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 Rosenthal-Zukertort Match,
London 1880
Researched by Nick Pope

MATCH BETWEEN MESSRS ROSENTHAL AND ZUKERTORT.
   THE seventeenth game, played on Saturday the 19th inst., was a dull and common place affair. Zukertort commenced with the Englisch [sic] opening, 1.P to Q B 4, and Rosenthal answered P to K 4, as in the London game of the London and Vienna match. Such a defiance of the close opening by the second player ought to be disadvantageous for the latter, and we believe the best continuation for White is then P to Q R 3, whence would arise a position similar to the game between Anderssen and Morphy, in which the former opened with P to Q R 3. Zukertort brought out the Q Kt before adopting that precaution, and Rosenthal then followed the Vienna tactics of developing his B to Q Kt 5. The opening struggle resulted in Black getting the first break through in the Q centre, while White had secured two bishops, which, however, were not well developed. The game maintained its close character up to the 11th move, when Black began an exchange of pawns, which soon led to a general exchange of minor pieces and queens, evidently by both sides. The two parties were left each with two rooks, bishops of opposite colours, and even pawns on the 19th move, and the natural result was a clear draw a few moves later on. Duration, two hours.
The Field, London, 1880.06.26
Zukertort,JH — Rosenthal,S
(17)
A22/01
English: Sicilian (Two Knights)
1880.06.19
GBR London
Annotations by Wilhelm Steinitz
1.c4 e5 2.e3 Nf6 3.Nc3
** See introduction. 3.a3, now or on the previous move, would keep Blacks f8-bishop shut up.
3...Bb4
** In the style of the Viennese players in the match between London and Vienna by telegraph and correspondence. The b4-bishop is an incumbrance to Blacks game, and cannot be conveniently posted in the opening. It is better to try and exchange it.
4.Nge2
** He cannot allow the pawns to be doubled at this stage. His two bishops are no compensation, as they cannot find commanding situations. On the other hand, his doubled pawn cannot be dissolved against proper play of the adversary, and the latter has the advantage with his two knights in such circumstances.
4...0-0 5.a3 Bxc3 6.Nxc3 d5 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Be2 Nc6 9.0-0 Be6 10.d4 Nde7
** A good move. Black wishes to preserve the superiority of pawns on the queenside, and justly does not mind the adverse superiority on the kings wing. For the ending the former would stand better.
11.Bf3
** The correct reply, which forces equalization in a few moves.
11...exd4 12.exd4 Bc4 [?:??-1:00]
** A thrown-away move. The adverse bishop is only driven to an important open file thereby. It was preferable to take the pawn at once, whereupon the game might have proceeded thus: 12...Nxd4 13.Bxb7 Bb3 14.Qd3 (This seems best; neither at g4 nor at h5 is the queen apparently better placed, for she will be subject to attacks by the pawns sooner or later) 14...Rb8 15.Be4 (He cannot now endeavor the maneuver 15.Bd5, as Black would answer 15...Nc2) 15...g6 16.Bh6 Re8, followed mostly by ...Nef5, and also threatening to win a pawn at least by ...Bc2, with a good game.
13.Re1 Nxd4 14.Bxb7 Rb8 15.Bd5
** Which speedily counteracts all complications, and reduces the positions to a level. We give a diagram presenting the game at this, its only interesting juncture.
15...Ne2+
** A good answer. He draws the adverse knight back into a less commanding position before accepting the offer of exchanging.
16.Nxe2 Qxd5 17.Nc3 Qxd1 18.Nxd1 Nd5 19.Ne3
** Which means as much as offering a draw.
19...Nxe3 20.Bxe3 a6 21.Rec1 Bd5 22.Rxc7 Rxb2 23.h3 Rfb8 24.Rd1 Bb3 ½-½.
**
The Field, London, 1880.06.26

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