Chess Archaeology HomeChess is a scientific game and its literature ought to be placed on the basis of the strictest truthfulness, which is the foundation of all scientific research.W. Steinitz

The Anderssen-Kolisch Match,
London 1861
Researched by Nick Pope

THE MATCH BETWEEN ANDERSSEN AND KOLISCH
    An unusual interest and activity at present prevail in the chess-playing resorts of the metropolis, owing to an unexpected visit from Herr Anderssen, who arrived in London at the close of last week.  We need hardly mention how welcome is his presence in our chess salons, and are happy to be able to add that the stalwart German is just as hearty as he was in 1851, looking scarcely any older, and quite ready and willing as ever to test his skill at any time, for any number of games, and against all comers.  Although enjoying very few opportunities for good practice in his favourite game, at Breslau, were he resides, Anderssen has already shown that his play cannot be said to have fallen off, and that when he chooses he can play every whit as well as of yore ; in proof of which we need only direct attention to the first game given below.  Soon after his arrival Anderssen played a few smart off-hand games with Mr Lowenthal, and with Mr Kolisch, with varying success ; but as these parties were confessedly rather “skittling” and unsteady, a short match was soon arranged by the ever-zealous and spirited London Chess Club, between Anderssen and the well-known practitioner Kolisch, who has now been resident some time on London.  The match was commenced on Tuesday last, the terms being simply that the games should take place daily, commencing at one o’clock, in the rooks of the London Chess Club, at Purcell’s, in Cornhill, and that the first winner of four games should be declared victor, and entitled to a prize of 10l., subscribed by the club.  The well-known prowess of both players has invested this trial of skill with the highest interest, which the admirable boldness and accuracy of the play on both sides, in the very first game of the match, has tended no little to enhance.  Mr Anderssen, we hear, remains in London till next Saturday, and if the match at the London Chess Club be concluded sufficiently soon to allow of it, a return match between the same players, for the first three games, will probably come off at Mr Ries’ great chess divan, in the Strand.  At the time of our going to press, the score gives to Mr Anderssen 2, Mr Kolisch 2.
The Field, London, 1861.07.27
HERR ANDERSSEN’S ARRIVAL IN LONDON.
    Our readers will perceive, with no small pleasure, that this distinguished German master has arrived in London, intending to remain here for a fortnight.  Herr Anderssen has already visited the various Chess Clubs in the metroplis [sic], and he is now engaged in a match with Herr Kolisch, at the London Chess Club, whose members, we are bound to say, never lose an opportunity of providing attraction at their rooms. The Committee, with that spirit and liberality which distinguish their management of the affairs of the Club, have offered a handsome prize to the winner.  The match will consist of seven games, the winner of the first four to be declared the victor.  By bringing about this interesting contest, the Committee of the London Chess Club will render a great service to Chess players, as the result of the encounter will satisfactorily establish how far Mr. Kolisch can lay claim to the high position which he has hitherto occupied.  This is the first set match in which he has ever engaged in this country with a player of first-rate reputation.
THE MATCH.
    The first game was played on the 25th [sic] ult., and was won by Herr Anderssen.  This is one of the most remarkable and interesting games which we have had the pleasure of examining for some time.  It exhibits, in a remarkable degree, the distinguishing characteristics of both players. While the play of the German master is full of dash and spirit, vigour and originality, constantly pushing forward to the attack, that of Herr Kolisch is deliberate, cautious and profound.  The fortunes of the players during the game were constantly varying.  Now Kolisch had the advantage—now Anderssen; and over and over again victory trembled so evenly in the balance that it was impossible to predict to which side it would eventually fall. It was a hardly-contested battle, no error of any importance having been committed by either player.  The two succeeding games were won by Herr Kolisch. It was admitted on all hands that these games were far inferior to the first.
    An additional feature of interest in this match was the introduction of a limitation of time for the moves.  Each player was allowed two hours for four-and-twenty moves.  The time was marked by a sand-glass.  This plan appeared to work well, and we hope to see it generally adopted on all future important occasions.  If this should come to pass, the London Chess Club will be able to claim the honour of having added a new and most beneficial law to the code of Chess.
    Herr Andersssen has paid a visit to the St. James’s Chess Club, and engaged in play with the president.  Herr Anderssen scored the odd game, winning two to Mr. Loewenthal’s one.  In a second encounter Mr. Loewenthal proved the victor.  Mr. Anderssen has also played at the Divan, with Mr. Burden and other amateurs.  We shall duly report his movements in our next.
The Dial, London, 1861.08.02
Match between Messrs. ANDERSSEN and KOLISCH
    Under the patronage of the London Chess Club a short contest, determinable by either party winning four games, has been arranged between the above noted players, and began on Tuesday.  Up to the time when we write six games have been played, Mr. Anderssen winning two, Mr. Kolisch winning three, and the sixth being drawn.  The following is the first game:—
The Illustrated London News, 1861.08.03

Kolisch,IF — Anderssen,KEA
 (1)
B40/04
Sicilian: Anderssen
1861.07.23
GBR London (London Chess Club)
Annotations by Boden, Löwenthal & Staunton
1.e4 c5
** Boden: Anderssen appears to have faith in this début still, for the whole of the opening is played with the utmost care.
2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Bd3 Nc6 6.Be3 d5 7.exd5 exd5 8.h3
** The following sequence is given in the gamescore published in The Dial; 8.0-0 Bd6 9.h3 h6. -[Pope]
8...h6 9.0-0 Bd6 10.Qf3
** Boden: 10.Qe2 was better probably, for the attack of Black’s c6-knight presently occasions White to lose a move in retreating.
Löwenthal: Up to this moment the opening is conducted with care and accuracy by both combatants.  This move, however, appears weak; it loses time.
Staunton: This appears to have been a lost move.
10...0-0 11.Nc3 Ne5
** Löwenthal: An excellent move, and finely conceived.  The effect will become apparent as the game advances.  The knight here occupies a most commanding position, both for attack and defense.  The feature of Anderssen’s play, that is most worthy of notice, is the excellence of his openings.  He invariably disposes his forces so as to be prepared for any emergency, and to take prompt advantage of the slightest error his adversary may commit.  The move in the text is a good illustration of our remark.
12.Qe2 a6 13.Rad1 Re8 14.Bf5
** Löwenthal: Finely played. The bishop is here advantageously placed.  The move retards the development of Black’s forces, and at the same time protects White from any aggression on the part of his adversary.
