Łódź, 1907. Akiba Rubinstein, one of the greatest players never to win the world title, produced a combination so beautiful that Carl Schlechter called it 'perhaps the most magnificent of all time'. After patient development, Rubinstein's two bishops and rooks converge on White's king in a cascade of sacrifices ending in a forced mate. It is known to this day as 'Rubinstein's Immortal'.
Develop harmoniously, point every piece at the same target, and the combination will appear on its own. Rubinstein didn't force matters early; he placed each piece on its best square, and when the lines opened, the sacrifices flowed because all his pieces were already aimed at the white king.
The concluding combination — a chain of sacrifices with two bishops and two rooks converging on the white king — is one of the most admired in chess history. Carl Schlechter called it 'perhaps the most magnificent of all time', and the nickname stuck.
Develop every piece to its best square and aim them at the same target before forcing anything. Rubinstein's combination only worked because all four attacking pieces were already pointed at White's king — the sacrifices were the natural result.
Yes — take the board as Rubinstein and try to find the rook sacrifice and the quiet 23...Rd2!!, or step through the whole game, 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.