chigorin was for a while one of the world's top four players. he twice challenged wilhelm steinitz for the world chess championship. both matches were held in havana. in 1889 steinitz won 10½–6½, and in 1892 by 12½–10½. chigorin drew an 1893 match with siegbert tarrasch in saint petersburg (11–11); tarrasch was probably the world #2 at that time.