World Chess Championship 1908

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The FIDE World Chess Championship 1908 was contested between reigning champion Emanuel Lasker (Germany) and challenger Siegbert Tarrasch (Germany). Held in Düsseldorf and Munich, the match featured a highly anticipated battle of ideas. Lasker defended his title with a convincing 10½–5½ victory.

World Chess Championship 1908, Emanuel Lasker, Siegbert Tarrasch
📷 The Championship Match Lasker vs Tarrasch 1908
Wikimedia Commons Unknown author License Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Winner: Emanuel Lasker

Born: December 24, 1868, Berlinchen, Prussia (now Barlinek, Poland)
Died: January 11, 1941, New York City, USA

By 1908, Emanuel Lasker had held the world title for 14 years and already defended it successfully twice. Known for his versatile playing style, Lasker emphasized psychology and flexibility, often disrupting opponents’ preparation. His decision-making under pressure and theoretical independence were widely admired. Critics had questioned his limited tournament appearances, but his dominant performance against Tarrasch silenced those doubts. The match reaffirmed his status as a strategic master and a pioneer of modern chess thought. He remained unbeaten as champion until 1921, securing his legacy as one of the greatest figures in chess history.

Opponent: Siegbert Tarrasch

Born: March 5, 1862, Breslau, Prussia (now Wrocław, Poland)
Died: February 17, 1934, Munich, Germany

A towering figure in classical chess theory, Siegbert Tarrasch was nicknamed the «Praeceptor Germaniae» (Teacher of Germany). He won multiple elite tournaments and authored influential books on strategy. For years, Tarrasch had claimed rightful succession to Steinitz and only met Lasker on the championship stage after long-standing tension and scheduling barriers. Tarrasch’s approach was rigidly principled, valuing logic and clarity. His downfall came from an inability to adapt when faced with Lasker’s pragmatism. Despite a few strong games, his defeat marked the decline of dogmatic chess orthodoxy.

«Mr. Lasker, I have only three words to say to you: check and mate!» — Siegbert Tarrasch at the opening ceremony

Match Overview

🗓️ Match Dates: August 17 – September 30, 1908
📍 Location: Düsseldorf and Munich, Germany
✅ Format: First to 8 wins (draws not counted)
⏱️ Time Control: 30 moves in 2 hours (standard at the time)
💰 Prize Fund: 20,000 German marks, 2:1 split in favor of the winner
📄 Main Sponsors: Düsseldorf Chess Club, Munich Chess Club, private patrons

Historical and Cultural Context

The 1908 World Championship became a symbolic clash of chess ideologies. Tarrasch represented the classical school, emphasizing structure and principle. Lasker introduced a more dynamic and psychological philosophy. The tension had built for years, and the German press covered the match with enthusiasm. While Western chess circles highlighted the stylistic rivalry, Russian and Soviet-era sources (later echoed in Shakhmaty v SSSR) focused on the broader evolution of strategy. In this match, modern chess triumphed over strict dogma, laying the groundwork for future theoretical revolutions.

World Chess Championship 1908, Emanuel Lasker (GER), Siegbert Tarrasch (GER)

World Chess Championship 1908 Games

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Game 5

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Game 7

Game 8

Game 9

Game 10

Game 11

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Game 14

Game 15

Game 16

World Chess Championship 1908

Emanuel Lasker, Germany

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World Chess Championship 1908 Sources

Sources for Quotes

General Sources

Photo Credits

📷 Emanuel Lasker vs Siegbert Tarrasch (1908)
Source: Unknown author (License: Public Domain) via Wikimedia Commons

Sources, image credits, and attributions for this championship are listed on this page. For general information about the World Chess Champions timeline, visit the main page.