ASeptember 21 1893
The Morning Post, London, Greater London, England, Thursday, September 21, 1893
A COMING CHESS MATCH.
[Reuter's Telegram.]
ST. PETERSBURG, Sept. 19.
A great international chess match is to take place at the St. Petersburg Chess Club in the course of next week. The competitors are M. Tschigorin, the famous Russian player, and Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch, who has taken part in all the principal chess tournaments of the past few years. He won distinction in England while playing at Manchester in 1890. The stake in the forthcoming match is 5,000 marks a side (£250), and the prize will be awarded to the player who first wins 10 games, drawn games not being counted. MM. Tschigorin and Tarrasch will play five days a week, one game being finished each day.
September 30 1893
The Gazette, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Saturday, September 30, 1893
Dr. Tarrasch has consented to visit St. Petersburg for the purpose of playing a match of ten games with Tschigorin.
October 02 1893
The Morning Post, London, Greater London, England, Monday, October 02, 1893
Dr. Tarrasch has gone to St. Petersburg to contest a match of 10 games up with M. Tschigorin for a prize of £250, and it is probable that the first game will be played in the course of a few days. Great interest naturally attaches to the meeting of these champions, especially as no match of similar importance has been played for many years. Dr. Tarrasch has of late proved himself the most successful tournament player in Europe, his remarkable victory at Manchester being still fresh in the minds of all chess players. His opponent has long ranked as the champion of Russia, and has besides a world-wide reputation, chiefly based on his play in the New York Tournament, when he tied for 1st prize with Max Weiss, and on his encounters with Steinitz. The play of the two masters is essentially different, Tarrasch being an exponent of the patience and soundness of the modern school, while Tschigorin usually adopts tactics of a more lively and dashing character, his games having in consequence elicited much admiration. Much doubt is expressed as to whether he can hold his own against so solid a player as Tarrasch, but whatever the result of the match its progress will be followed with the greatest interest in all parts of the world where chess is played.
October 08 1893
Siegbert Tarrasch & Mikhail Chigorin in Saint Petersburg during their 1893 match.
Mikhail Chigorin and Siegbert Tarrasch in Petersburg, 1893. Museum: State Hermitage, St. Petersburg. Source
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893)
St. Petersburg, Russia (8 October 1893-14 November 1893)
Siegbert Tarrasch vs Mikhail Chigorin
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 1, Oct-08
Spanish Game: Open. Zukertort Variation (C80) 1-0
October 09 1893
The Morning Post, London, Greater London, England, Monday, October 09, 1893
A Reuter's telegram, dated St. Petersburg, Saturday, says Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch arrived there on Friday evening to play a series of chess matches against M. Tschigorin, the Russian champion. He was received at the railway station by a deputation from the St. Petersburg Chess Club, which in the evening gave a banquet in his honour. The first game will be played to-morrow. The stake is 5,000 marks a side. The prize will be awarded to the player who first wins 10 games, drawn games not being counted. MM. Tschigorin and Tarrasch will play five days a week, one game being finished each day.
October 10 1893
Mikhail Chigorin vs Siegbert Tarrasch
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 2, Oct-10
French Defense: Chigorin Variation (C00) 1-0
October 12 1893
Liverpool Mercury, etc., Liverpool, Merseyside, England, Thursday, October 12, 1893
The Tschigorin-Tarrasch Chess Match.
[Through Reuter's Agency]
St. Petersburg, Wednesday.—M. Tschigorin yesterday won the second game in the chess match between himself and Dr. Tarrasch in 43 moves. The players have now scored a game each.
Belfast News-Letter, Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland, Thursday, October 12, 1893
Tarrasch v. Tschigorin
Dr. Tarrasch arrived at St. Petersburg on Friday evening to play a series of games against Tschigorin, the Russian champion. The contest is looked forward to with intense interest, especially as it will show in an indirect manner the relative strength of the German master and Steinitz. It will be remembered that Steinitz defeated Tschigorin by only two wins, and should Dr. Tarrasch succeed in winning the present match with his usual brilliancy, the chess world will not be satisfied without an encounter between these two masters for the championship of the world. The two contestants are eminent exponents of very different styles of play, and both players have many supporters.
October 13 1893
Siegbert Tarrasch vs Mikhail Chigorin
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 3, Oct-13
Spanish Game: Berlin Defense. Improved Steinitz Defense (C66) 0-1
Northern Echo, Darlington, Durham, England, Friday, October 13, 1893
The Tschigorin v. Tarrasch Match.—Dr. Tarrasch on Saturday commenced his match with the Russian representative at St. Petersburg, conditions 10 games up draws not counting, for £250 a side, five games to be played weekly. The first game was won by Tarrasch in 28 moves (Ruy Lopez), and the second by Tschigorin in 43 moves. It is conjectured that the result of the match between Tschigorin and Tarrasch will be tolerable certainty show the respective strength of Steinitz and Tarrasch. Should Dr. Tarrasch succeed in winning this match with anything like the brilliancy with which he has won his three tournaments, the chess world will soon make up its mind as to who is the strongest player. Tschigorin is the most ingenious player living, whilst Dr. Tarrasch may be said to be the sounder player of the two. How far unerring correctness will counterbalance the Russian's dash and impetuosity of attack remains to be seen.
Tschigorin was born at Saint Petersburg, on December 31, 1859, and his record is:—The third prize (tie with Winawer), in Berlin, 1881; fourth prize in the International Tournament, London, 1883; tie for first and second prizes with Max Weiss, of Vienna, New York, 1889. He lost a match with Steinitz, Havana, 1889; but he won six games and drew one to Steinitz's ten; and beat Steinitz in the memorable match by correspondence, both games, in remarkably fine style.
Dr. Tarrasch was born at Breslau, on March 5, 1862. He has never played a match, but he is the most successful tournament player living. He won the first prize three times in succession in three important international tournaments, two without losing a single game, viz., in Breslau, 1889, and in Manchester, 1899, and again last year at Dresden, where he only lost one game to Albin. Thus his record as a tournament player stands unprecedented. He has never met Tschigorin or Steinitz yet.
October 14 1893
Mikhail Chigorin vs Siegbert Tarrasch
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 4, Oct-14
Formation: King's Indian Attack (A07) 0-1
The Morning Post, London, Greater London, England, Saturday, October 14, 1893
THE CHESS MATCH AT ST. PETERSBURG.
It is no exaggeration to say that the match between Tarrasch and Tschigorin is one of the most interesting chess events of modern times. The encounter began on Sunday, when Dr. Tarrasch opened with the much-hackneyed Ruy Lopez.
The Russian champion defended, as he has done often before, but this time he was thoroughly outplayed. Tarrasch's tactics were beautiful and his moves of great depth and combinative power, and contained many subtle pitfalls, in one of which Black stumbled on his 21st move. Most chessplayers will be agreeably surprised by the style of play of the German master, which is not, as was generally supposed, exclusively based on what German players call the modern school, designated by the Rev. W. Wayte as “The perfection of the commonplace.”
3. … P-QR3 (a) Tschigorin is rather a conservative player. He usually adopts this defence to the Ruy Lopez, which he follows up by P-QN4 and P-Q4. On these lines he played a good many games at New York in 1869, notably, against Weiss. But the most that could be claimed for this line of play—if Black succeeds in overcoming his difficulties, is that it leads to a draw. On the whole we think that the modern defense of P-Q3 is more free from difficulties and produces more interesting games.
9. … (b) B-N2 has been played in this position, but does not answer well.
11. … N-QB4 (c) Better than P-QB4, to which White would have replied with 12. NxP, RxN, 13. BK4 with P-KB3 to follow.
14. Q-R5(d) A bold attacking move, which holds out some possibility of P-KB being played in certain eventualities. White would consider that he had gained a point if he could induce Black to expose his King's side by playing P-N3.
