Marshall Life and Games: The First American Challenger
Frank James Marshall was a World Championship challenger, and held the title of US Champion from 1909 to 1936. Below, I explore his life and games. Photo: Cleveland Public Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early life Frank James Marshall was born in 1877 in New York. He began playing chess […]
Lasker Life and Games: The Second Chess King
Emanuel Lasker was the second World Champion, and held the title for longer than anyone else: 27 years. Below, I explore his life and games. Photo: Cleveland Public Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early life Emanuel Lasker was born the youngest of four children in 1868 in Berlinchen, Germany, although […]
Gunsberg Life and Games: The Forgotten Challenger
Isidor Gunsberg was a world championship challenger and one of the strongest players of his time, but is largely forgotten today. Below, I explore his life and games. Photo: Cleveland Public Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early life Isidor Gunsberg was born in 1854 in Budapest, Hungary. His father taught […]
Chigorin Life and Games: The First Challenger
Mikhail Chigorin played two World Championship matches, in 1889 and 1892. Below, I explore his life and games. Photo: Cleveland Public Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early life Mikhail Ivanovich Chigorin was born in 1850 in Gatchina, Russia. His parents died when he was young, and so he was put […]
Zukertort Life and Games: Battle for the Crown
Johannes Zukertort was Steinitz’s opponent in the first ever official match for the world championship in 1886. Below, I explore Zukertort’s life and games. Photo: Cleveland Public Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of contents: Biography Early life Johannes Zukertort was born in 1842 in Lublin, Poland, although his family moved to the German […]
Steinitz Life and Games: The First World Champion
Wilhelm Steinitz, the first world champion, lived a fascinating life, and played even more fascinating games. Below, I explore both. Photo: Cleveland Public Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Table of Contents: Biography Early life Wilhelm Steinitz was born in Prague on 14 May 1836. He was the ninth child of 13 in his family, […]