Timeline of Wilhelm Steinitz, the first official World Chess Champion.
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Dashed left edge = started before this timeline ·
Dashed right edge = still ongoing
Wilhelm Steinitz 4
1866Steinitz defeats AnderssenClaims informal world championshipSteinitz defeated Adolf Anderssen 8-6 in London, widely regarded as making him the world's strongest player, though the title was not yet formally defined.
1873Steinitz introduces positional chessVienna tournament debut of new styleAt the Vienna tournament Steinitz unveiled his revolutionary positional approach, abandoning romantic attacking play. This moment marks the birth of modern chess strategy.
1886 – 1894Steinitz World Champion reignFirst official World Chess ChampionSteinitz defeated Johannes Zukertort 10-5 in the first official World Championship match, played across New York, St. Louis and New Orleans. He held the title until 1894.
1894Steinitz loses title to LaskerEnd of the Steinitz eraEmanuel Lasker defeated Steinitz convincingly in a match played across New York, Philadelphia and Montreal, ending Steinitz's 28-year reign as the world's best player.