17. … N-B5 (e) The object being to prevent P-K6 at all events. Thus, for instance, P-QB4 looks a very plausible move for Black, by which at first sight it seems as if he could win a piece, but White has several answers to this move. An effective reply would be 18. P-K6, PxP, 19. BxQP PxB, 20. BxP, with a good game.
19. … B-N5 (f) Here, again, it is fairly obvious that P-Q5 would not have led to any good result, as White would have replied with 20. BxN, PxB, 21. KR-Qsq, further weakening Black's Pawns.
20. … O-O (g) On general principles it is not advisable to stop in the line of a masked battery, for although White cannot at present play NxP,, yet it imposes a certain amount of restraint on Black, as there is always the danger, as in all similar positions, that any slight alterations may make the move N takes QP possible. But there was also the particular reason that by playing B-B4 Black would have got his Bishop into a very favourable position, as that move would hold out future prospects of Castles, P-KB3, &c.
21. Q-N3 (h) A very subtle move, prepatory to the following combination.
21. … P-KB4 (i) Black would still have been all right if he had played B-B4 or K-Rsq, but now the eventuality actually happens, which was foreshadowed in our note g, and which ought to have been avoided on general principles.
22. NxQP (j) Beautifully elaborated. As will be seen, Black could not take B and win the piece as he had intended, as that would lose—i.e., BxB 23. N-B6ch, RxN 24. PxR BxR, 25. BxNch, and wins. We give a Diagram of the position.
23. … R-Qsq (k) R-Ksq is better, but it matters little, as the game was lost in any case.
October 15 1893
Siegbert Tarrasch vs Mikhail Chigorin
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 5, Oct-15
Spanish Game: Morphy Defense. Tarrasch Variation (C77) 1-0
October 16 1893
The Morning Post, London, Greater London, England, Monday, October 16, 1893
A Reuter's telegram, dated St. Petersburg, October 14, says the third game in the chess match between M. Tschigorin and Dr. Tarrasch, was on Friday won in 62 moves by the former, who is now one game ahead of his opponent. A further telegram from St. Petersburg, dated October 15, states that Dr. Tarrasch on Saturday won the fourth game in the chess match with M. Tschigorin in 62 moves, each player has now won two games.
Tschigorin's two successive victories after an initial defeat will be regarded with some surprise. It was generally thought that, brilliant and ingenious as he is, he would have but little chance against Tarrasch's sound and theoretically correct style of play. It is, however, gratifying to observe that, “though he lost the fourth game, Tschigorin has proved it possible for a bold and imaginative player to cope successfully with a leading exponent of the stolid “modern school.” The two games that have hitherto come to hand are remarkable for the fine quality of the play. In the first, which we published on Saturday, Tschigorin, playing the old-fashioned defence of 3. P-QR3 to the Ruy Lopez, obtained an excellent position. He, however, somewhat rashly exposed himself to a masked battery by playing P-KB4, and this enabled Tarrasch to win the game in brilliant style.
The second game, which we publish to-day, is a very fine specimen of modern chess. Tarrasch, who was second player, offered the French Defence, but Tschigorin avoided the usual variations, in which his opponent is an adept, by the original move 2. Q-K2. Notwithstanding this, however, Tarrasch got the best of the opening, though the Russian missed an opportunity of equalising matters on the 11th move. Tschigorin, instead of adopting the simple course, injudiciously tried to establish a centre by playing P-Q4, but this he could never get an opportunity of doing, and finally had to abandon the idea. He then initiated a not very promising counter attack on the King's side. Meanwhile Tarrasch was concentrating his force on his opponent's weak QBP, which eventually fell, but failing to take sufficient precautions against Tschigorin's counter attack, the German expert suddenly found himself in a difficulty, and speedily fell a victim to one of those ingenious and irresistible attacks for which Tschigorin is no less dreaded than famed.
Glasgow Herald, Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, Monday, October 16, 1893
The Chess Match.
[Reuter's Telegram.]
St. Petersburg, October 15.
Dr. Tarrasch yesterday won the fourth game in the chess match with M. Tschigorin in sixty-two moves. Each player has now won two games.
October 17 1893
Mikhail Chigorin vs Siegbert Tarrasch
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 6, Oct-17
French Defense: Chigorin Variation (C00) 0-1
Northern Echo, Darlington, Durham, England, Tuesday, October 17, 1893
Chess.
Tschigorin v. Tarrasch.—The third game in the chess match between M. Tschigorin and Dr. Tarrasch was on Friday won in 62 moves by the former. On Saturday, the fourth game was played, Dr. Tarrasch winning in 62 moves, and the same player won the fifth game on Sunday in 28 moves. He has now won three games to the Russian champion's two.
The Morning Post, London, Greater London, England, Tuesday, October 17, 1893
A Reuter's telegram from St. Petersburg states that the fifth game in the chess match between M. Tschigorin, and Dr. Tarrasch was won on Sunday by the latter in 26 moves. Dr. Tarrasch has now won three games, and the Russian champion two.
October 18 1893
The Gazette, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Wednesday, October 18, 1893
CHESS.
Tarrasch and Tschigorin Tied.
St. Petersburg, October 17.—Play in the chess match between Dr. Tarrasch and M. Tschigorin was resumed at the St. Petersburg Chess club to-day. It was Tschigorin's turn to open the game, on playing P-K4 Tarrasch replied with P-K3. Instead of proceeding with 2, P-Q4, the Russian introduced a new novelty, which did not prove to be good enough. After a struggle lasting for sixty-two moves, Tschigorin had to resign. Score: Tarrasch, 2; Tschigorin, 2.
October 19 1893
Belfast News-Letter, Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland, Thursday, October 19, 1893
Tschigorin and Tarrasch
This match is progressing steadily. The first game was won by Dr. Tarrasch; the second, which appears further down in this column, is a very fine specimen of chess. In order to avoid the usual variations of the French defense, in which Dr. Tarrasch is an adept, Tschigorin adopted the original move of Q to K2 as his second move. Dr. Tarrasch, however, succeeded in getting the best of the opening, but Tschigorin instituted an attack on the King's side, which ultimately proved successful. The third game was also won by Tschigorin in 62 moves, and this made him one game ahead of the German master. The fourth game was played on Saturday, and was won in 62 moves by Dr. Tarrasch. The score now stands:—Tarrasch, 2; Tschigorin, 2.
The Morning Post, London, Greater London, England, Thursday, October 19, 1893
The Chess Match at St. Petersburg.
[Reuter's Telegram.]
St. Petersburg, Oct. 18
The sixth game in the chess match between M. Tschigorin and Dr. Tarrasch has been won by the latter in 63 moves. Dr. Tarrasch has now won four games and the Russian champion two.
October 20 1893
Siegbert Tarrasch vs Mikhail Chigorin
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 7, Oct-20
Spanish Game: Morphy Defense. Tarrasch Variation (C77) 0-1
The Morning Post, London, Greater London, England, Friday, October 20, 1893
CHESS.
TARRASCH v. TSCHIGORIN.
Game 4 of the great match at St. Petersburg, played on the 14th inst., may be described as a veritable battle of giants, the like of which has not been seen in chess for a long time past. It is no exaggeration to predict that the game will find a lasting place in the history of chess as a specimen of correct play, particularly remarkable in its ending. Play began at three and was adjourned at seven, resumed at nine, and finished at 12.30. Tschigorin again played against Tarrasch's French Defence as he did in the second game—namely, 2. Q-K2, and he in consequence obtained an inferior position on the Queen's wing as in the previous encounter. Tarrasch improved his position by this time not playing N-Q5, but he kept his game well in hand instead. His play was beyond reproach, and the whole game may be described as a symphony of one theme. On the 10th move Tarrasch began to advance his Pawns on the Queen's side, and on the 62nd move, when his opponent resigned, he had consummated his purpose by bringing his Pawns to the seventh. The intervening play was solely directed to the attainment of that object as well as to the necessary and at times extremely difficult defence against the intrepid and dangerous attacks which Tschigorin accumulated on the King's side. Three times did he make strenuous efforts to break through. The Russian initiated his first attack by 14. R-KNsq. This was successfully repelled by Tarrasch with 23. N-KN4, and 25, K-Bsq. With just the necessary halt to attend to his Queen's side White again and again attempted to break through, but every pause in the attack was utilised by Tarrasch to steadily continue his advance, and Tschigorin's position grew worse correspondingly. He, however, fought like a lion in a net, but the net into which he had slipped by 2. Q-K2 was too strong for him. Nevertheless, on his 50th move he obtained a position where in all probability he would have scored against an average opponent. There seemed to be no satisfactory defence, as White was threatening to bring his Queen's Rook and Knight on to the Black King. Tarrasch rose supreme to the occasion; he calmly gave up his Queen, and, playing the remarkable end game with analytical correctness, he scored after a dozen more moves.
