Adolf Anderssen. How He Really Played - Not What You Have Been Told.

A while ago I described Anderssen as being the victim of bad and lazy writers who all copy each other, without studying easily available material. The 'Good Story' concept.

You will read that he was - to use a boxing analogy - from the Mike Tyson school, rather that the Jack Johnson one. A Duran, rather than a Leonard.

A crude combinational player who was unable to compete with the likes of Morphy and Steinitz, because he did not have their level of positional understanding.

A guy who kept throwing haymakers in the hope that one would land and that he would win by knock-out.

A direct quote from an online article :-

''Anderssen was quite different in that he was often in trouble in his quest to smash his opponents in brutal ways and was only saved by relying on his incredible tactical skills.''

Utter rubbish.

You will find a lot of games quoted as 'match games', which were nothing of the sort. I could quote one ludicrous example of that, but will not publicly trash the author responsible.

Doing the research isn't exactly taxing. You have to go and buy a book - this is my copy,

and put hours in studying it! Simple!! (So why can't people do it??)

A friend on this site recently put something in the comments section to one of my posts ( more goes on in the comments than in the articles themselves very often, so feel free to join in and add your thoughts - the only rule is politeness) that going over the games of the 1851 tournament he didn't find Anderssen playing wild attacking gambit chess.

Anderssen loved chess! He also had a full time job. When he got the chance to play off-hand games, anything went!! He was enjoying himself.

However, he also said that any games not played for stakes or tournament prizes were unimportant. When he was playing seriously, stuff like 'The Evergreen' and 'The Immortal' just didn't happen, whatever the ill - informed might tell you.

From the Leipzig 1877 Tournament Book - my own scan.

So, to show you how he really played when he was taking the game seriously and not just enjoying himself, I chose the year 1869 - simply because there is a nice photo from one of the events. If you think that I have been selective, go do the research and prove otherwise!!

Put up or shut up!!

So, let's go look at how Anderssen played, in serious tournament games, in 1869.

Firstly some games from the second 'Turnier des Norddeutschen Schachbundes'. ( I have gone into the history of the various German Chess organisations elsewhere, writing on a match between Lange and Paulsen)

First round, against a minor Master of the time.

Johannes Minckwitz, from the Barmen 1869 photo to follow.

It's a really nice game!!

Next day came this next game. There were times when in tournament's Anderssen would take weaker opponents lightly, but usually came out on top. Perhaps this is a borderline example, but it is an old favourite of mine, since I first looked at it well over 40 years ago. @batgirl has the finish in one of her articles. I know nothing about his opponent, other than the fact that he was from Hamburg - probable there as the local representative - I don't even have a first name. help wanted.

A couple of days later Anderssen was up against a player who was a real fighter, and a strong player for three decades or more.

Picture scanned very quickly! from the book mentioned. If anyone wants a better copy, let me know and I will redo it! Threw it in at the last second. No , I don't do this for a living!!

The next game was a very serious one. It was first prize in the tournament, against a great player, and positional thinker. If someone like Capablanca or Karpov had played this game, it would be as well known as, say, Winter - Capablanca, 1919.

Louis Paulsen.

A question that I have seen on the internet. Who was  the father of modern chess? Everyone says Steinitz. Indeed, that 'title' has been given to him. If you want Steinitz's own thoughts, rather than those of innumerable 'experts', have a look here. 

http://www.chessarch.com/excavations/item.php?a=1&source=New_York_Daily_Tribune&date=1891.08.23   

 And on to Barmen 1869, with a nice photo.

First up Anderssen met Minckwitz again - comp[are this game with the previous one between the two, given here!!

The next game is a famous example of Anderssen's talents. Hopefully I have explained it well enough in the notes. Enjoy!!

And finally a game that is linked to the previous one in terms of the theoretical debate of the time. Anderssen's opponent is the lesser known of the Paulsen brothers.

So, that is what I have to say. If you want to argue then feel free!! However, in that case try to come up with something other than 'so and so says', so who are you to say different.

Please come up with more than a selection of 'off-hand' games.

Please come up with more than  'Everybody knows'.

All thoughts welcomed!!