Johannes Zukertort

Johannes Hermann Zukertort was born on September 7, 1842 in Lublin. He was a leading Polish-Jewish chess master. He enrolled at the University of Breslau in 1861 to study medicine, but he never qualified. However, while he was there, he met the leading chess player Adolf Anderssen and studied with him. He finally defeated him in a match in 1871. In 1872 he moved to London where he played Wilhelm Steinitz. He lost to Steinitz 9-3.

He excelled at playing while blindfolded. In 1876, he played 16 games simultaneously while blindfolded. He won 12 and only lost 1. In 1878 he won the international tournament in Paris. In the international tournament in London in 1878, he defeated nearly every leading player in the world. After this, he was widely regarded as the unofficial World Champion, with Steinitz second.

From January 11 to March 29 1886, he played what is generally regarded as the first official World Championship match against Steinitz. Zukertort lost 12.5-7.5. The matches were played in New York, St. Louis, and New Orleans. After losing, his health declined and he was a greatly weakened player. He died on June 20, 1888 in London. It is said that Steinitz and Zukertort, present at the same dinner party, both rose in response to a toast to the "greatest chess-player in the world".

Download 35 chess games by Johannes Zukertort

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