Lodz · 1907
Rubinstein's Immortal
White: George RotlewiBlack: Akiba RubinsteinResult: 0-1 - Akiba Rubinstein wins25 moves
Two bishops aimed at the white king, a queen sacrifice and a cascade of rook sacrifices: Rubinstein mates with pieces that seem to come from nowhere.
The key moments
- 20... Ng4Knight to g4! The queen is offered on h4 next.
- 21... Qh4Queen to h4. Take it if you dare.
- 22... Rxc3Rook takes c3! The queen is left hanging.
- 23... Rd2Rook to d2. Another sacrifice.
- 25... Rh3Rook to h3. Mate cannot be stopped.
All moves
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 c5 4. c4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. a3 a6 8. b4 Bd6 9. Bb2 O-O 10. Qd2 Qe7 11. Bd3 dxc4 12. Bxc4 b5 13. Bd3 Rd8 14. Qe2 Bb7 15. O-O Ne5 16. Nxe5 Bxe5 17. f4 Bc7 18. e4 Rac8 19. e5 Bb6+ 20. Kh1 Ng4 21. Be4 Qh4 22. g3 Rxc3 23. gxh4 Rd2 24. Qxd2 Bxe4+ 25. Qg2 Rh3 0-1
Replay it on the living board
In When Kings Fall this game is replayed with living armies: George Rotlewi commands the Light, Akiba Rubinstein the Shadow. Every capture is a duel, the key moments are shown in slow motion with commentary, and the analysis mode shows Stockfish's evaluation after every move.