14...Bd7 15.Bxd7 Qxd7 16.Nf3
** Boden: Intending, apparently, to make Black’s isolated d-pawn a mark for attack.
16...Rad8
** Staunton: Up to this point the game presents no particularly interesting features.  Henceforward, however, it abounds in critical positions, and is admirably fought on both sides.
17.Kh1
** Löwenthal: The position here is one of great interest.  It is so complicated that the utmost skill is required for both attack and defense.
Staunton: Had he taken the d-pawn Anderssen would have won the exchange.
17...Bb8
** Boden: A move to which Anderssen is very partial.
Staunton: The ulterior importance of this move becomes apparent presently; its immediate object was, of course, to save the d-pawn.
18.Nxe5 Rxe5 19.f4 Ree8 20.Qd3 Qd6
** Löwenthal: At the first glance, playing 20...Nh5 seems to promise some advantage to Black.  Looking more closely, however, we find that on White’s replying 21.Bb6, he avoids all danger.
21.Bd4 Ne4
** Löwenthal: Upon examination, this will be found far superior to 21...Nh5.
22.Nxe4 dxe4 23.Qg3 Qf8
** Löwenthal: Anderssen, with his usual accuracy, selected the best move, having in view the advance of the f-pawn.
24.Qe3
** Staunton: Threatening to win the exchange by playing 25.Bc5.
24...f5 25.Rg1
** Löwenthal: An excellent move, the beginning of complicated positions.  In fact, from this point to the end, the game abounds in situations of remarkable interest.  The able manner in which the Hungarian conducted the game, against an adversary of preeminent qualities, entitles him to our highest praise.
Staunton: Preparatory to a bold and well-conducted attack upon the black king.
25...Rd7
** Löwenthal: A good retort; White’s contemplated maneuver is thereby rendered perfectly harmless.
26.Rdf1
** Löwenthal: In order to be enabled to advance the g-pawn with safety.
26...Rf7 27.g4
** Boden: From this point the game is played by both masters with the utmost boldness, determination, and precision; and through a series of positions of the most difficult possible class, their play is of the highest order.
27...fxg4 28.Rxg4 g5
** Staunton: As daring as it was unforeseen.
29.f5 Kh7
** Löwenthal: The position here is very instructive, and all this is well calculated by the German master.  Either 29...Rxf5, or 29...Qd6, would have involved Black in difficulties, extrication from which would have been impossible, because, had Black played in the first place 29...Rxf5, White would have replied, with great effect, 30.Qb3+, and if 29...Qd6, White would have rejoined with 30.Rxg5+, etc.
Staunton: He dared not take the pawn, as White would afterwards have checked with his queen at b3, with great advantage.
30.f6 Qd6
** Löwenthal: A move which causes White great distress.
31.Rf2 Qd5
** Löwenthal: Finely played again, it defends the pawn at e4, and at the same time opens the diagonal for the bishop, which is thus brought into active cooperation.
32.h4 Bf4 33.Qb3 Qd7
** Löwenthal: Exchanging queens would have been bad play; it would have abandoned the advantage in position already obtained by Black.
34.hxg5 Bxg5 35.Rh2 Rg8 36.Rxe4
** Löwenthal: This move loses an important pawn, but there seems no better play.
36...Rxf6
** Boden: It is long since we have seen anything finer than all these moves; White dare not take 37.Bxf6.
Staunton: Very fine, and equally sound.
37.Qd3
** Löwenthal: It is obvious that White dared not capture 37.Bxf6, on account of Black’s formidable reply, 37...Qd1+, etc.
Staunton: Had he ventured to take the rook he would have lost the game in a few moves, by Black playing 37...Qd1+, etc.
37...Rfg6
** Löwenthal: The play on both sides throughout this critical endgame will well repay the student for his time and labor in examining it.
38.Rg2 Qc6 39.Reg4 Re8 40.Kg1 Re1+ 41.Kf2 Rh1
** Löwenthal: Ingeniously conceived.  The move secured a speedy and successful termination.
42.Qe4
** Boden: Singularly enough, this move loses White the exchange, and costs Kolisch the game—of which, however, he has, notwithstanding, good reason to be proud.
Staunton: This loses White the exchange.
42...Qxe4 43.Rxe4 Bh4+
** The gamescore published in The Dial terminates here. -[Pope]
44.Rxh4
** Boden: If 44.Kf3, Black clearly gains a piece by playing 44...Rh3+, winning a rook.  Young students will perceive that in the closing position White has no chance of drawing with his bishop and pawns against the adverse rook and pawns.
44...Rxg2+ 45.Kxg2 Rxh4 0-1.
The Field, London, 1861.07.27
The Dial, London, 1861.08.02
The Illustrated London News, 1861.08.03

Anderssen,KEA — Kolisch,IF
 (2)
C01/12
French: Exchange
1861.07.24
GBR London (London Chess Club)
Annotations by Boden, Löwenthal & Staunton
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Bd3 Bd6 6.0-0 0-0 7.h3 h6 8.c4 c6 9.Nc3 Be6 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.Be3 Nc6
** Boden: The positions on the two sides are now perfectly similar.
Staunton: The opening has been played irreproachably up to this point; and, curiously enough, the disposition of the forces on one side is identical with that on the other.
12.Qd2 Re8
** Löwenthal: The game is well opened on both sides, the moves being made in strict accordance with the theoretical analysis laid down by the authors.
13.Rae1 Ne7 14.Ne5 Bf5 15.f4 Rc8 16.g4
** Boden: Now the game begins to assume a very interesting aspect; this move, together with the one following it, are quite in Anderssen’s artistic style.
16...Ne4 17.Qg2 Nxc3 18.gxf5 Ne4 19.Bxe4
** Löwenthal: Anderssen explained to us that he made this move without due deliberation, being of opinion that 19.f6 would have given him a fine game.
19...dxe4 
20.Qxe4
** Boden: By making this capture White gains a pawn, but subjects himself to a most harassing series of attacking moves from Black’s pieces.  We believe 20.f6 would have been far better.
Löwenthal: We believe that 20.f6, instead of the move in the text, would have led to at least an even game.
Staunton: Here Anderssen appears to have overshot his mark.  Instead of snatching at this pawn, he should have played 20.f6.
20...f6
** Boden: Black proceeds to take advantage of his situation in correct style, and all his moves, hereabouts, are most carefully considered.
** Löwenthal: Kolisch does not fail to take immediate advantage of his adversary’s weak play; Black’s position is now very superior, and with due care victory must be certain.
Staunton: This subjects White to a very embarrassing attack upon his queen, and ought to have been foreseen.
