8...Nxe4 — Black snatches the knight, but this is the fatal moment: the d-file is open and the king has no defenders.
Richard Réti vs Savielly Tartakower
Why this game matters
Vienna, 1910. In what Irving Chernev called probably the most famous of all miniature games, Richard Réti met Savielly Tartakower's loose play with a thunderbolt: a queen sacrifice on move 9 that drags the king into a forced mate. Just eleven moves, and one of the prettiest finishes in chess.
The lesson
A king caught in the centre with lines open is in mortal danger, even in the opening. Réti spotted that Tartakower's king had no shelter, sacrificed his queen to pull it into the open, and mated with two bishops. The lesson: develop and castle early — and when your opponent doesn't, look for the king in the centre.
Move by move
4… Nf64...Nf6 — a natural-looking developing move, but Black is behind in development and his king is still in the centre. Réti is ready to pounce.
5. Qd35.Qd3 — Réti develops with a threat, keeping his pieces aimed at the centre and the open lines toward Black's king.
6… Qa5+6...Qa5+ — Tartakower checks and grabs, but every move takes his queen and king further from safety while Réti castles long.
8. O-O-O8.O-O-O! Réti castles queenside, instantly putting his rook on the d-file opposite Black's exposed king. The trap is set.
8… Nxe48...Nxe4 — Black snatches the knight, but this is the fatal moment: the d-file is open and the king has no defenders.
9. Qd8+9.Qd8+!! The queen sacrifice. It drags the king to d8, straight into a mating net with the bishops.
10. Bg5+10.Bg5+ — the bishop checks and the king must run to c7, walking into mate.
11. Bd8#11.Bd8# — checkmate. Two bishops finish the job after the queen sacrifice. Eleven moves, and a miniature for the ages.
Frequently asked
Why is such a short game so famous?
Because the finish is perfect: a queen sacrifice on move 9 that forces a clean mate in eleven, punishing a king left in the centre. Irving Chernev called it probably the most famous of all miniature games. It's a favourite for teaching the dangers of an uncastled king.
What was Black's mistake?
Tartakower spent his early moves grabbing material and checking with the queen instead of developing and castling. With his king stuck in the centre and the d-file about to open, he was lost the moment Réti castled queenside — and 8...Nxe4 walked into the sacrifice.
Can I try the sacrifice?
Yes — take the board as Réti and try to find 9.Qd8+ and the forced mate, or step through all eleven moves, no sign-up.