14. R-KNsq (a) The storm signal: but he will scarcely be able to withstand the pressure on the Queen's side a result of the line of play initiated by his second move.
21. N-B3 P-B5 (b) The strength of this move lies in the fact that White must not leave his Queen's Pawn unsupported by another Pawn.
25. N-N4 K-Bsq (c) To avoid various threats, such as P-B6, &c.
33. Q-K2 (d) He wanted to play P-KN4, but cannot on account of N-B3.
39. P-R3 B-N6 (e) Though compelled to pause now and again, Black pursues his purpose with relentless firmness.
43. PxP Q-R3 (f) Very fine play, which tends to make the break up of White's game more complete. If the Knight defends the Pawn, then probably R-B8 would follow, and the Bishop would also attack the other Pawns.
49. Q-R3 P-R6 (g) This way Black meets the very powerful threat of White, to which for the moment there seemed no satisfactory reply.
62. Q-R4 P-Q7 (h) The wonderful play after the sacrifice of the Queen will no doubt in future serve as a model specimen of end-game strategy.
October 21 1893
The Nottinghamshire Guardian, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, Saturday, October 21, 1893
The match between Tarrasch and Tschigorin at St. Petersburg stands, at the time of writing, at three games to two in favour of Tarrasch. The “Morning Post” says : Tschigorin's two successive victories after an initial defeat will be regarded with some surprise. It was generally thought that, brilliant and ingenious as he is, he would have but little chance against Tarrasch's sound and theoretically correct style of play. It is, however, gratifying to observe that, though he lost the fourth game, Tschigorin has proved it possible for a bold and imaginative player to cope successfully with a leading exponent of the stolid “modern school.” The two games that have hitherto come to hand are remarkable for the fine quality of the play. In the first, which we published on Saturday, Tschigorin, playing the old-fashioned defence of 3. P-QR3 to the Ruy Lopez, obtained an excellent position. He, however, somewhat rashly exposed himself to a masked battery by playing P-KB4 and this enabled Tarrasch to win the game in brilliant style. The second game, which we publish to-day, is a very fine specimen of modern chess. Tarrasch, who was second play, offered the French defence, but Tschigorin avoided the usual variations, in which his opponent is an adept, by the original move 2. Q-K2. Notwithstanding this, however, Tarrasch got the best of the opening, though the Russian missed an opportunity of equalizing matters on the 11th move. Tschigorin, instead of adopting the simple course, injudiciously tried to establish a centre by playing P-Q4 but this he could never get an opportunity of doing; and finally had to abandon the idea, He then initiated a not very promising counter attack on the King's side. Meanwhile Tarrasch was concentrating his force on his opponent's, weak Q B P, which eventually fell, but failing to take sufficient precautions against Tschigorin's counter attack, the German expert suddenly found himself in a difficulty, and speedily fell a victim to one of those ingenious and irresistible attacks for which Tschigorin in famous.
Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Saturday, October 21, 1893
Tschigorin Wins at Chess.
Tschigorin yesterday at St. Petersburg won the seventh game of chess in his series with Tarrasch. The game was a Ruy Lopez and won in twenty-six moves. It was Tschigorin's third victory.
October 23 1893
Mikhail Chigorin vs Siegbert Tarrasch
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 8, Oct-23
Formation: King's Indian Attack (A07) 1-0
The Morning Post, London, Greater London, England, Monday, October 23, 1893
A Reuter's telegram, dated St. Petersburg, October 21, says the seventh game in the chess match between M. Tschigorin and Dr. Tarrasch has been won by the former in 42 moves. M. Tschigorin has now won three games and Dr. Tarrasch four.
Though the games in the New York tournament are not all played out as yet Lasker has already proved himself the victor, having won 10 games without a loss or a draw, a score that none of his competitors can reach. The following is the latest score to hand:—
Albin … 6½ Delmar … 5 Gossip … 1½ Hanham … 5½ Jasnogrodsky… 4 Lasker …10 Lee … 6 Olly … 3 Pillsbury … 6 Ryan … 3½ Schmidt … 4 Showalter … 7 Taubenhaus … 5
Chess players will peruse the record of the fifth game in the St. Petersburg match with the greatest pleasure, as it contains play of a very brilliant character, such as is rarely found in serious games now-a-days. Tarrasch having the move relied on the Ruy Lopez, the Russian again defending with P-QR3 as in the first game. After 4. B-R4, N-B3, Tarrasch digressed by 5. N-B3. Tschigorin handled the opening a little awkwardly; his position was getting loose, and when on the 11th move he tried to consolidate his game by dislodging White's Knight, inconveniently placed on Q5, Tarrasch made the brilliant move of NxKP, thereby leaving his Queen to be taken, but threatening a pretty mating combination. Tschigorin made the best of a lost cause; he gave up another Pawn to gain time, but in vain, for another brilliant combination, in which Tarrasch gave up his Rook, speedily secured him a very line victory on his 20th move.
7. O-O P-QN4 (a) It is best to avoid this move if possible; we can see no objection to Black's Castling here.
9. P-Q3 B-KN5 (b)(b) Plain and simple P-KR3 would have been of good service here in preventing B-N5 or N-N5, and Castling could follow while the QB would be available for the defence of the Knight on Q2, in case at any time it is attacked by the B on Q5.
10. P-B3 N-K2 (c) Although Black has lost important time, yet P-KR3 would still have averted disaster. But Black is not to be blamed for not seeing the consequences of his move.
11. NxKP (d) A very brilliant stroke, which wins at least a Pawn.
11. … PxN (e) If Black now takes the Queen, then follows 12. NxNch, K-Bsq (best) for if PxN White mates in two moves by 13. BxPch, K-Bsq; 14. B-R, 6 mate-13. N-Q7ch, QxN; 14. NxQch, K-Ksq; 15. RxB, KxN; 16. BxP, &c.
13. QxB N-N3 (f) QxP would be bad on account of 14. R-Qsq.
15. P-KB4 P-B3 (g) Probably he takes a desperate chance, to gain time by moving his K-K2, to bring his QR and Q into play, for the better defence of the threatened King's side.
21. RxP (h) A pretty finishing move, which speedily ends Black's troubles.
26. RxQ Resigns (i) Mate is forced in three moves.
Though the sixth game of the match contains no moves of exceptional brilliancy a careful consideration reveals the remarkable nature of the play. The extraordinary effect achieved by a series of apparently quiet and inoffensive manoeuvres is deserving of careful study. From first to last Tschigorin had no chance of coming within striking distance, and though first player he was practically on the defensive throughout. Such was the force of Tarrasch's play in the first stage of the game that he succeeded, slowly but surely, in reducing his opponent to a state of utter helplessness. Tschigorin had not a piece in play, and though all the Pawns were still on the board, their advance was impossible after the 34th move. In the second portion of the game Tschigorin could do nothing but move his pieces backward and forward behind his Pawns, while Tarrasch proceeded to finish off the game at his leisure. The method by which Tarrasch succeeded in breaking through his opponent's blocked lines is very ingenious and interesting. The following is the sixth game:—
2. Q-K2 (a) Every additional game tends to confirm our opinion of the weakness of this move.
4. B-N2 N-Q5 (b) We are not in favour of this early advance.
6. QN-B3 (c) We prefer 6. N-K2, or even 6. P-QB3, QN-B3, 7, Q-K2, and the position would be the same as if Black had, on his fourth move, instead of N-Q5 played 4. B-K2, 5. P-QB3.