21.Ng4 Bb4
** Staunton: A good move preparatory to playing his knight to d5.
22.Re2 Nd5 23.Qd3
** Staunton: Is this move as good as 23.Qg2?
23...Kh8 24.Bc1
** Boden: White has now a most uncomfortable game to play.
Löwenthal: The best move under the circumstances.
24...Qd7
** Boden: At this juncture we believe Kolisch might also have played 24...Rxc1 25.Rxc1 Nxf4 26.Rxe8+ Qxe8 and have come off with the better game.
Staunton: He might here have taken 24...Rxc1, and then 25...Nxf4, and have had a fine game.
25.Rxe8+ Rxe8 26.Ne3 Ba5 27.a3 Nxe3 28.Bxe3 Bb6
** Staunton: Threatening 29...Rxe3, etc.
29.Bf2 Qd5 30.Kh2 Re4 31.Be3 Qxf5 32.b4
** Boden: Owing to Anderssen’s having a bad game, there is no opportunity for that high order of play which characterized the first contest.
32...Bc7
** Löwenthal: Played with Kolisch’s usual ability; after this move the game is irrecoverable.
33.d5 Rxf4
** Staunton: Cleverly played. White’s game is now past skill—almost past hope.
34.Qxf5 Rxf5+ 35.Kg2 Rxd5 36.Bxa7 Rg5+ 37.Kf2 Rg3 38.Rd1 Rxa3 39.Bc5
** Löwenthal: 39.Rd7 would have been unavailing, since Black would have replied with 39...Be5, and if White had then taken 40.Rxb7, Black would have rejoined with 40...Rxa7, and winning a piece.
39...b6 40.Be3 Rb3 41.Rd4 Be5 42.Rd8+ Kh7 43.Bxb6 Rxb4 44.Be3 Rb2+ 45.Rd2 Rxd2+
** The gamescore published in The Illustrated London News terminates here. -[Pope] 
46.Bxd2 Kg6
** The gamescore published in The Field terminates here. -[Pope]
47.Kf3 f5 48.Bb4 Kh5 49.Kg2 g5 50.Bd2 Kg6 51.Bc1 h5 52.Ba3 g4 53.Bc1 f4 54.Bd2 Kf5 55.Kf2 Ke4 56.Be1 g3+ 57.Kg1 f3 (...), 0-1.
The Field, London, 1861.07.27
The Dial, London, 1861.08.09
The Illustrated London News, 1861.10.26

Kolisch,IF — Anderssen,KEA
 (3)
B40/04
Sicilian: Anderssen
1861.07.25
GBR London (London Chess Club)
Annotations by Boden, Löwenthal & Staunton
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6
** Löwenthal: An excellent move; in fact, the best to counterbalance White’s attack of Nb5.
5.Bd3 Nc6 6.Be3 d5 7.exd5 exd5 8.0-0 Bd6 9.h3 h6 10.Nc3 0-0 11.Qd2 Re8 12.Rad1 Bc7 13.Rfe1
** Staunton: The opening on both sides is played with uncommon care.  In a match of greater scope White would probably have exchanged knights and then have taken the h-pawn, gaining a powerful though hazardous attack.
13...Qd6 14.Nf3 a6
** Boden: To prevent Nb5, and evidently intending to push 15...d4 next move.  Anderssen, however, ought to have played 14...d4 at once, compelling White to move 15.Nb5, and then, after the exchanges, it will be found that Black would have come off with considerably the better position and equal force.
Löwenthal: Played by Anderssen, no doubt, with the object of preventing White from playing Nb5.  The move, however, was a bad one, as the sequel shows.  The following variation would tend to show that Anderssen might have ventured on playing 14...d4, when the ensuing continuation would probably have occurred:— 14...d4 15.Qc1 (best; or 15.Nb5 dxe3 16.Nxd6 exd2 17.Rxe8+ Nxe8 18.Nxe8 Bf4 19.g3 Bb8 and the white knight has no escape) 15...dxe3 16.Bh7+ Kxh7 17.Rxd6 exf2+ 18.Kxf2 Rxe1 19.Qxe1 Bxd6  and Black remains with more than an equivalent for his queen.
Staunton: He ought rather, we think, to have played 14...d4.
15.Bxh6
** Löwenthal: Kolisch takes prompt advantage of Black’s weak play.
15...Rxe1+
** Boden: To this bold step Kolisch is, in a measure, driven by the threatened “fork” of the adverse d-pawn.
16.Rxe1 gxh6 17.Qxh6 Ne4
** Boden: It is difficult to find any move that looks better for Black at this juncture.
18.Qh5
** Löwenthal: The attack is well sustained by White, and the move made secures a speedy victory.
18...f5
** Boden: 18...Be6 was preferable here, as Anderssen himself observed afterwards.
Staunton: After this, Black’s position is indefensible.  His best play appears to be 18...Be6.  In any case, however, he would have had a difficult game.
19.Nxd5
** Boden: The termination is all capitally played by Kolisch.
Löwenthal: Finally conceived.
Staunton: Very well played.
19...Qxd5 20.Bxe4 Qd7 21.Bd5+ Kg7
** Staunton: Taking the bishop would have been equally disastrous.
22.Qg5+ 1-0.
** Boden: We may just observe, for the satisfaction of young players, that at the moment Black resigns White threatens to play 23.Qg8+, and 24.Re6+, winning the queen, etc.
The Field, London, 1861.08.03
The Dial, London, 1861.08.09
The Illustrated London News, 1861.08.10

Anderssen,KEA — Kolisch,IF
 (4)
A02/01
Bird
1861.07.26
GBR London (London Chess Club)
Annotations by Boden, Löwenthal & Staunton
1.f4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 c5 4.Bb5+ Nc6
** Löwenthal: A very bad move in principle, in fact, the loss of the game may be traced to this defense.
5.Bxc6+ bxc6
** Löwenthal: The two pawns on the c-file are both weak and unsupported.
6.c4
** Löwenthal: The correct move; White has thus early in the game obtained a very superior position.
6...Ba6 7.Na3 Bd6
** Löwenthal: It is obvious that 7...dxc4 instead would be of but little avail.
8.0-0 Nf6 9.b3 0-0 10.Bb2
** Staunton: The importance of this move in games of a close character is well exemplified in the present partie.
10...Ne8 11.Qc2
** Boden: All this game is played with the greatest care and judgment on Andressen’s part.
11...f5 12.Rae1 Nf6 13.Nb1 Qa5 14.Bc3 Qc7 15.d3 Rae8 16.Bb2 Nd7 17.Nbd2 e5 18.g3 d4
** Boden: Kolisch sacrifices a pawn or two here; and, against a less finished master, the open diagonal which he obtains for his a6-bishop would have been a full equivalent.
