World Chess Championship 1886

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The World Chess Championship 1886 was the first official match for the world title, contested by Wilhelm Steinitz (Austria) and Johannes Zukertort (Great Britain) across New York, St. Louis, and New Orleans. Steinitz won 10–5 (draws not counted, 5 draws), becoming the ★1st Official World Chess Champion.

World Chess Championship 1886, Wilhelm Steinitz, Johannes Zukertort

Wilhelm Steinitz vs. Johannes Zukertort, 1886 World Championship Match
Wikimedia Commons: Unknown author (License: Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons

1st Official Chess World Champion, Wilhelm Steinitz
Photographer Manka Sculptor Vladimír Oppl 2003 License CC BY 30 via Wikimedia Commons

Winner: Wilhelm Steinitz — 1st Official World Chess Champion

Born: May 17, 1836, Prague, Bohemia (Austrian Empire); later emigrated to the USA.
Died: August 12, 1900, New York, USA

By 1886, Wilhelm Steinitz had risen from leading master to the game’s central theorist. Moving beyond the romantic, sacrificial style, he advanced a positional doctrine built on small advantages, sound defense, and controlled counterplay. The match with Zukertort was organized independently of any federation, yet its result was universally accepted as decisive. After losing four of the first five games, Steinitz adjusted superbly and dominated the remainder, outplaying Zukertort both strategically and in stamina. His victory inaugurated the official World Championship era and cemented his legacy as the pioneer of scientific chess.

“A single inaccuracy in chess is often enough to turn the tide.” – Wilhelm Steinitz

Opponent: Johannes Zukertort

Born: September 7, 1842, Lublin, Congress Poland (Russian Empire; now Poland) Nationality (1886): Great Britain (Polish-born; naturalized 1878)
Died: June 20, 1888, London, UK

Johannes Zukertort, Polish-born and later naturalized British, was among the 19th century’s most brilliant attackers. His triumph at London 1883, ahead of Steinitz and other luminaries, established him as the leading challenger. In 1886 he started strongly with dynamic openings and sharp tactics, but his health and endurance faded as the match progressed. Though defeated, Zukertort’s creative style and theoretical ideas left a lasting imprint on chess.

“Genius is simply the ability to work hard at what inspires you.” – Johannes Zukertort

Match Overview — World Chess Championship 1886

Match Dates: January 11–March 29, 1886
Locations: New York, St. Louis, New Orleans (USA)
Format: First to 10 wins (draws not counted)
Time Control: 30 moves in 2 hours, then 15 moves per hour (mechanical clocks)
Prize Fund: Stake-based purse put up by players and backers; reports vary (≈ $2,000–$4,000).
Organizers/Sponsors: Local clubs and patrons in the host cities

Historical and Cultural Context

This championship formalized the transition from informal supremacy to a recognized global title, introducing agreed venues, published conditions, and a clear victory threshold. The American setting reflected chess’s growing global reach, and the press coverage across Europe and the U.S. helped elevate the sport’s stature. Technological innovations such as demonstration boards and published daily game reports were used to engage spectators. Steinitz’s win also symbolized the ascendance of positional strategy over romantic aggression, influencing decades of future champions.

World Chess Championship 1886, Wilhelm Steinitz (AUT), Johannes Zukertort (GER)

World Chess Championship 1886 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

World Chess Championship 1886

Wilhelm Steinitz, Austria

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World Chess Championship 1886 Sources

Sources for Quotes

General Sources

Photo Credits

Wilhelm Steinitz vs. Johannes Zukertort, 1886 World Championship Match
Wikimedia Commons: Unknown author (License: Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons
Date taken: 11 January 1886

Plaque commemorating Wilhelm Steinitz in Prague’s Josefov district
Photographer: Manka — Sculptor: Vladimír Oppl (2003) (License: CC BY 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons, Photo taken: August 26, 2007

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.