chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Wilhelm Steinitz vs NN
Vienna CC ch (1861), Vienna AUT
King's Gambit: Declined. Keene Defense (C30)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

explore this opening
find similar games 34 more Steinitz/NN games
sac: 12.Qd3 PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: As you play through the game, you can get the FEN code for any position by right-clicking on the board and choosing "Copy Position (EPD)". Copy and paste the FEN into a post to display a diagram.

PGN Viewer:  What is this?
For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.
PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

A COMPUTER ANNOTATED SCORE OF THIS GAME IS AVAILABLE.  [CLICK HERE]

Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 2 OF 2 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Feb-08-04  ughaibu: Tal's comment doesn't suggest he aimed to give himself a lost game. You'll have to give examples for Marshall and Tarrasch, one of the most convincing cases for a Lasker psychological move is in the second game of his world championship match with Tarrasch.
Feb-08-04  Catfriend: I didn't say Tal aimed for a lost game, but he would play an inferior position for tactical opportunities
Feb-08-04  ughaibu: Can you cite your sources? I find it difficult to believe that either of them would say that they would ever choose an inferior continuation unless they already stood at a significant disadvantage.
Feb-08-04  Catfriend: Yes, "Soviet Chess school" by Kotov and Yudovich
Feb-08-04  ughaibu: My copy's in the UK, I'll need the page numbers (and chapters in case it's a different edition) to get photocopies.
Feb-08-04  Catfriend: I"ll try and seek the book.
Feb-08-04  Catfriend: (Just remind me)
Feb-08-04  ughaibu: Okay. As I recall it's a pretty silly book, short sections on each player about how they extended Tchigorin's approach in dealing with creative problems etc, more or less the same for everyone. The example games and positions for the more obscure players was the most interesting feature. I dont remember any remarks about choosing inferior lines applied to Tal, there may have been something about Lasker in the introduction but I dont remember anything non-conjectural.
Feb-08-04  Catfriend: Well, I disgree about this book, but we won't argue. And I have some more books (Soviet mostly) that say that about Tal. AND - I have his games...
Feb-08-04  ughaibu: Examples from his "life and games" would be interesting.
Feb-08-04  Catfriend: I don't the book you mention said directly he chose bad moves... But his games do:)

BTW, There is even the term Lasker excuse - doing an inferior move for pshycological reasons.

Feb-08-04  ughaibu: This is what you wrote above "Both Lasker and Tal said more than once that they DID play second-level moves, or at least not the best ones to strike the pshycology!", if the players themselves didn't say this and it was only said by commentators, that's a quite different matter. I can only think of two examples that appear to be directly psychologically motivated from Lasker's games and none from Tal's games. I'll put up the Lasker games.
Feb-08-04  Catfriend: In fact, Lasker said that, I just don't remmeber where I read that..
Feb-08-04  Catfriend: And of course Alekhin said a few times that a certain move was chosen for psyco-reasons only.
Feb-08-04  Bitzovich: To bring the discussion to something concrete? could ughaibu or Catfriend give an example of a game where a second-level move is made for psychological reasons? I understand the flow of thought, but an instance would clearify for me. Thanx
Feb-08-04  Catfriend: That's what <ughaibu> makes now! And in the 1960 match Tal made some such moves.
Feb-08-04  ughaibu: Bitzovich: I'd like to see examples too, because I dont believe either player would play to the detriment of their position for "psychological" or stylistic reasons. Catfriend: Please put up the examples from the 1960 match.
Feb-08-04  Catfriend: Tal vs Botvinnik, 1960
Feb-08-04
Premium Chessgames Member
  tamar: <Catfriend> I think you are on to something, but the similarity between Lasker and Tal was that they were able to see plans for attack and defense in almost any position. They were not as reliant on theory as book players have to be. Part of Lasker's elasticity of outlook was to be able to play variations others considered too difficult or cramped, such as the Berlin Defense to the Ruy. Lasker would never say he chose inferior moves, just that his opponent considered them inferior, and that was all the more reason to play them.
Feb-08-04  Catfriend: Lasker said that the move that works and is effective is a good,correct move. So if everybody considers something wrong,than as you said Lakser would play it and win... Thus, the move is suddenly correct!
Feb-08-04  Catfriend: We"ll continue it later... I go to sleep, good♘ everybody!
Apr-14-09  Chicago Chess Man: 31 Qxb7 is just being mean. Why not Qxg8+ and just end things?
Apr-14-09  sneaky pete: 31.Qxb7 .. forces mate in a few moves, e.g. 31... Qxd5+ 32.Qxd5 Rf8 33.Qg8+ Rxg8 34.Nf7#.

This game wasn't played in London but in Vienna, maybe the only surviving game from the annual club tournament won by Steinitz with + 30 -1 (no draws, Steinitz was no sissy). Bachmann names his victim "L.",so this may have been Herr Lang.

"Seine damalige Spielweise stand freilich zu der von ihm später begründeten Methode noch im vollsten Gegensatze; sie entsprach ganz dem Feuereifer, mit dem sich der angehende Schachjünger auf das Spiel zu werfen pflegt und der sich in kühnen Angriffswendungen und gewagten Opferkombinationen äußert."

Dec-07-21  Messiah: Nice game.
Nov-02-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  Chessical: Bachmann's comment as given by Sneaky Pete:

"His style of play at that time was, of course, in complete contrast to the method he later developed; it corresponded entirely to the zeal with which the budding chess student throws himself into the game and which expresses itself in bold attacking turns and daring sacrificial combinations."

search thread:   
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 2 OF 2 ·  Later Kibitzing>

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.


NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific game only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

This game is type: CLASSICAL. Please report incorrect or missing information by submitting a correction slip to help us improve the quality of our content.

<This page contains Editor Notes. Click here to read them.>

Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2025, Chessgames Services LLC