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Jacques Mieses

Competitions

Over six decades, Jacques Mieses contested more than 20 matches against the strongest players of his time – from Emanuel Lasker to Vera Menchik. These duels, often played over several weeks, were the supreme discipline of chess and demanded not only playing skill, but also psychological strength and endurance.

Emanuel Lasker, 1889
Leipzig · Lost +0 =3 -5

Both were in their early twenties, both from Leipzig – but Lasker won decisively and later became the second World Champion. This early encounter shows Mieses' membership in the absolute world elite of his youth. It was the duel of two rising talents who would take different paths.

Akiba Rubinstein, 1909
Berlin · Lost +3 =2 -5

The most dramatic match! Mieses won the first three games – they were Rubinstein's only defeats of the entire year 1909! Although Rubinstein recovered and still won the match, Mieses demonstrated that he could shine even against the absolute world elite. A triumph of attacking play against the master of positional strategy.

Siegbert Tarrasch, 1916
Berlin · Lost +2 =4 -7

A match under wartime conditions. The two had known each other since the 1880s and embodied different chess philosophies: Tarrasch the classical school, Mieses the romantic. The prize – half a pound of butter – shows the hardships of the time. Despite the defeat, a testament to the passion for the game amid World War.

Vera Menchik, 1942
London · Lost +1 =5 -4

At 77 years old, Mieses faced the reigning Women's World Champion. The match ended narrowly in favor of Menchik – proof of Mieses' unbroken playing strength in old age. Menchik, the strongest female player of her time, had already defeated numerous male masters. That Mieses delivered a balanced match at over 75 years old was remarkable.

All Competitions Overview

Year Opponent Location Result Score Special Note
1889 Emanuel Lasker Leipzig Lost +0 =3 -5 Duel of two 24-year-olds; Lasker later became World Champion
1894 Carl Walbrodt Berlin Draw +5 =3 -5
1895 David Janowski Paris Draw +6 =0 -6 Dramatic match without draws
1895 Richard Teichmann London Lost +1 =1 -4
1897 Horatio Caro – Draw – Caro of the "Caro-Kann Defense"
1905 Paul Leonhardt – Won –
1909 Akiba Rubinstein Berlin Lost +3 =2 -5 Mieses sensationally won the first 3 games – Rubinstein's only defeats of the year
1909 Carl Schlechter – Won +2 -1
1916 Siegbert Tarrasch Berlin Lost +2 =4 -7 During World War I; prize: half a pound of butter
1942 Vera Menchik London Lost +1 =5 -4 Against the Women's World Champion; Mieses was 77 years old
1945 Gerald Abrahams Glossop Won – At 80 years old!
Matches vs. Tournaments

While tournaments brought together multiple players over few rounds, matches were intensive duels between two masters over many games. They required deep preparation for the specific opponent and psychological endurance. For Mieses, they were an opportunity to unfold his attacking style over several games.

Statistics

Of his over 20 documented matches, Mieses won about one-third, lost half, and drew several. His opponents read like a Who's Who of chess: Lasker, Rubinstein, Tarrasch, Janowski, Schlechter – all world-class players. That Mieses still won a match at 80 years old underscores his extraordinary longevity.