Staunton: The sacrifice of a pawn or pawns here was not judicious; but Kolisch seems to have grown impatient of defensive tactics, and determined at all risks to make an opening.
19.fxe5 Nxe5 20.Nxe5 Bxe5 21.Nf3 Bf6 22.exd4 cxd4 23.Bxd4 Bxd4+ 24.Nxd4 c5
** Boden: Tempting White to win the exchange with his knight, when Black would have moved 25...Qc6, and then 26...Bb7, but Anderssen is too wary to be springed.
25.Rxe8 Rxe8 26.Nxf5 Bb7
27.Qf2
** Boden: An unlooked for and beautiful move, which at once decides the game; if Black now play 27...Qc6, he either loses his queen or is mated by White’s moving 28.Ne7+.  From this point to the end White played in a style worthy of the master.
Staunton: Irresistible!  If in reply Black play the move he calculated on — 27...Qc6 — White wins at once by 28.Ne7+.
27...h6
** Löwenthal: Had Black played 27...Qc6, White would have won speedily, by replying with 28.Ne7+, etc.
28.d4
** Löwenthal: Played with Anderssen’s usual ability Black contemplated playing 28...Qc6, threatening mate, the move chosen was the best calculated not only to avert the danger but also to commence an embarrassing attack.
28...cxd4 29.Qxd4 Re2 30.Nxh6+ Kh7 31.Rf7 (...), 1-0.
The Field, London, 1861.08.03
The Illustrated London News, 1861.08.10
The Dial, London, 1861.08.16

Kolisch,IF — Anderssen,KEA
 (5)
C84/03
Spanish: Closed (Knight Attack)
1861.07.27
GBR London (London Chess Club)
Annotations by Boden, Löwenthal & Staunton
1.e4 e5
** Boden: An unusual luxury to find the second player in such a short match risking all the attacks contingent upon an “open game.”
2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6
** Staunton: How long are we to regret the want of some satisfactory defense to White’s third move? As we have repeatedly said, until one is found the second player in a short match is hardly warranted in playing 1...e5.
4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Nc3
** Boden: Played, doubtless, for variety, as being less hackneyed and well known than the customary lines of attack.  Nevertheless, we consider this move, in the present opening, to be a weak one; and, indeed, a few moves afterwards we find Anderssen “coming through the Ruy” with a secure and equal game.
6...b5
** Löwenthal: We do not approve of this line of play at this juncture.
7.Bb3 d6
** The following sequence is given in the gamescores published in The Dial and The Illustrated London News; 7...0-0 8.d3 d6. -[Pope]
8.d3 0-0 9.Be3 h6 10.Qd2 Kh8 11.Ne2
** Löwenthal: 11.Nd5 would also have been a good move.
11...Qe8 12.Ng3
** Löwenthal: With a splendid game.
12...Nh7
** Staunton: Fearing, probably, that his adversary would take the h-pawn.
13.Bd5 Rb8 14.Ne1 Bg5 15.f4 exf4 16.Bxf4 Ne7 17.Bxg5 Nxg5 18.Bb3 f5 19.Nf3 Nh7 20.Nh4 f4
** Staunton: This appears to have been the result of an erroneous calculation.
21.Rxf4 Rxf4 22.Qxf4 g5
** Boden: All Black’s ingenious combination to obtain this “fork” is worse than useless, for he clearly overlooks the resource which White has in the move made with his queen.
Staunton: Upon this move Black relied, apparently, when he sacrificed his f-pawn, overlooking the fact that White could save the piece by quietly retreating his queen to a square whence she might check the adverse king.
23.Qd2
** Boden: The winning move, and excellently played; threatening, if Black take 23...gxh4, to move 24.Qc3+, winning back the piece with a much better position.  He having previously calculated upon all this wins the present game for Kolisch.
Löwenthal: All this is admirably played by White; Black’s game is now very much compromised, his king very much exposed.
23...Qc6
** Staunton: It is obvious that had he taken the knight White would have won easily by 24.Qb3+.
24.Qf2
** Staunton: We should have preferred playing 24.Rf1.  If in answer Black took 24...gxh4, then by 25.Qxh6, and afterwards moving Rf7, White must have won in a few moves.  Indeed, after 24.Rf1, it looks very difficult for Black to avert immediate defeat.
24...Qb6
** Boden: Black has nothing better now; and with his king so fearfully exposed, and with the adverse knights so strongly planted, he can only make up his mind to an hour or so of hopeless struggling.
25.Qxb6 Rxb6 26.Nhf5 Bxf5 27.exf5 c5 28.Re1 Rb7 29.Re6
** Staunton: Good; but 29.Nh5 would, we believe, have been still better.  Kolisch, however, plays the ending very skillfully.
29...d5 30.f6 Nxf6 31.Rxf6 c4 32.dxc4 dxc4 33.Rxh6+ Kg7 34.Rxa6 cxb3 35.cxb3 Rc7 36.Re6 Kf7 37.Re5 Rc1+ 38.Kf2 Rc2+ 39.Re2 Rc5 40.Ne4 Rd5 41.Kg3 Nf5+ 42.Kf2 Kg6 43.Nc3 Rc5 44.b4 Rc4 45.Re6+ Kh5 46.Re4
** The gamescore published in The Illustrated London News terminates here. -[Pope]
46...Nd4 47.a3 Kg6 48.Ne2 1-0.
The Field, London, 1861.08.10
The Dial, London, 1861.08.16
The Illustrated London News, 1861.08.17

Anderssen,KEA — Kolisch,IF
 (6)
A02/01
Bird
1861.07.29
GBR London (London Chess Club)
Annotations by Boden, Löwenthal & Staunton
1.f4 f5
** Löwenthal: Anderssen holds this move to be the only safe one in this defense.  How far Anderssen is justified in assuming this assertion we are not prepared to say at present, because the analysis would require more time than we can bestow upon it. But Anderssen has no doubt based his opinion on a practical test of this defense, and so far we can place reliance in his judgment and skill.
2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Be2 Be7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3
** The following sequence is given in the gamescore published in The Field; 6.g3 b6 7.Ne5 Bb7 8.Bf3 c6 9.Bg2 Qc7 10.Nc3 d6 11.Nd3 Nbd7 12.Nf2 Rae8 13.Nh3 e5 14.b3 d5 15.Qe2 e4 16.Bb2. -[Pope]
6...b6 7.Ne5 Bb7 8.Bf3 c6 9.Nc3 Qc7 10.Bb2 d6 11.Nd3 Nbd7 12.Nf2 e5
** Staunton: Kolisch manages to advance his center pawns so judiciously as to relieve himself in a few moves from all the constraint the opening occasioned him.
