22...Rxc3! The combination begins. Rubinstein sacrifices a rook to demolish the knight defending White's king.
Georg Rotlewi vs Akiba Rubinstein
Why this game matters
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'.
The lesson
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.
Move by move
3. e33.e3 — a quiet, classical setup. Both sides develop calmly; Rubinstein is a master of the slow build-up.
9… O-O9...O-O — Rubinstein finishes development before doing anything sharp. Notice how natural and harmonious every black piece is.
14… Bb714...Bb7 places the bishop on the long diagonal, staring straight at White's king. The pieces are quietly taking aim.
20… Ng420...Ng4! The combination is loading — the knight adds a fourth attacker and threatens the white king directly.
22. g322...Rxc3! The combination begins. Rubinstein sacrifices a rook to demolish the knight defending White's king.
22… Rxc323.gxh4 — White grabs the queen, but it's a trap: Rubinstein has seen further.
23. gxh423...Rd2!! The quiet hammer-blow. The rook deflects White's queen and the threats against g2 and the back rank become unstoppable.
24. Qxd224...Bxe4+ — with check, dragging White's queen to a fatal square and clearing the way for the finish.
25. Qg225...Rh3!! The final move — White is helpless against the mate on h2/g2. Rotlewi resigned. Two bishops and two rooks, all aimed at one king.
Frequently asked
Why is it called 'Rubinstein's Immortal'?
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.
What's the lesson for a club player?
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.
Can I try the finish?
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.