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I thought about starting a new series about the history of world championship matches. I think it is very important for every chess player to know the history of our game. I hope this thread will refresh your memory, perhaps you'll even learn something new, and it will make easier to understand things that happened later, and affect highest levels of chess even today.
Feel free to add some other facts, your own comments and thoughts, pictures etc. We'll start with the first official World Championship match: 1886 World Championship: Wilhelm Steinitz vs. Johannes Hermann Zukertort  Background Previously there have been many matches between the leading players on the world, but none of them was called "the world championship" at that time. By 1880's two players could (and have) claimed to being the best on the world - Wilhelm Steinitz and Johannes Zukertort. Players Wilhelm Steinitz's claim for being the best player on the world was based on his match records where he won against all the leading players of that time (including Zukertort), however his tournament play at that time, was less succesful. Later in his life Steinitz claimed to have been the world champion since 1866 match against Adolf Anderssen (the leading player before and after the brief Paul Morphy era), but there is no evidence that he claimed that at that time. Besides Steinitz claimed a lot of things in the last years of his life (including that he played against God and won - at pawn odds) Johannes Hermann Zukertort's claim for being the best is based on his tournament results, specially on the 1883 London tournament* where he won convincingly ahead of all the leadning players of that time (including Steinitz). * - in those days the drawn games were replayed. If the game was still drawn, it was replayed again. If the third game was also drawn the result would stand (no wonder it took almost 3 months to finish the tournament ). Some games were not played. In this tournament the doubled-sided chess clocks were used for the first time. Preparations Steinitz and Zukertort didn't like each other, so the negotiations for the match dragged on for a long time. At the end they finally agreed to play in the USA (Zukertort prefered London). Zukertort was given 750$ to make the trip across the Atlantic and the winner of the match was promised a quarter of the proceeds from the betting syndication. Steinitz insisted that this match is "for the championship of the world". It was the first match to be called the World championship beforehand - thats why this match is considered as the first 'official' World championship. For the first time in chess history, a demonstration board measuring approximately 1 metre square was erected above the players, so that the spectators could follow the game while remaining in their seats. Match Conditions:
The Match  In case you are wondering about the flags:
Download these games Although being 1-4 down after 5 games, Steinitz ended up winning convincigly 10 wins to 5 (with 5 draws), thus becoming the first official World Champion. In the aftermath, it was apparent that Zukertort's play had been overly impulsive; he had regularly taken half the time of Steinitz and it is likely that this was connected to a heart condition he had carried since childhood. Zukertort himself blamed his failure on the climate, explaining that he did fine in New York (4-1), not as well in Saint Louis (0.5-3.5), and fell apart in the New Orleans(3-8) heat. A rematch was discussed, but never took place, as Zukertort died two years later of a heart attack. Impact on the Future Obviously this match started an unbroken line (the successor always defeating previous champion in a match*) of World champions until Alekhine's death in 1946. * - there is a little twist here concearning Lasker and Capablanca (we'll come to this match later) For his 1975 title defence against Karpov, Bobby Fischer demanded that the match is played under the same rules as this 1886 Steinitz-Zukertort match. That where his 9-9 tie clause cames from, but with the slight difference - if the 1886 match would be tied at 9-9 neither player would be World champion, on the other hand a 9-9 tie in 1975 would mean that the reigning champion (Fischer) keeps the title, meaning that the challenger has to win with at least two games margin. This ends my recap of the 1886 World championship match, I'll recap the Steinitz's first tile defence next time. In the meantime feel free to add some other facts, your own comments and thoughts, pictures etc. about the 1886 World championship. This message has been edited. Last edited by: ebutaljib, |
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1889 World Championship: William Steinitz vs. Mikhail Ivanovich Chigorin