7. N-N5 (d) Losing the developing value of this piece, 7. Q-N or KN-K2 was to be preferred.
8. QxN Q-N3 (e) Giving him the alternative of either opening his opponent's QR file by an exchange of queens or losing time by retreating the queen.
11. P-B3 (f) White might as well have played this on the fifth move as a reply to Black's N-Q5, when it would have had much better effect. Now it is positively bad, since it gives Black a chance to come in with his second Bishop. 11. Castles was perfectly safe, as the QNP could not be taken.
12. P-Q3 Q-R3 (g) This move illustrates the tactics of the modern school. It is played to induce P-B4, which weakens White's position. The subsequent play of Black, notably 22. N-Q5, and 44. P-QN4, shows how such slight advantages are utilised.
17. P-QR3 (h) An error, by which his position becomes very seriously compromised.
18. KR-Qsq P-K4 (i) It is remarkable how by such moves as P-R5 and P-K4 Black effectively prevents any attempt at attack, and drives his opponent back on his own lines.
20. N-Bsq (j) Probably contemplating either P-KN4 and N-N3, or B-Q2 and B-QB3, followed by P-B4.
22. B-QB3 N-Q5 (k) See note 'g'.
26. KR-Bsq (1) Black was threatening, by P-QN4, to get the open file for an attack on the weak QNP.
28. Q-Ksq P-R4 (m) This is the last time that White has a piece in play.
29. B-Qsq Q-K3 (n) With possibilities of Q-R6, P-B4, P-R5, &c.
34. P-R3 K-Bsq (o) The beginning of the second stage. Black has plenty of time to bring his QR into play. In view of the possibility of P-B5, it would not have been safe to Castle QR.
39. Q-Qsq (p) An exemplification of utter helplessness.
44. Q-Qsq P-N4 (q) The object is to get rid of White's BP so as to play P-Q4, which comes in a few moves later with killing effect.
October 24 1893
Siegbert Tarrasch vs Mikhail Chigorin
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 9, Oct-24
Spanish Game: Open. St. Petersburg Variation (C82) 1-0
Glasgow Herald, Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, Tuesday, October 24, 1893
The Chess Match.
[Reuter's Telegram.]
St. Petersburg, October 23.
The eighth game in the chess match between M. Tschigorin and Dr. Tarrasch has been won by the former in 34 moves. Each player has now won four games.
October 25 1893
The Sun, New York, New York, Wednesday, October 25, 1893
Tarrasch In The Lead Again.
He Beats Tschigorin in a Ruy Lopez After Sixty-Three Moves.
St. Petersburg, Oct. 24.—Tarrasch opened the ninth game of the chess match against Tschigorin at the local club to-day with a Ruy Lopez, the first eight moves being exactly the same as they were made in the seventh game. In some way Tarrasch managed to get the better position, and, in spite of great exertions on behalf of Tschigorin, the German scored his fifth victory after sixty-three moves. The score now stands: Tarrasch, 5; Tschigorin, 4.
The Sun, New York, New York, Wednesday, October 25, 1893
A NOVEL MOVE IN A FRENCH DEFENCE.
How Tarrasch lost the Second Game in the Match with Tschigorin.
The score in full of the second game in the chess match between M. Tschigorin and Dr. S. Tarrasch, which was played at St. Petersburg Chess Club on Oct. 10 and won by the Russian, has just been received. Tschigorin introduced a novel move in the French game, namely, 2. Q-K2, and as a matter of course the game becomes doubly interesting, inasmuch as it might completely alter the theory of this defence. Tschigorin in his notes, taken especially for THE SUN, does not make any remarks regarding the move.
13. Q-B2 (a) A good move, and better than 13. Q-B2 was, I believe, N-KB4.
20. QR-Q B-N3 (b) Many prophets asserted during the progress of the game that white would have lost if black had continued with 20. … N-N4; 21. Q-N BxRP; 22. Q-N2! BxBPch; 23. K-R B-B4; but they overlooked white's answer. 24. P-Q4. In other variations white wins two pieces for rook and pawn.
30. P-N5 (c) I could very well give the QBP with N-K2; if Q-QB2; 31. Q-K3 (threatening 3; … P-N5 and 32. P-QB4, P-N5), but I did not care to do it.
36. R-KN R-B (d) The move 36. … BxP would have been bad on account of 37. N-K7, R-KN8; 38. N-N6ch.
37. NxNP BxP (e) He ought to have played 37. … R-KN; 38. Q-B6 and so on would have resulted in a draw.
39. Q-R6 (f) Now white forces the game.
42. B-R5 Q-K3 (g) If 42. … Q-N4, then 43. P-R4 Q-B5ch; 44. K-N2 and wins.
October 26 1893
Mikhail Chigorin vs Siegbert Tarrasch
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 10, Oct-26
Formation: King's Indian Attack (A07) 1/2-1/2
Belfast News-Letter, Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland, Thursday, October 26, 1893
TSCHIGORIN AND TARRASCH.
The fourth game of this memorable match, and which appears lower down in this column, has been aptly described as a battle of giants, the like of which has not been seen in chess for a long time past. The game will find a lasting place in the history of chess as a specimen of correct play, particularly remarkable in its ending. It lasted upwards of nine hours, and, as in the second game, Tarrasch played French defence. Tschigorin played in the second move Q to K2, which gave him an inferior position in the Queen's side. On the 10th move Tarrasch began to advance his pawns on the Queen's wing, and at the 62nd move he had managed to bring his pawns to the seventh square. During this period the Russian master was making vigorous attacks on the King's side, and three times did he make strenuous efforts to break through. His first attack was on the 14th move, R to N square. To this Tarrasch replied on the 23rd N to N4, and on 25th K to Bsq. Though Tschigorin's position grew worse, he contested every step, and on the 59th move obtained a position where, in all probability, he would have won from an ordinary antagonist. Tarrasch, to avoid the difficulty, sacrificed his queen, and playing with great correctness, scored after a dozen more moves. In the fifth game Tarrasch opened with a Ruy Lopez, and play of a very brilliant character was shown by both players, Tschigorin made the best of a bad cause, surrendering his pawns in vain to gain time, for Tarrasch managed to secure a very fine victory on the 26th move. The sixth game resembled the second and fourth games. It was a French defence, and again on the second move Tschigorin played Q to K2, and from the beginning he had no chance of winning. Such was the force of Tarrasch's play that he succeeded in reducing his opponent to a state of utter helplessness. In the latter stage of the game the Russian champion could do nothing but move his pieces backward and forward behind his pawns, and resigned on the 60th move. The seventh game was won by M. Tschigorin in forty-two moves. The eighth game has also been won by him. M. Tschigorin and Dr. Tarrasch have each, therefore, won four games and no draws.
Manitoba Semi-Weekly Free Press, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Thursday, October 26, 1893
The Great Chess Match.
St. Petersburg, Oct. 22.—The eighth game of the chess match between Tschigorin and Tarrasch was won by Tschigorin after thirty-four moves. Tarrasch played a French defence.
Evening Sentinel, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, Thursday, October 26, 1893
The ninth game in the chess match between M. Tschigorin and Dr. Tarrasch has now won five games and the Russian champion four games.
October 27 1893
Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Friday, October 27, 1893
Chess Masters' Game Drawn
St. Petersburg, Oct. 26.—The tenth game of the chess match at the St. Petersburg Chess club today by Tschigorin and Tarrasch ended in a draw. Score: Tarrasch, 5; Tschigorin, 4; drawn, 1.
