1883 London Tournament

go back

April 26 – June 23 | ⭐Johannes Zukertort (England)


Reigning Master: Wilhelm Steinitz

The 1883 London Tournament was a pivotal event for Wilhelm Steinitz, representing Austria, who was widely regarded as the unofficial world champion at the time.

Known for his groundbreaking positional play, Steinitz had dominated international chess for years. At 47 years old during the tournament, he aimed to reinforce his supremacy but ultimately finished second with 19 points out of 26 games. Steinitz’s consistent performances in earlier events had already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players of his era.


Key Rival: Johannes Zukertort

1883 London Tournament, Johannes Zukertort
Johannes Zukertort AI generated

Johannes Zukertort, representing England after naturalizing as a British citizen, was a Polish-born player, delivered a career-defining performance in London. Renowned for his dynamic and imaginative style, Zukertort outclassed his rivals, including Steinitz, to win the tournament with 22 points out of 26 games. His victory included decisive wins against other notable players such as Joseph Henry Blackburne and George Henry Mackenzie. Zukertort’s dominance was evident, as he secured the title with three rounds to spare, representing England in what was his greatest career triumph. However, exhaustion led to losses in the final three games.


Tournament Overview

The 1883 London Tournament featured a double round-robin format with 14 participants, making it one of the most competitive events of its time. Each player faced every opponent twice, resulting in a total of 26 games per participant. Drawn games were replayed in this era, leading to discrepancies in recorded draws. The tournament introduced the double-sided chess clock, a significant innovation in chess timekeeping.

Final Standings:

PlayerResults
1. Johannes Zukertort22 (22 wins, 4 losses)
2. Wilhelm Steinitz19 (19 wins, 7 losses)
3. Joseph Henry Blackburne16.5 (16 wins, 9 losses)
4. Szymon Winawer16 (16 wins, 10 losses)
5. George Henry Mackenzie15.5 (15 wins, 10 losses)
6. Berthold Englisch15.5 (15 wins, 10 losses)
7. James Mason15.5 (15 wins, 10 losses)
8. Samuel Rosenthal14 (14 wins, 12 losses)
9. Szymon Winawer13 (13 wins, 13 losses)
10. Henry Edward Bird12 (12 wins, 14 losses)
11. Jean Taubenhaus9.5 (9 wins, 16 losses)
12. Alexander Sellman6.5 (6 wins, 19 losses)
13. Arthur Skipworth3 (3 wins, 23 losses)
14. James Mortimer3 (3 wins, 23 losses)

Historical and Cultural Context

The tournament symbolized the growing international stature of chess. It was held during a time of national pride, with Zukertort representing England after naturalizing as a British citizen. This victory not only marked the peak of his career but also set the stage for the first official World Chess Championship in 1886, where he faced Steinitz. Additionally, the introduction of the chess clock highlighted the sport’s shift toward more regulated play.


Johannes Zukertort: 22 points (+22, −4, (=6))


1883 London Tournament Games

Game 1


Game 2


Game 3


Game 4


Game 5


Game 6


Game 7


Game 8


Game 9


Game 10


Game 11


Game 12


Game 13


Game 14


Game 15


Game 16


Game 17


Game 18


Game 19


Game 20


Game 21


Game 22


Game 23


Game 24


Game 25


Game 26


Game 27


Game 28


Game 29


Game 30


Game 31


Game 32


1883 London Tournament
Johannes Zukertort AI generated

1883 London Tournament

Johannes Zukertort

go back

1883 London Tournament | Johannes Zukertort | Games

Sources:

See the main page for all image and content credits.