 Background After the 1886 match Steinitz was regarded as the best player on the world, however his popularity was very short-lived. The main reason was his positional playing style, which was not as spectacular as the wild attack-at-all-costs style of his contemporaries. He often intentionally played very passivly to lure his opponent into a wild sacrifical attack, only to later defend his position and after all the fireworks were over, he comfortably won in the endgame. Soon the speculation started on who will de-throne Steinitz. Since there was no organization to govern the World Championship it was not clear how to chose the next challenger. Steinitz (who in 1888 became the American citizen) himself supported the idea of the American chess congress to set up somekind of regulations about the future World Championships. He felt that he was becoming too old (he was 50 years old at the time of 1886 match) to remain World champion. It is unclear, but it looks like he wanted to step down as a champion at that time. The American Chess Congress' final proposal was that the winner of a tournament to be held in New York in 1889 should be regarded as world champion for the time being, but must be prepared to face a challenge from the 2nd or 3rd placed competitor within a month. In the meantime the Havana Chess Club offered to sponsor the World Championship. The match backers gave Steinitz a free choice to pick anyone he wishes - a unique case in the history. Steinitz nominated the Russian Mikhail Chigorin, on the condition that the invitation should not be presented as a challenge from himself (whatever this means - see * below). He picked Mikhail Chigorin, probably for two reasons: 1. Chigorin had a 3-1 record against Steinitz 2. Chigorins play style was opposite to Steinitz's. Steinitz was a father of positional play, while Chigorin was a brilliant attacking player and would play the type of positions that Steinitz wanted to play against in order to prove his chess theories (his theories were severly criticized at that time). Players William Steinitz, the reigning World Champion. He freely picked Chigorin as his opponent because Chigorin was "the greatest living exponent of the Evans Gambit" and Steinitz wanted to prove his theories in this opening. And since Chigorin had a 3-1 score against him, he wanted to show that he feared no one. Mikhail Ivanovich Chigorin was the leading Russian chess player and was a brilliant attacking player. Steinitz's poor record against Mikhail Chigorin in previous tournament meetings meant that the Russian had good credentials. Chigorin was generally toppling everyone in his path and so the announcement of a match between the two met with universal approval. Of added interest was the pitting of Chigorin's old-fashioned, 'bludgeoning' style against Steinitz' new teachings. Commentators saw it as a match between the 'Romantic' and 'Modern' Schools of chess. Preparations When Chigorin accepted the match conditions the bookmakers began to take wagers on the outcome. It quickly became apparent that in spite of the public's dissatisfaction with Steinitz, they still believed him to be overwhelmingly the best player. The pre-match betting receipts showed that $52,000 had been placed on Steinitz, compared with a mere $900 on Chigorin. Match Conditions:
* - Although this match is generally recognized as the World championship, there are some doubts if the title was really on stake. Both Steinitz's letters and the publicity material just before the match conspicuously avoided the phrase "world championship". The proposed match was to have a maximum of 20 games, and Steinitz had previously said that fixed-length matches were unsuitable for world championship contests because the first player to take the lead could then play for draws. Steinitz was at the same time supporting the American Chess Congress' world championship project (see above). The Match  Download these games Whatever the status of this match was, Steinitz won convincingly 10.5 to 6.5 (only the last game was drawn!!!) The highlight of this match is Steinitz's 6...Qf6 line in the Evans Gambit, and the tangled positions he voluntarily accepted to try to prove that Black could keep the Pawn and emerge with the better endgame. This line appears in all the games where Steinitz had black (except game 3) in the regular contest, and also in two (of three) exhibition games that were played after the match was already decided. Impact on the Future This Steinitz's win (and his 1892 win against the same opponent) marked the end of the 'romantic' era in chess. Steinitz proved that his 'new' positional play works better than the wild attacking play of the 'old school'. In spite of the initial criticism, all players eventually started to learn the positional elements of Steinitz's play. Bobby Fischer used exactly the same arguments as Steinitz about the fixed-length championship matches. This message has been edited. Last edited by: ebutaljib, |
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1890 World Championship: William Steinitz vs. Isidor Arthur Gunsberg
 Background After Steinitz won the first World championship match in 1886, he supported the American chess congress in seting up the regulations for the future World championships. It is unclear but (since he thought that he is too old to remain the world champion) it looks like Steinitz wanted to step down as a champion. So the American chess congress came to the proposal that the winner of the 6th American Congress played in New York 1889 will be regarded as the World champion, but he must defend his title against the 2nd or 3rd placed player if the challenge comes within a month. Stenitz said that he won't participate and won't challenge the winner (confirming that he is stepping down). However later Steinitz (probably after his convincing win against Chigorin) changed his mind about stepping down and this tournament served as the "candidates" tournament. The tournament was won by Mikhail Chigorin and Max Weiss (they were tied even after 4 tie-break