William Steinitz, the first World Chess Champion, was a Jewish immigrant from Prague who became the strongest and most innovative player of his time. His biography covers his early life, career, and games until he left London in 1882, providing a portrait of mid-Victorian British chess and the Simpson's Divan. Despite facing discrimination, he became a respected writer on the game and eventually immigrated to America.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 12 January 2023
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

William Steinitz (1836-1900), the first World Chess Champion, is the subject of this biography, which covers his early life and career, including a fully-sourced collection of his known games until he left London in 1882. Steinitz was born to a poor Jewish family in Prague and studied in Vienna, where his career began. He moved to London in 1862, determined to conquer the chess world. During the next 20 years, he became its strongest and most innovative player, as well as an influential writer on the game. However, he faced mockery and discrimination from British amateur players and journalists, which eventually drove him to immigrate to America. The final chapters cover his subsequent visits to England and the last three tournaments he played there.

William Steinitz (1836-1900): The First World Chess Champion

William Steinitz, the first World Chess Champion, is the subject of this biography, which covers his early life and career, including a fully-sourced collection of his known games until he left London in 1882. Steinitz was born to a poor Jewish family in Prague and studied in Vienna, where his career began. He moved to London in 1862, determined to conquer the chess world. During the next 20 years, he became its strongest and most innovative player, as well as an influential writer on the game. However, he faced mockery and discrimination from British amateur players and journalists, which eventually drove him to immigrate to America. The final chapters cover his subsequent visits to England and the last three tournaments he played there.

Early Life and Career

Steinitz was born to a poor Jewish family in Prague in 1836. His father was a tailor, and his mother was a homemaker. Despite his family's financial difficulties, Steinitz showed an early interest in chess and began playing at a young age. He studied in Vienna, where he became a member of the Vienna Chess Club and began to compete in tournaments. Steinitz's career really began when he won the Vienna Chess Club Championship in 1857, which launched him into the international chess scene. He went on to win several other tournaments, including the London 1862 chess tournament, which made him a household name in the chess world.

Move to London

In 1862, Steinitz moved to London, where he hoped to conquer the chess world. He quickly established himself as a strong player, winning the London Chess Club Championship in 1863 and the British Chess Association Championship in 1864. He also became a regular contributor to the chess magazine "The Chess Player's Chronicle." Steinitz's style of play was characterized by his aggressive and attacking style, which often caught his opponents off guard. He was also known for his ability to analyze complex positions and find winning strategies. However, Steinitz's success in London was not without its challenges. He faced mockery and discrimination from British amateur players and journalists, who often referred to him as a foreigner and a "Jewish chess player." This discrimination eventually drove Steinitz to immigrate to America in 1882.

Influential Writer on the Game

Steinitz was not only a strong player but also an influential writer on the game of chess. He wrote several books on chess, including "The Game of Chess" (1862), "The Chess Player's Handbook" (1864), and "The Chess Player's Companion" (1864). These books were widely read and helped to popularize the game of chess. Steinitz's writing style was clear and concise, and he often included practical tips and strategies for improving one's chess game. He also wrote about the history of chess, including the famous Simpson's Divan, which was a popular chess club in London during the mid-Victorian period. Steinitz's writing helped to establish chess as a serious academic discipline and contributed to its growth and popularity.

Immigration to America

In 1882, Steinitz immigrated to America, where he hoped to find a more welcoming and inclusive chess community. He settled in New York City and quickly established himself as a prominent figure in the American chess scene. He became a member of the Manhattan Chess Club and played in several tournaments, including the New York State Championship in 1883. Steinitz's success in America was not without its challenges. He faced discrimination from some American players and journalists, who were not as welcoming to foreign players as they were in Europe. However, Steinitz's reputation as a strong player and writer continued to grow, and he was invited to play in several international tournaments. In 1885, he won the first international chess tournament held in the United States, the New York 1885 chess tournament, which was a major milestone in the history of American chess.

Subsequent Visits to England and Last Three Tournaments

Steinitz made several subsequent visits to England during his career. In 1886, he played in the London 1886 chess tournament, which was won by his former student, Joseph Henry Blackburne. In 1890, he played in the London 1890 chess tournament, which was won by his former student, George MacDonnell. In 1893, he played in the London 1893 chess tournament, which was won by his former student, Harry Pillsbury. Steinitz's final three tournaments in England were the London 1894 chess tournament, the London 1895 chess tournament, and the London 1896 chess tournament. These tournaments were some of the most prestigious chess tournaments in the world at the time, and Steinitz played in all of them. Steinitz's performance in these tournaments was impressive, and he continued to be a dominant force in the chess world until his death in 1900.

Conclusion

William Steinitz was a remarkable figure in the history of chess. He was the first World Chess Champion, and his biography covers his early life and career, including a fully-sourced collection of his known games until he left London in 1882. Steinitz's career was characterized by his aggressive and attacking style, his ability to analyze complex positions, and his writing on the game. He faced mockery and discrimination from British amateur players and journalists, which eventually drove him to immigrate to America. Steinitz's success in America was not without its challenges, but his reputation as a strong player and writer continued to grow, and he was invited to play in several international tournaments. Steinitz's final three tournaments in England were some of the most prestigious chess tournaments in the world at the time, and he played in all of them. Steinitz's performance in these tournaments was impressive, and he continued to be a dominant force in the chess world until his death in 1900.

Weight: 992g
Dimension: 277 x 212 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476691428