by GM Kevin Spraggett
Warning: his blog is great, but some of the content is parental advisory

Johannes Hermann Zukertort ,7  September 1842 – 20 June 1888, was an extraordinary human being. He spoke 14 languages! He filled his relatively short life with a wide range of other achievements : as a soldier, musician, linguist, journalist and political activist.
 

”He fought for Prussia against Austria, Denmark, and France; was once left for dead on the battlefield; and was decorated for gallantry 9 times; and he was noted as a swordsman and marksman. He was an accomplished pianist and, for a while, a music critic. He even found time for political activity, as editor of a political paper, a writer for Bismarck’s newspaper, the Allgemeine Zeitung, and as a leading spokesman for prison reform.”- Wikipedia

Zukertort died at age 46 of a cerebral hemorrhage, after just finishing a chess game. Undoubtedly one of the most brilliant players in the history of chess.

Zukertort, Johannes vs. Anderssen, Adolf

Breslau 1864 (!).  Position after  White’s 17th move (17.Qe2?). In those days they loved to play gambits (in our day we love to copy strong opening moves!) and White’s play has completely backfired.  Still, one must prove it…are you up to it?

BLACK TO PLAY AND WIN IMMEDIATELY!

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REVENGE


Zukertort, Johannes vs. Anderssen, Adolf

Breslau 1865. Position after 17 moves.  Gambit play once more, but this time the shoe is on the other foot!  Black is two pieces to the good but is about to get mated.

WHITE TO PLAY AND MATE IN ATMOST 4 MOVES!

Anderssen, Adolf  vs. Zukertort, Johannes

Breslau 1866.  Position after White’s 16th move (16.Rf1)  Position arising from a topical line of the King’s Gambit…topical in those days!  We recognize that White’s King is stuck in the centre…

BLACK TO PLAY AND WIN!

Zukertort, Johannes vs. Anderssen, Adolf

Breslau (where else?) 1865.  One more King’s Gambit!  Position after 18 moves.  White has sacrificed the customary two pieces and the Black King is stuck in the centre.  However, it is not easy to see the way to break in.  For that you need real talent:

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN!

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SOLUTIONS

Zukertort, Johannes –Anderssen, Adolf:  17… Ng3! 0-1  Black will pick up the Rook with check

Zukertort, Johannes –Anderssen, Adolf:   18.Rd4+!Nxd4 19.Ba5+! Qxa5 20.Qe7# 1-0

Anderssen, Adolf–Zukertort, Johannes :   16… Nxd4! 17.Rf2 Bb5 18.c4 Bxc4 0-1

Zukertort, Johannes–Anderssen, Adolf:  19.Rxf6!! cxd5 20.Rxf8+ Kc7 21.Bg3+ d6 22.Bf2 Qc4 23.Rxc8+ Kxc8 24.Qe8+ Kc7 25.Re7+ 1-0

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