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Great Games
- Chess Atlas Subsections
- VOL. I • Chess HistoryFrom Chaturanga to Neural Engines
- VOL. II • Classic ChessPieces, Notation & Rules
- VOL. III • Legendary PlayersPantheon of Chess Immortals
- VOL. IV • Great GamesInteractive game studies
- VOL. V • OpeningsOriginal CAISSORA Opening Articles
- VOL. VI • Tactics & StrategyForks, Pins & Board Geometry
←Back to games listThe Immortal Game
Casual game, concurrent with the London 1851 international tournamentLondon • 18511-0
The Immortal Game
White
Black
Opening
King's Gambit, Bishop's Gambit
In the opening tree: King's Gambit Accepted: Bishop's Gambit, Bryan CountergambitSite
London
Masterpiece Historical Lore
Anderssen sacrificed both rooks, a bishop and his queen, mating with only a knight, a bishop and a pawn left on the board — the game that gave the term "immortal" its enduring chess meaning.
Interactive Game Board
Start Position
♚
Lionel Kieseritzky
Черные • Black
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1
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♔
Adolf Anderssen
Белые • White
Start Position
Speed:
Moves
(45 plies • 23 moves)1–10moves
#WhiteBlack
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11–20moves
#WhiteBlack
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21–23moves
#WhiteBlack
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Key Move & Strategic Impact
The queen sacrifice that gives The Immortal Game its name — 22.Qf6+, offering the queen so the knight and bishop left on the board can force mate two moves later.