The Day, New London, Connecticut, Friday, October 27, 1893
Chess Match at St. Petersburg.
St. Petersburg, Oct. 27.—The 10th game of the chess match at the St. Petersburg chess club was opened by Tschigorin. Tarrasch again adopted the French defense. After 32 moves the game ended in a draw. Score—Tarrasch, 5; Tschigorin, 4; drawn, 1.
The Morning Post, London, Greater London, England, Friday, October 27, 1893
CHESS.
Game eight of the famous contest at St. Petersburg was won by the Russian master in 34 moves after four hours' play. It is a pretty and interesting game. Tschigorin obtained a better chance in the opening than he did in any of the previous French games. He seized upon a slight weakness in the developing position of his opponent, and never gave the latter breathing time. Playing with great nicety and excellent judgment, the Russian champion gradually brought all his pieces into play, and he managed to cramp Tarrasch's position to that extent that it became untenable after the 31st move.
5. QN-B3 Q-B2 (a) To prevent P-K5 after KN-B3.
6. N-R3 (b) I A great improvement on N-B3. The N finds a very good position on B4, and effectively supports the idea underlying White's second move, Q-K2, by preventing Black playing P-Q4.
13. N-Nsq P-K4 (c) Black evidently overlooked the full effect of allowing White to play N-Q5. Black's best would have been N-B3, as P-QB3 was immediately threatened.
16. N-Q2 Q-B2 (d) Black has parted with his valuable Bishop and lost time believing that he could take this Pawn, but if NxP, 17. N-B4 followed by 18. BxN and 19. N-N6 wins the exchange.
17. N-B4 P-KR4 (e) Black should have reserved to himself the option of Castling to escape White's advance in the centre. B-Q3 is, we believe, less precarious than P-KR4, as it might possibly enable the forward Q-N to find satety on K2.
26. NxRP (f) White now reaps the benefit of his excellent play. All his pieces are beautifully posted, and escape for Black seems hopeless.
30. P-N4 (g) There is something nice in every one of White's moves. If now QxP, then 31. NxB, followed by 32. BxP.
32. B-N5 R-4 (h) Black has absolutely no move to prevent the loss of a piece by BxN.
34. QxN (i) Neat. If R-N4, 35. QxR.
October 28 1893
Siegbert Tarrasch vs Mikhail Chigorin
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 11, Oct-28
Spanish Game: Morphy Defense. Tarrasch Variation (C77) 1-0
San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco, California, Saturday, October 28, 1893
All chess - players will be glad to learn that, without any preliminary trumpeting, a match has been arranged to take place at the St. Petersburg Chess Club between Mr. Tschigorin and Dr. Tarrasch. Five games a week will be placed and the winner will be the one who scores ten first, draws not counting. The contest will be the more attractive as it will form some guide to the chance Dr. Tarrasch would have in a match with Mr. Steinitz. The former is undoubtedly a champion of the first rank, but great tournament skill is not always reflected in match play and in at least one notable instance it almost disappears. The style of Dr. Tarrasch however makes it probable he is as good at one thing as the other and Mr. Tschigorin will have to do his best—great as it is—to beat him. GIRARD.
The Sun, New York, New York, Saturday, October 28, 1893
The St. Petersburg Chess Match.
How Tschigorin Lost the Fourth and Fifth Games of the Contest.
Yesterday's European mail brought two additional games from St. Petersburg, where Tarrasch and Tschigorin are still engaged in a chess match of ten games up. The cable has already informed the readers of THE SUN that both the fourth and the fifth game was another French defense, in which Tschigorin conducted the attack with considerable skill, and in which he again introduced that novel move 2. Q-K2. Tschigorin seemed to get the best of the game, as he did in the second game of the match, and although the German expert succeeded in getting both his rooks on the seventh squares, and although he had a passed pawn on the QR file, subsequent analysis proved that Tschigorin ought to have won the game but for an unfortunate mistake made by the Russian on his forty-eighth move. Tschigorin, when forwarding the score of the game, wrote an exhaustive analysis for the readers of THE SUN, which is appended to the game.
The fifth game was a Ruy Lopez, which black defended 3. … P-QR3. Things went all right until black compromised his position with 10. … N-K2. Now Tarrasch had a chance of showing his skill to a nicety. He played NxKP, leaving his queen en prise. Tschigorin now found that he could not take the queen because of 12. NxNch, PxN; 13. PxPch, K-B; 14. B-R4mate. If, on the other hand, black were to proceed with 12. … K-B then follows: 13. KN-Q7ch, QxN; 14. NxQch K-K; 15. BxB KxN, and white has the better game, with a pawn to the good.
After this Tarrasch continued to play very strongly and had his opponent at his mercy. Tschigorin resigned after twenty-five moves.
NOTE BY TSCHIGORIN.
48. PxP (a) Premature. White wins in all variations with 48. Q-R3!
October 29 1893
Mikhail Chigorin vs Siegbert Tarrasch
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 12, Oct-29
French Defense: Chigorin Variation (C00) 1/2-1/2
October 30 1893
The Morning Post, London, Greater London, England, Monday, October 30, 1893
A Reuter's telegram, dated St. Petersburg, October 29, states:—The tenth game in the chess match between M. Tschigorin and Dr. Tarrasch ended in a draw. The eleventh was won by Dr. Tarrasch in 52 moves. The latter has now won six games and the Russian champion four.
The following is the ninth game of the match between Tarrasch and Tschigorin, which was played at St. Petersburg on the 24th inst., when another Ruy Lopez was varied by Tarrasch on his fourth move by Castling. The contest, therefore, assumed a different aspect from that of game No. 7, where 4. N-B3 was played by White. The New variation rather resulted in favour of Tschigorin, who by such moves as 13. N-N3 showed that he played in fearless style. In fact the position of Tarrasch, who had an advanced Pawn on K5, was presenting symptoms of insecurity, when he succeeded in getting rid of his weak Pawn by an ingenious combination on his 18th move. After the exchange of Queens Tschigorin would have had a very easy game to handle if he had played at once B-B4 or B-B2, but his move of 21. P-B4, created a weakness, of which Tarrasch instantly took advantage. The play of the latter up to the 28th move is very instructive. But even then Tschigorin's game would have been all right if he had played B x P on his 28th move. He probably overlooked White's move of 30. R-Q sq, which won a Pawn, and ultimately Tarrasch obtained two passed Pawns on the King's side, against Black's Pawn on the Q R file, and with these he won in 63 moves.
The Tacoma Daily Ledger, Tacoma, Washington, Monday, October 30, 1893
ST. PETERSBURG, Oct 29.— Tarrasch opened yesterday with a Ruy Lopez, the eleventh game of the chess match with Tschigorin. The latter, by an oversight, lost his queen and the game. The score now is: Tarrasch 6, Tschigorin 4; draw, 1.
October 31 1893
Siegbert Tarrasch vs Mikhail Chigorin
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 13, Oct-31
Spanish Game: Morphy Defense. Tarrasch Variation (C77) 1/2-1/2
The Pall Mall Gazette, London, Greater London, England, Tuesday, October 31, 1893
No recent match at chess has excited so much interest as that now in progress at St. Petersburg between Tarrasch and Tschigorin. The chief attraction is due to a conflict of systems as well as of men. Dr. Tarrasch is generally considered a master of play according to the Steinitz theory, or what are called modern tactics—though Staunton, and before him Philidor, loved the same sort of game.
Dr. Tarrasch does it better than any of his predecessors. Starting with the object of being sound rather than brilliant, he opposes design to design, works for such slight advantages as a passed, isolated, or doubled pawn, and calculates as if his opponent were bound to make the best moves each time. With excellent judgment he has chosen the openings most favourable to his own style. Tschigorin's brilliant scheme is kept wonderfully in check by an opponent who defends with the safe and slow “close” game, and attacks with the equally slow Ruy Lopez. But what delights the student of Tarrasch is the promptitude with which these tactics are abandoned whenever his opponent offers a chance. As well as being the steadiest of players he is inventor of the famous Tarrasch trap which deceived even Zukertort at the Frankfort tournament, and the dash, elegance, and precision with which he has on occasions transformed a slight advantage into victory have been a feature of the match. At odds he is the most brilliant of players.
