Wilhem Steinitz (1836-1900) from Prague, Czech Republic, was the first official World Champion of chess. He was recognized as the world’s number one player in 1866, after he defeated Adolf Anderssen in a match, but it was not until he defeated his most powerful rival, Johannes Zukertort in their historic match of 1886 that he was recognized as the official champion. He defended his title twice against Mikhail Tchigorin and once against Isidor Gunsberg. He lost his title to Emanuel Lasker in 1894.
Steinitz lived in New York for several years, he changed his first name to “William” after he became an American citizen in 1888.
In the game below, Steinitz outplays his oponent Augustus Mongredien with high class style.
Click HERE to see the article and to play through the game of Steinitz and Mongredien.
Read HERE more about him on Wikipedia.
Carlsen vs Anand Sochi 2014
Anand vs Carlsen Chennai 2013
London Chess Classic 2015
Istanbul Chess 2012 
Biel Chess Festival 2011- Click the image for the official site
Karen Asrian Memorial[click image for the link]
Tata Steel Chess 
London Chess Classic 
Dortmund 2010 
South African Open 2010
British Chess Championships 2010
Nalchik 2010 Fide Women's Grand Prix -25 April to 8 May
2009 - 2-12th July - Dortmund Live 2009
SA Open 3-11 July in Cape Town
MTel 2009
Linares 2010
World Youth Chess Championships 2009
Anand vs Topalov 21 April 2010
“Wilhem Steinitz (1836-1900) from Prague, Czech Republic, was the first official World Champion of chess.”
Well, yes, but at the time, Prague was in the Austrian Empire. There was no “Czech Republic” then.
When he defeated Zuckertort to become the official World Champion, Steinitz was actually a citizen (naturalised) of the United States. He died in New York City.
Whoops! Just read down a bit and saw that the article acknowledged that Steinitz had become an American citizen. ;o)
😉