I once read somewhere that there are three ways of becoming successful in a particular field:

– Be the first
– Be the best
– Be the only

Great people have managed to become the first, the best and the only simultaneously. In the context of chess players, Wilhelm Steinitz fits into this category perfectly.

He was the FIRST World Chess Champion in the history of the game.

He was the BEST chess player in the world for many years.

But most importantly, he was the ONLY player who believed there is more to chess than wild, attacking play – even though he started as a gifted tactician himself.

His contribution to the game is often underestimated. Steinitz single-handedly laid the foundation of the positional and strategical approach to the game. Even though he was theories were full of holes (a sign of times!) he believed firmly in his teaching.

He would often provoke his contemporaries (most notably Chigorin) into attacking him. Due to his somewhat dogmatic views, he suffered some defeats. But history showed that many of his principles, such as – an attack on the flank can succeed only with the central stability – were fundamentally correct.

In a way, he was the first hypermodernist, long before actual hypermodernists appeared. It would take a fighter like Emmanuel Lasker to finally bring him down – he lost his crown at the age of 58.

He was truly a great champion!

(If you like posts as these, check our complete list of Chess Birthdays )