Linder: Wilhelm Steinitz - First World Chess ChampionWorld Chess Champion Series The first official world champion, Wilhelm Steinitz was a towering figure in the chess world in the last quarter of the 19th century. For nearly three decades, he never lost a serious match. His opening innovations have resonated for more than a century. For example, for those who do not wish to meet the Ruy Lopez with 3 a6, the Steinitz Defense, 3 d6, may still be one of the best ways to meet the Spanish Torture. In the