Chigorin, Mikhail Ivanovich VS Steinitz, William 1889.01.27

Annotations

1. 8…Qd6 This is forced. For if 8...Q—Kt3; 9 B×Kt, 9 K×B (or 9...Kt×B; 10 Kt×P and wins); 10 P—Q5 with a fine attack.
2. 10…Bb6 Black might have kept the superiority of Pawns by exchanging QP, but obviously White would then have forced a centre similar to the one usually obtained in other variations of this opening, and all the stronger in the present situation, as Black's Q was badly placed. The move in the text releases the defence.
3. 12.Qa3 Preventing the development of the adverse QP, but only for a little time.
4. 18.h3 White's position was already much inferior. If, for instance, 18 B—K2 Black could institute a vehement attack by the answer 18...P—Q4. The move in the text was, however, a fearful error that cost a clear piece.
5. 18…Bxf3 Black could also answer 18...QB×RP; and if 19 K—R2, e. g. KB×P winning easily, but of course the play actually adopted is more than sufficient.
6. 20…Qg6 If Q or B×P, White could still hope for some attack by the reply R—KB sq., followed by Kt—Kt5.
7. 21.Rd3 See Diagram page 172.
8. 21…Qf6 If 21...Q×KP; 22 B×P ch., and obviously Black dare not take the B on account of the winning rejoinder Kt—Kt5 ch.
9. 24.Rf3 Desperate, but White's game was beyond recovery.
10. 26…Qc4 Black had sufficient forces to win, even after 26...Q—KB5; 27 Q—Q5 ch., 27 K—R sq. (if 27...K—B sq.; White might still harrass him by 28 R—KKt sq.); 28 Kt—B7 ch., 28 Q×Kt; 29 Q×Q, 29 R—KB sq.; with three pieces for the Q and an irresistible attack. But of course the move in the text was the simplest and surest.

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