The Immortal Game — the most famous chess game ever played
Anderssen vs Kieseritzky, London 1851. A masterpiece of romantic-era sacrificial chess.
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What is the Immortal Game?
The 'Immortal Game' is the title given to a specific, legendary chess game played in London in 1851 between Adolf Anderssen and Lionel Kieseritzky. It is universally celebrated as the pinnacle of the Romantic era of chess. In this game, Anderssen (playing White) sacrificed a bishop, both of his rooks, and finally his queen, to draw the black king into a mating net. The final checkmate was delivered by White's remaining minor pieces—a bishop and two knights—against Black's nearly full army. The term 'Immortal Game pattern' now refers to any checkmate where a player sacrifices heavy material (like a queen and rooks) to deliver a delicate, minor-piece checkmate. The original game is a testament to the fact that initiative and attacking momentum can completely overwhelm a material advantage if the opponent's pieces are undeveloped.
The Game — Move by Move
The King's Gambit Accepted
Anderssen opens with the King's Gambit: 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4. The start of the most famous game in chess history.
Both Rooks Sacrificed
By move 19, both of Anderssen's rooks are gone — the g1-rook fell to 18...Bxg1, the a1-rook to 19...Qxa1+. Kieseritzky's queen is deep behind enemy lines hoovering up material, but Anderssen simply sidesteps the check and keeps attacking.
The Queen Sacrifice
Anderssen gives up his queen too: 22.Qf6+ Nxf6!. Down a queen and both rooks, only three minor pieces are left on the board for White — a bishop and two knights — but together they surround Black's king completely.
The Immortal Checkmate
Be7#! The bishop completes its journey — Bxb5, Bd6, Be7 — while the knights on d5 and g7 seal every escape square around Black's king. Checkmated with only three minor pieces, after Anderssen sacrificed his queen and both rooks: the game the Immortal Game is named for.
This Opening in Your Games
The King's Gambit in modern play
King's Gambit
The Immortal Game began as a King's Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.f4). This opening embodies the romantic style, offering a pawn immediately to open lines and attack the center. Players of the King's Gambit must be prepared for wild, tactical struggles where king safety is paramount.
View opening pageEvans Gambit
Similar to the King's Gambit, the Evans Gambit sacrifices a pawn for rapid development and attacking chances. Anderssen himself used this opening to win the 'Evergreen Game', another masterpiece of the romantic era.
Other Immortal Attacking Games
This is the Immortal Game itself. Anderssen's staggering sacrifices and the final picturesque mate with only three minor pieces against Black's army cemented this game's place in history. It remains the most famous chess game ever played.
Tips for Club Players
Development is more important than material in the opening.
Don't go pawn grabbing with your queen if it leaves your king exposed.
A coordinated attack by a few pieces can defeat a larger but uncoordinated army.
Always look for forcing moves (checks, captures, threats) when attacking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the Immortal Game
It was dubbed 'The Immortal Game' by the Austrian chess master Ernst Falkbeer in 1855, who felt that the beauty and brilliance of Anderssen's sacrifices meant the game would live forever in chess history. He was right.
While Anderssen likely didn't see the final mate from move one, his style was to create maximum complexity and attacking potential. He calculated the final, decisive sacrifices deeply once the position became critical.
Related Concepts
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