Between January 6th and 11th in 1886, there was a blizzard which initially dropped southeast across Texas before strengthening while it moved through the South and then headed up the Eastern Seaboard through New England, reaching its peak strength as it moved through New Jersey.
Over several days this system brought significant snow to the southern Rockies. Elsewhere it brought high winds and snowfall that resulted in blizzard conditions across portions of the Plains and the East.
With it came a significant cold spell across portions of the southern and eastern United States. Fort Macon, North Carolina, registered winds up to 62 miles per hour on January 8 and Wilkes County, North Carolina recorded 8 inches of snow. Near Staunton, Virginia, 14 inches of snow fell.
Up in New Jersey, high water and waves severely damaged railroad tracks in Sandy Hook. The gale in New York City blew away the anemometer cups at the local weather observing site.
Along with the cold, although a minimal amount of new snow fell, there were blizzard conditions in Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska on January 6. Telegraph wires were downed and rails were covered with snow, suspending travel. Across the Texas Panhandle, at least five died due to exposure and the largest loss of life from a blizzard in Iowa's history occurred with 20 people perishing.
Even the deep South was affected. In Jasper, Alabama, a mix of rain, sleet and snow fell on January 8 and 9. Savannah, Georgia, reported a light snowfall for the first time in six years. Up to 24 inches of snow fell in parts of Long Island, New York. As the system moved through New England, some areas received over 15 inches.
How all this affected the World Championship match between Steinitz and Zukertort that commenced on January 11, 1886 at 2:00 PM in the Cartiers Academy Hall on Fifth Avenue in New York City I am not sure.
The first five games were to be played in New York, then the venue switched to St. Louis for four games and from there to New Orleans. Most chess historians accept this match as the first match for the title of World Champion.
In 1886 Steinitz was considered the best player in the world and Zukertort was considered the second best and some historians consider this match to have been the first World Championship match.
In 1872, the two had met in a match which Steinitz won by the score of +7-1=4. Some historians consider that one to be the first World Championship match. Steinitz considered himself to be World Champion after his +8-6=0 win against Anderssen in 1866.
There was hostility between the two and negotiations lasted almost three years. Disagreement over the choice of venue was resolved when Steinitz finally persuaded Zukertort to accept the United States. Zukertort was paid $750 to make the trip from London and the winner of the match was promised a quarter of the proceeds from the betting syndication. The winner was the first player to score ten wins. The match used the same chess clock as three years earlier and the time limit was 30 moves in 2 hours, followed by another 15 moves in each subsequent hour. For the first time a demonstration board measuring approximately 3 feet square was erected above the players so that the spectators could follow the game.
After Zukertort lost the first game he complained of a lack of practice. He was asked, “Why didn’t you practice in London?” “I couldn’t,” he fired back, “Blackburne is always sick and Mason drunk.”
By the time play reached New Orleans, the match was still in the balance (4–4, with one draw), but by that time Zukertort was said to be physically exhausted and approaching mental breakdown. Steinitz, on the other hand, appeared to be playing robustly and demonstrated great mental stamina. Steinitz quickly took control of the match and wrapped things up with a further six wins, four draws and just one defeat.
The final game ended on March 29, 1886 when Zukertort tendered his resignation and congratulated the new World Champion. It’s also possible that Zukertort's play was affected by his heart problems and he died two years later.
This brilliant game by Steinitz demonstrates his positional chess. Zukertort, a representative of the Old Guard, did not really appreciate the power of the mobile center, but Steinitz knew how to wield it with great effectiveness.
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