games). Chigorin didn't want to play with Steinitz so soon again (they played half a year ago), and Max Weiss didn't want to play at all - he basically retired from international chess after this tournament and later only played in Vienna tournaments. When first two players refused, the 3rd placed Isidor Gunsberg challenged Steinitz. Since Gunsberg had a good match record against other players, the challenge was accepted by Steinitz. The "candidates" tournament experiment was not repeated and later World Championship matches were private arrangements between the players. Players William Steinitz the reigning world champion. It was the first time that he didn't pick his opponent, but the opponent challenged him. Since Gunsberg "qualified", he was somewhat "required" to play with him, although in reality it was all up to him to accept the challenge or not. Gunsberg was one of the leading players of that era and had a good match record, so Steinitz considered him as a worthy opponent and accepted his challenge. Isidor Arthur Gunsberg was one of the top players in the late 1880's and early 1890's. In matches he defeated Joseph Henry Blackbourne and Henry Bird and drew a match with Mikhail Chigorin. This match record together with the third place in 6th American chess congress, made him a worthy challenger. He was for a long time the only person to "qualify" for the World championship. Match Conditions:
The Match  Although living in UK since 1876, Gunsberg hasn't become a British citizen until 1908. Thats why the Austro-Hungarian flag (he was born in Budapest, Hungary). Download these games If there are doubts about Steinitz-Chigorin, this was without a doubt a World Championship match. Steinitz won but not as convincingly as before (end result was 10.5 to 8.5) and there were more draws than in both previous matches combined. The 19th and final game saw two situations that could never occur today. Steinitz offered a draw to Gunsberg on Move 14, which was refused. By the 42nd move, Gunsberg was unhappy with his position and offered his own draw. Since it won the match, Steinitz was happy to take it. However, after this, Gunsberg proposed that they play the game out to see what would have happened. Steinitz agreed and offered Gunsberg draw odds provided that they play for a small stake. Gunsberg agreed, and after a dozen or so moves, resigned. Steinitz still felt guilty about taking the draw and explained in print that he felt it was more important to secure victory in the match, rather than risk making a mistake. Isn't that something? A Grandmaster feeling guilty about accepting a draw? On Move 42!!! Impact on the Future It took more than 60 years, before the "candidates" tournament idea was used again, to produce the World championship challenger. Again the infamous 9-9 wins tie clause was used, but again the conditions were different than those demanded by Fischer. This message has been edited. Last edited by: ebutaljib, |
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1892 World Championship: William Steinitz vs. Mikhail Ivanovich Chigorin
[PICTURE NEEDED!!!] Background Soon after Steinitz's title defence against Gunsberg, the Saint Petersburg Chess Society and the Havana Chess Club offered to organize the World championship match between Steinitz and Chigorin (perhaps their 1889 match was just a test to see if Chigorin was suitable for the challenger). Steinitz accepted and chose Havana as the venue. Players William Steinitz the reigning World champion. Why did Steinitz play so many matches in such a short time? There are probably two reasons. First is that he was old and knew that time is not on his side, and second (more important one) he was really bad with handeling his money. He spent it all and was always broke. He ended up dying penniless. Mikhail Ivanovich Chigorin served as a mayor source of inspiration for the later "Soviet school of chess" which dominated the chess world from the 1930's onwards. Although he lost both matches against Stenitz, his lifetime record against Steinitz was very respectable (24 wins, 27 loses, 8 draws). Match Conditions: Other conditions are very unclear. Most of the sources report that the conditions were same (or very similar) as in the previous Steinitz-Gunsberg match: However the same sources also say that if Chigorin would have won the last 23rd game, he would tie the match to 9 wins each, sending the match into overtime. So based on this, the 9-9 clause couldn't have existed, otherwise the match was basically over when Steinitz won the 22nd game (and leading 9-8 in wins). It's also unclear what this overtime should be. Some claim that in case of 9-9 wins tie, the match format would switch from 'first to 10 wins' to 'first to 12 wins'. If this was the case, then Steinitz didn't have any draw odds. Also it would be interesting to know what would hapen in case of 11-11 wins tie. Extending to 'first to 14 wins'? Some other sources claim that it was 'best from 20 games' match and that when the score was tied at 10-10, both players agreed to continue the match to 10 wins. One source claims that it was a 'first to 8 wins' match and in case of 7-7 wins tie, the match was extended to 'first to 10 wins'. The Match  Download these games It was the closest World championship match to that date. The score was always very close and the end of the match saw what was later called a "blunder of the century". In a totally winning position Chigorin could have played just about everything and would still win, but he chose the move that allowed mate in two. So instead of tieing the match to 9-9 in wins, Steinitz won by 10 wins to 8, with 5 draws. Impact on the Future As it later turned out, this was Steintz's last succesful title defence. By the end of this match Steinitz was almost 56 years old, making him the oldest player ever to win a championship match (for comparison: Botvinnik won his last World championship at 50, while Lasker's last succesful title defence was at 42). This message has been edited. Last edited by: ebutaljib, |
