Immortal game - definition and history

Immortal game

Definition

An “Immortal game” is an informal, celebratory label chess players give to a spectacularly beautiful or unforgettable game, typically featuring bold sacrifices, a relentless king hunt, and a checkmating finish that stands the test of time. The term originated with a single famous brilliancy—Adolf Anderssen vs. Lionel Kieseritzky, London 1851—later nicknamed “The Immortal Game.” Today, players also use “immortal” more loosely online to describe their own most dazzling wins or a newly discovered masterpiece.

Usage in casual and online chess

In streams, clubs, or comment sections, you’ll often hear “That’s his immortal!” or “I finally got my immortal,” meaning a personal all-time best brilliancy. The label isn’t official; it’s a term of praise akin to Brilliancy. On platforms, a player might post a PGN with a caption like, “My immortal vs. k1ng” to highlight a flashy sequence such as a Queen sac, Exchange sac, or a picturesque King hunt.

• Slang tone: complimentary but informal.
• Not engine-perfect: many immortals include daring, “human” choices or even inaccuracies that amplify their artistic appeal.
• Shareable: ideal for puzzles, social posts, and highlight reels.

Historical significance

The classic “Immortal Game” (Anderssen–Kieseritzky, 1851) became the emblem of the Romantic era of chess—prioritizing initiative, open lines, and brilliant attacking ideas over material. Anderssen famously sacrificed both rooks and his queen to finish with minor pieces delivering mate. The game shaped how fans talk about beauty in chess and inspired later nicknames like the “Evergreen game,” the “Polish Immortal,” and the “Peruvian Immortal.”

Typical features and strategy

• Early initiative and open diagonals/files, often with a gambit spirit (e.g., King’s Gambit).
• Bold sacrificial play: Queen sac, Exchange sac, or intuitive/Speculative sacrifice.
• A sweeping King hunt culminating in a model mating net.
• Classic tactical motifs: Decoy, Deflection, Overload, Interference, Discovered attack, Double check.
• A memorable final picture: themes like Back rank mate, Smothered mate, Opera mate, or a perfect harmony of minor pieces.

Famous example: Anderssen–Kieseritzky, London 1851 (“The Immortal Game”)

White sacrifices both rooks and the queen, then mates with bishop and knights alone. The opening is a fearless King’s Gambit. Try stepping through the moves below and watch how White keeps seizing the initiative:

Key highlights to visualize:

• Early gambit pressure and rapid development by White.
• Relentless attacks on Black’s king, forcing it into the open.
• Rook and queen sacrifices that clear lines and remove defenders.
• The final move Be7#—a quiet-looking but lethal mate.

Interactive replay:

Historical note: The game was an offhand encounter during the 1851 London tournament events and quickly entered chess lore as the quintessential Romantic brilliancy.

Other “immortals” and modern echoes

• “Evergreen game” (Anderssen vs. Dufresne, 1852): Another classic masterpiece, often paired with the Immortal. See Evergreen game.
• “Polish Immortal” (Glucksberg vs. Najdorf, Warsaw 1935): A whirlwind attack culminating in a famous finish; a modern-era nod to Romantic flair.
• “Peruvian Immortal” (Esteban Canal vs. NN, 1934): A swift, sparkling king hunt ending in a model mate.
• “Game of the Century” (Bobby Fischer vs. Donald Byrne, 1956): Not called “immortal,” but often mentioned alongside immortals for its brilliancy. See Game of the century.

In today’s engine era, commentators still crown fresh masterpieces as “immortals,” celebrating human creativity, risk-taking, and narrative beauty—even when computers later find improvements.

How to craft your own “immortal” (practical tips)

1. Play for the initiative: open lines with a timely Pawn break or gambit.
2. Coordinate attackers: build a Battery, centralize pieces, and look for forcing moves.
3. Calculate forcing lines: checks, captures, threats. Watch for Zwischenzug chances.
4. Consider sacrifices when they lead to a lasting attack, winning tempo, or a forced mate.
5. Finish cleanly: aim for a model mating net (e.g., Back rank mate, Smothered mate, or a picturesque minor-piece mate).

Common misconceptions

• “Immortal” doesn’t mean engine-perfect. Many iconic games have inaccuracies but are treasured for their artistry.
• You don’t need a queen sacrifice to qualify—though a dazzling Queen sac certainly helps.
• Short does not mean shallow: a crisp Miniature can be immortal if the idea is unforgettable.

Trivia and anecdotes

• The original Immortal Game ends with White having sacrificed both rooks and the queen—yet delivering mate with minor pieces only.
• It was an offhand (casual) game; even so, it became one of the most published scores in chess history.
• “Immortal” spawned a tradition: players and journalists keep coining new immortals when a game captures the community’s imagination.

Related terms and themes

• Brilliancy and Brilliancy prize
• Queen sac, Exchange sac, Speculative sacrifice
• King hunt, Windmill, Greek gift
• Opera mate, Back rank mate, Smothered mate
• Evergreen game, Game of the century, “Polish Immortal,” “Peruvian Immortal”

Why it matters

“Immortal games” are chess’s enduring stories—memorable, instructive, and inspiring. They teach attacking principles, coordination, and courage at the board, while reminding us that chess is both sport and art.