Perhaps no chess player represented the spirit of nineteenth century America better than Wilhelm Steinitz (1836-1900). His intelligence, innovation, arrogance, and shameless self-promotion led some to call him the "father of modern chess."

Born in the Bohemian city of Prague on May 17, 1836, Steinitz was the last of thirteen children in a very poor family. His Jewish parents raised their son to be a Talmudic scholar. Chess first entered his life in 1848, but did not gain importance until he moved to Vienna in 1856, where he studied math at the Polytechnic. Money problems and poor health forced him to drop out of school. Chess matches involving a wager, helped supplement the income he made as a journalist.

Less than five feet tall, balding, and born with weak legs, Steinitz was not physically impressive. At the chessboard, he was transformed into an imposing figure. His dependence on canes and crutches strengthened...