10 Famous Chess Games Every Player Should Know
Chess is a game with a long and rich history, and over the centuries, many legendary players have left their mark on the game. Some of these players have created games that are so memorable and influential that they continue to be studied and admired today. Let's examine the players, the history, and the impact on the history of chess for each of these games.
The Immortal Game (Anderssen vs. Kieseritzky, 1851)
The Immortal Game is one of the most famous and beloved games in chess history and for good reason. It features a series of stunning sacrifices and brilliant moves that culminate in a spectacular checkmate by Adolf Anderssen. The game was played in 1851 between Anderssen and Lionel Kieseritzky, two of the best players of their time. The game became famous because of the way it was played, with Anderssen sacrificing multiple pieces to set up his final attack. The game has been studied and analyzed by chess players for over 150 years, and it remains a shining example of the creativity and beauty of the game of chess.
The Opera Game (Morphy vs. Duke Karl and Count Isouard, 1858)
Paul Morphy was one of the greatest players in the early history of chess, and he is still revered today for his stunning victories and contributions to the game. The Opera Game, played in 1858, is one of Morphy's most famous games. Morphy played two opponents at the same time, Duke Karl and Count Isouard, and he defeated them both in spectacular fashion. The game is known for its clean and precise play, with Morphy gradually building up his advantage and finishing with a beautiful and decisive attack.
The Evergreen Game (Anderssen vs. Dufresne, 1852)
Anderssen makes another appearance on this list, this time for his game against Jean Dufresne in 1852. The game is called the Evergreen Game because of the way it is said to "live forever" in the memories of chess players. The game features a dazzling sequence of sacrifices and counter-sacrifices that leave the board in a state of chaos. In the end, Anderssen emerges victorious, having played one of the most brilliant games in chess history.
The Game of the Century (Fischer vs. Byrne, 1956)
In 1956, a young Bobby Fischer played what has become known as the Game of the Century against Donald Byrne. Fischer was only 13 years old at the time, but he played with the skill and creativity of a grandmaster. The game is famous for its opening moves, which set the stage for an intense and complex battle. Fischer gradually built up his advantage, sacrificing a bishop and a knight to create a decisive attack. The game is still studied by chess players today, and it is considered a masterpiece of attacking chess.
The Immortal Zugzwang Game (Saavedra vs. Roesch, 1900)
The Immortal Zugzwang Game is a masterpiece of middlegame play, featuring a brilliant and unexpected sequence of moves that ultimately lead to victory. Nimzowitsch played many great games during his career, but one of his most famous games was played against Aron Nimzowitsch in 1927. In that game, Nimzowitsch used his hypermodern ideas to gain control of the center of the board, eventually leading to a position where he was able to use Zugzwang to his advantage and force Nimzowitsch into a losing position. This game is also celebrated as a masterpiece of chess strategy and theory.
The Applause (Spassky vs. Fischer, 1972)
The Applause is a famous match played between Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer in the 1972 World Chess Championship. Game 6 is known for Fischer's brilliant attack against the Soviet player. Fischer took advantage of an interesting novelty in Spassky's best opening. He began by taking control of the center of the board and started his attack on Spassky's king. This game played a crucial role in the match as Fischer won it and ultimately went on to win the world championship.
The Evergreen Partie (Steinitz vs. Anderssen, 1866)
The Evergreen Partie is another masterpiece of attacking play played by Anderssen. It is a game played in 1866 against Wilhelm Steinitz, a player who would later become the first official world chess champion. This game is known for the stunning sacrifices made by Anderssen, which led to a spectacular finish.
Garry Kasparov's Immortal Game (Kasparov vs. Topalov, 1999)
The Game of the Century III was played between Garry Kasparov and Veselin Topalov in the 1999 Wijk aan Zee tournament. The game is known for its brilliant attacking play by both players, with Topalov taking the initiative in the opening and Kasparov slowly fighting his way back into the game. The game culminated in a stunning sacrifice by Kasparov that led to a decisive attack.
The Immortal Draw (Hamppe vs. Meitner, 1872)
The Immortal Draw is a game played between Carl Hamppe and Philipp Meitner in 1872. The game is famous for its brilliant and unexpected moves, as well as the fact that it ended in a draw. Meitner sacrificed his queen and two minor pieces to draw Hamppe's King to his side, resulting in countless mating attacks, but Hamppe defended skillfully and managed to secure a draw.
The Brilliancy Prize Game (Tal vs. Larsen, 1965)
The Brilliancy Prize Game is a game played between Mikhail Tal and Bent Larsen in the 1965 Candidates Tournament. The game is known for its creative and bold play by Tal, who sacrificed multiple pieces to create a stunning attack. The game is considered one of the greatest games ever played and has won the Brilliancy Prize, an award given for the most outstanding game of a tournament.
There are countless famous and influential chess games that have been played throughout history. Whether they're timeless classics from Morphy or Capablanca, or modern masterpieces from Carlsen or Kasparov, you'll always find something engaging and exciting to learn. Each game is a testament to the creativity, skill, and passion that have made chess one of the greatest games in the world. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, studying these games can help you to develop your own skills and deepen your appreciation for the game of chess.
