Łódź · 19070–1·Rubinstein finishes with a storm of sacrifices; White resigns
Rubinstein's Immortal
Georg Rotlewi vs Akiba Rubinstein
Often called the most beautiful combination ever played. Rubinstein lets his queen hang and answers every capture with another sacrifice, weaving a mating net out of two bishops and a rook. A masterpiece of piece harmony from one of the greatest players never to be world champion.
Start
Often called the most beautiful combination ever played. Rubinstein lets his queen hang and answers every capture with another sacrifice, weaving a mating net out of two bishops and a rook. A masterpiece of piece harmony from one of the greatest players never to be world champion.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
The takeaway
Combinations are pieces working together, not one heroic move. Rubinstein's sacrifices worked because every remaining piece — two bishops and a rook — pointed at the same king. Coordinate first; the tactics follow.
Now go make your own.
Play a game Another classic
The Opera Game
Paul Morphy vs Duke of Brunswick & Count Isouard · 1858
The Immortal Game
Adolf Anderssen vs Lionel Kieseritzky · 1851
Légal's Mate
Sire de Légal vs Saint Brie · 1750
The Evergreen Game
Adolf Anderssen vs Jean Dufresne · 1852
The Game of the Century
Donald Byrne vs Bobby Fischer · 1956
A Queen Sacrifice and Double Check
Richard Réti vs Savielly Tartakower · 1910
Kasparov's Immortal
Garry Kasparov vs Veselin Topalov · 1999
The Gold Coins Game
Stepan Levitsky vs Frank Marshall · 1912