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Wilhelm Steinitz vs Harry Pillsbury
Steinitz Simul 20b, Boston (1892) (exhibition), Boston, MA USA, Apr-07
King's Gambit: Declined. Classical Variation (C30)  ·  0-1

ANALYSIS [x]

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Kibitzer's Corner
Jan-09-04  Whitehat1963: What a blunder by the world champion to end the game!
Mar-15-05  Hanada: Harry Nelson Pillsbury beat Wilhelm Steinitz 6 to 5, with 3 draws.

PILLSBURY has many of the top player's number. I think he surely may have become champ if fate had not stepped in.

Mar-15-05  percyblakeney: That's not impossible. It could be worth mentioning that Steinitz was a bit over 60 during Pillsbury's last wins, though. As late as in S:t Petersburg 1895/96 (a few months before his 60th birthday) Steinitz scored +4 -0 =2 against Pillsbury.
Feb-07-06  BobbyBishop: I just find it utterly amazing that at the time of this game, HNP had only been playing the game for 4 years!
Jun-26-06  Cornocopian: but where is match link
Sep-27-07  RookFile: This game was likely played at the Boylston Chess Club, at its original location on 48 Boylston street. Now the club is in Somerville MA, a fitting place, since Pillsbury was born there.
Nov-01-07  RookFile: Pillsbury also beat Steinitz at a match where Steinitz gave him odds of pawn and move.
Nov-01-07  aazqua: What a horrible game all the way through. These guys are really awful.
Nov-02-07  RookFile: Well, Steinitz obviously made some mistakes, but did Pillsbury too, and if so, where?
Jan-02-09  Capthahn86: When looking at this game, it reminds of the Petrosian vs.Spassky World Championship Match 1966 Game #10 Petrosian vs Spassky, 1966
May-29-10  crawfb5: Pope's book on Pillsbury says this game was one of a 20-board simultaneous given by Steinitz on April 7th, a few days after the 3-game pawn-and-move odds match Pillsbury won.
Dec-01-10  Owerbart: I'm in complete agree with Hanada. Pillsbury really deserved that World Title.
Aug-26-17
Premium Chessgames Member
  wwall: Looks like the losing move was 25.Kc2. White had to play 25.Qe1, and if 25...Na6, then 26.Nc2 and 27.b4 should hold for White.

Instead of 26...Rd8, Black could have played 26...Qxc3, and if 27.Rc1 or 27.Qc2, then 27...Nxe4 wins.

Jan-09-20  cehertan: There was no “blunder” to end the game. If white can’t take the a-pawn he might as well resign.
Jan-09-20  Boomie: <ChessMetrics Ratings>

Steinitz

April 1892 rating list Rating: 2741, ranked #3 in world, age 55y11m (and ranked #2 all-time among players aged 55y11m)

His top rating was 2826 16 years earlier.

Pillsbury

Reached the 2740 level about 4 years after this game. He was maybe 2500 in 1892. Still that's an enormous strength for a simul player. His highest rating is 2816 in 1901.

To win the championship, Pillsbury would have to beat Lasker. In 1901, Lasker's rating was around 2840. So Pillsbury would be expected to win a match occasionally. But I would never bet against the 1901 Lasker.

Mar-08-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  fredthebear: One of America's oldest chess clubs: https://boylstonchess.org/

Boylston Chess Foundation
40 Norris St Suite B101
Cambridge, MA 02140
617-714-3022

Mar-08-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  ketchuplover: $150/yr

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