Rostov-on-Don, Russia (4 March-2 April 1896)
1 1 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 Score
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Steinitz 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 ½ 1 = 7
Schiffers 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 ½ 0 = 5
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Unplayed games: + for a win, = for a draw, - for a loss.
Format: Best of twelve games, draws counting.
Prizes: 400р to the winner, 200р to the loser.
Introduction
"Twelve games to be played, draws to count ½, and the winner of the majority to be victor. In the event of a tie, play to be continued till one player shall have a lead of one game. The players to receive 200 roubles each for travelling expenses—Petersburg to Rostoff. The winner to have 400 roubles, and the loser 200. In addition, the winner of each game has 50 [sic; 30] roubles, and the loser 10 roubles. For a drawn game each player receives 20 roubles. In other words, the local club gives 40 roubles for each game, besides the 600 roubles prizes, and the expenses."(1)
In one of his letters to Pillsbury, Steinitz wrote:
"Extra Prizes £3 (30 Rubel) winner 10 R loser drawn equal division of 40 R. Not bad for a small city like Rostoff Don. Whole cost of affair: 600 R chief prizes; 400 R. Expenses of players 150 secretary or second for myself. 960 R (£48) special prizes for games or about $1000 for only 12 games."(2)
"From the May 1896 Chess Monthly:
The match between Steinitz and Schiffers at Rostow-on-Don, Russia, terminated in favour of Steinitz by winning 6½ games to 4½, the conditions being the best out of twelve games. The last game, not having any bearing upon the result was given up, as drawn."(3)
"The match between Messrs. Steinitz and Schiffers has resulted in favour of Mr. Steinitz by 7 games to 5."(4)
Notes
The game scores are updated with modern dates (Gregorian calendar). However, the match was played in Rostov-on-Don when Russia still used the Julian calendar. The Julian dates and the day of the week are given in the original collection. A close match that had Schiffers leading four games to three. Steinitz won three of the last four games to win the match 6 to 4 with one draw.
Sources
(1) British Chess Magazine, v16 n4, April 1896, p143
(2) The Steinitz Papers, Landsberger, McFarland and Co. 2002, p210
(3) The Steinitz Papers, Landsberger, McFarland and Co. 2002, p226
(4) British Chess Magazine, v16 n5, May 1896, p181
Credits
Many thanks to <Phony Benoni> for figuring out the dates.
Original collection: Game Collection: Schiffers vs Steinitz 1896, by User: Calli.
Kibitzing
