Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Steinitz, William

STEINITZ, William (sty-nits), chess-player, b. in Prague, Bohemia, 17 May, 1836. He was educated in Prague, and finished his studies at the Polytechnic institute in Vienna. He gained the first prizes at several European tournaments, notably in London in 1872 and in Vienna in 1873. At the exhibition in Vienna in 1872 he tied for the prize. Since 1862 Mr. Steinitz has won all single-handed games against other famous players. In October, 1882, he came from London to New York, remaining until April, 1883, when he returned to England to participate in the London chess-tournament. In the autumn of 1883 he again came to this country, since which time the United States has been his permanent residence. From 1885 until the present time (1898) he has edited the “Chess Magazine,” published in New York city. In 1876 he published in London a pamphlet entitled “The Match between Messrs. Steinitz and Blackburn.” In his recent contest with Mr. Zukertort in New York city his best efforts, by contrast with the great memory and science of his opponent, displayed remarkable originality and fertility of invention.