The Immortal Game (1851)
One of the most famous chess games ever played, featuring brilliant sacrificial play and tactical genius by Adolf Anderssen. This game exemplifies the attacking style of the Romantic era of chess.
Game Information
Key details about this historic encounter
- White
- Adolf Anderssen
- Black
- Lionel Kieseritzky
- Event
- London Informal Match
- Date
- 1851.06.21
- Opening
- King's Bishop's Gambit (C33)
- Result
- 1-0
1. e4 e5
Position: rnbqkbnr/pppp1ppp/8/4p3/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 2
Analysis:
- The most common opening move, controlling the center
- Black responds symmetrically, also claiming central space
Principles:
- Control the center early
- Develop pieces towards the center
- Fight for central squares
2. f4 exf4
Position: rnbqkbnr/pppp1ppp/8/8/4Pp2/8/PPPP2PP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 3
Analysis:
- The King's Gambit - offering a pawn for rapid development and attacking chances
- Black accepts the gambit, taking the pawn but allowing White initiative
Principles:
- Gambits trade material for initiative
- Early pawn sacrifices can lead to quick development
- The f4 break challenges Black's center control
3. Bc4 Qh4+
Position: rnb1kbnr/pppp1ppp/8/8/2B1Pp1q/8/PPPP2PP/RNBQK1NR w KQkq - 1 4
Analysis:
- White develops the bishop to its most aggressive square
- Black immediately counter-attacks with the queen check
Principles:
- Develop pieces with tempo when possible
- Early queen moves can be risky
- The f7 square becomes a target
Related Games
Explore these other famous games from the Romantic era:
- The Evergreen Game - Another brilliant game by Anderssen
- The Opera Game - Morphy's masterpiece of development and sacrifice
- The Immortal Draw - A fascinating draw with incredible tactical play
Historical Context
This game was played during the first international chess tournament in London, 1851, although it was not part of the official tournament. Adolf Anderssen, who would go on to win the tournament, played this informal game against Lionel Kieseritzky between tournament rounds.
The game exemplifies the "Romantic" style of chess popular in the 19th century, where bold sacrifices and attacking play were prized above positional understanding. It became known as the "Immortal Game" due to its stunning sacrificial play and brilliant tactical combinations.
Contemporary Sources:
- Original tournament bulletins
- The Chess Player's Chronicle reports
- Contemporary chess magazines
- Kieseritzky's own notes
Key Moments
- Opening (1-5): The King's Gambit is played, leading to sharp tactical play from the very beginning.
- Early Middlegame (6-12): Both sides maneuver for attacking chances, with Black's queen becoming somewhat exposed.
- Sacrificial Phase (13-19): Anderssen begins a series of brilliant sacrifices, giving up material for a devastating attack.
- Final Combination (20-23): The immortal finish, with Anderssen sacrificing his queen to force checkmate.
Game Analysis
Opening Phase
The game begins with the King's Gambit, a highly tactical opening characteristic of the Romantic era. Black accepts the gambit but quickly diverts from main lines with the early queen sortie.
Sacrificial Phase
Anderssen's sacrifices begin with giving up his bishop, followed by allowing his rook to be captured. The culmination is the brilliant queen sacrifice that leads to a forced checkmate.
Final Combination
The game concludes with a beautiful mating attack. Despite being down a queen and rook, Anderssen's remaining pieces coordinate perfectly to force checkmate.
Notable Annotations:
- Wilhelm Steinitz's analysis
- Modern computer validation
- Garry Kasparov's commentary
- Contemporary annotations from 1851
Legacy
The Immortal Game represents the height of Romantic chess, demonstrating:
- The beauty of sacrificial play
- The power of piece coordination in attacks
- The importance of king safety
- The value of the initiative
- The role of calculation in tactical positions
- The aesthetic appeal of chess combinations
This game is frequently used to teach:
- Attacking patterns against the king
- The power of sacrificial play
- The importance of piece coordination
- How to calculate complex variations
Further Study
Books
- Kasparov, Garry - "My Great Predecessors, Part I" (2003)
- Winter, Edward - "World Chess Champions" (1981)
- Soltis, Andy - "The 100 Best Chess Games of All Time" (2006)
- Fine, Reuben - "The World's Great Chess Games" (1951)
Online Resources
- Full Game with Interactive Board (ChessGames.com)
- Chess.com's Analysis
- Lichess Study with Engine Analysis
Historical Documents
- The Chess Player's Chronicle (1851)
- London Tournament Bulletin (1851)
- Contemporary chess magazine coverage
