Rivalry · 2 title events
Wilhelm Steinitz v Emanuel Lasker
8
Steinitz wins
12
draws
26
Lasker wins
46 recorded games, 1894–1899. Score 14–32 to Lasker. Source: chessgames.com
Their title matches
| Year | Winner | Score | Where | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1894 | Emanuel Lasker | 12–7 | New York City (1–8), Philadelphia (9–11), Montréal (12–19) | First to 10 wins |
| 1896 | Emanuel Lasker | 12½–4½ | Moscow | First to 10 wins |
How they compare
| Steinitz | Measure | Lasker |
|---|---|---|
| 1836 | Born | 1868 |
| 8 | Years as champion | 27 |
| 4 of 6 | Title events won | 6 of 7 |
| 8 | Head-to-head wins | 26 |
| 5 | Wins with White | 16 |
| 3 | Wins with Black | 10 |
| 2826 Apr 1876 | Peak (Chessmetrics) | 2878 May 1894 |
| 2981 | On today's scale | 2938 |
| +199 | Lead over No. 2 at peak | +105 |
A star marks the better figure. "On today's scale" and the lead are explained on the champions page.
Every recorded game
| Year | White | Result | Moves | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1894 | Lasker | 1-0 | 60 | Steinitz - Lasker World Championship Match |
| 1894 | Steinitz | 1-0 | 42 | Steinitz - Lasker World Championship Match |
| 1894 | Lasker | 1-0 | 52 | Steinitz - Lasker World Championship Match |
| 1894 | Steinitz | 1-0 | 60 | Steinitz - Lasker World Championship Match |
| 1894 | Lasker | ½–½ | 50 | Steinitz - Lasker World Championship Match |
| 1894 | Steinitz | ½–½ | 71 | Steinitz - Lasker World Championship Match |
| 1894 | Lasker | 1-0 | 46 | Steinitz - Lasker World Championship Match |
| 1894 | Steinitz | 0-1 | 76 | Steinitz - Lasker World Championship Match |
| 1894 | Lasker | 1-0 | 49 | Steinitz - Lasker World Championship Match |
| 1894 | Steinitz | 0-1 | 34 | Steinitz - Lasker World Championship Match |
| 1894 | Lasker | 1-0 | 38 | Steinitz - Lasker World Championship Match |
| 1894 | Steinitz | ½–½ | 50 | Steinitz - Lasker World Championship Match |
| 1894 | Lasker | 0-1 | 55 | Steinitz - Lasker World Championship Match |
| 1894 | Steinitz | 1-0 | 46 | Steinitz - Lasker World Championship Match |
| 1894 | Lasker | 1-0 | 44 | Steinitz - Lasker World Championship Match |
Every game between them in the chessgames.com database (checked 2026-11-04): classical, rapid, blitz and exhibition games together, as the database records them.
Quick answers
Who won more games, Wilhelm Steinitz or Emanuel Lasker?
In the 46 games between them in the chessgames.com database (1894–1899), Steinitz won 8, Lasker won 26 and 12 were drawn: Lasker leads. The count includes every recorded game, not only classical ones.
How many world championship matches did Steinitz and Lasker play?
2: 1894 (Lasker won, 12–7); 1896 (Lasker won, 12½–4½).