Chigorin, Mikhail Ivanovich VS Steinitz, William 1889.01.24

Annotations

1. 8…f6 It would have been better to wait with this move until White played Kt—Q5, and to castle first.
2. 12…Qe8 The more defensive Q—K2 was probably better.
3. 13.Rad1 Threatening Kt×BP.
4. 17…Be7 Black could have won the Queen here temporarily for only two minor pieces, but his game would have been so much disorganized as to become indefensible, e. g., 17 B×Kt, 17 P×B; 18 B×P, 18 B×B (if 19 Kt×P, 19 Q—Kt3 ch.; 20 K—R2, 20 B×B and wins); 19...Kt—B5; 20 Q×Kt,! (if 20 K—R2, 20 Q—R4 and though White may now capture the Kt, and afterward take the R with the B, Black will be able to make a better fight than in the line of play we propose), 20...P×Q; 21 B×R, 21 Q×B; 22 Kt×P, threatening Kt—K6, 22...Kt—Kt3; 23 Kt×R, followed by R—Q2 and doubling Rooks with an easily won game.
5. 20…Nxc5 An error which costs the exchange. Black might have obtained a defensible game by 20...Q×Q; 21 B×Q (if 21 P×Q, 21 B×Kt; 22 P×B, 22 Kt×P and should win), 21...P—B3 (not 21...B×Kt; for as Mr. Tschigorin rightly points out White would then obtain the advantage by 22 P×B, 22 Kt×P; 23 R—QB sq., etc.); 22 B×Kt, 22 P×Kt; 23 B—Q5, 23 B—QB3; etc.
6. 29.Kg2 We believe P—R5 was better, as White had then the option of advancing the RP further and trying to get up an attack against the adverse QRP, or else he could exchange Pawns at a convenient time and open the QR file for his R.
7. 30…g6 If P—KKt4 White would have answered P—KR4, followed soon by R—KR sq. after removing the King.
8. 36.h5 White plays with consummate mastery.
9. 36…gxh5 There was nothing better. If P—Kt4 ch., White after retreating the K would have played R—K sq., followed by withdrawing the other R and R—K6. Black's R could not then oppose at K sq. on account of the rejoinder R×Kt ch.
10. 38…Kf8 Loss of time. The King had to make his exit on the Queen's side later on, and it was much better to enter on that retreat at once.
11. 45.b3 A profound move. White perceives the exigencies of the position with an acumen that hardly finds its equal in any ending previously played over the board. It is impossible to enter in an extensive analysis, and we can only point out that if White had stuck to his KBP and given up the QKtP for it, Black could well give up ultimately the B for the advancing P, but would in the meanwhile direct the attack with R and Kt against White's sole remaining QRP with almost a certain draw and even some prospects of winning.
12. 48…Rf4 Of course if R×B White would answer R×Kt ch.
13. 54…Rg4+ The manoeuvre that follows shuts up White's R for some time, but it is not satisfactory in the end. Black had more chance of a draw by 54...R—B7 ch.; 55 K—R3, 55 B—Q3; 56 R—B2, 56 R—B4 (if 56...R×R; 57 R—B3 ch., etc.); 57 R—B3 ch., 57 B—B4; and we believe Black ought to obtain a draw by a series of checks, or would win the KtP, which would, of course, also secure a draw at least.
14. 60.Rh6 A beautiful move which compels Black ultimately to abandon his attack against the King as he is bound to protect his RP with his B.
15. 66.Rh2 The co-operation of his R with the other is now secured in a few moves, and White is bound to win, especially as he holds Black's King tight in the last row.
16. 73.Rff7 At this stage the game was adjourned till next day, White having sealed the move in the text.
17. 76.Bf1 See Diagram page 168. White threatens to bring the B—Kt2, followed by R—QR7.
18. 77.Rd7 The only correct answer. If R—Kt7 ch., Black plays K—B sq., followed by Kt—B2, which shuts out the R and must ultimately win the exchange by K—Kt sq.
19. 79.Bc4 The rest tells its own tale.
20. 83.Rh8 For if Kt—Kt2, White answers R×P.

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