The mere score furnishes only a slight cue to the disadvantage at which Tschigorin has been in the contest. Several of his wins have been fluked after every competent judge has known him to be outplayed and have been due to over-confidence in Dr. Tarrasch, who, on more than one occasion, has neglected a side attack that could easily have been repelled when the position was all in his favour. Tschigorin is invincible it allowed to develop pieces in an Evans', King's or other open gambit; nor has he missed a single chance that offered of illustrating his gift of brilliant combination.
But against an opponent who begins by slowly and gradually hemming in and hampering his forces, who methodically blocks the way to his favourite fields and accepts no challenge to play gambits, his keen and ardent temperament is unfitted to cope, especially when that apparently humdrum play is developed by a bold and alert strategist at the smallest sign of weakness. He has been very appropriately compared to a lion struggling in a net. It is to be hoped that when the match is finished steps will be taken to bring Dr. Tarrasch and Herr Lasker together. So far both have an unbeaten record, but the younger layer has not yet been tested in match play against the heaviest metal. He has beaten no one whom the Nuremberg champion had not beaten beforehand.
Evening Post, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, Tuesday, October 31, 1893
EXCITEMENT IN THE CHESS WORLD.
The chess world is greatly excited just now. Not only are Tschigorin and Tarrasch engaged in a novel and formidable encounter at the St. Petersburg Chess Club, but, the young German player, Lasker, from whom Blackburne, with waning powers, was lately unable to wrest a single game, has won the New York tournament by a “tour de force”, unequaled since the days of Morphy. The conditions of the Tschigorin-Tarrasch match are unusual in this respect, that the winner is not to be he who pulls off the majority of a given number of games, but he who first scores ten games. It is manifest that under such conditions, drawn games not counting, the contest may be prolonged until one competitor or the other grows “stale.” They are rather in Dr. Tarrasch's favour, since has style of play is more sound than brilliant, while Tschigorin is one of the most ingenious and excitable chess players of the day, and is, moreover, much the older man. Such conditions, however, would suit Herr Lasker admirably, if he may be judged by his performance at New York, where he won 13 games in succession. But chess players will not be content until he has met Steinitz. If he can dispose of that mighty master with equal facility he may then challenge all-comers to a consultation game.
The Morning Post, London, Greater London, England, Tuesday, October 31, 1893
CHESS.
The tenth game between Tarrasch and Tschigorin was a French Defence. Tschigorin persisted in 2. Q-K2, but Tarrasch did not play P-QB4. As may be seen, on the tenth move Black had gained a slight advantage in development. The play from that point was sound and cautious. White elected to exchange Queens, the result being that a draw was agreed to after 31 moves:—
November 01 1893
Mikhail Chigorin vs Siegbert Tarrasch
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 14, Nov-01
French Defense: Chigorin Variation (C00) 0-1
November 02 1893
The Morning Post, London, Greater London, England, Thursday, November 02, 1893
CHESS.
The eleventh game of the match between Tarrasch and Tschigorin was finely played by both contestants, and deserves to be called a grand game, in spite of the mistakes which occurred in it. We do not profess to decide the open question as to which is the best defense to the Ruy Lopez, but we do say that the Russian's mode of play did not result favourably to him. Dr. Tarrasch, with magnificent strategy, followed the theoretical lines of play of which a game, Bardeleben v. Mackenzie, at the Bradford tournament of 1888, is such an admirable example. The German master won his Pawn, but at considerable expense of time and position. Tschigorin from that point played very fine chess, and move by move he fairly outplayed his opponent in the middle game. The White pieces seemed to lose all offensive powers, and in order to gain some liberty of action Tarrasch made a desperate effort by 30. P-K5 to break Black's domineering command of the Queen's file. This maneuver turned out badly. The Russian took admirable advantage of the position, and obtained a winning game. He might have won right off on the 42nd move, but failed to see it. He, however, was two Pawns to the good, and had winning prospects, when he, unfortunately, lost his Queen by a blunder, and thus deprived himself of a well-deserved victory. The play occupied 6½ hours.
7. P-Q4 N-Q2 (a) PxP, to which White could reply with QxP or NxP, was likewise not free from objections. In either case White would direct his efforts towards disorganizing Black's Queen's wing.
14. P-B4 QR-Qsq (b) P-QB4, followed probably by N-B3, would not only have prevented White from making progress on the Queen's side, but would enable Black to raise a counter attack by such further active moves as N-N5, P-B4, &c.
16. P-QN4 (c) Very clever play. Black is now threatened with the loss of a piece if he takes the Pawn.
20. KR-Ksq KR-Qsq (d) Black now atones for his inactive 14th move. He handles his pieces admirably, and plays really a grand game from this point.
23. QR-Bsq (e) Very clever play. Black is now threatened with the loss of a piece if he takes the Pawn.
27. N-B2 Q-R3 (f) Threatening BxNch, followed by QxP.
29. Q-B3 Q-R4 (g) How admirably Black fences for position. He wants to prevent the moving of the QN or R-Q2.
30. P-K5 (h) A compromising move, played for the purpose of regaining his freedom of action by R-Q2.
31. QR-Q2 (i) An oversight. As BxP was threatened in any case, White might have played QR-K2.
42. R-Qsq K-R2 (j) Dr. Tarrasch writes both players were here short of time. That would account for Tschigorin overlooking the obvious win by Q-B7, 43. R-Q3, RxN and the Rook cannot retake on account of Q-N8ch.
53. N-B8ch (k) Every true sportsman will be sorry for this. Black deserved to win for fighting so gamely after he lost his Pawn in the opening.
The Sun, New York, New York, Thursday, November 02, 1893
EXPERTS AT THE CHESS TABLE.
Scores of the Sixth and Seventh Games of the St. Petersburg Match.
Two additional games from the chess match now in progress at St. Petersburg arrived with yesterday's European mail. The London Standard gives the following interesting account of the sixth game:
“With the obstinacy of the Tartar, Tschigorin clings to 2. Q-K2, although the second and fourth games should have been salutary examples. At first we thought that Tschigorin would strike out some new continuation, but not only has he not done so, but he played the game even worse than the two previous ones. Dr. Tarrasch, on the other hand, played a combination of the plans adopted in the two games mentioned, and simply hemmed his opponent in so that he had him helplessly at his mercy. He could not even get the shadow of a possibility of a counter attack at any stage of the game, and the impression produced by reading through the game is that the Russian was slowly but surely being smothered; and finally, the tormentor being tired of the game as much as the sufferer, he gave the coup de grace in a few vigorous strokes. There is nothing to particularize about the game. The whole reduces itself to this: Tschigorin gives his opponent the enormous odds of starting with a bad game, trusting to get the better of him in the complications of the battle. But Tarrasch simply gains some slight advantages of position, makes a weak point here and there, allows no complications, the slight early advantages grow slowly, till they reach the dimensions of an avalanche, and the Russian is engulfed. Tschigorin is an attacking player, and handles an assault with pieces admirably. Even Steinitz had to abandon the open game with him and resort to the close game in order to defeat him. Dr. Tarrasch adopts these tactics at the star, viz., a dry Ruy Lopez as first player, and the French Defence as second player. No doubt Tschigorin should draw the French Defence by adopting the orthodox lines of play for white, but he is not satisfied with a draw, and that is his mistake.”
