Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1890-12-28

mortal Paul Morphy. He mostly con-
quered his opponents by such aggressive
tactics as Steinitz condemns, and pro-
dnced gems of imaginative strategy
which will remain the admiration and
delight of chess players for all time to
come.
But, says Mr.. Steinitz, with a proper
understanding of the principles of de-
Tense, with close reasoning, such sue
cess, in attacks on the lines already in
dicted, however ingeniously conceived,
should be impossible. Acting on these
maxims Steinitz has for years notorious
" defied attacks both in the openings
and in the middle game" relying on
his own play, and, if the expression may
be permitted, on the astute and clever
engineering by which he builds up his
position, gaining irnperceptibly, though
surely, slight stratagetical advantages,
which by hard play he usually succeeds
in converting into some material gain,
resulting in course of time in victory
As an instance may be mentioned his
bold play in the gambit bearing his
name, the ''Steinitz Gambit," where, in
defiance of recognized rules and adopt
ed notions, he boldly maneuvers his
king into exposed positions early in the
game, to the surprise and astonishment
of theorists, who, however, could not
do more than demonstrate a draw as
the result of Steinitz's bold and novel
line of play. So in most openings he
has pursued the same principle. In po-
sitions of great difficulty and intricacy,
and even apparent hopelessness, such
as few players would care to venture
into and most players would de-
clare as lost, Steinitz would in many
instances prefer TO assume the defense
instead of the attack, and in spite of the
apparently insurmeuntable difficulties
with which he is SO often besct, he will
succeed in extricating himself where
perhaps no other living player could.
AS proof of this there need only be
mentioned the two games which he is
now contesting by cable against Tschi-
gorin, of st. Petersburg, which games
originated in consequence of Steinitz's
opinion of the proper defense in the
Evans Gambit. and the Two Knights De-
theory, and being pronounced as too haz-
ardous, if not absolutely bad. by every ex-
pert on the theory of the game. But Mr.
Steinitz believes in his own opinion to
the extent Of seven hundred and fifty
dollars, which Is the sum he has staked
on the two games which are started from
the move In the two openings men,
toned above at which Mr.. Steinitz de-
viatcs from the accepted line of defense.
and which Tschigorin has undertaken
to prove TO be bad.
The result up to the present, al
though the games are not very far adj
vsnced yet, Is quite in conformity with
the usual course of his innovations.
Steinitz's position IN both games is de-
clared 10 be very critical by the chess
world at large. His king is not in safe
quarters in either game, he is exposed
20 a very strong and pressing attack.
and he seemingly hae very little use
for his pieces; but somehow or other,
the crushing blow which has been ex-
pected before this. Is, in spite of the
facts just set forth. not apparent, and
IL vet remains Ia be seen whether Mr..
Steinitz viii succeed as he con fidentiy
predicts. not only n extricstipg him
self from his dificulties. but also in as
suming the attack and ultimately car
rying II 20 the point of victory over his
opponent.
To the non-chess playing public, who
viii perhaps have difficulty in follow
ing the foregoing remarks, no better
illustration can be given than bv
drawing Q familiar comparison Mr..
Steinitz's theory. placed in opposition
70 tat exempliaed IN chess-plsying Of
the past which fossd It's highest ct
preston in the play Of Norphv. may Re
compared 20 the siow-sssre snd non
risky straseGiee ard rnzneuvers ~
Noltse ~ opposed 70 shs s-iiliaBey Ard
dash ~ Hoaspayte. II -in thsrefoy-
b readily understood with ~hat inter
est the nsteh between s*>inits ard nv
self, which VIII pus ne new theory "a .
severe test, II looked forward 80 ~ he
chess ~erii
TIE large sectisn - sse rnh1s -he
ere rot chess piayev. srt ~be take an
interest IN al matters ~ sport. ss vel
ss those who are not onlv attracted
h any proTasneat e~szss Il the DAY.
csn rot bus fail - admire TIE t>aac1tT
cf r-1rpoee with vkieh t~o ehess-
SlATers saxa<e IL . contest exSeE.z-