13.g3
** Löwenthal: Necessary, in order to open a retreat for the f3-bishop.
13...Rae8 14.Qe2
** Staunton: In violation of the “wise saw” which admonishes you never to play your queen in front of an adverse rook, though the rook may be ever so much masked by intervening men.  But nice rules courtesy to great players.
14...d5 15.Nh3
** Löwenthal: Loosing valuable time, which against a player of Kolisch’s force, must prove more or less serious.
Staunton: White is beginning to suffer a little from the same sort of limitation under which his opponent labored in the outset.
15...e4 16.Bg2 Nc5
** Löwenthal: Very well played. Black’s game at this point looks much better than his antagonist’s.
Staunton: Threatening an ugly attack upon the queen by 17...Ba6.
17.Qd1 Ba6 18.Ne2
** Boden: Throughout the whole of this difficult game Anderssen has good need to take care, for be it remembered that at present he has only to lose one game to decide the match in favor of his antagonist.
18...Ne6
** Löwenthal: Kolisch plays all this with remarkable precision and skill.
19.Rc1 Qd7
** Löwenthal: On examination this will be found to be the means of deterring Black from advancing his c-pawn.
20.Nf2
** Löwenthal: It will be seen that the remarks we made on Anderssen’s 15th move are now corroborated by this one.
20...d4
** Löwenthal: The care and exactitude of calculation displayed nearly to the end of the game can hardly be exceeded.  This move is a very good one, and leads to highly interesting combinations.
21.exd4 Bxe2 22.Qxe2 Nxd4 23.Qc4+ Ne6 24.Rcd1 Nd5 25.Rfe1 Bf6 26.c3 Kh8 
** The following sequence is given in the gamescore published in The Field; 26...Qf7 27.Qe2 Kh8. -[Pope]
27.Qe2 Qf7
** Löwenthal: The game is here extremely complicated and difficult, and the greatest nicety of play is required.
28.d4 Rd8 29.Nd3
** Löwenthal: This looks promising; it is a combination which might no doubt have proved advantageous to may an amateur; but mark how admirably Kolisch turned the tables upon his opponent.
Staunton: Regardless of the clever combination Black has been maturing, and which results in the gain by him of a clear pawn.
29...Nxc3
** Löwenthal: This sacrifice is one of Kolisch’s brilliant conceptions.  It is as ingenious as it is sound.
Staunton: Kolisch is fairly entitled to all the honors of the play in this game, and they ought to have secured him those of victory as well.
30.Bxc3 Bxd4+
** Löwenthal: Taking 30...Nxd4 instead would have been bad play; because in that case White would have replied with 31.Bxd4 , and if Black then took 31...Bxd4+, White could have interposed 32.Nf2 and thus retained the piece.
31.Bxd4 Nxd4 32.Qf1 
** The following sequence is given in the gamescore published in The Field; 32.Qf2 exd3 33.Rxd3 c5 34.Rde3 Rde8 35.Re5 Rxe5 36.Rxe5 h6 37.Qe1. -[Pope]
32...exd3 33.Rxd3 c5 34.Rde3 Rde8 35.Re5 Rxe5 36.Rxe5 h6 37.Qe1 Qh5 
** The following sequence is given in the gamescore published in The Field; 37...Rd8 38.Re7 Qh5. -[Pope]
38.Re7 Rd8 39.Qe5 Qd1+ 40.Kf2 Qc2+
** Staunton: If 40...Ne6, White would have replied with 41.Bf3.
41.Kf1 Qb1+ 42.Qe1 
** The following sequence is given in the gamescore published in The Field; 42.Kf2 Qxa2+ 43.Kf1 Qb1+ 44.Qe1 Nxb3 45.Qxb1 Nd2+ 46.Ke1 Nxb1 47.Rxa7 Nc3 48.Bf3 b5 49.Rc7 c4 50.Rc5 Rb8 51.h3 Kg8 52.Rxf5 Nb1 53.h4 b4 54.Bd5+ (...), ½-½. -[Pope]
42...Nxb3
** Löwenthal: Followed up in splendid style.
Staunton: Another proof that the best play in this game is on the side of Black.
43.Qxb1
** Staunton: If he had taken the knight, it would evidently have cost him his queen for a rook and knight.
43...Nd2+ 44.Ke1 Nxb1 45.Rxa7 Nc3 46.Bf3 b5 47.Rc7 c4
** Löwenthal: We call the attention of the student to the position at this stage.  White’s game is utterly hopeless, and with but ordinary care on the part of Black victory is certain.  Kolisch, however, after conducting the game in a manner which commands the highest admiration, and after having obtained such an advantage in position as to render victory an easy matter, threw the game away.  His genius deserted him altogether.  In fact, the play is conducted in a manner totally at variance with what we should expect from a player like Kolisch.
48.Rc5 Rb8
** Staunton: Apprehensive of 49.a4.
49.a3 Kg8
** Löwenthal: To what end this move was directed we have not been able to discover.
Staunton: A pitiable error; when 49...Nb1 must have won the day.
50.Rxf5 Nb1
** Löwenthal: Making matters worse.
51.a4 b4 52.Bd5+ Kh8 53.Bxc4 b3 54.Rb5
** Löwenthal: We believe that 54.Bxb3 would have been a more scientific way of conducting the game, leading to the same result much more speedily.
54...Re8+ 55.Kf2 Na3 56.Rb4 Nxc4 57.Rxc4 Rb8 58.Rc1 Rb4 59.Rb1 Rxa4 60.Rxb3 
** The gamescore published in The Illustrated London News terminates here. -[Pope]
60...Ra2+ 61.Kg1 Kh7 ½-½.
The Field, London, 1861.08.10
The Dial, London, 1861.08.30
The Illustrated London News, 1861.09.14

Kolisch,IF — Anderssen,KEA
 (7)
B40/04
Sicilian: Anderssen
1861.07.30
GBR London (London Chess Club)
Annotations by Boden, Löwenthal & Staunton
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Bd3 Nc6 6.Be3 d5 7.exd5 exd5 8.0-0 Bd6 9.h3 h6 10.c4 0-0
** Boden: By taking White’s c-pawn, Black would have given his antagonist a very fine game.
11.Nc3 Be5 12.Nf3
** Boden: 12.Nce2 strikes us a being better play.
Staunton: As this involves the isolation of a pawn, he had better, possibly, have played 12.Nce2.
