World Champion - William Steinitz

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There have been 14 official world champions in the history of chess within a period of more than 100 years. It started with William Steinitz, who won against Zuckerort in 1886 and then held the highest title in chess until 1894. Furthermore, Steinitz enjoyed (and still enjoys) the reputation as the founder of the general positional school, the basic principals of which have not lost their unrestricted validity until today. Applying them, Steinitz was far superior to his contemporaries in practical play. Thorsten Heedt’s biography features a comprehensive portrait of the first world champion. Prominent are the stations of his life – Prague, Vienna, London and finally (Philadelphia as well as New York) where Steinitz settled down. Naturally, also his 5 matches for the world championship are duly covered. Short texts about “appearance and constitution” as well as “character and manners” complete the picture of the first world champion.