Austrian and later American chess master, Steinitz, who was also a highly influential writer and chess theoretician competed for the first contest that was defined "in advance" as being for the world championship.
 From this time onwards various players were "acclaimed" as world champions, but the first contest that was defined "in advance" as being for the world championship was the match between Steinitz and Zukertort in 1886. 
Wilhelm (later William) Steinitz (May 17, 1836 August 12, 1900) was an Austrian and later American chess master, and the first undisputed world chess champion, from 1886 to 1894. 
 He was also a highly influential writer and chess theoretician. 
