Science Fair Project Encyclopedia Wilhelm Steinitz (May 17,1836,
Prague, Czech Republic (then Austrian Empire) - August 12
1900,New York City, United States) was an Austrian chess player,
and the first official World Champion of chess. Known for his
original contributions to chess strategy such as his ideas on
positional play, his theories were held in high regard by
disparate chess players such as Aron Nimzowitsch, Siegbert
Tarrasch, and Emanuel Lasker. Steinitz was world champion from
1886 to 1894, retaining the title in four matches against
Zukertort, Chigorin (two times) and Gunsberg. He lost two
matches against Lasker, his successor as world champion.
Steinitz adopted a scientific approach to his study of the game.
He would formulate his theories in scientific terms, and "laws".
Outside of his chess career, Steinitz was a regular tap-dancer.
In a letter to his friend shortly before his death, Steinitz
expressed regret at having never attempted a contest against the
world champion of tap-dancing, who at t