Chess is a scientific game and its literature ought to be placed on the basis of the strictest truthfulness, which is the foundation of all scientific research. W._Steinitz

The Blackburne-Steinitz Match,
London 1876
Researched by Nick Pope

MATCH BETWEEN MESSRS BLACKBURNE AND STEINITZ.
    According to announcement, the first game in this momentous contest commenced on Thursday, the 17th, at the West-end Chess Club. After some preparations, play commenced at half-past two o’clock; the toss for the first move having fallen in favour of Mr. Steinitz.  An alteration in the conditions as published in our last number was agreed upon by the two combatants, to the effect that the time limit should be regulated by alarum [sic] time-pieces instead of sand glasses. 
The Field, London, 1876.02.19
Steinitz,W — Blackburne,JH
(1)
C77/07
Spanish: Morphy (Anderssen)
1876.02.17
GBR London (West-End Chess Club)
Annotations by Blackburne & Steinitz
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3
** Anderssen first adopted this move in his match against Morphy, which at the time caused a great deal of animadversion amongst theorists, who were inclined towards advocating a more energetic attack than the nature of the opening apparently can bear. But we believe that the great German master showed a true appreciation of the spirit of this opening, which requires a treatment similar to that of the close game, namely, a steadfast gradual development, content with the small advantage of the first move.
5...d6
** Morphy played here invariably 5...b5, followed by 6...Bc5; the move in the text was first brought into practice by Paulsen, and was afterwards accepted as the standard defense, which in the majority of games hitherto played has proven successful.
6.c3
** Anderssen prefers here 6.Bxc6+, and then directs his attention to retaining both his knights, and preventing the adversary from dissolving his doubled pawn. White persues here a different, and in the present position novel, policy, and makes preparation for retaining his light-square bishop, and resting his game upon confining the opponents dark-square bishop. Whether this plan is an amelioration of Anderssens line of attack can only be proved by repeated practical trials.
6...Be7
** Against Anderssens form of attack in this début it is more usual to open an outlet for the bishop by 6...g6. Black prefers to get his king into safety as soon as possible, and therefore at once makes room to enable him to castle.
7.h3
** Not so much for defensive purposes as with the view of subsequently fortifying an attack by pawn to g4 against the opponents kingside, after the latter has castled.
7...0-0 8.Qe2 Ne8 9.g4 b5 10.Bc2 Bb7 11.Nbd2 Qd7 12.Nf1
** This peculiar way of bringing the knight over to the kingside was much favored by Morphy in similar situations, and was also adopted by Blackburne in the tie match against Steintiz in the Vienna tournament.  But both those players had elected that course after having previously brought out thier c1-bishop, while here White seemed to have time for this maneuver, even at the cost of remporarily blocking out his dark-square bishop.
12...Nd8 13.Ne3 Ne6 14.Nf5 g6
** For pure defensive purposes it would have been feasible to retreat the bishop to d8; but Blackburne thinks that after the exchange, and since his adversary was compelled to castle on the queenside, the chances of an attack were at least equally balanced for both sides.
15.Nxe7+ Qxe7 16.Be3 N8g7 17.0-0-0 c5 18.d4 exd4 19.cxd4 c4
** Blackburne poined out that 19...d5 would have been much stronger at this juncture, and there can be no doubt that this move would have much improved his game. Whites best answer then would have been 20.e5 (for if 20.exd5 instead, Black would rejoin 20...Nf4, with an excellent game). Most likely the game would have proceeded thus: 19...d5 20.e5 c4 21.h4 and now, whether Black advanced 21...f5 or 21...h5, White retained still some considerable attack; in the former by 22.exf5, followed by 23.Ne5, and in the latter case by the answer of 23.Ng5, followed soon by pawn to f4. But, nevertheless, Black had a better chance then of repelling the onslaught, and certainly if he once got out of the attack, even at the expense of sacrificing a piece eventually, his fine array of well-supported pawns on the queens wing would have been most formidable.
20.d5 Nc7 21.Qd2
** A move necessary for defensive purposes, but also threatening.  Before moving the queen, White could not utilize his dark-square bishop without subjecting his d-pawn to capture. Now White menaces a break in with the queen, either at a5 or h6, after removing the bishop, as actually occurred.
21...a5 22.Bd4 f6 23.Qh6 b4 24.g5 f5
** Perhaps 24...Nge8, with the intention of offering the exchange of queens at g7, would have augmented Blacks prospects of prolonging the fight; but, even if he succeeded in effecting the exchange, Whites pawns and pieces were better situated for the endgame.
25.Bf6 Qf7
** The sacrifice of the rook for the bishop would not have mended matters, on account of the impending 27.Ng5, after capturing the rook. Nor would 25...Qd7 have been any better, e.g.: 25...Qd7 26.exf5 Nxf5 (if 26...gxf5 instead, White would proceed with 27.g6 at once) 27.Bxf5 gxf5 28.g6 Rxf6 29.gxh7+, and wins; for if 29...Kf7 30.Ng5+ would be a destructive rejoinder.
26.exf5 gxf5 27.g6
** Decisive (for, if 27...hxg6, White replies 28.Ng5), though rather plain in comparision with the fine variation which might have arisen in answer to 27.Nh4, which would probably have led to a still more elegant conclusion, e.g.: 27.Nh4 Nxd5 28.Rxd5 Bxd5 29.Nxf5 Nxf5 (best) 30.Bxf5, threatening pawn to g6, and must win, for Black dare not take the rook on account of the answer 31.Be6.
27...Qxg6 28.Bxg7 Qxh6+ 29.Bxh6 Rf6
** There was little to be done; but certainly, if Black wished to proceed further, 29...Rf7 presented greater chances of prolonging resistance; but, as our readers may observe, both players were just at this stage on the point of completing the fixed time limit, and their movements bear the appearance of being hurried.
30.Rhg1+ Rg6 31.Bxf5 Kf7 32.Bxg6+ hxg6 33.Ng5+ Kg8 34.Rge1 1-0.
** White threatens, accordingly to circumstances, either 35.Re6 or 35.Re7, after which the defense must soon collapse.
The Field, London, 1876.02.19

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