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1894 World Championship: William Steinitz vs. Emanuel Lasker
 Background After his succesful title defence Steinitz again spoke about retiring, but changed his mind (probably because of his financial situation) when he received a 5000$ (per side) challenge from a young upcoming player - Emanuel Lasker. When Lasker couldn't put up the money, the stakes were reduced several times to the final figure 2000$ per side. Although this was publicly praised as an act of sportsmanship on Steinitz's part, he probably desperately needed the money. Influential players and journalists didn't think Lasker was a worthy challenger and they belittled the 1894 match both before and after it took place. The main complaint was that Lasker had never played against any of the top players: William Steinitz, Siegbert Tarrasch and Mikhail Chigorin. Players William Steinitz the reigning World champion. Although almost 58 years old (32 years senior to Lasker), he was still considered as the best player on the world and was a favourite against a little known Lasker. Emanuel Lasker had a very good tournament and match record, but he didn't play in any of the top tournaments, and his match wins were against older famous but past their prime players like Blackburne and Bird. When in 1892 Lasker challenged Siegbert Tarrasch for a match, Tarrasch rejected it because he didn't think Lasker was a worthy opponent. Tarrasch publicly told him that he should go and win an international tournament first. Match Conditions:
The Match  Download these games The match started evenly but then Lasker won 5 games in a row. Steinitz looked like stagging a comeback with two consecutive wins, but was unable to fully recover. Lasker won with 10 wins to Steinitz's 5, with 5 draws. Some commentators thought Steinitz' habit of playing "experimental" moves in serious competition was a major factor in his downfall. Impact on the Future This was the first time ever that Steinitz lost a match (he played 12 matches between 1862 and 1892 - winning them all). After this, Steinitz started to play in tournaments again (his last tournament was in 1883). This match marks the end of the great Steintz era, and the beginning of a no lesser Lasker era. This message has been edited. Last edited by: ebutaljib, |
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1896 World Championship: Emanuel Lasker vs. William Steinitz
 Background As hard as it is to imagine now, at that time the majority feelt that Lasker was an accidental champion, who had only beaten an aging Steinitz, but hadn't really done anything else that might lead him to be considered a World Champion. Siegbert Tarrasch said:
Players Emanuel Lasker the reigning champion. After he became World champion he cought Typhoid fever and almost died from it. Perhaps still feeling affects of this, he finished "only" 3rd in Hastings 1895, behind the surprise winner Harry Nelson Pillsbury. He won the next two top tournaments - St. Petersburg 1895-6 and Nuremberg 1896, slowly silencing his critics of being an accidental champion. William Steinitz's mental health slowly started to deteriorite in this period (at some point he even re-claimed the title by forfeit, because he felt that Lasker is too slow in granting the rematch) and his tournament results started to decline too (he finished the 1896 Nuremberg tournament on 6th place). Match Conditions: The Match  Download these games It was of one of the most one-sided World championship matches of all time. Lasker won 10 wins to 2 with 5 draws. I.A. Horowitz later wrote:
Impact on the Future Soon after the match Steinitz was hospitalised in Moscow mental clinic. Later he still played in tournaments, but his results were in decline and he had to be institutionalised from time to time. Steinitz died penniless on August 12th, 1900. Seeing this, Lasker vowed that he wont allow something like that happening to him. By the twist of fate that was completely out of Lasker's hand (World war I, Great depression, Nazi regime, Stalin's purge) he too died as a poor man. 10 years had to pass before the chess world saw another World Championship match. This message has been edited. Last edited by: ebutaljib, |
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1907 World Championship: Emanuel Lasker vs. Frank James Marshall
