First World Chess Champion

The first world chess champion was Wilhelm Steinitz. Wilhelm Steinitz was born during 1834, died 1900. Born in Czech Republic, Wilhelm Steinitz was a chess player at the age of 12. It was not until later that he became a chess champion. It all started from lack of funds, he began playing chess in coffee shops in Vienna. He eventually became world champion by defeating Johannes Zukertort, and claimed the World Champion Title.

Read Wilhelm Steinitz Bio.