12...Bxc3
** Löwenthal: 12...d4 would not have been good play.  White would have rejoined with 13.Nxe5.
13.bxc3 Be6 14.cxd5 Nxd5 15.Qd2
** Boden: Menacing the same sort of attack as gained him a victory in the third game, by sacrificing his e3-bishop.
15...Qf6 16.Nd4 Ne5
** Löwenthal: This gives Black a good game.
17.Bc2 Rfd8
** Boden: Had Black played 17...Nc4 attacking the queen and bishop, White would have replied with 18.Qd3, winning a piece in a few moves.
Staunton: 17...Nc4 would have been imprudent, on account of White answering with 18.Qd3, etc.
18.Nxe6
** Boden: White’s knight stands so well at d4 that we should think it much better to keep him there than change him off.
Staunton: This is not a good move, as we shall presently see.
18...fxe6
** Staunton: We should have preferred playing 18...Nf4; for, suppose— 18...Nf4 19.Bd4 (any other move would be fatal to White) 19...Nf3+ (If, instead of this, Black play 19...Rxd4, his adversary’s best plan is to move 20.Qe3; for, should he take 20.Nxd4, Black must win the queen by playing 20...Qg5; and, if he take 20.cxd4, Black will first check with 20...Nf6+, then take 21...fxe6, and afterwards win easily) 20.Kh1 (If he take 20.gxf3, Black may take 20...Rxd4, and win) 20...Nxe6 21.Bxf6 Rxd2 and Black has much the better game.
19.Bd4
** Löwenthal: A slip which loses a valuable pawn.
19...Nxc3
** Boden: Beautifully played and evidently quite unforeseen by White.
Löwenthal: This seems to have been quite overlooked by White.
Staunton: A fine move; 19...Nf4, however would have been at least as effective.
20.Qxc3 Rxd4 21.Rae1
** Boden: The best move on the board; he would of course have lost his queen by capturing the rook.
Staunton: It is hardly necessary to show that he would have lost his queen by capturing, the rook.
21...Rc4 22.Qxe5 Qxe5 23.Rxe5 Rxc2 24.Rxe6 Rxa2
** Boden: Up to this point Anderssen’s play is excellent, but his next few moves are incorrect; for Kolisch might have drawn the game, but for the mistake of his 31st move.
25.Re7 b5 26.Rc1 Rf8 27.Rcc7 Rfxf2 28.Rxg7+ Kf8 29.Rxa7 Rxg2+ 30.Rxg2 Rxa7 31.Rg6
** Löwenthal: What a mistake, and in a match game!  But for this error the game must have been drawn.
31...Rg7 0-1.
The Field, London, 1861.08.17
The Dial, London, 1861.08.23
The Illustrated London News, 1861.08.24

Anderssen,KEA — Kolisch,IF
 (8)
B20/01
Sicilian: Philidor
1861.07.31
GBR London (London Chess Club)
Annotations by Boden, Löwenthal & Staunton
1.e4 c5 2.Bc4 e6 3.Nc3 a6 4.a4 Nc6 5.d3 Nge7 6.Bf4
** Löwenthal: The best mode of bringing the bishop into active operation.
6...d5 7.Ba2
** Boden:  7.Bb3, as appears from the sequel, would have been better.
7...Ng6 8.Bg3 Nb4 9.Bb3
** Löwenthal: It would now appear that White’s 7th move was not a good one; he should then have retreated the bishop to b3, instead of a2.
9...Bd6 10.Nge2 0-0 11.0-0 Bb8 12.f3
** Staunton: The opening is played on both sides very timidly, which is not surprising when victory depends on either party winning only four games.
12...Kh8
** Löwenthal: Kolisch, no doubt, intended to advance the f-pawn; the move in the text facilitated that object, since the commanding diagonal of White’s f-pawn might have become embarrassing.
13.a5 d4 14.Nb1 f5 15.Nd2 f4 16.Be1 Bc7 17.Nc4 Nc6 18.Bd2 Qg5 19.Kh1 Qh5
** Boden: Kolisch is now commencing an attack which promises to prove a terribly strong wrong one; the present move is preparatory to doubling the action of queen and f8-rook upon White’s h-pawn.
20.Rf2 Rf6 21.Qg1
** Staunton: Foreseeing where the pressure will be ’ere long.
Löwenthal: Anderssen’s game was not a good one, Black having already obtained a very superior and attacking position; it therefore required great accuracy and correctness in the defense, by which alone immediate danger could be averted.  The move adopted by White, followed by the next series, was the best under the circumstances.
21...Bd7
** Staunton: 21...Nh4 would perhaps have been better play.
22.g3 fxg3 23.Nxg3 Qh3 24.Qf1 Qh4
** Boden: Threatening to take 20...Bxg3.
25.Qg1 Raf8 26.Raf1
26..Qh3
** Löwenthal: Black has failed to profit by the fine position he had so ably obtained, he should have played 26...Nge5; had that move been made Black would have acquired a decided superiority in position.  Let us suppose — 26...Nge5 27.Qg2 (If 27.f4 Ng4 winning, at least, a pawn; 27.Nxe5 would not have led to any better result) 27...Rg6 28.Nxe5 (we see no better move) 28...Nxe5 29.f4 (the only move, as Black threatens ...Nxd3, and then ...Rxg3) 29...Ng4 30.Rf3 (best) 30...Rh6 with a winning position.
27.Ba4
** Boden: White defends himself with great skill throughout a difficult game; he wisely prepares to cut off Black’s d7-bishop, which would otherwise ultimately have proved a thorn in his side.
Löwenthal: The best move to prevent the combination just indicated.
27...Nce5 28.Bxd7
** Löwenthal: Getting rid of Black’s d7-bishop, which threatened to become a dangerous auxiliary to Black’s future operations.
28...Nxd7 29.b4
** Löwenthal: Very well played; it breaks up the force of the advanced pawns.
29...Nde5 30.Nxe5 Nxe5 31.Qg2 Qxg2+ 32.Kxg2 cxb4 33.Bxb4 Rc8 34.Rb1 Nc6 35.Bd2 Rb8 36.Ra1 Rff8 37.f4
** Staunton: White has pretty well overcome his difficulties now, but at one period the attack on his king’s quarters looked very serious, and, had it been well followed up, might have proved so.
