Steinitz, William VS Chigorin, Mikhail Ivanovich 1889.01.26

Annotations

1. 3.c4 We consider this not alone quite sound, but probably the best answer against Black's early sally with the QB which is premature and altogether unadvisable on general principles, as this piece is much wanted for the protection of the Q side in this opening.
2. 4.gxf3 The P cannot well be taken as it cannot be defended, and White obtains, therefore, a strong centre. If, for instance, 4...P×P; 5 P—K3, 5 P—QKt4 (or 5...P—K4; 6 B×P, 6 Q—Q3; 7 P×P with an excellent game. Compare second consultation game, page 194); 6 P—QR4, 6 P—QB3; 7 P×P, 7 P×P; 8 P—QKt3 with much the best of the game.
3. 5…Qxd5 Injudicious, as White gains much time in forming his centre by his reply. P×P was the only correct answer.
4. 7…Qa5 Under the circumstances Q—KR4 was no doubt much better.
5. 8…Nc6 Mr. Tschigorin informs us that this was the result of a miscalculation. He had foreseen all the subsequent moves on both sides up to White's 14th, but he had overlooked in his forecast that White's KR would then remain defended by the Q.
6. 11.Bd3 Of course, if P×B at once, Black replies Q×R followed by Kt—B7 ch.
7. 11…O-O-O If 11...P×P; 12 B×P, 12 Q—K4; 13 P×B, 13 P—KB4; 14 R—R5, 14 Q—K3 (or 14...P—QKt4; 15 Kt×P, 15 P×B; if 15...Kt×Kt; 16 B—B3 and wins); 16 B—B3, 16 Kt×Pch.; 17 Q×Kt and wins.
8. 13.Qxf3 Better than 13 K—K2, 13 Kt—Q5 ch.; 14 K—B sq., 14 Q×P; 15 Kt×P (or 15 Kt—Kt5), 15...Q—Kt6; 16 B—QB3, 16 Q×Q ch.; 17 R×Q, 17 Kt—K3 and Black with two Pawns for the piece may make a long fight after the exchange of Queens, whereas the play in the text ensures White an irresistible attack against the adverse King, albeit Black has three Pawns for the exchange.
9. 16…Qa6 If 16...Q—R7; 17 Q—B4, 17 R—Q2; 18 R—QB sq., 18 P—QB3; 19 Kt—Q6 ch. and wins.
10. 18…Nh6 The following fine termination might have occurred in reply to 18...P—QB3; namely: 19 QB—KB4, 19 R—Q2 (or 19...Kt—R3; 20 R×P ch., 20 P×R; 21 Kt×P ch. and wins); 20 Q—K8 ch., 20 R—Q sq.; 21 Kt×P ch., 21 Q×Kt, 22 R×P ch. and mates in two more moves.
11. 22.Bxe4 White threatens mate in three moves, and there is no defence excepting R—Q2, which, of course, is as much as abandoning the game.

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