Steinitz vs von Bardeleben, 1895
Steinitz’s rook hops along the seventh rank, always hanging, until von Bardeleben leaves the room rather than play out the mate. The finish after 25.Rxh7+ is a ten-move forced line.
- White
- Wilhelm Steinitz
- Black
- Curt von Bardeleben
- Event
- Hastings
- Year
- 1895
- Result
- 1-0
Critical position
After 24... Kh8. White to move.
Step through
24... Kh8
Annotated score
1. e4 (best) e5 (best)
2. Nf3 (best) Nc6 (excellent)
3. Bc4 (good) Bc5 (inaccuracy)
4. c3 (best) Nf6 (good)
5. d4 (excellent) exd4 (best)
6. cxd4 (good) Bb4+ (best)
7. Nc3 (best) d5 (good)
8. exd5 (best) Nxd5 (best)
9. O-O (best) Be6 (good)
10. Bg5 (excellent) Be7 (best)
11. Bxd5 (best) Bxd5 (best)
12. Nxd5 (best) Qxd5 (best)
13. Bxe7 (inaccuracy) Nxe7 (inaccuracy)
14. Re1 (best) f6 (good)
15. Qe2 (inaccuracy) Qd7 (good)
16. Rac1 (mistake) c6 (mistake)
17. d5 (good) cxd5 (inaccuracy)
18. Nd4 (mistake) Kf7 (inaccuracy)
Nd4: 18.Nd4 opens the e-file against a king that just stepped to f7.
19. Ne6 (best) Rhc8 (best)
20. Qg4 (best) g6 (best)
21. Ng5+ (good) Ke8 (best)
22. Rxe7+ (best) Kf8 (blunder)
Rxe7+: 22.Rxe7+ starts the hanging-rook sequence.
23. Rf7+ (mistake) Kg8 (best)
24. Rg7+ (best) Kh8 (best)
25. Rxh7+ (best)
Rxh7+: 25.Rxh7+. Von Bardeleben did not wait for 26.Rg7+ and the queen checks that follow.