New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-04-18
THE CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.
HOW srEINITz VIEWS THE GREAT MATCH.

HOW sTEINITZ VIEWS THE GREAT MATCH.
EXPLAINING THE DEFEAT OF zUKERToRT-HIs
OPINION OF THE GAME IN GENERAL
William SteinitE. who is now the chess champion
OF the world, since he defeated Dr. Zukertort ar
rived in Now-York ON Thursday. April, from
New Orleans, where the match closed on
March 20. TRIBUNE reporter called upon him ut
his home in Brooklyn on the foil owing day. He is
not looking so we'll when in NewYork previous
to the change to st. Louis and his head Is becom-
ing somewhat bald. fact Immediately noticed by
his wife when he greeted her his arrival. The
strain has been severe one upon him, and it will
be some weeks before he becomes entirely recOv
cred. His competitor DR.. Zukcrtort, is now in San
Francisco, where he mas made arrangements to play
with number of local players in tournaments anG
blindfOlded contests. There was some talk OF the
champions playing a series of exhibition games in
New-Orlcans for prizes with a time allowance Of
twenty moves to the hour instead of fifteen, which
was the case in the championship contest This
wOuld have been undoubtedly an advantage TO Dr.
Zukertort as he is much more rapid player than
Mr.. Steinitz and only expert chess players can ap
precate the terrible strain on ones nervous system
occasloned while waiting for move to be made
But DR.. ZukcrtOrt had made other engagements
and Mr.. Stentz considerably behind III his
N''NN"
Monthlu
Mr.. Stentz was in excellent spirits and be dis
cussed the match in its various phases cheerfuly
aud fully He said: al did not begin to feel any
certainty of winning the match until after had
dra wn a game with Zukertort in st. Louis Pre-
vious to that time | had not been able TO get any
sleep, and my nerves were badly shaken. The first
game II at won in New-York was conceded by all
to be brilliant and well played, but between that
and the second game worked steadily for seven
teen hours on my magazine doing literary and ana
lytical work when should have been resting and
taking outdoor exercise. After drawing the first
game in st. Louis experienced change in my
condition and began to feel assured OF
victory. Considerable has been said by people
about there not being any.variety originality in
the play, much of it the echo of persons who were
thoroughly incompetent to judge. Now Morphy is
held up to be the greatest chess player that has
ever existed and his games are preserved and
warmly commented upon on account Of their APP
parent depth and hrlllancy. l do not say that
could have beaten him, but do say that the lines
Of attack adhered to by him at the present
tire out of Use Twenty-seven years have passed
since he withdrew from the world as a chess player
during which time the chess experts OF the entire
world have analysed his playing. and If it was not
found defective do you suppose that it would nave
fallen into disusef In playing with interiors 1t was
usual for him 10 make some great sacrifice. but
when opposed to one nearly or quito his equal he
never deviated from the book form of defence and
attack.
"Now in my play in all the twenty games with
Zukertort no two games have been played alike
after the third or fourth move | do not believe IN
making sacrifices in play, it is not the theory OF
military scientists to do that but to develop your
-I., nj and hpn
affords DESTROY the balance OF force. DO not
think that the double Ruy Lopez gambit VIII ever
be used in ches tournament among experts agaln;
| have eiiectually broken 1t down that III VIII
sink out of existence as an opening. III mas peeh
in use now for many years and am the hrst 10
unfold o line OF defence by which IL couid DC
beaten and it was considered specially strong
opening when handled by player ike Lukertoit'
and believe him to be the second best payer ia
the world. So that in itself is sufficient proof 10
candid thinker that there was nothing wanting IN
originality 1t also proves conclusively that the
game in place of having degenerated or stood stu
during the last thirty years has in fact taken con
trary course. and the game played now is superior
to that ever played before do not wish TO see the
game run down and lose popularity. for consider
il the most healthy one In existence unlike poker
and other gambling games those " no play IL can
not indulge to any great extent IN intoxicating
liquors or tobacco while the former game on acc
count OF it's excitement is conducive &c the use ol
The claim which Zukcrtort made to sickness
while in New Orleans was an unfair one, and lie
was no more entitled to delay that account than
| was when suffering from insomnia I'D New 10TH.
On the very afternoon on which he presented ms
PHYSICIANS certificate stating that ne was uhaole
to play. he became my partner III rubber OF WHIST;
let him know that such things could De carried
no further or Should appeal to the referee now
as regards the blunders he is credited with making.
Which are said to have cost him the game at various
times. Dr. Zukertort did not make single
laundering move when he was playing winning
game: they were all made after the game was TO
him rretrlevablv lost. On the contrary 1t Is well
known TO those who followed the playing IN New
York that nv plumbers were made when was play
ing a winning game. Why those plumbers were
made by Zukertort 10 plainly seen on Its race 10
detract from the glory of winning the game from
his Opponent. | do not say now that can oeat
ZukertOrt. and would not say so IN case we prayed
again because do not know how severe q mental
strain am capable of standing now. My heaith Is
not good and am troubled greatly with my limo.
| do not know whether Zukertort and VIII ever
meet again in a champic nship contest There was
some little talk of our meeting IN London I'D case
defeated him. but do not know what Will De done.
NV adoption of the Steiniz gambit at the iast
game we PLAYED has been severely criticised by
some of Zukertort's friends, who say that did II
10 show my opponent my superiority ana 10 crush
him completely 1t is not So had been anxious 10
use NV opening but did not wish to do until AFTER
the games had reached such stage that my Dack.
ers could not lose anything. Although Lukerto
ccntn ned PLAYING up to the eighteenth move Ine
game was virtually mine at the twciish snoulu
like 10 have you add that shall take out my nat
nralization papers and become citizen OF fnls
conntry as soon as possible. and although lived
twenty years in London could never think OF oc-
coming q citizen of England"