Wilhelm Steinitz

Date of Birth: May 17, 1836

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: August 12, 1900

Biography

Wilhelm Steinitz was an Austrian and later American chess player who is often considered the first official World Chess Champion. He held the title from 1886 to 1894, revolutionizing the way chess was played and studied. Born in Prague, which was then part of the Austrian Empire, he was the youngest of thirteen children in a Jewish family. Steinitz began playing chess at a young age and moved to Vienna to study mathematics at the Vienna Polytechnic. His career in chess took off when he won the Vienna Championship in 1861. He later moved to London, where he defeated some of the best players of his time, and ultimately settled in the United States. Steinitz’s contributions to chess theory are monumental; he is often credited with founding the positional school of chess, emphasizing the importance of planning and structure over sheer tactical prowess.

5 Interesting Facts about Wilhelm Steinitz

1. Wilhelm Steinitz was the first official World Chess Champion, holding the title from 1886 to 1894.

2. He emigrated to the United States in 1883 and became a naturalized citizen in 1888.

3. Steinitz introduced the concept of positional play in chess, which focuses on the strategic placement of pieces over aggressive, tactical maneuvers.

4. He was also a prolific chess writer and journalist, contributing to and editing several chess publications.

5. Despite his success in chess, Steinitz struggled financially and faced mental health issues later in life, spending his final years in poverty.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Wilhelm Steinitz

1. “Chess is not for timid souls.”

2. “The king is a strong piece – use it!”

3. “I have never in my life played the French Defence, which is the dullest of all openings.”

4. “In the last analysis, all this is a question of temperament.”

5. “I have always thought it a matter of honour for the first champion to defend his title as long as he has no moral certainty of being a worse player than the challenger.”