Steinitz, William VS Chigorin, Mikhail Ivanovich 1889.02.08

Annotations

1. 3…Nc6 In the usual form of the Q's gambit into which this opening generally resolves itself the present move is not considered favorable to the defence, but Black adopted it, no doubt, with the view of attempting to break through on the 4th move.
2. 5.Qb3 We think this is the strongest continuation and the advantage of Pawns which White gains more than compensates the breaking up of his centre and the doubling of his Pawns.
3. 6.gxf3 Obviously if 6…B—Kt5 ch.; White interposes the B. But it should be noticed that if 6…QP×BP; 7 B×P, 7 Q—Q2; White should reply simply 8 P×P and not 8 B×P ch., whereupon after 8…Q×B; 9 Q×P, 9 K—Q2; 10 Q×R, Black obtains a strong attack by 10…Q×BP followed by KKt—B3 threatening B—Kt5 ch.
4. 9.Nc3 White might have won another P by Q×KtP, but then after 9…Q—K2 ch.; 10 B—K3 (or 10 K—Q sq., 10 R—Kt sq.; 11 Q×BP, 11 Q—B3 with a strong attack), 10…Q—Kt5 ch.; 11 Q×Q, 11 B×Q ch.; 12 Kt—B3, 12 KKt—B3; Black will recover one Pawn and will at least prolong the fight.
5. 11…Ngf6 If 11…O—O—O; 12 O—O—O, 12 Kt—Kt3; 13 Q—B5 ch. and wins the BP, for should Black interpose the R then follows KB—QKt5.
6. 12…Rd8 If 12…O—O—O; 13 P—QR3, 13 Q—Q3 (or 13…Q—R4; 14 O—O, with an irresistible attack); 14 QR—QB sq. followed by Kt—K4.
7. 15…g6 15…O—O would have also given him a very bad game on account of 16 QB—KR6, and if 16…Kt—K sq.; 17 Q—KB5, 17 QKt—B3; 18 R×P ch., 18 Kt×R; 19 R—KKt sq., and wins.
8. 19.Bf4 Threatening B×P, followed by Kt×KtP double ch.
9. 21.Bg5 This is decisive whatever Black might do. White had also the option here of winning two minor pieces for the R thus: 21 R×B ch., 21 K×R; 22 B—Kt5, 22 Kt—Q2; 23 Kt—K4, 23 Q—Kt3; 24 Kt×Kt, 24 Kt×Kt; 25 Q—B6, 25 Q×Q; 26 P×Q, 26 R—K sq.; 27 R—Q3, followed by R—K3 ch. and wins the Kt. The play in the text is however stronger still,
10. 21…Ng8 If QKt×P White may proceed with R×B ch., and if KKt×P the answer B×B wins equally.
11. 23…Rb8 Nothing better, as White threatens Kt—B5 ch., and if then K—K sq. he proceeds with Q—K4, whereas if the K move to Q sq. Black obviously loses the Q by Kt—Kt7 ch.
12. 26…Nd7 If 26…Kt×Kt, then of course 27 Q—K5 mate. And if 26…K—B sq.; 27 Q×R ch., 27 K—Kt2; 28 Kt—R5 ch. and wins, for if 28…P×Kt; 29 R—Kt sq. ch. and mates next move.

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