q×KP; 29 R×Kt, 29 Q×Q, 30 R×B ch., 30 K×R; 31 B×Q, 31 QR—QKt sq. with still the exchange ahead and a splendid game.
9. 32…Re8 A very feeble move. After 32....Kt—B5; 33 QR—Q sq. 33 R—R2 followed soon by K—K2 there was nothing left for White.
10. 34.c4 An excellent move which helps to keep up White's attack for a long time.
11. 35…Nc8 Better we believe than R—B2 whereupon White would proceed with Kt—K sq., followed by Kt—Q3 and Kt—Kt4.
12. 37…Re7 There was no necessity for this, and K—B sq. was by far better.
13. 38…a3 Black is playing recklessly. After 38....K—B sq.; 39 R—KB sq., 39 K—Kt sq.; 40 Q—R5, 40 Q—K3 White's attack was again completely broken.
14. 40…Ra4 An extraordinary blunder for such an important game. R—KB2 was the only correct move.
15. 41.Rd6 Highly ingenious. See Diagram page 180.
16. 41…Nxd6 There was nothing better, for White threatened Q×BP and afterward Q—R8 ch., and R—B6 mate. If for instance 41....Q—Kt4; 42 Q×BP, 42 K—Q sq.; 43 R×B ch. and wins. Or if 41....Q×P; 42 Q×BP, 42 Kt×R; 43 Kt×Kt, 43 K—Q sq.; 44 Kt—Kt7 ch. and wins.
17. 44.Qf8+ No better was 44....K—B2; 45 Q×R, 45 R×P, 46 Kt—B6, 46 R—B8; 47 Q×B ch., 47 Q×Q; 48 R×R ch. and wins.
18. 47.Nf6 Simple but very fine. After this White wins with the greatest ease.
19. 57.a4 A forlorn hope. If however 57....K—B5; White wins easily by 58 P—R5, 58 K—Kt4; 59 K—Kt3, 59 K×P; 60 K—B4, etc.

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