37...g6 38.c4 dxc3 39.Bxc3+ Kg8 40.Ne2 Rf7
** Boden: The latter part of this game is not particularly well played on either side; for Kolisch, after acquiring the better position with a pawn more, as will be seen, only draws after all.
41.d4 Rbf8 42.e5 Rd8 43.Kf3
** The following sequence is given in the gamescores published in The Field and The Illustrated London News; 43.Ng3 Rd5 44.Ne4 Bxa5 45.Bxa5 Rxa5 46.Rxa5 Nxa5 [Staunton: Black, with a pawn more than his adversary, and with two passed pawns, has apparently the advantage, but he plays the ending, as he played the beginning, with little of his usual spirit.] 47.Nc3 Rc7 48.Na4 Rc4 49.Nc5 Kf7 50.Rb2 b5 [Staunton: The better course, we apprehend, would have been to take the d-pawn, and then play 51..Nc4.] 51.Nxa6 Nc6 52.Rd2 b4 53.Nc5 Nxd4 [Staunton: After this the game was prolonged for several moves, and finally terminated as a drawn battle.]
43...Rd5 44.Ke4 Bxa5 45.Bxa5 Rxa5 46.Rxa5 Nxa5 47.Nc3 Rc7 48.Na4 Rc4 49.Nc5 Kf7 50.Rb2 b5 51.Nxa6 Nc6 52.Rd2 b4 53.Nc5 Nxd4 54.Rxd4 Rxc5 55.Rxb4 Rc7 (...), ½-½.
The Field, London, 1861.08.17
The Illustrated London News, 1861.08.24
The Dial, London, 1861.08.30

Kolisch,IF — Anderssen,KEA
 (9)
A02/01
Bird
1861.08.01
GBR London (London Chess Club)
Annotations by Boden & Staunton
1.f4 f5
** Staunton: In this opening the second player, perhaps, does better in replying 1...d5.
2.Nf3 e6 3.e3 Nf6 4.Be2 Be7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 d6 7.Bb2 c5
** Boden: Anderssen has a knack of varying these dull openings, which evinces the ingenuity of a master.
8.h3
** Staunton: The primary cause, apparently, of Kolisch’s subsequent difficulties.
8...Nc6 9.c4 Ne4
** Boden: This is beautifully played; the knight threatens to move next to g3, which Kolisch must prevent, and afterwards, as will be seen, Anderssen gives his adversary no time to dislodge the knight, but compels him at once to play d4.
10.Kh2 Bf6
** Staunton: Very well conceived. Play as he may, White must now get a constrained position.
11.d4 cxd4 12.exd4 Bd7 13.Na3
** Boden: This is a bad move, and appears even to cause the loss of so much time as to involve the game. Why not move 13.Nc3?
13...Qe8 14.Nb5 Qg6 15.Qe1 Qh6 16.Bd3
** Staunton: Well played; if Black now capture 16...Qxf4+, his queen will be driven back by 17.g3, and White can then take 18.Bxe4, and win a pawn in return for the one sacrificed.
16...a6 17.Na3
** Boden: He evidently cannot retreat 17.Nc3 without losing his d-pawn.
17...Be8
** Boden: Black seizes the right moment for bringing this bishop into effective service.  By taking 17...Qxf4+, he could not win a pawn, as White would cover 18.g3, and then, on the queen retreating, take 19.Bxe4, etc., regaining the pawn.
Staunton: This bishop now becomes a formidable auxiliary in Black’s attack.
18.Nc2 d5 19.g3 Bh5 20.Ne5 Be7
** Boden: Intending to take 21...Nxe5, and then push 22...g5; but it so happens that, on his very next move, Kolisch makes a slip which enables Anderssen to obtain a winning position with this bishop, deciding the game and the match at a blow.
Staunton: The object of this move was to take 21...Nxe5, and then throw forward 22...g5; but White’s next step—a manifest slip—enables Black to turn the move to much more account than he had reckoned on.
21.Ne3
** Staunton: The fatal consequence of this move are so obvious that it is amazing they were not foreseen.
21...Bb4 22.Qc1
** Boden: If 22.Qb1, he loses the exchange, and gets a bad game.
Staunton: He had nothing better left.
22...Bd2 23.Qc2 Nxe5
** Boden: Foreseeing that, if 23...Bxe3, White will take 24.Nxc6, and then move 25.Rae1, regaining the piece, as Black’s bishop would have no escape; nevertheless, we are not certain that the mode of play rejected would not have been a certain road to victory, as he would have had time to obtain an irresistible attack on White’s king.
Staunton: Had he taken 23...Bxe3, White would first have captured 24.Nxc6, and then have played 25.Rae1, winning the bishop.
24.Bxe4
** Boden: All these positions are extremely difficult, and Kolisch plays admirably to avoid the loss of a piece, but to regain the lost ground is impossible.
24...fxe4
** Boden: The right move; had Black instead taken 24...Bxe3, White would have retreated 25.Bg2—and if Black retire with 25...Nc6, White plays 26.Qd3, winning back the bishop.
Staunton: Suppose 24...Bxe3 25.Bg2 Nc6 26.Qd3, etc.
25.Qxd2 Nf3+ 26.Rxf3 Bxf3 27.cxd5 exd5 28.Nxd5 Rad8 29.Ne3 Rd6
** Boden: Threatening mate in two moves, by 30...Qxh3+, and 31...Rh6#.
Staunton: A terrible advance, by which Black threatens to take the h-pawn with his queen, and mate next move.
30.h4 Rxf4
** Staunton: Quite sound; if White take it he will be mated in a very short time.
31.Qe1 Rg6
** Staunton: Good again.
32.Bc1
** Boden: Now Anderssen announced mate in five moves.
Staunton: After this step Anderssen announced that he should give checkmate in five move.
32...Rxh4+ 33.gxh4 Qf4+ 34.Kh3 Bg2+ 35.Nxg2 
** The gamescore published in The Field terminates here. -[Pope]
35...Qf3+ ( # in 1), 0-1.
The Field, London, 1861.08.24
The Illustrated London News, 1861.08.31

MATCH BETWEEN ANDERSSEN AND KOLISCH.
