World Chess Championship 1910

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The FIDE World Chess Championship 1910 was contested between reigning champion Emanuel Lasker (Germany) and challenger Carl Schlechter (Austria-Hungary). Held in Vienna and Berlin, the match ended in a 5–5 tie, allowing Lasker to retain the title. The final game, which Schlechter may have only needed to draw, became one of the most debated finishes in chess history due to unclear match terms and his decision to play for a win.

📷 Lasker, Rubinstein, Kagan, Schlechter, and Tarrasch at Berlin 1918
Spaarnestad Photo Archive: Unknown photographer (License: Public Domain) via Wikimedia Commons)

World Chess Championship 1910, Emanuel Lasker, Carl Schlechter
📸 Emanuel Lasker Cleveland Public Library Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Winner/Reigning Champion: Emanuel Lasker

Born: 1868, Berlinchen, Prussia (Germany)
Died: 1941, New York City, United States

By 1910, Emanuel Lasker had ruled the chess world for 16 years. Already considered one of the most complete and resilient players in history, he combined deep strategy with psychological insight. In this match, Lasker was tested as never before. Trailing before the final game, he needed a win to retain his title—and he delivered under immense pressure.

Despite rumors about the match conditions and controversies over Schlechter’s approach, Lasker’s endurance and adaptability shone through. His victory reinforced his legacy as a champion under fire, and he would hold the title until 1921.

«A champion must win when it matters most.» — Emanuel Lasker

Challenger: Carl Schlechter

Born: 1874, Vienna, Austria-Hungary
Died: 1918, Budapest, Hungary

Carl Schlechter was one of the most respected players of his era, admired for his sportsmanship, modesty, and positional depth. A prolific tournament competitor, he was never known for risk-taking, which makes his decision in the final game so striking. Although the exact match terms remain unclear (some say he needed +2 to win), Schlechter played to win rather than secure a draw in Game 10. This boldness elevated him as a tragic hero in chess lore. Often living in poverty and known for his generosity, Schlechter’s principled life and untimely death during World War I added emotional gravity to his chess legacy.

«I could not play for a draw when everything in me demanded I try to win.» — Carl Schlechter

Match Overview

🗓️ Match Dates: January 7 – February 10, 1910
📍 Location: Vienna (Austria-Hungary) and Berlin (Germany)
✅ Format: Best of 10 games (unclear terms; possible +2 margin required for challenger)
⏱️ Time Control: 15 moves per hour (Wiener Schachzeitung, Jan. 1910, p. 14)
💰 Prize Fund: 1,000 Kronen, winner-takes-all (British Chess Magazine, March 1910, p. 97)
📄 Main Sponsors: Vienna Chess Society, Berliner Schachgesellschaft

Historical and Cultural Context

The match took place during a period of uncodified championship rules, which fueled lasting controversy. Schlechter, known for his humility, became a symbol of fairness and idealism in chess. Despite modest press coverage in the West, the event attracted strong interest across Central Europe, with significant documentation in Austrian and German chess publications. Soviet sources, including early mentions in Shakhmaty v SSSR, later referenced the match in the context of sportsmanship and psychological drama. The championship highlighted the growing need for standardized match regulations, which would remain a topic of debate for decades.

World Chess Championship 1910, Emanuel Lasker (GER), Carl Schlechter (AUT)

World Chess Championship 1910 Games

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

Game 6

Game 7

Game 8

Game 9

Game 10

The first World Chess Championship 1910

Emanuel Lasker, Germany

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World Chess Championship 1910 Sources

Sources for Quotes

General Sources

Photo Credits

📸 Emanuel Lasker: Cleveland Public Library, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

📸 Lasker, Rubinstein, Kagan, Schlechter, and Tarrasch at Berlin 1918
Spaarnestad Photo Archive: Unknown photographer (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.