Part One

Edited by Hanon W. Russell

In 1886, Wilhelm Steinitz and Johannes Zukertort played what would come to be regarded as the first world championship match. Representatives of both players negotiated the terms of that match. Appearance fees, prize funds, time controls, and other relevant aspects were debated, discussed and eventually agreed upon. Much of the correspondence between the two camps appeared in The Chess Monthly (Volume VII, September 1885-August 1886), Edited by L. Hoffer and Zukertort himself.

We thought it would be of interest to revisit the ebb and flow of these negotiations. So, let's turn back the hands of time and watch how each side makes its points and counterpoints, couched in Victorian etiquette, while shaping the first title match in chess history... 

New York, Aug. 18th,1885.
James Innes Minchin, Esq.,
Hotel Marion, Ostende, Belgium

Dear Sir,‑Your highly esteemed favour of the 2nd inst. came duly to band on the 15th, with the enclosure of Mr. Zukertort's letter, which is perfectly satisfactory to me as far as I am privately or officially concerned, and affords all the explanation that one gentleman could expect from the other under the circumstances.

Proceeding now to reply to the main points of your communication, I beg to state, in reference to the time limit, that Mr. Steinitz offered to play at the rate of twelve moves per hour, as he thought that Mr. Zukertort would prefer that limit; for, as Mr. Steinitz believes, (with apology in case he should be in error, not having had time to verify his impression) that his first match with Mr. Zukertort in 1872, as well as one or two other important matches since, have been played under that limit. Mr. Steinitz has now no objection to adopt the limit proposed by Mr. Zukertort – viz., at the rate of fifteen moves per hour, with the qualification that two hours shall be allowed for the first thirty moves.

Mr. Steinitz also agrees that three games be played per week, and that any adjourned games be finished on the next day, which otherwise would be allowed for rest. But, as the match will probably be played in public rooms, it ought to be provided that any games adjourned on a Saturday should be finished on the following Monday.

Mr. Steinitz also agrees that each player shall be entitled to claim one day of rest three times during the match, on his producing a medical certificate to grove his inability to play, but no two such adjournments shall take place in one week. This is the interpretation which Mr. Steinitz gives to your proposition, and he thinks it ought to be distinctly provided that no two play days in succession can be exempted by either party, except with the consent of the Clubs who may arrange the match under their auspices, or otherwise, as they may be involved in useless outlay for hiring public rooms., If, however, this interpretation was not intended by you, Mr. Steinitz will leave the decision with the referee.

On the question of property right in the games, Mr. Steinitz would prefer that each party shall have the separate. right of publishing any or all the games during the match and a collection of the games within three months after the match shall have ended, and that either party may obtain copyright for the games and his own notes, both in America and in England, but that neither party shall have any commercial claim on the opponent’s published games or collection thereof. Mr. Steinitz, however, is willing to submit this question to the referee in the manner stated in my letter of the 21st ult.

Respecting the amount of stakes, I can only state at present, that Mr. Steinitz does not wish to play for less than one thousand dollars aside. As an increase in this sum would enhance the interest of the public in the match, I trust you will have no objection to extending the time for fixing the exact sum, within the maximum you name, until I have received your reply to this, though possibly I may be able to state earlier the definite amount in a supplementary letter.

As regards Mr. Zukertort's desire to play the whole contest in New Orleans, Mr. Steinitz has also publicly expressed his preference for that city, but, on consideration, he came to the conclusion that it world be undesirable to commence the match in New Orleans, if only on the ground that in November the city is not entirely free from yellow fever, which is particularly dangerous to strangers who are not used to the climate. At present I have no official information from the authorities of the N.O. Chess, Checker, and Whist Club, though I have already written to the President, Hon. Charles F. Buck. But Mr. Geo. T. Green, the President of the Manhattan Chess Club, whom Mr. Zukertort has delegated as his representative in the matter, should he accept such appointment will undoubtedly, as well as myself, use our utmost exertions to arrange a portion of the match to be contested at New Orleans, on terms fair to both players.

