World Chess Championship 1910

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November 8 – December 8 | ⭐Emanuel Lasker (Germany)


Reigning Champion: Emanuel Lasker

The 1st World Chess Championship 1910
Emanuel Lasker AI generated

Emanuel Lasker, the 2nd Official World Chess Champion since 1894, first claimed the title by defeating Wilhelm Steinitz. Before this second World Chess Championship 1910, Lasker had successfully defended his title in four previous matches:

This illustrious record highlighted Lasker’s ability to dominate a variety of opponents and cemented his legacy as one of the most adaptable and resilient champions in chess history.

«Janowski was brilliant in attack, but his weakness lay in his inability to defend.» — Emanuel Lasker

Challenger: Dawid Janowski

Dawid Janowski, a French player originally from Poland, was known for his sharp tactical style and aggressive approach. Janowski had previously faced Lasker in a 1909 exhibition match, which Lasker won convincingly. Despite this, Janowski’s consistent performances in international tournaments secured him a second chance to challenge Lasker for the world title. His preference for bold, attacking chess made him a formidable yet unpredictable opponent.

Match Overview

The second World Chess Championship of 1910 took place from November 8 to December 8 in Berlin. The match format was a «first to win eight games» structure, with draws not counting toward the total score. Lasker retained his title with a commanding score of 9.5–1.5 (+8, −0, =3), demonstrating complete dominance over Janowski.

Lasker’s strategy throughout the match was to steer games into slower, more controlled positions, effectively neutralizing Janowski’s aggressive style. This tactical approach not only highlighted Lasker’s superior understanding of positional chess but also exposed the limitations in Janowski’s often one-dimensional play.

Earlier Encounters

Lasker and Janowski had met on several occasions prior to this championship. Most notably, their 1909 exhibition match ended with a decisive victory for Lasker. These earlier games showcased Lasker’s ability to outmaneuver Janowski in both tactical and positional battles, setting the stage for the dominant performance in the 1910 championship.

Quotes and Insights

«The match with Janowski demonstrated once more why Lasker’s reign remains unparalleled.» — Garry Kasparov


Historical and Cultural Context

This match underscored the growing divide between Lasker and his challengers, as no player seemed capable of matching his adaptability and mental fortitude. Janowski’s struggles highlighted the importance of versatility in top-level chess, a quality Lasker epitomized. The second World Chess Championship of 1910 further cemented Lasker’s legacy as one of the most dominant champions in history.


Emanuel Lasker – Dawid Janowski: 9,5 – 1,5 (+8, −0, =3)


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


Game 11


Emanuel Lasker AI generated

The 2nd World Chess Championship 1910

Emanuel Lasker

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World Chess Championship 1910 | Lasker – Janowski | Games

Sources for Quotes

Lasker, Emanuel. «Reflections on the Janowski Match.» In My Chess Career, 1925.

Kasparov, Garry. «My Great Predecessors, Part I.» Everyman Chess, 2003.

Sources

All sources, image credits, and content attributions are available on the main World Chess Champions page.