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Wilhelm Steinitz vs NN
Odds game (1878) (unorthodox), London ENG, Oct-??
Chess variants (000)  ·  1-0

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White to move.
ANALYSIS [x]
Notes by Prof. Nagesh Havanur based on the original notes by Wilhelm Steinitz *** Such informal games are often ignored by chess enthusiasts and anthologists alike. However, some of them are masterpieces in their own right.A favorite opening with Steinitz when giving the odds of the Queen’s Knight.In his notes Steiniz points out that 4...d5 would be still more dangerous to the odds giver. Black, an experienced recipient of Knight-odds, has given up a pawn to threaten 7...Ne3. For example, 7.c3 Ne3 8.dxe3 (8.Qa4+? Bd7 9.Qxb4?? Nc2+) Bxc3+, emerging with the exchange & a pawn ahead, and an excellent game.The position is full of pitfalls for both sides. If 7...Nxe5? 8.Nxe5 dxe5 9.Bxf7+. But 7...dxe5 is tricky. Now 8.Bxf7+? Kxf7 9.Nxe5+ Ke8 10.Nxg4 is refuted by 10...Qd4+. So White should opt for 8.c3 Bc5+ 9.d4.exd4 10.cxd4 Be7 (A necessity, for otherwise White would obtain a strong attack, either by 11.Ba3 or 11.Bxf7+.) A novel trap, offering Black a strong temptation to emerge a rook up. The point. The opening of the f- file should help White. 10...O-O is necessary. Black should give up the temptation to retain the bishop.11...Kxf7? 12.Ng5+ Kg6 13.Qf7+ Kxg5 ( 13...Kh6? 14.d4 threatening 15.Ne6++- ) 14.d4+ Kh4 (14...Kg4 15.Qxg7+ Kh4 16.Qh6+ Kg4 17.Qh3#) 15.g3+ Kg4 16.Kg2 and mates next move with 17.Qf3 or 17.h3.Other alternatives also fail. 13...dxe5? 14.Ng6+ Kd7 15.Qf5+ Kc6 16.Bd5+ +-, or Or 13...Bxd4? 14.Ng6+ Kd7 15.Be6+ Kc6 (15...Kxe6 ?? 16.Qf5#) 16.Bd5+ +- If 15...d5 16.Qb5+ Kd6 17.Qxd5+ Ke7 18.Ng6+ Kf6 19.Qe5# or 19.Qf5 #.1-0

rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/R1BQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1
FEN COPIED

Annotations by Wilhelm Steinitz.      [129 more games annotated by Steinitz]

find similar games 34 more Steinitz/NN games
sac: 7.O-O PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

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Kibitzer's Corner
Jun-26-08  whiteshark: <12...h6??> is just an invitation.

<12...Qf8!> would have been a tough defence. After <13.Bd5> black could play <13...h6> as the ♘f3 is pinned!


click for larger view

Jan-30-09  WhiteRook48: and after 14 exd6+ cxd6 Black has a good game- except for the fact that his K's exposed
Jul-30-09  tentsewang: It noted wrong 15. Its 15.Rb1 d5 16.Qb5+ Kd6 and 17.Nf5#
Oct-17-09  The Famous Chess Cat: Very nice observation, tentsewang. I myself had missed it.
Jan-09-14  MarkFinan: <whiteshark: <12...h6??> is just an invitation.> It's the losing move, and actually quite baffling considering that according to the annotated notes, black is an "experienced recipient of knight odds". It might be the losing move but it's not the strangest move played by black! Anyways, I love how whites queen makes only one move, to f1 and it's still the best piece on the board.


click for larger view

It's mate in 2 from here. Blacks queen still sits in it's starting position! If black had castled when he had the chance it could, and should, have been very different..

Sep-10-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  MissScarlett: Anyone recognise this game? It's missing from Harding's chapter on Steinitz's early career in Vienna. Possibly, the date or location is wrong.

<Prof. Nagesh Havanur> is apparently a real person. I thought it might be a rude anagram.

Sep-11-21  Jean Defuse: ...

Played in London (19.10.1878)

...

Sep-11-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  MissScarlett: Thanks. I found it now in Harding's book. Odds games don't appear in the opening index.

The date is likely just October ('recently played'), as Bachmann's 19th was the date of publication in the <Field>, p.502. I'll submit a second game given against the same opponent.

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