[PICTURE NEEDED!] Background After defeating Steinitz for the second time, Lasker semi-retired and played very infrequently. Between 1897 and 1907 he played in only four tournaments (winning 3) and played two very short exhibition matches. This infrequent playing didn't sit well with the public and other masters. Many challenged Lasker, but couldn't come to an agreement with him (Lasker got a reputation of being an extremly tough negotiator) or other circumstance prevented the event taking place. Marshall first challenged him in 1904, but was unable to raise the necessary $2000. Maroczy and Lasker nearly agreed to a match in 1906, but were unable to agree on a site (after the original venue was unsuitable). A match against Tarrasch was nearly arranged in 1904 also, but also fell through. Eventually, Lasker agreed to play Marshall for a $1000 purse. Players Emanuel Lasker the reigning World champion. He didn't play frequently, but when he did play, he mostly won. In 4 tournaments he participated, he won 3 (London 1899, Paris 1900, Trenton Falls 1906) and finished shared second in Cambridge Springs 1904 (behind Marshall). He won a very short match against Dawid Janowski 1.5-0.5 and narowly lost (2.5-3.5) to Mikhail Chigorin in Rice gambit theme match. Based on this it was generally acknowledged that it was only a question if Lasker can retain his best form to win this match or not. Frank James Marshall was one of the strongest players in the beginning of 20th century. Although Chigorin and specially Tarrasch were considered stronger than Marshall, his win against Lasker in Paris 1900 tournament, and his recent tournament wins (1904 Cambridge Springs, 1905 Scheveningen, 1906 Nuremberg) made him a rightful challenger in public eyes. Match Conditions:
The Match  Download these games It was a total whitewash - Lasker winning by 8-0 wins, with 7 draws. The public interest of the match, dropped very quickly even before the end, owing to the fact that every game was either won by the champion or resulted in a draw. Even Marshall in his autobiography mentions this match in only one sentence. Impact on the Future This match (with it's clear result) reinstated Lasker's status as clearly the best chess player in the world. Lasker started playing more frequently after this match. This message has been edited. Last edited by: ebutaljib, |
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1908 World Championship: Emanuel Lasker vs. Siegbert Tarrasch
 Background In the early 1890's, after several tournament successes, Siegbert Tarrasch was widely considered the most likely successor to Steinitz. In 1892 Lasker had challenged Tarrasch to a match and been curtly brushed off (Tarrasch told him that he should go and win an international tournament first). Lasker, audaciously challenged the world champion (Steinitz) instead, and successfully arranged a match (the fact that both were in America at the time must have helped). Because of Tarrasch's earlier snub, the two were not on speaking terms for years, which delayed any chance Tarrasch might have of playing for the title. Lasker was angry at Tarrasch over the snub, Tarrasch (a medical doctor who could afford to play chess for free if he wished), was angry about Lasker's large financial demands for every event he played in. Many times the negotiations for Lasker-Tarrasch match took place, but they all ended without agreement. Rival World Championship Frustration over the failure of Siegbert Tarrasch to be granted a shot at the World Championship title held by Emanuel Lasker, led to the creation of a rival World Tournament Championship, awarded at Ostend, 1907. With exception of Lasker and Maroczy (who temporarly retired), all the leading players of that time participated. Tarrasch won, thus becoming the "World tournament champion". For the first time in chess history there were two world champions (most history books say this about the post 1993 era). In 1908 the match between the two champions was finally agreed to be played in Germany. Players Emanuel Lasker the reigning World Champion. Siegbert Tarrasch the newly crowned "World tournament champion". Before the match they played only two games, in Hastings 1895 Tarrasch won, and in Nuremberg 1896 Lasker won. Match Conditions: Preparations There was no love lost between Lasker and Tarrasch and for the first time psychological tricks were used in a World championship match. Lasker demanded to play the match from a different room than Tarrasch (this explains the picture - arbiter submited the moves to the other player in the next room), because he claimed that Tarrasch has hypnotic powers. Tarrasch refused to shake hands and said to Lasker: "To you, Herr Lasker, I have only three words to say: Check and mate!" The Match  Download these games Lasker quickly took a very comfortable 4-1 lead and never looked back. Lasker won by 8 wins to 3, with 5 draws. Impact on the Future As a result of this match, the "World Tournament Championship" title was quickly forgotten (most chess sources don't even mention it) and has never been contested again. This was the second time that a person who's claim for the world title was based on tournament results (Zukertort and Tarrasch) was defeated by a person who's claim was based on matches (Steinitz and Lasker). I guess this is the reason why some people dispute Anand's title and still consider Kramnik as the rightful claimant. The match between them this October will clear the matter once and for all. This message has been edited. Last edited by: ebutaljib, |
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1910 World Championship: Emanuel Lasker vs. Carl Schlechter