In the seventh game Tschigorin defended the Spanish attack at first, as he did in the fifth game, but he did not again play 7. … P-QN4, but P-Q3. Strange to say, the Russian, who made some weak moves in all the games played so far, committed the same error in this game by losing a pawn. Had the Doctor played a little more energetically, it is safe to say that the advantage of a pawn would have sufficed to give him another victory. However, Tarrasch allowed himself to be trapped by the really fine play of his opponent, and losing the queen, which he could not retake on account of a threatening mate, he resigned after forty-two moves.
Notes From The London Daily News. See above analysis.
November 03 1893
Siegbert Tarrasch vs Mikhail Chigorin
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 15, Nov-03
Spanish Game: Morphy Defense. Tarrasch Variation (C77) 0-1
Lincoln Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln, Nebraska, Friday, November 03, 1893
The Chess Tournament.
St. Petersburg, Nov. 2.—The fourteenth game of chess in the match between Tschigorin and Tarrasch resulted in a victory for the latter, who led a French defense. There were seventy-seven moves. The score now is: Tarrasch, 7; Tschigorin, 4; drawn 3.
November 04 1893
Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Saturday, November 04, 1893
Tschigorin Wins The Fifteenth Game.
The fifteenth game of the chess match between Tarrasch and Tschigorin at St. Petersburg was won by Tschigorin after forty-five moves. Score: Tarrasch, 7; Tschigorin, 5; drawn, 3.
November 05 1893
Mikhail Chigorin vs Siegbert Tarrasch
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 16, Nov-05
King's Gambit: Accepted. Schallop Defense (C34) 1/2-1/2
The Sun, New York, New York, Sunday, November 05, 1893
Tarrasch in Poor Form.
How the Great German Chess Expert Lost the Eighth Game to Tschigorin.
The score of the eighth game of the chess match, now being played between Tarrasch and Tschigorin in St. Petersburg reached this city early yesterday morning. It will be seen that this game was very badly played by the Doctor. The London Standard comments on the partie as follows:
5. K-QB3 Q-B2 (a) To prevent P-K5 after KN-B3.
6. N-R3 (b) A great improvement on N-B3. The N finds a very good position on B4, and effectively supports the idea underlying white's second move Q-K2 by preventing black playing P-Q4.
13. N-N P-K4 (c) Black evidently overlooked the full effect of allowing white to play N-Q5. Black's best would have been N-B3, as P-QB3 was immediately threatened.
16. N-Q2 Q-B2 (d) Black has parted with his valuable bishop and lost time, believing that he could take this pawn, but if NxP, 17. N-B4 followed by 18. BxN, and 19. N-N6 wins the exchange.
17. N-B4 P-KR4 (e) Black should have reserved to himself the option of castling to escape White's advance in the centre, B-Q3 is, we believe, less precarious than P-KR4, as it might possibly enable the forward QN to find safety on K2.
26. NxRP (f) White now reaps the benefit of his excellent play. All his pieces are beautifully posted and escape for black seems impossible.
30. P-N4 (g) There is something nice in every one of white's moves. If now QxP then 31. NxB followed by 32. BxP.
32. B-N5 R-R4 (h) Neat. If R-N4, 35. QxR.
November 06 1893
Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Monday, November 06, 1893
The Sixteenth Game Is a Draw.
St. Petersburg, Nov. 5.—The sixteenth game of the chess match between Tschigorin and Tarrasch ended in a draw after twenty-seven moves. Tschigorin opened with a king's gambit, which Tarrasch defended with 3. NK-B3. Present score: Tarrasch, 7; Tschigorin, 5; drawn, 4.
Glasgow Herald, Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, Monday, November 06, 1893
Chess.
The Match at St. Petersburg.—A Reuter's telegram from St. Petersburg, dated Saturday, states that the 12th and 13th games in the chess match between M. Tschigorin and Dr. Tarrasch were drawn. Dr. Tarrasch won the 14th game in 77 moves, but was defeated in the 15th, being checkmated by M. Tschigorin in 45 moves. The German player still has the advantage, having won seven games to five secured by his opponent.
The Morning Post, London, Greater London, England, Monday, November 06, 1893
The St. Petersburg match has been progressing slowly of late, and, so far as we know, the score is still—Tarrasch, 6; Tschigorin, 4; and 3 draws. It is probable that, as no information has been received during the past few days, the draws have increased in number. Drawn battles being ignored by the conditions of the match, it is likely enough that it has not been thought worth while to telegraph over the news that such results have arisen from the week's play. But it is no less probable that the players have been indulging in a brief respite from their labours, and, to tell the truth, their recent games have very strongly suggested a need for rest. Indeed, there has lately been a very marked falling off from the high standard of play that characterized their early contests. This was very pointedly illustrated in the eleventh game, which we published on Thursday, where Tschigorin, having by excellent play in the middle game obtained a winning position, allowed his attention to momentarily flag with the result that he lost his Queen. The contest suggests that matches of 10 games up are too long. The winner of the first seven games was formerly deemed to have sufficiently established his superiority over his rival, and the shorter campaign is to be preferred not only on the ground that the players are less likely to become exhausted, but also because, the end being nearer, they are more keenly on their mettle throughout. In a long contest, too, there is always the danger of a flagging interest on the part of the public. The interest excited by the present match has, however, been so great that it is certain to be maintained if only the players are able to complete their games as well as they began.
November 08 1893
Siegbert Tarrasch vs Mikhail Chigorin
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 17, Nov-08
Spanish Game: Morphy Defense. Tarrasch Variation (C77) 1-0
The St. Joseph Herald, St. Joseph, Missouri, Wednesday, November 08, 1893
The Chess Match.
St. Petersburg, Nov. 7.—Tarrasch opened the seventeenth game of the chess match against Tschigorin with a Ruy Lopez and scored after fifty-six moves. The present score: Tarrasch 8, Tschigorin 5, drawn 4.
The Sun, New York, New York, Wednesday, November 08, 1893
TARRASCH WINS A RUY LOPEZ.
The German Expert Leads the Russian with Three Games.
St. Petersburg, Nov. 7—The seventeenth game of the chess match between Tarrasch and Tschigorin was played at the St. Petersburg Chess Club to-day. Tarrasch having the move again selected the Ruy Lopez, the first five moves being made as follows:
Tarrasch (white) Tschigorin (black)
1. P-K4, P-K4; 2. N-KB3 N-QB3; 3. B-N5 P-QR3; 4. B-R4 P-Q3; 5. N-B3
White managed to get the best of the opening, and by subsequent good play he got a very fine position when the middle game stage was reached. The Russian exerted himself to his utmost, but Tarrasch never gave his opponent a chance, and scored after fifty-six moves.
The score now reads:
Tarrasch, 8; Tschigorin, 5; drawn, 4.
November 09 1893
Mikhail Chigorin vs Siegbert Tarrasch
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 18, Nov-09
French Defense: Chigorin Variation (C00) 1-0
Belfast News-Letter, Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland, Thursday, November 09, 1893
Chess in St. Petersburg
It would appear that draws are becoming more and more frequent in the match between Tschigorin and Tarrasch. It will be remembered that nine games had been decided before any were drawn, but now it appears that both twelfth and thirteenth were draws. The fourteenth was won by Dr. Tarrasch in 77 moves. He was, however, checkmated by Tschigorin in the fifteenth game in 45 moves. The advantage is still on the side of Tarrasch, who has won seven games to five won by Tschigorin. In this match drawn games are not reckoned. The eleventh game, which appears in this column, is finely played, and though some mistakes appear, one of which cost Tschigorin his Queen and game, it deserves to be reckoned as a grand game. Dr. Tarrasch followed the theoretical lines of play, of which a game between Bardelben and Mackenzie at the Bradford Tournament of 1885 is an excellent example. In the early part of the game Dr. Tarrasch succeeded in winning a pawn, but from that time Tschigorin took the lead, played very fine chess, and in the middle of the game outplayed his opponent. At the 42nd move he was two pawns to the good, with a winning position, but allowed Tarrasch's Knight to fork the King and Queen. He then resigned. In the twelfth game, which was a French Defence, Tschigorin modified the development with the Queen's instead of the King's Fianchetto. In his defence Dr. Tarrasch adopted that usually resorted to in the old form of the opening, and which is more favourable to Black, and Tschigorin's departure was a failure. It is surprising the tenacity with which Tschigorin adopts as his second move Q-K2. As neither side showed a desire to attack and run the risk of defeat a draw was agreed on at the 51st move. This game was free from mistakes, and the middle part exceedingly instructive.
