The Vanishing Opponent
Steinitz leaves his rook en prise again and again. Instead of resigning, von Bardeleben simply walked out of the hall - and Steinitz showed the mate to the spectators.
The key moments
- 17. d5Pawn to d5! A pawn sacrifice opens the centre.
- 22. Rxe7+Rook takes e7, check! The rook will not be taken.
- 23. Rf7+The mad rook: check from f7, g7 and h7.
- 25. Rxh7+Rook takes h7. Von Bardeleben leaves the hall without a word.
All moves
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Nc3 d5 8. exd5 Nxd5 9. O-O Be6 10. Bg5 Be7 11. Bxd5 Bxd5 12. Nxd5 Qxd5 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 14. Re1 f6 15. Qe2 Qd7 16. Rac1 c6 17. d5 cxd5 18. Nd4 Kf7 19. Ne6 Rhc8 20. Qg4 g6 21. Ng5+ Ke8 22. Rxe7+ Kf8 23. Rf7+ Kg8 24. Rg7+ Kh8 25. Rxh7+ 1-0
Replay it on the living board
In When Kings Fall this game is replayed with living armies: Wilhelm Steinitz commands the Light, Curt von Bardeleben 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.