 Background After two one-sided title defences Lasker received a challenge from Carl Schlechter. Originally the match was meant to consist of 30 games, but was later dramatically shortened (to 10 games) when they couldn't meet Lasker's demands for 1000 marks per game. Lasker was considered as a favourite going in this match. The end of the match produced one of the biggest controversies and unsolved mysteries in chess history. Players Emanuel Lasker the reigning World champion. After two succesful title defences, two exhibition matches against Janowski and a win in strong St. Petersburg 1909 tournament, he was about to have an extremly tough match. Carl Schlechter was one of the leading players of that time. He won the Munich 1900, Ostend 1906, Vienna 1908 and Hamburg 1910 tournaments and many times finished 2nd or 3rd (he finished only half a point behind Tarrasch in World tournament championship). Schlechter was known as a model example of a gentleman chess player, offering courteous draws to opponents who felt unwell. If his opponent arrived late for a game, Schlechter would inconspicuously subtract an equal amount of time from his own clock. This characteristic may have have cost him the title (see below). Match Conditions: Controversies There are two controversies: 1. Was it even a title match? 2. Did Schlechter have to win by 2 points margin? Lasker's own words (2 days before game 10) seem to answer both:
Although few sources claim otherwise, the general consensus on the first question is, that this was in fact a World championship match (afterall Lasker-Janowski World championship contract says that the contract is null and void in case Lasker loses the match against Schlechter). On the second question there is no consensus. There are basically two theories: 1) There was a (hidden) 2 points clause
Second point that speaks in favour of this theory is that Lasker had driven an exceedingly hard bargain before he agreed to play a match with Schlechter and it is unlikely that he would risk his title in such a short match without some extra protection. Third point in favour is that negotiations between Lasker and Capablanca broke down one year later when Lasker demanded the 2 point clause.
In my opinion this is plausible because not so long ago prior to the match, the drawn tournament games were being replayed (multiple times). So it makes sence that there could be a "2 decisive games" clause, which wouldn't favour the champion so much, because the challenger could win by 2-1, 3-2, 4-3 etc., but not 1-0 because this would be deemed as only "one lucky punch" win (Lasker later demanded something similar from Capablanca). I am favouring this "2 decisive games" theory or Schlechter's chivalry over the 2 point clause theories, but everyone can pick his own  Only one thing is sure: We will never know for sure. The Match  Download these games It was the most even match to that date. Schlechter took the lead in game 5 (after Lasker made a mistake) and held it until the last infamous 10th game where Schlechter missed/refused the draw and drifted from a winning position to the losing one, allowing Lasker to equalise the score to 5-5 and retaining the title. Although this match featured an unheard of (for those times) 8 draws out of 10 games, they were all hard fought games and only resulted as a draw because the opponents were equally strong. Impact on the Future Here we have the infamous 2 point clause again (which is a variation of the 9-9 tie clause). Fischer claimed that all Steinitz's, Lasker's and the Capablanca-Alekhine matches featured the clause where the challenger had to win by two points (very unlikely to be true), and that his 9-9 clause is not unprecedented. While some similar clauses have existed (see 1886 and 1890 championship) there is absolutely no proof that a rule under the demanded conditions was ever been used before. This message has been edited. Last edited by: ebutaljib, |
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1910 World Championship: Emanuel Lasker vs. Dawid Markelowicz Janowski
 Background At about same time as Schlechter's challenge, Dawid Janowski also expressed his wish to play the world championship match. Janowski had the fortune to have a wealthy patron (Dutch artist Leo Nardus) on his side that could cover the financial conditions set by Lasker. In May 1909 Lasker and Janowski played a short exhibition match to test Janowski's suitability as a challenger. The match was tied 2-2. There are some speculations if Lasker was really playing at full strength or wasn't this just a setup by Lasker to raise the hopes of Janowski's financial backers, thereby enticing them to finance a longer match. He definatelly suceeded as Nardus put down the money for the world championship match which should be played in October 1909. However in the meantime Lasker has already signed to put his title on the line against Schlechter. Despite of this, Lasker and Janowski played the match in October 1909, but only as an exhibition (this match was for a long time falsely considered as a World championship match). Lasker won the match by 7 wins to 1, with 2 draws. Lasker's clear win didn't avert Nardus to put down more money, this time for the real World championship match. A special clause in the contract said that this contract is null and void in case Lasker loses the match against Schlechter. Lasker managed to fend off Schlechter, and Janowski got his title match. The Players Emanuel Lasker the reigning champion. By the start of this match his reign already lasted 16 years and his record in World championship matches was: 37 wins, 11 loses, 30 draws. Dawid Markelowicz Janowski was definatelly