Steinitz – Gunsberg World Championship Match 1890

dates: 9 December 1890–22 January 1891
location: New York, United States
score: 10½–8½ (Steinitz–Gunsberg)
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.

Isidor Gunsberg challenged Steinitz in a championship match that began in December 1890 and ended in January 1891. The article uses 1890 in its route to match the start year and the source archive. Gunsberg is the standard spelling of the challenger’s surname.

Gunsberg took an early lead, but Steinitz recovered and reached 10½ points in the nineteenth game. Steinitz won six games, Gunsberg four, and nine were drawn. The close 10½–8½ result was another successful defence for the first world champion.

All 19 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 – Gunsberg World Championship Match 1890 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	Points
Wilhelm Steinitz	½	1	½	0	0	1	1	½	½	1	½	0	1	½	½	0	½	1	½	10½
Isidor Gunsberg	½	0	½	1	1	0	0	½	½	0	½	1	0	½	½	1	½	0	½	8½

Each game column shows the score earned by that player. 1 = win, ½ = draw, 0 = loss. Points are out of 19.

Completed 0 / 19

Game 1: Game 1: a draw after 25 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Nc6 (ECO D35). The players drew after 25 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 25...Qa5. The running points score became ½–½ (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Isidor Gunsberg 1/2-1/2	World Championship 3rd	1890	25	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 2: Game 2: Steinitz wins in 39 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 4.c3 Bd7 (ECO C62). Wilhelm Steinitz won with Black after 39 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 39...Rb2+. The running points score became 1½–½ (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Isidor Gunsberg – William Steinitz 0-1	World Championship 3rd	1890	39	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 3: Game 3: a draw after 27 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.e3 Nf6 (ECO D31). The players drew after 27 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 27...Qd6. The running points score became 2–1 (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Isidor Gunsberg 1/2-1/2	World Championship 3rd	1890	27	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 4: Game 4: Gunsberg wins in 57 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 (ECO C50). Isidor Gunsberg won with White after 57 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 57.Kg1. The running points score became 2–2 (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Isidor Gunsberg – William Steinitz 1-0	World Championship 3rd	1890	57	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 5: Game 5: Gunsberg wins in 25 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 e5 4.dxe5 Qxd1+ (ECO D20). Isidor Gunsberg won with Black after 25 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 25...Rd3+. The running points score became 2–3 (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Isidor Gunsberg 0-1	World Championship 3rd	1890	25	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 6: Game 6: Steinitz wins in 43 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.e3 e6 3.Bd3 c5 4.b3 Nc6 (ECO D05). Wilhelm Steinitz won with Black after 43 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 43...Ng3+. The running points score became 3–3 (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Isidor Gunsberg – William Steinitz 0-1	World Championship 3rd	1890	43	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 7: Game 7: Steinitz wins in 28 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 (ECO E51). Wilhelm Steinitz won with White after 28 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 28.e6. The running points score became 4–3 (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Isidor Gunsberg 1-0	World Championship 3rd	1890	28	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 8: Game 8: a draw after 36 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 (ECO C54). The players drew after 36 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 36.Qd1. The running points score became 4½–3½ (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Isidor Gunsberg – William Steinitz 1/2-1/2	World Championship 3rd	1890	36	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 9: Game 9: a draw after 80 moves

The opening moves were 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.d4 e6 3.e3 c5 4.c4 d5 (ECO D30). The players drew after 80 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 80.Kf6. The running points score became 5–4 (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Isidor Gunsberg 1/2-1/2	World Championship 3rd	1890	80	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 10: Game 10: Steinitz wins in 43 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 (ECO C54). Wilhelm Steinitz won with Black after 43 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 43...Ne6. The running points score became 6–4 (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Isidor Gunsberg – William Steinitz 0-1	World Championship 3rd	1890	43	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 11: Game 11: a draw after 29 moves

The opening moves were 1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.c4 Be7 (ECO D40). The players drew after 29 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 29.a6. The running points score became 6½–4½ (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Isidor Gunsberg 1/2-1/2	World Championship 3rd	1890	29	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 12: Game 12: Gunsberg wins in 24 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 (ECO C52). Isidor Gunsberg won with White after 24 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 24.Rd1+. The running points score became 6½–5½ (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Isidor Gunsberg – William Steinitz 1-0	World Championship 3rd	1890	24	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 13: Game 13: Steinitz wins in 40 moves

The opening moves were 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.d4 e6 3.e3 Bb4+ 4.c3 Be7 (ECO D37). Wilhelm Steinitz won with White after 40 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 40.h4. The running points score became 7½–5½ (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Isidor Gunsberg 1-0	World Championship 3rd	1890	40	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 14: Game 14: a draw after 33 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 (ECO C52). The players drew after 33 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 33...Qb8. The running points score became 8–6 (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Isidor Gunsberg – William Steinitz 1/2-1/2	World Championship 3rd	1890	33	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 15: Game 15: a draw after 39 moves

The opening moves were 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.d4 e6 3.e3 b6 4.c4 Bb7 (ECO E14). The players drew after 39 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 39.Bd3. The running points score became 8½–6½ (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Isidor Gunsberg 1/2-1/2	World Championship 3rd	1890	39	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 16: Game 16: Gunsberg wins in 21 moves

The opening moves were 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 (ECO C52). Isidor Gunsberg won with White after 21 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 21.Ne4. The running points score became 8½–7½ (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Isidor Gunsberg – William Steinitz 1-0	World Championship 3rd	1890	21	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 17: Game 17: a draw after 56 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nf6 3.cxd5 Nxd5 4.e4 Nf6 (ECO D06). The players drew after 56 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 56...Rb1. The running points score became 9–8 (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Isidor Gunsberg 1/2-1/2	World Championship 3rd	1890	56	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 18: Game 18: Steinitz wins in 54 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 54 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 54...Rxc1. The running points score became 10–8 (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Isidor Gunsberg – William Steinitz 0-1	World Championship 3rd	1890	54	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 19: Game 19: a draw after 41 moves

The opening moves were 1.d4 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 Be7 (ECO D40). The players drew after 41 moves. The recorded continuation ends with 41...h5. The running points score became 10½–8½ (Steinitz–Gunsberg).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
William Steinitz – Isidor Gunsberg 1/2-1/2	World Championship 3rd	1890	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Sources and image credits

By IgniteChess Editorial Published 2026-10-13

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