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sports1892

World Chess Championship 1892 — chess game between Wilhelm Steinitz and Michael Chigorin

January 1, 1892

Steinitz secured his fourth consecutive world chess championship match victory, defeating Chigorin for the second time in Havana in 1892.

Quick Facts

Year
1892
Category
sports

Key Facts

Championship number
Fourth World Chess Championship
Duration
1 January – 28 February 1892
Winning threshold
10 points
Decisive games
Steinitz won games 22 and 23 to clinch title
Steinitz's record
4th successive world championship match victory
Previous Steinitz victories
Zukertort (1886), Chigorin (1889), Gunsberg (1891)

By the Numbers

1
Duration
10
Winning threshold
22
Decisive games
4
Steinitz's record

Location

Map of Havana, CubaMap of Havana, CubaHavana, Cuba

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Following their 1889 world championship match and an Evans Gambit cable match in 1890–1891, Mikhail Chigorin earned a second challenge against defending champion Wilhelm Steinitz. The two players convened in Havana at the start of 1892, with Chigorin opening strongly by winning the first game using the Evans Gambit.

Event

The match was held in Havana from 1 January to 28 February 1892. Chigorin mounted a strong challenge, tying the match after Steinitz held a one-point lead going into game 19. Steinitz ultimately reached the 10-point winning threshold by taking both the 22nd and 23rd games, narrowly defeating Chigorin to retain his title.

Consequence

Steinitz's victory marked his fourth consecutive world championship match win, cementing his dominance over the chess world throughout the late 19th century. Chigorin, despite losing, remained one of the foremost challengers of the era. Steinitz would go on to defend his title once more before eventually losing it to Emanuel Lasker in 1894.

Result

Wilhelm Steinitz
Steinitz reached 10 points first (games 22–23 decisive)
Mikhail Chigorin

at Havana, Cuba

Steinitz's fourth consecutive world championship match victory

Timeline Context

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