one of the top 5 players on the world. He won tournaments in Monte Carlo 1901, Hanover 1902, Vienna 1902 and Barmen 1905. Although it may look like he only played Lasker because he had wealthy friends, Janowski's chess skills were well respected by fellow masters. The words: "when in form [Janowski] is one of the most feared opponents who can exist" coming from no other than Capablanca himself say it all. Match Conditions: The Match  Being of Polish descent Janowski was born in the Russian Empire (today's Belarus). Later he moved to France and became French citizen. Download these games It was the most one-sided World championship match ever - Lasker won with 8 wins, 3 draws and no loses. The decisive point of the match was possibly the fifth game. In this Janowski had the opportunity of winning (if he would the score would then be only 2 to 1 in wins, with 2 draws in Lasker's favour), but ended up losing the game. For some reason Janowski made many mistakes throughout the match and was playing below his strength. Impact on the Future This was Lasker's fourth succesful title defence in less than four years. It turned out to be last. First Lasker's negotiations, then first World war, delayed the next World championship match for 11 years. This message has been edited. Last edited by: ebutaljib, |
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1921 World Championship - Jose Raul Capablanca vs. Emanuel Lasker
 Background This match was 10 years in the making. A LOT of things happened in this time. Let's start at the beginning. FIRST CHALLENGE After surprisingly winning the 1911 San Sebastian tournament ahead of all leading players of that time (except Lasker), Capablanca issued a challenge to Lasker, proposing a 'first to 10 wins' match in Havana. Lasker immediatelly commented the challenge in his newspaper column: "In the present period of draw-making, such a match might last half a year and longer. I am, of course, deliberating upon my reply, but I do not think that I shall care to play in a semi-tropical climate more than a few games." Some months later, Lasker officially responded to Capablanca's challenge and set his own 17 conditions for the match. The most important were: * - it's clear that Lasker demanded that in case of 1-0, 2-1 or 3-2 the match should be declared drawn, but it's not clear if he demanded the same about the 4-3, 5-4 or 6-5 scores. Capablanca disputed several of Lasker's demands (time limit, the stakes, the 30 games limit, etc.), but especially the condition that he must win by two point margin. In his response to Lasker's letter, Capablanca directly and undiplomatically criticised the 2 point rule as being obviously unfair. Lasker took offense by the tone of Capablanca's reply and broke off negotiations. Capablanca and Lasker remained at odds for next years, not speaking to each other, until they reconciled at the closing ceremony of the 1914 Saint Petersburg tournament. RUBINSTEIN BECOMES THE CHALLENGER After negotiations with Capablanca faltered, Lasker received a challenge from Akiba Rubinstein, whose tournament record for the previous few years had been better than Capablanca's. Lasker agreed to play if Rubinstein can raise enough money. Over the next few years Rubinstein tried to raise neccesary money, but failed to do so. During that time Lasker started to think about retirement and build in a clause that in case he retires before the match, Rubinstein should be the new World champion. ST. PETERSBURG RULES In 1914 at the St. Petersburg tournament (with all leading players of that time) Capablanca proposed a set of rules for the conduct of world championship matches, which were accepted by all leading players including Lasker. These rules included: Since Lasker already had a contract with Rubinstein, Capablanca had to wait, and then play the winner of that match. WORLD WAR I Few months later World war I broke out and suspended international chess activities for next 4 years. NEW NEGOTIATIONS AND RESIGNATION OF THE TITLE After the war ended new negotiations between Lasker and Capablanca begun. By January 1920 terms agreeable by both (like in Rubinstein's contract, Lasker again included the clause that in case he retires, Capablanca is the new World champion) were achieved, but the majority of public still considered them to be too favourable to Lasker. Some sources speculate that the conditions were not sufficiently unpopular to warrant resignation of the title, and that Lasker's real concern was that there was not enough financial backing to justify his devoting 9 months to the match. Whatever the reason Lasker resigned the World champion title on June 27th, 1920 and appointed Capablanca as a new World champion. Lasker's famous words: "From various facts I must infer that the chess world does not like the conditions of our agreement. I cannot play the match, knowing that its rules are widely unpopular. I therefore resign the title of the world's champion in your favor. You have earned the title, not by the formality of a challenge, but by your brilliant mastery. In your further career, I wish you much success." CAPABLANCA WANTS TO PLAY ANYWAY This decision didn't sit well at all. Capablanca wanted to earn the title in a match, and public questioned champions right to appoint a new champion. The general opinion was/is that while the champion certantly has the right to resign the title and retire, he has no right to nominate anybody. Many refused to accept Capablanca as the World champion (arguing that some players, specially Rubinstein, have better tournament record than him) and many formulas how to crown the new champion were proposed. When Lasker resigned the title, he didn't know that chess enthusiasts in Havana raised 20000$ (which is comparable to todays prize fund of Anand vs. Kramnik match) provided that the match is played there. Knowing that with this money Lasker could be persuaded into a match (due to World war I Lasker bassically lost all his money) Capablanca took a trip over the Atlantic to negotiate with Lasker. 