Andersen played Morphy and Steinitz. Did he ever comment about which
player he considered best?

what was his record against them ?

On Sep 16, 9:37 pm, (SAT W-7) wrote:
what was his record against them ?

Anderssen's lifetime record in serious games vs. Morphy was +3 -12
=2, all in 1858. Against Steinitz he scored +11 =11 over the period
1862-1873. I don't recall ever reading any comments by Anderssen in
which he directly compared Morphy and Steinitz, though such may
exist.

On Sep 17, 10:15 am, Taylor Kingston wrote:
On Sep 16, 9:37 pm, (SAT W-7) wrote:

what was his record against them ?

Anderssen's lifetime record in serious games vs. Morphy was +3 -12
=2, all in 1858. Against Steinitz he scored +11 =11 over the period
1862-1873. I don't recall ever reading any comments by Anderssen in
which he directly compared Morphy and Steinitz, though such may
exist.

Oops, I meant +11 -11 vs. Steinitz. 11 wins, 11 loses, no draws.

Andersen [sic] played Morphy and Steinitz. Did he ever comment about which
player he considered best?

According to Staunton's "Chess Praxis" (1860), Max Lange, who is regarded as
a reliable witness, attributes the following remarks to Anderssen after the
Morphy match.

He was asked if the American was superior in coolness and self-possession,
and if his play in general struck him as better than his own.

To the first part he merely replied: "I cannot say I think so; in my
opinion I was perfectly collected, but I still overlooked the most obvious
moves".

The second part was answered unreservedly: "I never, even in my dreams,
believed Morphy my superior in play; but it is impossible to keep one's
excellence in a glass case, like a jewel, and take it out whenever it is
required; on the contrary, it can be conserved only by constant practice and
with good players".

It seems from the above that Anderssen was not too impressed with Morphy's
play. I do not know what Anderssen had to say about Steinitz. It can be
argued that neither met Anderssen in his prime.

Best wishes,

John Townsend,
Howard Staunton Research Project:
http://www.johntownsend.demon.co.uk/...es/Page324.htm