The following is the eleventh game in the match between Tschigorin and Tarrasch (Notes by Mr. Gunsberg):—
See the same analysis in earlier publication.
November 10 1893
Siegbert Tarrasch vs Mikhail Chigorin
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 19, Nov-10
Spanish Game: Morphy Defense. Tarrasch Variation (C77) 0-1
November 11 1893
Mikhail Chigorin vs Siegbert Tarrasch
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 20, Nov-11
French Defense: Chigorin Variation (C00) 1-0
Acton Gazette, Ealing, London, England, Saturday, November 11, 1893
The chess match between Dr. Tarrasch, of Berlin, and the young Russian player, Tschigorin, has created more interest in the chess world than any trial of skill among chessists since Steinitz and the late Dr. Zukertort met for the second time to settle each other's pretensions. Tarrasch is a German doctor, and has never yet lost a match. He favors the solid, steady school of which Steinitz is such a supreme master, and woe to the unhappy opponent who makes one slip. Tschigorin, on the other hand, is a brilliant chessist of the Blackburn order, and in all the games which he wins the style reminds one of Morphy, the combinations showing strategy of the highest quality. Steinitz is growing old now, and in the opinion of most men who understand the chequered board, the sovereignty of chessdom will, at Steinitz's death, lie between the present two masters.
Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Saturday, November 11, 1893
Tarrasch Loses Another Game.
ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 10.—Tarrasch today lost the nineteenth game of the chess match with Tschigorin. The German opened with a Ruy Lopez and resigned after forty-two moves. Score: Tarrasch, 8; Tschigorin, 7; drawn, 4.
November 12 1893
Siegbert Tarrasch vs Mikhail Chigorin
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 21, Nov-12
Rubinstein Opening (D05) 1-0
November 13 1893
The Morning Post, London, Greater London, England, Monday, November 13, 1893
Reuter's telegrams announce that the 16th game in the chess match between M. Tschigorin and Dr. Tarrasch ended in a draw. Dr. Tarrasch won the 17th game in 56 moves, but was defeated in the 18th and 19th games, being checkmated by the Russian champion in 62 and 42 moves respectively. In the 20th game M. Tschigorin won in 66 moves. The game lasted seven hours. Each of the players has now won eight games, while four have been drawn.
The Russian Correspondent of the British Chess Magazine writes: “Dr. Tarrasch arrived at St. Petersburg on October 2, and the same day a banquet took place, which had been arranged in honours of the guest. Dr. Tarrasch was astonished to find at St. Petersburg a chess circle whose magnificence cannot be reached by any other club. The first game (Ruy Lopez), played October 4, was won by Dr. Tarrasch. According to his opinion, Black has not a sufficient defence if White plays the Ruy Lopez opening. For this reason he gave out that he would only reply to White's first move P-K4 by P-K3. Every other opening appears to him hazardous when playing with such an opponent as M. Tschigorin. This idea is shared by many of his friends, who have advised him to play only close games, because (in their opinion) M. Tschigorin is not accustomed to them. But we think Dr. Tarrasch and his partisans will soon change their minds. It is true that it is always more easy to play openings to which one is accustomed, but M. Tschigorin's genius will surmount every obstacle of this kind. Let us await the end of the match. The games hitherto do not show any superiority in Dr. Tarrasch, unless it be a prudence that is often too great. I am here giving the opinion of the majority of the amateurs of St. Petersburg. The match has attracted the notice of a large number of persons, even of those who do not play chess. During the first days of the match the club was visited by from 30 to 100 persons. This number would have been much larger if the rules of the club had been less strict. There is one serious hindrance to M. Tschigorin's success. He cannot bear the smell of tobacco and when Dr. Tarrasch lights his cigar the room where the combatants sit is so filled with smoke that the two assistants are sometimes obliged to leave their post. This fact explains the bad move made by M. Tschigorin in several games of the match.”
Nottingham Evening News, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, Monday, November 13, 1893
THE CHESS MATCH.
(Reuter's Telegrams.)
ST. PETERSBURG, Friday.
The sixteenth game in the chess match between Tschigorin and Tarrasch ended in a draw. Dr. Tarrasch won the seventeenth game but was defeated in the eighteenth and nineteenth games. The German player still has the advantage, having won eight games to seven secured by his opponent. Four games were drawn.
ST. PETERSBURG, Sunday.
M. Tschigorin won the twentieth game in the international chess match. Each player has won eight, four being drawn.
Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Monday, November 13, 1893
Progress of Chessmasters' Match.
St. Petersburg, Nov. 12.—Tarrasch suffered another defeat at the hands of Tschigorin yesterday in the twentieth game of the chess match. The German played the French defense and lost after sixth-five moves. The twenty-first game—a Zukertort opening, tried by Tarrasch— was played today. Tschigorin resigned after twenty-eight moves. Score: Tarrasch, 9; Tschigorin, 8; drawn, 4.
November 14 1893
Mikhail Chigorin vs Siegbert Tarrasch
Chigorin - Tarrasch (1893), St. Petersburg RUE, rd 22, Nov-14
French Defense: Chigorin Variation (C00) 1-0
Birmingham Daily Post, Birmingham, West Midlands, England, Tuesday, November 14, 1893
The Tschigorin-Tarrasch Chess Match.—A St. Petersburg telegram says that the twenty-first game in the chess match between M. Tschigorin and Dr. Tarrasch was won on Sunday by the latter in thirty moves. The German player now has the advantage again, having won nine games to eight secured by his opponent, while four have been drawn by agreement between the parties. Dr. Tarrasch having won nine game can now no longer lose the match. If, however, the Russian player wins the next game the match will remain undecided.—Reuter.
November 15 1893
Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, November 15, 1893
Tschigorin-Tarrasch Match a Draw.
Tschigorin won the twenty-second game of the chess match against Tarrasch at St. Petersburg. The players decided, as each had scored nine games, to declare the match a draw.
November 16 1893
The Morning Post, London, Greater London, England, Thursday, November 16, 1893
THE INTERNATIONAL CHESS MATCH.
The 21st game in the chess match between M. Tschigorin and Dr. Tarrasch was won on Sunday by the latter in 30 moves. The German player now has the advantage again, having won nine games to eight secured by his opponent, while four have been drawn. By an agreement between the parties, Dr. Tarrasch, having won nine games, can now no longer lose the match. Should, however, the Russian player win the next game the match will remain undecided.
Game 18 of the St. Petersburg match was very strongly played by Tschigorin. Tarrasch did not conduct the game consistently with his plan of operation in previous encounters at the French opening, the keynote to which was P-QB4, which this time he omitted. Instead of the usual safe and profitable Queen's side play, Tarrasch indulged in a lively dash in the middle of the board. His 16th move of P-N4, was very bold play, but whatever advantage in position he gained, was lost to him through his 18th and l9th moves, the latter especially, Q-R5 and several other moves at his disposal were better than Q-Q4, which exposed the Queen to the attack of the minor pieces. Tschigorin cleverly availed himself of his opportunity, and, after he had Castled on the 22nd move, the black Q P was doomed. The exchange of the Kt against the B on Tarrasch's 33rd move was an expedient of doubtful value. He, however, managed to get his Pawn back, but after the exchange of Queens he got into time difficulties, and under stress of these he played the hasty moves of 44. P-N4, 45. P-R4, and 46. P-N5, which advance seriously compromised his position. Tschigorin conducted the ending in fine style, and won a grand game in 62 moves. Duration of play, eight hours and a half.