20000$ was enough good reason and Lasker accepted, but insisted that his resignation should stand and that he is now the challenger. This was added to the match rules, but virtually no one took it seriously (not back then and not today. On virtually any list you see that Lasker was champion from 1894 to 1921 and Capablanca from 1921 to 1927, instead of 1894-1920 and 1920-1927) In 1921 the much awaited match finally happened. The Players Jose Raul Capablanca the reigning champion!!! He was a child prodigy, defeating the leading Cuban master in a match at the age 13. In 1909 he defeated the former world championship challenger Frank Marshall with a margin that is comparable to Marshall's loss to Lasker two years earlier. Two years later Marshall insisted that Capablanca is allowed to play in the top tournament in San Sebastian. Many players objected to Capablanca's entry since he didn't prove himself yet. Capablanca ended up winning ahead of all leading players (except Lasker). Not having any serious opposition on "his side" of Atlantic, in 1913 Capablanca went to Europe where he played many short matches and simuls. In one of the matches he outclassed his future foe - Alexander Alekhine. In 1914 St. Petersburg super tournament he finished 2nd, half a point behind Lasker. After that Capabanca returned to America where he won every tournament he entered and was unbeaten from 1916 to 1924. Emanuel Lasker the challenger!!! During his reign he won all tournaments he entered except his 3rd place in Hastings 1895 and 2nd place in Cambidge Springs 1906. Having been 53 years old and having thought about retireing for the last 8 years, Lasker probably wouldn't have played the match if he hadn't lost everything due to war. Match Conditions: The Match  Weimar Republic is the same as the flag of modern Germany. Download these games The match started evenly, but then Capablanca proved his superiority. Rather than showing up for game 15 Lasker resigned the match before conclusion pleading ill-health. The match was declared ended that day, with Capablanca either winning or retaining the title, depending on your point of view. Either way, Lasker did ultimately resign the world's title, the only question is when he did it. Despite not playing out the full schedule, he received his full share of the purse. In fact, for all the fireworks of the negotiations, the match itself was virtually dispute-free. Impact on the Future Despite losing the title and his respectable age Lasker remained the major player for many years. He won the 1924 New York super tournament 1.5 points ahead of Capablanca, Alekhine and all the others. A year later in Moskow he finished 2nd behind Bogoljubow but again ahead of Capablanca and Alekhine. After this tournament he retired. Unfortunatelly the fate stroke again. What the great depression left, the Nazi regime took. Being Jewish all his property was confiscated and he had to flee from Germany. Having been invited by Nikolai Krylenko he went to USSR. At the same time he came back from the retirement to earn some money. His 3rd place finish at 1935 Moscow super tournament was proclaimed as a biological miracle (Lasker was 67). He finished only half a point behind young rising stars Mikhail Botvinnik and Salo Flohr, but again ahead of Capablanca and all the others proven and upcoming players. After that he played in two more tournaments but finished only 6th and 7th and again retired. It was in 1936 that Capablanca finished a tournament ahead of Lasker for the very first time!!! No wonder that he had the utmost respect towards Lasker and considered him as the most dangerous opponent in any single game even when Lasker was in late 60's. Capablanca also wrote that, in his opinion, no player surpassed Lasker in the ability to assess a position quickly and accurately, in terms of who had the better prospects of winning and what strategy each side should adopt. Shortly after Lasker's second retirement Stalin started the great purge. Jews didn't fare well there either, so Lasker rather decided to stay in New York where he and his wife were visiting their relatives. In the following year Emanuel Lasker's patron Krylenko was "purged". Having been too old for tournament play he tried to support himself by giving chess and bridge lectures and exhibitions. On January 11, 1941 (aged 72), he died of a kidney infection at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, as a charity patient. The destiny wanted that he died penniless as Steinitz did. Although the future conduct of world championship matches was agreed in St. Petersburg 1914, and new rules accepted in London 1922, it was not until 1927 that the new World championship match was played. This message has been edited. Last edited by: KHollister,  |
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