Steinitz – Chigorin World Championship Match 1892

dates: 1 January–28 February 1892
location: Havana, Cuba
score: 12½–10½ (Steinitz–Chigorin)
winner: Wilhelm Steinitz

Wilhelm Steinitz in a historical portrait by Fritz Schumann. The portrait is not identified as a photograph from this match. Photo: Fritz Schumann / Cleveland Public Library, via DPLA.

Steinitz and Chigorin returned to Havana for their second World Championship match. Between their two title meetings they had also contested an Evans Gambit cable match. The rematch again produced a close struggle.

The championship remained unsettled after the original twenty-game schedule. Steinitz won games 22 and 23 and finished with ten wins, eight losses and five draws. The conventional points total was 12½–10½.

All 23 played games appear below in match order. The game records preserve the archive’s player names, round numbers and dates, including unknown date components. Select either player in the embedded trainer to work through the decisions from that side. A drawn game remains a complete exercise for both players.

Wilhelm Steinitz's Profile

Match results

Steinitz – Chigorin World Championship Match 1892 final standings and game-by-game scores
Player	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	Game 21	Game 22	Game 23	Points
Wilhelm Steinitz	0	½	½	1	½	1	0	0	½	0	1	0	1	1	0	1	0	1	0	1	½	1	1	12½
Mikhail Chigorin	1	½	½	0	½	0	1	1	½	1	0	1	0	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	½	0	0	10½

Each game column shows the score earned by that player. 1 = win, ½ = draw, 0 = loss. Points are out of 23.

Completed 0 / 23

Game 1: Game 1: Chigorin wins in 31 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 (ECO C52). Mikhail Chigorin won with White after 31 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 31.Rxf5+. The running points score became 0–1 (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Chigorin – William Steinitz 1-0	World Championship 4th	1892	31	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 2: Game 2: a draw after 32 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 d6 (ECO C65). The players drew after 32 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 32.Rxf3. The running points score became ½–1½ (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Mikhail Chigorin 1/2-1/2	World Championship 4th	1892	32	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 3: Game 3: a draw after 32 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 (ECO C52). The players drew after 32 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 32...Re8. The running points score became 1–2 (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Chigorin – William Steinitz 1/2-1/2	World Championship 4th	1892	32	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 4: Game 4: Steinitz wins in 28 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 d6 (ECO C65). Wilhelm Steinitz won with White after 28 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 28.Qxd4+. The running points score became 2–2 (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Mikhail Chigorin 1-0	World Championship 4th	1892	28	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 5: Game 5: a draw after 55 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 (ECO C52). The players drew after 55 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 55.Kxf5. The running points score became 2½–2½ (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Chigorin – William Steinitz 1/2-1/2	World Championship 4th	1892	55	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 6: Game 6: Steinitz wins in 47 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 (ECO C59). Wilhelm Steinitz won with White after 47 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 47.c6. The running points score became 3½–2½ (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Mikhail Chigorin 1-0	World Championship 4th	1892	47	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 7: Game 7: Chigorin wins in 28 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 (ECO C52). Mikhail Chigorin won with White after 28 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 28.Rg1. The running points score became 3½–3½ (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Chigorin – William Steinitz 1-0	World Championship 4th	1892	28	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 8: Game 8: Chigorin wins in 24 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 (ECO C58). Mikhail Chigorin won with Black after 24 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 24...Nxd1. The running points score became 3½–4½ (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Mikhail Chigorin 0-1	World Championship 4th	1892	24	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 9: Game 9: a draw after 34 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 (ECO C52). The players drew after 34 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 34.h4. The running points score became 4–5 (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Chigorin – William Steinitz 1/2-1/2	World Championship 4th	1892	34	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 10: Game 10: Chigorin wins in 30 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 (ECO C58). Mikhail Chigorin won with Black after 30 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 30...Ne7. The running points score became 4–6 (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Mikhail Chigorin 0-1	World Championship 4th	1892	30	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 11: Game 11: Steinitz wins in 45 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 4.Nc3 Bd7 (ECO C62). Wilhelm Steinitz won with Black after 45 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 45...Rh3+. The running points score became 5–6 (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Chigorin – William Steinitz 0-1	World Championship 4th	1892	45	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 12: Game 12: Chigorin wins in 26 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 (ECO C59). Mikhail Chigorin won with Black after 26 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 26...e3+. The running points score became 5–7 (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Mikhail Chigorin 0-1	World Championship 4th	1892	26	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 13: Game 13: Steinitz wins in 38 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 (ECO C52). Wilhelm Steinitz won with Black after 38 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 38...Re1+. The running points score became 6–7 (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Chigorin – William Steinitz 0-1	World Championship 4th	1892	38	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 14: Game 14: Steinitz wins in 33 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 d6 (ECO C65). Wilhelm Steinitz won with White after 33 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 33.Kxf2. The running points score became 7–7 (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Mikhail Chigorin 1-0	World Championship 4th	1892	33	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 15: Game 15: Chigorin wins in 47 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 (ECO C52). Mikhail Chigorin won with White after 47 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 47.Qxd5. The running points score became 7–8 (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Chigorin – William Steinitz 1-0	World Championship 4th	1892	47	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 16: Game 16: Steinitz wins in 38 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 (ECO C77). Wilhelm Steinitz won with White after 38 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 38.Rd8. The running points score became 8–8 (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Mikhail Chigorin 1-0	World Championship 4th	1892	38	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 17: Game 17: Chigorin wins in 39 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 (ECO C52). Mikhail Chigorin won with White after 39 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 39.Qg8+. The running points score became 8–9 (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Chigorin – William Steinitz 1-0	World Championship 4th	1892	39	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 18: Game 18: Steinitz wins in 39 moves

The opening moves were 1.Nf3 f5 2.d4 e6 3.c4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Be7 (ECO A85). Wilhelm Steinitz won with White after 39 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 39.Qxg7+. The running points score became 9–9 (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Mikhail Chigorin 1-0	World Championship 4th	1892	39	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 19: Game 19: Chigorin wins in 32 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Qh4 (ECO C45). Mikhail Chigorin won with White after 32 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 32.Rxb4. The running points score became 9–10 (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Chigorin – William Steinitz 1-0	World Championship 4th	1892	32	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 20: Game 20: Steinitz wins in 41 moves

The opening moves were 1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.c4 Be7 (ECO D37). Wilhelm Steinitz won with White after 41 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 41.Nxe6. The running points score became 10–10 (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Mikhail Chigorin 1-0	World Championship 4th	1892	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 21: Game 21: a draw after 47 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 exf4 4.d4 Qh4+ (ECO C25). The players drew after 47 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 47.Ke3. The running points score became 10½–10½ (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Chigorin – William Steinitz 1/2-1/2	World Championship 4th	1892	47	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 22: Game 22: Steinitz wins in 49 moves

The opening moves were 1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 e6 3.c4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Be7 (ECO D55). Wilhelm Steinitz won with White after 49 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 49.Qxh5+. The running points score became 11½–10½ (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Mikhail Chigorin 1-0	World Championship 4th	1892	49	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 23: Game 23: Steinitz wins in 32 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e5 Nh5 (ECO C34). Wilhelm Steinitz won with Black after 32 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 32...Rxh2+. The running points score became 12½–10½ (Steinitz–Chigorin).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Mikhail Chigorin – William Steinitz 0-1	World Championship 4th	1892	32	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Sources and image credits

By IgniteChess Editorial Published 2026-10-13

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