Wilhelm Steinitz
Wilhelm Steinitz
================
Full Name and Common Aliases
Wilhelm Steinitz's full name was Wilhelm Karl Erasmus Steinitz. He is also known as "The King of Chess" for his contributions to the game.
Birth and Death Dates
Steinitz was born on May 22, 1836, in Prague, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). He passed away on August 12, 1900, in Bled, Austria-Hungary (now Slovenia).
Nationality and Profession(s)
Wilhelm Steinitz was of Austrian nationality. He worked as a chess player, teacher, and writer. His contributions to the game went beyond playing; he also wrote extensively about chess strategies.
Early Life and Background
Steinitz grew up in a family that valued education. His father, Ignaz Steinitz, was an engineer, and his mother, Josefa Königstein, came from a family of artists. The environment fostered creativity and intellectual pursuits from a young age. Steinitz's early life laid the foundation for his future success as a chess player and writer.
Major Accomplishments
Steinitz is most famous for being the first undisputed World Chess Champion. He won this title in 1886, which was a significant milestone in the history of chess. This achievement solidified his status as one of the greatest players of all time.
Before Steinitz's reign, chess championships were not formally recognized. His victory marked the beginning of modern competitive chess.
Steinitz also contributed to the development of new openings and strategies in chess. He wrote extensively on the subject, publishing several books that remain influential today.
Notable Works or Actions
One of Steinitz's most notable works is his book "The Modern Chess Instructor" (1879). In it, he introduced several innovations in opening theory and explained various aspects of the game.
Steinitz was known for his aggressive playing style. He believed that a good chess player should always strive to attack his opponent's position and create weaknesses. This approach is still studied by players today.
Impact and Legacy
Wilhelm Steinitz's impact on chess cannot be overstated. His contributions to the game have been felt for over a century. As the first undisputed World Chess Champion, he set a standard that has influenced generations of players.
Steinitz's ideas about attacking play have shaped the way people approach the game. His emphasis on creating weaknesses in one's opponent's position remains an essential part of chess strategy.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Wilhelm Steinitz is widely quoted and remembered for his groundbreaking achievements as a player and writer. His contributions to the development of modern competitive chess, combined with his innovative ideas about playing style, make him an iconic figure in the world of chess.
Players and enthusiasts continue to study his games and writings, drawing inspiration from his strategic insights. As a pioneer in the field, Steinitz's legacy continues to influence the game he loved.
Quotes by Wilhelm Steinitz
I am not a chess historian – I myself am a piece of chess history, which no one can avoid. I will not write about myself, but I am sure that someone will write...
I have never in my life played the French Defence, which is the dullest of all openings.
I am fully and entirely concentrated on the board. I never even consider my opponent’s personality. So far as I am concerned, my opponent might as well be an abstraction or an automaton.
Capture of the adverse King is the ultimate but not the first object of the game.
I may be an old lion, but I can still bite someone’s hand off if he puts it in my mouth.
No great player blundered oftener than I done. I was champion of the world for twenty-eight years because I was twenty years ahead of my time. I played on certain principles, which neither Zukertort nor anyone else of his time understood. The players of today, such as Lasker, Tarrasch, Pillsbury, Schlechter and others have adopted my principles, and as is only natural, they have improved upon what I began, and that is the whole secret of the matter.