[Event "London"] [Site "?"] [Round "0"] [White "Steinitz"] [Black "Mongredien"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B06"] [Opening "Modern: 3.c3"] 1. e4 g6 {The so-called "Modern Defense". Quite old, actually!} 2. d4 Bg7 { What is so "modern" about this opening? The reader may well wonder, since the early fianchetto was routinely employed by Mongredien in the mid 19th Century.} 3. c3 b6 4. Be3 Bb7 5. Nd2 {The problem with Black's approach at that time is that it acted as if White were not a participant in the game. Here Steinitz erects a solid center with plenty of support, and he does not overextend, so Black has no targets.} 5... d6 6. Ngf3 e5 7. dxe5 {Steinitz reso lutely avoids advances which might provide targets for Black's pieces. 7.d5 c6 8.c4 Ne7 9. Be2 f5 gives Black good counterplay.} 7... dxe5 8. Bc4 Ne7 9. Qe2 {White contro ls a lot of squares and is about to take the d-file, after which the Black queen can be embarassed.} 9... O-O 10. h4 {The general rule is that one reacts to flank activity with a counter- thrust in the centre, but here Black has nothing to do in the middle of the board.} 10... Nd7 11. h5 Nf6 12. hxg6 { 12.Nxe5 Nxh5 13.Nxf7 Rxf7 14.Rxh5 gxh5 15.Qxh5 Qf8 16.O-O-O b5 17.Rh1 h6} 12... Nxg6 {12...hxg6 13.Nxe5} 13. O-O-O c5 { Black does not appreciate the danger he is in on the kingside.} 14. Ng5 a6 { This slow plan to dislocate the bishop has no chance of success.} 15. Nxh7 { The beginning of a decisive combination.} 15... Nxh7 16. Rxh7 Kxh7 17. Qh5+ Kg8 18. Rh1 {18.Qxg6 Qf6!} 18... Re8 {The only way to avoid mate at h7.} 19. Qxg6 Qf6 20. Bxf7+ { Now that the rook has been displaced from f7, this brings the game to a close.} 20... Qxf7 21. Rh8+ Kxh8 22. Qxf7 1-0