Chigorin, Mikhail Ivanovich VS Steinitz, William 1889.02.05

Annotations

1. 10…b6 This is not a good move, for though Black ultimately wins the QBP against which he keeps the B directed, he exposes himself to a formidable attack.
2. 12.Bb3 The right play is here, 12 B—Q3 followed in reply to 12…B×P by 13 R—QKt sq., as played by Tschigorin in the 11th game.
3. 14.Nb5 A very ingenious resource under the circumstances, that Black is two Pawns ahead, and White at any rate equalizes that material advantage by force. Any other line of play would have left Black with an easily winning superiority.
4. 23.Rxb8 This, we believe, is the simplest and best plan. After 22…R×P; 23 R—Kt7, White will obtain a strong attack either by R—Q sq. or R—QKt sq.
5. 24.Rb1 An excellent move, which at any rate renders Black's winning more difficult. If he allowed Black time to institute a double attack with R and B against the QRP, his game was gone speedily.
6. 25.Re1 If 25 Kt—Q2, 25 R—Q sq.; 26 R—Kt2, 26 B×P; etc.
7. 30…f5 Black, we believe, could have here sooner forced the victory by 30…K—B4; for if 31 Kt—Kt3 ch., 31 K—Kt5; 32 Kt—Q4 dis. ch., 32 K—B4; 33 R—B2 ch., 33 K×Kt; 34 R×B, 34 R×P; 35 R—B7, 35 P—Kt5 and Black will win by advancing his KtP and bringing his K up to QR8.
8. 38…h5 Black has gained time by his manœuvring with the R for this important advance.
9. 41.Nf1 Now, the only move, for if 41 Kt—Kt sq., 41 R—Q6; 42 K—K2, 42 R—KKt6; 43 K—B2, 43 P—R5; etc.
10. 43…Rxg2 Very weak. Black could have won with facility by K—B3, which would have secured two Pawns plus.
11. 52…Rd1 Not good. R—Kt5 which would have compelled Black to retreat R—R2 in order to maintain his P was by far better, and gave him good hopes of a draw.
12. 46.Ne3 White's K is cut off, and Black's passed P forces the victory. See Diagram page 176.
13. 53.Rxg7 A little better was 53 R—Kt6 ch., 53 K—K4; 54 R×P, but Black would also soon win, even in that case, by first driving the adverse King further off with 54…R—B8 ch.; and then advancing the P.

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