CHESS TRAIN

Trip to the chess history of Vienna

[18.10.2012 00:00:00] - Twenty five people interested in the chess history profited from the offer of the guided chess history tour of Vienna, focused on the places linked with the history of the chess in 19th and early 20th century. The German group was guided by historian Michael Ehn, the English by chess International Master and journalist Stefan Löffler.

Thanks to them, the contemporary chess players have seen the places and coffees, where the important chess events took place. For example in 1898 the big international tournament, supported by baron Rotschild, where all strongest players of that times were present, except Lasker. Siegbert Tarrach became a winner, followed by Pillsbury, Janowski, Steinitz, Schlechter, Čigorin, Burn, Marózcy, Blackburne, Šiffers, Marco, etc.

Not only the tournaments, but also more than 100 coffees visited by players of all Europe have converted Vienna into a famous chess place. Richard Réti became a regular visitor of Café Central. Also Wilhelm Steinitz, the native of Prague, used to live several years in Vienna and participated 3 championships of Vienna and finally in 1861 won with the impressive result: 30 points of 31 games.

Stefan Löffler returned in his speech very often to Vienna chess Master Karl Schlechter, who liked a solid game, didn´t lose much, had many draws and finished often on a good rank with this style in international tournaments. His chess peak came in 1910, when playing against Emanuel Lasker for the titel of the World champion. It took place in Vienna and in Berlin. Schlechter´s game seemed to lead to win, but finally in the 10th game Laker reversed the situation and finally he kept his primacy. He had the title of World champion for 27 years and lost it against Capablanca in 1921, but with Schlechter he was in the nearest situation ever to loose it before.

Café Central, a centre of the chess life in Vienna 100 years ago

Stefan Löffler and Jan Hruška in places where the international tournament in 1898 was played

Two of five Vienna chess games between Emmanuel Lasker and Karl Schlechter in 1910 have been played in this building.

The participants of the tour listening to Stefan Löffler.

| Luděk Sedlák | visits(2700x)