Your proposition in reference to the number of games was, however, almost wholly unexpected, for, as is well known, neither Mr. Steinitz nor Mr. Zukertort have yet played any of their numerous matches on such conditions, (though Mr. Steinitz has, on some few occasions, under Club engagements, chiefly for prizes, and not for stakes, agreed to play with first‑class players a limited number of games, which, however, were distinctly called a series and not a match), nor has any great champion contest, of the importance of the one now proposed, been played on such terms since the one between Staunton and St. Amant in 1843. Any limited series is, in the opinion of Mr. Steinitz, not such a true test of skill as a match in which a fixed number of games has to be won absolutely. For, in the former case, either player who may have obtained the superiority in the score during any part of the contest, especially toward the end, has an enormous advantage by systematically playing for a draw, an advantage which, when having the first move, has been computed by eminent experts as equal to the odds of an additional Pawn. If, for instance, as in the match between Messrs. Paulsen and Kolisch, seventeen or nineteen (?) draws should occur, the decision of the contest might depend on a very small number of actually won games. The question of the duration of the match, to which you refer, ought not to be taken into consideration, for the Chess world at large will expect both masters to provide ample time for such an important contest, and that each player will take his chance as to its duration. It is, perhaps, scarcely necessary to remind you that Mr. Steinitz has also many engagements and calls upon his time, which make the possibility of prolonging the match, beyond a reasonable period, very undesirable for him, but he would nevertheless assign to the proposed contest the first claim on his attention, and he would, therefore, much prefer to play for ten games up absolutely, as he considers such a condition the only one which will produce a really fair test. But, in order to meet Mr. Zukertort's views as nearly as possible, he now proposes the following modification:

That the winner of the first ten games shall be declared the victor. Should, however, fifteen draws occur without either player having scored more than six games and also without either player being more than one game ahead, the match may be declared as drawn by either party. Otherwise the match shall proceed until ten games are scored by either player, or else until five more draws are made. In the latter case the match shall be at an end and shall be declared drawn if the score be then even, or the victory shall belong to the party who is at least one game ahead.

To illustrate the above by an example. We may suppose that the score stand at the end seven to six and twenty draws, which would be an unprecedented number of games, and yet only eight games more than Mr. Zukertort's proposal, and involving a prolongation at the utmost of less than three weeks. Yet this plan presents also the prospective advantage over that of Mr. Zukertort, that in a series of twenty‑five games, if no draws occur, (as in the match between Messrs. Steinitz and Anderssen) either party would have to win thirteen games before the match would be decided whereas, according to the present proposition, only ten games would have to be won by either player.

To provide, however, against any possible objections, Mr. Steinitz is willing to submit this question also to the arbitration of the referee who, however, shall have no power of amendment in this instance, but shall only decide between the three modes of play‑viz.,

For a series of twenty‑five games, as proposed by Mr. Zukertort; or,

For the first proposition of Mr. Steinitz, (which Mr. Steinitz prefers,) namely, to play for ten games up; or,

Thirdly, for the modification in reference of draws, as above proposed.

This ought to be considered perfectly fair for Mr. Zukertort, as, at first in his letter, published in the March number of the Chess Monthly, he wished all the conditions to be settled by the referee and the two seconds in committee.

In view of any possible obstacle arising to the progress of our negotiations, I feel bound to preface my remarks in reference to Mr. Zukertort's ominously large fee of seven hundred and fifty dollars, in any event, by stating that this proposition is of a novel and unprecedented character. Outside of Club engagements, which comprised contests with a great number of different strong players, as well as blindfold and miscellaneous performances, &c., no Chess master has ever received or demanded such a remuneration for playing a match against one opponent. It was always understood that the share of each player in the stakes, which on this occasion will be twice as large, and perhaps four times as much as in any match played within the last forty years, surely a sufficient compensation to the winner. I have also to remind you, however, that Mr. Steinitz, in all his matches in Europe, as well as in some of his series of games in America, always stipulates for a solatium to the loser. Mr. Zukertort has played three matches–viz., with Messrs. Potter, Rosenthal, and Blackburne–without making any such proviso beforehand. It is also evident that, with the exception of his expenses of his journey to and from America, Mr. Zukertort is only equally entitled with Mr. Stcinitz to any fees or proceeds of the match, or fees of entrance, &c. I can, therefore, make no absolute promise on the subject at present, as I have only just entered into negotiations with the different Clubs who are proposed to arrange the match. I shall, however, on behalf of Mr. Steinitz, stipulate with the authorities of these Clubs that Mr. Zukertort shall receive a separate fee, outside of any that may accrue to him by arrangement for both players of, at least, one hundred and fifty dollars, which shall be increased to two hundred and fifty should Mr. Zukertort lose the match. I may say, however, that, in my opinion, as well as in that of others, the sale of tickets beforehand for a public exhibition, such as Mr. Steinitz proposes, could be managed to secure a great financial success, and in New York alone the whole entrance monies and fees might probably yield a sum for Mr. Zukertort's share which would cover the larger portion of his claim. It will, therefore, rest with you whether Mr. Zukertort's desire to commence the match at the end of October, at the latest, can be gratified.

