Immortal Game

The Immortal Game is Adolf Anderssen's victory over Lionel Kieseritzky, played in London in 1851. It became famous for the amount of material Anderssen allowed to be given up during his attack: both rooks and, finally, his queen. In chess, a sacrifice means deliberately giving up material, the value represented by pieces, to gain something else such as time for an attack, clearer paths for the remaining pieces, or threats against the king.

The finish explains why the game became a symbol of nineteenth-century attacking chess. Despite being far behind in material, Anderssen's remaining pieces coordinate a checkmate. Its fame does not mean every move is flawless by later analysis. Its historical importance lies in the conception and beauty of the combination, not in being an error-free game.

It is not the same game as the 1956 Game of the Century. Both are celebrated for spectacular combinations, but they belong to completely different players, eras, and contexts.