Today’s position is one of the greatest in all of classical chess, and in my opinion the follow up is more exciting than the famous Morphy Opera position. Won by William Steinitz at the famous Hastings 1895 tournament. If you want to give it a try, here’s a hint: nothing but checks leading to mate on move 35.

Source of the notes from the invaluable Chessbase program: Steinitz,William - Von Bardeleben,Curt [C54] Hastings 1895. We join the game at move 21. 21.Ng5+ Ke8 [21...fxg5?? 22.Qxd7+–] 22.Rxe7+ Kf8 [22...Qxe7 23.Rxc8+ Rxc8 24.Qxc8++–; 22...Kxe7 23.Re1+ Kd6 24.Qb4+ Rc5 (24...Kc6 25.Rc1#; 24...Kc7 25.Ne6+ Kb8 26.Qf4++–) 25.Ne4++–] 23.Rf7+! [23.Qxd7?? Rxc1+–+] 23...Kg8! [23...Qxf7 24.Rxc8+ Rxc8 25.Qxc8+ Qe8 26.Nxh7++–] 24.Rg7+! Kh8! [24...Kf8 25.Nxh7+ Kxg7 26.Qxd7++–] 25.Rxh7+! and now Black disappeared from the tournament hall without resigning. Note from PT: Steinitz announced the mate from this position to the awed spectators: 25.Rxh7+! Kg8 26.Rg7+ Kh8 27.Qh4+ Kxg7 28.Qh7+ Kf8 29.Qh8+ Ke7 30.Qg7+ Ke8 31.Qg8+ Ke7 32.Qf7+ Kd8 33.Qf8+ Qe8 34.Nf7+ Kd7 35.Qd6#

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