As the preparations for the match will involve considerable expenditure and much labour for Mr. Steiuitz, he cannot reduce the notice of six weeks which he requires, which notice, however, shall date from the day of my receiving your announcement that you have agreed to the above terms, or to submit to the arbitration of the referee such points in question which are left open for his decision in the manner stated above. In such event, as previously agreed, please, at once, forward the stipulate) sum of two hundred and fifty dollars to the referee, and Mr. Steinitz will also, forthwith, deposit a like sum with the same gentleman.

I am highly gratified to learn that Mr. Zukertort has accepted the Hon. Charles F. Buck as referee, and this gentleman has already kindly notified me, in answer to my inquiry, of his consent to accept that office conditional on Mr. Zukertort agreeing to his appointment.

Confidently expecting a favourable reply,
I remain, very truly yours,
Thos. Frère

James I. Minchin, Esq.,
New York, Aug. 21st, 1885.
Hotel Marion, Ostende, Belgium

Dear Sir, I have received a note from Mr. G. T. Green, President Manhattan Chess Club, in which he informs too that it will be necessary for him to receive a written request from Mr. Zukertort that he should act for him in New York, to fix terms with the proposed Clubs, and that he must have an exact understanding of the duties connected therewith.

I write to save time. If such a letter lies not already been sent to Mr. Green, either by, yourself or Mr. Zukertort, would it not be well that it be done at once.

Very truly yours,
Thos. Frère

Hotel Marion, Ostende, Sept. 5th.

Dear Sir, Having just received a full reply from Mr. Zukertort to the points contained in your letter of the 18th August, I have the pleasure to lay before you his decision on the same. There is only one point on which I fear from the terms of your letter that difficulties may arise, and that refers to the sum claimed by Mr. Zukertort for his expenses, which he believed would be willingly provided by the Chess clubs in America, where the match was to be played.

You propose in your letter of the 18th that Mr. Zukertort shall receive a separate fee of 150 dollars, to be increased to 250 should he lose the match, in addition to what may accrue to him from arrangements that may be made for the. admission of the public to see the play. Mr. Zukertort has no desire to obtain any share in such arrangements but he claims such reasonable compensation for the time to be devoted solely to the match as will protect him from ruinous loss. This time cannot be less than three months, and he therefore offers, as his final proposition, that he will accept the sum of 500 dollars for expenses in case of his winning the match, and 750 dollars in case of loss. If the clubs who are desirous that the match should be played in their rooms are not willing to guarantee this sum, he regrets that his circumstances render it utterly impossible for him to proceed to America, and reside there for three months at least, on his own resources. 

Should it be possible to arrange the above necessary preliminary, there remain hardly any points of contention, and I will, for clearness sake, lay down the basis on which both parties have agreed that the match should be played.

1st. Number of games. Mr. Zukertort accepts Mr. Steinitz’s original proposal that the winner of the first ten games be winner of the match. He suggests however, that in case each player wins nine games, the match should be given up as drawn, or five more games be played as finally decisive.

2nd. The time limit. 15 moves an hour, with the qualification that two hours shall be allowed for the first thirty moves.

3rd. Three games to be played out weekly, and any adjourned game to be finished on the next day, which would otherwise be allowed for rest. To obviate the necessity of lengthy adjournments over a Sunday, it would be advisable that Monday, Wednesday, and Friday be days of play, and Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday be days of rest. Mr. Zukertort proposes a minimum of nine hours play daily (unless the game be finished previously), with au interval of two hours after five hours play.

4th. In case of real illness, certified by medical certificate, either player may claim a rest three times during the match, either in succession or on separate occasions. It is obvious that it will be to the interest of each player to preserve his three days as long as possible, and Mr. Zukertort cannot accept Mr. Steinitz's suggestion that no two of such adjournments shall take place in one week.

5th. As regards the place of play, Mr. Zukertort has already consented to Mr. Steinitz's proposal on this head. He will, of course, accept such modifications thereof as may be rendered necessary by the arrangements for the payment of his expenses for which he stipulates.

6th. Mr. Zukertort regrets that the amount of stakes, which he had left for Mr. Steinitz's decision, was not definitely fixed in your last letter. Unless I can receive a distinct proposal before the close of this month, it will be better that the amount should be settled as 1,000 dollars a side.

In accordance with what I trust is a correct interpretation of your wishes, I have not forwarded for publication in the Chess-Monthly your short note of the 28th July, regarding your proposed negotiation with the authorities of the American Chess clubs. Trusting that their interest is what would be the greatest Chess match of modern times will induce those clubs to meet Mr. Zukertort's not unreasonable stipulation as to his expenses.

I am, yours very truly,
James Innes Minchin

Photographs courtesy the Edward Winter Collection.