    This match was concluded on Thursday, the 1st inst., the victory falling to Herr Anderssen.  Final score;—Herr Anderssen, 4; Herr Kolisch, 3; drawn, 2.  The contest excited immense interest throughout, and particularly near the close, when each combatant had won three games. The rooms were well attended on each day by members and visitors, who followed the moves with the greatest interest and attention.  As we have previously stated, it was not merely a question whether Mr. Anderssen or Mr. Kolisch was the better player, but the result was looked forward as a gauge of Mr. Kolisch’s ability to contend with Mr. Morphy.  Whether, in this contest, Mr. Kolisch exhibited such an amount of skill and ability as would warrant the hope of his being successful against the American player, we must leave those who witnessed and perused the games to determine.  We must say, however, that both gentlemen exerted themselves to the utmost of their ability to play their best.  At the conclusion of the match, Herr Anderssen was warmly congratulated, and Herr Kolisch was much complimented on the able manner in which he conducted the contest.  The games, taken collectively, are the most interesting we have seen for some time.
The Dial, London, 1861.08.09
Match between Messrs. ANDERSSEN and KOLISCH.
    The joust between these distinguished players has terminated—Mr. Anderssen winning four games, his opponent three, and two having been drawn. The result is not satisfactory.  We are glad, of course, to obtain even a few games contested by such masters, but it is not by a few games that the superiority of either can be fairly established, and that really was what we wanted to see.  If Mr. Anderssen or Mr. Kolisch had won the first four games without his opponent scoring one, that fact, in the absence of any remarkable disparity in the skill displayed by the two combatants, would not have sufficed to prove that the victor was a better player,—teste a dozen instances where the winner of the first few games has afterwards been signally defeated,—à fortiori, the difference of a single game between them ought not to be considered to have settled the question. Our own opinion is that Mr. Anderssen in his best day attained a much higher eminence than Mr. Kolisch has ever reached; but we cannot admit that the result of the present brief encounter proves that he is a stronger player at this time.  Let another match be arranged between them of some forty or fifty games.  Mr. Anderssen may not be able to play it here, but Mr. Kolisch can easily go to Breslau; and when that fair trial has taken place it will not be difficult to pronounce definitively upon their relative capabilities.  Till then, we take leave to reserve judgment.
The Illustrated London News, 1861.08.10
    MESSRS. ANDERSSEN AND KOLISCH’S MATCH.—M. St. Amant, publishes the following sketch in the Sport:—“During a late visit to London, towards the end of July, we witnessed at the City Chess Club a very interesting match between M. Kolisch and M. Anderssen.  The latter gentleman, Professor of Mathematics in the University of Breslau, had availed himself of his yearly vacation to make a trip to London in order to try his strength with M. Kolisch, who had become the terror of chess-players on the banks of the Thames, and whom the laurels of the admirable Morphy also prevent from sleeping.  These able players, both Germans, began by a skirmish of four games, the honours of which were equally divided, and then, in order to decide a more serious match, the prize for which (10 guineas) was subscribed by the members of the club, they began a series of games, in which he who should first gain four was to be declared the victor.  After various alternations of loss and gain, as well as drawn games, hough only one game was played each day, beginning at noon precisely, the score on the 1st inst. showed the following result:— Two drawn games, three games won by M. Kolisch, and four by M. Anderssen, who was consequently declared the winner.  Though Kolisch was beaten by losing the last game (which ended by an announced checkmate in five moves), he is young, and has plenty of time to take his revenge against the veteran Anderssen, who this time bravely came to challenge him, and displayed great skill, especially in the two concluding games, which he gained rapidly, having previously appeared somewhat inferior to this antagonist.  The games played were certainly fine ones, though often disparaged by mistakes unworthy of such able champions, and they also showed a feeling of mutual apprehension.  What particularly pleased us in this match was an innovation, a real progress, without which it is no longer possible to undertake a serious struggle.  This innovation, which we have always advocated in the Palamède, and still more recently in the Sport, consists in fixing a maximum of time for the moves; for it is necessary that a game should not be interminable, and that the conditions should be equal for both parties, which they were not when one of the players was allowed by intentional slowness to weary out the patience and faculties of his antagonist.  As long ago as 1836 (see Palamède, t. 1, p. 189), we ourselves were authorised to propose to the English, in the name of Deschapelles (our illustrious and regretted master), on the occasion of his challenge, to establish a measure of time.  The practical means of execution selected was the hourglass of old Saturn, which we borrowed from the mythological deity to recommend it for adoption by our insular neighbours, who take for their device, ‘Time is money.’ A quarter of a century has elapsed before our idea had prevailed, simple and excellent as it is.  The London Chess Club has now adopted the emblem of the fabled god, and we found Kolisch and Anderssen separated by two gigantic clypsedras, or rather sand-glasses, each made to measure the space of two hours.  While the sand is running through, the player is bound to make twenty-four moves, which gives an average of five minutes for each; but the player is at liberty to give more or less time to any move he pleases, provided the twenty-four moves are made in 120 minutes.  We are happy to state that this first trial was most satisfactory.  The two antagonists, though a little moved at first on account of this sword of Damocles suspended over their combinations, soon got used to it, and not the slightest inconvenience was experienced. Seeing that a great many moves, especially at the opening, may be played rapidly, as much as half an hour, or even an hour, may be taken for a decisive move at the close.  In the match we have just witnessed, the shortest game took two hours and the longest seven.”
The Field, London, 1861.08.10
    A few remarks on this highly interesting trial of skill may be acceptable to some of our readers.  Although Kolisch was defeated, the match was so closely contested (4 to 3, with 2 draws), that the score cannot be taken as deciding the relative powers of the two players. Undoubtedly a match of at least twenty-one games is necessary to enable us to form a judgment as to skill, from the number of the games lost and won on each side.  Judging from the games themselves, however, we are inclined to consider Anderssen at present decidedly the more finished and accomplished player.  This is quite natural, and incident to an experience longer by some twenty years than that of Mr Kolisch.  As, however, the latter is yet quite a young player (of only twenty-three years of age we believe), there is every probability that a continuance of play with such a master as Anderssen would render him at least equal to his late victor.  Mr Kolisch’s play evidences great confidence, keen research, and immense tenacity, but is inferior in discipline, systematic connection, and caution to that of Anderssen.  We may observer that the last-mentioned player is acknowledgedly the quicker, and that the admirable time-limitation used in this match (twenty moves to two hours) is said to have told rather against Mr Kolisch, who may nevertheless play as readily as his opponent did when he has had half his experience.  On the whole the late match has produced very instructive, excellent, and valuable games, and has clearly proved, were there only the first and fourth games, that the German master is in the full possession of his very best play whenever he chooses to exert himself, and that he had full need of it against such a formidable antagonist.
The Field, London, 1861.08.24

[Archive] [Excavations] [Gallery] [Journal] [Library] [Links] [Legend] [Market]
© 1999-2023 Jacques N. Pope. All Rights Reserved.