People wondered for a long time: who is the best chess player on the planet? And so, at the beginning of the 19th century, the chess circles of various countries agreed to establish a world title.
But who can imagine the honor of playing it?
Public opinion imposed on Prague's native Wilhelm Steinitz and Pole Johann Hermann Zuckertort - winners of international tournaments of those years.
Both rivals were passionately devoted to chess art. No extraneous matters, and even more entertainment. Daily work beyond the chess board: study of the heritage of old masters, development of a new theory, preparation and participation in competitions, lectures, articles in the press.
January 11, 1886, this first in the history match for the title of world champion began.
Steinitz at that time lived in America, and rivals agreed, that they will play their match there.
The match was divided into three stages:
1 game in New York, until someone wins 4 games. Then St. Louis, until someone will win three victories there. Finish - in New Orleans.
The contest caused a huge wave of interest in chess. Newspapers printed parties with notes, described in detail the details of the fierce struggle, and both players - their biographies, appearance, behavior at the chess table - were in the center of attention of the audience.
The beginning was favorable for Zuckertort: after New York he led 4: 1. However Steinitz was not at a loss and managed to win in St. Louis, 3 parties one by one, and the final part in New Orleans held already with obvious superiority and he became the first world champion in chess.