WITH 64 FIELDS: War and Peace in Baden-Baden

A series of curiosities marked the Baden-Baden tournament in 1870…

It was the first international tournament held in Germany, but also the last major tournament he won. Andersen. On the other hand, in this tournament, the current world champion Vilhelm Štajnic had to settle for 2nd place, half a point behind Andersen, while the English chess player Blackburn with a high ranking - a split of third and fourth place - he signaled his breakthrough into the very top of world chess.

And the most interesting thing - during the tournament the Franco-Prussian War broke out, which affected the French players - Star withdrew immediately after the tournament began, and Rozental surrendered two games without a fight.

…From the tournament Baden-Baden In 1870, we broadcast an exciting duel between Štajnica and Paulsen in which the current champion celebrated.

VIENNA PARTY

STAJNIC - L. PAULSEN

BADEN-BADEN, 1870.

COMMENTS: VM. D. BRONŠTJN

1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 ef4 4.d4 Qh4+ 5.Ke2 d6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.Bxf4 0-0-0 8.Ke3

Let's stop at the position after the eighth move of White Ke3. Black, in accordance with the traditions of the classical school, went on the attack from the first moves. However, Steinitz realized that the king can remain in the center if the pawn center is strong. At the same time, he begins to pursue the opponent's queen, which came out too early.

8..Dh5 9.Le2 Da5 10.a3

Contrary to the principles of the Morphy-Andersen school, Stajnic is in no hurry to introduce rooks into play, but continues to harass the opponent's queen.

10..Lxf3 11.Kxf3 Dh5+ 12.Ke3

The king is the active piece and remains in the center.

12..Dh4 13.b4

Štajnic does not introduce the rook on f1! The opponent does not realize it. From b4 he develops a second wing and prepares his own attack.

13…g5 14.Lg3 Dh6 15.b5 Sce7 16.Tf1

He predicted that the d4 point could become a weakness in his position, so he strengthened the protection against the f5 flank attack.

16…Sf6 17.Kf2 Sg6 18.Kg1

Having secured the center, he moves the king to a safe place and frees the other pieces from worrying about its protection.

18..Dg7 19.Dd2

Let's look at the situation after White's 19th move. After an unusual start where he showed how the king could become an active piece, Steinitz reached a completely modern position with an advantage.

19..h6 20.a4 Tg8 21.b6

The opponents are preparing an attack on opposite wings. White arrives first.

21…ab6 22.Rxf6

Steinitz begins a dazzling attack in the style of Morphy and Andersen.

22…Dxf6 23.Lg4+ Kb8 24.Sd5 Dg7 25.a5 f5 26.ab6 cb6 27.Sxb6 Se7 28.ef5 Df7 29.f6

Steinitz leads the attack with ease – it was a matter of technique for him.

29..Sc6 30.c4 Sa7 31.Da2 Sb5

Black surrenders.