London, 1851. In a casual game between tournament rounds, Adolf Anderssen produced the most celebrated attack in chess history — giving up both rooks and his queen, then mating with three minor pieces. It became known as 'The Immortal Game.' Step through it, or take the board at the famous finish.
Material is only a means to an end, and the end is the enemy king. Anderssen poured every piece toward the king and spent his queen and rooks without hesitation, because the mate was worth more than any amount of material. When the king is exposed, count threats, not points.
Chess writers were so struck by Anderssen's cascade of sacrifices — two rooks, a bishop and the queen, ending in checkmate with minor pieces — that they called it 'immortal.' The name has stuck for over 170 years.
No — it was a casual game played in London in 1851 between rounds of the first international tournament. That informality is part of its legend.
Yes. Hit 'Try Anderssen's finish' to take over with White and find the mate, or step through the whole game move by move — no sign-up.
BetterChess is a practice tool — we make no guarantee you'll reach 1800 or any rating. This is a historical game; the analysis is our own.